Category: Boston Dogs

Changes in Boston Dog Licensing for 2015

We decided that all the changes around the topic of Boston dog licensing this year made a weekday post the best way to get the information out to our widest audience. If you have a dog or have friends with dogs that count on you for information from social media, here's what you need to know.

This postcard from Inspectional Services arrived in our mailbox this week. We already have our dog license because we applied online when our own annual reminder came up on our calendar on March 1st.

No form and no return envelope were supplied with this mailing. An increased fee was announced effective May 1st but I was already charged this fee in March. And, no mention was made of the department's move to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue that you will learn about below.

As we said in one of our Sunday Dog posts, "Massachusetts law requires that all dogs be licensed with their city or town by April 1st of each year. To apply, you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination.

"Normally, Boston officials send out packages reminding people with dogs to renew. I called Animal Care and Control to check if the mailing had gone out and found that it's been delayed this year and that the city of Boston plans to delay enforcement.

"I don't know what this does if you are in another city or town with your dog, since it's a state law that requires a license. Better apply online today and I would carry a copy of the receipt from the city until your tag arrives. Then, you would have something to show if you are stopped."

Apply & Pay Online

Here's the link to apply for a dog license in Boston. (Check your city or town to see if it offers this convenient service.)

Here is a copy of the application if you want to mail it. Download 2015 dog License Application.

Animal Care and Control is Moving

If you want to apply in person, you should know that the Animal Care and Control department is moving. Here is the city's announcement on that.

"2015 Dog licensing notes: We're Moving!

Effective March 30, 2015– the administrative office of Animal Care and Control will be moved to 1010 Mass Ave. Boston, MA 02118. The Animal Care and Control Animal Shelter will remain at it's current location, 26 Mahler Rd. Roslindale, MA 02131. Thank you for your patience during our transition."

Facebook Instead of information on the City site

When we searched for information about low cost rabies clinics on the city site, we found only a stale 2014 list.

Apparently the department is now using Facebook to announce important information like this.

That's not great for those who try to avoid this particular social media outlet and silly since not all items posted there will be seen by the people who are following the page. What is shown to each individual is up to Facebook.

"All posts from pages you 'Liked' are not showing up in your Facebook news feed. Only 10% of you will see posts unless page administrators pay to promote them. Since pages like ours are run exclusively by volunteers, we do not have a budget to pay for advertising." More here.

You'll also notice that this is a much shorter list of clinics. Five are listed here, while there were fourteen scheduled last year.

Editorial Page!

Early on, we had hopes that this administration would be dog friendly when we heard that the department was renamed Animal Care and Control and was moved under the direction of Human Services and Felix Arroyo.

Now, it seems it has been put under Inspectional Services, a department historically understaffed and with a record of less than user friendly performance. This is all very disappointing. Lets hope the city gets its act together, schedules more clinics, and puts more CARE and COMMON SENSE into services for people who have animals.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino with screenshots from the city outlets.

March 30, 2015
Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow.

The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them.

Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)

Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.

Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.

Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.

It Only Takes One …

Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog.

As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.”

April Stools Day

If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye.

Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino – part of this post appeared in one of Penny's City Paws Newspaper columns
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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March 29, 2015
Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow.

The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them.

Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)

Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.

Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.

Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.

It Only Takes One …

Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog.

As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.”

April Stools Day

If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye.

Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino – part of this post appeared in one of Penny's City Paws Newspaper columns
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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March 29, 2015
What’s on Your Spring Dog Adventure List?

In my mind, I've been thinking about the places I've missed and want to visit once the snow clears and the temperatures become more inviting for long outside adventures.

I was looking through past Sunday Dog posts for ideas when I came across these photos of our pal Greer from last March. She loves a good roll in the snow.

These were taken just after she and Poppy joined four of us for a lunch on the Common. While there was snow on the ground, it was warm enough for dining outside. I look forward to meeting up with some of our regular dog walking pals and having a bench picnic or taking a table at a place that accommodates dogs near their patio.

Beach Walks are also high on our family list. Poppy, as a puppy, had a dangerous habit of eating sand. We hope that as her third birthday approaches, she will prance down the beach, head up, and tail wagging. The delivery trucks and noisy construction crews that are her fear trigger seldom appear on the sand.

So what's on your list. We'd love to feature some of your favorite dog destinations in upcoming Sunday Dog pieces.

Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll expand the list.

Spring Conditioning

As you meet friends and extend your dog walks as the weather improves, remember that both you and your dog may need to ease into the extra exercise. If your walks have been short over the winter, don’t take on a five mile stroll around the city without watching to see if your team is up to the distance.

