Community Corner
Ho, Ho, Home for Christmas
These pets are asking Santa for a home this Christmas—and they've all been pretty darn nice!
The cats at Cobb County Animal Control are finally out of quarantine and the Spirit of Christmas has taken hold at the shelter. They are being specially priced from now until Christmas in the hopes that many of them will find homes for the holidays (and for many years to come).
On Friday, fifteen dogs and three cats left the shelter and headed north to Minnesota. All have homes awaiting them – some adoptive homes and others foster homes, but homes with families nonetheless.
Three elves helped me photograph the animals this week. These were real elves that made costumes and provided toys and treats. It was pure magic. Come out to the shelter and experience a bit of holiday bliss. Who knows, you might find Dasher, Blitzen, or one of the other reindeer names…
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- Vet Tip of the Week
Introducing a new pet into the home should be done slowly and with patience.
If there are other pets in the home, make sure to have the new animal checked by your veterinarian prior to any introductions - parasites and contagious diseases need to be ruled out. Your vet will be able to advise on appropriate vaccinations and preventatives.
Find out what's happening in East Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A seven day quarantine period is advisable; after which, begin a supervised introduction of the newcomer with the other pet members. Continue to supervise until you are sure no harm will come to any of the animals.
Points to consider with dogs:
In multiple dog households, if possible, adopt a dog of the opposite gender. Male-female combinations have a lower incidence of long-term conflict and fighting than male-male and female-female pairs.
Make sure all mature dogs in the household have been spayed/neutered. Certain dog breeds (i.e. Terriers), have a tendency to be more aggressive towards other animals.
For specifics on dog training, pick up a copy of "How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves'' by Sophia Yin. Some of the topics tackled are crate-training, house-training, and reducing separation anxiety.
Remember your veterinarian is one of your best resources!
Dr. Lori Germon is a veterinarian at in Smyrna. You can find more information on pet introduction and other pet topics at their website. You can also find them on Facebook.