UNITY -- Unity’s Shannon Heitt, owner of Wiggles and Whiskers Pet Supply store has become the unofficial go-to gal for pet problems. She has been approached or enlisted for help in stray, lost, wandering or nuisance animals. Her most recent rescue involved a box of baby birds dropped off at her store to try and find a solution for.
“I’m always happy to help out stray, lost or sick animals when I can. I’m glad people see me as the person that can help in those situations. I would rather they bring it to me with ‘what do I do’ than have it remain injured or running amok. I have a pretty wide range of animal knowledge and connections to assist in getting the animals medical treatment, or to a safe space,” says Heitt.
The pet store owner believes that, because she has steady business hours, people find it easier to drop an animal there or come in and ask what to do.
The Unity Vet Clinic and the town offices have the equipment to scan the microchips, look up IDs and administer health care, which is something Heitt does not have the capacity to do, so she will send those off to the appropriate place.
This unofficial role can come with its challenges. “It can be cumbersome and interfere with regular business activities, but I understand that most folks don’t know what to do if they come across an animal that is in distress.”
Injured animals can be taken to the vet, or you can contact the town if you find a stray/lost animal or are dealing with nuisance animals. They are usually able to look up a licence or tattoo to try to get the animal back home, but, as Heitt stated earlier, if she can help, she is more than happy to.
The recent bird rescue was a result of baby birds being orphaned and out of their nest. The rescuers brought them into her store, but Heitt said she has very little experience with nestlings.
“After a quick search I learned that they could have some watered-down wet kitten food, so I syringe-fed them some of that and they settled down quite quickly. They hung out at the store until someone was able to come get them to transfer to a rehab center for wildlife,” says Heitt.
While Heitt says she has her go-to community when someone stops in with an injured or stray animal, she usually encourages the finder to make the next move.
“I think people are just unsure what to do and don’t want an animal to suffer or get hurt. If they’re injured/found, I usually ask them to take them to the vet for a quick scan of a microchip or any medical treatment they need. Loose dogs are usually pretty happy to run into the store – it probably smells like treats! I will also reach out to KC [cat rescue] for injured cats or stray cats that I am contacted about. I usually just act as a middleman and connect people to the appropriate organization or resource.”
Heitt acknowledges educating the general public is the answer for most of the animals that come her way at the store.
“In my opinion, knowing first aid for your pets is just as important as knowing first aid for people. It can help you get past that initial shock of seeing an injured animal so you can evaluate the situation, severity and best treatment options. I think it’s especially important for those that live on farms and have animals around large machinery and are unable to get to a vet quickly. We hope to run another first aid course in the fall.”
Heitt keeps the numbers of the surrounding SPCAs, humane societies, Animal Protection Society, town office, KC Rescue and various vets, as well as the animal poison control line in her phone so she always has quick access. This means that, if someone brings an animal to her, or she finds one, she can get in touch with any organization she uses when in need of instant assistance and advice.
“I started Wiggles & Whiskers to help animals as well as people, so I really don’t mind helping or offering advice when needed. However, it is seemingly a never-ending cycle – to which KC Rescue board members can attest – and takes a toll on all animal rescue workers as well as town resources.”
Heitt knows there are a lot of animals in Unity and stray, loose or nuisance pets can be a heated topic. Indoor cats are safe cats. As for dogs, owners should try to ensure they are tethered safely or securely enclosed in a fenced yard.
The Town of Unity posted on their social media channels that they are reviewing their animal control bylaw., with consideration of adding licensing and restrictions to cats, as well as increasing fines. Specific bylaw sections were quoted in the social media notices regarding cats or dogs becoming a nuisance, and that a peace officer may seize and impound any cat/dog running at large.
