Harley from Avondale in Auckland was the winner of the Guess The Dog Breed competition at the recent Wag N'Walk event.  This is an annual event for dogs and their owners and is held in the Auckland Domain.  Harley had all the right answers and was presented with his basket of dogs and books by DSS Animal Management's senior Animal Control Officer, Mike.   Well done Harley!

On Monday 21 November one of our Education Officers, Samantha, was invited to Macleans Primary School by their House Captains to talk to the children about safety around dogs. Each term their House Captains select a charity to fundraise for and this term they wanted to support the SPCA. During their discussions they thought it would be a great idea to have someone come from DSS Animal Management to talk to the children about safety around dogs. They also collected unwanted blankets, towels and toys for the dogs in the animal shelters, at Wiri and Pukekohe, managed by DSS Animal Management. Samantha was very impressed with the way in which the House Captains ran the afternoon talks, the excellent behaviour of the children and the wonderful generosity for the dogs at the shelters – a whole vanload full!!! Thank you Macleans Primary. A wonderful effort and much appreciated.

Ambury Farm Day and Clevedon A & P Show – October and November 2011

Our Manukau Animal Control Officers and Shelter staff have had a busy few weeks attending these events. DSS Animal Management had a display at both the Ambury Farm Day in October and the Clevedon A & P Show in November.

Butch Pet Foods Ltd provided vouchers for free dog rolls and Frisbees to give to dog owners.

These events are a great opportunity to let the public know about our adoption programmes and to ask any questions that they may have about dog control and the responsibilities of dog ownership.

At these events we have a Guess The Dog Breed competition and we have awarded the prizes for the winners.

The winners of the Ambury Farm Day competition were Sam and Anthony from Mangere – the rabbit is real!

The winner of the Clevedon A & P Show competition was Yvie from Beachlands shown with her brother Ash and dogs Temu and Chester.

Our congratulations to these winners.

Winners in the annual Early Bird Registration draw for 2011 in Manukau have been presented with their prizes by Animal Control Officers Steve and Michael. To be in the draw owners had to register their dogs before 31 July this year. Each prize winner has received a basket of goodies for their dogs and themselves from DSS Animal Management and Butch Pet Foods. This annual promotion aims to encourage and reinforce the positive aspects of Responsible Dog Ownership. Congratulations to our prize winners this year.

Animal Control Officer Austin had a feline in his van today.  When impounding the cat’s friend (dog mate) for roaming the cat decided to tag along! 

Yup a real mate!!    "Take my mate, take me too!!!"

All fees displayed are inclusive of GST

Notes:

1. Dogs less than 3 months of age and imported dogs registered for the first time on or after 2 August pay a portion of the annual fee based on the number of completed months remaining in the registration year. All other dogs registered for the first time on or after 2 August pay the fee listed under “Dog registration fees – if paid after 1 August”’
2. To qualify, you must hold a current Dog owner Licence prior to making your application and send council a valid veterinary certificate as proof your dog has been de-sexed prior to or with your application. You only need to send the certificate once.
3. To qualify, you must hold a current Dog owner Licence prior to making your application
4. To qualify, you must send council a valid veterinary certificate as proof your dog has been de-sexed prior to or with your application. You only need to send the certificate once.
5. To qualify, you must present your current SuperGold Card containing a Community Services Card (CSC) notation and expiry date tot he council. You need only present the card once.
6. The term special category dog applies to dogs used for or by disability assist, the police, Department of State, the Aviation Security Service, Civil Defence, or Biosecurity Act 1993 as defined in section 2 of the Dog Control Act 1996 under the term Working Dog. It does not apply to dogs used for herding or driving stock or by security guards
7. To qualify, the owner must sign a declaration and if requested demonstrate the dog’s ability to herd or drive stock to the satisfaction of the council.

Up to 200 dogs rehomed by the Humane Society took part in the Humane Society’s annual Party in the Park at One Tree Hill on Sunday 27 March. DSS Animal Management donated the prizes for the competitions. Competitions included: Best groomed, best child handler, the dog that looked most like its owner, best rescued, dog the judges would most like to take home, best quick trick, veteran dog and best in show. A fun day for the dogs and their new owners. Many dogs from our shelters are fostered by the Humane Society until a suitable home can be found. This society does an excellent job in saving many unwanted dogs. Several staff members who work for DSS are foster ‘parents’ – such a worthwhile thing to do and so rewarding when a loving home is found that gives these dogs a second chance.

Bronwyn from DSS Animal Management with some of the dogs rehomed by the Humane Society

Samantha and Janet, two of DSS Animal Management’s Animal Control Officers are also experienced dog trainers. Janet has just completed a 6 week dog and owner training course that was held at the Franklin Dog Shelter. Both Samantha and Janet are currently in the middle of our third dog and owner 6 week course being held at the Wiri Animal Shelter.

The improvement in the way in which the dogs were handled by their owners is really encouraging and owners have commented that they are surprised that their dogs can learn so much. These training courses are really successful and rewarding. Samantha and Janet have also conducted in February two weekends of two hour free training sessions that have given owners an opportunity to see what their dogs are capable of and encouraged them to continue with training programmes. In March both Janet and Samantha were involved in the Give It A Go days held at the Barry Curtis Park in Manukau. On the Friday over 700 local school children gave numerous activities ‘a go’. Two of the stations they visited were to see Samantha and Janet and their dogs demonstrating how to train a dog and to give some strategies to prevent dog attacks. Janet’s dog Cody and Samantha’s Gypsy and Ali were displaying their skills! Well done to them all.

