mesa legend - FEATURES - Shelters offer more than unwanted pets

January 17,2006
FEATURES
Shelters offer more than unwanted pets

Brittney McKee
Mesa Legend

For pet owners on a budget, valley animal shelters can be of great assistance, keeping animals healthy and happy.
It is common knowledge that the facilities offer adoptions, but few people know about the other free or low cost services they provide.
In addition to helping animals to be reunited or placed with their families, most shelters offer help to owners to deal with pet related problems every step of the way.
One thing that many pet owners neglect to do is license their pets. In Maricopa County it is required by law for all dogs over the age of three months to have a license and be vaccinated against rabies. While there is no license requirement for cats, it is strongly suggested.
“Everybody should license their pet,” said Kim Noetzel, a spokesperson for the Arizona Humane Society. “It is a small step that can make a world of difference in getting your pet home quickly.”
The Animal Care and Control centers, such as the Mesa location on 2630 W. 8th Street, offers $10 rabies vaccinations every day of the week, and low cost licensing fees. The fees range from $5 to $25 depending on species and if the animal is sterilized.
Once an animal is home, it may have a hard time adapting to a new environment.
Many people are unaware that chewing, clawing and other destructive behaviors can often be easily remedied.
Not only do the Animal Care and Control centers offer numerous free pamphlets on pet behaviors, they also provide a free behavior problem helpline. The helpline is available to anyone at no cost and can be reached at (602) 273-6850.
The Arizona Humane Society offers their own hotline for misbehaving pets. It is also free of charge and available free to the public, and be reached at (602) 395-3877.
In addition to the hotline, the AHS offers several low or no cost seminars to help pet owners. They range from basic obedience class to their “Two legs and four paws” class that is designed to help expecting parents get their dog ready to live with a baby. While there is no fee for the free classes, a donation is appreciated.
Often times, problems such as aggression and marking territory can be avoided by sterilizing a pet.
Since high costs often deter owners from sterilizing their pets, the AHS offers low cost sterilization at their Sunnyslope clinic at 1311 W. Hatcher Road, the Margaret McAllister Brock Spay and Neuter Clinic on 1521 W. Dobbins Road, and at their mobile clinic that visits valley Petco stores.
Prices for dogs range from $45 to $85 based on size and $25 to $40 for cats based on gender.
Sterilizations are not the only service the Arizona Humane Society clinics offer to the public. Every Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., they offer low cost vaccinations, testing and AVID microchiping.
“I strongly encourage anyone that has a pet to get them a microchip,” said Mandy Brenneman, whose purebred Yorkshire Terrier, Bambi, ran away last year.
Bambi had been found by a couple who decided to keep her as their own. Shortly after, Bambi became sick and the couple took her to a veterinarian where she was scanned for a microchip.
“I can’t explain how happy I was to hear that she was okay,” explains Brenneman. “If it weren’t for the chip, I would have never got her back. She’s my baby, I couldn’t live without her.”
The microchips costs $20 and includes activation.
Most valley animal shelters offer an array of services and can help you find a low cost solution to all of your needs.
While there are many budget friendly ways to keep a pet happy and healthy, they are a huge commitment and require a lot of attention.
While some people may be tempted to give animals as a pet for the holidays, remember that it may not always be the best idea.
As Noetzel explains, “Getting a pet is a very personal decision and it is something that the person needs to pick out when the time is right in their life. If you are set on giving someone a pet for the holidays, we encourage you to buy gift certificates which are offered at most valley shelters. That way you can be assured that the pet and the timing is right for them.”
For more information on the services offered, contact the Arizona Humane Society by visiting www.azhumane.org or for information on the Animal Care and Control centers vsit www.pets.maricopa.gov.