If you want to be awed, watch a herding dog race across acres of grass to steadily guide livestock back to the person who just released him.  Head down, heart pounding, legs pumping.  He has to get to the sheep before they scatter, then weaving back and forth drive them as a group.  Some dogs will travel over hill and dale to accomplish this task.  That’s exercise.  That’s a workout for any dog.  Lure coursing sight hounds achieve a similar level of exercise chasing a plastic bag on a string as fast as their legs can carry them.  Fetch games or long leash walks are other healthy forms of exercise for a dog.

What is not an effective form of exercise for your dog is attaching her to a 10’ line and anchoring the line in your yard.  She won’t feel her muscles warming.  She won’t leap for joy.  Your dog’s heart rate may not even increase.  Most dogs tied out will eventually understand they are not going anywhere and learn to spend most of their “outside time” lying down.  They’ll even have a difficult time playing with toys since toys will eventually roll or fling out of reach within a few minutes of play time. 

If you have limited space and no fence:

·      Hold onto a 100’ clothes line attached to your dog’s collar, and throw the ball 30’ for her about 20 times.

·      Put your dog on a 4’ leash and take him for a 30 minute walk.

·      Find a nice long tug toy and play ‘get the toy’ for 20 minutes.

·      Get a couple of good friends to stand in a triangle 20’ away from each other and call your dog back and forth – a tasty reward will ensure he comes on the double. 

Unless you want your dog to get exercise barking at passersby, lunging at squirrels, and digging holes, take her off the chain and let her really run in circles – with you.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or Marie.

A recent Associated Press story that was printed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch detailed the service offered by a California company called Flex Petz. Members of this service pay annual fees and monthly membership dues along with daily visit charges to enjoy the temporary companionship of a dog. The company touts their service as a way for people with frenzied schedules and small living quarters to work a dog into a lifestyle that won’t accommodate a full-time pet.

At the Richmond SPCA, we recognize the many benefits that people derive from the companionship of pets. We’ve developed numerous programs, such as Paws for Health, in order to bring that companionship to hospital patients and nursing home residents who are not able to care for a pet full-time.

Flex Petz is planning to expand to new cities, but Richmond is not on the list of new locations. Luckily, Richmonders who are unable to care for a pet full-time, have an even better option for pet companionship, without any fees.  I would suggest volunteering at the Richmond SPCA to get your fix of walking with the dogs or snuggling with our cats. It’s the perfect way to enjoy animal companionship when your dorm or apartment – or your work demands – won’t allow you to commit to a pet. Best of all, if your lifestyle changes, you’ve already made the acquaintance of some wonderful pets, so when you’re ready to make a full-time, lifetime commitment, you’ll likely already know just the right one (or more) to share your life.

If you’d like to learn more about volunteering, visit www.richmondspca.org/volunteer or call 521-1329.

Today’s blog author is Tabitha Hanes. Tabitha is community relations manager at the Richmond SPCA.

When your pet develops a sickness or has a medical emergency, it can become quite expensive, and pet owners should be prepared for such situations.  One way is to develop a great relationship with your veterinarian over time.  You can do this by always following your vet’s recommendations and always fulfilling your financial obligations.  If you do this and unforeseen veterinary bills resulting from a serious medical issue arise, your vet will be more likely to work with you when money is tight.

If money is tight and you face a potentially high veterinary bill, be honest with your vet and talk through creative payment solutions if he or she is willing.  Remember, veterinarians have staff to pay, drugs and equipment to purchase, offices to rent and other bills to cover, and we aren’t, unfortunately, in the position to give extensive vet care without payment.  It’s important to be up front with us so that we can work together to find the best solution for your beloved pet. 

Caring for our companions can be costly, and we need to make sure we have the resources to be there for our pets when they need special care.  We also need to feel comfortable enough with our vet to talk to him or her about payment options.  Having a pet is a lifetime commitment that we make, and we need to make every effort to provide for their care and not neglect that care or surrender them to a shelter when treatment proves too costly.  Having a good relationship with our vet will help ensure that veterinary bills are not financial burdens we cannot bear.

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

People frequently inquire about their dogs’ leash behavior, and lately the question has been phrased as, “My dog should not walk ahead of me when she’s on leash, should she?”  They somehow believe their dog’s relationship with them will change if she is walking ahead of them on leash or behind them. 

I have to say that I do not follow that philosophy.  I believe your dog can wander ahead of you on leash or behind you on leash and your relationship will not be dramatically different. 

However, I do believe that a dog literally dragging her owner down the street on leash is an absolutely avoidable but serious accident waiting to happen. Serious injuries can be caused by a dog’s behavior on leash. Darting around on a 6-foot or longer lead doesn’t give your dog better exercise than trotting beside you on a 4-foot leash. A dog acquires a more healthy form of exercise at a steady trot or walk, than she does at a frantic spin. A frantic “tracking” or “sled-pulling” behavior on leash is actually more detrimental than helpful to your dog’s physical and mental health. 

