• Congratulations to the recently certified National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Certified Teams. These teams achieved FEMA certification between May and August of this year, allowing them to deploy with their task forces whenever they’re needed.
•According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), more than 3 million cats enter shelters each year in the United States. Along with shelter life, comes stress for many cats. However, enrichment activities can reduce stress.
“Dogs living in animal shelters are often taken out of their kennels for walks and play groups, while cats typically remain within the confines of their kennel for the duration of their time at the shelter,” Allie Andrukonis, postdoctoral research associate in the Montgomery County School of Animal Sciences within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and one of the researchers in the study, said.
“Despite the increasing popularity of strollers and backpacks for cats, no study has actually assessed the impact of taking a cat in a stroller or backpack on cat behavior. Our study will be the first to assess that as well as if training the cat ahead of time to hop into the stroller impacts the number of stress-related behaviors we see,” Feuerbacher said. Training the cats to be in strollers may increase their chances for adoption.
Julianna Scardina, a member of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2024, said a stroller is an excellent choice to balance enrichment and the safety of the animal and the environment.
“Some owners may not be comfortable taking their cats outside for a number of reasons like stray animals, parasites or they don’t want their cat roaming and hunting wildlife,” Scardina said. “And not all cats tolerate leash walking, so utilizing a stroller can allow pet and owner to get outdoors with less worry because it’s enclosed but easily portable.”
The study also found that human wellbeing was enriched by walking a cat in a stroller.
Confirming if strollers are the answer is not yet known, but the team is still analyzing data. The team hopes to continue their work by implementing a volunteer walk at the shelter for the cats to increase adoption rates and by studying whether walking a cat increases the human-animal bond.
We all know that cats are peculiar beings, and their happiness can set the tone for the entire household. To shine a light on the importance of feline happiness, September is recognized as National Happy Cat Month.
Cats come in a variety of personalities. Some can be high maintenance in their demands of love and attention, while others play hard to get and make their humans work for their affection. Oftentimes, cats are thought to be self-reliant, aloof and less in need of regular veterinary care than dogs.
Happy Cat Month is designed to counteract these stereotypes and ensure cats are well cared for, enriched, and receiving the preventive care they need. Whether the family feline is the friendly type or the “do not bother” variety, there are several things we can do to make sure they are living their best lives.
Regular Vet Visits
Monitor Litter Box Habits: Cats often like to express their feelings via their litter box behavior. If the family feline stops using the litter box, he is not necessarily staging a revolt.
Give Them Spaces: Spaces to climb, spaces to hide.
Scratching Posts Are A Must: Scratching is an important characteristic of cat behavior.
Add Enrichment Activities: Cats need their mental health taken care of in addition to the basics.
Give Them Safe Outdoor Access: Cats are curious about the world outside the window
Consider A Friend: Most cats enjoy the companionship of a feline friend.
Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager of Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonprofit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter..
• Scientific Reports,
Summer weather is here: time to enjoy the outdoors with our pets! Dr. Canaan Shores, a veterinarian with the urgent and convenient care service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, offers advice to help keep your fun-filled summer safe.
Never, ever leave pet in car. Perhaps the most important warning Dr. Shores has for all pet owners is to never leave your pet alone in the car. “On a sunny 70° F day, the temperature in a car can rise to 100° F within 20 minutes and will only continue to rise,” he says.
As you and your pet start to enjoy the warmer weather, it may be a good idea to do it slowly. Dr. Shores says, “Some of those very warm, humid spring days can trigger heat stroke because dogs are not adjusted to it. Gradually expose your pet to heat and humidity in short bursts.”
Pet owners should learn the signs of heat stroke and how to prevent it.
“The early signs of heat stroke include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, abnormal gum color (pale or purple to blue), excessive salivation, and disorientation,” says Dr. Shores.
As the condition progresses, the signs may change. “The pet may develop bloody vomiting, diarrhea with blood, very small red spots on the skin or gums, bruising, seizures, and/or collapse,” he says.
The temperature of your pet will be very elevated. “Normal temperature in dogs and cats is <102.5° F; heat stroke occurs when the temperature is above 105.8° F.”
Dr. Shores wants pet owners to know pets may have clinical signs of heat stroke at lower body temperatures, so, if signs are noticed, the pet should be transported in a vehicle with air conditioning to the nearest emergency veterinarian.
If there is a delay in reaching the veterinarian, he advises, “Owners should move the pet to a cooler environment and run tepid (not cold) water over the pet and place them in front of a fan. Applying cold water, ice packs, wet towels, or alcohol to pets can be counterproductive and is never recommended.”
As soon as possible, get the pet medical attention.
Certain physical characteristics may predispose some dogs to overheating. Dr. Shores explains that dogs with brachycephalic syndrome—those with shortened snouts and flat faces such as English and French bulldogs, Boston terriers, Pekingese, and pugs—should be monitored very closely in the heat.
“Other breeds shown to be more susceptible include Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers. Pets with long hair, significant fat covering, or that are well-muscled can also be predisposed to heat stroke,” says Dr. Shores.
