|
Cats for Adoption
|
Dogs for Adoption
|
Ready for Adoption?
|
Happy Tails! - Adoptions
|
Did You Know...
There are many things that are dangerous to your pets, right in your own home. Click Here for common items to be aware of in your house, as well as a list of foods toxic to dogs & cats...
July 31st is National MUTTS DAY!  Mutts are often healthier than pure breds because they don't hand down the genetic problems that are consistant with certain breeds. Now we love all dogs - pedigreed or not - but there's just something soooo special about a true 57 variety canine -- And we feel the same about our felines!
Some interesting facts about Cats... (Don't worry - dog facts are below, too!)
-
-
Cats are especially susceptible to upper respiratory infections. The FVRCP vaccination protects your cat/kitten from the 3 most common respiratory infections: Chlamydia, Calici, and Rhinotracheitis. Your adult cat needs this booster shot 1X/yr., and will receive it at our Adoption Center. Your kitten should receive a series of 3 or 4 of these boosters, given at 2-3 wk. intervals. Depending on how long your kitten was at our Adoption Center, you may need to repeat this shot from your vet again 1-2X to be sure your kitten is totally vaccinated.
-
Cats can get distemper, however, it is not the same kind as dogs get. Your dog cannot give your new cat or kitten distemper. Make sure your feline is vaccinated for feline distemper, (which they will get from our Adoption Center).
-
Cats often go through a ‘shy’ period when they arrive at a new home, or when they receive a new pet into their home. This is normal; give them time to adjust. That time will vary from pet to pet, and it may be even a few weeks before your once friendly Tabby will come out from under the bed when the new kitten is around. Never force the situation, or you may scare your current cat even more.
-
-
Older cats may finally accept a new kitten into the house, but still not necessarily want to play with him/her. Give them time to adjust their own way, and in their own time. And be sure to lavish as much love and affection on your current pet as you do the new guy in town; it will help settle insecurities, as well as the new guy know that the cat who was here first is still in charge.
-
|
I’m still Mom’s favorite!
|
A tricky kitty situation - what do you do?
-
Sometimes, a cat will not take to a litter box immediately. Or, you have a cat who’s done just fine, but all of a sudden, doesn’t want to use the litterbox anymore. What do you do? (see below for answers)
|
-
In the first case, make sure you are making the litterbox as enticing for your new cat/kitten as possible. It may just be a case of learning the rules in a new place. Be sure to point out the litterbox and physically place your new feline in the box at least a couple times a day, preferably after eating. Make sure the litterbox is not too close to their food or sleeping areas. Is the box clean? And is it in a place where the cat feels not only safe, but partially hidden? Hey, we’re all shy – some might just be more than others! Repetition is the key at first, and lots of praise! Yelling at them when they go somewhere other than the litterbox will not help them do a better job; praising them when they do it right will.
-
In the case of a cat who suddenly doesn’t want to use the litterbox he/she has always used, it could be a couple different things. First, have circumstances in your home changed? Sometimes the addition of a new pet will confuse or upset your cat, and that may cause him to seek privacy elsewhere. He may not want to share his private place with the new kitty! Is the box being kept clean? Cats prefer to do their business in a tidy area, and if you’re leaving it several days before cleaning out, he may just consider it too dirty to use. If all seems to be fine but he still won’t use it, consider a vet visit. Sometimes your cat may be telling you –in his/her own way – that something just isn’t quite right. It may be a bladder infection or something else, but it’s a good idea to have things checked out, when all else fails.
|
How Old is Your Dog... really?
Muffy as a puppy & at 12 yrs. old
|
Everyone has heard the myth about ‘dog years,’ which often is described to mean that a dog ages the equivalent of 7 human years for every year of a dog's life – which would mean a 3-year-old dog's age is equivalent to that of a 21-year-old person, a 4-year-old dog's age is equivalent to that of a 28-year-old person, and so on.
The truth is, the relationship is more complex than that. Dogs of different breed sizes age at different rates, and dogs age faster or slower depending on how old they are, as shown in the chart below.
