| |
To view this email as a web page, go here. |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Letter from Heather
|
|
Dear Friends: Now that spring is in full bloom, it’s time to talk about ways to keep our pets healthy and safe. Spring means changes in weather, which means that parasites are more active, and it’s also a prime season for disease in the shelter environment. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your pets are vaccinated and up-to-date on all pest prevention and treatments. Every year, HALO faces the possibility of puppies contracting parvovirus (or parvo). In our shelter, it’s easy for pets and people to transfer disease, which is why we are so vigilant in our cleanliness and in our safety protocols. We also ensure that every dog or puppy entering our care is vaccinated for parvo to help limit this disastrous disease. With your own pets at home, vaccinations are equally important. Dogs see each other in so many different environments, and vaccinations are the only true way to protect them. Please make sure your dogs are current with all their vaccines this spring. We have already started seeing the first spring litters enter the shelter, and we’re hoping to see adoptions increase as well. To kick off the season, we’ll be at the Paws Around the Fountain pet adopt-a-thon in Fountain Hills this Sunday. Please come out and find a new pet during this fun event. Remember, we can’t do this alone. For every litter of kittens we place in foster care or every puppy we vaccinate, we must use grant funding or donation money. Help from people like you helps us care for even more pets and ensures that we can provide the very best for the pets in our care. If you can help, please donate today! 
Heather Allen President and CEO HALO Animal Rescue
|
|
|
|
|
It's Tick Time!
|
The warm weather in the Phoenix area means more than just swimming pools and air conditioning. For our pets, it also means tick season is here. Although ticks can survive year-round with our temperate climate, once the weather heats up, the ticks really get active. To protect yourself and your pets this spring, here are some helpful tips:
- When you are out and about, whether hiking, walking or just hanging out in the backyard, remember to examine your pets before heading back inside. Ticks can ride on your clothes or on your pet very quickly. Tumble dry your clothes on high heat for an hour to kill any extra passengers.
- Choose a flea and tick treatment that’s right for your pet and keep them updated on their doses.
- Make sure you are using the right treatment for your pet, and never use cat medication on a dog or vice versa.
- Make your lawn less hospitable by mowing regularly, removing tall weeds and making it less friendly to common tick hosts, including rodents, by keeping garbage covered and inaccessible.
 An engorged tick.
|
|
|
|
|
Vaccinating Against Parvo
|
|
In a shelter environment, it takes vigilance and dedication to reduce disease transmission. With both staff and the public often handling pets, as well as new pets entering the system from unknown whereabouts, we must adhere to strict safety and cleaning protocols. At HALO, we are especially concerned with parvovirus, a highly contagious viral disease that can be life-threatening for dogs and puppies.
Parvovirus, or parvo, can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes into contact with an infected dog’s feces. Worse, the virus can live in the environment for months and can survive on any object or material that was infected. Dogs can come into the shelter with this disease and spread it to other dogs via shoes, carpet, clothing or food bowls. That’s why HALO always vaccinates dogs and puppies over four weeks old on intake with the DA2PPV (canine distemper, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza & parvovirus vaccination).
Outside of the shelter environment, it’s equally vital to maintain up-to-date vaccines for your dog to reduce his risk of contracting parvo. If your dog visits a dog park or goes shopping with you, or even comes into contact with infected feces on a daily walk, your dog is at risk.
The symptoms of parvo include lethargy, severe vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody diarrhea. If you experience any of these symptoms with your dog, please take him to a veterinarian immediately for testing and treatment. However, there is no treatment that can kill the virus; your vet may recommend treatments that can only control the symptoms and boost your dog’s immune system. Even these treatments are not always successful. Parvo is a very dangerous disease, which makes is all the more important to protect your pet with vaccines.
This tiny puppy is a great reason why you should vaccinate.
|
|
|
|
|
This Sunday: Paws Around the Fountain
|
|
Come out to meet your new best friend this Sunday, March 29, at the PACC 911 & Paws Around the Fountain pet adopt-a-thon in Fountain Hills. HALO will be on site at the event from 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will have dogs of all sizes ready to go home with you. This annual event is just another way that HALO helps pets find homes by showcasing them in the community. If you or someone you know is looking for just the right dog for your family, head over to Fountain Hills this Sunday! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HALO Animal Rescue 2500 S. 27th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85009 halorescue.org 602.971.9222
|
|
|
|
|
|
