Lambs are gentle animals that are easy to handle and respond well to humans. They come in several different breeds, some of which require annual shearing (trimming) and others that shed naturally on an annual basis. The most popular breed is a miniature lamb. Lambs are social animals and love to be around others. They can be playful and comical animals that form close bonds with their owners. Raising one by bottle-feeding forms an even stronger bond since the lamb will think you are its mother. Most lambs get along great with children and other pets. As long you have a female (called a ewe) or neutered male (known as a wether), you shouldn’t expect to have to make adjustments to your existing residents. Keep in mind that rams (males that have not been neutered) should be neutered as early as recommended; neutering an older ram once he shows signs of aggression is no guarantee of behavior control, and he may still pose a risk to other animals and humans. Ongoing care is relatively minimal. If you have a wooled lamb, it will need to be sheared once or twice per year. Vaccinations are recommended every year, as well as de-worming since worms and parasites can cause anemia or death. The Negatives Lambs will poop and pee wherever, and whenever they need. This isn’t too conducive to an indoor-only pet, but several owners use disposable diapers and cut out a hole for the tail. These will generally last a few hours, and as the lamb grows you can switch to larger sizes or adult diapers. House training a lamb is extremely difficult if not impossible, so have a plan for the waste. Intact males or sheep with horns can grow larger and become aggressive toward other pets and people. Horns can puncture furniture, walls and even people. This is a safety concern, so most people recommend getting neutered males and removing horns. However, dehorning is considered a cruel procedure. That’s why we urge you to choose a breed or strain that is naturally hornless (known as polled sheep). Or get a ewe rather than a ram, though you should be aware that even females can have horns. Before you start searching for a pet lamb, check with your local laws and ordinances. Most places that allow this type of pet are rural areas. You may run into restrictions in suburban or city areas or be required to register your lamb, so do your homework first. Another negative to consider is absence. Most kennels and sitters won’t allow you to drive on by and drop off your dog while adding a lamb to the mix. Make sure you have a plan for long absences, vacations or emergencies that require you to leave your pet. An experienced veterinarian will also be needed, so check to see which vets are near you and whether they treat livestock (specify that you are planning to get a pet lamb). If you’re still interested in keeping a lamb as a pet, here are some other things to consider. Containment If your lamb will be allowed or kept outdoors, use a woven or net wire fencing. Barbed wire is not recommended; nor is tethering (tying the animal to a stake or other object by leash or rope). A lamb can get caught up in both of these and also risks injury from a predator. Lambs need shelter from heat and cold, so be prepared to build a shelter or adapt an existing outbuilding for this purpose. One suggestion is a large doggie door on a garage. If you’re keeping your lamb indoors only, use baby gates to block off access as desired. As lambs increase in size they may also increase in their jumping height. Be prepared to install a higher gate or door to restrict access to off-limit areas. Nutrition Lambs need access to clean water at all times. If you are bottle-feeding, get a replacement milk made for lambs. Sometimes goat milk replacements will work, and sometimes the lamb might encounter issues with both. Consult your veterinarian as needed. Calf milk replacement or other forms of livestock milk are not recommended. Sheep prefer coarse grasses like timothy; your local feed store should sell an appropriate feed mix. Grain supplements are good for young or elderly lambs, but make sure that you regulate the amount you give them since overfeeding grain can cause serious harm. Lambs will eat to the point of gorging themselves, so monitor their intake. Excessive intake can also create bloat just as with dogs, and this can be fatal. Lambs also enjoy salt blocks or loose mineral salt. Don’t let lambs eat from the garden or give them clippings. There are many non-native plants and flowers that are toxic to lambs. If you have fruit trees, you will want to fence them in. Lambs love fruit trees and will eat from them until there is nothing left. Always make sure that anything you buy or give your lamb is specifically intended for lambs, or consult your veterinarian. Most products made for goats are acceptable too, but check first just to be sure. Grooming Some breeds will require shearing of their coat once or twice a year. Other breeds have a mixture of fur and wool and shed naturally. If you plan to get a lamb to sell the wool for profit, you might want to reconsider. There is very little profit or availability to sell the wool to commercial markets. They already have high-volume suppliers and pay the lowest prices. If you have local craftsmen, hand spinners, or an arts and crafts outlet nearby, they might be interested in buying the wool from you. You will also need to have the hooves trimmed as needed on a regular basis. Doing this yourself can be difficult without experience, and once you see pink you are getting close to the nerves and blood vessels. I definitely recommend letting a professional perform this part of the grooming since improper hoof maintenance can cause pain, difficulty walking and lameness. These recommendations are important things to consider when choosing a lamb as your next pet. It is strongly advised that you check your local supply or feed store, consulting a veterinarian who is experienced with livestock, and ensuring that you will be able to provide a safe and happy environment. If adopting a lamb sounds ideal but you just don’t have the time or space, you can adopt one online
Sharing from: The Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue: "They've only ever known each other. They were found as strays at three months old and have since lived in someone’s barn. They’re around 7 months old now and we are so hopeful that we can find someone to keep these two together. If you’re looking for a bonded pair, look no further." If you're interested in adopting Gus and Laurie, you can apply at shenandoahrescue.org/adoption-process.
