Office of Animal Welfare Reminds Residents of Statewide Locations for Purchasing Dog Licenses

Wilmington – It’s now easier than ever for dog owners in Delaware to license their furry family members, as required by state law. The Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) has just added three retail locations to the list of places where residents can purchase dog licenses. Dog licenses are required for all dogs, six months and older. Those who fail to license their dogs face fines of $50 or more.

OAW offers dog owners the opportunity to purchase licenses online through the website PetData.com/delaware, through the mail by calling 1-877-730-6347, or in person at retail establishments.

The recently added retail locations are in Kent and Sussex counties: Yarn and Bone Pet Supply Store in Camden, and Pet Stop locations in Millville and Fenwick Island. They join existing locations in New Castle County: Brandywine Valley SPCA in New Castle, New London Veterinary Hospital in Newark, Delaware Humane Association in Wilmington, and New Castle County Government Center.

“There are still many pet owners who don’t know that licensing is required for dogs and we are working hard to make the process as easy as possible for them,” said Christina Motoyoshi, deputy director for the Office of Animal Welfare. “We’re very excited to expand the opportunity to purchase licenses at retail establishments, making it even more convenient for residents statewide.”

An annual dog license is $10 if the animal is spayed or neutered, and is $15 for unaltered dogs. Proof of current rabies vaccination, which is mandatory for dogs, cats and ferrets six months and older, is required to obtain a license. Two- or three-year licenses are available as long as the rabies vaccination is valid during that second or third year as well. Fees are waived for seeing-eye, guide or lead dogs, or dogs that have former U.S. military service.

The OAW assumed dog licensing administration from the counties and City of Wilmington beginning January 1, and created a statewide license for 2016. The State will honor expiration dates of existing County and City licenses.

“Licensing your dog ensures that if they become lost and are picked up by our officers, they will immediately be brought home”, said Mark Tobin, chief of Delaware Animal Services, the enforcement unit of OAW. “It is also much easier and cheaper than paying fines if you’re caught without one.”

According to OAW, licensing lets people know that your dog has been vaccinated against rabies. The license fees support the efforts of Delaware Animal Services, which works to reunite lost animals with their owners, ensures care and placement of stray animals, and enhances public safety.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.


Office of Animal Welfare Hosts Training on Emergency Sheltering for Companion Animals

DOVER – When severe weather forces people to leave their homes, no one wants to leave their pets behind. While emergency shelters used to refuse to accommodate companion animals, in recent years people are urged to take their pets with them. After Hurricane Katrina emergency agencies began to include pets in evacuation and emergency shelter plans. To ensure there is a place in Delaware shelters for pets, the Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Response (DAR) program hosted an interactive, two-day training on how to set up emergency shelters for companion animals. The approximately 30 attendees are volunteers for the State Animal Response Team (SART), including animal rescuers, veterinarians or veterinary technicians, animal control officers, and members of the public who have an interest in disaster preparedness and response.

“When disaster strikes, we need to ensure safe shelter for both people and animals,” said Hetti Brown, Executive Director of the Office of Animal Welfare. “Through the engagement of a highly trained team of volunteers, we can provide a network of safe shelters across the state.”

The training provided attendees with skills for the planning and implementation of emergency shelters for companion animals during and after a disaster, whether at the local or national level. Topics included the identification, design, and set-up of emergency animal shelters; differences between temporary and co-location shelters; public information officer and media relations skills and duties; daily routines in the care of animals; creating a volunteer plan and managing volunteers during a disaster; and decontamination and demobilization of shelters.

“These trained volunteers will now have the skills to provide the critical management and staffing support necessary to set up and run successful animal emergency shelters during times of extreme need,” said Program Coordinator P. Jane Walmsley.

The training, which was funded through a federal grant, was provided by the American Humane Association (AHA), which hosts disaster preparedness trainings nationwide for animal welfare professionals.

The Division of Public Health’s Office of Animal Welfare, which manages the DAR program, was created to protect the health, safety, and welfare of companion animals, and promote the human-animal bond in Delaware. The office assumed responsibility for animal response in 2014 and immediately started to put together a plan for volunteer recruitment and training. Today, the program has more than 100 volunteers statewide.

