Pet Dish for January 28, 2009

In this issue:

• Treasures on eBay
• Preview the new hot spot
• Waiting with Jackson
• Frosty paws
• More treats
• Scratching post

A treasure trove of books - and a little help from eBay

Treasure is a sought after prize. It’s that elusive pot of gold we keep reaching for in all facets of life. In a week, Animal Humane Society invites you to take a break and flip through the pages of some of life’s simple treasures—books. Next Thursday through Sunday, join us at the 14th Annual All Things Great and Small Booksale.

Before the sale, join us online for a pre-sale auction on eBay. There you’ll find rare, out-of-print books, autographed first editions, DVD box sets and other special listings. Have some special treasures of your own you’d like to have support the animals?  Simply post your own items up for sale on ebay and choose the Giving Works option to have a percentage (or all) of the proceeds donated back to AHS.  By choosing this option you’ll help support the animals and also receive a prorated refund on your listing fees!

14th Annual All Things Great and Small Booksale—A Four-Day Event!
AHS Golden Valley and Woodbury facilities

Thursday, February 5, 5-8 p.m.
$5 per person door charge opening night only

Friday, February 6, 12-8 p.m.

Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, February 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

All proceeds from the sale benefit the programs, services and animals of AHS. For more information on the sale, click here.

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Preview the new hot spot for pets

You check references when hiring a new employee. Your new home is inspected before you purchase it. And you ask your friends about “that guy” before agreeing to go on a date with him. Why not preview your pet’s next vacation spot?

Now Boarding, a new pet boarding facility adjacent to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, is opening the doors wide open to its facility for an Open House on Saturday, February 7 from noon to 4 p.m. Stop by for a tour and learn how they can accommodate your family’s pet care needs. To keep accommodations comfortable and safe, please leave your pets at home while you visit.

At the event you’ll learn about a variety of services provided at Now Boarding comparable in cost to other pet boarding facilities:

• Doggy daycare seven days a week
• Overnight boarding
• Dog training services
• Family kennels for two to three dogs from one family
• One-on-one playtime, group exercise inside and out
• Spa treatments including massage, shampoos, ear cleaning, a pet therapy pool and pawdicures

But it also gives you the opportunity to give back to animals not as lucky as your own. Now Boarding operates as a for-profit entity with net proceeds going back to fund the care of the nearly 40,000 homeless and neglected animals taken in each year by Animal Humane Society. For more information, visit www.nowboardingpets.com.

image courtesy of WCCO

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Well worth the wait

At Animal Humane Society, our inboxes fill up every week with stories about the happy beginnings animals receive after they’ve been adopted. These come from big families, newlyweds, single parents, children, senior citizens… Whether the pet be a dog, cat, ferret, rabbit or bird, a common message found in most stories is that the new owner “just knew” that particular one was meant for them.

It’s a sort of love at first sight. They walk through one of our five facilities, peer into each kennel, and suddenly there he is—the animal that brought them there; the animal they were meant to take home.

For Jackson, a seven-year-old, black Labrador retriever at our Golden Valley facility, his moment is yet to come. And he’s been waiting almost 120 days. A considerable amount of time when in 2008 the average stay for a dog was just over seven days.

There are a variety of factors that may play into why Jackson hasn’t found a new home. First, he has allergies that will need to be treated for the rest of his life. He’s also considered a senior dog. Second, he’s a black Lab and one of many found on our adoption floors. Finally, he needs to be the only pet in his new home.

Despite the adversity, Jackson is still a great dog. He knows basic commands and jumps at the opportunity to be around people, but also likes quiet time alone to relax. Although he’s considered a senior dog, he still has enough energy to play and be a great companion. He walks well on leash and does great at the dog park. All the makings of a great family pet.

Maybe he’s meant to be with your family or that of a relative, friend or co-worker. Whoever they may be, when his new owner finds him at our Golden Valley facility, he’ll know that it was well worth the wait.

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Too cold for kids? It’s too cold for pets too

Frosty paws aren’t a treat for anyone this time of year. We bundle ourselves to keep warm between the house and the car, the car and work and everywhere in between, but often overlook our four-legged friends and how to keep them safe.  “

If it is too cold to send your children outside to play, it’s too cold for your pets,” says Cindy Johnson, Animal Humane Society director of customer service. “Remember, our winters can be dangerous for animals as well as humans.”  The following are notes on how to keep your pets safe during the blistering cold winter months.

Indoor pet tips:

• During severe weather, dogs should be let out only to relieve themselves.
• Remove ice, salt and caked mud from your pet's paws and coat immediately.
• Before walks, put Vaseline or doggie shoes on your dogs' paws to protect him/her from sidewalk salt and chemicals; wipe the Vaseline off when your dog comes back inside.
• Make sure your pet’s bed is not on the floor in a cold or drafty area of your home.
• Indoor dogs typically receive less exercise during cold weather and therefore may require fewer calories; feed smaller portions in order to avoid weight gain.
• Indoor exercise playgroups such as Yappy Hour at AHS are a great option.

Outdoor pet tips:

• In severe weather, allow your pet to be in your house or garage.
• Outdoor pets typically need more food in cold weather because they must burn more calories to keep warm.
• They MUST have a shelter that protects them from wind and water, is elevated so that moisture can’t collect inside, and large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around, yet small enough to retain body heat.
• Check for frostbite, especially on paws and ears.
• Keep an eye out for and clean up all antifreeze spills—one lick of the sweet-tasting fluid can be fatal to an animal.
• Cats have been known to climb onto vehicle engines for warmth; knock on the hood of your car before starting the engine if you suspect a one could be inside.
• Make sure your pet’s water is never frozen.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia—weak pulse, dilated pupils, decreased heart rate, extreme shivering, pale or blue mucous membranes, body temperature below 95 degrees, stupor and unconsciousness. Consequences of extreme hypothermia may include neurological problems including coma, heart problems and kidney failure.

If you have additional questions or concerns about how to care for your pet in subzero temperatures, please check with your veterinarian on what you can do.

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Wildlife Rehabilitation Training

Are you interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer? This workshop provides basic training for the rehabilitation and handling of Minnesota's wildlife and addresses current wildlife topics and the natural history of the wild animals in our environment. CE credits are available. (read more…)

Party animals

Schedule your child's next birthday at Animal Humane Society! AHS birthday parties include a shelter tour, educational activities, animal-themed games and crafts and a visit from a special animal guest. Participants may also make a toy or other item to donate to a shelter animal. Parties can be scheduled for ages 6+ at any AHS location. (read more…)

Walk for Animals 2009

Tie your laces, grab the leash, and start moving for the largest pet and people walk in the country. The 35th annual Animal Humane Society Walk for Animals is on Saturday, May 2 and sure to be full of fun, entertainment and all walks of pets. (read more...)

 

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Can you imagine your pet(s) not having enough food and water or a warm, safe place to sleep? What if they weren’t given the opportunity to exercise or experience everyday interactions with humans? For many dogs and cats across the state of Minnesota those circumstances are the only ones they know. Join us in our efforts to help these animals.

 

Check out our wishlist on our website, or order directly through amazon.com

 

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