The Woof Street Purr-nal

Pet of the Week: Libby

2010-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

The North Carolina Pet Adoption League's Pet of the Week for this week is Libby. She's quite a little feline, too.

Libby is an extremely friendly petite 5 month old tabby girl with pretty white boots and peach highlights who weighs only 4 1/2 pounds. She has unique fur with spots on her back and stripes on her legs. She is a must see!! Libby is always ready to be petted and purrs with delight when she sees you. She loves to give you little kisses and will gladly sit in your lap. You will often catch sweet Libby tanning in the afternoon sun or playing with her toy mice.

Libby is playful and intelligent and has grown up around cats and cat-friendly dogs. This kitty is spayed or neutered, dewormed, up to date on vaccinations and tested negative for FIV and FeLV. The adoption fee is $85 (or adopt 2 kitties for just $135 - they are so happy in pairs). There is a 2-week trial period to make certain you've found a good match.

Heroic dog story from the Civil War

2010-07-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Tom Ricks's award-winning daily blog on ForeignPolicy.com, The Best Defense, has a regular feature about heroic war dogs. The current entry was written by Rebecca Frankel and features a rousing tale about Union Jack, a true hero for the Union during the U.S. Civil War:

Jack's story makes for quite a war-dog yarn. It seems that before fighting for the North, Jack, a "young dog of the mastiff breed, of medium size and jetty blackness, except a white breast and a dash of white on each of his four paws," belonged to a rebel jailer in Front Royal, VA. As the loquacious reporter for Harper's Weekly tells it, Jack took a liking to the men of the First Maryland regiment while they were there on provost guard duty, and left behind his Confederate beginnings to accompany the Union soldiers to the battlefield. And it was there that he displayed his valor and loyalty.

Quoting from the Harper's Weekly piece dated Nov. 8, 1862:

"On the road, when our parched men were fainting from thirst, he would always run forward, and whenever he discovered a pool of water would rush back, barking loudly, to tell them of it. When ... our poor fellows were literally dying from starvation, this noble animal has been known to go and catch chickens for them and to bring them in his mouth! or he would waylay every rebel horse or wagon passing with food, and bark imploringly for them to bring relief. On one occasion, when a sick and exhausted Union soldier had been left behind, Jack staid with him for several hours until a wagon took him up."

History is full of the tales of heroic dogs. Union Jack is a reminder of how loyal and courageous our canine companions have proved themselves, time and again.

A concert for dogs

2010-05-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

Innovative musician and artist Laurie Anderson will join innovative musician Lou Reed (who happens to be her husband, as well) in performing a concert pitched to the range only dogs can hear, according to the Phoenix New Times. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the concert, "Music for Dogs," will take place June 5 at the Sydney Opera House's northern boardwalk in Australia. Refreshments will be served.

Anderson says that dog walkers can gauge their dogs' reaction to the music by their twitching ears. The music will be geared to what Reed and Anderson have noticed their own dog likes—smooth beats with calming melodies.

The performance will be part of the couple's Vivid LIVE arts festival.

The Today Show makes a love connection

2010-03-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

On March 5, 2010, The Today Show featured Steven Holcomb, a U.S. Olympic bobsledder and gold medalist in the just-concluded 2010 Winter Olympiad in Vancouver. Also on that program was a recently rescued foster dog, Bailey, who was featured on the show's weekly feature on adoptable animals at Animal Care & Control of New York City.

Bailey was one of 40,000 animals that AC&C takes in every year.

It was love at first sight. Steven inquired about the adoption process, committed to the adoption, and on March 25, Bailey arrived in Steven's home city of Denver along with a representative of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, a coalition of more than 160 animal welfare and rescue groups operating in the Big Apple.

Hooray for Steve and Bailey!

For your dogs, ban the bone

2010-03-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

It sure is tempting, isn't it? You've got a big honkin' bone from soup you've made, or from a roast or a ham, maybe. Your dog is begging. What's the harm?

