The Pet Lover's Guide March/April 2014

PeT L VeRS MARCH-APRIL 2014 | FREE

guide

THE

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Is your cat at risk for

FeLV?

DOG

PROOF

YOUR YARD HEARTWORM PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

CHICKENS COMING TO A YARD NEAR YOU

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Welcome Pet Lo ers!

In Memory of Calvin

Spring has officially arrived and has been known for the time of rebirth and new beginnings.

Tree’s begin new growth and flowers begin to bloom. Spring time in California is one of the best times to enjoy the great outdoors. Many people go hiking, walking or running, and spending time with their animals.

March is also a time to recognize the great pet holidays we celebrate such as, Poison Prevention Month (also National Poison Prevention Week March 16-24), Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month and Professional Pet Sitters Week (March 2-8, 2014).

In honor of Pet Sitters Week, I would like to personally acknowledge the following pet sitting services for their support in this magazine and in our community: PetzRFamily2, California Pampered Pooches and House Calls Pet Sitting. According to many studies, the benefits of using in-home pet care provides the following: Pets are happier and experience less stress at home. Diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted. Travel trauma for both owner and pet is eliminated. Pet’s exposure to illness is minimized. Untrained or unwilling friends/family/neighbors need not be called. Your In-home professional pet care provides added peace of mind.

Let’s not forget the many important pet holidays in April: Heartworm Awareness Month, National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month (ASCPA), and National Pet Month (through May 5). Please view our calendar of events to recognize other very important dates in March and April.

Spring is also known for kitten season. Kitten season is weather dependent, and here in the Bay Area it usually happens twice a year. We tend to start seeing more kittens around late March, and the season reaches its boiling point around Mother’s Day. Please read more by our Cat Columnist, Lisa Hart, aka Dear CatWoman707.

Our resource guide is about pets and people who love them. We hope you find this issue informational and inspiring. It’s also a place where businesses and organizations can promote their products, services and causes. We thank our advertisers who make this magazine possible.

Thank you for your support and enjoy this special time of year!

Sincerely,

Michelle Morris-Adams Owner/Publisher

Please feel free to send comments, suggestions, criticisms or praises to my email: thepetloversguide@comcast.net

"Calvin was such a special friend, a friend in many ways. Sharing love and companionship, just looking for my praise" I dedicate this issue to my beloved Cat Calvin who has crossed over.

Calvin was part of the 1st litter I ever fostered and was a part of my life since he was 3 weeks old. He had the biggest personality. He purred constantly. He was fearless.

I will miss him drinking out of the running faucet water, cuddling up to me, racing me to the mailbox just to roll around in the dirt, jumping into the fresh litter-box just to be funny, always wanting to hangout in my car, hiding in my closet when it was time for bed just so he can sleep in the bedroom, being a leader and mentor to feral cats and loving our dogs. Calvin had many goofy antics and brought me many laughs.

He will forever live on my heart.

R.I.P My Little Lover Thank You Bubbling Well Memorial Park!

For advertising, please contact me at 707-731-9775 or thepetloversguide@comcast.net

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PeT L VeRS

guide

THE

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Owner/Publisher Michelle Morris-Adams

Editor Lena Potts

Designer Crystal Scott

Contributing Writers Lisa Hart Kris Barrow Lisa Steel, Fresh Eggs Daily Matt Dimler, Freelance Writer Kirsten Bock, DVM at Cal West Pet Hospital Peter L. Wilson, Humane Society of the North Bay

The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published bimonthly. The purpose of the magazine is to provide people with information pertaining to petrelated 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

7 Dear Catwoman707 Kitten Season Is Upon Us!

19 Chickens Coming to a Yard Near You

10 Is Your Cat at Risk for FELV?

23 Dog Treat Recipes Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato Dog Treats, Blueberry Mint Dog Treats

12 About Cat Heartworm And Medications That Can Help 14 Heartworm in Dogs Common Prevention and Treatment Medication 16 Is Your Dog Obese?

26 Prepare a Personal First Aid Kit for Pets 29 Poison Prevention 32 Dog Proof Your Yard with Heavenly Greens!

If you would like the Pet Lovers Guide be mailed to you directly, the cost is $12.00 for 6 issues. Please email your address to: thepetloversguide@comcast.net.

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Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

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— George Eliot

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Deaarn707 Catwom

By Lisa Hart

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.

Kitten Season

is Upon Us! What to Do If You Find Kittens

I

t’s that time again, as faithful as time itself, the never-ending tidal wave of kittens is about to hit. The shelters and rescue groups get bombarded by litters of kittens, coming in by the dozens, at some point, literally every day.

What to do with them all? Good question! Sadly, the vast majority will end up euthanized at the shelter, there are simply not enough homes for them all. Some of the lucky ones will be saved by rescue groups, while some will remain outdoors when born to a homeless/feral/stray cat, some will survive, many will not. There are predators

and many other elements and conditions that will not allow this. By 6 months of age, almost all will not make it.

Most of the litters taken to the shelters are from people claiming to have found them under their house, in their shed, etc and believe their mom

The Pet Lovers Guide | March/april 2014

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abandoned them, as she is nowhere to be seen. While these people clearly have good intentions, the fact is, unless you have seen the kittens’ mother killed in the road, hit by a car, or mauled to death by a dog, they are NOT abandoned at all. Mom has either gone off for food or heard you coming because she is unsocialized to humans, and is right nearby, spying and watching, waiting for you to leave so she can get right back to tending to her children. Cat moms are extremely loving of their little ones, one of the very best in the animal world. They simply do NOT abandon their babies.

All living, feeling, breathing creatures deserve to live, and it is up to us to do our very best to help ensure this is possible.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU FIND KITTENS? That’s pretty simple, leave them alone. Mark your calendar, if you know they are newborns then allow 4 weeks before pulling them, or asking a rescue group for help. If you are unsure of age, keep track of the days and take a peek once per week until you are able to see they are walking around nearby their nest.

The idea is, to leave mom and kids undisturbed so she will not attempt to relocate them elsewhere, to leave them in her care until they are bigger, stronger, and have a much better chance of surviving without her care. While at the same time, they may difficult to catch, it’s important to get them before they are able to run from you or they will have become unsocial, due to lack of human exposure. This young age of approx 4 weeks old makes them easily tame-able and able to be adopted out rather than older, not so tame-able, and can only be trapped, fixed and returned back where they came from.

If the kittens are taken to the shelter or a rescue group while newborn, the chances are very slim that there will be space and a bottle feeding foster home available, as they are very limited. We are always grateful if they are a bit older and will be much more likely to be able to help.

There are many rescue groups who are willing to help with this, as well as get the mom spayed so this doesn’t happen again.

