Animal Welfare of Surry NC

Great news in Stokes County.  Unwanted animals will no longer be gassed, but put down more humanely using lethal injection.

Please read full story in todays news:

http://www.wxii12.com/news/21101289/detail.html

AWS is gearing up for Dog Days of Summer this Saturday in Downtown Mt. Airy. We still need volunteers to help in our adoptions, merchandise table and Info booth. If you cannot make it this saturday and still wish to contribute to help the Animals of Surry there are things we desperately need.

Along with:

Dog/Cat Food

Kitty Litter

Collars & Leashes

Pet Grooming Items

Pet treats

We also need items you may already have in your home.

Towels (we don't care of the condition as long as its washed)

Blankets (fleece throws are great for crates and carriers)

Tennis Balls

Old toys a dog may like to play with (frisbee)

Paper Towels (We could use alot of these for transport)

Spray Bottles (to use with our Paper Towels)

Stainless Steel Pans, Bowls (doggy dishes)

If you don't have any of these things hanging around the Dollar Tree carries most. You can help our animals alot with a one dollar bill.

We accept all items at any of our events and transports. And we Thank You.

On Aug 1st Downtown Mt.Airy will hold the first Dog Days of Summer. 

 http://www.mtairynews.com/pages/full_story/push?article-City+aims+to+become+pet-friendly%20&id=3014506-City+aims+to+become+pet-friendly&instance=home_news_lead

Mount Airy is known for their annual family-oriented events and we would love to see Dog Days of Summer among them. Starting at 10 a.m there will be fun activities for the whole family. Because Mount Airy is a pet-friendly town we see our dogs and cats (and rabbits, iquanas, turtles and goats) as our family. This is a great oppurtunity to come out and meet new people, join in on the fun and show off your pets.

There will be a variety of contests, prizes, activities for kids and pets, specialty foods from our local restaurants , adoption fairs and much more.

If you would like to volunteer with any part of the event or would like to donate prizes please get in touch with B.J (Froo-Froo's Pet Boutique) or Claudia (Thelma Lou's Pet Grooming). 

Since joing Facebook this past summer I have been able to reach all of my most oldest & dearest friends from Jersey. I am also meeting new ones from our area and have now opened another Facebook page for our other 'friends' .

AWS will now be available for all Facebook members to see and keep up-to-date on our lastest meetings, transports, events, adoption fairs as well as having a photo gallery of our adoptable pets and a discussion board to talk about how we can make a difference in an animals life in Surry and surrounding Counties.

If you are new to the area or would like to meet new friends who share the same passion for animals come by and visit us on Facebook or call Melanie at 786-5256. Teenagers are always welcomed.

If you have ever considered fostering a pet now is the time. June is adopt a cat month and this weekend we are not only adopting out the kittens inside PetSense, but we are bringing  many more that are currently in foster homes.

These kittens make up part of the 3,000 plus animals euthanized each year in our county. There is just not enough homes. More and more people are surrendering kittens expecting that someone else will take care of them. That they will eventually find a good home, because they are so cute and adorable and no one can resist them.

Think Again.

Animal Welfare has about 6 foster families. Surry Animal Rescue has 3. We can only have so many animals in our homes.

There are things you can do to help.

1. Consider fostering an animal. This is a good thing if you do not want to make a lifetime commitment to a dog or cat.

2. Be responsible. If your cat wandered off and has given birth please take responsibility. Get your cat fixed. And find good homes for the kittens through advertisements and word of mouth.  Come out and join us at our Adoption Fairs. Many businesses in Mt.Airy is allowing Adopt Me posters in their stores. 

3. If you took in one too many stray cats and now have 68 and need someone to take them all in because they are multiplying.................well, it's not us you should be calling.

4. Having an animal is a real commitment. Please do not take in an animal on impulse.  They are cute and adorable now, but they do get older and bigger.

5. Donate Pet food to someone who can use it.

6. Pass out our Spay/Neuter Flyers in your area.

7. Volunteer at the Animal Shelter. June is a very busy month and they could use your help.

Come out and visit us Saturday June 20th and 27th at PetSense. 11-2. We will have our "kitty shower" adoption fair.  I will be bringing my 4 foster preemies "Fe, Fi, Fo and Fum" (and they will get adopted because they are so cute and adorable and no one can resist these beauties). Lisa has 5 ready to be adopted. Check out Big Fred's Ad on our adoption page. Michele will have her kittens. I've lost count, but there will be many to choose from.

