Pets in the City Magazine January 2017 by Pets in the City Magazine

January 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

Pets In The City Magazine |

January 2017

PUBLISHER'S LETTER PUBLISHER PICM Publishing, LLC

Happy New Year to All, We would like to dedicate this issue to our PICM partner, and Deb’s dear husband, Shane Myers who passed away last January 8, 2016. Shane, you continue to be an inspiration every day, and we thank you for your belief that we can speak for the animals.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Genevieve Campbell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kim Justen

When Shane was diagnosed with lung cancer last October 1, 2015, we had no idea he would be gone so soon. He put up a courageous fight and not for one minute did he think that cancer would take him. We still had so much work to do on behalf of the animals. Please continue speaking out for animal rights in Utah; our state has come so far in the past five years. Your work is not in vain, you are making a difference! There is no better place to be, than in the presence of people who love animals. PICM Publishers, Deb Myers and Genevieve Campbell

TABLE of CONTENTS 6

MAKE HELPING ANIMALS YOUR 2017 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – Kathleen Toth

HOW TO BECOME YOUR BIRD’S BEST FRIEND

Pets In The City Magazine | January 2017 | 4

2017 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

PHOENIX RISES - CHAPTER TWO – Buz Marthaler

RESCUE ME

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Buz Marthaler Lynn McCarron, DVM Emily Strong, CPBC, CPBT-KA Kathleen Toth CIRCULATION Deborah Myers, Circulation Manager City Weekly Distribution Smith’s Grocery Store Racks GRAPHIC DESIGNER / SOCIAL MEDIA / WEB MAINTENANCE Michelle Bellinger

SALES & ADVERTISING Sharon Stephenson Deborah Myers 801.702.1171 info@petsinthecitymagazine.com

ANIMALS IN THE NEWS – Mona Mistric

VICTORIA COCHRANE ISN’T HORSING AROUND

A GUIDE TO YOUR LOCAL SHELTERS

LABS FOR LIBERTY

– Mona Mistric

– Deborah Myers

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AIRPLANE TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET

STAFF WRITERS Tonya Landon Mona Mistric April A. Northstrom Sarah Tyler

2016 IN REVIEW

– Mona Mistric

EXPERT ADVICE:

– Lynn McCarron, DVM

– Sarah Tyler

– Emily Strong, CPBC, CPBT-KA

MANAGING EDITOR Deborah Myers

FAMILY FUN – SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium

ASK STETSON QUESTION AND ANSWER

YOUR PETS IN THE CITY PHOTOS

Sylvie Cover Contest Winner: Linden Waguespack

www.petsinthecitymagazine.com PICM Disclaimer: All reader submissions and photos are voluntarily submitted without expectation of compensation. All opinions of the authors in this Magazine are those of the writer or contributor and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. The publisher has not conﬁrmed the accuracy of information contained in the articles. PICM reserves the right to edit, alter, or modify the submitted article to the extent in which we deem necessary. A RESCUE PLEA: Pets In The City Magazine is dedicated to and encourages rescuing companion animals of all types. There are thousands of animals in Utah and across our nation needing a forever home. If you are interested in rescuing a companion animal, there are over 100 animal rescues in Utah. A good resource is petfinder.com, a nationwide database for companion animals of all types. A rescued animal can be rewarding and lead to a forever grateful love. Pets In The City Magazine © 2017 is an independent, free monthly magazine published by PICM Publishing. For information regarding Pets in the City Magazine, visit www.petsinthecitymagazine.com Any and all articles in Pets in the City Magazine are submitted for reading enjoyment only. Please consult a professional and make wise personal decisions regarding health and safety issues of pets and family.

Pets In The City Magazine |

January 2017

Make Helping Animals Your 2017 New Year’s Resolution “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” — Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Kathleen W. Toth January is officially the beginning of the new calendar year and the start of another journey around our sun. The New Year is a gift. And we should make the most of it – not just by making a resolution to improve our own lives, but in resolving to help others, alleviate suffering and find ways to show love to those in need. For many of us, that resolution means helping animals – the voiceless in our community whose suffering is often invisible to the larger community. Each year in Utah, approximately 57,000 animals become “homeless” and enter the shelter system. Rescue groups, like Nuzzles & Co. Pet Rescue and Adoption, headquartered in Park City, Utah, are working tirelessly every day to rescue as many of these animals as possible. It takes an enormous amount of resources to ensure these pets are not euthanized because their time has “run out,” or because they need a medical procedure and veterinarian care is not available. Nuzzles & Co. believes no pet should die because they are temporarily without a home. That principle is our New Year’s resolution every day of every year.

Pets In The City Magazine

But what can one person resolve to do? There are many ways you can help in saving and improving animals’ lives. Your time matters, and giving your time to the animals within your own neighborhood can make a big difference. Offer to walk a dog who doesn’t get taken out often, drive a cat to the groomer, or help a neighbor by taking her pet to the veterinarian. If you want to expand you reach, you can also help on a larger scale. At Nuzzles & Co., we welcome volunteers to both our Rescue Ranch and our Adoption Center. To us, the gift of your time means we can save more lives.

