May 13, 2013

This year, Larimer Humane Society will be hosting our 23rd Annual Fire Hydrant 5, 5K Walk/Run and Pet Expo at Edora Park on Saturday, June 8th. This important Fort Collins event is the community’s largest outdoor fundraiser for homeless pets in northern Colorado. We’d love for you to join us as we lace up our running shoes, leash-up Fido, and raise money and awareness for the stray, orphaned, and injured animals we care for!

While many Fort Collins 5K walk/runs ask you to leave your pooch at home, the Fire Hydrant 5 encourages you to bring your furry friends along.  This year we are expecting over 850 participants and 600 dogs with the hopes of raising more than $72,000 for the animals in need.

Not only is Fire Hydrant 5 one of the most affordable Fort Collins races, but we also like to think it’s one of the most fun! Along with this Fort Collins 5K is a Pet Expo, featuring fun activities for the whole family including the Second Chance Dog Show with contests like the Skippy Scarfdown, Frankfurter Face Flop, and Doggie Dopplegangers, plus Fido photos, paw painting, and over 60 pet- and family-friendly vendor booths.

How to get involved:

Pre-registration for the event will run through June 6th, and is $30.00 for all ages. Event day registration will open at 7:30am at Edora Park and is $35.00. Register online or by calling (970) 530-2945 to request a registration packet be mailed to you. The first 850 registered participants for this Fort Collins 5K will receive a commemorative event t-shirt, plus a goodie bag filled with coupons and gifts from our sponsors.

If you have co-workers or friends also interested in participating in Fire Hydrant 5, consider forming a team! Individuals registering on a team receive a $5.00 discount on their registration fee, bringing the total cost to participate down to just $25.00 per person. Teams must consist of 5 or more (human) participants, and can work together to earn great prizes and awards for categories including Largest Team, Highest Pledge-Raising Team, and Best Dressed Team.

Raise Pledges to Help the Animals!

Unlike many other Colorado races, the Fire Hydrant 5 offers participants the opportunity to raise pledges and earn great prizes. Ask your friends, family, or colleagues to support your fundraising efforts, and you’ll be rewarded with gifts ranging from a carabiner flashlight to commemorative Fire Hydrant 5 logo wear. Each Fire Hydrant 5 participant will have access to their own customizable fundraising webpage for the event where you can collect donations, email friends and family, and post photos and stories of the animals that have inspired your life!

We know there are many events in Fort Collins this summer, and we hope you’ll consider adding Larimer Humane Society’s Fire Hydrant 5 to your list to attend!

April 15, 2013

Longer days and warmer temperatures mean people are getting anxious to start on their lawns, flowerbeds and gardens. That often involves pesticides, fertilizers and other gardening products. These may be beneficial to your plants and trees, but not so beneficial to your pets. If you already have a cat or dog or are planning to adopt a shelter cat or dog, make sure you “pet-proof” your yard.

Fertilizer

Some fertilizers that seem safe for your pets, may not only be harmful but can actually attract them. Two such cases are bloodmeal, and bonemeal, which are used as organic fertilizer. Animals often find them tasty but if they eat enough it can cause GI problems or worse. Fertilizers containing organophosphates or carbamates are harmful to cats and dogs. Check all product labels to make sure they are pet-safe.

Many fertilizers are basic gastrointestinal irritants. However, some are often combined with dangerous chemicals and compounds called organophosphates or carbamates, which can be harmful to pets.

Insecticides and Pesticides

Products used to control pests and weeds should not be used around your pets or at least should be used carefully. Keep them safely stored and make sure you let the application dry according to instructions before you let Rover out to romp. The same goes for insect and rodent baits. They can be toxic to your pet.

Insect Pests

If you find any harmful insect or spider nests you may need to remove it if it poses a threat to your pet. Wasp or poisonous spider bites are just as painful for your dog as they are for you.

Miscellaneous Chemicals

If your springtime work includes cleaning out the garage, keep a close eye on your animals. Most garages have harsh cleaners, paint products, antifreeze, insulation and other harmful substances.

It’s all mostly common sense—if you wouldn’t want your child around it, it’s probably not safe for your pet either. Both kids and pets require your constant vigilance to keep them safe. But remember, your dog and cat can get into places that children can’t, so check the yard with a pet’s eye view.

April 8, 2013

Spring is here and that means more focus on outside activities. It can also mean more opportunities for your pets to get into things that can be harmful. From certain plants to fertilizers to household cleaners, many items around your home can be toxic or even fatal. Your best defense is to arm yourself with knowledge so you can keep your pet safe and healthy all summer long. In this post, we’ll focus on dangerous plants. In a future post we’ll talk about other common backyard dangers.

