Animal Rescue Volunteers – all they’re missing are capes!

Volunteers at a horse rescue – grooming, fixing fences and mending shelters – somebody’s got to do it!

Rebecca Poling’s latest Examiner article really sums up the daily heroic actions that animal rescue volunteers routinely take in stride.

Sometimes those heroic efforts are dangerous, extreme and all-out – when natural disaster strikes or yet another puppy mill is exposed and animals need to be airlifted to safety. These are the ones that make the news and thank goodness they don’t happen every day.

But more often, those heroic efforts are the daily gifts of time, attention, love and skill given by volunteers who sacrifice social lives, space in their homes and down time to keep the trains running in shelters and for animal rescue organizations nation-wide. These are the people who make sure animals are fed, cages are cleaned, prospective pets are socialized. These are the folk who put themselves out there to raise the funds that keep organizations’ doors open and animals alive. These are the ones who have to make hard decisions and take heartbreaking action every day because our society is conditioned to dispose of anything that is no longer convenient, and to blithely absolve itself of any accountability for the wellbeing of creatures in its care. These people are quiet heroes and deserve our deepest gratitude for their compassion, commitment and care. 

Everyone who takes a stand, who acts in defense of animals – however small that action – is a hero. Everyone who gives up something to make this world a better place for people and animals – no matter how small that sacrifice – is a hero. Sometimes it’s like holding back the tide, but every single person who keeps going and spreads compassion in the face of overwhelming odds every day is a hero.

The article’s last paragraph really sums it up: “Animal rescue is hard. It’s physically demanding and emotionally draining.  There is never enough money nor volunteers, and there is never enough time.  But they persevere. These are my heroes.”

Want to be a hero, too?  Volunteer, donate, foster or adopt. And if you work for a company that matches your donations or volunteer hours, take advantage of that to double your impact!

For more info:

• Volunteer match lists lots of volunteer opportunities with local rescue groups
• To donate visit JustGive and find an organization to support. 
• Want to adopt?  Check Petfinder for a list of area rescue groups and the homeless pets available now.

Using eBay for fun and (non) profit!

These darling little 18” diameter pet beds were recently posted on eBay as an eBay Giving Works charitable listing. That means that 10% of the proceeds from each sale will benefit Companions for Life.

First up, THANK YOU to spigem-1 for generously sharing the wealth (and Kudos for strategic placement of Model Chihuahua to showcase the fabulousness of your product – do the beds come ready-populated with one?!) – and thumbs up to eBay for helping people effortlessly do good while they indulge in some recreational commerce!

In fact, it’s so easy that over $126 million has found its way to charitable causes through the Giving Works program on eBay. So how can you get on the bandwagon? Well, buying something on eBay is a no-brainer with little blue-and-yellow ribbons identifying listings that support nonprofits, and it’s not just businesses who can donate a portion of their sale profits.

Anyone who posts something for sale can do it – so why not consider a charitable listing when it comes to selling that elliptical trainer that’s never been employed as anything but an expensive clothes rack or your ex boyfriend’s creepy boggle-eyed goldfish bowl. And in fact, you don’t even need to buy or sell something – if you’re still dipping your toe into the online auction space but you have a Paypal account, you can make an online cash donation of as little as $1 - or as much as your bank account can handle - to any nonprofit in the eBay Giving Works program!

Isn’t it great to do good without leaving home? Now go buy that pet bed – your pooch won’t be the only animal thanking you!

Here in this house...........

Here in this house...........
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.

(anonymous)

Canines, Cats and Cabernet on Sunday, November 8

Operation Kindness is North Texas’ largest and oldest no-kill shelter and they’d like to invite you to sip on fine wines, sample delicious hors d'oeuvres and bid on more than 200 outstanding auction items while mingling with fellow animal lovers at a benefit on November 8th.

