MARCH 2016
YOUR GUIDE TO CARING FOR YOUR PET
Preventative pet health care, one paw at a time
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www.frontiervet.ca 2 Pet identification • a pet license benefit
pet wellness • march 2016
pet wellness • march 2016
Direct return home • a pet license benefit
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
CIVIC AGENCIES
VET CLINICS
City Hall
Acadia Veterinary Clinic
222 Third Ave. N. Animal Control
Bay 4 – 1622 Ontario Ave.
4 – 3421 – 8th St. E. All about Cats & Dogs
1004 Taylor St. E. All West Veterinary Clinic
ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCIES Street Cat Rescue
2750 Faithful Ave., Suite 108 Saskatoon SPCA
Clarence Ave., past Grasswood Rd.
3120 Laurier Dr. Arlington Animal Hospital
3010 B Arlington Ave. Cumberland Veterinary Clinic
25 – 1501 – 8th St. E. Erindale Animal Hospital
PET STORES Critters
90 – 220 Betts Ave. Bay F - 411 Herold Ct. 3-406 Ludlow St. E. 2-202 Primrose Ave. 112 – 110 Ruth St. E. Early’s Farm & Garden Centre
2615 Lorne Ave. 502 – 51 St. Pet-I-Coat Junction & Barkery
110 Wedge Rd. Pet Planet
Unit D, 1501 – 8th St. Wilson’s Greenhouse & Garden Centre
Hwy 5 & McOrmond Dr.
14 – 410 Ludlow St. Forest Grove Veterinary Clinic
8 – 415 – 115th St. E. Lakeview Veterinary Clinic
2 – 1945 McKercher Dr. Lawson Heights Animal Hospital
120 – 227 Primrose Dr. Stonebridge Veterinary Hospital
5 – 215 Stonebridge Blvd. U of S Small Animal Hospital
52 Campus Dr. Westward Animal Clinic
1006 – 22nd St. W. Woodridge Veterinary Clinic
411-D Herold Ct.
ABOUT THIS CONTENT: Pet Wellness was produced by Postmedia Content Works in collaboration with the City of Saskatoon to promote awareness of this topic for commercial purposes. Postmedia’s editorial department had no involvement in the creation of this content.
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ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250.
In Saskatoon, all cats and dogs over the age of four months are required to be licensed annually. Your pet’s license will help identify your animal if it goes missing and assist its safe return. Photo: City of Saskatoon
Licensing your pet brings peace of mind Jeannie Armstrong Postmedia Content Works
There are many benefits to licensing your dog or cat every year with the City of Saskatoon (City). Foremost is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your pet’s license is an effective way of identifying a lost or stray animal and ensuring its safe return home. “If your dog or cat were to get out of your house and leave the yard, one of the important benefits is that your licensed dog or cat will be returned home to you,” says Kevin Ariss, Open Space Consultant with the City. If a licensed pet that goes missing is found by a citizen or Saskatoon Animal Control and brought to the Saskatoon SPCA, it will be provided with safe shelter at the SPCA until the owners can be notified and reunited with their pet. “A pet license is like a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” says Ariss. “When the Saskatoon SPCA or Saskatoon Animal Control receives a licensed animal, pet wellness • march 2016
they will call the owners and the pet will be delivered to their home.” Over 700 lost dogs and cats are reunited with their owners every year, thanks to pet licensing through the City of Saskatoon. “It’s a service that really benefits animal owners,” says Ariss. “Even pets that never leave the house or that owners think will never run away have been returned home thanks to this great program.” Owners of licensed pets also enjoy other privileges, says Ariss. “If you have purchased a license for your pet dog, it’s like an all-access pass to the City of Saskatoon’s Dog Parks. There are currently eight Dog Parks in Saskatoon, with two additional parks under development. Licensing your animal also means you and your pet can attend city-wide events together, like the annual Pets in the Park festival and Dog Day of Summer free swim at Mayfair Pool.” In Saskatoon, all cats and dogs
Direct return home • a pet license benefit
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online over the age of four months are required to be licensed. They are valid for one year from the date of purchase and must be renewed annually. The license should be attached to the animal’s collar or be added to the pet’s microchip information.
