From 6:30 to about 7:00, the Lincoln Animal Ambassadors will provide an update of our accomplishments and future plans. As always, everyone is invited to discuss their concerns, inform everyone of happenings, etc. At the conclusion of our discussions, we will turn the meeting over to our guest speaker, Dennis Mathias of The Cat House.

We have recently received a number of questions about feral cats (a “feral” cat is typically defined as an undomesticated, wild cat or a house cat that has strayed and reverted to a wild state). Dennis Mathias has extensive experience working with feral cats and manages The Cat House’s feral cat TNR (trap-neuter-return) program.

The weather has put the TNR program on hold and while we are patiently waiting for spring to return, Dennis will share tips and tricks on how to keep our feral cat colony populations warm, happy, and healthy. Dennis will also demonstrate how to construct a low cost shelter.

Our other information: If you happen to go to the State Capitol, please swing through the cafeteria and check out our Giving Tree. The tree is loaded with snowflakes and colorful fleece rope toys (from Kaywin Sohl of Big Dogs Huge Paws). Choose a snowflake with an item you would like to purchase and donate. Select the fleece rope toy you like and leave a check donation.

As always, our meetings are open to the public. Please repost this for anyone who may be interested. Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing you on January 7! Happy Holidays!

Charlene Kjelland
Webmaster
www.LincolnAnimalAmbassadors.org

If you would like to join them in this campaign, please visit their website! Or you can support them financially. The ongoing need in Nebraska is great. Dogs Deserve Better is a national non-profit organization that works to educate, legislate, rescue and rehabilitate formerly chained and penned dogs.

Gayla Hausman, Area Representative, Beatrice , Nebraska , 402-239-5106
Visit our Nebraska website at: http://www.dogsdeservebetterne.org

Dogs Deserve Better, http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/

Ever since the news broke earlier this month that an American cat caught the swine flu, rumors about how pets can catch this disease have been spreading—but we’re here to set the record straight
“On November 2, test results confirmed that a pet cat in Iowa was infected by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which was most likely transmitted by human family members,” reports Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA. “All family members, including the cat, have now recovered. In unrelated incidents in other states, a few pet ferrets also recently tested positive for H1N1, and one of them has died.” Although we already knew that infected humans could transmit H1N1 to both pigs and turkeys, these are the first reported cases of the virus affecting cats and ferrets.

According to Dr. Murray, there are no known instances of a dog catching H1N1 (but remember, it is flu season, and your dogs are still susceptible to catching other flu bugs). In addition, there is currently no evidence that H1N1 can be passed from pet to human—it seems to be going only the other way, with people transmitting the illness to their pets.

A little common sense will go a long way in decreasing the likelihood of passing the illness on to your pets. If members of your household are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the ASPCA recommends protecting your pets by:

• washing hands thoroughly,
• covering coughs and sneezes and
• avoiding close contact with pets during the course of the illness.

In fact, if you’re sick, it’s a good idea to give your pets a place other than your bedroom to sleep at night until you get better.

If any pet displays symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing—especially if a human family member has recently suffered from influenza—please contact your veterinarian.

There have been several articles published recently on dog flu and even if pets can get the h1n1.  A point all of these articles make is to lesson chances of your dog or cat catching the flu- keep them home!

Fox News posted, “Exposure to H3N8 is highest in kennels, shelters, pet stores, dog shows and other communal settings. Although dogs of any age, breed and health status are susceptible, puppies, old dogs, and dogs with pre-existing health issues are especially at risk. Veterinarians say that virtually all dogs that are exposed to the virus become infected. About 80 percent of them can show symptoms such as cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, and some ocular discharge. Coughs typically last two to three weeks. Twenty percent of dogs can become seriously ill, developing bronchopneumonia and secondary bacterial infections. Dogs with pneumonia have high fever, respiratory distress and in some cases severe hypoxia. If untreated, such conditions may lead to death.”

and on the ASPCA website, “CIV is easily transmitted between dogs through a combination of aerosols, droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. The virus does not survive for a long time in the environment, so dogs usually get CIV when they are in close proximity to other infectious dogs.
Any dog who interacts with large numbers of dogs is at increased risk for exposure. Dogs are most infectious before symptoms are apparent, and can continue shedding the virus for around 10 days. This means that by the time symptoms are seen, other dogs may have already been exposed.”

While the flu is very treatable in companion animals, we know it’s better, of course, that they don’t get it at all.  If you need pet care or entertainment for your animals, why not hire a petsitter instead of increasing their exposure risk at a kennel, doggy daycare or vet?”

