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Author Archives: Trisha Ries

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My husband and I are currently the lucky owners of two cats; Sushi McHoneyBadger and Puck, and a lovable rat named Dahmer. We currently live in one of the best little river towns in the world, no fooling :) I have gained a lot of experience over the years by working at That Fish Place - That Pet Place. I do my absolute best to provide the best care, love, and affection to all of my pets.

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My Top 5 Pet Themed Holiday Movies

Many of us will be busy with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, working extra hours, driving amongst angry drivers, and dealing with the holiday blues.  Before Scrooge gets you in his sights pop one of these movies in for an instant feel good, and a friendly reminder of what the holidays are really about.   I hope you enjoy the list, and if you have any to add feel free to leave your recommendation in the comment box below.  Happy Holidays!

 

5)Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

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I know what you’re thinking, Thanksgiving over Christmas?  As cute as Charlie Brown’s Christmas is, I’m partial to the bond of man and man’s best friend in this adorable Thanksgiving movie.  Snoopy even tries to save the day when Peppermint Patty invites herself as well as two others over for a Thanksgiving feast.  For those who have seen it, their dinner is the sweetest, funniest, and cutest concoction that Snoopy can come up with in a pinch.  At the end of the day, it’s dear Marcie that helps to put the true meaning of the holiday into perspective.

“We should just be thankful for just being together.  I think that’s what Thanksgiving is all about.”

 

4) Addam’s Family Values(1993)

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Perhaps this isn’t your typical holiday movie and Thing probably isn’t what you would consider a”pet,” but I think we can all appreciate the similarities between Thing and some of our four-legged friends.  The Addams Family is by far what you would find in a Sears catalog, but it’s their loyalty and ability to stay calm and collective while making personal sacrifices for their loved ones that really gets you in the feels. The Thanksgiving feast is beyond comical in this film, and I would say personally favored over the first television to film adaptation The Addams Family  in 1991.  While Raul Julia is sadly no longer with us, his depiction of Gomez Addams was genius and wise.  It’s literally the Addams Family values that draws you into this movie, and leaves you longing to be an Addams too.

 

3) The Muppet Christmas Carol(1992)

There muppetare so many adaptations of Charles Dickens Christmas classic, but the Muppet Christmas Carol is my second to 1988’s Scrooged.  I realize these aren’t “real” animals, but you can’t get more pet/animal friendly than the muppets.  Kermit plays poor mistreated Bob Cratchit while Sir Michael Caine leads with a grumpy brute force as Scrooge.  This timeless classic story pulls on your heartstrings no matter how many times you may have seen it (regardless of version), or read it.  It’s simply not Christmas without it.   What makes Muppet Christmas Carol standout over other renditions are the beautifully written songs in true Jim Henson style.

 

 

2) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

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Due to strong language, I wouldn’t recommend watching this movie with children that are easily influenced.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a nonstop laugh riot.  What adds to this families nonstop disastrous holiday are a rottweiler named Snot (for very obvious reasons), a cat who was accidentally wrapped as a present by a delusional Great Aunt, and a squirrel that makes it into the house under some very hilarious circumstances.   At the end of the movie you have an almost broken and defeated Clark Griswold about to swear off Christmas for good, when he finally realizes the importance of his family and what they mean to him as well as what he means to them.

 

1)Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas (1977)

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Christmas can’t officially begin in the Ries household if Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas isn’t playing.  A holiday tradition since I can remember, this Jim Henson classic features a plethora of woodland critters singing, dancing, and even playing in a rock and roll band.  What makes this movie stand out to me, is the fact that I’ve seen it at the bare minimum 35 times and it still melts my heart to this day.  Christmas isn’t always about what you receive, it’s way more than that.  The holidays are about coming together, committing personal sacrifices just to see your loved one happy, and enjoying some beautiful music.  It’s an amazing movie that should be enjoyed by everyone.

Spring Fever – Fun Ways to Include Your Pet in Your Wedding Planning

Spring has sprung, and love is in the air.  Most of us have that special pet in our lives, but some of us are lucky enough to have a special someone else in our lives.  Perhaps you both got your pet together, and now you are ready to take that next step with regards to your future.  Don’t let your pet miss out on being a part of your forever and ever.

 

The Proposal

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Proposal image referenced from Huffingtonpost.com, and can be found here.

