PawPrintMagazineSept2012

FR

EE

TM

Magazine KwaZuluNatal

Issue 3 Sept 2012

Free

to a Good

HOME!

OR ARE YOU

Partaking in

TrafďŹ cking?

INFO DIRECT

Our New Business Directory!

A Playground for your

Pets!

Kitten

fostering saves lives!

String - a Danger to Cats!

Welcome to TM

Magazine

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nother issue of PawPrint and we are so pleased. Our following has grown so much and our readers have been so supportive.

We hope that you will support the new Info Direct Business guide in our magazine and use business that supports Animal Welfare.

We have so many great articles to share with you this month, gardening with dogs, nutrition and many more.....and hope that you enjoy every minute. Doctor Tikky is back with her advice, and our comic relief is a cynical look at our Christmas dinners. Be sure to read and share the article on giving

your dogs away “Free to a Good Home”.

Vondis has given us some awesome prizes available via our facebook page, so go ahead and enter – you can win some lovely biscuits.....

PawPrint is a free magazine and we make our revenue out of advertising, so please do support our advertisers – they are all animal friendly and we think that is marvellous.

Our business guide is area specific – Johannesburg and Cape Town will be launched in September, this issue covers KZN and specifically the Upper Highway Area! Our mission is to support small business and to make the whole economy rock, with a special emphasis on animal

welfare and advancement.

Our readers are welcome to comment, send us pictures and articles and keep us informed of events in your area. We also encourage you to share this magazine with friends and family.

Have a good look at the animal welfares that we support...... we LOVE them.....

Have a great animal friendly month.

Mandy Barrett Editor Comment? Email us : Whitedogwash@gmail. com or visit our webpage, www.pawprint.co.za or our facebook page PawPrintSA.

contents

In This Issue!

2 Free to a Good Home or Partaking in TrafďŹ cking?

The truth about the fate of your loving dogs when you give them away!

4 Responsible Consumption What are you feeding your Pets?

6 A Playground for your Pets!

Editor: Mandy Barrett Design & Layout: Jeff Holbrook Advertising Inquiries: 082 306 1606 Web: www.pawprint.co.za

Keeping your Pets happy and healthy in your own garden!

10 String - A Danger to cats!

The everyday items in our homes could be Deadly!

13 Fostering Kittens saves lives!

Become a Foster Parent and save the life of a Kitten!

14 Your Pets Mental Health for 2012

FREE to a GOOD HOME

or Partaking in Trafficking?

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e see it all the time in almost every newspaper, email and Facebook posting about dogs and cats, there is the same old “free to a good home” line.

People honestly think that this will be the line that snatches a loving, caring forever home for their pet. Mr X arrives with his kid at your door and promises to take good care of Rex. You are told how he will give him a loving home with his other dog, on his huge plot of land in (insert faraway place name) and how he lost his last dog due to old age and it broke his heart. His kid ambles around looking half interested. Rex looks worried, but you don’t notice as you are too busy leaving South Africa, or moving to a smaller property, or going through a divorce, dealing with a new baby, worrying about your garden being torn up, responding to the body corporate complaints – whatever the reason is that you needed to find Rex a new home for.

Well....no! In reality there is a lot wrong with this story.

Thousands (yes THOUSANDS) of animals are put up for adoption DAILY in South Africa.

Many of those will NEVER find good homes, let alone a promised paradise. Some end up being put to sleep and some end up in kennels for days, weeks, months and years, waiting for you to return. Some are given away.

The truth is that the given away dogs have an uncertain future. Most dogs that go to farms DON’T have great lives. They are left outside, shot if they chase livestock, which most townbred dogs WILL do, and left to deal with snakes, ticks and fleas.

Some of the dogs taken as free to good homes end up being used as breeding machines for puppy mills. (See our Article in our July edition for information on Puppy Mills).

