Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks

by Lindsay Herrick-Somerset

As the weather warms up, that means more time outside with your dog. But, with the warm season, also means the return of something else: ticks.

Ticks are found specifically in longer grassy areas and in bushes. Even though many people think of them as insects, they are actually arachnids which are similar to spiders and mites. Ticks are parasites that feed off of the blood the host they attach themselves to. Those hosts can be can a human or an animal.

The biggest problem with ticks is that they are carriers of disease, specifically Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be very serious if not treated, with symptoms including a fever, loss of appetite, pain, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, swollen joints and shifting lameness from one leg to another. If not treated, it can cause serious damage to your dog's heart, nervous system and kidneys.

If you suspect that your pet has Lyme disease, take them to their vet as soon as possible. Your vet will want to do a blood panel to be sure and then start your dog on antibiotics right away as Lyme disease is a bacterial illness.

This is why it's extremely important to do a tick check any time your dog has been outside, specifically if they have been in long grassy areas (such as the river valley) or in bushes. The most common places where ticks like to grab on to and most pet owners miss are your dog’s ears, between their toes and arm pits.

What do you do if you find a tick on your dog? The safest way to remove a tick is by using a tick remover tool . Do not touch the tick with your bare hands as bacteria could be transmitted to you. Wear gloves or use a paper towel if you don't have gloves. Grab the tick as close to the skin surface as possible so this reduces the chances of the head detaching. Twist and pull the tick out with steady and even pressure. It may take a minute or two, so be patient. Once the tick has been removed, find a container and take it your vet so they can send it off to a lab to be inspected. Write down the time and place where the bite occurred.

Once the tick has been safely removed, it's very important to disinfect the bite area and your hands as soon as possible.

So, what can you do to prevent your dog from getting ticks? Talk to your vet about what they recommend as there are many different options out there. There are monthly topical treatments that can be applied to your dog that are effective at keeping both ticks and fleas at bay. If your dog attends daycare, most daycare require proof that your dog is having it applied. But be cautious about using any random tick treatment you find at a store as they are not all created equal and/or can be hazardous to your dog.

Also, make sure you check yourself over if you have been out with your pet in high risk areas for ticks. You don't want to take your chances.

Centre High Pre-Apprentice Program Doghouse Build

July 6, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

Our goal at Zoe’s is to help meet the needs of people and animals in communities. Sometimes that means taking in surrendered animals, providing vet care or spay/neuter and sometimes that means providing supplies like doghouses!

In May 2016 Centre High Pre-Apprentice Program students began building 12 insulated 4×4 ft doghouses to be placed in Zoe’s partner community.

Merit Contractors, the major donor, provides support to the Centre
High Program as part of its Educational Initiatives Grants and also covered some of the materials cost for the doghouses. Students can take a skilled trades introduction program and consult a Merit Trades Liaison Program Coordinator. This will assist students in pursuing a Registered Apprenticeship Program and work experience placements. It’s great for students and it’s great for Zoe’s!

Centre High Program coordinator Drew Belanger helped our volunteers source materials such as 4×8’ lumber donated by Nelson Lumber and shingle bundles donated by Monarch Roofing, Acheson.

In June, Zoe’s volunteers transported and placed the doghouses in our target community!

We are so thankful for the many donors and students who came together to make this project happen.

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks ·

Foster of the Week: Doughnut

July 3, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

Hi! I’m Doughnut!

And I am as loveable and satisfying as a real doughnut – a maple tuna dip. True story! I’m soft and fluffy with a deliciously, fishy sweet glaze. Mmmmmm…..

I grew up as an outdoor cat, but I have wholly and fully accepted my new life indoors. Only a fool would reject this good life! I am fed regularly, have a warm and safe place to sleep and an abundance of cuddles. It’s pretty much the best gig ever.

I’ve dubbed myself Zoe’s Resident Adventure Cat because I’ve been all over the place. In fact, I am at The Cat Cafe right now! I also hung out at Catfest and Core with Cats and have gone a to few adoption events. Such a blast!! Most cats don’t love so much change, but I do! My human accompaniments marvel at my harness and leash skills and my super laid back demeanour. But, as chill as I am, I do enjoy some play time! Don’t get me wrong! I love those crinkly cat tunnels! Omgosh, so much fun!! They are my favourite. I also love wand toys and laser pointers. As a former mouser before coming to Zoe’s, anything I can stalk and pounce on satisfies my playful predatory desires.

