The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Bear Runs Loose in New Jersey Neighborhood


What a wild morning one New Jersey neighborhood had. Witnesses say the bear was running up and down the street around 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

He was finally captured by animal control and by several cell phones.

13 year old Paige Delaney took a cell phone video from inside her home in Ridgewood New Jersey “It was kind of scary” she said.

Ridgewood Police caught the bear in a front yard a few hours later. They tranquilized him with several darts.

The bear was estimated to be 2 years old and 175 lbs.

He didn't cause any damage but did cause quite a stir in a normally quiet neighborhood.

The bear was not hurt and will be re-released.


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Special Foster Home Needed for Two Female Senior German Shepherd Bonded Ladies Most Likely Degenerative Myelopathy


This comes from dog rescuer Jennifer Quesenberry in Virginia:

I know this is a long shot request, but these two girls really need our help.

May and Princess — AGES: 8-9 Unknown with cats or kids.

May and Princess are two female seniors who have been bred their entire lives. Their owner dumped them at a rural shelter in NC, saying “they weren’t in good shape.”  The shelter has taken them to the vet, as they cannot walk and are dragging their legs. They suspect DM [degenerative myelopathy] and one may have hip dysplasia, but all blood work and x-rays looked good otherwise. They are both HW negative.

We would like to keep these two in the same foster home. The shelter told us they lived with dogs in their previous home and do not pay attention to the shelter dogs. They are in a chain link kennel outside at this shelter, directly next to another GSD and seem to do well. They can be put to sleep at any time and are extremely urgent.

I have been begging and pleading with everyone I know to pull these seniors, and am told they have NO commitment. With several people offering boarding we have decided that if money can be raised to have them boarded while we work out the details of where they go, then we will help them. Please help us save these girls. We need to commit TODAY to get them out.

I set a high goal due to their current health and the unknown with taking them on.

They will still need a foster, if you can help please email us at info@trainingrescues.org.

We are 501c3 and your donation is tax-deductible.

Thank you!


UPDATE: 04/11/15
I picked up May and Princess last night from a transport at 2:00am and dropped them off at my local emergency vet for boarding. Once we got there I realized just how pitiful their situation is. My heart stopped. Was this the right thing to do? Would they be better off with humane euthanasia? I went home and the four hours I slept were spent dreaming about them.

This morning, I went to see them. They were completely different dogs! The shy withdrawn dogs were suddenly true GSDs – they just couldn’t walk! I had planned to bring them home with me for one night, but Princess wasn’t having it with my current dogs. She may have been defending herself or simply trying to play, but she was a feisty one.

I went back into the vet and spent over an hour with them. I saw their true selves emerge. They can’t walk, but they can scoot and they loved every second of my attention. I went and bought new toys and after a brief moment of confusion and a few squeaks – they were all games! I spent over an hour tossing the toy back and forth, numerous ear rubs and just loving on them. It was difficult to leave, but I will be back in the morning.


These girls need a solution. The vet is not the place to be. Even though they were generous enough to donate their entire office to the girls, they need a real loving home. They have so much left in them.  Please help us find that special home willing to give them the love they have deserved their whole lives.

We have a vet appointment tomorrow. We hope there is something we can do, but our funds are really tight and we’re not sure what to expect. They both really need an MRI, but at this time we do not have enough money to order one.

Training Rescue Dogs does TRANSPORTS!  Contact here for details.

If you would like to donate towards their boarding fees or medical care, please CLICK HERE.  For updates, please follow our Facebook page
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Saturday, April 11, 2015

Woman Opens Her Door To Find A Baby Owl Staring Up At Her


These are the amazing scenes when a woman opens up her front door to discover a baby owl standing on her porch. 

The young bird is not afraid of the woman and looks up towards her. 

The owl gently rocks from side to side during the minute-long video in an undetermined location in the United States. 

In the video clip, the two women are clearly captivated by the sight of the owl.
One gushes: 'I just can't believe it. I thought it was a puppy dog, bug it's got claws.' 
She adds: 'I have never been this close to an owl before', to which her equally excited friend replies: 'Me neither'. 

