Keeping Your Fur Baby Safe

While I was contacting animal shelters last week to see if there were any small dogs who needed rescuing I heard a story about a lost dog who had been turned in to an animal control shelter with a tag with her name on it. When the dog was taken to the vet and scanned, they found a microchip, but the company that the microchip was registered with was no longer in business. So even though they could retrieve the number from the microchip, it was not possible to connect the number with the owners. This was the first time that I had heard of or thought about a microchip becoming ineffective in helping a lost pet become reunited with it’s owners because the company who the microchip was registered with wasn't in business anymore. Thankfully in this case the dog was reunited with her family through other means. This made me think that even though one of my fur babies has a microchip, that both of them should also have a tag with a phone number to call in case one of them should somehow get separated from us.

I wanted to share this story because I now think it is a very good idea for a pet to have both a microchip and a tag with a phone number to call in order to increase the chance of your pet being returned safely.

Concerning the microchip, there are three things to do to ensure that it remains able to help reunite you with your pet:

1. Have your vet check the microchip occasionally to verify it is still electronically readable. Most pet microchips are estimated to remain functional for 12 to 20 years, but some pets have lived longer than their microchip remained functional or the microchip simply quits working.

2. Check yearly to confirm that the company that your pet’s microchip is registered with is still in business.  A shelter or animal control agency would use the ID number read out of the microchip to contact that company, who will then connect you with whoever found your pet.

3. Make sure the information you have registered is up to date.  Phone numbers and emails change, households move.

Lucy's House Event This Sunday at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful summer with your fur babies.

As some of you know I have attended the Lucy's House Event for the past two years and raised a sizable amount of money and food to donate to Lucy's House with your generous support. This year I will have a booth for our newly formed rescue, Little Woof Small Dog Rescue, and be selling dog treats and people goodies to benefit both Lucy's House and Little Woof Small Dog Rescue. Our current rescue dog, Finney, will be with me. Finney and I would love to have you stop by and see us this Sunday, June 14th, anytime between 10 - 3 at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.   

Craft Show Fundraiser for Dog Rescue

Good Morning Everyone,

Some of you know that at the end of last year I decided to form a small dog rescue, Little Woof Small Dog Rescue Inc. I am grateful for everyone who is helping with this new venture. On March 14th I will have a booth at the 10th Annual beCAUSE craft show at the Ross Sports Center at St. Michael's College from 9:30 am - 4:00pm. I will be selling pet blankets, pet pillow beds, jewelry, and homemade dog treats. All the proceeds will go directly toward the rescue. At this point I am raising money to apply for 501(c)3 non-profit status and to pull and transport dogs from a high-kill shelter to Vermont. I am looking forward to seeing everyone on the 14th. If you have any questions about the craft show or the rescue please feel free to email me at furbabyvt@gmail.com or call 338-1610. Hopefully we will be having some warm spring days soon to enjoy outside with our fur babies. Have a Woofderful Day!

Lucy's House & Pet Expo

On Sunday Queenie, our current foster dog, and I went to the Pet Expo to benefit Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets. Queenie & I joined about 5 other dogs and their owners to walk and participate in a costume contest. Although the day was gloomy outside we were all having fun. An 8 week old chihuahua dressed up as a dragon won the cutest and one of my furry friends and her owner won most creative for their matching denim outfits. And I would like to say thank you very much to all of those who donated money, over a thousand dollars total, for a very worthy cause. And if you didn't get a chance to see us over the weekend, but would still like to make a donation to Lucy's House I am planning on collecting food and money again for the holidays or you can send a check directly to Lucy's House at 21 Foster Rd. Essex Jct, VT 05452.

If Adding a New Furry Family Member Please Adopt

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Spring and summer are traditionally when people consider adding a new furry family member. If you are considering getting a dog please consider adopting. There are lots of wonderful dogs of all ages and sizes waiting for their forever homes in shelters and foster homes throughout the country. Climate change in warmer areas of the United States is allowing dogs to have more litters of puppies than usual and is increasing the number of lovable dogs needing a home.

I have heard and understand that sometimes rescue groups can be difficult to work with or have very long waiting periods to be eligible to adopt a dog. I encourage you to contact several shelters or rescue groups until you find one that wants to find a dog a forever home and is concerned about your needs as well. Your next forever friend is waiting for you.

Have a Woofderful Day!

New Year, New Fostering Opportunity

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year. We started out the new year by welcoming a foster dog. It was the first time in a while that we had fostered a dog. Mouse was adopted last Friday and I am looking forward to fostering more dogs as I had missed fostering. Fostering is a wonderful gift to give a dog in need. It is also very rewarding for you when the dog finds a new forever home and you know you made a difference in whether he has a second chance at living a wonderful life as well as enriching the lives of his new family. I will post new photos of foster dogs as they arrive for anyone looking for a new furry loved one. Also if anyone is interested in fostering please let me know. There is always a need for foster homes. Remember bark less and wag your tail more. Have a Woofderful Day!

Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets Dog Walk

Come visit us on Saturday September 28, 2013 at Bombardier Park in Milton. I will be participating in the First Annual Dog Walk to benefit Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets. Weather permitting Xc or CII will be joining me. I will also have a booth and be handing out dog treats. Hope to see you there.