It has been a hot summer – and we are all loving it! But as it sometimes happens when things are good, something not so good will get my attention and I feel alsmost obligated to do what I can to raise some awareness. It is absolutely astounding to me, that some people still do this – leave their dog in a car on a hot summer day.

I actually had a personal experience that left me angry to say the least. While stopping to get a cool drink at a variety store which was next to a local coffee shop, I noticed a small dog who looked like Benji laying on a seat in a parked car next to the parking spot I pulled in. I waited for a few minutes, watching customers in the variety store and in the coffee shop to see if any of them were returning to their vehicle. When that didn’t happen, I was pretty sure that the owner of the dog was inside the coffee shop – in a nicely air-conditioned atmosphere, enjoying his afternoon cup of coffee. So I got out of my car and checked on the dog. He sat up but was panting quite heavily and didn’t move towards the window, even though I tried to coxed him to do so. I went into the coffee shop and asked who the owner of the red car parked outside was.An older man said it was his car and added:”Is there a problem?” It was pretty obvious to me that he knew darn well why I was asking. Making sure all other customers heard me, I asked him to please go take care of his dog who is starting show signs of distress from the heat. And believe it or not – the guy told me to mind my own business. Oh – sooo wrong! Because ignorance like that should not be tolerated. I realized that there were other customers in the coffee sho who didn’t like his response, so I told him that if he didn’t go take care of his dog immediately, I was going to report him. I already had the vehicle information so I politely recited his licence plate number to him and held up my cell phone to stress that I was serious. He got up – rather jumped up from his seat and so did 3 other guys – just in case he got too close to me and then those other good people took over and pretty much lead the guy out to his car. Then one of them returned and offered to buy me a coffee. He also said that personally he felt bad, because he saw the dog left in the car, but figured it was none of his business so he didn’t say anything.

This story makes me write this and hope that not only you would never leave your dog in a car – especially on a hot summer day,but also that if you see a helpless pet in a potential danger like this, that you will come to their rescue. Please remember:

When you park your car anywhere, take a look around and know, that even if there is a dog in a car which is parked in a shade or has a window opened a bit, it will not make any difference – that animal is still in great danger.

In fact, when it’s 22°C/72°F outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C/117°F within 60 minutes.

Dog’s normal body temperature is 39C – if it reaches 41C the dog will experience heat stroke, suffer brain damage and die. And this information comes from Humane Society – it is not something I made up.

When The Humane Society receives a report about animal left in a hot vehicle, they will act on it. Cruelty officers can enter the vehicle to rescue the animal in immediate distress and in the least case scenario – if the owner is located – will issue a warning.These kinds of incidents are kept on records and if the offending person is out of town, that report will be forwards to the local humane society. Should the person offend again, there would a jail time, a fine plus a lifetime ban on pet ownership – all of that under the Criminal Code of Canada and provincial legislation.

Under the Criminal code, those found guilty of animal cruelty/neglect charges can face up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine, plus a lifetime ban on pet ownership.

Under Ontario provincial legislation, similar charges will result in up to two years in prison, a $60,000 fine and lifetime ownership ban.

People need to use common sense – on a hot summer day, leave your pet at home. If you are on a vacation and have your pet with you, plan ahead so that you do not have the need to leave your furry friend in a car while you are enjoying yourself.

I am going to stress this one more time – never ever leave your dog in a car on a hot summer day and if you see a dog left in a vehicle . report it. Write down the location, description of the vehicle and the licence plate number. And please remember that time is abolutely crutial – it determines if the dog will live or die.

Finding Your Lost Pet

During the dog days of summer, many of us visit family, travel to the cottage or hike in the wilds – and we often bring family pet along for the fun. Unfortunately, sometimes the family pets take a vacation solo. An indoor cat may slip outside while the screen door is opened or the dog may dash out of the car at stopover.

Here are some tried-and-true ways – and some technological ideas – to help bring them home again.

Track Down Your Lost Pet:

• Check with everyone in your household. If no one has the pet, start looking. Search your home – room by room, checking in closets and closing each and every door after you, then thoroughly check the yard.
• Ask your neighbours to check in their houses, garages and decks. Ask for help to search the neighbourhood. Have everyone carry a cellphone and make sure that someone is at home to answer the house phone. Cats don’t usually roam too far so concentrate on a search nearby. Dogs often follow family routes so check these first.
• Call local veterinary clinics, shelters, rescue groups and pet-grooming shops.
• Run an ad in your local paper for several days and check founds pet ads as well.
• Ask the local radio station and TV station for help as well
• Make a poster, post it in your neighbourhood and fax or email  it to shelters,vet clinics, groomers and pet stores.
• If you don;t find your pet within 24 hours, visit local animal shelters and impoundment facilities. Phoning is not enough, you need to see for yourself. Bring photos and proof of ownership with you and visit every other day for at least two weeks.
• Don”t give up hope after a few days – many lost pets are found weeks, even months later. To keep your pet file active at most animal shelters, you should call back every week

Keeping Tabs on the Road:

• Make sure your pet is wearing identification tag with your phone number or the number of someone who can reach you.
• Pack colour photos of your pet, his medical and vaccination history, copies of any prescriptions and registration papers if your pet is a purebred.
• List your pets statistics: ÍD numbers, breed of animal, age, sex, weight, shoulder height, eye and nose colours, type of ear, tail and collar, any distinctive marks or scars; coat length, type and colour.
• Seal your paperwork in a plastic bag and put it in a glove compartment of your vehicle. And make sure everyone on the trip knows where it is.

