City Animal Care Center reports ‘alarming’ rates of distemper, pneumonia in dogs; encourages vaccination
The Bakersfield Animal Care Center is reporting an alarming rate of distemper and pneumonia spreading across dogs in the shelter and across the community.
Distemper is nearly 100 percent fatal for puppies, and older dogs who catch the disease have a 50 percent survival rate.
Positive tests are being reported daily, meaning more dogs are being exposed, the shelter said in a news release.
“The urgency has never been greater. This is a preventable disease; get your animals vaccinated,” Julie Johnson, CBACC executive director, said in the release.
Critters Without Litters hosts a low-cost vaccine clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Vaccines are $18.
Bakersfield Animal Control will host a low-cost vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to noon, on Dec. 4. Vaccines will be $10.
Puppies receive vaccines at three-week intervals. Adult dogs should be vaccinated annually.
Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services will host two career fairs on Nov. 17 and 20 at its Administration Office located at 2001 28th St.
Agencies that contract through Kern BHRS will also be present at the events, including Flood Ministries, Mental Health Systems, Clinica Sierra Vista, College Community Services and Henrietta Weill Child Guidance Clinic.
Several nursing, therapy and case management positions will be available, including both full-time and extra help.
On-the-spot interviews for some positions will also be available.
The Nov. 17 career fair will take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
The Nov. 20 fair will take place from
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The city of Bakersfield announced the closure of Stockdale Highway at North Stine Road beginning Nov. 17.
The construction will continue for three weeks from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday night. Residents can detour through using McDonald Way or Real Road to enter or exit the neighborhood. All other traffic will be routed through Oak Street and
California Avenue.
Construction schedules can be changed because of unforeseen circumstances.
Toy collection starts Monday for the Bakersfield Area California Highway Patrol’s 11th annual CHiPs for KiDs Toy Drive.
Anyone with a new, unwrapped toy suitable for a child age 16 or younger is invited to drop it off through Dec. 17 at the CHP office at 9855 Compagnoni St., the Motor City Auto Center at 3215 Pacheco Road, either Carniceria La Carreta location in Bakersfield or any local Walgreens store.
The toy drive, a result of the CHP’s work with local organizations and businesses, has helped families statewide for more than 35 years. For information, call CHP Public Information Officer Robert Rodriguez at 661-396-6653.
The national nonprofit Wreaths Across America announced that Jersey Mike’s Subs began a matching with the goal of sponsoring 40,000 veterans’ wreaths for National Wreaths Across America Day.
For every matching sponsorship, the company will sponsor a $15 wreath sponsorship — up to $300,000. The campaign kicks off Nov. 15 and continues through Nov. 30. Donations can be made at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/JerseyMikes.
The goal is to have a wreath at every veteran’s grave, including Arlington National Cemetery, on Saturday, Dec. 18.
“Experiencing the placement of a wreath and knowing the impact that one simple action has for so many, is truly meaningful,” Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO, said in a statement.
The city of Bakersfield has hired a new public works director to replace Nick Fidler, who stepped down in May.
Gregg Strakaluse, who has spent the last 15 years as the city of Naples, Fla.’s director of Streets and Stormwater Department, started his professional career in Kern County as an engineer in Kern County’s Public Works and Waste Management Department.
“I very much look forward to again serving the community that launched my career, reuniting with old friends and introducing my wife and four children to all the wonderful opportunities that Bakersfield has to offer,” Strakaluse said in a news release. “I can’t wait to join the terrific public works team that awaits me, and I’m thrilled to be part of the exciting projects and growth that the city is experiencing.”
Strakaluse has a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island and has earned a professional civil engineer’s license, the city said in the release. He is planning to start his new position in mid-January.
“I am excited to bring someone with such extensive public works experience to run this integral city department,” City Manager Christian Clegg said in the release. “Gregg’s expertise will be vital in not only keeping our largest department running smoothly, but also leading the department through forward looking modernizations that will meet the demands of our growing community.”
Assistant Public Works Director Stuart Patteson has served as the active director since late May.
The city of Bakersfield administrative offices will be closed today in observance of Veterans Day.
The offices will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday.
Tickets for the annual Teddy Bear Toss are on sale.
The Bakersfield Condors will face off against the San Diego Gulls at the Mechanics Bank Arena on Nov. 27 — the Saturday after Thanksgiving. No matter which team comes out on top, the real winners are the children who will be receiving stuffed animals tossed onto the ice.
This season the bears and other animals will be collected by United Way of Kern County, which in turn will distribute the bears to nonprofits. Over the years, more than 140,000 stuffed animals have been thrown on the ice for charity.
Kids are free for all November home games with the purchase of an adult ticket at the box office.
Tickets can be purchased at AXS.
Kern County Animal Services has been selected to be a partner organization of the Human Animal Shelter Support System, an international coalition designed to bring innovative solutions to local shelters.
As part of the partnership, Animal Services will provide resources like veterinary telehealth, text support, animal return programs, behavioral training and more.
“We are honored to be part of this collaboration of innovative shelters having goals so closely aligned with our community vision,” Sally Breyer, deputy director of Kern County Animal Services, said in a news release. “KCAS will join a fantastic roster of elite cities in this initiative that are paving the way for a new model of animal sheltering in the U.S.”
The partnership is funded by Maddie’s Fund, the Rachel Ray Foundation, Petfinder and others.
“We’re bringing thought leaders and experts in fields like human social work and public health alongside animal welfare researchers to create the community animal support centers of the future,” Kristen Hassen, Maddie’s director of American Pets Alive! and the HASS project said in the release. “The impacts of COVID-19 have accelerated many organizations’ efforts to modernize animal services and we are excited to see many more animal shelters dedicate their energy to accomplishing this urgent goal.”
A Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank will be held from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23.
Capital Dental Group and 88.3 Life FM are hosting their second annual drive for CAPK at 8701 Camino Media along Liberty Park Drive.
The drive will accept nonperishable food items for both everyday and Thanksgiving meals. That includes turkeys. Monetary donations will also be accepted. However, fresh produce is discouraged, because it is difficult to transport and is easily damaged.
Volunteers will take the donated items out of back seats and trunks during the drive-thru event.
Approximately 54 percent of those served by the food bank are children.