MISSION STATEMENT:
Cut Bank Animal Control and Shelter shall promote the humane treatment of animals and foster respect, understanding and compassion for all creatures. We provide care and safe harbor for animals afflicted by neglect, abandonment and abuse. We will strive relentlessly to eradicate neglect, abandonment and abuse. We work to reunite lost animals with their owners. We are dedicated to lowering the numbers of animals needlessly destroyed due to overpopulation by promoting the spaying and neutering of ALL companion animals. We will endeavor relentlessly to enhance the bond between humans and animals through adoption, education and services for responsible, compassionate pet ownership.
OUR GOAL:
Helping the homeless and neglected animals of this community is number one on our list. In 2004, 51 dogs and 20 cats were placed in loving homes; in 2005, 84 dogs and 98 cats; in 2006, 51 dogs and 76 cats; and in 2007, 45 dogs and 49 cats; in 2008, 11 dogs, 22 pups, 12 cats and 35 kittens; in 2009, 18 dogs, 33 pups, 14 cats and 34 kittens; in 2010, 10 dogs, 17 pups, 20 cats, 16 kittens and 1 ferret to loving homes; in 2011, 17 dogs, 27 pups, 24 cats and 25 kittens; in 2012, 9 dogs, 16 pups, 49 cats and 32 kittens; and in 2013, 7 dogs, 13 pups, 14 cats and 9 kittens. As of September 9, 2014, we have adopted 10 dogs; 7 puppies; 4 cats and 6 kittens. We have assisted with 2 wounded hawks for Fish, Wildlife and Game. Our numbers for this year are extremely low due to the mountain lion that has been cleaning out the feral colonies and pets in Cut Bank. We have returned to their owners 18 dogs and 3 cats in 2012. We have assisted with a Mourning Dove, a porcupine, a bull snake and a bat rescue and their return to the wild. In 2011, we returned to the wild one bat, one Mourning Dove, two hawks and a woodpecker. In 2010, we returned to the wild one bat and two badgers. In 2009, we continued to work with Fish, Wildlife and Game with animals that belonged in nature. In 2008, we assisted with wounded owl, three hawks and one Golden Eagle for Fish, Wildlife and Game. We to the wild one bat and two badgers in 2008. It may not sound like a lot but we are proud of the numbers. These animals would have probably met a horrible fate without the intervention of the Animal Control Officer and Officers of the Cut Bank Police Department.
Our animals and the community need this service and we will work tirelessly to make this the best community for animals and humans alike. We cannot do this alone and need the help of kind, caring people. Help us to write happy endings to our adorable adoptables.
Most of our animals were surrendered because their caretakers were moving, divorced, developed allergies or died. Let your imagination go and share your life with a wonderful four-footed friend simply by opening your heart and your home. Knowing that you have kept that animal from being euthanized, which is sadly the reality of life in any shelter situation. It is the new family's job to provide attention, love and safe housing.
PET LICENSES AND TAGS
Notice of Dog Registration
For Ordinance #6-3A-4, current licenses expire on December 31 of every year.
All dogs kept, harbored or maintained in the City of Cut Bank shall be vaccinated and registered on or before the 15th day of April of each year.
The owner shall state at the time of application for registration and upon printed forms provided for such purpose his/her name, address, and the name, breed, color, and sex of each dog owned or kept by him/her.
The new pet licenses are on sale at the same low rate with certified proof of Rabies vaccination present at time of registration.
City of Cut Bank Dog License
Cost
Type of Animal
$ 5.00
Spayed or Neutered Dog
$10.00
Unspayed or Unneutered Dog
Without a voice and without a tag, a lost pet may never find his way home.
Dog Licenses are available at Cut Bank Police Department, 113 East Main, Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Late charges of $10.00 will be assessed if the license fee is not paid by April 15th of the each year. If you have any questions, please contact Cut Bank Police Department at 406-873-2289.
