The Purrfect Nanny & Purrfect Pet Health Blog

In continuation of our disaster preparedness messages from last week- here’s a reminder of what to do when disaster is approaching:

Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.
* Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.
* Check to be sure your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment’s notice.
* Bring all pets into the house so that you won’t have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry.
* Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and securely fastened up-to-date identification.

Attach the phone number and address of your temporary shelter, if you know it, or of a friend or relative outside the disaster area. You can buy temporary tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your pet’s ID tag, adding information with an indelible pen.

You may not be home when the evacuation order comes. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location. This person should be comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept, and have a key to your home. If you use a pet-sitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

Planning and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly and safely. But bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. Don’t leave animals unattended anywhere they can run off. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite or scratch. And, when you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.

With any luck, the rain will hold up long enough for our Romp on Saturday!!
Goodness knows we all need to get these dogs out for some exercise after all this rain.

Join us at Brook Run Dog Park in Dunwoody on October 3rd and let’s romp! Call your friends, mark your calendars, charge your camera batteries, and come together for another fun time.

WHEN:
Saturday
October 3, 2009
10:00 AM to Noon

WHERE:
Brook Run Dog Park
4770 North Peachtree Rd
Dunwoody, GA 30338

CONTACTS:
JoAnn Hodgson
georgiadoodles@yahoo.com
Bryan Nowak
bryan@gadoodles.com

If you’ve wanted to find out more about Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, this is the events to attend. Doodle parents bring their kids out to romp the way no other dog can! Come out and learn more about doodles. Sign up to be a foster for IDOG Rescue! That’s how our boy Barley came to live with us!

Please consider bringing a few extra $$ to contribute to IDOG rescue. They’ve been hit really hard this year with some expenses that go over and above what they receive in adoption fees and their donations have been hurt by the economic downturns as well. Many of us have our wonderful dogs because of IDOG and I hope you will be able to support other dogs finding their happy homes.

http://www.gadoodles.com/Romp/

I look forward to seeing many of you there!

The key to survival during a disaster, crisis or emergency is to be as prepared as possible before the emergency occurs. Take the time to make a plan and assemble an emergency kit for you and your pet. By taking these steps now, you will greatly increase your pet’s chances of survival.

The Humane Society recommends the following for your disaster supply kit.

• Food, water and medicines for five days.

• Medical and veterinary records.

• Carrier, toys, blanket or bed

• Litter box and litter.

• ID attached to your pet.

• Pet carrier and/or leash.

• Current photos of pet with physical description.

• Container to carry everything.

Disaster Supply Checklist for Pets

Every member of your family should know what he or she needs to take when you evacuate. You also need to prepare supplies for your pet. Stock up on non-perishables well ahead of time, and have everything ready to go at a moment’s notice. Keep everything accessible, stored in sturdy containers (duffel bags, covered trash containers, etc.) that can be carried easily.

If you reside in an area prone to certain seasonal disasters, such as flooding or hurricanes that might require evacuation, create a kit to keep in your car.

In your pet disaster kit, you should include:

Food and water for at least five days for each pet, bowls and a manual can opener if you are packing canned pet food.

Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first aid kit. A pet first aid book is also good to include.

Cat litter box, litter, garbage bags to collect all pets’ waste, and litter scoop.

Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can’t escape. Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time while you are away from home. Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller pets. These may require blankets or towels for bedding and warmth, and other special items.

Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated and to prove that they are yours.

Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress.

Information about your pets’ feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.

Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items and household bleach.

We all know it can be hard to think sometimes when disaster strikes, by preparing ahead of time we can make it easier to act in case of disaster.

Yesterday was a wet and dreary day in the Atlanta area. Flash floods kept people from there homes and threatened the safety of many pets. I watched local horse owners on Fox5 Atlanta News last night as they raced to get their horses to safety, I thought about the safety of all those pets whose owners could not get home. It is important to have an emergency plan not only for family but for our pets too. The Humane Society recommends the follwoing for everyday emergencies similar to the one that hit the Atlanta area yesterday:

These are example scenarios that could happen to you at any time, anywhere in the country. Prepare yourself for these events, and if a large disaster should ever hit, you will be ready and know what to do:

The roads are icy, traffic is a mess and you decide to stay with a friend instead of risking the drive home from school or work. Who will check on your cat and feed her?

