San Diego Pets Magazine by San Diego Pets Magazine

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Casey Dean

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Claire Harlin Kendra Hartmann Martin Jones Westlin

GUEST WRITERS Christine Bessent, DVM John Carlson Tamara Goldsby, Ph.D. K.R. Johnson Arden Moore Judith Pierce Stefanie Schwartz, DVM Jason Sweitzer, DVM

CONSULTANT Jeffrey R. Jenkins, DVM Diplomate, ABVP (Avian) www.drexotic.com

CARTOONIST Barbara Fuscsick Puppy Paws Productions www.puppypawsproductions.com

ACEBOOK CONTEST WINNER! Follow us on Facebook @SanDiegoPets to play along in our next contest.

BEST TRICK #CONTEST

ADVERTISING Casey Dean (619) 573-5615 Casey@SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com Marjorie “Kirby” (858) 775-4432 mkirbykirby@gmail.com San Diego Pets Magazine is published by Dean Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 601081, San Diego, Ca 92160-1081. No part of this publication may be duplicated or reprinted without express consent from the publisher. Editors reserve the right to edit all content. Submissions are welcome, and may be edited for content and clarity. Please forward all unsolicited material to the editor. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to approve or accept advertising orders and content. All contents are copyrighted 2012. All rights reserved.

/SanDiegoPets San Diego Pets Magazine P.O. BOX 601081 San Diego, Ca 92160-1081 (619) 573-5615

San Diego Pets Magazine, this is how I roll!

Wendy Mastin Grebbien

SANDIEGOPETSMAGAZINE.COM www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

Photo by Casey Dean

Luck and skill played equal parts in Chance’s recovery

B y M A RT I N J O N E S W E S T L I N | S A N D I E G O P E T S

Chance didn’t have a tag or a microchip when he was found lying by the side of Viejas Grade Road near Willows Road in East County, but amid his colossal good fortune, he didn’t need them.

he 40-pound, 18-month-old retriever mix was discovered the morning of Monday, Feb. 20, after having suffered a single gunshot wound through the torso and both lungs, his oxygen depletion and loss of blood resulting in a state of shock—but barely in time, motorist Eladia Espinoza alerted police. One official said the responding officer “probably broke the speed limit getting [Chance] into the veterinary hospital, and I’m not going to fault her for that.” Personnel at the VCA emergency animal hospital in Mission Valley reacted equally swiftly. The next day, ominous pins and needles gave way to cheers and sighs of relief. Through a combination of oxygen therapy, skillful medicine 4

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

and luck, staff vet personnel had saved Chance’s life. By Wednesday, he was eating; on Friday, he was released to the county department of animal services; the next day, the department began accepting applications for his adoption. The department stopped taking apps on March 3, but Dan DeSousa, a department lieutenant and press representative, said the volume of prospects is another cause for optimism. “We’ve had people express interest in adopting him since the story broke,” De Sousa said. “We actually got applications before we told people we were accepting them.” Chance is recuperating at the department’s Carlsbad facility, DeSousa said, “because we can isolate him better from other dogs there. With his lungs healing right now, we

don’t want him exposed to a dog that has kennel cough or something like that and have him start to degrade again. Looking at him today, he’s a happy little dog.” DeSousa said it’s likely Chance had been shot a very short time before Espinoza’s call. DeSousa added that it will take a week to determine the top three adoption prospects. “We will contact them and ask them to do an interact with the dog,” he said. “Based upon how those go, we’ll then pick our top choice. “There are a lot of people who want this dog, but we have to do what’s right by the dog. We need to find him the ideal home.” Perhaps mere moments, DeSousa said, were the difference between this story and a report of a far different nature. “The dog was an inch away from dying,” he explained. “The bullet went through the lungs and just missed the heart. The lungs were damaged severely. Without the intervention, the dog would have died [Feb. 20]. “It’s amazing. I’m sitting there looking at a dog shot and left for dead, and here he is.” Luck was with Chance that day. And everything else being equal, that fortune is about to rub off on some worthy area family. The search is still on for the assailant, who may face felony animal cruelty charges.

ON THE COVER: Chance and Gina Raygosa, the CSDAC officer who rushed him to the emergency care, reunite a week after the shooting ordeal. Even after a bullet went through this pups entire body, he is still full of snuggles for everyone he meets. He and many other animals at the County Shelter Photo by Casey Dean have had a rough start, but deserve a second chance.

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The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services provides dog licensing and animal control services for the unincorporated areas of San Diego County and the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, Santee, and Solana Beach.

The Animal Control Officer By JOHN CARLSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR

ost of us have heard the term Animal Control Officer (ACO), but you may not know much about what these officers do. In decades past, they were often referred to as the “dog catcher” and thought of as unskilled—and often uncaring—laborers. But, while the animal welfare industry is still working to overcome that and other stereotypes, nothing could be further from the truth today. An ACO is a professional law enforcement officer—just like a police officer or deputy sheriff—who specializes in laws relating to or affecting animals. In California, they have all of the powers of arrest and authority to serve warrants of a peace officer. ACOs with the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services do not carry firearms. Most agencies arm their officers with a baton and pepper spray, as well as special tools to humanely capture and restrain animals without injury. We expect them to protect the public by capturing a dangerous or aggressive animal without injuring it. Like the police and sheriffs, ACOs are well trained professionals who are required to be knowledgeable in a wide variety of areas. ACOs for the County of San Diego must successfully complete a rigorous 10-week Animal Law Enforcement Basic Academy with topics including animal husbandry and first aid, conducting criminal investigations and gathering evidence, to civil liability and child abuse reporting. After that, they work with a Field Training Officer to hone their skills. ACOs for the County of San Diego respond to emergencies 24/7. A typical day starts early (6 a.m.) by preparing their patrol vehicle and gathering the list of pending calls. The officer will then drive to their patrol area to begin handling calls. As they work through the list of calls, they must also respond to new high priority calls for service. Their trucks are equipped with lap top computers which save a lot of time. The pending calls are incidents that are not currently in progress but reported by residents. Usually, reports of dogs being allowed to be off leash; dogs that have attacked or threatened a person or other animal; animals that are not receiving proper care; health and sanitation concerns; and other

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“To protect the health, safety and welfare of people and animals.”

