Your animal companion can enjoy as desirable a lifestyle as you do when you make your home in the Willamette Valley. The great outdoors beckons for exercise with off-leash parks for your canine friends as well as trails and boarding facilities for your equine ones. There are shops, services and vets to provide for the care and feeding or your pets no matter how exotic plus plenty of friendly neighbors who share your devotion to critters from fish to cats to snakes and beyond.  |  | | | | |
 
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Dog Parks And Trails
Minto-Brown Island
Park This park offers a designated, unfenced area for dogs to socialize
and play off-leash with disposal bags available. The area features a wild
section of tall weeds as well as a grassy play area with picnic tables. Dogs
must be leashed when outside the off-leash area.
Orchard Heights
Park This park has a small designated area where dogs can play
off-leash. Located near the Salem/Keizer border, half the property is open and
relatively flat flanking an orchard that rises up the hillside. Glen Creek
meanders through the central portion of the park with oak, alder and cottonwood
trees growing along the banks of the stream. Dogs must be leashed when outside
the off-leash area.
Bush Pasture
Park This 90-acre park has open meadows shaded by mature trees as well
as many fields for playing Frisbee or throwing a ball. There are plenty of
trails perfect for walking, jogging or running and dogs are welcome but must be
on leash at all times. There are three mutt-mitt dispensers for cleaning up
waste.
Oregon
Garden Located on 80 acres in historic Silverton, the Oregon Garden is
one of the state's most popular destinations, where thousands of plants are
displayed in more than 20 specialty gardens. The Pet Friendly Garden was
completed in 2003 where you're welcome to stroll with your pet beside you while
admiring dramatic Willamette Valley vistas
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Horseback Riding
Willamette Mission State
Park This 1,680-acre park, just 8 miles from Salem and 7 miles from
Keizer, is not only a stunningly beautiful natural environment but it is also
one of the most significant historic sites in the Willamette Valley. There are
grassy meadows filled with flowers, plants, trees and wildlife plus eight miles
of trails along the river for riding. Horse camp facilities include four sites
that can accommodate up to two camping units and four pack animals.
Century Farm
Equestrian Center Located in nearby Scio, Century Farm is both a rental
and boarding facility. Come ready to saddle up for a guided or solo ride
through the surrounding scenic hills.
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Dog Training
The
Dumb Friends League Sponsored by the Humane Society of the Willamette
Valley, the Dumb Friends League offers dog and puppy training classes several
times a week with varying schedules. The Animal Behavior Department also offers
monthly "Pet Parenting" classes which provide general information regarding how
to live with a pet and problem solving.
K-9 Obedience of Salem K-9
Obedience provides professional, obedience and competition training for all
breeds and their owners. With more than 30 years of experience in training and
behavior consultation, you're certain to find help for whatever problems your
pet is causing. Centrally located to Salem, K-9 offers both private training
and group classes plus competition training.
Cascade Retriever
Kennel 8 miles south of Salem and Keizer, Cascade Kennel features 46
acres customized for dog training. Twenty acres make up seven technical ponds
for specialized Retriever training and group classes are focused on obedience
training and gun dogs.
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Pet Supplies
Davenports Den Located in
and benefiting the animals at the Humane Society of the Willamette Valley. Come
and get you pet food, toys and supplies while supporting a worthy
cause.
Sebastian
Pet Food And Supplies Everything you need for all your pets, big or
small, mammal, reptile or amphibian. Locally owned and operated and serving
Salem pet owners since 1993.
Bluedog Quilts This Salem company
specializes in personalized floor and couch quilts for dogs. Washable, in your
choice of colors, custom binding and embroidery is even available.
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Pet Grooming
Soapy Paws Pet
Salon Full service grooming and self-wash for canine friends with two
convenient locations including one in Keizer and one in Salem. You can also
stock up on pet food. |
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Pet Boarding/Day Care
The Pet
Stop Serving Salem and Keizer, this is the pet-sitting service that
comes to you. The Pet Stop cares for a variety of animals including (but not
limited to) dogs, cats, birds, fish, ferrets, guinea pigs, pot belly pigs,
reptiles, rabbits and the like.
Cats Only Luxury
Boarding Self-described as the "Classy Hotel for the Classy Cat," this
Salem facility features no cages or kennels. Each private hotel room has a
window, climbing tree, catwalk, bench and secret hiding space.
