Disaster Preparedness

While it looks like Hurricane Earl is going to miss us here in Meriden, it’s never a bad idea to review your disaster preparedness plan. It’s been five years since Hurricane Katrina, when the issue of animal rescue after natural disasters was first brought to the nation’s attention. Thanks to the efforts of both local and national rescue groups, many animals were saved and reunited with their families. However, this disaster also taught us that the best thing you can do for your pet in the face of an evacuation is to take them with you. That’s why it’s important to know your plan ahead of time.

Here in Connecticut we are lucky not to experience many natural disasters, but there are other reasons that homes can be evacuated and you will need to have a plan for your pets in this case. The rule of thumb is that if your home is unsafe for you to remain it, it is also unsafe for your pets. Even if you are told that the evacuation is short term, you cannot be certain when you will be able to access your home and your pets again. Take them with you.

When evacuating with your pets there are items that you must have ready to go. These include:

-Food for all your pets
-Bottled water
-Food bowls
-Cat litter and litter pans
-Pet first aid kit
-Carriers for small animals and leashes/collars for dogs
-Medical records stored in a waterproof container or baggie
-Any medications your pets need
-Current photos of your pets in case you are separated

All pets should wear ID at all times, but in an emergency this is even more important. Microchipping is a safe and permanent form of identification, but if there is no time to have this done all pets should wear a collar with ID tags. The tags should include your pet’s name, your name, your phone number and address, and the phone number of an out-of-state contact person in case your area loses cell reception or phone lines are down. If you know where you are evacuating to, you should also include a temporary tag with the address and phone number of that site. But be aware that collars can become lost and if your pet does not have a form of permanent ID (such as a tattoo or microchip) there may be no way of positively identifying them.

You also need to know where you can bring your pets once you’ve left your home. Most emergency shelters will not take in animals, so it is likely you will need to make other arrangements. Locate and keep contact information for pet-friendly hotels both near your home and out of the area. Try to make arrangements with friends or family to temporarily take in you and your pets.

The best advice anyone can give is to be prepared before there is an emergency. If you’re given an hour to get out of your house, will you remember everything you need for you emergency kit? Will you know where you can take your pets? Will you know who to contact for help? These are things you need to consider before hand or your pets will pay the price. A pet left chained outside or roaming a house in a disaster can be seriously injured, made ill by contaminated food and water, or killed. Your pets deserve the same concern that any other member of your family would. Don’t let your pets down by being unprepared in an emergency.

Links and Further Reading:

Get a free Rescue Alert sticker for your front door.

ASPCA’s recommendations for disaster preparedness

FEMA’s recommendations for disaster preparedness for pets

Take FEMA’s IS-10: Animals in Disaster course

United Animal Nation’s recommendations for disaster preparedness

Emergencies: Be Prepared

Nothing is scarier to a pet owner than finding their four-legged friends in distress. Do you know what to do in an emergency? Do you know where to call for help? If it's late at night, a weekend, or a holiday, you might not be able to contact your regular vet. For that reason it's important to know where the nearest emergency vet is.

Some Connecticut 24-hour emergency vet hospitals include:

Animal Emergency Hospital of Central Connecticut
860-563-4447
588 Cromwell Ave, Rocky Hill CT

Connecticut Veterinary Center, Inc.
860-233-8564
470 Oakwood Ave, West Hartford cT

Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center
860-347-8387
730 Randolph Road, Middletown CT
*will treat rabbits

VCA Cheshire Animal Hospital
(203) 718-2419
1572 S Main St, Cheshire CT

Other important phone numbers:

Pet Poison Helpline: 800-213-6680
*note that there is a $35 fee

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
*not that there is a $65 fee

While we all hope to never need to make an emergency vet visit, everyone needs to be prepared for that eventuallity by knowing how to reach the nearest emergency hospital. There are many situations when an injured or ill pet cannot wait for morning or until Monday to receive medical care and it is our responsibility to ensure that they reach help as quickly as possible.

A Lesson on Declawing and Humane Alternatives

Scratching is a natural, healthy part of cat behavior, but it can be a major concern for many families with cats or who are considering adopting a cat. It’s not hard to understand why. No one likes having their furniture scratched and for people on certain medications cat scratches can be very serious, but you don’t have to make a decision between your sofa and health or having a happy feline companion.

In the United States declawing is one of the most popular solutions to scratching. Many people are surprised to find that this is a procedure unique to the United States. In many European countries (see a full list here) declawing is illegal. It is recognized as an inhumane procedure that harms the cat without providing any benefits.

