MUST BRING IN A PRINTED COPY OF SAN DIEGO PETS MAGAZINE TO REDEEM ADVERTISED DISCOUNT. OFFER EXPIRES JULY 31 SAN DIEGO PETS MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION LIST: http://www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com/pages/distribution
PUBLISHER/EDITOR Casey Dean COVER PHOTO Tamandra Michaels Heart Dog Studios (619) 218-4668 www.heartdogstudios.com
CONGRATULATIONS! Kendra Hartmann won first place in the arts & entertainment category (magazines) for "How Michael Vick's fight dogs found their way home" at the Society of Professional Journalists banquet held on June 27th. Plus! Nicole Sours Larson won second place for her “Reducing Amy” article! Read part two of “Reducing Amy” on page 9.
Kendra Hartmann
HOUNDS FOR HOPE WALK is coming to Dusty Rhodes Park in Ocean Beach, July 28th. There is still time to sign up for the fun walk or get your booth at the event.
Nicole Sours Larson
Meet the creator of the Hounds for Hope Walk on page 16.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark Carlson
Judith Pierce Martin Jones Westlin
GUEST WRITERS Sarah Bates Arden Moore Stefanie Schwartz, DVM Jason Sweitzer, DVM
HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE THIS SUMMER! Visit our website for more pet-info, past articles and now, local blogs! Create your own account to receive regular updates or to start your own blog! www.SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com
CARTOONIST Barbara Fuscsick Puppy Paws Productions www.puppypawsproductions.com
ADVERTISING Casey Dean (619) 573-5615 Casey@SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com Marjorie “Kirby” (858) 775-4432 mkirbykirby@gmail.com San Diego Pets Magazine is published by Dean Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 601081, San Diego, Ca 921601081. No part of this publication may be duplicated or reprinted without express consent from the publisher. Editors reserve the right to edit all content. Submissions are welcome, and may be edited for content and clarity. Please forward all unsolicited material to the editor. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to approve or accept advertising orders and content. All contents are copyrighted 2012. All rights reserved.
/SanDiegoPets San Diego Pets Magazine P.O. BOX 601081 San Diego, Ca 92160-1081 (619) 573-5615 SANDIEGOPETSMAGAZINE.COM www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | JULY 2012
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San Diego’s Mount Vesuvius
The threat that promises to bury the city – under kittens By KENDRA HARTMANN | SAN DIEGO PETS
Every year, usually in late March or early April, they start to arrive. They come slowly at first, but momentum gains quickly, and by May, San Diego is buried under what the Department of Animal Services calls “Mt. Kitten.” It’s kitten season.
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o truly witness what the city is up against when cats – a species that is virtually constantly in heat – get the urge to procreate each spring, one only need step into the facility that houses the San Diego Humane Society’s “Paws to Success,” a program dedicated to solving the problem of kitten overpopulation. Situated across the street from the Humane Society’s Gaines Street campus, the building is essentially a warehouse – full of tiny, fluffy, thriving kittens – whose sole purpose is to mitigate the issue of euthanizing treatable and adoptable animals. “I’ve never experienced anything like [Paws] at a shelter before. It’s an amazing program,” said Gary Weitzman, the Humane Society’s new president and CEO. “Most shelters have 4
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the horrible decision and task of euthanizing, and the majority of those euthanizations are cats and kittens this time of year. We know they’re completely treatable and adoptable.” The solution to the kitten problem, however, is not merely one of finding a warehouse large enough to hold the city’s population of orphaned kittens. The program can only survive – as can the kittens – through the dedication of the caretakers and veterinarians who work quite literally round the clock to provide for the kittens what their mothers – or “queens” – would provide in the wild. In early spring (it seems to happen about one week earlier every year, said Jenny Bonomini, coordinator of the Paws nursery), the kittens start to pour in. That’s when Paws opens the doors of its seasonal warehouse, and the kittens don’t stop coming until the last few trickle out in November. During those months, caretakers keep watch over the warehouse 24 hours a day. The kittens – housed in insulated cubbies for the first few weeks of life – require constant care, with feedings taking place every two hours until they are a week old, and every four hours for the few weeks after that. Once the kittens are five weeks old and are showing signs that they are well adjusted, they are moved from the nursery to the “socialization”
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Our cover model, Jenny Bonomini, coordinator of the Paws nursery at the San Diego Humane Society (right), is seen here being interviewed by CBS 8 News during the Telethon for the Animals on March 17, 2012.
section of the facility, where they play with other kittens and wait until they are eight weeks old or weigh two pounds, at which point they will get spayed or neutered, then moved into the Humane Society’s main adoption center. The goal, of course, is to get the kittens past the stage where they can’t care for themselves and, hopefully, into the home of a loving family. The success rate, meanwhile, has been remarkable, with a mortality rate lower than 10 percent, Bonomini said. That doesn’t mean, however, that the task is an easy one. Not all the kittens will make it through the Paws program, usually because of a pre-existing condition. “We’re often getting these kittens at a really young age, and we don’t have the
instincts of the mother,” Bonomini said. “In some cases, if they were in the wild, the mother might know they weren’t going to survive, but we don’t have the advantage of knowing that.” The only conditions for which Paws has a blanket policy of euthanization are feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and panleukopenia. Most other conditions, Bonomini said, are treatable. “The hard part is that we can’t save them all,” she said. “We make sure we’ve done all we can, and if we have a kitten we know isn’t going to make it, our staff will sit with them until their last hours. I look at it as a second chance. The ones that get through the program get that chance, and for the ones that don’t, at least we know we did all we could.” The reason the kitten problem is a problem at all is obvious and the solution simple – prevent cats from reproducing. And yet somehow the general public doesn’t seem to grasp the gravity of the problem, nor does it seem to accept the idea that it can be a part of the solution. Most people, according to Dawn Danielson, director of the Department of Animal Services, don’t think they’re a part of the problem. “Some people just don’t care, while some will feed a stray cat but they won’t go any further than that,” she said. “A lot of it is that it just isn’t a priority. It needs to be like smoking – people don’t want to admit they smoke anymore, and it needs to be the same with people who have a pet that’s not
SEE KITTENS, Page 7
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BY THE NUMBERS: Delving into what happens when kitten populations explode across the county every spring, one could get buried in numbers – just as the city gets buried under a mountain of tiny felines.
