C.A.R.E. For Animals

04/14/2024

Wanted to share the following info. This scam is involving the Wake County Animal Shelter but could certainly pertain to any shelter, animal control agency or rescue. Scammers will take advantage of any situation. Please share with your friends/loved ones and make sure they understand what “spoofing “ (ie copying) a phone number is.

SCAM ALERT
To say we are angry would be an understatement. We want everyone to be aware of a scam targeting pet owners at their most vulnerable, when their beloved family member is missing.

WakeGov Pets: Wake County Animal Center will never call you demanding you pay them money to care for your injured pet. The only call you may get from them is that your pet has been found and will be safe at the shelter until you arrive during their normal business hours. If your pet was injured they would be taken to an emergency vet and you should go there directly to see your pet. If you get a call from someone claiming to be the police who have your pet, ask for their contact info, then tell them you will confirm they are valid by looking up the police number and dialing it directly.

The scammers have spoofed the shelter's phone number so it may appear that the call is from the shelter. Hang up and call the shelter directly at 919-212-7387.

In case they start spoofing Animal Control here are their direct numbers. Hang up and call them directly. Animal Control Jurisdictions & Contact Information
Garner Animal Control: 919-772-8810
Holly Springs Animal Control: 919-557-9111
Raleigh Animal Control: 919-829-1911
Cary Animal Control: 919-319-4517
Wake County Animal Control: 919-856-6911

Report these terrible people to the police immediately with every piece of information you have about them. Our hearts break for the pet owners who receive these calls. ❤

10/10/2022

This is important knowledge for pet owners.

Watch Out for Birch Sugar in Foods❗

If you see the ingredient “birch sugar” on a food label, keep it out of your pet’s reach. ❌ This ingredient is the same thing as xylitol, a sugar alcohol sweetener that’s toxic to pets. If consumed, xylitol can lead to a sudden release of insulin, followed by a sharp drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), triggering vomiting, loss of consciousness and seizures in dogs (cats appear less sensitive). 🆘🐕

Xylitol may also be referred to as “birch sap” or “wood sugar,” so keep an eye out for these ingredients on labels as well.

Read today’s free pet health blog to learn more about the dangers of xylitol to pets.

Here are more products that contains xylitol: https://bit.ly/3M8TgN4

06/26/2022

Warning for dog owners! Please share!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please be advised there has been a report of dogs getting terminally ill and dying after visiting Jordan Lake near the Farrington Boat launch yesterday. We have been in contact with the NC Department of Environmental Quality and NC Department of Health and Human Services, who are investigating potential causes.

See the graphic below on ways to keep your pet safe in the water this summer.

01/01/2022

Hi friends! Let's all do one last (and small) good deed for 2021! Please go to the link in the post below and VOTE for Lost Fantasy Rescue. This is a small town rescue near me and they are AMAZING, taking in many old and medically needy animals just like we did. They just took in this 6 week old puppy who has a broken leg (right up against the hip - ugh) whose owner actually took this puppy to someone for them to SHOOT! The rescue could really use the winnings from this contest and your vote can help! Voting ENDS TONIGHT and it's an easy 1-click to vote!

Thank you!! And Happy New Year!!

Little Faith would like to thank everyone who has been voting for Lost Fantasy in the Deck the Paws Shelter Challenge and would like to invite those of you who haven't yet to cast your vote for our little rescue that can by going to https://www.shelterchallenge.com/shelterchallenge/Shelter/Detail/1121747?fbclid=IwAR0GDJ_6q7-s7ksy9c-0yX-M7nCZp8lAoW7Xn_GX7QTQVgABRyW2mCEhWfM

In 2022 we can make things better for pets and the people who love them in SW Virginia. We can be a voice for solutions to pet homelessness and maltreatment in our community. We can lend a hand to our neighbors and their animals facing hard times. We can continue to work with our shelter partners to work towards all pets being wanted and loved. There is so much we can do with your help and support! Thank you all for being part of the solution!

12/21/2021

Check out the post below! How's that for an absolutely BEAUTIFUL story!!

I have always had a love for, and been drawn to, senior dogs. I have adopted many over the years. About 10 or so years ago, I did the same as in this story. I contacted the Australian Shepherd rescue in my state and told them I wanted to adopt the oldest dog they had. I had perused Petfinder.com for the past year and was heart broken at how many senior Aussies were in rescue. (Aussies are my "breed of choice". I knew when I was ready to adopt again, that I wanted an OLD DOG. I remember being disappointed when they told me the oldest they had was 10. I went to visit him (I think his name was Jack at the time) and as soon as I saw him, I remember thinking "this guy is only TEN???". There was no way. He had a hard time laying down and getting back up. His teeth had the old dog look. He had "old dog" eyes. I was actually THRILLED to think he was older and I immediately said yes. He was a weird dude and got more so with age .... but I loved my Nigel (as he came to be called). He was super regal and distinguished and needed a name to fit. (I don't even know WHERE I came up with Nigel. LOL.) I only had Nigel for close to 3 years, but man, it was 3 years of total and mutual adoration and I have no regrets. After all, he deserved to be loved and cherished the same as any other homeless dog.