Potentially plenty, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A timely reminder from FDA points out 11 serious problems that bones can cause—and we're not just talking those small chicken and turkey bones we all know about. They are:

Broken teeth. (Veterinary dentistry—very expensive)
Mouth or tongue injuries. (Very bloody and messy.)
Bone could get stuck around the dog’s lower jaw. (May look funny, but it’s not. Time to see your vet.)
Bone could get stuck in your dog’s esophagus (food tube). (Time to see your vet.)
Bone could get stuck in your dog’s windpipe if he accidentally inhales a small enough piece. (This is an emergency! Very dangerous.)
Bone can get stuck in the stomach. (It went in just fine, but is too big to pass out of the stomach into the intestines. Time for surgery.)
Bone can get stuck in the intestines and cause a major blockage. (Time for surgery.)
Constipation due to bone shards. (Your dog can’t pass the bone shards because they’re very sharp and are scraping the inside of your dog’s intestines, causing him severe pain. Time to see your vet.)
Severe bleeding from the rectum. (Known in veterinary speak as Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis—or HGE. Very messy and dangerous.)
Peritonitis. (A nasty, difficult-to-treat bacterial infection of the abdomen caused when bone shards poke holes in your dog’s stomach or intestines. This can kill your dog.)
Death.

Dogs love to chew, of course, but there are plenty of options that don't present the risk that a bone does. If you're not sure, talk with your veterinarian.

Oh how true!

2010-03-11T07:01:00.001-08:00

With all the snow we've had here in North Carolina, this is particularly appropriate for us dog pals:

see more Funny Graphs

Hats off to Prozac!

2010-03-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

Not the medication, although I'm sure many depression sufferers would share that sentiment. No, this Prozac is a poodle mix who has saved human lives twice, and is now a finalist in the Humane Society of the United States' Dogs of Valor award. As the Raleigh News & Observer reports:

Prozac is credited with saving lives on two occasions. During the summer of 2009, he was staying with a friend in the neighborhood while the Bermans were out of town. During the night, he began to bark incessantly, waking the neighbor and her granddaughter.

"He wouldn't stop for an hour," Barbara Berman said, laughing. "They were ready to kill him.

Instead, Prozie, as he is called, kept them from getting killed. Although it took them awhile to catch on, he alerted them to a fire in the attic. The house was destroyed, but everyone got out in time.

During his other bit of life-saving heroics, Prozie was taking a nap with an aunt of Fred's when he awoke and started barking, alerting others to the woman's breathing problems. Family members woke up Aunt Dorothy, 94, and gave her medicine.

Go Prozie go! You can vote for Prozie (or any of the other very worthy pups) here. Voting closes next Friday, March 12, 2010 at 5 p.m. EST. The winner will be decided by a score determined by Internet votes and a celebrity panel of judges.

Bella: Another happy tail!

2010-03-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone who cares about animals loves to read about adopted animals who've added that special something to the families they've bonded with. Certainly, Bella (aka Peppermint) is no exception.

As Bella's human companions are only too happy to report:

I wanted to send you guys a few photos of Bella (aka Peppermint).... She is growing big and such a joy to have.

She is so sweet and our Boxer Rudd absoutely loves her! They have become
BFF's! :)

BFFs, indeed. That's why we do what we do at the North Carolina Pet Adoption League. Don't miss out! Take a look at who is available to join your family! If you see someone who looks like the right fit for you and your family (human and otherwise), just fill out an application and we'll be in touch!

Tanner's happy miracle: a loving home

2010-02-21T06:35:00.000-08:00

Tanner could tell a story that many strays could tell. But his tale has a happy ending.

Tanner is a boxer who came to us limping, with a 6" arrowhead embedded in his spine, ramming the sensitive nerves along the spinal cord. His condition was not good; nor was his prognosis.

NC PAL took Tanner to Dr. Sheets and Dr. Stubblefield, both longtime friends to animal rescue groups. The vets performed a 2 1/2 operation on Tanner, successfully removing the arrow without damaging the pup's spine. Yet for all his pain, Tanner's demeanor remained utterly loving. As Dr. Sheets said, "He's an ambassador for the boxer breed."

Tanner recovered at the home of NC PAL founder Lisa Crosby, then went to his new forever home to live with his new best friend, Buster.

As Tanner's new owner told us: "Proverbs says, 'Blessed is the man who cares for animals.'" Indeed.

We are grateful for the wonderful veterinarians who worked their magic with Tanner, and for his adoptive parents, who are providing him (and Buster!) all the love he can stand.

May they all have many peaceful, joyous years!

One way how cats train us humans ...