Let’s be honest here, all you really want is peace of mind that he won’t be your responsibility anymore, and it is easier to just give him away than to consider the alternatives, euthanasia or an attempt at finding a home via a rescue organisation. So off Rex goes, in his new owners’car, off to a life on a farm, chasing birds and lying in the sun.

But you thought only Pitbulls were used in Dog fighting? Think again. ANY breed will do. Most often the fluffier breeds – chows, huskies and similar, are used as “bait dogs”. These poor souls are kept in cages, starved, teased, hurt and cut and then thrown into dog fighting pits with dogs training to fight. They are often muzzled to avoid injury to the fighting dog

A lot of dogs taken are used in dog fights.

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and are bitten endlessly, left without medical treatment and will eventually die.

Their lives are a living hell. Sometimes several dogs will be set on them at once. Sometimes they are kept in cages and terrified. Always they are abused.

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tronger breeds like Boerboels, Mastiffs, Rottweillers, Pitbulls, Staffies, AmStaffs and Bull Terreirs and all crosses that look like these breeds are often used in actual fights.

The dog fighting syndicates range from township teenagers, with random dogs, to huge, well organised, Mafia type affairs. Dog fights are almost always to the death, or as close as, and unless the owner of a prized fighter decides otherwise, most never receive medical attention for wounds. Some are shot and thrown into the veld. Some are tied to bricks, thrown into rivers and left to drown.

Some are taken to vets, but the danger of being reported to the police keeps most of those involved away from correct and humane treatment.

There is no happy ending for dogs involved in dog fighting. Even those

rescued can be so traumatised that they are not suitable for re-homing, except to specialist homes, which are limited. Puppies and kittens are also often taken to be used for breeding and as bait. All homes need to be carefully checked out, with a visit to the home, and a viewing of other animals at least. A request for their vets’ details also helps deter criminals.

NEVER EVER send your puppies and pets off to a home without checking it out well. So before you put up that ad, and smile and wave as Rex leaves for his new home, consider the REAL options.

- Chances are that it won’t be a forever home, they may also leave the country like you.

- There is a high chance of your pet ending up being used for criminal and cruel purposes.

- It is terribly cruel to hand over a living, thinking being and not cast a second thought as to the next ten years of his life.

- Breeding is irresponsible. Don’t do it. If you want your kids to experience puppies or kittens, visit your local shelter and let them play with those. They will only be interested for ten minutes anyway.

- SPAY AND NEUTER ALL PETS. It is YOUR responsibility if your male dog gets out and mates with the dumb neighbours female, as much as it is theirs.

- If you HAVE to get a new home for your pet, contact a reputable welfare organisation.

- Do not feel that death is the worst a pet can have.

- Follow up on ANY home.

- DON’T get a pet unless you are prepared to take FULL responsibility for the next ten to eighteen years.

- If you get a puppy or kitten “for the kids” remember that it is YOUR responsibility not theirs.

- Share this information to prevent more cruelty.

NEVER EVER advertise your pets Free to a Good Home!

The history of Dog Fighting spans almost the entire history of human existance, with each culture having bred dogs for specialist reasons, often including fighting, bull and bear baiting. There are dog fighting rings in almost every country of the world. Stolen animals are often used for fighting as well. Fighting breeds are especially vulnerable to being stolen.

Ensure that your pets are secured and don’t leave them out at night, or while you are at work! In South Africa, dog fights are held in warehouses and abandoned buildings far out of town to avoid detection. Dog Fighting is a crime in South Africa and any suspicious activity must be reported to the Police and your local SPCA. PawPrint

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RESPONSIBLEPET OWNER

THE

IS A RESPONSIBLE CONSUMER

by Paul Jacobson - Pet Food Nutritionist, qualiďŹ ed chef and owner of Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition.

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hat does it mean to be a responsible c o n s u m e r ?

Whether you are purchasing for yourself, the family or your companion animals?

In the case of our pets they have no say, they have no voice. They are reliant on your informed choice and thus the responsibility is that much more severe and binding.