(View a diagram of the bones of a cat's foot before and after declawing.)

Declawing is not the simple surgery that many believe it is. A cat’s claw is connected to a bone called the distal phalanx, which is amputated along with the deep digital flexor tendon. The closest comparison is having the tip of your fingers cut off at the first knuckle. This leaves the cat with a painful recovery, as cats do not have the option to lay in bed while their mutilated paws heal.

The psychological side effects of declawing are troubling and unacceptable. Claws are a cat’s main defense mechanism and removing it can drastically alter their personality. Some declawed cats become frightened and withdrawn while others become aggressive. Since they no longer have their claws to defend themselves, many turn to the only other means of defense they have: teeth. Declawing can also lead to a problem behavior most owners find more difficult to live with than scratching. After the surgery cats still must scratch in their litterbox and many learn to associate the pain of their damaged paws with the box itself. This can lead them to avoid the box and seek out softer surfaces to relieve themselves on. Scratching is also a means of marking territory and, deprived of this method, some cats will turn to urinating outside of the box in order to scent mark their home.

There are also physical side effects to such a serious surgery. Complications following surgery are extremely common and include hemorrhage, infection, and regrowth of nails. Scratching also allows cats to stretch their back muscles and removing this ability can cause painful seizing of the muscles.

So what are you supposed to do about scratching? Thankfully, there are many effective and, most importantly, humane methods for discouraging your cat from scratching on your furniture.

The easiest thing you can do is provide appropriate scratching surfaces for your cat. Scratching posts can be purchased at any pet store or made yourself. They come in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors. Some cats prefer upright scratching posts and some prefer horizontal surfaces. Traditional scratching posts such as these are great for cats that like, for instance, the corner of your sofa, and cardboard scratchers like these are best for cats who like to scratch on the carpet. Any scratching post can be sprayed with cat nip spray to attract the cat to it and some already come treated with cat nip.

A relatively new solution to scratching is a product called Soft Paws. These are small plastic caps that you apply to each of your cat’s claws, almost like putting on fake fingernails. They are blunt on the end so your cat can’t scratch anything, but they don’t interfere with the cat’s natural movement and don’t cause any discomfort. They are simple to apply on your own and come in many fun colors.

One of the reasons cats scratch is to shed the outer layer of their claws. If you keep their nails trimmed you can help eliminate this need. Trimming nails is a simple procedure you can do yourself with pet nail trimmers purchased from any pet store. Simply extend the cat’s nail by pressing at the base with your finger and trim off the hook of the nail. Be careful to avoid the blood line, which in most cats is easily visible. If you aren’t comfortable trimming your own cat’s nails, your veterinarian or groomer could do it for you.

Declawing is inhumane and not a reasonable reaction to scratching, but by trying some of these alternatives you can live in harmony with your feline friend without sacrificing your furniture or your cat’s wellbeing. Your cat will thank you for it.

Further reading on declawing:

www.declawing.org (Warning: this site contains graphic photos.)

HSUS’s position on declawing

Declawing in the Petfinder library

June is Adopt A Cat Month!

While any time of year is a great time to bring a feline friend into your life, June is the special month set aside to highlight adoptable cats. We know the perfect home for each and every one of our cats is out there and one of those homes might be yours! If you've been thinking of adopting a new family member, our many kitties would be very pleased to see you stop by the cat room.

Timmy



Timmy is the King of Comfort. He's rarely found anywhere but his big comfy bed and looks lost when its in the wash. Timmy is laid back and mellow, the perfect cat for someone who doesn't want the energy of a kitten bouncing off their ceilings. He likes to sit on laps and loves to be petted, but generally waits for you to go to him. He is declawed, so he would prefer not to live with animals that might pick on him but is fine with other gentle cats.

Rosemary



Rosemary is one of many young mother cats that are looking for homes now that their kittens have been adopted. She's just a tiny cat herself, it's hard to imagine that she's a mother. She loves to cuddle and is definitely best friend material. When there's no one around to curl up with, she settles for snuggling into her blankets, but she'd really like a family to give her all the petting and attention she wants.

Oogie



You'd be hard pressed to find a more affectionate cat than Oogie. He's never happier than when he has a lap to sit on and someone to scratch his chin. There's just something about him that's perfect for hugging and he's more than happy to cuddle. He has some silly habits, like sleeping under the sink, and will probably wants to pick out a comfortable napping spot in his new home. Just don't be surprised if he picks somewhere you never thought of!

