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Welcome Pet Lo ers! A
s we head into the Winter Season, we are reminded of the holidays amongst us and the cold rainy days ahead. As we get busy with special events or try to stay warm, let us not forget the homeless animals on the streets, in the shelters or those left outside with little to keep them warm. Consider building our community cats an inexpensive shelter that will protect them from the rain and cold. Inside we've provide some tips on how to make an outdoor cat shelter, whether it be for your furry companion or a feral/ community cat. If you were unaware, February marks Pet Dental Health Month, the American Veterinary Medical Association‘s (AVMA) annual effort to remind pet lovers to care for their pets’ teeth like they do their own. Your pets teethe are just as important as your own teeth. Be diligent in caring for them. If you avoid them, it can turn into a costly painful critical problem. It's also National Prevent a Litter Month. So, we'd like to remind and encourage people about spay/neuter, the best thing you can do for an animal. Feral cats often go unnoticed and uncared-for in neighborhoods and industrial areas, allowing them to increase wildly in numbers, which can lead to complaints and drastic actions. Practicing TNR and maintaining a well-cared-for colony will keep the cats as happy and healthy as possible. Ensuring they are not creating more
cats will keep your neighborhood or business establishments happy too. Unfixed cats lead to disease. One of the most deadly diseases is FIP. As someone who just lost my beloved cat to FIP, it's truly a heartbreaking experience. One minute my 1yr old cat was healthy, the next minute we're in the emergency with a vet bill well into the thousands, trying to understand what's caused Minnie's pain and abdominal fluids, ultimately leaving us with no decision but euthanasia. Having to put down my cat while she was purring in my arms for 40 minutes, due to a disease spreadable by unfixed cats is emotional. Do your part, spay neuter your cats, the community cats and save a life! More on FIP inside this issue. In light of all the tragedy around the world from Hurricane's to fires, the question you need to ask yourself is "Do I have a disaster prepared plan for myself and pets?". We've inserted a great article that we hope inspires you to plan ahead. We often think, how sad for them, I can't imagine this happening to me, well, no one is ever expecting the worst to happen. So, plan for the best! Our hearts and prayers go out to those that lost their homes and pets to the Hurricane's and NorCal wildfires.
holiday season. We wish your lives to be full of love, happiness and peace. Thank you to our very talented graphic designer, the loving pet community and advertisers that help makes this magazine possible.
I dedicate this issue to our beloved Minnie, Mocha and all the pets that have recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge Warmly,
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
The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published quarterly. 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 and Yolo County.
In this season of gratitude and at the close of another year, we pause to wish you all a joyous
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PeT L VeRS
guide
THE
OWNER/PUBLISHER Michelle Morris-Adams
ADVERTISING SALES
Bob Leppert, Sales Director
EDITOR
Lauren Silva
DESIGNER Crystal Scott
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jonathan Balcombe Lynn Stacy-Smith Holly Hugo
COVER PHOTO
Jean Walker, Pet Prints Photography
The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published quarterly. 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 and Yolo County.
If you would like to contribute letters, stories or advertising, please contact Michelle at: PHONE 707-207-3031 or 707-731-9775 EMAIL thepetloversguide@comcast.net ONLINE www.thepetloversguide.com
5 Yes, Animals have Feelings 10 Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in Cats & Kittens 14 5 Shocking Reasons Why Pet Dental Care is so Important 16 Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies 20 National Prevent a Litter Month: The Importance of Spaying & Neutering
22 National Prevent a Litter Month: Too Many Cats 24 Winter Shelters for Feral Cats MORE... 27 Resource Directory
If you would like the Pet Lovers Guide to be mailed to you directly, the cost is $1200 for 6 issues. Please email your address to: thepetloversguide@comcast.net. THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | WINTER 2017
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Yes, Animals Have
Feelings By Jonathan Balcombe, Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy
On
Saturday mornings I drive 15 miles to a sanctuary in rural Maryland where I join a small team of volunteers tending to farm animals rescued from neglect or abuse. Some of these animals will never fully trust a human. Others want to interact. As a biologist with a special interest in animal happiness, I’ve figured out where they like to be scratched and rubbed. Goats, such as Trudy or Malcolm, walk over to me and lean gently against my leg. I scratch between their horns, caress their faces and vigorously swipe my hand down their backs and flanks. They become noticeably more relaxed. Their eyelids droop and they stand completely still. One of the older sheep, a ram named Adam, wags his tail in approval when he is petted. Another sheep, Clover, once scraped her hoof across my boot repeatedly when I briefly stopped massaging her back — a sheep’s way of asking for more. At the pig barn, 700-pound adults lying blissfully on soft hay will assist the effort to give them a belly-rub by shimmying further onto their sides and raising their legs. And when the chicken barn door opens, about 20 birds come surging out into the sunlit garden. They spend the next few hours foraging. They nibble at seeds and
vegetation, and search for invertebrates by pawing backwards at the earth with their strong feet then stooping down to peer and peck at any moving morsel they’ve uncovered. They do this with devotion, taking breaks to sunbathe by reclining on their sides, fluffing out their feathers, and stretching a wing to maximize the surface area available to the sun’s warm rays.
Animals and sentience Watching these animals pursue their wants and needs reminds me that they are individuals with intentions and preferences. Their lives matter to them. Their desire for rewards is part of sentience — the capacity to feel. Sentience encompasses a universe of positive and negative physical and emotional experiences. Today, most scientists agree that all vertebrate animals — mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish — are, to varying degrees, sentient. A rich and varied collection of research has made the evidence impossible to dismiss. But this perspective wasn’t always popular. THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | WINTER 2017
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human, familiar dog, strange dog), dogs’ brains registered the strongest delight in response to the familiar human. It appears the notion that the dog is “man’s best friend” cuts both ways.