Congratulations to Humane Rescue Alliance President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine, who was honored last night at the Washington Business Journal's 2017 Women Who Mean Business awards program. The program honors the areas most influential businesswomen and those who have made a substantial impact in their industry and communities. Learn more about Lisa’s impact on the world of animal welfare and her passion for advocating for the people and animals in our community. Take a look at her video: Lisa LaFontaine
A vet technician has been charged with animal cruelty for keeping a dog after owner was told it was euthanized. Andrea Oliveira, from Freehold, New Jersey, is accused of taking an elderly dog from vet Dr George Menez and keeping it alive for five months. Dr Menez, who hasn’t been charged with a criminal offence, is alleged to have told owner Keri Levy that he euthanised her miniature pinscher Caesar at Briarwood Veterinary Hospital in May. It was reported that the vets believed the dog could be nursed back to health. Ms Levy said her 15-year-old dog was suffering from Cushing’s disease, a condition which affects elderly dogs. She claims Dr Menez telephoned her to say Caesar was ‘at peace’, hours after she said goodbye to her pet. However, she received an anonymous message earlier this month from someone who said her dog was still alive and being looked after by an employee at the vet practice. Police said Oliveira did not believe the dog needed to be put down and thought she could nurse it back to health. Caesar has since been put down under the supervision of a different vet. The health of the animal before its death is now a matter of dispute. Police said the dog was given back to its owner in good spirits and showed no signs of ill-health, but Ms Levy said his condition had deteriorated. Police said Dr Menez allowed Oliveira to take the dog home with her but didn’t inform the owner. ‘This employee wanted to do so out of compassion for the dog and a desire to rehabilitate his health, albeit without the owner’s consent,’ Howell Police Detective Sergeant Christian Antunez told the Mail Online. After receiving the anonymous message that Caesar was still alive, Ms Levy contacted the practice but both Dr Menez and Oliveira had stopped working there. Ms Levy claims she then contacted Dr Menez and he gave her the name of the former colleague who had taken her dog. His owner said the dog’s health had deteriorated dramatically in the five months and she took him to be put down at a different hospital. You can read the initial story here:Family Dog Was Supposed to Cremated: Found Alive At Veterinary Worker’s Home
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A recent study showed that there are more pets than children in American households. Amazed? Statistics say that there has also been an increase in the number of Indian families opting for pets. Keeping pets at home has several benefits — and if you're among those who has always wanted to keep a pet, let us convince you to go ahead and get one home! Pets can enhance your mood Whether you believe it or not, pets are a great way to improve your mood and temperament. Research has shown that people who suffer from various diseases have lesser chances of depression if they keep pets as compared to those who are suffering from similar diseases and don't keep pets. Help to control blood pressure Health experts say that dog owners have less blood pressure and heart rates. This eventually reduces the need to take medicines and also helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A source of exercise Want someone who will accompany you for walks? Dogs can be great companions and will happily go out for walks, at times even urging you for a walk, when you're too tired, thereby keeping you active and fit. Other activities related to pets like feeding, bathing, playing and cleaning are also good ways to exercise. An antidote for loneliness No matter how low or lonely you keep, a pet will always be there for you. Whether you want to pour your heart out to them or tell them your secrets, you know it's all safe with them! Pets give you unconditional love and are always faithful. Reduce stress Stressed out? Pets are known to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Experts say that people can get relieve from stress and depression, if they spend time with their pets. Long life Several studies have revealed that people who tend to spend their time with pets are more likely to live longer than people who don't. Better social skills Want to improve your social skills? It is said that people who keep pets are said to be good in their social relations. Kids who grow up with pets at home are always respectful towards living things. Safety Having a dog at home is especially good because they also double up as caretakers. No burglar alarm can be better than a dog at home!