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similar situations. ACOs wear many hats. They mediate neighbor disputes involving animals, educate people about proper animal care, issue citations for minor violations and impound animals to ensure the safety both of the public and the animals. An ACO must be a problem solver, a teacher, an authority figure, a detective, and most of all a rescuer. Throughout all they do, ACOs show how much they care about the animals that they deal with. This is most evident when they are called on to end an animal’s suffering in a gentle, compassionate way. ACOs help reunite owners with their lost pets. They do what they can to stem the tide of neglect and cruelty of indiscriminate breeding for profit and animal fighting. Another very important job performed by the ACO is humane education and dog bite prevention. By visiting local schools to teach children how to behave around animals – dogs in particular. In conjunction with the court system and local prosecutors, the Responsible Pet Ownership Program provides a three-hour training class to people who have been charged with or convicted of minor animal-related violations. Similar to traffic school. ACOs investigate crimes against animals. All too often, ACOs deal with dangerous, violent people. Cockfighting and dogfighting activities go hand-in-hand with illegal gambling, drugs, and guns. The largest cockfighting case in U.S, history was handled here in San Diego which resulted in the seizure of 5,000 fighting birds and the arrest of many individuals at the scene. Another all too common and dangerous situation is the dog (or cat) that has been hit by a car. The officer is faced with the hazards of the roadway as well as the instinctive reaction for the seriously injured animal to bite. However, they have techniques and equipment designed to safely move the animal to their vehicle so that emergency veterinary care can be obtained. When responding to a report of an attacking dog or one that has bitten someone and is still at large, the ACOs treat these calls as a number one priority and respond as quickly as possible. Once on scene, their first priority will be to protect the public from the animal and attempt to capture it. Once that is accomplished, the owner will be contacted, if known, and very often, issued a citation to appear in court to answer for the violation. Animal Control Officers are a unique and special breed of person. They are educators, advocates, law enforcement officers, and above all, animal lovers. They provide a vital service to the community they serve.

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

Goading a city to its pastoral past

B y K E N D R A H A RT M A N N | S A N D I E G O P E T S

Laura Hershey wants goats. Specifically, she wants her goats back.

ershey, the founding member of San Diego’s Goat Justice League, has fought for relaxed regulations for urban agriculture — that growing phenomenon wherein residents of major metropolises the world over are getting back to their rural roots with backyard chickens, goats and community gardens — since her pet goats, Prudence and Faith, were banished from her Ocean Beach home based on the complaints of a neighbor a couple years ago. Hershey was admittedly keeping goats without the legal backing of a city ordinance, but, she said, she had received the blessing of every homeowner surrounding her property to have them, and only after she had been enjoying the benefits of fresh milk and cheese — not to mention the companionship — for a full nine months did her next-door neighbor decide he no longer wished to live within striking distance of a couple of miniature goats. “He said they were too loud,” she said, “so I used a decibel meter to measure their noise and it turned out they registered about 70 [decibels], which is the same as human conversation.” Hershey pointed this out to the city worker assigned to assess neighborhood code compliance, but she was told the city doesn’t base compliance on such details. It takes into account only the validity of complaints based on existing city ordinance. As her goats were not covered under San Diego’s former regulations on urban agriculture, their noise level wasn’t the issue — they weren’t allowed at all, quiet or not. Prudence and Faith were not legal San Diegans. Hershey was lucky enough to have a close friend in Alpine 8

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

who agreed to take the goats — “I was able to maintain visiting rights” — but she wasn’t satisfied returning to simple city living, buying her milk from the store. And as much as she missed the fresh dairy, she missed her pets more. “It was a huge blow [when I gave up Prudence and Faith],” she said. “It was heart wrenching. I was in tears and it really broke my heart.” Hershey will not get Prudence and Faith back (“They have a new owner who really cares for them”), but she will get the next best thing: Jolene, a half Nigerian dwarf and half La Mancha (a breed that, Hershey said, is famous for being the “strong, silent type”) and Jolene’s lone kid, Cilia. On Jan. 31, the City Council approved changes to the local urban agriculture regulations, making it easier for residents to have chickens, goats and bees, as well as making local produce from retail farms and community farmers’ market stands more accessible. Hershey has been involved in the months-long process of rewriting the regulations by attending community meetings to promote the practice of urban agriculture and working with city staff to create an all-encompassing ordinance. At a meeting of the Planning Commission in December and again at the council’s Jan. 31 meeting, she provided a quick-and-easy how-to demonstration on pasteurizing milk to alleviate fears of food-borne illness. “The government trusts us to buy raw meat,” she said. “So why shouldn’t we be able to handle raw milk?” Under the new regulations, which go into effect sometime this month, San Diegans may have up to five chickens with no

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Laura Hershey hangs with a friend's goats on the couch. Some owners have found that goats, much like dogs, make good indoor/outdoor pets.

setback requirement (previously, the setback was 50 feet from any structure, making it nearly impossible for many residents to legally keep chickens). Additionally, two miniature, de-horned (neutered, if male) goats are allowed, as are bees if they are at least 30 feet from an off-site residence. The regulations went through the Planning Commission and two City Council meetings with unanimous approval all the way. The plan, however, was not without its detractors. At a meeting of the La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) in January, fears ranged from public health nightmares to concerns about the welfare of animals brought home by people who might be less-than-equipped to care for livestock. One LJCPA trustee voiced concern that those who see urban agriculture as a popular fad might jump on the bandwagon, but county shelters may have to carry the burden once the realities of caring for goats or chickens are discovered. Another trustee, Mike Costello, wondered what would happen to the roosters mistakenly taken for hens as chicks. That particular concern, says veterinarian and owner of the Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital, Dr. Jeffrey Jenkins, should not present much of a problem, especially if eager urban agriculturalists purchase their chicks from a hatchery. Those chicks, he said, are already vaccinated and sexed — meaning their gender is determined by a professional. That doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes, he said, but “it doesn’t happen very often.” As for the possibility of absentee chicken parents, does Jenkins (who raises his own chickens in his backyard, which he says is about the size of a “postage stamp”) expect we’ll see an

influx in abandoned or neglected chickens? “It hasn’t been a huge problem in the past, and chickens and ducks have always been available for sale,” he said. “It takes so much preparation to decide you want them and it’s an expensive project to start, so it pretty much deters anyone who might neglect them down the road. It’s a chore... and you have to be somewhat dedicated to do it.” Furthermore, Jenkins said, those with chickens tend to love them as they would any other pet. “The people we see love their chickens so much that if [the chicken] never laid another egg, they would probably keep them forever as pets,” he said, citing the clients he recently saw who paid close to $1,500 to have their hen spayed and given medical attention. “Backyard chickens are great, and they make excellent pets. They’re friendly, outgoing and highly intelligent. My wife even has one that sits on her lap regularly.” Jenkins’ chickens are like family members, he said. They are companions, but make no mistake: they’re also there to provide their human caregivers with fresh eggs. “We do have expectations they’ll lay eggs,” he said. “But we also have expectations of our children — ‘Take out the garbage, dammit!’ — and they’re family members, too.” As for Hershey, she’s busy kid-proofing her home. Goats, she said, are notoriously curious and will chew on or knock down anything they’d like to get a closer look at. To avoid any complications with problematic neighbors, she is waiting until the regulations take effect to bring home Jolene and Cilia, who are currently residing on a ranch in Ramona. She visits them often, but said it gets harder every time she goes to see them and can’t bring them home. “They’re very good pets,” she said. “Emotionally, it’s a good thing to have that companionship, to have someone who’s happy to see you when you get home. And when I drink their milk, I thank them every time.”

