Unleashed – PAWsitive Stories from Salt Lake County Animal Services

a new years resolution for your pet

December 22, 2017

As humans many of us set a resolution for ourselves for the new year. Since our pets can improve our physical and mental health, lets improve the lives of our cats and dogs this year as well.

• Update Their Tags & Microchips: If your contact information has changed, get your pet a new tag and update your info that’s attached to their microchip. Also, make sure the info on their tag is still readable, often it rubs off.
• Bring Out the Brush: Not only does brushing improve their coats, it helps you connect.  
• Declutter! Throw away those dirty, germy, broken toys. Get them something new to play with.
• Make Time to Play: Whether it’s swimming, hiking, or learning new tricks; your pet needs time to play and bond with you because they love you unconditionally.
• Measure They’re Food: It’s easy to overfeed a pet who acts like there’s never enough food in the bowl. Throw a measuring cup in their food containers and use it every day. Food is often a way we say, “I Love You.” Love your pet with other things like attention, play dates, or more car rides.
• Take Them to the Vet: Just like humans, pets should see their veterinarian for an annual check-up. They need to have their yearly vaccinations to keep them healthy and happy. Often when pets get sick, there is something going on with them that we can’t see.

As part of your resolution, resolve to play more! Salt Lake County Animal Services will be offering $18 adoption fees from January 2-31 for all pets EXCLUDING puppies and livestock. 

Licensing or renewing a license? Every pet that lives in: Bluffdale, Copperton, Emmigration Canyon, Herriman, Holladay, Kearns, Magna, Midvale, Millcreek, Salt Lake City, and White City can walk-in to Salt Lake County Animal Services, Monday – Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM, and receive a free DHPP (vaccine for dogs), FVRCP (vaccine for cats), and a microchip. Rabies vaccinations are done by appointment only.

For more information visit AdoptUtahPets.com or come by 511 W 3900 S, in Salt Lake City. 

volunteer tracie harrison

December 21, 2017

Meet Salt Lake County Animal Services January 2018 Volunteer of the Month, Tracie Harrison. Tracie started volunteering with us in July 2017 and can often be found working with our green collar dogs or in our barn visiting with the rabbits! She always has such a great attitude when she comes in and has a smile for everyone. We love having Tracie here as she is so understanding and hard working!

Tracie is a wonderful person to have as part of our volunteer program. Her love for the dogs and rabbits is clear and apparent, and we are thankful she chooses to spend her time with our animals!

By volunteering you have just given the most expensive and priceless gift anyone could have ever given – kindness and love. Thank you Tracie!

“We have to do what we can to help wherever and whenever it is possible for us to help.” — Jackie Chan

Interested in volunteering? Found out more or email animalvolunteer@slco.org. 

keep pets safe in cold weather

December 21, 2017

photo credit: Andrea Reiman

The temperatures are dropping, and snow is in the air! Keep your pets safe during the cold weather with a few tips:

• Grab your pup a coat and some dog booties to protect their paws. Check your dog’s paws for snow clumps when they come in after being outside.
• Ice melt is dangerous to our pets if ingested. Please wipe their paws when coming inside from a dog walk or a cat outing. There is animal-safe ice melt you can purchase at your local hardware stores.
• If your dog stays outside in your backyard during the day, please be sure that they have access to shelter and un-frozen water.  During night freezing temperatures, please bring your dog inside. If you’re cold, your dog is cold. Dogs can suffer from hypothermia.
• If you have a community cat colony at your residence, please make sure they have adequate shelter.

On behalf of all of us at Salt Lake County Animal Services, we wish you and yours a very merry holiday season! If you’re looking to collect holiday donations for the pets here at the shelter, we’re always in need of soft treats for the pups and canned cat paté for the kitties. If you would like more ideas please visit our website, AdoptUtahPets.com or visit us at 511 W 3900 S, Salt Lake City.  

bello the goat for adoption

December 21, 2017

Bello, was brought into Salt Lake County Animal Services in December 2017. He is a male approximately 1 year old and available for adoption at 10:00am on January 3, 2018. 