Pet Village This Salem boarding
facility for dogs and cats gives each animal guest individual attention. There
are 100 indoor/outdoor runs for dogs. The runs are heated, cleaned and
disinfected daily. There are separate accommodations for small dogs. Cats are
boarded separately from dogs and owners can choose from cages or deluxe cat
condos. Premium pet food is served or you can bring your own. Leave for your
travels knowing your furry friend will be warm, safe and well cared
for.
RJ
Stables This four acre facility located in Keizer has an indoor arena,
partial boarding services and stalls with or without paddocks.
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Pet Adoption
Humane Society of
Willamette Valley No matter what type of companion animal you seek, the
Willamette Valley Humane Society in Salem has loving animals of all shapes and
sizes looking for homes. From dogs and puppies to cats and kittens to rabbits
and birds, there are even horses looking for homes. A new friend is waiting for
you today!
Salem Friends of
Felines Come find a feline friend who desperately wants a home. From
kittens to full growns, you're sure to find a kitty that takes your heart away.
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Pet Events
Oregon
State Fair Livestock Show Held on the fairgrounds in Salem, the
livestock show is the State Fair's most popular attraction. Animals on display
include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, llamas and alpacas.
Oregon
State Fair Poultry and Rabbit Exhibit This irresistible exhibit includes
large fowl, bantams, guineas/turkeys, waterfowl, pigeons and doves in both the
utility and performing classes. There are also displays of heavy and
light-weight rabbits and other small fur animals.
Oregon
State Fair Horse Show The Oregon State Fair Horse Show, housed in the
historic Stadium, is one of the biggest this side of the Mississippi. The
finest specimens of all the major breeds are on display.
Salem Equestrian
Events 10 different equine events take place each year in Salem. Whether
it's the Willamette District High School Equestrian Meet to competitions for
specific breeds like Arabians or Jumpers, there is an event for every horse
lover in the Salem-Keizer area.
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Zoos and Petting Zoos
Oregon
Zoo Take a trip around the world at Portland's Oregon Zoo featuring
animals from every continent, many of them displayed in environments the evoke
their home territories. The exotic bird aviary is extremely impressive while
the delightful Oregon natural life exhibit recreates an alpine area of the
Cascades with mountain goats, a beaver den and river with frolicking
otters.
Oregon
State Fair Petting Zoo The Petting Zoo provides a cast of cute and
cuddly animals such as pygmy goats, sheep, potbellied pigs, fawns and others.
Be sure to bring your camera because you'll want to get a photo of your own
cute and cuddly ones with a Petting Zoo resident.
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Veterinarians
Pet Medical
Center Completely renovated in 2001, Pet Medical Center is a
state-of-the-art, award-winning facility operated by staff members who are
chosen for their love of both pets and their owners. The most up-to-date
medical equipment is here putting some human medical facilities to shame
including endoscopy, radiology, ultrasound, laser surgery, sevofluorane
anesthesia, full blood chemistries and complete dental work stations.
South Salem Veterinary Clinic South
Salem Veterinary Clinic is a complete animal care facility that has been
serving Salem for 30 years. Offering extensive general health, laboratory,
dental and surgical services for pets, they also carry a complete line of high
quality pet food and flea-control products.
Humane Society
Find-A-Vet This is a listing of vets provided by the local humane
society.
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 More than a third of all households in the area have pets living with them. Whatever your animal companion’s needs, you’re certain to find them met close to home. So pack up Rover or Fluffy or Old Paint because they’re going to love living in the Willamette Valley just as much as you do! 
Pricing >The Asking Price
Picture this...
Your house has been on the market for four weeks. There have been a lot of showings but no offers, so you are wondering if you should consider a price reduction. You want to get as much as you can for your home, but more importantly you want it to sell!
This may be the time to have a frank discussion with your real estate agent. While price may be a major factor, it may not be the only consideration. Are you making your house easy for agents to show? Have you completed the necessary maintenance and cleaning so that your property is as appealing as possible? Review with your agent the current market conditions and the prices of other homes in your neighborhood before determining that a price reduction is in order.
Even though your price may be competitive, the marketplace may be telling you that buyers just won't pay what you would like to get. If all indicators point to a price reduction, it is better to do it sooner rather than later.
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| Q |
Which hazardous substance is contained in sixty-four million houses and apartments?
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| A |
HUD estimates that 64 million homes and apartments built before 1978 contain lead-based paint.
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See More Real Estate Trivia > |
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