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Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

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If it’s too cold for you outside, it’s also too cold for your furry family member.

It’s time to get prepared: Winter is in full swing, and it brings the dangers of severe cold weather, snow, ice and even power outages. It’s a good idea to prepare a disaster/emergency kit and include your pet in those preparations. Be sure to have enough non-perishable food, water and any prescription medications for you and your pets (as well as heartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through at least five days.

Just like us, our pets like a nice comfy place to sleep and may change their location if they need more or less warmth. I have a small space heater in my bathroom and my cat curls up in front of it and stays there all day and night. Give them options that allow them to change their sleeping place to adapt to their needs. Just like us, they want (and deserve) a nice warm bed to sleep in!

We’ve all seen the heartbreaking pictures of dogs or cats left outdoors during winter storms and snow. Just don’t do it! Let them in. They’re your family, and you wouldn’t want to sleep out in that kind of weather, so why would you make your pet? It’s a common belief that dogs and cats are more resilient than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s simply not true. Just like us, they are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, and it can come on quickly. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods in freezing weather. Some dogs love to go out and play in the snow and that’s fine, but don’t leave them out too long where you are putting them in danger! If they get too cold, it lowers their immune system putting them at risk of upper respiratory illnesses and colds, just like us! Never shave your dog down to the skin in the winter as a longer coat will provide more warmth. Smaller dogs, short-haired dogs and older dogs should wear a sweater or doggie parka to help keep them warm and doggie boots are always recommended because they protect their paws from the salt commonly used to de-ice sidewalks.

Speaking of their paws, check them regularly for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. When you get back inside after a walk, wash your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove deicers, antifreeze or other chemicals that could be toxic to reduce the risk of them being poisoned if they should lick their feet or fur. Antifreeze can be lethal. It tastes sweet to pets but it contains a toxic agent, so be aware if your dog starts sniffing around in a driveway or parking lot, because it’s possible someone may have spilled antifreeze and your dog could consume it. If you think your pet has consumed antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Finally, don’t leave your dog in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and can cause serious injury or even cause them to freeze to death. Just like in the summer where your car can literally turn into an oven, in the winter, it becomes a freezer.

What it comes down to is this: If it’s too cold for you outside, it’s also too cold for your furry family member. Taking a few extra minutes and some simple precautions can prevent discomfort, illness and injuries to your precious pet during this colder time of year. QCBN

By Loree Walden

Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.

Having a Pet Will Do Your Heart and Mind Good

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Studies show that cats can also trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels.

We live in a time where we are living stressful lives. Between our jobs or perhaps being out of work, our families, struggling with finances, health issues, the never-ending bad news on TV and all the time spent on our computers and social media, it’s important we take time for ourselves! We need to turn off everything, decompress and, for a lot of us, that involves spending time with our furbabies – instant relaxation for us and for them!

For most of us, but especially for our elderly and our veterans, a dog is sometimes a lifeline. Many soldiers return home with battle scars that are both seen and unseen. Dogs provide us with companionship, unconditional love, emotional support, helping to ease stress, depression, loneliness and anxiety. For most, the bonds made are immediate and forever, helping not only the humans but also the animals. Sometimes these animals need us as much, if not more, than we need them. It’s a beautiful and magnificent relationship!

Dogs help to increase mental well-being, enhance emotional health, ease loneliness, improve relationships, overcome trauma, encourage physical exercise, raise self-esteem, boost your confidence and help you to gain a new perspective on life and life experiences. Dogs also help to prevent social isolation because having a dog leads to more interaction with people. Think about it, when you’re out walking your dog, you tend to talk to people more than when you’re alone. Dogs “open a door” to conversation which, in this day and age, is welcome for all of us! It’s been proven that dog owners are happier and healthier because people/dog interactions result in an increase in dopamine levels in the brain of BOTH humans and dogs!

Lance, a Vietnam Veteran, said, “Some people think that a dog is just a dog. That may be true for those people, but not for me. I used to sit home alone and just let life pass me by. But now, having my dog, Hero, I have a reason to get up. Even if it’s just feeding him, or taking him for walks, he has truly motivated me to live again.” Alan, a Gulf War Veteran, said, “Bongo is more than just a friend. He’s my battle buddy. He’s my left hand. We’re connected by a leash, but it’s really our heartline and my lifeline. He’s more tuned into me and how I’m feeling than I am, and he knows more about me than I do sometimes. He lets me know what’s going on around me and he alerts me when my body is having health issues so I can take care of myself before there are severe consequences.”

There are many organizations that will help to match veterans with a companion dog. Soldier’s Best Friend is based in Arizona (soldiersbestfriend.org) but there are also organizations like Pets for Vets (petsforvets.com), too, that help with placement.

