July/August 2016 of Pet Me! Magazine

July/August 2016

Your Guide To All Things Pets

The Undeserved Blemish on Black Cats PLUS: Family-Friendly Pets The Growing Attraction of Pet Llamas Shining the Spotlight on Shelter Animals & Much More!

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Contents 4 Another Country ‘Herd’ From: The Growing Attraction of Pet Llamas 8 Family-Friendly Pets: Age Appropriate Animal Ownership 13 The Undeserved Blemish on Black Cats 14 Exit Stage Left: Shining the Spotlight on Shelter Animals

Did your mama have a llama? If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to have that experience, read our story about llama ownership.These dramatic creatures actually do more than just stand there and look cute.They’re used by farmers and ranchers to stand guard.

Did you know that August 17 is Black Cat Appreciation Day? In an effort to

18 Heartworm Disease: Do We Need To Worry for our Pets?

20 Awesome Adoptables

dispel the myths about these dark, furry felines, our article on black cats and their wide range of reputations will give you plenty of reasons to love them.

Heartworm disease may be something you’re overlooking when assessing your pet’s health. In a feature story by contributor Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto of Cinema Veterinary Centre you’ll learn about the condition and how to find successful

22 Directory for All Things Pets

intervention. We have a confirmed case of heartworm right here in our own home town.

Writer Larissa Barnes, an LA County volunteer and rescue liaison, will let you know what would bring our local shelters more exposure to the public –

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email: petadv@petmemag.com Web: www.petmemag.com PUBLISHER Bridget Alves

and get more animals adopted, as a result. She’s got tips that include making adoption facilities happier places to visit and expanding their social networks.

Have you considered adopting a pet?

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EDITOR Martha Michael ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy

On the Cover: Cinder, a shelter cat rescued by Furever Purr Rescue, has been adopted.

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Another Country ‘Herd’ From:

The Growing Attraction of Pet Llamas

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By Martha Michael

T

hough they’re soft, quiet and look at you with doe-eyed innocence, llamas will fight their enemies tooth and nail – literally. Because of this tendency, ranchers are using them in increasing numbers to act as sentries for their flocks.

They are commonly thought of as the charming pack animals from the Andes Mountains in Peru, also used for their meat and wool, but they have found their place in North America too, and in many different capacities.

There are estimates that approximately 150,000 llamas live in the United States, and they are sometimes found on trails carrying supplies for hiking aficionados. Like Beau Baty says on Gohunt.com, llamas are natural packers with 4,500-6,000 years of experience under their belts.

They are accustomed to 9,000-14,000 feet of elevation, therefore rugged and stalwart, and some can walk up to 15 or more miles a day.

A company called Jackson Hole Llama Trekking says hiking with one of these creatures is “like hiking with a gentleman.” The travel company offers full service llama camping in areas that include the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park, and have more than a dozen of the pack animals in their employ.

“Llamas are the perfect trail companions,” says the Jackson Hole Llama Trekking website. “A well-trained, conditioned llama can carry up to one-third its body weight. ... Llamas are the perfect low-impact, high altitude pack animal. Their soft padded, two-toed feet and natural agility make them sure footed and easy on the terrain. They have no more impact on the trail than a fully loaded backpacker. They will eat a variety of vegetation enjoying a sampling of leaves, grasses and plants. Their efficient digestive system yields droppings that look similar to elk scat.”

Llama owners will tell you that one of the reasons they are low-maintenance is they leave their droppings in one spot. They are, thus, easier to clean up after, and their scat is useful as compost. That tendency for cleanliness is one reason some families are happy to own them as pets, nothing more.

Pet Assure, an animal health care insurance company, describes llamas as having predictable, low-key temperaments with mild manners and friendly dispositions. They eat just about anything; in fact, if they get in your flower garden you may not have many blooms left.

Llamas should always be owned in pairs or more. They are herd animals and are both curious and social. Yes, they have a reputation for spitting, but they do not aim at humans, they spit at each other. Experts will tell you their spitting is to establish social hierarchies. Sometimes a llama will spit to underscore his role as the alpha male or to discipline the lower-ranking llamas.

They also like to engage in neck wrestling or kicking. They hum to communicate, and they always take care of each other, as a family. But when scared or threatened in some way, they let out a bray or siren, which is why they are employed as guards.

