By Paige Kruse, ImPRessions ACHS account member

The Athens Humane Society ImPRessions account hosted a successful Puppy Mill Awareness event with the help of Redbrick Sports Pub.. On Wed., Jan.19, ACHS members served dinner and drinks with the tips benefiting the Humane Society and its fight for local pets. The Athens community and fellow students were able to stand up against puppy mills while enjoying a lively atmosphere and 45 cent wing night. Although most volunteers didn’t have a lot of serving experience, costumers were patient and ready to contribute for a good cause. Puppy Mill Awareness Week strives to shed light on the miserable conditions of puppy mill breeding.
With thousands of mills across the United States, most puppies are left in small, wired cages and never feel the grass on their paws. Large pet stores will buy dogs from puppy mills at low costs and sell them for a large profit. Puppy mill owners have been known to shoot the dogs rather than provide vet care.
Adoption is a great step toward bettering conditions for dogs. Interested in the fight against Puppy mills? Visit http://www.humanesociety.org/ or http://www.stoppuppymills.org/.

Winter Weather Safety

By Camille Davis, ACHS ImPRessions account member

When the weather gets cold, and the snow begins to fall, it is easy for us to add another layer of clothes. But what about our pets? Winter pet safety is an important subject for all pet owners.

One of the most basic ways we can take care of our pets in this harsh winter weather is by bringing our outdoor pets inside. Winter weather brings many perils, from the biting cold to the mountains of snow. It is not uncommon for pets to get lost in this weather, so when they do go outside make sure they are wearing their tags and keep dogs on leashes. It is easy for them to get turned about and have a hard time picking up the scent of home in the snow.

Pet owners should also take caution of outdoor cats. Parked cars provide cats a safe haven from the snow, so be sure to bang on the hood of your car to warn any sleeping animals that you are about to start the car.

Dogs may seem warm with their furry coats, but even they are subject to the cold of winter. When bringing your dog in from a walk be sure to fully dry off their legs and belly. No one wants to walk around in wet clothes, especially clothes covered in road salt. Also check the area in between the pads of their paws. Ice and salt can gather quickly in that space.

The fashionable dog owner can dress short haired dogs up in adorable, warm sweaters. If you aren’t the fashionista then be sure to not cut your dog’s hair short. For the dogs who love playing in the snow, you may want to give them a little extra food to keep their energy up!

While winter can be a dangerous time for people and animals, it can also be a lot of fun. The snow provides countless photo opportunities of dogs playing in the snow. Is there anything cuter than a furry snowball? What better time to curl up on the couch with your cat then when the snow is falling? With months of winter ahead of us, be sure to keep an eye on your pets and be sure to enjoy the winter!

Feline Leukemia Virus

(Editor's note: Volunteering with the Athens County Humane Society (ACHS), I have seen a lot of strays in need of foster or permanent homes. I recently took in a beautiful, friendly tabby that was abandoned on N. Lancaster St. I took him to the vet and was informed that “Tommy” has feline leukemia. Tommy was at least the sixth cat to be diagnosed with FeLV last month.)

By Kylie Whittaker

A positive feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (feline AIDS or FIV) test is any cat owner’s worst nightmare. Much like human AIDS, FeLV and FIV suppresses the immune system of a cat and can lead to many other health problems such as disease, infection, and cancer.

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, three percent of all cats in the U.S. are infected with this virus. FeLV and FIV are spread by infected cats through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, milk, and mutual grooming. Transfer of the virus can also occur between cats that share a litter box and saliva transfer from a bite wound. An infected mother cat can transfer the virus to her kittens during pregnancy or while nursing.

There are two stages of FeLV.
-Primary Viremia is the early stage of the virus. Some cats can have an effective immune response removing the virus from their blood stream and halting progression to the secondary viremia stage.
-Secondary Viremia is the later stage that is said to be the point of no return. At this point, infection of bone marrow and other tissue will begin. If FeLV progresses to this point, the cat will most likely have the disease for the remainder of their life.
(www.vet.cornell.edu)

The disease varies but seems to be most common in cats under 2-years-old. Symptoms include inflammation of gums and mouth, reoccurring respiratory problems such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and coughing, digestive or skin disorders, and tumors.

Within the first months of contracting the virus, your cat may not show any signs or symptoms. This is why it is very important to pay attention to any changes in your cat’s behavior. Some signs to watch for include a loss of appetite, slow weight loss, poor coat condition, enlarged lymph nodes, eye conditions, seizures, behavioral changes, diarrhea, or persistent fever. If you notice any of these behaviors or symptoms in your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have the cat tested. Two types of blood tests are commonly used to detect a protein component of the virus.

-ELISA can be performed at your vet’s office. This type of test detects both stages FeLV.
- IFA tests must be sent to a diagnostic lab and test for secondary viremia only.
(www.lbah.com/feline/felv.html)

In the unfortunate event that your cat has positive test results and is diagnosed with FeLV or FIV, there are many things you can do to improve the health and prolong the life of your companion.

-Keep your cat indoors. Since your cat’s immune system will be much weaker, keeping them inside will prevent their exposure to bacteria and infections. It will also prevent them from spreading the virus to other cats in the neighborhood.

- Feed them a balanced and nutritious diet.
- Avoid uncooked foods like raw meat and other foods that have high bacteria and parasitic levels.
- See your vet frequently. It is important to monitor the status of your cat’s condition and make sure the virus is not progressing.
(www.felineleukemia.org)

Under good care, cats with FeLV or FIV can remain in good health for as many as months to multiple years.

