Parents frequently acquire a dog as a friend for their children.  They picture Rover walking to the bus with the kids, fetching the ball they throw, and romping around happily in the yard all together.  When they get Rover home, though, he attempts to “fetch” the children, romps around the living room furniture, and walks in the opposite direction when called – just before he runs.  What is a parent to do?

The best medicine is preventive medicine.  Help Rover acclimate to his new home and family by restricting him to just one room in the house until he is settled.  Instead of opening your entire house to him immediately, play with him, read with him, groom him in “his” room for a while.  Take him outside to potty, obviously, but give him as long as he needs to settle in one room – maybe days – before introducing him to the rest of the house.  If he tends to jump on the children, you’ll be more successful teaching him calm behavior in one room.  For example, you could sit in the room with Rover’s leash clipped to your belt loop a safe distance from the kids while they play a board game or watch TV.  Reward him for good, calm behavior inside and he will be more inclined to choose that behavior outside when the kids are playing more actively.  Until then, teach your dog to play fetch with you alone in the yard so the kids will have a structured game to play with him when he’s out. 

Dogs and children can learn to get along well with your guidance.  Neither dogs nor children make natural teachers, but they can learn from each other with your assistance.  And remember to always supervise any interactions between your pet and your young children.  If you find yourself in need of some tips, feel free to contact our behavior helpline.  We are also happy to meet with you and your dog to help get you on the best path. 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the senior behavior/training specialist at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

Yes, spring is nearby and love is in the air.  And don’t be surprised if your cats start notifying you with vocalizing and intermittent spraying in the next couple months.  As the temperatures warm up outdoor cats become more active and will be out seeking their seasonal soul mate.  While your cat may not be outside with them, the caterwauling and odors that accompany this behavior will possibly influence your resident feline.  If your resident feline has not been spayed or neutered, his or her responses may be even more exaggerated.

If your cat begins a spraying habit, or starts becoming more active or vocal at night, avoid the temptation to “let him/her outside.”  Instead, help your cat out by keeping outside cats away from your doors and windows.  You can find “boundary” pellets to sprinkle on the ground around your windows at local pet stores or garden stores.  If someone else’s cat is making things difficult for your cat, notify the cat’s owner – they may not be aware. You can also give them a hint by printing a spay/neuter flyer from our Web site www.richmondspca.org/clinic. 

There are also organizations that can help if you find you are neighbor to a feral cat colony.  A feral cat colony is a group of stray cats, typically un-neutered and unvaccinated, who form their own little community.  You can find many helpful organizations by searching on-line using keywords like “trap neuter return,” “trap neuter release,” or “feral cats.” 

Cats procreate at any time of the year, but the number of homeless kittens dramatically increases each year around springtime.  Understand that your cat is dealing with hormonal urges when you see these behaviors increase.  Remember, you can always contact our Behavior Helpline ( or (804) 643-SPCA) for assistance. 

If your cat has not yet been spayed or neutered, he or she may be sending an unintended invitation to other cats.  We can help with that situation as well.  We are currently offering free spays and neuters for owned cats through March 31.  Call our Spay/Neuter Helpline (804) 521-1300 for more information.  Spaying or neutering your cat at a young age may actually prevent this behavior from occurring.

We frequently receive calls or e-mails from distraught pet parents whose pet is missing. These calls are heart wrenching for our staff, not only because we imagine our own distress if it were one of our own, but because they often experience added anguish, preventable if only fluffy or fido had been wearing ID tags.

It can happen to even the most responsible pet owners, whose pets stay indoors or out only when attended. A single visitor unaware of the importance of quickly closing the door or latching the gate can undo all your care and responsibility. Even if you think it couldn’t happen to you, a tag with your current contact information is an inexpensive way to achieve peace of mind. In a pinch, fold a sticky address label around his collar until you can get new tags made.

