Metro Animal Services currently has a high need for donations.  You can drop off cat litter, dry kitten or puppy food and cardboard cat carriers at their location during business hours.  Volunteer help and donations are greatly appreciated!

Metro has a new phone system and their phone number has changed.  Metro can now be reached at (253) 299-PETS.

MINDY – Six-year-old Mindy was found as a stray on March 22nd.  This petite dilute calico cat is a beautiful addition to any home but would be best suited for a home with adults or grown children.  Her independent ways and quiet nature make her a prime example of what a true cat is.  Although she likes her space, she is also extremely affectionate.  She would make a great lap cat for the right family.  Mindy is not a good fit for dog-owners, though will get along well with other cats as long as they are mellow and passive.

If you are interested in adopting Mindy or any of the other amazing pets at the animal shelter, please visit the shelter. Metro Animal Services is located in Puyallup’s South Hill area and open 6 days a week, Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturdays from 10am-4pm. Adoption fee is $99 and includes: micro chipping, spay or neuter, first vaccines and a one year pet license for incorporated areas.

Metro is always in need of cat litter and you can make your donation by stopping into the shelter during regular business hours.

Additionally, help is always welcome! If you are interested in volunteering your time or making donations to the animal shelter, you can find more information at www.metroanimalservices.org or by calling the shelter at (253) 299-PETS (7387).

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I became the owner of two kittens when someone whose cat had a litter could not find homes for two of them and I could not say no.

Living near woods, I thought I would raise the two of them to be outdoor cats and allow them to hunt for their own food. We lived in an area where there were mice, squirrels, rabbits and other animals for them to catch. Fresh water was always available to them from the streams and lakes nearby.

The cats and I were always together, both outdoors and indoors. We wandered in the woods together and they would drink from the nearby streams and lakes. Indoors, they would keep me company as I was at the sink and they would help themselves to the running tap water.

I started to investigate Cat Water Fountains when I had to be away from home for more than a day. My main concern was how the “boys” would get fresh water in the winter when the water froze. I could not leave the tap running all of the time.

I thought that the Cat Water Fountain would be the next best thing to a running stream. I wanted them to get used to the fountain and let it run whilst I was still at home. They were not interested in the fountain as I was still there to turn on the tap. They had me trained to turn it on whether I was at the sink or not. I decided not to turn the tap on and see if they would go to the fountain instead. It took some time but eventually, they started using the Cat Water Fountain. I now could leave home without the worry of where they would get fresh water.

I was convinced that the Cat Water Fountain was the best option for the cats in my absence. I used to watch them at the streams and observed how keen they were to drink from running water. A constant flow of water is exactly what the fountain provided. The water would not be stagnant and non-stagnant water is certainly a healthier choice.

I was extremely pleased with my decision to purchase a Cat Water Fountain. I was able to travel for a few days at a time and not have to worry if the cats were getting enough fresh water. It was a perfect solution.

Matt Rylie is a cat lover who wanted to share his experiences of purchasing a Cat Water Fountain for his cats with others. You can check out his website at Cat Water Fountains, where he provides the reasons he believed Cat Water Fountains were the best solution for his cats and for your cats Cats Like Fresh Water.

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So you have decided to lead an eco-friendly and green lifestyle. You know to conserve energy, recycle, compost, use natural household products, bring your own bag, and the like. But what about Fido and Fifi? How do they live green as well? Here are some tips for helping your pet “go green”:

-Are you in the market for a pet? Look at local shelters, the Humane Society, or classified ads first. Give a pet a new home, and avoid “puppy mills.”

-Spay or neuter your pet. Unwanted puppies and kittens often end up crowding shelters and/or increasing the population of feral animals.

-Look for all-natural or organic pet foods online or in your local pet store. Most pet food is made of animal by-products (by-products not even fit for human consumption). Look for FDA certification of food-grade meat on the package.

-Buy treats and food in bulk. You will save yourself trips to the store and probably save money as well.

-If you own a cat, switch to eco-friendly cat litter. Conventional cat litter is usually made of clay that is strip-mined, and contains harsh chemicals your pet shouldn’t even be standing in. Try litter made of recycled newspaper pellets.

