Did You Know …?

I know it probably seems like Animal Welfare Society is always begging for donations of some sort every time you turn around. I thought this would be a good time to give you some facts regarding the operating costs of our shelter and the responsibilities of our staff, volunteers and board members along with some helpful facts regarding this holiday season.

With every one or two cats and kittens that get adopted it seems we take in three or four. We feed them twice a day. In the morning, they get canned food with a side of dry. In the late afternoon, they are given a little dry food in their dishes to hold them over until morning. Of course, the kittens have food available at all times. I can easily go through a case of canned food feeding our two cat rooms and our floor cats. That doesn’t include our isolation room or grooming room that houses our overflow. I can’t remember the last time grooming has been empty of cats in cages. This is the reason we are always asking for donations of pet food.  It is very hard to keep up with the demand.

Every day they each get a fresh scoop of litter in their boxes, and in the large pens the litter boxes take five scoops each. We get our litter delivered from Agway by the pallets on a call-in basis. We can’t rely on an automatic refill because each month we use a different quantity depending on the number of cats we take in. We have an overabundance of cats and kittens, which causes us to go through an extremely large amount of litter.

Our dogs are basically the same scenario minus the litter, of course. We have 18 kennels that can house our dogs, and when we have very small dogs, especially in the colder months (if we have the space), we house them in isolation and grooming. We also have a gated area at our front desk where we can keep the smaller dogs.

Some facts from the month of October’s Profit & Loss Statement:

 Total income—which includes, but is not limited to, adoptions, fund-raising, canisters, shelter store, spay/neuter and membership dues—totals $12,797.74.

Total expenses for the month of October—which includes, but is not limited to, medical, insurance, supplies, food, utilities and advertising—totals $33,135.00 (medical alone for October totaled $9,240.42).

We had a net income of (minus) -$20,337.26.  So you can see why we have to ask and ask some more for help.

Our staff members are very dedicated employees. They are not in it for the money. As you can see, we don’t have much money to go around but we do value our employees and are as generous with their pay as possible. Every one of them has the well-being of our animals at heart.  Our staff members work weekends and holidays. Our manager is available 24/7 for emergencies. As we all know from experience, most problems arise “after hours.”

Our shelter is run by a Board of Directors, which consists of our president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, director of public relations/marketing, director of fund-raising, and shelter manager. All positions (except shelter manager) are non-paying positions. We put in countless hours consisting of brain-storming, meetings, public relations, education, animal training, fund-raising and awareness programs—all of which is done after we’ve worked at our day jobs.

I personally have never done anything so rewarding in my life. I cannot explain the satisfaction and happiness we feel when we receive updates on our adoptions and see how well our past shelter animals are doing. Most of our rescued animal’s lives may not have started out very well but from the moment they enter our shelter their story changes. It definitely will be a happily-ever-after story.

With the cold weather and holidays approaching, please be aware of the dangers lurking around for your pets.

Did you know…

·       Many holiday plants can lead to health problems in dogs and cats.  Among the plants to keep out of reach are holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lilies.

·       Antifreeze is poisonous to pets. Just a small amount can be deadly. Snow globes often contain antifreeze so keep them away from your pets.

·       The extra cords and plugs of holiday lights and other fixtures can look like chew toys to pets. Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Unplug lights when you are not home.

·       Pine needles, when ingested, can puncture holes in a pet’s intestine. So keep pet areas clear of pine needles.

·       Pets, particularly cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines. Keep other ornaments out of reach of pets.  Ingestion of any ornament, which might look like toys to pets, can result in life-threatening emergencies. Even ornaments made from dried food can lead to ailments. And remember, shards from broken glass ornaments can injure paws, mouths and other parts of the body.

·       Keep candles on high shelves. Use fireplace screens to avoid burns.

·       Do not let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria. Check labels for tree water preservatives and artificial snow, and buy only those that are non-toxic. Some folks use screens around trees to block access to electrical cords and gifts.

·       Very important: Do not put aspirin in the water (some folks do this thinking it will keep the tree or plant more vigorous). If a pet ingests the aspirin-laced water, his health or even life can be at risk.

·       Avoid toxic decorations. Check all labels for any hidden dangers.  Snow sprays can cause reactions when inhaled, styrofoam poses a choking hazard and water in snow scenes may contain toxic organisms such as Salmonella.

