Odie
Beagle likes belly rubs
Say “Hi!” to Odie, a spunky beagle mix who has no idea he’s a senior! After faithfully loving his owners all of his life, Odie finds himself sharing a large kennel with his best friend, Penny. Unfortunately, Odie doesn’t spend as much time smelling the fresh air and rolling in the grass as he used to, but he doesn’t let that get him down. This cheerful guy loves everyone and gets along well with other dogs and cats. Odie is in great health, is completely housebroken and thinks belly rubs and snuggling in blankets are the best things ever. Stop in and meet our handsome Odie and see if he doesn’t win your heart as he has ours.
Purr-fect companion
Matilda
Matilda came to Tri-County pregnant, eventually giving birth to a solitary kitten which she guarded with blistering fierceness. Although denied love in her life, Matilda would not allow her kitten to experience the same, so she guarded and nurtured and raised an affectionate, snuggley kitten who was quickly adopted. Since then, Matilda has been alone. Despite her difficult life, Matilda has an enormous amount of love to give. She is quick to purr when talked to and loves to curl up beside you. Matilda enjoys being petted even on her cute, crinkly ears. As with most seniors, she needs an inexpensive daily medication — such a small price to pay for her unconditional love. Stop in soon and get to know Miss Matilda. She would love the opportunity to spend her golden years in a forever home.
She’s priceless
Penny
Meet Penny, our gentle giant! Penny is a Shepard mix and is healthy and strong, despite being classified a senior. In the past, Penny enjoyed living with other cats and dogs — especially her best friend and current roomie, Odie (we loving refer to them as “the old married couple”)! As with Odie, Penny spent all of her years loving the same owners and now finds herself cooped up in a kennel, relishing her freedom only when it’s her turn to be outside. Completely housebroken and about as laid back as they come, Penny loves people of all ages. If you are in the market for a companion that enjoys short walks, a soft blanket to settle into and a good ear rub, Penny is your girl! Stop by and visit sweet Penny soon. This young-at-heart gal deserves to spend her final years in the comfort of a loving home!
To meet Penny, Matilda or Odie, contact Tri-County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Tri.
Upcoming Tri-County events
A 5K/one-mile walk/run is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23. It is not a timed event and is sponsored by the Employee’s Association at the State Correctional Institution – Forest. Proceeds will be equally shared with the SCI-Forest Staff Memorial Fund and Tri-County Animal Rescue Center.
“The trails are scenic, at times narrow and muddy, with some moderate hills. Wooden bridges over streams throughout the trails and a floating bridge on the 5K course. Picnic food will be provided for participants after the event,” according to a Facebook post.
More information can be found at www.facebook.com/Tri.
Tri-County Animal Rescue Center will be selling hot dogs with all the toppings, chips and a little something sweet from 11 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, during Tractor Supply’s Demo Days in Clarion. More details will be posted on Tri-County’s Facebook page as they become available.
DJ
Be entertained with D.J. at the Venango County Humane Society
D.J., a pit bull terrier mix, is a year old neutered male. He has a fawn and cream coat and dark brown eyes. D.J.’s house trained, active, extremely intelligent and learns commands and tricks with ease. He’ll need a daily walk on leash and obedience training. Because of his strength, D.J. is looking for an owner who offers firm, fair training and gentle, consistent discipline. He’s eligible for adoption from the Venango County Humane Society, open noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
All animals adopted from the shelter are already spayed or neutered, which the law requires the adopter to have done upon adoption.
Chief
Chief will take control of your heart
Chief, a domestic long hair, is an 11-year-old neutered male. He has a broad head that tapers into a modified wedge, green eyes and a silky black and white coat. Brought to the shelter in February, Chief took some time to adapt to his new surroundings. Now he’s comfortable with the staff and all the volunteers. He often explores the cat room, stops in front of other cat condos, and checks out his neighbors. Chief is quiet and also enjoys the company of humans. This handsome boy is available at the Venango County Humane Society.
More information about humane society is available by calling (814) 677-4040 or online at venangocountyhumanesociety.org
Calling all cat lovers
Are you looking for something to do with the food your finicky feline has rejected? The DukeFest Team has a solution for you.
A Facebook post said the DukeFest Team and local rescue groups are getting calls for help from individual families who are caring for cats … some stray and some their own.
“We are so thankful they are willing to reach out and ask for help rather than continuing to struggle to feed and care for them,” the Facebook post said.
The groups are looking for donations of food — bags or cans. They can be dropped off on the Duker Man’s porch, 1218 Elk St. in Franklin, three doors up from the Post Office, side porch/yellow bench or on Tuesdays at the SNYP/Precious Paws clinic at 720 Atlantic Ave. in Franklin. It is the big green building behind Taylor’s Pub.
“We will see that your thoughtful donations get to the people who need assistance,” the post continued.
Meanwhile, a paint party to benefit DukeFest will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Seneca Lanes. The cost is $40 per person and includes painting and refreshments. Registrations with $20 deposit can be made by calling Seneca Lanes at (814) 676-4618.
Vendor applications being accepted for DukeFest
DukeFest organizers are accepting vendor applications for the Saturday, Sept. 10, event. Regular vendor space is free, however, a donation of approximately $15 in product for the DukeFest raffle is appreciated, organizers said. Vendor applications should be submitted by Friday, Sept. 2.