It's from 3pm to 6pm at the Marriott Legacy Town Center (don't worry, the Cowboys play at night, so you can still get home in time for the game!) - for more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website:
http://www.operationkindness.org/events/ccc_2009/

Garland taking steps in the right direction

Garland’s Mayor has been taking some positive steps to address the situation with the city’s shelter, as Rebecca Poling outlines in her recent Examiner article, but he’s got a ways to go and he’s going to have to be a champion change agent if he’s going to overcome the obdurate resistance of his own City Council. He has the support of the public, shelter management and even the shelter employees to improve shelter practices and programs, but he faces an uphill battle and is going to need continued public support as he tries to blaze a new, progressive path for the city’s animal shelter. We urge you to keep up the pressure on the City Council until they listen to their constituents and get with the program!

A group that works to unchain dogs

When Companions for Life worked with other animal advocates in the metroplex to champion the new city ordinances adopted in Dallas last year, one of those laws specified (among other things) that a dog cannot be tethered unless it is in the immediate possession and control of its owner – or it can only be tethered for no longer than is necessary (less than 3 hours) for the owner to complete a temporary task.

If a dog has to be confined outdoors, it must be in a fenced yard or other pen or structure that:  (i) is capable of preventing the escape of the dog;  (ii) has at least 150 sq. ft. of space per adult dog; and (iii) provides the dog access to the inside of a building, a dog house or other type of shelter.

In North Carolina, a positive, upbeat group of people called Coalition to Unchain Dogs is doing awesome work proactively reaching out to dog owners in that state and helping them comply with laws like this by building fenced areas in which a dog can live unchained.

Check out this video of one of their recent projects – it’s a joy to see how happy and grateful that dog is when his heavy chain is removed and he can run free! You can see more happy stories on their website - http://unchaindogs.net/tails.html.

These groups are doing great work – not only do they ensure spay/neuter services are provided to dogs they help, but their positive stance is more likely to change minds and open hearts of people who think it’s OK to chain their dog than just about anything else.

OTHER GROUPS WORKING TO UNCHAIN DOGS:

Fences for Fido

Dogs Deserve Better

Helping Animals

Mothers Against Dog Chaining

Chained dogs are unhappy, unsafe and dangerous – please don’t leave your dog tethered all day – find a group who can help you build a fence, and your dog’s gratitude and happiness will reduce your liability immediately!

Feral Friends Annual Fundraiser this Saturday

Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance annual fundraiser is this Saturday, October 3rd, from 6:30 - 9:30 at Artfest International. 

The lineup for the silent auction includes gift certificates for great restaurants including III Forks and Cantina Laredo, a makeup party at Elizabeth Arden, 4 tickets to Disneyland, a private wine tasting, symphony tickets, pet portraits, gift baskets and much more!  The evening's menu includes veggie hors de oeuvres, pasta and bread sticks plus two free drinks! 

Tickets are only $22 per person and are available on line.  Come on out and enjoy a night of fun in support of Feral Friends' mission to help control the overpopulation of cats in your community and help provide medical care and foster homes to adoptable cats and kittens.

For more info: Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance.

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here. Image courtesy of Urbancritter.)

“Hooray For The Underdog” Artists Reception This Friday, benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas

Friday, September 25th, Healey Grisham Studios and Hooray For The Underdog are hosting a reception showcasing new works of Beverly Ann Moore and benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas. 

The event runs from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and wine & hors d'oeuvres will be served.  Plus one lucky dog will win a featured art piece!

Healey Grisham Studios are located at 2036 Commerce Street in Dallas – c’mon down and join us!

Dog Poetry : "THE LIFE OF A PUPPY

Someone sent us this sweet, anonymous poem and we had to share it - enjoy!

This morning, I woke up & kissed my dad's head.
I peed on the carpet, then went back to bed.
"The life of a puppy, oh my, this is great."
Then I thought about breakfast," I hope it's not late."

Mom took me outside, we walked for a while.
This never fails to make Mama smile.
I sniffed of everything, that we did pass,
I ate something weird - it gave me gas.

I'm sure God loves me, I know that is true.
He gave me so many great things to chew.
Rugs, plants or rocks, I really don't care.
What I truly like best, is Dad's underwear.

That obedience book was sort of yummy.
Though it didn't sit well on my poor puppy tummy.
I threw up a bit, but that was all right,
When Mom found it later, I was well out of sight.

I made streamers of T. P., while running at full speed.
Mom is pretty quick -- but I was still in the lead.
I flew under the bed, and Mom flew past,
She stopped-shook her head, and breathed,
"You're too fast."