All living, feeling, breathing creatures deserve to live, and it is up to us to do our very best to help ensure this is possible.

The biggest help you can be is to get your cat spayed or neutered as soon as possible, BEFORE they become sexually mature, at approx. 3-4 months is ideal.

There are low cost options out there, ask shelters and non-profit rescue groups for help. If you notice cats fighting or spraying, or howling, they are not fixed and should be, or soon enough you too will be finding litters of kittens born. Ask for help, it’s what we do!

The more people that step up and get their cats fixed, or ask for help getting outdoor/ ferals fixed, the less and less unwanted litters of kittens will be born, only to be pulled from their moms and killed.  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.

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Is your cat at risk for FeLV?

By Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

contact. Bites are also a very efficient way of transmitting the virus. Other ways that a cat can transmit FeLV are through grooming, licking, and sharing dishes and litter pans.

PROGNOSIS The prognosis for cats infected with FeLV depends on the immune status of the cat, the cat’s level of exposure to the virus, and its vaccination history. Disease caused by FeLV is very serious, and it is estimated that fewer than 20 percent of persistently infected cats will survive more than three years.

FELINE LEUKEMIA TREATMENT No known treatment exists for FeLV. Some treatments that have been investigated include antiviral drugs, such as AZT, which has many side effects. Other treatment protocols include drugs that stimulate the immune system, such as ImmunoRegulin and interferon.

Specific cancers associated with FeLV have their own treatment protocols. Other problems created by the virus, such as bacterial infections, are treated symptomatically.

Feline Leukemia Although not all cats that are exposed to the virus develop disease symptoms, it does not pay to take a chance.

Protect your cat from being exposed to the disease and have her immunized.

F

eline leukemia is a cancerous disease caused by feline leukemia virus (FeLV).

Infection with FeLV is a major cause of illness and death in domestic cats. It is estimated that 2-3% of healthy cats are infected with FeLV. The number is significantly higher in the stray cat population, reaching as high as 11%.

FeLV is a type of virus called a retrovirus. That puts it in the same family as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS). Retroviruses are species-specific. This means a feline retrovirus

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will only infect cats; a human retrovirus will only infect humans. Additionally, this virus is very unstable and dies quickly outside of the animal.

DISEASE TRANSMISSION This virus is spread in the cat population by contact with secretions from infected cats. It takes a large amount of virus and a prolonged exposure to infect a cat.

Saliva of infected cats usually contains large amounts of FeLV. Therefore, the most common mode of transmission is through nose-to-nose

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STAGES OF FELV INFECTION There are three different stages of infection.

1 - ACUTE STAGE In this stage, which occurs 3-4 weeks after exposure to the virus, and involves 35-40% of the population, large numbers of virus particles are found in the bloodstream. Cats in the acute phase usually do not show signs of disease. If they do, the signs are usually mild.

2 - LATENT STAGE In this stage, cats are infected with FeLV but they kill off most of the virus. The remaining virus is held in check by the cat’s immune system.

They show no sign of disease and they usually don’t shed any virus. This involves 5-10% of the population.

3 - PERSISTENTLY INFECTIVE STAGE In this stage, involving 30% of the population, persistent infection occurs. These cats will not mount an adequate immune response and will remain permanently infected. These are the cats that shed large amounts of virus and become ill and die of FeLV-related diseases.

Make sure your cat is vaccinated THE FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FELV) IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF ILLNESS AND DEATH in house cats. Although outdoor cats and indoor/ outdoor cats are at greatest risk, indoor cats living in households with FeLV-infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status are also at risk.

HOW FELV SPREADS FeLV is excreted in saliva, tears, urine, and feces.

It is most commonly transmitted via nose-to-nose contact, mutual grooming, and shared food and water bowls. Prolonged exposure to the virus is usually necessary for transmission in adult cats. Therefore, it is important to keep your cat’s environment, including food dishes and litter boxes, clean. It is also important to ensure each cat has his/her own set of dishes and litter box.  © 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

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

Microchipping, Dog License, Humane Trap Rental, Volunteer Opportunities

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

The Pet Lovers Guide | March/april 2014

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About Cat Heartworm

and Medications That Can Help

By Matt Dimler

O

nce thought of as typically a dog parasite, recent studies have shown the disease to be on the rise in cats, and it now occurs with about equal frequency in both.

The heartworm parasite, Dirofilaria immitis, is, at the end of its lifecycle, a 9-11-inch worm from the same class as the human roundworm. Cats are often found with up to four in their heart at one time.

Heartworms have been identified in domesticated dog, cats, and ferrets, as well as wild foxes, wolves, and California sea lions. There have also been a number of incidences of the parasite in humans.

When a mosquito bites an infected cat, it sucks up the blood containing the microfilaria. The microfilarium mature in the mosquito’s blood stream for 2-3 weeks and then travel to the mosquito’s mouth. Now, when the mosquito bites another cat, the microfilaria is transmitted into the cat’s blood stream.

To complete the cycle, the implanted microfilaria spends another 2-3 more months maturing in the cat’s bloodstream, migrating finally to the heart where it lives as an adult and completes the cycle.

This whole process takes about eight months, but worms can live up to two years. Compare this to 5-7 years in dogs.

In cats, the worm lives in the cavities of the heart and the vessels surrounding it.

Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease

Transmitted by mosquitoes, the worm cannot be transferred from cat to cat. Its life cycle requires that it pass through a mosquito first. Here’s how it works:

Although cat heartworms live mainly in the heart, respiratory problems resulting from heartworm are much more common and severe. For this reason, heartworm disease in cats is usually referred to as “Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease” or “HARD”.

The Life Cycle In an infected cat, the adult heartworms release larvae called microfilaria that live circulating in the cat’s blood for up to a month.

Heartworms

An Underestimated Feline Threat Heartworm disease, caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, affects cats in every U.S. state.

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While many cats will show no symptoms, some common presentations of the disease are: Coughing or difficulty breathing; loss of appetite, weight loss or vomiting; a kind of general malaise; rapid resting heart rate; and fainting. More severe symptoms are seizures and sudden death.

Diagnosing Cat Heartworm A cat cannot be treated for heartworm unless it is confirmed that the cat is infected and that the infection is active.

Blood tests in cats can be rather unreliable, so a combination of x-rays and echocardiography are

the quickest route to an accurate diagnosis. However, more dependable antibody and antigen tests are being developed that can be performed in your vets office. Inquire with him or her about these.

Treating Heartworm Because of the short lifespan of the heartworm in cats, some veterinarians suspecting heartworm will let the disease run its course and hope the cat outlives the disease.

Infected cats are usually treated with doses of corticosteroids to control inflammation in the lungs and given monthly prophylactic treatments to prevent new heartworms from forming.

It should be noted that in a few cases, veterinarians removed worms through surgery.

