Shelter, Adoption, and Life. Help a Animal.

Adopt, and Don't Contribute to the Population

There are over One hundred and Ninety-Six Animal shelter in North Carolina Listed in the yellow pages. Its hard to think that we have that many animals that need food, or that many animals that don’t have a home to call theres. The average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $700 to $875 annually.  Just think, if you could out aside $58 a month, or even collect the change in your pocket. You could save an animals life.

These shelter are not becomeing more vacant by the day, but instead being pushed to capacity.

The Wake County Animal Center is the community animal shelter operated by Wake County Government that receives all lost, stray, abandoned and surrendered animals from the community. This year the Animal Center will receive approximately 17,000 animals that are looking for second chances.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is the SPCA is also located in Raleigh with its popularity around the triangle being a no kill shelter and organization, and is supported entirely by donation.

Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized

Most people call these places pounds. Its where an animal is picked up that is wondering and if it isn't claimed in 7 days, then the animal will be euthanized. 

We need a correction to this myth... when calling the Wake County Animal shelter I was able to ask an employee simply with five minutes what the policy is.

"We are an animal shelter, not a animal euthanizing clinic, and we do not thrive on not giving these animals a chance. Do you ever hear from people around your area saying there animal was put in a shelter or local pound and euthanized before they could get to them? Well that’s because that’s not the policy. When we receive animals, we have a website where people can search for their animal or even come adopt. If an animal has been in a shelter and we don’t have a sponsor or donation, we then make a decision. All euthanizings are processes."

Shelby Macintosh



Colt
Adopted May 5, 2009

 From collecting data and being a dog rescuer myself, I feel that the benefit of adopting a dog is even higher when you know you have saved its life. I could never imagine giving up the opportunity to rescue My two and half year old hound. He is a blessing, and everyday I feel just a little bit better to know I gave him a second chance, and he has given me so much back.

The cost of adopting a pet at an animal shelter is usually inexpensive compared to buying one from a breeder or pet store. Often animals adopted from shelters have already been neutered or there is some economic incentive to have the animal neutered. Most of these animals have also been wormed and vaccinated.

Adopting a companion animal from a shelter means you are helping, and not contributing to, the pet overpopulation problem.

The Perfect Dog Toys

                              Benefits of Dog Toys

The benefits of a dog toy are not just to make them happy, or occupy their time. There are many aspects of picking the right toy and most suitable toy!

A toy can be necessary to Alleviate boredom and separation anxiety, provide mental stimulation, discourage destructive behavior, serve as a positive outlet for pent-up physical energy, encourage socialization, and promote dental health.

The Kong toy is one of the world famous dog occupiers around the world. They are built tough and meet all expectations. 

While choosing toys for a dog, keep the size and personality of the dog in mind. Needless to mention, safety of the dog is also a big concern.  Try to select dog toys that are easy to wash or clean. Durability of the toy also matters.

I guess we never though picking the right toy for our pup would be a little challenging. Most people buy toys in their local pet store, and buy them cause they think there dog will enjoy them, but pay attention to the price. If you spend a little more money on a tougher material it will last longer than 24hrs and you wont find yourself purchasing another next week.

So next time your trying to find your dog a  toy to keep him busy, and have fun with take some of these hints into account and see if it makes a difference!

Events Coming Soon!

SPCA Howl-O-Ween Celebration

Saturday, Oct 29 1:00p
SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center, Raleigh
Mark your family calendar for a howling good time! Join the SPCA of Wake County on Saturday, October 29, for the 6th Annual Howl-O-Ween event!

Beyond the Myth Raleigh NC

Thursday, Nov 10 7:00p
Mission Valley Cinema, Raleigh
Hosted by Caroline Care Bullies and the Wake County SPCA Beyond the Myth is a film about dogs commonly referred to as "pit bulls" and those who love and defend these breeds.

Walk-n-Wag of Wake County

Sunday, Nov 6 11:00a
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
On November 6, 2011 the American Cancer Society in partnership with the American Kennel Club will be hosting the 3rd Annual Walk-n-Wag of Wake County.

Toxins

There are so many things that can harm your dog, but you just never thought they would.

The most common household toxins that your pup can get into:

• Prescription and over-the-counter-drugs
• Insecticides and insect control products
• Common household plants
• Chemical bait products and
• Common household cleaners

According to VPI Pet Insurance, the nation’s oldest and largest pet insurer, some of the most commonly treated pet toxins are:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Plants, particularly lilies
• Human food
• Household cleaners
• Antifreeze
• Over-the-counter flea treatment
• Pesticides

These foods and products can be very toxic to your animals, so make sure you are keeping things tidy around the home.

