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What we currently know about dogs that are picked up in Rensselaer County
Troy is sending dogs to a kennel in Cohoes, to the Department of Public Works in Troy, and recently contracted with the Saratoga County Municipal Animal Shelter. However, dangerous dogs are not included in this agreement, and the County (Saratoga) shall not shelter any animal on behalf of Troy seized for any reason other than in violation of Agriculture and Markets Law Article 7,
section 117; except on a case-by-case basis.The Village of Nassau is sending stray, lost or abandoned dogs to Columbia-Greene Humane Society.
The Town of Nassau and Schodack are sending dogs to a kennel run by Maggie Simmons.
Hoosick brings dogs to Nancy Quell in Washington County.
Berlin brings dogs to Doug Goodermote who can house only 3.
We have not been able to obtain a clear answer on where the towns of North Greenbush or East Greenbush is bringing dogs.
Petersburg has no location to bring stray dogs.
Rensselaer, Schaghticoke, Sand Lake and Brunswick bring dogs to Agway in Brunswick.
These all seem to be temporary hold facilities with no long-term solution for the municipalities and animals involved.
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Join 6000+ Petitioners!
A petition for a county-wide animal shelter gained over 6,000 signatures. The public understands the need and will support county officials who take the necessary steps to make this happen. We hope our officials will respond to the need for action and long-term, sustainable solutions.
Feral Cats Are A Health Risk!
Cats, who are domesticated animals and companion animals by law, are being dumped everywhere in Rensselaer County. Here is why this matters:
Property Rights: It is an infringement on the rights of property owners, both residential and commercial.
Diseases and Parasites: Free-roaming cats are associated with diseases and parasites such as ringworm, hookworm, fleas, ticks, mites, feline distemper, feline leukemia, cat-scratch disease (bartonellosis) and rabies.
Well-intentioned People Feed Cats - But: Native wildlife such as raccoons, skunks and coyotes are attracted to cat food. Mice and rats are also attracted to cat food, thus dispelling the myth that cats help to control pest rodent populations.
Rabies is fatal: Cats are four times more likely to contract rabies than dogs. Rabies is always fatal if not prevented in time.
Outdoor cats (who hunt for prey) are the definitive host for the protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis. A single cat can excrete millions of egg-like oocysts in fecal matter that can infect any warm-blooded being. Sources of infection include inadvertently ingesting oocysts while gardening, playing in sandboxes, drinking contaminated water, eating improperly washed vegetables, eating or handling undercooked meat. Toxoplasmosis in humans can result in miscarriages, blindness, memory
loss, organ failure and epilepsy.
Stray Dogs - So Many Problems!
Dogs that may have become lose and are roaming present many problems to residents, drivers, and our own pets. Here is how:
Attacks on Domestic Animals: Stray dogs can enter your dog's yard/territory.
Attraction of Wildlife and Rodents: When people feed stray animals - and they often do - wildlife and rodents are attracted to the food.
Transmission of Disease: As is the case with roaming cats, stray dogs are often carriers of various diseases dangerous to humans and their pets
Risk of Collision: For drivers, a roaming dog is no different than a deer; the risk of car crashes is real.
Injury of Good Samaritans: Well-meaning folks run the risk of being injured by dogs they're trying to help.
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Paws in Shelters is an effort by a group of concerned citizens that calls itself Animal Shelter Committee of Rensselaer County. Our vision is to... [continue reading]
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