(Mailing only) 3553 West Chester Pk #144
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 876-1479
Last Updated:
09/02/2010 08:59 PM
© 2010 ACDC
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June Is Adopt-A-Cat Month -- Friday June 4th, 2010
Delco News Network (delconewsnetwork.com)
June is 'National adopt a cat' month
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Animal Coalition of Delaware County (ACDC) joins the American Humane Association in recognizing June as ‘National Adopt-A-Cat Month.’ During the month, ACDC is utilizing outreach events to continue its focus on finding forever homes for the dozens of cats and kittens currently in need of loving homes.
Approximately four million cats become homeless each year, many of which are born during the spring and summer or “kitten season.” To promote the adoption of these playful, affectionate animals, the American Humane Association established June as Adopt-A-Cat-Month and has promoted the event since 1975.
“Whether you’re looking for a fun, frisky kitten or a mellow, mature cat, you’ll find the perfect feline at the Animal Coalition of Delaware County,” says Ann Pohl, a member of ACDC’s Board of Directors. “We have cats of all breeds, ages, and personalities and they’re all looking for loving, permanent homes.”
On May 6, Congresswoman Susan Davis recognized June as Adopt-A-Cat Month on the floor of the House of Representatives by reading a statement before Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The aim of the statement was to increase awareness of the pressing need to adopt homeless cats.
Why adopt from ACDC?
The Animal Coalition of Delaware County is one of the few local rescue organizations that screens the animals they take in for health and temperament, keeping them in foster care for a two-week incubation period to watch for potential viruses and ensure they are given a full exam by a licensed veterinarian.
Even after that two-week period, the animals remain in ACDC’s foster care, where they become part of the foster families’ lives meaning the organization is better able to socialize them, care for them if they are sick or injured, and get a true picture of their personalities so that they have a very good idea of what permanent home is ideal and best for them. ACDC’s adoptables are fully vetted which means they leave ACDC as healthy as possible and ready to be a part of a loving family.
Where can you meet and adopt from ACDC?
The Animal Coalition of Delaware County has been privileged to partner with PetSmart in Marple Crossing (Route 1) where the organization’s Adoption Center is based. ACDC also has weekly outreach events in the area where people can meet some of the wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption and talk to volunteers. A listing of special Adopt-A-Cat-Month Events for the month of June include the following:
June 12 – PetSmart in Concordville (800 Hatton Dr., Glen Mills), from noon to 3 p.m.
June 20 – PetCo in Clifton Heights (520 W. Baltimore Pike), from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 26 – Braxton’s in Wayne (620 West Lancaster Avenue), from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Before you go:
The Animal Coalition of Delaware County encourages people to enrich their lives by adopting a cat. The American Humane Association offers these tips to consider when adopting:
• Age: While kittens are hard to resist, adult cats are often better suited to families with young children. Mature cats respond better to being handled by inquisitive toddlers.
• Number: It can be beneficial to adopt more than one cat or kitten, especially if the pets will be left alone for long periods of time. Many cats enjoy the company of not only people but other felines as well.
• Coat: The longer the cat’s fur, the more brushing that will be needed to prevent painful matting.
• Nutrition and health: Good nutrition and twice-a-year vet visits will help your cat stay healthy and happy. Keep your cat indoors to prevent him/her from contracting diseases, being hit by a car or getting hurt by other animals.
• Tags and microchips: Millions of cats end up as strays each year -- but only about two percent of cats without an ID tag or microchip are reunited with their owners. Make sure your cat wears a collar and tag with the cat’s name and your name, address and phone number. Microchips provide permanent identification that can never come off or get lost.
• Prepare your home: Adult cats and kittens love to climb and explore, so beware of possible hazards. Don’t let cords or wires dangle, and cover any floor heating and air vents. Some houseplants may be toxic; check with your vet for details.
• Kids and cats: Children should be taught that a kitten or cat is a companion, not a toy. Rough handling can lead to injuries to both the cat and the child.
• Dogs and cats: Cats and dogs often enjoy each other’s company, but great care must be taken when introducing these two species. Some dogs may be aggressive toward small animals and may not be suited to sharing their homes with cats. If you have a dog, ask the adoption staff if you can bring him/her to the adoption center to meet the cat in a controlled environment before you adopt. Most cats will be frightened the first time they see a dog and will need time to accept a canine companion.
About the Animal Coalition of Delaware County
Founded in 2004, the Animal Coalition of Delaware County (ACDC) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit animal rescue organization primarily serving Pennsylvania’s Delaware County. Run entirely by volunteers, the organization rescues and places animals—dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs—in screened and loving foster homes where they are socialized and well-cared for until they find permanent adoptive homes. Each animal rescued by ACDC receives a veterinary examination, is vaccinated, and has been spayed or neutered if they are old enough—the cost of which is all covered by ACDC.
