Fall 2020
VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 5
A Dog’s Life in Quarantine PAGE 16
MEET
SCOOBY, OUR COVER
MODEL PAGE 2
A Haven
for
Cats PAGE 8
P U B L I S H E R ’ S
A
fter a short hiatus, we are excited to be back with the fall 2020 issue of Bham Pets! Animals have been showing out in 2020 in the Magic City, and you’ll find some awesome stories in the following pages. Fostering animals was critical during the shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many families opened their homes for the first time as foster families. One family from Helena was changed forever by this experience. Read about their journey on page 4. One strength of our community is its philanthropic nature, and that shows in the many different rescue groups around the city. Read about one of the newest rescues, Oak Leaf Animal Rescue, on page 6. How do you perform a root canal on a
N O T E
bear? That’s a serious question...there is no punch line! Turn to page 10 to read about a local veterinary dentist who does just that. And, we are excited to bring the first of a new series called “Kids’ Corner” to you on page 5 of this issue, written by a local student. This issue features Brandon Reed from The Grove School in Leeds, and he offers tips to think about when considering the purchase of a bird. As always, thank you for reading Bham Pets! We are working on making 2021 a tremendous year with more stories you’ll love!
Matthew Allen Publisher & Chief Animal Lover
MEET OUR COVER MODEL Scooby is a 1½-year-old German Shepard mix who lives with his mom and dad and his human siblings, Logan and Molly, in Calera. He loves getting his back scratched, going for walks, playing fetch until he wears his humans out, and of course...treats! He also loves to chase his cat siblings, Simba, Saban, and Tinker, all over the house. Want to see your pet on the cover of our summer edition? Turn to page 24 to read about our Pet Photo Contest.
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WHO WE ARE
One thing is true about the Magic City: we LOVE our pets! And because of this love of pets we have in Birmingham, there are some truly awesome businesses who help us love our pets even more. Be sure to check out our advertising sponsors and do business with them. Bone Appetit
19
Brookwood Baptist Health
30
Creative Dog Training
32
DogWatch of Central Alabama
9
Love Them Train Them
13
Oak Leaf Animal Rescue
11 5
Printswell The Pampered Pet Resort
15
VetCare of Calera
19
Vulcan Termite and Pest Control
23
ADVERTISING To reach the largest audience of animals and their humans in Birmingham, partner with us. Email matthew@jbmcmedia.com to get started with a partnership that will be a key part of your marketing plan.
ABOUT US Bham Pets is published quarterly by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260. 10,000 copies are printed and distributed at locations throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties where pet owners frequent. All content in this magazine remains property of JBMC Media, LLC, and may not be reproduced without express written consent from JBMC Media, LLC. DISTRIBUTION If your business would like to make copies of this magazine available to customers each month, please email matthew@ jbmcmedia.com and provide the business name, address, point of contact, and how many copies you would like each month. SUSTAINABILITY After you’ve read the stories in this magazine several times, don’t throw it away! Please recycle it responsibly.
Follow us on Facebook (@Bhampets) and Instagram (@bham_pets). Online: Visit us at bhampets.com.
INSIDE Growing by Four Paws A Helena family finds a forever friend. 4 Kids’ Corner What to consider when buying a bird. 5 Oak Leaf Animal Rescue Learn how one Birmingham nonprofit is finding forever homes for felines, pups. 6 Finding Furrever Homes Kitty Kat Haven is the only cat rescue of its kind in Alabama. 8 Bearing Her Teeth Animal dentist performs three root canals on black bear. 10 No More Bad Days Two by Two is committed to giving every animal better days.12 Getting Long-Term Results How to make training stick. 13
A Match Made One area woman finds her canine friend—and love— across the pond. 14 Animal Rights Update News from the state legislature. 17 A Dog’s “Tale” Experience quarantine through the eyes of your canine friend. 16 Masks for Medical Workers An 8-year-old Alabaster boy find that he can use his talents to help others. 18 The Mar Farm How a love for animals and clean eating inspired this Pelham Family Farm. 20 Ask a Vet Could your pet be a good candidate for fear-free vet care. 22
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F E AT U R E S TO R Y
GROWING BY 4 PAWS Helena family finds a forever friend after choosing to foster during pandemic.
BHAM DC PHOTOGRAPHY
By Heather Jones Skaggs The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic stretch to every aspect of life. Even for pets. As shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups had to close their doors temporarily, many people came forward to help with food donations and to open their homes to foster pets. The Thomas family decided that fostering a pet through the pandemic would be a great way to help. “We chose the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) because I am a part of the Junior League of Birmingham, and GBHS is one of many nonprofits we support,” Jennifer Thomas says. Jennifer and her husband John discussed fostering a dog with their two children, Daniel (Danny) and Colton. Eight-year-old Danny recalls the day they brought him home: “It was the best day ever.” It’s like pure joy when a dog jumps up into a truck and sticks his head out the window with his tongue hanging out. Danny and his mom went to the GBHS and found Teddy Bear (called Cosmo at the time), a 4-year-old retriever mix. “I never had a dog before. I loved him right away because he was so gentle and calm,” Danny says. The first day Teddy Bear came home, Jennifer says they noticed his sweet, laid4 Bham Pets Fall 2020
back personality and knew he was going to be a part of their family. As she puts it, it was “a foster fail, but in a good way.” They chose to welcome Teddy Bear into his forever home. “He has added calm and joy to our family,” she says. “This also has helped teach responsibility to my kids and what goes into taking care of a dog.” Like most families, the pandemic has led to significant adjustments for the Thomas family. “I am homeschooling my 8-year-old, my husband works from home, and we are also balancing keeping our 3-year-old entertained throughout the day,” Jennifer says. “The upside to all of this is that we have slowed down a lot, we are spending quality time with each other and Teddy, sitting down to real meals around the table, and not having to keep such a busy schedule.” With his new family, Teddy, loves belly rubs, playing with the kids, and sleeping. Jennifer recommends fostering as a great way to try a pet out before committing. In their case, the decision to foster ended up providing the best outcome for their family. “We have young kids, and we wanted to make sure the dog was a good fit for our family. It is also such a great way to give back to the Humane Society and the animal that needs a home.”
