Feral Paws Rescue

........Saving Feral Cats (TNR)


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Are You A Feral Cat Advocate?



Are you a Feral Cat Advocate?
  HOME

DONATE NOW FAQs ABOUT FERAL CATS  
 

January 26, 2008

Dear Feral Paws Rescue,

I’m writing to you today to tell you how

much your belief in the value of feral cats

matters. Do you realize that you have already

taken the most important step in changing

the world for feral cats? You believe that

killing cats is wrong. And that makes

you an advocate.

And today, I hope you will re-dedicate

yourself to being an advocate for feral

cats by making a gift to help us go even

 further to stop the killing of cats in

shelters.

One major challenge for advocates is

spreading the word and teaching more

people about feral cats. Most people in

this country would be outraged if they

knew what happens in shelters. That’s

why my goal this year is to share the

truth about our animal control system

with as many people as possible.

Educating citizens about the killing

makes a real difference for the lives

of cats. In cities and towns across the

country, Alley Cat Allies has shared our

message with citizens and caused an

outcry to stop the killing of cats. But

for every one of these cities that accepts

TNR there are at least 100 more that

continue to kill cats.

That's why the Alley Cat Allies staff is

already hard at work developing new

 tools to reach even more people this

year, including:

·     New resource materials

such as brochures, posters, truth

cards, and videos to help teach

citizens the facts about feral cats.

·     Media campaigns to flood

the media with positive

stories about feral cats.

·     Online campaigns and

major improvements to our

website to keep our advocates

informed about the latest 

developments.

 

Without the financial resources,

we will not be able to move forward

and feral cats will continue to live in

a world where a trip to the shelter is,

in fact, certain death.

Remember, you are an advocate. 

Now is your time to once again,

show your support for the

feral and stray cats. 

For the cats,
Becky Robinson
President

 

Cat Facts!

Little known facts about cats!!

  • Cats have an average of 24 whiskers, arranged in four horizontal rows on each side.
  • To prevent your cat from tearing a litterbox liner with its claws, place a few sheets of newspaper or a flattened brown paper bag at the bottom of the box, between the liner and the litter.
  • To minimize litter scatter, place a large towel or sheet of newspaper under the litter box, or set the box in the bathtub or shower stall.
  • To keep cats away from previously soiled carpet or from other forbidden zones, cover the area with clear plastic runner, placed upside down with the bumpy grippers exposed.
  • Of all the species of cats, the domestic cat is the only species able to hold its tail vertically while walking. All species of wild cats hold their talk horizontally or tucked between their legs while walking.
  • Claw clipping is best attempted when your cat is sleepy. Clip only the sharp white nail tips, avoiding the pink "quick".
  • The American Cat Association is the oldest cat registry in the United States. It was established in 1904.
  • Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be aquired in pairs whenever possible.
  • When tackling a litter-box behavior problem, remember that basics are best. Start with unscented, plain clay litter and a large uncovered litter box. Set the box in a quiet area.
  • The spots on a tabby cat's belly are called buttons.
  • Most cats have 18 toes. Cats with extra toes are called polydactyl cats.
  • Put a ping-pong ball inside a shoe box. Cut holes in the sides, big enough for your cat to put her arm through, but not as big as the ball. Your cat will have hours of fun trying to get the ball out.
  • Baking chocolate is the most dangerous chocolate to your cat.
  • You check your cats pulse on the inside of the back thigh, where the leg joins to the body. Normal for cats: 110-170 beats per minute.
  • To kill fleas without chemicals, try this: Plug in a night light and put a wide glass pan partly filled with water underneath. Since fleas are attracted to the light,they'll jump toward the light and drown in the water!
  • Jaguars are the only big cats that don't roar.
  • Domestic cats purr when breathing in as well as out-tigers only purr when breathing out.
  • A cats field of vision is about 185 degrees.
  • According to a Gallop pole, pet owners in the United States primarily obtain their cats by adopting strays, and the average American Cat is a mixed-breed- or " alley cat"- named "Baby".
  • Cats have individual preferences for scratching surfaces and angles. Some are horizontal scratchers while others exercise their claws vertically.
  • If a normally fastidious cat stops using the litter box, call the vet as soon as possible.
  • For several years the Maine Coone Cat has been gaining popularity and in 1992, it passed the Siamese to become the second most frequently registered breed in the Cat Fanciers Association. As recently as the 1970's, one cat registry had declared the breed extinct.
  • The Maine Coone is the only native American long haired breed and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Perhaps the best known color and pattern combinations are the brown classic tabby and the brown mackerel tabby, but more breeders are showning solids, tortiseshells, smokes and parti-colors.
  • Tabby cats are thought to get their name from Attab, a district in Baghdad, now the capital of Iraq.
  • Although a cats sight has poorly developed color, it can see far better in the dark due to the crystalline layer in the retina that enables it to absorb 50% more light than humans.
  • Ancient Egyptians preserved the bodies of sacred animals, such as cats.
  • To kill a cat in ancient Egypt was believed to bring immediate death. To Egyptians cats were sacred to Bast, the cat headed goddess of pleasure, and cat funerals were so numerous that animal cemetaries are still used by modern Egyptians as a source of rich soil.
  • Retractable claws are a physical phenomenon that sets cats apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. I n the cat family, only cheetahs cannot retract their claws.
  • A typical cat with hairballs vomits one to three times a week, eliminating a tubular shaped mat of hair.
  • Cats sleep an average of 18 hours a day.