If your dog is walking you instead of walking with you on leash, talk with a reward-based trainer.  At the Richmond SPCA, we offer services and supplies to help improve the pace of your leash walks.  A training consultation can help to determine what equipment and training process would best help you and your dog.  The staff in our Lora Robins Gift Shop are trained to appropriately fit a clip collar, a Martingale collar, a Gentle Leader, a Sense-ation harness, a Top Notch harness, an Easy Walk harness, or a standard harness – all available here in our store. 

Don’t miss out on one of the most enjoyable aspects of living with a dog because you haven’t quite figured out how to walk together.  It could take 2 weeks or a month of regular training to gain 10 years of pleasant walks on leash.  It’s well worth the effort.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or Marie.

How much fun did you have playing by yourself growing up?  No, I’m not including Franklin your imaginary friend; just you.  Now take that amount of fun and subtract toys.  Take that emptiness and put yourself in a new place, not a bad place, just a new one.  Unexplored planes, larger than you’ve ever known with a small group of creatures a larger, different species.  When you adopt a kitten from a litter and bring him home without a sibling or friend of a similar age, this is what one could imagine his experience to be. 

Now think about all the fun you had with friends, even if it was only your little sister or brother who pestered you. Much better, right?  Now think of the last time you saw two kittens playing with one another:  some howling, rolling, jumping, hopping, and swatting. Now that’s a good time!  Not only do kittens get more exercise together, they distract one another from the constant need to be playing with you, not totally, but definitely at four in the morning. 

I adopted two kittens from the Richmond SPCA two years ago, part of my quartet of adopted pets, and you’d think the two, as different as they are, were actually sisters all along. Their mannerisms, their attitudes, all the way down to their play styles all hint toward the same parental combo.  The best part about adopting two at once is that when I did, I saved four lives: the two who went home with me as well as the next two kittens who came into the Richmond SPCA and filled their space while awaiting a good home. 

There are other considerations: overall cost of food, litter, medical bills and the like.  For most people – especially right now when you can take home two for the adoption fee of a single kitten – the benefits, and the fun, far outweigh anything else.  So next time you visit our center and a cute, little, cuddly-wuddly kitten catches your eye, think about the others sharing his habitat and think about how much better it was having a real playmate rather than that imaginary friend.

Today’s blog author is Patrick Hawkins. Pat is the adoption coordinator at the Richmond SPCA. Call the adoption center at 521-1307.

As I started discussing with our blog last Friday, it can be very frustrating and heart breaking to feel the need to make medical decisions based on financial restraints.  No one but you can decide what you can afford for your pets, and it goes without saying that the time to have a discussion with your veterinarian about payment options is before you are standing across the examination table with an emergency and no money.  So let’s cover some of the options you may have and how to talk to the clinic staff about your concerns.

•      On your very first visit to a new office find out what forms of payment they accept.  Most clinics accept cash, check and all major credit cards.  Many clinics’ check-in forms ask for your preferred form of payment. (This is not the best place to write “none.” )

•      Know before you make your first visit what the cost is for an office visit.  Tell the receptionist that you would like to know what to expect and to be prepared.  If it is already more than you can afford, then feel free to call around, since that is a good service to comparison shop.  Also know that the office visit fee usually covers no other services.

•      Once you are at the hospital, you should never feel bad about requesting a full estimate for the services that the veterinary staff is recommending for your pet.  Clinics are very used to this and for lengthy procedures and treatments may actually require you to sign an estimate to be sure you know the cost up front.  Also be prepared to leave a deposit if you are a new client.

•      If the recommended procedures are more than you can afford, do not feel bad about asking for alternative treatments.  Many times there may be less costly things that could be tried first, with the understanding that if you do not get the desired results, you may still need to proceed with the original recommendations.

•      Also there is the option at many clinics (even my dentist’s office) of CareCredit.  You can look at their web site at www.carecredit.com and search for your existing veterinarian or look for clinics where the card is accepted.  They even have a no-interest option, and once you qualify you can use the card at the offices of different professionals and fields, such as your veterinarian or dentist.  Be aware that you have to have good credit to qualify and the best time to get it is before you actually need it.  It will not cost you to have it until you actually use it.

•      Another option for expensive veterinary care is to have had the foresight to acquire veterinary insurance before you actually needed it.  There are several companies that offer it.  You usually pay for services up front and are reimbursed by the insurance company for covered expenses.  They cover preventive medicine as well as emergencies.  They do have premiums, co-pays and exclusions but you can look at all of these on their web sites.  Two sites to check out are www.petsbest.com and www.petinsurance.com, but there are others, and we do not endorse any certain company.

