Donations Transport Shelter Animals to No-Kill Group

Shelter Animal Transport to MARS

Northeast Cobb Patch reported last week that Midwest Animal Rescue (MARS) in MN. Friends of Shelter Animals for Cobb County needs to raise $1,300. The transport will save animals' lives and offer a chance for adoption.

"We have raised $997 due to lots of very generous people," Janice Riccio of Friends of Shelter Animals for Cobb County told Northeast Cobb Patch. "Only $300 more to go to save all of these lives. Thank you so much for everyone who has donated."

Resident donations have made the first of two transports possible. The first group of shelter dogs and cats leave Friday to MARS.

Visit Northeast Cobb Patch this weekend to see the full story of Friday's transport.

Donations are still being accepted.

Vote for Cobb Shelter Animals

Vote for the Cobb shelter animals at The Animal Rescue Site's $300,000 Shelter Challenge of 2012. It's easy:

 · Select your Country and (if U.S. or Canada) State/Province.
 · Optional fields accept partial (but not misspelled/inaccurate) information.
 · You can cast one vote every day for your favorite organization.

Vote today and every day to help Cobb animals in need.

The Animal Rescue Site funds food for some of the 8 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the U.S. every year.

Dog Walkers and Picture Takers Needed

The Cobb animal shelter is always in need of more volunteers. If you'd like to volunteer, fill out an application online at http://animalcontrol.cobbcountyga.gov/. You do need to print it out and either drop off at the shelter or mail to the attention of Kent Johnston.

Once your application is accepted, you will be required to take a training class. You will be notified when the next class is scheduled. There are 15 volunteers per class.

Largest Animal Rescue Yard Sale

Mark your calendars for the largest animal rescue yard sale to be held the first three weekends in March at in Kennesaw.

For more information about donating goods for the sale or general information, e-mail market@mostlymutts.org or visit www.mostlymutts.org. - Friends of Shelter Animals for Cobb County contributed to this story.

Vet Tip of the Week

Here are some tips on training your cat or dog to tolerate nail trims; an often dreaded procedure. Desensitizing your pets to handling and trimming of their nails can be done in a slow, step-wise manner.

• Providing treats is the gateway for training a dog or cat to allow their feet to be handled. Treats should be in tiny, bite-sized pieces - a small amount of peanut butter will also work for dogs.
• Handling their paws should always be done in a non-confrontational manner, and with treats given ONLY while your hand is actually touching their paw.
• Never force your pet to let you touch their paw. At first it’s okay if you can only touch their paw for a few seconds at a time before they start to resist. Over time, and with a consistent and patient approach plus rewards, your pet will allow more and more handling.
• If your pet is frightened simply by seeing the nail trimmers, concentrate on handling your pet’s feet without holding the trimmers in your hand. Begin to leave the nail trimmers out in plain sight, such as near their food bowl or with treats placed next to them. Do this until your pet no longer reacts negatively to seeing them (several days to weeks). 
• After you pet allows for a gentle touch of the paws without reacting, and is no longer frightened by the sight of the trimmers, gradually increase your handling in increments (days to weeks) by:

1. Squeezing the paw and toes.
2. Handling each digit.
3. Holding the trimmers in your other hand while holding their paw.
4. Touching the paw with the nail trimmers.
5. Touching each nail with the nail trimmers.
6. Opening and closing the nail trimmers against each nail.
7. Trimming off the tip of just one nail. (better to trim just a little piece off at first)

• Eventually you can trim more than one nail at a time, but initially, the goal is to trim 1-2 nails/day without your pet reacting negatively. 
• If at any point you trim a nail too short and it bleeds, use styptic powder or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. 

If you are not comfortable trimming your pet’s nails, remember that you can do this exercise up to the point of actually trimming. Your veterinarian or groomer will appreciate this, as it will improve your pet’s pedicure manners!

Dr. Lori Germon is a veterinarian at in Smyrna. You can find information on pet introduction and other pet topics at their website. You can also find them on Facebook.