Mendocino County Animal Shelters

Leash that Dog - Mendocino Humane Society leashes Homeless dogs

Alberta — Sun, 18 May 2008 19:37:58 +0000

Food Aggression - A Real Solution

Alberta — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:21:46 +0000

We have always free-fed our pets at our Shelter. Our Shelter Director, Sharon Felkins, has always believed it almost eliminates food aggression problems. She should know, she performs the temperament tests on all the dogs and it is not a big issue at our Shelter.

Maddie’s Fund’s recent Newsletter highlighted the results of a study on Food Bowl Aggression by Emily Weiss, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and ASPCA Senior Director of Shelter Behavior Programs. Maddie’s Fund has created a Training Protocol for Food Aggressive dogs that has been proven to be 90% successful. The training starts with free-feeding. Dogs that know that they will not go hungry are less likely to guard their bowl. The Training motivates dogs to step away from the bowl when you approach; rather tha protect.

Lost Cat - Tabby - Mendocino

Alberta — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:23:00 +0000

9 year old neutered male black/brown short haired tabby with a rather small “stubby-chubby” build—stocky body with short legs. Muttski has a tiny bit of white on the tip of his tail and several notches on his ears. His left ear is slightly misshapen. Also, his right top canine tooth is chipped.
He disappeared July from the area of Hillview Ave. Mendocino Drive and Hillcrest Ave.
Contact marbo@saber.net or call 462-8239

Donation to Inland Rescue - Human Haven

Alberta — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:01:51 +0000

“It was heartbreaking last year to see the dogs without proper coverings. We tried to shield them from the rains, but it was difficult,” said Sheryl Mitchum, executive director for the Humane Society of Inland Mendocino County. Luckily, with help in the form of a $10,000 matching-funds donation from the privately-owned Bank of Stockton, the dogs at the Humane Society should be getting a new home within the year. The Humane Society is located at 9700 Uva Drive in Redwood Valley. This nonprofit organization works to provide shelter and homes for dogs and cats looking to be adopted. The matching funds are dedicated to the memory of lifelong Hopland resident Charlie Shimmin, who recently died at age 93. He worked most of his life with the Savings Bank of Mendocino County, but it was his relationship with the Eberhardt family of the Bank of Stockton and his son Paul’s desire to commemorate his father that helped provide the Humane Society with this opportunity. “I know this is something that would be very special to him. I know he would be very pleased,” said Paul Shimmin, the third-generation banker, who, with the help of his wife, Linda, the Bank of Stockton and the Humane Society, worked to organize the project. Paul Shimmin said that following his father’s death, the Bank of Stockton approached him asking of a way to do something in memory of Charlie Shimmin.
Third-generation banker Paul Schimmin holds Dusty, who is currently seeking adoption at the Humane Society of Inland Mendocino County. At his suggestion, the Bank of Stockton donated $10,000 to the organization in honor of his father, Charlie Schimmin. (MacLeod Pappidas/The Daily Journal)

“I suggested that we set up some sort of matching funds, although I had no idea they’d send a check for $10,000,” Paul said.
The Bank of Stockton will be matching all donations to the Humane Society’s building fund with the hopes of replacing the 17 cages at the Humane Society. With help from the community, Mitchum and Shimmin are optimistic they’ll be able to utilize all of the matching funds.

Shimmin said the initial discussions are to replace the 17 cages with 28 new ones at the shelter. He said the Humane Society will be looking to rearrange the current space to fit more cages, resurface the gravel floors with cement and enclose each of the cages to provide shelter during rainy and hot days.

Construction has yet to start, but Shimmin said he and the Humane Society are looking for animal-friendly contractors to provide plans. Mitchum added that she wasn’t sure of an exact date for construction to begin, but she hopes it would begin prior to the start of the rainy season.

“We just want to be able to provide better living conditions for the animals here as they wait to be adopted,” Shimmin said.

He said that the idea of working with the Humane Society was something he felt his father would appreciate, and with the current conditions of the dog cages it seemed like the perfect opportunity to beat the rainy season.

“Once you come here, they (the animals) get a hold of your heart, and they don’t let go,” Mitchum said. “It’s really these animals that keep me coming here every day.”

She said the Humane Society is looking for cash donations as well as supplies and services to get the ball rolling on this much-needed project.

People interested in making a donation to the Humane Society of Inland Mendocino County’s Building Fund can send a check or money order made payable to the Humane Society of Inland Mendocino County, PO Box 3600, Ukiah, CA 95482. All donations will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, with the Bank of Stockton’s $10,000 in matching funds.

To donate materials or services to this project, contact Mitchum at 485-0123 during business hours at the Shelter: Wednesdays through Fridays 1 to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Zack Sampsel can be reached at udjzs@pacific.net

Excepted from the Ukiah Daily Journal

Ugliest Dog Contest, Fort Bragg - Saturday Sept. 1st

Alberta — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:11:29 +0000

Paul Bunyan Days are here and so is the 22nd Annual Ugly Dog Contest!

