Adoption ‘tAils’

A-8 The News, Monday, January 10, 2011

By Bev Greco

CCSPCA executive director

Once again, Mother Nature has bestowed upon us the gift of a snowy win-ter … ‘Ain’t We Got Fun’?!

And, once again, it is only the second week of January and my animals are already suffering symptoms of cabin fever and fits of pique.

Although I have shoveled a double lane track through the yard, with a few wid-ened “comfort stations’’ along the way, they refuse to get off the deck without my prodding and cajoling.

As if it’s not bad enough that my yard looks like a hamster habitrail, I also have to run the maze myself to try to drum up a little enthusiasm, much to the amuse-ment of my neighbors I’m sure!

OK, enough whining.Although we should all qualify as snow

“professionals’’ after this past year, I should remind you of a few things.

Rock salt can be harmful to your pet’s pads and digestive system.

Pets that ingest rock salt can suffer symptoms ranging from excessive saliva-tion to seizures and even death.

Both the ice and the salt can cause injury to their pads.

Make sure you check their paws after outdoor activity and rinse or wipe them with warm soapy water if they’ve been walking in the street.

Even if your street is not salted or brined, it can be spread from the tires of cars coming in off the major roads.

The previous winter was rough on out-door pets and this one is shaping up to being very similar.

Check their shelters for leaks and drafts.

Make sure they are up off the ground and provide adequate bedding, such as

straw.If you feed stray or

feral cats, please make sure they have a place where they can curl up out of the weather.

All outdoor hous-ing should be just big enough for the animal to stand up, turn around and lay down comfort-ably.

This will help them maintain their body heat.

Frozen water is also an issue.Keep water bowls in the sun, check

them a few times a day and, if necessary, obtain an outdoor water heater.

Our friends at places like Dare’s, Gar-roppo’s and Lattore’s can help you with safe heat sources for keeping your outdoor pets warm.

I also want to remind you that the health department is hosting free rabies clinics throughout the county for the next few months.

Vineland held their first one this past weekend, but the snow made it difficult for people to get out.

The clinics usually go on regardless of weather conditions.

Call the Cumberland County Health Department or your municipal building for schedule information.

Keep in mind that you can attend any clinic. You do not have to be a resident of the town the clinic is held in.

Finally, if you see animals that might be at risk, please call us right away.

Let us check it out before the storms or the extreme conditions hit.

To report animal cruelty or neglect, call the Cumberland County SPCA at (856) 691-1500.

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Shelter Needs: Canned dog food, puppy chow, hot dogs or cheese sticks (for medicating), sponge mops, bleach, heavy duty gallon buck-ets, lint rollers, gift cards from grocery, pet and hardware stores.

—Pets of the Week

CatsALDI is a sweet, 10-month-old, male

brown tabby. He is extremely friendly and rolls around to get your attention. Aldi has nice short hair and is quite handsome.

BINX is a 10-month-old, domestic short-haired cat with a gorgeous black coat. He is very sweet and very much in need of a home. Black cats are the most difficult cats to find homes for and our pretty boy Binx is just one of several black cats available for adoption at the shelter.

EMMA is a very pretty, 6-month-old calico kitten. She is a darling cat that is friendly and affectionate. Stop in and meet sweet Emma, she may just steal your heart!

HENRY is an 8-month-old gray and white cat with lots of personality. He is very cooperative when being handled and loves to be petted. This nice young cat is a people lover just waiting for a family of his own!

HEATHER is a quiet, 1- to 2-year-old dilute torti. She is a nice girl, that is always cooperative with the staff and has a sweet, easygoing personality. Heather has a nice short coat in soft grey, tan and white.

They don’t get any handsomer than 3-year-old LOGAN. He has a gorgeous silvery gray and white coat and is a real people lover. Henry loves attention and is friendly with everyone.

DogsVALENTINO is an adorable, 1-year-old

Chihuahua mix. He is sweet and friendly and a little on the shy side until he gets to know you. Valentino is a great little guy, please consider giving him the loving home he deserves.

DAZZLE is a darling 5-month-old pit bull terrier mix puppy. She is playful and friendly and loves people. Dazzle is very pretty, has lots of personality and gets along well with other dogs. Come visit us at the CCSPCA and get to know Dazzle, she may just steal your heart!

RICHARD is a 1- to 2-year-old, neu-tered Pekingese. He is a nice little guy that gets along well with other dogs. This good looking young dog will make a nice little companion.

OSWALD is a nice, 9-year-old mixed breed. He is mild mannered and good natured and gets along well with other dogs. Oswald’s nice medium size and the fact that he is well past all the puppy non-sense, makes him a great find for anyone looking for a good companion dog. Visit us at the CCSPCA and get to know Oswald, you may just fall in love!

JANGLES is a very nice, 2-year-old large hound mix. He is a sweet, good natured guy that likes people and loves attention. He is a big boy with a big heart and a lifetime of love to give! Please con-sider giving Jangles the second chance he needs.

WAGS THE DOG is a friendly, fun lov-ing 1-year-old poodle and lab mix (a Lab-radoodle). He was a well loved family pet that was housebroken and good with kids but was released for adoption because his family did not have the time to give Wags the training he needed. He will need good daily exercise and an owner who is com-mitted to teaching him basic doggy man-ners. This big, lovable guy has the poten-tial to be a wonderful family pet.

ALDI

WAGS THE DOGJANGLESOSWALDRICHARDDAZZLEVALENTINO

LOGANHEATHERHENRYEMMABINX

Urgently in need ...

of a loving, forever home!

DEMI is a very sweet, 8-month-old pit bull terri-er mix. She was released for adoption along with her litter of six puppies.

The puppies are now weaned and this young

dog is hoping for a forever home of her own. Demi is semi-housebroken, having only occasional accidents.

She is friendly and fun loving and good with

other dogs. This sweet girl is little more than a pup,

please give her the second chance she deserves.

GYPSY is a 2-year-old, spayed calico tabby. She

was released for adoption by her owner along with

five other cats. Gypsy misses her owner and

is hoping that someone will choose her to be

their forever friend. She is friendly and easygo-ing and likes attention. Please consider giving

Gypsy the loving forever home she deserves.

We Offer: • Heated & Air-conditioned Indoor/Outdoor Runs • Quiet Room just for Cats with No Dogs • Grooming by Appointment or while Boarding • Training & Supplies

Hours:Mon., Tues., Thurs.7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wed., Sat.8:00 am - 3:00 pmFri. 7:00 am - 5 pm

Closed Sunday

If your pet is not becoming to you...He should be coming to us!

Located just 8 miles west of BridgetonIn Stow Creek Township

348 JERICHO ROAD (Rt. 624)

856-451-0350742755

Tips to keep your pets healthy in winter weather

Submitted by Linda Eisenberg

This is Chrissy (short for Chrysanthemum), who I adopted in June 2010.

I wanted an older, black cat simply because I knew they were as adoptable as those cute little kittens and I wanted a senior to have a chance. She came right to the door of the cage and the rest is history.

Chrissy is an 8-year-old Persian and the most gen-tle, loving cat I have ever met. She loves to be held and will sit in my arms for hours if I let her. Her favor-ite thing is rubbing her nose against my face and that’s how I know she needs a little more cuddling.

She joins Daisy, an akita/labrador mix who I adopted four years ago at the age of 3, and Lily, my former senior cat who is now 6.

Just recently we added Simba, a feral kitten who

was very sick but is now the life of the party.

Adopting an older animal is so very rewarding and I wouldn’t do it any differ-ently. Whoever thought I’d have three cats.