Hello Everyone, there have been a number of lost pets listed on milescity.com in the last couple of weeks. If you have a pet, please make sure your pet has a collar with tags with your name and phone number on them in case of an emergency so someone can contact you if they find your lost pet. Just last night a dog was hit by a car and the person who found the dog posted "Emergency Found Dog on milescity.com and wanted the person who owned the dog or anyone who knew who the dog belonged to, to contact the police, because the dog had been hit by a car, and the owner was not found until this morning. I sure hope the dog is o.k. So please put a collar with tags on the collar that have your name and phone number on your pet, so if there is an emergency you can be contacted as soon as possible and not the next day. Thanks for your help.

I know that all dogs should be in fenced yards or on leases. But alot of times they are not. I have often wondered if these "lost dogs" are really lost? Or are they just out wandering around their neighborhood. Seems like it is always the same few people finding "lost dogs." Are they just driving around all day looking for them or what? I'm just wondering if some of the dogs that people are picking up as lost, are truly lost?

Oh, and btw, I strongly agree about having identification on your pets!!!! I think the animal control can trace owners with Rabies Vaccine tags...

[This message has been edited by Mandi (10/30/2011)]

I wish there was a place in town that makes personalized tags, it would be a lot easier for those who cant drive to billings and maybe then people would protect their pets a little more.

Another problem is that even if an owner has the required city license and rabies tag on their dog, there's no one in the offices after hours to report the # on a 'found' dog's tag. I would venture to guess that's when most of the dogs become MIA.

I think it would be a good idea to use a metal engraving pen to put your home phone number on the back of the tag. Haven't bought an engraver yet, however..

there are places online where you can order id tags for under 3.00 also.

You could go to the Veterinary Clinics, they have pamphlets advertising different pet identification tags that can be ordered, so go to East Main Animal Clinic or Miles City Veterinary Service and pick up a free pamphlet and order your pet identification tag.

i know i can order one, but i am one that does not own a debit card or a credit card :0

I don't have credit cards either, but I have an ATM card that is Visa from my bank, and companies will use that card and take the money out of your checking account. It works just like a credit card.

There are forms at the vets offices that you can send a check or money order in to pay for tags too...and very reasonably priced. I have tags on all of my dogs...but i do agree that i think some people drive around looking for dogs to call the cops on. I have had my dogs called when they are in the front yard (that is not fenced) playing with my kids, its quite rediculous and very frusterating!

With winter coming, watch out for dogs on ice with MN tags on them... they could be a little aggressive.

[This message has been edited by Richard Bonine, Jr. (11/4/2011)]

There is at least one person in town who is designated the "Animal Rescue Person" by the Police Force, so that if your dog is hit by a car after hours and someone calls the police to report a hurt animal, they will bring it to that person's house which is all set up to deal with such emergencies. I think a large number of people will even bring animals over there as opposed to the Dog Pound where you would have to pay a fine to get your pet back. I recently heard that this very kind person spends all of her own money on rescuing these animals and making sure they don't fall through the cracks and die (and is usually short of money for personal expenses as a result). That is why it seems the same person is usually trying to find the owner or owners of these pets. If you know who I am talking about, say "Thanks" the next time you see them, or at least don't feel like they are wasting what little precious gas they can afford driving around looking for your pets (they would more likely be stuck at home nursing some other hurt animal back to life anyway).

You might ask at the Walmart Store if they can put in one of those machines that engrave pet tags for about $5. They have them at every other Walmart I have ever been to. It would be a huge moneymaker for them if they were just made aware of how badly it is needed.

I bought one of those tags and it lasted about two weeks till the dog got it caught in something or other and pulled it loose thus losing the tag...they cannot be made stronger or the dog might be injured trying to free itself from something like being caught in a fence etc...so I went up to the next best thing and bought a new collar with my name and phone number embroidered on the collar...works great and my pets don't seem to ever lose their collars...

I got mine on the internet for 1.99 each. I purchased two and with postage paid $8. Just google indentity tags.

You can also write your name and number right on the collar with a permanent marker if you are really strapped for cash.

It seems to me that this is a very simple problem to solve.

1. Part of the city/county licensing process should be an RFID tag. In this day and age of technology there is no reason not to do this.

2. Make sure that individuals like snickers and other pet-loving good samaritans have an RFID reader so they know who to contact.

Problem solved.

Richard, we can't pay our water bill on line and you want some "new fangled" ID tag? Loved my adopted town but on the edge of any technology, no. Regards to Deb, Duncan, and Greg and your folks.

Mandi and Meriah-
I strongly disagree that some people in this town just drive around to pick up animals in yards with people or kids out in the yard with them.

On the other hand-if a animal is out roaming the streets where it could be hit by a car or possibly lost---I say we are fortunate to have good people that care enough about the animal/pet to try to get it to its rightful owner.

There will always be great pet owners, fair pet owners and then the people that just don't give a crap. Be thankful we have good and caring citizen's willing to take time to make sure these animals get to where they belong---or at least try to find a better life for the animal.