And let’s not forget about our furry felines. Studies show that cats can also trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels. Plus, cat owners are less likely to be at risk for having a stroke than any other pet owner. Cats even reduce our risk of heart disease and heart attacks along with helping to reduce high blood pressure. Cats also help to boost immunity as exposure to pet dander and fur in the house results in increased resistance to allergens, decreasing the risk for allergies and asthma. Just like dogs, they are very perceptive to our emotions and illness. If I have had a bad day, I come home and sit on the couch, and my cat will jump right up in my lap. There is something very relaxing about sitting there, petting them, unwinding and even telling them about my day.

Not only does having a pet help you, but it also helps them. You’ve given them a home and they provide you many health benefits and, most importantly, unconditional love. They don’t talk back, they don’t judge us, and they love us more than they love themselves!

If you’re looking for your new furever friend, there’s a lot of great animals at Yavapai Humane Society just waiting for their furever home! Check out yavapaihumane.org for all the available animals and then make an appointment to come meet them. It’ll do your heart and mind good! QCBN

By Loree Walden

Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.

Scientists Believe Dogs are Using Magnetic Field to Navigate

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A recent study suggests dogs are able to use Earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves.

We’ve all heard the stories about pets finding their way home across a great distance. They may have become lost during a move, left behind to live with friends or become separated during a trip. While dogs have a remarkable sense of smell, it could be something more.

A recent study suggests dogs are able to use Earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves. The ability, known as magnetoreception, allows other creatures, such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles and birds, to use this sixth sense for plotting a course for their annual migrations. It’s called homing behavior.

Homing, defined as the ability to return to a known location (breeding grounds, shelter sites, etc.) after displacement, has been exhibited in a diverse range of vertebrates that rely on a multitude of signals for navigating. These can include visual, scent, acoustic, celestial, magnetic and idiothetic cues. Idiothetic, or self-proposition, is used in navigation models for describing the use of self-motion cues, rather than allothetic, or external cues, which are forms of sensory information derived from the surrounding environment.

Up to this point, studies characterizing the navigational strategies of homing behavior in non-migratory species — particularly free-ranging mammals — have been scant. One of the earliest examples dates to 1920 when scientists attempted to decipher the mystery after using canine military couriers displaced while delivering messages during World War I.

Authors of the new study stated, “The magnetic field may provide dogs with a ‘universal’ reference frame, which is essential for long-distance navigation, and arguably, the most important component that is ‘missing’ from our current understanding of mammalian special behavior and cognition.”

To test their theories, researchers from Czechoslovakia and the U.S. utilized GPS and video cameras to study the navigational styles of 27 canines from 10 breeds. In total, 622 trials were conducted at 62 locations consisting of forested hunting grounds. Based on the records, they determined turning points, thus dividing the excursions into outbound and inbound tracks.

Undertaken between 2014 and 2017, they chose hunting breeds bred to locate prey in dense woodlands and thick brush and then find their way back to where they were released.

Researchers discovered that during two-thirds of the excursions, the dogs typically retraced their steps by using smell. But in a third of the expeditions, the dogs took a different route back. Of this group, most of them began by running for 65 feet along Earth’s north-south axis — even if the direction of their destination differed from this line. This prepping, or “compass run,” is thought to aid in determining where magnetic north and south lie and where the animal is in relation to those points. In other words, they needed to get their bearings before heading back.

“This run is instrumental for bringing the mental map into register with the magnetic compass and to establish the heading of the animal,” the authors wrote.

In 399 cases (59.4 %), dogs “homed” by following their initial outbound track (scenting or tracking strategy), and in 223 cases (33.2 %), dogs homed using a novel return route (scouting strategy). In 50 cases (8.0 %), it was determined dogs combined both strategies during a single return. It was ultimately revealed that scouting dogs were faster to return.

In other canine magnetoreception mysteries, after observing 37 breeds over a two-year period some 10 years ago, 12 Czech and German scientists came to the conclusion that dogs eliminate waste in alignment with the Earth’s magnetic field. They studied a total of 1,893 defecations and 5,582 urinations while recording the orientation of the animals’ spines with a compass to reach their conclusions. No explanation was given as to why they relieve themselves in a north-south direction, but scientists have known for years that several species spontaneously align with the Earth’s magnetic field when engaging in certain behaviors.

More research is expected to better understand our canine companions and how they navigate the world. QCBN

By Rebecca West, QCBN

Pets are Eating Better as Humans Become More Health Conscious

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“Dogs are omnivores, which means they eat more like humans,” said Sullivan.

When we eat healthier, pets eat healthier, say those in the pet care industry. Purina Chief Growth Officer Andrea Faccio says that as people have redefined wellness for themselves, they are also doing so for their pets. “We don’t see this as a trend so much as an evolution that can ultimately benefit pets and the bond they share with their owners.”

Thus, she says, more than ever, pet parents are doing their research to help create the best lives for their pets. “This translates to an increased interest in everything from pet foods with functional ingredients like probiotics, to dietary supplements and technology that can help them track pet health, train their pet or spend more quality time together.”

As a result, Purina has experienced record growth across several brands in the past year, including Purina Pro Plan, ProPlan Veterinary Diets prescription products and Purina ONE pet foods. The Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE pet foods are made in the Flagstaff factory, which has been in operation since 1975.

