Be cautious of the cold

Residents are urged to pay a little more attention to their pets as cold weather settles in and area shelters have many adoptable animals available.

Pet owners reminded of temperature restrictions,
penalties in place with new animal cruelty laws

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf reminded Pennsylvanians to bring pets indoors as temperatures continue to drop statewide, in a press release issued last month.
Pennsylvania’s new animal cruelty protections, signed into law in June 2017 and championed by Gov. Wolf, included new protections and penalties for cold weather.

“This is the first cold weather season since we strengthened the animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania, which include temperature and shelter restrictions for outdoor pets,” said Governor Wolf. “For far too long we have heard stories of neglected and abused animals who suffered because of deplorable treatment, and with our new landmark anti-cruelty legislation in place, penalties will be enforced for individuals who abuse or neglect an animal.”

Act 10, which strengthens Pennsylvania’s animal cruelty laws, states that a dog cannot be tethered for longer than 30 minutes in temperatures above 90 or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, animals must be provided sanitary shelter that allows the animal to maintain normal body temperature and keeps the animal dry all year.

“The Humane Society of the United States, Pennsylvania Vet Medical Association, and a number of state and federal agencies strongly support the anti-tethering components of Act 10, which include long overdue, reasonable stipulations regarding the length of time and conditions in which a dog can be kept outside during inclement weather,” said Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director of the Humane Society of the United States.

Continuous tethering can cause severe physical damages such as cracked and bleeding paws, frostbite and hypothermia. We encourage the public to help to keep the dogs of Pennsylvania safe and warm this winter by reporting animal neglect to the local humane society police officer, local or state police. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.”

Earlier this year, the governor signed the package of bills, which includes Libre’s Law. The updated measures clarify the definition of abuse and raise penalties and training and education programs are being developed to prepare authorities responsible for protecting animals through identification and prosecution of animal cruelty crimes.

Key components of the legislation

• Improved tethering conditions for outside dogs
• No more than 9 hours tethered in 24-hour period
• Tether must be the longer of 3 times length of dog or 10 feet
• No more than 30 minutes in 90+ or -32-degree weather
• Must have water and shade
• Must be secured by an appropriate collar — no tow or log chain, nor choke, pinch, prong, or chain collars
• Tethered space must be clear of excessive waste
• No open sores or wounds on the dog’s body
• Currently, most crimes against horses are graded as summary offenses — similar to traffic and littering violations.
• This law aligns penalties for crimes against horses with penalties for crimes against dogs and cats.

Increased penalties for animal abuse

• Neglect: Summary offense (up to 90 days in jail and/or a $300 fine) OR misdemeanor of the third degree (up to 1 year in jail and/or $2,000 fine) if neglect causes bodily injury or places the animal at imminent risk
• Cruelty: Misdemeanor of the second degree (up to 2 years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine)
• Aggravated cruelty: Felony of the third degree (up to 7 years in jail and/or a $15,000 fine)
• Ensures convicted animal abusers forfeit abused animals to a shelter
• Requires forfeiture of animal of anyone convicted of a felony violation and allows for fortitude upon other convictions.

The legislation grants civil immunity for veterinarians and veterinary technicians and shields licensed doctors of veterinary medicine, technicians and assistants who report animal cruelty in good faith from lawsuits.

Prepare now to keep pets safe this winter

(The Humane Society of Missouri submitted the following information.)

With the first official day of winter just around the corner and cold weather here, the Humane Society of Missouri urges all pet owners to get prepared for the weather to come. Pets trust their owners to keep them safe and warm during the winter.

The Humane Society of Missouri reminds pet parents that if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets. Remember our life-saving motto this winter: “Under 35, Bring Rover Inside!”

Throughout the season, keep in mind the Humane Society of Missouri’s seven tips to keep pets safe from dangerously cold temperatures.

1. Bring pets in: Don’t leave pets outside in the cold for prolonged periods of time. Remember – thermometers might show one temperature, but wind chills can make it feel much colder. Limit time outdoors and be mindful of frostbite on ears, the tail and paws. If you run with your dog, pay attention to cold paws and, if it gets too cold, leave your pup at home. Cats should always be kept indoors, as “outdoor” cats can often become victims of road traffic or wild animals and are susceptible to freezing or starving to death in severely cold weather.

