Beauty and The Beads

This week, Tonya Taylor of Rock Hill was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. The case wasnt a new one. The crime shes accused of happened in Rock Hill more than three months ago, in late January.

If we could find them, wed prosecute them. Absolutely, saidDr. Sonya McCathey, a veterinarian for the York County Animal Shelter.

Thats a common problem for animal control officers and law enforcement. York County Animal Control told Eyewitness News that about 200 animals were abandoned countywide last year.

They believe that number could actually be much higher, because many strays are later found to be abandoned.

However, Rock Hill police made nine charges for cruelty or neglect since January 2011, and York County sheriffs deputies made 32 charges.

Thats because of the challenges of finding the owners of abandoned and neglected pets.

If were lucky, we might have a first name to go by, but the majority of the time we dont even have that,McCathey said.

Often theres no forwarding address, and even the landlord doesnt always have the whole name or contact information of a former tenant.

In Taylors case, Rock Hill police found a pit bull tied to a front porch with no food or water. They believe Taylor left the dog and didnt return to the apartment. Neighbors tried to help, and tipped police, but officers still worked several months to find her.

McCathey said the problem is a deeply rooted one.

We live in a throw-away society. People dont want their pet, so they just throw it away, she said.

Alicia Schwartz with a group called the Committee for Responsible Pet Ownership said people dont plan ahead or see a pet as a long-term commitment.

They get a pet because its a free puppy. They dont think about all the responsibility or how much money its going to cost, Schwartz said.

Experts said there are so many options for people who are no longer able to care for a pet. They can find a rescue group, call the animal shelter, or even ask for help for the cost of caring for a pet.

Dont ever leave your pet, because theyll die a slow, painful death, and essentially youre the one killing them, Schwartz said.

Activists hope to continue education efforts in the community, as well as urge judges to impose stiffer sentences or at least higher fines on animal abusers.

Since the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) took over managing our communitys shelter, more than 170 lost dogs and cats have been brought in. Only about 5 percent have any identification to help the staff return the pets to their owners, and the rest have been placed for adoption.

If every person in Alameda would microchip their pets, there would be fewer worried owners anxiously looking for their pets. Microchips are reasonably priced and a great investment for your peace of mind. If you have lost your pet, or if you do in the future, be sure to contact FAAS at 510-337-8565 or go to the shelter at 1590 Fortmann Way in Alameda. Your pet might be there.

And, if you are looking for a new dog, the week of May 2-6 is Chihuahua Palooza at the shelter. You can adopt a Chihuahua for $92 instead of the usual $134.

With the weather warming up, the question you should ask yourself before leaving home is, Is it too hot to take the dog along today? Leaving your dog in your car for just a minute may be too long. On the warmest days it is best to leave your pet at home. Its not cool to leave your dog in a hot car.

Have you registered yet for Wiggle, Waggle, Walk? Its being held from noon to 3 pm June 3 at Wind River. For more information go to faas.bbnow.org and follow the link to Wiggle, Waggle, Walk.

PET OF THE WEEK: Chihuahua Palooza! Meet Mona, one of

Colorful Future for These Golden Valley Pets

Photographer Melissa Miroslavich helped to create a new, colorful calendar that includes the Animal Humane Societys annual report, adoptive success stories and photos of adopted pets.

You might think your small dog is safe in a fenced backyard. You might be wrong.

RV Wakefield, an owner of Tri-County Trackers, an organization that looks for lost people and pets, said coyotes can sometimes jump a fenced area, grab a pet and jump back over.

If youve got deer in an area, there will be coyotes, Wakefield said.

Wildlife sightings increase as more rural areas take on urban characteristics theres more food for wildlife because of trash cans and pets. Deer and coyotes will eat corn, apples and vegetables.

Were going into their areas. With more food, there are more coyotes and they can raise more young, Wakefield said. What we think of as garbage, they will eat.

Coyotes kill for a living. They will chase dogs and cats until the pet becomes exhausted and collapses. The coyote will kill it and take it to a safe place to eat it.

Wakefield said people also need to be aware of feral dogs.

Keeping small pets inside at night and during early-morning hours is the best protection, said David Sawyer, a wildlife biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Coyotes have been known to take pets even from the front porches of homes.