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ur modern era has become materialistic, insensitive and careless. We have steered away from good business and moral ethics and we have distanced ourselves from natural living. In this hectic life style convenience has become a priority with processed, preserved and chemical based products enjoying major support.

Corporate business embarks on major advertising campaigns that cloud our clear thinking. Labeling of products is so obscure and illegible.

So, if ever there was a need to investigate and challenge the commercial institution, it is now.

As a responsible consumer and pet owner, I believe that we should commit to three unconditional pledges in order to derive at a clear decision.

Firstly, we should step back from all the different opinions and marketing jargon and use our common sense, intuition and logic. We should apply our minds and think carefully and honestly.

Secondly, we should rely on the wealth of information available in print and in the electronic media.

Search engines allow us to comfortably sit at our computer and study the facts comprehensively.

Thirdly, and this is probably the most challenging, is to scrutinize labels. It is imperative, as responsible consumers, that we understand the list of ingredients and feeding guidelines that are labeled on our food and on our household products. This is for the protection of our family and companions.

I believe only then can we claim to be responsible and enlightened consumers.

True enlightenment means understanding all the facades of our material, emotional and spiritual world. The enlightened person applies the same moral principles when approaching life and its challenges. The merits of these principles are judged on truth alone and not according to race or being. We apply these same truths to humans as we do animals.

But, when it comes to the treatment of our companion animals, the same enlightened person does not necessarily apply the same and equal principles of enlightenment.

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or example, almost every person acknowledges the positive impact that a natural, wholesome and organic diet can have on health and longevity. Any one in the know will tell you of the poor impact that heat, processing and preservatives have on nutrients and their minerals, vitamins and enzymes.

Paul Jacobson is a Pet Food Nutritionist, qualified chef and owner of Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition. He is regular guest on radio 702 and Capetalk Radio. Vondis was a finalist in the Nedbank/Capetalk Small Business Awards for their contribution to animal welfare and care.

Vondis has been producing natural pet food for 14 years and is a registered nutritional pet food. Vondis is actively involved in educating the public on the benefits of natural diets for pets and a holistic approach when treating them. The product is promoted and stocked by a wide spectrum of vets, homeopaths, health stores and pet shops.

Yet when it comes to feeding our loving animals, we are happy to throw down processed food at them, a product that is exposed to extreme temperatures of up to 200 degrees, laden with harsh preservatives and saturated with inferior fats and digestives.

Also, the enlightened person understands the dangers of household products that contain chemicals and poisons and thus, we gravitate towards products that are natural.

However, when it comes to bathing our pets and protecting them from fleas and ticks, we unconditionally

apply the hardest and most dangerous shampoos and repellents, often sickening our companions. s guardians of our domesticated pet, we have a responsibility to protect them from harm and assure them of basic humane

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rights. That said, it should be our honor and privilege to harbor this companion in our home. A being so loyal, committed, loving and affectionate, you will not find anywhere. Our modern era has become materialistic, insensitive and careless.

We have steered away from good business and moral ethics and we have distanced ourselves from natural living for convenience sake.

In protecting our animals’ rights it is the responsibility of the consumer to understand packaging labels, to research the safety of these ingredients and take a moral stance on correct feeding and care.

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A PLAY GROUND FOR YOUR PETS South Africa’s oldest private Garden Design School.

by Lindsay Gray - Principle of the School of Garden Design.

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hat would a home be without pets?

No displays of unconditional love, no exuberant greetings or shlurpy wake-up kisses each morning.

Why is it then that we are so quick to complain about how our beloved pets destroy our gardens?

In most cases, the answer lies in the fact that our animals are not receiving the necessary mental and physical stimulation in an environment to which they are permanently.

Many dogs are fortunate enough to go on regular walks or to play on the beach with their owners, but others are not so lucky. We need to give some thought as to how we can turn our gardens into fun areas for our pets.