Please understand that we as veterinarians want no more than you to feel the pressure of trying to pay for a procedure that you cannot afford.  Veterinary medicine has become very advanced and there are treatments that we could never have dreamed about for pets even ten years ago.  But all of these advances come with very big costs.  Years ago we may have splinted a fracture on the leg of a puppy for $100 or so. Today the treatment of choice would be internal fixation, done by an orthopedic specialist, with the cost now well over $1000, including the pain medications and after care options that we can offer.  None of this discussion is to say that we are not in a better place in regards to the care we can offer our pets.  As more and more pet owners want only the best for their animals, at any cost, veterinarians have filled the void by becoming specialized in every aspect of our field.  There are still clients who may only be able to put the splint on that puppy’s leg, and we need to be sure that everyone can get the best care that they can afford.       

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

Unless you are living in Katmandu, you have read and heard a great deal about the Michael Vick indictment for dogfighting which was issued by a federal grand jury on Tuesday.  Vick and three others will be arraigned and tried on federal charges in the United States District Court in Richmond in coming months.  While the trials of Vick and the others named in the indictment have yet to unfold, it is possible that Vick will soon be trading in his football jersey for an orange jumpsuit.  If the horrific allegations prove to be true, no punishment could ever be adequate in my view.  The specific allegations regarding Vick’s personal participation in the gruesome and barbaric killing of under-performing dogs was enough to churn any decent person’s stomach for days.

The seriousness of the Justice Department in investigating and pursuing this matter is gratifying and reflects a change that seems to be occurring in the attitude of the public toward animal fighting.  Whereas it used to be largely ignored by the public and, accordingly, by their elected representatives, prosecutors and judges, animal fighting is now being recognized increasingly as a sadistic money-making activity of gangs and organized crime and an erosion of our society’s sense of compassion and decency.

It is clear, however, that the local prosecutor, Gerald Poindexter, and sheriff, Harold Brown, continue to treat the matter with a yawn and a shrug.  Their recent statements of their great surprise at the specific allegations contained in the indictment would be amusing were they not so deeply disappointing.  There are felony charges that prosecutor can and should be bringing under Virginia law against Vick and his cohorts but he continues to manufacture excuses for not doing so.  It is amazing that the swiftness and aggression of the federal authorities in pursuing this matter has not humiliated the Surry County authorities but they continue to appear to be more concerned with the protection of their local celebrity than with carrying out their sworn duties. 

If you would like to urge Gerald Poindexter, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Surry County, to bring felony charges against Vick and his cohorts for their depraved activities, please e-mail him at . 

Today’s blog author is Robin Robertson Starr, chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA.

Wandering puppies

Kittens without mothers

Dogs without an ID tag

We’ve probably all seen them, and we become more concerned for their safety in the heat of the summer.  Here’s an important tip to keep in mind when approaching stray animals:  The behavior of a stranded pet may change dramatically when he or she is confined to your property. 

My intent is not to dissuade you from approaching stray animals.  On the contrary, please do approach with caution, if you feel you can help.  If you feel you cannot approach, you can always contact city or county animal control to alert them.  Do keep in mind, though, if you decide to intervene, that the sheepish, hungry kitty you find under your shed may turn into quite the active young hooligan given a few good meals and a house to run around in.  Oftentimes pets-on-the-run are not used to living a well-structured, indoor lifestyle.  Even though a stray dog sports a fashionable collar, he may feel restricted by a fenced yard and howl, dig or jump the fence. 

If you bring a stray pet into your vehicle or into your home, be sure to at least notify the city or county animal control agency that you have found a lost animal.  Then prepare yourself and your foundling for a safe stay while you attempt to locate the pet’s owner(s).  Find a small room, or better yet, a crate in which to house the pet until you have a better idea of his behavior.  Make sure the room is free of any valuable items – that includes bedspreads and bathmats.  Some stranded dogs have been known to panic and chew or dig solid wood doors once they realize they are confined. 

We at the Richmond SPCA applaud anyone’s efforts to re-unite a stray pet with his family.  We also realize that everyone’s abilities are not the same.  Do establish a back-up plan early in case you find yourself with more than you can handle.  And feel free to contact us for advice if you need some help making a decision about the best path to take with a found pet. Please view our stray FAQ page here, or call our Admissions Department at 521-1306.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or Marie.

