Monday, January 30, 2012

Dog Collars

I learn something new every day.  One of the things I have learned is that dog owners rarely have their dog's collar on properly.  Most often the collar is too loose and if the dog gets startled, his first response is to flee and they back right out of the collar.

So what is a dog owner to do?  A lot of what follows is my preferences from years of observation.
  • A dog should have a collar on at all times.  You never know what can happen.  If your dog gets away from you a collar can help when you need to grab him, and it can help with identification.  I suggest you get a sharpie and write your area code and phone number inside the collar.
  • A martingale collar is an excellent collar.  It slips over the dog's head.  There are no buckles that will come undone or break, and when the dog strains against the leash, it tightens so there is less chance that the dog can back out of it.
  • If you prefer a buckle collar, get a buckle that is made of metal and buckles like a belt.  Plastic buckles break!  There are some very durable ones on the market, but is it worth getting one that breaks?
  • If you need control there are many wonderful products on the market such as easy walk harnesses, regular harnesses, gentle leaders or haltis.  Each has its pluses and minuses.  As a pet owner you need to become informed as to what your needs are and how the product performs.
  •  When sizing a collar, make sure it is the right width for your size dog.  Make it tight enough to slide two fingers under the collar.  If you can get all your fingers under the collar, it is too loose.
  • There is a lot of controversy about prong collars.  I personally dislike them.  I have seen puncture wounds on dog's necks from improper use.  People who advocate their use will site dozens of benefits for their use.  All I can say is-there are too many good products on the market, so why use them?
I can tell you that there are many pet owners who have lost their dogs due to an improper collar.  Don't let your pet become one of them.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Chugly All Dressed Up


Someone donated this cute little holiday dress and Greta is just the right size.  Awwwwww.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Hunting and Other Musings

I have an employee that wore a sweatshirt that read "Hunting isn't everything, It's the Only Thing".  It featured a picture of a deer with antlers on the front.  He hunts, and he makes use of the meat.  It's not that I'm against hunting.  I do eat meat myself.  However, I have sensitive donors.

One donor demanded that I remove the pig ears from the gift shop or she would stop donating.  I tried, without success, to explain that dogs eat meat and that they like things to chew on.  She never came back.  I feel bad about that because I like to find compromises and make everyone happy, but sometimes it is not possible.

I had another donor who discovered cat toys made of rabbit fur.  I do try to avoid buying real fur but the cat toys were bundled with other toys and the fur mice were part of the package.  The donor had a cemetery lot in our cemetery, and asked that we bury them.  I compromised and cremated them.  At least I made her happy.

I try to keep an open mind.  I don't discriminate between vegans and carnivores.  I've hunted a few vegetables in my time.  I just can't please everyone.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Please Let This be a Good Day

I had a relaxing weekend and was walking around the little village of Smithville.  One of the shops had clever sayings on strips of wood.  They were witty and clever and I wanted to buy them all.  They only problem is that I really don't have a place to put them.  But one really struck a cord with me, "Please Let This be a Good Day". 

So what would be a good day at an SPCA?
1.  Animals would be adopted out quicker than they came into the shelter.
2.  Someone would donate a ton of money to help care for the animals.
3.  A veterinarian would call and say they wanted to donate a day a week to help care for abandoned pets.
4.  Every customer would walk out happy.
5.  My staff could eat their lunch.
6.  Chocolate would be one of the necessary food groups.  (That one is for me!)

Thursday, January 19, 2012

How Do You Feel About Hunting?

I was made aware of a hunting club nearby.  The caller was concerned because the club brought in exotic animals for hunting.  The caller's concern was that tame animals were being imported from zoos and then hunted.  Here's the web-site.  What do you think? http://www.pipelineridge.com/index.html

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Chugly

This little girl is so ugly she is cute.  Charmingly ugly, hence the word 'chugly'.  She came to us as a stray, missing most of her fur, and suffering from irritated skin and a chunk missing from her ear.  She has a Mohawk of hair running down the center of her nose.  We are treating her for her skin problems before we make her available for adoption.  I just know she will fly out of here when she is available for adoption.  How could you resist?