Animals and complex emotion It is well established that when people feel depressed, we are more likely to take a pessimistic view of life. It seems we are not alone in that tendency. In a study led by Melissa Bateson of England’s Newcastle University , European starlings were housed for ten days in either socially enriched enclosures with branches and water baths, or alone in smaller, barren cages.
A baby goat nuzzles its mama.
Credit: © Brian Squibb
Historically, for example, sea-life rarely made it into humanity’s realm of concern when it came to the ability to suffer. But meticulous experiments performed on trout a decade ago essentially have laid to rest the common view that a fish cannot feel pain. There now is also scientific support for sentience in at least some invertebrates. In research by Canadian biologist Jennifer Mather and colleagues, octopuses show curiosity, play and personality. And in a study led by Robert Elwood at Queens University Belfast, prawns spent more time grooming and rubbing a pinched antenna, unless they received a follow-up application of local anesthetic. Once deemed inscrutable, animal emotions are now also considered a legitimate source of inquiry. Although humans cannot know for certain what an animal is feeling (indeed, we cannot know for certain what another human is feeling), we can observe changes in behavior and physiology and infer emotions. The evidence is even more compelling when we find that these changes echo changes in our bodies when we are exposed to similar stimuli.
What dogs are teaching about animal cognition Because they are so expressive and responsive to us, domestic dogs have lately become the darlings of research on animal cognition and emotion. During a recent visit to the Clever Dog Lab at the University of Vienna, I watched a dog select symbols on a computer screen by touching it with his nose. In another room, dogs placed their heads on a chin-rest to watch images projected on a computer screen. These are not purposebred “lab dogs,” but happy pets recruited for the studies. The chin-rest apparatus has been used to show that dogs, like us, glance first to the left side of a human face, where our bilateral brains display more emotion. Thus, dogs get a quick read of our moods and intentions. This all happens in a fraction of a second, and like us, dogs probably are unaware they are doing it. Neither they nor we regard a dog’s face this way, which makes sense because dogs’ emotions are expressed uniformly on their faces. The wag of a dog’s tail also contains subtle cues to their moods. Led by Giorgio Vallortigara of the University of Trento, Italian researchers found that dogs remained relaxed when they saw films of dogs whose tails were wagging predominantly to the right, but they became anxious if the tail wagged more to the left. [Dog Kisses are More Than Just Slobber (Op-Ed )] At Emory University, scientists are using positive reinforcement to train pet dogs to remain motionless inside an fMRI machine, allowing scientists to monitor brain activity while the dogs react to visual stimuli. Preliminary studies show brain reward centers light up when dogs see a hand signal that is normally followed by something good (a food treat), but not for a neutral hand signal. Similarly, when presented with five scents (self, familiar human, strange
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Both sets of birds learned to forage by plucking lids from dishes, each containing a worm. The birds soon learned that dishes with white lids contained tasty worms, whereas dishes with dark gray lids harbored unpalatable (quinine-flavored) worms. Birds from both groups soon stopped flipping the dark gray lids. But when the experimenters began presenting the starlings with ambiguous dishes — lidded with lighter shades of gray — they found that “enriched” birds were more likely than emotionally impoverished birds to flip these new lids and sample the worm inside. Moreover, enriched birds became markedly pessimistic — shunning the ambiguous lids — if they were switched from enriched to impoverished lodgings. The researchers concluded that enriched starlings are more optimistic than impoverished, and presumably less happy, ones. In a range of studies, rats, pigs, goats, and intriguingly, honey-bees all have shown the same optimism/pessimism response (scientists call it “cognitive bias”) to uncertain outcomes. It seems that life for an animal can go well or ill, and that an individual’s inner state has an ambient dimension beyond the fleeting emotions of a given moment. Perhaps more predictably, baboons also have lasting emotional states. Following the death of an infant, baboon mothers show physiological and behavioral responses that mirror those of bereft women. Glucocorticoid hormones — associated with grief in humans — rise and take a month to subside again, and the bereaved mother monkey seeks therapy by expanding her social network through increased grooming interactions with other baboons. Body temperature provides yet another window into feelings. Human body temperatures rise when we are nervous or anxious about an approaching event, such as an exam or a competition. A rat, handled by an unfamiliar person, gets warmer by 1° Celsius or more. If the same person returns to handle the rat over successive days, the rat’s thermal response declines, and by about day five, her body temperature stops rising altogether. If, however, a new handler shows up on the sixth day, the rat’s body temperature rises again, indicating that her temperature changes are psychologically based. This so-called emotional fever has also been documented in turtles and lizards. So
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much for “cold-blooded” reptiles.
The bonds between fish Scientists have not yet shown emotional fever in fish, although I’m aware of only one study that has explored this. Does this mean that fish cannot feel emotions? Not likely. Emotions are very useful , and fish are highly evolved. They behave emotionally, showing fear, excitement, anger, pleasure and anxiety. Their brains produce the same compounds that accompany emotions in mammals. It takes 48 hours for fish hormone levels to return to normal after rough handling, such as being caught by anglers and put into small buckets. On coral reefs, the interactions between cleaner-fish and their clients are rich with awareness and emotion. Cleaners flaunt their bright colors to advertise that they are open for business. Client fish of varied species queue up for their turn for an inspection from the cleaners, who work individually or in pairs, plucking off parasites, algae and other undesirables. Both parties benefit: the cleaners get food, and the clients get a spa treatment. This is not a willynilly arrangement. Clients have their favorite cleaners to whom they return repeatedly. Other client fish observe those interactions, keeping accounts of who cleans well and who does a shoddy job. There are good reasons for this so-called “image-scoring” behavior: Some cleaners may nip at the precious mucus that forms a protective shield over the client’s scales. This causes the client fish to jolt, and to sometimes angrily chase the cleaner. Other “cleaners” are scheming impostors, sharp-toothed mimics that look almost identical to cleaners, then nip off a chunk of fin and flee to safety. [If Sharks Feel Pain, Why Are They Not Better Protected? (Op-Ed )] Careful studies by Swiss researchers led by Redouan Bshary have documented
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that cleaners cause fewer jolts when potential clients are watching. The cleaners also pamper their patrons by gently caressing them with their fins. Just as touch is therapeutic for humans, so too with fish. In a study from the Marta Soares and colleagues at the University of Lisbon, captive surgeonfish had lower levels of stress hormone when they could sidle up to a mechanical wand that delivered gentle strokes. Which brings me to Larry. He’s a Bahamian grouper befriended by Floridabased journalist and author Cathy Unruh. When Unruh scuba-dives in Larry’s domain, Larry recognizes her and comes over to greet her. Like those reef client fish lining up for their turn to be plucked over by hungry cleaner-fish, or the goats and sheep I coddle at the animal sanctuary, Larry enjoys being gently stroked and petted. What does it all mean? Most of us who have lived with dogs and cats need little convincing that these beloved beings are unique individuals with feelings. But we generally have a cloudier view of wild animals, or those destined for the dinner plate. Today, scientists are asking questions about animals’ inner lives like never before, and their toolkit for probing such questions is growing more sophisticated. As their findings emerge, we gain a more enlightened perspective of the diverse expression of animal emotions. It gives me optimism that the neglectful and abusive expressions of the human-animal relationship will evolve through understanding towards compassion.
