Those were the first words Sheila Duncan said to me when I asked her why she became a dog rescuer.

How did you become a dog rescuer?

What is Trouble's mission?

We are really proud of what Trouble has been able to accomplish so far.

Where is Trouble's next appearance?

This spring we are organizing community events, starting in Portsmouth, NH, where our Trouble film will be shown. We first showed the film at the New Hampshire Film Festival.   Our goal is to raise awareness ... kids today are more stressed than any generation before them so we want to get people talking.

How does your dog, Skye handle this influx of rescue dogs?

Skye always helps our rescue pups feel safe.  I don't foster as much as I did previously, but Skye has always been a "gracious host" whenever I do!  He usually winds up sleeping next to the rescue pups and all is well.

Skye, "dog foster host"

Not sure if anyone is tired of Betty White receiving accolades and awards. I know I’m not! It was just announced that Miss White, the tireless animal rights advocate among other things has just been named winner of Santa’s List of Naughty Girls for 2010. In honor of her being THE “Naughty Girl” for 2010, Santa’s Naughty Girls will donate 10% of monies from sale of merchandise from their website to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Congrats, Betty White and ho, ho, ho…..!

The FDA recently released the following video as a reminder for what people need to be aware of when ordering medications for their pets online. There are many reputable online pet pharmacies, but the internet can be a vast wasteland and as a result there are sites which present false claims as well. So please be vigilant and educate yourself for the health and welfare of your pet(s).

Suspicious Sites

• discounts without a prescription
• no prescription required
• selling expired drugs

Two pet medications that have a very high risk without veterinary approval:

1. NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)
2. Heartworm Prevention

If and when you do order a prescription online do make sure that the site is a Vet-VIPPS program (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites). Look for the Vet-VIPPS logo before ordering.

By now most if not all animal lovers know about the infamous Mary Bale, dubbed the “Cat Woman”.  She tossed a sweet tabby cat named Lola into a trash bin. Apparently she has now lost her job at a bank where she has worked for many years. The video below has gone viral on the internet over the incident. Leave it up to the Brits to inject some humor. There even is a fake Twitter account, @CatBinLady which has been created. And yes there is a Facebook page as well, Cat Lady should do time in a bin.

The most important message in all of this is that animal cruelty of any form is wrong and inappropriate behavior. So please be vigilant in observing such acts and immediately report it to your local rescue or shelter. PLEASE NOTE that the @CatBinLady Twitter account’s web address is the RSPCA. They along with the SPCA do incredible work to support and protect animals…..MANY THANKS!



No this is not a budding romance. It is quite the opposite for my Princess, Miss Mia and her trips to the vet. Every year during her annual visit I have to trudge out her crate a few days in advance. She will circle around it through the course of that time, peaking in for a moment then scurrying away. She is very much aware when it is time for that visit….sigh. Out comes the towel for my protection while some very exorcist like sounds start emitting from that adorable mouth.

When we do arrive at the vet the examining room is in lock down mode, while the vet and her assistant prepare to remove Mia from her crate.  I sometimes think she would much prefer a bath rather than a vet visit.

Being that this is “Take your cat to the vet week” there are some important tips that Romeo the Cat shared with me to help spread the word.

Tips for Cat Carrier Battle:

• Bring out cat carrier several days before the before the appointment.
• Place treats or catnip in the carrier to make it more enticing.
• Don’t force or push your cat into the carrier if you can help it.
• Stand carrier on its end and gently ease the cat in, hind legs first.
• For very stressed cats, a house call practitioner may be the best option.

Benefits of regular cat visits:

• preventative
• cats age faster
• cats 10 years and older should visit vet every 6 months
• regular dental care is critical to overall well being of your cat
• cost effective

So please remember to take your cat to the vet for the overall health and well being of your cat. And for your peace of mind as well.

Win a 6 Month Supply of Feline Pine

Well not really…… Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance is distributing dime sized condoms as a lark. Marketing genius I think. And a great way to promote the continual need for spaying and neutering of cats nationwide.  Their “Beat the Heat” campaign is intended to promote The Feline Fix.

The Alliance celebrated it’s first anniversary on July 15th. Happy Birthday! With the assistance of generous donors they are the largest high quality, high volume spay/neuter cat clinic in Denver. And can offer low cost spay/neuter cat surgeries.

It will knock $5 off its surgery fees ($35 for tame cats, $20 for feral cats) for “cat guardians” who mention “Beat The Heat” when making a reservation at 303-202-3516 or www.rmaca.org.

With economic downturn adding to crisis of shelter overcrowding the euthanasia rate has more than doubled across the country.

Free and Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Database

http://twitter.com/thefelinefix

http://www.facebook.com/thefelinefix

Meet Oscar the Bionic Cat. Oscar lost both his hind paws in a farming accident in England. And he might have been subjected to getting around with a wheeled attachment or worse. But Noel Fitzpatrick, a neuro-orthopedic veterinary surgeon came to his rescue. He developed weight-bearing bone implants which gave Oscar a new lease on life.

The metal implants are custom designed and fastened directly to Oscar’s ankle bones, inside his fuzzy little legs. They jut out directly through the skin and fur with prosthetic paws attached to the ends of the implants.

