Izzy - Adopted August 2010

Sometimes NAFA has a family that really stands out when they adopt for one reason or another, this one is because of the great distance that was traveled for a puppy……

                                      Photo Courtesy of  Alyssa Hennessy Photography

She has traveled over 5,000 miles by car with her family and does amazing, even though she hates her seatbelt harness.

So when we received a Christmas card from the family that adopted the Wolfhound / Collie mix we were all thrilled at the photos and letter that was enclosed. The passage in what we are guessing is a yearly letter about the way life has been going included a whole paragraph about Izzy. Here is the excerpt from that letter:

“Izzy, our quadruped fur baby, turned one year old in June (or around there). Her legs have lengthened along with her fur. We still have not bothered to investigate what her mix breed could be, but she does resemble the breeds the rescue thought she was (Wolfhound / Collie mix). In all honesty, we know it’s a really hairy breed crossed with a hyper breed. Graduation from Obedience Training was achieved (Whew!). She can now sit, shake your hand, and when she feels like it she will come inside on command. 

 Izzy would still give Beckham a run for his money. No seriously, the little stinker will actually dribble the ball away from you before she clamps down on it. “

We were so happy to hear about her antics and how life was going for her. She has turned into a beautiful girl as we all hoped she would. We were all saddened when she was adopted to people that are so far away but at the same time happy that she was getting such a fantastic home. We are glad that she is our friend on Facebook as well. We get to see updated pictures when they let us know there are new ones posted.

If you would like to join us on Facebook please go friend us online at https://www.facebook.com/NAFA.rescue or you can also just fan us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NAFA.animals .

Goose - Great Dane /Labrador Retriever

Goose was adopted this year and is already settling into his home nicely. He is a Great Dane / Labrador Retriever as far as we at NAFA know. Another of his siblings went to a foster to adopt home this weekend.

Goose's Mom wrote us and sent these lovely pictures of Goose at his forever home. Here is what she has to say about this guy already.

"I would like to share with you that he has a great temperament, so someone has been working with him.  He sits a lot when we go outside and I will need to get a little instruction on keeping that procedure and using it the correct way.

I am lucky that he sleeps all night.  I will put him in his crate at night around 9:45-10:00 and after a couple of  minutes of whining, he settles down and sleeps til I get up at 5:30-5:45.  (We are hoping to get better on him not wetting the bed!!!) And believe you me, I take him out every hour that I am home and give him the opportunity to exercise and go to the bathroom.

He's been playing with several toys and there is no need of me throwing the ball; with his big paws, when he runs after it, he almost always 'bats' it forward again and keeps chasing it.

He loves a paper towel tube and when I want his attention, I make a little noise with it and he comes running.  He also enjoys a soft/fuzzy ring and would love it if I would give him his own pair of house slippers.  I have caught him grabbing one and running to his dog pillow/bed that you will see in some of the pictures I will send you.

Goose didn't like that cold, blowing wind this morning when I took him out to do his business!!!  (Me either)"

We are thankful to the people who give NAFA's animals a wonderful, loving home. If you think that you would like to adopt you can visit our petfinder (http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=AR55 ) site to see if your next furry family member is there. You can also visit our website or facebook for more information. Adoption are from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday's at Petco although if you are interested in adopting you need to have your Potentional Home Questionnaire filled out or in hand by 3:30 p.m. as there is an interview process. 

PAWS FOR EXCELLENCE AWARD PRESENTED TO LARRY ROGERS

On Tuesday, January, 17th Wannda Turner of Northeast Arkansans for Animals presented Sergeant Larry Rogers with NAFA's Paws for Excellence Award. Below is what she had to say before the award was presented.

"The saying goes … it takes a village.

In the case of the animals in our community, it takes much more.  It takes a dedicated Mayor and Chief of Police.  It takes an educated and passionate Prosecuting Attorney’s office.  And it also takes and interested and informed City Council.

But most importantly it takes one individual to keep it all going.  In the past five years the animal community of Jonesboro has seen an unsightly “Dog Pound” converted into a state of the art “Animal Control Department”.

That devoted and hard-working individual is Sgt. Larry Rogers. 

His singular vision has made the Jonesboro Animal Control Department something every citizen can and should be proud of.  It is his compassion for the animals, devotion to the city of Jonesboro and overall care for each citizen that exemplifies the type individual that every city hopes to have in charge of their animal citizens.