Mama later phoned Daddy, and said, "It was frightening!"
That afternoon, she was sure I'd pooped lightning.
She'd sat at the computer, while I chewed the cord,
She thought I was mad, but I was just bored.

When Mama had enough, couldn't take anymore,
That's when my tushy got shoved out the door.
I love it inside, but outside is best.
Lay in the cool grass, and had a good rest.

That didn't last long, there was too much to do--
Can't quite remember where I hid Daddy's shoe.
I found an old bone, and scratched at a flea,
I watched the dumb squirrels as they jumped in a tree.

I barked at the kids, when they got off the bus.
I can't figure out why this makes Mama fuss.
I barked at the neighbor, I barked at the wind.
I barked and barked, till Mom yelled, "COME IN."

The sun dipped in the west-soon Daddy would come!
I sure love my daddy: we always have fun.
I barked at my daddy, then turned on my charms,
I woo-wooed, "Hello," then jumped in his arms.

Sitting under the table -- it's sooo hard to wait.
Daddy slipped me a goodie right off his plate.
I raced through the house, and scattered my toys,
Ricocheted off the furniture, and made lots of noise.

Mom found her purse - the one I abused.
Daddy let loose a chuckle. Mom asked "Amused??"
I cowered down low, I must be in trouble.
Dad said, "Wasn't MY boy, it must be his double!"

Mom turned off the TV, and said,"Time for bed."
Dad said "Let's go boy," and patted my head.
I got in my spot, between Mom and Dad,
I thought 'bout my day and what fun I had.

Mama kicked out my bone from the covers below,
Then let loose a sigh -- a sigh deep and low.
She gave me a kiss, and snuggled me tight,
And whispered so softly, 'My darling goodnight'.

Author Unknown

Garland’s troubles keep multiplying

**JUST IN**

Garland’s euthanasia practices may be ethically questionable, but new evidence shows that the shelter may also have been violating State law in their choices of animals to put down.

The Dallas Morning News claims to have obtained records showing that the Garland animal shelter “has been gassing young, sick or elderly cats and dogs in violation of state law, probably causing them a slower, more stressful death.”

The shelter may also have been putting down animals immediately upon intake, in violation of city rules stating how long animals must be kept before being euthanized.

Read the full article here.

Garland Still Uses Gas to Euthanize Unwanted Pets

It’s highly controversial, widely held to be archaic and inhumane, but it’s still legal in Texas and the Garland animal shelter continues to use it as a preferred method of putting down unwanted animals. It’s carbon monoxide gas – the same poisonous gas your car’s exhaust puts out – only highly concentrated and about 80% of Garland’s euthanized animals die by carbon monoxide gassing.

Texas state legislators maintain that this method is necessary to enable shelters with only one or two people (generally a town Sheriff and deputy) to be able to euthanize an animal without requiring the skills necessary to effectively use the more acceptable sodium pentobarbital injection.

Garland has almost 20 people on staff, however, including animal control officers already trained in both methods of euthanasia and a full time vet, so there’s no reason for them to maintain an arguably less effective, less humane way to end an animal’s life. But they continue to insist on using the gas option, and now that they’re aware of the practice, and the controversy surrounding it, Garland residents are appalled.  Petitions have been signed, comments abound on blogs and news sites, and citizens are speaking out at the Garland City Council meetings. In vain, it would appear – the Garland shelter is standing by it's questionable decision, ostensibly for the good of its employees, claiming it’s less stressful to gas an animal than it is to administer a lethal injection.

When is it NOT stressful to kill a perfectly healthy and viable companion animal? Garland’s efforts to protect their employees are likely well intentioned but misguided. Sure, gassing an animal in another room is less personal than holding it in your arms and watching the life fade from its eyes, but it can be no less traumatic to know that the animal in the gas chamber died terrified and alone, instead of in the arms of someone who truly cared and shuffled them off this mortal coil as gently and lovingly as possible.

Garland City Council needs to listen to their constituents, evaluate the merits of each solution and – above all – keep the animals’ best interests in mind when making decisions about the operations of their animal shelter.

