2012-05-03

Bandera County 4H salutes volunteers

Contributed

Bandera County 4-H, in celebration of National Volunteer Month, thanks the volunteers who help make their program a success. The Horse, Shotgun, Rifle, Photography, Food and Nutrition, Clothing, Beef, Goat, Lamb, Swine, Rabbit, Poultry, Range Science, and Small Pets are just some of the projects in which Bandera County youth benefit from the timeless efforts of adult leaders.

The new value of volunteer time for the US is $21.79 per hour. The price is never worth the value of the time and hours the 4-H volunteers have worked. And all of their work is done free of charge by these individuals.

Adult volunteers play an important role in 4-H youth programs. 4-H volunteers help 4-H members to develop leadership and life skills, make new friends, give back to the community, and build connection with others.

To learn more about 4-H or to volunteer, please call the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Bandera County Office at 830-796-7755 or visit their website at

http://bandera.agrilife.org

Pictured: Bandera County 4-H creates success due in large part to the number of skilled and enthusiastic volunteers involved in the program. Kim Fulenwider and Dina Buettner are just two of many who share their expertise with Bandera Countys young people.

Coyotes are becoming more vocal as they seek mates and reproduce.

Coyotes are in their mating season, which causes them to be more vocal and territorial, Division of Parks and Wildlife district wildlife manager Shannon Schwab said. They will defend den sites more aggressively and are pretty active this time of year. I really dont think the snowpack has anything to do with their activity.

Their goal is to have pups at about the same time a prey base becomes available when elk calves and deer fawns are born.

Evolutionarily, its important to have babies when other things are having babies, fellow Summit County district wildlife manager Sean Shepherd said.

Coyotes also may be more visible these days because of all the fallen trees. Theyre out hunting rodents right now, and they are typically active all winter. But thinner tree cover means coyotes are more out in the open.

Common problems humans encounter with coyotes include:

gt; Coyotes following Nordic skiers, surprising them to where they fall and then the dog approaches closer. Shepherd speculates theyre attracted to the squeak of the skis, which can sound similar to mice and voles under the snowpack.

gt; Encounters with small, unleashed pets. Small pets are on the menu for coyotes. Be cognizant that coyotes are looking for an easy meal, Shepherd said.

gt; Coyotes looking for extra calories, particularly when denning with pups. They have learned to live around people in cities across the US

gt; Coyotes approaching because residents are feeding fox, which also means coyote and bear are coming around.

There are ways to defend oneself from coyotes, including using firearms. Trapping isnt effective in the long term because other coyotes will move in.

By Victoria Talbot|March 18, 2012

Yet another report of coyotes came from the Brentwood Community Council. California Department of Fish and Game Public (DFG) Information Officer Andrew Hewitt remarked that coyote attacks on pets in their own backyards are not uncommon. “They live in virtually every part of Los Angeles.” And they are not going away.

The DFG will only kill coyotes that threaten human life; they do not relocate them. “Pets are not a public safety issue,” he said.

Coyotes follow food sources, including small pets, trash cans, dog bowls, gopher- opossum and squirrel populations and feral cat colonies. They imprint their cubs with habituated behavior, rendering them fearless of humans. They will rarely, if ever, attack humans.

To protect small pets, keep cats inside; dogs on short leashes. (A retractable leash allows the dog to get too far away to save the pet from the coyote.) If you know a coyote is lurking in your ‘hood, spray garbage with an alcohol or ammonia spray bottle before leaving if out for pick-up; leave it out the morning of pick-up, not the night before. Coyotes hide under the cover of shadow and darkness and snatch small pray with great speed and dexterity.

In Brentwood, the coyotes have adapted to the pattern of garbage collection, feral cats, and scooping up gophers. They hunt through the night and early morning hours and retreat to their dens in daylight. Dens can be in any small place that allows burrowing and affords them a place to hide from predators. It doesn’t have to be big; they hunt in the urban environment just as well as predators in the wild. Your pets are a yummy snack.

“You have to take some personal responsibility,” said Hewitt.” It is possible to hire a private, federally licensed exterminator; they are not protected. “We don’t recommend that,” said Hewitt. Such a contractor will kill coyotes in the most humane way. The Department of Fish and Game will gladly send a game warden to address HOAs and neighborhood groups.

