Stray Animals!!

In this struggling economy, the chances of you running across a hungry stray are increasing. Desperate dog & cat owners who don't want their pets to end up in a shelter sometimes think the next best thing is to turn them loose. This is not a good idea, abandoned dogs can not fend for themselves and if they don't encounter a kind soul often die in tragic and horrible ways. Hungry and starving strays can become a nuisance in a neighborhood and sometimes a danger to other animals. Cats do better at fending for themselves but it is still a hard and meager existence fraught with danger and disease.
What should you do if you find a stray? or it wanders up to your property?

1. Call you local animal control - this is not your animal to give away/find a home for regardless of it's appearance when it arrives. Strays have a mandatory stray hold period at the local shelter. How would you feel if your pet were lost or stolen and the person who found it kept it or gave it away before you ever had the chance to find it?

2. If you want to help this pet, by all means do so. Making sure you adhere to your local animal control guidelines and make a good faith effort to locate it's family. It is important to follow a few simple rules to keep everyone safe.  Make sure you do not approach a growling dog - this animal is scared, please call animal control for assistance.  Many strays are scared and you must be very careful in how to approach them. Do not use direct eye contact or very erect posture. Use food lures if possible.

3. Do not allow this dog to mix with your pets! You do not know how this animal has treated or if it has issues with other animals. You do not know this dog's vaccination history to know if this dog is healthy. You are putting your pets at risk the moment you mix your dogs together. Be respectful of your own pets first. If you can not keep this animal separate - refer to #1. Do not put your dogs at risk for rabies exposure or other diseases such as parvo, distemper, ringworm, scabies and parasites, or fleas and ear mites.

4. Do not allow your children around this dog/cat until you know how this dog/cat is going to respond. You do not know this animal's life experiences and whether or not it will have a favorable reaction to children. You also don't know the pet's vaccination history so do not put your children at risk. Domestic pets typically die within 10 days of being bitten by a rabid animal. Parasites can be passed to children, it is rare but can happen. They can get sarcoptic mange (scabies) or ringworm.

5. Even after a quarantine period and a visit to your local veterinarian, be careful when introducing this animal to other pets. Do not feed them together. Dogs that have been starving or hungry may be aggressive to other pets around feeding time. Always feed separately until you know the dog's temperament. Cats generally do not get along and trying to introduce a stray cat to your cat will likely end in fighting. Cats take months to adjust to each other.

6. If you can not keep this dog, use Google to find rescue groups in your area that will take in this dog. Remember, most rescue groups do not take in stray dogs, they take in dogs from shelters and occasionally owner surrenders. If this dog was a stray but has been in your care for the "stray hold" and you are now the owner, you may be able to get it into a rescue group.

Remember, if you find a stray, your local animal control can guide you on how to go about finding an owner, keeping it if no-one comes forward and take it in if you are not able to help it. Animal Control is not the enemy.....death from starvation, cruelty, the elements and being hit by cars and left to suffer on the side of the road are all worse things than going to your local shelter.

Watercolor Art Raffle to benefit rescue

Watercolor Art Raffle to benefit rescue

Dear Neighbor

Dear Neighbor,

During any given year, over 6 million animals* (more than the entire human population of Missouri) enter shelters and become homeless. Over 50%* of them are euthanized due to overcrowding or health issues related to abuse and neglect. The sad animals you see in the t.v. commercials, which are so difficult to watch, are real. Those animals, and many more like them, really do exist. I know, because I spend much of my time as an animal rescue shelter volunteer and see the abused and abandoned animals first hand. All are scared and confused. Those who have been abused are often traumatized and must be taught to trust. All shelter animals are wonderful and worthy animals, just waiting to love and be loved.

