Winter Pet Safety Tips

From the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:

“As the harsh winter months settle in, it is important that you think about keeping your pets safe from all of the dangers that the season can present,” states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Acting Director Kurt Schwartz. “MEMA offers some tips to help insure your pet’s safety.”

• Do not leave your pet outdoors when temperatures drop below freezing. Dogs need outdoor exercise, but take care not to keep them outdoors for lengthy periods of time during very cold weather. Pets that are mostly indoors need time to adapt to cold temperatures by building up a thicker coat and toughening their footpads for ice and snow. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks. Dogs and cats are safer indoors during all sorts of extreme weather.

• Care for your pet’s feet. If your pet walks on salted or chemically treated areas, be sure to wash its paws after your walk. Gently rub the bottom of the feet to remove these irritants as soon as your dog is off the road. Many dogs need boots in cold weather, regardless of their coat length. If your dog frequently lifts up its paws, whines or stops during walks, it may be demonstrating that its feet are uncomfortably cold.

• Wind-chill is a threat to pets, even those protected by shelters. Outdoor dogs must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to both sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to retain body heat. The floor should be elevated a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The entrance of the doghouse should be turned to face away from prevailing winds, and the entrance should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.

• Pets who spend a greater amount of time outdoors in the winter need more food. Maintaining warmth depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to ensure the water is fresh and not frozen. To prevent your pet’s tongue from freezing to its feeding or drinking bowl, plastic, rather than metal food and water bowls are preferred.

• Never leave a pet locked inside a car during extremely cold weather. Cars can actually act like a refrigerator, holding in cold air, putting your pet at risk.

• Be leery of frozen bodies of water. Always keep your pets on a leash when walking them near suspected frozen bodies of water. The ice may not be sturdy enough to support your pet. If a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt to rescue your pet yourself; call 9-1-1 or go for help.

• Antifreeze and de-icing chemicals can be hazardous. Many types of antifreeze have a sweet taste that can attract animals. Always store antifreeze out of reach and clean up spills. Antifreeze made with propylene glycol can actually be swallowed in small amounts and not injure pets, wildlife or humans.

• Warm automobile engines are dangerous for cats and small wildlife. Parked vehicles can attract small animals, which may crawl under the hood seeking warmth. To avoid injuring hiding animals, bang on your car’s hood to scare them off before starting your engine.

For additional information about keeping your pets safe, go to the State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART) website at www.smart-mass.org.

Can Someone Help This Little Dog?

Update:  As far as we know, she's been rescued!

ADORABLE LITTLE SCHIPPERKE MIX AT York County AC (in York, SC) ONLY HAS UNTIL TUESDAY @ 5pm! NOTE: THE SHELTER IS CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY!

This cute little Schip mix, only 10 months old, has been waiting a long time - still here but Tuesday is IT for her! Can’t anyone help her??? (Local transport help available to get her to boarding or... foster)

“I would love to go home with you! Black dogs are the last to be adopted - PLEASE save me!”
ID#A043659 - 10 MONTHS, UNALTERED FEMALE, SMALL BLACK SCHIPPERKE MIX -
DUE OUT BY 12/28/10*
CONTACT: TRACY MORGAN - tracy.morgan@yorkcountygov.com
PATTI PHILLIPS patti.phillips@yorkcountygov.com
TANYA DELLINGER tanya.dellinger@yorkcountygov.com
MISSY JOHNSTON missy.johnston@yorkcountygov.com

Please refer to the animal’s I.D. number when contacting the shelter!
803-628-3190 or 803-818-6500

http://www.yorkcountygov.com/

The following are standard criteria:

1. The animal has had a health check at the time they were selected for rescue, with any abnormalities noted listed in the electronic kennel record.
2. The animal appeared to be amicable towards people, other dogs and cats at the time that they were selected for rescue.
3. Other notable criteria, if any (such as basic obedience skills, appears house trained, etc.) will have been noted in the electronic kennel record.

If there is an asterisk (*) after the "DUE OUT BY" date, this indicates there is additional information regarding this animal that you may find helpful

Please contact us at (803) 628-3190 if you wish this additional information.
All information provided regarding an animal should be considered a "snapshot" window in time, to the best of our abilities, in a high intake (KILL) shelter environment.

Kroger Recalls Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Contact:
Denise Osterhues
(513) 762-1304

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CINCINNATI, Ohio, - December 18, 2010 - The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.

Kroger is recalling the following items:

* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
* Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
* Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
* Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
* Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls9.

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The Leaning Tower of Glower

Franklin the Feral Cat Discovers Cat Toys

Carolina Tiger Rescue

This weekend we visited the Carolina Tiger Rescue in North Carolina. It was an incredible experience to learn more about tigers and other beautiful wildcats, and to see them up close. At the same time, it was sobering to hear about the conditions that some of the animals were living in before they were rescued. Laws must be passed and enforced that will make keeping, trading, or harming wildcats illegal throughout the United States (and we wish, worldwide). For more information, visit the website of this incredible non-profit organization.