Previous Issue - October 2002 Edition 

 

 

Special Holiday Edition

SPOT POST  *  Vol. 1 *  Issue 3 * December, 2002

   

  Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays 

  Here are 15 tips to help keep your dog (or any other pets) safe during the holiday season. They will keep your holidays safe, healthy, and happy!

1. Anticipate your guests’ arrivals and confine your dog to prevent it from escaping.

2. Reduce your dog's stress by maintaining its regular feeding and exercise routine. You should also set aside a room for your dog to go during parties, because too much excitement or stress can cause stomach upset.

3. Place mystery packages out of reach. Dogs who smell food in a package are known to rip it open. Remember that food is the number one holiday hazard for dogs. The greasy and fatty foods that we eat can cause havoc on an animal's intestines.

4. Tell guests not to give your dog food from the dinner table. Remember that poultry skin, fat trimmings, rich gravies, and buttery sauces can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, or even worse, a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Also, remember that an ounce of alcoholic beverage can put a small dog into a coma.

5. Stow chocolate candy or baking ingredients out of reach. Chocolate is the most common toxicity treat during the holidays. Small amounts cause vomiting and diarrhea. Larger amounts can cause above normal heart rhythms, nervous system malfunctions, and even death.

6. Secure your garbage in bins with tight lids. A dog can chew up holiday discards and can result in intestinal perforation and/or obstruction.

7. Buy only decorating products (tree water preservatives and artificial snow) that are labeled non-toxic.

8. Put away children's toys after they are opened. Ingested toys can cause choking and intestinal blockage, and must usually be removed through surgery.

9. Secure large trees to the wall to prevent tipping, or consider a smaller tree that can fit on a tabletop.

10. Remember that stomach upsets can be caused by popcorn and gumdrops, so avoid using these strings of edible decorations.

11. Fasten all your tree decorations securely, with the more fragile ones toward the top. Dogs who chew these can suffer cuts in their mouth. (I know this one from experience.)

12. Return paper and other gift wrapping materials to their storage places after gift wrapping is finished.

13. Place holiday plants out of reach and vacuum often. Poinsettia can cause drooling, oral pain, and vomiting. Mistletoe causes vomiting, labored breathing, shock, and death from cardiovascular collapse. When animals eat the needles from real or fake trees, they can also get intestinal blockage.

14. Display candles on high shelves to avoid painful burns and singed whiskers.

15. Make sure that cords are tucked out of reach. Electrocution can occur.  
 

   
You, Your Pets & the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, peace on earth, good will, angels singing…so happy, so relaxed, so idyllic. Right! Frantic last-minute shopping, late nights wrapping gifts and mailing cards, standing in lines, working overtime or a second job to cover the added expenses, relatives coming from everywhere because Jack Frost is nipping at their nose, the kids are out of school again, and there's no way Calgonâ can take you away. Which sounds more like your reality?

Yes, we love the holidays, but the fact is, even if you enjoy the hustle and bustle, it changes your routine, makes you a bit more tired, and at some level causes you stress. Now we all know what the ultimate effects of stress are on our physical and mental well-being. Even the medical profession is finally admitting that the effects of everyday coping with stress is the root cause of disease, but what does any of this have to do with pets?

A great deal, actually. We tend to believe that just because our pets don't go to work or pay the bills and since they basically stay at home and eat, sleep, and play, that they don't experience stress. Not so. Many of the physical symptoms and behavior problems exhibited by pets are often stress responses. Scratching, chewing and licking at their own bodies, skin eruptions, excessive drooling, destructive behaviors, house-breaking problems, excessive barking, and many other symptoms can all be signs of stress in your pet's life. Signs that your pet is being affected by stress--yours! This is the reason that people who have pets live longer than those who don't. Your companion animal is there for you to take on your stress energy and replenish you with his own energy of pure love. This he does on a daily basis, but during the holidays both your normal stress levels and his are higher. He is now coping with the excitement and changes in routine caused by the holidays which cause him stresses of his own to deal with.

The important things to remember in order to help your friend get through are the following:

·         If any of the previously mentioned stress responses either appear or worsen at this time, don't panic. Give yourself and him more quiet time together just sitting and deep breathing and relaxing. It will help you both. If he's not coping well, you're not either (whether you recognize it or not).

