If you have been thinking of adopting a pet, JCAC has a program for May that makes it easy and affordable to bring that special pet to your home, their forever home.

For the entire Month of May Jersey City Animal Care will be reducing adoption fees to $4 for every dog and cat they have.

Every one of their animals is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and ready for a loving home.

Jersey City Animal Care & Control:

235 Jersey City Boulevard

201 547-5700

jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/health/divisionofanimalcarecontrol/adoptfoster

The post Jersey City Animal Care and Control Makes it Easy in May to Adopt a Pet first appeared on River View Observer.

TUESDAY, OCT. 15th, 2 pm to 7 pm, Mary McLeod Bethune Center (140 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., parking lot)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16th, 2 pm to 7 pm, City Hall Park (280 Grove St.)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17th, 2 pm to 7 pm, Pershing Field (210 Central Ave.)
“Jersey City residents care about their pets and know that healthy pets make a great contribution to the quality of life in Jersey City,” said Mayor Fulop. “Pet Wellness Week is one of our initiatives to help people take good care of their companion animals.”

All dogs receiving free rabies vaccinations must get new or renewal licenses. In addition to free rabies vaccinations for the first 150 dogs and cats at each location, Jersey City will offer convenient on-site dog licensing ($8/year for spayed/neutered dogs, $12 for unaltered, check or money order only). People for Animals will offer discounted pet services: microchipping for pet identification, basic veterinary treatments, and scheduling of low-cost spay and neuter procedures (off-site). All participants will be enrolled in the Responsible Pet Owner program, which gives discounts to many pet-related businesses in Jersey City.
(
All events will be held outdoors, rain or shine. In cases of more severe weather, please check for
possible cancellation with the Dept. of Health and Human Services, (201) 547-6800.
Highlights:
• Free rabies vaccinations for the first 150 dogs and cats at each location

• Low cost additional services provided by People for Animals

• On-site dog licensing (check or money orders only), bring proof of prior vaccination
or licensing to qualify for 3-year license • Scheduling of low-cost spay neuter surgery for all dogs and cats

• Free spay surgery for a limited number of female pitbull mix dogs that have had a
litter with their current owner (call for reservation, 201.547.6800)

For more information, please contact the Department of Health and Human Services at (201) 547-
6800.

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary for the City of Jersey
City, at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699./////

The post Mayor Fulop Announces 1st Annual Pet Wellness Week;Dept. of Health & Human Services Receives Support from the ASPCA for FREE Rabies Vaccinations first appeared on River View Observer.

The post LIBERTY HUMANE SOCIETY’S BARK IN THE PARK AUGUST 29TH, 2012 first appeared on River View Observer.

Liberty State Park, Jersey City 12:45 pm

River View Observer Staff

On Sun, Sept 11th, “Finding One Another: the 10th Anniversary Tribute to the Canine Search & Rescue Community of 9/11”  will honor canine working dog teams on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. “Finding One Another” has identified more than 950 working dog teams (civilian, government, law enforcement and military) who served in response to 9/11. These teams were involved with search and rescue, recovery and security efforts at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, Shanksville, and the Fresh Kills Landfill recovery site.

“Finding One Another” has organized a Recognition Ceremony at Liberty State Park in Jersey City starting at 12:45 p.m. More than 1,000 canine working dog teams who served at the 9/11 sites have been invited to the event and current working dog teams will line the processional route honoring the 9/11 teams.

The Recognition Ceremony will begin with an address by U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey.  Following Senator Lautenbergâ€s address, attendees will pause at 1:00 p.m. for a Moment of Remembrance, when firehouses, churches, and other institutions across the country will sound sirens and ring bells in honor of those lost on 9/11. 

“These sirens and bells are a signal for each person to stop and remember the people we have lost and demonstrate the perseverance the American people have shown since that fateful day,” Lautenberg wrote in a statement.

At the ceremony, the first Sirius Courage Award will be presented posthumously to Army Sgt. Zainah Caye Creamer, the first woman military working dog handler killed in combat in the history of the United States. She died in Afghanistan on January 12, 2011. The award is named after the only dog to be killed at Ground Zero and will be presented by his handler, Lt. Lim of the Port Authority Police.

Civilian, law enforcement and military working dog teams of 9/11 will be honored at the Recognition Ceremony. At the end of the Recognition Ceremony, members of AKC Parent Clubs, working dog clubs and other organizations will be invited to sign a “Convention on Cooperation among American Working Dog Organizations,” with the formalities of a treaty signing ceremony. Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense will be in attendance to receive the document. This ceremony will be a re-signing of the same document that was originally signed in 2008 at the Doberman Pinscher Centennial in Topeka, Kansas.

The momentum generated by the Recognition Ceremony and the historic signing of the “Convention on Cooperation” will be used to plan a White House Conference on Working Dogs in America. Through the commitment of American dog breeders to DHS and others, the political capital of these efforts may be parlayed into alliances that will help advance the cause of providing American Dogs for American Security to further the security of the United States.