For more information visit www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild

QA About Confronting Coyotes
Q: What should I do if a coyote approaches me?
A: Wave your arms. Shout in a low, loud tone. Throw objects at the coyote while maintaining eye contact. Make yourself look as big as possible; if you are wearing a jacket open it up like a cape. If possible go towards active or populated areas but do not turn your back on the coyote.

DETERRENTS SCARE TACTICS
o Spray a little ammonia in your trash can several times a week to cut the odor of food.
Place moth balls or moth ball cakes in areas where coyotes sleep or hang out to deter them from staying.

o Motion activated devices such as lights, strobe lights and sprinklers can be useful.

o Use radios that are set to talk or news stations to help deter the coyotes.

o Throw a can containing a few coins which can be shaken and thrown at the coyote.

o Throw balls or rocks. Bang two pans together, blow a whistle, use an air horn or use high pressure water sprayer.

o Alternate the above to keep the coyote from getting used to one method.

PHOENIX, Mar 15, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Springtime can trigger thoughts of fuzzy small animals like guinea pigs
and hamsters, so it’s not surprising that it’s also the most popular
time of year for parents to surprise children with new small pets. But
before that cuddly chinchilla comes home, it’s important for families to
spend some time researching each animal’s characteristics so they
determine what pet is just right for their family. PetSmart(R)

/quotes/zigman/54520/quotes/nls/petm PETM
-0.26%

is taking this springtime opportunity to highlight key
factors to consider when selecting a new family pet.

“Choosing a pet should never be a spur-of-the-moment decision, and
families need to consider how the pet is going to fit into their lives,”
says Dr.
Kemba Marshall, veterinarian and pet care expert at PetSmart.
“Talking to an associate about each pet’s unique characteristics and
doing some background research online will help families prepare for
what to expect and to care for their new pet.”

How to get started:

Pick the perfect pet: To find the perfect match, families must
consider how each pet will fit into their lifestyle.
Several online resources, including PetSmart’s
Small Pet Center, provide tips on how to choose a small pet,
whether it’s a rat, gerbil or hamster, based on children’s ages,
pet-care experience, daily time requirements for care and lifespan.

Choose the right habitat: Each pet has unique habitat
requirements and there are must-have
supplies and accessories to keep the pet happy and healthy. For example, rats
need a cage with both height and width so they have room to climb and
explore; guinea
pigs need a habitat with plenty of floor space to play; and hamsters
need a multilevel habitat large enough to include an exercise wheel and
tunnels as they have tons of energy.

Provide proper nutrition: Each animal has its own nutritional
needs. Guinea
pigs and chinchillas
are herbivores so they need diets that include at least 75 percent of
high-fiber hay. Hamsters
and gerbils
are also herbivores but need high-fiber diets and enjoy variety. In
all cases, fresh water is essential and should be available at all times.

Swing by a store: Take a family trip to a PetSmart
store, where associates can help with pet selection and walk
everyone through the basics including habitat cleaning, feeding
schedules and how to properly and safely handle small pets. Each store’s
book section also carries pet health manuals and pet-specific handbooks.

“Taking time to think about getting a new pet is the best way to ensure
a positive experience for the pet and its new family,” adds Dr.
Marshall. “Pets bring so much to our lives so we want to ensure that
each pet parent is prepared to provide the care their chosen pets need
to enjoy a happy and healthy life.”

Talk to an expert:

Families looking for guidance or pet parents who have questions about
caring for their small pet can connect with Dr. Marshall on Facebook.
PetSmart will be hosting a live chat with Dr. Marshall on Tuesday, March
27, from 6:00 pm — 6:45 pm EDT.

For additional information, please visit
www.petsmart.com .

About PetSmart

PetSmart,
Inc.

/quotes/zigman/54520/quotes/nls/petm PETM
-0.26%

is the largest specialty pet retailer of
services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company
employs approximately 50,000 associates and operates more than 1,232 pet
stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, over 192 in-store PetSmart(R)
PetsHotel(R) dog and cat boarding facilities and is a
leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information (
http://www.petsmart.com ).
PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet
products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart
Doggie Day Camp(SM) day care services and pet adoption
services. Since 1994, PetSmart
Charities, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare
organization and the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North
America, has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs
benefiting animal welfare organizations. Through its in-store pet
adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities(R), PetSmart has
helped save the lives of nearly 5 million pets.