Veterinarians like Jen Sullivan, DVM, cVMA, at Canyon Pet Hospital in Flagstaff say the first step with good nutrition for a pet is to ask many questions about the age or life stage of the pet, the activity of the pet and the breed of the pet. “Is the pet an ideal weight or is the pet underweight or overweight? These are just a few questions to assess the best brand of food for the particular need of the pet.”

The organization that regulates and standardizes the pet food industry is the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) It provides ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory guidance for state, federal and international feed regulators.

“Technically, the best brands are those that perform feeding trials,” said Sullivan. “These companies have taken their food through a specific AAFCO protocol and from this they are scientifically reporting the quality of the ingredients in their formula. A feeding trial is also the only way to accurately assess the quality of the protein in a diet, as this is the only valid way to determine the digestibility of a protein, and therefore its quality.”

There are also special health needs to consider for pets, says Prescott Olsen’s Grain Manager Ryan Baynes. “One of those is special circumstances for the pet itself, like allergies or other medical conditions that require avoidance of certain ingredients or lower or higher macro nutrients, like less carbohydrates for dogs with diabetes or less protein as a requirement for dogs with pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.”

“Dogs are omnivores, which means they eat more like humans,” said Sullivan. “There are certain foods that we eat that are toxic to dogs, so when feeding dogs human foods, be certain that you aren’t feeding them those things. The ASPCA has a good list of foods that are toxic to dogs.”

Generally, she says, if it is wholesome for us, it is wholesome for them, like carrots, green beans, apples, bananas, potatoes, hard boiled eggs and lean meats that are boiled.

“Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they do need high protein diets. Cat foods are formulated much differently than dog foods for this reason,” said Sullivan.

Growing puppies and kittens require a higher caloric requirement, and because of growing bones, they also require different calcium-to-phosphorus ratios than adult dogs and cats need.

Baynes says bioavailability is important to consider for dog food. “For example, both vegetable and meat contain protein. But the dog’s digestive system didn’t evolve to break down lots of vegetable matter. In the wild, most of the fruits and vegetables dogs would consume they got from eating the stomachs of prey animals, those animals who have digestive systems geared to breaking down that type of food.”

He advised pet owners to generally look for brands that have higher meat content, but “still contain fruits and vegetables that are more bioavailable to the dog and serve a nutritional purpose in their inclusion.“

Sullivan said pet owners are well advised to avoid ash as a pet food ingredient. “Generally, a diet with a higher ash content is of lower quality.”

She also warns about common myths. “For example, meat byproducts [organ meats] are not bad, they are just a different source of protein than meat from a muscle. Many of these ingredients actually have a higher nutritional value and have a higher digestibility when compared to muscle meat, which means that they provide better nutrient levels.”

And grain-free diets are not recommended for the healthy pet, she says. “Dogs have been eating grains from the beginning of time and the vast majority of dogs do not have a grain allergy. We reserve grain-free foods for those that are suspected to have food allergies that lead to GI upset and/or skin related issues. For diarrhea [in dogs], we generally recommend a bland diet, like boiled chicken and rice – think of chicken noodle soup for humans and probiotic support If vomiting accompanies diarrhea, we often recommend a 12-24 hour fast [for dogs only].”

Constipation is generally a cat problem, she says. “Wet food to keep pets hydrated is helpful, along with fiber [green beans, canned pumpkin for dogs, Metamucil for cats].”

Faccio said it is important to consider every dimension of pet health – physical, emotional and mental. Purina has more than 500 pet behaviorists, nutritionists and vets on staff who are focused on total pet health. “This holistic view of pet wellness is core to who we are and more relevant than ever to the way pet owners are viewing their pets’ health.” QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Keeping Pets Safe in the Home and Garden

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Animals give us so much, including their unconditional love. In exchange, it’s our job to take care of them and make sure no harm comes to them.

Our homes, gardens and yards are full of items that can be potentially hazardous to our furry family members and, as they are part of our family, it is our responsibility to help keep them safe.

Little things laying around like coins, batteries, jewelry, paper clips, rubber bands, buttons, string and more, seem harmless to us but they could become a choking hazard to your pets. Plastic grocery bags can easily become a hazard to curious cats who love to climb in them and play. I can’t tell you how many times I have been unloading groceries and turn around to find my cat, Pooh Bear, all tangled up in a bag with his head through the handles.

Medications, cleaning supplies, plant food and other things found in cabinets could potentially be fatal. Baby-proofing your lower cabinets or placing these types of items in upper cabinets can help prevent accidents. The garbage can is another potential danger, as it could contain something that smells good to pets but isn’t good for them at all. There are several foods that can make your pet sick, which should be avoided. They include, but are not limited to, grapes, mushrooms, raw meat, salt, meat bones, chewing gum, candy, fat trimmings, avocados, artificial sweeteners, garlic, onion, leeks, chives, yeast dough, alcohol and coffee. Most of these foods result in upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhea, which might mean a trip to your vet and, sadly, some of these foods could lead to death soon after being eaten.