Bring Out your cute, big small, talented and ugly dogs.
Sign up: 2:00 and Contest starts at 3:00
Location: N Harold and Laurel, Fort Bragg
Prizes for Best

Best Frisbee Dog
Dog Owner Look Alike
Smartest Dog
Smallest Dog
Biggest Dog
Prettiest Dog

Judging by Mendocino Coast Humane Society
Dog Toy Prizes supplied by LittleRiverPetShop.com

Bliss Fisher Staying On

Alberta — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:47:25 +0000

Reprinted from Ukiah Daily Journal 8/12/07

Mendocino County Animal Care & Control Director Bliss Fisher is staying on in the county despite tendering her resignation in mid-July.

According to a press release issued Thursday by Fisher’s boss, newly appointed Health and Human Services Agency Director Carmel Angelo, “We are pleased with the programs that Bliss has started. She has been working really hard on increasing adoptions of animals, expanding spay and neuter services and developing a feral cat trap/neuter/release program.”

Angelo was appointed to run the new combined county Health and Human Services Department June 11.

She said she is looking at the organizational charts and staffing to look at Animal Control services and what changes might be needed.

Animal Control was shifted into the Public Health Department in 2006 as part of an effort by then-county CEO John Ball to respond to criticism of the department and its former director, Greg Foss.

“I love working with Animal Care & Control,” said Fisher, who was hired in February. “Some of the administrative responsibilities are new to me, but I am learning fast.”

Fisher is a registered vet tech, has experience working with private veterinary practices and shelters but is new to managing government programs.

She apparently ran afoul of animal advocates on the coast, who told county officials at a public meeting they thought Fisher lacked “people skills.”

But Fisher is also credited with getting the traveling spay-neuter Care-A-Van back on the road and is popular with inland animal advocates.

They call her articulate and diplomatic, and someone who does a good job of explaining the department’s operations and problems.

Richard Winkler, with the inland Spay/Neuter Assistance Program known as SNAP, said Friday that Fisher has done a lot to help the effort to round up feral cats and get them spayed and neutered.

He pointed out that of the 1,000 or so animals euthanized by the county each year, 600 of them are feral cats.

“We would like to get a handle on it because that’s the majority of it,” he said. “Bliss actually took a leadership role in getting together all the people who have feral cat colonies.”

Winkler said there are about 50 people in the county who have feral cat colonies. These people have gathered feral cats, had them spayed or neutered and now feed and take care of them.

“It’s a group of very dedicated people that she’s trying to help,” Winkler said.

He added that Fisher is considered a “breath of fresh air” in the Animal Control department. “She is really interested in helping animals.”

McDog Fun Fundraiser

Alberta — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 21:33:38 +0000

Mendocino Coast Dog Owners Group (MCDOG) is holding a fundraiser Saturday, Sept 1 from 3 - 5, in conjunction with the Ugly Dog Contest on the Middle School field in Fort Bragg. We’re raising money to build a fence around the dog park, which will soon be on the grounds of the Parks and Recs Community Center in Fort Bragg - future home of the Aquatic Center.

Here’s more about the MCDOG fundraising activities:
- Puppies Bobbing for Rubber Duckies
- Digital photos of you, your pup or your kids with real-life, life-sized MCDOG
- Questions for Madam Chien, animal communicator
- Items for sale to support the fenced dog park including leash luggage and personalized plaques to honor your four-legged friends.

Ugly Dog Contest Sign- 2-3 PM

Feral Cats are a Growing Problem

Alberta — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:05:59 +0000

Last Saturday, the Mendocino Humane Society and a dedicated volunteer made another small dent in the Coast’s Feral Cat over-population problem. Joyce Baker, the volunteer, trapped 10 feral cats from several locations and they were brought to the Shelter for a “quick fix” or spay at the Shelter and of course, a rabies shot. After recovery, Joyce returned the “wild cats” back to their original locations. This is called a “TNR” Program or “Trap, Neuter and Release” Program. It has been found that the best way to control feral colonies and control feral cat over-population is to return Ferals back to their original homes. It prevents the spread of disease and keeps the colony in balance. Feral cats that are released to a different location usually wander off or are chased off. This takes them away from their steady food source and is very stressful, making them vulnerable to disease and injury.

How you can help?
Do you know of a Feral that needs to be altered. Call the Shelter - 964-SPAY.
Want to help solve the Coastal over-population problem - Donate Now Online.
It is quick and easy! It is safe and secure - use your Visa, Mastercard or PayPal account and the money will help our local feral cats. Thank you for caring.

Mendocino Dog Walk on Tuesdays

Alberta — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:02:51 +0000

For owners and their dogs; we are going to have a pleasant Dog Walk downtown Mendocino; every Tuesday at 1:00.
The walk is meant for trained dogs and dogs in training to enjoy an outing.
We will meet at the Post Office; so bring your dog and treats and let’s walk. All dogs must be on leash.
So bring your dog for a walk!

Agility Classes At Last Farm Dog Day Camp

Alberta — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 06:58:44 +0000

Becky Stenberg will be teaching Agility Classes this summer at Ann Kanitz’s At Last Farm Dog Day Camp. They hope to offer Beginners (Introductory class) and Advanced Beginners. At Last Farm Dog Day Camp is located on Gurley Lane off Little Lake Road.
Dogs love Agility Classes!
If you’re interested, please contact Ann.
atlastfarm@yahoo.com 937-2935