Follow PetSmart on Twitter @PetSmart Find
PetSmart on Facebook
www.facebook.com/PetSmart See
PetSmart on YouTube:
www.YouTube.com/PetSmart

SOURCE: PetSmart, Inc.

GolinHarris for PetSmart
Anuradha Koli, 972-341-2578
akoli@golinharris.com
or
PetSmart Media Line
623-587-2177
pr@ssg.petsmart.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

/quotes/zigman/54520/quotes/nls/petm

Add to portfolio

PETM

PETsMART Inc.

US

: Nasdaq

$
57.12

-0.15
-0.26%

Volume: 830,148
April 3, 2012 4:00p

P/E Ratio22.43
Dividend Yield0.98%

Market Cap$6.29 billion
Rev. per Employee$122,266

/quotes/zigman/54520/quotes/nls/petm

Add to portfolio

PETM

PETsMART Inc.

US

: Nasdaq

$
57.12

-0.15
-0.26%

Volume: 830,148
April 3, 2012 4:00p

P/E Ratio22.43
Dividend Yield0.98%

Market Cap$6.29 billion
Rev. per Employee$122,266

First rule of thumb: stay calm. It sounds cliched, but it will serve you best. As the human, youre responsible for a pets care.

Here are a few more crucial tips that can help lead to a happy ending should something disastrous happen because of the weather:

• Make sure that your pet has a collar with identification and/or is microchipped. If they are lost in the event of a disaster, these tools will make it easier to be reunited. (I recommend that my clients have an ID tag or, as one client does, flyers with my contact info on them while theyre away.)
• It sounds odd and techie, but in addition to paying attention to the weather forecast, look to my Twitter feed (and include the hashtag #miwx) for Michigan-centric information. In real time, I can get a great idea of what is going in and around the areas that I need to be in on any given day.
• In our basement, we have a pet survival kit that includes: fresh stash of pet food (consider easy-to-store pet nutritional bars), bottled water, medications (including syringes and a Sharps waste container if diabetes is present), veterinary records, a disposable cat litter pan, extra food dishes, a pet first aid kit, poop bags, a quart-sized container of bleach and other supplies with us in case we need them if a disaster hits. Dont forget a comfy pet bed for each pet!
• Ensure that you have some photos of your pet should you and your pet become separated.
• Have favorite toys and treats on hand for your pet. They provide a fun outlet and reduce stress during tough situations.
• If you have a cats and other small pets, make sure that you have a secure pet carrier handy in case you need it. For dogs, we have leashes for each dog ready and we actually put a harness on them as we head to the basement when the situation calls for it.
• Never leave your pet chained outdoors, or to fend for themselves. They depend on you to provide care for them.

Additionally, please note that not all shelters accept pets if you must seek refuge temporarily. Click here to learn more from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about sheltering your pet if you are unable to return home, and more tips on caring for pet birds and other considerations should disaster strike.

Lorrie Shaw leads the pets section for AnnArbor.com. Catch her daily dog walking and pet sitting adventures or email her directly and subscribe to AnnArbor.coms email newsletters.

When it comes to adopting household pets, freebies are never a good option, according to animal welfare experts.

Taking home a free kitten or mature dog sounds like a great deal, but in the end, you will likely spend more on veterinarian fees than you would to adopt from a community shelter or partnering store.

Mandy Chepeka, communications manager at the newly-located Ottawa Humane Society (ottawahumane.ca), stresses that even if you find a free dog, cat or other small pets in a print or online ad, you typically don’t have the benefit of knowing how it was raised, its medical history, pedigree or behaviour patterns.

“We try to tell people that there is no such thing as a free kitten or a free puppy,” says Chepeka, sitting in the spacious modern lobby of the new OHS on West Hunt Club Road. “They are not free given you don’t know whether they have been spayed or neutered, so there’s a fee you’re going to have to pay with your veterinarian. They probably have not had even a first round of vaccinations and you can bet they are probably not microchipped,” she warns.