His adoption price is set at $45 and will be adopted to the first qualified adopter to come in on or after the 3^rd.

Adopter must be in an area zoned for livestock.

Salt Lake County Animal Services is located at 511 W 3900 S, SLC. 

esther the pig for adoption

December 18, 2017

“Esther,” the Landrace pig (A462957) will be available for sale on Monday, December 18, at 10:00 AM when the shelter opens. The adoption fee is $150, and she will be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than one qualified adopter comes in on Monday morning, a random drawing will be held.

She is friendly and is approximately four months old.

potbelly pig december

December 11, 2017

“Sprocket,” the potbellied pig (A462889) will be available for sale on Wednesday, December 13, at 10:00 AM when the shelter opens. The adoption fee is $100, and he will be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than one qualified adopter comes in on Wednesday morning, a random drawing will be held.

Sprocket is a very friendly and outgoing black potbelly pig. He is approximately one year old and his initial exam showed him to be neutered.

pig for adoption

December 04, 2017

“Banjo,” a potbelly pig (A462599) will be available for sale on Wednesday, December 6, at 10:00 AM when Salt Lake County Animal Services opens. The adoption fee is $100, and he will be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than one qualified adopter comes in on Wednesday morning, a random drawing will be held.

He is a friendly, unneutered, 5-month-old, black & white potbelly big. The adopter is encouraged to have him neutered, and the adoption fee will be refunded in full if the adopter brings in proof of neuter within 30 days of adoption.

december_volunteer_2017

December 04, 2017

Salt Lake County Animal Services December volunteer of the month is Hannah McNeely.

Hannah has been volunteering with Salt Lake County Animal Services for one year now and has jumped right in with both feet. She has participated in our University Dogs Program and really taken to training the dogs here at the shelter. She moved up to an orange collar level this year and always gives great feedback on the dogs that she works with.

We appreciate Hannah and her willingness to work with new dogs for our training program. She is a great team player and works well with other volunteers and staff members here at Salt Lake County Animal Services.

Your diligence, self-motivation as well as dedication have been a source of inspiration for the rest of the us. Great volunteers like you never want anything in return, but are always ready to do great things out of turn. Thank you for volunteering.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”  – Oscar Wilde

Interested in volunteering? Find out more. 

giving tuesday

November 27, 2017

Help create a positive learning environment for dogs at the shelter and dogs in your own home. Join Salt Lake County Animal Services at RoHa Brewing Project for this one day giving event. 4Truck food truck will be serving food for purchase. Animal Services will be accepting donations and giving away prizes.

Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2017, is a globally celebrated day of giving back and this year Salt Lake County Animal Services will be participating. Animal Services is raising money to continue specialized trainings for our shelter pets and owned pets. One of our life-saving goals is to reduce the number of returns in our more difficult dog population: dogs that may have behavior issues. 

We do this by putting our more difficult dogs through specialized trainings with outside trainers. These trainings help give our dogs much needed life skills that will help make them more adoptable. 

Want more information or prefer to just donate online? Please contact jjohanson@slco.org. 

This event is for 21 and older. Please leave your pups at home!

Salt Lake County Animal Services is the largest no-kill municipal shelter in Utah. We specialize in adoptions and life saving programs.

RoHa Brewing Project has been open since April 21, 2017 on Kensington Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah. RoHa Brewing Project seeks greatness in every beer we make, without compromise so we can drink our beers through all the good times and always with good people.

november volunteer of the month(1)

November 02, 2017

Ari Abalos is our Volunteer of the Month this November at Salt Lake County Animal Services. 

Ari is a very active participant in our volunteer program and always goes above and beyond. Ari quickly moved from a green level volunteer to an orange level volunteer when we had an extremely busy summer and he noticed we needed to get our orange collar dogs outside more often. He has helped at events and also brings his daughter in to read to our cats.

Ari has fostered two dogs for Salt Lake County Animal Services, Major and Shenzi. He and his family adopted Major not long after taking him home; they just couldn’t part with him!

