Holiday Foods

During the holiday season, it’s important to make sure that your pet doesn't consume dangerous foods. Sugary treats, turkey, and bones are all things that could injure your pet or make them ill if they’re consumed. We recommend warning your guests about the danger of handouts for your pet and keeping your pet in a separate area of the house during holiday festivities, for their own safety.

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

It’s National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, a time to say “thank you” for the great work they do! Donate food, volunteer your time, or just send a message saying “thanks.” It’s time the animal shelter knows how much we appreciate their kindness.

Autumn Safety Tips

Ah, fall—there's nothing like crisp, cool air, the first months of school and luscious foliage to get you excited for the changing seasons. Your pet, too, is probably welcoming the break from hot, sticky weather. But pet parents, beware—fall is also a time of lurking dangers for our furry friends. From household poisons to cold weather hazards, the season is a minefield! Here are some tips to keep your pet snug and healthy during the autumn months.

• The use of rodenticides increases in the fall as rodents seek shelter from the cooler temperatures by attempting to move indoors. Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets—if ingested, the results could be fatal. If you must use these products, do so with extreme caution and put them in places inaccessible to your pets. 
• It's back-to-school time, and those of you with young children know that means stocking up on fun items like glue sticks, pencils and magic markers. These items are considered “low toxicity” to pets, which means they're unlikely to cause serious problems unless large amounts are ingested. However, since gastrointestinal upset and blockages certainly are possible, be sure your children keep their school supplies out of paw's reach. 
• Training tip: If you and your pooch haven't been active outdoors in a while because of the summer heat, do some remedial recall training. Dogs, like people, get rusty on their skills if they aren't using them. 
• Fall and spring and are mushroom seasons. While 99% of mushrooms have little or no toxicity, the 1% that are highly toxic (PDF) can cause life-threatening problems in pets. Unfortunately, most of the highly toxic mushrooms are difficult to distinguish from the nontoxic ones, so the best way to keep pets from ingesting poisonous mushrooms is to keep them away from areas where any mushrooms are growing. Contact your veterinarian or theASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately if you witness your pet eating a wild mushroom. 
• In order to generate body heat, pets who exercise heavily outdoors, or who live outdoors, should be given more food during colder seasons. Make sure horses and other outdoor animals have access to clean, fresh water that is not frozen. 
• Autumn is the season when snakes who are preparing for hibernation may be particularly “grumpy,” increasing the possibility of severe bites to those unlucky pups who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pet owners should know what kinds of venomous snakes may be in their environment—and where these snakes are most likely to be found—so they can keep pets out of those areas. 
• Many people choose fall as the time to change their car's engine coolant. Ethylene glycol-based coolants are highly toxic, so spills should be cleaned up immediately. Consider switching to propylene glycol-based coolants—though they aren't completely nontoxic, they are much less toxic than other engine coolants.

Capitol Illini Veterinary Services Celebrates 50 Years of Service

We are proud to announce that Capitol Illini Veterinary Services has been able to provide 50 years of service to our community! Since 1962, our facility has been here for all your pets veterinary needs! Thank you to all of our Facebook fans, our team and the community that supports us!

Today is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Today is National “Take Your Cat to the Vet” Day, so it’s a good time to schedule your cat’s next visit with us at Capitol Illini Veterinary Services. Many cats don’t get out of the house much, but it’s still important for them to come in and visit us at least once a year, and sometimes more if their a senior cat. Regular visits to us can help ensure that your pet remains healthy for years to come.

Tomorrow is International Homeless Animal Day

Did you know that tomorrow is International Homeless Animal Day, honoring pets in shelters? If you’re looking for a new pet, we encourage you to visit the shelter to consider adopting an animal in need. There are many great pets in shelters, just waiting for a second chance.

Pets & Camping Safety

Camping with your pet can be a fun adventure, but also a dangerous one! It’s important to be fully prepared for bringing a pet with you into the woods BEFORE you go. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on all parasite prevention, and be sure to pack plenty of food and water. If you’re filtering your water, don’t forget your pet needs filtered water too! And most importantly, check campground rules where you’ll be staying, because some campgrounds don’t allow pets because of the danger of large wild animals, like bears! Make sure you keep your pets and family safe, and have a great trip!

