Pet News and Views

Operation Roger Truckers Find Homes for Cats and Dogs

By Michele C. Hollow for Pet News and Views

Roger, a Toy Manchester Terrier, was the first Operation Roger rescue.

Their hearts are big and so are their rigs. The men and women of Operation Roger describe themselves as “a rag-tag group of 20-30 truckers who volunteer to help needy pets find loving homes.”

If you talk to anyone of the volunteers of this 501 (c) (3), they will tell you that they are truckers first and are required to do their jobs. They travel across America’s highways, often moving from one end of the country to the other.

Since they began back in 2005, Operation Roger volunteers have found permanent homes for almost 700 cats and dogs. Continue reading Operation Roger Truckers Find Homes for Cats and Dogs

Getting Personal

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

This is Karma. My son Jordon wanted her to have kittens.

A friend of mine, who writes a beautiful blog called Letters to My Kids, asked me to guest post on his site. I wanted to share this story with you because it is a personal one.

It is about why I told my son “no more kittens.” My son was upset that I wanted to have the kittens spayed. So this is my letter to him. In case you didn’t see it, you can read it here.

Love Me, Love My Cats

A few of you know that I work as a journalist. I have been writing pet stories for FamilyCircle.com, DIYNetwork.com, and the NY Daily News. I make my living as a journalist. Last week, I wrote another personal story. This one is about romantic relationships and pets.

When I met my husband, I told him that I come with cats. The story, which ran in NextAvenue, a site for baby boomers, can be read by clicking here.

The story goes on to explain what to do when your relationship blossoms and you have pets.

And as always, I appreciate your kind words, emails, and support. Thanks for reading Pet News and Views.

A Big Year of Birding

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

I don’t know how many of you have seen The Big Year starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. It’s about birders who try to see as many different bird species as possible in one year; I recommend it.

David Pavlik has embarked on a Big Year to help save birds in Hawaii. Flying overhead is a seabird called a Jaeger.

I also recommend following David Pavlik, a biologist, photographer and birdwatcher who is doing a different take on a Big Year. The Michigan native hopes to raise money to conserve rare birds by finding sponsors who will donate between $0.05 and $5 for every bird species he spots and photographs in 2013. At the end of 2013, he plans on giving the money he raised to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), a leading U.S. bird conservation group.

ABC will spend this money on programs designed to save rare Hawaiian birds from extinction. Pavlik chose Hawaii after learning that Hawaii has been dubbed the “bird extinction capital of the world.”

While most of us think of Hawaii as a lush tropical state, ABC says that no place else on earth has witnessed the levels of bird extinctions that Hawaii has experienced. Since the arrival of Europeans to the Hawaiian Islands, 71 endemic bird species have become extinct out of a total of 113 that existed just prior to human colonization. Of the remaining 42, 32 are federally listed, and ten of those have not even been seen for up to 40 years.

Last year, Pavlik spotted more than 600 different bird species. “Photographing those species, however, is much more of a challenge,” he says. “By the end of this year, I hope to photograph 500 species or more.”

In order for a bird to “count,” it will need to be identifiable from the picture, he explained. Some species of birds are extremely difficult to identify without hearing them call or knowing the location where the photo was taken. He says he will post the location that each photograph was taken if it helps resolve those pesky identifications. He may also try to take video of birds that can only be identified by voice.

You can join him virtually on his adventures by visiting his website. You can also sign up and donate there too.

How To Deal with A Nervous Cat

By Rob Doole from Bonlays for Pet News and Views

Some cats are more anxious than others. No matter how well you treat her or him, whether showering them with affection or offering new toys to play with, they still take flight when in the presence of a scary noise. It takes time to help your cat overcome his or her frightfulness, but it’s all worth it.