Sent To Us By One Of Our Volunteers Check This Out So Cute

This kinda explains Feral Paws Rescue!

 

Enjoy…

 



This is a very funny video on Cat herding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz1iNSq

Basic Training for Cats

Cats learn by experience. If something is pleasant, they will want to do it again. If it is unpleasant, they won’t

 want to keep doing it. Before training your cat, determine how well she will respond well to training.

 Familiarize yourself with the different breeds of cats and their temperaments. It is also a good idea to

spay or neuter your cat. Not only does this benefit your cat’s health, it reduces or eliminates many

 behavior issues, such as spraying or howling while in heat.

Scratching

Scratching is a normal behavior in cats. Cats have scent glands in their feet and when they scratch,

 they not only sharpen their claws, but they mark scent as well. Cats will also scratch before, during

and after play; after awaking to get a good "stretch" and when protecting themselves from animals

 or humans which they find threatening.

Outdoors a cat will use a favorite scratching area, usually a particular tree. It will return to this

 tree both from habit as well as to freshen its scent, very similar to the male dog who routinely

lifts his leg on the same tree or in the same spot every morning. Unfortunately, the cat's favorite

 spot may not be appropriate to you. For example, his favorite scratching spot may be your

 stereo speakers, leather sofa or your curtains. The longer your cat has used this favorite site

 as his scratching post, the more difficult it may be to retrain him. Time and patience are the key. 

You should not punish the cat for scratching in undesirable areas. Punishment will only teach

the cat to mistrust you or not to scratch in the area when you are present. It can also make

 the problem worse or create other bad behaviors, such as urine marking. There are two

steps to redirecting the cat to an appropriate scratching post. First, make the cat's scratching

 area unappealing to him. For example, if your cat enjoys sharpening his claws on your sofa

 cover the area with aluminum foil, plastic wrap or cheese cloth so the area becomes less desirable.

You can also use repellent sprays (citrus or menthol scented) which have an offensive odor to cats,

 but will not harm your furniture. Prior to spraying, you must remove the cat's scent by shampooing

 the area. It may take a few tries before you find what deterrent will work with your cat. Another

 method of discouraging your cat from using an inappropriate scratching area is to booby trap the site.

Fill an empty soda can with a few pennies and tie a piece of string to the can. Tack the string

 across the scratching area. When the cat scratches, the can will fall on the cat. Most cats will

 never return to that area again. To ensure that they do not, keep the trap up for at least a week

 or two to reinforce the negative result. The first step only discourages the cat from scratching

in particular areas. Now, you must teach kitty where it can scratch.