Purchasing from a pet shop or even from a "reputable" breeder takes homes away from shelter animals, and perpetuates the use of animals for profit. When a dog is purchased from a pet shop the transaction keeps an animal abuser in business, as most pet shops get their puppies from puppy mills. Puppy mills are businesses specifically created to breed puppies for sale. Unfortunately, the breeder animals spend their entire lives in small cages, often lying in their own waste. They never receive any affection. They are never allowed to walk outside their small cages (except to breed). They are never allowed to play, and most don't even know how. They are only fed enough to allow them to continue breeding. They are matted, filthy, lonely, hungry, scared, depressed and usually sick. They have been emotionally and physically abused and neglected. Their living conditions are deplorable and when they can no longer breed, they are killed. If you were to see the condition of just one of these animals when it is rescued from a puppy mill, your life would never be the same. So if you plan on purchasing that happy little puppy from a pet shop, keep in mind that you will be leaving its parents behind to be abused, and then perpetuating their misery by putting more money and more motivation into the pocket of the abuser. The highest concentration of puppy mills is in Missouri and in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Google "Amish animal abuse" or "Amish puppy mills"). Isn't it time we stop using animals to fill our pockets with cash, or to satisfy our egos? We must stop paying animal abusers.

It is important to note that the majority of all shelter animals are well behaved, healthy and loving, and in rescue due to the instability or misfortune of their human owners, not due to any fault of the animal's. Also be aware that there is a rescue group for just about every breed (and species) of animal you can think of, and a good amount of animals in shelters are pedigreed. You need only to know the traits of the breed you are looking into to be sure it is a good fit with your family, and so will stay for a lifetime. The shelter staff can help with that.

This letter is intended only to help raise awareness. If you care about animals at all, here are some things you can do to help:

• Don't breed animals for fun or profit. Remember there is "no need to breed".
• Don't buy animals from pet shops or breeders (including on-line breeders).
• Do please adopt a shelter or rescued animal (www.petfinder.com is for rescue/shelter animals only)
• Donate to a shelter or rescue group if you can (cash, blankets, towels, food, pet toys, kuranda bed).
• Donate pet food to a local food bank. Many food bank patrons have pets that are in need too.
• Volunteer your time to a shelter or rescue group. The animals need love, affection and fun!
• Spay and neuter your pets so the population doesn't increase even more.
• Know that animal hoarding is not love. Take an animal only if you can give it a proper home.
• Remember that animals feel, even though they can't cry or express in words.
• Remember that animals are like toddlers. They need our help to survive, and they need love.
• Speak up, be a Voice and a defender for the animals. Share this letter. Teach empathy.

Thank you for caring.
When we know better, we do better!


*Humane Society & ASPCA estimates
Ó Copyright Kathleen Fitzgerald 2010 – This letter may be reprinted only in its original form and entirety

Maggie

Blue and white white with cropped ears. She's spayed, Hw negative, on prevention and microchipped. Razor’s Edge, Gotti type American Bully styled low rider. She’s about knee high but weights about 52 lbs.

What a wonderful girl, this is a bully dog that truly shines like a gem. She is the sweetest, most loving girl you could ask for. She's a middle aged gal, around 6 years old we figure though has suffered an entire lifetime of neglect and puppy producing at the hands of her previous owner. She still loves people, loves taking walks and going to the pet store. Hasn't met a stranger and in fact is garnering a little fan club at the local petco. She is good on leash, likes to take slow meandering walks in the park and down the isles at the pet store, stopping to say hi when she can.

She's good with other dogs, easy going and happy go lucky. She's not looking for any kind of conflict with other dogs. In fact, she seems to bring a calming presence to the world. Dogs that would normally not get along seem to adjust well to her mother like vibe. Initially a little growly when the cats approached her cate - she has adjusted and ....I can safely say she's pretty cat friendly. She can be loose with my cats while I am home and not even glance in their direction unless they come right up to rub her face. She does not like them to approach her when she has a toy so she should be separated when home alone.

She actually loves a good game of fetch. She won't always bring them back to you - you may have to go get her to give it up but she will chase it every time and "almost bring it back". She's a southern belle, quiet and good natured. Crate trained and completely house broken. She respects a baby gate. She's just happy for whatever she gets in life. She loves to snuggle, if she's in your lap and you stop rubbing her, she will wriggle and tuck her head against you then look up at you with those big brown eyes "please don't stop". She is a lovely dog. A real treasure.

She’s food motivated and eager to please. She loves dinner time and always wants to make sure she’s in the right spot for dinner time. We have switched her meals from the kitchen to the crate to make sure she only gets her own food. She’s a surfer and will clean the floor after everyone else and their bowls too.

