Dichotomy: Raining cats and dogs AND Reigning Cats & Dogs

See Berry's story below.

To get a message across, the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) often uses a play on words - a clever or witty use of language. For instance, on Saturday, Sept. 8, YHS is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the Prescott Resort and the event is called Reigning Cats & Dogs.

The name Reigning Cats & Dogs is an attempt to humorously convey the role our pets play in our lives. In many ways, and for many of us, our pets take on a central, or if you will, a "reigning" role in our lives. It is in this fun spirit that we are inviting animal lovers to a royal celebration of the relationship we share with our pets.

The phrase "Reigning Cats & Dogs" is a homophone of the term "raining cats and dogs."

It is ironic, even tragic, that in a community that celebrates Reigning Cats & Dogs we can at the same time experience a raining cats and dogs resulting in an overflow of lost and homeless pets at YHS.

So dire is the current situation that YHS is announcing a state of emergency. The crisis was caused by the recent monsoon. Dogs frightened by thunder are escaping from their homes in record numbers - and most are found without a dog license, identification tag or microchip. Worse, pet owners are not coming to YHS to identify their lost pet in a timely manner. This is costly to both YHS and the frantic pet owner. Our concern is pet owners may not know YHS is the central location where all lost pets are taken by local animal control and Good Samaritans who rescue lost pets off the street.

When you lose your pet, please visit the YHS Lost & Found Pet Center at 1605 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott every three days at least - and more often when possible. If your pet does not have a microchip, you can purchase one at the YHS Wellness Clinic, 2989 Centerpointe East, Prescott, on any Friday or at the YHS Lost & Found Pet Center Monday through Friday. In the effort to reunite more lost pets with their owners, YHS is offering microchips for just $20. A microchip will help reunite you with your lost pet in the shortest amount of time.

YHS is also launching a month long Raining Cats & Dogs Adoptathon. From today through the end of September all dogs and puppies are just $25 and all cats and kittens are "pick your price." Every adoption includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations and a microchip. This is over a $400 value per adoption. If you are considering adding a pet to your family, now is the time. YHS has the largest selection of quality pets available for adoption at the most affordable prices. When you adopt a pet from YHS you are saving two lives; the one you adopt and the one your adoption makes room for.

Another way you can help YHS is by participating in the Reigning Cats & Dogs Auction which is open online until Thursday, Sept. 6. Auction items range from exotic vacation getaways to having your pet featured in the inaugural 2013 Yava-Paw Calendar. So, tell your friends, family, community and let the bidding begin! Just go to the YHS website (www.yavapaihumane.org) and click on the Auction banner on the front page. You can also purchase your tickets to the Reigning Cats & Dogs Gala scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Prescott Resort. All proceeds go to help fund YHS' many life saving programs. I hope to see you there!

Berry is a 10-week-old female Labrador and a fine example of the passel of puppies available for adoption at YHS. All dogs and puppies are just $25 and the fee includes spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. YHS has the largest selection of wonderful pets waiting for just the right home – yours!

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Yavapai Humane Society Board of Directors is recruiting new members

John Tarro served YHS
since 2000

Effective Aug. 6, John Tarro submitted his resignation from the Yavapai Humane Society Board of Directors. He has decided to relocate to the Seattle area to be closer to family and friends.

John served on the YHS board as an officer and a member since 2002. Before joining the board, John and his wife Sandy (now deceased) volunteered with YHS beginning in 2000 when they first moved to Prescott to retire. John played a significant role in many progressive YHS accomplishments over the years. John is loved and respected by the YHS staff and, although he will be missed, we are grateful that he has agreed to continue his involvement long-distance by serving on the YHS Governance Committee.

With John's departure from the board, YHS has begun recruiting individuals interested in serving on our board of directors. We are looking for persons with several years of executive experience leading people, projects, programs or companies. YHS relies on its directors to provide guidance in establishing policies, implementing strategies and achieving goals. The fiduciary nature of the position requires directors to be able to read, understand and offer suggestions and comments on financial statements.

YHS is looking for board directors who can bring specific expertise in key areas needed to provide proper oversight of the organization's activities. We are specifically looking for individuals with expertise in legal, financial management, risk management, human resources, marketing, or fundraising or philanthropic activities.

A key asset of a prospective board member is the relationships he or she has established and can use to help YHS accomplish its goals. This could be access to community leaders and groups, influential individuals, grassroots organizations, or government contacts. YHS especially looks to the ability of each board member to provide relationships that aid in raising life-saving funds.

Board directors should be able to commit the time necessary to responsibly fulfill their commitment to YHS. This includes board training, analyzing financial statements, reviewing board documents before board meetings, attending board meetings, serving on committees, attending fund raising events, and making donor calls among other responsibilities.

Individuals selected to serve on the YHS Board of Directors will be joining one of the most progressive and innovative animal welfare organizations in the state of Arizona, if not the nation. Western Yavapai County was recently recognized by the well-respected animal welfare publication, Animal People, as the third-safest community for pets in the United States (tied with San Francisco). This ranking is directly related to and the result of the outstanding programs developed and implemented by YHS.

One of the best ways to obtain a broader understanding of the work and programs of YHS is to attend the upcoming Reigning Cats & Dogs Dinner and Auction Gala. You will also be able to meet all the YHS directors, management team and many of the staff and volunteers at this event.

Individuals interested in serving on the YHS Board are invited to submit an application. Applications can be found on-line at www.yavapaihumane.org/board or by coming to the YHS Animal Center at 1625 Sundog Ranch Road.

I also want to remind everyone that this year's Reigning Cats & Dogs Gala is a celebration of YHS' 40th anniversary. Be sure to get your tickets now because last year we sold out quickly.

The gala is scheduled for Saturday evening, Sept. 8 at the Prescott Resort. Purchase tickets on-line at www.yavapaihumane.org, at any YHS location or by calling 445-2666. Tickets are $100 each or a table for 10 can be purchased for just $900. I look forward to seeing you there!

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

STAR up DATE...

See Bossley and Kelly's story below.

This past weekend stargazers observed the peak of the spectacular Perseids falling star season. Named for the constellation Perseus, from which the falling stars appear to originate, the shower is actually the result of Earth crossing the debris trail of the Swift-Tuttle comet, discovered in 1862, whose trail of rock and dust still circle our sun.

Throughout August, weather permitting we will be treated to exquisite showers streaking through the velvety dark night. As we cross the comet trail falling stars with long shimmering tails hit the Earth's atmosphere at 140,000 miles per hour - inducing gasps of wonder as they blaze across the sky in less time than it takes to say "meteor."

The Perseids were particularly striking this past weekend in Prescott, AZ because they coincided with beautiful summer weather, weekend viewing opportunities, and a dark night sky inhibited only by a thin crescent moon that rose three hours before the Sun. At the shower’s peak as many as a dozen meteors might be seen every hour.

Each year at this time another, less pleasant, spectacle is forecast with the same astronomical certainty. I'm referring to the shower of lost and homeless dogs and cats rescued by the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS). Each summer YHS marks its calendar in reluctant anticipation of the hundreds of lost and homeless animals expected to fall into our atmosphere, tails tucked between their legs with fear and foreboding, unlike the flamboyant tails of the Perseids.

