Happy World Cat Day from all of us at Paw Prints in the Sand! It has been 4,000 years since cats were domesticated and became members of our homes and families. The ancient Egyptians were the first to bring cats into their homes to control pests and vermin. Cats were worshiped and considered gods and goddesses. Harsh penalties and punishments were served to those who harmed or killed a cat.

Cats are still one of the most popular pets in today’s society, not to mention that they are the unofficial emissaries of the Internet, which is why we celebrate them today.

So why do we love our cats?

1.     We love their independence
Unlike their canine counterparts, cats don’t constantly crave attention nor do they become disturbed when their humans leave. Cats also don’t look to humans for guidance in unfamiliar situations. Rather, cats prefer to deal with matters on their own.

2.     They have a calming effect
Have you ever noticed the calming feeling you get when petting a cat? Not only is a cat’s purring mesmerizing; the tactile feeling when stroking its fur can be meditative. Also, cats more deeply register our tactile presence. Cats can also help release oxytocin, which is associated with the feeling of being in love.

3.     They have healing powers
A 10-year research study suggests that cat owners were less likely to die of heart attacks than people who have never owned one. The latter group was 40 percent more likely to die from heart attacks and 30 percent more likely to die from cardiovascular disease. Other studies confirm that cats can lower our blood pressure and release dopamine and serotonin, which reduce stress and improve immune functioning.*

4.     They are low-maintenance
Cats are easy pets to own. You don’t need to walk them every few hours. They don’t require bathing or constant attention. Cats are just happy to be near you, and you can go away for the weekend and not worry about hiring a pet sitter (although we always recommend you have someone check on your cat just to be on the safe side). And, they are small and typically allowed in most apartments and rental living situations.

5.     Cats are extremely loyal
Everyone equates loyalty to man’s best friend, but cats are extremely loyal companions.  They love to be pet and cuddled. If you give a cat a bit of attention, you will get a lot of love in return. Also, people think that cats don’t know their names or respond to their humans like dogs do. Not true! Cats do know their names and understand when you call them. They just don’t always care. 😉

6.     It’s fun to watch them play
Cats love to play! Have you ever dangled some string in front of a cat or a laser pointer and watched a cat playfully go after it? Their curiosity and acrobatics are always entertaining. And, did you know you could train a cat to fetch just like a dog?  Yes, cats are trainable too.

Sadly, over 80% of cats that enter the shelter system are euthanized on an annual basis so, of course, we also had to take this opportunity to encourage people to adopt a cat from a shelter or local rescue organization. There are so many wonderful kitties of all ages looking for the puurrfect furever home. And, don’t forget to spay or neuter your cat to help reduce the kitty overpopulation in our shelters and on our streets.

Having a cat is a very rewarding experience. To receive the love and affection from a kitty is one of the best feelings around, but they will only reserve it to those who properly take care of them, so make sure to provide your cat with the basics:

• Scratching post tall enough for their size
• A comfy kitty bed
• A litter box that is large enough and tall enough to contain liquids and litter, proper litter (most cats like soft small pellet litter)
• Fresh water
• Ample food
• Kitty toys

Now let’s celebrate World Cat Day with some fun cat videos and maybe even by saving a life! Your new feline companion will thank you!

*The finding was the main result of a 10 year study of more than 4,000 Americans by researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Institute in Minneapolis.

Think only humans suffer from seasonal allergies? Think again!  Like humans, pets can experience the negative effects of allergies. The most common pet allergies are fleas and seasonal allergies due to environmental elements such as grass and pollen. Symptoms of environmental allergies include sneezing, swelling of the feet, hair loss in the underbelly, and watery eyes.  If your pet experiences hair loss, constant itching, hot spots, or other skin issues that are unresolved or show up continuously, allergies may be the culprit. These symptoms are most prevalent at the beginning of the spring season and may require prescription medicine and specific allergy tests in order to pin point the allergen and to figure out the correct course of action and medication needed to treat the allergies. This is true especially if the symptoms are severe. Sometimes, the allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medication such as Benadryl (in dogs), If the allergies are more severe, your vet will prescribe medication.

Many pets also have flea allergies, which are easily addressed with monthly flea protection. Talk to your veterinarian about suspected allergies.

Food allergies are also very common. Typical indicators of allergies include watery eyes, hair loss, severe itching or swelling. Additional symptoms include irregular stool or diarrhea, vomiting, or if it’s a case of anaphylactic shock, pets will display an inability to breathe and the loss of bowel control. The most common ingredient that causes food allergies is corn, so grain free food is always recommended to keep food allergies at bay. Some pets may also be allergic to a specific type of protein such as beef, chicken or fish, so it would be important to monitor your pet’s reactions when ingesting food with the specific protein in order to pin point allergies and to help you feed the right kind of food.

