THE SCOOP

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

ADOPT A SHELTER CAT MONTH!

We are quickly approaching the month of June which is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month.

If you are interested in adopting a cat or kitten, this is a good time find a great selection, and save a life-or two!

Again, the month of June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. This might be a good time to find that special cat or kitten that can make your family complete. Shelters all over the country find that the month of June is traditionally a tough time and, I’m afraid, ours is no exception. The spring kittens are old enough to leave their mothers now and inevitably a good number of them show up at the Shelter in need of a home. We have taken in well over 100 cats and kittens so far this month and it will certainly get busier as we get in to summer.

            FOR AILUROPHILES (CAT LOVERS) ONLY

             I’m aware that I spend more time talking about dogs in this column than I do cats, so in the interest of fairness (and to encourage more cat adoptions, of course), I hereby attempt to make things right.

Sullivan County residents seem to have a special place in their heart for their feline friends. I’d venture a guess that cats outnumber dogs here in East Tennessee by at least three to one and there is certainly no shortage of dogs either! Please spay and neuter your animals!

A KINDLE OF CATS AND A CLOWDER OF KITTENS

The cat, though sometimes aloof and always mysterious, has nevertheless been a companion of man for thousands of years. Therefore, it only stands to reason, that there would be an incredible amount of cat related trivia out there. I’d like to share some of the things that I’ve learned recently about America’s most common pet. (Source: i-pets.com)

      · Cats outnumber dogs in America-there are approximately 66 million cats to only 58 million dogs! (Parakeets are a distant third at 14 million)

      · A group of adult cats is called a clowder; a group of kittens is a kindle

      · Left to her own devices a female cat can have three to seven kittens every four months! The breeding “pyramid” that I’m sure you’ve seen shows that two adult cats could produce up to 11,606,077 offspring in 9 years.

      · At 5 to 9 months of age, the females above will begin to have their own kittens!

                  ·  A cat lover is called an ailurophile; a cat hater is an ailurophobe.

            Our Shelters are currently housing well over 100 cats and kittens (as I write this) looking for homes. You’ll find almost any size, color, or personality you could ask for so come in and see if we can put you together with a feline friend!

            Did you know that…?

Ÿ  A fifteen-year-old cat has probably spent ten years of her life sleeping.

Ÿ  Superstitions about black cats originated in America. In Asia and England, black cats are considered lucky.

Ÿ  Cats born with extra toes are called polydactyl

Ÿ  A light rubbing of lemon or orange peel on furniture may discourage her from using it as a scratching post.

Ÿ  A cat can jump as much as seven times its own height and can sprint up to thirty miles per hour!

SBK EVENTS!

            There are some exciting events coming up in the next few weeks.

            We will be set up at Walmart again in Bristol, Tn. this coming Saturday with dogs and cats and puppies and kittens looking for homes from 11am-3pm. Come on down and bring the family and see if we can’t fix you up with a new family member. Our Shelters are both filling up fast!

            We are excited to announce the First Annual Ride for Shelter Pets Poker Run to be held June 16^th. All motorcyclists are encouraged to register with Julie at Cute and Cuddle Grooming in Blountville or call 423-647-6488 for more details. There will be stops at both Shelters and other exciting places along the way to Black Wolf Harley Davidson in Bristol, Va. There we will have music and food and prizes all to benefit the SBK Animal Center! Be there or be square!

            If you would like to Volunteer with SBK to work some of these events or help at the Shelter, give us a call at 279-2741, stop in at either Shelter for an application, or email Tascha at sbkvolunteers@gmail.com .

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

   THE SCOOP

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            Welcome back! Following up from the last issue of The Scoop, SBK Animal Center had a good month of April for adoptions and rescues. Our monthly report is not quite complete yet but I can tell you that we have well surpassed the numbers from 2011! Keep up the good work Sullivan County and tell your friends and neighbors to adopt, foster, volunteer, and donate to get all of these animals’ homes!

            While I always try to keep The Scoop positive and upbeat, we have something very serious to talk about this week that could mean the difference between life and death for your pets. Please read on…

RABIES CLINIC TONIGHT!!

            Today…tonight is your opportunity to get your pet’s rabies vaccinations at the reduced cost of only $10! From 6pm until “the last customer is served”, many of our local Veterinarians are staying late to make sure that you have an opportunity to get your animals protected against rabies. Feel free to call us for a complete list of participating offices in Bristol, Kingsport, Blountville, Bluff City and Piney Flats.

I spoke with Mr. Jerry Taylor, Environmental Health Specialist with the Tennessee Department of Health and confirmed that rabies is alive and well in the State of Tennessee and our little corner of the state is one of the hot spots with almost half of those. There have been 25 confirmed cases of rabies in Tennessee so far in 2012 and these include two horses and two dogs. It is especially concerning when the virus is contracted by a domestic animal because this is the bridge between wildlife and the human population. THAT is why it is so important that our pets are vaccinated!

Mr. Taylor also thought it important to remind you that all dogs and cats indoors or out need to have current rabies vaccinations starting at the age of 3 months and it is required by state law by six months.

Should your unvaccinated pet be exposed to a rabies vector species (raccoon, skunk, bat, fox, etc.) it will be required by law to be either quarantined for 6 months or euthanized to allow it to be tested. There is no test for a live animal. A vaccinated animal needs only a booster and 45 days observation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RABIES

Rabies is a really fascinating virus.  By the time that symptoms are evident, it is too late to treat and is almost always fatal. At the same time, there is a vaccine and there is a post exposure treatment but you need to be treated before you know you have the virus. That is why it is so frightening.

Here is an overview from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission:

Rabies, also known as “hydrophobia” is a term that frightens many people. Rabies is a fatal disease that affects all mammals including human beings. It is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system causing inflammation of the brain.

The virus lives in the saliva of infected animals. The disease is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

The incubation period, the time between exposure to the disease and the onset of symptoms, varies from a few days to several months. The rabid animal may appear healthy while incubating the rabies virus for several months before contracting clinical symptoms and spreading the virus.

Once symptoms begin, there is no treatment for rabies, and is almost always fatal. An animal that has contracted rabies will have flu-like symptoms, severe headache, and fever. As the disease progresses the animal becomes confused and hallucinates, the brain does not function properly. Many times the animals jaw will drop, this causes them to drool or foam at the mouth. Foxes and raccoons may be out during the daylight, they will not behave normally.

There are two forms of rabies illness displayed in animals. One form is called furious form rabies, animals with this type of rabies may exhibit early symptoms such as restlessness, agitation and increased aggressiveness. This is followed by depression, paralysis and eventually death. The other form of rabies is called dumb form rabies. These animals are lethargic, depressed, partially paralyzed, may appear unusually tame, they will eventually die. You cannot diagnose an animal with rabies by simply observing the animal and there is no test performed on a live animal that can detect the presence of the rabies virus. In order to test for the presence of rabies brain tissue must be sampled.

The disease can be effectively prevented in humans and many domestic animal species, but abundant and widely distributed reservoirs among wild mammals complicate rabies control. There are many different variants of the rabies virus (skunk-strain, fox-strain, raccoon-strain, bat-strain etc…). Each strain may infect any species of mammal. It is extremely important for people to stay away from wild animals such as bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks. It is also very important to make sure that all pets are vaccinated.

SBK EVENTS!

            Last Saturday, we visited the Walmart store on Lee Hwy. in Bristol Va. We did pretty well and had a good time on top of it! Thanks Walmart and I big thank you to our Volunteers that helped out. We couldn’t do it without you!

            There will be several events coming up in May…we’ll keep you posted!

            If you would like to Volunteer with SBK to work some of these events or help at the Shelter, give us a call at 279-2741, stop in at either Shelter for an application, or email Tascha at sbkvolunteers@gmail.com .

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

           THE SCOOP

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            With Easter ahead and Spring Break now behind us it is full steam ahead in to summer. We at the SBK Animal Center have had a couple of good months and we are hoping that they are a sign of things to come as we move in to the summer. Thanks to all of the Staff and Volunteers that helped and all of you that adopted!

PLANTING THE PET FRIENDLY GARDEN

            Speaking of sunny days and springtime, many of us are spending time sprucing up our yards and planting our gardens. There are two ways to look at the pet friendly garden. We want both a garden that is safe for pets as well as a garden kept safe from pets. My wife and I did our shopping for flowers and such last weekend and I don’t have to tell you that those prices have gone up just like everything else.

Some flowers and even vegetable plants are toxic to pets. At one time I could provide you with a list but it has grown to include so many that it is just no longer practical. If you have access to the internet, I’d recommend that you check the extensive listings at aspca.org before you purchase your plants. Once on the home page, you will see a link to the poison control center and that will show you to a list of hundreds of different species listed both toxic and non-toxic. You can search by the plant now so you don’t have to go through the massive listing that they have now.

Just a few of the most popular plants that require special consideration:

• Onions, chives and garlic, which a lot of pets do like, contain compounds that, if ingested, can cause anemia.
•  The leafy part of the potato plant, and the green part of the potato skin contain compounds that are toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities.
• Fruits also contain toxic chemicals in their seeds/pits. Apple, plum, cherry, apricot and peach seeds/pits contain cyanide, which can cause fatal seizures. A
• Lilies are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.
• Tulip/Narcissus bulbs contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, depression of the central nervous system and cardiac abnormalities.
• Azaleas and Rhododendron can produce all kinds of problems with animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
•  Oleander- all parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.
• Amaryllis, common garden plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause illness.
• Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
• English Ivy, also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy, can also result in digestive problems.

            In closing, just consider the pets when choosing your plants this spring and if you’re not sure, consult that ASPCA website site or your veterinarian. Certainly, if “Sparky” does get into something that he shouldn’t and appears to be ill, call your Veterinarian immediately.

