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January 2003 get a printer-friendly
(pdf) version HELP PADZ EARN MONEY Newsletter Submissions Send to newsletter@padz.org. Deadline: 25th of the month for the next month’s issue. Editor will consider all submissions, but does not guarantee inclusion. Fast Fourward Flyball Team Looking for New Team Member Fast Fourward flyball team is accepting tryouts for new dog/handler. Dogs must be non aggressive, obedient & ball motivated. Owners must be dedicated & willing to attend practice consistently. Training is approx 1 year on the average. Positive training focus. (Some dogs have learned the sport as early as 3 months). The team travels to compete (locally & out of state). Weekly practice is held in Poway on a Wed. evening at 6:30 for approx 1 1/2- 2 hours. Due to the hours of training, we request only dedicated owners. Flyball is the only team dog sport you can do with your fur friend. Interested dog owners may contact Joanne at bjminnie@yahoo.com Baja Animal Sanctuary The dogs at the Baja Animal Sanctuary look pretty much like the dogs at any shelter you might visit in the U.S. Mixed-breeds abound, with a few purebreds here and there, mainly medium sized they come in all colors; Shepherd-mixes, Lab-mixes, Spaniel-mixes, you name it. Holiday time has come and gone, a time when we all consider donating time or money to worthy causes. Now that “the time for giving” has passed we should all remember that help is needed year ‘round. The Baja Animal Sanctuary in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, is one you may not have heard of before, but they are always in need of donations and volunteers. I visited BAS a few weeks ago, and was amazed at what they are able to do on a shoestring budget that depends entirely on donations (they receive no money from the Mexican government). BAS was founded in 1997 by American Sunny Benedict, who began her work with $180 in donations. BAS is located on a five acre ranch on the eastern side of Rosarito Beach, and today is home to an average of 400 dogs and 75 cats, who receive medical care, food, and love from volunteers and a small staff. Animals are brought up to the U.S. to find adoptive homes through adoption events at PetsMart stores in Vista and San Diego, and through their website. Or you can visit them yourself in Rosarito. Animals at BAS are only euthanized in cases of extreme illness, and those that do not find homes stay at the shelter. BAS is a privately-run sanctuary, and is not affiliated with the municipality’s animal control department. All the animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites, and are given any additional medical care they need. It’s not uncommon for dogs to arrive at the sanctuary with broken limbs, emaciated bodies, and patchy fur - none are turned away. While many lived as strays, they are happy to be part of things at the sanctuary, and take readily to the care that is given them. All the healthy dogs live in communal pens, or “corrals”. There are many smaller corrals housing 3-6 dogs each, and there are three very large corrals with 20-40 dogs in each. And yes, they all get along with very little disruption. I believe that the communal living arrangements are ideal for keeping the dogs mentally healthy. Dogs are social animals and do not do well in isolation, as can be seen in the behavior of so many dogs in American shelters. The dogs are friendly and relaxed, as are the cats that are housed in a large cattery on the second floor of the house that is on the property. You can assist BAS in many ways. First, consider adopting your next dog from them. There are so many to choose from you can probably find just what you’re looking for. They are always in need of donations, both monetary and in-kind. Money goes to paying for basics like rent, water (that must be trucked in), gas for the generator (there is no electricity), and building supplies to improve the dog’s housing. And they of course always need food of any kind, for both adults and puppies. Food and in-kind donations can be picked up, and it will be stored at their Sorrento Valley storage facility until it can be brought down to the sanctuary (I loaded up my car with kibble when I went). They also need volunteers, both here in the states and down at the sanctuary itself. Volunteers can help with their adoption events, donation pick-ups, fostering dogs between events (so that they don’t have to go back to the sanctuary), and more. And of course you can go help out at the sanctuary bathing dogs, fixing fences, and if you have the skills, helping with veterinary care. The Baja Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit, so all donations are tax-deductible. To find out more visit their website, www.bajadogs.org, where there are photos, details on volunteer opportunities, a wish list, info on signing up for their newsletter, and a gift shop with items you can buy to support BAS. This month’s adoption event is on Saturday, January 18th, 11am - 4pm, at the Murphy Canyon and Vista PetsMart stores. For more info call (858) 569-0975. |
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Holiday Parade Hall Property Update Clean Up After Your Dog... From a City of Encinitas brochure: Urban Runoff Fact & Fiction Fiction: Runoff from streets and storm drains is treated at wastewater treatment plants. Fact: Storm drain runoff in San Diego County is not treated and goes directly into our creeks - what goes into the storm drain ends up at the beach. That's why it is important to insure pollutants such as animal waste, automotive fluids, fertilizers, pesticides, yard waste, and litter do not end up in the gutters and storm drains. Fiction: Industrial sources pose a much greater pollution threat than urban runoff discharges. Fact: Urban runoff rivals or exceeds discharges from factories and sewage plants as a source of pollution. The most common non-point source of urban runoff pollution comes from local residents. Remember, even if you don’t step in it, that doesn’t mean it’s not going to cause a nasty mess! Scoop the Poop! You can help! Write to local newspapers and politicians. Attend municipal meetings when dog parks are being discussed. Help educate fellow park users on dog park etiquette.
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