Help Fix ME taking applications
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Christine Cowett Robinson
The Paws for the Cause benefit walk at the Central Aroostook Humane Society is just around the corner. This year’s walk will be held on Saturday, June 5. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Presque Isle Animal Hospital will have a rabies clinic from 10-11 a.m. and Hotham’s Veterinary Services will have a micro-chipping clinic from 1-2 p.m. We will also have pictures and a dog wash. This is always a great time for people to come together with their critters for a good cause. For more information, call the Central Aroostook Humane Society at 764-3441.
We just got this news last week: “This is just a quick note to let you know that Help Fix ME has funds available for low-income spay/neuter and that we have volunteers helping to expedite vouchers. We have eliminated the ‘application for the application’ so our turnaround time should be much shorter. Also, with each applicant receiving a call from us, we have a wonderful opportunity for education. So please spread the word to have low-income pet owners who need spay/neuter assistance call Help Fix ME at 800-367-1317.”
This is a great opportunity to get your vouchers in now and have your pet spayed or neutered. You may be eligible for the state’s low cost spay/neuter program, if you receive or are eligible for one of the following programs: Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSD) and/or Maine Care (Medicaid). With this program, you can have your cat fixed for $10 and your dog fixed for $20.
This is a great opportunity, so take advantage of it.
Through neutering, you can help your dog and cat live a happier, healthier and longer life. Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing that is a sign that a cat is in heat. Castration stops the mating drive in males, reducing the urge to roam, which, in turn, reduces the risk of fights, injury, poisoning, accidents and contracting diseases. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pets will get along better if they are neutered.
A long-term benefit of neutering is improved health. Early neutering nearly eliminates breast cancer and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine and testicular cancer. (American Humane)
We all want our pet’s coats to shine and one thing that both cats and dogs love and that will improve their coats are eggs. Eggs are a significant source of protein and when ingested, will infuse your pet’s fur with nutrients to make their coats shine! Adding a scrambled egg to your dog’s or cat’s food should yield noticeable results in a week and your pets will love them. (First Magazine, 10/5/09)
Owners who give their dog a raw egg once a week say that the egg is extremely helpful when it comes to shaping a dog’s coat and fur. Eggs are a great source of protein and the protein helps to protect the coat and keep it shiny. When you feed your dog a raw egg, even the shell is okay if the dog wants to eat it.
Many people worry about salmonella due to the fact that the egg is raw. But dogs have great immune systems, and their body doesn’t react the same way a human’s body does when it is introduced to salmonella. If you are extremely concerned, you can always cook the egg by frying it, blanching it or boiling it.
Dog owners who do feed their dog raw eggs point out that it’s important that the dog is given no more than one raw egg a week. Too many raw eggs can upset a dog’s stomach, as well as affect the dog’s white blood cell count. Too many raw eggs can also cause your dog other ailments as the yolk is extremely fatty and contains a lot of cholesterol. This can be a problem, so be sure not to feed more than one raw egg a week. (Ashley Page, Staff Writer for Factoidz.com)
I believe it is safe to say that you should investigate and weigh your options, as well as talk to your veterinarian about any dietary changes for your cats and dogs.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society; we are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441. Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
Members of ASMC-DFAS, in Limestone, recently donated cat food, dog food, toys, treats, bedding and litter to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, in Presque Isle. Pictured, from left: Celena Greenier and Diesel Greenier. In back is Jean Bushnel.
