Fall 2013 • Issue 2
Felines in Treatment Pierre is 1 of 100 cats saved each year! pg. 6
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the newsletter electronically! (directions on inside cover)
Behind the Camera:
Pet Segments pg. 8
Emergency Planning:
For Your Pet pg. 12
the scoop The less we spend on printing the more we can put toward helping this guy!
Family Gatherings Remembering Our Pets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Unleashed & Uncorked. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 NEW EVENT: Ruby’s Slippers . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Family Scrapbook Oh S.N.A.P!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Adoption Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 An Owl’s Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Family Care Baby-Ready Pets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Prevent Undesirable Scratching. . . . . . . 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions. . . . . 11
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Extending Our Reach
by Pam McCloud Smith, Executive Director
You have seen
the difference a loving home can make;
please consider helping other homeless
animals find their forever homes.
To make a donation, simply go to
giveshelter.org/make-a-donation.html
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At Dane County Humane Society (DCHS), we are working both within and outside of our community to help create a global humane community. We strive to be a model animal shelter, helping other shelters in need. We also endeavor to be a leader in shelter medicine and education, all in the interest of saving more animal lives. Summers are always very busy at DCHS, but when other organizations ask for help, we do our best to assist them. From May through mid-September, we transferred in 271 animals from other humane agencies (19 Wisconsin organizations, and the rest from areas throughout the United States). Funded by an ASPCA grant, DCHS recently flew in 10 Chihuahuas from the San Francisco ASPCA! DCHS recently hosted two educational programs. We held a fellowship organized by UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, which invited veterinarians and veterinary students from around the country and beyond. They toured DCHS and other area shelters to assess their operational practices and make recommendations for improvement. DCHS also hosted Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies’ annual Badger State Conference. This two-day conference focused on emergency planning preparedness, and was attended by Wisconsin animal welfare, animal control and law enforcement professionals. We at DCHS are very proud of what we accomplished during our peak season this year, and are excited to continue to do our everyday work and mission of “Helping People Help Animals.”
Family Gatherings
<< Rewind Camp Pawprint Camp Pawprint is a series of weekly day camps held at Dane County Humane Society every summer. Over 400 campers aged 7 to 14 enjoyed animal-related lessons, projects, presentations and interactions with goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, snakes and more. All campers gained hands-on experience providing daily care for classroom and shelter animals. In the words of one Camp Pawprint parent: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other camps kept my kids busy, but Camp Pawprint helped them to think outside themselves. We had a lot of crazy discussions at dinner - like how often a snake poops - but it brought a smile to my face, because I knew they were learning!â&#x20AC;? -Elizabeth T.
Unleashed & Uncorked: for the love of wine, art and animals It was a gorgeous evening for this second annual fundraiser, September 27th at the Lussier Family Heritage Center. Not only were 130 varieties of wine available for sampling, but Wine Pull participants were guaranteed winners, each taking home a great bottle of wine worth up to $80! Donated work by local artists adorned the venue, and purchases of the artwork raised thousands for our homeless animals. Live music, wine, delicious food, a clear sky for stargazing, and doggie visitors from DCHS made for a memorable event. Together we raised over $15,000 to support the shelter.
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Family Tails|Fall 2013
Opposite page - top, Brooke Lewis; middle, Chad Millar; bottom, Krakora Studios
Over 100 pet-lovers gathered to celebrate and honor their pets at the DCHS main shelter on Sunday, September 8th. Music by guitarist Steven Meyer, moving speakers and a commemorative event were all part of Remembering Our Pets, our second annual observance of National Pet Memorial Day. The event is held annually the second Sunday in September. Special thanks to our co-sponsor, Memorial Pet Services, and our sponsors: Hilst Home Euthanasia, Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care, and Liz Morrison, a pet communicator.
