Natura And New Worries

Our concerns with this company run very deep due to recalls and drastic shifts in quality in once good foods. Our dedication to our guiding principle does not mean clearing our shelves of Natura products was an easy decision to make. Natura products have been on our shelves since we had first opened at our original location over 3 years ago. Recommending the various lines we carried from this once family owned business was never unusual. Innova was a wonderful all around food, Evo a high protein grain free diet being our first of such a food, and California Natural which seemed like a miracle to many animals suffering from allergies or sensitive stomachs. We quickly shifted a majority of our customers off the foods, advising them in the direction of the foods we’ve placed on the shelves as alternatives.

Making The Switch

Still we have customers not sure on the switch, many owners have concerns on how a food switch will affect their animals in various ways. From stomach issues, to allergies, to plain not liking the food. We all hate to say it but it seems that trial and error will be our best bet at this point. From a first hand view my pet ferret Lily has been on Evo Ferret food since she was a baby. Finding food to take its place has been quite the task for the stubborn ferret, and I’m sure this is very much the case with other pets.

Being persistent with foods and trial and error can be time consuming, but in many scenarios is well worth the trouble. We’re sad to say we are already having mention of itchy skin from dogs who, as before mentioned, were on their ‘miracle food’ California Natural. We hope in the end all will be settled with our beloved pets’ foods, their bowls filled with a kibble, wet food, or raw food they adore and leaving us as owners assured that our pets remain healthy and happy.

Keep in mind we are here to give you a hand at finding the best foods and treats for your pets. We are happy to answer questions and help you with your pet needs. Always feel free to leave comments, toss us an e-mail, or ask us questions in the shop.

Featured adoptable pet of the week:

If there was such a thing as an “Arkansas Water Dog” Jazz would be the breed standard! Jazz arrived at the shelter as an abandoned stray and decided that as long as she’s there she’s going to have a good time! This girl is the life of the party, happily playing with the other dogs and engaging the attention of all the volunteers at the shelter! Jazz is all puppy – bouncy, happy and goofy! But she’s also very smart and will thrive in a home that will put her intelligence to good use. She absolutely LOVES the water and will be happy to be your boating and/or swimming buddy this summer! We guess she’s just under a year old, she’s healthy and already spayed. We can’t be certain she’s pure (even though she looks it), but she’s 100% pure fun!

For more information on this week’s adoptable pet, please click this link.

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Bringing Home a New Pet

Animals at your local shelter are just waiting for someone like you to give them a new home. When you first visit the shelter, there are many mix breeds and purebreds. Purebreds account for 25 to 30 percent of a shelter’s population. In order to make a good match between you and your new pet evaluate your lifestyle. Speak with an adoption counselor or a professional trainer to evaluate the dog and his/her personality. Another advantage to shelter adoptions is that the fees are usually much less than adoption from a pet store or breeder. When researching animal shelters online, you can view the adoptive dogs and cats. National websites are www.petfinder.com, www.pets911.com, and www.adoptapet.com.

More info on how you can help make a difference in the lives of homeless animals can be found in our post on ways to help save homeless pets.

Moving Into New Home

Dogs

Our new best friends require special care when making a new transition. This is especially true when you’re moving into a new home or transitioning from a home into an apartment. When taking the steps to help your pet adjust keep him/her leashed while outside and allow them to explore supervised inside the home. Transition their bed and toys (scent) into the new home before arriving with them, this will help them recognize they have been here and adjust to their new surroundings quicker. Your dog should be introduced to new walks in the neighborhood and introduced to new dogs and people gradually in a neutral setting outside of your home and then gradually inside your home.

If possible, allow yourself and your new pet some time before you go back to work or start a new job. During the period of adjustment, start spending small amounts time away from your home, do not leave them full run of the house; allow only a limited area such as their crate or kitchen with baby gates.

If you cannot make these adjustments after adopting your new pet please consider hiring a pet sitter to come into your home to exercise your dog and/or contact a local doggy daycare center. Although, it may add up in fees, you can ask your pet sitter to spend more time with your dog initially, then slowly wean him/her back until he/she used to being alone.

Cats

Introduce your cat to their new home gradually, restricting to one room at first. Place the litter box, food and water in the same room. This gives the cat the chance to adjust to new smells and new pet friends in the house. After a few days of the pets adjusting to each other’s smells and show interest with each other, let them meet and greet with supervision.

If you need help transitioning with your new pet, please call a pet professional.

This tip was prodived by Mae Charron or K9 Attitudes.

Mae is an IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals) certified trainer and CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator. K9 Attitudes is a wonderful positive reinforcement based dog training company which provides in home one-on-one training with pets and their families around Fairfield County.

Mae Charron
K9 Attitudes, LLC
203-283-4878
www.k9attitudes.com

Got adoption tips?

I’d love to hear some of your thoughts or tips on adopting. Please leave a comment if you like this post or have a story about adopting your pup or kitty!

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How Can I Help?

There are lots of ways you can get involved and make a difference. Animal rescue organizations are always looking for volunteers, foster families and donations. There are tons of organizations out there that do animal rescue. From one person home-based operations to large facilities that help hundreds of dogs & cats in need. On our rescue page you can find more info and links to some of our favorite local rescue organizations around Fairfield, CT.

Don’t Buy… Adopt

If you or someone you know is looking for a new furry friend, we encourage you to consider adopting a homeless pet. By adopting you are truly saving a life and your new pal is sure to be eternally grateful. Check with your local animal shelter. Due to overcrowding, animals that end up there usually don’t have long before they are put down. Petfinder.com is a huge online database of adoptable pets. You can search by animal, breed and zip code. If you are looking for a specific breed of dog, this is a great place to start. We regularly feature an adoptable pet in our newsletter and on our website. We also have a Rescue Wall in the store that we update regularly.

Full House? Can’t Adopt?

If you’re not currently looking for a new pet or you can’t adopt, there are other ways to help. Rescue organizations are always looking for foster families who can provide temporary homes to pets while they coordinate a forever home for them. Puppies and kittens in foster care are usually adopted quickly so the commitment is not too long. If you can’t foster you can sponsor a pet by making a donation that will go to their care while they wait for the perfect home.

Spay & Neuter

The best way to help control animal overpopulation is to spay and neuter your dog or cat. In addition to helping prevent unwanted puppies and kittens there are also long-term health benefits to these procedures.  SPAY/USA, a program of North Shore Animal League America offers information on where to find affordable spay/neuter services. Consult your veterinarian for more info. Spread the word to your friends and family to do the same.

Donations welcome!

Shelters and rescues are usually non-profit organizations that depend on donations to help run them. Everything from pet food to office supplies are welcome. We collect donations of food and used pet supplies that we regularly deliver to local shelters. If you have some of the following items your welcome to drop them off at our store. We have a running offer where we’ll give you 10% off any new Collar or Lead with the donation of your pet’s old one.

Here’s a brief list of some specific items that are particularly useful:

• Pet food
• Pet supply store gift cards
• Collars and leads (new or used)
• Blankets and towels (new or used)
• Crates and cages
• Pet toys
• Financial donations to specific organizations

A quick google search for “animal rescue organizations” in your area will bring up plenty of results. You can contact theses organizations directly for more info or to make a donation.


That wraps up our animal rescue article. If anyone has any comments or would like to add anything, please leave a comment!

Related posts:

1. Adopting a New Dog or Cat