If your dog has itchy, irritated skin and smells a little stinky, he could be suffering from a yeast infection. This condition can cause extreme discomfort for our canine companions and may be related to an underlying problem such as an allergy or a hormonal disorder.
All strains of yeast are funguses, and these organisms normally live on the bodies of dogs (and people) without causing illness. Problems arise when there is an overabundance of the fungus on a dog’s body, says Dr. Neil Marrinan of the Old Lyme Veterinary Hospital in Connecticut. “Overgrowth requires a trigger and loss of skin defenses,” he says.
Typically, dogs are bothered by the opportunistic pathogen Malassezia pachydermatis, says Dr. Klaus Loft, who practices dermatology at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Angell Animal Medical Center. “We see yeast in various forms in and on dogs,” he says. “It resides normally on the skin and is implicated in skin, paw, and ear infections.”
So how do you know if your dog has a yeast infection? Here are 10 common signs watch out for. To read more on this story, click here:10 Signs Your Dog Has a Yeast Infection
An Alberta fisherman is reminding people to properly dispose of garbage after catching a fish that had been trapped in a drink ring for so long the fish had grown around the piece of plastic. Adam Turnbull — originally from Sarnia, Ont., but now living in southeastern Alberta — works as a cabinet maker in Medicine Hat to support his real passion: fishing. The avid angler says he fishes almost daily, all around Alberta but mainly close to home. He’s caught all kinds of fish before, but one he reeled in on Saturday, Oct. 28, from the South Saskatchewan River in Medicine Hat, left him shaking his head. “I was fishing at Strathcona Park when I hooked the fish,” Turnbull, 28, told Global News. “It fought like every other fish and then I saw the wound.” To read more on this story, click here:Alberta Angler Catches Fish Nearly Cut in Half by Plastic Powerade Wrapper
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Seattle, Washington - To the untrained eye, Ilsa seems a little slow and a little tired. But shedding hair and a toothy grin perhaps hide some darker purpose. “They keep on bringing it back to dogs. And I just want to get my mail,” said Ballard homeowner Randall Ehrlich. He is now suing the United States Postal Service for being on a “dog hold” that prevents him from receiving mail, and has been for nearly a decade. “The regular mail carrier will not deliver to my residence,” Ehrlich said one of the people named in the suit. Ehrlich was placed on what's called a "dog hold" because the previous dog, now dead, was deemed threatening by the carrier and USPS. Yet nothing changed when the dog was fostered out, when there was no dog even living in the house, and even now with low-key Ilsa. Since the slot is next to his door, Ehrlich tried playing along with the complaints and installed a box near his sidewalk. “I thought it was a reasonable compromise,” he said. It wasn’t. “It is not a very common complaint that I get,” said Bellingham animal attorney Adam Karp. He's now helping Ehrlich sue over the excuse of Ilsa and the Ballard mail blackout. “So essentially, they make the decisions unilaterally and there's no appeal from that,” Karp said. We wanted to see what the USPS could explain about the "dog hold." Maybe it's just one mail carrier that's been a problem. Maybe Ehrlich was wrong, and his dogs in the last decade have been terrors. Yet neighbors tell us Ehrlich isn't alone, because there are others on the blackout list. But the post office wouldn't elaborate because of the lawsuit. "However, it is important to note that the safety of our employees is paramount at the U.S. Postal Service when we make operational decisions affecting customer service and delivery practices,” a statement read. We explained the situation to Michael Offield, a former postal service safety advocate who made decisions similar to the Ballard situation. He says this is extraordinary. “Oh god,” he lamented as he laughed and put his head in his hands. He agreed with the attorney Karp that there were some personal problems at the Ballard USPS in his day and thinks this might just be laziness to save a few seconds every day on the route. “Well, this is the postal service. Our last name is service,” Offield said. But let's follow the logic. Let's say Ilsa was just in a good mood when a camera was stuck in her face, or all dogs are a concern for the carriers on that block. So we went next door. And found the same kind of mailbox. At the same kind of house. And the same size dog -- Oliver -- and Lisa Sorensen. She had heard about the drama and hesitated even talking to us. “And we've tried to stay on the good side, to be honest, to keep getting our mail,” Sorensen said. Worry on the streets and a case heading to court that will decide if the Ballard blackout is for real or not. “I`d rather not be doing this. I`d rather just be getting my mail. And I've found no other recourse,” Ehrlich said.
