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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 29, 2007 - 13 New year, new tag Help the YMCA make a difference H appy New Year brings with it time to purchase a new dog licence. Dog licences, which are required by Town of Oakville by-law (#1982145, Amended #2003-227), are available for $5 off the regular price until Feb. 15. On average a dog that is found wearing a current licence tag will be returned to its owner through the shelter within 24 hours of it being lost. Dogs found on the street that are wearing tags can often be reconnected with their owners by a phone call to the owner once the dog returns to the Oakville & District Humane Society (ODHS). Owners who have discovered that their pet has gone missing should contact the ODHS immediately to leave a report. A telephone call to the shelter can save the owner time and the expense of impoundment fees incurred if the pet is taken to the shelter for care. The onus of responsibility to locate a lost dog is in the hands of the owner and a tag can help speed up reuniting the dog and the family significantly. In the meantime a dog waiting in the Society kennel is cared for, fed and provided medical services if required. The Society's Lost and Found Department staff is more than familiar with the cost of animals that do not wear identification. The Department handles over 5,000 animals annually, the majority of which are not wearing identification when found. The Society returns 80 per cent of the lost dogs and 20 per cent of the lost cats. It is currently housing approximately 175 lost animals hoping that owners will come forward to claim them. In most cases those animals that are not reconnected with their owner become available for adoption. "The costs to provide shelter and medical care for these lost animals as well as staffing the Lost and Found Department have a significant impact on the shelter budget," said ODHS Executive Director Johanne Golder. "As a non-profit organization we want to get these animals back home as soon as possible. "People may not realize that when they buy a licence T PET OF THE WEEK: Fluke is a really sweet guy. Many of the other animals looking for homes can be viewed at www.oakvillehumane.ca. it's not just great for their pet, but it's also important to the Society." "All dogs are required by law to wear a current licence tag or their owners risk being fined a minimum $130 fee," stated Rob Bauer, Manager of Animal Protective Services at the ODHS. "One of our jobs is to enforce this by-law on behalf of the Town. We much prefer rewarding people who get their licences than fining those who don't." "Picking up a licence is as easy as a telephone call to the shelter, or completing a form that's available at our offices at 445 Cornwall Rd., the Town's By-law office at 1225 Trafalgar Road, or in the brochure racks at local recreation centres, veterinarians, pet retailers or libraries, or the ODHS website (www.oakvillehumane.ca)," added Golder. "We're trying to make it as simple as possible to purchase a licence to ensure that dog owners are able to meet their legal responsibility." For more information about local dog by-laws or to purchase your dog licence over the telephone call the Oakville & District Humane Society at 905845-1551. Save $5 when you register by Feb.15 - $45 (unaltered), $20 (altered) and 50 per cent off for seniors. For more information about licensing your dog, contact the Oakville & District Humane Society at 905-845-1551. For information about other Town of Oakville dog by-laws visit the Town's web site at www.oakville.ca -- Submitted by the Oakville & District Humane Society he YMCA of Oakville is a charity and a volunteer-based organization that seeks to provide assistance to those who need it. A financial gift to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign is a gift that directly impacts on local kids and families. We rely on people like you to make a difference in the lives of our neighbours, so when we asked for help, you gave it. How did you help? Well, for example, when a new immigrant family needed urgent childcare for their daughters, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign was there to help. When single parent families needed to send their kids for a week-long camp experience, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign was used to subsidize the cost. The Canadian Tire Foundation for Families supports the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign to send kids to camp each year and we gratefully acknowledge their support. The Oakville community is generous and over the past three years you have responded to our call for financial assistance support by giving to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Thank you. But every year the need grows, and in return our request for support grows too. Many organizations and businesses have also taken a community leadership role to help others in 2007 at the YMCA of Oakville, for example, the Rotary Club of Oakville, the Optimist Club, Javelin Technologies, Aeropostale, the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Oakville Shopping Centre, to name only a few (for a complete list, visit www.ymcaofoakville.com). Special thanks and recognition is extended to Mattamy Homes and the Town of Oakville for their tremendous and on-going support to the Y at the annual fundraising softball tournament -- the Mayor's Invitational Softball Tournament. Every week the Y offers free parenting classes like `Wiggles & Giggles' for new moms and dads at our Steps and Stages in the early years programs ­ partially funded by the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and other community-minded organizations like the RBC Foundation. At the YMCA of Oakville, we gratefully thank each of our donors, volunteers, staff and members who have made the Y a part of their life and family. We look forward to growing our relationship with each of you in 2008 and wish you all the best of the season. The YMCA of Oakville is a charitable association open to all, dedicated to providing life-long opportunities for health enhancement and personal growth. -- Submitted by the Oakville YMCA. Town hosts New Year's Levee Jan. 6 Mayor Rob Burton and Town of Oakville councillors will open the doors of Town Hall for a New Year's Levee on Sunday, Jan. 6 from 1-5 p.m. "The New Year's Levee is a wonderful event for us to spend time with our constituents and friends outside of the Council chambers and to wish Oakville residents a safe and happy 2008," said Burton. The New Year's Levee will be held in the South Atrium of Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Rd. Light refreshments will be served during the event. The Drape Lady: Customized design and service to suit your needs H aving dressed thousands of windows over the past 20 years, Elisabeth knows the secrets of the trade and draws from a wealth of experience. Keeping looks and practicality in mind, Elisabeth will develop the perfect design for your window. She offers a wide variety of fabrics and stylish hardware to enhance the atmosphere of your living space. Be it traditional, formal, casually elegant, or updated traditional,Elisabeth will create the style that best enhances a well balanced flow throughout your home. The Drape Lady Once again Elisabeth would like to thank all of her loyal customers for working with her and passing "the word" on to friends and neighbours. She can be reached at "The Drape Lady Interior" at 905-847-3287 www.drapelady.ca