·       Holiday time can be very stressful to your pets. Make sure pets have a safe place to retreat in your house away from noise and guests. Make sure they are wearing current ID in case they escape out a door when guests come and go.

·       Always make time to spend and care for your pets. Do not take a holiday from the responsibility of pet ownership.

·       If your pets are stressed, Rescue Remedy, a Bach flower essence available in most health food stores, is a natural stress reliever that many folks keep on hand at home and in travel kits. It can often help both people and animals recover from injury, fright, illness, travel fatigue, chocolate ingestion and irritation. Put a few drops in the water bowl or a drop on a towel in their crate.

·       Do not let guests feed your pet’s human food. There are many holiday foods, including fatty meats, gravies, poultry skin, bones, chocolate and alcohol, that can cause illnesses from vomiting and diarrhea to highly serious pancreatitis and other toxic reactions.

These are just some of the dangers of the holiday season. Always try and look at a situation from your pet’s point of view. Walk around your home and survey each room. They are like young children always ready to explore the unknown. Just because it looks like a toy doesn’t mean it is! They are counting on you to keep them safe and secure.

Everyone at Animal Welfare Society wants to wish you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season.

Shelter Life

The sun is coming up and a new day has arrived.  With each new day comes the hope of another adoption and watching one of our deserving animals go off to their forever home.  In the meantime, we have work to do.

Walking up to the shelter door, we can see the cats sitting on the windowshelves.  When they first see us, they start meowing like crazy. We can’t hear them, but we can see their mouths going a mile a minute. Upon entering our shelter, we are greeted by our floor cats, who let us know it has been a long night and they are very happy to see us. They have made a mess overnight with their mischievous play and always leave us little surprises. They know how much we just love picking up after them.

Next, we have to get right to the feeding of the cats, and the dogs are let outside first so their kennels can be cleaned before their morning breakfast. The cats are fed before cleaning; if not, we would never hear the end of it! As we serve the cats their food we give each of them a special hello and petting. Some may need medicine in their food and some take supplements added in. We know what all their special needs are.

When the cats have all been given their food, I like to check out our isolation room to see if we had any new additions to our shelter family from the day before.  When any new cat or kitten is brought to the shelter it has to be isolated from the rest of our residents until it is seen by our veterinarians and been given its proper inoculations. After that, it is housed in one of our cat rooms to be adopted. Some are lucky and get adopted as soon as they are ready, and some take longer. A lot of times people come in looking for a particular breed, color, size, sex, long hair or short hair, and the like. Just because an animal has been at our shelter for a while is no reflection on that animal. It just means the right new owner has not been in to visit yet. 

After the feeding comes the cleaning. Each cat is let out of its cage while we change the litter box, wipe down the cage and give it a clean bed and fresh water.  A few hugs and kisses and on to the next.

The dog kennels are sprayed with disinfectant and water and then dried. Then the dogs are let back in and get ready to be fed. After feeding, they wait patiently for the dog walkers to come. When they see their first friend come through the door, they all start barking, as if to say, “Take me out first.”  While some are being walked, the others are let out to play in the fenced in yard. We have a child’s plastic pool for the dogs to play in and plenty of water to drink.

Back to the cats. After their cages have all been cleaned, some want to play with other cats, toy mice or balls and some need to be groomed. Others simply want to take a morning nap.

When I tell people I volunteer at an animal shelter, most of the time their first response is “How can you stand seeing the animals in cages? I could never work there—it is too upsetting.” The truth is they are better off at our shelter secure in their cage than out on the streets and wondering where their next meal is coming from. Most settle in very quickly. The only cat I can remember that was truly upset in his cage was a black and white male named Hercules. He would cry and reach out from the cage as soon as he saw any person around. His owners had moved and couldn’t take him with them so they brought him to AWS. We tried to comfort him but he was beside himself. He would work himself into such a state that he could not keep his food down. We sent him for tests, but they found nothing wrong.  It was all stress. When we took him out of his cage to comfort him he would cling to us so tightly. Finally someone came along and saw his potential, adopted him and kept us updated on his progress.  Once he left the shelter and was back with a family, he was a very loving companion to his new clan.

