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Help more pets like Sassy

Help more pets like Sassy

By SNN Admin | 14.04.2022

Your support helps pets like Sassy avoid the shelter and get adopted.

Sassy was redirected from the shelter through Spay Neuter Network’s Pet Support and Resource Center. Instead of being surrendered, she was able to live with a foster through our partnership with Dallas Pets Alive.

She was the spoiled queen of her foster home and, within two weeks, she was adopted. Sassy is thriving in her adoptive home and never has to go back to the shelter!

The Pet Support and Resource Center is a partnership program that addresses community/feral cat issues, provides resources to keep pets in their homes, helps pet owners rehome their pets, or routes pets directly to rescue groups for quicker adoption.

Sponsor the Lone Star Bark

Lone Star Bark

Sponsor the Lone Star Bark

By SNN Admin | 16.12.2021

Lone Star Bark

Spay Neuter Network has teamed up with Lone Star Park for a bigger and better LONE STAR BARK! Your pups can search for thousands of dog treats and toys in the Bone Hunt, run on the track for fun and money (limited availability) and play games including Doggie Limbo, Bobbing for Tennis Balls, Musical Mutts, Tic Tac Toe, and the Rubber Ducky Challenge. Enjoy live music, food trucks, drinks, pictures with your pet, a silent auction of paw-some items and more. All proceeds go toward helping Texas pets.

STEP 1: Choose your sponsorship level.

Review our sponsorship packages here.

$250 Fido Friend
$500 Doggie Donor
$1000 Beagle Benefactor
$1,500 Stage Sponsor – SOLD OUT
$2,000 Field Sponsor – SOLD OUT
$3,500 Platinum Headline Sponsor – SOLD OUT

STEP 2: Make your sponsorship payment

Pay By Credit Card below
Pay By Check: Make checks payable to Spay Neuter Network

Send checks to:
Spay Neuter Network
ATTN: Alicia Hargrove
P.O. Box 515
Kaufman, Texas 75142

STEP 3: Email a high resolution image of your logo

to alicia@spayneuternet.org

STEP 4: Send any samples, business cards, and/or promotional items you want to include in the VIP bags.

Please note — your items must be received by May 1 to be included in the goodie bags. We request that all sponsors at the Fido Friend and up include an item (gift basket or other company-sponsored items) for a silent auction. Please send your items to our physical clinic address below.

Spay Neuter Network
ATTN: Alicia Hargrove
102 E Trunk Street
Crandall Texas 75114

Have Questions? Contact alicia@spayneuternet.org.

To pay by credit card, fill out the form below:

Pet Treats: Dos and Don’ts

Dog treats do and don't

Pet Treats: Dos and Don’ts

By SNN Admin | 30.11.2021

Pets have a unique relationship with their owners. These domesticated species highly benefit from the companionship and care they get from humans.

 

Pets rely on their owners for their basic needs such as water, food and shelter. Every now and then, they also get pet treats as a snack or reward for good behavior.

 

In a study using functional MRI to predict a dog’s preference for praise vs. food, experts noted that the dogs liked food more than human interaction.

 

The results highlight the importance of using food as reward or treat. As pet owners, it’s essential that you also carefully think about the nutritional value of pet treats and your purpose for giving them to your pets.

 

This article discusses the dos and don’ts of giving your pets treats, including tips to consider when feeding your pet.

Essential Things to Consider When Giving Pet Treats

Generally, pet owners give treats as rewards for doing good in training or showing proper behavior. You can also use pet treats to show your care and affection for your pets.

However, your noble intentions should not make you overlook the number of calories or ingredients in the pet treats that could be harmful to your pets.

For example, according to an article by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), even five pounds more than your dog’s ideal weight can put it at risk for developing serious medical conditions.

Check the Label

How can you tell if the pet treat you give to your dog is healthy? The best way to find out is to look for the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement on the label.

 

The AAFCO establishes pet food manufacturing standards and also verifies nutrition claims.

 

However, if you’re unsure what pet treats are suitable for specific animals, make sure to consult your vet for recommendations.

Avoid Complex Carbohydrates

VCA Animal Hospitals (originally called Veterinary Centers of America Inc.) says protein and fats are excellent energy sources. Dogs can also consume carbohydrates for energy.

The canine’s digestive system produces enzymes that specifically digest sugars and starches. This means dogs can also digest carbohydrates.

However, try to avoid giving your dog complex carbohydrates like grains. Though they can still digest them, it’s better if complex carbs are cooked.