Why Does It Matter?
There are a number of reasons why owners should be aware of this variable aging rate. Among the most important are:
- Puppies are going through their fastest growth for their first year or even two years for large breeds. During that entire time, puppies should be fed a complete and balanced puppy food. It may seem strange to call an 18-month-old, 60-pound large breed dog a ‘puppy’ - but that’s what he is.
- Large breed puppies have special nutritional needs. These include the need to manage caloric intake to help a large breed puppy achieve and maintain an ideal body condition. Keeping your large breed puppy lean helps keep muscular and skeletal growth rates at an ideal pace.
- The rule of thumb is that dogs of breeds that typically weigh 50 pounds or more full grown are large breeds and will be puppies for 2 full years. In terms of selecting food and providing health care, you should treat them as puppies for that time.
- Even though large breed dogs take longer to reach full maturity, they also will show signs of growing older sooner than other dogs. Very large dogs can become senior canines as early as 5 years. Owners should treat their dogs accordingly
Relative Age of Dogs in Human Years
| Pet's Age |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
| Mature Weight |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0-20 lbs |
15 |
23 |
28 |
32 |
36 |
40 |
44 |
48 |
52 |
56 |
60 |
64 |
68 |
72 |
76 |
80 |
84 |
88 |
92 |
96 |
| 21-50 lbs |
15 |
24 |
29 |
34 |
38 |
42 |
47 |
51 |
56 |
60 |
65 |
69 |
74 |
78 |
83 |
87 |
92 |
96 |
101 |
105 |
| 51-90 lbs |
14 |
22 |
29 |
34 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
61 |
66 |
72 |
77 |
82 |
88 |
93 |
99 |
104 |
109 |
115 |
120 |
| over 90 lbs |
12 |
20 |
28 |
35 |
42 |
49 |
56 |
64 |
71 |
78 |
86 |
93 |
101 |
108 |
115 |
123 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My Dog Chews Up Everything - What Can I Do?
First, think about why your dog is chewing. Is he bored? Do you leave him alone all day with no one there? This can't be helped in some cases, but there are things you can do to curb his affection for your furniture or baseboards! Be sure that your dog has plenty of exercise... Just like children, dogs need an outlet for their natural energy, and the more exercise they get, the less likely they will be to chew up all your nice things.
Here is some info from the professionals that might help; the following info. was copied from Dr. Jon at www.PetPlace.com:
The fact is, dogs LIKE to chew. So, if you don't give your dog his own personal things to chew, he will be forced to satisfy his natural instincts by chewing the things around him ... YOUR things! And trust me, he will find plenty of things that are pleasing to chew.
Destructive chewing can be a very difficult behavior to deal with, but here are some tips that may help:
1. Give your dog a good quality chew toy. Make sure he has plenty of toys and that he knows what is acceptable to chew on and what is not.
2. Rotate your dog's toys so he doesn't get bored with the same toy.
3. If your dog chews up toys, choose durable toys that are nearly indestructible, such as Kong® brand toys.
4. Make sure there are no removable parts that can be easily torn off and ingested.
5. Avoid toys that are small enough for your dog to swallow or too large for him to play with comfortably.
6. When you first give your dog a new toy, supervise his play to make sure that he plays with it appropriately.
7. Choose washable toys. Between the dirt and drool, your dog's chew toys can become pretty disgusting ... not to mention a natural breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria.
A good chew toy will satisfy your dog's natural urge to chew, help keep his life interesting and keep him contentedly entertained for hours on end. It can also help break your dog of those destructive chewing behaviors.
We'd also like to add that some dogs prefer squeaky toys, some prefer fabric over rubber toys, etc. Observe your dog to figure out which toys he/she will be happiest with. And remember - no dog is 'chew free'. Puppies, of course, tend to chew more than adults, but dogs don't totally mature until 18mos. - 2 yrs. old. So if your dog is over 1 yr. and still chewing, take heart -- it'll get better if you follow the above steps!
