The Pet Lovers Guide

PeT L VeRS

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 | FREE

guide

THE

www.thepetloversguide.com

The Misunderstood

❝FERAL❞ CAT

Choosing

WINTER WEAR for

SHORT HAIR DOGS

MYTHS ABOUT SPAYING

& NEUTERING DOGS

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I want YOU

to Volunteer

Welcome Pet Lo ers!

My name is Michelle Morris-Adams and I recently started Solano & Napa County’s only local pet magazine & resource directory. Through five years as a volunteer for animal rescue groups I have seen the need for quality care and treatment of animals in our community, and I hope to spread this knowledge through the magazine.

Pets, how would our lives be without them? They are therapeutic, loving, rewarding and make our lives better. In this edition, I want to share about the importance of spay/neuter, feral cats and keeping your animals warm through the cold season. Also, please read the great articles about a couple non-profits in the community that you may not have known existed. I have found that many people in our community are not familiar with the many non-profits that help with low cost spay/neuter and save abandoned, homeless pets. You will find their ads throughout the magazine and in the business directory.

This free bi-monthly magazine will be located in Veterinarian offices, Vet Hospitals, Pet Stores, Groomers, Dog Parks, Grocery Stores and other local businesses. I hope you support our advertisers who make this magazine possible. Most of all, I hope you enjoy what this magazine has to offer.

Wishing you, your families, and your pets much happiness!

Sincerely,

Michelle Morris-Adams Owner/Publisher

Please feel free to send comments, suggestions, criticisms or praises to my email: thepetloversguide@comcast.net For advertising, please contact me at 707-731-9775 or thepetloversguide@comcast.net

Interested in becoming a volunteer at the Humane Society of the North Bay? Sign up to attend a Volunteer Orientation session - click the link below to see the upcoming dates for September. Orientations are held at the Humane Society of the North Bay. For dates and times, visit our website at

www.bvhumane.org

To sign up or to get more information, call Coordinator of Volunteer Outreach Jasnique Body at 707-645-7905, ext. 114 email at volunteer@hsnb.org 1121 Sonoma Boulevard Vallejo, CA 94590 Tel. 707.645.7905 Fax 707.645.7909 www.bvhumane.org Tues - Sat, 11am - 5pm The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PeT L VeRS

guide

THE

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17

22

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Owner/Publisher Michelle Morris-Adams Editor Lena Potts Designer Crystal Scott Contributing Writers Lisa Hart Kris Barrow

The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published bi-monthly. The purpose of the magazine is to provide people with information pertaining to pet-related services, products and organizations in our local area. We also promote health, wellness and prevention by educating the public in all aspects of raising a pet. This is a complete guide to pet-related business in Solano & Napa County.

If you would like to contribute letters, stories or advertising, please contact Michelle at: Phone 707-731-0301 or 707-731-9775 Email thepetloversguide@comcast.net ONLINE www.thepetloversguide.com

6 Dear Catwoman707

The Misunderstood Feral Cat 9 Animals and Children Like Peanut Butter and Jelly 10 Urban Cowgirl

20 Benefits of Neutering (Castrating) Male Dogs & Puppies

Keeping animals warm during the winter

27 Resource Directory

22 Cold Weather Dictates Special Care for your Outdoor Pet

February - Spay and Neuter Awareness Month

23 Dog House Heaters

13 Is Pet Overpopulation Really a Problem?

15 Myths about Spaying & Neutering Dogs 17 Spaying (Ovariohysterectomy): The Benefits in Dogs

24 Choosing Winter Wear For Short Hair Dogs 25 Winter Birds and What To Feed Them 26 Making a Shelter for Feral Cats

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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❝Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.❞ —Anatole France

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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Deaarn707 Catwom

By Lisa Hart/Catwoman707

THE MISUNDERSTOOD

“FERAL” CAT Feral/Community cat?

Abandoned?

My name is Lisa Hart, and I am honored to be a part of this new and exciting magazine! This column, “Dear Catwoman707” will focus on cats, their care and behavior. I have had 12 years of hands on experience, from the care and management of cat colonies, to newborn kitten care, medical care/issues and protocols, as well as behavioral concerns, a wealth of knowledge I am happy to share!I am not a veterinarian, and any advice is to be taken as just that, advice. It is not a replacement for vet care.

I

use the term ‘feral’ for my outdoor colonies I have tnr’d (Trap Neutered Release) and care for, but actually there are no true feral cats, as we domesticated them a very, very long time ago. They are simply unsocialized cats, so they are called feral. I like the term “community cats” much better.

They are not aggressive and, they are very non-confrontational, they are simply afraid.

I’m not saying you can corner a feral cat and it won’t feel it has any other option but to spring away, possibly at you to get away if you are in the way of escape, but it would be as a last resort, no choice, make a mad dash to save its own life.

I have yet to ever see or hear of a feral cat approaching and attacking; it’s just plain not going to happen, a myth.

These are the very cats who greet you at home with purrs, keep your lap warm watching TV, amuse you with their antics, and so on.

They are born with the same needs, feelings and instincts and are just as precious and deserving, but sadly, most of them were unfortunate enough to be born outside, unwanted, with no home, no love, no name, and will never have the security of a safe home, no chance to ever know the sense of belonging in this world.

Cats born outdoors have a lack of exposure, familiarity and socialization from humans, so they grow to fear what is unknown to them.

They are forced to learn survival, to hunt for food, to hide in day, come out at night.

They learn about territories, bullies, predators.

Survival is their main state of mind, day after day. To find enough food to survive, to avoid predatory confrontations, finding shelter from the cold and rain, and so on. It is a very stressful existence.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TNR AND IT’S LIFELONG EFFECTS As kittens grow and mature, they also mature sexually, and their instinct is to reproduce.

Unfixed females will have litter, after litter, after litter, taking every bit of stored nutrients from her for development of her babes, leaving her malnourished, only to get pregnant again.

Every litter that she has will have another litter, and theirs will do the same. So if you think about this, spaying a single female stops the birth of literally hundreds of

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

unwanted babies.

Males who are unfixed become aggressive and are highly territorial to other males, and will fight to kill (or at least to seriously harm), unfixed males, who will stand up to them in an attempt to mate with a female.

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These aggressive males are the biggest fighters, and spreaders of FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus)and FELV(Feline leukemia) in cats. Up to 80% of positive cats acquired these diseases through fighting/ biting, when deep puncture wounds where their saliva gets into the victim’s bloodstream.

Saturday, February 8th, 2014

Their fighting causes horrible damage, and it makes me think of “Buddy”......

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Buddy was a young, bouncy playful orange tabby boy who showed up at one of my colonies. Chasing bugs, following behind a female adult, swatting her tail, teasing, entertaining his self. Life was good.

