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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2018)
Page A-8 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, February 21, 2018 JoCo Animal Shelter is a no kill facility Anita R. Savio IVN Contributing Writer Josephine County residents love their pets, and the Josephine County (JoCo) Animal Shelter’s commitment to saving adoptable pets reflects that love. Residents’ approval of two successive property tax levies to better fund the shelter, first a three year levy, and most recently a five year levy, has helped to make that possible. “We do not euthanize any animals that are healthy and social,” said Animal Shelter coordinator Laura Milnes. “We do not have any time limits on our animals. We do not euthanize any animals just because we’re full; we find creative ways to find space. We do treat animals that are injured or sick, as long as it is within the shelter’s means.” Milnes added that the shelter does euthanize animals that are terminally ill, suffering or whose treatment is too prohibitive or puts their quality of life into question. The shelter also euthanizes animals that are too dangerous to be re- homed. The JoCo shelter is an open admissions shelter, as are most county-run and municipal shelters. “We are chartered to take in animals who are found without owners, no matter the circumstances, whether they are young, old, big, small, friendly, aggressive, cute, ugly, healthy, sick or injured,” Milnes said. In 2017, the shelter took in 719 dogs, of which only 53 had to be euthanized and 1083 cats, of which only 171 were euthanized. Other animals taken in by the shelter included goats, rabbits and pigs. In addition to accepting animals who are surrendered by their owners, Milnes explained that the shelter takes animals who are on bite quarantine and rabies quarantine or who are part of an ongoing animal control investigation. If someone is arrested for a DUI and there’s a dog in the car, it comes to the shelter. Milnes also referred to the role of nonprofit support organization Shelter Friends, which handles off- site adoption events, fostering and transfers to other agencies when space is full at the JoCo shelter. “We’re very fortunate to have the support of Shelter Friends, a nonprofit that provides volunteer support in numerous ways, as well as fundraising for above-and- beyond medical cases. There’s no way we could do it alone. But with the support of Shelter Friends, they make a lot of this possible,” she said. Milnes is proud of a number of new programs and accomplishments in recent years. Two new programs save previously unadoptable animals: • Heartworm Heroes, sponsored by Shelter Friends, provides foster homes for dogs recovering from a heartworm diagnosis. • The Barn Buddies program provides a second chance for not-so- sociable cats, while letting them help control rodent and pest populations. The cats are not just for barns, but also for garages, feed rooms, wineries, shops, supply rooms, cellars or anywhere that rodents may be. All cats are fixed, given current vaccinations, de-wormed and treated for fleas and ticks before adoption. The two levies have paid for a number of improvements at the shelter, physical and otherwise. In December 2016 the shelter opened up its new cat adoption building. “We’re able to house more cats. It’s brighter, it’s cleaner, it’s more easily sanitized. We have new kennels where the cats are much more comfortable. When the cats are more comfortable they’re more adoptable.” The shelter has also added more outdoor play yards for dogs, including specialized yards for “jumpers, diggers and escapers.” In addition to fixing all animals before they’re adopted, the shelter began micro chipping them in 2017. Cats testing positive for feline leukemia are now transferred to more specialized facilities where they can receive appropriate treatment. The shelter has beefed up its staffing to 5 ½ full-time equivalents. At the same time, the animal control officers (ACOs) have been transferred to the sheriff’s office, where they have better access to training, equipment and backup from armed officers. An ACO supervisor has been hired. The ACO budget, however, still comes from shelter levy funds. No sheriff’s office monies are touched. Currently, residents must call the shelter for animal control issues, but eventually there will be a separate animal control number operated out of the sheriff’s department. JoCo’s shelter is a division of the county’s health department, and that department has a new director, Michael Weber. Of her new boss, Milnes said: “I’m really excited to be working under him. He shares in my vision for the future of the shelter. We’re looking at the master plan for the shelter, which we are hoping to include some kind of clinic facility.” When asked what is the most rewarding part about her job, Milnes responded: “Being able to make policy and practice adjustments that result in real change, not only to increase adoptions and decrease euthanasia, but also to provide the animals here with better care while they’re in our care.” For more information about shelter programs, adoptable animals and fees, including adoption and surrender fees, Milnes encourages residents to check out the shelter’s great new website,www.jocoshelter. com. Or they can call 541-474-5458, Monday through Saturday. Love your dog? Don’t fool around with Parvovirus feces (stool), environments or even people. The AVMF explains how the virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity and drying and even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog can survive in the environment for long periods of time - which means a healthy dog can pick it up virtually anywhere. “Some people are choosing not to get help from the clinic and try to treat this at home,” said Malinda Boie, veterinary technician at Dr. Joe’s Pet Hospital. “But Parvo is very easily transmitted on everything and F U LL OREGON MANUFACTURERS. LOCAL BUSINESSES. YOUR NEIGHBORS. ALL GETTING MORE FROM THEIR ENERGY. Here in Oregon, thousands of businesses and individuals are saving money with help from Energy Trust of Oregon. With cash incentives for energy improvements, we can help you get more from your energy. + B A anything. Just walking through your house, if you’re contaminated, then you walk through town or the store - your readily spreading it.” Boie explained how the virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands, shoes and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. SEE PARVO ON A-12 ♥ R ♥ G R L E A T F O O D ♥ C It’s one of those fast-acting viruses that can change everything in a matter of hours. Experts at the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) say most deaths from parvovirus (parvo) occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. Parvo affects dogs’ gastrointestinal tracts and symptoms indicating your dog might be dealing with parvo can include: lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature; vomiting; and severe (often bloody) diarrhea. So far in 2018, about 10 cases of parvo have been diagnosed at Dr. Joe’s Pet Hospital in Cave Junction, and according to Dr. Nina Hoelzle, the disease is fatal about 50 percent of the time - with higher fatality rates potentially occurring in certain breeds, including pit bulls and Rottweiler’s. Parvo is easily spread by direct dog-to- dog contact and contact with contaminated SI Annette McGee Rasch IVN Senior Contributing Writer IV E M U S PORTSMAN TAVER N K araoKe e very Friday Serving Are you ready to get more from your energy? Visit www.energytrust.org or call us at 1.866.368.7878. CoCKtailS Serving customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. C an ’ t wait to see and hear all of you
