Ruth Ann The Dog That Cornered Osama Bin Laden

August 15, 2011 - Posted by Ruth Ann in Bloggies

The Dog That Cornered Osama Bin Laden

When U.S. President Barack Obama went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, last week for a highly publicized, but very private meeting with the commando team that killed Osama bin Laden, only one of the 81 members of the super-secret  SEAL DevGru unit was identified by name: Cairo, the war dog.

Cairo, like most canine members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, is a Belgian Malinois. The Malinois breed is similar to German shepherds but smaller and more compact, with an adult male weighing in the 30-kilo range.

(German shepherds are still used as war dogs by the American military but the lighter, stubbier Malinois is considered better for the tandem parachute jumping and rappelling operations often undertaken by SEAL teams. Labrador retrievers are also favoured by various military organizations around the world.)

 

Like their human counterparts, the dog SEALs are highly trained, highly skilled, highly motivated special ops experts, able to perform extraordinary military missions by SEa, Air and Land (thus the acronym).

The dogs carry out a wide range of specialized duties for the military teams to which they are attached: With a sense of smell 40 times greater than a human’s, the dogs are trained to detect and identify both explosive material and  hostile or hiding humans.

The dogs are twice as fast as a fit human, so anyone trying to escape is not likely to outrun Cairoor his buddies.

 

The dogs, equipped with video cameras, also enter certain danger zones first, allowing their handlers to see what’s ahead before humans follow.

As I mentioned before, SEAL dogs are even trained parachutists, jumping either in tandem with their handlers or solo, if the jump is into water.

Last year canine parachute instructor Mike Forsythe and his dog Cara  set the world record for highest man-dog parachute deployment, jumping from more than 30,100 feet up — the altitude transoceanic passenger jets fly at. Both Forsythe and Cara were wearing oxygen masks and skin protectors for the jump.

Here’s a photo from that jump, taken by Andy Anderson for K9 Storm Inc. (more about those folks shortly).

As well, the dogs are faithful, fearless and ferocious — incredibly frightening and efficient attackers.

I have seen it reported repeatedly that the teeth of SEAL war dogs are replaced with titanium implants that are stronger, sharper and scare-your-pants-off  intimidating, but a U.S. Military spokesman has denied that charge, so I really don’t know (never having seen a canine SEAL face-to-face). I do know that I’ve never seen a photo of a war dog with anything even vaguely resembling a set of shiny metal chompers.

When the SEAL DevGru team (usually known by its old designation, Team 6) hit bin Laden’sPakistan compound on May 2, Cairo’s feet would have been four of the first on the ground.

And like the human SEALs, Cairo was wearing super-strong, flexible body Armour and outfitted with high-tech equipment that included “doggles” — specially designed and fitted dog googles with night-vision and infrared capability that would even allow Cairo to see human heat forms through concrete walls.

Now where on earth would anyone get that kind of incredibly niche hi-tech doggie gear?

From Winnipeg, of all places.

Jim and Glori Slater’s Manitoba hi-tech mom-and-pop business, K9 Storm Inc., has a deserved worldwide  reputation for designing and manufacturing probably the best body Armour available for police and military dogs. Working dogs in 15 countries around the world are currently protected by their K9 Storm body Armour.

Jim Slater was a canine handler on the Winnipeg Police Force when he crafted a Kevlar protective jacket for his own dog, Olaf, in the mid-1990s. Soon Slater was making body Armour for other cop dogs, then the Canadian military and soon the world.

The standard K9 Storm vest also has a load-bearing harness system that makes it ideal for tandem rappelling and parachuting.

And then there are the special hi-tech add-ons that made the K9 Storm especially appealing to the U.S. Navy SEALs, who bought four of  K9 Storm Inc.’s top-end Intruder “canine tactical assault suits” last year for $86,000. You can be sure Cairo was wearing one of those four suits when he jumped into bin Laden’s lair.

Here’s an explanation of all the K9 Storm Intruder special features:

 

Just as the Navy SEALS and other elite special forces are the sharp point of the American military machine, so too are their dogs at the top of a canine military heirarchy.

In all, the U.S. military currently has about 2,800 active-duty dogs deployed around the world, with roughly 600 now in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Here’s the link to a dandy photo essay about U.S. war dogs that just appeared in the journal Foreign Policy.

Several of the photos I have included here are from Foreign Policy, as you will see. Other photos are from K9 Storm Inc.

 

As for the ethics of sending dogs to war, that’s pretty much a moot point, don’t you think? If it’s ethical to send humans into combat, then why not dogs?

At least the U.S. now treats its war dogs as full members of the military. At the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. combat dogs there were designated as “surplus military equipment” and left behind when American forces pulled out.


