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NewsHound 001
August 17, 2006 |
Dear urbanhounders,
Most of the country thinks a hound's place is in the home. We respectfully disagree. Here in the Bay Area, we hike and bike and run with our dogs, and we sit at sidewalk tables, bundled against the foggy chill, to wine and dine with them, too.
Outsiders may think we prefer canine companionship to human. What they don't realize is the more we connect with our dogs, the more our dogs connect us with each other. There's no community more dependable and diverse than that of the dog park, and, as anyone who has ever tried to walk a puppy on a city sidewalk can attest, there's no better social lubricant than a dog.
Now our hounds are connecting us coast-to-coast. The original Urbanhound, which started in New York six years ago, has become an invaluable resource for dog guardians on the East Coast. This summer finally brought the launch of Urbanhound San Francisco (and Urbanhound Chicago, too), staffed by local dog folks who know and love their dog-crazy towns.
We'll be sending out this newsletter once a month to let you know about all the canine news and events in town (see below), but we hope you'll visit the website often in between, to seek and share information, post pictures of your pup, plan your weekend romps, get veterinary advice, and more.
May Urbanhound San Francisco become as much a part of your daily life as, well, walking the dog.
See you around the park,
Laura Cavaluzzo
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» Planning one final summer trip? Before booking your flight, read urbanhound's newly updated Air Travel pages, which outline the pet policies of 16 major airlines. Who allows dogs onboard? What does it cost? Which airline forbids Pit Bulls? What's a "certificate of acclimation"? We cover it all.
» If you're leaving town with your dog, but don't intend to fly, consult our guide to Getting Around. It details the pet policies of every regional transport company, from BART to Caltrain to the Alameda/Oakland Ferry.
» Anyone planning a driving holiday should first read our own Dr. Betsy Brevitz's advice on preventing car sickness in dogs. |
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Tuff Love: A Celebration of Pit Bulls Through Art
Friday and Saturday, August 18 and 19, 7 PM
The Living Room Gallery, 3230 Adeline St., Berkeley
Hound as muse? You bet. A fundraiser for Bad Rap (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls), this juried show and sale features the work of photographers, painters, sculptors, and other artists celebrating the American Pit Bull Terrier. The Gala Opening Party will have live music, refreshments, and a silent auction of great non-art stuff, from dog training classes to signed books to theater tickets, massages, and more. The suggested cover is $5 to $30 at the door.
12th Anniversary Mutt Strutt
Saturday, August 19, 9 AM to 1 PM
Coyote Point Park, San Mateo
Walk your dog at Coyote Point Park and give the thousands of animals who pass through the Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA something to wag about. In addition to the fundraising walk-a-thon, the Mutt Strutt features vendor booths, contests (could your hound be crowned Best Kisser or Most Talented?), police k-9, agility and flyball demonstrations, and more ... a full day of fun by the Bay. Contests will be judged by Tom Vacar of KTVU Channel 2, Janelle Marie of 95.7 MaxFM, and PHS/SPCA president Ken White.
Dog Days of Summer
Sunday, August 20, 11 AM to 3 PM
Inn Marin, 250 Entrada Dr., Novato
An afternoon of food and drink, fun and fur to benefit the Marin Humane Society. Enter the canine games and contests or just relax in the grass and enjoy the show. Sponsored by Inn Marin and Rickey's Restaurant. $10 per dog purchases two tickets, which can be redeemed for participation in the events or for food and drink.
Natural Areas Program Public Hearing
Monday, August 21, 8:30 AM
City Hall, Rm. 416, San Francisco
This is the public's last chance to be heard on the controversial Draft Management Plan of the Natural Areas Program before the Recreation & Park Commission votes on it. If approved, the plan could severely reduce legal offleash acreage in San Francisco. See Hound News (below) for a synopsis.
Dog Days of August
Thursday, August 26, 3 PM to 7 PM
Dolores Park, San Francisco
Celebrate the joy of all things doggy at this free picnic-in-the-park event hosted by the San Francisco Dog Owners Group. Browse and buy dog-inspired arts and crafts, get a license from Animal Care & Control, chat with rescue groups and other non-profit organizations, and enjoy booths from neighborhood pet supply stores. Watch dogs strut the catwalk in outfits from Babies Pet Boutique, and enter your handsome hound in contests ranging from Best Dressed to Most Outrageous. Stick around after sunset for an outdoor screening of the mockumentary Best in Show, sponsored by the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation. The event begins at 3 PM; fashion show is at 7 PM; film screening is at 8 PM.
Getting to Know Your Dog
Thursday, August 24, 6 PM to 7:30 PM
Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo
Experts from the Peninsula Humane Society's Behavior Department offer advice on housetraining, leash-walking, and other topics to new dog owners or those thinking about adopting a dog. Suggested $10 donation at the door. For more info or to register, call 650-340-7022, x306.