Adopting a homeless animal is the best way to find that family friend and make better a living creature’s life as well as your own.  Walking into the Richmond SPCA, it doesn’t take long for the feeling to hit you.  Six steps in and surprise slides over you with a fresh, clean-air smell unexpected in most shelters.  As you make your way through the open sliding doors, the sound of cats and kittens meowing and purring rolls throughout the lobby, creating an odd, obligatory feeling that you yourself should be doing the same – before you are snapped back to human-hood by the staggered barking of dogs excited to see you.  If you’ve visited us before, you know these sights, sounds, and smells (or lack thereof).  But there are also sights that bring joy and comfort to the naked eye that require a bit more attention. 

Not all of the animals here have been waiting for that forever home, for the same length of time. While the majority of pets at the Richmond SPCA spend only a couple weeks at our center before moving on to a loving, permanent home, a few are with us for a much longer period of time.  My favorite Lab-mix, Morris, for example, has been around our center the longest of any dog.  BB, the sweet teenaged cat in my office, has been here for over two years and is still waiting for a special person to deny the cute kittens, avoid the more able-bodied adults, and accept her for who she is.  During my tenure here I’ve grown very close to both animals, more recently BB, or Beebers as I like to call her.  Unfortunately, I live in an apartment and already have two dogs and two cats, all adoption alumni, of course.  Unlike most other shelters, we are no-kill, meaning no animals face euthanasia because they have been here “too long” or space does not permit.  But that doesn’t mean they are guaranteed immediate adoption.  It is up to you, the public, to open your hearts and your homes to these wonderful animals so that they don’t spend another day in a shelter.  We provide as many comforts of home as we can, but there is no substitute for a permanent family.

How can you help?  How can you tell if an animal has been here longer than the next?  To the untrained eye, the newcomer, like most, overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of our shelter like a first-time visitor to Las Vegas, it’s no simple task; but if you know where to look, it is. In every one of our animals’ living quarters, there is a card listing basic information about each of them: their breed, their age, and the date they came in.  With this knowledge in combination with frequent and consistent visitation, one may come to recognize a more long-term resident who is very sweet and social and who will make the perfect companion just like the others who have perhaps been here for only a few days.  Remember, they are waiting for their turn to go home. So please, visit often and just as often consider one of our more long timers.  They like it here – but your home would be SO much better!

Today’s blog author is Patrick Hawkins. Pat is the adoption coordinator at the Richmond SPCA. to send e-mail to the adoption center, or call 521-1307.

In my conversations and reading this week, I came across several references to the many breakthroughs in research, diagnosis and treatments for canine cancer.  I realized just how far we have come since I graduated from veterinary school in the 1980’s, but I also wondered, “Have we left a segment of our animal owning population behind?” 

At the Richmond SPCA we focus much of our efforts in reducing pet overpopulation by providing spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats of low income families.  We know that it is difficult for these families to afford quality veterinary care and know the importance of providing physical examinations, preventative vaccinations, routine worm medications as well as heartworm and flea control at the time we see them for the sterilization of their pets.  But then what do they do?  Hopefully we have prevented some of the reasons that they may need to seek veterinary care in the future, but they also deserve to be able to afford annual physicals, dental cleanings and wellness care for their furry family members.  We know that it is always more economical and sometimes life-saving to receive an early diagnosis of certain diseases and conditions.

I am not saying that veterinarians do not deserve to be properly compensated for the years of education that we go through.  And all of the technology we have come to expect and the drugs and treatments that we have come to depend on are extremely expensive.  As a member of the veterinary community, I also know that as veterinarians we have huge hearts, and have given away services time and again.  I am just wondering where the loving family of a sick puppy or kitten turns when they need something they truly cannot afford.  Should euthanasia be the only alternative for the owner of a beloved dog with a cancer diagnosis that has a reliable treatment she cannot afford?

Over the next couple of weeks I will focus our Friday blog on how to talk with your veterinarian about the ever uncomfortable financial side of the care of your pets.  We all want what is best for our pets, whether you are the veterinarian or the owner standing on the other side of the examination table.  Maybe we can help everyone – including our four-legged friends – with decisions that have to involve a discussion of what will it cost and what can we afford. 

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004. 

Cat bites – unless they are inflicted by trained circus tigers – rarely send us running to the hospital.  Most domestic cats cannot crush human bones with the power of their jaws.  Cats don’t typically pull and tear when they bite.  But cat bites are serious maneuvers in kitty kingdoms.  If your cat is biting you and puncturing skin, your cat means business. 

Cat scratch fever is not just a catchy phrase.  People can acquire serious infections from what appear to be small punctures, especially when it comes to cats.  If your cat bites you, immediately treat with an antiseptic and talk with your doctor about recommended care for the wound.  Then talk with a behavior specialist about how to help your cat.  Especially if this is a new behavior for a normally peaceable kitty, a vet visit is also in order.  Rule out any physical problems that may be triggering it before embarking on a plan to modify the biting behavior. 

