'Tis the season

From the Enterwebs comes this compilation of cute animals singing. Not really. But it is cute.



Merry Christmas!

Rapping pets

Too cute.

Colorado fire victims include pets

People who were forced to evacuate their homes because of the 740-acre wildfire west of Loveland, Colo., dropped their animals off at the Larimer Humane Society shelter.

Read the entire story by Kevin Duggan for the Loveland Connection, part of the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

There are six cats and one dog now staying temporarily at the shelter.

The pet owners stayed with friends or at motels while awaiting permission to return home. Although the evacuation order was lifted Wednesday, only two cats and a dog in protective custody at the shelter were immediately picked up.

Shelter manager Jenny Gaukel said having the extra animals was not a burden on staff members, although some of the pets had special dietary needs. Volunteers gave the animals attention as they waited to be reunited with their families.

Gaukel said the owners have enough to worry about without having to be concerned for the care and feeding of their pets.

It's another opportunity to remind everyone that you should not only have a disaster plan for you and your family, but also for your pets.

Here's a recent blog entry on preparing for hurricane season.

I'm guessing Chester had to go

Heat still a problem for pets around the country

From MissionLoc@l comes an article by Gregory Thomas about how rising temperatures are affecting San Franciso's pet population.

Read the entire article here.

Dog owners in San Francisco are again contending with high temperatures, and SPCA veterinarians warn that some animals have to be watched more closely than others.

“Dogs, like people, need to acclimate to weather,” said Jennifer Scarlett, a veterinarian and interim co-president at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

SPCA vets said labs keep playing no matter what, Pomeranians can get collapsed windpipes from heavy panting and short-snouted dogs like French bulldogs and pugs are extremely susceptible to heat exhaustion.

And of course, we know how stupid it is to leave animals in cars on hot days. San Francisco's Animal Care and Control spokeswoman Deb Campbell said owners who leave an animal in a car in 80-degree-plus weather can be charged with a felony.

To which I say, "Good."

Even as summer winds down, or so it seems here in upstate New York, here are some good tips on summer safety for pets from the San Francisco SPCA.

Earl is headed our direction

From the Halifax, Nova Scotia, News comes a good primer on taking precautions to prepare for Hurricane Earl.

Read the article here.

The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says, while Earl has been downgraded from a category 4 hurricane to a 3, it is still important to get pets inside and keep them calm.

Precautions include the following:

1. Ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date and that records are handy.

2. Keeping a collar with license and identification on your pet.

3. Preparing a special kit for your pet that includes a leash, carrying case, food, water, bowls, toys, medications and any special instructions for the care of your pet.

4. Put a sign on your door that indicates how many pets live at your residence in the event that you must leave your home.

Good advice. Everyone stay safe.