Millcreek Animal Hospital

MILLCREEK ANIMAL HOSPITAL TO HOST SPAY/NEUTER CLINC FOR FERAL CATS IN COLUMIBA, SC

CLINC HELD IN HONOR OF NATIONAL FREE FERAL CAT SPAY DAY

Columbia, SC -On April 27, 2011 Millcreek Animal Hospital will hold a spay and neuter clinic for feral cats in Columbia, Sc.  This event is being held in honor of National Free Feral Cat Spay Day, to advocate for the use of humane management practices of feral or “community” cats. 

A feral cat is simply a domestic cat who was born outside and has never lived with humans, or one who was a house cat, became lost, and went without human contact long enough to become unsocialized to humans.  Feral cats revert back to living on instincts and become less dependent on humans for survival.  Feral simply means “wild” or “untamed.”

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is the humane management of feral cat colonies, where cats are caught in traps, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped and returned to the site.  “TNR- stabilizes populations at manageable levels and eliminates common neighborhood complaints regarding mating behaviors, like spraying and fighting,” said Dr. Cameron Barkley.

National Free Feral Cat Spay Day was launched in 2010 by Alley Cat Rescue, the National Cat Protection Assoication located near Washington, DC.  Alley Cat Resuce is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of all cats: domestic, stray, feral, and wild.  Alley Cat Rescue’s award-winning handbook on feral cats and TNR has helped save the lives of thousands of cats. 

To celebreat National Free Feral Cat Spay Day, Millcreek Animal Hospital plans to work with the community and Catnip Cats to trap, neuter, return feral cats at our clinic on April 27, 2011.  After recovering from surgery, cats will be returned to their outdoor homes.  For more information on this event and how you can get involved, please contact us at 803-359-1933

“TNR stops the breeding cycle more effictiently than catch-and-kill.  In catch-and-kill, other strays will enter the vacated territory and start breeding all over again.  Spay and neuter is the key to preventing cat homelessness,” said Louise Holton, president of Alley Cat Rescue.

HALLOWEEN HINTS- No Fright, No Fear for pets this Year!

Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year, and it’s natural to want to try to involve your family pet in all the activity.   It’s important to keep in mind, though, that not all Halloween activities are fun or safe for pets.  A few simple precautions can keep your spooky celebrations fun for everyone in the family, whether they are two footed or four footed.

People Treats are not Pet Treats

Did you know that chocolate can be poisonous to pets?  It contains a substance-theobromine- that dogs find difficult to metabolize.  Even modest amounts, such as a snack bar or two, can be poisonous to a small dogs.  Other types of Halloween goodies, such as gum, chewy candies, hard balls, etc., can be choking hazards or cause GI upset.  And it’s not just the treats that you have to worry about.  Pets that find dropped candy on the floor will often eat it – wrapper and all!  Since foil and plastic are not digestible, these substances can become lodged in your pets digestive tract.   Be sure to keep treats out of reach.  And be sure to supervise any little human goblins that might be running around the house to make sure they don’t leave a candy trail where pets can find it!  Finally, keep a supply of healthy, pet safe goodies on hand, such as carrot sticks or low calorie dog cookies, if you feel the need to treat!

Decoration Dangers

Lighted jack-o-lanterns, spooky fog, and festive lights on strings–all these things help create that spooky, Halloween ambiance you’re after.  But pets, just like small children, don’t understand the dangers of candles, lanterns, or electric lights.  If you have pets, use small battery operated lights instead of real flame to put that eerie glow in your scary pumpkin’s eyes.  If you’re using dry ice to create a spooky mist inside your Halloween lair, keep pets, as well as small children, out of the fog since it’s composed of CO2 gas.  Small people and critters can suffocate.  Finally, remember that anything new will be of interest to a curious pet.  Keep electric cords up out of the way where pets can’t reach or chew them and be electrocuted.

Stranger, BEWARE!

