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| Written by Tracy Press Editorial Board | |
| Friday, 05 September 2008 | |
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A matter of animal life and death.
 These dogs shared a kennel at the Tracy Animal Shelter today. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press Unwanted animals are a fact of life in communities, which is why we have what we used to call “dog pounds.” Like many towns, Tracy’s rapid-fire growth hasn’t paid for a bigger animal shelter. We still have the same 20 dog kennels next to the same foul-smelling sewage-treatment plant we had when we were a town of 20,000 people. And now with rampant home foreclosures and a faltering economy, families are walking away from their pets, leaving the city’s shelter and the community with the burden. The statistics are alarming. The number of dogs impounded during the first six months of 2008 is up 76 percent from the same period in 2007. For cats, the increase is 58 percent. And that doesn’t include all the animals turned away because they were from outside the city limits. At this rate, by the end of the year, more than 2,000 animals — most of them not licensed, spayed or neutered — will take up residence at a shelter too small to take them, and all at taxpayer expense. That’s not to say there aren’t happy endings at the shelter. Some pets are reclaimed by their owners, adopted at the shelter or taken by rescue groups, which help them be adopted. It’s truly the rescue groups that have kept the number of animals that the shelter has to kill from increasing in 2008. Tracy has at least five groups, which often work with other organizations, along with donors, veterinarians and volunteers, to make the difference between life and death. We’d love to see the shelter double its number of kennels. We’d also love to see an end to the killing of shelter dogs and cats, by empowering rescue groups and the shelter to care for them and find good homes for them. Most of all, we wish we wouldn’t have to put away dogs and cats by the barrel.
The issue
How to help • Shelter volunteers are needed for dog walking, clerical help, kennel work, pet socialization and the foster program. For information: 831-6364.
Rescue groups Trackback(0)
Comments
(26)
 written by Observer , September 06, 2008
This story angers me, the years of those city council officials cannot be blind to this pressing problems!
FIRST THING I WOULD HOPE FOR.. but up to tracyites to make their own vocal demands heard.... TAKE CARE OF THAT SEWAGE PLANT FIRST TO ACCOMODATE THE GROWIGN POPULATION!!! Secondly, when I adopted my dog, been there many times looking for a small dog, they had many large dogs...and never smelled the sewage plant all those times I had visited the shelter, in taking Goodwill bought towels to them. Must be better days. However, if the sewage plant is undersized for the population, better take care of that one plant FIRST. or the rest of Tracy will STINK! Secondly, I do hope they will take these beautiful boxers to the Bean Festival, or put them online to Boxer Rescue Society for those people who want to foster/adopt Boxers. Same with other selected breed of dogs? No matter who gets elected, good luck voters, make sure you make your DEMANDS HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR, TIME FOR THEM TO LISTEN TO YOU, TRACYITES! Don't forget, you PEOPLE are the government, they represent you and work for you. After all you are paying them for their work in the office, think you are getting your money's worth? You decide. Beautiful dogs! Mad about the problems they are facing!! Hate seeing the problem everywhere, going to find shelter here to focus my energy on more local problems.... soon, will that make "Danny Hobbs" happy? I bet! Just can't wait for me to disappear!  -amy  written by Malcolm , September 06, 2008
Great idea about taking them to the Bean Festival to be adopted, at least they would be "survivors" then.
This problem shows we cannot return IVES as Mayor or put TOLBERT in there either, its very poor leadership that has caused this problem as well as the woefully inadequate fire department deficits. No new stations since 1985 (11th st. station was a replacement for the downtown station) and they closed a station on Chrisman and Linne. No increase in engines either. Only increased the personnel to one more person per station, which is the minimum staffing level and not all the stations have the minimum (three need additional person to be at minimum staffing level) All of this and yet the firemen supported IVES in the last election? They actually stood around the walls of Poet Christian School in the last debate? Wise up guys! IVES and TOLBERT have put your lives at risk as well as the animals at the inadequate shelter. written by Observer , September 06, 2008
Yes, I can see the emphasis on their own priorities on the citizens of the Tracy, it bothers me that my brother lives there and is not getting his fair shake. His house being so close to the UP rail, and is worried sick over possible "encroachment" I blame existing council for bringing on the problems on the residents of Tracy.
People have been talking about the poor condition for as long as I was in Tracy, just disgusted that it was not taken care of sooner. Unfortunately, that kind of situation leaves a black mark on Tracy by present city council members. Surprised Sundberg did not push for better shelter, at least I didn't hear anything of it. She loves cats! -amy  written by bethanne95376 , September 06, 2008
The correct address to send donations to the Lucky Fund can be mailed to: 1000 Civic Center Drive Tracy, Ca 95376 c/o Animal Services
370 Arbor Rd. is the physical address of the shelter and does not recieve mail. written by Observer , September 06, 2008
Hope, they will take sweet cats and dogs to the Bean Festival!
And have the story book presentation ready to show them the blight of the shelter, suggested it in other article on animal shelter, hope they take it to heart and do their best to save them. Wishing them and the animals best of luck and prayers. -amy written by Observer , September 06, 2008
Oops, thanks for the information bethanne and to Malcolm, glad you thought taking the boxers to the bean festival a good idea.
Have a great day, both of you. -amy  written by cherim , September 06, 2008
Thanks, Beth! My mistake. I changed the address above.
