A Show of Paws: Who's Ready for Autumn?

Image courtesy of Stock.xchng, copyright István Benedek.

Crisp leaves, apple cider, pumpkin pie and bonfires. The images that come to mind with the changing of the seasons is limitless. If you're a pet lover, chances are the colder weather brings to mind the thought of your beloved companion cuddled up on your lap or by your feet as the weather chills. The first fall days also bring a few notable safety tips for dogs and cats alike. Keep your companion animal safe and healthy by remembering a few key points.

• Provide your pets with a warm space. While keeping your pets indoors is ideal, it isn't possible for every owner. If you have an outdoor feline, make sure he or she has access to a warm, enclosed space during colder weather - consider leaving your garage door open to provide access, if no other option exists. The same goes for your pooches, too. If, for some reason, keeping them indoors during inclement weather is unfeasible, make sure they have a warm enclosure that is sheltered from the elements and warm bedding.
  Click here for plans to build a heated dog house!
  

• The weather is growing colder. For animals exposed to the outdoors, this means their coats are growing thicker and they're gearing up for winter. More calories are consumed as animals with an eye for the outdoors ready themselves for the cold weather ahead. Don't be surprised if your pet has the need for extra energy and food, too, or at least if it seems that way after a lull in the feeding frenzy due to the warm weather of summer!
  Learn more about a dog's energy requirements. Learn more about feeding your cat the right stuff.
  

• If your dog primarily lives indoors, think about getting some cold weather gear. If the ground is too cold for you to touch without gloves on, it's probably too cold for your pup's paws. If you have a dog with a short or thin coat, or you engage in outdoor activities with your dog for extended periods of time in cold or wet weather, consider a doggie sweater. Your pet will thank you.
  If you're handy with a pair of knitting needles or a crochet hook, use one of these patterns to make your pup something special: A Knit Dog Sweater pattern is fairly simple for knitters, while a crochet dog sweater pattern is ideal for "happy hookers."
  

• Everyone wants to be indoors when it's cold, even your friendly neighborhood pests. Keep an eye out for scavengers seeking to dodge the chill, but keep an even closer eye on chemical toxins meant to control scavenger populations. Rat poison is incredibly toxic for dogs. Fall is the time of year when these toxins become more readily available: make sure Fido doesn't grab ahold of these potentially lethal items while you're not looking. And just because you don't use chemical poisons on your property doesn't mean your pet can't still get ahold of them: your neighbors may have rat poison or other toxins stashed where Fido or Fluffy has access to them.
  Read more on rat poison and pets.
  

• If you've been avoiding outdoor activity in favor of more climate-controlled options, the crisp fall weather is the perfect time to get back into the swing of things. Brush up on your dog's basic training before taking advantage of the weather. Going back to the basics is a good reminder for everyone.
  Find out what the Humane Society of the United States has to say about dog training basics!
  

• If you're a gardener, chances are you're gathering and planting bulbs that will grow and bloom in spring. Remember that some plants or even just some PARTS of plants are toxic to your companion animals. For example, tulip bulbs contain a toxin that causes stomach upset, drooling, loss of appetite, lethargy, heart problems, convulsions and central nervous system depression. Yikes! While your cat may think it's fun to help you in the garden, limit your pet's gardening "expertise" to plants that are pet-safe.
  Take a gander at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' "Poison Control Center" plant database.
  

• Watch out for those snakes. Autumn is a high activity time for these critters, and they may be a more easily excitable than other times of the year: they're preparing for a season of hibernation. Keep an eye out for slithery snakes in your backyard. Take the time to learn about a new species of wild friend or, for the less reptile-inclined, brush up on your pet first aid skills!
  Click here to read more about the reptiles of Ohio or visit here to brush up on your first aid for pets.
  
  
• Keep an eye on your child's school supplies. While a glue stick or pack of colored pencils may not look like a tasty treat in our eyes, your dog or cat may feel differently! While most typical school supplies are considered low-toxicity for both people and animals, these educational tools can still cause problems for our pets. If you suspect your pet has gotten ahold of your darling son or daughter's set of pens or wire notebook binding, call your vet. He or she can help you sort it all out and provide assistance if needed.
  Click here for a list of veterinarians in and around Athens County.
  
