THE RUNDOWN

WHAT: Dog Awareness Week with visit from ‘Dog Whisperer' Cesar Millan

WHEN: July 5-11; Millian appears 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11

WHERE: Various locations for various events; Millian appears at Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E. Market St.

HOW MUCH: Most events are free throughout the week; tickets to Millian are $40, $50 and $75

INFO:  www.bexarcountykc.com;  www.ticketmaster.com; (800) 745-3000
 

PET OWNER TIPS

1. Cut off their balls or take out their plumbing. Seriously.

2. Make the investment to microchip in case your dog

or cat somehow gets loose.

3. Exercise your pet for better behavior.

4. Annual shots are a must, as they are for any young child.

5. Step up and be the pack leader, as Cesar Millan would say. It makes for a happier household.

 

 

 

 

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They don't call 'em the dog days of summer for nothing.

Sunday, July 5, is the start of Dog Awareness Week, seven days dedicated to the best kind of friend a person can have.

Animal Care Services has teamed up with the River City Cluster of Dog Shows to bring San Antonio a week of dog-friendly, educational activities aimed at current and future dog owners.

The goal of Dog Awareness Week is to boost the city's campaign to stop the euthanasia of animals and become a no-kill city by 2012.

The highlight of the week will be the appearance of dog behavior specialist and Discovery Channel star Cesar Millan, known as the Dog Whisperer for his unique ability to understand the animals.

Millan is stressing the importance of responsible pet ownership by appearing in a bilingual public-service announcement to air on the city's networks. Millan is scheduled to visit San Antonio on Saturday, July 11. The visit is to include a lecture and VIP meet-and-greet starting at 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Margie O'Connell of RCCDS admits the “No Kill by 2012” goal might be idealistic, but with the number of strays growing each day, it has become “not just an Animal Care Services problem or a city problem, (but) a problem shared by every single San Antonian.”

District 4 Councilman Philip Cortez said the problem of stray dogs continues to grow each year, making it a concern in every neighborhood.

Although 68 percent of San Antonians are dog owners, everyone is affected by strays, which can destroy property, spread disease and mate with pets to create more of a problem.

Animal Care Service euthanizes an average of 30,000 animals annually, which Cortez says could be avoided if residents practiced responsible dog ownership.

The kickoff of Dog Awareness Week will be “Sunday in the Park” at Pearsall Dog Park on Sunday, July 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted by Cortez, the event will include dog blessings, low-cost vaccinations and microchipping and adoptions.

Local veterinarians will offer a number of spay/neuter vouchers in support of San Antonio's “No Kill by 2012” goal.

For a full list of events during Dog Awareness Week, visit www.bexarcountykc.com.

Andrea M. Allinger | 210SA contributor