Cats infected with adult heartworms are sometimes administered what are called “adulticide drugs” to help kill off the worms. These should not be confused with preventative drugs. Some preventative drugs can have serious side effects when given to a cat harboring an adult heartworm, which is why it is important to have your cat tested before giving him or her any type of preventative medication.

Also, when ordering preventative medication for a cat, be sure to order the cat version of the medication. Giving your cat heartworm medication meant for dogs could have grave consequences.

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Preventing Heartworm Because HARD can be such a serious problem it is important to take preventative measures before your cat gets sick. While one way to prevent the disease is to control the mosquito population in your house and around your property, here are a few common medications used that work well:

Heartgard

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Heartgard is pretty much the industry standard. It comes in tablets, chewable tablets, or a topical solution, administered once a month.

It works by killing off any microfilaria the cat may have acquired in the past 30 days and the topical solution can be used to treat ear mites as well.

The Heartgard tablets are excellent and you can even buy treats to put the capsules in so the cat will have no problem eating the pill. It’s nice to only have to give it once a month, and you buy it as a one-year supply, so you only have to buy it once a year.

Interceptor Flavor Tabs Another flavored tablet that your cat will be excited to eat, Interceptor tabs will prevent heartworm, as well as control and remove hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm.

These are similar to Heartgard tablets, except Heartgard is the drug Ivermectin and Interceptor is made from the drug milbemycin oxin.

Interceptor tablets may be a bit more aggressive a treatment. Be sure to discuss your options with your veterinarian.  Matt Dimler is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and pet meds

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Heartworm in Dogs Common Prevention and Treatment Medication

By Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

H

eartworm spreads from mosquitoes through bites to animals like dogs, cats, foxes, wolves, coyotes, other animals and even humans that live near areas with large mosquito populations. Heartworm infection is dangerous; untreated dogs may die and treatment is also risky.

Treated dogs experience weeks or months of discomfort while the parasites are killed and expelled from their bodies.

The following medications are only a few medications used in treating and preventing heartworm disease. Before using any medications you should speak with a veterinarian as your dog’s life might at stake.

Moxidectin, marketed under the brand name ProHeart, is an injectable parasiticide that is used in treatments for prevention and control of heartworm and intestinal worms. Moxidectin should be administered within one month of the dog exposure and prevents infection for six months after administration.

After these months, if the dog reacts well to the drug, it can be administered every six months for continuous protection to the heartworm disease.

The following side effects may occur: anaphylaxis, vomiting, diarrhea (with and without blood), listlessness, weight loss, seizures, and high body temperature. If your dog is already infected with heartworm disease side effects like vomiting, lethargy and bloody diarrhea might occur.

Ivermectin can also be found under the brand names Tri-Heart Plus, Heartgard, Ivomec, Heartgard Plus or Iverhart Max. All these medications contain ivermectin and pyrantel. Iverhart Max contains also praziquantel.

In dogs, Ivermectin is used as a preventive drug for heartworm disease but it is also effective in clearing heartworm larvae in active heartworm infection.

Ivermectin can only be obtained from your veterinarian or with a prescription

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from a veterinarian. You should follow strictly the dosage directions provided by your veterinarian when you administer this drug to your dog.

Usually it’s prescribed for usage during mosquito season and 1 month after.

The drug kills the parasites acquired the month before.

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Side effects shouldn’t occur if the drug it’s administered in low dosages.

Higher dosage of Ivermectin can be administered as a cure for skin mites. Some canine breeds like Collies, Shetland sheepdogs, Australian shepherds, and Old English sheepdogs may require a blood test before using Ivermectin as these breeds are hypersensitive and genetically sensitive to this medication. If your dog is one of these breeds and it was administered Ivermectin you should supervise your pet for the following 8 hours after using the drug. If you notice weakness, staggering, dilated pupils or trembling you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Melarsomine Dihydrochloride, marketed under the brand name Immiticide, is used as a treatment for heartworm disease. It’s available as a powder which is mixed with sterile water before use and it kills immature and adult heartworms in dogs. It’s administered by deep intramuscular injection in the lumbar back muscle twice in 48 hours depending on the severity of the case. Immiticide is contraindicated in dogs with very severe heartworm disease until the heartworms are removed surgically.

After the administration of the drug, irritations were observed at the injection site. Other side effects that may occur are swelling, tenderness, and reluctance to move, coughing, gagging, depression, lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, lung congestion and vomiting. Firm nodules can persist indefinitely. Even after the death of the worms the dog may still suffer from coughing, fever, or weakness. The owner has to keep the dog at cage rest for the next 4-6 weeks otherwise the dog may suffer of pulmonary embolism. A retest must be done 4 months after treatment and after which, if everything is clear, you should begin a prevention treatment for heartworm disease.  © 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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Is your dog

obese?

By Kirsten Bock, DVM

If so, that can be a tough pill to swallow for many owners.

According to some estimates, 40-50% of our companion animals are overweight or obese. How can you tell if your pet falls into this category? Check out the Body Condition Score chart by Purina. If your dog looks like numbers 6-9, then he or she is likely too heavy. Why is obesity a problem? As in humans, carrying extra weight increases the risk that your dog will become diabetic, have breathing problems, back or neck pain, arthritis, or pancreatitis, among others. Studies have shown that dogs that are maintained at an ideal weight will most likely live longer than dogs that are overweight. Also, veterinary expenses are likely to be higher if your dog or cat is overweight.

Veterinarians know that they should recommend weight loss for overweight pets. However, it can be an uncomfortable topic for veterinarians and pet owners alike, and often the topic is swept under the rug. Veterinarians can be reluctant to discuss a topic that has the potential to offend their clients.

Owners often think they are being kind to their pets by giving treats. Owners certainly wouldn’t give their beloved dogs so many treats if they understood that the added weight could cause serious illnesses. Furthermore, as weight gain is gradual, many owners are often unaware of their pet’s weight gain as it happens slowly over time. Dogs and cats are always weighed and recorded at each examination so the veterinarian and owner can assess the body condition of the pet.

pound adult Lab gains 8 pounds per year, then within about 4 years he/she can weigh close to 100 pounds. That is equivalent to a human being who should weigh 150 pounds topping the scales at 230 pounds!

“But he/she doesn’t eat very much!” I hear that weekly, if not daily. However, when I explain how much their dog actually needs, owners are frequently shocked. They may be using a coffee can or a large bowl as a measuring scoop, when actually their dog may only need 1 cup (a true baker’s cup) of food twice daily. Some 15 pound neutered dogs may only need ¼ of a cup twice daily (depending on the brand of food and the calorie density of that food). A female spayed lab that lives primarily inside the house may only need ¾ to 1 cup of food twice daily. Another point to keep in mind is that multiple family members are often giving treats, and those calories usually are forgotten or unaccounted for. Treats are a common culprit for weight gain. I often try to suggest giving small amounts of fresh fruits or vegetables as treats instead of commercial dog biscuits. Good choices include a sliver of apple, a baby carrot, fresh, frozen or steamed green beans, a 1” section of banana, or even cauliflower or broccoli florets. Please note: NO grapes or raisins. These are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney disease.

