Loyal Newsletter - November 2011

A Special LOYAL Rescue Inc. Announcement!!!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to our LOYAL Rescue Inc. volunteer Julie and her fiance Dale!!!  They were married in late October and to help celebrate this wonderful event they requested their guests donate to LOYAL Rescue Inc instead of giving them gifts.  Here's wishing them much happiness and a lifetime of love and joy!!!!  Thank you to both of them for thinking of LOYAL Rescue Inc. during this happy time!!! 

Christmas is coming!!!!   

And it can be a dangerous time for your pet.  I thought I would include some safety reminders for you before the season really starts. 

Food: Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without all of the delicious treats that come with it. Unfortunately, most of our favourite holiday snacks are also some of the most dangerous to our pets. Turkey, for one, can be dangerous to your pet if you are not careful to dispose of bones safely. Bones can easily puncture your pet’s lungs or digestive tract, or cause your animal to choke, either of which can potentially be fatal. Chocolate is another potential hazard, and can actually kill your dog or cat depending on their size, the type of chocolate and the quantity consumed. It can also lead to extreme hyperactivity or even seizures in your animal. This doesn’t mean that you have to completely eliminate chocolate from your holiday, but it does mean that you should be careful about the ways that you include chocolate in your celebrations. For example, it’s important to avoid keeping chocolates in easily accessible areas for pets, such as hanging in stockings or on your tree. If you feel like you have to give pets a special treat on Christmas day, try making their regular diet more exciting, say by giving them the canned version instead of dry.

Plants: Many of the beautiful and fragrant plants we fill our homes with at Christmas also put our pets at risk. Popular plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are extremely toxic if ingested, and can cause anything from gastrointestinal upset to cardiac problems to comas to death. For these reasons, these plants might be one of those things worth avoiding this Christmas. If you simply must have them, make sure you keep them far out of reach. Luckily, your Christmas tree isn’t toxic, and shouldn’t pose any serious threat to your pet, so long as you avoid using chemicals in the water.

Decorations: There are a wide range of decorations people use to brighten up their homes for the holidays, and a wide range of hazards that accompany them. From the toxic artificial snow in the windows to sharp staples and tacks that that deck the halls, decorations should be used with caution. All electrical wires should be taped down or placed behind heavy furniture. Also, gift wrapping supplies should be carefully stored. All of these items can be tempting for pets and are often mistaken for toys.

Guests: While you may have guests over throughout the year, Christmas generally means a lot more guests than usual, and a general air of excitement that can leave people a little more carefree (and careless) than usual. With so many people going in and out, the chance of your pet getting out of the house is greatly increased during the holidays. As always, it is important to make sure your animal has proper identification tags on at all times. Even better, find a place in your home that you can set aside for your pet for when the house gets busy; not only will this allow you to enclose them during times when the front door is opening and closing, but it will also give your pets a place of refuge for when they feel overwhelmed. Like anyone, your pets can become stressed by the crowds and noise at big family gatherings, and most will appreciate the chance to be alone for a while.

And finally - don't forget to get your shopping finished early.   That way, you and your pet can relax before the big eventful day arrives.

LOYAL Rescue Inc could WIN $1,000

Are you a member of Helping Lost Pets? If not, please go join now (www.helpinglostpets.com) so that you can vote for LOYAL every day between November 7 (today) and December 4.  The rescue with the most votes will win $1,000 from HHP!  Just click on the link below, sign into the HLP site then choose "LOYAL Rescue Inc." from the drop-down menu, then click VOTE.  You can vote once/day on every device - computer, laptop, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, etc.  Please spread the word and let family and friends know to vote.  Just one vote/day and LOYAL can win $1,000!  www.helpinglostpets.com/vote

IGive for LOYAL Rescue Inc.
If you shop on-line with Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers, here's an easy way for you to help us get some much needed money.  All you need to do is sign up with IGive.com
using LOYAL as your favourite cause and we get a monthly donation.  YES, it's that simple!!!

Petfinder Shelter Challenge

Please vote twice a day on every device you can - IPAD, cell phone, desktop, laptop, and vote more than once on the same device using different Internet servers such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, etc.  WE CAN DO THIS!  WE HAVE 45 RESCUES in HHP.  Let's show everyone that together we can make a difference!   Please help "HELPING HOMELESS PETS by voting for "All Breed Canine Rescue" today and please cross post to anyone you can.
Website to vote Shelter Challenge

Current and Upcoming Events

November 12, 2011 - HHP ROCK FOR RESCUE - Thamesford, Ontario

It is going to be an Elvis tribute night with lots of fun and excitment. You can come relive the 50's and 60's and dress in your favourite poodle skirt and leather jacket.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. We are going to have really cool draw prizes and lots of give aways.   The event starts at 8pm.  The cool thing is we have door prizes of bowls made from record albums :) Also, LOTS of FREE giveaways.   For more information email Linda Collier at lindacollier2003@yahoo.com

November 12 to 13, 2011 - Petsmart Adoption Days - Eglinton Avenue and Lebovic Road,

LOYAL Rescue Inc. is an approved Petsmart Rescue group and I will be bringing my foster pug, Chester Ray.  Come and visit us and say hi!!!  Meet Chester to see if he would be a great addition to your home. 

Loyal's Newsletter - October 2011

Dogs and Cars - A Great Combination
One of the major pet peeves of most rescue organizations is traveling with your dog in the car on your lap.  Most drivers will say "I'm not worried, I'm a good driver".  But what about the other drivers that are on the road at the same time as you and your pet.....are they good drivers???  Here are some suggestions that may not be as much fun for you to have your pet on your lap as you drive BUT they will help save your pet's life if you are ever involved in a car accident.  1. Your pet should be secured in your vehicle.  There are many various pet restraints at your local pet store that are very good.  We are required by law to wear a seat belt, well you can get a dog seat belt that works on the same principal for our pets.  2. You can also now purchase a collapsible crate that can be used in the car.  Using a crate is a great way to have a ready made bed if you are traveling to a friends house, your pet has his own personal space in a strange place.  You can include toys in the crate to keep your pet occupied while traveling.  Don't forget to secure the crate to the car or seat so that in the event of an accident, the crate and your pet are not thrown around.  Don't put the crate on the front seat of your car...if the safety bags deploy it could severely injure your pet. 3.  If you have an SUV type vehicle, you can purchase a mesh or metal barrier that separates the pet from the front of the vehicle.  Although this method would help, your pet can still be thrown from the vehicle as they won't be restrained in anyway.IGive for LOYAL Rescue Inc. If you shop on-line with Amazon, Best Buy and