Did you know that The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates 6-8 million animals enter shelters each year? And of those, only about 30 percent of dogs and less than 5 percent of cats are reunited with their owners? 

How would you be able to identify your pet if it were lost? Is your pet tagged, chipped or tattooed?  

Collars and Tags – Outfit your pet with a collar and tags that include your pet’s name, your name, contact information, your veterinarian’s contact information and rabies vaccination information. Be sure to keep the collar on at all times. Consider adding your pet sitter’s name as a secondary contact.

Microchip Identification System – This option involves implanting a capsule under your pet’s skin. If lost, your pet’s microchip can be scanned for relevant information that you provide to one of the registering agencies.

Tattoo Identification System – This is a permanent identification system that involves marking a code on your pet’s skin. The person who finds your pet can then call whichever registry is associated with the tattoo to find the owner’s contact information.

 The HSUS recommends following these steps to help increase the chance that you and your pet will be reunited if the unthinkable ever happens and your pet becomes lost:

 • Contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies. File a lost pet report with every shelter within a 60-mile radius of your home and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible. To find your local shelter go to Pets911 or check your phone book. If there is no shelter in your community, contact the local police department. Provide these agencies with an accurate description and a recent photograph of your pet. Notify the police if you believe your pet was stolen.

• Search the neighborhood. Walk or drive through your neighborhood several times each day. Ask neighbors, letter carriers and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a recent photograph of your pet and information on how you can be reached if your pet is found.

• Advertise. Post notices at grocery stores, community centers, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, online at Pets911and Findtoto.com, at pet supply stores and other locations. Also, place advertisements in newspapers and with radio stations. Include your pet’s sex, age, weight, breed, color and any special markings. When describing your pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and ask the person who finds your pet to describe it.

• Be wary of pet-recovery scams. When talking to a stranger who claims to have found your pet, ask him to describe the pet thoroughly before you offer any information. If he does not include the identifying characteristic you left out of the advertisements, he may not really have your pet. Be particularly wary of people who insist that you give or wire them money for the return of your pet.

• Don’t give up your search. Animals who have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners. A pet—even an indoor pet—has a better chance of being returned if she always wears a collar and an ID tag with your name, address, and telephone number. Ask your local animal shelter or veterinarian if permanent methods of identification (such as microchips) are available in your area.

Reprinted by permission of The Humane Society of the United States. ]]> http://www.apauseforpaws.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=325 http://www.apauseforpaws.com/blog/?p=323 http://www.apauseforpaws.com/blog/?p=323#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:40:39 +0000 Jennifer Haralson http://www.apauseforpaws.com/blog/?p=323 The Lincoln Animal Ambassadors’ Pet Food Bank has received a wonderfully generous donation of 10 pallets of cat and dog food.   It is stored in a storage unit currently and we need to physically inventory and re-arrange it in the unit so we can easily distribute food when it is requested.   Looking for volunteers who can help with this project on:

Sunday, October 18^th

1:30 p.m.

Integrity Storage

1542 South 1^st Street

Lincoln, NE

Unit # M-04

The LAA Pet Food Bank distributed its first pet food on September 13^th and has distributed food on a weekly basis since that time.  

Please e-mail Mary Douglas at  mdouglas@remboltludtke.com or call Mary at (402) 540-7017.  Mary can provide a map to the storage unit if you are willing to help. 

An experienced dog owner looking for puppy training and socialization?

Wondering how to integrate the puppy and the kids, or the puppy and the cat?

Puppies are cute, but they can present some special behavioral challenges.  Kindergarten Puppy Training (KPT) can help your puppy happily learn to:

• Tolerate other dogs and people Come when called
• Be quiet on command Be safe around children
• Permit handling and grooming Sit and lie down
• Walk politely on a loose leash Stop biting and chewing
• Kindergarten Puppy Training introduces all the fundamental obedience commands, as well as puppy ownership basics including socialization, handling, and problem-solving for chewing, playbiting, barking, digging, stealing, pulling on the lead and jumping up. Instructor: Dr. Jill Morstad
• Do you have a puppy, age 10 weeks to six months?
• Call us at 483-7403 to learn more.

Kindergarten puppy classes are offered at three Lincoln locations:

• Capital Humane Society 441-4488 (ask for Liz)

• Antelope Creek Veterinary Health Care Center 488-0993 (ask for Rachel)

• Yankee Hill Veterinary Hospital 421-8111 (ask for Amy)

Prairie Skies, CHS and our veterinary colleagues promote community awareness of the human-animal bond through wellness education and behavior services.

