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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 2014)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 20, 2014 Page A-3 Annual Airport Animal advocates come Days set date together in the Valley 2nd Annual Airport Days Grants Pass, Oregon - Josephine County Commis- sioners and Airport Advisory Board announce 2nd annual Airport Days: Saturday, September 6 at the Grants Pass Airport. This year’s event em- phasizes the many ways in which aviation is growing with Grants Pass. The day kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with a pancake breakfast by the Experi- mental Aircraft Association (EAA). Throughout the day visitors are up close and per- sonal with vintage, classic and home-built aircraft and pilots and builders. There will be fly-bys of iconic aircraft and a dis- play of aerobatic flight by the Rogue Valley Flyers R/C club. At mid-day the skies will fill with paragliders ar- riving from their jump site atop Mt. Walker. This year special em- phasis is focuses on those middle school-high school students and their parents who are considering future career directions. Aviation businesses are expecting many job vacan- cies over the next decade as military veterans begin to retire from the industry. The opportunities for young peo- ple will abound. Airport Days: Satur- day, September 6, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - No admission charge - Free shuttles from parking areas - Food vendors throughout the day - free ac- cess and photos to all the air- craft. Additional information: Please contact Art Kelly, 541-472-9683. Skate Park Memorial for Nathan Ray Gerber. By Annette McGee Rasch IVN Senior Contributing Writer A group of experienced Illinois Val- ley-based animal advocates has come to- gether to improve the plight of countless stray or under-cared for animals in the area. “We’re organizing resources and seeking more volunteers,” said Valley resident Linda Sisson, who is helping lead the local effort. About one fifth of the people living in Josephine County reside in the Illinois Valley and according to volunteers and professionals involved with animal wel- fare issues throughout the region, the Val- ley has some of the highest rates of animal neglect. “Animals need advocates,” Sis- son said. “I believe we’re most effective in creating change when we first work within our circle of influence, and where we live is ground-zero for our circle of in- fluence. The well-being and management of animals is both an individual and com- munity responsibility that needs guidance and support.” Sisson is a board member with the Grants Pass-based “Shelter Friends,” a nonprofit organization that supports the Josephine County Animal Shelter and has done a remarkable job of boosting the numbers of shelter animal adoptions. Now, Sisson’s goal is to create a local net- work tailored to the specific needs of Val- ley animals. “Our biggest priority is to iden- tify more short-term emergency ‘foster homes’ for both dogs and cats,” Sisson said. “If people have securely fenced-in areas or a kennel, and a little extra time, they can make such a huge difference and help alleviate much suffering.” Sometimes the need is just for a day or two, until more permanent arrange- ments can be made or the animal is ad- opted into a “forever” home. “There are quite a few of us who are willing to do this rescue work,” said Il- linois Valley Working Dogs head trainer Theresa Dugas. “But our ability to make a real impact hinges on people helping us foster needy dogs right here in the Val- ley.” Dugas believes dog training is criti- cal to keeping dogs off the streets and out of shelters. “We will pre-qualify potential own- ers,” Dugas said. “To adopt a dog, people must make a commitment to training.” Several regional animal welfare organizations help low-income Valley residents cover the costs of rabies shots, spaying and neutering, and help provide fencing for yards and kennels to get dogs off chains. “We’re all thrilled to see people or- ganizing in the Illinois Valley,” said Linda Milner, co-founder of the family-based Jo Co Spay & Neuter Fund that has paid for getting hundreds of pets fixed in the Valley. “We all work together really well, Jo Co Spay and Neuter, the Toby Fund, Shelter Friends, Animal Control and the Rogue Valley Human Society, we’re all friends.” Milner says it’s very sad when ani- mals have to be euthanized because pet owners shirked or ignored their responsi- bilities. She also says there are few good reasons to breed cats and dogs and that getting