KIDS’ CORNER
BUYING A BIRD? Consider these tips from area student and bird owner By Brandon Reed Birds are fascinating creatures, whether in the wild or as a pet. Owning one is challenging yet rewarding. Though constantly cleaning out cages, feeding them, and replacing toys takes tremendous effort, you’ll always have a feathery companion if you take good care of your bird. Wondering which types of birds make the best pets? Macaws, African grey parrots, Amazon parrots, cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets, finches, canaries, doves and lorikeets top the list. When choosing the type of bird you’d like, consider size, lifespan (which can be from 5 to 100 years), and price. Note that the costs can vary greatly, from $25 to $10,000. You should also consider their temperament and noise-making level before you decide on a species. The next step is to consider which supplies you’ll need. When it comes to cages, it’s a good idea to always purchase the largest cage possible. Don’t forget to consider other necessities such as perches, toys, seed bowls, and water bowls. Next, determine where you’ll place your cage inside your home. It’s best to place it next to a wall where there’s indirect sunlight, but not directly in front of a window. Also, avoid placing it in the kitchen, as fumes from your cooking could hurt them. A little preparation helps your buddy adjust to its new home. 5 Bham Pets Fall 2020
Once your bird comes home, you’ll need to consider proper care and feeding. Of course, birds eat bird seed, but most also like fruits and vegetables, such as celery, broccoli peas, cauliflower, and carrots. Do not feed them avocado, onion, fruit pits, apple seeds, peanuts, corn, mushrooms, or dairy (because they are lactose intolerant). Be sure to change their water everyday and clean their cage every two or three days. Vinegar with water makes an excellent cleaning solution, and clean up is easier if you line their cage with newspaper. Lastly, consider that birds need affection and attention, just like dogs and cats. Aim for at least two hours of interaction on most days. You can hold them, talk to them, sing with them, and let them fly. If you’re not committed to doing these things, it may not be the right time to bring a bird home. Be patient with your bird. It takes time for them to adapt to you and their new home. It is a lot of work, but it pays off when these social, enjoyable, and extremely intelligent animals become your friend. Brandon Reed is a student at The Grove School in Leeds. Kids’ Corner is a regular feature in Bham Pets written by kids and for kids that gives area students a chance to research and write about animal issues. If you’d like to submit an idea, please email matthew@jbmcmedia.com.
S P O T L INGOHNTP O ESCUES RN O FRI T
In each issue, we highlight one of the many rescue groups in Birmingham and Alabama. In this issue, let’s learn more about Oak Leaf Animal Rescue.
LEARN HOW ONE NEW BIRMINGHAM NONPROFIT IS FINDING FOREVER HOMES By Jeana Durst There’s a new animal rescue organization in town—they are serving a very specific need. Did you know that from March to September every year the kitten population booms? Oak Leaf Animal Rescue in Forestdale is nurturing these young ones (even bottle feeding them) and finding forever homes – not just for kittens, but cats and puppies too. Founders Kaitlin and Trenton Giles, who moved here from Chattanooga in 2014, had been fostering animals from The Humane Society for three and a half years before deciding to open their home up as an animal rescue. “We’ve always loved animals – my husband didn’t know that he loved cats until I brought home a bunch of cats, and he realized very quickly that he loved them,” Kaitlin says. In November of 2019, Oak Leaf Animal CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
UNI AND BUMBLE: AN ADOPTION STORY Uni, the kitten, came to Oak Leaf scared, beaten, and covered in fleas and ticks. He came from a farm where he was constantly being attacked by the other cats, and Giles could tell he wasn’t used to humans. For the first few days, he didn’t eat or go to the bathroom. “It was heartbreaking to see an animal so scared,” Kaitlin says. After five days, he finally gave the softest little purr. “This is how we knew he would be okay. After a few weeks, Uni was more comfortable with us, but still didn’t seem happy,” Kaitlin says. Then they got a 6-week-old kitten, Bumble, who had been found under a friend’s car. “Bumble immediately started purring as soon as he saw Uni. Uni didn’t flinch as Bumble sniffed and walked all over him,” Kaitlin says. “To say that Bumble helped Uni to open up would be an understatement. And Uni helped Bumble learn how to “cat” by teaching him that dry food is good and how to use a litter box,” she says. Their friendship was a sweet one. One day, a friend of the Gileses wanted to foster Uni. A few short weeks later, Uni was adopted and became OLAR’s first official adoption. After a bit, it was decided that Uni may need a buddy and they suggested Bumble. “Bumble is wild, especially compared to Uni’s very calm and relaxed demeanor, but the boys, and their dad, seem to be very happy,” Kaitlin says. It was a match well made—Uni and Bumble were exactly what each other, and their new dad, needed.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAK LEAF ANIMAL RESCUE
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Rescue became a registered 501(c)3, and in April of this year, the Gileses began taking in animals. Already, they have taken in more than 40 cats and kittens, with plenty of room for puppy rescues too. It is the mission of Oak Leaf Animal Rescue to provide shelter and care for homeless, injured, and neglected animals with the ultimate goal of placing each animal into a loving forever home. They work with people who would like to foster, but also provide the animals shelter on their property in Forestdale. Kaitlin wants people to understand that while fostering and home placement is a very important part of their mission, it’s not the only way that volunteers can help the organization. “We are always looking for people who want to help, and help can come in many forms. For example, if
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7 Bham Pets Fall 2020
someone wants to help because they know of networking opportunities, then great! If someone else wants to help, and can’t foster but can come and play with and socialize the kittens, then that’s great too!” she says. Because OLAR is completely funded through private donations, sending money is a great way to help them as well—it’s an advantage when they have unexpected vet bills pop up. Other donors purchase supplies from their Amazon wish list. Currently, the biggest need they have is to build a permanent structure for the rescues that are on their property but not adjacent to their personal home. It’s the next step for this growing nonprofit to provide space to serve more animals. For anyone looking to adopt, be sure to check out the website or Facebook and Instagram pages—OLAR holds adoption events at Pet Smart in Bessemer and at Good People Brewery. For more information and to learn more about how to help, visit www.oakleafanimalrescue.org.