  
• I knew a mushroom once, he was a fun guy (fungi!). Fall is mushroom season all across the United States. While some people love nothing more than to go searching the woods for tasty edible treats, plenty of lethal mushrooms crop up on lawns, posing a threat to our furry friends. If you're unsure of what mushrooms you've got growing, don't chance it. Some of the most toxic 'shrooms are identical to the tasty ones!
  Learn more about Ohio mushrooms here.
  
  
• If you have a car enthusiast or do-it-yourself mechanic in the family, they may very well be changing the coolant in vehicles in preparation for dropping temperatures. Propylene glycol is touted as a safer car coolant than ethylene glycol - and it is, to a point. While ethylene glycol is more deadly to pets, propylene glycol coolants can still cause some problems. Encourage friends and family to dispose of coolants in a safe and sanctioned manner. Clean up spills promptly.
  Learn more about pets and antifreeze poisoning here.
  
  
  
• Take charge of your pet's health. While humans are worried about the flu and stomach bugs, the change in seasons may mean your dog feels a little bit under the weather, too. Make sure your pet is up to date on his or her vaccinations and discuss spaying or neutering with your veterinarian if you haven't already done so. It provides a number of benefits to your furry friend!
  Click here to learn about the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet. Click here to find out more information on the Athens County Humane Society's low cost spay/neuter clinics.
  
  Above all else, have a safe and happy autumn!

Spay and Neuter Registration

Our next spay and neuter registration date will be September 3rd from 5-6 PM at the Market on State (Formerly the University Mall) in Athens.

Spay and neuter services are already extremely low cost, and are available to residents of Athens county as well as the surrounding counties. In addition to this, there is a low-income program to help residents of Athens County spay or neuter their animals at an even lower cost. Qualifications for the low-income assistance program can be found here.

When registering your animal(s), you will need to bring a valid photo ID or driver's license, as well as the payment. Costs are listed on the website above, as well as what types of documentation are acceptable as proof of low income.

Please bring your ID, a photocopy of your low-income paperwork, and the required payment in cash. Unfortunately we cannot accept methods of payment other than cash.

You do NOT need to bring your pets to the registration. You will receive details on the time and date of your pet's appointment after registering.

Not sure why you should spay or neuter your pets? Read up on the myths and facts of spay/neuter.

Want to hear it from a cat's point of view (as told by the characters from the Lion King)? Click here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

A Word On Feral Cats

So what's the difference between feral cats and stray cats?
According to the Humane Society of the United States' page on Feral Cats:

• A stray cat is a pet cat who is lost or abandoned. Feral cats are the offspring of lost or abandoned pet cats or other feral cats who are not spayed or neutered.

• Stray cats are accustomed to contact with people and are tame, but feral cats are not accustomed to contact with people and are typically too fearful and wild to be handled.
• Wheras stray cats may be reunited with their families or adopted into new homes, feral cats do not easily adapt or may never adapt to living as pets in close contact with people.

Here's a more in depth video for your viewing:

Many feral cats in our area adapt quite well to being barn cats once they are spayed/neutered. Younger kittens have a higher chance of being rehabilitated and placed in good homes, and with enough patience and expertise, most adult cats can as well.

Visit the Alley Cat Allies in our links section for more information as well.

Spay Neuter Pre-Pay And Register

Please don't forget that our next pre-pay and registration for the low cost spay and neuter clinic is coming up on AUGUST 6TH from 5-6 PM at The Market on E. State Street (formerly University Mall).

Please bring with you
Payment (unfortunately we can accept CASH ONLY)

And any qualifying paperwork you may need if signing up for financial assistance.

Prices and documentation needed can be found on our website.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Want to know why spaying and neutering is so important? Check this out!