Blinklist!Blogmarks!BlinkBits!Ask!
  • 0 Comments
Ruth Ann Tips for Orange County Homeowners With Pets Facing Foreclosure

August 11, 2011 - Posted by Ruth Ann in Bloggies

1
Tips for Orange County Homeowners with Pets Facing
Foreclosure1
1. Your Commitment
When you brought your pet into your life, you made a commitment to keep that pet with
you, through thick and thin, in good times and bad. And your pet made that commitment
to you. It has loved you whether you got a promotion or lost your job. Its love is
unconditional.
So, you need to take your pets with you when you vacate your home; they will not
survive if abandoned in the home or set loose.
In addition, the comfort and companionship of pets can provide therapeutic benefits to
family members by easing the strain of moving to a new residence.
2. Make a Plan
If you are in trouble and facing foreclosure, start as early as possible to look for a new
place where you can keep your pet. Not all places allow animals, so you may have to
spend some time finding a place.
Document your predicament. Have a copy of any foreclosure documents with you when
you discuss the situation with people, especially if you will be asking for a discount
based on your problem. People tend to be generous, but they want to know they are not
being taken advantage of.
Take some nice pictures of your pet. Gather all your documentation (date of birth,
vaccinations, medical treatments, etc.). Make up a list of vital information. For example:
¡E Your pet¡¦s eating schedule and food preferences
¡E Your pet¡¦s sleeping preferences
¡E Any cute tricks your pet does
¡E Ways that your pet communicates his/her wants and needs
¡E Whether or not your pet goes outside and how often
3. Find a Pet Friendly Place
Check your local phone book and check online for pet friendly apartments and
hotels/motels.
1 Copyright 2009 Dr. James Gardner. May be reproduced for any nonprofit purposes without permission.
For more information, comments, additions, and/or corrections, contact socoasc@yahoo.com
2
¡E For apartments/condos, go to http://www.mynewplace.com. Enter your zip code.
When the main screen comes up, look in the right hand corner and you¡¦ll see a
box that lets you choose places that allow cats, dogs, or cats and dogs. Other
resources to find pet friendly apartments/condos in Orange County include
http://www.ocdogfriendly.com and http://www.peoplewithpets.com and
http://www.rental-living.com/
¡E For hotels, go to http://www.officialpethotels.com . Enter your city and state.
Other resources include http://www.beachcalifornia.com/pet-hotel-california.html
Some places will say that they do not allow animals. Here are some tips to help you get
the rental agent /landlord to change his/her mind:
¡E Get a letter from your current landlord and/or from the homeowner¡¦s association
saying what a good resident you¡¦ve been.
¡E Take pictures of your current home to show that having a pet doesn¡¦t mean that
your home is dirty or messy.
¡E Bring along pictures of your pet, showing them in a neat and clean house. Pick
the cutest pictures. Cuteness counts. If you want to impress a landlord, bring
along your pet¡¦s medical records too.
¡E Consider renting from a person instead of from a company. Many people own
one or two homes/condos and it may be easier to convince a person to rent to
you with a pet rather than trying to convince a company to change a policy.
¡E Show proof that your pet has been spayed/neutered. Pets that have been fixed
are often considered more desirable by landlords. If you don¡¦t have ¡§proof,¡¨ get a
letter from your vet.
o If your pet isn¡¦t spayed/neutered, consider getting him/her fixed. There are
several low cost spay and neuter services in Orange County. Click below
for some options -
http://www.animalnetwork.org/ANIMAL_NETWORK/VetMedical/SpayNeut
erHospitals.htm
¡E Offer an additional deposit if you have an animal and stress that these are
exceptional times.
Once you¡¦ve found a place, if you are having problems with food for the pets or with
medical care, you can get help.
¡E If your pet has a medical problem and you can¡¦t afford to get it fixed, you can talk
to RUFF (Rescue Unwanted Furry Friends). Their phone number is 949 580-
1092 and their website is http://www.ruffrescue.org
¡E If you need help with pet food, you can go to the South County Outreach where
you can get food for your pet and for your family. Their phone number is 949
380-8144 and their website is http://www.sco-oc.org. They are located at 26776
Vista Terrace in Lake Forest. If you¡¦re not in South OC, try Seal Beach where the
PetFoodBank operates from. http://www.thepetfoodbank.com/index.html Call
714 379 1456 or e-mail woof@thepetfoodbank.com
3
4. If You Can¡¦t Take Them With You, Find a Safe Place for Them to
Stay on a Temporary Basis.
Follow these steps to find safe placement for your pets if you are unable to move to
your new home with them:
¡E Ask family, friends and co-workers if they will care for your pets while you
relocate.
o When choosing a temporary place to house your pet, consider the city
where your friend/family lives. Some cities have pro-humane shelters
where the euthanasia rate is low, while other cities use the OC shelter that
has a much higher euthanasia rate. All things considered, try to find a
friend/relative who lives in a city with a pro-humane shelter. Here¡¦s a list:
Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna
Woods, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, San Clemente,
and Westminster. If you are forced to surrender your pet in one of these
cities, the chances of being killed are substantially less. However, bear in
mind that not all city shelters accept owner relinquished pets, and
depending on how full they are, shelters that normally accept owner
relinquished pets may not do so when you ask. Also shelters may accept
dogs but not cats. So you¡¦ll need to check to be sure if the city accepts
your pet. Here are the phone numbers for the city shelters in Orange
County:
„X Costa Mesa (includes Westminster) ¡V 714 898 3315
„X Irvine ¡V 949 724 7741
„X Laguna Beach (includes Laguna Woods) ¡V 949 497 3552
