Items tagged with 'animals'
Romeo the Peacock still runs free in Schenectady
It appears that Romeo, the peripatetic peacock of Schenectady, is still on the loose. Another sighting popped up on Craigslist yesterday, along with a photo (right).
Earlier postings indicated that peacock had left his Juliet at home on Maxon Road and gone for a walkabout in early August. It sounds like he's been sticking around the neighborhood north of Union College. This latest sighting had him at Foster Ave and Gerling Street. And a comment here on AOA last week by SB also had him sighted him on Foster.
(Thanks, Arielle!)
Earlier on AOA: Peacock on the lam in Schenectady
Dog-friendly spots
View Dog-Friendly Downtown in a larger map
Check it out: it's a map listing dog-friendly places in Saratoga, part of the Saratoga Springs Dog Friendly Downtown project. It also includes notes for each place -- for example, at Lifestyles: "We welcome dogs under 30lbs. No dirty feet please."
(This isn't new, but we came across it again the other day and don't seem to have mentioned it the first time around.)
Rebecca emailed a few months back that something like this might be good for Albany. Any interest? We could probably something together for other parts of the Capital Region.
By the way: There's already a map of Capital Region dog parks, compiled by Mark.
Goose crossing
No, honk you!
Peter sent along this pic of cars stopped along Route 40 in Troy so a gaggle of geese could cross.
It makes us smile -- the way the geese look like they're just sauntering across the road. Like one of them is telling the drivers: "You honking at me? Let me tell you about honking." (Of course, we might have felt differently if we were actually there waiting for the gaggle to cross.)
Also, geese apparently don't think much of crosswalks.
(Thanks, Peter!)
Peacock on the lam in Schenectady
A few people have posted on Craigslist this week that they've seen a peacock wandering the area around Union College in Schenectady (map). From a posting on Sunday:
Just before sunset this evening I realized one of my cats was staring insanely at the roof of my very tall garage. To my surprise, the cat was staring at an almost mature (or quite under-nourished) peacock. He seemed undisturbed by the neighbors, but took off as soon as my stupid camera made a noise.
Two other postings reported sightings north of campus, including a stroll across Van Vranken Ave. And yet another reports the peacock's name is "Romeo" and he's from a home on Maxon Road (where his "Juliet" awaits -- we so hope that posting's true).
We'd love to hear if Romeo makes it back home.
As it happens, this isn't the first peripatetic peacock in Schenectady County this summer. In June, one of the birds was on the lam in Rotterdam. [Daily Gazette]
photo (of another peacock, not Romeo): Paul Friel (Flickr user frielp)
Veterinarian care for cats?
Emails Ryan this morning:
I found an injured stray kitten last night, but it needs medical attention and unfortunately, I cannot afford it. Do you know of any services or organizations that could help me foot the bill (or even a vet that would be willing to offer his/her services for a reduced rate)?
The one thing I'm sure about is that I don't want the kitten to be put down if it has a real chance.
The Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society may be able to point you in the right direction, or at least give you a sense of the options. The number is 434-8128.
Anyone have suggestions for Ryan? We'll expand his question a little bit to include good vets for cats. Please share!
photo: Flickr user Tambako the Jaguar
Know of a good pet sitter or boarding?
Kristin emails:
I know you've done posts in the past asking for reader suggestions about good haircuts, doctors, etc, and since travel season is coming up, I was wondering if you could do a post about pet sitters?
I definitely don't want to hand the keys to my apartment and the care of my cats over to someone I've randomly picked without recommendation.
We totally understand where Kristin is coming from -- knowing the office dog is well cared for makes one less thing to worry about when traveling.
This might not help Kristin's exact situation because she has cats, but Otto has vacationed at Happy Tails in Altamont. The facilities are nice and the owners were very friendly. They even got one of Otto's favorite toys back to us after we left it behind. As far as we can tell, they don't have a website, but here's a pdf brochure with contact and other info.
From what we understand, the Hounds on Hudson people, who do dog walking, also do cat visits. They seem really nice and cool. (Here's an AOA piece about them.)
