News
By Laura Oppenheimer
After five cats were mutilated and killed around the Portland State University campus, the Oregon Humane Society (OHS) has offered a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Four kittens were discovered in late April, and a fifth adult neutered cat was found on May 29. OHS authorities say that because the cat was neutered, they believe he was someone’s pet and not a stray. "These cats were ruthlessly attacked and killed by someone with utter disregard for the pain [he or she] inflicted. It's difficult to imagine how someone could do this to an animal," says Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS director of shelter medicine.
The OHS has set up a special hotline for tips related to the case at
(503) 285-7722 x412.
If you and your cat share that special psychic connection that so many people and their felines have, make your way to the Red Lion Hotel [1021 N.E. Grand Ave., (503) 235-2100] on July 19 or 20 to audition for the Game Show Network’s new Think Like a Cat game show. Participants will be tested on their general knowledge of cats, participate in a videotaped interview, and help their cat do a screen test. The winner of the show, which is sponsored by Meow Mix, will win $1 million as well as $100,000 for the charity of her choice.
For more information, visit MeowMix.com.
Preschool director named humane
It’s never too early to learn the importance of being kind to animals. Maria Williams, director of Little Acorns Preschool, knows the importance of advocating for humane education at an early age, which is why she teaches her preschool and kindergarten classes to respect and be kind to animals. In recognition of her work, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has awarded Williams its second annual Humane Educator Award.
In her teaching, Williams works with HSSW humane education advocate A.G. Flynn and her partner dog, Cooper, to teach children to ask the appropriate questions for different animal-related situations. “[She] exemplifies the compassion and dedication needed to secure a future where all living creatures are treated with dignity and respect,” says Chuck Tourtillott, executive director of HSSW.
A large part of Williams’ program is teaching her students, aged 2 to 6, how to safely interact with a strange or wild animal they might encounter. “We have so many kids [who] have not had any exposure to any pets, so they don’t know how to interact with animals,” Williams explains. “The big thing that our kids have come up with in the case an animal coming toward them is ‘be a rock, be a tree, be as still as I can be.’” Williams adds that the classroom has pets as well, including hamsters, fish, and hermit crabs.
Stories of pets abandoned at shelters due to the recent economic downturn have become all too common. Like choosing between filling up a gas tank at $4 per gallon or feeding a family, many cat lovers are being forced to confront the high price of cat food and the possibility that they might not be able to afford to feed Whiskers today.
The Cat Adoption Team in Sherwood is hoping that area families will never have to make that decision. On the first Sunday of ever month, the cat adoption group is running a cat food bank to help those in financial need. The food bank is located at 14175 S.W. Galbreath Drive in Sherwood.
“If receiving a bag of cat food will help a family keep their pet in the home, then the Cat Adoption Team (CAT) wants to be able to provide that family with the food,” says CAT Executive Director Aaron Asmus. “As the cost of basic necessities increases, CAT knows many pet [guardians] will face hard decisions. [We] hope this Cat food bank will make it easier for families to keep their companion cats.”
The food bank, which is open from noon to 4 p.m., will provide cat food to any guardians in need of financial assistance. Guardians can take home approximately one month’s supply of cat food for up to four cats. According to CAT, the organization will help out cat caretakers in financial need, regardless of which county they live in.
Off-leash areas don’t just happen overnight; most are formed after dog-loving citizens come together and work cooperatively to make dog parks a priority in their towns. In Clark County, WA, Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington (DOGPAW) was formed with the purpose of increasing the number of off-leash areas available to the dog-loving public. The reason for the group’s necessity? Neither Clark County nor the city of Vancouver can pay for the parks on their own.
“What we’re attempting to do,” explains group leader Pam Goe, “is create off-leash areas where you can safely and legally take your dog.” Goe was shocked when she discovered, upon moving to the area from Southern California, that there were no off-leash areas. When local parks departments were pressed on the issue, they said it wasn’t a priority, so Goe and other area dog lovers sprang into action.