„X Mission Viejo (included Laguna Niguel & Aliso Viejo) 949 470 3045
„X Newport Beach ¡V 949 644 3299
„X San Clemente/Dana Point ¡V 949 595 8899
„X San Juan Capistrano 2¡V 949 240 1735
¡E Ask your veterinarian if you can receive low-cost boarding for your pets, or set up
a payment plan for boarding costs, while you relocate.
¡E Contact pet resort companies in your area. They have the facilities to keep your
pets overnight and for limited periods of time. Many will offer discount rates if you
explain your situation. Check with them. Here¡¦s a list of pet resort companies in
Orange County:
o Aliso Viejo: Pet Suites. 949 425 0700. http://www.petsuites.com/
o Anaheim: Camp BowWow. 714 533 2267
http://www.campbowwowusa.com/california/anaheim/
o Garden Grove: Animal Inns. 714 636 4455
o Huntington Beach: Camp BowWow.
http://www.campbowwowusa.com/california/index.html
2 Provides shelter and medical care for stray/abandoned animals in SJC, but not strictly a city shelter.
4
o Lake Forest: Paws Pet Resort. 949 276 4930.
http://www.pawspetresorts.com/
o Laguna Beach: Dog Ranch Bed & Biscuit 949 494 0484
http://www.thedogranch.com
o Laguna Niguel: K-9 City. 949 DOG 3300 http://www.k-9city.com/
o Long Beach: Pet Set. 562 595 5889 http://www.petsetlb.com/
o Oceanside: Oceanside Pet Hotel. 760 757 2345
http://www.oceansidepethotel.com/
o Orange: Sandman¡¦s Canine Care Castle. 949 721 8395
http://sandmanscanine.com/boarding.htm
o Orange: Petopia. 714 637 1986.
http://www.petopiapetresort.com/index.html
o Rancho Santa Margarita: Wags & Wiggles. 949 635 9655
http://www.wagsandwiggles.com/
o San Clemente: Camp BowWow. 949 218 7387
http://www.campbowwowusa.com/california/san-clemente/
o San Clemente: Paws Pet Resorts. 800 964 7297
http://www.pawspetresorts.com/
o Santa Ana: YourDogTrainer. 714 547 5047
o Santa Ana: BZY Feet Kennel. 714 545 9116
http://www.bzyfeetkennels.com/
o Stanton: Crossroads Pet resort. 714 821 6622
http://www.crossroadspetresort.com/
o Yorba Linda: Country Care Pet Resort. 714 985 1330
http://www.countrycarepetresort.com/
For more pet resorts, check out - http://www.poopbutler.com/cats.php?p=2&cat=4
5. If You Can¡¦t Find a Temporary Home, Contact Rescue Groups
If you cannot find temporary placement for your pets, visit http://www.petfinder.com to
search for animal rescue organizations where you can surrender ownership of your pets
and which do not euthanize adoptable animals. This will provide peace of mind that your
pets will be safe until they are adopted into a new home. Some organizations may offer
to house your pets for a period of time (60 days, for example) at no cost, or at a reduced
cost, while you find new housing, so you can be reunited with your pets. If you do not
reclaim your pets within the time period, they may be placed for adoption. Always ask if
this is an option.
Here are some general rescue groups:
¡E Animal Assistance League - www.aaloc.com (Midway City) 714 893 4393
aaloc@aol.com
¡E Animal Network of Orange County ¡V www.animalnetwork.org 759 3646
contact@animalnetwork.org
5
¡E A Wish for Animals ¡V awishforanimals@yahoo.com (Laguna Niguel) 949 481
6402
¡E Critters in Need Pet Rescue ¡V www.crittersrescueonline.org 949 831 4988
dogs@crittersrescue.com
¡E Friends of Orange County¡¦s Homeless Pets - www.fochp.org (Orange)
714 280 4993 friends@fochp.org
¡E Loving Grace Rescue ¡V lovinggracerescue@gmail.com (RSM)
¡E Modjeska Ranch Rescue - www.modjeskaranchrescue.org (Trabuco Canyon)
714 649 4406 getpets@aol.com
¡E New Beginnings - www.greatpets.org (Mission Viejo) dawglady@cox.net
949 348 8057 (Dogs) 949 716 0538 (Cats)
¡E Pet Rescue Center - www.thepetrescuecenter.org (Laguna Hills)
949 235 2072 24861 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, 92653
¡E Second Chance - www.secondchancepetadoptions.org (Huntington Beach)
714 715 3027 info@secondchanceadoptions.org
¡E UnderDog Rescue - www.underdogrescue.net/ (Trabuco Canyon) 760 943 1844
underdogrescue@cox.net
Here are some breed specific dog rescue groups:
¡E Australian Shepherd - www.aussierescuesocal.com (Perris)
laurie@wagsandwiggles.com
¡E Basset Hound Rescue - http://www.bhrsc.net/ (Whittier) 805 524 9353
surrender@bassethoundrescue.org
o See also www.bassethoundrescue.org (Long Beach) 805 523 9353
¡E Beagle ¡V www.beaglesandbuddies.com (El Monte) 626 444 9664
beagles@beaglesandbuddies.com
¡E Bichon Frise - www.bichonfurkids.org (La Costa) info@bichonfurkids.org
¡E Border Collie - www.bcrescue.net (Phelan) info@bcrescue.net
¡E Boston Terriers ¡V www.bostonbuddies.org (Huntington Beach) - 310 364 4543
contactus@bostonbuddies.org
¡E Boxer Rescue - http://www.boxerocrescue.org (Huntington Beach) 714 904
0012 bskmdk@verizon.net
¡E Bulldog - www.socalbulldogrescue.org (Santa Ana) - 714 612 0265
o See also http://www.thebca.org/ 714 381 7691 moccosin@earthlink.net
¡E Cairn Terriers - http://www.southwestcairnrescue.com (Orange) 714 288 0221
Info@SouthwestCairnRescue.com
¡E Chihuahua ¡V 714 995 4647
¡E Collie - www.collie.org (Brea) 949 858 0298 lovecollies@cox.net
¡E Dalmation - www.savethedals.org (Gardena) rescue@savethedals.org
¡E English Springer Spaniel - www.springerrescue.org (Los Alamitos) 562 431
2354 ozbow@sbcglobal.net
¡E German Shepherd Rescue - http://www.gsroc.org/ (Newport Beach) 714 974
7762 info@gsroc.org See also www.coastalgsr.org (Irvine) 714 528 4730
k9rescuegsd@aol.com
6
¡E Golden/Laborador Retrievers - www.retrieversandfriends.com (Temecula) 951
696 2428 info@retrieversandfriends.com
¡E Great Dane - www.danerescue.org (Lake Elsinore) 760 743 6874
¡E Greyhounds ¡V California Greyhound Adoption Promotion (Irvine) 949 468 8689
calgap@cox.net
¡E Labrador - www.sclrr.org ¡V 888 554 ALAB (Irvine) ¡V 949 862 4329
sclrr@sclrr.org
¡E Miniature Schnauzer - www.msfr.org (Torrance) ¡V 310 374 7701 info@msfr.org
o See also 714 531 7473 Bmajersnz@aol.com
¡E Pug - www.pugdogrescue.com (Newport Beach) ¡V 949 262 7843
pugdogrescue@att.net
¡E Saint Bernard - www.adoptasaint.org (Lake Forest) ¡V 888 231 8713
cmdiiullo@sbcglobal.net
¡E Samoyed - www.socalsamoyedrescue.org (Los Angeles) ¡V 714 956 6180
tomepperson@cox.net
