Star Thrower

Pet Diaster Kit

2009-10-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

With winter storms ahead, as well as hurricanes down south, we need to be prepared to leave our homes quickly. Your pets have different needs, and you have to pack the right things.

Here is a great list from the Humane Society of the United States.

The ASPCA has another list with some things you might not have thought of.

Leashes and harnesses are crucial. You will be in new surroundings, with a lot of anxious people, strange noises and smells, and your pet might want to bolt. I recommend martingale type collars, since they are almost impossible to slip out of. They prevent your dog from backing out of a collar, which they can do when they get scared.

ID tags are important. Use a Sharpie or other permanent marker to write your name and phone number on the INSIDE of the collar. If the tags fall off, this is another method of contacting you.

Photos of you WITH your pet are important. These can help provide proof that your pet is truly yours. If you are separated from your dog, these pictures along with vet records (with your name on them), will ensure that you leave with your dog.

One way to make sure you have enough food to take with you is to always have an extra bag. A trainer with the team recommended having one bag in use (probably in a rubbermaid style container), with one backup bag. When you open the backup, buy another as a backup. Canned food also works well, as it doesn't spoil as easily.

Also, bring along blankets, towels, or tshirts that smell like home. A little comfort can go a long way in a strange situation.

We all hope that this never happens, but preparedness is key.

Why Animals Are Included in Disaster Planning

2009-05-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

To pet owners, it may be a silly question. But to emergency management officials, pets were never really addressed in Operations Plans because disaster planning is about people. However, after examining the numbers, a great number of people own pets now, and this could no longer be ignored.

Nearly 60% of U.S. households own pets.
On average, each house is occupied by 2.6 pets.
So, figure 1500 pets per 1000 people.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

After Hurricane Katrina, these same people witnessed just what length people will go to for their animals. And because the goal of Public Safety and Disaster Planning officials is to protect human life. When they realized that they can save more people by planning for the safety of their pets, they knew what to do.

Surveys have shown that 8 in 10 pet owners will risk their lives to try and ensure their pet's safety. And those that abandoned their animals caused problems not just for the animals, but for rescue crews and citizens who had to come in contact with hungry, scared, and injured animals.

The Pet Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (The "PETS Act") requires all state and local governments to have plans in place for the evacuation of pets. Those agencies that do not have such plans do not receive Federal funding.

Besides companion animals like dogs, cats, and birds, large animals are at risk during natural disasters, both small and large. Connecticut actually has the largest per capita equine population in the U.S., at over 60,000 horses. Evacuating all of these animals is an arduous task if owners are not prepared to help themselves, and have to rely on others to move their horses.

Livestock is another category for emergency management to be aware of. Agriculture is a substantial part of our nation's economy. Cattle, sheep, and pigs will all have to be moved in an emergency, all with their own unique characteristics and attached problems. A rancher's livelihood depends on those animals, so he may take more risks in order to protect his herd.

So, as officials have come to learn, people and animals are going to remain linked. Evacuation plans for people cannot exclude animals.

CT State Animal Response Team

2009-05-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

http://ct.sartusa.org/

From the website:

The Connecticut State Animal Response Team (CTSART) program is a collaboration among government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, industry, and volunteers for preparing and responding to animal needs in disasters. It is a public-private partnership, organized to prepare our state for any disaster that involves domestic animals in Connecticut.

This is my new venture. After Katrina, I knew that I had to do something if that ever happened again. In April 2009, I was offered the chance to train and become a member of this team. It's all volunteer-based, and there are versions of this all over the country (try Googling "animal response team"), and the Humane Society has their own team.

After doing my two day training, it was really drilled into my head how much we as pet owners really need to do to prepare our pets for an emergency situation. I'm going to post lots of information that pet owners need to know about how to best protect your pets in an emergency. Feel free to pass the link on to others. Spread the word. It's the best way to be responsible pet owners.

Upcoming CT Events

2008-09-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

There are some great events coming up for rescues in the CT area. Thought I'd highlight some of them here.

First is Out To Pasture's Fall Fling. It's a dinner/dance in New Britain, with proceeds going to help OTP care for their animals. They are absolutely maxed out. They cannot take any more animals, and are really having a hard time coming up with funds.