We hope that once her skin gets healthy, the rest of her body will heal and her only maintenance will be the food. She’s actually in pretty great shape for a dog that has suffered from ear infections/allergies for years. I’ve seen far worse on much younger dogs.  Maggie's laser surgery went well and her ears look almost brand new. Most of the scar tissue was removed and her ear canals are clear.


www.ascpbr.com/Magnolia.html

Long Term Fostering

Sometimes it seems, the longer a dog stays in foster care, ultimately the less attention they seem to generate from potential families.  I wonder if the prevailing feeling is that there must be something wrong with this dog or they would have been adopted already.  I’ve seen dogs in foster care for years, some that have been in foster care since they were puppies and now are a year old.  I remember one little black brindle puppy at a rescue in Michigan being in rescue for 4 years. I remember seeing her first posting when she was with a litter of puppies and then again a year later and so on.  She was trained and I think her foster parent had even gotten her a CGC....still she remained in foster care.  I have since lost track of that dog and don’t know if she eventually got adopted or if her foster parent eventually made room in their home.  Then there is Baron in Missouri that has been in foster care for two years.  He’s an older bully and that hurts too but older dogs get adopted from shelters.....foster care should be available too.  I have also heard people say, well if that dog’s so great, why doesn’t the foster parent keep them.  “If I had a dog a year, I couldn’t give them up”.  I understand that and it is hard when you have a long term foster that finally gets adopted. You are sad to see them go but are overjoyed that they found their place in the world.  The difference in fostering and adopting is that a foster home only intends to keep the dog while it is in limbo and each dog they adopt out, means they can save one more in the shelter. It’s meant to be a helping hand to those dogs in desperate need.  The intention is not to keep that dog.   Most foster homes already have a dog or two and fostering is the way they can give back.  If they kept all of their foster dogs, there would be no-one left to save the ones still in the shelter needing the halfway house of adoptability.  They need that time in foster care to gain valuable life skills and get healthy so that a family can truly enjoy their new dog with minimal “growing pains”.  We can’t forget the dogs that have been in foster care for a while because they are “saved” , no longer in desperate need, or on a euthanasia list.  The truth is though that these dogs are in desperate need. They are still in desperate need of that family. The one that is meant to be their forever family.  They are simply in Limbo, not adopted but not in a shelter.  It’s the reward for the foster home to see a dog go from sick to sleek, from thin to buff and beautiful and then be able to repeat the cycle with another needy dog.

If you are considering adoption, don’t forget those that have been in foster care. They need your attention too.  Sometimes they are the most ready, they have had training, completely housebroken and their personality is known backwards and forwards.  A long term fostered dog can be an excellent choice for a new family.  There will be no surprises, what you see is what you get.

Daisy would like to remind everyone that she's been in foster care for over 8 months.  She was emancipated from her horrible life almost a year ago and after a three to four month stent in the animal shelter she was moved into rescue after spending another month at a humane society.  It's been almost a year since she was seized.  She deserves a happy ending.

Welcome Gunny

Fostered in Richmond Va
Gunny is a really nice boy from a troubled situation. He witnessed his owner murder their significant other. It did traumatize him a little. He does not enjoy gunfire or fireworks but otherwise seems no worse for wear. We do not know if there was abuse precipitating the event but he does prefer women to men. It is his preference to socialize with the ladies. He will warm up to men and give kisses but it takes him a little time to approach. He's adjusting to foster care and is learning about crate training. He is already housebroken and walks nicely on leash. Seems like he's got a moderate energy level - too high energy but not a slug either. He would enjoy a fence but could easily adjust to an apartment with daily walks.
Gunny is a really great sized bully. He's a red merle or desert camo so we had to give him a military style name. He's buff with darker red splotches, red nose and gold eyes. He's got prick ears.
Cat free home preference. He's not a seek and destroy kind of dog but he will definitely chase a cat. In a home with a strong trainer, his drives might be tempered but stray cats would always be fair game. I would anticipate the same behavior regarding rats, birds and ferrets

Maggie's update

Maggie's surgery went very well, she had two cysts removed from her shoulder and back. And several skin tags, including the big one dubbed "Ethel". She also had her ears cleaned again while she was out. She's home on pain meds, still the ear meds and cephalexin for her skin on the belly that has some yeast/pyoderma. She will get a follow up in 10-14 days to remove her stitches and re-evaluate her skin.

Maggie's surgery

Maggie's going under the knife this wednesday January 12 to remove some of her lumps and bumps. Some skin tags can be "precancerous" so we want to ensure she will have a longer and happier life. Put her in your thoughts.

