New Years Eve Pet Tips

Christmas is over and now New Year's Eve is right around the corner! I'm sure you are thinking perfect ..... a night of parties, bubbly, and celebration! But while you get ready to go out and ring in the new year, don't forget to set your pets up for a safe and secure evening as well. Below are some tips to keep in mind while you celebrate the start of 2010.

1. Be observant of your animal’s response to loud noises. If you are hosting a New Years Party, make sure your pets are placed in a comfortable area that is separate from the activities. Make sure they have plenty of water and are comfortable. When possible, refrain from keeping them outside, as fireworks and other neighbors celebrating can lead to the same ruckus and worry.

2. Always keep your pet’s tags on. In the case they do get spooked and bolt for an open door or gate, an ID tag will be imperative to getting them home safely.

3. Beware of alcohol! Many pets can be drawn to glasses of beer or liquor that has been left behind after the celebration is over. Consumption of alcohol can be highly dangerous for animals, and even deadly. Make sure to thoroughly clean up the area before you allow your pets to enter. Always keep a close eye on them, and never give them any alcohol as a treat or joke.

4. Be aware of party decorations. Balloons, streamers, party hats or confetti can be unhealthy for an animal if ingested. While decorating for your party, keep the animals in a separate area where they do not have access to the decorations. If they do get into them, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Some days I wish that our Christmas here in Tennessee would look like the day in this picture. Getting up early and visiting a bunch of the dogs I am pet sitting for this holiday in the snow .... doesn't it sound amazing! I imagine the dogs running around all "jazzed up" from the cold flakes on their paws, and the cats curled up on their ledges looking out from the warm house onto the winter wonderland. But in all actuality, snow brings its whole set of problems from slippery driveways, blocked streets, and a head full of worries for both the owners and the pet sitter. So I will take the Christmas forecast for Tennesee this year, highs in the upper 40s with a change of precipitation in the morning ... precipitation in the form of rain that is, not snow! Happy Holidays to all!

Free Tickets to Tennessee Smokies Games!

Want a free ticket to a Tennessee Smokies Game?  Now through August, if you adopt a pet from the Young-Williams Animal Center on a Tuesday or Wednesday you will receive a ticket to a Knoxville Smokies home baseball game.  

Now of course I don't recommend adopting a pet just to get free tickets!  But if you are thinking about adding a new furry friend to your family why not do it on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.  A new best friend + a free ticket to a baseball game = a big Home Run!!

Help with What You Have

Did you know that the Young-Williams Animal Center provides a fresh litter box daily to the kittens and cats staying with them.  And did you know that you probably have laying around your office or house exactly what they need to provide these litter boxes!  They have found that the very best litter box is a donated cardboard tray!

Litter Boxes Can be Made From:

* Cardboard trays that hold cases of canned pet food or soda 

(found at super centers wholesalers, and other retailers)

* Regular boxes cut down to litter box size

So take a look around and see if you can find any of these items!  They can be donated directly to the Young Williams Animal Center:

M-F 11-7

Sat 11-5

Sun 1-5 

Bully Bonanza

This Saturday, May 30, The Bully Bonanza is taking place at Market Square, hosted by the Farmer's Market and presented by the East Tennessee Pit Bull Rescue.  At this event you will find dog trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians to answer your questions about your dog - pit bull or any other breed!  You'll also see weight pulls and agility demonstrations, lots of educational materials, and even some dogs available for adoption. 

The event lasts from 9am-2pm and all proceeds go to the East Tennessee Pit Bull Rescue.  They will have some great T-shirts on sale as well.  So bring a donation and an open mind, and come out to support a very misrepresented breed that needs all the support that it can get!   

Wag n' Walk - Saturday, May 30

Looking for something fun to do with the kids now that school is out?  Head out to Wag n' Walk this Saturday, May 30 at Young-Williams Animal Center.  To celebrate their 5th anniversary, the center is hosting a one mile walk for people and pets.  There will be doggie sundaes, customized dog tags, dog toys, and post-walk refreshment for all entrants.  Kids will also have the opportunity to participate in craft activities.  

The Wag 'n Walk starts at 10am with a entry donation of $10 until 5/29 and $12 day of the event.  Dogs should be on a non-retractable leash and display a current rabies tag.  And starting at 11am the first five adult pet adoptions are free!

So come on out and support Young-Williams Animal Center and maybe even take a new furry friend home with you!  Check out their website for more information.

Airlines gone to the Dogs ... and Cats Too!

Pet Airways has become the new solution for pet owners who need to transport their pets around the United States but cannot bear the thought of their pets being a part of the cargo.  This is an idea that I have always thought would be a great idea, and I hope that Pet Airways is successful!