            The other side of the coin, to be honest, is a much more common complaint is keeping pets OUT of the garden. The obvious solution would be an appropriate fence or physical barrier but that may not always be practical or in the budget. Other possible approaches may include:

• commercial repellents often sold in pellet and powder forms,
•  motion activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices,
• There are many herbs that cats don’t like to be around, including lavender, rue, geranium, absinthe, and lemon-thyme.
• This concoction was also found on the web but I can’t vouch for it- sprinkle 2 parts cayenne pepper, 3 parts dry mustard, 5 parts flour to keep cats out of the garden
• Cats apparently don’t like tea leaves, so empty your used ones onto the garden soil.
• Cultivate plants that naturally repel dogs such as holly, yucca and barberry. These plants with thorns are supposed to discourage dogs.
• Those prickly sweetgum balls that fall from the trees are also said to effective for dogs when laid in the garden and I have heard that pine needles will keep the cats away!

other Lab Canyon. A smile comes to my face whenever i see or think of my sweet girl Sadie.

I want to thank the staff at the Dare County SPCA, especially Sam who took the time to make sure we had the perfect dog for our family. You run a top notch facility and your compassion for these animals did not go unnoticed. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Please know Sadie is loved each and every day.ASK ANIMAL CONTROL

Q: I called the Animal Shelter the other day and asked for someone to come out to pick up a mother cat and her 2 week-old kittens. The person that answered the phone asked me if it was possible to keep them until they were a little older. I really don’t mind but wouldn’t they be better off there than here at my house? Mrs. C.J., Bristol

            A: This is something that we ask for several reasons when there is not an immediate need to remove the cats. We feel that the kittens at that age obviously need to be with their mother and under as little stress as possible. Moving them, especially to a shelter environment would be stressful and when kittens get stressed, they get sick. The older the better. Another reason is that we can’t adopt them out until they are eight weeks of age and tying up a cage or two for three to five weeks is just not fair to the other cats that are coming in. Remember that the more time you can spend with these kittens while you have them, the more adoptable they will be when they get here. Talk to them, pet them lightly if momma cat will let you, and do try to keep them healthy!

We hope you understand.

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            In the last issue of The Scoop we reported a February to remember with adoption numbers that were just phenomenal! We knew that we had a good month but now that all of the numbers are in, I thought it would be appropriate to follow up with overall SBK figures: Our Kingsport location boasts a full 100% adoption rate for dogs in February and Blountville, 90% for a combined 95% of dogs being adopted or rescued as compared to intake for February!

Cats, as can be predicted, did not fare as well but still showed a 30% adoption rate which is almost double the year to date and well above the average. Percentages being sometimes complicated, the short version is this: TWO HUNRED AND THIRTY DOGS AND CATS were adopted or rescued last month from the SBK Animal center and another 34 were reclaimed by their owners!

Kudos to all of the staff, Volunteers, and off-site event sponsors that made it happen!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT WALMART

I’m certain that if you live anywhere in the Tri-City area, you heard about our first Food and Supply Drive that Walmart sponsored during the last two weeks of February. The stores located on W. Stone Drive and Ft. Henry Drive in Kingsport and the Volunteer Parkway store in Bristol, Tn. set up massive displays and signage encouraging and collecting donations of dog and cat food, litter, treats, cleaning supplies and more for our little ones.

Over 8000 pounds of donations were collected at the three stores and we couldn’t have been more pleased with the success of this partnership. We’d like to thank all of you that donated to our cause and filled those bins to overflowing for our animals. A special thanks goes out to Josh Matherly from the Stone Dr. Walmart location for leading the way on this venture We hope to do it again quarterly.

We also had animals for adoption two weekends in a row at the Stone Dr. and Volunteer Pkwy. stores and found homes for several of our dogs and cats as well. That is really what it’s all about, isn’t it?!

OFF TO THE RACES!

Food City Race Night was held again on Friday March 16^th and the SBK Animal Center was there with bells on!  Shell-e the Shelter Dog (or Shellvis as he’s calling himself lately) was there and again more new families opened their hearts and homes to a new pet. Thank you to Bristol Motor Speedway and  Food City for their hospitality and to all who attended and helped with this event.

THE MAGIC OF MICROCHIPS

We spoke in our last column about the microchips that are now included as an added benefit with our adoptions. While most people are familiar with this identification tool, it seems that there is still some confusion as to just what this does for us and for our pets. Two comments that I have heard recently were, “I don’t want Big Brother knowing where my dog is all the time” and that a microchip was “the mark of the beast”. They don’t track your animal’s location but do provide owner’s contact information.

Now to be perfectly honest with you, I don’t really understand the technological workings of these things, but I know that they do work. I have seen many animals returned to their owners through the magic of microchips. Those animals that lose their collar and tags will still be identifiable. It is essential in a disaster to help get you reunited with your pet and will identify “Sparky” as yours should there ever be a question of ownership. The chip itself is comparable in size to a grain of rice and is injected under the animal’s skin usually between the shoulder blades.

We use 24Petwatch microchips and unlike many others, ours are registered within 24 hrs. of the time we complete your adoption in our system. The microchip will allow us, another shelter or veterinarian to get owner’s contact information 24 hrs.a day to get “Sparky” back home to you. Their 800 number is also imprinted on a 24petwatch ID tag should he be found by someone without access to a scanner.

            We can only offer this service for our adopted and rescued animals or to an owner reclaiming an animal from the Shelter as of right now but consider talking with your Veterinarian about a microchip for your pets!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            Here is something you don’t hear very often from an animal shelter, “Wow, what a great February we’ve had!”. Usually one of the slowest months in our business world, we are thrilled to report that this usually dreary month was truly exceptional for the SBK Animal Center and our animals.

            Exactly 101 animals were adopted or sent safely to six different rescue groups in the month of February and another 16 lost pets were returned to their owners in Blountville alone! Our Kingsport location enjoyed a much brighter than usual February also!

I’ve  heard from several Veterinarians that they were inundated with folks needing to get their animals spayed and neutered as well. February was Spay/Neuter awareness month, and it sounds like the message is getting around.

All of this combined with a seasonally lower intake of animals is awfully good news for the pets in this area. Let’s see what we can do with the month of March, shall we?

WALMART MEETS SBK ANIMAL CENTER

Starting February 25^th and running through March the 10^th, our friends at WalMart have been sponsoring the first quarterly food and supplies drive at three of their local stores. Locations on Stone Drive in Kingsport, Ft. Henry Dr. in Colonial Hts., and on Volunteer Drive in Bristol, Tn. have been collecting donations of food, treats, and supplies for our animals! Be sure to stop in and give a little if you can!

Our first load of donated food and supplies amounted to well over 1000lbs. and we understand that there is more to pick up this week! SBK Animal Center’s two locations feed approximately 150lbs. of food per day to keep all of our animals happy and content and we couldn’t do it without you!

                     OFF-SITE ADOPTIONS BOOMING!

We attended the Kingsport Senior Center Dog Show at the Renaissance Center last week and enjoyed meeting a lot of new friends both two and four-legged! We took home some donations and adopted out some more Shelter animals! Congratulations to all of the Dog Show winners and we hope to see you all again next year.

Last Saturday, in conjunction with the food and supply drive, we set up at the Walmart on W. Stone Drive in Kingsport again with Shelter Pets and again had some really good results finding these little ones new homes and families.

This Saturday, we’re going to try be at the Bristol, Tn. Walmart on Volunteer Parkway to try our luck at the other end of the County. Come visit us and let’s see if we can’t get them all homes!

EVENTS AND REMINDERS

• Food City Race Night will be held again on Friday March 16^th! The SBK Animal Center will be there with adorable adoptables and to take donations and just have a generally good time! Shell-e the Shelter Dog (or Shellvis as he’s calling himself lately) will also be making an appearance, rumor has it.
• Petsmart and our friends with the Sullivan County Humane Society continue to keep the message fresh and help with off-site adoptions  most Saturdays at the Eastman Rd. Petsmart Store. A great opportunity to see some of our animals outside of the Shelter environment.
• Thanks as always to all of the great staff and Volunteers that make these events happen!

PETPOINT, PETANGO, 24 PETWATCH AND SHELTERCARE

            You may have heard these names recently regarding our Shelters and new benefits offered to our adopters. I’d like to take just a minute to highlight some of what this offers SBK Animal Center, our animals, and our adopting families.

            Petpoint is the new software that our Shelters are using now to track everything from intakes and outcomes to finances and foster homes. This has opened doors for us to gauge which areas of the County need the most attention for spay/neuter targeting, to monitor our successes and pinpoint areas that we need to work harder on. Just fascinating the reports that we can produce!

            Added benefits of using this software include the immediate registration of your new pet’s microchip to the 24 Petwatch national database. Unlike many other microchips, ours is registered within 24 hrs. of the time we complete your adoption in our system. The microchip will allow us, another shelter or veterinarian to get owner’s contact information 24 hrs.a day to get “Sparky” back home to you. Their 800 number is also imprinted on a 24petwatch ID tag should he be found by someone without access to a scanner.

            Also included with your adoption, your pet receives a 30 day gift of insurance from ShelterCare. Within hours of your adoption being entered in our system, you will receive an email offer of this gift that you need to confirm within 72hrs. to be eligible. Once confirmed, the policy will take effect the second Midnight after the adoption date. This policy provides $750 worth of coverage with a $75 deductible that will cover many common ailments and should drastically reduce returns to the Shelter for minor health issues.

