Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, House Sitting – Gold Coast

Posts Tagged ‘important issues’

RSPCA Don’t Knock Appeal !

For every $100 raised, I’ll add $10 of my own money…

click here to donate

Reason #3 I would prefer to stay home – the hazards of apartments and gated communities …..

This information has been provided to you from Vanessa, the owner of Gold Coast Pet Sitting.
For more information please go to http://www.goldcoastpets.com.au  

RSPCA Don’t Knock Appeal !

For every $100 raised, I’ll add $10 of my own money…

click here to donate

Reason #2 I would prefer to stay home – the hazards of unruly front yards …..

This information has been provided to you from Vanessa, the owner of Gold Coast Pet Sitting.
For more information please go to http://www.goldcoastpets.com.au  

You can love him or loathe him however the one thing we can all agree upon is:

…he is a public figure that the general public believe when he speaks about animal issues because he’s a vet, he has his own tv show etc and so in doing a story on puppy farms [ factories ] and talking to people like Debra Tranter it has brought it more to the general public’s attention, which is fantastic.

If you missed the original segment (like me) – here is the YouTube video of it:

A lot of people are now asking “HOW CAN I HELP ?”  - this has stirred something within them.  Whether it was because they honestly didn’t know they existed or they did however only NOW want to help… it is all welcome.

1. Sign the Petition started by the RSPCA + share it with as many people as you can

2. Act now to help make Oscar’s Law a reality !  (What is Oscar’s Law?)

3. Support the Pet Stores/Shops that are External Rehoming Centres (only “selling” shelter animals)

If you cannot do number 3, the alternative is to only shop at stores/shops that do not sell pets at all.  You hold a lot of power as a consumer, use your dollars wisely.

4. Write to the Pet Industry Association of Australia to tell them to stop allowing their Pet Store/Shop members to “sell” pets unless they’re from a REPUTABLE breeder or shelter (that’s it). Inform them that you (as a consumer) find it absolutely disgusting that such an organisation like theirs would even allow the selling of potential puppy factory pets (as they have stated that one of the sources they allow is “accidental births from the public” – it shouldn’t be tolerated!!)

5. Tell as many of your friends, family, etc to only buy from REPUTABLE registered breeders. The breeder has to have a good reputation not just be registered… if a person “must” have a “pure bred” dog.

6. Volunteer your time or foster with your local shelter or any animal welfare type organisation

How will you help ?

Are there any other ways we all can help minimise puppy factories ?

Do you support the ban of pets being sold within pet stores/shops (only shelter animals) ?

This article as hit Facebook and it’s “stirred” up a heap of furry over the sale of pets in pet shops.

Ban would send shop to doghouse

from Queensland Times newspaper ….  click the headline (or here) to read full article.

I first found this article via the Facebook group -

MAKE PET ADOPTION YOUR 1st OPTION (Animals looking for homes)

Thanks to Rachael McMeeking I learnt that the PIAA (Pet Industry Association of Australia) supports this action:

“Pet Industry Association spokesman Roger Perkins said the petition was short-sighted and that only 10 per cent of cats and dogs were sold through pet shops.” – where is he getting this figure from? Enquiring minds want to know.

she then followed up as she contacted the PIAA for further clarification (click on the image to see a larger version):

It then hit the Animal Welfare League of Qld facebook page … with the following being one of the comments:

(click image to enlarge)

As someone who was a former volunteer and foster carer for the AWL (read my story on how Marnie came into my life), I cannot any longer support the sale of pets within pet shops.  There are plenty of pet stores who are affiliated with the AWL helping to re-home cats and/or dogs doing quite well.  They’re far from being “in the doghouse” or going broke over it.

“Not having them would be very bad for business. They grab people in; people like to have a look at them at the front of the store.”

Then get one of the many available puppies and/or kittens from the RSPCA or AWL !  If it is about “grabbing peoples’ attentions at the front of the store”… why not do so with a shelter pet ? Why does it have to be from a puppy broker ?  I just don’t feel (after reading that comment about the puppy brokers because I’ve heard similar stories over the years) that the PIAA can ensure that those Pets Paradise (or similar) stores are using “ethical” means to supply animals to those stores.