Making it Fun! Whatever your choice of pets – and these days they are often more varied than the standard ‘two dogs and a cat’ – you will need to research the requirements of their breed or species and see how

you can provide a stimulating environment in your garden to keep them happy.

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n Kwazulu-Natal we have near-perfect weather for most of the year, so caged pets such as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and reptiles, can

be placed outside during the day. All animals love being outdoors, especially birds where they can hear and imitate the sounds of other garden birds. My Senegal parrot has mastered the call of both the crowned eagle and the starling because I put his cage out in the garden every day.

Find a warm, lightly shaded area in the garden for the cage where it is visible from your living area, and plant a pretty garden around it so that the cage becomes part of the garden.

Cats have few needs - a sunny spot on cold days and a shady area on hot days (preferably with a cushion for comfort). For cat breeders PawPrint

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who cannot afford to have their prize pets wandering into neighbouring properties, it is easy to construct a simple structure adjacent to the house, enclosed with a light shadecloth and planted up with pretty plants, which allows the animals to move safely from inside the home out into the garden. Most cats love catmint, so a few plants in the ground or planted in a pot, will keep your feline very happy.

Dogs require a little more research as many breeds have specific needs to keep them stimulated. A bored dog is likely to dig, whereas a stimulated dog will choose to rest quietly when he is not busy.

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n the subject of digging, dogs are likely to dig a hollow in warm sand in the winter and do the same in the shade in summer for their comfort.

This is instinctive behaviour and they do not know that this is unacceptable to you, no matter how much you chastise them.

Work around these hollows and use plants to hide these areas. One of the finest, dog-hardy groundcovers is Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) and especially the dwarf variety for planting in areas where your dogs sleep during the day.

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n obstacle course constructed from any material that is not harmful to your animals will keep working dogs happy, especially if you also take part in the fun! If you remove any trees in your garden, ask the treefeller to cut a few decent sized logs that you can use for dogs that enjoy jumping.

Breeds that enjoy tracking will enjoy nothing more than following a track in the garden or playing ‘hide and seek’ with your children; and, of course, most dogs need space to play ball games with their owners.

Lindsay Gray is the principal of The School of Garden Design that offers a wide range of gardening courses.

See the advert over the page!

Watch out for the article on tips to keep animals safe within the home environment in the next issue!

South Africa’s oldest private Garden Design School Treat yourself - learn how to design and implement the garden of your dreams! *

12-week Garden Design & Maintenance Course (in-house : one morning or evening per week) (stimulate your latent creativity to design a beautiful, yet practical plan for your home) * 2-day Introduction to Garden Design & Maintenance (in-house : weekend course) (a comprehensive short course to get you going!) * Correspondence Course in Garden Design (study in the comfort of your own home with personal on-line tutoring)

Empower your gardening Staff - we offer a variety of courses that will assist both inexperienced and experienced gardeners with their daily tasks, and empower them to work with confidence and unassisted. * *

One Day Domestic Gardener Course (held monthly at the SPCA, Kloof Branch) One Day Introduction to Garden Design for isiZulu speakers (taking the gardener’s skills to the next level)

For landscapers/garden services -sometimes you need to fine-tune your skills, acquire some sound business sense or just a bit of inspiration. * Any of the above Garden Design courses * 3-session Plant Identification Course (in-house only - morning or evening) (discover the plant kingdom, plant nomenclature and research skills) * 3-session Business Course for Landscapers/Garden Services (morning or evening) (an absolute must if you want your business to succeed) For more info on any of these courses, contact Lindsay Gray on 082 44 99 237 or email: info@schoolofgardendesign.co.za website: www.schoolofgardendesign.co.za

By Mandy Barrett

Starting out with a mobile grooming business left me with some empty days, and as I had employed a full time assistant, I wanted to make full use of every opportunity to train him. I offered to wash the dogs at the local welfare for free.