When it comes to plants, dogs and cats don’t know what’s safe to munch on. Many common plants that we have in our homes, yards or communities can potentially kill your pet within hours. Some fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and certain mulches contain ingredients that can make your pet very sick or worse, so be sure to check the labels to make sure the product is pet-friendly. Among the many flowers and plants that are potentially deadly is Foxglove. While very beautiful with its trumpet-like blossoms, it is very poisonous to dogs, cats and even humans! Cherry, plum and peach trees carry an extremely high level of toxicity in their leaves, pits and basically all areas of the tree, causing respiratory problems, anxiety, staggering, collapsing and even sudden death. All parts of azaleas are poisonous and as little as ingesting 0.2% of an animal’s body weight can result in poisoning. Foxtails are also extremely dangerous for our pets. The barbed seed heads of the foxtail plant can work their way into any part of your dog or cat, from the nose to between the toes and inside the ears, eyes and mouth. The problem with these seeds is they don’t break down inside the body and an embedded foxtail can lead to serious infection for your dog and even death if left untreated. One thing that is so dangerous about these is they can migrate from inside your dog’s nose and make their way to its brain or, if your dog inhales it, can make its way to a lung and perforate it. Foxtails can easily become embedded between toes, so be sure to check for foxtails and the small, barbed seed that could be hiding – you may notice swelling, limping or if your dog is constantly licking them. If your dog is shaking its head a lot, tilting it to the side or scratching more than usual, this could be signs of a foxtail in its ear, and, possibly, one that might be so deep inside the ear canal that you can’t even see it. When it comes to their eyes, if you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting and pawing, these all could be signs that your dog has a foxtail lodged in its eye. If you notice any of these things that aren’t normal for your pet, you may want to schedule an appointment with your vet. Be sure to check out PetMD.com, which is a fantastic website that contains information on everything regarding your pets, their safety and health.

Animals give us so much, including their unconditional love. In exchange, it’s our job to take care of them and make sure no harm comes to them. The investment and time you take to make sure your home and yard are safe is easily worth the benefits you’ll receive from your pet. QCBN

By Loree Walden

Loree Walden is the marketing manager for the Yavapai Humane Society.

Valley Fever Vaccine Expected to be Coming Soon

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It has been estimated that more than 30 million dogs are now at risk for Valley Fever.

Coughing, fever, weight loss, lack of appetite – these worrisome symptoms are all cause for alarm when exhibited by loved ones, including family pets. If you recognize these clinical signs of illness in your dog or cat, it could be an indicator of Valley Fever, a serious though relatively rare medical condition prevalent in the Western and Southwestern portions of the United States. Valley Fever is a systemic fungal disease caused by inhaling Coccidioides spores. The Coccidioides fungus is found most commonly in soil, and dogs are especially prone to infection because of living their lives with their noses to the ground. Arizona dust storms aren’t helping matters, either.

Symptoms in humans resemble the flu, but dogs are regrettably more likely to develop heightened forms of the disease with muscle wasting, seizures and bone and brain lesions. That’s why scientists and veterinarians with the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence have been working for 25 years to find a vaccine for the debilitating disease. According to the center, two-thirds of all U.S. Valley Fever infections are contracted in Arizona, even though nationally, Valley Fever is uncommon.

Recently, it was revealed that all of the center’s hard work has paid off with the announcement of Anivive, a groundbreaking fungal vaccine successfully vetted for Valley Fever in dogs. Reported as being the first vaccine with demonstrated efficacy against a systemic fungal disease, Anivive’s vax has so far been shown to afford protection in 100% of vaccinated dogs. Led by center founder and director Dr. John Galgiani, M.D., the group’s work was featured in a recent Scientific American article.

Dr. Lisa Schubitz, DVM, a biomedical researcher with the UofA team working on the vaccine, spearheaded a three-year study into the epidemiology of Valley Fever in dogs in Tucson and Phoenix.

She says that diagnosis of Valley Fever is performed through blood draws and X-rays. While there is no guarantee of saving the animal, current treatment options take an average of six to12 months and can be expensive. However, the Anivive vax is projected to be available by 2022. Like all vaccines, however, the purpose is to keep beings from contracting the disease, so dogs who already have it at the time of the vaccine’s eventual release won’t be helped by Anivive.

It has been estimated that more than 30 million dogs are now at risk for Valley Fever. While dogs are most frequently infected, it affects a wide array of animals. While it’s been difficult to get funding for research, she said, “There are a lot of angels out there helping the animals, and the shelters in the area have been doing a really good job. I’m continually amazed at these people who will take these dogs that are so sick.”

On a positive note, the success with dogs has been, as Shubitz pointed out, a proof-of-concept moment that is leading to a similar vaccine for humans in the near future. QCBN

By Rebecca West, QCBN

Dogs May Suffer as Owners Return to Busy Lives

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Stress and anxiety are common conditions for animals housed in shelters.