Photography Credit: This page - top, Michelle Livanos; middle, Emily Weber; bottom, Don Newton
Remembering Our Pets
Wild Events In an effort to raise awareness and funds for our Four Lakes Wildlife Center, we hosted our two annual fall events, Run Wild and Haunted Woods Trail. The second annual Run Wild 5k Cross Country Run/Walk took place on Saturday, October 12th, and this year a 10K route was added! The Elver Park course made use of the cross country ski and wooded hiking trails. It was followed by a wonderful presentation from the Wildlife in Need Center with their live wildlife ambassadors. The Haunted Woods Trail was great for those who like to walk on the wild side. Participants walked through the humane society’s haunted woods as the creatures lurked about! This was a great kid-friendly trick-or-treat walk through the woods that helped raise funds for our program.
Dogtoberfest Nothing feels more like fall than relaxing outside with your dog, listening to great music, drinking a local brew and supporting DCHS! Over 400 people turned out October 6th for Dogtoberfest, our most popular event, held annually at the Capital Bier Garten in Middleton. Guests enjoyed great beer, pizza, treats, and music, while relaxing with man and woman’s best friend. Danke SchÖn! Oompah!
Fast Forward >> NEW EVENT Ruby’s Slippers A gala celebration of the life of Ruby and other shelter animals whose lives are changed forever when they find their family and discover that there’s no place like home. Save the date: Saturday, February 15th at the Masonic Center.
Bark & Wine Mark your calendars! Saturday, May 31st is the date for our annual event held at Dane County Humane Society. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the shelter, while we share with you our goals, accomplishments and inner workings. Dane County Humane Society|giveshelter.org
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Family Scrapbook
Early this spring, a baby woodchuck (about 4-5 weeks old) came into the custody of Dane County Humane Society’s Four Lake Wildlife Center (FLWC). While baby woodchucks typically stay close to their burrows, they will wander out if they are hungry, which potentially led this baby to venture out into the rescuer’s backyard. While uninjured, the baby was too young to be on its own and was taken to FLWC. “Our goal is to raise or heal these animals so that they can be released back into their native habitat,” says Brooke Lewis, CVT, DCHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Supervisor. The wildlife center makes a concerted effort to raise baby mammals with the same, similarly aged, species. “This is very important for their development so they identify with their own species and not become too comfortable with people,” says Lewis. Since there were no other woodchucks at any other wildlife rehab centers in Wisconsin at that time, the baby was placed in a foster home. The goal was to reduce her exposure to multiple people. “When we raise wildlife from babies, we need to be very careful that they are only handled as needed directly for their care,” states Lewis. “We do not treat them like pets in any way - we don’t name them, pet them, talk to them - all in an effort to keep them wild so they can be set free.” However, as the baby woodchuck grew older, it became clear that she was too comfortable around people to be safely returned to the wild. Consequently, she now has a permanent home at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Pennsylvania. Now known as Charlotte, she will serve as an educational ambassador.
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Family Tails|Fall 2013
by Peter Kaufman The fact that Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) has been performing spays/neuters for years is not news. The fact that they now have a physical space dedicated to that work IS news! Officially, it’s called Dane County Humane Society’s Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic, and it’s located in downtown Mount Horeb. Cat overpopulation is a huge problem throughout the country. Large numbers of homeless, free-roaming, feral and barn cats live in our community. “Estimates are hard to come by,” says the clinic’s Dr. Diana Care, “but estimates range from 40,000 to 80,000 cats in Dane County.” These cats may live in the wild, impacting native wildlife or in cities and towns where they can harm or spread disease to domestic cats. Their quality of life is questionable, and they continue to reproduce, making the problem worse. The sad consequence is that many end up in shelters and rescues and fail to get adopted. Happily, several events coincided around the same time! A downtown Mount Horeb storefront was generously donated to DCHS; this would become the desperately needed high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic. Additionally, PetSmart Charities awarded DCHS a grant for purchasing the necessary medical equipment and supplies. According to Dr. Care, the new clinic will be “equipped to spay and neuter over 35 cats per day (that’s 7,500 cats per year)… and have the potential for future expansion which could further increase the number of cats served.” Services provided by this facility will include subsidized spay and neuter services for cats of those in financial need, as well as services to other animal shelters and rescues who may not have a veterinary team to perform these surgeries. For more information about the clinic check out giveshelter.org/mt-horeb-clinic.html. 217 East Main Street Mount Horeb, WI 53572 608.437.1135 MtHorebSNAP@giveshelter.org
Opposite page - Submitted by adopters
by Charlain Andres
Oh S.N.A.P!