They are not aggressive and, they are very non-confrontational, they are simply afraid.

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I knew he needed to be TNR’d, soon, but it was during a tidal wave kitten season, and I was overwhelmed with kittens, so I put it off and put it off.

Before I knew it, Buddy was torn up. Unfixed males from outside of my well controlled colony got a hold of him, feeling he was a threat to their mating territory.

He was beat bloody, his face and eyes horribly bitten and scratched up, swollen and scarred so badly, Buddy was completely blinded, and in unimaginable pain.

I had to have this poor young boy euthanized.

I would do anything to undo my mistake in neglecting him, and will live with this guilt always, the memory of his face and eyes, burned in my mind. To this day it hurts my heart to talk about.

Buddy’s story is not uncommon, as it is an unfixed male’s drive to protect his territory and mate, they don’t share!

BENEFITS OF TNR TNR, or Trap, Neuter, Release of outdoor cats is the only truly compassionate and effective solution to our community cat overpopulation.

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TNR greatly reduces the number of unwanted kittens born only to be euthanized. It is common for the person/group responsible for tnr’ing a colony to have a caretaker who feeds them regularly, which means they don’t need to search for food in garbage areas/cans. Cats actually hate doing this!

Cat populations are gradually reduced over time.

Be a neighborhood hero!

Set an example and help teach our children a kinder way to treat animals.

Do it for the cats, do it for your neighbors, they will find less and less cat poop in their yards.

They will see fewer cats each year, and the healthy cats who remain will provide a safe, free deterrent to rodents!!

Disease and malnutrition are greatly reduced.

The cats live healthy, safe, and peaceful lives in their territories.

It benefits’ their nearby communities by keeping rodent populations in check.

Annoying mating behaviors such as females yowling, males fighting, howling and spraying are eliminated, which results in decreased calls to law enforcement agencies about nuisance cats - freeing law officers for more important duties.

TNR is more cost effective than repeated attempts at eradication. By decreasing the number of euthanasia’s at local shelters, there is a substantial savings to the taxpayer. It costs an average of $105 to trap, house, kill, and dispose of an animal, compared with about $60 for sterilization. TNR also frees-up valuable shelter space, which allows adoptable cats more time for a second chance of finding a home.

IN SUMMARYTNR has proven to be the most humane and effective way to control feral cat populations and to improve their quality of life. This method is being used with proven success all over the world.



It’s a win/win situation.

Saving one cat won’t make a difference in the world, but it makes a world of difference to that one cat. If you have a question you would like to ask, feel free to email me

at dearcatwoman707@yahoo.com.

Reviewed by Lena Potts, Editor

February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month!

Being in rescue, I have had the misfortune to learn firsthand just how many cats and kittens are euthanized, literally. Just in our local shelter alone, up to 65 per day. Just think about that number for a minute. Most people would rather not; it’s devastating, overwhelming, but it is still the ugly truth -a fact.

Looking for a new friend? Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center is just the place for you. We have many wonderful animals up for adoption. Cats, kittens, puppies, dogs, chickens, birds, rabbits and more are all waiting for their new homes. We hope you’ll stop by and meet a new friend today.

Hours open to the public Monday - Saturday 11:00 am to 4:45 pm 942 Hartle Court, Napa, CA 94558 707-253-4382 8

Microchipping, Dog License, Humane Trap Rental, Volunteer Opportunities

http://www.countyofnapa.org/AnimalShelter/

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

Animals &Children

like Peanut Butter and Jelly

By Michele Porter (Reviewed by Lena Potts, Editor)

A

fter working with a rescue group that seemed focused more on internal politics, much like a corporate empire, than rescuing animals in need, this amazing group of women decided to start their own rescue with a unique focus.

The women share a common goal, to rescue animals from abuse, neglect, and homelessness. The unique twist came in when one of the women introduced her love for working with children to the program. Kris Barrow has been a resident of Vallejo for almost 12 years. With four children of her own she has spent countless hours with children, at local schools, and talking with parents. She also has a soft spot in her heart for animals. “I feel children miss out on something when they are not raised with a pet. There is a certain compassion that comes with animals. I see that compassion missing in children these days”, says Barrow. Hence the inception of C.A.A.T. C.A.A.T stands for Community Adolescents and Animals Together. The idea is to create an environment that will provide children who are experiencing difficulties with a program that develops self-esteem, trust, and confidence.

“Animals have the unique ability to teach us so many valuable life lessons, to be able to introduce that to struggling children is a blessing”, Barrow declares.

C.A.A.T. will focus on the children and the animals that need the most help.

Children that are struggling to find themselves, children with minor criminal

infractions, and withdrawn children. “We have a population of both children who need and animals that need, it is a natural match like peanut butter and jelly.” The program will allow the children to help with the care and training of unwanted, neglected, and homeless animals. Once these animals are healthy, trained, and ready for their forever homes they will go up for adoption. The children will walk through the entire process.

❝I feel children miss out on something when they are not raised with a pet.

There is a certain compassion that comes with animals.❞ The group is comprised of former members of other rescue groups. Bobbie Gambarini, who left a group she was with for over 20 years, says, “The focus was never where it should have been, with the animals. There was always underlying jealousy, resentment, and tension; definitely too much negative energy. Here we do what is right for the animals, which this group allows us to do without all the other stuff getting in the way”. Gambarini was inspired by her experience rescuing animals to go back to school to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). At the age of 55, after retiring from Contra Costa County Health Services, where she worked for 24 years, she enrolled at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento to become a RVT. She spent the next 17 years working with local veterinarians and using her education to help rescued animals.

They are definitely a kindhearted group of people hearing and responding to the cries for help from both the children and animals of this community. If you know someone who would benefit from this program, have questions, or would like to get involved please email caatrescue@gmail.com 

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❝I see children come into the program without any confidence and within a few months they are on the back of a 1200 pound animal without hesitation.

It is an amazing transformation, and I am privileged to be able to be a part of it.❞ —Charlotte Dougherty, 2013.

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

Urban Cowgirl

By Michele Porter (Reviewed by Lena Potts, Editor)

D

espite having been born and raised in Vallejo, she is more of a cowgirl than most Texans. And although Charlotte Dougherty was raised in an urban city she spent her whole life around horses; owning, riding, barrel racing, and showing. Today Dougherty spends her days cleaning stalls, grooming horses, and teaching children the magical connection between human and animal.

Dougherty is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified therapeutic riding instructor at Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Petaluma where she teaches people with disabilities ranging from Autistic children to United States veterans.

From the early age of 12, Dougherty dreamed of having her own horse program. Working at

Giant Steps solidified that dream motivating her to open Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center of the San Francisco Bay Area in 2011.

