Rocket City Pets Fall 2013 by Rocket City Pets

FALL 13

Volume 1 | Issue 4

inside: Boarding and Dog Daycare

BE THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

JASON PUTSCHĂ&#x2030;

Tell your local shelter you support Trap-Neuter-Return.

For tips on talking to shelters: www.alleycat.org/HelpShelters

â&#x20AC;Ś r e v o c e h t n o Cappuccino lives with the Teper family in Madison AL. Cover photo by Michelle Harte.

Rocket City Pets magazine is a free, quarterly publication in the Huntsville, Alabama region, supported by advertising from local pet related businesses and services.

Publisher & Editor Tia Wheeler Graphic Design & Layout Kalico Design www.kalicodesign.com Contributing Writers Rob Adams Betty Boyd Tia Wheeler

Facebook.com/RocketCityPets A published advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of VECTORBUTTONS. COM products or services. Rocket City Pets reserves the right to refuse advertising at any time and for any reason. In particular, we do not accept advertising relating to the sale of animals; this is an affirmation of our commitment to pet adoption. All content in Rocket City Pets is intended for informative and entertainment purposes. For issues relating to animal health and wellbeing, please consult your veterinarian. Information provided in this issue was obtained from sources deemed reliable, and should be considered accurate at time of publication.

Michelle

Harte Photography 256.658.9295

Rocket City Pets P.O. Box 22254 | Huntsville AL 35814 256-6828362 | info@rocketcitypets.com RocketCityPets.com

www.rocketcitypets.com | Fall 2013

community Spotlight

|Betty Boyd |

The ARK Inc. The ARK was founded in 1990 by its director Nina Beal and cares for both dogs and cats. Cats are not caged, but are allowed to roam free in special rooms especially designed for them. Their mission is to rescue as many animals as possible, provide medical care to include spaying and neutering, and educate children on being responsible pet owners. They visit both schools and nursing homes to provide this humane education program. The Ark has approximately 50 volunteers that are scheduled

at different times. Volunteers help at the shelter, run the thrift store, and serve as dog walkers. The Ark supports other community organizations through Memorandums of Understanding. To assist Hope Place they provide a safe environment for pets belonging to women of domestic violence. With the American Red Cross they provide disaster relief to animals in need. To see animals available for adoption at The ARK, check their Facebook page (The-ARK-Inc) or visit www.petfinder.com/ shelters/AL109.html. For more information about volunteering or donating, please contact them at:

The ARK Inc. 139 Bo Cole Rd. Huntsville, AL 35806 256-851-4088

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Finding the right care and services for pets varies by individual needs, of both the humans and the animals. While there are many nice places to board a dog or cat, I personally do not

Editor’s Note Meet the Breed: Guinea Pig 21st Century Cat Toys Boarding & Doggie Daycare DIY For Your Pet: Comfort Bed From Our Readers Events Calendar Directory Listings Nutmeg’s World

place Nutmeg in a facility with cages, because I do not want her to regress after the remarkable progress made since she left the puppy mill. Some facilities are bare bones, while others offer heated beds and ‘homecooked meals.’ What is important is to find a facility that you and your pets are happy with. Remember, your pets are your family members and you can ask questions about the care they receive when you are not with them. Take a tour of the facility, ask around for recommendations, observe how your pet acts when you arrive and leave. If you have to drag your Great Dane in the door every morning when dropping off at daycare, then maybe that is not the best option for him. However, if your cat purrs and leaps into the arms of the attendant, they probably approve of the place. This is why the feature article this issue is about selecting the right boarding and daycare facility. Happy Tails, Tia

5 6 8 10 13

|contents |

As you will read in Nutmeg’s World, Houdini has reappeared in the form of a 10 pound dog. Since I adopted Nutmeg, I mostly worked from home, and when I traveled I relied on two great Bed-n-Biscuit services, Pampered Pets in Alexandria VA and The Pet Nanny in Huntsville AL. I would leave Nutmeg at their house, comforted in the knowledge that she would be cared for and safe. She was often reluctant to leave when I picked her up. I choose to take that as a sign of approval of them, and not as a personal insult. Like some moms I am unbelievably picky, verging on neurotic, on the few occasions when I needed to board her or use a daycare service.

