ENID
For years, Enid Animal Control officials have been looking for a way to adopt dogs left in their custody. Now, they may have found a solution.

The department is working with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to form a foster pet program that allows residents to keep a dog in their home until it is adopted.

Nicole Winfield, a shelter volunteer, said applicants fill out a form asking the name of the individuals current veterinarian and references, along with some other questions.

With the assistance of Animal Control and the SPCA, applicants select a dog they believe would fit well in their home. Then, Winfield does a home inspection, determining whether the home is safe for the dog.

Its up to them whether they allow people in their home to see the dog, or if they meet people at the SPCA, Winfield said. We had one foster parent who adopted the dog.

Applicants are slow in coming, and Winfield said she thinks many people do not like the idea of the home inspection, even though SPCA will spay and neuter the dogs and provide any needed medical care.

The organization advertises the dog on its website, and Animal Control displays its photos on the Adopt A Pet Facebook page.

SPCA and Animal Control determine which animals are the most adoptable. Puppies usually are not placed in the system because of the danger of parvo, a contagious canine disease; Winfield said the dogs usually are about a year old, and are approved by both Animal Control and SPCA. The foster dogs belong to Animal Control, but are adopted through SPCA.

Animal Control was looking for a way to reduce the number of dogs being put down, she said.

The program started with Winfield talking with former SPCA veterinarian technician Katie Harris about starting some type of adoption program.

They once had a foster program, but it didnt work out, and we tried to work out a better one, Winfield said.

The two work with Rachel Hancock, an intern with Animal Control who operates the Adopt A Pet Facebook page. Hancock, a photographer, takes pictures of the dogs as soon as they come into the facility and posts them to the social networking site.

For the dogs to be adopted, they must be in the facility five days so the owner has the opportunity to reclaim them. Often, owners cannot afford to pay the fine and other costs to get the dog, or they simply do not respond when notified.

Winfield said Animal Control and SPCA are looking for those who want to become a foster owner. Winfield, who has volunteered, said she has never kept a dog more than three weeks, and some for less than a week.

Hancock discovered the Animal Control shelter while looking for a lost cat. She did not find her cat, but did see several animals in need of adoption. She started volunteering at the city shelter and taking photos of dogs, and began the Adopt A Pet page about six months ago.

Most of the animals that come in are abandoned, and some get claimed, Hancock said.

There are 44 pens at the shelter, and most of the time there are two dogs to a pen. Hancock said the change in animals after they are adopted is dramatic.

You can tell the change in a dog after it is adopted, she said. They have a light in their eyes they didnt have before. I fell in love with a dog, and when my husband came to meet her, you could tell she needed someone.

We took her home, and her personality just came alive … she was so happy to have someone to show her attention.

Hancock said there is a risk in adopting a dog from the animal shelter, because their background is unknown. Even though there is a risk, she said, the available dogs are outstanding.

Hancock said bigger dogs have a more difficult time than small ones: The pens are barely large enough to lie down in, and the dogs have no room to run around and must remain in the cramped cages. However, she said almost all the dogs are housebroken.

There was a boxer in there a could of weeks ago and he was so sad, he just laid there, Hancock said. Someone came to adopt him, and the dog ran in circles, he was so excited. He kissed everyone who came in the door. You know they are going to be such good pets.

Anyone interested in the foster pet program may contact Enid SPCA and fill out an application. Following approval, applicants can go to the shelter and see what type of dog is available for adoption.

For foster parents, there is no charge they need only provide food and shelter for the dog. When the dog is adopted, the new owner pays SPCAs usual costs.

Patch Pets: Summer and Wriggles

Each week, we feature cats and dogs available for adoption from Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook.

PHOTOS: Adoptable Pets at Pasadena Humane

If youre looking for a furry friend, check out these pets up for adoption at the Pasadena Humane Society.

Steve and Linda Richards 100-acre property is dedicated to their family.

You know we dont have any kids. She (my wife) was a deputy humane agent when I met her. Thats what I married, Steve said.

The animals on the Richards farm are more than pets, they are family, ONNs Cristin Severence reported.

Now, scattered throughout the property are little reminders that two of their pets are gone.

A big empty feeling, I had dogs my whole life, Linda said.

Linda said that her two dogs were playing outside Sunday. There was Bugle, a beagle puppy that she rescued four months ago.