Dougherty runs her program in American Canyon at the Barrow Family Ranch. Originally operating in Napa, Dougherty was almost forced to abandon her program when she needed to relocate. As fate would have it Jack and Aleen Barrow came forward to offer her the use of their ranch in the nick of time.

Dougherty’s dream is not only to reach out to disabled children but to bring this experience to under-resourced children all around her. “Riding horses has always been more of an elite activity.

I am probably one of the few who grew up poor and still had the opportunity to ride and be around horses. I want to bring that experience to everyone.”

“Our program is really not about horses but about trust. Trusting in yourself and trusting in your abilities.” Dougherty teaches more than riding to these children; she teaches horsemanship, everything from cleaning stalls to grooming. But what these children gain is far more than how to take care of a horse. This program promotes positive self-esteem, communication skills, healthy impulse controls, confidence, self-worth, a sense of freedom, and respect for others.

When asked where she sees her program in five years Dougherty says “I see it fully funded serving at least 50 children per week with 10 certified instructors.” The Barrow family is on board with that dream and ready to help in any way they can.  To learn more about Spirit Horse, please visit us at: www. spirithorsebayarea.org

Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center of the San Francisco Bay Area Therapeutic riding uses equine-assisted activities for the purpose of contributing positively to cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of people with disabilities. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport, recreation and leisure.

English and Western riding lessons are offered teaching balanced riding. Lessons are taught in a safe, progressive manner in which the students feel a sense of achievement.

Programs 

English Riding



Western Riding



Therapeutic Riding



Day camps

For information programs, to volunteer, or to donate please contact

Charlotte Dougherty 707.720.6360 Charlotte @spirithorsebayarea.org

http://spirithorsebayarea.org/ The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

Is pet overpopulation really a problem?

Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

Absolutely! In the United States alone, more than 50,000 kittens and puppies are born each day. For every pet with a place he can happily call home, there are 4 companion animals who are homeless, neglected, or abused. Millions of these animals enter America’s animal shelters and 30 to 60 percent of them have to be destroyed each year because no one wants them - that is 4 to 6 million animals.

What can I do? ◗ Spay and neuter your cat(s). ◗ Educate others about this pet overpopulation problem. People who know the facts can make the right decisions. ◗ Work with others in your community to humanely trap feral cats and have them neutered or spayed.

Making sure you have homes for all the kittens is a good first step. You also need to be sure the breeding will produce quality kittens. Have the male and female cats had a medical exam to be sure they are healthy? Are they free of venereal diseases? Are they free from hereditary problems such as deafness? Are their vaccinations up-to-date, and have they been wormed?

Do you know what food and equipment you will need to give the mother and kittens proper care? Are you ready to pay the extra veterinary costs if there are problems with the pregnancy or delivery? You see, a lot goes into responsible breeding.  © 2013 Foster & Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.

PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

◗ Express your thanks to veterinarians who reduce their spay/neuter fees and work with their local shelters to assure only neutered or spayed animals are placed.

I know I can find homes for all the offspring my pet will have when I breed her/him. So, it is fine if I go ahead, right?

In 6 years, one female dog and her offspring can be the source of

67,000 puppies.

In 7 years, one cat and her young can produce

420,000 kittens.

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

Myths Spaying & about Neutering Dogs

By Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

Myth

I heard that neutered and spayed dogs get fat and lazy.

Is this true?

Spaying and neutering does change the metabolism of companion animals, so in most cases, they do not need as much food to maintain their weight as unspayed/unneutered dogs. The problem is not with the dog - it is us. We just tend to overfeed our dogs, and neutered/spayed dogs are more apt to put on weight because of that.

As for laziness, again, the amount of exercise our dogs receive and their activity levels are often dependent on us. If we do not give them opportunities for play and exercise, they can become couch potatoes just like some people. Many spayed/neutered dogs hunt, are entered in agility shows, become service dogs, and are trained in search and rescue. These dogs are anything but lazy.

Myth

My veterinarian recommended I spay my new puppy and she is only two months old. Is that safe?

Myth

I was told I should let my dog go through one heat before I have her spayed. Is that what you recommend?

Owners of females in heat also frequently have to deal with a sudden influx of male dogs around the home and yard. These amorous visitors leave numerous droppings, and spray plants and trees with urine in an attempt to mark their new found territory. There is also the mess and hassle of vaginal bleeding that typically goes on for 7 to 14 days. Who wants to deal with that if they do not have to? ď Ž Š 2013 Foster & Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.

PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

Early spaying/neutering has been shown to be safe in multiple studies. It must be remembered that younger animals may need different anesthetics and are more prone to hypothermia (lower than normal body temperature) during surgery. But as long as procedures are modified to account for these differences, early neutering is very safe. In fact, puppies neutered at a younger age often have faster recoveries than those neutered when they are older.

We recommend that dogs be spayed before they have a heat. There are several reasons for this: Spaying a dog before her first heat is the best way to significantly reduce the chance your dog will develop breast cancer, a common condition in female dogs. The risk of malignant mammary tumors in dogs spayed prior to their first heat is 0.05%. It is 8% for dog spayed after one heat, and 26% in dogs spayed after their second heat.

Any heat brings with it a chance your dog could become pregnant.

This would adversely affect the health of a young dog.

A heat also brings with it the chance for accidents. Dogs in heat have been known to run through glass patio doors, jump out of moving cars, and be hit by cars as they attempt to find a mate.

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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Pits R' Us All Breed Rescue and Adoptions Pits R' Us is a 501c3 nonproďŹ t organization. Our purpose is to aid stray, abandoned, and neglected animals. We take the death row dogs of Solano County and try to take every medical case so they can have a chance to heal and get ready for their fur ever homes!

We rely on tax deductible money donations as well as food and other pet supplies that will allow us to continue to save lives!

Please send tax deductible donations to: PO Box 575, Elmira, CA 95625 Pits R' Us is run by a smallgroup of volunteers. If you are able to foster a dog, please fill out an application on our website.

The more dogs we have in foster homes the more we can save from death row!

Thank you for visiting us at: www.pitsrus.org

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

Spaying (Ovariohysterectomy):

The Benefits in

Dogs

Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

By Race Foster, DVM

N

ewspapers, radio, and television commonly feature articles about pet overpopulation. They stress the fact that too many puppies and kittens are produced every year and that there just are not enough potential owners to go around. The obvious conclusion is that we should breed fewer dogs and cats and produce fewer litters. The best way to ensure that this occurs is through sterilization procedures, so a larger percentage of dogs and cats are incapable of breeding. Performing an ovariohysterectomy (spaying) female animals is the best approach to decreasing the number of puppies and kittens. Being veterinarians, we also know that spaying and castrating pets are important to the average pet owner because of the health and well being of their animals. So, although you may spay your animals in an effort to help control a national problem, in doing so, you increase their chances of living long healthy lives.

