Running with Dogs – 5K9 Walk/Run Supports TART Trails

What’s better on a Saturday morning than taking a walk or run with your favorite dog buddy? Saturday, May 14th at 9 am is the date for the 7th Annual Tails for Trails. This 5K fun run/walk on the scenic Vasa Pathway is a unique opportunity to mingle with other dog owners and experience the trails with your canine friends. You can also choose to do a 3K route if you wish. No need to worry about running. You can take a leisurely stroll if you and your dog choose.

Registration is $20 per person and $40 for families through May 6th or $25 per person and $50 for families after May 6th. You can sign up at the TART website here.

Dogs receive a goodie bag with D.O.G. Bakery treats and promotional dog items including a bandana for every dog. Free professional photos will be available to download after the run for free. There will be pet friendly prizes for the top three adult finishers and also for the top kid finisher (10 and under). Also at the event will be agility equipment for dogs to demo and local groups AC PAW and Cherryland Humane Society will bring adoptable dogs to meet. Cherryland is asking everyone to bring gently used shoes and boots of any size or kind to donate to their “Shoes for Shelters” Program. Ten pairs will earn you a FREE Cherryland Pet Product Discount Card.

The family-oriented event for runners and walkers of all fitness levels is sponsored by Bay Area Pet Hospital, Northwood Animal Hospital, Great Lakes Pet Memorial & Crematory, D.O.G. Bakery, Woofers on the Run and Pets & Peeps Photography.

If you have any questions, please call TART Trails 231-941-4300.

Clare County Dog Goes from Shelter to Police K-9 Work

A dog looking for a home for months, now has one — as a Police K-9. This is Riley. His owners dropped him off at the Clare County Animal shelter back in January because they were unable to care for him. Since then, the shelter struggled to find him a home. But the Clare City Police Chief came to check out Riley and said he would be perfect as a Police K-9. Click here for more of the story.

Michigan Animal Legislation Update

reported by Pet Friends Magazine and from HSUS Michigan

Michigan puppy mills: HB 4898 to license and regulate large-scale dog breeding facilities, sponsored by Rep. Mike McCready with co-sponsors Reps. Kurt Heise, Harvey Santana, Christine Greig, Klint Kesto, Ken Yonker, Ed Canfield, John Kivela, Gary Glenn, Mike Callton, Al Psholka, and Earl Poleski, passed the House on March 2, 2016 by a vote of 83 to 20 and now awaits a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Missaukee Humane Society Rescues 31 Kittens

Kitten season has already started for many animal rescue groups and animal shelters. Missaukee Humane Society is no exception, recently rescuing 31 kittens (and their mothers) ranging from newborns to just five weeks old. These cats were rescued from a residence in Forest Township and are being well taken care of. Please consider adopting, volunteering or donating kitten food to MHS. They are open seven days a week. You can call them at 231-839-3800 or visit their website here.

Fallen Friends Honored at War Dog Memorial

For years it was one of the best-kept secrets in Lyon Township, a humble little pet cemetery off Milford Road. They called it the Happy Hunting Ground when the Elkow family first laid a faithful companion to rest there in the 1930s. Dozens of beloved pets had been somberly buried there since, but as the years and decades passed the humble plots and markers were all but forgotten. Now known as the Michigan War Dog Memorial, the rejuvenated resting grounds for beloved pets will host a special K-9 Veterans Day event Saturday, a tribute to service dogs who have taken “best friend” to life-saving levels. Click here for the rest of the story.

Wexford County Group Petitioning to Change Animal Control Ordinance

Animal Advocates of Wexford County has set up a petition Wexford County to make changes to their Animal Control ordinance.

Changes to the ordinance being requested include better shelter for pets left outside; better veterinarian care so pets won’t suffer neglect, torture or pain; new tethering rules; changes to requirements for breeders; and disallowing animals from being in the back of a truck bed without being crated. For more information about the changes and to sign the petition, please go to the website here.

Osceola County Sheriff’s Dept. Teaches Pine River Students About Law Enforcement

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Department held a special assembly for local students, complete with a K-9 unit. The goal of the presentation was to familiarize students with local law enforcement, and create a positive environment. Deputy Avery and his police dog named Ryker held the demonstration at Pine River Middle School. Click here for more information.

Zika Virus Doesn’t Appear to Affect our Pets – for Now

photo: Cynthia Goldsmith, CDC http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp

As fear spreads about humans getting the Zika virus, people are also wondering if it might affect their pets – or if the virus can be spread through them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention animals “do not appear to be involved in the spread of Zika virus.”

The Zika virus was first discovered in a monkey in Uganda who had a mild fever in the 1940’s however there have been no reports of other animals becoming sick with Zika or being able to spread it to people or other animals. The CDC says “there is no evidence that Zika virus is spread to people from contact with animals.” There is also no reports of any pets or other animals becoming sick with the Zika virus.

Community-Led Group Works on a Solution to Grand Traverse County’s Animal Control Issue

It’s been more than three months since the Grand Traverse County Commissioners voted to eliminate the Animal Control Division from the Health Department. That decision eliminated the Animal Control services that had been provided by two full-time Animal Control Officers who are now laid off. These Officers responded to 636 animal-related calls in 2015 and had 35 years of combined experience. Since then, the County Administrator, Commissioners, Deputy Administrator and others have been spinning a tale about how the Animal Control Division was only “moved” or “transferred” to the Sheriff’s Office. That was never an accurate representation of the situation and now the community understands that. The services previously provided by our dedicated and trained Animal Control Officers, including picking up stray dogs and inspecting dog kennels, are not services that have been transferred over to the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, the Commissioners never changed the Animal Control Ordinance which means the services of Animal Control still fall under the Health Department. This has been confirmed by the Grand Traverse Prosecuting Attorney, Bob Cooney. Well-meaning animal lovers and other media outlets have tried to put the blame on the Sheriff’s Office for the problem not being solved but they are wrong. The Sheriff’s Office is not legally in charge of our County’s Animal Control Services according to the County’s own ordinance and they don’t have the resources to run an Animal Control Division even if they chose to do so.

Traverse City Company Helps Owners Deal with Pet Death

The death of a beloved pet can hit some owners as hard as the death of a human loved one. Traverse City native Kerri Collier of Great Lakes Pet Memorial was devastated when one of her pets died a few years ago. And she was not impressed with the lack of choices she was given to dispose of the remains.

“I had lost a pet and was not given any options,” she said.

She visited her grandfather in Florida soon after that experience. He had recently lost his pet of 18 years.

“She was his precious baby,” Collier said.

But her grandfather told her about a company that helped him deal with his loss with dignity. He even arranged a visit to the Florida business for Collier and her husband.

“I thought it was the coolest place,” Collier said.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Would-be Puppy Store Owner Seeks New Location After Muskegon Mall Halts Plans

A social media uproar caused CBL & Associates Properties Inc. to cancel a lease agreement between The Lakes Mall in Muskegon and a proposed puppy store, according to the planned store’s owner David Boelkes.

Boelkes still plans to open a store in the area and he said that he has received multiple emails of support from people in the region. He added that he has had conversations with several building owners since The Lakes Mall rescinded the lease agreement.

He cited his own market research in supporting his plans for store selling puppies from professional breeders. Boelkes originally had plans to open The Barking Boutique, a specialty shop offering professionally bred puppies, in the mall on May 1, but the mall changed its mind on Friday, April 1. Click here for the rest of the story.