To them, its just another prey item, Sawyer said.

Lights and noise might keep a coyote away, he said, but theres no guarantee. He said that since coyotes came to this part of the country, they have adapted to suburban life.

Most people dont realize that coyotes roam. Just because they are seen in a particular place once doesnt mean that the coyote is only in that area. Sawyer said coyotes can cover a territory of a square mile or more.

If you see them in some woods, they dont live there, he said. They may be several miles away within a few hours and not come back for weeks.

Trying to get rid of coyotes is generally not successful. They are prolific breeders and will disperse. Inside the area where the coyotes roam are houses, people and pets. The safest place for pets is within an area with a fence tall enough that it cant be jumped.

Theres no magic coyote be gone powder to make them go away, Sawyer said.

With summer in full swing many Australians will be looking for a getaway to enjoy the warm weather.

More pets travel advice:
HOTELS FOR DOGS
BARKING MAD
MORE PETS GO ON HOLIDAYS

HOME ALONE

Taking a cat or dog on holiday can offer the chance to spend some quality time with that beloved pet but being away from home can cause the animals some stress. Some pet owners need to consider if their pet will be better boarding in a kennel or under the care of a friend or relative.

For pet owners who do take their four legged friend on holiday there are many things to consider in the interest of the pets health and well being.

Dr Jo Righetti has top 10 tips to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the family and family pets on a family holiday.

Pets like routine. Always take the pets food and water bowl, bed and toys. This will lower the risk of anxiety and following incidents.

Grooming and medication should always be kept up to date. Consult your vet about travel medication and although usually unnecessary it may be the deciding factor between a stressful experience and a relaxing holiday. Remember to have a trial run on any medication; this can avoid the surprise of unknown side effects.

Make sure your pet has a collar and identification tag. Contact details need to be up to date because pets can go missing in a strange environment. A missing pet can be heartbreaking for both children and adults alike.

Pets can become comfortable with a carrier over time so the best option is to leave it open on the floor at home, with some treats and soft bedding inside. A longer period of introduction, to the carrier, the more at ease a pet will be, making it more comfortable for them to travel in.

Air travel with pets can be more complicated than a road or rail journey but plans can be made well in advance. Seven to eight months before departure a check should be made about the airlines policy towards travelling with pets because each airline is different.

Before departure it should be checked if a pet can travel comfortably by using a large pet carrier with a food and water bowl and a light sheet to cover. Cats will need a small disposable litter tray.

As with everyone else pets need a break from travel. If on a road trip remember to stop every couple of hours to give the dog a toilet break and a chance to stretch their legs.

Even if its raining, keep the car window open to allow ventilation for your pet. Also never leave your pet in a hot car, even for a few minutes.

Pet friendly accommodation is becoming more common these days but remember to check if there will be other animals on site. Pet friendly accommodation should allow cats indoors and dogs must be kept on a property with adequate fencing.

Last on the list is to remember what a holiday is all about, having fun. Always take plenty of entertaining activities, for a pet, to prevent them from chewing up the holiday house.

PHOENIX, AZ, Jan 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
PetSmart Charities was named a partner in the National Animal
Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC). Established as a 501 (c)6
organization in 2006, NARSC is an outgrowth of the unprecedented
disaster season of 2005, when major storms — most notably Hurricane
Katrina — impacted more people and their companion animals than any
other time in the history of the United States.

In the years since Katrina, this working coalition of animal rescue
organizations have come together to indentify, prioritize, and find
collaborative solutions to major human-animal emergency issues.
Member agencies have responded nationally and internationally to
wildfires, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and other
natural disasters; as well as man-made animal disasters such as puppy
mills and hoarding situations.

“We’re honored to be included in this coalition of top-level animal
rescue professionals,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive
director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “Our emergency relief program
has grown substantially over the past few years and we’re happy to be
able to provide our partner agencies with the critical supplies and
pet food they need to help these animal victims.”

PetSmart Charities provides emergency funding and supplies for pets
affected by large-scale natural and man-made disasters. The
non-profit has funded more than $7.4 million in emergency relief
grants since 2004.