The more than 15 months of the COVID-19 saga have brought many changes for pets, some favorable and others sad, such as becoming homeless when a family had to move because of an eviction after jobs and income were lost.

Jennifer Brehler, executive director of the Humane Society of Sedona, said one of the bright spots early on was a “significant increase” in the number of people stepping up to both foster and adopt shelter animals and “coming forward to help homeless animals in general and to open up space at shelters for other animals in need.”

In fact, by some accounts, a record number of pets were adopted during COVID.

“We had such a successful year last year,” Brehler noted. “They [pet owners] had more time to devote and spend with their animals, so they weren’t looking at surrendering pets.”

But, the story may be changing as pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country and family members who are suddenly busy outside the home again may see pets as too daunting to maintain. This includes cute COVID puppies that have grown up.

For some unsuspecting pets, the “Welcome” mat may be abruptly pulled off the doorstep.

“We have seen an increase in owner surrender for sure, but I’m not sure if it is directly related to dogs being adopted during COVID – it’s hard to say,” said Julie Tasch, the shelter manager at High Country Humane in Doney Park near Flagstaff. “People have said they have had to surrender due to financial hardship during COVID. People lose their jobs or are not able to find work. It seems like a dramatic increase.”

High Country Humane is located in the former home of the Second Chance Center for Animals on North U.S. Highway 89, which closed in 2017 because of financial difficulties. Today, the shelter has about 338 animals in the system, but many of them are in foster homes outside the facility, she added.

“I do think we get told reasons for why they surrender,” Tasch said. “It seems to be across the board – either they’re moving, or behavioral challenges, or financial challenges. A lot of our animals have come off the reservation, with the reservation being closed for so long because of COVID. That could play into that as well.”

But, the actual picture on pet adoption and surrender is unclear, and statistics vary widely nationwide.

“Does the data actually show that, or is it anecdotal?” Brehler asked. “I’m not sure if there are more surrenders or not. I know that there have been a lot of articles; it’s a little controversial. In Sedona, we’re not seeing a significant increase. What we are hearing from other shelters is that they are inundated by owner surrenders.”

She said areas farther south, like Phoenix and Maricopa, have “expressed having a lot of animals currently. Across the county, I know it’s been a big topic of discussion.” She added, “2019 was a more comparable year, with numbers similar to now, rather than in last May or June.”

Sedona may be a bit different in its shelter scene than other communities because of demographics, she said, “with more retirees who are not necessarily going back to work,” as well as people who live elsewhere and commute to Sedona to work.

Many shelters have software companies to tabulate their figures, Brehler said.   There are only national estimates of statistics for the animal protection movement and “the figures may vary from state to state,” according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

“Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year,” according to the ASPCA’s website.

Stress and anxiety are common conditions for animals housed in shelters.

“With anxiety, we do everything we can to keep things stress-free here, but it’s still a shelter environment,” Tasch said about High Country Humane. “It’s definitely more stressful that being in a home.”

Some animals handle the shelter experience better than others.

“Owner surrenders seem to have a harder time adjusting than strays,” she said. “They’re used to routine and home, compared to strays. For strays, this can be a step up for them, with food and a warm bed. It’s a comfort for them sometimes.”

Concern about separation anxiety in animals is not new to many shelters, trainers and behaviorists.“We have seen this happen in the past with a smaller percentage of dogs when families return to school and longer work days after summer vacation,” Brehler said in earlier news reports. “Given the extended timeframe of the pandemic, there is reason to worry.”

Typically, more dogs are surrendered than cats.

“With the employment issue, going back to work, dogs are harder to manage than cats,” she added. “Cats are more forgiving of us leaving them at home. They use the litter box.”

A late-May press release from Assisi Animal Health, a company with headquarters in New York that offers stress-reducing products for pets, such as the Calmer Canine system (featuring a targeted, pulsed electromagnetic field), said, “shelters are reporting a 100% increase in pets surrendered and abandoned post-lockdown.”

It cited sources like the Lucky Dog Rescue service in Dublin, California and a story in The New York Post (May 11, 2021), which warned, “The number of dogs and cats returned to the shelter has doubled over the last few months – and it’s only expected to get worse.”

Ideally, the goal is to rehome or cross-post pets so that they can be placed in a new home quickly.

“It’s a sad situation,” Brehler said. “Anytime an animal is coming to a shelter, of course we’d prefer that they be in a nice home instead.”

During the COVID crisis, “so many of us in the shelter world worked outside the shelter” to provide “tips and support and helping owners find a new owner,” so the pet travels from “home to home,” rather than “home, to shelter, to home,” and “We’re continuing that as we can.”

Rehoming is also a big focus at High Country Humane.

“We work with owners in every way we can to keep their dogs and cats in the home,” Tasch explained. “We have a food bank, low-cost vaccinations and a spay-neuter clinic. We try to rehome their pets, rather than bringing them into us.”

Unfortunately, when people are no longer working from home, there is a higher likelihood they are going to turn their pets in to a shelter.