“Whereas if you have a pet that you have adopted here, it is spayed and neutered; it has been health checked and temperament tested; it’s got a microchip in it. It’s had its vaccinations.”

Spring is a great time to visit the shelter since many animals, particularly cats, have their litters at this time of year.

Adoptions at the shelter cost $145 for a special needs dog — a pooch with a physical disability or emotional issue — to $350 for a puppy (under six months); $85 for a special needs cat to $225 for a kitten. Small animals, like hamsters, rabbits and birds, mostly sell for under $50.

So why are they not free if all they need is a good home? Because the shelter has to cover upkeep costs of the animals, which may include surgeries if they have been neglected, abused or hit by a car or require medications for illnesses such as kennel cough.

However, the adoption fees are much cheaper, says Chepeka, than what it would cost to bring a “free” animal to a veterinarian to be examined, fixed, microchipped and vaccinated.

Prices vary from clinic to clinic, but she estimates the average cost for those services would add up to $726 for a dog or $626 for a cat.

If you refuse to pay for a pet, the best alternative is to foster an animal through the shelter’s volunteer program.

Keri Abella, manager of the humane society’s volunteer program says the reasons an animal needs fostering can vary. A cat or dog may have a respiratory infection and need to rehabilitate in the comfort of a loving home while on medication; whereas vulnerable newborns will thrive in a less stressful environment.

The application process to become a volunteer foster family is thorough and involves a police check. If you qualify, the OHS provides all the necessities for the animal’s care, including food, medication, crates, litter, and toys.

If you would prefer to shop around, the humane society has a pet store partnership program called PAL (pet adoption locations) with various retailers, including PetSmart, Pet Valu, and March Road Pet Food and Grooming. These stores are OHS approved and often receive animals from the shelter once they’ve been given a clean bill of health by the shelter vets.

Walking through the new facility, you can view the rabbits in their “rabbitat” environments, cats in their condos and dogs in roomy glassed-in pods.

The public is welcome to tour the adoption facility, which is open Monday to Friday, 11 am to 7 pm and Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm

“You are getting an extremely good value for the adoption fee when you adopt,” says Chepeka. “And chances are it’s been here for a bit, maybe a month or so at a minimum. So it’s had an opportunity to be observed. If it’s a dog, it’s been walked by our volunteer. We make sure they interact with other animals,” she says, adding, “You don’t know that when you are just answering an online ad or a classified ad.”

Environment Minister Terry French wants people to watch for moose, but says in some parts of the province you probably wont see one.

Speaking to the St. Johns East Rotary Club Friday morning, French said the islands moose population is in decline, even if thats not the public perception.

Avalon Peninsula, for example, theres been considerable decline of the moose population in the last number of years, French said, to a point now its a little frightening how low the moose population is.

The provincial governments policy since the 1950s has been to maintain the moose population at the highest sustainable level. French said the government is embarking on a five-year moose strategy that may revisit the current policy.

This is a major component of our revised approach to moose management, providing long-term forecasts and hopefully greater predictability in our future efforts in utilizing and sustaining this resource, he said.

Coyote fever

Lately, though, French said he hasnt been talking about moose so much, because everyone wants to talk about coyotes.

In the six months since he took over as Environment minister, French said hes done more media interviews about coyotes than anything else.

French said that while they might be a recent addition to the ecosystem, the coyotes came here naturally, and people just have to get used to them, like any other wildlife.

Theyre here to stay; theres no getting rid of them, he said. Theyre here to stay and I guess, as a society, like we try to get used to moose and other wild animals. … If you lived in Northern Labrador, youd have to get used to polar bears.

French stressed that coyotes are a part of the ecosystem around every North American city and theyre nothing to be afraid of.

Any time that, you know, a wild animal is in the presence of humans, obviously you have to be conscious, he said.

(But) I wouldnt recommend you go around with a knapsack of minced meat on your back.

French said people should make sure they dont leave food garbage accessible outdoors, and be careful about letting small pets roam unsupervised.

jmcleod@thetelegram.comTwitter: TelegramJames

PRUNEDALE – Residents around Prunedale have reported seeing at least one mountain lion in the area, said the state Department of Fish and Game.

Dave Feliz, manager of Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, said sightings are not unusual in the area.

