IS THIS YOUR PET? This cute dog was seen running down East 18th Street between A Street and Viera, in Antioch, Thursday evening at approximately 8:30 pm. The woman who was able to catch her will be posting her phone number below this article for the owner to contact. Or please contact the Antioch Animal Services on Monday at (925) 779-6989.

So you’ve winterized your car, your house, and your lawn. But what about your pet? It may sound amusing at first, but with winter already bringing Arctic winds and tumbling temperatures this year – not to mention an abundance of snow, sleet and freezing rain – it’s important that you take the time to prepare your pet adequately for the season. Here are some winter threats that lurk around, as well as tips on how to keep your pet safe

Toxic Winter Products

Anti-Freeze:  Never, ever leave automotive antifreeze where your pet can access it, and make sure you clean up any spills quickly and thoroughly. This highly toxic, yellowish green contains ethylene glycol, which is a powerful toxin that can quickly damage your pet’s kidneys. A single lick of this fluid can pose serious danger to the health of your pet, and, unfortunately, it has a smell and flavor that pets can find appealing. If you suspect that your dog or cat has come into contact with or ingested anti-freeze, take them immediately to the vet – this is a life-threatening emergency.

Windshield Cleaner:  This cleaner is less toxic than antifreeze, but it’s still a serious threat to your pet. Most varieties contain methanol, which can cause severe nervous system depression in pets, which may result in drooling, vomiting, and instability.

Ice Melt Products:   For most people who live in cold climates, treating walkways, driveways, and outdoor steps with rock salt or other ice melt products de rigueur during winter months. It may seem harmless enough – it’s just salt after all, right? 

Unfortunately, these products can cause everything from gastrointestinal tract irritation to depression, weakness, seizures and cardiac problems. Keep in mind that even if your pet never ingests ice melt products, walking on treated areas can dry out and irritate your pet’s paws.  Dry paws can lead to cracking and discomfort, and creates the possibility of infection.

Pet safe ice melt products are available. However, it’s impossible to control what other people put on their sidewalks.  To keep your pet safe and comfortable, gently wash and dry off his paws and his belly at the end of each walk, and when you enter the car during travel. Boots can prevent some irritation, but it’s hard to find varieties that truly stay on. Coating your dog’s paws with pet paw wax may be your best option for a preventative measure.

Indoor Dangers

Heating Elements:  Pets naturally seek out warm, cozy places during winter, and they’re often drawn to space heaters, heat lamps and fireplaces. These heat sources can pose dangers to your pets, so it’s important to monitor them.  Stray hairs can ignite quickly, so keep all fluffy tails from exposure to heat lamps and space heaters. Protect your pet from the open flames and sparks of a fireplace by using a safety screen or glass.

Outdoor Threats

The Elements:  Your pet isn’t totally protected from winter’s chill just because he has fur. Short-haired breeds that live in cold climates may be in need of protective clothing when spending time outdoors.

Keep a close eye on your pet while outdoors in cold weather, and bring them indoors if they are exhibiting signs of being too cold.  Monitor your pet closely to avoid overexposure, which can lead to hypothermia – a life-threatening condition. Signs of hypothermia include lethargy, weakness, muscle stiffness, difficulty breathing, and fixed and dilated pupils. Time outdoors during particularly harsh cold snaps should be limited for all breeds.

Never leave your pet unattended in freezing cold car. Once you shut off your car’s heater, the temperature drops far more rapidly than you might think.

Bodies of Water:  Romping through the snow off-leash is a favorite winter pastime for many dogs. However, before you remove the leash, it’s important to know the area in which your dog is playing to ensure that he doesn’t inadvertently fall into an unseen body of water.

Even seemingly frozen bodies of water can pose threats. Every year there are incidents in which dogs fall through thin ice and injure themselves, or worse – incidents which could easily have been prevented.

Car Engines:  Cats who roam outdoors often seek shelter from the cold by curling up in the warmth of a recently-turned off car engine. Turning your car on while a cat is snuggled up on your engine is obviously something you never want to have happen.  To alert any cat that may be near your car engine, bang on your hood a few times before getting in and starting your car.