Photography Credit: This page - Brooke Lewis
Risk of Helping Wildlife
Adoption Updates Titi’s first owner passed away and specified in his will
Amiya, formally known as Foxy Brown, is loving her
that Titi be brought to us for rehoming. Titi was one of the first cats adopted during our Catapalooza adoption event. His new mom lost her 17-year-old cat right around the same time that Titi lost his dad. They live happily together, and Titi is an extremely spoiled boy!
new family! She was adopted last January, and her family has been in love with her ever since. Her new mom says, “She is a great addition to my little family, and I recently adopted another dog from Texas who she enjoys playing with 24/7. Thank you for all you do DCHS!”
Atticus Eddy has a big personality for a short-haired Chihuahua! His new mom says, “When I am around he is such a good little boy minding his p’s and q’s, but the minute I leave he becomes a nippy little monster. We love it and adore his feisty demeanor. My husband claims Atticus was a man-eating lion in his past life!” Atticus loves playing with his black lab “girlfriend,” Akasha. He truly has fallen hopelessly in love with her and follows her everywhere when she visits.
Charlie was adopted to a nontradional home. He now permanently resides in Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic and enjoys the life of a clinic cat. Staff says, “He meows sympathetically at other cat patients and tolerates dogs sticking their noses in his face. He has found the good hiding place on the pharmacy shelf and has claimed the clinic as his own. We are so happy to have him, and he fits in very well!”
Dane County Humane Society|giveshelter.org
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DAY 20 Felines in Treatment by Ginni Freshour
DAY 5 Photo Journal of Pierre’s Recovery Photography by Beth Rodgers
Pierre came to us as a stray and tested positive for ringworm. This collection of photos marks the visual stages of our Felines in Treatment program. We could not provide this care without grants and the generosity of our community.
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Family Tails|Fall 2013
We can provide cats a second chance at life with our Dermatophyte (ringworm) treatment program housed inside Maddie’s Felines in Treatment (FIT) Center. We are one of a few shelters on the cutting edge of shelter medicine and management, with a focus on reducing the transmission of infectious disease within the shelter environment. We lead the way nationally in demonstrating that it is possible to successfully treat ringworm in a shelter setting. This treatment is important because ringworm is a fungus that affects many mammals, particularly kittens. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted across species, for example cats to dogs or cats to humans. Infected animals in a shelter are often euthanized because of its severe contagiousness. However, they do not need to be euthanized because ringworm is curable! Ringworm treatment at our shelter began in 2003 inside a pink 1970’s-era trailer with help from dedicated volunteers
DAY 56
DAY 12 5
Saves Cats’ Lives and Drs. Sandra Newbury and Karen Moriello. In 2010, the program moved into Maddie’s FIT Center built on Dane County Humane Society grounds. Beth Rodgers, FIT Coordinator, calls this effort a “heroic capital campaign.” Today the FIT Center houses between 75 and 100 cats in treatment each year. We employ many tools when screening for ringworm. First, staff does a thorough exam looking for hair loss or lesions at the time of a cat’s admission to the shelter. Then they take a culture. The culture is monitored for 21 days by a group of volunteers trained to identify ringworm growth. Lastly, staff looks at the cat’s coat and skin using a Wood’s Lamp. The ultraviolet light of the lamp can cause some forms of ringworm to glow and is helpful in identifying suspicious lesions.
