Words, Woofs & Meows Dogs for Adoption ......... 12&13

Last month I discussed reasons I recommend every pet parent consider purchasing pet insurance, especially when their pet is young and before they have any preexisting conditions.

When we decided to purchase pet health insurance for Muppy nine years ago, there were far fewer options. That also means it was not as complicated as it is today. There were fewer companies, and it was easier to find independent and unbiased reviews online. Today several major insurance companies are offering policies for pets as they see this as a financially lucrative market. Their participation could drive prices up or down.

Also, as we see more veterinary practices purchased by corporate entities, they may recommend specific insurance where they have a financial interest. That concerns me.

When you see articles online with a title like "The Best Pet Health Insurance for 2022," be aware that there is a distinct possibility the review is biased. You will find many such articles, and they seldom rate individual companies the same way. It's common for vendors of all sorts of products to use this technique to make their product look like it is number one.

As you consider a provider, I first recommend choosing wisely for the long haul. Remember, once your pet has been seen for a health issue, it is unlikely to be covered by insurance because it is a preexisting condition. If you are insured when something occurs, you will likely need to stay with that insurer to maintain coverage.

Don't select the first plan you see, the one that is cheapest or the one your cousin, breeder, or favorite shelter recommended without doing your own research. A great place to start is by asking pet care professionals like your veterinarian, boarding kennel, daycare, groomer, and trainers about their experience with insurance. They may have their own experience and know other clients that have had good and bad experiences. Like hairdressers and bartenders, our clients often share with us.

However, also recognize that in some cases, pet care professionals, breeders, shelters, and rescues may receive compensation for recommending certain pet health insurance products. So don't be afraid to ask them if they fall into this category.

When talking to your veterinarian, ask if he has worked with the provider you are considering. As with human healthcare, you need your provider and insurer to work together. Insurers need information to process a claim, so you want to ensure your veterinarian can and will provide that information as required.

Speak to other people in your circle who have pets that might have pet insurance. What has their experience been?

Determine your budget and if you will be able to maintain payments moving forward. The price of your policy will likely go up yearly just as everything else increases. If you stop making payments and your pet has an issue being covered, you may lose that coverage forever.

Assess what you want your plan to cover. You can purchase insurance that covers annual wellness visits, but they are likely to be more expensive than a plan that only covers emergencies. Some plans may offer discounts for multiple pets, while others may limit the maximum annual payout. If complementary therapies are essential to you (acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Chiropractic, and Homeopathy), make sure they are covered by the plan you select. Lastly, read the fine print before signing or paying for anything.

Before purchasing a plan, consider your alternatives. If you are good at budgeting and setting aside money in a bank account for your pet, that may be all you need. However, recognize that veterinary emergencies can cost thousands of dollars, so it may take you a while to build that account. There are also products available for pets that work just like a Health Savings Account (HSA) would work for us.

In summary, it is unlikely that the cost of veterinary care for a pet will decrease. To help make sure you can pay for the care your pet needs, consider pet health insurance or its alternatives before you need it. You and your pet will be glad you did.

by Don Hanson

photo credit: debra bell

Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he isthe co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB)and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of thePet Professional Guild (PPG), where he serves on the Board of Directors and Steering Committee and chairs the Advocacy Committee. He is also a founding director of Pet Advocacy International (PIAI). In addition, Don produces and co-hosts The Woof Meow Showpodcast,available at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts/,the Apple Podcast app, and Don's blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.The opinions in this post are those of Don Hanson.

Erin Bessey - CPDT-KA • Clicker Training • Basic Obedience • Private & Group Lessons and more...

Training that is fun for the whole family 72 S. Hunts Meadow Rd Whitefi eld, ME 04353 www.besseyspositivepaws.com Find us on Facebook

Veterinary rehabilitation and hydrotherapy • Laser therapy • Acupuncture • Herbal therapy • Nutrition counseling

Monday through Saturday, by appointment only. Christine Fraser, DVM Located in Happy Tails Daycare at 119 Bishop St. Portland, ME

Everything your pet needs: food, toys, treats, clothing, care items, collars food, toys, treats, clothing, care items, collars Open Daily 10AM to Close I 150 Main St. #3, Bar Harbor (207)288-0404 I barkharbor.com

By Susan Spisak

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Shelly A. Butler, Executive Director for P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center, aka P.A.W.S. This nonprofit is a no-kill shelter that serves Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville, Belfast, Hope, Northport, and six other nearby towns. Founded in 1974 by a group of Midcoast animal lovers, their mission has remained constant: to provide a safe, caring environment for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats and to promote responsible pet ownership.

Shelly said their programs to aid their communities are all-important. To that end, they offer PAWS Cares Wellness Clinics and other veterinary services on a rolling basis in one of their twelve towns/islands each month to help keep their area pets healthy. Appointments can be scheduled online for spay/neuter and wellness appointments which include a full exam, parasite treatments, Lyme shots, microchips, and preventative vaccinations. (Check pawsadoption. org/paws-cares-clinics. In September, two clinics are slated at the Islesboro Community Center, 11am to 2 pm; October’s clinics are TBD.) Note; free flea/tick preventatives may be available courtesy of the Waldo County Pet Pantry.

Shelly said the services are so “affordable,” the charges barely cover the cost. For example, a required healthy canine exam is $20, and a one-year canine rabies is $10, and the Lyme vaccines are available for $25. Spay/neuter vouchers are accepted and can be obtained at the Waldo Humane Society, Waldo Pet Food Pantry, and Pope Memorial Humane Society.

Shelly gave a huge shout out to three supporters who generously help fund the clinics as well as all of their efforts: The “amazing” P.A.W.S. Board President, January Peavey of January Peavey State Farm, the Maine Community Foundation, and the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.