It could be your cat just needs to learn to direct his teeth towards appropriate toys.
It could be your cat is injured and you are not aware of his sore spots.
It could be your cat felt trapped or threatened, even though you didn’t intend it.

Biting, and certainly nibbling, is a behavior that can often be modified. However, it usually does not go away on its own and may even get worse if not addressed early.  Cats have a whole repertoire of ‘threats’ – ears back, large pupils, tail twitching, growling, hissing, showing teeth, batting, scratching, etc.  If you cat is biting, take that message seriously and take care of it early.  Your cat will thank you.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or Marie.

What is a “responsible breeder”? Google the term and you’ll find innumerable opinions on the subject of ethics and how to carefully choose a breeder; however, I would suggest that this is a mythological creature, much talked about yet never encountered.

As long as euthanasia is still used to control the homeless pet population, all breeders must take a share of responsibility for this problem. Hubris is inherent in their arguments that they are not a part of the problem, implying that somehow the lives of the purebred pets they create are more valuable than the homeless animals who lose their lives in shelters. 

An estimated 20 to 25 percent of pets in shelters are in fact “purebred.” Both of my dogs – a Lhasa Apso adopted from the Richmond SPCA, and a Rottweiler who found a place with me that began as “temporary” foster care – come from this percentile. Each had a previous owner who acquired her from a breeder, yet that purchase price did not make Sunny valuable enough to work through housebreaking issues, nor did it make Freida valuable enough to receive even routine veterinary care. (Both of their names have been changed since they came to live with us, so innocent or not their former owners are protected.)

As much we love our dogs, it has very little to do with their breeding. In fact, I have a bit of purebred guilt that leads me to explain their origins to strangers, lest they think I went to a breeder for one of my dogs. I would feel better about their prospects of long, healthy lives if they had a little more “hybrid vigor.” There is much to be said for a diverse gene pool – reflected in the fact that it’s illegal to marry a sibling or cousin – yet breeders of purebreds by definition exercise tight controls on the genetic materials of their progeny.

Consider carefully what you are supporting before turning to a breeder as the source of your next pet. The purebred pet has nothing to offer in terms of loyalty, companionship and devotion that is not also fulfilled by the mix or mutt.

Todays blog was written by Tabitha Hanes. Tabitha is the community relations manager for the Richmond SPCA.

I dig as much as possible, long narrow trenches and deep holes.
I run in circles and nip at people’s ankles.
I don’t like the cold and would prefer to be carried.
I like to bay and chase woodland critters.

Several particular breeds come to mind for most of us when assigning breeds to behaviors.  We doubt the Akita digs long narrow trenches, or the Chihuahua likes to bay and chase woodland critters.  We understand that some dogs are simply born with particular behaviors.  What we fail to remember sometimes is that many dog behaviors are established at or before birth – not just breed-specific behaviors. 

Your dog is not necessarily attempting to dominate you when he jumps up on you, he was simply born with the instinct to sniff and lick faces when he greets.  Your dog may have inherited her instinct to hide when people enter the room from her mother before birth.  These behaviors can oftentimes be modified with appropriate training, but they will not go away on their own, or because “he’s a Lab and they don’t mature until they are 3 years old.”  Dogs are not born understanding human etiquette.  They are bred with the instinct to relieve their bladder when it’s full, but they are not bred with the instinct to seek out grass instead of carpet to eliminate.  Patient, kind and persistent training will help them understand how humans like things done. 

When your dog develops a behavior you don’t particularly appreciate, keep in mind that it probably wasn’t anything you did to cause it.  Some element of that behavior was probably instilled well before your pup was under your care.  But you are the one who will have to help him understand that even though you understand he was probably bred with the instinct to chase woodland critters, you would prefer he chase the tennis ball.  And even though she’d like to be carried most of the time, it would be healthier for her to walk a few blocks a day.  You are your dog’s guardian.  Help him become the dog you would like him to be.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or Marie.

Ah, the perfect family dog; running with the kids on your acres and acres of protected land while you sip iced tea or libations.  Inside your three-story Victorian lies your loving feline friend, basking on a window sill, a reflection of your own relaxation.  Then you wake up. Your dog, not your wife, is next to you with your favorite work tie in his mouth while your cat prepares to jump on your face from the night stand. Let’s face it, perfection is hard sought and rarely found.  So what is it that you should look for when adopting a new pet to get as close to “perfection” as possible? Is it the animals’ breed?  It could be, but that’s where lines get fuzzy.