There can be many reasons as to why your cat is nervous, but the most common causes are:

Previous frightening experiences – commonly your cat’s survival mechanism kicks in after one scary occasion and tells him or her to always anticipate another occurrence.
Genetics – some cats are more nervous than others due to their genetic make-up.
Lack of confidence as a kitten – your cat’s adolescence is the most crucial time for them to grow in confidence. If a kitten (by the time they’re eight weeks old) is introduced to people and general noise, they are more than likely to grow to be a confident cat.

Scared of Noises

If your cat is skittish when there are a lot of noises such as house guests nattering during a dinner party, there is one simple tip that can help your cat overcome his or her shyness.

Sherpa bag from Bonlays is perfect because your cat can see outside.

Introduce your cat to a pen that is placed in the corner of a room (ideally not the kitchen as there are plenty of hiding places). Cover the crate with a blanket so that all the sides except the front is covered. It’s best to introduce the pen to your cat during a quiet period so he or she can get used to it. Having a toy or some treats can also help encourage your cat to go into the pen and feel safe. Once your cat is used to the new surroundings sit near the pen and talk, then ask for other people to come and talk nearby so your cat gradually gets used to new noises. After a while, it’s hard to say how long after as each cat is different, your cat will be happy to be in the same room as other people without resorting to hiding in the pen. This tactic can also be used if you’re introducing a nervous cat into your home.

Getting to the Vets

It can be quite difficult to encourage a cat into a travel box to take them to the vets, especially if they’re nervous. We’d suggest that you leave the cat carrier out in the open about a week before they visit the vet. Leave the door of the carrier open and put some toys or treats inside so their encouraged to explore. Look for carriers that have mesh sides so your cat can see what is going on around them. It will make them feel more at ease than being kept in darkness, and can also prevent travel sickness.

Toys

Cats, whether they are confident or nervous, love to play. Playing with a toy such as a bird on a wire will help to mature their natural hunting instincts as well as help them to develop confidence. However, try not to push them too hard, if your cat doesn’t want to play, leave your cat to his or her own devices; new things can be quite scary to timid cats.

Calling All Pet Rescue Groups

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

Running a pet adoption center or a breed-specific rescue takes a lot of resources, and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) wants to help.

HSUS just launched Rescue Central – Resources to Help Rescue Groups Save More Lives, a program designed to help animal rescue groups operate more efficiently and effectively, build coalitions, discover new tools and techniques for funding their operations, and attain the highest levels of animal care. It also provides rescue groups with a forum to interact, get and give advice, and share tips and ideas.

“Animal rescue groups play a vital role in improving animal welfare in communities across the country, but many could use a little extra guidance and additional tools to reach their potential,” says Abby Volin, rescue group coordinator for HSUS.

There are an estimated 10,000 private rescue groups in the U.S. and Canada, including breed-specific groups, foster-based groups, sanctuaries, transport groups and spay/neuter groups. They play an essential role in helping to reduce the problems of animal homelessness and euthanasia in our communities. Through Rescue Central, HSUS is committed to providing rescues with the tools and resources needed to achieve even greater success.

For more information about Rescue Central, click here, and please share this information with your local shelters and rescues.

And if you run a rescue or volunteer at one, click here to go to Tuesday’s post on saving money on pet meds. This is open to all pet parents.

Save Money on Pet Medications

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

This Pet Prescription Drug Discount Card will save you money on pet (and human) medications.

Did you know that only one percent of pet parents have health insurance for their pets? Many people choose not to get pet health insurance because it can be expensive.

An Alternative

This is NOT pet insurance. Pet News and Views is giving away FREE Prescription Drug Discount Cards to subscribers. Subscribing to Pet News and Views, which comes out twice a week, is free. Just sign up by clicking here, and then send me an e-mail with your mailing address. I will pop a card in the mail to you.

How It Works

When your veterinarian says your pet needs medication, ask him for a prescription. Don’t buy medications from your vet because they are always more expensive at the vet’s office. Take the prescription and the card to any pharmacy. You will get up to a 15 percent discount on name brand prescription drugs and up to 55 percent off generics.

