Changes & Thanks

Thanks for your patience as we transitioned to our new website. Please find our new site at http://www.DesertPawsNM.org There is also a blog page there if you wish to post. We look forward to your participation :-)
Happy Holidays!
Krystyn & Raymond

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The Animali Farm Non-profit Horse Rescue Dedicated to Finding Loving Homes for Horses at Risk of Slaughter

PMU is short for Preganant Mares Urine. It is processed into a drug called Premarin. The drug is prescribed to women to counteract the effects of menopause. Production has dropped dramatically in the last 18 months and baby horses and moms need homes very quickly or they will be sent to slaughter. TheAnimaliFarm.com is dedicated to helping these animals. These animals have spent their lives doing good for humans, now the call is for humans to step up to the plate and help.

• Please consider contacting Jennifer Johns and Cheryl Forbes and adopting: 805-938-0174 anamali@aol.com
• If you can't adopt, please consider donating money to help them adopt these wonderful horses
• Please tell others about this so others can donate or adopt!

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October 4: St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day - Nambe Pueblo

Mark your calendars - October 4th is the St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day at the Nambe Pueblo. Located north of Santa Fe, Nambe will hold its annual St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day on the saint's traditional day of celebration, October 4. The day honors St. Francis' love of all creatures and is a traditional community festival including food and dancing. Nambe Pueblo, 505-455-2036.

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Barkfeast Great Success!

Cochiti Lake's Desert Paws held their first annual Barkfast a few days ago - and it was a great success. People and pets were happily fed, connections made, awareness raised, demonstrations, and most of all a lot of fun.

Their next event is a fundraiser called, Celebrity Pet Calendar Contest -- all Cochiti Lake pet owners are invited to submit their pets best 'kodak moment' to be judged and possibly featured in the calendar. The deadline is Oct. 15th - so hurry and submit your photo!

Please submit your picture to DesertPawsNM@Live.com

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Disaster Tips: For Cats

Are you prepared to take care of your cat when a disaster strikes? If not, NOW is the time to stock up on the items that you will need so you will not be unprepared. Listed below is a handy shopping list for you to use. The next time you buy food or supplies for your cat, take this list with you. Don't put off doing what you should do now - it may just make the difference between being able to keep your cat alive when a disaster strikes.
Here are the supplies that you should have in a disaster kit for cats. Adjust the amounts, depending on the number of cats that you have.


FOOD
Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Use the brand that your cat is used to eating. Buy pop top cans of food small enough to be used at one feeding since you may not have a way to properly refrigerate a partially used can of food - do not feed food that has been left out. Store dry food in an airtight, water proof container. Rotate food at least once every (3) months. Include in your supplies a feeding dish, a spoon to scoop and mix the food, and a hand crank can opener in case you do not have pop top cans.

WATER
Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Store water in plastic containers and keep in a cool, dark place. Rotate water at least once every (2) months.

SANITATION
Have a small litter box and litter scoop in your supplies. Have a supply of cat litter to last at least (2) weeks. Have some plastic bags in your supplies for disposing of your cat's waste.

CLEANING SUPPLIES
Have a small container of dish soap for cleaning purposes. Have paper towels for drying dishes and for other cleanup.

COLLAR AND TAG
Have a proper fitting break away collar and tag on your cat at all times, and keep an extra collar in your supplies in case the permanent one gets lost. Have a spare temporary tag in your supplies that you can write on - if you are going to be living somewhere else temporarily, you should put that address and phone number on the tag. You may want to consider microchipping or tattooing your cat as a more permanent form of identification.

HARNESS AND LEASH
You should have a proper fitting harness and leash in your supplies so that if you have to keep your cat confined in a cage for an extended period of time, you have a secure way to take the cat out of the cage to get some exercise.

CONFINING YOUR CAT
Have a collapsible wire cage to transport your cat or to house him or her in following the disaster (if exterior walls fall down or windows are broken, you'll need to keep your cat safely confined). The cage should be large enough to accommodate food and water dishes and a litter box. If your cat plays with toys, include in your supplies some toys to keep your cat entertained.EvacSaks are convenient for transporting cats during an emergency because they are foldable and easy to store. You can order one from www.evacsak.net.