There are honestly so many ideas that you could come up with to include your pet with your proposal.   Get creative and jot some ideas down, and see what works best for you.  A few suggestions would be to get a name tag engraved with “Will You Marry Me” or, teach your pet to balance a ring on their head. The fact of the matter is, you know your pet best.  Have fun with it, and them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engagement Photos, Save the Dates, and Invitations

Resourced from theknot.com

Engagement photo referenced from theknot.com, and can be found here.

 

I love the idea of pets being in engagement photo’s, just remember that pets can be unpredictable.  In the event that you hire a photographer, be sure to give them a heads up so that they are also prepared.  It probably wouldn’t hurt to bring some extra treats with you the day of the photoshoot.  Invitations are another great way to include your pet.  Sites such as Shutterfly make creating your own invitations and save the dates a breeze!

 

 

 

Ceremony

Resourced from Brides.com

Wedding image referenced from Huffingtonpost.com, and can be found here.

There is nothing like man’s best friend being the best man, flower girl, ring bearer, or maid of honor! Your pet can have any role at your wedding.  Be sure to check with the venue that they are pet friendly.  If you plan on including your pet, do your homework and check out sites such as BringFido.com for a list of pet friendly attractions.  Receptions can become pretty hectic, and maybe even scary for some pets.  Do not assume that your drunk uncle is keeping an eye out on your pet, hire a pet sitter!

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Reception

Resourced from Topweddingsites.com

Image referenced from Topweddingsites.com, and can be found here.

The ceremony is over, and now your pet sitter is keeping an eye on your furbaby. Time to get the party started!  Do not feel bad if your pet can’t be a physical part of the festivities. Have your guests find their seat at a table marked with your pets picture!  There are a lot of cute ways you can include your pet in your decor, such as name place cards, centerpieces, cake toppers, table favors, and so much more!  We understand that some pets may have crossed over the rainbow bridge, but they are forever in your hearts.  Include your beloved pet with a beautiful pet memorial, guest book, or let your guests know that money from the dollar dance will be donated to your favorite rescue in memory of your pet.   It’s your day, make it special.

 

 

 

 

 

Have you included your pet in your wedding?  Please share how in the comments below!  We would love to see pictures too.  Please feel free to post your pictures to our Facebook page!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luck of the Canine – 5 Top Irish Dog Breeds

Top of the morning to you all.  There be seas of green on the horizon, and what better way to embrace them than to celebrate with some of our favorite Irish breed dogs.  These dogs are beautiful, and all lucky enough to be Irish.

Irish Red Setter

Irish_setter_headThese beautiful dogs are known for their long, silky auburn colored hair.  Irish Setters are known to have an amazing temperment, so they would be perfect in a household with children.  Being an avid hunter, setters need to remain active.  Don’t leave them unattended outside either, because they will find ways to entertain themselves.  They crave human interaction, so if you’re looking for a dog to go on adventures with look no further.

 

 

 

Irish Red and White Setter

Irish_Red_And_White_Setter_2005The Irish Red and White Setter doesn’t fall far from the red setter, though it is believed that the red and white was the original setter breed from the 17th century.  Sadly, Irish Red and White Setters almost became extinct due to cross breeding.  Luckily enough the breed was saved by the efforts of Reverend Noble Huston.

 

 

Irish Wolfhound 

Irish_Wolfhound_SamThe Irish Wolfhound (or as I like to call it, the Jim Henson dog) is one of the oldest living dog breeds.  Originally referred to as Cú Faoil, wolfhounds were bred as hunting dogs and often given as gifts to nobles and other important people.  Don’t let the size of the wolfhound scare you.  These dogs really are gentle giants.  Though they aren’t considered to be guard dogs, I think the size alone can be rather persuasive.

 

 

Irish Terrier

Irish-terrierIrish Terrier’s are one of the oldest breed of terriers, and is the fourth most popular breed of terrier in Ireland and England. Irish Terrier’s are extremely active, so they are better suited with a family that loves going for walks, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Irish Terrier’s are great with children, and train extremely well.

 

 

 

Irish Water Spaniel

1024px-Irlandzki_spaniel_wodny_676Thought to be a descendant of Dobhar-chú, the Irish water Spaniel sure has come a long way.  Irish Water Spaniels are perfect dogs for people who may have allergies, due to its dense curly hair, because they shed very little.   Irish Water Spaniels make great family dogs, and can be quite comedic when performing ordinary tasks.

