October 2019

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PETS AND

POLITICS

October 2019

The Mayoral Candidates Speak Out

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You and your canine family are invited to join us in

Celebration of the Opening

of our new facility K9 Health Center at Urban Tails

Celebrating 14 years of working with Veterinary Surgeons to support Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation.

November Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd 12-4 p.m.

Come meet the team, walk through the facility and enjoy light refreshments.

Demonstrations throughout the day on Hydro Pool, Hydro Spa and Physio Water Treadmill.

Discussions and demonstrations on various other Rehabilitation methods Come and learn more about RACE approved Courses to become a Hydro therapist.

Post Halloween Costume Competition.

Various Exhibitors

K9 Health Centre at Urban tails 1618 Webster Street Houston TX 77003 Tel: 713 658 0900

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Editorial October 2019

E

very few years Houstonians get to elect a new leader, the Mayor of H-Town, and November 5 will be that day. It goes without saying that a myriad of issues face Houston, like every city, and we need good leadership to address everything from our drainage problems to potholes, pensions, and yes, pets!

Houston has dismal statistics for a major metropolis when it comes to pet overpopulation, resulting in euthanasia of adoptable animals, injured pets roaming the streets with no care, and animal cruelty cases that would bring tears to the eyes of anyone with half a heart. Given Houston’s not so great report card on animal issues, one can see why the Office of the Mayor is important and impactful. Our city laws, enforcement of those laws, and administration of our city shelter, BARC, all fall under the purview of the Mayor. As citizens, it’s incumbent upon us to understand the viable candidates views on animal related matters and PetTalk is here to help!

This issue will be PetTalk’s third time to showcase the views and ideas of the candidates. We put together a list of 9 detailed questions addressing some of the major

problems in animal welfare and asked each candidate to submit their answer as well as pose for a photograph with their pet or an adoptable pet. We truly appreciate the candidates participation and thoughtful answers.

Houston needs a Mayor that is an advocate for those that cannot speak or help themselves with community-driven solutions and true leadership for bold, new ideas to fix our same ‘ol problems that have been around for decades. I hope you find our Mayoral feature beneficial in determining who you think would be the best advocate for the animals.

October is also Fall Festival time! Check out the calendar for fun events, many of which PetTalk will attend. We will be giving away high-quality reusable grocery bags while supplies last!

It struck me as I was writing this letter the juxtaposition of the pets I see at events that are deeply loved and cared for by their human and are afforded a beautiful life, while there are so many others that are homeless and facing a death sentence for no other reason than our human failings. I love that so many people value their pets but my heart breaks at the same time for those left

Vote For The Animals!

Bringing our mayoral candidates to cartoon life is talented artist Desiree Lonsway of SilverHeart Studios.

We figured it wasn’t fair to put just one candidate on the cover and not practical to ask for a group photo, so what better way to solve the problem than with a fun illustration.

Thank you Desiree!

Enjoy our feature story showcasing Mayoral candidates discussing their views on animal welfare issues in Houston.

behind. As you go out with your pet and enjoy the many celebrations you’ll find in our calendar, please consider donating, fostering or adopting to help the pets in need. You’ll be so gratified to be part of the solution!

Also in this issue you'll find my favorite

section, Why I Love Animals, where I'm writing about sloths this month. I had a blast at the photoshoot with Curly from the Houston Zoo. You can see from this photo that he is well loved and trained by his keepers...and he's a serious charmer to boot.

Enjoy this issue and all October has to offer!

HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com Design and layout by: ANDREW BURWELL www.andrewburwell.com

© Copyright 2019. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible. All photos ©copyright depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

Tell our advertisers you heard about them in Houston PetTalk!

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Henrietta

ALL HALLOW'S EVE

Normally we canines are a risky group That love to run and play, But October is a special month Where we can hide while "on display"

As much as we deplore The things we have to wear, The joy it brings our parents Seems unusually rare

It started in pre-Christian Celtic days As the season turned mild to cold, Crops were gathered and put away Safe from winter's hold

They laugh and giggle And post on Facebook for all to see, "Isn't he cute?

He's now a Monkey"

It was a spooky notion of other worlds Full of spirits, fairies and ghouls, Strange beings of a dark sort Who played by different rules Fast forward to modern days And what two-leggers believe, It's a reason to dress bizarre On All Hallows Eve Crazy costumes abound Like a Skeleton, Witch and Devil, Or any creative garb Thought to be on a spirit's level Now what does this mean For us canines known as dogs?

It means we are subjected to attire Of Scarecrows, Pumpkins and Frogs!

We're made to wear crazy stuff Like flashing lights and wigs, My cousin Hortense's mom Even dressed her as a Pig Humiliating would be the word That pops in our doggy mind, At least the costumes have one thing: A hole for the tail on our behind

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And as if the digital display Is not enough stress, Two-leggers think it's cool To enter us in a costume contest Yes it's a bit embarrassing To wear Butterfly Wings, But my compadres and I Decided there are worse things Our parents find such joy In something so wacky, Since we love to see them smile We're OK with being tacky After mulling it all over We decided to think this way: Why not play along?

We could have a field day!

As a charlatan of the Halloween night I can deftly become a Rat And Princess Newman Will be one sorry Cat!

Just think of the poses Our masters want us to strike, And each comes with a treat Our ultra-favorite delight

I will tease her endlessly Until she develops a vendetta And I can't wait to hear her say: "I can't believe it, it's you Henrietta!"

But there is a reward Much loftier than food, One that ignites the Centuries-old feud

I'll smile my best 100 watt smile For the Princess who thinks she's a Queen, "Yes Princess, it's me I enjoyed the chase, Happy Halloween!"

Henrietta Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorizing by Desiree Lonsway

This festival marked a new season While also noting the end, As it was thought this time of year Was a macabre, living-dead blend

DON’T LET OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN

KEEP YOUR DOG DOWN HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR DOG? Easily gets tired or lags behind on walks

Has trouble getting up from a resting position

Is reluctant to run, play or climb stairs

Has gained weight in the past year

Limps or appears stiff after exercise

Inflammation in the joints causes pain and cartilage damage which can lead to stiffness and decreased mobility.

Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s joints today.

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Unleashed ASTROS DOG DAY

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Photos courtesy of Houston Astros

ake Me Out To The Ballgame isn't just a song for two-leggers!

Astros fans enjoyed the annual Dog Day, complete with vendors, demonstrations, a parade around the field per-game and a fabulous costume contest with some of the best Astros inspired creations ever! And, of course everyone loved watching their favorite baseball team...Go Astros!

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Providing Compassionate Care to the Companions in your Life

Unleashed EMANCIPET YAPPY HOUR

E FULL SERVICE VETERINARY CLINIC

mancipet, the nonprofit organization on a mission to make veterinary care affordable and accessible to all pet owners, recently kicked-off a series of “Yappy Hours” at some of the coolest, dog-friendly places around the city. The events are free, with a portion of the proceeds from specialty cocktail sales benefiting Emancipet.

Featured: AxelRad Beer Garden

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Photos by Nature Dog Photography

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Act Now

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Events 10.02.19

FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP OR VISIT: WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM Bridgeland 2018

Houston Pets Alive! Open House 2800 Antoine Dr. Ste. 2854, 77092 5:30pm-7:30pm Learn more about adopting, fostering, volunteering at HPA!'s open house.

10.05.19 The Bonfire Texas Stevens and Pruett Ranch 1210 CR 59, Rosharon, TX 77583 11:00am-9:30pm The Bonfire Texas Music Festival "Gone to the Dogs" supports Texas performing songwriters and animal rescue. Enjoy live music, dog demonstrations, and games.

10.06.19

10.12.19

10:00am-4:00pm See page 19 for details.

Blessing of the Animals

Houston Humane Society Fall Festival

10.26.19

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 1819 Heights Blvd. 77008 4:00pm-6:00pm See AD page 19.

10.12.19 CAP Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk/Expo Central Green Park at LaCenterra 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. Katy, 77494 8:00am-11:00am See page 23 for details.

10.12.19 Worldwide Disc Dog Competition Houston Sports Park 12131 Kirby Drive 77045 9:00am-7:00pm See page 24 for details.

10.12.19 Barktoberfest Jarboe Bayou Park 2815 Birch, Clear Lake Shores 77565 11:00am-3:00pm Hosted by Bay Area Pet Adoptions, this fundraiser showcases training demos, contests, pet artist, and more.

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14700 Almeda Rd. 77053, 12:00pm-3:00pm.

Celebrate Fall with adoptions, face painting, free food, pumpkin decorating, shopping and more!

10.19.19 Carter’s Pet Market Party 9333 Katy Freeway 77024 11:00am-3:00pm Don't miss the fun at Carter's Pet Market celebrating Halloween! Festivities include contests, vendors, food, and games.

10.20.19 Pints & Pups St. Arnold Brewing Company 2000 Lyons Ave. 77020 Noon-5:00pm Mix 96.5 is teaming up with St. Arnold Brewery for some doggy fun with adoptions, games and costume contest.