Having a litter of puppies may seem like a fun thing to do. Some even believe that it helps their female dog, in some way, to develop more completely or become a better pet. Neither is true. Becoming pregnant and having a litter of puppies in no way alters the maturity level of the dog, either physically or mentally. In most cases, people find out that it is hard to find good homes for all of the puppies, regardless of the selling price. In addition, not all pregnancies go smoothly. Difficult labor, puppy mortality, and potential health problems in the mother, such as uterine and mammary gland infections, can take all the fun out of the experience. Most of the clients we have worked with end up wishing they would never have allowed their female to have a litter. Professional breeders are prepared and equipped for the entire process and it should generally be left to them.

The female reproductive tract The reproductive tract of the female dog begins with the ovaries where the ova (or eggs) are produced. When a female puppy is born, every egg that will be released by her ovaries over her lifetime is already present. They are, however, in an immature form and require further Suspensory development to reach a stage Ligaments that can be fertilized by sperm.

Ovary When a dog's heat cycle starts, hormones stimulate Oviducts the maturation of some of the ova or eggs. The ova are then Horns of the Uterus released through the surface Uterus of the ovary and pass into the Cervix oviducts. These are tiny tubes that run between the ovaries Vagina and the horns of the uterus.

It is within the oviducts that fertilization (the union of the sperm cell and ovum) occurs.

The horns are the muscular section of the uterus between the oviducts and the body of the uterus. The uterine horns of dogs can vary greatly in length and diameter. In the typical 40-pound dog, they are normally about four inches long and the diameter of a wooden pencil. When the animal is in heat, their thickness will easily double and they may lengthen slightly.

During pregnancy, they will vary from 2.5 to 6 inches in diameter and up The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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to 24 inches in length. The horns attach to the body of the uterus, a short common area where the horns meet. The uterus ends at the cervix of the dog. During pregnancy, most puppies develop within the uterine horns, but one may reside within the body of the uterus.

Birth control pills There are birth control pills and medications manufactured specifically for use in dogs. Most of these oral products can have serious unwanted side effects, are expensive, and usually cannot be used for long periods of time.

Surgical sterilization Since birth control pills are not a viable option as a practical permanent form of sterilization, the only option is surgical sterilization. In the female, this would be either spaying (medically referred to as ovariohysterectomy); a hysterectomy, in which only the uterus is removed; or a tubal ligation. These are different surgeries, but each one will prevent future pregnancies if done correctly. Only an ovariohysterectomy should be considered for the longterm health of your dog.

Ovariohysterectomy: An ovariohysterectomy (OHE) or spay is the complete removal of the female reproductive tract. The ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns, and the uterus are removed. Not only does this procedure prevent the animal from becoming pregnant, it also eliminates the twice-yearly heat cycles. The surgery removes the source of production of such hormones as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are responsible for stimulating and controlling heat cycles and play a major role during pregnancy. But they also have other effects on the body and some of them are potentially harmful.

Tubal Ligation or Hysterectomy: A tubal ligation, whether in veterinary or human medicine, only affects the oviducts. These small structures are isolated during surgery and then cut and tied off with suture material. This prevents the ova from coming in contact with sperm cells or passing into the horns of the uterus. In a hysterectomy, the uterus is removed, but the ovaries remain. With either procedure, the hormones that are normally produced by the ovaries continue to be released to the rest of the body. This is fairly important in humans. However, in dogs it is a disadvantage.

Tubal ligations and hysterectomies, through owner demand or veterinary preference, have never been very popular in canine medicine. Some owners see hysterectomy or tubal ligation as a way to sterilize the pet, yet still allow her to experience heat cycles and participate in mating. Because the ovaries remain in the animal, the disadvantages of these procedures are similar to those seen in intact dogs (dogs that have not had surgical sterilization).

Disadvantages of tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or not spaying your dog An OHE eliminates most, if not all, of the female hormone production. In so doing, the real advantages of this procedure are realized. In human cases, great efforts are undertaken to maintain or restore hormone production in the body, but the same is only rarely true in canine practice. These hormones play key roles in reproduction in the dog. However, they can also have many unwanted side effects.

Estrus: During the heat cycle there are behavior and hygienic problems that develop. Females in heat will actively search out male dogs and may attempt to escape from the house or yard, putting them in the danger of traffic, fights with other animals, etc. Often there is a sudden influx of male dogs around the home and yard. These dogs leave numerous droppings and spray plants and trees with urine in an attempt to mark their new found territory. Owners also need to contend with the vaginal bleeding that typically lasts for 4 to 13 days.

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

The risk of malignant mammary tumors in dogs spayed prior to their first heat is 0.05%.

It is 8% for dog spayed after one heat, and 26% in dogs spayed after their second heat.

Mammary cancer: Estrogen is one of the primary causes of canine mammary cancer, the most common malignant tumor in dogs. Animals that are spayed prior to one year of age very rarely develop this malignancy. Spaying a dog before her first heat is the best way to significantly reduce the chance your dog will develop mammary cancer. The risk of malignant mammary tumors in dogs spayed prior to their first heat is 0.05%. It is 8% for dog spayed after one heat, and 26% in dogs spayed after their second heat.

Tumors of the reproductive tract: Tumors can occur in the uterus and ovaries. An OHE would, of course, eliminate any possibility of these occurring.

Uterine infections: Many female dogs have problems with a severe uterine disease called pyometra following their heat cycles. With this disorder, a normal three-ounce uterus can weigh ten to fifteen pounds and be filled solely with pus. Undetected, this condition is always fatal. Its treatment requires either the use of expensive hormonal and IV fluid therapy or an extremely difficult and expensive ovariohysterectomy. A normal spay costs between $100 and $200, while one done to correct a pyometra can easily cost $600 to over $1000, depending on complications. The strain on the kidneys or heart in some of these cases may be fatal or cause life long problems, even after the infected uterus has been removed.

False pregnancy: Some bitches fail to routinely go out of their heat cycles correctly causing a condition we call 'false pregnancy.' In these cases, even though the bitch may not have mated with a male dog, her body believes it is pregnant due to some incorrect hormonal stimulations that it is receiving.

The dog may just have some abdominal swelling and/or engorgement of the mammary glands, but in some cases, they will even make nests and snuggle with socks or toys against their bodies. These animals often experience no longterm serious problems, as the behavior disappears when the circulating hormones return to their appropriate levels. In others, we may see mastitis (infection of the mammary glands), metritis (infection of the uterus), or sometimes these cases develop into full-blown pyometras. We recommend spaying dogs that consistently have false pregnancies.