517: The number of neonate kittens (kittens between one day and two weeks old) the county’s Department of Animal Services took in during the months of March, April and May this year.
2,500: The number of cats of all ages the department took in over that same three-month period.
10,000: The total number of cats that passed through the department during the 2010-11 fiscal year. The national average of adoption of cats in shelters is a dismal 30 PERCENT, though San Diego’s average is much higher – closer to 60 PERCENT.
Another set of numbers provides considerably more comfort:
1,830:
The number of kittens admitted to the Paws program in 2010-11.
1,454: The number of those kittens that were adopted.
4,700: The total number of kittens that have come through the program since its inception in 2009. There is another number that is important to solving the problem of kitten overpopulation: one.
A view from the entrance of the “Paws to Success” facility. Paws sole purpose is to mitigate the issue of euthanizing treatable and adoptable animals.
“If everybody took it upon themselves to convince ONE neighbor or ONE family member, it would make a huge dent in this problem,” Danielson said.
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KITTENS
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spayed or neutered. They should feel ashamed to admit that. It has to be a cultural thing, something you just do. People shouldn’t have to be convinced.” Some of the public mentality of “I didn’t do it” comes from the fact that the problem is easily obscured, and if the average person can’t see the problem, it might as well not exist. That’s where Paws’ warehouse can have a lasting effect. “It’s very sobering to see all the kittens in one place and see exactly what the problem is,” Weitzman said. “It paints quite a picture. People don’t know that overpopulation is an issue because they don’t see the colonies [of stray cats and kittens]. Walking into the nursery, you’re just dumbfounded.” The battle being fought by shelters and animal welfare agencies in San Diego is twofold. While Paws provides a much-needed place for the kitten population, the society and animal services are partnering with other organizations
to prevent the kitten population from exploding in the first place, coming up with innovative solutions (including a program called TNR – trap, neuter, release – designed to cut down on the feral cat population, which will launch
this summer). One result of their efforts is Spay San Diego, a coalition of animal welfare groups working toward offering affordable or no-cost spay and neuter services. “That’s why I think this battle can be won, because we’re doing it together,” Weitzman said. “Working toward it separately is ineffective.” The battle, Danielson said, has to be fought with prevention as the top priority. “We can’t adopt our way out of this problem,” she said. “People can only adopt so many kittens per year, and we all want the same thing – to reduce the numbers coming into the shelters.” Weitzman, indeed, agreed that he and all of his colleagues would gladly welcome the day they have nothing to work for. “The goal is to shut us down. Every person here would gladly be out of a job if it meant we had won that fight,” he said. “The holy grail for us is to close the nursery, and spaying and neutering is the only way to bring those numbers down.”
YOU CAN HELP The San Diego Humane Society is in need of foster families for kittens that come in during the off season, when Paws’ warehouse is not in use. For more information, visit www.sdhumane.org. 6
JULY 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
Weight control in a two-cat family ChangingAmy’s diet was key to losing weight
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As she slims down Amy, left, is beginning to show signs of having a “waist,” as her leaner brother Alexander displays. By NICOLE SOURS LARSON | SAN DIEGO PETS
elping a cat lose weight is not easy, especially when another cat is slender, but it’s manageable if you’re prepared to change their diet. (See “Reducing Miss Amy,” www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com, Nov., 2011.) Our cats, overweight Amy and lean Alexander, just came from their annual checkup. Their vet, Dr. Ann Middleton of Cheshire Cat Feline Health Center in Clairemont, was pleased with Amy’s progress. She weighed in at 13.9 pounds, down from 16.5 pounds late last year, while Alexander maintained his 11 pounds. Amy has now lost about 2.5 pounds, 15 percent of her peak body weight, difficult for a cat who loves to eat. Dr. Ann recommends a further weight loss of two pounds.
over a half pound a month and points out that many cats lose weight naturally once they switch from a predominantly kibble diet to a canned or raw diet. That’s what happened with Amy. At first they ate a purely canned diet, mostly their preferred Wellness brand. Following Pierson’s recommendation of four to six ounces of canned cat food or about 150 to 250 calories per day, depending on the cat’s size and metabolism, I fed them two 5.5 ounce cans daily, supplemented with small amounts of whatever plain fish or meat we had for dinner, especially for Alexander. Later I experimented with a raw diet, after discovering they both enjoyed the raw ground turkey or beef I would slip them while fixing dinner. Our “cat food store,” Noah’s Natural Pet Market in Pacific Beach, offered me samples of several frozen raw cat diets. They loved it! Smallbatchcat sliders, each a one-ounce patty, are easy to handle and convenient to serve, as long as I remember to defrost them the night before serving. Because the cats prefer variety in their diet, they’re receiving three or four raw sliders for breakfast, often doled out in several servings to avoid spoilage, and canned food for their evening meal.
SEE WEIGHING AMY, Page 18
How? I changed their diets completely.
Cats, including Amy, are often addicted to kibble. Amy loved her crunchies and usually choose crunchies over canned food. After reading labels on their grain-free kibble and seeing the high percentage of carbohydrates, I reduced their portions and increased their wet food. Alexander also liked crunchies, but tended to vomit them up quickly. Reducing the crunchies didn’t work for either cat. Even when I cut their serving to a quarter cup a day for both cats, Amy still didn’t lose weight. Eliminating crunchies worked, despite Amy’s angst and complaints. As soon as the high-carb crunchies were gone from her diet, she started to lose weight, while Alexander kept more food down, with plant enzymes and probiotics mixed in. Cats should not lose weight quickly because of the risk of hepatic lipidosis, a potentially fatal fatty liver disease associated with rapid weight loss, explains veterinarian Dr. Lisa Pierson on her website Catinfo.org. She advises a slow weight loss of not
www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com | JULY 2012
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Behavior Bytes
Stefanie Schwartz,
DVM, MSc, DACVB Veterinary Behavior Medicine drstef@petbehavior.org
Kitten Quiz Supper time for a couple littermates at the Paws nursery at the San Diego Humane Society.