❝ I often try to suggest giving small amounts of fresh fruits or vegetables as treats instead of commercial dog biscuits. ❞

Prevention of obesity is always the best option. I try to counsel owners that after their pets are spayed or neutered, their metabolism will slow down, and their dog or cat will not need as many calories as when they were intact. A good rule of thumb is to decrease the food intake by 2530% at the time of spaying or neutering. If you are not sure how much you should be feeding, please ask your veterinarian. Dogs (particularly certain breeds such as Labs, Beagles, etc.) will often eat more food than they actually “need,” just as we humans sometimes do. It is our duty as responsible pet owners to be sure that they are getting the correct amount of food. Annual examinations by your veterinarian are one essential factor in helping to catch weight gain early on, before it becomes almost insurmountable. If your 65

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If your dog is already heavy, don’t give up! I have seen plenty of success stories over the years. Sometimes, the owners even lose weight themselves as they become aware of helping their dog reach his or her goal weight. I

TOO THIN IDEAL

Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences evident from a distance. No discernible body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass.

]

1

Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible.

No palpable fat. Some evidence of other bony prominence.

Minimal loss of muscle mass.

Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat.

Tops of lumbar vertebrae visible. Pelvic bones becoming prominent. Obvious waist and abdominal tuck.

]

Ribs easily palpable, with minimal fat covering. Waist easily noted, viewed from above. Abdominal tuck evident.

Ribs palpable without excess fat covering. Waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above. Abdomen tucked up when viewed from side.

]

5

Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering. Waist is discernible viewed from above but is not prominent.

Abdominal tuck apparent.

T O O H E AV Y

3

Ribs palpable with difficulty; heavy fat cover. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent or barely visible. Abdominal tuck may be present.

]

7

Ribs not palpable under very heavy fat cover, or palpable only with significant pressure. Heavy fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent. No abdominal tuck.

Obvious abdominal distention may be present.

Massive fat deposits over thorax, spine and base of tail.

Waist and abdominal tuck absent. Fat deposits on neck and limbs. Obvious abdominal distention.

]

The BODY CONDITION SYSTEM was developed at the NestlĂŠ Purina Pet Care Center and has been validated as documented in the following publications:

9

Mawby D, Bartges JW, Moyers T, et. al. Comparison of body fat estimates by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and deuterium oxide dilution in client owned dogs. Compendium 2001; 23 (9A): 70 Laflamme DP. Development and Validation of a Body Condition Score System for Dogs. Canine Practice July/August 1997; 22:10-15 Kealy, et. al. Effects of Diet Restriction on Life Span and Age-Related Changes in Dogs. JAVMA 2002; 220:1315-1320 Call 1-800-222-VETS (8387), weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT

The Pet Lovers Guide | March/april 2014

17

have seen 100 pound labs reach their goal weight of 60 pounds with the use of what I like to call the “magic cup.” The magic cup is actually a 1 cup plastic measuring cup that fed the perfect amount of food for this dog. Other times, a hormonal imbalance such as a low thyroid may be to blame. So if your dog has unexpectedly gained weight, I would suggest that you discuss having a blood test performed on your dog to evaluate for any underlying problems such as an underactive thyroid which may be to blame. Pain may also be keeping your companion from being as active as he or she should be. Dogs and cats usually do not cry or vocalize, so owners are often unaware that their pet is in pain. The only sign may be that he/she is not moving very much.

understand that such a regimen is impractical for most owners. The best solution for cats is actually to switch them to a canned diet. Canned diets are low in carbohydrates and are similar to the philosophy of the “Atkins Diet” which is high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates.

Dry cat food is high in carbohydrates, making it easy for cats to gain weight and difficult to lose weight. However, convincing an older cat who has been eating dry food all its life to suddenly switch to canned food can be almost

❝ I have seen 100 pound labs reach their goal weight of 60 pounds with the use of what I like to call the “magic cup.”

The magic cup is actually a 1 cup plastic measuring cup that fed the perfect amount of food for this dog. ❞

Overweight dogs often experience pain, particularly in their backs, knees and hips.

If he/she seems slow to rise, or seems sore after activity, please talk with your veterinarian about safe options to try for pain relief. Our goal is to make your dog comfortable while he/she is going through the process of reaching his or her goal weight. Weight loss can take up to 6 months or longer, and if your dog is uncomfortable, he or she may be having a hard time with exercise. I often actually advise owners against strenuous exercise for overweight dogs, because dogs that are heavy are particularly prone to rupturing their cranial cruciate ligaments (“ACL’s” in humans). If a dog ruptures this ligament in his or her knee, expensive surgery is sometimes necessary to stabilize the knee.

Once the goal weight is achieved, many dogs no longer need daily pain medication, and they are less likely to rupture ligaments in their knees. These success stories are thankfully becoming more frequent as there is increasing awareness about the need for maintaining a healthy weight in dogs and cats.

You may notice that I have focused mostly on dogs, and you are correct.

Weight loss in cats is a bit trickier than in dogs (most people aren’t able to take their cats on walks) and requires precise measuring of food. Feeding precise amounts of food to cats is realistically difficult in households with more than one cat, as they often share food bowls. In order to guarantee that cats eat the precise amount of food in multi-cat households, owners either need to separate the cats into different rooms or feed their cats twice daily “meals” long-term (removing the food bowls in between meals). I

707. 748. 4249 tritan-electric.com

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impossible. Therefore, with cats in particular, prevention of obesity is critical.

If owners feed their kittens primarily canned food, then the kittens will grow up to be adult cats who accept eating canned food. Feeding canned food significantly decreases the risk of urinary tract disease in cats, so the health benefits to feeding canned food are well known.

What about their teeth? In a perfect world, yes, we would brush our cats’ teeth. I realize that this is not realistic for most owners. The next best choice is to feed small amounts (i.e. less than 1/8 cup of food per day) of a dental diet such as Science Diet T/D, Science Diet Oral Care, or dental treats made for cats (“Greenies”). That way, they get the health benefits of eating primarily canned cat food, and yet you still help to care for their teeth. As with dogs, annual exams for cats are crucial to making sure that weight is not creeping up on them either.

Please think of your veterinarian as your partner in ensuring the best quality life possible for your dog or cat. With yearly examinations and a solid relationship with your veterinarian, you can do everything possible to help your dog or cat to live a long, healthy and happy life! 