All the animals have their own personalities and little quirks. We have one cat, Mitchell, that steals paper clips and puts them in the dry food bowls that are on the floor. I was wondering why I kept finding the paper clips and the staff told me they had watched him do it. I don’t know why he does this, just that he, along with a lot of others, keeps us amused.

Soon 11 o’clock comes around and we are open for business. We usually have a steady stream of visitors coming throughout the day along with other volunteers that come to walk dogs and socialize and play with the cats. At the present time we have a lot of kittens at our shelter, so it has been a very active place. These kittens don’t want to sleep after breakfast—they want to play. The only switch they have is an ON switch that keeps going and going. When we have so many kittens it seems I get nowhere fast when cleaning.   But I do find myself laughing out loud…a lot!

We are in the process of adding an outside cat room to the shelter. This will be just fantastic for our cats that like the feel of the outside and sunshine. The enclosure will be very secure for them but will give them added space to roam—the next best thing to their own homes with their own sunrooms. 

We are always trying to improve the quality of life and living conditions for our residents at the shelter. This enclosure is being made possible by a grant. We have big dreams of an addition to our shelter that will be used as a training facility and a meet-and-greet area for prospective adopters to have one-on-one time with their families and the animals they are considering adopting.

At the present time our shelter is busting at the seams, and there is no area that can be used for a quiet get together. Donated funds have been put aside for this addition, but there’s not enough to see it come to life. For now we can only dream of the day when the shelter is turned into the facility that serves not only the good of the animals but the good of our community as well.

At the present time, we are in a state of emergency. Every room is filled at our shelter, and we are worried with the cold weather around the corner. We need to have space to be able to bring strays in out of the cold. Our cat rooms are filled to capacity. If you or if you know of anyone who is looking for a cat or kitten, please come in for a visit. I guarantee you will find one that captures your heart. Maybe you or someone you know would be able to foster cats or kittens. This is a wonderful way to get the benefits of an animal companion without the long-term commitment.

When you lay your head down at night, please say a prayer to St. Francis of Assisi to keep our shelter animals safe and help us so that we may one day have the facility that we at AWS have been dreaming about: St. Francis, please keep our shelter animals safe and may they all find their forever homes. May we one day have the facility to train and house them so they are ready and able to be loyal family pets. May there be no more pain and suffering at the hands of unworthy owners and puppy mills. May people finally understand that animals are feeling and loving creatures that feel pain and heartache just as we do. May there be no more “sale for profit.” May they all have the chance to be the loving companions they were meant to be. May we one day walk into our shelter and have nothing to do.

JAMBO

As I am writing this, I am in the Kilimanjaro Airport waiting to fly home after two weeks in Tanzania, Africa. Going on a safari had been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.  A lot of times we have high expectations of something and imagine it to be better than it really is. This was not one of them! This has been a trip of a lifetime—a learning experience regarding animal behavior as well as human behavior.  The people of Tanzania are the warmest, friendliest people I have ever met. “Jambo” is Swahili for “hello,” and everyone you pass gives you a loud friendly greeting.

My tour group all came here as strangers, but we are leaving as friends. Our three tour guides are from the Masai tribe and very proud of their heritage. By the end of the trip, while giving hugs all around we had the Masai warriors crying—not a common sight to be seen.

Without going into too much detail, at one point in our game drive we were in the middle of a pride that had just made a kill. Now anyone who knows me won’t believe I was able to watch this, but it was the most amazing scene I’ve ever witnessed and one I will probably never experience again. Nature at its wildest!

The female lions are the ones that do the hunting and bring the kill back to the others in the pride. The male lions eat first.  When they are finished, the next to eat are the females; after that the cubs can eat.  I would think they would feed the young first or at least second, but it’s not so. The reason for this is for the survival of the pride. The females need the food for strength to return to hunt some more. If a lioness were to bring back a small kill, the male lion would be the only one that would get enough to eat from that. We learned a male lion must consume at least 15 pounds of meat a day. The females need to consume 11 pounds daily. So off the females would have to go to hunt some more. 

They are on a constant lookout for food because the prides can consist of quite a few members. The pride we were watching had approximately 12 members—two male lions, two young males that were approximately 2 years old and the lionesses that did all the work.

