Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation is hosting a Low-cost Microchip and Rabies Vaccination Clinic from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2010.  The clinic will be held at the Noah’s Ark shelter, 1986 Gear Avenue in Fairfield.

This clinic is open to the public for pet dogs and cats.  Noah’s Ark will be offering microchipping by a licensed veterinarian for only $20, including free registration of the chip with the owner’s contact information. Rabies vaccinations are also being offered for a reduced price of only $15. All proceeds benefit the animals and programs of Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation, and payment should be by cash or check.

Please call Noah’s Ark at 641-472-6080 with any questions, and to let shelter staff know that you plan to attend.

The Big Fix is Back!
Area Veterinary Clinics Offer Spay and Neuter Discounts during February’s Month-long Campaign

Noah’s Ark’s CCSNAP (Caring Community Spay / Neuter Assistance Program) and area veterinary clinics are sponsoring our 9^th annual spay/neuter event for February, National Spay/Neuter Month. Our local event is called “Friends Don’t Let Friends….Have Litters,” and is another event in their ongoing efforts to ensure that every dog and cat in our area has a home.  The local veterinarians, listed below, have all agreed to offer discounted spays and neuters for the entire month of February, 2010!

Why Spay or Neuter Your Pet?

Spaying or neutering is one of the greatest gifts you can give your dog or cat. These routine medical procedures not only help control pet overpopulation; they also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, allowing your pet to lead a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Hundreds of dogs and cats in our area, however, are not so fortunate. Because there are not enough loving homes for them all, unwanted animals are often dumped in the countryside, left to fend for themselves all alone.  Many are precious kittens and puppies less than six months old – the products of animals not yet spayed or neutered – and many won’t survive.

But there is some very good news—the tragedy of pet overpopulation is a “fixable” problem. If each of us takes responsibility to spay and neuter our pets, we can put an end to the heartbreak of homeless animals.  And remember: a first litter can happen as early as six months of age!

Building on Success

Community support is the key ingredient to the success of this spay / neuter campaign.  There are several ways you can help: Spread the message that pet overpopulation is a “fixable” problem. Tell neighbors, co-workers and friends about the February discounts. Provide transportation for someone who needs help bringing their animal to and from surgery. Make a donation so this important program can continue (All donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation, Attn: CCSNAP, P.O. Box 748, Fairfield, IA 52556).  And obviously, make sure your own pets are spayed or neutered.

To make an appointment for your dog or cat, call the following veterinary clinics directly.

In Brighton, call Drs. Anson & Vittetoe: (319) 694-2815
Fairfield Animal Hospital: (641) 472-6983
Fairfield Veterinary Clinic: (641) 472-2455
Henry County Veterinary Clinic: (641) 385-8034
Richland Veterinary Clinic: (319) 456-6321
Sessions Veterinary Clinic, Bloomfield: (641) 664-1815
Sigourney Veterinary Clinic: (641) 622-2940

Working together, we can create a world where every dog or cat has a home.

Laura Cohen is Director of Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation and is available for interviews and more information on spaying and neutering. Call her at 641-472-6080 or 919-4182.

On the web: Visit www.NoahsArk.org for more information on our CCSNAP program.

The puppy mill bill, HSB604, passed the House Public Safety committee last week here in our great state of Iowa.

Unfortunately, it is another completely partisan bill. Every “yes” a Democrat, every “no” a Republican.

Warning – this blog post is bi-partisan, so if you’re one of my liberal friends hoping I’m going to bash conservatives – sorry. And if you’re one of my conservative friends waiting for a good fight – no dice.

I’m writing because I’m just sick of politics in the US as it stands today and this bill is a perfect example of what just makes me want to hurl.

Here is the basic focus of the bill (which by the way WAS supported by Representative Curt Hanson)  “We need and deserve better oversight of the USDA-licensed breeders in our state. This law will not mandate additional inspections. It will only make it possible for the IA Dept of Ag to inspect upon receipt of a complaint. The breeders’ fee increases will offset any additional costs to implement this.”

Did all the Republicans who voted “no” really want to send the message to their constituents that they are not in favor of protecting puppies? Of course not. What they did is put politics before the people, well in this case the animals, and that’s not going to get this country anywhere but worse off than it is now.

I can’t help but think that the two-party system is coming to an end. Not because it isn’t good in theory, but because what it is turning into is a battleground of rhetoric and wills. One that has little to do with what is best for the country, and EVERYTHING to do with what is best for one of the parties. Sickening… Maddening…

This post is not meant to be a rant, rather, a question to us and our government. What are we going to do to get our country get back on track? How are we going to work TOGETHER, to do what the PEOPLE want and expect, and NOT just what is going to look good to the rest of the party or some talk show host?

Help me out here, anybody. Am I nuts or are what seem to be a majority of our representatives more interested in their jobs and keeping their party in power than in what is best for these United States?