 There is also a discount on all spay/neuters for cats. $23/$32 There is a contract for all newborn adoptions who need to be fixed when they come of age.

And, yes, there will be dogs and puppies there too.

The new Surry County Animal Control Ordinance has passed. Once a meager 12 page the new Ordinance has an additional 20 pages. Nothing has really changed. It just elaborates a little more of the ordinance that we already have. But, it will make it a little harder for people who are brought into court for  disobeying them.

One thing is new and not in the old ordinance. Under the Animal Welfare article VII Surry County Breeding Kennels must be registered.

Section4. A current registration shall be maintained by the Animal Control Department for each breeding kennel located within the County. The owner or operator of said breeding kennel is responsible for ensuring that the same is registered hereunder. Registrations required under this section shall be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Ordinance and shall thereafter be renewed in January of each year.

All registrations shall inlude name, address, phone number and the owner/operators of the same, the address and physical location of the breeding kennel and the number of dogs over the age of 6 months being kept at the breeding kennel as of January 1 of the year for which the registration is made.

A breeding kennel is any person or group of persons engaged in breeding dogs or cats where (5) or more litters per year are produced.

Hopefully, this will cut down on backyard breeders who keep there dogs in less than sanitary conditions and fear a visit from Animal Control. Or, maybe they will cut down there inventory and stop breeding so many.

This will also help people interested in buying a dog from a reputable breeder. They will  now be registered with the county.  That is good news for hobby/professional breeders who actually breed dogs for the love of the animal and not for a quick buck.

Last Saturday Melanie and Michele took Snoodles & Peanut down to wxii news in Winston. Here is the link to the broadcast.

http://www.wxii12.com/video/19609367/index.html

After the segment, they joined the rest of AWS at Petsense in Mount Airy for an Adoption Fair. It was a beautiful day, several pending pup applications and 6 kittens adopted.

There are still so many kittens waiting for a home. Please come out to Petsense or visit  Petfinder for your new companion at www.petfinder.com .

Well, I think it's a great title.

And I am very happy something will be done to see that our companion pets, who are considered part of our family, will be able to enjoy the many strolls along main st. and participate in downtown events.

Mount Airy DBA is looking into installing Poop bag stations in town. Helping customers, tourists, early morning walkers access to bags to clean up their pets mess. 

Here is the Mount Airy News story:

 http://www.mtairynews.com/pages/full_story?page_label=news&id=2511615-Scoop+the+poop-+Making+the+city+more+pet-friendly-+one+poop+bag+at+a+time&article-Scoop%20the%20poop-%20Making%20the%20city%20more%20pet-friendly-%20one%20poop%20bag%20at%20a%20time%20=&widget=push&instance=special_coverage_bullets_right_column&open=

We have many pet-friendly stores in town who welcome our four legged companion. Of course, Froo Froo's Pet Boutique welcomes all dogs of all sizes. Miss Prissy, the store manager, will welcome you and your pet and show off their newest clothes line.

Most, if not all,  pet-friendly stores, owners expect that your pet be on a leash, updated on shots and have an id tag & shot tag on their collar.

Responsible owners will not bring in their dog into a store (or into a town where they are exposed to people & animals) if their is a possibility that they may become aggressive. If they destroy merchandise or property. If they dislike other animals. If they are sick.

And please no puppies.

Yes, they are so sweet. Precious. And tiny. Cradled in your arms like a newborn baby. But, if your darling is not up-to-date with their Parvo shots  not only is your dog in danger of getting it, but is also putting the risk out to other dogs as well.

If your pit bull/boxer mix doesn't like little dogs and must stay outside Froo Froo's have biscuit treats and water by the front door to snack on.

By the time you reach the other side of Main St. pet owners may get hungry and want to stop by for a bite to eat. There is only one place to go. Blue Bird Diner has an outdoor take-out window where you can order your meal and sit outside at one of the tables and have  lunch with your dog.  There is always Food kibble, milkbones and water available  at the tables. Blue Bird Diner owners Scottie & Evelyn are very big animal lovers and a huge supporter of Animal Welfare.