Vendors should take their own tents, canopies, tables, chairs and whatever they need for setup. There is a $20 fee for electric which must by paid to DukeFest by Aug. 20. More information and applications are available by contacting Amber Martino at aamartino@verizon.net or (814) 673-2808; Mieke Heffern at mjheffern@yahoo.com or (814) 437-0928; Penny Minnick at dukermandog@gmail.com or message organizers through Facebook at DukeFest Dog Walk.
The fifth annual dog walk benefits local non-profit animal rescue and response groups. The groups benefiting this year are Hog Heaven Farm Animal Rescue, Precious Paws Animal Rescue, Safehaven Small Breed Rescue, Forest/Venango County Animal Response Team, Club Pet Adoption and the Venango County Humane Society. Admission is free to the event. The celebration will be held in Bandstand Park in downtown Franklin. Activities begin at 11 a.m. and end after the Blessing of the Animals at 4 p.m.
The event includes music, games for dogs and their people, food, more than 60 raffle baskets, craft and education vendors and PawPort Games with prizes. The Blessing of the Animals will be held at noon and 4 p.m. The Muttrimony celebration will be held at 1 p.m.
DukeFest began in 2012 when animal advocate friends from Relay for Life teams got together and decided to celebrate rescue groups and assist them with their projects and get the word out about the importance of adoption.
More information about DukeFest is available on the group’s Facebook page DukeFest Dog Walk.
Clarion PUPs working on dog park project
Clarion PUPs is accepting donations for its dog park. The group needs a pavilion, lawn mower (tractor type), shed, interactive equipment and picnic tables as well as funds for ongoing expenses such as insurance and utilities. A link to the groups Paypal account, www.paypal.me/
“No amount is too small and any amount is appreciated,” Clarion PUPS said.
Clarion County dog licenses available
CLARION — At the end of April, the regional dog warden will be canvassing Clarion County to check for updated dog licenses.
It is important that all dogs have 2016 licenses to avoid any fines that the dog warden could issue, Clarion County Treasurer Tom McConnell said. 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: www.co.clarion.pa.us.
The completed application and check or money order can be sent to:
Tom McConnell, Treasurer
330 Main St, Room 110
Clarion, Pa 16214
Licenses can also 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
Clarion PUPS, Clarion
Tri County Pet Rescue, Shippenville
Fryburg Old Treasure Depot, Fryburg
Doggie Bole, Rimersburg
Fidolicious Pet Boutique, Clarion
Prices are $8.50 for male or female, $6.50 for neutered or spayed, and there is a $2 discount for senior citizens. There are also lifetime licenses available. Purchases can be also made at www.padoglicense.com by choosing Clarion County and paying with a credit card.
More information is available by calling (814) 226-1113 or by emailing tjmcconnell@co.clarion.pa.us.
Around the Nation: ‘Lone Star’ tick wreaking havoc on New England pets
BOSTON (AP) — A tick that originated in Texas is now wreaking havoc on New England pets, animal advocates say. And veterinarians are warning area pet owners to watch closely for the “Lone Star” tick, which travels three times as quickly as Deer tick and “attacks in swarms,” making them especially dangerous to pets, officials said.
The tick, virtually unheard of in this region just a few years ago, can transmit very serious diseases to pets which can be fatal if left untreated.
“These ticks are on the move and we need to be proactive about protecting our pets,” said Dr. Virginia Sinnott, veterinarian in the emergency and critical care unit of MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.
During the fall-winter of 2015, Angell treated 87 dogs for suspected or confirmed tick-borne illness, and that number jumped to 196 during the same period in 2016— a 220 percent increase in just one year, Sinnott said.
The Lone Star tick transmits diseases like spotted fever, including Ehrlichiosis, an infection of the white blood cells that can lead to joint pain and lameness in dogs, and can be fatal if left untreated.
While there is no way to completely eliminate the chances of pets coming into contact with ticks, there are measures pet owners can take to reduce the likelihood of illness.
Angell’s recommends the prevention protocols:
- Use an over-the-counter tick preventative year-round such as Frontline or Advantix for dogs, and keep cats exclusively indoors.
- Walk dogs on hard surfaces or well-worn paths, and out of bushes, where most ticks reside.
- Keep the edges of your property free of debris such as piles of leaves and brush, which offer safe shelter to ticks of all varieties.
- Know the primary signs of most tick-borne illnesses: flu-like symptoms, lameness, decreased appetite and seeming unwell. If any of these symptoms are present, call your veterinarian immediately.
- Pet owners should learn how to remove embedded ticks, said Sinnott, adding that the key is to ensure no part of the tick remains under the skin.
- Pet owners should use tweezers to grasp the tick very close to the skin and, with one steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from the skin, she said.
“Try not to crush the tick as this can lead to infection,” she said.
After removing the tick, clean your pet’s skin with soap and warm water and dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet, she said.
Pet owners should have their pets tested annually for tick-borne diseases, and have urine protein levels evaluated if your dog is or has been positive for Lyme disease, Sinnott said.
“This is an added cost for pet owners, but nipping these diseases in the bud is not only much healthier for pets but less expensive than treating disease in an advanced stage,” she said.
(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. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at (814) 677-8364.)