After a good adventure or play session, I am always down for snuggles and cuddles with my people. My foster parents and all the people I’ve met say I am the sweetest, most snuggly cat around. A Casanova with the kisses, too. Word on the street is my smooches are the best in town! I don’t discriminate with my love; I’ll snuggle with any human, big or small. I can be a little choosy with my animals friends though. I like most cats, just gimme a minute to warm up, and I ignore the ones I don’t like. I’m not a fan of kittens. Those crazy furballs harsh my mellow in the worst way. I am more picky with dogs. I’ve met some I don’t like at all and some I don’t mind. It’s a feeling, you know. Sometimes you jive and sometimes you don’t.

I have loved living in my foster homes, Zoe’s takes such great care of me, but I’m ready for a forever lap to snuggle. If you like doughnuts, we should meet! Check me out and apply to adopt me!

Best friends 4 Life!

June 27, 2016 by Holly Foisy ·

There are many reasons why it’s a great idea to adopt a bonded pair or get two kittens instead of one. But here are just some of the reasons:
-A bonded pair you know will get along, you won’t have to do introductions later on if you wanted two anyway. Not all dogs/cats will become instant friends or friends at all. With a bonded pair you know they are compatible.
-Separation anxiety is quite common, especially with animals who are used to having other pets around. So unless you are home often, having a buddy can help prevent the destruction and phone calls about barking dogs.
-Dogs and cats are social creatures, many will not do good as a single pet. This is also true for kittens who can become very lonely and even scared on their own.
-Kittens will learn from each other, not only to use the litter box but also bite inhibition and how to play nice.
-Kittens will have each other to play which greatly lessens the chance of play aggression especially towards adult cats who are not playful.
-Bonded pair of dogs will help tire each other out so less walks/play time needed.
-You save two lives instead of one!
-The cost isn’t that much more to get two! Even for extra food, toys, litter boxes, scratching post. The adoption fee for bonded pairs is $300 for dogs (yes that’s right folks, dogs are two for the price of one!), $200 for cats and $250 for kittens! This, of course, includes the spay/neuter, up to 2nd set of shots, microchip and deworm!
-Twice the fun, love and cuddles!

Now that you are thinking about adopting a bonded pair, we will let you know we have many bonded pairs:

for dogs we have:
Chi Chi and Cholo
Sam and Samantha
Vincent Vega and Cory Flower

for cats we have:
George Weasley and Miss Blue
Leonardo Dicatrio and Don Drapurr
Hopper and Petrie

We do have many kittens in care and always highly recommend adopting a pair if you don’t have another young adult cat who is playful. Kittens are used to being around another feline so separation anxiety is extremely common for them.

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks, Resource ·

Lost & Found

June 24, 2016 by Holly Foisy ·

What to do if you lost or found an animal.

If you lost your pet:
For cat’s put out there uncleaned litter box on the front doorstep.
-If your cat is fixed and is an indoor only cat, unless frightened off they will stay nearby. Check your neighbor’s yards, under decks/porches and bushes.
-Put up posters all around the area, and nearby vet clinics.
-Talk with your neighbors.
-Post on pet lynx/Kijiji/facebook lost pets pages.
-Contact various rescues to see if they recently got a stray like that.
-Keep checking Kijiji and check your local humane society/ACCC.
-If you are offering a reward, if someone contacts you saying to pay up or your pet will die it is a SCAM, and sadly a very common one. They do not have your animal, they just want the money. Unless you see the animal in person and confirm it yourself, do not give them money.

If you found an animal:
-Please, please bring them to the ACCC. It is the best place for them to find their home who is looking for them. Not everyone has the internet to check sites like this but can easily go into the ACCC to find them. It is right next to the EHS. Please understand that the animal with not be euthanized unless there is a severe medical or severe behavioral issue that would make the animal too dangerous to be adopted out. If no one claims them most of the time, once they go to the EHS, they will find different placements for them in rescues or in barn homes if they are not doing well at the EHS or have behavioral/medical issues that can be managed easier in a foster type setting or barn home.
-By law, you are not allowed to keep a stray, or give them away. You can bring them to the ACCC and ask to be put under special consideration if no one comes claims the animal you can adopt them once the mandatory time at the ACCC is over.
-You can get them checked at the vet for a microchip and can even leave them there as many times the vet staff will bring them to the ACCC.
-You can post up found posters and ads on kijiji/pet lynx/various lost and found fb pages as well even to just put that this animal is at the ACCC.
-Do not judge. Indoor-only pets generally have no idea how to take care of themselves on their own, usually, they are dirty, even matted, some can even have mange as well and can be extremely skinny.

