Help A Pet

Help-A-Pet: “Like” D.R.E.A.M on Facebook for Chance to Win $75 PetSmart Gift Card!

by Kristy on February 19, 2012

Katie, who used to work for me here on My Pet Savings doing deal posts, works for a great non-profit all-animal rescue called D.R.E.A.M.

D.R.E.A.M. is a non-profit all-animal rescue located in Orange County, CA. They’re always looking for fosters and volunteers and pay all expenses for all fosters.

They are growing their Facebook page in hopes that they can help spread the word about helping animals. As an added bonus they are giving away $25 and a $50 PetSmart Gift Card to whoever refers the most people.

So when you “like” Dream Animal Rescue on Facebook be sure to say My Pet Savings sent you….because we will be giving away those gift cards to one of our readers if we win the referral contest! :)

So take a second to like D.R.E.A.M. on Facebook and post on their wall “My Pet Savings sent me!” and that’s it.

Tomorrow is the last day to do this…so lets raise animal awareness together!

Helping Dogs Overcome Car Ride Fears

by Melissa on February 7, 2012

Some dogs just don’t like cars, but sometimes it is necessary for them to get into one, whether it is for a walk at the park, a trip to the vet, or even a vacation. Unfortunately, many dogs are terrified of car rides, especially rescue dogs that might have had bad experiences being loaded into an animal control vehicle, or even abusive situations. The good news is that this fear can be overcome with some diligence!

The best way to get a dog used to a car ride is to practice, practice, practice, and make it a positive experience. This has been a tried and true method in my household on two dogs that were terrified of car rides: Quincy and Walter. The first time I brought Walter to the vet, he jumped into the front seat, onto my lap, and gave me a nice bruised egg on my thigh from digging in with his claws. This happened while trying to get him into the car, and it was there I knew we had a problem! From then on, I brought him everywhere with me and gave him a small treat before and after he got out of the car. Once he figured out that we weren’t always going somewhere scary, like the vet or back to the pound, Walter began to enjoy car rides. This process took nearly a year, but it was worth it to make trips easier.

With Quincy, it was a little different. After two years of car rides, she is finally starting to not cower in the corner and lay on her back every time it’s time to hop in. During previous trips, she would stand up the entire time and pant in fear. To fix this, I started taking her for a walk at a local recreation area. Before leaving, I say the phrase, “Want to go for a walk?”, and show her the leash. Then I give her a small treat and let her in the car. Every time she hops in is a success! Because she knows we are going for a walk, she is more likely to get in the car. I also give her a treat before we leave the park. Positive association has really changed the way she perceives those dreaded car rides!

While the same methods won’t work for everyone, getting a dog used to car rides is a feasible task, even if it seems impossible. There are many calming aids on the market as well, like the Thundershirt and Bach’s Rescue Remedy. If car riding is a bigger problem than can be conquered at home, it might be time to ask a veterinarian or trainer for advice.

[photo credit]

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

Protecting Your Pet Against Dognapping

by Melissa on January 23, 2012

It was a typical lazy Sunday when I went out on a pizza date with my husband. We did the standard drive, park, and walk to the door, but on our way inside we saw something out of the ordinary for a restaurant parking lot: a beautiful Chow Chow mix chained to an SUV, just hanging out on the sidewalk. Like any friendly dog, the pup wagged her tail in anticipation of some affection as we went into the restaurant. This situation had me wondering just how safe it is to leave a dog outside while dining.

Unfortunately, dognapping is a reality that is growing every year. The American Kennel Club reported a “sharp rise” in dog napping, and The Week magazine reports that:

In the first seven months of 2011, the AKC estimates that there were 224 cases of dog theft, as opposed to 150 during the first seven months of 2010. That represents an almost 50% increase—though the total is still miniscule compared to the tens of millions of dogs living as pets in the U.S.

Even though this amount is small, every pet owner should be aware that this is becoming an increasing problem. It is also likely that not every dognapping was reported. Why do people dognap? While the reasons vary, two common reasons are for ransom money, and for dogfighting. Others are sold to research laboratories, and some cases are even custody battles or personal vendettas.

To keep your dog safe, here are some tips to protect pets:

  • Keep dogs inside while out of the home, or in a secure indoor/outdoor kennel
  • Microchip your pet
  • Keep fences and homes locked
  • Keep your pet on a leash in public places
  • Don’t offer too much information about your dog to strangers
  • Generate a neighborhood alliance to keep an eye out for pets, children, and families
  • Don’t leave dogs unattended outside or in cars
  • Take action quickly by alerting authorities
  • Utilize lost pet alert services in your area

Do you have any other ideas for keeping pets safe against this problem? Is dognapping something that you worry about?

[photo credit]

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

The Most Common Dental Problems in Dogs

by Melissa on January 19, 2012

As veterinary care advances, the animal medical community is developing more sophisticated means to treat common ailments and afflictions, including canine dental care. Since dogs use their mouths for practically everything they do, it is important to not overlook dental care. An article in the February 2012 issue of Dog Fancy states that the three main signs of canine dental problems are periodontal disease, malocclusions, and fractured teeth. Signs of dental problems include bad breath, bleeding gums, plaque buildup on the teeth, and difficulty eating.

