PET HINT - Locating a lost pet

Losing a beloved pet – even for a few hours – is a very distressing experience for pet and owner alike but research shows that reuniting with your pet is much more successful if it can be easily identified. The following steps will help in this process.

First, make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag with your phone number and their name on it and also. Also, ask your vet to microchip your pet, if it hasn’t been done prior to you acquiring the pet. This will identify it for life and details are recorded on a database that will be used to reunite pet and owner in the event that your pet gets lost. Remember to update your details if you change address. Identification tags and micro chipping may be a requirement in your area. Finally, photograph your pet regularly in case you need to use the photo on a “missing” flyer later on.

If your pet does go missing, don’t panic! Look in and around your house first, checking all nooks and crannies including washing machines, clothes dryers and drains. Your dog might have accidently been locked in a room and cats are known for finding excellent hiding holes and ignoring calls.

Dogs and cats rely on their sense of smell to locate their home so place some of your unwashed clothes, your pet’s litter box or favourite toys outside your door to help guide them home.

Door knocking in your local area can also help. While walking the streets, carry your pet’s favourite biscuits in a tin that you can rattle while calling their name. Also carry a flashlight to check dark spaces. A frightened or injured animal will hide and not necessarily come when called.

Phone your local council, animal shelters and vet clinics to leave information on your pet and your contact details, and then distribute flyers with the latest photo and description of your pet in the local area. Remember to withhold several identifying marks of your lost pet in case you need to verify that a person has actually found your pet later on.

Dogs can walk a long way from home so place advertisements in the “Lost and Found” section of your newspaper. There are also sites on the internet that allow you to post a description and photo of your lost pet for free.

Last but not least, visit all the animal welfare shelters and council pounds in surrounding areas every few days. Remember that your description of your pet may not be the same as how the shelter is describing it. State laws vary as to how long an animal has to be kept before it can be rehoused or euthanased.

PET HINT - Choosing a bird

Birds make wonderful pets. They are cheerful and friendly and the wide variety of shapes, colours and sizes means that you are sure to find one that will comfortably perch in your life.

If you have only a small area for your bird or live in a townhouse or a apartment, keep in mind the smaller breeds such as Budgies, Finches, Canaries and Lovebirds which do not require large aviaries. Smaller birds can also be easier to handle and are normally quieter.

Birds such as Cockatoos and Parrots, while excellent talkers, are also well known for their noisy squawking and are only suitable for people who do not have close neighbours. Many councils, in fact, prohibit the keeping of larger Parrots due to their noise.

If you are looking for a bird that can talk, male Budgies and Cockatiels are a good choice. While male Canaries cost almost double that of female Canaries, they will reward you with their pretty song.

When considering what bird to choose you also need to think about their lifespan. Budgies may only live for five to 15 years but other birds such as Parrots may live to 50 years and Cockatoos up to 100!

All birds love space so buy the largest cage you can afford, making sure that they can fully extend their wings.

Birds are also social so it’s important that they have company, either human or bird. A lonely bird will often develop behavioural problems like feather picking or never-ending screeching which will distress both you and your neighbours.

Some birds such as the native Lorikeet require specialised diets which can be expensive and time consuming to prepare. Other birds are happy with commercial seed mixes and fruit/vegetable treats which are easy to prepare.

When purchasing a bird from a breeder or store, make sure that the cages are clean and the birds have tight, clean and glossy feathers. Some pet stores hand-rear birds that grow into tame, easy to handle pets that are happy to come out of their cages. Make sure that that any bird is fully weaned before taking it home.
Newly purchased birds should be kept away from other birds for several weeks until you are sure they aren’t carrying a disease.

Dogs have morals too

A new breed of animal behaviour scientists are breaking down old belief systems; that humans alone have morals, ethics and emotions, with the discovery that canines and other animals have rich emotional lives.

Marc Bekoff, a professor and animal behaviourist at the University of Colorado says a dog’s code of ethics is displayed daily in parks, backyards and family rooms. Bekoff has discovered that these things can be measured and has spent thousands of hours in the field observing coyotes, wolves and dogs. After analysing videotapes of the footage, Bekoff is convinced that many animals can tell right from wrong and possess empathy and compassion.

Whilst some behaviour experts still believe emotions and morality are strictly human traits, Bekoff says he is witnessing a turning of the tide with the amount of scepticism dramatically dropping.

In humans, the specific brain structures in which emotions are centred are also present in the brains of other mammals. The similarities don’t end there; the chemicals (called neurotransmitters) which affect these structures are the same in both human and mammalian brains.