Meanwhile, the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) warns that canine’s daily intake of treats shouldn’t exceed 10% of their MER (maintenance energy requirements).

Researchers from the University of Padua in Italy examined 32 famous dog treats available in supermarkets and pet shops. Products include:

 

  • Five biscuits
  • Ten tender treats
  • Three meat-based strips
  • Five rawhides
  • 12 chewable sticks
  • Six dental care sticks

 

They found that almost half of the pet treat products mentioned “sugars” on their labels. All had varying amounts of minerals, with biscuits being the most calorically dense pet treats.

 

The result suggested that most dog treats available in the market exceed the recommended daily energy allowance. However, the study is still inconclusive and doesn’t represent all products worldwide.

 

Just like dogs, cats use protein for energy. However, since they lack salivary amylase which initiates starch digestion, breaking down sugars may be a challenge for them.

 

In addition, cats have low concentrations of other carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. They also have a much shorter small intestine compared to dogs. A high-fiber and carbohydrate-packed diet may lead to diarrhea and abnormal intestinal function.

 

Debra L. Zora, a clinical professor of Small Animal Medicine Surgery at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, recommends owners feed cats at least some canned food to lessen their carbs and calorie intake.

Opt for a Low-Calorie Diet

Most senior dogs have low energy requirements. It’s also true for indoor, neutered, or spayed canines. Ideally, dog food should be less than 350 calories per cup.

 

Your vet can estimate how many calories your canine companion needs each day based on its body condition score and lifestyle.

 

The standard formula for an indoor adult dog that is spayed or neutered is:

30 x weight in kilograms + 70 = recommended daily calorie intake

 

This formula isn’t exclusive to your fur baby’s main meal. It’s also used for snacks and treats.

 

For low-calorie snacks, go for water-based vegetables, such as green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and unsalted air-popped popcorn with no butter.

 

Generally, the average weight of a domestic cat should be eight to ten pounds. However, about 57.6% of cats in the U.S. were either obese or overweight from 2007 to 2013, according to APOP.

 

You can contact the pet food manufacturer or ask your veterinarian about your pet’s recommended calorie intake.

Keep Homemade Treats Simple

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has investigated illnesses associated with jerky pet treats.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the FDA has received roughly 5,200 complaints of illnesses linked to the consumption of sweet potato, duck, and chicken jerky treats. Many of these products are imported from China.

 

The reports indicated that 6,200 dogs had been affected, and approximately 1,140 canines had died. Aside from dogs, about 26 cats and three people had also been affected.

 

These reports prompt pet parents to proactively manage their pets’ meals and treats. Nowadays, it’s not hard to find sites that share simple and nutritious recipes that can be served to pets at home.

 

Watch out for the sugar content, and choose simple sugars like molasses and honey. Since homemade pet treats have no preservatives, make sure to store them properly in the fridge or air-tight container with labels.

 

Essential fatty acid is recommended to keep your feline friend’s skin and coat healthy. You may give them homemade sardines and tunas.

 

If you have a pet rabbit, you won’t have any problems as they have the same basic nutritional needs as humans. High-fiber fruits are the best, but make sure to feed them in small quantities and only as treats.

If your rabbit consumes too much sugar, it can cause an imbalance in fungi and bacteria within the cecum, which aids digestion.

Say No to Begging

Reward your pets with treats. However, make sure to give treats only for behaviors you want to encourage. Use pet treats as positive reinforcement.

Almost every pet loves a tasty treat. However, nothing can compare with your presence, so always make time for your pets. You can play with them after work or during weekends and give them lots of love and praise.

When they’re busy having fun, you don’t have to keep them busy chewing on treats. That’s a win-win for everyone.

 

 

Photo by Samson Katt from Pexels

How to Exercise a Dog With Arthritis

Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels

How to Exercise a Dog With Arthritis

By SNN Admin | 20.09.2021

How to Exercise a Dog With Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is an extremely painful joint condition that affects an estimated 2.5% of dogs under veterinary care. Exercise can provide many benefits if a dog owner facilitates it properly.

Pet owners often turn to natural home treatments to help manage their pet’s arthritis pain or natural plant extracts to help manage joint pain. More importantly, canine owners should consider visiting a veterinarian regularly.

What Is Arthritis in Dogs?

Arthritis pain results from inflamed and damaged joints. It hinders dogs’ movement and may make them inactive, so they don’t feel like walking or playing. When this happens, one’s dog may suffer:

  • Lameness
  • Weight loss
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite

 

Non-medical approaches such as exercise may help manage arthritis pain in dogs.