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The Sale of Illegal Baby Red-Eared Slider Turtles Continues in Los Angeles' Chinatown and Fashion Districts


The sale of baby red-eared sliders in small plastic aquariums in Los Angeles' Chinatown and Fashion District continues unabated even though the sale of turtles with carapace lengths of four inches or less has been illegal for decades.

According to Los Angeles Downtown News, the baby turtles can be found in many stores in the city's business districts with price tags ranging from $5 to $9 depending on the size of the housing in which the turtles are placed.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman, Andrew Hughan told the paper that it is illegal for the stores to be selling the turtles and that the DFW conducts inspections sporadically in Chinatown and other business districts in the city and if they find stores that are not licensed to sell animals, or are selling turtles with carapace lengths of less than found inches, those animals will be confiscated. Store owners could also be fined up to $1,000 for illegally selling animals. 

The DFW, however, like most state departments in California, has had its budgets cut and doesn't have the resources to continuously police the business districts looking turtle vendors who violate the law.

Before the FDA amended the 1975-era turtle ban law (enacted to reduce the spread of Salmonella) last month, turtles found for sale with carapace lengths of less than four inches were euthanized. The FDA said that alternatives to destruction should be pursued, including raising the animals until the carapace lengths exceed four inches, and donating the animals for scientific and educational purposes.

The reality, Hughan said, is that other than a handful of surprise inspections a year, Fish and Wildlife lacks the resources to stay on top of the turtle vendors. However, should a violation be determined, Hughan said a fine of up to $1,000 can be imposed on the seller.

Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular pet turtles in the reptile hobby. They grow to about 8-10 inches in length and are native to the Mississippi River drainages and can be found in most areas of the United States, including the state of Hawaii. They are also found in many countries in Asia and Europe.

For more information on Red-Eared Slider Turtles, visit the websites below:

Red-Eared Slider Care Sheet 
Turtles in Chinatown




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Maryland SPCA - Adorable Kittens Need Fostering: Are You Interested in Fostering?


From: Maryland SPCA

Waking up looking at these beautiful eyes is just one benefit of becoming a Maryland SPCA foster parent.

Kitten season is quickly approaching and the SPCA needs fosters for young kittens including bottle babies! Last kitten season, 382 kittens went to foster and this year, we want to help even more young kittens, but we need volunteers.

The SPCA will provide all supplies, medical care and 24/7 support. All new fosters will receive one-on-one training and material to take home and share with the family. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent please contact Kaitlyn Thomas our Foster Coordinator at kthomas@mdspca.org.



Website: Maryland SPCA








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A Puppy Missing a Paw Was Found on the Streets of Chicago: Now, He Has a New Home and a Prosthetic Paw on the Way


A puppy missing a paw was found on the streets of Chicago. Now, that puppy has a new home and a prosthetic paw on the way.

The new paw was donated all because of the puppy's name and a story on FOX 32's website.

The Chicago puppy is named ‘Betty Boop.'

In January, FOX 32 posted photos of Betty from the no kill shelter, PAWS Chicago. She was found on the city streets during the bitter cold winter and her back paw was missing.

Fleischer Studios, the creators of the cartoon Betty Boop, saw the story on FOX 32's website and contacted PAWS. The company wanted to donate the money needed for the puppy's prosthesis.

"We're so grateful that we named her Betty Boop," said PAWS communications manager Sarah Ahlberg.

PAWS volunteer Arianna Rudawski and her boyfriend officially adopted Betty Boop.

"We're really excited to have the prosthetic fit for her because we know she is going to be much more mobile with it," Rudawski said.

When Betty is fully grown, Dr. Barbara Royal will fit her with the prosthesis. She explained to FOX 32 what it could look like.

"You can have something that is like a fabricy bottom that gives some good grip and then something that has a good fabric over the top, so this is more like a rubberized bottom that can manage going and going and going," said Dr. Royal.

Currently, Betty is progressing very well with her make shift prosthesis. She's on track to shine once the real deal arrives.

Fleischer Studios donated all the money needed for the prosthetic paw, which was $2,000 dollars.