editor’s note

Editor’s Note

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Your Friend the

Guinea Pig (Cavia Porcellus)

Why are they called Guinea Pig? Well, they make grunting noises, can be kept in small cages, and they have large heads relative to their bodies – like pigs! The males are called boars and females are sows. Unlike pigs the young are called pups, not piglets. The guinea pig’s scientific classification is Cavia Porcellus. Cavia is a derivative of the name from French Guiana (northern South America) and Porcellus is little pig in Latin. In fact, many breeders refer to the guinea pig as Cavy’s.

Guinea pigs have a long history of human interaction. 2,000 year old statues of them have been found in Peru and Ecuador where they were clearly a part of the tribal culture, and thought to have healing properties. They were rubbed against sick and injured people to promote healing. They were also an occasional food source. It might seem strange to eat ones Gods, but consider how North American tribes both revered and hunted the deer. Guinea pigs arrived in Europe in the early 1500’s where they were exotic pets. They were pets of several royal families! The earliest known painting is from 1580 - a painting of an Elizabethan girl holding a tortoise shell guinea pig. Wild guinea pigs don’t burrow or build nests, but do find shelter in crevices or tunnels, sometimes using abandoned nests from other animals. They are most active at dawn and dusk, when their predators have the hardest time seeing them. You’ll find one boar with one or more sows, and their pups. Males and females are about the same size fully grown.

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Guinea pigs make great pets! They are slow to explore, and often won’t try to escape even if their cage is left open. They weigh about 2 lbs. as an adult and get to about 8-10 inches in length. They generally eat grass and hay, like in the wild, but they need Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables to survive. They also need to gnaw; like other rodents, their incisors never stop growing and gnawing keeps their teeth from getting too big. Guinea pigs are fickle eaters, sticking with their eating habits from when they were young. They will sometimes starve rather than try new foods. When they’re not in the wild guinea pigs are more active around the clock, stopping for short naps. Domesticated guinea pigs work well if the male is neutered and is combined with a female, or another neutered male where they were introduced at a young age. Groups of females also do well together. They do not cohabitate well with other animals, easily picking up respiratory ailments. Guinea pigs need to be kept in pairs or groups for social interaction and to combat stress and depression. When excited they will sometimes hop in the air over and over (called popcorning). Guinea pigs can purr, which sounds more like a bubbling noise, and will Wheek when excited. They also make squealing and chirping noises when in danger or stressed.

advice and support. However my favorite story comes from a book called Pigs is Pigs. In the story, guinea pigs sit and breed while the humans in the story argue how to calculate their freight charges based on whether they should be considered pets or livestock. While the humans argue and delay, the guinea pigs overbreed and take over the station. This story inspired a similar one in Star Trek, “The Trouble with Tribbles!” One of the most beloved episodes in all of Star Trek, the Tribbles did nothing but purr and breed.

meet the breed

Species where the male and female are of similar size tend to share duties in raising offspring, and guinea pigs are no exception.

Guinea pigs have taught us a lot in the fields of science and medicine. The earliest use of guinea pigs showed that their breath would melt snow, demonstrating that breathing is a combustion process. Guinea pigs were used extensively in vaccination researchin the mid20th century. While the US generally launched monkeys when putting animals in space, both the Soviet Union and China launched guinea pigs (and a few dogs). These days guinea pigs are used much less in scientific research.

u know… did yoGuinea pigs can purr,

which sounds more like a bubbling noise.

We’ve seen guinea pigs in numerous movies and TV shows, demonstrating how loved they are as pets. The guinea pig in Dr. Dolittle was a main character, giving Eddie Murphy’s character

www.rocketcitypets.com | Fall 2013

|By Rob Adams |

21st Century Cat Toys! Where’s my jetpack? I don’t know, but I know that cat toys have entered the 21st century! Put down that old ball of yarn and join us in the future. Check out these top five cat apps for your tablet or smart phone.