Ari has a great attitude and is willing to jump in wherever help is needed. His passion for animals is very apparent and he makes a difference in the animals’ lives here at the shelter.

Thank you Ari for always coming with a smiling face and a helping hand. We love having you as a part of our volunteer family AND our foster family! 

Interested in volunteering? Find out more! 

halloween pet safety tips(1)

October 30, 2017

Halloween can be a lot of fun for humans but pets may not appreciate the costumes and candy. Protect your pets from Halloween dangers with these tips! If you run into any lost pets while trick or treating, contact your local animal control and help them get reunited with their owners!   

1. Keep candy out of reach: All forms of chocolate and the artificial sweetener can be poisonous to dogs & cats.  Call your emergency vet if your pet has eaten either.
2. Keep pets confined and away from the door: Dogs may be likely to dart out the door, or become anxious with trick-or-treaters in costumes and yelling for candy. Put them in a crate or a backroom and keep everyone safe.
3. Close the blinds or drapes, disconnect doorbells: If your dog reacts every time someone walks by or rings the doorbell close the drapes and disconnect the doorbell.
4. Keep outdoor pets inside before and after Halloween: Keep dogs and cats indoors to prevent them from being injured, stolen, or poisoned as part of a Halloween prank.
5. Don’t approach dogs while in costume: Even if you know the dog, a strange costume or mask can frighten them. They may not recognize you in costume.  If a dog escapes a house or yard and runs up to you, tell your child to stand like a tree, and wait for the owner to grab the dog.
6. Test out pet costumes before: Make sure the costume isn’t causing them distress, or giving them an allergic reaction. It shouldn’t restrict their movement, ability to breath, bark or meow.
7. Leave them at home: It may be best with all the distractions to leave your pet at home while trick-or-treating. Take them for a walk earlier in the day before the ghosts and goblins come out for the night to spook them. 

october_volunteer_2017

October 17, 2017

Emily Strong, CPBC, CPBT-KA has been volunteering with Salt Lake County Animal Services since 2016 but she has been working with animals since March 1990. In that time, she has trained many species, including (but probably not limited to): dogs, cats, parrots, a wide variety of other species of birds, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, rats, mice, horses, miniature donkeys, pigs, goats, tortoises, leopard geckos, snakes, pygmy octopi, fish, and even praying mantis! How neat is that.

Emily teaches free workshops through our Building Better Behaviors Program and her expertise, passion for animals, and her wonderful speaking skills always draw a large crowd and her workshops are nearly always full! Emily believes that the knowledge of behavior science should be accessible to everyone, which is why she volunteers her time to help adopters, owners, volunteers, staff, and fosters here at Salt Lake County Animal Services, and we are so thankful for her.

Emily has two dogs at home, Brie and Copper, several rescued parrots, and one foster bunny. 

Thank you Emily for all that you do for the animals AND their humans! 

“Volunteers are love in motion” -Author Unknown

Interested in volunteering? Find out more! Or email hmcnabb@slco.org for more information. 

goat official notice of sale(1)

October 02, 2017

**UPDATE: SOLD 10/30/17**

Official Notice Of Sale

This Sheep was brought into the shelter in September 2017. She is a female approximately 4 years old and available for adoption at 10:00am on 10-7-2017.

Her adoption price is set at $70 and will be adopted to the first qualified adopter to come in on or after the 7^th.

Adopter must be in an area zoned for livestock.

Questions? Email Mtalmon@slco.org

goat official notice of sale

September 07, 2017

**ADOPTED**

Official Notice Of Sale

This Goat- Sheep mix (possible Navajo Sheep or Angora goat) was brought into the shelter in August 2017. He is a male and available for adoption at 10:00am on 9/20/2017.

His adoption price is set at $45 and will be adopted to the first qualified adopter to come in on or after the 20^th.

Adopter must be in an area zoned for livestock.

