AG 2008 04 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DATE: Apri17, 2008 TO: Board of Commissioners FROM: Patsy Beeker, Chairman Animal Protection & Preservation Advisory Committee SUBJ: May is Pet Awareness Month The Animal Protection & Preservation Advisory Committee has planned a series of events during the month of May to promote responsible ownership of companion animals. Dogs and cats provide companionship and stimulation to many older citizens and shut-ins. To many families, they are an extension of the family unit, traveling with them on vacations and enjoying special status. They serve as therapy animals in nursing homes and hospitals. It's no coincidence that a favorite toy of many children is often a stuffed dog or cat to sleep with them at night. Dogs also perform vital jobs in search and recovery, police intervention and capture of suspects, drug and bomb detection, and security. They serve with military units as well as police and fire departments. At the May County Commissioner's Meeting, we would like to ask Robert Carruth to recognize the role that many animals play in our local community, and in particular, we would like to recognize a Service Dog of the Year with a plaque. Deputy Buster Blackwelder will present Wolf, who is retiring as the county's first bomb detection dog. Wolf has searched at the racetrack, court house, and numerous other public facilities. He will be replaced with a newly trained canine. Other activities for the month of May are planned to encourage responsible pet ownership including vet care, awareness events to draw attention to cruelty and neglect, renewed attention to spay-neuter programs, and education programs through public libraries and schools. Since our annual low-cost rabies vaccinations through vet clinics occurs in the second week of May, we are soliciting items from NASCAR drivers including Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman and others as prizes in a raffle drawing for all citizens who vaccinate their pets during this week. F- y