Bekoff says dog’s display a range of emotions including; fairness in play, love of company and friends, jealousy, resentment, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, remorse, affection, compassion, grief and loss. Dogs are also thought to have a sense of humour because the same brain structures are active in laughing humans and dogs who are enjoying themselves.

Despite critics citing evidence as often anecdotal, Bekoff argues that thousands of anecdotes equal data.

A Common Cat-Astrophy!

I had a behaviour consultation the other day for a couple who had two beautiful Birman cats; a three year old male called Pierre and a two year old female called Mischa. The problem was with Pierre who had recently started urinating inside the house, anywhere except his litter tray and usually on the leather furniture. Pierre’s owners were at their wits end with having to clean up after their once house-proud cat.

After we sat down and had a chat it came to light that several things had occurred in the recent past which may have contributed to Pierre’s abnormal (and inconvenient) behaviour; Pierre’s owners moved house several months ago; Pierre had recently reacted anxiously (and very vocally) to the presence of a cat in the front yard, and; Pierre’s owners had bought some new items of furniture and placed them close to where Pierre’s litter tray was located. Another thing worth mentioning was that both cats shared the one litter tray.

So why would these events cause a cat to stop using his litter tray I hear you ask? It all has to do with territoriality. Cats are territorial creatures, some breeds more than others, and they tend to get stressed and anxious when they perceive their territory is under threat. Moving house, for example, can be very traumatic for some cats because they lose their territory and must gain a new one moving from one house to the next.

A neighbour’s cat encroaching on their territory can also be percieved as a threat, as can the addition of new items of furniture to the house. Cats are creatures of habit and even small changes within their environment (such as the addition of new items of furniture) can stress them out. In Pierre’s case, new leather chairs with a strong “new furniture” scent placed next to his litter tray was too much to bear.

Pierre’s owners were advised to provide each cat in the household with their own litter tray (located in a quiet and private area), food bowl and toys to minimise competition for resources within the territory and; that they should be aware that any changes within the cats’ environment can cause stress and anxiety and should be done gradually.

Nursing home cat predicts deaths of patients

Animals have some truly remarkable abilities. Recent discoveries that dogs are able to accurately detect many forms of cancer and illness in people are amazing scientists and doctors alike. So what happens when we take this a step further? … A cat that can predict death in people may sound like science fiction, but it isn’t.

Oscar was adopted as a kitten from an animal shelter by staff from the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in the US. Growing up in the third floor dementia unit where patients are treated for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses; Oscar has accurately predicted the deaths of 25 patients. At around six months of age, Oscar began making his own rounds of the hospital, just like the doctors and nurses do. He'd sniff and observe patients, and those he curled up next to and stayed with would wind up dying a few hours later. Oscar is so accurate that staff members notify the family of patients if Oscar indicates they might not have long.

Nobody knows exactly how he does it, however there are several theories. One is that Oscar can smell subtle chemical changes in the bodies of dying patients. Another theory is that Oscar reads the body language of the nurses attending to terminal patients and has learned when patients are close to death. However, at the end of the day nursing home staff are not concerned with explaining Oscar’s ability, so long as he gives families a better chance at saying goodbye to their loved ones.

University survey - please take part!

My name is Amy Richardson, and I am currently in my third year of the Bachelor of Animal Science at the University of Western Sydney. As part of my degree I am required to carry out a project, in conjunction with a client in the Animal industry, for this project I am working with the Petcare Information and Advisory Service. 

The purpose of my project is to determine some trends within pet ownership, from aspects such as the acquisition as well as the owners themselves. I ask you to read through the following questions and select the most appropriate answers.

 
Participation in the survey is optional, however participants must be over the age of 18

Click Here to take survey

Pets at work

The following considerations are suggested for offices that may wish to allow pets into the work environment. It is guiding information only and any company intending to allow pets should do their own research and seek further advice.

1. Gauge staff interest in allowing pets to visit the work environment. There may be people in your office who are not suited to working in an environment with pets.

2. Check workplace hygiene regulations, especially in regard to areas where food may be eaten, and any Local Government regulations.

3. Establish a pet booking system and ask anyone who wishes to bring a pet to work to register their pet prior to the day. This will allow you to control the number and type of pets that are in the office on any given day.

4. Ensure that any pet that comes to the office is up to date on vaccinations and flea/worm control programs. This can easily be achieved by asking anyone who brings a pet in to sign a registration and indemnity form.