            Petango is yet another website that will showcase our animals to the world on the internet! Linked to the site is the Petango store (www.petangostore.com) where you can buy pet food and supplies, heartworm meds, Kong products and an endless variety of products and again support our Shelter! Petango makes a donation to the Shelter of your choice (SBK Animal Center) with every purchase AND we include a $5 coupon with every adoption now!

            Wow things are really happening at the SBK, don’t YOU want to be a part of it? Adopt-Foster-Volunteer-Donate!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            Welcome back! Boy, have we got a lot to talk about…I think we should jump right in!

A STAR IS BORN!

            What if I told you that “Elvira” a Basset Hound found stray in Bristol was destined to be a star? This little (skinny) girl was found stray in Bristol, held there and never claimed. As you may know, the dogs and cats from Bristol come to Blountville after their stray time is up, and we took her in, fattened her up a bit and put her on our website. Lo and behold, a nice lady in Knoxville felt a connection and drove all the way out to meet Elvira. Right then, a star was born!

            This young stray dog is going to be in the “Hatfields and McCoys Show” at The Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge certain to be seen by tourists from far and wide. Way to go Elvira!

EVENTS AND REMINDERS

            We have events and appearances stacking up right in to spring!

• Starting February 25^th and running through March the 10^th, our friends at Wal-Mart will be sponsoring a food and supplies drive at three of their stores. Locations on Stone Drive in Kingsport, Ft. Henry Dr. in Colonial Hts., and on Volunteer Drive in Bristol, Tn. Will be collecting donations of food, treats, and supplies for our animals! Be sure to stop in and give a little if you can! We will have animals for adoption on Saturday March 3^rd too, weather permitting!
• On March the 1^st at the Renaissance Center in Kingsport we will also be taking animals to show off at the Kingsport Senior Center’s Annual Dog Show from 10:00-11:30am. We love a dog show!
• Food City Race Night will be held again on Friday March 16^th! The SBK Animal Center will be there with adorable adoptables and to take donations and just have a generally good time! Shell-e the Shelter Dog (or Shellvis as he’s calling himself lately) will also be making an appearance, rumor has it.
• Petsmart  and our friends with the Sullivan County Human Society continues most Saturdays at the Eastman Rd. Petsmart Store. A great opportunity to see some of our animals outside of the Shelter environment.
•  Speaking of the SCHS, consider attending their Spay-ghetti dinner THIS Thursday, February 23rd from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Ridgefields Country Club. In honor of World Spay Day, an international campaign of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International that promotes the life-saving benefits of spay/neuter. Tickets to this event can be purchased at the door or for $15 each on the SCHS website www.sullivancountyhumanesociety.com.

“ADOPT THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE”

 Saturday, February 11^th, the Saturday before Valentine’s Day we held a Valentine’s adopt-a-thon with the Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital Kingsport. We want to thank all of the hospital staff that volunteered and of course, our SBK Volunteers that helped us pull this off. Four lucky people found the “Loves of Their Life” there and four more were adopted the following Monday after they were seen at the event.

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            Welcome back! As we continue to work our way through the cold weather and look forward to spring, the SBK Animal Center continues to stay focused and push forward with our objectives for 2012.

Andrew Carnegie, the great steel baron-turned-philanthropist, dedicated his foundation to the goal of doing “real and permanent good in this world” and borrowing his words that is what we at the SBK Animal Center see as our mission in this little corner of the world that we call Sullivan County. We intend to do real and permanent good for the animals and residents of our County.

We are busy planning adoption events, actively looking for foster homes, making real progress with our Volunteer program, and preaching the benefits of spaying and neutering pets every chance we get.

FEEDBACK ON SPAY/NEUTER POLICY

The biggest step we have taken in our first year has been the transition to spay before they leave for all adopted animals. I really didn’t anticipate this being as well received and newsworthy as it turned out to be! We had newspapers and two television stations helping us to spread the word and like I said, I didn’t expect that kind of public support, it is really refreshing to see that everyone is behind us the way they are. Thank you all!

Our first two weeks have gone smoothly and without a hitch and it makes me proud to have such support and cooperation from the community, our staff, and seven wonderful Veterinarians. Kudos to Andes-Straley V.H., Family Pet V.H., Indian Ridge A.H., Kingsport V.H.,  Margaret B. Mitchell Spay/Neuter Clinic, Tri-County V.H., and Woodfield A. C. for stepping up to the plate!

 In the interest of fairness, some Veterinarians that we have worked with in the past could not participate simply due to geography since our ACOs are now transporting in the mornings and the distance was just not practical. No offense intended and we thank them for all they have done for us in the past.

“ADOPT THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE”

This Saturday, February 11^th, the Saturday before Valentine’s Day (hint, wink) we will be taking Shelter pets for a Valentine’s adopt-a-thon at the Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital on Memorial Blvd. in Kingsport. If we have enough Volunteers we will also be at Petsmart the same day!

We plan to have dogs and cats, puppies and kittens for adoption to make you and your honey’s family complete. Hope to see you there!  We will be on site from 10am until 3pm and hope to find many of these little ones the love of their lives!

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Volunteers are a needed for us to continue to go above and beyond being just another animal shelter. Volunteers are who will support and drive our off-site events, help us to socialize, bathe, and groom our animals to make them more adoptable. Volunteers help to spread the word and find homes for these little ones in our care.

One special Volunteer has graciously accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator and is reaching out to move this program to the next level. Natascha Carlucci has taken on the big task of getting this program organized and running smoothly. No small task, thanks Tascha! Volunteer Program Officer positions are being considered including:

Volunteer Coordinator: Contact volunteers about important happenings, be the go-between individual between the volunteers and the SBK Animal Center, etc.

Event Coordinator: Plan events that will benefit the SBK Animal Center: Example: Adopt-a-thons, etc.

Social Networker: To update the facebook page, be an advocate for the animals, etc.

Fundraising Coordinator: A creative volunteer that will plans fundraising events such as: an annual gala, dog washes, food drives, etc.

We have also established a new email address for Volunteer communications sbkvolunteers@gmail.com. Feel free to contact Tascha, Donna at our Kingsport location or me in Blountville at director@sbkanimalcenter.org to get on the list for our upcoming Volunteer Orientation.

We hope to get to a point where orientations will be held on a monthly or at least bi-monthly basis.

CONSIDER FOSTERING

Consider becoming a foster family! Some of our animals need some special attention for any number of reasons. As a foster parent, you will…

1.  increase that pet’s chance of being adopted.

2. Teach your own pet more social skills.

3.  see if you are ready for an additional pet.

4.  help the Shelter learn about the pets personality.

5.  will learn more about your own pets behavior.

6.  teach your kids about helping and about animals.

 7. be saving space at the Shelter, which may mean saving a life!

8. You just might end up with a new family member.

9. allowing a pet to live with your family rather than at a shelter.

10. Fostering makes a person feel good!

Just give fostering some thought. Thanks!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

Welcome back animal lovers! I hope that you are enjoying the break in the weather; I know that we and our animals at the Shelters have been! It is turning out to be an eventful January for us at the SBK Animal Center. Intake has slowed to a manageable level but adoptions seem to continue to be strong. February promises to be equally exciting, read on…

OUR BUSY CALENDAR

The SBK calendar for January had us showing animals, raising awareness and giving Shelter tours on an almost daily basis. Our friend Shell-E the Shelter Dog bared the cold weather with several Volunteers to set up at Chill Hill and the ice rink both in Bristol to start us off in early January (thanks Shell-E). The kids LOVE that dog!

Our good friends from the Sullivan County Humane Society provided support with their ongoing weekends at PetSmart in Kingsport as well as at the Farm Expo last weekend. Really good folks, and their SNIP program for low cost spay and neuter surgery is invaluable in helping to get pet overpopulation under control.

Not one but two troops of Girl Scouts toured the Shelter in Blountville last weekend and brought donations of pet food, toys, treats, litter and money that they collected to help our little ones. They, most importantly, spent some time with the dogs and cats, puppies and kittens the way that only kids can. The life and energy that these groups bring with them always brightens our day and you can see the excitement on the faces of both the kids and the animals. Priceless.

ADOPT THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE and other FEBRAURY REMINDERS

Our February promises to be as eventful as January turned out to be.

We are pleased to announce the first of what we hope will be a regular event.         The Saturday before Valentine’s Day we will be taking Shelter pets for a Valentine’s adopt-a-thon at the Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital on Memorial Blvd. in Kingsport. If we have enough Volunteers we will also be at Petsmart the same day!

February is traditionally recognized as Spay/Neuter awareness month. This is done in an effort to get people to do the right thing before breeding season is upon us again resulting in the puppies and kittens of spring.

We chose this time to make our transition to spaying before leaving the Shelter to set the example and are also going to be contacting the local Vet’s offices to see if we can get a promotion in place for the month of March. Why March? Because February also happens to be Pet Dental Health Month and as I understand it, some of our Veterinarians are already running specials for dentals and we understand that next month may be better. We’ll keep you posted!

THE MAGIC OF MICROCHIPS

Included in our revamping of the adoption policy is the addition of a microchip for each adopted animal. This is the state of the art identification system for animals. For those of you unfamiliar, it is, and I am not an expert on the technology, a chip about the size of a grain of rice. It is inserted under the skin usually between the shoulder blades and is a permanent form of identification.

 If an animal should lose its collar and/or tags and find itself at a Vet’s office or Animal Shelter, it can be scanned and will produce a microchip number. There is a data base held by each microchip company that can be then accessed to provide names and phone numbers to get “Sparky” back home!

We have been able to include this valuable item in to our adoption package without raising adoption fees. Your adoption fee ($80 for a dog; $65 for a cat) now includes core vaccines and initial worming, spay/neuter surgery, microchip, and an offer of 30 days free pet health insurance. This is an outstanding value that basically just covers our expenses and has your new pet up to date when you get it home. Consider adopting a new family member!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

 Hello 2012! The SBK Animal Center is excited and energized to move full ahead into the New Year.