“Whether there are more animals or not being surrendered, anytime an animal loses a home, it’s tragic,” Brehler concluded. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

How to Help Pets Burn Energy in Summer

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Here are some ideas on ways to challenge our furry friends mentally and physically when it’s too hot to be outside.

One challenge we all experience during the summer is how to burn enough energy as the temperature rises. Walks are more spread out and many canines become destructive, as they’re bored and have pent up energy. Here are some ideas on ways to challenge our furry friends mentally and physically when it’s too hot to be outside.

One question I often ask clients is how they feed their dog. This is a great opportunity to burn energy, for there are many tools that provide enrichment during mealtime. During the summer, I switch from regular bowls to slow feeder bowls. This makes my furry friends work a little harder for their meal, and for the higher energy canines, I use a Kong Wobbler. This toy allows for the pup to bat around the toy that only lets treats or their kibble come out sporadically. When they’re done, they’re typically just as tired as they would be if they went for a walk!

Puzzles are another way to stimulate and challenge the canine brain and there are so many different ones from which to choose. My favorite brands for this are Outward Hound and Dognition. They can be found with varying levels on the challenge scale and are available on amazon.com or chewy.com. Depending on the size of the puzzle, you can even feed meals this way as well!

The Kong and other enrichment toys can be a marvelous addition to any summer routine. The biggest problem I see is most people put peanut butter in the Kong and the dog either eats it fast and they’re off to doing bad things, or they’re not as interested in it. Kong has a great recipe page on the company’s website with great ideas on how to stuff it, but I like to be creative and come up with various ways to challenge them. Freezing canned dog food inside the Kong is a quick, high-value stuffing that lasts much longer than most other stuffing options. Most people do not realize it but they are microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe, so it’s easy to clean and start over again! One last note when it comes to the Kong, make sure you have the right size and strength for your dog’s jaws. For heavy chewers, we use the Extreme Kong and for puppies and senior dogs, the Rubber Kong is more flexible for their jaws.

Training can also be a great way to stimulate the brain. I love to teach my dogs to find treats and use their nose to stimulate them while using an innate strength. Nose work can tire a canine friend faster than one would believe. I first start by placing a treat on the ground and cue “FIND IT.” Once they find it, I will go on hiding more treats and continue to make it more challenging for them. Encouraging those natural foraging behaviors helps stimulate them mentally and physically.

Another fun way to invigorate their minds through commands is playing the come game. We play hide and seek with the dogs and challenge them to find us. Tricks also can be a fun relationship builder and a way to burn energy. Teaching a new trick each day can really be a great indoor activity while it’s hot outside.

Arizona’s summer weather makes it tough to give everything we want to give our canine companions. However, there are many things we can do that not only burn energy, but also help with creating and maintaining the best relationship between canines and their handlers! QCBN

By Jeremy Brown

Jeremy Brown is a dog trainer and owner of The Complete Canine in Tucson.

Rough Year for Pets, Too

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Pandemic has caused challenges for pets and owners.

It’s tricky enough to match up homeless pets with new owners, but the upheavals of 12 months of pandemic conditions have added to the challenges of animal adoption.

In some cases, it also has added new difficulties to the world of pet ownership.

Sudden changes for families facing unemployment and a loss of income because of the sweeping effects of COVID-19 have caused some to have to leave their homes because of evictions and foreclosures.

The unexpected and unwelcome chaos has left some pet owners to believe they have no other choice than to surrender their pets to animal shelters.

It is a heartbreaking way to have to part with one’s pets, said Jennifer Brehler, executive director of the Humane Society of Sedona (HSS). “Sadly, so far this year, 25% of the animals surrendered by their owners to HSS were the result of housing challenges.”

For the Humane Society of Sedona, the focus is on companion animals, dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and other small household companions such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.

“Our shelter is in a unique position that most of our animals come from other communities by way of being transported from other animal shelters, as we have a very low stray population in our immediate area of Sedona,” said Brehler, who began her career in animal sheltering and welfare 24 years ago at the Michigan Humane Society.

However, transporting animals of all kinds became more complicated and worrisome when the pandemic was unfolding.

“For the first few months of the pandemic, animal shelters across the country halted transporting animals to other communities, as there was so much unknown with how COVID may affect animals, as well as the risk to the people doing the transportation to other communities,” she recalled. “Once it was determined animals did not pose a significant risk and protective measures for people were put into place, we were able to begin transporting in animals to HSS.”

One bright spot during the pandemic is that pet adoption has become more popular, as people are spending so much time at home.

“Early on, we saw a significant increase in the number of people stepping up to foster and adopt shelter animals, with them having more time available and especially for individuals living alone, as they were looking for companionship,” she said. “A large majority also came forward to help homeless animals in general and to open up space at shelters for other animals in need.”

There is some concern, however, that there will be a significant increase in the number of animals becoming homeless as the eviction moratorium is lifted across states, said Brehler, who lectures regularly at national animal welfare conferences and is an active member of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. “I’ve heard some shelters have experienced this already as tenants are choosing to move sooner rather than continue to collect charges that they will not be able to pay back as they have lost their jobs.”

