Ok Lakewood you knew this had to be coming Right?

[Hope Robbins]

Shawn,

Really. Is that necessary? I can't recall a time in any of this that people went childish on you. I'll stand up and say I had a few less than proud moments but none directed at you. These posts from you are just trying to flame. Be bigger than that.

You'll be surprised how much more than a handful it will be that oppose this.

Ed

It's okay Ed. I expected him to do what he did.
His comments and sarcasm are pointless and predictable and simply
not worth my time...we have all come to expect it in this venue. It's not much of a challenge and lacks anything out of the ordianary.

My focus as well as many, many, others is to lend a helping hand in our community. I have no time to play tit-4-tat or beat a dead horse.

Things in life have a way of coming back around to bite people in the ass, who attack others when they are down or when they are offering to help others...

So I will let Karma take care of those who kick those who are down, or judge. Not my place. I keep on keeping on. I will be happy to help anyone who needs it , even if they were flaming me at one time on this board out of ignorance and then found themselves or someone they care about on the receiving end of this ordinance.

Funny how things work out that way sometimes.

Thank you for your support though, it's appreciated.

[Hope Robbins]

Hope, Missy and Ed or anyone else,

It appears that there are 2 issues here.

1) Fighting the ordinance

2) Assisting people who have dogs in these economically difficult times to come into compliance.

I know when you purchase a cat from the Lakewood Animal shelter, it comes with a certificate for a discount for spaying or neutering. Do you know of any options for people who now have to microchip and spay and neuter their dogs that you could share? E.g., Vets or clinics who will perform these services at a discounted price? Insurance Companies who offer great deals?

Would it help to have a fund raiser(s) that the people that need the assistance could do? Like Habitat for Humanity for example, using the dog park example of a Dog Wash. Wash dogs and for every dog you wash you earn credits towards your dog's insurance. Selling Malley bars has always been popular.

I also saw what I thought was a Boxer today with a muzzle. It did make me sad as that is a great idea for a vicious dog, but it seemed so restrictive for the average dog. Do you have any recommendations on good humane types of muzzles? Are there any?

I have a couple places I know of, one for low income, and one that is reasonable for spay and neuter, yes. The APL has a low income program online, on their site, The Memphis Spay / Neuter clinic on Fulton does only spay/neuter and shots...that is how they keep their overhead down. A neuter on a 40lb male, with all shots, and I believe the heartworm panel is about 140. Which is very good. Rabies run about 14 dollars etc. So yes and we are working on more, as we meet.

Here is a site people can use to get a certificate and locate a vet.
http://www.friendsofanimals.org/program ... index.html




Insurance companies vary ....I know a few ....if someone needs information we have some referrals.


No muzzle is safe in the heat, NONE.
The problem is the one's that allow for them to "pant" as needed don't meet compliance. I actually emailed a world renowned vet that works for Ceasar Milan and asked her to let me know what muzzle is out there that is safe for our dogs since we are forced to put them on? I see some on his shows and asked about those as well. I can't walk Powder in hers. She won't walk because she hates it, she is also a Bulldog if anyone knows a hill of beans about these dogs. they already have overheating and respritory issues. Not a good combo. We simply don't do it. We use her treadmill. She is not a younger pup and is very low key, so I am lucky. I am not sure about younger pups who need exercise to keep bad behaviors from forming. I guess ED could help answer that one as well?

Lynn you are right, we realized about 1/2 through this, while fighting to change the laws ....we need to help those stuck in it.
We are in discussions now how to fund raise and have connections working on their connections with large / well known organizations. We are also talking about fund raiser's etc we can do, something similiar to what CCLAS does for the APL.

If ....Council had tabled this, the residents would have had the answers before the questions, the plan in place before the action. It's almost as IF...they want us to fail. Thankfully there are some pretty smart folks out here who are determined to not let that happen.

Lynn if you know someone who needs help, please give them the email.
We will do what we can.