To prepare your home for your new kitten:
m Lie down on the floor to see the world of adventure from her perspective
m Secure small or toxic items they can swallow everywhere in your home including counter tops, trash bins, cabinets‌ m Provide cat trees or extra staggered shelves your kitten can climb (roll up your drapes!) m All of the above
To teach kittens to tolerate nail trims:
m Gently touch their feet and toes and give them a special treat
m Trim one claw every day and give them a special treat
m Give them a special toy they only get at pedicure time m All of the above
Kittens should be immediately encouraged to use a scratch post:
m To prevent destructive scratching later in life
m To train them to scratch mark the post rather than your couch
m So that you won’t need to consider declaw surgery later on m All of the above
Two kittens are better than one because:
m They will entertain each other and generally become close companions
m Solitary kittens are more likely to direct play aggression onto their owners m You will be saving two lives instead of one! m All of the above
Answers to All of the above: All of the Above!
Which of the following is true regarding litter box training your kitten?
m Use an easy access container for small kittens like an aluminum foil pie plate or lasagna pan
m Scratch your fingers in the dry litter sand to encourage them to void in it m Avoid using harsh chemicals to clean the litter pan (occasional rinsing with liquid soap and warm water works just fine) m All of the above
Photo by Tamandra Michaels.
Have a great summer! Dr. Stefanie Schwartz is a board certified veterinary behaviorist based in Southern California. She sees patients at California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad and at The Veterinary Neurology Center in Tustin, CA. For more information, please call (949) 3426644 or visit www.veterinarybehavior.org.
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Digestive health for the Modern Pet et lovers occasionally find themselves wishing their pets could talk. It would make our lives much easier (and much more interesting). But, we have to do our best in preventative care to ensure the comfort of our pets, starting with their tummy health. According to Dr. Chris Bessent, Wisconsin veterinarian and founder of Herbsmith, an herbal supplement company for animals, a daily digestive supplement is important for even your average every day dog. “We live in such a toxic world,” Bessent said. They pick up toxins in their food, from the grass, from the ground, in their water source.” These toxins, along with a dog’s diet and stress level, have a strong impact on its digestive system. Dogs are naturally scavenger carnivorous animals. Since they have been domesticated and brought into the house to eat dry food, their diets have changed. Susie Bower, owner of End of the Leash, a dog supply store in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, said a daily digestive supplement is good for any dog to break down allergens and maintain good tummy flora (gut flora refers to the microorganisms that live in the
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digestive tract). “We always want to keep good bacteria in their gut,” Bessent said. “Bad bacteria changes the bowel flora in the gut and can produce a lot of gas.” Dr. Gretchen Jaeger, owner of Prairie Animal Hospital in North Prairie, Wisconsin, said pets that have been on medication for a while especially need a probiotic in their diet because the antibiotics kill off the normal bacteria level. Jaeger said a dog in need of a digestive supplement will exhibit signs such as soft stool, mild diarrhea, vomiting, chronic infection, and long-term antibiotic use. According to Bessent, the best digestive supplement is one that is all-encompassing and includes probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes and herbs. The key ingredient to a beneficial digestive supplement is a good probiotic. Probiotics are live microorganisms that project a health benefit on the host. One example of a probiotic is lactobacillus acidophilus, which is able to create lactic acid from fermenting milk sugars. This aids in digestion and helps encourage the absorption of minerals and calcium. Lactobacillus also has immunity boosting attributes.
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Prebiotics are also good for the digestive system. According to Bessent, a prebiotic is a long chain sugar that feeds good bacteria, encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. In addition to probiotics and prebiotics, key enzymes are a must in boosting your pet’s digestive system. Digestive enzymes break down the nutrients your pet eats. “A dog that has any GI upset at all, by adding a digestive enzyme, it helps them to maximally utilize the food they take in,” Bessent said. “Doing that helps to maintain quality of life and support good health.” According to Bower, most of the basic dog food brands are depleted of all their beneficial enzymes. “When the food is baked at anything over 120 degrees, the enzyme activity is no longer present in the dog food,” Bower said. Even though our animals cannot tell us when their tummies are upset, pet owners can do their best to prevent discomfort. A good probiotic and prebiotic along with beneficial herbs and enzymes are essential to promoting digestive health. – Shannon Venegas
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ARTIST PROFILE
Art imitates life:
Laura Seeley is part of a cause bigger than herself If you believe the psychologists, then you know there aren’t many people whose life’s work is built around a passion for both art and science. Laura Seeley falls into that very rare category. If she hadn’t become a writer and illustrator of children’s fare, she says, she’d have opted for a career as a veterinarian. Duty called her to the more aesthetic path— hence her award-winning books The Book of Shadowboxes and The Magical Moonballs, as well as Shadowbox Hunt and McSpot’s Hidden Spots, a Puppyhood Secret. Upcoming books are Jerome's Journey and The Tabby Tiger Talent Agency. Her cat and dog art exquisitely dots her resume; her school programs are noted for their interactive nature and respect for the power of words; and her Kats for Kauses and Pups for a Purpose charities are designed to provide the best of care for animals in need. This Boston native and Dana Point resident keeps a daunting schedule, but it’s all for a good cause—the stewardship of the critter kingdom that so closely mirrors our own. Visit Laura Seeley Studio and Best Friends Art Gallery, located in Dana Point, CA, at 24682 Del Prado, on the southbound side of route 1. Or visit her website at www.lauraseeley.com. – Martin Jones Westlin
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MUCH MORE AT WWW.LAURASEELEY.COM
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Arden Moore,
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ACCBC, ADCBC Pet trend, behavior and safety expert Arden@FourLeggedLife.com
ike Frounfelter endured a situation he hopes most pet parents never have to face: a brain cancer diagnosis in his beloved Edna, a yellow Labrador retriever, on the heels of being laid off from his job triggered by this lousy economy. “When the veterinarian gave us the diagnosis, I looked at my wife, Sue and said, ‘I will sell my car, do anything to pay for Edna’s brain surgery and follow up radiation treatment.’ We used up our savings and opened a care credit
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In late 2005, Sue and Mike Frounfelter created Labrador Harbor, a 501(c)(3) non-profit coporation. They are seen here with Bear (left and Brandi their chocolate and yellow Labs.
account to pay for her care that ran into the tens of thousands of dollars. She lived another six months.” That was 2003 and it still feels more like just yesterday to the Frounfelters, of Santee. Edna’s medical condition
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devastated them, but they didn’t let it get the best of them. They were touched by a woman in town who gave them a little amount of money towards Edna’s medical bills. It was a small gesture that meant so much to them.