Crazy Cat (Android) This app lets your cat chase mice, lizards and butterflies all over your screen. The kicker is that you can connect with your phone and actually control what your cat is chasing. The app keeps score too, so you can quantify your kitty’s reactions and prowess!

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Let your cat do what she does best, pursue tiny critters. But let your tablet do what it does best, record and visualize. Put the two together and you’ll get a painting generated from kitty’s touches that can be quite beautiful or startling! Abstract art was never this fun!

feature article

Paint for Cats (iOS)

Ga mes for Cats (Android, iOS) Sponsored by Friskies, Games for Cats has several games that you can load on either your Android or iOS device. Cat fishing may be a Siamese favorite, while the wilder kitties can swat at flying Friskies morsels. Or you could challenge your furry friend to a test of reflexes with You vs. Cat. These apps are free and there are a number of videos uploaded of cats happily smacking around pixelated fish, bugs and other treasures. Friskies says that the glass tops of most tablets holds up to claws pretty well, but protective covers can get scratched. Either way your cat should find plenty to pounce on at their site.

Cat Piano (iOS) This app may be more for the wannabe cats out in the world than those that were fortunate to be born feline. Cat Piano has a typical piano keyboard, but instead of a note each key plays a cat’s meow, in perfect pitch! Vocalize your inner cat and confuse the heck out of your furry friends as they try to figure out where the newcomer is hiding!

CatTV(any browser) Not every cat can be bothered to expend the energy to chase and pursue. After all, sometimes it is gauche to put out that effort, especially in front of the inferior humans. But it is always entertaining to watch some small creature flutter or scurry around, knowing that if kitty wanted to pounce, she could in an instant. Enter CatTV. Just go to their website and click on one of several prey options. Kitty will have hours of fun daydreaming about the ferocious predator she is, without getting all out of breath. www.rocketcitypets.com | Fall 2013

Boarding & Doggie Daycare When the cat is away, the mice will play. What does your pet do when you are away? As much as we would love it, we cannot spend every waking moment with our animals. Some types of pets are low maintenance, while others require nearly constant supervision. So what are your options, and which are best for you and your pet, and your wallet?

Daytime Care When you are at work, how can you care for your pets? Cats, small mammals, and reptiles do not require daytime care. But you can still provide comforts for them, such as leaving on the TV or radio, leaving treats in puzzle feeders, and providing toys and other mental stimulation. If you want to make you cat super happy, get them a subscription to CatTV. Who’ll let the dogs out? There are three options for indoor dogs, and you can combine them: come home at lunch to let the dog out; have a dog walker stop by once or twice a day; and/or take the dog to daycare. It is great if you can make it home every day for lunch and the happy tail at the door can reenergize you for the afternoon. But what about those days when an important meeting keeps you from getting away? Hopefully you have a trusted neighbor that could stop by on such occasions, but there are limits to even the best neighbor’s generosity.

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That brings us to the next option – dog walkers. When selecting a dog walker, start by getting recommendations from friends. Since this person will have access to your home, check that they are licensed, bonded, and insured. Leave emergency contact information in a prominent place. When the walker comes over for the initial visit, observe their interactions with your pet. Interview a few candidates to find the best combination of credentials and interaction. Ask how they will communicate with you about your pet; most walkers will leave a note or report about their daily visit.

feature article

Dog Daycare? Twenty years ago it was unheard of. Now there are all sorts of options. Most operate on a similar schedule: morning play for a few hours, lunch/naptime in crates, afternoon play for several more hours. Some facilities offer enrichment programs and training. So how do you select the right daycare facility? First, call around to gather information about hours, prices, and operations. Below are the important questions to ask: §§ Do they separate the dogs into smaller groups, and is that based on size or temperament? §§ Do they screen dogs for sociability? Is the screening done by certified animal behavior specialists?

§§ Are there enrichment activities, and what are they specifically? §§ How do they deal with problem dogs? What is the facilities training philosophy?