Licensing your dog means you can enjoy visiting the City’s numerous Dog Parks. Photo: City of Saskatoon
Pet licensing fees are very affordable, notes Ariss. The annual fee for a cat is $32 and $54 for a dog. If your pet is spayed or neutered, or under one year of age, the cost of licensing is reduced by half, to $16 for a cat and $27 for a dog. Licensing a pet also means pet owners will avoid costly fines. Fines
begin at $250 for unlicensed dogs and cats and $350 if your pet is caught running at large without a license. Pet owners who license their pets also receive a one-per-lifetime waiver of the pet-at-large fine as well as an annual pound fee waiver. It’s super easy to license your dog or cat, with three different available options. You can purchase or renew your pet license online at: www.saskatoon.ca/petlicense. You can also purchase your pet license in person from a customer service representative at City Hall, located downtown at 222 Third Avenue North; Saskatoon Animal Control, at #4 – 1622 Ontario Avenue; the Saskatoon SPCA on Clarence Avenue; and Street Cat Rescue, at 108 – 2750 Faithfull Avenue. To make it even more convenient to obtain a pet license, a lengthy list of local pet stores and veterinarian clinics also issue pet licenses. See page 4 of this guide for a complete list of participating pet license vendors. Licensing fees go to support animal services programming offered by the City, including the development and operation of local Dog Parks as well as animal enforcement services. “There’s a real community benefit,” says Ariss. “Licensing directly supports the animal services the City provides.”
Celebrate 10th Annual Pets in the the Park! Petsusin Join onthe July Park! 10th, 2016!
Join us Kiwanis on July 26th, 2015! Location: Memorial Park North ALL PETS MUST ON LEASH! Location: KiwanisBE Memorial Park South NO RETRACTIBLE Remember: All petsLEASHES must be PERMITTED! leashed! All donated topetsinthepark@sasktel.net New Hope Dog Rescue, For funds more info, email Saskatoon SPCA & SCAT Street Cat Rescue. All funds donated to New Hope Dog Rescue, For more information, check out the website Saskatoon SPCA & SCAT Street Cat Rescue.
www.petsinthepark.ca
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pet wellness • march 2016
Direct return home • a pet license benefit
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
Dog Parks great for pooches and owners Jeannie Armstrong Postmedia Content Works
Hillary Langlois knows her way around Saskatoon’s Dog Parks. The founder of In Stride With Canines, Langlois is a professional trainer, boarder and dog walker.
Professional trainer and dog walker Hillary Langlois enjoys exploring the City’s Dog Parks with her Great Dane, Vogue. Photo: Tortheed Photography
“Dog Parks are a neat way to have an adventure – to get outdoors, see new landscapes and meet new people – close to home,” says Langlois. “I’m usually out there daily, and twice or three times on weekends, depending whether I have clients or not. I think it’s a great resource.” When she’s not walking and
training her clients’ pets, Langlois enjoys exploring local Dog Parks with her own Great Dane, Vogue. She says that exercise is just one benefit of the Dog Park experience. “It’s a really great way to socialize your dogs. They are just as much social animals, if not more, than humans are. It gives them a really great way to interact, just like we would go out to a pub or dancing. It gives them the same kind of endorphin rush,” says Langlois. “It’s very important for my dog, Vogue, to meet new dogs and have fun. She’s very social with both humans and dogs so she absolutely needs to get out of the house and do these things with others.” Dog Parks are also a great place for humans to meet other dog lovers. “I’ve met a lot of friends at Dog Parks, either because our dogs are the same breed or they played well together. I’ve also met people through community meetings where people talk about what can be done to improve Dog Parks,” says Langlois, who served as the Sutherland Beach Dog Park ambassador for part of 2015. There are currently eight Dog Parks for residents to enjoy, says Kevin Ariss, Open Space Consultant with the City of Saskatoon (City). “We’ll be adding at least one or two more Dog Parks this year, bringing our total to nine or ten.” The first of these new Dog Parks will be in Hampton Village. Designated as a ‘neighbourhood’ Dog Park, the new off-leash area will be located within the district park on Richardson Road, east of McClocklin Road. Fred Mendel Park, located on 17th Street and Avenue W in the community of Pleasant Hill, will be the
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ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250. site of Saskatoon’s tenth Dog Park. When planning a Dog Park, City of Saskatoon Open Space Consultants study the neighbourhood, its demographics and the availability of space. “We focus on developing the right Dog Park for the neighbourhood,” says Ariss. “There isn’t a set model. Each park is very individual, in terms of geographic and landscape features. For example, Sutherland Beach is quite a large Dog Park, 55 acres in size, with access to the river. In contrast, the Caswell Dog Park is our first ‘neighbourhood’ Dog Park, under an acre in size.” While the city’s largest Dog Parks are located in outlying areas, neighbourhood Dog Parks are centrally located within a community. Two additional neighbourhood Dog Parks have opened since Caswell: Hyde Park in Rosewood and Pierre Radisson Park in Mount Royal. City residents can suggest locations for new Dog Parks. Interested community residents can form a user group, then submit an application form for consideration.