The following are likely to cause allergic reactions in dogs who are sensitive to them:

·       Tree, grass and weed pollens

·       Mold spores

·       Dust and house dust mites

·       Dander

·       Feathers

·       Cigarette smoke

·       Food ingredients (e.g. beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat or soy)

·       Prescription medications

·       Fleas and flea-control products (Only a few flea bites can trigger intense itchiness for two to three weeks!)

·       Perfumes

·       Cleaning products

·       Fabrics

·       Insecticidal shampoo

·       Rubber and plastic materials

It is important to keep in mind that a flea allergy may only require a few flea bites to trigger intense itchiness for 2 to 3 weeks. Many cats with allergies to plastic materials will display missing hair around their mouths.

It is also a good idea to have Benadryl in pill form as part of your pet’s first aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about the correct dosage in case of an emergency for your pet, so you can be prepared.  If you are notice any symptoms mentioned above, contact your veterinarian immediately and discuss what could be the cause and the appropriate course of treatment. A healthy pet is a happy pet!

Patience, Love and Determination.  These are the three words that come to my mind when I think of animal rescue.  My name is Angel Salazar. I am a volunteer with Paw Prints in the Sand Animal Rescue and this is what I have learned so far from volunteering with them.

I started to volunteer as part of my school’s community service requirements for my senior project about animal cruelty and how to help abused animals. During the course of my project, I did a lot of research on the topic of animal cruelty and abuse and wrote a 10-page paper on its facts and what could be done to help abused animals have a second chance at life.  My paper introduced cases of animal cruelty involving physical abuse, neglect, and starvation, to mention a few. After completing my research, I then arrived to the conclusion that it is our responsibility to help stop animal cruelty at least by helping the rescue organizations that rehabilitate the animals that have been subjected to abuse, or to volunteer and make a difference in their lives.

Although my senior project is complete, I continue helping rescue animals under the mentorship of Monica one of the rescue’s co-founders. As a result of my hands-on work with the rescue pets, I found that patience, love, and determination are the three things a person needs most when helping abused animals. 

In addition to providing assistance at adoption events, my volunteer work has consisted of assisting in the rehabilitation of rescue animals in training and socializing walks with the rescue’s professional Master Trainer Tim Welch of Redefined Dog Training. In the course of these training walks, I learned that PATIENCE is needed because depending on what these pets have been through, it may take some time for them to get used to people and other pets as well.  At first, while walking the rescue dogs, I saw that some of these pets like to test the people with whom they are not yet familiar, to see how much they can get away with.  For example, on my first couple of walks, some of the dogs would not listen to me, but they would listen right away once the trainer was near us.  It was actually quite interesting to see how he could get them to listen. From this I learned that being patient and assertive helped me handle the dogs better, and when I would provide a command to a dog while being assertive, the dog would readily follow the command.

I also learned that LOVE is a key factor in helping these pets. Some came from a world where all they knew from their previous owners was hate and abuse, but all they needed to be shown is love, along with it being what all pets deserve.  I experienced that showing the rescued dogs some love allowed them to show their love back to me.  One such dog is Dalton. He is a great dog, and I enjoyed walking and training with him very much. What I learned from him is that dogs have a lot of love to give.  On one of my first walks, a lady that seemed to know Dalton very well approached him, and he was filled with so much happiness and excitement to see her. It was almost unbelievable, but the same was with me when I would come to work with him and all I had given him was a few hours of my time at a training walk. It was very rewarding to see, and I was happy to love him back.

Lastly, DETERMINATION is something I saw that the co-founders, the fosters and volunteers had while working with Paw Prints in the Sand. The rescue dogs had been through so much and in some cases it was not easy for all of them, but no one was giving up on animals.  Back to Dalton, I was very surprised when I found out Dalton had been waiting to be adopted for a very long time (almost 2 years!) He was such a good dog, and I couldn’t understand why people didn’t want to adopt him right away.  But with determination, the rescue continued working with Dalton, and he even received his Canine Good Citizen Certification. I was very happy to learn recently that a great family had finally adopted Dalton. It was nice so see him finally have a home. 

Ultimately, whether it is trying to find a rescue and abused pet a new home, or trying to help them recuperate, it is very important to stay determined and not give up on them.  I learned a lot from working with them. I am so excited to continue to help and work with them. I look forward to working with our new rehabilitation cases and getting more involved in saving the lives of abused animals, as well as getting more of my friends involved with this cause.