Just this weekend, we received a message about “Buzz,” a big, gentle guy last seen in his own backyard of his home in the city. Fortunately, he was found only a few blocks from home. As Buzz’s family was searching for him, some kind neighbors had found him and were going door to door trying to discover where he belonged. Buzz’s mom was relieved to have him safely home and reported that he has new identification tags. Had he had them a day sooner, think how much simpler the process could’ve been. The good Samaritans on the next block could have simply called the number on his tag or identified the home to which he belonged.

Also be sure to inspect your pet’s tags on a regular basis to be sure the contact information is still legible. The Lora Robins Gift Shop at the Richmond SPCA will engrave your information on a variety of tag styles. This is also a great time to pick up a new spring collar design to go with those new tags.

What a strange, trying and grounding week it has been.  On many occasions over the past few days I think I would have liked to have been my dog.  He gets up every day knowing pretty much what his day has in store for him:

• Sleep in until the last human gets up
• Go outside (unless it is too cold or raining)
• Stand at the coffee pot for my first bone of probably a dozen during the day
• Have breakfast
• Play with my chew toy
• Go to the bus stop (maybe I should do my business while we are out)
• Go back home and lay around for about 6 hours
• Go back to the bus stop (take advantage of a tree or two)
• Have dinner
• Keep everyone company
• Go to bed for 8 – 12 hours
• Do it all over again

Not such a bad way to spend your days.  I think if I substitute hugging my husband and kids for the chew toy everyday and some teeth brushing, a shower and some gym time I could get along just fine.  Maybe that can be my plan for my retirement.  But until then I’ll add getting up everyday to accomplish something that makes me feel proud. 

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

“Hey!  Get off of that!”
“Leave that alone!”
“Stop making that noise!”
“Oh my gosh!  How am I ever going to get him to stop

?!”

We so often get caught up in all the things our pets don’t do well, we forget all the reasons we actually wanted them to stay with us in the first place.  So, let’s make an effort to start the New Year out on a better foot.  I’m going to go home and make a list – 2 lists, actually.  One list will be of all the things I wish my individual pets did differently.  And the other will be a list of all the things I enjoy about each one.  I have a sneaking suspicion the positive side of the list will actually be longer than the negative, no matter how often I tend to focus on the 2 – 3 problem areas. 

My cat Gamble’s lists would look something like the following (See if you can guess which list is which.)

List 1:
• Knocks things off the counter
• Nibbles on my leg when she wants me to get up
• Yowls to get more food
• Tries to eat my food

List 2:
• Entertains herself with her toys
• Curls up next to me and keeps me warm all night.
• Loves it when I drop a few pieces of food in her bowl.
• Rubs her head on me and purrs
• Her beautiful eyes and her fluffy tail
• Curls up on the top of the chair
• Stays out of the way when guests are over
• Plays with my dogs
• Comes when I call her
• Likes to chase treats down the hall
• Lets the vet hold her with no problems
• Rides quietly in a carrier in the car
• Likes to be petted
• Warms my robe in the morning
etc. etc. etc.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the senior behavior/training specialist at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

When you’re looking to add a new pet to your family, there’s nothing like coming to our adoption center, sitting down in a visiting room and spending some time stroking the fur and being nuzzled by the nose of a pet in person.

But the next best thing may have arrived for Comcast Digital Cable subscribers. Beginning in December, Comcast began offering Pet Adoptions ON DEMAND in the Richmond market. By going to your ON DEMAND menu, selecting the “Get Local” category and navigating to “Pet Adoptions,” you can view a selection of our pets in action. The profiles are updated every couple of weeks and are divided into the categories of cats, large dogs and smaller dogs.

If a pet catches your eye, come by our center and spend some time with him. We can’t guarantee the pet you saw will still be available, but if you let our adoption counselors know what caught your attention, they can help you find a similar match.

Today’s blog was written by Tabitha Hanes. Tabitha is the community relations manager at the Richmond SPCA and hosts Pet Adoptions ON DEMAND.