Micro-chipping we are working on two avenues.......I am waiting....so I can get mine done myself? We called to make appointments as soon as we got the letters, APL ...um not ready yet?

So we move forward ......

[Missy Limkemann]

Wow, and to think I just donated 300 microchips to another rescue. Glad people came to me for help even after I offered it. (they needed them more than I did...I will never have that many animals in my rescue I hope...lol)

[Hope Robbins]

Wow, and to think I just donated 300 microchips to another rescue. Glad people came to me for help even after I offered it. (they needed them more than I did...I will never have that many animals in my rescue I hope...lol)

Funny you mentioned that.....you are next..LOL

Email me at home Missy...we need to catch up.

[Shawn Juris]

Ed,
My apologies. Certainly calling me childish will help though.

[Ed Dickson]

Thank you. I only called it as I saw it at that moment.

[Beajay Michaud]

Hope, Missy and Ed or anyone else,

It appears that there are 2 issues here.

1) Fighting the ordinance

2) Assisting people who have dogs in these economically difficult times to come into compliance.

I know when you purchase a cat from the Lakewood Animal shelter, it comes with a certificate for a discount for spaying or neutering. Do you know of any options for people who now have to microchip and spay and neuter their dogs that you could share? E.g., Vets or clinics who will perform these services at a discounted price? Insurance Companies who offer great deals?

Would it help to have a fund raiser(s) that the people that need the assistance could do? Like Habitat for Humanity for example, using the dog park example of a Dog Wash. Wash dogs and for every dog you wash you earn credits towards your dog's insurance. Selling Malley bars has always been popular.

I also saw what I thought was a Boxer today with a muzzle. It did make me sad as that is a great idea for a vicious dog, but it seemed so restrictive for the average dog. Do you have any recommendations on good humane types of muzzles? Are there any?

Sorry I'm jumping in late: Here is a list from petfinders.com of
Clinics Offering Low Cost Spay/Neuter Surgery

Buckeye Animal Hospital
13945 Lorain Road
Cleveland, OH
216-476-1030

Memphis Animal Hospital
5617 Memphis Avenue
Cleveland, OH
216-661-8387

Spay and Neuter Clinic
4225 Fulton Road
Cleveland, OH
216-398-1081

Cleveland Kennels Clinic
2690 West 7 Street
Cleveland, OH
216-664-2759

Columbia Animal Clinic
2565 Royalton Road
Columbia Station, OH
440-236-8200

Midpark Animal Hospital
6611 Smith Road
Middleburg Heights, OH
216-362-7387

Able Animal Hospital
5431 State Road
Parma, OH
216-749-6990

Greenmount Veterinary
460 South Green Road
South Euclid, OH
216-531-7746
216-651-7142

Mobile Clinics
apl
PetFix Northeast Ohio
216-536-0930
Please call our
Spay/Neuter TNR Hotline
at 216-377-1633, Option 1
to reach our PetFix appointments voicemail

I think a dog wash would be great, I would be willing to wash dogs to raise money for others that need it. Plus I have three dogs...

[Hope Robbins]

Awesome,
Thank you Bea!


We are working on some ideas...You know I will keep you posted!
And the more great ideas the better!

[Jennifer Desilets]

Hope,

The Lakewood Animal Shelter is not part of the APL. It is staffed by the city, and the funds for spay/neuter and fostering are raised by CCLAS. Just wanted to clarify.

[Hope Robbins]

Hope,

The Lakewood Animal Shelter is not part of the APL. It is staffed by the city, and the funds for spay/neuter and fostering are raised by CCLAS. Just wanted to clarify.

Sorry Jennifer, I did it again!

Right CCLAS helps the LAS...or Lakewood Shelter. I use APL ...for what I used to use as the "Pound" ...just forgot to use it right here, thank you for the clarification, I don't want to confuse anyone. I was giving CCLAS a good plug...though? And Kudos to you all at CCLAS...your tireless work for your community and our animals is appreciated by us all.