Exercising Dogs With Arthritis

Veterinary experts used to believe that dogs with arthritis should limit physical activity. They often prescribed “exercise restriction.”

However, recent research shows that, over time, this approach can lead to issues like stiff joints, muscle loss, and weight gain.

Studies reveal that dog exercise like walking and aerobics may help with weight loss and alleviate pain.

Here are some tips to help exercise dogs with arthritis effectively.

Warm-Ups

Always start with a warm-up. A dog with arthritis is always stiff when getting up. Help a dog loosen up with a short, low-impact walk.

A minute or two of walking and moving about can loosen its muscles and joints. Then, they can start to move a little faster.

Weigh the Weather

Considering the weather is always important when walking the dog, especially if a pet pooch has arthritis. Make some adjustments to “walkies” since it seems to worsen arthritis pain.

During cold weather:

  • Shorten dog walks during cold winter days. It is recommended that for temperatures above -6℃, medium to large dogs can walk for about half an hour. Smaller dogs can walk for about 20 minutes.
  • Try to schedule the walk during the day, preferably mid-morning or early afternoon.
  • Let the dog wear coats or jumpers to keep them warm during the walk.

During hot days:

  • It’s generally safe to take dogs for a walk in temperatures of up to 68F. Anything over 77℉ is considered dangerous. Even at 70℉, canine pals may be at risk of developing heatstroke.
  • Dogs can get dehydrated when the weather is very warm. Pack a water bowl and a bottle of fresh, cool water so that the dog can drink at regular intervals.

Ditch Fetch

Typically, playing fetch is a fun way to exercise dogs. When they develop osteoarthritis, however, this option is highly inadvisable.

Fetch requires quick acceleration and sudden stops, and twists and turns. These movements may cause unnecessary stress on a dog’s joints. This activity will only worsen the doggy’s condition and cause more pain.

New Exercise Routines

Sudden bursts of activities can add more stress and cause more injuries to a dog’s joints.

It’s best to maintain a program that dog owners can sustain every day rather than engage in extreme workouts during the weekends.

Low-Impact Exercises

Swimming

This exercise is non-weight bearing. It will help increase the dog’s range of motion and build muscle mass.

Canine owners without a home swimming pool can check if some local dog-friendly therapeutic pools or parks offer water features for pets.

Leash Walking

Dog owners can walk their arthritic canine companions in their neighborhoods. A few short walks during the day would keep dogs moving.

This activity will help loosen up their muscles without stressing their joints.

Short Hikes

Find a trail and enjoy a walk with a dog while watching for signs of discomfort. A few short hikes would be a good start.

If a dog manifests a feeling of pain and discomfort, cut the walk short and return home.

Quick, Gentle Play

Many doggies with arthritis can still play tug of war in short periods. However, watch out for signs of any discomfort during and after playing with dogs.

Dogs with arthritis should avoid activities that include jumping and running. Jumping can cause too much stress on a dog’s joints and will worsen the pain.

Pain and discomfort after play suggest that the session was too long. Try to shorten it next time.

Massage After Exercise

When the exercise session is done, spend extra time letting the dog cool down or relax. Heating pads can calm the dog’s muscles.

Put a heating pad on the dog’s hips for a few minutes. The warmth will help soothe aching muscles after exercise.

Dog owners without heating pads can fill a bottle with warm water and use it as a substitute.

Giving dogs a quick massage also helps to relax them. If the dog resists a specific spot on the body, move on to something that feels good.

Remember that only a certified canine massage professional can administer deep tissue massage for injuries or pain relief.

If a dog’s joints appear inflamed after a massage, wrap the area with a cold towel to soothe pain and reduce inflammation. If pain persists, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Keep an Eye on Arthritic Dogs

Pet owners can use wireless security cameras to monitor the dog’s condition and review footage regularly. This way, they’ll know how a dog is acting when they’re not around.

When pet dogs are sick, it’s normal for their owners to be sad. Canines can sense this, as they seem to be able to read emotional expressions.

Dog owners should find ways to help boost their pet’s mood. Daily exercise of 30 minutes to 60 minutes and a bit of love will surely help a dog deal with the discomfort brought by arthritis.

References

 

  1. Study Shows Dogs Can Tell the Difference Between Happy and Angry Faces.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/study-shows-dogs-can-tell-the-difference-between-happy-and-angry-faces/

 

  1. Dogs Can Hear Your Emotions. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/study-shows-dogs-can-tell-the-difference-between-happy-and-angry-faces/

 

  1. Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5884849/

 

  1. Activity modifications for dogs with arthritis

https://caninearthritis.org/article/activity-modifications/

 

Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels

Easter Bone Hunt

Easter Bone Hunt

By SNN Admin | 29.03.2021

Be Part of Spay Neuter Network’s

4th Annual Easter Bone Hunt!

