HEADLINES - Black Cats -Second Chance Dog Transfer Program -Bingo Schedule -Second Chance for Love -Discouraging Free-Roaming Cats -Dog and Cat Licenses -Pitbull ban -Online Donations -Finding a lost cat

Bingo Schedule

Why Are They Picking on Me?
Although a destructive neighborhood cat can be frustrating, don't take it personally. The cat isn't acting out of spite or picking on you for some unknown reason. He's behaving naturally. The problem, of course, is that he's doing so in places you find inappropriate. The solution lies in making those places undesirable so the cat will behave naturally somewhere else.

Unless they're literally starving, most cats won't eat birds, but they do enjoy the "thrill of the hunt." Cats have preyed upon birds for thousands of years and there's no foolproof way to discourage this natural instinct.

Another natural feline instinct is to defecate in areas where the cat can cover his scent by burying the waste. Therefore, a cat that spends most of his time outdoors appreciates the soft, pre-dug dirt of your garden—or your child's sandbox—as a handy toilet.

When a cat naps on the hood of your car or in the center of your flowerbed, he's simply sunning himself in a nice, warm spot and doesn't realize the damage he's doing. He won't connect your negative reaction with the place where he naps, and although he may learn to avoid you, he won't avoid the place or stop the activity.

A free-roaming cat may approach your window or patio door and challenge your cat or dog through the glass with blatant body language and/or vocal insults. The best way to protect your pet from this type of situation is to keep the outside cat away from the areas that your pet can see by using the techniques described below.

Of course, the ideal solution is for all cat owners to keep their cats safely confined. Unfortunately, not all cat owners are willing to do this, so you'll need to take steps to solve the problem without harming the cat, the birds, other innocent animals, or your yard and garden. Because each situation is different, you may need patience and ingenuity to find the appropriate deterrent through trial and error.

Repellents
Repellents and devices designed to startle the cat "in the act" will work best to condition him to avoid the area. Never use poisons. Not only is poisoning animals inhumane and illegal, it's not an effective solution to the problem. Poisons will only rid you of one "pest" and won't deter any others. You'd have no way of knowing or controlling who might find and ingest the poisonous substance.

Check with any pet supply store or garden supplier for commercial cat repellents. There are a variety of natural oils (available at health food stores) that some people claim have worked in deterring cats from their property including eucalyptus, citrus oils and lavender.

Keep in mind that the effectiveness of any repellent will deteriorate with moisture and/or time. Whether you use an aromatic oil or a commercial mixture, you'll need to re-apply the solution after each rain, heavy dew, or watering. Check with your garden supplier to be certain that the solution you choose won't harm plants growing in that area, especially if you use fertilizers or other soil additives.

For areas where cats want to dig, ornamental pebbles may be an effective deterrent. Avoid pebbles that are very round or smooth, as they make a great cat bed. Rocks or pebbles should be placed in a way that makes it difficult for them to be dispersed. Small-gauge chicken wire can also be buried under a light layer of dirt or mulch, and may even restrain some weeds. The sharp pebbles and/or rough wire will be uncomfortable to soft paws.

"Surprise" Devices
To teach a cat to avoid a specific area, you must make that area unattractive to him. The best method is to surprise the cat "in the act" but without the cat knowing that you are the one administering the surprise. Simple devices can be used to effectively "booby-trap" the area that a cat has found attractive.

• Sound and Movement: Scatter dry beans, macaroni, or birdseed on a metal tray; disposable pie pans or cookie sheets work well and are inexpensive. Balance several trays along the fence, porch or deck railing, the windowsill, or around the edge of any vehicle where the cat jumps onto the surface. Birds can still land safely if the trays are balanced properly, but the weight of a cat leaping onto the surface will upset the tray. The cat will be startled by the noise and by the unsteady, collapsing perch. As a variation on this "falling tray" method, set shallow plastic lids filled with water on each end of the tray to add a shower to the noise and movement of the falling tray.
• Texture: To keep a cat from jumping onto flat surfaces (railings, vehicles, or decks), criss-cross double-sided tape onto a piece of sturdy plastic—either a heavy, plastic drop cloth or a vinyl tablecloth would work well. Drape the plastic over the surface, and secure it with cord, or at least one weighted object, to keep it in position. The sticky tape is annoying to the cat (without causing pain or panic), and the slick plastic not only rattles but also offers no foothold. An alternative to sticky tape would be to use a plastic carpet protector with the knobby side up.
• Water: This method works especially well for those areas where birds feed on the ground or where cats are using a garden area as a litter box. When the temperature permits, turn on a water sprinkler during the usual time of disturbance (which may be dawn or dusk if the cat is on your property to hunt). A timing device for the sprinkler, set to a staggered schedule, will help discourage those intelligent cats who would otherwise simply avoid the area at "regularly wet" times of day.
• Obstacle: If your bird feeder or birdhouse is mounted on a post, nail a galvanized metal guard in the shape of an inverted cone to the post to protect the platform.