Also on October 11th, Bikers Against Animal Cruelty is having their 1st Annual Pet Toy Run. Registration starts at 11am, the party starts at 1pm, and prizes are awarded at 3pm.

For the more adventurous folks, there is the Dark Walk in Coventry. This will also benefit Out To Pasture. It's their first spooky walk in the woods, and for $5 it is a great deal.

First foster--Lady

2008-08-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Shortly after my heart dog Kaita passed, I was ready to help another dog. I had my two pups at home, but my eyes had been opened to the world of shelter dogs, and I couldn't look away.

I had recently bought a new vehicle (Honda Element) mostly because it allowed me to do more transports, but also because my old car had too many bad memories. Specifically the memory of carrying her and laying her into the back of my old car and bringing her to the vet one last time. New car, new start, right?

Well I was browsing petfinder and/or another board and found a senior GSD named Lady. I asked around and heard that this shelter wasn't the best. So a phone call, some emails, and some paperwork later, and I was off to NJ to pick her up. Oh, did I mention that I was doing this all on my own? That's mistake #1 of rescue, unless you are independently wealthy and have lots of room for fosters. (I don't)

I got to the shelter, waited in line forever, watching people drop off cats and a dog to the shelter, supposedly allergic, moving, whatever. Some of them were so nonchalant about it. And here I am, a girl who drove 4 hours to take one of these dogs. Lovely. Finally they brought her out and I almost passed out. Here was this skinny, smelly girl with open sores and long nails. Now I knew why they only use head shots in the petfinder pictures. Well, too late now.

I walked her out to the car, and could almost feel her relief. We hopped in, and about half an hour later I stopped at a typical NJ rest stop. Got a sandwich for me, and two burgers for Miss Lady. I'd worry about proper nutrition later.

Back on the road again. I arrive home that evening, tired and smelly, with a new dog to take care of. What the heck did I just do? I got her settled in, and hoped for the best.

We made the first of several vet visits, which added up to a good deal of money. Luckily I had the help of some wonderful ladies on a message board of mine, who included Lady in a fundraiser they held. Most of my vet bills were paid as a result. Of course, I still had to buy food, nutritional supplements, toys, and a new collar and leash for her. If I had worked with a rescue, quite possibly the food and supplements would have been taken care of, and the leash and collar would probably have been loaned to me. Toys would have been my sole expense. But sometimes, you do things for an animal that you wouldn't normally do.

Meanwhile, she was having a grand old time playing with my pups. Another rescue issue. If your dogs don't get along with a foster, you're going to have to crate and rotate, meaning added time and sometimes frustration. Luckily my dogs like bigger older dogs.

Fast forward almost 3 months. After bringing her to adoption day events with a local rescue, getting her advertised on petfinder, and screening adoption applications, she was looking good, and ready to find a new home.

Not too shabby for a 10 year old, eh?

Well, it finally worked. I found a lovely home for Miss Lady with an older woman who was looking for a walking partner and companion. I made my husband drive the hour plus to her home that last night, knowing that I would be in no condition to drive afterward.

There were lots of tears when I left. She tried to follow me out the door, and that nearly broke my heart. Sure enough, once I got in the car I began sobbing. I just couldn't understand how people can give up animals they have had for years, when I could become so attached to a dog I took care of for only 3 months. I never will understand it. So I try to be happy for her, and move on to the next one.

Transporting

2008-07-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

So I started getting more involved with rescue, slowly but surely. I've always like driving, and when I heard that they have problems getting people to drive them from place to place, I was hooked.

I checked out sites like Acme Pet Transport, the Petfinder Forums, and relied on forwarded emails. If they were coming through CT, I'd take the hour or two and pick them up, drive to the next location, and drop them off with the next driver. It's really a much needed role. Now, with gas prices the way they are, volunteer drivers are needed more than ever!

Here are some pictures of my passengers over the past couple of years.

My favorite girl. I would have kept her in a heartbeat. Daisy!

Maggie and Belle:

Freckles:

Luv:

Tyson--This is the day I picked him up from the pound:

And after months of recovery:

Callas:

Princess Roxy Belle!