Stormy Weather
Saturday, August 26, 7 PM to 8 PM
Marin Humane Society, 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato
Follow the stories of Brutus, Mailbox, and other dogs stranded by Hurricane Katrina as they begin new lives in the Bay Area. Stormy Weather, a documentary by local film maker Denise Richards, chronicles the rescue efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane and the response of the Bay Area, including several MHS staffers and volunteers, to these animals in need. Along with the screening of this work-in-progress, Capt. Cindy Machado will present information on disaster-preparedness for pet owners. Admission is on a sliding scale.
Dark Water Rising: The Truth About Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescues
Monday, August 28, showings at 6:30 PM, 8 PM, and 9:30 PM
Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., San Francisco
In this documentary, director Mike Shiley brings to light the stories of hope and horror, sorrow and survival surrounding the more than 50,000 dogs and cats abandoned in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Tickets are $8.50 at the door or at the theater's website.
Vaccination & Microchipping Clinic
Wednesday, September 6, 6 PM to 8 PM
Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo
This clinic, held by the PHS the first Wednesday of each month, offers $10 vaccination for rabies, distemper, and DHPP, plus microchipping for $20 ($12 for residents of Belmont, San Mateo, East Palo Alto, and the unincorporated areas of the county). Call 650-340-7022, x750 for more information.
Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon
Saturday, September 9, 10 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, September 10, 10 AM to 5 PM
Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
Billed as "The Largest Celebration of Pets in the Bay Area," this weekend-long event features agility, flyball, police dog and other demonstrations in the Performance Ring, hands-on learning about companion animals in the Kids Pavilion, exhibits from non-profits and businesses (including dog-friendly wineries!), talks and demos on training, health and more, plus a performance by Rockin' Ray and the Amazing Skyy Dogs, and a live broadcast of the nationally syndicated radio program, "The Pet Show" with Warren Eckstein. Bring your well-behaved hound along (for a donation of $1 or a can of food), and take a stroll around the lagoon or play off-leash in the Field of Dogs dogpark next door. No dog? Dozens of local rescue organizations will have dogs, cat, rabbits, and other animals on hand to steal your heart. Admission: Adults, $7; kids 6-12, $5; kids 5 and under, free. Family pricing: two adults and two kids, $20. Free parking.
Vaccination & Microchipping Clinic
Sunday, September 10, 10 AM to noon
Marin Humane Society, 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato
Get rabies shots or combo vaccinations (distemper, adenovirus II, parainfluenza, parvovirus) at this MHS clinic for $5, and microchipping for $20.
Rabies Vaccine Clinic
Sunday, September 10, 10 AM to 1 PM
Animal Care & Control, 1200 15th St., San Francisco
Co-sponsored by Animal Care & Control and the San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association, this clinic provides $5 rabies vaccinations for dogs over 4 months old (and cats over 3 months old).
If there's an event you'd like us to mention in the next NewsHound, please email us.
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One more chance to say no to the NAP. The San Francisco Recreation & Park Commission met on July 26 to hear public comment on the controversial Draft Management Plan of the Natural Areas Program (NAP). Part of the Recreation & Parks Department, the NAP's stated purpose is to manage the city's designated natural areas, nearly one third of San Francisco's city-managed parkland. As outlined in the Draft Management Plan, their vision of "restoring" these areas to their native state (or, roughly, the state they were in 150 years ago) will mean big changes in the landscape of these parks, since many of the lush meadows and majestic trees were introduced to these areas by man and will have to be removed. Of particular concern to dog owners is the fact that 80 percent of our legal off-leash acreage is within or adjacent to designated "natural areas," and the NAP does not see off-leash recreation as compatible with native habitat. If you would like to be heard on this issue, you have one more chance: the hearing was continued to Monday, August 21 (8:30 a.m. in room 416 of City Hall). For lots more information, visit NAP Rap: Telling It Like It Is.
Vet SOS needs donations. Vet SOS provides healthcare, food, and supplies to the pets of homeless San Franciscans, both through their mobile outreach van and on-site at the city's bi-monthly Homeless Connect events. The program is in need of donations, ranging from dog food, treats and recently expired medications to toys, beds, muzzles, and halters (new or used, but in good, clean condition).
Is your rescue dog especially cute? PETA is holding a contest to select the most adorable rescued companion animal.
New law restricts tethering of dogs in California. A bill that would limit the tethering of dogs to three hours in any 24-hour period cleared its last hurdle on August 9, when it was passed by the state's Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The bill, SB1578, was sponsored by the California Animal Association, a coalition of 15 animal rights groups. Dog leads attached to pulley systems will continue to be legal under the new law.
Humane Society offers aid to China's dogs. In the wake of the destruction of more than 50,000 dogs---clubbed to death to stop the spread of rabies---the Humane Society of America has offered $100,000 to help China set up a nationwide rabies vaccination program. By emailing and calling China's ambassador to the U.S., you can help improve the lot of China's dogs.
Lassie Natural Way dog food is holding a photo contest. The grand prize winner's photo will appear on the company's packaging, semi-finalists get a free year's supply of food. You can enter and vote for your favorite hound photo online.
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Copyright (c) 2006 urbanhound, LLC.
All rights reserved.
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