How to prevent losing your pet:
-Fix your pets. It is so important. It is by far the number one reason why animals get lost, even if they are indoor only they will try to escape. Contact various vets for pricing, as well the EHS has the PALS program for low-income households.
-Get your pets microchipped, even if they are indoor only. It is the best way to get your pet back. Don’t forget to keep the info up to date.
-Know when thunderstorms and fireworks are going to happen. Pets, especially dogs, can get very frightened and will escape the yard. Keep them inside, in a covered crate/kennel with a radio going on, preferably in a place that has no windows. Do not take your dogs out to see fireworks unless you are 100% certain they will not escape.
-Dogs for the first week or even month have the highest chance of trying to escape during a walk. You can do umbilical training (leash tied around your waist) so they get used to you. You can burn off energy by playing in the backyard/house and training. Find no slip leashes/harnesses and if need be use a double leash technique, this way if your dog slips one leash you do have a backup leash to keep control over your dog.
-Cat fencing, cat enclosure, and even a harness can help your kitty stay put. A harness lets your kitty explore while not escaping. It’s not safe to let your cat roam but they can still enjoy life outside in a secure yard with cat fencing, cat enclosure or on a harness.
-Get locks put on your fence. This will prevent anyone from opening the gate to either steal them or to let them out.

Also check out this awesome resource as well
https://purringpal.com/lost-pets/

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks, Resource ·

A Word on Kitten Season from Co-Director, Kath Oltsher

June 23, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

I swear a lot.
Mostly because it alleviates stress.
And it cracks me up to get creative with it.
Kitten season is the worst – I have a gold standard potty mouth right now.
Here is the thing, everyone accepts that kittens and cats suffer. Even those of us on the front lines. Because it is a THING.
“Yeah, it’s sad,” we say and shake our heads, “but we are doing all we can – we just don’t have the funding/volunteers/fosters etc. to do more. There is just too many.”
We need to change our attitudes and everyone else’s.
It’s generally not hard or expensive to get a kitten fixed. And all rescue and animal welfare agencies need to step up to help that happen. That is how to be serious about animal welfare. And cats are animals. If these groups don’t help people get cats fixed for inexpensive rates – the groups are assholes. (Even a few a month makes a huge difference).

If you get a cat and you don’t get it fixed – you are an asshole.
If you dump or leave a cat behind – you are an asshole.
If you sell kittens without getting them fixed first – you are an asshole.
If you give away kittens to people who won’t get them fixed – you are an asshole.
If you don’t get mama cats fixed – you are an asshole.

Don’t be an asshole.

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks ·

Foster of the Week: Stacey Brotzel

June 20, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

Good day. Stacey Brotzel here with channel ZARS to bring you a breaking story…..

STACEY BROTZEL SEEKS FOREVER HOME – AGAIN

Our story begins in October of 2014 when a stunning grey and white girl made her debut into the world. Her life to follow would be full of ups and downs, highs and low and thrilling adventures….

One story in particular melded Stacey’s all time high and all time low. Several months ago, Stacey found herself in the home a wonderful family. Ready to settle down from a life of adventure, Stacey happily resigned herself to a life of laps and luxury only to have the catnip pulled right from under her nose. A series of unfortunate events brought poor Stacey back into the rescue from which she was once adopted, Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society.

With a collection of hearts that are never closed off to any animal, Zoe’s recommitted itself to find Stacey a forever home. One who would oblige her daily bathtub drinks and be happy to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa while she regales her tales of adventure and excitement.

A sweetheart of a cat, Stacey adores dogs and cats as much as she adores people. A forever home where she will have animal siblings would be ideal for this beauty. Stacey is a very well-balanced lady, the perfect mix of social sophistication and quiet independence. She has outgrown all those silly kitten behaviours and learned proper indoor manners, but still loves to play and let her inner kitten shine through. Her foster mom says she is amazing and perfect. “She takes time to warm up with everyone, but once she does, she is just perfect. Very playful and curious. Always looking for an adventure.”

We are asking the public for assistance with finding Stacey’s forever home, we are certain the perfect family is out there, waiting for her. If you have any information that could lead to a forever home for Stacey or if you think your home might be the perfect fit, we urge you to visit Stacey’s profile and apply to adopt her today.

Thank you for reading today. For Channel ZARS, I’m Stacey Brotzel.

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks · Tagged With: adoptable cat, Foster of the Week

Vincent Vega & Mama Cory: A Love Story

June 9, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

A few months ago, a gorgeous, but homeless and pregnant, young girl showed up on the doorstep of a home in one of our target communities. The wonderful people took her in but were unable to keep her and her puppies, so they called us. We brought everyone into care and gave Mama Cory and her pups, the Flower Litter, a safe place to stay. From the beginning, this sweet, semi-feral mama was shy, timid and distrustful of people. We knew she would need some extra time and TLC. After taking wonderful care of her puppies, they were sent off to their foster, then forever, homes and Cory moved on to her own foster home to get the love and attention she needed and deserved.