As I was watching I couldn’t help but compare our house cats to the wild cats, and vice versa. I have a male cat and a female cat. My female sleeps a lot less than my male cat, and she is always wondering and looking around. My male is lazier, and when he wants to know where she is he lets out a loud howl sound—not like a lion’s roar but just as effective … she comes running. The young lions were wrapping their paws around tree trunks stretching and scratching just as our cats do at home and in the shelter on scratching posts and marking their territory. The young are mischievous and playful. Watching them interact with each other was an amazing sight, but everyone knew who the boss was—“Big Daddy”!

We also watched as two jackals were barking at a cheetah that was getting a little too close to their den. They were trying to lure him away from their home that most likely had pups. They were working very hard and appeared a little distressed. Finally the cheetah wondered off.

Probably what was most amazing was the fact that all different species of animals were co-existing very peacefully together. The zebras were grazing with the buffalo, wildebeest, elephants, giraffes, gazelles, impalas and warthogs (my favorite), to name a few. The elephants were fun to watch, especially with their young. The baby elephants were so adorable and very inquisitive. They were very interested in us and would try to get closer than their mothers wanted them to. The moms would hold the babies back with their trunks but the babies would peek out and keep trying to get a closer look. Elephants have the sweetest faces. They always look like they are smiling. 

The lions are the ones that the animals fear the most. The leopards and cheetahs seem to go after the small animals. These hunters only hunt for food because instinctively their main goal is survival of their pride and family. We humans can learn a lot and take lessons from these wild animals.  They do not hunt just for sport; that is a human game. They protect their young and other herd members.

Most of the wildness has been bred out of the domesticated animals we have as pets. So our animal friends rely on us for food, water and survival. In turn, they give us the same dedication we see in the wild in prides and herds. Our pets do not know how to provide the essentials on their own. Yes, we all know most house cats know how to hunt small rodents like mice and birds, but it is mostly instinct and play and they would not fare well if they had to survive in the wild. That is why it is best for our pet cats not to be let outside. There are much larger predators that could be hunting our pets.

As I leave to go back home, I am taking with me a new respect for the wildlife and people of Tanzania. It is truly a unique and beautiful country.

“Hakuna matata”—no worries, as a song from “The Lion King” goes.

Saying ‘Goodbye’

We’ve talked about all the fun and good things about having pets in our lives. Unfortunately, with the good comes the bad. We don’t like to think about it, but the reality is the time comes when we have to make that tough decision and say goodbye. 

Years go by so fast. One minute you have a rambunctious youngster in your life and the next time you look it has slowed down and sleeps a lot.

Situations arise, illnesses present themselves and years just simply take a toll on our four-legged friends. Some issues can be controlled with medications, some with rest and some will heal with time. The issues that are most concerning to us are those that medication and time cannot heal.

Most likely you will have a good 10 years or more with your pet, depending on the breed and size of your companion, which usually denotes its average life expectancy.  My little Chihuahua has an expectancy of approximately 17 years. My Siamese are noted for being the longest lived cats, and they average well into their 20s. Unfortunately, my son’s mastiff doesn’t have a long life expectancy. The breed averages only about 8 to 10 years. She will be turning 6 this year, so she is well into her senior years, though you would never know it. She still thinks she is a small, young lap dog…NOT!

The pain of losing our beloved companions is beyond measure. It is similar to the feelings we have when we lose a human family member. People who don’t own a pet cannot understand this and usually think we are being foolish for feeling this way and just want us to “get over it.” This is so far from the truth, and one should never feel embarrassed or ashamed for mourning the loss of a pet. In fact, going through the mourning process is exactly what we need to heal. Accept the sad feelings, and don’t be afraid to remember all the good times.

When my former pet dog, Lyndsey, passed away after being my constant companion for 14 years, I was devastated. I had to do something as a remembrance. I made a memory box in her honor. The top cover held a few favorite pictures, and inside I saved a piece of her bed, her tennis ball that she loved so much, her collar and tags, brush, license and all the sympathy cards that friends and family sent. And poems like “Rainbow Bridge” that I still read over and over. It meant a great deal to me to get those sympathy cards, because it showed that everyone knew how much she meant to me and also showed me she meant something to the people she met along the way. So reach out to your family and friends when they are going through the loss of a pet.