Trying to reunited unidentified pets with their families consumes a huge amount of precious time and resources. Just think of how much shelter space would be available for legitimately homeless animals - and how many heartaches that would be avoided - if every owner equipped his or her pet with reliable identification.
Please do your pet, yourself and the Cut Bank Animal Shelter a favor. The cost is so minimal to the despair that we have seen this past year, because dogs did not have tags. All pups and dogs over the age of six months are required by city ordinance to have their rabies shots and a city license by April 15th each year.
Christmas Eve 2004, we received a call about an injured Spaniel, the dog was in severe shock after being attacked by another animal. We arrived and took her to the Shelter to try to do emergency first aid to the wounds. The dog did not have a city license. The vet tag was unreadable from wear. We called all licensed owners of Spaniels, vet techs and any one who owned licensed Spaniel in town.
It was a devastating Christmas morning when a vehicle stopped me on the way to the Shelter. They were missing their Spaniel. I had them follow me to the Shelter and to identify the one we had. The poor dog died about Midnight Christmas Day. Everyone had a cry and held each other. As I carried their dog to their vehicle, I noticed the children in the back seat. They burst into tears. It almost ripped my heart out.
It is heartbreaking for the owners of animals to have their pets missing, but equally heartbreaking for those of us in Animal Control and Rescue. Our hands are tied about getting treatment for an animal before contacting an owner. The heartbreak of a missing dog is a worry all pet owners share. It's best to think the unthinkable and do everything we can to provide proper identification for our dogs in the event they are lost or injured. A good dog collar with an ID tag or a City License is the first line of defense.
Please license your dogs to help us return your pet back home or to obtain medical treatment for your pet in an emergency situation. Licensing your pet is not meant to be punishment to you or your pet; it is meant to keep your pet safe. Your pets are counting on you to be there for them.
Identification is a lost pet's ticket home. But many pet lovers do not realize that tagging their pets not only gives them a voice, but also helps reduce the number of companion animals that end up in the country's over-burdened shelters every year.
Responsible ownership means being there for your pet even when you are not physically able to be there. Pet identification saves the lives of countless pets every year. Please help us to return your pet to you by having a tag on your animal if they are normally outside. Most animals that are found in Cut Bank have no identification. Some will by taken to the local veterinary clinics for identification. Some will be brought to the Animal Shelter. Which will your pet be?
I WANT TO HELP THE CUT BANK ANIMAL SHELTER
HELP THE COMMUNITY ANIMALS
I want to volunteer to:
❑Help with fund raising
❑Sponsor a kennel
I want to become a Sponsor:
❑$10 Individual (Yearly)
❑$15 Family (Yearly)
❑$50 Business (Yearly)
Name
Address
Phone
City
State
Zip
Return to: Cut Bank Animal Shelter, 113 East Main, Cut Bank, MT 59427-2918
Cut Bank Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to CBAS are tax-deductible.
WISH LIST
Kitten/Puppy Food
Cat/Dog Toys
Bleach
Cat Litter
Spay/Neuter Donations
Kitten Milk Replacer
Medical Needs Donations
Dog Bones/Cat Treats
Hand Sanitizer
Kuranda Beds for our cages (1-800-494-7122) Tell them you would like to donate a bed to Cut Bank's shelter. We need three more to have beds for all of our runs for the winter to come.
Fund Raising Volunteers and Ideas. Please help us help our community's animals!
If you think an animal needs it, we can use it! Donations are always accepted!
Cut Bank Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to CBAS are tax-deductible. Your help in providing loving permanent homes our homeless friends deserve!
Imagine sleeping on a cement floor in the cold Cut Bank winters were the temperatures drop to -30 degrees without wind chill for six weeks at a time. We have chosen Kuranda beds for our Shelter because they are so good for our animals. We still don't have enough for all of our kennels. If you would like to donate a bed so another animal can sleep in proper comfort, please contact us and we will give you the information about ordering a Kuranda Bed for one of our cages.
