Free Spaying Available
The Tufts Veterinary School is now offering a FREE SPAY program through a clinic for third-year vet students, who are supervised by an attending veterinarian.
This program is for female dogs only. Dogs must be between 3 months and 7 years of age, and must weigh between 10 and 60 pounds. The clinic cannot accept short-snouted dogs like pugs and boxers. Dogs must be in good health and have current rabies and distemper shots. The spay clinic includes a heartworm test, which is also free.
To book an appointment or learn more, please email Sue Carbone or call her at 508-887-4326.
MayDOG Donates Pet Oxygen Masks to Maynard Fire Department
L to R: Lisa Lines, Keira, Chief Stephen Kulik, Mollie, Troy, Captain Pat Sullivan
Thanks to a donation from a member of the Maynard Dog Owners Group (MayDOG), pet owners in Maynard can breathe a little easier — and their pets can, too.
MayDOG president Lisa Lines and member Veronica Zolina presented a set of pet-sized oxygen masks to Chief Stephen Kulik of the Maynard Fire Department today. Although the Department already had one set of pet masks on its ambulance, this additional set will ensure that the engine company is also equipped to help dogs, cats, and other pets pulled from a burning building.
“We are always happy and grateful for any and all additional donations, as you never know when you will need them,” said Chief Kulik, who accepted the donation. The set contains three masks of different sizes, which can fit animals from a Saint Bernard down to a kitten.
L to R: Lisa Lines, Chief Stephen Kulik, Mollie, Troy, Captain Pat Sullivan
Zolina and her husband own two greyhounds and a cat. She decided to donate the masks on behalf of MayDOG because of that group’s efforts to promote Maynard as a dog-friendly community. She said, “I want to be sure that all of Maynard’s pets, including my own, can receive lifesaving treatment in a fire if they need it. It was reassuring to learn that the Department is prepared to aid animals as well as people, because so many Maynard residents are pet owners too.”
“More than 40,000 pets across the country perished in fires in 2006, with the majority dying from smoke inhalation,” said Lines. “We hope that giving these masks to the Maynard Fire Department will raise awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness for rescue agencies and pet owners alike,” she said.
Maynard Dog Owners Group Recognizes Dog-Friendly Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MayDOG Media Contact:
Lisa Lines
978-331-0364 (978-3310-dog)
lisa
MAYNARD—The Maynard Dog Owners Group (MayDOG) today announced the winners of their first annual Dog-Friendly Business Award. There was a three-way tie between Aubuchon Hardware, at 33 Main Street, Erikson’s Ice Cream, at 12 Great Road, and the Maynard Barber Shop, at 75 Main Street, all in Maynard. Six other nominees were also recognized, including LOOK Optical, Ray & Sons Cycle & Ski, and Middlesex Savings Bank in Maynard, and Sweet Bites Café, Sawyer Automotive, and Ace Hardware in Acton.
“We want to promote our local businesses, and we believe that one of the easiest things they can do to gain attention and goodwill is by being friendly to our furry family members,” said Lisa Lines, president of the group. She then described the reasons for each business being nominated. All of the nominees were recognized for their dog-friendly business practices, such as providing a water bowl, giving out dog treats, and allowing customers’ dogs inside. In the case of Erikson’s, their free doggie ice cream draws dog owners from around the area. Bob at the Maynard Barber Shop is known for giving out dog biscuits and having a water bowl for dogs. And Aubuchon Hardware sees up to 40 dog visitors a week, whose owners bring them in for belly rubs and cookies.
“Ask any dog owner: they love to take their dogs with them when they are out and about,” said Alex Landsman, the MayDOG member who announced the winners. “Here in Maynard, many people come downtown on foot with their dogs. On these hot summer days, dog owners really appreciate a business that allows dogs inside or puts a water bowl out in front and provides a place for the dog to be safely secured while the owner is inside.”
MayDOG members who spoke at the event offered several reasons for businesses to be friendly to Fido. “In this economy, anything a business can do to set itself apart from the competition is a good thing, and while dogs themselves don’t shop much, their owners do,” said Landsman. “Dog owners are very loyal to businesses that cater to their needs and the needs of their dogs.”
“If a business is known for being dog friendly, dog owners would rather go there than a competing business simply because they’re able to bring their dogs along,” added Lines.
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Founded in 2008, the Maynard Dog Owners Group (MayDOG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. MayDOG’s mission is to promote responsible dog ownership and help build community through safe, legal off-leash recreation in Maynard, MA and the surrounding areas. MayDOG is working to create a fenced dog park in Maynard. Other activities include holding social events, sponsoring a walking group, organizing an annual “fun-raiser”, developing and distributing educational materials about responsible pet care, conducting workshops on training and dog behavior, promoting pet emergency preparedness and first aid programs, participating in town-wide clean-ups, promoting dog-friendly improvements to the town, and encouraging dog-friendly businesses. For more information, please visit www.maydog.org.
Photo credits: All photos taken by Mark Genest for MayDOG.
Pictured: Representatives from Aubuchon, Erikson’s Ice Cream, and the Maynard Barber Shop receiving their award certificates from Lisa Lines of MayDOG.