Paw Prints in the Sand is always in search of volunteers. If you would like to join our team, you can view our available volunteer opportunities and send your application by visiting www.pawprintsinthesand.org/volunteer or by contacting us at volunteer@pawprintsinthesand.org.

Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa… No matter what you celebrate, your holidays are filled with celebration. But, that doesn’t always mean you have to include your pets in the festivities. Funny pet videos, gifts for pets, and even trying to make them a part of the holiday feast; as fun as all of these activities may seem, pet safety is a key concern that all pet owners need to consider during the holidays. So we’d like to give some tips on keeping your pets safe while celebrating the season.

Decorations
The Christmas Tree: The lights, the bulbs, the garland – all look like toys to your pets.  

• Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet.
• Provide your kitty with a cat condo so he/she will be less inclined to exercise on your tree.
• Make sure that you do not use any chemicals in the water for your tree, which may poison or cause stomach upset. Also, make sure that it does not stagnate causing bacteria to reproduce and affecting your pet’s digestive system.

Mistletoe, Holly & Poinsettias:  These plants are a holiday must, and while very pretty, they can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested by your pet. Mistletoe is poisonous can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Also, many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. We suggest you opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Tinsel: Pets love this sparkly, light-catching decoration that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But, a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to avoid it all together.

Menorahs: Don’t leave candles unattended or use flameless candles instead. Pets can burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders placed on a stable surface. And, make sure you extinguish all candles when you leave.

Wires and electric cords: Keep wires and cords out of paws reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus.

Decorations: Be careful with glass ornaments. Shards of a broken glass ornament can damage your pet’s mouth and digestive tract, which could cause serious GI issues and even death. Try decorating with plastic ornaments to avoid the issues.

Food Dangers
Food is an integral part of the holidays, which is why going on a diet is the #1 New Years resolution, but your pet doesn’t need to share your holiday treats. Make sure you keep the following away from your pet:

• Chocolate
• Anything sweetened with xylitol
• Spicy food
• Cooked bones
• Alcohol
• Grapes

Plan a Pet-Safe Holiday Gathering
Make sure to exercise your pet before your party so they will be calmer when your guests arrive. It’s always best to keep your pets secured in a room or crate during the festivities. You wouldn’t want one of your guests to inadvertently give your pet a treat that will him or her sick. Also, a crowd could cause anxiety in your pet so it’s best to give them a safe haven while you enjoy your guests.

Welcoming the New Year
As you count down to the New Year, please keep the following in mind:

• Confetti is lots of fun for dogs and cats and can cause intestinal obstructions that could require surgery.
• Poppers and fireworks can frighten pets and cause anxiety and possible damage to their ears. Make sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches.

Finally, make sure to keep the contact information for your Emergency Vet or your Veterinarian handy in case of an emergency.

From all of us here at Paw Prints in the Sand, we wish you and your pets a very happy and safe holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

When you decide to foster a rescue pet, you are giving that pet a second chance at life. To set aside time and energy to help save a homeless pet; It is the most selfless thing you can do to!

We believe pets belong in a home and not stuck in some boarding facility. Because of that, Paw Prints in the Sand is a 100% foster-based rescue organization. We cannot save a life without a dedicated foster in place.

So, now you’ve made the decision to become a foster parent. What’s next? Well, we’re here to help! Fostering is free and temporary. All you have to do is care.

How to Become a Foster Parent
To become a foster parent, you must first decide that you are ready to make the commitment and that your home is ready to welcome a foster pet. When you are ready to foster, contact local rescues and complete their foster application. Make sure to include the level of responsibility you are able make (a week? A month? Until adopted?). Once you have completed and sent in your foster application, the rescue will contact you to conduct an interview, discuss your application and schedule a home check. They will also discuss the fostering process and get a better idea of the best type of pet for your home and capabilities. Some fosters can only take in small dogs; some only want puppies or kittens, and some are able to take in larger dominant breeds dogs. The rescue will also take into account your personality, work schedule, activity level, physical capability, experience, and the personalities, breeds and temperaments of your own pets.

Once you are approved and available to foster, the rescue will match you with a pet in need and will make arrangements to get your new foster pet to your home. With over 7,500 companion animals euthanized daily in our nation’s shelter system, there is always an immediate need for foster homes.

Make sure the rescue for which you chose to foster provides all vetting, food and supplies. Also, make sure they properly network their foster pets for adoption.