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Urban agriculture in a nutshell: GOATS: Two — no more, no less — may be kept in single-family zones and on lots developed with singlefamily homes. They must be dehorned and males must be neutered. Sheds must be predator-proof, have easy access for cleaning and be watertight, ventilated and draft free with minimum 5 square feet per goat. CHICKENS: Up to five chickens may be kept with no setback requirements. Up to 15 chickens may be kept with no setback from onsite residence, but with a coop at a 15-foot setback. Up to 25 chickens may be kept at 50 feet from any residence. Coops must be predator proof with easy access for cleaning, sufficient space for free movement, water tight, ventilated and with 6 square feet per chicken. HONEY BEES: Up to two hives may be located no closer than 30 feet from an offsite residence and 50 feet from the public right-of-way. More than two hives must be located 600 feet from an offsite residence and 100 feet from the right-of-way. There must be a reliable water source within 10 feet, a 6-foot tall screen unless elevated at least 8 feet above grade, hives must face away from the closest property line, must be located within a secured area to protect the colony and members of the public, and keepers must be in compliance with recognized best practices for beekeeping For a full list of updated urban agriculture regulations, see www.sandiego.gov/developmentservices/industry/pdf/urbansummarytable.pdf.

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

Behavior Bytes

Stefanie Schwartz,

DVM, MSc, DACVB Veterinary Behavior Medicine drstef@petbehavior.org

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them to lose their fear of people. Most cats don’t get a second chance never mind a third. Your cat really is lucky, but how far do you want to push your luck? Cats live longer, healthier lives restricted to the indoors. Is it ‘cruel’ to keep your cat indoors? Isn’t it more cruel to expose him to all the dangers and use him as coyote bait? So ask yourself, do you feel lucky? Well, do you?

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Dear Dr. Schwartz,

I rescued my dog Charlie from the shelter last year. He is a 3-year-old Maltese and has a big yard to play in. The problem is he keeps escaping from the front door when we open it and he runs straight across the road to visit the female Yorkie who belongs to my neighbors. Last week he was almost squashed by a truck. What should I do? Thanks, Charlie’s Angel

Dear Charlie’s Angel,

Dear Dr. Schwartz,

I’m writing for my cat, who goes out and has narrowly escaped coyotes twice. What’s your advice? Cat With 7 Lives Left

Dear Cat With Seven Lives Left,

Stay inside!!! Coyotes, cars, disease, snakes, and disturbed people are all dangers to pet cats who are allowed to roam outside, even if they stay close to your home. Coyotes are hungry and will soon have more mouths to feed as pups are born beginning in early spring. They are more attracted to neighborhoods where cats roam outdoors, which also help

Make sure Charlie has at least two long leash walks every morning and afternoon/evening every day. Ask your neighbor if one of these could include a play date with their Yorkie in your yard (or theirs) if it’s fenced in. If he has a reliably fun day, he won’t take such risks to get out. Make sure to get him neutered as soon as possible; neutered dogs make fewer escape attempts. Put a bell on his collar so you can hear him coming and be aware of where he is when you open the front door. It can be helpful to leave a short leash on him so you have a better chance of stepping on it if he starts to build up speed. If you prefer, place a baby gate across his approach to the front door to save him from a tragic fate. He was lucky once but we don’t want to test fate. Dr. Stefanie Schwartz is a board certified veterinary behaviorist based in Southern California. She sees patients at California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad and at The Veterinary Neurology Center in Tustin, CA. For more information, please call (949) 342-6644 or visit www.veterinarybehavior.org.

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

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Cosmo

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Photo by Claire Harlin

For Carlsbad dog sports center, fun is the focus

By CLAIRE HARLIN | SAN DIEGO PETS

ayla is an 8-month-old, once overly hyperactive Australian Shepherd. Sunny is a blonde Standard Poodle show dog. Cosmo is a Golden Retriever who has battled fearfulness in the past. Buddy is a mixed breed with aggressive genes, who lost his brother to euthanasia and was on the same path after nipping at two people. These dogs come from very different backgrounds and walks of life, but they have something in common â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they've all come together under the training of Lyssa Noble-Dennis, owner of Whole Dog Sports Center in Carlsbad, and they are now well behaved and raking in top honors at agility training competitions. Noble-Dennis opened the facility on Jan. 2, but she has a following of loyal clients that dates back many years. Even her classes have become close-knit, with the dogs and owners in a class forming close bonds and working together in their training. "It's all about bonding," said Noble-Dennis, adding that dog training is not just for dogs with behavior issues. "We have services and classes for dogs from puppyhood to the senior years. All these dog sports, they keep dogs healthy mentally and physically." Agility training is one of Noble-Dennis' specialties, however Whole Dog Sports Center offers a variety of dog-centered classes and services, from acupuncture to breed-specific meet-

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up groups to scent classes. She even hosts a "Meet the Vet" event on the first Friday of every month. Noble-Dennis said most of her longtime clients keep coming back not only because they achieve the highest level of relationship building between them and their pet, but also because it's just plain fun.

"The Whole Dog Center is geared towards fun, fun, fun with your dog," she said. "The motto is 'Everything Fun For You and Your Dog.'"

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

While Noble-Dennis realized early on that she had a knack for communicating with dogs, her background is not just in animals. She studied clinical psychology at San Francisco State University and began working as a child therapist, but realized during the process of applying to Ph.D programs that it wasn't for her. She discovered her passion while interning for the Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (SPCA) Animal Behavior Hotline. "Anyone with a behavior problem could call in, and I would call them back and send them information on how to solve their behavior problem," she said. "We did this so the pet wouldn't end up back in the shelter." Noble-Dennis was first mentored and trained by accomplished behaviorist Gwen Bonenkemp at the SPCA, and she moved on to work under well-known service dog trainer Martha Hoffman. For the past 18 years, she has been involved in all aspects of dog training. From obedience competition to police dog training to herding and hunting â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she's trained more than 9,000 dogs. She's put championship titles on many dogs in both local and national competitions, however she said her own students have beat her a few times. "I don't speak any other languages, but I can speak dog pretty well," she said. "I tell people I'm a dog interpreter." For more information, visit www.wholedogsports.com.

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See ad on page 26

Reality Rally

Gillian Larson, was a contestant on the TV show Survivor in 2008 and now she is producing what has become the premier Reality Star fundraiser in the country and a major Temecula event involving over 500 people in its production and thousands attending. Reality Rally is a three-day weekend event to raise funds for Michelle’s Place, a local breast cancer resource centre The event is a weekend of “Fun for Funds” on April 13th-15th 2012 with over 100 Reality Stars and 6 Canine stars from the So Cal Surf dogs and Chopper. The Reality Rally game is the main event. Teams of Reality Stars and the public, play a 4-hour "Amazing Race" kind of game, in a competition involving crazy activities and fun challenges Everyone can be part of the event in some way, "There is something for everyone, play the game, volunteer, sponsor, donate, play golf, come to fun parties or come and watch for free. Bring the family to see the dogs and we also have snakes and horses !! Please help our great dogs raise money http://realityrally.com/index.php/reality-stars/2012-reality-rally-canine-stars Check out the website for complete details www.realityrally.com Email Gillian if you have any questions. gillian@realityrally.com

Overcoming Anxiety to Find Love

MJ was found darting in and out of traffic during the busy morning commute. Recognizing the dangerous situation, a good Samaritan pulled over to try to help.

