Archive for June, 2008
Ralph is as snug as a pug (cross) in a rug!
The temperature is steadily falling, there’s an extra blanket on your bed and the winter woollies are making their way to the front of the wardrobe again. Everyone is gearing up for the chilly months ahead - but have you thought about your pet?
If you have an outdoors dog or cat you need to ensure it has a nice warm sleeping spot free from cold draughts and protected from the elements. It’s a good idea to elevate your pet’s sleeping quarters - even just a little - so cold and damp can’t creep in from the ground. A few old blankets and towels for bedding, and your pet should be snug and happy while sleeping.
If you have more than one ‘indoor’ pet you know the spot near the heater is a hotly contested one! As long as it’s safe, a bed near the heater is good, or if they’re very lucky a spot on the bed with their owner with the electric blanket is, for the pet anyway, even better! Do be careful though, some dogs (especially with long hair) can get too hot in a heated house, and may need somewhere cooler (a tiled floor is good) to lie down in your home.
Both cats and dogs love to soak up the winter sun, so during the day getting them outside is ideal. Natural heat is always great, and just like humans, it gives your pets vitamin D.
Depending on what kind of dog you have, it may benefit from a dog coat. Dogs with sleek coats and little fat, like Whippets and Greyhounds, definitely need a coat’s extra warmth in winter. A wool-lined coat is excellent as it’s a natural insulator that also breathes.
Bad weather and a shortage of daylight can make exercising your dog in winter a challenge. But it is important (for both you and your pet!) to give your dog a run, especially larger or more active dogs. You can use a dog coat to keep your dog dry during a walk in the rain but be sure to remove a wet coat from a pet as soon as you get home. Ensure dogs don’t stay wet after being outside by drying them off with a towel or hair-dryer. This also goes for baths - ensure the pet is well dried before going outside.
If it’s muddy outside, regularly check between dogs’ paws to make sure balls of mud haven’t built up as this can make it painful for them to walk. Grooming in winter is as important as ever - especially if your dog has long hair. Mud and long hair dogs are a bad combination - it can be messy and uncomfortable for your dog to have mud tangled in their coats.
Colder days are more painful for humans suffering arthritis, and the same goes for pets. If your pet is having trouble moving freely and looks to be suffering with stiff, aching limbs, take them to the vet for a check-up. Your vet can prescribe medication to ease their symptoms and advise you on how to care for your pet in the winter months.
A pet’s diet can also become an issue in the winter months. If you have a dog who spends all of it’s time outside and it has a fine coat, some extra food may be a good idea. This will help them build a thicker layer of body fat. If your dog is mostly an inside dog, wearing a coat when outside is a good option. Of course, if your dog is exercising less in the winter (which it really shouldn’t be!) do make sure it’s not eating as much. If he or she is less active, and eating the same amount they will put on unwanted weight.
June 19th, 2008
Robert Neville Braithwaite will pay over $7,600 in fines plus a $1,000 bond after he was found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty in Adelaide Magistrates Court today.
Mr. Braithwaite’s poodle, ‘Spud’ was found wandering near Anzac Highway, Camden. Spud was in such a horrific state, the council worker who found him was initially unable to identify him as a dog. Spud’s fur was severely matted, dirty and smelt putrid. The fur completely covered his eyes, and that, combined with his extremely long nails, meant that he could hardly walk.
The large balls of matted fur were pulling at his skin, and a vet examination concluded that, despite Spud already suffering, if he was left in that condition much longer, he would have been subject to large scale infection.
(for full story and before and after pics scroll down to last ‘Spud’ blog)
Despite the RSPCA’s recommendation; that all animals in Mr. Braithwaite’s care be surrendered to the Society, the Magistrate allowed the defendant to keep his birds and dog. However, this decision was made pending a good behaviour bond, with the RSPCA closely monitoring the health of the animals every six months. The Magistrate also ordered Mr.Braithwaite to supply the RSPCA with his current dog’s microchip number, so if anything was to happen to the dog, ownership was clear.
Although the RSPCA went to court this morning hoping that, Mr. Braithwaite would not be able to own a dog now, nor in the future, the Society is satisfied with the terms of the bond, and the hefty fines the defendant must pay.