SO - consider adding an OLD DOG (or cat!) to your home and your heart. It's important to make sure you can afford the expense, as they do require more vet care with age, but that's true of ANY dog or cat.

12/20/2021

PLEASE read the post below and SHARE! This poor pup was stolen from a rescue group at a recent event they had. There are additional photos on the rescue's page (many many posts about this) if you want to check that out. The more this situation gets shared, the more likely this pup is to get returned to the rescue, so PLEASE help get this information out there. When someone feels a need to STEAL an animal, they are probably up to no good.

09/19/2021

Thought I would share this in the event they might help someone.
I've not personally used these but I've talked to a couple of people who have, and there are a couple of people in the comments of the original post who said they had good success with them. Of course, it's important to keep dog's toenails well trimmed for stability, but these may provide additional support for those senior fur-babies.

Senior dog advice from trusted veterinary experts

07/11/2021

Spay/Neuter resources! Please take note and also SHARE and ask your friends to RE-share. Here are the statistics for the number of pets in North Carolina shelters who were euthanized in 2020: approximately 10,522 dogs and 25,254 cats! Now, that's close to half of what were euthanized in 2019 .... but still WAY too many. Look at the number for cats! Just HORRIFIC!

Spaying and neutering is one of THE best ways to keep those numbers going down. The other of course is being a RESPONSIBLE pet owner. Keep your pets safe & secured at home. Provide good care for them. And remember that pets are living, breathing, feeling beings ... not something to be disposed of like a piece of furniture or traded in for something else like a car.

07/02/2021

Sharing some Fireworks Safety Tips I wrote. Remember that some people may start putting off fireworks tonight. Wishing you and your pets a safe and pleasant holiday weekend!

Fireworks are a well-known and often respected tradition of the 4th of July festivities. They are beautiful and exciting to many. BUT, while they are fun and fascinating to us, they are loud and FRIGHTENING to animals. Animals don’t understand our traditions and to them, it likely feels like death is imminent. For many of them, the FLIGHT response kicks in (i.e. the need to escape) and thus the 4th of July holiday becomes a time when more pets go missing than any other time of the year. Don’t let your pet(s) become one of the statistics. Read the tips below to protect your pet and save yourself from heartache.

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS:

• Walk dogs / take them out to potty BEFORE dark and again LATE at night to avoid being outside when fireworks might go off.

• When outside with your dog, use a secure collar or harness that won’t easily slip off AND hold the leash securely in case your dog should become frightened and bolt or pull back to escape. I personally like the security of having my hand through the loop and grasping the straight part of the leash with my hand. ** Note that retractable leashes can NOT be grasped as securely as a standard leash and are very easily pulled out of the hand. They have the added risk of the plastic handle scaring the dog as it bounces along behind a running dog.

• Make sure your pet has a collar and ID tag on or if microchipped, that the contact information on the chip is CURRENT. (That’s a good thing to make sure of anyway.) Cats should always wear safety collars that they can get off if they get caught on something.

• KEEP PETS (CATS INCLUDED) INSIDE ON THE NIGHT OF THE 4TH OF JULY AS WELL AS THE NIGHTS BEFORE AND AFTER THE 4TH. It is VERY common for outside dogs (even fenced in) to escape because they are so terrified of fireworks. Outside cats are so terrified they run off and hide.

• Provide a “safe space” inside for your pet. Use a room that preferably has few to no windows and where they can hear the least noise. Turn on music for them. Many say to use soothing music but I’ve also heard to use rock music that may better drown out fireworks noise. Use your judgment on this. If safe to do so (i.e. they won’t chew it), put an article of your clothing or your blanket with them. Again if safe to do so, give them a stuffed Kong or other special food/chew item with them.

• Have someone in the family stay home with your pet(s) or consider hiring a “pet sitter”. Even inside dogs have been known to become so terrified that they’ve broken through windows and doors to escape. Your dog may not go to that extreme, but it’s still a good idea to have someone there to support them so they aren’t alone.

• Don’t be afraid to comfort and soothe your pet if they are frightened. The old belief is not to do so because it might “reinforce the fear”. That thinking is outdated. Just like we comfort a child, friend or significant other who is afraid, it’s ok (and actually nurturing) to comfort your pet. You can also do activities with them to keep them occupied: do some training activities, play with them, or simply sit and feed them their kibble or treats. (Some animals will be too frightened to engage in these things.)

By sharing this post you may save other pets and their families from heartache. ❤ Wishing you and your pets a wonderful, safe, and pleasant 4th of July! ❤ ❤