FELINES
FINDING FURREVER HOMES Kitty Kat Haven is the only cat rescue of its kind in Alabama By Jeana Durst There’s a new haven for felines in Hoover. Actually, it’s a new facility for a mission that’s been rescuing cats and kittens since 2016. It all started when co-founder Rita Bowman decided to retire and formalize her 40-year “unofficial” mission of rescuing cats to start the nonprofit Kitty Kat Haven. Along with co-founder Charlie Starr, Bowman first opened a brick and mortar home for cats near Alford Avenue Vet Clinic. But as of April of 2020, they had raised enough money to buy a new 2,400-square-foot home on Columbiana Road. This new facility has lots of space and windows and is completely “cat-i-fied,” Bowman jokes. With shelves for climbing that line the walls and special bacterial-resistant vinyl plank flooring, it’s a safe and clean playground for the adult cats they are adopting out. “Our facility fosters house cats and kittens that either have been tossed out or dumped in various places across
Alabama; sometimes we take in cats whose time is up at some of the kill shelters,” Bowman says. The space allows plenty of opportunity for the cats to be socialized in a home environment where they grow accustomed to hearing house noises like the sound of a washing machine. “It also helps with the socialization of the cats to have all these people come in and pet them,” Bowman says. (Right now they are operating with best practices for COVID-19 safety guidelines when it comes to visitors.) Another thing that makes Kitty Kat Haven unique is that it is a no-cage and no-kill shelter. “This is easier on the cat—less stressful,” Bowman says. As she points out, a cat in a cage is a scared cat. Having a home for adoption visits also means that potential cat owners can see them in their natural habitat. It’s then that the cat often
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chooses their owner instead of the other way around, Bowman says. For those interested in adopting kittens, there’s another very important component to the Kitty kat Haven rescue operation —foster homes. “Our foster program has close to 40 different foster homes for kittens,” Bowman says. (Kittens and cats should not be housed together because a kitten’s immune system is not as strong as a cat, so the Haven is for cats only.) As of press time, Kitty Kat Haven had 175 kittens placed in foster homes! As you might imagine, they are always on the lookout for more families who would like to foster kittens. “We get probably close to 20 calls a day, not just from Jefferson and Shelby County,” Bowman remarks. With so many calls, they’ve had to form an intake committee to prioritize the urgency of need. Their adoption process is purposely picky. On their website you can apply for adoption—and also fostering and volunteering. “We have to do vet checks
and review applications. If you are keeping a cat outside, you are not going to be able to adopt from us,” Bowman says. They adopt out after eight weeks, and Kitty Kat Haven takes care of many vet needs prior to adoption. “The kittens and cats get their shots, de-fleaing, and deworming. Plus, we do a combo test on every cat that makes sure they don’t have FIV, feline leukemia or heartworm,” Bowman says. They also spay and neuter; all of that is included for an adoption free of $125. For cats with health problems, Kitty Kat Haven treats them, so donations help to fund all of these medical needs too. If you don’t make it to the new Kitty Kat Haven facility, you can also find their cats at Gatos and Beans, a unique cat café in Avondale, or find kittens at their Saturday adoption events at Petco in Hoover. Bowman makes sure that there are lots of chances to adopt. “I love every cat that’s there just like they are my own,” she says. For more information and to find out how to help, visit kittykathavenrescue.org.
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F E AT U R E S TO R Y
BEARING HER TEETH Dentist performs three root canals on black bear By Lauren H. Dowdle Lions and tigers and bears, oh yes — Dr. Bert Gaddis treats them all. This dental specialist has worked on animals ranging from fruit bats to African elephants. So when a 275-pound American black bear named Yum Yum needed dental work this past summer, it’s no wonder the Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum gave him a call. Gaddis is the owner of Animal Dental Specialists in Indian Springs (formerly Indian Springs Animal Clinic). Though he mainly provides dental care to household pets in his office, he also treats exotic animals from zoos about once a month. While pet owners might be able to tell their furry friend is having a dental problem, exotic animals aren’t as easy to examine while they are awake. That’s why zoo veterinarians perform exams and bloodwork on the animals when they are sedated. It was during one of those exams that the staff noticed Yum Yum, an 18-yearold female bear, had four teeth that were worn down and broken — and three of those teeth appeared to be open. That type of injury is often caused from the bear chewing on things. Gaddis was able to confirm the teeth would need three root canals. Because animals can only stay under anesthesia for a certain amount of time — which is determined by certain health factors — Gaddis wasn’t sure if it would take multiple procedures. In Yum Yum’s case, the zoo vets were comfortable keeping her under for about three hours. “Sometimes, it’s the unknown of how long it will take to do a root canal,” Gaddis says. He started working on the side of Yum Yum’s mouth with the two affected canines, and they were then able to turn her over so he could finish the third tooth on the other side. So, Gaddis was able to perform three root canals during one procedure, helping the bear get back to normal more quickly. That’s not always the case, though, like with a lion
Gaddis previously treated. One of the lions at the Birmingham Zoo broke three of its canines, and Gaddis had to perform three separate root canal procedures to finish them. Treating a bear or lion might seem like a grizzly task, but all of his exotic patients are completely under anesthesia before he ever enters the room. The zoo staff handles and monitors the anesthesia, which allows Gaddis to focus all of his attention on the animal, whether it’s a gorilla, tiger, otter, red panda, or hippopotamus — all animals he’s treated. “The zoo vets and staff do a great job,” he says. “In all of the zoo work I’ve done, I’ve never had any concerns about an animal waking up.” Gaddis received his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Dairy Science and his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University. He purchased Indian Springs Animal Clinic in Pelham in 1984. In June, Gaddis revamped his animal clinic, changing the name to Animal Dental Specialists to focus only on animal dental services. The clinic accepts dental referrals from veterinarians in the Greater Birmingham area, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. To learn more about his practice, visit animaldentalspecialists.com.
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F E AT U R E S TO R Y
NO MORE BAD DAYS Two by Two is committed to giving animals better days By Jeana Durst Two by Two began organically almost 20 years ago when the organization’s founder and executive director, Sonya King, moved to Helena. “Not long after I had moved to Helena from Montgomery, I saw a stray dog that was nursing puppies out in traffic looking for food—it just haunted me,” she says. So she pulled over and started knocking on doors that night but could not find an owner. What she did find was a litter of puppies that also needed help. After that, she began to pick up more and more local dogs in crisis. “I had no clue it was such a big need,” she says. King ended up talking to the mayor of Helena, who manages animal control, and asking what could be done about this problem. “He took a key out of his pocket and told me I could use our city kennels anyway I’d like to,” King says. After that, the community started rallying around her, donating fencing, a new roof, and some necessities. “We created a safe place for the animals until we could get them into foster homes, and the mayor gave me carte blanche to enact my own policies. That very day King made an important decision. “I declared that everything would live and nothing would die and that the animals in our city would be safe until they were rehomed,” she says. Since then, Two by Two has rescued animals in 30 states and recently began rescuing horses and donkeys as well. “In 2019 we saved 750 animals from death, and this year we are on track to double that number,” King says. Their internal mantra— no more bad days—inspires their work and continued growth. What sets Two by Two apart from other rescue organizations is that they do not shy away from animals in really bad shape needing extensive medical care. “Our hearts are wired for the really tough cases, and we like to go the extra mile for them so that they
know love and have some life before they die,” King says. As a result, their number one expense is medical care. Two by Two won’t discriminate against an animal because of age, breed, or condition. “We will raise the money to give a 12-year-old dog hip surgery,” she says. Their model is foster-based, which means every animal they rescue goes into a foster home. “Placing animals in homes is a best practice … the animals fare better, rehab better and learn home life quicker when they are actually in a home,” King says. She has an important message for people who might want to help but wonder if they have the ability to commit to fostering. “When people think of fostering, they should understand it doesn’t always entail a long commitment; sometimes if you just emergency foster for 2 to 3 nights so we can figure out logistics for an animal, you can change that animal’s entire future.” For those looking to adopt, Two by Two can arrange to have a meet and greet with an animal you are interested in upon filling out an application on their website. There are so many ways to help, including volunteering and donating. For more information, visit twobytworescue.com.
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GUEST COLUMNIST | ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ
GETTING LONG-TERM RESULTS Patience, consistency are key to making training stick In the world of dog training, when using humane, science-based training to produce long term results, there are no shortcuts. This is where the art of patience comes into play. Every dog is unique, and every situation is different, so we must keep that in mind when first meeting and working with them. For example, if we meet a dog who is fearful of new people and the only progress we make in our first session is the dog eating food on the ground 10 feet away from us, that is okay. In fact, we should only work as his/her pace and celebrate the bravery that dog has shown. One mantra I find myself using time and time again is, “progress not perfection.” The other crucial aspect of working with dogs is practicing consistency. Being consistent means practicing in the exact same way, no matter the people or circumstances. Say a dog is struggling with greeting family members by jumping on them. Mom handles the situation
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appropriately by turning and removing attention until the dog has all four paws on the ground or, even better, is sitting. But what happens if Dad loves to rub his face and pet his body when he jumps up exuberantly. This is not a consistent practice; in fact, the dog is getting mixed signals from his family. It is not the dog’s fault for jumping; this misbehavior is due to the family’s lack of consistency. If I could give pet owners or aspiring dog trainers any advice, it would be that dog training comes down to practicing patience and consistency. Utilizing positive reinforcement and ending short training sessions on good successful reps will set you and your dog up for success. Lastly, if you and/or your dog ever feel stressed when training, take a breath, take a break, pet them, and tell them how much you love them. After all, if the training is not fun for both parties, then what’s the point?