5. Consider asking pet owners to display a pet ID tag with their owners’ name so people and pets can be easily matched up if the pet becomes temporarily separated from its owner.

6. Pet owners should be asked to bring leashes, toys and appropriate bedding to the office so their pet is comfortable and secure. Owners should also be asked to take their pets outside for a toilet break every one to two hours.

7. Pet owners should be asked to supervise their pet throughout the day. If they do have to leave the office for a short time they should have a ‘pet sitter’ colleague who can take responsibility for the pet.

8. Not all pets are suited to visiting the office and a nervous animal can sometimes display aggressive behaviour. Any aggressive behaviour from a pet that is directed towards other animals or people can not be tolerated and there should be a clear policy that owners will be asked to remove their pet from the office if this occurs.

9. Finally, some dogs are not cat lovers and the feeling is often mutual. Offices may want to consider cat only days.

Download these guidelines as a pdf - HERE

The Companionship Award

The Winner of The Companionship Award for HCAB Short Films 2008 is Andrea Hansen for her short film "A lesson in Love".

Andrea's film showed a grade 5 class learning a valuable lesson about the bond between companion animals and people by hand raising a litter of orphaned puppies.

Andrea is a Veterinary Nurse from Northern Beaches Veterinary Surgery Qld.

Obama’s Final Choice - The Portuguese Water Dog

On April 11 2009, Bo, a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog, was given to U.S. President Barack Obama’s two daughters Sasha and Malia by American Senator, Edward M. Kennedy.

Obama promised his daughters a puppy if he won last year’s election and the gift from the senator was in response to the victory.

Dogs like Bo may look like Poodles, but are in fact water spaniel breeds of gun dogs originally bred to herd fish into nets, retrieve lost tackle and act as couriers from ship to ship or ship to shore. Such a hard working background makes them highly intelligent and loyal companions with great stamina.

However, the Obama’s would be well advised to recognise that such qualities also mean that regular time should be dedicated to vigorous exercise, thorough grooming and committed training routines. Taking these actions will help to address destructive tendencies that arise from boredom and loneliness.

Portuguese Water Dogs need a daily walk of 20 – 30 minutes at least with a regular swim at the local beach or Dog Lake. Importantly, their ears should be cleaned each week - especially after swimming - to prevent disease

And while we can assume that the Obama’s were seeking an energetic dog to complement their active lifestyles, another quality that gained much press was the importance of obtaining a dog that had a low shedding coat. No breed of dog is completely hypoallergenic, however, some – like the Portuguese Water Dog have a tendency to cause fewer problems. This quality has seen the Portuguese Water Dog gain in popularity in recent years although it is still a rare breed in Australia.

No-shed or low-shed breeds that are more commonly available include the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Schnauzer, West Highland Terrier and Scottish Terrier breeds. Purposely bred crosses like Golden Doodles also have the no-shed coat.

Regular grooming of such dogs is essential as the coats do not shed and need to be brushed thoroughly several times a week to prevent matting and tangling.

Bo can expect to be skidding and prancing across the marbled floor of the Whitehouse for the next 12 – 14 years and grow to a medium height of 40-50 cm high and weigh between 16-25kg.

The puppy was originally named Charlie, but Malia and Sasha Obama rechristened him Bo in honour of their cousin's cat of the same name. Their parents are said to call the dog "Diddley" because Mrs Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley, after the musician Bo Diddley.

Does your dog rule the roost?

Recently I had a behaviour consultation with a client who had an all too common problem – her dog ruled the roost! Rupert; a gorgeous little toy poodle, had been somewhat spoilt and allowed to get away with a little too much. The behaviour which concerned his owner the most was his constant barking at visitors, growling when he didn’t want to be picked up, urinating in the house and acute separation anxiety.

When we discussed Rupert’s behavioural history and how he fits in with the household it came to light that Rupert was treated a bit like royalty. He slept in his owner’s bed, had access to food whenever he wanted, was allowed free range of the house and had no rules or boundaries set in place for him. This, together with his outgoing personality, resulted in Rupert assuming the position of “top dog”.

In order for his family to get some peace, Rupert needed to be brought down a peg or two. I recommended several strategies to Rupert’s owner which involved changing the way they interact with him to make him realise that he does not rule the proverbial roost. Among them was to introduce daily five minute training sessions, where Rupert is asked to perform simple tasks such as “sit”, “drop” and “stay” and is rewarded with treats for his efforts. Another was to feed him at specific times rather then allowing him control over his food intake. Additionally, Rupert was no longer allowed to sleep in his owners bed and was to be given his own bed on the floor. To relieve his separation anxiety Rupert’s owner was instructed to ignore Rupert 10 minutes prior to leaving for the day, and again for 10 minutes upon arriving home. This reinforces that her absence was no big deal and nothing to be anxious about rather than a terrible experience.

