July 2015_online

Why spay/neuter
JULY 2015
Submitted by Joy & Les Ray, Doggie Sitters
RAYning Catts ‘N’ Doggs,
Rayofjoy25@gmail.com
Facts about dogs…
Nationally, 80% of the dogs hit by cars are
unaltered males searching for mates.
One unaltered female dog and her off-spring
Get the facts
Pet Overpopulation is the number one killer of can produce 67,000 dogs in only 6 years.
As many as 25% of dogs entering shelters
dogs and cats in the United States. In Jackeach year are purebreds.
son County cat overpopulation continues to
be a huge ongoing problem.
---Continued on Page 4
Each year an estimated ten million dogs, cats,
puppies and kittens are put to death in our nation’s animal shelters as a method of population control. The majority of these animals were young, healthy and adoptable.
In addition, millions of abandoned pets
and feral cats suffer on the street as they
attempt to survive on their own.
How can you help prevent pet overpopulation?
The Answer: spay/neuter your pets!
Facts about cats…
A female cat can begin breeding as young
as 4 months old.
A female cat can become pregnant while
still nursing.
One unaltered female cat and her offspring can produce over 370,000 cats in
only 7 years.
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PAGE 2
DOG GONE NEWS
Terri Ellen is owner of Nature's Pet Market - Salem (health food store for
pets) Sunny Paws Grooming located inside the Market and Salem Bed &
Biscuit (in home dog boarding). She can be reached via email at
naturespetsalem@gmail.com or by calling the store at 503.362.4555
Terri Ellen, Sent from my iPhone
-Nature's Pet Market - Salem
-Sunny Paws Grooming
503.362.4555
Salem Bed & Biscuit
503.999.2125
The hungry hamster
an animal had died in the woodwork. Second--why
couldn’t such a small creature manage to get out
By Flo C. Blake
through the same narrow space he’d gone into?
While stationed at a Naval Base near San
Diego, Terry along with his two kids moved into an Sheer hunger and thirst should’ve driven him out in
older, vacant house by the Pacific Ocean. They lat- the open for his usual feedings and water supply.
er learned that beforehand, the tropical heat com- Third--by welcome coincidence, I noticed we no
bined with nearby waterways had spawned an un- longer saw any signs of our former roach invasion.”
One Saturday evening, Terry spotted somewelcome infestation of huge roaches in their new
digs. No amount of chemicals, sprays, or attempts thing wiggling out from under the kitchen gas
range. “Oh, please don’t tell me we now have mice
at swatting seemed to control the problem.
in the house,” he called out by instinct.
One day Terry brought home a caged pet
baby hamster. The kids delighted in “Hamilton,” as No, it wasn’t mice, but a now extremely overstuffed
furry hamster that waddled out into the open.
they named him, and usually squabbled over
“Hamilton had remained alive all those weeks by
whose turn it was to play with him.
Several weeks later, Hamilton completed a munching on the invaders,” Terry said. “Our house
was completely roach-free, and the kids got their
few spins in his metal exercise wheel, then vanbeloved, too-long-lost pet back.
ished. One child had let him out of his cage, but
hadn’t held onto him. Their hamster had scurried
off, and disappeared under a kitchen cabinet.
Flashlights, people’s voices, and broomsticks poking beneath the pet’s last known whereabouts produced no success in unearthing him. The
broken-hearted family resigned itself to the likelihood that their furry little buddy, had starved to
death in his final place of refuge.
Another month went by. “Three interesting
observations still puzzled me,” Terry later said.
“First-- the lack of odor that might usually occur if
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PAGE 3
DOG GONE NEWS
Have a great
Summer!
LOVING PET CARE IN OUR HOME
RAYning Doggs – (formerly RAYning Catts ‘N’
Doggs)
Joy and Les Ray
661-242-1912 Cell – So. Salem
Rayofjoy25@gmail.com
Large clean home and grassy yard
Personal attention 24/7
50 years experience
24 hour supervison
.Very affordable
NO KENNELING – Your precious pet sleeps in
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PAGE 4
Why spay/neuter
uterine cancer, uterine infections
and difficult pregnancies.