Meanwhile, the Humane Society of Sedona has been operating on an appointment-only basis since the pandemic began. “It has significantly changed the level of guest services and increased the satisfaction and connection to our adopters and others we serve with our surrender, rehoming and lost and found programs. Visitors get a better experience, and the stress placed on staffing and animals has greatly decreased.”

Accommodations are still being made for walk-in traffic for various programs, including some adoptions.

For small animal and feline adoptions, adopters can visit in the animal rooms, but canine companion adoption meet-and-greet opportunities occur in the outdoor play yard and dog park.

“At times, people may be asked to come back a short time later for the next open appointment time,” she said. “We monitor traffic flow, require masks and maintain physical distancing throughout the facility.”

Many new procedures brought on during the pandemic may continue well beyond.

“At this time, we intend to continue with this model past the pandemic,” Brehler said. “It has allowed us to streamline our programs, given us the time to focus on community involvement to help keep people and pets together, and dedicate better, not just more, time to the animals in our care.”

Looking ahead, there will be additional challenges when pets have to adapt to a return to normalcy for their owners’ work and school responsibilities. Brehler says shelters, trainers and behaviorists are bracing for separation anxiety in animals, especially for dogs. “We have seen this happen in the past with a smaller percentage of dogs when families return to school and longer work days after summer vacation. Given the extended timeframe of the pandemic, there is reason to worry.”

For those interested in providing a home for an animal in need, there are four main animal shelters with adoption programming in the Verde Valley and Flagstaff areas:

Humane Society of Sedona, 2115 Shelby Drive, Sedona AZ, 86336. For more information, call 928-282-4679, email info@humanesocietyofsedona.org, or visit humanesocietyofsedona.org.

Verde Valley Humane Society, 1520 W Mingus Ave, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. For more information, call 928-634-7387, or visit verdevalleyhumanesociety.org.

High Country Humane, 11665 N. US-89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. For more information, call 928-526-0742, or visit highcountryhumane.org.

Coconino Humane Association, 3501 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. For more information, call 928-526-1076, or visit coconinohumane.org. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

 

Destination: Forever Home

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Volunteer pilots transporting rescue dogs to a better life

A puppy had been badly burned and needed immediate medical care, according to the urgent online post.

It was Saturday morning, March 6. Recently-retired American Airlines Boeing 787 Captain David Weeks was at home in Flagstaff, enjoying the sound of the breeze through the pines on this unusually warm winter day when he read the message on the Pilots N’ Paws discussion board. The pup, six or seven months old, had been stabilized at a small remote clinic, but required an emergency flight to Scottsdale for extensive long-term treatment.

“I can take off by 12 and be in Shiprock by 1,” he figured.

And with that, he and his Cirrus SR22T four-seater were headed toward the solitary northwestern New Mexico airstrip that has become a familiar landing site. “They don’t have a control tower; you just look both ways and go.”

Weeks, a seasoned pilot based out of Phoenix for much of his career, is used to flying commercial passengers to international airports in Europe, Asia and South America. These days, he is thrilled to be piloting a small plane again.

“I missed it,” he explained. “I came up through general aviation, was a flight instructor, flew air taxi, worked for an air ambulance in the ‘80s and was a demonstration pilot for Gates Learjet.”

Weeks is part of a network of volunteer pilots, connected online through Pilots N Paws, a non-profit organization that coordinates transport requests for animals in need. He retired in October after flying for 34 years. “I knew retirement was coming up and we [David and his wife, Nancy] talked about buying a light aircraft. We wanted to do volunteer flying and already knew about the organization.”

Much different from flying into New York’s JFK International Airport “for the 500th time” or “being number 27 for takeoff at Dallas/Fort Worth during rush hour on a Friday afternoon,” Weeks says it’s a nice change to go to smaller airports in the Four Corners region near places like Rifle, Colorado, Park City, Utah, or Wickenburg.

“David has to research ahead of time to find what canyons to fly through without going up over the tops of mountains,” said Nancy, who often joins him on these flights to Shiprock to pick up the precious cargo and then take off to locations across the Southwest where animal shelter volunteers are waiting for the delivery. “Their lungs may not be developed,” she explains about the rescue puppies they transport. “We don’t want to take them to a high altitude over 10,000 feet because the plane is not pressurized. We’ve got to protect those little lungs and little ears.”

Puppies and pregnant mama dogs are frequent clientele, as well as dogs between 1 and 2 years old. Affectionately known as Rez Dogs, most are descendants of working dogs from sheep camps. “We get a lot of herding dogs – great Pyrenees, huskies shepherds, heelers – you’re never going to get a purebred,” said Hannah Browning, who volunteers for Turquoise Paw Rescue, an animal rescue operation and transfer hub that serves the Navajo Nation. “If someone adopts one and does a DNA test to see what kind of dog it is, it’s a mix of five to 50 different breeds. You never know what you’re going to get.”

