A pet groomer in Thailand posted a video to YouTube of a cat shaved to look like a dinosaur, claiming that this is currently their most popular kitty hair-do. This isn’t the first cat on the internet groomed to look like a prehistoric beast. In fact, it’s become a bit of a trend. Dinosaur cats can be found all over Instagram and social media. It may look a bit silly and cute, but there are some problems that can arise from grooming a cat this way. Before you pull out the clippers and start giving your cat the stegosaurus treatment, here are a few things to consider. A cat’s fur coat serves as an insulator that helps them regulate their body temperature, keeping them warm in cold environments, but also protecting them from heat and sunburns. Removing that fur reduces their protection from the elements. Clipping can also be stressful for cats, so doing it without a need might unnecessarily cause anxiety. Also, the skin underneath a cat’s fur can be delicate and tear more easily without a protective coat, leaving kitties open to injury. The lack of fur can cause dryness and irritation, and the itchiness as the fur grows back can lead to excessive licking and scratching, causing abrasions. It looks like most of the dino-cats in pictures and videos online aren’t shaved all the way to the skin, so at least they are left with some fur to protect them. Still, it probably feels unusual for the cats that can feel odd patches in their fur that weren’t there before, and it’s really only for the humans’ benefit to see a cat groomed in a silly way. While having a dino-cat may look cute and sound like fun, it’s best to avoid unnecessary shaving and grooming. There are certain medical needs that require a cat to be shaved, but your vet should be able to advise you on when it is appropriate. Some long-haired breeds also require more grooming to remove matted fur and so they can stay a bit cooler. Again, these are grooming needs, not something that should be done for no good reason.
Humane Rescue Alliance President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine announced today that the organization has named Dr. Joshua Woolsey to the position of Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Woolsey will oversee the Humane Rescue Alliance Medical Center, HRA’s Spay Neuter Center, the shelter medicine program at the two shelter locations and the care of the companion animals of public clients. He begins his duties immediately.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Joshua Woolsey to the Humane Rescue Alliance,” said LaFontaine. “Dr. Woolsey has deep experience in shelter medicine, animal control, and in wildlife care and his leadership skills will be an integral part of our future success caring for the animals in our region.”
Yes, you read it correctly! Nationals’ Max Scherzer and His Wife Pitching in to Help Animals Affected by Harvey Washington Nationals' Max Scherzer and his wife, Erica, are pitching in to help D.C. animal shelters make room for animals affected by Harvey. Max and Erica are covering adoption fees at both Humane Rescue Alliance adoption centers in D.C. Thursday through Sunday, a spokesman for HRA said. The fee waiver only covers animals currently at the shelters, the spokesman said. The HRA is among many organizations across the country that are volunteering to accept animals from Texas who became separated from their owners or were homeless strays before the storm. To read more on this story, click here:Source: Nationals' Max Scherzer and Wife Erica Pitching in to Help Animals Affected by Harvey - NBC4 Washington
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. Please Share!
If you have noticed mucus or blood in your dog’s stool or blood in your dog’s urine, you may be wondering if it is a cause for concern. Bloody diarrhea can be especially worrying. While these are symptoms of other conditions, they don’t identify the exact cause of the underlying problem. Usually observing any other unusual symptoms can help narrow down the reason for mucus or blood in your dog’s stool or blood in your dog’s urine, but your veterinarian is the one who will be able to confirm a diagnosis and give you the right advice for treatment. You should inform them of any other symptoms that are out of the ordinary, especially bloody diarrhea, and you may be asked to provide a sample from your dog for analysis. You should definitely consult your veterinarian as soon as possible if you see these symptoms. Leaving it up to chance can have dire consequences for your dog. Here is what you should know about mucus or blood in your dog’s stool or urine. To read more on this story, click here:Mucus or Blood in Dog’s Stool or Blood in Urine: What Does It Mean?
If you want to run in the sold-out Marine Corps Marathon, you're in luck! HRA still has entries available. Join team HRA to run 26.2 and you'll not only get a spot in the race, you'll also get the chance to save lives. For more information, click here:Marine Corps Marathon
Registration Deadline August 31st - Don’t Miss Out!
The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge would like to help you clean out your make-up case. The volunteer run organization is asking people to send them their used mascara wands instead of throwing them away. The wands are used to help remove fly eggs and larva from animals that are injured or orphaned. According the wildlife refuge's website, the wands are perfect because their bristles are close together. People are asked to send in their "Wands for Wildlife" and to host "Wandraisers." Before you send in your used brushes, they will need to be cleaned. You can do that by soaking them in soapy water and removing all the residual mascara. After the wands have been washed, you will need to fill out a Wands for Wildlife form. That can be found on the refuge's website. All donations must be mailed to P.O. Box 1211, Skyland, NC 28776. If you do not have any used mascara wands but wish to help, the refuge asks that you DO NOT buy new wands, but instead buy food or supplies from their wishlist , or make a monetary donation.
If you’ve turned on the news or logged onto social media, you’ve seen images of the disaster that is currently sweeping southeast Texas. Houston is being pummeled by Hurricane Harvey, and the storm isn’t over yet. As families struggle to find higher ground, the devastating reality is that many pets are getting left behind. While a few shelters allow animals, some force owners to keep them outside, and others don’t permit them at all. But that isn’t stopping advocates and pet lovers from doing what they can to rescue our helpless furry friends from the torrential floods. This world can be tough, but in times of trouble, people always have a way of coming together. To read more on this story, click here:People Band Together To Save Animals During Hurricane Harvey