There are many misconceptions as to which breed makes the “perfect” family pet; toy breeds are small, Siamese cats tell you when they want something, Labs are loyal, Poodles don’t shed, Maine Coon cats are like independent little dogs that require less attention, Bassets don’t require extensive exercise, etcetera.  The fact of the matter is purebred dogs are only but so “pure,” and while a certificate of pedigree may tell you about your pet’s family tree, it’s no guarantee that a pet will fit into your home and lifestyle. Will he be perfect for your home?  After generations of inbreeding the answer is never definite. 

What families should focus on is not preconceived notions about a particular breed but what characteristics are desired of their new pet. What will help your new pet and the family mesh together “perfectly.”  A new pet is like a new family member and to say one certain type of animal is best for that family puts serious limitations on the “perfect” family pet.  Considerations should include temperament, toleration of children and other animals, activity level, and ability to acclimate to the family schedule.  With these things in mind, be mindful of traits associated with breeds, but in the end a mutt, or mixed breed, is likely to be the perfect new pet for any family.

Mixed breeds can often accommodate a family’s desires, as they don’t come pre-programmed for any particular tasks. Like snowflakes, each mix is unique. Be proud that you have the only German Lab-herd-collie in the neighborhood. Be rewarded with the knowledge that by adopting your precious tabby, whose bloodline can’t be traced with any certainty, you’ve not only given her a home but also saved a life.

Today’s blog author is Patrick Hawkins. Pat is the adoption coordinator at the Richmond SPCA. to send e-mail to the adoption center, or call 521-1307.

I have not been at the Richmond SPCA for a very long time, but as I read various shelter and humane publications I have seen it stated that July 5 is possibly the busiest day of the year for facilities acquiring lost pets.  It is worth mentioning again that even the most laid back pet may become anxious and startled enough – with all the noise and commotion – to escape and get lost on the Fourth of July and the days surrounding its festivities. Heed the advice to keep them confined and safe and accounted for during next week’s holiday.
After years of private practice (some of which were during the days when we did our own after-hours emergencies), I do have experience with the reasons besides getting lost that they may need medical help of my kind.  I have listed just a few of the other things that we would tend to see around the Fourth of July that may prompt a visit to your local veterinarian.
• Fireworks of any kind are not safe to have around our pets.  They can cause serious burns and toxicities if ingested.
• Matches, lighters or lighter fluid can cause burns as well as severe breathing problems, kidney disease and neurological problems. 
• Even though they may not be willing drink it, alcohol has the potential to cause weakness, depression, coma and death.
• Changes in diet, like the hot dog off the grill, can cause major stomach upsets.
• Sunscreens and bug sprays labeled for humans are meant only for humans.  Misuse can result in drooling, stomach problems and neurological problems.
• Citronella candles, coils and oils should be kept out of our pets’ reach.  They can cause stomach irritation and depression if ingested.
• Be careful with glow-in-the dark jewelry that they may chew on.  It too can upset their digestive systems and the plastic could be broken up and swallowed. 
• Hot asphalt around the pool or on the sidewalk can cause very painful burns to the pads of their feet.
• Heat exhaustion becomes even a greater risk when they are anxious or frightened since they may pace or run or be unwilling to drink water.
• Drowning can be a potential danger if they cannot get out of the pool, they panic in the water or they get caught in the current of the river.
• Dog bites from other dogs may be a greater risk when they are out of their normal environment and they are overly excited.
So even though we are commemorating our independence, let our furry friends miss the backyard barbecue and light show since it is highly unlikely that it would be their chosen form of celebration.  They would probably prefer to honor their independence with being allowed to sleep on the new sofa just this once, or come inside without wiping their feet or to just stay smelly after they get wet.
Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004. 

It’s almost 4th of July - otherwise known as Independence Day - the day this country formally came to be by seceding from the Queen’s reign in England in 1776.  We celebrate our courage to be different in our thoughts and actions.  We celebrate our freedom to choose who we become. 

Meanwhile we ask our pets to fit the mold of perfection.  We want them all to love everybody, to do what we ask every time we ask it, to be quiet and humble, and to be there for a furry hug when we need one. 

I challenge us to be free thinkers—to accept our pets for who they are, and strike an accord between ourselves and them.  Refrain from the desire to keep your pets quiet continuously.  Accept that your dog howls at the moon and join him.  Accept that your cat sings for her supper and sing along.  You are the person and therefore the governor of your pet’s society, so you’ll have to find a way to help him be quiet when necessary.  For instance, if your dog is inclined to howl at visitors when they arrive, you can, with time and patience, teach him a quieter way with guests.  But keep in mind that barking is dogspeak, and asking him never to make a peep is like removing the pen from our forefathers’ hands.  Your pet does not have to rule your universe, but they should be allowed a voice in the decisions you make. 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline. Call the helpline at 643-SPCA or Marie.

Holidays can present a great opportunity to adopt a pet while you and your family have extra time away from work and school. Although each holiday can present special challenges to consider, with planning and preparation, you’ll find your new pet beginning to settle into your home.