Indeed, I may be seen as generalizing, but when I see votes like this, it is really, really hard to imagine that there is something so dreadfully wrong with saving puppies that it would incite every Republican to vote no.

Well, unless what I don’t know is that the people whom these folks represent actually prefer to torture puppies…

Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation saved an additional 203 dogs through national transport program in 2009.

Every day, animal shelters look for ways to save the lives of the homeless pets in their care, promoting adoptions and pushing pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.

In 2009 though, some animal shelters, like the Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation in went above and beyond by saving the lives of hundreds of dogs and puppies through PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’® program. In fact, during calendar year 2009, 203 dogs and puppies from Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation got the second chances they deserved, thanks to the Rescue Waggin’ program, which is proudly sponsored by PEDIGREE®.

The Rescue Waggin’ program is a unique national transport program that moves adoptable dogs and puppies from overcrowded shelters to animal shelters in other communities where adoptable dogs and puppies are more in demand and guaranteed good homes.

Every month, the Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation selects dogs and puppies from its overflow of incoming homeless pets, behaviorally assesses them, gives them a health exam, and prepares them for a ride that literally will save their lives. Riding in a vehicle equipped with piped-in lullabies, these Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation dogs and puppies board the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle, arriving the very same day at animal shelters in Michigan and Wisconsin. “They are usually adopted within 3 to 5 days,” says Susanna Della Maddalena, Executive Director for PetSmart Charities, Inc.

In 2009, PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin’ program saved the lives of 8,507 dogs and puppies. In the six years since the Rescue Waggin’ program began, more than 32,000 dogs and puppies – pets that might otherwise have been euthanized – have been saved.

Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation is one of only 53 animal shelters in the nation and one of two animal shelters in Iowa participating in PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’ program.

For more information on the Rescue Waggin’ program, call Laura Cohen, Executive Director, Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation, 641-472-6080; Cathy Rosenthal, media coordinator for PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin’ program, 210-497-1291; or Kim Noetzel, manager of communications, PetSmart Charities Inc., (623) 587-2872.

The Fairfield Dog Park Committee would like to give an update on the progress of the new Off -Leash Dog Park.  For those of you new to the idea of a “dog park” it is simply a fenced in area designed specifically to allow well-behaved dogs and their owners to run and play and to socialize off- leash with other dogs and people.  Dog Parks are becoming very popular and have recently been built in Ottumwa, Washington, Burlington, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Fairfield’s new dog park will be located at O.B. Nelson Park, on the former BMX bike track, on Fillmore St. on approximately 3 acres of land.  The Fairfield Park and Rec Dept. has agreed to maintain the property. However, as the city budget is stretched thin, the Fairfield Dog Park Committee must raise the initial funds for the construction.

To be able to utilize the whole 3 acres we must first address a big drainage problem.  So with drainage issues and fencing, etc. the cost of developing the site could be upwards of $40,000.  We have already received grants from PetCo and our local Fairfield Walmart store.  Last fall we co-hosted a “Bark For A Park” 5K fun-walk that raised about $900.  And with some private donations we are on our way to reaching our goal.

Fairfield and Jefferson Co residents have a wonderful opportunity to finally get a dog park in our town.    What we need now are for dog loving community and private donors to come forward in helping us to reach our goal. All donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to the Fairfield Parks and Recreation Foundation “Dog-Park” at 1000 West Burlington Ave. Fairfield, Ia 52556. Any business, groups or clubs that would like for us to come and visit with them about the Off-Leash Dog Park can call the park and rec office at 641-472-6159.

An upcoming event to help raise money for the dog park is the annual Polar Plunge on Sat Feb 13. If you would like to plunge into the icy waters or sponsor someone who will, contact the Park and Rec. Dept. We currently have a few brave people in our group willing to take the plunge.

We are a small group now and would heartily welcome new volunteers.  Before long we anticipate forming a Board of Directors and are looking for people to serve on different committees such as web site design, fund-raising, site development, park design, dog park rules, landscaping, writing and searching for grants, grievances, signs, memorials or any other special talents that would be useful, such as building benches and shelters for shade  within the park.  We are also planning to hold a public meeting in the future and will notify the news paper and radio stations when we set a date.

It is easy to understand why dogs would love a dog park, but it is equally for their owners, and is a terrific community builder, a great place for dog owners to get out and meet other dog owners, and develop new friendships.Plus it can be rollicking good fun watching your dog socialize and romp around.  To have a safe place where we can go with our pets without having to worry that they may run off and get hit by a car or lost, would be a very valuable asset to our community.  Fairfield has so many wonderful recreational opportunities for walkers, joggers, bikers,  swimmers, baseball and softball players, tennis courts, soccer fields, football fields and camp grounds.  We feel a Dog Park will only add to all the great things that Fairfield has to offer, and hope you will consider joining us in making that happen.