Miscellaneous

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Apprehend God in all things,
For God is in all things.
Every single creature is full of God
and is a book about God.
Every creature is a word of God.

~Meister Eckhart~

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  Eternal Life For Animals

  Five Good Reasons Why Spay & Neuter Pets

  Bad Advice from Garden Centers

  Alternative Places to Shop

Recommended Reading

Emergency Preparedness

Rabies - An Endemic Problem

Animal Safe Charities

 

Animal Safe Charities

For information on charities which have earned the Humane Charity Seal of Approval,
click on the icon below.

Insure that your charitable dollars don't add to
animal suffering.

 

 

Emergency Preparedness

This article was prepared by United Animal Nations. You can find out more specific information on this and other subjects at their web site by clicking on Disaster Tips.
United Animal Nations

Keeping Companion Animals Safe During Disasters

Planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your companion animals safe during a disaster. Listed below are some tips that will reduce the risk to the animals that you are responsible for. For tips on how to keep the people in your family safe, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Always keep a collar and tag on those animals that should normally wear collars. This includes cats that never go outdoors. When putting a collar on a cat be sure it is a break away collar, which is designed to slip over a cat's head should the collar get caught on something. During a disaster an animal can escape and a collar and tag increases your chances of getting the animal back. On the tag, include your phone number and address. Remember the phones may not be working, so in order to reunite you with your companion animal an address is necessary. You may want to consider tattooing or microchipping your animals as a more permanent form of identification. If you have been evacuated and are going to be living away from home for an extended period of time, you should put a temporary tag on your animals with a phone number, other than your home number. If someone finds your animal and tries to call your home number, there is a good chance it will not be working during a disaster.

Identify several possible locations where you can take your animals should you have to evacuate. These would be places that would not likely be affected by the same disasters that would hit where you live. This would include boarding kennels, veterinary clinics with boarding space, grooming facilities, dog and cat clubs, and training clubs. Don't forget to consider friends and family members too. Look for hotels/motels that accept animals. Bookstores sell books that list "pet friendly" lodging. Some hotels/motels may not normally allow animals, but they may make an exception during a disaster, so make some inquiries. It is important to know that Red Cross evacuation shelters will not allow animals, other than seeing eye dogs and other recognized service dogs. If you are not sure where to take an animal when you evacuate, do not leave them behind, as this greatly increases the chances that an animal will not survive.

Start a buddy system with someone in your neighborhood, so that they will check on your animals during a disaster in case you aren't home. Agree to do the same thing for them. Exchange information on veterinarians and have a permission slip put in your file at the vet, authorizing your "buddy" to get necessary emergency treatment for your animal should you not be able to be reached. If someone watches your animals while you are on vacation, talk with them about a disaster plan to be used to evacuate and care for your animals in your absence.

In addition to your regular supply of animal food have at least a weeks supply of food on hand to be used during a disaster. Store the dry food in an airtight/water proof container. If you use canned food, buy the flip top cans or have a can opener with your disaster supplies. Do not use canned food that has been opened and not refrigerated for an unsafe period of time. You should also include any favorite treats that your animals like, which can be a comfort to them during the stressful time that follows a disaster. Chew toys can help entertain a dog that might have to be chained or confined in a crate for the first time, or for longer periods of time than they are used to. Continue to feed your animals the food they are used to and put it out as close to the normal time as you can. Keeping them on their regular routine, the best you can, helps minimize the stress they might be feeling. If you feed canned food to dogs and cats, reduce the normal amount by half (supplement with dry food) to reduce the possibility of the animal getting diarrhea.

You should have at least a weeks supply of water in storage at all times for your animals. It can be stored in the gallon containers it is purchased in, but do not keep it in direct sunlight, as algae will start to grow. Be sure to rotate the water at least once every other month. It is important to not let animals drink flood water or any other water sources that may be contaminated as a result of a disaster. If officials have issued a "boil water" warning, that means that the water that comes out of your tap is not healthy for people and animals to drink. If you are drinking bottled water or purified water during a disaster that is what your animals should be drinking too.

