Sometimes, dressing up can make dinner even tastier!

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the pet food aisle? Do you sometimes feel ashamed when pet food commercials insist that you are all but abusing your best friend by not feeding their product? When faced with the relentless badgering about your nutrition, do you start to wonder about your pets’ food? Have no fear! The food isle doesn’t have to be a scary place. Once you know what to look for on the bag (or can), you’ll be good as gold and ready to grab the right food and move on to the fun section- the squeaky toys!

Just like you, your furry friend needs certain amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to keep healthy and happy. Basic standards for the amount of each nutrient have been created by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Foods that carry a label stating that they are “complete and balanced” must meet these standards. Different life stages have different standards. Growing puppies, for example, need more protein and calories than do healthy adult dogs. Have you noticed that little chart about Guaranteed Analysis? That means that what’s inside of the package contains, by weight, those percentages of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. It does not mean necessarily mean that those nutrients come from quality ingredients or are “bioavailable” (useable) to your pet. If a food item is too hard to digest, then the nutrients that it contains cannot be utilized by the animal. And what about that word “crude?” No, it doesn’t mean that the food is 20% protein with poor manners; it simply refers to the method of testing used to calculate the percentages. The analysis is a good place to start, but the ingredient list can tell you much more about what you hold in your hands.

Ingredients on animal foods are listed by weight, starting with the heaviest. For example, if the first ingredient is beef, then the heaviest portion of the recipe is beef. The general recommendation is that the first two ingredients, at least, be good sources of digestible protein, such as meat, fish, or eggs. Many foods list a “meal” as their meat source, like “chicken meal” or “fish meal.” Meals are made of dehydrated meat, so “chicken meal” has more protein by weight because regular “chicken” has a large percentage of water in it. Water, if you recall, weighs one pound per pint.

Now that we’ve figured out what the ingredient claims mean, what about the statements relating to age? How does a person choose between adult and “all life stages?” Do puppies and kittens really have the same needs as senior animals? Generally speaking, foods that claim to be fit for all life stages contain more protein, calcium, phosphorus, and calories so that growing babies and nursing mothers have adequate nutrition. This means that you may have to feed less to an average adult to prevent weight gain. Puppy and kitten foods contain more protein and calories while foods formulated for seniors tend to have less protein, fat, and sodium. Be sure to read the feeding recommendations for each food as they can differ quite a bit. Better yet, consult with your veterinarian. Because your vet is familiar with your pet, he or she is in a better position to make specific recommendations than food companies are.

Should you decide to change your pets’ food, go about it slowly. A sudden change in diet can lead to badly upset tummies or, in some cases, refusal to eat. Food changes should happen gradually, over a period of 7 to 10 days, by mixing the new food with the old food. The starting ratio should be mostly old food and shift slowly toward being mostly new food.

What about those other claims, written so colorfully and provocatively across the front of the bag? Some of these terms are specifically regulated while others are marketing tools. “Natural” means that no chemical alterations, in line with the Food and Drug Administration’s definitions, have been made. “Organic” refers to compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture’s production requirements to be certified as such. “Holistic” is a term that does not have a regulated definition. None of these terms actually refer to the quality of the ingredients.

Just how can you tell which food is best for your best friend? After checking the ingredients, go with the food that your furry buddy likes and that keeps them spunky and healthy. Every animal is individual and will respond to foods differently. Choosing a pet food doesn’t have to be scary. All you need is the ability to decode those labels.

This workshop is open to anyone who wishes to attend and will be especially valuable for shelter staff, animal control officers, spay/neuter programs, dog rescue groups, and disaster responders.  The 3 hour presentation will include slides, videos and discussion.

Dr. Mark teaches humane dog capture and handling around the world.  He is author of the Feral Dog Blog and has made training videos available on his YouTube Channel: GWRFeralDogs.  He emphasizes working with the dog rather than fighting it.  He encourages us to look at ourselves to calm our energy and not add to the conflict.  Dr. Mark is introducing the Y pole,  a new humane tool for the animal welfare community, and will describe the Y pole and how to use it in this workshop. More information here.

This workshop is free to give Mark an opportunity to practice.  Please RSVP Ben Donoghue at k9behavior@heartofthevalleyshelter.org if you’d like to join.