AULD LANG SYNE

To say our first six months was eventful would be an understatement. Just some of what we accomplished as a new start-up in 2011 would include:

• The SBK has been established as a non-profit with no other purpose for its existence than to take care of the animals and animal concerns of Sullivan County. Establishing ourselves as a 501(c)3 also opens the door for tax deductible donations, grants, and fundraising that couldn’t be done as a government entity. This will allow us to go further with our care and programs than ever possible before.
• I’m sure that many of you have some experience with the start-up of a new company. We had to create a logo and work on name recognition and we are quickly accomplishing that by  plastering that logo everywhere we can. We re-lettered our trucks, our shelter doors, stationery, envelopes, etc.
• We’ve installed new software at both locations to help us to better track our animals, our activities, our friends and our finances. We are able to run a seemingly endless number of reports allowing us to track where our animals are coming from, where they are going, length of stay, and much more!
• We created a new website www.sbkanimalcenter.org that not only highlights the animals at both Shelters but uploads them to several other websites such as Adopt-a pet, Petfinder, Petango, and 1-800-PETS. This is a very good tool and gets Sullivan County’s animals seen all over the country.
• We created a new FB page specifically for SBK Animal Center. An extremely good tool in this electronic age, Facebook also links us to the world by internet and “smart phones” to keep our message current.
• We have started working with a Volunteer Coordinator and are building a network of Volunteers to help us move to the next level of service for the public and especially for the animals.
• We have been painting, adding lights, cleaning, and doing a lot of maintenance to both buildings to give them a friendlier more family oriented atmosphere. We have been steadily adding employees at both Shelters and insisting on professionals that are here for the animals.

                   THE BIGGEST NEWS OF ALL

 Effective January 16^th, 2012 SBK Animal Centers will be requiring all animals adopted from both of our Shelters to be spayed or neutered before they leave our care.

 Exceptions will only be considered for juvenile animals or those with medical conditions that would prevent safe sterilization.

We have thought long and hard how to accomplish this mission without raising our adoption fees and losing potential homes and we think that we have accomplished that. (We are running on faith to a certain extent on this endeavor and hope that you will designate a small donation to our Spay/Neuter Fund to help keep the Adoption Fees where they are.) We will continue to give core vaccines at intake and worming and will now be able to give with each adoption, a microchip and 30 days free Pet Health Insurance.

This is how it is going to work: Once an animal is chosen and an adoption application is approved, the adopter will pay the appropriate adoption fees and choose the Veterinarian of their choice from a list of those participating. (We have six local Vets that have stepped up to the plate so far [Thank You!] and we are expecting a couple more to come on board shortly.) We will then call that Dr.’s office for the next available appointment (hopefully within 1-3 days) and schedule a canine spay or feline neuter, etc. We will mark the animal’s cage as “Adopted” and post a reminder to pull food and water the night prior. A reminder to transport will be made on the calendar. The morning of the appointment, we will deliver the animal to the hospital with the appropriate paperwork (copy of the adoption contract) and they will be releasing the animal with after care instructions to the adopter usually that same afternoon.

 Those adopting puppies and kittens too young to spay or neuter will choose a doctor and have a scheduled appointment before they leave the building. We will follow up to remind them and confirm that they show up.

This will also provide the doctors an opportunity to meet the owner of the pet to address any concerns specific to the adopted animal and to establish what we hope will be a long relationship. It is our hope that most of the new owners will continue with these doctors for years to come and to be seen on a regular basis for check-ups, vaccinations, flea treatment, heartworm preventative, etc.

TEN GOOD REASONS TO SPAY AND NEUTER

In the event that there are still a few people not convinced of the reasons that we need to spay and neuter our pets, I offer this input from the ASPCA:

• Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
  Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. ( I have heard these illnesses to be as high as 95% preventable with sterilization)
• Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.
  Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
• Your spayed female won't go into heat.
  While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!
• Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.
  An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
• Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
  Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
• Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
  Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
• It is highly cost-effective.
  The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
• Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.
  Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
• Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.
  Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

Welcome back! I trust that you all had a happy and safe holiday. We may not have had a white Christmas but we certainly had a furry one! December’s numbers are not complete yet but we show already well over 150 animals that left us to go to new homes this past month! It was a good month and a good year for the SBK Animal Center!

The New Year also marks a milestone for us at the SBK Animal Center. January 1^st is also our six-month Anniversary! We accomplished a lot in 2011 and are looking forward to an even better year ahead of us! As always, we owe much of the credit to the support and generosity of this community. Just six months ago, we embarked on a journey to enter a new era here in Sullivan County as we took possession of both the former Sullivan County and Kingsport Animal Shelters as well as Sullivan County Animal Control. We’re all going to look back someday and say, “Remember when…?”

THIS COMMUNITY

            Donations of toys and treats, food, litter, cleaning supplies, blankets and monetary donations have come at a steady pace leading up to the Holiday and we just can’t thank you all enough. I hesitate to list all those that contribute to help us to help the animals only because I am afraid that I will miss someone. Should that be the case, I apologize up front. Thanks are also in order for all of you that anonymously donated a bag of food or a blanket or two throughout the year with no expectation of anything in return; YOU are our heroes!

Some that really went the extra mile this year include the kids at Mary Hughes Elementary School, who took donations for the little ones in lieu of a gift exchange, the fourth graders at Central Heights Elementary, the folks at Appalachian Animal Hospital, Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital, Pet Partners, and IGA in Johnson City, L.C. King Mfg. in Bristol who surprised us with a giant food drive, Food City Stores, Central Baptist Church in Kingsport, and the folks at Direct Auto.

Last, but not least, the Sulllivan County Humane Society was a great help in getting several animals adopted while taking Pet Pictures with Santa.What a great help these folks are!

MOVING FORWARD IN 2012

            So now that we have got our feet on the ground, where do we go from here? Much of this first six months has been used to organize these two Shelters to operate as one, to straighten up some of our record keeping, policies, and procedures and get a handle on our mission.

            Our focus in 2012 is going to be to nurture and grow some of our new programs and tune up some of the old ones. Look for these things to be in the news this coming year:

• The continued growth and organization of  the Volunteer Program with a focus on developing new volunteers, increasing the number of hands-on volunteers working at the Shelters, getting the Volunteers in Kingsport and Blountville to get to know each other better, and organizing our off-site events to best benefit both our organization and our animals.
• We will be pushing in 2012 the Foster Program. As I’m sure that you realize, space is always an issue at both of our locations This being said, those animals that are not immediately adoptable for reasons such as being underage, those with minor health or behavior issues, senior animals, those with trust issues or just a need to learn some basic skills can be made adoptable with some one on one time with a Foster family. Consider Fostering!
• Undoubtedly through the Holidays you’ve heard the expression “My eyes are bigger than belly” I know that I said it myself more than once! Well, the analogy may leave something to be desired but this is often the way we feel here at the SBK Animal Center about our task at hand. We have such high hopes and big eyes when it comes to our future that we are sometimes impatient. We have so many things that we want to do to make things better for our charges from better health care and training to building a brand new shelter to further combine our efforts. The funding we get from our local governments is about enough to cover regular operating expenses but not much more, I’m afraid. We depend on donations for the extras and you will be seeing a major push for fundraising in 2012. Again, we will be looking to you for help. (Reminder- all donations are tax deductible now and you have a few more days to shave a little off of your 2011 taxes.) Financial donations are certainly always welcome and can be made in person at the Shelters, by mail to PO Box 507 Kingsport, TN 37662, credit/debit by phone or by Paypal on our website www.sbkanimalcenter.org.
• One of the biggest challenges in this industry is overpopulation. Within the next month, you will see the SBK Animal Centers setting the example by changing our adoption procedure to assure that we are not contributing to the problem. Even though surgery fees are now included in the adoption fees, you would be surprised to find that some of those adopted are still not making it to the Vet to be spayed and neutered. We will be making appointments at the time of the adoption and delivering the dog or cat to the Vet’s office ourselves to be picked up by the adopter AFTER the surgery. This will admittedly be a bit awkward at first but this is how it is done at many, if not most shelters across the country and we will all be better for it.
• One other thing that we will be focusing to improve on is increasing our reclaim rates. This is the number of animals that are lost and then returned to their owners. We have already put in to place a better system of tracking lost reports so as to more easily compare them to those animals found by us and others. But there is still room for improvement. We will be Microchipping all of our adopted animals and since we scan all incoming animals, that will at least help with those that came from our Shelters. A microchip is comparable in size to a grain of rice and is usually inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Our new software system will automatically register the animals and then when they are scanned, we will be able to find the name, address, and phone numbers for the owner! This is a big step and some awesome technology! We’re moving in the right direction!
• One last thought. We are determined to write Sullivan County’s first animal ordinances to help our citizens and our officers to encourage all of our residents to live in peace with our neighbors and their pets and to protect those that can’t protect themselves. This subject will be coming up soon at the Sullivan County Board of Commissioners meetings soon so if you have concerns or feel that there needs to be discussion regarding the writing of this legislation, call or write your Commissioner or email me at the address below and I will pass it on.

In closing, 2012 is going to be an exciting year for East Tennessee, Sullivan County, and The SBK Animal Center and I am excited to be a part of it! Won’t you be a part of the solution, as well? Happy New Year!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

3 PARADES IN ONE DAY!

            The SBK Animal Center jumped with both feet in to Christmas last Saturday participating in not one or two but three parades in one day! Representatives from both locations and throngs of Volunteers decorated the SBK trucks and walked shelter dogs in Bloomingdale, Blountville, and Bluff City to kick off the holiday season. Many of the Volunteers were new and we were thrilled at the outpouring of support and their enthusiasm.