Callie



It's hardly fair that Callie got looks and personality, but some cats are just lucky. She keeps her long calico fur immaculate to show off for visitors and is just the sweetest girl. It's hard to resist a beautiful kitty like her, but she wants everyone to know that she's more than pretty fur! She also loves to be petted and is very outgoing. She has a bit of a silly side, as you can see, but she promises to behave herself when guests are over.

Brian



Brian sure is a hoot. Most people don't even notice that he's missing a leg when they first meet him. Brian was hit by a car and had to have his leg amputated, but we're not even sure if he's noticed yet. He certainly can chase and jump just as well as any other cat. He's always playing and loves toys of all kinds. He has a lot of energy and can be a little hard to keep up with, but if you're looking for a fun companion you won't find any cat better suited than Brian.

Virginia



Virginia is quite the explorer. She came to the shelter with kittens and wasn't pleased to be cooped up with them. She wants to see the world and go on adventures, and now that her kittens have all been adopted she has her chance! She wants to be part of everything going on around her and would love to have a home of her very own to explore.

If you're interested in any of our adoptable cats, just come on down to the shelter to meet them. We're open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to six and we'd be more than happy to introduce you to any of our cats.

Furry Fosterables

Now that you've learned a bit about fostering, why not check out a few of our animals that are looking for foster homes?

Kittens



Orphaned kittens and pregnant cats are already entering the shelter as Kitten Season starts. We need as many foster homes for these animals as possible. Don’t let any kittens grow up in cages this spring. Don’t turn away pregnant moms in need. Help us raise healthy, happy kittens by volunteering to foster.

Sunshine



Sunshine is 19-years old and very sad to have lost her home. She and her five friends came to the shelter after their elderly caretaker passed away. Sunshine was used to a very quiet home and she doesn’t understand all the hustle an dbustle of the shelter. She’s too scared to live with the rest of the cats here, so she spends most of her time hiding in her bed. Doesn’t she deserve better? She would rather live out her life in a foster home where she can be comfortable and happy again.

Thing One and Thing Two





Thing One and Thing Two were left outside the shelter in a box, a scary situation for any cat to find themselves in, but made worse for these two because they are both declawed. They know they can’t defend themselves, so they huddle together in their cage and try not to be noticed. To make matters worse, they both have impaired vision. Thing One is entirely blind in one eye and Thing Two is partially blind in one eye. They want a foster home where they can gain some confidence in themselves and have their eyesight monitored.

Sid



Sid wandered up to a house looking for food and affection after being abandoned outdoors. Since being at the shelter he has tested positive for FIV and hyperactive thyroid. He takes a pill twice a day for his thyroid, but doesn’t need any special care for the FIV. He’s an older cat, ten at minimum, and he needs a low-stress environment that he just can’t find at the shelter.

Serenity



Serenity was found wandering the streets in the dead of winter. This sweet girl is very grateful to be inside where her meals are guaranteed, but she also has hyperactive thyroid and is around 13 years old. As an older cat with special needs, she isn’t very attractive to adopters, no matter how pretty her green eyes are, but she still wants a home. She is looking for a foster to live her despite her special need.

Fostering: How You Can Save a Life

Fostering is one of the most rewarding ways to participate in animal rescue and we need your help! Kitten Season is starting up and soon requests to help pregnant cats and orphaned kittens will be overwhelming the shelter. In order to care for all of these mommas and babies we need volunteer foster homes.

What is fostering?

Fostering is when you provide a temporary home for an animal that needs more individual care than is possible in a shelter setting. Foster homes are essential to keep animals as healthy and happy as possible while they wait for their forever homes.

What sorts of animals need foster homes?

We look for foster homes for lots of animals. This includes orphaned kittens that need round-the-clock care, special needs pets that need medication multiple times a day, senior pets that are unlikely to be adopted, and shy animals that need to be socialized. In the spring time, also known as Kitten Season, we always need foster homes for pregnant cats and kittens with and without mothers.

What is involved with fostering?

Foster parents are expected to shelter the animals in their care, provide them with attention, food, and water. The goal of fostering is to help the animals become as socialized and healthy as possible, so anything the foster parents can do to meet that goal is fantastic.

What does the shelter provide to foster homes?

We will send you home with everything you need for your foster pet. We can provide litter boxes, leashes, food bowls, bedding, and any other supplies necessary for caring for the animal. We can also provide veterinary care.

Why is fostering necessary?