Vincent Vega also showed up on the doorstep of a home in the same target community as Cory. Homeless (but not pregnant, for obvious reasons), Vincent was taken in by the caring gentleman, but unfortunately he couldn’t stay. Also semi-feral, shy, timid and distrustful, Zoe’s brought Vincent into care, placing him in a kennel where he could be with other dogs and transition more comfortably.

Mama Cory wasn’t doing so well in her foster home. She was exhibiting somewhat severe separation anxiety and appeared to be very unhappy as a solo dog in her foster home. Zoe’s decided to move to Cory to a kennel where she could have the kind of company she needed. The same kennel Vincent was staying.

The two became immediately inseparable. Literally. At night, Mama Cory (AKA Lady Houdini) breaks out of her kennel to get into Vincent’s kennel so they can snuggle. During the day, they are always together. And when Vincent went on the lam the other day, Cory was all it took to bring him back in.

We suspect Vincent and Cory may have known each other before coming to Zoe’s as they both came from the same community and they bonded so quickly. Both dogs need to go to a home where they will have a canine sibling, so why not go together? Vincent and Cory are a part of our BFF Program. That means you can adopt Vincent and Cory together at a reduced fee so they can be BFFs forever.

Learn more about Cory here and Vincent here. Maybe these besties can be your new besties!

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks · Tagged With: Adoptable Dogs, BFF

Foster of the Week: Chance

June 5, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

Hi friend! I’m Chance!

This is my second visit to Casa Zoe’s. Unfortunately some ‘circumstances‘ changed for my former family and they couldn’t keep me. I’m not sure what ‘circumstances’ means, but here I am! Ready to find another family!

The good people of Zoe’s thought I should tell you about myself. They say anyone who knows me falls in love with me, that pretty much means the only reason YOU don’t love me is because you don’t know me. So let’s get to know your blonde beau!

First, the not so great bit….

I’m leash reactive.

There. I said it.

Nobody is perfect right? I saw this quote once: “To conquer your flaws, you must first accept them.” I have accepted and am already working on the conquering. Zoe’s put me up at a kennel where I will work with a trainer who will help me learn how to stay calm and be ok with other leashed dogs when I am on my leash. My adoptive family must continue this training with me. Not only is it vital to my well-being to conquer this leash reactivity, training together will help us bond. I’m a smart guy, I already know basic commands very well and I am eager to learn more. If we both commit to this training, I know I can shake my fears.

Now all the good bits…..

I am full of energy and love to play! Playing with toys, playing with dog pals, playing in the water….. Playing in the water with dog pals and toys….. That’s almost TOO much fun!! I also love jogging. My last foster mom and I used to jog 10 km, she said I was the perfect running buddy. I stayed in front, kept a good pace and steady energy the whole way. I’ve got energy for days!! I dream of an acreage with a pond and dog pals (like my last foster home) so that I have lots of room to run and play. And a family. A high energy family who will walk or run with me every day and play with me outside too.

I like to make my people happy, always keeping eye contact and listening when doing my tricks. I’ve learned sit, stay, paw, lie down, and play dead. I’m also great with kids, older ones who have good dog manners. Sometimes I need a little personal space, so I’m best around little people who can understand that. And, despite my issues with dogs and leashes, I really love dogs! My favourite thing to do in my foster home was playing in the pond with my foster brother. In case the repeated mention of ponds didn’t translate: I LOVE WATER! My foster mom could barely keep me out of the pond.

Leash reactivity and mandatory training can be intimidating, but I am a great guy in so many ways. If you give me a ‘chance’ and spend some time training with me, I know I will make you proud.

Let’s meet! Check out my bio and apply to adopt me!

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks · Tagged With: adoptable dog, Foster of the Week

Edmonton International Cat Festival 2016

June 2, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

Back for its third year, the Edmonton International Cat Festival attracted young and old back to the NAIT gymnasium for a day of fun, frolicks, and cats…lots of cats. The event, organized as always by Linda Hoang and emceed this year by local writer and entrepreneur Adam Rozenhart, contained all of the elements that has made it the success it is, with a few additional elements added in for good measure.