While you were out running errands, a propane truck overturned on the street near your neighborhood and you are not allowed to go home. A police officer tells you the electricity to your neighborhood was shut off. How can you make sure your birds stay warm?

Your mother-in-law has had a heart attack and you are going to meet your wife at the hospital. It may be a long night. Who will give your dog his medicine?

Make a plan to include your pets.
The Humane Society of the United States recommends the following actions to make sure your pets are taken care of when everyday events like these prevent you from taking care of your pets:

Find a trusted neighbor and give them a key to your house or barn. Make sure this person is comfortable and familiar with your pets.

Make sure the neighbor knows your pets’ whereabouts and habits, so they will not have to waste precious time trying to find or catch them.

Create a pet emergency/disaster kit and place it in a prominent place where your neighbor can find it.

If the emergency involves evacuation, make sure the neighbor would be willing to take your pets and has access to the appropriate carriers and leashes. Plan to meet at a prearranged location.

If you use a pet sitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

This is just a start.
We will follow up the rest of the week with additional hints and tips from FEMA and the Humane Society.

To find out more about the horses that were moved to safety check out the news report here.

While National Chicken Month was started by the industry trade group National Chicken Council to promote consumption of chicken products The Humane Society has decided its a great time to focus on celebrating the chicken!

Check out their Celebrate Chickens page where you can see some beautiful chickens and read about their rescues.
I also found their tutorial on how to read your egg carton label very interesting.
They have tons of information I’m glad I never read before I had my own back yard chickens. I’m not sure I could still eat eggs! Of course they support a vegetarian diet free of eating animals to reduce cruelty to animals, but finding a local source for eggs and chickens is also a good idea.

If you’d like to find out more about chickens in the Atlanta area check out the Atlanta Backyard Poultry Meet Up group.
The upcoming Potluck Picnic will be a great opportunity to meet some Backyard Chicken owners!

What: Potluck Picnic and Chicken Swap
When: September 26, 2009 11AM – 3PM
Where: Midway Park Pavilion – 5100 Post Road/Hwy 371, Cumming, GA, 30040
Bring: Your favorite dish to share and a chicken to swap!

If you have a chicken or two that you would like to trade bring it and see what others might have for you.

Want to find out how you can help animals?

Join the Georgia State Director of The Humane Society of the United States for campaign updates, news on current events, and ways to take action for animals.

At the meeting, The Humane Society will focus on current animal protection legislation in the state and ways that you can help make a difference for animals.

RSVP today to lend your voice for animals and make a difference for animals in Georgia and beyond! Hope to see you there!

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Address:
5198 Ross Rd.
Bldg. 100, Room 100
Acworth, GA 30102
United States

RSVP online at http://action.humanesociety.org/

As the economy has many of us tightening our belts, it is great to know that we do not need to sacrifice the health of our pets!

Atlanta Animal Alliance is pleased to announce that they will now be offering low-cost rabies, vaccination and microchip clinics with the City of Griffin, Spalding & Cherokee County Animal Controls!

September 18, 2009

9 am - 2 pm

Elks Lodge (across from Animal Control)

1512 Williamson Road
Griffin, GA

October 2, 2009

9 am - 2 pm

Cherokee County Animal Control

1015 Univeter Drive
Canton, GA

Pets can receive an annual rabies vaccination for only $10, with no office visit charge! Dogs, and cats who are 12 weeks of age and older are required by Georgia State law to be vaccinated against rabies annually as it is a fatal virus transmissible to humans and pets.

Annual vaccination packages including a 1 year rabies vaccine, DHLPP-C (dogs) or FVRCP (cats) annual booster & de-worming treatment for round and hook worms is only $35!! That’s a savings of nearly $70 when compared to other metro Atlanta prices. And we’re just getting started on the savings…Microchips INCLUDING lifetime registration are only $25!

Annual cat & dog boosters, treatment for parasites, heartworm tests, Feline AIDS and leukemia tests and microchip ID’s will also be available. Cash and credit cards will be the only accepted method of payment. No appointment is necessary.