Next, visit the facility. Observe the employees and their interactions with the dogs. Also notice the facility itself. Is it clean and safe? If it is outdoors, is there enough shade for hot days and warm shelter for cold days? Some experts recommend stopping by unannounced for a tour in order to get a more accurate representation of the facilities and staff. If possible, anonymously observe the dogs and staff outdoors. Finding the right dog daycare can help resolve behavioral problems with your dog, but using the wrong daycare facility can exacerbate issues. Therefore watch your dog for any behavioral changes when using a new daycare facility.

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Overnight Care When you go away overnight but cannot bring your furry friends, again there are multiple choices. Your best option is a pet sitter, either one who stays in your home overnight or just stops by several times a day to feed, water, walk, and play. As with dog walkers, look for a person who is licensed, bonded, and insured. Leave written instructions, as well as demonstrate all duties to be performed. Leave ample supplies in an obvious location, to include extra feed and water bowls. And do not forget to inform neighbors that a you’re using a sitter so they don’t call the police to report a burglary – this has actually happened. A pet sitter is often the most economical choice if you have multiple pets that cannot cohabitate. A growing trend is to place your dog at a caregivers own house, also known as Bed-n-Biscuit. There are a few such options in the Huntsville area. When seeking a Bed-n-Biscuit, find out how many other animals would be there, what happens when the person is not at home, and ask for refer-

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ences. There are two nation-wide websites listing private homes accepting boarders – DogVacay.com and Rover.com. Finally, you can board your dog and cat at your vet or at a kennel. Boarding facilities vary widely; some crate the animal most of the time, while other offer crate-free, social boarding. In selecting a facility, follow the above tips for selecting a daycare. To lessen the stress and anxiety for your pet, visit the facility a few days beforehand to allow your pet to become familiar with the sights and smells. If the same facility offers daycare, ask to enroll your dog for a few hours. If possible send your pet’s favorite bed or toy, along with a worn shirt from their favorite human. If you will be providing your own food, especially if the feeding instructions are complicated, package each feeding in an individual bag. And be sure to label all items left at the facility. When preparing to be away from your pet, maintain your normal routine as much as possible. Any unusual behavior on your part can tip off the animal that something is going to happen. While you may be tempted give extra affection and attention, in anticipation of the impending separation, this can also indicate to the pet that change is coming. Following these simple rules to minimize the anxiety and angst on your pet during your trips.

DIY for your pet

u By:

Brought to Yo

supplies

• 1Old Pillow Case • Lots of Old Clothes (socks, underwear and t-shirts, are best.)

• Sewing Machine or Needle & Thread • A Closure Device

Comfort Bed

(velcro, hooks, snaps, etc...)

1. Cut the old clothing into strips, approximately 1x3 inches. 2. Create a closure along the open side of an old pillow case. Velco works best because you can easily open the bag and remove contents for washing, but is also sturdy enough to keep animals from opening the pillow case. Optional – Add decoration to the pillow case. We used an embroidery machine to apply the pet’s name.

3. Insert the strips of old clothing into the pillow case. Create a soft bed, approximately 1 inch thick. Add to it as needed to maintain cushioning and human smell.

Note: This project is good for pets with separation anxiety, as the human smells of old clothes can help reduce stress. It is not good for pets that are destructive and chew on things, because the small pieces of fabric could be eaten.

8331 Madison Blvd, Ste., 200B Madison AL 35758 | 256-705-GEAR

www.mindgearlabs.com

(4327)

reader

… s o t o ph “Wiskers”

“Jackson” 4 yrs

Contributed by: Renee Lowder Wiskers is our rescue from The Ark in Huntsville. She was the runt of the litter. She was born in 1996 (I think) and is really old in cats lives. We call her the Weather Cat because long before we know a storm is coming she is crouching on the stairs.

Contributed by: Tony & Suzanne G. Rescued as a stray just before Thanksgiving and went to the North Alabama Spay & Neuter Clinic the day after rescue, where he tested positive for FIV+. Because of knowledgeable friends, a great vet, Dr. Stephanie Gandy and a cat with a wonderful “purr”-sonality, Jackson has a forever home with 4 other feline siblings that are not FIV+ He is a true blessing to our family!

see youinr poetur magazine!