By Kirsten Bock, DVM , Cal West Pet Hospital, Fairfield, Ca

Chickens coming to a yard near you

By Peter L. Wilson

B

ringing the family back home to victory gardens, urban farming and keeping chickens in the yard has been a growing trend throughout the Bay Area. Many early urban chicken keepers have developed the back yard chicken keeping to the appropriate scale from the large poultry keeping.

The Wilson Homestead has a Victory Garden and a hen house to care for our 9 girls; 5 silkies, 2 Polish Crested and 2 Black Australorps. Yes, we have named them all; Gee, Phyllis, Diller, Boomer, Sooner, Lady Di, Little Bit, Peck, Goofy Gertrude.

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My friend Carol & Pat have raised chickens for many years. They along with other friends have rescued and given loving homes to the many chickens turned into the Humane Society. The most interesting was a nice lady was moving and she had the whole set up with coop and all to gift someone. We were able to manage a successful relocation of the chickens and coop prior to her move. Even though it was a great set up at no charge I just wasn’t ready to embark on chicken keeping just yet.

Sue, a volunteer with the Humane Society of the North Bay, has chicken experience offered to get them till they got healthy enough to move outside. Healthy they became and one turned out to be a rooster. I could not separate the two as they were bonded. No Roosters in the neighborhood and I was not keen on the idea of a Rooster wake up call. I entrusted my two new feathered friends to Farmer Rita at Loma Vista Farm. They are doing well in their new home.

Fast forward to summer of 2013. Two little chicks 5 to 6 weeks of age were dropped off at the Humane Society. Someone left behind but took all the rest in their move. A white and yellow chick were so cute but what caught my attention was the white chick was injured and hoping around as his foot was injured. It turns out both chicks were injured in an attack one with an injured leg and other had bite injuries. They were both in rough shape. I found these two chicks to be very friendly coming up to the front of the kennel interested in what was happening around them.

If you are considering chicken keeping you should do your research to make sure that chicken keeping is right for you.

I did some research and got chick starter and vitamin water I decided to get these two healthy and move them to our home. Home grown eggs are the best. I remember this from visiting the Kelly Sisters Farm for fresh eggs and milk in Bixby, Oklahoma.

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After much research I picked the specialty breeds of choice. I chose to raise the girls from little peeps.

This was a learning experience with keeping the temperature controlled, plenty of food and water and a clean place to rest and hop around. The right things fell into place a baby crib with wire mesh sides for the brooder box and a handmade hen house for and Wilson Flock of Cluckers (on Facebook) add joy to the household. Fresh Eggs in the early to late spring.

If you are considering chicken keeping you should do your research to make sure that chicken keeping is right for you. Whenever considering bringing in new animals to your home be sure it is something you have time to manage them

and the rest family is ready for the flock. All of the material I read had a common theme, chickens are great fun and easy to care for but need commitment. A great reference read is “A Chicken in Every Yard: The Urban Farm Store’s Guide to Chicken Keeping” by Robert and Hannah Litt. The book covers everything you need to consider and just what is what with chicken keeping.

Once you decide chickens are right for you. Visit the local county fair and head to the barn where the chickens are up for show. See what breeds you find interesting. I found the Silkies to be the most interesting and in my research could not live without Polish Crested Chickens.

Even though these lay smaller eggs I was ok with this as they looked unique. Then doing further research the Austalorp Chicken is good with other breeds and are great layers, Bingo.

I can’t say enough about this app available, it’s almost like an on call Chicken chat of all things backyardchickens.com, this a great reference.

Another great reference to keeping your chickens natural is Fresh Eggs Daily: Raising Happy, Healthy Chickens...Naturally by Lisa Steele.

Raising chickens will rearrange your morning with opening the coop door and being greeted by the peeping of the happy hens. Evenings will be adjusted to when is sundown I know the girls will

head in the hen house just shortly after. This is a small trade for what joy the cluckers bring to your life.  Peter L. Wilson, Director of Development, Humane Society of the North Bay

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 | March/april 2014

21

ING

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Dog Treat Recipes

By Lisa Steel, Fresh Eggs Daily Recent pet food and treat recalls have reinforced my resolve to make my own homemade dog treats using healthy fresh ingredients so I know exactly what our dogs are eating. These treats are easy to make and contain only natural ingredients that dogs love.

Peanut Butter and Sweet Potato Dog Treats INGREDIENTS 3 cups whole wheat flour 1 cup old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon fresh or dried parsley 2 Tablespoons natural peanut butter 1 cup cooked sweet potato 3 fresh eggs 1 Tablespoon molasses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk the wheat flour, oats and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the peanut butter, sweet potato, eggs and INSTRUCTIONS molasses in a separate bowl and then add to the dry ingredients. Mix well. Roll out your dough on a floured surface to about a 1/2" thickness and then use a cookie cutter to cut the desired shapes. Arrange on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely. Store extra treats in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze and defrost as needed.

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Blueberry and Mint Dog Treats INGREDIENTS 1 Cup Peanut Butter 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour 1/2 Cup Old-Fashioned Oats 2 Tablespoons Blackstrap Molasses 1/4 Cup Chopped Dried Blueberries 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Mint 1/4 Cup Wheat Germ 4 Fresh Eggs Lisa Steele | Fresh Eggs Daily® Lisa and her husband share their small farm in southeastern Virginia with a menagerie of chickens, ducks, horses, a German Shepherd, a Corgi and a Tuxedo cat. who they raise as naturally as possible.

Lisa shares her farming adventures on her blog Fresh Eggs Daily® (www.fresh-eggsdaily.com) and sister Facebook pages Fresh Eggs Daily and Ducks Too.

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Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon or spatula until well combined. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into shapes of your choice. (I used a bone-shaped and a heartshaped cookie cutter to make the treats, but you can use any shape you wish, even the rim of a small glass will work.)

INSTRUCTIONS

Arrange on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool. Refrigerate or freeze any extras and  dispense as needed for happy, healthy puppies.

Loving Animals Providing Smiles

An all-volunteer organization bringing quality Animal-Assisted Therapy to special-needs children, troubled teens and seniors in assisted living in Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.

Visit our website lovinganimalsprovidingsmiles.org OR

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

Bringing acceptance, laughter and love into the lives of others since 2001.

An independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer animal-assisted therapy organization The Pet Lovers Guide | March/april 2014

25

Prepare a Personal

First Aid Kit for

If

you are like most pet owners, your pets are valued members of your family. It is a documented fact that many have risked life and limb to save their precious pets during a disaster. Statistically, however, it is more often small cuts and scrapes that occur that require immediate attention, rather than major disasters such as an earthquake or flood. For this reason, every pet owner should have easy access to a first aid kit specifically created for pets.