So far so good - It’s only been a week and Rupert’s owner has reported that they have already seen positive changes in his behaviour. Rupert is learning that being top dog isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Find your dog a friend

My dog Bear, a Tibetan Terrier, is a pretty happy guy. We have a good relationship, based on mutual respect and love. We do everything together - walk, eat, sleep, swim, go to dinner parties and the pub, meet my girlfriends for coffee.... I’d take him to work if I could trust him to follow office etiquette (cocking of the leg on handbags, power boards, bins, the photocopier, human legs would be regarded as taboo in my behind-the-times workplace. What’s a bit of doggy wee in exchange for pats on demand?).

And I must say, for a long while, this me-having-to-go-to-work thing was a big fat problem for us both. Separation anxiety hello! And poor Bear, I can’t imagine what he was going through. Did he think I was a cruel mother, putting him in solitary confinement for no good reason? Was he plotting some kind of pay-back by destroying my garden, high heels, and anything left within doggy-reach? I faced a conundrum. I either get a second dog, or put bear into doggy daycare. I lacked the cash for option 1, and option 2, well, what if there were bullies at daycare?

Anyway, point is, Bear and I have put those painful days behind us, and my basil plants for the first time in their life are flourishing. This is all thanks to Sophie, a Maltese X, who lives around the corner. Her mum works too, and after chatting at the local park one day, we decided to force our dogs into friendship to spare us the guilt of leaving them alone all day long.

Now, Sophie and Bear are besties, regular buddies, boyfriend and girlfriend. Call it what you like, they play together twice a week. She comes to our house every Monday, and Bear goes to theirs every Wednesday.

It’s a kind of doggy dating system which gets them socialising, gets us socialising, and saved my shoe collection.

Anyway, to help out others in the same boat, I set up dogtree.com.au, a free, grassroots service to help dog owners connect for the wellbeing of their pet. Find a dog sitter, walking friend, or arrange play dates with a neighbour’s dog while you both go to work. Bear and Sophie love it. And the best part is, in the comfort of his own backyard, Bear can do all the leg-cocking he likes, with no bullies to tell him off.

In Australia 66% of households own a pet. And with so many lonely canines locked up alone all day in backyards, I reckon pairing them up for play dates is a no-brainer. They play, we work, they come home tired and sleep all night long. Bliss.

Good luck and happy searching.

Britt Smith
Founder
dogtree.com.au
helping your dog branch out

What is clicker training?

Research has shown that animals are more likely to repeat actions that have a positive consequence compared to actions that have a negative consequence. Clicker training is a method of training which takes advantage of this natural tendency by providing positive reinforcement, usually a treat, following a desired behaviour. Although clicker training initially employs classical conditioning, it soon becomes operant conditioning when the animal begins to intentionally repeat an action to earn a reward.

Clicker training has been used to train many species from household pets (dogs, cats and parrots) to those housed in zoos and marine mammal parks. The difference between clicker training and other reward-based training methods is that the animal is told exactly which behaviour resulted in a reward. This is communicated by way of the distinctive and unique ‘click’ sound of the clicker. The ‘click’ sound is used to “mark” a desired behaviour and is followed by a reinforcer (or reward).

Once a desired behaviour has been reinforced several times and is well understood by the animal, a command or “cue” can be introduced. The cue is the name of a behaviour, such as “sit”. To teach an animal the name or “cue” for a behaviour the trainer says the cue before the animal repeats the behaviour. After several repetitions, the animal is rewarded for doing the behaviour, but only after the cue is given.

Clicker training can also be used to reduce bad behaviour through lack of reinforcement. If a behaviour is not rewarded, an animal is less likely to repeat it. Some behaviours are self rewarding, such as barking, and may require the trainer to teach the dog a cue for “silence”.

Animals that are clicker trained tend to be more confident because they have control over the consequences of their actions and they are enthusiastic because they expect training sessions to be pleasurable. Many remember behaviours years later because they were actively involved in the learning process rather than learning passively.

For an introduction to clicker training see this video on Youtube.

Hero Hounds save owners’ lives during the Victorian Bushfires

Amongst all the sadness and tragedy of the Victorian bushfire disaster, stories of courage and remarkable survival have immerged. Amongst them is the story of Levi, a tenacious terrier and previously unwanted stray, who became a hero when he dragged his elderly owner away from their burning house to the safety of the farm dam.