It was quite an experience and although I enjoyed helping the dogs, and was rewarded with some being adopted, and some just relieved of matted, dirty fur, there was a sad side as well. Some of the dogs we washed and groomed were unable to find homes and were sent to heaven, a tough decision, but sadly there is not always room for the homeless.

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n one particular day, we washed an albino cross breed, who looked like she really needed a bath. As we were busy drying her, the welfare staff admonished me for washing her, as she was already on “death row” and was to be put to sleep the next day....it was time, there were other dogs needing our help. I was naturally devastated as it is very hard to hold a living being and know that it’s their last day alive.

I decided to take her for a run in the field, as a last fun moment at least. The staff asked me if I would like to adopt her. I told them I could not possibly, as I already had my fair share of pets.

I went home that night with a heavy heart, thinking about that amazing dog, with the pure white coat and big brown eyes. She was an awesome dog – why she was not adopted was beyond me.

I telephoned a friend of mine and talked it over. After a long conversation, we had deduced a plan. We would take her and FIND her a home! I was at the welfares’ offices at 06h30 the next morning and waited anxiously until the office opened, running in like a mad woman explaining I would

foster her until she found a home. I was met with much joy and excitement and duly handed a rather nervous, but vaccinated and micro-chipped white dog. Needless to say, my attempt to find her a home was quickly rewarded. She found one – with me.

I am absolutely blessed with this little angel, who is the most loving and intelligent dog I have ever owned. She has become an ambassador for rescued dogs, overcoming an early injury to her pelvis and learning many tricks, obedience and jumping. She cuddles and hugs like no other dog I have known, having nursed foster kittens, played with foster puppies, and only shown love to her family.

She came to me at a time in my life when I had given up on the idea that there was love in the world. A heaven sent angel who taught me that there is ALWAYS room for love. Sometimes, as we cuddle in bed at night, or after a long walk in the hills, or a quick run early in the morning, I look into her eyes and muse over how different things could have been......and I always feel grateful that I have been given this time with an amazing being.

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String!

A danger to cats

By Di Kendall

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hen reading the following article don’t start thinking of abolishing all string type toys from your house. String type toys are still great fun for kitties, they just need to be packed away once assisted play is over. and...You can consider yourself a more educated slave.

Leaving Cats with string toys does not mix, despite the popular image of cats playing happily with string! While string may seem harmless, the big danger is after it is ingested and making its way down the intestinal tract. This is a condition known as a linear foreign body.

Where Do “Foreign Bodies” Get Stuck?

The digestive tract is essentially a long tube, passing food from the mouth, down the oesophagus, into the stomach, through the lengthy small intestine, then forming stool in the colon and out the rectum.

String-like objects can also “gather up” during intestinal peristalsis (wavelike muscular contractions) and shred delicate tissues like the intestinal tract.

If the foreign body has managed to move to the colon, it will probably successfully pass. But, defecating a sharp object may prove painful and may even need veterinary assistance.

Never pull protruding objects from your pet’s rectum or throat. If it is still lodged inside, you can cause serious damage to the internal tissues.

The first signs seen are: there may be part of the string visible from the mouth, under the tongue or protruding form the anus. There are other medical signs that kitty has swallowed a foreign object too.

It generally takes ingesta (all that is swallowed) from 10-24 hours to move through the entire digestive tract. Some objects, however, can actually remain in the stomach for longer periods of time, even months.

Clinical signs may include any of the following: • vomiting or dry heaves • anorexia or decreased appetite • straining to defecate or diarrhea • painful abdomen • fever • depression • dehydration (due to vomiting)

When objects are too large to pass, they usually obstruct at the stomach outflow or within the small intestine itself. With linear foreign bodies, the continual movement of the intestinal tract can literally bunch the intestines into an accordion-like mass.

Linear Foreign Bodies.

A linear foreign body is any string-like object ingested (or partially ingested) that causes gastrointestinal obstruction.