What would you need immediately if your puppy fell of the bed and started whimpering? You’d need a first aid kit for pets. Supposing your cat had an altercation with the neighbor’s dog and the vet was twenty minutes away? You’d need a first aid kit for pets.

Pets

A well-stocked first aid kit for pets is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it could save your pet’s life, or at least make him more comfortable, until you can get your pet to a veterinarian. The likelihood that your animals will survive an emergency depends largely on emergency planning done today.

Therefore, a first aid kit for pets is a necessity.

What should a first aid kit for pets include?

To some degree, that will depend upon the type of pet. However, the basics include the following:

✚ 2 - Paw Tip Bandage (Knuckle)

Renee Gallegos

Animal Communication & Healing

✚ 2 - Fingertip Bandage ✚ 1 - Tape Roll ✚ 1 - Trauma Pad (5 x9) ✚ 4 -Gauze Pad 4” x 4”

“Animals have feelings and emotions too”

✚ 4 -Gauze Pad 2” x2” ✚ 1 -Gauze Roll 2” ✚ 2 -Examination Gloves ✚ 1 -Instant Cold Pack ✚ 1 - Tweezers ✚ 2- Antibiotic Ointment ✚ 10- Alcohol Pads ✚ 10 - Antiseptic Towelettes In Her Image Photography

✚ 1 - Bag ✚ 1 - Pet First Aid Guide ✚ 4 - Leg Splints/Tongue Depressors ✚ 10 - Cotton Tip Applicators ✚ 1 -Elastic Bandages 2” (“Ace” Type)

415-729-9125

meowrrs@yahoo.com | reneegallegos.wordpress.com 26

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✚ 2 - Splinter Removers (Lancets) ✚ 3 -Sting Relief Pads

Assemble an emergency supply pack which includes the first aid kit for pets, pet food, water, medications, medical records, leashes, a wellfitting muzzle, ID tags and other appropriate supplies. Put this kit in a central location in your home. Remember to take this pack with you when going on an outing, or else prepare a second pack for the car.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) offers information regarding managing urgent care situations such as car accidents, wounds, electrical shock, and eye, foot and ear injuries. Their website ishttp://www.avma.org/first aid. Additionally, the Red Cross offers a Pet First Aid booklet with suggestions on creating a first aid kit for pets.

What should you do to ensure your pet’s survival and to avoid those feelings of panic when an accident or illness occurs? Plan, purchase, prepare and practice. Obtain a first aid kit for pets, and then review the materials it contains. It isn’t sufficient to simply have the supplies; you must know how they are used. Learn the necessary skills so your actions become instinctive…even when you are under stress. 

The Pet Lovers Guide | March/april 2014

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Ninth Annual Pet Remembrance Candle Lighting Sponsored by The Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets and the Humane Society of the North Bay

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Rizza Auditorium

California Maritime Academy (200 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo, CA)

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

(Open to the public and CMA Faculty, Staff and Students)

Program

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Kathryn Marocchino, President, The NHFP Representatives from the HSNB Robynn McCann, Author of The Opal Within Us



Mayor’s Proclamation



Remembering Our Pets: Presentation of Photographs, Candle Lighting Ceremony, The Calling of the Names, Closing Reverend Cynthia Olson, BCCC, Vitas Hospice Care Kathryn Marocchino, President, The NHFP



Musical Accompaniment

The Rainbow Bridge Video



Audio-visual Assistance and Event Volunteers Cal Maritime Cadets



 Please bring photographs of lost or deceased pets you wish to honor  Free parking permits will be available in Lot A prior to the event  For further information, please call The NHFP at (707) 557-8595

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POISON PREVENTION

By Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

A

s in years past, a week in March has been set aside as Poison Prevention Week. This is a good time to review what potential poisons we may have in our homes, garages, and outdoors, and make sure they are safely out of reach of children and pets.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to educate pet owners and veterinarians across the Nation during National

Poison Prevention Week (the third week in March) to Read the Label First! when using household cleaners, flea preparations and other products in the home and on their companion animal. This campaign is part of the Consumer Labeling Initiative (CLI), an ongoing voluntary partnership to improve label information and to help the public purchase, use and dispose of products safely and responsibly in and around their homes.

More manufacturers are voluntarily changing their labels to make them easier-to-read and understand. According to Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice-President of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, “We receive a large number of calls related to inappropriate usage of products such as flea and tick preparations on pets. In many cases, problems would not have occurred if the pet owner had taken the time to carefully read and follow the label instructions and precautions.�

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Helpful tips for using flea and tick or other products safely in the home and on a pet: Never use insecticides on very young, pregnant, debilitated, or elderly animals without consulting your veterinarian.

Observe your pet closely after using flea products. If your pet exhibits unusual behavior, or becomes depressed, weak or uncoordinated you should seek veterinary advice immediately.

When using a fogger or spray in your home, make sure to remove all pets from the house for the time period specified on the container. Food and water bowls should be removed from the area. Allow time for the product to dry completely before returning your animals to your home. Open windows or use fans to “air out” the household before returning your pets to the treated area. Strong fumes can be irritating to your animal’s eyes and upper respiratory system.

Birds are more sensitive to fumes and usually require more time than other pets before their return to the treated home. Contact your veterinary health professional for advice on product usage around your birds.

Be sure to keep products in their original containers to avoid leakage, accidental mix-ups, and loss of important label information should an accidental exposure occur.

Never keep pesticide, cleaning or other household products near pet food or water bowls, and store products such as these in a secure cabinet above countertop level out of your pet’s reach.

Once again, ALWAYS “Read the Label First!” This could save the life of your pet! 

© 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

Loving Pet Care Homemakers/Caregivers to Nursing Services Home Care at Its Very Best! www.YourHomeNursing.com

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642-4711

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Join Us! Domiciles for Sophisticated Canines, Felines & Feathered Friends We Love!

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GALA & AUCTION

People’s Choice Voting & Preview Party

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 6:00 PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014

5:30-8:00 PM HEAVY REFRESHMENTS TEAM SUPERSTORES 301 AUTO MALL PARKWAY, VALLEJO HSNB Members $10, Gen. Admission $15

HSNB Members $50 General Admission $60 McCormack Hall, Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo

www.barkitecture.net for entry packets SCAN HERE MORE INFO

Barkitecture “WOOFSTOCK” Auction Donation Form Name: ______________________________________________________Business Name: _________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________________________ State __________________________Zip _____________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________________ Cell ___________________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Auction Item**_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________Value $ _____________________________ I would like to donate $_________ to support Barkitecture for the Animals at the Humane Society of the North Bay I would like #_____ ticket(s) to the People’s Choice Voting and Preview Party: Member/ Supporter $15

General Public $20

I would like #_____ ticket(s) to the Barkitecture Gala & Auction:

General Public $60

Member/Supporter $50

Total Enclosed $______ CHARGE: o Visa o MC o Disc o Amex # ____________________________________________ EXP__/__ CRV______ Name on Card ____________________________________________________________________________Date _____________________________ **We may combine items to create packages for the auction or use some items for future events.