Most rescues have private Facebook groups that include all of their fosters and volunteers, which is a portal for sharing rescue-specific information and events, fellow foster stories, seek advice, or just share photos of their foster pets. The rescue should also properly network available pets in their rescue across their social media sites and sites such as Adopt-A-Pet and RescueMe.org

You Got Your Foster Pet, Now What?
Some rescues provide informative documentation and frequently asked questions that will help you with your new foster pet. When your rescue pet arrives, you should also receive any supplies provided by the rescue (such as food, medications, crates, leash and collar, toys, treats, shampoo, etc.). You should also receive an “Adopt Me” vest or bandana and rescue business cards to give to anyone who may be interested in adopting your foster pet. These supplies are for you to keep while you are fostering and should be returned to the rescue once your foster pet has been adopted, unless of course, you are going to foster again for the same rescue.

Start Loving Your Foster Pet!  
The great majority of rescue pets have had a rough life – until you came along. You have now given them the opportunity to be in a loving home so start loving! This will increase the chances of your foster getting adopted, as they will become accustomed to being in a home and cared for like never before!

Help the Rescue Help You
To increase your foster pet’s chances of getting adopted, ‘Like’ the rescue’s Facebook page, follow them on Instagram, Twitter and any other of the rescue’s social media sites. Make sure to document your journey with your foster. Take lots of photos and videos that show just how fun and cute your foster pet is. If it is a medical needs case, document their progress. People love to see pets get happy and healthy! Make sure to share your photos and videos on your social media pages and those of the rescue for whom you are fostering. Also make sure to always include the rescue’s handles and hashtags, as well as other generic hashtags such as #adopt, #dogbreed (for example #pitbull, #lab #gsd) #rescue #adoptdontshop, #fosteringsaveslives, etc.  

Once you get to know your foster pet, send the rescue photos and a bio with information about your foster’s personality, likes and dislikes, level of activity, etc. to help them best describe your foster on their adoption websites.

Always make sure to place your dog’s ‘Adopt me’ vest or bandana when taking him or her out for a walk so people know your foster is looking for its forever home.  Give any interested adopters the rescue’s business card and adoption information. Don’t forget to add the rescue pet’s name on the card to help people remember in what pet they were interested and whom they met. Try to get their contact information as well to share it with your rescue.

What If I Need to Travel?
Just because you need to be away from home, it doesn’t mean that you cannot foster. If you have to go out of town for any reason such as work, vacation, emergency, etc., let your rescue know as soon as possible.  Some rescues may allow you to take the pet with you. However, most will require the pet to stay in town so they can continue to network them or have them present at adoption events.  Always make arrangements with your rescue for your foster pet. Typically, they will transfer your foster pet to a another foster in their network while you are away or the pet will be placed in short-term boarding. If you have someone coming to your home to take care of your own pets, and they are happy to care for your foster pet, make sure to provide the rescue with your pet sitter’s contact information. Please keep in mind that the foster pet is the responsibility of the rescue, and they need to know where the pet is and under whose care it is at all times.

What If There Are Any Medical Issues with My Foster Pet?
Medical questions and issues always come up! Contact your rescue as soon as possible to gain support or permission if medical attention is needed for your foster pet. Most rescues have approved veterinarians near their foster parents’ homes and will make an appointment for you. Always obtain treatment approval from the rescue, or you may be stuck paying for unapproved vetting costs.

Dog Parks and Play Dates
Dog parks can be fun for pets, but always discuss social outings with your rescue as not all dogs are fit for dog parks. Your foster dog may behave well, but that doesn’t mean other dogs at the park are well behaved or socialized. Additionally, most rescues do not know a rescue dog’s background and any emotional trauma through which he or she may have suffered. Most rescues do provide socialization and integration training and techniques. Always ensure your foster pet is friendly with others before you put him or her in a social setting.

What If I fall in Love with My Foster Pet?
It always happens: you save a pet from certain death, return it back to health and happiness, so you now have a bond with this pet. Chances are, you’ll fall in love and want to keep the pet for the rest of its life. This is what we (lovingly) call “Foster Failure”. Many rescues will allow you to adopt your foster pet. Let the rescue know as soon as you decide to do so, so they can let other potential adopters know the pet is no longer available. Some rescues require a deposit. Others will require a discounted adoption fee. You will also need to sign the rescue transfer agreement confirming that the pet is now in your care and your responsibility.

All rescues are different and provide different services so do your research to decide which rescue best fits your needs and fostering objectives. Paw Prints in the Sand is a 100% foster-based non-profit animal rescue. We are always looking for fosters of all kinds of pets: dogs, cats, long term, short term, young, old, etc. We pay for all vetting and provide all food and supplies as described above. If you are interested in fostering for Paw Prints in the Sand, please fill out our foster application by visiting www.pawprintsinthesand.org/foster