10.26.19 Bridgeland Howl-O-Ween Fest Oak Meadow Park House & Hahl Rd. Cypress 77433

Halloween Dog Costume Contest Summer Lakes/Summer Park, Rosenberg, TX 12:00pm-4:00pm Prospective home buyers are invited for free food, activities and dog costume contest with $100 Petco giftcard to winner. summerlakescommunity.com.

10.26.19 DogPop Fest in the Heights Birds Barbershop 420 E. 20th St. 77008 5:00pm-9:00pm See page 22 for details.

10.26.19 Mutts Meows & Margaritas Cadillac Bar 1802 Shepherd Drive 77007 6:30pm-10:30pm Get ready for a fantastically fun evening supporting Friends of BARC at their annual event. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door. See Ad on page 19.

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The Dish

DOG-FRIENDLY EVENT

DogPop is back!

presents the 11th annual spooktacular

FEATURING ACT HEADLINE

PETS RD! OVERBOA

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Saturday, October 26 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m Oak Meadow Park 17730 House Hahl Road Cypress, TX 77433 Bridgeland.com/howlfest

Photo by Hector Garcia

N

eue Creative is joining forces with Steel City Pops and Birds Barbershop once again for a fun dog festival. Co-sponsors include Camp Bow Wow Houston Greater Heights, Natural Pawz and Austin Eastciders.

DogPop is a dog-friendly event and the "little brother" event to Puppies for Breakfast. The event takes place October 26, from 5pm-9pm, and will bring together artisans and popup businesses. Bring your dog(s) and friends and enjoy good food from LaMacro, shop with vendors, listen to music, enjoy delicious cider from Austin East Cider, and let your dog play in the custom Dog Play Area.

This event will benefit local rescue and DogPop's very own Fence Building Project. By providing low income families with a fence or dog-run solution, we can help provide freedom to dogs that are tied up 24/7. Your $10 or more donation will also reward you with a drink ticket on the night of the event, good for 3 complimentary drinks from East Ciders Learn more at houstondogpop.com.

Enter Henrietta’s Frightfully Fun

halloween costume photo contest

B

oo! Scare ya? It’s that time of year…Henrietta’s Frightfully Fun Halloween Photo Contest is back!

Annual sponsor Sunset Animal Hospital invites you to enter your little goblin, dressed in their spookiest, funniest, cutest, goulish costume by submitting a photo.

The link to enter will go live on PetTalk's Facebook Page and Website October 15. Entry Date: Oct 15-31, Voting Nov 1-7. Winner and Finalists will be featured in the December issue, plus the winner will receive a Goulishly Great Gift Certificate to Sunset Animal Hospital.

DOG WALK & FESTIVAL

Don't Miss CAP's Annual Howl-O-Ween Fest

B

Photo courtesy of CAP.

ring your little goblins for a fun morning to help raise money for Citizen's for Animal Protection, one of Houston's largest private shelters. Their Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk and Festival celebrates having fun with our pets while also raising money and awareness for those animals that are not fortunate enough to have a home. The Dog Walk is a half-mile kicking off at 8am, followed by a doggy costume contest, shopping with vendors, and visiting with rescue groups. The dog walk fee is $25 per dog ($35 at the event) and includes an entry in the costume contest. Find entry information at cap4pets.org.

PetTalk will be on hand with past issues of our publication plus free reusable grocery bags while supplies last. Come on out to the festival in Cinco Ranch, Central Green Park in LaCenterra and enjoy the party!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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The Dish COMPETITION

October 12-13 Houston Sports Park Goes To The Dogs

F

in a 24-hour global competition sanctioned by the K9 Toss & Fetch League and the Triple Crown event sponsored by the UpDog Challenge organization.

These teams have been competing in toss & fetch leagues throughout the past year to qualify for the K9 Toss & Fetch Championship on Saturday, October 12th.

Each team will get three rounds of toss and fetch games and at the conclusion will be ranked against all other global competitors with one team named the top Toss & Fetch team on the planet.

Saturday’s games will start by 10 am.

Sunday’s UpDog Challenge Triple Crown competition will consist of three games – 4Way Play, Greedy, and ThrowNGo. Each game requires a little strategy to target zones on the field and accumulate as many points as possible within a time limit. There will be four levels of competition: juniors (ages 17 and under), novice or human handlers new to the game, intermediate and expert levels.

Points earned will count towards regional

and worldwide placements for both clubs and individuals. Sunday’s games will start by 10 am.

Tammy Montgomery, the President of the Flying Disc Dogs of Austin says, “We are lucky that Texas is hosting this event.

I think it is cool with what the commissioner has done to get people to play at the same time and on the same day. Then to add on the UpDog games, makes it a pretty special weekend.”

The event can be followed on the K9 Toss & Fetch League, Houston Canine Disc Club, and UpDog Challenge Facebook pages, and the K9 Toss & Fetch League commissioner will host a 24-hour live feed on Facebook. For more information about the K9 Toss & Fetch League and how to get involved, check out their website at tossandfetch.com.

For more information about the UpDog Challenge Triple Crown games, check out their website at updogchallenge.com/ events/updog-worldwide-championshipoct-13th-everywhere.

Photo by Jackie Rodeffer-Scheetz

or one weekend in October, the Houston Sports Park will play host to a different kind of competitor – dogs. The fields are normally the practice fields for the Dynamo and Crush, Houston’s professional soccer teams. On October 12 and 13, the Houston Canine Disc Club (HCDC) will host a regional competition at the Houston Sports Park as part of the 1st Annual K9 Toss & Fetch Worldwide Championship and UpDog Challenge Triple Crown disc dog competitions. The Houston Sports Park is a City of Houston park located at 12131 Kirby Drive.

This event is open to the public and free for spectators to watch. It will be a weekend of fun, celebrating the amazing bond between humans and canines.

Festivities will be food trucks, top competitor disc dogs, vendors, canine rescues, and canine sport demonstrations.

Over 3,000 human competitors and their dogs, from 200+ Toss & Fetch Clubs, in 18 countries, will participate

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#ShareWithUs!

FEATURED THIS MONTH:

BACK TO SCHOOL, LOOKING GOOD & WEEKEND WARRIORS

Is there anything cuter than your pet? Of course not! We agree, so we make it easy for you to prove it...PLAY with us on Instagram and look for our themed contests. You share with us, we share with our readers. Everybody wins!

1. @jackson_the_dalmatian Teacher’s pet. #happybacktoschool What was/is your favorite subject in school? Mine is recess - my mom’s was English class! #weeklyfluff #houstondogs #texasdogs #houston #dogsinglasses #summerschool #bts #backtoschool 2. @labsbythepool Wishing everyone a great first day of school. Paws up to 2019-2020 school year.

3. @mags2the_rescue Back to school, back to school To prove to Dad I’m not a fool 4. @ mr._brunohtx Hi, my name is Bruno, I enjoy long walks at the park, deep conversation, holding paws, dog novels, playing with toys, skinny dipping and passing gas at random times. Call me, I have treats.

Attire: @furreverdoggies #frenchbulldog #frenchie #frenchiepup #frenchielife #frenchieoftheday 5. @ kruzinkasey golden hour #hikingwithdogs 6. @1big1small Monday... we meet again. #aformidablefoe #iwillbeatyou #infivemoreminutes 7. @ cuddles_the_hippie_ angora It’s only Wednesday back to the office I guess can it be the weekend already?

8. @goodboychuck Good morning from this land seal 9. @libbygraceandmaggiemae Oh Weekend how we love you!!! Happy Saturday Y'all!!!

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The 12th Annual

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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PETS & POLITICS MAYORAL CANDIDATES

SPEAK ON ANIMAL ISSUES

Intro and Questions By Michelle Mantor Photos By Allison McPhail for Evin Thayer Studios Illustrations By Desiree Lonsway of SilverHeart Studios

Each mayoral candidate was asked the same nine questions. Each question is presented, followed by candidate's answers.

1.

For those that have studied BARC, it’s no secret that the facility is overwhelmed with intake of surrendered animals. The numbers are currently triple digits daily. The Houston pet community has been “fighting this fight” for many years to reduce the number of stray, unwanted, homeless cats and dogs. However, the statistics can be disheartening. Although many people are working tirelessly toward the cause, improvements are minimal. What is your current assessment of BARC’s achievements and what specific weaknesses would you point to that contribute to the continued stream of surrendered animals?

What would you do to improve those weaknesses?

Turner: While there is a tremendous amount of work that still needs to be done, as mayor, I am proud of the progress that BARC is making. With tremendous help from our dedicated partner organizations, BARC’s adoption, foster, rescue, trap-neuterreturn and return-to-owner programs have succeeded in raising BARC’s live-release results to 88.5% – up 10% since I took office.

We recently had a very successful adoption drive, with more than 450 adoptions in four days, for which we reduced the adoption fee from $75 to $1. We are also thinking outside the box – such as partnering with organizations to transfer dogs to Colorado where they can find forever homes.

The sheer numbers of stray animals can be overwhelming,

D

og Bite Capital of America.

