Colder Weather Pet Safety Tips

The colder weather is upon us, Clear The Air would like to share some cold weather safety tips for your pets from the ASPCA.

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer.

Winter walks can even be dangerous from exposure to ice-melting agents if they are licked off bare paws.

Here are some helpful tips for keeping your pets safe this winter from the ASPCA:

• Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and in-between the toes. Remove any snow balls from between his foot pads.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim him to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry his skin, and don’t neglect the hair between his toes. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
• Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
• Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
• Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
• Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
• Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories, and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less dry.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

Information provided by ASPCA: Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips

Success Story From The Humane Society

Here’s a wonderful story from the San Diego Humane Society about Katie, a.k.a. Madeline, a Tortoiseshell kitten.

Katie’s mom writes:

I adopted a beautiful female Tortoiseshell kitten from the San Diego Humane Society last October 23. Her name there at the SDHS was Madeline. I had just lost my precious 15 year old Manx kitty (Maggie) two months earlier and was ready to give another pet a home. I searched for what seemed a long time before I met Madeline, and she agreed I was the one to take her home.

Madeline was one of the very first kittens I met there, as her little home was located in the front, inside the Gift Center, along with some other gorgeous kittens. Her name has since been changed to Katie, but we’ll call her Madeline here, as that was how everyone there at SDHS knew her. I could not believe how quickly she made herself right at home that first evening after departing the carrier. It was if she had been here a while and had already adapted. No time was wasted, as she wanted to play. Madeline has brought so much joy and love into my life.

Madeline is just as described on her profile adoption intro. She has a ton of personality, is very friendly and social, loves people and loves to cuddle, when she has time and is ready. She is very independent. She loves to play fetch and her favorite activity is when we play with her cat catcher teaser toy. Anyone who comes to visit me is greeted with affection and excitement by Katie.

Thank you to the SDHS for everything you do for the animals and also thank you to all the Volunteers and foster families for all they do in socializing, readying and loving the kittens as they await adoption.

-Janet

Are you ready to add a new furry family member? Check out the animals available for adoption at the San Diego Humane Society here.

Lenora Is Looking For Her Forever Home

If you were thinking of getting a new dog for the family this Christmas, adopt a dog from the San Diego Humane Society. They have so many precious dogs looking to be your new best friend. Check out this beautiful birthday girl wishing for her new home!!

Happy Birthday to this little beauty, Lenora! She’s been patiently waiting for more than 360 days for her new family and she’s hoping if she wishes hard enough, her birthday wish will come true!

Lenora is 5 years old and as sweet as can be. She loves to snuggle and give kisses to her favorite humans. When she’s not cuddled up, she loves playing fetch and goofing around with the water hose.
She’s also one of our top Volunteer Picks for her sweet demeanor and silly personality.

Make her birthday wish come true this weekend at our San Diego Campus! Here’s more information on Lenora.

Success Story From The Humane Society

Do you have a happy success story about a pet you adopted? Comment on our blog!

The San Diego Humane Society helps many homeless animals find their new home. There are many senior cats in need of forever homes! Since November is adopt a senior pet month, here is a success story about Sia, a senior cat, who is very happy with her new family.

Sia’s Story:

I am attaching a picture of the lovely lady we adopted almost 1 1/2 years ago from SDHS on Airport Road. The senior pets are a passion of mine and I encourage people all the time to give one of these beautiful animals a chance and a home. They are typically easy to care for and just appreciate having a comfy place to nap, some food, and a little lovin.’

We adopted Sia (aka Saipao) in May 2013 and she was almost 15 years old. She will be 16 in November and is going strong. There are many days that I don’t think she realizes how old she is!

As you can see, she is a beautiful Blue Point Siamese and she has brought nothing but joy into our lives. There hasn’t been one day with her that we have regretted getting her.

I hope by sharing her story that we can encourage more people to take a senior pet into their homes – you will never regret giving them peace and love in their final days/years!

David & Gina D.

Successful Story From The San Diego Humane Society

Another sweet cat finds her forever home!

The San Diego Humane Society helps many homeless animals find their “furrever” home. Here is yet another success story about Sophia (now called Amelie) who is very happy with her new family:

Here’s her story:

My cat Scheherazade died about six months ago. She’d been my little friend for 17 years, and I was heartbroken. She and I were simpaticas, and I didn’t think I’d ever want another pet. But I received an e-mail from the Humane Society saying they were having a special on “Ninja Panthers” (i.e., all-black kittens), and there was one that looked just like Scheherazade when she was a kitten. It was a male, and I immediately thought, “Dante! I’ll call him Dante!” I called to find out if he could be held until I got there, but someone had just taken him home.

My husband said, “Let’s just go down there. I’m sure they have other kittens.”

We went to the Gaines Street campus, and the adoption counselor asked what we were looking for in a kitten. I said I wanted an affectionate one. She let us play with all of them and told us a little bit about each. There was one, though, a little gray female called Sophia, that was sweet, playful, and affectionate–just a bundle of charm. My husband said, “I like that one.” I agreed, and we brought her home.

