Do You Have a Disaster Plan for Your Pets?

It's hurricane season in South Florida so there is no better time to review your emergency plans! Here is a great resource from the Humane Society which includes a checklist:

http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/disaster/disaster_preparedness_pets.pdf

Your Dog Recognizes Your Face...But in Pictures Too?!

If you have ever had a pet dog, you know for sure that they recognize who you are - that you are their person. Research has now taken things one step further and determined that they recognize you not only in real time but also in pictures! Now this is pretty impressive stuff. Here is a report from CBS news on the matter...



"Your dog may be able to recognize your face in a photo. That’s the latest from the University of Helsinki, which published the results of its study in the journal Animal Cognition this December.

According to Science News Daily, the researchers had dogs look at facial images of familiar humans (such as their owner) and other dogs in the family, as well as unfamiliar humans and dogs they’d never encountered. Then the researchers measured the dogs’ eye movements as they viewed the photos.

Scientists say that while the dogs viewed the faces of other dogs for longer than the human faces (backing up findings from previous studies), the canines studied also studied the faces of familiar humans for longer than unfamiliar ones.

Additionally, when the dogs were given upside-down photos of faces to view, they viewed those in much the same way that humans do. While the pups stared at the inverted pictures for just as long, they tended to focus more on the eye area of the upright photos.

“Familiar faces and eyes attracted more fixations than the strange ones, suggesting that dogs are likely to recognize conspecific [relating to the same species] and human faces in photographs,” the study’s authors conclude."

Pretty awesome huh! I know I have a new found appreciation of my dog's intelligence, how about you?

Michelle Brockman for
Jonah's Place


Link to original article: http://cbsloc.al/1fpVPnq
Photocredit: Denver Post file photo

Hoax…or Real Life Mutant?!

It IS a mutant!!!

 

A genetic mutant, that is…

Although there doesn’t seem to be anything special about the cat in this picture her genetic code would suggest otherwise. This orange cat is a…(dun dun dun)….female!! Most orange cats are male due to the genetic requirements that females have to ‘inherit’ the orange color. Ok, so maybe the word mutant is a wee bit strong, it’s really more like genetic lottery winner!

“For a female cat to be orange she must inherit two orange genes — one from her mother (orange, calico, or tortoiseshell) and one from her father (who must be orange). A male cat needs only one orange gene, which he gets from his mother (orange, calico, or tortoiseshell). This is because the gene that codes for orange fur is on the X chromosome, and like humans, females have two Xs and males are XY. Genes on the X chromosome are said to be sex-linked.”, says Dee Walter Kruleski, a professor of biology and cat enthusiast. Dee also says there is additional genetic coding required for the tabby striped pattern in orange cats which makes this kitty even more genetically special!

According to Dee, these are some of the basic genetic codes for determining the color and pattern of a cat’s fur:

• Agouti vs. non-agouti: Provides the lighter fur background with striped cats.
• Black vs. non-black
• Color deposition: Determines how pigment is deposited, and also affects eye color.
• Dilute vs. non-dilute: Gray is a diluted form of black and tan/beige is a diluted form of orange.
• Spotting: If two dominant genes are inherited, a cat will have white on more than 50% of their body. If a cat has one dominant and one recessive gene, then the cat will have white fur on less than 50% of their body. If she gets two recessive genes, there will be no white on the body!
• White vs. non-white: Just one white gene and the whole cat will be white! It is called a masking gene. A white cat could have the genetics to be a calico, black or any color cat but the white gene hides the other genes’ expression and the cat appears all white. White cats are not albinos unless they have red eyes. Albino cats are extremely rare and albinism is the result of color deposition and not the white gene.
• There are also genes for tabby stripping, silver tipping and seal-pointing.

All of this science and biology certainly makes you appreciate the beauty of your fanciful feline a little more, doesn’t it?

Michelle Brockman for

Jonah's Place 

www.JonahsPlace.org

References: Paws-and-Effect.com, Dee Walter Kruleski

The *OTHER* Use for Pumpkin…

Is it a Trick or a Treat?

As a pet owner you may have been faced before with the occasional canine or feline sick tummy. Upset stomachs can be just as uncomfortable for pets as they are for humans except there isn’t an over the counter remedy that is safe for them like there is for us. Or…is there?

One of our rescue kitties, Ruby, had a severe, and I mean severe case of diarrhea. Ruby was dewormed and checked out by the vet to make sure there was nothing else wrong. The vet gave her an injection to help but within 12 hours it returned with a vengeance! Since it was then after hours, I called our local emergency vet to get their suggestion. Since Ruby was stable and did not show signs of dehydration, the vet tech told me to give Ruby a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin twice a day. Sure enough, by the next morning ‘business’ was getting back to normal!

Come to find out, many people use canned pumpkin for their pets’ digestive upsets – whether it be diarrhea or constipation. The plain canned pumpkin is full of fiber and good stuff that helps to regulate the digestive tract. Of course, if your pet has chronic tummy upsets they need to be seen by a veterinarian asap as this could be a sign of something serious going on. However, for the occasional occurrence or when nothing else seems to be helping, the plain canned pumpkin just might do the trick.

For kitties it is recommended to give 1 teaspoon twice a day until stools start to firm and the recommendation for medium dogs is 1 – 2 tablespoons. A general guideline could be 1 teaspoon per 10-15 lbs. of body weight. Be sure to use PLAIN canned pumpkin, and NOT pumpkin pie filling, there is a big difference.*

The verdict is in - I say Treat!