“PetSmart Charities has been at the forefront of assisting animals in
need; working with both local and national animal welfare
organizations for years,” said Sandy Monterose, NARSC Chairperson.
“We are extremely pleased to officially welcome them to the National
Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition.”

To learn about the many ways PetSmart Charities is saving the lives
of homeless pets, visit
www.petsmartcharities.org . Members of the
public can support the emergency relief program and others by making
a tax-deductible donation online, by email at
gifts@petsmartcharities.org or via phone at 623-587-2826 to help save
the lives of homeless pets across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

About PetSmart Charities
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities,
Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates
and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise
awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy
relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of
animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has
provided more than $134 million in grants and programs benefiting
animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of nearly
5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more
about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a
lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or
call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).

CONTACT:
Steve Pawlowski
Communications Manager
mediacontact@petsmartcharities.org
(623) 516-3920 – Office

SOURCE: PetSmart Charities

mailto:mediacontact@petsmartcharities.org

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

Q: My 3-year-old lab will sometimes have urinated on her bed
during the night. She is potty trained and most of the time she
does not realize she is doing it. Any ideas?

A: Incontinence is when an animal leaks urine unconsciously when
resting, and this sounds like what your pet is doing at night. This
condition typically occurs in spayed females due to decreased
levels of estrogen, a hormone secreted by the ovaries. Although
rare, it can also occur in male dogs. Once a female animal is
spayed, her estrogen levels decrease and make her more prone to
leaking urine when resting. This also makes her more prone to
urinary tract infections. It is important to have her checked for a
urinary tract infection before deciding this is purely incontinence
because infection can make this condition worse. There is no way to
predict which animal is going to be more prone to incontinence due
to spaying, and the age at which they are spayed has no bearing on
whether they will become incontinent. This condition is treated
with either DES (a synthetic estrogen replacement) or PPA (a
synthetic incontinence medication).

Q: My cat never goes outside — he is the only animal that we
own and never has any contact with other animals. He gets very
stressed going to the vets office, so how necessary are annual
exams and vaccines for him?

A: Keeping your pets vaccines up to date is extremely
important. Even as an indoor only cat, there are airborne viruses
as well as the possible infectious diseases he could be exposed to
if he should ever sneak out. These can be done in a series of
boosters, then discontinued. Another consideration is rabies, which
is prevalent here in Flagstaff. We have seen multiple cases of cats
being exposed, in their homes, to bats that have tested positive
for the rabies virus. So for a strictly indoor cat, I still
recommend a rabies vaccine, whether yearly or every 3 years,
depending on the vaccine your veterinarian is using. It is also
important to remember that your cat will age 4 times faster than
you will. To help compensate for that, we recommend yearly wellness
exams to detect any health issues early so we can keep your pet
healthy and happy as long as possible. Even though your cat does
not like coming to the veterinarian it is in his best interests to
come yearly for a check-up.

Q: My dog just got diagnosed with Valley Fever. What is this and
is it contagious?

A: Valley Fever is an infection by a fungal organism called
Coccidioides Immitis. This fungus is located in the soil of certain
regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The
spores are commonly found in the dirt in specific regions, and when
that dirt is disturbed, the spores are released into the air. A
human or animal must inhale the fungal spores to contract the
disease, and not all humans and animals that inhale the spores will
develop Valley Fever. This disease is not contagious from one
animal to another or from animal to human. The symptoms that occur
due to Valley Fever are varied ranging from fever, pain, loss of
appetite, to difficulty breathing. The diagnosis is made with
x-rays and a series of blood tests. Treatment is long-term
treatment with an anti-fungal medication such as Fluconazole.

Dr. Miller can be contacted at
drmillercph@gmail.com

Several volunteers are scouring Point Borough and putting up fliers in whats become a protracted search for a brown spaniel missing since late Friday night.

#13;

Ken McKeel, a Howell resident, is driving all over the Borough posting fliers about Xhaiden, which is pronounced Zayden, owned by the Hill family on Mattapan Avenue, off Bridge Avenue.

#13;

McKeel, a retired corrections officer, got the idea to go looking for the Hills dog when he saw news on Facebook about a missing dog.

