The Pet's Bill of Rights - We have the right to be full members of your family. We thrive on social interaction, praise, and love. - We have the right to stimulation. We need new games, new toys, new experiences, and new smells to be happy. - We have the right to Regular Exercise. Without it, we could become hyper, sluggish…or fat. - We have the right to have fun. We enjoy acting like clowns now and then; don’t expect us to be predicable all the time. - We have the right to quality health care. Please stay good friends with our vet. - We have the right to a good diet. Like some people, we don’t know what’s best for us. We depend on you. - We have the right not to be rejected because of your expectations that we be great show dogs or show cats, watchdogs, hunters, or babysitters. - We have the right to receive proper training. Otherwise, confusion and strife could mar our good relationship – and we could become dangerous to others and ourselves. - We have the right to guidance and correction based on understanding and compassion, rather than abuse. - We have the right to live with dignity… and to die with dignity when the time comes.

"De-skunk" Fido Here's a recipe to "de-skunk" your dog if he or she gets sprayed! 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide 1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) 1 teaspoon liquid soap Wet your pet down well. Work the above mixutre through your pet's fur. Leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse. Repeat as needed (you will have to repeat more than once). BE CAUTIOUS to avoid getting any of these treatments in your pet's eyes. Be sure to throw away any unused mixture away. The mixture may bleach your pet's fur. This will only be temporary as your pet will she and the original hair color will grow back in. NOTE: If your pet continues to retch or mucous membranes/eyes swell, please contact your Vet. Your pet may need meds for the swelling, nausea and/or be in need of its eyes being flushed. Info taken from Bully Buzz, Vol. 7, Iss. 2, via www.pbrc.net's newsletter

Pet Overpopulation Estimates ** Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million (HSUS estimate) ** Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate) ** In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats. ** In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.

Hot Weather Tips 1 - Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked slightly. 2 - Don't force your pet to get exercise after a meal. Always exercise your pet in the cool of the morning or evening. 3 - Never take your pet on an outing unless you can provide a shady spot to rest and plenty of fresh water to drink. 4 - Always provide plenty of shade for your pets that stay outside of the house. Consider bringing them inside if possible. Be sensitive to the needs of older and overweight animals in hot weather. 5 - A clean coat can help prevent summer skin problems, so keep your dog/cat well groomed. If your pet sports a heavy coat, shaving your dog's hari to a 1-inch length will help prevent overheating. Do not shave your dog's hair down to the skin; this robs him of protection from the sun. A cat should be brushed frequently to keep its coat tangle-free. (Courtesy of County of Orange)

Pets In HOT Cars 102 DEGREES!! It only take 10 minutes on an 85 degree day for the inside of your car to reach 102 degrees - even when the windows have ben left open an inch or two. Within thirty minutes, a car's interior can reach 120 degrees, hotter than the air outside. Shade offers little protection on a hot day and moves with the sun. Thos pets most at risk for overheating: young animals, elderly animals, overweight animals, or those with short muzzles and those with thick or dark-colored coats. IF YOUR DOG IS OVERCOME BY HEAT: Bring down the temperature by soaking the animal in cool (not ice) water, but make sure water doesn't get into the mouth or nose of an unconscious animal. Seek immediate vet care! (Info courtesy of ASPCA)

Winter Care Tips - K9 Make sure your dog has adequate shelter. If you have a dog house, it needs to cover the dog, protect him/her from the elements, and be accessible at ALL TIMES. If you have tile in the house, make sure you have a rug/blanket/pad in different areas for your dog to lay on. The tile floors get very cold. Make sure your dog stays dry and warm. Keep your dog on a regular grooming schedule. A well-groomed coat keeps your pup properly insulated. Depending on the type & length of coat you should groom daily or less. If you are not sure how often to groom, ask a professional. Also, please don't leave your dog in the car. If you turn off the engine, your car gets cold fast. If you leave the engine running, you risk carbon monoxide poisoning. A car ride is always fun... just make sure your pup can join you after you arrive! Keep your dog AWAY from ANTIFREEZE! This yummy tasting liquid (or so your dog thinks) can be lethal. If you keep your antifreeze in the garage, it needs to be out of reach of your pets and children. If your dog does get into the antifreeze contact your vet, emergency clinic, or animal poison control immediately! As always... fresh water is a vital part of taking care of your dog. Even though Winter is cold, your dog can still dehydrate without a constant supply of water. Make sure you change your pup's water daily at the very least. Don't forget to give them exercise and love!

Pet Loss - Rainbow Bridge

Whatever the circumstances, losing a pet is never easy. Below are some hotlines if you need to call and talk to someone as well as some additional resources. ** Please see the "Other Services" section for cremation and cemetery information. ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline -(800) 946-4646. Enter PIN 140-7211, then your phone number. Possible fee. They will call you back. The Iams Company Pet Loss Support Hotline - (888) 332-7738. Iowa State University - (888) 478-7574. University of California, Davis - (800) 565-1526. Here's an article with some information on ways to cope with the loss of a pet. Coping Article The "Rainbow Bridge". Click for Poem