Guess what city has that dubious title? Houston. How about this moniker–The Corridor of Cruelty. Sounds appalling right? That is also here in H-town along US 59 in northeast Houston. Have you heard about the city where some estimates claim there are 1 Million stray dogs running the streets? Yes, ONE MILLION. Uh...that's us too. I could go on but you may be asking how this affects "you". If animals suffering in horrific conditions and pain of unfixed broken bones, starvation, mange covered bodies and deformities from lack of care doesn't push any of your buttons, then how about this: stray dogs running in packs have attacked children in a schoolyard, stolen and killed family pets and they are culprits in spreading disease, causing automobile accidents, etc. And that doesn't even address

the stray cat population.

The homeless pet problem in Houston is a serious issue. Just drive through the zip codes where the most strays are reported to see for yourself or witness intake at Houston's city animal shelter, BARC. You'll get a firsthand look at the condition these poor animals are in. Not all are dangerous or health hazards. Actually, many are adoptable if given a chance to be cared for with some love and trust building. However, many don't get that chance because of the sheer numbers. After years of "fighting this fight", those in animal welfare are discouraged and fed up with the lack of progress.

Not to say there hasn't been progress in the last 10 years–there

particularly in some communities with higher populations of strays.

Before Hurricane Harvey, the city was already operating under the severe constraints of the voter-imposed local revenue cap. Since Harvey, our budget constraints have only grown worse, in part because the city has to advance the funds for many flood recovery and prevention projects and then wait years for federal reimbursements.

The city is working in partnership with various organizations such as Friends For Life Animal Shelter, SNAP Houston Spay-Neuter and Animal Wellness Clinic, and Emancipet on our Healthy Pets Healthy Streets initiative. We target outreach to areas with high numbers of reported strays and dog bites. Pet owners who live within the City of Houston limits can come to our events to get a voucher for a free spay/neuter appointment.

A multi-pronged approach is also key, and BARC has numerous initiatives working simultaneously: animal Control, pet licensing, outreach, education, spay/neuter, adoption, and many more.

has and I want to acknowledge so–but we need to do better as a community.

It's everyone's problem. Irresponsible pet ownership needs addressed; laws on the books need to be enforced; animal welfare groups need to work together; money needs to be allocated sensibly; spay and neuter education is a must...and the list goes on.

As Mayor, this pubic servant is responsible for BARC which, among many responsiblities, takes in strays and surrendered animals, investigates dangerous dog or bite cases, adopts out animals, and provides veterinary services and sterilization for animals in their care.

It's a big job for a big problem.

It's my hope that Houston will elect a Mayor that considers animal issues a priority. Showcased here are the viable candidates who expressed their views on solving some of Houston’s animal problems. We appreciate their participation and urge you to cast your vote on November 5!

Each of these could make more progress with additional funding.

Buzbee: BARC has succeeded in reducing the number of animals euthanized and moving toward a no-kill status. BARC, per se, is not responsible for people surrendering animals. The main action BARC can take to reduce the number of surrenders is to provide actionable education and resources to those who are surrendering due to changes in circumstance (loss of job, moving, etc.). BARC can further provide screening to find causes of surrender and then look for ways resources can be provided to citizens to reduce the number of true surrenders. BARC must further become truly transparent so that the people of Houston are not lulled into a false sense of where the problem is in location and magnitude. As mayor, I will push BARC into a new era of transparency with an understanding that this is the only way we can impact the problems we face with animal overpopulation in Houston. We will also work with public and private entities to create quality programs providing education on animal care and responsibility.

King: My understanding is that BARC is better run and managed today than it has been in the past. I do have concerns about the sustainability of a humane shelter using city Houston PetTalk Magazine

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SYLVESTER TURNER With Coco & Alice

employees. I am open to examining the possibility of outsourcing shelter operations to private groups that are already performing this function. This model has worked extremely well for the Houston Zoo. Lovell: I’ve been involved with BARC since I joined City Council in 2006 when we were moving toward building the new facility. I believe that new space has helped tremendously and I’m very proud that my name is on that building. I think we have to realize that the program must grow as the city grows - as our population grows, so must BARC and its capacity. We have a growing population and have to

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continuously adjust, but BARC hasn’t done that and that’s why it’s overcrowded.

Boykins: The men and women of BARC are doing an outstanding job with the resources they are provided. I have worked numerous times with BARC and the community to secure unrestrained animals in the District.

But these concerns are still on going, I allocated funds from my Council District Service funds to help specifically address issues in my District but this is merely a patch work solution. BARC requires real investment to address their assigned mission, the Boykins Administration in the first budget cycle will institute “Zero-Based Budgeting”. This process will assess all departments top to bottom, supporting and enhancing critical divisions while reducing and cutting from those that are not.

Baker: BARC has improved in their management since being under the Department of Administration and Regulatory Affairs (ARA) as well as the

adoption process especially having built a new facility. As a former city manager, I spearheaded some improvements to the customer service component by moving their customer service representatives to the 3-1-1 Help and Information Center.

However, the overall control of the ever increasing population of animals falls way short as compared to other large cities. After visiting private organizations and speaking to other experts, I have ascertained that there are multiple components to achieving the success we all desire. Therefore with all due respect, more animals, primarily those that are severely injured or ill, unadoptable and of course the vicious animals will have to be euthanized. Secondly, we have to face the delicate and sensitive reality that when we have reached a pre-determined capacity, although we are an animal loving city, additional animals will have to be euthanized; at least initially. Backed by enforcing laws, increased spay and neutering, public education and awareness, adoptions, fostering, partnering with other governmental agencies and public and private entities, this is how other large cities achieved their status.

As this point we

TONY BUZBEE With Lily, Lucy, and Lacy

would view the process of shipping animals to other cities as a bonus, and we may finally experience a new normal with our entire animal control process.

2.

Houston currently has laws on the books regarding responsible pet care, including vaccination requirements as well as keeping animals contained within one’s yard rather than running loose on the streets. These laws are not being enforced, resulting in fertile pets being allowed to roam and breed indiscriminately and in some situations, harass citizens or even worse, they may be dangerous. If elected Mayor, what would you do specifically to enforce our current laws?

Turner: Spay & neuter programming is one of the most important aspects of addressing animal overpopulation. We must continue to do everything we can to support these programs. Organizations like SNAP and Emancipet provide essential services. We are working to reopen the Fixin' Houston clinic and I will continue to work to improve access to spay & neuter throughout the city.

One of the issues is a lack of access to free spay & neuter services in low-income communities, particularly where residents do not have cars or have limited transportation options. We do target those areas with mobile adoption events and animal transports for spay & neuter services, but

we should do more.

In terms of animal abuse, the city is part of the recently formed Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce, which is taking a proactive approach to reducing animal cruelty. Fifty organizations are engaged in the effort, which makes it easier for Harris County residents to report occurrences of animal neglect, cruelty or abuse

(www.927PAWS. org or 832-927PAWS). Increased reporting and better use of resources will help with investigating and prosecuting perpetrators.

Buzbee: One of the biggest enforcement failures we have is our pet licensing in Houston.

It is set up where your vet provides you the necessary documents to file with the city after you have Houston PetTalk Magazine

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your pet vaccinated. The problem with this is the pet owner is given a rabies tag, paperwork, etc. but the vast majority never file the paperwork or pay for the licensing. Currently, there are just over 45,000 licensed pets yearly in the city of Houston. It is highly likely that there are 10 to 20 times more pets that are unlicensed.

We will change this to where the vet will collect new lowered fees and file the paperwork (monthly) whenever a pet is vaccinated. The fees will be lowered from where they are now, and we will bring millions of dollars more per year in licensure fees.

Our goal is to have every animal that is vaccinated also receive a microchip if they do not already have one. This will reduce the time in shelter for pets that are lost, and it will increase the number of animals that are returned to their families.

The shelter wins and so do the pet owners. We will negotiate high volume purchases of microchips and then distribute them to the veterinarians. Microchipping will become required.

King: I do believe we need to increase the number of animal control officers probably double the size of that force.

If we can successfully outsource the sheltering function, the city could focus more on enforcement and the capture of stray animals.

Boykins: As Council Member for District D I am painfully aware of situations that have resulted in these dangerous conditions, and this must be addressed. I believe in the companionship a pet provides but we must treat our animals and our neighbors with human dignity. Which means as pet owners we are held accountable for the way treat our pets and how they treat our community.

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Baker: The safety and protection of citizens is extremely important, I would ensure the ARA Department and the Houston Police Department enforce the laws and continue to take the necessary additional steps to help prevent any further danger to our citizens including more public awareness campaigns and events to make sure that all citizens are aware and following these laws. I would also make unlicensed breeding illegal and micro-chipping mandatory for pet owners. Public awareness, participation and positive reinforcement would be key to my administration. If you see something, say something or call someone because one person being injured or killed by an animal is one too many.

Likewise, one animal abused is one too many.

3.

