COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 | 5A
ODFW to Host Family Fishing Event at
Row River Nature Park in Cottage Grove
Pet Tips
‘n’ Tales
By Mary Ellen
“Angel Scribe”
Cozy Cat Companions
COURTESY PHOTO
Th e Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife’s Spring-
fi eld Field Offi ce is hosting a
Family Fishing Event Satur-
day, April 6, in Cottage Grove.
Anglers aged 12 and older
must have a fi shing license but
children who are 11 years old
and younger can fi sh for free
without a license.
Th is free event will take
place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. at the Row River Nature
Park. ODFW will stock the
park pond with 2,000 rainbow
trout.
Th e purpose of these events
is to encourage fi shing and
fun for young people and
their families. Anglers of all
ages are welcome. ODFW
staff and volunteers will be on
hand to provide rods, reels,
bait and advice on casting; as
well as fi sh identifi cation and
assistance cleaning fi sh. Th ose
who have fi shing gear are
more than welcome to bring
their own if they prefer it.
Registration is not required.
For anglers 12-17 years of age,
a $10 juvenile combination
fi shing and hunting license
is required. Licenses are not
available at the event but can
be purchased online or at one
of ODFW’s license outlets. All
fi shing regulations continue
to apply for this event.
Row River Nature Park is
located off Row River Road
east of Cottage Grove. From
I-5, take the Cottage Grove
exit (Exit 174). Head east on
Row River Road about 1.5
miles. Turn north into the
Row river Nature Park park-
ing area near the weigh sta-
tion.
To purchase a license on-
line, visit ODFW’s website at
www.myodfw.com/articles/
ways-buy-license
For a list of other family
fi shing events, visit ODFW’s
Outdoor Skills page at www.
myodfw.com/fishing/work-
shops-events
For more information, con-
tact the Springfi eld Field Of-
fi ce at 541-726-3515.
-Submitted Report
Visitors to coast reminded to give
springtime seal pups their space
It’s that time of year again:
Seal pups are appearing on
beaches along the Oregon
coast. Beachgoers are asked
to stifl e their desire to assist
these animals in some way,
and instead give them space.
Every spring, harbor seals
give birth on secluded beach-
es or reefs along the Pacifi c
coast. Th e pups are born ready
to swim but cannot tread wa-
Pet Cremation
Dignifi ed Options for Our Faithful Friends
At Smith Lund Mills we believe that pets
are an important member of any family.
When a pet dies it can be very diffi cult
time for everybody involved. We
understand the feelings of losing a pet and
our professional, caring staff will be ready
to assist you during this time of loss.
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123 S. 7th St., Cottage Grove
Visit smithlundmills.com for more information.
6-day
weather forecast
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
59° | 47°
56° | 44°
Rain
Rain
ter for long; they need ample
time on shore to rest and stay
warm. Th ey can remain there
for days while their mothers
forage at sea.
Concerned observers oft en
report “abandoned” seal pups
on the beach, not realizing
that the mother might be for-
aging nearby, or swimming
just off shore to maintain dis-
tance from curious humans
and their dogs.
Humans approaching or
otherwise trying to “help”
these unattended pups may
inadvertently cause them
harm, as the presence of peo-
ple may deter mother seals
from coming ashore to nurse.
Harbor seals are wild an-
imals that face many chal-
lenges to reaching maturity,
and pup mortality is a nat-
ural check on robust seal
populations in our region.
In general, the Oregon Coast
Aquarium is committed to
the rescue and rehabilitation
of indigenous wildlife when
they are deemed injured by
human interference. But in
the case of harbor seal pups,
humans should not be ap-
proaching these animals in
the fi rst place, and the aquari-
um advises the public to obey
marine mammal protection
laws and let nature take its
course.
“Concerned observers can
call the Oregon Marine Mam-
mal Stranding Network at
541-270-6830 if a pup is spot-
ted,” said Jim Burke, Director
of Animal Husbandry at the
Oregon Coast Aquarium.
“Th eir staff can post signs
near the seal to inform other
beachgoers of the situation.”
Stern warnings aside, fi nd-
ing a harbor seal pup on the
beach can be an enchanting
and poignant experience.
To keep these creatures safe,
watch with binoculars or take
pictures from afar — let the
seals take care of themselves.
