A mandatory pet program for military is insulting to me.. A mandatory parenting program doesnt exisit, and you are gonna tell me I can have 2 kids but cant own an animal because I'm military? Grr.. I HATE HATE HATE being stereotyped for being part of a military family/background.. it is my BIGGEST pet peeve EVER! If you want to have a class on base that is optional (or out in town, which ever what ever) about pet-parenthood, by all means, have it.. just dont expect: 1) anyone to pay to take it and 2)anyone to show up if they dont get something for taking it (i.e. the budget for baby class gives a ton of free stuff if you complete the FREE course).. Most importantly, dont tell me I cant have an animal because I'm military. That's the biggest BS, piss poor excuse at an attmept to control the abused animal population. It honestly sounds more like an attempt to control military families. Grr Grr Grrr.. Let me add, this post isnt directed at anyone.. Consider it a vent from someone who has been a military dependent her entire life and is still capable of co-exisisting with all walks of life, still able to take care of kids, pay bills, raise pets, obey the law, respect my neighbors, and take responisbilty for my mistakes.. Imgaine that, a fully functioning respectable military family.. who would have thunk it?! You want to help animals, opena rescue, you want to help specifically military families with pets, open up a program that specializes in reuniting pet owners with thier animals, an extended stay kennel for military going trhough deployments/divorce/hardships, an organization that transfers pets from one duty station to another.. etc. etc. Dont point the finger and push the blame..  

*standing ovation* 

off subject, haha what do yolu get for doing the baby for budgeting class? and I'm in agrreeance. 

I agree! They already have rules in place like having to register with housing and that they have to be microchipped. What needs to be done is something to enforce these rules not take away peoples pets. 

What I would like to say is that the classes should be offered (but not mandatory), just like budget for baby. Some people just "do not know". Plus the added, "military move alot" leads to increased opportunities... I say a video in the waiting room of a vet's office, a pet deposit (just as if you were renting out in town) and mandatory microchipping. If you had to pay the deposit, and get the puppy/kitten vetted and microchipped, maybe it would cut down on the parvo that is rampant on base.... *edited to add the following above (but not mandatory)... 

It's not fair to say, "Well, we can't control everyone and since people in our area have a bad opinion of us, we're going to unfairly require military families to take mandatory classes or they can't have pets". That's not a solution to the problem. 

I say a video in the waiting room of a vet's office, a pet deposit (just as if you were renting out in town) and mandatory microchipping. If you had to pay the deposit, and get the puppy/kitten vetted and microchipped, maybe it would cut down on the parvo that is rampant on base.... I agree, valid request.. but "You Can Not Have An Animal Unless You Take This Class" Its very Me Tarzan you Jane. I hate that. Champ.. A lot.. good stuff.. good brands.. and best of all.. GREAT info.. For real. the class is SPOT ON.. I know some ppl just go for the free stuff, but the info you get out of it (even if you try not to pay attn) is amazing.. They should charge for it.. lol 

and I also say that the "pet deposit" follows you from base to base so you don't have to pay it all over again and you get it back when you don't have pets anymore or you move out in town..... 

A+ Vicky.. Great idea. :) Or even if the Microchip expense was the deposit.. You pay for it and if you maintain the routine health care of your pets, you get the cost of the microchipping back if yo umove off base/pcs? Something like that anyways.. Then those poor pups owners could have been prosecuted for abandoning them at the dog park.. etc. etc. just a little goes a long way. :) 

They already have mandatory microchipping. But if they aren't registering the pets, no one knows. We paid for both dogs to get microchipped here on base and registered them housing the same day. Its mandatory to do so. But like a lot of things, its not enforced. That's the problem 

and when you check out of housing, if there is evidence of dog or cat, you get fined if you didn't follow the rules.... 

They already have mandatory microchipping. But if they aren't registering the pets, no one knows. We paid for both dogs to get microchipped here on base and registered them housing the same day. Its mandatory to do so. But like a lot of things, its not enforced. That's the problem Sure, but they do house inspection for smoke dectors and fire extinguisher yes? What one more thing to mark off the list? I got all kinds of stupid fines living in base housing, porch light on after 8am.. grass too tall while I was 8 months pregnant and my husband was deployed.. neighbor called a complaint about my cat sitting on her car etc etc (mind you this was a different base and about 6 years ago).. People are more incling to follow those rules when the fines start rolling in.. "Smoke Dector.. Check.. Fire Extingisher.. Got it.. Pet? Can I see your Mirco-chip receipt? No?.. Fine for you.." or 10 days to get one.. etc etc.. 