Another  of the quotes that REALLY got to me from the article:

“If we have them for a week or two and can’t sell them we move them on to other stores. They are very well looked after.

How does “shipping around” a puppy or kitten is looking after them well ? You’re treating them as a product !  Just as they get used to the sights, sounds and smells of one store … they get yanked out to be moved to another because “they didn’t get sold” !

As you can see, it has fired me (and a lot of other people judging by all the comments on Facebook) up.  I cannot in my right mind support the PIAA or become a member until they encourage the pet stores who are their members to opt to help with adoption first and foremost.  If the PIAA really does encourage adoption first, why don’t they “encourage” their members who are pet shops who sell pets to affiliate with the RSPCA or AWL ?   I would rather “shop” at a store that had a shelter pet or three at the front of their store as their “grabber” than $800 Cavoodle (and who’s to say that is a proper well/pure bred puppy ? Do they have the papers ? Can I meet the “mum and dad” to ensure it is of good breeding + worth that price tag?).

What’s  you opinion ?

Place your comment below or join us on the Gold Coast Pets facebook community.

UPDATE: The comments have gone near 100 comments now on just that one “post” !  Did you know that there are a lot of Gold Coast based (and now two Brisbane) pet stores who assist the Animal Welfare League of Queensland with re-homing of shelter cats and dogs ?  They’re called External Rehoming Centres and you can find the ever growing list ( here ).

Beloved pet baited – a cruel and painful death

by RSPCA Qld Inc. on Monday, 13 September 2010 at 15:04

RSPCA Qld is appealing for help in finding the person who baited Bronx, a nine month old Dachshund, at Jodie Court in Mermaid Waters on August 14th.

The nine month old de-sexed male was seen in the backyard eating what appeared to be mince in the early hours of the morning. Knowing that she hadn’t given this to him, Bronx’s owner ran out and found what appeared to be white powder mixed in with the mince. Within ten minutes Bronx started to convulse and was rushed to the vet. Within 40 minutes of arriving he had a further six fits and died. Bronx didn’t stand a chance.

Last Friday pathology reports handed to the RSPCA indicated that he had been poisoned with an extremely high dose of strychnine. This would also have proved fatal to a child and possibly even an adult. Humans and other animals can be poisoned by inhalation, swallowing or absorption through the eyes or mouth.

“Strychnine produces some of the most dramatic and painful symptoms of any known toxic reaction,” said RSPCA Qld Inspector Sommer Heath Crilley. “The road to eventual death is excruciating.”

Anyone with any information can contact RSPCA Qld’s Cruelty Complaints hotline on 1300 852 188

{ link to original post is here – this is authentic }

by Dr. Mercola

REPLY POSTED BY: Dr Becker

Kennel cough has a number of different causes, only one of which — the most common cause — is the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. Many people think bordetella is kennel cough, but that is technically inaccurate.

In fact, dogs that acquire the bordetella bacteria usually have a virus that makes them more vulnerable to infection. Some of these viruses are the canine adenovirus, distemper, canine herpes, and the parainfluenza virus.

Kennel cough is a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in humans.

How Dogs Get Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is contagious, so whether your dog has the illness or you know of dogs that do, make sure to keep them apart until they are well.   { read more here }

Treatment for Kennel Cough

Since most cases of kennel cough resolve without medical intervention, I don’t recommend immediate or automatic treatment withantibiotics or other medications. Allowing your pet’s body to heal itself naturally is always advisable.  { read more here }

About Vaccines for Kennel Cough

Many veterinarians recommend bordetella vaccines – either by injection or nasal mist delivery. I’m not one of them, however. { read more here }

WEBSITE: Mercola Healthy Pets

Do you believe in the vaccine ?

What has your experiences been with Kennel Cough ?

Is it because of Kennel Cough you use a pet sitter ?

I caught Dr Chris Brown aka The Bondi Vet on the outside stage at the Gold Coast Pet and Animal Expo 2010.  Here he is speaking about bathing your dog.