A MATCH MADE
ONE AREA WOMAN FINDS HER CANINE FRIEND—AND LOVE— ACROSS THE POND. By Jeana Durst Sometimes we don’t just care for animals—they actually care for us. Birmingham native Sharon Evans knows this firsthand. In 2014, she had moved to the coast of Mississippi for work during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was there that she met Nicholas Pitt, an England native living in the Bahamas, through the introduction of mutual friends. They immediately felt a special connection, and in December of 2015, Nicholas moved to Mississippi to be near Sharon. About two weeks after he moved, he went to the doctor thinking he had a bad cold when they did a CT scan and he found out he had cancer. Shortly thereafter, he went back home to Bath, England. In February of 2016, Sharon joined him for a few weeks on a vacation trip. It was then that this newly formed couple found out that he had stage four lung cancer, and, sadly, that he had only about a year to live. At that point, as they were trying to “swallow the news,” Sharon had to fly back to the States to try to resume her life the best she could. By the end of March, Nicholas asked her to if she would consider coming to join him in England for the last year of his life. “I said ‘you know what, I’ll be happy to.’” Soon she moved over, but only two weeks after she got there, he had an episode of illness that worsened, and he died the very next day. He had family that lived there, and the rent for the flat was paid for six months, so Sharon stayed. “His sister said, ‘you know, why don’t you get a dog and stay for a while?’” And she also made another important suggestion, urging Sharon to get a dog to keep her company. “We found a breeder on the coast of England in Cardiff, and I found
my forever friend in a red cockapoo named Brindley,” she says, adding, that the name is actually Nicholas’s middle name. It wasn’t long before Sharon and Brindley went everywhere together, touring around. “I even bought a baby carrier for the pup, and we would walk for miles.” This gave Sharon something else to focus on besides her grief. During the sad times, Brindley would comfort her. “She understood, I guess, because we are so in sync and so in tune. She helped me get through that. It’s like having a child, you have to be strong and take care of that little individual,” Sharon says. In a new place after the love of her life had just passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, this was invaluable. “She saved my life,” Sharon says. After six months was up, Brindley got a passport and became Sharon’s emotional support dog and flew back all the way home from England to the U.S. on her lap. When I asked Sharon about the impact of the whole experience, she says it really taught her that life is so short and we have one chance for happiness. “No regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve got Brindley and believe everything happens for a reason.”
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FIGHTING TO KEEP ANIMAL CRUELTY BILLS OUT OF THE STATE’S LEGISLATURE By Lauren H. Dowdle Animal rights activist groups and animal lovers alike should pay attention to the state’s upcoming legislation session, says Mindy Gilbert, the Alabama senior state director for the Humane Society of the United States. When the 2021 session resumes in February, Gilbert expects to see the introduction of a bill similar to the controversial Senate Bill 196 (SB 196), which was on the floor last year. “It would have repealed local ordinances protecting animals and removed municipality to enact others,” Gilbert says. SB 196 would have legalized several forms of animal enterprises with cruel practices—such as puppy mills, dog fighting, traveling circuses, and roadside zoos. The proposed bill would have also transferred the jurisdiction over existing animal protection laws from local authorities to the
Alabama Department of Agriculture. That move was criticized because most believed the agriculture department didn’t have the resources to manage every animal cruelty complaint from across the state. This bill and other similar ones have been brought to the legislation by an Ohio-based chain of retail pet stores that sells dogs from puppy mills, Gilbert says. “Pet owners who believe animals should be treated humanely should be very concerned about this bill,” Gilbert says. “If they see an animal being cruelly mistreated and call for it to receive immediate help, enactment of a bill like this would prevent that.” Beyond possible bills, educating consumers that a pet store purchase of a purebred dog likely means the dog came from a puppy mill is also important, she says. “Bringing consumer awareness to the issue is essential in ending mass commercial breeding of companion animals in deplorable conditions,” she says.
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LEVITY
A DOG’S (QUARANTINE) TALE By Ana LaCruz, as told by her dog The past six months of my life have been nothing short of absolutely exhausting. It seems like the humans have decided never to go back to work. I’ve conferred with my neighbors, the Cocker Spaniel and the Pitbull, about this phenomenon. Guess what? They both say their humans are doing the same thing. Apparently, there’s some kind of illness in the air they’re all frightened of. (Don’t worry, they say our kind is mostly immune.) I began to notice this unusual behavior when The Woman who once left in her car everyday smelling like perfume began to stay home and often smelled somewhat —how do I put it nicely—somewhat less pleasant. She follows me around all day now, scratching me more than usual and talking to me like I’m a human. It wasn’t long before The Man began to stay home as well, slipping me crackers and staring at some screen all day. Before I knew it, I was watching over both of them, licking at their heels to keep them awake. Even the smell of The Man’s unwashed socks has stopped bothering me. My favorite part in all of this? My humans staying home. Instead of waiting for them at the door for what seems like an eternity, we’re all together—all the time—now. I’ve tried to convince them to do this for years now. Guess I finally got through. Regardless of what circumstances may have forced my humans to stay home, I
enjoy the little things about my new job as a reigning caretaker of the household. I clean the dishes they leave behind, tasting all kinds of takeout food. And let me tell you, friends, day-old banana bread is not as bad as they make it out to be. These humans can get a little lazy sometimes, so I make it a point to walk them every day, ensuring that they get some fresh air and a chance to socialize. Though, they’ve been failing quite regularly in the second part. They always wear odd pieces of smelly cloth around their noses and mouths, which seems to do an efficient job of keeping other humans away from them. My neighbor, the Labrador, tells me they’re being forced to stay home, but it all doesn’t matter very much to me. I’ve found great happiness alongside the painstaking time and effort it takes me daily to watch over my humans. Midday walks down the street aren’t as busy as they used to be, and bacon breakfasts now include every member of the house. I no longer take afternoon naps alone, but instead on the sofa when my humans have closed their laptop screens for the day. While I’m sure this can’t last forever, it’s quite the dream to be a pet in the time of quarantine. Though it’s been absolutely exhausting, the opinion of myself and my neighbors has been resounding and largely unanimous. Our humans won’t leave us alone and it feels like they never will again, but what more can a dog really ask for?
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Photo CONTEST
The photo contest for the cover of our Winter 2021 contest is now open, and it’s a very special “CATS ONLY” contest! Do you have the feline who will grace our next cover in January? Submit their photo! Here’s how to enter:: 1. Share your photo. Visit bhampets.com and click on “Cover Photo Contest.” Follow the instructions to upload your photo. BE SURE to read the “Rules and Prizes” section to make certain your photo will work, in case it wins! You will need to create an account on our site in order to submit your photo. 2. Stay connected. We’ll add you to our email list so that you’ll receive updates on when voting has begun. 3. Be social. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information on the contest, and to share details on the contest with your friends so they can vote for your little ball of cuteness. 4. Tell us more! If your pet is chosen as the winner, we’ll reach out to you to conduct a quick interview to learn more about your pet, and we’ll introduce your cat to our readers with a short article inside the magazine. 1st and 2nd runners up will also be recognized with a short paragraph. And, all photos submitted in our contest will be printed inside the magazine.
