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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Strategies for Keeping Pets in Challenging Situations

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CAWS | Community Animal Welfare Society
CAWS Adoption Day Partner
Living Safari Adoption Events 
Come see us the second Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our newest adoption-day partner, Living Safari.
6540 S State St.
SLC UT
(801) 266-0241
 
This is in addition to adoption days at PetSmart in Salt Lake City and Orem. Visit our calendar for more information. You can also visit all of our available animals through our recently spiffed-up CAWS website.

CAWS animal Annabelle
Annabelle was adopted from CAWS in 2003. The adopter’s girlfriend said she has IBD and was going to dump her at the Humane Society, so we acted fast and found a place for this sweet baby. She is struggling to understand why she has been abandoned and is a bit shy at first. But, once you start petting her she will come out and appreciate the offered affection. For now we are treating her as a special needs girl who is in need of a special adopter who is willing to commit to her for life.

CAWS animal Maya
Maya was adopted in 2008 but had to be returned due to changes in the adopters' lives. She has a beautiful brindle coat and is small for a boxer/lab, weighing in at 40 lbs. She is crate trained, great with kids, and great with other dogs, but she does try to be the alpha female with other dogs.

CAWS animal Candi
Candi is a very affectionate girl. She does well with children, dogs, and cats! Want to see her stand on her hind legs? Just hold your hand out like you might pet her. She is so very sweet and joins her foster mom for naps and sits on her lap to watch TV.

CAWS animal Patrone
We rescued Patrone, a pit bull terrier mix, from the Humane Society so he would not be euthanized.The Humane Society employees loved his gentle personality, and he is very loving and affectionate. He gets along well with other dogs and is gentle with children.

CAWS animal Thomas aka Bonkers
Thomas (aka Bonkers) loves to play. He's great with cats, dogs, and new situations. Again, he LOVES to play and would do great in a home with other cats or on his own with lots of toys.
A Great Valentine’s Day Gift That Lasts!
You could buy a bouquet of red roses that will last for about a week and cost about $70, or you could give your loved one a lasting gift that costs about the same and will mean so much more! There are still a few spots left for our PAWS for CAWS pet-photo fundraiser. Call Monica at 801-566-0829 to make your reservation today, and give your loved one a beautiful gift he or she will cherish forever.
 
For Keeps…
Strategies for Keeping Your Pet in Tough Situations
Community Animal Welfare Society is off to an incredible start in 2010, and we hope to impact the lives of even more animals this year. In 2009, CAWS brought in a total of 505 animals and adopted out 473. The year was especially challenging, as the economic climate not only diminished the number of donations CAWS received, but also caused a significant increase in the number of animals in need of help. This 'perfect storm' produced a critical situation for animals with more need and less funding. Almost daily we receive cries for help from people who can no longer take care of their animals. CAWS would like to extend a special thank you to all who have supported the efforts of CAWS, even in these tough economic times, by taking in additional fosters, making generous donations, or finding other creative ways to help CAWS and the animals of Utah. If you would like to help, please consider a one-time or monthly donation to CAWS.
 
Aside from economic strain, many animals are brought in or returned for four main reasons: the owners move, have a baby, have allergies, or get frustrated with a pet’s improper urination.
 
The fact that CAWS requires an adopter to return an animal if it isn’t a good fit or if he or she is unable to keep it is an important policy that sets us apart from so many other groups. But if you find you are facing one of these common challenges for pet owners, there are options that can allow you to keep your furry family member.
 
Moving. We have seen many committed owners successfully move a pet to the next town, across the country, or to the other side of the world. The key is planning ahead. Visit the veterinarian to make sure your animal is healthy and to determine if any medications will help make the move easier. Ease stress by keeping you pet secluded in a secure place away from all the noise and activity on moving day—both at the old residence and at the new one. Keep your pet comfortable: Use a sturdy carrier for transport. Find pet-friendly hotels if you need to travel overnight and airlines if you need to fly. Finally, once you arrive at your new home, unpack your pet’s toys, food bowls, bed, etc., right away so your pet will have familiar items around them and begin to settle in. (Also, if you adopted from CAWS, make sure you send us your new address!) 
 
