Sometimes rescue and community groups plan a big event and get the info in too late for LCD to feature it in the appropriate print issue. I've recently been notified about two events very early in October, that sound like a lot of fun. Since the October/Nov issue will only be out a couple of days before these events happen, I wanted to go ahead and tell you guys about them now. Yes, the events are more than a month away, but I wanted to give you plenty of time to plan to attend!

1st Annual Fido's Frolic on Folly

Saturday October 3rd

Fido’s Frolic is a scenic stroll on a Saturday afternoon with your favorite canine(s) and a few hundred other like-minded animal lovers. Registration and activities start at 2:00 PM. The walk begins at 3:00 PM and covers a 2- mile round trip route along Folly Beach, beginning at the pier. Water stations for dogs and people will be located along the route.

Ask everyone you know to sponsor you in the walk by pledging a specific dollar amount as a donation to support the homeless animals at Pet Helpers. Collect all of your pledge payments in advance and bring your Pledge Sheet and Payment checks with you to the walk.  If you are unable to join us on October 3rd, you still make a donation to the animals using

the registration form.

For Everyone’s safety:

Dogs must be leashed at all times!

Dogs must be current on all vaccinations

Dogs in heat are not allowed to participate

An adult must accompany children under 16

No bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades allowed

No cats or other animals allowed

What Could I Win?

In addition to the satisfaction of raising money to help the many need animals at Pet Helpers and having fun, participants can also win great prizes.

Pledges of $25 or more will receive a surprise gift bag from Pet Helpers

Pledges of $50 or more will receive a Fido’s Frolic on Folly T-shirt and a surprise gift bag from Pet Helpers

The top three individual pledge raisers will win:

First: Admission for two to Holiday Inn Folly Beach’s New Year’s Eve bash and an overnight stay, Thursday, December 31, 2009 valued at $350.00

Second: A portrait painted of your dog by local artist Kevin Rockwell valued at $200.00

Third: A $150 gift Basket for your pet from All is Well located on James Island.

Top Team pledge raiser will win:

Each will receive a Limited Edition 2009 Fido’s Frolic on Folly Fleece Jacket.

Download the registration form HERE.

Download the pledge sheet HERE.

And Also on October 3rd: Dogtoberfest Pet Expo

10:00 AM  

 

Dogtoberfest' Pet Expo

Kiawah Island Community Association

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Charleston Animal Society Needs Items for Animal Enrichment Program:

The CAS is working with the ASPCA to implement a new enrichment program that will increase the live release rate of animals in the shelter. Studies have shown animals that remain in shelters for long periods of time begin to deteriorate socially, mentally, and behaviorally, often causing them to become less adoptable. Our staff has undergone specific training to keep these animals healthy and engaged through various techniques. While we have been provided with the training we need to help these animals, there are still items that we desperately need to assist the staff with the animal enrichment exercises. If you are interested in improving the lives and adoptability of shelter animals, we would love for you to consider donating the following items:

*Apple sauce
*Ice cube trays
*Plain yogurt
*Bouillon cubes or broth (chicken or beef)
*Peanut Butter
*Kongs (all sizes)
*Air Dog squeekers
*Nylabone toys
*Bar-B-Chew toys
*Dental Chews
*Double Action Chews
*Dogzilla Toys
*Ropes and Tugs
*Merrick Knuckle Bones (plain or basted)
*Plush Toys
*Gift Cards to Wal-mart, SuperPetz, PetsMart, and Target to purchase these items

Visit www.charlestonanimalsociety.org for more information about how to donate.

To learn more about animal enrichment, please visit http://www.aspcapro.org/saving-lives/enrichment-for-shelter-dogs/


On behalf of the homeless and neglected animals who cannot speak for themselves, thank you for caring. We are appreciative of your continued friendship and confidence in the Charleston Animal Society and our ability to provide the best care possible for our homeless animals.

Gardening Hazards for Pets

 Fall will be here before we know it. While you are preparing your outdoor areas for your family to enjoy this fall just make sure you take the steps to ensure that it is safe for your pets to enjoy as well.

 “When planting your garden it is important to note that there are numerous house and garden plants which can be toxic to animals,” warns Dr. Murl Bailey, professor of toxicology at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Several that come to mind initially are brunfelsia, lilies, cycads, kolanchoe, and oleander.”

 Brunfelsia, more commonly known as the yesterday, today & tomorrow plant, causes convulsive seizures in dogs that resemble strychnine poisoning.

 “We haven't seen any problems in cats from brunfelsia, as of this date,” notes Bailey. “While this plant is mostly a house plant, it could be in sheltered gardens in the southern part of Texas.”

 Cycads, low growing palm trees which are used both indoors and outdoors, are another type of plant that is toxic to dogs as they tend to chew on the roots. The cycad has a toxin in the root and stems that is toxic to the liver.

 “When the liver is affected, the dog’s body stops producing the normal, endogenous clotting factors and the dogs start bleeding excessively--to the extent that they can bleed to death,” explains Bailey.

 While brunfelsia and cycads may not be known to cause problems in cats, lilies are especially harmful to them. Once cats ingest lilies, they develop nausea and vomiting. Then they get depressed, and stop eating.

 “Why cats like to eat them I don't know, probably boredom, but once they do these cats must be treated by a veterinarian, preferably within 24 hours and not later than 48 hours,” states Bailey.  “We do not know which toxin(s) are present in the lilies, but they are very toxic to the kidneys.”

 Kolanchoe is a type of house plant that is known to be toxic. This plant contains a chemical which is similar to the human heart medication, digoxin.

 “The garden plant oleander also contains digoxin-like compounds. Both kolanchoe and oleander can be toxic to all animals, including dogs and cats, if ingested,” says Bailey.

 While spring is a time to plant beautiful flowers in your yard, it also brings pesky insects out in numbers.  Because of this, another potential hazard this time of year is pesticides.

 “All pesticides can cause problems in dogs and cats if the chemicals are stored incorrectly and misused,” warns Bailey.  

 Bailey stresses that labels on all chemicals should be read very carefully and followed, especially when used around pets. He notes that animals do not have to eat the toxin; they can also become exposed through the skin and in the case of volatile agents, can be exposed just by breathing the contaminated air.

 “If a pesticide is not specifically labeled to be used on dogs and/or cats, the pesticide can cause toxicities,” Bailey states.  “Some insecticides are labeled specifically for dogs and not for cats so it is important to read the labels thoroughly.”

 While there are more and more products out there that claim to be environmentally safe or “green,” Bailey is not entirely convinced of their worth.

 “Many alternative and "so-called" environmentally safe compounds are usually not very effective in controlling fleas, flies and ticks. The best thing for an animal owner to do is follow the labeled instructions,” he adds.

 Spring is a great time to enhance and enjoy the outdoors.  Taking the time to make sure that everything you put in and on your yard is safe for your furry friends will ensure this time is special for the entire family.

 ABOUT PET TALK...

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at http://tamunews.tamu.edu/.

Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu.