Snow-Bound Dogs and Cats

It appears that more dogs will be heading northward and westward to a Minnesota rescue soon; and this time, there will be cats going, too. The first group left Cobb County Animal Control shelter for Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS) back on September 23. There were 13 dogs in all, and they made the trip without a hitch.

All but one of the 13 have since been adopted, so MARS is ready to take more. While shelter details are being worked out, the dogs and cats will need to be in foster homes. In fact, they will need to be out of the shelter for a minimum of 10 days prior to transport. The transport date is set for Dec. 10.

MARS, a no-kill rescue, doesn’t have a warehouse shelter. Once the animals arrive, they will be taken into their new foster homes. They will remain in these homes until they are adopted out. Interestingly, MARS doesn't have adoption events or keep animals in local pet stores. All their adoptions come about when someone sees one of the animals posted on various online websites - including Petfinder and the MARS website itself.

Adopters and fosters fill out online applications; after the application is received and accepted, there is a phone interview, a home inspection, and a background check – all of these must be done before they are allowed to meet the animal. Now, those are some hurdles that have to be jumped.

There are hurdles on this end too. Prior to any of this happening, foster homes must be found and transport fees have to be raised. Community involvement is necessary.

This would be the perfect opportunity to help some of the animals without having to go to the shelter. The rescue is setting up a chip-in for anyone interested in donating to help with the fees. These chosen Cobb animals will be well-cared for and well-loved. Let’s just hope their southern fur coats become northern fur coats quickly. Minnesota in December….brrrrrrrr. 

For information on how you can help with this rescue and transport, contact Janice at quietzsch@aol.com.

Out of 18 Pilgrim cats featured last week, all but six have been adopted. These six Pilgrim and two little Indian cats would like nothing more than to find homes this Thanksgiving.

This week’s Patch pets of the week are the shelter pets of the week  -- Maddy and Duncan. These two are fully vetted and only $80. Why were they chosen? Because they are the staff favorites, have excellent dispositions and will make wonderful companion pets.

Maddy, a senior dog in age only, will make an ideal family member. She knows basic commands like sit and “I need to go outside, please.”  A smart girl and very well-behaved, Maddy’s eye’s sparkle, letting you know she is full of spunk and personality. And don’t overlook her Yoda ears; they are so cute! Maddy is looking for a great home to retire in! Come meet Maddy in cage number 303, take her out for a walk and then take her home with you. ID No. 535757.

Duncan is a real lady’s man! He loves to be held and is a laid back kind of guy. He greets you when you enter the cat room with a kitty smile and happily listens to everything you say. This guy has no problem showing affection, can’t argue, and will happily watch your favorite TV shows with you. He just asks for food and a warm bed. What’s not to love? Come visit Duncan and take him home. He’s in cage number 672. ID No. 536249.  

If you would like to help the animals left behind at the shelter and make their stay a bit more comfy, you can order a kitty bed for a donation of $15. These beds are made locally and with much love for the animals.

For a dog bed, donate a Kuranda bed. They can be purchased and donated to the shelter by ordering online. The beds will be sent directly to the shelter www.cherokeeanimals.petfinder.com.

To see more available animals at the shelter, see here.

My blog: A cat in a dog’s world

Friends of Shelter Cats - FB page

Vet Tip of the Week

Rabies Awareness

Why is it extremely important to vaccinate your dogs and cats against Rabies?

• Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects mammals, including humans. 
• There is no treatment for Rabies once clinical signs appear. 
• Once signs of Rabies develop, the death occurs within 10 days. Signs may not be immediate and can take up to one year to be exhibited, although most animals show signs within 30 days. 
• Among domesticated animals, cats, dogs, horses and livestock are susceptible to the virus. 
• In the United States, wildlife most likely to carry the disease include: raccoons, bats, skunks, coyotes and foxes. 
• The biggest danger to people occurs when they or their pets come in contact with Rabies infected wildlife. 
• Wildlife CAN gain access to indoor areas. Bats in particular are especially adept at entering homes. Therefore, even if your pet does not go outside, you still need to protect them from Rabies.
• It’s the law in Cobb County (and Georgia) to have all dogs and cats vaccinated for Rabies. 
• If your dog or cat is not vaccinated, or is overdue for vaccination against Rabies, they can face a lengthy and expensive quarantine period if they bite OR scratch another animal or person. If they show any signs suspicious of Rabies during the quarantine period, they must be put to sleep, and their remains sent off for testing. For more information about how to protect you and your family from Rabies exposure see here. 
• In Cobb County, from January 2010 through July 2011 there have been 31 positive cases for Rabies in animals (22 raccoons, four cats [three stray, one pet], three foxes, two bats).

*Signs of Rabies include unusually withdrawn behavior that progresses to wildly aggressive behavior, foaming and drooling at the mouth, and ultimately to muscle paralysis that leads to death. If you come in contact with or see any wildlife or animals that you suspect are rabid, you should immediately contact animal control. This also applies for any bite or scratch wounds from at risk wildlife, or pets, especially unvaccinated pets, or pets that are overdue for their Rabies vaccination. In Cobb County, this is Cobb County Animal Services at (770) 499-4136. 

Dr. Lori Germon is a veterinarian at  in Smyrna. You can find information on pet introduction and other pet topics at their website. You can also find them on Facebook.