Paws that were covered in boots for months may be tender, so check them both on the road and after walks. Sudden heat may be too much for puppies or senior dogs. Make sure you give any dog showing signs of fatigue a break. And, put a bottle of water near your leash since the season for carrying water for our dogs will soon be upon us.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 20113-2014 Penny Cherubino

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The Hope of Spring …

March 22, 2015
Poppy Says, “Time to Get a Dog License!”

Massachusetts law requires that all dogs be licensed with their city or town by April 1st of each year. To apply, you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination.

Normally, Boston officials send out packages reminding people with dogs to renew. I called Animal Care and Control to check if the mailing had gone out and found that it's been delayed this year and that the city of Boston plans to delay enforcement.

I don't know what this does if you are in another city or town with your dog, since it's a state law that requires a license. Better apply online or call the contact number at Animal Care to ask that a license package be sent to you now.

I put a reminder on my calendar on March 1st and have already applied online and received Poppy's Boston dog license. Here's the link for Boston. (Check your city or town to see if it offers this convenient service.)

My Poppy was already registered, so I typed in her current license number and all my information was filled in by the system. I uploaded a photo of her spay certificate and one of her current rabies record. Then I entered my credit card information and completed the transaction. The cost this year in Boston for a spayed dog is $16, including a one dollar processing fee.

When her license arrived, we scanned it and put a copy in Dropbox so that both Ed and I always have access to it on our phones. The tag was added to Poppy's ID set.

On a side note, Poppy would like to thank the person who cleared this park bench for her. She loves benches.

Low Cost Rabies Clinics

From the Facebook Page for the City of Boston Animal Care and Control, here is a list of the times and places where you can get a low cost rabies vaccination. The following information was given in two posts.

Fees:

"The fees for the rabies clinics are:
$5 for the rabies shot for Boston Residents
$10 for non-Boston Residents

License fees:
$15 for Spayed/Neutered Dogs
$30 for non-fixed Dogs"

Clinics:

"Saturday April 4th 10am-2pm
Codman Square BCYF Perkins Community Center
155 Talbot Ave

Saturday May 2nd 10am-2pm
East Boston BCYF Martin Pino Community Center
86 Boardman St

Saturday May 9th 10am-2pm
West Roxbury BCYF Roche Family Community Center
1716 Centre St

Saturday May 16th 10am-2pm
South Boston BCYF Condon Community Center
200 D St

Tuesday September 22nd 4pm-8pm
City of Boston Animal Care and Control
26 Mahler Rd"

Update 04.14.15 Since we didn't see any improvement in the list or access to information about low cost rabies clinics in Boston we hunted down this list from the state.

Why Should You Get a Dog License?

We've said it before and now we are saying it again. A license is proof that your dog has had a rabies shot. That's important to anyone who might have to help you find a lost dog or treat a hurt one.

It's really important to let the city know how many dogs live here and should be considered when the politicians do their planning and spend our money. Getting everyone to license their dogs will send a message. So, stand up and be counted!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino

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March 15, 2015
Get Ready for Amtrak’s “All Aboard” for Dogs & Cats

It was just a couple of weeks ago when we asked you to "Lend Your Support to Allowing Dogs & Cats on Amtrak." The good news is that the bill we asked you to support has passed. While the bureaucrats slowly set up the program, you can get your companion animals ready to be great passengers.

Train on Local Trains

Our Poppy is a subway pro. We take her on the MBTA often enough to keep her acclimatized to the noise, crowded conditions, and movement of the trains. But, as someone who has ridden trains along the Northeast corridor, I know that the motion of those trains is not exactly the same as subway sways.

Commuter rail photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism

Under MBTA pet guidelines, your dog or cat is already welcome aboard the Commuter Rail. Pick a destination where you and your dog can have some fun and plan a day trip this spring.

How about Salem as a first trip? It's a fairly short, half hour ride with lots to do when you get there. (In summer, there is also a ferry to Salem which can be a great way to get a dog ready for boat rides.)

If that works out, you could try Newburyport for the next destination – it takes a little more than an hour to reach and should be a good test.

It would be a good idea for us to get Poppy used to riding in her Sherpa Pet Carrier because we usually travel off-peak on the subway and can hold her in a lap or in our arms.

CapeFLYER Is Pet Friendly

If a trip to Cape Cod is more to your liking, you and your dog or cat can ride the CapeFLYER to one of its stops, once the train resumes for the summer season. Pets ride free aboard this popular service. And, I have to wonder if the pet option is one of the reasons it was an immediate success.

Acela photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism

New York, Portland, and Philadelphia Here We Come!

Once we are allowed to take Poppy with us, we'll be on board for three of our favorite car-free destinations: New York City, Philadelphia, and Portland, Maine.