Animal Alliance encourages all pet owners to keep their dogs and cats up-to-date on vaccinations. Annual boosters are essential to keep pets healthy and prevent the contraction of deadly diseases.

For more information about the Atlanta Animal Alliance’s other programs such as the low-cost spay & neuter clinics and WellPet Humane - our low-cost veterinary clinic, go to www.AtlantaAnimalAlliance.com.

Wow!
Looking over our pet event calendar this weekend, you could plan a very busy Saturday!

Start out the day at 7 AM in at Riverside Park in Roswell with the 2nd Annual Hoof and Woof - 5K Run/Walk Event. In conjunction with That Dirty Dog, this fun 5K run/walk is for the “entire” family. Family members and dogs of all sizes welcome. Only pre-registered participants will receive a T-shirt and their dog will receive a bandana. Children ages 15 & under can sign up for the 1.5 mile fun walk. There will be prizes, fun activities, adoptions and more. Concessions available for purchase.
Check in begins at 7 a.m.
Start time is 8 a.m. for 5k
Start time is 8:15 a.m. for 1.5 Mile Fun Walk

Follow that up with an afternoon wine tasting from 2 PM to 4PM in Marietta at Marietta Wine Market. This charity wine tasting will benefit Adopt a Golden Atlanta. The tasting features Laetitia Winery which is located in the Arroyo Grande Valley in southern California. This winery is well known for producing award winning Sparkling Wines,Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.The cool climate and excellent soil conditions produce wines that are rich,supple, and complex. Stop in and see for yourselves why this winery is a must see when you’re in the Santa Barbara area.

Finish out your evening in Alpharetta at the 5th Annual Bark & Boogie Ball! to benefit The Forsyth County Humane Society.

Doors open at 7 pm at The Metropolitan Club off of Windward Parkway. This year’s main entertainment with be provided by BandX. All funds raised will aid the Humane Society of Forsyth County. We face new challenges due to the economy. Foreclosures have forced some families to give up their pets. Veterinarian costs for illness, shots and spay/neuter are a large part of our budget. All animals are spayed/neutered and receive medical care, all paid by the shelter. Please keep in mind that we receive no public funding; only generous donations from caring folks like you.

Hope to see you out and about this weekend!

Two years ago we adopted a one year old Goldendoodle. His previous owners warned us that he was not fond of riding in the car. His car sickness might not have been an issue except that we needed to drive him from Pensacola Florida to Atlanta Georgia! As soon as I found out about his car anxieties, I started researching solutions; when I was 11, I’d had an eight hour car ride in the company of a car sick puppy and had no doubts that I did not want a repeat of that! The idea of drugging a dog that was new to us really didn’t appeal to me so I looked for alternatives and found lots of positive stories about Bach’s Rescue Remedy. I don’t know alot about homeopathic remedies or flower essences, what I do know is this product worked for us.

On our 7 hour car ride, our new puppy did not get sick once! I’ve since read differing opinions on the effectiveness of Rescue Remedy for pets and understand it may be effective on a case by case basis, but it is definitely worth looking into. I recommend it every chance I get.
Read more about flower essences and their indications at Bach’s.

Every year, for the past 30 years, children have been submitting art to the Atlanta Humane Society’s Be Kind To Animals art contest. Over the years, they have seen the submissions change from cats and dogs, to lemurs and camels. Check out AHS’s site for more information on how your child can enter the “Be Kind To Animals Week” Annual art contest.

Available this fall, Peace. Love. Paws: The Art of Being Kind, is a 158-page hardcover book will benefit the work of the Atlanta Humane Society. The publication is being sponsored by local and national businesses and individuals – all of whom share a common goal to be kind to all beings. Look for it at local retailers and Amazon.com.

Check out a great preview of
Peace. Love Paws: The Art of Being Kind.
(it may take a minute to load)

If you are interested in more information on how to become a sponsor, please contact Jules Hermes, publication coordinator at 404-846-4308 or juleshermes@hotmail.com.
Cathy Sleva, VP Advancement AHS, can be reached at 404-974-2877 or cathys@atlantahumane.org.