One Year after the Earthquake....

On January 12, 2010, Haiti experienced one of the largest earthquakes in history, devastating not just the human population but the animal populations as well.

One year later, the animals of Haiti have a new safe haven thanks to the Humane Society International and the Humane Society of the United States.

The two organizations joined forces to open a new animal care center and veterinary training facility outside of Port--Prince.
The center will offer smallau animal care and surgical training, equine care and medical training, disaster response training and housing for foreign veterinary and disaster response experts.

To read more about this visit - HumaneSociety.org

This Month Is For The Birds-Literally...

Often, when we think of lonely pets in a shelter we picture a dog or cat.

But thousands of companion birds are relinquished each year, as well.

So in 2002 the ASPCA launched the first Adpot A Rescued Bird Month In January.

Some breeds can mimic the sounds of different household appliances, while others sing or coo.

PetFinders.comn has a bevy of birds waiting for homes, and a list of things to consider before bringing home a Polly of your own.

Pets Of The Homeless...

What We Do.

Pets of the Homeless is a non profit all volunteer organization that provides pet food and veterinary care to the homeless and less fortunate in local communities across the United States and Canada.

The volunteer collection sites gather the donated pet food and deliver it to food banks, homeless shelters and soup kitchens which have agreed to distribute the pet food to the homeless and poor.

To licensed veterinarians, through our grant program it will provide resources for vaccines and veterinary care to pets of the homeless.

There are many ways you can help.

Visit Petofhomeless.org to learn more.

Please donate today.

2255 Waterford Place

Carson City, NV 89703

775-841-7463

ww.petsofhomeless.org

Keeping Your Cat Warm In Winter..

If you are trying to keep your cat warm in the winter time there are several easy ways you can do that.

Depending on whether or not your cat is a indoor cat or if the cat spends part or all of its time outside, your options for keeping them warm will vary.

Indoor cats have a reputation for loving those nice warm spots, like the sunny spot on the couch in the afternoon.

They also like to find warm place like your face when your are sleeping, or snuggling up next to the computer which generates a lot of heat. Keeping a cat warm in winter time indoors is not very difficult.

Generally any temperature that is comfortable enough for a person will be completely fine, for cat. The do, after all, have a fur coat.

They can withstand temperatures much lower than we can, and for much longer period of time.

It just so happens that they really prefer warm spots, but that extra warmth is not a necessity for their health.

When it comes to cats who spend their time outdoors, however you may want to provide a special place to allow them to warm up in really cold temperatures. Again due to their fur, they can withstand temperature that are many degrees colder than we are able to tolerate.

Any sung place that is up off the ground and has any drafts blocked will allow a cat to stay warm simply from its own body heat.

There are products available which owner can use to keep their outdoor cats warm, such as electric heaters, thick insulated bags in which the cat can snuggle, or specially designed igloos, which are designed to reflect the cats heat back toward their body.

These products may be unnecessary, but sometimes the peace of mind that it gives the owner is worth the price.

Caring For Pet Rats....

Caring For Pet Rats

When owners know some fundamentals rats are not especially difficult to keep mental and physically healthy.

House rats in an aquarium (at least 10 gallon) with a mesh lid.

Alternately keep them in a wire mesh cage with half-inch by half-inch spacing.

Rats can break their legs on wider spaced barks.

Never use cedar or pine shavings as bedding as they are toxic to rats.

Use hardwood shavings paper products, pelleted bedding or sanitary bedding and change it energy three to five days.

Feed a diet of laboratory pellets (lab block).

Occasional treats of wheat bread, fruit,vegetables and pasta are acceptable.

Go light on oil seeds, nuts and grains.

Do not keep individual rats in solitary cages.

Provide toys and activities in the cage.

Watch pet rats closely for respiratory disease.

Persistent sneezing is a symptom of respiratory illness.

Trigger a visit to the vet as soon as possible.

Rats are social animals.

Experts recommend owners keep more than one at a time.

Most rats should be able to live together without a problem, although adult males sometimes display aggressive behavior to unfamiliar adult male rats.

Pet Safe Salt Is Better For Everyone

If you live in a colder climate when winter involves wind, ice and snow, you probably use salt on your driveway and sidewalks. There are probably also a few pet owners who walk their dogs past your property.

But did you know that the salt that you are using to de-ice driveways can do harmful damage to the pets that walk on it?

If you read the warnings on traditional salt ice melter's, you will see that straight out that they are dangerous for pets and children.

So why would you want to put something so harmful out on the sidewalks where children and pets walk.

There are a number of pet safe salt products.

Most popular Safe Paw. Which we carry.

It makes better sense for the environment and it is much safer for both your pets and children.

Dog Booties...

Dog Booties are rubber, fabric or plastic coverings for dog's paws, used to protect the animal from cold weather or injury.

They are analogues to human shoes and are most common in sled dog races. The Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race for example requires mushers to carry no fewer than eight booties per dog.

Many dogs are resistant to wearing booties and the velcro straps typically used to secure booties often are inadequate on active dogs.

Changing booties is necessary when they become wet or fly off a dog's paws.

Like shoes booties wear out with use.

Over an extended period of time they need to be replace.