I like the idea of the Pet Stroller and Pet Carry-ons and there are stores who don't have a problem with pets under 10 lbs. that are not leashed, but held. Claudia of Surry Emporium, is also  Thelma Lou. Not the real Thelma Lou, but Thelma Lou Pet Grooming also on Main St.  Downstairs from Mayberry Consignments.  She runs both shops that are pet-friendly.

Always ask the shop owner if it is O.K to bring your pet into the store. Froo Froo's has pet strollers, carry-on purses and pet carrier slings to purchase and a few stores will allow that.  and only if he pet is well behaved.

Mommy & Me has opened up a new store in town. They were located in Mayberry Mall and now located in the old Stationary Store. The man working there is also a big supporter of animal rescue. And they will promote any flyers that may help out animals in our community. They mostly sell Purses and Accessories, but they do have doggie totes. Again, always ask if it is O.K to bring in your pet.

Robbie's is a camping/fishing/hunting outdoors store on the corner of Main & Independence. I have not personally been there with any of my dogs, but they do carry dog items. Leashes, collars, mostly geared to the larger working dog.

One street over behind McDonalds is Movie Gallery. As long as your pup is held or in a stroller, but ask just in case. I do highly recommend Beverly Hils Chihuahua & Dog Hotel . My dogs perk up at the tv when they hear the dogs bark.  We are compiling a list of great dog movie titles for you to watch with your pooch.

This year I am hoping Autumn Leaves will allow pets into the fair. I have heard many upset people who come here from out of town unaware dogs are not allowed. Many dogs are left in the car, or .tourist just leave  disappointed. We are suppose to be a pet-friendly town.

I understand for the safety of children or those with allergies that animals should not be in a high volume environment with lots of people. Someone can get hurt. Someone can get bitten. A little kid may be scared. A lady may start sneezing.

Where am I going with this? Hmmmm. People still smoke. In a large crowd. Where people are allergic to smoke. A kid inhales some and gets sick. Possibly second-hand smoke. Cancer. Thrown cigarrette butt hits someone in the arm. Butts stomped on the streets. Kids pick it up, put in their mouth.

I had smoked for 25 years. And it is peoples rights to smoke. In their homes. Cars. Outdoors. But I feel it is also the rights for an owner to take their pets Outside. To Public events. In town. On a beach/lake. At a Park. (I do see people light up at parks).  I also believe their are restrictions

I am ending this blog by saying that I have wriiten this as my opinion only and not a group opinion of AWS.  Poop Bag stations are great and needed. And once this gets around Pet owners will not hesitate coming to Mount Airy with their dog and give the shops of main st. their business.

Depite the scattered rain, many pet lovers came out to Veterans Park in support of the AWS Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program that helps reduce pet overpopulation in Surry County. The Event started off with the Motorcycle Benefit Ride, followed by a Fashion Show & Competition. 

Here is the Mt.Airy News article on our event.

 http://www.mtairynews.com/pages/full_story?article-Canine%20Spring%20fling%20aims%20to%20help%204-legged%20friends%20=&page_label=home&id=2489871-Canine+Spring+fling+aims+to+help+4-legged+friends&widget=push&instance=secondary_news_left_column&open=

Our new teen volunteer Brandon Wilber worked endlessly with our adoptable dogs at our event as well as the earlier pet adoptathon event at Patterson Auto.  He poses a perfect picture with 'Precious' on the front page of the paper.

We received interest in the adoption of 'Moonpie' 'Precious' and Tuxedo Cat 'Angel' .Hopefully, they will go to their 'fur-ever' homes soon. 

For those who do not enjoy reading, I have found a video explaining the No-Kill Equation in Nathan Winograd's book Redemption.

It is a 30 minute program so make yourself a cup of coffee, sit down and learn how, we, Surry County can become a no-kill community. After, watch Strayed. This video also goes into detail about Winograd's plan to save more lives.  

This is a must watch for all Animal Lovers and Welfare Groups.

Click on the Videos Page and start watching.