OUR FEATURED PETS
Harley, a Persian kitten, was adopted by the shelter in June, 2004. He is the official Shelter greeter. No one enters the Shelter without Harley giving them a loud greeting. Harley is the first cat that puppies and dogs are introduced to when they join our happy little band. Harley was missing from the shelter activities for several months. He was returned to the shelter by the Michaels' families from 15 miles north of Cut Bank. All of us at the shelter can not express enough thanks for the safe return of Harley.
MacGyver left abandoned on the north side of Cut Bank in June 2004. He is our #1 mouser at the Shelter and loves to play with the animals. MacGyver can found taking care of business playing with the pups, dogs, cats, and kittens at the Shelter.No paperwork leaves the Shelter without the stamp of approval from MacGyver. He usually walks on the paperwork leaving his paw prints.
Brianna is our latest addition to the Shelter Cat family. She was our last adopted kitten in 2009, but her family were in the Air Force and had to move to Alaska in May 2010. Brianna came back to live with us until the new addition was finished. In October, she went to work! Brianna is busy helping kittens adjust to shelter life and comforting cats in the condo. She is a loving cat and works hard to keep the new area mouse free.
HEROISM
Two of our shelter dogs have been unsung heros who helped save other dogs; lives. "Had they not been there. The other dogs may not have made it," Tina Gauthier, a Shelter volunteer, said. "Colorado and Smartee are a example of "No greater love..." Today (June 2004 and May 2005) Colorado and Smartee donated blood to save other dogs that was in need of a transfusion to save their lives. Those who don't know may not realize how risky this procedure can be. Due to their acts of heroism, another animals were saved, and Colorado and Smartee were adopted. Colorado's and Smartee's new owners have a great deal to be proud of when they introduce them to their friends. Of course, we always knew that Colorado and Smartee were destined for greatness," Gauthier shared.
NEWS
Volunteer Work Keeps Her Dog Gone Busy at Animal Shelter
By Linda Bruch for the Cut Bank Pioneer Press
Wednesday, April 19, 2006 5:17 PM MDT
This week is National Volunteer Week and the choices to feature an outstanding local volunteer are countless. Webster defines a volunteer as: "A person who enters or offers to enter into any service of his/her own free will." He could just as easily have defined it in two words, Tina Gauthier.
Gauthier works 40 plus hours a week, all volunteer, at the Cut Bank Animal Shelter, but that is just one of the volunteer "jobs" Gauthier has. The tireless work she does at the shelter includes making arrangements for adoptions into and out of the shelter, taking photos of the adopted animals and posting them on different websites. She also maintains the Cut Bank Animal Shelter and the Cut Bank Police Department's websites, all as a volunteer.
While she is involved in lots of other volunteer projects, Gauthier's first love is for the animals. "Animals have no voices. Someone needs to champion their cause," Gauthier said.
Born into a farmer/rancher family, she grew up with the concept the animals were fed before the humans. "My dad ran over 200 head of registered Black Angus cattle. We also had horses, kitty-cats and dogs," said Gauthier. Her love for animals has been a part of her since she can remember.
Gauthier's husband, Joe, is the Animal Control Officer for the City of Cut Bank and shares his wife's love of animals. "We are kind of a team, Joe and I," declared Gauthier. Their work and devotion to the animal shelter has helped earn it the reputation of being a "low kill" shelter. This means they work like "cats and dogs" to find homes for all the animals placed at the shelter. The only animals put down are those that are unhealthy or un-adoptable due to irreversible temperament issues. Animals are never put down due to lack of room at the shelter.
When a dog arrives at the shelter, the husband and wife team verify its temperament and determine how adoptable the animal may be. Once the green light is given, Gauthier gets to work trying to find a home for the dog. She enters the dog into their animal shelter log and then starts checking the internet sites they use to see where the dog might find a new, safe home. This in itself could take hours and days to accomplish. However, if all goes well, the end result will be the animal will have found a good home. When that happens, Gauthier believes the time and energy was worth it.