“Llamas react to canids threatening herds in a variety of

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continued from page 5 ways, starting with a posture to alert others in the herd, then sounding a special alarm cry, and often running towards the threat, kicking and placing themselves between it and the herd,” says Cameron Walker in an article for National Geographic News.

Llamas and donkeys are both employed as sentries. According to Marsha Johnston, in an article in Modern Farmer, they both have an instinctive hatred for dogs and do not fear them at all. Llamas are physically aggressive toward them – dogs and coyotes have been injured, and even killed, by llamas.

“After spotting an intruder, most llamas call an alarm, then walk or run toward the animal, chasing it, kicking and pawing, and at times killing it,” Johnston says. “Both of these animals can be effective against dogs and coyotes up to a point, although wolves might easily overwhelm them. Some farms mitigate that danger by using them with dogs.”

Llamas are a great alternative to lethal methods of protecting livestock. William Franklin, professor emeritus at Iowa State University, heard about ranchers using llamas to protect their livestock and began his research, where he found that more than half of llama owners reported 100 percent reduction in their predator losses after employing the animal as a guard.

Some farmers pastured llamas with their sheep and lost fewer sheep to coyotes. Observation soon revealed the llamas’ defensive behavior in the face of predators.

Llamas are from the camelids family, which includes alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, according to Walker. They are related to the camels and dromedaries of Africa and Asia. First domesticated more than 5,000 years ago in the Peruvian highlands, early South American cultures bred llamas for size and endurance. The llama’s cousin, the alpaca, has fine fibers, which are woven into textiles.

It was the arrival of alternate forms of livestock by the Spanish that sent the llama into relative obscurity, says Walker. They moved to the highest mountains, while people hunted wild vicuña and guanaco nearly to extinction.

Franklin began studying vicuñas and guanacos of South America 20 years ago and noticed that wild vicuñas could be very aggressive toward dogs.

“They would follow them, they would chase them, they would even kick at them sometimes,” Franklin says.

It’s possible that in ancient times, the dog family acted as predator to members of the camelid family. That would mean the llama’s fierce response to them may have become instinctive, Walker surmises.

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Today, llamas are being used to guard domestic animals from cattle to poultry.

“What’s intriguing to me about what people are doing with llamas is that people use them for so many things,” Franklin says.

It may be the softer side of these graceful, charming pets that woos you, or perhaps you need the power of a partner on the trail. These multi-faceted pets can serve you in many capacities, acting as protector, beast of burden ... and also just friend.

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Family-Friendly Pets

Age Appropriate Animal Ownership

By Martha Michael

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emember when you brought your baby home from the hospital for the first time? You were careful when you picked her up gingerly and cuddled with her, faithfully seeing to her every need.

Pets are the same way. They need the care and tenderness human babies need – someone to feed them, clean up after them and train them.

We would never hire a 5-year-old to babysit, so why is it – when it comes to pets – we encourage babies to take care of babies?

A kitten for Katie, a puppy for Parker. The only thing cuter than photos of animals are photos of animals in the arms of children.

What could seem more natural?

Far from it. Not all animals are kid-friendly.

Cats

Many a little girl or boy will beg for a kitten, and often families will choose one as a first pet. It’s not a bad idea, but there are caveats – first, not to make a child under six years of age responsible for a kitten.

Getting a painful scratch is a common problem, considering kittens are unable to retract their claws until about seven weeks old, according to PetPlace.com. Aside from the obvi-

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ous, it adds another setback to pet ownership, because the child becomes afraid and may refuse to consider a future relationship with a cat. Also, kittens or cats should be adopted in pairs, say rescue groups. It’s good for the felines themselves – social interaction, exercise and mental stimulation. But additionally, owners have the advantage of less destruction in the house, including rips on furniture or general annoyance, such as cats who wake them up in the middle of the night to play.

They also clean each other, sometimes grooming each other’s ears and coat better than they can do for themselves.

Dogs

Many families are set on finding a canine companion for the kids. If so, there are features you want to be aware of, according to PetMD: • Temperament • Size • Energy level Perhaps even more important, you have to be sure it’s a good match for your individual family members.

If it’s a breed that requires extra veterinary care, can you fit that into your budget? If a dog has long fur, you must be aware there are additional grooming costs, and house cleaning is a more difficult chore.