Anyone have suggestions for Kristin? Or even some good boarding, pet sitting, or walking experiences that might help other people? Please share!
The Secret Photostream of Flabby Tabby
When a 30 pound cat showed up at the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society last week, the inevitable question was: who is this guy
The answer: livin' large. After the jump, a handful of photos from The Secret Photostream of Flabby Tabby.
Extraordinarily flabby tabby found in Watervliet
Hey, I just have more to love.
Update: Don't miss The Secret Photostream of Flabby Tabby
The Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society says someone turned in a 30-pound cat on Friday. From the org's email press release (emphasis added):
The Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society receives thousands of stray cats every year, but on Friday afternoon they received a cat like no other. A brown tabby with a white belly is not unusual, but a cat weighing in at 30 pounds is almost unheard of. The Guinness Book of World Records no longer tracks heaviest animals because they do not want to encourage the overfeeding of pets, but their last recorded 'heaviest cat' was 46 pounds.
The cat currently being held at the Humane Society was brought in by a Good Samaritan who found her in Watervliet. It is doubtful that the cat wandered very far from home, but no one has come forward to claim her as of yet. Humane Society staff is certain that the cat belongs to someone, in part because it would be extremely difficult for a homeless cat to maintain such an unusually high weight. "We're sure someone is out looking for this cat, she is very friendly and obviously has a home" Brad Shear Executive Director said. "I just hope they think to check at the Humane Society."
The society has a page that lists found animals -- here's the entry for the flabby tabby.
Emily's chickens
Emily lives in Troy. And she has chickens. In her backyard.
She gives a little tour of her setup and talks about some background in this video she posted:
There apparently is a bit of a backyard chicken boom right now (with some doubts). Urban chicken advocates say there are a handful of reasons to have a few hens out back (you know, in addition to the eggs).
As Naomi reported last year, it is legal to keep chickens in Troy -- but not in Albany or Schenectady. (Though we've heard there might be a few chickens in Albany. And there was that rooster on the lam last year...)
One happy alpaca
This is great: Teri Conroy has posted video of Griffin, her rescued alpaca, during his first time out with the other llamas at her Wunsapana Farm in Altamont (be sure to check out the before picture):
We're pretty sure we saw him smiling.
[via Naomi]
Bumper-to-bumper elephant traffic
They walked up from the Port of Albany.
Via @woodzepper come these photos of the Ringling Bros Circus elephants making their way through downtown Albany this morning. The circus is at the TU Center this week.
The use of elephants in circuses has increasingly come under criticism in recent years. Animal advocates allege that circuses, use cruel measures to train the elephants. Ringling Bros has specifically been accused of abuse. A federal judge ruled in favor of Ringling Bros' parent company at the end of last year in a suit that alleged abuse.
PETA has been campaigning to ban the use of elephants in circuses. It recently got geek-goddess Olivia Munn to pose nude for a circus boycott ad. (Ringling Bros has accused PETA of distorting the issue.)
Recently in Albany, common councilman Anton Konev proposed a measure that would ban use of "wild or exotic" animals for shows such as circuses. The ban would also apply to rodeos.
More elephant photos after the jump.
Hoarded cats becoming ready for adoption
The Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society reports that 13 of the cats rescued from the animal hoarding situation in Colonie last month are now ready for adoption. (That's Slinky, one of the cats, in the photo.) [email press release]
Brad Shear -- MHRHS's executive director -- wrote on his blog today about the resources involved with rescuing 52 cats from one incident:
Every animal needs to be identified and given a clean place to stay with food and water. A photo is taken of each cat and a record is created. Each cat then needs to be examined by our medical director, Dr. Sarah Madaio. You are probably familiar with a normal veterinary exam, just like the one your pet would get at her annual exam. Vets may schedule about 20 minutes for a 'healthy pet visit' - an annual exam in which your pet is coming in for annual vaccines, but may not have any other medical issues. Suffice to say, all of these cats had medical issues. So our veterinarian set up with two assistants to start the exam process that would last for days.
photo via Brad Shear
Way too many cats in one house
The Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society reports that 52 cats were recently taken from a woman's home in Colonie. It says there are indications she may have been been keeping as many as 66 cats at the house. The society says the woman has turned herself in to Colonie police and is facing animal cruelty charges.
