THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MEMPHIS ANIMAL SERVICES
Hot Weather Tips
Pet Festival @ Legends Park
10 Reasons to Spay or Netuer August/September 2013
Welcome Aboard!
What you should know about
EXTERNAL PARASITES IMPORTANT POINTS
Jerry L. Goudy
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Look for fleas, ticks, and coat abnormalities any time you groom your dog or cat.
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See your veterinarian, if your pet excessively scratches, chews, or licks its hair or coat, or persistently shakes its head. These signs could indicate presences of external parasites.
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Prompt treatment of parasites lessens your pet’s discomfort, decreases the chances of disease transmission from parasite to pet, and may reduce the degree of home infestation.
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Discuss the health of all family pets with your veterinarian, when one pet becomes infested. Some parasites cycle among pets, making control of infestation difficult unless other pets are considered. Consult your veterinarian before beginning treatment.
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Tell your veterinarian if you have attempted any parasite remedies, as this may impact your veterinarian’s recommendation.
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Be especially careful when applying insecticides to cats. Cats are particularly sensitive to these products. Never use a product that is not approved for cats, as the results could be lethal.
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Follow label directions carefully.
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Leave treatment to the experts. Your veterinarian offers technical expertise and can assist you in identifying products that are most likely to effectively and safely control your pet’s parasite problem.
Operations Manager Hometown:
Native of Memphis, Tennessee, graduate of White Station High School and Christian Brothers University Status : Married/ two children with fur Job responsibilities: Manages the day-to-day operations of Memphis Animal Services Goals: Exceeding Citizens Expectations Why do you like working for MAS? The challenge to make MAS the best! Any other interesting talents or facts? Studying historic southwest, traveling, caring for animals, restoration of historic properties and promoting sustainable living.
Pet Festival @ Legends Park MSNS by PetSmart Charities® to provide “pay-what-you-can” spay/neuter surgeries and rabies vaccinations for approximately 598 resident owned cats and 497 dogs residing in zip code 38105 ,through the end of 2013. Residents of 38105 will have the opportunity to book their appointment with MSNS. Pet owners may bring their pet to the MSNS clinic at 854 Goodman Street, Memphis, TN 38111, or they can sign up for transport days on August 9, 16, 23, 30. Mid-South Spay & Neuter Services (MSNS) and MAS hosted a Pet Festival at Legends Park, on August 3rd, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents of zip code 38105.
and the capacity to concentrate these efforts in an area that will benefit from accessibility to affordable services and ultimately contribute to a reduction in the problem of overpopulation of animals within our community.”
Low-cost vaccinations and microchips were available for pets. Scheduling was also provided for spay and neuter surgeries, during the month of August. In addition to low-cost pet services, the Pet Festival was a day of fun for the whole family! There were toys and games for pets, fun activities for kids, snacks for families, and special gifts were awarded throughout the day.
The Pet Festival is part of a larger promotion as part of a grant awarded to
“One of the main goals of Memphis Animal Services is the promotion of responsible pet ownership, which is achieved through education and awareness,” said Janet P. Hooks, Director of Parks and Neighborhoods of the City of Memphis. “MAS is excited about this collaboration with Mid-South Spay & Neuter Services
Pet Festival By the numbers 4 Microchips provided 25 Rabies Shots administered w/License Tags Other Vaccinations provided 31 DHLPP 5 IN 1 and 20 Bordatella
MAS will provide transportation on these days for this promotion only. Once pets have been spayed or neutered, they will have the opportunity to receive a free rabies shot, other discounted vaccinations, and low-cost microchips. “We are grateful to Memphis Animal Services for partnering with us to make a substantial difference in the lives of pets and their owners in Memphis. By working together, we can take a bite out of pet overpopulation and forge our way into a bright future for our community,” says Stephanie Bennett, MSNS Executive Director. “The fact that PetSmart Charities has their sights set on Memphis is proof that they believe that our community can make a real difference in the lives of animals.” If you are a pet owner from the 38105 ZIP Code you can still make appointments and arrangements for transportation by calling (901) 324-3202.
Adoption
Strays
If you see an animal you want to adopt, the adoption should be processed at the shelter as soon as possible.
Strays are held 3 working days to give the pet parent the opportunity to reclaim them. Animals held in the stray areas have been picked up or brought to the shelter as stray animals. These animals may or may not be available for adoption. The adoptability of the animal
Adoptions must be done IN PERSON, and are on a “first come, first serve” basis. The adoption fee is $75 for dogs/puppies and $70 for cats/kittens. This fee includes the microchipping of every animal adopted. The fee also includes: heartworm test, spay/neuter, and rabies, parvo, and distemper shots for dogs and spay/neuter, vaccinations, and FeLV and FIV testing for cats. All animals must be spay/neutered before leaving the shelter, and this usually takes 2 or 3 days.
Yappy Hour MAS’ popular “Yappy Hour” event continues every Thursday, between 4 - 7 p.m. Adoption fees for the facility’s animals are discounted during Yappy Hour only to $40 and include shots, sterilization, and microchipping.
depends on its health and temperament. At the end of the holding period, the animals are evaluated for adoption.
