Do You Have A Pet Emergency Supply Kit?

National Animal Disaster-

Preparedness Day  

May 12, 2012. 

 Are You Ready?

Whenever there are national disasters, there are animals that are effected. We often think about being prepare ourselves but what about your dog or cat. What happens if you have to leave your home in a hurry, will you have the things you need to take care of your pet?

If you're not sure what to do the folks over at Pet Camp have some great suggestions. The following list of supplies is from their website. 

Prepare a Pet Emergency Supply Kit 

Just like you need to prepare an emergency supply kit for yourself, you will also need one for your pet. Make sure you use plastic zipper bags to store items and then place them into a larger waterproof container. Here are items to include in your kit:

• Food & Water: Keep at least 3 days’ worth. If your pet eats canned food get some cans with tops that don’t need a can opener. Make sure you rotate this food and water every few months so that it’s ready for use in case you actually need it. 
• Food & Water Bowls: Include something light and easy to clean. 
• Medicine & Medical Records: If your pet is on regular medicines, keep an extra supply in your kit. Put a copy of your pet's most recent medical records in your kit should you need to have your pet stay elsewhere. 
• First Aid Kit: Include the basics like: cotton bandages, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, latex gloves, tweezers, saline solution, and a basic pet first aid book.
• Leash & Collar: Keep an extra leash and collar in your kit. If you have an extra set of ID tags put them on the spare collar. Ensuring that your pet is microchipped will assist in identification if you and your pet are separated.
• Crate or Carrying Case: Have a crate or carrying case for your pet. If your kit is small and you have a smaller pet, consider adding an all-cotton pillow case so that you have something to contain your pet. You may want to consider a crate on wheels or a pet stroller to make evacuation easier.
• Cleaning supplies: Depending on your type of pet, you may also need litter and a litter box, paper towels and plastic trash bags. Consider using aluminum roasting pans because they are light and can be thrown away. Include some liquid dish soap and disinfectant. 

Being prepared isn't only for national disasters or catastrophic events. Often it's small local events that can mean you have to leave your home. Thinking about your pets before it happens will ensure that their welfare will be taken care of. Fires, water mains bursting, chemical or gas leaks can all force you to make a quick exit. 

Bankok Flood Emergency

Have you had to leave your home in a hurry? What other things should pet guardians be aware of?

Exciting News You Don't Want To Miss! No April Fools Here

Thats right! This is the real thing.  
 Announcing:Project Madison

My granddaughter Kayla and her dog Belle!

Did you know...

• There are 78.2 million owned dogs in the U.S.
• 39% of U.S. households own at least one dog.                                              

but did you know this sad statistic?

• Ten million animals are euthanized in shelters each year. 

There are many no-kill shelters that are struggling to stay open. The costs to keep and care for unwanted animals is huge. Food, shelter, healthcare and training all put a substantial drain on rescue facilities that depend on donations. 
There are many things that people can do to help. Project Madison is an effort to make a difference.
How?
Meet Madison Morgan, a spunky eleven-year-old, who learns she has a special gift that leads her to make a daring animal rescue. 


This summer her adventures will be published in my MG novel which, in turn I hope will create awareness and financial support for participating shelters and rescue operations. 


Stay tuned for more details. Be sure to check the Project Madison tab for updates and important information about how you can get involved. 

FURRY FRIDAY: Cat Breading...Cruel or Cute?

The other day I was looking for a "cute" YouTube video to share on my Furry Friday series. I'm split on this. Is breading a cat cruel? At the same time you can't deny that the pictures are cute, in a minor degrading kind of way. I'm not sure the Egyptians would appreciate this treatment of deity. 

Are they happy or sad?  Mmm not sure.
(gawker.com)

I decided  much of it depends on how it's done. Do you simply shove some bread on the cats head? Mmm...or perhaps the cat eats its own hole through the piece of bread? 
I was relieved to find directions posted by Gawker:

1) Take a piece of bread (If this is your first time, use a soft white bread. Experienced breaders will use rye or even multigrain.)

2) Cut a hole approximately 1 inch larger than your cat's head. This trips some people up. Remember: the bread has to fit around the not just the cat's head, but it's ears, too.

3) Gently place the bread around your cat's head.

4) Take a picture. Post it to the official in-bread cat Facebook page.
I see some problems with this. It appears the strategy is to make sure the hole is 1 inch larger than your cat's head. How do you measure your cat's head? Ok, so you eyeball it, fine. Shouldn't this step come before "taking a piece of bread" in step one. Also, it may not be possible to start with "soft white bread" (ie. Your cat has an uncommonly big head.) and be forced to move to more dense bread such as sour dough or whole grain. (This reminds me of a fourth grade writing assignment where we had to write the steps of making a peanut butter sandwich. Believe me, there were some interesting looking sandwiches.) 

When I investigated this meme further I found this and was reminded of another issue I hadn't even considered. 

What if you're home is gluten free and...well let's face it, it costs more and there are very limited choices for gluten free bread, this may be a problem. (You only use a slice, unless of course you are the neighborhood cat lady, which is an entirely different issue.) Then I stumbled on this site and realized there's some serious monetary compensation to be had. Fletch and Vaughn's Cat Breading  is offering $500 to the cutest pic submitted. 
This caused me terrible concern. Now that this internet meme has been monetized we could be looking at an exploitive activity with the poor cat as a victim. And as if that wasn't enough this practice has received the Colbert Bump.  I'm just sayin'...


Then I found this:

This just doesn't sit well with me. No...not because I'm afraid of Zombies.(Can't wait until Walking Dead is back on, even though the second season sucked. I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of pouty, sullen Shane, even if he is hot.) 


There is something far sinister going on. After years and years of noble cat heritage, honor, sophistication and elevated status, years of sitting nobly on the back of the couch overlooking the lowly world of humandom, the cat has been knocked off that pedestal of grandeur. (Is this a conspiracy on the part of Fido?) 


So before you run out and grab that loaf of bread intent on breading with the best of them. Anxious , that you're not left behind in the latest internet meme since planking. Stop, and think. If this is okay now, what will it be tomorrow. We've already degraded our animals to traveling in purses and dressing in costumes...what's next?  


And Then I Saw It!

OMG, if that didn't terrify you, it certainly has traumatized me. I will never look at a loaf of bread the same way again...


So what do you think? Is it cruel or is it cute?

FURRY FRIDAY!

Welcome to FURRY FRIDAY! On Friday's you can now count on finding something furry, either a video, article or picture of an animal. Hope you enjoy! Be sure to stop in often for contests, great links and lots of fun. 


Today's video features a tiny kitten who was born blind and could easily have ended up homeless or worse. Thanks to some very kind and loving folks she is now enjoying a wonderful life. Never underestimate a life!


Enjoy!