Don’t let the heartbreak of a loss stop you from getting another pet. When the time is right, you will know when, start looking for another companion.  Try not to compare your new pet with the one you lost. Each will be different, and each will give you what you need at the time. 

I finally adopted a dog after being without one for many years. The time was right for me, and so was little Pita. She is a totally different dog all together, but I love her with all my heart and never, ever compare her to the dog I lost. 

The biggest lesson I learned when my dog was gone was that time passes too quickly, and we have to make the most of each and every day.

If you have more than one pet and one gets sick and passes away, the other may go into depression. Spend extra time with the pet that remain, which is also in mourning, and together you will get through this.

Getting your pet a new companion may be the answer to their loneliness. Only you know your pet well enough to know if this is true.

If you think this would help you and your pet heal, visit some shelters, and if you find an animal that you think would be a good companion for your pet, make an appointment to bring your pet for a play date. Your current pet will know if it has found a new friend. 

We have dogs and cats at our shelter that attach themselves to a favorite friend. Some may not get along with others in general but for some reason they do with a particular one. Don’t give up if you don’t find a good match quickly. It may take many visits to shelters to find the perfect friend, but have fun while looking. The shelter animals will certainly enjoy your visits and attention.

Remember, death is a part of life. Don’t ever avoid attachment because you are afraid of heartbreak.  Because of love, we feel pain. Savor the time you and your pets have together, and in the end they will know they were truly loved.

Surf & Turf

Summer is finally here and the lakes are filled with boaters and water-sport enthusiasts. We all know the laws of safety on the water. We check to make sure our boats are running properly, lights are working, and radios and emergency equipment are in tiptop shape. Of course, among the most important items to have are life vests, or flotation devices. You must have enough vests so that every rider on the boat has one.

Please do not forget your animal friends. It is very important that they are correctly fitted so that that, too, can have a fun day with you on the water. No excuses! You can find them in pet stores, specialty shops, online and in catalogs. They come in all sizes, from extra-extra small to extra-extra large. My 5-lb. Chihuahua fits in the former, and my son’s mastiff fits in the latter.

You may think that dogs don’t need to wear a vest because they know how to swim. If a disaster should happen, however, you dog may be thrown overboard and be knocked out or become disoriented. If the dog ends up out in the water for a long time or tries to swim to shore, it could become exhausted. A vest will keep it afloat until help arrives. Just because dogs may instinctively know how to swim doesn’t mean they like the water. They may panic if they were to find themselves thrown in, and because of that they may become exhausted more quickly.

Years ago, when we were having a party at my home, I went out on my pedal boat with a few people. At the time, my pet best friend always went out on the boat with me, just the two of use, and we would have a relaxing ride around the cover. The day of the party, however, there were many people in our yard and I asked them to keep an eye on the dog, to keep her back at the house. So off I went. I was pedaling around when I looked back and there was my dog, swimming after the boat. I didn’t expect this because she didn’t like to be in the water. I had to pedal back to shore to get her out of the water. This is a perfect example of what happens when everyone is watching but no one is really watching!

Another thing you have to be aware of is sun exposure. Animals can get skin cancer, just as we can. Their noses are very sensitive. The lighter their coloring, the more they are at risk. Check out your neighborhood pet store for good skin protection products for your pets.

Do you enjoy taking your pet best friend with you when you go out in the car for a ride or to run an errand? Please be aware of the temperature outside and understand that inside the vehicle it can be dangerously higher. You probably use your air conditioner when you are driving, but when you stop to go into a store, it gets shut off. Interior car temperatures can rise very quickly, and with deadly consequences. A dog’s brain can easily fry in a matter of minutes. You wouldn’t leave your child alone in a (hot) car, so please don’t leave your best four-legged friend there.

I admit that I take my dog with me all the time, but she is small. I use a bag carrier and bring her into stores with me. I never leave her alone in the car. Most dogs are larger and not as portable. Sometimes the safest place for them to be is home.

Another quick thought: Be aware of the fact that slate, blacktop and wood decking absorb heat from the sun. If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot on the surface, it is too hot for your pet.