According to the Herald Sun, 90 year old Gladys Cross had her dog Levi on lead, in preparation to evacuate as the fire approached her Steels Creek home, when all of a sudden her house was ablaze. That’s when Levi sprung into action and dragged Gladys 100 meters through smoke and burning grass to the dam where they sheltered for several hours while they watched their property burn. Gladys survived, receiving only minor burns thanks to her quick thinking K9.

Similarly, the miraculous story of Coco and Cody has become a local legend in the Taggerty region. Husband and wife Peter and Nina were away from their house when they heard about the fires and asked their neighbours to rescue their dogs. When Peter met with his neighbours in Alexandra he was distraught to learn that they had not had time to get Coco and Cody to safety. Nina was particularly affected by the news as she considered her dogs to be “her babies”. Struggling to come to terms with the news and refusing to believe her babies were gone Nina was distraught, so her husband took her to hospital.

Whilst in hospital rumours came in from Taggerty that there was a house still standing and that there were dogs inside barking. Residents went to the rescue of the dogs and as they did so they noticed a near-by shed on fire. They were able to extinguish the flames and save three more houses from destruction. Not only did the dogs’ barking save several properties but the news of their survival was the lifeline that saved Nina, their owner.

Renting with pets - how to find a rental when you own a pet.

Many rental properties are listed as "no pets". 

Ryan Blunden from the Pet Friendly Rentals service has some tips from insiders on how to be successful when applying for a rental property when you own pets.  Real estate agent Dennis Wey has told Ryan that pet owners can maximise their chances of being approved for a rental with a 

"Reference, reference, reference!"

Read the full interview: Pet Friendly Rentals

 

Yes you can take your pets on holday too!

TRAVEL at ninemsn has some useful information on taking your pets on your next trip.

"Leaving your four-legged friend behind when you go on holiday can be a traumatic time — as soon as they see the bags being loaded into the car the look on their faces is enough to melt your heart and even make you think twice about going. So why not take them with you next time?"

Read more at ninemsn

Disasters and the importance of identification

The recent bushfires in Victoria tragically claimed the lives of many, including my honours supervisor from La Trobe University who I had remained good friends with and whom I will miss very much. As well as the loss of human life, many animals, both wild and domestic lost their lives also. Although many animals fled and managed to survive, the difficult task of reuniting domestic animals, especially cats and dogs, with their owners can be made even harder if the animal lacks identification.

Research which looked at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina found that owners that were reunited with lost pets had lower rates of depression than those that were not. This demonstrates the vital companionship role our pets play. Indeed, I have read many stories over the past week telling of Victorians trying to save their pets from the bushfires. The story that stayed with me was that of the woman being winched up to a rescue helicopter who unclipped her harness and fell to the ground to save her dog, both survived. Sadly, not all of these stories had a happy ending as some people died trying to save their animals.

For those humans and animals who survived the fires it is important that they are reunited as soon as possible. Animal shelters are currently working to make this happen however their efforts are hampered when animals lack identification. Microchips and identification tags are relatively inexpensive forms of identification and can help to reunite lost pets with their owners quickly. The important thing to remember is to update your details if you move house or change your phone number. For more information on lost and/or injured pets see the RSPCA, VAAT and DPI websites.

Cats & Stats

A study has been published by a team from Sydney University on cat ownership in metropolitan Sydney. A random survey of over 2700 homes collected some interesting statistics:

• 33% of households had one or more cats



• of the cat owning households, 76% had only one cat, and 19% had two cats



• there were more female cats (55%) than male cats (45%)



• the avergae age for a cat was 7 years



• 97.3% of cats were desexed (spayed / neutered)



• Crossbred cats (moggies) outnumbered pedigree cats by a ratio of 3.3:1.



• The Burmese was the most common pure-bred breed, followed by the Persian.



• Only 5.8% of cats had never visited a veterinarian.
  

More detailed statistics are available in the article, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2009). Click this link to go to the article: Demographics and husbandry of pet cats living in Sydney, Australia

Is being licked by a dog unhygienic?

New research from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University in the USA found that dogs are likely to get germs from their owners.

The researchers also found that "dog owners are more likely to share germs with pets by not washing hands than by sleeping with their dog, or getting licks on the face."

The researchers did not look at the transmission of all types of bacteria - so sensible hygiene practices are always advisable.

Click HERE to read more.