For more information or to apply to become a State Animal Response Team volunteer, call 302-255-4628 or email p.jane.walmsley@delaware.gov.

And, to prepare your pet for an emergency evacuation:
• Identify evacuation options for your pets in advance, such as family and friends outside your area who are willing to take in you or your pets, pet-friendly hotels in the region, and boarding or veterinary facilities for your pets.
• Have a pet preparedness kit, which should include: a collar with ID tags and leash or harness; pet food and water (for at least three days but preferably a week); medications and a first aid kit; important documents in a plastic bag, including medical and vaccination records, license and microchip numbers, and any special instructions for your pet; current photos of you with your pet; a transport crate or carrier; bedding and toys; and sanitation supplies such as waste bags, litter and box, paper towels, and cleaner.

For further information on how to prepare your pet for an emergency, visit the Humane Society of the United States, or click here for the ASPCA’s website.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com. Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.


Prevent Dog Bites This Spring

PREVENT DOG BITES THIS SPRING
NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK, MAY 17 – 23, 2015

DOVER – Warmer weather means more time outside and, potentially, more exposure to pets or unknown dogs. The Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare recognizes National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 17-23, 2015, by urging dog owners to consider a few simple steps to prevent injury. According to a 10-year study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly half of all fatal dog attacks involve young children, and a staggering 84 percent of dogs involved in attacks are unneutered. In addition, dog mismanagement, such as allowing dogs to repeatedly run loose or keeping the dog isolated from usual human contact, is a strong indicator of the dog’s likelihood to attack.

To prevent dog bites:
• Spay or neuter your dog. This improves your pet’s overall and long-term health, and spayed or neutered animals are less likely to bite. This will also decrease your dog’s desire to roam in search of a mate, or fight with other animals.
• Socialize your dog. Dogs that are isolated, such as dogs that live the majority of their life chained or in a kennel, can become territorial and aggressive. Socializing your pet, especially at a young age, can help him or her to feel at ease around people and other animals.
• Teach children how to appropriately approach and handle dogs. Many dog-on-human attacks occur with small children. Don’t ever leave a child unattended with a dog, no matter how familiar the dog is with the child. By teaching children not to approach a dog they do not know, and how to properly pet or handle an animal can reduce the risk of a bite.
• Always keep your dog under your control. Obey leash laws. Not only is it illegal in Delaware to let your dog free-roam, it is dangerous for them and for others. Free-roaming dogs can get into altercations with other animals or unfamiliar people, can be lost, or hit by a car. If you have a fenced-in yard, ensure all gates are properly locked and check for holes under the fence where the dog could escape.
• Remove your pet from stressful situations. Any situation that introduces new sounds, people, and smells your dog is not familiar with can be very stressful. Make sure your pet has a quiet, safe place to retreat to if he or she becomes overwhelmed. If your pet is naturally excitable, confine him or her in a quiet room or area before guests arrive. You could provide him or her with interactive toys, such as treat-filled toys, to reduce boredom.
• Ensure your pet is healthy. Dogs that are hurt or injured can be more aggressive because they don’t feel well or are in pain. Have regular check-ups with your veterinarian. Always see a veterinarian if your pet’s activity or behavior changes.

If you think a dog may attack, the Office of Animal Welfare recommends that you stand tall and still. “Resist the urge to flail, scream, or run away, as this can increase your likelihood of being attacked,” says Enforcement Officer Mark Tobin, Office of Animal Welfare, “You should also avoid eye contact, as he may read this as a challenge.” Once you feel as though the dog has lost interest, back away slowly.

If attacked, try to put something between you and the dog. This may be a bag, jacket, or a tree. While he is biting on this object, try to find a collar which you can grab and pull up sharply until he releases. If you fall on the ground, curl into a ball with fingers interlocked behind your neck to protect your neck and ears.

While media reports tend to focus on one breed or another, the reality is that breed is not a common factor in dog attacks. In over 1,500 reported dog bites in Delaware in 2014, more than 80 different breeds and mixed breeds of dogs were represented, of all shapes and sizes. Every dog, regardless of breed, size, or familiarity with the victim, has the propensity to bite if the right set of circumstances is present.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

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Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Delaware Health and Social ServicesDivision of Public Health