Critics of BARC have noted that “if we just hire more animal control officers or create more outreach programs or extend free spay and neuter (or any number of initiatives), Houston might make better progress in the fight to reduce the number of unwanted animals and the number of animals roaming the streets. However, BARC

is at capacity on resources from both a facilities perspective and a staffing perspective. To create more programs or increase staffing of current programs, BARC would need more space and funding. Houston STILL ranks the lowest of major Texas cities when it comes to per capita funding of our animal shelter. Unlike private shelters, BARC is required by law to take every animal that is surrendered (again, over 100 per day) and with this mandate, the task is monumental but our city hasn’t provided the funding to handle the mandate. As Mayor, do you think funding should be increased for BARC? If so, how much and where would the dollars come from? If not, why not and how would you tackle the problems without additional funding?

Turner: BARC deserves more funding, as do many city departments providing vital services.

Unfortunately, the City of Houston is severely constrained by its voterimposed, local revenue cap – in fact, Houston is the only Texas city operating under a local revenue cap. On top of that, our budget has been walloped by Hurricane Harvey. For many recovery and mitigation projects, the city has to pay for them up front and wait years for reimbursements from the federal government. I am committed to providing as much funding for BARC as possible, but I want to be straight with Houstonians and not make promises I cannot keep.

Buzbee: We are unsure of the numbers on surrenders quoted here. BARC took

BILL KING With Jake

in a total of just over 14,000 dogs and about 8,000 cats in 2018. These are total numbers, not just surrenders. This would be roughly 60 animals per day, total. In terms of space, BARC also has a 3,000 square foot cat facility that has not been completed and no one is clear as to absolutely why this continues unfinished.

We cannot continue approaching the problem with the same tactics and assume additional money will give us different results. If we double everything we have, it does not change the inherent flaws in the systems we are using AND it continues to fail at providing transparency.

BARC spends double what Harris County Animal Shelter (HCAS) does on a per animal basis: Over $600 per animal for BARC to under $300 for HCAS. While doing this, HCAS is not limiting surrender times, etc., and HCAS is fully transparent.

We must make changes to our methods BEFORE we increase funding. The complaint of the current mayor is we are unable to increase funding and NO effort is spent on looking at how we deliver these services and alternatives that are more effective. Our microchipping plan will reduce shelter time for lost pets. We will not allow rescue or transport groups to “reserve” kennels and hold animals at the facility, which will also free up additional space.

King: Spay/neuter is the cornerstone of an effective animal control policy. My sense is that many pet owners want their animals spayed or neutered, but do not have the resources to do so.

This is where the city could put some financial muscle behind free spay/neuter programs.

Boykins: I absolutely believe that

BARC is in desperate need for more funding. I currently don’t know the exact amount needed to provide an acceptable level of service, but I can tell you what I’ve done for two years. I allocated $50,000 from my Council District Services Funds to help assist and expedite the concerns in my district, this should not be necessary but I am happy I responded to the needs of the community.

Baker: I would first make sure that the millions and millions of dollars already provided to and created by BARC are being used effectively. An increase in funding would only be necessary if the expense exceeds the revenue generated by and allotted to that department.

Also, I have been a proponent for having at least two satellite offices (north and south).

Unfortunately, we are still way short of animal control officers for a city this huge due to many issues including salary and attrition. Lets face it; its a dangerous job. I would also have in place inter-local agreements with other counties and

cities within the region as well as involve more private and pubic pet groups to combat this issue more aggressively.

4.

How many times have you visited BARC in the last 2 years?

Turner: I don’t get to BARC as much as I would like, but I do spend a good amount of time focusing on getting BARC the resources that it needs to continue the progress we have seen – including historic live-release rates and innovative partnerships with animal welfare organizations.

Buzbee: Twice. We picked up a foster on the last trip, Rex. Rex is a large dog and at the time had half of his hair missing. It looks like we are going to end up as “foster failures” as we are in love with Rex. King: None.

Lovell: I’m an animal lover and a huge supporter of BARC - I’ve been to BARC probably 10 times this year alone. I would visit more often, but I always seem to walk out with an animal and I’m about to be in violation of the city animal ordinance already. If I had room for a horse or something larger, I’d probably take it. I’ve successfully fostered BARC pets, and failed a few times and ended up with some forever pets too. As Mayor, I will not need any convincing that BARC is an important department and we should develop

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strategies that help reduce the population in shelters.

Baker: Once, however during the course of my 29 year career with the city, I’ve visited BARC regularly.

Boykins: In 2017 my office partnered with BARC to help respond to community concerns of loose and stray dogs roaming the area. During that collaboration I had the opportunity to visit Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Facility and I had a deep compassion for what work is doing BARC was and continues to do for the community. My administration will support their continued goals and I look forward to working with you in exploring new solutions.

5.

During your visit or information gathering sessions, what have you identified as the top one or two initiatives that you would bring to the table as Mayor to improve BARC?

Turner: Getting more resources for BARC is the top issue and the most urgent need in my view. I have outlined above the severe budget constraints under which the city is operating. As the federal government continues to reimburse the city for Harvey outlays, more funds will come available for our top priorities. In addition, the city will move to a zero-based budgeting model next year that should do a better job at identifying waste and freeing up dollars for highpriority needs.

King: Although I have not visited recently, I plan to visit in September (disclosure: answers were submitted in August for this issue). In addition, I have spent an extensive amount of time conferring with those in the animal advocacy. As I stated above, I believe we ought to seriously study outsourcing to private organizations that are already providing that service.

Buzbee: The biggest issue is the overall lack of transparency with BARC. We must let the city know what the real problem is, and we cannot get to “no-kill” levels by playing games with numbers and rules for surrender.

We believe that animal control should be separated from shelter services and that BARC’s management should be flattened out to bring more efficiency.

We also believe that all ACO’s should have GPS on their vehicles and we will introduce a new Beta program for ACO reporting that we believe will save animal control officers time and make reporting much more robust.

Boykins: While partnering with BARC in the past, I was able to work on an initiative that brought federal and local partnership in order to address the safety of the stray animals, senior citizens and postal workers. As Mayor, I would continue to address this issue and make sure

SUE LOVELL With Grace & Tess

we have continued partnerships to aid with collecting the animals and bringing them to shelter at BARC. Baker: 1. A no animal left behind program which in part would require owners to micro-chip there dogs and cats. 2. Open two satellite locations, one north and another south, to make it more convenient for citizens far and near to bring in animals. Having only one location creates a long wait line.

6.

With all the important issues our city is facing at this time, where do you see the animal overpopulation problem falling in regard to your prioritization of issues?

Turner: Reducing the stray animal population in Houston is definitely a high priority – it will have a direct and positive effect on the quality of life for all Houstonians. The public health and safety aspects in communities with large stray animal populations are obvious. Equally as important, however, are the physical and emotional health implications. The benefits of having an animal companion are being increasingly well-documented.

One recent study, for example demonstrated that dogs are “beneficial in reducing cardiovascular risk in their owners by providing social support and motivation for physical activity.” (Nature International Journal of Science, November 17, 2017) I will say that a mayor does not have the luxury of choosing one priority over the other. We need to deal with issues from flooding to public safety to the economy – and animal overpopulation – all at the same time.

Buzbee: Our city is at a crossroads. Are we going to become the city we are all a little scared we are heading towards or

are we going to become the city we know we can be? A city that leads. A city that sets the standard for other cities.

I know how to multi-task. Not only that, I believe in surrounding myself with capable, intelligent staff who are subject matter experts.

The animal overpopulation problem in our city is one that is very personal to me and I will continue to work towards addressing the problem when I am mayor, along with the other issues our city faces. Unlike some previous candidates and elected officials, I am not a one issue candidate. I intend to have teams working to address

the different issues Houston faces simultaneously.

King: It is a critical issue in some neighborhoods and I will give it attention equal to the many other problems the city faces.

Boykins: As a public servant, my number one priority is to the community.

During my time as a council member, I saw there was a need for the community and animals to be helped with regards to the overpopulation of strays. My solution was to make this issue priority one. I worked to secure funding, created a policing system and partnered with the federal government in order to get 250 animals off of the streets and into the BARC facility.

Baker: It is placed within the top five on the list because whenever one person is attacked, mauled, or killed by an animal it poses a very serious threat to society. Again, one

person injured or killed is one too many.

Likewise one animal abused is one too many.

BARC is an important department in our city.

For those of us that value animals, it’s painful to see pets that are injured or sick on the streets or to live with the reality that many adoptable animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them.

Personally, after being in the Houston animal community for over 15 years, I’m tired of not making more headway toward this issue - especially given the fact there are SO many people and charities working toward various ways to combat the problem. What fresh ideas do you have, as Mayor, that would help us all push this juggernaut up the hill and get it rolling down the other side so that we can become a city that is admired for our ingenuity and compassion as it relates to homeless pets?

Turner: I share your heartache here – and while there is so much work to be done, I do believe we are making progress. I want to see BARC become a no-kill shelter and we are getting closer to that goal, hitting over 90 percent live release rates before Harvey. I don’t have a magic solution, but I am committed to continue the hard work that has led to our progress.

Buzbee: These are too numerous to list here but they can be found on our website at tonybuzbeeformayor.com.

Here are a few and more information is available on each on the website: ❖ Provide scholarships to vets and 5th year veterinary students to learn high volume spay/neuter techniques.

7.