The org describes the situation as a case of "animal hoarding."
It says none of the cats are currently healthy enough to be adopted.
[email press release not online]
Keeping squirrels from tulips
Emailed StickFigureMan today:
How do people keep the squirrels from shredding their tulips?
Every year it's the same: The squirrels wait till the buds are plump and ready to bloom, giving me hope that maybe I'll get to see my flowers this year. Then they destroy them. They don't even eat them. They shred them with their little claws and leave the petals scattered about to mock me.
I've made them sacrificial offerings of bird seed. But squirrels don't honor treaties. Last year I made habanero tea and sprayed all the tulips. Mmm, spicy, said the squirrels, as they ravaged on.
I am consumed by jealousy when I see yards bursting with tulip color. What do they know that I don't?
We suggest renting a fisher and giving those smug, treaty-breaking squirrels a run for their lives.
Perhaps you have some less radical suggestions for StickFigureMan?
Baby animals at Hancock Shaker Village
This way to the cuteness...
Growing up in Pennsylvania, every couple of years we took a compulsory school field trip to Amish Country, where we were transported back in time to find out how these traditional, religious communities lived. I get the sense the equivalent of that trip in this neck of the woods is a visit to the Hancock Shaker Village in Western Massachusetts.
Unfortunately, I didn't get chance to delve into too much of the history on my most recent visit because the real reason we were at the village was the baby animals.
And what's cuter than baby animals, you ask? Nothing, I say. And I have children.
(Yes, there are baby animals after the jump.)
Six miles from city hall: trout
Who knew: Six Mile Waterworks in Albany contains largemouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel, brown bullhead and rainbow trout, according to DEC. The state will be stocking the waterway with 2,000 more "catchable size" rainbow trout Thursday .
By the way: the "Six Mile Waterworks" name comes from the fact that the Patroon Creek was dammed six miles from Albany city hall.
[via @woodzepper]
Bears and eagles
Ursus americanus
Updated Wednesday 4:55 pm
The state Department of Environment Conservation reported that the number of bears "harvested" in 2009 was the second-highest total on record. The DEC says hunters killed 1,487 black bears last year -- that's up 15 percent from the year before.
Most of the bears were killed in the Adirondacks, Catskills and Southern Tier -- but there were 21 kills in the four core counties of the Capital Region. Nineteen bears were taken in Saratoga County (including on in the Town of Saratoga) and two in Albany County (in Berne and Westerlo). That's up from 17 in the core Capital Region in 2008.
DEC says bear populations in New York State are growing.
Eagles: The DEC also reported this week that "preliminary results indicate that the bald eagle population in New York State may be at an all-time high since the state began its repopulation efforts more than 30 years ago."
Jackie spotted two bald eagles on the frozen Moreau Lake in January.
[via @woodzepper]
Earlier on AOA: Foxes and fishers and bears, oh my!
photo: Flickr user peupleloup
A dossier on our crow invaders
Don't be fooled -- there's a lot going on in that bird brain.
Troy and Albany have resumed hostilities in the War on Crows. Anti-crow trucks are trolling through Albany this week firing off flares, lasers and amplified crow distress calls. And the crows appear ready to retaliate.
So if it's going to be like this, maybe we should understand our opponent a little bit better. Here are a few crow facts to keep in mind.
Rrrawsome
Jess' dog Junot, enjoying a Brussels sprout stalk snack
Okay, you've probaly heard of the raw food diet for people. So it's probably no surprise that the idea has spread to dog food, too. After all, their wild ancestors certainly weren't dabbling with meat grinders or industrial ovens.
Lisa Rosamino of Ballston Lake has been feeding her dogs a raw diet for over a decade now, and she runs a business -- called Rrrawsome -- that sells raw dog food ingredients locally.
Undercover with snakes and salamanders
As an adult, this guy could go for as much as $45 on the black market.
Earlier this year, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced it had busted a bunch of people as part of an undercover investigation into the black market trade of protected reptiles and amphibians.