Many of these animals are injured, abused or ill and require special medical treatment. The trajectory for these animals was once tragically similar to the silent extinguishing of a shooting star in the black night sky. Without the needed resources to care for them, euthanasia was the only humane solution.

However, that all changed when YHS launched the STAR program during the Perseids one year ago. One year later the STAR (Special Treatment And Recovery) program has enabled YHS to better care for our community's neediest animals than ever before, nursing them back to healthy before placing them into loving homes.

The STAR program represents a community-wide commitment to help these animals. Your support of the STAR program allows YHS to swear off euthanasia as a solution and ensure no animal who comes through our doors is killed out of convenience or a lack of resources. For every one of them there is somewhere a kind and loving person or family and it is our mission to bring them together.

Today, rather than resembling falling stars snuffed out in the blink of an eye, these animals are transformed into bright and shining stars emblematic of our community's compassion. Visit our website www.yavapaihumane.org/star to read the amazing testimonies of our STAR animals. Animals like Mimi, our very first STAR animal, and Trudy, Sunset, Hassy, Buddy, Waste Management, a personal favorite, Heather, Pancake, Thor and so many others. Each of whom is in a loving home today; had it not been for the STAR program each of them would be little more, or less, than a memory today.

These animals have a fighting chance at quality life today only because of your donations to the YHS STAR program; your gift directly saves lives.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to help the Yavapai Humane Society’s STAR animals can send a donation online (www.yavapaihumane.org/star) or can mail a check to YHS at 1625 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. Together we are turning our community into a truly humane society – and we can’t do it without you!

For information on donating, adopting, or fostering visit the YHS website or call 445-2666, ext. 20.

The two STAR Chihuahuas pictured above were rescued from an inexperienced backyard breeder unable to properly care for them. Bossley (left) is a 6-month-old male and Kelly (right) is a 6-year-old female. The dogs appear to be related. An abdominal midline scar on Kelly indicates a possible C-section. Each had a nonfunctional rear limb. Radiographs found that both dogs appeared to suffer from congenital anomalies and not fractures. The limbs appeared to have never been functional, with no chance they ever would be. They were amputated to enhance both dogs’ quality of life. Kelly has a heart murmur and cleft lip (another congenital anomaly). Both dogs are friendly and sweet and have been adopted; however, YHS needs your help to care for other animals in need like Bossley and Kelly. Please read the accompanying article for more information on the YHS STAR program and how you can help.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

CDC warns of Internet scams involving pets

See Holi's story below.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning U.S. citizens to beware of Internet scammers who are falsely representing themselves as CDC employees in emails.

In this scam, victims are asked to send money overseas to adopt a dog. The "importer" tells the victim that a CDC quarantine station is holding the dog and lists numerous conditions that must be met, including payment of fees, before the dog can be released.  

The CDC does not quarantine dogs, nor does it require a fee to bring them into the country.

The CDC is cautioning consumers to be aware of the potential for fraud involving the commercial trade of animals. Similar scams have been reported involving cats or monkeys. In these scams, victims respond to newspaper or Internet ads that offer animals for adoption in exchange for shipping costs.

Typically, the person offering the animal for adoption lives in another country and claims to be looking for a good home for the animal. Victims pay shipping fees up front but never receive the animal. In many cases, after funds have been sent abroad, they learn that the animal never existed or they are told that it is illegal to import certain animals (such as primates) as pets.

Tips for avoiding animal adoption scams

• Be extremely cautious of offers for animal adoptions from overseas.

• Check all references the importer provides.

• Independently verify each piece of information. For example, if the importer gives you the telephone number of the airline they are using to send the animal, look up the telephone number for that airline and call the airline to verify the shipping information provided by the importer.

• Avoid situations in which money is requested before shipment.

• Learn about federal requirements for shipping animals such as dogs, cats, and monkeys by reading "Bringing an Animal into the United States" which can be found at www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/BringingAnimalToUs.html.

• Report scams to the Internet site or newspaper posting the classified advertisement, and consider reporting Internet fraud to federal authorities. You can do that at www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Internet_Fraud.shtml

• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

In addition to the proliferation of Internet pet adoption scams, the Yavapai Humane Society is reminding residents of the risks inherent in buying a pet from a pet store. As U.S. authorities continue to crack down on unscrupulous domestic breeders, the vacuum is being filled by overseas puppy mills.

There are hundreds of thousands of puppy mills around the world (over 720,000 in South Korea alone) that produce untold millions of puppies annually. Using the Internet, importers bypass federal and local government inspections and avoid importation requirements. Although Congress passed a law banning the importation of dogs under 6 months old for resale, there is no serious enforcement of that law.

With rare exceptions, when you buy a puppy from a pet store you are just as likely to be supporting a cruel puppy mill as you would be supporting an illegal drug cartel should you purchase drugs from a pusher on the street.

Local and international puppy mill scams will continue until people stop buying their pets. Putting these scoundrels out of business should be the goal of every animal lover. In the quad-city area your best bet is don't shop, adopt from the Yavapai Humane Society where you will always find a wide selection of healthy, well-socialized puppies and adult dogs - including purebreds - just waiting for that special home: yours.

Note: Reigning Cats & Dogs Gala tickets and Taos raffle tickets are available on-line. You are especially invited to participate in the Yavapai Humane Society's 40th anniversary celebration!

The dog in the photo above is Holli, a 2-year-old female dachshund rescued by YHS. Weighing in at 12 pounds, she is sweet and social with all people and likes nothing more than to sit on your lap or be held. She would probably be okay around other polite dogs her size. There is considerable interest in Holli, who will be available for adoption by silent auction at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at YHS, 1625 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Keeping your eye on the ball: keys to Yavapai Humane Society success

Baseball great Tony La Russa has taught Ed Boks well!

Congratulations to the Yavapai Humane Society's Furious Furballs for becoming the 2012 City of Prescott Summer Softball Wednesday Co-Rec E Champions!

Watching the Furballs this year reminded me how baseball is useful metaphor for life. Consider the expression "keep your eye on the ball." According to the Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms, it means, "to give your complete attention to what you are doing or want to achieve." Sounds simple enough, but how easy is that?

Well, the Journal of Recreational Mathematics claims that keeping your eye on a pitched baseball is next to impossible. The human eye cannot track a pitch thrown in excess of 90 miles per hour. To do so the body has to respond at a rate in excess of 1,000 degrees per second. Studies show the human limit is on the order of 90 degrees per second. Consequently, batters lose track of the ball as it nears the plate and must subconsciously extrapolate its trajectory in order to hit it. Amateur batters lose sight of the ball about 9 feet away while professionals lose sight at about 5.5 feet.

Applying this metaphor to our goal to end the killing of animals to control pet overpopulation, we could ask if we will lose sight of it the closer it gets.  In my last blog I reported western Yavapai County in Arizona is among the top three communities in the U.S. with the lowest and fastest declining pet euthanasia rate. So the question I am asking today is can we keep our eye on the ball as it comes barreling towards us?

How well a team keeps its eye on the ball is demonstrated by statistics. Statistics play an important role in summarizing baseball performance - just as they do in evaluating animal shelter performance. In both arenas, we look for statistical significance to determine whether results reflect a pattern or mere chance.

