Saturday, December 4, 2010

Friday, December 3, 2010

Latest from LASPCA

December 1, 2010 Update:

Website


New Orleans City Council alloted $200,000 more to the budget for Animal Control. While this is not what we proposed we were pleased to see that the council recognized the need for more funding. We are committed to Animal Control in New Orleans and will be working with the city to determine what services we can provide.

Thank you to all of our supporters for letting the Council know how important Animal Control is to you. Please take a moment and let your councilmember know we appreciate their support.

DOWNLOAD: A SAMPLE LETTER AND CONTACT INFORMATION.

2010 Animal Control Contract Status:

The City of New Orleans reduced funding for the LA/SPCA for 2010. Because there was only enough funding for 9 months, the LA/SPCA is providing emergency only services for the last 3 months of the year. LA/SPCA will continue to provide the following services out of our commitment to the quality-of-life of our companion animals and our community:
  1. Emergency response to humans injured or attacked by animals and emergency response to injured animals between 9 am and 5 pm (Mon. - Fri.)
  2. Bite case investigation and management during regular business hours
  3. Drop off location for found or unwanted animals 9 am and 5 pm (Mon. Fri.)
  4. Lost and found services
  5. Housing and humane care (food, shelter and veterinary care) for animals brought by the public.
  6. Adoption and re-homing of cats and dogs.
  7. Humane euthanasia and cremation for unadoptable animals.

LA/SPCA is unable to provide:

  1. Disaster Evacuation Assistance: LA/SPCA will not open and operate a temporary shelter for animals during tropical storm conditions or provide staffing for City Assisted Evacuation of Companion Animals prior to landfall of a major storm.
  2. After-hours Services: All calls received outside of regular business hours (Mon. - Fri) will be routed to NOPD. This includes weekend and holidays.
  3. Bite Case Quarantine: Animals that bite humans will need to be held by private veterinarians and billed to the City of New Orleans.
  4. Stray Animal Collection: LA/SPCA will not actively trap or collect strays roaming the streets in Orleans Parish. We will take in and provide care to strays brought to our shelter by the public and NOPD.
  5. Intact Dog Ordinance: City of New Orleans will be responsible for enforcement.
  6. Inspection of stables for mules used as transportation.
  7. Owner requested relinquishment in the field.

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US?

The City of New Orleans has proposed reducing the funding for Animal Control 28.6% from $2,150,000 (which only covered 9 months) to $1,500,000. The LA/SPCA has requested $2,500,000 to provide routine Animal Control for 12 months. We are currently negotiating, but need your help. Please let your city representative know this is important to you and to your community.

Other Budget Facts:

  • While the LA/SPCA has historically contributed an average of 41% a year to provide City Services, the LA/SPCA is unable to provide the City with year-round services for the amount proposed.
  • The LA/SPCA has worked closely with the City Council to create revenue streams to help close this gap. In 2010, the LA/SPCA generated more than $250,000 of the funding needed through the collection of Rabies Licensing fees, Adoption fees, and other fines and fees.
  • To provide 100% of Animal Control services it would cost the City of New Orleans less than ½ of 1% of its General fund. The General fund represents 80% of the total City budget.

We are having a baby sister!

St. Bernard Dog Owners Get Free Services - New Orleans News Story - WDSU New Orleans

This is fantastic!

St. Bernard Dog Owners Get Free Services - New Orleans News Story - WDSU New Orleans

Waiting for Pamela...

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Henri

My kid will stay in front of the refrigerator (looking at it) for HOURS. What is wrong with this boy? He is ALWAYS hungry!

Rub my belly


Walkin' makes you tired!

Happy National Mutt Day - 2010

National Mutt Day 2010, created in 2005 by Celebrity
Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige,
and presented this year only by Paws4Claws.com, is all
about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. The biggest percentage of dogs euthanized in the shelter each year are unwanted, medium to large mixed breed dogs, due to the constant over-breeding and public desire of designer dogs and pure bred puppies that are sold to pet stores supplied by puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals.

