Yes, there are wild animals in the South Bay and L.A.
They have a doggie door so they can pretty much go in and out as they please. And the dogs, border collies, actually enjoy sleeping out back, protected all around by a very tall fence.
But wild animals -- from coyotes to raccoons and snakes -- do at times make it into our yards and that always caused me at least some worry.
Plus, Annie the Cat -- a former feral I adopted 2 years ago but who remains an INDOOR-outdoor cat under my care -- was making me crazy as she was constantly in and out all night long. Cats, indeed, are nocturnal. And, naturally, she insisted on being let in the FRONT door, meowing until I woke up and let her in sometimes a few times over the course of the night at all hours. Not endearing.
So now I get everyone inside and close up the doggie door before going to bed. I usually open it up again around 5 or 5:30 a.m. -- that's about the time the cat walks up and down the length my body as I lie in bed still asleep, bites my ear and meows loudly and incessantly that it's MORNING.
The Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (an L.A. County facility located, I believe in Downey) has issued some tips on how pet owners can prevent injury or event death as a result to this common but little-though-about danger:
As communities grow and expand into previously undeveloped areas, wild animals are losing much of their natural habitat. As a result, they are becoming more acclimated to urban and suburban surroundings and can navigate access into residential areas and backyards.Here are they're suggestions:
This encroachment of wild animals can be a problem for domesticated pets including cats and dogs. Wild animals can easily hurt, maim or even kill household pets that do not have the survival skills or temperament to defend themselves from wild animals.
- Don't leave food outside.
- Don't let your pet roam outdoors.
- Get your pet vaccinated.
- Notify the authorities if you notice a wild animal or animal tracks near your home.
- Protect your home, making sure wild animals cannot get in through open doors or windows (including dog doors!).
- Clear your surroundings of excessive debris, vegetation or fallen trees.
- Keep your pet on a leash when hiking or walking on trails.
You can find out more by checking their website -- www.seaaca.org -- or calling them at 562-803-3301, Ext. 251.
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About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
I definitely agree, I always preferred my pet dog 'Kyle' to stay indoors to ensure his safe. A couple of walks and stroll in the park is great, but Kyle stays indoors most of the time.