The Pierre Radisson Park, located between 32nd and 33rd Streets, resulted from an application sent in by a Mayfair user group. Dog Parks are also initiated by the City. “If we identify an area of the city that needs a Dog Park, we would go and look for space where it could be accommodated,” says Ariss. “For future neighbourhoods, our hope is to incorporate Dog Parks in new park developments. A Dog Park would be part of the development plan for a new neighbourhood, rather than trying to find the space later.” The City is also working to enhance its existing Dog Parks. Ariss says that a new information sign system is being implemented this year. “The signs will be more attractive and easier to read, with more symbols and fewer words. The design reflects comments and input we received from our Dog Park users and stakeholders.” Counters have also been set up to assess usage of each Dog Park. “This information will help us in the development of new parks,” says Ariss.
DOG PARK ETIQUETTE: ■ Your pet license is like an all-
access pass to Saskatoon’s Dog Parks. Only licensed dogs are invited to play! ■ Be a good buddy and interact with
your dog, keeping him or her within sight at all times. Off-leash doesn’t mean unattended. ■ Scoop your dog’s poop. Bring a few
extra baggies, just in case. ■ Play nice! Your dog should know
and obey basic commands of come, sit and stay before visiting a Dog Park. ■ If you take a toy to the park, expect
other dogs to play with it. Better
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yet, leave the toys at home. ■ Is your dog hot to trot? The mere
presence of a female dog in heat can cause a frenzy among potential four-legged Romeos. It’s best to have your dog spayed or neutered before planning a Dog Park visit. ■ If you have concerns about the
behaviour of a dog or its owner while at the park, contact the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency at 306-385-PETS. ■ Have fun! When dogs and owners
play by the rules, everyone has a good time!
Direct return home • a pet license benefit
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AVALON At the end of Broadway Avenue, south of Glasgow Street. CASWELL DOG PARK Avenue F North or Avenue G North, South of 32nd Street West. HAMPTON VILLAGE North of 33rd Street, along Junor Avenue, around Hampton Circle, north on Dawson Way, follow grid. Dog Park next to airport. HYDE DOG PARK Enter North Gate from Slimmon Road. Alternate South Gate (foot traffic only). PIERRE RADISSON DOG PARK Between 33rd Street and 32nd Street. SILVERWOOD Adjacent to the north east edges of Silverwood Golf Course, along the riverbank north of the City Limits. SOUTHWEST North of Cedar Villa Road. 3 SUTHERLAND BEACH Accessed via grid road Claypool Dr. with entry off of Central Avenue, 50 m north of Attridge Drive. 33rd St. 33rd St.
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•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
Trailrunners
Pet Resort
1-306-469-8009
Quality care Training too www.trailrunners.ca
pet wellness • march 2016
ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250.
Why microchip your pet? Jennifer Jacoby-Smith Postmedia Content Works
There is nothing worse for a pet owner than those desperate moments when their four-legged family member is missing. On average, pets will experience at least one loss incident during their lifetimes, according to Saskatoon SPCA executive director Patrician Cameron. That’s why it’s so important for pet owners to ensure their pets have proper identification on them at all times. In fact, the SPCA advocates pet owners to ensure each of their pets have multiple types of identification. One type is the City licenses which makes the pet owner compliant with City of Saskatoon (City) bylaws. “Those licenses here in our city have reunited thousands and thousands of pets and their families so it’s well worth it,” Cameron notes. In addition to City licenses, Cameron urges pet owners to get a permanent type of ID – such as microchipping or tattoos. “The beauty of the microchip is that it’s permanent and there’s no chance of it getting tangled up in anything,” she says. It’s a simple procedure – taking less than a minute – where an ultrafine microchip is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades of a dog or cat. Because of the fineness of the applicator, the procedure is completely painless for the animal. “It’s a nice insurance policy that your pet will have their ID with them wherever they go,” Cameron explains. If your animal is found roaming free, it can be scanned for a microchip. That microchip will be looked up in a database with your contact information. You will then be notified that your animal has been located. If you find a stray animal, you can take it to any vet clinic or the SPCA and they can scan for a microchip. Cameron relays a story of a pet wellness • march 2016
Microchipping your pet is one way to make sure you can be reunited with your pet if they ever become lost. The procedure takes less than a minute and is painless. When a lost pet is found most veterinarian clinics or the Saskatoon SPCA can scan for a chip and notify the owners. Fotolia image
beautiful cat in Calgary that was found on the streets and taken into a home where he lived for 10 years. When he went missing again he arrived at the Calgary Humane Society who scanned him and discovered he had a microchip. His original owners had kept the microchip database information up to date and he was reunited with them after a decade. “And you know what was really amazing was that cat knew them. He went bananas when they came to pick him up. He was so happy,” Cameron says. Such a happy ending isn’t always the case. Often when a missing animal is brought in and there is a microchip, the information is out of date and it becomes very difficult and sometimes impossible to locate the animal’s owner. If you do decide to microchip your furry family member it’s important to keep your contact information current. If you’re interested in getting your animal microchipped, you can take them to the SPCA. There is a fee for the service, but you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that wherever your pet ends up, their ID can bring them back home.