Always have fresh water available. Never leave your pet tied up for an extended period of time. It has no way to get out of the sun on its own. Be careful at playtime, too. Make sure your pet doesn't experience heat exhaustion. Some signs of heat exhaustion are heavy panting, anxiousness, dizziness or confusion, weakness, very high temperature, diarrhea and vomiting. If any of these occur, first check body temperature. The normal temperature for a dog is 101 to 103 degrees.

Its temperature can shoot up to 104 degrees very quickly. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately for your pet, but first take steps to bring down its temperature. Go to a cooler location. Pour cool water. Be cautious about applying an ice pack to your dog's back because it could damage its internal organs beyond repair. 

If your dog is vomiting, do not give it food or water. Let it drink water only after its body temperature reaches 103 degrees. One the temperature has been brought back to normal and signs of heat exhaustion have diminished, take your dog to the vet for a complete check-up to determine if there are any long-term effects.

Prevention is key in keeping our pets healthy. The most important thing you can do during the summer months is to keep your pets hydrated and make sure they do not engage in any extreme exercise during the heat of the day. Our animals are not able to tell us when they aren't feeling well, so always be aware of your pets' behavior. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

Have a heart, be smart and think safety first.  

An Ounce of Prevention

The sun is shining and the air is fresh and clean. The outside is beckoning you and your best friend to enjoy the outside world. Go and have some fun. Before you venture out make sure you have taken precautionary steps to safeguard your pet from fleas, ticks and, of course, heartworm.

We are fortunate to have an easy way to keep our animals safe from these pesky critters that can cause such health issues if left untreated. Once a month you can put a topical treatment on your pet that helps to keep fleas and ticks away and also intestinal parasites. The same day you do that treatment you can give your pet a chewable tablet that prevents heartworm. What could be simpler! Now you are ready for the sun and fun. Remember, thought that even if you use these preventatives you may still find an occasional tick walking up their body toward its head.  You can usually find ticks around the ears, and fleas are most commonly found around the rump end of your pet.

When you are finished with playtime outside, give your pet a nice once over with your fingers. You can massage the head area and run your hands down your pet’s body.  See if you feel anything that doesn’t belong. This is also a great way to feel any other abnormalities on its body. When you get to the back-end area, lift the hair and see if there are any signs of fleas. Flea debris is black and gritty. When you are finished you can give your pet a quick brushing or combing. This is the perfect way to end a nice day with your best friend and a way for your pet to wind down. We all know our pets love the attention! Now I bet you will find yours will be asleep in a short while. Utter contentment!

There is another disease that you may not know about that your dog should be vaccinated against. It is called Leptospirosis. Here is the veterinary assistant in me coming out. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is passed from livestock and wildlife via the urine into water sources. The bacteria can be present in stagnant water such as puddles and also ponds and lakes. Leptospirosis is contagious and can be passed from dog to dog or dog to people. Talk to your veterinarian and find out the symptoms and look into getting your dog vaccinated.

If you have cats (we know you are keeping them indoors), you should also check them. Your dog may bring some uninvited guests into your home. Always keep an eye open and know what you are looking for.

Animal Welfare Society recently took in two beautiful cats that were left in a barn and when they arrived at our shelter they were covered with ticks. Their bodies were very much irritated, and our manager was concerned about anemia due to the fact that ticks feed off the animals blood supply. They were loaded up with supplements, and their bodies were shaved so the sores could heal. They are on their way to recovery and are very happy that they are safe from outdoor predators and have all the food they need. They will soon be ready for adoption. We know who ever adopts these cats will have wonderful companions for the rest of their lives.

There is a monthly topical treatment for cats that can keep them safe from a lot of parasites. Check with your veterinarian for the best product for your pet. Even though your cats may live indoors, the outdoors always finds a way in. Fleas can be brought in by people as well as other animals. Fleas can also be hosts for tapeworm and other parasites. An uninvited mouse can also bring fleas into your home. 

Heartworm can be carried indoors by mosquitoes. Heartworm has the potential to be lethal and as of now there is no known treatment for cats with heartworm. Over 25 percent of cats with proven heartworm infection are kept exclusively indoors.

Hookworm larvae can be found in sandboxes and can be transmitted to people. Cats become infected through ingestion of other infected animals such as birds, rodents or through mother’s milk.

