Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat & The SPCA Sponsor Kitties & Cocktails To Support Adopt-A-Cat Month

Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat & The SPCA Sponsor Kitties & Cocktails  To Support Adopt-A-Cat Month

 
Please join us this Wednesday, June 8 at Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat  from 4:30-6:30 p.m. as we support the SPCA and help promote Adopt-A-Cat Month.  You’ll have fun meeting lots of new cats and people, sipping on wines from Crush Wine House and nibbling on treats from Party Girls Catering, all while learning about the benefits of cat adoption.   You might not know that approximately 4 million cats end up in shelters every year, including thousands born every spring and summer during kitten season. In fact, animal shelters throughout the county are inundated with dozens of litters of kittens on an annual basis. Sadly, over 70 percent of those animals will be put to sleep because there are not enough loving homes for them.  So, if you have room in your heart and in your home, consider adopting a kitten or a mature cat from your local shelter.  Come out this Wednesday, June 8 from 4:30-6:30pm and meet all the adorable cats ready for adoption.  For more information, visit our web site at www.dogwoodacres.com.  Hope to see you there!
 
-Kurt & Audrey Reichardt

The Pets of Japan Need Your Help…

In the wake of the devastation in Japan, we wanted to make you aware of ways you can help with relief efforts for injured and displaced animals.  Here are a couple of reputable organizations that are desperately in need of donations and volunteers:

 

 

 

World Vets

http://www.worldvets.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=203

 

A non-profit, non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad.

 

-  Coordinating relief efforts for the animal victims in Japan

-  Working with US Army veterinary associates stationed in Japan and Japan based animal charities

 - Have a first-responder team to carry out an “on the ground” assessment and provide initial aid.

- Base of operations being established in a safe location where animals will temporally be sheltered and cared for.

 

In addition to monetary donations, World Vets is asking for:

- De-worming Medicines, – Vaccinations, – Fluid Replacements

- Wound treatments, – Cages, – Cat and Dog food

 

Donations of these items can be shipped to:

World Vets headquarters, 802 1st Ave N, Fargo ND 58102

 

 

ARK (Animal Rescue Kansi)

http://www.arkbark.net/?q=en/

 

Non-profit, non-governmental private organization with the aim of forming a network of people who love animals, believe in sharing their lives with them, and who work actively to rescue them from suffering

 

- Setting out to rescue and provide water, food, and vet care to animals

- Have some facilities in place and will take in as many animals as possible made homeless

- A team of experienced personnel are ready to deal with traumatized animals

- Will build emergency shelters as needed

- Will assist getting animals out of the area via helicopter if needed since other transport links have been cut. 

 

Additional information on Japan based Animals Rescue Coalitions can be found at

http://network.bestfriends.org/16856/news.aspx

 

 

Audrey & Kurt Reichardt

Co-owners

Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat

Dog Park Etiquette

Spring is right around the corner and that means it’s time to take your favorite four-legged friend to your community Dog Park! But before you do, we recommend brushing up on your Dog Park Etiquette.  Here are some easy guidelines to follow so that you and your pup can have a fun and safe experience:

• Know your dog’s temperament.  Not all dogs are Dog Park compatible.  If you have a highly aggressive or antisocial dog, a Dog Park is not for them. The same is true for very calm and timid dogs.  Be in tune with your dog’s play preference. Some dogs prefer one-on-one play time with their owners or playing with a couple of dogs in the backyard over socializing with a big group.  Dog Parks can be overwhelming for many dogs that are otherwise very social, or overly excite dogs who are generally calm.  If you have a dog that can be easily overwhelmed, try taking him/her to the park at a time of day that is less busy…say mid-day during the week…instead of in the early evening when the park is usually at its busiest.

 

• Review and follow all the guidelines posted at the Dog Park.

 

• Do not let your dog rush the entrance and be sure to take his/her leash off before you let them into the park.  Take it slow and be aware of your surroundings when entering the park with your dog.  And remember, dogs have their own greeting etiquette.  It is perfectly acceptable for dogs to greet each other by sniffing each other’s rumps.  It may seem awkward to you, but dogs learn a lot about each other with this greeting.

 

• Do not bring young children or other pets.  Dog parks are for dogs, not kids or your pet ferret!

 

• Be sure your dog is up to date with all his/her immunizations and do not bring a sick dog to the park.

 

• Dog Parks are for dogs 4 months and older and small dogs should be kept in a separate yard with other dogs their own size.

 

• Scoop the Poop—be sure to clean-up after your dog immediately!

 

• Play with your dog and pay attention to his/her behavior, but let them play with the other dogs as well.  Remember they are there to get some exercise and socialize.

 

• Don’t discipline another owner’s dog, but do remove your dog from an aggressive or inappropriate situation.

 

• Do not put yourself in the middle of a dog fight. Simply call your dog off and ask that the other owner do the same.

 

•   Most importantly, have fun!

 

Above all, we recommend being courteous and using good common sense about positive dog handling. You know your dog better than anyone.   Dog Parks can be a great way to exercise and socialize your dog, as long as everyone makes health and safety top priorities. Please share your Dog Park experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly so that we can learn from each other! We’ve also posted some additional resources and fun videos under the “links” section of this blog.

 And remember Eat, Drink & Be Muddy!

 Audrey & Kurt Reichardt

Co-owners, Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat

Eat, Drink & Be Muddy

The Staff at Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat have the best jobs in the world. We get to work with animals all day long and there really is no better job satisfaction than a happy dog and a purring cat. Pets are quick with a smile and a lick and their wagging tails are a sure sign of pure joy and contentment. We want to share our daily joy with you and we thought what better way than a blog about all our pets, their behavior and how to keep them happy and healthy! Our hope is to make this a fun and informative conversation that provides you with tips and tricks to give the best care possible to your four legged friends. Please join in and share your stories and love of animals with us!
We thought since many of us are still working hard to stick to our New Year’s resolutions to get fit and lose a few extra pounds that we should talk about pets and their weight too. As cute as most animals look a little chubby, extra weight is detrimental to their health and can lead to all sorts of health challenges. So here are a few facts and stats about the importance of keeping Fido and Fifi fit and trim:
• According to the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention: An Estimated 51.5% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese, which means 89 million US dogs and cats are overweight or obese.
• The primary risks for excess weight in pets are:
o Osteoarthritis
o Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
o High Blood Pressure
o Heart and Respiratory Disease
o Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury
o Kidney Disease
o Many Forms of Cancer
Check to see if your pet has a healthy weight:
• Healthy Weight
o Ribs are easily felt
o Tucked abdomen – no sagging stomach
o Waistline when viewed from above

• Your Pet is Overweight if…
o Difficult to feel ribs under fat
o Sagging stomach – you can grab a handful of fat!
o Broad, flat back
o No waist
To determine the ideal weight for your breed of dog, visit www.petobesityprevention.com.
If your pet is overweight, the first step is to visit your veterinarian to work with him/her on a customized plan that is best for your dog and his/her unique health needs. Of course, as with humans, there are a few tried and true methods of weight loss that will work for pets too:
• Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: The best part is if your dog is walking more, so are you!

• Portion Control: Work with your veterinarian to determine the right type of food and the ideal amount to keep your pet(s) healthy and happy.

• No More Scraps—While we all love to give our pets table scraps, the calories and fat add up, so it is best to limit these special treats all together.
We all want what is best for our beloved pets, but sometimes that means practicing some discipline so that we can ensure they are with us for many long and loving years!
We would love to hear stories about your pet’s weight challenges and what’s worked for you. Please share with us!

Audrey & Kurt Reichardt
Owners
Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat

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