There’s now a new way to support homeless pets if you live in Colorado, according to the Denver Dumb Friends League. You can now purchase Adopt a Shelter Pet license plates from your local Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or your County Clerk office.
You can purchase the license plates during any time of year. You will receive credit for the time remaining between the date you purchase the license plate and the date of your license plate renewal; the money will be applied to the new purchase of your license plates, according to the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund.
It costs $80 to purchase the Adopt a Shelter Pet license plate - $50 is for the standard fee for a Special Use license plate and $30 is the donation that goes to the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund. After purchasing the Adopt a Shelter Pet license plate, you can renew it each year for $25, which will go directly to the overpopulation fund as well.
Not only are you helping support homeless animals in Colorado when you purchase this plate, you are also raising awareness about and encouraging others to adopt a pet from an animal shelter.
The mission of the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund is to eliminate the need for euthanasia in shelters due to pet overpopulation. The organization gives grants to help subsidize spay and neuter surgeries and creates educational programs on spay and neuter as well.
If you would like to learn more about the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund, you may visit the organization’s website.
Sources:
Denver Dumb Friends Leagues: News and Events: License Plate for Purchase that Helps Homeless Pets
Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Halloween Safety Tips for Cats
Halloween is just around the corner. Amidst all the trick-or-treating, visiting haunted houses, decorating, and throwing parties, we must remember to keep our furry friends safe. These tips should help you do just that.
Keep Candy Out of Reach: While tasty, candy can hurt your kitty in many different ways. For instance, chocolate is toxic for cats and can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, diarrhea, low blood pressure, high heart rate, rapid breathing, and seizures. In advanced cases of chocolate poisoning, cats can also experience coma, heart failure, and weakness, according to PetMD.
Cats can also choke on lollipop sticks or get them lodged in their digestive systems, causing an intestinal blockage. Candy wrappers can also get lodged in your pet's digestive tract. Thus, it is a good idea to keep Halloween candy out of kitty's reach or keep it in a secure, locked cabinet.
Keep Kitty Indoors: Another Halloween safety tip for cats is to keep your furry friends inside. Some individuals tend to think that black cats are evil and may try to hurt cats who are outdoors on Halloween. Additionally, if you are giving out candy to trick-or-treaters, your kitty will have ample opportunity to escape throughout the night. If it's possible, keep your pet indoors in a separate room away from the front door to prevent him or her from escaping when you are distracted handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. If this is not possible, you may want to consider boarding your pet for the night at a local boarding facility or your cat's vet office.
Safe Decorations: It is important to remember that your kitty may be curious about the wires and cords some Halloween decorations require. Kittens, especially, may try to chew on such wires, which can lead to burns and dangerous electrical shocks. Thus, I strongly encourage you to keep electrical wires and cords out of your cat's reach. If this is not possible, protect your kitty by enclosing electrical cords in electrical cord covers/protectors or spraying them with Bitter Apple, a taste cats find very unpleasant.
Kitty Costumes: Please do not dress your cat in costume for Halloween unless you know that he or she loves being dressed up. Dressing up a kitty who does not enjoy it will only stress him or her. The ASPCA warns that if you do put your cat in a costume, ensure that it does not impede your pet's movement, his or her ability to breathe or meow, or interfere with hearing or seeing. Also, ensure that the costume is not unsafe or annoying for your kitty. The ASPCA recommends trying the costume on your feline before Halloween night to make sure it does not distress your furry friend and to ensure that he or she is not allergic to it. Finally, make sure that the costume does not contain any small or dangling parts or anything that can be chewed off and choked on.
Jack-O-Lanterns: Pumpkins are definitely festive for this time of year. However, if you put a candle in your pumpkin, keep a close eye on your furry friend. Some kitties are interested and curious about fire and may get too close to it. Other cats might knock over jack-o-lanterns and start a fire. For the safety of your pet and your home, please use a lot of caution if you have jack-o-lanterns in your home during the Halloween season.
Keep your feline safe this October by utilizing these Halloween safety tips for cats. I hope you all have an enjoyable and safe Halloween this year.
Sources:
ASPCA: Halloween Safety Tips
CatChannel: Halloween Safety Tips for Cats
Keep Candy Out of Reach: While tasty, candy can hurt your kitty in many different ways. For instance, chocolate is toxic for cats and can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, diarrhea, low blood pressure, high heart rate, rapid breathing, and seizures. In advanced cases of chocolate poisoning, cats can also experience coma, heart failure, and weakness, according to PetMD.
Cats can also choke on lollipop sticks or get them lodged in their digestive systems, causing an intestinal blockage. Candy wrappers can also get lodged in your pet's digestive tract. Thus, it is a good idea to keep Halloween candy out of kitty's reach or keep it in a secure, locked cabinet.
Keep Kitty Indoors: Another Halloween safety tip for cats is to keep your furry friends inside. Some individuals tend to think that black cats are evil and may try to hurt cats who are outdoors on Halloween. Additionally, if you are giving out candy to trick-or-treaters, your kitty will have ample opportunity to escape throughout the night. If it's possible, keep your pet indoors in a separate room away from the front door to prevent him or her from escaping when you are distracted handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. If this is not possible, you may want to consider boarding your pet for the night at a local boarding facility or your cat's vet office.
Safe Decorations: It is important to remember that your kitty may be curious about the wires and cords some Halloween decorations require. Kittens, especially, may try to chew on such wires, which can lead to burns and dangerous electrical shocks. Thus, I strongly encourage you to keep electrical wires and cords out of your cat's reach. If this is not possible, protect your kitty by enclosing electrical cords in electrical cord covers/protectors or spraying them with Bitter Apple, a taste cats find very unpleasant.
Kitty Costumes: Please do not dress your cat in costume for Halloween unless you know that he or she loves being dressed up. Dressing up a kitty who does not enjoy it will only stress him or her. The ASPCA warns that if you do put your cat in a costume, ensure that it does not impede your pet's movement, his or her ability to breathe or meow, or interfere with hearing or seeing. Also, ensure that the costume is not unsafe or annoying for your kitty. The ASPCA recommends trying the costume on your feline before Halloween night to make sure it does not distress your furry friend and to ensure that he or she is not allergic to it. Finally, make sure that the costume does not contain any small or dangling parts or anything that can be chewed off and choked on.
Jack-O-Lanterns: Pumpkins are definitely festive for this time of year. However, if you put a candle in your pumpkin, keep a close eye on your furry friend. Some kitties are interested and curious about fire and may get too close to it. Other cats might knock over jack-o-lanterns and start a fire. For the safety of your pet and your home, please use a lot of caution if you have jack-o-lanterns in your home during the Halloween season.
Keep your feline safe this October by utilizing these Halloween safety tips for cats. I hope you all have an enjoyable and safe Halloween this year.
Sources:
ASPCA: Halloween Safety Tips
CatChannel: Halloween Safety Tips for Cats
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Good Samaritan Endowment Program Helps Indianapolis Pets in Need
Struggling families in the Indianapolis Indiana area will soon be able to get needed preventive veterinary care for their pets. The aim of the Good Samaritan Endowment Program is to give non-emergency preventive veterinary care to pets whose families cannot afford it due to financial difficulties. The program will also provide fourth-year veterinary and veterinarian tech students attending Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine hands-on learning experiences.
The Good Samaritan Endowment Program has been made possible through a $100,000 gift by an anonymous donation from an Indianapolis woman. Elanco Companion Health, a global company that develops and markets products to increase animal health, matched the donation.
Individuals who are interested in receiving basic, preventive care, such as vaccinations and heartworm prevention through the Good Samaritan Endowment Program must verify their financial need by filling out a questionnaire. Three community centers located in Marion County - Church Within, the Concord Center, and Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center - will help determine if an individual meets financial qualifications to receive veterinary care through the program.
Stephen A. Connell, DVM and director of technical, academic, and consumer services for Elanco Companion Health stated, "It's crucial to establish programs like the Good Samaritan to reinforce the importance of adequate veterinary care. Elanco fully recognizes the important role pets play in our lives and is committed to keeping pets happy and healthy."
If you would like more information on this program, you can visit Purdue University's News page.
Source:
Purdue University: University News Service: Purdue Veterinary Medicine-led Project to Help Care for Indianapolis Pets in Need
The Good Samaritan Endowment Program has been made possible through a $100,000 gift by an anonymous donation from an Indianapolis woman. Elanco Companion Health, a global company that develops and markets products to increase animal health, matched the donation.
Individuals who are interested in receiving basic, preventive care, such as vaccinations and heartworm prevention through the Good Samaritan Endowment Program must verify their financial need by filling out a questionnaire. Three community centers located in Marion County - Church Within, the Concord Center, and Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center - will help determine if an individual meets financial qualifications to receive veterinary care through the program.
Stephen A. Connell, DVM and director of technical, academic, and consumer services for Elanco Companion Health stated, "It's crucial to establish programs like the Good Samaritan to reinforce the importance of adequate veterinary care. Elanco fully recognizes the important role pets play in our lives and is committed to keeping pets happy and healthy."
If you would like more information on this program, you can visit Purdue University's News page.
Source:
Purdue University: University News Service: Purdue Veterinary Medicine-led Project to Help Care for Indianapolis Pets in Need
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