Through a combination of lobbying county and city officials, volunteer dedication, and a knack for finding usable land, DOGPAW has created two parks, with three more in the works. Its newest park, the Dakota Memorial Off-Leash Park, will open in the Pacific Community Park the beginning of August.
Off-leash aficionados may already be familiar with the park. Goe explains that the Park District bought the 56-acre parcel of land, but didn’t initially develop it. When DOGPAW saw the unused land, members of the organization convinced officials to let them use it for an off-leash area. Ultimately, however, the park district was able to get the funds to develop the park, which is when DOGPAW stepped in to lobby on behalf of off-leash areas. When DOGPAW was finished making its case, Pacific Community Park had a dog park in its plans. “This is the first time any public funds will be used for the development of an off-leash area,” Goe proudly says. The park is named for police dog Dakota, who was killed in the line of duty last fall.
Though this newest park is an achievement on its own, DOGPAW isn’t stopping now. The organization has secured land for three additional parks, and each is more than eight acres in size. With more than 1,200 members (members contribute money to the organization, although nonmembers can use the parks as well), DOGPAW has made its presence felt in the Greater Vancouver area.
Goe says that for those who want to develop off-leash areas in their own community, she recommends three steps. First, start small with what you hope to accomplish. Second, define your group’s goals. And third, come up with a solution so that when you do meet with government officials, you are able to present a viable option for an off-leash area. Still, when all this is said and done, the group’s biggest obstacle isn’t what you might think. “Our biggest challenge,” explains Goe,” is finding adequate parking.”
For more information, visit ClarkDOGPAW.org.
A settlement reached in June between animal welfare groups in four states ended a potentially lengthy legal battle over two chimpanzees and 12 gibbons. The primates were seized from San Antonio-based sanctuary Primarily Primates in 2007 after a management dispute, according to the Associated Press. The settlement will allow Bend, Oregon-based Chimps Inc. to keep Emma and Jackson, the two chimps. Of the gibbons, three will return to Primary Primates (which has since merged with Friends of Animals, a global animal rights group), with the remaining staying in a South Carolina sanctuary.
Reward offered in Portland cat killings
After five cats were mutilated and killed around the Portland State University campus, the Oregon Humane Society (OHS) has offered a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Four kittens were discovered in late April, and a fifth adult neutered cat was found on May 29. OHS authorities say that because the cat was neutered, they believe he was someone’s pet and not a stray. "These cats were ruthlessly attacked and killed by someone with utter disregard for the pain [he or she] inflicted. It's difficult to imagine how someone could do this to an animal," says Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS director of shelter medicine.
The OHS has set up a special hotline for tips related to the case at
(503) 285-7722 x412.
Cat game show auditions coming to town
If you and your cat share that special psychic connection that so many people and their felines have, make your way to the Red Lion Hotel [1021 N.E. Grand Ave., (503) 235-2100] on July 19 or 20 to audition for the Game Show Network’s new Think Like a Cat game show. Participants will be tested on their general knowledge of cats, participate in a videotaped interview, and help their cat do a screen test. The winner of the show, which is sponsored by Meow Mix, will win $1 million as well as $100,000 for the charity of her choice.
For more information, visit MeowMix.com.
Preschool director named humane
educator of the year
It’s never too early to learn the importance of being kind to animals. Maria Williams, director of Little Acorns Preschool, knows the importance of advocating for humane education at an early age, which is why she teaches her preschool and kindergarten classes to respect and be kind to animals. In recognition of her work, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has awarded Williams its second annual Humane Educator Award.
In her teaching, Williams works with HSSW humane education advocate A.G. Flynn and her partner dog, Cooper, to teach children to ask the appropriate questions for different animal-related situations. “[She] exemplifies the compassion and dedication needed to secure a future where all living creatures are treated with dignity and respect,” says Chuck Tourtillott, executive director of HSSW.
A large part of Williams’ program is teaching her students, aged 2 to 6, how to safely interact with a strange or wild animal they might encounter. “We have so many kids [who] have not had any exposure to any pets, so they don’t know how to interact with animals,” Williams explains. “The big thing that our kids have come up with in the case an animal coming toward them is ‘be a rock, be a tree, be as still as I can be.’” Williams adds that the classroom has pets as well, including hamsters, fish, and hermit crabs.