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In determining the age of dog that is appropriate for your children, be aware that puppies require a tremendous amount of care. It is almost like having a baby of your own. If you hope to adopt an older dog, be sure his personality complements your family’s lifestyle. Do you want a dog to bring on camping trips? Or are you a mellow family looking for a kick-back canine to just hang out?

Be sure the new dog gets along with your other pets also.

Fighting dogs or angry cats are a real chore to handle.

There are best breeds for your situation as well, and PetMD has suggestions. Bull dogs tend to be affectionate and very loyal. They play hard – rough and tumble types, says the site. Newfoundlands are called “nature’s babysitter.” They are gentle and extremely intelligent. Also, several types of collies are good for families, because they are friendly and predictable. Many suggest this breed for families who have little experience with dogs.

“A dog is great for families who have a lot of time,” says Victoria Rubay, a veterinary technology student who works at K9 Loft in Pasadena. “Puppies and dogs require a lot of work.

It’s like having a toddler all over again. They eat, play, poop, and sleep. They get on a feeding schedule and if you are out running errands you could find your couch or other things you left around the house chewed up. It is best to be around as much as possible with a dog.”

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2016

Your lifestyle has a lot to do with it for other pets also, Rubay says.

“If you are thinking of getting a pet and you and your child are busy, start off small,” she says. “Start with a hamster. They are low maintenance and you can leave them for a long time if you need to run errands. They are enough maintenance to learn responsibility, like cleaning the cage, feeding them, giving treats and buying accessories for the hamster. A cat would be ideal for a household with moderately busy activity. It is ideal to clean a litter box daily.

It is also better to feed them meals versus getting a free feeder. It helps to better manage the weight of the cat with portion control.”

Alternative Pets

Pot-bellied pigs became more commonplace in the last decade, because celebrities like George Clooney made them popular. There are some tremendous advantages to pigs as pets. They are actually clean and don’t tend to smell, unlike their reputation. Also, you won’t find the destruction of your yard and property you may find with a dog. They tend to live

up to 20 years, which is longer than traditional pets. What you have to keep in mind is that they can get very, very large.

Rabbits are another dream pet for a lot of boys and girls.

But they are extremely fragile and if they are picked up incorrectly they can kick out their back legs and break their backs.

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continued from page 11 Children want a pet they can pick up, and bunnies are not fond of being held. Despite the fact a caged animal seems low-maintenance, rabbits need to get out and run around for at least five hours a day, says the House Rabbit Society. And you have to be sure they have hay, which is essential to a rabbit’s diet, according to the group’s website. They need the roughage to deter the formation of hairballs and blockages.

There are pets without the furry features, but may be good starter animals for kids. A fish takes a minimum level of responsibility, especially if mom or dad cleans the water. If you have the yard space, chickens are another possibility. Kids can hold them, plus they get a farm experience collecting eggs. A lot of reptiles are available, but a good one is the tortoise. They are active and they can take extreme temperatures. Note to parents: They can live 50 years or more.

“Both age and parents factor into getting a pet,” Rubay says. “If you have a baby or toddler and want to get a pet, it might not be the best idea quite yet. The best age to have a pet is between 5-10 years of age. Working at a daycare for dogs, I see 5-year-olds who are gentle with their dogs,

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because they were taught to be. But children younger than 5 seem to not be as aware that their animal is a living thing and not a toy.”

Sure, a pet is a cute addition to the family. And it may appease your kids’ begging, while teaching them responsibility.

Just be a wise old owl and make sure it’s the right time. You may need to spend a few more years letting your kids be the cutest ones in the house.

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The Undeserved Blemish on Black Cats

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ccording to rescue centers, black cats are undeniably the least likely to be adopted. Regardless of whether the cat is an adult or a kitten, black felines are often left for months – if not years – in shelters.

Professionals aren’t sure why, but they’ve got a few ideas.

The first is simply that a black cat isn’t as visually appealing as a multi-colored breed. Black cats tend to blend into the shadows in a home, and don’t “pop” quite as much in pictures. Also, some folks find it disconcerting to see two eyes peering out at them, while the body of the cat is obscured by evening shadows.