National Mutt Day was created to raise awareness of the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the nation and to educate the public about the sea of mixed breed dogs that desperately await new homes. Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, they live longer and are just as able to perform the duties of pure bred dogs - such as bomb and drug sniffing, search and rescue and guiding the blind.

There are millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs sitting in shelters, who are desperately searching for a new home. One of the county's most famous movie dogs is Benji, is a mixed breed Terrier.

So please visit your local shelter and find a new friend today! If you can't adopt a mixed breed friend on December 2nd, please donate at least $5 to your local animal shelter, as they all need financial assistance and every dollar counts!

You can also volunteer to walk a dog, donate food and other supplies needed to your local animal shelter or make a donation in the memory of a loved dog who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.


I want to get it!

Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Just me?

Dr.Corey Hebert/LASPCA

From LASPCA website...

Dr. Corey Hebert sat down with the LA/SPCA Animal Rescue and Care Center to discuss public health concerns if the stray population of New Orleans continues to be unchecked.

Video...

Dr. Corey Hebert is one of the most renowned physicians practicing medicine in the United States today. His travels across the country and around the globe have connected him to thousands of people as both a healer and a motivator. Dr. Hebert is one of the most sought after speakers in his field. He is a highly regarded medical broadcast journalist, working as on-air medical editor for the NBC television affiliate in New Orleans, Louisiana as well as a current contributor to the Discovery Channel's "How Stuff Works" television show. He is also the radio talk show host, of an extremely popular weekly segment on the Citadel Broadcasting Network, called "Doctor For The People" in which he answers health questions live on the air from people throughout the New Orleans metro area and across the country for those who hear his show simulcast on the internet. Dr. Hebert has a very unique charm which allows him to talk to urban youth and chairmen of boards with the same level of acceptance and respect. This is an extremely difficult balancing act, which is what separates him from so many others in his fields of pursuit.


How sweet is this face?!

Santa Paws at Clearview Mall


Sun, 5 Dec, 2010 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM

Have your pet's photo taken with Santa and benefit the LA/SPCA at the same time.


Bring your pets to center court decked-out in their holiday finery for their annual portrait with Santa.


HO! HO! HO!

LOCATION:Clearview Mall (center court)
4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd.

One is far more serious...

than the other!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Purrrrrecious

They match the rug perfectly!

My client!

Bradley is in Washington DC on holiday and I get Sexy* Max all to myself! I love to sleep with Henri, Isabelle and Max... makes for a very warm bed!

*Sexy is not his actual name... He just gets that loving feeling sometimes with other K9s! So cute...

Perfect City Bark day!

Wish it was like this everyday...

Take Action Now for Fully Funded Animal Control

FROM LASPCA (EMAIL)

Tomorrow (Wednesday, December 1, 2010) is the deadline for the City of New Orleans to present and vote on the 2011 budget. The Louisiana SPCA is compelled to provide exemplary Animal Control services to keep the people and pets of New Orleans safe. LA/SPCA Animal Control Officers are passionate about educating residents to become responsible pet owners and protecting the innocent victims of animal cruelty. We are committed to doing this job, but the simple truth is that it cannot be done for the amount the City is proposing. With no new information from the Administration, the future of Animal Control and the health and safety of the citizens in New Orleans is in peril.

The LA/SPCA has already committed to generating over $300,000 in fees to supplement the City’s funding. We need $2.2 million from the General Fund for Orleans Parish Animal Control. This is just ½ of 1% of the General Fund. Please ask the City Council and Administration now to consider the animals that will be on the city streets when services are not being funded. The animals of New Orleans are counting on all of us. Please, make your voice heard for them: www.dontcutanimalcontrol.com.