 

 

We love dog breeds of all shapes, sizes, and regions!  Thank you for reading, and we hope that you have a safe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Feathered Sanctuary Bird Rescue – The Birdman Cometh


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If you have been to That Fish Place – That Pet Place within the last year, you may have noticed all of the different rescues that we have had come into showcase their organization. When we think of rescues, we typically think of cats and dogs, but we often forget about the other animals that are in need of loving homes as well. Like clockwork, our favorite bird man Alan Sipe has brought his own birds in on Saturday’s from 10am-2pm to help represent the Feathered Sanctuary out of Kirkwood. His own expertise, and the hands on experience that some folks have been lucky enough to experience help to establish what it takes to adopt a rescued bird. January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month, and what better way to celebrate than to interview the birdman himself.

 

What does Feathered Sanctuary cover for adopting or fostering?
A certificate is given to adopters good for a free wellness check with Dr. Hall at VCA Bridgeport.  Typically a cage comes with the bird. If one is not available, the adoption fee would be a lesser dollar amount.  Range is from $5.00 to $600.00 and anywhere in between.  Since we have a facility, we do not typically foster birds. On rare occasions we do foster special needs birds and food is provided by the rescue.

Is there a foster period? If there is difficulty getting a newly adopted bird settled into a new home we will work with that person.

How can I meet some of the adoptable birds? Stop in at our facility located at 1674 Kirkwood Pike in Kirkwood, PAQ, located just south of Quarryville.

Do you offer educational resources and/or classes? From time to time we do offer Birdie 101 11156416_919226121434121_4985431829583447590_nintroduction classes. Also, the knowledgeable staff at the rescue will answer questions.

What is a bird’s average life span? Canaries about 10-15 years, Cockatiels 15-30 years, Amazons 50-70 years and Macaws 50-80 years.

Can birds be left alone if I work or go to school? Yes….they do not require 24/7 attention. A few hours of interaction daily is plenty.

What does a bird cost on average a year? Food and toys could run anywhere between $150 a year for a small bird to $500 a year for a large Macaw!

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What are some of the things that the rescue does daily? Volunteers clean cages & grates, vacuum floors, feed & water birds as well as get birds out to socialize.

How would I go about volunteering for Feathered Sanctuary?  Stop by the rescue and fill out an application form for volunteering. Must be 16 or older to volunteer alone, but if younger you may volunteer accompanied by a responsible adult!

Are there any other ways that someone can help the Feathered Sanctuary?  Monetary donations are always accepted, supplies such as large garbage bags, vacuum bags, paper towels, printer paper, printer ink and much more.

Where do these rescue birds come from? Birds may outlive their owners, life changes: divorce, newborn, residency move, career change, as well as neglect and/or abuse.

What is one of your happiest memories from volunteering at the rescue? An Umbrella Cockatoo named Angel came in to our rescue with a kicked in cage door and the owners saying the bird was aggressive and noisy. I discovered through interaction with the bird that it was docile and lovable. The poor scared baby was just misunderstood!

 

Thank you Alan for taking the time to answer all of our questions. If you would like to know more, feel free to reach out, and don’t forget to visit Alan at our store!

My Favorite Social Media Animals of 2015

Let’s face it, the majority of us spend our time on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   I personally have the pleasure of using these platforms to help keep people in the loop of all the exciting events, sales, and pets that come to That Fish Place – That Pet Place.  Throughout my day I can’t help by getting a little distracted by some of the awesome pets that everyone has.  Some of these pets have even skyrocketed to social media fame.  In honor of those pets, I would like to share with you my top five favorite pets from social media.

 

Photo Courtesy of facebook.com/HamiltonTheHipsterCat

Photo Courtesy of Hamilton the Hipster Cat’s Facebook.

Hamilton the Hipster Cat

Hamilton the Hipster Cat grew a catstache before it was cool.  This adorable little guy was a rescue that currently resides in San Francisco, California.  With over 115,000 followers on Facebook and 340,000 on Instagram, Hamilton is a force to be reckoned with. I just can’t get enough of that cute little catstache.

 

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Boo the Pomeranian’s Facebook.