Take several pictures of all the animals and keep these pictures with your important insurance papers that you would take with you if you have to evacuate. Be sure to include in the pictures any distinguishing marks that would make it easier to identity an animal. These pictures can help reunite you with a lost animal. Store the pictures in a resealable plastic bag in case you have to post them in the rain.

Before a disaster strikes, talk to your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan. Your animal may need medical attention after a disaster has struck and you need to know where to take your animal. If your regular veterinarian does not have a plan, locate a veterinarian in your community who does. Knowing in advance where to take an injured animal may save that animal's life if it is in critical condition and time can't be wasted. Keep a first aid kit and first aid book in your disaster kit for your animals. Assembled kits and books can be bought at pet supply stores or ask your veterinarian for a list of what should go into a first aid kit if you want to put one together yourself. If you have a houseful of animals, putting together a kit yourself is advisable, as the prepackaged kits will probably not contain enough supplies.

If an animal is on long term medication, always keep a backup supply on hand, since a veterinary office may not be open for some time following a disaster. If the medication needs to be refrigerated, keep an ice chest on hand to store it in, in case the electricity is off and you are unable to use your refrigerator. If you need ice, you can usually get it from a Red Cross shelter.

Have assembled and ready to go, a cat carrier to evacuate each cat in your household. An "Evacsak," is an alternative to a carrier. It is similar to a pillow case, but is a much safer and more secure way to transport a small animal. They take up a lot less space than carriers, and if you have a house full of animals that need to be transported, you can get a lot more Evacsaks into a car. They can be purchased by contacting Animal Care Equipment and Services at 1-800-338-ACES. A carrier would then be used to house a cat if you have to be away from your home for an extended period of time. Be sure to have a shoe box size litter box and a food and a water dish to use in the carrier.

Have a harness and leash for all the dogs in your household. If you have to evacuate, dogs can become frightened and if you only have a collar around their neck, they may be able to pull away from you and have the collar slip over their head. A harness will allow you to securely control your dog. If your dog rides in the car, always have a leash in the vehicle. A disaster may occur while you are away from home, and if you should have to abandon your car, you want to be able to keep your dog safely controlled. You may want to get a harness and a leash for your cat too, in case you have to keep them confined in a cage while you are living away from home. If they are not used to being in a cage, a harness would allow you to safely take them out of the cage and give them some exercise. Do not leave a cat unattended though while it is on a leash, otherwise, the cat might end up strangling itself.

Have a stake out chain for all the dogs in your household. Walls and fences may come down during a disaster and it may be necessary to keep your dog confined on a chain leash until repairs can be made. Be sure the chain is long enough for the dog to move around, but not a length where it might get tangled around something and cause the dog to choke itself. Shelter from the elements should be within the dog's reach too. If you do not have something to attach the chain to, you should get a stake that screws into the ground. Be sure it is secure for the size dog you have. Pet supply stores sell a variety of sizes.

If your dog is kept in an outdoor run, make sure it's in a location where falling debris (tree limbs, shingles, power lines, chimney bricks, etc.) won't fall on the run and possibly injure the dog. If something were to fall on the run and possibly prevent opening the door, you should have a heavy duty wire cutter, in case the dog was trapped inside and had to be freed.

Be sure and comfort your animals during a disaster. They are frightened too, and having you near to give them a hug will help. It will probably do a lot to help you too. If an animal is not ready to be comforted though, do not force it. This is especially true for cats. Let an animal come to you when it is ready.

Know where the animal shelters or animal rescue organizations are in your area. You may need to visit them after a disaster to look for a missing animal. It is important to start looking for a missing animal as soon as you realize it is gone, as some shelters may not be able to house for a very long time large numbers of displaced animals that arrive during a disaster.

For more detailed animal disaster tips, you may want to purchase the book Out of Harm's Way, written by Terri Crisp, the Director of United Animal Nation's Emergency Animal Rescue Service program. The last fifty pages of the book have life saving tips for domesticated animals, horses, and livestock. Any one who has animals should have this valuable resource guide. Click here for more information. 