17 Bham Pets Fall 2020
F E AT U R E S TO R Y
MASKS FOR MEDICAL WORKERS Alabaster boy uses talents to help people, animals By Jeana Durst Lando Aldridge is not like most 8-yearolds. Since he was 6, this Alabaster boy has been putting his sewing skills to work to help aid animals in need through his Hats for Cats project, in which he sews colorful fleece hats to raise money for cat rescue missions and sanctuaries. One Halloween, he observed his mother hand-sewing his costume and took an interest in learning the craft. Soon he connected the dots of how to use his skills to support his love of animals. That love, which started with the family’s rescue kitty Flower, has been nurtured ever since, extending to their Border Collie Storm and host of “pet” chickens. They’ve even been known to invite the chickens for a “dinner at the table” in the backyard. The chickens are so much like family now that Lando has sworn off chicken nuggets or any other chicken dishes, his mom explains. Most recently, Lando has been in the mask-making business with the help of his mother, Francie Ann Vono-Aldridge. (She presses and pins the masks as he sews them.) The “Masks for Medical Workers” project launched when Lando and his mom were watching press conferences about COVID-19 together and he heard that the Jefferson County Department of Health was requesting mask donations on March 27. This was the spark. From there, it just took off. Soon, they were donating masks to area veterinarians, dentists, pharmacies, and other essential workers. The idea quickly grew to incorporate selling masks as well as donating them. And, true to his heart, Lando decided to use proceeds to help atrisk animals. Using the business acumen he had developed through Hats for Cats (he was accustomed to selling his hats at adoption events), Lando has been able to donate more than $2,000 to the Sanctuary Animal Rescue in Alabaster from the sales of masks, and he says he’s only going to stop
when the need stops. When I asked Lando about how his experience could relate to a future career, he said, “One word—vet.” It’s clear this inspired young boy knows what he wants. He’s learned a thing or two about being in the sewing business. “You should never go too fast on a machine because you can break the needle,” Lando says. He’s also learned just how hard work and determination make dreams happen. Now, he’s even taking orders from all over the nation. If you’d like to support his projects, please visit https://francesvono. wixsite.com/hatsforcats.
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SERVICES INCLUDE: • In-home boarding & daycare • Walks • House visits
We treat your pet like our own!
@boneappetitpetcare
CALL OR TEXT US: 205/475-7802
@boneappetitpetcare
A Fear Free® veterinary clinic, devoted to your pet’s well-being.
VetCare of Calera ~ Keri Hicks, DVM
100 Hampton Drive, Suite J ~ Calera, Alabama (205) 668-4233 ~ vetcareofcalera.com 19 Bham Pets Fall 2020
F E AT U R E S TO R Y
THE MAR FARM How a love for animals and clean eating inspired this Pelham Family Farm
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PIPPA GAISER
From left, Willow, Pippa and Vance help out on the family farm, caring for the animals and helping to make soap. By Jeana Durst There are turning points in life—times that grab us, shake us up, and deposit us on the other side, forever changed and ready for a new beginning. It’s just such a life event that was behind the creation of the Mar Farm, a sustainable hobby farm located on a treelined peak near Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. In 2017, Debbie Mar had no idea that her journey overcoming health trials would lead to a business, though she had always dreamt of raising her family on a farm. A mother of three, Director of Franchise Sales for Newk’s Corporate, Hoover City School Board member, and competitive equestrian, Debbie is never one to walk away from a challenge. Recently, I had the chance to visit Mar Farm and experience life on the mountain firsthand. There I met Karen the Great Pyrenees, three other farm pups, an extended family of goats (including Carl who greeted me on the porch), and about 30 chickens of countless varieties.