So all of our halls are decked, the Christmas trees are up and decorated at the Shelters and we are focusing on finding these kids families to call their own.

Make it a point to stop and visit us this holiday season and let’s get these animals “Home for the Holidays”.

MANY THANKS TO FRIENDS

            Donations of toys and treats, food, litter, cleaning supplies, blankets and monetary donations are coming to us at a pretty steady pace now and we just can’t thank you all enough. Some that really went the extra mile this year include the folks at L.C. King Mfg. in Bristol who surprised us with a giant food drive, Food City is again doing their annual collections, and we had a nice donation of bleach, and apples and oranges for the staff from Central Baptist Church in Kingsport.

PET PICTURES WITH SANTA

            Our friends at the Sullivan County Humane Society asked that I remind everyone that The Kingsport Town Center will have "Portraits with Santa" for kids, families, and pets 11/26 thru 12/24.  A portion of the proceeds from the pet picture packages will be donated to the Sullivan County Humane Society to fund the SNIP low cost spay/neuter program. Anyone that is contributing to spaying and neutering these little ones is ok in my book! They are also taking some of our adoptable animals to show. Several adoptions have been made there already.

          Come out and support the SCHS & SBK! Check out www.kingsporttowncenter.com for more information about Pet Pics with Santa.

“HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!”

            The SBK Animal Center had a pretty good November and we are hoping for an even better December. One of the ways that we gauge our success is by how many animals are adopted and go to rescue groups. Nothing makes us happier than to see “Sparky and Fluffy” going out the door to start a new life and we are hoping for a record breaking holiday season. If you have been considering adopting a new pet for your family, there is no better time. Let’s get them all “Home for the Holidays”, shall we?

FOSTER HOMES WANTED…

            Maybe you can’t commit to adopting right now; we understand and are grateful that you realize that. Consider fostering. We have quite a few animals in our care that are in need of a foster home. Fostering can be a rewarding experience leaving you with a sense of accomplishment that adoption may not. Some are senior animals, a few are afraid and need to learn to trust, and others just never had an opportunity to learn basic commands and skills that will get them a second look. It’s time, it’s Christmas, think about fostering. We think that this would be a great time for you to look into both our Foster & Volunteer Programs and consider donating some time! Next time, it could be you marching in three parades in one day!

DONATIONS

I don’t want you to think that since I am touting our good luck with donations at this time of year, that we don’t still need your help. SBK Animal Center is a non-profit organization now and all donations are tax deductible too!

We always need blankets for the dogs, now that the nights are getting colder, and we are also in need of cat toys! Donations we can always use include dog, cat, puppy, and kitten chow, cat litter, toys, treats, newspapers, cleaning supplies- especially bleach, laundry and dish soap, towels, flea shampoo, latex gloves, garbage bags, etc. Financial donations are certainly always welcome and can be made in person at the Shelters, by mail PO Box 507 Kingsport, TN 37662, credit/debit by phone or by Paypal on our website www.sbkanimalcenter.org

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

             I hope that you all had a good Thanksgiving. It seemed that we had not even a chance to finish the pumpkin pie when the rush toward Christmas began!

The SBK Animal Shelters were open this year for “Black Friday” and I am pleased to report that it was well worth it! We found several animals new homes that day and are looking forward to some truly Happy Holidays for our little ones.

 Boy, it sure is starting to feel like Christmas out there isn’t it? At the Shelters, we are busy decking the halls (we are still painting in Blountville) and soon, the tree will be up and the Shelters will be sparkling with garland and lights in hopes that Santa soon will be here!

Make it a point to stop and visit us this holiday season and let’s get these animals “Home for the Holidays”.

“HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!”

For those of you that may not be familiar with the program, the SBK Animal Center is teaming up with Iams and 3500 partner animal organizations in 21 countries in an effort to help place orphaned pets in homes during what is often a slow adoption season.

            Holiday adoptions have been discouraged in the past at many animal shelters but given the number of homeless animals in Shelters, it is no longer thought wise to discourage adoptions. We will still resist the impulse adoption and, of course, our regular adoption contracts and procedures will still be in effect. We just ask that these dogs and cats, puppies and kittens not be forgotten during this busy time of year. So if you know someone that may be interested in adopting or you are ready to help one of these critters move on to a happy, permanent home this would be a great time to do a good thing.

            Other ways that you can help-we always need volunteers! As a matter of fact, we hope to have volunteers walking dogs in the Christmas Parade in Blountville and Bluff City both on Saturday the 10^th. Give us a call or stop at the Shelters and get a Volunteer Application!

This would be a great time for you to look into our Foster & Volunteer Programs and consider donating some time!

We always need blankets for the dogs, now that the nights are getting colder, and we also need cat toys! Donations we can always use include dog, cat, puppy, and kitten chow, cat litter, toys, treats, newspapers, cleaning supplies- especially bleach, laundry and dish soap, towels, flea shampoo, latex gloves, garbage bags, etc. Financial donations are certainly always welcome and can be made in person at the Shelters, by mail PO Box 507 Kingsport, TN 37662, credit/debit by phone or by Paypal on our website www.sbkanimalcenter.org

LET’S HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY!

            No holiday would be complete without the decorating, the special treats and meals, and the houseful of friends and relatives. Unfortunately many of these same traditions that we hold dear can make for a stressful and possibly dangerous season for our pets. Some reminders from the Humane Society of the United States include…

Ÿ  Mistletoe berries and Poinsettia plants can be poisonous to pets. Be sure to keep them out of reach or consider using artificial substitutes.

Ÿ  Many of our special treats can make “Sparky” sick -foods and drinks such as alcoholic beverages, seeds and pits from many fruits, chocolate, macadamia nuts, walnuts, coffee, tea, salt, onions, and other foods can be harmful to pets.

Ÿ  Decorations such as tinsel, glass ornaments and garlands can easily attract pets, but are dangerous choking hazards. Electric decorations such as stringed lights can give your pets a shock should they chew on the wires. Keep decorations out of their reach. [I am guilty of this one myself, as my cat, Bob, coughed up his first shiny tinsel hairball a few years back!]

Ÿ  Remind your guests not to feed the pets from the table, be especially careful with the disposal of leftovers and bones.

Ÿ  The excitement of friends and relatives coming and going, the kids playing loudly, and all the distractions that come with the holidays may not be as enjoyable to your pets as you may think. Consider setting them up comfortably in a room away from all of the noise to lessen their stress.

            Let’s all have a safe and truly happy holiday season!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            Halloween is behind us now and Christmas is right around the corner (already!). Thanksgiving is the quiet little Holiday sandwiched between the two that offers us a moment to step back and count our blessings. This seems to me to be the most innocent of holidays, still pure and untainted. There isn’t the commercial hype, no Easter Bunny, or shopping frenzies, no costumes or fireworks. It is a time to reflect and relax and to spend time with family. We at the SBK Animal Center would like to be the first to count blessings this season:

THINGS THAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR…

• We at the SBK are first and foremost thankful to have the opportunity to address  Animal Control and Animal Sheltering in Sullivan County. For any of you that may have missed the big news, our organization, the Sullivan County, Bluff City, Kingsport Animal Control Center is a new, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that has taken on the job of operating both the former Sullivan County and Kingsport Animal Shelters and providing Animal Control services for the County as well as Kingsport City. It’s a big job any way you look at it but we are up to it and excited to get things to a new level.
• We are thankful that the vast majority of pet owners in Sullivan County are responsible loving owners that want only the best for their pets. For the size of this community, the real problems of animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, animal fighting, etc., is fairly uncommon here. You all love your animals, that is obvious!
• We are thankful that although the volume of animals that come to our Shelters is huge, the majority of them are relatively healthy, friendly and adoptable. The variety of dogs especially is really phenomenal. There is truly someone here for everyone!
• We are thankful for those that are stepping up to volunteer! Our new manual and application is complete and we are ready to roll! You are the ones that can really make the difference between us being just a shelter and being a state of the art Adoption Center. If you have visited either of our Shelters, you have seen that our staff is as busy as can be. We don’t often have time to do the extra things that make the animals show their best side. The walks, the baths, the teaching of basic commands make a huge difference in “adoptability”.
• We are extremely thankful for all of you that have donated to help support our venture. We have had schoolchildren, businesses, and individual donors that have helped with donations of blankets, pet food, toys and treats. Monetary donations are certainly always welcome and can be designated for particular funds. Medical, Adoption, Food, Shelter Improvement, Spay/Neuter. You may even donate on our website www.sbkanimalcenter.org now through PayPal.
• We are thankful to live in an area with so many talented and knowledgeable Veterinarians that are eager to help the animals of Sullivan County and,
• We are thankful that there are organizations eager to help people get their animals spayed and neutered. The single biggest problem that we face in the animal sheltering world is overpopulation. The sheer number of animals entering shelters throughout the country shows this as the most deadly epidemic facing domestic animals by far.
• Lastly, we are thankful for our dedicated staff at both Shelters and our Animal Control Officers that have all stayed on and are open to this big transition. Our Board of Directors is made up of a group of determined animal lovers as well that won’t let you or these animals down. We all couldn’t be happier that there is hope and change going on in Sullivan County and we are determined to be a model for Animal Shelters everywhere.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and be sure to visit us this Holiday Season as we try to get them all Home for the Holidays!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

Hello again East Tennessee! It has been a busy couple of weeks again at the SBK Animal Center. Halloween has come and gone; both Shelters decorated and celebrated the season. Tales and Treats was a fun evening and thanks to all of you that came by to drop off donations and show off your two and four-legged ghosts and goblins. Thanks yet again to Shell-E the Shelter Dog for raising awareness.

