12 PLANTS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR PET SICK

Household pets come in contact with lots of dangerous items every day. Although they have lived in our homes for many centuries, they are still animals, and need us to protect them from the hazards of our world. More than 100,000 companion animals are treated each year for some type of poisoning. One of the biggest reasons for this is toxic plants - either house plants, or items we've planted in our yards or gardens. Here are some of the most common ones: COMMON AT CHRISTMAS Poinsettia – Causes irritation in the stomach and mouth if ingested. Not generally life-threatening. Affects both dogs and cats. American Holly - Vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, low heart rate. Toxic to both dogs and cats. Mistletoe - cardiovascular collapse, difficulty breathing, erratic behavior, vomiting, and diarrhea. Toxic to both cats and dogs. COMMON HOUSE PLANTS Aloe Vera – Vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea. Poisonous to both dogs and cats. Ivies - Vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea. Foliage is more toxic than berries. Toxic to both cats and dogs. Lillies – Kidney failure – toxic to cats, non-toxic…

Post author:abbey
Post published:December 17, 2018

5 THOUGHTS ON ADOPTING A PET

FIVE THOUGHTS ON ADOPTING A PET (Adopting a pet. This is an updated version of a post I wrote on Facebook a few years ago, after a few unhappy events. Two adopted dogs were hit and killed by cars within a period of six weeks. The reason – they were timid animals who ran out from their new homes in blind panic and into the street. In one of those instances, the adopters were told not to let the animal off leash at all during the first few weeks – advice they ignored. So this post came from a place of sorrow and frustration.) You've decided to adopt a furry companion - that's wonderful! Many companion animals are euthanized every year. Choosing to save one is a marvelous thing. A couple of notes about adoption counselors/shelter workers - from one who has been both employee and volunteer for many years. 1. LET THEM HELP YOU CHOOSE A shelter counselor is NEVER trying to talk you out of an animal - they're trying to talk you INTO the right animal. Yes, that…

Post author:abbey
Post published:December 10, 2018

HELPING OUT AT THE SHELTER

VOLUNTEERING AT AN ANIMAL SHELTER OR RESCUE All rescues and shelters depend on volunteers for many things. Some are 100% volunteer run, so they need everything from kennel cleaners to home visit specialists. Others have paid staff for cleaning and running the shelter, and need help with outside activities as well as socializing the animals for adoption. As a side benefit, you can work with cats and dogs in the shelter while finding your perfect match. I adopted my first “official” rescue, Wilma, after walking her as a volunteer. (I’d always taken in strays, but never adopted through a shelter before.) My second girl, Dixie, also found her way into my heart and home this way. HOW CAN I HELP? Below is a list (certainly not complete) of ways in which you can help. I’ll explore each of these in more depth in later blog posts. Socializing animals to ready them for adoption Taking animals to adoption events in local pet stores and other venues Stuffing envelopes for fundraisers Helping out at various fundraising events – auctions, photo shoots, alumni days,…

Post author:abbey
Post published:December 3, 2018

ARE THERE TOO MANY ANIMAL SHELTERS AND RESCUES IN THE U.S.?

TOO MANY ANIMAL SHELTERS AND RESCUES? Are there too many animal shelters in the U.S.? What about breed-specific rescues? The answer is, like most things, yes AND no. There is no accurate count of how many rescues and shelters actually exist. And the numbers change all the time. NO There are still 2.7 million companion animals euthanized outside of a veterinarian’s office every year in this country. Approximately 1.2 million dogs, and 1.5 million cats. Discounting those animals who are terminally ill, or whose behavior problems include aggression extreme enough to not allow a safe home placement, there are still 2.3 million companion animals who are essentially thrown away every year due to lack of alternatives. This is unacceptable. More shelters and rescues are needed in order to cut this number down. We must provide safe options for people who cannot, or will not, keep their pets. BREED SPECIFIC RESCUES More breed-specific rescues are needed, especially for pit bulls, and other bully breeds. These breeds are the most often euthanized in shelters due to a lack of willing and able…

Post author:abbey
Post published:November 27, 2018

WINTER SHELTERS FOR FERAL CATS

It's mid-winter and cat colonies are suffering from the cold and wet - make some winter shelters for your feral cats. Below are some DIY ideas to help protect vulnerable felines from the bitter winter weather. The two most important things in creating any shelter are that it is waterproof, and that it is sheltered from the wind. I’ve drawn these shelters from many different sources, which I will credit here – please check out the links for complete directions on construction. Of course, you can always purchase shelters online, but there is great satisfaction in building one from scratch. One word of caution, however. If the cat colony is not on your property, please make sure you have the landowner’s permission before setting up shelters. Some people consider a feral cat colony to be a nuisance and will object to any outside interference. So, here are a few ideas: STYROFOAM SHIPPING BOXES Styrofoam shipping boxes can be found at supermarkets, fish stores and butcher shops. Even vaccines are packed in them, so your veterinarian might be a good source as well. These…

Post author:abbey
Post published:November 14, 2018

3 AMAZING ANIMAL WAR HEROES

It wasn’t only humans who served the military in wartime – there were also a few outstanding animal heroes. Here are three: SERGEANT STUBBY – WORLD WAR I Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) during World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front. He was either an American Pit Bull Terrier, or a mix. As befits this page, he was a stray, discovered at Yale University by troops who were training to go into combat. One of the soldiers, Corporal Robert Conroy, hid him on the troop ship when the regiment shipped out. He then hid him in his overcoat to avoid detection. When he was discovered, he ingratiated himself by saluting the commanding officer. The office, of course, let him stay. Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry Regiment in France for 8 months and participated in 17 battles. He was wounded in the leg by a hand grenade. When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches. In his first year of battle Stubby…

Post author:abbey
Post published:November 11, 2018