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Create a paraprofessional level for doing neutering of male animals with veterinarian supervision. ❖ Mandatory microchipping with vaccination. ❖ Consider mandatory spay/neuter and provide education on why people should spay/neuter their animals. ❖ Mandatory licensing (with lowered fees) collected at vaccination. ❖ Ensure that BARC follow guidelines on TNR efforts with cats and require that cats will ONLY be released in the area where they were taken from.

(When cats are indiscriminately released outside the territory where they were trapped it exposes them to attack from other animals). ❖ Create more public/ private partnerships like the highly successful Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce that include private business leadership, non-profit animal rescue/ welfare/advocacy groups, and public entities like BARC. (We will also require BARC management participation.) ❖ Pet Stores will no longer be able to sell animals that are not from Certified Houston Rescue groups. There will be consideration for certified pure breed operations within the city but not through pet stores. ❖ Pass ordinances that make up for the laws the state legislature failed to enact.

(HB940/SB295).

King: Because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, spay/neuter must be the priority. Recently, I attended ❖

a city sponsored spay/neuter event. The entire process was poorly organized.

People had to stand in line to get a voucher and then go to another location at a later date to have the procedure done. In addition, the number of vouchers available fell far short of meeting the size and scope of the problem. To encourage people to spay/neuter, there needs to be financial incentives and the process must be convenient. I will work to see that changes are put in place.

Lovell: The same things we say over and over again to people about their pets - you must be responsible, you must get them spayed or neutered, you must get them licensed and have their vaccinations current, you can’t let your pets roam the streets - we have to say them over and over and over again.

Every day about 250 people move to the Houston area - that’s 250 people you have to reach and communicate what our city’s standards are. That means all our city services have to grow and we need a greater capacity to be able to communicate those messages. We don’t have a very active MADD presence here and look what’s happened on our roads.

Coordinated campaigns like Don’t Mess With Texas that are relentlessly reminding people that they have to take care of their communities are really effective. We have to make it unacceptable, unthinkable to not take care of your pets responsibly. Part of that education and responsibility can start with children in pre-kindergarten and school to repetitively tell them what being a responsible pet owner really means.

Boykins: As Mayor, I would bring all the stakeholders and non-profits to the table and ask them to help come up with solutions and ensure that my office and BARC are at the center of the conversations. Who better to understand how to fix the problem, if not the

DWIGHT BOYKINS With Cooper

wonderful people who put their energy into saving animals all day long. Baker: Like you, I feel that we’re not making much headway towards the issues while our animal population continues to increase due to irresponsibility, lack of knowledge and increase an in human population. First I would develop programs for public participation and incentivize vet companies for their participation in this matter. As mentioned earlier, after visiting private organizations and speaking to other experts, I have ascertained that there are multiple components to achieving the success we all desire. Therefore with all due respect, more animals, primarily those that are severely injured or ill, unadoptable and of course the vicious animals will have to be euthanized. Secondly, we have to face the delicate and sensitive reality that, although we are an animal loving city, when we have reached a pre-determined capacity additional animals will have to be euthanized (at least initially). Backed by enforcing laws, increased spay and neutering, public education and awareness, adoptions, fostering, partnering with other governmental agencies and public and private entities, this is how other large cities achieved their status. As this point as we would view the process of shipping animals to other cities as a bonus and we may finally experience a new normal with our entire animal control process. Also, unlicensed breeding of animals should be outlawed and owners should be required to microchip their animals. Finally, we should have at least two satellite locations to cut back on long lines and make it more convenient since Houston is so spread out.

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KENDALL BAKER

With Adoptable Pup from Houston Humane Society

8.

Children are the future and their treatment of animals and knowledge of responsible pet care is an important element for tackling animal welfare issues in the next decade and beyond.

As Mayor, would you implement any educational initiatives and if so, what would they be and where would they be implemented?

Turner: I am a strong supporter of educational initiatives. BARC has a number of educational programs, including visits to Houston area elementary schools to educate children on the basics of responsible pet ownership, reading programs with animals, field trips, career days, parent presentations and more. Increasing the reach and scale of these programs is a good goal.

Buzbee: Obviously, education is paramount in changing attitudes and practices. Currently there are several groups with education around animal care and we will work with them to expand these offerings. We will also seek out other successful plans from cities across the US to see how they might be implemented in Houston.

King: I support partnering with animal groups - Barrio Dogs, Northside Dawgs, Houston PetSet, etc - that are already working in the schools. I would also be willing to consider the possibility of equipping our animal control officers with informational material, such as door hangers, that could be left when city animal control officers are out in the field. Fire fighters use a similar system to inform residents of

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the importance of installing smoke detectors following a fire death in a neighborhood.

Boykins: BARC has a wonderful volunteer initiative, that begins with 13 year olds. As Mayor, I would work with nearby high schools to enact a partnership and to bring more attention to this program.

This would allow for the children to learn and understand the correct ways to live and handle pets and also help gain more volunteers for BARC. Baker: Education is key in order to help families keep their pets in a safe and healthy environment. We may see lots of benefits when children learn how to take care of their pets. For example, it may teach them to respect life and to rethink their own actions. Along with BARC, I would use my influence and work with the local school districts, public and private organizations to increase pet education for our youth.

9.

Responsible pet care includes keeping your pet contained in your yard

(our law states that animals may not run at large which means going on private or public property without the owner having direct control of the animal), providing healthcare and sterilizing pets. Many Houstonians are wonderful pet owners, but quite frankly, some are abysmal pet owners. Loving ones pet does not always translate to responsible pet care. What can our city do to educate and help these owners that are not caring for their pets property and following our containment laws?

Turner: Public education campaigns are important and should be continued, and where possible, expanded.

We need to enforce our laws, but with those who are not abusive or serial violators, we should consider a community service alternative to fines as a way to educate owners.

Buzbee: One issue is that there is not a way to have an officer at every park or on every street and violations will occur. As it stands now, enforcement officers rarely give out citations for “failure to control” unless there is a dog bite

situation. Our efforts will be in changing how our ACO’s interact with the community and training them to be resources to help educate and bring about change for the communities they serve. Many times, the issues we are dealing with are not that people are bad pet owners, often they have fewer resources, need education, and some are suffering from mental health issues. We must address the totality of the issues if we are to be good public stewards.

King: The mayor has the biggest bully pulpit in the city, and this is an issue he should be talking about on a regular basis. I intend to do so.

Lovell: I think there’s a direct correlation between economic situations and responsible pet ownership.

In lower-income communities, the choice between putting food on the table and getting your animal vaccinated is very real. Maybe they could afford the pet and something happened to change their economic circumstances - it’s not that they’re bad pet owners, it’s just their priorities go to other needs before their pets. We have to make it acceptable for

people to come and ask for help in taking care of their pets.

Boykins: 1. Initiate a call to action, along with BARC, to educate the public.

2. Have them call the hotline and report the issues. 3. Continue to educate post office workers on the importance to also report the issues to my office and BARC. 4. Send educational letters to the homes that have been reported with tips on how to properly care for their pets.

Baker: While enforcing the laws on the books are essential in this challenge, perhaps I would make it mandatory for education to occur before returning a removed animal and mandate pre-adoption and fostering education. Constant public awareness and education via media and social networks would also be implemented.

If an answer to a question was not shown for a particular candidate, this means they did not submit an answer to that question. Candidates were given an option to answer some or all questions. We would like to thank our candidates for taking their time to participate in this Election Issue and for sharing their views on how we can make Houston a city of ingenuity, compassion and a better steward for the animals.

2030 West Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098 We are a small-animal practice focused on preventative medicine.

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y pp a Y ! n e e w o ll a H Ghoulish Goodies No need for scary trick or treating when your pet can receive their monthly veterinarian approved box of goodies from vetpetbox.com.

Loaded For Beer If this doesn't make you laugh, you need a vacation.

This comical get-up can be your pups by shopping at halloweenexpress.com.

I've Come To Bite Your Leg Find a huge variety of pet costumes, like this DracuDog, at Arne's Warehouse & Pet Supply. They have great prices and HUGE selection!

Visit them at 2830 Hicks St.

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Felines & French Fries You may not think cats love McDonald's but truly, everyone does! Let your kitty's inner french fry out! Get yours at halloweenexpress.com.

Happy Halloween!

It's a Corgi celebration to welcome little goblins to your door this Halloween.

Find Corgis or other styles of doormat at wayfair.com.

Get Corny Delight your pup with these scrumptious doggy treats from online retailer Claudia'sCanine Bakery.

Two-leggers aren't the only ones who love candy corn!

It's Snowing In Houston!

Being a chilly-dog for Halloween will bring smiles to all your pup's pals. This costume is a winner! Get yours at rakuten.com.

Spook It Up Add some spooky fun to your pet's play sessions with this durable, perfect-for-Halloween toy from rover.com.

Boo! From Hello Kitty More than a costume, Halloween everyday wear outfits custom designed by Furrever Doggies can be worn all season. Available at furreverdoggies.com.

