East Cobb Pets & Animals

Good Mews evacuates cats from Ga. coast before hurricane

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Good Mews hurricane evacuation

It’s been a busy Labor Day weekend for staff and volunteers at East Cobb-based Good Mews, who traveled to a Glynn County shelter for an evacuation of 50 cats as Hurricane Dorian approaches the southeastern United States.

Shelter manager Kendra Ledlow and three Good Mews volunteers were making the 5-hour trip back to metro Atlanta Monday afternoon.

The cat shelter posted the above photo on its Facebook page and said that 18 of the cats will be delivered elsewhere upon arrival in Marietta, and the rest will be taken in at Good Mews. Without the rescue, they noted, the cats would have been euthanized.

Now Good Mews is asking for public donations, via its Best Friends/Strutt Your Mutt portal, to support its work of rescuing, caring for and preparing cats for adoption. Here’s what Good Mews is suggesting if you’re interested in helping out:

“For the first 32 people to donate $20 or more to our Strut Your Mutt team RIGHT NOW, you get to name one of our new kitties! To do this, write the suggested name in the note section of the donation page (see screenshot). This will automatically forward to our Good Mews hurricane evacuationteam captain. Once our new residents are settled in, we will also email a picture of your sponsored kitty!”

That screenshot is shown at the right.

Another way you can help out is at a benefit car wash this Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10-2 at Good Mews (3805 Robinson Road). Your $10 donation gets your car washed, and helps Good Mews earn “bonus dollars” from the Best Friends Animal Society. All the proceeds through Strut Your Mutt goes to the care of of Good Mews cats.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called for a mandatory hurricane evacuation for the Georgia coast east of I-95 starting at noon Monday for the following counties: Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh.

By 8 a.m. Tuesday, all traffic along I-16 between Savannah with Dublin will be reverted to a “westerly contraflow,” meaning all lanes will be for outbound travel only.

 

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Enhance Floors to hold kitten adoption with Angels Among Us

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Submitted information from Enhance Floors and More, which is holding the following kitten adoption event on Tuesday (Aug. 27) from 4-7 p.m. at its showroom at 1847 Roswell Road:Enhance Floors kitten adoption

ANGELS AMONG US PET RESCUE is overflowing with kittens (and cats!) Come meet these fabulous felines and find your new fluffy best friend.

Join us for food, drinks, fun, and kittens! Bring a donation* and you’ll be entered to win a Roomba.

Be sure to ask about the Kitten Caboodle Adoption Specials. And while you are here, we will be happy to help you find the purrfect pet friendly floor for your home.

*Suggested items include wet and dry kitten food (Royal Canin Mother and Babycat), cat litter (clumping and nonclumping), postage scales, food and water bowls, breakaway kitten collars, bottles, and little snuggly toys.

 

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For Pets’ Sake benefit returns to Olde Towne Athletic Club

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For Pets' Sake Benefit

Thank you to Caron Olson, the organizer of the 2nd annual For Pets’ Sake Benefit, for the submitted information about Sunday’s event, from 1-5 at Olde Towne Athletic Club (4950 Olde Towne Parkway), where there’s free admission and parking:

We present a unique opportunity for animal lovers to come together and enjoy meeting rescue representatives and local crafters while raising funds and awareness for causes that support our furry friends. Attendees will enjoy a comfortable indoor ballroom setting with ample parking and an on-site restaurant. Admission is free.

The net proceeds from booth fees, sponsorships, gift basket raffles and other fundraising for this event will be divided equally among Georgia pet-related organizations including the following 501(c)(3) nonprofits:

*Cooper’s Cupboard is a pet food pantry whose mission is to provide temporary pet food assistance to families struggling financially. Their goal is to keep pets at home and out of shelters.

*Fancy Feline Rescue of the South is a small no-kill cat rescue with a big heart for the “Fancy Feline” breeds—particularly Persian, Himalayan, Siamese, Exotic, Ragdoll, Birman, Maine Coon and other CFA/TICA-recognized breeds and mixes.

*Mutt Madd-ness is a no-kill rescue made up of community volunteers dedicated to saving dogs whose lives are in jeopardy. Their pups come from high-risk facilities and are cared for both emotionally and physically by foster families prior to adoption into loving homes.

*PAWSitive Supporters was founded to help the Cobb County Animal Shelter with enriching the lives of the dogs and cats while at the shelter. The current focus is to provide low- and no-cost spay/neuter services to the Cobb County community.

