“METRO (DAVIDSON COUNTY) ANIMAL CONTROL: Accepted an invitation to tour the Metro Animal Control facility this past week. Many of you have read the recent articles in the Tennessean regard their intake of 10,000+ animals annually with a euthanasia rate of 76-78% (in comparison, in the same period Sumner County took in 2,500 animals with a euth rate of 63%).

Unlike our Sumner County facility, the Metro AC facility is fully open to the public (as is Williamson, Rutherford and Cheatham County facilities). I found the Metro facility very clean, spacious, odor free with a friendly professional staff that reports to their County Health Department. Like Sumner, they also have about a 1/3 of the total intake from ‘owner surrenders’.

They do not adopt out any Pitt Bull or Pitt mixed breeds (which accounts for about 60-65% of their total intake) … these are euthanized if not reclaimed by their owners. All animals in their adoption center have been fully vetted, S/N’d and pass a temperament test, with most also having been quarantined for a 7 day period. Upon intake ALL are vaccinated, dewormed and treated with Pet Armor flea/tick treatment. It is mandatory that all animals that have been picked up as “running at large” be micro chipped before/if being reclaimed by their owners.

They also accept animals from all counties/areas, not just from Davidson County. Davidson County also has a licensing program … $4 annually. All animal feed containers are cleaned & sterilized daily … kennels were very clean (they have a paid cleaning staff) … emphasis is placed on disease prevention and sanitization. Their annual budget is about $1.8 million, compared to Sumner County’s approx $350-500 thousand. I was impressed with the facility and overall operation … nice!!

And “Yes, they do have a volunteer program“. If are interested in volunteering, e-mail us at SumCoAnim@comcast.net and I will gladly send you an application. All volunteers are trained, undergo a background check and must sign a liability release.”

Darrel also provides Sumner County results which provides an insightful comparison.

SUMNER COUNTY FEB RESULTS:

“In February, 190 animals were taken in, of which 60 (32%) were ‘owner surrendered’ and 130 (68%) were ‘strays’. 15 (8%) were reclaimed by their owners*; 51 (27%) were turned over to rescue organizations; 31 (16%) were adopted and the euthanasia rate was 45% (85 animals). Another ‘good month’ compared to past results.

*Regarding ‘strays’ … the vast majority of stray animals do not have any type of owner identification where the owner can be contacted to reclaim their animals. Even though state law requires dogs to wear ‘rabies tags’ which can be used to identify the owner , most strays do not wear them or have never been inoculated.  Unfortunately, too many people treat their animals as a ‘disposable’ commodity … they never follow up with AC or the other shelters on ‘lost animals’. Most of these are eventually euthanized unless rescued or adopted out.  If a stray animal is picked up and is wearing owner ID, AC’s policy is to ‘provide a free ride home’ on first offenses without a citation.”

Photo By: Darrel Johnston

The post In the News: Sumner County Animals response to Nashville Animal Control’s high euthanasia rate appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

March 16 (23, 30)

Rabies Clinics: $10 rabies vaccination clinics for dogs and cats
1-4p.m.
27 area schools, locations available at: http://www.tennessean.com
Sponsored by Metro Public Health Department and the Nashville Academy of Veterinary Medicine

March 16th

Bake Sale to benefit the New Leash on Life Animal Rescue from Lebanon, TN
Paws 4 Health will be at the Tractor Supply in Lebanon, TN from 9:30 am – 2:00pm
We will also have our cookbook for sale and demonstrating how to keep your pets teeth and gums healthy. Come on out to see us and buy some yummy baked goods for you AND your furry friends!

March 23

“Easter Paws”  photos to benefit Freedom Farm
10a.m. – 2p.m.
PetSmart in Madison, TN (Rivergate)
Have your fur-baby’s photo taken in a cute set of bunny ears – or their favorite Easter outfit.  The Easter Bunny will not be in attendance that day but we will have a wonderful spring setting for the photos.
Bake Sale Too!  All proceeds will go to Freedom Farm to help with upcoming veterinarian bills (kitten season is coming!).

March 24

Nashville Lifestyles’ 2013 Cover Dog Search
1-3 p.m.
Cheekwood
Presented by The Nutro Company
“Bring out your dogs, BIG and small, to compete for a spot on the May cover of Nashville Lifestyles! A celebrity panel will judge the contest while pets and their owners enjoy music, snacks from Music City Flats, and offerings from our sponsors. Advance entry is $20 per dog, $25 on the day of the event.”
10 Dogs will be selected for the inside Fashion Spread!  And 1 will be selected for the cover! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Nashville Humane Association and Cheekwood.
More info at http://www.nashvillelifestyles.com

April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29, May 6 and May 13

FREE Feral Cat TNR Clinics
Provided by Nashville Paw, The Nashville Paw Foundation and Pet Community Center
“If you are ready to help feral cats in your community, contact the Pet Community Center today to get the help you need and to get scheduled for one of our clinics. Space is on a first-come reservation basis. To schedule, visit petcommunitycenter.org/feline-fix to fill out a form or email info@petcommunitycenter.org.”
For more information, visit http://www.nashvillepaw.com