“The real revolution with Oscar is [that] we have put a piece of metal and a flange into which skin grows into an extremely tight bone,” Fitzpatrick told BBC News.

“We have managed to get the bone and skin to grow into the implant and we have developed an ‘exoprosthesis’ that allows this implant to work as a see-saw on the bottom of an animal’s limbs to give him effectively normal gait.”

When I first read about Oscar and his new hind paws late last week I thought science was really pushing the envelope. How could a cat or any animal for that matter have the right quality of life? But after viewing this video Oscar seems to be getting along just fine. Hip, hip hoorah to Dr. Fitzpatrick and congrats to Oscar! May you live another nine lives…..

There has been much focus and deservedly so on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. But there are other communities that are being impacted by weather with hurricanes, tornados, wildfires and floods. Most recently the flooding in Nashville, Tennessee. Countless animals have been displaced being found wandering the streets, and in desperate need of homes. A spate of urgent requests for pet adoptions have been the end result.

To lessen the trauma of losing a pet and likelihood of pets seeking new homes BEFORE a DISASTER:

• Prepare. Get a pet emergency supply kit, including food, water, medicines and medical records, first aid kit, collar with ID tag, leash or harness, crate or pet carrier and sanitation items.
• Microchip: Make sure your pet is micro-chipped so that it may be easily identified. Keep registration up to date, and include emergency number of friend or relative that does not live in the immediate area.
• Plan: What will you do in an emergency? Create a plan to get away and develop a buddy system.
• Stay informed: Know about the types of emergencies.

DURING a DISASTER:

• Make sure your pet is inside well before storm begins. And do not leave a pet chained outside.
• Keep pet by your side to reassure them.
• Never tranquilize a pet. It will be inhibited from using it’s natural survival instincts.
• If you are instructed to evacuate do not leave pets behind.
• Have pet emergency kit ready to take with you.

AFTER a DISASTER:

• Re-orient dog to home by walking it on a leash. For both cats and dogs familiar scents may no longer exist.
• Be aware of downed power lines, debris and reptiles.
• Contact your local animal control office if a pet is missing to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring a recent picture of your pet, tattoo number or microchip number.
• Do not let your pet eat food or drink water that might have been contaminated.
• Pet behavior might change after the trauma of a disaster. Report any changes in behavior to your veterinarian.

DISASTER AFTERMATH:

• After a natural disaster, displaced people and companion animals face many dangers. There are many hazardous, life-threatening situations for helpless strays and displaced pets.
• Disorientation, panic and stress, and leads dogs and cats seeking refuge into hazardous situations when there are no longer familiar landmarks or scents.
• Floodwaters contaminated with waste and bacteria can cause intestinal parasites and gastroenteritis.
• Animals trying to swim in floodwaters can quickly become exhausted and drown.
• Displaced dogs and cats are frightened, lost, thirsty and very hungry and do not understand that they should steer clear of standing water and any food they may find.

Some of you folks might remember the good fortune of this dog being rescued from river earlier in the year. He was certainly fortunate but there are so many animals around the country struggling to survive after being displaced from their families. Please do take preventative measures and plan in advance for not only your safety and well being but your pets as well.

Resources:

Animal disaster plans and resources by state

American Kennel Club

ASPCA

FEMA for Kids

Humane Society

Red Cross

Not sure that I was as mature as Ciara at 12 years old. She is certainly a role model for other kids her age and for us adults too. As with anyone who has a pet, Ciara had the good fortune to grow up with a Golden Retriever, named Dakota. When Dakota passed there was an incredible void in her life. Instead of withdrawing after losing Dakota she volunteered at a local golden retriever rescue, Rescue a Golden, of Arizona.

But Ciara’s passion for animals did not stop there. She started a non-profit charity called Pennies For Pups.

“Pennies For Pups was founded to help raise awareness, money, medication and food for sick, injured and abandoned dogs in local animal shelters and foster care.”

Through Pennies for Pups she has established:

1. Annual weekly fundraiser at her school, Desert Arroyo Middle School.
2. Annual Book Sale and Dog show
3. Annual Four-Legged Food Drive

Yikes…..all at the ripe young age of 12! She most certainly is “a voice for the “bark” less”. Think she has a lot of MOXIE too…..”energy, nerve, courage & spirit!”

PeTA has enlisted the help of “Octomom”, Nadya Suleman to help promote spay & neutering of pets to pet owners. For $5,000 and a month’s supply of veggie dogs and veggie burgers she will place the above noted ad on her front lawn in La Habra, California, at 11 a.m today.

Already the ad has garnered attention from major media outlets for free; CNN, NBC, AOL News,  E! Online, USA Today, and the New York Post. With “kitten season” now underway it seems that this current focus on “Octomom” is well deserved.

Animal Birth Control

1. Up to 8 million dogs and cats inhabit shelters annually. At least half of these animals are euthanized.
2. 25% of animals at shelters are purebreds.
3. Female dogs and cats in heat have to fend off male animals without much success.
4. Spaying and neutering is a life saver for overall health and well being of your dog or cat.
5. Spaying and neutering puppies and kittens is cost effective.
6. With so many animals in need of good homes adoption is a life saver.

Following is video of above noted PeTA ad being unveiled.  Must say listening to paparazzi is very annoying.

Source: PETA

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