Share the Road

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Karen

Far too often drivers of passenger motor vehicles who have been involved in a collision with a motorcycle report that they never saw the motorcyclist and failed to respond in time. Last year in Indiana, 152 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes. Yet inattentiveness is no excuse – we must all drive and ride defensively in order to prevent unnecessary crashes, injuries and fatalities from occurring. Here are some helpful reminders for motorists and motorcyclists: Continue reading →

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Should You Feed Stray Cats?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Karen

Should You Feed Stray Cats?
It’s difficult to see hungry stray cats, but feeding them might not be the best thing to do. Animal lovers understandably want strays to have a reliable food source, but if you become that source by leaving cat food outside, you will be attracting even more problems. Here are a few facts and solutions to consider:
• Stray cats are nearly always unaltered and will begin having litters from spring through fall by the time they are six months of age. One stray cat soon becomes many.
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Adopt A Pet — It’s Simple

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Karen

When snow melts and temperatures warm we frequently see people making plans to add a new pet to the home. The Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control department always has a great selection of animals available and ready for your family to meet. The process of adopting takes one day to select a pet and a second day to take home the pet. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:

• No, a fenced yard is not required to adopt a dog. It’s a common misconception, but we feel that many families are able to raise a dog with great success without a fenced backyard.
• Come one come all. We are happy to talk with people from outside Fort Wayne or Allen County or even the state of Indiana who want to adopt a great FWACC animal. Continue reading →

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Cat Traps Available to Help Stray Cats

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Karen

 

Animal Care & Control has live cat traps available for any city resident who may want to remove one or more stray cats from an area.  With current cold temperatures and wind chills, stray animals are more likely to experience painful frostbite and hypothermia.  Removing them humanely from the streets with a live trap not only prevents suffering, but can also reduce the spread of disease and animal waste.  To obtain a live trap, call 260-427-1244 (option one on the menu) to speak with a clerk.  Stray cats breed continually from spring until fall, which creates additional stray cats that pray on song birds, and cause disturbances for neighbors. 

As much as we want to help homeless animals, feeding strays only encourages them to continue multiplying. By city law, any person who puts out food for strays is harboring and may be held responsible for the vaccinations and spay/neutering of those animals.  Call the shelter office for trap availability and as always, keep your own cats inside your home for safety.

Contributed by Peggy Bender, Community Relations and Education Specialist, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control

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Avoid Fines and Court

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Karen

Sometimes, something as innocent as a cuddly, lovable dog or cat can land people in court.

It happens when pet owners overlook the requirements and responsibilities that come with owning man’s best friend. On the surface, it might look as if someone is in court for not purchasing a yearly city pet registration tag. Failure to spay or neuter a dog or cat that was picked up for repeatedly running through the neighborhood can also be a ticket to court.

Officials with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control say that most court appearances can be easily avoided by taking care of what is required within 30 days of an issued ticket. The ticket will then be void and no fines will be imposed. Continue reading →

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Motorists reminded to stop for school buses

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Karen

School transportation officials are reporting an increasing number of school bus “STOP arm” violations happening around Fort Wayne. In an effort to increase safety for students getting on/off school buses, the Fort Wayne Police Department is reminding motorists of their duty to heed the STOP arm warning of school buses – especially on undivided roadways. Many of the violations are occurring on four-lane undivided roadways such as Illinois Road, Aboite Center Road, Rudisill Boulevard, Spy Run Avenue and Hobson Road. In many cases, school bus drivers are reporting that oncoming traffic/vehicles are disregarding the extended STOP arm of the school bus. An undivided roadway is one where a barrier (or intervening space) does not exist to separate lanes of oncoming traffic. On undivided roadways, motorists in all lanes of travel are required to stop when a school bus has stopped and has the ‘STOP’ device extended. Continue reading →

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City Offers Half Price Dog Adoption Fees

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Karen

There’s never been a better time to find a great companion at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control.  October is National Adopt-a-Dog Month and to celebrate, we are cutting the dog adoption fee in half for all year-old or older dogs.  Nearly every dog kennel is filled at the shelter and temperament testing has proven many to be sound and kid-friendly.  It really is a great time to adopt! 

Some of the dogs at the shelter have been given up by owners who didn’t have the time or finances to care for them, while others were brought in as a stray, without identification.  We make every effort to return animals to their proper homes, but if that isn’t possible, then we work towards adoption.

Continue reading →

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Energy Grant Boosts Efficiency of 3 Buildings

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Karen

Thanks to a block grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, three Fort Wayne buildings are now safer and more energy efficient.  In 2008, the City of Fort Wayne’s Office of Housing & Neighborhood Services (OHNS) received a $2.47 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enacted to help stimulate the economy; all work paid for with those dollars has been completed.  This grant enabled the City to make critical upgrades to heating, cooling and lighting systems at three public buildings:  Citizens Square, Fire Station #1 and Science Central.  The grant allowed the City to save local taxpayers the immediate cost of upgrading the systems and will also provide long-term cost-savings on utility bills.

Continue reading →

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Coyotes in the City

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Madeline

It’s a fact that citizens living in the suburbs are the ones most likely to encounter coyotes that have been living on the outskirts of our subdivisions and near cornfields for years.  While citizens are always advised to use caution around wildlife of any kind and urged to always supervise pets, it’s important that we not create an unfounded panic towards coyotes.  For example, fake coyote decoys were recently discovered around a pond in a city business park. They were probably placed there to deter geese, but citizens thought they were real.

Wildlife falls under the jurisdiction of the DNR who can address questions. Citizens can also contact a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator.

To live safely and in harmony with coyotes, here are a few facts to keep in mind: Continue reading →

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Students Rally to Help Homeless Animals

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Madeline

Student members of the Animal Care Teen (ACT) program at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control will rally together on Saturday, March 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to conduct a special Stuff the Whisker Wag’n service event. Their goal is to collect much needed canned food for homeless shelter dogs and cats. ACT students decided on the project after learning that 6,435 cats and kittens arrived at the shelter during the spring and fall months of 2011. In total 8,027 lost and homeless felines and 6,118 canines were sheltered at Animal Care & Control last year.
Citizens are asked to drop off canned food suitable for cats, kittens, puppies and dogs to help the shelter prepare for spring litters and homeless strays. Dry food is not needed at this time. For those who donate a case of canned pet food, they will be thanked with a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich as supplies last. The Whisker Wag’n will be parked in the Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control parking lot located at 3020 Hillegas Road. Rain or shine, teens will eagerly await donations for this first ever event.
The Animal Care Teen program in its 26th year offers youth who are ages 13-17 an opportunity to learn about animal related careers, develop leadership skills, and to ACT for animals through service work.

Contributed by Peggy Bender, Community Relations and Education Specialist, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control

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