Over-the-Counter Medications & Pets

It’s important to keep your medicines out of your pet’s reach at all times, because human medication can be toxic to your pets! When your pet feels sick or is acting under the weather, never give them a human medicine, but bring them in for veterinary care instead. Even if you mean well, a dose of human medicine could be fatal to your pet.

Did you know?

Did you know…dogs can smell 44 times better than humans! Can you even imagine how amazing a steak must smell to a dog?

Woofstock 2012 this Saturday!

Join Homeward Bound Pet Shelter for the 7th annual Woofstock on Saturday, June 16 from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Macon Resources - 2121 Hubbard Avenue, Decatur. 

Tons of dog-gone fun for the entire family!  All indoor event!

• Rescued Paws on Parade - 10:00am** (Free Bandanas to the first 100 dogs who register.  Please register BEFORE the event by calling Jenny at 875-1910 or email hbpsevents@maconresources.org )
• Pooch Parade - 11:00am (Best Dressed, Owner Look-A-Like, Best Trick Contests).  Register AT the event!  Free retractable leash to the first 100 dogs who register, compliments of State Farm Agent Melanie Schelling.
• Demonstrations by Decatur Obedience Training Club - 9:15, 12:15
• Vendors - Arts & Crafts and Pet Friendly
• Food
• Pizza samples from Papa Murphy's Take N Bake Pizza
• Fido Fotos by Decatur Camera Club - $20 (New Holiday Backdrop!)
• Microchipping - $20
• Meet WAND Storm Center 17's RADAR
• Goody Bags to the first 300 dogs
• TV Raffle winner announced at 1:00pm.  All 500 tickets have been sold!  

**If you are a Shelter Dog or Rescue Dog, we invite you to strut your stuff in the Rescued Paws on Parade at 10:00.  Reserve your spot by emailing: hbpsevents@maconresources.org or call Jenny at 875-1910.
$5 per person; children 12 & under free.  Your precious must be on a leash and up to date on vaccinations.  FREE HOT DOG with paid admission!
Woofstock t-shirts will be on sale at the event!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

• Pete's Memorial Fund
• Sloan Implement
• BKD, LLP
• Gallagher Benefit Services
• Pawsitively Pets Animal Hospital
• Striglos
• Brush College Animal Hospital
• Northgate Pet Clinic
• JL Hubbard Insurance & Bonds
• Pet Sitter Services of Decatur
• Rogards Office Plus
• Jerry Logan Salon
• ADM Alliance Nutrition
• Bourbon Barrel Bar & Grill
• Cromwell Radio Group
• Papa Murphy's Take N Bake Pizza
• Herald & Review
• Wood Printing

World Pet Memorial Day

Today is World Pet Memorial Day. The benefits of having pets are too numerous to count. They are our companions, our friends, and to some they are even considered family, but the one downfall of being a pet owner is that a vast majority of pets have a much shorter lifespan than their human companions. Today is a day to remember those departed pets and celebrate the time you had with them. What is the happiest memory you have of a departed pet?

Pet Appreciation Week

It's Pet Appreciation Week! Our pets do a lot more for us than provide unconditional love, they help us relieve stress and encourage us to exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control, pets can decrease your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol and increase your opportunities for socialization. Take the time to celebrate your pet and the human-animal relationship you share this week!

Top 10 Things To Do Before You Bring Home Your New Cat

Congratulations, the cat's out of the bag! You've just entered into a wonderful relationship that's bound to be filled with fun and affection. By starting off on the right foot—that is, by being well-prepared for your new arrival—you can move through that rocky adjustment period most new relationships go through and get right down to the lovin'!

1. Make Sure Everyone In The House Is Prepared To Have A Cat

Talk to your family members before bringing a new cat home. Make sure everyone knows that the fun begins only after kitty feels safe and her needs are met. Once you're sure everyone is ready for feeding, litter changing and grooming, you can divvy up chores among family members so everyone is prepared to care for kitty before she arrives.

2. Do You Know What Your Cat Is Trying To Tell You?

The average cat has a vocabulary of more than 16 different sounds, including purring, howling, hissing and meowing—not to mention a wide-range of playful and serious body language. Taking a glance at our Cat Care section will help you understand your cat's behavior before you're faced with her mysterious cat calls, pouncing and nocturnal romps.

