feature story / 15 checklist (see sidebar) for owners and anyone watching your dog. If that dreaded moment comes when your dog gets out, the best thing to do is to call the police in your town, fill out a lost report on animalcontrolsolutions.org and post on Dogs of Soma and other neigh borhood Facebook pages. It should include a photo of the dog and your phone number, asking people to call or text with sightings. With 4,600 people in the Dogs of Soma Face book group, your chances of finding leads are pretty good. If you are the one who spots an unleashed dog or dogs running down the street, post a photo or de scription on Dogs of Soma and other neighborhood Facebook pages and include the neighborhood and cross streets. This does not always apply to cats. Some cats are indoor-outdoor and will eventually make their way home. (Several neighborhood cats who have homes and families have unfairly wound up in the slammer thanks to well-intentioned neigh bors!) But, if you see a cat that looks like it is in trouble, post it. (There is also a Cats of MapSo Facebook group.) Rescue is grueling work. So, why do they do it? “It’s just this feeling, this inter nal feeling of empathy when you see posts of dogs wandering around. You just feel so sad for the dog and feel so much empathy,” Conover says. “And then to know that this dog is safe, like you have some control over helping this dog … This is what my soul is drawn to.” “I just think, what a gift to have in this community. That there are people who have the biggest hearts and are willing to, for free, go out at 11:30 at night searching for these animals,” McManus says. To learn more and support the work of All Paws In, go to allpawsin rescue.com. Cindy Perman is a freelance writer, edi tor and pet sitter living in Maplewood, who will probably ask if she can pet your dog – and the cat (if he’ll allow it). Summer You’ll Never Forget SUMMER CAMP 2026 SUMMER CAMP 2026 SUMMER CAMP 2026
View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.