April 13

Pedal for Paws, a cycling event benefiting Sumner Spay Neuter Alliance
8a.m.
Gallatin Civic Center
Presented by MARS petcare
“Third annual Pedal for Paws cycling event through scenic Sumner County. Routes are designed for all levels of cyclists with well-stocked rest stops along the routes. All rides begin and end at the Gallatin Civic Center.” Chose 12 miles, 30 miles or 62 miles
$25 entry fee or $30 the day of (all riders get a free post meal provided by Moe’s Southwest Grill). Pre-registered riders will also receive a t-shirt.
More info: http://sumnerspayneuteralliance.org/pedalforpawstn.html

April 18-19

Paws 4 Health at the Southern Women’s Show
 Nashville Convention Center – 
601 Commerce Street
Nashville TN, 37203
3 days on the Southern Women’s Cooking Stage….April 18th @ 2:30pm – April 19th @ 7:00pm – April 20th @ 4:30pm
Paws 4 Health sponsored by Tractor Supply – Jimmy Sloan, manager of the Lebanon, TN location.
We will be cooking foods that are quick, economical and healthy for you and your furry family members.  Come see us for lots of FREE samples and loads of furry fun!  It will be PAWSITIVELY wonderful!!

April 20

8th Annual Dog Daze of Hendersonville Benefiting Safe Place for Animals
10am – 3pm
Streets of Indian lakes in Hendersonville
We will have great vendors, a silent auction, snacks, dog training, and the rockin tunes of Big Nose Kate! It’s a great day for dogs to bring their owners out for a day of fun!  Don’t miss out!
More info: http://www.safeplaceforanimals.com/Events—Volunteering.html

April 26-28

PetSmart Adopt-a-thon at the Rivergate area Petsmart
Friday, April 26th from Noon – 4p.m. (cats/kittens)
Saturday, April 27th 10am – 3p.m. (dogs, cats/kittens)
Sunday, April 28th Noon – 4p.m. (cats/kittens)

May 1

Cause for Paws Benefitting the Nashville Humane Association
11a.m.
Belle Meade Country Club
“An annual kick-off to spring, this is one of the Nashville Humane Association’s largest fundraisers.  Held at the Belle Meade Country Club, this year’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, chaired by Robin I. Patton, is not to be missed!  Guests will enjoy a spring fashion show,  a delicious lunch and an auction packed with more than $60,000 worth of fantastic items.”http://nashvillehumane.org/Current_Events/Cause_for_Paws/

May 4

“Helping Paws Pet Care Clinic” (FREE Pet Care Clinic)
9a.m.-3p.m.
Safe Place for Animals shelter
1070 Old Hwy 109 N, Gallatin, TN 37066
“Providing free pet vaccinations, free rabies inoculations and a free basic veterinarian exam for financially qualified pet owners (food stamps, HUD, SS Disability, low income). The clinic will be limited to the first 90 companion (dogs and cats) animals and is funded by private donations through the SumnerCountyAnimals.com’s “Helping Paws” program.”

New Leash on Life’s Bark in the Park
11am-4pm
Wilson County Fairgrounds
 (James E. Ward Ag Center) 
945 E. Baddour Pkwy
Lebanon, TN 37087
“Bark in the Park is family friendly with activities for you, the kids and your dog.
Kid friendly activities will include bounces and a scavenger hunt. For your dog(s), there will be dog contests, an obstacle course and a pet treat station. That’s not all. We are looking forward to the acoustic corner, the “Look what the cat dragged in” yard sale and give aways. Food, of course, this year we have Your Dish is Our Command, Big O Concession and Lisa’s Kettle Corn. Come out and support a great cause while enjoying time with your family. See you there!”
More info: http://newleashonline.org/index.php/events

May 11

Nashville Paw Magazine Cover Dog Search!
1-4p.m. / RAIN OR SHINE!
Lenox Village Town Center
, 6900 Lenox Village Drive, 
Nashville, TN 37211
Entry: $20 per dog
“EVERY canine contestant will receive his or her contest photo in the August/September issue of Nashville Paw magazine, and one lucky pooch will become our next cover star! Plus, we’ll let our Facebook fans choose the “Crowd Favorite” winner to receive a special feature in the issue, and we’ll be selecting runner-up winners in the following categories: Best Big Dog
Most Adorable Little Dog
Best Mixed-Up Mutt
Best Pure Breed
Cutest Puppy
Sweetest Senior”
For more info and details, visit our event website at nashvillepaw.com/coverdog!

Tap “N “ Run Nashville
5p.m.
184 2nd Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37201
Proceeds will be donated to Freedom Farm in exchange for volunteer service. We need 40 volunteers to help set up – pour and serve beer – and clean-up. You do get to sample the beer at the end of the race, if you are interested. If anyone would like to volunteer for Freedom Farm they should contact Kim Patton akitas2love@yahoo.com to sign up.
For more info: http://www.tapnrun.com/Nashville/EventInfo.php

Ongoing:

My Second Home Pet Resort hosts fundraiser for  Agape Animal Rescue hoping to reach $10,000 by Oct. 1. More information at http://www.agaperescue.org.

FREEDOM FARM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!!   If anyone is interested in volunteering for Freedom Farm we could sure use your time and talents.  Our organization is growing rapidly and we have many events planned for this year.  For more information or to sign-up as a volunteer, please contact Tracey Poindexter -our Volunteer Coordinator at traceylynne07@gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Save the Date:

July 28th

Agape Animal Rescue’s Fifth Annual Glitter and Glam
5-8:00p.m.
The Hutton Hotel
1808 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
An Extraordinary Fashion Show, Silent & Live Auction, and Wine-Tasting Event

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