It’s a dog’s life

Have you ever stopped to think; how good does my dog have it? As I sit here in my lounge room typing on my laptop, my two dogs; Archie a Boxer and Joseph a black Labrador Retriever lie on their beds sleeping, where they have remained for most of the day.

A typical day for my dogs begins with a hearty breakfast followed by a quick game of fetch or tug-o-war in the backyard. When we head off to work, they are kept entertained with the latest chew toys or a puzzle toy filled with treats. In the summer months they even have access to a mini swimming pool so they can cool off on hot days.

Upon our return from a hard days work the dogs are again fed. After dinner it’s time for a training session or another game followed by their evening walk down to the local dog park. Once home, they return to their favourite spot – their beds in the lounge room where they remain until the next morning.

Weekends entail other special things for Archie and Joseph; a trip to the local dog-friendly café, a visit to our family’s house or a treat to chew on.

When I think about it, my dogs don’t have much to worry about. They are given everything their little hearts desire and don’t have to work a day in their lives, except of course to provide unconditional love to us!

Dog vs no-dog - which is the happier household?

An opinion piece in Melbourne's The Age newspaper last week gave a very personal account of Helen and her dog Chloe.  As she recalls the final days in Chloe's life, it is obvious that having a dog in the house is important to Helen.  

But she finds that without a dog, she has a sense of freedom in her life.

This is a lovely article describing the conflict between living a "dog-free life" and having "the champagne factor" that comes with having a dog in the home. 

Summer heat and your pets

We all long for summer weather, but for your pet sizzling summer days can be distressing. During summer pet owners must take special precautions to ensure that their pets are adequately catered for when temperatures soar. Now is the time to be prepared for the hot weather.

All domestic pets should always have access to cool, shady areas. For dogs and cats this can be large, thick foliaged trees or wide verandas. In the case of other pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs or birds, the cage in which they are housed must never be in direct sunlight. Be particularly careful with bird cages and aquariums that are near windows where the sun may stream in at certain times of the day, as even on a moderately sunny day the sun shining through the glass may be hot enough to be dangerous to the pet’s well-being. Take care that a cage which is in the shade during the morning isn’t exposed to the hot afternoon sun as the shade moves.

All animals must have an adequate supply of cool, clean water. During the summer your pets will drink more water than in winter. If pets are alone during the day it is best to leave them with more than one container of water in case the container is knocked over.
If pets are locked in a house or shed during the day it is essential that the area is well ventilated. A steel garden shed or garage can become a death trap on a hot day.

Never leave pets in a car as even in the shade temperatures within cars can cause death from heat exhaustion in a very short time. Leaving windows down does not prevent the temperature from rising to dangerous levels and may allow the pet to escape on to a busy road or become lost.

Animals suffering from heat exhaustion will pant, lie on their side, be listless and disoriented. In severe cases they may become unconscious. If you think your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion it must be cooled promptly.

Put the animal in a cool and shady area. Damp it down with tepid water (never ice) and fan the animal. Contact your nearest veterinarian urgently but do not transport the animal in a hot car. Only place it in a vehicle which has air conditioning or is cool and airy. Keep the animal damp with cool air playing over its body during the car trip. If the animal is conscious, offer cool, not cold, drinking water. Do not allow the animal to gulp large amounts of water.

Old animals, and the very young, are more susceptible to heat and should be provided with special care during hot weather.

Although many dogs look forward to their regular walk late in the afternoon they should not be walked until the sun goes down during hot weather. Also be aware that concrete and footpaths may be hot enough to burn the dog’s feet.

With a little preparation and consideration for your pet’s well-being, summer will be an enjoyable time for you and your pet.

Polly Want a Cracker?

Companion (or hand-raised) parrots are popular pets for a number of reasons. Their colourful plumage, unique ability to mimic human speech, superior intelligence and friendly, inquisitive nature make them highly desirable additions to the family. While these characteristics may appeal to you as a potential parrot owner, there are several things you should consider carefully before you commit to parrot ownership.

Parrots are social animals and live in flocks in the wild. For this reason companion parrots are not suitable for workaholics. Lonely, bored parrots are prone to developing behavioural problems such as loud screeching and feather plucking.

Providing a large cage is very important, especially if your parrot is confined to its cage for the majority of the day. Due to their high intelligence parrots must be provided with mental stimulation in the form of interactive toys, a varied diet and training sessions to prevent boredom.

Last but not least, if you are considering purchasing a companion parrot be sure to do your research. Talking to breeders and searching the internet is a good start. There are many different species of companion parrots available whose needs differ considerably.