More information:

• Rebecca Poling’s Examiner article
• Dallas Morning News article 

Have your say:

Comment on the Garland blog and help shape the conversation

Fancy a round of golf on Saturday?

Uncle, available for adoption from Richardson Humane Society

Richardson Humane Society's 8th Annual Canine Classic golf tournament will be held Saturday, October 3rd at Oakridge Country Club in Garland with a shotgun start at 1pm. 

The two person Scramble costs only $ 90.00 per person which includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, dinner, and a goody bag.  Mulligans and raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each.

As a nonprofit organization, Richardson Humane Society relies solely on donations to rescue, treat, and place deserving animals into for-ever homes. To date they have rescued and placed over 1,600 dogs and cats into loving homes.

Hurry - you can sign up online and get a free subscription to Golf Digest, but you must do so by tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th!

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.)

Remembering lost friends on National Pet Memorial Day.

The International Association of Pet Cemeteries designated the second Sunday of September (that’s today) as National Pet Memorial Day.

Today, let’s all take the opportunity to remember lost loved pets, and to celebrate the joy and unconditional love they brought into our lives as our devoted companions.

For those who may have lost a pet recently, no words can salve the raw pain of your bereavement, but perhaps sharing this day of remembrance with others who have grieved might provide some small solace.

Some words of advice when dealing with the loss of a furry family member (yours or someone else’s) include:

• Grief and loss, like love, is a very personal thing and not everyone experiences it the same way. Know that whatever you’re feeling is OK, and that you have the right to process this loss in whatever way works best for you.
• Acknowledge that, for many people, pets are not just animals we own – they are family members and loved just as deeply as a child or sibling. That is a valid love, and the loss is every bit as valid and painful as if we lost any other of our family members. So cut yourself (or your grieving friend) some slack, and be kind.
• Trite as it may be, time WILL take away some of the pain. Let it. And hold on to the special memories.

Some suggestions for marking National Pet Memorial Day

• Write a poem, story, or song about and/or dedicated to your pet, or create a tribute video
• Write a letter to your pet expressing feelings you may be struggling with, tell them how much you miss them, or thank them for the wonderful memories you have
• Share photographs and stories with family or friends; remembering the special times, the love and joy they brought us
• Visit their burial site, hold a remembrance ceremony with family and friends
• Create a living memorial by planting a tree, bush, or flower garden
• Create an online memorial, whether it be on a pet memorial website, blog or other site
• Explore the Internet for pet memorial sites with inspiring stories of love and devotion between people and their companions
• Make a personalized magazine cover for your pet, a great way to catalog the fond memories of the times shared using pictures, and great headlines to share with everyone
• Use this day to volunteer at your local animal shelter or a rescue group
• Use this day to make a donation in memory of your companion to a local animal charity, shelter or rescue group

We at Companions For Life are remembering our own precious pets who have travelled to the Rainbow Bridge as well as the millions of pets across the country who have died at the hands of irresponsible owners, or in shelters for want of a loving home. May those bright souls find comfort at the Bridge and a respite from a harsh world. RIP beloved pets and all those lost, abandoned or abused.

(post by Urbancritter)

Save money on your pet's prescription medicines!

Anyone who’s had a sick pet knows that it can get expensive fast – particularly if your furry friend needs ongoing medication. So what great news to know that there’s an opportunity for Dallas County residents to save up to 65% on prescription drugs – for you and your pet!

The new Dallas County Coast2Coast RX Card offers substantial savings on prescription drugs, including prescriptions for your pet.  There are no health restrictions, no income or age requirements, and the program covers both brand-name and generic drugs.

Participating pharmacies include Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Sam's Club, Tom Thumb, Target, Kroger, Minyard, Costco and many more.

A complete list of participating pharmacies is available online and you can even print your new drug card right from the website.  So if you've got a diabetic cat, an arthritic dog - or any pet on prescription medicines - and you live in Dallas County, this little card could mean big savings!

For more info: Dallas County Coast2Coast RX Card.

Photo courtesy UrbanCritter. Exciting news courtesy of our President, Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.