 

Howl-O-Ween 2011

SPCA Pet Adoption Center

Mark your family calendar for a howling good time! Join the SPCA of Wake County on Saturday, October 29, for the 6th Annual Howl-O-Ween celebration! Complete with crafts, treats, games, and SPCA dogs modeling the newest Halloween costumes, this event is fun for the entire family. Also during the event, we will ask you to vote for your choice of Best Black Cat in the Shelter. This annual feline pageant helps dispel the “unlucky” myths surrounding black cats at Halloween by celebrating the wonderful black cats at the SPCA. Scheduled Activities Include: > Shelter Dog Costume Parade > Halloween Storytime A small donation or animal related item (www.spcawake.org/donate) as admission to the event to help support the SPCA’s life-saving programs is appreciated. Party goers should leave their own pets at home to allow the homeless dogs, cats, and rabbits to have center stage. Don't miss out on the fun this year! Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011 Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Address: 200 Petfinder Lane Raleigh, NC 27603

The Conclusion of the Fleas!

                                  The Flee!

It’s been a week since the flea trials and there has been improvement!

Out of all the new things I’ve tried, the borax in the carpet is working miracles. By covering my carpet, it seems that the fleas on my dog have cut down and I’ve only spotted a few. Remember though, you have to let the powder sit for awhile. Make sure when you vacuum these areas you empty the canister into a trash bag, that will be taken out immediately.

Getting rid of fleas can be a hassle and lots of work. The best way to prevent these little pest from taking over, especially during flea season is to treat your pup with suggested treatment. These flea remedies seem to work when treating few fleas on the carpet or on the dog, but for the most part if you have fleas in your house the best way is to vacuum.

The lemon spray seemed to help when I was spraying it on my dog, but I feel like it was more of a skin moisturizer. I have currently started to use the famous flea treatment, "Frontline". I use borax on my carpets every 3-4 weeks, vacuum once a week, and wash all bedding every other week. The key to fighting these fleas is to keep your house clean, and make sure your dog is being treated.



Flee the Fleas!

Pushing the Flee

This year’s flea epidemic has been a little more than overwhelming, not only for me but for many others. It seems that everything I use or read online isn’t working.

I have researched many ways to protect my dog from the fleas. There are many home remedies that I found, and decided to test a few…

I hope letting you all know about these remedies maybe you can find a way out of the flea issue and feel relief.

I stopped by the grocery store and bought the old fashioned cleaning agent called borax. It can be used for laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, and many other things around the house. So even if you don’t use the whole box it’s nice to have around. You have to spread it threw your house all over the carpeted area, or even on furniture as long as you can vacuum the region. You should let it sit for at least 48 hours for the fleas to digest.

The next thing I purchased was a rosemary based body wash. Make sure if you do purchase this, you find an organic or baby sensitive brand. You can lather your pup in the lavender along with their flea and tick medicine, and it adds a nice smell along with a soothing skin repair.

The third purchase was a lemon extract. It was one of grandma’s remedies that I heard about. You boil lemon extract with water and spray it around the house in areas such as where they sleep, and you can even spread it on them.

When I got home I started using all my new techniques… I will report next week with my findings to see if you can defend your dog from these fleas in a non-harmful manner, and at a low cost.

Facts &Tails

Some cool things about your four legged friend, 

is just what you need!

How cool is it the dog was one of the first animals domesticated by humans, and the first living creature sent into space was Laika a female dog launched by the former USSR on November 3, 1957.The heaviest dog ever weighed, came in at 319 pounds, and the oldest dog ever recorded died at age 29. 

Its crazy to think that these dogs we love so much have an impact on our history. They are always listening to us and what we have to say, but we need to listen to them too.

A loosely wagging tail communicates friendliness and some excitement. One held low can also be indicating fear or anxiety. Although most tail-wagging dogs have good intentions, aggressive dogs may also wag their tails. Threatening or aggressive dogs will wag their tails more rapidly at the tip and hold their tails high.

Dogs are highly social animals with ancestral roots in the pack organization of wolves. Because they live in social groups, they have developed a complex language using facial expressions, body postures and tail movements.

How do we make them happy you ask? Start with a Balancing diet, keeping up with healthcare, ensuring they get enough exercise, and making sure they are involved with other dogs and people!

Dog Friendly Raleigh

Where Can you take your Pet?

When it comes to that floppy eared dog of yours, you always wanna know where you can go and take him with you. Somedays your busy and just dont have the time to sit down and give them that much needed attention. Its nice to take your dog out and about around the Raleigh area when your doing simple things as having a drink with a friend, visiting a hotel/motel, or even walking a trail.


Its hard to find out what things you can do with your four legged friends, now that many places are not so dog friendly anymore. Bring Fido,and Pet Friendly Travel are websites dedicated to just that. They inform you on what things you can do, and where they are allowed in any area on the map.


Not only do these places show where you can have your dog, but also comments and reviews from other dog lovers who liked or disliked the place.


No need to worry about trying to find a a pet friendly location anymore because its all online, and right at your fingertips like always, but these websites have been rated some of the best.