If you decide to add a pet to your family before the July 4th holiday, a little planning will ensure that you enjoy the holiday and your four-legged pal stays safe.

·      A new pet may not be ready to meet your extended friends and family. If your Independence Day tradition includes a cookout at your home, set aside a quiet room away from the festivities for your new companion. Make this “home base” comfortable with toys and bedding. If you’d like to introduce Fido to your friends, put him on leash first so you can control the greeting.

·      Make sure your pet is wearing identification tags. If he does slip away from you, identification will help reunite you with your pet more quickly. If you find a pet who has strayed from home, he should be taken to your city or county animal control, where he has the best chance of being claimed by his owners.

·      Resist the urge to take your pet along to fireworks displays. Leave him out of harm’s way in a quiet place at home.

·      Even pets who are normally not easily startled may be disturbed by the collective celebratory voices and fireworks. Do not leave your pets unattended outdoors, even with a fenced yard. Panic may cause a pet who normally wouldn’t leave the yard to escape, become lost or lead to injury.

·      Some pets may become destructive when frightened. Secure your dog in his crate with a Kong or other puzzle toy for entertainment while you are away. If you decide to leave your pet loose in your home, remove items from his reach that he could destroy or that would harm him if chewed.

The accomplishment of the Richmond SPCA in performing more than 11,000 free and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries in a year remains just an amazing feat to me having come from a private practice environment.  I had a well-established and very profitable practice for close to twenty years.  We thought that a surgery schedule that included more that two large dog spays, three cat spays, two dog neuters and four cat neuters was a busy surgery day.  Granted, we accomplished all of those in the middle of a day full of morning and afternoon general appointments in a busy two-doctor practice.  But now I realize just how much of an impact a high-volume spay neuter clinic can have.  Our goal of 27,000 sterilizations over a three-year period was a huge undertaking for our Board of Directors, but they knew it was a pivotal piece in ending euthanasia as the tool for population control.  Overpopulation is a direct result of animals left unaltered in our communities.  We need to use every tool possible to prevent companion animals from becoming homeless in the first place.
Now when I come in each morning at the Richmond SPCA, I know what a service we are offering to the parents of the more than 50 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that we may spay or neuter on any given day.  I know how important it is that none of our animals are adopted out without having been sterilized first.  And I know how crucial it is to other local shelters that do not have a surgical staff to be able to bring their pets here to have them sterilized before they are adopted from their facility.  I know how important it is for veterinary students who intern with us to assist in an efficient, high-volume facility and to learn the benefits of a pediatric spay/neuter protocol.  I know how amazed the children are who come by our surgery observation windows and what an educational opportunity the discussion can be about sterilization on any level.  I feel that we truly are making a difference in the next generations, and they will have the tools to be more responsible pet owners.
So whether we impact the veterinary student, the child here for a birthday party, you who read our blogs, the low-income spay/neuter client, the feral colony caregiver or the grateful owner who must surrender his pet to us, every new person who we come in contact with and who gets the concept of what it takes to end euthanasia as population control will put us a little bit closer to realizing our goal.  I feel like it is our duty, knowing that the concept is working and will work anywhere, to share what we have learned and to continue to empower others to achieve it.

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.

The first strategic plan for the Richmond SPCA was adopted in 1998, one year after the arrival of our current CEO Robin Robertson Starr. The adoption of that first plan was a watershed moment for our organization and decided our transformation into a no-kill humane society.

Not only was our Board of Directors resolved that the Richmond SPCA should become a no-kill shelter, they envisioned a city where no healthy, homeless animal would be killed because he lacked a home, and they pledged to achieve this citywide by 2008.  The Richmond SPCA and Richmond Animal Care and Control achieved this goal in 2006, two years ahead of schedule.  A key to that goal is the community. Bringing an end to the traditional reliance on euthanasia to control the populations of companion animals has required cooperation from everyone. The community will continue to be a vital contributor to our success in the City and Greater Richmond, as we maintain relationships with county municipal shelters as well.

The tools of Project Safety Net are designed as a pet retention program and were incorporated into that first strategic plan. As a component of our no-kill model, we provide alternatives to pet relinquishment by addressing the issues that most often lead owners to surrender their animal companions.

• At your wits end with a behavior problem? The behavior helpline is here to address your pet behavior concerns. Call 643-SPCA or to e-mail the helpline. 

• Moving and unsure of how your pet fits into the plan? Consult our pet-friendly housing guide.

• Could you keep your dog if he had better manners? Join a manners class, designed to help great pets with minor problems.

• Need help finding a home for your pet? Utilize our re-homing service to advertise your pet to potential adopters.

