Signs It Is Too Hot for Your Pet

Dogs and cats must pant to cool themselves.  Humans sweat to cool themselves.  Which do you think is more efficient?  Since humans can sweat from their skin anywhere on their body and an animal must pant and 'sweat' from the pads of their paws, I would think that sweating is more efficient than panting.  Therefore, I would think that pets are more susceptible to over heating.  So with that in mind, remember to keep your pets cool.
-Don't leave them in the car even for 10 minutes.  Cars heat up like an oven very quickly.
-Don't walk your dog in the heat of the day.  Walk in early morning are in late in the evening.
-Don't leave your pet in full sun.  Make sure they have a shady spot to keep cool.
-Don't forget to leave fresh water for your pet.

If for some reason you see an animal that is over heated it will exhibit signs of drooling, lethargy, and even become comatose.  This is a medical emergency.  The pet must be cooled immediately with cool water.  Not icy water as this can cause shock.  Take the pet to the veterinarian immediately. 

With a little common sense we can keep our pets safe during the hot weather.

Good News Adoption

Osi (the dog) was adopted from our shelter when he was just a puppy. His adoptive parents love him and were happy to share stories with the staff about him.  Congratulations were in order when they announced the birth of their lovely daughter, Natalie.  I asked for and received this adorable photograph.  Osi loves the new addition as you can see.  Don't you just love happy stories?!

Crisis in Pennsylvania

 Am I crying wolf or is there a trend? 

I receive calls from Pennsylvania dog wardens from other counties asking me to take dogs because they have no where to take them.  Why is that?  First off, shelters are closing their doors or are going 'no kill'.  Wellsboro SPCA closed and then was taken over by another shelter.  However, the new shelter does not take dogs from the Tioga County dog warden requiring wardens to seek shelter from other counties.  So, if an owner is looking for their dog would they think to call other county shelters?  Clinton County and Danville SPCAs frequently refer people to us when they do not have room because they are not open admission shelters. 

We are fortunate that we are able to find homes for our dogs and not euthanize for space.  But what will happen if we become the only shelter in our area to remain open admission?  Should we take on the financial burden of taking in strays from all over the state?  I have a fiscal responsibility to use donor funds for the care of the animals.  As the summer approaches I can see that our shelter is filling.  Soon we will not have space.  Although we can set up temporary kennels for the over flow, it requires more staff time and expense. 

A week ago I received a call from officials in the City of Berwick.  Their animal control officer resigned and they had 7 dogs that needed homes because no one could care for them.  Another shelter down.

The department of dog law offered grants to shelters to help with expenses.  This year they cut the amount of funding.  Will another shelter go down due to loss of funding?  Is this a crisis?

Awesome Volunteers

I'm behind schedule in recognizing our volunteer efforts.  Every single day, our volunteers give freely of their time to help us in every aspect of our operations.  Last year, our volunteers recorded over 3,000 hours of their time.  And that is only the 'recorded' time.  There are many hours donated that are not recorded.

Beginning with our Board of Directors who meet regularly to helps us keep financially afloat and help out at many events, to our weekly volunteers who enrich the animal's time with us; I am forever grateful.  We receive help with our filing, updating of our donor records and petfinder, off-site events, maintenance, dog training, video tapeing, grooming, and lots and lots of tender loving care.  Whenever something comes up and we need help, we have a crew of volunteers that will come to our rescue.  We could not accomplish so much without them!

Canine Good Citizen

A Canine Good Citizen (CGC)  is a dog that has been tested by a certified trainer.  Certified Therapy Dogs and Canine Good Citizens are attentive to people and well behaved.  They are wonderful companions to visit nursing homes, schools, and libraries.  Some hotels are more accepting of dogs that have passed a  CGC evaluation.

Visit cgc@akc.org and tdi-dog.org for more information.  Or, contact eagleswings@eagleswingsservicedogs.org  to schedule your test at the Lycoming County SPCA.

Fame for one of our Adoptees

Check out the You Tube video "Fox Auto Deal Hound".  The little hound pup was adopted from our shelter!  Who knew he would be destined for a film career?

Dog Food Recall

Below is an article form DogfoodAdvisor.com by Mike Sagman about recent pet food recalls.  I also received an email from my supplier that the Taste of the Wild recall includes cat food too.  So check your food to see if it is on the recall list. 

My little dog was having diarrhea and I had to put him on the meat and rice diet.  Even though the company is reporting that there is only a 'risk', it isn't worth taking a chance on your pet's health.  It is especially risky if your pet has a weakened system already due to other disease.

*****************************************************************************************
Article by Mike Sagman

May 4, 2012 – Diamond Pet Foods has today announced that it is expanding its voluntary recall to include batches of nine brands of dry pet food formulations due to potential contamination with Salmonella bacteria.

The affected products were manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012.
This current event is in addition to three other recalls announced by Diamond last month.
According to the company, none of the additional products being recalled today have tested positive for Salmonella. However, the manufacturer claims it is pulling these products from store shelves “as a precaution”.

Brands Included in the Recall

Brands named in this recall now include:

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Taste of the Wild

Distributed in These Locations

The recalled products were manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods in Gaston, S.C., and were distributed in the following states and Canada:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Canada

However, further geographical distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred.

How to Know If You Have a Recalled Product

If your pet’s food has been recalled, the production codes on the bags will have a number “2” or “3” in the 9th position and an “X” in the 10th or 11th position.
The best before dates for the recalled brands listed are December 9, 2012 through April 7, 2013.
The following diagram illustrates how to read the production code and best-before date:

Sunday Bliss

What could be better on a Sunday morning than being curled up on the chair with the paper and your dogs?  For those of us who have pets; need I say more?  And for those of you who need a buddy, consider adopting from your local shelter.

Cinco de Meow

         The Lycoming County SPCA is celebrating Cinco de Meow on Saturday, May 5, 2012.  Since the month of May ushers in cats and kittens by the dozen, what better way to celebrate the season than by finding them new homes?

            The shelter will kick of its adult cat adoption efforts by offering the adoption at a donation of the adopter’s choice throughout May to August.  Two kittens may be adopted for the price of one.  On Cinco de Meow, adopters will receive a coupon for 10% off SPCA gift shop purchases.  Each cat adoption includes the initial shots, flea treatment, lifetime microchip identification and one year registration; 30 days free health insurance with a valid e-mail; spaying or neutering; a handy cardboard carrier; and a loving four legged companion.

                     Cats come in many sizes and colors, not to mention a myriad of purr-sonalities.  They are easy to care for with a clean litter box, fresh food, water, and love.  The little purrballs are the cat’s meow!