-Buy eco-friendly toys for your pets. Avoid toys made of plastic, as these may eventually be chewed and swallowed.

-Use natural shampoos and soaps for your pet. Their shampoos often have the same chemicals as the human shampoos we “greenies” are supposed to avoid.
-Once in a while, an accident may happen. Don’t reach for the toxic carpet or floor cleaner. Use all natural products for pet stains and odors, or make a batch of your own from common household ingredients such as vinegar and water.

-Keep your cats indoors. Feral and outdoor pet cats are responsible for many wild songbird deaths. Plus, who really wants a dead robin as a gift on the door step?

-Use biodegradable dog poop bags. Since these droppings will either end up in a landfill or incinerated, it is better to have a biodegradable, plant-based bag instead of plastic.

-Avoid using pesticides or herbicides on your lawn. Your dog will collect the pellets or residue in his paws, and either drag them into the house or lick them–or both.

-Donate old pet beds, supplies, and good-condition toys to local animal shelters or veterinary clinics.

-Look for pet pest control products (tick, flea, worm treatments) with natural ingredients. Most control products contain harmful chemicals.

Hopefully these tips are attainable for those who want a green living household. Your pets are family members. Treat them to healthy, natural, safe products, food, and surroundings.

Britney Fuller is a writer who enjoys writing on a number of different verticals. For more on pets and green living, Ways to Go Green offers readers information on eco-friendly pet care.

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Dog and cat shots seem unusually plentiful or misused in the world of today. In past years whenever a pet got sick we did our best in the home to correct the illness and for the most part we were successful. However, if the condition worsened we did go to the vet.

Through the years veterinary science research has advanced and we are indoctrinated to run to the vet whenever we adopt or purchase a new pet or our pet becomes ill. Then it seems your puppy or kitten needs every immunization or vaccine medication to be given on a regular schedule throughout the life of the pet for preventative health maintenance.

I am not putting down the use of dog and cat shots as they have been wonderful to prevent or cure certain diseases. Some of us are questioning how many medicated shots are absolutely essential to maintaining good health.

An example in human health is the administration of antibiotics to where if too much is taken these medicines will not be of benefit when a person is critically ill.

Are you questioning the misuse of so many vaccines?

There can be adverse effects such as:

Autoimmune suppression or disorders
Infections
Health issues which would normally not have occurred
Failure of these medicines to immunize
Other side effects

At this point question the veterinarian of your choice as to his philosophies and knowledge, and you make the decision as to what you feel is an essential medication for your pet.

Take responsibility for the health of your pet:

Ask your vet many questions and have an understanding of side effects, risks, etc.
Ask your vet what vaccines are recommended, why, and how often it is really necessary
What medications and vaccinations are truly essential for your puppy or kitten?
Inform your vet if your pet is ill or suffers from allergies to help prevent the wrong vaccine being used
How often are rabies shots necessary?
Read and investigate what medications and vaccines are truly essential
A decision is made on your investigative results

With years of pet ownership and an aging dog I have truly questioned my veterinarian as to the number of booster and vaccinations shots which are absolutely necessary. It seems when you have a lack of funds and request only the minimum necessary vaccinations be done, less is needed either because the pet is getting older, the lifestyle of the pet has changed, or the shots are totally unnecessary.

There are veterinarians who are concerned of too many medications and vaccinations being given. With long-term studies and changes in pet science research, the frequency or type of vaccinations are changing.

Advocates of natural pet products and natural pet care are making strong requests against the misuse of dog and cat shots.

Knowledge for natural methods to keep your dog and cat healthy with alternative options are becoming increasingly available. You as the consumer now have choices of natural or scientific care for your pet care.

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Animals are always a comforting presence to have around. This is why many people choose to have pets. These animals act as a solace and help them overcome difficult times and ease the stress on their minds. However, like all living creatures, animals too require care and medical attention in order to live a long happy life. This is why many important veterinary services like the Allen vet have acquired prominence in recent times. These medical services help in identifying and treating the problems affecting pets and all animals and help them live a more comfortable life. Over the years, the advancement of science and technology has introduced a number of facilities to allow for better care for the best care of their animals. Hospitals like the Plano animal hospital has made it easier for people to have better health facilities for their animals.