#13;

This seems to be what I do, he said. Last year, he and a few other volunteers found a dog in fine condition after it had been missing for 11 days. It was 10 miles from home and someone had been taking care of it.

#13;

On Monday, McKeel and a few volunteers from Brick and Bradley Beach were searching for Xhaiden all over the Borough.

#13;

Like the SPCA, McKeel strongly recommends that owners of dogs and cats have either the SPCA or their veterinarian install a microchip in their pet, something Xhaiden does not have.

#13;

Microchipping involves placing a small chip under a pet’s skin. This chip contains the owners name and contact information, which are also entered into an American Kennel Club database.

#13;

If a pet is lost, a scanner can be used to read the pet’s chip and find out who he or she belongs to. Animal control officers, animal shelters and most veterinarians have scanners to read the microchips.

#13;

The Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown does microchipping for $20 per pet and, on Fridays, has a walk-in clinic where microchipping and other services are quickly performed, said Caroline Ismail, a customer service representative at the SPCA. The SPCA also microchips pets prior to adoption. (For more information on microchipping, see the SPCA website.)

#13;

McKeel said his veterinarian installed one in his own pet for $25.

#13;

Its not expensive and its the best way to find your pet if it gets lost, he said.

#13;

McKeel was out driving around Monday morning, despite that on Dec. 23, he had a tumor removed from his foot and should have been home with his foot elevated.

#13;

When asked if hes in pain, he said, Yeah, in excruciating pain. I cant walk around looking for the dog. Im just getting out of the car to put up fliers and getting back in. I can only keep my foot in one position in the car for so long.

#13;

I wont be telling my doctor about this, he said, laughing. He doesnt need to know.

#13;

Yes, he should be home, he acknowledged.

#13;

But Id rather find this dog, he said.

#13;

Melanie Hill, one of the dog owners, said on Monday that she had let their two dogs out in their backyard to do their business on Friday night, thinking they would stay inside the fence.

#13;

She said she let them out, without their collars, rather than walking them, because they just needed to relieve themselves. They thought the dogs were safe inside the fence for what was supposed to be a short visit outdoors.

#13;

Somehow, about five or 10 minutes after going outside, Xhaiden got out of the fenced-in yard and took off.

#13;

We still dont know how he got loose, she said.

#13;

Hill said that in the five years since they first got Xhaiden as a pup, he only got loose one other time.

#13;

Hill said the dog was let out at about 10:30 pm on Friday and within minutes the dog disappeared. The last reported sighting was around 11 pm on Northstream Parkway, across Bridge Avenue from where the family lives, she said.

#13;

Xhaiden is a dark, chocolate brown spaniel male and weighs about 45 pounds.

#13;

Xhaiden, who is five years old and whom they raised from a puppy, is very friendly and answers to his name, Hill said. The family is offering a reward of $550 for the dogs safe return.

#13;

If you have seen the dog, please call Hill at 732-489-2294 or Borough Police at 732-892-0060.

Abandoned one minute, adopted the next – animals being cared
for at the Otago SPCAs Opoho shelter have been in demand
after attention was drawn to the plight of an increasing
number of dumped dogs and cast-away cats.

Otago SPCA chairwoman Sharon Stark Lont said there had been
an amazing turnaround in the number of people seeking to
adopt kittens, cats and dogs since an Otago Daily Times
article publicised the concerns of staff and volunteers.

SPCA shelters around the region have been inundated with
abandoned animals during a horrible holiday season, which
included an unspeakable act of cruelty at Lake Dunstan,
where nine puppies were left to die in a rubbish tin.

Ms Stark Lont said the SPCAs Opoho haven had been
absolutely buzzing in the past couple of days with visitors
seeking to adopt animals.

However, despite the interest and successful placements of
some kittens and cats with new owners, the SPCA remained in a
crisis situation, with many animals being looked after by
foster carers.

Opoho haven manager Brenda Stuart said there had been an
overwhelming response from people and about 14 kittens had
been adopted out since the weekend.

We only have about six in the adoption cattery at the
moment, but there are many more in the shelter which are yet
to undergo their vet checks and be neutered.

They never stop coming in. It is the kitten [breeding]
season and this lasts until about July, she said.

