Town of Ithaca Dog Census and Contest Winner

Residents in the Town of Ithaca had an opportunity to guess the total number of licensed dogs in the Town of Ithaca during the period commencing May 1, 2008 and ending June 31, 2008.  Ms. Nina Bassuk came closest to guessing the correct number of licensed dogs in the town and was awarded a very healthy gift basket this past Tuesday, July 15th.    Ms. Bassuk eagerly received her gift basket exclaiming that this is the first contest she has ever won.

Ms. Bassuk’s guess of 1,121 dogs in the town came closest to the actual count of 1,152 dogs counted on June 30, 2008. 

Ithaca Town Clerk Karen Billings remarked how terrific it was to have so many local merchants participate in providing items for the gift basket.  Donations were received from the American Red Cross; Claws & Paws Pet Grooming; Cornell Hospital for Animals; Ithaca Agway Farm & Garden Center; Ithaca Grain & Pet Supply; The Clip Joint and Pampered Pets.

Karen and her entire staff are working on the details of next year’s contest.  “Now that we have already had a contest surrounding the total number of licensed dogs, we’ll have to come up with another idea,” added First Deputy Town Clerk Carrie Whitmore.  “Stay tuned for more details after the first of the year,” said Karen.

Nina Bassuk (left) receiving her gift basket award from First Deputy Town Clerk Carrie Whitmore on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Ithaca Town Hall.

Town of Ithaca, New York

PROCLAMATION

BY THE TOWN SUPERVISOR – HERBERT J. ENGMAN

WHEREAS, Dog Licensing helps the recovery of lost or stray dogs and helps

protect the public from rabies, since licensed dogs must have

proof of vaccination; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control advises that by keeping

vaccinations up to date for all household pets it not only provides

protection for the pet but also provides a barrier of protection for

the owner, in the event the pet is bitten by a rabid wild animal;

and

WHEREAS, in an effort to assist the residents of the town by providing no cost

pet health care, the Town of Ithaca, in conjunction with the

Tompkins County Health Department, hosts an annual free rabies

clinic at its Public Works Facility in May; and

WHEREAS, increased awareness of the rabies disease process could result in

greater decline of the disease, because we have the means to

control it; and

WHEREAS, more than 120 residents of the Town of Ithaca participated in

guessing the total number of licensed dogs in the Town of Ithaca;

and

WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca held a contest, open to all town residents,

whereby the person guessing the total number of licensed dogs

in the Town of Ithaca by contest end date of June 30, 2008 would

win a gift basket full of special dog toys, treats and health care

items; and

WHEREAS, merchants and providers of pet services eagerly endorsed the

town’s contest by partnering with the Town in this contest; and

WHEREAS, donations were received from American Red Cross; Claws & Paws

Pet Grooming; Cornell Hospital for Animals; Ithaca Agway Farm

& Garden Center; Ithaca Grain & Pet Supply; The Clip Joint and

Pampered Pets; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Nina Bassuk, a resident of the Town of Ithaca, came closest to

guessing the total number of licensed dogs during the contest

period, commencing May 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2008, in

the Town of Ithaca by guessing that the Town has 1,121 dogs; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Ithaca officially has 1,152 dogs as of June 30, 2008,

according to its most recent census;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Herbert J. Engman, Town Supervisor, do hereby proclaim

Ms. Nina Bassuk as the official WINNER of the Town of Ithaca’s contest in support of

dog control and dog licensing in the Town of Ithaca, New York, and encourage

everyone to get involved and participate in actively promoting dog licensing.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of

the Town of Ithaca, New York to be affixed at the Town on this 15th day of July, in the

year 2008.