It seems like we spend so much time stressing the point, but sometimes you need a little comic relief when it comes to the topic of animal population control. Many people cite the reason for not getting their animals spayed or neutered as they want their child or children to "witness the miracle of birth". These songs, aimed at a younger audience, explain why spaying and neutering is so important. You just might find they get stuck in your head, too.


Spaying and Neutering music videos that are sure to get stuck in your head, drive the point home, and make you smile a bit all at the same time. And for an extra bonus smile, both songs synchronized to footage from Disney's "The Lion King"

Spay and Neuter Registration Details

Spaying or neutering your pets is a good idea for several reasons. It prevents unwanted animals, who end up at overloaded shelters or rescue organizations or worse, dumped on the streets to fend for themselves. But it also provides health benefits to the animals in question. It is agreed by veterinary organizations that spaying or neutering your companion animal can greatly reduce its risk of developing reproductive diseases down the road - uterine cancer, breast cancer, testicular and prostate cancer have all shown to decrease in older animals who were spayed when they were younger.

The next pre-pay and registration session for the Athens County Humane Society will be held on August 6th, 2009 from 5 to 6 PM at the Market on East State Street in Athens.

Those wishing to register and prepay should show up with the appropriate amount of money. Unfortunately we can take CASH ONLY.

If you are one of Athens County's many residents below the poverty level, do not fear - there is financial assistance available for those who qualify. Details and rates can be found here. When you come to register, please bring copies of the appropriate paperwork with you.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cookies for Contraception: ACHS Bake Sale Part of Spay Day USA

The table on the first floor of Baker Center was littered with brownies, cookies, muffins, breads and other baked goodies. Holly Koprowski, an organizational communication major and ACHS volunteer, sat behind the table with a tin box for donations in front of her. During the 15 minutes I sat talking with her, at least three people stopped by the table, some donating money in exchange for a tasty treat and some just donating money.

"I think they come more for the cause than anything else," Koprowski said. "It's puppies and kittens!"

The bake sale, sponsored by the Ohio University Pre-Veterinarian program, was the ACHS's contribution to Spay Day USA, an annual event held by the Humane Society of the United States. The event occurs every year on the last Tuesday in February, and humane societies across the country participate in order to encourage pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.

Even though the ACHS has held many successful bake sales in the past, Koprowski had a bad dream the night before that left her feeling anxious about the event. However, her nerves were quickly quieted thanks to an outpouring of support from the university community. The bake sale, which also had a sign-up sheet for two different t-shirts advocating getting pets fixed, brought in $250 for the society.

"It was a lot more successful than I thought," Koprowski said. All of the money earned at the event went to sponsoring animals and the ACHS's mobile spay and neuter clinics. The treats, which were on sale form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 24, were donated by the National Communication Association Student Club, the Pre-Veterinarian program, the ACHS and any friends that could be convinced to participate.

We just asked everyone we knew to bake something, said Koprowski, a lifetime animal lover thanks in part to her mother's job as a veterinarian's assistant. "We want to raise just as much as we can for the clinic and for Spay Day USA."

ACHS volunteer Holly Koprowski mans the bake sale table for Spay Day USA

Getting both male and female animals fixed is an important part of pet ownership that is often disregarded. Spaying or neutering pets can help with behavioral problems and prevents unwanted litters that can become a financial burden. In fact, the biggest portion of the ACHS's budget goes to ensuring pets in the region can get the operation. Humane society volunteers, however, aren't the only ones concerned about getting animals fixed. A YouTube video created by the Alliance for Humane Action and posted on the ACHS's Web site shows a more...unique... point of view...

Help Without a Home

Shelley Leiberman is homeless. Well, she’s not technically homeless, but her passion is. Lieberman is the Vice President of the Athens County Humane Society, a completely volunteer organization without a building to call home. However, the group has managed to dig its claws in enough to remain an active player in the crusade for animal rights in the region by finding homes, both temporary and permanent, for animals and organizing mobile spay and neuter clinics to help cut back on overpopulation.