Her ear cleanings are going well but she hasn't gotten used to them yet. She's doing well on her grain free diet (currently eating Natures Recipe Grain Free "Easy to Digest" Salmon, Sweet Potato and Pumpkin). She likes it and her coat is looking better. She's tightened up from the "baby weight" and is looking smoother. She's still got a long way to go before we could call her girlish instead of matronly.

Daisy's wish for 2011 - a home of her own

*Richmond VA*
Daisy's been up for adoption for quite a while now, it will be a year this spring. We can't quite figure out what people don't like about her. She rarely gets a passing interest. People at adoption events think she's adorable but they aren't ready for a dog or they already have one and don't want another.... If you are looking for a super sweet purebred american pit bull terrier that happens to be very good with cats, extremely loving and good with most other dogs - well, she's right here. She's got crazy ears - so what? She's house broken and crate trained and only has to be crated when her foster parent is not home. She plays well with the most rambunctious of cats, always gentle. Good with older kids (might have too much energy for the wee ones), doesn't try to get out of the fence... will keep the yard free from squirrels. Loves to eat - can we say food motivated? She's a great size and fully vetted and healthy. She doesn't mind wearing coats or sweaters but draws the line at hats. She will sit in a costume for at treat but only for a limited time. She doesn't tear up in appropriate things, unless you mean stuffed animals but they look like dog toys to her. She's got a really tight slick pit bull coat, the hair is only eyelash length. She doesn't mind a bath, loves the vet. In fact she hasn't met anyone she didn't like. She would really like a home in 2011

If you are looking for a real American Pit Bull Terrier, look no further. She a real dog and a real pit bull. She’s “fun sized” with a lot of energy to burn. She’s a sporty dog, available for fun of all types. She likes to play tug with her foster brother or just chase balls in the yard. She can do that all day (provided you have another dog to bring some of them back). She likes to run around with a ball in her mouth and we are working on giving it back. She likes to chew rubber chuck it balls, pop tennis balls and remove their fuzz. She can destuff a fluffy toy in no time flat.

She is without a doubt, the SWEETEST dog you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. She is very responsive to people, comes when called and then melts with your touch into a little puddle of pit bull happiness. She had a very rough start in life but she is so forgiving and wonderful. She is extremely soft with people, so much so that a harsh word sends her cringing to the floor with tail tucked.

Daisy is forgetting her past, that life not so long ago chained out in the elements with an abusive owner. She and two puppies were all that survived (out of 15) when it was all over and dust settled (papers filed and all). She’s got some scars, on the outside as well as on the inside. She’s moving on little by little. She’s got amazing potential.


She plays hard with other dogs and needs a dog that can take her energy level. Of all the dogs we’ve paired her with, she does best with larger male american bulldogs or american bully dogs. She does exceptionally well with her foster family of dogs. She is fine sharing toys with other dogs. She’s a talker, she vocalize to you when she’s excited or frustrated. Arooo, a Whooo Whooo.
She has been spayed and vaccinated. She was heartworm positive and has now been treated. Her blood work is good and she is in great health. She’s come a long way since that skinny chained dog was seized in March 2010. She weighs 40 lb and is the perfect compact size. She fits the standard for the American Pit Bull Terrier. She is an ADBA styled dog and may have even had papers at one point in her life.

She could go to a home with another dog and I think she would enjoy a large rough and tumble male companion who she could play tug and chase around the yard. She likes to play hard and does best with the big lunkhead bullies. She loves cats and would really like to have her own kitten. She would prefer a male cat that likes to interact with dogs.

She has her own email address if you want to drop her a line to see how she's doing or just drop her a note. It's daisypitbull@gmail.com

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Microchipping Pets

We have been using 24petwatch chips for the past few years to microchip our adopted dogs. It has come to my attention that the microchip registration through Petpoint for our chips is only good for one year and that anytime an adopter needs to update their information after the year, there is a $14.95 fee or a $35.00 fee for the life of the dog.
If anyone has moved, please remember to update your petwatch pet information. The microchip is only as good as the information on the registration. Once the information is no longer applicable it would be difficult to track down the owner of a lost pet. Many dogs entering the shelter system have microchips that were never registered or the information is no longer correct for that pet.