Animals inhale more smoke and - because of their grooming routines - also digest nicotine when licking their fur, a study by Glasgow University said. Dogs are at risk of developing lung or sinus cancer while smaller pets such as birds, rabbits and guinea pigs can face breathing issues and skin disease. Experts hope the findings will motivate pet owners to quit smoking. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has teamed up with The Royal College of Nursing for a new campaign aimed at telling owners about the damage that can be done. Wendy Preston, the RCN's Head of Nursing, said: "Many people would be horrified to discover their second-hand smoke was harming their pet, and in some cases seriously shortening the animal's life. "We want to make it easier for vets and vet nurses to have that conversation with patients." Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said he felt the threat of passive smoking on animals was "greatly exaggerated". He also said it was a distraction from genuine cases of animal abuse.
What are the risks?
Dogs can develop lung or sinus cancer
Cats have an increased risk of developing lymphoma
Birds, rabbits and guinea pigs can suffer eye, skin and respiratory disease
Smoke exposure worsens bronchitis and asthma in animals that already have those conditions
The university, which is renowned for its small animal hospital, has been carrying out research on the effects of passive smoking on pets for several years. Professor Clare Knottenbelt said 40 dogs - half of them from homes with smokers - were recruited for the study and samples of their hair were analysed for nicotine levels, while their owners were asked to fill in a survey detailing how often they or any visitors smoked. The same study was then carried out on 60 pet cats, with a particular focus on whether any link could be established between second-hand smoke and feline lymphoma, a cancer that affects the white blood cells of cats. But she said that the researchers had to factor in the very different behavior of cats and dogs, pointing out that free-wandering cats could potentially be exposed to second hand smoke if they visit other people's homes and even sit close to pub or workplace entrances where groups of smokers congregate. She said: "A cat can be from a smoke-free home yet still have high nicotine levels." But Forest's Simon Clark was dismissive of the research, saying: "The best thing anyone can do for their pets is provide a warm, comfortable environment where they feel safe and cared for." ~Source: Royal College of Nurses
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What are Rabies? Rabies is a viral infection of the central and peripheral nervous system in a feline. Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is found worldwide among carnivores and other mammals. This fatal disease is passed through the saliva of an infected animal with initial signs of a disturbance in the central nervous system. An infected feline will go through three symptomatic phases as the disease surges through the body. The feline will go from displaying a shy behavior to aggressive within ten days, dying after day ten from the initial sign of infection. Almost all infected animals die after being infected with the rabies virus, but a feline could survive if the pet owner takes the cat to seek veterinary consultation before the virus reaches the nervous system. Rabies is a viral disease that mainly affects carnivores, but can affect all mammals, including people. The rabies virus is actively spread through the saliva of an infected pet, transmittable through bites or scratches. In the United States, wildlife including; raccoons, skunk, fox, and bats are common vectors of the disease. However, stray dogs and cats are also carriers of the disease, as confrontation with wildlife is the norm. Rabies symptoms can appear as early as ten days after the feline was bitten and as late as a year. The virus affects the brain and nervous system, with initial signs of change in behavior. Rabies is a fatal, incurable disease that can easily infect humans if the proper precautions are not taken. Symptoms of Rabies in Cats Rabies attacks the brain, resulting in rather distinctive behavioral changes. From the initial sign of a rabies infection, your feline will go through a prodromal stage, a furious rabies or “mad-dog” stage, and finally a paralytic stage. Each of the three stages is characterized by different symptoms, as the virus slowly makes its way to the brain and turns the housecat into a vicious feline. To read more on this story, click here:Rabies in Cats
