Saturday, April 2, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Pet owners cautioned against giving potassium iodide to animals
March 17, 2011
Pet owners anticipating the possible movement to the West Coast of radioactive material from Japan’s damaged nuclear power plants should not give their dogs, cats or other pets potassium iodide tablets, cautions a UC Davis veterinary cancer researcher.
"At this point there is no risk to pets in California stemming from radiation released from the tragedy that continues to unfold in Japan," said Michael Kent, a faculty veterinarian who specializes in radiation cancer therapy.
He noted that UC Davis’ William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital has been receiving dozens of phone calls daily this week from pet owners concerned about possible radiation health risks to their pets.
“While potassium iodide might help protect dogs, cats and other pets, as it would people, from the risks of radiation exposure in the unlikely event that radioactive iodine reaches here in appreciable levels, giving it ahead of time carries risks and would be ill advised,” Kent said.
He cautioned that side effects for pets taking potassium iodide — especially if they consume too much — include severe allergic reactions; gastrointestinal upsets including vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia; decreased normal thyroid function; and damage to the heart. At high enough levels, potassium iodide can even cause death.
His recommendations mirror a March 15 public advisory from the California Department of Public Health, which warned Californians to not take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/Default.aspx.
Kent is available to talk with news media today, Thursday, March 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center for Companion Animal Health, adjacent to the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Reporters should call ahead to arrange interview times.
About UC Davis
For more than 100 years, UC Davis has engaged in teaching, research and public service that matter to California and transform the world. Located close to the state capital, UC Davis has more than 32,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty and more than 21,000 staff, an annual research budget that exceeds $678 million, a comprehensive health system and 13 specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges — Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools — Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.
Media contact(s):
* Pat Bailey, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-9843, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu
Pet owners anticipating the possible movement to the West Coast of radioactive material from Japan’s damaged nuclear power plants should not give their dogs, cats or other pets potassium iodide tablets, cautions a UC Davis veterinary cancer researcher.
"At this point there is no risk to pets in California stemming from radiation released from the tragedy that continues to unfold in Japan," said Michael Kent, a faculty veterinarian who specializes in radiation cancer therapy.
He noted that UC Davis’ William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital has been receiving dozens of phone calls daily this week from pet owners concerned about possible radiation health risks to their pets.
“While potassium iodide might help protect dogs, cats and other pets, as it would people, from the risks of radiation exposure in the unlikely event that radioactive iodine reaches here in appreciable levels, giving it ahead of time carries risks and would be ill advised,” Kent said.
He cautioned that side effects for pets taking potassium iodide — especially if they consume too much — include severe allergic reactions; gastrointestinal upsets including vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia; decreased normal thyroid function; and damage to the heart. At high enough levels, potassium iodide can even cause death.
His recommendations mirror a March 15 public advisory from the California Department of Public Health, which warned Californians to not take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/Default.aspx.
Kent is available to talk with news media today, Thursday, March 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center for Companion Animal Health, adjacent to the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Reporters should call ahead to arrange interview times.
About UC Davis
For more than 100 years, UC Davis has engaged in teaching, research and public service that matter to California and transform the world. Located close to the state capital, UC Davis has more than 32,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty and more than 21,000 staff, an annual research budget that exceeds $678 million, a comprehensive health system and 13 specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges — Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools — Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.
Media contact(s):
* Pat Bailey, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-9843, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Snowflake heads to her new home
Snowflake, the cat we rescued from the cold, icy New England winter this year (she was living under our deck) heads to her new home today. A couple has decided to adopt her. We can't call it a "forever home" until they take the necessary time to allow her to adapt to their home and be introduced to their own cat, Bogie. If all goes well over the next few weeks and Snowflake settles in and gets along with Bogie, she will have a wonderful new home.
It's very sad to see her go, though. After having a cat in your home for a month (and seeing her outdoors for months before that), you of course feel as if the cat is part of your family. In our case, we have four other cats and they just weren't prepared to fully accept a fifth. We know it's best for Snowflake, our cats, and us if Snowflake finds a home with more space, fewer cats, and more attention that can be devoted to her. But it doesn't make it easy to see her go.
Hats off to all of the great volunteers out there who foster cats, dogs, and other animals for animal rescue organizations, giving them temporary, loving, and comfortable homes while they wait for forever homes. I've learned how difficult the job can be when you have to let them go! But you do it knowing that you prevented suffering and saved a life; and what could be better than that?