SPCA of Texas offers $5,000 reward in cat killer case

As if there weren’t enough reasons to keep your cat inside, some deranged individual in Northwest Dallas has given us all another one by going on a killing spree, strangling and dismembering neighborhood cats.

Although this is not an isolated incident (there are too many stories of cats being killed and mutilated all across North Texas, whether by animal abusers or urban wildlife), it is sufficiently disturbing that the SPCA of Texas is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.

"There is a well-documented link between animal cruelty and human violence." said SPCA of Texas President James Bias. "Helping the Dallas Police Department bring these individuals to justice will help stop the cycle of abuse." Anyone with information about the cat killings should contact Corporal Kimberly Crawford with the Dallas Police Department at 214-670-6037.

For more info: Learn how to report animal cruelty, or check out A Safe Cat Is A Happy Cat.  Robert Wilonsk writes for Dallas Observer's Unfair Park blog and he recaps a  conversation with the lead DPD investigator in the case.  Think your outdoor cat will never be happy indoors?  Bringing an Outside Cat In tells you how to do it successfully.

An inspiring and compassionate video - please watch and share!

Some information below (copied from the YouTube posting):

Jerry Borders is a Dallas, Texas animal activist. After protesting Petland for months he decided to write a song against Petland and puppy mills. This is a personal video. It is not associated with any animal protection organization.

Some background (just in case you haven’t been across this issue):

The Humane Society of the U.S. investigated Petland and found that they are linked to puppy mills where the breeding mothers and also male dogs spend their lives living in cages (on wire floors) and pens breeding over and over to supply pet shops and internet breeders.
http://tinyurl.com/64mkh6

PetSmart and PetCo do NOT sell puppies, but instead ONLY invite rescue groups into their stores to adopt out the dogs and cats who need to find their forever homes. I wish they’d do the same with Ferrets, rodents, birds and fish but dogs and cats is a start.

Five things you can do to help:

1. PLEASE Consider adoption first when getting a pet. Animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes who need and deserve loving homes. Nationwide, approximately 25 percent of the dogs in shelters are purebreds.
2. Find a responsible breeder and visit their premises in person to see how the parent dogs are living and the conditions in which the puppy was raised. Responsible breeders house their dogs as members of the family and do not keep them confined to cages.
3. Don't be fooled by common claims made by pet stores when pushing their puppies. Good breeders do not sell to pet stores because they want to meet the families who are taking home their puppies.
4. Don't be swayed by a great website or ad: Many of the puppy mills The HSUS has raided in recent years hid behind beautiful and deceiving websites promising "family raised" puppies.
5. Avoid the temptation to "rescue" a puppy mill puppy by buying him. Your purchase will only help perpetuate a cruel industry and another dog will quickly fill his cage.

For more information on how to get a puppy from a shelter or a responsible breeder, go to www.humanesociety.org/puppy

To join the Petland protests in Frisco, Plano, Dallas and Arlington please send your name and e-mail address to Dr. John Pippin at: jjpippin@sbcglobal.net

Technorati Tags: Jerry Borders,Change Some Hearts,Puppy Mills,Pit Bulls,Chained Dogs,Petland,PetSmart,PetCo,animal abuse,animal welfare,humane society,HSUS

Housecat Housecalls on Animal Planet

Long before Victoria Stillwell was addressing doggie behavioral issues and promoting positive and humane training methods on her hit TV show “It’s Me or the Dog”, a little show in Australia called “Harry’s Practice” featured a beautiful and smart lady vet called Dr. Katrina Warren, who’d advise on pet health and behavior.

Well the combination of beauty, compassion and an interesting accent has proved a crowd pleaser, but with so many dog training programs out there, who’s talking to cat lovers with feisty felines? Who else but Dr. Kat?!

Dr. Katrina is currently hosting Housecat Housecall® on Animal Planet, Saturdays 10.30am ET.

Each week she will visit two families and, with the help of the Housecat Housecall® Mentors Dr. Karen Sueda and Dr. Rich Goldstein, she'll try to make some sense out of a wide range of feline puzzlers. Whether it's just a quirky behavior or something more complex, Dr. Katrina and her team work out real solutions that help bring peace, harmony, and well-being back to the homes of cats and owners.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

I am an Animal Rescuer

We have no idea who wrote this but it really does sum up the heart of an animal rescuer.