You can use the card over and over again. It is only good in the U.S. (Sorry, I know I have readers in other countries.)

For People Too

This Prescription Drug Discount Card can also be used for people medications. It works the same way. You just take the card with the prescription you get from your doctor to your local pharmacy to receive the discount.

For Rescues and Animal Shelters Too

If you work or volunteer at a rescue or shelter, I can send you several cards to share with your staff, volunteers, and adopters. Subscribe here, and send an email to me at michele@petnewsandviews.com with your mailing (snail mail) address.

Grey Muzzle Reaches $250,000 in Grants to Save Senior Dogs

By Chandra Conway, Grey Muzzle Board of Directors’ Member for Pet News and Views

Since 2008, The Grey Muzzle Organization has awarded $257,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations working to help homeless and at-risk elderly dogs. Grey Muzzle has supported 38 nonprofit organizations and is currently funding lifesaving efforts in 20 states.

Annual Grey Muzzle grants average $2,100 each and many grants have been renewed—nine nonprofit organizations have each received more than $10,000 in funding.

“We’re proud that we’re able to continue to fund many of these great groups year after year, helping them build long-term programs to benefit elderly dogs,” says Grey Muzzle board member Julie Dudley, who founded the national all-volunteer nonprofit.

Grey Muzzle believes that every senior dog deserves to live out their golden years, months, weeks, or even days, in a place of love, security, and peace. Grey Muzzle makes grants in the following categories:

Adoptable Dogs Medical Care
Hospice and Long-term Care
“Seniors for Seniors” Adoption Programs
Keep Dogs With Owners” Assistance
Community Outreach/Therapy Dog Programs

Here are examples of how some of the organizations that receive grants are putting the funds to work for senior dogs in need:

Adoptable Dogs Medical Care

This category includes grants made to nonprofit shelters and rescues for adoptable senior dogs’ medical care.

In Vineland, NJ, Cumberland County SPCA & Animal Shelter Foster Care Coordinator Maria Stoerrle reports that the staff has a new attitude towards senior dogs, thanks to Grey Muzzle support. Over an 11-month stretch, CCSPCA’s Red Collar Society aided 62 senior dogs. The program provides medical treatment and then outreach to either keep senior dogs with their families or focus on adoption, foster or transfer to no-kill shelters or rescues.

“Staff often believed that a senior dog was older than they actually were, or their health was worse because of their demeanor in the shelter,” writes Stoerrle. “Having the ability to treat and get these dogs into foster homes and monitor their progress has proven that while a senior dog may be more prone to depression in a kennel environment, there are very few seniors who won’t have a wonderful quality of life in a home environment.”

Grants to rescues for adoptable dogs’ medical care allow at-risk senior dogs in shelters to receive treatment and be moved to a safe foster home environment. In Chicagoland, the “Increase the Adoptability of Senior Dogs” program run by Young at Heart Pet Rescue provides full-scale vet care as well as grooming and the use of professional photography and video for dogs’ profiles.

YAH Executive Director Dawn Kemper recalls Jayden, a 10-12-year-old Boxer mix who was one of the ten senior dogs in the organization’s care in 2011 to be aided by Grey Muzzle funding.

“Sweet and docile, she became a fast favorite at the local animal control and as her time grew short, the staff began to contact every boxer rescue and no-kill animal shelter in the area to save her,” says Kemper. “The response? Every single organization said she was too old to be adopted. Her brilliant smile and endearing personality proved to us that she was adoptable–she just needed a chance!”

A visit to the vet found that Jayden needed a teeth cleaning and thyroid medication plus a lumpectomy that proved benign. Kemper says a professional photo shoot helped Jayden’s adoption profile shine and she has found her forever home.

“Jayden has become our not-so-little lap dog and we’re so happy to have her here with us,” shares Jayden’s new mom, Misty. “The vet says she’s in good health and looks great for her age.”

