April 10-16 Animal Control Officer Week
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month
In our community, the Mesquite Police Department’s Animal Control department provides assistance and support in a variety of ways that help animals as well as people.
In many areas, like Mesquite, the Animal Control departments also operate the local animal shelters.
Animal Control officers work hard on behalf of animals and always have their safety in mind.
An Animal Control officer’s job entails:
• Investigating animal neglect or cruelty.
• Apprehend loose dogs and/or livestock.
• Rescue injured and sick animals.
• Educate pet owners about the laws and responsible pet ownership.
• Mediate disputes between neighbors over pets with communication, education and enforcement.
• Assist with nuisance wildlife (skunks, raccoons) removal.
• Take lost pets to the animal shelter where their owners can reclaim them.
The position of Animal Control Officer frequently involves long hours and hazardous assignments. Animal Control Manager Joe Macias along with Officers Walter Dalton and Bailee Sleppy provide 24 hour7day a week service to the community and for the animals.
While the duties are sometimes difficult, the rewards are great and come in many forms. The reward might be as simple yet gratifying as reuniting a lost pet with an owner.
You can also show your support by keeping your own animals safe and happy at home. Identifying your pets with a microchip and collar ID tag is also helpful in case your pet ever does get lost.
So, if you see your local Animal Control Officer, make sure to thank them for all of their hard work and tell them how much you appreciate it.
April National Volunteer Appreciation Month
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month and we would like to take an opportunity to thank Mesquite Animal Shelters amazing volunteers. If we tried to list all of our volunteers’ talents and skills, this post would turn into a novel. They have great hearts and are willing to do just about anything to help ensure better lives for Mesquite’s homeless animals. In 2014, volunteers gave 4098 hours to the shelter. Volunteers also donated over 3000 hours of their time outside the shelter in rescue/shelter related projects.
Volunteers are devoted and caring people who give countless hours working with our city’s Animal Control officers, in providing the love that is so needed by the animals in the shelter. Some volunteers go in early in the morning and devote themselves to the cats by doing housekeep chores, feeding and interacting with the animals. Others go in early in the morning to work with dogs by teaching them basic good behavior, playing and exercising and most importantly showing them love and kindness they are missing from their lives. Others take the shift when the shelter is open to the public for adoptions Monday through Saturday 11am-1pm and Sunday 1pm-3pm. They work at the front desk completing paperwork, answering the phone, helping people coming to the shelter and refer to the Animal Control Officer when necessary. Other volunteers are on hand to interact with the dogs and cats and assist with finding someone the perfect pet. Some volunteers choose to learn more than one “job” so then can contribute wherever help is needed most.
Volunteers feel rewarded when any animal leaves the shelter to go to their new forever home. All would agree it is a labor of love and nothing makes them feel better than giving an animal a treat or throwing a toy for the animal and realizing this might be the first time they have ever had this experience.
It has been said that volunteers are unpaid not because they are worthless but because they are priceless. They get paid with emotional dollars they can put in their personal bank of civic accomplishment.
Roddy
Featured Dog- Roddy
Roddy is a wonderful dog found as a stray. He is full of energy and has a willingness to learn and please people. He will need plenty of exercise and a high fenced yard as he likes to go visiting neighbors and explore. We are unsure of his breed but whatever the mix has given him a great personality.
Other Available dogs- At this time there are no other dogs available for adoption. Please check out the Petfinder site listed below as we will post animals when they become available
Micha
Featured Cat Micah
Micah’s family had to leave and could not take him with them. He is a large gentle cat. He is shy but loves people and attention. He is quiet and loves to stretch out and be petted or brushed. 1-2 years old
Other available cats
Buffy was on her own in the world for about a month. She is a very quiet lady and loves being brushed and having her belly rubbed. 2 years old.
All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximate.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268,
The animals submitted to the media may have changed so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com
Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER
Love Micha 6.8 and that beautiful apricot-coloured tommy kat. Wonder how Micha feels about living with a couple of explosive sniffing mini Cinnamon doxies? My poquito Doxies (C4 & Kanella) are IDF German Israeli Jews. Micha is probably LDS.
Oh no, Will the Mormon male priests bless & authorize Micha’s adoption into our Kosher home? We all drink sun Verde tea & I smoke during C.O.D.S.A.M. operations, so probably not. IDK.