Hope

[Missy Limkemann]

I wonder if there is a way I could partner up with CCLAS or something to help my rescue out since I am the only one in Lakewood. Well at least physically located in this city.
I do have a problem though with the one part of the new law...They are requiring these dogs be spayed/neutered. Well shouldnt the animals adopted out of the shelter here be altered? They make you sign a contract to say the adopter will do it, but they never follow up with it. How can the city make us do something they dont even do?
I am all about altering but that comes from the thousands of dogs dying everyday because there are not enough homes because people wont alter. If my tiny rescue that is only me and a credit card can do it, why cant the city do it?

[Shawn Juris]

Please help me understand this in all sincerity, isn't owning a dog a lifestyle choice or luxury item moreso than a necessity? Particularly a large breed dog and one that is under such scrutiny and so highly regulated. I really do appreciate the passion that has been expressed here and the willingness to help others but I don't get it (and I do a good deal of work for others). Am I misinterpreting this or is the suggestion to provide a fundraiser that will pay for someone's decision to buy or own something that they can't afford? To tie it together if these folks that can't afford the $700 one time payment for insurance or the expense of a muzzle, microchipping or other things, how was I to believe that if their dog did something that they were responsible to pay for they would have been able to afford that? Out of curiosity and I haven't looked closely at these dangerous dog policies, is there a deductible? At some point isn't it okay to simply say that some people shouldn't own dogs that come with such a great expense? Maybe focus the energies or fundraising efforts on getting them to families that can afford and want them?

[Missy Limkemann]

Well I know for me personally (well my rescue) I do fundraisers to pay for all the medical bills I have "racked" up in doing rescue. I had a dog come to me with 3 dead puppies in her belly and 1 in her canal. She spents weeks at the vet's office and cost me thousands of dollars. I also vet every single dog that comes in to my rescue, shots, alters, etc etc. That adds up quickly. I also do fundraisers so I am able to help more. I do know not to take on more than I can handle, I will never do that. But emergencies do come up. That is why I filed for my 501c3 right away.
As for others doing fundraisers to help out, I think it is a great idea. Yes while owning a pet is a choice, and when you budget out your pet, anything extra can hurt. Alters can cost anywhere from 200 dollars and up. I paid 300 for one dog and that was a personal dog (not rescue so no discount...and even at my rescue discount it is still a high price)to be told you have to do that right away can hurt some people. For those living "ok" and have pets, having this huge bill right away can break the bank.
So now you have to come up with 200 for alters, a couple hundred for insurance, and then extra fees for registrations.
(do you still have to register with the county too, or is registering with Lakewood enough...because there is no way I want to pay 50 for lakewood and an additional 18 for the county so there are 2 different registries...do they want my first born and some blood too?)
all of these "fees" add up, quickly. I dont know too many people who have an extra grand lying around for this.

[Ahmie Yeung]

There are many reasons someone might chose a larger breed dog, including the feeling of safety that comes with having something that fits the concept of "guard dog" in appearance - goodness knows I see enough people kavetching here and on the Buzz about how unsafe Lakewood seems to be becoming.

The dog breed that I want to get someday (when my children are a bit bigger - dealing with enough poop from the two of them right now without adding another mammal to manage poop for, thankyouverymuch) is a Siberian. I Husky or Malamute (or mix). The reason I want this specific breed/mix is only a small part aesthetics (I do like the way the dogs look) and primarily about the general personality of the breed - I want a dog that can pull me in a sled, or a wheelchair if need be (I use a wheelchair when I'm going to need to walk for extended periods and the chances of being able to sit down are minimal, walking/standing for extended periods aggravates left -over issues from a lumbar disc herniation from 2003). I plan to teach the dog to brace me on stairs and help with picking things up from floor/low shelves for when I have trouble bending, or to brace me when I try to rise from bending over to get something myself. Given the desperate need for professionally trained service dogs by people in much more difficult situations than myself, I wouldn't feel right even putting myself on a waiting list for a trained dog, and I'm confident in my ability to train a dog to my needs on my own (and there are ways to get a self-trained dog certified as an assistance animal if needed, from what I've been able to gleen - tho some states don't require official certification at all, can't remember where Ohio falls. Any dog that provides a necessary service to a person with a disability counts as an assistive/service dog and legally has to be permitted to accompany the person they assist even in places where dogs generally are not permitted).