¡E Sheltie - www.southlandsheltierescue.com (La Habra) ¡V 562 697 9784
dkparsons@verizon.net
¡E Silky Terrier ¡V 714 531 7650
¡E Westie/West Highland Terrier - www.westierescueoc.com (Huntington Beach)
714 960 1083 kayd@westierescueoc.com
¡E Wolfdog ¡V www.wrr-inc.org (Costa Mesa) 714 673 3729 mikel@wrr-inc.org
Here are some specific rescue groups:
¡E Birds: Lily Sanctuary - http://www.lilysanctuary.org - (Fountain Valley) 714 442
9474
¡E Cats: Orange County Animal Rescue Coalition - www.oc-arc.com (Irvine) 949
451 3272 fran@oc-arc.com
¡E Cats: Orange County Cat rescue Adoptions ¡V 714 734 2353 ukbird@cox.net
¡E Cats: South County Cat Adoptions ¡V 714 715 3027 catsneedhelp@aol.com
¡E Cats: Friendly Feline Rescue ¡V Charlene10@cox.net
¡E Cats: Cats in Need - http://www.catsinneed.com/ - 909 622 0121
¡E Cats: Blue Bell Foundation http://www.dovecanyon.org/bluebell/ (Laguna
Beach) 949 494 1586 bluebellfoundation@live.com
¡E Dogs: Cuddly Canines Rescue ¡V www.cuddlycanines.com (La Habra Heights)
949 422 8744 CuddlyCanines@aol.com
¡E Dogs: Ariel rescue - www.arielrescue.com 949 499 9380 (Dana Point)
¡E Dogs: Little Bow Wow Rescue ¡V www.littlebowwowrescue.com 714 974 2297
lbwrescue@sbcglobal.net
¡E Dogs: Underdog Rescue ¡V underdogrescue@cox.net (Trabuco Canyon)
¡E Ferrets: Ferrets Anonymous ¡V www.ferretsanonymous.com (Irvine) 949 303
8481 lancem_fa@yahoo.com
¡E Ferrets: OC Ferrets - http://www.ocferrets.org/ (Irvine) 949 241 1189
Info@ocferrets.org
¡E Guinea Pigs: www.CavyHaven.org - 714 242 7548 (Costa Mesa)
cavyhaven_info@yahoo.com
7
¡E Pelicans: http://www.pacificwildlife.org ¡V (Laguna Niguel) 949 831 1178
¡E Pigs: California Potbellied Pig Association ¡V www.CPPA4Pigs.org (Pleasant
Hill) 925 937 9045 info@cppa4pigs.org
¡E Pigs: Pigs without Partners ¡V 310 836 8237 ¡V pigswithoutpartners@artnet.net
¡E Rabbits: www.Rabbit.org ¡V 310 713 2478 (Los Angeles)
losangelesrabbits@earthlink.net
¡E Turtles : Turtle Rescue - www.tortoise.org 714 437 7042 or 714 529 5223 (Santa
Ana) occhaptercttc@hotmail.com
Please note: There are rescue groups all over the country, and contacting them may be
helpful if you don¡¦t find a local group. For more information about rescue groups in other
areas, go to http://www.petfiniti.com
6. If You Can¡¦t Find a Rescue Group, Try Other Ways
If you haven¡¦t been successful so far, now is the time to get creative. But first consider
whether this isn¡¦t fate stepping in and telling you that you need to keep your pet with
you. If that¡¦s impossible, try any of the following:
¡E Craig¡¦s List can be an effective place to communicate. List your pet for adoption.
Stress the good traits and tell them that you¡¦ll provide food and all the supplies
you have at no cost. But be sure you are giving your pet to a trustworthy family.
There are unscrupulous researchers who use resources such as Craig¡¦s List to
solicit animals who will be used in terrible experiments that cause pain and even
death. Check them out completely before you trust your pet to someone else.
¡E Post a notice at work. You¡¦d be surprised how many times this is effective. And
the best news is that you probably know the person.
o When you put up a notice, be sure to use a cute picture of you and your
pet and include pertinent information (e.g., sex, age, breed, up-to-date on
shots, etc.). Include your phone number as well as e-mail address.
¡E Let your neighbors know. Perhaps you can put a notice on the local bulletin
board, or in your newsletter, or even on the street if you have to. Go door-to-door
with a notice. Include a nice picture of your pet.
¡E Contact Animal Advocacy groups. While they may not be involved directly in
animal rescue, they have a vast network and it¡¦s possible that someone in that
network can help. Here¡¦s a list of some animal advocacy groups:
o Orange County People for Animals. http://www.ocpausa.org/ 714 751
6272 information@ocpausa.org
o Orange County SPCA. http://www.orangecountyspca.org/ 714 374 7738
ocspca@verizon.net
o South County Animal Shelter Coalition. www.Socoanimalshelter.org
o Save our Strays in Huntington Beach. http://www.saveourstrayshb.org/
714 442 1446 saveourstrayshb@aol.com (Huntington Beach)
o Friends of Lake Forest Animals. www.folfa.org. info@folfa.org (Lake
Forest)
8
o Dedicated Animal Welfare Group. http://www.dawg.org/ 949 470 3045
sharon@dawg.org (Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel)
o Compassion in Action http://www.theciaclub.com/
contact@theCIAclub.com (Newport Beach)
¡E Contact Animal Care Professionals. There are lots of people who make their
living providing animal care services ¡V veterinarians, groomers, pet sitters, dog
walkers, pet loss bereavement specialists, pet food providers, pet supply
providers, etc. All of these people/businesses are potential contact points to find
someone to take your animal, on a temporary or permanent basis. Check your
yellow pages for the resources nearest to you.
7. If You Can¡¦t Find a Solution, Call a Shelter
You also can surrender your pets to the Orange County animal shelter, but be advised
that open-admission shelters are required to accept all animals (including strays), and
the adoption of your pets cannot be guaranteed. Thus, if the shelter is overcrowded, it
may be forced to euthanize your pets. If you need to contact the Orange County shelter,
the website is http://www.ocpetinfo.com and the phone number is 714 935 6848.
8. Don't Leave Pets Behind
Never vacate your home and leave your pets behind. Don¡¦t turn them loose. It's
inhumane and it¡¦s illegal.
By following these simple steps, you will help your family and your pets have a better
future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. James Gardner is licensed as an animal rehabilitation specialist. He has assisted
animal rescue efforts at the Salton Sea, along the Southern California coast, during
Hurricane Katrina, and in Brazil, where he maintains a 3,000 acre ecological preserve.
Dr. Gardner is on the Board of the South County Animal Shelter Coalition and the
Friends of Lake Forest Animals. His family includes two dogs, three cats, and four birds.

