For more information Contact ACS (Animal Care Services) 4710 State Hwy 151, 207-4738 or visit http://saacs.net/intactanimal.asp

Given our community’s ongoing animal overpopulation issue, City leaders unanimously approved sweeping changes to the collection of local animal laws known as Chapter 5. The ordinance, which was approved in December 2007, institutes a permitting and licensing process for variety of animal related concerns beyond general pet licensing. One of the most important areas relates to the licensing of intact or unsterilized dog. These permits will go into effect January 1st, 2009.

Effective January 1, 2009, any owner or keeper of a dog that is not spayed or neutered must obtain an annual intact dog permit. There are exemptions for dogs that qualify for certified medical exceptions (from a licensed veterinarian) or dogs less than six (6) months old.

The new law does not apply to:

1) A dog or cat owner who is a nonresident of this City and is keeping the subject pet in the City for fewer than sixty (60) days; or

2) Dog or cat owners who have been a resident of this City for fewer than thirty (30) days. Permit applications and instructions can be found on this page of the ACS website.

Please see the bottom of the page on this link for an application. Click Here

All fees are payable to the City of San Antonio. Non-compliance with City Ordinance can result in citations and mandatory court appearances.

The complete Chapter 5 ordinance and Animal Care Services fee structure (including permit fees) can be viewed at: www.sanantonio.gov/animalcare/chapter5.asp.

I'M LOST - HELP ME FIND MY HOME

This sweet cat is waiting for the family to contact me and provide a needed rescue. This kitty has been on my back patio for a several days. Please call 210-884-7280 if you recognize this friendly lost pet. Soon I will take her to get scanned for a chip and possibly neutered. You can also email webmaster@mynhha.org. Thanx.

Sep 4, 2008 - We have 2 adult cats 1 male and 1 female. Both have been fixed and declawed. They are very loving and playful inside cats in need of a warm home. Will also give electric litter box,litter,food,2 tier scratch post and bed. We hate to see these sweet pets go but we have a new baby and she is allergic to them. If you are intrested and can offer a good home please call Torre @ 878-8745. Thanks

From: Donna Powell/Street Cat Rescue
Subject: [AHS_Ferals] Cross-Posting - Awful situation- This lady has a great set up- Dying of Cancer
To: AHS_Ferals@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 10:43 PM

Outside of College Station-150 cats need placement. I can transport from there to here for any interested. She has some great cats.

The Cat's Cradle is a feline adoption center, shelter for homeless cats and kittens, and rescue organization. http://www.thecatscradle.net/ facility is on 125 acres in the Brazos Valley, including three cat houses where the cats and kittens live-located 15 miles south of Bryan-College Station, TX. She's been doing this for over 10 years. Cross-Posting from myspace

Cat rescuer has cancer; 150 Cats Need Rescue!!!!!! !!!!!!

CONTACT INFO Gail Allen Cat's Cradle 979-820-0599

Even if you can't rescue any of these cats, please FORWARD this e- mail to every animal lover and cat rescue group that you can think of Folks, this is a really sad situation.This lady is dying and I'm sure very concerned about her babies.

Please help give Gail some peace of mind by helping her to find homes for her 150 cats that she has at her cat rescue. Even if you can take one or two it would help.Even if you can take one or two it would help.

Hello, We just found out yesterday that my Aunt Gail has lung cancer that has spread to her spine, pelvic bone, lymph nodes, and chest cavity area.Basically, it is not a good prognosis.As many of you know, she owns a cat rescue in Navasota , where she cares for 150 cats. She is desperately trying to find these cats a good home as quickly as possible.They have all been spayed / neutered and current on shots.

Please forward this to everyone you know, and maybe we can help her in this difficult time

Gail Allen Kat?s Cradle 979-820-0599

If you have lost your pet, here is what you can do to find it as soon as possible:

• First, contact and review the listings of some of the stray animal shelters in the local area.  Please bear in mind that shelters receive lots of stray animals throughout the day, every day, and these listings unfortunately cannot be completely current.

• If you do not see your pet on available listings, locate and tour local rescue facilities.  Your pet may have just recently arrived. Don't delay since most shelters only hold pets for two days.

• Review our Tips For Finding Your Pet, a straightforward guide for helping you and your pet to be reunited as quickly as possible.
• Finally, don't give up hope. 

Since some local shelters receive over one hundred stray animals a day, they require that you file a Lost Pet report in-person after touring our kennels. Make a list of shelters, their hours of operation, website links, maps, etc. You should also review photos of strays animals..  currently being cared for.  Some lists are updated hourly, but may not include animals currently under medical treatment or DOA animals.

In general, impounded animals are held for 2-3 business days, not counting the day of arrival, Sundays, Mondays, or holidays. We recommend you visit our agency 3 times a week. After the impoundment period, animals are evaluated for health and behavior and at that time, may be re-homed, transferred to another agency, placed into foster care, or euthanized.