& aCaptain IfCleopatra a cat has hair loss, positive Wood’s Lamp exam or a positive culture, a veterinarian confirms or rules out ringworm. If the vet makes a positive diagnosis, the cat receives a medical
exam and is then admitted to FIT. Staff members take a culture, weigh them for proper dosing medications, and dip the cat in lime sulfur, a smelly rinse helpful in controlling ringworm infections. During treatment, staff administer antifungal medications, dip the cat twice a week, and take cultures weekly to monitor the cat’s progress. The treatment commonly takes about six weeks. When the cat produces two negative cultures in a row it is cleared for graduation, dipped one more time, and placed on the adoption floor to await its forever home. About 30 dedicated volunteers form the backbone of the program. They care for FIT residents every day - cleaning, feeding, watering and giving medicine and lots of TLC. FIT cats are often very cuddly when they graduate because of the unique bond they develop with the volunteers.
Dane County Humane Society|giveshelter.org
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Family Scrapbook Behind the Camera: Pet Segments with Gayle Viney by Katelyn O’Brien
Step Three Choose the one! Learn their story: breed, age, special needs, how they came to DCHS, and any unique characteristics about the animal.
Step Four Take the animal to the television station and be prepared for anything. The animal may be nervous, have a tough time traveling in the car, not like cameras, and the most difficult of all…will not stay still. Gayle implements many techniques to reduce the animal’s nervousness and always carries many treats – hot dogs pieces have been a lifesaver!
Step Five
Variety Most often a dog or cat is selected, but we also try to highlight other shelter animals such as critters and reptiles. Sometimes the television station’s crew comes to the humane society so we can highlight barn animals like horses, pigs and goats.
A television presence for the animals is extremely helpful in their adoption. Viewers begin calling the shelter right after the segment to learn more about the featured animal. It is not unusual for some viewers to race to the shelter to adopt it, only to find that Gayle and the animal have not yet returned from the TV station! Thank you to our partners WISC-TV3, NBC 15 and WKOW 27 for helping us raise awareness in our community, giving us the opportunity to share the wonderful animals that come through our doors, and finding so many forever homes!
Talk with staff in Adoptions, Animal Care and our Canine Behavior Team to identify which animals might be good TV candidates. Who has been here the longest? Who has a special background story? Do we have a large number of a certain animal? Do we have an upcoming adoption promotion?
Step Two Narrow down the recommendations and interact with those animals. Gayle looks for how the animal reacts to her, other people (both men and women), and loud noises, crowds, etc. She also evaluates how treat-motivated they are and if they know any basic commands.
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Family Tails|Fall 2013
Photography Credit: This page - Katelyn O’Brien
Step One
Opposite page - top, Tonya Scribner; bottom, wildlife volunteer
Each week we feature animals on several Madison television stations. You may recognize our Public Relations Coordinator, Gayle Viney, sharing a story about one of our current shelter animals looking for a loving home while you drink your morning coffee. The number one question she receives is, “How do you select which animal to feature?” There are many factors to consider when appointing the next up and coming furry TV superstar; Gayle gives us insight into her animal casting strategies.
Chat with the television anchors and, ultimately, convince a viewer to adopt that animal!