"We'll do whatever it takes to find that dog a good home," said Gauthier. "Sometimes we run a leg of a transport to get a dog adopted. We've had good success in finding homes for the dogs left at the animal shelter."
All of this keeps this volunteer busy enough, but Gauthier also answers and responds to the animal shelter's phone and emails. "The shelter phone is our house phone," Gauthier admits.
If you thought that was the end of her super-volunteering efforts, think again. In a nutshell, Gauthier has tutored students, organized a McGruff House program, conducted a neighborhood watch program and provided care for several elderly women. She has also applied for grants to keep the animal shelter and other programs up and functional, does web design, provides a dog obedience training course, compiles data from shelters around the state and enters it into the computer for match-up purposes and transports dogs to a spay and neuter clinic in Havre and Great Falls.
"I have the just do it, kind of attitude," proclaimed Gauthier.
That kind of attitude has made Gauthier the wonderful volunteer that she is.
Cut Bank Animal Shelter Reunites Pets With Owners, Finds New Homes For Animals
By Melissa Paul, Western Breeze Staff Writer Published Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Lost and bewildered, a dog was found at the summit parking lot at Glacier National Park and ended up in the care of the Cut Bank Animal Shelter. Animal Control Officer, Joseph Gauthier and his wife, Tina, a shelter volunteer, made it their mission to locate the dog?s owner. Through the animal's identification, he was traced to a Washington man who was hiking the park. Joe and Tina sent word in with the pack company that was resupplying the hiker on his trek across the park that his pet was safe and sound and in the care of the shelter. Owner and dog were reunited a few weeks later. This is just one of many happy endings for animals that find themselves at the Cut Bank Animal Shelter. The shelter has started scanning all dogs coming in for microchips using equipment donated by AVID. Microchips serve as a permanent, invisible dog tags and microchipped animals can be traced back to their owners if they become lost and end up at the shelter. In addition to reuniting lost dogs with their owners, the shelter also finds homes for surrendered, abandoned and stray animals. "In 2004, 52 dogs and 20 cats were placed in loving homes. So far we've adopted 96 dogs and 43 cats to loving homes. It may not sound like a lot but we are proud of the numbers," said Tina.
The Cut Bank Animal Shelter charges a nominal adoption fee to adopt an animal and the animal control officer checks the home of a prospective owner. "Most of the animals that come into our program have either been abandoned, neglected, abused or surrendered for some reason or another. We do not want to see these animals suffer again. This next move in their lives needs to be a permanent one, their "for always" home," Tina said. "Dogs will be part of the family, not chained outside, and homes need to have an adequately fenced yard, large kennel or trolley."
"The State requires that all animals adopted from a shelter by spayed or neutered," reminded Tina. "We have all new owners provide with a certificate from their veterinarian within 30 days of adopting an animal. We do have some assistance available for low income people, though and we welcome spay/neuter donations, too."
"We sanitize with bleach on a daily basis and all the animals are current on their shots before they are adopted out," Tina said. Tina volunteers much of her time posting the shelter's animals on the internet on the at www.cutbankairport.org/cbshelter and at www.petfinder.org. "The internet has really expanded our horizons," Tina remarked. "We have people adopting pets from our shelter from all over." Tina also posts adoptable animals for other animal rescue organizations. "We all try to work together and help each other out," she said. "The Cascade County Humane Society has been a tremendous help to our shelter with food, adoption forms and all kinds of things. It's great the shelters help each other." Along those lines, sometimes an animal needs to be transported between shelters or to a new home in another area. The Gauthiers participate in a pet rescue transportation program. Volunteers will take an animal for a leg of the journey, sometimes a few hundred miles and hand the pet off to another volunteer. "One of our special needs adoptions, a tripod [three legged dog] was transported this way," Tina added.