NATIONAL ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

October was national “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” and I am pleased to say that we found well over 100 dogs homes in October! THIS is what it is all about, friends!

For the several years that I have been in the animal sheltering business and for all of the drama that surrounds every animal shelter, it seems, THIS is what makes us stick it out. THIS is why we keep coming to work every day. People need to be reminded from time to time why we are here. Some are quick to criticize and complain about the animal shelter but go no further. Those of us in this business, work hard to help every animal we can and do an awful lot of good that the naysayers don’t ever see. So yes, we’d like to blow our horn for Adopt- a Shelter Dog Month and shout about 100+ adoptions! What a great way to kick off our Home for the Holidays campaign!

The animals in our care are innocent and there is not one that is at the shelter due to any fault of their own. Think about that. They are almost always here because they are unwanted, not taken care of, not socialized properly, not spayed or neutered. The list goes on with one common denominator-those humans that they trusted to help them didn’t or couldn’t. We (society) put them there. You’ll see this at the end of every issue of The Scoop: “Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them.” Think about how you can help be a part of the solution.

                               MORE EXCITING NEWS

We have been making changes to our ways of doing business to help serve you and our animals better. Our new software is installed and operational at both Shelters. This is something that will streamline everything we do from adoptions, lost and found reports, tracking of trends, intakes, outcomes and even our financial records. It will create medicine lists, help keep tabs on our traps and equipment, our dispatched calls, regular customers, mailing lists, etc., etc. It probably doesn’t seem as exciting to you as it is to us but the more organized we can get, the more time we’ll have to take care of our animals and get them adopted!

Also new this week is the ability to take credit cards! In this day of electronic this and that, we recognize that a lot of folks don’t carry cash anymore and to tell you the truth, we haven’t had very good luck taking checks, unfortunately. We want to make it as easy and as streamlined as possible for our animals to get out and in to good homes.

                                              CHILLY  DOGS!

In closing, the weather is getting chilly at night and think about those outdoor animals. Some wood chips for the doghouse, a wind flap, an extra blanket are all things you should consider. Better yet, have “Sparky” in for a night by the fire with the family.

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

Welcome back animal lovers! It’s been a busy couple of weeks here at the SBK Animal Centers. I again need to thank this community for the warm reception and generosity that you have shown during this transition. I was at the Board of Commissioners meeting the other day and mentioned that we needed a washer and dryer. Before I was finished with my report, a gentleman spoke up and offered to donate a set that he had in his garage! (We still need a dryer at our Kingsport location).

Seriously though, we have had school children and other residents donating food and litter, bleach, laundry and dish soap and blankets to keep our kids warm and we want to express our thanks. We’ve even had some groomers donate their services to spruce these kids up for adoption. Monetary donations are also needed to help us do the very best we can for these animals in our care. The allotment that we receive from local governments cover just the most basic functions and the rest is up to us to provide.

NATIONAL ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

October is both national “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” and “Senior Pet Lover Adoption Month”.

We also think that this would be a great time to kick off our Home for the Holidays campaign. Each year Iams pet food teams up with Shelters nationwide to bring attention to the millions of animals in Shelters. Since it began in 1999, Iams Home 4 the Holidays has helped place nearly 5.8 million pets into happy homes. Last year alone, Iams Home 4 the Holidays helped more than 1.1 million families experience the joy of pet adoption

Today there are more than 3,500 shelters in 21 countries around the world helping orphaned animals find loving homes and families.  Home 4 the Holidays runs from Oct. 1, 2011 through Jan. 3, 2012 and the goal of the program is to help 1.5 million orphaned animals find permanent, loving homes .

Consider adopting a new best friend from the shelter. We really have some good dogs (and cats) at our Shelters right now. Just take a look at our website www.sbkanimalcenter.org -I dare ‘ya!

MORE RESOURCES FOR LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER

I had the opportunity to tour the Margaret B. Mitchell Spay/Neuter Clinic last week in our quest to find the best options for our clients and residents do the right thing for their animals. I have to say that this is an impressive facility with an absolute mission. They have nothing but the best intentions and are consummate professionals at that. They are very eager to work with our Shelters and we look forward to adding them to our list of resources!

Here’s a little background from their website:
            In 1964, Margaret B.Mitchell co-founded the Bristol Humane Society where she served as president for many years. When she passed away in 2003 at the age of 102, she left a portion of her estate to benefit animal well-being. The Bristol Humane Society put that bequest towards the opening of the clinic in 2005. To honor Mitchell, the clinic was respectfully and rightfully named the Margaret B. Mitchell Spay/Neuter Clinic.
Most days the clinic's transport van travels to one of the outer-lying communities, meets with the area coordinator, loads the van with animals and transports them to the clinic for surgery. The reduced-cost clinic fees charged by the clinic offset the operating costs. Public donations and grants help to subsidize the surgeries for pet owners that cannot afford to pay the fees. The Clinic can be reached at 276.591.5790 and the website is http://mbmspayneuterclinic.org/

Remember these options too, there really are no more excuses:

• The Holly Help Memorial Spay Fund is a Bristol based organization which focuses on spay sterilization surgeries for dogs and cats. Their website is www.hollyhelp.org or can be reached at 276-466-537
• Sullivan County Humane Society’s ongoing “SNIP” program that will allow you to have your pet fixed at a reduced cost ($30/dog and $20/cat) by a participating veterinarian. Visit their website at www.sullivancountyhumanesociety.com for an application.
• There is still time to get applications for RAM, Remote Access Medical, a group that flies all over the world offering medical care and founded by Wild Kingdom’s Steve Brock. The event has been rescheduled for November now and there are about 40 animals scheduled for surgery so far. This is a free spay/neuter clinic! The final date hasn’t been set yet but applications are available at either of our Shelters. Volunteers are welcome!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

Well, summer is officially over. The weather here these last several days is crisp with the feel of Halloween suddenly. Staff and Volunteers have been doing a good job of decorating the Shelters and we are planning an evening Trick-or-Treat for the kids at the Shelter. We haven’t quite nailed down a date and time yet, but I’ll keep you posted!

We had a great time at the Bristol Motor Speedway’s Kidfest and Sharky 500 last weekend and got some of our little homeless animals adopted to some really nice folks. Thanks to Shell-E the Shelter dog and all of those that helped with another successful SBK Animal Center event!

Thanks are also due to all of the local Veterinarians that participated in the low-cost Rabies Vaccination Day on Sept. 28^th. This is such an important public service and I hope that you took advantage. Rabies is alive and well in wildlife and those vaccinations for your pet are the key to keeping it in the woods!

NATIONAL ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

October is both national “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” and “Senior Pet Lover Adoption Month”.

“In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog.” I’ve seen this quote used by animal rescue and adoption agencies and while I haven’t been able to find a source, I don’t think I could have said it better. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world.

            A pet in your home can benefit you as much as it does him or her. Studies have shown that the companionship of a pet can help lessen anxiety and depression, and even lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Consider adopting a new best friend from the shelter. We really have some good dogs at our Shelters right now. Just take a look at our website www.sbkanimalcenter.org -I dare ‘ya!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN

            Trick-or-Treat can be a fun and exciting way for the little tikes to celebrate Halloween and we certainly want to encourage them to enjoy this family time. Unfortunately, this may not be the case for the family pets. So, here are some considerations that will help to keep them safe and happy too.

•       Hide the candy! Who among us doesn’t have a weakness for something that’s not necessarily good for us? Well, Sparky and Fluffy are no different in that respect and they will be attracted to those sweets! Be sure to keep the candy stash in a place where pets can’t get into it before, during, and after the holiday. The fact that chocolate is toxic to pets is pretty well known now, but also consider the problems that lollipop sticks and candy wrappers could cause if swallowed (not to mention the mess on the carpet).
•       Decorating is a big part of celebrating Halloween and it seems that more and more products hit the market every season. What used to be celebrated with pumpkins and cornstalks now includes mechanical body parts, artificial cobwebs, and every imaginable electronic gadget and gizmo. So where we once worried only about the candle in the jack-o-lantern, now we also have to keep pets away from electric cords, hanging decorations that they could get tangled in, and all of the synthetic, possibly toxic things they may decide to play with, chew or swallow. Like anything else, let’s use common sense when we decorate.
•       Remember that Trick-or Treat is for the kids. Our pets are creatures of habit and they feel secure in their daily routines. Holidays disrupt these routines and they will already be on edge. Kids running in costumes, shouting, and just acting the way kids act on Halloween is just too much excitement for the average pet. Let’s leave Sparky at home and let the kids enjoy their night.
•       Talk to the kids about what to do if approached by a strange dog. Tell them not to run away or scream but to stay calm and try to walk away slowly. Tell the dog to go home in a stern voice. Make sure they know that if it’s the candy he wants to give it to him!
•       At home, the pets need to be in a quiet room away from the commotion (it’s                only for a couple of hours). This is not only because they may be startled by frequent costumed visitors, but there’s also the chance your pet may slip out the door and that could really ruin a holiday! Make sure they’re wearing identification just in case.
• Finally, try to resist the urge to dress your pets up in costumes. If you do decide to go this extra mile in celebrating Halloween, pay attention that elastics are not cutting off his or her circulation or getting tangled in the pet’s hair, that accessories won’t be swallowed and choked on and that they can’t get tangled up in strings or ties. Call me old-fashioned but I’m not sure Sparky enjoys dress up as much as you think he does.

HOLLY HELPS SPAY AND NEUTER TOO!

            In my last column, we talked about the problem of pet overpopulation in East Tennessee and subsequently in our Shelters and it was gently brought to my attention that I missed one of our biggest players in the area! Holly Help has been around for ten years now and last I heard, had subsidized some 16,000 surgeries!