*Trinity Horse Rescue provides sanctuary, rehabilitation, and rehoming for unwanted, abandoned, neglected or abused horses within Georgia and the Southeast.

For more information, visit Facebook.com/ForPetsSakeBenefit.

 

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Sweat Mountain Dog Park closing temporarily for renovations

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Sweat Mountain Dog Park

On Wednesday the dog park at Sweat Mountain will be closed to undergo renovations that will take about 4-6 weeks to complete.

You can use a temporary dog area at Noonday Park (550 Shallowford Road, Kennesaw) while that work is ongoing, or visit two other county dog parks, in Acworth or Austell.

Sweat Mountain has the oldest off-the-leash dog park in Cobb, which opened in 2006. It has separate areas for large and smaller dogs.

The renovations will include improvements to the sidewalks, fencing, parking lot, pet foot washes and fountains and drainage areas.

For a larger view of the above map, click here. Cobb Parks said the estimated completion time for the renovations may change due to weather.

Related stories

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Holiday Décor Market; Eastminster Church Festival; Halloween Hikes and more

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Good Mews 30th birthday, East Cobb weekend events, Good Mews Holiday Decor Market

Today’s the first day of fall, and it’s starting to feel a little bit like it. Many East Cobb organizations have already begun autumn- and holiday-themed events, and they’re continuing this weekend.

The highlights from our calendar listings for Friday-Sunday:

The Good Mews Holiday Decor Market gets under way Friday and continues every weekend through early December, returning to the Sandy Plains Exchange Shopping Center (1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 202). They’re open this Friday and the last Friday of the sale, on Dec. 7, from 12-5; otherwise the hours are Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 12-5. The kitties like the one above who are the beneficiaries of the sale won’t be onsite, but you can get an early start on gently used goods for holiday shopping. Good Mews also is accepting your donations starting Friday and through Nov. 25;

Church fall festivals are starting to gear up too, and coming up is the Eastminster Presbyterian Church Fall Festival from 12-8 Friday and from 10-4 Saturday at the church (3125 Sewell Mill Road). Games, crafts, kids activities and BBQ are on tap, and the proceeds benefit several local charities, including MUST Ministries;

If you want to get out and stretch your legs while soaking up the beautiful weather and tap into the holidays, Halloween Hikes at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (9135 Willeo Road, Roswell) is an ideal event for the whole family. They’re guided half-mile walks along lighted trails and with crafts and other Halloween decorations. The times Friday and Saturday are from 7-9:45 p.m., and the cost is $12 a person;

The high school football season is drawing to a close, with several East Cobb teams still vying for playoff position. Friday’s games kick off at 7:30 p.m, and they include Cass at Kell, Woodstock at Lassiter, Sequoyah at Sprayberry, Roswell at Walton, Campbell at Wheeler and Pope at Cambridge.

By the way, that Walton-Roswell game is going to be shown live from Raider Valley on Georgia Public Television, as the No. 2 Raiders look to stay unbeaten on the season and in region play.

If high school band music is your thing, you’ve got all day Saturday to take in the 35th Southern Invitational Music Festival, which goes from 10-10 at Sprayberry High School (2525 Sandy Plains Road). Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students with an ID and free for kids 6 and under.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Cobb Animal Services fundraiser nets $1,680 for Homeless Pet Clubs

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Cobb Animal Services fundraiser
Pictured from L-R: Heather Abernathy, Jacob Arnold, Officer Nathalie Jegg, Janice Overbeck, Captain Craig Owens, Daniel Blount, Jessica Darrough (Photo submitted by Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team)

Press release:

Recently, Cobb Animal Services announced an exciting partnership with the Homeless Pet Clubs of America and the Cobb County Police Department. The partnership will help further awareness for dogs and cats who are homeless, but also teaches children empathy which leads to a reduction of bullying in schools.

Together, they are aiming to implement the clubs in all Cobb County schools and centers such as Cobb Senior Services and local libraries. To kick off the partnership, a pet adoption and fundraising launch party took place on Thursday, September 20th at Red Sky Tapas & Bar at 1255 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta. Cobb County Commissioners, County Manager, Rob Hosack, and local citizens came together to enjoy live music and support this benefit.