For instance, we see a pattern emerge in the Furious Furballs' win/loss record over the past three years. In 2010, the team won one game and lost nine. Last year they won four and lost six. This year they won 10 in a row and became the division champions. This is a statistically significant pattern.

We find a similar pattern when we analyze three YHS statistics over the past three years (ending July 31). The live release rate (which refers to the number of animals getting out of the shelter alive) climbed from 71 percent in 2010 to 87 percent in 2011 to 94 percent in 2012. That may seem unimpressive until you realize this number represents four more lives adopted into loving homes every day of the year, for an additional 1,460 lives saved!

When we examine the number of animals killed annually we find this number declined 68 percent in 2010, followed by a 60 percent reduction in 2011, which translates into an 87 percent reduction over the past two years. This means only animals who are irremediably suffering or dangerously aggressive are being euthanized - the very definition of "no-kill."

Then there is the statistic that put YHS in the Hall of Fame - the number of animals killed per 1,000 human residents. This number fell steadily from 17.25 in 2009 to 1.3 in 2012, which is the third lowest rate in the nation. While sharing these statistics may sound like boasting, remember what another Hall of Famer, Dizzy Dean, said, "It ain't bragging if you can do it."

Both YHS teams have demonstrated they can do it! Congratulations, Furballs and YHS employees, volunteers, partners and supporters for knocking it out of the park! Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships."

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Yavapai County 3rd safest community in U.S for pets

See Tito's story below.

A recent analysis of U.S. animal shelter killing reports western Yavapai County is among the safest pet communities in the United States. For 19 years ANIMAL PEOPLE magazine has published the analysis, which has become the industry standard for monitoring shelter killing trends.

The annual analysis compares the per capita kill rate of dogs and cats in communities across the nation. The rate is determined by dividing the number of animals killed per 1,000 residents. For instance, if a community of 500,000 people kills 5,000 dogs and cats per year, you divide 5,000 animals by 500 (groups of 1,000 people) to determine a kill rate of 10 animals per 1,000 residents. This epidemiological statistic puts every community on equal footing and compares apples to apples.

Thus, the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) kill rate was determined by dividing the number of animals killed over the past 12 months (213) by the 2010 U.S. Census estimate for western Yavapai County (154,482 or 213/154 = 1.3).

ANIMAL PEOPLE reports the annual death toll of shelter animals in the U.S is 3 million; and the national kill rate is 9.6 pets killed per 1,000 humans. The average kill rate in the Mountain States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah) is 9.7.

Sadly, the analysis also reveals most Arizona communities kill at a significantly higher rate than the national or regional averages. For example, the kill rate in Maricopa County is 12.7; Pima County is 21.9; Mohave County is 33.3 and the Navajo Nation is 33.5.

Although YHS had a 17.25 kill rate two years ago, a rate significantly higher than the national average, the report found western Yavapai County is now among the safest pet communities in the nation. Whidbey Island, Wash., has the lowest kill rate at .8 pets per 1,000 humans, followed by New York City at 1.0. San Francisco and western Yavapai County tied for third place at 1.3.

Merritt Clifton, publisher of ANIMAL PEOPLE and compiler of the annual kill rate analysis said of YHS progress, "This is excellent and the fastest drop I've ever seen."

The good news doesn't stop there. When you break down the western Yavapai County kill rate even further a significant and wonderful story unfolds. Three local municipalities actually emerge among the nation's most elite humane communities. The Town of Prescott Valley leads with a kill rate of 0; Chino Valley is a close second at .5; and the City of Prescott is not far behind at 1.1. The unincorporated portion of western Yavapai County weighs in at 2.5.

The actual number of animals euthanized at YHS fell 63 percent from FY10 to FY11, and another 65 percent over the past 12 months. Since July 2010 killing plummeted 87 percent. This rapid decline in killing follows implementation of an innovative philosophy called "the no-kill ethic." Simply defined, the no-kill ethic applies the same criteria when deciding a shelter animal's fate that a loving pet owner or conscientious veterinarian would apply to a beloved pet.

The result may be better understood as four additional animal lives saved each and every day of the year - which translates into 95 percent of all the animals rescued by YHS ultimately finding loving homes.

If you are an animal lover, you are invited to celebrate this remarkable success at this year's Reigning Cats & Dogs Dinner Gala Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Prescott Resort. Tickets are on sale now. Call YHS at 445-2666 or visit our website at www.yavapaihumane.org to purchase your tickets today. Tickets are $100 each; a table for 10 is $900. I look forward to seeing you there!

The dog in the picture above is Tito, a 6-month-old boxer. He came to YHS as a lost dog on the Fourth of July. He is all puppy, but knows some basic obedience. He sits on command and shakes hands and paws. Multiple people have expressed interest in adopting Tito so an adoption silent auction will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 28, during YHS’s Empty the Shelter Weekend.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

All the animal news fit to print

See Lucky's story below.

If you're an animal lover, you're invited to celebrate the Yavapai Humane Society's 40th anniversary at this year's Reigning Cats & Dogs Dinner Gala and Silent Auction. The gala is scheduled for Saturday evening, Sept. 8, at the Prescott Resort. Tickets are on sale now. Call YHS at 445-2666 or visit our website at http://www.yavapaihumane.org/ to purchase your tickets today. Tickets are $100 each, or $900 for a table for 10. I look forward to seeing you there!

Raffle tickets for the Reigning Cats & Dogs Grand Prize are also available. Imagine winning a three-night stay at the AAA Four Diamond award-winning El Monte Sagrado Resort in Taos, N.M. The resort was featured in Travel and Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, and is on their elite Gold List. With sunlit fish-filled streams, tropical flora and the sounds of calming waterfalls, the nurturing effects begin the moment you arrive. Should you opt for a winter visit, a ski shuttle runs daily to Taos Ski Valley. El Monte Sagrado ensures a level of personalized pampering you won't soon forget. For more information on the resort or to purchase raffle tickets, visit http://www.yavapaihumane.org/; tickets are also available at the YHS Thrift Shop, Spay/Neuter Clinic and by calling 445-266. You do not have to be present to win. Only 2,000 tickets will be sold at $5 each, or five for $20.

YHS has new hours: YHS is now open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Tuesdays.  The new hours are to accomodate our new Enrichment Program.

Adoption Special: YHS is promoting an adoption special on all Certified Pre-Owned Cats! That's right, $0 down; $0 financing; and no payments EVER! Nose to tail, multi-point inspection and catjack (microchip) included. (Testing fees apply.) This means all cats and kittens are available for the price you pick. This is a $400 value (including spay/neuter surgery, microchip, vaccinations, etc.) for the price you can afford. All dogs and puppies can be adopted for $25 and come with the same high valued adoption package.

Microchips: This is the busiest time of the year for YHS. With the rodeo, parades, fireworks and thunderstorms, we rescue more terrified lost pets than any other time of the year. Getting your lost pet back to you quickly and safely is our highest priority. To do this better YHS has lowered the price of a microchip to $20. You can have your pet microchipped from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the YHS Lost & Found Pet Center, 1625 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott Valley, or any Friday at the YHS Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic located at 2989 Centerpointe East in Prescott. Don't delay, protect your pet today!