Edna’s fate inspired them to reach out as best as they can to others with limited income but limitless love for their ailing Labradors. In late 2005, they created Labrador Harbor (www.labradorharbor.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with the goal to find funds to help others avoid economic euthanasia and to give a second chance for Labradors facing pricey surgeries. I share their story because the Frounfelters are not flush with money, but they are wonderful examples of people who are making a small but vital difference to improve the lives of dogs, who give us so much in so many ways. “For me, my dogs are my kids,” declares Frounfelter. “They center me, ground me and keep me focused on what really matters in life.”
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awareness and wellness festival that will feature a half-mile fun walk, games, prizes, vendors and Bear’s Tree of Hope. It is a 6-foot, tree-shaped creation crafted from plywood in which people can place special leaves in honor of a pet or person who has survived – or lost – their battle with cancer for $5 donations. The tree is named in honor of Bear, a chocolate Lab that the Frounfelters lost to bone cancer two years ago at the age of 14. The Frounfelters may not be able to defeat cancer in dogs – yet – but that’s not stopping them from celebrating the legacies of Edna and Bear to help Labrador retrievers of this generation and beyond.
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HOUNDS FOR HOPE EVENT To learn more about how you can sponsor or be a vendor – or participate – in this event, please contact Mike Frounfelter at (619) 892-0049 or visit www.labradorharbor.org/bearhopefund.html.
Founder of Four Legged Life.com and creator of National Dog Party Day, Arden Moore is an animal behavior consultant, best-selling author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid instructor. Tune into her Oh Behave! Show on Pet Life Radio and enroll in her pet first aid classes. For more information, please visit www.fourleggedlife.com, www.petfirstaid4u.com and www.petliferadio.com/behave.html.
Take a moment to visit the website and you will see a lineup of Labs in need, ranging from: Lucy – a 5-year-old who needs donations to offset costs for lymphoma treatment. Piston – a 4-year-old who punctured her esophagus due to energetic playing with a stick. Bailee – a 7-year-old who needed emergency surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon and to save her leg. Tahoe – an 8-year-old in need of surgery to remove a large tumor on her back. She belongs to a family who recently lost their jobs.
“People can donate to any dog on our website and know that their money goes directly to the veterinarian and all donations are 100-percent tax deductible,” he says. “We go through a good approval process and talk to the veterinarian to determine who is paying for what and what is being covered.” Frounfelter is a realist. He recognizes that he can’t help everyone, so he does his best by focusing his charity on Labradors. Since 2006, they have raised more than $53,000 to help 195 families in California. And on July 28, he will host a special event that I hope you can attend with your dog. It’s called Hounds for Hope and it will be held at Dusty Rhodes Park in Ocean Beach from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a canine cancer
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JUMP...GOOD BOY!
WEIGHING AMY CONTINUED FROM Page 9
Amy is more active and Alexander, too, thrives on the new regimen. When I fed them just canned food, he lost a pound, since Amy gobbled up his portions, too. I snuck him extra food when she wasn’t around, preferably things he loved that she didn’t, a challenge since Amy devours most foods. On the partially raw diet Alexander has regained the weight he lost, while Amy’s weight remained stable. Next is the challenge of helping Amy lose two more pounds. First, I’ll tweak the quantity of raw sliders they receive for breakfast and then be more creative with diet and exercise.
Useful feline nutrition and obesity resources: www.catinfo.org (Includes tips on transitioning cats from kibble diets)
www.catnutrition.org (Includes recipes and diets for cats with digestive disorders)
binkyspage.tripod.com/CanFoodNew.html (Contains cat food calorie counts and nutritional information)
BEFORE AFTER Before: Amy exhibits her girth prior to her weight loss and After: Amy displays her new 18
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more slender profile.
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HAPPILY
EVER ADOPTED STORIES
Roxy had been adopted from the San Diego Humane Society and returned shortly after due to her severe allergies. She was looking for a second chance at a home that would accept her as she is. She found just that in a loving family who had been to the San Diego Humane Society several times in search of the perfect companion for their family. Roxy’s new family expresses their gratitude for Roxy, who “...has turned out to be a wonder-dog. Not only is she well-behaved but she is also loving and generous.” I think it’s safe to assume that Roxy feels pretty grateful, too, for this second chance that finally led her to a family that adores her.
About the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA The Humane Society offers San Diegans a wide range of programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent cruelty/neglect, provide medical care and educate the community on the humane treatment of animals. More information at www.sdhumane.org
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RABBITS
BASIL: Summer annual herb; requires full sun. Comes in several varieties with the most common being sweet basil. BORAGE: An annual herb; requires sun or shade.
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BROCCOLI: A biennial, grown as annual; requires full sun and regular, deep irrigation. If your bunny is prone to intestinal gas, pass on this one. (Same goes for cauliflower.) CARROT: A biennial, grown as annual; requires full sun; maintain even soil moisture. To limit sweets (carrot have a lot of sugar) just harvest the tops, leaving a few behind to sprout. With just a few carrot plants you can have a season’s worth of carrot tops.