Although the 3-year old Pit Bull Terrier had an ear infection and some hair loss, his real challenge would require the time and skills of our Behavior & Training department, who would spend the next weeks using positive reinforcement and counter conditioning to help with his shyness and sensitive startle response to sounds. Thanks to the trainers and Sherman Street caregivers who worked with him, MJ was able to make tremendous progress toward overcoming his behavioral obstacles. And judging by the photos his new family sent us, it would appear that now he’s feeling anything but anxious.

His new mom couldn’t be happier either and tells us, “We absolutely LOVE MJ. He fits in perfectly with our family... MJ wags his tail constantly and even danced with me this morning. The vet kept complimenting him on his behavior, demeanor and disposition. Thank you so, so much for the training and the care you gave him and for trusting him with us. He is a cherished member of the family.”

About the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA The Humane Society offers San Diegans a wide range of programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent cruelty/neglect, provide medical care and educate the community on the humane treatment of animals. More informations at www.sdhumane.org

New Blood Test Screens for Cancer

Veterinary Diagnostics Institute, Inc. (VDI) has released a simple blood test, INCaSe canine cancer screen, that screens for canine cancer in the apparently healthy dog. INCaSe (Initial Notification Cancer Screen) is performed as part of a routine wellness visit to detect cancer early or confirm that the dog is cancer free. The ultra-sensitive and highly specific test detects malignant growth before any overt signs of disease are apparent. By detecting cancer early, more effective treatment options are typically available. Stay informed by visiting VDI on Facebook or at www.vdilab.com.

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

Arden Moore,

ACCBC, ADCBC Pet trend, behavior and safety expert Arden@FourLeggedLife.com

e two-leggers can be far too proficient at what-if and should-have thinking. By replaying past mistakes and investing far too much time trying to orchestrate future scenarios, we don’t always allow ourselves ample time to embrace living in the present and enjoy life’s small delights. We can all take lessons from a couple of San Diego cats answering to the names of Henry and Zeki. Neither enjoyed much luck as kittens. Henry needed his front leg amputated – after it was possibly crushed by a car -- to save his life as a young stray. Zeki miraculously survived a brutal knife attack that took a big chunk out of her back as a young pregnant stray. Both cats have every reason to be full of hiss and hatred. But both have shook off their rough starts to be poster cats for all things good, positive and playful. Let’s start with Henry’s tale. He beat

In 2010, Henry was named ASPCA Cat of the Year at an award ceremony held in New York City.

the odds by winning the heart – and home of an ardent dog lover named Cathy Conheim who had a dim view of cats. But then one day, Henry limped to her home with his mangled front paw. A veterinarian gave Conheim two options: euthanasia or finance Henry’s amputation surgery and care for him during his recovery. Conheim opted for the latter, not knowing at the time how much this would alter her life forever. “I never thought in a million years that I’d have a cat,” confesses Conheim, a psychologist in La Jolla. “I grew up with a mother who hated cats because they killed birds. Until I met Henry, that’s how I viewed cats, too. But what I learned from Henry is that hate is learned. I also learned how remarkable and resilient Henry is. The day he woke up without a front paw, he just started walking with three paws.” When Conheim adopted Henry, she began writing about her about-face attitude toward cats to her friends. They shared her feline insights with their friends. All of this led to her creating a website called Henry’s World, authoring books, children’s workbooks and sharing life’s lessons by becoming Henry’s official scribe and inspiring thousands all over the globe. In 2010, Henry was named ASPCA Cat of the Year at an award ceremony held in New York City. Conheim isn’t a big fan of air travel, but made the exception because of the impact Henry has made on her life. “Henry teaches us to play the paw we’re dealt,” says Conheim. “Animals make great teachers because they are fully present beings. They don’t seem to dwell on the past. They simply move on.” Zeki is a Turkish Van mix with a spunky survival attitude, an uncanny ability to make friends with dogs and a charisma that wins over people who normally are not feline fans. I should know. I adopted Zeki just a few months after her knife attack. She was in a foster home with far too many cats and developed herpes and conjunctivitis and nearly lost her left eye to a corneal ulcer. Today, Zeki travels with me to pet shows, serves as my teacher’s pet in my pet first aid classes and even hobnobbed with pet celebrities like dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and Tillman,

Zeki joined me at Super Zoo in Las Vegas in November 2011 and calmly like Tillman the famous skateboard-surfing bulldog sniff her butt as a greeting. That’s his owner, Ron Davis. And Tillman loves cats – he has one at home.

the skateboard-surfing Bulldog in Las Vegas. She is believed to be the only cat to have a baseball signed by Hall of Fame pitcher Orel Hershiser, has a Facebook page and has been featured in a national television show called Tales For the Pet Lover’s Heart. The scar is still visible from the emergency surgery needed to suture her back together. Nerve damage causes her to waddle like Charlie Chaplain, but Zeki is all about scoring turkey treats, getting chin scratches and swatting paper wads across my tile floor. The next time you have a minor hiccup in life – like a bad hair day or standing in a long line for coffee, I hope you take a moment to cherish life’s unexpected good moments – just like a pair of cats named Henry and Zeki do. Given the chance, pets can unleash good health and can-do attitudes in us.

Founder of Four Legged Life.com and creator of National Dog Party Day, Arden Moore is an animal behavior consultant, best-selling author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid instructor. Tune into her Oh Behave! Show on Pet Life Radio and enroll in her pet first aid classes. For more information, please visit www.fourleggedlife.com, www.petfirstaid4u.com and www.petliferadio.com.