January 2017

We often rescue the most vulnerable pets among the homeless pet population. We bring injured, abandoned, nursing and pregnant mothers and seniors back to our Rescue Ranch. Here, the animals receive medical attention and loving care from staff and volunteers. Our Ranch, located just east of Park City, and our Adoption Center, located in Tanger Outlets, are open seven days a week and we need volunteers every single day. Our animals rely upon a variety of skills and services to get them healthy and on their way home. Volunteers help keep kennels nice and tidy, socialize and

cuddle with our community cats (who love visitors and attention), walk dogs, and work with dogs in our training program or on the agility course. We also need other skills, including data entry, answering and returning phone calls, photographing animals, and speaking with guests in our adoption center. So many things come up during the year that volunteers can assist with, including volunteering at special events, mobile adoption events, hanging flyers and even helping us spread the word about a long-time or special needs dog or cat on social media. If you cannot volunteer, there are other ways to help the homeless and vulnerable animals in your community. You can foster a litter of kittens, a dog, or an animal in need of a quiet place to recuperate. You can donate money or supplies, or get your workplace to do a supply drive or donation drive for animal rescues working hard to help animals in need. And never underestimate the power of networking and sharing information about rescue and adoption with your friends, family and colleagues. Many people don’t know that young, healthy and adoptable cats and dogs die every day in shelters all across the United States. Many people don’t know how they can help. Having a conversation with someone about supporting adoption, or telling them about how they can foster animals in need, or simply sharing your knowledge about animal rescue can raise public awareness of animals’ needless suffering. The animals are the voiceless among us and they often suffer in silence. This year, make a commitment to tell their stories and alleviate their suffering. In doing so, you’ll find that this next trip around the sun will hold more meaning and value because you were able to share your time, resources and love with others and make the world a better place. Kathleen W. Toth is the president of Nuzzles & Co. Pet Rescue and Adoption, a nonprofit animal rescue headquartered in Park City, operating a 16,000 square foot Ranch in Brown’s Canyon, and an Adoption Center at Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Nuzzles & Co. saves animals all over Utah, including the Ute and Navajo Reservations. (Ranch Photos) Credit: Josh Wood

Pets In The City Magazine |

January 2017

AIRPLANE TRAVEL with your Pet

Lynn McCarron, DVM Travel and vacations are wonderful, but it can be hard to leave your beloved dog or cat at home. These days, many people are choosing to take their pets with them on their travels, even when they are traveling by airplane. Here are some tips to make that travel legal, safe, and hassle-free.

AIRLINES USUALLY WELCOME PETS ON BOARD, BUT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

January 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

• Check with your airline about their requirements and fees for flying companion animals. • Most airlines require pets to be 15 pounds or less to fly in the cabin with their owners. This also means the pet’s carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Check with the airline about carrier size and dimension requirements. • Some airlines have maximum weight requirements for dogs traveling in a checked kennel. Be sure to check, particularly if you have a big dog. • Most states will not accept animals younger than 8 weeks of age. Such youngsters will not be allowed to travel by air. • Dogs and cats over 12 weeks old must have a current rabies vaccination and rabies certificate to be allowed to travel.

KEEP YOUR PET SAFE AND COMFORTABLE FOR THE FLIGHT

• Taking your pet through security will usually require them to be removed from their carrier,

so make sure they are wearing a secure harness or leash (especially cats). • A microchip and ID tag with your phone number is recommended for traveling pets. • Feeding your pet 3 – 4 hours prior to travel is advised so they are neither too full nor too hungry. • Take a small amount of dry food or kibble in a container, and a dish to offer water to your pet. • Absorbent bedding such as fleece or lambs wool will help keep your pet more comfortable, and be sure to pack baby wipes and Ziploc bags in case clean up is needed. • Some animals may be stressed or frightened by travel. You may want to discuss with your veterinarian whether your pet may benefit from a mild sedative. • According to the Federal Animal Welfare Act, there are specific temperature guidelines to which airlines must adhere. Ambient temperatures in holding areas for cats and dogs must not fall below 45°F for more than 45 minutes when being moved to or from a holding area. • Animals transported in a carry-on are not protected under the Animal Welfare Act, so it is up to the person carrying them to see that they do not become too cold or overheated.

FOLLOW THE LAW • You will need a USDA health certificate to cross any state line. Flying outside of the United States, including to Canada, Mexico, or even Hawaii requires following strict rules to bring

pets with you. Many times, airlines do not regulate or even know what the requirements are, so check with a veterinarian to make sure you have the correct paperwork. Nothing could be worse than arriving at the airport and finding out your pet is not allowed to go with you due to incomplete paperwork. • Travel to foreign countries now requires notarization of the certificate beyond the veterinarian’s signature. Countries often have other requirements including certain vaccines, blood tests, or medical treatments. • For international destinations, each country has specific requirements for animal travel. • To help pet owners better understand and meet the requirements, a website was launched this past summer, www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pettravel. This site provides information about taking a pet from the United States to other countries and bringing pets into the United States. Follow the link, and then choose your destination from the dropdown menu. Your veterinarian can help you navigate the regulations. Plan ahead for travel to make sure you have time to complete all the requirements. It is helpful to print the recommendations for your destination from the website, and bring it to your veterinary appointment.

