Dishing the News on Pets and Animal Welfare Issues             Nov. 2007

Neglected Dog Gets Makeover;

Owner Gets Time in Jail

A Gladstone woman who failed to get medical help for her ailing four-year-old dog was sentenced to 10 days in jail in a case brought by the Oregon Humane Society.

Walt, a black sharpei/pit bull mix, suffered from severe mange that had taken over most of his body, leaving him almost hairless and his skin inflamed and irritated. His eyes were swollen and ulcerated and he could barely see. “When I first saw Walt, my instant thought was that this dog was seriously neglected and was suffering,” said OHS Humane Investigator Austin Wallace.

Walt, after medical treatment (see before pictures below)

The Clackamas County Circuit Court sentenced Patricia Ballard of Caldwell Road in Gladstone, the dog's former owner, to 10 days in jail and fined her $2,000. A trial was scheduled last week, but Ballard pled guilty to animal neglect in the second degree the day before the trial was to begin.

"This case shows that it’s morally and legally wrong to not seek treatment for an animal suffering from a painful medical condition,”  said Sharon Harmon, OHS executive director.

Since Ballard forfeited Walt to OHS in April, the dog has experienced an extreme makeover. “Staffers fell in love with this guy,” said Linda Fielder, OHS shelter medicine coordinator. “He is comical and kind of clumsy and he couldn't wait for his daily walks so he could say 'hello'  to everyone up and down the halls.”

	Walt during a recent OHS visit.

Thanks to the OHS medical staff, nearly all of the dog’s coat has returned. His eye infections and ulcers cleared to the point that he could undergo surgery to correct his eyelids, which had  rolled inward and aggravated the infections. Walt is now in the care of a foster volunteer, who reports that he has a heart of gold and loves to give kisses and take car rides. 

Walt is available for adoption from OHS. He will need to receive periodic evaluations and regular vet care of his skin condition until it is completely resolved. To learn more about adopting Walt, contact the OHS adoptions office at (503) 416-5026, or visit Walt' Webpage.

OHS employs three Humane Investigators who are commissioned by the Governor of Oregon to enforce animal cruelty laws throughout the state. OHS officers, who all complete standard police academy training, investigated 850 complaints last year and seized 310 animals. Their work is supported entirely through private donations. 

To support the work of OHS Investigators, the public can donate to a special OHS Investigations Fund.

Walt when he was first taken into custody by OHS Investigators.		Walt's' coat begins to respond to treatment 10 days later, but his eyes would need longer to heal.

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Santa Paws is Coming to Town

The Oregon Humane Society’s annual Santa Paws pet portrait event comes to town on  the weekends of November 10-11 and 17-18 at eight local Fred Meyer stores.

Get keepsake pictures of your pet with Santa, and help animals in need!

What Santa Will Give to You: You'll get two 5 x 7 professional quality portraits of your pet with Santa (family members are invited to sit along with their pets), a compact disc with a digital copy of your portrait, and the opportunity to order more copies for yourself or for use as holiday greeting cards. All this for just $20, with the proceeds benefiting the animals at OHS.

When & Where to Meet Santa: November 10 - 11 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Fred Meyer Garden Centers located in the Gateway, Gresham, Hollywood, and Johnson Creek stores

November 17-18 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Fred Meyer Garden Centers located in the Oregon City, Raleigh Hills, Tualatin, and Walker Road stores.

Visit the Fred Meyer Website to find directions to a store location near you.

Where Do I Pickup My Pictures? Your pictures and compact disc will be available for pickup one week after the photos were taken. To get your pictures, go to the photo department at the same Fred Meyer store where your pictures were taken. You'll also get discount cupons for ordering more copies and using the photos for your greeting cards.

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It's Open House at the new AMLC: Nov: 16-18

	New center is attached directly to the existing OHS Shelter in Portland

You are invited to an Open House for the nation's first Animal Medical and Learning Center, right here at the Oregon Humane Society.

From Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 18, you can get a first hand look inside the new medical center, which is otherwise closed to the public. You can also tour the new learning center, which helps problem pooches and finicky felines.

The new medical center will provide round-the-clock medical care for shelter animals and train a new generation of veterinary students from Oregon State University.

Greg Oden, #1 draft choice of the Portland Trail Blazers, will make a special guest appearance with his dog, McLovin', during the weekend. Watch this Web page for details.

When:

Friday Nov. 16: – 12 noon to 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18: 12 noon to 5 pm

Where:

The AMLC is part of the existing OHS shelter, located at 1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97211. Click here for directions.

Highlights:

• Behind-the-scenes tour of Oregon's newest animal hospitial
• Discounts at Best Friends' Corner II (a new retail store inside AMLC)
• Special gifts for the first 100 senior citizens on Friday, Nov. 16
• Special kids activities on Saturday from 1 - 4 pm.
• Enjoy light refreshments while touring the new building
• And we will have special guest appearances!
• Check back often, activities are updated daily

The AMLC Open House is sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc., Fresh Step Kitty Litter, and Wild Oats Natural Markets.

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Holiday Gifts are Easy at OHS

Stumped for ideas of what to get for all those pet lovers on your holiday list this year? Think no more: Best Friends’ Corner is now selling the best coupon book ever – no bones about it!

The Go Fetch coupon book features dog bakeries, doggy day care, dog friendly lodging and restaurants, groomers, kennels, boarding, dog sitters and walkers, veterinarians, waste removal and more. Best Friends’ Corner retail store has a 20% off coupon and the OHS Training & Behavior department has a coupon for a free consultation ($45.00 value). And best of all, the Go Fetch coupon book is just $10.00.

But wait ... there's more! You can make the people on your list get that warm and fuzzy feeling by making a tribute gift in their honor to help the animals at OHS.

The gift recipient gets a personalized holiday card acknowledging the gift made on their behalf. To learn more, visit the OHS Website or call Nicole at (503) 416-5027 (for general questions about OHS, please call (503) 285-7722).

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