Grey Muzzle grant recipient Old Dog Haven’s Final Refuge program provided Annie (Lil Bit), a 13-pound Chihuahua/Terrier mix diagnosed with advanced lymphoma, end-of-life love and care.

“Keep Dogs With Owners” Assistance

“Keep Dogs With Owners” grants assist programs, typically run by a shelter, provides food and medical care for pets of low-income owners.

The Sergey Foundation’s Judy Larkin says Grey Muzzle funding has been key to her Bellingham, WA-based organization’s mission to keep senior dogs healthy and with their families. “The cost of veterinary bills increases exponentially as a dog grows older,” says Larkin. “This hits the senior population extremely hard.”

Karin Frye’s senior Belgian Malinois, Baldo, received surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament thanks to The Sergey Foundation and a Grey Muzzle grant. Read their story.

“Research shows that pets enrich our quality of life—physically and emotionally,” says Grey Muzzle President Jenny Kachnic. “One of Grey Muzzle’s most important goals for 2013 is to help low-income owners, especially senior citizens, keep their old dogs despite financial instability by providing grants to programs that will assist them with veterinary care, food, and supplies for their much-loved senior dogs.”

Learn more about Grey Muzzle Organization by clicking here.

Part Time Pet Parent

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

He would want you to hire a professional pet sitter.

The pet industry can be wonderful at times, and misguided at others. My annoyance stems from part time pet parenting services. I am not talking about pet sitters. Professionally certified cat and dog sitters offer great services that allow us to vacation with peace of mind.

What I am opposed to are messages like this one that I got from a publicist: “As you know, the decision to get a dog is certainly a choice many parents wrestle with. Sure the kids would be ecstatic but the responsibility involved can be overwhelming. The latest trend among dog lovers nationwide is collaborative dog watching, and it’s especially beneficial to families who want to test the waters of pet ownership.”

It is true that in most families, the responsibilities of having a pet falls on the parents. Before we adopted our two kittens, we discussed getting a dog. I grew up with dogs. I travel a bit for work. When I take a trip, I visit museums, go to restaurants, and visit many places that dogs are not allowed. I enjoy seeing many of these places.

Crating a dog in a strange hotel room is not my idea of a good time for a dog. If I had a dog, I would hire a sitter to stay at my house. I do that for my cats.

Speaking of Cats

A lot of people are under the misconception that cats are “no maintenance” pets. True, you don’t have to walk them. You do, however, have to spend time with them, brush them, feed them, take them to the vet, and love them. Cats are incredibly social, and need affection and interaction.

I Don’t Want to Share

A dog or cat is not a toy to borrow at one’s whim. I find this offensive. Before we adopted our two cats, I made sure my son would be on board with some of the chores that are appropriate for his age.

The Best Way to Test a Pet

If you want to “test” a pet, you should volunteer at your local shelter, spend time talking to the volunteers and get to know the different pets.

An Expert Opinion

I decided to talk to Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the ASPCA’s Adoption Center, to get her take on part time pet parenting. Here is what she has to say:

“Dog sharing while a family is on vacation really has to be judged on a case-by-case basis. There are definite concerns with any situation that puts a pet at risk of falling into the care of inexperienced caretakers seeking a short term adventure, or folks who are in it simply for the monetary reward. The top priority for any pet owner should always be finding competent care for the pet in the owner’s absence. There is the possibility that a participant in a program of this sort is perfectly safe, but there is significant risk involved. As is the case with any professional pet sitting service or care provider, rigorous and intensive research should be done before placing your pet’s safety in someone else’s hands. Interviews and reference checks should always be performed.”

“It is not uncommon for dogs to end up homeless or injured when the pet owner leaves the animal with a caretaker while they are away. We have encountered situations here at the ASPCA in Manhattan where the dog escaped the home where they were being watched in an attempt to find the owner, or the owner never returned to pick up their animal so they were surrendered to our shelter. All pet owners should be advised to keep identification on their pets at all time, with up-to-date contact information of where they can be reached while they are away.”