 

 

 

Rabies - An Endemic Problem

Rabies is now endemic in most of the lower 48 states. Protecting your pet against rabies makes good sense in more ways than one. It is our main line of defense against  a disease which is deadly to humans and animals alike. If your uninoculated cat or dog is bitten by a rabies-infected wild or domestic animal, you are at much greater risk yourself of contracting the disease than if your pet had been protected by proper immunization.

Any time of year is “rabies time”, especially in warm climates. All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to rabies. Use caution if you observe any of the following symptoms of rabies infection:

  • Bold “friendly”, or “apparently tame” wild animals.

  • Night animals, like skunks and foxes, that are seen in the daytime.

  • Pets that have difficulty walking, eating, or drinking.

  • Signs of excitement or viciousness in normally quiet animals.

  • Animals that tear at or scratch an old wound until it bleeds.

  • Cattle that “strain” for long periods.

  • Bats that are unable to fly. 

If you are bitten or scratched by a suspected rabies carrier, wash wound thoroughly with soap and water, and seek immediate medical attention. If at all possible, confine the animal for the authorities to examine.

 

 

Recommended Reading

Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy 
by Matthew Scully.
In this insightful book, Scully reminds us that we are stewards of God's creatures. He makes an excellent case from a conservative's viewpoint on why humans should treat animals with compassion; a plea for human benevolence and mercy.  How we treat animals is an indicator of the morality of society, and each of us must examine how we can right the wrongs done to animals and give animal protection the public attention it warrants. This book has had wide acceptance and high praise in the animal welfare movement.
Dominion can be found for sale at  Scully's web site, Amazon and bookstores.

Goodbye, Friend
by Gary Kowalski
A thoughtful and uplifting book for anyone who has had to say goodbye to a companion animal. Full of encouragement and comfort in both prose and poetry, this book will help you smile through your tears. Available at Amazon.

Hope Rising
by Kim Meeder
The true account of how the Meeder's have combined a ministry for helping abused and neglected horses with an outreach to troubled children. What they have accomplished is truly a miracle. Please visit their website at
http://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/ and find out more about Crystal Peaks ranch and the Meeder's inspiring work. Their book can be purchased on their site.

The following is a list of delightful and heart-warming books with collections of true stories about animals. All can be found at Amazon.

Beauty in the Beasts: True Stories of Animals Who Chose to Do Good
by Kristin Von Kreisler 
Animals to the Rescue! : True Stories of Animal Heroes
by Christopher Farran 
The Compassion of Animals: True Stories of Animal Courage and Kindness
by Kristin Von Kreisler 
Animal Miracles: Inspirational and Heroic True Stories
by Brad Steiger

See also on this page the article "Eternal Life for Animals" for more recommended books.

 

Alternative Places to Shop
Where you can buy animal friendly and environmentally safe products of all kinds

moo/shoes - sells non-leather shoes, purses, belts, etc. Go to http://www.mooshoes.com

Used Rubber USA - source for many non-leather items including briefcases and bags. Go to http://www.usedrubberusa.com/  

   

Bad Advice from Garden Centers about Anti-Freeze in
Water Fountains

A word of warning:
The following is an email from Angela J Coupar - Canine Behaviour Consultant & Feline Advisor

It seems that a lot of cats have been dying and people thought that they had been given anti-freeze deliberately to poison them.
It now appears that this poisoning may have been accidental as garden centers have been advising people to put anti-freeze in water features to stop them from freezing in the winter. Cats, birds (and perhaps dogs) have come along and drunk from the water feature.

Anti-freeze can kill an animal within the hour.
This is also the time of year when people start topping up with anti-freeze in their cars. This is deadly to all animals so make sure your dog doesn't drink out of puddles where cars park.

Apparently their was a program on Animal Planet the other day which showed a black Labrador who had drunk some anti freeze; fortunately the owner realized immediately & rushed the dog to the Vet where they started treatment with emetics, a reversal drug, & charcoal. The dog was then put onto fluids & kept hospitalized for several days while they kept a close monitor on all of his vital organs with regular blood test. This dog was one of the fortunate few who did survive without any lasting damage but only because of his owners swift actions! The Vets said then that had the dog arrived another 10 minutes later that he most probably would not have survived!