FIRST AID KIT AND FIRST AID BOOK
You should have in your supplies a basic first aid kit, along with a first aid book for cats. Here are some basic items to include in that kit:
conforming bandage (3"x5")
absorbent gauze pads (4"x4")
absorbent gauze pad (3"x 1 yard)
Q-tips (1 box)
antiseptic wipes
emollient cream
tweezers and scissors
instant cold pack
latex disposable gloves (several pairs)Order a complete pet first aid kit at the UAN Store.

MEDICATIONS
If your cat is on long term medication, always have on hand at least a (2) week supply, since your vet may not be able to open right away to fill a prescription. Check with your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan - if not find a veterinarian in your area who does have a plan so that you can get medical care for your cat should it get injured during the disaster. Keep your cat's medical records, including records of vaccinations with your disaster supplies.

PICTURES
You should have in your supplies some current pictures of your cat to use in case your cat gets lost during the disaster - be sure to include yourself in some of the pictures in case you have to show proof of guardianship.



Original source: United Animal Nations
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Desert Paws hosts Breakfast

September 13, 2009 from 8am-11am, Cochiti Lake's Desert Paws will host their first annual "Barkfast" - a meet & greet for Cochiti Lake pet owners.

Many great events are planned -
Rescue Canines demonstrate their skills - Kathy Sylvia
Wildlife and Pet Portrait artists - Annette Schreiner
Discounted micro-chipping for dogs and cats with Barbara Merickel DVM
Dog Training Classes with Carol Tharnish
Veterinary Technicians representing Smith Animal Hospital & Santa Fe Emergency Clinic
Local non-profit Pathways of Healing, Inc


A great breakfast, raffle, lot's of info and demonstrations - it will be a wonderful event and a fun launch for Desert Paws.


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Owner Died - Sweet Dog Needs Home

I am posting on behalf of a friend. Their son passed away recently and they are having to find a home for his 6/7 year old female blue heeler cross. SHe is very sweet I met her today in our lobby at work and she was sitting very happily next to the dad. If you know of anyone who can offer this sweet dog a home please email me. ThanksCarol

You can email this blog and we will put you in touch with Carol: CLIPETS@Live.com
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Help the Humane Society w/o Stretching Your Wallet

The Humane Society of the United States has teamed up with Microsoft to be a part of i'm™, a new initiative from Windows Live Messenger and now, Windows Live Hotmail!

How It Works
Each time you send a message using Windows Live Messenger or Windows Live Hotmail, Microsoft shares a portion of the program's advertising revenue with some of the world's most effective organizations dedicated to social causes, including The Humane Society of the United States. All you have to do is sign up! http://www.hsus.org/shop/microsoft_im_initiative.html

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Lost Pet List

• contact all neighbors, check around area (arroyos, sheds, etc) - don't be shy.
• contact Town Hall (Cochiti Lake)
• contact animal control - if pet was taken, find out where taken. In Cochiti Lake, it's Watermelon Ranch.
• make flyers with picture, info, contact info, state 'contact anytime', offer reward
• Email CLIPETS@live.com to post info - pet & wildlife info.
• Post at http://santafescoop.ning.com/ A place for everything animal in the Santa Fe and surrounding area.
• Fax, call, email and physically GO TO shelters (Santa Fe, Espanola, Watermelon, Animal Humane in ABQ, all other shelters in ABQ.
• Watermelon Mountain Ranch (no kill shelter - many lost pets are transported here) - Email: wmranchnm@aol.com Call: (505) 771-0140 Fax: (866) 664-5967 Web: http://www.wmranch.org/
• www.petfinder.com
• ABQ Journal - free lost pet ads (do this at least one month) 505-823-4444
• SFNM newspaper - free lost pet ads (do this at least one month)
• Contact (fax/email flyer) and call rescue groups
• ALBcat.com - lost cats & dogs
• Locanto.com - lost pets
• Oodle.com - posts free to classifieds
• Craigslist.com
• LostMyDoggie.com - 65% success rate, you pay a fee and they will call all houses in surrounding area with info about your lost pet.

Animal Communicators that Work with Lost or Missing Animals (Updated August 2008, Based on the list created by Morgine Jurdan.)