Halloween can be a frightening time for some pets.  The people they think they know and love dress up, put on masks, and don’t look the same, while complete strangers come to the door and keep ringing the doorbell…again and again and again!! It can all be very confusing for a pet.  So, put yourself in their shoes, or, er, paws, for the day, and do what you can to minimize stress.  If your pets seems nervous or worried, close him or her up in a quiet room with the door shut.  Put on the TV, play some music, or leave some toys for them to play with.  Don’t take him or her our trick-or-treating with your.  Keep in mind that some otherwise well-behaved pets may even bite if they are scared or stressed enough.  A scary mask can frighten a dog as much as it can a small child, so be prepared and don’t take chances.

The Do’s and Don’t of Pet Dress Up

At Halloween time, lots of owners enjoy dressing up their pets in cute costumes to compliment their own get-ups.  When selecting a costume, keep in mind that, while some dogs may enjoy the extra attention, most animals don’t like to have any unusual clothing on their bodies and can become scared, irritated, or uncomfortable.  If you do dress up your dog, start with something simple and see how they react before putting on costumes that are more complicated.  A Halloween theme collar, leash, or bandana may be festive enough for these dogs!  Make sure any pet clothing is properly adjusted.  Too tight, and it can cut off circulation to a tail, leg, or ear or cause them to choke.  Too loose, and your pet can trip on it or get it caught on something.  Make sure pets can see, smell, and hear through their costumes.  Never leave a pet unattended “in costume” in the event he or she becomes scared or tries to chew it off.  Serious injury can occur, especially in cats with anything tied around their neck or chest.  It is best to leave the costume capers simple and only attempt with consenting, outgoing canines.

HEARTWORM PROJECT HERALD

WHAT WE DO

The name Heartworm Project definitely doesn’t say it all.  Though our group may have begun with the original mission to treat Heartworm positive dogs in county shelters, the scope has expanded, and our volunteers are often asked, “What do you do?”  If you have asked the same thing, we hope that this months newsletter will enlighten!

Heartworm Project Mission

Provide medical care to shelter animals in need,

preventing euthanasia of otherwise adoptable pets.

WHAT HEARTWORM PROJECT DOES FOR ANIMALS IN COUNTY SHELTERS

1. Treat heartworm positive dogs so that the shelter can either place the dog for adoption or transfer to another rescue group once the dog is healthy.
2. Rescue animals with severe, but treatable skin issues.  Check out these before and after shots of Beauty!

3. Rescue senior pets, or those with perceived disabilities, who are often over-looked by others because of the increased financial investment usually required to restore the pet to good health.

4.  The HWP offers pets for adoption, but it is not our primary mission.   Many of the animals we treat are returned to the shelter for placement once healthy.  The animals that remain with us to be re-homed are considered to be not suitable for shelter environment because of age, breed, or personality.

5.  Purchase equipment that the shelter needs.  Our most recent campaign was the “Say Cheese” campaign to purchase two dental machines– one for the City of Columbia Animal Shelter and more for Lexington County Animal Services.  With this equipment, shelter animals will receive the dental care they need, to include dental cleaning, removing stubborn baby teeth, and care for dental abscesses.

WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE HEARTWORM PROJECT

• Attend the Second Annual Poochapalooza on October 23rd and bring a friend! This joint fundraiser is co-hosted with PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services).  The fun filled day features a dog walk, silent auction, lunch, and a light hearted dog show.  www.poochapalooza.net  
• Mark your calender for Wine, Swine, & Dine (formerly Redneck Comes to Town).  This favorite annual HWP event is scheduled for April 9, 2011.
• Foster a cat, dog, kitten or puppy!  We are always in need of good temporary homes, and supply all food medications, and supplies.
• Adopt , or if your home is full, refer a friend’s good home to HWP!! We’re waiting…!!!!!

www.heartwormproject.org

Would you like to be added to our Millcreek Newsletter list?  If so, fill out this form and we would be glad to add you to our list.  Just so you know, we do not share your information and we do not spam.

Feel free to take a look at some of our older newsletters below.

Download the printable version of the Millcreek Newsletter – Summer 2006 Edition

Download the printable version of the Millcreek Newsletter – Winter 2005 Edition

  Download the printable version of the Millcreek Newsletter – Fall 2005 Edition