Roundworm eggs are tracked indoors from dirt on shoes. Roundworm can also be passed to people and are very dangerous to young children and kittens.

Ear mites find their way indoors by dogs and other pets. Infected cats are at a greater risk for potentially serious bacterial infections.

We all know our dogs must be vaccinated for rabies—and, yes, even our indoor cats. Mice and bats can get into our homes very easily and carry rabies with them.

None of this should ever have to happen to your best friends.  If you take just a few extra minutes to regularly check your pets, they will stay free and clear and so will your household.

Have a wonderful spring!

Take a Hike!

We don’t know how or when it happens, but it does. Those extra pounds just seem to creep up on us overnight every winter. We swore last year it wouldn’t happen again, but here we are struggling to zip up our favorite jeans.

The same thing happens to our four-legged friends. They slow down and sleep more during the cold weather. The other day I put a sweater on my little dog that was loose on her a few months ago and noticed it was fitting a little more snug. I refer to my dog as my little Pita pocket. My daughter-in-law says she is now a stuffed Pita pocket! How embarrassing.

I know what we are doing wrong at my home. My husband loves to give her treats. He does the same with our cats, but they are very slender (Siamese) and never have this problem. So we are cutting back with her food portions and really limiting the treats. Sorry, Pita, but it is for your own good!

Over-weight pets face a lot of health risks: diabetes, heart and respiratory disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and many forms of cancer, to name a few. Overweight cats have the added risk of fatty liver disease and lower urinary tract disease. So what do we do? The best answer is to get moving.

Now that the nice weather is around the corner take your friend out for a walk around the neighborhood or a hike through the woods. Going out for a walk gives your dog mental stimulation as well as satisfies the migration instinct all dogs have. We are fortunate to have dog parks in a few of our area towns, and they are the perfect spot for your dogs to run and play and get the exercise they need while making new friends.

Before you go make sure your pets are up to date with vaccinations. Just like our children need to be vaccinated before they start school, the same goes for our pets. We wouldn’t want a preventable illness to ruin a good time.

Slimming down an over-weight cat isn’t as easy. When cats were in the wild, they had to hunt for food and be very athletic to avoid predators. In today’s world we know that keeping our cats indoors is the safest place for them. Studies show indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. Because of this more relaxed and stress-free lifestyle, indoor cats can become bored and sedentary. Hence, weight gain.

 

Don’t be discouraged. There are many fun ways to exercise your cat, and by doing so you can also reinforce the bond you have with your pet. Before you start, have your veterinarian exam your pet and make sure there are no medical reasons for your pet’s weight gain. When you get the go-ahead from your veterinarian, have some fun. Cats love anything that moves. Throw a ping pong ball around for them. They love the bounce, bounce, bounce of the ball. My male cat loves me to throw the ping pong ball up in the air, and he jumps and slaps it back to me like a volley ball. Crinkle some paper and see how long they are amused by it. If you have two cats they may bat it back and forth.

Speaking of two cats, if you only have one cat, now you might consider getting a friend for your cat. They love to stalk and chase each other. This may be the simple solution to your cat’s weight problem.

If you have cats but no dog and you would benefit from a good walk in the park, see if you can “borrow” a neighbor’s dog to take on a stroll. I’m sure there is a dog close by that would love the extra attention that maybe its owner can’t give due to their age, medical condition or work obligations. Of course, you can always visit our shelter to see what dogs we have available and adopt your very own walking companion (the cat and dog pictured here are still waiting at the shelter for the new home). This is a win-win for everyone involved.

However you choose to exercise your pet, the important thing is doing it together, and this will definitely reinforce the bond you have with your animal. Just don’t forget to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Pillow Talk

Whether you consider yourself a dog person, cat person or both, we pet owners would agree they enrich our lives. Each one brings a different personality into our home. 

If you are anything like me, you like items that have cute sayings on them regarding our four-legged friends. My favorites are the pillows. I have them on my side chairs and in guest rooms. Every time I walk by I seem to read them over and over and still find amusement in them (I'm so easily entertained!).

It's amazing how just a few short words can get the message across. To me that message is how important our animals are in our lives. Every day they are here for us and bring us such comfort and enrichment in our daily grind. They are a constant in our lives, always waiting at home for us and giving us pure love and gratitude every time we walk through those doors. See if you agree with what these pillows are saying.