It is very important to take every precaution in preventing FeLV and FIV in negative testing cats, especially if they have been in an environment where they could have been exposed to the virus. The best way to protect your cat is to prevent their exposure. You can do this by keeping your cat indoors. If you have an outdoor cat, provide a secured area that prevents the cat from wandering, and talk to your vet about the FeLV prevention vaccination. If you have an infected cat and an infection free cat, keep them separated. Do not allow them to share food and water dishes or a litter box.

If you haven’t already tested your outdoor cat for FeLV, consider contacting your vet. Be on the lookout for behavioral changes and symptoms. As mentioned before, avoiding exposure is the only sure way to prevent the virus from spreading, so take every precaution in keeping your cat safe.
If you have any questions, feel free to email ACHS at info@athenshumane.org.

Centennial Celebration

By Kylie Whittaker

Athens County community members showed their love and support for the ACHS on Sat., Oct. 9, at the Centennial celebration. The Chinese auction was possible because due to the many generous donations from local businesses. The support of the community is vital to the ACHS organization, and we were thrilled to celebrate 100 years of service with our supporters.

"We were pleased to see so many of our supporters at the Centennial celebration,'' said ACHS President Arianna Rinaldi-Eichenberg. "Our top goals are to reduce pet overpopulation and find permanent homes for adoptable pets. We couldn't achieve that without their support.'' So far this year, ACHS has found permanent homes for 10 dogs and 60 cats, and through its low-cost spay/neuter clinics, ACHS has altered about 600 dogs and cats. To help low-income residents of Athens County afford the cost of spaying and neutering their animals, ACHS has provided about $8,000 in assistance.

Tables were lined with the items donated for the auction, including a basket filled with Donkey Coffee goodies, a $100 gift card to Raphael’s: An Aveda Concept Salon, and a hand drawn map of Athens from Lamborn’s Studio and Custom Framing, just to name a few. Zach Parkman played light acoustic music as guests decided which prizes to try their luck on.

Special thanks go out to the Athens Community Center for providing us with a great location, Minuteman Press for making our event tickets and programs, and advertisements, Bellavino for their wine donation, Heavens Oven for desserts, Zach Parkman for entertainment, and the rest of our generous sponsors and community members for helping us celebrate 100 years!

Calendar Contest

Do your dogs smile when you say cheese? Do your cats stare at themselves in the mirror with admiration? ACHS is accepting entries for our 2011-2012 rescued pets calendar contest. All pets featured in the calendar must be rescued and currently living in Athens. To apply please send a picture of your dog or cat (in .jpeg format) along with a short biography of the pet to achscalendar@yahoo.com. There is a $10 non-refundable entry fee for each pet and $5 for each additional pet which can be donated by going to the ACHS website (www.athenshumane.petfinder.com) and clicking on the “Just Give” button in the “donate” section. Please write your last name along with the name of your pet and calendar contest in the ‘designate my donation’ section of the form. Entries will be accepted through Oct. 17^th at midnight. There is only one week left, so make sure you get your pictures in! Once we pick winners we will be sending our photographers out to get a high resolution picture of your pet, so make sure you are checking your email after the 17th. Please email achscalendar@yahoo.com with any questions.We can't wait to see your pets!

Adoption Spotlight: Daisy

Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do.
I'm half crazy over my love for you.

What's not to love about Daisy? This lovable girl has been waiting patiently for some time for a forever home to appear. A German shepherd and terrier mix, Daisy is a dog who will do just about anything with you. Her Petfinder page lists some of her favorite activities: running, playing frisbee and snuggling.

Daisy is a high energy dog with a lot of love to give. Her owner was unable to keep her due to her larger than life personality: give her someone to love, and she'll love them more. Give her a job to do, and she'll do it well. Give her a game to play and she'll play it until she can't play anymore.

Daisy is intelligent and always on the lookout for new things to investigate and learn. She's been trained to follow some basic commands. Daisy is also housebroken and familiar with wireless fence systems. She loves going for walks - a task made easier with a halter (such as the Gentle Leader or Halti, pictured at left.)

Daisy needs a family to love her and a home where she's the center of attention. Daisy gets along fine with cats and does okay with dogs, although she'd be best in a single dog household or as one of two. She had a blast with the other dogs at the 2010 Athens County Humane Society Dog Swim. She does just fine with older kids.

Daisy is free from heartworms and is on preventative treatment. She has been spayed and is up to date on her shots. Her adoption fee has been donated and Best Pets Dog Training has graciously offered her new owners a training class.

If you're interested in Daisy, take some time and fill out an adoption application. Email the completed forms to info@athenshumane.org. One of our volunteers will speak with you as soon as possible. After filling out an adoption application, Daisy's foster parents and an Athens County Humane Society representative will work with you to schedule a home visit to ensure Daisy gets along with you, your other pets and family members.

Adopting Daisy is a big step - adopting any animal is. Here's a list of things to look over if you're considering bringing a new furry companion into your life.

Absolutely certain you'd like to adopt but not sure Daisy is the right dog for you? The Athens County Humane Society has plenty of dogs and cats listed on their Petfinder page. Check them out - there's someone for everyone!

Daisy at the Rescues and Runaways Fashion Show sponsored by Maurice's.

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!