Safe travels to all!

Pets In The City Magazine |

January 2017

HOW TO BECOME YOUR BIRD’S BEST FRIEND Emily Strong, CPBC, CPBT-KA You get a new bird and she’s the most beautiful, adorable, delightful thing you’ve ever seen. You’re instantly in love; all you want is to become her new best friend right away. To your dismay, however, as soon as you put your hand into her cage, she bites you. Your excitement crumbles to dust as the fear ﬂoods in. “Did I just adopt a mean bird? Am I now stuck with a monster?” If this scenario sounds familiar to you, you are not alone. It happens in thousands of homes across the country every year.

The good news is, your bird isn’t mean. You didn’t adopt a monster. Your bird is just scared, and understandably so. Think about it from her point of view: her entire world has just been turned upside down. Her routine, her environment, and the humans and animals in her life have just completely changed. She has no idea where she is, who you are, or what your intentions are towards her. Are you friend or foe? She doesn’t know. She can’t read your intentions. All she has to go on is your body language. To help her understand you’re a friend, you need to learn how to become one.

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Birds are prey species. Humans are a predator species. Our eyes are in front of our heads, we have big shiny teeth, and compared to parrots we are giants. When we look at new birds with our direct predator stare, we’re inadvertently threatening them. If we then reach towards them with our big predator hands, birds interpret that as a full-on attack. In such a life-or-death situation, birds typically choose flight. However, when they’re in a cage, where flight is impossible, the only option remaining to them is fight. That’s how we get bitten.

December 2016

To teach a new bird that you aren’t the scary predator you appear to be, avoid directly approaching her. Stand at an angle instead of directly facing her. Tilt your head and look at her out of the corner of your eye instead of directly staring. Speak in a soft voice. Let your arms rest at your sides. Watch her body language to determine how far away she wants you to stand.

When some birds are scared, they puff up all their feathers to appear larger than they are and may lunge towards you; others press their feathers close to their body and lean away from you. In either case, she is telling you to move farther away. Listen to her. When you are at a safe distance, you can sit and read aloud, or softly sing, or just chat with her about

any topic. As your new bird gets more comfortable in your presence, she’ll let you stand closer to her. Another way you can demonstrate your friendship is by dropping a small gift off in her cage every time you walk by. Find out what your bird’s favorite treat is, then stop putting it in her bowls and toys. The only time she gets that food is when you walk by her cage. If you drop a tasty treat in her bowl every time you walk by, you can’t be all that bad, right? You’re practically Santa Claus. Finally, think of her cage as her home. Instead of blasting through her front door every time you want to hang out, knock on the door politely and invite her out. The easiest way to do this is to attach a short perch to the inside of the cage door. Open the door and place some yummy food on the perch instead of reaching in to get your bird. When she goes to the perch to eat the food, she’ll realize she’s already out of her cage and will be more likely to come out and explore. By taking the time to introduce yourself like this at the beginning of the relationship, you’ll have a much happier friendship over the long run. You’ll eventually be able to look at her directly, touch her, reach into her cage, and pick her up. But first things first: build trust.

Emily Strong, CPBC, CPBT-KA, is a certified behavior consultant and animal trainer with 26 years of experience in the field of animal welfare. Through her company, From Beaks To Barks, she offers behavior consults, group classes, service/therapy/ ESA training, and continuing education classes and workshops.

Pets In The City Magazine |

January 2017

Labs For Liberty Photos By: Labs for Liberty

“We see our service dogs as empowerment tools and we want our veterans to become better fathers, mothers, spouses, business leaders, community leaders and peers because of our service.” Sarah Tyler

Throughout the process, the veterans are kept in the loop about their pup, the progress they’re making, and given a placement date that they can look forward to with anticipation. When the dog is ready, the recipient is brought to Liberty Outpost in Utah to train with the animal. After this is completed, lifelong support is provided to the pair. The entire process can take anywhere from sixteen to twenty-four months depending on the dog and the veteran’s needs.

Pets In The City Magazine

Joan Nold, an honorary Commander with the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, has a special place in her heart for first responders and our nation’s military. After reading Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, and later watching its movie adaptation, in which retired Navy Seal Luttrell recounts his most dangerous mission that cost the lives of all the men on his team with himself as the only survivor, she felt compelled to raise money for the Lone Survivor The staff is entirely volunteer. This helps stretch donations to cover the Foundation. The Lone Survivor Foundation seeks to bridge the gaps extensive costs of procuring a Labrador from Hunters Point Kennels in between veterans and their families by offering a peaceful ranch Iowa and putting it through the rigorous training regimen. As stated in Labs location for them to reconnect and strategize how to move ahead for Liberty’s company model, the Labrador breed was chosen specifically in their lives and marriages. and the individuals are bred to be “calm, intelligent, patient, obedient, and She raised the money by auctioning off a Labrador puppy who was then devoted. The dogs are also bred for their natural hunting ability. These donated back and trained to be a veteran’s service dog. In doing so, Nold service dogs’ primary focus must be their veteran and the tasks they perform discovered a veteran need she wanted to fill. Soon after, she co-founded Labs for that veteran. They will also be capable of serving as a hunting companion For Liberty with her husband, Roger Nold, and son, Jacob. The company to those veterans who find healing through hunting and outdoor activities” is young, founded just two years ago this December, but already they’ve (Labs For Liberty.org, Our Model). The animals are given free of charge to partnered fifty veterans with the perfect service dog. veterans.

