3/9/2010 8:36:18 AM
As the weather gets nicer, make sure to spend some quality time with your dog outside. Here's a list of seven fun outdoor activities to do with your dog:
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1/28/2010 12:19:15 PM
By Dr. Brenda Griffin, DVM, MS, DACVIM, the Chemung County SPCA Veterinarian of Record
MYTH: A female cat or dog should have a litter before she is spayed.
FACT: The sooner you spay your female pet, the better her future health will be. Sterilizing pets at an early age has been proven to be safe and the chances of developing mammary tumors or uterine infections increase the longer the pet remains unaltered.
MYTH: Spaying or neutering will change my pet's personality.
FACT: Sterilized pets remain loving and protective companions. Neutering male pets often reduces fighting, roaming and scent marking. Neutering does not change a pet's personality and in many instances, improves their working ability.
MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy if she is spayed.
FACT: Pets gain weight because we feed them too much and exercise them too little. Surgical sterilization does not have to mean weight gain for your pet.
MYTH: The surgery will be painful and dangerous.
FACT: Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on pets. These procedures are safe and your pet will be back to normal within a few days.
MYTH: Children should witness the miracle of birth.
FACT: Watching the birth process can be messy and often traumatic for young children. There are excellent teaching aids available in the form of books and videos to help your children understand the process. There are thousands of homeless animals euthanized in shelters every day. Help your children learn about the pet overpopulation problem by explaining the importance of spaying and neutering.
MYTH: I'll be able to find homes for all the puppies/kittens.
FACT: There are millions of cats and dogs euthanized each year in the United States, simply because there are not enough homes for them all. Each home you find for your litter is taking away one of the limited number of homes for pets who are already waiting in shelters.
1/28/2010 10:52:26 AM
Here are some tips to keep your fuzzy valentine safe this year.
1) Keep all chocolate out of your pet's reach. Chocolate is toxic if ingested, so take your animal to the vet at any sign of consumption.
2) Flowers like lilies can be fatal to cats and tulips can cause severe gastrointestinal upset. Other flowers such as Chrysanthemum and Oleander are just as harmful. For a complete list of toxic flora, please consult the ASPCA's list of poisonous plants.
3) Alcohol is particularly harmful to pets if ingested. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination and even death depending on the quantity consumed. Keep left-over drinks out of the reach of your pet to insure a happy ending to the night.
4) Beware of rose thorns that can become painfully lodged in your pet's paws.
5) Everyone loves a candlelit dinner, but if left unattended, these glowing delights can become a hazard for your pets. Keep curious kittens and playful pooches away from lit candles. Also, make sure to extinguish the flame before you leave the room.
6) Lastly, please don't give a pet as a gift. These furry creatures require a lifetime commitment and ownership should not be taken lightly. If you really want to give a cuddly companion to your sweetie, suggest going together to pick one out in order to insure that you get the right animal for both of you.
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1/6/2010 11:47:38 AM
On New Year's Eve the shelter was set to close at noon, giving the staff of the Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA a chance to spend some time with their friends and family. However, the day before, a woman called and said she had a stray cat to bring in the next day. Her husband worked in Ithaca and did not get out of work until noon on Thursday. She was unable to bring the cat in until then. We told her that we would stay later to make sure the cat would be well cared for.
When the cat arrived at the shelter we checked the list of lost animals that we compile from public callers. There was a 15-year-old cat that had been missing for more than a month that matched the description of the cat that had just been brought in. When we called the owner listed on the lost report and asked if her cat had come home yet, the woman reported the cat was still missing. We then told her that a cat had just been brought in that matched the description of her lost cat. Excitedly, the woman assured us she'd be right over.
Upon hearing that the stray cat may have an owner, the people who brought the cat in decided to stay to see the happy reunion. When the woman arrived, she instantly recognized the cat as hers, even though it had lost a considerable amount of weight during its month-long journey. This was a perfect way to end 2009 and welcome in 2010!
May the New Year bring us many happy reunions, adoptions and the continued support of our community. Without their support, we would not be able to do what we do.
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12/22/2009 9:58:47 AM
The holiday season brings snow, mistletoe and gingerbread houses, but these holiday high points can mean unforeseen dangers to your pets. Please take a look at these holiday pet safety tips. For more complete information, please consult your veterinarian.
1) Many holiday plants like poinsettias, mistletoe and holly are poisonous to your pets. Keep them up and out of your pet's reach. Call you veterinarian at any suspicion of ingestion.
2) Tinsel, while looking beautiful on your Christmas tree, can do a number on your pet's intestines. Try to hang it out of your pet's reach and keep it off the floor to avoid accidental ingestion.
3) You may use extra cords to light up your tree during the holidays. These cords may look like chew toys so please try to cover the cords with tape or a rug to avoid a shocking experience for your pet.
4) Keep ornaments out of your pet's reach. If glass ornaments break, they can become painfully lodged in your pet's paws. Also, many Christmas ornaments look like toys, but can cause serious, and sometimes life threatening, health problems if ingested.
5) Keep chocolate Christmas treats out of the reach of your pets. Chocolate is toxic if ingested.
While it is important to keep your pet safe this holiday season, make sure to give thanks for them and give them some extra love as well.
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