Responding to animal welfare organizations working to provide protections for the health and safety of owned and shelter animals due to the California wildfires, the ASPCA has created a $5 million relief fund. The funds can be applied to disaster response costs or capacity-building for disaster preparedness. Source: ASPCA, January 13, 2025. Link. Applications may be … [Read more...]
Pet owners delay veterinary care but may spend $700M on Halloween
Commentary An NRF survey shows $700M is projected in pet Halloween spending this month, yet last week we shared a report that found 72 percent of veterinary service providers are seeing owners delay pet care due to ongoing economic concerns <Link>. The juxtaposition of economic commitments is bizarre, not surprising, but mind-boggling.” Additionally, it is National … [Read more...]
California Governor signs Assembly Bill 1399 to expand access to veterinary telehealth
A new law empowering licensed veterinarians in California to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship through video technology will take effect on January 1, 2024. AB 1399 will help address the critical veterinary shortage happening nationwide by providing greater access to veterinary care for California pet owners. Source: ASPCA®, October 10, 2023. Link. While … [Read more...]
Bug spray with DEET is NOT safe for dogs (video)
When dogs are exposed to DEET whether it is through their skin or if they ingest it by licking their fur or licking where you’ve applied the spray, it can cause wobbly walking, shakes, seizure, diarrhea and vomiting.” - Cristine Hayes, DVM, DABT, DABVT Source: News19, August 3, 2023. Link. DEET is so dangerous for pets, the ASPCA recommends removing pets from the area when … [Read more...]
Essential oils. Safe for pets or not?
If they pay attention, pet owners may realize when they use an air freshener, their pet disappears into another room. Most households use something routinely to make the house smell nice. BUT, many of the super concentrated plant extracts used in these products are not safe for pets. Diffusers, sprays, candles, auto air fresheners and more are routinely used in our lives to … [Read more...]
How cold is too cold?
Depicting the differences in cold tolerance for different sized dogs, this infographic, along with the articles below, will make good content for social media, newsletters and for local media. Source: Pet Plan. Link. Also see: How cold is too cold? Daily Paws, February 24, 2022. Link. NOTE: This article contains an infographic, When is it too cold or too hot? … [Read more...]
Beware of rock salt and other ice melting products
As winter snow and ice season advances, we use more ice-melt to clear streets, driveways and sidewalks. C.J. Puotinen cautions pet owners about potential ill effects from these products. It is good content to share on social media and in newsletters this time of year. The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center classifies all ice-melting products as chemical irritants and warns … [Read more...]
Pit viper envenomation in a dog
A venomous bite is called an envenomation. Venomous snakes found in the U.S. include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins and coral snakes. Each year, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S., and about five of those people die <Link>. According to the Morris Animal Foundation, approximately 150,000 dogs and cats in … [Read more...]
Rawhide. Good? Bad? What’s the alternative?
Veterinary team members are often asked if rawhide chews are ok for their dogs. Austin Cannon shares the pros and cons as well as some alternatives to rawhide. . . . dogs can find themselves sick and in pain if they eat too much rawhide or ingest pieces that are too big . . .” Source: Daily Paws, June 3, 2022. Link. The primary fear with rawhide is that dogs might bite off a … [Read more...]
Help for communicating the cost of care
Complimentary Content Pet owners are frequently surprised at the cost of veterinary care. This is partly because veterinary teams are reluctant to proactively discuss the cost of a lifelong commitment to pet ownership. Further, there is a distinct difference between price of care versus cost of care over the life of the pet. Wendy Hauser, DVM, shares how being proactive … [Read more...]
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month
Beyond chocolate, a variety of substances, foods and plants are toxic to pets. It is important to reinforce the potential poison risks to pet owners throughout the year. Pet Poison Prevention Month also parallels the upcoming Poison Prevention Week <link> that takes place March 15 – 21. Source: Chocolate isn’t the only potentially fatal toxin for pets, Lifelearn, … [Read more...]
6 minutes in a hot car kills a dog
The dreaded stream of summer stories about dogs dying from being left in cars on hot days is in full swing. They’re proof we must continue to remind people not to make this deadly mistake. The first article presents the science behind heatstroke and is easily shared via social media. The second offers two, free downloadable Animals in Hot Cars posters useful for social media, … [Read more...]
Poisonous plants for cattle, horses, dogs, cats
Spring brings a flowery green up but, plants toxic t0 our critters may lurk among the blooms. We compiled some resources for cattle, horses, dogs and cats below. Use them on social media and to solve problems with animal owners. Source: Plants toxic to cats, ASPCA. Link. Source: Plants toxic to dogs, ASPCA. Link. Source: Poisonous plants that can kill cattle, BEEF, … [Read more...]
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month
Older pets are just as loving and loyal as their younger counterparts. Plus, adopting a senior animal companion comes with some cool advantages: Grown-up pets don’t require the constant monitoring and training that puppies and kittens do. Many are already housetrained. Since senior pets are fully grown, you’ll be immediately aware of important information like … [Read more...]