January 2017

“Seeing our dog recipients succeed in their personal and professional lives is our main goal,” says Jacob. “We see our service dogs as empowerment tools and we want our veterans to become better fathers, mothers, spouses, business leaders, community leaders and peers because of our service.”

Labs For Liberty takes applications from veterans across the nation. Each applicant’s needs are identified and a puppy is selected to receive the specific training to match their future owner’s unique circumstances and requirements. The pup is also trained in basic obedience, commands and service tasks. Before allowing the animals to progress further they must pass the AKC Good Citizen Test qualifications and Public Access test.

Jacob Nold believes, “the veteran community is not underprivileged – we aren’t doing what we do because we feel bad for veterans. We do what we do because we believe in the power and asset that the veteran community is. We believe in serving these individuals because they have served for us, and together, civilians and veterans can build greatness in future generations.” The ultimate and immediate goal of Labs For Liberty is to save lives. “With 22 veteran suicides per day and the large number of veterans who would benefit from a service dog, we believe custom training a dog that can also be an outdoors companion allows us to better serve our veterans.” (Labs For Liberty.org, Our Model).

Pets In The City Magazine |

January 2017

~RESCUE ME~ Rusty

Male / 7 Years Old / Pointer Mix I’m still very playful and love to chase the laser pointer. I’m good with other dogs and cats. For more information about me, contact Paws for Life at pflu.org.

Sara

Female / 8 Years Old / Chihuahua I’m currently in a foster home with a big bull dog and a cat. I want to play with both of them! I have a little trouble with my back legs but it doesn’t slow me down. I’m super affectionate. To meet me, contact Paws for Life at pflu.org.

Stitch McDrool

Male / 5 Years Old / Bully Blend

I’m a great dog looking for a comfortable home. I enjoy short walks and would like to be the only dog. I’m good with older children who won’t lean/hug on me, because my hip displasia can be painful. As I get older, I may need medication along with some vet visits. Apply at www.rescuerovers.org.

January 2017

Pets In The City Magazine

WYN

Male / Adult / Mixed Breed When I was a puppy my family moved away and left me locked in a crate without food or water. I was severely malnourished and had a long road to recovery. Now, I’m just so excited to be alive and thrilled to meet new people and dogs! I’m house trained, crate trained and know several basic commands. Apply at www.rescuerovers.org.

Latona

Female / 8 Years Old / Mixed Breed

I have arthritis and mild hip dysplasia, but once I’ve had my medicine, I am good to go! My favorite thing to do is to just chill with my humans and get petted. I’m house, crate and doggy door trained. Apply at www.rescuerovers.org.

Princess

Female / 3 Years Old / Tan and White Pit Bull Terrier I’m a happy gal who loves to be around people. I’m super smart and eager to please. I want to be your one and only pet – I promise I will love you as much as 10 pets would, though! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

Fern

Female / 9 Years Old / Black and Grey Chihuahua Mix I may seem a bit standoffish at first, but I’m just looking for the perfect person to call my own! Although they call me a senior, I’ve got lots of energy and love to go for walks! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

Samoa

Female / 8 Years Old / Chocolate Labrador Retriever I love everyone and everything, and I can’t wait to fill your home with laughter and snuggles. I do have arthritis in my hips, so I’d prefer a home without stairs! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

Elmo

Male / 10 Months Old / Tan and White Hound Mix I’m looking for a forever family who loves to go on walks and be active. I love to play and be outside. I love people, and I might like to have a doggy sibling, too. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-608-1424 for more info!

Salsa Female / 9 Years Old / Calico Domestic Shorthair

My name’s Salsa because I’ve got a zest for life! I may be a senior, but I’m curious and playful, and I LOVE to explore. I really enjoy watching birds from a sunny window, too! Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-649-5441 for more info!

Banana Female / 1 Year Old / Orange and White

Domestic Medium Hair I love to play! I’m a spunky girl looking for a fun-loving forever family! I love all people, but I can’t wait to find my special family and a place to call my home. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-649-5441 for more info!

Nestor

Male / 3 Years Old / Cream and White Domestic Medium Hair I’m a friendly and easygoing cat, and I love to snuggle. I’d love to find a forever family who likes to spend lots of quality time together. Do you have a lap that I can curl up on? Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-649-5441 for more info!

Avalon

Male / 4 Years Old / Cream and White Domestic Shorthair I may not be the most social guy around, but once I get to know you, I won’t leave your side! I really am a cuddly and friendly cat underneath this cool exterior. Call Nuzzles & Co at 435-649-5441 for more info!

SAMPSON Male / Senior / Labrador

I love people, walks, soft beds, and warm sunshine. I don’t seem to love other dogs, and will do best in a home as an only dog. I have no interest in cats, so I could live with them. Can you show me what true love is? Schedule a visit to meet me at caws.org.