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Health MYTHS ABOUT CATS

By: Dr.Laura Noaker, VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital, vergi247.com

DEBUNKING THE TRICKS AND TREATS

W

ith October being the month of tricks and treats, it's the purr-fect opportunity to clear up 5 famous myths about our feline friends…

1. BLACK CATS ARE UNLUCKY. Black cats have been associated with bad luck and evil for hundreds of years.

This superstition can be traced back to the Middle Ages. In Europe, some women were accused of witchcraft and black magic. Many had cats as companions, so they became guilty by association. Today, we see black cats as part of our Halloween celebration. In reality, the only supernatural powers that black cats possess are unconditional love. However, you might note, in some countries felines are said to bring good fortune.

3. CATS ALWAYS LAND ON THEIR FEET.

4. CATS HAVE NINE LIVES.

This is pure fiction. True, when a cat falls from a height, more often than not they will land on their feet. This is simply because of their “righting reflex” combined with a very flexible backbone that allows them to twist around very quickly in the air when falling. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case. Every year we treat cats which have fallen. Some make a recovery, but

Another myth! Cats, like humans, only have one life. The origin is unclear, but it’s been around since William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet where the bard refers to the nine lives of cats. It could also come from ancient Egypt where cats were revered as sacred animals and worshiped as divine creatures with supernatural powers. However, it is more likely that the myth developed over time due to cats’ ability to get themselves out of some pretty sticky situations.

5. CATS CAN SEE IN COMPLETE DARKNESS.

2. CATS HATE WATER. It’s true, most domestic kitties are not fans of water.

Scientists think this can easily be explained because their coats don’t dry very quickly, which can leave them feeling pretty cold and uncomfortable. Also, the weight of the water could weigh them down keeping them from escaping perceived danger quickly. It could also be that cats’ original descendants evolved in deserts with little rain.

However, what we do know, if you need to bathe your cat, especially for medical reasons, use positive encouragement while gently introducing them to the water.

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devastatingly, others don’t or suffer life-changing damage that can be expensive to treat.

We recommend keeping windows closed to prevent cats from falling out.

False, but they can see at lower levels of light than humans.

The corneas in a cat’s eye are much thinner than in humans and their irises open far wider, both of which allows more light to enter. Their retinas also have more rods, which are responsible for magnifying light impulses. Like many animals, cats also have a highly developed reflective area in the back of their eyes – this is what makes them glow at night when caught in our headlights.

So, now you know the facts. Cats may be finicky, but they make wonderful companions, so don’t believe all the folklore about our furry feline friends.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Health MOVING THROUGH GRIEF

By: Marilyn Ladin, LCSW Edited By: Christie Cornelius, DVM CHPV Senior Paws | seniorpaws.vet

BEFORE AND AFTER PET LOSS

T

he loss of a pet companion is a significant emotional event for many of us.

When clients come to me for help with the stinging pain of the ‘firsts’ of all types that come after the death of a beloved pet, we work through their issues from many directions. Pain may have to do with the guilt they are feeling because they are second-guessing their decisions about having put their pet through a painful procedure or surgery. “Did it help?”, they ask themselves. “Did it hasten the death?” Or of course the converse, “SHOULD they have allowed their veterinarian to operate?”

Grief is insidious, and those experiencing a considerable loss of any type must allow it to wash over them in order for them to move through it. Otherwise, it will rear its complicated head at another time. Humans may have noticed this if there have been a multitude of losses in their life (i.e. relationships, pets, family, job, illness), yet a particular loss seems to hit them harder than all of the others.

In practice, many of my bereaved clients say that they’ve NEVER experienced a loss that compares with the loss of their Soul-Pet. They may have or have had multiple pets in the home, but one is what they refer to as their Soul-Pet; the one whose death meant more agony to them than any other loss in their lives.

Working through pet bereavement in a group format can be helpful to those who desire the company of others who are going through a similar process at the same time. One might typically come to one of our pet bereavement group sessions AFTER the loss, but I have had people come once they’ve known that the loss was imminent to work on coping with ANTICIPATORY grief. These sessions are therapeutic in nature; not just

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GRIEF IS INSIDIOUS, AND THOSE EXPERIENCING A CONSIDERABLE LOSS OF ANY TYPE MUST ALLOW IT TO WASH OVER THEM IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MOVE THROUGH IT. OTHERWISE, IT WILL REAR ITS COMPLICATED HEAD AT ANOTHER TIME. informational/resource sharing, although that is one component of these abundantly beneficial sessions.

These sessions are a safe place, with like-minded people, sharing one of the worst tragedies in life. Participants sob, we reminisce, show pictures and tell sweet, some humorous, anecdotes. I weave the topic for the session around and through the discussion items members share. In this way, when they leave, there is a collective feeling expressed that people were grateful for having come.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text me at 713-5153464. I offer a brief 10-15 minute therapy session over the phone that is free of charge. If you would like to schedule a longer phone session or come in for a 60-minute in-person therapy session, we can schedule these, subject to my fee.

Our Pet Bereavement Support Group in Houston meets every other Wednesday from 6:30-8pm at the Senior Paws- Last Wishes Center at 3036 Antoine Dr.

Make a Difference

By Honoring A Wonderful Life!

HONOR A LOST PET by making a tax deductible donation to the Harris County Veterinary Medical Foundation in their name.

Your gift helps provide valuable information on pet medical and humane issuesto other pet parents.

To Donate Please Visit

www.HCVMF.org

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Health REPTILE OWNERSHIP

By: Dr. Ash Mills Veterinary Medical Center of the Woodlands

TIPS FOR HEALTHY PETS

R

eptile ownership is on the rise because many people are discovering what a joy it can be to watch these scaly creatures grow and thrive. Just like dogs and cats, reptiles can face many health problems. These issues can be severe, and most reptiles don’t let you know they’re sick until their diseases are far progressed. Luckily, most health problems in snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises can be avoided with proper care. With thorough research, you can keep some reptiles healthy and happy for decades.

Start researching well before you get your reptile. Pet store employees can be helpful, but many aren’t educated about all species. Other good sources of information can be people on internet forums, breeders of that species, and your local exotic animal veterinarian. Acquire information about habitat, nutritional requirements, as well as heating, lighting, and humidity needs.

Habitat size is based largely on the amount of area a given species would inhabit in the wild. Bearded dragons, relatively sedentary lizards, need long and wide enclosure while Chinese water dragons, which are just slightly smaller, need a habitat that is long and far taller to allow them to run and climb. Animals kept in too small of an enclosure can become

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stressed and even hurt themselves against the walls. The size of the enclosure matters based on the age of the animal as well. A baby bearded dragon will get stressed in an adult bearded dragon’s enclosure. This may lead them to stop eating or avoid their heat source.

Diet is also essential to the health of your reptile. Turtles are omnivores while tortoises are herbivores. Some geckos require powdered diet mixed with water.

Snakes typically require whole prey such as mice. Vegetableloving reptiles need only certain types of plants. Iceberg lettuce is very low in nutrients, and greens such as kale can have improper calcium and phosphorus ratios. Turtles can easily become deficient in vitamin A and develop swollen eyes and ears. Calcium absorption in many species can only be achieved with supplementation and

appropriate lighting.

Many reptiles require a special light that mimics the sun with UVA and UVB rays. These lights need to be changed often and should sit close to where you pet will bask in the heat. Bearded dragons can require basking heat of over 100 degrees, while crested geckos will suffer in temperatures over 85. Inappropriate temperature can lead to respiratory disease and lack of appetite. Some snakes and lizards need high humidity or they will not be able to shed appropriately.

Keeping a reptile healthy and happy can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it requires the proper housing and diet. These animals can often be cared for improperly for a while without letting you know there’s a problem, so it is important to get your husbandry right from the start and check it often.

Appropriate research and its implementation are the key to helping your reptiles live long and healthy lives with fewer trips to the vet.

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Tail End ENVIRONMENTAL

ENRICHMENT

FOR CATS

A NECESSITY, NOT A LUXURY

under the cat’s food dish. She removed the mat and guess what happened? That’s right… the cat started eating again!

Stress can manifest in many ways for cats, including behavior, urinary and appetite changes and can even provoke flares of underlying disease. It’s important to provide your cat with an environment that is stimulating, yet comfortable and safe, so that he or she thrives both physically and mentally.

TIPS FOR ENRICHING THE LIFE OF YOUR CAT Toys ❖

❖

By: Stephanie Malmquist, DVM & By: Founder of VetPet Box Andrew Tesh, DVM

A

s cool and lackadaisical as most cats appear to be… they are exquisitely sensitive to their environments! A cat can become distressed over the most seemingly minor change in routine or environment. For example, I once had a cat patient presented to me for “not eating for several days.” After all the diagnostics were normal and a lengthy discussion was had, it was determined that the cause of anorexia was likely due to the cat’s behavior or an environmental factor. Sure enough, this suspicion was confirmed after the cat’s owner arrived home! While inspecting her home for “stress triggers,” she was reminded that she had recently placed a fancy new place mat

An assortment of toys allows cats to express normal behaviors, such as stalking, pouncing, chasing, scratching and biting!

Subscribe to VetPet Box (vetpetbox.com), which not only provides toys, but also gives helpful information and tips from veterinarians to keep your kitty healthy and happy!

Quiet Time ❖

Visual Stimulation ❖

❖

Window perches or a cat tower near a window can provide hours of excitement.