Direct return home • a pet license benefit
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
Foster families go above and beyond Jennifer Jacoby-Smith Postmedia Content Works
Rosebud was surrendered to the shelter by her previous owners when they discovered she was pregnant. Just seven days after arriving at the shelter, Rosebud gave birth to six healthy puppies. After 49 days in foster care, mom and puppies were returned to the shelter and have all since found their forever homes! Supplied photos
Elizabeth Allen is a pharmacy student by day and a super hero to a 14-week-old tortoiseshell kitten by night. Allen fosters the kitten, named Sheba, through the foster care program at the Saskatoon SPCA. “The Saskatoon SPCA often sees animals arrive through our doors that require a little extra help before they can move on to their forever homes,” explains volunteer coordinator Cathy Brin. Animals in the foster care program may be underage, ill, injured or struggling with a variety of behavioural issues. Foster homes provide a temporary home to allow the animals to develop and grow into adoption candidates.
Sheba is Allen’s 16th fostered cat. She started fostering cats when she lived in Montreal about three years ago. After moving to Saskatoon to study pharmacy in September 2014, she began volunteering at the SPCA, working with the cats in the adoption wing. Even though she would love to adopt a cat and give them a “forever home”, the short-term nature of the program is perfect for her busy life as a student. Some animals Allen only has for a couple of weeks. Others stay longer. The length of stay in foster
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ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250. care depends on the needs of the individual animal. Underage kittens and puppies will need to stay in foster care until they are approximately eight or nine weeks old. Animals dealing with anxiety or aggression may face a longer rehabilitation. The length of stay is discussed beforehand. Previously, the mother cat and her litter of seven-day-old kittens arrived for Allen to care for and they stayed until all the kittens were fully weaned. But Sheba is a singleton – no mom, no siblings. Allen looks forward to getting home to play with the curious little kitten, but admits the distraction sometimes makes it hard to study. And there is always the inevitable goodbye at the end. She says the first time she had to take her kittens back to the shelter it was extremely tough, but it has gotten easier. What makes the goodbyes a little easier is seeing the difference she makes in the lives of her young, furry charges. One baby she called “Chicken Little” was so timid at first he spent the first three days hiding in a corner behind a box. “I only had him for two weeks, but by the end of the two weeks he was social and I could even invite people over and he wouldn’t run into his corner. I knew I had made a difference for him and he would be more likely to get adopted because he was more socialized,” Allen says. Saskatoon SPCA executive director Patricia Cameron tells of a dog found wandering in traffic on Idylwyld Drive last winter. The dog was dragging a thick, heavy chain around her neck attached to a post. She had managed to pull the post out of the ground and escape into the busy street. “She was brought in (to the SPCA). She was so agitated and terrified,” says Cameron. A foster care family took her in and worked with her over an extended period of time. “When she came back to us, instead of this scared street dog pet wellness • march 2016
that was terrified of her own shadow, she was this relaxed, chill dog. She had gotten back her trust in people,” Cameron says. “That is the kind of magic that can only happen in a foster family.” Allen says it’s important to note the foster care program provides everything she needs – food, cat litter and medications or vaccinations. “I just basically give them a home and a fun time while they grow big enough to be adopted,” says Allen. There are around 75 foster super heroes in the foster care program, but the SPCA is always looking for more. “The larger this program grows, the greater impact we can have on underage, ill and injured animals at the Saskatoon SPCA,” says Brin. Application procedures are available on the website at www.saskatoonspca.com.
Pet Loss Support The death of a pet can be one of the most devastating experiences an individual or family has to face. If you are having difficulty coping with the loss of a beloved pet or are dealing with an end of life decision, you are invited to gather with other animal lovers, like yourself, in a safe, supportive and informal environment to share your experiences, feelings, stories and pictures.
The Pet Loss Support Group
meets the first & third Sunday of every month at 2pm at the WA Edwards Family Centre 333 4th Avenue North. (There’s no cost to participate and no obligation to attend on a regular basis). For more information or to receive bereavement resource material, we invite you to call Family Pet - 306-343-5322
Direct return home • a pet license benefit
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
Out of the fire, into a forever home Paul Sinkewicz Postmedia Content Works
Brent Arstall has been helping rescue dogs from Northern Saskatchewan for the past 24 years, but he had never seen anything like the situation he faced in July of 2015, when fire threatened the community of La Ronge and turned the once-bustling community into a virtual ghost town. Arstall is the owner of the K-9 Country Lodge boarding facility outside of Saskatoon, and also operates We All Need a Rescue. When the fires started and there was a chance of La Ronge being evacuated, Arstall was notified so he could begin planning how to potentially evacuate dogs from the community. Arstall loaded up his truck with supplies and headed toward the danger. He had permission to cross the safety barricades and eventually met up with some local volunteers who had stayed behind to help the animals. Arstall credits residents Joe and Linda Hordyski, who were instrumental in organizing volunteers in La Ronge and acting as the liaison between the rescuers and the town council and fire department. “We very quickly put together a game plan. With the sheer volume of dogs that were in the community, it was a task that was very tough.”