SKYLER

Male / Adult / Pit Bill Terrier I’m good with dogs with a proper off leash introduction. I’m a very strong boy, so I need proper guidance on a leash. I’m crate trained, but would prefer a dog bed. I love to go on walks and for car rides. I need a cat-free home. Schedule a visit to meet me at caws.org.

gus gus & sampson

Male Bonded Pair / Adult / Abyssinian We’re Sampson and Gus Gus. We’re brothers, and very bonded, so we need be adopted together. Sampson is a charming, loving fellow. He is sweet and gentle. I’m Sampson, the mellow low key fellow. I love every person I meet, and am the ultimate lap cat. Gus Gus is a gorgeous boy. He is sweet, affectionate and playful. Together, we truly are a purr-fect pair! Schedule a visit to meet us at caws.org.

Pets In The City Magazine | January 2017 | 15

2016 IN REVIEW Mona Mistric The Humane Society of Utah, animal welfare organization and the good people who care about the well-being and protection of animals, have made great strides again this past year. We are pleased to report on the following legislative activities and accomplishments from 2016.

REOPENED AG-GAG CASE: The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals joined Utah in standing up for the First Amendment right, which prohibits curtailing freedom of speech. They are diligently seeking transparency of agricultural activities to ensure livestock are being treated humanely. The goal is to be able to take pictures or videos on farms without consent from the property owners. The ALDF successfully helped Idaho with their ag-gag case and we are confident they can help Utah too.

Pets In The City Magazine

SB 253 ANIMAL SHELTER REVISIONS: We are so proud of the Utah Legislature for the changes made concerning euthanasia, the treatment of stray animals and cruelty to animals. 1) Euthanasia: The method by which an animal shelter may euthanize an animal requires an animal shelter to adopt a euthanasia policy and training program. 2) Stray animals: Municipal and county animal control officers must hold unidentified or unclaimed stray animals in a safe, humane location for a minimum of five business days prior to making any final decision on the best place for the animal.

January 2017

3) Cruelty to animals: It is a crime to leave an animal tethered and unattended in a manner that prevents the animal from reaching shelter.

4) Cruelty to animals: Clarified the definition of “abandon” to mean intentionally depositing, leaving, or dropping off a live animal without providing for the care of that animal or putting an animal in a situation where conditions present immediate, direct, and serious threat to the life, safety, or health of the animal.

S.B. 144 DEAD DOMESTIC ANIMAL DISPOSAL AMENDMENT: Feel free to refer to the August 2016 Pets in the City Magazine article, “Is It Legal to Bury Your Pet in Your Yard?” to learn more about burying your pet in your yard. Dead domestic animals: It is the duty of the owner to bury or otherwise dispose of the dead animal and the owner is liable for the costs if the disposal is performed by local, county or state entities.

2017 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS Mona Mistric We continue to strive to make Utah a pet-friendly state. We are reaching for a top tier position as one of the “Best Places for Pets” by meeting the ADLF’s legal requirements one obstacle at a time. We have four more obstacles to overcome in order to reach our goal and we hope you will join us in reaching our 2017 New Year’s Resolutions.

Let’s pause a minute to look at animal abuse and how it affects children. Children who witness animal abuse are at a greater risk of becoming abusers. Many violent offenders committed childhood acts of animal abuse. We are making a New Year’s resolution requesting the Utah Legislature: Increase penalties when animal abuse is committed in front of a minor.

One of the frequently used measures for gauging the state of animal protection laws is the presence or absence of felony-level penalties for the most egregious abuse. There’s been noticeable progress, but there is still more that needs to be done. We are making a New Year’s resolution requesting the Utah legislature:

Utah has accomplished a lot of good works concerning animal welfare and, as you can see, there are still some very important issues needing legal enforcement. We invite you to join us, the HSU, ADLF or your local animal welfare organization, to support our efforts to make Utah one of the best places for pets.

January 2017

Encourage giving humane officers broad law enforcement authority.

Include animals in domestic violence protective orders.

Make it mandatory for veterinarians, animal related agencies, non-animal related agencies and professionals to report when animal cruelty is suspected.

Pets In The City Magazine

Many domestic violence shelters now allow your loving pet to join you when you leave an abusive relationship. Many states have passed laws putting custody of companion animals directly into legal protection orders, allowing judges to help human and animal victims. We are making a New Year’s resolution requesting the Utah Legislature:

In Utah, animal related agencies may report suspected animal cruelty, but are not required to do so by law. We are making a New Year’s resolution requesting the Utah Legislature:

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May you have a Happy New Year filled with prosperity and blessed with peace.

Animals In The News Mona Mistric

ALDF URGES REOPENING VETRINARIAN CAT KILLING CASE

HOME FOR THE PAWLIDAYZ: OVER 6,200 PET ADOPTIONS

April 15, 2015, a Texas veterinarian, Kristen Lindsey, proudly posted a picture of herself on Facebook, holding Tiger, a male, orange and white feral tabby cat by an arrow pierced through his head. A grand jury investigated the killing in June 2015, but found there was insufficient proof to charge Lindsey with animal cruelty. The Austin County District Attorney’s office closed the case, claiming it could not confirm where the cat was killed, whether the cat had an owner and whether the cat was killed in a cruel manner.

