K9 Advisors

July

2009

Dear Paws 4 You Rescue Supporters,(100% of the money raised through your purchases will go directly to care for pets in need.) 

Hurricane Season is here as I am sure you can tell by all the rain we received so far! Please be prepared before it is too late.  We give advice in this month’s newsletter about what you can do prior to a storm and a few grooming suggestions to keep your animal feeling comfortable during these HOT summer months.

In case you are not aware, there are local South Florida shelters that accept dogs and cats (and other animals), but you need to register in advance. Go to the Miami-Dade Animal Services website today for important information not only on Pet Friendly Shelters but the requirements needed prior to an emergency.

We are proud to announce our participation with BRING PETS HOME. Not only does this informational site have articles on animal wellness and microchipping your pet, but this non-profit charity organization is devoted to helping animals.

Go to bringpetshome.org to sign up for their monthly newsletter, health & safety news, reunion stories & more!  AND there are over 140 participating online stores that donate portions of every purchase to aid shelters across the country - including Paws 4 You Rescue!

Check out the end of this newsletter for details on how you can help raise much needed funds for Paws 4 You Rescue by shopping at places you frequent already!  There is no extra cost to the consumer, all operating costs of BRING PETS HOME are covered by corporate donations.

More exciting news: Paws 4 You Rescue was chosen by Animal Planet to follow our volunteers and rescue dogs!  The Animal Planet crew filmed five of our rescued beagles that we saved from euthanasia at Miami-Dade Animal Services. These petite pups were confiscated from horrible living conditions. But as you can see above (with myself, Andrew and Cindy), they are all smiling and happy today because of the care given by our extraordinary volunteers.  The day of filming, the Animal Planet crew could not get over how happy and playful each one was behaving. They filmed these dogs being taken by Animal Services and couldn’t believe the horrific conditions of the home. The five little beagles were frightened, unsociable and needed immediate vet care. We have a fund for these beagles who all need their teeth cleaned, and to be spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, pllus antibiotics for their skin and ear infections. Please go to our Donate Page now.  There is a ‘before’ picture of Mandy on this page.  She is lucky to be staying  with a foster family while she recuperates from her experience.

Thank you Animal Planet for helping us tell our story to the world.  We try to pull as many animals from euthanasia as we can but need help getting the word out.  Being on national television will do just that!  Stay tuned about the air dates of the segments where Paws 4 You Rescue will be featured!

Carol Caridad
President

Dog Grooming 101 by Misty Buck

Good grooming habits start from the beginning of a dog’s relationship with you.  Because they have very limited ability to groom themselves, dogs rely on their owners to get the job done.  However, dog owners, especially first timers, are commonly confused when it comes to grooming their pooches. 

Basic grooming is pretty simple and starts with bathing.  Use a shampoo formulated for dogs, oatmeal based formulas are great for dogs with sensitive skin, and try to use warm water.  This will increase your dog’s comfort before and after the bath as well as decrease the chance that they will develop a bath phobia. Depending on your dog’s level of outdoor activity, he or she may only need to be bathed once every two to three weeks.  However, if your pet is highly active outdoors, chances are they will need to be bathed every one to two weeks.  Why not more often?  Dogs’ skin can become dry and itchy if you clean them too much.  If they start to smell in between baths, you can always use dog cologne sparingly or lightly wipe them down with dog bath wipes.

Brushing after and in between baths is also important whether your dog has long hair or short hair.  If your dog has long hair, it will help its coat stay tangle-free and if your dog has short hair, brushing will help to prevent excess shedding.  Pet stores carry a wide variety of brushes, which have different purposes.  Brushes recommended for longhaired dogs are slicker brushes and pin brushes.  Bristle brushes are ideal for dogs with short hair.  When it’s time to brush your dog, use caution not to press so hard on the coat that the brush scratches the skin.

Another basic part of dog grooming is cleaning the ears. This is a fairly simple process that is best done using cotton balls.  Some people also like to use an ear cleanser formulated for dogs.  Begin by cleaning the outside wall of the ears and work your way into the ear canal.  Take care to clean around all the little crevices as dirt can get stuck there.  Also use caution not to probe too deep into the ear, as that will hurt the dog.

Dog owners will also need to take care to trim their pet’s nails.  Many times dogs will wear their nails down naturally on hard surfaces so it may not be necessary to trim them very often.  Nail trimmers for dogs can be found in the grooming aisle of any pet store.  There are a variety of nail trimmers from the most basic model to products that file down the nail instead of cut it. Either way, you’ll want to be mindful not to trim or file the nails too short, otherwise you may get too close to the blood vessel and nerves in the nail and cause your dog pain as well as minor bleeding.  If you’re not comfortable doing this on your own, a groomer or even your veterinarian can trim your dog’s nails for you.