Other steps you should take to find your pet are:

• Check other animal shelters in this region. One organization will have jurisdiction over stray animals throughout the unincorporated portion of the County and the City. Check other shelters in the County that have jurisdiction over strays found within various city limits.
   
• At the shelter(s) review the “Found Pet” and deceased animal reports. Tour the entire shelter, including isolation, quarantine and treatment areas.
   
• Post signs around your neighborhood and at local veterinary hospitals. If possible, include a color picture of your pet as well as detailed description, lost date and location.
   
• Place an ad in the local newspaper post on Craigslist.  The local newspaper may offer a substantial discount to owners who have lost their pets.
   
• Check ads in newspapers, shelter websites and on-line Found Pet ads daily.
   
• Canvas a three-block radius from your home (cover much more area if your pet is unaltered or frightened) and talk to your neighbors. Someone may have some helpful information about your lost pet.
   
• Check with all local veterinarians to see if any injured stray animals fitting your pet’s description have been brought in, or if someone has posted a found animal flyer there.
   
• If you've lost your cat, remember that she is a nocturnal animal, so try searching later in the day when she's more likely to be awake.
   
• Call Pet Finders (800-274-2556) – which for a fee will call neighbors in the area where the animal was lost.

Most importantly, keep actively searching for your pet.  Animals turn up at shelters weeks, and sometimes months, after they've been lost.  Likewise, finders will sometimes not report a wandering animal to us until weeks after it first appeared in their neighborhood.

...And after you do find your pet:

• Microchip your animal.  These are readily available at most shelters and vet clinics for just $20.00 No appointment is needed!
   
• Confine your pet and if necessary, explore training or behavior modification to prevent future escaping.
   
• Be sure your pet is always wearing a collar and ID tag.
   
• Spay or neuter: Sterilized animals are less likely to roam and won’t contribute to pet overpopulation. Call around for information on spay/neuter assistance.

Found in Northern Hills:

August 9, 2008

I have found a small dog; medium wispy tan fur, male , with an overbite. He is extremely friendly. I found him on Pebble Walk and Cobble Hill. I have him in my back yard. He has no collar. The guy is really cute. I was hoping you could help. I have put some found signs in the neighorhood. And of course Animal Defense League and the others don't have room at this time. 13711 Pebble Walk, 646-0569. Let me know if anybody knows anything. Colleen

July 27, 2008 Small female dog found near the Briarmeadow and Briardale intersection. No collar and no chip. This dog is very friendly and well groomed. She now has found a new home. Happy endings are so good!

July 10, 2008: Lost Male Black and White short hair male neutered 1 year old cat. He got out of the house Wednesday evening, July 9th in the 4200 block of Hilton Head, (golf course side). "Schmitzie" is a short hair with his front paws declawed.

He did not have his collar on, but has been micro-chipped. Schmitzie has always been an inside cat so possibly when seen may be very scared when approached.
Please call Joey or Carolyn Baumann 210-657-6265 or 210-861-1377

FOUND!!!

My vet gave me helpful ideas when I talked with him this morning about what I could do to help him find his way home that I would like to share.

He said any time you have an "indoor pet" you can do the following to help the pet find their way home.
1. Put their bedding, a favorite toy, or some of your clothing that has been recently worn out by your door.
2. In door cats put their cat box complete with their used litter out by your door.
3. Birds will often come back to their bird cage if it is hung outside in a protective area around the house, again have some of your clothing near by the cage area.

We put our cat's litter box outside this morning and he came home within 3 hours.
Again I thank you for your quick response in getting our Lost Cat Bulletin posted so quickly.

July 6, 2008 Found Black & Brown Shepherd
Female about 9 yrs old, found in good shape near 4416 Briardale. She is friendly, very good with children and no problem indoors overnight. She won't stay in the yard or dog run during the day. Now bathed and fed but no collar.

July 2, 2008 Found Black Dog
Was looking at one of the old Newsletters and came upon this email…The little boys down the street brought over a black dog. Have placed it with Rescue Center in Seguin. The last time it rain real hard is when they brought the dog to me. So if you know of anyone that is missing a black dog. Perhaps you can send them my way…these are the only two pictures that I was able to take of the doggy… Thank you, Annette

Friday, June 6, approx 8 ish.
A small brown dog wandered over to greet me. He appears quite young. Our digital camera is inop or I would submit a picture for you to post. We live at the corner of Bellcrest and Barhill, 4634. PJ and Cheryl Easson 210-823-0444

Dog was found thanks to Man and Beast! I called them to give them the information of the lost dog. They look at their "lost" dogs in the area to see if there is a match. In this case, there was no match but the owner eventually called them in which called me. Man & Beast Incorporated, (210) 590-7387 , 3918 Naco Perrin Blvd, #103, San Antonio, TX 78217

May 28, 2008 Found: Salt and pepper colored Schnauzer near Hilton Head Street. Wearing a red harness, no tags. Hair appears to be trimmed recently. Please call Tina at 837-8509 if you know where this dog belongs.

