Oak Ridge Today

Anderson County to consider setting up its own animal shelter

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Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.

The Anderson County Operations Committee has endorsed setting up a task force to examine the possibility of an animal shelter in the county, a press release said.

That should be good news for Oak Ridge, where there has been at least some concern about the housing of animals from outside Oak Ridge at the city’s animal shelter and the costs of doing so.

“Anderson County has had a strong, long-standing relationship with the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter over the years and continues that solid, working partnership,” Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said in a press release. “However, as their shelter has moved more towards the housing and adoption of animals, the available contracted space for county animals has diminished. [Read more…]

Woman dies after trying to save pets from house fire

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Ridge Lane Firefighters

Firefighters battle a blaze at a Ridge Lane home on Wednesday. A woman who tried to save her pets from the fire died overnight. (Photo by Tom Scott)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:50 p.m. Nov. 23.

The 65-year-old woman who was burned and seriously injured while trying to save three pets from a house fire on Wednesday afternoon died overnight at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, authorities said.

Martha Babb Bailey and Adra Denton of Oak Ridge had arrived at Bailey’s home at 131 Ridge Lane around 3 p.m. Wednesday after grocery shopping. When they opened the front door, the house, which is in Orchard Knob subdivision in Anderson County, burst into flames. Denton called 911 to report the fire, and Bailey ran into the burning home to try to rescue two dogs and a cat, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said.

But Bailey’s clothes caught fire, and she collapsed in the living room, White said. Denton was unable to reach her and called 911 again to say her friend was trapped in the burning single-story home. [Read more…]

Rescuers pull woman from house fire after she tries to save pets

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Ridge Lane Home Fire

Two Anderson County deputies and a Marlow firefighter pulled a seriously injured woman out of this home, which was on fire on Ridge Lane on Wednesday afternoon. The woman had reportedly tried to rescue her pets from the fire. At right is Steve Newby, deputy chief of the Claxton Volunteer Fire Department, and at left is Marlow Volunteer Fire Department Captain Zach Pressnell, who helped pull the homeowner from the burning home.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:25 p.m. Nov. 20.

Two Anderson County deputies and a Marlow firefighter rescued a woman who was seriously injured trying to rescue her pets from a house fire on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

The woman, who has not been identified, was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge and then flown by Lifestar helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. Her condition and age weren’t immediately available.

The woman was pulled out of the burning home at 131 Ridge Lane by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Wiley Maloney, Reserve Deputy Gene Rose, and Marlow Volunteer Fire Department Captain Zach Pressnell. Pressnell said the woman was conscious but lay on the floor about five feet inside the single-story home, with fire rolling out of the front door and heavy smoke inside. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has Pet Fest, Blessing, 5k Run/Walk on Saturday

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Pet Blessing

A file photo from a previous pet blessing.

Submitted

For all who love animals, Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge presents the 13th annual Pet Fest and Blessing on Saturday, October 4.

Activities commence with the Pets are Blessings 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. at Melton Lake.

More festivities follow at the church from 1-5 p.m. The church is located at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in the Woodland neighborhood. Parking will be available for the mobility-impaired at the church or in the Woodland Elementary School parking lot behind the church. (Follow the pink puppy paw print signs!)

For the second year, the church is offering a 5k run/walk at Melton Lake at 8 a.m. This year, the Pets are Blessings 5K Run/Walk will invite humans to run with their dogs, if desired. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge: Pets, hot cars are a killer combination

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Every year, the Oak Ridge Police Department receives numerous calls about pets left in parked cars during hot weather.

People may believe that a quick stop will not harm their pet. However, in those few minutes, the temperature in the car can reach 115 degrees on an 85 degree day, even with the windows cracked.

Dogs and cats cool themselves by panting and by releasing heat through their paws. On summer days, the air and upholstery in a vehicle can heat up to high temperatures that make it impossible for pets to cool themselves. [Read more…]

Animal Shelter has 50 percent off sale for Valentine’s week

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Animal Shelter Valentines Collage

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Join us this week at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter for a 50 percent off sale on all of our beautiful cats and dogs. During this traditional Valentine’s week of love, please open your heart to a homeless animal.

The shelter is open from Tuesday through Saturday 11-6. We would love to see you!

Found in Woodland: Black-and-white pot-bellied pig

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Pot-bellied Pig on Nasson Lane

A black-and-white female pot-bellied pig roams loose on Nasson Lane in Woodland on Monday morning.

Note: This story was updated at 1:53 p.m.

A black-and-white pot-bellied pig roaming loose in Woodland was picked up by animal control officers and taken to the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Monday morning.

The slow-moving female pig roamed through several yards on Nasson Lane before it was corralled in a a backyard, where it was picked up by an animal control officer.

It wasn’t clear where the pig came from. It did not have a collar or identification tags.

Some people keep pot-bellied pigs as pets and one officer said he has encountered them before, although it’s not clear if they would be allowed in the center of the city. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Today adds Pets section

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Oak Ridge Today has added a Pets section on our home page, and we are working with the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter to feature adoptable pets through a Pet of the Day feature. We posted the first featured pet today (Sunday).

Thank you to the Animal Shelter and its volunteers for suggesting this feature.

We have also periodically received requests to add a section on Oak Ridge Today for lost and found pets. We’re working on that feature with the Animal Shelter and will let you know when it’s ready.

Faith column: Does it make a difference to the dog?

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I once heard of a cute example of faith. It told of a stubborn husband who had fought the Lord for years. After a revival, he was converted and the neighbors said he was such a changed man, that even their dog could tell the difference!

I was in a conversation a while back with several people who had been around the Amish culture and known some of them personally. Now we all have ideas about certain groups and their beliefs. The Amish are probably one of the groups that most people hold to a higher expectation and standard. Their radical lifestyle suggests that they are set apart on purpose and desire to exhibit a more disciplined and holy lifestyle than most Protestant Christians would ever desire to attempt. But in this particular situation, their neighbors had taken the Amish to task for cruelty to animals, namely the inhumane treatment of their draft horse animals. It was an awkward situation for authorities to deal with. [Read more…]

Guest column: Protecting your pets during the July 4 holiday

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Here are four simple tips on how to keep pets safe during the July 4 holiday, plus a few bonus tips on how to find a lost pet:

  1. Keep dogs and cats inside: Keep your pet indoors at all times during holiday celebrations. Try to walk your dogs before the firework festivities begin or when they end.
  2. Make them feel safe: Comfort your pets with petting, hugging, talking to them in a soothing voice, providing a treat, and staying nearby if possible. Make sure they can access their crate or “safe place.” [Read more…]

Volunteer Day at Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Saturday

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Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.

More pets go missing around July 4 than at any other time of year, and noisy fireworks are to blame.

While many of us enjoy the sights and sounds of big fireworks, our pets are often terrified by the loud noises and can become frantic and run away, trying to find a safe haven. According to national statistics, animal control officials across the country see a 30-60 percent increase in lost pets each year from July 4-6.

Julie Armes, the supervisor for the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, said July 5 is their busiest day of the year.

“People are coming in or calling, looking for their lost pets or bringing in pets they’ve found,” Armes said. “Sadly, many pet owners never come in to retrieve their dogs or cats.” [Read more…]