Northern Lower Michigan Prepares for Dog Flu

A recent meeting in Northern Lower Michigan of veterinarians, groomers and boarding kennels is a sign that our local professionals who deal with dogs are taking the Dog Flu seriously as it spreads across the state. The Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) is a viral respiratory disease which can cause secondary infections like pneumonia can be fatal.

On August 3, 2018, there was 49 reported cases of CIV and as of September 23, 2018, it jumped to 154 cases reported. The counties reporting the disease include Allegan, Barry, Genesee, Huron, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Ottawa, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne. You can keep updated on the counties reporting by clicking here.  

There is a vaccine for the influenza which is done in two stages – the initial vaccine and then a booster 2-4 weeks later. The vaccine is not effective until 10-14 days after the booster (second vaccine).  Annual re-vaccination with one dose is recommended. Although the vaccine may not prevent infection, trials have shown that it significantly reduces the severity and duration of the illness, including the damage to the lungs. Ask your veterinarian if they have the bivalent vaccine which is for both CIV strains.

Sir Alexander, Kingsley Hoarding Case Dog at Cherryland Humane Society, Making Progress and Up for Adoption

Sir Alexander is one of the many Royalty dogs (Kingsley hoarding case) that are having an extremely hard time adjusting to their new lives. Alexander would quake, shake, move himself in a corner, tuck his face away, and hide however he could whenever anyone would look at or approach him.
There are a handful of Royalty dogs still exhibiting these behaviors and are being worked with daily. These behaviors stem from not being socialized with people. They are frightened of the unknown. They don’t know what affection or care feels like. Many of these dogs are being exposed to attention and affection for the first time.

Alexander was one of the most fearful Royalty dogs. He needed some serious tender love and care.
That’s when Alexander became Tia’s office buddy. Click here for more of Sir Alexander’s story.

 

Michigan Dept. of Ag Finishes Investigation at Ingham County Animal Control

The Ingham County Animal Control was investigated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture after a report was made public alleging that they neglected the pit bulls in their care that they were supposed to be taking care of for a court case involving dogfighting.

Further investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture found that they violated three acts under the Pet Shops, Dog Pounds and Animal Shelter Act which regulates Michigan animal shelters. The shelter was fined $2500 for not properly registering with the state, failing to sanitize primary enclosures for dogs to prevent disease and failing to provide enough employees for proper care of the animals. The shelter has not disputed these allegations.

Grand Rapids ArtPrize Offers Dog, Cat and Horse Entries

Voting for the Grand Rapids ArtPrize has started and will continue through October 7th. ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition which takes place for 19 days. More than $500,000 in prizes are awarded every year including a $200,000 grand prize which is decided by pubic vote and another $200,000 prize awarded by a jury of art experts. Any artist working in any medium from anywhere in the world can participate. Art is exhibited throughout downtown Grand Rapids at museums, bars, public parks, restaurants, theaters, hotels and more. This year, 1260+ works created by 1400+ artists from 41 states and 40 countries will be exhibited in 165+ venues. ArtPrize is free and open to the public.

Online voting for ArtPrize has started. The following entries were found to have subjects that are dogs, cats, horses or a combination of different pets. Click on the title of the art to vote.

Michigan Barn Cat Program Matching Farmers with Feral Cats

Got mice? The Michigan Barn Cat Program has a solution. The organization is looking for barns in St. Clair County that are in need of natural, toxin-free rodent control. The program, which is part of a broader effort to solve the area’s exploding population of feral cats, is designed to serve cats, farmers and the community by placing vaccinated and spayed or neutered cats with residents looking for outdoor cats to keep mice and other rodents out of barns and sheds. Click here for the rest of the story.

Silver Muzzle Cottage in the Running for Eagle Rare Life Award

60 Second Dogs, an organization that produces documentaries, has nominated Silver Muzzle Cottage for an Eagle Rare Life award.

Stories are submitted in six categories including courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. The top five finalists to receive the most votes in each category will be considered for a category prize of $5,000. A panel of judges will then evaluate the top ten nominees across all categories to determine the winner of the Eagle Rare Life Award the winner will receive a $50,000 Grand Prize which will be donated to the charity or cause of the winner’s choice.

Kim Skaritt, founder of Silver Muzzle Cottage is excited and proud that her non-profit organization was nominated to be in the running for these awards. Silver Muzzle Cottage is based out of Rapid city and is a rescue and hospice for senior dogs. To date, they have rescued 138 dogs. If Silver Muzzle was able to win the grand prize, Skaritt says that the money could be used to offer more proactive assistance to help those who wish to keep their senior dogs and more dogs could be rescued by making improvements to the facility. She asks that you vote every day and share the link here.

30-Year-Old Michigan Cat Dies After Being Shot With BB Gun

The owners of a 30-year-old cat in Michigan had to put their beloved pet down this month after he was shot outside of his home with a BB gun. The incident happened over Labor Day Weekend and has shocked the community on the west side of the state. East Grand Rapids Mayor Amna Seibold shared the story on her Facebook, reminding her residents that BB guns are not toys and shooting any kind of gun in the city is not allowed. Click here for the rest of the story.

Cherryland Humane Society Needs Your Help to Bring in Animals Affected by Florence

With Hurricane Florence hitting down south, the Cherryland Humane Society wants to help rescue the animals affected. But after an animal hording situation in Kingsley back in July, the shelter is still full. Animal Control and Cherryland rescued 36 dogs and cats and while many are now in their forever homes, some still need some help. Click here for more info.

Animal Cruelty on the Rise in Michigan

Despite its scope, the animal abandonment case discovered in Kingsley in July, in which at least 38 animals were removed from a Voice Road residence and two people were arrested, is not an anomaly according to state and local records. Incidences of animal cruelty reported to the Michigan State Police rose 575 percent statewide between 2016 and 2017, the latest year for which figures are available, according to the MSP’s 2017 Quality Assurance Report. Click here for the rest of the story.

Wexford Co. Looking at How to Spend Donations given to Animal Shelter

During the last few years, Wexford County has had its share of financial issues. While most of those issues dealt with a lack of funds, recently the county has had to decide what to do with an influx of dollars. These dollars in questions came from a donation and that donation is for the sole purpose to benefit the Wexford County Animal Shelter. Click here for the rest of the story.

Kent County Euthanizes Dogs and Cats at Rate That ‘Shocked’ Advocates

The Kent County Animal Shelter euthanized two out of every five animals it took in last year. The state’s average euthanasia rate in 2017 for all open admission shelters was 14 percent, according to non-profit Michigan Pet Fund Alliance. Kent County’s euthanasia rate was 39 percent that year.Those figures don’t include pets euthanized at their owner’s request. Click here for the rest of the story.

Veterinary Technology Program Earns MSU Top 20 Ranking for College Veterinary Degrees

The Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine has been ranked one of the top 20 colleges in the nation for best veterinary degree according to College Choice, an online ranking source for students looking for the right fit for their interests and needs. Click here for the rest of the story.

Help End Breed Discrimination in Michigan

Urge your representative to support SB 741.

From Best Friends Animal Society

We all want safe and humane communities for people and pets in Michigan. Senate Bill 741 would eliminate breed discrimination in municipalities throughout our state. This important legislation has already passed the Senate and is now in the House.

We want our communities protected against dangerous dogs and we want abused dogs to be protected from reckless owners. SB 741 encourages local governments to enhance public safety for people and pets by focusing on the behaviors of the owner and the dog, while preserving property rights.  All Michigan residents who follow the right safety rules as responsible dog owners should be allowed to own whatever breed of dog they choose. It’s that simple. Click here for the rest of the story.