Tips for Keeping Your Pet Safe During a Natural Disaster

Tips for Keeping Your Pet Safe During a Natural Disaster

National Geographic- In the wake of the current hurricanes that have devastated towns and cities, destroyed thousands of people's homes and businesses, displaced families, and the lives lost; animals have also been affected. It is possible that no matter how prepared you are, your pet could get away from you and get lost in all of the chaos. Animal rescue organizations like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals see an uptick in lost animals after storms because some pets get scared and run away. Tim Rickey, Vice-President of Field Investigations and Response at the ASPCA has a couple of tips to keep your pet safe and by your side during a scary time.

First off, Rickey suggests not to evacuate without your pet’s. Some people evacuate without their pets because they think they can not take them or have not made arrangements. “We strongly urge families not to evacuate without their pets. If it’s too dangerous for you, it’s too dangerous for your pet,” says Rickey. Animal microchipping is the first and best defense of saving your pet. The cost of a microchip is around $50, and low-cost clinics can often help with the expense. It is just as important keeping your information up to date. “All too often, people change phone numbers or they move, but they don’t remember to update their pet’s information,” Rickey says. Providing extra comfort to a scared animal during extreme situations can keep your pet close by. Treats, toys, and lots of snuggles with a human family can help reduce everyone’s stress level. Be aggressive in your search if they run away and keep looking for them. Animal rescues are often overwhelmed after a disaster, and Rickey recommends regular follow-up phone calls. Owners can upload their pet’s photo and medical information to the ASPCA mobile app to help expedite the process. Keep in mind, owners have been reunited with their pets months, even years after the animal first went missing. So do not give up. Animals are remarkably adaptable, and although they are generally healthier and better off with human help, they can also survive on their own for long periods of time.

Diamonds in the Ruff

These tips are very useful for any type of natural disaster; tornadoes, earthquakes, or fires. Love and affection, while your pet is scared, are always a good idea for both of you. At Diamonds in the Ruff, we offer tons of love, affection, and playtime while your pet is boarding with us. Come by and visit our facility or check us out at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com if you are looking for professional pet boarding in Abilene, TX.

The Raw Food Diet for Dogs

The Raw Food Diet for Dogs

WebMD- The raw food diet is a popular but controversial trend on the rise. It consists of raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables that racing greyhounds and sled dogs have long eaten. These practices have been passed on to our family pets, the idea was proposed in 1993 by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst. He called his feeding suggestions the BARF diet, an acronym that stands for Bones and Raw Food, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

He suggested that adult dogs would thrive on an evolutionary diet based on what canines ate before they became domesticated: Raw, meaty bones and vegetable scraps. There are those that would disagree, with Billinghurst, which include other vets and the FDA. The risks and benefits have been documented in several studies published in veterinary journals.

Potential benefits of the raw dog food diet that supporters tout include:

• Shinier coats
• Healthier skin
• Cleaner teeth
• Higher energy levels
• Smaller stools

Potential risks include:

• Threats to human and dog health from bacteria in raw meat
• An unbalanced diet that may damage the health of dogs if given for an extended period
• Potential for whole bones to choke an animal, break teeth or cause an internal puncture

Interest from pet owners continues to grow, with the widespread recall of melamine-contaminated pet food in 2007 bringing in new followers. Since Billinghurst’s book, Give Your Dog a Bone, was published, several other types of raw dog food diets have emerged. You can find commercially processed raw food diets at the grocery store.

Diamonds in the Ruff

At Diamonds in the Ruff, you can expect that we will feed your pets top quality food and care. Come by and see us or visit us at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com for all your pet grooming in Abilene. 

Land of the Strays

Land of the Strays

Mother Nature Network- Costa Rica hosts a unique sanctuary called Territorio de Zaguates, or "Land of the Strays." It is located an hour outside the capital of San José, it is privately funded and volunteer-run. The safe haven gives hundred of abandoned dogs a second chance at life, whether they are adopted or not. No mutt is turned away!