Consider hanging a bird feeder within view!

Play a movie or You Tube video made for cats! Cats love to watch birds, fish, and insects in action!

Litter Box ❖

❖

Cat Towers ❖

These provide a nice perch (cats love to be up high), a place to retreat to (especially important if there are small children or dogs in the home) and a healthy area to stretch their muscles and scratch.

Cats should always be provided a nice, quiet, comfortable place in the home that allows them to “get away” if they need to be alone for a while.

Cats resent being forced to use another cat’s box. There should be 1 box for each cat, plus 1 extra.

The box should be kept clean and located in an area of the home that is quiet and calm.

Feeding ❖

❖

Your cat may prefer the food bowls to be located up off ground, especially if there is a dog in the home.

If you are in a multi-cat home, watch for bullying between the kitties. This is a common behavior that is usually very subtle and easy for a pet owner to miss.

Stress Aides ❖

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Sometimes, unavoidable circumstances occur (new neighborhood dog, visitors, etc). Be prepared to help combat stress: ❖ Pheromone sprays & diffusers ❖ Sentry calming collar ❖ Composure chews ❖ Speak with your vet about prescription medications

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

AN ANNUAL TRADITION By: Andrew Tesh, DVM

E

ach year in October, Christian communities across the globe celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with the Blessing of the Animals.

The celebration is named for St. Francis of Assisi who believed all creatures to be spiritual beings. St. Francis of Assisi was born in Assisi, Italy, around 1181, founded the Franciscan Order, and died in 1226. He was considered the patron saint of animals and the environment.

In a classic Christian story, St. Francis heroically saved the village of Gubio from a man-eating wolf, taming it by making the sign of the cross. He then made an agreement with the wolf that the village would feed him and in exchange he would not attack. This metaphor reminds us how a desperate situation can lead to violence and the important role of charity to help those who may be suffering or in need.

Another interesting tale of St. Francis centered on his desire to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ. He would spend hours preaching to birds gathered in the forest. To many believers, this shows St. Francis' belief that the complete family of creation must be respected and invited to connect spiritually.

Moving to modern day, spiritual

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Blessing of the Animals at St. Andrews Episcopal Church

communities celebrate the animal love projected by St. Francis of Assisi via their own ceremony for the Blessing of the Animals. The blessings take place at local churches, where priests say a short prayer and anoint animals brought to the service with holy water. A wide variety of animals can be seen at these blessings, including cats, dogs, horses, gerbils and reptiles!

No creature is left out of this meaningful and fun tradition. Modern ceremonies, like the photographs here at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in the Heights, take the opportunity to build fellowship amongst attendees by offering music, food, beverages, vendors and other activities after the ceremony.

Of course, it is no wonder that people enjoy an opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is a place where the bond of creation is celebrated.

If you would like to partake in this annual tradition, we have listed several area pet blessing ceremonies but there are many others in the Houston area. Check your local listings for additional ceremonies. All animals must be on a leash or in a crate. Enjoy your special day with your special friend!

LOCAL PET BLESSINGS St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 1819 Heights Blvd., 77008 saecheights.org 10.6.19 at 4pm St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 5501 Main Street, 77004 stpaulshouston.org 10.6.19 at 4pm Trinity Episcopal Church 1015 Holman St, Houston, TX 77004 trinitymidtown.org 10.6.19 at 4pm Church of St. John the Divine 2450 River Oaks Blvd., 77019 www.sjd.org 10.6.19 at 3:30pm St. John Vianney Catholic Church 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail 77079 stjohnvianney.org 10.4.19 at 4:30pm

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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DOGGY FUN! CAMP BOW WOW KATY

By Jazmine Morillo, Director of Operations & Marketing of Camp Bow Wow Katy & Kemah

C

amp Bow Wow, Katy celebrated their 4th Barkday during the month of September! They celebrated by hosting a Bone Bar in the lobby, giving away dog-themed items from local vendors and entering all daycare dogs in a drawing to win a daycare package.

Given their attention to detail and great service, Camp Bow Wow, Katy was also voted Best Pet Boarding & Grooming for 2019 by readers of Living Magazine...again! They were the recipients of the award in 2016 and 2017 (Living Magazine's office was closed in 2018 due to Hurricane Harvey).

They take great pride in this achievement which is determined through public voting.

Owners JosĂŠ and Joan Morillo have even more to celebrate; by

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2020 they will own 3 Camp Bow Wow franchises: Katy, Kemah & Cypress (opening early 2020).

Recently the Katy &

Kemah teams have introduced new Enrichment opportunities to their pups.

They have added NEW 1:1 sessions for pet parents to take advantage of while

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Be sure to come by and get to know their team and they make it easy because the doors are open 365 days a year with convenient hours for pet parents to drop off and pick up their pets. Stop by and take a tour to see for yourself why their pet parents choose Camp Bow Wow, Katy to care for their fur babies!

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MAKING A PLAN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET By: Richard Croft, DVM Kingsland Blvd Animal Clinic By: Andrew Tesh, DVM

B

e Prepared. This is the most important statement that can be made about traveling internationally with your pet. Don’t wait until the last minute; research the requirements and timetable of the country to which you are traveling. Different countries have different requirements that can change at any time, and some are stricter than others. Not every veterinarian can issue international health certificates and costs may vary from one vet to another.

Your pets will need to be up to date on vaccinations, most importantly, the rabies vaccine. Also, most countries now require that your pet be microchipped before the last rabies vaccination is given.

Only certain brands of microchips are accepted, so it is important to make sure your pet’s chip complies.

Airline regulations for international travel also vary. They may require specific types of carriers, specify the time of day a pet can fly, the size of a pet, whether or not you are flying on the same plane, how awake or active the pet is, the type of pet, breed, and so on. You will need to find out all this information before the flight reservations are made. As with other

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components of the equation, the costs may vary among airlines.

Considerations to help you prepare for traveling internationally with your pet:

1.

Consulate – check with the consulate of the country to which your pet will be traveling. Their requirements may differ from, and will be more accurate than, those which are listed on the USDA website.

USDA website – go to aphis.usda. gov/aphis/pet-travel to look up requirements for travel to the intended country. If an explanation of the requirements is needed, you can also contact them at 512-383-2411.

Vaccinations – make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations, especially rabies.

Microchip – most countries only accept an ISO compliant microchip that was placed prior to the pet’s last rabies vaccination. Be sure to have documentation of the date the microchip was placed.

Fees – expect to have a fee from your veterinarian and the USDA for health certificates. These fees may vary.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Import permit – some countries require this.

Breed of pet – some countries will not allow certain breeds.

Time interval – a few countries require a 180 day wait time from the day blood is drawn for a rabies titer test.

Airlines – there are different requirements among the airline companies. Know the requirements of the airline you intend to fly.

Travel date – you will need to know this for certificates, as well as some airlines will not allow pet travel during the hottest or coldest months.

Carriers – there are requirements for type and size of carrier based on the size of your pet.

10.

11.

Also, be sure to know the address the pet will be traveling to in the country to which you are taking him.

Taking a pet with you internationally can be a costly and complicated process, especially if you wait until the last minute.

The best advice is to start the process early, do your research, make your plan and execute it according to the timetable required by the country of import.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

61

Thank you to the Houston Zoo for their hospitality during our photoshoot with Curly, who you can meet through the zoo's Animal Encounter Program. Book an exclusive experience with Curly, Mondays at 1pm, $195 for Members, $220 Non-members. Book online: houstonzoo.org.

By: Michelle Mantor

WHY I LOVE ANIMALS

PhotographybyPrudence.com

Why I Love Animals is a monthly feature written by our Editor with the mission of educating the public on the value of all species.

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I

magine being so sedentary that algae grows on your body. I actually have a couple of relatives that might fit this description but I’m not talking about a human LOL! I’m referring to one of the world’s slowest mammals, the sloth. With their big eyes, distinctive nose, long wiry hair and perpetual smile, sloths have become the darlings of social media and pop culture. They can be found smiling at you from t-shirts, coffee mugs, calendars, key chains, etc. Basically, sloths are everywhere and that includes the Houston Zoo! Meet Curly, a male sloth that is a great ambassador for his species as part of the zoo's Animal Encounters.

Thanks to the zoo staff, I got to enjoy a photo session with this 24 yr. old, two-toed sloth on a recent early morning before the weather became too “Houston-like”. Armed with Curly’s favorite foods, including cucumber, steamed yam and a super sized hibiscus flower, I was able to feed him and keep his attention on the food rather than me. Curly was a perfect gentleman but those claws are very dangerous and one can never be too careful around a wild animal. It was of course tempting to touch him but as humans, we have to respect safety as well as the animal’s personal space during an encounter. Sloths are an animal that can be harmed by human handling, due to raising their heart rate, so the staff has done a great job of training Curly to crate by cue for transportation or veterinary requirements.

