Protect your Pet from Pet Nappers

In recent months the American Kennel Club has reported that pet napping numbers are up. They believe that because of the struggling economy, desperate criminals are looking for other ways to make money fast. These petty criminals are targeting expensive looking breeds, purebreds and puppies. Pet thieves are using many different techniques to get their hands on expensive breeds. Many will snatch dogs tied up outside of a local business while the owner is inside running errands. Other thieves will pose as potential buyers of puppies so they can get a layout of the home, only to break in later. Some will even steal pets out of people’s yards

Puppies can fetch a good price on the “black market”. People will steal pets and sell them at flea markets, out of cars or even through online classified ads. Many people don’t know that these pets are stolen or simply ignore the fact because the pet will be a gift and the price is right.

Authorities say that the main reason pets are targeted is that it is a crime of opportunity. Most thieves don’t wake up in the morning expecting to steal a pet. In most cases the thief will see a pet left alone with no one watching, so they steal it.

Things you can do to prevent pet theft include the following:
• ID your pet with a microchip or a tattoo
• Beware of suspicious persons loitering around your home or neighborhood
• Never leave your pet unattended in your car or tied up in front of a store while conducting business inside
• Be suspicious of people coming into your home to buy puppies

Getting ready for Winter

Before we know it, winter will be here. In most states the temperatures are dropping and the leaves on the trees are even starting to change color. This means it is time to prepare our pets for some of the dangers that these colder months pose. With a little extra caution and these words of wisdom, you can be sure you and your pets stay safe and warm this winter season.

Be more cognizant of leaving your pets outdoors when the temperature drops. These drops in temperature can have a drastic effect on your pet. Pay particular attention to young, old and shorthaired animals. If they must be outside for an extended period of time such as for exercise or a walk, you can use a doggie sweater or coat to help aid them in keeping warm.

If you have a working dog, or one that primarily lives outdoors, there are certain things you should do to help him stay warm. Provide a shelter with extra blankets that they can retreat too. It is also important to give them extra food. Keeping warm in the winter takes extra energy and more food will give them the energy they need to stay warm. Don’t use metal food or water dishes. The metal could freeze and then stick to your dogs tongue. Also make sure that the water has not frozen. Check it often and if the water is constantly freezing, this is a good sign that it is even too cold for your dog to be out there.

Be aware of the chemicals you use to melt ice and to keep your car working. Salt and deicer can irritate your animal’s paws and they may lick to clean them. When they lick, they can transfer the chemicals to the mouth causing more problems. To prevent this, wipe your animals paws with a damp cloth when they come in from outside. Another potentially deadly chemical is antifreeze. This chemical has a sweet taste that can attract animals and even children. Clean up spills quickly and keep bottles out of reach or out of areas where your pets and children can get to them.

Warm engines in parked cars can attract small animals including cats. To avoid problems, bang on the hood of your car before starting it the next time you go out. This should scare any beings taking a nap in the engine compartment.

Rabies Prevention

While rabies in domestic animals in North America is mostly extinct, it is still rampant in other parts of the world. 55,000 deaths are related to rabies each year worldwide. A majority of these cases come from Asia and Africa. North America reports the least amount of cases with about 10 each year. Children are the most common victims. World Rabies Day is put on each year to remind us of the dangers of rabies

World Rabies Day happens in September of each year and is meant to raise awareness of this preventable disease. Information is disseminated and ideas are traded to make people more aware. This is a world wide organization so you can look for local events to help you become more informed. For more information please visit www.worldrabiesday.org.

Rabies is still a concern in North America because of the interaction between domesticated pets and wildlife. Rabies is most common in raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. An unvaccinated dog can still contract this disease and infect humans. Because of this, many areas make it the law to have your pets vaccinated each year. If you suspect that a rabid animal has taken residence near your property, contact authorities immediately. Never attempt to handle a rabid animal on your own. Be sure to have your pet checked each year and make sure their vaccinations are up to date. For more information contact your local veterinarian.

Purebred Rescue Clubs

For those looking for a more specific breed when it comes to adopting a pet, a purebred rescue club might be the perfect alternative to a breeder or a local shelter. These rescue clubs work hard to find purebred animals in shelters and adopt them out to the best possible owners. In many cases, the clubs will send volunteers to shelters to remove specific breeds. These purebred rescue clubs then put prospective owners through a long and detailed interview process. During this process, members will often do a home visit to make sure that the would-be adopter has the right setting for the breed.

Because of this detailed process, rescue clubs often have a higher adoption success rate than traditional rescue shelters. These clubs are devoted to finding the right owner for the right breed. They hope and strive to make the adoptions final.

These specialized rescue clubs are for more than just dogs. There are clubs for horses, birds, cats and other exotic pets. For more information on adopting purebred animals from these clubs, you can contact your local vet or turn to the internet. To search on the internet, use Google and type in your breed preference + your local area + “rescue” and you should see a list of area clubs.