Every day across the United States, thousands of animals are euthanized simply because they don’t have a place to call home. During one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Best Friends’ No More Homeless Pets Network encouraged people to spread holiday cheer by giving a pet a forever home. Over 115 shelters, rescues and humane organizations, including the Humane Society of Utah, participated in the initiative, allowing adopters nationwide the opportunity to save a furry friend this holiday season. In just those four days, more than 6,200 pet adoptions took place nationwide thanks to the online retailer, Zappos, who paid the adoption fee for all of them. People were able to adopt a new pet in time for the holidays at no cost to them. What a wonderful Christmas miracle. Thank you, Zappos! Thank you, Best Friends! Thank you, Humane Society of Utah and all the shelters that worked so diligently to find forever homes for their clients! MAN ARRESTED FOR TORTURING & KILLING CATS

Pets In The City Magazine

On November 16, 2016, police arrested 26 year-old Spencer Pederson on suspicion of three third-degree felonies for torturing a companion animal, one Class A misdemeanor of heroin possession, and one Class B misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia. A search warrant was served on Pedersen’s home, car and phone after a witness reported finding dead cats in his backyard over the past few weeks. Dried blood splatter was found on a mat in his vehicle and pictures of possibly eight tortured, bloody cats were found on his phone. One cat was found in a trash can near Pederson’s house with a rope around its neck. The police suspect Pedersen may have also been involved in a cat fire that happened on October 15, 2016. The cat’s injuries were so severe she had to be euthanized by a veterinarian.

January 2017

If this case goes to court and Pedersen is found guilty, The Humane Society of Utah is encouraging the public to ask the prosecutor not to plead down the charges before trial. The hope is to charge Pedersen with the maximum penalty for all three third-degree felonies and sentence him to the fullest extent of the law – with this court case setting an example to society that it is not okay to torture and kill pets.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) believes allowing Lindsey to continue to practice veterinary medicine in the future puts animals at risk and taints the good name of trusted veterinary professionals. On November 12, 2016, the ALDF wrote a letter requesting the case be re-opened, urging animal cruelty charges against Lindsey be resubmitted to the grand jury before the statute of limitations expires (1 year for a misdemeanor/3 years for a felony). ALDF has petitions and testimonies with the missing information – sufficient evidence, they are confident will meet the probable cause threshold necessary to reopen the case. There also may have been a misunderstanding of the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines concerning what are humane killing principles. Shooting a cat with a bow and arrow from twenty yards is not considered humane. This evidence should establish Lindsey committed a felony and should be indicted for cruelty to a nonlivestock animal under Texas Penal Code 42.092(b)(2). We thank the ALDF in pursuing justice for Tiger. OTTER THERAPY FOR CHILDREN In Valley Center, Calif. there is an animal sanctuary, Nurtured by Nature, where otters and children swim together, but this isn’t just having fun in the pool, it’s a form of therapy. The Make-a-Wish Foundation arranged for seven-year-old Hannah Evans to visit the animal sanctuary. Evans has a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder. The therapy otters are trained on how to interact with children with severe or terminal illnesses. Nurtured by Nature wants to give the children a positive day to remember, especially on those difficult days when their pain is severe, or treatment is making them sick, or the illness causes them to be scared. They can recall the good time they had with the otter, helping their psyche to cope when they need comfort the most.

Pets In The City Magazine |

January 2017

VICTORIA COCHRANE ISN'T

HORSING AROUND Deborah Myers Victoria Cochrane, affectionately known as Vee, started volunteering two years ago for The Farm at Gardner Village – a Salt Lake area animal rescue that offers pony rides, a petting zoo and hosts birthday parties. Cochrane has the unique ability to relate to the horses in a special way. People and children return to the farm just to spend time with her, as she is instinctively able to determine their needs and fears. After 6 months, the staff decided the horses and visitors wanted more of Cochrane, so they officially added her to their team by putting her on their payroll. This year Cochran celebrated her 24th birthday at the farm, surrounded by her human and animal friends.

January 2017

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“Vee is a fabulous employee,” says Gill Ma, owner and founder of the farm. “The animals love her. We call her the Stall Fairy – she keeps their dwellings so clean. She never stops working, whether she’s keeping the animals happy or introducing the children to the animals.”