Here are links to some Pet Sites that may be helpful:
(* NOTE: These links are for your convenience; we do not endorse or have a relationship with any of these companies or sites unless specifically stated. We do not choose one site over another; if you would like your site posted, e-mail us with information & we will be happy to review. We are not liable for any information you receive from any site we have linked. Please note that national humane sites like HSUS, ASPCA, World Wildlife Fund, etc. may have some pictures on some of their webpages that may show graphic animal abuse; it is recommended that you preview these sites before going there with your children. Many of these sites have webpages specifically for children, and you can go directly to those sites with that web address, such as KIND. As we find them, we will list kid-friendly sites under the kids section below.)
Blue=all animals site; Purple=dog site; Green=cat site; Orange= kid-friendly sites
Great Sites for Kids – About Kids and Animals
Hey Parents! - Bring your kids by the Animal Adoption Center during Visiting Hours
to pick up their own FREE issue of KIND NEWS! It's filled with great games, pictures & stories
about animals from all over the world, as well as pet tips, and educational information!
Do you have a favorite Pets website? E-mail us with the URL and we'll add it here! (subject to approval)
Want an excuse to celebrate your beloved pets? Just take a look at these 'holidays' !
JULY
National Mutts Day - July 31st
AUGUST
- International Homeless Pets Day - August 15
- National Dog Day - August 26th
SEPTEMBER
- National Dog Week - Last week of September
OCTOBER
- Adopt-a-dog Month - October 1-31
- National Feral Cat Day - October 16
- National Cat Day October 29
NOVEMBER
- Senior Pet Month
- National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week - Nov 5-11
DECEMBER
National Mutt Day
JANUARY
- National Dress Up Your Pet Day - January 14
FEBRUARY
February - National Prevent a Litter Month (HSUS)
February - National Pet Dental Month (AVMA and American Veterinary Dental Society)
February - Responsible Pet Owners Month
February 20 - Love Your Pet Day
February 23 - International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
February 24 - National Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
MARCH
March 3- What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
March 14-20 - National Poison Prevention Week (ASPCA)
March 20 - International Earth Day
March 25 - National Puppy Day
APRIL
-
April - Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month (ASPCA)
-
April - National & International Pet First Aid Awareness Month
-
April - National Pet Month
-
April - Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
-
April 1 - Everyday is Tag Day
-
April 7 - National Pet Health Insurance Day (VPI)
-
April TBD - International Guide Dog Day
-
April 18 - Pet Owner's Independence Day
-
April 18-24 - Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week (HSUS)
-
April 18-24 - World Week for Animals in Labs
-
April 18-24 - National Pet ID Week
-
April 22 - Earth Day
-
April 24 - World Veterinary Day
-
April 24-30 National Scoop the Poop Week
-
April 25 - Don't Step In The Dog Poop Day
-
-
April 26 - National Kids and Pets Day
-
April 26 - National Pet Parent's Day
-
April 30 - National Arbor Day
MAY
-
May - Be Kind to Animals Month
-
May - Chip Your Pet Month (HomeAgain)
-
May - Go Fetch! Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month
-
May - National Pet Month
-
May 2 - MayDay for Mutts
-
May 2-8 - Be Kind to Animals Week
-
May 2-8 National Pet Week (AVMA)
-
May 8 - Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
-
May 16-22 - National Dog Bite Prevention Week (HSUS)
JUNE
-
June - Adopt A Cat Month
-
June - Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
-
June - National Microchipping Month
-
June 6-12 - Pet Appreciation Week
-
June 13 - World Pet Memorial Day
-
June 20-26- Take-Your-Pet-to-Work Week
-
-
June 26 - Great American Backyard Campout
June is National Adopt a Cat Month & October is National Adopt a Dog Month...but anytime is a good time to Adopt!
June is National Adopt a Cat Month!  Come by our Adoption Center to see all the cute cats and kittens we have for adoption, and meet our resident cats, Otis & Layla! Consider giving a furever home to one of these wonderful creatures... We always have lots of kittens and beautiful cats that are waiting for great homes!
|
Back to Top