Make Spring special for your pet and help other pets! Get our Easter “Bone” Hunt in a box and create an Easter Hunt at home for your cat or dog! All proceeds go toward helping pets in North Texas!

Thank you to everyone who purchased our Easter Bone Hunt Box!

Your support helps create compassionate communities free of homeless pets. Join our signature fundraiser and help us get pet overpopulation Fixed. For Good.

Please help us thank our generous sponsors by visiting them online


Naturally Fresh Litter


Alpha Paw


Suitical


Spina Organics


Suzie’s Pet Treats


Teddy the Dog


Simply Kind Hearted

 
Pet Love Mobile Grooming

 
Smart Dog Dallas

 
MWI Animal Health

 
Legacy Consulting Group

 
Brutus Broth

 
Handley Feed Store

 
Hollywood Feed

 
Wiki Wags

Additional Thanks to These In-Kind Donors:

Dr. Elsey’s


Specialty Treats

Lucky Dog Barkery

Spay Neuter Network receives prestigious award from Best Friends

Spay Neuter Network receives prestigious award from Best Friends

By SNN Admin | 24.08.2020

Spay Neuter Network has been recognized with the LIFESAVING AWARD for Collective Impact from Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. This award is for demonstrating outstanding ability to support fellow partners and working collaboratively toward a common goal. Specifically, SNN’s new Pet Support and Resource call center, which is helping to lower pet surrender levels by helping owners get the resources they need to keep their pets, helping them rehome their pets or diverting pets to appropriate rescues for faster adoptions keeping shelter intake down.

Spay Neuter Network is a member of the Best Friends Network , which comprises thousands of animal shelters, spay/neuter organizations, and other 501(c)(3) public charity rescue groups across all 50 states working to save the lives of dogs and cats in their communities.

Together, Best Friends and its network partners are working to achieve no-kill for dogs and cats nationwide by 2025. Reaching this goal will mean that every shelter in our country is getting the community support it needs to save every dog and cat who can be saved. It means healing the animals who can be healed, treating behaviors that can be treated, and prioritizing public health, safety, and a high quality of life for both pets and people in our communities. When a shelter is saving at least 90% of the dogs and cats it’s admitting, that shelter is designated as no-kill. A no-kill community is a city or town in which every brick-and-mortar shelter serving or located within that community has reached a 90% save rate or higher and adheres to the no-kill philosophy.

Spay Neuter Network was selected for the Collective Impact award based on national shelter data and work from calendar year 2019 (compared to 2018). National, state, and shelter level data can be found on the pet lifesaving dashboard published by Best Friends.

“It’s incredible to see so many shelters around the nation taking dramatic steps to increase lifesaving,” said Brent Toellner, senior director, national programs for Best Friends Animal Society. “Whether it be through new programming, progressive leadership or better collaborative partnerships, these groups are showing that lifesaving success is possible regardless of a shelter’s size or location.”

“Spay Neuter Network is so excited about being chosen by Best Friend Animal Society for the national Collective Impact Award.   Being recognized for our ability to think outside the box and work with organizations and citizens throughout North Texas to save more lives is extremely rewarding.  Our staff works tirelessly to help engage residents in the solution of unwanted pets.    We couldn’t do everything we do if we didn’t have North Texas partners in the animal welfare field that see solutions and not road blocks to success.” Said Bonnie Hill, executive director, Spay Neuter Network.  “This reward is for all the organizations which truly work daily to solve issues and put an end to pet homelessness. “

Toellner added: ” It’s going to take embracing all models of lifesaving, as well as maximizing collaboration with and support of each other to reach our goal of ending the killing of pets in shelters by 2025. But with so much progress being made, getting our nation to a point where it has finally put a stop to the unnecessary deaths of animals in shelters not only seems possible, but inevitable.”

 

About Spay Neuter Network
Spay Neuter Network’s mission is to eliminate pet overpopulation through spay/neuter, while empowering communities to care responsibly for dogs and cats. This mission is accomplished by providing free and affordable spay/neuter, wellness and vaccination services for dogs and cats across North Texas. Our goal is to reduce shelter intake and create compassionate communities free of homeless pets.