Michelle Brockman

Jonah’s Place

* Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian and this article should not be used as a replacement for veterinary care or advice. This article is based solely on my personal experience and is for informational purposes only. This Disclaimer serves as notification of indemnity of Michelle Brockman and Jonah’s Place, Inc. for any results due to following this article and any advice contained therein.

--> The SECRET is out!

We are mega excited to Officially announce the birth of our very, very special life-changing Not-For-Profit Sanctuary: 

What is it? Who started it? Why do I care?   Read on.... * Purpose - Pet Therapy "on steroids". We believe that every single child deserves unconditional love. What better way to provide that opportunity than to bring unwanted domestic pets together with children who need a best friend. * Founders - Michelle Brockman (Michelle@JonahsPlace.org); Leslie Mendenhall (Leslie@JonahsPlace.org); Stephanie Stevens (Stephanie@JonahsPlace.org) *   This is YOUR opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and animals. WE need you - the KIDS need you - the ANIMALS need you... YOU will make a difference in the lives of many, many children and animals when you become part of our community. You're going to ask... how can I help? #1 Need - cash donations - go ahead, click here http://goo.gl/wD7VKg and make your donation today. All donations go directly to Jonah's Place for implementation of the Sanctuary. Go now to  www.jonahsplace.org for details. Your business or personal link can be added to our site as our "thank you" for your donation.  (P.S. Every penny helps - donations of any size are appreciated!) #2  Join our mailing list - hit "reply" now and we'll add you to the growing list of supporters #3 "Like" us on Facebook and share the link with all of your friends www.facebook.com/jonahsplace #4 Follow us on Twitter @JonahsPlace - we'll follow you back! #5 Subscribe to our Blog http://jonahsplaceinc.blogspot.com/ #6 Call us at (561) 837-3579 with any questions or to volunteer WE'RE OUT TO CHANGE OUR WORLD - THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF PASSING HOPE ON!  P.S. Got Land? We are in urgent need of land for Jonah's Sanctuary...          GRAB THE PHONE and dial (561) 837-3579 now or COMMENT below    to tell us about it

Jonah's Place, Inc. is a Florida Not for Profit Corporation that is in the process of obtaining our IRS tax-exempt status. STATE OF FLORIDA REGISTRATION # CH39362. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Pet Parents: Beware of the ‘Sol’ in Your Cleaning Products!

                                                           

Most of us animal lovers have heard about the harmful side effects that certain chemical products can cause our pets. But what about cleaning agents that kill bacteria and germs that someone with animals is usually quick to use to clean their home and pet areas? Well you may end up killing more than just some yucky germs!

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, exposure to coal-tar derivatives (one being phenols as found in Lysol, Pinesol and other ‘sol’ cleaners) can cause liver damage, kidney damage, anemia and death, among other things. You may be thinking ‘Well my pet isn’t going to lick or eat the cleaners!’ Guess what – they don’t need to! These dangerous chemicals can be absorbed through the skin. You should especially avoid using these products if you care for felines as they are more susceptible to the negative side effects.

This is what AnimalShelting.com (The Humane Society of the Unites States) has to say:

"Steer Clear of Phenols

 

Disinfectants containing phenols are extremely toxic to some animals, including cats and reptiles. First isolated from coal tar in the 1800s, phenols are now manufactured synthetically and are included in many products, including some Lysol disinfectants. Colorless to white when pure, phenol has a strong, sweet odor. It is corrosive and requires extra precautions when handling. To ensure the disinfectants you’re considering purchasing don’t contain phenols, check with manufacturers and avoid products that list any of the following ingredients, which are synonyms for “phenol,” according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration: carbolic acid; monohydroxybenzene; hydroxybenzene; benzenol; phenylic acid; phenyl hydroxide; benzophenol; phenyl hydrate; phenylic alcohol; monophenol;phenic acid; and oxybenzene. To learn more about the hazards of phenol, visit the Osha website: https://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_261100.html "

 

So the verdict is definitely in! Read ALL labels very carefully when choosing a cleaning product for your home and any area that animals may come in contact with. These days, there are many safe and natural cleaning products that are on the market and widely available. Using non-chemical cleaners will give you peace of mind that the only thing that will be harmed is the dirt and grime you are intentionally trying to remove – not your four legged family member.

Happy Cleaning!

 

Until Next Time…

Michelle Brockman for

Jonah’s Place
www.JonahsPlace.org

 

Four Facts About Animal Therapy

Jonah's Place is marching full steam ahead into the hope filled future! Our final phase of development will include an Animal Assisted Therapy program (AAT) for at risk children and youth in our community. Here are four facts that you may not know about this very cool method of therapy:

1. They are not dependent on a specific theory. Animal-assisted therapy encompasses all types of psychology theories from psychoanalytic to behavioral. Amy McCullough, who is the American Humane Association’s National Animal-Assisted Therapy Director, explains that animal-assisted therapy is “utilizing an animal as an adjunct to a therapeutic process” regardless of theory. In general, AAT “becomes another tool in their tool kit for the type of therapy they practice.”

2. They are not service animals. Although often confused with service animals, there are significant differences between them. Service animals, for example, are protected by the American Disabilities Act, live with owners who have physical and emotional disabilities and assist them solely with daily living. In contrast, therapy animals work with professionals and clients.

3. They don’t just include dogs and horses. While you will most likely hear about dogs and horses, therapy animals run the gamut from llamas to dolphins.

4. They help individuals with a wide variety of causes and settings. Therapy animals assist therapists in helping clients with a multitude of goals such as improving self-esteem and developing social skills, as well as providing help for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also work in a wide variety of clinical settings from psychiatric hospitals to nursing homes.


Check out our site at www.JonahsPlace.org for updates and to learn more about us!

(Facts excerpt from PsychCentral.com)