At the end of 2010 the dogs and owners who attended our 6 week training course in Manukau graduated. A great group of people who really care about their dogs gave up an hour each week to come to the sessions. The cost for each dog for the 6 weeks was $40. Our trainers, DSS Animal Management staff, Janet and Samantha took the classes and really enjoyed the dedication of the owners and of course were delighted to see the results at the end of the 6 weeks. Further courses are planned for 2011. (People who attended this course are asked to email us and we will send photos of you and your dogs – callcentre@dssl.co.nz)

Franklin County News - 2 December 2010 By REBECCA McLEAN If anyone knows first-hand the necessity of microchipping a dog, it’s Otaua’s Joy Noble. Mrs Noble and her husband returned from a family outing in Auckland to find their three-year-old Japanese Akita, named Akita, missing and presumed stolen from their fully fenced, Perry Rd property. Left behind was the couple’s Jack Russell, Eddie. Three days later Akita was reunited with his family thanks to his microchip. ‘‘Those two dogs won’t go anywhere without each other. If we go anywhere, we tie one dog up and let the other run free around the property. ‘‘By the looks Akita had been ripped off his leash and we know there’s no way he could have got out or go anywhere without Eddie – they’re best mates,’’ said Mrs Noble. Mr and Mrs Noble immediately contacted neighbours and searched the farmland surrounding their property. ‘‘We didn’t initially think he could have been stolen because there is no reason why anyone would come all the way out here. ‘‘People only come past our property if they are lost. ‘‘I immediately contacted council and searched creeks and the coast thinking we may have to recover her. I didn’t sleep at all that night,’’ she said. Mrs Noble also had to break the news to their daughter in Auckland. ‘‘She was devastated. She immediately came home. Akita is her baby, he sleeps under her window when she is home,’’ Mrs Noble said. Three days passed and he family were on the verge of giving up hope until they received a call from Manukau City’s pound. ‘‘They said not to get excited but they had a Japanese Akitathat they traced back to us through his microchip. ‘‘We ust had to ring the vet in Waiuku, where it was inserted, to confirm numbers and details,’’ she said.The couple picked up their daughter in Auckland and traveled to Manukau to reunite with their beloved dog. ‘‘I cried all the way to the pound.

ROVER RETURNS: Otaua’s Joy Noble and Jack Russell Eddie are pleased Akita is back home.

Before I could see him, I could hear him howling. As soon as he saw us he stopped,’’ she said. Akita had been picked up after he was noticed walking around aimlessly near Whitford. His registration tags had been ripped off and how he got there is unknown. ‘‘Never in a million years would we have thought about contacting the Manukau City’s pound. We never would have found him if he wasn’t microchipped. ‘‘We moved back to New Zealand from Australia seven years ago with two dogs who were both microchipped, so we knew the benefits of it. ‘‘If you love your dog, you will get it microchipped,’’ she said.

Manukau Animal Control Officer, Austin, presenting Hendrix with his prize for winning the Guess The Dog Breed competition. The competition was held at the recent 'Keepin' It Real Day' in Manurewa. DSS Animal Management's Austin and Mike were there to answer questions and to be part of this community day in Manurewa.

DSS Animal Management’s Franklin Team Leader/Animal Control Officer Alex, along with SPCA Inspector Matt, recently visited Room 8 at Howick Intermediate. This class requested the visit so they could gather information related to their Animal Welfare project. The children asked lots of questions. Alex and Matt really enjoyed the visit and the interest shown by the children.

Winners in the Early Bird Registration draw for 2010 in Manukau City have been presented with their prizes by Animal Control Officers Kara, Danielle and Brad. To be in the draw owners had to register their dogs before 31 July. Each prize winner has received a basket of goodies for their dogs and themselves from DSS Animal Management and Butch Pet Foods. This annual promotion aims to encourage and reinforce the positive aspects of Responsible Dog Ownership. Congratulations to our prize winners this Year

Leo from Papatoetoe with his Chihuahuas Fiona and her dog Buzz from Eastern Beach

Teresa and her dog Prue from Manurewa

On Sunday 11 October the DSS Education Team attended the annual Open Day at Ambury Farm, Mangere. This regular Auckland Regional Council event turned on a beautiful blue sky and a perfect day for families to have fun with the animals and other events. DSS ran the 'Spot the Dog Breed' competition and the winner of 'Fudge' the cuddly puppy was Sophia who correctly answered all of the questions all by herself. When she gets older she wants a job that allows her to work with animals, like a vet or zoo keeper does. Sophia is seen here holding Fudge alongside DSS officer Michael

In June this year, 2009, Animal Management staff were invited to give a talk to the residents of the Erin Park Retirement Village in Manurewa, Manukau.

Mike and Tricia from Animal Management went along with Tricia’s dogs, Rosie the Labrador and Monty the German Shepard Cross. (Monty was adopted by Tricia’s family from the Animal Shelter, almost nine years ago, after he was found on the side of the road in Mangere and thankfully seen and impounded by an Animal Control Officer).

The residents of the Erin Park Village were a great audience, who were very interested in the role Animal Management plays in Manukau – contracted to Manukau City Council to provide dog control services. Many had owned dogs, both in urban and rural situations, so as dog owners understood the issues regarding responsible dog ownership and the problems that dogs can cause in the community.

It was a very enjoyable morning that started off well with freshly baked scones with jam and fresh cream – a treat that did not go unnoticed or unrewarded by Rosie and Monty who had a few treats sent their way!!

Mike and Tricia really enjoyed their visit and felt very welcomed by everyone.

Thank you to Christian and the residents of Erin Park Retirement Village for inviting Animal Management to visit them.

DSS Animal Management and Butch Pet Foods sponsor the Newfoundland Dog Club Water Trial Day at Te Pene Beach, Maraetai, Auckland. These magnificent dogs compete in a number of activities including pulling handlers ashore and following handlers in boats. Pictured is Alex from DSS Animal Management presenting one of the prizes and DSS staff and owners with two of the dogs.