Did you know you can bathe your dog too much ?  Do you know why your dog rolls around after its had a bath ?  Have a listen!

Did you attend the Gold Coast Animal and Pet Expo 2010 ?  Did you catch Dr Chris Brown ?  Find what he had to say informative ?  What did you like about the Expo the most ?

It is wonderful to have pets in our homes; they help us relax on stressful days. For some of us, pets are our only reliable companions. Our pet dogs not only will help us relax and provide companionship that we need, they also guard our property. There are so many other benefits in owning a pet. However, there are number of complications as well in owning pets. Even though we may not be extensive travelers, there might be occasions in life that would force us to travel for a couple of days or we might like to take a vacation for a week to rejuvenate ourselves after a stressful year. In all these situations life can get bit complicated when we own a dog or other pets because travel and pets or vacation and pets are very bad combinations. Not all our friends may be that passionate about having to visit your home to help care for your pets. We cannot travel with our pets either in most situations. How do we handle such situations?

This is where the role of Professional Pet Sitters comes into play. These days we can get professional pet sitters who will be interested in taking care of our pets ( for a fee ) while we are away. This service creates a win-win situation for both parties. You, as the pet owner, can have stress free travel with the thought that your pets are being taken care of and that they are safe and at the same time the professional pet carer too continue doing what they love to do.

Professional Pet Sitting is becoming one of the most popular services these days as the number of people who own pets is also increasing day by day. Soon we will need more pet carers than baby sitters. More and more people realize the benefits of having a pet at home. Though there are some discomforts and responsibilities that come with it, families are still interested in owning pets. Services like Professional Pet Sitting come as a very timely service for pet lovers.

As founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers, I can attest to the fact that the number of pet sitters are also increasing !  Only because there is an increasing demand for this type of service. Professional Pet Sitters will take care of all your pets needs, they will provide your pet with food and water at regular intervals and ensure that they are fed in a healthy way. They will also spend time with your pet engaging them in playful activities and give them the exercise that they need so that when you are back you will not find a depressed and hungry pet but a happy and active pet.

With Professional Pet Sitting services, you don’t have to worry about putting your dog with other animals in the kennel boarding where they can contract infections or where they can be bullied by stronger dogs. (The same can be said about catteries.) It is important that you should find a reliable and experienced Professional Pet Sitter in your locality.

If Gold Coast Pet Sitting cannot be of service, as Founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers Gold Coast, I can have a variety of other professional service providers contact you or you can easily find a Professional Pet Sitter in your suburb by using the Network’s website, which has a comprehensive database of Professional Pet Sitters in almost all the Gold Coast. Visit www.goldcoastpets.com.au/petwise to find your Professional Pet Sitter today.

Contact Vanessa at Gold Coast Pet Sitting for your free no obligation quote !

These types of food materials are different with different grades of liking by the dogs.  Dogs like dry foods only if they are tasty only and however, on comparison, the dogs prefer only the canned food items. Reason for such preference by the dogs is that in case of canned food items, the moisture is about seventy to eighty per cent but in case of dry food, it is only about ten per cent.

However, if you view it in terms of nutrients, often the dry food contains nearly ninety per cent nutrients whereas the canned food items contain only less per cent of nutrients and most of the times.  It is only soy products that are structured so well to look like meat pieces.

Hence, to make up the nutritional balance in the body systems, the dog has to eat more amounts of canned food materials than the dry food materials.  Hence, just compare the cost factor related to this feature by you.  Many dry food items are soybean and rice based.

Now some dry food items are based on corn. Sometimes, beef based or chicken based food items come in the cans along with mineral and vitamin supplements suited for the upkeep of the dogís health status. Larger dogs that weigh more than thirty pounds need to be fed with semi moist food items or dry food items in most of the occasions.

This is to satisfy the food receptors in the stomach. This is due to the fact that the larger dogs need to eat plenty of moist food or the canned food items to satisfy these criteria.  But it may not be practically possible in these larger dogs.  The small sized dogs may have a satisfactory level of nutrients if fed even the moist food items.

However, the caloric density of the dry food should not be forgotten. Enriched dry food items are highly welcome ones than the non -enriched food items.