New Baby. Your first “baby” may experience some sibling rivalry with the new arrival, but there are many things you can do before the baby comes to prepare your pet. First, talk to your vet and your pediatrician to get their advice. Spay or neuter your pet if you haven’t already, and address any pet training issues. Get your pet used to reduced attention, new smells, different noises, and additional rules gradually. The Humane Society of the United States has a number of creative suggestions to make it easier. 
 
Allergies. Pet allergies don’t have to mean that you can’t have a furry friend. There are a number of actions you can take to reduce the dander and allergens in your home so you can all live together comfortably. Bathe your pet regularly with allergen-reducing shampoo to cut down on the allergy-causing protein residue from saliva. (It’s best to get your pets accustomed to bathing early in life. Bathing a full-grown cat without prior training is unquestionably “entertaining.”) Another option is to take your pet to the groomer to be bathed. Shut the bedroom door to keep the pet off the bed. Use HEPA air cleaners. Vacuum, dust, and sweep weekly, and wash fabrics regularly. Install hard floors in lieu of dander-trapping carpet. Wash your hands after handling the animal. As a last resort, medications can be used. Talk to your allergist to discuss your options.
 
Inappropriate Urination. This is one of the most common reasons cats are returned, and it is definitely unpleasant! If your cat is spayed or neutered and has been litter-trained but continues to urinate around the house, there are a number of things to do:
  • Visit the veterinarian first to ensure there is no medical reason behind the behavior. A urinary tract infection or inflammation is painful for the cat and can lead to avoidance of the box.
  • Identify and adjust any stress- or anxiety-inducing situations that may be triggering unwanted urination or box avoidance.
  • Make sure the litter box is cleaned daily and is in a quiet space where your cat feels safe.
  • Be sure you have a large enough litter box. Cats, like us, prefer a bigger bathroom. Indeed, some complaints have been resolved when we find out a big kitty has been given a small litter box—bigger box, better use!
  • Avoid scolding and punishment, which will likely compound the problem.
For more suggestions, About.com’s Outside the Box articles cover the issue thoroughly.
 
If you would like more information about any of these topics, feel free to contact CAWS at cawsdotorg@aol.com
 
Remembering a Special Cat
In September of last year, we wrote about Magpie, the resident greeter at the Wild Bird Center. We are sad to note that the much beloved kitty passed away quietly on December 23. Sheri & Owen Hogle sent us a message in remembrance of this sweet soul:
 
Despite the frailty that came with her age, Magpie had breakfast and greeted people on Wednesday morning. She started failing that afternoon, and we took her to the vet, who informed us her kidneys had failed. We held her and said our goodbyes and closed her eyes. We are convinced that she now is the official greeter in heaven. Thank you for introducing us to this wonderful girl 14 years ago when we adopted her as a "senior." She touched thousands of lives at the Wild Bird Center and was deeply loved and cherished. Although we miss her terribly, we are grateful to have had the opportunity to share our lives with this incredible cat.

CAWS - Community Animal Welfare Society
P.O. BOX 17825 • Salt Lake City, UT 84117 • 801.328.4731 • www.CAWS.org • email: cawsdotorg@aol.com



Thursday, January 21, 2010

Save On Photos of Your Pet and Help CAWS

PAWS for CAWS: Support CAWS Get Cute Pics of Your Pet

Get adorable photos of your pet and support a great CAWS at the same time with an exclusive offer from PhotoUmbra Studios. For one day only Saturday, February 6, 2010, from 9 am to 5 pm you can get professional portraits of your pet and take advantage of special discount packages just in time for Valentine's Day! A portion of all proceeds will be donated to CAWS.

CAWS operates solely on donations, and we appreciate your help in making this fundraiser a success. There are a limited number of sessions available, so don't miss the opportunity to get gorgeous photos of the furry love of your life. Or make an appointment for a loved one to get a portrait of his or her pet as a special Valentine's Day gift. Call 801-566-0829 to book your appointment today!

Visit PhotoUmbra Studios blog for the story behind this fundraiser and see details below.



CAWS - Community Animal Welfare Society
P.O. BOX 17825 * Salt Lake City, UT 84117 * 801.328.4731 * www.CAWS.org * email: cawsdotorg@aol.com



Tuesday, December 22, 2009

CAWS News - Happy Holidays





Mandy (top) & Felix can be shy at first but are very sweet and fun once they overcome their skittishness. The low-maintenance pair love to be petted and doted upon when you sit down to relax. They are frightened of dogs but do well with other cats.