Since its founding, ACDC estimates it has rescued and found homes for more than 1,400 animals. Animals remain in ACDC’s foster care until they are adopted. To learn more, call 610-876-1479, visit www.acdc.ws, or visit the organization’s Adoption Center located at the PetSmart in the Marple Crossings Shopping Center at 400 S. State Road in Springfield.
URL: http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2010/06/04/life/doc4c0930159251e524682856.prt
© 2010 DelcoNewsNetwork.com, a Journal Register Property
Acetaminophen Is A No-No! -- Saturday July 15th, 2006
JUST HOW DANGEROUS IS ACETAMINOPHIN TO PETS?
No one needs to tell Beth Tucker of Syracuse, NY, how harmful acetaminophen can be to pets. In February 2006, Beth’s cat, Scooter, ingested a 500-milligran acetaminophen tablet that had been accidentally dropped on the floor.
Despite treatments by a local veterinarian, the beautiful grey cat did not recover. “She suffered tremendously for five days as we tried to save her,†says Beth. “We finally made the extremely painful decision to end her suffering.â€
Sadly, Scooter is one of many cats to have succumbed to accidental acetaminophen poisoning. In 2005, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) handled close to 300 cases from around the country. Explains the APCC’s Dana Farbman, “Depending on the amount ingested, clinical effects can include a condition called methemoglobinemia, which affects blood cells’ ability to carry oxygen to vital organs.†In addition, liver damage and even death could result. And because cats lack a specific enzyme that enables the body to metabolize the drug well, they are especially sensitive to acetaminophen toxicity—although it can be toxic to dogs and other pets, as well. Cautions Farbman, “Pet owners should never give this medication to their animals, and should always store potentially poisonous substances in a secure cabinet above countertop level and out of the reach of pets.â€
Beth and her family continue to miss Scooter every day. “She was the most loving kitty in the world,†says Beth. “And every evening at 5:00 P.M., if you were anywhere near the kitchen, you could count on Scooter meowing for her nightly treat.†Beth hopes that by sharing Scooter’s experience, she can help others avoid having to go through the anguish she suffered by losing her feline friend. “I feel that telling what happened to Scooter will help make something positive come out of our tremendous loss.â€
If you think that your pet has accidentally ingested acetaminophen, or any other potentially dangerous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips, please visit APCC online.
Summer Fruit -- Friday July 7th, 2006
Cherries and lemons and apples, oh my! While spring and summer fruits are good for you, certain parts of these seasonal offerings can be potentially irritating—and in some situations, occasionally toxic—to companion animals.
According to experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the peels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants such as lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruits contain varying amounts of citric acid, limonin and volatile oils that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and result in vomiting and diarrhea. As for apples, cherries, peaches and apricots, their stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that have the potential to cause vomiting and loss of appetite—and in severe cases, weakness, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, shock and even death.
“Typically, these severe effects develop from very large ingestions of plant material, more likely to occur with grazing animals such as horses or other livestock,†says the APCC’s Dana Farbman, CVT. “The consumption of a few segments of citrus fruit, an apple or two, or a few cherries would usually not be expected to cause serious problems beyond perhaps minor stomach upset. However, it is important for animal owners to be aware of the potential for problems that these fruit trees can produce.â€
As a companion animal owner, it’s always a good idea to become familiar with different types of plants in and around the home—and make sure that potentially poisonous species are not accessible to your pets.
Make July 4th Safe! -- Saturday July 1st, 2006
For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:
* Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
* Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches, for example, contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing.
* Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes and raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.
* Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.
10 Most Poisonous Plants -- Thursday January 26th, 2006
PET HEALTH ALERT: 10 MOST COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS
Last year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 100,000 cases, providing assistance to pet owners and treatment recommendations to veterinarians regarding chemicals, plants and products that are potentially harmful to pets. APCC experts recently shared with us a list of the ten most common poisonous plants, based on their caseloads. Among the top ten:
- Members of the Lilium spp. family are considered highly toxic to companion felines. While the poisonous component in lilies has not yet been identified, ingestion of even very small amounts can result in severe kidney damage.
- Tulip and Narcissus bulbs contain toxins that can cause a variety of symptoms, from drooling and loss of appetite to convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
- All parts of Sago palm are poisonous to pets, but the seeds or “nuts†contain the largest amount of toxin.
For the complete list, visit APCC online. And remember, if you suspect that your animal companion may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, please call your veterinarian or the APCC’s emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance.
Our First Year! -- Thursday July 21st, 2005
On July 21st, 2005, Animal Coalition of Delaware County celebrated our first year in existence at Iron Hill Brewery in Media, PA!
Keepers Flies Home! -- Friday July 15th, 2005
Animal Coalition, in conjunction with Angel Flight East, is taking Keepers, our 15-year old Siamese cat foster, back to his owner...in St. Louis! Read the article in the Delaware County Daily Times at http://acdc.rescuegroups.org/files/85/s85m246.pdf
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