Hed come running, his tail would be wagging so hard his whole butt would shake, Linda said.

Linda also had a 4-year-old Saint Bernard mix named Violet.

She was the most friendly dog in the world. She was so happy to get a little brother, the beagle when it showed up, Linda said.

The beagle chewed through Violets collar Sunday and the two dogs started playing and running on the large property.

Theyve always come back, they never even gone off the property, Linda said.

After looking for them for hours, Richards called the sheriffs office about her two missing dogs.

And they said two were shot, Linda said.

The Richards went to identify her pets and ran into a witness.

The witness said that the dogs made it to a yard two miles away. The friendly pair started walking along the road when a man came out of his home with a gun and got into his car.

The witness told deputies than man drove a short distance to where the dogs were walking.

She heard shots and yelping, shots and yelping then she saw him go back in his driveway, Linda said.

Deputies investigated, and Walter Pace was charged Thursday.

The Richards said that they didnt know the man and their dogs were never on his property.

We dont know what to do. We dont know how to feel. Nothing seems right, Steve said.

Walter Pace did not return calls to ONN for a comment.

Pace scheduled to be in court April 26 facing animal cruelty charges.

A couple have been banned from having animals for eight years after allowing their 69 pets, including 56 large dogs, to live in squalid conditions.

Nicola Hood, 31, and James Hood, 40, of Queens Road, Minehead, admitted nine counts of animal cruelty last month.

The couples baby was found in a bed with sheets soiled with bird droppings.

Taunton magistrates gave them a two-year conditional discharge and ordered them to pay £250 each in costs, which will go to the RSPCA animal charity.

Sea of dogs

The conditional discharge means they will be re-sentenced if they breach the conditions of their release.

During the sentencing, Ian Denley, defending the couple, said they thought of the house as an animal sanctuary and were devastated by the loss of the dogs.

NASHUA – The Telegraph invites you to celebrate all things with four legs, fins, wings and whiskers.

Pawsitively Pets Expo will be held from 10 am-2 pm Saturday, May 19, at Daniel Webster College in Nashua. Pets from all over New Hampshire are bringing their owners to the Expo to visit with pet-related vendors and enjoy demonstrations, giveaways and prizes.

Don’t have a pet? The Humane Society for Greater Nashua will have pets available for adoption.

The Humane Society for Greater Nashua is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the animals and people of the Greater Nashua community since 1900. The society operates a full-service shelter in Nashua, New Hampshire. Because the Humane Society for Greater Nashua receive no city, state or federal grants, no United Way funds and no funding from National Animal Welfare organizations, they rely solely on community-wide support, fund raising endeavors, bequeaths, general donations, and in-kind gifts.

Please help us support the Humane Society for Greater Nashua by making a donation on site and/or participating in our 50/50 raffle.

Ever wonder what your pet is thinking or trying to tell you? Let Karin O’Neill, of Animal Quest, communicate with your pet. Get a better understanding of your pet’s likes, dislikes and needs. Animal communication is helpful in discerning any illness, pain or trauma that an animal might be feeling or may have experienced in the past. It can also help to understand any undesirable behaviors that an animal may be exhibiting and to discover ways to resolve those behaviors in positive ways.

We will be scheduling appointments on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the event. The cost is $20 for a 15-minute communication session. Communication appointments will take place from 10 am-2 pm Sign- ups begin at 9:45 am

This year’s event is sponsored by Chasing Our Tails and Animal Hospital of Nashua. Participating vendors include Amherst Country Club Ponemah Green, Owens Corning, Rockingham Vet Hospital, Pawsitively Yummy, Canine Company, Rescom Exteriors, 2 Puggles At Home, Critters N Creatures, Cool Collars, Satlyclaws and Hollis Veterinarian Hospital. Food vendors include Gianni’s Pizza.

This is a pet-friendly event, all leashed and well-behaved pets are welcome to attend. This is a free event, however, donations to help support The Nashua Humane Society will gladly be accepted.

For more information regarding the event and event activities, visit www.telelgraphevents.com.

Veterinarians and their staff are constantly warning pet owners about the hidden dangers lurking in their homeplants, household cleaners, medications, and some foods are just a few examples. But what about beauty products, specifically nail polishes?