Ovariohysterectomy eliminates many medical and behavioral problems that a tubal ligation does not.

Hair coat problems: In dogs, hair does not grow continuously as in people, but has a definite growing (anagen) and resting (telogen) phase. Estrogen, which is increased during estrus, retards or inhibits the anagen phase, so more hairs are in the telogen phase. These resting hairs are more easily lost because they are less firmly anchored. As a result, the hair coat on many dogs suffers because of estrogen surges that occur with heat cycles or whelping.

Their coats appear thin and the underlying skin is exposed in many areas. It can take two to four months for the hair to return to normal. Additionally, there are a small number of female dogs that never develop a normal hair coat because of the cycling hormones. Their coats are consistently thin over the sides of their bodies and these cases are sometimes confused diagnostically with hypothyroid animals. The only treatment for these dogs is an OHE.

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Early spaying In the United States, most dogs are spayed between 5 and 8 months of age.

Many animal shelters and veterinarians are starting to spay female animals at a younger age, even at 2 months. This early spaying does not affect the growth rate, and there are no appreciable differences in skeletal, physical, or behavioral development between those animals spayed early than those spayed at a more traditional age. It must be remembered that younger animals may need different anesthetics and are more prone to hypothermia (lower than normal body temperature) during surgery. As long as procedures are modified to account for these differences, early neutering is very safe. In fact, animals spayed at a younger age often have faster recoveries than those spayed when they are older.

Learn how we train true therapy teams and see if animal-assisted therapy suits you and your pet.

Summary As can be seen from our discussion, an ovariohysterectomy eliminates many medical and behavioral problems that a tubal ligation does not. In fact, in many dogs, an OHE probably adds years to their lives or at least provides them with a more comfortable, less stressful life. The OHE does its part in pet overpopulation, but you, as the owner of an individual dog, should also view it as a way to increase the length and quality of your pet's life with you. ď Ž Š 2013 Foster & Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.

PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

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An independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer animal-assisted therapy organization The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

19

Benefits of

Neutering (Castrating) Male Dogs & Puppies Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

By Race Foster, DVM

adults, these dogs will tend to be less aggressive both toward other male dogs and also people. The androgen (male) hormones, of which testosterone is the most important, are responsible for the development of many behavioral patterns. When young puppies are sexually mounting their 7 and 8-week old litter mates this is because of androgen surges in their bodies. The same is true with aggressive behavior. Some medications that have androgenic hormonal activity often cause increased aggression (an example would be the birth control medication, Cheque Drops, which contains one of these androgen-type chemicals).

The degree castration has on suppressing aggression varies between animals and the age at which it is done. Its effect is greatest if it is done before one year of age.

O

ther than population control, there are lots of very, very good reasons to castrate (remove the testicles from) male dogs. They basically fall into one of two categories – they are either behavioral or medical. Regardless of which category we are talking about, most of the unwanted characteristics or conditions are caused by the male hormone testosterone, which is produced within the testicle. That is the major reason vasectomies have never been that popular in veterinary medicine. A vasectomy eliminates successful breeding, but it does not reduce any of the undesirable problems of the intact male, since it does not affect testosterone production or its distribution throughout the rest of the dog’s body.

Behavioral advantages of neutering Decreased Aggression: One of the most important behavioral advantages of castration is that as

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Decreased Roaming: A second behavioral advantage of neutering is that these dogs will not ‘roam’ when they sense a female in heat. Male dogs can sense females in heat through pheromones.

These are airborne chemical attractants that are liberated from the female when she is cycling.

They travel through the air for great distances.

We grew up on a farm where the next closest house was over a mile away, but when one of our female dogs was in heat, the males would come for miles from upwind, downwind, and crosswind.

Pheromones are, to say the least, very effective stimuli. In the seventies, it was briefly popular to do vasectomies on dogs thinking that we would not be taking the ‘joy of sex’ away from our canine counterparts. The problem with this reasoning was that many of us keep our dogs restricted in our homes, a kennel, or on a chain. Now think of the psychological stress the vasectomized male is under when he is locked up, but yet smells that female in heat four blocks away. There is no joy of sex, as he is trapped on your property unable to go and mate with her. He is, in effect, teased continuously for three to fourteen days while the female is in estrus and he is unable to mate with her. If dogs are neutered at an early age, they will

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

not sense or respond to pheromones, and would certainly be less stressed and tend to stay home.

Increased Concentration: A third behavioral advantage occurs when you are training or working your dog, or using him for field work. If neutered, he will be a much better student with a much longer attention span when there are females nearby that are in heat. This is because he will not be constantly distracted by pheromonal stimuli.

Medical advantages There are numerous behavioral and medical benefits to neutering your dog.

The medical advantages are numerous and even more significant. Again, all are caused by the effects of testosterone on the body or are physical problems that arise within the testicles themselves. Here again, a vasectomy would not serve any real or meaningful purpose.

No Testicular Tumors: There are several different tumor types, both benign and malignant, that arise within the testicles. As with most cancers, these usually are not noted until the animal reaches 5 or more years of age. Therefore, these would not be a problem in those individuals castrated at the recommended age.

Improved Genetics: We all agree that a male carrying a harmful genetic trait like hip dysplasia or epilepsy should be neutered. We must do all that is possible to prevent the spread or continuation of these conditions and others like them.

Fewer Hernias: A hernia is a protrusion of an organ or parts of an organ or other structure through the wall of a cavity that normally contains it. Perianal hernias occur when the colon, urinary bladder, prostate, or fat protrude from the abdominal cavity, through the muscular wall by the anus and then lie just under the skin. This type of hernia is far more common in older, unneutered male dogs.

The levels of testosterone and other hormones

There are numerous behavioral and medical benefits to neutering your dog.

appear to relax or weaken the group of muscles near the anus. When the animal then strains to defecate or urinate, the weakened muscles break down and the abdominal organs and fat bulge out under the skin. In shorthaired breeds, this large bulge is noted by the owner almost immediately, but in the longhaired dogs, the problem may go on for months before anyone realizes there is an abnormality. Left untreated, these organs may become damaged, unable to function or even die from loss of blood supply.

Additionally, because of the displacement of organs into this area, the animal may not be able to defecate or urinate correctly or completely and may become constipated or have urinary incontinence (dribble urine). The surgery to repair this condition is not simple and today can easily cost $700 to $1500 or more, depending on the severity.

Fewer Perianal Tumors: There are tumors whose growth is stimulated by testosterone.

These occur near the anus and are called perianal adenomas (benign) or perianal adenocarcinomas (malignant). As with the hernias, these usually do not occur until the dog is at least 7-years old. They require surgical treatment and should be caught early in their development to prevent recurrence. These tumors and the above hernia are very, very rare in those individuals castrated at 7 to 8-months of age.