Tina has also been the driving force behind fund-raising efforts at the shelter. Last year, she applied for five grants and the Cut Bank Animal Shelter was awarded two. A $1,000 grant from PetCo and $5,000 from IAMS and the Helen Woodward Animal Coalition through their Home for the Holidays program. "It was a onetime only grant, but the Cut Bank Shelter was one of only 20 to receive the grant." The shelter has also had items donated such as heated water bowls and pet beds. "We always can use donations, even things people can pick up at the grocery store, like bleach, hand sanitizer and dog toys. Every gift is appreciated, no matter how big or small," said Tina. The gift of time is also welcome. "We love our volunteers," she commented. "We have puppies and kittens that need socialization and anyone who wants to come and walk dogs or play with the little ones are encouraged to come."
The Cut Bank Animal Shelter is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. Dog and cat food, puppy and kitten food, kitten milk replacer, bones and treats, bleach, hand sanitizer and kitty litter are also needed. Have an old ink cartridge? Don't throw it out, give it to the dogs. The shelter participates in a program called Cash for Critters, recycling used ink jet and laser cartridges and cell phones. $100 has been received for vaccinations from this program. "We also could use stuffed animals for socializing the puppies. They smell like people and a great tool," Tina added. Appointments to visit the Cut Bank Animal Shelter to see the animals can be made with the Animal Control Officer by made by calling 406-391-2273 or 406-873-2288 after hours and weekends. More information is also available on the shelter's websites or by emailing Tina at cutbankanimalshelter@hotmail.com.
ANNUAL DOG GONE WALK
The Annual Dog Gone Walk is a walk benefitting Cut Bank Animal Shelter. on the first Sunday in October.
2:30 p.m. Registration by the Cut Bank tennis courts, Northwest Side of Cut Bank
3:00 p.m. Start at Cut Bank tennis courts, Northwest Side of Cut Bank
Humans and canines are welcome. Pets receive bandanas. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after & maintaining control of their pets. All dogs must be leashed. Aggressive dogs & dogs in heat should not participate. Registrations will be taken on the day of the walk. Entry fee=$5.00 per dog/walker; $10.00 per family
OBEDIENCE CLASSES
ATTENTION: Starting the second Sunday in September through first Sunday in October from 1 pm - 3 pm, Joe Gauthier, former K-9 handler for the City of Cut Bank, and Tina Gauthier will be holding weekly Obedience Lesson by the Cut Bank tennis courts on the northwest side of Cut Bank. The lessons will be free to the public and will be taught through Adult Education classes. Participants will need to have a choker chain collar that is two inches larger than the size of their dogs neck and a four to six foot leash. We hope to see you there.
It was Joe's wish that all adopters and the general public attend the classes. "The dogs learned basic obedience: sit, stay, stand, lay down, heel."
Socializing, training, exercising and loving our animals are the most valuable things that we can give our animals. It instills a sense of confidence and self-esteem into a pet, so that the animal will be more personable and secure in their surroundings. If you or your dog need to brush up on training, we will be holding classes again in the spring.
WHO WE ARE
Joe Gauthier Becomes New Animal Control Officer
By LACY GILLESPIE
Cut Bank Pioneer Press
June 2, 2004
"It is fun getting back," Joe Gauthier said. Gauthier is not a stranger to the Cut Bank community by any means. He served on the Cut Bank Police force for 30 years, and upon retiring, he worked at Crossroads Correctional (CCA) in Shelby for five years. He is now back serving Cut Bank as the animal control officer and enforcing city ordinances.
Gauthier was a part of the police force in the 1960s when the animal control method was quarantine. "Every six months the city went under quarantine, and we would pick up the stray dogs. The city felt it wasn't enough," he said. The community decided to enact city ordinances allowing Gauthier and other city officers to more strictly control the flow of animals.