----Continued from Page 1
Most people think that veterinariMyths about spaying and neuter- ans recommend spaying and neutering solely to help the pet overing:
Myth No. 1 My kids need to expe- population crisis. While this is certainly a major reason to spay,
rience the miracle of birth.
Fact Most animals deliver in the there are numerous health benemiddle of the night by themselves. fits for doing it as well.
Before we talk about the benefits
Kids can experience the birthing
of spaying, let’s define it. Spaying
process by watching a video inis the surgical removal of the restead of at the expense of the
productive organs, uterus and
family pet.
Myth No. 2 My pet is a purebred ovaries from a female animal.
Spaying can be safely performed
and her personality is so good
on animals as young as 8 weeks
that I want her to have puppies.
of age.
Fact One out of every four pets
Animals in heat and pregnant anibrought to the shelter are puremals can be spayed, although the
breds and most do not find
homes. Just because your pet is risk of complication is a litspecial, there are no guarantees tle higher. Spaying your cat
that her offspring will be anything or dog before they have
their first heat cycle, which
like her. You have the father’s
is usually at 6 to 7 months
genes to consider as well.
of age, will decrease their
Myth No. 3 I can find homes for
chances of developing
all of the puppies or kittens.
breast cancer to almost zeFact Even if you do find homes
ro.
for the offspring, this is one less
home for the millions of animals in Spaying or neuterthe shelters waiting to get adopt- ing reduces the risk of your
pet dying of uterine or ovared.
Myth No. 4 It’s better to allow
your female pet to have at least
one litter before spaying.
Fact This is grossly untrue. In
fact, the exact opposite is true.
Your dog will have much less
chance of developing cancer of
the reproductive organs and
mammary tissue by spaying her
before her first heat. Letting her
have even one litter predisposes
her to breast, uterine and ovarian
cancer.
Veterinarian debunks myths
By Dr. Karen Halligan
Every year, tens of thousands of
female dogs and cats die from
breast cancer, ovarian cancer,
DOG GONE NEWS
ian cancer. Spaying eliminates
the chance of your pet developing
a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus called pyometra.
Spaying or neutering eliminates
the mood swings and undesirable
behavior that female cats and
dogs display during their heat cycle, such as messy spotting, pacing, crying and trying to escape.
Spaying or neutering greatly increases the life span of your pet.
Owners of sterilized pets have
fewer vet bills.
Spaying or neutering helps decrease the number of animals that
are euthanized at the shelters.
Stop the cycle. Spay or neuter
your pets.
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PAGE 5
1347 Spyglass Court SE, Salem, Oregon 97306
503-588-6924
Continued from Last Month’s Issue
It is estimated that the Salem area has more than
30,000 community cats—these cats are abandoned, feral, and stray. We have a tremendous
problem in multi-family housing—people move out
and leave their cats behind—unfixed. Then they
continue to have litters of kittens. The Salem area
received much needed help from a grant awarded
to the Willamette Humane Society (WHS) to TNR
(trap/neuter/return) hundreds of community cats.
Through this grant and CAFA donors like you,
CAFA was able to TNR 175 cats in 2014.
Due to the lack of capacity (number of cats that
can get fixed each week) at local spay/neuter
clinics, CAFA is hoping through grants and donations to be able to continue help our community with its cat overpopulation problem. Again,
we would like to be able to TNR 150-170 cats
in 2015.
CAFA partnered with Prevent-A-Litter (PAL) for
a myriad of fundraising events including our
monthly recycling program of collecting cans,
bottles, ink cartridges, cell phones, gently used
shoes etc. 100% of our fundraising efforts and
your donations go to help spay/neuter pets in
our community. CAFA and PAL also worked
together to get an ordinance passed in Salem
that bans the sale of live animals on a public
thoroughfare. In 2015, we want to work to get
the same ordinance passed in the county. By
working together we are hoping to impact the
lives of pets in our community.