-Submitted Report
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SUNDAY
55° | 45°
58° | 44°
Rain
Rain
MONDAY
TUESDAY
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57° | 40°
Rain
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE AFFORDABLY
MARY ELLEN “ANGEL SCRIBE”
Volunteer cat companion, Nicki, comforts a nervous
shelter cat while it awaits a new family.
I
am jealous of my friend Nicki’s purr-fect hobby!
“A family member is allergic to cats, so I solved the di-
lemma of not being able to have one by volunteering at the
animal shelter as a cat companion,” said Nicki.
Every Sunday, she leaves her busy work week behind and
heads to the shelter to pet and cat-chat with kitties looking for
homes. Many shelter cats arrive with no purr-evious hiss-to-
ry. Are the felines: Loving? Cuddly? Shy? Bold? Do they like
being held, petted, played with or have a hidden injury? Nic-
ki helps the cats settle and, often, teaches them how to trust
again. Learning what the kitties like when and how to pet
and play, who wants to be brushed and for how long, helps
paw-tential pet parents meet calmer cats and speeds up plac-
ing the homeless animals in their paw-fect homes.
If we love cats and dogs as children, we will at any age. The
following is one of Nicki’s observations:
“Last week, an eight-year-old child arrived at the shelter
carrying a $10 bill and a bunch of change. She had saved the
money to donate to the animals’ care,” said Nicki. “She had
also learned how to make a cat toy out of a roll of toilet paper
on the internet. She cut and curled the ends of the roll, added
a piece of yarn that extended two feet out and tied this to a
wooden skewer — all for the cats’ entertainment. Her wish
to make a difference in the lives of others and volunteering
shows that one is never too young to start.The shelter staff
gave her a pair of wire cat ears, and then I introduced her to
some cats wanting to play. This wasn’t her first donation, and
I’m sure it won’t be her last. I bet she won’t forget her trip to
cheer up the kittens for a long time. Neither will I.”
Shelters are always in need of volunteers’ time, help and
compassion. Some of their needs: dog walking, fund rais-
ing, organizing events, feeding, animal socialization, clean-
ing, laundry, children to read to dogs, office help/answering
phones, the pet food bank, writers and photographers to post
incoming pet bios on the website, adoption counseling, mak-
ing cat posts/animal beds. Whatever your skills, they will find
a “job” for you. Check out a shelter’s volunteer website page
and see if you or your family can help in the bunny/hamster
room, cat cattery or dog kennels.
“A few loyal volunteers wake up early to drive our dogs to
radio and TV stations for the, ‘Pet of the Week’ segment,” said
Megan Brezovar at Greenhill Shelter.
“Sixteen years ago, I began volunteering in the shelter’s cat
quarters,” said Nan. “The day I arrived. they had 25 cats and
loads of kittens. I cleaned, washed and refilled litter trays.
It was not a glamourous job, but a much needed one. I also
washed and dried cat towels for their kennels and lookout
posts. The jobs were more fun than they sound like. The entire
time I had a room full of cats to talk to and pet. It was lovely
meeting and chatting with the public searching for a new fur-
ry family member. One thing we volunteers always needed
were donations of good mops, brooms, etc. to clean the place.
It was a lot of work keeping the cats’ rooms and cages clean,
but the cats were wonderful and I loved every minute.”
TIPS:
“I loved the ‘Saving Jimmy’ article on the senior dog,” said
Dick. “Years ago, I rescued an elderly Airedale. He was one
of the most devoted and loyal pets I ever had. I am currently
looking to rescue another dog. The time and love that we de-
vote to our furry friends comes back many times over and we
are richer for it.”
“The best way people can help with animals is to neuter
and spay their own pets or the strays in their area. If this was
done, then we’d be gratefully out of a job!” said Janetta Over-
holser, president of the Humane Society of Cottage Grove.
WE LIVE IN THE SAME TOWN WE WORK IN
“WE MAKE SHIFT HAPPEN!”
www.automotivespecialties.biz
DUSTIN TULLAR & RUSS OWENS
541-942-8022 • COTTAGE GROVE
Share your fur-avorite pet memory or adventure at an-
gelscribe@msn.com. Visit Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook at/
www.facebook.com/PetTipsandTales
Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assistance Program. 541-
942-2789