Fewer Prostate Problems: The most common medical problems eliminated in dogs neutered at an early age are those involving the prostate.

Over 80% of all unneutered male dogs develop prostate disease. Prostate conditions such as benign enlargement, cysts, and infection are all

related to the presence of testosterone.

Early neutering In the United States, most dogs are neutered between 5 and 8 months of age. Many animal shelters and veterinarians are starting to neuter male animals at a younger age, even 6-14 weeks of age. This early neutering does not affect the growth rate, and there are no appreciable differences in skeletal, physical, or behavioral development between those animals neutered early than those neutered at a more traditional age. It must be remembered that younger animals may need different anesthetics and are more prone to hypothermia (lower than normal body temperature) during surgery. As long as procedures are modified to account for these differences, early neutering is very safe. In fact,

animals neutered at a younger age often have faster recoveries than those neutered when they are older.

Summary None of the behavioral or medical problems caused by testosterone are rare. Veterinarians deal with them on a daily basis. To say it in a way that may not sound very nice but is certainly true – veterinarians would make a lot less money if everyone neutered their male dogs before they were a year of age. ď Ž Š 2013 Foster & Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

21

Older pets will especially need special care during cold weather.

Cold

Weather Dictates Special Care for your Outdoor Pet

By Bob Hamilton

If you have an outdoor pet you will need to take special care of him whenever the cold weather comes. It is best to bring pets inside during this time if possible. If not, then make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible while outside.

It is very important for your pet to have a fresh supply of water at all times. You will need to keep a constant check on the water to ensure it does not freeze over. Dirt, mud, and other debris can also lower the quality of the water, so change it out quite often.

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

D

o not just use any bowl for your outdoor pet either. It is best to use plastic water bowls. Your dog’s tongue can get stuck on a metal bowl whenever the temperature drops. Removing the tongue can be difficult, so it is best to avoid the possibility of it happening in the first place.

Dogs need to stay active throughout the year even when the weather is cold outside. Some have a tendency to become lethargic during the winter. This invites obesity and other health problems.

If your dog is not quite as active, then you should reduce the amount of food you give him so he does not start to gain weight.

Older pets will especially need special care during cold weather. This is especially important if they are battling arthritis. Cold weather will only make the condition worse than it already is. You should definitely invite your older, arthritic pet inside during colder weather.

Whenever older pets are outside, you need to monitor them closely.

Older pets should not be allowed to roam around freely especially if there is ice or snow on the ground. They can more easily slip and fall and seriously injure themselves.

During colder weather drivers will fill their cars with antifreeze to help prevent operational problems. All types of animals are attracted to the chemical because it smells and tastes sweet. Unfortunately, consuming antifreeze will have devastating health consequences and your pet could easily die. Therefore, make sure you keep antifreeze stored away properly and avoid spilling any on the ground when putting some in your car.

You need to provide your outdoor pets with suitable accommodations as well. There should be plenty of bedding to keep them warm. Fill the house with blankets or straw. Change them out frequently because they may get wet and lose the ability to offer warmth to your pet. 

Dog House

Heaters

By Steven Barnhart

A pet can be like a member of the family why wouldn’t we want to keep them as healthy and happy as possible.

Check out climate control options at www.doowaggle.com or scan the code below

I

t is important to always keep your pets comfortable and healthy. If you want your dog to stay comfortable all during the year you may opt to purchase a climatecontrolled system for your dogs house. They can be ordered special to go with your dogs’ house or if you choose, you can just order the cooling and heating unit alone to attach to your pets house. These units are made to regulate the climate in your dogs’ house. A pet can be like a member of the family why wouldn’t we want to keep them as healthy and happy as possible. The way the climate controlled system works is that it is attached to your dog’s house providing safety and comfort for your pet all year round. The system acts as a heater in the cold weather that will keep your pets home comfortable and as an air conditioner for hot summer days. A thermostat operates the unit for the right temperature all during the year.

The climate-controlled system operates with efficiency and quality standards. It is made to operate in the same way a heating and cooling system placed in your home would act. Being energy efficient it only uses

about the power of several light bulbs with low cooling cost each day. Depending on how long you operate climate-controlled system each day it may cost a little more or a little less. Your pet’s dog house or shelter should be insulated and built well before using a climatecontrolled system to be more energy efficient.

A climate-controlled unit for your dog house will be quiet and made to hold up well in all types of weather. There are different settings on the unit such as cold, off, hot and also a setting to get just the right temperature to provide your pet with the most comfort possible.

The climate-controlled unit is easy to install. It comes with a flexible air duct that will let you put the unit outside of the dog house. Most of the time they are placed on the back of the dog house so that your pet can easily use the front to get in and out. Some systems come with a dehumidifier and filters that can be washed removing pet dandruff and allergens. These systems require little maintenance with just having to replace the air filter every month or so. Choosing a climate controlled dog house can be a smart decision for a happy and healthier pet. 

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

23

Choosing

Winter Wear For Short Hair Dogs

By Jenny Gregorich

K

eeping your dog happy and healthy is at the top of your list of priorities, especially when your dog has short hair. Buying winter wear for short haired dogs is generally recommended to keep your dog warm during the colder months. Many dogs enjoy the winter and enjoy a romp in the snow. This is why it’s so important to pick the right winter wear for your dog.

According to experts, you will need to consider a few things before choosing the right clothes for your dog. Many coats cause static electricity and may even cause your dog’s hair to mat. Experts recommended spraying your dog’s coat with hair moisturizer after bringing him in from the cold. This helps keep the hair from getting coarse, and should be done just before you bring him back into the house.

When it comes to winter wear for short haired dogs, bigger is sometimes better. Many short haired dogs are large, and can benefit from clothing that covers most of their body. You can buy weather proof coats, some of which are lined with fleece to ensure warmth. You can also buy turtleneck sweaters for certain breeds, such as Boxers and Bulldogs, experts say. The sad part about is that few people think about buying clothing for their dog.

If you have a small dog, his feet are more likely to get cold, so bear this in mind.

Of course, choosing the right winter wear for short haired dogs does not have to be difficult. If you’re leery about getting store bought clothing for your dog, you can make clothes yourself. You may be able to purchase prints to do so. You can knit sweaters, boots and even capes. Each of these garments is designed to protect different parts of your dog’s body. If you have a small dog, it is especially critical to make sure it has clothing to keep it warm during the colder months.

When it comes to dog clothing, most people think of sweaters and coats, but it’s equally important to think about your dog’s lower extremities, such as his feet. If you have a small dog, his feet are more likely to get cold, so bear this in mind.