I know there are many other people who have mild disabilities and adopt dogs to help them with accomodating their own needs. For pretty much anything beyond those that are sensitive at signaling an impending medical event (i.e. seizure dogs) or hearing dogs (who come get their owner when they hear specific auditory cues, such as baby crying, and lead the deaf person to the source of the sound), the dog needs to be fairly large size to perform the tasks its owner is requiring of it (bracing, picking things up that the owner can't reach, guiding the visually-impared, etc).

Hope that helps a bit, Shawn. And before you say it, no, not everyone who owns a dog obtained it for reasons anything like this, but many do own the dog as a companion to keep them from being lonely - this is particularly true of the elderly and disabled, and sometimes these dogs count as assistive animals also, if they are trained to pester their owners out of sitting around feeling sorry for themselves (some breeds just do this naturally without any training needed). The elderly and disabled are also income-sensitive individuals who would not be able to come up with such large sums of money immediately to comply wit this law. I agree that the law was implemented way too hastily and I, as a non-dog owner, would have gladly testified in opposition to it had I had the awareness and available time. For instance, older dogs who have lived in Lakewood and been licensed with no aggression incidents should at least be grandfathered in, or if the owner can get affadavits from X number of neighbors or a trainer/dog professional that the dog is not a threat, they should be able to get a waiver on the insurance requirement. As it stands, the law is the canine equivalent of racism. DNA does not equal destiny, nurture can overcome much of nature in animal behavior.



Ahmie

[Hope Robbins]

Shawn,
I don't have a problem with your question.

Again here is the point.
I am talking about the "new law" ....requirements.
I am talking about additional costs.

No one here had to register both city and county before. It was a one time fee a year. Now it's both. So if we start doing that with cars should someone who can't afford it , not have a car? They still have insurance?
If I started out being able to afford it, but now with the cost of living expenses and our economy is eating up the extra and I have to make a decision between my kids school clothes or the dog's extra fee to help fund Lakewood's already failing Shelter....shouldn't someone offer to help?
No one has a problem with CCLAS funding stuff like toilet paper and kitty litter? Why question us for helping someone?

To continue,
No one had to show liability insurance "pre-paid" up front for a year. Mine was added to my renters, which was not a year, it was a month. Now mine is through my homeowner's and paid yearly. No one had to have them micro-chipped, no one had to have them spayed / neutered.

So ummm you have been pretty active in these threads, and it's nice to see the "tone" has changed, however , and I am not being smart....but if you are so involved in these threads it might behoove you to look at the "old ordinance" requirements and the new. Then you will know ...

I have them if you want them, happy to send them so you don't even have to look.

Anyone owning a dog should be able to afford the basics, feeding / vet bills some of these things. A lot of people don't have large sums saved in case something horrible happens and they need 3000 for emergency surgery ...... Some people have kids they shouldn't have. Not the point. We have programs to help them keep them healthy. No I am not comparing the two, just an example.

It wasn't costly for me to build a pen, happy to help anyone know how to do it simple and cheap. Not expensive to get a leash and muzzle.
Insurance was more, but after the intitial down the monthly was affordable and worth it. Now for some who didn't know everything that was added in, it's an expense that has Nothing to do wiht owning a large breed sport/working breed dog.

So to ensure no one else has to lose their dogs, help folks like you in the community feel safer and more content wiht having us as a neighbor, we are offering to help them out with "unexpected" expenses. That simple really. We are helping both sides, those who support the ban and those are a victim of it. By meeting in the middle.