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Columbia-Greene Humane Society
125 Humane-Society Road
Soft Paws By Aaron Clause Is That Your Final Answer? O.K…I’m going to put all of you, my faithful readers, in the “Hot Seat.” This week’s column consists of a little test you can take to see what you know about some general sheltering questions and some things specific to your local shelter, Columbia-Greene Humane Society. At the end of the test are the answers and how to score, so no peeking! All of the questions are multiple choice, but unfortunately there are no lifelines and no million dollars. I hope you enjoy it anyway, and just maybe it will shed some light on some aspects of sheltering that you were not familiar with! 1) The term “municipal housing” means that Columbia-Greene Humane Society: a) Must house any dog that a citizen of the county brings here.0 b) Must house animals for free. c) Must house dogs in the custody of towns that are covered. d) Will euthanize dogs promptly to avoid feeding costs. 2) The national average for animals that get adopted out of shelters which take in strays is closest to: a) 20% c) 60% b) 40% d) 80% 3) The average for impounded animals that get adopted out of Columbia-Greene Humane Society is closest to: a) 20% c) 60% b) 40% d) 80% 4) Columbia-Greene Humane Society will accept surrenders by citizens only: a) If the surrendering party lives outside Columbia or Greene Counties. b) By appointment. c) If it is a cat. d) If the animal is spayed or neutered. 5) Columbia-Greene Humane Society does not promote declawing because: a) It is a painful removal of a cat’s primary defense measure. b) Disposal of cat claws is limited to licensed veterinarians. c) Cats with claws get higher prices for adoption. d) It’s an expensive procedure. 6) Columbia-Greene Humane Society gets its entire financing from: a) The state. b) The county. c) The federal government. d) Donations from citizens and groups. 7) Euthanasia is performed mainly on: a) Animals with no surrender appointment. b) All animals with no veterinary history. c) Untreatably sick or very aggressive animals. d) Eight out of every ten animals that come in. 8) Shelter animals: a) Are more prone to bad behavior. b) Are almost always confused and scared upon arrival. c) Are never purebred. d) Only have a couple weeks to get adopted. 9) Columbia-Greene Humane Society strives to _____________ people who surrender animals. a) Punish c) Arrest b) Educate d) Please 10) Which of the following is NOT necessary by N.Y.S. law for a pet dog to have? a) Rabies shot c) Phone number on tag b) License d) Food, water, and shelter 11) Who MUST capture and bring stray dogs to Columbia-Greene Humane Society? a) The person who finds one. b) The shelter itself d) The owner. c) The town’s Dog Control Officer 12) The best way to teach a dog obedience is by: a) Punishing bad behavior. b) Putting the dog outside for bad behavior. c) Bringing it to the shelter for a while to show it where it will go if it doesn’t learn. d) Distracting from bad behavior and rewarding good behavior. 13) It is essential that your pet: a) Visits the vet at least once per year, and whenever they’re sick. b) Visits the vet every four years for shots. c) Likes vet visits. d) Has cantaloupe added to the diet as a vitamin supplement. 14) If your male dog is running frequently, the best advice would be to: a) Spank him when he returns. b) Give him a heavier chain. c) Surrender him to the shelter. d) Neuter him. 15) 95% of stray dogs that come into the Columbia-Greene Humane Society: a) Are euthanized. b) Are returned to their owner if they are wearing ID tags. c) Are happy to be here. d) Have been sprayed by skunks. Are you ready for the answers? Score one point for each correct answer. Some questions have answers that you will have to deduct a point for. A chart at the end tells you how you did! 1. Correct answer: (C) We house stray dogs for towns, or “municipalities.” 2. Correct answer: (A) On the average, 20% of all animals in municipal shelters get adopted out. 3. Correct answer: (D) Yes, our average is 80%, and that doesn’t even include animals returned to their original owners. We have the national average well-beaten. In fact, at this time, no adoptable animals are being euthanized at C.G.H.S. 4. Correct answer: (B) Appointments allow us to stay away from space crunches, hence this policy. 5. Correct answer: (A) Claw removal is both painful and traumatic. In Great Britain, declawing is considered inhumane and no veterinarians will perform the practice. Take away a point if you answered “B” or “C”. 6. Correct answer: (D) That’s where it comes from, folks – and that’s why we need it. 7. Correct answer: (C) Very aggressive and untreatably sick animals are saved the agony of a tedious and unnecessarily long stay in a confined environment. Take away a point if you answered “A” or “D”. 8. Correct answer: (B) You would be confused and scared, too, if your life was turned upside-down like that. Take away a point if you answered anything else. 9. Correct answer: (B) We are dedicated to public education regarding animal welfare. Take away a point if you answered “D”. 10. Correct answer: (C) Everything else is required by N.Y.S. law. 11. Correct answer: (C) The Town must employ a Dog Control Officer, who is responsible for any stray dogs in the town, from veterinary treatment to animal pickup. Call them first if you have or have seen a stray. 12. Correct answer: (D) Always balance out a distraction with a reward. If you answered “A” take away a point. If you answered “C”, take away two points. 13. Correct answer: (A) Once per year is required, more often based on the health of your pet. 14. Correct answer: (D) Although this should not be considered a replacement to walking your dog on a leash, neutering usually takes a lot of the drive to run away out of a male dog. Take away a point for any other answer. 15. Correct answer: (B) Hence, the importance of your dog’s tags. Take away a point for any other answer. 15 Points – Shelter Wizard. Come down and fill out an application! 12-14 points – You are aware of many sheltering issues. If only everyone were like you! 8-11 points – Bet you learned a thing or two! 4-7 points – Better rethink your ideas of animal sheltering. Below 4 points – Society has failed to tell you much. We are here to teach you about these issues. Come in and see me about it. On another note, the shelter would like to send out a very special and heartfelt thanks to Brosen’s Garden Market in Kinderhook for donating over $1400.00 in pet food recently. It’s generosity like this that helps us to stay available to animals in need! See you soon, readers! (518) 828-6044 Columbia-Greene Humane Society
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