“Finding One Another: The 10th Anniversary Tribute to the Canine Search & Rescue Community of 9/11” is spearheaded by the Tails of Hope Foundation. This New York based non-profit is dedicated to advancing the fields of veterinary and human medicine through a comparative medicine approach that focuses on eradicating cancer and other life-threatening diseases affecting companion animals and people.
The projectâ€s Advisory Committee includes veterinary and human medical experts, SAR volunteers, acclaimed artists, educators, business, trauma and non-profit professionals, many of whom served at the 9/11 sites, all of whom are dedicated to honoring the canine/human partnership.

Sun, Sept. 11, 12:45 p.m.
9/11 Working Dog Recognition CeremonyLiberty State Park
Jersey City, NJ
For more information: www.findingoneanother.org.

The post Recognizing Our Canine Heros first appeared on River View Observer.

RIVER VIEW OBSERVER PROFILE
Photographer

Joe Frazz

by Evelyn Bonilla
Standing amongst the rubble of an old abandoned lot, photographer Joe Frazz takes out his camera and clicks away at a dog that walks anxiously over the rubble looking for food. This particular moment that Frazz points and clicks with his camera, is a moment that some would probably take for granted, but for Frazz itâ€s a moment that may help.

Known for his mastery of photographing dogs, Joe Frazz has been photographing these amazing animals for the past 13 years. He first began with a small film camera and then moved to a digital format; now shooting with a Nikon digital camera he captures the beauty and innocence of these dogs and brings it to its authenticity.

Whether the dog is in a relaxed home environment or in an animal shelter; Frazz is able to bring their true beauty on to the photograph. When viewing his work, many of his clients notice things about their pets that they have never seen before. In retrospect, one of the most fascinating things about his photographs; is the way Frazz is able to capture their expressions and their revealing stare.

Asked, what he finds so special about photographing dogs, he explained, “Dogs as a subject never worry about how they look and what you see is what you get. Most will only give you a small window of opportunity to photograph them. When photographing them I look into their eyes and what I capture is like looking into their souls.”

A versatile photographer; Frazz is open to all forms of photography, never without a camera, he has photographed weddings, special events and people. Asked what is the difference in photographing a variety of different subjects, he explained, “The greatest thing to me about creating anything in any format is the ability to draw all different types of emotions from others to make people feel and think and to capture them in a natural form not staged.” Itâ€s not a fix shot, itâ€s all about capturing that special moment.”

Authentic and inspiring, Frazz is able to bring to life a depth to his images which highlights the natural character of any subject. When asked if there were any photographers that he admired, Frazz reflected on two in particular that came to mind, Elliot Erwitt and Ernest C. Withers.

Presently, Frazz latest project takes him to Florida, where he is photographing rescued dogs at an animal shelter. Working with, “A Place to Bark” (www.aplacetobark.com) and “In Dog We Trust” (www.floridadogadoption.com) Frazz hopes to use his photography to raise awareness of the need to save lives and find homes for these rescued dogs.

Frazzâ€s motivation and vision are clear when it comes to his photography, he explains, “Iâ€ve always had ideas flowing through my mind, itâ€s like a faucet that you can turn on and off, but itâ€s always dripping no matter what. I enjoy photography itâ€s my passion. It brings instant results for me and itâ€s a great feeling to be able to share what Iâ€ve captured almost immediately with others.”

Passion, reality and inspiration are just some of the things that fuel Joe Frazzâ€s photography, but itâ€s his philosophy on life and his capturing of genuineness that make him truly rare. So, in replicating the very words of Joe Frazz, “A photograph is like a smile, itâ€s of no use unless itâ€s shared.”

Interested in learning more about Joe Frazz sign on to view some of his images on frazz.smugmug.com or visit his Facebook page at Joseph Frazz Photography.

The dog by many standards for many becomes part of a family, it becomes more than a pet it becomes a “companion, friend and family member”.

The post A Dog’s Best Friend- Hudson County Photographer JOE FRAZZ first appeared on River View Observer.

By Evelyn Bonilla

Bayonne residents Donna Ostrowski and  Elise  Tomczak have been caring for animals for many years.  Ostrowski has been caring for animals since childhood and Tomczak a lab technician in the healthcare industry is an avid dog lover. The two have worked hand in hand, in and in-house pet care business so they can empathize with the importance of having to trust someone with one of their own.

While working in their in-house pet care business, they noticed a demand from owners looking to find quality care for their pet dogs, so together they decided to find a concept that would offer them the opportunity to help. In their search they came across a franchise entitled “Dogtopia”, founded in 2002 by Amy Nichols, Tomczak and Ostrowski decided that this is what would fulfill the demand.