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What To Do If Your Dog Gets Sprayed by a Skunk


Skunk. A single word that fills even the most intrepid dog owner with dread. The smell, the nightmare of getting it off, the waste of perfectly good tomato juice… Let’s face it, nothing about your dog getting sprayed by a skunk is pleasant. 

About skunks

Skunks are a member of their own unique animal family, but are believed to be related to the weasel family as well (ferrets, weasels, otters, badgers, stoats, and wolverines). They are omnivores, eating both meat and vegetation, and are crepuscular in nature, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They live in dens that they dig in the ground, and go into semi-hibernation in the colder months. They are most active during the spring and summer, when the weather is warmest. This time of year is prime time for skunks.

Skunks are generally non-aggressive animals that prefer flight to fight; however, when threatened, they are capable of spraying an incredibly foul-smelling substance a distance of up to 16 feet. This stinky spray is a thick, yellow, oily compound that is degraded from urine and released from scent glands located on either side of their back end. The principle component of this stinky secretion is called mercaptan, and contains sulfur – hence the stench. In fact, mercaptan is added to odor-free natural gases to that we can tell if we’ve sprung gas leaks in our stoves or furnaces.

When a skunk is preparing to spray, it will arch its back, raise his tail high, and begin hissing and stomping his feet on the ground. He may even do headstands with his back and tail arched towards the intruder. When he actually sprays, he will bend into a U-shape, with his head and back end facing the intruder, and aim his spray primarily at the intruder’s face.

As a result, animals that get sprayed by skunks tend to take the brunt of it in their face. This should not cause permanent damage, but make sure to keep an eye on your pet’s eyes, nose, and mouth for a few days. If redness, irritation, and/or secretions occur, make sure to get your pet to a vet right away.

OK, but my dog already got skunked. Now what?

Your dog will not be happy about his skunk bath. If your dog found himself on the business end of a skunk, time is absolutely of the essence. The longer the spray sits, the more it sets and the harder it is to get out. If not properly treated, the odor can last for months (or longer!) If your groomer is open, give them a call and see if they can arrange an emergency appointment. If that’s not possible, then here’s a DIY solution for you.

First things first, change into some old clothes that you don’t mind getting rid of after, as they’re going to smell to high heavens. Washing the clothes will not remove all of the skunk oil and may leave a skunk oil residue in the washing machine. Yuck! Also, throw on a pair of rubber or latex dish gloves or something similar; you don’t want to get the skunk spray on your hands.

Despite what you’ve heard, save the tomato juice for a Bloody Mary; it’s ineffective at best, and can stain your pup’s coat at worst. There are several store-bought enzymatic sprays you can use to get rid of skunk spray on a dog. But of course, we rarely have something like this on hand when we need it, so just follow the steps below for a clean, fresh, stink- and discoloration-free dog.

1. Sequester your dog outside. The last thing you want is that stink getting in the house. The skunk oil can be transferred to rugs, upholstery, and other items in the house, and it can last for quite a while.

2. Put on clothes that you can throw away later and protective rubber or latex gloves.

3. Check your dog for cuts and scratches caused by the animal; if you find any, skip the rest of these steps and bring your dog to the vet ASAP.

4. Prepare for an outdoor bath. Get a tub if need be, towels you don’t mind throwing out after, the hose, and a helper if possible.

5. DON’T HOSE YOUR DOG DOWN RIGHT AWAY! This can make the stink worse and make it harder to get off. Also, if your dog has any cuts or cracks in his skin, this could rinse the skunk spray into them and cause pain, burning, and irritation and could lead to skin problems down the road.

6. Apply a bit of eye lubricant or 1-2 drops of mineral oil to your dog’s eyes. This will protect the eyes in case you get any water or other substances in them during the cleaning process.

7. Mix up the following in an OPEN container (as it creates a chemical reaction and could EXPLODE in a closed container):

– 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide (check the expiration date!)
– ¼ cup baking soda
– 1 teaspoon of strong liquid soap, such as Dawn dishwashing detergent

For larger dogs, you can also add some lukewarm water to the mixture. DO NOT use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide; it can burn the dog’s skin. Also, make sure both the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are as fresh as possible. If either has been sitting in the cabinet or fridge for months, it’s best to run out to the pharmacy and pick up some fresh supplies (as they can break down over time and lose their effectiveness).