“Whenever a pet owner enters into an agreement to entrust their animals’ well-being with an unknown party, there is always a significant risk. Whether it be a boarding facility, or especially an inexperienced person who is not even sure if they are ready for a pet, the main concern should always be the safety of the animal.”

To Pet News and Views’ Readers

I know that you would never put your pet in harm’s way. I am hoping that you share this post with others, and let them know that pet renting and part time family pet watching services should be avoided; the best way to find a professional pet sitter is to get recommendations from good friends or from your local animal shelter.

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Pets and People

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

Stumped for a gift for your four-legged friend? How about one for yourself? I found a few businesses that have agreed to give discounts to Pet News and Views’ readers. These are great gifts for Valentine’s Day and for any day you want to pick up your spirits or give a gift to a friend–whether that friend is two- or four-legged.

Shake A Paw’s biscuits for dogs are corn, wheat, and soy free. There are no artificial colors or preservatives.

Shake A Paw

Treat your dog to Shake A Paw’s Greetings. These all-natural dog biscuit greeting cards, that your dog will love, benefits pet rescues. For each purchase, Shake A Paw will donate $1 to one of the following rescues of your choice:

Pilots ‘N Paws are volunteer pilots who fly animals from kill shelters to rescue groups across the USA. Check out their Facebook fan page.

Grey Muzzle Organization funds programs for senior dogs across the USA.

Hug A Bull, a British Columbia-based rescue (yay for my Canadian readers) that does a lot of advocacy for Bully breeds.

What is a Shake A Paw Greeting?

It’s an all-natural, letter-shaped biscuit greeting card that spells out a tasty message. They have greetings for holidays, special occasions or any time of the year. You can see the examples here. A box costs $17.95. But wait…when you place your order you can request that the $1 donation for each box goes to one of the above rescues. And there’s more: Pet News and Views’ readers will receive a 20 percent discount off any greeting; you just have to plug in the PETNEWS20 code. This discount expires March 15, 2013.

Take Gracey Home

The Tiniest Tote is roomy, has an elegant cat or dog quilted design (your choice) and is made in the USA.

Just read The Tiniest Tiger to see why it is one of my favorite blogs. The creator of The Tiniest Tiger blog, Joanne McGonagle, also designed a line of tote, makeup, and other cool bags with quilted outlines of cats and dogs. If you order the Hipster or Tote bag, you will get a bonus Gracey ID/Key bag. The Gracey ID/Key pouch retails for $21. This is free to Pet News and Views’ readers through the end of the week (February 16). Just order your Tote or Hipster to get the free Gracey ID/Key. It features an ID window, a clip ring for keys, and a zip pocket for cash or other essentials. The outside has a cute kitten face microfiber pattern with diamond quilting, and the inside of the pouch is green, which matches Gracey’s eyes.

The tote and hipster bags are 100% vegan with quilted outlines of black cats or dogs–your choice. Click here to see the collection and to place your order. Mention that you are a Pet News and Views’ reader, to get your free Gracey ID/Key when you order the tote or hipster. These products are made in the USA. Continue reading Valentine’s Day Gifts for Pets and People

Cat Food Is Not for Kittens

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

Karma and Chai at 14 weeks.

It’s been a long while since I had kittens in my house. I have to watch where I walk because they are always underfoot. I also noticed their eating habits are different from older cats. Searching for kitten food at pet supply stores and at my local grocery is a bit difficult. The varieties are slim.

My local supermarket carries one brand of dry kitten food. Finding wet food is harder. If you go to a major pet supply chain, you can find lots of cat food varieties. At two major pet supply chains in my area, I found three different brands of kitten food. I also noticed that whatever they are eating gives off an odious scent after they use the litter box. So, I got curious and decided to ask Thomas Dock, CVJ and Managing Editor of Veterinary News Network, American Society of Veterinary Journalists and Practice manager/Veterinary Assistant for Mobile PetDocs, about kitten food versus cat food.

