Question:
Working at the shelter, I try to teach people when they come in about how to be responsible dog owners. They always roll their eyes, and retort: "I've had dogs all my life. I know how to look after my dog!" Well, had they done a proper job, then their dog wouldn't be at the shelter for: not having a license; being seized from their parked-in-the-sun car; being unwanted due to a training issue.
My advice to dog owners everywhere!
1. Your dog should ALWAYS wear a collar and ID tag. ALWAYS. The ID tag, if nothing else, should have your CURRENT address and phone number on it. Licenses, rabies tags, and other medalions are optional. I'd also urge all dogs to be microchipped, but nothing beats a collar and ID tag.
2. If it's hot out, if you are going somewhere crowded (ie. a parade), if there is a thunderstorm or if there are fireworks, LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME.
3. Socialize your puppy! That means with other dogs, cats, kids, seniors, men, women, and the disabled! Shy dogs can be totally averted through puppy socialization.
4. Take at least ONE obediance class with your dog. Not one evening, but one entire 6 week session so you can a) have basic control of your dog and b) have a dog trainer to help you out with any problems unique to your dog.
5. VACCINATE your dog! If you don't want to spay/neuter your dog, fine. But at least give your dog protection against all common doggy diseases. If your dog gets sick with kennel cough or parvo, you have no one to blame but yourself.


Answer:
just a question,,I called the vets around here about microchipping,,,,and they said they dont "really do it yet " but have doen it for a few people but the thing is i have toget my own microchip because they have no clue where to get them so where would I be able to get one???


Answer:
I've read that you go to Moncton (Monkeytown!) quite often -- you could ask the folks at the Moncton Humane Society. I've talked to them on several occasions and the staff there is great. In Ontario, it is the *LAW* for all pounds to scan all incoming strays for microchips. I have no idea if New Brunswick has any similar laws. Almost all of the vets in Ottawa offer microchipping, as far as I know.
Good luck!


Answer:
well I called the SPCA here because the vet told me to ask them and they might know more about it, so I did and she said they have the scanner there and they do scan all the pets that come in ,,she also said that sometime in the future they will actually be doing the microchipping but she has no idea when they will be approved for it,,,
I know sussex does it but its $69.99 and the girl at the SPCA told me the chip is only $12.00 so I thought it was kinda high,,,maybe i'll call around Moncton and see what I can find out,,,thanks


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Good advice, greencolander!


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Good advise. Having been a member of the Board of Directors of my local humane society. it is really important to keep up vaccines up and tag them. But unless you're breeding it's a really good idea to spay or neuter.
Oh and my dog...4 obedience classes...he couldn't handle multimple dogs, way too social and wanted to play...but I did a one on one class with him. The trainer and his female shepherd and me and my male, rambuncious Lab/Collie Mix. he did way better in that class.


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Well.... mostly good advice. But, I have to add my piece...
Microchipping, while effective if it actually works, is really not all that effective. I have seen more dogs chips NOT show up when scanned than ones that DO show up. This is due in part to the lack of training most shelters provide to staff, and poor equipment. Microchips can also 'vanish' or move and end up being ineffective.
Vaccinations - the vet worlds biggest scam. I dont know of any 'people' who get shots every year. Every ten years maybe, but not every year. How many wild animals get their annual shots? The vet world has never really provided an adequate answer as to why dogs must be vacc'd every year. In fact, research has discovered that yearly vaccinations can INCREASE the animals chances of catching a disease. A vaccination is an injection of the disease in to the body. Makes sense to inject the disease in order to protect them from it (?). Vaccines are mixed with poisonous chemicals too, and we all know how healthy that is. Every vaccine has many risks and side-effects associated with it, but the vets never tell you that part, do they? It is nothing more than a scam to get you in for a yearly checkup to fill their bank account.
I've never seen a case of parvo in the 1000's of dogs ive worked with in my lifetime. Yes, it happens, no argument there. But, i've seen a lot of people get the flu after getting the flu shot...
How many of you know people with 'country' dogs? Dogs that are outside running free in the woods, eating whatever they want, never vaccinated or fixed, never been to a vet, yet these dogs live long and healthy lives.


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Microchipping works in MOST cases.. GC & I have both returned pets to their owners hundreds of times because of the chip... all of my pets are microchipped and I wouldn't have it any other way. A collar with ID on it is more visible and used more often in actually reuniting owners with their pets before getting to a shelter. If some idiot steals my dog though.. the microchip will prove that I'm the owner and not the other person. If the microchip is going to fall out, it happens within the 1st or 2nd day after implanting it, before the injection site has totally healed. As long as you have the animal scanned to be sure its still in place a week after... should be no problem...
As far as vaccinating every year.. I do it, so now you can say you know ONE person that does it! I have seen dogs with parvo and I'd rather be safe than sorry...


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If some idiot steals my dog though.. the microchip will prove that I'm the owner and not the other person.
If someone steals your dog, chances are the theif will never take your dog to a vet or shelter to be scanned for a microchip.
As far as vaccinating every year.. I do it, so now you can say you know ONE person that does it!
I know a lot of people who vaccinate their animals every year. The question was, how many people do you know who get yearly 'vaccinations'? Children dont go for shots every year to protect them from the myriad of diseases that can affect them, do they? Its more like once every 3-5-10 years? I think having your dog vaccinated every 3 years at least is more than adequate.
As for parvo - I have heard of dogs dying from it. In my city, i've heard of maybe 10 cases in the last 15 years. I've never personally seen it or had to experience an animal dying from it. As sad as these numbers are, it is no cause for a panick. I know of a lot more dogs who have died or been injured from running into traffic.


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It was on the news last night that there was a parvo outbreak somewhere in New Brunswick. Some recently brought-in dogs carried it to the SPCA where it infected several dogs & killed some puppies. I hope Brandy reads this.