Cats make up the largest number of pets
brought into shelters. Additionally cats have
DOG GONE NEWS
the lowest save rate—approximately 70% of cats in
shelters are killed—here in Salem it’s 40%. The
challenges will continue but every time someone
finds a tame cat or kittens that need homes and
CAFA is able to help, it makes all of our efforts very
worthwhile. There’s a quote: “Helping cats may
not change the world, but we change that cat’s
world every time we get them fixed or off the
street.”
Thank you for supporting us,
Lora Meisner
President
LES RAY STUDIO
Oil Paintings & Reproductions
Artist of Nostalgic Americana
Entertainment Art Paintings
661-242-1912 Cell – So. Salem
Lesraystudio@aol.com
Rayofjoy25@gmail.com
www.lesraystudio.com
10% of all proceeds will be donated to:
Willamette Humane Society
Salem Friends of Felines
Hopes Haven
“FICKLE LOVE” Artist’s Logo
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PAGE 6
DOG GONE NEWS
7. Road trip! Take your pet with you on a scenic car
Who doesn’t love summer? That time of year where ride with the windows (partially) down. If your dog
loves to stick her head out the window, consider getthe sun shines down and dries out us Oregonians
ting her “doggles,” which are canine goggles dewho have been rained on for what seems like nine
consecutive months! And it’s the perfect time to get signed to protect eyes and shield from the sun as
outdoors with your pet. Here are a few ideas of pet- well.
friendly activities that you and your pet can enjoy
SafeHaven Humane Society is located at 32220 Old
this summer:
Hwy 34 in Tangent, Ore. We are open Tuesday
1. Pool time! Get a kiddie pool for your dog to help
through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and weekends
him cool off on hot summer days! And make it a
and Mondays from noon to 5 p.m. You can also see
pool party by inviting over a few of his closest
all of our adoptable animals online at safehavenhufriends. While the pooches cool off, enjoy a BBQ
mane.org
with friends.
2. Living in the Willamette Valley means access to
gorgeous parks and hiking trails. Take your dog to
play at the park or organize a hike that will fit your
dog’s skill and endurance level.
Summer activities for you and your pet
3. Go camping!
4. Many dogs love the water. Hit the river for an afternoon of swimming. If you’re boating, we encourage you to consider getting your four-legged friend a
canine life jacket.
5. Take an obedience class or enroll your dog in
agility or other specialty class. This a great way to
bond with your pet and teach them something new.
Visit our website at safehavenhumane.org for upcoming class info.
6. Take a walk. Whether it’s early in the morning or
a late summer evening when it’s cooled down a bit,
taking a walk with your pet isn’t only good for your
health but their health as well! Be sure to leash up!
SafeHaven Featured Animals
Looking for a happy and gentle gal to call your own?
Look no further than our girl, Moria. This 3-year-old
pit mix is one of the shelter favorites. She’s quite the
love bug and ready to find her new best friend today!
Little dog with a big personality, that’s our Vera!
Vera is a 3-year-old terrier mix who is an independent and happy girl who is excited to find her FURever home. This little lady would do best in an adult
-only home or one with older children.
Look at that face! Sparty is a loving fella with a
mellow personality and a big heart! This 3-year-old
German Shepherd mix loves to play with tennis
balls and does well with other dogs his size.
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PAGE 7
DOG GONE NEWS
We know that not all cats and dogs are reactive but
the truth is, the majority are affected by the sights
Thanks for joining us today on the Paws for Thought and sounds of the 4th. If your pet is terrified of fireworks, you probably already know the signs. If you
Radio Show.
have a new dog or puppy, watch carefully for the folToday’s show is about KEEPING CALM to 4TH ON! lowing symptoms. If you think your cat or dog is ok
You know, there used to be a time when the 4th was with fireworks, just listen to these symptoms. You
celebrated on the 4th with fireworks and fun. These may be surprised to recognize some of them that
indicate your pet really is scared.
days, fireworks start the week before which really
starts now, and in many places, they will continue all
Individual animals will display different signs of fear
week long after the 4th. It used to be easier to proand anxiety once the noises of fireworks start. Some
tect our pets when the noise was just one night but
today the noise is in most every neighborhood for an pets become so frightened they actually will take
extended time. So we’re going to talk about how to drastic action to escape the noise and vibrations.
help keep our pets calm and safe because the tents You won’t miss this symptom! Their fear is pretty
are going up and Fireworks are on sale! That means pronounced.
that people will begin setting them off as early as this
Most commonly, you’ll find that he or she cowers,
week.
will tremble in fear, hides or will appear disoriented.