After being well-fed and cared for at M&T Bank Stadium, a stadium employee adopted the cat and named it ‘Rae’ after the Ravens. Yogi had been looking to adopt a new cat for a few months, but none seemed quite right. That is until a kitten ran into M&T Bank Stadium, made her way into the stands, jumped onto the field, showed off some moves and became perhaps the most beloved star of Thursday Night Football. After all that, she scampered straight into Yogi’s heart. The well-respected stadium employee officially adopted the stray cat Friday morning, after getting the thumbs up from his wife, and named her “Rae” – short for Ravens. It’s a pretty heartwarming story. To read more on this story, click here:The Caw: Here’s What Happened to the Thursday Night Football Cat
Chris Slavin was in an elevator a couple years ago with Earle, her yellow lab service dog, sitting calmly beside her wheelchair. The elevator doors opened and in walked a woman holding a purse. In the purse was a teacup poodle the color of apricots. The doors closed just as the poodle spotted Earle. That’s when the trouble started. In an instant, the poodle leaped from the purse, flung himself at Earle, and clamped his teeth into the bigger dog’s snout, leaving Earle bleeding onto the elevator floor. “As soon as this occurred the woman said the poodle was a service dog,” said Slavin, who has a severe spinal injury that requires use of the wheelchair. “She then said he wasn’t a service dog but an emotional support dog. Finally, she admitted he was a pet she just wanted to bring in the building with her.” Incidents like that one in Reading, Massachusetts, not far from where Slavin lives in Danvers, have spurred 19 states to enact laws cracking down on people who try to pass off their pets as service animals. The push has been gathering steam in recent years: Virginia implemented its new law in 2016, and Colorado followed suit this year. Massachusetts is now considering a similar proposal. Supporters of the new laws compare those misbehaving dog owners to people who acquire handicap signs so they can park in spaces intended for disabled people. The laws make it a misdemeanor to represent an untrained dog as a service animal, and usually come with fines of no more than $500 for an incident. But because there is no certification or official national registry of legitimate service dogs, there is no way to verify whether a dog has undergone rigorous training to become a service animal. That makes it hard to enforce the laws, said David Favre, a law professor at Michigan State University College of Law and editor of its Animal Legal and Historical Center website, which follows public policy issues related to animals. He said he’s not aware of anyone who has been prosecuted anywhere for violating them. Rather, he said, the laws are largely symbolic, and meant to educate dog owners as well as people who let pets into spaces where they don’t belong. “Maybe you can scare some people into being honest.” People who pass off their dogs as service animals in order to take them into stores, restaurants, libraries, sporting events and offices are a real problem, he said, for the proprietors of those establishments, their customers and disabled people who genuinely rely on the help of their service dogs. “A service animal is trained to be in public and to be under control and non-intrusive and not bark,” Favre said. “They are trained not to be a nuisance in any way. You should hardly even know they are there.” Because of Earle’s training as a service dog, Slavin said, when the poodle attacked him, “My dog never moved, never retaliated, never barked.” He did nothing. That is the way a service dog is trained. They are not going to ever be aggressive. Ever.” Earle performs many functions for Slavin. He picks up items she drops, retrieves keys, opens doors, puts objects like library books on counters that Slavin can’t reach, and returns change or credit cards to her after purchases. She credits Earle with “enabling me to truly become part of my community.” Service dogs receive up to two years of training, which can cost more than $40,000. Before they are placed, their new owners are often required to live at the training center for a week or two to learn about caring and interacting with their dogs. Many training centers provide the dogs free of charge to disabled clients, defraying their costs through fundraising. The waiting time for a service dog is often two years or longer. But for people who want to pass off their pet as a service dog, it’s easy enough to be convincing. Anyone can go online and purchase for about $20 the types of vests that legitimate service dogs usually wear. The vests may help the fake service dogs gain entry, but their behavior, and that of their owners, often gives them away. Trained service dogs don’t go off-leash, bark, knock things off shelves, jump on people, play or fight with other dogs, or grab food off tables, trainers say. And owners of real service dogs don’t carry them in shopping carts or purses. “The rule is four on the floor,” with all four feet on the ground except when a dog is performing a task, said Katelynne Steinke, a paraplegic in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her own yellow lab service dog. The problem is that the proprietors of establishments where people bring their dogs have no way of determining whether a dog is a real service animal. The American with Disabilities Act requires all places open to the public, such as businesses, government agencies and entertainment venues, to give access to service dogs and their owners. And it permits them to ask only two questions: whether the dog is required because of a disability and what tasks the dog is trained to perform. It is illegal to request documentation for the dog or to ask the nature of the owner’s disability. There’s another complication: the growing use of “emotional support dogs,” which are intended to provide comfort to those with anxiety or other emotional problems. Some of them may have received special training, although nothing as rigorous as the training for service dogs. (Emotional support dogs are not covered under the ADA and can legally be denied access.) Some service dog owners say many businesses, unable to tell fake service dogs from real ones, allow all of them in. Many owners of service dogs avoid those places for fear of exposing their animals to danger from untrained dogs. Other businesses, they say, simply bar all dogs from the premises, even if it violates the ADA. The National Disability Rights Network, which advocates on behalf of people with disabilities, is sympathetic to those who want to crack down on pet owners who misrepresent their dogs as service animals. But Ken Shiotani, a senior staff attorney with the organization, said the laws should aim to educate, rather than punish, and the penalties for violations should be minimal. “We want to have a positive impact on people to help them realize that what they’ve done has this very negative effect.” Advocates for the laws agree. Cathy Zemaitis, who helped draft the Massachusetts bill and is director of development for National Education for Assistance Dog Services, a Massachusetts group that says it has trained over 1,700 dogs since 1976, said the laws should launch a national effort to teach people not to put dogs in situations they are not trained for — and to educate the public on the need for legitimately trained dogs. The long-term goal, Zemaitis said, is the creation of a national certification program and registry for legitimately trained service dogs. “This is the beginning of a much larger conversation we need to have.”
Meet Keki, the cute Hungarian puli’s whose Halloween costume went viral. Her mom is taking her for a stroll, as onlookers are amazed that it’s a dog in a bucket!
During the week of Halloween, calls to the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline increase by 12 percent, making it the call center’s busiest time of year. “Each year we experience a sharp increase in calls around Halloween, especially during the weekends surrounding the holiday,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline. “Most often, these calls involve pets accidentally ingesting Halloween candy or décor. Chocolate is one of the most problematic candies as dogs and cats cannot metabolize it as well as people. Thus, it places them at risk for poisoning.” The four most common food-related Halloween hazards for pets are chocolate, candy overindulgence, raisins and candy wrappers. Is chocolate poisonous to dogs? Of all candy, chocolate is one of the most toxic to pets. Over the past year, more than 1,100 calls to Pet Poison Helpline involved exposure to chocolate and 98 percent of them involved dogs. Many dogs are inherently attracted to the smell and taste of chocolate, making it a significant threat. In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more poisonous it is. The chemicals in chocolate that are dangerous to pets, methylxanthines, are similar to caffeine and more heavily concentrated in the darker varieties. In fact, a 50-pound dog can be sickened by ingesting only one ounce of Baker’s chocolate! On the other hand, it may take up to eight ounces, (half a pound) of milk chocolate to cause poisoning in that same sized dog. White chocolate contains very low amounts of methylxanthine and rarely causes poisoning. To avoid issues, keep Halloween candy well out of the reach of pets at all times. If you think your pet may have ingested chocolate, symptoms to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures. To read more on this story, click here:Halloween Dangers to Dogs & Cats
