The Milwaukee Post

12 • Milwaukee County Post • May 2, 2014 'Be Kind to Animals Week' promotes humane treatment Post Staff Celebrated annually since 1915, the American Humane Association's "Be Kind to Animals Week" commemorates the role animals play in our lives, promotes ways to treat them humanely, and encourages oth- ers, especially children, to do the same. "Animals fill so many roles in our lives that it is hard to count: Best friend, guardian, co-worker, nurse or aid, rescuer and so much more. Everyone who has an animal in their lives is the better for it," said Karen Sparapani, executive director of the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission. The MADACC's mission is to rescue and assure safe, temporary shelter, veterinary and humane care for stray, unwanted, aban- doned, mistreated and injured animals – totaling nearly 13,000 last year. Among other responsibilities, it is also charged with edu- cating the public about responsible com- panion animal ownership. "Pets provide love and companionship. They can even provide assistance in every- day living," such as therapy and service dogs, said Michelle Hohnke, owner of Casual Canine Pet Grooming, St. Francis. "I personally will never be without a pet or two." "During 'Be Kind to Animals Week' we so often look at how we treat animals because we 'should be nice' as if it is a bur- den," said Dr. Kathy Passinault, veterinari- an at Veterinary Medical Associates, Greendale. "And truthfully, we as moral human beings should treat animals well. They can add so much to a person's life just by existing in a family. In this case, to be kind means to get back twice as much as is given." While owning a pet can be lots of fun, they are also a lot of work and they all come with a lifetime commitment. Hohnke said, "Providing food, water and care for a pet helps a child learn responsibility, and chil- dren should always be supervised while interacting with their pet. They can't learn all on their own and (for parents) there's another bonus of spending quality time with your child." "Parents should make an effort to teach children how to be safe around and respect- ful of animals which will not only keep them safe when they encounter animals throughout their lives, but will also instill a lifelong understanding that creatures with- out a voice will always need us to watch out for them," Sparapani said. "Children raised with animals tend to have fewer animal-related allergies, learn to respect the lives of other creatures, learn empathy and compassion, and learn not to fear dogs and cats as they grow older." Another facet of the week is keeping one's own pet and animals healthy and safe throughout their lives. Keeping your ani- mal's vaccinations up-to-date, properly ID'd and regular trips to the veterinarian are easy steps to achieve that, according to the association. "Have ID on, or in, your animal at all times for both cats and dogs, with an ID tag that has current information on it," Sparapani said. "Having a microchip implanted in your companion is another way to guarantee a companion finds their way home, especially in the event their col- lar is lost or removed." The week also focuses on helping ani- mals find a second chance at happiness by adopting one's next pet from a rescue group. Because many municipalities in southern states of the country do not have leash laws, many rescues are transported from those areas to Wisconsin. In the southeastern Wisconsin area, breed-specific rescues range from Airedale terrier to Yorkshire terriers, as well as mixed breeds. The MADACC also works with over 75 area shelters and rescue groups to place homeless animals into adop- tion programs so they have a second chance at finding a permanent, caring home. While the MADACC itself does not offer adoption services, but sporadically dogs and cats that are eligible for placement but have not been taken in by a shelter or rescue group are available for adoption. For newly adopted companions, the MADACC also offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries to Milwaukee County resi- dents and partners with shelters outside of Milwaukee County to ensure that the public has access to low-cost sterilization, Sparapani said. Submitted photo Grand Prize - Your pet's picture will be published in the May 16 Milwaukee Post and receive a gift bag from our sponsors. Pet Name___________________ Owner's Name________________________ Address________________________________________________________ City_______________________Zip__________Phone___________________ Comments______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Mail entry to: Milwaukee Post, Attn: Cutest Pet Contest 3397 S. Howell Ave. • Milwaukee, WI 53207 Or email your photo including the above entry information to: mkepost@conleynet.com All entries must be received by: 5pm, May 13th, 2014 Must call to claim prize by: 5pm, May 30, 2014 Photo must be a recent photo less than one year old of your pet or pets. Include a SASE for returned photos. Winning pet photos will be judged at random. Winning photos will be printed in the May 16th edition of MILWAUKEE POST. National Enter Your Pet in our Cutest Pet Contest! 238212037 Sponsored By: Week is May 4-11 Be Kind To Animals Guilty 'Til Proven Innocent 238212030 All proceeds benefit Friends of MADACC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting community awareness and improving the welfare of Milwaukee County's homeless animals. 238212029

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