Foster homes help animals that don’t thrive in the shelter environment. The shelter is a high-stress environment that many animals don’t adapt well to. Being in a foster home allows these animals to be comfortable while they await their forever homes.

For animals that are too young to be adopted or are pregnant, foster homes provide a safer environment than the shelter. Kittens and puppies have fragile immune systems, so being in a home is much safer than being around many other animals. For pregnant mothers, a low-stress environment is also ideal for raising healthy babies.

How long a commitment is fostering?

This depends on the type of animal being fostered. Puppies and kittens are a minimum of eight weeks and pregnant animals are often longer. Senior animals are often placed in “permanent foster” homes, so the foster lasts for the remainder of the animal’s life. For undersocialized animals the time period varies, but an agreement will be reached during the application process as to how long the animal will be in the foster home (of course, this can be adjusted later).

Can I adopt my foster pet?

Of course. Foster parents are encouraged to give up their foster pets when an adoptive home is found so that they can help more homeless pets, but if a foster parent does want to adopt they can go through the adoption application process.

What do I get out of fostering?

Fostering is incredibly enriching to the families. They get the knowledge that they have helped save a life, that they opened their doors to an animal in need when no one else would.

How do I become a foster parent?

Foster applications are available in the lobby of the shelter. A staff member or volunteer will meet with you to discuss what you can offer a foster pet.

What animals are available for foster?

The best way to find out what animals are looking for foster homes is to ask a staff member or volunteer. You can also call us at (203) 238-3650 or email us at meridensociety@sbcglobal.net.

MHS Dogs Have Star Power

Have you ever wondered about the animals of the stage and silver screen? Where do they come from? Ladies' Home Journal offers answers, at least concerning some lucky Broadway stars. As you can see in the image above, from the Dec '09/Jan '10 issue of the magazine, one of our own is now making a name for himself in Legally Blonde: The Musical.

Of course, we think all of our animals have potential, but we usually stop at the potential to be a great friend and companion. We're all exceptionally proud of Frankie and his career on stage. Frankie is proving what we've always said; shelter dogs are awesome!

You can read the full article on trainer Bill Berloni and his Broadway stars here.

In The News: Rocky

 

A favorite among staff and volunteers, Rocky was lucky enough to get some extra exposure on Thrusday morning. He has been with us at the Meriden Humane Society since May 2009 and he hopes he made an impression on someone out there who wants to give him a new home.



Isn't that the perfect picture of comfort? Rocky loves searching out the biggest, comfiest beds to sleep in and he doesn't care one bit if he looks silly. He's a very laid back cat, content to enjoy a slow-paced life, and he wants nothing more than to have his very own home to make himself comfortable in. He is very social with people and loves attention of all kinds. Rocky is just a big sweetheart.

Rocky is special needs, in that he has elbow dysplasia. That just means he takes joint supplements once a day and he walks with a limp. He takes his medication like a champ (it's just a capsule in his wet food, so he even enjoys it!) and doesn't let his limp get him down. He navigates the cat room with no trouble and behaves just like a normal cat.

If you think you could give Rocky the home he deserves, come on down to visit him. He doesn't want to celebrate an anniversary at the shelter. Instead, why not take him home so he can start a new, happier life?

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month and if you’ve ever considered bringing a rabbit into your family, now might be the time. Rabbits are very different pets from cats and dogs, but are just as rewarding. They take some special care, which if you’re accustomed to cats might take some time to get used to, so it’s generally recommended that you do some research before taking the plunge and adopting a rabbit. A good rabbit resource is the House Rabbit Society, which will help you decide if a rabbit is the pet for you.

Rabbits are a subject very close to my heart, as I have personally shared my home with many wonderful bunnies. They offer love and companionship and will probably help dispose of your Christmas tree (as long as it wasn't treated with chemicals). Each rabbit as its own personality just like we do and discovering their favorite games and treats is fun for both of you. Yes, they need some special considerations, such as bunny proofing the house and finding a rabbit specialist vet, but these are small things to do for a good friend.

At MHS we see rabbits periodically and several staff members and volunteers have rabbit experience, so if you have rabbit questions we can at the very least point you in the right direction. Right now we don’t have any rabbits available for adoption, but there are several rabbit rescues in Connecticut. Adoptable rabbits are listed on Petfinder just like cats and dogs, so once you’ve learned a bit about them you can search for adoptable buns that fit your lifestyle.

While here at MHS every animal is loved, some become very special to their caregivers. Often these are the animals that come to us in the worst shape, that need the most extra care. Sometimes the story ends happily for these animals and sometimes it doesn’t. At the beginning of this new year, as we all look forward to the animals we’ll save in the coming months, we can’t help but remember some of our favorites from this past year.