Responsibility
If these suggested remedies fail to provide relief, your next step is to establish who cares for the cat. In many cases, the "problem cat" may be an owned cat who is allowed to roam, or the cat may have no real owner. If the cat belongs to a neighbor, your problem is a shared one. It's not always easy to discuss neighborhood issues diplomatically. Remember that the cat is your neighbor's pet, even though he's a nuisance when he's on your property. By emphasizing your concern for the cat's safety, instead of the problems he's causing, you have a greater chance of gaining your neighbor's cooperation.

If you're unable to determine who owns the cat, the problem is in your hands. In some cases it may be difficult to distinguish a feral (semi-wild) cat from a potentially friendly stray, so unless the cat comes to you fairly readily when you squat down nearby and gently call to him, play it safe and don't touch the cat (if you are able to get close enough in the first place). Even some well-socialized cats despise being picked up by strangers. Assuming you've already tried the re-conditioning tactics mentioned above without success, you may need to resort to a humane trap.

Humane Traps
Don't use anything other than a humane cage trap designed to lure a cat into the cage with food, and to safely contain him until he can be moved to another area. Most animal control agencies and humane societies loan or rent out these traps and some will even deliver and/or pick them up. Be sure to find out how to set and bait the trap, how to cover the trap, and how often to check the trap.

If you have any reason to believe that the cat has an owner, please think twice before trapping the cat, unless you plan to return him to his owner.

To trap a stray cat, bait the trap with canned cat food. Place the trap in an area that's sheltered, as much as possible, against the weather. Although you may hear some alarming noises when the cat realizes he's trapped, he's only scared, not hurt. If the cat is confined with no access to water or shelter from inclement weather or predators, it's important that you remove the trap from the area immediately. Using gloves to prevent scratches or bites, put the trap in a protected area until you can take the cat to an animal shelter (which should be as soon as possible). Please don't release a stray cat. This will only cause further overpopulation problems and, inevitably, a painful life and death for the cat.

Many owned cats, unfortunately, don't wear collars with identification. An owned cat who is lost may behave fearfully. If the cat is unknown to you, take him to your local animal shelter. He will be cared for there and his owners will have a better chance of reclaiming him. If he is not reclaimed, but of good health and temperament, the shelter will try to find him a new, loving home, at which time you may be able to take the cat yourself if you wish. That way, you can keep him safely confined in your home, where he belongs, with you.

©2002. Adapted from material originally developed by applied animal behaviorists at the Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado. All rights reserved.

Dog and Cat Licenses

City bylaws require pet owners to have current tags for their pets. Help your pet find their way home and avoid fines by purchasing one today. Cat and Dog Tags are available at our shelter, at Pet Valu in the Hollinger Court and also each of the vets in town.They are good for one year from the purchase date and need to be renewed yearly.

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Bingo Schedule

TDHS Bingos are from 4 to 6 pm every other Wednesday at the City of Timmins Bingo Hall. Bingo revenues make up a considerable portion of our operating dollars, so please come out and show your support.

September 2010
8,22

October 2010
6,20

November 2010
3,17,27

Please note that we at times have additional bingos that are scheduled on short notice. So please don't forget to join us for those as well.

 

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"Second Chance for Love"
Hill's Science Diet Shelter Program

Helping Pets Find A Second Chance for Love

Pink and black noses peek out from between the bars of the enclosures to greet the group of visitors making their way slowly down the aisle. The family peers into each enclosure searching for the pet they will take home with them. They pause occasionally to accept a slobbery smooch or give a scratch behind the ears before moving on. After walking down the aisle and conversing together, they make their decision. Her name is Chelsea , a four-year-old chocolate lab. She's beautiful, with a glossy brown coat, bright eyes and a playful personality. Once the door opens, Chelsea darts out straight into the outstretched arms of her new family.

