Foods that are Poison to Pets  

• Avocados - toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue.
• Beer - Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.
• Nuts - Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic.
• Chocolate - Chocolate contains Theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous.
• Candy - Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal's blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.
• Caffeine - Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine.  
• Grapes and raisins -Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them.
• Onions - Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets.
• Medicine - Hide medicine from your pets.  In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal's pain. But acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the active ingredients in many common pain relievers, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause gastric ulcers, liver damage, kidney failure and sometimes death.

Dog Bites - What parents should know:

• Children under 15 years of age are the most common victims, making up approximately 70% of all dog bite victims.
• Dog bites are a greater health problem for children than measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined.
• Young boys between the ages of five and nine are the most frequent victims.

Avoid being bitten

• Never approach a dog you don't know or a dog that is alone without its owner, especially if the dog is behind a fence, tied with a rope or chain, or in a parked car.
• Never approach a dog that is eating, sleeping, or guarding something. Dogs naturally guard their babies, food, bones, and toys.
• Never chase or tease dogs. Don't poke, hit, pull, or pinch a dog.
• Never approach a dog (or any animal) that is injured.
• Always ask the owner's permission before petting a dog.
• NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.

When approached by a strange dog:

• Do not run away. Dogs have a natural instinct to chase and catch things.
• Do not make eye contact with the dog.
• Stand very still like a statue with your arms at your sides, or back away slowly and quietly.
• In a loud, commanding voice, tell the dog to "go away."
• If you are attacked, give the dog an object, such as a jacket or backpack to bite or chew on.

If you fall or are knocked to the ground:

• Curl into a ball.
• Protect your face by covering your head and neck.
• Put your hands over your ears.

Prevent dog attacks: What can pet owners do?

·        Choose your dog carefully. Select a breed or type of dog that is appropriate for your family and home.

·        Socialize your dog. Be sure your dog interacts with all members of the family, as well as people outside the family and with other animals.

·        License your dog, obey leash laws, and take care to properly fence yards. Dogs that are allowed to roam loose outside the yard expand their "territory," and will often defend it aggressively.

·        Neuter your dog. Neutering reduces aggression, especially in males. Un-neutered dogs are more than 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs.

·        Train your dog. Basic obedience training is as important for the owner as it is for the dog.

·        Maintain your dog's health. Not only is it the right thing for the dog, but it also reduces bite responses caused by pain or irritability.

·        Vaccinate - Be sure your dog is vaccinated for rabies and other diseases.

·        Provide your dog with adequate food, shelter, exercise, and affection. Tethering or chaining dogs makes them feel vulnerable and increases their aggression.

·        Don't play aggressive games with your dog.

Animal Shelter Euthanasia

·        56% of dogs and 71% of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized. More cats are euthanized than dogs because they are more likely to enter a shelter without any owner identification.

·        Only 15% of dogs and 2% of cats that enter animal shelters are reunited with their owners.

·        25% of dogs and 24% of cats that enter animal shelters are adopted.

It is widely accepted that 9.6 million animals are euthanized annually in the United States.

Practical solutions for reducing euthanasia numbers – OPT TO ADOPT!

Opting to adopt rather than buying from a store or breeder is the BEST way to stop this. The percentage of animals reunited with their owners would greatly increase if more pets were properly identified: 

• Be sure your pet wears an identification tag, rabies license, and city license. Include your name, address, phone number, and pet's name.
• Keep licenses current as they help shelters locate pet owners. If you are willing to pay a reward, put it on the tag.
• When moving, put a temporary tag on your pet. Include a phone number of someone who will know how to reach you.
• Don't assume that your indoor pet doesn't need tags. Many strays in shelters are indoor pets that escaped.
• Purchase special cat collars with elastic bands to protect your cat from being caught in trees or on fences.
• In addition to ID tags, consider getting your pet tattooed or microchipped.  A tattoo or micro-chip is permanent identification. If your dog is lost or stolen, this is proof positive the dog belongs to you. While collar and id tags are helpful, this is your best way to try to assure you getting your dog back. A county license on your dogs collar will insure if the dog is lost it will be held in a shelter for 14 days while they attempt to find you. A micro-chip is also being honored like a county license at some shelters.

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