Pet Pals Club Accepting New Members

The Women’s Humane Society’s Pet Pals Cub is accepting new members in grades four through nine.

“The purpose of the club is to help children understand more about animals in their communities and discover ways we can all become better caretakers of our animal friends in their home environments,” said Janice Mininberg, Director of Education and Pet Pals Club Leader.

The Pet Pals Club meets at the Society on one Saturday morning each month from October through May. Each meeting includes a discussion about a pet topic or a presentation by a guest speaker, followed by a craft project or game. While members do not play with animals housed at the Society, they do interact with animals brought by guest speakers. The club registration fee is $25. The registration deadline is October 8, 2009. The club is limited to 18 members..

For information about registering for the Pet Pals Club, call Janice Mininberg at 215-750-3100, extension 34.

Has Your Dog Had a Flu Shot?

The Women’s Humane Society is now offering the canine influenza vaccine in our veterinary clinic. Your dog will need 2 shots, given 2 weeks apart, to be completely protected from canine influenza. Shots cost $24 each for a total cost of $48. There are also separate $25 examination fees for both the initial visit and the second visit.

Canine influenza is a contagious respiratory virus. Dogs affected with a mild case of the canine flu may develop a moist cough that lasts for 10 to 30 days. Some dogs will have a dry cough that may be mistaken for kennel cough. In some cases, a bacterial infection occurs with mild cases of the flu and can cause a thick nasal discharge.

Dogs that have the severe form of canine influenza may develop fevers between 104 to 106 degrees and may also develop pneumonia if a secondary bacterial infection occurs.

Canine influenza is a fairly new disease and very few dogs have developed any immunity to the virus. According to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines, virtually all dogs exposed to the virus become infected and nearly 80 percent show clinical signs of the disease.

Read more about canine influenza here.

Veterinary Clinic Hours Extended

The Women’s Humane Society has extended the hours in our veterinary clinic for your convenience. Operating hours have been extended by 1 hour on Wednesdays. In addition, the clinic will now be open all day, from morning to evening, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our reduced fee clinic is open to the public on a first-come first-serve basis for well and sick visits, routine shots and X-rays. Appointments are required for surgery, including spaying or neutering. You can reach the clinic at 215-750-5252.

 Clinic Hours

 Tuesday           8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

 Wednesday      12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

 Thursday          8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

 Friday              8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

 Saturday           8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

 The clinic is closed on Sunday and Monday.

What About Us, Rachael?

Rachael Ray is doing a nice thing. Her Mutt Madness Awards Program plans to dole out more than $200,000 to animal shelters she deems to be the “most deserving” charitable organizations in America. But there’s one catch. Only shelters that label themselves “no-kill” will qualify to be one of the lucky 64 organizations competing for awards.

The problem is that there are very few shelters that are actually “no-kill,” despite their claims. True no-kill shelters take every single animal that is brought to them – young, old, sick, aggressive – and either find homes for them or care for them for the rest of their lives.

Most of the organizations that we are familiar with that use the no-kill label say that they don’t euthanize “adoptable” animals. So what happens to the animals that the shelter considers unadoptable? They are either euthanized or rejected by the shelter. We regularly receive calls from distraught and desperate pet owners whose animals have been rejected by no-kill shelters.

The Women’s Humane Society accepts all animals. We do euthanize animals that have behavioral problems or those that are very ill or old. Unfortunately, very few people want a dog with aggression problems or a nine-year-old cat with diabetes. Animals stay with us as long as there is space for them. We haven’t euthanized any dogs due to overcrowding for years. In fact, many of our dogs are adopted within several days of arrival at our shelter.

Cats are a different story. We receive two to three times more cats than dogs and cats aren’t quite as in demand as dogs. Sadly, when we run out of space, especially during the summer months, some cats are euthanized. Every one of these animals deserve to find lifelong homes, but there just aren’t enough adopters out there to care for all of the cats that pass through our doors. Luckily, we work with several cat rescue groups that take some of the harder to place cats, reducing the need for euthanasia.

A world where every animal is wanted and loved is the goal we are all working toward at the Women’s Humane Society. Hopefully, we will get there one day and can honestly add “no-kill” to our title. Until then, you won’t find us claiming to be something we aren’t.

Housing, feeding and caring for animals takes money – a lot of money. We are extremely grateful to our donors for helping us keep the Women’s Humane Society in operation, but we wouldn’t mind a little help from the Rachael Ray Show. Please let Rachael know that no-kill shelters are not the only deserving charitable organizations in the United States. Click here to view her website or send an email to: showcomments@rachaelrayshow.com.

Antifreeze Spills Can Kill Pets

Approximately ten thousand dogs and cats die each year from antifreeze poisoning, much of it occurring from leaks and spills in the pet’s own garage or driveway.

Cats and dogs are naturally drawn to puddles and don’t see anything wrong with drinking from that funny green puddle in your driveway. In fact, many animals like the taste of antifreeze. Although people give the most thought to the problem in the winter, it can occur at any time of the year.

If your dog or cat ingests antifreeze, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately. The more time that goes by, the less chance your animal has to survive. Signs of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting, increased drinking of water, fatigue, and urination. Some animals may even have seizures.

Veterinarians treat antifreeze poisoning by inducing vomiting, giving the pet activated charcoal to absorb the ethylene glycol found in antifreeze. If caught in time, animals may recover completely, although others may be left with kidney damage.

Pet owners, and anyone who cares about animals, may want to consider using antifreeze that is safer for animals, such as Sierra Antifreeze, Prestone LowTox Antifreeze/Coolant, and Sta-Clean Antifreeze. (Your old antifreeze should be flushed out before adding the new antifreeze for maximum benefit.) If your pet ingests one of these antifreezes, it may still show some signs of poisoning, but the symptoms will be much less severe.

Cute Cat Needs Home

This friendly kitten is only nine months old and was given up because there were already too many pets in his home. If you would like to visit him (tag number 3268), stop by the Society on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. or on Wednesday from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Visit our website for more details on adoptions.

Meet Tyson

Four-year-old Tyson is already neutered and declawed. All he needs now is a home.  If you would like to visit Tyson (tag number 3086), stop by the Society on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. or on Wednesday from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Visit our website for more details on adoptions.

Don’t Try This at Home!

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell recently signed into law a measure that will ensure that only trained and licensed veterinarians can perform certain medical procedures that, if done incorrectly, can be inhumane and painful, according to a press release from the Governor’s office.

“Last October, Pennsylvania took a big step forward in shedding its label as the ‘Puppy Mill Capital of the East.’ Today, that law is working and giving hundreds of dogs the opportunity to be adopted and have a better life with a loving family,” said Governor Rendell as he noted that the state has revoked or refused 11 kennel licenses and cited another 34 unlicensed kennels. “More work remains, however, and that is why I’m signing this legislation today.”

The new law establishes penalties for dog owners who engage in the following procedures on their own dogs: cropping, trimming or cutting off an ear; debarking or cutting or injuring the vocal cords; docking or cutting off the tail of a dog over five days of age; surgically birthing a dog; and removing the dewclaws from a dog over five days of age.

As a provision of the new law, dog’s owner must keep a record of the surgery, including the vet who performed it, as well as the location and date where the surgery was performed. The law further protects dogs by making it a 3^rd degree felony to steal an animal for the purpose of dog fighting.

(Photo courtesty of jdrjosh: sxc.hu)