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

My cat Coco is the luckiest cat in San Diego

By KR JOHNSON | SAN

COCO

DIEGO PETS

he came to me in 2009. Someone had dumped her in Big Bear and just left her to fend for herself. My friend Linda took her in, probably because she could not say no to this very verbal, meow-y cat, but soon discovered a big problem… actually, two smallish yappy problems: her two Jack Russell terriers. Now, Jacks are bred to chase after small, furry critters, and that’s exactly what a 9-pound, longhaired black cat is: prey. Worse, the dogs didn’t just chase her; they terrorized her. Finally, out of desperation and a

heart too big to toss Coco back out in the snow, Linda started keeping Coco locked in a back bedroom. Sure, she had plenty of food and water and a litter box kept clean, but Coco wasn’t getting something all living things need. Aw, c’mon, you know. She was left alone all the time, just hiding under the bed or sitting in the window. Cats may be independent, but they are also warm, loving creatures that suffer when they are neglected. So, now you’re thinking, “This is a lucky cat? KR must be out of her mind!” It just happened that Linda and her hubby decided to move out of the state. They wanted to take their Jacks with them, but they knew that trying to drive to Oregon with the dogs and the cat in one car would be a disaster. One phone call later, and I inherited Coco. So Linda and her hubby drive down to San Diego with Coco, and voila! I instantly had a new furry friend who wanted nothing to do with me at all. Coco fled up the stairs, hid under the bed and refused to speak to me. Thus began my campaign to win her over. I put food and water upstairs and let her be so she could adjust. I believe that she came out and explored the house after I went to bed – the house was dark, quiet, and devoid of Jack Russells. I’d like to think she felt her luck change that first quiet night. By the next morning, she felt comfortable enough to talk to me, and she even allowed me to scritch under her chin, which led to a frisky attack. I tossed a fuzzy bug, and she chased it, tail high and frizzed, then wove herself around my ankles, mrrow-ing at the top of her lungs. I petted her, tossed the bug again, and our morning routine was born. I soon realized that Coco’s long fur was matted and knotted, so brushing

SEE COCO, Page 23 18

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

GO GREEN WITH A RABBIT COMPANION

ou’re vegetarian, you shop with your own recycled bags and work hard to keep your waste out of the landfill, so it make sense that you are leaning toward an animal companion that matches your green lifestyle. Look no further – rabbits are one of the most planet-friendly pets around!

Rabbits Create a Very Small Carbon Paw Print Like you, rabbits are herbivores. They eat only plants and grasses. They are “local” consumers, enjoying fresh hays and greens. Shop at your local farmer’s market for their daily salad and enjoy an extra bonus; ask for the “trimmings” from carrots, beets, turnips, etc. and get them for free! Hay can come from your local feed store (or in San Diego from the House Rabbit Society’s community hay sales program), decreasing the “food miles” required to sustain your rabbit companion. A rabbit’s waste is comprised of broken down hay fibers, which is clean and free from bacteria that are harmful to our environment or us. This makes them cleaner, fresher smelling, and easier to care for than other species. Sure, you still have to dump a litter box but its contents can go straight onto your compost pile. If you use a rabbitfriendly paper or wood-based litter box filler that, along with bunny’s droppings and hay, makes wonderful compost material. Love to garden? Plant a vegetable and edible flower garden to feed you – and your rabbit – and use bunny’s litter box waste to fertilize the plants and act as mulch to protect roots and hold in moisture. You don’t even have to compost it first; rabbit waste is nutrient rich and safe to use right from the litter box. If you belong to a garden co-op or a gardening club, your rabbit’s litter box waste will be like “gold,” everyone will want some!

zines and phone books translate into hours of shredding fun. Empty paper bags create fun hiding places. No need to spend money on expensive new toys; just share your junk mail and paper-based waste with bunny! Rabbits also love babies’ toys. Heavy plastic chew toys and rattles are fun to fling, rattle, and chew. Toddler playhouses from Little Tikes make great bunny play areas. You can pick these up at resale shops for children.

Think Green When Choosing and Caring for Your Rabbit

Adopt – don’t shop. Visit your local shelter, humane society or rabbit rescue when looking for a rabbit companion. Thousands of rabbits end up with local animal welfare agencies, in need of a good home. When you purchase from a breeder or pet store, you are contributing to the problem of animal overpopulation and not enough homes for

every bunny born. Spay or neuter your rabbit companion. Another important step in stemming overpopulation is to get your rabbit altered as soon as he/she is old enough. Males can be neutered at about 12 weeks, and females at 20 weeks. Contact San Diego House Rabbit Society to get referrals to rabbit-experienced vets and lower-cost spay/neuter options for rabbits. Altering your pet rabbit will not only prevent babies, it will make your rabbit a healthier and happier companion and aid in litter box training. Use non-toxic cleaning products. Vinegar & water make the best cleaning solution for bunny’s washable bedding, toys, and litter box. Also, keep your yard and home free from pesticides and harmful fertilizers. For more great ideas on the green benefits of adopting a rabbit companion, contact San Diego House Rabbit Society at hrs@sandiegorabbits.org.

Rabbits Love to Recycle

Rabbits love “green” toys. Cardboard boxes make great “hidey” homes and are fun to chew. Empty tissue boxes or toilet paper tubes stuffed with hay make yummy treats. Old maga-

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

JOINT SUPPORT – Demystifying Joint Support Supplements B y D R . C H R I S T I N E B E S S E N T, D V M

roviding good quality joint support supplements is one of the most common and important aspects of maintaining joint health, especially in colder weather and as the pet ages. With so many products available how does one choose the right product for your pet’s specific needs? Here are a few key ingredients that are important to look for when shopping for the perfect joint supplement. Glucosamine is perhaps the most widely known and one of the most important ingredients for joint health. Glucosamine is a fairly small particle and is absorbed well by the body and is used to make thick and viscous joint fluid. This viscous joint fluid cushions the two bone endings and allows them to glide smoothly over each other. The recommended amount of Glucosamine for a 50 pound dog is 1000 milligrams per day. If there is less than this it is simply not enough. Chondroitin is another common in-

gredient found in joint supplements. This molecule is an important component of cartilage. It is a larger molecule than Glucosamine and thus is not as readily absorbed into the body. MSM is an ingredient that is widely known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. This is important as inflammation causes the release of hydrolyzing enzymes. These enzymes cause the break down of the joint fluid that cushions the joint. Hylauronic Acid is another component found in many joint supplements that chemically is the same as joint fluid. Wouldn’t this be the ideal product to give to your pet you might ask? The downside of Hylauronic Acid is that it is a very large molecule and unlike Glucosamine it is not absorbed well into the body. Herbs are also a great choice for joint support. A few herbs to look for are boswelia, an herb that also helps to stop the breakdown of joint fluid, yucca,

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

curcumin, and corydalis. Cinnamon is also a great choice because it has a slight warming quality for pets that have joint issues that tend to get worse in cold weather. One other suggestion is to add Omega 3 fatty acids to the pet’s diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory by nature and help to provide great joint support as well. As always, it is generally a good idea to be preventative when it comes to joint care. It is a great idea to support your pet throughout their life rather than wait until problems occur. Christine Bessent, DVM is the owner and founder of Herbsmith Inc. She created Herbsmith Inc. as a way to provide impeccable quality herbal supplements for pets. Dr. Bessent has been a practicing Veterinarian for nearly 25 years in Southeast Wisconsin, most of which as a Holistic Veterinarian.