As the temperature drops outside and the days get shorter, the needs of our pets change.  Pets that spend time outside have different requirements, as do those that spend most of the day in front of the fire.  If your dog or cat spends any significant amount of time outside, it is imperative that they have adequate shelter.  An example of an appropriate shelter would be a wind-proof structure that is just large enough for the animal to turn around in.  This helps them maintain their body heat inside the shelter.  Extra insulation in the form of blankets, cedar chips or straw is also an important tool to help keep them warm.  Fresh, unfrozen water should always be available.  If you are ever in doubt of it being too cold outside for your dog or cat, bring them inside!

Nutrition requirements can also change over the winter.  Outside animals may need more food because they burn calories to stay warm.  Animals that are strictly inside may need less food as their daily routines become more sedentary.  That being said, winter is not an excuse to forgo your dog’s walks or trips to the dog park.  Just bundle up (you and your dog) and stay active! 

Today’s blog was written by Kate Hamilton, medical coordinator at the Richmond SPCA.

True or False

Question #2. 
My dog urinated on my bed just to get back at me for not taking him to the park. 

Question #3
My dog chewed up my shoes just to get back at me for not taking him to the park.

Question #4
My dog is barking at my other dog to irritate her because she got to go to the park and he didn’t.

Answers: False, False, and False.  Revenge is a human word and a human concept.  Your dog may urinate on your bed frequently if he doesn’t get to the park, but it won’t be because he’s out for revenge.  It will be more likely because he didn’t get outside when he needed to relieve himself.  Ditto for chewing things and barking.  Getting outside or exercise helps alleviate a dog’s need to chew, bark and urinate at inappropriate times.  If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise, he will most assuredly be urinating, chewing and barking at inappropriate places and times quite frequently.  Help your dog build well-patterned behaviors.  Make sure he gets plenty of exercise and socialization. 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the senior behavior/training specialist at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

When we step outside during the winter, it is second nature for us to bundle up with coat, hat, scarf and mittens.  Many of our furry friends have the luxury of a built-in winter coat, with heavy fur and undercoat that insulates them and protects them from the chill.  But not all dogs and cats are equipped to withstand the cold weather.  To compensate for that, there are many ideas and innovations that we can use to help keep them toasty-warm.
Most dogs grow thicker coats during the winter (which is all too apparent when they begin to shed them in the spring.)  However, for some animals, their built-in winter jacket is not enough.  Warm jackets and sweaters are good for thin, thin-coated breeds like Greyhounds.  Older dogs and small breeds like Chihuahuas also benefit from the added protection.  In the wet, snowy weather, overcoats are available for the long-haired breeds to help keep them dry.  There are many available resources to purchase a coat for your dog, including online, at pet supply stores and in the Lora Robins Gift Shop. 

Winter weather is also tough on your dog’s paws.  Booties are made to protect the pads from exposure to winter chemicals, cuts on the ice and prevent slipping on the icy sidewalks.  These were made popular by the sled dogs of the Iditarod who wore them to protect their paw pads over the 1,150 mile race.  However, while good in theory, many dogs will not tolerate these “mittens” and quickly flick them off.
Now that you are aware of the different options of winter wear for your pets, you still have time before it gets too cold to properly outfit and protect your dog. 
Today’s blog was written by Kate Hamilton, medical coordinator at the Richmond SPCA.

I love my job.  I work as a vet assistant at the Richmond SPCA.  I recently made the decision to further my education in the veterinary field by applying to Vet Tech School and becoming a veterinary technician.  I was and am very, very excited about this prospect.  Not long after I made this decision I came to realization: there are no programs based in Richmond for me to pursue this career choice.  I was crushed.  I wondered how there were so many Techs at so many vet hospitals and none went to school here in Richmond. 

I did some research and asked around with the technicians who work with me here at the Robins-Starr Humane Center and got some great news.  There are so many options out there that my co-workers shared with me.  Many places offer distance learning that you do over the internet in comfort of your own home. Right here in Virginia, Northern Virginia Community College offers this option.  Some big-name out-of-state schools offering distance learning programs include Penn Foster College, St. Petersburg College in Florida and even Purdue University all offer distance learning programs.  Yeah, I could be a Boilermaker if I so desired. 