This year, I entered the venue to find a long queue which, being a good Brit, I promptly joined. It was only after five minutes of not moving that I decided to ask the person in front if this was the queue to get in, to which point I was informed that “No, this is the queue for Nana.” I’m a bit deaf, so when I asked my boyfriend Steven (he’d been convinced to attend on the promise of kittens) who Nana was, he reckoned it sounded more like Nala. Anyway, we got our tickets and wandered off to where the queue started only to see a fairly ordinary looking cat sitting in a child’s buggy, looking perfectly comfortable, almost nochalant. A quick Google search revealed that Nala (or nala_cat as you might know her) is a five year-old rescued Siamese/Tabby mix who has 2.9 million followers on Instagram. Now, Jesus had, at best estimates, only thousands of followers during his lifetime, and he died at 33, so we thought this might be worth queuing for. Forty-five minutes later, most of them spend standing on the same spot thinking “Why?”, we got to meet Nala, who was still in the child’s buggy. I expect it’s how she prefers to meet her public. If I had 2.9 million followers on Instagram, some of whom could be bothered waiting forty-five minutes to see me, I’d probably plump for a chaise longue. Now she may be a fairly ordinary cat in reality, but she does have one skill that none of the cats I’ve ever owned have had, when we had our picture taken she looked, without hesitation or deviation, directly at the camera. The complete pro!

Zoe’s had a bigger profile at the event this year. Last year’s sole ambassador, Tippy Canoe, quickly became a foster fail for Allen Williams. This year we came mob handed with five of our finest in full-on adoption mode. Justice, Achilles, Apollo, Doughnut, and Crossy were all in fine form. Ensuring their experience was a good one and keeping the public right were Dusty, Susan, Jacqueline, Jan, Kath, and Nicole (who raised some serious moolah with her fantastic Catnip Mice on the stall with her friend Julie from Majesty Industries selling some gorgeous cat themed wallets, mugs, and travel masks.

On the main stage there were presentations on Library Cats, a veterinary & behavioral Q&A, big cats, the Mr & Mrs Purr-fect Photo Contest and of course a presentation from the aforementioned celebrity cat Nala! There was also something for the kids this year in the CATivities Centre allowed them to play with lego and draw to their hearts content and also purchase something tasty from the Cat Cafe! Another new addition was the Cat Yoga session which was completely booked out. The Edmonton Cat Fanciers Club also returned with a completely kitten based mock show this year. Talking of kittens, there were more than you could shake a stick at, you know, the ones with the string, feather and bell at the end?

Overall, totaling up the donations, proceeds from the Catnip Mice and Zoe’s Animal Rescue’s cut from the door proceeds, Zoe’s made more than $6000 from the event, which makes it one of the most important in the Zoe’s calendar, so clear your calendar for the last Saturday of May next year and we’ll see you then!

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks · Tagged With: cat, edmonton, Festival, International

Foster of the Week: Missy

May 23, 2016 by Spencer Mortenson ·

Helloooooo dolls! I’m Missy.

AKA Chatty Catty. AKA Quirky Quinn AKA Clumsy Carla. AKA Loose-lipped Lisa. AKA Ditzy Della.

AKA the best cat you’ll ever meet!

Who has four paws and a loooooong list of looooooves? THIS LADY!

I love to chat. My forever home should love to listen. Because I will tell you everything I have done every minute of the day. I love to snuggle. My forever home should also love to snuggle. Because smothering is frowned upon apparently. I love this little green tag thing. I don’t even know what it is, but it makes me VERY happy. Be sure to get this from my foster mom. Because I love it! I also love jingle balls. Because they are so fun to chase. I love to be brushed. But in stages. Because I am a busy, busy lady! I love to stare at the fish in my foster home. Hypnotizing!! But do not distract me from my trance. Because I WILL yell at you. I love tummy rubs. But don’t touch my back toesies. Because I do NOT like that. I love to play with the hamster when she’s in her ball. I assume the pounce position and ready myself for the attack, but then panic when the ball comes my way. Because what if the ball has super powers?!

My foster mom tells people I am a ‘cute ditz.’ The cute part is obvious, look at me! But ditz?? I dunno…. She says I am ‘uncoordinated.’ I say I’m entertaining. Plus I don’t think an uncoordinated cat could pick up food and eat from her paw, now could she? I didn’t think so. I’d take offence to this ditz business if my foster mom didn’t bribe me with that green tag thing that I love so much. Humans can be so deceptively loveable.

If my striking good looks and sparkling personality isn’t enough to have to furiously clicking the ‘apply to adopt me‘ button, this surely will: I’m part of the Black Tie Sale. That means my adoption fee is reduced to just $75!

They say black cats are pretty much mini-panthers. So adopting me means you’ll have your very own panther! How many of your neighbours have panthers? I bet none. So get over to my bio and fill out that application!

Filed Under: Protecting Your Dog Against Ticks ·