Questions? Email mtalmon@slco.org.

volunteer of the month candice

September 01, 2017

Salt Lake County Animal Services Volunteer of the Month is Candice Mason! Candice has been volunteering with Salt Lake County Animal Services since July of 2011! Candice’s bubbly personality makes her a joy to have around and she can always put a smile on your face.

Not only was she a part of Team Sabrina earlier this year, but she is now a  part of Team Bandit, a program that trains shelter dogs so that they have a higher chance of being successful in their new homes! She is also the new foster ambassador for dogs looking for foster home. Candice is always willing to try new things and jump in and lend a helping hand where needed.  

Candice is a shining example of a giving heart; it is easy to see that she loves to volunteer and gives it her all. We have thoroughly enjoyed having Candice as part of our volunteer family. She is optimistic, lovable, understanding, nice, talented, energetic, and enthusiastic– that is the kind of amazing volunteer that she is.  

Thank you Candice for treating each and every shelter dog as you would you own pups. I know that they love their Aunt Candice and all of the yummy treats you share with them!

Interested in volunteering find out more! 

pawlitical pets

August 28, 2017

**VOTING IS CLOSED. STAY TUNED FOR FALL OF 2019 FOR THE NEXT ELECTION**

The WINNER was Kandie the Therapy Pittie, for Salt Lake County Animal Services PAWlitical Mayor. Kandie, her Deputy PAWlitical Mayor, Churchill and the 9-member PAWlitical Council was sworn in to their positions by Sherrie Swensen, the Salt Lake County Clerk, at the December 19, 2017, Salt Lake County Council Meeting.

The nomination period is over and it's time to Vote for PAWlitical Mayor! We have 16 candidates and an intern. Find out more about them, their PAWlitical platforms and VOTE! Voting will run from
October 13 - November 10.  

Does your pet have leadership skills?

Salt Lake County Animal Services and Mayor Ben McAdams are excited to announce the first PAWlitical Pet Election. Non-human residents of Salt Lake County are encouraged to run for Mayor. The election for the prestigious position of Salt Lake County PAWlitical Mayor is for a 2-year term of office. While PAWlitical Pets must be Salt Lake County residents, voters can live anywhere.

This PAWlitical Election is a fundraiser sponsored by Salt Lake County Animal Services. It will be held every two years. The funds raised from this event will go to our Injured Animal Fund. We provide care for hundreds of injured and sick animals every year. This will benefit them greatly!

Salt Lake County PAWlitical Pet Filing Qualifications:

• Registration opens September 11th 
• Deadline to register September 30
• Salt Lake County pet resident (all cities within Salt Lake County: Alta, Bluffdale, Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Herriman, Holladay, Midvale, Murray, Riverton, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, Taylorsville, unincorporated Salt Lake, West Jordan, West Valley City)
• Licensed (proof needed if applicable)
• Fully vaccinated (proof needed if applicable)
• Spayed/Neutered
• Provide a clear photo (4 x 6) of your PAWlitical Candidate. Digital only (jpeg, png, gif) and emailed to Randee at rlueker@slco.org.

How to apply and FAQ's

PAWlitical Pet Application

2017 Important Political Pets Mayor and Council Election Dates

Monday, September 11^th - Registration opens for PAWlitical Mayor – Entry fee is $25.00

Saturday, September 30^th - Registration closes

Thursday, October 12^th - Meet & Greet with all PAWlitical Pet Candidates

Friday, October 13^th - Voting begins – Votes are $1.00 each

Friday, November 10^th – Last Day to vote

Tuesday, November 14^th – Winners announced on Facebook Live at Salt Lake County Animal Services

Late November / Early December (Date TBD) – Swearing in of the PAWlitical Pet Mayor and Council 

Disclaimer: All PAWlitical Pet Candidates must be well-behaved, social, and healthy. NO biters allowed. Salt Lake County Animal Services reserves the right to remove any PAWlitical Candidate or PAWlitical official from office if a serious animal ordinance violation occurs. 

notice of sale horse

August 22, 2017

August 21^st , 2017

NOTICE

State of Utah, County of Salt Lake,

In Salt Lake City,

I have in possession the following described animal, which will be sold at public auction to the highest cash bidder at  Salt Lake County Animal Services, 511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City Utah 84123, ph 385-468-6051.