The final phase of basic dog grooming is teeth cleaning.  Just as the rest of the basic grooming products, there are toothbrushes and toothpaste made specifically for dogs.  Many of the pastes are even flavored to make the experience more enjoyable for your dog. Introduce the paste by placing it on the dog’s gums. Once the dog is familiar with the paste (this may take a few trials) begin brushing from the back of either the top or bottom row of teeth and move your way forward and then move to the next set.  While it may take awhile for your dog to become accustomed to teeth brushing, it is wise to keep it as part of their grooming regimen because teeth that are not well maintained may lead to heart or kidney problems.

Grooming takes time for both the human and the dog to get used to.  Many dogs are not fond of grooming, especially if they have had limited experience being groomed.  If this is the case for your dog, allow him or her to become comfortable with you by using brushing motions when you pet them as well as gently touching their ears, paws and teeth.  Some dogs may growl or nip at you if they are scared.  If this happens, stop what you are doing for the time being.  However, don’t become frustrated.  On occasion, dogs will be sensitive to certain areas so in that case, you may need to take him or her to canine trainer who can help you decipher the trigger and correct the problem.  

Pet Preparedness for Natural Disasters Should Start Before the Storm Warnings

With hurricane season in full swing, it’s never too early to start planning for a natural disaster. This is especially true for pet owners, who need to know where they’ll take their pets in case evacuation becomes necessary and what to take with them. “Pet owners should remember that they have to think about a situation where they may have to leave their house,” says Dr. Sara Pizano, director of Animal Services in Miami-Dade County.www.miamidade.gov/animals. The shelter allows up to four pets per family. Keep in mind that all pets’ vaccine records and dog licenses will have to be up to date in order to stay at the shelter, and all pets at the shelter are required to remain in a crate. If you don’t have a crate, buying one ahead of time will help your pet familiarize himself in the space to reduce any anxiety he may feel from being in a new environment as the storm passes.

In South Florida, natural disasters like hurricanes have been known to arrive with only a few days’ notice, so even if the weather report is forecasting sunny days, start preparing ahead of time.

Whether you stay home during a storm or are forced to evacuate, you’ll need a disaster kit that contains a week’s worth of your pet’s food in an airtight, waterproof container, one to two gallons of water, plastic bowls, a two-week supply of your pet’s medications, a first-aid kit and clean-up supplies like paper towels. Also set aside important documents like vaccine records, vet records, proof of ownership and photographs of your pet to have on hand in case he or she gets lost during the storm.

To keep your pet calm, make sure to include a blanket and some toys, along with an extra leash and collar or harness. Designate a special area for your pet to stay in the house during the storm. “Just like humans, you need to have a secure place for them that’s away from windows and anything that may be flying in because of the winds,” says Dr. Bob Pane of South Kendall Animal Hospital.

Should evacuation become necessary during a natural disaster, know that there are many options to make sure your pet stays with you. “If [pet owners] have any relatives they can drive to within a reasonable distance and be safe, that’s the best option,” says Pizano. “There are also many pet-friendly hotels and motels and they can always rely on those.”

Miami-Dade County also has pet-friendly shelters that open to residents in mandatory evacuation zones during hurricanes, but registration is mandatory and can be done by downloading an application at

Once the winds are calm, your pet may have a little bit of cabin fever and want to go outdoors. Watch out for any hazardous material that may have been released during the storm. “Dogs can cut themselves or get exposed to debris that may hurt them, especially electrical lines, so you should use leashes after the storm and be careful where you walk them,” says Pane.

Pet Chamber of Commerce Provides Advocacy for Animals

The Pet Chamber of Commerce is an advocacy organization that will work on behalf of animals and the humans who love them.  Monica Rimada, founder, calls the organization the first of its kind. She has assumed the responsibility for directing the venture, coordinating its outreach and overseeing its ongoing development.

The Pet Chamber’s initial efforts will be aimed at promoting the betterment of conditions for animals by aiding the efforts of non-profit animal rights organizations and supporting educational efforts that advocate for animals and the wellbeing of the pet population in general.  The focus will be on building membership, sponsoring educational seminars and workshops, planning and implementing trade shows and fostering the growth of animal-related enterprises.

“The chamber will dedicate itself to pushing and promoting pet related businesses and education as its primary purpose,” Rimada said. “We believe that helping pets find a home is one of the most important things we can do.”

In addition, the Pet Chamber of Commerce will provide ongoing support services for all pet-oriented businesses - among them, veterinarians, pet sitters, pet stores and pet-related & pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and pharmaceutical providers.  The goal will be to bring these businesses together through various networking events held under the Pet Chamber’s auspices. 

For more information contact Monica Rimada at 1.888.789.3991 or email at info@petchamberofcommerce.org or visit the Chamber’s website: www.petchamberofcommerce.org to find out more about their event schedule.

JOIN
Pet Chamber of Commerce
and
Paws 4 You Rescue
for Pets, People and FUN!FREE Admission
PETacular SATURDAY, July 25!

11AM-3PM at the South Miami PETCO
6200 South Dixie Highway, Miami, FL 33143Prizes - Raffle - Pet Treats 
- Adoptable Animals -
and MORE!
Pets welcome!