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2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Party and Raffle
3 PM – Games and snacks 4 PM – Costume Contest 4:45 PM – Drawings for raffle baskets and door prizes We’re also having a raffle with the proceeds going to the Capital Area Humane Society. The raffle baskets will be on display in the reception area soon. We will have a basket for dogs, a basket for cats, and a free Dog Talk training class (a $99.00 value). You can buy a chance for $1.00 or 6 tickets for $5.00.
Pet Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Gerbils
The origin of the name Guinea Pig is not clear. Their high-pitched squeal (or whistle) and their physical appearance probably led to the pig part of the name. Guinea is a country on the African continent; perhaps these sailing vessels stopped there on their way back to Europe thus leading people to think the Guinea Pig originated there. Another theory is that the ships actually picked up the Guinea Pigs in Guiana (Guyana) on the Atlantic coast of South America and the name just evolved to Guinea over time. The theory that you could buy the Guinea Pig for a guinea (an old British coin), thus the name, cannot be true because the first guinea wasn’t struck until more than one hundred years after the Guinea Pig arrived on the European continent. There are five common varieties of guinea pigs kept regularly as pets.
Important Information for Owners of Diabetic Pets Disaster Preparation As part of your household disaster planning, there are important things to remember about protecting your pets. Animals, other than service animals, will not be allowed into public shelters due to health and space reasons. Temporary animal shelters will be set up but these generally fill rapidly. Know where you are going to take your animals. Ideally, you should have a pre-determined friend or family member who will provide a living space for your entire family, including your pets, or a boarding kennel in a safe area. These aren’t always viable options however.
If you cannot leave before the storm, know that emergency rescue transport officials will most likely not allow you to take your pet with you. Evacuate early so this situation will not arise. If you must leave your pet at home alone, decide on a safe location in the house. Where you leave them is going to be based on the nature of the emergency. The basement would not be a wise choice in the event of a flood. Leave fresh food, ideally in a battery-operated, timed food dispenser to discourage overeating, and lots of water in large, non-tippable bowls.
If you would like to help in the effort you can make donations through www.avmf.org. Hilliard Garden Club Award
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Site design by David J.W. Lauridsen, Jr. |
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Fun, food, games, prizes – what more could anyone ask for? Costumed pets will compete for best costume. All pets can compete in the “pick-a-treat” game, tail wagging contest, and the best trick competition. We’re setting up tents outside so there will be plenty of room, so join us on Sunday October 30th from 2-5 PM. Drop by anytime. Here’s the schedule:
Hamsters originated in the Middle East. The first hamsters to come to the United States (in the 1930’s) came from a pair found in the Syrian desert. Hamsters tend to be healthy and they breed rapidly making them ideal for scientific research. Their small stature (average 3-5 ounces) and fairly even temperament quickly made them popular as pets. Today there are three basic groups: The Golden (or Syrian) Hamster, the short-haired Fancy hamster, and the long-haired Teddy Bear hamster. They tend to be nocturnal and can get a little grumpy if awakened during their sleep cycle but a well socialized hamster will make a good pet.
Gerbils originated in Asia and Africa. The two most common species are the Mongolian gerbil and the Egyptian gerbil. Like hamsters, they were imported to the United States for use in research and slowly became popular as pets. They generally are not cuddly animals but they rarely bite and do enjoy being handled. They are diurnal which means they are active both day and night, alternating periods of activity with periods of sleep. They are quite small often weighing less than 2 ounces up to as much as 3.5 ounces and generally live 3-5 years.
If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you if at all possible. Make sure you have their food, medications, plenty of water, and familiar things like toys, beds, or blankets. Make sure animals have current vaccinations, identification, and license, and always have an updated copy of your pet’s health records. Take along a photo of your pets in case you get separated. Train your dogs and cats to be comfortable in carriers and know where your carriers are. Many carriers get “buried” deeply after their once a year trip to the veterinarian’s office. Pet birds and exotics such as hamsters, rats, and bunnies generally can take their home with them. Be sure to have lots of food and water for them. For birds and small pets, a light colored cage cover allows light in but will shut out most of the chaos. 
Many of the stories coming out of the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina are heart wrenching. But pets are being rescued and cared for and many of them will be returned to their families. One of the organizations involved in the disaster relief is the Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT). They were established by the American Veterinary Medical Association and are funded primarily by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. VMAT works as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). VMAT teams are the national backbone of animal disaster preparedness and response. Teams consist of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, scientists, epidemiologists, toxicologists, pathologists, pharmacists, and other support personnel trained to assist the local veterinary communities in providing medical care to injured animals, helping to coordinate animal relief efforts on site, and addressing public health issues. To learn more about VMAT go to 