It is very rare that a cat will just approach a store-bought scratching post and know that this

 is where the owner wants it to scratch. You must take time to teach him to use it. Never

 force your cat to use the post. If you do this, the cat will only associate the post with

something unpleasant. Cats do not like to be forced to do anything: instead, entice the

cat by having positive things occur near the scratching post. There are several ways to

get your cat interested in the post. If your cat likes catnip, rub some on the post and

place come special treats at varying levels of the post for rewards. Feeding your cat

 near the post will often spark interest in the post. Lure your cat to the post and have

 the cat chase an object on a string up the post. Once the cat feels the material and

 begins to scratch, reward it with a special treat and praise. Always keep the scratching

 post in an area where your cat usually sleeps. Cats usually stretch upon awakening and

 will look for a desirable area to scratch. If the post is nearby, the cat will learn to use

this post as a stretching zone.

The scratching post must be long enough (three feet or more) for your cat to stretch on.

 It must also be sturdy so it does not teeter when the cat begins to scratch. Sometimes it

is necessary to have a variety of posts with different surfaces scattered around the house

 in order to find one which your cat enjoys. This is less expensive in the long run that

 replacing your furniture, carpets and draperies.

If you have made every attempt to teach kitty to scratch in appropriate areas, but have

 been unsuccessful, a short-term solution is to use commercially made plastic claw

 covers that are glued on to cover the nails. These do not provide a long-term solution

 and cannot be left on the cat forever.

The key is to begin training early. You must be consistent, patient and careful not to

 become angry or frustrated. If you cannot supervise your kitten or cat during this process,

restriction to one room is mandatory. Freedom is earned when the cat proves itself to be

reliable to follow the rules throughout the house. Putting the time in to teach your cat what

 is expected of him will give you great rewards.

Walk On A Leash

Yes, it is possible to teach your cat to walk on a leash! As long as you make it a pleasant

experience, your cat should come to enjoy this time with you. To start, select a harness that

 fits your cat - not too loose so your cat slips out, but not too tight where she feels restricted.

Before going outside, put the harness on your cat and attach a lightweight leash. Let her

drag the leash around and chase it. Once she associates harness and leash with playtime,

 you can move outside. Still taking it slow, take your cat out into your yard. Let her get

 accustom to being outside; let her explore at her own pace. If she needs coaxing,

offer her treats when she comes to you, or have another family member stand at a distance

and offer her treats. Once she starts walking on the leash, let her lead the way -

within reason of course. Remember that anytime you take your cat outside, she may

be exposed to fleas, parasites, some diseases and other dangers. Please take every

precaution to keep your cat safe!

Misty, the One in a Million Cat
Story by Debbie Lewis, Illustrated by Jay Corrales ©2005


misty

Angel sat in his room holding his cat Misty and wondered what to do.

He had heard his mother tell his father, "Tomorrow morning, we

will take Misty to the veterinarian to be spayed."

"Spaded??" Angel said to himself. Angel didn't know what spaded

 meant. A spade to him was one of the shapes on his playing cards.

He could only imagine what Misty would look like if she was spaded.

 "Yes," Angel's father told his mother. "It is not right to have a cat who can multiply."

misty


"You can multiply?" Angel asked Misty. Misty just purred in reply.

Angel was just learning to multiply in school and it wasn't easy.

He knew Misty was a special cat but a cat who could multiply?

That was really special.

misty

Angel's mother came to tell him that tomorrow Misty would be

 spayed by the veterinarian so she couldn't multiply. Angel knew

 better than to argue with his mother but he knew he would

have to stop Misty from being "spaded."

misty

Angel called his best friend, Sarina.

"Sarina," Angel said, "I need your help. Mom and Dad

 want to take Misty tomorrow to be "spaded" because

 she can multiply. Will you hide her?"

"Misty can multiply?" asked Sarina. Sarina didn't know

 what "spaded" meant but she knew that Misty should

not be stopped from multiplying.

"She is a one in a million cat," declared Sarina, "and we

have to keep her from being spaded."

misty
So they made a plan. Angel brought Misty to Sarina.

"Remember, you can only keep her until my parents

change their minds about having her "spaded". And I get to

come to your house so Misty can help me with my multiplication

 homework."

"OK," said Sarina, "but you have to let her help me too."

misty

Angel went to sleep that night feeling that, for now,

his problem was solved. Tomorrow he would tell his parents

that he needed a cat who could multiply and try to make them

understand.

misty

Angel awoke to the phone ringing. It was Sarina. "Angel, you must

come to my house now! she shouted. "Misty has multiplied! She is not

just a one in a million cats! She is a million cats in one!" Angel was still

half asleep. "Sarina," he mumbled. "Why are you so upset? I know

Misty can multiply and she is a one in a million cat, not a million in

 one cat. That is why I hid her with you." "Not multiply, multiply!