Another reason black cats are less popular is they carry a stigma about them. Various cultures possess superstitions about black cats, and some of them are downright scary. Here in the U.S., black felines have been long associated with witches. (Then again, so are brooms, and you’ve probably got at least one of those in your house.)

In 14th century Europe, there was a widespread belief that the plague was the result of witchcraft, including the presence of black cats. In fact, many of these felines were destroyed during

that time in history, which – ironically – allowed the rat population to grow. Most experts say that humans were infected by fleas on rats.

Certain parts of the world have legends about cats that include good luck, and even worship, in some cases. Ancient Egypt, for one, honored the exotic black cat. And as for the old adage that if a black cat crosses your path it means bad luck – in countries such as Japan and Germany, certain beliefs consider your encounter with a cat good luck.

If you’re thinking of adopting a cat, try to look past the coat, and whatever superstitions you may hold, see the animal for what it really is: a cat. Black cats have the same personality, charm, and general, all-around feline authenticity that cats of other colors possess. Black cats are capable of comforting you when you’re sad, playing with you when you’re happy, and knocking your water glass off the edge of the counter, only to turn around and give you a quizzical look like it’s your fault for putting it there.

If you think you’re ready to bring a black cat (or two or three, for that matter) into your home, there are numerous shelters in your area that have cats of all ages for you to adopt. Why not take a trip over to one and see for yourself?

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Exit Stage Left:

Shining the Spotlight on Shelter Animals

By Larissa Barnes

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ore and more, people are starting to reevaluate the prejudices associated with shelter animals.

Mangy, mutt, unwanted, ill, aggressive, old.

Thankfully, those images are becoming a thing of the past, as shelter workers strive to change perceptions and shine the light on homeless or abandoned pets.

Animal advocates relish the opportunity to tell you how awesome shelter animals are. They will glow with pride at finding a home for a 10-year-old Labrador or have happy tears about connecting a kitten with a new family. They spout facts like “over 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebred” and “the average age of a shelter animal is 18 months or under.”

But how do these pet crusaders get the word out to the wider population? How do they network animals to get them adopted?

The answer is simple and it is no different than any other marketing strategy: public exposure. The more people who see animals looking for homes, the more animals that get adopted. Achieving this is a bit more complicated than it sounds, however.

First, the shelter needs to be a happy place. Potential adopters need to feel welcome to visit, they need to feel that staff and volunteers are available to help them, and they need the shelter to be a positive experience. As a volunteer, I have heard people time and time again say they can’t visit a shelter - that

it is too sad, too crowded, too chaotic. But it doesn’t have to be.

Of course, to achieve a positive experience the animals need to receive the best possible care. The facility needs to be clean, the animals well cared for, the dogs walked, the cats given enrichment. The happier the animals are, the happier visitors are.

So, how do you make your shelter a happy place? The more volunteers a shelter has, the easier it is to provide optimal care and enrichment for the animals. Happy animals equals happy staff, and more volunteers equals happy visitors, and more adoptions equals more volunteers, which equals happy animals.

And around and around it goes. Simple, right?????

But you need to get people through the door, and without the public, the merry-go-round doesn’t spin. So, how can you generate community interest?

Social media has revolutionized animal networking. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are flooded with animals looking for homes, and subsequently, people looking for animals are starting to hit social media before even visiting a shelter. Creating an online presence for adoptable pets starts with a photograph, and posting a good photo that highlights the pet’s adoptable qualities is imperative. Get the dog or cat groomed, Photoshop him on a skateboard, dress her in a funny outfit - whatever it takes.

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continued from page 15 Then you need a story, something to engage potential adopters, tug their heartstrings, make them smile, and hopefully make them realize they have been waiting for little “Jack” their entire lives. Doing this doesn’t just help Jack, it helps every dog that potential adopters walk past on their way to visit Jack.

Of course, the problem with social media is it gets a bit saturated. The flood of adoptable pets means yours has to stand out elsewhere. Bringing the pets to the people has always been a popular technique, often through mobile adoption centers at shopping centers and pet stores. This is about creating awareness for your shelter as much as it is about getting an individual pet adopted.

Creating a presence in your community reminds people that the shelter is there and that animals need the community’s help. Of course, for these events you need volunteers, and the events helps generate more volunteers, so the merry-go-round keeps going.