Fostering Shelter Horses by Tonya Scribner
An Owl’s Story
Diane Sullivan & Joe Brady Found on the road and brought to Dane County Humane Society’s Four Lakes Wildlife Center on June 20, a female Great Horned Owl was diagnosed with eye bruising and chest trauma, most likely from being hit by a car. She responded to sound, but could not balance or perch well, and was emaciated, weighing only 2.3 pounds. With treatment she was perching by July 1, and by July 15 was moved to an outside pen. By August 14 she was flying strongly, was ready for release, and weighed more than three pounds! Many homeless animals that come to the shelter are in need of extra time or special care before they are ready to be adopted. This is where foster care comes in. The animals live in temporary homes and receive the care and attention they need until they are ready to find loving, forever homes. Dogs, cats and rabbits are the most common foster patients. You might be surprised to know that horses also frequently need foster care and that DCHS assists them as well. They have a network of foster homes who are able to house and care for homeless horses. Horses need to be housed in a paddock or pasture and have access to shelter and water year round. They need to be fed grass, hay or grain up to two times per day and also require the same socialization opportunities as dogs and cats. Horse foster homes generally have horses of their own and welcome the newcomers into their herds. Sometimes horses are happy and healthy when they enter foster care, but some are ill, malnourished, neglected or untrained. A foster home is an opportunity for the horse to recover and learn many social skills to become a wonderful companion.
After establishing her bearings, the owl was released at Pat Smith’s property on Lake Mendota. Pat’s property is ideal because it has both the type of habitat and prey the Great Horned Owl needs to thrive. “Releasing such a large and powerful bird is an awesome experience. Holding her legs, I could sense her expectant energy and was amazed by the forceful rush of air that washed over my face when she flapped her powerful wings and flew skyward,” says Joe proudly. Since the release, Pat writes, “The owl you installed here at Foxwold is doing great, I think! Yesterday I saw her swoop down, grab some varmint and make off with it to the pine trees! She likes it here.”
While you may not see the horses when you visit DCHS, horses are available for adoption most of the time. Check out our website, giveshelter.org, or call 608. 838. 0413 for more information about available horses and becoming a foster parent.
Dane County Humane Society|giveshelter.org
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Family Care
Prevent Undesirable Scratching
by Emily Steinwehe
Baby-Ready Pets focuses on how to prepare pets for the arrival of your new baby. Sudden changes in routine can be stressful for pets. It is best to gradually introduce them to the sounds, sights and smells of babies before the whole package comes home. Training means the pets will become comfortable with the baby and be well-behaved enough to be able to stay in the room during feeding, diapering, etc. Having everyone stay together is best since your pets are part of your family, and excluding them can cause jealousy! Most of the class participants have cats and/or dogs, but we have advice for other kinds of animals, too! During the class we will go over how to prepare, how to introduce pets to the baby for the first time, toy recommendations, and more! Trainers from Teacher’s Pet Training Academy provide personalized advice for all class participants. The fee is only $10 per family, and we encourage any babysitters who have pets to attend with you. For more information or to register, please contact Emily at esteinwehe@giveshelter.org or 608.838.0413 ext. 115.
Cats return to favorite or chosen scratching sites, so motivate them to use the scratching post and avoid letting them use the furniture. This can be done by rubbing catnip on the post and by holding treats or toys partway up the post to encourage stretching and scratching. Secure an appealing toy, such as feathers, at the top of the post. Rewards can be given at each step—as the cat approaches the post, touches it, and finally scratches it. Never yell at or punish the cat. To deter your cat from using the doorframe, the sofa, or the dining room table, place double-sided sticky tape on these inappropriate areas and reward the use of the post. If these options fail, confine your cat to an area where the scratching post is the only available scratching outlet while you are absent. This establishes use of the scratching post and prevents inadvertent reinforcement for scratching off-limit household items.
Have you ever wondered what this meant? This represents the highest possible rating awarded to a charity by Charity Navigator, the leading independent nonprofit that evaluates charities in the United States. Dane County Humane Society achieved this rating based on our (1) financial health, (2) accountability and transparency and (3) results achieved. We could not have accomplished this without your support. Thank you so much! For more information, go to charitynavigator.org.
Photography Credit: This page - stock photo
Baby-Ready Pets
Scratching is normal cat behavior; it grooms the front claws and leaves markers of the cat’s presence. But what do you do when your cat’s favorite scratching post is your sofa? First, determine your cat’s preference for either a vertical or horizontal scratching post, the type of material (wood, sisal, rough fabric) and the location (near a window or close to the cat’s sleeping area are generally the best choices).
