Putting Glitter on Your Dog’s Testicles is a Trend Now, Apparently

Beloved American prize wizard Bob Barker used to give us a daily reminder to spay and neuter our pets but, if this latest trend hits the mainstream, we should probably just start sterilizing all humans. A glittered dog scrotum. That’s where we’re at as a society. We’re so far up Maslow’s pyramid that we’re not even dipping our own nutsacks in glitter. We’ve moved on to our dogs. How far removed from the threat of starving to death to do you have to be to pay to have someone do this? This is the type of thing that’s so unnecessarily extravagant that when the working class sees it they start getting an urge to cut off the heads of the rich.

To read more on this story, click here: Putting Glitter on Your Dog’s Testicles is a Trend Now, Apparently

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Washington, DC - Humane Rescue Alliance Appeals to Public to Adopt Animals Currently in DC to Make Room for Arriving Animals from Hurricane Harvey

Washington, DC – With animals being relocated this week to Washington, DC from Texas due to Hurricane Harvey, the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) is appealing to animal lovers throughout the region who may be considering adopting a new pet to visit adoptions centers today.  Dogs and cats adopted this week will clear room for arriving animals from Texas.  All pets available for adoption at HRA have been spayed/neutered and microchipped.

HRA is joining other shelters around the country who have volunteered to help clear shelter space in Texas for the animals who have become separated from their owners or were homeless strays prior to the storm coming ashore.  HRA expects to receive dogs and cats from Texas this week, although an exact time of arrival is yet to be determined. 

“The Humane Rescue Alliance is proud to assist our fellow shelters in Texas as that region deals with the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey,” said Stephanie Shain, Chief Operating Officer for HRA.  “The shelters in Texas are facing large numbers of incoming animals made homeless by this storm and need to move them to safety.  HRA stands ready to take in animals, regardless of breed, with open arms and we look forward to finding forever homes for them in our nation’s capital.”

To adopt current HRA animals, visit organization has two Adoption Centers:

71 Oglethorpe St., NW                       1201 New York Ave., NE      
Washington, DC 20011                       Washington, DC  20002

About the Humane Rescue Alliance: 
The Humane Rescue Alliance (formerly the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League) has protected and served the animals of the community for more than 145 years and serves more than 60,000 animals annually. The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care and control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others. The organization is dedicated to ensuring the safety and welfare of all animals, bringing people and animals together, and working with all communities to support these relationships.  HRA is based in Washington, DC, the only major urban area in the country that has all of its animal protection programs and services unified in one organization, making the Humane Rescue Alliance a model for the nation.

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Howl-O-Ween Adoption Special – October 31 to November 1:Washington Humane Society Hosts $31 Dog Adoptions and $10 Cat Adoptions

Washington, DC – The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is getting in the Halloween spirit and offering reduced adoption fees on cats and dogs! From Friday, October 31 through Saturday, November 1, dog adoption fees will be reduced to $31 (normally $170) and cat adoption fees will be reduced to $10 (normally $85).

Despite the long-standing myth that animals are at risk of potentially dangerous or failed adoptions around Halloween, many animal welfare organizations like WHS are finding that this is not true. All animals, including black cats and dogs, can find loving homes during any time of the year!

All pets adopted from WHS go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Our standard adoption interview and approval process applies to all adoptions, and a $15 DC dog license fee is required for dogs adopted by DC residents.

WHAT: “Howl-O-Ween” Adoption Special

WHEN: Friday, October 31, 2014 to Saturday, November 1, 2014
                12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Washington Humane Society Adoption Centers
                1201 New York Avenue, NE
                7319 Georgia Avenue, NW

                SPECIAL: $31 dog adoption fees, $10 cat adoption fees

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Adopt a Pup for $100 During “The Dog Days of Summer” at the Washington Humane Society - September 15th - 21st

Washington, DC – From Monday, through Sunday, September 21, 2014 the Washington Humane Society (WHS) is offering reduced adoption fees for all dogs. Patrons can bring home a new best friend for a reduced rate of $100 (regularly $170).

All pets adopted from the Washington Humane Society go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Potential adopters can view available pets online at www.washhumane.org/adopt, then visit one of two adoption centers (open daily from noon to 7pm, closed Wednesdays), one of our community events, or make arrangements with a foster parent to meet the animals. Our standard adoption interview and approval process applies to all adoptions, and a $15 DC dog license fee is required for dogs adopted by DC residents.