The auction will be conducted as a sealed bid process. The minimum bid for the following estray is $900. To participate please include  the Lot# ,amount of your bid , your name, address and phone number.

All bids must be received at our office by 5:30 pm Monday, the 28^th   day of August, 2017.  The highest bidder will be notified the following day.

LOT #1:  Overo Sorrell/White Paint Mare approximately 4 yrs. old . She is very

friendly with a sweet personality and loves to interact with people.

•  Other training is unknown.

Said animal was taken up by me in said city on the 9^th  Day of August, 2017.

Director Talia Butler

Salt Lake County Animal Services Division

[Ord. 69-99 § 9, 1999: 24-89 § 1, 1989]

clear the shelters

August 16, 2017

Salt Lake County Animal Services is excited to be part of the 2017 Clear the Shelters campaign. 

On Saturday, August 19, as part of "Clear the Shelters:"

ALL cat and kitten adoption fees will be waived.

All rabbit adoption fees will be waived.

Dog adoptions fees will be 50% Off. 

View all of our adoptable pets online.

Across the country NBC and Telemundo owned stations are partnering with shelters to help Clear the Shelters. Last years event was so successful! In 2016, over 50,000 pets were adopted across the country as part of Clear the Shelters! Help us break that record this year!

volunteer of the month august

August 04, 2017

Cathy Rockwell has been volunteering with Salt Lake County Animal Services 
since January 2017. She is faithfully here several times a week to work with our cats. 
You can find Cathy in our cattery, brushing, socializing, and playing with our cats in 
each of the colony rooms. She knows their personalities and always 
gives great feedback on their behavior or medical needs! 

She is quick to smile and has a gentle way with all 
the cats, staff, and volunteers that she meets. 

Thank you, Cathy, for all that you do for us here at Salt Lake County Animal Services. 

Your dedication and heart inspires us. 
We are proud to have you volunteering with us. 

Interested in volunteering? Check out the various volunteer opportunities available. 

Team Sabrina

July 21, 2017

Salt Lake County Animal Services long term resident, Sabrina the black and white Pitbull, graduated has graduated from her C.L.A.S.S., with a Bachelors level in Canine Life and Social Skills!!!!!!!

At the end of March we had an idea: a way to help our dogs that have become invisible and that have been here far too long. We put our idea out there, a training program to help these dogs develop new skills and desired behaviors. 

Our amazing volunteers jumped at the chance and Team Sabrina and Team Rocko were born. Two teams of three people agreed to work with these dogs for at least the seven weeks that the training class was in session. They also committed to work with their dog throughout the week. We know that if they get a little more exposure and we help them gain these lifestyles skills we were opening a door for them that has not been open before. 

Sabrina now has a plethora of new skills to go home to her forever family with. She officially passed her test and learned the following skills.

Recall
Impulse control-things on the floor
Attention on you with people distractions
Humans greeting humans
Tricks
Impulse control with other dogs (engage/disengage, look at that)
Doorways/impulse control
Not jumping up
Lifestyle reinforcement
Value of treats
Loose leash walking
Leash Reactivity skills
Stay
Stand
"Go say hi” game
Grooming/greeting
Polite leash walking with distractions
Leave it
Fear periods
Distance, duration, distractions
Neutral dog

Her kennel behavior and manners here at the shelter have dramatically improved as well!

Thank you Team Sabrina for sticking it out and working so hard, Sabrina is now getting to become her best self. Thank you to our awesome trainer, Laurie Schlossnagle of Side by Side Dog Training.  Thank you Utah FACES for your support in this exciting new program. We are so proud of you and proud of this shelter. I'm sure so many other shelters wish they could have a Team Sabrina. I hope one day they do.

Sabrina is available for adoption or foster and comes with a free training session so we can continue all that she has learned. If you're interested in adopting her or donating so other shelter dogs can receive training like Sabrina's please contact hmcnabb@slco.org.