As part of these programs you do a kind of work-study where you work at a vet hospital which serves as your classroom and your veterinarian as your hands-on instructor in addition to the on-line coursework.  Many vet hospitals where you can be employed during the program will even offer to pay for school…pretty neat huh?

Blue Ridge Community College in Stanton, Va. has a cool program that teams up with John Tyler Community College on Midlothian Turnpike where you attend classes at Tyler and the instructor is in Stanton.  You are connected with your teacher via satellite and can have questions answered in real-time.  Again in this program you would work at the vet hospital and gain experience and knowledge in real-life situations.

I will be applying next month to one of these schools. Now, instead of being lost with no where to go I have tons of options and need to make up my mind where to go.  Wish me luck, and I’ll keep you posted!

Today’s blog author is Barclay Fink.

My cat who helped me through my college years used to love to visit my parents with me during holidays.  Gamble, who lives with me now, would prefer to visit people at our own house.  Both of them were taught to travel well in a safe cat carrier.  I even keep a cat carrier open in my office with a soft bed in it.  Gamble likes to sleep in it sometimes while I’m working. 

You may not plan on taking your cat with you on holiday visits, but it’s wise to help her acclimate to some travel – if only for those annual vet visits.  Here’s how you can help: 

1. Purchase a cat carrier.  It should be just big enough for your cat to stretch out in – the cozier the better.  Line it with a soft, non-slipping bed.  Use removable non-skid shelf liner under the bed if necessary.  Place it in a frequented room of your house – like the TV room, the office, or the bedroom.  By the way, 3-piece, hard plastic carriers with removable tops are the most convenient for vet visits, and more stable for carrying than cloth carriers.
2. Make fun things happen in the carrier.  Leave the door of the carrier open and toss treats in there; poke little string toys through the holes; or even feed your kitty in the carrier sometimes. 
3. Practice.  Every once in a while invite your kitty in the carrier, close the door and just carry her across the room.  Put the crate down gently, open the door and continue playing with her in the carrier.  Remember this is supposed to be enjoyable, so avoid “testing” long trips until you’re sure she’ll be calm for short trips.

One last tip…use a spring clamp or small bungee during travel to secure any part of the carrier that might rattle – like the door.  A quiet ride will be much more pleasant for your cat than a noisy one. 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of admissions and behavior services at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

My cat who helped me through my college years used to love to visit my parents with me during holidays.  Gamble, who lives with me now, would prefer to visit people at our own house.  Both of them were taught to travel well in a safe cat carrier.  I even keep a cat carrier open in my office with a soft bed in it.  Gamble likes to sleep in it sometimes while I’m working. 

You may not plan on taking your cat with you on holiday visits, but it’s wise to help her acclimate to some travel – if only for those annual vet visits.  Here’s how you can help: 

1. Purchase a cat carrier.  It should be just big enough for your cat to stretch out in – the cozier the better.  Line it with a soft, non-slipping bed.  Use removable non-skid shelf liner under the bed if necessary.  Place it in a frequented room of your house – like the TV room, the office, or the bedroom.  By the way, 3-piece, hard plastic carriers with removable tops are the most convenient for vet visits, and more stable for carrying than cloth carriers.
2. Make fun things happen in the carrier.  Leave the door of the carrier open and toss treats in there; poke little string toys through the holes; or even feed your kitty in the carrier sometimes. 
3. Practice.  Every once in a while invite your kitty in the carrier, close the door and just carry her across the room.  Put the crate down gently, open the door and continue playing with her in the carrier.  Remember this is supposed to be enjoyable, so avoid “testing” long trips until you’re sure she’ll be calm for short trips.