Natural Disaster Preparation for Pet Owners

Each year many pets are lost due to natural disasters and not returned because they are not properly identified. Many pets can also be injured or become sick during natural disasters. Knowing this information, it is important to put an emergency plan into action so you can protect your pet and make it easier for them to be returned to you if they become lost

Here are some other tips that can help in preparation for a natural disaster

• Do not leave your pet if you have to evacuate. If you must evacuate, leave enough food and water for 48 hours, and post a note for rescue workers
• Have a leash and pet carrier available
• Keep the names and numbers of emergency vet care handy
• Keep the names and numbers of local shelters. Call these first if your pet does get lost
• Have your pet micro chipped and well identified
• Pack a pet first aid kit. Include the following items in this kit
1. Vaccine records
2. Pet food and water
3. Any prescriptions your pet is taking
4. Adhesive tape, bandages, cloth and gauze
5. Muzzle for dogs

These tips should cover most natural disasters but it is a good idea to get more information about the natural disaster that is most prevalent in your area. For more information contact your local vet or Humane Society. You can also visit www.avma.org, the site of the American Veterinary Medical Association, for more tips on pet safety.

Swimming Basics for Dogs

With the summer heat in full swing, many owners and their dogs are taking to the water for some cool relaxation. Whether you will be hitting the beach or the pool in your backyard, you need to make sure your dog can swim. Not all breeds are meant to be swimmers, but with a little encouragement and practice, you can teach your dog to keep up with the best of them. Below are some tips for training your dog to swim.

- To help keep your dog calm, start in a quiet place with little distraction. Some dogs will be nervous around the water and few distractions will help keep them calm and their attention on you and swimming.

- Use a happy, upbeat voice to keep encouragement positive. Use a favorite toy or treats to aid in the encouragement process.

Photo Credit: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/news/2007/assets/doggie_swim2_in.jpg

- Don’t throw your dog in the water. This can traumatize him and make him more reluctant to learn. Gradually expose your dog to the water. If they don’t want to go in at that time, don’t force him. Positive reinforcement will help your dog learn the basics. Use treats and toys when necessary

- Safety is key – Purchase a dog life vest to help with the learning process. This vest should also be worn by the dog while on boats, docks and other places the dog may go near the water. For teaching purposes, the life vest can be used for support and to get the dog out of the water easily.

- Once your dog becomes proficient, it is still important to watch your dog while he is in the water. Try to be in the water with him so you can help if he gets into trouble.

With a little practice and positive encouragement you and your dog will be enjoying many summer swimming outings for years to come.

Teen Detects need for Pet Car Alarm

A 13 year old Canadian boy is working with local businesses and technology agencies to develop a pet car alarm. The alarm will alert pet owners to dangerous heat and humidity levels for cars. Brian Larson is trying to reduce the number of pets that suffer from heat stroke and die in cars that become too hot. Larson first had the idea two years ago when his aunt and uncle lost two Chihuahuas to heat stroke. He said the windows and vents were open, but the heat was too much.

Larson will be conducting research all summer to determine what temperature and humidity levels can reach in the interiors of cars. He will use this information to produce the prototype pet car alarm. The alarm will have two separate parts. The first part will be an electronic temperature gauge installed in the car. The second part will be a device carried on the key ring that receives signals from the electronic temperature gauge. When temperatures reach dangerous levels, the gauge will send a signal to the owner alerting them that the heat levels are increasing and may not be safe for pets. Once the research is complete, they anticipate that the prototype should take two months to build.

Hot cars and pets don’t mix, so until this product is available to the general public, here are a few things you can practice to ensure your pet’s safety this summer.

· Have extra water available

· Never leave a pet in a car unattended, even with the windows down

· If your pet is acting unusual because of the heat, get them to a vet immediately as it might be the first signs of heat stroke

· If your pet becomes overheated, get them to a cool area and wet them down with water or a cool sheet or towel

Microchipping your Pet

Recently, the Today Show featured a story about a Beagle named Rocco who had been returned to his family after being lost. The reason this story is so incredible is because Rocco was found 850 miles away from where he was lost, 5 years later. In 2003, Rocco slipped under a fence in New York City. The Villacis family placed posters and signs around their neighborhood and surrounding area in hopes that someone would return Rocco. Some time passed and Rocco wasn’t returned. While they feared Rocco was lost forever, now 11 year old Natalie never gave up hope that Rocco would come home.

On July 5^th, 2008, the Villacis family received a call from Liberty County, Ga., Animal Control. The family was surprised to learn that the shelter said they had their dog. The Villacis family didn’t believe it at first, but when the shelter revealed the name of the dog, two members of the family hopped a plane to go retrieve him. Rocco is reunited with his family. Because he was microchipped, the shelter was able to access his data from a database and contact the family.

This goes to show you how important it can be to microchip your pet. The process is virtually painless and for a small subscription fee, you can have the peace of mind that your pet can be returned if lost. A unique ID number is assigned to each chip which is readable by scanners provided to shelters and vet offices.

For more information about microchipping your pet, contact your local shelter or veterinary office.