Jonathan Balcombe is director of animal sentience at the Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy.
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Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in Cats & Kittens
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith
FIP
is a viral disease of cats that can affect many systems of the body. It is a progressive disease and almost always fatal. It is found worldwide and affects not only domestic cats, but many wild ones as well, including cougars, bobcats, lynx, lions, and cheetahs.
What causes FIP? FIP is caused by a virus. Cats can be infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV). There are two types of this virus which cannot be distinguished from each other in laboratory tests. One is avirulent (does not cause disease) or only mildly virulent and is called feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). Infection with this virus does not produce any signs other than maybe a very mild diarrhea. The other type is virulent (produces disease), is the cause of FIP, and is called feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). It is believed that FIP occurs when FECV mutates to FIPV in the cat and starts to replicate in the cat's cells. What causes this mutation is unknown.
How common is FCoV infection and the development of FIP in cats? Studies have shown that approximately 25-40% of household cats, and up to 95% of cats in multi-cat households and catteries are or have been infected with FCoV. The development of fatal FIP occurs in 1 in 5000 cats in households with one or two cats. In multi-cat households and catteries 5% of cats die from FIP.
How is the virus transmitted? FCoV can be found in the saliva and feces of infected cats. Therefore, cat-tocat contact and exposure to feces in litter boxes are the most common modes of infection. Contaminated food or water dishes, bedding, and personal clothing may also serve as sources of infection.
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Cat-to-cat contact and exposure to feces in litter boxes are the most common modes of infection. FCoV may possibly be transmitted across the placenta. The significance of this is unknown. FCoV can live in the environment 3-7 weeks. After 3 weeks, however, the number of virus particles present is probably too small to cause infection. Many disinfectants will kill the virus, including household bleach diluted 1:32 in water (1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water).
How does the virus cause disease? When a cat is exposed to FCoV, four things can happen, depending on a number of factors including age, health status, and strength of the cat's cellular immune system. The strain and dose of the virus can also influence the outcome. Mammals' immune systems can be divided into two parts: the antibodyproducing part, and the part in which cells kill invaders through direct contact or chemicals they produce. It is this second part of the immune system, the cellular immune system which plays a very important role in determining the result of exposure to FCoV. 1. If a cat's cellular immunity is very strong, the cat can usually fight off the infection.
2. If a cat's cellular immunity is moderately strong, the cat may be unable to kill all the virus, but is able to keep it in check. This results in a "latent" infection. If the cat is severely stressed or becomes ill from other diseases, the latent infection can be reactivated and the cat can develop FIP.
The largest number of FIP cases occurs in young cats. Kittens are often infected when they are 4 to 6 weeks old, when the antibody protection they received from their mothers through the milk is declining. Kittens usually start showing signs of FIP when they are between 3 months and 2 years of age. Most of the kittens with FIP die between 8 and 18 months of age.
3. If a cat's cellular immunity is relatively weak, the virus continues to multiply slowly, FIPV becomes the predominant virus and FIP develops. In this form of disease, called "dry FIP" nodular lesions called granulomas slowly develop in one or multiple places in the body.
When infections with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were more common, infections with FeLV and FIPV were often seen together because FeLV suppressed the immune system. Now that FeLV is less common only 5% of cats with FIP are also infected with FeLV.
4. If the cellular immune system is very weak, the virus can multiply virtually uncontrolled. A "wet" form of FIP develops. In this form, large amounts of fluid accumulate in the chest and abdomen due to damage to blood vessels and subsequent leaking of fluid and protein into the surrounding tissues. The damage to the body from FIPV is not so much due to the virus itself, but to the body's response to it. Complexes of FIPV and antibodies the cat produces against it are deposited on the walls of blood vessels. Macrophages, which are cells that eat cellular debris and foreign material, consume the virus and the virus replicates inside these cells. These macrophages are also deposited along blood vessels and in tissues. When they accumulate in large numbers they can form granulomas.
Which cats are more likely to develop FIP? Kitten As you would imagine, the cats most likely to develop FIP are those with the weakest immune systems. This includes kittens, cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and geriatric cats.
We rarely see FIP in cats between 3 and 10 years of age. However, starting at 10-12 years of age, the immune systems of these older cats apparently decline, making them more susceptible. FIP has been shown to be more common in certain breeds and lines. It appears to be more common in Persians, for example. It is unclear whether these breeds are more susceptible because of their genetics or whether they are exposed to FCoV more often since many of them live or come from catteries.