We wish you a happy life full of love, Snowflake!
It's very sad to see her go, though. After having a cat in your home for a month (and seeing her outdoors for months before that), you of course feel as if the cat is part of your family. In our case, we have four other cats and they just weren't prepared to fully accept a fifth. We know it's best for Snowflake, our cats, and us if Snowflake finds a home with more space, fewer cats, and more attention that can be devoted to her. But it doesn't make it easy to see her go.
Hats off to all of the great volunteers out there who foster cats, dogs, and other animals for animal rescue organizations, giving them temporary, loving, and comfortable homes while they wait for forever homes. I've learned how difficult the job can be when you have to let them go! But you do it knowing that you prevented suffering and saved a life; and what could be better than that?
We wish you a happy life full of love, Snowflake!
Monday, February 28, 2011
UTAH LEGISLATORS REVIVE BILL PROVISION TO LEGALIZE SHOOTING OF CATS
Alley Cat Allies calls on supporters to oppose dangerous legislation
BETHESDA, MD — Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats, today renewed calls to oppose legislation that would legalize the shooting of cats in Utah.
Utah House Bill 210 was amended on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives, after the House Judiciary Committee removed earlier language that allowed for the shooting or killing of cats when that version was roundly criticized for endorsing animal cruelty. The amended version would still permit the shooting of cats in rural areas of the state. Feral cats are currently protected under Utah anti-cruelty law.
“This dangerous legislation imperils the lives of all cats—pet, stray and feral,” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “It is barbaric and essentially declares ‘open-season’ on any outdoor cat.
“Feral cats exist in every landscape—from rural to urban. Feral cats are not a threat to people—in fact, they are just as healthy as pet cats. It is irrational, dangerous, and in direct opposition to society’s values to endorse shooting cats,” she said.
Feral cats are domestic cats, but unlike pets, they are not socialized to people and are therefore unadoptable. Numerous communities across the U.S. have adopted Trap-Neuter-Return as official policy for feral cats after decades of the failure of catch and kill.
Robinson noted that all cats are protected under anti-cruelty statutes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“Anti-cruelty laws have existed for over a hundred years to protect animals and our communities from violent people,” she said.
Alley Cat Allies is urging supporters to contact their lawmakers to stop House Bill 210 by visiting www.alleycat.org/ActionCenter. To learn more about how feral cats are protected under anti-cruelty laws, visit www.alleycat.org/AntiCruelty.
# # #
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the nation’s leading advocate for stray and feral cats. Their web site is www.alleycat.org.
BETHESDA, MD — Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats, today renewed calls to oppose legislation that would legalize the shooting of cats in Utah.
Utah House Bill 210 was amended on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives, after the House Judiciary Committee removed earlier language that allowed for the shooting or killing of cats when that version was roundly criticized for endorsing animal cruelty. The amended version would still permit the shooting of cats in rural areas of the state. Feral cats are currently protected under Utah anti-cruelty law.
“This dangerous legislation imperils the lives of all cats—pet, stray and feral,” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “It is barbaric and essentially declares ‘open-season’ on any outdoor cat.
“Feral cats exist in every landscape—from rural to urban. Feral cats are not a threat to people—in fact, they are just as healthy as pet cats. It is irrational, dangerous, and in direct opposition to society’s values to endorse shooting cats,” she said.
Feral cats are domestic cats, but unlike pets, they are not socialized to people and are therefore unadoptable. Numerous communities across the U.S. have adopted Trap-Neuter-Return as official policy for feral cats after decades of the failure of catch and kill.
Robinson noted that all cats are protected under anti-cruelty statutes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“Anti-cruelty laws have existed for over a hundred years to protect animals and our communities from violent people,” she said.
Alley Cat Allies is urging supporters to contact their lawmakers to stop House Bill 210 by visiting www.alleycat.org/ActionCenter. To learn more about how feral cats are protected under anti-cruelty laws, visit www.alleycat.org/AntiCruelty.
# # #
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the nation’s leading advocate for stray and feral cats. Their web site is www.alleycat.org.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Snowflake Needs A Home! (Boston area)
SNOWFLAKE
Snowflake was seen in our yard for at least a year before we took her into our home to spare her being outdoors during this difficult winter. The Cat Connection trapped her about a year ago and had her spayed, tested and vaccinated, but because she was an adult considered too old to be tamed, she was returned to the neighborhood, where we think she was living under someone else's deck. For the past few weeks, she has been coming into our yard and we have been feeding her wet food. She became so friendly and tame that we started to pick her up, pet her, and eventually bring her indoors.