Yvonne Todacheene and her husband, Izzy A., have been rescuing reservation animals and operating Turquoise Paw for more than a decade. “We started in 2006 with just a few animals but at the time there was nowhere to really take them,” she said. “I didn’t start keeping records of the animals we rescued until 2014. The records from 2014 to 2019 show that we rescued close to 10,000 animals during that time period. In 2020, we decided it was time to file for 501c(3) status since Hannah came on board and was able to help with the arduous task of moving the animals out.”

Last year, Turquoise Paw rescued, fostered or transported 3,048 animals to new lives off the reservation. So far this year, the operation has processed about 1,150 animals.

Todacheene and Browning may drive hundreds of miles a week rescuing animals – mostly canines. They commonly pick up boxes of puppies or kittens left on the side of a highway or at a gas station. Sometimes they get a call that a dog has been hit by a car and is alone and injured on the side of a road, or a female has given birth to a litter in a hole she dug by a dumpster. Sometimes their condition is grave or advanced, like an extreme infestation of botflies. With limited resources, difficult decisions need to be made.

“These dogs kind of live in packs. They are very dog friendly. A lot of times, they’ve never been touched by people, never been in a vehicle, never been indoors or fed from a dish,” said Browning. Despite this, she says, most of them make loving pets.

The problem of homeless dogs is as massive and layered as the ancient rock monuments that dot the reservation. Browning says there are only two or three veterinarians who serve the entire Navajo Nation, and with the high poverty rate, most families can’t afford medical expenses for their pets. “It’s unrealistic for them to pay for veterinary costs. A lot of non-profits do these clinics. Soul Dog Rescue drives down almost weekly from Fort Lupton and spays or neuters 70 to 150 animals in a weekend. They’re doing it, we’re doing it and others are doing it, but the waitlist we have is over 400 names long. Soul Dog’s is over 1,000. Dogs can have two or three more litters before we get to them at the rate we’re going,” she said. “We need funding, vets and facilities. There’s a huge lack of resources.”

Todacheene is grateful for the Navajo Nation chapter houses and various churches and business that allow clinics to use their facilities for spay and neuter sites. She bases Turquoise Paw Rescue’s philosophy on the Navajo culture belief that Dine’ people are stewards of all living things – the earth and living creatures.

Neither Todacheene nor Browning receive a paycheck for their work or even get reimbursed for gas in their vehicles. Todacheene is a caretaker. Browning is an event coordinator who works nights and weekends remotely. Both foster the animals until they can get them to a shelter or a forever home. At her residence in Farmington, Browning takes on the “bottle babies,” the ones too young to feed themselves. Sometimes, it’s a whole litter, which her personal rescue dogs don’t seem to mind. Todacheene takes the rest to what has become known as “The Farm,” her land in Shiprock, where she has about 15 outdoor kennels.

“The animals are safe and warm and fed until we can move them to a safer, better place,” said Browning. But sometimes that never happens and the tasks are overwhelming. The women coordinate with 70 to 100 shelters on a regular basis and about 10 to 15 pilots. “Everybody meets the Turquoise Paw volunteers at the Shiprock airport. Sometimes we’re the only airplane, sometimes there are three or four others,” said David.

David and Nancy Weeks fly in once a week with a mostly empty fuselage and fly out with crates full of dogs. “The most we’ve had is 15, with multiple puppies in some of the crates,” said Nancy. “Usually they are very quiet on the flight. I think they are terrified,” added David. “They might whine for a little while, but then they seem to go catatonic.”

Turquoise Paw hosted its first spay and neuter clinic last month. In four days, volunteer veterinarians performed surgery on 178 dogs and cats, and administered 1,500 vaccinations. One hundred and one animals were put into rescue homes. Services were offered for free, paid for with $4,000 in donations raised through a GoFundMe page.

“We are doing what we do because we love the animals and we are passionate about the animals,” said Browning.

David and Nancy also are animal lovers and have their own rescue dogs. “It’s very hard not to want to take the Rez Dogs home,” said Nancy, who retired from a career in investment management. “It’s so much fun, the dogs are so cute and it’s wonderful to know they are going to better lives.”

“We’re in a position to do this as a charitable contribution and I love flying light aircraft. It’s just about the perfect charitable work,” said David, who also is involved with Angel Flight, an emergency transport network for humans and LightHawk, an environmental conservation nonprofit that requires aerial photography.

“I’m so proud of David,” said Nancy. “Within a month of his retirement, he found a way to combine his love of flying with doing something meaningful.”

And that “burn baby,” as Browning once called him, now goes by Sage. “The doctor says he is eating and wagging his tail and the fluids are helping him a great deal. The vet staff has fallen in love with him,” Browning assured Turquoise Paw followers on Facebook. “Sage’s vet bill is continuing to be very costly. We know he is worth it but we could really use the help covering his expensive treatments.”

To make a donation to Turquoise Paw, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/TurquoisePaw/ or send a check to Turquoise Paw Rescue, P.O. Box 4707, Shiprock, NM 87420. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN