EDITION OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018 (PetPowellPress) -- For this edition we’re touching on artists and animals plus the news that the Dallas City Marshal’s office will aid Dallas Animal Services in a warrant round-up beginning January 20.
Oh, there’s a new tethering law in town, too! Oddly, Dallas is a town with both a roaming dog problem and a tethered dog problem. We got it all in Big D, yessiree. Keep reading:
ARTISTS FOR ANIMALS
ANNOUNCE '17 GRANTS
This is one of my fave photos --- it shows the co-founders of Artists For Animals, noted photographer Teresa Berg (left) and Dallas Symphony Orchestra Principal Oboe Erin Harrington, with a collection of admirers. We’d get the left to right on them, but they’ve probably moved by now.
Artists for Animals supports animal rescue charities in North Texas and the latest list of grant recipients has been revealed. You’ll recognize some of the names.
Alphabetically, first up is Angie’s Friends, the organization that carries on the mission of Angie Manriquez -- helping animals in tough neighborhood. (The news release says Angie is known as “The Fairy Dogmother of Dallas” but we must confess that the first time we did a column 
on Angie’s work -- that was way back in the last century, I think -- she was known as “The Fairy Dogmother of West Dallas.” Her reputation grew and so did her mission and, mercifully, so did her support! See angiesfriends.org.
Also receiving grants from these Artists: the all-volunteer Basset Rescue Across Texas, Denison Animal Welfare Group (yep, DAWG); EPIC Animal Rescue ; Recycled Pomeranians & Schipperkes Rescue; Road Trip 4 Paws; Rockwall Pets; and The Street Dog Project.
No doubt veteran animal advocates recognize these groups and know their work -- their hard work for animals. The Artists for Animals recognized them for that work.
Want your rescue group to get a jump on the 2018 grants? The Artists begin taking applications in October. More info is at Artists for Animals HERE.
FYI FYC (For your info, for your calendar), the artists are planning a “A Concert for Kindness” on March 11 at the Moody Performance Hall in Dallas -- benefits the no-kill shelter Operation Kindness. Tickets are HERE.
OK SETS ADOPTION RECORDS
Our source with the aforementioned Operation Kindness reports that the no-kill shelter, founded in 1976 by 
Jonnie England and her gang of big hearts, has grown and grown and in 2017 “broke adoption records for the sixth consecutive year.” Yep, 4,889 animals found homes via the Carrollton shelter. Since that Bicentennial Year of 1976, OK has found homes for more than 100,000 animals, the shelter reports.
A news note reads, “Last year alone, Operation Kindness provided care to 5,090 animals, performed 3,140 spay/neuter surgeries, 363 medical surgeries, cared for 100 animals in the inpatient facility and gave behavioral support to 350 animals to ensure they were prepared for adoption. More than 63 percent of the animals in Operation Kindness’ care came from transfer partners. The no-kill shelter partners with municipal shelters like Dallas Animal Services to help with their overpopulation. The remaining space contains surrenders from first responders, good Samaritans and owners.”
We’d me remiss if we didn’t highlight some of the adoptables available at OK. The 3-year-old German 
Shepherd is Lilly Bell, described by Operation Kindness as a “Velcro dog” because she “likes to stick closely to her favorite people.” FYI: Lilly Bell participates in Operation Kindness’ Sleepover Program, meaning she can have an overnight visit with a prospective adopter just to make sure everybody is on the same page of the Velcro Handbook.
That cat with the big pupils is Mabelline -- her markings around those eyes are faintly reminiscent of the way the singer Amy Winehouse used to blot the mascara up from the outer edge of her eyes. Adopt this cat and you’ve got a conversation-starter. FYI: Mabelline likes her mouse toy, lunging in sunbeams, rolling in catnip, scratching her kitty post, sleeping with her favorite humans -- no idea what her favorite tree might be. See the available adorables at operationkindness.org.
AFRAID OF WOMEN,
GIZMO WAITS IN PARIS
Our Paris contact with the Lamar County Humane Association, Stephanie, sends us this note about a dog with a fantastically concerned face. It reads:
“This is Gizmo. He’s been harmed by the hands of a woman. Monsters come in all genders. He is fearful of women until he gets to know them but easily bribed with some time and treats. Gizmo will need a home with no children, a nice man and if a woman is in the home, she will need to possess a lot of love an patience. He’s a big, beautiful dog; but totally scared in the kennel of the noises and of course, women visitors and staff. Gizmo is a good dog underneath his fear! Gizmo will never see an adoption event and is kept in secure quiet area for his nerves. Please contact us about Gizmo is you fit the bill and can give him a loving home!
To ask about these dogs or helping other dogs, contact the liaison at 903-784-6774 or email humaneassclc@gmail.com.
Here’s the FACEBOOK LINK.
MEANWHILE IN DENTON
Our reliable volunteer Denton shelter tipster Amy Poskey reports, “These 4 are in urgent need of a rescue. They 
originally came in from a hoarding situation. They are now in ISO with kennel cough and ISO is busting at the seams so these four only have until Thursday at 5 pm. They need socialization but we haven’t seen any aggression with any of them. Jen is the oldest at about a year old and friendly and submissive. The rest are 6-12 month old pups who only need their trust built up in humans. All of them are vetted except Jan, who got sick before vetting. They are all good with other dogs and may need another dog to help them trust.”
Here’s the breakdown on ID numbers and other details.
Ikea(73671): HW- 30 pounds
Alex(73674): HW- 35 pounds
Jen(73669): 30 pounds
Sid(73673): HW- 22 pounds
And this morning, Amy sent one more note directed to “Pittie Rescues an Lovers” about Mama, a young Pittie “who came from a bad situation, but 
she sure doesn't let that affect her love for people! Bless her heart, she was bred quite a bit but her baby-making days are over and she is now ready for a life full of love! This SUPER SWEET girl was adopted and returned because of a roommate situation (sorry, I don’t know the details), so it was NOT because of a problem with Mama. She is a super wiggly, playful girl and is happy to plop over for a belly rub!” ($30 to adopt, free to 501c3 rescues.)
All of these are in Denton’s McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, 3717 N. Elm in, yes, Denton. Call 940-349-7594. If you can help by rescuing or adopting or whatever is possible, email: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, paul.o’neill@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.
ABBY -- SURRENDERED
BECAUSE OF ALLERGIES
We get the story on this beautiful dog from Judi Brown, the volunteer who works to get people to pay attention to the adorables in the Mesquite Animal 
Shelter.
The story reads that Abby is a young “Australian Shepherd mix that was surrender- ed due to the owner’s daughter’s allergies. Abby was also an outside dog only. She’s hoping that this time around her new owners want to spend more time with her in the house. She is a gorgeous, fluffy girl who was constantly on the move. The way she kept going to the gate and whimpering, I felt she was searching for her previous owners. It was difficult to get good photos of her because she was constantly searching. She’s a sweet dog with a gentle, loving, happy disposition. She is a little timid but there is no doubt she likes people and attention. She gives kisses. She did keep her kennel clean and did her business as soon as she went out into the yard. She went nose to nose with some dogs but basically was not interested. She did not show any aggression. She is a bit heavy and could stand to go on a diet. Abby weighs 60 pounds.”
Her shelter number is 37603479. To ask about adopting or rescuing her, call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Two significant jurisprudence notes in the City of Dallas. Spotted ‘em on 
the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page. Not sure how many violators actually read that page, or read the newspaper or watch TV news or listen to anything on the radio except songs and “commentary.” But, in case you know someone who needs legal help, starting January 20, the Dallas City Marshal’s office is going to help Dallas Animal Services in a warrant round-up. Oh, my. People who’ve been issued animal violation warrants may want to begin quivering and not just from the cold. The second big note is that starting Feb. 1 there is a new tethering law in Dallas that makes “unattended tethering” illegal. See the details on the City of Dallas website HERE. Here’s the LINK to the MARSHAL STORY. ... What is the key element in all animal situations? Humans. How can animal advocates get involved in making sure new laws are followed and applied? Pay attention, write letters, send notes with specific information. Do it kindly not meanly. Until you need to get firm. But don’t just assume the existence of a law means the law will be followed. ... In support of that last sentence, I cite Dallas freeway speed limits and drivers.
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