Cochrane begins by introducing herself and all the animals by name and species. “This is Gary the Alpaca and our little baby lambs. Would you like to feed them?” she asks. Then she brings the bottles out and lets the children feed the babies. They love this experience most of all. She moves along to the next area, handing the children a

brush and teaching them how to safely and properly groom the small ponies. After the wonderful introduction and fun interactions, many of the children are comfortable with climbing on a pony for a ride around Gardner Village. “We have daily visitors at the farm and the work is never ending. We also conduct group education programs for preschools, elementary schools, and for people with disabilities of all ages. The animals can be very therapeutic in a variety of ways. I trust Vee to be the one that can help take away people’s fears and instill a new-found confidence,” says Gill Ma. “The animals love Vee and you can see it. We rescued a young horse just over a year and a half old. We named him Sparkie, after the cartoon character Sherriff Cali, who rides a horse named Sparkie. Sadly, Sparkie had a pipe imbedded in his foot since birth. Our veterinarian sedated him and removed the pipe. Poor Sparkie was afraid and didn’t trust anyone – until Vee did her magic and now Sparkie trusts her. They have a very special bond,” says Gill Ma. Cochrane has a disability herself, a neurologic disorder, which causes her to shake. She is also dyslexic and has difficulty putting sentences together when speaking. At the tender age of two, her grandparents, Ken and Sandy Cochrane, introduced her to horses. As a young girl she attended the National Ability Center in Park City, where she gained confidence in working with horses.

Cochrane shows quarter horses, competing in halter for amateur age geldings and open age geldings. She proudly explains. “The Judges set up in the middle of the arena where they can observe the horse’s patterns and muscular structure. Envy Dot Com, is the horse I ride. If he was a super hero, I think he would be called Envious Prime. We’ve been together for our two-year anniversary, October 1, 2016.” Cochrane is a member of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association. She likes to say she has special abilities instead of disabilities. Last year she competed in a competition every month – taking home four championship buckles. She is proud to tell people she competed in the mainstream section of the competition in Tennessee and won! “When we won, I cried a happy cry, not a sad cry. My trainer is Cooper and we get to keep the buckles,” says Cochrane. If you’d like to meet Cochrane and experience her special abilities, The Farm at Gardner Village is open during the winter Tuesday – Saturday, noon - 5 p.m. or until visitors are done . The Farm, a nonprofit animal rescue, is working to expand to an adjacent area, next to Gardner Village, to care for more animals soon.

n o s t e t S

Tonya Landon

Q. Why do the shelters and rescue groups charge money for their animals? - Annabelle A. It costs money to rescue animals like me (I am adopted). Here are some reasons why they charge an adoption fee. Animal shelters are government funded and usually government run. They take in stray animals and animals surrendered from the public. It costs money to run an animal shelter. You have to pay the shelter employees, build and maintain a building, purchase and maintain animal control trucks and pay for food, vaccinations and the spay or neuter surgery of the stray animals. Then there is the cost of everything else necessary to run an animal shelter such as office supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. Most of this cost is paid by you, through taxes every year. To help supplement the daily cost of running an animal shelter, the shelters charge a small adoption fee for their animals. This adoption fee helps cut down on your taxes and helps pay for the animal’s care. Adoption fees from animal shelters usually run from $25 to $200, depending on the shelter and the animal you are looking at adopting.

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If you have questions for Stetson, please send them to askstetson@gmail.com.

January 2017

Tonya Landon is a professional dog trainer with Diamonds in the Ruff. She rescued and trained Stetson, a small terrier with aggression issues, to be cast in the title role of the 2012 Stetson, Street Dog of Park City, a short film adapted from the children’s book written by Jeanine Heil.

The money you will spend adopting a dog will depend on a lot of factors. If you think the rescues are still charging too much for the adoption fee, I would recommend calling your veterinarian and ask for a price quote on spaying/neutering, vaccinations including rabies, deworming and microchipping. In most cases, you will find that the price you are quoted will be more than the dog’s adoption fee.

Pets In The City Magazine

Animal rescues are funded by private donations and are not government funded. The smaller animal rescues are run by volunteers, where the larger animal rescues have a mix of paid employees and volunteers. Animal rescues take in animals from the public or from animal shelters. Some of the things they may pay for include the animal’s spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, deworming, microchip, and dental or medical care. Some animal rescues have buildings where they house their animals, while others use foster homes. It costs money to run an animal rescue, especially if the animal rescue has a building. The average adoption fees from animal rescues are $100 to $400, depending on what type of animal you are looking at adopting and what the animal needed when it arrived at the rescue.

PHOENIX RISES– CHAPTER TWO

P H O T O C R E D I T: W R C N U

Buz Marthaler Readers met Phoenix the Golden Eagle in the June issue of Pets in the City Magazine. The story recounted the beginning of Phoenix’s life, after he miraculously escaped the flames of a human-caused wildfire in June 2012.

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Surviving the June 21 Dump Fire while still an unflighted nestling in the wild, he was brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU) on July 4 with third degree burns, seriously emaciated and dehydrated. WRCNU, in conjunction with the avian qualified vets at Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic, was able to provide the medical attention necessary to save his life.

You would think that would be the end of the story for a bird who’d already faced so much adversity in his young life. But his next chapter was also filled with drama – and people who wouldn’t give up on him. On September 11, 2015 more than five months after WRCNU had applied for their (at that time still pending) federal permit, it was a regular day at WRCNU. Phoenix was housed in his large outdoor eagle enclosure with plenty of room to fly, sunbathe, tear up his favorite egg carton toys, eat and hangout. Like all the other mature raptors, Phoenix was fed once a day, typically in the afternoon.

