Cleveland County Animal Control is blowing us away with their recent updates!  Here are some highlights:

1. The shelter is extending its hours!  They're now open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., giving the local community a better chance to come pick out a furry little companion!

2. A new low-cost spay and neuter program! Cleveland County is partnering with the Humane Society of Charlotte to offer low-cost spay and neuter services for both dogs and cats along with rabies shots and microchip installation!

3. Vaccination train keeps a-rollin'!  The Cleveland County Rescue/Adoption Coordinator is vaccinating all incoming puppies and kittens with a 5-n-1 and a dewormer. 

4. No more drop-off pens! Would you drop your child off in a parking lot or a dirt road? Of course not, so why would you do it for an animal? Pet owners who need to surrender their pets are required to visit the shelter to do so or they risk being charged with abandonment. 

5. And the big one: the gas chamber is gone! Cleveland County's gas chamber is no longer used a means of euthanasia, only injections. 

We're so grateful to the changes Cleveland County has made and we look forward to working with them in the future. 

Thank you, Ethan, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY from all of us here at City Dogs Rescue!

In April, City Dogs Rescue made a $3000 donation toward a vaccination program at Cleveland County Animal Shelter. This is their response:

OregonLive.com offers a handy guide to teaching kids appropriate behavior around dogs to prevent dog bites. 

"Dogs are also more likely to attack if they feel their food or home territory is being threatened.

That's why it's so important that people – and especially children – should never approach a dog that is sleeping, eating, chewing on a bone. The same is true for dogs that are behind a fence, tethered in a yard or inside a car.

Approach a dog only if the owner is present, and never leave children alone with pets unattended.

Kids tend to be more at risk for being bitten because they typically approach animals fearlessly rather than cautiously, Dr. Katherine Miller, director of ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Research says, and their movements are more abrupt and less gentle than those of adults.

"It's important to first ask permission of the owner if it's OK to pet the dog, and then ask the dog for permission," Miller says.

Do that by putting your hand out with palms are facing upward; a palms-down position may indicate to the dog that you intend to strike.

If the dog seems open to being touched, don't pet the top of its head, which canines also interpret as aggressive.

Instead, reach for Fido's chest, the front flank where the legs meet the chest, or its shoulders.

Children are also smaller, "so they're right at eye level with dogs and often stare directly at them, which is a threatening gesture to a dog," Miller says.

If you have a dog with aggressive tendencies, train him to wear a basket muzzle(not a sleeve muzzle, which prevents panting and should be worn only briefly).

You may feel uncomfortable, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Read the full article on Oregon Live here.

After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recognize the need for pet owners to have an emergency plan in place for their pets. 

According to the ASPCA, the following are some easy steps to make ensure the safety of your pet in case of an emergency or natural disaster: 

1. Have a Plan. Make sure your family’s plan includes how you will transport your animal(s) in an evacuation, possible routes you will take and your destination/sheltering options. Practice that plan at least yearly and share it with your family and friends.

 2. Build an Evacuation Kit. The Kit should include the supplies you will need for your pets, including a photo of your pet, medical records, vaccination records, and any special food or prescriptions.  This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry and records should be kept sealed or made waterproof.  Make sure that everyone in your family knows where it’s kept.  Update your kit each time you change your smoke alarm batteries so it’s easy to remember. 

3. Stay Informed. Keep an eye on the weather, follow a projected storm’s path and don’t get caught unprepared. Staying informed also means knowing which shelters house both people and pets, monitoring possible road closures and having alternate travel plans.

4. Know Your Neighbors. It’s best to form a relationship with your neighbors well in advance of a disaster situation. Develop a telephone tree and determine who is home and when. If a disaster occurs while you’re at work, your neighbor may be the only one who can reach your pets.

5. Vaccinate and Microchip. If you’re ever required to shelter your pets, you’ll want them protected against disease. And the single most important piece of advice we can offer is to microchip your pets. It is truly their ticket home.

Check out this video on Pet Preparedness Day from the FEMA Deputy Administrator. http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/75356

What should you have in your pet’s emergency evacuation kit?   

The ASPCA recommends these items: 

• Pet first-aid kit and guide book (ask your vet what to include)
• 3-7 days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months)

• Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
• Litter or paper toweling
• Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
• Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
• Pet feeding dishes
• Extra collar or harness, as well as an extra leash
• Photocopies of medical records in a waterproof container with a two week supply of any medication your pet may require (Remember that food ad medications needs to be rotated out of your emergency kit every few months or than may go bad and become useless)
• Bottled water - at least 7 days' worth for each person and pet (store in a cool, dry place and rotate out every 2 months)
• A traveling bag, crate, or sturdy container, ideally one for each pet
• Flashlight
• Blanket
• Recent photos of your pets, in case you are separated and need to make "Lost" posters or to prove that the pet is yours.
• Especially for dogs: Extra leash, toys, and week's worth of cage liner
• Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter

Visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness for more information and tips for pets other than dogs or cats.

More information on caring for animals in case of disaster can be found here http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals
And here: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/78847

Three dogs, Truvy, Disco, and Shelby, were abandoned to a kill shelter in Laurens County, SC without any hope for rescue and no chances of adoption. Our friends at Sanctuary Rescue notified us that Truvy was pregnant and said they would be able to rescue her, Disco, and Shelby with the help of City Dogs Rescue. These owner surrenders were clearly traumatized by what was probably a life of abuse and neglect. This is the same shelter where recent CDR dog, Katie, came from as well. 

Shortly after being rescued, Truvy gave birth to a healthy litter of 6  beautiful puppies. A foster for Sanctuary Rescue cared for her and her pups in Virginia. The puppies nursed with Truvy and shortly thereafter all of them found homes!

Once the puppies were weaned, City Dogs Rescue brought Truvy and Disco to Washington, DC to find homes of their own. We're not sure how Truvy, Disco and Shelby are all related but it seems likely that Truvy is the mother of Disco who seems about 3 to 5 years old and Shelby who is less than year old.  Truvy is also about 35 lbs and 3 to 5 years old. We have learned that they are the gentlest, sweetest dogs despite an obviously hard past.

Lindsey, foster of Disco, and her roommates have really helped him learn about the good things the world has to offer. Lindsey notes that she was so sad to see him cower when she went to put on her shoes. He is clearly much more frightened of men, but he is slowly learning how to trust again. Disco takes a few minutes to warm up to new people, but he is completely docile and really enjoys meeting new dogs. Disco loves the dog park and is learning how to play. It's clear he never had toys or treats in his past life, but we've learned Disco really likes cheese. 

This week, Disco has been working in the Capitol buildings and sitting in on meetings with the Congressman. "Working" on the Hill has really helped Disco become more socialized around new people. He was even lucky enough to meet "his" SC Congressman! 

Lots of Members of Congress and staffers on the Hill bring dogs to work, but it's especially nice to see a shelter dog who's come from such dire straits make it all the way to Washington! 

Truvy is also doing fantastic in her foster home with CDR photographer Rebekah Feng. Rebekah recently adopted Molly the beagle and has recently opened her home to foster dogs.

Truvy and Disco are low-riders so we think there must be some basset or corgi in them because they are close to the ground. You will not find sweeter dogs and we are so amazed at how far they've come over the past two months.  

We can't wait till they find their forever homes.