Opposite page - right top, Friskies; right bottom, Kim Kawecki; left top, Brooke Lewis; left bottom, DCHS volunteer photographer
by Cat Care Clinic
Most Frequently Asked Questions by Kaitlyn Ruhland
What kind of donations can I make?
Does DCHS provide vet services?
Monetary and material donations can be made through our website or in-person during open hours. Our most-needed items are listed on our website, giveshelter.org, under “Wish List.” We are always in need of new or gently used towels, blankets, canned cat and dog food, clay cat litter and hot dogs.
We do not offer any vet services to the public. We encourage you to call around and find a veterinarian you feel comfortable with in order to build a lasting relationship.
I need to surrender my pet – what do I do? Please consider alternative means of rehoming before surrendering your pet. We offer a rehoming service through our website where you can post a picture and description of your pet. Also consider posting signs in vet clinics and local pet-related businesses and talking to friends and family. If this is unsuccessful, call 608.838.0413 ext. 0 to make an appointment to surrender. This helps ensure that there is space for all animals entering the shelter. A fee is required to assist in the considerable cost incurred in daily care. I found a stray pet – what do I do? Always be cautious. Look for ID tags and check with neighbors. If the animal is safe to transport, bring it to our main shelter during open hours. If you are not comfortable transporting the animal yourself, confine the animal to a cage or garage and contact Dane County Dispatch at 608.255.2345 for transport to DCHS. If you find an animal outside of Dane County, you should call the stray holding facility or humane society in that county. Does DCHS offer euthanasia services? We provide euthanasia services for the public with a variety of options. You may choose whether or not you would like to be present for the procedure, as well as whether you prefer a communal or private cremation. Call 608.838.0413 ext. 0 for questions and to set up an appointment.
I found an abandoned or injured wild animal – what do I do? Capturing injured wildlife can be dangerous if not done correctly. It is important to limit contact with that animal and seek instructions from a trained wildlife staff member. If you feel comfortable, safely contain the animal by placing a cardboard box or laundry basket over the animal without touching it. Call DCHS’s Four Lakes Wildlife Center (FLWC) at 608.838.0413 ext. 151 for further instructions. I have concerns for the welfare of an animal – what should I do? For a situation occurring in Dane County, contact Animal Services at 608.255.2345 ext. 6. Please describe the circumstances and why you believe the animal is being neglected. Animal Services officers are responsible for performing welfare checks and will investigate the well-being and care of the animal. Do you provide spay and neuter services? We have a subsidized Spay & Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide an opportunity for pet owners with financial need to have their pets spayed or neutered, thanks to generous grants and donations from the community. Dog and rabbit services are performed at our main shelter, while cats are spayed/neutered at our Spay & Neuter Clinic in Mount Horeb. For more information visit giveshelter.org and go to Programs.
Dane County Humane Society|giveshelter.org
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Family Care
a nearby neighbor. If you have animals, create a similar document with the name and phone number of your veterinarian, a list of prescription food or medicines for each animal, contact information for a short-term pet sitter, and the name and number of anyone willing and able to offer a new permanent home to your pets. Create powers of attorney for finance, which allow others to manage your financial affairs if you are alive, but too sick to act. This should include services related to animal health and care.
Planning for Your Pet in Case of an Emergency by Melinda Gustafson Gervasi, Attorney Gustafson Gervasi Law Office, LLC
If medical or other care costs will be a financial burden on future caretakers, consider creating a pet trust in a will or living revocable trust. These can be simple (usually four paragraphs long), and allow you to transfer money to a trust managed by someone you appoint, cared for by a person of your choosing, and direct where any remaining monies should go upon the death of your pet. Join us at Fitchburg Public Library on Wednesday, November 6 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm in meeting room A&B for a seminar by Melinda Gustafson Gervasi about “What Pet Owners Should Know About End of Life Issues.”