This sanctuary is a place you take advantage of, human and canine alike, with beautiful landscapes. Volunteers lead a pack of ragtag rescues on scenic hikes through the gorgeous mountains nearly every day. They are walked unleashed, all together. These dogs could be considered “free-range.” The place functions just like any other animal rescue or sanctuary. "First thing we do when a new dog gets here is spay/neuter, vaccinate and get rid of parasites," the organization explains on its Facebook page. "Then we assess if the dog requires any other type of special treatment [and] put them in quarantine if necessary." After this process, the dogs are released where they can be adopted or just spend the rest of its days in doggy paradise.

Territorio de Zaguates takes a distinctive approach to finding the dogs forever homes. Every dog is given a special “breed” name based on the dog's phenotypic traits. For example, "Alaskan collie fluffy terrier" and the "chubby-tailed German doberschnauzer." People are more likely to adopt a “breed” rather a “mutt.” Adoptions grew 1.4% after this approach. As you could imagine, maintaining a sanctuary like this requires an enormous amount of time, money and labor. But charitable donors and volunteers make it a great success. "We have a very small staff but still we manage to do everything from daily picking up the poo and disposing of it properly, to feeding and medicating the dogs, and everything in between," a spokesperson for the organization writes.

Diamonds in the Ruff

This is a wonderful place that treats dogs better than most. With three meals a day, lounge spots, and room for even older dogs who don’t get adopted. We can all appreciate the kindness of others. At Diamonds in the Ruff, you can expect your fur baby to be treated with the love and care this sanctuary provides. We offer clean boarding, grooming, and doggie daycare. If you're in need of a professional groomer in Abilene, TX, stop by and see us. You can also visit our site at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com.

Animal Rescues

Animal Rescues

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, people are not the only ones who need a helping hand. Animals of all species have been affected by this disaster. Good samaritans have rescued thousands of pets and animals displaced in the local region.

There has been a Facebook post of two men riding horseback leading livestock through flooded streets. And another of men freeing a horse, in water up to its neck, from its pinn. Several dogs have found a safe haven thanks to strangers. One post shows a small dog clinging to a rail surrounded by surging waters before a man in a trash can poncho came to her rescue. One Instagrammer put his pup first by making his little dog an improvised boat out of a bucket. According to AOL, the dog, Kiwi, was happy to have a dry place to stay afloat. Sinton, Texas, resident Tiele Dockens posted a photo on Facebook of a local golden retriever, Otis, carrying a bag of food. The pooch reached his owner safely according to Weather.com. Unfortunately, there have been reports of people leaving their pets and livestock tied up during this time. Roman Forest Police Chief Stephen Carlisle said, “I promise you, that I will hold anyone accountable that unlawfully restrains their dog in extreme weather conditions,” and, “Dogs are your family members too.” These animals are just as scared as we are and don’t understand what is happening. At one point, motorist Aaron Jayjack stopped for gas in Runge, Texas and a dog he nicknamed “Harvey” hopped into the Jeep to escape the storm. Jayjack was on his way to Austin to pick up his own dogs when Cash, the dog's real name, hoped in. Jayjack was able to find Cash’s family and returned him. One other extraordinary occurrence is when taxi driver William Bruso of Missouri City, Texas found a Cooper’s hawk camping out inside his cab. According to the New York Post, Bruso named his new feathered friend “Sgt. Hurricane Harvey” and eventually handed the bird over to the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition of Houston. “It was a very cool experience,” Bruso told the Post. “I felt very honored that [the hawk] chose to hunker down with me — and was so well-behaved, better behaved than my cousins who come here and wreak havoc … It was a magical experience. This is a bird of prey, a natural-born killer in its normal environment. But this was not a normal situation.”

Diamonds in the Ruff in Abilene, Texas

We are so blessed that hundreds came together in this dire time, not only to help citizens but to help the displaced pets and scared wildlife. These rescuers and volunteers hold a special place in our staff's hearts at Diamonds in the Ruff. Visit People Pets for ways to help these pets and animals, they are in need of a hero.