Be Prepared

It's predicted that the low rainfall may cause another record fire season, so please be prepared.

Have a plan ready, one that includes your pets.  Here are some disaster preparedness tips from United Animal Nations:

• In addition to your regular supply of animal food, have at least a week's supply of  food and water on hand for each animal in your household.  Include any favorite treats, too, to comfort them.  Rotate water at least once every other month.  Don't let animals drink flood water or from any other water source that may be contaminated as a result of a disaster.

• Keep back-up supplies of your pets' medications in case your veterinarian's office is not open for a long time following a disaster.  If meds need to be refrigerated, keep an ice chest on hand to store them, in case the electricity is off and you are unable to use your refrigerator.  You can usually get ice from a Red Cross shelter.

• Always keep collars and tags on those animals who should normally wear them.  Consider microchipping your pets as a more permanent form of identification.

• Start a buddy system with people in your neighborhood so that they will check on your animals during a disaster in case you aren't home, and you can do the same for them. 

•  Have a way to contain your animals in case you are relocated from your home.  For cats, have a cat carrier to evacuate each cat in your household.  In an emergency, a pillowcase is an alternate way to transport a cat.  Have a leash for each dog.  A harness is useful in case a dog panics and tries to slip out of his or her collar.  Stakeout lines are also helpful for dogs if you are going to be relocated for a longer period of time.

• Have photos of all of your animals to take with you if you have to evacuate.  These pictures can help reunite you with a lost animal if you become separated.

• Acquaint yourself with all the local shelters and rescue groups in case you become separated from your pets and need to locate them.  

• Ahead of time, identify several possible locations where you can take your animals should you have to evacuate.  These could include boarding kennels, veterinary clinics, grooming facilities, hotels and motels, and the homes of family and friends.  BringYourPet.com may help.  Keep in mind that Red Cross disaster shelters do not accept pets.

• Be sure to comfort your pets during a disaster.  They are frightened, too, and having you near to give them a hug will help.  It will probably help you, too.

Go to www.uan.org/ears/tips.html for more information.

First Aid Kits

It's a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand for unexpected emergencies.  A small plastic toolbox works well to hold everything.

On the outside of the box write your name, address, phone number, and your veterinarian's name and phone number. Include pictures of your pets with the following on the back of each picture: name, age, breed, sex, identifying marks, and any health problems.

Inside the box have:

Feral Cats - Getting to Zero

Being an abandoned, "feral" cat means living an extremely stressful existence. Imagine a small child suddenly yanked from a cozy home and dropped into a wilderness area. It wouldn't be a question of survival, but rather how long until a miserable death occurs. 

PAL's vision for the pets of this community is a loving permanent home for every pet. To that end, for many years we have been working to reduce the feral cat population through a program called "Trap, Neuter, Release," or TNR.

Many of these so-called ferals may be able to be tamed and live out their lives with human companions. The remainder are born in the "wild" and seem to prefer to live away from humans. 

How can PAL help? If you have cats in your area who belong to no one, please get them spayed and neutered. PAL will pay for the surgery, vaccinations, and provide traps and recuperation cages. All you have to do is trap them, take them in to be altered, then let them recuperate for a few days. Usually people in a neighborhood will get together to help each other. PAL can help, too. 

PAL can help with food and cat shelters, also.
After recuperating from surgery it's best to release these cats back into the familiar environment where they were caught. Relocation to a different setting, unless it's a very safe location, is risky and can result in death, so it's best for them to return to what they consider "home."

For more information about this program, call PAL at 530-273-7958.

Kaopectate Dangers

Kaopectate has been prescribed for diarrhea in pets for years because it was considered harmless. Now, however, it has been reformulated to contain bismuth subsalicylate, which can be toxic to cats and some dogs. 

Source: www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/nov03/031115b.asp. We can send you a copy of the notice, too, if you call us: 530-273-7958.

What's New?

During the first four months of 2004, the Pet Adoption League spent over $33,500 in spay/neuter and vaccination assistance. It's very gratifying that more and more people are getting their animals spayed and neutered and are helping homeless animals (such as feral cats) get altered, too. 

Because of this, we have seen a dramatic drop in the number of homeless animals and animals who die at the shelter. Also, because of the efforts of all the rescue groups in the area, the individuals who find homes for animals on their own, the efforts of the Nevada County Animal Shelter, and www.petfinder.com, adoptions are up like never before!

The Nevada County Animal Shelter's euthanasia rate, we're told, is around 17%. This is a number that's less than what most "no-kill" shelters claim. (No-kill shelters do euthanize what they term "unadoptable" animals.)

Thanks to the efforts of everyone concerned, Nevada County is seeing real progress in terms of animals adopted and spayed/neutered.

When PAL began 14 years ago, the only shelter in town would sometimes receive up to 50 kittens a day during kitten season. Many were taken straight to the euthanasia chamber. There was no room for them and not enough homes. This was not the fault of the shelter personnel, but those who continually allowed their pets to breed.

Unfortunately, people still dump their pets like yesterday's garbage. While many say "education" is the way to go, you can only reach so many people. It's true that many folks are "educable," but many others still feel that animals are second class citizens, to say the least -- here for our use and abuse. We hear many sad stories about why people are discarding their pets, usually for frivolous reasons.

Now, though, with our free spay/neuter program and many other supportive programs, and all the people and groups helping animals, at least there's more help for these animals than ever before.

ADOPT A SHELTER OR RESCUED PET SOON!

Too Many Cards?

If you're like the rest of us, you get greeting cards from all sorts of charities. 

If you have way too many and want to give them away rather than throw them away, consider giving them to PAL: 530-273-7958.

Thanks!

Fatal Foxtails

Foxtails can be a real danger to pets. Because of their sharp points and microscopic barbs, they can work their way in, but not out. They can easily become embedded in fur, paws, nostrils, ears, throat, and eyes. As they work their way into your pet's skin, they can cause infections which, if not treated, can become fatal.

Thoroughly check pets' coats and paws for foxtails. Watch for signs of inhaled foxtails: extreme sneezing, pawing at the nose, gagging, retching cough, etc. If your pet has a foxtail in his or her ear, you may see excessive head shaking, pawing at the ear, and crying.

If you suspect your pet has a foxtail, take him or her to your veterinarian immediately. 

Ask for More Stamps

The 250 million spay/neuter stamps which were issued by the postal service are all gone.  It took five years to convince the U. S. Postal Service to issue them, yet they sold very quickly.

 Now the campaign is on for more stamps, but we hope it won't take another five years to get them!

 Please write to the USPS to request more stamps.  You don't have to write anything lengthy.  Just let them know that you loved the U. S. Postal "Neuter or Spay" com- memorative stamps and hope more will be issued soon. Go to www.americanpartnershipforpets.org for sample letters or ideas about what to include in your letter if you want to write something longer.  Write to: 

Please have everyone you know write, too.  It will take another massive effort, probably, to get this done, so the more letters the better!

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.                                           Author Unknown

Your Baby & Your Pet

The Humane Society of the United States has issued a brochure which helps families stay together.  Things can become very hectic when you bring a baby into your home.  It's hard on your pets, too.  Pets want to know you still love them, won't throw them outside, or give them away.

Drastically decreasing attention, isolating, scolding, or ignoring your pet will cause negative associations with the baby.  Encourage other family members and pet-friendly neighbors to develop a closer relationship with your pet and provide the extra attention while you're busy with your baby.

Here are some of the suggestions in the brochure:

• Spay or neuter your pet.  Sterilized pets are calmer and less likely to bite.

• Contact a behaviorist if your pet is exhibiting fear or anxiety.

• Get your pet used to nail trims.

• Take your dog through training so s/he can be a model citizen.

• Encourage friends with infants to visit to accustom your  pet to babies.  Supervise all pet and infant interactions.

• Use a baby doll to help get your pet used to the real thing.

• Talk to the pet about the baby.

• Sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin so your pet becomes familiar with the new smells.

• Send a blanket with your baby's scent home from the hospital so your pet can get used to the new smell.

• Reward your pet with treats for appropriate behavior.

The brochure states that you can keep your cat when you're pregnant.  Toxoplasmosis is a rare disease in countries like ours and is more commonly found in uncooked or undercooked meat.  The brochure offers tips to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis.

You should be able to live with your new baby and your existing pets safely and happily. 

To receive a copy of the "Your Baby and Your Pet" brochure, call us (530-273-7958) and we'll mail you one.  Or you can get one from the HSUS: 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC  20037.

Furry Congregation

For many years some churches have held annual services to bless animals. Now more churches and synagogues are welcoming pets into their flock. 

The St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford, CT offers a monthly service for people who want to bring their pets. 