Mr. Braithwaite’s lawyer argued that he was too unwell to look after Spud during the time that the dog’s health deteriorated. The RSPCA wants to remind all animal owners that you are still responsible for your animals, sick or not.
Aimee McKay, RSPCA:
‘There is no excuse for neglect, and that was proven in court today. In fact, you should always have a back up plan for your animals. Whether you have to go interstate or overseas suddenly, or whether you find yourself in hospital. You should always have a friend or family member on hand to make sure your animals are properly fed, groomed, exercised and generally cared for. Failing this, the RSPCA can provide board, while you are recovering.’
June 17th, 2008
The RSPCA’s newest thrift shop has opened on Semaphore Road, Semaphore, and it’s going great guns…but we need your help!
We are looking for volunteers to cover the following shifts…
Saturday 11 am until 4 .30 pm
Thursday 1 until 4.30 pm
Sunday 11 am until 4.30 pm
Monday 10 am until 4.30 pm
You will be helping sort the cool retro and new clothes as well as accessories and homewares. It’s a great way to help the RSPCA help the animals and meet new people. It’s also good for younger (or older) people looking to add to their resume -ALL bosses look kindly on people willing to volunteer their time.
Interested or want more info? 0408 999 330
THANKS!
June 13th, 2008
First Prize..a Mitsubishi Lancer VR-X
The RSPCA is once again set to benefit from the Australian Central Credit Union Community Lottery.
It’s hoped the lottery will raise $10,000 for our NEW VETERINARY CLINIC to be built at the Lonsdale Shelter… which is obviously very exciting for everyone at the RSPCA, as well as animal owners in the area and beyond.
Currently, veterinary services are largely provided by external vets, which is time consuming for staff, means transport costs, as well as extra stress for the animal.
It will also mean we can provide the public with desexing and microchipping, as well as other services.
As you can imagine this is an exciting step for the RSPCA, and is something we have been working hard for for years. However without money, we simply can’t do it.
SO - Please support the RSPCA by buying a ticket in this year’s lottery. It’s just $2 a ticket - and you will not only help the RSPCA but be in the running for 113 prizes!
The first prize being a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer VR-X.(pictured above), second prize is a $25,000 Harvey Norman voucher, and third prize is another car - a Mitsubishi Colt Auto hatch VR-X.
For all the prizes go to www.australiancentral.com
To buy tickets call into the RSPCA HQ at 172 Morphett St., Adelaide Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm…The LONSDALE animal Shelter, 25 Meyer Road, Lonsdale, or any one of our thrift shops at Warradale, Brighton, Blackwood or Semaphore. (locations at www.rspcasa.asn.au)
To pay via credit card (a min. of 5 tickets) or for more info call: 8212 6871 and ask for Jenny.
Thank you - and GOOD LUCK!
June 13th, 2008
If you do one thing for the rest of the year - DO THIS!! NO! not the Sex and the City movie… NO! not the Beijing Olympics.. it’s even better! (well…it’s yummier anyway!) It’s the inaugural Cupcake day for the RSPCA !!
It’s all happening on August 18 and when you’re talking cupcakes.. it’s not a hard sell! They’re simple to make, cute to look at, delicious to eat - and it’s all for the animals! Infact you will be directly contributing to South Australia’s RSPCA shelters who help 24,000 animals every year.
It’s purr-fect for schools, social groups, church groups, workplaces and absolutely ANYONE who loves to cook… and eat! You could help your kids organise a cupcake stall at school, you could have a morning tea at work, or a afternoon dinner/dessert after your Rotary, Church, Committee meeting or your social netball game!
Or maybe you can have a girlfriends night of cupcakes cooking and cocktails - or dare I say.. a bloke’s night with beer…and baking!
Now, if the only thing you’ve ever created in the kitchen is a fire, just give us a call on 8212 6871 in August, and we’ll let you know where you can buy your bundle.
FOR EVERYTHING you need to know, including how to register..
CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO RSPCA CUPCAKE DAY WEBSITE
June 4th, 2008