Cat food bank aids those in financial need
Stories of pets abandoned at shelters due to the recent economic downturn have become all too common. Like choosing between filling up a gas tank at $4 per gallon or feeding a family, many cat lovers are being forced to confront the high price of cat food and the possibility that they might not be able to afford to feed Whiskers today.
The Cat Adoption Team in Sherwood is hoping that area families will never have to make that decision. On the first Sunday of ever month, the cat adoption group is running a cat food bank to help those in financial need. The food bank is located at 14175 S.W. Galbreath Drive in Sherwood.
“If receiving a bag of cat food will help a family keep their pet in the home, then the Cat Adoption Team (CAT) wants to be able to provide that family with the food,” says CAT Executive Director Aaron Asmus. “As the cost of basic necessities increases, CAT knows many pet [guardians] will face hard decisions. [We] hope this Cat food bank will make it easier for families to keep their companion cats.”
The food bank, which is open from noon to 4 p.m., will provide cat food to any guardians in need of financial assistance. Guardians can take home approximately one month’s supply of cat food for up to four cats. According to CAT, the organization will help out cat caretakers in financial need, regardless of which county they live in.
Spotlight on DOGPAW
Off-leash areas don’t just happen overnight; most are formed after dog-loving citizens come together and work cooperatively to make dog parks a priority in their towns. In Clark County, WA, Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington (DOGPAW) was formed with the purpose of increasing the number of off-leash areas available to the dog-loving public. The reason for the group’s necessity? Neither Clark County nor the city of Vancouver can pay for the parks on their own.
“What we’re attempting to do,” explains group leader Pam Goe, “is create off-leash areas where you can safely and legally take your dog.” Goe was shocked when she discovered, upon moving to the area from Southern California, that there were no off-leash areas. When local parks departments were pressed on the issue, they said it wasn’t a priority, so Goe and other area dog lovers sprang into action.
Through a combination of lobbying county and city officials, volunteer dedication, and a knack for finding usable land, DOGPAW has created two parks, with three more in the works. Its newest park, the Dakota Memorial Off-Leash Park, will open in the Pacific Community Park the beginning of August.
Off-leash aficionados may already be familiar with the park. Goe explains that the Park District bought the 56-acre parcel of land, but didn’t initially develop it. When DOGPAW saw the unused land, members of the organization convinced officials to let them use it for an off-leash area. Ultimately, however, the park district was able to get the funds to develop the park, which is when DOGPAW stepped in to lobby on behalf of off-leash areas. When DOGPAW was finished making its case, Pacific Community Park had a dog park in its plans. “This is the first time any public funds will be used for the development of an off-leash area,” Goe proudly says. The park is named for police dog Dakota, who was killed in the line of duty last fall.
Though this newest park is an achievement on its own, DOGPAW isn’t stopping now. The organization has secured land for three additional parks, and each is more than eight acres in size. With more than 1,200 members (members contribute money to the organization, although nonmembers can use the parks as well), DOGPAW has made its presence felt in the Greater Vancouver area.
Goe says that for those who want to develop off-leash areas in their own community, she recommends three steps. First, start small with what you hope to accomplish. Second, define your group’s goals. And third, come up with a solution so that when you do meet with government officials, you are able to present a viable option for an off-leash area. Still, when all this is said and done, the group’s biggest obstacle isn’t what you might think. “Our biggest challenge,” explains Goe,” is finding adequate parking.”
For more information, visit ClarkDOGPAW.org.
Chimp dispute settled
A settlement reached in June between animal welfare groups in four states ended a potentially lengthy legal battle over two chimpanzees and 12 gibbons. The primates were seized from San Antonio-based sanctuary Primarily Primates in 2007 after a management dispute, according to the Associated Press. The settlement will allow Bend, Oregon-based Chimps Inc. to keep Emma and Jackson, the two chimps. Of the gibbons, three will return to Primary Primates (which has since merged with Friends of Animals, a global animal rights group), with the remaining staying in a South Carolina sanctuary.