Local businesses such as the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team, Chick-fil-A East Lake, Glory Haus, Aroma Ridge Coffee, and 180 Your Life generously contributed items for a silent auction and Red Sky donated a percentage of sales.

The evening raised a total of $1,680 for Animal Society of Cobb, Inc. which is the 501(c)(3) arm for Cobb County Animal Services. For more information on how you can help homeless pets, visit www.homelesspetclubs.org.

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Cows on 285: The great cattle round-up that took all day

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Cows on 285

Around 4 p.m. today Georgia DOT noted what appeared to be one of the last of the cows rambling around I-285 and I-75 that literally stopped traffic for a time in one of metro Atlanta’s busiest interchanges.

Traffic in the area was affected all day after a tractor-trailer truck carrying dozens of cows overturned on a ramp from I-285 east to I-75 north after 3 a.m.

The above Georgia 511 camera photo was taken near Northside Drive on the eastbound side of 285, with the possibility that there was one other cow still at-large.

Shortly after that, police in Sandy Springs—were many of the loose cows had roamed—reported that “we have captured the rogue cow.”

After the accident, many cows spilled out onto the roadway and nearby areas, and around a dozen cows reportedly were killed by oncoming vehicles.

More than 70 cows were ultimately retrieved by law enforcement. Cobb Fire crews, assisting Georgia DOT, worked with saws to cut open the cattle truck to free the remaining cows inside.

Traffic on I-285 was shut down for a time before daybreak, but the round-up—as well as the clean-up from the aftermath of the accident—lasted into the afternoon rush hour.

The driver of the truck was taken to a hospital with injuries.

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Cobb Animal Services pet adoption drive to kick off at Red Sky

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Cobb Animal Services pet adoption

Next week a Cobb Animal Services pet adoption drive is launching with a fundraising party in East Cobb, in conjunction with the Cobb Police Department and the Homeless Pet Clubs of America.

The kickoff party is next Thursday, Sept. 20, at Red Sky Tapas and Bar (1255 Johnson Ferry Road) from 6-9 p.m. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of all food and beer and wine sales and local businesses will be donating items for a silent auction.

The goal of the drive is to clear shelters, thus reducing euthanasia rates. The proceeds from next Thursday’s benefit will go to the Animal Society of Cobb, Inc. the 501(c)(3) arm for Cobb County Animal Services.

The national Homeless Pet Clubs of America program was founded by Cobb veterinarian.  Dr. Michael Good. The East Cobb-based Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team’s last weekend held its own pet adoption day (above) and is involved with the Homeless Pet Cubs and its foundation.

 

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‘Chancer’ author Donnie Kanter Winokur to make East Cobb book signing appearance Aug. 19

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Donnie Kanter Winokur, a Roswell-based author, is signing copies of her 2017 book, “Chancer: How One God Boy Saved Another,” in East Cobb later this month.Donnie Kanter Winokur

The event is Aug. 19 from 3-5 p.m. at the offices of Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation & Pain Management. 230 Johnson Ferry Place, Suite J-70. Books will be available for purchase, and refreshments will be served.

The book tells the story of the bond between Chancer, a Golden Retriever service dog, and her Russian-born adopted son, who had been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. The story gained national attention thanks to a 2012 story in The New York Times Magazine by acclaimed Atlanta author Melissa Fay Greene.

Now Winokur, author of two previous children’s books, has expanded and updated the story. The East Cobb event will include a demonstration with Quinn, Iyal Winokur’s current certified service dog.

Writes Winokur in her book:

“While our life remains more chaotic than not, we continue to land on our blistered feet, drag each other out of the quicksand, beg for forgiveness as we wander out of the doghouse, and dig for the humor beneath our grief. So our family, four-pawed members included, continues to bound forward celebrating our canine connection and sharing hope with all who need healing.”

More about the story of Chancer and the book can be found here, as well as Winokur’s previous works.

More pets and animals stories

 

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For Pets’ Sake Arts and Crafts Show at Olde Towne to benefit animal groups

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For Pets' Sake Arts and Crafts Show

 

The For Pets’ Sake Arts and Crafts Show will feature more than 20 arts and crafts makers selling their goods from 12-4 Sunday at the Olde Towne Athletic Club.

The proceeds will benefit five animal organizations which will also be on hand. The club is located at 4950 Olde Towne Parkway. Admission is free, and so is parking.