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ooking for a bunny-friendly summertime project? Why not create a Garden of Earthly Delights for your rabbit? Cultivate herbs, vegetables and leafy greens, and you can harvest fresh, healthy foods for your rabbit throughout summer and fall. Best plants for this time of year are those that enjoy the sun. Be sure to use organic pesticides (marigolds, nasturtiums or lady bugs, for example) to protect your rabbit from exposure to toxic pesticides. Plants your bunny will love to munch
CILANTRO: An annual herb; requires full sun and regular
J U D I T H
P I E R C E
water. Also called coriander or Chinese parsley.
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PLANT A BUNNY GARDEN
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DANDELION: A perennial; requires full sun and regular/moderate water. A weed in lawns and flower beds, the dandelion also is cultivated as an edible-leaf crop and is good for digestion. KALE: A biennial vegetable; requires full sun to part shade.Plant in fall or winter. To harvest throughout summer, keep lower leaves well picked and remove all yellowing leaves. Rabbits love all kinds of kale. LEMON GRASS: A tender perennial; requires full sun and regular water.
MINTS: Perennial herbs and ground covers; require full sun to partial shade.Grow almost anywhere but prefer light, medium-to-rich, moist soil; partial shade; regular water. Caution: Mints spread rapidly by underground stems and can be very invasive. Best to contain them in pots or boxes. Replant every three years. NASTURTIUM: A perennial; requires sun to light shade and regular water. Climbing types trail over ground or climb to 6ft.; dwarfs grow to 15" tall. OREGANO: A perennial herb; requires full sun and little water. Not fussy about soil type. Shows best in rock garden, container or hanging basket. PARSLEY: A biennial herb treated as annual; requires sun to partial shade. Best grown new, each year from nursery plants or seed. Soak seeds for 24 hours before planting. Italian parsley is prolific and easier to cultivate than regular parsley and bunnies love it.
JULY 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
Photo by Alison Giese
Scooter, “Heaven’s Cutest Bunny.”
SWEET MAJORAM: Tiny, oval, gray-green leaves; spikes of white flowers in loose clusters at top of plant. Blooms in late summer. Keep blossoms cut and plant trimmed to prevent woody growth. Grow from seeds, cuttings or root divisions. Tender perennial grown as annual. SWEET PEPPERS: Many rabbits enjoy munching on slices of sweet peppers. Varieties include red, green or yellow. Get the large, crisp, sweet peppers; remove the seeds and membranes and slice thinly. Add a few slices to bunny’s salad plate. RED LETTUCE VARIETIES: Red lettuces give an added boost to bunny’s nutrition because they are packed with vitamines, minerals and amino acids. Including them in your bunny’s “salad mix” is a great way to ensure they are getting a well rounded diet. Various types include Red Salad Bowl, Yugoslavian Red, Red Oakleaf, Raddichio and more. Check sites such as Burpee.com for a wide variety of lettuce types. Rabbits cannot tolerate any foods from the onion or garlic family, and “gassy” vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts) should be kept to a minimum to prevent digestive upset. They also should not have access to the growing vines of tomato, potato or eggplant. The herbs, leafy greens and vegetables listed can be grown in garden plots in your yard but if you’re short on room, you can also create a container garden on your patio. Just be sure your plants are getting plenty of sun and water. Once they’re ready to pick – enjoy. Your bunny will thank you!
See ad on page 27
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What Are Cats Thinking? By MARK CARLSON | SAN DIEGO PETS
ne of the most successful animals that ever lived is the genus Panthera, which includes the lion, tiger, jaguar and leopard. For 3.2 million years big cats have inhabited nearly every continent and been worshipped by the Egyptians, Aztecs, Romans, Africans, Greeks, and Chinese. Icons and depictions of big cats are found in prehistoric caves and Renaissance murals. They inhabit human literature, art and poetry. They prowl through our deepest fears and nightmares while frolicking in our fantasies. Their hunting instincts are the subject of documentaries, articles and books. Neurobiologists and evolutionary scientists have learned much about our own species from cats. The world would be a poorer place without the presence of these magnificent, graceful animals. What cat lover wouldn’t secretly wish for a pet tiger or black panther? But since owning and caring for a 1,000-lb. carnivore isn’t practical, we have adopted the smaller Felis Domesticus, the house cat. Although they aren’t as big and aweinspiring as a leopard even a simple orange tabby evokes wonder at their agility and grace. Cats are part and parcel of what makes life fun. But...What is it with cats? What are they thinking? For such intelligent and quick-witted animals, they seem to have great difficulty grasping the most simple concepts of interaction with humans.
Photo and caption by Karen Hamlet. Visit website to see more images by Karen at KarenHamlet.com.
FOR INSTANCE
A King-sized bed covers about 35 square feet. The common house cat’s total surface area is less than a square foot. Do the math, Tiger. We should be able to use at least 14 square feet of space. Plenty of room left over. But no. Somehow in a way that defies the laws of physics and topology, a cat can totally occupy a King-size bed so a human can’t find enough space to lie down. And that’s not all. The cat will extend its tail and all four paws festooned with needle-sharp claws in order to take up more space. Here’s another one. Humans, through millennia of cultural evolution, education and an understanding
of hygiene have developed the habit of eating off plates on a table. Sure we sometimes go camping and eat off sharpened sticks, but that’s’ beside the point. Sorry, bad pun. We use disinfectant detergents to wash our dishes and cook our food to kill bacteria. So when a cat decides to see what their owner is eating at the table they can jump on the chair and watch. Savvy humans will already have fed Simba. But that’s about as effective as turning on a fan to divert a hurricane. The cat will lean down and sniff as if asking “Are you going to eat that?” Then they reach out a paw and plant it firmly in the center of the Fettuccini Alfredo. This might not deter a real cat lover, but it tends to make dinner guests squeamish. Cats are clean animals, no doubt about it. But they have been walking on floors, in dirt, and of course, the Jonny Cat. What can any sane human do but either toss the food or glare at the cat, who cocks its head and bends down to help themselves? But Tigger, having won the round,
SEE CAT TALK, Page 23
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FEATURE
Twenty-One Steps of Courage
Sarah Bates
PART ONE »
Twenty-One Steps of Courage is a military action novel about a Soldier’s mission to honor his father. Written by author Sarah Bates, it recounts the Soldier’s journey from his home in Oceanside, California to Afghanistan and back. Becoming a Sentinel Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington Cemetery is his objective, but when the Army learns of his dog handling abilities, an unexpected deployment to a war zone disrupts the Soldier’s plans. The following is the First of Three Excerpts depicting this event.