Tag



Tag was just a puppy when he was found emaciated under a porch. While his heart never wavered, his body was just too weak. He passed away after a week of what may have been the most love he had ever been shown. We have written Tag’s story many times and rather than tell it one more time, instead we would like to print this letter from one of Tag’s caregivers.

You were taken from us too soon. Never able to know the true love of a “family”. Tragedy struck so shortly after you came to us. You were loved unconditionally in the short time that we had you; it’s tragic to think the most love you saw only came after you arrived at a shelter. When you walked in the door, our hearts broke for you, like they have for so may. You touched everyone you met, no matter how weak or sick, you would always wag your tail and try to give a kiss. You were the most peaceful laying your head on someone’s chest.

These were the moments that we knew brought you comfort.

Sadly, you came to us too late. What had been done by the people before could not be undone by us, we tried so hard, and you fought as long as you could. Your spirit and bravery are greater than most. No matter how much you hurt, you never let it show. In your last day many tears were shed by everyone you had touched. Your sad eyes, your sweet kisses, your gentle tail wag will forever be in the hearts of all who cared for you. We will never forget what happened to you. We will never forget the life you were robbed. We will never forget all you suffered in the five months of your life. Most importantly, we will never forget you, and we will continue fighting to help as many others as we can. Every time we look into the soft brown eyes of a pit bull, we will see you, and every time we see the smile of a dog, we will see you shining back at us letting us know you overlook all the dogs that come into our care.

You were robbed of so much, but you gave your all. You reminded us why we are here, why we don’t give up and of all the others that need to be saved.

Thank you Tag for everything you showed us in your short time, for everything you had to give up. Thank you for warming our hearts and humbling our souls. You live in our work. We miss you and you will never be forgotten.


Blink



Blink was abandoned at the shelter with a litter of kittens in 2007. Her babies were adopted quickly, leaving her at the shelter to wait for her own forever home. It turned out to be a long wait and, like most long-term residents, became a big favorite among staff and volunteers. Blink could be very sweet, but was also shy and liked to spend her time with the feral cats. We all knew that it would take a very special person to adopt Blink, but also that they would be greatly rewarded for it. Just in time for the holidays this past winter, that special person appeared and now Blink is living in her forever home. It’s always hard to say goodbye to a favorite, but there’s also no happier moment.

Grampy



Grampy was rescued just in time. After almost being hit by a car several times, Grampy was scooped up by a kind person and brought to us. Even though he was 12 years old, Grampy always had a lot of energy, especially if he heard the treats bag. With his teddy bear-like appearance, it was hard to resist falling in love with him. It soon became clear that he needed extensive dental work, but that didn’t bring his spirits down at all and it didn’t scare away the family that adopted him. He is now living happily in his new home and will be going to the dentist very soon.

Alex



Alex had the distinction of having lived at the shelter longer than any other cat, not a prize any animal wants to win. While he was very shy, Alex could be incredibly loving. He enjoyed being talked to and, when his foster mom’s imagination started faltering, he often listened to Sherlock Holmes stories. Alex is a testament to the importance of foster homes. As his illness progressed it became clear that the shelter was too stressful an environment for him. Even though he passed away in the end, having a foster home allowed him to be comfortable and happy for his last few months.

Truffles



Truffles is a little dog with a huge personality. This poor girl came to MHS with skin allergies so severe she would scratch until she bled. She will likely always need some supportive care for her skin, but she’s feeling so much better now and has long since grown her hair back. (And in this cold weather, she needs it!) Now that she isn’t so concentrated on itching all the time, her real personality is starting to come out. She loves to sit on laps and gives kisses and has endless amounts of energy. It was hard not to fall in love with Truffles right from the start, you try resisting a dog who looked as pathetic as she did, and hopefully this year she’ll be well enough to find her own forever home.

Caden and Pasta



Both Caden and Pasta lived difficult lives outdoors before coming to MHS and it resulted in both testing positive for FIV. Caden was brought in with a horrible wound on his neck from being attacked by a dog and Pasta was humanely trapped in a feral colony. Despite their different backgrounds, they got along great. Both proved to be very cuddly and would rub up on people at any opportunity. FIV can be scary to potential adopters, but once you learn the facts it isn’t scary at all. Thankfully for these two big boys, their FIV didn’t scare off their new family. They were adopted together and have settled wonderfully into their new home.