Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Urgent Missing Pet Alert

14 year old blind and deaf Cocker Spaniel name Pepper walked out of an open
door at her home this morning about 9:30 am near the Farville curve area of
Jonesboro. Her family has been frantically searching for her everywhere.
If you see or find a cocker spaniel, please post information here and call
761 6299.

Monday, December 13, 2010

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS DOG?

Chocolate lab name Cocoa has been lost from Crowley's Ridge Road (off Old
Harrisburg Road near Craighead Forest) since Dec. 5th. She has diabetes and
required shots twice a day plus arthritis in her hips. She is 10 years old
with a gray chin. She weighs between 74 and 80 pounds with a calm
disposition. Please email NAFA and we will get your information to the
owners. They are frantic to find her or know her whearabouts.





Friday, December 10, 2010

KEEPING YOUR PET SAFE FROM WINTER WOES

TO PROTECT YOUR PET DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS,
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE SAFETY TIPS:

• Keep an eye on temperatures. When it falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need to keep all of your pets indoors. Shorthaired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors when the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Keep your pet’s coat well groomed. Matted fur won’t properly protect your pet from the cold.

• Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but most brands are very poisonous if consumed and can be fatal. Should your pet ingest any amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. Consider using pet-safe antifreeze.

• Be careful what you use for melting ice on your porch, sidewalk, deck or driveway. Most ice melting chemicals are highly toxic to pets, whether they lick the water containing the chemical or the pets walk through the melted ice and then lick their paws clean.

• Regularly check your pet’s water to make sure it isn’t frozen. When your pet is outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available. Animals can’t burn calories without a fresh supply of water and if they can’t burn calories, they can’t keep warm. Also, use a tip resistant, ceramic or hard plastic bowl rather than a metal one, as your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to cold metal.

• Use a damp cloth to wipe your pet’s feet and underside. Ice melting chemicals can irate and burn the pads of your pet’s feet and will cause serious injury if ingested. Another way to protect your dog’s feet is to spray the pads of their feet with cooking spray or you can purchase boots for your pet.

• Provide a dry, draft free doghouse if you must keep your dog outside for any period of time. It should be large enough to allow your dog to sit and lay down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doghouse should be turned to face away from the wind and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

• Get into the habit of slapping the hood of your vehicle before starting it. In their search to keep warm outdoors, cats often take refuge next to a warm car engine or tire.

• Keep snow from piling high next to your fence. A packed snowdrift will provide a boost for your dog to jump over the fence and escape the safe confines of your yard.

• Consider the amount of exercise your dog receives during cold weather. If your dog stays indoors more, he’s probably getting less exercise and may need less food; however, if your pet is outside often he may need more food to burn the calories necessary to produce more body heat.

If you have further question or concerns please email wanndat@fastdata.net , as our message line is currently being replaced.

Tut

Friday, December 3, 2010

Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act

On Nov. 19, 2010, Congress passed the final version of the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010 (HR 5566). When the bill is signed by President Obama, it will become law, providing law-enforcement agencies and prosecutors the tools they need to successfully halt the crush video industry. Crush videos depict animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury. To read the entire bill go to http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c111:7:./temp/~c111UVusLb

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Pets as Christmas Gifts

NAFA and Petco and joining together to discourage individuals from giving live pets as gifts at Christmas. We feel so strongly that we now have a special radio commercial on KBTM 1230 during the “Answer to Us” radio program from 4pm to 6 pm weekdays.

NAFA’s last pet adoption day will be Saturday, December 18th. The week before and after Christmas are the worst time to bring a new pet into your home. It sets you and the pet up to fail.

Please take a moment to read and pass on to your friends our information on giving pets as gift.
A Look at Giving Dogs, Cats, Small Animals as Holiday Presents

Pets don't make good Christmas gifts, but there are creative and more sensible ways to giving the gift of a cat, dog or other pet companionship.

During the first few weeks of the new year, animal shelters and humane organizations see a steady stream of cats, dogs, small animals and other pets that were given to someone as a Christmas present or holiday gift.

In the vast majority of cases, giving an animal as a gift for Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter or another holiday is a bad idea and very frequently, the ordeal ends with the dog, cat, pocket pet or other animal at the humane society's animal shelter. But fortunately, there are a few responsible alternatives for people who like the idea of giving a pet as a gift. This article will explore the reasons to avoid giving a puppy or kitten as a Christmas gift, while providing humane and sensible alternatives that will make for a happy pet and happy pet owner.

Why is it a Bad Idea to Give a Puppy or Kitten as a Christmas Present?

There are several reasons why pets that are given as holiday gifts rarely remain in their new home. Consider the following reasons why kittens and puppies make bad Christmas gifts.

The holiday season is hectic. This makes it difficult to bond and care for a new cat, dog, rabbit or other pet. Kittens and puppies require a strict schedule, lots of attention, training, care and love. Combine the pet's needs with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the result is often a pet with behavioral issues, an overwhelmed pet owner, or both.

It's important for a new pet owner to connect with his new pet. It may seem like a good idea to pick out an adorable puppy or kitten for a parent, child or significant other, but this should always be avoided. Picking a pet for another person is much like arranging a marriage. The new pet owner must personally select his/her new cat, dog, guinea pig, hamster, ferret or other pet. When an animal lover decides to adopt a particular animal, there is always an underlying attraction - a reason why that particular person picked that specific pet. This initial attraction is vital - it's the first step in the bonding process between a human and an animal who will be sharing each other's home and lives for the next 1, 2, 5 10 or even 20 years. Selecting an animal to adopt is a very personal process that should be left to the new pet owner.

It may not be the right time for a new pet. It's one thing to say "I'd love a dog." It's another thing to actually visit a breeder or animal shelter to adopt that new dog. Giving a dog, cat or other pet to another person can thrust the new pet owner into a bad position: the new cat, kitten, dog, puppy, ferret or other animal may be cute, and it may have a great personality and this may compel the new pet owner to keep the pet. The emotional element of pet ownership can override the sensible, logical mind that says "I don't have enough time for a puppy," "I don't have enough money to afford the vet bills," or "I travel too much to keep a cat." This can place the pet owner and the animal in a less-than-ideal situation that's unfair to both animal and human.

The person receiving the pet should have a say in picking out the pet. What makes one person choose a pet is not the same as what another person chooses, even within the same breed. It is very important for the person that is going to spend 10, 15 or 20 years with a pet as a family member to choose one that has the look and personality that they find appealing.

It does not set a good example for our children. “Respect for life” is a lifetime learning experience for children. In our current society gifts are exchangeable for even the most minute of reasons. So giving a pet for a gift tells our children that pets are of the same value as their video games, bicycles, Barbie dolls, etc. Giving a living animals is a very important step in a family and should not be taken lightly.









Alternatives to Giving a Dog, Cat or Other Pet as a Christmas Present

While it's never a good idea to give a live animal as a Christmas gift, Hanukkah present, birthday gift or Valentines Day gift, there are a few creative alternatives for someone who wants to give the gift of animal companionship to a loved one.

Give the gift of a few basic pet supplies or a small gift certificate to Petco. This will evoke the question of "What do I need this for? I don't have a dog/cat/hamster/ferret/iguana/etc." It's then that the gift giver can explain that his real gift is an all-expenses-paid trip to the animal shelter or breeder to select his new companion. This enables the gift recipient to select his own pet and it also gives the soon-to-be pet owner an opportunity to postpone the addition of a new pet to the household until the time is right.

Another idea? Create a homemade pet gift certificate, entitling the recipient to the kitten/puppy/ferret/etc. of his choice at the local animal shelter or humane society.


Happy Holidays,
Tut