Tips for Orange County Homeowners with Pets Facing
Foreclosure

1. Your Commitment

When you brought your pet into your life, you made a commitment to keep that pet with
you, through thick and thin, in good times and bad. And your pet made that commitment
to you. It has loved you whether you got a promotion or lost your job. Its love is
unconditional.
So, you need to take your pets with you when you vacate your home; they will not
survive if abandoned in the home or set loose.
In addition, the comfort and companionship of pets can provide therapeutic benefits to
family members by easing the strain of moving to a new residence.

2. Make a Plan

If you are in trouble and facing foreclosure, start as early as possible to look for a new
place where you can keep your pet. Not all places allow animals, so you may have to
spend some time finding a place.
Document your predicament. Have a copy of any foreclosure documents with you when
you discuss the situation with people, especially if you will be asking for a discount
based on your problem. People tend to be generous, but they want to know they are not
being taken advantage of.
Take some nice pictures of your pet. Gather all your documentation (date of birth,
vaccinations, medical treatments, etc.). Make up a list of vital information. For example:
• Your pet’s eating schedule and food preferences
• Your pet’s sleeping preferences
• Any cute tricks your pet does
• Ways that your pet communicates his/her wants and needs
• Whether or not your pet goes outside and how often

3. Find a Pet Friendly Place

Check your local phone book and check online for pet friendly apartments and
hotels/motels.
• For apartments/condos, go to http://www.mynewplace.com. Enter your zip code.
When the main screen comes up, look in the right hand corner and you’ll see a
box that lets you choose places that allow cats, dogs, or cats and dogs. Other
resources to find pet friendly apartments/condos in Orange County include
http://www.ocdogfriendly.com and http://www.peoplewithpets.com and
http://www.rental-living.com/
• For hotels, go to http://www.officialpethotels.com . Enter your city and state.
Other resources include http://www.beachcalifornia.com/pet-hotel-california.html
Some places will say that they do not allow animals. Here are some tips to help you get
the rental agent /landlord to change his/her mind:• Get a letter from your current landlord and/or from the homeowner’s association
saying what a good resident you’ve been.
• Take pictures of your current home to show that having a pet doesn’t mean that
your home is dirty or messy.
• Bring along pictures of your pet, showing them in a neat and clean house. Pick
the cutest pictures. Cuteness counts. If you want to impress a landlord, bring
along your pet’s medical records too.
• Consider renting from a person instead of from a company. Many people own
one or two homes/condos and it may be easier to convince a person to rent to
you with a pet rather than trying to convince a company to change a policy.
• Show proof that your pet has been spayed/neutered. Pets that have been fixed
are often considered more desirable by landlords. If you don’t have “proof,” get a
letter from your vet.
o If your pet isn’t spayed/neutered, consider getting him/her fixed. There are
several low cost spay and neuter services in Orange County. Click below
for some options -
http://www.animalnetwork.org/ANIMAL_NETWORK/VetMedical/SpayNeut
erHospitals.htm
• Offer an additional deposit if you have an animal and stress that these are
exceptional times.
Once you've found a place, if you are having problems with food for the pets or with
medical care, you can get help.
• If your pet has a medical problem and you can’t afford to get it fixed, you can talk to RUFF (Rescue Unwanted Furry Friends). Their phone number is 949 580- 1092 and their website is http://www.ruffrescue.org
• If you need help with pet food, you can go to the South County Outreach where you can get food for your pet and for your family. Their phone number is 949 380-8144 and their website is http://www.sco-oc.org. They are located at 26776 Vista Terrace in Lake Forest. If you’re not in South OC, try Seal Beach where the PetFoodBank operates from. http://www.thepetfoodbank.com/index.html Call 714 379 1456 or e-mail woof@thepetfoodbank.com