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States’ National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is proud to announce our annual collection drive to benefit shelter and rescue pets!

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
November 1 – 7, 2009

Presents 4 Pets is a nationwide program designed to help support local shelters and rescue groups and the animals they serve.

These abandoned pets need your help! You can provide for their comfort by donating:

Toys – Treats – Blankets – Towels – Rugs – Bleach
Beds – Leashes – Collars – Coupons – Newspapers
…and more!

For donation pick-up or a drop-off location near you,
please call Jessy at: 416-0203

A Pause for Paws  402-420-PETS (7387)

All donations will go to the Capital Humane Society and The Cat House

Melody has used Nathan Winograd’s book as a primary resource for her no-kill shelter.
The book is entitled “Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America” and is available on Amazon.com for $16.95NOTE:  The Lincoln Animal Ambassadors has a copy available - Please contact Molly Hoffmann at chicadogrunner@yahoo.com to borrow this book

Melody also uses the resources available from Alley Cat Allies - http://www.alleycat.org/
The Pet Connection took in over 800 animals last year and only euthanized 7. 

- They are cage-less facility.

- All dogs are trained on basic commands such as:  come, go, sit, down and no bark

- All people who adopt dogs receive free training for life.

Melody was influenced by San Francisco, a no-kill city, as well as Dr. Wayne Hunthausen (http://www.westwoodanimalhospital.com/) a Kansas City dog behavior trainer.

Melody first worked at Animal Haven and enacted many of the philosophies of Nathan’s book.  http://www.animalhavenkc.org/  Then, Melody started up The Pet Connection.  http://www.thepetconnection.net/

Melody’s presentation:

* Less than 10 - 20% of pets are adopted from a shelter.  Approximately 30% of animals in shelters are lost and need to be reunited with their owners.

* We are not necessarily experiencing an overpopulation of animals, as much as a marketing problem.

Reasons people do not visit shelter to adopt:

Hours:  If your hours are too restrictive, it becomes too difficult for potential adopters to visit your shelter.  The Pet Connection occasionally is open for 24-hours at a time in order to be available to people such as doctors and nurses who work weird hours.

Friendly Staff:  Make sure your staff is attentive, available, helpful, and friendly.  There is nothing worse than going to a shelter and being ignored or having someone tell you, “I don’t have time to do the paperwork now, you’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

Smell:  Keep the shelter clean.  Dogs at The Pet Connection are taken outside to potty.  Any accidents are quickly cleaned up. 

Noise:  Dogs can quickly be trained to “no bark” with positive reinforcement.  The dogs at The Pet Connection learn, on average, within a couple of days to “no bark” and the “no bark” is frequently rewarded.  As mentioned, positive reinforcement is used.  Only as a last resort will a citronella collar be used.

Animal Care:  Devote more time for the animals.  This keeps them well socialized, identifies key personality traits (to aid with better adoptions), etc.
The Pet Connection offers a comprehensive adoption program that focuses on:
- Marketing.  If you only focus on one or two marketing strategies, you are limiting your marketing ability and are not reaching as many people as you could reach.

- Niches.  As an example, often times older people prefer mature pets.  A diabetic may possibly be very receptive to adopting a diabetic animal.  Etc.

- Websites.  Have a website and keep it up-to-date.

- Flyers.  Create flyers and get them distributed far and wide.  Flyers often reach people who don’t surf the internet, read the paper frequently, etc. 

- Foster care homes.  Foster care homes are very important and should be used to the fullest potential possible.  Fosters should take their foster dog(s) with them, as much as possible, to as many events possible, so that the dog(s) has the best chance possible at finding a home.  Additionally, when people see the foster dog(s), they will frequently go to The Pet Connection to see what other dogs are available.

- Off site adoptions.  Take advantage of opportunities to perform off site adoptions.  Taking the animals to the people is sometimes easier/better than having the people come to the animals.  For example, The Pet Connection discovered that older folks, living in assisted living facilities, often want mature pets but often do not have the ability to go to The Pet Connection to find their perfect pet.  Therefore, The Pet Connection takes their adoption vehicle to Assisted Living Facilities.

Concerning targeting efforts towards lower income people:

Note:  A lot of people have the thought process of, “if a person cannot afford to feed or care for a pet, they have no business having a pet.”  Melody said that people need to get rid of this thought process.  Often times, people have a pet because they found it, it was given to them, they rescued the pet from the street, etc.  People of all ages, economic status, etc., experience the positive effects of pet ownership and these pets need, and have, a home. 