What are the clinical signs of disease? Although we separate FIP into 2 forms, wet and dry, there is really a gradient between the two forms, and we may often see signs of both forms. Dry or Noneffusive Form: Dry FIP occurs in approximately Âź of the cats with FIP. Generally, the signs of the dry form come on more slowly. Nonspecific signs such as chronic weight loss, fever, loss of appetite and lethargy appear. Other signs occur depending on which organs are damaged by the
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granulomas. Ten to twenty-five percent of cats will have neurological signs. When granulomas occur in the central nervous system we see paralysis, disorientation, loss of balance, tremors, convulsions, behavior changes and urinary incontinence. The liver and kidneys are often affected, and this is reflected in chemistry tests that evaluate these two organs. Granulomas can occur in the chest, as well. Sometimes the eye is the only organ affected. The pupil may appear irregular and the eye may appear discolored because of the inflammation that is present. Some cats with the dry form can live up to a year after first showing clinical signs. Wet or Effusive Form: Early in the disease we can see similar signs to the dry form including weight loss, fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Anemia with resultant pale mucous membranes (e.g., gums) is often seen. Constipation and diarrhea can also occur. The wet form of the disease progresses rapidly and soon the cat may appear pot-bellied in appearance because of the fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Generally, the cat shows no signs of abdominal pain. Fluid may also accumulate in the chest causing respiratory difficulties. Most cats with the wet form of FIP die within 2 months of showing signs of disease.
•
The cat is infected with FIPV but is so early in the disease process antibody is not yet detectable
•
The cat is infected with FIPV but can no longer make antibody
•
The cat is infected with FIPV but all the antibody that is made is bound in complexes to FIPV and is not detected by the test
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The test was not sensitive enough to detect the antibody present
How is FIP diagnosed? Because we can not rely totally on the antibody test for a diagnosis, we must combine the history, clinical signs, laboratory results, FCoV test result, and possibly radiographs to come to a "probable" diagnosis. The only way to be absolutely sure of an FIPV infection is to biopsy affected tissues and have them examined by a veterinary pathologist. As a result, most often the diagnosis is made after the cat has died, a postmortem examination has been performed and tissues have been examined. In an attempt to try to make the best diagnosis we can while the cat is still alive, we can follow these criteria for a cat with clinical signs of FIP: 1. The cat has a low number of lymphocytes: 1.5x103 cells/ l.
What are the laboratory findings in FIP? Chemistry Panels: Chemistry panels are used to assess the function of the liver and kidneys. If the kidney is involved, or the cat is dehydrated, we can see elevations in creatinine and BUN. These compounds are eliminated from the body by the kidneys. If they are elevated, the kidneys are not adequately filtering the blood. Liver enzymes including alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase are elevated when liver damage has occurred, and bilirubin will increase if the liver is not functioning normally. One of the most common abnormalities is an increase in serum protein to levels over 7.8 g/dl. Most of the increase is caused by elevations in certain proteins called globulins (the other major serum protein is albumin). Spinal fluid also has an elevated protein level. The abdominal fluid in cats with wet FIP is high in protein (5-12g/dl), yellow, viscous, froths when shaken, and may clot when exposed to air. Complete Blood Count: A complete blood count may help to support a diagnosis of FIP. Many cats will have a mild to moderate anemia. Initially, the white blood cell count is low, but increases later in the disease. The increase is due to an increase in the type of white blood cells called neutrophils. These are scavenger-type cells. There is actually a decrease in the type of blood cells called lymphocytes. This can be important in determining the diagnosis. FIP Testing: A test that detects antibody to FCoV is available. This test can NOT differentiate between FECV and FIPV. The test result is reported as a "titer." A titer of 1:100 means we still get a positive reaction after diluting the serum sample 1:100. It has been found that a high titer alone does not mean a cat has FIP. A high titer could mean: •
The cat was exposed to FCoV (either FECV or FIPV) and has eliminated the virus
•
The cat was exposed to FCoV and is a carrier
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The cat was recently vaccinated against FIP
•
The cat was exposed to FCoV and has developed FIP
A negative test could mean: •
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The cat has not been exposed to FECV or FIPV
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2. The cat has a positive FCoV test result (titer > 1:160). 3. The cat has elevated globulins in his blood > 5.1 gm/dl. If the cat meets all three criteria, the probability the cat has FIP is 88.9%. If the cat does NOT meet all three criteria, the probability the cat does NOT have FIP is 98.8%. In those cats who have fluid in the thorax or abdomen that can be analyzed: •
If the gamma globulin fraction in the fluid is greater than 32%, the chances that the cat has FIP are almost 100%.
•
If the albumin fraction is greater than 48% or the ratio of albumin to globulin is greater than 0.81, it is almost 100% certain that the cat does NOT have FIP.
From this discussion, you can see that a certain diagnosis of FIP is not made very easily. Remember, the "gold standard" for diagnosis of FIP is through microscopic examinations of biopsies (a procedure called histopathology).
How is FIP treated?
There is no cure for FIP.
There is no cure for FIP. A survivor of FIP is very rare. We can give the cat supportive care which will make her more comfortable and possibly extend her life for a short amount of time. Because the dry form of FIP progresses more slowly, cats with this form can sometimes live longer than those with the wet form. This is especially true if the eye is the only organ affected by granulomas. Cats who have an appetite, no neurological signs, and no anemia usually respond better to the supportive care. Supportive care includes: •
Periodic draining of abdominal or thoracic (chest) fluid in those with the wet form. If the fluid is drained too often, the cat loses large amounts of protein which can exacerbate the condition.
•
Fluid therapy
•
Quality nutrition
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Antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections
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Blood transfusions in cases of severe anemia
Cats with FIP are often treated with prednisone at an immunosuppressive dose of 2-4 mg/kg daily to decrease the virus-antibody complexes in the blood vessels. In cats with eye involvement, ophthalmic solutions containing corticosteroids, and injections of steroids into the inner side of the eyelid (conjunctival sac) can be used. Research is ongoing to find other immunosuppressive drugs that may slow down the course of the disease. Attempts are also being made to find antiviral drugs that will kill or slow down the replication of the virus.
to those most susceptible. •
Eliminating FeLV from all cats is important.