them fixed improves their health and temperaments. “Our biggest problem is the high number of un-spayed and un-neutered an- imals that breed and create more animals that end up suffering,” Milner said. Nationwide, out of all puppies who go into new homes from their birth lit- ters, only three out of ten will remain in these homes for their entire lives. Seven out of ten dogs will be moved from home to home, or are abandoned, get hit by cars, shot, poisoned, succumb to disease or starve to death. Overall, 80 percent of these dogs will be dead before they are three years old, according to the Humane Society of the United States. One major issue is how many people adopt pets when they are young and cute, but when they reach adulthood, many “get rid” of their pets who have become an inconvenient problem. “We need more education and this needs to start with middle-school kids,” said group member Nancy Lindquist. “We must teach children about the adverse sit- uations that cats, dogs and other pets too often find themselves in and the impor- tance of spaying and neutering.” Child psychologists say small chil- dren do not distinguish between cats, dogs, horses and people. So, when kids witness animal neglect and suffering, they learn that some life forms don’t matter — and this can contribute to bullying and racism. “We also want to provide pet fos- LAST DAY AUG. 29 7KH.HUE\ 7UDQVIHU6WDWLRQ We will be closing our doors for good. Thank you for your patronage! We will miss you! M - T 11 AM TO 4 PM F 11 AM TO 7:30 PM S S CLOSED 100% rating by the JoCo Health Department tering services for victims of domestic abuse,” said group member Linda Nay- dol. “We’re aware that some people won’t leave their abusive situations because they have no place to take their animals. Some abusers threaten their spouses with poten- tial harm toward their pets.” Sisson said people need to get in- volved when they see animals suffering. “Animals, like children, cannot de- fend themselves,” Sisson said. “People need to say or do something when they witness neglect, abuse or abandonment. We must be their voice.” The new group will also work to dis- cern ways to cope with feral cats, mother cats with kittens and more. Sisson wants people to know if volunteers foster ani- mals already in the county’s shelter pro- gram that fostering costs will be covered. A recent rabies clinic in the Valley was well attended and another will be held on August 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Shop Smart’s parking lot. For $15 peo- ple can get a rabies shot for their pets and receive a county license. “A license is a ticket home for a lost dog as well as supporting the animal shel- ter, so it’s a win-win,” said group member Anita Savio. “Too many people are very lackadaisical about putting identification tags on their dogs and that only costs a few dollars. Without tags, we go through a lot of trouble to reunite dogs with owners. Dog ownership is an important responsi- bility, it’s not a trivial thing.” The group also plans to offer assis- tance for all species of animals, including horses and goats. “The Illinois Valley is home to many equines and other hooved animals,” Nay- dol said. “I would like to see a system of resources that includes a “hay bank” to help animals in dire need and assist own- ers who find themselves facing problems associated with care and maintenance.” Naydol wants to partner with other large-animal rescue groups to help re- home horses or provide transportation during emergencies. Donations of fencing, poles, dog and cat beds, pet gates, crates of all sizes, cag- es, collars and leashes, dog and cat food, hay, straw, bags of feed, and of course, time, labor and money are needed. Any- one wanting to donate or get involved can contact Sisson at spacepug@yahoo.com. Smaller items can be dropped off at the Illinois Valley News Office in Cave Junc- tion. LVRSHQWR KHOS\RX +RXUV0RQGD\V6DWXUGD\V 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. DPWRSP )RUPRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ SKRQH 541-592-2200 Art’s Arts Red Garter Firday Aug. 22 Night Open Friday, @ 5:30 p.m. Mic and Taylor’s Karaoke! Auzzie Mark Country Store 0235 131 N. Redwood Hwy Guppy Sat. Aug. 23 @ 6 p.m. Every Friday Jay Barley Every Wednesday Open Mic. Night From 6-8 p.m. Saturday night Pool Tourney @ Sportsmans Tavern MADD MOOSE Kate’s Redwood Bar and Grill Rosie of Silas Wolf and Dawna Crocker Tuesday to Sunday Noon to Jones Close Motel $3 Happy Hour 3-5 Saturday Aug. 9 Aug. 22, 8 p.m. Kate and Mamie McGrew’s Stop 6-9 in and p.m. see Today!