Of course, you could always avoid winter threats by traveling south to a warmer climate! If you plan to escape winter’s chill by traveling with your pet, be sure to plan ahead.  If traveling by plane, check with your carrier to determine their airline pet policies. If traveling by car, be sure to take all the necessary steps for a safe, happy and fun winter road trip, including securing pet friendly hotels & accommodations along your travel route!

About TripsWithPets.com

TripsWithPets.com is the #1 online resource for pet travel. Named best pet travel site by Consumer Reports, TripsWithPets.com’s mission is to offer resources that ensure pets are welcome, happy, and safe while traveling.  The website features a directory of pet friendly hotels and accommodations across the United States and Canada, as well as airline & car rental pet policies; pet friendly restaurants, beaches, and events; a user-friendly route search option; pet travel tips; pet travel supplies; and other pet travel resources.

Joins Maddie’s^® Pet Adoption Days to empty the Antioch Animal Services shelter

ANTIOCH ANIMAL SERVICES is participating in a gigantic weekend adoption event to place all of our currently adoptable dogs and cats in qualified homes. Free adoptions will be offered throughout the weekend at the following locations and times:

• Antioch Animal Services [Cat & Dog Adoptions]: 300 L Street, Antioch, CA 94509

Saturday: 10am to 5pm and Sunday: 10am to 5pm

• Antioch Petsmart [Cat Adoptions Only]: 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94531

Saturday: 9am to 9pm and Sunday: 9am to 7pm

• Pittsburg Petsmart [Cat & Dog Adoptions]: 4655 Century Blvd., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Saturday: 10am to 5pm and Sunday: 10am to 3pm

• Concord Petsmart [Dog Adoptions Only] 1700 Willow Pass Rd., Concord, CA 94520

Saturday: 10am to 5pm and Sunday: 10am to 3pm

The following checklist items will qualify adopters for a no fee adoption from Antioch Animal Services during the Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days:

• Complete an application

• Must be 18 years of age

• Have a valid photo identification

• Show proof you own a home or proof that you have landlord approval

• Bring along family members (Required for all adoptions)

• Bring current dog(s) to meet potential dog

• Pass a “get acquainted” visit, approved by Staff to insure that you and the pet are a good match

• Purchase of an $18 Antioch Dog License (For Antioch Residents Adopting Dogs Only)

More than 200 shelters and rescues in eight communities throughout the United States are participating in the fourth Maddie’s^® Pet Adoption Days sponsored by the Alameda, CA based Maddie’s Fund^®. Maddie’s Fund has set aside $4 million to provide shelters and rescues with an adoption stipend per pet adopted during the event. Stipends range from $500 to $ 2,000.

Maddie’s^® Pet Adoption Days is being held to increase awareness of shelter animals, boost adoptions, and support the shelters and rescue organizations in the eight participating communities. The event honors the memory of the foundation’s namesake, a miniature schnauzer named Maddie.

Please visit the Maddie’s^® Pet Adoption Days website (http://adopt.maddiesfund.org) and Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/Maddiespetadoptiondays) for more information about additional locations and participating shelters.

Join Antioch Animal Services on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AntiochAnimalServices

Memorial Day symbolizes the start of summer for you and your pet. Before you start planning trips to the beach and summer getaways, keep in mind that it’s important to plan ahead for pet travel and always keep the best interests of your furry, four-legged friend in mind.  Traveling with your pet can be a wonderful and bonding experience or a not so pleasant one.  It’s all a matter of proper planning and preparation.

Here are the top tips to ensure your Memorial Day getaway with your pet is a safe one.

• No Heads Out the Window:  Although many pets find that sticking their head out the window is the best part of the road trip, it’s not safe.  Your pet can easily be injured by flying debris.  This should go without saying, but NEVER travel with a pet in the back of a pickup truck. Some states have laws restricting such transport and it is always dangerous.

