August 2007
 

Proceeds from the Pet Rock festival are distributed to
Massachusetts-based animal welfare organizations,
including shelters, cruelty
watchdogs and rescue
leagues.
field work.

Calling All Tennessee Puppy Alumni Adopters
Join Us at the 9th Annual Pet Rock Festival 2007!

Sunday, September 9th
Noon - 5 p.m.
Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA
> Tickets ($2 off coupon)

Meet the RESCUERS who brought your baby in to your home. The volunteers who fostered YOUR puppy are coming to Massachusetts for our 9th Annual Pet Rock Fest. Please come out to meet your foster family and show them how much your new furkids mean to your family! The rescuers from Companion Animal Rescue and Transport will be joining us at the 9th Annual Pet Rock Fest.

The Pet Rock Festival continues to be an "event not to be missed" for pet lovers drawing over 10,000 people and their dogs! Pet owners and animal lovers come to see spectacular exhibits, demonstrations, hands-on animal petting opportunities, educational programs, special attractions, pet adoptions, product giveaways, entertainment, lots of food, fun and things for adults and kids to see, do and buy!

This is the only show of its kind produced and managed by a non-profit organization. It is the only event of its kind that donates 100% of the money raised to worthwhile animal related organizations!

Pet Rock Fest Mission

The primary purpose of Pet Rock Festival is to educate the general public in a fun family setting and to promote responsible pet ownership and care. Pet Rock brings in representatives from all areas of the companion animal world, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, hobbyists, pet clubs, veterinarians, animal care professionals, animal shelters, breed rescues, and agility / training organizations in order to provide the pet loving public consumers with the most comprehensive and exciting event possible.

Pet Rock is the largest expo of its kind on the East Coast. A daylong family-oriented festival, Pet Rock promotes responsible pet ownership, brings attention to animal cruelty and educates people on a variety of animal related issues.

» Check out www.petrockfest.com for continuous updates and the event schedule.

Remember, they can’t talk, so we will!

Tickets are sold at the gate. You can also get $2 off coupons around Worcester County or download one here.
 
 

Imagine not being able to shed your winter clothes on a hot summer day, and your only means of cooling off was by panting.

Dogs and cats have little choice when it comes to keeping cool in summer heat.

Recognize the signs of heatstroke and what to do if your companion shows these symptoms.

Remember, time is of the essence when treating this condition!!!

Here are SOME SIGNS of heat stroke:

body temps of 104-110F degrees, excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue and gums, staggering, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma.

If you suspect heat stroke in your pet, seek veterinary attention immediately! Use COOL water, not ice water, to cool your pet. (Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling.) Do not aid cooling below 103 F degrees - some animals can actually get HYPOthermic, too cold.
Summer Safety for Your Pets

Check out these summer safety tips for your furry companions:

  1. Hot Weather - Bring companion animals inside. If a dog must be left outdoors for any length of time, access to shade and fresh, cool water is essential. However, when temperatures and humidity soar, even these precautions may not be enough. If your dog is experiencing rapid panting and lethargy and has been subjected to extreme temperatures, he may be suffering from heat exhaustion. Other symptoms may include restlessness, excessive thirst, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, vomiting or lack of coordination. If you notice any of these symptoms, immerse your dog in cold water (if you are unable to immerse him, pour cold water over him) and contact your veterinarian immediately. To report a dog left outdoors without proper provisions, call your local animal control or police department.
  2. Exercise - A dog or cat’s normal body temperature is between 101 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. In warm weather, he may become overheated during too-strenuous exercise. When this happens, his body temperature increases rapidly, and, once it reaches a critical point, irreparable brain damage or death can occur in a short amount of time. Animals do not perspire like humans; they have very few sweat glands, and therefore, they pant to release the heat from their body. Limit strenuous exercise with your companion animal, such as jogging or long walks, to the early morning or evening hours, and avoid hot pavement. Be sure to provide plenty of cool water before, during and after exercise.
     
  3. Thunderstorms - Keep dogs and cats inside in a safe area during thunderstorms or other severe weather. The noise and lights could cause a frightened animal to jump a fence or bolt out a door or window and become lost. As always, make sure your companion animal is wearing identification.
     