2010-01-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

I'm kicking myself for missing this before, but last July Scientific American had a delightful post on their "60-Second Science" blog about a research study into the sounds cats make. The research was published in the peer-reviewed journal Current Biology. From the SciAm post:

To understand just how cats vocally manipulate owners, including herself, McComb and her team set up a series of experiments. First they recorded the purrs of 10 cats; some were recorded when a cat was actively soliciting food and others in a non-solicitation setting. Fifty people then listened to the sounds at the same volume. Individuals judged pleading purrs as more urgent and less pleasant than normal purrs. When the researchers played the purrs re-synthesized to exclude the hungry cries, leaving all else the same, the volunteers perceived the purrs as far less urgent.

McComb suggests that cats may be cashing in on human's naturally nurturing response to a baby’s cry. Previous studies have shown the cat’s embedded cry shares a similar frequency.

Hey, cats aren't dumb! And cat lovers understand the joy that comes with taking care of what our feline friends need from us.

For friends of old dogs, stray dogs, all dogs ...

2010-01-28T07:54:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love books about dogs, especially photo books? We admit that we're hooked. Here are a couple worth your look:

Gene Weingarten is a Washington Post columnist and staff writer (a Pulitzer winner, at that) who wrote a wonderful book about the joys of being with old dogs, featuring the photos of two-time Pulitzer winner Michael S. Williamson. Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs pretty well sums up what it's all about, and the way many of us feel, too. Give it a look—you'll be glad you did. (For those of you who are way ahead of the rest of us, it's available on Kindle, too.)

Another of our staff favorites: Traer Scott's touching, beautiful book of photography, Shelter Dogs. Scott is a fabulous photographer who captures an amazing range of emotions in the expressions of dogs who have been thrown away, left for others to deal with in shelters—and in some cases, did not have much longer to live, owing to a persistent problem: shelter overcrowding. Thus, some of these heart-rending photos are the only records that these lovely creatures once walked the earth, and experienced the dark side of human regard for animals.

The good news: Some found forever homes. And a portion of the proceds from the book's sales go to shelter organizations.

Both books are excellent additions to any dog lover's coffee table.

Perhaps you have a favorite dog or cat book you'd love to share with us? Please do so in our Comments section. We love to hear about good books about our beloved animals that we haven't encountered yet, so we'd appreciate hearing from you!

Pets and relationships

2010-01-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

If you've got animal roommates and you strike up a relationship with a love partner, you certainly hope for the best. But it doesn't always work. The dog may not like the new boyfriend at all; your cat may express his distaste for the girlfriend's mode of dress in a, um, uniquely feline way. The Wall Street Journal's Elizabeth Bernstein takes a look at what some couples do to work out their pet-paramour differences:

By the time Ellen and Joe Lollman reached their first anniversary, things were souring. They no longer took long walks together or spent weekend afternoons chatting over coffee at outdoor cafes. Each evening they holed up in separate rooms of their home reading or watching TV alone.

Finally, fearful their marriage was on the rocks, the Dallas couple made an appointment with a therapist—for their dogs.

"We both had dogs a lot longer than we had each other," explains Ms. Lollman. Yet it wasn't until she and her new husband moved in together after a long-distance courtship that their faithful companions actually met and, as luck had it, decided they hated each other. The Lollmans were forced to take sides.

Sound familiar? If you find yourself and your love in this situation, there are ways to work it out. It takes patience and maybe a little help from an animal behavior expert, but it can be done. Don't give up on your loves, be they human or animal.

RIP Chanel, the world's oldest dog

2009-09-01T03:55:00.000-07:00

Some sad news: The oldest known dog in the world, Chanel, has passed away. The 21-year-old wire-haired dachshund was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the first to be honored for her longevity.

Chanel lived with her human, Denice Shaughnessy, even during 9 years of military service in Germany.

However, a dog in New Iberia, La., is vying for the crown. Janelle Derouen's dog Max is allegedly 26, and the Guinness people are in the process of vetting Max's records now. If confirmed, Max will be the new record-holder.

Big yard sale!