Canada
Keri Davis (403) 609-5510 www.sacredkinship.com

California
Karen Berke Novato (415) 897-4011 karen@wans.com
Suzi Dalling Ventura (805) 512-1720 www.connectinharmony.com
Dexter del Monte Los Angeles (323) 953-5923 www.whispersandtails.com
Carol Gurney Agoura (818) 597-1154 www.animalcommunicator.net
Carol Robinson Corte Madera (415) 924-9094 www.lostpetlink.com

Colorado
Sue Hopple Monument (719) 481-3917 hop_house@msn.com
Carol Vaughan (303) 338-1975 vaughancar@aol.com

Connecticut
Nedda Wittels Simsbury (860) 651-5771 www.raysofhealinglight.com

Georgia
Tim Link Cummings (404) 422-6355 www.wagging-tales.com

Illinois
Karla McCoy Washington (309) 444-1514 www.AnimalTell.com
Carol Schultz Plainfield (815) 531-2850 www.carolschultz.com

New York
Gayle Nastasi Middleburgh www.gazehound.com

North Carolina
Diane Samsel Tryon (843) 884-7443 www.powerpaws.com

Ohio
Jacquelin Smith Columbus (614) 436-8831 www.jacquelinsmith.com

Pennsylvania
Whitney Taylor Mercersburgh (717) 372 -0441 www.doolittlecommunications.com
(under construction)

South Carolina
Judi Byers North Augusta (803) 278-1002 www.animalechoes.com

Texas
Myra Logan Houston (713) 805-7963 www.myralogan.com

Washington State
Annette Betcher Port Orchard (360) 871-4774 www.annettebetcher.com
Hilary Renaissance Seattle (206) 782-7815 www.calmpet.com

Wisconsin
Rebecca Moravec (815) 675-2813 www.KindredSpiritsAnimalCommunication.com

Wyoming
Heidi Grengg Jackson (307) 733-8499 www.heidigrengg.com

Please feel free to add to this list by clicking "COMMENT" below.
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Less Adoptable Pet Day - Pets with Needs

Wednesday August 12
http://petfinder.com/images/admin/lessadoptable/less-adoptable-widget.gif

There are WONDERFUL pets here. Please click the link to PetFinder and give from your heart - you may find your best friend !

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Are you an Active Person Who'd Consider Having a Furry Companion?

She is a sweet lab/border collie/pointer mix who LOVES to go on hikes and run with her human companion. Her name is Gracie. She is good in the house and does well with other dogs. She needs her energy to be put to good use by keeping you company while running, hiking, walking, and playing!!

Please let us know if you would like to meet Gracie. She is being kenneled at the moment and this sweet loving dog deserves better than that!

Gracie needs of a foster home or better yet, a forever home!

Call Wendy at 505-463-5885 or email secondchancenm@yahoo.com for more info! Please forward this to all your dog-loving friends too! Thank you for your help in finding a happy ending for Gracie!


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VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR 2 APNM OUTREACH BOOTHS

“WILDFEST,” July 25, 10-4 p.m.Roosevelt Middle School, Tijeras

“DOG DAYS OF SUMMER” ADOPTATHONAug. 1, 9-1 p.m.Belen Public Library, Belen

WILDFEST is a community education day organized annually by Talking Talons Youth Leadership. At WILDFEST (www.wildfest2009.com), youth of all ages can learn about the environment, wildlife and personal health in an atmosphere of fun and discovery.

Last year over 1500 people attended WILDFEST where they had the opportunity to develop new interests and hobbies, find volunteer opportunities, see amazing wildlife up close, learn about reducing energy consumption, scale the climbing wall and much more. WILDFEST participants include animal rescuers, environmental educators, youth development groups, health service providers, musicians (including the popular folk group ‘Holy Water and Whiskey’), magicians, food vendors and more.

If you are interested in helping to staff this outreach table on July 25,10 a.m. to 4 p.m., please contact Arlene at 265-2322 ext. 21, or arlene@apnm.org.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ANIMAL ADOPTATHON will be held at the Belen Public Library on August 1, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Events will include:* Adoption Clinic by Valencia County Animal Control* Reading to Dogs — Tail Waggin’ Tutors* Learn about Poisonous Plants from Master Gardeners of Valencia County* Building Blueprints for Dog Houses* Learn about Dog Training and Fencing Alternatives* Movies: Feature Films and Short Subjects* Safety for Kids

If you are interested in helping to staff this outreach table, please contact Arlene at 265-2322 ext. 21, or arlene@apnm.org.

Make a difference !
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Every Healthy Animal has the Right to Live

More than 70 percent of cats who enter our nation's animal pounds and shelters are killed each year. That's 7 in 10 cats!

It's going on all across America. And it's got to stop. Pledge to be part of the solution! >>
Sign the petition: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnLP/zJDO/AvwdH
We cannot be silent as countless cats are killed every day. It is time for the nation's cat lovers and advocates to stand and be counted. Just a few ways you can help are to:

• Promote feline-friendly practices at your local shelter.
  
• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
  
• Distribute literature about stray and feral cats and animal pound and shelter policies in your community.
  

Time and again, representatives of the shelter system say things like: "We kill them to alleviate future suffering; to save them from fates worse than death; because we don't have any room for them and where will they go instead?" This reasoning is wrong at the most basic - and moral - level.

Every healthy animal deserves the right to live. It is our duty as a society to find ways to make that happen >>

Sign the petition today at Care2.org: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnLP/zJDO/AvwdH

Thank you for making a difference today!

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TNR - Unsocialized Cats Need Help Too - Sign Petition

If you're like many others, you've probably stumbled upon an outdoor cat and wondered what to do to help.

What is Trap-Neuter-Return? What is the most enticing bait to use when trapping feral cats? If there is a cat in a colony who is friendly to humans, what is the best thing to do?

Think you know the answers? Take the short quiz to find out >> at Care2.com
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMvU/zJca/AvwdH

A feral cat is any outside cat that is not socialized to humans. Born outdoors, they will never be comfortable living in human homes. They could happily live out their natural lives in both urban and rural areas. But sadly, virtually every feral cat that enters a shelter or animal control facility is killed.

Don't let this happen - sign the petition. If you need help with a feral, please call a rescue group (see below) - they will help. (DON'T call animal control)

* Sign the petition: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMvU/zJca/AvwdH

* Albuquerque's first Trap Neuter Release program:

http://www.petroglyphsnm.org/groups/NMAF_SCC_CatsOnAHotTinRoof.html

* How to train feral kittens to be loving home pets:

http://www.catchannel.com/adoption/article0003.aspx

* Albuquerque, New Mexico Cat Adoption. Adopt a Cat in Albuquerque, New Mexico ... by engaging in the trap-neuter-return (TNR) of feral cats in our community:

http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/76989.html

Let us know your experiences and your resources - we'd like to know!

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Summer + rainy season = Ticks -- What you should know about tick disease in dogs

What a summer! We're having East Coast weather - humidity, rain, hot, muggy. Besides the swamp cooler being useless, what else do we need to think about? We've already had the plague here - now we need to think out tick diseases. The wildlife is carrying it - but we all moved here to be around wildlife. So here's the scoop - humans and pets can get tick diseases and here's what you should watch for:

There are 4 major tick diseases which affects dogs in the US: Lyme disease, Rocky mountain spotted fewer, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.

Lyme disease: Lyme disease, named after the town of Lyme, CT, is carried by the black-legged deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the East and in the West by Ixodes pacificus or Ixodes neotomae. Larvae of the deer tick feed on mice, nymphs on mice and small mammals and the adult prefers to feed on deer, so those are the primary hosts at each stage of the tick's life. Lyme is endemic in the Northeast and steadily growing in the Midwest and in California. The South and Southwest has a very low (1%) infestation rate.

Symptoms in dogs are generally present with signs of arthritis in the joints closest to the tick bites. Two to five months after being bitten, the lameness that is the primary indicator of possible Lyme disease can come on suddenly and severely; other times it comes on more gradually. You may see shifting lameness where the dog favors one leg, then another. Lameness may come and go, sometimes for weeks at a time. The dog may go off his food. Neurological damage is possible, seizures and changes in temperament, from dullness to extreme of aggression, have been reported in dogs with Lyme. There is no rash as it occurs in humans. Normally, Lyme is crippling but it doesn't kill and the most common signs of the disease are almost always hidden. Lately, veterinarians reported signs of kidney and neurological problems with dogs infected with lyme disease.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fewer: Despite its name, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is found mainly in the Eastern US and usually makes itself known in spring and summer (March to October) but cases of human RMSF have been reported in almost every state, Canada, South America and Mexico.
Dogs most at risk are young, generally large breeds(german shepards and dobermans especially) that spend a lot of time outdoors. Dogs over 3 or 4 years old aren't as likely to get RMSF, possibly having acquired an immunity.
The onset of the disease is rapid. Four or five days after being bitten, the dog will become feverish (up to 105 degrees). Symptoms may include depression, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, bruising on the skin or gums, tiny hemorrhages under the skin, muscle pain, retinal hemorrage, swollen or painful joints. A staggering gait, difficulty keeping his balance, is the dog's most common neurological sign. Seizures are possible. A decrease in the platelets responsible for clotting (thrombocytopenia), is the most consistent finding in blood tests.
If left untreated, RMSF either kills quickly (the disease runs its course in approximately two weeks) or the dog gets over it and is then immune. Symptoms may range from slight through severe to fatal.
It takes two to three weeks for antibodies to be detectable but then their numbers rise sharply for several weeks before they level off and begin a long, slow, gradual decline over many months. Obviously the timeline is very tight here, so, since research indicates that death from untreated RMSF is more common than previously thought, a dog that appears to have it should be treated immediately without waiting for test results to come back.