Complimentary Preview Party Tickets cannot be applied towards a purchase of ,or exchanged for, Barkitecture Gala Tickets

The Pet Lovers Guide | March/april 2014

31

Dog Proof Your Yard with Heavenly Greens Save Time, Money and Water by installing an eco-friendly artificial turf system

L

et’s face it, traditional lawns and grass yards simply can’t hold up to the relentless beating that our best friends deliver to it on a daily basis.

Weather its running; playing, jumping or well, peeing… a real grass lawn just can’t keep up with all the abuse. Add in a little rain and well, the yard becomes a complete mess. That's why replacing your yard with an artificial turf product will not only save you the hassles of wear and tear, it will save you in both time and wasted money lost on watering and upkeep.

incredibly realistic these products look as the most common reaction from people is disbelief that it’s not real. You would have a very hard time pointing out which was which, if you saw a real grass lawn side by side like one of the multi-tone products shown above. These latest generation turf products are very durable; incredibly realistic, 100% recyclable and engineered to last over 15 years.

Heavenly Greens, the Bay Area’s Leading installer of artificial turf, are not only helping homeowners put an end to wasting time and money on their lawns, the company has collectively saved the Bay Area over 1 Billion gallons of water since the beginning of 2001.

As the cost for water continues to grow throughout

Did you know the average lawn consumes over 56,000 gallons of water a year? The recent water shortage is shedding new light on the undeniable benefits associated with replacing your lawn with an artificial alternative. You may be surprised at how

32

Did you know the average lawn consumes over 56,000 gallons of water a year?

Before

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the Bay Area installing an artificial lawn makes complete sense as the average homeowner can save up to 60-70% on their water bill. With over a decade in the business and a 15-year warranty on most installations, Heavenly Greens only installs products from the country’s top rated US manufactures.

Take the time to learn more about artificial lawn products by visiting the HeavenlyGreens.com website and download free consumer awareness guides like, The 8 Facts you should know about Artificial Turf. Alternatively, you can visit the Heavenly Greens showroom in San Jose or let them bring the showroom to you. Give Heavenly Greens a call to set up your FREE site evaluation at 866.724.8873. 

After

S

 Get the facts about artificial turf  Visit our website for reports  Save up to 70% on your waterbill

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370 Umbarger Road  San Jose, CA 95111  Visit our Showroom: Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm / Saturday: 10am - 1pm

Valerie Christiansen, DVM Michael Bethard, DVM Beverly Daniel, Practice Manager Barbra Leal, Office Manager/Receptionist Joey Elepano, RVT

www.baysidevet.com

Stephanie Webb, RVT

Bayside is a full service veterinary hospital including the latest in surgical and treatment options for your pets. Our sta is knowledgeable, caring and available. We oer the highest quality of medicine and care for your pets.

Veterinary Hospital 235 Tennessee Street, Vallejo, CA 94590 | Fax: 707.553.8372 | Phone: 707.553.8363 34

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Solano County Community Animals and Adolescents Together Vallejo, Ca http://caatrescue.webs.com/ kriskitty@comcast.net CAT & DOG RESCUE Cat Tales Rescue Solano County catinfo@catalesrescue.org http://catalesrescue.org/ Cat Rescue Any Dog Rescue Vallejo, Ca 707-567-2560 www.anydogrescue.com Dog Rescue

Northern California Italian Greyhound Rescue Fairfield, Ca 707-446-1858 (Barb) http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/norcal.html International Bird Rescue 4369 Cordelia Road , Fairfield 707-207-0380 http://www.bird-rescue.org

LAPS P.O. Box 6596 Napa, CA 94581 707-265-6642 http://www.lovinganimalsprovidingsmiles.org A Canine Therapy Program Serving Northern Calif

Solano County Animal Care Shelter 2510 Clay Bank Road Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 784-1356 Phone http://www.solanocounty.com

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

The Animal Place Sanctuary and Education 3448 Laguna Creek Trail, Vacaville 707-449-4814 http://animalplace.org

North Bay Canine Rescue and Placement PO Box 4522, Petaluma 707-763-7736 http://northbaycanine.org

Humane Society of the North Bay 1121 Somoma Blvd Vallejo, Ca 707-645-7905 http://www.bvhumane.org

SPCA of Solano County 2200 Peabody Rd Vacaville, CA 95687 707-448-7722 http://www.solanospca.com

Vallejo Animal Control 707-645-7906

Paws for Healing A Canine Therapy Program Serving Northern Calif 707-258-3486 www.pawsforhealing.org

Benicia Animal Control 707-745-3412 SCARF 680 Vintage Court Fairfield, CA USA 94534 http://www.scanimalfoundation.org tm2004@comcast.net CAT & DOG RESCUE Solano Feral Cat Group PO Box 1221, Suisun, Ca 707-421-5515 www.solanoferals.org 4 Paws Pet Rescue Vacaville, CA 95688 www.4pawspets.petfinder.com fourpawspets08@yahoo.com CAT & DOG RESCUE Premier Animal Rescue P. O. Box 6763 Vacaville, CA 95696 707-592-4601 Cat Rescue Dog Works Doberman Rescue 149 Briarwood Drive , Vacaville 707-448-3850 http://www.dogworks.org Joleene: jladyman@castles.com Leanne: lozadobe@juno.com

We Care Animal Rescue 1345 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena 707-963-7044 http://wecareanimalrescue.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

Spirit Horse Therapeautic Riding Center of SF Bay Area 707-720-6360 http://www.spirithorsebayarea.org Humane Animal Services Serving Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista 707-449-1700 http://www.humaneanimalservices.org Suisun Wildlife Rescue Injured or orphaned wild animal, please call 707-429-HAWK (4295) http://www.suisunwildlife.org

Petaluma Animal Services Foundation 840 Hopper St, Petaluma, Ca 94952 707-778-PETS (7387) www.petalumaanimalshelter.org California Animal Rescue Santa Rosa, Ca 707-293-4470 http://www.californiaanimalrescue.org CAT & DOG RESCUE Countryside Rescue 3410 Guerneville Rd., Santa Rosa 707-494-0491 http://www.countrysiderescue.com/ CAT & DOG RESCUE Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County 1814 Empire Industrial Ct Santa Rosa, CA 95403 PO Box 6672, Santa Rosa, Ca 95403 707-576-7999 http://www.forgottenfelines.com

Whiskers, Tails, and Ferals 1370 Trancas Street, #206, Napa 707-942-9066 http://www.whiskerstailsandferals.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

Paws for Love Foundation P.O Box 9004 Santa Rosa, Ca 95405 209-795-4575 Ellyn@pawsforlove.info http://www.pawsforlove.info The Paws for Love Foundation is a resource for shelters and rescue organizations.