2009-07-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

The North Carolina Pet Adoption League is raising money the old-fashioned way: with a yard sale! It's tomorrow, Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: 3 Pine Bark Court, Greensboro, NC. A map:

View Larger Map

This is a very special event because we'll be selling imported designer home accents graciously donated by Bojay Ltd., including photo frames, candle stands, vases, decorative boxes, sculptures and much, much more -- all at yard sale prices!

It's the perfect opportunity to find a great deal on home accents while supporting homeless and rescued animals!

How to tell whether your cat is right- or left-pawed

2009-07-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not making this up. Your cat favors one front paw over the other, just like we do, according to new research out of Ireland:

More often than not, females tend to be righties, while toms are lefties, say Deborah Wells and Sarah Millsopp, psychologists at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland.
However, these preferences only manifest when cats perform particularly dexterous feats. That's for the same reason we can open a door with either arm, yet struggle to write legibly with our non-dominant hand. "The more complex and challenging [the task], the more likely we're going to see true handedness," Wells says.

If cats played baseball, those lefties would be in demand for the mound (which would itself be made out of clumping clay, of course). (:-D

Sylvie's happy in her forever home!

2009-07-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

Sylvie was a beagle in the North Carolina Pet Adoption League's foster program. This lovely beagle was adopted by a family whose 16-year-old beagle had recently passed on, leaving Chipper, their 7-year-old beagle, grieving and missing his playmate.

The family adopted Sylvie, and we are delighted to report that this lively gal has not only adapted beautifully, but has become fast friends with Chipper. Chipper is now much happier, and Sylvie couldn't be happier herself!

If you're considering adding a furry family member, take a look at the animals in our foster program. All our animals are up to date on their vaccinations and have been altered, and a complementary leash and collar goes home with every animal adoption. Plus, there's always a two-week trial period, so you can be sure that the animal you've adopted is the right pet for your home.

Top 10 reasons to adopt a senior dog

2009-07-18T01:48:00.000-07:00

Why adopt a senior dog?

Older dogs are house-trained.
Older dogs won't chew your shoes and furniture.
Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.
Older dogs have learned what "no" means.
Older dogs settle in easily.
Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.
What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality.
Older dogs are instant companions.
Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need bathroom breaks.

The North Carolina Pet Adoption League currently has three senior dogs in its program. Meet Ginger and Lucky, and take another look at Sophie!

Meet Ginger (right). Are you looking for a quiet companion that will always be by your side? If so, then Ginger is your girl.

A fellow animal lover witnessed Ginger being dropped off in the parking lot of a drug store. She was simply just "dumped" and the people just drove away leaving her there scared and confused. We have no idea why they decided to do this, Ginger is a wonderful girl to have around.

Ginger is around 8 years old with a lot to offer. She is as sweet as can be, loves short walks, loves to sit in your lap, wags her curly cue tail whenever you speak to her, walks easily on a leash, is perfectly house trained, doesn't bark, and is basically a perfect companion. She is a great medium size, weighing 55 pounds. She also does great with other furry companions. What more could you ask for!!

Ginger is up to date on all of her medical work including a dental and blood work. The doctor reports that she is a very healthy girl.

Now meet Lucky (right). Lucky was confused when he first came to NC Pal. And it's no wonder; he was taken to the groomer one day (one of his favorite things!) and was dropped off at a dog pound after his appointment.

Fortunately, a rescuer pulled him to safety and Lucky settled right in at NC Pet Adoption League after a couple of days. Mr. Lucky is house trained and likes to ride in the car. He is a cuddly lap dog and gives his favorite people kisses. Lucky is approximately 10 years old and would appreciate a quiet, relaxed household. He is a one-person dog and would make an incredibly loyal companion.

Lucky is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered.

The adoption fee for Ginger or Lucky is $85. There is always a 2-week trial period to make certain you've found a good match.

Last but certainly not least, here's Sadie (left). We can't imagine who dropped Sadie off in front of an animal shelter in a small town in Western North Carolina. Exhausted and hungry, Sadie was so happy to come inside and instantly became a favorite with everyone. Unfortunately, the shelter was too crowded to keep Sadie for long and NC Pet Adoption League responded to a plea to help Sadie and volunteers drove for several hours to get her safely to Greensboro.

With a faded tatoo inside one ear, Sadie was probably a hunting dog. Our veterinarian discovered a hematoma on Sadie's spleen and had to perform a splenectomy. Sadie must have experienced a trauma at some point in her life ... such as being kicked. She definitely deserves a chance to experience the good things in life.