Since being rescued last summer from the devastating forest fires surrounding LaRonge by Brent Arstall and the team at We All Need a Rescue, Willa has found her ‘forever’ home with Saskatonian Carol Wisser. The Shih Tzu/poodle cross was starving, injured and traumatized when she was discovered hiding under the porch of a house in LaRonge. Loving care has restored Willa’s health and her trust in humans. She even has a new BFF, a 14 year-old Shih Tzu named Lily! Photos: Carol Wisser
Over the two-week period he was there, the group took out 287 dogs, cats, birds and even turtles. “Usually in the evenings we would load up our vehicles and then drive out and meet the Prince Albert SPCA volunteers on the highway and transfer the dogs to their vehicles.” The volunteers were also feeding about 400 dogs a day in the community, and a lot of them were running loose. Collecting the dogs wandering the streets was often challenging due to the atmosphere of crisis. “There were lots of sirens and flashing lights and the smoke itself and just the noise of the whole situation with helicopters and planes going over. I’ve never been to a war, and I don’t ever want to be, but I would assume it was similar to what people would feel in a war zone. “There was this sense of constant
14 Pet identification • a pet license benefit
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ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250. alertness in the community. Your heart rate was always elevated. We were just ready for the whole town to start on fire. “Sometimes the wind would shift and it was hard to breathe. And at night there was the constant glow of the fire that was coming at you.” Arstall happened to see something out of the corner of his eye while dealing with some dogs that had been acting aggressively. He wasn’t sure what he had seen, but decided to investigate. It turned out to be a frightened little dog, in pretty rough shape. It took a while to get her out from underneath a porch. She was extremely dirty and matted and it was hard from a distance to know which end was her front and which was her back end. She spent the night in a compound with other rescued animals, and the next morning was taken out to Saskatoon. “She’s a unique little girl,” says Arstall. “We called her Wee Willa. The first night she was scared to death of us and wouldn’t even make eye contact. The next morning she slowly started to come around.” That’s when Carol Wisser entered her life. Wisser owned a purebred, 14-yearold Shih Tzu named Lily. “I was seriously thinking about starting to look for another dog to keep my Lily company when the fires broke out. Everybody thinks a lot about the people facing that situation, and I’m not saying that’s not important, but I wondered about all the animals that were being affected by the fires.” Wisser heard about We All Need a Rescue crossing the fire lines to bring animals out and volunteered to foster a dog. She talked to the shelter and found out they had a small dog that needed a quiet place to recover from neglect and trauma. “So I went out and had a look at her, and I saw this little Shih Tzu/poodle/ who-knows-what mix and I thought ‘That poor little thing’, and I brought her home.” She had just been spayed and had started inoculations. It was obvious pet wellness • march 2016
Willa had been attacked by other dogs, as she had wounds on her from bites and was very scared. “She did look very old at first,” says Wisser. “She was very, very thin and her coat had been so matted that she needed to be shaved down. She looked pretty haggard and worn out and battered and bruised. Her tail had been broken and now just hangs. “At first Willa was scared of everything. If you approached her too fast she would cower. She absolutely hated big dogs and didn’t particularly like any dogs. But she and Lily get along fine and she even watches out for Lily.” Wisser says now you can see she had too much spunk to be an old dog and she’s now a little on the plump side. Willa is good with new dogs, now, and absolutely loves car rides and visits to the pet store. “We had many dogs come from the fires and find homes, but we unfortunately lost some,” says Arstall. “One passed away a few weeks after the fires. But he was groomed and bathed and fed properly and he got cuddled and talked to nicely. He got to experience in that last week and a half what he should have experienced his entire life. “I hope I never experience something like this again in my life. But if it does, I will be there for the dogs.” For more information about We All Need a Rescue’s efforts, visit www.k9countrylodge.ca.