Pet News and Views: Why do kittens need kitten food instead of cat food?

Tom: It really depends on the brand. If you look on the side of the bag and the AAFCO http://www.aafco.org/ statement says that the food is “formulated to meet nutritional requirements for all life stages,” you are probably okay feeding that diet to the kittens. Some brands are more focused on “life stages” than others, and their kitten food may truly be a kitten food if the statement reads it is “formulated to meet nutritional requirements for growth and lactation/reproduction” versus “formulated to meet the needs for adult maintenance.”

Kittens do have a slightly higher energy requirement than adult cats, thereby needing a more energy dense food with the appropriate levels of nutrients.

PNAV: My two new kittens are famished. They are quite healthy, but they did not eat much at the pound. I know a lot of other people who have told me that when their cats (and dogs) get home from the pound and they are presented with food, they wolf it down. They eat fast, and I think would continue to eat if I constantly put down more food (which I don’t). Is this normal behavior?

Tom: That’s a great question and I will leave the science of it to the docs, but I would have to wonder if the shelter (like most shelters) are feeding donated foods, which, for the most part, tends to be the lower cost products that people pick up at Walmart or the local grocery store. If that’s the case, the kittens may have learned that they need to eat more in order to meet energy needs. Once they are on a good, high quality diet, this behavior may diminish.

PNAV: What suggestions do you have so pet owners won’t over feed their cats?

Tom: The most important thing a cat owner can do is to portion control. Far too often, pet owners find it easier to just fill up the bowl whenever it’s empty and this means that the cat has access to too much food and may eat out of boredom or because the food is especially palatable. Another thing to do is to split the cat’s daily portion into multiple small bowls and then “hide” those bowls around the house. This better mimics the cat’s natural “grazing” behavior and makes the cat “hunt” for food. This activity can help burn calories and keep weights down.

PNAV: Is wet food better than dry? I personally prefer wet food to dry for my cats. I give them some dry for their teeth. Does it matter?

Tom: First fallacy is that dry food helps clean teeth; dry food probably limits the amount of plaque formation when compared to sticky canned diets, but it won’t help clean teeth unless you buy one of the specific diets designed for “cleaning” teeth.

There is a big debate in veterinary medicine right now about dry versus canned diets for cats. The canned diet proponents say that the canned diet matches the nutrient profile of “natural prey” better and also helps with insuring that the cat is taking in enough water each day. This then helps to minimize risks for obesity, diabetes and chronic kidney problems. The other side says that ANY food (canned or dry) can lead to obesity and then to diabetes.

I think you will have to decide what works best for you; if you are okay with the canned diet and you dispose of any uneaten portions soon after the cats finish, I think this is just fine.

PNAV: I’ve been trying a few different kitten food brands. After they digest their food and use the litter box, the house smells awful. I know people don’t usually talk about this, but what can be done to eliminate the bad odor, and is it okay for their poo to smell so bad? I realize cats are not vegetarians—and should not be—but their poo stinks.

Tom: This is a common question and often is related to the diet. So, first, how long have you had these two kittens and how long are you trying each diet? People will often switch diets frequently trying to find the one that their cat “likes,” or reduces litter box odor or for whatever reason. What you need to remember is that the kittens need time to adjust to the new diet. If you are switching diets every week or so, the kittens’ bodies may not be fully adjusting to the new diet and this could be the reason for the excessively odiferous stool.

Editor’s Note: What are you feeding your cats or kittens? If you live with puppies, have you had a similar problem finding puppy food? What do you feed your puppy or dog? Please let us know, and thanks.

Pet News and Views

Categories

Operation Roger Truckers Find Homes for Cats and Dogs

Getting Personal

A Big Year of Birding

How To Deal with A Nervous Cat

Calling All Pet Rescue Groups

Save Money on Pet Medications

Grey Muzzle Reaches $250,000 in Grants to Save Senior Dogs

Part Time Pet Parent

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Pets and People

Cat Food Is Not for Kittens

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