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What is your organization's role/oversight/policy regarding stray animals on NSA Naples base (Capo, Support Site and Carney Park)?

Naples Friends of Animals plays several important roles in our community. First, we help reduce the homeless pet population on base and in the Naples community by financially supporting spay and neutering of stray dogs and cats. Second, we facilitate pet adoptions to help re-home a number of stray puppy and kittens and pets for military members who can no longer keep them under special circumstances.

Has this policy or program been effective in controlling the stray population on base? Please explain.

No. Since NFOA is a non-profit and 100% volunteer organization, we have not had the sufficient funds, support, or a facility needed to be more effective in controlling the stray population.

While we try aggressively to remove all dogs from base, doing so is subject to the availability of volunteers to transport, foster, or sterilize. In the past, some dogs have been sterilized and released at an off base location. Some have still managed to find their way back to base, sometimes within days; others within months.

Although we have had numerous stray cats living on the Support Site and Capo sterilized, the overall numbers are still overwhelming and only growing.

One effective way to truly reduce the stray cat population on base is to trap, sterilize, and release large numbers of the cats at the same time since cats reproduce at a much faster rate than dogs. Euthanasia is not an option as it is against Italian Law to euthanize a healthy animal.

If you are made aware of a stray animal on base, what action does your organization/department take? What then happens to the animal?

There are very few calls in regards to cats on base, unless they are injured, and then we strongly recommend taking them to a veterinarian for care.

Most often we hear about stray kittens, puppies, or dogs in need and following are the actions that NFOA takes to help the animals. If possible, we will trap or catch the animal. We will then take it to a facility in town to be spayed/neutered. After the surgery, the animal will be released.

What off-base alternatives are you aware of, if any?

Although there are shelters in the Naples area, NFOA is unable to recommend one kennel over another.

To see a list of available kennels in the area, see our links page.

How many animals, if any, have been reported/brought to your department/your department's attention in the past week/month/year? Is this a greater or lesser number than the previous week/month/year?

As mentioned before, on base animals that have been brought to our attention since April 2008 are around 70 cats and 6 dogs. However, the animals we hear about in local communities are far beyond, in the neighborhood of 100 plus cats and even more stray dogs. Springtime and summertime are especially busy for us being puppy and kitten season

Specifically, where and what department/organization should a person call if they see/have a stray on base?

Please contact the Facilities Management Division (NAVFAC EURSWA Public Works Department Naples)

DSN: 314-626-1981
Comm: +39-081-568-4981
E-Mail: PWDFullServiceDesk@eu.navy.mil

What should Naples military community members do if they spot/pick up a stray off-base?

When anyone comes across a stray animal, it is important to stop and ask a few questions:

Is the animal safe in its present environment?

Sometimes it's best for the animals if they are left to fend for themselves while we continue to watch over them from a distance. We as humans have a tendency to humanize the animal's situation. Most of these strays have lived their entire lives on the streets, are happy, content and quite capable of sustaining life. They have food sources and shelters sometimes away from our prying eyes.

NFOA prefers to get involved only when the situation is dire. If the animal is in a dangerous situation and you can safely remove them, attempt to do that. Dangerous situations include running near the Tangenziale or in traffic, cats or small dogs trapped by larger dogs, and animals dumped from vehicles. If the animal is not injured and it is safe, stop your car and try to persuade it to get into the back seat (dogs) or a box (cats.) It is illegal to dump pets in Italy, but moving them to a safer location is sometimes the only alternative.

How will the animal react?

Always put yourself first and be safe. Without knowing if the animal is in pain, sick, or scared, one cannot predict how a stray animal will react and in some circumstances the animal could attack you in self-defense.

If an animal is injured, be extra cautious. Most cats and many dogs will try to bite when hurt. Do not put yourself or anyone else in danger. Basic first aid rules should be followed when handling and transporting injured animals to a veterinarian.

There is a list of local area vets on the links page of this website, along with an English/Italian conversion form. Take this document with you when you go to your vet to get treatment for your pet.

If possible, always transport cats in a box or carrier. Badly injured animals may need to be euthanized; remember, this is a much better alternative than to leave them suffering on the street.

If you see a litter of newborns, is a mother present?

Often times mother cats put their babies in what they believe to be a safe place while they leave for a few minutes to go find food. Just because baby puppies or kittens are alone doesn't mean the mother is not coming back for them! NFOA advises not taking a litter of puppies or kittens until they receive the adequate nutrition and all of the health benefits their mother's milk can give them. We prefer to wait until the puppies or kittens are at the very least 6 weeks old, preferably longer if at all possible. Our interference too early can sometimes have fatal consequences even though we have the best of intentions.