“You some kind of dog trainer?” "Specialist Strong!" Sergeant Owen suddenly appeared at Rod Strong’s right shoulder and pulled him out of formation. A vein in the NCOs neck throbbed. "Look, Strong, I'm not sure how this happened, you wanting to go to Afghanistan to look for your brother and all, but I got an order to send you in-country. Know anything about that?" "No, Sarn't," Rod replied. "You some kind of dog trainer? Huh?" "Yes, Sarn't," Rod said. "Civilian certified." Ah. What's this all about? "Says you put it on your enlistment application. That true?" "Uh, yes. I put a lot of things on the form. Just filled it out." "Well, a computer glitch has pulled your name out of the Army's files." "Me, Sarn't?" "I've got orders to send you to Afghanistan. Army dog handlers are leaving to help with that earthquake Friday," Owen said, then turned on his heel and strode off. The next day Rod reported to The Old Guard's canine unit to brush up on his skills. When he showed up at the kennels of the 947th MP Detachment, Specialist Brooks opened the gate and greeted him with a big smile. "This is a first," the Soldier said, punching in a code to open the security door. Rod followed him in. "I didn't know we had any other dog handlers here." "Yeah, well, I didn't ask for this duty," Rod commented as the door 22
closed behind him. "Wanna see the dogs?" Brooks asked. When the two men approached, a chorus of barking greeted them. Brooks walked briskly along a row of cages. The first ten enclosures held German Shepherds, then two Belgian Malinois, all big, bright-eyed and strong-looking animals. Their names, dog tag numbers and specialties were engraved on plaques mounted beside each door. Brooks opened the door to a cage marked Roja and squatted down to play gently with the sleek shepherd inside. The dog's tail thumped the ground. "We just got back from Iraq," he said quietly. "She's still a little shaken up. Not used to being separated from me." The next cage appeared empty, yet the plaque indicated Becky lived there. "Where's this one?” Rod asked pointing to the vacant area. "Oh, she's in there; probably sleeping against the back wall. She just got back from Iraq, too. Stood a little too close to an explosion." Brooks stepped into Becky's kennel. He peered into the dark interior of the doghouse. "Becky, come girl," he called softly. At that, a shiny black muzzle poked out, followed by the wriggling and quivering body of a small Labrador retriever that immediately jumped up on Brooks. "You're gonna be working here with Becky," he said to Rod. "Come on in an meet her.” At 0600 the next day Rod began to practice with Becky on the adjacent
JULY 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
training field. She obeyed his hand signs, moving easily through the field with its buried scents. A bond began to form immediately, but Becky would remain behind. Rod knew a different dog would be waiting in Afghanistan.” Read Excerpt Two in the September issue and the Final Excerpt in the November issue of San Diego Pets Magazine.
Twenty-One Steps of Courage is available in paperback or for e-readers. Buy it online at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com or at your favorite bookstore. Find out more about this book and the author at http://www.sarahbatesauthor.com.
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isn’t content with the victory. They daintily nibble a few tiny mouthfuls, turn and jump back to the floor without a backwards glance. Civilized humans also need privacy to use the bathroom. Sure we can pretty much let it go anywhere, but the law frowns on that. We don’t pester our cats when they use the litter box, right? So why in the world do they feel the urgent need to follow us into the bathroom? We aren’t doing anything the cat would find in the least bit interesting. But as soon as we close the door, Shadow is right there, meowing like an
air raid siren. They scratch at the door, shredding the paint like 20-grit sandpaper. They even try to get their paws under the crack, perhaps hoping to find a secret latch to open the door. They seem to think we’re in there eating or watching ‘Famous Felines’ on Animal Planet. Speaking of television, technology has made it possible to enjoy our favorite programs in High-Definition color on 65-inch screens. But just try, I dare you, to watch the last two minutes of the Super Bowl with the score at 45-47, with the excitement at a fever pitch, the men barely touching their stale nachos and warm beer, the pile of money on the candy-wrapper littered coffee table
Small animal veterinary hospital 6171 Balboa Avenue, SD, CA 92111 Open Mon–Sat • (858) 277-3665 http://www.arkahsd.com
County of San Diego Department of Animal Services (619) 767-2675 • www.sddac.com
Dog Beach Dog Wash Bark Avenue Resort and Kamp 655 Benet Road, Oceanside, CA. 92058 (760) 433-3763 Ext. 7 Email: info@barkforpets.com www.BarkForPets.com
California Veterinary Specialists 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 431-2273 • 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
Cheshire Cat Feline Health Center 4680 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. SD, CA 92117 Open Mon-Sat • (858) 483-1573 http://www.CheshireCatClinic.com
riding on the outcome when Patches decides to jump on the wall unit to see what’s on television. A dark spectral shape slowly pauses at the center of the screen while Aaron Rodgers carries the ball to the End Zone pursued by a half-dozen defensive tackles and the Green Bay fans are causing riots. And you can’t see it. Yes, we love our cats. And we know they love us. But sometimes I have to wonder, how did we ever get the idea we were the more intelligent species?
MARK CARLSON, 51 lives in San Diego with his wife Jane and his Guide dog Musket. A docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and aviation historian, Mark writes for several national aviation magazines. He is a featured speaker for many local adult education programs. His first book, ‘Confessions of a Guide Dog – The Blonde Leading the Blind’ is a humorous memoir about the adventures of life with Musket. It is available in through Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and iUniverse.com. You can reach Mark and Musket through www.musketmania.com.
BUSINESS LISTINGS
List your Business, call (619) 573-5615 for rates.