• Frequent Pit Stops:  Always provide frequent bathroom and exercise breaks. Most travel service areas have designated areas for walking your pet. Be sure to stay in this area particularly when you pet needs a potty break, and of course, bring along a bag to pick up after your pet.  When outside your vehicle, make sure that your pet is always on a leash and wearing a collar with a permanent and temporary travel identification tag.

• Proper Hydration:  During your pit stops be sure to provide your pet with some fresh water to wet their whistle.  Occasionally traveling can upset your pet’s stomach. Take along ice cubes, which are easier on your pet than large amounts of water.

• Watch the Food Intake:  It is recommended that you keep feeding to a minimum during travel.  Be sure to feed them their regular pet food and resist the temptation to give them some of your fast food burger or fries (that never has a good ending!).

• Don’t Leave Them Alone:  Never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle. On warm days, the temperature in your vehicle can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows slightly open. In addition, an animal left alone in a vehicle is an open invitation to pet thieves.

• Practice Restraint:  Be sure that your pet is safely restrained in your vehicle.  Utilizing a pet safety harness, travel kennel, vehicle pet barrier, or pet car seat are the best ways to keep your pet safe.  They not only protect your pet from injury, but they help by keeping them from distracting you as you drive.  A safety harness functions like a seatbelt.  While most pets will not have a problem adjusting to it, you may want to let them wear the harness by itself a few times before using it in the vehicle. If your pet prefers a travel kennel, be sure it is well ventilated and stabilized.  Many pet owners prefer vehicle barriers, particularly for larger pets.  Vehicle barriers are best suited for SUVs.  Smaller pets are best suited for pet car seats.  The car seat is secured in the back seat using a seat belt and your pet is secured in the car seat with a safety harness.  In addition to it’s safety features, a pet car seat will prop up your smaller pet, allowing them to better look out the window.  No matter what method you choose, back seat travel is always safer for your pet.

• Safe and Comfortable:  Whatever method you choose to properly restrain your pet in your vehicle, be sure to make their comfort a priority.  Just as it’s important for your “seat” to be comfortable for your long road trip, your pet’s seat should be comfortable too. Typically their favorite blanket or travel bed will do the trick. There are also some safe and very cozy pet car seats available that your pet may find quite comfy.

Careful preparation is the key to ensuring that you and your pet have a happy and safe trip.
About TripsWithPets.com

TripsWithPets.com is the #1 online resource for pet travel. It was named BEST pet travel site by Consumer Reports! TripsWithPets.com offers resources to ensure pets are welcome, happy, and safe when traveling.  The website features a directory of pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, airline & car rental pet policies, dog friendly beaches, search by route, pet travel tips, pet travel supplies, along with other pet travel resources.

Yahtze

HA.R.P. – the Homeless Animals Rescue Program – continues to need financial help and can use more foster families and volunteers. I have a dog that really needs a home. I have attached a pcture of Yahtze. He is a Basenji mix, but larger, at 50 pounds. Yahtze is affectionate, energetic and responds well to instruction given by a strong pack leader (needs an owner who is commanding in his attitude). Basenji’s have a soft yodel bark but they are very protective. Yahtze would make a good dog for someone who wants an only dog who is very loyal.

Update: Max, Manny, and Maddie, featured in the August issue of the Antioch Herald, were adopted into wonderful homes. They get along with all the family members and other dogs. Manny and Maddie went to different homes, but they play and get along with the dogs in each of their families and have adjusted very well to their new circumstances.

For more information visit www.harp-rescue.org.

Missing chihuahua fawn collored blond 2 yr. old dog. lost on Gary Ave, Antioch off Cavallo Rd. REWARD $350.00 PLEASE IF YOU HAVE OR SEEN DOG PLEASE CALL 1-941-526-3530 ANT TIME DAY OR NIGHT. SHE WEIGHS AROUND 3 1/2 POUNDS and HER NAME IS “BABY”. SHE HAS NO TAGS.