I would like to thank those individual's that take on the responsibility that someone else has neglected to do.

BUMP...

Collars with the dog's name and phone number embroidered on them can be ordered from pet care companies like Doctors Foster and Smith catalogs, I suppose you could type in doctors foster and smith on the internet and have them send you a free catalog. You could also type in dog supply catalogs on the internet and find the name of other pet supply companies.

luvlife: Do not judge people based on written words. I have 3 pets that mean the world to me. Until you are face to face with a person, you cannot see their true feelings or emotions.

I am very grateful that our community has an unsung hero that is helping to care for lost animals! If I can help this individual with a small donation of food, litter, etc. I would be more than willing!!

[This message has been edited by Mandi (11/6/2011)]

Mandi-
I am a bit confused by your last post. I am not judging you. You had just made a comment that you thought someone was driving around all day just looking for roaming animals and I just disagreed with you.
You said it seems to be the same individual's that find these animals. I believe it is known that there are a few individual's that get called when someone finds a lost or roaming animal or else most call the animal control officer.
I agree with Laura...that animals need to have tags with owner's names on them...so, these animals can get back to the rightful owners.
I did not say anything about you not loving your pets...did I???
I am happy you love your animals...as do I. I think you need to re-read your post and then re-read my post and then you might understand what I was trying to say.

Do the vets in town have the ability to microchip animals? In addition to our tags we have our dog microchipped. Sometimes tags and collars can come loose and fall off if your dog is out on the town. Chips are a good back-up.

[This message has been edited by Wendy Wilson (11/7/2011)]

That is a wonderful solution, Wendy. Most people I talk to feel it is not needed in a town this size??? I dissagree. I believe the cost is around $60.00. Many do not want to pay this dollar amount.
I suppose it just comes down to how important your animal is and the money available to do something like this.

It is just sad when a situation comes up and a wandering pet gets hit by a car and the animal has no tags and if surgery or something is needed....it may be to late by the time the rightful owners can be reached.

I lived in a Colorado and worked for a wonderful animal clinic and the microchip was very popular...not so much here in small town Montana.

Thank you for your input on this.

The problem is that when someone doesn't want a pet they go drive outside of town and drop it off. The little guy eventually arrives at the doorstop of a local farmer/rancher who now has to deal with it, most likely with a half dozen or more (or about to be) in tow, and there is no chance in hell that they will pay $60 for each one. For the ones you care about. Get them chipped. It's the least you can do.

RFID was a little too technical, Richard.

Yeah, I get that a lot!

If you can't afford to have a microchip put in your dog, and your afraid your pet will lose the tags on their collar, you can go to Carolyn's Embroidery here in Miles City and she can Embroider your pets name and your phone number on a nylon collar that is not too thick and the price is very reasonable, and you don't have to pay shipping and handling for an Embroidered collar from a pet supply catalog, just go locally here in Miles City and have Carolyn's Embroidery put identification on your pet's collar.

I just wish people would chose not to own a pet unless they can provide proper shelter, food, medical care and a permanent way of IDing them. Not just that, but the desire to provide them with plenty of exercise, regular bathing and grooming, etc. Pets are a big responsibility, not just something you bring home because it is cute. I had two wonderful dogs who lived to ripe old ages, the last of which I had to have put to sleep just last month because of an advanced, fast growing cancer. By the time she showed the signs of her illness, it was too late to try and save her. Now I have no pets, after years of wonderful companionship and unconditional love.

I now hesitate to chose another pet because my cancer leaves my life one big question mark. I know my mate will care for and love another dog if the time turns out to be right to get one. I'm traveling too much for treatment to be home enough to help with housebreaking and training, so it will be a while if the right time ever comes. I hope it works out I will be able to have a dog again as I really don't consider myself whole without my furry loves.

I guess all I'm trying to say is do everything you can to keep your pets safe and don't get an animal you can't afford to care for properly.

Very well said, Julie....Miles City loves you and is keeping you in our prayers...!

Deepest thoughts of recovery and strength for you...A pet awaits your recovery as obviously you are a perfect owner IMO...God Bless...

Thanks so much luvslife and howdy. Their loss has left such a big hole in my heart and there isn't a day I don't cry from missing them. It is even too soon to think about all the fun times we had fishing at Ft. Keogh and camping at Ft. Peck. I still can't look at their pictures for very long.

I'm doing all I can to fight this nasty disease, but I feel a big part of my healing was having their companionship as I spend a lot of time at home. Thankfully I have a wonderful and supportive mate and family and the greatest friends a person could ever hope for. The biggest problem I face is boredom. It will be a happy day when i can start looking for just the right rescue. I wish I could take every one I see on Animal Planet, but with the traveling back and forth I can't even take in a foster.

Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed Christmas to you all. And to all of you atheists out there Happy Festivus!

I just found out that the info on the REQUIRED Miles City dog tag registration form is daily relinquished to the MCPD dispatch office ~ therefore, if your dog has it's city license ($5.00 for spayed/neutered dogs)on it's collar, it can be tracked over weekends or after hours by reporting a found dog to MCPD.