WHAT: “Dog Days of Summer” Adoption Special

WHEN: Monday, September 15 – Sunday, September 21

WHERE: Promotion applies to all animals available for adoption at offsite events (www.washhumane.org/adoptionevents), animals in foster homes, and animals residing at both Washington Humane Society Adoption Centers, located at:

1201 New York Avenue, NE
7319 Georgia Avenue, NW

                   SPECIAL: Reduced adoption fees of $100 for all dogs

About the Washington Humane Society: WHS is the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States and has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. WHS provides protection and care to over 43,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs, and lost and found services. For more information, please visit www.washhumane.org.

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Have You Heard of Zeutering? A Procedure Alternative to Canine Neutering - Would You Consider this for Your Dog?

If you have a new pet, one of the most important decisions concerning the health of your pet is to have your male cat or dog neutered or your female pet spayed.

Neutering is the removal of the dog or cat’s testicles and spaying is the removal of the cat or dog’s ovaries and uterus. They are both relatively simple surgeries that require only a minimal hospital stay for the pet.

Neutering and spaying reduces a pet’s desire to roam and reproduce. Pets who have been sterilized are better behaved and less aggressive.  Serious medical conditions such as cancer of the ovaries, uterus and mammary glands can be avoided when kittens are spayed before their first estrus cycle.

Not only will these procedures keep your pet healthier and happier, it is one of the most common methods used to help prevent the overpopulation of unwanted cats and dogs that end up in shelters, hoping that a loving an permanent home for them can be found.

Some dog owners are not willing to have their pets sterilized because they are concerned about the dangers of anesthesia, even though the benefits of the surgery far outweigh this minor risk. And some dog owners want their male dogs looking like "boys", and feel that neutering diminishes their appearance.

For dog owners preferring not to have their male dogs surgically castrated, a non-surgical neutering technique approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is available for dogs between the ages of 3 and 10 months old. A veterinarian injects Zeuterin, (a compound of zinc gluconate and arginine) into both of the dog’s testicles. This compound destroys the cells that produce sperm. This procedure is not yet available for male cats.

While surgical castration reduces testosterone levels almost completely, according to the product’s manufacturer, Ark Sciences, testosterone levels are only reduced by 50 percent. Although the dog who has undergone “zeutering” is incapable of siring offspring, much in the same way that dogs who have been surgically castrated, they may exhibit roaming, marking, marking and aggressive behavior. However, Ark Sciences states that some testosterone remains to “support critical endocrine functions.”

While the testicles remain in place, they generally shrink in size.  To prove they have been sterilized, “zeutered” dogs can be tattooed with a “Z” or microchipped.

America’s Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker talked about “zeutering” in an article on Vetstreet. After finishing his training to perform the procedure, Dr. Becker refers to zeutering as “a shot of good news.” He writes, “Zeuterin is ideal for animal shelters and spay-neuter clinics, with dogs usually in and out within about half an hour.” Dr. Marty considers the procedure far less stressful for dogs, since no invasive surgery is required. Most dogs experience only a needle-stick, much like that of a vaccination with little to no pain involved.

The Pros and Cons
For people who cannot fathom the thought of their dog living without testicles, Zeuterin™ may be the solution because the organs remain in place after sterilization. On the other hand, if the primary goal of neutering is elimination of negative male behaviors such as roaming and aggression, surgery may still be the procedure of choice. Zeuterin™ does not completely eliminate testosterone production within the testicles, although it does reduce it by up to 50 percent. Surgical neutering drops testosterone production to zero.

Zeuterin™ may be a real boon for animal shelters and sterilization clinics in their fight against pet overpopulation. Proponents believe chemical neutering is safer, simpler, less time-consuming and cheaper to perform than traditional surgery, meaning more dogs potentially can be neutered with available shelter resources.

Is chemical castration likely to replace traditional surgical neutering in our population of pet dogs?

Would you consider chemical rather than surgical neutering for your male dog?



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So You Want To Buy/Adopt A Cat/Dog? Have You Really Thought About It?

So you are ready to get a pet? Have you really taken the time to think it out? Or is this a sudden reaction to a pet you saw in a pet store? I have listed some tips on purchasing or adopting a pet.