Saturday, January 14, 2012

Don't Give Away Your Pets

A man arrived at the SPCA with a puppy. He had a new job and would not be able to care for it properly.  Not a problem.  We could easily find a home for the little pup.  A young woman and little boy were admiring the puppy and the man said "Do you want it?".  She of course said yes.  I said "You are making a mistake, you don't know anything about them."  Long story short, the young girl returned the puppy to the SPCA a week later.  Best thing for the puppy because she still had not had her puppy shots.

Then a man brought in a bunny.  It was the second pet he got "for free" from Craigs List.

And the whopper of all whoppers; a hoarder that we have dealt with before had 11 dead animals, many half starved  and sick animals in a filthy home that we rescued.  Where do you think she got them?  We've already cleaned her out once and here we go again. 

So the moral of the stories is:  Don't give away your pet "Free to a good home" unless you do your homework.  Visit their home.  Find out if they provided veterinary care to their previous pets.  Make sure they have the means to provide good food, housing, and necessary vet care.  Or take your pet to your local shelter. Make sure that your pet really does go to a "good home."

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Pull of the Moon

I have to say that when the full moon approaches, there is a lot of activity at the SPCA.  On Wednesday we only had a few cat and dog kennels available.  On Thursday, January 5, we took in 12 animals.  We were juggling kennels back and forth as animals were coming in and going out.  By the end of the night the dog kennels were completely full.  When all was said and done 17 animals left the shelter.  Friday saw six animals come in and 22 go out.    Saturday was another whirlwind with 11 animals coming in and 15 going out.  Whew!  What a roller coaster ride to go from being full to capacity to seeing empty kennels again. 

So for those of you on the east coast, enjoy the full moon tonight.  The pull certainly had us moving, but to move 54 animals out is not a complaint, we are just exhausted!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Where Is My Food?


I can always depend on the company of my cat at the dinner table.  He sits on the stool with his paws on the counter waiting for me to give him a morsel of food.  I can be the poster child for things you shouldn't let your pet get away with! 

Our SPCA believes that if you adopt an animal it should be part of the family.  (Not necessarily to this degree.)  We don't want to see dogs chained outside, or cats that live outdoors.  Pets bring great joy to many people.  I can't imagine my life without them.



Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Brrrrrr! Protect your animals from the cold

In Pennsylvania it is legal to leave a dog chained outdoors as long as it has shelter to maintain its body heat, fresh water, and adequate food.

In my opinion, if your dog isn't part of your family why keep it?  Dogs are pack animals and do not want to be alone much less tied outside in all kinds of weather.  So, if you see an animal that does not appear to have shelter, food and water, call your local humane officers to have the animal checked on.  It is also my opinion that if you aren't going to care for your pets and leave them to fend for themselves outdoors, you should not have them.

Following are some very basic tips for keeping pets safe and warm:

DOGS
Short haired dogs should be taken outside for brief potty breaks when the weather is bitter cold.  If outside for prolonged periods a coat may be required.  Wipe their paws when returning home to remove salt or packed snow.

Outside dogs MUST have shelter adequate to maintain their body heat.  The shelter must be insulated and have a flap or door.  Straw is a great insulator if their is enough for the animal to burrow into.  It would be better to bring the dog indoors when temperatures drop to freezing and below.  Fresh water and food must be available.  In freezing temperatures, the water must be checked frequently or a heater provided.

CATS
First and foremost, keep cats in the house.  There are far too many reasons why cats should not be outdoors.  But,  if you insist on letting your cats outside, follow the recommendations as noted above for dogs.

HORSES and COWS
Provide protection from wind and precipitation, in very cold weather a horse will need a blanket, fresh water and food. 

RABBITS
Rabbits kept in outdoor hutches need to be monitored as well.  They should have plenty of straw to burrow in and should have an enclosed nest box.  The hutch should be located in an area away from wind and precipitation.  Plenty of fresh water and food should be available.