2008-07-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

So we had two dogs, Kaita and Braskie. Kaita wasn't too happy with Braskie's puppy energy. But, 3 dogs just didn't seem plausible. So, I began volunteering with the rescue that I adopted Braskie from. I'd help out on weekends, with bathing new pups and helping when adopters came to pick up their pups. One day in the summer of 2006 I got an email from the director, with the new pups that were coming in. Usually she only dealt with beagles and beagle mixes, but the shelter was so crowded that she offered to take on the occasional far fetched breeds. One was the cutest little German Shepherd mix named Barbie.

Of course my husband was used to me showing him these cute puppies, but I had to point this one out. He just flatly said no way. Well, I didn't let that stop me. She came up with the other puppies one weekend, and I made him come with me to see her. Oddly enough, no one had adopted her. I had been checking with the director all week, to see if any applications had come in. None. Zero. The other puppies all found homes. Hmmmm.....

So a couple of days later, we were at the dog park with K and B, and my husband is just sitting back on a picnic table, looking at his phone. Nothing out of the ordinary. All of a sudden he says, "Let's get her." I asked what he was talking about. He showed me the picture of Roxy on his phone, and said, "Ok, let's get her."

I was soooo excited! I called the director right there, and asked if anyone was looking at Roxy yet. She said no, and immediately knew why I was asking. We took her home that weekend.

Braskie liked her too, as you can see.

We figured she'd outgrow the tiny, but cute awkward stage.

Again, cute but awkward.

She's topped out at about 30lbs. Oh well. She's still our little Princess!

Next Came Braskie

2008-07-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

These are the pictures I saw when looking at Petfinder.com one day in February 2006. The listing said he was in my town, and was running out of time. I panicked. I couldn't believe that here in the northeast, there was a dog who could be put to sleep. I immediately emailed my application, hoping that it would at least buy the dog more time.

I got a return email almost immediately. She said if I was serious that she'd call the shelter in TN and tell them. I felt that I was hooked and couldn't let anything happen to this poor pup. I had no idea how rescue worked. I called the husband and told him what I had done. I told him that this puppy was going to die if no one took him. Somehow I won him over.

The next weekend, a freezing cold, snowy day, I met up with the rescuer and the transport. Normally she does things quite differently, but with the cold temperatures, wind, and snow, she basically handed me the paperwork and this shivering puppy and said she'd talk to me later. We had talked extensively beforehand, so she definitely felt comfortable. Now, a new puppy!

We named him Bill Braskie, after a skit on Saturday Night Live.
He was quite a handful. Kaita wasn't sure what to do with him. But, that problem was solved about 6 months later when we ended up with Roxy.

He's my little guy. Such a mama's boy. We call him Inspector Braskie, since he always has to know what is going on. He's smart as a whip, and I love him like crazy!

Let's begin at the beginning

2008-07-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

My Kaita. Back in 1999, one of my coworkers showed me her picture, and asked if I knew anyone that wanted a dog. Said that the new baby is allergic. Sigh. Now I know that it's one of the oldest excuses in the book. There are actually studies and reports that show that having a pet as a child decreases the risk of developing allergies to pets later in life.

So a week or so goes by, and she says that the dog HAS to go. She has a couple of people interested, but she just can't keep her any longer. So, I say that the dog can surely stay with us for a few days. I drove into Hartford and saw this sweet bouncy dog, cooped up in a back room, just begging for attention. I took her home, where she promptly escaped out the back door. I got her back, brought her in, and fell in love. That was that.

We brought home another dog, Braskie, in February of 2006.

Then another, Roxy, later that summer. Kaita was less than thrilled, having been the spoiled princess for so long.

Sadly, Kaita passed away in August of 2006 at the age of 13. She would have been 14 in November. We believe it was hemangiosarcoma, basically a tumor that forms in the blood vessels. It can rupture, causing internal bleeding, and then death.

It happened quickly, and hopefully painlessly. It has been two years, but trying to remember the details still brings too much pain. She was my heart dog, and will never be forgotten.

Why

2008-07-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

The story of the boy and the starfish is pretty well known to animal rescuers, but not everyone. This really sums up my philosophy.

The Starfish Story

adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley
1907 - 1977

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"