4. If You Can't Take Them With You, Find a Safe Place for Them to
Stay on a Temporary Basis.

Follow these steps to find safe placement for your pets if you are unable to move to
your new home with them:
• Ask family, friends and co-workers if they will care for your pets while you
relocate.
o When choosing a temporary place to house your pet, consider the city where your friend/family lives. Some cities have pro-humane shelters where the euthanasia rate is low, while other cities use the OC shelter that has a much higher euthanasia rate. All things considered, try to find a friend/relative who lives in a city with a pro-humane shelter. Here’s a list: Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and Westminster. If you are forced to surrender your pet in one of these cities, the chances of being killed are substantially less. However, bear in mind that not all city shelters accept owner relinquished pets, and depending on how full they are, shelters that normally accept owner relinquished pets may not do so when you ask. Also shelters may accept dogs but not cats. So you’ll need to check to be sure if the city accepts your pet. Here are the phone numbers for the city shelters in Orange County:
  • Costa Mesa (includes Westminster) ¡V 714 898 3315
  • Irvine ¡V 949 724 7741
  • Laguna Beach (includes Laguna Woods) ¡V 949 497 3552
  • Mission Viejo (included Laguna Niguel & Aliso Viejo) 949 470 3045
  • Newport Beach ¡V 949 644 3299
  • San Clemente/Dana Point ¡V 949 595 8899
  • San Juan Capistrano 2¡V 949 240 1735
• Ask your veterinarian if you can receive low-cost boarding for your pets, or set up
a payment plan for boarding costs, while you relocate.
• Contact pet resort companies in your area. They have the facilities to keep your
pets overnight and for limited periods of time. Many will offer discount rates if you
explain your situation. Check with them. Here’s a list of pet resort companies in
Orange County:
o Aliso Viejo: Pet Suites. 949 425 0700. http://www.petsuites.com/
o Anaheim: Camp BowWow. 714 533 2267
http://www.campbowwowusa.com/california/anaheim/
o Garden Grove: Animal Inns. 714 636 4455
o Huntington Beach: Camp BowWow.
http://www.campbowwowusa.com/california/index.html
o Lake Forest: Paws Pet Resort. 949 276 4930.
http://www.pawspetresorts.com/
o Laguna Beach: Dog Ranch Bed & Biscuit 949 494 0484
http://www.thedogranch.com
o Laguna Niguel: K-9 City. 949 DOG 3300 http://www.k-9city.com/
o Long Beach: Pet Set. 562 595 5889 http://www.petsetlb.com/
o Oceanside: Oceanside Pet Hotel. 760 757 2345
http://www.oceansidepethotel.com/
o Orange: Sandman¡¦s Canine Care Castle. 949 721 8395
http://sandmanscanine.com/boarding.htm
o Orange: Petopia. 714 637 1986.
http://www.petopiapetresort.com/index.html
o Rancho Santa Margarita: Wags & Wiggles. 949 635 9655
http://www.wagsandwiggles.com/
o San Clemente: Camp BowWow. 949 218 7387
http://www.campbowwowusa.com/california/san-clemente/
o San Clemente: Paws Pet Resorts. 800 964 7297
http://www.pawspetresorts.com/
o Santa Ana: YourDogTrainer. 714 547 5047
o Santa Ana: BZY Feet Kennel. 714 545 9116
http://www.bzyfeetkennels.com/
o Stanton: Crossroads Pet resort. 714 821 6622
http://www.crossroadspetresort.com/
o Yorba Linda: Country Care Pet Resort. 714 985 1330
http://www.countrycarepetresort.com/
For more pet resorts, check out - http://www.poopbutler.com/cats.php?p=2&cat=4

