Dr. Bruce and his dog, Duncan, visited us on November 24, 2004. He answered our questions, and also demonstrated how a microchip identification is implanted in an animal and read by a scanner. Here are some of the things we learned:
Tell us about Duncan.
Duncan will be 2 years old in February 2005. He is a Golden Retriever. He's sweet, lovable, frisky, and sometimes jumps on people (he's not quite trained yet). He comes to work every day. He gets along well with cats and he loves everybody.
When did you start becoming a vet?
Graduated in 1981 from the Veterinarian School at the University of Penn.
What do you like about your job?
Helping animals - I like the service I provide. It is rewarding. Helping animals makes me feel good.
What is hard about your job?
Death emotionally is hard. It gets a little easier over the years. Putting pets to sleep is hard. It is sometimes also hard when you see an animal who has something unusual wrong with it, until you figure out what the problem is.
How many other vets do you work with?
I have one partner who helps also when I'm on vacation.
In your own words, what is a stray pet?
A wild animal, a pet who is living in the wild that needs to use its instincts to kill to eat or to find food. Feral animals (these are usually cats) have never had contact with people. They are aggressive and wild.
How do pets become strays?
I think often because the owner isn't doing a good job, or someone else begins to feed them, or the owner doesn't want them anymore and is too lazy to find a home for them.
Why do some pets run away?
Some are abused, and others just like to play outside and run.
Why do dogs and cats like to chase things?
Dogs and cats still have hunting skills and behaviors. It is just the way they are. They would have to catch their food hundreds of years ago when they lived in the wild. It is also how they play.
What are some ways you can give your pet an identification (ID)?
There are ID tags - different places make them, including some animal shelters and pet stores. Duncan wears an ID tag on his collar. I make them in my office, but you can also get them at PetSmart, etc.
Another form of ID is a tattoo (usually put inside an ear, or on an inner thigh).
A different kind of ID is also done on the ear sometimes This is a notch (a small cut-out) which tells that the pet has been spayed or neutered.
A newer form of ID is a microchip. The chip is actually injected into the skin with a needle near the scruff of the dog's neck where the dog does not have much feeling. It is not visible. A vet or animal shelter with a special scanner would scan the pet and discover if there were a chip. The scanner would show a code (usually a combination of numbers and letters). Then the Vet or Shelter calls a special number, gives the code, and then finds out specific personal information on that pet. One problem with microchips is that there are too many different types of chips and different scanners. All animals shelters should have a scanner, but some do not. (Dr. Bruce showed us an actual microchip, the type of needle used to inject it, and demonstrated the use of a real scanner).
What do pets need from their owners?
Exactly what you and I need - air, food, water, housing, grooming, brushing teeth, love and affection, exercise.
What can someone do to prevent their pet from becoming a stray?
It is very important to educate pet owners. Do research before getting a pet so you can match the right pet to the household. If you get a dog, take the dog to a trainer or obedience class. Keep cats indoors. Spay or neuter pets so you don't have to deal with unexpected and unwanted kittens or puppies. Use ID on your pets.
If someone doesn't want their pet anymore, what should they do with it?
They should ask around friends, neighbors and family to see if someone else would like to have it. They could place an ad in the newspaper. If they cannot find a home for the pet, they should take it to a shelter.
Are there free clinics or services for pet owners who don't have enough money to take care of their pet?
There are some - humane services are discounted. There are free rabies shots in communities in New Jersey. It is hard to find free care for a sick or injured pet. The Humane Society has some funding. Some vets do some discounts for owners who really need this. When you are thinking of getting a pet, remember - pets cost money!
Have you ever worked in a pet shelter?
We do participate in programs that spay and neuter pets. I have never worked in a shelter except some work getting donations in NY City years ago.
Do you think pets in shelters are good to adopt, or do they have a lot of problems?
Some have problems, and animals become sick sometimes from the shelter. Some have behavior problems before you get them, or the previous owner lies about the animal and the real reason they are giving it up. You can get a wonderful pet from a shelter. The thing is, you don't really know what you are getting.
What should someone do if they see a stray pet? Should you feed stray pets?
You should have an adult handle it. Don't feed it - if you feed a pet it will keep coming back.
Can a stray pet be dangerous?
Yes they can - we don't know if they have been exposed to diseases! A stray pet could be wild and aggressive. You could get an infection (for example, rabies).
Do you think the problem of stray pets is getting worse, or better, or is staying about the same from year to year?
I think it stays about the same. I think it isn't improving as much because of poor education of pet owners and economics. Some people let animals go into the wild to live because they can't afford to care for them. Also, the amount of money to spay animals for reduced prices in clinics and shelters is not enough.
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