The past five years have seen an extraordinary leap in abuse case investigations, adoptions and transfers of animals to rescues.  Sgt. Rogers continues to stay abreast of laws and works for better enforcement.  His desire for humanity shows in the exceptional conditions of the Animal Control Facility.  And he is willing to readily assist other cities to help improve their animal departments.

For these characteristics and his obvious big heart, NAFA wishes to award Sgt. Larry Rogers with our highest show of praise – our “PAWS for Excellence” award.  We believe his is responsible for the most significant improvements made in our animal community in the past decade and should be recognized for it."

Animal Control Officer's, NAFA Volunteer's and Jack Jones, DMV all came to the meeting to show their support and pride in Sgt. Rogers. Please if you have a chance let Sgt. Rogers, his officer's and employees at Jonesboro Animal Control know how much you appreciate the efforts they are making to help the Jonesboro community with the animal issues that are plaguing us. 

A neighbor of a NAFA volunteer saw this little guy running down a community road where it had almost been ran over by an oncoming vehicle. She contacted the NAFA volunteer, who explained that she must call the Director before taking the animal but would help out with the dog until she was able to reach her. The dog was taken in on Saturday and the owner contacted NAFA to arrange for pick up of the dog on Thursday. NAFA’s Director contacted the communities Animal Control Officer to alert him that dog had been found running loose in his area. He was able to help reunite this happy fellow with his family. He was very excited to see Amber when she came to get him.

 While in foster care the foster home that was keeping him discovered that he is able to scale a 5 foot chain link fence plus is able to able to unlatch the chain link gate. Hopefully this family has learned more about their sweet fellow and will deter him from further adventures of his own making.

 If you have found an animal running loose in your community try local officials first as sometimes they are familiar with the animal. If you need assistance with the animal you may contact NAFA at nafahelp@gmail.com or nafaresce@yahoo.com . You can also leave a message on NAFA message only line at 870-932-1955. 

Max Memorial

NAFA would like to acknowledge the passing of a special member of the Turner family. Max will be missed greatly by his family.

World Rabies Day - $3.00 Vaccinations

September 28th was World Rabies Day.  The Arkansas Department of Health has issued some alarming statistics The State Health Department reports an alarming rise in the number of rabies cases so far this year. In fact, they've already surpassed the total amount from last year.

With a lot of people living in rural areas around Arkansas and letting their pets run around outside, the state's latest rabies map is important to see. Each color represents a county and the level of cases hitting there this year. Sebastian County is probably the biggest hit with 26 cases and 64 dogs now quarantined after exposure.  NAFA is trying to help  owners in this area.

No Appointment Necessary.  This Saturday, October 1st from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, NAFA will sponsor Dr. Jack Jones for our monthly low cost clinic – 233 N. Gee, red and white building on the corner of Gee Street and Dan Avenue across from Riceland Foods.  While individuals usually must qualify for our services, this Saturday any individual can received rabies vaccinations for their dogs or cats, certificate and tag for only $3.00.  While coupons are required, individuals can show up and ask for a coupon on the spot.  Individuals who want a rabies only can bring their animals and leave them in their vehicles, NAFA technicians and the vet will give rabies shots so the animal never has to leave the security of the vehicle.

Other vaccinations and services are available, however, individuals must qualify and must bring their animals inside the building for those services.

Here are some key points from the Arkansas Department of Health:

• Ark. averages 41 rabid animals per year, but so far in 2011 we have had 50 positives, including 44 rabid skunks and 6 rabid bats.

• Sebastian Co. alone has had 26 rabid skunks in 2011. In a normal year, we average 32 rabid skunks for the entire state. Through Aug. 31, 2011, 42 skunks have been submitted from Sebastian Co., with a rate of 62 percent being positive. The previous 5 years statewide have a 45.7 percent positive rate.

• Rabies is 100 percent preventable. In most cases, preventing rabies is as simple as ensuring adequate animal vaccination and control, avoiding contact with wild animals, and educating those at risk. Of the 64 dogs and 1 cat exposed to rabid animals from the wild this year, only 31 percent have been current on their rabies vaccinations.

• While we have had an epidemic of skunk type rabies this year, we cannot forget that bat exposures lead to almost all of the deaths to rabies in the US (excluding those people who were bitten by an animal in another country but then were in the US when the symptoms began).

• Any bite from a bat, no matter how tiny, is extremely serious. If possible, capture the bat and have it tested for rabies. If we cannot test, the person must receive rabies preventive shots.

NAFA is a non profit 501c3.  Funds for this clinic are provided by local donors.