 The Holly Help Memorial Spay Fund is a Bristol based organization which focuses on spay sterilization surgeries for dogs and cats. They were founded in the Spring of 2001 and maintain a 501c3 tax exempt status and relying mainly on the money received from recycling aluminum cans to fund their surgeries. They are run strictly by volunteers and Holly Help pays no salaries. Their website is www.hollyhelp.org or can be reached at 276-466-537

Other programs in the area include: Sullivan County Humane Society’s ongoing “SNIP” program that will allow you to have your pet fixed at a reduced cost ($30/dog and $20/cat) by a participating veterinarian. Visit their website at www.sullivancountyhumanesociety.com for an application.

There is also still time to get applications for RAM, Remote Access Medical, a group that flies all over the world offering medical care and founded by Wild Kingdom’s Steve Brock. They will be here in October to hold a free spay/neuter clinic. The final date hasn’t been set yet but applications are available at either of our Shelters. Volunteers are welcome!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            We are approaching the end of our first quarter as the SBK Animal Center and it has been a good one. It’s been a busy but exciting ride these first three months and all signs point to a long and successful future for the partnership.

            A big thank you goes out to all of the Volunteers that helped us with the quarterly adoption event at Petsmart in Kingsport weekend before last and to Ms. Mary Hamilton and the Kingsport Town Center, hosts of the 2011 Miss Kitty Sweetheart Beauty Pageant. These little girls collected, literally, TONS of dog, cat, puppy and kitten food, litter, toys and treats for our little ones. The kids just amaze me with their generosity. Sullivan County Humane Society Volunteers also helped to man both of these events. These are good people.

            Our next scheduled event is the 4th Annual Sharky 500 and Kids Expo. Saturday, October 1^st we will be taking animals for adoption and setting up shop at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

Ten dollars doesn't buy a lot these days -- but it just might get some lucky individual the 2011 Ford Mustang pace car from Bristol Motor Speedway. Sale of the sharks will benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. The Sharky 500 has raised in excess of $150,000 for children's agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia the past three years.

World Rabies Day-Sept.28

            The Tennessee Department of Health in cooperation with several local Veterinarians and Animal Control is offering rabies vaccinations for your pets for only $10 September 28^th from 6PM until the last customer is served! There are 14 different locations, too many to list here, so give us a call or call your local Veterinary Clinic for more details. This is a great opportunity to protect your pet and your family against the very real threat of rabies.

Tennessee Week for the animals  

Sept 24-Oct.27th kicks off the 7^th annual “Tennessee Week for the Animals”. What can you do to celebrate Sparky’s special week? Consider volunteering at one of the Animal Shelters-come take a dog for a walk, help take pictures, give a bath and let’s help find these kids a home! If time doesn’t allow you to Volunteer, consider making a donation! Besides the obvious donations of food, bleach, litter and treats, blankets are at a premium at this time of year for these crisp fall nights. Financial donations will allow us to better care for these animals and grow YOUR SBK Animal Shelter in to something we are all proud of. As a non-profit organization, all of these donations, financial or otherwise are tax deductible as well.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING-SPAY/NEUTER

            Last week, we sent letters to 18 different Veterinarians in the Tri-Cities area asking for their participation in our transition to a ‘neuter before they leave’ animal shelter. I’ve heard back from four so far and have had all positive responses so far. Please take a minute and encourage your pet’s doctor to consider being a part of the solution!

            There is help available for your owned pets as well:

• Journey's End has invited PAL - Prevent A Litter Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic to Kingsport September 26 and 27. ALL Cats $40;Dogs $50 (Under 75lbs).

An appointment is required (all pets must be fasted the night before)

Call 423 349-8072 to schedule appointments and for more information.

• RAM, Remote Access Medical a group that flies all over the world offering medical care and founded by Wild Kingdom’s Steve Brock will be here in October to hold a free spay/neuter clinic. The final date hasn’t been set yet but applications are available at either of our Shelters. Volunteers are needed for both of these events!
• Sullivan County Humane Society has an ongoing “SNIP” program that will allow you to have your pet fixed at a reduced cost ($30/dog and $20/cat) by a participating veterinarian. Visit their website at www.sullivancountyhumanesociety.com for an application.

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

Welcome back! We need to thank so many for so much, I don’t know where to start. Friends, Volunteers, Board members and employees have been rallying to keep up with all that’s been going on around here-all in support of our homeless animals. 

In just the last two weeks, the SBK Animal center has made appearances and adopted animals at Food City Race Night in Bristol and at Family Dollar in Piney Flats. We held Clean up the Shelter Day at our Blountville Shelter last Saturday and put a pretty good dent in some of what needs to be done there. All the while, were still able to carry on with Saturday adoptions at Petsmart in Kingsport! By the way, as soon as we get enough Volunteers organized and trained, we hope to start taking animals to Bristol on Saturdays too!

I almost forgot the new landscaping and flowers at both Shelters that was added last week, again by volunteers. So hats off to all of you that helped and made it possible for us to be in more than one place at a time and to be a voice for those little ones in our care. Thank you.

IDENTIFICATION AND Reclaims

            Let’s talk about identification for our pets. Tennessee State Law requires that all dogs wear rabies tags and for good reason but did you ever stop to think that that tag will also help to get “Sparky “ home should he get lost?

I just finished my second monthly Shelter Activity Report for fiscal 2011/12 and something really stands out here like a sore thumb. those of you that know me, know that I am new to this area just this summer and while I realize that different areas of the country will have different trends, I have to say that this is really disturbing. I came from an area with a 60%+ reclaim rate and this was largely due to identification.

            The reclaim rate is less than 10% here in Sullivan County. I spend most of my time right now at our Blountville location and we are at less than 5% for dogs and cats are a fraction of that! It doesn’t need to be this way.

ID tags with your name, address and phone number are available at pet shops, hardware stores, some Wal-Mart and Petsmart stores and even by mail. This simple step can allow a neighbor or finder or even an animal control officer to get your pet home instead of having to go to the Shelter.

            Microchips, available from your Veterinarian are another option for identifying your pet and we will save that for another column.

            In closing, be aware that SBK Animal Center keeps lost and found records at both of our Shelters. Please call and make a report when you notice your pet missing and keep checking back. We were able to reunite several lost pets with their owners through lost reports recently and we want to do more!

TESTIMONIAL

            There are few things more gratifying than when someone tells you. “You did a good job, thank you!” Especially in this emotion packed business of animal sheltering and animal control, believe it or not, not everyone always has good things to say. (I know, hard to imagine!) For that reason, I’d like to share some of the good feedback that we received recently:

“My name is Stephanie and I am from Bristol, Virginia.  My family and I recently adopted a 6 year old English shepherd named Hondo. We got him as a companion for my 2 year old dog Sugar, who we adopted from Sullivan County animal shelter. He is such a joy and sweetheart. He is absolutely perfect for us. I just wanted to let you know how wonderful the staff was at both shelters. The shelter is an overwhelming place for your average person and they were very helpful and caring and sweet to the animals. I appreciate it and I wanted to tell you that the animals appreciate it as well, since they can't speak for themselves. I'm glad to see all the proactive steps that are being taken by you that will facilitate education about these animals so that no animal has to spend time in a shelter. Thanks again. Stephanie

Ask Animal Control

Q. Is there a limit as to how many animals one person can have here in Sullivan    County? I have a neighbor that has so many dogs and cats that I know she can’t be taking care of them. Ms. L.K. Colonial Heights

A. There is neither a State Law or Sullivan County ordinance limiting any person’s number of pets. There are some municipalities however that do on a local level. Kingsport limits your number of canines (over 12 mo.of age) to five. Bristol, Tn.also limits you to four adult dogs or cats per household.

Common sense should prevail in that we all should be able to recognize our limits in the ability to provide proper care for a large number of animals. Cruelty, rabies, and nuisance laws apply regardless of the number of animals on any given property.

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

        www.sbkanimalcenter.org

THE SCOOP-SBK

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

Welcome back!  Before I get started I need to thank the Kingsport Times-News, our Board of Directors and everyone else who offered their help and encouragement in getting this column printed.  Issue #1 was met with good reviews and it is encouraging to see the amount of support there is for our mission here in east Tennessee. There is so much that I (we, at the shelter) would like to say to the people of Sullivan County, I can’t tell you how exciting this opportunity is for us.

WE’RE OFF TO THE RACES!

          Our new organization hit the ground running July 1^st and we are wasting no time getting out and about. The Kingsport Animal Shelter has had a presence at Food City Race Night at the Bristol Motor Speedway for some time. Now that they are partnered with Sullivan County Animal Shelter under the SBK Animal Center, we will be attending our first event as one group. Come down and join us! Volunteers will be attending with Shelter animals looking for homes, Shell-ee the Shelter Dog will be there and we are all looking forward to an evening of good fun, fellowship and getting to know each other better.

CLEAN-UP DAY SEPTEMBER 3^RD

            September 3^rd we have scheduled as Clean up the Blountville Shelter Day! Put on some old clothes and bring your rakes and brooms and meet us for a day of work and fellowship and lets get this place cleaned up! Pizza and soda for all Volunteers! We’ll be getting started at 9am and working until at least 4, maybe longer…

NEW LOGO, T-SHIRTS, WEBSITE, Opportunities

            It’s difficult even for us to keep up with all of the changes going on here. We have unveiled our new logo, a new website with the adoptable animals from both shelters (www.sbkanimalcenter.org), and a new first edition t-shirt design destined to be a collector’s item! See their unveiling at Race Night and get one for yourself while you can. They are also available for sale at both Shelters and all funds go directly to SBK to help the homeless animals of Sullivan County.