Yours sincerely,

Ana Zorrilla
Chief Executive Officer

Administration and City Council contact information:
Mayor, Mitch Landrieu: 504-658-4900/504-658-1000 mayor@nola.gov
Chief of Staff, Judy Morse: 504-658-4900 jrmorse@cityofno.com
Chief Administrative Officer, Andy Kopplin: 504-658-8610 adkopplin@cityofno.com
Deputy Mayor, Ann Duplessis: 504-658-8909 adduplessis@cityofno.com
Arnie Fielkow 504-658-1060 afielkow@nola.gov
Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson 504-658-1070 jbclarkson@nola.gov
Susan Guidry 504-658-1010 sgguidry@nola.gov
Stacy Head 504-658-1020 shead@nola.gov
Kristin Gisleson Palmer 504-658-1030 kgpalmer@nola.gov
Cynthia Hedge-Morrell 504-658-1040 chmorrell@nola.gov
Jon Johnson 504-658-1050 jdjohnson@nola.gov

The Louisiana SPCA
1700 Mardi Gras Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70114
Phone: 504-368-5191
Fax: 504-368-
ook

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City Bark - Latest Bark Bits

11/30/10

As caring dog owners, it is our responsibility to manage the home environment and keep our dogs safe.

ü Use pet gates in your home to restrict your dog from areas that might be dangerous for him. This includes the area of the tree which might have ornaments that attract your pet and are unsafe for him to chew or play with, the water saucer beneath the tree that might contain bacteria or chemical preservatives, areas with lighted decorations and electrical cords, tempting baked goods and fruit baskets, etc.

ü Avoid decorating with, or keep out of reach, poinsettias, amaryllis, and potpourri which can be toxic in varying degrees to pets and humans.

ü Chocolate, rich table scraps, bones, grease and garbage should be kept out of reach of your pets. When preparing holiday baked goods, keep all ingredients away from your pet.

ü Most dogs want to enjoy the holiday visitors, but be aware that your active dog might overwhelm older or younger visitors and create an unsafe situation for both the human and the dog. Small or high-strung dogs might be overwhelmed by large numbers of guests. For the comfort of your dog and your guests, consider crating or restricting your dog to a bedroom during party time so he can take a break while you and your guests enjoy each other's company.

ü

Even though you are busy, continue with your dog's daily exercise routine. Go for on-leash walks and schedule trips to the dog park for some quality play time with your pet. "A tired dog is a good dog." You will enjoy this time to de-stress from the holiday as well

.

STAFF AND OFFICE HOURS: We have a new dog park staff person, Ginny Vergadamo, and new office hours, 9am-5pm, M-F.

The dog park office is still located in the Friends of City Park trailer but will be moving to the new administration building on 1 Palm Drive in late December

. .

ROAD WORK: The FEMA road project is under-way to improve parts of Diagonal Drive and Magnolia Drive, two of the streets that border the dog park, and to resurface the parking area across the street from the dog park. Access to the dog park will not be impossible, but you might need to take a detour or alternate route...something we New Orleanians have become experts in for the past few years!.


LOST AND FOUND: We are collecting quite a few items in the lost and found box at the dog park. If you are missing something, please look there or call the dog park office at 483-9377 to see if it has been turned in there. (If we find swipe cards in the box, we take them to the office to notify you. Hint: If you write your cell phone number on your card, perhaps the finder will be able to locate you while you are still in the dog park.) Some of the lost items include leashes, glasses, sweaters, even keys...we wonder how that person got home!
PERMIT RENEWALS: All permits will expire December 31, 2010. Renewal permits can be downloaded online and mailed if you are paying by check or credit card. Please fill out entirely so that we can verify that we have your correct information. Your security card will stay the same so no need to come to the office unless you want to pay by cash. In order to allow everyone ample time to renew, we will not deactivate non-renewed cards until January 31, 2011. If you purchased your permit after August 1, you will receive a $10 discount if requested.

LEAF BLOWER RESPONSE: Special thanks to Jerry Lousteau from Canton, MS (displaced New Orleanian) and Rebecca Connolly for their donations and to William Hart and Pat Williamson to responding to our plea. As a result, we should be leaf free in the entrance plazza. What a great resonse!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Events: Mark your calendar for these special events.