But, obviously, every marketing campaign needs a pricing strategy. Regularly discounted adoptions helps generate interest, it helps get social media presence, it helps get people in the door and can help you focus on pets that need a little extra help. Reducing the adoption fee for black animals around Black Friday, mother cats on Mother’s Day, two kittens for the price of one adoption fee, terrier breeds for Saint Patrick’s Day - the opportunities are endless.

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Creating a database of adopters, enquirers, local media and pet store managers is a great way to send out details of special adoption events, promotions, animals with special needs and cute stories. You will be amazed how many people like “old school” communication rather than social media and will respond more favorably to an email than a tag. Someone who adopted from you in the past may not frequent your shelter website, Facebook page or Instagram account; sending them an email asking for help promoting a special needs dog, or for volunteers or donations may be the only way to reach them. Once again, it helps if you have volunteers to do this for you and the more you connect with the outside world the more volunteers you will have.

Creating a presence in the community, showcasing your animals in the best light possible, communicating with previous adopters or those who have shown an interest in your shelter - these are all easy ways to maximize exposure for adoptable animals. But never forget, ensuring your one-onone experience with shelter visitors is positive is the most important way to help animals get adopted. By providing your animals the best possible care and enrichment you encourage visitors, volunteers and adoptions. Saving the lives of animals can only be achieved by working with the public. Animal homelessness is a social problem and your shelter needs to be a social solution; shining the spotlight on that is the only way to achieve change.

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Heartworm Disease:

Do We Need To Worry for our Pets?

By Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM of Cinema Veterinary Centre

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f you have a dog, you most likely have heard of heartworm disease. If you have always had a dog living in Southern California, you may have been told in the past that we don’t have the disease here. However, in more recent years we are starting to see outbreaks of heartworm disease in Los Angeles County. We certainly see it in the local coyote populations, and most recently, Cinema Veterinary Centre has diagnosed a positive heartworm case in a client’s dog. Many dogs diagnosed in L.A. County may have a recent travel history to other places where heartworm disease is more common; however, in any case, monthly heartworm prevention is important.

Heartworms are parasites that live in the arteries of your pet’s lungs and, in severe cases, in the right side of their heart chambers, according to the American Heartworm Society.

These parasites are a species of roundworms that need an insect species to spread it from animal to animal. The disease is spread by mosquitoes that become infected with microfilariae while taking a blood meal from an infected dog. Within the mosquito, the microfilariae mature into the infective larval stage. When the mosquito then bites another dog, cat, or susceptible animal, the larvae are deposited on the skin and actively migrate into the new host. For about two months the

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Furever Purr Rescue To adopt one of these pets, please contact us at (661) 255-9979 or (818) 635-6473.

All of our kitties are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, micro-chipped, dewormed, treated for fleas, and have been tested for FeLV/FIV. Photos courtesy of That Spunky Monkey Photography.

Amelia and Einstein Amelia is the very definition of a lap kitten!

She loves to lie on your lap or in your arms, but she also likes her own time to explore.

Amelia is perfectly content lying in a spot of sun-warmed carpet in the afternoon. She likes to observe her older brother bounce around playing with enthusiasm, and will join him when the time is right. Her moves are carefully considered, as if she’s trying to impress you with her thoughtfulness.

Einstein is playful and adventurous – anything and everything is fascinating to this curious little guy. He is energetic, but not out of control around the house. After his first trip down the stairs, he ran right back up & down a few times, as if he was on a roller coaster for the first time! He’s inquisitive and will try to get his shy sister Amelia involved in his adventures. When his sister is being held and getting lots of attention, you’ll find an envious Einstein approach, giving a few soft mews to remind you he needs some love too. A few quick snuggles or scratches send Einstein off and running again!

Einstein and Amelia are the perfect brother & sister combination. They love each other, keep each other entertained, and their personalities meet in the middle when they need to. Neither Einstein nor Amelia is afraid of humans, making them great pets for a family! These two are the perfect duo for keeping your current kitten/cat occupied at home or to bring into your family as new pets.

Einstein and Amelia are 12 weeks old.

Loki Inquisitive and amusing, Loki is certain to be a delight to the lucky family who shares their space with him. His stunning markings make us wonder how he was overlooked. He was dumped by his family when they moved. Loki is curious, friendly and playful. His previous family said he is good with cats and dogs, and he has done well with kids in his foster home.