Jasper brings smiles to Birchwood

Dave and Rachel Rockafellow first came to the Humane Society of Park County (which would later become Stafford Animal Shelter) in 1990 to adopt a four month old black Labrador retriever they named, what else, “Jack.” Dave trained him in obedience from a library book by practicing 15 minutes each day until Jack was “push button” on his basic obedience skills.  With the downturn of the economy in the early 1990’s, the Rockafellows ended up following a job opportunity out of state, where Jack and Rachel (who owned Trooper, also a rescued shepherd/malamute mix) joined the PAC (People Animal Connection) program at UCLA Medical Center. Trooper and Jack both passed the temperament and training skills required to be therapy dogs, but Jack by far was the more people-oriented of the two and truly loved his time visiting patients in the Monitored Observation Unit every other Sunday for two years.  A photo of Jack and Rachel hung on the wall of that unit under the caption: “’Dog-tor’ Jack visits to deliver TLC—Tender Loving Care.”

One patient in particular was especially memorable. She was recovering from open-heart surgery that had complications of the wound, which was quite large.  She was in terrible pain with any movement.  She said having Jack visit her was the first time in weeks that she had been able to forget about her pain and enjoy life.  That’s powerful!

As with all our four-legged companions, we hope to get them to old age and miss them terribly when they are gone. Jack was able to return to Montana with the Rockafellows in 1999 and lasted a few more years in retirement before he went to doggie heaven. Some time passed without a dog in the household, but eventually the pull was back so, of course, they headed to Stafford Animal Shelter.

Dave had become quite fond of labs. One day in 2003, when checking the shelter, a small yellow lab who had obviously had a litter of puppies, endeared herself to them by being the only dog not barking wildly.  Being a shelter dog, she, of course, was spayed before she came home.  Her original name of “Sally” was the name of a former girlfriend of Dave’s, so that would not do. Rachel liked “Jill” to have matched “Jack,” but that did not meet Dave’s expectations.  He thought she looked like Orphan Annie, so “Annie” she became. The Rockafellows believe Annie had a rough start to her days, and while she was a great “personal therapy dog” for some health issues in the family, she became too anxious away from home to work officially volunteering.  She, however, was a wonderful “snuggle-up-a-gus,” as Dr. Seuss might say, and provided many years of comfort napping on the couch with family.

When Annie’s days came to a surprise ending in January of 2012 after a quick illness, the house was again quiet. A few months went by without a dog.  The Rockafellow’s enjoyed not having any dog hair on the floor, but something was missing.  By May 2012 Stafford Animal Shelter again came through, this time with an unexpected breed for the couple, who thought of border collies as working dogs on ranches.  They were assured that “Spur” was mellow, “for a border collie” of course :). His tri-color markings make him particularly handsome, and his love of hugs makes him an instant hit with most people.

Being a border collie who needs a job, Rachel and Dave thought he needed something to do. The Intermountain Therapy Animal program has been active in Montana since the 1990’s, so it was time to learn more about the group.  After basic obedience lessons and various adventures to be sure of a sound and mild temperament, Jasper and Rachel qualified as a therapy animal/human team in February of 2013.  They now visit Birchwood and Aspen Pointe at Hillcrest two Sundays a month where he brings smiles and joy to residents on an otherwise quiet day.

In Rachel’s other life, she works as a registered nurse and hosts a monthly radio program on Yellowstone Public Radio entitled, “Health Matters.” After completing the Intermountain Therapy Animal training and qualifications for the program, she interviewed Nancy Rosen, the Intermountain Therapy Animal Coordinator,  for the state of Montana.  (You can listen to that 30-minute interview at http://ypr-pc.streamguys.net/podcast/healthmatters/hm130304.mp3 if you would like to learn more about therapy animal opportunities in our state.)

In the meantime, Dave and Rachel are proud of their third-generation Stafford Animal Shelter therapy dog and said they are honored to share their story of a “Rescued Shelter Dog Makes Good in the World!” You can meet them at Stafford Animal Shelter’s Chico Fur Ball on Friday, May 17th, 2013!