Snowflake has since had another veterinary appointment. She is perfectly healthy and is negative for FIV/leukemia. She seems completely comfortable with people once she gets used to them (at first when a stranger comes here to meet her, she is nervous and hides for a while, because the first time strangers came into our home to see her, they stuffed her in a cat carrier and took her to the vet!). Once she knows you and is comfortable, she loves to be picked up and cuddled, and to play with toys. She loves company and would probably be happiest in a home with another friendly, playful cat, and where she wasn't left totally alone all day. She purrs a lot and is very playful. She uses her litter box and tolerates the other cats in the household well. We think she is about two years old, but she plays like a kitten.
Snowflake is so sweet that we wish we could keep her, but we already have four cats, and one of them is older and doesn't want us to add a fifth to the mix. So we are looking for a loving, happy home for this pretty girl who deserves a forever home.
Email OurPlacetoPaws(at)aol.com if you are interested in giving a loving, happy, indoor home to this pretty cat!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
ALLEY CAT ALLIES RESPONDS TO FEDERAL AGENCY PLAN TO “TRAP AND REMOVE” CATS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Assessment is based on flawed science, would result in cats’ deaths
BETHESDA, MD — Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats, said a proposed plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to trap and remove cats in the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges will not succeed in protecting other species and will result in cats’ deaths.
In comments submitted to the agency, Alley Cat Allies said the plan is not viable, nor is it based on good science.
“As animal advocates, we want what is best for all the animals of the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, the Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Environmental Assessment is not it,” said Alley Cat Allies president Becky Robinson.
“The plan is based on a deeply flawed interpretation of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) research and several studies were omitted. Similar plans by the agency have already killed feral, stray and pet cats, with no benefit whatsoever,” she said.
Alley Cat Allies also notes that the agency relies on highly biased sources in criticizing TNR, and that it ignores a successful and ongoing TNR program just miles from the refuges in Key Largo.
The plan relies on “trap and remove” for cats—a costly and inefficient approach that has already failed in the Florida Keys and elsewhere.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is misleading the public by not acknowledging that the cats will be killed. It calls it a ‘trap and remove’ plan, but trapped cats will be brought to the local shelter where they will be killed,” said Robinson.
Feral cats are not socialized to people and are therefore not adoptable. Virtually 100 percent of feral cats who are brought to shelters are killed there.
To download a full-text version of the comments submitted by Alley Cat Allies to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, , visit www.alleycat.org.
# # #
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the nation’s leading advocate for stray and feral cats. Their web site is www.alleycat.org.
If you would rather not receive future communications from Alley Cat Allies, let us know by clicking here.
Alley Cat Allies, 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814 United States
BETHESDA, MD — Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats, said a proposed plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to trap and remove cats in the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges will not succeed in protecting other species and will result in cats’ deaths.
In comments submitted to the agency, Alley Cat Allies said the plan is not viable, nor is it based on good science.
“As animal advocates, we want what is best for all the animals of the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, the Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Environmental Assessment is not it,” said Alley Cat Allies president Becky Robinson.
“The plan is based on a deeply flawed interpretation of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) research and several studies were omitted. Similar plans by the agency have already killed feral, stray and pet cats, with no benefit whatsoever,” she said.
Alley Cat Allies also notes that the agency relies on highly biased sources in criticizing TNR, and that it ignores a successful and ongoing TNR program just miles from the refuges in Key Largo.
The plan relies on “trap and remove” for cats—a costly and inefficient approach that has already failed in the Florida Keys and elsewhere.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is misleading the public by not acknowledging that the cats will be killed. It calls it a ‘trap and remove’ plan, but trapped cats will be brought to the local shelter where they will be killed,” said Robinson.
Feral cats are not socialized to people and are therefore not adoptable. Virtually 100 percent of feral cats who are brought to shelters are killed there.
To download a full-text version of the comments submitted by Alley Cat Allies to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, , visit www.alleycat.org.
# # #
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the nation’s leading advocate for stray and feral cats. Their web site is www.alleycat.org.
If you would rather not receive future communications from Alley Cat Allies, let us know by clicking here.
Alley Cat Allies, 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814 United States
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)