Pet owners in Starkville will be in for a treat this weekend as the city celebrates Responsible Dog Ownership Day in McKee Park.
The Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi and the Oktibbeha County Humane Society will host an American Kennel Club Responsible Dog Ownership Day event Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman has issued a proclamation declaring Saturday Responsible Dog Ownership Day in the city.
All dog owners are encouraged to attend the event, which will provide educational information and activities to promote responsible pet ownership. Well-behaved dogs that are current on their vaccinations are welcome and must be on a six-foot or shorter leash to be in compliance with the city”s animal control ordinance.
Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi members will be present throughout the event to provide information about responsible dog ownership, dog breeds, club membership, training classes offered by the club and American Kennel Club events, including the GTKCM dog shows to be held in Starkville January 15-16, 2011. Of particular interest will be rally obedience demonstrations, a “Parade of Breeds,” and information about AKC programs which allow participation of mixed breed dogs. These programs include the Canine Good Citizen training and certification, S.T.A.R. Puppy training and certification and the Canine Partners program, which allows mixed breed or non-pedigreed dogs to register with AKC and participate in AKC performance events such as obedience, rally obedience and agility.
Oktibbeha County Humane Society members Saturday also will host games for dogs and owners, a pet parade open to all pets and a cat photo contest. Dog owners who live inside the Starkville city limits will have the opportunity to register their dogs; proof of rabies vaccination is required to register and reduced-price registration is available with proof the dog has been spayed/neutered.
OCHS members also will provide information about responsible cat ownership, membership and other ways to be involved with the local humane society, and emergency preparedness for pet owners.
Also joining the event will be the Mississippi State University student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the student chapter of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and Homeward Bound, an organization of MSU veterinary student who will host a spay and neuter booth.
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2014 will host a low-cost microchip clinic for all pets. Cost of the microchip clinic is $25 for the first pet and $20 for additional pets from the same home.
Along with the low cost of the microchip, owners will be able to register each pet”s microchip for a reduced price of $9.99 (normally $15.00). MSU veterinary students and SCAVMA members will have a teddy bear/stuffed animal repair table at which children can have their well-loved stuffed animals stitched by soon-to-be animal doctors. Veterinary student members of the Behavior Club will provide information about pet behavior.
Pet Halloween photos will also be taken as a fundraiser for Homeward Bound. Pets may wear costumes for the photos, but costumes are not required. All proceeds will help Homeward Bound in its work to transport pets from Mississippi shelters where there are many animals, some of whom would not be adopted, to loving homes in parts of the country where there are not enough shelter pets to fill the demand.
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