RESCUE SPOTLIGHT D

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Helping more than just Boxers N Birds

By CLAIRE HARLIN | SAN DIEGO PETS

ore than 20 years ago, Lisa Hamilton realized a problem —the euthanasia list at shelters is very long and most animals are on it because of behavior or medical needs. Being an animal lover, she decided to do something about it. What began with her taking pets into her home, caring for them and then adopting them out has turned into one of San Diego's largest rescue organizations, usually housing well over 100 animals at a time. Oceanside-based Boxers N Birds Animal Rescue Inc. is a product of Mission Animal and Bird Hospital, which recently opened a state-of-the-art facility at 655 Benet Road. The rescue group is housed in the hospital's former building — located just around the corner — and managed by Hamilton, the hospital administrator, and Pam Chandler, marketing and communication director. "We not only work full-time at a very busy hospital, but every waking breathing moment we spend taking care of dogs and cats and birds in some capacity," said Hamilton, adding that most of the hospital's employees either volunteer for Boxers N Birds in some way or tote animals home to administer treatments after-hours. Mission Animal and Bird Hospital owner and veterinarian Bob Cartin has kept the rescue group alive by subsidizing the expenses of the old facility, which adds up to about $40,000 a year in utilities alone. He has also provided medical care for Boxers N Birds since its beginnings in the late 1980s. The rescue group's name is derived from Hamilton's passions — boxers and birds — and although it has a ring to it, the group has always catered to all breeds. Hamilton and Chandler are in the process of getting their 501c3 status, and they are considering changing the group's name to Second Chance at Life. "We're actually one of the only all-breed rescue groups," said Hamilton, adding that Boxers N Birds is also one of the only rescue groups that takes in birds. "Most are breed-specific and

Left: Lisa Hamilton started what has become one of San Diego’s largest all-breed rescue groups, Boxers N Birds, by taking pets into her home and adopting them out. Right: Pam Chandler, the marketing and communications director of Boxers N Birds, one of the only recues in San Diego taking in birds.

very selective about what they take in. We have shelters, even in L.A., that call us because they know we'll take even dogs with behavior problems. They'll say, 'Please make room for this particular dog,' and one of us will drive up and get it." Ninety-nine percent of rescued birds come from shelters, which don't adopt out big birds because they don't have the medical staff to take care of them, Hamilton said. There are several volunteers with Boxers N Birds that are particularly interested in working with birds that have behavioral or aggression problems. Both Chandler and Hamilton have a passion for rescuing animals that dates back to childhood. Chandler's family took in many dogs when she was a child, and when she was old enough, she started volunteering at her local shelter. Hamilton has been working in vet hospitals since she was 14 and cleaning cages. "From the moment I was old enough to start thinking about it, I knew what I wanted to do," she said. She said her drive to rescue animals not only comes from the heartwarming aspects of saving lives, but also the downsides she's experienced in her years of working in hospitals. "The passion to help comes from being the one having to do the euthanasia and knowing there's got to be another answer," she said. For more information on Boxers N Birds, email BoxersNBirds@aol.com or call (760) 433-3763 ext. 224.

» DO YOU KNOW A RESCUE THAT DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT? SEND US A NOTE TELLING US WHY TO CASEY@SANDIEGOPETSMAGAZINE.COM

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

Less yowling, more purring: Silent heroes of Spay San Diego sound the horn to spay and neuter 2,012 pets in February in new low-cost program B y TA M A R A G O L D S B Y, P H . D . | G U E S T C O L U M N

Alma and Ray of Encinitas were at their wit’s end. Sleep was a faraway dream recently snuffed out by Baby, their beloved female tabby cat. Her days as a baby long gone, yowling and prowling caused the family sleepless nights and made their home the local red-light district for cats. Clearly, the time for Baby’s spaying had arrived. While the low-income family adored Baby, living paycheck to paycheck, they faced the excruciating likelihood of giving her away if no alternative emerged on the horizon. Fortunately, Alma, Ray and Baby kept

their family intact when a caring local non-profit pet organization for low-income families spayed their furry baby. However, too often cats and dogs like Baby are left to indiscriminately breed, producing a huge overpopulation of strays and unwanted animals left to fend for themselves on the streets and canyons of San Diego county, often ending up in animal shelters. Not only does this lead to a decimated bird population (by feral cats), but can even be dangerous to humans (in the case of stray dogs), as well as unsafe for the animals themselves.

BUSINESS LISTINGS Ark Animal Hospital Small animal veterinary hospital 6171 Balboa Avenue, SD, CA 92111 Open Mon–Sat • (858) 277-3665 http://www.arkahsd.com

Bark Avenue Resort and Kamp 655 Benet Road, Oceanside, CA. 92058 (760) 433-3763 Ext. 7 Email: info@barkforpets.com www.BarkForPets.com

California Veterinary Specialists 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 431-2273 • 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com

Spay San Diego

This is about to change. Numerous silent heroes of the San Diego animal world – from the San Diego Humane Society to the National Cat Protection Society to private veterinarians - have joined forces to improve the lives of area pets and people with a low-cost spay and neuter program called Spay San Diego. “It’s wonderful after twenty years in San Diego animal welfare to see everyone in the Spay San Diego coalition joining forces and working toward the same goal: helping animals,” says Jim

List your Business, call (619) 573-5615 for rates.

County of San Diego Department of Animal Services (619) 767-2675 • www.sddac.com

Dog Beach Dog Wash Do-It-Yourself•Service•Accessories 4933 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 523-1700 http://www.dogwash.com

EasyTurf A Field Turf Company Request a FREE DESIGN consultation 2750 La Mirada Dr, Vista, CA 92081 1-800-550-7270 www.sdpets.easyturf.com

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

Four Legged Life Pet event speaker Arden Moore Dog/cat behavior consults Host dog parties • (760) 433-3480 www.fourleggedlife.com

Fuzzy Wolf Canine Training Academy Cert. Trainer Program, Group & Private Pet Parent training. (831) 979-0303 fuzzywolfservices@gmail.com

Home Buddies by Camp BowWow Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Dog Training Bonded and Insured (619) 889-7767 www.myhomebuddies.com/LaJolla

“If you LOVE them, FIX them.”

Silveira, President of Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas. Spay San Diego has set out the ambitious goal of spaying and neutering 2,012 San Diego County animals in February to coincide with World Spay Day on Feb. 28th and at press time were well on their way to achieving that goal. The Spay San Diego February event, though, is only the beginning of what is planned to be a longer-term project, according to Renee Harris, Executive Vice President of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. The coalition’s goal, Harris says, is to “turn off the spigot of strays and unwanted animals, which will decrease the number of animals coming into the shelter.” Harris states, “The project is lifesaving because if we can prevent additional unwanted animals, we can concentrate on finding homes for the animals in shelters.” “Our hope is that by combining our [the coalition’s] efforts, we can bring affordable spay/neuter services to the community and make a significant impact on reducing the number of unwanted animals, ” says Michelle Quigley, Director of the North Campus, San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. “The strategies being developed by our diverse organizations will go a long way in solving the challenge of pet homelessness in our community,” says

Dr. Robert Cartin, owner of Mission Animal and Bird Hospital in Oceanside and veterinarian for Spay San Diego. Spay San Diego believes that every dog and cat deserves a loving, safe home and plans to halt the snowballing unwanted animal population in its tracks. But they can’t do it without the community’s help.

