p10, v7.07 — Just for Best Friends

Just for Best Friends

Mountain Views News Saturday, February 16, 2013

MVNews this week: Page 10

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views News Saturday, February 16, 2013

PET OF THE WEEK

BELLA: #A4538659

PEACEFULLY PACIFIED PINNIPED PUPS
RETURNED TO THE PACIFIC

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

The month of February begins an annual
4-6 week pupping season for northern
elephant and pacific harbor seals, which
means the volunteers and staff members
at The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC)
at Fort Bragg in Sausalito are busy at work
watching out for newborns currently
camping along the northern California
coast. It also means the good folks at Marine
Mammal Care Center (MMCC) at Fort
MacArthur in San Pedro are busier than
usual, taking in and tending to injured or ill
seal pups being rescued and brought to their
facility for emergency medical attention.
There are various reasons why vulnerable
baby seals have such a tough time surviving
on California’s coast, not the least of which
is the human harassment factor.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972, along with other international marine
mammal protection laws are intended to
help protect endangered marine mammals
including those found on the California
coast which include California sea lions,
northern elephant seals, harbor seals and
northern fur seals. They are all remarkable
sea-going creatures that play a major part
in the balance of nature. However, in spite
of the legislation that has been put into
place on behalf of those precious pinnipeds
(Classification order: Carnivora & sub-
order: Pinnipedia), the struggle remains
to protect them from inappropriate human
interaction that could potentially render
them extinct.

I will never understand why people
don’t recognize the importance of leaving
wild creatures alone and letting nature
take its course. It has been said that no
man is an island unto himself, and I can’t
think of a more pertinent application
for that well-coined phrase than to the
human’s relationship with sea-dwelling
beings. Skillful neglect is the public’s most
appropriate approach to protecting the
valuable vulnerable life forms that live
in the ocean, yet for reasons beyond me,
many people refuse to stay away and allow
them to thrive in a natural way. As a result,
it has become necessary for those who do
understand the important role pinnipeds
play on our planet, to be proactive in
protecting them from those who don’t. In
similar fashion to what some consider to
be a radical up-rising of self-appointed
advocates for spaying & neutering and
adopting versus shopping for domestic
pets, marine mammal lovers have had to
come to the plate to save the lives of injured
mammals, and become what some call
“radical” political reformers to make up for
the behavior of the negligent and ignorant
who continue to get in the way and cause
harm.

Although The Marine Mammal Center
and Marine Mammal Care Center are two
separate entities, they are both authorized
by the National Marine Fisheries Service to
meet the same goal - which is to rescue and
treat injured or distressed marine mammals.
Both TMMC & MMCC also have a mission
to learn more about pinnipeds and share
what they learn with others. They also
network as necessary to cover the California
coast from south of LA to north of the
Bay Area. Educating the public is a very
important part of what both of these two
entities do to protect the pinnipeds found
in California‘s Pacific waters, and treating
the wounded or sick that are admitted for
medical attention is definitely on the top
of the list. Equally, if not more, important
among their programs is the scientific
research they conduct in hopes of making
a positive impact on pinniped populations
in the long run. After all, the more we
humans know about those mysterious sea-
going creatures, the better are our chances
to ensure their survival.

With a staff of 45 and about 1,100
volunteers, TMMC has succeeded in
treating more than 18,000 federally
protected marine mammals since they
started their work in 1975. They average
an intake of about 1,300 patients per year,
50% of which are returned to the wild. The
other 50% are either too much at risk to be
released and given to zoos or other certified,
licensed facilities that qualify to care for
them, or they die.

MMCC was founded in 1992 as a result
of an agreement between Harcourt-Brace
and the LA Unified School District. They
are an active participant of the Oiled
Wildlife Care Network, a statewide group of
trained wild-life care providers, regulatory
agencies and academic institutions focused
on rescuing and treating
marine mammals
victimized by oil spills.
Like TMMC, MMCC
also has a state-of-the-
art hospital where they
treat hundreds of marine
mammal patients a year,
and like TMMC they
conduct research studies
to gather scientific data
that will hopefully help
prevent the future loss
of pinniped populations.
MMCC also works in conjunction with the
Center for Marine Studies to help educate the
public about the important role pinnipeds
play in nature and the importance of leaving
them be so they can thrive naturally.