I know I'm not alone when I say sloths are among my all time favorite creatures and getting to meet Curly was a true treat! I have also been fortunate enough to view a sloth in the wild during a trip to Costa Rica. While staying at the Leaves and Lizards Resort near the Arenal Volcano, the workers knew I was on the hunt to see a sloth. I'm not sure if being out early mornings in my pj’s with binoculars looking up in trees gave it away, but soon the word was out about my mission and everyone pitched in to help.

Eventually, it happened and in a big way! I got to see a momma sloth with her tiny baby nestled on her chest, out on a limb slowly grabbing and eating leaves from the tree. I couldn’t believe the slow, measured movements–it really seemed like slow motion. It was an awesome experience because getting to see a sloth in motion with a baby in tow, as opposed to than finding them sleeping in a ball high on a limb unable to see their cute little face, is extraordinary. This particular sloth was a three-toed sloth, meaning she had three

front toes, rather than two, while both kinds of sloths have three toes on their back legs.

You may be wondering if the two-toed and three-toed sloths are related. It appears not, at least not in the last millennia. Most morphological studies have concluded that convergent evolution is the mechanism that resulted in today’s two types of tree sloths. In scientific terms this means that the different types evolved analogous traits, such as movement, size, habitat, and other traits independently from one another as opposed to from their last common ancestor.

So let's get back to the algae covered fur. The plant gives the sloth’s hair a greenish tint that is useful camouflage while living in the trees of the Central and South American rain forests. They spend nearly all of their time in trees, hanging from branches, eating, sleeping (15 to 20 hours daily) and even mating and giving birth in the tree tops. The babies cling to their mothers for only the first six weeks of their lives, so clearly I WAS lucky to have witnessed the momma and baby!

All of this tree dwelling is for a reason. Sloths are clumsy and easy prey on land (although they are quite adept swimmers). Their weak hind legs give them no power and their claws are a hindrance so they actually pull their bellies across the ground for movement. In addition to being prey on the ground, sloths often need to move to a new tree, perhaps across the road, so vehicular traffic is of concern for sloth populations.

Speaking of sloth populations, you may also be wondering if sloths are endangered. The answer is yes and no. Among the two different types of

sloths, there are six species: ❖ Pygmy three-toed sloth ❖ Maned sloth ❖ Pale-throated sloth ❖ Brown-throated sloth ❖ Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth ❖ Hoffman’s two-toed sloth Of those, the pygmy sloth is critically endangered and the maned sloth is vulnerable. The Linnaeus's (like Curly) are categorized as having the “least concern” in relation to their population, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

However, it doesn’t mean these animals are in the clear due to three major factors: habitat loss, vehicular traffic, and illegal pet trade. Habitat loss is a growing concern for thousands of species of animals as humans continue to expand our footprint. For example, the decision to convert a forest into an agricultural farm, palm oil plantation, or something else equally destructive means loss of habitat for many animals so that’s why knowledge and conservation action is imperative.

While studying a bit about these fuzzy critters, I was reminded of the incorrect stereotype that sloths are "lazy and dumb". Actually, they are smart enough to have survived for millions of years!

Their slowness is actually a very intelligent design because essentially, sloths

don’t need to acquire much energy or spend time looking for it. Both two and three-toed sloths have a predominantly leaf-based diet, with a notably low caloric content. There are plenty of other mammals which eat a leaf-based diet, but usually these animals compensate for their low-calorie diet by consuming relatively large quantities of food. Fellow leaf-eating

howler monkeys move at a normal pace but consume three times as many leaves as sloths per kilogram of body mass.

Sloths are really interesting, like all of God's creatures, but sloths have a special charisma that makes them so endearing.

Come visit Curly at the zoo by booking an Animal Encounter (see inset for details).

He's sure to make you smile!

CONSERVATION CORNER

By: Lauren Wappler, Houston Zoo, and Murthy Kantimahanti, Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society

As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the world’s animal population. Each month we bring you information on conservation efforts that are of special interest or have some connection to Houston through the Houston Zoo or other local organizations. This issue, we are highlighting the zoo's efforts to protect king cobras in India.

Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

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Photos courtesy of Houston Zoo

SAVING KING COBRAS IN SOUTHERN INDIA

S

ince he was a young child, Murthy Kantimahanti, the Houston Zoo’s snake conservation partner in India, has

been fascinated by snakes.

They smell with their tongue, they don’t have ears, and even without legs, they can get from one place to

another quite stealthily. Not to mention they’re important in the environment. They feed mainly on rodents, birds, frogs, lizards, and other snakes.

Murthy loved snakes so much, he used to bring snakes to school in his pocket! However, many people in his hometown greatly fear snakes, so he has been working toward snake conservation and highlighting the importance of snakes since 1999.

Growing up in the Eastern Ghats, a mountain range along India’s eastern coast, Murthy volunteered and learned all about snakes at a local zoo where his uncle

worked in snake education. As a volunteer assisting with snake awareness shows, Murthy discovered many people had a fear of snakes due to false beliefs and misconceptions, or simply continuing a tradition to hate and fear snakes.

Murthy knew at an early age he needed to do something to save these feared creatures. “I love snakes, and I want to protect them,� Murthy says.

Driven to save the wildlife in his own backyard, Murthy has since founded and is currently the lead conservation biologist of Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society in southern India. One of the main goals for the organization is to reduce the killings of threatened king cobras by communities in the local area.

Murthy and his team work with villages to help them learn the value of snakes and how to live alongside them safely.

Pantanal Giant River Otter and Jaguar

Though king cobras are the flagship species of his project, the work also protects other threatened animals like pangolins, smooth-coated otters, small wild cats, and hyenas in the area.

With the support of the Houston Zoo and the 2.5 million guests who visit each year, the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society is able to provide awareness programs to local communities and further their research in human-wildlife conflict intervention strategies. Murthy and his team also conduct surveys in places with high impact conflict in order to learn methods that reduce negative interactions with humans and snakes.

Murthy is paving the way for his community to live peacefully with snakes, reducing fear around these animals by teaching people how to take simple precautions to avoid snakebites.

Though Houstonians are on the opposite side of the planet, there are actions they can take to help protect the king cobras in India. If they come across a snake of any kind, call for help; don’t try to help it or kill it. They can also visit the Houston Zoo!

Just by visiting the zoo, guests have supported Murthy and his team to train 18 local people in India to be amateur snake handlers who can now conduct safe rescues of snakes from local villages. Visitors also helped Murthy and his

team rescue and rehabilitate 89 snakes belonging to 12 different species in the Eastern Ghats, India, including two king cobras rescued for the first time and relocated safely!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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CONSERVATION CORNER HELPING

THE ENVIRONMENT MAKING YOUR BACKYARD A

WILDLIFE HABITAT By: Andrew Tesh, DVM

I

t seems that everywhere we look we are seeing trees being torn down and grassy areas being turned into parking lots. Sadly, there’s not much we can do about it. There are things you can do, however, to help replenish some of the natural resources that are destroyed. You can turn your backyards and even small apartment balconies into areas that attract wildlife, butterflies and even bees.

You can provide food by planting wildlife-friendly plants. Choose plant species that bloom and fruit at various times of the year. Like the woodpecker, some birds will dine on insects during the summer but will eat berries in colder weather. Shrubs and trees can provide seeds and berries for mammals and birds while a flower garden will provide food for a variety of insect pollinators and hummingbirds. Bird and squirrel feeders are great to help supplement what is found in nature. If you can, leave dead trees.

They can be a food source by attracting insects, lichens, mosses and fungi.

Every living thing needs water. Birds not only need water to drink but to bathe in. The easiest way to do this is to provide a birdbath or a shallow dish of water.

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YOU CAN PROVIDE FOOD BY PLANTING WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY PLANTS. CHOOSE PLANT SPECIES THAT BLOOM AND FRUIT AT VARIOUS TIMES OF THE YEAR. LIKE THE WOODPECKER, SOME BIRDS WILL DINE ON INSECTS DURING THE SUMMER BUT WILL EAT BERRIES IN COLDER WEATHER. Make sure to keep it clean and be careful to use animal-friendly cleaners! No bleach or anything toxic. If you’re fortunate enough to own a little land, you can add a water garden or pond to your property.

Wildlife needs cover from the elements just like we do. In our area we don’t have to worry about snow but we often get heavy rains and extreme heat. Again, dead trees work great for some species.

Planting dense shrubs provide shelter for rabbits, turtles and some bird species.

Don’t forget about man-made shelters, too, like bathouses and birdhouses.

There are books available to help you garden for wildlife. One of them is, Texas Wildscapes by Kelly Conrad Bender. It’s published by Texas A&M. Texas Parks and Wildlife is also a great resource. Some organizations provide instructions and help so that your school or home can become a Certified Wildlife Habitat. One such organization is the National Wildlife Federation.

You can make this a family project and have fun with it. Get the kids involved.

Plant some trees and shrubs, hang some birdhouses and squirrel boxes and decide where you want your birdbaths.

Also, as Spring 2020 approaches, TWRC Wildlife Center will be looking for baby feeders. We’ll train you to care for baby squirrels, baby opossums and baby birds so you’ll be ready to start in the spring. No previous experience is needed—just a desire to help wildlife babies, a great attitude and you must be reliable!

Send your resume or letter of interest to operations@twrcwildlifecenter.org.