A community call-to-action

Quigley says, “This project is a callto-action and the start of a communitybased movement to help improve the lives of people and animals throughout San Diego County.” “If you care about your four-legged family member and about animals in general,” Dawn Danielson, Director of San Diego County’s Department of Animal Services implores the public, “it’s time to join Spay San Diego and get your pet spayed or neutered.” Cindy Williams, Manager of the National Cat Protection Society (NatCat) in Spring Valley sees the heartbreaking effects of pet overpopulation every day in her community, which is why she says, “If you LOVE them, FIX them.” For more information about low-cost spay or neuter and Spay San Diego, visit www.spaysandiego.com Tamara Goldsby, Ph.D. is a Research Psychologist at UCSD, animal advocate and freelance writer.

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COCO

CONTINUED FROM Page 18

became part two of our morning routine: play, brush, morning constitutional on the patio, breakfast. It took me a week to get all the mats out, including the time I spent cutting the worst ones off her. That was a slow process, because I didn’t want to cut my wiggly feline. There is nothing worse than cat-guilt! Besides, it would have caused a rift in our budding friendship. Now? Her long, black fur is silky and shiny, her eyes are clear and alert and she is frisky and playful and has completely wrecked my couch (my bad; I neglected to get her a good scratching post, a mistake which is now remedied). And, best of all, she is really my little Coco-nut! Maybe I’m the lucky one.

HOW GREAT WOULD IT BE TO SIC BEES ON A BULLY? Or get a fly to help you cheat on a history test? Simon is a bug whisperer with a big problem and a secret that may lead him to his mother’s killer. The Eleventh Sense, by KR Johnson Available now on amazon.com www.TheEleventhSense.com What bugs you?

BUSINESS LISTINGS Iceland Pure

The Clean Power of Nature Unscented pharmaceutical-grade salmon oil for your pets. http://www.icelandpure.com

Lu Meyer, Obedience Academy K-9 Family Matters, Only the best will do! Trusted, Experienced, Award Winning Obedience Training. (760) 436-3571 www.EncinitasObedience.com

Pet First Aid 4 U Dog and cat 1st aid, CPR classes Hands-on training. Earn certificate. Throughout S.D. • (760) 433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com

Leashes and Love

Mission Animal & Bird Hospital

PoopPac Dog Walkers Case

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company

655 Benet Road, Oceanside, CA. 92058 (760) 433-3763 Email: info@missionanimal.com www.MissionAnimal.com

BAG IT – PAC IT – TRASH IT! Enjoy your walk in style No Odor - No Mess - It Works! www.pooppac.com

Serving San Diego and surrounding areas

(619) 296-4928 www.leashesandlove.com

Leash Your Fitness Fitness class for you and your DOG. Classes / events throughtout San Diego. 619-822-3296 http://www.LeashYourFitness.com

National Cat Protection Society

A shelter whose mission is dedicated to the protection and welfare of cats. 9031 Birch St. • Spring Valley (619) 469-8771 • http://natcat.org

Project Wildlife Wildlife rehabilitation and education 887 1/2 Sherman Street, SD, CA 92110 Wildlife Hotline 619-225-9453 www.projectwildlife.org

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

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RESOURCE GUIDE

Rescue, Adoption and Service Organizations A Passion For Paws (Akita Rescue) (818) 925-4827 www.APassionForPaws.org Baja Dog Rescue (619) 407-9372 www.bajadogrescue.org Bat Rescue www.batrescue.org Boxers N Birds (all breeds rescue and adoption) Like us on Facebook. 3308 Mission Ave. Oceanside, CA 92058. (760) 433-3763 x224 www.petfinder.com/shelters/CA1647.html Cat Adoption Service (760) 550-2287 www.sdcats.org Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego www.ChihuahuaRescueofSanDiego.com Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue www.forgottenpaws.org German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue (760) 726-4813 www.GSP-Rescue.org Greyhound Connection www.GreyhoundConnection.org Independent Therapy Dogs, Inc. A non-profit therapy dog organization providing therapy dog visits for anyone who would like one. e-mail: itdi-2010@att.net https://sites.google.com/site/idtdinc/ Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Pits Specializing in the Bully Breeds (858) 484-0985 List Srv 4 Therapy Dog Teams A listing service/electronic bulletin board. listsrv4therapydog@att.net Operation Greyhound (619) 588-6611 www.OperationGreyhound.com Paws of Coronado (619) 522-7371 www.PawsOfCoronado.org Pit Bull Rescue of San Diego (858) 693-7331 www.PitBullRescueSanDiego.com Rescue House (760) 591-1211 www.rescuehouse.org San Diego House Rabbit Society (858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org S.D. Turtle & Tortoise Society (619) 593-2123 www.SDTurtle.org Second Chance Dog Rescue (619) 721-DOGS (3647) http://secondchancedogrescue.org Westie Rescue of California (619) 579-6395 www.WestieRescueCA.com 24

Emergency Hospitals BONITA/CHULA VISTA Pet Emergency & SpecialtyCenter of South County (619) 591-4802 885 Canarios Court, #108, Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.PESCSanDiego.com

CARLSBAD California Veterinary Specialists (760) 431-2273 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com

ENCINITAS VCA North Coast Veterinary & Emergency (760) 632-1072 414 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024, www.VCANorthCoast.com

ESCONDIDO Animal Urgent Care of Escondido (760) 738-9600 2430-A S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025, 7 Days 24 hrs. www.AUC.US.com

KEARNY MESA/CLAIREMONT Animal ER of San Diego (858) 569-0600 5610 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA 92111 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs.

LA MESA Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (619) 462-4800 5232 Jackson Drive #105, La Mesa, CA 91942, 7 Days 24 hrs. www.PESCSanDiego.com

MISSION VALLEY VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center (619) 229-2400 2317 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108,7 Days 24 hrs. www.VCAEmergency.com

MURRIETA California Veterinary Specialists (951) 600-9803 25100 Hancock Ave. #116, Murrieta, CA 92562, 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com

POWAY Animal Emergency Clinic (858) 748-7387 12775 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs. www.AnimalEmergencySD.com

SAN MARCOS Veterinary Specialty Hospital (760) 466-0600 2055 Montiel Road, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069 www.vshsd.com

SORRENTO VALLEY Veterinary Specialty Hospital (858) 875-7500 10435 Sorrento Valley Road., San Diego, CA 92121 7 Days 24 hrs. www.VSHSD.com

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

Animal Shelters & Humane Societies ACCEPT STRAYS & HAVE ADOPTION BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY County Animal Services 5480 Gaines St., CA 92110 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm

BONITA County Animal Services 5821 Sweetwater Road, CA 91902 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm

CAMP PENDLETON Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter 4th St. Area 25 Bldg. 25132 CA 92054 (760) 725-8120

CARLSBAD County Animal Services 2481 Palomar Airport Road, CA 92011 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm

CHULA VISTA City of Chula Vista Animal Shelter 130 Beyer Way, CA 91911 (619) 691-5123 Hours: M-F 10am to 5pm Sat. 10am to 4pm

CORONADO Animal Control Facility 700 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 (619) 522-7371 Hours: 7 days 8:30am to 4:30am

EL CAJON City of El Cajon Animal Shelter 1275 N. Marshall Ave., CA 92020 (619) 441-1580 Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5:30pm

ESCONDIDO Escondido Humane Society 3450 E. Valley Parkway, CA 92027 (760) 888-2275 www.EscondidoHumaneSociety.com Hours: 7 days 10am to 5pm

OCEANSIDE San Diego Humane Society-North (For dogs) 2905 San Luis Rey Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm San Diego Humane Society-North (For cats) 572 Airport Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm

ACCEPT OWNER RELINQUISHED ANIMALS BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY San Diego Humane Society-San Diego Campus 5500 Gaines Street, CA 92110 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

EL CAJON Friends of Cats 15587 Olde Highway 80, CA, 92021 (619) 561-0361 www.FriendsofCats.org Hours: Tues-Sun 10am to 4pm

ENCINITAS Rancho Coastal Humane Society 389 Requeza Street, CA 92024 (760) 753-6413 www.sdpets.org Hours: 11am -5pm every day except Tues. 11:30am-5pm

RANCHO SANTA FE Helen Woodward Animal Center 6461 El Apajo Road, CA 92067 (858) 756-4117 www.AnimalCenter.org Hours: 7 days 11am to 6pm

SPRING VALLEY National Cat Protection Society 9031 Birch Street, CA 91977 (619) 469-8771 www.NatCat.org Hours: Tue.-Sat. Noon to 5pm

Welcome to the Dr.'s Corner. I am Dr. Jason Sweitzer and I am a veterinarian at Mission Animal and Bird Hospital in Oceanside with a specific interest in Emergency Medicine, Behavior, and Exotic Animals. This column will be your chance to ask a vet your questions. I will try to pick the topics that are the most timely and useful to pet parents but will try to respond to all e-mails. Please submit your questions to info@missionanimal.com.

Q: WITH EASTER RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY PETS SAFE?

Spring is coming and it is a great time of year for our furry friends, unfortunately there are several dangerous toxins to be wary of. One of the most deadly can be Easter Lilies. Unlike Poinsettias that are mostly just very upsetting to animals, all lilies, but especially Easter Lilies, are toxic. Just like anti-freeze, even a small amount can cause kidney failure. Unfortunately many cats like to chew on them and they come in many bouquets. The best approach is not to bring them into your house but if your cat does get into them, give your veterinarian a call immediately.

There are many other toxins that can be around this time of year, especially inside those plastic eggs and the easter baskets. Some candy and gums use an artificial sweetener called XYLITOL. This can cause liver failure for your pet with a very small amount. While most of us know how dangerous chocolate can be to our canine companions, chocolate covered raisins have a bigger risk. Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in some dogs. We haven't figured out how to tell which dogs yet so it is best just to avoid giving them to any dogs. If you accidentally leave an easter egg out for too long, the mold that grows on rotten food can cause severe seizures. Lastly, the infamous spring cleaning may be good for your health and home, though dangerous for your pets. Many of the cleaning chemicals you use have pungent and irritating odors and our pets have much more sensitive noses than we do, especially our birds. Be sure to open the windows and ventilate the house well when you clean. Also, be sure to let any chemicals dry and clean surfaces afterwards with water because animals walk around on their feet and lick their feet clean. So even a slight residue can be ingested by your animal and upset their stomach or cost you an emergency trip to the veterinarian. If you aren't sure if your pet got into something toxic, please give your veteri-

narian a call immediately as minutes and hours can make a lot of difference. A good resource for information on toxic plants and other toxins is the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4435 or the website at www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/. The $65 fee is worth it to get potentially life-saving direction for your pet. They also give you a case number you can give your vet to follow up and get personalized recommendations for any toxin. If your trusted family veterinarian is closed, be sure you know where your local emergency hospital is located and put their phone number in your cell phone and on your emergency phone list ahead of time. I look forward to reading your questions and a chance to help all of our family pets. Spring is nearly here and together we can make sure we keep your pets healthy.

BUSINESS LISTINGS

List your Business, call (619) 573-5615 for rates.

The Total Dog, Swim & Gym

Puptown Doggie Daycare

Whole Dog Sports Center

205 16th Street. San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 234-5778 www.puptown.net

Dog training agility sports. All levels. 6,000 sq ft indoor field. Classes available. Located in Carlsbad • (760) 931-2600 www.WholeDogSports.com

San Diego Humane Society & SPCA

Training Puppies and Adult Dogs “From the Moment They Arrive Home!” (760) 613-3175 www.silvasdogtraining.com

Comfort * Wellness * Mobility

Sophie Bella's Studio

TTouch for dogs, cats and rabbits

Silva’s Dog Training (619) 299-7012 www.sdhumane.org

SD House Rabbit Society (858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org

Professional Photography Call Us for Your Holiday Photos 858-717-6200 www.sophiebellasstudio.com

Shelter Dogs To Dream Dogs

Star Grooming on Fifth

Learning With Love Dog Training Animal Behavioral Specialist (619) 813-1252, k9andk8@gmail.com www.shelterdogstodreamdogs.com

Professional Pet Stylist 1845 Fifth Ave (Between Elm & Fir) (619) 571-1795 www.stargroomingonfifth.com

3060 Industry St., Ste. 108 Oceanside, CA • 760-721-1DOG (1364) www.mytotaldog.com

TouchNpaws & MakeNscents Serving the North County area (Mira Mesa up)

(619) 405-4144 • www.TouchNpaws.com

By certified practitioner Mary E. Cannon 858-361-8038 www.crittertouch.com

VetDepot Discount Pet Meds & Supplies • Save up to 60% on all leading brands including: Frontline, Cosequin, Greenies & Heartgard www.vetdepot.com

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | MARCH 2012

Paws in the Park Sunday, March 25, 2012 8 a.m.â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Noon (Kit Carson Park) escondidohumanesociety.org

Bark 4 Life March 31, 2012 Imperial Beach

Reality Rally April 13-15, 2012 www.realityrally.com

Del Mar Pet Expo April 14-15, 2012

More events and details posted online: www.SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com/events

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Food, Fun, and Fundraising Friday, March 9, 2012 3pm-8pm Iron Fist Brewing Co

Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Step by Step 5K Walk/Run April 21, 2012 Liberty Station

MARCH 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com/events

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Be Your Petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Ally!

Pet First Aid/CPR classes 760-433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com