If your dog plays in the snow, you may want to buy a rain coat. This will ensure that moisture rolls off and doesn’t get your dog cold. One thing to remember is that many people buy the wrong clothes for their dog.

If your dog often fits through small spaces, you may want to purchase clothing that is closer to the skin, to avoid tearing. Many sweaters pull and may be more appropriate for dogs that stick to open spaces and do not engage in a lot of roughhousing.

Whatever you do, remember that your dog will respond differently to different garments. This often depends on the breed of dog. A small dog may not be as pleased with boots are as larger dog may be. Also consider your dog’s personality.

This will help you determine how he or she will respond to clothing.

You will also want to make sure that garments are open enough that your dog can use the facilities. 

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

Winter Birds and What To Feed Them

By Kathy Laurie

W

hen natural food supplies decrease as temperatures drop, your bird feeders will become much more popular with birds.

Winter is the time to stock up on the foods that birds will seek out, especially foods that offer the most calories. These high fat foods will give birds plenty of energy to build the fat reserves needed to survive the long, cold winter nights.

The easiest food to offer in your bird feeders is black oil sunflower seeds. They will attract a very wide range of birds and can easily be offered in many kinds of bird feeders. Hopper bird feeders are especially well designed for winter feeding because they have a roof to protect the seed from rain and snow and the hoppers are usually large enough to hold a few days’ supply of seed.

This is especially useful during stormy weather when none of us want to go outside to fill bird feeders. Tube bird feeders will also do a good job of protecting seed but platform bird feeders are so exposed to the elements that they are much

more useful during the spring and summer months. If you don’t want to have the mess of empty shells under the bird feeders, sunflower chips can certainly be used. Birds absolutely love them. However, they are much more expensive.

The most important consideration for winter bird feeding is to offer foods with high calorie or oil content...

Another important food to offer is suet. Suet is simply rendered fat that is often mixed with peanut chips, corn meal or other ingredients. It offers the highest calorie content and doesn’t have any melting issues during the winter. As the temperatures drop and the nights get longer, suet becomes an important food source. Many people use recipes to make their own suet for birds, but suet cakes can be purchased very inexpensively and are easily offered in suet bird feeders that are designed especially to hold suet cakes.

All finches adore nyjer seed, a very small, rather expensive, dark colored seed. Because of its size, this seed should be offered only in a thistle (nyjer) bird feeder. This is bird feeder with either very small ports or made of a mesh screening. If this seed is put in a regular bird feeder, the waste will be huge as these small seeds fall out or blow away. Nyjer is also an oily seed that offers a high fat content.

The most important consideration for winter bird feeding is to offer foods with high calorie or oil content to provide abundant energy for winter survival. Although black oil sunflower seeds, suet cakes and nyjer seed are the easiest and best choices, hulled peanuts and peanut butter are also good offerings. Keep your bird feeders full this winter and enjoy the many feathered friends visiting your yard to fill up on the nutritious foods that help them survive the harshest winter conditions. 

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

25

Simple Cat Shelter Design

Based on plans by the CSM Stray Foundation

All you need is a plastic storage tub, foam, and straw to create this simple shelter for feral cats.

Mike McFarland/The HSUS

MATERIALS: ✓ 35-gallon plastic storage tote or bin with lid (approximate dimensions: 32.5 inches long, 19.75 inches wide, 18.5 inches tall) - For multiple cats, use a larger storage container

✓ yardstick ✓ utility knife ✓ sheet of 1-inch-thick rigid foam insulation board, 8 feet by 2 feet

Tips: ❱ To clean the shelter, simply remove the lid and the foam roof.

❱ The shelter is lightweight and may need to be weighted down with a large rock or cinder block. ❱ Face the opening away from the direction of the wind, if possible. ❱ To entice cats to check out the shelter, sprinkle catnip inside.

✓ straw

❱ Periodically replace the straw to keep it fresh and dry.

1. Using the yardstick and utility knife, cut a 6-by-6-inch doorway on both of the long sides of the storage bin toward the corner. To prevent flooding, cut the opening so that the bottom of the doorway is a couple of inches above the ground.

4. Cut out two doorways in the plastic foam lined up with the doorway in

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS:

2. Cut a piece of the foam insulation board to fit the floor of the bin, and line the floor with it.

the storage bin. Trace the outline of the doorways on the plastic foam first before cutting.

5. Stuff the bottom of the bin with straw or other insulating material to hold the interior wall pieces in place.

6. Cut out a plastic foam roof to rest on top of the interior wall pieces.

3. In similar fashion, line each of the four interior walls of the bin with a piece of the plastic foam. Perfect cuts aren’t necessary. Leave a uniform gap of at least 3 inches between the top of these wall pieces and the upper lip of the bin.

7. Cover the bin with its lid.

Winter Feral Cat Care Tip Use a silicone bowl - frozen water or food pops right out! Awesome for quick 'n easy cleaning and refilling.

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Scan here for bowls we found on naturalpetdiscount.com The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

found om

RESOURCE DIRECTORY Non-Profit Cat & Dog Rescue California Animal Rescue Santa Rosa, Ca 707-293-4470 http://www.californiaanimalrescue.org/ Countryside Rescue 3410 Guerneville Rd., Santa Rosa 707-494-0491 http://www.countrysiderescue.com/ We Care Animal Rescue 1345 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena 707-963-7044 http://wecareanimalrescue.org/We_Care_ Animal_Rescue/Welcome.html Whiskers, Tails, and Ferals 1370 Trancas Street, #206, Napa 707-942-9066 http://www.whiskerstailsandferals.org/ Special Pets Rescue P.O. Box 1247, Lower Lake 707-350-7008 http://www.specialpetsrescue.org/ Umbrella of Hope 4080 Railroad Avenue, Ste. C.,Pittsburg, CA 94565 925-567-3997 beourpet@gmail.com www.beourpet.org Community Animals and Adolescents Together Vallejo, Ca kriskitty@comcast.net Milo Foundation 220 South Garrard Blvd., Point Richmond 415-454-6456 marin@milofoundation.org mpr@milofoundation.org www.milofoundation.org California Animal Rescue PO Box 2179, Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-293-4470 rescuedcritters@gmail.com http://car.rescuegroups.org/ http://www.californiaanimalrescue.com/ Pits R' Us Amanda Hoover, Lisa Boyd P.O. Box 575, Elmira, CA 95625 PitsRUs707@yahoo.com http://pitsrus.org

BrightHaven Rescue P.O. Box 1743 Sebastopol, CA 95473-1743 Tel: 707-578-4800 www.brighthaven.org Email: info@brighthaven.org

West Coast Mastiff & Large Breed Rescue 39252 Winchester Rd #107-253 Murrieta, CA 92563 http://www.wcmastiffrescue.com/ wcm.rescue@yahoo.com