You have to have them microchipped to register them with housing. So they would know. If you have a pet and none is registered it should be a fine. 

and when you check out of housing, if there is evidence of dog or cat, you get fined if you didn't follow the rules.... They already do this, too 

The real problem is that the BASE has to decide it is a problem and take a action.. Sure they have the breed ban, but lets be realistic, that has nothing to do with proper pet care. Want people to mircochip thier animals? Good, tell them they get the money back when they keep up the animals care, when they pcs or move out in town, seperate, etc. 

I want to add that you have to register your dog with the vet on base if you live in base housing. We just moved in about 2 wks ago and were told that. You have to take your rabies cert. and microchip paperwork to the vet they put it in their system and you get a tag for your pet that goes on their collar 

I want to add that you have to register your dog with the vet on base if you live in base housing. We just moved in about 2 wks ago and were told that. You have to take your rabies cert. and microchip paperwork to the vet they put it in their system and you get a tag for your pet that goes on their collar I dont live on base, and havent in 6 years.. is there a penalty for not doing those things? 

I am assuming there is but I am not sure since I registered my dogs. They need to have a pet warden here if they dont(we are new so i dont know if they do) but it would help a lot. 

Champ.. A lot.. good stuff.. good brands.. and best of all.. GREAT info.. For real. the class is SPOT ON.. I know some ppl just go for the free stuff, but the info you get out of it (even if you try not to pay attn) is amazing.. They should charge for it.. lol i love classes in theory. I should really check into it. DO most go with their spouse? 

no.. when i went, I dont recall seeing ANY spouses. lol.. some babies? but no hubbies come to mind.. 

Ok, class cool, but not mandatory. Microchip awesome, but I would like to see it as a state law not just base. If you think you can afford a pet, you can afford to chip. What was it, like $25 at the base vet? Making it just apply to base is not even going to put a dent in the mass amounts of stupid people that turn out their pets. 

Ok, class cool, but not mandatory. Microchip awesome, but I would like to see it as a state law not just base. If you think you can afford a pet, you can afford to chip. What was it, like $25 at the base vet? Making it just apply to base is not even going to put a dent in the mass amounts of stupid people that turn out their pets. On base it is $25 but there is another $10 charge for something an then the dod charge of $2 .. so it brings it to $37. I just had it done on my cat. Havelock Animal Hospital has walk in times for Microchipping and I believe is around $40 and same thing with petsmart.. I believe if around the same amount. The housing does NOT keep up with inspection of animals. I have known QUITE a few people well over their pet limit. I mean seriously have met people who at one given time had 5 dogs in their house.. in base housing. None registered. Anyways.. I think they could maybe implement a little more about dog care and base housing pet rules into the welcome aboard briefing. I think it's important for the Marines themselves to know what pet ownership means. My husband is the kind that a pet is just that.. A PET. I DID NOT WANT A DOG .. or a cat.. My cat is like my family though. I bonded with her right away. My dog.. not so much. I love him but I just don't have that same bond with him. I had a bad experience with a dog though which I was very bonded to so I have trouble bonding with dogs. Anyways.. My husband is the type who didn't consider how expensive animals can get. We got a dog that was 2 years old for $30 from LYS and UTD on shots. He figured we were free and clear.. He didn't factor in Heart worm preventatives, flea preventatives, Neutering, Vaccine Boosters, registrations, Dog training, Food, treats, toys, Beds, etc.. He didn't factor in all the shots needed for the kitten he wanted either. I tried to tell him, he didn't believe me and it was a very difficult fight. He learned the hard way when between both animals we spent about $700 in a 2 month period. I think people need to understand FTGH on these yardsale sites are NOT FREE.. You don't pay for the actual animal but you need to still pay for their care!! People get sooooo wrapped up in the word FREE! Our cat would have been cheaper to get from a shelter because it include spaying and they usually have a set of shots already done. I think people over look that when they get a cat on the yardsale site.. they think they are getting a deal by not just rescuing a kitty from the shelter. ALOT of people do not vaccinate their cats. I think their reasoning is their cats are indoor cats without taking into consideration that cats get loose too. I know my cat has ran away 3 times. I am thankful for her having her vaccinations. I had 6 cats growing up. The first two I got before I was old enough to work.. the 3rd cat I got when I was 16 and working so I had to pay for all of her vet bills, I rescued two more cats from an older woman who I crossed paths with at a pet store when I had my kitten shopping with me and she told me about her having to take her cats to the shelter, so instead I met up it her the next day and took in her two cats. More vet bills I paid for... cat number 6 came along about 6 months later and I rescued him from my ex's abusive neighbor. We had witnessed him hitting his cats (he had 4) and he kicked one of the cats out of the house and he was gone for a couple weeks, came back skin and bones and the guy still would not let the cat in the house, or feed him so we called animal control. The man had all of his cats taken from him but I asked the animal control if I could take the kitten in because it had been a cat he had gotten from my ex's moms litter of kittens so I felt partial to that cat. Anyways.. at 16 I took on ANOTHER cats vet bills. I also worked at a pet store so I understood how many unwanted cats there were. The only kittens we carried in our petstore were unwanted litters. Our store specialized in exotic birds but we took in unwanted puppies, cats and hamsters.. I seen plenty of problems due to pets not being fixed and I think that maybe spaying/neutering unless for special circumstances should possibly be required in the community.. not just the military base but maybe this community. I have been to plenty of shelters and seen plenty of people surrendering their animals. I saw military adopting and plenty of civilians surrendering because they over extended themselves. So you cannot say its only military. Did they find out who dumped the puppy on 9 mile? Was that military related? There were hound mixes dumped at the Havelock Animal shelter.. Military? The only one we can really say was military would be the ones that were dumped on base. Do you ever watch animal cops? There are TONS OF CIVILIANS who do harm to animals.. more harm than REHOMING their animals. I think if someone takes the appropriate steps to care for their pet and keep them healthy and if life takes a turn in an unexpected direction then they found a good loving home for their pet then they deserve some credit than the ones that just abandon. I have to say.. I love my animals but if my husband and I were getting a divorce I know for sure I would take my cat but I am not sure if I could handle the dog. He is VERY attached to my husband but I know my husband couldn't keep him either. Either way though I would take him back to my home town and try to find him a home with one of my many family members if I could not care for him. Some people also don't believe in putting dogs down that have shown signs of aggression but certainly can't keep them with their children. I won't get into what my beliefs are on that now..but some people try to rehome with people who do not have children. Everyone has their reasons and others should not be judged for the sins of another. 