Periodontal disease is said to be seen in eighty percent of dogs by the age of three, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. The disease begins with plaque buildup, which ultimately leads to gingivitis, which causes the gums to bleed, just like in humans. Luckily, a good dental cleaning and mouth maintenance can reverse this condition.

Malocclusions happen when the teeth do not align or are in the wrong position. This condition commonly occurs by inheriting certain breed traits. If there is a malocclusion, such as an overbite, wear on developing teeth can push teeth into the wrong position. Sometimes these teeth will need to be extracted, while if a dog has an underbite, it isn’t a problem.

Fractured teeth can happened in multiple ways, like hard chewing and playing. Broken teeth can cause a great deal of pain, and if it houses bacteria, the tooth becomes even more painful. Sometimes minor procedures, like sanding or smoothing teeth are all that is needed, but veterinarians can even perform root canals on broken teeth. Broken teeth may also be extracted.

To prevent these diseases, there are several steps that can be taken. Just like with people, it is recommended that dogs get their teeth brushed every day. While many pet parents do not want or will not go to that level, there are dental chews or water and food additives to provide dental care. Biotene Veterinarian Drinking Water Additive is just one product that aids in plaque removal and bacteria removal.

[photo credit]

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

The Poinsettia Urban Legend and Toxic Holiday Plants

by Melissa on December 6, 2011

It is that time of year where animal advocate groups are publishing lists of which plants are poisonous to pets, as plants are a very popular gift item all year round. One of the biggest plants that takes the heat on these lists is the lush poinsettia! How many times have you heard that it is deadly for cats? Well, it is a plant to be cautious with, but there is also a bit of an urban legend behind this symbol of the holiday season.

The legend behind this plant being dangerous dates back to an unestablished story from 1919. According to the story, the two-year-old child of an Army officer died in Hawaii after chewing on a poinsettia leaf. Although an examination concluded that this was untrue, the story spread and hence the urban legend was born. Ohio State University and POISINDEX revealed that a fifty-pound child would need to eat 500-600 leaves before becoming dangerously ill.

This doesn’t leave poinsettia plants completely in the clear. The plant does have some mild toxicity effects, but it will not cause death. It is toxic in that it can irritate the mouth and stomach, and occasionally cause vomiting. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, it is overrated in toxicity.

Another popular holiday plant, one that needs to be watched out for, is mistletoe! This plant is not so romantic if ingested by dogs, cats, or horses. Some species of mistletoe can cause several health problems, including blood pressure change, blurred vision, abdominal pain, and even death. The leaves are the most toxic part of the mistletoe, but the berries should not be eaten either. Even if your pets don’t normally chew on plants, the addition of new ones in the home will spark curiosity, especially with cats.

Other holiday plants, like lilies, amaryllis, Christmas cacti, pine trees, and holly all have some level of toxicity. That doesn’t mean these plants can’t be enjoyed. Since most plants are easy to transport, simply move them to a different room where pets can’t access them while you are out of the house, or crate the pets if possible. Keep a veterinary emergency number on hand as well, and always call to be on the safe side if your pet ingests a harmful holiday plant.

[photo credit]

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

Forty-One Beagles Rescued From Spain

by Melissa on December 2, 2011

In late November of 2011, forty-one beagles were rescued by the Beagle Freedom Project from a testing lab in Spain. The dogs, used for human drug research, have finally seen the light of day for the first time and are now in the process of being rehabilitated. According to Shannon Keith of the Beagle Freedom Project, the dogs were going to be killed when the lab closed. All of the dogs are male and range from four to seven years old. One question asked surrounding this story has been “Why beagles?”

According to KTLA of Los Angeles, 70,000 dogs are tested on by labs each year in the United States. Beagles are the most popular breed of dog for animal testing purposes, because they are forgiving and trusting, and they are also people pleasers. They adopt easily to their living conditions as well.  Not only that, beagles are smaller sized dogs that don’t cost much to feed, making them ideal testing subjects, according to researchers. Because of this, beagles are subjected to bleak living conditions and often do not see grass or daylight, much like the beagles that were rescued from Spain.

The Beagle Freedom Project specializes in rescuing beagles from research laboratories. With their latest rescue, which has been highly publicized in media outlets, they are looking to get the dogs into an adoptable state. This includes much needed medical attention. Many of the dogs need blood work and their teeth extracted, and some still need foster homes. The ultimate goal is to find homes for all of the dogs.

If you are interested in helping out the Beagle Freedom Project, there are a few ways to help. One is by offering to foster a dog. There is an application to fill out, and it is preferred that the family is located in the Los Angeles area. Another way to help is to adopt, of course! The Beagle Freedom Project requires that dogs are adopted into homes with at last one other dog, and they also require a home check. The reason for having another dog, is because the BFP has “noticed that they thrive by learning from a dog who can teach them how to be a dog.” The adoption fee is $300 and also requires an application first. Pre-adoption applications are being taken now for the beagles from Spain.

The final way to help is by making a donation, even if it is just one dollar. Every little bit helps to serve this cause. The donation is tax deductible. If you love beagles but want to help a more local organization, try looking into a beagle rescue organization that needs help. Even simply spreading the word about testing beagles helps this wonderful breed of dog and the efforts to rescue them.

[photo credit]

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

← Previous Entries