Gloria Towle
Board Member
Cat adoption special
We are running a really unique special for the month of August! If you are a fan of black cats or black and white cats, boy, do we have a deal for you! For the month of August only, we will adopt any black or black and white cat for just $20 — yes, that includes altered kitties too. State law does require a $100 refundable deposit on unaltered pets.
Emergency dog care
Accidents happen every day. Even the best pet owners can make a mistake, or a set of circumstances can lead to an injury to your dog. In most cases you will probably want to take your dog to the vet immediately rather than taking a wait-and-see approach. Even though the dog may appear to be okay, there can be inside trauma that requires diagnosis by your local vet.
Pet Friendly Canada describes some common injuries:
• Dog fights — can result in bite wounds, punctures, torn flesh and worse. Although there are some fights that sound worse than they really are, many are serious. Contact the vet for instructions and get your dog there ASAP. If your dog does not appear too traumatized, you may wish to carefully check him for wounds. (Important: Even the most mild-mannered, well-behaved pet may bite if he is in pain. Use caution.);
• A run-in with a vehicle — dogs will typically either get up shakily or continue to lie where they are. Either way, get your dog to the vet right away. Even if your dog gets up and is able to walk away, he may have internal injuries or bleeding that needs treatment. Try to minimize movement by placing your dog on a firm surface, such as a sheet of plywood. If that’s not available, use a blanket. The goal is to transport your dog to the vet with as little motion as possible;
• Eye Injuries can happen at any time — Snub-nosed breeds such as Pekingese and Pugs are particularly susceptible because their eyes protrude slightly. Look for signs such as: squinting, watery eyes, unequal pupils, excessive blinking or severely bloodshot eyes. Dogs love riding with their heads outside open car windows, but injuries can result if bits of debris enters the dog’s eye. Not all eye injuries are serious, but play it safe and always check with your vet; and
• Foot and leg injuries — dogs romp around all the time and if they jump or step the wrong way, it could result in a sprain or pulled muscle. Watch for signs of continued lameness. If it doesn’t show signs of improvement, contact your vet. If you notice your dog limping, the first thing to do is carefully check his paws including in between the toes. Gently remove burrs, seeds, dried mud or other substances that could be causing him discomfort. Gently wash and bandage any cut that your dog may have; call your vet if it’s a large or deep cut that may require stitches. And remember, during the hot summer months, please be mindful of hot pavement that could burn your pet’s paw pads.
Remember our “Black & White” Cat Special and stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch noon-12:30 p.m.) 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle.
Please be a responsible pet owner; spay and neuter your pets!
