Archive for the 'pets' Category
June 6th, 2007 by Progressive Wednesday
For those of you keeping score at home, 9 lives in dog years would equal 1.285714 repeated.
Problem:
I write about this issue with a degree of expertise that is unmatched by any other topic. I had no pets growing up. Well, that’s if you don’t count the newt I had when I was ten that crawled out the tank and went missing, only to turn up two months later alive and well, swimming in our basement that was flooded with two feet of water. (“This is the happiest day of my life!” I yelled, as my mother wept for the destruction of all the furniture in the basement.)
Then I married a vet student; that was the end of that. Three rabbits, a parrot, two tortoises, two terrapins, a saltwater fish tank, a dog, and countless hours helping my wife study for exams later, to say that I know a thing or two about animals and pet ownership is like saying Wayne Gretzky was a good goal scorer. (Did I just compare myself to Wayne Gretzky? Oh well.)
Needless to say, or perhaps not so needless, our animals get great care. Having a live-in vet doesn’t hurt anything. But many pets get neglected, abused, abandoned, and thrown in shelters at the rate of 8 million per year. People are forced to put animals down because they lack the funds for proper veterinary care. They can�’t give their animals the lives they deserve. We can help change that.
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Make Progress:
Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
We’ve domesticated these animals; we have an obligation to provide the highest level of care possible. By Gandhi’s standards, it follows that we have an obligation to make our nation greater. Here’s how we can do that.
June 6th, 2007 by Progressive Wednesday
Any organization that is trying to advance a cause usually has to buy “stuff,– and unfortunately, “stuff– costs money. Logically it follows that one of the easiest ways to help an organization that supports a cause that you believe in is to make a donation, whether it be a little Washington or a big Benjamin.
The problem is that it can seem rather feeble to donate some of your hard-earned bacon to an enormous organization that deals with seven or eight-digit figures everyday. I don't buy it, but I understand why people would be hesitant. This week we're going to narrow it down a little bit. We've asked you to do it several times before; we're asking you to donate just two dollars, one more time.
Louisiana is not exactly the most progressive state in our union, and its animal shelters are some of the most despicably under-funded. So rather than sending money to the Enormous International Association of Huge Organizations (EIAHO), or even the Humane Society of the United States, we are asking, no, pleading with you to send those measly two smackers to the Humane Society of Louisiana.
Before Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans animal shelters were grossly under-funded; now they're grossly under-funded and overbooked. According to the HSLA website:
Animal shelters in the parishes surrounding New Orleans area have seen dramatic increases in animal intakes of up to 30%, due to population shifts.
The Humane Society has reopened its headquarters in the New Orleans metropolitan area and started “Camp Katrina,– a grassroots operation to provide rescue and shelter for animals injured or abandoned after the hurricane. It is rebounding nicely, but it still needs our support. So instead of Super-Sizing that value meal (or instead of buying it altogether), send that extra money to the Humane Society of Louisiana, and let's make a tangible difference with our donations.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I failed to thank the countless foot soldiers and veterinarians who have donated their time and effort during and after the storm to save all of the Fidos and Snuggles in New Orleans. From the bottom of their parasite-free hearts, woof-woof. That means, “Thank you.–
Thanks to this Katrina rescuer for the top pic.
June 6th, 2007 by Progressive Wednesday
One of the most frustrating things that my wife has to deal with on the constant emotional roller coaster that is being a veterinarian, is going from a client that has the means to fix his/her treatable pet, but won’t, to one that would do or pay anything to save their terminally ill pooch, to a client that would save their pet, if only they had the monetary means to do so. There may be little that we can do about the former two, but thanks to several brilliantly progressive programs, it’s easy to lend a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, or iguana-loving hand to the latter.
The Pet Emergency Fund is a non-profit organization in the Western New York area that takes contributions of any size from individuals in order to provide financial aid to those whose pets need emergency care but cannot afford it. Those who are truly in need of assistance with that unexpected vet bill just need to apply at their veterinarian’s office. If approved, a portion of those contributions goes to the animal in need. I say “animal” because it’s important to remember that it’s the animal that suffers most from improper health care, not their owners.
How many have they helped? Try 1,100 dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, and bunnies, almost two-thirds of those coming in the last year, and has written checks totaling over $137,000 dollars over the program�s seven year existence. Every penny of it has come from private contributions.
So, if you live in western New York, the next time you take Mrs. Whiskerson to the vet, drop a small contribution into the Pet Emergency Fund box. Or you can send it to this address. (Check the list below to participate with national organizations)
On the other side of the proverbial coin, if you have an opportunity to improve the quality of your pet’s life but don’t think you can afford it, consider applying for aid. Those who live outside the “snow belt” need not worry. There are many programs, both Great Dane-sized and Chihuahua-sized, that provide the same service in your area and around the country. Here is a list of many of those national organizations, put together by the good people at itchmo.com. Click the link or give them a ring.
June 6th, 2007 by Progressive Wednesday
You’re constantly showing Rover off to passersby when you go for a walk. You love to do it, they love to give him the attention, and he most assuredly loves getting it. The bond between humans and pets provides many health benefits for humans, improves the quality of life for the animal, and even plays a strong role in the upbringing of a child.