May 25, 2008 - Male Black Lab chain around neck but no tags found on Hole #1 near Putting Green (street)
If you know his family, please call 859-4427. (See above)

April 22, 2008
Toby, the runaway terrier is home again!!!! Some nice folks on Pebble Walk took him to our vet this morning. The vet's office called me to say he was on his way, and I went and got him. Thank you to you and to the couple who took him in (he spent the night at their house) and to all the kind walkers, etc. who offered to help me search this morning. Sincerely, Linda Nairn

Mar 21, 2008
My kids retrieved a small brown shaggy dog, with a blue collar and black ears. She was found on Bridgewood St today the 21st, although I thought I saw her wondering around for a day or two.

we found the owner.....3 doors up!! Mike

Feb 8, 2008
Found @ Bellcrest & Briar Grove, Large black Lab mix. Dragging long leash. No tags. Amiable. Call 656-1325.
Reported black lab mix w/ long leash found yesterday..... found his owner. All very happy.

Let us prepare them for good homes. Consider that leaving food and water outside encourages wild animals to come to and from your door at night. This dramatically increases the opportunity for you and your neighbors to have a surprise confrontation with wild skunks, racoons and possums. It also encourages supports a growing population of even more homeless pets. Most of these live a very poor existence . Some end up starving or fall prey to coyotes. Let us suggest that you get the help of an animal rescue organization that will set a trap after you stop feeding them. Once caught, a participating vet will spay or neuter the animal, provide the necessary innoculations and either return them to you or find them good homes.
For more information, to adopt, or to provide short term pet care, perhaps for a hospitalized veteran;
Contact these neighbors thru email: Heather and Tyler

Since cats are prolific breeders, a "TNR" program is effective against large colonies.  T.N.R. = Trap, Neuter, Return.

TRAP
Set humane traps to capture feral cats from colonies.

NEUTER
Transport feral cats to the vet to be spayed/neutered, tested for viruses, vaccinated, de-wormed, and treated for fleas/ear mites.

RETURN
Release the feral cats back into their feral colony, with their ear notched to identify them as fixed.

The T.N.R. program is the most efficient and humane way to help reduce pet overpopulation of feral cats and improve the health of feral colonies. Our goal is to spay or neuter the feral cats in a colony to prevent the reproductive cycle. Each trapped cat will be tested for common viruses, FELV and FIV, if they are found to carry either of these they will be humanely euthanized to protect the health of the remaining cats in the colony as well as owned cats that may come into contact with them. The cats will be vaccinated, treated for fleas, worms, and ear mites. A notch or hole will be marked in their ear as a universal sign that they have been TNR'ed. With over 60 million feral cats in the United States alone, the TNR program has proven to be the most effective and least costly way to control the situation. TNR is endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The standing alternative to TNR is extermination, which is not only inhumane, but costly as well. Continued attempts to catch feral cats, house, euthanize, and dispose of them costs much more than to simply TNR them.

• Stops the cycle of reproduction.

In 1997, the San Diego Department of Animal Control showed a decrease of almost 50% in the number of cats impounded and killed compared to 1992, the year in which their TNR program was started.
• Reduces negative behaviors such as yowling, fighting and spraying.
• Reducing the number of feral cats also reduces the threat that they may pose to native species.
• Reduces diseases and illnesses which may affect people's pets along with feral cats.

Volunteers  assist with trappings and Drive the cats to and from the vet.

Feral Colony Caretakers/TNR locations
If you are caring for a colony of feral cats around Northern Hills that needs TNR, please contact webmaster. Some vets charge $25 to TNR adult cats.
Trapped kittens will be taken into our adoption program and most will not charge for them.

Trap On Your Own
If you would like to trap the cats in a colony yourself, you can rent a trap for about $10 a week plus a $50 deposit.

For low-cost veterinarians that may be able to spay and neuter your ferals, please contact webmaster.

Adopt a Pet from ACS this Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

If you can, Please Help rescue the 120 or so new arrivals each day by adopting a pet. Approximately 32,000 pets are lost each year in San Antonio. Animal Care Services(ACS) is changing its hours of operations, with the goal of increasing adoptions and improving efficiency at the facility. For more information, call Craig Brestrup at 207-8155. The new hours of operation will be as follows:

• Adoptions  Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Reclaims   Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Relinquishments   Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Dear Residents: Ask any home service provider you are pleased with to advertize here by emailing the webmaster.