Animal Hotline is a nonprofit community service for lost/found pets in Placitas and Bernalillo
P. O. B. 812, Placitas, NM 87043
To report a lost or found animal, Call Dave Harper at 867-6135 or e-mail placitasrealty@earthlink.net

People with pets for adoption or sale should place a Signpost classified ad or consider a $5 donation to the Animal Hotline to run the information in this column. Lost and found listings and doptions for found animals are run in the column for free.

For lost/found pets in Placitas and Bernalillo, call Dave Harper at 867-6135

Lost cat, “Ginger”

LOST:

DOG: Small terrier cross lost from just west of the village of Placitas. Light-brown/blondish color, male, part Yorkshire terrier. Lost March 28. #1614

DOG: Large white Lab, intact male, lost near Hwy 528 & Hwy 550 in Bernalillo about March 12. Big, lunky, friendly dog. #1626

DOG: Keeshond cross (looks a little like a chow) lost from about 3 miles north of the village of Placitas in mid-March. Limps a little. #1627

CAT: Calico cat, grey, orange, and white, lost from Plaza de Sonadores & Camino de las Huertas area (about 1.6 miles north of the village of Placitas). Green eyes, female, indoor cat. "Ginger" was lost about April 12. #1628 (See photo)

CAT: Calico cat lost from just south of the village of Placitas (about the 7.5 mile mark on Highway 165) on April 16. Small 1-1/2-year-old cat. Grey, orange, and white spayed female, 3 years old and very friendly! #1631

FOUND:

DOG: Fairly large brown dog with blackish tail showed up on Perdiz Canyon Rd (south of the village of Placitas) last week of March.  Male. No collar. #1612

CAT: Black-and-white male cat found just 1/2 mile south of the village of Placitas on March 26. Very hungry and affectionate. Younger cat (under a year old?). #1613

CAT: Black-and-white male cat wandered up to a house on Camino de las Huertas in Placitas on March 29. Was injured and taken to the vet, but is doing fine. About 1 year old. #1615

CAT: Black-and-white (female?) longhaired cat spotted just west of the Village of Placitas in early April (possibly with front paws declawed). #1625

CAT: Grey tabby cat found in Placitas Trails, near the town houses in mid-April. #1632

2 DOGS: Male German shepherd and female black-and-white mix found about 3/4 mile from I-25 off Vista Montana in western Placitas on April 20. #1633 & 1634

Photo above right: This mountain lion was shot near Leon, Kansas, approximately 20 miles east of Wichita. The shooter was going deer hunting when he heard his neighbor’s cows making noise. He discovered the mountain lion attacking some calves. He shot, and reportedly the cat jumped eight feet into the air, ran about 100 yards, and died. The man in the picture is over 6-feet tall and the cat weighed over 200 pounds.

Living with lions and bears, oh my!

—NM Department of Game and Fish

The recent mountain lion visits to downtown Santa Fe and Tesuque should prompt residents and visitors to be aware that springtime brings lions and bears out of the woods. Santa Fe and other mountain communities such as those in Sandoval County lie on the edge of wildlife habitat, and some large predators are in search of an easy meal or are dispersing to new territories.

 If you should encounter a mountain lion or bear, stay calm and do not run; running triggers a predatory response to chase and attack. Slowly back away while facing the animal, avoid direct eye contact, and give it plenty of room to escape. Although every animal and situation may differ, the following are some precautions to keep in mind:

 Try to appear larger—stand on a rock, open your jacket, raise your arms overhead.

 Keep young children and pets close by, especially in the foothills and on mountain trails.

 Never approach a wild animal and do not come between a mother and her young.

 Convince the animal you are not prey. If it approaches or behaves aggressively, arm yourself with rocks and sticks and speak louder and more firmly to it.

 If the animal attacks, fight back aggressively.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has several detailed brochures to help residents, recreationists, and visitors prevent unwanted encounters and protect themselves and their property. Visit our Web site at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or call (505) 476-8000 for more information.

Kids and their dogs invited to summer camp

Enchantment Pet Resort & Spa is offering three sessions of its Kids & K-9 Camp this summer for children ages eight to fifteen and their dogs. Youngsters can learn lifelong skills in pet ownership through obedience, trick, and agility training. The camp curriculum also includes lessons in health, nutrition, grooming, and the general care of dogs.

“So many times parents get a puppy or dog for their kids, to teach their children responsibility and how to build relationships. But a lot of times, parents don’t have the time to help their kids follow through on these goals. Our Kids & K-9 camps allow kids to learn about their dogs—how they think, how to care for them, how to train them,” said Crystal McClernon, owner of Enchantment Pet Resort & Spa.

Camp sessions will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon June 14 to June 18, July 5 to July 9, and July 26 to July 30. Dogs must be six months or older and have proof of vaccinations to participate. Each session is limited to ten participants. Camp is for children only, no adults. Aggressive dogs or children will not be allowed to participate.

Enchantment Pet Resort & Spa is situated on two fenced acres at 580 Quantum Road NE in Rio Rancho. Camp registration forms are available on-line at www.enchantmentpetresort.com or by calling the resort’s front desk at 891-4100.