CONNECT
EDITED BY
MONICA TOPETE
fAMiLY
Pets
Adopt-A-Pet
HOME SAFE HOME FOR
Raccoon is a 4-month old female Siamese cat.
She is white and light brown with very unique
markings. (Intake #27563) The Siamese cat is
THE HOLIDAYS
highly intelligent and easily trained. The breed
is vigorous and healthy, with most cats living,
on average, 15-20 years or more. You can visit
Raccoon and other animals up for adoption
proTecTing your peT from common holiday
at animalfriendsofthevalleys.com
household haZards
or call 951.674.0618.
by glEnn massIE
‘Tis the season for all things merry, but holiday festivities can be especially
dangerous for our pets. It’s a busy time of shopping, cooking and rushing to and from
parties… and it’s easy to forget about the many holiday hazards that await our furry
family members. Help keep your pet safe this season with the following tips:
*
FEEDING THE ANIMALS
THIS THANKSGIVING
FOOD & BAKED GOODS chew toys, causing oral lacerations or
• Xylitol This sugar substitute is used
internal damage.
in many products including gum, candy, N
early one in every 10 homeless
persons has a pet. Not only are pets
non-judgmental and loyal, they
baked goods and even toothpaste. It is
MORE HOLIDAY HAZARDS
provide an emotional and comforting bond
100 times more toxic than chocolate
• BatteRies Batteries can be toxic
and can also provide protection and keep
and can cause liver failure, bleeding and
and cause intestinal obstruction if
their owner warm. Unfortunately, homeless
death in dogs, even in small quantities.
swallowed. If you remove them from
pets often go without the much-needed
• ChoColate If ingested in significant
toys or decorations, be sure to put them
check-ups and vaccinations needed to keep
amounts, chocolate can cause a toxic
in a safe place.
them healthy.
reaction including vomiting, diarrhea,
• PlaNts A number of holiday plants
Feeding Pets of the Homeless (FPH) is one
increased heart rate, seizures and even
are toxic or potentially fatal to pets if
of many nonprofit organizations helping to
death. The darker the chocolate, the
nibbled or eaten including ivy; holly;
provide medical care and food for these
more dangerous it is to dogs.
mistletoe; Christmas greens; hibiscus
animals. This year, FPH has challenged its
• MaCadaMia Nuts This popular
and poinsettias. Place them out of reach
collection sites to collect 75,000 pounds of pet
holiday nut can cause weakness,
and put a gate around your X-mas tree
food—double the amount collected in 2008.
depression, vomiting, tremors and
to keep pets from getting too close.
Explains Genevieve Frederick, executive
hyperthermia in dogs.
• Guests Be sure your family and
director of FPH. “Animal shelters are
• BoNes Any kind of bone can splinter
guests don’t feed your pet scraps. The
overcrowded with people who cannot afford
easily, causing fragments to become
sheer volume of their kindness can lead
to keep and feed their pets. The numbers
impacted in the mouth, throat and large
to a sick pet. Also, make sure guests
of homeless on the streets are increasing.
bowel or perforating the intestines.
know not to leave their medications in
an open suitcase or otherwise exposed.
Many will not give up the only companion
SEASONAL DECOR
they have and love.”
If you witness your pet consuming material
• RiBBoNs oR tiNsel These
Donations collected by FHA sites are
common holiday embellishments can
you suspect might be toxic, seek emergency distributed to local food banks, pantries and
become lodged in the intestines and
assistance immediately, even if you do not
homeless shelters. FHA also awards grants
cause obstruction in both cats and dogs. notice any adverse effects. Call your local
to veterinarians setting up free clinics to
• ChRistMas tRee wateR This animal emergency hospital or the ASPCA’s
provide medical services for needy pets.
water can contain fertilizers and bacteria
National Animal Poison Control Center at
To participate in this year’s food drive,
that can upset your pet’s stomach.
888.426.4435 for help.
drop pet food off locally at the American
• eleCtRiCal CoRds Cover and keep
Grooming Academy located at 31285-31333
electrical cords out of pet’s reach so they
glenn Massie, a.k.a. “leader of the Pack” is a dog
Temecula Pkwy. in the Temecula Creek
can’t chew on them. trainer who specializes in working with challenging
Village Center. Food collection is ongoing
• Glass oRNaMeNts Cats and dogs
dogs. For more information on resources, consultations, and is distributed to pets in Riverside County.
or training visit homeschooling4dogs.com.
can mistake glass ornaments as food or For more info visit petsofhomeless.org.
MYUNDERTHESUN.COM l NOVEMBER 29
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