Ark Animal Hospital
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Do-It-Yourself•Service•Accessories 4933 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 523-1700 http://www.dogwash.com
EasyTurf A Field Turf Company Request a FREE DESIGN consultation 2750 La Mirada Dr, Vista, CA 92081 1-800-550-7270 www.sdpets.easyturf.com Four Legged Life Pet event speaker Arden Moore Dog/cat behavior consults Host dog parties • (760) 433-3480 www.fourleggedlife.com
Fuzzy Wolf Canine Training Academy Cert. Trainer Program, Group & Private Pet Parent training. (831) 979-0303 fuzzywolfservices@gmail.com
Home Buddies by Camp BowWow Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Dog Training Bonded and Insured (619) 889-7767 www.myhomebuddies.com/LaJolla
Leashes and Love Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company Serving San Diego and surrounding areas
(619) 296-4928 www.leashesandlove.com
Leash Your Fitness Fitness class for you and your DOG. Classes / events throughtout San Diego. 619-822-3296 http://www.LeashYourFitness.com
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RESOURCE GUIDE
Emergency Hospitals BONITA/CHULA VISTA Pet Emergency & SpecialtyCenter of South County (619) 591-4802 885 Canarios Court, #108, Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.PESCSanDiego.com
CARLSBAD California Veterinary Specialists (760) 431-2273 2310 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
ENCINITAS VCA North Coast Veterinary & Emergency (760) 632-1072 414 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024, www.VCANorthCoast.com
ESCONDIDO Animal Urgent Care of Escondido (760) 738-9600 2430-A S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025, 7 Days 24 hrs. www.AUC.US.com
KEARNY MESA/CLAIREMONT Animal ER of San Diego (858) 569-0600 5610 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA 92111 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs.
LA MESA Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (619) 462-4800 5232 Jackson Drive #105, La Mesa, CA 91942, 7 Days 24 hrs. www.PESCSanDiego.com
MISSION VALLEY VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center (619) 229-2400 2317 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108,7 Days 24 hrs. www.VCAEmergency.com
MURRIETA California Veterinary Specialists (951) 600-9803 25100 Hancock Ave. #116, Murrieta, CA 92562, 7 days 24 hrs. www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
POWAY Animal Emergency Clinic (858) 748-7387 12775 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 M-F 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sat. Sun. 24 hrs. www.AnimalEmergencySD.com
SAN MARCOS Veterinary Specialty Hospital (760) 466-0600 2055 Montiel Road, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069 www.vshsd.com
SORRENTO VALLEY Veterinary Specialty Hospital (858) 875-7500 10435 Sorrento Valley Road., San Diego, CA 92121 7 Days 24 hrs. www.VSHSD.com
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Animal Shelters & Humane Societies ACCEPT STRAYS & HAVE ADOPTION BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY County Animal Services 5480 Gaines St., CA 92110 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm
Rescue, Adoption and Service Organizations A Passion For Paws (Akita Rescue) (818) 925-4827 www.APassionForPaws.org
BONITA County Animal Services
Baja Dog Rescue (619) 407-9372 www.bajadogrescue.org
5821 Sweetwater Road, CA 91902 (619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm
Bat Rescue www.batrescue.org
CAMP PENDLETON Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter
Boxers N Birds (all breeds rescue and adoption) (760) 433-3763 x224 www.petfinder.com/shelters/CA1647.html
4th St. Area 25 Bldg. 25132 CA 92054 (760) 725-8120
CARLSBAD County Animal Services 2481 Palomar Airport Road, CA 92011 619) 767-2675 www.sddac.com Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30am to 5:30pm
Cat Adoption Service (760) 550-2287 www.sdcats.org
CHULA VISTA City of Chula Vista Animal Shelter
Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego www.ChihuahuaRescueofSanDiego.com
130 Beyer Way, CA 91911 (619) 691-5123 www.cvacf.org Hours: Sun & Mon Closed, Tue-Fri 9:30am-5pm Sat. 9:30am-4pm
Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue www.forgottenpaws.org
CORONADO Animal Control Facility
German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue (760) 726-4813 www.GSP-Rescue.org
700 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 (619) 522-7371 Hours: 7 days 8:30am to 4:30am
EL CAJON City of El Cajon Animal Shelter 1275 N. Marshall Ave., CA 92020 (619) 441-1580 Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5:30pm
ESCONDIDO Escondido Humane Society 3450 E. Valley Parkway, CA 92027 (760) 888-2275 www.EscondidoHumaneSociety.com Hours: 7 days 10am to 5pm
OCEANSIDE
Greyhound Connection www.GreyhoundConnection.org Independent Therapy Dogs, Inc. https://sites.google.com/site/idtdinc/ It’s The Pits Specializing in the Bully Breeds (858) 484-0985 List Srv 4 Therapy Dog Teams A listing service/electronic bulletin board. listsrv4therapydog@att.net
San Diego Humane Society-North (For dogs) 2905 San Luis Rey Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm
Operation Greyhound (619) 588-6611 www.OperationGreyhound.com
San Diego Humane Society-North (For cats) 572 Airport Road, CA 92058 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: 7 days 10am-4pm
Paws of Coronado (619) 522-7371 www.PawsOfCoronado.org
ACCEPT OWNER RELINQUISHED ANIMALS BAY PARK/MISSION VALLEY
Pit Bull Rescue of San Diego (858) 693-7331 www.PitBullRescueSanDiego.com
San Diego Humane Society-San Diego Campus 5500 Gaines Street, CA 92110 (619) 299-7012 www.SDHumane.org Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
EL CAJON
Rescue House (760) 591-1211 www.rescuehouse.org
Friends of Cats 15587 Olde Highway 80, CA, 92021 (619) 561-0361 www.FriendsofCats.org Hours: Tues-Sun 10am to 4pm
San Diego House Rabbit Society (858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org
ENCINITAS
San Diego Spaniel Rescue (619) 922-0545 www.sdsr.org
Rancho Coastal Humane Society 389 Requeza Street, CA 92024 (760) 753-6413 www.sdpets.org Hours: 11am -5pm every day except Tues. 11:30am-5pm
RANCHO SANTA FE Helen Woodward Animal Center 6461 El Apajo Road, CA 92067 (858) 756-4117 www.AnimalCenter.org Hours: 7 days 11am to 6pm
San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society (619) 593-2123 www.SDTurtle.org
SPRING VALLEY
Second Chance Dog Rescue (619) 721-DOGS (3647) http://secondchancedogrescue.org
National Cat Protection Society 9031 Birch Street, CA 91977 (619) 469-8771 www.NatCat.org Hours: Tue.-Sat. Noon to 5pm
Westie Rescue of California (619) 579-6395 www.WestieRescueCA.com
JULY 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com
Welcome to the Dr.'s Corner. I am Dr. Jason Sweitzer and I am a veterinarian at Mission Animal and Bird Hospital in Oceanside with a specific interest in Emergency Medicine, Behavior, and Exotic Animals. This column is your chance to ask a vet your questions. I’ll pick topics that are the most timely and useful to pet owners but will try to respond to all e-mails. Please submit your questions to info@missionanimal.com.
