Best Friends opens a kennel at Walt Disney World,Florida

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/06/luxury-pet-resort-at-walt-disney-world-now-accepting-reservations/

Why not give your animals a vacation while you are on vacation.   Pet lovers … beginning June 24th reservations are being accepted for a new luxury pet resort scheduled to open this summer at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you haven’t heard, the new Best Friends Pet Resort will be a “best-of-breed” facility with air-conditioned rooms,”VIP” suites and private outdoor yards for your pet. Activities from playtime, walks, bedtime stories to even icecream treats!

Ohio mourns one of their own

Top dog dies;

Ringo (Photo courtesy of The Ohio State Highway Patrol)
By: Hagit Limor

The Ohio State Patrol has lost a friend and top-notch crime fighter, Ringo the dog.
In his day, Ringo seized the largest amount of Ecstasy in Ohio history, 20 pounds worth 32,000 doses. In all, he totaled more than $53 million worth of seizures, including drugs, cash, guns and cars. The vast majority came in cocaine seizures.

Ringo was born in Holland in 1999 and started working with handler Trooper Stacy Arnold in January of 2000. He was certified to detect marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and their derivatives. He worked cases not only for the Patrol but other federal and local law enforcement agencies.
By 2003 he already had achieved the Recognition Award for Meritorious Service from the American Police Hall of Fame. The Patrol says in one traffic stop, Ringo seized nine weapons, 1,214 rounds of ammunition, and seven sets of license plates and helped break the case of an armed bank robber on a cross-country run.

Ringo passed away on May 28.
He retired from active duty in April 2009

Warm weather and animals

With the heat emergency set here in Cincinnati not only as humans do we have to be careful but we must watchout for our pets too!

Question: What are the signs of heatstroke in pets?


Imagine not being able to shed your winter clothes on a hot summer day, and your only means of cooling off was by panting. Dogs and cats have little choice when it comes to keeping cool in summer heat. Recognizing the signs of heatstroke will allow for prompt treatment; and time is of the essence when treating this condition.

Answer: Signs of heat stroke include (but are not limited to): body temperatures of 104-110F degrees, excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue and gums, staggering, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma, death. It is wise to learn how to take your pet's temperature in the event of an emergency.

Brachycephalic breeds (the short-nosed breeds, such as Bulldogs and Pugs), large heavy-coated breeds, and those dogs with heart or respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.
If you suspect heat stroke in your pet, seek veterinary attention immediately! Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet. (Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling.) Do not aid cooling below 103 F degrees - some animals can actually get HYPOthermic, too cold. Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach your veterinarian.
Just because your animal is cooled and "appears" OK, do NOT assume everything is fine. Internal organs such as liver, kidneys, brain, etc., are definitely affected by the body temperature elevation, and blood tests and veterinary examination are needed to assess this. There is also a complex blood problem, called DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) that can be a secondary complication to heat stroke that can be fatal.
If you have any questions about heatstroke in your pet or a pet you find locked in a parked car, please contact your veterinarian or local animal authorities immediately. This is a very time critical condition.

By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, About.com Guide

Pet Food Pantry needs donations

http://www.cincinnatipetfoodpantry.org/

During these difficult economic times, some families are facing the choice between feeding themselves or taking care of loved ones. This choice is made by parents of low-income families every day and many times involves the family pet. Feed the family or feed the family pet? Visit the doctor or provide food to the loved pet? Local shelters and animal rescues are experiencing an increase in owner relinquishments of family pets due to the family’s inability to afford pet food and pet care for their beloved 4 legged family members.


Giving up a family pet to make sure it is has food and is healthy is a very traumatic experience for both the humans AND the animal. Fortunately, many families will no longer be required to make the choice to feed themselves or their pets. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will provide temporary food assistance to Pet Guardians who are currently unable to afford food for their pets and may be forced to give up their pets without food assistance. Dog and cat food as well as a limited supply of cat litter will be available.

Our Mission
To keep pets with their families and prevent pets from being surrendered to local shelters, turned loose, or otherwise given up because a Pet Guardian is unable to afford food for their pet.

Who We Are
The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is a program run by the Cincinnati--based animal rescue, Recycled Doggies, in association with the Pet Alliance. Recycled Doggies focuses on saving dogs from death row at local animal shelters and finding them new homes. However, in addition to saving the dogs already in shelters, Recycled Doggies wants to be part of the solution by preventing family pets from being given up to shelters in the first place. Recycled Doggies hopes to bring awareness to the effect that the economy is having on pet owners in our area by offering pet food assistance. Recycled Doggies is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Recycled Doggies has a website, www.recycleddoggies.org.

Pet Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal organization that has been helping animals and animal rescuers since 2006. Pet Alliance’s Mission is to create and support programs that will help ensure homes for all homeless cats and dogs. Pet Alliance’s role is to promote Spay/Neuter and Microchip education as well as assist the community and fellow animal organizations in their animal-related needs utilizing collaborative efforts and programs such as: www.SpayOhio.org, www.MicrochipUSA.org and the SW Ohio Pet Food Bank, which will assist the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry for the community.

Pool Pawty at camp today!