Fido 411

TCAP relocates Allen location to serve more pets

Allen — The Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP) Allen location is relocating on April 6, and will have the capacity to service 10% more animals per year through a new, larger and more convenient location.

We're excited about our new, updated Allen location," said Stacey Schumacher, TCAP Executive Director. "Not only will we be able to service more pets, resulting in fewer pets being euthanized in North Texas shelters, but our clients will now be able to wait in line inside a safe, climate controlled location and shielded from harsh Texas weather. This move will result in happier people and healthier pets.

TCAP's new clinic is located at 111 N. Greenville Ave, Suite A. This location is just down the road from TCAP's previous Allen clinic, but make a huge difference in how many pets the organization can comfortably service.

On surgery days, TCAP's Allen location sterilizes around 30- 40 pets each day. The new Allen location will have the ability to service up to 50 pets per day more comfortably than ever before.

Our mission is to end animal overpopulation in North Texas animal shelters," Schumacher said. "We can't accomplish that goal by promoting adoption alone. We must spay and neuter pets, and with the cost of living increasing, these routine surgeries can be out of reach for some pet owners. Our new clinic will allow us the opportunity to serve more pets, and provide more opportunities for pet owners to use our low-cost services.

— Texas Coalition for Animal Protection

TCAP and DASF team up to provide free rabies vaccines

Free Rabies vaccines for Denton County cats and dogs

Lake Dallas/Denton — The Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP) and the Denton Animal Support Foundation (DASF) are teaming up to provide free rabies vaccines.

Free rabies vaccines will be provided on a walk-in basis from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on the following days:

- April 11, 2020: MLK Recreation Center, 1300 Wilson St., Denton TX 76205 - The Denton Animal Support Foundation (DASF) will sponsor free rabies vaccines for Denton County pets at this event. All other vaccines will be provided at our regular low-cost prices.

- May 16, 2020: Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, 3717 N Elm St, Denton, TX 76207. Only rabies vaccines are free at this event. All other vaccines and services will be offered at our regular low-cost prices.

- June 6, 2020: Lake Dallas Animal Services, 687 N Lakeview Drive, Lake Dallas, TX 75065

Rabies is required by law, but it's also a deadly zoonotic disease," said TCAP Executive Director Stacey Schumacher. "It's important for your family's health to ensure that your pet stays current on their Rabies vaccine. There is no cure for the Rabies virus. Our only defense is to stay away from potentially infected wildlife and to keep pets current on their vaccines.

In addition to free rabies vaccines for Denton County pets, TCAP is offering half-price microchips for pets at the event. According to chip manufacturer, Home Again, 90 percent of pets without proper identification won't return home. For lost pets, microchips provide a way for city shelter staff, or local veterinarians, to find you and reunite you with your pet.

Find out more information about what vaccinations your pets needs at: texasforthem.org/ services/ vaccinations/ dog-vaccinations/

For more information call Tiffany Ditto at 940-566-5551 ext 1108 or email tiffanyditto.tcap@gmail.com.

— Texas Coalition for Animal Protection

Dogs invited to participate in stem cell therapy trial

Courtesy of the Advanced Stem Cell Therapies Facebook page

Advanced Care Veterinary Services in Carrollton is participating in a national clinical trial of stem cell therapy (yes, stem cells) for treating arthritis in large dogs. Arthritic dogs are needed for enrolling in the study.

Dogs weighing 70 pounds or more are invited to participate (for free!) in the double-blind, placebo-controlled study administered by Advanced Care Veterinary Services, in conjunction with San-Diego based Animal Cell Therapies. The study is being conducted to show the effectiveness of stem cells in treating dogs weighing 70 pounds or more who have arthritis in up to two joints of the knee, hip, elbow or shoulder.

Interested dog owners can learn more details and complete an initial screening questionnaire by visiting dogstemcellstudy.com Participants will receive study-related medical cost free of charge (X-rays, bloodwork, exam(s), etc.) and, upon completion, a BarkBox for their pup.

If qualified, participation will consist of three visits: 1) screening, 2) injection and 3) one-month follow-up exam.

Arthritis is a significant problem for large dogs (and smaller dogs too). A full 70% of dogs over 7 years old are impacted by arthritis, and it is even more common in larger dogs.