5. If You Can't Find a Temporary Home, Contact Rescue Groups

If you cannot find temporary placement for your pets, visit http://www.petfinder.com to search for animal rescue organizations where you can surrender ownership of your pets and which do not euthanize adoptable animals. This will provide peace of mind that your pets will be safe until they are adopted into a new home. Some organizations may offer to house your pets for a period of time (60 days, for example) at no cost, or at a reduced cost, while you find new housing, so you can be reunited with your pets. If you do not reclaim your pets within the time period, they may be placed for adoption. Always ask if this is an option.
Here are some general rescue groups:
  • Animal Assistance League - www.aaloc.com (Midway City) 714 893 4393
  • aaloc@aol.com
  • Animal Network of Orange County ¡V www.animalnetwork.org 759 3646
  • contact@animalnetwork.org
  • A Wish for Animals ¡V awishforanimals@yahoo.com (Laguna Niguel) 949 481
  • 6402
  • Critters in Need Pet Rescue ¡V www.crittersrescueonline.org 949 831 4988
  • dogs@crittersrescue.com
  • Friends of Orange County¡¦s Homeless Pets - www.fochp.org (Orange)
  • 714 280 4993 friends@fochp.org
  • Loving Grace Rescue ¡V lovinggracerescue@gmail.com (RSM)
  • Modjeska Ranch Rescue - www.modjeskaranchrescue.org (Trabuco Canyon)
  • 714 649 4406 getpets@aol.com
  • New Beginnings - www.greatpets.org (Mission Viejo) dawglady@cox.net
  • 949 348 8057 (Dogs) 949 716 0538 (Cats)
  • Pet Rescue Center - www.thepetrescuecenter.org (Laguna Hills)
  • 949 235 2072 24861 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, 92653
  • Second Chance - www.secondchancepetadoptions.org (Huntington Beach)
  • 714 715 3027 info@secondchanceadoptions.org
  • UnderDog Rescue - www.underdogrescue.net/ (Trabuco Canyon) 760 943 1844
  • underdogrescue@cox.net
Here are some breed specific dog rescue groups:
  • Australian Shepherd - www.aussierescuesocal.com (Perris) laurie@wagsandwiggles.com
  • Basset Hound Rescue - http://www.bhrsc.net/ (Whittier) 805 524 9353 surrender@bassethoundrescue.org
    • See also www.bassethoundrescue.org (Long Beach) 805 523 9353
  • Beagle - www.beaglesandbuddies.com (El Monte) 626-444-9664 beagles@beaglesandbuddies.com
  • Bichon Frise - www.bichonfurkids.org (La Costa) info@bichonfurkids.org
  • Border Collie - www.bcrescue.net (Phelan) info@bcrescue.net
  • Boston Terriers ¡V www.bostonbuddies.org (Huntington Beach) - 310-364-4543 contactus@bostonbuddies.org
  • Boxer Rescue - http://www.boxerocrescue.org (Huntington Beach) 714-904-0012 bskmdk@verizon.net
  • Bulldog - www.socalbulldogrescue.org (Santa Ana) - 714 612 0265
    • See also http://www.thebca.org/ 714 381 7691 moccosin@earthlink.net
  • Cairn Terriers - http://www.southwestcairnrescue.com (Orange) 714 288 0221 Info@SouthwestCairnRescue.com
  • Chihuahua - 714 995 4647
  • Collie - www.collie.org (Brea) 949 858 0298 lovecollies@cox.net
  • Dalmation - www.savethedals.org (Gardena) rescue@savethedals.org
  • English Springer Spaniel - www.springerrescue.org (Los Alamitos) 562-431-2354 ozbow@sbcglobal.net
  • German Shepherd Rescue - http://www.gsroc.org/ (Newport Beach) 714 974 7762 info@gsroc.org
    • See also www.coastalgsr.org (Irvine) 714 528 4730 k9rescuegsd@aol.com
  • Golden/Laborador Retrievers - www.retrieversandfriends.com (Temecula) 951 696 2428 info@retrieversandfriends.com
  • Great Dane - www.danerescue.org (Lake Elsinore) 760 743 6874
  • Greyhounds - California Greyhound Adoption Promotion (Irvine) 949 468 8689 calgap@cox.net
  • Labrador - www.sclrr.org ¡V 888 554 ALAB (Irvine) ¡V 949 862 4329 sclrr@sclrr.org
  • Miniature Schnauzer - www.msfr.org (Torrance) ¡V 310 374 7701 info@msfr.org
    • See also 714 531 7473 Bmajersnz@aol.com
  • Pug - www.pugdogrescue.com (Newport Beach) ¡V 949 262 7843 pugdogrescue@att.net
  • Saint Bernard - www.adoptasaint.org (Lake Forest) ¡V 888 231 8713 cmdiiullo@sbcglobal.net
  • Samoyed - www.socalsamoyedrescue.org (Los Angeles) ¡V 714 956 6180 tomepperson@cox.net
  • Sheltie - www.southlandsheltierescue.com (La Habra) ¡V 562 697 9784 dkparsons@verizon.net
  • Silky Terrier - 714 531 7650
  • Westie/West Highland Terrier - www.westierescueoc.com (Huntington Beach) 714 960 1083 kayd@westierescueoc.com
  • Wolfdog - www.wrr-inc.org (Costa Mesa) 714 673 3729 mikel@wrr-inc.org
Here are some specific rescue groups:
  • Birds: Lily Sanctuary - http://www.lilysanctuary.org - (Fountain Valley) 714 442 9474
  • Cats: Orange County Animal Rescue Coalition - www.oc-arc.com (Irvine) 949 451 3272 fran@oc-arc.com
  • Cats: Orange County Cat rescue Adoptions ¡V 714 734 2353 ukbird@cox.net
  • Cats: South County Cat Adoptions ¡V 714 715 3027 catsneedhelp@aol.com
  • Cats: Friendly Feline Rescue ¡V Charlene10@cox.net
  • Cats: Cats in Need - http://www.catsinneed.com/ - 909 622 0121
  • Cats: Blue Bell Foundation http://www.dovecanyon.org/bluebell/ (Laguna Beach) 949 494 1586 bluebellfoundation@live.com
  • Dogs: Cuddly Canines Rescue ¡V www.cuddlycanines.com (La Habra Heights) 949 422 8744 CuddlyCanines@aol.com
  • Dogs: Ariel rescue - www.arielrescue.com 949 499 9380 (Dana Point)
  • Dogs: Little Bow Wow Rescue ¡V www.littlebowwowrescue.com 714 974 2297 lbwrescue@sbcglobal.net
  • Dogs: Underdog Rescue ¡V underdogrescue@cox.net (Trabuco Canyon)
  • Ferrets: Ferrets Anonymous ¡V www.ferretsanonymous.com (Irvine) 949 303 8481 lancem_fa@yahoo.com
  • Ferrets: OC Ferrets - http://www.ocferrets.org/ (Irvine) 949 241 1189 Info@ocferrets.org
  • Guinea Pigs: www.CavyHaven.org - 714 242 7548 (Costa Mesa) cavyhaven_info@yahoo.com
  • Pelicans: http://www.pacificwildlife.org ¡V (Laguna Niguel) 949 831 1178
  • Pigs: California Potbellied Pig Association ¡V www.CPPA4Pigs.org (Pleasant Hill) 925 937 9045 info@cppa4pigs.org
  • Pigs: Pigs without Partners ¡V 310 836 8237 ¡V pigswithoutpartners@artnet.net
  • Rabbits: www.Rabbit.org ¡V 310 713 2478 (Los Angeles) losangelesrabbits@earthlink.net
  • Turtles : Turtle Rescue - www.tortoise.org 714 437 7042 or 714 529 5223 (Santa Ana) occhaptercttc@hotmail.com
Please note: There are rescue groups all over the country, and contacting them may be
helpful if you don¡¦t find a local group. For more information about rescue groups in other
areas, go to http://www.petfiniti.com