– Offer free stuff that will help these pet owners, such as free obedience training courses. 
– Perform door-to-door work in your targeted area because websites, newspapers, billboards, and radio often does not “reach” these folks.
– Network with case workers and social workers to find out who needs assistance.
– Work programs such as:  Let us spay/neuter your dog and we will provide you with a free dog house.  Often times, when you throw in something for free, the pet owner will readily allow you to spay/neuter their pet.

Note:  The Pet Connection frequently goes dumpster diving and retrieves fencing, supplies, wood, etc., from trash.  They use the wood to construct dog houses.  They fence yards of elderly folks who can no longer walk their dog.

Rescue Groups:  The Pet Connection works closely with rescue groups.  When breed specific animals come into the shelter, they make arrangements with the appropriate rescue group.

Retention Programs:  Why do people give up their pets?  One of the most often cited reasons are that the people have to give up their house or are having to move.  Other reasons involve behavior issues, no longer able to afford food, vet care, etc.

– The Pet Connection, on occasion has boarded cats for people who have lost their house and are looking for housing.  The Pet Connection requires the owner to have a written plan and they charge a reasonable daily fee for the boarding.  The owner is allowed to make payments, if necessary, for the boarding fee. 

– By providing the Pet Food Bank, we hope to reduce or eliminate folks giving up their pet because they are experiencing financial difficulty.

– Basic obedience classes are offered by The Pet Connection and they charge $5 per class.  If the pet owner cannot afford the fee, they offer the class for free.  The basic obedience classes teach such things as sit, come, go, and so on.

– The Pet Connection goes dumpster diving, and also receives donations from building supply businesses so that they can install fencing for people’s dogs.  For example, when an elderly person is no longer able to walk their dog, they will fence in the person’s back yard so that the dog can get exercise.  Of course, The Pet Connection approaches this offer with, “if you let us spay/neuter your dog, we will install a chain link fence for you.”

– Approximately 30% of animals in shelters are owned and have been lost.  They need to be reunited with their owners.

– A comprehensive database that is properly cross referenced must be maintained.  “Kansas City” consists of many municipalities, each one having its own animal control and shelter.  Therefore it is critical that each animal control & shelter maintain a lost & found database and that they share (cross reference) their information with all the other animal controls & shelters.

– The Pet Connection uses Webex software but there are many, many different programs available.  www.webex.com  (They use webex not only for their lost & found database but also for their finances, etc.)

– It is critical to have a viable TNR program

– The Pet Connection has developed a $5 TNR program in that they offer TNRs at the cost of $5 per cat.  If the person cannot afford that, they will perform the TNR free of charge (they use sponsor money).

– In many Kansas City municipalities, The Pet Connection has earned the right to perform TNR because it costs, on average, $15 to kill a feral cat and only $5 to TNR.

– Low cost clinic is offered, targeting low income folks.  The low cost clinic is also available to rescue groups and individuals.

– Services such as spay, neuter, vaccinations, heart worm checks, etc., are offered.

From Scott, IG Rescue, and Molly Hoffman:  The first-ever Ad Council campaign to focus on pets launches Thursday, Sept 24th and promotes pet ADOPTION from shelters and rescue groups - featuring YOUR adoptable pets.   The Shelter Pet Project is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign including ads on television, radio, in print, outdoors and on the Web.  The ads direct audiences to visit a new Website, http://www.theshelterpetproject.org/, to find out more information about how to adopt a pet from a shelter. The Website includes a Pet Personals section, where visitors are asked questions about themselves and are then matched with potential pets from a local shelter or rescue group using the Petfinder.com database.  The Shelter Pet Project is a joint venture between The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fun, and The Ad Council.

We will have a table at the VegFest on Saturday, October 3, from 2 - 6 p.m. in Havelock Park.  Havelock Park is at 63rd and Ballard, two blocks south of Havelock Avenue on 63rd or 64th Street.  Please come and join us!!  If you would like more information about the VegFest, their website is http://www.communitycrops.org/vegfest 

At our meeting on October 8, Scott, IG Rescue, will talk about the way that the state laws in Nebraska are being interpreted for Animal Shelters now, compared to the way they were last year.  This is a change that has caused many organizations to get state licensed, but is being applied tougher on animal rescues than breeders. 

Everyone is invited to the St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (where we are having our meeting on October for their Animal Blessing on October 11, at 4:00 PM.  St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is located at 2325 S. 24th Street.  They are planning a simple service and are not going to have booths for rescue groups, etc.  They are suggesting that attendees bring a donation of dog or cat food, toys, cat litter, etc., when attending the blessing.  A portion of these donations will be given to us, for our Pet Food Bank.