The positive turnaround in adoptions had boosted the morale
of staff and volunteers, during what had been a tough time
recently, Ms Stark Lont said.

It has been a heart-warming response because there has been,
unfortunately, a lot of dumpings.

When you are getting lots of very thin and very, very
frightened animals in, to get them cleaned up and looked
after can be very taxing on our staff and volunteers, she
said.

North Otagos SPCA shelter, in Oamaru, is the latest animal
haven to report an increase in unwanted animals, as foster
carers there also struggle to cope with the sheer numbers of
animals needing attention.

Oamaru shelter manager Vicki Stoddart said the SPCA was
seeking assistance in trying to find homes for a litter of
nine puppies, which were left outside a vet store recently.

Fostering one or two puppies is hard work for a volunteer,
let alone nine hungry pups. They are now 7 weeks old and we
need to get them out into the community to see if we can find
them homes, she said.

In Alexandra, SPCA inspector Helen Faunders said a surge of
interest from prospective owners wanting to care for the
litter of puppies which were dumped in a rubbish tin beside
Lake Dunstan had dwindled.

Two puppies had been allocated to new owners, but adoption
application forms sent out in response to inquiries from
several people had not amounted to anything, she said.

We havent had a rush of people adopting animals. There was
lots of inquiries and application forms handed out,
initially, but as often happens people dont always follow
through, Ms Faunders said.

Central Otagos SPCA shelter, in Alexandra, was too small to
house many animals, with most of them kept in private
boarding facilities.

Many people still arent aware we are here. We will be all
awash during the upcoming kitten season.

Homes needed to be found for about 14 puppies and about 16
kittens, once they had been neutered and given their
necessary vet checks and other treatment, Ms Faunders said.

Ms Stark Lont said animal shelters around Otago were all
struggling to cope with the horrible situation which had
arisen during the holiday season.

However, there had been some positive outcomes, with the
recent rise in adoptions in Dunedin and also a welcome
financial boost from a group of supporters, who unable to
adopt pets have made donations instead, she said.

Pets provide a great deal of affection and companionship for many families, including a large number of senior citizens. With families and relatives spread out across the country, the loyal dog or affectionate cat often becomes a best friend for many older people. But, some individuals avoid keeping any sort of pet over real concerns of what to do if they can no longer care for the animal.

The Stevenson Companion Animal Life Care Center (The Center) was started to help give people peace of mind that someone will be providing for the physical, emotional and medical needs of their pet. In many cases, when an owner can no longer provide care for a dog or cat, the animal is placed with a family member who may not have the means (or the desire) to continue providing the needed attention.

The Center began at the suggestion of Dr. EW Ellet, a former head of the Small Animal Clinic at Texas Aamp;M University. Funded by generous donations from the Luse Foundation and Ms. Madlin Stevenson, the Center was able to open its door in 1993 and has the capability of housing about 60 dogs, cats and even birds. In a separate area, a barn completed in 2003 houses Rusty, a llama originally owned by Ms. Stevenson. Rusty arrived at the center with four cats, seven dogs and a pony in 2000, the year Ms. Stevenson passed away.

None of the residents of the Stevenson Center will ever lack for medical care or personal attention. All of the pets are seen by veterinarians at the Texas Aamp;M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and students of the college actually live at the center to provide 24-hour company to these wonderful animals.

Pet owners who wish to enroll their pets at the center must first pay an enrollment fee of $1,000 to secure a place in the home. Then, depending on the age of the owner, a minimum endowment ranging from $50,000 to more than $200,000 for some large animals must be provided through a trust, will or even paid in full up front.

Some people might question the seemingly high costs, but considering that the pets will have life-long care and the bequests allow the Center to function as a privately funded operation, to many loving pet owners, the peace of mind is priceless. Already, almost 400 animals are waiting for future enrollment at this marvelous facility.

Thinking about what will happen to your pets if you are no longer able to provide for their needs is not an easy thing to do. But, by being proactive, you can insure that your wishes for your pets care will be followed.

Dr. Roger S. Redman is a veterinarian and owner of Ark Veterinary Hospital Inc. in Wooster. He can be reached at 330-262-3465 or www.ArkVetHosp.com.