Annie

Rachel and Dog-tor Jack

Jasper

It’s that magical time of year when images of adorable baby animals are everywhere. Few things in life are as irresistible as a fluffy, purring kitten, and you’ve made the decision to get one. Congratulations! Before you bring your new friend home, there are a few things to consider, like where to get her from, how much she will cost, and what to expect from her while she grows up.

First things first- where should you go to find your kitten? Newspapers, online classified ads, and even the occasional supermarket entrance can all offer sources for free kittens. Beware of the word “free.” Food, toys, and veterinary care will still be your financial responsibility! Breeders, pet stores, and shelters are also places where you can find kittens. These places usually have a purchase price or adoption fee. Be picky about where you get your kitten. Is the place clean? Do the animals look like they are healthy, active, and social? Is information available, and readily given to you, about the kitten’s vaccination and health history? Consider adopting a kitten from an animal shelter who has already been examined, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered.

Whether you get a free kitten from a child on a neighborhood corner or purchase a purebred with a second mortgage, there will still be a lifetime of expenses ahead of you. The most frequent expenses are litter and food. While it may be tempting to save money by purchasing the cheapest thing in the store, cheap foods are often cheap quality; for the long term health of your cat, spend the extra money and purchase quality food. Beds, toys, identification, and licenses are less frequent purchases, but should still be considered when budgeting for any pet. The priciest things that your kitten will require are, of course, visits to the vet. Kittens need a series of vaccinations to get them started when they are young, then boosters at regular intervals throughout their lives. Wellness exams and parasite prevention also needs to occur regularly. Getting your kitten spayed or neutered can set you back a few hundred dollars. Though it hopefully never happens, you should be prepared to pay for the treatment of any illnesses or injuries that your furry friend may suffer. Think about whether you have this kind of extra money before giving in to those pleading little eyes.

Raising a kitten can be a wonderful, fulfilling experience. Like rearing human children, there will be the occasional frustrating moments and miscommunication between the two of you. Kittens go through phases as they grow, but with a little perseverance and patience, you can navigate through any “naughty little habits” and have a well behaved feline friend.

One of the most common concerns people have about cats regards the safety of their furniture. Rather than surgically removing the kitten’s claws, which is a painful experience that can lead to a lifetime of behavioral problems, teach them immediately that there are appropriate places to scratch. Get them a post and place it in front of their favorite “scratching corner” of the couch. Reward them with a treat when they use the post. Rather than punish inappropriate scratching, startle the kitten with a non-human made noise (like clapping two books together) to redirect their attention. Aversives, like a strong citrus or vinegar scent, may prevent scratching in that area.

Another common concern lies in the litter box. Kittens will, once they are able to eliminate on their own, want to use the litter box. It is a natural instinct for cats to bury their waste and the box provides that opportunity. Cats appreciate a frequently cleaned litter box- some are even unwilling to use one that is not clean. If a cat or kitten suddenly stops using the litter box, it’s time for a trip to the vet- many times the cause is actually an infection that can be easily cured. Many people believe that all male cats will spray in the house. This is a myth. To prevent territorial marking, neuter your kitten early and introduce new pets into your household slowly.

Kittens can play rough. Be prepared for a few bites and scratches along the way and always supervise young children when they play with kittens. If your kitten does bite your hands, immediately stop playing with the kitten, but do not physically punish. Whenever possible, offer a toy to bite before play escalates to that point.

Plenty of help is available should you have any questions or problems while your new friend grows up. Your veterinarian, and, of course, your local animal shelter, are great resources of information and support.

Submitted by: Shanie Wells

Wish List: indestructible large dog toys, rabbit hutches, fresh fruits and greens for pocket pets and birds, digital camera with video function, Medium & Large exam gloves, Tidy Cat non-clumping litter, Mountain Meadow pellet cat litter, liquid plastic pump garden sprayers, hand sanitizer, Lime-Away, folding chairs, Science Diet canned kitten food, printer paper, 74 XL and 75XL printer ink for HP machines, cotton balls, duct tape, bleach, distilled water, lint rollers, canned air, natural air freshener, white paper, photo paper, paper towels, unscented dryer sheets, and plastic clothes pins.
Please drop off Tues – Sat 12 noon to 5 pm and ask for your tax deduction receipt. Stafford Animal Shelter is ACCESSABLE ONLY FROM EXIT 337 OFF I-90 in 2013.Thank you!