Boo the Pomeranian 

I didn’t think it was humanly possible to squeal for five minutes straight without collapsing from exhaustion, but that is exactly what I did when I first saw Boo.  One look at Boo, and you can see why he holds the title of “World’s Cutest Dog.”  Boo is by far the cutest little ball of fluff that I have ever seen, and with over a million followers on Facebook and Instagram, I know I am not the only one who feels the way that I do.

 

 

 

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Photo Courtesy of Grumpy Cat’s Facebook.

Grumpy Cat
You might be living under a rock if you have yet to experience the majesty of Grumpy Cat, aka Tardar Sauce (yes, that is her real name).   Grumpy cat got her famous face likely due to feline dwarfism. She doesn’t let that stop her, and with over 8 million followers on Facebook, 1 million on Instagram, and 50, 000 on Twitter it definitely shows.

 

 

 

 

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Photo Courtesy of Marnie the Dog’s Facebook.

Marnie the Dog

Marnie is what love at first sight means.  Found on the streets in dire need of some TLC, a wonderful woman came and swept Marnie off of her feet and into all of the affection she could ever need.  Though Marnie walks with her head tilted to the left (a result of Vestibular Syndrome), she is perfectly healthy and full of life! Marnie has even recently starred in some commercials for Fresh Pet. With over 300,000 followers on Facebook, over a million on Instagram, and 100,000 on Twitter, it’s very obvious that Marnie has melted the hearts of many, and is sure to be around for a long time to come.

 

Photo Courtesy of Facebook.

Photo Courtesy of Lil Bub’s Facebook.

Lil Bub
Last, but certainly not least, my favorite furry kitty of social media fame is none other than Lil Bub.  One look at her, and you just can’t help falling in love.  Lil Bub was born with several genetic mutations, one of which causes her tongue to always stick out. What makes Lil Bub a lil extra special is that her owner, Mike Bridavsky and Bub partnered with  ASPCA, to create the Lil Bub’s Big Fund.  Money raised by merchandise, appearances, and other events are split up by the ASPCA and in turn donated to animal rescues all across the country.  Lil Bub is living proof that special needs animals are equally awesome to any other pet.   You can see more of Lil Bub on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Do you think you have the next big social media star?  Feel free to share pictures of your stars on our Facebook page!

My Funny Farms Christmas List

We have a trio of guest bloggers today! With all of the hub bub of the holidays, my two adorable cats and my rat wanted to make sure that they weren’t left out from all of the excitement. They’re telling me that they deserve to be on the nice list, and I guess they do 🙂  They asked if they could share their Christmas lists with all of you, and I’m just not one to disappoint.

Sushi McHoneybadger

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Mommy and daddy tell me everyday that they should have just named me Nermal, because I just love being cute!  Puck even tried to mail me to Abu Dhabi once. I don’t need more than what I already have, but mommy insisted I make a list anyway.  I really love sitting on the bed and watching all the birds and squirrels in the yard, so a nice new kitty sill would be a dream!  Sometimes I do get in trouble for clawing up the furniture, so I wouldn’t mind trying a new scratching post. Lastly, I love the refreshing taste of ice cold water.  Sometimes mommy finds me in the sink in the morning licking the faucet.  If I get a water fountain for Christmas, I’m sure it would get plenty of use 🙂

 

 

 

Dahmer

Well, I’m no longer the newest member of the clan, but I get along with everyone wonderfully!  I stay in my cage during the day, but when mom and dad get home I like to sit on their

11124701_10204378083952891_1761663797_nshoulders while they watch television, or cook dinner.  I know that mom and dad can’t keep an eye on me all of the time, so for Christmas I would like to ask Santa for a playpen.  I can be out of my cage for longer periods of time, and stay out of trouble!  I do love to explore but I can’t really do that on my own, so I am hoping that Santa also brings me a runabout ball this year, so that I can go on an adventure!  I can’t get enough of the Yogies yogurt drops either.  I think if Santa brought me a stocking full of those, I would just squeal with excitement!

 

 

Puck

dahmer

I’m the newest addition to the Ries household, and I am still just a baby.  I certainly don’t act like a baby!  I have so much energy to expense during the day and at night, that I can hardly sit still!  That’s why I need a toy that’s going to keep my attention, something like the Petlinks Mystery Motion Cat Toy.  This toy is sure to keep me on the edge of my seat, well…until sister walks by then I have to mess with her (of course).  I know it may be asking for a lot, but I love to climb so much!  If I promise to be good, I would really enjoy a new Kitty’scape Deluxe Playscape. I can climb and play on this for hours!