Spay/Neuter Special: Are you looking to save your furniture from scratches and snags? Get a free nail trim for your pet cat at the time you schedule a spay/neuter surgery for him/her. Just mention this offer when you call to schedule your appointment at 771-0547.

Thrifter Alert: Have you been by the YHS Thrift Shop located at 1046 Willow Creek Road lately? Come by to see our new look, lower prices and great bargains. All this for a great cause to help fund our life-saving programs!

From clothing and household items to jewelry and more, the YHS Thrift Shop is loaded with great deals for every bargain hound! If you're moving, downsizing or just cleaning, please consider donating to YHS Thrift Shop. We respectfully request donated items be saleable and in good condition. When you drop off your donations, take a moment to shop our fine collectibles, jewelry, antiques and other treasures. If needed, we do fetch large items; call 445-5668 to schedule a pickup.

The dog in the picture above is Lucky, a 7-year-old male purebred wirehaired Jack Russell terrier with a high play drive. He comes with the tennis ball. YHS often has purebred dogs available for adoption, and this month all dogs are just $25. Adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, microchip and vaccinations – a $400 value. If you are 59 or older, all adoption fees are waived. Donations are appreciated.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Lifetime of love recklessly abandoned

Sage and Whiskey are
available for adoption at YHS

It's not uncommon for Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) employees to hear someone visiting our Lost & Found Pet Center say, "I could never do your job. I love animals too much." Or "How can you do this job?" I am gratified by the response I hear from our compassionate employees: "How could you not?"

YHS employees struggle every day with the comments and actions of some of our patrons. For instance, an employee, in tears, handed me this note one recent morning. The note was handwritten on a scrap of paper. It was found attached to our front gate. It said, "Tan dog - Whiskey. Other dog - Sage. They are sisters about 13 years old. We lost our home. Please take good care of them. They are great with children. Like to run. We will miss them so very much."

After I read the note, the employee, still in tears, told me she found two leashes tied to the front gate - but the dogs had chewed through them and were gone. It was difficult not to contemplate how dangerous the Prescott Lakes Parkway would be for two terrified 13-year-old dogs abandoned in a strange place during the predawn hours, trying desperately to find their runaway owners.

I understand these are difficult times, and I am not unsympathetic or unaffected by them. But I do know that losing a home is a process, a process that allows ample time to get one's affairs in order. Thirteen years - only to be tied to a fence and made to watch their beloved guardians walk back to the car and drive away.

When was the decision made to abandon the pets (a class 6 felony in the state of Arizona by the way)? Was it while the family was packing the car to leave town? "Honey, what about the dogs?"

Did the author of the note know the dogs were "good with kids" because they served as nanny dogs helping to raise his children for 13 years? The very children made to sit in the back seat as they watched their pets tied to a fence and heard their cries of distress as they drove away.

We often hear how we must be prepared to respond to fires, floods and earthquakes. In fact, following Katrina, a federal law was enacted that requires pet owners and first responders to include pets in all disaster response plans. Preparing for a disaster takes planning.

The same is true for a financial disaster. In fact, we have an advantage in financial disasters because they don't happen as suddenly and often provide enough time to make arrangements for our pets. Abandoning a pet at an animal shelter should be a last resort after talking to family, friends and neighbors. Financial setbacks are often temporary and with proper planning you can arrange to have your pets returned after you've recovered.

Sadly, Whiskey and Sage were given no more thought than it took to tie them to a fence with a hope and a prayer coyotes wouldn't devour them before dawn. Fortunately, both were ultimately rescued from the road and are now safely at YHS.

Sage and Whiskey are closely bonded. Calm and mature, Sage still loves jovial activity and will run beside you with her tail wagging, then settle down and lean in for affection. Whiskey is a delightful dog who can prance and be silly, too. Both dogs are sociable with people, other dogs, and are fabulous companions with superb leash training. Both are available for adoption today and qualify for our Seniors for Seniors program, which means if you are 59 years of age or older you can adopt these wonderful dogs for free!

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

July 4th the most dangerous night of the year for pets

Read Sol's story below.

The Fourth of July is a time for outdoor celebrations, picnics, barbecues, and of course, fireworks. Before you pack up to go to the lake or the outdoor arena, stadium or even your own front yard to enjoy the pyrotechnic delights of the holiday, be extra aware of your pets' needs and fears.

The Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) experiences a significant increase in the number of lost (and injured) pets brought to our Lost & Found Pet Center after every July 4 holiday.

"The day after the Fourth of July is hands down the busiest day of the year at YHS, with people turning in lost pets or looking for lost animals," said Kim Lytle, manager of the YHS Lost & Found Pet Center, located at 1625 Sundog Ranch Road off Prescott Lakes Parkway in Prescott.

Even pets that are normally calm and obedient can show unpredictable behavior when frightened. Dogs and cats can become frightened or confused by the excitement and loud noises of the holiday. YHS has rescued terrified pets that have chewed through tethers, jumped through plate glass windows or over fences, and escaped "secure" enclosures.

Dogs attempting to flee the frightening, and even painful noises of the fireworks may lose their sense of direction and run long distances, risking injury or death as they dart in and out of traffic. This is one of the most dangerous times of year for your pets.

Up close, Fourth of July fireworks can burn or injure your pets, but even if they are far away, they still pose a unique danger to your companion animals.

To minimize the danger to Fido or Fluffy on this most raucous patriotic holiday, take these few simple steps before you set out to celebrate this Fourth of July:

• Keep pets indoors in an enclosed, familiar area to minimize fear. If possible, turn on a radio to mask the noise of the fireworks or other celebratory noises.

• If your pet is excitable, consult with your veterinarian ahead of time to arrange administration of a proper calming drug.

• If you have to be away for an extended time, board your pets with family or friends you trust and can assure you that the pet will be kept confined and cared for.

• Always be sure your pet has a current license and/or microchip. A microchip is the best identification for a pet because it is always with him and it makes it easier for YHS to find you should the unthinkable happens and your pet manages to escape.

• Even if you think your pet is OK with fireworks and noise, do not let him out when fireworks are being lit and set off. The pet may run at them and sustain serious burns, or bolt and run.

If your pet happens to escape during the holiday festivities, be diligent in visiting your local shelters, and posting "Lost Dog" or "Lost Cat" signs and canvassing surrounding neighborhoods. Place a yard sign in front of your house with a picture of your pet and your phone number. People who find lost pets will often walk or drive around the area attempting to find the owner. Remember, fright can drive an animal to new and unfamiliar grounds, many miles from your home. So exhaust all avenues. This Fourth of July holiday can be the best ever if you take these precautions to keep your pets safe and happy while you enjoy the festivities without having to worry about them.

Sol is a 4-year-old neutered Australian shepherd rescued from a foreclosed home, abandoned and left two weeks without food and only toilet water to drink – and no air conditioning. A survivor, Sol recovered remarkably from a state of severe dehydration and depression, unable to even walk. Today Sol is a happy boy with a tender heart who will lean in for attention and petting. A home with older, respectful children and possibly another pet could be a good match for him. You are invited to visit YHS for a meet and greet with his handsome guy.

