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You’ve found a stray animal in your neighborhood or roaming around an area you’re visiting. What should you do now?
Great question. Fur Kids Foundation sees many people who spot a lost animal and post about the animal on some popular Campbell County Facebook sites, including, but not limited to: • Gillette Area Classifieds • Gillette Area Pets • Gillette Dog Walking Group • Gillette Pet Adoption • Gillette Pet Rescue & Adoption • Gillette WY Lost and Found Pets • Say Yes to Gillette – Campbell County Dog Park • Wright Animal Shelter As many of you know, social media is a wonderful way of getting the word out about a topic; however, Fur Kids Foundation is suggesting that it isn’t the only/main course of action one should use for lost pets. There are many people who may not be using Facebook, or may not be a member of the group pages listed above, who have lost their pet, and are hoping to find them. If you find a dog or cat that you believe to be lost from its family, please consider taking the following actions if you can access the pet safely:
If you’re looking for more information, check out what these national organizations have to say:
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It was wet, it was cold, and it was a little gross. On Saturday, May 9, Fur Kids Foundation and the Gillette Dog Owners Group participated in the Coal Country Trash-A-Thon but scooping dog droppings at Dalbey Memorial Park (Fishing Lake) and McManamen Park. A total of 85 pounds of doggy doo was picked up!
Fur Kids Foundation has to give a HUGE shout out to our wonderful volunteers because we may have the best in the world! Seven of them braved the wind, rain and eventually sleet/snow to scoop the poop. Remember: Each park provides plastic bags to pick up your dog's waste, we ask that if you don't bring your own poo bags to please utilize those provided by the parks. If you walk your dog on public streets or let your dog roam your back yard, please remember to scoop the poop. You make the difference.
Cancer. Can’t lie, I hate everything about this word. This disease has taken far too much away from me and fellow board members, as I’m sure it’s taken from you as well. (Not to mention, losing a beloved pup to the Big C is why Fur Kids Foundation exhists.)
I learned today in an email from Doggy Loot that May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. This email also said that 1 in 4 dogs and cats are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. And, that cancer accounts for 50 percent of all disease-related pet deaths each year. I’ve been following a group on Facebook called the Puppy Up Foundation. Every month, they encourage their followers to do a monthly feel of their dog(s). And they do it with flair—check out April’s post:
Much like women are encouraged to do monthly breast self-examinations to help find cancer early, Puppy Up is encouraging you to do the same. I’d venture that most of you take your dog to a yearly visit with your veterinarian—puppies and older dogs should be seen more frequently. At this visit, your vet will perform a physical examination of your dog, as well as ask you questions about your dog’s diet, habits, lifestyle and general health. But, once or twice a year is a long time to go for your dog to be examined. To help keep your dog healthy, you need to be more involved in their care. Early detection, just like regular visits to your vet's office for vaccinations and other preventative care measures, will help keep your pup healthy longer.
And, we have a great example. Recently, FKF board member Tara did a monthly feel on her pooch, Sasha. During that feel, she found a lump and decided it was time to take Sasha in to have it looked at. The vet had the lump biopsied, tested, and later, they removed the entire lump and little extra for good measure. Thankfully, Sasha is on the mend (though, we now call her Franken-butt), and will likely be healthy for a long, long time. Thanks to Tara’s monthly feel. Fur Kids Foundation believes that early detection saves lives. We encourage you to take 10 minutes once a month to feel and look for lumps, bumps, swellings and any discolorations on your pet. Check them from head to toe, including the inside of their mouth and ears. Keep a record of growths, so you can keep track of anything you think may be suspicious, or new. And, if you do find something, watch your dog for any unusual behavior or change in attitude, as this may also be an indicator that something may be wrong with their health. Be sure to follow up with your vet if you believe that anything is wrong.
If you get a minute, type #FeelYourDog into the search bar on Facebook and see what comes up. The Puppy Up Foundation has lots of great information for you to read and share. And, if you’re looking for more information on cancer, check out the following resources below:
· Animal Cancer Foundation · The Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research · Canine Journal: What are the signs of Cancer in dogs? · The Grey Muzzle Organization - Cancer Wellness · Puppy Up Foundation · Puppy Up Foundation - Early Warning Signs: Love your dog? Learn the 10 L’s ***** Update: May 5, 2015 *****Both Andy and Calamity have found their fur-ever homes! YAY! Yesterday (April 30) was National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. So, we wandered over to the City / County Animal Shelter and sponsored two wonderful dogs, Andy and Calamity. 
Andy is a 4-year-old lab/mix neutered male who is up-to-date on vaccines. Andy is very toy motivated, but is good with his toys. He knows sit and down, and will gently nudge the ball into your lap to get you to throw it. He would fit in great with an active family or would make an excellent running partner. He is very sweet, allows you to take the ball from him with no problems and has the most expressive ears and face—we fell in love with him the moment we saw him. You can learn more about Andy here. 
We also sponsored Calamity, a 3-year-old Heeler/Bulldog mix. Calamity knows basic commands, including sit; she is spayed and up-to-date on her vaccinations. She is very toy motivated and loves to play with everyone she meets. She’s very sweet, and is a medium sized dog. She seems to be a little picky about her dog friends. She was brought in as a stray so we don't know much of her past, but we do know she's a total sweetheart and would love to be loved by her own family. You can learn more about Calamity here.  While Andy and Calamity are both mix breeds, the shelter is full of quite a few dogs that a pure breeds, including three dachshunds, an Akbash, Boston terrier, papillon, German shepherd, and a lab. And, if you're not looking for a furry friend, there is a lizard waiting for a home as well.
There are all sorts of benefits to adopting a dog or cat from the shelter, but the greatest, in our eyes, is that you save a life. |
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Created in November 2011, the Fur Kids Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of animals in Campbell County.
Your donation saves lives. It goes to work helping animals in Campbell County receive adequate veterinary care during a time when their family may not be able to afford it. Please contact the Foundation to learn more or donate now using PayPal.
AuthorThe Fur Kids Foundation blog is written by board member and Founder Felicia. If you have ideas that you would like to see published in the blog such as concerns about pet-focused topics in the community or a funny story, please contact the Foundation. Enjoy! Archives
January 2019
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