JIMMYDOG OF THE WEEK If it's possible to be a mix of a Golden and a Dachshund, that's what Jimmy is. Thirty solid pounds, he's short and stout and has really soft fur. He's a sweet one-year-old boy with a shy and submissive disposition and gets along with everyone (dogs and cats included). He's very affectionate, loves to be petted and will easily jump in your lap if invited. So far he doesn't seem to bark although he did the cutest little howl when fire trucks went by. He also has a great paws-point-in stance - check out his photos. He is making progress with his housetraining and leash walking skills. Click here to see all adoptable dogs.
SKYECAT OF THE WEEK
is the most angelic looking ball of silvery-gray fur (with a white underbelly) but she definitely has a mind of her own. She wants to taste the food you eat and has been known to steal a lemon tart from a dessert plate. She sits on your lap when she pleases and shares your bed. When she arrived, she was a little stand-offish with the other cats but now she shares cushions with them and is a peaceful member of the gang. Skye, about 7 months old, was found trying to fend for herself on a busy street. We are so glad for her and us that we had room for her.
Click here to see all adoptable cats.
Discount Spay-Neuter Certificates
NEW ROCHELLE HUMANE SOCIETY
Discount spay-neuter certificates must be purchased in person at the shelter, open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm. A list of vets is
provided with the certificate.
CATS:
Male $45 Female $50
DOGS:
1-25lbs $60
25-60lbs $70
51-100lbs $80
101lbs+ $95 and up
The certificate covers the surgery costs only. The owner will be charged for exam, antiobiotics, blood work, pain medication, overnight
stays, etc.
FRIENDS OF ANIMALS
Register at www.friendsofanimals.org and they will send you a list of vets in your area who accept their low-cost certificates. Instructions
on how to purchase them will also be mailed to you.
CATS:
Male $51 Female $65
DOGS:
Male $64 Female $90
ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE - WESTCHESTER COUNTY
Call the Animal Welfare Leagure at 914-948-2094, 9am to noon weekdays to purchase discount spay/neuter certificates. Prices range from
$45 to $60 for a cat, and $60 to $120 for a dog, depending on the size and gender of the animal. You will also get the names of vets in your area
who will honor those certificates.
MUFFIN'S PET CONNECTION
Click on their website for more information www.muffins.org. Their phone number is 718 833-7988.
CATS:
Male $38 Female $51
DOGS:
Male $52 Female $72
Are Clumping Litters A Deadly Convenience?
by Marina McInnis
Cats die. Kittens die. It's part of life. But we still grieve when they die, even though we know it is only the body, not the spirit, that is gone. How much worse we feel when those deaths were unnecessary - could have been prevented by something as simple as changing the kind of litter we use. I breed Japanese Bobtail cats and I grieved in 1994 when an entire litter of kittens (born in November 1993) died. Despite round-the-clock nursing and force-feeding of fluids and food, one kitten, then another, let go of his grasp on life. Click here to read entire article.VACCINATIONS: CAN IT BE HARMFUL?
We've been saddened and distressed at seeing so many young and middle aged cats and dogs become seriously ill suddenly, especially with cancer. Furthermore, we've noticed that these illnesses show up shortly after (2 to 3 days to several months) their being vaccinated. When we have a cat or dog just plucked off the streets or for any other reason needing building up, we put off giving it shots until it has been checked out and seems robust. Our long term charges which we've vaccinated minimally all seem to live long lives - cats into their late teens or twenties - dogs until twelve, thirteen, fourteen even as long as seventeen years! Not a big sampling, but compared to what we see around us - and we see alot - something to wonder and worry about. Click here to read entire article.
For many cat owners, their pet's natural impulse to scratch can become a problem. De-clawing may at first seems like a logical
solution. However, de-clawing creates more problems than it solves.
Physical and emotional complications arise from this procedure that are so severe, many people end up relinquishing their pets to animal
shelters.
De-clawing is a painful AMPUTATION of the entire first digit, not just the nail. Once the digit has been removed, cats can no longer
perform their natural stretching and kneading rituals. They become weaker as they age, and experience higher incidence of arthritis in
their backs and shoulders.
Cats without claws have lost their first line of defense. They live in a constant state of stress. Less able to protect themselves, they
cannot fight off other animals or escape from a dangerous situation. Most declawed cats will become biters because they can no longer use
their claws as defense.
GROOMERS, VETERINARIANS AND PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR DE-CLAWED CATS, WILL TELL YOU (IF YOU ASK) THAT DE-CLAWED CATS ARE NERVOUS, IRRITABLE
AND DOWNRIGHT DIFFICULT TO HANDLE.
Finally, de-clawed cats often stop using their litter boxes. Some cats apparently associate the pain they fell in their paws when trying
to cover their waste with the litter box itself. These cats seek a less painful place to urinate, such as a carpet or sofa. Even though
there are ways to modify a cat's litter box behavior, in de-clawed cats it is a particularly difficult challenge because the aversion
results from PAIN!!!
One of our volunteers found a solution to the scratching. She writes, "Our cats would not stop scratching our brand new couch (and other
chairs and couches too) so, instead of declawing, I did my research and found a website that sold what they call "soft paws" which are
caps that go over the cat's claws. We ordered them hoping it would work and they work great!!! Sassy hasn't even noticed her hot pink
toe-nails and she still scratches her scratching-posts! What an amazing product! Plus, they were made by a vet. (Sylvester cannot wear
them because he is an outdoor cat). The website is: http://www.softpaws.com"
1.) If you catch your dog having an accident in the house, startle him with a shake can and rush over to him, say "NO" gently and then rush him outside. Give him lots of praise once he finishes. If you don't catch him in the act, don't reprimand him. Your dog will not understand or remember what he did wrong. 2.) Use a crate or a small area, such as a kitchen or bathroom, to confine your dog when he can't be supervised. Dogs do not want to defecate where they must remain. A crate is a useful training tool, but don't use it to imprison your dog for a long period of time. This is psychologically damaging and inhumane. 3.) Make sure to use the same door and watch for signs that he has to go out. Once outside, take him to his favorite spot and repeat a command like "Hurry up!" while you wait. Repeat the command every time he goes and give him lots of praise when he finishes. 4.) Until your dog is housebroken, it is important to setup a feeding, watering and walking schedule and be consistent. For example, take him out first thing in the morning. After he eats and drinks, take him for a walk immediately. When he relieves himself, give him lots of praise. Consult your veterinarian for your dog's food and water needs. 5.) Use an odor neutralizer, which can be bought from a pet store, to clean up messes inside. Dogs tend to seek an area where they or another dog have already eliminated. Ordinary household cleansers mask the odors that only dogs can smell. 6.) Never punish your dog during housebreaking and use only positive reinforcements!