Danielle "Bella" Vasta

I just need for you to come by for 10 minutes to let my dog outside.

My cat only needs a visit every second day.

My cat is an outdoor cat, you only need to check the food and water.

I’ve got Guinea Pigs/Rats/Snakes that only require you to come by every other day.

How much will that be?

By Bella Vasta [ SOURCE ]

I have been getting this question frequently these days. More people are looking to cut costs, which is understandable if you are one of those people who believe everything that is written in the newspaper or heard on the TV. However – especially in these times, can one really cut short the care they give to their home and pets?

Being a professional pet sitting company it is our DUTY to our clients to take our job seriously. In my own mind taking it seriously means having enough time at a home to accurately deal, assess, and care for our clients homes and pets. Our home, is our sanctuary, place we can feel at ease, please where you are safe. Our pets, are members of our family! Cutting cost on the care of one’s home or pets while they are not there is one of the biggest risks one could take when they go away. They could come back to NO home!

Things that HAVE happened in the past 7 years while I have been a pet sitter:

Four legged client was peeing blood. A trip to the emergency vet proved initially that it was a bladder infection. Further investigation showed that it was a tumor inside the pet and it was cancer.

Children left the sugar cereal out leaving a 40 ft trail of ants leading all the way from a crack outside into the kitchen. Those creatures are amazing! We were able to get an exterminator over before they infested the whole home!

A client, while in their back yard WITH their pet has had a hawk swoop down and carry away their beloved pet! This ended tragically.

I have been on walks where we have encountered javalina. Throwing stones will scare them, unless you encounter a mama with her cubs.

I have pulled up to a home where there was a BOBCAT trotting around the front walk way. Imagine if the client had a doggy door and a small pet?

Another clients home was very warm in one area of the home. It was a wing that I wasn’t even doing overnights in. Although because I was able to notice the change in tempature and get a AC Repair Company, the SPARK that the shortage casued didn’t start a fire because we were there to stop it before it got worse.

So may things have happened over the years. Imagine if there was just a friend running in and out of your home? Or better yet – a neighborhood child who checks on your pets when they “happen” to remember to go over?

I can readily think of some very real and recent cases myself of neglect by friends and/or neighbours:

I was hired to do the morning visits and the client was relying upon his neighbour to do the afternoon visits.  All the food had already been ‘made’ for each morning and afternoon visit (for which I was thankful).  On my last morning visit the neighbour walks through the gate and is surprised to see me (and vice versa).  He was a bit confused.  It seems he had not done ANY of the afternoon visits and got his wires crossed in regards to key access to the property (didn’t remember the instructions properly).  I’m lucky the dog was otherwise healthy (as I do a snout to tail assessment), had plenty of water and was fed by me routinely each morning.

Another where the neighbour had been asked to check in on the puppy. I was only hired to do the afternoon visits.  This was obviously not enough or else the puppy had not be adequately exercised !  The puppy was trying to dig his way out under (and thus through) the front gate/door.  I noticed this and took steps to at least try to make it a lot harder for the puppy to continue digging in this particular spot.  The neighbour obviously had only really thrown him some food and left it at that to the detriment of the puppy.  If the puppy had been properly exercised (a good long run/walk), it wouldn’t have been as destructive between visits.

Another client hired me as a dog walker even though they had someone being a house sitter because they didn’t trust the house sitter was adequately exercising their dogs.

This is a very serious matter. Our small fee can really help give you the peace of mind that you can come home to your home in once peace and your fur baby healthy.

The following quote from Bella in her blog post is especially true for Gold Coast Pet Sitting even though we charge based on time – it is not unheard of for us to spend extra time with the animals in our care whenever possible.  Our first priority is the animals + if we need to spend a little extra time at a booking for whatever reason we will.  We all work together as a team.

We are a professional pet sitting company and I take this very seriously. … We are there for however long it takes to ensure that the routine for your pet has been preformed, they are happy and your home is safe. If they decide to take a longer walk, make a mess that we need to clean up, plants need to be watered, this is all included in our fee. We are a professional company, providing a professional service.