String, ribbon, thread (often with needle attached), plastic, rubber bands, Easter PawPrint

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grass and tinsel are common linear foreign bodies. This type of obstruction can be life-threatening very quickly. Both cats and dogs can suffer from this, although as one could guess, it is much more common in cats.

Why do cats eat odd things? (A condition called pica.) Reasons vary, but can be related to stress, boredom, attention seeking behaviour, play behaviour, or to the simple fact that the item tastes/smells good to the cat.

Safe toys for kitties: Fake mice: Catnip pillows and mice: ( some are sold with glued on eyes etc which are a choking hazard.) Ping Pong Balls: Drop a ping pong ball in a box and let kitty enjoy.

Empty Plastic Bags: although this one makes me nervous and I watch closely.

I ďŹ nd cutting off the handles is a good precaution.

Reducing Homelessness amongst Urban Cats

All Jellicle Cats are Sterilised and Inoculated Jenny: 0741840004 jenny@jelliclecats.co.za

Lauren: 0721492051 lauren@jelliclecats.co.za

Use a torch to act as fast-moving prey.

Cats can chase the beam for ages and they may even stalk it. Make a self-serve treat toy. Put some dry cat food or cat treats inside an uncapped plastic cold drink bottle. Old plush toys can be fun too.

Just remember - toys with string need to be packed away after assisted play.

Di Kendall volunteers at three feral feeding stations in the Durban area. The main station being the Pav Feral Feeding Scheme. The scheme is headed up

by Kitten Action who along with Pav management, Kloof SPCA, and dedicated feeding volunteers; feed, sterilise, release and re-home tame kittens.

Volunteers are always welcomed as well as donations of kitty food for the station. http://didoodlesaboutstuff.wordpress.com/ pav-feral-project/

Tel: 076 313 4957 christy.n@vodamail.co.za

Christy Naude - Annique Senior Sales Consultant

Neutering your male dog!

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have spent over twenty years of my life working with dogs. During this time, I met many, many people and have often been asked for advice on anything from puppy toilet training to extra- marital affairs....both of which I have a standard set of answers for!

The one question I have probably been asked more than most is, when should I sterilise my dog? The fascinating thing about this question is that people will enquire the correct age to spay a FEMALE dog, but most often won’t worry about asking when to neuter a male dog. In fact, many people don’t even know what the term “neuter” means! Well simply put, spaying is the female version of sterilisation and neutering (removal of testicles), the male version. Many dog trainers, behaviourists and vets will agree on this one – neutering a male dog meets with more opposition than spaying a female.

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nd why is this one may ponder?

Ask most people if they are going to sterilise their female dog and they will (if well educated and decent) answer, yes at six months, of course! Ask the same question of the owners of male dogs and one is often met with a grimace and a “Do we HAVE to? Ag, shame, poor boy”.

Often, my advice to neuter males is met with opposition and if the owner happens to be particularly vigilant as a testicle guard, I get the feeling that if I get to close to said apparatus,

By Ruby Foxx

I will be in a spot of trouble myself! Cat, and horse owners are often much more accepting of medical castration, whereas the same procedure in the dog seems to cause some debate.

Traditionally, male horses (stallions) are castrated as it is not easy to sterilise a female (mare). Castrated male horses even have their own name – a “gelding”, which sounds rather proper and fancy. Male cats are mostly sterilised early on, as they are renowned for spraying (territorial urination) around the house – an unpleasant and unwanted behaviour.

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ut with dogs, there is more resistance.

The first comeback is usually “but wont that make him a wimp” , or “won’t he stop being a good guard dog”, and then once I have explained that this really won’t make much difference, the next and almost desperate question is “but I don’t want him to get fat/stop growing/be too small”.

I then explain that exercise and correct nutrition will take care of any weight and most growth issues, only to be met with the good old “shame, won’t he miss them – what will he lick?”.

The standard answers to that one is that, no he won’t really lie in a corner sulking and searching desperately for his missing bits, and believe me, he will be quite well entertained in the licking department.