Now listen carefully. We hear it all the time “my dog When I fostered a mini poodle, on his first 4th with
me, he would hide in the tiny little space behind my
is not afraid of the fireworks”. Please consider that
your dog or cat may have truly been fine in the past couch and shake so hard the whole couch would vibut you will never know when exactly or what noise brate. I could not get him outside to do his business!
It was so sad.
will put your pet over the edge putting them at risk.
The celebrations for the 4th of July can really be
The most common sign of stress in cats is that they
hard on our pets.
want to hide. If they are outdoors, they will find a hiding place in a shed, in a garage, under a deck or
It’s not exactly known why some dogs and cats dedeep in and under some bushes. Inside, they may
velop a fear of loud noises and some don’t. If your
pet isn’t afraid, that’s great, but don’t tempt trauma- want access to a closet or under the bed. The most
tizing your pet with over exposure. You really do risk difficult and most important display of fear is that
dogs, if given the opportunity, think they can get
a future fear. Those of us who have pets that go
away from the noise and given the chance, they will
nuts with loud thundering fireworks, well I certainly
run and keep on running until it stops. That may take
sympathize and hope you find something helpful
days!
while listening today. You might want to grab pen
and paper to take a few notes with.
Your cat or dog may urinate or defecate more often
So what DOES the 4th of July mean for our cats and and inappropriately in places they wouldn’t normally
go, or worse yet, express their anal glands. Their
dogs? How do you think your pet likes all the parneed to chew on things may increase and you may
ties? Obviously, Independence Day is not a time of
find them chewing things like shoes, socks, bedding
celebration for our pets. The fireworks that we huor even their own feet. If you see them panting it just
mans find so thrilling drives many of them into a
may be their fear of the loud noises that triggered it.
frantic state of utter panic. From even miles away,
the explosions of fireworks, the high-pitched swoosh You might see them pacing back and forth or worse,
trying the big escape by digging, jumping over a
of rockets climbing into the sky, the flashes of light,
fence, through windows or even through a screen
can all be overwhelming sensory assaults on our
pets. And, they will let us know they are NOT happy. door.
6/25/2015 KEEP CALM AND 4TH ON!
----Continued on Page 8
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PAGE 8
“Keep Calm and 4th on..”
---Continued from Page 6
My son who rescues Rhodesian Ridgebacks had
one run right through a screen door and unfortunately he kept on running and running, sadly never
to be seen again. A dog that runs to try to get away
from the sounds is the most difficult, because obviously, there is no getting away from it so they could
end up much farther from your home than you can
ever imagine.
DOG GONE NEWS
yard is fenced, Dogs have been known to jump several feet over fences or dig under them to escape a
yard, and you never know when someone has made
it easy for your dog by accidently leaving a gate
open. Always leash them up at this time of year.
So, enough with the scary stuff. Here are some ideas to help you and your pet get through the week
safely!
- First, Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise
early in the day. A long walk, a run or a play session
If your dog or cat is afraid you may see them exces- is a great idea. Make sure you walk your dogs early
each evening, before it gets dark, to prevent addisively drooling or licking themselves. They may
want to stay close by your side or totally ignore you tional stress.
and not even hear your commands. A fearful dog or
cat may not want to eat, their pupils may be dilated - Keep your pets inside during fireworks, preferably
and you may hear them barking or meowing louder with a human companion. -Consider putting Dogs
and Cats who are known to be agitated by the fireor more often.
works into a bathroom or other room with no windows and with the door secure. Of course you’ll
Did you know that the week of the Fourth of July is
want to put their creature comforts in with them. Rehistorically the busiest week of the year in animal
shelters all across the country? And the very busiest member that screen doors will not stop a charging
dog. I can’t emphasize this enough. Screen Doors
day is July 5th. I’ve heard it time and time again.
