PhilaPets.com Newsletter: July 2005

Hello PhilaPets friends!

In this month's newsletter, we've included some new pet-related events going on in the city, safety tips, and cats that are up for adoption. We hope you enjoy it!

If there is something that you would like to share with the PhilaPets community, tips, events, jokes, or other interesting tidbits, e-mail them to newsletter@philapets.com and we will try to make it a part of our next month's newsletter.

SMILE!

Want to show off your pets? Just send us their pictures and we will make them forever famous in our client gallery. Their image will also show in the upper left-hand corner when you login to my.philapets.com.

Here are some of our latest additions: Ailey, Tanner, Luca, and Tigger.

EVENTS:

PhilaPets.com Pet First Aid and CPR class with the Red Cross

The Pet First Aid training was a hit! Almost all of the Pet Care Specialists and a handful of clients attended the training class and are now certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. We will be holding classes again later in the Fall. Keep a watch here for more information as the dates are finalized.

Dog Washes to Benefit The People-Pet Partnership

Is your dog in need of a good washing? Bring your pal to PPP's dog wash! Not only will you leave with a clean pooch, but you'll be helping a pet in need. For a donation ($5 for small dogs, $10 for large), PPP volunteers will scrub your pooch pretty.

When: Saturday, July 16th & Saturday, July 30th; 12-4pm
Where: Whole Foods Market, 10th and South Streets, Philadelphia

Capture the Love Adoption and Fundraising Event at PHOTOLounge

The People-Pet Partnership is partnering with PHOTOLounge (formerly C-Bop) and Canon Cameras to host an adoption and fundraising event called "Capture the Love." Fabulous cats and dogs will be available for adoption from PACCA and Northeast Animal Rescue! Also, PHOTOLounge will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to PPP.

When: Saturday, July 23, 12-5 pm
Where: PHOTOLounge (formerly C-Bop), 1909 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215.977.9970

The Academy of Natural Science "Dogs: Wolf, Myth, Hero and Friend"

Sloppy, wet kisses. Life-saving search and rescues. Assistance for people with disabilities. Today, dogs enhance the lives of millions of people in countless ways, but they also are some of our oldest friends. DOGS: Wolf, Myth, Hero and Friend, June 4, 2005-Sept. 5, 2005, sniffs out the facts on dogs and explores what makes our relationship so unique. DOGS is the largest, most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever created to explore the history, biology and evolution of dogs and the role of dogs in human societies.

When: Until September 5th, 2005
Where: Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy
For more information: See http://www.nhm.org/exhibitions/dogs/

SAFETY TIPS:

Tip #1:

Does your dog sometimes take YOU for a walk? Does he/she constantly pull, making the walk to the dog run less than enjoyable? Then you NEED to try the Gentle Leader. This non-invasive leash fits around your dog's snout and makes it incredibly awkward for them to pull, jump, or lunge. It helps keep your dog under your control, making things safer for both of you. They also don't choke like prong or choke collars (We've found that Gentle Leaders control dogs much better than these collars as well). Gentle leaders are NOT muzzles-- your dog can still pant, open his mouth to eat and drink, and fetch to his heart's content! Trust us, this invention is a godsend! For more information on this product, please click here. You can also get these at any pet store. There are different sizes so you can find one that fits your dog perfectly.

Tip #2:

We are having an incredibly hot summer this year and we need to beware of our pets getting hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is commonly known as heat stroke. Pets primarily cool themselves by panting. Panting works by moving warm, moist air out of the body. This air is usually warmer than the surrounding temperature. Panting is not very efficient and actually produces some heat from the effort it takes to pant. The higher the temperature and the higher the humidity, the less effective panting becomes. Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds are especially inefficient at cooling themselves.

Heat is hard on the cells and organs of a pet. A sustained temperature of 105ºF (normal = 100-102ºF) and above is the point where the cells begin to breakdown and loose functionality. Brain and organ cells are most sensitive to these higher temperatures. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition.

Signs of heat stroke are uncontrollable panting, rapid heart rate, high body temperature (105ºF), bright red mucous membranes (check gums), late capillary refill time (when you press on gums, if color does not restore in less than 2 seconds, there's a problem), foaming/salvation, lethargy, and vomiting.

If you think your pet has heat stroke, have someone call the veterinarian immediately while you bathe or hose the pet's body, especially the paws, with copious amounts of cool water -- DO NOT USE ICE OR VERY COLD WATER (this has a counter-effect)! Monitor the temperature (rectally) and mucous membranes every few minutes. It's also a good idea to keep a fan on your pet. Stop cooling once the temperature is at 102°F. Don't give anything to eat or drink unless your veterinarian tells you otherwise.

Never leave your pet in the car, even with the windows cracked! He/she will get heat stroke within minutes!

Tip #3:

Beware of the streets in this heat. It can easily burn your pet's paws. Try to stay in shaded areas when walking on the concrete. Every once in awhile, bend down and test the surface with your finger to gauge what your dog is feeling when walking on the street. If you can't keep your hand there for more then a few seconds then neither should your dog.

WANT A CAT?

Frank's cats:

Frank is one of our PhilaPets clients who takes in friendly neighborhood strays, cleans them up (gets them spayed/neutered and vaccinated) and adopts them out. Frank is truly one of those good people!

He constantly has very friendly cats in his care and he is always looking to find them good homes. If you're interested in adopting one of the kitties, please contact Frank at reportboy1@yahoo.com

Part of the job:

Krista Milito, one of our Pet Care Specialists, found an incredibly sweet lovable kitty while she was out doing her pet visits. She is currently fostering the kitty, but needs someone to take her, as her house is already beyond its capacity with pets. Here's a very cute picture! Please email Krista at krista@philapets.com or call her at 610-331-8946 if you're interested.