12/2/09 FOOTHILLS TRAILS OPEN HOUSE DEC 9TH
 
Learn more about plans for new trails, open space management, results of the trail use survey and other Foothills-related topics at an informational open house from 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road.
Staff and volunteers from Boise Parks & Recreation, Ridge to Rivers, Ada County, the BLM, Idaho Fish and Game and the Foothills Advocates for Shared Trails will be available to answer questions and provide updates on:
 
Planned projects on the Ridge to Rivers trail system
Foothills serial levy acquisitions
Trail use survey
Idaho Humane Society enforcement efforts
Volunteer Opportunities
Proposed trails in West Boise, Eagle and Northwest Ada County
Environmental education activities
 
The Foothills Learning Center is an environmentally friendly building operated by Boise Parks & Recreation in the heart of the Boise Foothills. It houses classrooms and offices for Ridge to Rivers, Foothills Open Space Management and environmental education program staff and volunteers. The grounds feature a native plant garden and interpretive nature trail. 

For information, see www.cityofboise.org/parks, send an email to FoothillsLearningCenter-Parks@cityofboise.org or call (208) 493-2530.

Media contacts:
Julia Grant, Foothills Open Space Manager, 493-2533
David Gordon, Ridge to Rivers Coordinator, 493-2531
Amy Stahl, Community Relations, 384-4060, ext. 304
 
7/2/2009 Fourth of July Can be Problem for Pets

Celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and barbecues may be fun and fine for humans but may not be the same for our furry friends that do not understand what all the commotion is all about.

The Idaho Humane Society recommends keeping your dogs and cats indoors during the Fourth of July festivities which usually start prior to the actual day and frequently continue for several days after. Raucous guests and unpredictable fireworks displays can cause even the most timid dog to leap a six-foot fence or go through a screen or glass window when they get spooked by fireworks and loud noises.  "Every year, we have to prepare for the onslaught of dogs and cats that get frightened and run away due to the celebrations," said Dee Fugit of the Idaho Humane Society.  "Our kennels are usually packed on July 5th due to the lost, frightened and sometimes injured animals that do not understand what we are celebrating."

If you know that your pet is sound sensitive or sensitive to the lights of fireworks, then you need to make sure that they are maintained in a safe and secure manner.  Keep your pets away from fireworks by keeping them indoors during this time and if possible, stay with them so that they feel safe and secure.

Here is some common sense advice to keep your pet from have negative experiences with fireworks during this time of celebration:

  1. Distract a dog by giving him/her something to chew or lick such an interactive toy stuffed with food or peanut butter. 

  2. Take you dogs for a nice long walk or run earlier in the day so that they are tired,  (and hopefully sleepy), during the hours that most of the festivities are going on.

  3. Cats and dogs should be kept indoors and away from windows where the flash of fireworks and the sound of fire crackers can scare them.

  4. Do not take your dogs to fireworks displays where they can be stressed, not only by the fireworks displays, but also by the crowds of noisy revelers.

  5. Make sure that all of your pets have current identifications such as collars or microchips so that, if they do get lost, they can be returned home safely.

  6. If your pet has had a severe reaction in the past to fireworks or loud noises, then we recommend that you contact your veterinarian for advice regarding medication that may be helpful during this time.

  7. If your pet gets lost, contact  your local animal shelter and file a report as soon as possible.  Post flyers and make sure the neighbors know that your pet is missing.  Don't wait for them to come home.

Following this advice and maintaining your pet in a secure environment will hopefully allow everyone to have a safe and happy Fourth!

7/1/09 Your pup's photo on 100 cases of prize malbec? You can make it happen at this year's Lawn Party and support I.H.S.:

http://indiancreekwinery.blogspot.com/2009/07/guidelines-for-humane-society-label.html

6/30/09 Divas for a Difference: help the animals by supporting Idaho Humane Society annual Lawn Party

Read the article here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/life/story/818424.html

Also listen to the Divas for a Difference podcast interview with Idaho Humane Society executive director here. http://radio.boisestate.edu/DivasforaDifference.html

6/30/09 Tragic shooting of cat in S.E. Boise, Idaho Humane Society seeks perpetrator, warns neighborhood.