 

 

There you have it folks!  I’m hoping that my pets gave you some inspiration for that special pet in your life this Christmas.  If you have any questions about some of the products mentioned, please leave them in the comment field below.  Happy Holidays!

How to Prevent Diabetes in Your Cat by Learning from My Mistakes

Growing up I watched as my father tested his blood before meals, and I remember sitting there watching, and jumping right as the needle “snapped” into his finger to test his glucose levels. I grew up thinking that diabetes was just a dad disease. I was too young to understand what the disease meant, how people can get it, and how it can (in some cases) be prevented.  It wasn’t until our cat Roo turned 6, that we found out that she had diabetes. While some pets may be predisposed to the disease, it was by our actions that caused our cat to get the disease that eventually took her life.

Roo the Cat

We got Roo from a sweet lady up the street. All of the neighbor kids would stop by Patty’s house on the way home from the bus stop for milk and cookies. One day, we were beyond ecstatic to discover the kittens her cat had birthed a few months earlier. My sister and I immediately ran home, grabbed my mother’s hand, and ran back to Patty’s house. It took some foot stomping and crying between my sister and I, but we finally convinced my mother to allow us to take Roo home. My sister and I agreed on the name, because of the way she pounced around on her little kitty feet. Looking back on it now, we definitely were not ready for a pet of our own.

How it Started

It started with just a friendly gesture of “here Roo, would you like to try some?” to setting our dinnerware on the ground to allow Roo to lick it clean. We thought it was hilarious watching her lick the plates and bowls. We let her have anything from tastes of our food, to small bowls of ice cream, and shared licks of our popsicles.  Sugar in itself is not toxic to cats, though it is never recommended to allow your cats to have sugars as it leads to obesity and diabetes. We never knew we were doing so much harm. Our cat had Insulin-dependent-Diabetes-Mellitu (IDDM), and it was our fault.

We first noticed the heavy increase of dander by her tail.  We brushed Roo daily, but due to her increase in size and lethargy, she just couldn’t clean herself as well.  After awhile we noticed that the once a day water bowl fill wasn’t cutting it, and we were filling the bowl 2-3 times a day.  My mother who is now a retired RN, knew right away that something wasn’t right.  She called and made an appointment for for Roo the very next day.

Becoming Better Pet Owners

As soon as we received confirmation from the blood tests, we all began to make a plan of attack.  My mother made the decision to do the insulin injections herself, to which I didn’t have any issue with, and neither did my sister.  In case of emergency we watched, and learned how to inject the insulin ourselves.

We habitually ate in the living room so that we could watch television.  We tried to eat more at the kitchen table, but that unfortunately didn’t last very long.  If we ate in the living room we made sure that we took our plates to the kitchen when finished instead of leaving them lie. Roo was put on a weight management formula food, and her feeding instructions were held to a tee.

My best advice to everyone is take care of your pets by feeding them the proper foods, and in the correct serving proportions.  Our cat had to trust an 8 year old and an 11 year old, she didn’t have a choice.  Our pets look to us for love, compassion, and companionship.  They deserve to be taken care of.

Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions please leave them in the comments below.

If you would like more information regarding feline diabetes, please check out these educational resources:

 

What does a Veterinary Technician do?

In honor of National Veterinary Technician Week, we wanted to take the opportunity to get to know a local Veterinary Technician and answer a few questions that we all had. Erica VMC graduated from Wilson College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medical Technology, and has been happily employed with Veterinary Medical Center of Lebanon, Inc. since November of 2003.

What is the difference between a vet and a vet tech? The difference between a vet and a vet tech is that a vet goes to school for longer than a vet tech and a vet can diagnose, prescribe medications, and perform surgery, which a vet tech cannot do.

What was schooling like? What can others expect if they want to become a vet tech? When I went to school I had to take a 4 year program to be able to take the boards to become a certified vet tech. Now there are a lot more programs available where you can go to school for a lot less time and still be able to take the test to become certified. I went to Wilson College, which did offer a lot of hands on learning. I would definitely recommend a program that offers a lot of hands on experiences because a book can only teach you so much.