She multiplied!" Sarina yelled. "Angel, come over here now before

 my parents wake up and see for yourself!"

misty

When Angel reached Sarina's house, he saw what she meant. Misty had multiplied. Into hundreds of cats who looked just like Misty. There were Misty cats all over the front yard. "How did this happen?" Angel asked. "It is your fault," said Sarina. "You should have let your Mom and Dad take Misty to be 'spaded'. Now what are you going to do?", asked Sarina.

"I have an idea," said Angel. "Misty is a special cat. She knows how to play and she keeps me company when I am lonely. These other Misty cats are probably just like her. We can give them to other people who need a one in a million cat. It will be easy to find them all good homes." "Well," said Sarina, "it is worth a try. Let's go."

misty

So they gathered up as many Misty cats as they could carry. But everywhere they went, they found that no one had wanted their one in a million cat "spaded" either. The whole town was overrun with everyone's million and one "unspaded" cats.

misty

Angela and Sarina went back home. Misty and her Mistys

were waiting. And there were even more than before. They

 wanted to be petted. They wanted Sarina and Angel to play

with them. They wanted to be brushed. They needed

 their litter boxes changed.

misty

Angel sat down on the steps and started to cry.

His original Misty crawled on his lap and started to talk.

 "Angel," she said, "I know you think I am a special cat, a one in

 a million cat. And yes, I can multiply. But as you can see, that is

not a good thing. But spaying me is. If you want to keep me your

 one in a million cat, then I must be spayed, which means there

won't be a lot more Mistys to take care of. Now if you agree,

then I will show you another trick, but you must close your eyes."

 "Yes," said Angel, "I made a mistake. I didn't understand what

 spading meant. Now I do and I wish that I had let my parents

 take you to be spayed. Please do your trick, Misty."

And Angel closed his eyes.

misty

When Angel opened his eyes, he was back in

his bed in his room. Misty was curled up next to

him purring. He looked around. Had the other

 Mistys followed him home? He did not see any

other Mistys in his room. Was it all a dream?

His mother opened the door to his room.

Was he in trouble? Did she find the million

and one Mistys in their front yard?

"Good, Angel," she said. "You are awake.

Your father wants you to help him take Misty

to the veterinarian to be spayed. There are too

 many cats already who can't find good homes

 like ours. After Misty is spayed, she won't

have kittens who need homes. That will mean

 other kittens and cats will have a better chance

 of finding homes."

"Yes Mom," Angel exclaimed, "I want Misty spayed.

She is my one in a million cat and I want to keep

 her like that."

misty

Thank goodness it was all a dream about Misty and her million and one Mistys. Misty was spayed, not "spaded". Angel learned how to do his multiplication homework with his teacher's help.

And Angel makes sure he tells everyone he meets that they should get their dogs and cats spayed because he now knows that a one in a million cat is better than a million and one cats!

AniMeals food bank for animals

  Dear Feral Paws Rescue,

    AniMeals exists as a food bank for animals. We supplement the food needs of the animals in rescue groups, shelters and the pets of homebound/disabled individuals. Karyn Moltzen; founder of Animeals, was nominated for Animals Planet's 2007 the 'hero of the year' award and placed in the top ten out of ten thousand nominees

Please view our e-news letter by clicking here

There is still time to make a 2007 tax-deductible gift to AniMeals - click here to donate.
View our adoptable animals on our website.
 
Questions or comments?  E-mail us at info@animeals.net or call 406-721-4710.
 
 
AniMeals
"Feed A Hungry Animal"

1700 Rankin Street
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-4710
www.animeals.com
 

National Feral Cat Day October 16, 2007

 

Sharing our Knowledge and Resources
NFCD LogoNational Feral Cat Day is coming up on October 16 -but you can make every day National Feral Cat Day! As a supporter you can help us with this important cause. We’ve created materials that will help you inform others and heighten awareness about feral cats. Request an advocacy kit today and we will mail one to you as soon as they become available.
Click here to request a National Feral Cat Day Advocacy Kit.