Ehrlichiosis -- Ehrlichiosis (E. Canis) has three stages. The acute stage is brief and the symptoms are easily missed; it may appear as if the dog has a mild and passing viral infection: snotty nose, diarrhea, fever, a general lack of his usual oomph. In a stoic dog especially, a change in behavior may be the only alert he gives you to get him to the vet.
It's in this stage that the outlook for a cure is best. Very early on, however, testing is probably useless; until ten days to two weeks after infection, the immune system will not have had time to make sufficient antibodies for the tests to detect.
The acute stage over, the disease passes into the subclinical stage. This simply means a stage in which no symptoms are present. Cure, or at the very least, containment of the disease so that it cannot progress, is still a good possibility in this stage, which may last for years.
If the disease progresses to chronic, the outlook is grave, particularly in E. risticii and E. canis. Symptoms show up with a vengeance at this point. There are a lot of symptoms and they are easily mistaken for other diseases: intermittent fever or loss of appetite lethargy, total loss of appetite, gradual loss of body condition (esp. along the spine and around the eyes), viral tumors on the face/mouth/muzzle, hemorrhaging even when the blood count looks normal, clotting problems, low or high calcium levels, seizures, muscle wasting, skin infections, neurological signs, diarrhea, low platelet count, urine too alkaline, vomiting, hyper-reflective eyes, low white blood cell count, bleeding from nose or eyes, signs of arthritis, pneumonia, cough, kidney failure, increased thirst and urination, incoordination, neck or back pain, bleeding under the skin or a rash, swelling of the legs or joints, enlarged lymph nodes, irreversible bone marrow suppression.

Babesiosis -- Babesiosis is a disease of the red blood cells and results in varying degrees of hemolytic anemia (essentially destruction of the RBCs that carry oxygen to the blood). It seems to hit greyhounds extremely hard but any dog that contracts it may become severely ill. It can come on sharply (acute) or violently (peracute) though neither of these stages is common in the US...or perhaps the disease simply isn't often recognized for what it is in either of these stages. It's generally found in the subclinical stage, where there are no apparent symptoms, or the chronic stage in which the disease is well-entrenched and symptoms are obvious .
The brown dog tick, is the usual culprit in the transmission of babesiosis; however, transmission has also occurred by direct, blood to blood transfer in fighting dogs, and by the transfusion of infected blood. Infected bitches have been known to pass the disease to pups in the womb.
In the United States, Babesiosis canis shows up mostly in the South but it does occur in other areas.. Babesiosis gibsoni is found all over the country but most often appears in pit bull terriers.
The dogs most at risk are those brought into an endemic area. These dogs are prone to severe infection. Evidently, those that are born in an area where babesiosis is prevalent get the infection while they're still protected by the colostrum in the mother's milk and, as a result, become immune carriers.
Clinical signs include fever that comes and goes, red or orange-colored urine, loss of appetite and the dog becomes too thin, his bones are more prominent, his coat is dull and there is at least some loss of muscle mass.
Because there is a foreign invader in the red blood cells, the dog's immune system will start to destroy them, adding to the destruction the babesia are causing. A drop in the platelets which aid in blood clotting can make things even worse; this is especially a problem in B. gibsoni. As if that weren't enough, the immune system may begin destroying uninfected RBCs as well. Half of all dogs with babesiosis will need transfusion. Severe inflammation is common and localized inflammation of the central nervous system can occur.

Testing: In order to make a diagnosis, one of the first things a vet will do is run a Complete Blood Count. A CBC can be very helpful, showing up things like reduced platelets or an increase or decrease in white blood cells. However, it's important to remember that a normal CBC does not mean that a dog is free of a tick-borne disease. The CBC alone is not enough to rule them out. In fact, a negative titer on an IFA or ELISA test is not enough. Tests are only part of a diagnosis.