THE SEEDS OF CHANGE In the summer of 2017, life changed for the Mar family when Debbie was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Normally an athletic person, Debbie had been struggling with joint pain at the time. “You never think you are going to go to the doctor one day and never be well again,” she says. Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that attacks your joints and fuses your spine. “I went through a year of trying medications and learning how much gut health relates to autoimmune issues—it has a lot to do with what you put into your body and the kind of lifestyle you lead,” Debbie says. By the fall of 2017, the family purchased the Mar Farm property, which turned out to open up a very important path. Knowing that clean eating could greatly impact her health and quality of life, Debbie decided to act proactively. “The medicines do what they do, but I could control what I CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
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ate,” she says. The first thing she did was to eliminate cow-based products and reduce processed foods. “I started thinking about our food, where it comes from, and what we put on our bodies,” she says. So they began raising their own chickens for fresh organic eggs. With adjustments, such as eliminating milk, sugar, and gluten, Debbie began to notice considerable improvements with her pain, and she lost weight that she had gained from being on steroid medications. A FAMILY AFFAIR Naturally, Debbie wanted her family to experience the benefits of this healthy lifestyle as well. But she had other reasons for starting the farm. “I grew up working on a horse farm, and I knew that I wanted to have my kids grow up with farm animals,” she says. “I wanted them to have the responsibility of having to take care of animals—to know what work does for you.” The day I visited, her daughters, Pippa, 11, and Willow, 6, were feeding the chickens housed in a spacious shaded coupe in the front of the property. Her son Vance, 13, is responsible for re-bedding the quarters with straw and is cultivating a small farm of worms—a delicacy for these pampered chicks, who have time to free range during the day. By night, Karen the Pyrenees keeps a vigil, protecting her fluffy friends. (And, yes, her name is intentional.) “What can be funnier than saying, ‘You had one job, Karen?’” Debbie jokes. The first thing that strikes me is the variety of brilliantly patterned birds strutting about, including silkies and others with names like Squishy and Princess Fluffy Butt. As you can imagine, the diversity yields eggs of all shapes, sizes, and colors, including a pastel blue-green so lovely only nature could produce it. But they didn’t stop at chickens; seeking a healthier alternative to dairy, Debbie was determined to make her own goat milk and cheeses. Enter Billie Jean, a Nigerian dwarf goat and a present from her husband Jody for their first Christmas at the farm. “When I first said I’m going to have goats and make goat cheese, Jody said, ‘really though’?” Debbie laughs. Fast forward to today: they have five goats, two bucks, and a host of 21 Bham Pets Fall 2020
mischievous kids, with plans underway for a goat barn behind the paddocks. “Nigerian dwarf goats are very good dairy producers that have a high fat content great for cheese and soaps,” Debbie explains. At Mar Farm, they make all their soaps by hand with only natural ingredients. Examples of goats’ milk soaps include “Nitty Gritty,” made with honey, gluten-free, oatmeal and cinnamon and “Mountain Sunset,” containing rosemary, orange, and lime. I appreciated the “Plain Jane,” made of only olive oil, coconut oil and goat’s milk, perfect for those with sensitive skin. As we tour the property, the goat babies take the opportunity to say hello, and Oliver even uses the chance to climb onto my lap and nuzzle my hair. Adjacent to the station where Debbie milks her goats each morning after sunrise yoga, a large refrigerator houses rows of ice-cold goats’ milk in mason jars. “Once babies are born, you milk the goats as you ween the babies to ramp up the milk production,” Debbie explains. As the days on the farm passed, her health got better, and Debbie came off all the harsh medication except for one. “ People should learn about how much better you can make yourself feel even if you don’t have an autoimmune issue,” she says. Soon the Mars began sharing eggs and soaps with friends and community members. Today Mar Farms distributes their handmade goat soaps locally and to several states. By the end of the year, they will sell their goat cheeses as well. Many of their customers are longtime fans of Mar Farm’s social media posts, in which goats frolic and Karen gets into mischief on a daily basis. “It keeps getting bigger by accident and taking a life of its own,” Debbie says. But this story has one more twist. Farm life has been so good for Debbie’s health that she recently came out of retirement and decided to compete horses after a 10-year hiatus. This year she and her Irish chestnut mare Lara competed in rated divisions, and they have their sights set on jumper championships next year. “Nature and animals are my love language,” Debbie says with a smile. To learn more about Mar Farm or purchase their soaps and other products, follow them on Instagram @themarfarm or visit www.mar. farm.
VET Q&A
Could your pet be a good candidate for fear-free vet care? By Jeana Durst Since 2001, Dr. Keri Hicks has been taking care of furry friends with a unique approach. We talked to Dr. Hicks to find out some tips for ensuring your family friend gets the best care possible and to learn how Vetcare of Calera is transforming the typical veterinarian experience with a fear-free approach. Q: What are some often overlooked signs that indicate you should bring your dog into the vet? What about your cat? Some of the most often, overlooked signs of pet health problems are changes in appetite and activity levels. If your pet is exhibiting signs of eating less, not eating at all, or not acting normal, those may be an indication that something is wrong and a trip to the vet may be necessary. If you feel there isn’t something right with your pet, talk with your veterinarian about your concerns.
THE VETERINARIAN
Dr. Keri Hicks opened Vetcare of Calera, a fear-free clinic, in 2013. A graduate of Hewitt-Trussville High School, this Trussville native attended Mississippi State University before graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She now lives in Calera with her family and two pups, Maggie and Polly. She is shown above “talking” to one of her patients.
Q: What does “fear-free clinic” mean? Fear-free means less stress for you, your pet and the veterinary team. The veterinarian clinic shouldn’t be a scary place, but rather a place of love, treats, and maybe the occasional pinch. I learned about the fear-free model while attending a continuing education conference with Dr. Marty Becker. Fearfree is a different approach in handling animals before, during, and after visits. Q: What does the certification and training to be fear-free involve? To become “Fear-Free Certified,” veterinarians and their teams members complete a 12-week, online course. The course covers handling techniques, behavior management techniques, as well as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical training.
Q: What are the main differences between traditional vet care and fearfree vet care? The difference between traditional vet care and fear-free vet care is that we will not push the pet to do something it does not feel comfortable doing. If we notice your pet is becoming stressed or anxious, we will come up with a different treatment plan. Q: How does the fear-free approach aid the animals’ care? When pets are fearful, we are unable to accomplish the necessary medical needs without causing anymore fear and anxiety. When pets are calm and less fearful, we have a more successful time of giving the pet the care they need and deserve.
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Looking for extra copies? Want to advertise? Have a story idea? Email us: matthew@jbmcmedia.com
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Photo CONTEST
The votes are in, and we hope you read about this issue’s Cover Photo Contest winner, Scooby, on page 2. 95 animals were entered in the contest, and our readers have spoken! Congratulations to our winner and runnersup, and to all who entered, thank you!
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Hank is a life-of-the-party 3 year old Pug who loves just about anything and anyone! Hank loves to follow his mom everywhere, play with his brother Eddie, and have his chest and belly rubbed. Hank makes his home in Helena.
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Yuna, a rescue mutt, spends her days cuddling with her favorite person, burrowing under as many blankets as possible, or “talking” with whomever will listen. Yuna makes her home in Hoover.