On behalf of all the animals saved by courageous people who put themselves, their safety and their financial wellbeing on the line, time and time again, to create a more humane world - THANK YOU.

I am an Animal Rescuer.

My job is to assist God's creatures.
I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs.
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures
   without planning or selection.
  I have bought cat food with my last dime.
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand.
  I have hugged someone vicious and afraid.
  I have fallen in love a thousand times.
  And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body
   too many times to count.

I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends.
I don't often use the word "pet".
  I notice those lost at the road side
  and my heart aches.
  I will hand raise a field mouse
and make friends with a vulture.
I know of no creature unworthy of my time.

I do not want to live forever if there aren't
animals in Heaven, but I believe there are.
Why would God make something so perfect
and leave it behind?

Some may think we are masters of the animals,
but the animals have mastered themselves...
something people still haven't learned.

War and abuse make me hurt for the world,
but a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind.
We are a quiet but determined army
and we are making a difference every day.

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan,
nothing more rewarding than saving a life,
no higher recognition than watching them thrive.
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who, only days ago, was too weak to eat.

By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue,
I have been rescued.

I know what true unconditional love really is,
for I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many,
grateful for so little.

I am an Animal Rescuer.
My work is never done.
My home is never quiet.
My wallet is always empty,
but my heart is always full.

Happy Birthday Rebecca!

Today our President, Rebecca Poling, celebrates her birthday and all the animals she has helped (and continues to be an awesome advocate for) celebrate the day she was put on this earth too!

So it came as no surprise that instead of gifts from her friends, Rebecca asked us to donate to Companions for Life to help her continue doing good for animals. Naturally we did, and I’d like to ask you to join us.

For today only, click here to go to Rebecca’s Facebook cause and donate whatever you are comfortable with.

Every dollar helps us drive humane education initiatives and shelter outreach, and enables us to partner with other animal welfare groups to lobby City, County and State government for improved companion animal laws in support of our mission: No More Disposable Pets!

Happy Birthday Rebecca, from the Companions for Life team and all the animals you help!

(posted by Urbancritter)

Dog Health Alert: Canine Flu Outbreak

All dog owners, shelters, and doggie daycare or boarding facilities need to be aware that Canine influenza, the potentially deadly and highly infectious H3N8 virus commonly known as dog flu, is spreading.

An article on Discovery News channel today notes that the virus has already claimed the life of at least one dog in Virginia and is now affecting dogs in at least four other states: Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Not only can dogs catch Canine flu from each other, but they can also catch it from humans who may have come into contact with infected animals. Because this virus is a mutation of an original equine virus, thereby already transmitting across species, the risk of dog-to-human infection is a definite possibility in the future.

The article notes “Symptoms in dogs can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and a respiratory infection that may last a few weeks. One to five percent of victims die from related hemorrhagic pneumonia.”

There is a vaccine, however it was only released three weeks ago. According to an article on the AVMA website treatment is, as with any viral disease, largely supportive. Secondary bacterial infections can be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.

So what should you do? Well, know that any situation that brings dogs into contact with each other increases the risk of transmission, however that risk can be mitigated with good infection control practices by shelters, kennels, and daycare facilities (and you!).

If you suspect your dog may have, or have been exposed to, canine influenza see your vet as soon as possible, follow good virus control procedures (essentially the same as for people-flu: wash your hands often and disinfect your clothes and surfaces regularly, to reduce cross-contamination) and keep them isolated from other dogs until you have the all-clear. If your dog is clearly exhibiting symptoms, be responsible and quarantine them immediately!

As with flu in people, the key is not to panic but to be vigilant and proactive about helping prevent the spread of the virus. Good nutrition and hydration can also help keep your dog’s immune system strong, so they are more resilient to health issues.

For additional information and updates, please visit these websites:

• American Veterinary Medical Association - www.avma.org
• University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine - www.vetmed.ufl.edu/pr
• Cornell University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory - http://www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/issues/civ.asp
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov/healthypets
• Association of Shelter Veterinarians - www.sheltervet.org