Here's how it works:

1. Drop your pet off at the Pet Lounge in the airport.  You have to check your pet in 2 hours before takeoff.  You can even check them in up to 72 hours before the flight and your pet will be boarded at the PAWS Lodge.

2. The amount of time since your pet's last potty break is monitored so that every pet is given adequate potty breaks along the way.  The care of their "pawsengers" is their first priority, rather than how quickly it takes them to get somewhere.

3. Pets board the plane in their pet carriers with the help of Pet Attendants.

4. During flight a pet attendant check the comfort of all "pawsengers" every 15 minutes.

5.  After landing pets are given a potty break and then will be available for pickup at the Pet Lounge.  Once again they can be boarded at the PAWS Lodge if necessary.

So how much is all this going to cost you, you say??  Well, right now flights start in July with destinations to New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles, with introductory fares starting at $149 each way.  Here's hoping that a hub in Atlanta will appear in the near future, since I'm sure Knoxville won't be on the high priority list!

Get Your ASPCA Free Pet Safety Pack

I just got my ASPCA Free Pet Safety Pack that I had requested a few weeks ago from ASPCA's website. They will send you a pet rescue window decal alert that can be posted on your door or window to let rescue personnel know that there are pets inside your home. The pack also includes an Animal Poison Control Center magnet for those times when your pets get into something that they shouldn't!

So take the opportunity to request a free pack for yourself and your pets. Simply follow this link and fill out the mailing information. Your pets will thank you!

Help Young-Williams Animal Shelter Win The Shelter Challenge

Knoxville's Young-Williams Animal Shelter is participating in the The Animal Rescue Site's Shelter Challenge.  The shelter or rescue group with the most votes will be awarded the grand prize of  a $20,000 grant.  There will also be smaller grants up for grabs, including a $1,000 grant awarded weekly to the group with the most votes that week.

Visit the Animal Rescue site DAILY and vote for Young-Williams Animal Shelter, or your favorite animal welfare agency, until the contest ends on July, 26.  You know they deserve it!!

Last Day of Kroger Donation Drive

Heading out to go grocery shopping at Kroger today? Why not buy a little extra peanut butter and donate it to some animals in need without ever leaving Kroger.

Krogers throughout Knoxville have been hosting a donation drive to benefit the Young-Williams Animal Center. Today is the last day of the Kroger drive, but of course Young-Williams always welcomes donations brought to their center.


So when you go to Kroger today bring along one (or more!) of the requested items:
- dog and cat toys
- peanut butter
- towels and blankets (used or new)
- stuffed animals (used or new)

Roller Derby to Benefit Young Williams Animal Shelter

Did you know that Knoxville has a woman roller derby league?  Hard Knox Rollergirls was founded in January of 2006 and represents women in all walks of life from student to wife to mother.  They are part of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association which hosts "Bouts" for its member roller teams.

This weekend on Saturday, May 16 there will be a double header roller derby bout at the Knoxville Convention Center.  The doors open at 4pm and action will start at 5pm.  The host Hard Knox Rollergirls will take on Midwest and ROCK roller teams. 

So how does all of this benefit the Young Williams Animal Shelter you ask!?!  Bring along any of the following items to donate to the animal shelter and you will receive $5 off admission, making your ticket only $10!

Items to Donate:

Kong or other durable dog toys

Dry and canned food for cats and dogs

Canned puppy and kitten food

Stuffed animals (new or used)

Cat toys

Old towels, sheets, and blankets

Greenies pill pockets

Check out the Hard Knox Rollergirls website for more information! 

Here Comes the Dog

Did you ever consider having your dogs as part of your wedding?  We certainly did, but in the end when you have 3 big dogs it becomes a bit of a planning predicament.  Who is going to be responsible for the dogs during the reception?  Will they be brave enough to walk the aisle with all the wedding guests around?

I think if we had only one dog we would have tried to make it work, but since we have 3 there is just no way we could have picked between them to include only one in the ceremony.  I'm sure they had much more fun chasing squirrel's on my parents' fenced 5 acres anyway!

Checkout this article from City Dog Magazine about real life couples who included their dogs in their weddings! 

Bark in the Park After Dark

Bark in the Park After Dark is coming up this Saturday at Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. From 4-9 pm on May 16th the Square will be filled with doggies and their people. My favorite part will come at 6pm when the Game for Dogs start. These include the sock hop, hula walk, lick off, costume contest, simon says, and Miss Bark in the Park. It's a $10 donation to participate in all 6 contests and $5 per single contest. Cross your fingers for some great weather this weekend!

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