  4. Cars and Companion Animals - Leaving your pet alone in a vehicle can prove dangerous or fatal in just minutes. Lowering the windows makes it easier for others to break in and steal your companion animal or belongings. And, even on a relatively mild 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car parked in the shade with the windows cracked open can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. On warmer days, it will go higher. When the air a dog breathes is overheated, the evaporation that usually occurs during panting cannot take place. If you see an animal left alone in a parked car and suspect he may be in immediate danger, notify the nearby businesses and request they make an announcement. If necessary, contact the local animal control or police department.
     
  5. Car Travel - If you’ll be traveling with your dog or cat, make sure he has a current ID tag, and pack a copy of his vaccination records along with a clear, recent photo in case he gets lost. Also pack his regular food, treats and toys. Depending on where you will be traveling, you may want to use a high-quality flea and tick repellent on your companion animal. Make sure your travel plans are such that he will never be left alone in the car. Otherwise, it may be safer and kinder to board him at a reputable kennel or leave him in the care of a trusted pet sitter.
     
  6. Fleas and Ticks - It is not "normal" for your dog or cat to have fleas. They are an annoyance to you and a health hazard to your companion animal, and can transmit internal parasites such as tapeworms. Some pets are allergic to the bites of fleas and develop severe itching, hair loss, skin irritation and redness. Unfortunately, you don’t have to travel to the woods for your dog or cat to become infested with fleas or be bitten by a tick carrying serious diseases such as Lyme disease. Prevention is much easier and often less costly than ridding your home and yard of fleas. Keeping cats indoors will help prevent an infestation. Talk to your veterinarian about a high flea and tick repellent for your dog or cat.
     
  7. Coat Concerns - Your companion animal’s coat helps to insulate him from both cold and heat, and helps prevent sunburn. But, if you have a thick-coated pet such as a collie or longhaired cat, having his fur shaved down to 1 inch may keep him more comfortable during hot weather. If you plan to camp, hike or hit the beach together, a nontoxic sun block containing zinc oxide as the active ingredient can be applied to your pet on any areas likely to get sunburned, such as a light-colored nose, belly or tips of the ears. Re-apply as needed.
     
  8. Lawn Chemicals - You may have the most beautiful yard on the block. But is it safe for furry family members? Most lawn chemicals are safe if applied according to the manufacturer’s directions, so read the label carefully and don’t allow your pets on treated lawns or gardens until the time listed. With lawn fertilizers, watering the lawn after application is usually required; people and pets should avoid direct contact with the area until it is completely dry. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have recently been sprayed with chemicals. Store lawn chemicals out of the reach of children and pets. If you hire a commercial lawn care service, animals should not be left outside during treatment. And, make sure you ask the service when it will be safe for children and companion animals to re-enter the yard after treatment.
     
  9. Toxic Mulch and Poisonous Plants - Cocoa mulch, which may attract animals with its smell, contains theobromine and can be fatal to cats and dogs, even if ingested in small amounts. Check out this list of poisonous plants that may be in your yard, especially if you have a new puppy or your dog is a known chewer.
     
  10. Lost Pets - Warm-weather activities and gatherings can provide more opportunities for a companion animal to slip out a door or gate and become lost. Dogs and cats even those considered "indoor only" - should wear a collar and ID tag at all times. A form of permanent identification such as a microchip is also highly recommended.

 

No bed anywhere compares to the versatility, comfort, value and durability of Kuranda dog beds. These long lasting beds have set the standard for what a dog bed should be.
 
Give Our Orphans the Gift of Comfort

The dogs and puppies at the Sterling Shelter are still in need of Kuranda beds. Thank you to the wonderful families who have donated Kuranda beds! Our canines thank you and send licks and slurps. However, we are still in need of 10 beds to complete a bed for each kennel. Please donate a Kuranda pet to help keep our furkids comfortable. Thank you!

 

» Click here if you would like to donate a bed for our orphaned dogs and puppies.

 

Want to help the Shelter? Have you considered our Recurring Giving system. This convenient system allows you to automatically make a donation to the Sterling Shelter every month via credit card or checking account. This is an extremely powerful fundraising method that can allow the Shelter to save thousands of additional animals every year with a donation as small as $2.00 per month from you. Thank you for your support!