But its always a good idea not to leave small pets or livestock unattended, and to avoid leaving pet food outdoors, where it could attract raccoons, deer or other wildlife that could be prey for a mountain lion, Feliz said. People also should think about trimming any bushes on their property that might be good hiding places.

For more information, see www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/lion.

GREENFIELD- People who live in a suburban neighborhood are worried about seeing more coyotes. Theyre concerned they could attack pets or even small children.

Recently, the number of coyote sightings has jumped in cities like Greenfield. When the sun sets, some neighbors told TODAYSTMJ4 theyre hearing a wild sound all too close for comfort near wooded areas.

As Lori Bode and her grandson play at KonkelPark in Greenfield — she keeps a close eye out for more than just strangers — more like strange animals.

Not only are coyotes watching but they are also on the prowl in more urban areas.

They make a really weird howling sound and when they catch an animal you can hear the animal screaming,said Lori Bode.

She also had a close calls with the wild animal. Actually a neighbor of ours told us there was a coyote that was walking and approaching our dog and they called us..and we ran out and got him, said Lori Bode.

Off 51st near Tesch Avenue, Ed Caroll has also spotted a few unwanted neighbors in this open field behind his house. Its a wide open pathway for them for miles and miles in both directions.

He moved in 30 years ago, but within the past few months he has stepped outside to find the wild creatures.

By and large, I think theyre more scared of us than we are of them, but I dont welcome them, said Carroll.

Greenfield hasnt seen any attacks from coyotes. In fact according the Department of Natural Resources says coyotes rarely attack people.

Some of neighbors do have small pets, so we do have a concern about that kind of thing,said Carroll.

Its recommended you keep your pets on a leash and keep garbage out of sight. But for Caroll, he would prefer they move along sooner than later.

The city told TODAYSTMJ4 they were averaging two to three calls a week of coyotes sightings around the city.

But in 2012 the calls have gone down because people are getting used to seeing the wild animals around the city.

Coyotes first appeared in South Carolina a little more than 30 years ago and continue to expand greatly in numbers, according to biologists with the SC Department of Natural Resources.

Studies show that coyotes are negatively impacting the white-tailed deer by preying on deer fawns.

For information on coyotes in South Carolina and the rules and regulations associated with controlling them, visit dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/coyote/index.html, or call 803-734-3886.

Coyotes will never be eliminated; they are here to stay, according to Jay Butfiloski, SCDNR Furbearer Project supervisor. Coyote numbers may be lowered in local areas through diligent trapping/shooting or naturally after a disease setback, such as distemper. However, coyotes are not a threat to people — they are not pack animals like wolves and are very shy around people. There are no documented cases of humans being hurt by coyotes in South Carolina. They can be a threat to small pets, though.

The DNR frequently gets calls from constituents concerned about what they can do to control coyotes.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the legal methods available:

Hunting/shooting

* There is no closed season for hunting coyotes on private lands during the day-they can be hunted at any time. Hunting license required.

* Night hunting is permitted with certain weapons restrictions. Hunting license required.

* Electronic calls are permitted.

* No hunting license or permit is required to shoot coyotes on your property within 100 yards of your home. However, check local laws and firearms ordinances.

Trapping

* Trapping season is open from Dec. 1-March 1. Trapping license required.

* Property owners with coyote damage are eligible for a depredation permit from DNR.

* No license or permit is required to trap a coyote on your property within 100 yards of your home.

* Trapped coyotes may NOT be relocated and must be destroyed.

Permits to shoot at night

* DNR Law Enforcement may issue a shoot-at-night permit with less-stringent restrictions under certain circumstances, such as damages to personal property. Contact DNR for more information.

Control of food available to coyotes around residences, such as pet food and garbage, may reduce coyote problems around the home, according to Butfiloski.

Coyotes, native to much of the Western United States, first appeared in the Upstate in 1978 and are now present in all 46 counties in South Carolina. Contrary to popular belief, SCDNR has NEVER released coyotes into the state for any reason, including deer management. Nevertheless, coyotes have been illegally imported into South Carolina for hound running, and this practice may have accelerated the establishment of the species in the Palmetto State.

However, the establishment of the coyote in South Carolina was inevitable, as the coyote has expanded its range to the extent that it occurs in all of the continental United States and much of Canada.