Second Chance: Keep Your Dogs at Home

14 May Second Chance: Keep Your Dogs at Home

As a fairly recent arrival here at Second Chance I’ve noticed that a lot of dogs end up here because their people let them run loose. Luckily many loose dogs are picked up off highways by concerned people and delivered to animal shelters like Second Chance. But not all of them make it safely here. There are many threats to a stray dog, which I will review for you today as encouragement to keep your dogs safe at home.

Rad Todd

While many dogs are pretty good at staying close to home when there isn’t anything interesting going on, sometimes they catch a scent or see an animal running, or a friendly pedestrian or another dog and they’re off running to explore.

Let’s quickly review the scenarios of what can happen when they get the urge to run.

I want to avoid using dramatic “scare tactics” here, so just know these scenarios, although harsh, come straight from the mouth (mine) of a dog who was left to fend for himself.  The worst-case scenario is that your dog meets an untimely death because of a wide variety of serious threats (see below) or someone deciding to keep your pet when they find him/her in their backyard and you never see or hear about them again.

Other potential scenarios are these: Having to pay law enforcement fees for having a dog at large, or reclaim fees from your local shelter, and you should consider the “cost” of worry and time spent finding your pet. Also think about perhaps facing costly vet bills from injuries incurred on a walkabout, as well as potential hefty cash outs that result from a car accident your dog caused.

Specific dangers to off-leash dogs are numerous.

One such danger incomes from chasing wild animals or livestock. Besides the bad things that can happens from tangling with larger predatory species, there are the dangers of being shot (legally) by wildlife officials or ranchers for doing so. Another thing to consider is other dogs. Not all dogs are well socialized to unfamiliar dogs, and those who are, can act defensively when their turf is invaded or if they feel trapped.

My name is Rad Todd and I’m a handsome Sheprador with a great personality and broad range of interests. I love cuddling with people, playing fetch, and playing with other dogs, as well as showing off my athleticism (I’d be a great running or hiking companion) and tap dancing skills. Most importantly, I’m a semi-big dog with very big love to give.

My friend, Groovy Gloria, is a beautiful Seal Point short-haired cat. She loves to explore and look out the window. She likes being around other cats and would absolutely love to be adopted with her friend Charlotte, but doesn’t insist. Gloria enjoys having her ears scratched and hanging out in a nice warm spot of sun.

Gloria

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff & friend

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)