I am often left with a rather sad looking owner, mumbling that it seems a sin to remove this most important and sanctified body part. (This is often relayed somewhat defensively while loving stroking said dog).

We’re doing WHAT Today!

My answer to all those who have an issue with this is simply as follows;

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eutering your male dog is the responsible thing to do. Entire males will be more likely to wander and run the risk of getting lost, stolen or run over. Male dogs that are not neutered are prone to suffer from testicular cancer – one cancer that CAN be prevented by removal of the body part! Male dogs that have been neutered are perfectly good at guarding, working and all doggie requirements, and the bonus is that they are less likely to “mark” your furniture, curtains and pot plants due to decreased testosterone levels.

Neutered males are also less likely to fight, and make more social pets. Most importantly, they cannot mate, and will therefore never add to the spiralling amount of unwanted pets in the country.

And for those of you who feel that they may miss their appendages – think of it like this – imagine spending your life wanting to get a little action, and never being able to, due to high fences, locked gates and all the rest that goes with being a pet!

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KITTEN FOSTERING

SAVES LIVES

By Mandy Crerer

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o you have a little extra space in your home, some free time, and plenty of love to share? If you do, you could become a foster parent for homeless kittens.

With the arrival of “kitten season” in early spring, rescue organizations are swamped with under-age kittens who cannot be adopted until they are 8 weeks old. These groups rely on the assistance of volunteer foster parents to save lives by providing temporary care.

Fostering Options

A mom cat with kittens. This is the easiest fostering option as the mom cat does most of the work! You’ll need a separate room with a nesting area, a litterbox, food and water. The mother cat will feed, clean, and socialize the kittens; you will feed mom, clean her litterbox and bedding, handle the kittens, and monitor everyone’s health.

Bottle feeders (or bottle babies). These are kittens under 4 weeks old who need to be bottle fed every 2-6 hours depending on how old they are. Since these kittens don’t have a mom, you will also have to help them pass urine and faeces, keep them clean, wean them, and train them to use a litterbox. You’ll need a warm, safe area in which to confine bottle babies, preferably a cage or large cat carrier. Because warmth is critical, kittens should have access to a heating pad with enough space to be able to crawl away if they get too warm.

Self-feeding kittens. Kittens 4-8 weeks old can already eat on their own and use the litterbox, but need TLC until they are old enough to be adopted. You’ll feed them, clean them, play with them, monitor their health, and clean their litterbox. It is best to keep them in a confined area such as a small, kitten-proofed room, or a large cage.

Feral kittens. These are kittens, usually 4-8 weeks old, who have grown up with little or no human contact. In addition to the care described above, they also need intensive socialization to help them become comfortable around people.

Kitten Action is on standby for the

inevitable flood of kittens that will soon begin. Without the help of dedicated foster parents, it will simply not be possible to save the lives of these babies. If you would like to know more about fostering rescued kittens, email Kitten Action at info@kittenaction. org.za

STABALISING FEREL CAT POPULATIONS Tel: 031 764 3845 PawPrint

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ASK

Dr.Tikara

Your Pets Mental Health for 2012

Dear Doctor Tikara I am a bit shy to write this to you, as I am a cat and we don’t really like to share much about our deepest thoughts. However, I have an embarrassing problem......I can’t stand the new kitten that my owner has brought home. I can’t help it, he just smells funny. Of course, I have considered murder, but I do secretly love my owner and I can’t understand why he would want another kitten, but I don’t want to upset him.....

Please help – how can I start to tolerate this bundle of non-joy?

Yours in agony, Shy Kitty Hillcrest, Natal Hi Shy Kitty Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this with me. I am sure it is really hard. I have spoken to some of my cat colleagues and we have come up with a plan for you to help you love your new housemate.

Humans often need to increase their pet quota and even think we may like it.