FURRY FRIENDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 9-110 Wedge ge Rd. Rd Saskatoon 306-934-8387 306 06 934 83 8387
*Under New Ownership*
Dr. David Nairn www.Saskatoonvet.ca
Direct return home • a pet license benefit
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
Rescue birds make fine-feathered friends Kira Olfert Postmedia Content Works
Ever since a video of their cockatoo Pebble went viral in February, things have been pretty crazy for Treena Cheveldayoff and Saskatoon Parrot Rescue. “Our YouTube subscribers increased by 10,000 in one day. There have been comments from as far away as Hawaii and Finland, and media from all over the world has been contacting us.” All of the attention has created an opportunity for Cheveldayoff to educate the public about how best to care for their birds. Cheveldayoff founded Saskatoon Parrot Rescue (SPR) in 2011 with
Since established by Treena and Kelly Cheveldayoff in 2011, Saskatoon Parrot Rescue has found loving homes for approximately 75 birds. They are currently homing 26 birds, including Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Conures, Senegals, Amazons and Macaws. Photos: Lianne Matieshin Photography
her husband Kelly. Since that time, they have adopted out approximately 75 birds, and currently are homing 26 more, including Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Conures, Senegals, Amazons and Macaws. And while they are very happy to adopt birds out to loving families, the mission for SPR is just as much about educating people about these birds. “People misunderstand what it means to adopt a bird, and how much work it can take,” Cheveldayoff says. “They see a cute little baby bird who is manageable, but they don’t take into account that these birds can live for 20 to 30 or even 80 years of age. It is a lifetime commitment. And they often don’t know that, just like humans, birds have hormones and go through teenage years where they can become very difficult.” Even more importantly, she adds, is the fact that most people don’t understand how much their own
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pet wellness • march 2016
ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250. behaviour affects that of the birds. “You must do positive reinforcement with birds. You can’t punish them or they will take away the wrong message. Say your bird bites you, and you put it in the cage as a punishment for biting. What the bird takes away from that interaction is that if it is out of its cage and wants to go back in, all it needs to do is bite you.” The bird’s body language is an important indicator, she adds. “You can tell by looking at their eyes or their feathers what kind of mood they are in and then adjust how you react to them accordingly. You need to create drama-free situations.” SPR has a rigorous screening process for potential adopters and do as much public outreach as they can. They educate bird owners about the proper care of birds, including the importance of regular veterinary care and a healthy diet. They also work with bird owners who are experiencing challenges so that the bird can stay a part of the family instead of being surrendered. Cheveldayoff admits that it can be hard work to teach a bird proper behaviour, especially if you are trying to break previously learned bad behaviours. “With birds, trust is hard earned. You have to work to earn that, and if you betray that trust with them, it will take a very long time to get it back.” However, she says that once you get to a point of trust with your bird, the relationship is unlike anything else. “When your bird trusts you and values you, they see you as a part of their flock, and they are very social. We often sit at the dinner table with our birds and we can feed them bits of vegetables out of our salads. They are amazing companions… so goofy and entertaining and unique.” She points to SPR bird Master Syd as an example. “It took us a long pet wellness • march 2016
time to break Syd of some bad habits, but now as long as we respect his boundaries and his rules, he is such a character.” He likes music, and as long as no one is looking at him, he will sing along. “‘Moonlight Desires’ by Gowan is his favourite. He loves songs with piano in them. He has a plant that he loves to walk around, and he likes to be the tiebreaker in the house if Kelly and I are trying to agree on something. He seems to always know just what to say.” With the notoriety brought to SPR by Pebble, Cheveldayoff is hoping that more people will realize just how great the birds are, and marvels at just how much help their video is already providing to birds worldwide. “We’ve had people calling us from 3,000 miles away asking to adopt one of our birds, and it’s felt really good to be able to refer them to a more local rescue. People from all over have wanted to donate to us, and we’ve been happy to again find them a rescue in their area that could use the help. We’ve been able to make a difference for so many birds and to educate so many people. It’s a really amazing feeling.” You can visit the Saskatoon Parrot Rescue at www.saskatoonparrotrescue.ca or visit their YouTube channel, MegaBirdCrazy.
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Is something wrong with Fluffy? Paul Sinkewicz Postmedia Content Works
A fluffy feline patient named Duncan receives a thorough check-up from Dr. Katina Stewart, owner of the Martensville Veterinary Hospital. Photos: Paul Sinkewicz
“If Duncan was my pet cat, this is how I would do a home examination of him,” says Dr. Katina Stewart, as she gently runs her hands over him, exploring his back, belly and legs looking for abnormalities. Duncan is not even aware he is being closely examined, calmly taking the probing as the physical expression of love to which the handsome grey and white cat is so accustomed. Monitoring your pet’s health between veterinarian visits is indeed an expression of love, says Stewart, and is a responsibility pet owners should embrace. Noticing an early indication of trouble can head off health concerns before they become more serious, potentially costly, or even fatal. Stewart is the owner of the Martensville Veterinary Hospital. In 2015, she was named the Veterinarian of the Year by the Saskatchewan Association of Veterinary Technologists. Her advice can help pet owners enjoy their furry friends for as long as possible. “I always tell people to take a ‘nose to tail’ and ‘outside in’ kind of approach,” Stewart says.