I can’t tell you what a delight she is. She was so well socialized that she was right at home with us in just over an hour. I work from home, and she loves to help–typing and sorting papers are her favorite–and she loves to play and to cuddle, and she’s so well behaved. I couldn’t ask for a better or more perfect friend than our little Sophia (now called Amelie). I think Scheherazade would be pleased that we found her. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Diane

Ridiculously Remarkable RICKY!

How To Eliminate RV Odors

Sadly summer is at a close. If you own an RV and use it regularly for summer trips, continue reading…

Clear The Air can eliminate any and all RV odors you may experience. Many times RV’s can harbor foul odors because they do not always get the air circulation they need during the off season.

If you smell unpleasant odors in your RV or are planning to store your RV for the Fall and Winter time, we suggest you use Clear The Air’s Odor Eliminating Bags to keep odors away.

Air fresheners just mask the odors and often smell worse than the offensive odor, RV detailing is expensive, and shampooing often just spreads the smell around. Many things can cause odors in your RV – pets, smoke, gasoline, smog, mold/mildew, bathroom, and holding tanks all cause odors to build up in your RV.

Clear The Air Odor Remover Bags can simply be hung in your RV and they will completely eliminate all these odors. Our product draws in odors like a powerful magnet and are also safe around children and pets even if eaten. It does not have to come into contact with odor producer to eliminate the odor – Clear The Air does not cover up odors it literally “clears the air” leaving the air fresh and clean.

Find out HOW to use our Odor Eliminating Products in your RV by clicking here.

Mutt Monday’s Success Story – Dakota

Another sweet dog find her forever home!

The San Diego Humane Society helps many homeless animals find their “furrever” home. Here is yet another success story about Dakota who is very happy with her new family:

Dakota (formerly Tomato)
“Perfect Dog!”

This is the best dog ever!  She sits, lays down, fetches and drops it at your feet, sleeps in her crate and poops and pees outside, even goes to the sliding door and scratches to go out to pee!

She’s great with our 5 year old daughter and gentle with our 2 year old daughter.

It’s like she’s an angel sent from heaven just for our family!!  Took her to puppy class at Petco and the lady was teaching her third and fourth week stuff, smart dog.

I am so very thankful we got her!!  PERFECT DOG! 🙂

With great appreciation!!
The Snow family

Shy Shelly Looking For Love At The San Diego Humane Society

Shy Shelly is Looking for Love!

Check out the latest hidden gem at the San Diego Humane Society. Shelly is looking for her forever home and is just a year old! Here is what the San Diego Humane Society has to say about her:

1-year old Shelly is a very special girl. A Chihuahua mix with just about the sweetest face you’ve ever seen, this little lady was transferred to us from one of our partner shelters in the area.

From the beginning, she was clearly terrified of people, and even more so, of the leash. And while she still likes to take her time approaching new people and situations, she has made tremendous progress and formed trusting relationships with her caregivers who have been simply thrilled to see the positive changes in her behavior.

Once she knows you and develops a close & trusting relationship with you, Shelly has such an abundance of love she wants to share. She’ll start by offering you a little wiggle dance accompanying her wagging tail. Next she might perform some “zoomies” (run around super-fast and happy)! Then, she’ll politely request a good ol’ petting sesh, and be ever so happy to soak up all of the attention you can give her. Now, it might take just a little time to get there, but the payoff with this sweet girl will most definitely be worth it.

Shelly’s adoption fee of $95 includes her spay, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, and a certificate for a free veterinary exam! This very special hidden gem of ours is located behind the scenes at our Gaines campus. If you are interested in meeting her or getting more information, please contact Customer Service at (619) 299-7012.

Happy Fourth Of July – Keep Your Pets Safe!

Did you know the Fourth Of July is the biggest day of the year that pets get lost?

The animals shelters receive the most lost and scared pets on the Fourth Of July than any other day of the year.

Please keep your pets safe at home and read our blog to make sure you are doing everything for your pet’s safety:

• Don’t leave your pets outside. Even if your pet is used to being outside, the loud noises from fireworks may make them break free from their restraint or jump the fence if they are trying to find safety from the noise.
• Keep alcohol away from pets. Pets can become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma or even die from respiratory failure.
• Leave your pet at home if going to watch fireworks. The combination of too many people and loud fireworks will cause your pet to freak out and do anything they can to seek shelter. Do not lock them in the car either!
• Microchip your pet and make sure he or she has ID tags. If your pet does manage to get loose, an ID tag with your name and phone number on it will help your dog find his way back home. You also want to make sure your pet is micro-chipped.
• Never use fireworks around your pet. Lit fireworks will not only scare your pet but they can cause severe burns, trauma to the face or paws and even death. They also contain toxic substances even when unused.
• Don’t feed your pet from the table. Avoid giving your pet table food while you are barbequing or enjoying a backyard party. Onions, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and more are all hazardous to your pets.
• Oils, citronella candles, insect coils and other insect repellant products are toxic to your pet. Inhaling these toxins can result in respiratory illness such as pneumonia and indigestion which can harm your pet’s nervous system.

What do you do to keep your pet safe and secure on the Fourth? Comment on our blog.