I’ll be more specific, and use a bullet list to do so:
Many studies have shown that having a pet…
There are even the animals that can predict seizures and episodes of low blood sugar in diabetics, can �unfreeze� the feet of a Parkinson’s patient, and one can even smell malignant melanomas.
But there are many people who are unable to care for a pet full-time, including many elderly folks, and consequently are unable to enjoy the health benefits of pet ownership. Delta Society’s Pet Partners are working to bring those benefits to these people. Here it is in their own words:
Delta Society’s Pet Partners program trains volunteers and screens volunteers and their pets for visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities.
If you’ve got a sociable pet that is friendly around strangers, check out the Pet Partners’ website. Then join the 8,800 other people around the country who share their animals to help heal the sick and comfort the elderly. You’ll be provided with all the information you need so your animal can start to improve the quality of life for others.
Pet Partners is not the only group dedicated to this cause, though it is the only one who actually trains the animals and their handlers. Many local 4H groups will frequent nursing homes and hospitals to provide the same animal-assisted therapy. So get involved. You and our pet can make a big difference in someone else’s life.
Thanks for the pic to this “animal therapist”
June 6th, 2007 by Progressive Wednesday
Here are some chilling facts. According to the Humane Society of the United States:
- There are 6,000 to 8,000 animal shelters in the U.S.
- Between six and eight million dogs and cats are put in those shelters every year.
- More than 25% of sheltered dogs are purebred
- More than half of sheltered dogs and cats are euthanized. That’s three to four million animals every year.
- Less than 30% of sheltered dogs are reunited with their owners.
- Less than 5% of cats are reunited.
There are a lot of organizations out there, such as the Animal Friends Rescue Project, that are doing great things to lower those numbers, but it remains a huge problem. I won’t ask everyone who doesn’t have one to go out and adopt a dog tomorrow. In fact, I’m a firm believer that those who aren’t committed to owning a pet shouldn’t have one. That doesn’t work well for either party. But if you are considering getting a puppy, adopt a rescue dog. Don’t buy from puppy mills.
One might think that the puppy with the floppy ears and adorable head tilt that screams, “Take me home!” came from the pet store. But if you trace it back a bit further, you might be appalled at where that puppy came from. The Humane Society has provided these guidelines for buying a puppy, what to look for, and what to avoid.
After you’ve checked their guidelines, ask the Humane Society to hook you up with a local animal shelter. They are more than happy, eager, delighted even, to help you get adopt a dog that would otherwise be put down.
If purebred dogs are your cup of liver-flavored tea, find a local rescue group that deals with a specific breed, i.e. greyhounds. Most greyhounds are euthanized after their rather short two-year racing career. Most areas have a greyhound rescue program that you can contact. These aren’t just racing dogs: they also make wonderful pets. They’re smart, friendly, and have a great temperament. How do I know this? Like with so many other things, because my wife said so.
Photo courtesy of this greyhound rescuer
June 6th, 2007 by Progressive Wednesday
This one’s a no-brainer. Report animal abuse. That’s it, short and sweet. This topic has gotten a lot more press lately because of the dog-fighting case involving quarterback Michael Vick, but it has been around as long as animals and humans have lived on the same planets. That’s either 6,000 years or tens of thousands of years, depending on whom you ask.
To make it easy for you, Pet-Abuse.com provides a 24-hour service for you to anonymously report any pet abuse that you have witnessed, as well as learn what to look for and what to do about it.
This is about more than just the animal. Studies have shown that most serial killers started out being cruel to animals when they were children. So, if you see it, report it. Society will thank you tomorrow. The animal will thank you today. Well, not really. But he would if he could talk.
March 15th, 2007 by Eric
I love animals. All animals. As you read in my bio, my wife and I have many of them living with us, a veritable “Noah's ark– , if you will. She is a veterinarian, so the rabbits, ornate lorikeet, diamondback terrapins, leopard tortoises, marine fish, and– ¦ what am I forgetting? Oh, the dog, all get the highest level of care. It's great to know that my wife/vet is always there for the animals and has their best interests in mind. The animals can't speak*, but if they could they would all thank her for the kindness and compassion with which she cares for them.
In that light the Morris Animal Foundation, along with sponsors Merial and BowTie Publications are holding an essay contest called “Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet.– In their own words:
The nationwide short essay contest honors America's veterinarians for their skill, dedication and commitment to ensuring that pets are healthier, happier and living longer lives.
With only 28 accredited veterinary colleges it is harder to get into vet school than it is to get into med school and they make less money when they get out (in fact they make less than pharmacists). I mention this not to make you nervous the next time your family doctor starts poking and prodding, but rather to give you comfort the next time Mrs. Wiskerson goes in to have that thing checked out. Vets are in it for the love of the animals.
So if you think the vet that takes care of your animal deserves a little extra recognition, nominate them to be the “Best Vet in America.– All it requires is a 300-word essay (a bit sorter than this post). You can even drop us a line if you want help with the essay. Winning vets get a trip to the Western Veterinary Conference next year in Las Vegas, as well as being recognized in front of their peers. They put their heart and soul into what they do, and are greatly underappreciated. It's time they be recognized, so take the time to nominate your veterinarian.
*Actually, the bird does speak and, to prove my point, politely thanks us every morning when he gets his food. You’re welcome, Joe.
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