Non-Profit Cat Rescues Cat Tales Rescue Solano County catinfo@catalesrescue.org http://catalesrescue.org/

Small Dog Rescue Roseville, Ca Serving Placer County, Rocklin, Lincoln, Roseville and Sacramento http://www.smalldogrescue.org/ Chihuahua Club of Northern California, Rescue Renee' Harris, 707-887-0190 P.O. Box 1696 Forestville, CA. 95436 Email: ScooberNoggin@aol.com

Solano Feral Cat Group PO Box 1221, Suisun, Ca 707-421-5515 www.solanoferals.org

Dalmatian Club of America Rescue Sherry GuIdager 916-771-0282; MariIyn DromgooIe 510-708-2642

Outcast Cat Help PO Box 963, Martinez, CA 925-231-0639 www.outcastcat.org Forgotten Felines of Sonomoa County 1814 Empire Industrial Ct Santa Rosa, CA 95403 PO Box 6672, Santa Rosa, Ca 95403 707-576-7999 http://www.forgottenfelines.com/

Non-Profit Dog Rescues Afghan Hound Rescue - Northern Californi P.O. Box 3508, Redwood City 650-678-9984 Any Dog Rescue Vallejo, Ca 707-567-2560

Dalmatian Club of Northern California Rescue 510-886-9258; Janet Langford Gray 408-2574301; Barb & Mike Dwyer 925-672-3980 Dog Works Doberman Rescue 149 Briarwood Drive , Vacaville 707-448-3850 http://www.dogworks.org/ Joleene: jladyman@castles.com Leanne: lozadobe@juno.com German Shephard Rescue of Northern Calif P.O. Box 1930, Cupertino 1-800-728-3473 http://www.savegsd.org/

Big Dog Rescue Penngrove, Ca 707-665-0332 http://www.homelesshounds.us/

Golden State German Shepard Rescue PO Box 2956, Alameda , CA 94501 877-447-4717 goldenstategsr@earthlink.net www.gsgsrescue.org

A Leg Up Rescue P.O. Box 166, Windsor 707-837-8771 http://www.aleguprescue.org/

Golden Gate Basset Rescue POBox 4958, Petaluma 707-765-2690 http://www.ggbassetrescue.org/

4 Paws Pet Rescue PO Box 71, Fairfield 707-429-6435 fourpawspets08@yahoo.com

Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club Rescue P.O. Box 1578 , Middletown 707-987-9463

Border Collie Rescue of Northern California 831-422-8176 (Ann) http://www.bcrescuenc.org/

Great Dane Rescue of Northern California 15255 Clydelle Ave, San Jose 916-652-6444 (Colleen) http://www.gdrnc.org/

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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Northern California Italian Greyhound Rescue Fairfield, Ca 707-446-1858 (Barb)

Small Animal Rescue & Adoptions Rats, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Chinchillas www.northstarrescue.org

Dachsund Rescue Northern California Chico, Ca - Monti Markel, 530 895 3148 San Leandro, Ca - Vicki Ronchette, 510-483-2631

Pet's Lifeline 19686 8th Street East. , Sonoma 707-996-4577 http://www.petslifeline.org/

Suisun Wildlife Rescue Injured or orphaned wild animal, please call 707-429-HAWK (4295) http://www.suisunwildlife.org/

Nor Cal Aussie Rescue 10556 Combie Road #6200, Auburn 530-268-1600 http://www.norcalaussierescue.com/

Wine Country Greyhound Adoption PO Box 6266, Santa Rosa 800-924-7397 http://www.winecountrygreyhounds.com/

Nor Cal Beagle Rescue Bay Area: 510-770-0208 Sacramento Area: 916-691-1817 http://www.norcalbeagles.com/

NorCal Cocker Rescue, Inc. 1731 Howe Ave., #264 Sacramento, CA 95825 916-541-5149 NorCalCockerRescue@gmail.com http://www.norcalcockerrescue.org/

Great Pyrenees Rescue of Northern California P O Box 574, Georgetown 1-877-PYRENEES http://www.gprnc.org/index.php

NorCal Collie Rescue 650-851-9227 http://www.calcollierescue.org/ NorCal German Shorthair Pointer Rescue P.O. Box 933, Menlo Park 408-402-2092 http://www.norcalgsprescue.com/ NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue 405 El Camino Real Suite 420, Menlo Park 650-615-6810 http://www.golden-rescue.org/ NorCal Irish Setter Rescue 208-683-2765 (Paul) or 510-524-2602 (Debra) http://ncisrescue.org/index.html North Bay Canine Rescue and Placement PO Box 4522, Petaluma 707-763-7736 http://northbaycanine.org/ Northern California American Malamute Association 800-399-8155 http://ncama.org/ Northern California Boxer Rescue Davis, Ca 866-989-NCBR (6227) http://www.ncbr.org/

Russell Rescue Inc, Ca Kerry McAllister, 916-600-7352 norcal@russellrescueca.com http://www.russellrescueca.com/Welcome.html

Other Non-Profits International Bird Rescue 4369 Cordelia Road , Fairfield 707-207-0380 http://www.bird-rescue.org/ The Animal Place Sanctuary and Education 3448 Laguna Creek Trail, Vacaville 707-449-4814 http://animalplace.org/ Paws for Healing A Canine Therapy Program Serving Northern Calif 707-258-3486 www.pawsforhealing.org Spirit Horse Therapeautic Riding Center of SF Bay Area 707-720-6360 Save A Bunny Mill Valley, Ca 415-388-2790 www.saveabunny.org

Animal Shelters, Humane Societies & SPCA Humane Society of the North Bay 1121 Somoma Blvd Vallejo, Ca 707-645-7905 http://www.bvhumane.org/ Vallejo Animal Control 707-645-7906 Solano County Animal Care Shelter 2510 Clay Bank Road Fairfield, CA 94533 707-784-1356 Phone http://www.solanocounty.com SPCA of Solano County 2200 Peabody Rd Vacaville, CA 95687 707-448-7722 http://www.solanospca.com/ Humane Animal Services Serving Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista 707-449-1700 http://www.humaneanimalservices.org/index. html Napa Humane Society P.O. Box 695, Napa 707-255-8118 http://www.napahumane.org/ Napa County Animal Shelter 942 Hartle Ct, Napa, Ca 94558 707-253-4382 http://www.countyofnapa.org/AnimalShelter/ Petaluma Animal Services Foundation 840 Hopper St, Petaluma, Ca 94952 707-778-PETS (7387) www.petalumaanimalshelter.org Sonoma Humane Society 5345 Hwy 12, Santa Rosa, Ca 95407 707-542-0882 http://sonomahumane.org/

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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CALL: 800-448-0362 30

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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