Why did you want to become a vet tech? Besides that you love animals? I’ve always had an interest in medicine and was always drawn to animal medicine. At first I thought about being a veterinarian but then found that a vet tech seemed to be more hands on with the animals.

What is one piece of advice that you would like to offer others who may be looking to become a vet tech? I would recommend shadowing at a vet clinic to see what exactly vet tech’s do.

Tell me about any training you’ve had in a clinic? In the clinic that I work at I’ve been trained to work the front desk, assist the vet with exams, assist with anesthesia and monitoring during surgery, and perform doctor assigned treatments on hospitalized patients. Every clinic is different, so not all clinics may have their technicians do as much.

Tell me about the animals you cared for and rose in your life? Growing up, my family had dogs. We had a husky mix, then a german shepherd than a shepherd mix. Now I currently have 3 cats, 2 of which I rescued.

erica skunk

What if a client comes in to euthanize a perfectly healthy animal? This question is a hard one. We typically won’t euthanize a healthy animal. Of course there can be exceptions such as if an animal has gotten severely aggressive and all resolutions have been exhausted (medication, working with a behaviorist, possibly re-homing if the issue is just aggression with other pets, etc.) then euthanasia may become an option but we really don’t want it to come to that if at all possible.

Have you had any terrifying experiences with animals? Yes, in the past I have been bitten severely enough to need stitches.

Out of your vet tech experience, what do you enjoy the most? I think I enjoy the fact that every day is different. You never know what exactly you’re going to get each day so it never gets boring.

Tell us about a particular animal’s case that stuck with you? It’s hard to pick one, I would have to say it would have to be a C-section case where the dog had been in labor for hours and we weren’t sure if any of the puppies were still alive but we were able to save mom and all the pups. That was a really awesome feeling when all the pups were nursing off of mom and everyone was okay.

Thank you Erica for taking the time to answer all of our questions. If you would like to know more, feel free to reach out.

Preparing Our Pets for an Emergency or Disaster

We rarely see natural disasters in the state of Pennsylvania, so when they hit it often sends people into a state of panic. Like troops, we assemble at the grocery store at the sheer mention of snow. During flooding we evacuate after moving our most valued positions to the second floor. The outcome is never certain, but one thing that is certain; in a state of panic our pets can be forgotten. How do we keep our pets safe and prepared during these stressful times? It is best to be prepared for these various situations, and it is a lot easier than most people may think.

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Storm image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Gewitter

What to do First
Start by getting your pet microchipped. Microchipping is one of the easiest ways to identify your pet in case it should be separated from you. Collars with ID tags are great, but pets can get out of a collar. Microchipping can be done at veterinary offices, pet supply stores (when a clinic is held), and some local shelters. In the event that you have your pet microchipped, make sure that the information is current! If you move, change your name, change your phone number, or change ownership update the microchip. Some people may do this service at no charge or a small fee, but you can easily do it online at no cost to you. Most microchips do not cost very much ($15-$20), so it is a small price to pay in order to protect your pet.  Learn more about the importance of microchipping here.
Be sure to keep vaccines current too. Pets may roam for a while before they are discovered by a passerby, or show up in a public location. During this time, your pet is at the mercy of the wilderness. Your pet could be exposed to wildlife, various food and water sources, and a wide range of viruses. Stress also creates a weakened immune system. While having your pets up to date on vaccinations is not a guarantee of their safety, it is extremely beneficial to their survival.

teddy-242851_640Build a Pet Emergency Kit
Emergencies can happen at any given time, so it’s best to be also prepared for these given situations. Come up with an evacuation plan, and have drills with your family and pets. In case of injury, or loss of shelter, purchase a ready-made first aid kit or make one on your own. Be sure to place the kit in an accessible area. If you would like to make your own kit, here is a list of materials that you will need.