 

Realizing that concept was what kept Donna Ostrowski and Elise Tomczak on the road to fulfilling their lifelong dream. The dream of having a place large enough to be able to care for dogs and yet be able to provide them with the special love and attention they genuinely deserve.

After lots of hard work and dedication, the two now stand in the “first ever New Jersey owned Dogtopia.” Built in an old warehouse on Avenue E, the facility is now a state-of-the-art doggie daycare. Yes, that’s right a daycare for dogs! An amazing 5,000 square foot facility complete with a playground, napping area and spa. The facility is also equipped with webcams, where clients whether at work or overseas can login to the website and view their dogs at play. It is a dog owners and a dog’s dream come true!

“Dogtopia” located on 188-190 Avenue E in Bayonne, offers a daycare for dogs while you’re at work, boarding facilities for clients who want to take a vacation and spa treatment which consist of a bath and nail trimming. They also offer a self-serve dog wash, for clients who would like to give their dogs a bath and are looking for a comfortable environment to do so.

Painted in vibrant colors of yellow, blue and orange “Dogtopia” is well lit and ventilated. Extra sanitary care is taken to insure your dog is in a healthy and clean environment.

 Owner Elise Tomczak explains, “We know how important it is to have someone to trust and care for your pets.” “We understand and are here to answers any questions or concerns.”

Dogtopia also has a small store on hand which offers a healthy brand of dog food, dog supplies such as bowls, collars and leashes. They also have a wonderful array of toys and treats for your dog. Musical CD’s and candy bars are also on hand for the owners who want to provide their pet with a little something extra-special.

In the future the two hope to expand their facility to include another level, which will provide more room for their canine clients. Also in the works they hope to introduce “doggie birthday parties” for your dog’s special day.

Owner Elise Tomczak and Donna Ostrowski have definitely brought to Bayonne a very special place, for pet owners and their pets. For Ostrowski, this is definitely a dream come true for she always knew that this was the type of career she was destine for; and for Tomczak it’s a chance to give back and help pet owners by providing a safe and healthily environment for their pets.

For those interested in visiting the facility there will be a grand opening at “Dogtopia” on Saturday, October 2^ND, from 11:00 am- 3:00 pm. ^  At present if you are in need of the daycare services, stop by and visit at 188-190 Ave E in Bayonne and please note that all dogs must undergo an evaluation process, before enrollment. Interested in receiving additional information, feel free to call (201) 437-9663 (WOOF), or visit their website at www.dogdaycare.com/bayonne for information regarding enrollment, requirements and pricing.

 More Pet Information: 

Caring for Pets on a Budget

Unusual Pets

Adorable Tea Cup Pigs

Keeping Our Pets Healthy and Happy

Pet Receipes

The post Dogtopia opens First Ever Franchise in New Jersey first appeared on River View Observer.

Meeting Pets’ Needs on a Budget 

(NewsUSA) – It is possible to care for, even pamper, your pet on a budget or fixed income. By planning carefully and making smart shopping decisions, you can save money on food, toys and treats.

– Save money on everyday essentials, such as pet food, by shopping at deep discount stores. Forty percent of the money Americans spend on pets is for food. You will find savings on name-brand pet food at a deep discount store such as Dollar General. Remember that you can save even more by buying private label food. Many private label products are equivalent to the national brands.

 

– Find lower-cost medical care. Local humane societies often sponsor free or reduced-price clinics for routine vaccinations or spaying or neutering. Learn about clinics offered in your area, which can save you from expensive vet visits. And, you don’t always have to visit the vet for some medical treatments. Dewormer, ear mite treatment and other medications are available over-the-counter.

– Enjoy the great outdoors with your favorite animal -; which doesn’t cost anything. For outdoor or indoor fun, your pet will need a few basic accessories like a leash, collar and water bowl. All of these inexpensive items are available at deep discount stores.

– Skip the pet day spa and groom your animal at home. You can save a lot of money by bathing and grooming your animal yourself. All you need to set up your own pet spa are shampoo, conditioner, a brush or comb, a hair dryer and nail clippers.

– Potty training and maintenance for pets can also be affordable. Deep discount stores such as Dollar General offer cat litter, litter pans, scoops and liners. Puppy pads are available for puppies that are being trained.

While buying the basics for your favorite animal, don’t forget to pick up a toy or treat. Dogs love toys, snacks or rawhide bones. Cats enjoy exercising on a scratching post or munching on catnip.

 

 

The post Pets-Meeting Pets’ Needs on a Budget first appeared on River View Observer.

A craze that started in England “Tea Cup Pigs” is begining to find its critics. Read what a recent article has  has to say about owning one of these pint size porkers. “Do good things really come in small packages”? You decide!

Source: Paw Nation

More Stories   –Original Piggie Story   also  Tea Cup Pigs Video

The post Are those Cute Little Piggies- Big Problems? first appeared on River View Observer.