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.)

This Old Cat

Many may recognize the line about smiling "at the old days," having been "beautiful then," from the song "Memory" from the musical "Cats." How appropriate it is for our furry friends that spend most of their days napping and looking out windows. You can almost read their minds and see the longing in their eyes for their younger days. Not to worry. With age comes wisdom and the sense to slow down. We all know how quickly youth flies by. Thank goodness! Now we can relax.

Animal Welfare Society has a Senior Cats for Senior Citizens program that was started five years ago by one of our long time shelter volunteers, Maryanne Gardner. Maryanne wanted to do something to help generate the adoptions of our senior cats, and she came up with this idea. Any person 60 years of age or older can adopt a cat 6 years of age or older with no adoption fee. We ran ads advertising and asking for funding to help get this program off the ground.  As usual, our community came through for us, and we have been able to place many senior cats in loving homes. If you would like to donate to our senior fund please contact our shelter or visit our Web site, www.aws-shelter.org. We all know that 60 is not old, and the same goes for our 6-year-old cats. They have many, many more good years left. It is a proven fact that seniors that have pets live longer, healthier lives. 

When I first started volunteering at the shelter, I was worried seeing all the adult cats. I thought how are they going to find a home when we have so many kittens looking for homes. My fears were short lived. One after another adult cat went home to loving pet parents. We had blind cats, cats with one eye, cats on medications for one issue or another. All went to their forever homes. I remember the first time I saw an adoption take place. The new owner came in to pick up her new friend.  The collar went on, nails were trimmed and we all said our goodbyes.  I had to walk away because I was starting to cry. I still cry thinking about  it. Thank goodness you can't see the tear stains on my paper. This still takes place over and over. When we come in to the shelter in the morning to feed and clean the sweetest words ever are "Guess who got adopted yesterday?"!

The most amazing story of a cat adoption was when Cocoa got adopted. We had taken in a beautiful brown cat. If you know anything about cats you know that is almost unheard of. Cats are rarely brown. She was this gorgeous shade of brown, hence the name Cocoa, and her facial features blended in perfectly. Her nose was a pinky brown and she had goldish brown eyes. She would lounge in her cage looking very regal with paws crossed in front of her. One day a woman came in and explained she was looking for a cat for her mother. She said she knew she was asking for the impossible but her mother had a dream about a brown cat. Our manager said we have just the cat and showed her Cocoa. The woman called her mother and said you're not going to believe this but I found you your brown cat! In the carrier Cocoa went off to her forever home.

Over and over, the stories continue. People seem to understand the value in an adult cat. Another favorite cat of mine was recently adopted out to an elderly gentleman who wanted a lap cat for a companion. This particular cat had come to the shelter because her elderly owner had passed away. We could tell she had been his little princess and it would take a special person to replace the owner she lost. She was at our shelter approximately five years, and during that time she became a favorite of the volunteers.  We couldn't understand why she was never adopted. We found the answer when this gentleman’s needs were known. It was as if she was waiting all this time for this particular gentleman to be ready for her. Now we are kept up to date on how she is doing, and if pictures could talk we would hear the purring from both of them.

Never under estimate what an adult cat has to offer. I came upon a poem awhile back, “This Old Cat” by K.C. Bigamon. Look it up online, as I think it says it all.

April is cat-care month.  Do something nice for your furry friend. Kindness will come back to you tenfold. Something as simple as an extra hug or rub tells your cat it is special and means as much to you as you mean to it.

Meow.

Take the Pledge

"Where is that good smell coming from?"  "Over there."  "Where?"  "Over there in that odd-looking box."  "You go first."  "No, you."  "OK, I'll go. I'm so hungry I'll eat anything."  "Wait for me—I'm starving too.”

SNAP!

“Uh-oh, what just happened?  There's no way out." "Someone’s coming toward us. What'll we do?" "Hiss at her—that usually works."

Not this time... .  In steps Jill Franco, who heads our Trap, Neuter and Return Program (TNR, for short).  Jill has been trapping our area feral cats for some time now.  Once they have been spayed or neutered, they are released back to their caretakers.  Those caretakers are usually a select few people in our community who feed the area feral population.  We know where the feral colonies are, and Jill and the other volunteers have been spending a lot of time and energy trapping and having the cats receive medical attention and then they are released.

If you know of any stray cats or colonies of cats, please contact our shelter.  It is important that we get these cats spayed and neutered before we have an even larger problem. A few people find strays in their back yards and feed them only to call us later to tell us now there are kittens. If we are notified sooner, this cuts down on our kitten population come springtime.

Some of the cats that have been trapped aren't feral at all. We believe their owners may have left them at the colonies thinking this is the best place for them.  It is not! Cats that have been born into homes don't know how to survive in the outside world.  They need people for their survival.

True feral cats are very afraid of humans but need other cats. A lot of feral cats that stay at our shelter will eventually find homes in neighboring barns.  If we are able to catch the very young cats and kittens, there is hope we can rehabilitate them and they will eventually be able to be placed into loving homes.

We have volunteers at our shelter who take these kittens home and give them constant care and attention. It is nothing short of a miracle when we see the transformation when they are brought back to the shelter ready to be adopted. Amazing!

You can help fund our TNR program by a donation or becoming a sponsor of a TNR cat. Check our web site, www.aws-shelter.org, for further information.

It is estimated that approximately 10 million to 20 million pets are destroyed in the United States every year.  Of course a lot of this can be avoided by responsible pet ownership.  There are lots of organizations that work  together developing awareness programs specifically designed to reduce the  number of strays and abandoned pets.

It is important for families who are making the decision to get a pet to do their research and consult with reliable sources about the realities of owning a particular animal.

While in Florida, I came upon an organization called United to Prevent Stray and Abandoned Pets. It has developed what it calls its Pet Owner’s Pledge.  There are essential elements of a successful pet-human bond embodied in the pledge.

Pet Owner’s Pledge

I recognize that to have a pet to love, enjoy and respect is a privilege.

A pet is a living animal with whom we share the earth, not a "throwaway" item.

My family and I are aware of the daily responsibility, the care needed for the pet and the changes this will make in our lives.

My pet needs a safe shelter, fresh water, proper nutrition, grooming, proper veterinary care and, very importantly, training. I will learn about these and provide them to the best of my ability.

When selecting a pet I will take into consideration the life expectancy, physical characteristics and behavioral differences among the types of pets.

I will properly socialize and train my pet beginning at eight weeks of age or as soon as possible if the pet is older.

I will control my pet's ability to reproduce in order to prevent the cruel overproduction of unwanted animals that will be abandoned and very possibly euthanized.

I will know and obey all laws pertaining to my pet in order to prevent it from being a burden to society and annoying or being dangerous to others.

My pet will be properly identified in the best manner at all times. If my pet becomes lost I will make every effort to find it.

If for any reason I can no longer keep my pet I will not abandon it. I will find it a suitable home, take it to an animal shelter or, if no other choice exists to a veterinarian for assistance.

I will think of the life I am offering a pet and put myself in its place.

AWS is all about helping to produce more knowledgeable and responsible owners who are committed to their pets' well-being. Producing happier pets and happier owners. In doing so, the chance of these animals being abandoned in the future is less likely. We all have to understand that animals are living, breathing, feeling creatures that deserve to be treated as humanely as possible.

Don't be afraid to give us a call with any problems you may have with your animals. We do not judge! We will do everything possible to help with any behavioral or economic problems you may be having regarding caring for your pets.

The best place for your animals is staying in your home with you. Together we can work it out.