•
Using the FIP test to identify potential carriers or immune animals is NOT possible.
Managing Litters: •
Pregnant and nursing queens should be kept separate from all other cats in the cattery (only one litter per room).
•
If the queen is suspected of being a carrier, kittens should be weaned and removed from the queen at 4-6 weeks. They should also be kept separate from other cats in the cattery.
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Queens who repeatedly produce litters of kittens which eventually die of FIP should be removed from a breeding cattery.
How is FIP prevented and controlled? Managing a Cattery or Multi-cat Household: •
Litter boxes should be kept clean and located away from food and water dishes. The litter should be cleaned of feces daily and totally removed at least once weekly when the box is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
•
Cats should be divided into families with 4-5 cats per group and kept separate from each other. These groups should also be divided according to age, with cats less than 4 months old separated from older cats.
•
Newly acquired cats and any cats that are suspected of being infected should be separated from the other cats.
•
Caretakers of the cats must use extreme care to make sure they are not bringing contaminated clothing, dishes, or other articles from one area to another. In general, kittens should be cared for first, and any suspect animals cared for last to minimize possible transmission
Vaccination: There is currently only one licensed FIP vaccine available. Primucell FIP, produced by Pfizer Animal Health, is a temperature-sensitive, modified-live virus vaccine that is given as an intranasal vaccine, and is licensed for use in cats at least 16 weeks of age. The vaccine appears to be safe; however, this vaccine has minimal if any effectiveness in preventing FIP, and it is not generally recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel. Cat owners should consult their veterinarian to help them decide if their cat should be vaccinated. For References and Further Reading, please visit: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2134&aid=212
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5
Shocking Reasons Why Pet Dental Care # 2Wobbly Teeth is so Important
Worse still, minerals in saliva react with plaque to form hard tartar deposits. Tartar pushes against the gums and causes them to recede. Another complication is bacteria in contact with the gum cause pain, inflammation, and gum recession. Nasty!
By Holly Hugo
Which disease affects 87% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three? The answer is: Periodontal disease. There’s one major reason right there why pet dental care is so important, because the majority of our pets suffer from some form or other of dental disease. Indeed, this isn’t a rare condition of academic interest, it’s a common problem that has a real impact on your pet’s quality of life. February is Pet Dental Care month, a prospect you might hitherto have been less than excited about, whereas all responsible pet owners should know more about pet dental care for the reasons explained below.
1Gum Disease
#
Few people get into the habit of dog teeth cleaning. However we should because when we don’t brush food residue builds up on the surface of the dog’s teeth to form sticky plaque. The latter is bacteria rich and is the equivalent of constantly exposing their mouth to a mouth-rinse of bacteria.
Here is Holly and Hugo’s quick guide to the steps of dog teeth cleaning. Take each step slowly, only moving onto the next when your pet is ready. ✔ Get your dog used to you lifting his lip and handling his mouth. ✔ Let him play with a soft toothbrush or finger brush ✔ Once he’s used to the finger brush, starting touching it to his teeth. ✔ Now gently brush one or two teeth, and tell your dog what an awesome boy he is ✔ Offer some pet toothpaste on your finger for the dog to lick off (its tasty stuff!) ✔ Pop some pet toothpaste onto the finger brush, and clean a tooth ✔ Try cleaning more teeth ✔ Clean his whole mouth ✔ Repeat daily
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But the horror story of poor pet dental care continues. A combination of bacteria and gum recession eats away at the dental cement and ligaments which hold the tooth root in the socket. The result is wobbly teeth which are liable to fall out.
3Weak Jaw Bones
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Next, poor pet dental care can lead to infection tracking down the tooth roots and into the jaw bone itself. Infection in the bone weakens it considerably; to the point where some pets even suffer a broken jaw when they chew down on something hard.
4Toothache
#
Have you experienced the misery of toothache? Well so do our pets, only they can’t tell you it hurts. Instead they might get grumpy (as a result of pain), eat less, or stop grooming. This is why dog teeth cleaning is so important, to stop the problem getting to this stage.
5Risk of Blood Poisoning
#
One of the most serious consequences of neglected pet dental care is the risk of septicemia and organ failure. Bacteria in the mouth can get into the blood stream through those inflamed gums. If those bacteria circulate to the heart or kidneys, they can set up a potentially life-threatening infection. So this Pet Dental Health month, why not be proactive and learn dog teeth cleaning? It’s as easy as brushing your own teeth, provided you let your pet get used to each stage of the process.
This February, take on board the message of Pet Dental Care month and do right by your pet by taking care of their teeth. Now there’s something to smile about.
THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | WINTER 2017
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Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Makes Sense. Get Ready Now.
1
Prepare
Get a Pet Emergency Supply Kit.
Food. Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container. Water. Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets in addition to water you need for yourself and your family. Medicines and medical records. Keep an extra supply of medicines
Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, particularly food and water. Consider two kits. In one, put everything you and your pets will need to stay where you are. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you and your pets have to get away. Plus, be sure to review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.
your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book.
Collar with ID tag, harness or leash. Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit. In addition, place copies of your pet’s registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container and also add them to your kit. You should also consider talking with your veterinarian about permanent identification such as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
Choose Your Breed
Crate or other pet carrier. If you need to evacuate in an emergency situation take your pets and animals with you provided that it is practical to do so. In many cases, your ability to do so will be aided by having a sturdy, safe, comfortable crate or carrier ready for transporting your pet. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down. Sanitation. Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs. You can bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches, or those with added cleaners. A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated
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from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
2
Plan
What You Will Do in an Emergency.
Be prepared to assess the situation. Use whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure your pet’s safety during an emergency. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency the first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and the information you are learning here to determine if there is immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet for instructions. If you’re specifically told to evacuate, shelter-in-place or seek medical treatment, do so immediately.
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Create a plan to get away. Plan how you will assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your animals may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals in your care. Consider family or friends willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets or a boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital that is near an evacuation facility or your family’s meeting place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.