2. Acclimate pets to cold weather: If pets spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure to introduce them gradually to dropping temperatures, rather than exposing them to the cold all at once.

3. Provide adequate shelter: For outdoor dogs, owners should provide a well-insulated, draft-free, appropriately sized doghouse. The opening should face south with a sturdy, flexible covering to prevent icy winds from entering. Line the floors of the shelter with straw, not hay. Do not use towels or blankets, which can become damp or freeze.

4. Beware of antifreeze and rock salt: Antifreeze often collects on driveways and roadways. Although it smells and tastes sweet to your pet, it is poisonous. If pets have ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. Also, de-icing products, like rock salt, can irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry pets’ paws after being outside. Pet stores often carry pet-safe ice melts that do the job and won’t harm your pets.

5. Take care of their coats: Pets need to be well-groomed to stay properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs might get extra cold so consider a sweater or a coat. Long-haired dogs should have their paw hair trimmed to ease in cleaning and snow removal. Also, be mindful of keeping pets dry; a wet pet is a cold pet. Towel or blow-dry pets if they get wet from rain or snow.

6. Provide plenty of food and water: It takes more energy in the winter to properly regulate body temperature, so pets may need additional calories when spending a lot of time playing or working outdoors. Pets are just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer, so be sure to provide plenty of fresh water. Snow is not a substitute for water. Refill outside bowls often to prevent freezing.

7. Use Caution with Heat Sources: Space heaters and other supplemental heat sources can burn your pet. Keep portable heaters out of reach and make sure all fireplaces have adequate screening. And, of course, never leave pets alone with an unattended fire.

Occasional attitude

Clarion PAWS in Shippenville has Missy available for adoption.

“Missy is just a teenager herself. She is a little over 1. Missy came to us because the day before her declaw surgery she scratched her owner while playing. When the owner wanted her put to sleep instead of doing the surgery, a local vet hospital called us. She has come a long way since then,” the rescue posted on its Facebook page.

“She now gets along well with other cats and has learned to play. She sometimes can get cranky, but she had a home and is still adjusting to sharing her space. If you have room in your heart, think about this interesting tabbico girl,” the post continued.

Earlier this month, the rescue also posted that it could use Purina adult cat Chow, the blue bag.

Clarion PAWS is located at 11348 Route 322, Shippenville, Clarion River Hill, between Scrap Happy and Clarion Electric. The adoption center is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Fridays and Sundays.

More information is available at www.clarionpaws.org, the group’s Facebook page or by calling (814) 229-1231.

12 Strays of Christmas

Tri-County Animal Rescue Center in Shippenville is hosting an adoption deal through Dec. 22 called the 12 Strays of Christmas. It features a $12 adoption fee.

The regular adoption process is still the same even though the adoption price is discounted. Adoption forms can be found online at tricounty-arc.org.

More information about the 12 Strays can be found on Tri-County’s Facebook page.

Tri-County is located at 9562 Route 322, Shippenville.

More information about Tri-County Animal Rescue Center is available by calling (814) 918-2032 or emailing contactus@Tricounty-arc.org.

Need a Buddy?

Venango County Humane Society in Seneca has a Buddy for you.

Buddy, a Pit Bull Terrier mix, is a one-year-old neutered male. His white coat has black ticking and black around the eyes and ears.

“Buddy’s previous owner tells us that he’s house trained and crate trained. He doesn’t get along with other dogs,” the shelter said in a Petfinder Listing.

The shelter’s hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. It is closed Sundays and holidays.

The humane society is located at 286 S. Main St., Seneca. More information on the Venango County Humane Society is available by calling (814) 677-4040.

Meanwhile, Regina Martin with Hog Heaven Rescue farm in Cochranton, stopped by the Venango County Humane Society in Seneca and found a dog who could use quieter surroundings.

“Need a calm quiet foster home for one of our dogs at the Venango County Humane Society. The rustle and bustle of the kennel is very overwhelming for this poor boy,” Martin posted.

Interested people may contact Martin through the Hog Heaven Rescue Farm Facebook page.

Donation match

Time is ticking down for Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s donation match.