“My dog does just fine with fireworks” unfortunately, WILL NOT keep a dog in your house when they are
in a panic mode.
until he doesn’t.
According to the national statistics, animal control
officials across the country see a 30% increase in
lost pets each year between July 4th and 6th. In
fact, the 5th is one of the busiest days of the year for
shelters. Sadly, only 14% of those lost pets ever
make it home to their families. So the first thing
you’ll want to do is to make sure they are micro
chipped and have an ID tag on their collar. Don’t
take the collar off during this time so their ID is on
them at all times.
- Keep all windows and doors securely closed. Block
off all pet doors to the outside and ensure that all
yard gates and fences are in tact and securely
closed.
- Be sure that your dog is on a leash every time you
leave your house this week. You just never know
when a firework will go off in your neighborhood and
be sure to attach their leash before you open the
door!
- Never just let your dog out in the yard to “do their
business” on or around the 4th of July – Even if your
- If it’s hot enough, air conditioning may help. Turn it
on! If it’s cool, just turn on the fan.
- Keep your dog and cat home. Taking your dog to a
fireworks display is NEVER a good idea, for any
reason. You never know when the fear will be triggered. Why risk it.
- Provide a safe place inside for your dogs and cats
to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient
themselves to, dogs often prefer a small enclosed
area. (I know of a dog who actually climbs into a
bathtub during windstorms.) If your dog is comfortable in a crate, it’s a very good option. You might
want to cover the crate and dim the room.
- If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed.
Removing visual stimulation can also help keep pets
calmer.
- Make sure all your pets are wearing up to date ID
tags with a properly fitting collar. We’ve talked about
the great Dog escape. Your dog needs a solid ID in
order to find his way back to you. Have you updated
your pet’s microchip information too? Do it!
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PAGE 9
DOG GONE NEWS
The hungry hamster
By Flo C. Blake
While stationed at a Naval Base near San
Diego, Terry along with his two kids moved into an
older, vacant house by the Pacific Ocean. They later
learned that beforehand, the tropical heat combined
with nearby waterways had spawned an unwelcome
infestation of huge roaches in their new digs. No
amount of chemicals, sprays, or attempts at swatting seemed to control the problem.
One day Terry brought home a caged pet baby hamster. The kids delighted in “Hamilton,” as
they named him, and usually squabbled over whose
turn it was to play with him.
Several weeks later, Hamilton completed a
few spins in his metal exercise wheel, then vanished. One child had let him out of his cage, but
hadn’t held onto him. Their hamster had scurried off,
and disappeared under a kitchen cabinet.
Flashlights, people’s voices, and broomsticks
poking beneath the pet’s last known whereabouts
produced no success in unearthing him. The broken
-hearted family resigned itself to the likelihood that
their furry little buddy, had starved to death in his
final place of refuge.
Another month went by. “Three interesting
observations still puzzled me,” Terry later said. “First
-- the lack of odor that might usually occur if an animal had died in the woodwork. Second--why couldn’t such a small creature manage to get out through
the same narrow space he’d gone into? Sheer hunger and thirst should’ve driven him out in the open
for his usual feedings and water supply. Third--by
welcome coincidence, I noticed we no longer saw
any signs of our former roach invasion.”
One Saturday evening, Terry spotted something wiggling out from under the kitchen gas range.
“Oh, please don’t tell me we now have mice in the
house,” he called out by instinct.
No, it wasn’t mice, but a now extremely overstuffed
furry hamster that waddled out into the open.
“Hamilton had remained alive all those weeks by
munching on the invaders,” Terry said. “Our house
was completely roach-free, and the kids got their
beloved, too-long-lost pet back.
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