Over Looking The Napa Valley
Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet’s emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet in an emergency. Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss the types of things that you should include in your pet’s emergency first aid kit. Get the names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter. You should also consider talking with your veterinarian about permanent identification such as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery database. If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is essential to your being reunited with your pet.
Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment. Make a list of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies including the Humane Society or SPCA, and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you and one in your pet’s emergency supply kit. Obtain “Pets Inside” stickers and place them on your doors or windows, including information on the number and types of pets in your home to alert firefighters and rescue workers. Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could be reached in an emergency. And, if time permits, remember to write the words “Evacuated with Pets” across the stickers, should you flee with your pets.
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Stay Informed
Know About Types of Emergencies.
CARES is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the State of California. (EIN) is 47-3608185
CARES: Center for Animal Rescue and Education in Benicia & Solano Cty, is dedicated to providing loving, humane care, and support that includes foster and adoption services for animals, while also educating current and future pet owners in animal care. For donations, please visit our website below.
(707) 319-7345 http://www.caresforanimals.org/
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Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself, your family and your pets, is the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it’s important to stay informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region as well as emergency plans that have been established by your state and local government. For more information about how to prepare, visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Those who take the time to prepare themselves and their pets will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the time now to get yourself and your pet ready.
Preparing for Your Pets Makes Sense. Get Ready Now. This information was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in consultation with: American Kennel Club, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, and The Humane Society of the U.S.
THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | WINTER 2017
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National Prevent a Litter Month:
THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING By Lynn Stacy-Smith
E
arlier this month I blogged about Responsible Pet Owner Month and how virtually all of the special dog days in this month all tie back into the idea of being a responsible pet owner. It makes sense that February is also National Prevent a Litter Month, a time for us to talk about the importance of spaying and neutering. Unless you are a professional/show/hobby breeder, it is my belief that to allow your female to become pregnant or your male dog to father puppies is among the most irresponsible things that a pet owner can do.
SHELTER INTAKE INTACT VS. ALTERED DOGS Spayed/Neutered 10%
Intact/Fertile 90% https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intakeand-surrender/pet-statistics
According to data from the ASPCA Shelter Intake and Surrender page, 90% of the dogs who enter a shelter, as strays and owner surrenders, are intact and able to create a litter of puppies. Also according to their data, “the average number of litters a fertile dog produces is one a year; the
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average number of puppies is four to six.” If 3,900,000 dogs enter shelters each year, that means that 3,510,000 are not spayed or neutered. If we were to imagine that half are females, that means 1,755,000 dogs able to produce approximately 7,020,000 puppies a year. That is the equivalent of one puppy for every single resident of the state of Washington. In my blog, Understanding the Different Types of Dog Breeders, I wrote about responsible breeders and that they require that their puppies be spayed/neutered and that the owner submit proof that the procedure has been performed by a certain date. Some responsible breeders include in their contract that they can take the dog back if the puppy buyer fails to have their dog neutered or spayed. Additionally, responsible breeders sell their puppies with Limited Registration instead of full AKC registration in order to keep puppy buyers from breeding AKC registered dogs on their own. Shelters and dog rescue organizations also require that their adopted dogs be spayed or neutered and usually the procedure is done before the dog is available for adoption. So if responsible breeders are requiring that puppies be altered and so do rescue groups and shelters, how are so many dogs living their life intact and able to create more dogs? According to additional data on the ASPCA site, 28% of owners acquire dogs from breeders, 29%
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WHERE DO OWNERS GET THEIR PETS? Breeders 28%
Family/Other 43%
Rescue/Shelter 29% https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intakeand-surrender/pet-statistics
from rescue groups and shelters, and 43% from family and other acquaintances. Unfortunately the site does not specify what type of breeder they include in the 28%, but unlike responsible breeders, backyard breeders and puppy mill operators are unlikely to require that the puppies be fixed or that the puppy buyers are educated about puppies and ready to assume responsibility for the dog for life. In the family and other acquaintance category you will find those owners who either intentionally or accidentally created a litter of puppies and now have the difficult task of finding homes for the puppies. It’s a common scenario: someone’s intact male found his way to someone else’s fertile female and created a litter of puppies. They are free to a good home or inexpensive to cover the cost of their puppy shots, and the owner of the female is desperate
to find homes for them all. They do not know how to screen a puppy buyer and they don’t have a way to demand that the puppy be spayed. Both scenarios present the same two problems: too many puppies and not enough of a screening process to ensure that those puppies do not end up in shelters or as strays.
REASONS FOR OWNER SURRENDER OF DOGS Other 41%
Behavioral Issue 10%
Pets not allowed 29%
Not enough time 10%
Divorce/Death 10%
https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intakeand-surrender/pet-statistics
When you look at the reasons for owner surrender of dogs to shelters, 29% of owners cannot have pets in their home or apartment. Behavioral issues, divorce/death, and not enough time are all equal at 10%, and other issues make up the final 41% of owner surrenders. All of those named issues, even death, are part of comprehensive screening of potential owners by both responsible breeders and shelter/rescues. That means at least 59% of those owners would have been asked:
1
What is your training philosophy? Where will you take the dog for training issues? How will you handle behavioral issues? What books have you read about training dogs?
2
When will you spend time with the dog? What activities will you do with the dog? Who will take care of the dog if you are called out-of-town or have to work late?
3 4
What will happen to the dog in the event of divorce or death? What is your current living situation? What will you do if you have to move? How will you ensure that you will live somewhere pet friendly?
FATE OF STRAY DOGS WHO ENTER SHELTERS Returned Owner 28%
Adopted 38%
Euthanized 34% https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intakeand-surrender/pet-statistics
Spaying and neutering not only prevents overpopulation of dogs and cats, it also means that unprepared owners are not in a position to deal with litters of puppies. At the end of the day, just because you find a home for a dog does not mean the dog is safe from being abandoned as a stray or at a shelter. Responsible breeders and rescue groups typically work extremely hard to filter out the bad homes, the people who are getting a dog on a whim, all to make sure their dogs go to loving, capable forever owners. Spaying and neutering is the most effective way of preventing the pet overpopulation problem and the tragic and unnecessary death of 1.2 million dogs each year.