Although many nail products on the market today are labeled toxin free that might be a bit misleading. According to a recent California report, some nail polishes and other nail products used at salons and labeled toxin-free may have high levels of toxic chemicals. A team of researchers with the California Environmental Protection Agency bought 25 nail products and sent them to an independent lab for analysis. The products were tested for the presence of dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehydethree chemicals known for their toxicity and potential health risks, especially to nail salon workers. Although many of the products had been labeled toxin-free, the results showed that some of the products still contained one or more of these chemicals. The labeling does not always reflect the ingredients, says Valetti Lang of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

While these findings may have an impact on those who work in nail salons or who frequently use nail products, DVM Newsmagazine turned to an expert to consider the health risk to pets, especially those that often lick the hands of their caregivers. Its pretty slight, says Dr. Justine Lee, a board-certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist and the Associate Director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline. In general, if the product is dry, it poses little threat when pets are exposed to veterinary staff using these products, she says. Due to a pets shorter life span and the lack of chronic exposure, I suspect theres little true relay toxicity to our patients.

Pet owners shouldnt be concerned either, although Dr. Lee shares this for the overly cautious ones: Spare your pet the shame and dont paint your nails to be on the safe side.

We invite our readers to interact here on the pets section any chance we get, and one thing is evident: people are passionate about their companion animals, no matter what breed they are. And as we see at the end of each week, they like to show off their cute pet photos!

Its always fun to see what our readers lives are like with their own pets and other animals, and there are always interesting stories to tell.

This week, youll see three dogs at Swift Run dog park, a Mini Rex bunny, a tired Schnauzer and an English Bulldog who loves to go for a ride in the truck!

Its all in good fun!

Dear Christopher Cat: My cats, Hansel and Gretel, venture outside. Gretel often loses her quick-release collar and identification tag. Should I attach her ID tag to a small dog collar instead?

Christopher responds: No. That would be dangerous, because a dog collar wont release if its snared on fencing or a branch. Such an accident could be fatal.

Instead, take both cats to your animal hospital or shelter and have the staff inject a tiny microchip under the skin, over the shoulder blades.

If the cats get lost or someone mistakes them for strays and takes them to a shelter or animal hospital, a staff member will scan them and find the microchips.

Keep your contact information in the microchip registry current so the staff can reach you to let you know they have your cats.

Unfortunately, only 2 percent of cats without identification that are taken to shelters are reunited with their owners. So a microchip is essential.

Even an indoor cat needs a microchip, because a cat can slip outside through a door left ajar and get lost in the neighborhood. Or the cat could escape during a house fire or other calamity.

Dont rely on breadcrumbs to help Hansel and Gretel find their way home. Give them the advantage of microchip technology.

Dear Daisy Dog: During my elderly golden retrievers semi-annual wellness exam, his veterinarian noticed that he was breathing more harshly than usual. She asked about his bark, and I realized that its become hoarse in recent months.

Shes concerned he may have a throat problem called laryngeal paralysis. What can you tell me about this disease?

Daisy responds: Laryngeal paralysis, most common in middle-aged and older large-breed dogs, is characterized by the clinical signs you describe as well as breathing difficulties, diminished stamina and a gagging cough when drinking or eating.

These problems occur as the nerves that control the muscles of the larynx degenerate, preventing them from working properly. So the larynx, the opening to the windpipe, is blocked by the muscles that normally open wide to let in air.

In dogs with laryngeal paralysis, other nerves also function poorly, especially the nerves to the esophagus, so these dogs sometimes cough or gag when drinking or eating.

Because additional nerves eventually degenerate, including those to the hind legs, laryngeal paralysis is considered the initial manifestation of GOLPP, geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy.

Treatment often involves laryngeal surgery, where the paralyzed muscle and cartilage are tied back to keep the airway open.

Learn more about GOLPP at cvm.msu.edu/golpp.

Ask the Vets Pets appears Friday. The animal authors of the column live with Lee Pickett, VMD., who practices companion animal medicine at Bernville Veterinary Clinic. Contact them at www.askthevetspets.com, 610-488-0166 or PO Box 302, Bernville, PA 19506-0302.

Pets of the Week: A Bird amp; Cat!

Palm Harbor Patch is proud to help the Suncoast Animal League find forever homes for these great pets.