Caron Olson and Mary Boyle co-founded the event, and here’s Caron to explain how and why they got involved in this project, which sprang from their common interests in animal rescue:

The first year the event was held at a gallery where we both had booths (she makes jewelry & I do mosaics). We wanted to bring people in to shop and, to support & give exposure to some small animal rescue groups. The event had a good response, and we believe in what these groups are doing. So, even though our original venue has closed, we found a new place and are very excited for this year. 

Our non-profits will be there to share their stories and we will have some wonderful handmade/handcrafted vendors. New this year are sponsors who have their logo/info printed on, and inserts in a tote bag we will be giving to shoppers. We will also have a number of gift baskets that will be raffled (cash only). Net money raised from booth fees, sponsorships and raffle baskets will be divided equally among the 5 non-profits.For Pets' Sake Arts and Crafts Show

Here are the animal non-profits:

Each organization will be present to discuss their rescue missions, talk about adoption-ready cats and dogs, and explain ways the community can help them fulfill their goals.

For Pets' Sake Arts and Crafts Show

 

For Pets’ Sake arts and crafts vendors:

  • A Fur Baby Favorite (accessories for pets & pet lovers)
  • Baked with Love Treats (healthy dog & cat treats)
  • Birdie’s Soap Nest (soap & bath products)
  • Creative Expression Studio (paintings, animal portraits)
  • HHBArt (flow acrylic paintings, vases & coasters)
  • LLL Embroidery (hand & sports towels, tote bags, & baby bibs)
  • LRW Designs (textile designs, fashion accessories)
  • Mac’s Birdhouses, etc. (birdhouses, upcycled art)
  • Mama’s Miracle (vintage linen soak, vintage-themed handmade crafts)
  • Mary Boyle Handcrafted Jewelry (metalsmithed & wire-wrapped jewelry; Co-organizer of event)
  • Mary Lou’s Art (mini-paintings, Origami giftcard holders)
  • Mayhaw Creek Designs (custom stainless steel insulated drinkware)
  • Midmorning Wood Creations (turned wood urns, bowls & accessories)
  • Mosaics by Caron (mosaic furniture/decor; Co-organizer of event)
  • MuseFire Art (handcrafted wood signs, quilted mosaics)
  • Nikki Stitch (handstitched, cross-stitched, & embroidered pieces)
  • SEH What! (recycled material art, garden art)
  • Sue Shefts Designs (artisan jewelry with vintage sparkle)
  • Terre Haute Designs (Leather & pearl/gemstone jewelry, handbags)
  • The Passionate Preserver (jellies, jams & preserves)

Sponsors who will host booths:

  • Camellia Estate Tea (Marvel Coffees)
  • MuttButs
  • Peachtree Hearing
  • Village Health Wellness Spa

All net proceeds from booth/sponsor fees will be distributed among the five animal rescue non-profits. Please shop and support local.

For more information, visit the For Pets’ Sake Facebook page.

More pets and animal coverage

 

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PHOTOS: Good Mews 30th birthday celebration includes debut of new surgical center

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Good Mews 30th birthday
East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker

The Good Mews 30th birthday celebration that was open to the public on Sunday is part of a month-long promotion that includes special prices on adoptions and the unveiling of the cat shelter’s new surgical facilities.

The cage-free, no-kill Good Mews opened in 1988 in its founder’s apartment, then to a location on Sandtown Road before moving to East Cobb. After many years at the Fountains of Olde Towne Shopping Center, the non-profit Good Mews Animal Foundation built a free-standing building on the site of a former pet day care center at 3805 Robinson Road that has been its home since late 2015.

In that time, it’s adopted out more than 8,000 cats who were once homeless, abandoned, abused, rescued or neglected. The Good Mews mission is “Finding Good Homes for Good Kitties.”

Good Mews 30th birthday

 

Good Mews 30th birthday

 

Good Mews 30th birthday

The expansive space in the free-standing building is home to around 100 cats and kittens, with a few dozen more typically out in foster homes at any given time.

Good Mews 30th birthday

Good Mews takes in cats from a number of kill shelters in north Georgia and prepares them for adoption. All are given medical screenings and some require separate rooms for medical, dietary or behavioral reasons.

Good Mews 30th birthday

Cats needing medical attention had been sent to nearby veterinarians, but Good Mews recently has been able to create its own on-premises surgical facility that includes donated ultrasound and X-Ray machines. The shelter also will be able to spay and neuter cats and provide teeth cleanings as well.

