Community Announcements & ServicesCommunity Announcements & ServicesWAGGIN’ TAILSSpring is <strong>here</strong>! It’sthat time <strong>of</strong> year tha<strong>to</strong>ur kids and pets areoutside playing. Welove <strong>to</strong> see our kidshaving fun with<strong>the</strong>ir pets but wealso want <strong>to</strong> make sure <strong>the</strong>y are all safe!Mom is a cute dog named Muffin (pictured withher newborns). She came <strong>to</strong> our shelter in earlyJanuary, thin and pregnant. A week later, sheand her four new pups are in good health.Ano<strong>the</strong>r birth at <strong>the</strong> Waggin’ TailsShelter last month--and ano<strong>the</strong>rfour (4) puppies saved because<strong>Town</strong> President Larry Dominickand our administration care aboutanimals.Please remember when children take <strong>the</strong>ir dogs outfor a walk that sometimes <strong>the</strong> dog is <strong>the</strong> one walking<strong>the</strong> child! This has become a big problem. Kidsare walking larger dogs that pull away from <strong>the</strong>m,and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> dog ei<strong>the</strong>r gets lost or ends up running<strong>of</strong>f and biting someone or someone’s pet.Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rough delivery, however, Muffinwon’t be ready <strong>to</strong> nurse her pups for severalweeks so <strong>the</strong> shelter’s staff will bottle feed<strong>the</strong>m until mom is ready. We want <strong>to</strong> make sure<strong>the</strong>y are healthy and strong so that <strong>the</strong>y can beadopted in<strong>to</strong> loving homes.+++I have seen little ones fall when <strong>the</strong>ir dog pulls<strong>the</strong>m, or when <strong>the</strong> dog gets loose <strong>the</strong> child gets soupset <strong>the</strong>y run after <strong>the</strong> dog and <strong>the</strong>y don’t payattention <strong>to</strong> anything else around <strong>the</strong>m. <strong>The</strong>y runafter <strong>the</strong>ir dog in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> street, between cars and inalleys.Muffin’s s<strong>to</strong>ry highlights why we encourage pet owners <strong>to</strong> have <strong>the</strong>ir petsspayed or neutered. We have a lot <strong>of</strong> animals running loose, without homes orowners looking after <strong>the</strong>m. This leads <strong>to</strong> an increase in <strong>the</strong> homeless dog andcat populations.We need <strong>to</strong> supervise our kids when <strong>the</strong>y are walkingour family pet! ALWAYS keep your dog on aleash and please make sure that you carry a bag <strong>to</strong>pick up after your pet <strong>to</strong> avoid any violations andfines! We have also had a problem with residentsbringing <strong>the</strong>ir pets <strong>to</strong> our parks <strong>to</strong> walk <strong>the</strong>m. T<strong>here</strong>are signs posted. “No Dogs Allowed”DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE PARKS!We have had many situations <strong>of</strong> dogs attacking peopleand o<strong>the</strong>r dogs in <strong>the</strong> parks and also <strong>the</strong> problem<strong>of</strong> owners not picking up after <strong>the</strong>ir pets when in <strong>the</strong>park.If you are considering getting a pet, that’s great. But please consider adoptionas a possible option. We have a number <strong>of</strong> adorable animals looking for lovinghomes.<strong>The</strong> shelter is open for <strong>view</strong>ing and adoption every week Monday-Friday from4:00pm-8:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm.+++REMINDERAs I previously reported, more than 100 residents <strong>to</strong>ok advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>shelter’s free microchip program sponsored by <strong>Town</strong> President Larry Dominickand State Representative Lisa Hernandez back in December. <strong>The</strong> microchipsare fitted in<strong>to</strong> pets in order that <strong>the</strong>y may be easily located if <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>to</strong> everget lost.If you have <strong>the</strong> misfortune <strong>of</strong> losing your pet andyou have contacted us <strong>to</strong> assist you in finding yourBecause <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r, many residents who wanted <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p by with <strong>the</strong>ir betswere not unable <strong>to</strong> do so.pet, PLEASE call us <strong>to</strong> let us know if your pet hasbeen found! We document each pet that is lost inour “Lost Pet” log book. We would like <strong>to</strong> be notifiedso we can mark <strong>the</strong> pet as being found!As for our Animal Welfare Shelter, we have alreadyrelocated <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> new facility and we are in <strong>the</strong>process <strong>of</strong> setting <strong>the</strong> shelter up for adoptions.We are hoping <strong>to</strong> begin adopting out animals <strong>to</strong>good homes by <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> May!In closing. I would like <strong>to</strong> say “you are always inour hearts” <strong>to</strong> a wonderful, loving and loyal pet anda friend that I loved very much. Cricket Dominickpassed away on March 17, 2006. She will be loved,missed by her family and friends, and in our heartsforever.“Cricket” DominickJanuary 13, 1998- March 17th 2006Wo<strong>of</strong>! Wo<strong>of</strong>! Meow! Meow!Sharon StarzykDirec<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>Cicero</strong> Animal Welfare and ControlChairman, <strong>Cicero</strong> Animal Welfare Board(708) 878-063218 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Cicero</strong> <strong>Town</strong> <strong>News</strong> April 06So, President Dominick suggested we <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong> free microchips again. So,on Saturday, February 16, <strong>Cicero</strong> residents can again avail <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>opportunity <strong>to</strong> get <strong>the</strong>ir pets microchip-ed.Free Microchip DayDATE: Saturday, February 16, 2008TIME:11:00am-3:00pmPLACE: Waggin’ Tails Shelter, 1634 S. Laramie (Back Building)*No appointment is necessary but please call <strong>the</strong> shelter <strong>to</strong> let us know that youwill be coming so we can keep an accurate count and ensure we have enoughmicrochips. Phone: (708) 652-0825.+++In closing, please use caution when letting your pets outside during <strong>the</strong>se coldwea<strong>the</strong>r months. Please let your pet out or take <strong>the</strong>m out <strong>to</strong> do <strong>the</strong>ir businessand bring <strong>the</strong>m right back inside.Additionally, please be cognizant <strong>of</strong> stray animals. With now<strong>here</strong> warm <strong>to</strong> go,<strong>the</strong>y will <strong>of</strong>ten seek shelter under vehicles (derive warmth from a car engine thathas recently been turned <strong>of</strong>f, for example) and sleep t<strong>here</strong>. Please knock on yourhood or check under your vehicle if it’s left outside before starting <strong>the</strong> engine <strong>to</strong>guard against this possibility.+++As always, we are very appreciative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> donations we receive for <strong>the</strong> shelter <strong>to</strong>care for our animals—food, blankets, <strong>to</strong>ys, laundry detergent, etc.If you would like <strong>to</strong> send a monetary donation, please make <strong>the</strong> check out <strong>to</strong>“<strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cicero</strong>” and send it <strong>to</strong>: <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cicero</strong> Animal Shelter, Attn: SharonStarzyk, 4937 W. 25th Street, <strong>Cicero</strong>, IL 60804.Thank you in advance for your continued generosity.+++If you need an animal welfare <strong>of</strong>ficer, <strong>the</strong>y are on duty:Monday-Friday from 7:00am-11:00pmSaturday-Sunday from 8:00am-4:00pmCALL (708) 652-2130, and an <strong>of</strong>ficer will be dispatched <strong>to</strong> assist you.<strong>Cicero</strong> Waggin’ Tails Shelter:Direct Line: (708) 652-0825Address: 1634 S. Laramie (Building B)Happy Valentines Day from <strong>the</strong> staff at Waggin’ Tails!Wo<strong>of</strong>! Wo<strong>of</strong>! Meow! Meow! For Now!Sharon StarzykDirec<strong>to</strong>r, Animal WelfareChairman, Animal Welfare Board(708) 878-063220
Community Announcements & Services21