Other programs that P.A.W.S. is proud of includes their Pet Food & Supply Pantry and their partnership with area social service providers like New Hope Midcoast & the Knox County Homeless Coalition. The Pet Food Pantry is a valuable resource for their communities. After a request for pet food assistance and appointment for pick-up is made, P.A.W.S. will provide a one-month supply of dog and cat pet food. Requests will be filled on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. Check the website for full info, link below.

Their partnership with New Hope Midcoast in Rockland is vital to many. New Hope Midcoast provides emergency shelter to those facing domestic, dating, and stalking abuse. (For more info on this nonprofit that was previously called New Hope for Women, newhopemidcoast.org/.) P.A.W.S. aids them by temporarily boarding animals for those owners who are leaving threatening situations. On the day we spoke, Shelly said she had new requests from their social service partners to help pet owners who were struggling.

Now onto P.A.W.S. pets. Shelly said they provide services for about 1,500 animals annually. In 2021, they had a 97% placement rate--587 pets found a new home. Their dogs come in as strays, owner relinquishments, and they open their doors to canines & felines from their partners, Georgia’s Road Trip Home, and Puerto Rico’s Love4Satos. (Sato means mutt in Spanish.) P.A.W.S.’s cozy and clean facility can house up to twenty dogs and one hundred cats. They also rely on foster homes, especially for their pregnant or special needs animals.

Area residents can support P.A.W.S. by volunteering, fostering, donating, or just stopping by 123 John Street in Camden to visit with the pets. For more and to see all their available dogs, pawsadoption.org/.

Franny is a mellow girl who loves everyone she meets! She also does well with some other dogs but will need someone who is good at integrating dogs. Otherwise, she should be the only dog. She would even be great with kids. She is ready for her forever home. Could that be with you? Lincoln is so awesome! He is a fun and energetic young boy. He is dog selective so he will need someone who is good at integrating dogs, cats are unknown, but does well with all humans that he meets - except is not a fan of children. He will make an amazing addition to his future forever home!

If you have any questions about Franny or Lincoln, please contact P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center at peteypaws@pawsadoption.org or (207)236-8702.

Raymond (207)655-6760 • So. Paris (207)743-8960

Bridgton (207)647-2383 • Jay (207)897-3333 • Lewiston (207)783-1366 Newport (207)368-4329 • Turner (207)225-2525 • Winthrop (207)377-2614 North Conway, NH (603)356-5669

Sweet & sensitive, Blue and Lilac are a bonded pair who love people. They would like to be the only dogs in a home, but cats seem to be ok. Favorite activities are playing fetch, long walks, car rides, & hanging out in a chair.

A sweet, affectionate dog who will be friends with any person. She is very talkative and needs to live where neighbors are not too close by, and with people who understand her need to express herself. Great with kids; other dogs are ok but not cats.

Energetic and playful. Not a dog for first time dog owners or people unfamiliar with the Catahoula breed. He loves to snuggle and learn new tricks. Can be protective of his home but is learning to be more comfortable around new people. .

Sponsored by: Mason’s Brewing Company

15 Hardy St., Brewer, (207)989-6300, masonsbrewingcompany.com

Looking for an adopter who loves to play and has as much energy as I do. I need a home without cats or other small animals. If you are interested, please fill out a pre-adoption application on the shelter website so we can set up a meeting.

Sponsored by: Green with Envy Salon

Camden, Rockland, Belfast, Augusta, (207) 236-3689, greenenvysalon.com

Sandy is as cute as can be. She loves kids, cats and dogs. She is crate trained and working on house training. Sandy loves being outside. Going for walks, or simply being with her people.

Sponsored by: First National Bank

18 Branches from Wiscasset to Calais, 1-800-564-3195, thefirst.com

Aurora’s favorite activities are playing ball outside and going for walks. Needs a home with adults only and no other dogs. She is Lyme+ and may have future infection recurrences. If you are interested, please fill out a pre-adoption application on the shelter website so we can set up a meeting.

Sponsored by: Rising Tide Co-op

323 Main St., Damariscotta, (207)563-5556, risingtide.coop

Diesel loves to ride, run, and play tug. He needs a firm handler and to be the only pet in a home.

Sponsored by: Kompletely K-9 Dog Training and Rehab.

248 Choate Rd., Montville, (207)322-5111, kompletelyk9.com

Nikita is a big, happy boy with a large personality. He weighs around 80 pounds, and we think he likes other dogs but wants to chase cats. He's a goofy, galumph who will win your heart if you give him the chance.

Sponsored by: Water Bark Wellness

4 Commercial St., Rockport, (207)230-8455, waterbarkwellness.com

Mickey is a happy mixed breed who knows his basic commands and likes to show them off. He's a great walking buddy and a super companion. He does well with some dogs but can come on too strong for others.

Sponsored by: Bagel Café

25 Mechanic St., Camden, (207)236-2661, bagelcafemaine.com

Ripple is a sweetie. He loves to play, go on boat rides, snuggle, observe, and be held. He is either playing hard or totally crashed out. Ripple would be a great addition to any family, and he gets along well with other dogs.

Sponsored by: Green Tree Coffee & Tea

2456 Atlantic Hwy., Lincolnville, (207)706-7908, greentreecoffee.com

Lily is the sweetest girl. Loves to snuggle, hang outside, play with balls and toys, and run with other dogs. She loves human attention and sitting in a lap! Lily likes to play hard followed by a big nap. She does great with all humans and all dogs.

Mia is crate trained and housebroken, she sleeps through the night. Leash trained, super smart and gentle. She is laid back, with no resource guarding. She loves long walks, belly rubs and lots of soft places to sleep!