In addition to pet-friendly worship services, some places of worship are offering house calls for sick animals. Some clergy accompany pet guardians to the vet when they euthanize a beloved pet, while others officiate at pet funerals and group "bark mitzvahs." 

All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL has doubled attendance at its Sunday evening service since it began to invite pets once a month. 

When Kathleen Eickwort's dog, Sarge, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, she made religion a part of his treatment. In addition to chemotherapy, he received a 20-minute visit from the rector of her Episcopal church in Ocala, FL, who touched him and prayed for his recovery. Sarge also went to church twice. His cancer is in remission. "There is no reason why prayer healing shouldn't work for animals," said Ms. Eickwort.

Reverend Lingle of All Saints in Fort Lauderdale said, "For a lot of people, the relationships they have with their pets are central to their lives. They like to be in a place that recognizes and honors that."
If you'd like to read the entire article, we can mail you a copy. Just give us a call: 530-273-7958.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2004.

Annoying Your Cat

Feline Behaviorist Kate Gamble knows what makes your cat happy or sad. She's been helping people resolve kitty problems for years. Whether it's spraying, fear, litterbox avoidance, hyperactivity, compulsive grooming, aggression, etc., Kate can help! 

Here are some things she says can help you understand why your cat may be having some "issues":

• There's a new person in the house (new roommate, relationship, guest, baby, even a repair person who's in the house very briefly).
• A new animal in the home, or even an animal outside that your cat can see. Even the smell of another cat on your clothing or shoes can upset some very insecure cats.
• New furniture, drapes, carpeting, appliances coming into the home and familiar furniture leaving the home. Even rearranging furniture can make cats anxious.
• Changes in the guardian's routine: vacations, weekend trips away, overnight stays away, even work schedule changes. Also, a guardian who does not have an established routine or whose work schedule changes often can be upsetting to some cats.
• Changing the brand of food or moving feeding location.
• Moving the litterbox or changing the brand of litter.
• An unclean litterbox, from the cat's point of view. Not enough litterboxes. 
• Noises: babies crying or children's high pitched voices, loud machinery, loud music, dogs barking, fireworks.
• The loss of a companion animal or the loss of a guardian.
• Tension and anger in the home; distracted guardians or guardians who shout or yell.
• Teasing the cat or giving mixed messages.
• Playing too roughly, using your hands for toys.
• Petting too long can overstimulate the cat which might cause the cat to react with aggression.
• Bringing a cat home from the vet -- the other cats don't like the smells he brings with him.
• Declawing a cat. Cat claws are not options. Claws are vital to the physical and emotional well being of every cat, including indoor only cats.

If you have a concern about your cat, please give Kate a call at 530-887-1957. You can find out more about Kate and read testimonials at www.catbehaviorbykate.com. 

Editor's note: Dogs also exhibit signs of anxiety through destructive behavior, howling, irritability, aggression and illness when there are problems in the home, whether directed at the pets themselves or other people in the home. If your pet is acting in an unusual manner, ask yourself what might be affecting the behavior. Contact a professional if necessary. 

Dog Obedience 

Dogs love going through obedience training. It can be fun for them and for you.

Be sure to check out the trainer ahead of time, though. A good trainer will allow you to visit a training that's already in session. You will be able to see how the program is run and how the animals are treated.

Choose a trainer who emphasizes reward-based training; discourages frightening or painful actions like jerking, yelling, scruffing, or forcing dogs onto their backs; and provides a safe environment for socialization with other dogs and people.

Featured Website

Friends of Animals offers a wide range of information about animals and animal issues, including the latest information about online spay/neuter assistance, victories for animals, animals in the news, in-depth investigations, interviews with animal-friendly folks, book reviews, recipes that don't hurt animals, great products, and a section where you can act to help a particular cause. 

Visit their website at www.friendsofanimals.org. Their publication, Action Line, is also packed with informative news. 

Friends of Animals can be contacted at P. O. Box 30042, Hartford, CT 06101-8395; 203-656-1522; fax: 203-656-0267; contact@friendsofanimals.org.

Success Stories

When PAL volunteer Yvonne Schliekelman found Cleo and her kittens, she, of course, came to PAL to find homes for Mom and her babies. 

After the kittens were old enough to be placed, everyone was spayed and neutered. A wonderful person came along and adopted both kittens. Cleo was also up for adoption, but Yvonne found that she just couldn't part with her. 

This happens sometimes. Volunteers become very attached to their foster pets. lt's a good thing for the pets because they end up in wonderful, caring homes. But this is also how we've lost so many foster homes over the years. You can only take in so many!