Good Mews 30th birthday, Dr. Judy Johnson

Dr. Judy Johnson is a contract veterinarian who will be leading the medical unit on-site. In addition to saving money, Good Mews will be able to better provide continuity of care.

Good Mews 30th birthday

Recently Good Mews began a Yoga with Cats program and a Reading to Cats program.

For the month of June, to mark its 30th birthday, Good Mews is adopting out adult cats at a reduced rate of $30. It’s also accepting in-kind donations of supplies like litter, food, cleaners and more on a regular basis.

Adoptions take place from 10-4 each Saturday and the second, third and fourth Sundays of each month from 1-4.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

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Note from an East Cobb veterinarian: Beware of wild raccoons

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We just got a message from Dr. James Davis at the Montrose Animal Hospital about an unfortunate situation involving one of his clients, after the family dog killed a wild raccoon that wandered into the backyard and began acting aggressively around the pet and children. Cobb Animal services, wild raccoons

The Cobb Department of Animal Services claimed the dead raccoon and determined it had rabies. The dog, sadly, was not current on rabies vaccinations and was euthanized.

Davis said all this happened less than a mile from his clinic on Woodlawn Drive, making the circumstances even more heartbreaking. Here’s part of a note he sent out to his clients, especially urging them to take precautions with spring and summer weather approaching and more outdoor activities commencing:

Even if your pet has adequate immunity from the Rabies virus, Animal Control treats cases differently based the currency of vaccine given. In other words, if the rabies vaccine is past due and a bite or other incident occurs, stricter rules will apply.

The rabid raccoon represents a population of animals in the area with the virus. We don’t need to be afraid to leave our houses, but we all need to be aware of the possibilities.

Feeding wildlife or stray animals invites more interaction with animals that potentially carry infectious diseases. 

If you are concerned about wildlife or strays, please, call Cobb County Animal Control at 770-499-4136 or Fulton County Animal Control at 404-613-0358.

Here’s more on wildlife issues, including how to handle wild animals that come into your presence, and how to protect your pets from them, from Cobb Animal Services.

The county says it doesn’t respond to individual wildlife calls, but will respond if an animal is injured or becomes a public safety threat.

 

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Good Mews collecting Harvey donations through Saturday

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The East Cobb no-kill Good Mews cat shelter is helping PALS Atlanta collect food and litter donations for animal victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Here’s the message Good Mews is sharing with the community: Good Mews

From 10-3pm daily through this Saturday, Good Mews (located at 3805 Robinson Rd in Marietta) will be a drop-off point for food and litter donations for the furriest victims of Harvey. This drive is organized by PALS Atlanta – Pets Are Loving Support. We will be accepting ONLY dog food, cat food and cat litter on their behalf—no other items, please! Thanks to PALS for organizing this effort!

EAST COBB WEEKEND: Triathlon; Lutzie Run; Sandy Plains BB & SB; prep football picture day; Good Mews clinic

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Sandy Plains Baseball Association, Harrison Park

This weekend’s events in East Cobb are heavy on sports and recreation, including a cluster of events Saturday morning in the Mountain View area:

  • The East Cobb Triathlon starts early at the Mountain View Aquatic Center. About the same time, 5k and fun runners will be on their marks at Lassiter High School for the Lutzie 43 Road Race, honoring the memory of former Trojans football star Phil Lutzenkirchen and benefit the East Cobb chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes;
  • Later in the morning, at the adjacent Harrison Park, two events are going on simaltaneously, both starting at 11. The dedication of a new “Chipper Jones” ball field courtesy of the Atlanta Braves Foundation, for the Sandy Plains Baseball Association, takes place on Field 2. From 11-1, the Sandy Plains Softball Association is holding its “fun day” and walkup registration for the fall season;
  • The high school football season is fast approaching, and the Pope Greyhounds are having their pancake breakfast and picture day starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. From 2-4 Sunday, Raider Day takes place at Walton High School;
  • Also on Sunday, the Good Mews cat shelter is having a microchip and vaccination clinic from 10-3, and nail clippings also will be available.

Check out more calendar listings here, for this weekend and beyond. Didn’t see your event? Would you like to share your calendar listing with the community? Please e-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

Please stay in touch, and have a great weekend!