3. Stock Up On Supplies Before Kitty Arrives

Have all of your cat's needs ready so she can get right down to the business of making herself at home. Kitty will need:

• A litter box and the brand of litter she's been using
• Food and water bowls and the food she's used to eating
• A sturdy, rough-textured scratching post—at least three feet high—that allows her to stretch completely while scratching
• Safe, stimulating toys. Hint: If you give her toys that make noises, you'll know when she's playing.
• A bed lined with a soft, warm blanket or towel
• Grooming tools: a high-quality brush and nail clipper are a good start

4. Identity Is Key

Proper identification is a necessity. If your kitty is indoors-only, an ID tag or implanted microchip will help ensure she'll be returned to you if she gets out and can't find her way home. A safety collar with an elastic panel will allow your cat to break loose if the collar gets caught on something. We caution against letting cats outdoors, but if you do—or if a window or door is left open—a safety collar and an ID tag may be what bring your missing cat home.

5. A Room Of One's Own

Choose a low-traffic room your kids and other pets don't frequent—this will be your cat's safe space to sniff, eat, scratch and play while she gets her bearings. Arrange her food and water bowls, bed and litter box—and scatter her toys around. You can even clean off a windowsill for her and have soft music playing. She'll appreciate the chance to feel out her new family from inside her haven.

6. Routine Behavior

Give your cat a little structure to lean on. For the first few weeks, provide him with the same kind of food and feeding schedule he had before living with you—and give him the same brand of litter, too, for a familiar scent and feel on his paws. Later on, if you wish to switch to different products, you can make a slow transition.

7. What's New, Pussycat?

With a whole new life in store for her, Kitty will need some time and space to check out her surroundings and all of her new play things. Give her time alone in her room to get comfortable before you come in to play with her. If you have other pets, it's a good idea to leave your new cat in her own room for a few days will allow the other animals in the house to get used to her sounds and scent. (Hint: Watch from the door to see how she leaves her carrier. Whether she pussyfoots into a dark corner or zooms out into the room, you'll know how she feels about her new surroundings.)

8. Introducing Kitty To The Pack

Go slow at first. A cat may need seven to fourteen days to relax into her new environment. If you have kids, let them introduce themselves one at a time. Hold up on the meet-and-greets with friends, neighbors and relatives until your kitty is eating and eliminating on a normal schedule. If you have other pets, don't let your new addition have free run of the house. This is the territory of the animals who have lived with you already. Allow all of your pets to meet in the new cat's territory—and make sure you're there to supervise.

9. Cat-Proof Your Home

When your cat is ready to explore the rest of her new home (for short excursions at first), be sure to get rid of stray items she might chew on or swallow, like toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. Pens and pencils may need to be kept in drawers. You may also have to tape wires to baseboards and put caps on outlets.
Put away harsh cleaning products, human medications and household poisons, and rehome any houseplants that might be toxic to her. Make sure foods that aren't healthy for a cat's tummy are placed securely out of reach.

10. Visit The Vet Within Her First Week

Last but not least, bring your new feline to a caring veterinarian for a wellness exam within one week after adoption. Make this appointment even before you bring your kitty home.

Open House Adoption Event @ Animal Control

We hope that you'll attend the Open House Adoption Event at Animal Control this Saturday May 19th from 10:30am to 2:00pm. All adoption fees reduced! Visit www.friendsofac.org for more details about Saturday's adoption event!

Pets & Cookouts

Did you know that some of the most common foods we eat during our cookouts are the most dangerous foods for our pets? Meat with bones in it, such as chicken and ribs, are extremely dangerous for our pets to get a hold of bones can puncture the stomach and other organs if swallowed because they cannot be digested. Corn-on-the-cob can also be dangerous because dogs have been known to swallow the cob whole! What do you do to keep your dog busy with something else during the barbeque?

Pets & Easter Chocolate

Chocolate is delicious to most of us, but for your pet, it's a different story. Chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and methylxanthines (a caffeine-like ingredient), which can cause flu-like symptoms in your pet if eaten. Some of these symptoms could include vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, seizures and in severe cases it can be fatal. Avoid endangering the life of your pet...give them pet-safe treats instead!

It's Poison Prevention Week!

It's Poison Prevention Week and we want to warn you that some common foods can be poisonous to your pet. Foods such as avocado, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and even grapes are dangerous for your pets! We encourage you to invest in some delicious, pet-safe treats and avoid feeding any table scraps to your pet, in order to avoid accidental poisoning. If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the foods listed, note the amount ingested and call us right away. 

Click the link for a list of people foods that can be dangerous to your pets!