Pets: A Varying Palette
September 11, 2018
I’m sure that everyone at some point in their pet’s life have heard that human food is not good for your them. Though there are certain spices and foods that you should avoid, not all human food is actually bad for your pet companion!
Think about it this way, your cat and your dog, they eat foods that are enriched with chicken, turkey, beef, etc. Well aren’t those all foods that we as humans eat? Have you ever taken a look in your pet’s wet food and noticed veggies? How about looking at the back of the food bag and reading the ingredients. I bet that you will find some familiar foods, some of which might be some of your favorites!
Not only do your dogs and cats have a wide variety with in their food, so do some of the not so average pets such as pigs, birds and lizards to name a few. Just like Humans our companions also have quote the varying palette.
Lizards, dogs and birds are predominately carnivorous , but it doesn’t mean that they won’t eat those healthy fruits and veggies. For example Apples are a great snack ( sans the seeds ) for your furry AND scaly friends in moderation. They are high in fiber and low in fat making for a yummy change up for the pets that you love. Another fruit that is has a dual purpose is watermelon. Not only is this good for your pet but it will also help keep them hydrated seeing as it is mostly water based. Watermelon is packed with vitamins that help with muscle and nerve function.
Lets not leave those veggies out either! Carrots are a favorite of dogs, lizards and birds because of the crunch that comes with it. They also promote great eye and skin health. Sweet potato is a base that is used in several brands of treats, but can easily just be cut up and fed to your pet raw. This is also a nutrient rich treat, and much healthier than white potato.
Here are a list of safe fruits and veggies that you can give your pets in moderation:
Spinach Green Beans Pumpkin Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Apricot
Cabbage Carrots Cucumber Celery Apple Mango
Banana Blueberries Raspberries Pear Cantaloupe Watermelon
Here is a list that you should try and avoid:
Cherries Grapes Raisins Lime Lemon Grapefruit
Persimmons Onion Garlic Rhubarb Mushrooms
When it comes to meat, you can never go wrong with added protein as a treat, or as an addition to meals every once in a while. What you want to look out for here is seasoning. You should never give your pet meat that has been seasoned. Most seasonings have adverse effects that could cause long term damage when ingested, so make sure you are paying attention! A great treat for any type of pet would actually be eggs! This is a tasty treat that has great benefits for your furry ( or scaly ) friends skin. This is generally something that you would not give your bird.
So next time you go to grab yourself a snack or cook dinner, go ahead and look what you are making and maybe surprise your pet with a new treat!
Fundraising 5k
August 24, 2018
Running a marathon, that sounds fun right? No I didn’t think so. But you know what sounds fun? A 5k! Whether you are walking or running, it’s something that you can do solo, with your family, with a group, even with your dog! In the past couple of years 5k’s have been making there way on to the scene being used as a great way to get people together to exercise for a cause. Who wouldn’t want to get fit while supporting their favorite organization?
Being in the animal field, such as running a sanctuary, or being a foster, you are relying a lot on the donations that come in from the general public. Sometimes you need to get creative to get the community involved, and what better way than by jumping in on the band wagon and hosting a 5k in honor of your facility. These types of events are also really great to get some face to face interaction with those who are potential supporters and make a more personal connection, not only with you the owner, but with the animals that they will be donating too.
5k walks or runs are great for the community because you can host a larger amount of people at one time. In a time where health is a big focus, these types of fundraising events give people motivation to get out and do something while supporting something they are passionate about. To make it even better you, could make the 5k dog friendly so that people can bring their best friend out and support his furry brothers and sisters.
Other local animal products can set up stands at the beginning of the race and a portion of their proceeds can be donated to you. This is also a great way to spread the word about local business that people might not realize is in their very own community.
This is also a great time to spotlight some of your furry friends that the walk is benefitting. If you are in the business of adoption, bring some of your adoptable. Who knows they might even find their furrever home, or at the least get someone to sponser them! If you are trying to raise funds for a santuary, or a facility that doesn’t adopt animals, and you just give them a safe haven, bring them out so they can show their appreciation!
Whats wonderful about events like this, and most other types of events, is that most of the policies that we at Animal Welfare Organization Insurance Program write for our organizations will already have this covered. If they don’t they make it really easy to get the coverage so that it’s one less thing for you to worry about when you are putting on your 5k.
Fundraising is a tough thing to do , but when you can make it fun and interactive, people are more likely to come out and see what you are all about! Spread your love for your animals to other’s by walking it out for a cause.
Keep our Animals Safe this Summer
August 10, 2018
So you found an animal in need?
No doubt we can all agree how hot it has been this summer. Not only is it hot for us , it is also hot for our furry friends as well! So what happens when you find an animal in need? There are a few steps you can take to make sure your friend is well taken care of.
Is this animal native wildlife? If so take note of a few things.
Does it have open or visible wounds?
Is it acting abnormally?
Does it seem to be breathing rapidly?
These are all questions that your local animal control or vet are going to ask. Always assess your surroundings, your safety is number one! Your local animal control or veterinarian should be able to guide you to the correct phone number if they are unable to help.
If you feel that you can safely handle the animal, make sure that you have gloves on. For
smaller animals, put them in a box padded with shredded newspaper or towels, and in an area that is quiet until you are given further instructions. Make sure that if you do handle the animal to wash your hands vigorously afterwards.
For a dog or a cat that doesn’t seem to have anyone with them, go ahead and call the local shelters and veterinarian. If they are friendly, try and read their tag, you might be able to get in touch with their owner. In this day and age, most pets are micro-chipped so the vet can be a great help! Even though you might have the urge to give the dog water or food, hold off on doing so until you contact the vet. Dog’s and cat’s have allergies too so you don’t want to upset their stomach, and chugging water isn’t good for humans and animals alike!
Let’s all have fun for what’s left of the summer and keep our friends safe in the process!