Spay Neuter Network operates three spay/neuter clinics, a surgery transport service for those with limited transportation, and a Mobile Animal Spay/Neuter Hospital (MASH) in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding 13 counties where we provide affordable pet vaccinations, sterilizations and pet care resources to more than 20 cities.

Spay Neuter Network performs more than 30,000 surgeries annually and provides wellness and preventative services for an additional 50,000 pets each year at little to no cost to pet owners in North Texas.  To learn more about Spay Neuter Network or donate, contact us at 972-472-3500 or www.spayneuternet.org

 

About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. In addition to running lifesaving programs in partnership with more than 3,100 animal welfare groups across the country, Best Friends has lifesaving centers in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Salt Lake City, and operates the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from an estimated 17 million per year to around 625,000. That means there are still more than 1,700 dogs and cats killed every day in shelters, just because they don’t have safe places to call home. We are determined to bring the country to no-kill by the year 2025. Working collaboratively with shelters, rescue groups, other organizations and you, we will end the killing and Save Them All. To check out our pet lifesaving dashboard and for more information, visit bestfriends.org.

Join the conversation on Facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety, Twitter (@BestFriends) and Instagram (@BestFriendsAnimalSociety).

Bone Hunt Staycation

Bone Hunt Staycation

By SNN Admin | 15.03.2020

Stuck at home? Give your dog or cat an Easter Stay-Cation!

Presented by Move Solutions

We are replacing our Easter Bone Hunt fundraiser this year with Easter Boxes for house-bound pets and pet parents.

Give your dog a backyard bone hunt this Easter! Give your cat an indoor bone hunt!

Each $20 Easter Bone Hunt Box includes:

When you order an Easter Box, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win a prize donated to our raffle, including a $179 Sleepypod mobile pet bed, sailing on White Rock Lake with the Corinthian Sailing Club and more. No purchase necessary to win. Details below.

The Easter Bone Hunt is one of our most important fundraising events of the year.

Proceeds support Spay Neuter Network’s three nonprofit clinics, which spay, neuter, vaccinate and/or microchip more than 50,000 dogs and cats a year. Help dogs and cats in communities that generate the most shelter animals by helping us get pet overpopulation Fixed. For Good.

Raffle Prizes include:

Questions? Email CAROL HUANG

 

Our amazing sponsors are managing their own challenges, but standing by us. Please click on their logos and support them in any way you can:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Pamela Foland

Cedarcide

Bone Hunt 2020

Bone Hunt 2020

By SNN Admin | 28.01.2020

2020 Easter Bone Hunt

Presented by Move Solutions

Join the search for 1,000 hand made dog treats from Empire Baking Company and play a dozen games, including Doggie Limbo, Bobbing for Tennis Balls, Musical Mutts, Ask Fido and the Rubber Ducky Challenge!

Enjoy Easter photos with bunny ears, snow cones from Bahama Bucks, food from Chiave’s Italian Street Food, and game prizes as you and your pooch hunt for treats, squeak toys, rope tugs, balls and more! Get your pet sketched by artist Aafke Brouwer and take home an adoptable dog from Dallas Animal Services!

AND NEW THIS YEAR – prize for best-dressed Easter pooch & Easter pooch parent!

Bone Hunt TICKETS

Information coming soon.

Your support for the Bone Hunt helps to fund Spay Neuter Network’s three clinics, which spay, neuter, vaccinate and microchip more than 50,000 dogs and cats a year in 15 Texas counties.

Grants & donations enable Spay Neuter Network to provide 80% of our surgeries entirely free of charge and focus on communities that generate the most shelter animals.

For information, please contact Carol Huang, at carol.huang@spayneuternet.org.

 

Please support our amazing sponsors! Click their logos below to learn more:

Special thanks to returning sponsors from 2018 and 2019, who make our “Bone” Hunt possible year after year: Empire Baking Company, Park Cities Pet Sitter, Wiki Wags, Pet Sketch Artist Aafke Brouwer

Who let the dogs out

Who let the dogs out

By SpayNeuterNetwork | 31.07.2019

Kids at the Eugene McCray Recreation Center came to entertain our dogs and cats after surgery.

Post by Spay Neuter Network.

Summer Safety Tips

Summer Safety Tips

By SpayNeuterNetwork | 30.07.2019

We all know that Texas gets hot in the summer and for our furry friends, it is even worse. The ASPCA has provided some precautions to help our pets from overheating, here are a few:

  1. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot or humid outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
  2. Don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt.
  3. Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse.
  4. Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle.

Read more: www.aspca.org