Now in his first three weeks in the saddle with his new job, he is making improvements for the Cut Bank Animal Shelter and the way animals are handled. Gauthier along with his wife are working to model the shelter after the Great Falls Animal Shelter. They each take turns walking the dogs at the shelter and through their interaction they are able to determine the animal?s personality. In addition, Gauthier is working on obedience training with the dogs. By taking the regular shelter activities a step further, it is easier for them to adopt their animals out.
Gauthier's wife, Tina, is taking an active role in expanding the shelter's capabilities to adopt animals. The shelter's websites, Cut Bank Shelter's page on Montana Pets on the Net, Cut Bank Shelter on Petfinder.org, and Cut Bank Animal Shelter on the Cut Bank Airport site, have listings of pets available at the shelter, descriptions of pets wanted and lost pets. These site gives statewide and national coverage and helps match pets and potential new owners. To post on these website, send Tina an email at cutbankanimalshelter@hotmail.com.
She will then list it online. "The more people we reach, the better the success rate at the shelter," she said. "These are just little heroes waiting for a permanent, loving home. This facility is all about the unsung heroes," she said.
To avoid losing a pet, Gauthier suggests keeping them in a fenced yard or kennel rather than on a chain. Problems tend to occur when an animal is set loose in the morning or evening and makes a mess on another's property or scares someone Gauthier said.
Another component of the shelter is encouraging pet owners to spay and neuter their pets. Leaving a cat or dog unspayed can have serious consequences. For example, an unspayed female cat, her mate and all of their offspring producing just two litters per year with 2.8 kittens surviving on average from each litter would add up to 67,000 cats in six years. Similarly, in nine years a female dog, her mate and all of their puppies would produce 66,088 dogs in six years. To prevent these problems, owners may start spaying/neutering their pets as early as 12 weeks.
ADOPTING A FRIEND
Most of the animals that come into our program have either been abandoned, neglected, abused or surrendered for some reason or another. We do not want to see these animals suffer again. This next move in their lives needs to be a permanent one -- their "for always" home.
Animals need adopted primarily as household companion animals only. No dogs will be placed as attack dogs. Dogs will be part of the family and not chained outside. The math about an indoor cat's life span at 14 years; outdoor cat's lifespan is 18 months*. Based on national statistics.
Montana State Law requires that all canines and felines adopted from a shelter or pound be altered. All dogs and cats adopted from the Animal Shelter will be spayed or neutered at their new owners expense unless they are of such a young age it isn't healthy. At the time of the adoption, a contract will be signed that the animal will be altered within 30 days. All adopters must be 18 years or older. Identification is required to adopt any pet. Animals must NOT be transported in the back of an open vehicle without some form of restraint, ie. a kennel or leash.
We encourage all family members to be present at the time of adoption. All househould members must want this pet.
No dog will be released for adoption unless the adopter can provide an adequately fenced yard, have a trolley system or a large enough kennel that the dog is willing to eliminate in that area. Dogs MUST have some form of restraint when outdoors unattended.
MISSING YOUR FURRY FRIEND
Call 406-391-2273 (406-873-2288 after hours) or email us at cutbankanimalshelter@hotmail.com. We will put the information on the websites for others to view. A safe reunion between friend and family is our goal. The sooner our missing friend is listed; the faster we can look for results.
MEMORIALS
REMEMBER A FRIEND WITH A MEMORIAL
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
In Memory of:
Send acknowledgment of my memorial gift to my memorial gift to:
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Cut Bank Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to CBAS are tax-deductible.
Return to: Cut Bank Animal Shelter, 113 East Main, Cut Bank, MT 59427-2918
COME VISIT US!
Appointments to visit with the Animal Control Officer and the Shelter animals can be made by calling 406-391-2273 (406-873-2288 after hours) or emailing us at cutbankanimalshelter@hotmail.com . We look forward to meeting you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Bank Animal Shelter
113 East Main
Cut Bank, MT 59427
Phone: (406) 391-2273 M-F 7-3
Phone: (406) 873-2288 after hours and weekends
Fax: (406) 873-2096
Email: cutbankanimalshelter@hotmail.com
