Special to the Star-Herald
I can hardly believe it is February already. I think I missed the month of January recovering from the month of December. Our Board is meeting to discuss new fund-raising ideas so that we can afford continue helping animals. We are always looking for new and creative money-making ideas, so if you have one, please share it with us.
It is nice to have ideas from our supporters as to ways we can help ourselves. We participate in the local craft shows and the Kiwanis Show to help raise money for our shelter. We also participate in these events to raise awareness, answer questions and to meet the people who support us. We want to be pro-active in our fund-raising efforts and not just sit back and beg for money.
I have an “issue” with one of my cats. “Mr. Wiggles” is so fat he can’t keep his hind end clean. So I went in search of ways to help him. “Cat, Your Friend for Life” magazine provides the following information: The description of the correct weight is that your cat’s ribs can be felt but not seen, shoulder blades are more protected, some tummy fat is evident and there is a slight indentation behind ribs when viewed from above. Underweight description: ribs are prominent to the touch and visible in short-haired cats, shoulder blades feel sharp, there is little or no abdominal fat and when viewed from above, there is a marked indentation behind the ribs. Signs that your kitty needs to go on a diet are: ribs cannot be felt at all, prominent tummy fat, no indentation behind ribs; the body flares out between the shoulders and hindquarters. Overweight cats can be prone to grooming difficulties, diabetes, arthritis and an increased risk of surgical/anesthetic complications. What can you do? Well, for starters, schedule an exam with your veterinarian. The next step is to get your cat moving! Play with a stick toy with a feather, encourage him to chase and run and jump. Then, choose the best diet; his nutritional needs depend on his age, activity level and health. Measure his food and be consistent with his feeding schedule and amounts. You may have to endure some pitiful meows, but you are helping get your cat fit and possibly prolong his life.
Ya, well after reading that, I would say Mr. Wiggles may be even more than fat, so he is now on a play schedule and we are working very hard to take some weight off before any serious medical problems arise. As pet “guardians,” we are responsible for the health of our animals. Contrary to popular belief, our pets do not get fat from being spayed or neutered, they become fat from inactivity. It is very important to keep an eye on your pets’ health and that includes their waistline. Too many treats and not enough exercise, just like people, will lead to being overweight, so check out your pets today!
We all want our pets to live a very long and healthy life, and keeping your pets at a reasonable weight is one of the key elements that factor into that equation. I met a man this weekend with a Lab and this dog was at perfect weight. He described how very active he is and he monitors what his dog gets for treats. We both agreed that if you opened a 50-lb bag of dog food and put it in front of most Labs, they would eat until it was gone. Cutting out treats and reducing food isn’t always the easy thing, but it is the right thing; it could save your pet’s life.
We had a wonderful little pit bull come to our shelter as a stray. This poor little dog was covered in mange, her skin was terrible, fur was missing and our employees had to wear goggles and rubber gloves to wash this dog in a medicated wash. She was so sweet and I am so very happy to say that we have found her a forever loving home. This is one of the happy endings, because she came to our shelter in such rough shape. This condition did not happen overnight and we all cringe to thing how long this little girl had suffered. The happy endings are what keep us going and this one certainly put a smile on our faces.
Now help us find a home for Ellie, the beautiful black and white kitty who has been with us since last fall. She deserves a loving home so badly. Ellie is litter box trained, up to date on her shots and altered. She is a bit shy and would rather stay in her cage than wander out, but that is her safe place. Won’t you open your heart to this beautiful kitty?
Please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society if you are searching for a friend for life; we have many wonderful dogs and cats just waiting for loving homes. Our business hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or give us a call at 764-3441.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
Ellie
Photo courtesy of Christine Robinson
Kim Weeks and Crystal Patterson, of the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle, use a medicated wash to clean a lucky little pit bull who recently found her ‘forever home.’