Spring means plants sprouting up all over and although they may look and smell pretty, they can be tempting for your pet to taste. And not all are pet friendly. Here a few of the more common dangerous plants. You can find a more complete list, with pictures, on the ASPCA website:

• Lilies and daffodils are common this time of year, but they can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. Pets can experience vomiting and lethargy and eventually kidney failure.
• Grapes cause lethargy, vomiting and possible kidney failure when a dog eats enough. Watch out for grapevines in the yard or on hikes.
• Mushrooms and toadstools tend to pop up in yards along with the spring rains. Some are highly toxic to cats and dogs so it’s easiest to avoid them all. Keep a close eye on your yard to catch these plants before your pet does.
• Azaleas are a common ornamental landscaping shrub. In addition to stomach upset and drooling, this plant can cause lack of coordination, paralysis and even death if your pet eats its leaves.
• Castor bean can burn your pet’s mouth, and its seeds can be fatal if swallowed.

So do a thorough search of your yard and areas where your pet has access. Now that you know what plants can harm your pet, avoid planting them where your pet (or other pets) can get to them. Or better yet, don’t plant them at all.

March 15, 2013

It’s that time again! The annual kitten explosion is beginning. With mating season on the horizon, now is an excellent time to rescue a kitten from your local animal shelter. Larimer Humane Society typically has dozens of kittens for adoption in the spring time. If it’s been awhile since you’ve shared your home with a cat, you might need some kitty training yourself. Here’s a quick refresher about what you need to have ready when you bring your new adoptee home.

What’s for Dinner?

Use food and water bowls that are stable enough that your kitty can’t knock them over. Buy a high-quality kitten food. Kittens under a year old require up to three times the calories as adult cats. Your vet can recommend a good brand of kitten food that provides adequate calories and nutrients. Make sure the dog can’t get to the cat food, or he’ll start packing on pounds while the kitten goes hungry.

I Gotta Go!

Provide a convenient litter box so your new pet can relieve herself. Make sure the box is shallow enough to allow a tiny kitten to crawl into. Fill it with kitten litter and make sure you get a scoop so you can keep the litter clean. Cats will often refuse to use a dirty litter box so save yourself some extra clean-up by keeping the box fresh.

Idle Claws are the Devil’s Handy Work 

There’s nothing more playful and fun to watch than a little kitten. Provide plenty of toys that encourage interaction. Feather toys, balls and windup toys bring hours of fun for you and your feline. A carpeted cat tower provides a place to climb, a place to perch and a place to sharpen her claws. Strategically placed scratching posts provide not only fun and nail trimming services, they can be lifesavers for your drapes and couch cushions and a great resource for training kitty what’s appropriate to scratch or not.

Stay Healthy

Schedule a checkup so your vet can check overall health, check for internal parasites and vaccinate your kitten against dangerous feline diseases. This is a good time to ask any cat health or behavior questions and ask the vet or technician to show you how to trim your kitty’s nails.

Congratulations on your decision to add a lovable furball to your family. You are in for a lifetime of laughter and love!

February 27, 2013

In a previous post, I discussed the benefits of adopting an older dog from an animal shelter. But one reason some people are reluctant to choose a mature dog over a puppy comes from believing in the old adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” You’ll be pleased to know that’s just not true. 

Barring physical limitations, an adult dog can be trained to do anything a younger one can. They may learn at a slower rate, but they remain eager and able to learn their entire lives. And continuing to learn new things keeps your dog’s mind and body fit.

If you’re new to dog training, you might want to use a professional trainer or take your dog to an obedience class. This will help you assess how much the dog already knows and you can learn proper training techniques. In general, methods are the same for any age dog, although it’s harder to gain and keep a young pup’s attention, so it can be frustrating. Older dogs have had years of experience learning to please their owners and will concentrate on you to determine what you want.

Whether you’re teaching basic manners or complex tasks or tricks, here are a few things to keep in mind during your training sessions:

• Patience and consistency are imperative. Use unique commands and hand signals for each desired behavior.
• Reward desired behavior with a treat, or praise, or both. The only punishment should be a firm “No” and withholding the reward.
• Commands should be short—one or two words, and never repeat a command when your dog doesn’t obey. For a command such as sit, you can gently help your pet into the position and immediately reward. 
• Start slowly with basic obedience skills until you gain your dog’s trust.

Remember, learning is a lifelong experience. So if you decide to make a home for an older dog, make lessons and learning a priority in your new friend’s life, and you will have a happy, bright and alert companion for many years.