Sadie is a low-key, 13-inch beagle who is full grown at 25 lbs. She loves car rides, chew bones and chin rubs. Sadie is crate trained and house trained. She is probably 8 or 9 years old and would make a great companion for someone who wants a couch potato. There is always a 2-week trial period to make certain you've found a good match.

Sadie's adoption fee is $125. Sadie is spayed, microchipped (with free registration in your name), up-to-date with vaccines, and is currently receiving flea and tick preventative and heartworm preventative.

All dogs come with a complimentary collar and leash. If you're interested in meeting our animals, please apply.

Beagle-Mania!

2009-07-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

The North Carolina Pet Adoption League currently has two lovely, very loving beagles in foster care. Either -- or both! -- would make ideal pets for the right home(s).

First, meet Milkshake. "Milky" is an absolutely happy little guy who loves to go for walks, ride in the car, and absolutely adores being petted. He *loves* kids! This poor little guy spent years on the end of a chain in his owner's backyard, left on his own with only food and water to keep him company. Now that he's getting so much attention, he couldn't be happier! He learned to be house trained in record time and goes to the door and taps it with his nose when he needs to go outside. He didn't know what toys were but now adores his stuffed rabbit and monkey; he plays with them for hours. He is neutered, microchipped (with free registration in your name), up-to-date with vaccines, and is currently receiving flea and tick preventative and heartworm preventative.

Now meet Sadie. She's a very special girl! When this senior beagle was left outside of an overcrowded animal shelter in a rural town in Western N.C., there was an outcry to try to save her. NC Pal found a place for her and after a lumpectomy, splenectomy, spay and dental, this plucky gal is finally ready to fill someone's home with joy. To all who contributed to "Sadie's Fund," we send our sincere gratitude. Sadie is a playful, happy beagle now with many more years ahead of her. We would love for you to meet her; she makes everyone smile.

Each dog's adoption fee is $125. There is always a 2-week trial period to make certain you've found a good match.

Dogs come with a complimentary collar and leash. If you're interested in meeting our animals, please apply.

Major dogfighting raid results in multiple arrests, rescued dogs

2009-07-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

A coordinated eight-state raid on dogfighting operations -- the largest in U.S. history -- has rescued hundreds of animals and produced multiple arrests, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated with the USDA's Office of Inspector General and the Humane Society of Missouri to steer the sting in Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle praised the successful raid. “This intervention is a momentous victory in our ongoing battle to end the cruel, criminal dogfighting industry,” he said. “The Humane Society of the United States thanks the USDA Office of Inspector General and the Humane Society of Missouri for their commitment to eradicating this nationwide business enterprise that thrives off the pain and suffering of dogs. With each raid we get one step closer to ending this cruel bloodsport.”

Big hugs to the HSUS and the expert work of law enforcement agencies:

The HSUS acted as lead animal welfare agency in the rescues in Texas and Oklahoma and assisted the HSMO with the rescues conducted in Missouri and Illinois. That organization contacted us more than a year ago to provide expert assistance with this rescue.

The HSMO worked in cooperation with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney to orchestrate this immense operation. The ASPCA, United Animal Nations and PetSmart Charities® are also assisting in various aspects of the rescue and sheltering efforts.

HSMO is working to assess each dog for its adoption suitability. Many local animal rescue groups will help coordinate the adoptions.

HSUS coordinates a fund to reward informants whose tips lead to the arrest and convictions of dogfighting operators. It's worth noting that HSUS is rated four stars by Charity Navigator, which means their operation expenses are transparent, and most funds are used for the organization's stated purpose. If you're interested in helping the effort to eradicate animal fighting in the U.S., there's a great list of suggestions here.
--
Photo (c) HSUS

Success! Former NCPAL foster now a kayak pup

2009-07-07T07:08:00.001-07:00

Ellie, an American Eskimo dog, is a former foster in the North Carolina Pet Adoption League's foster program. She was blessed to be adopted by a loving family who live on the North Carolina coast. They love the water, so Ellie has learned how to enjoy life on the beach.

Ellie's humans report that she loves camping and the outdoors, and is adapting beautifully to her forever family.

We think she's doing a wonderful job, too.