Napa Humane Society P.O. Box 695, Napa 707-255-8118 http://www.napahumane.org

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

Napa County Animal Shelter 942 Hartle Ct, Napa, Ca 94558 707-253-4382 http://www.countyofnapa.org/AnimalShelter/

Sonoma Humane Society 5345 Hwy 12, Santa Rosa, Ca 95407 707-542-0882 http://sonomahumane.org

Napa County

The Pet Lovers Guide | March/april 2014

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Sonoma County Animal Care and Control 1247 Century Ct Santa Rosa, CA 707-565-7100 http://sonoma-county.org/shelter/index.htm California Animal Rescue PO BOX 2179 Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-293-4470 rescuedcritters@gmail.com http://car.rescuegroups.org/ http://www.californiaanimalrescue.com/ Pet's Lifeline 19686 8th Street East. , Sonoma 707-996-4577 http://www.petslifeline.org CAT & DOG RESCUE A Leg Up Rescue 925 Lakeville Street #265 Petaluma, CA 94952 www.aleguprescue.org aleguprescue@me.com Dog Rescue Big Dog Rescue Penngrove, Ca 707-665-0332 http://www.homelesshounds.us Dog Rescue Chihuahua Club of Northern California, Rescue Renee' Harris, 707-887-0190 P.O. Box 1696 Forestville, CA. 95436 Email: ScooberNoggin@aol.com Special Pets Rescue P.O. Box 1247, Lower Lake 707-350-7008 http://www.specialpetsrescue.org Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club Rescue P.O. Box 1578 , Middletown 707-987-9463

Contra Costa County Outcast Cat Help PO Box 963, Martinez, CA 925-231-0639 www.outcastcat.org Cat Rescue Umbrella of Hope 4080 Railroad Ave, Suite C.,Pittsburg, CA 94565 (925) 567-3997 beourpet@gmail.com www.beourpet.org CAT & DOG RESCUE Milo Foundation 220 South Garrard Blvd., Point Richmond 415-454-6456 marin@milofoundation.org mpr@milofoundation.org www.milofoundation.org

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Bay Area Poodle Rescue 1442 A Walnut St #204 Berkeley, CA 94709 www.bayareapoodlerescue.org 510-286-7630 bichons4evr@comcast.net

Yolo & Sacramento Northern California Boxer Rescue Davis, Ca 866-989-NCBR (6227) http://www.ncbr.org Small Dog Rescue Roseville, Ca Serving Placer County, Rocklin, Lincoln, Roseville and Sacramento http://www.smalldogrescue.org NorCal Cocker Rescue, Inc. 1731 Howe Ave., #264 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 541-5149 NorCalCockerRescue@gmail.com http://www.norcalcockerrescue.org Russell Rescue Inc, Ca Kerry McAllister, 916-600-7352 norcal@russellrescueca.com http://www.russellrescueca.com Nor Cal Aussie Rescue 10556 Combie Road #6200, Auburn 530-268-1600 http://www.norcalaussierescue.com Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue 34505 County Road 29 Woodland, CA 95695 Phone: (530) 661-0213 RottsOfFriends@gmail.com

Other Small Animal Rescue & Adoptions Rats, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Chinchillas www.northstarrescue.org Save A Bunny Mill Valley, Ca 415-388-2790 www.saveabunny.org Dalmatian Club of America Rescue Sherry GuIdager 916-771-0282; MariIyn DromgooIe 510-708-2642 Dalmatian Club of Northern California Rescue 510-886-9258; Janet Langford Gray 408-2574301; Barb & Mike Dwyer 925-672-3980 Dachsund Rescue Northern California Chico, Ca - Monti Markel, 530 895 3148 San Leandro, Ca - Vicki Ronchette, 510-483-2631 Northern California American Malamute Association 800-399-8155 http://ncama.org

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NorCal Irish Setter Rescue 208-683-2765 (Paul) or 510-524-2602 (Debra) http://ncisrescue.org/index.html NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue 405 El Camino Real Suite 420, Menlo Park 650-615-6810 http://www.golden-rescue.org NorCal German Shorthair Pointer Rescue P.O. Box 933, Menlo Park 408-402-2092 http://www.norcalgsprescue.com Nor Cal Beagle Rescue Bay Area: 510-770-0208, Sacramento Area: 916691-1817 http://www.norcalbeagles.com NorCal Collie Rescue 650-851-9227 http://www.calcollierescue.org Great Dane Rescue of Northern California 15255 Clydelle Ave, San Jose 916-652-6444 (Colleen) http://www.gdrnc.org Great Pyrenees Rescue of Northern California P O Box 574, Georgetown 1-877-PYRENEES http://www.gprnc.org/index.php German Shephard Rescue of Northern Calif P.O. Box 1930, Cupertino 1-800-728-3473 http://www.savegsd.org/ Golden State German Shepard Rescue PO Box 2956, Alameda , CA 94501 877-447-4717 goldenstategsr@earthlink.net www.gsgsrescue.org Border Collie Rescue of Northern California 831-422-8176 (Ann) http://www.bcrescuenc.org West Coast Mastiff & Large Breed Rescue 39252 Winchester Rd #107-253 Murrieta, CA 92563 http://www.wcmastiffrescue.com/ wcm.rescue@yahoo.com Afghan Hound Rescue - Northern California P.O. Box 3508, Redwood City 650-678-9984

Solano County SPCA Spay and Neuter Clinic

We offer Low Cost Spays and Neuters for Solano County and surrounding communities We also offer vaccines, microchipping, and blood tests at the time of surgery

Please call for an Appointment

707-448-8750

solanoclinicinfo@gmail.com solanospca.com

2200 Peabody Road, Vacaville, CA 95687

FOLLOW US ON

WWW.NBWS.COM

North Bay Water Services, Inc. POOL SERVICE & REPAIR

Our Services Include: Algae Treatment

FREE Diatomaceous Earth (Up to 100 lbs per year)

Quality Control Program

Keeping Your Pool Professionally Balanced Each Week

Highly Trained Mature Service Personal

NO Dangerous Chemicals Stored At Your Home

49 Weekly Inspections Per Year

Full Service, Equipment Sales & Repair (Available at Additional Cost)

Only

$54

Per Month

Weekly POOL SERVICE

Swimming with our pet should be fun!

But as responsible pet owners we must take the right precautions when allowing our dogs to swim!

CALL: 800-448-0362 38

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