10 • September 26, 2012 • Snoqualmie Valley Record
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Valleypets
Health • Care • Diet • Training • Play
Alpaca tales
Adopt a barn cat
Wooly friends make for Fall City family business
Regional Animal Services of King County has a volunteerrun program, Barn Cats R Us, that rehomes outdoor cats to barns and garages where they work as rodent hunters. Many of these cats are feral or very shy, and so will be seldom seen. Others are friendly, but are too unhappy living indoors to be good housepets. Most of these barn cats have been rescued from sites threatened by development, or other homes with owners who have moved or can no longer care for their outdoor cats. Regardless of their origins, Animal Services’ goal is to humanely prevent free-roaming cats from uncontrolled breeding. RASKC places barn cats at no charge to you. Once the cats are placed, you only need to provide warm, safe shelter, a dependable source of food, and fresh water. Animal Services often has cats available for immediate adoption. If not, you can get on a barn cat waiting list. Visit Barn Cat Request Form (PDF) at http://www.kingcounty.gov/ safety/regionalAnimalServices/ SpecialProgramsServices/ BarnCatsRUs.aspx.
By Carol Ladwig
See ALPACAS, 11
Carol Ladwig/Staff Photo
Above: Eric Solene playfully “listens” to one of the female alpacas that are part pet, part livestock to the family. Right: Rocket is the Solene’s early warning system. Penned with the females and babies, the gelded male will give a warbling cry whenever he spots possible dangers approaching the herd. •
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produces world champions
viewing room
Horse Care www.DrGwald.com
www.capstonetrainingstables.com
We would like to take off IAMS and Eukanuba and replace it with more pictures of our Best Seller: Taste of the Wild (below). If you could add in the info below that would be great.
(425) 891-1560
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North Bend Ace Hardware 330 Main Ave. S. in Mt Si Village
BEST SELLER Complete Line of Taste of the Wild: High Prairie Canine Formula Pacific Stream Canine Formula off IAMS and Eukanuba and replace it Wetlands Canine Formula our Best Seller: Taste of the Wild (below). Rocky Mountain Feline Formula e info below that would be great.
BEST SELLER ete Line of Taste of the Wild: gh Prairie Canine Formula ific Stream Canine Formula Wetlands Canine Formula y Mountain Feline Formula
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Complete Primary
The helpful place
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425/222-7555 PO Box 941 • Preston, WA 98050
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• Cat / Dog Food • Pet Accessories • Poultry and Livestock Feed • Grooming Supplies • Large and Small Animal Supplements • Small Animal / Fish Food and Supplies • Equine Feed / Grooming and Supplements
LARGEST PET & LIVESTOCK SELECTION IN THE VALLEY!
6 ct. wee wee Pads XL $10.99 (801727) 30 ct. wee wee Pads $24.99 (801726) 12 ct. wee wee Diapers $22.99 (821991)
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• Hardware • Paint • Plumbing • Electrical • Lawn & Garden • Pet Food & Supplies • Livestock Feed • Animal Health • Housewares • Sewing Notions • Sporting Goods • Camping Gear • Hunting and Fishing Gear • Hunting & Fishing licenses • Firewood & Stove Pellets • Sno-Park Permits • Wild Bird & Small Animal Supplies
Magic Coat® shampoos and conditioners
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n a little ranch outside of Fall City, the Solene family lives and works with a small herd of alpacas. They’re all involved in a business, Alpacas at Legacy Ranch, but sometimes, it’s hard to say who’s in charge. Although Eric and his wife Leann make sure each of their 20 or so charges is fed and cleaned and sheared properly, it’s the alpaca Gracie who has to give a final stamp (and snort) of approval to things. When the couple cornered the new cria (baby alpaca) earlier this year, so they could get a look at her teeth and gums and show her off a little, Gracie was close by to monitor the situation, although it wasn’t her baby. She sniffed the bundle of soft, white hair and long, gawky legs in Eric’s arms, gave Leann a comically questioning look, and then backed off, just a little. That’s generally how things are done in this family business, established in 2002. The Solenes started raising alpacas as a way to diversify their income, at a time when few people knew much about the animals or their fiber.
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Staff Record