- Cheri  written by maybenotdumBcommenT , September 07, 2008
I don't think it is that easy to adopt a pet these days. They practically do a background check on you. A friend of mine adopted a dog a couple years ago and almost couldn't get it because there was no info on my friends previous dog from a veterinarian that was no longer in practice. I honestly don't know the procedure now but they were very strict. And they make you pay so much for an adopted dog. I assume it is to defray costs to the animal shelter for their expenses.
 written by mark j , September 08, 2008
Anyone that abandons an animal should be tracked down and jailed. Too me it is on par with abondoning a child or an elderly person. They are all innocents that depend on others for their care.
And to the animal abusers I say put them in a cage and let some volunteers put them through the abuse they inflicted on the innocent animal.  written by Tracy RealNews , September 08, 2008
Malcolm,
Why are you turning the animal shelter story into a campaign for Celeste Garamendi???
I though Celeste was an Tule Elk hunting proponent! http://www.mumwildlife.com/connolly.php The article that I posted, above, says it costs over $14,000 to hunt Tule Elk at Garamendi's ranch. See the pictures of Celeste Garamendi's poor elk, here: http://www.mumwildlife.com/connolly.php written by Tracy RealNews , September 08, 2008 Oops sorry. over $10,000. It will cost them over $14,000 to fly from SJ to Tracy. Will the expansion of the airport save Garamendi money. Some estimate that it will cost the Tracy Taxpayers over $70 million, to complete the airport. Others are saying that VLJ's are over-hyped and the airport will never pan out. http://tracypress.com/content/view/15680/2244/ We need someone for mayor that cares more about the taxpayers and less about claiming that they are FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS. Malcolm, Still not seeing the "promise" of "transparency". Malcolm, In two years will you (and the TP) promote a more 'animal friendly' candidate to replace Celeste? Thanks! written by Tracy RealNews , September 08, 2008
Connolly Ranch
CaliforniaTule Elk The Connolly Ranch is home to a sizeable herd of the rare Tule Elk that are only found in California. While the harvested bulls from the ranch generally make Safari Club record book standards, these elk just don’t get the massive antlers that can be found elsewhere in the state. Therefore this hunt is more for the sportsman who merely needs a Tule bull or someone who just enjoys a good elk hunt close to home. Since we hunt these elk in the rut, it can be an exciting adventure. 2008 will mark MUM’s fifth year of offering Tule elk hunts on this 7,000 acre ranch just east of California’s Bay Area. Many people are amazed that Tule elk reside in this part of California, but they are well established here. written by Tracy RealNews , September 08, 2008 2008 Hunt Prices: 1x1 4 day Tule Elk Hunt $10,250 written by Tracy RealNews , September 09, 2008
The Amimal Shelter now takes a test for each animal. If the animal is not child freindly they will not place the animal with a family. Also, are some of the animals coming from the county and other cities. Mountain House doesn't have an Animal Shelter? Who is paying for animals that are not residing in Tracy, CA? Tracy residents perhaps should reconsider incurring costs from neighboring townships?
Thanks! written by Tracy RealNews , September 09, 2008 Suggest: Annex their tax dollars to pay for this! written by Observer , September 09, 2008
I submitted several websites on boxer rescue society and it is being reviewed by the administrator, if not approved, just type in breed of dog and add rescue.com Thanks!
-amy written by Tracy RealNews , September 09, 2008
Cheri M. (Tracy Press Editor),
I'm just curious as to why the Tracy Press prohibits the sending of multiple websites. Often times I am asked to show websites for reference. In effort to back up our facts with websites, it is necessary to show the URL's where we found the information. Could you provide a workaround so that commentators can show if their work and research is valid? Thanks again for the website!
We really likes the web-forum! Also, how do we attach images? I was looking at that button on the top of the comment field and wondering if I could test that out. I'll try.  written by Tracy RealNews , September 09, 2008
We'll!
You would be surprised. I went to the Tracy Animal Shelter's website and couldn't find any pictures of pets there. I don't know how else they can get the message out to the public. Please put up the pictures of those cuties. Let people know that the adorable creatures are available. Very sad. Thanks! Hope it makes a difference. Sure wanted to try to post a picture so that residents could adopt a pet. Will try again later. Thanks! written by Tracy RealNews , September 09, 2008
Sure wish that was one of the pics from the animal shelter, but I hope it helps people see what a cute pet they could find at the Tracy Animal Shelter.
Perhaps I will drive over there this weekend and take some pictures and post them here for folks to see. Thanks! written by Observer , September 09, 2008
Just love your fantastic idea, and the cute picture of the kitten!
That sure would help their cause! Go for it, Tracy RealNews! Liking the fact you want to help solve part of the problem by taking actions to see what you could do! Thanks from the dogs and cats! -amy written by bethanne95376 , September 10, 2008
You can view the animals available for adoption at the Tracy Animal Shelter at www.petharbor.com. The website is updated hourly.
written by Tracy RealNews , September 10, 2008
bethanne95376,
That's a great website. It should help people find their lost pets too. It definitely took a minute to figure out how to navigate the website. But was worth the time to find this resource. I will use it for future pet adoptions and to find a pet, if one gets lost. Thanks so much! You could have saved a pet's life by putting that information out there. (type in Tracy CA and select "City of Tracy Animal Services... from the list") I also like that they have names instead of just numbers. Wish I could adopt them all! Thanks again!! This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.
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How does that work? We have 82,000 people now! And the "foul-smelling sewage-treatment plant"? I thought supporters of the HOLLy sports site said it didn't smell anymore.
I hope our next Mayor will fix this travesty. I know Celeste will, history tells us IVES and TOLBERT won't.