HISTORY OF SEWER EXTENSION PROJECT
The Amherst Woods Homeowners Association (AWHA) maintains a substantial amount of Common Property in Amherst Woods. Annual Dues cover the cost of landscaping, storm damage cleanup, insurance, real estate taxes, etc.
Regular maintenance of Common Property helps keep property values high, and at $12.50 per month per household, the $150 per year rate is well below most HOA Dues. NOTE: There is a $20 Discount for early payment and two levels of Late Fees.
Regular maintenance of Common Property helps keep property values high, and at $12.50 per month per household, the $150 per year rate is well below most HOA Dues. NOTE: There is a $20 Discount for early payment and two levels of Late Fees.
HOA ANNUAL DUES
PETS
Check out the popular Amherst Dog Park located just outside the Amherst Woods enterence on Old Belchertown Road
LOST & FOUND
In the event of a Lost or Found pet (or a problem animal) in Amherst Woods,
contact Amherst's Animal Control Officer, Carol Hepburn at: 413-478-7084.
If you have la Lost or Found pet, please post a notice on the Amherst Woods Listserve. If you're not a member of the Listserve and/or would like a notice to go out to the whole neighborhood, email the relevant information and a photo of the pet: amherstwoodshoa@gmail.com
DOG WASTE: A Risk to Health and Environment
HEALTH: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dog waste on your lawn can deposit roundworms and numerous other parasites that can linger in soil for years.It is estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria that are know to cause serious illness in humans. Children are most susceptible to contracting illnesses from dog waste since they often play on grassy areas.
ENVIRONMENT: In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated dog waste as a non-point source pollutant, placing it in the same category as herbicides, insecticides, oil, grease, toxic chemicals, as well as acid drainage from abandoned mines. Dog waste is a major source of pollution for streams and waterways. EPA has estimated that a 2-3 days worth of dog waste from a population of 100 dogs would create enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay and all watershed areas to swimming and shell-fishing within 20 miles. Dog waste is NOT lawn fertilizer.and is toxic to lawns, causing burns in addition to pollution from run-off. Unlike grain-fed animals whose waste is used a fertilizer, dogs are meat-eaters, making dog waste unsuitable as fertilizer (like human waste).
In order to protect wetlands along the Norwottuck Rail Trail, it is illegal to leave dog waste. Those who are caught leaving dog waste on the Rail Trail are now subject to fines and/or arrest. (See photo of new Norwottuck Rail Trail sign.)
SCOOP the POOP...
and take the bag with you!
Sign Detail
PET FOOD RECALLS
Most pet owners are shocked to discover how frequently pet food recalls are issued due to Salmonella or other serious contamination. Between January 2019 and June 2020, there were 21 pet food recalls.
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If your dog or cat suddenly becomes ill, check the symptoms listed at right for Salmonella poisoning and click on the Recall Lists below.
Click link for current Dog Food Recall List
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Click link for current Cat Food Recall List
The FDA does NOT oversee the safety of pet food. Recalls often involve major pet food brands, but "gourmet" and small batch, "natural" pet food brands also show up on recall lists.
SYMPTOMS OF SALMONELLA POISONING
IN PETS:
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Lethargy
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea (with bloody stools)
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Abdominal tenderness
IN HUMANS (from handling contaminated food):
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea (with bloody stools)
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Abdominal cramping
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Fever
Further, veterinarians are NOT notified of pet food recalls, and may do unnecessary, expensive lab tests searching for the cause of your pet's illness when contaminated pet food is the real culprit.
Click HERE to sign up for free Email Dog Food Recall Alerts.
Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists a number of common household plants and landscaping plants that pose a serious risk of poisoning to your dog or cat. Below is a link to the ASPCA's top 10 list of poisonous plants.