Kiki, a 5-year-old cat, suddenly found herself in need of a new home. When her human companion suffered an unexpected and severe illness and it was clear she could not continue living in her home, Kiki’s path became uncertain as well. Kiki’s story has a happy ending. She joined my family and her energy levels and curiosity mirror that of my children, ages five and three. But not all pets’ stories end happily.
Program the ICE in your smartphone (it’s the In Case of Emergency key) to have a Pet Contact. Most phones have room for two or three contacts. In case you are in a car accident or away from home and unable to speak, this will help emergency personnel know about animals in your home that may need care within the next 12 hours. (Authorities often use smartphones to locate loved ones.) Post a Care Contact Document on your refrigerator. Parents of young children often have a magnet on the fridge with the phone numbers for the pediatrician, grandparents, or
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Family Tails|Fall 2013
Opposite page - Michelle Livanos
How can you make sure your animal is taken care of under a variety of contingencies?
Photography Credit: This page - Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
When assisting people in drafting powers of attorneys, wills, and trusts I routinely ask “what if” questions. The usual response? “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that!”
Winter Activities with your Dog by Giene Keyes, CPDT-KA, Owner Dog Face, LLC
Wisconsin winters bring the challenges of ice and snow, but our dogs face even more winter challenges (turkey, ornaments, chocolates, unfamiliar guests, constant traffic in and out of our house, salt paws). We might find ourselves saying “no, no, no” to our faithful companions more often than usual. Are there any activities we can say yes to? Exercise! Winter brings earlier sunsets and colder weather, leading us to bundle up on our couches, but our dogs still have energy to burn. Dress warmly and take your dog for a walk or to the park. Play fetch in the hallway. Most dogs love walking in crisp weather. You’ll feel better, too! Planning an evening out with friends? Invite them over to your house instead. You can practice polite greetings with your dog, and save money. If your friends have social dogs, have them bring them along. People welcome the chance to bring their pups along. Give your dog something to be thankful for at Thanksgiving. Instead of giving him people food that might upset his tummy, buy him some premium quality dry or canned dog food – turkey dinner for everyone! Trick Training! Yes, old dogs can learn new tricks, and winter is the perfect time to do it. Roll over, fetch, shake, play dead. Your dog will love the mental stimulation of learning something new and you’ll enjoy the bonding time. If you’re a little out of practice, check out weekly dog training classes available throughout Dane County.
Frost Bite & Paw Care by Charlain Andres
The Farmers’ Almanac predicts this winter will be bitterly cold, with lower-than-normal temperatures. While we pile on coats and wool scarves, it’s important to remember we are not the only ones subject to frostbite. Pets are also susceptible to cold temperatures. When exposed to cold, blood vessels close to the skin start to narrow, diverting blood away from the extremities and to the core of the body. In extreme cold the blood flow can be reduced to critically low levels, causing the tissues to freeze. The result is a dangerous tissue injury known as frostbite. Cats and dogs are most likely to incur frostbite on their paws, tails and ears. Signs may include blisters, skin ulcers, and/or areas of blackened skin, pain when you touch the affected area, which may appear swollen and discolored. Signs of frostbite might not appear until several hours after exposure. If you suspect your pet has frostbite, seek medical attention immediately! Move your pet to a warm, dry area as quickly as possible. DO NOT rub or massage the affected areas and DO NOT apply any kind of direct heat. You may soak the affected area with warm (not hot) water (104 to 108 degrees F) then carefully pat dry. While on your way to the veterinarian, keep your pet wrapped in a dry towel or blanket that has been warmed in the clothes dryer. Never give pain medication, unless directed by your veterinarian. To prevent frostbite, keep your pets inside during extremely cold weather, except for short periods of supervised time. Dane County Humane Society|giveshelter.org
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Dane County Humane Society 5132 Voges Road Madison, WI 53718