Maddie is an affectionate and loyal chocolate lab who loves people and is a great foot warmer. She is already perfectly house- and crate-trained. She wants to be the center of your attention and needs to find a home with no other animals. 




Clover is a very loving and playful long-haired calico who likes people and attention. She especially loves to have her beautiful fur brushed. She thinks she rules the world and doesn't tend to get along with other cats, so she would prefer a home where she is your one and only.



Misty, a black and grey terrier mix, adores people and is very loving and good natured. She isn't fond of children and does not tolerate other animals well, so she would do best as the only pet in a quiet home.


Shy in the Spotlight
Help These Pets Find Safe, Loving Homes for the Holidays

Rescued from a feral site as kittens, Mandy and Felix didn't receive much socialization with people when they were young. As with most CAWS foster pets, the pair is taken to adoption events at PetSmart in hopes of finding their perfect home. But you may never see them, because they are always hiding under something. One CAWS volunteer thought we had a huge, white cat in the program until she realized that both cats had worked themselves under the blanket in their tower! Usually, Mandy and Felix are so terrified that their lovable personalities just aren't able to show through. As a result, these perfectly healthy, adorable cats have been patiently waiting to be discovered and adopted into their forever home for many months.
 

CAWS has a number of wonderful animals in its care, like Mandy and Felix, that have a tough time showing their sweet sides at adoption events. Consequently, they have been patiently waiting to settle into homes of their own for quite some time now (some of those who have been waiting the longest are shown left). Of course, CAWS will continue to care for them for as long as it takes, but we would love to see these loving pets find permanent homes.


We see these cats and dogs at their best when they're in their foster homes. And we so hope adopters will give them a chance and enjoy their companionship. Over the years, we have received touching stories from adopters whose lives have been enriched after adopting these wonderful animals. Read some of their stories and discover the rewards of adopting the undercat.


If you or someone you know has the capacity to open your heart, give some time, and let the special side of a shy dog or cat bloom, please open your home and embrace one of these healthy, beautiful pets. Not only will you be rewarded with an affectionate new friend who will enrich your life, you'll be helping to make room for even more pets to be rescued by CAWS.

Shy Pet? Give Them Time and Tenderness
Shyness is often a sign of fear, which could be the result of a negative experience in the past or the animal could simply have a timid disposition. When bringing shy pets into your home, it's best to gradually expose your new friends to people in pleasant, non-threatening situations. Keep them in a "safe room" with a comfy cubby, so they can get to know you and feel safe in their cubby and not be "lost" in your home. Be patient, and wait for them to come out on their own, then reward them with a tasty treat or play with them with a toy. Do not force them out of their hiding place or do anything that will frighten them. If you adopt a shy dog, it's a good idea to start obedience classes once he or she is feeling more self-assured; this will help you and the dog learn how to stick with positive behaviors. With a little time and a lot of love, your new addition will be more confident and will comfortably settle in as part of the family.

Please contact us if you would like to adopt a new friend. Visit our website to see all of the pets currently available for adoption.


Give a Gift with Heart
As you celebrate the season with your loved ones and give thanks for all of the blessings in your life, please consider sharing the love with a financial gift to CAWS. Our organization operates solely on financial contributions from animal lovers like you. Your gift will help support our no-kill efforts by funding our spay/neuter programs and veterinary care for foster pets, animals in need, and feral cats that are part of our trap/neuter/return (TNR) program. Plus, you can deduct your charitable donation if you give by December 31. Share a gift with heart. Donate today. Also, remember to keep using Goodsearch!

 
Adopt a Dog & Get Fit!
Looking for a way to meet those New Year's resolutions to get fit? Adopt a dog! According to the New York Times, "New research from the University of Missouri has found that people who walk dogs are more consistent about regular exercise and show more improvement in fitness than people who walk with a human companion." By bringing a new canine friend into your life, not only will you enjoy devoted companionship, you also might just shed a few extra pounds.




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CAWS - Community Animal Welfare Society
P.O. BOX 17825 Salt Lake City, UT 84117 801.328.4731 www.CAWS.org cawsdotorg@aol.com

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