Saturday, December 17, 2011
Good food, plus little movement, equals fat cats. Cats at this, or any shelter, need exercise.
A few weeks back, the Cobb County Animal Control shelter had a complaint about a dog being too thin. I’m not sure of the outcome of the complaint but I do know the shelter took it seriously and made changes. Being too thin certainly isn’t the case with the cats at the shelter. The lack of exercise is taking its toll; pot bellies are the norm, not the exception, in the cat rooms. Co-mingling rooms, where cats roam free, would be a great help in keeping down the obesity rate. Best management practices of shelter animals show that these types of rooms cut down on stress and illnesses among the cats. A more welcoming, less scary, shelter produces higher adoption rates, lower kill rates, and are less costly to fund or operate. There are local …
Saturday, December 10, 2011
These pets are asking Santa for a home this Christmas...and they've all been pretty darn nice!
The cats at Cobb County Animal Control are finally out of quarantine and the Spirit of Christmas has taken hold at the shelter. They are being specially priced from now until Christmas in the hopes that many of them will find homes for the holidays (and for many years to come). On Friday, fifteen dogs and three cats left the shelter and headed north to Minnesota. All have homes awaiting them – some adoptive homes and others foster homes, but homes with families nonetheless. Three elves helped me photograph the animals this week. These were real elves that made costumes and provided toys and treats. It was pure magic. Come out to the shelter and experience a bit of holiday bliss. Who knows, you might find Dasher, Blitzen, or one of the …
Saturday, December 3, 2011
So many pets with no place to go at Cobb County Animal Control. Plus, Parvovirus and how to prevent it in this week’s vet tips.
The cat rooms at the Cobb County Animal Control shelter are still under quarantine for the Panleukopenia virus (Panleuk for short - a.k.a Distemper), hopefully, it will be lifted at the first of the week. But last week, another cat died and it has yet to be determined whether it was from this virus or some other ailment. If it is found to be a fourth case of Panleuk, the quarantine will start again for two more weeks. Please pray for the Cobb cats. Space for cats at the shelter is stretched to the limit (the makeshift adoption room and the isolation area are completely full and overflowing). Despite the staff letting the public know when they call in, or come in person with their animals, that there is no more room for cats people still …
Saturday, November 19, 2011
They're available at the Cobb County animal shelter for the discounted rate of $80.
Here are Cobb County Animal Control's pets of the week, meaning they're available with full vet work for a discounted rate of $80. Maddy: "Maddy is an ideal family dog. Her Yoda ears are so cute. Don’t let her age fool you—this girl has plenty of spunk and personality. She is a smart girl that knows how to sit and is well behaved. Maddy is looking for a great home to retire in!" Lucy: "Lucy has an award-winning personality. She loves to play, though you can’t tell from her voluptuous figure. Lucy does great with kids as well. Pet her a few times, and she will show you her appreciation with lots of kisses. Take home this loving lady today!" The $80 adoption fee includes: If you wish to adopt either of these lovable pets, call 770-499-4136 …
Sunday, November 13, 2011
What's one more place at the dinner table...or under it? Adopt a Pilgrim cat, they would be oh so thankful! Plus, vet tips on pet obesity.
Many changes are happening and many more are needed at the Cobb County Animal Control shelter, but for this week I decided to concentrate on the holiday season soon to begin. Thanksgiving, a day for giving thanks and for celebration, is the perfect time to add a new family member. Perhaps one of these Pilgrim kitties would be welcome in your home this Thanksgiving Day…and everyday after that. If you would like to help make these animals stay at the shelter a bit more comfy, you can order a kitty bed for a donation of $15. These beds are made locally and with much love for the animals. For a dog bed, donate a Kuranda bed. They can be purchased and donated to the shelter by ordering online. The beds will be sent directly to the shelter www.…
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Our Pets of the Week, Butch and Molly, need homes. Plus, check out our weekly helpful vet tips.
“Death is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” Cpt. Jeff Patellis, Director of Cobb County Animal Control (CCAC), said this week. “I’ve asked my staff to ‘think outside the box’ and come up with innovative ways to house the overflow of animals (cutting down on the need to euthanize for space) and get more animals adopted." Housing the 200-plus cats on the back dock in penthouse cages (soon to be surrounded by plexi-glass sheeting to keep upper respiratory infections down) is one of these innovative solutions. Cobb Company Cats is another. This program, now in place, allows Cobb businesses to adopt an adult cat to be their company cat. Cats relax the atmosphere, lower blood pressure, and make clients feel welcomed when they come …
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Two wonderful animals are featured, plus tips on how to retrain your dog if it shows aggression around food.
Animals offer us unconditional love, complete loyalty, and many hours of entertainment. They give us a reason for getting up when life has thrown us a curve and offer complete support when we seek out new challenges. It’s scientifically proven that the shared bond between us has substantial health benefits for both sides. There are plenty of animals at the Cobb County Animal Control shelter ready to step up and offer companionship, with at least one for every person interested. Why not make the move and begin a new relationship today? It’s hard to have favorites when there are so many wonder animals to choose from, but these two, Lexie and Russell, stand out among the rest in the eyes of two workers at the shelter – one staff, one …
Saturday, August 6, 2011
CCAC adoption event is Saturday! Come to the shelter, adopt a friend, win a raffle prize, eat, drink, and adopt another friend. Plus tips on introducing a new pet into your home.
The ASPCA grant challenge has officially begun. Cobb County Animal Control (CCAC) is in it to win it…or at least to win a part of the $300,000 grant money being offered. The top prize is $100,000 with the remaining $200,000 divided up into $5,000 and $25,000 increments. It’s all about the numbers – 300 more adoptions this year from August 1 – October 31 than there were last year during the same time period. The first of the three special adoption days happens at the shelter today - Saturday, August 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reduced adoption fees have been set for all animals, with a “blue” light special dog and cat every hour. I’m here to tell you that the animals at Cobb are, by far, the best around. If you or someone you know is …
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sunday, July 31 is Mutt Day. Don't have a mutt? That can easily be remedied. Plus, vet tips on reducing separation anxiety in your dog.
It was brought to my attention by a reader who is also a fellow animal lover and Patch writer, that July 31 is Mutt Day. To celebrate these non-breed specific canines I went to the shelter to find the “muttiest” dog there. The dictionary definition of a mutt is a dog of no definable type or breed (inferring a dog of lesser worth or inferior quality). I asked several staff members to take me to the “muttiest” dog there. Each time their reply was the same, “I can’t think of one. Nope, none come to mind.” Hmm, surely there must be one scraggly, mangy, homely, pitiful mutt in this place. I continued my search. I went from cage to cage, only to find one cute face after another. I searched the two main kennels. The sound was deafening - not …
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Plus tips on how to help make your cat feel comfortable and relaxed when traveling in a car or carrier.
Senior cats aren’t the only seniors at the Cobb County Animal Control shelter. Senior dogs are also turned in on a daily basis. These older animals make excellent pets. Dogs and cats mellow after they have outgrown the antics of the puppy and kitten stage. And because of this, they often make smoother transitions into new homes. Training, if done in the past, is well established, leaving ‘accidents’ less likely to occur. This edition of Pets of the Week is dedicated to all the seniors at the shelter. Emma, an 8-year-old, female Australian Shepherd mix, came in to the shelter on May 17 when her owner dropped her off. She was quite scared but has learned to adapt to shelter life. She loves going outside with the volunteers and getting a …
Vicki Hammond
6:55 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Otis reclaimed! Kimona adopted! Lady rescued! Miss Kitty waits at the cage door for someone to take her home...she's a sweetheart. more ›