Email Ed at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Much to celebrate at the Yavapai Humane Society

See Randy's Story Below

The Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. I launched the year with a column explaining how wonderful it would be if YHS could celebrate this milestone year with a new X-ray machine.

Thanks to the generosity of several individuals and a significant gift from a foundation wishing to remain anonymous, YHS was able to purchase this life-saving equipment. I want to publicly thank all those who made this miracle a reality!

An X-ray machine significantly enhances YHS's ability to diagnose and treat critical-needs animals more efficiently and humanely - resulting in more lives saved. The X-ray machine helps ensure every critically injured or severely ill animal YHS rescues has a fighting chance at a quality life.

Now that YHS has this wonderful tool, I am making a special plea for donations to our Special Treatment and Recovery (STAR) fund. Donations to the STAR program provide funds to care for the medical needs of animals that might be euthanized otherwise. The STAR fund is where we go when we need special medicines, X-rays, medical tests and reconstructive surgeries that our budget just can't support.

Through the STAR program the entire community can participate in making sure injured and sick animals receive the care they need. Please consider making a contribution to this special program. You can read about some of our wonderful STAR animals by visiting www.yavapaihumane.org/star.

Speaking of our 40th anniversary celebration, be sure to save the date for this year's Reigning Cats & Dogs Dinner and Auction Gala on Saturday evening, Sept. 8, at the Prescott Resort.

A special feature this year is the 40th anniversary essay contest called "40 Years of Saving Lives, 40 Years of Memories."

You are invited to share your personal heart-warming animal story in the form of an essay (500 words or less), poem, song, video or photograph. Humorous or heart-tugging entries with a direct association with YHS are welcomed. Entries are limited to three. Entries will be submitted to the judges anonymously, making the contest open to all, including volunteers and former and current employees. There are no age limitations.

The contest judges are Connie Martin, YHS Volunteer; Becky Garvin, Special Event Manager, Prescott Tourism Office; Steve Sischka, Olsen's Grain and YHS Advisor; Sandy Griffis, Yavapai Country Contractors Association; Steve Bracety, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President and Prescott Resort GM; Gloria Hershman, President of YHS; and yours truly.

The grand prize is two tickets to the Reigning Cats & Dogs Gala where the winning entry will be recognized ($200 value).

The first runner-up will win a certificate for a free spay or neuter surgery for a family pet or a friend's pet at the YHS Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic (up to $100 value). The second runner-up will win a $25 gift certificate to the YHS Thrift Shop. All winners and honorable mentions will be featured on the YHS website.

If you want to participate in the 40th anniversary essay contest, email your entry to info@yavapaihumane.org or mail your entry to Yavapai Humane Society, 40 Years of Memories Essay Contest, 1625 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott, AZ 86301.

Entry deadline is Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012; winner notification is Friday, Aug. 17, 2012. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and email address. By submitting your entry, you permit YHS to reproduce it on the YHS website and other media. For more information on the Essay Contest, visit www.yavapaihumane.org/contest.

If you would like to donate an item to the Gala Silent Auction, or be a Personal or Corporate Sponsor, contact YHS at 445-2666 ext.12 for more information.

The cat in the picture above is Randy, a 6 year old gray tabby recovering from a crushed pelvis that occured when he was hit by a car.  Randy is alive today thanks to the YHS X-ray machine and the Special Treatment And Recovery (STAR) fund.  Please help YHS help animals like Randy by sending a donation to the YHS STAR Program.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Protect your pets from harmful 4th of July noises



See Shaggy Shane's story below

It's that time of year again - the 4th of July is right around the corner. The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) estimates that more than 14,000 fireworks displays light up U.S. skies each 4th of July. The APA also reports that fireworks are more popular than ever, and backyard fireworks more than doubled between 2000 (102 million pounds sold) and 2007 (238 million pounds).

It's also the time of year when we are treated to the wonderful sounds of many talented musicians entertaining in the courthouse plaza. These nightly serenades epitomize our sense of community. Families, couples and neighbors gather together at the end of a long hot summer day to relax and enjoy each other's company.

It may seem intuitive to bring the family dog to these fun events. However, the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) wants you to know that some events can be harmful to the family dog. Loud noises easily tolerated by humans can be extremely painful to dogs.

Dogs hear a wider range of frequencies than humans. The low end of the range is similar, but dogs hear noises up to 45 kHz, while humans can only hear sounds up to about 23 kHz. This means your dog is hearing and responding to sounds that you can't hear at all.

Dogs are known to be sensitive to loud sounds. Although there is no scientific data determining exactly which audio frequencies cause pain in canines, veterinarians and dog behaviorists agree that high frequencies can be painful to dogs.

Dogs actually perceive sound by feeling as well as hearing. The frequencies dogs perceive and hear are almost twice as many as humans and they can pick up and distinguish sounds at roughly four times the range of humans. For example, a sound you hear at 20 meters your dog can detect, pinpoint and interpret at 80 meters.

That is because your dog has specially designed inner ears that operate almost like radar. Your dog has eighteen or more muscles that can tilt, rotate, raise or lower each of his ears. With these specially designed ears your dog not only hears sounds, he can also perceive the height and depth of the sounds he hears. Because dogs have the ability to hear ultra-high frequencies that you can't, they will react to the vibrations of airplanes, sirens and even earthquakes long before you are aware of them.

A dog's hearing is so sensitive that continued sharp or percussive noises can cause real suffering. Many people attribute a dog's pathological fear of thunderstorms, explosives and loud music to a bad experience as a puppy, when the real reason for his cringing could be physical pain.

Very loud sounds can hurt your dog's ears and if a sound seems too loud to you, it is more than doubly so to your dog. So, be kind, refrain from bringing your best friend to painful events.

If you know your pet is distressed by loud noises, consult your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to alleviate his anxiety during the fireworks and upcoming thunderstorm season. Never leave pets outside unattended during these times. In their fear, pets who wouldn't normally leave the yard may escape risking injury or death. According to national statistics, lost pet calls increased 69 percent during 4th of July festivities in 2011.

Make sure pets are microchipped so YHS can quickly return them to you. You can microchip your pet for $20 at YHS, 1605 Sundog Ranch Road, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or at the YHS Spay/Neuter Clinic, 2989 Centerpointe East, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on any Friday.

The Dog is the picture above is Shaggy Shane.  When rescued by YHS he was one big knotted mat. The groomers gave Shaggy an A++ for being so well-mannered and enjoyable to work with. Shaggy Shane, a 3-year-old Dandie Dinmont terrier mix, loves people, walks great on the leash and meets other dogs with considerate interest. He responds to silly childlike antics, engaging with his handler before happily sitting down and offering his paw for a shake. He should be a great pet for younger children. Shaggy will be available for adoption by auction on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at YHS 1625 Sundog Ranch Road in Prescott.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

How Yavapai Humane Society cares for the neediest animals



YHS volunteer Ruth Steffes
provided hospice care during
the final weeks of Hershey’s life.

The Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) subscribes to the ethic that all life is sacred; and homeless pets ought not to be killed simply because of a lack of space, resources or out of convenience. This ethic leads to taking responsibility for the animals in our care, rather than excusing problems and hiding consequences.