A NAFA friend and I went to Walmart Sunday afternoon to pick up a prescription that was ready. When she parked the car, she left the motor and the air conditioning running for me. I am a 6 lb “Dorkie” named Ella and I go everywhere with her. So she has to make sure that I am safe.

However, two cars over I noticed a car with a Terrier in it. The window was cracked about a half inch but neither the air conditioning was on nor was the car running. My NAFA friend was inside Walmart only 8 minutes and when she came out to find the dog was still locked inside the hot car, the dog was panting and drooling. I could see the seat was wet where the dog had been panting so hard.

You may have found yourself in my situation before. Many pet parents believe that cracking a window is enough to keep their dogs cool in the car while they make a quick pit stop—but they couldn’t be more wrong. "Automobile temperatures can very quickly rise to dangerous levels; the average temperature increase in a parked car is 40 degrees, and the majority of this increase occurs in the first 15 to 30 minutes," says NAFA’s veterinarian, Dr. Jack Jones. According to statistics from the ASPCA, when it’s 90 degrees outside, a car will be a staggering 125 degrees in 20 to 30 minutes!

Worse still, dogs can’t cool themselves down as easily as people, and once they overheat, they can suffer extensive organ damage or die. Luckily, for this dog the NAFA volunteer made all the right moves and the dog survived.

Follow her lead by taking these simple steps.

Step 1: Try to Locate the Pet Parent
The Terrier’s people were nowhere in sight, so she went inside and customer service tried to find the family through the loudspeaker. (You can ask most stores to do this.) No one came to the car.

Step 2: Get Involved
I waited patiently in my truck with cool air, while I watched and worried about the Terrier in the other car. The owners of the car and pet could not be found. We then quickly called the police (normally we would have called animal control but it was Sunday). It had been nearly 20 minutes since I first noticed the dog. A very nice Jonesboro police officer arrived very quickly and used a rod to open the door.

Step 3: Cool the Animal Slowly
When we pulled the Terrier from the steamy vehicle she was lethargic and ill. We moved her into the garden area in the shade and wet a tshirt to lay over her. We applied cool (not cold) water to the pads of her feet and allowed her to slowly lick water from a small dish. Within a few minutes she began to feel better. Meanwhile the police officer ran the plates, got the name of the owner and went back inside the store to have them paged.

Step 4: Get Veterinarian Help

Once the Terrier seemed stable, we discussed with the police taking the dog to a veterinarian. While the NAFA volunteer was on the phone with an emergency vet, the owners arrived. They found the police officer writing them a ticket and a NAFA abuse investigator caring for their dog. The owners agreed to take the dog to their veterinarian and provide the police and NAFA with proof of the visit. Luckily the Terrier named “Spanky” suffered no long term effects

Fourteen states (AZ, CA, IL, ME, MD, MN, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, SD, VT, and WV but not Arkansas) have enacted specific laws that protect dogs in hot or extremely cold cars, as have many municipalities—but even in places lacking such a law, leaving an animal in a hot car constitutes cruelty.

Step 5: Educate the Public / Carry Hot Dog Cards
Pets are counting on people like you to save their lives. NAFA and the police rescued Spanky, the Terrier just in time, and she made a full recovery! Remember what you should do and tell your family, friends and neighbors how to handle this situation. NAFA provides free hazard cards to put on the windows of cars where animals are left if it is not a life and death situation for the animal. NAFA also provides free handouts on how to best work with an animal suffering from heat stroke. If you would like any of this information email nafahelp@gmail.com or see us any Saturday at Petco from 1 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. for the handout or cards to carry in your vehicle.

Step 6: Share Your Story
If you have had an incident where you have seen or helped rescue an animal from a hot or cold car, please post your story to our facebook page (www.facebook.com/NAFA.rescue) or email wanndat@fastdata.net. NAFA is hoping to get the city of Jonesboro to pass a specific ordinance providing rescue provisions and penalties for animals in vehicles (similar to a California law) …

California Law:
It shall be unlawful to leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal. Penalty - First conviction: fine not exceeding $100 per animal. If the animal suffers great bodily injury, a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding 6 months, or by both. Any subsequent violation of this section, regardless of injury to the animal, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both. Rescue Provisions - A law enforcement officer, humane agent or animal control officer may take all steps that are reasonably necessary to remove an animal from a motor vehicle if the animal's safety, health or well-being appears to be in immediate danger. Must leave written notice bearing the officer's or agent's name and office and the address of the location where the animal may be claimed.

Please keep your pets safe from the extreme summer heat. Make sure they have shade and fresh cool water when outside. Thanks for reading my story!

Till Next Time,
Ella