Pets are a very important part of many people’s lives. Their care and selfless love makes even a difficult day look very easy. It has been observed that the presence of a pet can release the stress accumulated over the day. This is the reason why many people look to their pets for emotional support in times of crisis. However, it is important to note that animals should be treated and taken care of well to help them live a longer and happier life. There are services like the Mckinney vet services and Firstco vet services which have come up in recent times. These provide the animals with a number of quality facilities for taking care of the health and medical needs of these animals.

A veterinary practitioner needs to be qualified as well as understand the needs of the animal well. They need to maintain a good relation with the animal and help diagnose the problem. Another important factor is the experience of the veterinarian. Experienced services like the Plano vets can help in easing the pets during their sicknesses. When choosing facilities like these, it is important that owners check for the availability of medical facilities at the veterinary clinic. Facilities like transport and immediate care are crucial for the health of the animals. Clinics like the Firstco vet are known for their quality medical equipment and technology. This will help in making the pet’s life far more comfortable.

There are many factors that need to be checked before customers choose the right veterinary clinic for the needs of their animals. Experience plays a huge role in the treatment and diagnosis process. Any veterinarian with more experience in the field would be able to diagnose and provide medical solutions faster and more effectively. This is why it is always recommended that owners choose experienced services like the Mckinney vet in order to avail of the best facilities. Moreover, these services are easily accessible over the internet making them a popular choice for people who have less time in their schedules. It is easier to look for services like the Firstco vet online and find the right affordable and quality services for pets on the internet.

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Converting a house into a cat shelter is a wonderful way to give homeless cats shelter until they are able to be placed with their own family in a home. But while they are all there, an air purifier is a must to keep the air fresh and odor-free for your feline clients, the people that care for them, and for the potential owners who will visit. Here are 4 things your air purifier should be able to do in your cat house.

Remove Urine Odor—One of the most off-putting smells in the whole world is cat urine. And with a number of cats grouped together, who may or may not be used to using the litter box, the stench in the air can easily become overpowering. Eliminating this smell is directly related to the health of the kitties, the quality of your staff, and the quality of customers you will be able to attract who will adopt the kitties.

Carbon-based filters are the top pick for removing gaseous pollutants. But carbon alone will not remove the ammonia that is the predominant offender in urine. An additive to increase is ability to absorb the ammonia is a necessary part of the filter make-up.. Without it, the eye-stinging effects that urine can cause will not go away.

Eliminate Dander—-Dander is dead flakes of skin that are shed by all warm-blooded animals as newer healthier skin replaces it. Shedding is continuous as they move through they daily activities.. There is nothing you can do about this continual process except deal with it.

Clearing it from the air keeps felines and humans healthy. Because it is so small—2 to 5 microns in size–it can easily penetrate the inner tissue of the lungs and with continually inhalation of large amounts, it can cause nodules to form. Most often they are benign, but clearing the air reduces the amount available to be inhaled.

HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filters are the most effective at removing microscopic particles. By definition this type of filtration will remove 99.97% of particles as small as .3 microns in size with 99.97% efficiency. You know it must be effective if hospitals use it to filter their air..

Trap Cat Litter Dust—Your shelter is probably filled with litter boxes.. Between scratching, cleaning them, and adding to them, it can create quite a dust cloud. Your cleaner also needs to be able to effectively remove these big particles that can trigger coughing, sneezing, and other aggravating symptoms.

Large and medium particle pre-filters should be the first line of defense against big particles like these. These filters take them out of circulation for good while allowing the HEPA to stay clear for micrsopic pollutants such as dander, bacteria, and viruses..

Get the Hair Out Of the Air—The great volume of hair that can become airborne can easily be seen by looking closely at the air when the sun shines in through window. Without constant filtration, all the particles that you see will go into your body and the cats’ bodies and will make extra work for the lungs and liver to try to eliminate them.

The large pre-filters are excellent for removing these particles. And the good news is that dander often sticks to hair, and so by removing the hair you are also decreasing the amount of dander in the air as well.

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