Your help is needed, please...

I received this request from Landa Coldiron:  http://www.lostpetdetection.com/ ***  She’s a great gal!  If you can help, or know of somebody else who can help – it would be much appreciated!  Thank you,  Feral Paws Rescue Spokes Person Joyce 

Hi Feral Paws Rescue!

We are going to be speaking at a vet conference in 2008. We need to

start collecting some data now from vet offices. If you know of anyone
who worked at a vet office in the past or currently works at a vet office,
please forward them this link and ask them to fill out the survey.
It is very short, and would really help us out.

Thanks for your support!
 
Landa Coldiron   
caninesearchdog@hotmail.com   

Survey, please go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Dr2QEeQhnXgvSO3fVofJHw_3d_3d

 

 

Join The Feral Friends Network

 

•If you are an individual or an organization who would like to join our Feral Friends Network, please fill out the Feral Friends Network application via e-mail form. If you would rather print out and mail the application, download it here.  

 

 

__________________________________________

Pilara Felgate

Regional Coordinator - Midwest

Alley Cat Allies

Phone: 773-244-4049

Fax: 240-482-1990

Join ACA’s Feral Power! Listserve.

ASPCA Reminder

 

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert071307&JServSessionIdr011=iq4gouiyj6.app23b#5

DISASTER READINESS DISCUSSION: NO ANIMAL LEFT BEHIND

 We all want to protect our pets should the worst happen—we just may not know how. On Friday, July 20, from noon to 2 P.M. EST, we will hold a moderated discussion with the ASPCA’s Sandy Monterose, Senior Director, National Outreach, Disaster Readiness. This is a fantastic opportunity to find out how to be prepared in the case of a natural disaster. Sample questions include:

What should I pack in my emergency kit? What do I do with my pet if officials evacuate my area? What is the role of animal rescuers?

Monterose was involved in post-Katrina rescue efforts in a variety of areas, including shelter management. A licensed veterinary technician, she’s a former animal control officer and a former shelter executive director.

Please note, you'll need to log in to post your questions, so click here to sign up if you're not already a member of the ASPCA Community. To view our most recent moderated discussion, a cat chat with the ASPCA’s Dr. Louise Murray, click here.

Friday - July 20th - noon to 2pm!

Remember to sign up!

 

July Update - Changing the World for Feral Cats

  HOME

DONATE NOW FAQs ABOUT FERAL CATS   JULY 12, 2007
 

We've been very busy this month doing all we can to help feral cats around the country thanks to the support of loyal donors like you.  Here are just a few of our current projects and successes:

Training the Nation's Advocates
On Friday and Saturday, October 12th & 13th, Alley Cat Allies will be hosting National Cat Advocacy Seminar in Alexandria, VA.  We invite you to join us to learn how you can unite and mobilize to make nonlethal policies and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) the norm. Topics include best methods of feral cat care, how the law supports our goals and reforming animal control policy. Presenters are Becky Robinson and Wendy Anderson of Alley Cat Allies, Dr. Christine Wilford of Seattle’s Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project, and Dawn Kua of Singapore’s Cat Welfare Society.
Click here to learn more about this exciting event!

Sharing our Knowledge and Resources
NFCD LogoNational Feral Cat Day is coming up on October 16 -but you can make every day National Feral Cat Day! As a supporter you can help us with this important cause. We’ve created materials that will help you inform others and heighten awareness about feral cats. Request an advocacy kit today and we will mail one to you as soon as they become available.
Click here to request a National Feral Cat Day Advocacy Kit.

Lending a Helping Hand
Last month, Alley Cat Allies traveled to New Jersey to conduct a Feline Frenzy and help the cats and people of Atlantic City. Since we last wrote, there has been a flood of media reporting on the enormous success and value of this event.
Click here to read one of the many articles and learn more about our success!

 
Cat Outdoors

Send an Alley Cat Allies' eCard to your friends and loved one. Help your friends help feral cats.

Click here to send an      eCard

"I'd like to pass out information to my neighbors to help them understand TNR.  Do you have something I could use?"

