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Remember to keep your pets safe as weather warms

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Tuesday, May 7th, 5:07 pm
Remember to keep your pets safe as weather warms

Spring is finally here and Summer is just around the corner, and with the onset of warm weather across the region Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service reminds us to keep our pets safe in the heat.

"Every summer, we respond to calls of animals being left in cars," says Nancy Hill, Director of SCRAPS. "Inside a car, the temperature will rapidly increase and can overwhelm a pet in a very short time period - sometimes with fatal consequences."

If you typically bring your dog or other pets along for the car ride consider leaving them home when temperatures rise. Dogs aren't able to sweat to cool themselves down so it doesn't take much for them to overheat. Cracking a window while you run into the store isn't enough to keep them healthy.

"The temperature outside doesn't have to be in the 90's or more for a problem to exist," says Hill, "On a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees, and hit a scorching 160 degree if parked in the sun."

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Washington, Idaho rank in top-10 for pet ownership

Submitted by Jacob Palmer on Tuesday, January 15th, 1:47 pm
Washington, Idaho rank in top-10 for pet ownership

 

Turns out the Inland Northwest is a region that is especially welcoming to our furry friends.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recently released its U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, which ranked Washington as the 6th best state for pet ownership and Idaho as the No. 8 state for pet ownership.

The study found that 62.7 percent of Washington and 62 percent of Idaho households owned a pet; the report said that Washingtonians have the fifth most cats at 39 percent of households and Idaho at 34.6 percent – good for 8th highest.

The numbers

Top Pet Owning States:

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PETA offers tips for pet care in heavy snow

Submitted by Jacob Palmer on Monday, January 7th, 12:05 pm
PETA offers tips for pet care in heavy snow

 

There are several things to consider when Mother Nature dumps a half-foot of snow on the area.

PETA sent out several tips Monday for pet owners and animal-conscious citizens, because “dogs and other animals can suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze.”

Here are some of PETA's tips:

  • Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.

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It's A Dog's Life For Silvano Bitencourt

Submitted by Kristy Mylroie, Spokane Public Schools Blogger
Saturday, May 26th, 2012, 11:59am
It's A Dog's Life For Silvano Bitencourt

Silvano Bitencourt is a native of Brazil. He came to the United States with pretty much nothing but the shirt on his back and the American Dream in his heart. Silvano not only has accomplished the American Dream he recently became a United States Citizen.

I had a chance to talk with him recently about his Dog & Cat Grooming business in Spokane, becoming a citizen and what he has planned for the future.

Tell me a little about yourself, I know you're Brazilian. How does a Brazilian wind up living in Spokane?

I am Brazilian born in Brasilia Distrito Federal Brazil, I belong to the first generation of the federal capital of the nation. When I decided to fight for my American dream, get out of Brazil to Miami FL, where I started the whole course of my life in America. After a few years in Florida, several economic problems and other personal reasons, I was curious and sought other places to follow my dreams.

I decided to move to Spokane, I thought it was a charming city and not expensive to live. I didn't know anyone here, I faced problems of adaptation and acceptance in this community. I was the victim of discrimination in a sporting goods store when I first moved here. My accent if very thick so I think it was surprising to see a Latino. But Spokane has come a long way in terms of acceptance of different people.

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Wild Horses Available For Adoption in Boise

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012, 12:46pm

We get news releases about cat and dog adoptions at local shelters all the time, but this is the first we've heard about wild horse adoptions. You'll have to drive all the way down to Boise to adopt wild horses from White Pine and Elko Counties.

They've got bay, palomino, sorrel, grulla, roan and black mares and geldings ranging from eight months to one year of age. The adoption event is on February 27th at 1 p.m. at the Boise Wild Horse Corrals off of Pleasant Valley Road. Adoption fees are $75 for the first horse and $25 for the second horse. You can view the horses ahead of time by calling Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, Steve Leonard at (208) 384-3454.

“All horses available for adoption have been de-wormed and have received vaccinations for common equine conditions and diseases,” according to Leonard. “Adopters will receive complete health care records, as well as herd management and other equine information for their newly adopted animals.” /BLM Press Release

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Famous veterinarian will help find homes for North Idaho pets

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011, 2:33pm
Famous veterinarian will help find homes for North Idaho pets

Animals in North Idaho are getting a little celebrity push to find a home this holiday season. A celebration of animals is not a celebration unless it’s “punny”. Calling their adoption event “Christmas Pawty” on Tuesday, December 20th, is expected and hopefully welcomed by homeless animals in the Idaho Panhandle.

The “pawty” is hosted by Dr. Marty Becker, regional veterinarian featured on Good Morning America and the Dr. Oz Show. With his daughter, author, Mikkel Becker, they’re working with animal shelters and volunteers to find homes for love-able North Idaho pets - cats, dogs and more.

Kootenai Humane Society, Hayden

They’re located at 11650 N. Ramsey Road. Their “pawty” is Noon to 2 p.m.

Panhandle Animal Shelter, Ponderay

They’re located at 870 Kootenai Cut-off Road. Their “pawty” is 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Second Chance Animal Adoption Shelter, Bonners Ferry

They’re located at 6647 Lincoln St. Their “pawty” is 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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The Smartest Cat in Montana

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011, 6:59pm
The Smartest Cat in Montana

When we asked what makes your cat epic and awesome, the world was listening - by world we really mean Montana.

Ken Best is a Paradise, Montana resident who discovered the Marcello the Cat story we featured recently. Marcello was seen earlier this month enjoying snow in Priest Lake.

Best says his indoor cat, Tommy Tucker, is the smartest cat in Montana.

"Tommy is quite vocal and insists on being brushed every morning around 8 a.m. while sitting on our bed," Best wrote. He continued: "He is truly a people cat and a great companion for a 78-year-old man and his 72-year-old wife!"

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