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Unfortunately, it won’t help your cat listen to the things you tell them not to do any better. Well, at least we haven’t seen that result.
Spaying and neutering decreases spraying One of the most common reasons cats are abandoned or given up is because of spraying. This is a behavior that we see in all cats, male and female (although it’s more common in males). Cats spray to mark their territory and by stopping the need to mark their territory, you can help decrease spraying.
Spaying and neutering increases their lifespan We love our cats and we want them to live as long as possible. Here’s a fact: Indoor cats have substantially longer lives than those who live outdoors. Also, as we mentioned above, spaying and neutering your cats can help stop health problems before they start.
Spaying and neutering saves you money Animals who are not spayed or neutered are more aggressive with one another, as well as their owners. Since outdoor cats are also more prone to be injured while roaming, your veterinary costs are also likely to escalate. Keep your costs down by getting your pets fixed and keeping them indoors.
February is “National Prevent A Litter Month” and in the world of cats, there is perhaps no more important month. The reason that this holiday falls in February is because Spring is also known as “kitten season”. Each year, there are more than 2.7 million perfectly healthy cats and dogs euthanized in shelters. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We all love kittens, but sadly, there are just far too many homeless cats in the world. This article is to help educate cat owners on the reasons why cats should be fixed by five months of age. This is an important issue and I hope you’ll help spread the message so we can decrease the euthanization rate of cats and help keep our own cats healthy. Here are five more important reasons you should have your cat fixed before they are five months old:
Spaying and neutering stops breeding Most importantly, we stop the cycle of destroying perfectly happy and healthy cats. This is not only safer and healthier for your cats, it stops unwanted litters.
Think about this fact: • The average female cat has 1-8 kittens per litter and 2-3 litters per year. During one lifetime, a female cat could technically have more than 100 kittens! •
Now, picture those kittens each growing up to have more litters. A single pair of cats and their kittens could (feasibly) produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just seven years.
Spaying and neutering prevents cancer Spaying can help prevent uterine infections and breast tumors. Sadly, these types of tumors are malignant in about 90 percent of cats! The best way to help your cat avoid cancer is to have them fixed before their first heat. This also helps prevent testicular cancer, prostate problems and lots of urinary issues.
Help your cats, help your world and most importantly, help cats. Learn more about TNR. There are many organizations throughout the county that can educate and guide you on how to fix your cat or the community unfixed stray/feral.
Spaying and neutering reduces the need to roam If your cat is incessantly pacing at the door, yowling at all hours of the night and generally harassing you into letting them outside, getting your cat altered can help curb that behavior. This type of behavior is due to the cat wanting outside to breed and is most prevalent in cats that are in heat. Keep your cats indoors and safe - spaying them will help stop that instinctive need to roam.
Spaying and neutering reduces aggression Spaying or neutering your pets not only help your cat stay healthier, it can help reduce common behavior problems in pets, like always wanting to go outside, pacing incessantly in front of the door and even aggression issues in cats.
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Service, the way it should be.
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. 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 | WINTER 2017
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Winter Shelters
Tips for keeping community cats safe and cozy during the winter months.
502-634-8777 • alleycatadvocates.org • contactus@alleycatadvocates.org
All good shelter designs share two qualities: • Strong insulation – needed to trap body heat, which turns the cats into little radiators. Use straw, not hay or blankets. • Minimal air space – a smaller interior area means that less heat is needed to keep the occupants warm. Shelter size is very important. • Smaller shelters can be heated by only one or two cats. Larger shelters with only one or two cats inside will remain cold. • Two smaller shelters are better than one large one. • Don’t underestimate the number of cats in your area. You may only see one or two, but there are probably more. Try to provide more shelter space than you can imagine needing. The placement of shelters is important in keeping cats safe from predators. • If dogs are a threat, place your shelter behind a fence where the dogs can’t get in. • Have the entrance face a wall so only cats can get in and out. • All shelters and feeding stations should be out of sight, no matter how friendly the area may appear.
Don’t place the shelter directly on the cold ground. Use two 2x4s or other materials to raise it off the ground and place straw underneath. This makes it easier for the cats to warm the inside with their body heat. Make the door as small as possible. Cats need an opening of only about five-and-a-half or six inches in diameter, or the width of their whiskers. • A small door discourages larger, bolder animals, such as raccoons, from entering. • A smaller opening keeps in more heat. • If there is a need for an escape door, do not cut holes directly across from each other, as this creates a draft. Locate the door several inches above the ground level. • Rain won’t splash up through an above-theground door. • Snow is less likely to trap the cats by blocking an above-the-ground door. Creating extra protection: An awning that covers the opening, made from roll plastic or heavy plastic garbage bags, provides more insulation, helps keep the rain and wind from entering the shelter, and makes the cats feel safer.
Preventing dampness: Raising the rear of the shelter slightly higher than the front helps to keep rain from pooling inside and snow from piling up on the roof. • A small hole drilled in the side or bottom of the shelter allows rainwater to drain out. • A slanted roof might also discourage predators from sitting on the roof to stalk. Lightweight shelters definitely need to be secured against the wind. • Put a couple of five- to 10-pound flat barbell weights on the floor of the shelter under the bedding. • Put heavy, flat rocks or pavers/bricks on the lid/top. • Place two shelters with the doorways facing each other and put a large board on top of both shelters – this weighs the shelters down and provides a protected entryway. Insulating materials inside the shelter will increase the comfort and warmth of the cats. • Only insulating materials which the cats can burrow into should be used. • Blankets, towels, flat newspapers, etc., retain wetness and should not be used. They absorb body heat and will actually make the cat colder. • Straw is a good insulating material to use. Straw is better than hay because it can absorb more moisture and is less prone to mold or rot. • Insulation materials should only be used if the shelter can be periodically checked to see if they have gotten damp or too dirty and need to be replaced. • Additionally, don’t place water bowls inside the shelter because they may get turned over.
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Build a Winter Shelter One of our favorite designs uses two Rubbermaid™ storage bins with removable lids. It’s important the brand is Rubbermaid™; otherwise, the plastic walls may crack in frigid temperatures. An earth-tone bin blends in best with the environment, making it aesthetically pleasing to you and your neighbors and more natural in appearance to the cats.
You’ll also need:
4 5
Cut out a doorway in the Styrofoam interior wall where the doorway has already been cut out in the storage bin. Measure the length and width of the interior space and place a second, smallersize bin into the open interior. This bin should fit as snugly as possible against the Styrofoam wall pieces. Cut a doorway into this bin where the doorways have been cut into the Styrofoam and outer bin.
This shelter is easy to clean by taking off the lid and the roof. It is lightweight and may need to be weighed down. A flap over the doorway is optional.
6
Stuff the bottom of the interior bin with straw or other insulating material (no blankets or towels!) to provide both insulation and a comfortable spot to lie down.
7 8
Cut out a Styrofoam “roof” to rest on top of the Styrofoam wall pieces. Cover the bin with its lid.
eight-foot by two-foot sheet of one-inch thick hard Styrofoam yardstick box cutter straw for insulation
To assemble:
1
Cut a doorway six inches by six inches in one of the long sides of the bin towards the corner. Cut the opening so that the bottom of the doorway is several inches above the ground to prevent flooding.
2
Line the floor of the bin with a piece of Styrofoam, using the yardstick and box cutter to cut the piece. It doesn’t have to be an exact fit, but the closer the better.
3
In a similar fashion, line each of the four interior walls of the bin with a piece of the Styrofoam. Again, perfect cuts are not necessary. Leave a cap of three inches between the top of these Styrofoam “wall pieces” and the upper lip of the bin.
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RESOURCE DIRECTORY SOLANO COUNTY Community Animals & 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 Humane Society of the North Bay 1121 Somoma Blvd Vallejo, Ca 707-645-7905 http://hsnb.rescuegroups.org/ Vallejo Animal Control 707-645-7906 Benicia Animal Control 707-745-3412 SCARF 680 Vintage Court Fairfield, CA USA 94534 http://www.scanimalfoundation.org tm2004@comcast.net CAT & DOG RESCUE
International Bird Rescue 4369 Cordelia Road , Fairfield 707-207-0380 http://www.bird-rescue.org Solano County Animal Care Shelter 2510 Clay Bank Road Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 784-1356 Phone http://www.solanocounty.com The Animal Place Sanctuary and Education 3448 Laguna Creek Trail, Vacaville 707-449-4814 http://animalplace.org SPCA of Solano County 2200 Peabody Rd Vacaville, CA 95687 707-448-7722 http://www.solanospca.com 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 http://www.spirithorsebayarea.org
Solano Feral Cat Group PO Box 1221, Suisun, Ca 707-421-5515 www.solanoferals.org
Humane Animal Services Serving Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista 707-449-1700 http://www.humaneanimalservices.org
4 Paws Pet Rescue Vacaville, CA 95688 www.4pawspets.petfinder.com fourpawspets08@yahoo.com CAT & DOG RESCUE
Suisun Wildlife Rescue Injured or orphaned wild animal, please call 707-429-HAWK (4295) http://www.suisunwildlife.org
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 The Dog Spot Rescue Rehabilitation & Rehoming Center P.O. Box 5126 Vacaville, Ca 95688 thedogspotrescue@aol.com Northern California Italian Greyhound Rescue Fairfield, Ca 707-446-1858 (Barb) http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/norcal.html
LAPS P.O. Box 6596 Napa, CA 94581 707-265-6642 http://www.lovinganimalsprovidingsmiles.org A volunteer animal-assisted therapy group serving Northbay counties
SONOMA & LAKE COUNTY Golden Gate Basset Rescue POBox 4958, Petaluma 707-765-2690 http://www.ggbassetrescue.org North Bay Canine Rescue and Placement PO Box 4522, Petaluma 707-763-7736 http://northbaycanine.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 Car.rescuegroups.org 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/
Special Pets Rescue P.O. Box 1247, Lower Lake 707-350-7008 http://www.specialpetsrescue.org Sonoma Humane Society 5345 Hwy 12, Santa Rosa, Ca 95407 707-542-0882 http://sonomahumane.org
NAPA COUNTY
We Care Animal Rescue 1345 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena 707-963-7044 http://wecareanimalrescue.org CAT & DOG RESCUE
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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 Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club Rescue P.O. Box 1578 , Middletown 707-987-9463
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
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
ARF- Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation 2890 Mitchell Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (925) 256-1273 www.arf.net Cat/Dog Rescue and Adoptions
Yolo County Animal Services 2640 E. Gibson Rd, Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 668-5287 http://www.yolocountysheriff.com/services/animal-services/ https://www.facebook.com/YCAS.Shelter
Outcast Cat Help PO Box 963, Martinez, CA 925-231-0639 www.outcastcat.org Cat Rescue
The Yolo County SPCA P.O. Box 510 Davis, CA 95617 (530) 902-6264. M-F 8a-6p http://www.yolospca.org/
Umbrella of Hope 4080 Railroad Ave, Suite C.,Pittsburg, CA 94565 (925) 567-3997 beourpet@gmail.com www.beourpet.org CAT & DOG RESCUE
Small Animal Rescue & Adoptions Rats, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Chinchillas www.northstarrescue.org
Milo Foundation 220 South Garrard Blvd., Point Richmond 415-454-6456 marin@milofoundation.org mpr@milofoundation.org www.milofoundation.org
OTHER
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
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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 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
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