We'll be sharing more stories of successful adoptions in the near future. If you adopted from N.C. PAL and want to share your story with us, send us some details and a picture, and we'll put it in this space!

Russian blue mixes nearly ready for "forever homes"!

2009-07-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

It's kitten season! These two bundles of joy are Russian blue mixes. They are adorable little babies who love to eat and play, and love to be held so they can fall asleep in your hands. Irina and Katia are lovely little ladies, indeed!

The adoption fee is $85 for each, which covers all their vet care and the cost of neutering. They're still a little too young to be adopted out, but will be ready soon. If you'd like to have an adorable kitten join your family, just fill out a brief application here and we'll get in touch.

Our adoption fairs are every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lawndale Drive PetsMart in Greensboro. If you're interested in meeting a specific animal, just let us know on the application.

To see a complete list of the North Carolina Pet Adoption League's adoptable animals, click here.

Have a safe, happy Fourth weekend!

2009-07-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

As you grill out, enjoy the pool, kick back, and enjoy the privilege of living in America, remember to keep yourself and your family (including your pets!) safe. A few tips that may help, courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States:

Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects—even death—in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
If you plan to go away for the holiday weekend, read our information on Caring for Pets When You Travel.

The ASPCA adds a few more helpful pointers:

Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.
Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.
Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.
Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it.While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.
Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

Be safe, everyone, and HAVE FUN!

Humane Society: Petland still at it

2009-07-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Petland, one of the nation's most prominent pet stores, is still buying animals from some of the worst backyard breeders in the country, according to a follow-up investigation by the Humane Society of the United States. According to the report:

"We even found two stores buying from a convicted animal abuser, and others buying from individuals who have a long history of Animal Welfare Act violations, or who hold no USDA license at all. But even licensed and legal commercial kennels can still be puppy mills, where 100 or more breeding dogs have been found confined to small wire cages for life.

This is a familiar refrain to those of us in the animal welfare and rescue movement.

Show your support for laws banning puppy mills. The HSUS has a special portal set up, with petitions to sign and a wealth of information.

Simply put: Don't buy a pet from Petland, or any other retail store. In fact, don't buy a pet at all. Adopt a homeless animal instead. There are millions awaiting good homes, currently in foster care or shelters around the country; many will be euthanized because no one wants them. Every adopted animal creates space for another one who is currently out in the street, trying to survive on his own.

How ugly is your dog?

2009-06-28T11:23:00.001-07:00

The North Carolina Pet Adoption League is having its own "ugly dog contest."

Send us your photo (JPEG only, please, and no files larger than 1 MB), along with the pet's name, by July 29.

We'll select a winner of a new retractable leash and notify him/her by e-mail.

Greensboro (N.C.) area residents only, please.

Rascal unseated as World's Ugliest Dog

2009-06-28T04:38:00.000-07:00

Of course you remember how the Chinese crested pup who has single-handedly raised the bar for, er, canine inverse beauty by dominating the World's Ugliest Dog contest for the past few years. I honestly thought these guys would reign for years in the World's Ugliest Dog pageant. I was wrong!

Pabst, a boxer mix, edged out Rascal in the 2009 event, whose results were announced yesterday. Pabst and his hooman, Dane Andrew, get some bling:

Egstad won $1,600 from the Sonoma-Marin Fair for sweeping all three rounds ($100 for mutt class, $500 for runoff with the pedigree class winner, and $1,000 for World’s Ugliest Dog). This year sponsor House Of Dog upped the ante with another $1,000 in prize money, a table of “bling” that included collars, leashes, and bowls plus a year-round modeling contract that Pabst signed with his paw. Event Photographer Grace Chon included a professional photo shoot.

Here's a video wrap, courtesy of the Sonoma-Marin Fair (where the event's been held for the past 7 years):

Animal Planet also has some fun coverage, and will broadcast the show later this year.

Welcome to the official N.C. PAL blog!

2009-06-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your interest!

Here we'll post news and updates of interest to all humans who love their pets, plus stories from our adopting families about their wonderful new additions. We plan to add updates frequently, so be sure to keep checking.

If you've adopted a pet through the N.C. Pet Adoption League, be sure to keep us updated, and we'll update the blog. Send us a picture, tell us what neat tricks or cute quirks your pet displays ... whatever you want to share!