Send a high resolution photo of your pet including its name and yours, and you may see it featured in an upcoming issue of Rocket City Pets.

Email the photo and information to info@rocketcitypets.com 14 Fall 2013 | Rocket City Pets Magazine

reader header photos section “Bo,” “Ringo” & “Linus”

“Mister” Blue Healer

Contributed by: Belinda Bishop Three of our four rescues!

Contributed by: Jill Cordone

“Nekkid” 9 month old Great Dane

“Otis”

Contributed by: Liz Behr

Contributed by: M. Johnson This puppy is spoiled rotten. He truly doesn’t know that he is a pet. He thinks he is just another one of the kids.

www.rocketcitypets.com | Fall 2013 15

reader photos

“Bucky,” “Cricket” & “Lil” Contributed by: Brenda Gallagher (From left to right) Bucky, Cricket, and Lil are all rescues. Bucky came to our door injured, bleeding and very very thin. He was the second one of the three to arrive. Cricket, the newest member had dog on dog aggression issues and came for “training” at the time we also had a 90 pound chow mix. She attacked our chow on numerous occasions all 6 pounds of her. Needless to say she won everyone’s heart including the chow. Lil was a side of the road dog, she’s my favorite and a wonderfully loyal dog.

“Murphy,” “Rosie” & “Sam” Contributed by: Misty Goode Murphy is my little “brother”. He was adopted in the Fall of 2008 from a lady that was looking to find him another home. He absolutely loves everyone he comes across and covers me with kisses everyday! Rosie (top) was adopted from Huntsville Animal Services on March 7th, 2009 after her second trip to the shelter. She had been terribly abused and it was months before I saw her little nubbin wag. She is now happy, healthy, loves to play, and really enjoys showing off her pretty dresses! Sam (bottom) was wandering the streets of Decatur on July 7th, 2010 at just 5 months old. He is my sweetheart and cuddle bug who adores his squeaky toys!

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reader photos

“Zoe,” “Bella” & “Duff” Contributed by: Jennifer Linton & Jana Miller Zoë (top) is a 7 year old Black & White Chihuahua/ Pekingese mixed pup. Zoë is quite the athlete and loves to play fetch, catch and soccer. She is a great cuddler and loves back scratches. She also loves playing in water and taking baths. Bella (left) is the sable 3 year old Chihuahua/Pug (Chug) mix. When she was a puppy she ran away from a bad home life with her brother in Mesa, AZ. She made it three large city blocks and into our Mesa neighborhood where she appeared in front of our house. She is the epitome of a lap dog, if you are sitting...she is sitting with you! Duff (right) is the skinny 3 year old Terrier mix. He was on the kill list, packed in a cage with a bunch of other Terriers before he was rescued for fostering. We clearly failed at the fostering because we just couldn’t give him up. He loves soft blankets and can curl those long legs into a tight little ball to nap.

logos • stationary • brochures • posters • advertising • magazine layout • websites

design for well-being... including your pet’s!

www.kalicodesign.com www.rocketcitypets.com | Fall 2013 17

events Local Events October 12

Adoptoberfest Time: 10am–2pm Location: Greater Huntsville Humane Society For More Info: www.greaterhuntsvillehumanesociety.org

October 12

SNAP on Tap Time: 6–10pm Location: Straight to Ale Brewery For More Info: www.snapontap.com

October 26-27

CFA Cat Show Time: 9am–4pm Location: Jaycees Building

October 31-November 3

Super Retriever Crown Championship For More Info: www.superretrieverseries.com

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November 2 (Rain Date: Saturday, November 9th) Winchester Road Animal Hospital’s 10th Annual Canine Carnival Time: 11am–3pm Location: Winchester Road East Church of Christ, 1471 Winchester Road, Huntsville, AL 35811

November 16-17

Christmas Photos Time: 10am–5pm Location: The ARK, 139 Bo Cole Road, Huntsville, AL 35806