December 2: Gambit Weekly Pet Adopt-a-Thon. Make the holidays "dog"gone "purr"fect for local animals. A $25 donation will sponsor an animal and help find it a suitable, permanent home. The deadline is near, so call 504 483-3138 before 4pm on December 2for more information and to pay by credit card. A picture of the pet you sponsor, along with your name and personal message, will be featured in a special issue of the December 7 issue of Gambit Weekly.

December 3 - January 2(except Dec. 24 & 31), starting at 6PM: Celebration in the Oaks in the City Park Botanical Garden and amusement area. Family friendly (no 4-legged family members, please) Christmas decorations, music, and fun. Visitwww.neworleanscitypark.comfor more information.

December 4 (starting at 10am): Animal pictures with Santa to benefit Animal Helperwill be taken outside the gates at NOLA City Bark. (Visit the NOLA City Bark Facebook page for more information.) Picture CDs will be sold for $20.

December 8 (noon): NOLA City Bark open board meeting in the Friends of City Park trailer across from Storyland. Come meet the board members and participate in our annual open board meeting. (No dogs, please.) Questions or concerns that you want to be discussed at the meeting preferably should be submitted toinfo@nolacitybark.org by 5pm on Tuesday, December 7. Be sure to include your name and daytime and evening phone number. Questions or concerns will also be accepted in writing at the beginning of the meeting.

December 11 (11am - 2pm): NOLA City Bark holiday sale of NOLA City Bark t-shirts and doggy stockings. Volunteers will be at the dog park selling t-shirts, stuffed stockings for dogs and 2011 permits.

December 11 (noon-2pm): Visiting foster dogs and shelter dogs will be at NOLA
City Bark and available for adoption. If you need another furry friend, or know someone who is looking for a dog to adopt, this is a great opportunity to come out and see a dog in a social situation and learn if she is the right pet for you. We will also be collecting new or gently-used towels, blankets, training treats, puppy teething toys, ping pong balls (for cats), new dog toys, and canned dog and cat food for the LA/SPCA at that time.

December 11, 12, 18, 19 (10am-3pm) and December 16 (3pm-6pm): Holiday Pet Photos,$25 per sitting, proceeds benefitting the LA/SPCA and Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue. Have your pet's photo taken with Santa or in a sleigh at Jefferson Feed, Pet, and Garden Center, 4421 Jefferson Hwy.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Hurricane Season - 2010 - IT IS OVER!

Thanks Mother Nature...
We will take another year like this one next year!

I fixed it y'all!



Fantastic way to help support LASPCA!

Santa's Paws Are Perfect Gifts

Not your traditional Cyber Monday shopping Web site, the LA/SPCA Shop page gives you the opportunity to give back this holiday season.

Top Five Year-End Gift Ideas
For those who itemize deductions, a gift is deductible on your income tax return in the year in which it is made. Why does the tax deduction help? Because it decreases your out-of-pocket cost of donating a charitable gift. Generally, the effect of the deduction is that the higher your income tax bracket, the more you will save in taxes. Five gift ideas to consider before December 31, 2010:

  1. Cash: Nothing is as simple and direct as giving cash.
  2. Securities: The best stocks to donate are those that have increased greatly in value.
  3. Life Income Gifts: By placing property in a life income gift vehicle, you receive income while making a generous gift.
  4. Real Estate: your property can open the door to some unique giving opportunities.
  5. Life Insurance: A no-longer-needed life insurance policy is a practical gift.



Sunday, November 28, 2010

Mardi Gras is only 99 days away!
Still no pictures... One of my clients sent a great email today missing the blog! That makes me so happy. I am amazed that we get 250ish hits per day...

Mike took my babies to City Bark and I am working on Month End and the Turnovers for today. Tons heading home today... I hate when a holiday weekend comes to a close!

Have a good one y'all!

Fingers crossed that Isabelle does not beat up any kids in the park today! That child...