— Kristine Olson, Advanced Cell Therapies

Attend Houston's 4th annual Barkmitzvah

Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, a congregation of 300-plus families in the Galleria area, is hosting their 4th annual Bark Mitzvah event from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29 in the congregation's parking lot. While Jewish teens have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah when they are 13, this event is for dogs! The festival is free and open to the community with food trucks, a pet vendor fair, pet service projects, a Bark Mitzvah service led by our Rabbi, Steve Gross, music and more. To see video from the group's first-ever Bark Mitzvah in 2016 visit youtube.com/watch?v=zSrU9HDyfUY.

Each year, the Bark Mitzvah keeps getting bigger and better. Last year, we had 203 dogs registered in advance (to receive a dog chew toy giveaway), and many more dogs and owners attended than that!

All pets must be on a leash and please register your pups via email to justin@hcrj.org or by phone at 713-782-4162.

— Justin Deutsch, Houston Congregation for reform Judaism

New pet-inclusive housing initiative launched

LOS ANGELES — At the beginning of the year, non-profit organizations Michelson Found Animals Foundation and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced the launch of the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative, "a research and resource development initiative that promotes access to the joy of pets in every home." The launch included the release of their survey research on pets and rental housing in the United States.

According to a news release, the research shows that, while the majority of rental housing allows pets, there are still significant restrictions for pet-owning renters. Additionally, there are major opportunities for property owners and operators to ease such restrictions.

More pet-inclusive rentals could lead to millions more adoptions for renters who want pets,

said Aimee Gilbreath, Michelson Found Animals' executive director.

Steven Feldman, HABRI executive director, added:

The health and wellness benefits of pet ownership are well documented. Both renters and property managers understand how great pets are, and when restrictions are lifted, everyone can enjoy the full benefits of the human-animal bond.

According to the release, one third of pet owners in restricted pet-friendly housing said they would get another pet if restrictions were lifted, and 35% of non-pet-owners in non-pet-friendly housing would get a pet if restrictions were lifted. The survey found that with changes that would ease restrictions as many as 8.75 million animals could find new homes over time.

Some findings from the survey:

24% of renters with pets said that "my pet has been a reason for me needing to move," meaning as many as 6 million people have experienced a move related to pet ownership.

83% of property managers say that pet-friendly vacancies can be filled faster.

79% of property managers say that pet-friendly vacancies are easier to fill.

Residents in pet-friendly units stay longer, averaging 4.6 years vs. 3.8 years for non-pet-friendly units.

Pets are good for business. This data shows there are real opportunities for property owners and operators to achieve higher levels of occupancy and retention," Feldman added in the release "With the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative, we hope to bring housing providers and the pet care community together, so that everyone can learn and benefit from this new data.

— TXDM staff report

CDC: No evidence pets are a source of coronavirus

Follow basic hygiene practices to keep yourselves, pets healthy

SAN DIEGO — Petco is closely monitoring the evolving outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly as it pertains to the health and safety of our partners, the pets in our care, pet parents and their pets. In an effort to keep pet parents informed of the latest and most accurate information about pets and the coronavirus, Petco will be providing updated information to help pet parents make informed decisions about their pets at petco.com/covid19 where pet parents can get up-to-date facts about pets and COVID-19.

According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is currently no known reason to think that any animals, including pets in the United States, can be infected with or spread COVID-19. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, the CDC always recommends washing your hands after being around animals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. As the disease continues to spread, the CDC recommends following routine preventive measures that can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus and flu, including:

- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

- Stay home when you are sick.

- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

- Individuals with chronic health issues and/or individuals experiencing severe symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.

The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control is clear that there is no evidence that pets can be a source of infection of COVID-19 or that they become sick with the virus," said Dr. Thomas Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH, consulting veterinarian at Petco. "Apart from maintaining good hygiene practices, pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets because of COVID-19.

We know Coronavirus/COVID-19 is a concerning topic for people everywhere, including pet parents," said Petco CEO Ron Coughlin. "With news around the current outbreak continuing to change daily, we're tapping into our Petco Pet Wellness Council, an independent coalition of leading experts in animal health and veterinary science, to provide perspective on the most important things pet parents need to know, and we'll continue to provide updates as the situation evolves.

Pet parents who have concerns or further questions regarding coronavirus can visit the CDC's FAQ on COVID-19 and animals and the CDC's Healthy Pets, Healthy People website or visit petco.com/ covid19.

— PetCo