Dogs, Coyotes and Humans: Can They Co-Exist?

Well, from our urban lair vantage point , we say a hearty, "Yes"! But apparently a few San Franciscans don't agree. This article in The New York Times from just a few days ago discusses the continuing controversy in that fair city about "how close is too close" for wildlife to co-exist with us domesticated animals.

Coyotes have started to appear in the city's vast number of parks, and sometimes into "expensive backyards" and this has caused a bit of an uproar in the city where so many hearts have been left behind. City officials have been proactive: cordoning off trails and even barricading a restroom in Golden Gate Park where coyote sightings have been reported: April through August is the pup-rearing season, and the coyotes are believed to be protecting their dens and newborns.

But in this city where dogs significantly outnumber children, dog owners don't always heed officials' warnings to keep their canine companions leashed, and that's when some of the trouble ensues. Although no coyote attacks on dogs have been documented this season, unsubstantiated reports are "raising the hysteria level", said the director of the city's Animal Care and Control.

Yikes! A Wiley Coyote Alert!  Photo courtesy of Ramin Rahimian for The New York Times

What we find most interesting about this controversy is the differing opinions on how to approach a workable solution. Some residents think it's "pretty cool" to see wild animals within the boundaries of a big city, others abide by the trap and remove theory of "coexistence".

What side do you come out on-or is there a solution that accommodates both? We'd love to know!

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San Francisco Disaster Relief-Pets Included!

      Photo of Kat Brown and friend, Deputy Director of San Francisco's Animal Care and Control, courtesy of The New York Times

We ran across this article in The New York Times from last month and thought it was worthy of discussion. We were heartened to learn that San Francisco has taken the lead among major cities preparing for potential emergencies - in San Francisco's case, earthquakes-to include pets in their disaster planning efforts. Here's the new mantra, at least in the Bay Area: "Take your pets with you " in the event disaster strikes!  According to this piece, "San Francisco's pet-centric approach to disasters represents the vanguard of a national trend in post-Katrina disaster response that takes pets into ever-greater account...Now Animal Care and Control has a role alongside other rescue agencies." In fact, the city has received $350,000 in federal funds over the last three years "to supplement local animal disaster preparedness."

We think this value being placed on pets is long overdue. After all, most of us feel like our pets are bonafide members of our family-and who wants to leave a family member behind during a disaster?
We applaud the city of San Francisco and others emulating this model of comprehensive disaster relief.

 How would you feel if your were forced to leave your pet(s) behind in the event of a disaster of some sort? Do you think federal funds should be allocated to municipalities for animal disaster relief? Let us know!

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