January 2017

After three long years in rehabilitation, Phoenix had recovered from the trauma with the exception of his beak, which was permanently damaged by the intense heat of the fire. WRCNU determined Phoenix was non-releasable; for him to survive, he’d have to become an education ambassador for eagles and other wildlife in a captive setting. It’s not easy to get approval for an eagle to become an ambassador. WRCNU

applied and eventually received both federal and state permits to use Phoenix in their conservation education program.

Erin Adams, a WRCNU caretaker, arrived at Phoenix’s enclosure to clean it and provide his 300 grams of whole rat, but upon looking into the cage she noticed all was not right. She immediately ran back to the facility to get help; what we found was an eagle lying face down in the dirt, looking dead.

With my heart in my boots, I opened up the door and slowly approached, still not noticing any sign of life, until I went to pick Phoenix up. He went into full body tremors and spasms which immediately indicated something neurological was going on. We rushed him inside, and surmised he had come down with either lead poisoning (unlikely in his controlled environment), or more likely, West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is normally deadly to wild eagles and many other types of birds, and normally comes from being bitten by an infected mosquito. The virus attacks the neurological system of the victim, often causing partial paralysis and partial to complete blindness as the brain quickly swells. All these symptoms can be reversed depending on the timeliness of the diagnosis, treatment and the individual. Phoenix had a good chance since he was found quickly after the symptoms began. What Phoenix had going for him was WRCNU’s experience of working with 17 WNV infected Bald Eagles less than two years earlier. Thankfully, on this holiday weekend, we still had enough WNV

medications to start treatment without having to wait two days for the vet office to reopen – those two days would have been deadly. Like a lot of readers, it seems like anytime we have need for critical veterinary care it always happens on a weekend or holiday. Especially in the case of this bird. Phoenix originally arrived on the 4th of July and now got WNV on Patriot Day— what are the odds?

The most important part of his treatment would be to immediately stop and reduce the swelling on the brain with heavy doses of antiinflammatory medications, twice each day. This would be required for a couple months. WRCNU Wildlife Specialist DaLyn Marthaler quickly dosed Phoenix with the required medications, and also started physical therapy on his left leg and foot, which were completely paralyzed that day. Another side effect of the neurological damage is the inability to hold down food, so DaLyn also started him on a highly digestible liquid carnivore diet, fed by a tube inserted down the throat Continued on page 24...

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January 2017

PHOENIX RISES – CHAPTER TWO (CONTINUED)

Pets In The City Magazine

the motor skills and “connections” between his brain and his left leg/foot.

and into the stomach a few times daily to keep up Phoenix’s strength and caloric needs. WNV is unpredictable, but if caught early enough, many if not all the affects can be minimized or even eliminated; it’s a long, long road to recovery in almost all cases.

January 2017

In October 2015, we started taking Phoenix to weekly physical therapy sessions. Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic located Anthony Woerner, a human physical therapy specialist who also worked with animals. He was very excited to work with his first eagle, and is likely the only PT specialist to ever do so. He donated 50 one hour sessions over the last year to help Phoenix regain

The sessions included manual manipulation of the toes of the left foot and up the leg to the hip. Phoenix was encouraged to walk through a maze of various objects and perches. Anthony used rubber exercise bands creating resistance, and manually massaged the muscles while Phoenix was perching and moving. He went through electrotherapy, just like human patients, with electrodes lightly stimulating his muscles to contract while manually moving the associated leg area or toes. All to try and regain the working connections between the brain and the damaged leg nerves.

Like a typical patient, he would get rather annoyed at times with his therapist and try to fly off the table,

sometimes successfully, or attempt to bite, or even use his bad foot, to grab Woerner. We were amused and encouraged to see him try this, because it meant he was aware of his leg and trying to use it the way he used to. We’ve seen vast improvement since October 2015, but it’s a long and slow process. We review year-old videos and photos to actually see the improvements being made. Phoenix can fly and land on his perch. Although he is still blind in his right eye, he has corrected and adapted to his partial loss of sight and depth perception to the point it is unnoticeable to anyone without experience with birds. He can stand, using both legs, but we fully expect he has another year of therapy ahead to regain as much use as he can. He still can’t open his left foot

and must wear a foot pad/brace to keep it open during the day while he’s up and moving around. He can push with his leg and close his foot, but pulling back is limited and opening his foot is still not possible.

We continue to be amazed at Phoenix’s will to live. WRCNU is creating a plan that takes his disabilities into account but will allow him to be presented to the public this spring. We hope he will remain healthy for the rest of his life (possibly 30 years) so he can tell his amazing story of perseverance and educate the public.

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January 2017

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January 2017

FAMILY FUN! Hey kids, Chatty Catty here, The new Seaquest Interactive Aquarium is now open at the Layton Hills Mall. I had so much fun visiting my new friends at the aquarium!

This is the sea horse adventure, and I think that I saw the eel hiding in the rocks. The sharks were big!

January 2017

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I got to pet and feed the sting rays. I found out that their eyes are located on top of their heads. It looks like they have a smiling face underneath their body. They are very friendly. We also entered the reptile display to get our picture taken with the iquana. Seaquest gets 4 stars from Pets in the City Magazine; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very educational and fun.

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January 2017

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