The most difficult animals for any shelter to care for are those suffering from a disease, injury or congenital or hereditary condition likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future. Animal shelters across the United States almost universally support euthanasia for these animals. It is for these animals that YHS launched an innovative hospice program.

Providing hospice care for animals like Hershey is the right thing to do. Hershey was a 10-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever found lost and alone by a Good Samaritan at Lynx Lake. How he came to be lost is pure speculation. Perhaps out-of-towners lost him during a day hike and were unable to find him, so left him behind - not knowing his fate, fearing the worst.

When YHS rescued Hershey, he had no identification or name. If he had a microchip, YHS could have found his owner and Hershey could have spent his last days at home. That is, if his owner even wanted him anymore. A less appealing speculation is that the owner knew Hershey's medical conditions were serious and felt the only way to deal with it was to abandon him in the woods, to let nature take its course.

Whatever the reason for him being lost, on Thursday, March 15 he was found. YHS named him Hershey because of his color and disposition (everybody loves chocolate). There was never a time Hershey's tail wasn't wagging.

At first we thought we were simply dealing with a lost dog with a pesky skin condition. Ruth Steffes, a longtime YHS partner who specializes in rescuing and re-homing Golden Retrievers was smitten by Hershey and volunteered to foster him.

At her request and expense, Ruth took Hershey to Dr. Hufford at Thumb Butte Animal Hospital where the good doctor discovered additional complications - including a large tumor attached to Hershey's spleen. Due to Hershey's age and condition, he was not a candidate for surgery. Dr. Hufford worked with Ruth to stabilize Hershey's condition through his final weeks, making sure he was pain free and able to enjoy life.

And Hershey did enjoy his last weeks of life with Ruth (an angel disguised as a human). However, on Memorial Day, the swelling in Hershey's abdomen increased. He lost control of his bladder and could not lie down comfortably. Two days later, the decision was made to end Hershey's suffering.

The YHS Hospice program extended Hershey's quality of life over two months. While two months may not seem worth the effort, remember we're talking dog months. A dog can pack a lot of life and love into two months, and Hershey did just that, touching many of us.

Hershey was lovingly helped to the Rainbow Bridge by Ruth and her good friend, Robin Fox. The two ladies held him close to their hearts as he peacefully slipped away, a far cry from dying alone in the woods.

If you would like more information on providing short-term hospice care or other types of foster care please consider enrolling in one of our life-affirming programs. YHS routinely provides all the medical care the animal will need, including euthanasia when the time comes. All you need to provide is food (which we can help with), water, shelter and love. If interested, call 445-2666, ext. 18.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Summer Tips to keep your pet safe

Memorial Day signaled the unofficial start of summer and the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) wants to remind everyone to think carefully about how the warm weather may impact their pets. Meteorologists are predicting a warmer than average summer so it's important to take extra precautions this year, whether taking a walk, going for a drive or just enjoying the backyard with your pet.

Be safe outdoors: While Fido may leap at the opportunity for a joy ride, leaving a pet alone in a parked car during warm weather can be deadly. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day the temperature inside a car, even with the windows cracked open, can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes, and after 30 minutes the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Even when the temperature outside is a balmy 72 degrees, the temperature inside your car can rocket to a fatal 116 degrees in less than an hour.

Keep in mind that exercising in the summer heat is just as uncomfortable for your dog as it is for you. Take your walks in the early mornings or late evening, not in the heat of midday, and remember that the hot pavement can seriously burn your dog's paws.

Keep your dog secure safely inside moving cars whenever you travel. Letting your dog travel with his head outside an open window is dangerous-flying particles and debris can cause eye damage, and some pets have actually fallen out of moving vehicles. Dogs should never ride unsecured in the back of pickup trucks, regardless of how fast you are moving.

Beware loud noises: Summer is a time of thunder, fireworks and loud music in the courthouse plaza. Loud noises tolerated by humans are painful to dogs. The frequencies dogs hear are twice as many as humans, and they can hear and distinguish sounds at four times the range of humans. For example, a sound you hear at 20 meters your dog can detect, pinpoint and interpret at 80 meters.

A dog's hearing is so sensitive that continued sharp or percussive noises can cause real suffering. Many people attribute a dog's pathological fear of thunderstorms or explosives to a bad experience as a puppy, when the real reason for his cringing is physical pain.

The days after a fireworks display or thunderstorm are the busiest at YHS because so many dogs escape from home and yards in reaction to these loud noises. Keep your pets indoors during these times and make sure they are microchipped so we can find you should they escape and find us.

Environmental hazards: Heartworms, ticks and fleas are more of a problem in warmer months and can cause serious health problems. Contact the YHS Wellness Clinic (771-0547) about products to help keep your pet healthy and parasite free.

Keep your feline friends safe and content indoors by providing them with cat grass, window perches, and other tools that bring the great outdoors inside. Or consider screening in a porch or outdoor patio where you can allow your kitty some safe outdoor time. Also, many cats can be easily trained to walk on a harness (never just use a collar and leash), allowing you both to enjoy leisure time in the yard.

Avoid using cocoa mulch, pesticides, fertilizers and other gardening products that pose hazards to pets, and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

Summertime is fire season. Remember, in an evacuation never leave your pets behind - if conditions aren't safe for you, they're not safe for your pets. Visit yavapaihumane.org/preparedness for tips on disaster preparedness.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Brain scans may soon tell us what our dogs are thinking

See Hope's Story Below

What does your dog see when he gazes at you adoringly? A best friend? A pack leader? A can opener? While many of us draw countless inferences regarding what our dog may be thinking about us, no one has actually captured images of the canine thought process - until now.

Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta have developed a new methodology for scanning the brains of alert dogs. The Public Library of Science will soon publish their results, which will show how the brains of dogs reacted to hand signals given by their owners.

The technique uses harmless functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), the same tool that is unlocking the secrets of the human brain.

"It was amazing to see the first brain images of a fully awake, unrestrained dog," said Gregory Berns, a neuroeconomist and director of the Emory Center for Neuropolicy, and lead researcher of the dog project.

It is hoped this research will open new understanding into canine cognition and inter-species communication. The research is innovative in that it is exploring the dog-human relationship from the dog's perspective.

Two dogs are involved in the project. Callie is a 2-year-old Feist, which is a squirrel-hunting dog developed from crossbreeding various hunting breeds in the rural southern United States. Berns adopted Callie when she was 9 months old from an animal shelter.

McKenzie is a 3-year-old border collie, who was already well trained in agility competition by her owner, Melissa Cate.

Both dogs were trained to walk into an fMRI scanner and hold completely still while researchers measured their neural activity.

The researchers are attempting to decode the mental processes of dogs by recording which areas of their brains are activated by various stimuli. Ultimately, they hope to answer questions like: Do dogs have empathy? Do they know when their owners are happy or sad? How much language do they really understand?

The dogs were trained to respond to hand signals. One signal meant the dogs would receive a treat; another meant they would not. The caudate region of the brain, associated with rewards in humans, showed activation in both dogs when they saw the signal for a treat, but there was no such activity for the no-treat signal.

These findings support the Yavapai Humane Society's philosophy that dogs respond better to positive stimuli (rewards) than they do to negative (punishment).