Mobile Adoptions Mobile Adoptions are held the 2nd Saturday of each month at PetCo Poplar/Highland from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and PetCo Bartlett every 4th Saturday of each month. To adopt an animal, host a mobile adoption, or become a volunteer, contact: Memphis Animal Services 2350 Appling City Cove Memphis, TN 38133 Phone: (901) 636-PAWS Photos used in this publication are actual shelter animals with their new pet parents. Information provided by Tracy Dunlap, Senior Animal Care Technician/ Volunteer Coordinator Layout/Creative Direction provided by Allison J. Fouche’ , Office of Public Relations
5. Your neutered male will be much better behaved. Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering. 6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake. 7. It is highly cost-effective.
Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet Whether you’ve recently adopted a pet or you’re considering it, one of the most important health decisions you’ll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. Spaying—removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet—is a veterinary procedure that requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits. Neutering—removing the testicles of your male dog or cat—will vastly improve your pet’s behavior and keep him close to home. By law, all dogs and cats over six months old that are kept within the City of Memphis must be spayed or neutered. There are a number of exceptions but, by and large, most pets must be spayed or neutered in order to comply with this law. Not convinced yet? Check out our handy—and persuasive—list of the top 10 reasons to spay or neuter your pet! 1. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet be-
fore her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. 2. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male. Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age. 3. Your spayed female won’t go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they’ll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house! 4. Your male dog won’t want to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
The cost of your pet’s spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray! 8. Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community. Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets. 9. Your pet doesn’t need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children— especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way. 10. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation. Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. Published on ASPCA (http://www.aspca.org)
Friends of Memphis Animal Services FY’ 13 Donations Carolyn M. McCaughan $ 50,000 Estate of Dorothy W Bonicelli $ 25,207.49 White Station High School $3,891.44 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals $ 500.00 Petco Foundation $ 407.64
Senior Volunteers
Shelby County Assessor of Property $230.10 Buffalo Wild Wings - $185.00 Lori Breakstone - $154.00 Johnnie & Rex Amonette - $100.00
The shelter is trying to double the number of volunteers. Memphis Animal Services is always looking for people with spare time that would like to help improve the quality of life for shelter animals. Currently, the shelter has around 30 volunteers, and is trying to double that number by attracting senior citizens to help us out. The volunteer program was developed to promote and compliment the work of Memphis Animal Services employees. Volunteers are a valuable asset to Memphis Animal Services and to the many animals that pass through our center. Duties would include: Walking dogs Greeting shelter visitors Helping with community outreach & mobile adoptions Fostering Volunteer Orientation is held every third Saturday at 10:00 a.m. For more information regarding shelter tours, volunteering, mobile adoptions, and community outreach, contact Tracy Dunlap, Senior Animal Care Technician/ Volunteer Coordinator at 636-1448.
Great Oaks Foundation - $ 100.00 Margot McNeeley - $ 100.00 Kelley Carter- $ 50.00 Robert F Fogelman II - $ 50.00 Barbara McGrath - $ 50.00 Sylvia Willis - $ 50.00 James Hosman - $ 30.00 Dorothy Morton- $ 30.00 Mary Busler - $ 25.00 Sharon Prewitt - $25.00 Jonathan D. Rowe - $25.00
TIPS to help find a lost pet!
We love our pets, but what happens when our pets are lost. Unfortunately, pets sometimes come up missing. Here are some helpful ways to help find your pets when they stray.
Pet parents should always keep a collar with your current ID on your pet. And remember, microcipping has a high rate of return for your favorite furry friends. Post flyers in your neighborhood with information with a CURRENT picture and a phone number. If possible, offer a reward. If someone claims to have your pet, meet them at a fire station or other public place. Knock on doors and talk to people in the neighborhood. Most people walk the streets around their home and call their pet. People who knock on their neighbor’s doors and ask if anyone has seen their pet instead of just calling are more likely to find their pet.
Visit your local shelter on a regular basis. It often takes several days for a pet to end up in a shelter. You must VISIT the shelter at least EVERY OTHER DAY and not depend on identification of your pet by a phone call. Contact your local rescue organizations. Some people are afraid animals will be euthanized if they turn them over to the shelter. Inform kids in the neighborhood, mail carriers, and people who walk in your neighborhood, etc., of your missing pet Ask businesses in the area to post a copy of your flyer. This includes gas stations, fast food restaurants, pet stores, veterinarian clinics, groomers, trainers, and convenience stores. At grocery stores, ask if you can post a copy of your flyer in the pet food aisle. Online help is also available: Facebook: Lost and Found Pets of the Midsouth Memphis/Shelby County Humane Society: www.memphishumane. org/ Commercial Appeal: www.commercialappeal. com/classified/placead Memphis Craig’s list: http://memphis.craig’slist. org/ (place under “pets” and “lost”) Don’t give up looking for your pet! Sometimes it takes a while to find them .
It’s the Law Spay or Neuter By law, all dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered. In accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 5-83. Spay and Neuter Requirements; no person shall own, harbor, or keep within the City of Memphis, a dog or cat over the age of six months, which has not been spayed or neutered unless the dog or cat is exempted from the provisions of this section, as defined under Sec. 5-85. There are a number of exceptions but, by and large, most pets must be spayed or neutered in order to comply with this law.
Rabies All dogs and cats three months or older must also have a current rabies vaccination. Owners of dogs residing in Memphis and Shelby County are required by County Ordinance 823-34 and Tennessee State Law, T.C.A. 68-8-104, to have their dog licensed yearly and must present proof of rabies vaccine
at the time of issuance.
Memphis Animal Services 2350 Appling City Cove Memphis, TN 38133 Phone: (901) 636-PAWS