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

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.”

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

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.