8. Locate the area(s) where the dog got sprayed. Wet the area(s) with the solution and thoroughly massage the solution into the coat. An old sponge works well for this. Be careful not to spread it to other areas as you’re massaging, as the skunk spray is oily and spreads easily.  The oil is what makes it so difficult to remove.

9. If your dog got sprayed in the face, you can apply the mixture to a cloth and wash the dog’s face that way, being careful to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth. See the video below for a how-to on getting skunk spray off your dog’s face and chest.

10. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse the dog off with lukewarm water.

11. Repeat steps 7-10 until the stink is gone.

12. Dry your pup well and give him a treat – or several!

13. Run to the pet store and pick up some skunk odor removal spray to have on hand in case this happens again. Also, take a look around your yard and identify places skunks are likely to hide, so you know where to keep your dog away from in the future.

14. If you find a spot in the yard that has been saturated in skunk spray, it is probably a good idea to restrict your pet from that area until the odor is gone. The oiliness of the spray allows it to linger and it could end up on your pet again if he/she plays in that area. If you have a Hidden Fence system, your local Dealer can help you create a temporary ‘avoidance zone.’

15. Make sure to not leave trash out overnight when possible, as this can also attract skunks.

Important to note

Skunk spray has been linked to incidences of various anemias in dogs due to some of the compounds in it. Watch your dog carefully for 3-5 days after it was sprayed, looking for lethargy, weakness, and/or discolored urine. If you note any of the above, bring the dog to the vet ASAP.



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Dog Rescued from Dog Fighting, Exhausted, Falls Asleep and Snores in Caregiver's Arms


Guardians of Rescue saves dogs every day from horrific lives where they are tethered in the cold, hoarded, or forced to fight.  One of their newest charges, Fudge, was found wandering in someone’s yard.  While he was being treated at the veterinarian for bite wounds, he became so relaxed that he began snoring in his caretaker’s arms!

Fudge is seen wearing a muzzle because he was in so much pain that rescuers worried that he might bite out of fear and pain.  But he was a very good boy.

This post comes from Guardians of Rescue:

Dog fighting is real. It happens all over the world and here in beautiful Suffolk County, NY we are NOT immune to that.
We have named our newest rescue Fudge. His personality is too sweet.

Fudge’s body is dotted a hundred times over in old scars and new puncture wounds. He has clearly been used for fighting or as a bait dog. His life has only been filled with pain. Today that changes.

We are so thankful we received this call. Instead of ignoring the furry heap that laid in her yard, a concerned citizen called us. Because of that, Fudge’s life has been saved.

He has a long road to recovery ahead of him. Each of his legs have been shredded and left untreated resulting in infection and pain. He has a bite wound straight through his lip. His adrenaline has worn out and Fudge has melted into the sweetest, calmest little patient any vet would hope for. Fudge is giving up his life of fighting and is so grateful to his rescuers for this new chance. He’s a good boy. The simplest of things.

Fudge needs a foster home that can treat his wounds. He is being monitored by a vet for now but will need calm and understanding as he heals from his horrific life.

Thank you Bed and Biscuit for always stepping up to offer our rescued dogs a safe and loving place to lay their head at night.

If you are on Long Island and can foster this sweet boy, you can become a hero today. Step up for Fudge to prove to him that his only remaining fight in life is for a spot on the couch.

Please email us at: Info@guardiansofrescue.org

If you’d like to donate, please CLICK HERE.


Website: Guardians of Rescue

This is no doubt Fudge's first peaceful nights sleep. He is on a bed surrounded by people who already love him. 

This is why we do it. So we can take these animals with such broken spirits and restore them to how they should be.
Sweet dreams Fudge. You deserve it.



FUDGE UPDATE
Here's our boy Fudge showing how truly forgiving this amazing breed is. He is sitting next to Oliver, his foster brother. Fudge had a great first night in the home and snored loudly in bed with his new humans. 

These dogs don't want to fight and Fudge is proof of that!
Way to go buddy!








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