1. What type of pet would fit your lifestyle? Are you away from home for long hours?

DOGS:

a. If you are getting a puppy, did you know that they will need to relieve themselves every 2-3 hours. It is very important that you do not leave a puppy alone for longer than 2-3 hours. They have no muscle control. If you must leave them make sure that you have left them fresh water and an area covered with potty pads or newspapers. Make sure that they are confined to a small area where they can not get out and possibly hurt themselves.

b.  If your are getting an older dog, it needs to socialize, and leaving him home alone for 8-10 hours each day can result in separation anxiety issues, not to mention excessive barking and sometimes destructive behavior to the house.

c. Are you going to spend time with your dog, letting it out every morning and evening to take care of it’s business. If you take it out for walks, are you prepared to carry a dogie bag and clean up behind it…like every pet parent should do!

d. Now, comes the Vet. Your dog needs to see the Vet at least once a year for all of it’s shots, and maybe sometimes if it gets sick.  Are you prepared finanically to pay for this? I had two shih-tzu’s, they have both crossed over the Rainbow Bridge now.  Their Vet bills ran me approximately $150 a year. Not to mention they where both sick before they passed. One had heart disease and the other one had cancer. Both required medications and at some point hospitalization which can be very costly.

You should have your pet spayed or neutered when it is at the correct age. Talk to your Vet. This will cut down on the population of so many homeless animals.

I am telling you this because while they are cute…they can be costly! The point is that if you are not prepared to properly take care of an animal don’t get it. Some of these animals only end up adding to the homeless population of animals.

e. Some long-haired dogs require grooming every 4 –6 weeks depending on the dog. My shih-tzu’s where groomed approximately every 6 weeks at $50 each. In between grooming they had to be constantly brushed to keep their hair from matting.

f. If you decide to purchase a dog, please do your research and stay away from the puppy mills! If you purchase it from a breeder or a pet store. Please spend the money within the next 2 days after purchase to have it checked over by a Vet of your choice.

g. You must dog proof your home if you have a new puppy. Puppies love to chew when they are teething…and will chew on anything. Keep things out of the way!

h. One last thing…do you travel? If you don’t have a family member or a neighbor to check on your dog…you will have to board it. Think about how often you travel, will it be fair for the dog to be boarded several times a month?


CATS

While a cat does not require as much attention as a dog, it does require attention!

a. Before choosing a new adult cat or kitten, it is important to take time to research.. A cat's personality, age, and appearance, as well as the kinds of pets you already have at home, are all things you should keep in mind when choosing a cat. It is very important to know in advance exactly what taking care of your new kitten/cat will involve.

b. I you get a  kitten, it will need it’s first set of shots by eight weeks, and the second set three or four weeks later. Please spend the money within the next 2 days after purchase to have it checked over by a Vet of your choice. If you adopt, it will probably have already been checked by a Vet.

c. Traditionally, cats are spayed or neutered at six months of age or older. However, some veterinarians recommend performing the procedure at an earlier age, to further ensure against unwanted pregnancies.

d. Never feed a kitten cow's milk or human baby formula as this causes stomach upset and severe diarrhea. If a kitten is already dehydrated, this could prove fatal. This includes condensed/evaporated canned cow's milk!

e. Your new kitten  will instinctively clean itself. You can help keep your little kitten by cleaning them with a damp washrag. Often they need to have their little rear-ends cleaned…by you!

f. Your kitten will start to scratch at things at an early age. This is the time to start training it! If you provide a small scratching post or pad and keep it wherever they usually play, they will learn to use it. Take time to encourage them to use it by enticing them with a toy or some catnip. Gives them praise when they uses it

g. Most kittens naturally feel the urge to dig in litter as early as 4 weeks.  If you interfere with your kitten while he's in the litter box, it may develop an aversion to using it.  Be patient.  Instinct will guide your kitten or cat to developing good litter box habits.

h. Long-haired cats need regular brushing to keep hair from matting. But even short-haired cats should be brushed regularly to keep their coat in good condition. It’ll also keep them from swallowing an excess of hair when they groom themselves, which can cause fur balls.

i. You must cat proof your home. Kittens especially love to run around and scratch and chew on things. It may be necessary to take your roll of toilet paper off of the dispenser. Cats love to play in toilet paper!

j. One last thing…do you travel? If you do, you don’t have the same worries as with a dog. Depending on how long you will be gone you can leave a food and water dispenser out for your cat. You may also want a family member or neighbor come over and check on it.

Please think about these things before you decided to purchase a pet,. Especially one from a  shelter. They have already been through a lot and look at adoption as a new life!


****Never, ever give a pet as a gift! So many of these pets end up in the shelter!****

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