6. If You Can't Find a Rescue Group, Try Other Ways

If you haven't been successful so far, now is the time to get creative. But first consider whether this isn¡¦t fate stepping in and telling you that you need to keep your pet with you. If that isn't impossible, try any of the following:
  • Craig's List can be an effective place to communicate. List your pet for adoption. Stress the good traits and tell them that you'll provide food and all the supplies you have at no cost. But be sure you are giving your pet to a trustworthy family. There are unscrupulous researchers who use resources such as Craig's List to solicit animals who will be used in terrible experiments that cause pain and even death. Check them out completely before you trust your pet to someone else.
  • Post a notice at work. You'd be surprised how many times this is effective. And the best news is that you probably know the person.
    • When you put up a notice, be sure to use a cute picture of you and your pet and include pertinent information (e.g., sex, age, breed, up-to-date on shots, etc.). Include your phone number as well as e-mail address.
  • Let your neighbors know. Perhaps you can put a notice on the local bulletin board, or in your newsletter, or even on the street if you have to. Go door-to-door with a notice. Include a nice picture of your pet.
  • Contact Animal Advocacy groups. While they may not be involved directly in animal rescue, they have a vast network and it's possible that someone in that network can help. Here's a list of some animal advocacy groups:
    • Orange County People for Animals. http://www.ocpausa.org/ 714 751 6272 information@ocpausa.org
    • Orange County SPCA. http://www.orangecountyspca.org/ 714 374 7738 ocspca@verizon.net
    • South County Animal Shelter Coalition. www.Socoanimalshelter.org
    • Save our Strays in Huntington Beach. http://www.saveourstrayshb.org/ 714 442 1446 saveourstrayshb@aol.com (Huntington Beach)
    • Friends of Lake Forest Animals. www.folfa.org. info@folfa.org (Lake Forest)
    • Dedicated Animal Welfare Group. http://www.dawg.org/ 949 470 3045 sharon@dawg.org (Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel)
    • Compassion in Action http://www.theciaclub.com/ contact@theCIAclub.com (Newport Beach)
  • Contact Animal Care Professionals. There are lots of people who make their living providing animal care services ¡V veterinarians, groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers, pet loss bereavement specialists, pet food providers, pet supply providers, etc. All of these people/businesses are potential contact points to find someone to take your animal, on a temporary or permanent basis. Check your yellow pages for the resources nearest to you.

7. If You Can't Find a Solution, Call a Shelter

You also can surrender your pets to the Orange County animal shelter, but be advised
that open-admission shelters are required to accept all animals (including strays), and
the adoption of your pets cannot be guaranteed. Thus, if the shelter is overcrowded, it
may be forced to euthanize your pets. If you need to contact the Orange County shelter,
the website is http://www.ocpetinfo.com and the phone number is 714 935 6848.

8. Don't Leave Pets Behind

Never vacate your home and leave your pets behind. Don¡¦t turn them loose. It's
inhumane and it's illegal.
By following these simple steps, you will help your family and your pets have a better
future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. James Gardner is licensed as an animal rehabilitation specialist. He has assisted animal rescue efforts at the Salton Sea, along the Southern California coast, during Hurricane Katrina, and in Brazil, where he maintains a 3,000 acre ecological preserve. Dr. Gardner is on the Board of the South County Animal Shelter Coalition and the Friends of Lake Forest Animals. His family includes two dogs, three cats, and four birds.
Blinklist!Blogmarks!BlinkBits!Ask!
  • 0 Comments