On base it is $25 but there is another $10 charge for something an then the dod charge of $2 .. so it brings it to $37. I just had it done on my cat. Havelock Animal Hospital has walk in times for Microchipping and I believe is around $40 and same thing with petsmart.. I believe if around the same amount. The housing does NOT keep up with inspection of animals. I have known QUITE a few people well over their pet limit. I mean seriously have met people who at one given time had 5 dogs in their house.. in base housing. None registered. Anyways.. I think they could maybe implement a little more about dog care and base housing pet rules into the welcome aboard briefing. I think it's important for the Marines themselves to know what pet ownership means. My husband is the kind that a pet is just that.. A PET. I DID NOT WANT A DOG .. or a cat.. My cat is like my family though. I bonded with her right away. My dog.. not so much. I love him but I just don't have that same bond with him. I had a bad experience with a dog though which I was very bonded to so I have trouble bonding with dogs. Anyways.. My husband is the type who didn't consider how expensive animals can get. We got a dog that was 2 years old for $30 from LYS and UTD on shots. He figured we were free and clear.. He didn't factor in Heart worm preventatives, flea preventatives, Neutering, Vaccine Boosters, registrations, Dog training, Food, treats, toys, Beds, etc.. He didn't factor in all the shots needed for the kitten he wanted either. I tried to tell him, he didn't believe me and it was a very difficult fight. He learned the hard way when between both animals we spent about $700 in a 2 month period. I think people need to understand FTGH on these yardsale sites are NOT FREE.. You don't pay for the actual animal but you need to still pay for their care!! People get sooooo wrapped up in the word FREE! Our cat would have been cheaper to get from a shelter because it include spaying and they usually have a set of shots already done. I think people over look that when they get a cat on the yardsale site.. they think they are getting a deal by not just rescuing a kitty from the shelter. ALOT of people do not vaccinate their cats. I think their reasoning is their cats are indoor cats without taking into consideration that cats get loose too. I know my cat has ran away 3 times. I am thankful for her having her vaccinations. I had 6 cats growing up. The first two I got before I was old enough to work.. the 3rd cat I got when I was 16 and working so I had to pay for all of her vet bills, I rescued two more cats from an older woman who I crossed paths with at a pet store when I had my kitten shopping with me and she told me about her having to take her cats to the shelter, so instead I met up it her the next day and took in her two cats. More vet bills I paid for... cat number 6 came along about 6 months later and I rescued him from my ex's abusive neighbor. We had witnessed him hitting his cats (he had 4) and he kicked one of the cats out of the house and he was gone for a couple weeks, came back skin and bones and the guy still would not let the cat in the house, or feed him so we called animal control. The man had all of his cats taken from him but I asked the animal control if I could take the kitten in because it had been a cat he had gotten from my ex's moms litter of kittens so I felt partial to that cat. Anyways.. at 16 I took on ANOTHER cats vet bills. I also worked at a pet store so I understood how many unwanted cats there were. The only kittens we carried in our petstore were unwanted litters. Our store specialized in exotic birds but we took in unwanted puppies, cats and hamsters.. I seen plenty of problems due to pets not being fixed and I think that maybe spaying/neutering unless for special circumstances should possibly be required in the community.. not just the military base but maybe this community. I have been to plenty of shelters and seen plenty of people surrendering their animals. I saw military adopting and plenty of civilians surrendering because they over extended themselves. So you cannot say its only military. Did they find out who dumped the puppy on 9 mile? Was that military related? There were hound mixes dumped at the Havelock Animal shelter.. Military? The only one we can really say was military would be the ones that were dumped on base. Do you ever watch animal cops? There are TONS OF CIVILIANS who do harm to animals.. more harm than REHOMING their animals. I think if someone takes the appropriate steps to care for their pet and keep them healthy and if life takes a turn in an unexpected direction then they found a good loving home for their pet then they deserve some credit than the ones that just abandon. I have to say.. I love my animals but if my husband and I were getting a divorce I know for sure I would take my cat but I am not sure if I could handle the dog. He is VERY attached to my husband but I know my husband couldn't keep him either. Either way though I would take him back to my home town and try to find him a home with one of my many family members if I could not care for him. Some people also don't believe in putting dogs down that have shown signs of aggression but certainly can't keep them with their children. I won't get into what my beliefs are on that now..but some people try to rehome with people who do not have children. Everyone has their reasons and others should not be judged for the sins of another. How long did it take you to type this? 