Yvonne and Cleo both agree that Yvonne's home is the purrfect place for Cleo. Cleo loves Yvonne, her husband, and the other cats. Yvonne and her family are very happy with each other!

Buster was in foster care for 5 months before someone adopted him. A Manchester Terrier mix, Buster was extremely lively, to say the least. This 20-pound guy was not going to be content just sitting on someone's lap. His high intelligence made him curious and always on the go! 

Luckily, Sarah Phillips of Sacramento, who loves these dogs, came to the rescue. (Pun intended!) That was in 1994. This home was perfect for Buster! It's an active family, so he was often boating (with a life vest, of course), camping, or off on one adventure or another with his family. Now he's slowing down a little with age, so is content to lie around and enjoy the easier life.

Sarah drove up from Sacramento a couple of years ago just so we could see Buster again and has kept us abreast of his happy life. She says that he's a "good little dog, a little sweetie" who still likes to sleep under the covers in bed at night.

Ah, the good life!

PALs for Adoption - click dogs, cats for current pets available

The Perpetual Gift

 Since 1990 PAL has made substantial contributions to the local humane community with the support of our many donors. Help us ensure that the community's pets continue to benefit from our work and our many programs. If you share our humane vision and goals, consider leaving a legacy to PAL.

The cost of day-to-day living often prevents us from making large donations to causes we support. But by including PAL as a beneficiary of your estate (even a tiny percentage can have a major impact), you will help ensure the continuation of our programs.

Over the years we have been privileged to accept such gifts, and they have guaranteed that quality humane services remain a vital part of Nevada County. 

If you are like most of our donors, you have already done much with your life. Why not add "philanthropist" to your list of achievements? For more information, please call 530-273-7958.

In Memory of . . . 

Kathleen B. Adams, from Valerie Blyth
Casey Bartolucci, from Sherry Bartolucci
Thor Beisel, from Mike & Anna Drummond
Molly Buffington, "A sweet little dog, and forever in my heart," from Lesley Buffington
Finnegan Coffin, from the Dvorin family
"All our beloved furry family members,"  from Val Crawford & Dan McIlhenny 
Kenji Dierkes, from Katherine Dierkes
Croozer Dubose, from John J. Vaughan
Honey, Sassy, Juno & Misty Egger, from Diane Egger
Charles K. Graydon, from Dorothy Graydon
Domino Hall, from Suzanne & Jerry Hall
Benji, Gina, & Bitsey Hargens, from Lola Hargens
Lucas Hassilev, from Chic de Cazessus
Betty Hill, from Ralph Hill
Daisy Holroyd, from Frances Yordan
Rambo & Captain Midnight Hurley, "Wait for me at the Bridge, my angels," from your Mom, Tina Hurley
Sisley Sneed & Paul Jillson, from Anonymous
Sisley Sneed & Paul Jillson, from Leslie Gerrard
Sweet Bea Johnson, from Philip & Frances Emery
Morgan Kaplan, our beloved Springer Spaniel. "We miss you!" from Robert & Juli Kaplan
Cisco Korin, from Dorothy Green
Lacie Jane Lane, from June & Richard McKenzie
Princess Larsen, from Jack & Edna Larsen
Lady Laughlin, from Terry Laughlin
Cheng Lewis, from Daniele Lewis
Spenser Magnuson, "You handsome guy, we miss you so much!" from Carl & Ro Magnuson
T-Bone Mandeville, from Louise Mandeville
Ben Martin, from Arden Martin
Champagne Mayo, from Philip & Barbara Mayo
Molly McClain, from Betty & Jim McClain, who loved her
Sequoia McNulty, from the Dvorin family
Billy Dean North,"my little buddy," from Lindsey North
Daisey "the wonder cat" Parkin, from Marge Parkin
Pete Peterson, from Marilyn Peterson
Amelia Robinson, from Mike & Anna Drummond
Rex Roddy, from Roxy, Vivian & Jim Roddy
Baby ChiChi Scutero, from Jim & Lynn Scutero

In Honor of . . .

Angel, "Happy Birthday!" from Suzanne Hall
Don & Kathryn Deppensmith, from Trudy & Gary Johnson
Peter Fulton Foss, from Wilma Clapham
Jill Jones & Andrea Jensen, from Marilyn Heathcote
Dolores Lantz, on her retirement, from Rebecca Childers
Shirley Nibbelin, "Happy Birthday!" from Joyce Haire