Capt. Michael Van Durme, one of the leaders of "Operation Shellshock" will be speaking at SUNY Cobleskill tonight about his experiences with the investigation.
We figured you can't go undercover into the world of reptile and amphibian smuggling without coming away with some interesting stories, so we bounced a few questions his way. Capt. Van Durme sent back answers about microchipped turtles, priceless snakes, and nuns shopping for pythons.
Nurses say they're suing over flu shot requirement, couple accused of abandoning dogs, car registration stickers not sticking, cities try to solve crow problem, fish pedicure ban proposed
Four Albany Med nurses are filing a lawsuit against the state health commissioner over the state's flu shot requirement for health care workers. The nurses say the requirement is a violation of their civil liberties. One of them says they "don't believe in" the vaccine. The nurses could be suspended -- and later fired -- if they don't get the shot. Their attorney says they'll quit if the state doesn't drop the requirement. [TU] [CapNews9] [WNYT] [WTEN] [Troy Record]
An East Greenbush woman says the incident in which a teenager was allegedly thrown onto a bonfire last week is just part of a string of ongoing violence between two rival groups in the town. The mother of the burned teen says the alleged attack was racially motivated. [WTEN] [WTEN]
State police have arrested two people in Rensselaer County for allegedly abandoning their dogs with no food or water in a house. Police accuse the couple of moving to a new house -- and leaving the dogs behind. The dogs were found -- hungry and thirsty -- last week after a neighbor noticed them. Police say the couple had moved out weeks before. Shelter workers say it looks like the dogs will be OK. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [CBS6] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Two Delmar women are pushing for a Bethlehem town law that would require cat owners to keep their pets in doors. The women say their neighborhood as become overrun with cat poop -- "You can't even walk around the circle without the scent of cat urine and feces knocking you down," says one of them. [TU] [Spotlight]
Clyde has been found!
Clyde is the dog that ran off after the car he and his owner were riding in rolled over on I-90 near Albany Landfill. He was spotted a few times near a house in Guilderland recently -- and now he's been found! From a comment posted this morning by his owner, Leslie Evans:
Clyde was caught in a trap last night next to his new home away from home in Guilderland. He was licking his chops and very pleased with himself. Thanks to everyone for their good thoughts and prayers....I'm very grateful for all the local, friends family and internet support!
Clyde will no doubt have some interesting stories for his dog friends when he returns home.
photo: Leslie Evans
Baby turtles!
What are you looking at?
On our way out to breakfast yesterday we met some unexpected neighbors. Baby turtles. Sixteen of them. In our driveway.
We saw an adult snapping turtle in the middle of our street a few months back -- it was just sitting there like it was waiting to direct traffic. It appears that it -- or maybe some other turtle -- made a stop to lay eggs in our landscaping mulch. (According to the Wikipedia entry on snapping turtles, the eggs take 9-18 weeks to hatch.)
A handful of pictures are after the jump.
Playing possum on State Street
Oh, hello -- I'm just checking to see if my package arrived.
Jennifer emailed this pic to us:
I was walking down State St. [in Albany] to work this morning at about 8am, and I saw a POSSUM on the front stoop of 257 State St! Unfortunately I only had my camera phone, but you can see him pretty clearly sitting on the bucket. I used to have a possum that lived in the backyard of my building, who would eat my garbage at night, but I never thought I would see one a). in broad daylight*; and b). on the street.
Incidentally, this happens to be my landlord's house, so after snapping some photos I called him so he was aware of his visitor.
*If you can call this cloudy, overcast, nasty weather "daylight."
We also recently spotted one of these things. It was crossing a street in uptown Albany and it was huge -- like as big as a well-fed house cat.
Earlier on AOA: Foxes and fishers and bears, oh my!
(Thanks, Jennifer!)
Adirondack Animal Land: It's a zoo
Ain't I pretty?
When the Catskill Game Farm closed its doors for good in 2006, many of us were left wondering what would fill the zoo void.
Looks to me like Adirondack Animal Land in Gloversville may be the leading contender.
... said LB about For sale: one purple bookmobile