Holy Crap! Long story short: Life happens. I run a rescue, and I hear stories every day about how life got in the way of their relationships with their pets. Some of them didn't research and got in over their heads. It happens. At that point, It's my job to help the animals, not judge the owners. On a second note: Did you know that one dog can cause 62,000 other dogs between her and her puppies in 6 years? Cats can produce 420,000 more cats and kittens in 7 years... (www.spaytoday.com). Small wonder we are over populated, huh? Please.. get your animals spayed/neutered. Also, get them their shots. Even if they are indoor animals. That $15 shot is cheaper than the $350 or more you could have to pay if your pet get's sick (parvo, distemper, kennel cough... etc) or rabies which results in death and a lawsuit if it infected someone else or their animal. Spay today in Greenville is cheap. Take advantage of it. If you want a ride, I'll come take you. If you want company, I'll come ride with you. Just please do it. As far as the pet class, Suckish that it's mandatory. I think the reason it's military is they are one of the only groups that can have some thing be 'mandatory'... civilians can just move or say f off... military families, not so much. Not without losing their income, housing, status, rank etc. So... yes, it is suckish. I applaud their efforts to help abused animals and help lessen the amount of abandoned and neglected. This may or may not be the way to go about it. Idk. I guess we will see if it helps any or not. Either way... I love Jacky. :D True Story. 

Did you know that one dog can cause 62,000 other dogs between her and her puppies in 6 years? Cats can produce 420,000 more cats and kittens in 7 years... (www.spaytoday.com). Small wonder we are over populated, huh? Kinda like cockroaches with fur and personalities... LOL 

Haha! Yes Ma'am! I couldn't believe it when I saw those stats! I was like 'No Wonder the shelters are full!' Haha! 

Haha! Yes Ma'am! I couldn't believe it when I saw those stats! I was like 'No Wonder the shelters are full!' Haha! 

Well when you adopt from the shelter in new bern they give you so many days to spay or neuter the pet you adopted. EVERY shelter should do this. 

Well when you adopt from the shelter in new bern they give you so many days to spay or neuter the pet you adopted. EVERY shelter should do this. AGREE!!!!!!!!!! 

Well when you adopt from the shelter in new bern they give you so many days to spay or neuter the pet you adopted. And if you don't get it done then what? They take the pet away from you? Can they really enforce it? When we got our Dobie at the shelter in SC she was already fixed. When they get in animals and they decide they're adoptable they automatically get them fixed. Our dog still had her staples in when we got her. They don't leave it up to the new owner who may or may not get it done.