"These results indicate dogs pay very close attention to human signals. And these signals may have a direct line to the dog's reward system," Berns says.

Dog lovers have always been aware that there is something special about our bond with dogs. No other animal loves us in quite the same way. Over thousands of years, a collective domestication has occurred in which humans formed an intense bond with dogs - and the admiration is almost always reciprocal. It is a love that only dogs and humans possess; begging the question - was the human capacity for love, sympathy, empathy, and compassion for nature and other species sparked by this unique bond?

Beginning Monday, June 4, the Yavapai Humane Society is launching a new brain-stimulating Enrichment Program. This program is designed to help improve the lives of the animals in our care. Effective June 4 YHS will open at 11 a.m., allowing us to dedicate a full hour (10-11 a.m.) each day to enrichment training and activities intended to help make our animals happier and more adoptable.

If you would like to help support YHS's many life-saving programs, please send a donation to 1625 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott AZ 86301, or make a donation online at http://www.yavapaihumane.org/.

The dog in the picture above is Hope - a true pit bull ambassador.  Hope was recently rescued from Best Friend's LA who had sent her to a high kill shelter.  Hope represents everything that is good about the breed. She is an affectionate and loyal 9-month-old puppy wanting only to please. She is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped and ready to be adopted at the Yavapa Humane Society today.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Yavapai Humane Society needs your help to sustain "No-Kill" status

In July 2010, the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) embraced a principle called "no-kill."

More than a policy and statistical objective, no-kill is an ethic, and once applied the practical consequences immediately fell into place. In less than two years, YHS decreased killing by 88 percent and is maintaining a 95 percent live release rate. That means 95 percent of the animals rescued by YHS are ultimately placed into loving homes. This life affirming revolution has made our community the safest for pets in the entire Mountain Region, which includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.

YHS defines no-kill as applying the same criteria for deciding a shelter animal's fate that a loving pet guardian or conscientious veterinarian would apply to an owned pet. That is, healthy and treatable animals are not killed simply because of a lack of room or resources to care for them.

The practice of killing animals has never been anyone's idea of a perfect solution - let alone anyone's idea of giving "shelter" to creatures in need. The willful elimination of healthy animals with good years left is enough to move the hardest heart. That is why YHS has made this commitment: No animal that comes through our doors will be killed out of convenience or a lack of space. For every one of them there is a kind and loving person or family - and it is our mission to bring them together.

Since swearing off euthanasia as a solution to pet overpopulation, YHS has received tremendous public support. This support made possible a $75,000 state of the art cattery, an $80,000 enrichment program which includes many facility and staff enhancements, a $45,000 X-ray machine, $20,000 in commercial laundry equipment, a $3,000 grooming station, $50,000 worth of solar energy equipment and many other amenities.

YHS is thankful to those who financially helped transform our agency into a modern, effective humane society through these purchases. But we also need help meeting the daily needs of our animals. These needs are more basic and more expensive; they include food, water, utilities, medicine and sufficient staff to care for the thousands of animals YHS rescues each year.

Many think local government helps pay for these services. In fact, the governments of Prescott, Prescott Valley and Yavapai County combined make up only 9 percent of the YHS budget. This means YHS depends on you to help us provide for the health, safety and welfare of homeless pets in our community.

How can you help? By becoming a monthly P.A.W.S. donor! When you join P.A.W.S. (Planned Automatic Withdrawal Service) an automatic monthly donation of your choice is sent to YHS without the hassle of writing and mailing in a check. Each month our secure system automatically processes your donation. You can sign up with Visa, MasterCard or Discover and choose the amount that feels comfortable to you. You can also change or cancel your participation at any time.

If everyone reading this article donated $1 a day - 30 bucks a month - YHS could confidently continue to save animals' lives, fight cruelty and rescue homeless animals in need. Participating in this program also entitles you to many YHS membership benefits.

Participation in P.A.W.S. is easy. Just go to www.YavapaiHumane.org/paws and choose a pre-set amount or designate your own monthly gift. Then check the box that says, "Repeat this donation every month" and enter how many months you want to repeat your gift. If you have any questions about P.A.W.S., give us call at 445-2666 ext. 21.

Together we can continue to make our community the safest for pets in all the Mountain Region!

Patches, Buttons, Popper and Topper are 3-month-old female kittens ready for adoption for just $40 each. Adoption includes spay surgery, vaccinations and a microchip. This foursome is featured on the YHS Kitty Cam, which you can view 24 hours a day at www.yavapaihumane.org/kittycam.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Yavapai Humane Society puts cats to work - to save their lives

YHS puts feral cats to work!

The Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) is fond of letting the cat out of the bag. I'm referring of course to the feral cats that roam residential neighborhoods, lurking about office buildings and commercial garages scavenging for food.

Unlike cats that rub up against you hoping for a treat or a pat on the head, these felines are so unaccustomed to human contact that they dart away when people approach. Feral cats are wild and cannot be turned into house pets. When they end up in shelters they have little hope of coming out alive.

So last year YHS launched a Barn Cat program to help save their lives - by putting them to work.

In a perfect world, all cats would have a loving home. Unfortunately, unaltered cats permitted to roam freely either become feral or produce feral offspring. Rather than kill feral cats, YHS promotes reducing their population through a process called TNR (trap/neuter/return).

Through the Barn Cat program, spayed and neutered feral cats are released into areas where they can do what they do best: prevent an overpopulation of rodents. Their reputation as stealthy and successful exterminators is well known and many homeowners and businesses rely on cats as a "green" rat abatement program.

Benefits of the Barn Cat program include: 1) alleviating pressure on overcrowded shelters; 2) keeping rodents in check without pest control chemicals that are toxic to the environment and dangerous to pets, wildlife and children; and 3) reducing public health risks in our community.

Rodents carry many diseases including plague, leptospirosis, hantavirus, murine typhus, rat bite fever, salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium, and eosinophilic meningitis.

"With so many rodents, why do cats go hungry?" Rodents are not dumb - they flee when cats make their presence known. These sleek legends of grace and beauty give off an odor through their paws as they prowl. Once rodents get a whiff of feline, they vacate the premises.

Less grisly and more effective than glue traps, cats go about their "work" naturally. They prowl, they eat, and they sit in the sun; although they prefer to spend much of their time hiding.

Feral cats participating in the Barn Cat program are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and ear-tipped (under anesthesia while the cats are being altered, veterinarians notch an ear tip, the widely recognized sign that a feral cat is altered). All this for just $30 per cat; a minimum of two cats is recommended per location.

When these cats are "employed" they are transported in large wire cages and housed for about a month at their new location. This process is called recolonizing. It takes about 30 days for a feral cat to be comfortable enough to consider their new environs home. YHS will help you colonize your cats and teach you how to care for them.

Barn cats can be put in any safe area -- businesses, hotels, industrial parks, residences, and of course, barns. If you are interested in participating in this cost-effective, humane rat abatement program, call YHS to be added to the barn cat list. You will be contacted when your cats are ready for you.

If you don't have a rat problem but love cats and would like to help fund this non-lethal and humane feral cat program, please make a donation to YHS and specify "Barn Cat program".