When a pet stays in his home, we are able to save the life of another orphaned pet who may otherwise have lost his life. If an owner can place his pet with another family, space at our center remains available to transfer homeless pets from the city shelter.

Today marks Robin Starr’s tenth anniversary as CEO of the Richmond SPCA. In recognition of Robin’s contributions to animal welfare in the City of Richmond, Mayor L. Douglas Wilder has declared June 19 as Richmond SPCA Humane Education Day.

The mayor’s proclamation recognizes the importance of education in creating a no-kill community where every life is precious. Wilder said, “Robin Starr’s achievements have brought national attention to our City regarding the importance of benevolence toward animals, and our community is enriched as a result of her many contributions.”

Wilder commended the Richmond SPCA for dedicated efforts toward enhancing the welfare of abandoned and orphaned pets within the community and praised the Robins-Starr Humane Center as the finest shelter in the nation. As reasons for the proclamation, he cited Starr’s numerous achievements for animal welfare and the fact that no healthy, homeless animal died in the City of Richmond in 2006, making Richmond one of the four safest cities in the country for orphaned dogs and cats.

Looking for a way to observe Richmond SPCA Humane Education Day?

• Refer a friend to our behavior helpline, which offers behavioral assistance by our expert training staff at no cost to the pet owner. 804-643-SPCA or .

• Tell five friends about our free and low-cost Smoky’s Spay-Neuter Clinic, which in 2006 performed in excess of 11,000 surgeries, many of them for free for those of low-income. Click here to learn more about our spay/neuter program.

• Learn more about our partnership with ASPCA Mission:Orange, through which we will teach our successful no-kill model to other communities throughout the country in order to save more homeless animals from dying. Click here to learn more about Mission: Orange.

• Share with your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors the benefits of adopting an orphaned pet from the Richmond SPCA and encourage them to look to the Robins-Starr Humane Center when in search of a canine or feline companion to enrich their lives. Click here to learn more about our adoption program.
• Visit our For Kids Web page and find an activity that your child can do at the Richmond SPCA during his or her summer vacation or throughout the school year.

In my experience this would be a question asked a million times by my children, pets and husband.  I have enjoyed a great riding dog once in my life, but he was miserable when we got where we were headed.  But as the travel industry accommodates those of you who are blessed with pets who are wonderful travelers, here are a few things to keep in mind.
• Plan ahead and accustom your pet to a crate, seatbelt, harness or any other equipment that you may be intending to use that you don’t use on a regular basis at home.
• Don’t let them hang out the windows and get something in their eyes or up their nose.  Secure them in the vehicle.  And don’t let them ride in the back of the truck where they will surely be injured in an accident.
• Be sure they are well identified with at least collar and tags.  Take current pictures with you in case they unintentionally get loose.  Have any current medications with you as well as copies of their veterinary records in case of illness.  If your pet has a chronic medical condition, you may want to research veterinarians at your destination in case of emergency.
• Be sure to call ahead to make sure your destination accepts pets. If traveling outside the United States be aware of the need for health certificates, vaccination records, quarantine periods and possibly permanent identification like microchips.
• If traveling by airplane, be sure to book a separate reservation for your pet.  There are restrictions on the number and size of pets in the cabin.  Cargo held carriers are restricted based on the temperature outside and the length of the flight.  Increased airport security has restricted certain breeds from flying at all. Usually water is not allowed in their crates/kennels.
• Most trains and bus lines only allow service dogs but some cruise lines do accommodate pets.
• Always remember that taking our pets on vacation is a privilege, and we need to be responsible.  Pick up after pets and ask if the property has a preference for where you walk your dog as well as where you dispose of waste.  Keep them under control.  Be honest about whether your pet is obedient and friendly.  What you may consider friendly another guest may consider annoying.  Keep them clean.  Dry them off and wipe their feet before they track through your hotel lobby.  Cover furniture and beds with old sheets from home so that staff does not have to keep up with pet hair.  If they need a bath, use your towels from home and clean up the tub or shower.
• Lastly, unless it is a trip that your pet must make with you (like a permanent move), if he needs a tranquilizer you may want to reconsider taking him. Perhaps he is trying to tell you he’d rather stay home. Although we can medicate pets to keep them quiet and prevent carsickness, these little guys may not be the best traveling companions.  Discuss your options with your veterinarian well in advance of your trip so you can do a trial run with any prescribed medications.   
There are numerous websites and publications on traveling with your pets.  The possibilities are endless, and if you include your pets in all the planning, reservations and preparations then I am sure all of you will have a wonderful vacation. 

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Angela Ivey, director of veterinary medicine at the Richmond SPCA. Dr. Ivey spent many years in private veterinary practice before joining the medical staff at the Richmond SPCA in 2004.