Downeaster photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism

The Downeaster to Portland should be one of the first test routes considering how dog-friendly that city happens to be. And, we look forward to spending more time in New York and Philadelphia.

Where will you go by train with your favorite companion animal?

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

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*

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto for the traveling dog image. Trains are courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism used under this creative commons license.

March 8, 2015
Poppy Says Good Riddance to February

Poppy loves snow but even she was a bit irreverent in saying goodbye to February 2015 and its record-setting snowfall.

Spring can't come too soon for this family!

(Since yesterday was the first of the month and a Sparkling Wine Day for BostonZest readers, we thought we'd bring our Sunday Dog fans a Monday Dog this week.)

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino

March 2, 2015
Lend Your Support to Allowing Dogs & Cats on Amtrak
We know that our family would travel more if the entire family were allowed to travel by train. Right now, there is a pilot program under way in Illinois and a bill pending in the US House (The Pets on Trains Act of 2015, or H.R. 674) that would begin to allow some people with dogs and cats to ride on Amtrak.

Poppy waiting for a ride on the MBTA

Our Westie Poppy is welcome on the MBTA outside of rush hours. All our dogs have been passengers on ferries in Boston Harbor, Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and in Portland Maine. We have never witnessed an incident with dogs on any of these trips. And, on ferries, there is no size limit and no carrier is required.

If you think opening the rails to people with companion animals is a good idea, please contact your representatives in Congress and the President to ask for their support and quick action on the Pets on Trains Act of 2015, or H.R. 674. You can find the addresses here.

Responsible Access Only, Please

Not all dogs are appropriate passengers on all mass transit systems. And, it is often the worst case scenarios and most irresponsible people who ruin something like this for the rest of us. We would love to see a registry for dogs and cats allowed to participate, with microchip scanning as a part of the ticketed access.

This way you would only have to sign the responsibility waiver once and any person with a dog who jeopardizes the future of the program could be barred. It would be much better to have barriers to behavior than to size.

Here's Poppy in the back of a Zipcar. We do all we can to be sure her presence is not a problem for the next member to reserve the car.

Learn More and Take Action

Please take the time to learn a bit more about the value of this program to: those of us with companion animals, the environment, and businesses, then contact those who can make it happen. (As of this writing, our Representative, Michael Capuano of Massachusetts, is a co-sponsor of the bill, so we'll be sending him our support and thanks.)
- The sponsor of the bill, U.S. Representative Jeff Denham has said, “Last year I worked in collaboration with Amtrak, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and a small working group to launch a six-month pilot program to test the idea of having pets on trains,” said Rep. Denham. “This legislation builds on the success of that pilot program and would help families nationwide save money and time in traveling with their pets while bringing in much-needed revenue for Amtrak.”
- The original Co-sponsor, U.S. Representative Steve Cohen said, “For many Americans, pets are simply part of the family—and all of us lucky enough to have pets are incredibly blessed by the companionship they provide.” “I am proud to work with my friend, Congressman Denham, on this important legislation to ensure families can bring their pets when traveling on Amtrak and that pets aren’t left behind to fend for themselves.”
- The working group for this bill includes: the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), the Federal Railroad Administration, and Amtrak.
- Allowing people to leave the car behind and travel by Mass transit helps with the congestion on the highways and is less polluting.
- Businesses (like hotels, shops, and restaurants) that cater to people who travel with companion animals could see an increase in business if this passes.
- Thanks to our friend Amy Burkert over on Go Pet Friendly for inspiring this post. There is more background on this at her link.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino for Poppy on the MBTA and istockphoto for the traveling dog image.

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February 22, 2015
Our Improved Dog Boot Drying Hack

A couple of years ago, we showed you our system for drying dog boots. Our Westie Poppy's Pawz Dog Boots are still drying on chopsticks, but we've improved on the container we're using to store them between trips outside.

Now, the chopsticks holding the wet boots are secured at a good angle by a daisy Mason jar lid. This lid was designed for scented candles or for drinking with a straw. But we think it's perfect for our purpose. You can even find them in colors to match the boots – if your dog is fashion forward.

You can use this same system for gloves or mittens with wood dowel rods and some sand or beans to add weight to the mason jar.

Click here for more of our tips and how to posts.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino

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February 19, 2015
Our Snowy Valentine, Poppy Is Our Sunday Dog

Our Snowy Valentine, Dutchess Poppy, loves to climb snowbanks.

Sweet comic valentine,

You make us smile with our hearts.

Your ways are laughable,

Most photographable.

Yes, you're our favorite work of art.

Happy Valentine's Weekend to all the great dogs in Boston and beyond.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino based on the song My Funny Valentine by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino

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