Loki is just three years old and ready to start his life over.

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Aidan Little Aidan is the most delightful little jewel. He is friendly and playful. He loves other cats and gets along well with his foster brothers. Aidan enjoys his toy time and snuggling with his human. He would do best in a home without dogs. Sadly, he had a bad experience prior to being dumped at the shelter and is terribly frightened of them.

Anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of sharing company with an orange tabby knows how truly special they are. Aidan is 7 months old.

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2016

continued from page 19 larvae migrate through the connective tissue, under the skin, then pass into the animal’s venous blood stream and are quickly transported to the arteries of the lung. It takes a total of approximately six months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms that begin producing offspring, microfilariae.

Adult heartworms can live for five to seven years in the dog.

Adult worms living in the pulmonary arteries and the heart can cause extensive damage to these organs, as well as cause dysfunction of the liver and the kidneys. Infected dogs may exhibit clinical signs associated with lung and heart dysfunction including a cough, exercise intolerance and difficulty breathing. However, very acute or mild infections may not show any signs at all!

While treatment is available and usually successful for dogs that are infected, prevention is much safer and, by far, more economical. We recommend for all of our canine patients to be on a monthly heartworm preventative, in either a chewable or topical form. We offer a quick, 10-minute blood test that checks your pet for the presence of the disease, and if negative, your pet can be placed on the monthly preventative. Even with prevention, it is recommended that pets be tested for heartworm disease on an annual basis. Additional information can be found online at the American Heartworm Society.

Pet Me! Magazine™

21

Animal Aftercare

Cal Pet Crematory (310) 278-0633 (818) 983-2313 (323) 875-0633 www.calpet.com Guardian Animal Aftercare (818) 768-6465 www.guardianaftercare.com Pawpular Pet Suppliers Fox Feed 17028 Sierra Highway Canyon Country, 91387 (661) 252-9790 www.foxfeed.com Dermatology for Pets Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Valencia Veterinary Center 23928 Summerhill Lane Valencia, CA 91354 (661) 855-4870 www.dermatologyforanimals.com Animal Control Centers

Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue (661) 273-9822 www.forgottenangelsrescue.org Forgotten.Angels@hotmail.com Furever Purr Rescue (818) 635-6473 castaiccats@aol.com www.fureverpurrrescue.org

PetSave Foundation Bunny Rescue (661) 478-7360 www.petsave.org

Cinema Veterinary Centre 23460 Cinema Drive, Unit L Valencia, 91355 (661) 253-9300 www.cinemavet.com

Ratz Nest Rat Rescue (661) 303-7872 www.ratznest.weebly.com Saffyre Sanctuary (Horse Rescue) Sylmar, CA www.saffyresanctuary.org

Lancaster Animal Shelter 5210 W. Ave. I Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 940-4191 www.animalcare.lacounty.gov

Shelter Hope Pet Shop Santa Clarita 24201 Valencia Blvd. #1318 Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 885-4716 shelterhopepetshop.org/ santaclarita

Brittany Foundation Agua Dulce (661) 713-5240 www.brittanyfoundationonline.org

22 Pet Me! Magazine™

All Creatures Veterinary Center 22722 Lyons Ave # 5 Newhall, 91321-2876 (661) 291-1121 www.wecarevets.com

New Leash On Life Animal Rescue adopt@nlol.org (661) 255-0097

Save A Kitty, Inc. (818) 825-3096 www.SaveaKittyCA.org

Visit our website for a complete list of rescue organizations

Trusted Vets In and Around SCV

Canyon Country Veterinary Hospital 18840 Soledad Canyon Road Canyon Country, 91351-3772 (661) 424-9900 www.wecarevets.com

Castaic Animal Shelter 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Rd. Castaic (661) 257-3191 www.animalcare.lacounty.gov

Rescue Organizations

Southern California Siamese Rescue http://cs.siameserescue.org/ St. Bonnie’s Sanctuary/ Lange Foundation 27567 Oak Spring Canyon Rd. Canyon Country, CA 91387 (661) 251-5590 http://langefoundation.com

Golden State Veterinary Care 29629 The Old Road Castaic, 91384 (661) 670-8773 www.goldenstateveterinarycare.com Happy Pets Veterinary Center 27550 Newhall Ranch Road Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 295-9972 www.happypetsveterinary.com Peaceful Pets In-Home Euthanasia Services (661) 621-3750 peacefulpetsinhome@gmail.com www.peacefulpetsservices.com Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center 25832 Hemingway Ave. Santa Clarita, CA 91381 (661) 799-0655 www.srvc.com Valencia Veterinary Center 24036 Summerhill Ln. Santa Clarita, 91354 (661) 263-9000 www.bestvalenciavet.com Valley Lyons Pet Hospital 24882 Apple St., Newhall, CA (661) 254-6680

Clip & Save!