For more information on feral cats, visit www.yavapaihumane.org/felix. For more information on the YHS Barn Cat program or to place an order for your very own feral cats call 445-2666.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Your pet has a deadly enemy lurking in the tall grass

See Drummer Boy's story below

Its that time of year again when your pet has a deadly enemy lurking in the tall grass. This enemy, known as “foxtail”, comes in the form of several species of grassy weeds found throughout Arizona.  These weeds grow rapidly during the winter/spring rains, and then dry out in the summer months. As foxtail grasses mature, a seed forms at the top of the stalk. The seed resembles a fox's tail, hence the name.

When pet owners talk about "foxtails," they are speaking of the seed portion of the foxtail grass. Once foxtail grasses dry out, the seed detaches easily and sticks readily to clothing and fur. Foxtail seeds can enter a dog's body in a variety of ways and once in they act like an animated fishhook: the seed continues to move inward through the dog’s body, and because of tiny barbs, it cannot back out on its own.

It's most common for a foxtail to enter a dog's body through the skin, nose, ears, paws, genitals, and eyes. One veterinarian reported that a foxtail found in a dog's lung initially entered through the dog's paw. Foxtails are tenacious and deadly.

Foxtail seeds are relatively small, so detecting them after they enter a dog's body can be difficult. Veterinarians usually rely on telltale symptoms such as head-shaking, paw licking, swellings on the body, or sudden and continuous sneezing. Foxtails in the ears, nose, and eyes are serious and can ultimately be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

When a foxtail is inhaled and lodged in the nasal cavity, the dog will sneeze repeatedly and violently, sometimes even banging his nose on the floor with each sneeze in a futile attempt to dislodge the seed. It is often possible for a veterinarian to sedate the animal, locate the seed with an otoscope, and remove it using special forceps if the animal is brought in when symptoms first appear.

If a foxtail is lodged in the paw or under the coat, a lump will usually form that is painful to touch. Depending on how deep the foxtail has traveled it can usually be removed surgically.

When a foxtail gets into a dog's eye, the dog will usually paw at the eye and the eye will water. When you see a foxtail under the eyelid don't try to remove it yourself. There's a good chance you may not get it all. Keep your dog from pawing the eye and get him to a veterinarian immediately, preferably a veterinary opthomologist.

When your dog gets a foxtail in an ear, he will usually shake his head violently. When you suspect a foxtail, get your dog to a veterinarian immediately. The best way to handle foxtail problems is to prevent them or treat them early.

Whenever possible avoid foxtail infested areas – especially during the dry season. But after a romp through tall, mature grass follow these steps:

• Thoroughly brush and inspect your dog's coat. Run your hands over his coat looking for foxtails. Dogs with long hair are particularly susceptible to foxtails.

• Look into your dog's ears. If your dog has floppy ears, lift each ear and inspect.

• Examine your dog’s paws (in-between toes and paw pads), neck (under the collar), tail/anus, and under leg areas after walks in areas with foxtails. Remove any foxtails sitting on the fur.

• If you believe your dog has a foxtail seed lodged somewhere in its body, get him to a veterinarian immediately. The longer you wait, the deeper the foxtail will travel and the more damage it will do, and the more difficult it will be to treat.

Learn to recognize foxtails and avoid them! Foxtail danger in our parks can be greatly reduced by simply mowing the grass regularly, especially in the late spring. Mowing cuts off the foxtail grass before the deadly seed forms.

The dog pictured above is Drummer Boy who is helping YHS launch its Memorial Day Adoptathon. YHS is waiving all adoption fees for veterans and active-duty soldiers for the rest of May, and we are reducing adoption fees by 50 percent for anyone who mentions the name of a veteran they know. Come on down to YHS today and reconnoiter with Drummer Boy, a free-spirited shepherd mix who wants to wear your dog tag!

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Adopt your party animal at Cinco de Meow/Bow Wow



See Cameo's bio below

This week's column is a roundup of exciting information and announcements:

Cinco de Meow and Bow Wow: This Saturday is Cinco de Mayo and YHS is paying tribute by celebrating its own Cinco de Meow and Bow Wow Adoptathon. On Saturday and Sunday you can pick your own price for any cat or dog six months or older. The only exception is animals that more than one party is interested in; those animals are available through the YHS auction process.

YHS Annual Meeting: You are invited to learn more about how YHS is effectively promoting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of lost and homeless pets than ever before - and how you can help - at the YHS annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Yavapai Title Company located at 1235 East Gurley Street in Prescott. There will be lots of topics discussed and staff will be available to answer your questions about our many life-saving programs.

Thrift Shop Half Off Sale: From clothing and household items to jewelry and more, the YHS Thrift Shop is loaded with great deals for every bargain hound! Every first Saturday is a 50 percent off sale and this Saturday Sale is in sync with our Cinco de Meow and Bow Wow celebration. So come on down to our Thrift Shop located at 1046 Willow Creek Road between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the best thrifting deals in town.

Big Fix Expanded: The YHS Big Fix program already provides low-cost spay/neuter services to low-income pet owners who meet specific criteria. One of the donors who generously donated towards the X-ray machine (mentioned below) also gave an additional gift to be used to spay/neuter pets belonging to veterans and active military.

If you are a veteran wanting to have your pet altered, contact the YHS Spay/Neuter Clinic at 771-0547 to schedule an appointment. There is only a $25 co-pay for Big Fix participants.

The Kitty Cams are Live: Can anything be more fun than watching a room full of cats at play? Well now you can do that any time of day or night. Just go to the YHS website www.yavapaihumane.org/kittycam and you will be in for some of the best entertainment you can find anywhere in Prescott. All the cats you see are up for adoption.

X-ray Goal Achieved: In my Feb. 8 column, I expressed the Yavapai Humane Society's desire to celebrate our 40th anniversary this year by raising $40,000 to obtain a life-saving X-ray machine. Thanks to the generosity of a handful of individuals the funding needed to purchase this precious equipment has been raised. Having the capacity to take X-rays on-site will enhance YHS' ability to quickly diagnose and treat animals in serious need of medical treatment. Our special thanks to those who made this incredible gift a reality!

Schedule Change: Starting Monday, June 4, YHS will open for business at 11 a.m. This change enables YHS staff to devote an undistracted hour to enrichment activities with all the animals in our effort to help make them even more adoptable.

Events: The YHS Walk for the Animals was wildly successful, surpassing our wildest expectations, and raising over $29,000. Thank you to everyone who participated!

We are preparing for the 40th Anniversary Reigning Cats and Dogs Gala. This event is scheduled the evening of Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Prescott Resort. Please save the date. Contact us (445-2666 ext. 12) if you have something you would like to donate (art, jewelry, unused timeshares, etc) for the Silent Auction or if your business would like to help sponsor the event.

The cat pictured above is Cameo.  Cameo is a loveable train wreck in need of some TLC. He is a neutered 2-3 year old cat rescued from the side of the road after being hit by a car. He has recovered from a fractured jaw and a “blown pupil.”  His unkempt appearance is due to his inability to groom himself because of the fractured jaw.  Otherwise, he has healed well and adjusted to the loss of vision in his left eye. He is also FIV positive. Cameo is very friendly and wants nothing more than to be home safe and sound with you!

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.