MY GOAL IN LIFE IS TO BE THE KIND OF PERSON MY DOG THINKS I AM

No matter what, your dog would lay down its life for yours. Without question you are the single most important thing in your dog’s life. Your dog doesn't care about much else but being by your side. Dogs are happiest doing whatever as long as you are doing it with them. The sound of your voice is music to their ears. When you are away from home, most of the time they sleep. As  soon as you get close to home, and believe me they know when you are near, they get a burst of energy and wait (im)patiently staring at the door and then you magically appear.  How'd they do that? Doesn't matter how to them—all they care about is their “master” is home!

OUR PERFECT COMPANIONS NEVER HAVE FEWER THAN FOUR FEET

They never judge, hold a grudge or retaliate. I do have an exception with this saying, however. When I was young I had a pet duck (two feet). Way back when, this was very odd. I went to the movies one afternoon with friends and next door to the theater was a pet store. It was Easter time, and the store was selling ducklings. I just had to have one! When I went home, I pleaded and begged, but honestly I didn't have to work that hard because my mother is a true animal lover also. So, I got my duckling. I used a cardboard box for her bed and she lived in my bedroom. When she got older, she moved outside. We lived on a main road in Bethel and turned a shed under our porch into her house. Every Saturday we went to the feed store and brought home bales of hay/straw for her bedding. She was the best “watchdog” ever. Whenever someone came into the yard. she would start quacking and quacking. I forgot to mention her name. You guessed it—Quacker.  We had a child’s plastic swimming pool that we would fill in the summer, and she would splash and play in it.

Early on we weren't sure if she was a boy or girl but soon found out when we went to her house one morning and SURPRISE, there was an egg! We could never eat her eggs because to us it would be like eating her (we also saw what she ate—yuk!). To this day, I have never been able to order duck at a restaurant.  Our many years of enjoyment ended when we lost her to a wild animal. Very painful.  It is not a good idea having animals that live outside in this part of the country. There are too many hazards and elements that can harm our best friends. That is why Animal Welfare is always suggesting our adopted cats not be let outside. It is estimated that indoor cats have a lifespan of five more years than outside cats.

Thank goodness pet stores don't sell ducklings anymore at Easter time because there is always another child that “just has to have one” and without careful thought would purchase one.  The same thing applies to bunnies that are sold at pet stores.  Think, think and think some more before you decide to buy a bunny, especially as a present. The novelty soon fades, and most bunnies end up at our shelter.

This past summer we had a lot of rabbits that people either got tired of or didn't realize how much work was involved. Believe me, I know how cute and cuddly they are. But reality soon sets in and the day-to-day work begins. So please, no impulse buys.  Rabbits can be great pets, just know what you are getting into.

NO OUTFIT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT DOG/CAT HAIR

This saying is a favorite of mine, because I figure if it is put on a pillow then I’m not the only one with this problem. All pet owners know the necessity of having those sticky rollers in their cars, hall closets, garages, kitchen cabinets, office drawers, etc.  Whoever invented them should get an award. All kidding aside, I have always said, “I'd rather have pet hair in my home than not have a pet in my home.” Pets are definitely worth a little extra time spent vacuuming.

DOGS HAVE OWNERS, CATS HAVE STAFF

True, true, true. Dogs hang on our every word and look to us for constant approval. Cats, on the other hand, have us wrapped around their paws. We are drawn by their purr as if there was magic in the sound. We get hypnotized by those amazing cat eyes, and when they talk to us we listen. Currently, we have 60-plus cats at the shelter. I'm sure that number will grow fast now that spring is here. We have had more than 100 in the past, and I never want to get to that number again!

Each and every one of those cats has its own personality. We have many cats that may look the same at first glance but when you look again you know which is which. The playful strut across the floor, the pounce, pounce, pounce on the toy mouse, the leap and jump on the sunbeam coming through the window—all express themselves in different ways. Each and every one is special and unique. Just as we each have our own personality, so do they. We have cats that will suit everyone’s taste and style.

Another pillow needs no explanation.

CATTITUDE

Need I say more?

(*Both animals in today's blog are currently up for adoption at Animal Welfare on Dodd Road in New Milford.)