She says dogs and cats should have a nice, shiny, thick coat with no lumps or bumps. If the coat is dull, is falling out, or the animal has lumps or sores, there can be many reasons to investigate. That would be the time to involve your veterinarian in the process. “It could be something as simple as a diet change, but it could be as complex as the early signs of a tumour.” Stewart says the skin and coat is something you are petting all the time as an owner, and you know when there is a change. “The owner is going to be the best person to find those tiny little lumps hidden away in an elbow, for example.” Nails should be trimmed, with no flaking or unusual growth, and the paw pads should look intact and healthy. She also recommends noticing that the whites of the eyes are white and appear healthy, and that the pet is tracking objects with its eyes properly. It’s also important to take a look into the ear canal, sniffing for odour. It shouldn’t be waxy or look dirty. Ear infections are a very common problem, more so in dogs, Stewart
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pet wellness • march 2016
ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250. says, but some cats do have mites or infections, especially if they’ve just been adopted. The next area to examine is the mouth. “There should also not be a lot of swallowing, lip smacking, drooling or things like that,” she says. “They should be able to chew and swallow well.” If there are concerns around the mouth, it’s time to have a good look at the teeth. “Dental disease is incredibly common. It’s probably one of the most diagnosed diseases in our pet population. So you should be looking for nice, white teeth with no tartar or build-up, with the gums nice and close to the teeth.” Stewart says, in a perfect world, all owners would brush their pets’ teeth everyday. “And then you’re looking at them, too, noticing any differences.” She says getting pets to accept tooth brushing is a matter of planning a progressive approach, with expectations set to ‘slow.’ “Just do it one step at a time.” She’s seen her clients succeed by training the pet to come when they themselves are sitting down. Then they train them to accept having their lips lifted on each side for a short period of time. “Meanwhile they’re training them to see a brush and sniff a brush. So then the next step is to put it all together. They come and sit in front of you, you lift the lip and do a swipe, and you’re done.” She says it only takes 10 seconds to do a really good job. It might take a year to get the pet to do it, but it will then benefit the pet for a number of years, stress-free, and improve their health. Another key indicator of pet health is stool, says Stewart. There’s a normal variation in the frequency of passing a stool, she says, but the key is to notice any changes for your particular pet. pet wellness • march 2016
In the case of dogs, the stool should stay formed when picked up, and not too dry, or too wet and loose. “Problems there can often be addressed with diet, but it can also be a sign if the stool is soft, that there’s something happening in terms of an infection or a virus.” Many owners don’t think to look directly under the tail, to ensure things are nice and clean. “There are some problems that can happen in what we call the perianal area under the tail. You’re looking to see there is no redness, bulging, lumps or bumps or things like that.” Noticing any changes to amount or frequency of urination would be key information to bring to your veterinarian, Stewart says. Drinking more and urinating more are common signs of many diseases that affect the internal organs. Kidney disease, liver ailments, infections, diabetes and other endocrine imbalances are common in more senior pets. Stewart would also like to see pet owners be very aware of weight. Sudden changes can indicate problems that would make a visit to a clinic worthwhile. Any sort of odd behaviour could be a sign of trouble. There is a lot of good information on the Internet, but also some bad, and Stewart hopes pet owners would not delay getting professional guidance when it comes to the health of their pet.
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
“Pet-proofing” your home involves keeping potentially harmful household items out of your animal’s reach. Hazards include seasonal decorations, medications, cleaning products, toiletries, household chemicals – and even foods like chocolate. Photo: Fotolia
Protect your pet from household dangers Kira Olfert Postmedia Content Works
Many of us think of our pets as our children. Veterinary toxicologist Dr. Barry Blakley says it’s actually the best way to think of them when it comes to keeping pets safe from potentially harmful household items. “A good rule of thumb is, if it can harm your child, it can harm your pet,” says Dr. Blakley, a professor in the Department of Veterinary Bio-Medical Sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. Dangers for your pets include seasonal decorations, medications, cleaning products, toiletries and household chemicals. At Christmas and Easter, many people like to decorate with
poinsettias and lilies. They look pretty, but the leaves of poinsettias and certain lilies can be toxic to pets. Both holidays also prominently feature chocolate, which is potentially toxic for dogs. And although it looks pretty, the metallic tinsel that some people decorate their trees with can be deadly. “If your pet eats it, it can get stuck in the gut where it can saw through the intestinal tract. If it is not surgically removed, your pet could die,” says Dr. Blakley. Medicines are also a concern. “If a cat eats an acetaminophen, it can damage their liver. Likewise, if a dog eats an ASA or an ibuprofen, it can lead to stomach ulcers or kidney
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pet wellness • march 2016
ANNUAL PET LICENSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW! Non-licensed pets face fines starting at $250. damage.” Dr. Blakley adds that the bitter taste of these medications doesn’t stop pets from eating them and says that, with dogs, part of the problem is “dogs don’t chew, they gulp, so they can get a lot of medicine down in one go.” Similarly, many household soaps and detergents, especially laundry pods, can be toxic to pets. The same goes for shampoos and soaps. “If your pet eats your shampoo, it can cause irritation to the gut and they can become ill,” says Dr. Blakley. Household chemicals are also, not surprisingly, toxic for pets. “If a pet ingests bleach, it will have chlorine gas produce in its stomach. Antifreeze and rubbing alcohol not only get your pets drunk but also cause damage to the kidneys, and can affect the eyes. Turpentine is also a problem because if your pet throws it back up, it is volatile and the droplets collect in the lungs causing breathing problems.” The best bet, says Dr. Blakley, is to “treat any household chemical with respect and make sure your pets cannot access them.” Don’t assume that natural cleaners are safer for pets. “There may be ingredients in natural cleaners and chemicals that are just as harmful, so those items also need to be handled with care.”