Are you willing to temporarily foster, train, care for, and pay for vet bills?

Remember, often times the best thing to do with a healthy animal is to leave it alone. Before bringing a stray home, stop and think. NFOA has limited foster homes and chances are if you take in a stray you will have to foster the animal temporarily or until it has been permanently placed with a family.

Please understand that we are not trying to discourage anyone from helping, but everyone needs to be aware of what they will be getting into before taking an animal off of the streets. Human emotions tend to go into overdrive when we see these precious pets walking the streets, and it can cause us to make very hasty decisions. It is important to remain impartial for the good of the animal.

We recommend contacting NFOA first if you are planning on trying to find the stray a home so that we can assess the situation and the animal's adoptability factor.

Another point to keep in mind is that NFOA does not have a facility or the funds to take in or help every animal that we are contacted about. It is a sad but true statement that we cannot find all of the animals homes.

Often times, stray animals have a food, water and shelter source that they rely on for survival on the streets. Once a person feeds an animal regularly, it becomes dependent on them for nutrition and you start becoming responsible for its care—even under the law!. When an animal is taken out of its original environment or moved to a different location, it could lose some of these key survival instincts and familiarities.

I have a pet available for adoption; can I attend Pet Adoption Day (PAD)?

Animals may attend a PAD by invitation only!! Please do not show up uninvited; you will be asked to leave. We apologize for this, but we are limited to 15 dogs and 20 cats at a time per base security and the CO. Only animals on our official list are allowed. This list is on a first come, first serve basis with strays being given 2nd priority (NFOA fosters come first).

Please also, do not bring us animals during a PAD. If you have an animal we ask that you please contact us by emailing us or by stopping and talking to us about your situation.

What are the requirements of attending Pet Adoption Day, if invited?

For the safety of our foster pets and yours, every pet that attends an adoption event must be de-wormed and up to date on their first round of shots. You are required to bring your vaccination record to PAD. To keep up with our mission of reducing the homeless pet population, all pets over 4 months old MUST be spayed or neutered before attending an adoption event. You may still attend if your pet is less than 4 months old, however, it cannot move to its forever home until it’s been spayed or neutered. This is the only way that we can guarantee that they will never add to the homeless pet population here in Naples.

What can I do if I wasn’t invited or if I cannot attend Pet Adoption Day?

Once the animal is on our website, we also add the animal to the Pet Adoption Day (PAD) list. We encourage you to make fliers to post around the bases to advertise that you have a pet available for adoption. NFOA does post fliers weekly, but we ask that animal caretakers help post their own animals in order to further the advertising process. You may also run classified ads in the Panorama as well as list the animal on bulletin board websites such as NapoliAds and Naples All Hands.

What are my options if I am PCSing?

NFOA encourages all of those who are PCS’ing to take their animals with them. Not only does leaving an animal behind confuse and hurt the animal, but animals that are left behind add to the overpopulation issues. We have contact information for companies in the US that can and will help you move your animals back. If you absolutely cannot take an animal to your next Duty Station or need more information on PCS’ing with animals, contact NFOA as soon as possible. We can help you to explore all options available.

If you must leave the pet, send in a picture and website questionnaire so we may add the animal to our website. Be sure to ask all known family or friends if they will be willing to take the animal or watch over the animal for you until you can take it back.

IMPORTANT: Please do not contact us and threaten to leave your animal on the street or in your house. These threats will be taken seriously and your name and contact information will be turned into the base vet, security, and JAG. Such threats do not change our available homes list or our position. Please note that abandoning an animal is illegal by Italian law, is punishable by Military Law and could affect your job, your pay, and your ability to continue to reside overseas. Similarly, any animal that has been knowingly left behind by an owner and is found on the streets or left in a home, we must report to the JAG office. Do not jeopardize your career or your family by leaving an animal.

What if you find an animal that has an Owner?

We routinely come across animals that were lost or left behind by their owners. Under Italian law, we are allowed to pick up an animal that is running at large or is assumed to be a stray. Under base regulations, any dog on base is prohibited unless visiting the on base vet, must be on a leash, and owners may not take their dog to any other part of the base. Dogs found roaming on base may be removed by either base personnel or NFOA.