A:
I NOTICED THERE SEEM TO BE A LOT OF KITTENS IN THE SHELTER. IS THERE ANYWAY I CAN HELP?
That is a great question and very close to my heart. I have personally bottle fed and fostered 9 litters of orphaned kittens in the past 7 years, adopting my last set out last month. There are many things that you can do to help. Shelters and rescue groups need supplies to help take care of the kittens. They need towels, carriers, cleaning supplies, kitten food, kitten milk, kitten bottles, and many other
items. Call your local shelter and rescue group to find out if there are any items you can donate to help them.
Volunteer. Not everyone is able to wake up every 2 hours during the night to bottle feed a litter of neonates. If you do, you may not be able to keep your sanity or your job. While many of the groups can use fosters, they all can use volunteers to help. Kittens and cats take time to bottle feed, medicate, clean, and especially socialize and play with. A rescue or shelter can be a life saving place for an orphaned kitten or stray cat. The problem is that there are hundreds to thousands of kittens and cats in need of adoption just in San Diego County, at any given time. Any time you spend with them will improve their quality of life and make them more adoptable to find a better home. Cats can get very nervous and scared in a shelter and you can help.
Adopt and spay or neuter your cats. There are still pet stores where you can buy kittens and people still make money off of breeding their cats. Every cat you buy at a store means one cat gets eutha-
Lastly, if you find a litter of kittens all together, the mother cat is likely close by. She won’t return while you are there. If they are healthy and active, let them be. You can call your animal control agency and ask for advice before you take them. Always feel free to call your family veterinarian for further advice or email me with your questions.
BUSINESS LISTINGS
List your Business, call (619) 573-5615 for rates.
Mission Animal & Bird Hospital
nized at a shelter. There are just not enough homes. Spaying and neutering your cat makes a huge difference. It reduces many behavioral problems cats have and controls the pet population. Unlike dogs that stay in their yard, a cat will hop over a fence and breed unless you prevent it.
San Diego Humane Society & SPCA
655 Benet Road, Oceanside, CA. 92058 (760) 433-3763 Email: info@missionanimal.com www.MissionAnimal.com
(619) 299-7012 www.sdhumane.org
Pet First Aid 4 U
SD House Rabbit Society
Dog and cat 1st aid, CPR classes Hands-on training. Earn certificate. Throughout S.D. • (760) 433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com
(858) 356-4286 www.SanDiegoRabbits.org
PoopPac Dog Walkers Case
Learning With Love Dog Training Animal Behavioral Specialist (619) 813-1252, k9andk8@gmail.com www.shelterdogstodreamdogs.com
Star Grooming on Fifth Professional Pet Stylist 1845 Fifth Ave (Between Elm & Fir) (619) 571-1795 www.stargroomingonfifth.com
The Total Dog, Swim & Gym 3060 Industry St., Ste. 108 Oceanside, CA • 760-721-1DOG (1364) www.mytotaldog.com
Shelter Dogs To Dream Dogs BAG IT – PAC IT – TRASH IT! Enjoy your walk in style No Odor - No Mess - It Works! www.pooppac.com
Project Wildlife Wildlife rehabilitation and education 887 1/2 Sherman Street, SD, CA 92110 Wildlife Hotline 619-225-9453 www.projectwildlife.org
Puptown Doggy Daycare 205 16th Street. San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 234-5278 www.puptown.net
TouchNpaws & MakeNscents Comfort * Wellness * Mobility Serving the North County area (Mira Mesa up)
(619) 405-4144 • www.TouchNpaws.com
Silva’s Dog Training Training Puppies and Adult Dogs “From the Moment They Arrive Home!” (760) 613-3175 www.silvasdogtraining.com
Sophie Bella's Studio Professional Photography Call Us for Your Holiday Photos 858-717-6200 www.sophiebellasstudio.com
TTouch for dogs, cats and rabbits By certified practitioner Mary E. Cannon 858-361-8038 www.crittertouch.com
VetDepot Discount Pet Meds & Supplies • Save up to 60% on all leading brands including: Frontline, Cosequin, Greenies & Heartgard www.vetdepot.com
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July 15–21, visit the RCHS “Rabbitat” to find some bunny love! www.rchumanesociety.org
Hounds for Hope Walk
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Saturday July 28, 10:30 am - 1 pm www.houndsforhopewalk.org
Furry Friendzy Adopt-a-Thon Escondido Humane Society Wednesday, Aug 1, 10 am- 10 pm www.escondidohumanesociety.org
Dog Days of Summer Saturday Aug 11, 10 am - 3 pm www.cardiffdogdaysofsummer.com
26th Annual Fur Ball San Diego Humane Society Saturday, August 25, 6 pm - 11 pm http://www.sdhumane.org
Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon
More events and details posted online: www.SanDiegoPetsMagazine.com/events
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Rabbit Week at Rancho Coastal Humane Society
Sunday, September 9 http://surfdog.kintera.org
PET EXPO (DEL MAR) Sat and Sun, October 13 and 14 http://sandiegopetexpo.net/
JULY 2012 | www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com/events
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Be Your Pet’s Health Ally!
Pet First Aid/CPR classes 760-433-3480 www.petfirstaid4u.com
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