 

 

 

 

Emergency Contacts List
• Pet’s regular vet contact info and address
• Emergency vet contact information, in case your vet is not available or close by
• Poison Control Phone Number

Supplies
• Clean towels (both cloth and paper)
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Disposable Gloves
• Heat pack or hot water bottle
• Lubricant jelly (mineral oil, KY)
• Nail Clippers
• Kwik-Stop powder or gel
• Hemostats
• Small penlight or flashlight
• Rectal Thermometer
• Scissors
• Syringes of different sizes
• Tweezers
• Wire Cutters
• Bandage Wrap
• Gauze of different sizes
• Band-Aids
• First Aid Tape
• Non-stick pads
• Unflavored Pedialyte
• Saline Solution
• Triple antibiotic ointment for skin
• Probiotic gel (BeneBac, LactoBac, Probios, or Fastrack)
• Wound Disinfectant (Betadine, Povidone)
• A plastic bag of their food
• Blanket
• Favorite toy
• Crate/carrier
• Spare leash and collar
• Any current medications

Some of these items may expire over time, so be sure to check your first aid kit often so that items can be replaced or replenished. While this kit serves as an emergency kit, it can also be used while traveling. Be sure to get your pet proper medical attention as soon as you are able to. Remember that our pets will feed off of our energy. If we are calm, our pet will be calm. In the event that your pet appears to be anxious, be sure to give them their space. Scolding your pet at this time will not benefit either party.

No one wants to be involved in a disaster of any kind, but they do happen.  It is best to be prepared, remain calm, and ensure the safety of yourself and all of your loved ones.

 

Volunteering for Animal Shelters and Rescues in Lancaster PA and Your Community

A lot of us are always looking for that little extra that we can do to make the world a better place. For animal lovers, the choice to volunteer at a local rescue may be easy. Some may need a little extra encouragement. Most animal rescues and organizations are non-profits. Since they are non-profits, these organizations relay strictly on those willing to volunteer their time.

Volunteer Duties

Those who are pet owners know that day to day care of our animals is of the upmost importance. Here are just a few of the duties that you may have as a volunteer:
• Feeding – Feeding animals per their feeding schedule, adhering to any special needs diets.
• Grooming – Bathing and brushing animals as needed.
• Walking – Walking animals daily per the rescues schedule.
• Cleaning – General upkeep of the facility, kennel areas, litter pans, procedure rooms, etc.
• One on one/playtime – Socializing with the animals, handling animals, exposing animals to various social situations.
• Administering medications – Redressing wounds, administering medications as prescribed.
• Office work/Social Media – Run social media pages and websites, data entry, filing, etc
• Fostering – Temporarily house an animal available for adoption in your own home.
• Fundraising/Event Coordinating – Plan events and fundraisers, community reach out

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Donations and other Support

With the internet, it is not hard to find out about an event being held by a local animal rescue. They happen more than you think! Here is a list of ways you can donate and support a local rescue even if you do not have the time to volunteer:
• Event posting Sites – Rescues will utilize other free event posting sites, especially larger scale events.
• Facebook pages – Information regarding a rescues needs and ways to donate can be typically found under the “about” tab.

Amazon Smile – Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.  You can search for an organization of your choice, and as long as they participate in the program, your purchases will continue to help their organization.
• Donation Bins – Collection bins that are placed at related retail locations.
• Wish list/Gift Exchange – General list of day to day materials needed at the facility. Ask for donatable gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversary’s and give them to your local rescue.

 

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Adoption Events at That Fish Place – That Pet Place

We at That Fish Place – That Pet Place work hard to do our part for homeless animals by regularly hosting meet and greets in conjunction with local animal welfare organizations. You can stay informed about our upcoming events by going to our Facebook page, our website, Google +, Eventful, and Susquehanna Life!

Local Animal Rescues & Shelters

There are a lot of local rescues that are in need of volunteers, donations, and fosters.  They cannot succeed without your help.  Here are just a handful of some of the local rescues that you can support.

Angels Among Us

-Petfinder page

Best Friends Furever, Inc

-Donation page

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Blue Ridge Bull Terrier Club, Inc

-Website

Cocker Spaniel Adoption, Inc

-Donation page

Doberman Pinscher Rescue of Pa, Inc

-Donation page

Duswalt Foundation Exoctic Bird Rescue

-Facebook page

Feathered Sanctuary Exotic Bird Rescue

-Facebook public page

Lost Paws of Lancaster

-Website

Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary

-Donation page

Happy Hounds Homeward Bound

-Donation page

Pibbles and More

-Donation page

Keystone Greyhounds

-How can I help?

Kpets Pet Therapy

-Donation page

Lancaster Herpetological Society

-Website

Mostly Muttz Rescue

-Donation page

Oxford Ferret Rescue

-Ways to help

Pa Boxers

-Website

Triple J Reptiles

-Website

 

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