Sometimes it takes us all a while to get used to each other. Good news is that his “smell” will eventually go away. Perhaps when he goes to the Vet he will smell funny again and you may react the same way, but this will pass.

I have some notes for you to show your human. The best way to do this is to lie on this article and “meow” when he tries to read it. If it’s on the PC, I have been told that lying or sitting on the keyboard helps.

Notes to human: 1. Go slowly with kitty intros. Feeding both cats together, either one on each side of a closed door will help, this will help them to get used to each other’s scent.

2. Make sure both kitties have litter boxes each AND a spare one and keep changing and mixing up the sand/kitty litter - this helps integrate the new scent. If your current kitty stops using the litter box, then provide a new and scent free one and keep trying.

3. If your kitty hisses and spits, don’t panic, keep the kitties safe but let them see each other and get used to each other and sort out a “pecking order” while making sure there are no actual fights.

4. Consider separating them when you are out for safety’s sake for a few weeks.

5. Swap blankets and rooms from time to time to help with scent acceptance.

6. Play with both kitties, and try some catnip – aka “kitty dagga” which makes most (but not all) kitties feel happy. Some cats make become aggressive when playing with catnip, but this is quite unusual.

7. Feeding special food and treats together can be very helpful, as the kitties will associate their treat with their new friend.

8. Brushing both kitties with the same brush also helps.

9. The key is slow and steady integration with lots of love for both kitties.

10. Calming collars with special pheromones and dispensers with the same are very helpful.

Lots of luck and keep us posted.

Dr. Tikara PawPrint

14

Jeff “After satisfying their curiosity, the three had decided that a Turducken was never to be tried or spoken of again!”

Answers a. Micheal Jackson b. Albert Einstein c. Charlie Chaplin d. John Wayne e. Amy Winehouse f. Borat g. Dr Spock h. Bob Marley i. Mother Theresa j. Dame Edna Everage k. Elvis Presley l. Audrey Hepburn m. Che Guevara

The FUR-SIDE

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Rescue Dog Photo Project The Rescue Dog Project is a collection of portrait photographs of dogs that have been adopted either from shelters or from dire situations that their new owners found them in.

The aim of the project is to create a collection of images that show the diversity of rescue dogs in terms of breeds, sizes, shapes and colours and to make them look as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. These will hopefully then raise awareness of the sheer number of dogs without homes and encourage people to adopt rather than buying from breeders.

The project is running until the end of October 2012 and will culminate in an exhibition and ultimately a coffee table book.

The project has its own face book page – www. facebook.com/RescueDogPhotoProject Photos by: Emma O’Brien Fine Art Photography

Sanchez Foxy

Bambi

Storm

Oscar Kushka

Jackie Dee Dee

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mma’s mission with the rescue dog project stemmed from her passion for photography and wanting to make a difference via this medium.

Emma says: “There is a misconception that rescue dogs from shelters are going to be ugly, non pedigree, psychologically damaged and problematic. I hope my photos challenge that, by showing beautiful dogs with personality, happiness and 50% of the time, good breeding :). All the dogs I’ve photographed look great as a result of being loved, washed and fed properly. I hope people see my photos and think about adopting rather than buying from a breeder.”

She has already raised R100 000.00 for the Sandton SPCA with her 2012 calendar and hopes to make even more with the 2013 one. Emma has three rescue dogs and shares her story of how she got into rescue; “I got into animal welfare work after a stupid purchase of a pet store puppy, who I had to have euthanised 36 hours after buying him because he had parvo virus and was dying. After going back to the pet store and throwing a tantrum of note, I made sure that I was going to get a rescue to make up for what had happened. As I couldn’t have another small puppy because of the parvo virus in my house, I went to Sandton SPCA and found a very handsome senior Sausage dog who I have named Jeremy. I then got involved with CLAW, taking photos of their animals looking for homes.

The aim of the Rescue dog photography is to put together a photography exhibition of the rescue dog images and eventually a coffee table book, the proceeds from which will go to CLAW.

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