            There are new opportunities to Volunteer, as well, and I encourage all of you to give it some consideration. We have our work cut out for us here in east Tennessee getting the pet overpopulation problem under control and this problem belongs to all of us. Just a couple of hours when you can at either Shelter from each of you will make all of the difference. This community has a lot of heart and needs to come together to work at this community problem.

10 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A PET

            This is from an article originally published in US News and World Report a few years ago by Phillip Moeller:

• Companionship. Loneliness can become an unwelcome companion as we age and can lead to depression as well as physical problems. Dogs mold their schedule and personality to you. They are never unavailable or off duty. Smaller dogs, in particular, can easily travel.
• Having a routine. The routine of caring for a pet can bring structure and purpose to daily life
• Exercise. People benefit from regular physical exercise regardless of their age. Having a dog can be a great way to make walking a part of your daily plan.
• Less stress. Older people with pets tend to exhibit less stress than those without
• Getting out. Having a pet, particularly one that requires regular outdoor activity, helps you stay connected to life. You need to be involved in social activities.
• Making new friends. There are lots of shared activities for pet owners, ranging from communal walks to charitable events and other organizations that cater to singles. It can be hard to meet new people, but pets are great icebreakers.
• New interests. A pet can expose you to new interests and activities
• Protection. A dog can provide significant security. Potential thieves will stay away from a home with a barking dog. Your watchdog may weigh only 8 pounds soaking wet, but the person on the other side of the door doesn't know that.
• Taking care of something. Sure, you need your pet. Your pet needs you, too. It is very satisfying to take care of another living creature.
• Investing in life. At the end of the day, having a pet means that you have made a promise to continue being involved in another life. This commitment is one of the most positive decisions you can make as you get older.

Ask Animal Control

            Q. How many cats and dogs do you take in to the Shelter in a month?   

                                    - Mrs. J.A. Bluff City

A. Based on our records from July 2011, we received from Sullivan County more   than 200 dogs and nearly 600 cats between the two Shelters. Granted, it is the busy season but that is still an outrageous number of homeless animals!

Until Next Time…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

380 Masengill Rd.

Blountville, TN 37617

Or email Rich at scooprc@yahoo.com

                                                    THE SCOOP

NEWS AND NOTES FROM

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY, BLUFF CITY AND KINGSPORT

ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER

By: Richard C. Crino

            Hello out there! Welcome to the first installment of what we are pleased to announce will be an ongoing, interactive forum between those of us at the SBK Animal Center and the many interested and concerned “animal people” here in Northeast Tennessee. We hope that with more and patter communication we can all work together to create an atmosphere of mutual benefit to the shelter, the public, and, of course, the animals. This is an exciting time and a good cause. Don’t you want to get involved?!

            One of my objectives in writing The Scoop has been to establish a comfortable, friendly relationship between the Shelter and the public. It has concerned me since I started in this business that Animal Shelters and Animal Control are often given a “bad rap”. The picture of the sinister, cold-hearted “dogcatcher” from days gone by is a hard one to shake. We are all in this business because we are animal lovers and animal advocates and each of us have pets of our own that we go home to every night (most of them adopted from shelters). We want to change that stereotype.

            With this column I offer an insider’s glimpse at all of the exciting things going on at the Center. Expect to hear from me on a regular basis keeping you informed and updated on our animals, upcoming events, fundraisers, and new developments in the world of animal care and control. I encourage you to write to me at the shelter (or e-mail me at scooprc@ yahoo.com) with your questions or concerns and I will do my best to get you some answers. After all, this shelter is here to serve this community in the hopes that we, our neighbors and visitors, their pets, and our native wildlife can all enjoy this beautiful community together.

WHAT IS THE SBK ANIMAL CENTER?

            As of July 1^st, 2011, The SBK Animal Center is, in a nutshell, the organization that operates and governs what we know as the Sullivan County Animal Shelter, the Kingsport Animal Shelter and Sullivan  County Animal Control under a contract with the County as well as Bluff City and the City of Kingsport. (By the way, rumors that the Kingsport Animal Shelter has closed are completely untrue. Both Shelters are alive and well and excited to be moving toward a new level of humane care and progressive placement of northeast Tennessee’s homeless animals.)

The organization itself is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation made up of an active and committed board of community leaders, volunteers, generous concerned citizens and animal lovers.

            These people give their time and energy to help with fundraising, public awareness, and education, among other things. You will undoubtedly be getting to know them in the weeks and months to come as we get out there to spread the word trying hard to get our animals adopted and encouraging involvement with the shelter and animal issues.

WHAT’S NEW AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER?

New Management

I ‘d like to introduce myself as the new guy in town chosen by the Board of Directors to head up this transition. I come to you most recently from the Outer Banks of North Carolina where I served as the Director of Animal Care and Control for the Outer Banks SPCA in Dare County, NC. The situation there was one very similar to the course that we are undertaking. We contracted with the County to operate the Animal Shelter and to provide animal control and it worked very well. Its really exciting to be in on the ground floor of this community effort.

Prior to Dare County, I also worked as an Animal Control Officer in Cocke County, Tn. At the Newport Animal Shelter, a city shelter with a small budget and an outrageous number of animals. I also worked for a time at a suburban Cleveland, Oh. shelter where I first got my feet wet (literally) cleaning kennels.

            I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio and most of my family still lives in that area. (For any of you not fond of "Yankees", I should add that I'm just a second generation Northerner with over 200 years of Southern roots)!

 I grew up only a block from Lake Erie, and spent a lot of time at the beach as a kid.  I started out in Catholic schools and then attended Lakeland College, studying business management. I have worked as a renovation carpenter, shop foreman in a woodshop, and owned and operated my own custom woodworking and cabinet shop with some success in Cleveland. After several years at “the shop”, an illness in the family convinced me to close down the business and take a job at a local high end cabinet and millwork shop as a custom cabinetmaker. Well, this lasted for about 2 years and I found myself laid-off with nothing to do for the first time in my adult life. My kids, (son, Tony, and daughters, Nicole and Gina) were by now grown up and on their own. I decided to go camping.

            I found myself in the mountains of beautiful East Tennessee where the dog and I spent over a month hiking and tent camping in and around the Smoky Mountains. I knew then that this is where I belonged.

            So here I am all of these years later, writing The Scoop again(the first 19 issues were published in The Newport Plain Talk and then for 5 years in The Coastland Times) and loving what I do. I live in Colonial Heights with my wife, Chrystal, my Husky (mix), Rebecca, cats, Bob and Athena (Francesca Maria Soprano), Ferrets, Carmel and Carmella, and the birds, Butch and Sundance.

            I am a member of the HSUS National Disaster Animal Response Team, and have served on the Board of the North Carolina Animal Federation and am an executive member of the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators. I enjoy my writing, my animals, of course, my bonsai garden and getting away when I can to do some canoeing, camping, and hiking. I hope to get back to woodcarving again as soon as I get some extra time.

New Website!

            We are proud to announce the birth of our new website! Go to www.sbkanimalcenter.org and you will be kept current on all of the fine adoptable animals at both of our locations, current news, events, Pet of the Week, and Volunteer opportunities. This website will also launch our adoptables to a plethora of other adoption websites to show our little ones off to the entire world!

More Changes to Watch For…

                        A new program that is in the works is the “Senior Adoption Program”. This is a low-cost adoption program for senior citizens. Folks over sixty years of age can adopt a pet at a lower cost that will cover only our costs of administering a rabies vaccination and the spay/neuter surgery if needed. At the same time, any dog or cat over the age of five years can be adopted by anyone at the same reduced fee. Lets work together to take care of our seniors!

            New software for both Shelters is coming soon that will help us to gauge our progress better, microchips to help get “Sparky” home, and a big volunteer clean-up day and open house are all in works!

VOLUNTEERS and FOSTER HOMES WANTED…

Volunteers are the grease that is going to make these wheels turn. They are the help that will allow us to do all of the “extras”-the events, adopt-a-thons, parades, rescues. We need volunteers to help socialize and teach basic commands, to give baths and make these animals irresistable. Give us a call or just drop in at either location to fill out a volunteer form and we’ll put you to work! I can’t say enough that the more help we get from you, the faster things will improve for our little ones.

            Maybe you can’t commit to adopting right now; we understand and are grateful that you realize that. Consider fostering. We have quite a few animals in our care that are in need of a foster home. Fostering can be a rewarding experience leaving you with a sense of accomplishment that adoption may not. Some are senior animals, a few are afraid and need to learn to trust, and some have just never had an opportunity to learn basic commands and skills that will get them a second look. See Rich at the Blountville shelter or Donna Davidson in Kingsport.

MORE ADOPTIONS!

            Nothing makes us happier than to see our little ones going home with their new families!

This section will keep you informed of all those that need to be congratulated on their graduation! Unfortunately, we weren’t able to produce that list by presstime but we’ll be playing catch-up next week!

We wish them and theirs the best of luck and we hope you’ll bring ‘em back to visit!

DONATIONS NEEDED

            We are in need of donations at both locations of newspapers, bleach, laundry and dish soap, dog, cat, puppy, and kitten food and cat litter. These are all things we use on a daily basis and any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Monetary donations are, of course, also welcome and can be mailed to the address below. Now that we are a non-profit organization, these are tax-deductable! Thanks in advance.

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

Let’s not forget, too, that we humans invited and encouraged these animals to become dependent on us and we now have an obligation to care for them!

Send your questions or comments to:

Ask Animal Control

C/o SBK Animal Control Center

PO Box 507

Kingsport, Tn. 37662

Or e-mail Rich at: scooprc@yahoo.com

www.sbkanimalcenter.org