No bones about it: It's National Dog Day

Louisiana ranks 17th of 25 states as one of the most “dog happy” in the United States, based on a survey by Milo’s Kitchen, maker of home dog treats.
The announcement posted Tuesday on Milo’s website came a day before National Dog Appreciation Day.
“National Dog Day is celebrated Aug. 26 annually and was founded in 2004 by Colleen Paige, pet and family lifestyle expert and animal advocate,” according to the National Dog Day website.
Paige founded National Cat Day, too.
The day “serves to help galvanize the public” around dog rescue concerns and honor dogs working “selflessly” enhancing the lives of others, specifically law enforcement, veterans, and companions to the blind.
Milo’s survey also reports 27 “definitive” ways dogs improve their companions’ lives. A few of those listed were “stress relief, staying active and fit, and lower blood pressure.”
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. households owning dogs are 36.5 percent.
“Of the dogs entering shelters, approximately 35 percent are adopted, 31 percent are euthanized and 26 percent of dogs who came in as strays are returned to their owner,” said American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on its website.
Dogs and cats picked up in Morgan City by the animal warden are taken to St. Mary Parish Animal Shelter in Franklin.
As of Monday, Desiree LaCoste, Morgan City Police Department animal warden, reported picking up “12 dogs, 11 puppies, nine cats, and 21 kittens” for the month.
Physical body and environment are key factors to observe for negligence.
“Super skinny seeing the ribs, dirty dull hair coat, missing hair, without shelter from the rain, absence of food and water, and running around loose in the street” are indicators neglect is present, said Emily Devall, Atchafalaya Animal Clinic veterinarian.
If pets are brought into the clinic for a procedure and the owner does not return, veterinarians, after attempting to contact owners, are required to keep the animal for 10 days, Devall said.
Once the waiting period expires, animals are sent to the animal shelter.
“They are brought into the shelter where they are evaluated and scanned for micro-chip,” said Ivory Francois, St. Mary Parish animal control and shelter supervisor, in an email. “Our animals are kept for seven days, at which time the owner has seven days to come in and reclaim the animal.
“After seven days, they are put up for adoption,” Francois said. “The ones that are sick have to be euthanized, and the adoptable ones are put up for adoption.”
The St. Mary Parish Animal Shelter is currently working with rescue organizations and posting adoptable animals on its Facebook page.

This story was written by Shea Drake of The Daily Review staff. Reach her at sdrake@daily-review.com.