Taos Real Estate

1) Parvovirus – warning for animal owners . Paul Martinez, Town of Taos Animal Control Officer, alerts the public to a recent outbreak of Parvovirus in Taos County -- a virus particularly dangerous to dogs under 4 months that have not been vaccinated (Note:  This virus is not known to be communicable to humans).

According to excerpts from a letter from Dave Noll, Executive Director, Stray Hearts Animal Shelter, "a puppy, belonging to a transient...was picked up in Kit Carson Park by Animal Control.  The puppy died of Parvovirus on the way to a veterinarian.  Parvovirus is spread via exposure to infected feces.  One can assume that this puppy left a quantity of feces throughout the park.  The parvovirus can live in the ground for months or even years...There has been a serious outbreak of Parvovirus in Taos County this year, and anything that we can do to prevent its spread is encouraged by the animal community.  This would also help to create awareness of the importance of owners vaccinating their dogs or cats."

The Parks Division, Town of Taos, has already sprayed Kit Carson Park, and will be working in other ways to reduce risk/notify animal owners of this situation so they may guard against this virus.

For further information, contact Mr. Martinez, Town of Taos, at 751-2039 or pmartinez@taosgov.com, call Stray Hearts at 758-2981, and/or check out web sites that have information about the virus.  Two may be located at www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm or www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=467.

2) Tourism entities: Please email any October 2008 (and beyond) art, recreation, cultural or other promotion-oriented event information to Peter St. Cyr, pstcyr@griffinassoc.com at Griffin & Associates.  Put it in the usual calendar format -- including Times Roman font set at 10 pts.

3)  October is National Fair Trade Month. October is a great time to learn more about and support Fair Trade. Ask your favorite coffee shop of merchant

if they offer fair trade certified products.  Taos became only the fifth Fair Trade town in the US several months ago and the first in the west and NM. It's now up to the community to encourage more FT products in Taos.  If you'd like to learn more about FT, check out the Fair Trade Resource Network's website at www.ftrn.org. If you are interested in a FT chocolate campaign for Halloween, contact www.reversetrickortreating.org.