One last tip…use a spring clamp or small bungee during travel to secure any part of the carrier that might rattle – like the door.  A quiet ride will be much more pleasant for your cat than a noisy one. 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of admissions and behavior services at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

If you’ve ever been to a shelter to adopt a cat, then you know there are certain ones who stand out more than others. Those who reach out at you through their cages or meow desperately for your attention are, understandably, always the first to find homes. But, have you ever noticed the shy, or just plain terrified, cats who hide in cubby holes and stare at you with huge, frightened eyes? Oftentimes, these scaredy cats are the ones that take the longest to get adopted into a loving family.

I have worked at the Richmond SPCA for about 3 years now, and have always taken it upon myself to befriend the less trusting kitties who need a lot more patience and socialization than the average cat. I can very honestly tell you that it is the most rewarding experience I have here when I am able to win over a difficult cat and become her best human friend and provide her some of the comfort and love that she desperately needs. Shy cats will usually bond very closely with people who slowly take the time to get to know them, and the rewards for your patience are great – a loving, devoted companion for life, and the knowledge that you have changed that cat’s life forever by giving him the chance to show you how wonderful he is.
So, if you are considering a new kitty companion, please take the time to look in those cubby holes or underneath the blankets and notice the scaredy cats who are too timid to make themselves known. I promise you will be amazed at the fantastic cats you find there, and if you decide to take one home, you’ll never have a closer or more devoted feline friend.

Today’s blog was written by Cheryl Canfield. Cheryl is the adoption coordinator at the Richmond SPCA.

It has always astonished me how dogs and cats get along with the pain that would take us to our knees.  I remember my husband trying to pass a kidney stone the size of a grain of sand and how I reminded him that I had had two children.  Probably not the best wifely comfort I could have offered at the time.  But do you wonder if animals are more tolerant because no one has said to them, “Boy, I know that has to hurt!”

I was reminded this week just how resilient they all are.  We had a little mixed Labrador puppy transfered to the Richmond SPCA from one of our local animal control agencies.  He had likely been hit by a car sometime on Monday and was having trouble with both front legs.  He was actually trying to stand on them.  He was wagging his tail and attempting to play with another puppy in the room.  He ate what we offered him willingly and let us examine him without protest.  But when you looked at this little fellow’s radiographs he had fractures of both of his front legs between the elbow and shoulder.  Now how in the world could he even think about standing on them much less even try? He had been given pain medication at the emergency clinic on Monday night and another dose when his radiographs were done on Tuesday but not anything per se for several hours. 

When I first started practicing, pain management in veterinary medicine was fairly cutting edge.  I remember noting how much more quickly animals recovered from surgery and injury when they were able to rest comfortably.  We always knew they felt the same types of pain as human beings, but hiding their pain is a good survival tactic in the wild.  Now there are numerous choices to control every type of pain that a pet may experience.  How lucky we are that as pets have become mainstream members of our families that the pharmaceutical companies have continued to provide us with products that will safely keep them comfortable no matter what their pain level or cause.

As an added note, it is through the generosity of donations to our Cinderella Fund here at the Richmond SPCA that we were able to get this puppy the orthopedic repair that he so desperately needed.  Thanks to the generous support of this fund and our deep belief in orphaned pet rehabilitation, this little guy is one lucky puppy.

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. 

This week I was reminded of two of the many reasons that I chose to be a veterinarian.  One is the fact that there is never a dull moment and the second is that you can always learn something new.  I’ll start with the new things you learn.  I have been in practice for over 20 years now and we diagnosed the first case of feline Cytauxzoonsis that I have ever seen.  It is a very rare protozoal disease of cats that is caused by the bite of an infected tick.  The disease has a very rapid course that usually ends in death within days of initial signs of illness.  The signs are usually non-specific and include anorexia, fever and pale mucus membranes.  These cats are usually sick within two weeks of the tick bite.  The infection is uncommon nationwide, but quite common in certain areas of the Midwest and southern United States.  The geographic region may be expanding with cases now being reported along the Atlantic coast.  Because no therapy has been proven effective and the disease is largely fatal, prevention is the take home message to get across.  The only means of transmission seems to be via tick vector so keeping cats indoors and controlling these ectoparasites is an essential form of prevention.