Treatments: A semisynthetic tetracycline, doxycycline is the drug of choice for Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It is an antibiotic. All antibiotics destroy or inhibit bacteria and don't differentiate "good" from "bad"; they wipe out beneficial bacteria in the dog's gut right along with the disease-causing organisms. It's a wise idea, then, to give the dog probiotics as long as he's taking doxycycline and for several weeks afterward to avoid the gastrointestinal problems that can develop if he's left without this help for eight weeks or more.

Tick Removal: The Right Way to Remove a Tick
Use a tool specifically made for removing ticks, a pair of sharp tweezers (not blunt ones) or a small pair of curved forceps.
Grab the tick right behind the head, i.e., as close to the skin as you can get, and PULL SLOWLY - STRAIGHT OUT. Don't twist the tick, it isn't made to unscrew. The tick's hypostome, the part that penetrates the dog, has barbs like fishhooks, so slow, easy and straight out is the way you want to go. Do not pull out ticks with your bare hands, you are putting yourself in risk to contract the disease!

Prevention: There are no natural prevention which helps 100% against ticks. In mildly infested areas, you can try natural tick collars or sprays available in your local health food store. In heavily infested areas you need chemical based tick prevention, such as tick collars, sprays or spot-on preventatives such as Frontline. please always consult with your veterinarian about the safest and most affective prevention in your area.

Keep watchful, get things checked out if you have any concerns. These things are treatable if you tend to it early.

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Puppies & Local Fostering Needs

In a previous post we talked about 3 puppies that were left at the gas station. As was mentioned, one (black puppy) disappeared and we hope the best for him/her. But we are happy to announce that the remaining two puppies found a home together ! Here's to a happy home :-)

If you would like to help in our efforts to help the pets that come into our town needing a family - please talk with us or email us (clipets@live.com). We have a wish list: foster families (approximately 2 weeks at a time), "chip-in" funds for spaying/neutering and vaccines, also dog/cat food..... toys/leashes/beds. If you or someone you know can offer small medical help on a monthly basis, please le us know. We can use your help in any way.

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2nd Chance for 5

We'd like to feature 5 dogs from Second Chance that need your help in finding a forever home - Tally, Callie, Dillon, Weezy, and Dori:



Dori Weezy

Dillon Tally

Callie

Second Chance Animal Rescue New Mexico, Inc., is a grass roots group that began work in early 2007 and focuses on saving abused and homeless animals and readying them for adoption to loving, forever homes. They are all volunteer and all foster-based (they don't have a facility) and their foster homes help the dogs adjust to living with people and other pets. Second Chance dogs are fully vetted (spayed/neutered, microchipped and current on vaccines) and adoptive families are carefully screened. They do many of our adoptions off our website http://www.secondchancenm.petfinder.com/ and other adoptive families are found at our adoption events (held at different venues in Albuquerque and Corrales). They try very hard to recruit new foster families; they really make the difference in how many dogs they can help at a time!

Their dedicated volunteer group believes that every dog deserves a second or third or fourth chance at a healthy, happy life. They tend to be drawn to the saddest cases: the dogs in protective custody at animal services for months on end, the dogs rescued from lives on the end of a chain - even if the chain has to be surgically removed; the dogs who are hit by cars and their owners can't be bothered claiming them and saving their lives; the situations they have rescued dogs from are vast and sad. Their goal is to also be involved in legislation and education to better the lives of the animals in our community. They have trainers who offer free training courses to our adopters and fosters.

Their funds come from their adoption fees (which range from $125 to $250) and donations. They have a couple of continuous fundraisers: they collect inactive cell phones which can be turned in to be refurbished (and they send them $) and their donation boxes which we have in several locations around town. They hold yard sales several times a year and welcome donations for the yard sales. For more information on adopting or fostering, and donating your used cell phones please contact secondchancenm@yahoo.com.

Second Chance Animal Rescue, Inc. secondchancenm@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.secondchancenm.petfinder.com/

Vote for Second Chance Animal Rescue in the 2009 Shelter Challenge!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Second Chance Animal Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible as provided for in the IRS tax code. Please note we are an all volunteer, foster-based group and we don't have a facility.

Within the heart of every stray lies the singular desire to be loved.