Stories like Chelsea 's are a familiar scene in our shelter since we joined Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada 's “Second Chance for Love” program in February of 2008. The program provides shelters like us with premium, quality food requirements for all dogs and cats waiting for a new home. As not-for-profit organizations, many shelters must rely heavily on food donations from the public or pet stores. These acts of kindness are appreciated tremendously.  However, it is not ideal to feed animals different types and qualities of food because a changing diet can have a negative impact on their digestive systems. By continuously feeding our pets Hill's Science Diet® pet food, our staff ensure that our pets are receiving a consistent, premium quality food that contributes to their overall healthy appearance, including shiny coats and regular body functions, making them healthier and much more attractive and ‘adoptable' for families looking for a new pet. We're excited that our arrangement with Hill's will enable us to offer the animals in our care a consistent and high quality diet.   We've seen first hand the role proper nutrition plays in the transformation of our pets. They are healthier, happier and more playful, which makes them more appealing to potential owners and much more likely to have a second chance for love.

·         Our shelter is exclusively feeding Hill's® Science Diet® to all the dogs, cats, kittens and puppies being cared for here

To learn more about the shelter program, please visit www.hillspet.ca/shelter or contact us to find out how you can provide a loving home for one of our pets.

Pit Bull ban becomes law

It's official, the amendments to the Dog Owners' Liability Act and the restrictions on pit bulls will go into effect, in Ontario, as of August 29th, 2005.
The Province has announced that they will allow a 60 day transition period to phase in the new legislation.It is during this time that pit bull owners will be given time to comply with the requirements set out in the Act and municipalities and enforcement agencies will prepare to enforce the newly amended Act.
The amendments will prohibit anyone from owning, breeding, transferring, importing, fighting or abandoning pit bulls.The definition of a pit bull includes; pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier or a dog that shares the physical characteristics with any of the above.
For Ontario residents who currently own a pit bull the new legislation contains a "grandfathering clause" which will allow existing pit bulls to remain in Ontario providing the owner can prove the pit bull was in Ontario prior to August 29th, 2005 or born within 90 days of August 29th.Pit bull owners must also comply with the regulations in the Dog Owners Liability Act by the date of October 28th 2005. The best way to ensure proof of ownership is to make sure your dog is registered with the municipality prior to August 29th, 2005.
Regulations for Restricted "Grandfathered" Pit Bulls:
The regulations stipulate that restricted pit bulls must be spayed or neutered and leashed and muzzled in public.The onus to prove a dog is not a pit bull will lie with the owner of the dog.
In a Court proceeding if a pit bull owner is found to have contravened a provision of the Dog Owners Liability Act or their dog has bitten, attacked or posed a menace a mandatory destruction order will be issued by the Courts.
Amendments Regarding All Dogs and Dog Owners
Charges can be brought against any dog owner where a dog has bitten or attacked
ORbehaved in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals
ORwhere the dog owner did not exercise reasonable grounds to prevent a dog from doingany of the above.
Changes to the Penalties Under the Dog Owners Liability Act Include:
$10,000.00 fine and or 6 months in jail. (previously $2000.00 and no jail time)
$60,000.00 fine for corporations.(previously no distinction for corporations)
The court may also make restitution orders requiring convicted persons to make compensation to the victims.
Other Changes to the Act include prohibiting the ownership of dogs to convicted persons for specified periods of time, increased enforcement powers for a variety of enforcement agencies and more. To view the amended Dog Owners Liability Act visit www.e-laws.gov.on.ca under Statutes and Associated Regulations.

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Online Donations are Here! Help us the high tech way.... We're very pleased to announce that we've found a way to make it easier for people to help, and we can now accept your donations on line. Canadahelps.org is a reputable, non-profit society specifically designed to provide a secure on-line donation process for charities across Canada. With the click of a button, you can enter a secure, encrypted site, make your donation and receive a receipt for your taxes. Look for this feature on our How to Help page, or simply click on the Click here to donate phrase at the top of every page

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Finding a lost cat

Cats that are chased from their territory either by dogs, people, or other cats who beat them up and cats that are panicked by fireworks will often become "displaced" into unfamiliar territory. Many of these cats, once their adrenaline levels have subsided, will work their way back home, often showing up the next day or a few days later. But many of these cats, especially those with skittish temperaments, will be so panicked by the experience that they will hide in fear and will be too afraid to return home. We've seen many cases where a cat was "lost" but was actually just three houses away, crouching and hiding in fear inside a neighbor's yard! These cats could have jumped a few fences or crossed one street and yet they behaved like they were feral cats, afraid of humans. Some meowed and let their owners pick them up-others darted and ran from their owners and had to be humanely trapped. Understand the critical importance of conducting an aggressive, physical search for your cat within your cat's immediate territory (neighbour's yards) in order to determine if your cat is still within the area.