The second and never dull moment concept of my profession is the fact that just as we thought we had weathered the kitten storm this year with flying colors, we were quickly reminded that there will always be a great need for our services.  At one point this year we had well over 200 kittens in all age groups at the Richmond SPCA and in our foster care programs.  We have finally caught up and gotten almost all of those little ones adopted. Thank goodness!  We still have kittens but had started to concentrate on juvenile and adult cats once again.  Then came the call from the City of Richmond Animal Control that they could use some help with their kitten population.  In just one transfer, we moved in 31 new kittens ranging in age from four to seven weeks.  So you see, there is never a boring moment to be had, and my brain will always hopefully stay fresh and challenged.  How much luckier could a gal be? 

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.

In a perfect world our flowers would always bloom, our cars would always start on the first try, our children would always do what we ask, and our dogs would always look at us adoringly. In the real world our flowers deal with environmental factors, our cars age and deteriorate, our children grow and develop thoughts of their own, and our dogs don’t always want to please us.

Dogs are highly social creatures, and they thrive on the time they spend with their “families”. But they are not genetically wired to please humans. Who came up with that idea?  Hmmm. Maybe humans. This desire-to-please idea reflects a decidedly human-centered view of the world, and probably leads to unreasonable expectations for dogs.

Dogs are genetically wired to eat, drink, breathe, sleep, exercise and form social bonds with others as a means of surviving.  Given the lack of food, water, air, sleep or exercise dogs will seek a way to fill that void. If humans are paired with the things that they need (see above list), they will find a way, through humans, to acquire those resources. And they are really good at anticipating the good stuff. Why does your dog wag his tail when you put his leash on – because he wants to please you or because he wants to go on a walk? Does he fetch the ball you throw because he wants to please you or because he needs the exercise?

Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of loving, friendly relationships between dogs and humans. We adore them and they adore us, but they don’t wake up every morning thinking of ways to make us happy. A dog who comes running when called, walks happily on leash and rests quietly on his bed is a dog with a caretaker who forged a calm, happy relationship with his dog. A human who taught him the things he needed to know and kept him safe during the process. If your relationship with your dog is on the rocks, try providing him lots of those things he needs. Then learn to dole out the really good stuff at those times he does things you really like. He’ll probably be far more inclined to please you then.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of admissions and behavior services at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

Sirius is an 8-month-old Golden Retriever mix at the Robins-Starr Humane Center. We transferred him from a local government shelter in April after he’d been hit by a car. His hind legs needed splinting and surgical pins, and our medical staff helped return him to health with the assistance of a very generous local veterinary orthopedic surgeon. Stryder is another great dog who was just adopted. When he came to us, his ears were so infected (from chronic, untreated ear infections) that they had to be surgically removed to relieve the pain he had suffered for years.  our vet had to remove most of both of his ears because they were so infected.

They’re both wonderful animals, and I still can’t figure out why Sirius is still with us or why it took Stryder so long to find a forever home.  I encourage visitors to our center to check out dogs who are limping or missing a limb or who have some other special need. These wonderful animals don’t know that they walk with a goofy gait or that they aren’t like the rest of their four-legged friends. They are still happy and full of lots of love to give and are most deserving of your time and attention.

Look at Sandy, for example. We took her in this spring after she and her littermates had been thrown out of a car and abandoned. Sandy’s injuries were much worse than her brother’s and sister’s, so while Annie and Punjab walk around normally, Sandy’s hind leg stays straightened, off to her side. But Sandy doesn’t notice. Since her surgeries, she’s gotten better and better at moving around, and now she can sprint back and forth playing catch as easily and quickly as any other dog, but with a special walk all her own.

These amazing pets make just as good companions as uninjured ones, and sometimes the bonds between them and their owners will be even stronger because they’ve weathered so many troubles, and now, at last, they will finally have a permanent home. Give extra consideration to adopting an imperfect pet. The love they give you will more than make up for any missing appendages!