The first thing we do is to scan the animal for a microchip or tattoo. What happens next depends on if any permanent identification is found. If a tattoo or microchip is found on the animal, then every effort is made to reunite the animal with the owner. If within 60 days of finding the animal and no owner has been found or stepped forward, the animal is put up for adoption, per Italian law. If the conclusion is that the animal has been abandoned, then we have no choice but to report the incident to the vet, base security, and the JAG office. If no tattoo or microchip information is found, NFOA then treats the animal as a stray. The animal is given proper medical care and is assessed for the foster program.

An owner may step forward at any time to claim their animal if NFOA has picked it up. The owner must supply us with evidence that they own the animal (adoption or sale contract, vet bills, food bills, microchip or tattoo number, etc.) and the animal will be microchipped (if not done all ready) before leaving NFOA, in order to comply with Italian laws and base regulations.

I heard this area has a potentially fatal disease called Leishmaniasis. How can I best protect my pet from this disease?

This disease is common to the entire Mediterranean region. It can be treated but not cured.

Although no preventative measure is 100% effective, several options exist and work well for prevention, such as scalibor collars, Advantix, Frontline, etc.. The responsible pet owner should consult a veterinarian on the details of application. Because the sand fly that transmits the disease is most active at night, limiting nighttime exposure, if at all possible, can be helpful. Learn more.

My vet told me that I may not be able to ship my dog back to the states. Is this true?

All dogs living in Naples must be tested for this disease before the Italian authorities will issue a pet passport. The dog must be negative before they can leave from the Campania Airport (airport at Capo).

Since Rome and many other cities do not have this law, a dog that tests positive may be shipped out through the airports in Rome or other cities. It will take a bit more work, but the animal may return to the United States. To learn more about how to protect your pet against Leishmaniasis and the impact the government-required testing may have on your PCS return home, read our special report here.

What do I need to consider before I adopt or buy an animal?

There are many things that one should consider before taking on the responsibility of a family pet:

• Can you house the animal you are interested in, not only in terms of space but can you properly confine the animal so it doesn’t escape the yard or house?
• Can you properly care for the animal, including payment of vet bills, time in training and care, feeding, exercise, love and commitment?
• Does your landlord care about the size, breed, temperament, or number of animals you have?
• Does the whole family agree that this is the animal they want?
• Who is responsible for the animals care? Generally it is not a good idea to get an animal for a child to take care of, unless the adult is willing to be responsible for the animal also.
• What happens in the event of a move? Are you prepared to take the animal with you or do you have other arrangements if you cannot? (Giving the animal to NFOA is not an acceptable arrangement.)
• Are you prepared to deal with behavior or social issues that an animal may have such as scratching or chewing of furniture or possessions, potty accidents, digging, barking, shedding, fear or aggression issues, or other common animal traits?
• Can I make a commitment to this animal that will last 10 – 15 years or more?

Do you have purebred animals for adoption or can you tell me where to find one?

The simple answer is no. The majority of animals that NFOA has are strays that are mixed breed and are of no known origin. Occasionally, a family may give up a pet or a stray is found that we consider to be purebred and so we may have a pure breed animal for adoption, but this is rare and no papers are available on the animal. Any animal that is adopted out by NFOA, must be spayed or neutered, no matter if they are purebred or mixed. If you are looking for a specific breed, it is best to research that breed and find a breeder.

NFOA can not endorse any breeder of any animals nor are we in the “breeding” business. Please use your own judgment when selecting breeders.

I have an animal that I want to breed; will NFOA help me or help place puppies/kittens?

NFOA is not in the “breeding” business and we do not help people who wish to breed their animals. If you find yourself in the unfortunate incident of an “accidental” breeding or have a stray who is pregnant or who has a litter, NFOA will help in any way we can. However, NFOA is not a breeding service nor a puppy placement service for breeders. If you wish to breed your animals, we strongly suggest you contact your vet first before you breed.

Why do you make people fill out an adoption application and contract?

An adoption application is required because we do not wish people to make snap decisions about adopting an animal. We ask that you provide us with basic information so that not only do you have the time to consider what taking an animal means but so we can follow up on the animal and add them to our “Purrfect Endings” page when our animals find a forever home.

The contract is a legal document that asks you to be aware of certain things when adopting an animal from NFOA. This ensures that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities in taking the animal into your care and spells out the role of NFOA through the adoption process. These are requirements for any shelter or rescue within the States and are put in place to protect all involved.

Do you take in animals other than cats and dogs?

NFOA may take in other animals other than cats and dogs on a case by case basis. Please contact us for more information.

Do you provide dog training classes or services?

NFOA does not provide dog training classes or services, however, Navy Outdoor Recreation (NOR) Center on Carney Park does. For more information, please contact them at 081.526.1579