There are various reasons why marine
mammals find themselves in need of
medical attention, but according to Jim
Oswald at TMMC, the majority of the seals
and sea lions taken in and treated at their
facility are admitted due to malnutrition or
entanglement, and as sad as it may sound,
many are also admitted with prop injuries or
gunshot wounds.

What can you do to help protect the
pinniped population in the Pacific ocean?
There are several ways one can get involved
to make a difference for the better. First of all,
practice proper etiquette on behalf of seals and
sea lions or any other sea-dwelling creature for
that matter. In other words, behave according
to the marine mammal protector’s mantra:
“Leave Seals Be!” which is a philosophy that
should apply to every wild creature, by the
way. Secondly, if you are boating near or
visiting a local LA beach and you observe an
injured or distressed seal or sea lion, do not
approach. Instead, call the LA County Marine
Animal Rescue Hotline @ 800-39Whale (800-
399-4253). They will ensure that the animal is
rescued and receives proper treatment. And,
last but definitely not least, you can become a
partner for pinniped protection!

To find out how you can support the Marine
Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, visit their
website at marinemammalcare.org or call 310-
548-5677.

For more information about The Marine
Mammal Center in Sausalito and their
Adopt-a-Seal program, visit their website
at marinemammalcenter.org or call 415-
289-SEAL (415-289-7325). Both MMCC &
TMMC invite the public to visit and tour their
facilities, so you might consider adding that
to your list of weekend getaway vacations! If
you do decide to pay a visit, please call first to
make arrangements.

Bella (A4538659) is an angelic five year old black and fawn female
purebred German Shepherd who was found in Baldwin Park
on January 30th and brought to the Baldwin Park animal Care
Center. She has a microchip, and the shelter has tried to contact
her registered owner, but so far has been unsuccessful. Weighing
fifty pounds, Bella is very good on the leash and is well socialized.
Initially cautious when meeting new people, Bella warms up
quickly and becomes quite kissy and affectionate. She is good
with other dogs and we think the world of this medium energy
girl. Bella will make a terrific companion for a family living in
a private home. To watch a video of Bella please visit: www.
youtube.com/watch?v=nLbrmw9ryAo

To meet Bella in person, please see her at the Baldwin Park Animal
Care Center, located at 4275 N. Elton St., Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(Phone: 626-430-2378 or 626-962-3577). She is currently available
now. For any inquiries about Bella, please reference her animal
ID number: A4538659. The shelter is open seven days a week, 12
pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This
is a high-intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more
information about Bella or the adoption process, please contact
United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption Coordinator
Samantha at Samantha@hope4animals.org.

To learn more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with
the Baldwin Park Shelter through its Shelter Support Program, as
well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes available for
adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.
org/about-us/shelter-support-program/.

We’d like to hear from you!

What’s on YOUR Mind?

LOVING HOME NEEDED ASAP!!!

My name is Cliff and my human parents have to move to a senior community that doesn’t allow dogs
my size, (I’m 20” tall and weigh about 60 lbs.) so I have to find a new, loving home to bring my unique
style of love and devotion too.

Even though I’m bigger than most, I am a Blue Merle, slightly larger than a Mini, Australian Shepherd.
I was born Jan 7, 2008 making me 5 years old and I’m in very good health.

Here are some things you’ll want to know about me:

1. I am house/potty trained

2. I’m used to being able to go in and out of the house through the doggie door whenever I want.

3. I sleep indoors in the room with my parents.

4. I am a graduate of the Pet Smart basic obedience class.

5. I take my owners on a 2-mile walk every day.

6. I like kids

7. I like other dogs (more so when I’m off my leash)

8. I do bark at the mail carrier and others when they come to the door.

9. I just got all my shots up to date last Sunday, uck!

10. And I think cats were put on earth for the joy of being chased by dogs.

To learn more about me call Mark at 626 355 1951 or email me: markwebb9@gmail.cm