·         Try to keep your routines as normal as possible, especially the ones involving him, or get back to normal routines as soon as possible after the holidays are over.

·         It is all too tempting to change his diet with fabulous holiday treats and leftovers. DON'T! His system may not be able to cope, and the results can really cause stress for you both.

·         Although it is tempting, Christmas is not a good time to introduce a new pet into the household. The excitement of coming into a new home can be overwhelming enough to an animal, especially a young one, without the added energies of the holiday season. The long-term consequence could be devastating.

So, this holiday season, enjoy the wonder, the festivities and the love they bring, and take a little extra time to say "thank you" to the furry-faced angel who is there for you all year round.
 

Pets as Gifts? - Think Carefully

While pet guardianship is rewarding, getting a pet as a gift for someone else, whether during the holidays or any other time of year, may not be a good idea.

Why Pets Do Not Make Good Gifts

We all know the holiday season is a hectic time of year. With numerous visits from family and friends, the house is filled with excitement. For a puppy or kitten, being placed in this situation can be bewildering and frightening. Likely the animal is already experiencing some stress from being removed from littermates or having come from an animal shelter (never buy pets from pet stores). What the animal needs is a quiet, calm environment where patterns can be established to get everyone off to a good start.

A gift animal can easily be neglected amidst all the excitement of the holidays. Animals — especially puppies and kittens — need special care and attention when moved to a new environment and, unfortunately and unintentionally, during the holiday season pets can be quickly forgotten amidst new toys and games.

First-time guardians can be unprepared for the dramatic changes an animal can make within the household. Impulse buying at Christmas often overlooks the long-term commitment involved in owning a pet. The commitment of care must extend throughout the animal’s lifetime, which will be years — even decades for some. Since an addition to the household will affect the entire family, everyone should be consulted. Another point to consider is that most adults prefer to choose their own pet to match their lifestyle and personality.

Instead of Giving a Pet at the Holidays...

Consider giving a pet gift certificate — many shelters and rescue groups may offer gift certificates. Alternatively, wrap up the accessories — a collar, leash, toys, or a pet care book — with a card offering to pay the adoption fee for the pet of their choice. That way, after the holidays when everything has calmed down, the new pet can be selected carefully and given the attention he or she needs and deserves.

Unique Gifts

 

What gift could you give for the pet guardian that has everything? If you know someone on your wish list that has an animal that isn’t spayed or neutered, how about getting them a gift certificate toward the procedure? Sponsor a spay or neuter for someone who cannot afford the procedure by donating to SPOT.

In Loving Memory

SPOT would like to thank Ms. Lisbeth Higgins for making a donation in loving memory of her cat, Tess.  Lisbeth got Tess when she was only five days old and she was her constant companion for fifteen wonderful years. 

  

Christmas Returns
Santa comes quietly long before dawn
While shops are still busy and lights are still on
While dinners are cooking and kitchens are warm
And children count presents they'll open by morn.

He slips past the trees in windows aglow
Through the gate to the backyard
As icy winds blow
To find the pup he brought last year
Chained up in the snow
And, kneeling, he whispers,
"Are you ready to go?"

There are too many stops like this one tonight
Before the beginning of his regular flights
He leaves not a note or footprint in sight
Just an unbuckled collar
On a cold Christmas night…

                             ~Author Unknown
 

 

Donations Help Stop the Killing

FACT:  Over 56% of dogs and puppies and 71% of cats and kittens entering animal controls are killed, based on reports from 1,055 facilities across America.

-National Council on Pet Overpopulation Study and Policy, "Shelter Statistics Survey" 1997 data.

Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) is a non-profit alliance of dog and cat rescuers, veterinarians, and pet lovers working to reduce the number of dogs and cats killed in Atlanta-area shelters.  SPOT is in constant need of funds to continue our spaying and neutering efforts.  For every pet we spay/neuter we prevent thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens. 

SPOT is also in the process of producing TV ads that will help convey our very important message.  However, airtime costs money and without donations these ads might never be seen.  SPOT donations also make wonderful gifts for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries.  You may also make a donation in memory of someone or a beloved pet.  Please include a note with your donation, including the address of the person who you want us to send an acknowledgement of you donation and let us know if you would like the donation mentioned as a tribute in an upcoming email newsletter by emailing Nichole.  What better way to say you care?  