self-medicate your pet with your own medications. Call your vet. They may be able to give you an indication of the urgency of the situation, however it is impossible for them to be sure of anything over the phone. Sometimes, your pets present sicker than they are, and sometimes, things can seem fine and in an instant become critical. The only way to tell anything for sure is with (diagnostic) tests. If in doubt, go see your vet right away. It might cost you some money, but better safe than sorry.” The best treatment is prevention, says Dr. Blakley. “Be aware of what your pets can get at, and make sure that anything that is a danger to them is put away. It is best for everyone involved.”
Dr. Blakley says the signs to look for that would indicate your pet is sick include an animal that is not eating or drinking as usual, vomiting and diarrhoea, blood in the urine or signs that the animal appears to be in pain. If your animal experiences tremors or seizures, Dr. Blakley urges pet owners to seek medical attention as soon as possible. “If you are worried that your pet is ill, the first thing you need to take into account is to never
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pet wellness • march 2016
CANINE REHAB Saskatoon
Lorna Clarke, BPT, MBA Diploma in Canine Rehabilitation Cell: (306) 220-4228 Fax: (306) 382-6148 lj.clarke@hotmail.com
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PET LICENSING IS EASY & AFFORDABLE!
•As low as $16/year •In-person or online
Volunteers crucial to SPCA Jennifer Jacoby-Smith Postmedia Content Works
Volunteers carry out a diverse range of responsibilities at the Saskatoon SPCA. From caring for animals, cleaning the facility, to taking photos of the animals that are up for adoption, to providing logistical support during fundraising events, volunteers are vital to the SPCA and their mandate. “Volunteers are really at the heart and soul of what we do,” says executive director Patricia Cameron. While staff at the shelter are always busy, volunteers are keeping the animals socialized and giving them much needed human attention. One of the newest volunteer programs launched last month. Called Care and Cuddles, the program focuses on the cat population – which is always much higher at the shelter than the dog population. Volunteers with this program perform tasks like cleaning kennels and doing laundry, while also making sure the cats get socialized and spend some time outside of their kennels to exercise and play. “It’s really important for them to get time outside of the kennel, especially those guys that are shy and maybe people aren’t paying much attention to,” says volunteer coordinator Cathy Brin. “It’s nice for volunteers to come and really get them out of their shells and have time outside of the kennel to relax.” Cats aren’t the only animals at the shelter who need attention. Some volunteers also walk the dogs daily. Other volunteers look after and interact with more exotic pets that are brought to the shelter, such as rabbits, turtles, guinea pigs and birds. There are even opportunities to donate time to do clerical work or data entry at the shelter. And because it’s hard to resist those furry little faces, other volunteers
take photos of adoptable animals so their information can be used on the internet and social media. Volunteers at the SPCA come from a variety of backgrounds and ages – from retirement to high school students. While volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, exceptions can be made for younger volunteers if they are accompanied by their parent. “We’ve had parent and child duos that come in and work together,” notes Cameron. Another big contribution from volunteers is through organizing fundraisers. Cameron says one couple has been organizing their Christmas stocking campaign – where shoppers can purchase a stocking of treats to share with animals at the shelter. “(The volunteers) are amazing at connecting with the veterinary clinics and stores that sell these over the Christmas holidays. We couldn’t do it without them.” In addition to the day-to-day duties and fundraising roles, there are some volunteers who quietly lead the important work at the shelter. “We have a volunteer board,” notes Cameron. “So they put hours of time into leading us on our strategic path and connecting us with the community.” Volunteering with the SPCA has many benefits and the results are easy to see. “It’s a pretty fantastic place to volunteer,” adds Brin, “and you can really see the impact that you’re making. If you come week to week you can see the change you’re making in these animals.” Those interested in volunteering with the Saskatoon SPCA can visit their website for more information about current opportunities or email volunteer@saskatoonspca.com.
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