Read about it here: http://www.vizionsrealestate.com/cat-shot-with-a-pellet-gun-in-east-boise-humane-society-investigating/

6/27/09 Did the Tweet do the Twick? I.H.S. reunites wayward parrot with Zoo Boise!

Read about it here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/boise/story/815992.html

6/25/09 Lost (microchipped) dog reunited with owner after 14 months, rescued from drug house! 

Read about it here:  http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/813947.html

 Want to have your pet microchipped? You can get it done here.

6/23/09 “You can’t buy love, but you can adopt it”
at the Idaho Humane Society through June 30th  

June is national “Adopt a Shelter Cat Month” but unfortunately the Idaho Humane Society has been struggling to cope with a large influx of cats entering their animal shelter and too few adoptions. An adoption promotion for cats started June 1st, but despite lower adoption fees this month the number of cats entering the shelter has far exceeded the numbers leaving the facility. The Idaho Humane Society’s shelter and pet foster care network, the largest in the State, is at maximum capacity for cats and kittens. To address the current crisis, until the end of the month adoption fees for cats and kittens will be waived, however, vital donations to offset the Idaho Humane Society’s expenses will be encouraged.

 

These donations are critical to maintain the shelter and its programs. There will be a limit on optional fee adoptions of one cat per household, if individuals wish to adopt multiple cats the standard adoption fees will apply. Each cat adopted from the Idaho Humane Society is spayed or neutered at the society’s veterinary medical center, vaccinated, wormed, and micro-chipped to provide lifelong identification – the cost of these services is over $120 per cat. The regular adoption fee for cats is $50. 

Since June 1st, 658 cats were admitted to the Idaho Humane Society’s shelter while only 197 cats have been adopted and 16 lost cats were returned to owners.

In contrast, the situation for dogs has been very favorable this month, with adoptions exceeding intakes. In addition to the local rescue of lost and abandoned dogs, since June 1st, the Idaho Humane Society has also transported 45 dogs from overcrowded rural shelters across Idaho to their Boise facility for adoption.

According to Idaho Humane Society executive director, Jeff Rosenthal, DVM, “The current situation is due to the typical seasonal influx of kittens, in combination with increased relinquishment and abandonment of cats, and lower numbers of cats adopted. We believe the current economic situation is a contributing factor. Our goal is a community in which all adoptable animals find homes and we want to encourage adoptions of shelter pets by those who are ready to accept the responsibility of pet ownership. We also hope to raise awareness, and the most important thing we hope to make people aware of is that they have a responsibility to spay or neuter their cats, and that the failure to do so has tragic consequences.” 

The shelter is open from 9 am to 6 pm, seven days per week. The shelter is located at 4775 Dorman Street. Dorman Street is located off South Orchard, just a few blocks from the Orchard exit off of I-84.

 

In addition to adopting cats and dogs, and making financial donations, the Idaho Humane Society also encourages the public to donate pet food. The society operates the Pet Food Pantry which provides pet food for low income families, for its foster program, and for other animal shelters and rescues. Pet Pantry food drop off locations have been established at businesses across the TreasureValley, in Mountain Home and also in Twin Falls. The Idaho Humane Society has also increased the numbers of cats sterilized in our region this year through their S.P.O.T. (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today) Clinic, the TreasureValley’s low cost spay and neuter program. Information on these and other programs can be found online at

 

www.Idahohumanesociety.org

The Idaho Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal protection organization, animal shelter and veterinary charity in the State of Idaho. The Idaho Humane Society is a private, charitable, nonprofit Idaho 501(c)(3) Corporation that relies heavily on donations and does not receive any funding from other animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States, American Humane Association, or the ASPCA. We do not receive funding from any state or federal agency. All donations made to the Idaho Humane Society are tax-deductible. Individuals interested in making donations toward the Idaho Humane Society should contact Christine Moore, Development Director at 208/387-2760 or visit our website online at

www.idahohumanesociety.org

 

 

 

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