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

Do you have that empty nest feeling? Do you miss getting up in the middle of the night to bottle feed your children? Do those children that you are raising need some experience with responsibility? Do you love puppies and kittens but have enough animals at your house already? Then WE NEED you!

We do a lot of things really, really well at the Richmond SPCA. However, we also need to recognize the areas in which the involvement of the community can help us improve. Foster care, particularly for the very young, is one such area. Rather than being reactionary when the need for foster care arises, we need to anticipate the need and build a list of volunteers ready, willing and trained for the task of caring for these most vulnerable orphans.
We have decided to start the process of generating a network of people who can be called at a moments notice to help us with the task of getting puppies and kittens old enough, big enough and healthy enough for adoption while being cared for outside of our Robins-Starr Humane Center. Many times the center is not the safest environment for these little immune systems. We do not want to expose to the germs that they are not yet vaccinated against.

The task may be as simple as fostering a litter of 6-week-old puppies for a mere two weeks until they have had vaccinations and can come in to be spayed or neutered and be immediately available for adoption. It could also mean the need arises on Saturday afternoon for someone to be able to bottle feed a litter of kittens for three or four weeks because their mother was just hit by a car. Even though we have a wonderful staff of employees who might be well-prepared to take them home for a night, it defeats the purpose to have these orphans come back into the center each day with an employee who is caring for them at night. We need them protected in a home until they are ready to be adopted.
So here is what we would like to do. We would like to start training a group of foster care providers with a class that teaches puppy and kitten care. This class would include bottle feeding, assisting with urination and defecation, tube feeding if needed, signs of failure to thrive, proper feeding when not nursing, appropriate interaction and behavior techniques as well as normal and abnormal development for this age group. We want to generate a contact list of providers who have completed the class so that we can get these youngsters off to a great start. We provide everything that is needed including veterinary care, bottles, formula, food, bedding, litter, carriers and support through our medical department.
So if you have a lot of extra time, a big heart and the mothering instinct that these babies need then please let us know by responding in the comment section or contacting us at (804) 521-1329. We can adopt out so many more healthy puppies and kittens if we can find the space outside of our own building with a well-trained, available network of providers. Please join our team and make a difference in these lives!

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.

BB is a sweet girl.  Weighing in at over 15lbs when she came to the shelter, she gave the impression of a roly-poly middle-aged lady, not quite obese, but could still stand to drop a few pounds.  But when BB came down with an upper respiratory infection and lost her appetite, those few extra pounds became much more significant.  Despite all of our efforts, BB refused to eat, even the most tempting baby food and tuna microwaved concoctions.  As days passed and BB whittled away, one thing became clear, I mean yellow.  The roly-poly little girl had turned into a shrunken, jaundiced shadow of her former self.  BB was suffering from hepatic lipidosis and was in a battle for her life. 

Hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease, is one of the most common causes of liver failure in cats.  Cats evolved as predators, eating small meals throughout the day.  As cats were domesticated, their eating habits changed, with larger meals, free access to food and expanding feline waistlines becoming the norm.  This may not be disastrous in day-to-day life, but when an overweight cat becomes sick, lost or stressed and stops eating, the consequences are very serious.  The feline liver is unable to process the large amounts of fat that the starving body moves to the liver for processing.  The liver becomes overrun with fat and subsequently fails.

The cornerstone of treatment of hepatic lipidosis is nutritional support.  This can be done by force feeding or by the surgical placement of feeding tubes.  Survival and recovery from hepatic lipidosis nears 90% with nutritional support.  Without such aggressive treatment, most cats will not be able to overcome this disease.

These scenarios are very dire, even in the private veterinary practice.  In a shelter environment, they present even greater dangers.  The stress of moving a cat to a new environment can be enough to put him off his food.  That same stress could also make him susceptible to any number of viruses with which shelters must contend, which could in turn put him off his food.  Is anyone sensing a trend here?  While the portly kitties are snuggly and great lap-warmers (I won’t argue with that), their transition into a shelter environment is fraught with more danger than is experienced by the average 8lb cat.  Age, underlying medical conditions and lowered sociability all stack the scales against this group of kitties, too. 