Now, there may be some starry-eyed idealists out there with the belief that there can never be too many kitties and puppies in the world, but unfortunately for animal lovers everywhere, that is simply not the case. When there are too many animals and not enough resources, the animals are abandoned and left to survive cold winters without shelter or food. In fact, one of the main reasons the actual shelter closed down in 2005 was because people began using the site as a kind of dumping ground for unwanted litters.

“They were putting down three to five hundred cats a month,” said Lieberman. “Instead of spaying or neutering their pets, they were letting them just have kittens and dropping them off.”

As if that isn’t bad enough, there was only one part-time staff member in charge of putting down animals.

“I don’t know how she is still sane,” Lieberman said. “Anyone working in a shelter is an animal lover. That’s not why she signed up to be in that field.”

Lieberman believes that closing the shelter did help lower the number of animals being put down, however, because it is harder for a pet owner to bring an animal to a veterinarian’s office to be put to sleep than to simply drop of a box of kittens and drive away.

To help encourage people to get their animals fixed, the organization – which assists both dogs and cats but focuses more on cats because it is the only group in the area that deals with felines – organizes mobile spay and neuter clinics. The society tries to hold clinics once a month, and because there is a two to three month waiting list, pet owners need to register and pay in advance to ensure they actually attend the event. The society also offers a subsidy program to qualified applicants who may not be able to afford the procedure. For information about the clinics and subsidy program, visit the ACHS Web site.

Foster Families and Satellite Sites

Because the organization does not have an actual building, the society uses its Web site and an online pet adoption service, petfinder.com, to find permanent placements. Meanwhile, the cats are placed in temporary homes or at satellite sites in the community. The society never officially takes ownership of the animals, however, and most of the time an animal rescuer is the one who takes the cat in until it is adopted. The society would like to organize a foster program, but there is one glaring problem with the idea – animals are just too darn cute.

“If I had to guess, I would say 90 percent of fosters want to keep the animal,” Lieberman said. “Then, we don’t have a foster anymore.”

Because the organization is entirely run on donations, funding also becomes an issue, and the group simply cannot afford to provide animal care necessities to foster families right now. Lieberman has hopes, though, to have a foster program running within six months.

Until then, the group also utilizes satellite sites to help place animals. Satellite sites are companies in the community that agree to keep animals and provide adoption information to interested customers. Currently, Import House, Lamborn’s Studio and Abfall’s Veterinary Clinic are the only satellite sites in town, but Lieberman hopes to get more within the next three months.

Karen McGuire, manager of Import House on Court Street, reached out to the humane society after seeing cats at Lamborn’s about two years ago. Since then, the business has assisted in getting around 40 cats adopted. “They don’t last too long,” she said. “I don’t think we’ve had a cat over six weeks.”

Karen McGuire, manager of Import House, cuddles with ACHS cat, Raven.

Currently, Import House is home to two black brother cats, Raven and Moon. Kari Eavenson, an employee at the business for three years, enjoys having the cats around and hopes they can be adopted as a set.

“Two cats are a lot more work than one, but they are so much better with each other,” she said while sporadically whipping a cat toy back and forth for Raven to chase. “They really do feed off of each other.”

Raven, Moon and their mother were kept in a cage in the garage of a woman whose newborn baby was very allergic to cats. Luckily, living in the cage did not impede the younger cats from developing physically, but living at Import House does give them the chance to run around and get exercise. They also have the opportunity to become socialized with people. Considering many orphaned pets come from abusive situations, living in a business with high traffic helps them adjust. They also have the opportunity to interact with other animals; McGuire often brings in her dogs, and patrons of the store are allowed to bring in their pets as well.

Raven and Moon chase their string toy as Import House employee Kari Eavenson sporadically whips it back and forth.

Eventually, the humane society would like to once again have a shelter, but Lieberman wants to wait until everything – timing, finances, community support – are all in place before beginning the endeavor.

“When we do open a shelter again, it needs to be done right. It needs to be done with a full-time staff, it needs to have a good facility and be supported by the community,” she said. “We’re just not there now.”