June 2019    
 
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Exciting Opportunity  for ACOs!!

The Massachusetts Animal Coalition Invites 
Animal Control Officers 
to an informational afternoon 
on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 from 1 to 4 PM
Join us for a round table discussion on MGL Ch 140 Section 174F -  "Confinement of animal in a motor vehicle causing exposure to extreme heat or cold; protection of animal by animal control or law enforcement officer or fire fighter; penalties"

The Massachusetts Animal Coalition Task Force, "Protecting Pets in Hot/Cold Cars",  will be hosting Animal Rescue League's own Lt. Alan Borgal and Wellesley ACO Sue Webb for a discussion on this law which will include: 
  • A discussion on exigent circumstances 
  • Public education
  • Tips on how best to address irate and defensive people in violation of the law and Good Samaritans not following commands of law enforcement
  • How best to remove a pet from a car and give the pet care at the scene 
  • Working with your local Police Department 
During our discussion we will leave ample time for questions from ACOs and for ACOs to give their input on what has worked for them and what issues they have come across in the field.   Mass Animal Fund Continuing Education credits are available for ACOs attending.

The Massachusetts Animal Coalition, using funds from a Humane Society of the US (HSUS) grant, will also be offering opportunities for low budget Towns & Cities to obtain educational signage to further prevent pets in left in hot & cold cars.

This discussion will be held at the Wellesley Police Department located near Rt. 9 and Rt. 128 at:
485 Washington Street/Rt. 16 Wellesley, MA 02482

Refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP...

Please register for this event by June 21 using this link: 
FREE AniMatch Canine Body Language and Behavior Observation Training - June 24, 2019

Class Information  

Canine Body Language and Behavior Observation Training
Video presentation of Kelley Bollen*, facilitated by AniMatch volunteers
The morning video lecture will provide trainees with a foundation of dog behavior knowledge consistent with the AniMatch program's model for evaluating shelter dogs. Attendees will learn to read and interpret dog body language and what's involved in performing the AniMatch Behavior Observation procedure. 

The afternoon observational training video will allow attendees to view Kelley Bollen* handling and evaluating several dogs using the AniMatch Behavior Observation procedure.  Attendees will be asked to comment on the various body language and behavioral reactions displayed by the dogs during the observation process. 

This training is for Animal Control Officers, Shelter and Rescue staff and volunteers. 

Please register by June 21 using this link:

There's a Cat in a Tree...Now What?
by Anne Lindsay 

We all see posts about cats stuck in trees.  Since different kinds of emergencies require varied responses, it's important to think things through before putting on your climbing gear or sending someone up in a bucket truck.  

First, permission must be sought from the property owner to go onto their land.  They are the one who will be exposed to risk.  The only way to legitimately acquire access is through law enforcement but that can't always be a law enforcement department's first priority.  Some fire departments will go out on a call but this is on a town-by-town basis.  And tree companies may help, although it will likely be for a fee.  There are also independent rescuers that you can find on catinatreerescue.com .
 
Some questions to consider before making any plans:
  • Who owns the cat?
  • How high up is the cat?  If the tree is next to a building how many stories up? 
  • How long has the cat been up there?  Has it climbed higher over time?
  • Do you know who owns the property the cat is on?
  • Can the cat owner assist in getting permission from the property owner for access to his/her property?
  • What is the type of tree?  Age?  Dead or live tree?
  • Are there known medical concerns with cat?
  • Get a description of the surrounding area with a focus on safety concerns.  Is the tree accessible with a bucket truck?  Take photos of power lines, other obstacles.
  • Take photos of the tree from the base up.
  • What are the weather conditions?
According to the Animal Rescue League of Boston's (ARL) Cheryl Traversi, human safety must come first.  Sending a Field Services team into adverse conditions simply creates unnecessary challenges.  For example, climbers are not sent up into a tree in rain, snow, or icy conditions.  It is unsafe for the climber but also the cat can panic and those conditions can make it worse for the cat.  If you have to cast a line or put a ladder up you can risk sending the cat even higher up the tree.  For all the same reasons bucket trucks can't go up in bad weather.
 
Never go up the first day because the cat will get hungry and may come down.  Often times the cat will come down overnight once everything in quiet. Waiting 24 hours to three days before intervening isn't unusual.  
 
Here are some words of wisdom for onlookers:
  • Someone should manage the crowd so onlookers are not crowded at the base of the tree.
  • There should be no cheering or yelling.
  • Have the cat's person coo and try to feed the cat.
  • A treed cat is likely in full panic mode and may be hanging on and can scratch.
  • Technical rescue for cats in trees requires a high skill set.   
Most of ARL's preliminary work involves sifting through multiple reports and guiding people and asking them questions, all with the aim of keeping their employees and the cat safe.  After years and years of experience there are reasons for the decisions that are made.

ARL is the only animal welfare agency with a Field Services team trained in technical rescue in the state.  They perform ice rescues, swift water rescues and many other types of rescues.  The busiest time of year for reports about cats in trees is spring through fall although there are some calls in the winter.  While there are other resources in the state for helping a cat out of a tree sometimes it is just a matter of time before the cat gets hungry and comes down on his own.  
 
Here is a list of other resources:
  • Local fire department
  • Tree companies
  • Independent climbers

Check out this recent WBZ coverage of Animal Rescue League Staffers Climb Trees To Practice Cat Rescues:



Birds & Wildlife - What's Your Organization's Position?

At the culmination of our Whole Cat Workshop this past March, after an afternoon spent discussing the intersection of cats and wildlife, the assembled group developed and endorsed the following statement: "MAC believes for the health and welfare of cats that cats should be kept indoors when possible."   

Balancing the health, welfare and enrichment needs of predators and prey in a shared environment presents a myriad of challenges, but it was generally agreed that promoting a decrease in their interactions as much as possible was a reasonable and realistic strategy.  

W hat position would your organization take? 


 

Save the Date: MAC's All About Dogs Meeting will be on September 7, 2019!!
 
Scanner Grant Update

Thank you to all of the ACO's who applied for the Microchip Scanner Grant, which we received through a generous grant from the ASPCA. 

We received 3 times more applications than we had scanners to grant, so we regret that we were not be able to award a microchip scanner to every applicant. We do hope to use the information we gathered from this process to secure more funding for additional scanners
 in the future - so stay tuned!  

Give the Gift of the License Plate!

  
Have you been working with a hoarding situation?

Don't forget, MAC had a meeting about hoarding and we have some information for you here.
Spay/Neuter Resources 
on MAC's Website    

Are you aware of how much MAC has to offer beyond educational meetings, programs and task forces? Have you ever checked out our Resources pages? We offer information about Lost Pets, Rabies, Adoption, Wildlife, and so much more!

If you are looking for spay/neuter services in your area check out " Find a Spay/Neuter Clinic" on  the dropdown menu on MAC's homepage and you will be brought to our SpayMass page. There  is a map with pins showing locations of clinics all over the state, you can enter your zip code to  locate a clinic close to you, and you will find addresses and contact information for a clinic you  choose.

MAC is here for you! Be sure to take advantage of all that we have to offer!

mac meeting small
Fo r $10 A Year You Can Be A MAC Member! 

Joining MAC is a great way to become more involved in animal welfare, meet others who are doing similar work, make friends and connections, and hear from experts in the field. For more info visit our membership  page.  
Do you have a great story about using your grant from MAC's License Plate Fund?  Send it to us at  [email protected]  and it could be featured in an upcoming E-News!