Please do your cat a favor and go easy on the treats and be a little sparing at dinner time.  He (and his liver) will thank you.  As for BB, with intensive medical care, including force feedings over several weeks, she was able to overcome her fatty liver disease and is still here at the Richmond SPCA waiting for her permanent home.

Today’s blog author is Kate Hamilton. Kate is the medical coordinator at the Richmond SPCA.

So, you’ve just been told by your veterinarian that your cat needs to lose a few pounds. The tough part is “your kitty likes food,” so he’s probably going to be upset when you feed him less.  The better part is “your kitty likes food,” so he can easily learn a fun way to exercise to help burn off the calories.  We call it Kitty Recall – otherwise known as “Here, Kitty Kitty!”  Here’s how it works:

Your vet will probably recommend you switch from free-feeding to a measured serving once or twice a day.  Pour part of your cat’s serving in the bowl then take out a portion of it and put it in your pocket.  This, of course, assumes you are feeding dry food.  Then, at several intervals during the day, let your cat smell a few pieces of food in your hand and head for a hallway or a large room and stand still.  When your cat comes to you to get a piece of the food say, “Good!” or “Yes!”; then immediately toss the piece of food so he can see it roll across the floor.  When he gets it and returns to you for another, repeat your word “Good!” or “Yes!” and toss another piece of food across the floor for him to get.  Keep repeating the same word and a food toss each time he comes to your side.  If he loves his food as much as you think, he’ll learn to pick the piece of food up and come running back to you for another. 

Once he’s repeating the pattern without hesitation, you can add a cue, something like “Henry!” or “Come!” or “Here!” Insert the word in the pattern just before he comes running back to you.  So the new pattern is:

1. Cat arrives at your side.
2. “Good!” immediately followed by food toss.
3. Cat gets the food, turns…
4. “Here, Henry!”
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4.

Finally, start tossing the food farther or in more challenging areas, and make this game happen spontaneously during the day.  Eventually, your cat will come running to you whenever you say “Here, Henry!” and you’ll get to play a fun game to help him shed those extra pounds.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of admissions and behavior services at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

Nothing is more fun than a full-figured, roly-poly, little kid.  But that’s baby fat, hopefully.  And how cute is a pudgy little Bassett or Beagle mix who appears to have super short legs because his belly droops so low and his shoulder mass sags?  Or, better yet, that tubby tabby who can perch on her plump derrier and lick her belly? (If you’re eager to witness this sight, inquire about Helena at our center.)  But just because we live in the most obese nation on the planet doesn’t mean our animals should have to suffer.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying send all the obese cats and dogs to a four-legged fat camp. Even if there is such a place, I’m sure there are more obese pets in America than any one facility could handle.  And by no means do animals sit around and measure themselves against a lean, trim, healthy canine or feline standard. If Clearly I have nothing against pudgy Poodles or a super-sized Siamese, nor do any of us at the Richmond SPCA. We love them all!

We promote all cats and dogs – large and small, mutt and purebred, black, white, brown, calico, blue-merle, gray, three legged or four, tailless or not.  However, when an animal finds a home after being worked with for so long to lose those “precious pounds” we do encourage the new family to, for the animals’ sake, help him continue to lose weight.  Consider this when you come to visit our shelter and decide to adopt a dog like Morris – a long-time resident and large-bellied Lab – animals, like people, are affected by obesity.  It affects them internally and externally, and in the end, it can be a big problem for the owner and the animal (and who wants problems?).  So when you visit us, adopt a pudgy pet, and go home to snuggle and love her, take a picture, then take away the snacks, and get that overweight pooch or kitty on a fit-n-trim diet mixed with exercise.  It’ll do you both some good.  Thanks for adopting!

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