Abby Wilsonville
Aubie Birmingham
Ava Jane, Joe Cocker Helena
Bailey Birmingham
Baxter Birmingham
Bean Homewood
Birdie Birmingham
Blossom Bessemer
Boomer Birmingham
Bowser Helena
24 Bham Pets Fall 2020
COVER PHOTO CONTEST | FALL 2020
Browning Hoover
Calypso and River Hoover
Charlie Birmingham
Charlie Mountain Brook
Chico Hoover
Chief Wilsonville
Chunk Homewood
Cooper Helena
Cooper Hoover
Cooper and Lizzie Mountain Brook
Cricket Jane McCalla
Dalvin Cookie Monster Birmingham
Dash Birmingham
Davey Alabaster
Diesel Birmingham
Diesel Fultondale
Dobby Alabaster
Dory Hoover
Dottie Pinson
Dutchess Helena
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COVER PHOTO CONTEST | FALL 2020
Elsa Chelsea
Finn Birmingham
Gus Birmingham
Hattie Mae Birmingham
Gus Mountain Brook
Heidi Homewood
Jackson Lincoln
Koda Birmingham
Fluff and Ben Birmingham
Kota Birmingham
26 Bham Pets Fall 2020
Hachi Trussville
Holly Hueytown
Jazper Jacob Oneonta
Gizmo Chelsea
Jonesy Cropwell
Leonard Birmingham
Ivy Hueytown
Keira Birmingham
Livy Homewood
COVER PHOTO CONTEST | FALL 2020
Lizzie Mountain Brook
Luna Mountain Brook
Maggie Hoover
Maggie (Margaret Thatcher) Homewood
Maggie Collins and Mollie Frances Birmingham
Marley Leeds
Mike Helena
Mollie Mountain Brook
Monster Homewood
Oakley Birmingham
Luna and Baxter Vestavia Hills
Murphy Mountain Brook
Oakley Homewood
Nikki Alabaster
Oakley Homewood
Macey Hoover
Marleigh Hoover
Molly Homewood
O’Malley Birmingham
Pax and Winston Birmingham
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COVER PHOTO CONTEST | FALL 2020
Pearl Homewood
Rocky Mountain Brook
Sammy Homewood
Sophie Odenville
Rain Homewood
Roxie Birmingham
Scrappy Jacks Moody
Sugar Homewood
28 Bham Pets Fall 2020
Reba Helena
Ruby and Ace Vestavia Hills
Scruffy Mountain Brook
Teddy Homewood
Rebel Gardendale
Samantha Homewood
Shaver Birmingham
Titus Hoover
COVER PHOTO CONTEST | FALL 2020
Tori and Peggy Sue Hoover
Tucker Birmingham
Walter Hamilton Columbiana
Wilbur Birmingham
Wilby Birmingham
Winnie Vestavia Hills
We’re looking for our next cover model! Be sure to follow us on Facebook (@BhamPets) or Instagram (@bham_ pets) so you know when the next photo contest is open. We let our readers decide the cover of each issue...all we need is your pet’s photo! Fall 2019
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A Dramatic Bald Eagle Rescue PAGE 22
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Your Health Can’t Wait Your safe care is our #1 priority. Take time now to get the healthcare you need. Our surgeons are here to help you resolve a variety of health issues, often using minimally-invasive techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Hernia repair Gallbladder surgery Appendectomy Colon resection Small bowel obstructions
Biopsies Skin and soft tissue removals including melanoma Weight loss surgery
Our Surgeons: Denis Budrevich, MD - Talladega Michael Littleton, MD, FACS - Brookwood Vivian Yeilding, MD - Brookwood Kyle Packer, DO - Jasper and Gardendale
Make an appointment – BBHCareNetwork.com PleasePets see our 30 Bham Fall surgeon 2020 profiles for the procedures performed by each doctor.
LOCAL SERVICES FOR YOUR ANIMAL
ADOPTION
FLEA AND TICK CONTROL
OAK LEAF ANIMAL RESCUE
VULCAN TERMITE AND PEST CONTROL
205.582.8772 / oakleafanimalrescue.org
115 Commerce Drive, Pelham AL 35124 / 205.663.4200 / vulcantermite.com
BOARDING CREATIVE DOG TRAINING 2703 19th Place South, Homewood / 205.877.3130 381 Summit Blvd, Vestavia Hills / 205.967.2062 creativedogtraining.com BONE APPETIT 205.475.7802 / facebook.com/ boneappetitpetcare THE PAMPERED PET RESORT 2193 Parkway Lake Drive, Hoover AL 35244 / 205.397.3197 / thepamperedpetresort.com
DOGGY DAYCARE
HOME SERVICES VULCAN TERMITE AND PEST CONTROL 115 Commerce Drive, Pelham AL 35124 / 205.663.4200 / vulcantermite.com
PET CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS DOGWATCH OF CENTRAL ALABAMA
205.907.6262 / dogwatchofcentralal.com
STATIONERY PRINTSWELL petspw.com
TRAINING LOVE THEM TRAIN THEM
CREATIVE DOG TRAINING
Lovethemtrainthem.com
2703 19th Place South, Homewood / 205.877.3130
CREATIVE DOG TRAINING
381 Summit Blvd, Vestavia Hills / 205.967.2062
2703 19th Place South, Homewood / 205.877.3130
creativedogtraining.com
381 Summit Blvd, Vestavia Hills / 205.967.2062
BONE APPETIT
creativedogtraining.com
205.475.7802 / facebook.com/ boneappetitpetcare THE PAMPERED PET RESORT 2193 Parkway Lake Drive, Hoover AL 35244 / 205.397.3197 / thepamperedpetresort.com
VETERINARIANS VETCARE OF CALERA
100 Hampton Drive, Suite J, Calera AL 35040 / 205.907.6262 / vetcareofcalera. com
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32 Bham Pets Fall 2020