So please, make your donation today!

To make your tax deductible donation online, go to our secure PayPal link or send your check or money order, made payable to SPOT, to the address below.  We also accept material donations such as cars, stock, land, boats and other items that can be auctioned off on Ebay. 

  SPOT, P.O. Box 801012, Acworth, GA 30101

  Education Web Site: www.spotsociety.org

  Adoption Web Site: www.petorphans.com

Instructions for PayPal:

Send donations to info@spotsociety.org.  In the memo box please indicate what the donation is for.

 

 

Emergency Pet Preparedness Plan

With the holiday season upon us, we too often become caught up in the excitement and we neglect to practice basic safety tips.  Statistics indicate a marked increase in the number of fires that occur during the holidays...we forget to keep the tree moist, something is burning in the oven, a faulty electric cord shoots out a spark.  Not to mention the possibility of flooding, lightning strikes, intruders, etc.  Not only do we need to have emergency preparedness plans for ourselves, but don't forget our pets.  More often than not people overlook our furry (and not so furry) critters during times of crisis.  But planning ahead can save a lot time and a lot of heartache.  Try following these simple steps not only for holiday emergencies, but for those that can happen at anytime of the year.  

Step 1:  Have Rescue Alert Stickers that are easily visible on main entrances into your home.  These stickers indicate to emergency crews that there are animals in the house that need help as well.  There are three basic things this sticker needs to tell rescue workers 1) the type(s) and number of pets in the household; 2) the name of your veterinarian; and 3) your veterinarian's phone number.  This sticker speaks for you when you can't speak for them. 

Step 2:  Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. If you do, they may be at risk for injury or even worse. Red Cross disaster shelters will not accept pets because of health and safety regulations. So it is imperative that you have determined where you will take your pets ahead of time.

  • Contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities for use in the event of an emergency.
  • Check with your local animal shelter to determine if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets.
  • Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets.
  • Ask friends and relatives outside your immediate area if they would be willing to take in your pet.

Step 3:  Keep an emergency kit handy for your pets, not only in your house--but in your car as well.  You never know when emergencies are going to strike.  This kit should contain the following:

  • Pet first-aid kit and guide book.
  • Canned (pop-top) or dry food.
  • Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect) .
  • Litter or paper toweling.
  • Pet feeding dishes.
  • Extra leash.
  • Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires. (Remember that food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit otherwise they will go bad or become useless.)
  • Bottled water.
  • A pet traveling bag or sturdy carrier, ideally for each pet.
  • Flashlight.
  • Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet).
  • Photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make "Lost" posters).

Step 4:  Time is of the essence when you must evacuate your home in a crisis.  To minimize evacuation time, take these simple steps:

  • Store an emergency kit and leashes as close to an exit as possible.
  • Make sure all pets are collared with up-to-date identification. Your pet's ID tag should contain his name, telephone number, and any urgent medical needs.
  • Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Pets can become disoriented and wander away from home during a crisis.
  • Consider your evacuation route and call ahead to make arrangements for boarding your pet outside of the danger zone at the first sign of disaster.

We all know that the holidays are a joyous time of year and no one wants to think about the “what ifs.”  But being prepared is a large part of having an animal as part of your family.  So please, think ahead not only for yourself, but for them as well.  
 

 

Help SPOT While Shopping Online

 

Shopping online is wonderful...no lines, no searching for that perfect parking space.  But wouldn't your online shopping experience be even better if you were helping a great cause?  It's easy!  Simply go to http://www.mycause.com/spot and purchase products from a number of popular retailers.  They will donate up to 12% of the purchase price to SPOT, without any additional cost to you.  So, steer clear of the crowded malls this holiday season--shop online and help make a difference in your community for the animals.                    

 

 

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*Help your business.  Help the animals.  If you are interested in placing an ad in the next SPOT Post, please email Nichole Garmon for pricing information.

 

 
   On behalf of everyone at SPOT, we wish you a world of peace and happiness now and throughout all the seasons of the coming new year. With appreciation and enduring gratitude from all of us at SPOT, thank you for making such a difference for the animals.  

 

 

Have a suggestion for the next SPOT POST?   
If so, please contact SPOT POST Editor Nichole Garmon via email or at (678) 363-5443.