December 7

Christmas Open House Time: 11am–3pm Location: The ARK, 139 Bo Cole Road, Huntsville, AL 35806

Entire Month of October

October 26

(Brought to you by ASPCA) For More Info: www.aspca.org

For More Info: www.nationalpitbullawarenessday.org

Entire Month of October

Entire Month of November

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Adopt-A-Dog Month速

(Brought to you by American Humane Association) For More Info: www.americanhumane.org/ animals/programs/special-initiatives/adopta-dog-month

October 13-19

National Veterinary Technician Week For More Info: ww.navta.net/events/ national-veterinary-technician-week

National Pit Bull Awareness Day

National Pet Diabetes Month For More Info: www.petdiabetesmonth.com

November 3-9 National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week For More Info: www.animalsheltering.org

December 2 National Mutt Day

National Feral Cat Day

(Brought to you by Animal Miracle Foundation) For More Info: www.nationalmuttday.com

(Brought to you by Alley Cat Allies) For More Info: www.nationalferalcatday.org

December 13

October 16

events

National Events

National Day of the Horse

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directory Animal Rescue and Advocates Athens Limestone Animal Shelter 1701 Highway 72 East Athens, AL 35611 256-771-7889 City of Madison – Animal Control 100 Hughes Road Madison, AL 35758 256-722-7190 www.madisonal.gov Greater Huntsville Human Society 2812 Johnson Road SW Huntsville, AL 35805 256-881-8092 www.greaterhuntsvillehumanesociety.org Huntsville Animal Services 4950 Triana Blvd. Huntsville, AL 35801 256-883-3782 www.huntsvilleal.gov/animal Madison County Animal Control 3210-D Hi-Lo Circle Huntsville, AL 35811 256-532-1651 www.madisoncountyal.gov North Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic 3303 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35810 256-489-0418 www.nalspayneuter.org

Peace, Love & Animals – No-Kill Rescue 19135 Nuclear Plant Road Tanner, AL 35671 256-233-4343 www.peaceloveandanimals.org Petlinker, Inc. 256-694-5307 www.Petlinker.org SNAP – Spay Neuter Action Project PO Box 4450 Huntsville, AL 35815 256-830-8459 www.snapalabama.org The Ark 139 Bo Cole Road Huntsville, AL 35806 256-851-4088 www.arkinc.org Therapy Partners, Inc. 1015 A Cleaner Way Huntsville, AL 35805 256-881-5700 www.therapypartners.org

General Pet Services Pet Sitters 5-Points Pet Sitting & Dog Walking 256-213-6119 5pointspetsitting@att.net At My Home Pet Sitter Service 256-683-9121 Dorothy The Pet Nanny 256-679-1386

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Pet Supplies Goin’ to the Dogs Pet Supply & Self-Serve Dog Wash 814 Wellman Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801 256-489-3707 www.petsupplyhsv.com

Just for Dogs Dog Trainers Kind Hearts Behavior Center 1015 A Cleaner Way Huntsville, AL 35805 256-881-5700 www.kindhearts.org Muttly Manners & More: In Home Pet Dog Obedience Training 256-755-0386 www.muttlymannersand more.com Such a Good Dog 4001A Holmes Ave. Huntsville, AL 35816 256-890-1234 www.suchagooddog.org

Other Pet Friendly Businesses Photographers Michelle Harte 256-658-9295

General MindGear Labs 256-705-GEAR (4327) www.mindgearlabs.com

submit your listing… Add your business to this directory so people can find you—we are looking for business such as:

5-Points Pet Sitting & Dog Walking 256-213-6119 5pointspetsitting@att.net

• Animal Rescues & Advocates • Pet Sitters • Animal Trainers • Animal Hospitals • Veterinarians • Animal Friendly Lodging • Animal Friendly Restaurants • And More!

Medical

Contact sales@rocketcitypets.com for information.

Dog Walkers

Winchester Road Animal Hospital 1479 Winchester Road Huntsville, AL 256-859-5511 www.winchesterroadanimalhospital.com