Amid the economic downturn, horse neglect cases in the foothills have soared. We now investigate twice as many cases – two to three per month compared to one a month. At least four horses have been simply dumped in our area, and ReHorse Rescue, the area’s only equine rescue center, is now holding 44 horses.
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The foothills are beautiful. No wonder so many choose to retire here to get away from the urban lifestyle and out into the country. So what’s the harm in letting Fido and Rover free to enjoy rural living as well? The truth is, the consequences of letting dogs run at large can be deadly serious.
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These hard economic times are having an impact on the animals as well. Dealing with job losses, home foreclosures, and uncertainty of what the future holds is forcing many families to make difficult decisions. More pets are being surrendered, and fewer impounded pets are being reclaimed. Last year at Animal Control, we saw a marked
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A few years ago I was facing a major surgery and it brought to the forefront this question: “Who will care for our beloved pets should something catastrophic occur and I am not able to?” I checked with friends and family to find out who was willing or able to care for which animals. Then
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Not everyone is aware that the state of California is a declared rabies area. Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system and, once symptomatic, it is almost always fatal. The virus is endemic in the skunk and bat populations, but every mammal is at risk, including humans. This is why it is
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Having worked in the animal welfare field for more than 20 years, I know that controlling pet overpopulation is the single most important way to reduce euthanasia. Adoption is helpful but spay/neuter is the key. The excess numbers of dogs and cats born in this country is astounding, and it is unrealistic to believe that
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Those of us in the Sierra Nevada foothills live with the very real threat of wildfires. Having to get pets and belongs out during an emergency is stressful under any circumstance, but some advance preparation can help to make things a little easier. Have a pet carrier ready for each dog and cat. Make sure
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Nothing is worse than that sense of panic when your beloved dog or cat is missing. The gate was left open and Rover went exploring. The screen is pushed out and Fluffy is nowhere to be found. What do you do? First, search the immediate area in case the pet has not gone far or
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