Click here to order Alley Cat Allies Tools for Change

 

5885 W McKinley Ave 
Fresno, CA 93722-9796

Click here to keep us up to date
 

       7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-2525
      © Alley Cat Allies. All rights reserved.

 

Meet Sophia, Dora, Yoda, Audrey & Percy!

Meet Sophia, Dora, Yoda, Audrey & Percy!

 

Logo

All Photos


         FAQs ABOUT FERAL CATS

 

Dear Feral Paws Rescue,

I first encountered Sophia during Alley Cat Allies' Feline

 Frenzy in Atlantic City last month.  We were there to

spay and neuter as many cats as possible in that

community, where we have been involved in running

 a TNR program for several years.  One neighborhood

in particular seemed to need help.  There were already

close to one hundred cats and kittens living outdoors in

 the low income housing project, and the numbers were

only going to grow if we didn't stop the breeding by

 sterilizing the cats. 

We set to work trapping the colony when Bette

approached me with her cat Sophia and Sophia's

4 two-week-old kittens.  They were so cute, but

clearly needed more food and veterinary care than

 Bette could provide.  Sophia was extremely thin -

 much thinner than she should have been.

After talking to Bette for several minutes, 

I realized Sophia's story was the same one I

often hear:  When Bette first brought Sophia

home, she wanted to get her spayed and

called several vets to try to make an

appointment.  She got lucky, unlike many i

n her situation, and found a low cost clinic

that was willing to do the procedure for a

 reduced rate.  But for Bette, even the

 $50 fee was more than she could afford

 and so Sophia was not spayed - and her

 continued litters added to the feral cat colony.

Now on her seventh litter in four years,

I knew we needed to do something more

for her, her kittens, and the colony.

At Bette's request, we quickly arranged

for a foster home where Sophia could

 live with her kittens, getting all the

 food and care that Bette just could not

afford to provide.

The tragedy is that there are cats like

Sophia and her kittens in cities across

the country.  Please give a gift today

so that we can reach out to more communities.

With your support, we can advocate

for affordable spay/neuter services

so that caring people like Bette can

 have cats like Sophia and so that

feral cats can live outside - without

the constant burden of ongoing litters.

Today Sophia and her kittens are

happy and healthy in a foster home. 

When they are old enough, each cat

 will be sterilized and placed in a

 loving new home. 

In all, 16 of the cats were placed in

 foster homes while volunteers looked

for a permananent home for each one. 

The feral cats were all sterilized and

 returned to the colony where loyal

volunteers are feeding them each day.

The neighborhood management was

so pleased that the project took place

that they gave their support for volunteers

to continue trapping and sterilizing the cats. 

Thank you for your support of Alley Cat Allies.  You

 made it possible for us to help Sophia and all

 the feral cats in her neighborhood, and with

your help, we will help hundreds and thousands

of other cats!

Sincerely,
Becky Robinson
President

P.S. Please give a gift today in honor of Sophia!

Thousands of cats will thank you!

7920 Norfolk Ave., Ste. 600
Bethesda, MD 20814
http://www.alleycat.org/

Sad Day - Lawmaker Withdraws Spay, Neuter Proposal-AB 1634

No comments, just the facts
Mary K
The lawmaker who proposed a controversial bill that would require most California pets to be
spayed or neutered is dropping his effort.
Assemblyman Lloyd Levine made the announcement about his proposed bill Wednesday
morning.
Levine told NBC11 News that he is very saddened that the proposal did not have enough
support. He said he will allow Wednesday's scheduled testimony to continue in the state
senate but that he will pull the proposal after that.
The proposal would have meant that the state legislation would require pets to be spayed or
neutered at six months or pay a $500 fine. There are some exceptions to the rule that would
exempt breeders.
Retired game show host Bob Barker was in Sacramento on Monday to support the bill.
Famous TV dog Lassie and John provost, star of the series Lassie lobbied against the bill.

Companions For Life

.Y.I…

 


Companions For Life

 

 

ASPCA Hot Weather Tips...

Posted: 07 Jul 2007 09:36 PM CDT

In summertime, the living isn’t always easy for our animal friends. Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do, such as overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. By taking some simple precautions, you can celebrate the season and keep your pets happy and healthy.

A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm, if your dog isn't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.

 

Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle—hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.

 

Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.



The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.

Street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog standing on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these