Helpful safety information:

1.Tags:

Most municipalities have mandatory dog licencing. Attach the licence tag, the annual rabies tag and tag with your phone number to teh dog’s collar. And always keep the collar on.

2. Permanent Markers:

In co-operation with animal shelters and veterinarians, some communities have pet tattoo ID programs for dogs, cats and rabbits. Check your local area businesses for this relative low cost safety feature.

3. Microchips:

Your vet can inject a small, computer coded microchip (about the size of a grain of rice) under the loose skin of your pet’s neck. Animal shelters and most North American veterinary hospitals have scanners that can read almost all manufacturer’s microchips, whether you are at home or across the continent. Ask your vet to check if the chip is readable during regular visits.

4. A Very Wide Net:

Internet based program operates in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and is designed to augment – not replace – other ID. For a low one time fee, owners can register pets on http://www.petlynx.net. Anyone can place a found pet ad – that is always free or lost pet ad. The program will search files for match. Some Canadian shelter will register all incoming found animals on regular basis.

I do hope you will not loose your pet this summer – or in the future. But if you do, following these tips will definitiely be of help!

]]> http://www.mama-knows.com/animal-pet-care/finding-your-lost-pet.html/feed 0 http://www.mama-knows.com/animal-pet-care/first-aid-for-your-pet.html http://www.mama-knows.com/animal-pet-care/first-aid-for-your-pet.html#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 21:58:43 +0000 Hanna Trafford http://www.mama-knows.com/?p=1608 It is always difficult when your pet gets injured – and when that happens, you should seek the assistance of professional vetenarian. But until you can get your four-legged friend the help it needs, you can do act to lessen their pain and discomfort.

Here are a few basic First Aid Tips:

• Cut or Wound:

Symptoms: Broken skin and/or bleeding

What to do: Flush with tap or bottled water to clean and apply pressure until bleeding stops

• Broken Bone:

Symptoms: Exposed bone and/or limping

What to do: Do not apply pressure to the affected area, transport to the vet in a carrier

• Heatstroke:

Symptoms: Panting, Unconsciousness, Hot to the touch, Loose bowels, Seizures

What to do: Apply or drape with cool, damp towel, encourage pet to drink cool (not cold) water, use a fan to help cool the pet, transport to the vet ASAP

• Insect bite or bee sting:

Symptoms: Swelling, Itching or scratching, Facial or eyelid swelling, hives

What to do: If irritation doesn not stop within couple of hours, take to the vet to have your pet checked for allergic reaction

• Burns:

Symptoms: Missing hair, weeping sore, licking or worrying

What to do: Do not touch affected area, take to the vet immediately for treatment and pain control

• Porcupine quills:

What to do: Do not attempt to remove quills, take to teh vet immediately

• Poisoning:

Symptoms: Vomitting, Diarrhea, Lethargy, Unconsciousness

What to do: Take to the vet immediately with a sample of ingested substance if possible

• Skunk spray:

What to do: Unless the pet shows allergic reaction, wash with pet shampoo or commercial skunk spray removal solution, rinse thoroughly

These are just a few tips -I will welcome any additional ones you may have – please share your experiences!

http://stores.ebay.ca/momshoneypot

About

It is my dream that all animals have a home – have someone who loves them, feeds them, plays with them and takes care of them all the time – especially when they get hurt or get sick.

That is why I decided to start making Dream Buddies – to create a symbolic animal who will help a real live one.

By purchasing a Dream Buddy, you will be helping an animal who does not have anyone and needs help.

100% of sales will be donated to the Wild Fund for injured animals at the K-W Humane Society.

http://www.kwhumane.com/html/wilffund.asp

If you are interesting in helping with Dream Buddies to an organization in your area – please contact me – I will help!

Check out my eBay store

http://stores.ebay.ca/momshoneypot

and look at Dream Buddies – by bidding or purchasing one, you will be helping an animal who doesn’t have anyone to help right now!

Here are pictures of my Dream Buddies listed in MomsHoneypot EBay Store:

Dream buddy - Baby Koala Bear

Dream Buddy - Purple Lion Cub

Dream Buddy White Teddy Bear

Dream Buddy - Brown Teddy Bear

Dream Buddy - Pink Piggy

Dream Buddy Baby Monkey

Dream Buddy - White Teddy Bear

Dream Buddy - Pink Teddy Bear

Dream Buddy Blue Teddy

Dream Buddy Pink Teddy Bear

Dream Buddy Funny Tuscan Bird

Please go to http://stores.ebay.ca/momshoneypot and get your Dream Buddy!