Surely garden centers should be telling people to empty & turn off water features during the winter instead of using this dangerous and deadly procedure. Please pass this on and also have a word with your local garden center to see what they advise.

 

Give Me Five Good Reasons Why I Should
Spay and Neuter My Pets

450 dogs and cats are destroyed each HOUR in the U.S. because there are not enough homes for them! That is one pet killed every 6.5 seconds.

In order for every dog & cat born to have a home, the average family of 4 would have to own 24 dogs and 36 cats.

For every child born there are 45 cats & dogs born.

Only 1 out of 10 dogs & 1 out of 12 cats born ever finds a permanent home.

It costs U.S. taxpayers and estimated 2 billion each year to round up, house, kill and dispose of homeless animals.
 

 

Eternal Life for Animals

What happens to our beloved companion animals when they pass on? Where do their souls and spirits go? Will we ever have the opportunity to see them again? What about all the other animals in the world? The wildlife, the livestock, etc.? Will they go to a better place when they die? Will they, after a life that is oftentimes filled with difficulty and pain, go on to enjoy perfect health and happiness for the rest of eternity?

As one who loves and respects animals, I have often thought, and even agonized about this. And through the years I have come to the personal conclusion that there must be a plan for these innocent creatures after they have finished their existence here on earth - a good, just, and loving plan for their eternal destiny.

I finally decided to investigate what others have to say on this subject and was delighted to learn that I am not alone in my questions, or my conclusions. I would like to share with you some sources which you can investigate for yourself. I believe this information will bring you the same relief and hope it has provided to me, and will help to comfort you if you are grieving the loss of a precious animal friend, or are saddened by the suffering of animals in general.

First, there are several books I would like to recommend. Each of these books is uplifting and helpful, and each has something special to offer. But if you can pick only one to read, I think "Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates" or "There is Eternal Life for Animals" would be my first choices.  My second choice, which is a quicker read, (and also helpful for explaining to children) is "Do Pets and Other Animals go to Heaven? How to Recover from the Loss of an Animal Friend".
There is also a wonderful video called "Animals in Heaven?" It is an insightful and moving study by Bible scholar Dr. Jack Van Impe and his wife, Rexella. Click here and go to "Catalog", "Video Tapes" for more information on this video.

BOOK LIST

"Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates"
Gary Kurz;Paperback; Visit Kurz's uplifting and delightful website at http://www.coldnosesbook.com/

There is also a sequel called "Cold Noses II; Examining the Evidence". It brings even more scriptural illumination to this subject.

"There is Eternal Life for Animals"
Niki Behrikis Shanahan;Paperback; Shanahan also has a wonderful web site devoted to this subject.  Be sure to at least take a look at this site  http://www.eternalanimals.com/ 
In Niki's book, "Animal Prayer Guide" you can find sample prayers for saying grace over your pet's food, prayers for sick and lost pets.  Daily prayers, prayers for emergencies, for traveling, special occasions, pray for all animals everywhere and animal shelters, and more. Niki's latest book, "The Rainbow Bridge" brings support to people grieving the loss of a pet.

 "Do Pets and Other Animals Go to Heaven? How to Recover From the Loss of an Animal Friend"
Cheryl Renee' Webb;Paperback; Webb has a web site at http://www.britebooks.org

"Will I See Fido in Heaven?: Scripturally Revealing God's Eternal Plan for His Lesser Creatures"
Mary Buddemeyer-Porter;Paperback; Find out more about this book at http://www.creaturesinheaven.com/

"Animal Gospel"
Andrew Linzey;Paperback

"All Creatures of Our God and King: What God's Word Says About Animals"
Teri Wilson
 http://www.teriwilson.net/
 
All these books can be purchase at Amazon. If you decide to shop Amazon, please access through here so that a donation will be made by Amazon to "Prevent a Litter Coalition". It won't cost you any extra.

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"I believe in my heart that faith in Jesus Christ can and will lead us beyond an exclusive concern for the well-being of other human beings to a broader concern for the well-being of the birds in our backyards, the fish in our rivers, and every living creature on the face of the earth."
John Wesley

 

 

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