Pets

for all things

VIP Veterinary Services 26111 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. Suite D-5, Saugus, CA 91350 (661) 222-PETS www.VIPVeterinaryServices.com

!

Directory

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2016

Best Boarding Facilities & Pampering Pet Sitters Canine Country Club 20341 Blue Cloud Road Santa Clarita, 91390-1259 (661) 296-0566 www.cccofscv.com Castaic Canine Camp 36975 Ridge Route Road Castaic, 91384 (661) 257-0957 www.castaiccaninecamp.com Dogone-it Marlee (661) 251-3873 Dogone-it@hotmail.com Pacific Pet Sitters (661) 505-6615 www.pacificpetsitters.com Alternative Medicines & Healing Sylvia Nahale Hathaway Acupressurist & Reiki Master (661) 378-8612 josephinesplace@msn.com Lyons Pharmacy & Compounding Lab (661) 777-7770 www.MyLyonsPharmacy.com Canine Rehabilitation Happy Pets Veterinary Center 27550 Newhall Ranch Rd. Valencia, CA 91355 Valencia Veterinary Center 24036 Summerhill Ln. Valencia, CA 91354 Puppy Raisers Guide Dogs of America (818) 833-6441 www.guidedogsofamerica.org

CASTAIC

CANINE CAMP Castaic Canine Camp is literally a home away from home for dogs

Let’s face it, when it comes to your canine children, you want the best for them. A place where the love and attention they need and want is guaranteed.

Castaic Canine Camp sits on 17 pristine acres of land adjacent to Castaic Lake. Castaic Canine Camp offers boarding, daycare, training facilities, and services for all ages, breeds and sizes of canines.

Castaic Canine Camp accepts furry guests for a day visit or extended stay, and offers interaction with other dogs or separate accommodations according to your pet’s special needs...and your needs for them.

Pet taxi is for those of you who know your pet

Pet Taxi

Castaic Canine Camp Offers: Boarding Daycare

Training

Basic obedience and dogs with behavioral issues

is well enough to stay at home while you're g for the day, but you know you can't make gone iti on time to take your pet out where they need tot go. We provide transportation to vet's office, g groomer' s, friend or relative's house, and even t airport. Wherever your pet may need to go the o be picked up, we can transport him. This or s service is not only for dogs, we also provide t transportation for livestock. Also, we can pick up and deliver any supply you may need for your livestock and house pets. Rates depend on mileage; please call for more details.

FREE

RAINING when you aT d animal contr opt a dog from ol or any res cue.

(661) 257-0957 57 • ((661)) 257 257-1870 1870 36975 Ridge Route Rd. • Castaic, Ca 91384 www.castaiccaninecamp.com • email: ossaonyx@aol.com

Pet Me! Magazine™

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Valencia Veterinary Center Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2016

“pets are people too!”

FREE FIRST OFFICE VISIT New clients only. Not valid with emergency services.

NEW

CANINE

REHABILITATION CENTER

A Full Service 24 hr. Pet Hospital Emergency & Critical Care Facility NEW

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR

Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Arthritis

(661) 263-9000

Dog Aquatic Therapy Dog Acupuncture Temperature Therapy Dog Laser Therapy Electrical Stimulation Therapeutic Ultrasound Massage Therapy/ Manual Therapies Therapeutic Exercises

Baljit Grewal, DVM

Kimberly Caruso, DVM, DACVP, CCRT Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Arsalan Liaghat, DVM Daniel Slaton, DVM

23928 Summerhill Lane Valencia, CA 91354 On McBean Pkwy near Decoro, across from Ralphs

s r

r

TM

www.bestvalenciavet.com

24 Pet Me! Magazine™