ANIMAL WATCH

Thursday, April 17, 2008

These were among cases handled by the Washington Humane Society. The society operates its shelter at 7319 Georgia Ave. NW and the District's at 1201 New York Ave. NE. For more information or assistance, 24 hours a day, call 202-723-5730 or visithttp://www.washhumane.org.

Man Gives Up Boxer

ROXBORO PL. NW, 500 block, April 4. A Humane Society officer responding to a complaint found an underweight male boxer confined to a filthy back porch. A notice was left at the door when no one answered. A man called the officer the next day explaining that the dog belonged to his mother, who has been hospitalized. The man said the stress from the hospitalization and bills was so overwhelming that he could not properly care for the dog. After checking with family members, he agreed to surrender the dog to the shelter the next day. The officer advised the man to take the dog to the shelter, where it will be evaluated for adoption.

Dog Is Found Dead in Closet

C ST. SE, 5100 block, April 4. Responding to a call about a homeowner finding a dead dog in one of his properties, a Humane Society officer went with the owner inside a house and found two rooms covered with feces and a strong odor of urine, and a dead dog in a closet. The black pit bull showed no obvious signs of trauma. The carcass was removed from the house. The Humane Society is searching for the family friend who stayed at the house in exchange for handyman services.

Cats Are Taken to Veterinarian

SHEPHERD ST. NW, 400 block, April 2. The Humane Society received a call about a sick mother cat. A Humane Society officer found the buff tabby lying on the kitchen floor, extremely lethargic and not responding to stimuli. The owner said that the cat had had a litter of three kittens a few days earlier. The mother cat was not nursing the kittens, so they were being bottle fed. When advised that the cat needed immediate veterinary care, the owner said that she did not have the money. The owner surrendered the cat and kittens to the society. The cats were rushed to the veterinarian, and after not responding to treatment two were euthanized. Two kittens were found to be in good health and were taken to the shelter, where they are being hand-fed.

Lab-Pointer Is Offered

TRENTON PL. SE,1700 block, April 6. A 2-year-old female Labrador-pointer mix whose previous owner did not have time for her was made available for adoption at the shelter.

The following were among cases handled by the Washington Animal Rescue League, 71 Oglethorpe St. NW. For more information, call 202-726-2556 or visithttp://www.warl.org.

Schnauzer Is Surrendered

13TH PL. NE, 5000 block, April 5. A woman surrendered her dog to the league for adoption because she had no time to take care of it. The 4-year-old schnauzer was being evaluated for adoption.

Cat Is Evaluated for Adoption

HYATTSVILLE, Riggs Rd., 2000 block, April 5. A woman brought a cat to the league for adoption because her daughter had left it behind when she went to school. The woman had too many animals at home and not enough time to care for the cat, which was being evaluated for adoption.

Dog Treated for Kennel Cough

LANHAM, Cross St., 7700 block, April 8. A woman brought her 5-year-old mixed Labrador retriever to the league's medical center because the dog was coughing and had nasal discharge. She had left the dog at a kennel while she traveled for a month and the dog returned home sick. Veterinarians sent the dog home with medicine for bordatella, which is commonly called kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection among dogs.

Cat's Abscessed Tooth Extracted

BETHESDA, Madawaska Rd., 6200 block, April 8. A woman brought her cat into the league's medical center because the animal had stopped eating for several days. She explained that her cat was an indoor/outdoor cat and that it might have gotten sick after fighting with another cat. It was determined that the cat's problem stemmed from an abscessed tooth. The infected tooth was removed.

Low-Cost Microchip Clinic

A veterinarian from the Washington Animal Rescue League's medical center will implant pet ID microchips from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Center Pet Pharmacy, 4900 Massachusetts Ave. NW. $25. 202-726-2556, Ext. 215.

Pet Nutrition Clinic Slated

The Washington Animal Rescue League is hosting the Feeding Is Believing Program, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The program educates new pet owners on proper pet nutrition. Adoption fees are waived for the first 10 cat and dog adoptions, and adopted pets will be given a 30-day supply of Science Diet pet food. 202-726-2556.

-- Compiled by RIA MANGLAPUS