People may show their support for the Harrisville center with a contribution at fundrazr.com/skyesholiday2017 or the center’s website at www.skyes-spirit.com. People may also mail a donation to SSWRC, 889 Farren Surrena Rd., Harrisville, PA 16038.

Donations must be postmarked by Dec. 31 to count.

Ready to play

Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin has Tink available for adoption.

Tink is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, tested negative for FeLV and dewormed.

“Tink is a little cutie, just look at those markings. She is a few months old and is a playful little one,” the rescue said in a PetFinder posting.

Adoption applications can be found on the group’s website at www.pparfranklin.com.

More information is available by contacting the rescue at (814) 671-9827 and on the Precious Paws Facebook Page or website.

Benefit for Bright Futures

An online auction to benefit Bright Futures Farm in Cochranton is underway until 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.

The Bright Futures Farm Vintage! Bling! And Other Things! Auction can be found at auctions.specialhorses.org.

The auction descriptions said “since 2000, their mission has been to save horses from abuse, abandonment, and slaughter. Once a horse is rescued, they provide medical care, rehabilitation and schooling and then adopt many of them into loving, forever homes. Their rescue also provides a permanent sanctuary to elderly and disabled horses that have been callously discarded because they are ‘too old,’ ‘too sick’ or unwanted.”

2018 Venango County dog licenses available for purchase

Dog licenses for 2018 are now available at the Venango County treasurer’s office in the courthouse annex at 1174 Elk St. in Franklin.

State law requires that all dogs aged 3 months and older be licensed each year. The cost of an annual license is $8.50, and a lifetime license costs $51.50. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the cost for an annual license is $6.50 and the lifetime license is $31.50. Discounts are available to senior citizens and people with disabilities.

If a dog is lost or stolen, a license provides information that can help reunite the animal with its owner.

Failure to license a dog is a summary offense and could result in a maximum fine of $300 for each unlicensed dog. The minimum fine is $50 plus court costs.

The Department of Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law in Harrisburg will mail notices to county residents reminding them to purchase the dog licenses. There is no cost to the county for the mailings. In addition to the treasurer’s office, the Oil City Agway, the Venango County Humane Society and the Seneca Veterinary clinic also sell the licenses.

The licenses may also be purchased online using the Venango County website. There is a $1.95 convenience fee charged by the provider of the service, and a 2.49 percent fee will be charged on purchases exceeding $78.

The application may also be downloaded and printed from the county website and completed and mailed – along with a check or money order payable to Venango County Treasurer, P.O. Box 708, Franklin, 16323.

Clarion County dog licenses available Dec. 1

Clarion County dog licenses for 2018 are available for purchase at the county treasurer’s office.

Dog licenses must be purchased by Monday, Jan. 1, for dogs 3 months old and older.
Licenses can be purchased at the county treasurer’s office, in person or by mail.

The application can be downloaded from the treasurer’s page on the county website at www.co.clarion.pa.us. Licenses also may be purchased by sending a renewal card or completed application with check or money order to Tom McConnell, treasurer, at 330 Main St., Room 110, Clarion, 16214.

Purchases can be also made at www.padoglicense.com by choosing Clarion County and paying with a credit or debit card. There is a $2 fee for this service.

Additionally, licenses can be purchased at:

• RMS Furniture, New Bethlehem
• Sligo Rec Center, Sligo
• Lander’s Store, Lucinda
• Knox Country Farm Supply Inc., Knox
• Steiner’s Outdoors & More, East Brady
• Rocky Acres Kennel, Clarion
• Tri County Pet Rescue, Shippenville
• Fryburg Old Treasure Depot, Fryburg
• Doggie Bole, Rimersburg
• Strattanville Borough Office, Strattanville

Prices are $8.50 for male or female, $6.50 for neutered or spayed, and there is a $2 discount for senior citizens and disabled applicants. There are also lifetime licenses available at the treasurer’s office only.

For more information, call (814) 226-1113, email tjmcconnell@co.clarion.pa.us or call the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement at (717) 787-3062.

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All About Animals is a weekly blog that appears on Venangoextra.com and Clarionextra.com. Interested persons or groups can submit information to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. Readers may also submit photos or stories of their animals. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at (814) 677-8364.