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Puppy Girls - Gretchen & Sienna

Puppy girls were dumped at the Cochiti lake gas pump recently - severely dehydrated, tick infested, heat-stroked, and exhausted. Luckily Leanne notified us and we were able to get them safe and stabilized. They are currently being fostered by our town's great foster moms.

They will be spayed and vaccinated shortly and up for adoption. There will be a small adoption fee to cover the cost of the surgeries and medical expenses. Sienna and Gretchen are now happy and playful and gaining strength every day. We would love to see them go to one home, but we will consider them going to separate homes. Whatever the case, we are only looking for inside Forever home(s).

A note about this situation - at first we were horrified that someone would let their pets become so tick infested and then dump them at the gas station. We were also a bit bewildered as to why no one in the gas station brought water out to the puppies on such a scalding hot day. But then a thoughtful couple from one of the neighboring towns came by and mentioned that "more than occassionally" the usual route of puppies and kittens in our neighboring towns is to be tied up in a sack and tossed in the river to drown. Does this make you cringe? Does this make you want to support efforts to educate about spaying and neutering? So I don't know whether to be angry with the person who dumped the puppies .... or be thankful that they at least put them somewhere where someone could help them rather than drowning them. I guess we shouldn't judge? What do you think?

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Adopt a Penguin for Mom

-- an eCard lets her know it's coming!



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"To Claw or Not to Claw: That is the Question" - Part 2 ...... by Sunny Thornton

Declawing removes the cat's claw immediately above the mechanism for extending it. The joint is cut off and the underlying tendon is cut. The result? AMPUTATION of the cat's toes!!!

According to Dr. David Hammett DVM "The consequences of declawing are often pathetic.  Changes in behavior can often occur. A declawed cat frequently resorts to biting when confronted with even minor threats. Biting becomes an overcompensation for the insecurity of having no claws. Bungled surgery can result in the regrowth of deformed claws, or .....in an infection leading to gangrene.  Balance is affected by the inability to grasp with the claws.  Chronic physical ailments such as cystitis or many skin disordered can be manifestations of a declawed cat's stress and frustration." Whew!

In addition to the physical pain caused by declawing, the cat often suffers psychological damage and is at a serious disadvantage in all climbing pursuits and feline social relationships.

The Department of Veterinary Sciences at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study of 163 cats who were declawed. They found that more than 50% of these cats suffered complications immediately after surgery - including hemorrhaging, lameness, swelling and inability to bear their own weight. The progress of 121 of these cats was followed for 5 years after surgery. The results showed 23% of these cats had continued complication such as infection, regrowth, bone protrusion into the pads of their paws, abnormal standing posture and intermittent extended lameness.

70% of the cats turned into shelters are declawed cats. 25% of cats turned into various shelters are purebreds.  If you prefer to have a declawed cat in your home, please try one of the many local animal shelter/sanctuary and adopt a cat who has already had surgery. Have your vet carefully check the animal for any foot problems before committing to the adoption so that you won't be setting yourself up for unexpected health issues.

But please, do not maim a helpless animal in the interest of your home furnishings. If possessions are more important than the health and welfare of a cat, we strongly suggest that you DO NOT OWN A CAT! Instead, sponsor a needy cat at a shelter/sanctuary every month.

FOUR PRECAUTIONS to PREVENT DAMAGE to FURNISHINGS:

1) Provide your cat with a sturdy, well built scratching post. A wood log with the bark intact is an excellent scratching post!

2) Provide your cat with a multi-level climbing/jungle gym designed for cats. This will provide hours of safe play in a scratch appropriate environment so you cat won't be nearly as interested in your heirloom furniture!

3) Train your cat not to scratch your furnishings. This means that you will need to put forth effort to work with your cat, providing time and patience to help him understand what his posts & play area are for. Give the offending cat a little squirt from a water pistol or spray bottle.  Then carry him over to his scratch appropriate area and praise him when he uses it. Mimic an exasperated mother cat. When the kittens annoy mother she stops them with a low growl. When your cat is scratching your furnishings, imitating a mother's growl may be the most effective deterrent.

4) Provide your cat with nail covers from SoftPaws. The covers are temporary, take only a few minutes to attach and last for about 6 weeks.  The are available on line or at most quality pet stores. They are completely safe - even if your cat manages to get one off & eat it! They come in 3 adult sizes and in kitten size. Don't laugh! It's less expensive than surgery and does not harm your cat in any way!

Here's meowing at you, kid!

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