Today is World Animal Day!

We've shared before about our support of endangered species and the National Geographic Society's efforts to save them...

Now - you can raise awareness on World Animal Day.

MISSION: TO RAISE THE STATUS OF ANIMALS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE WELFARE STANDARDS AROUND THE GLOBE

According to KeepInCalendar, World Animal Day is celebrated each year on October the 4th. It started in Florence, Italy in 1931 at a convention of ecologists. On this day, animal life in all its forms is celebrated, and special events are planned in locations all over the globe. The 4th of October was originally chosen for World Animal Day because it is the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a nature lover and patron saint of animals and the environment. Numerous churches throughout the world observe the Sunday closest to October the 4th with a Blessing of the Animals.

World Animal Day, however, has now gone beyond being the celebration of a Christian saint and is today observed by animal-lovers of all beliefs, nationalities and backgrounds. Animal blessings are held in churches, synagogues, and by independent animal chaplains in parks and fields. Animal rescue shelters hold fundraising events and open days, wildlife groups organize information displays, schools undertake animal-related project work and individuals and groups of friends or co-workers donate to animal charities or pledge to sponsor a shelter animal.

In Argentina it is celebrated on April 29 as a tribute to the death (in 1926) of Dr. Lucas Ignacio Albarracín. Albarracín was, along with Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, one of the founders of the Sociedad Argentina Protectora de Animales (Argentine Society of Protection of Animals) and the proponent of the National Law on Protection of Animals.

Why celebrate World Animal Day?

Building the celebration of World Animal Day mobilizes people for action now for a better future for animals.

Throughout history, social movements (mass actions) like World Animal Day, have always been a major vehicle for ordinary people’s participation in politics, and key in fighting for social justice and reform. The lives of animals are profoundly affected by the actions of individuals, businesses, and nations.  It’s therefore essential that, as sentient beings, their rightful status as recipients of social justice is established and translated into effective animal protection.  Through increased awareness and education, we can help develop a compassionate culture which feeds into legal reform and social progress to make this world a fairer place for all living creatures.  A world where animals are recognised as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.

There are other days linked to animals such as: World Day for Laboratory Animals on 24 April and World Wildlife Day on 3 March, and these are important too. However, World Animal Day is the one day of the year that embraces all animals and the unique concerns of each, in every country. It’s a special opportunity to commemorate our love and respect for animals by doing something special to highlight their importance in the world.  It unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force for change. Participation in celebrating World Animal Day grows each year, with a huge variety of inspiring events being held in an increasing number of countries. In 2003, we recorded 44 events being held in 13 countries and this has now grown to an estimated 1000 events in around 100 countries. YOU can help enhance the visibility of World Animal Day.

Donate or add your event:

On this day in 1904 the 30th Kentucky Derby was held. The race was won by an American thoroughbred named Elwood, the first winning horse in the history of the Kentucky Derby to be bred and owned by a woman. With the 142nd Kentucky Derby being held this Saturday, we thought we ought to take this opportunity to celebrate the important role women have played in Derby history.

Horse Aid - Equine First Aid Kit for Horses - 10140

Veterinarian approved for barn, tack, trailer and trail.

This kit contains essential items for Horse First Aid Emergencies.

Do you have a horse?

If you have a horse, this kits for you!

Includes:

• Horse First Aid Book
• Corona Antiseptic Ointment
• Flexible Cohesive Wrap
• Tourniquet
• Saline Solution
• Iodine Prep Pads
• 3-Ply Towels
• Surgical Scrub Brush
• Scissors
• Syringe
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Vinyl Gloves
• 4" x 4" Gauze Pads
• 6" x 9" Cold Pack
• Alcohol Prep Pads
• Thermometer

Spring is the season to celebrate new life. What better way to do so than to welcome the new baby otter pup into the world at the Bronx Zoo?! This playful little one clambered around its new habitat the other day scoping out the new digs while mama tried to show it the ropes. The inquisitive pup wasn't shy for long, scoping out the place on its own and even diving into the water. After splashing around in the pool for a bit, the two curled up inside a log to rest. See the video of the newcomer here!

During Pet First Aid Awareness Month - we also wanted to reach out to Pet owners and remind them of a responsibility: Dog Bites. Dogs can bite humans - either out of fear, pain, or a sense of protecting their loved ones.

Pet First Aid is always a topic we like to share information about - while it is often overlooked in favor of fun and cute pet stories, it is very important to any family with a furry friend - and especially at the Holidays.

Today, we'd like to share some information about Hydrogen Peroxide and your Pet. We've shared a bit before about how important this is:

? 5 Pet First Aid Tricks

? Dog Vomit

? How to respond if your pet has a medical emergency

Here's some new and helpful information... according to Dr. Sandeman, Home & Garden, Quad-City Times, Hydrogen peroxide is good first aid for pets.

While our pets can enjoy the holidays as we do, the season does expose them to things that may pose a risk that they wouldn’t see or touch any other time of the year. And no, we aren’t talking about Aunt Cybil’s sauerkraut dip.

Products from batteries to chocolate crinkles can cause some type of harm when eaten by our dogs. Prepared owners will have their veterinarian’s or poison control hotline’s number handy along with a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide.

Many of the foods that can be toxic to our pets — grapes, chocolate, products containing the artificial sweetener xylitol — are best handled by giving your pet hydrogen peroxide within a short time of ingestion to cause them to vomit. Even some chemicals such as mouse or rat poison may be initially treated by forcing the patient to throw up any product remaining in their stomach by giving them hydrogen peroxide orally.

But, not every exposure to a potentially dangerous substance should be addressed with vomit-inducing hydrogen peroxide. In fact, vomiting at the wrong time can lead to further damage.

And as a general rule, anything that can be irritating or corrosive going down is going to be irritating or corrosive coming back up.

Batteries, household cleaners such as toilet bowl cleaners and detergents all fall into this category. Especially dangerous to pets and children are laundry detergent pods that seem like the perfect plaything to the unsuspecting, but can serious harm when swallowed.

Additionally, hydrogen peroxide doesn’t do a good job making cats throw up.

So, before you do anything, call your veterinarian or emergency clinic before administering any treatment to make sure you are using it correctly and for the right dosage.

Learn more »

Pet Safety & Holiday Happiness

Many pets were left behind to fend for themselves during the wildfires in California’s Calaveras and Lake counties resulting in serious injuries, death or disappearance.

This occurred because the fire came so fast many survivors had no time to save the animals.

Planning ahead means saving all family members - even the winged or multi-legged ones.

• Preparing Your Pets for Shelter
• “Ready, Pet, Go!” Preparedness Calendar
• PetParedness takes the spotlight
• Sheltered Pets
• 5 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Pet

"Pets are members of the family. You wouldn't want to leave a family member behind during a disaster would you?" said Deputy State Coordinating Officer Charles Rabamad. "Having a plan and emergency kit for your pets is just as important as having them for your mother, father, sister or brother."

With predictions of more severe weather and flooding this winter due to El Niño now is a good time to develop both a family and pet emergency plan. Here are some tips on what to include in your pet plan:

• If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, ask your veterinarian about the possibility. Make sure your pet’s tags are up-to-date and fastened to its collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, its tag is its ticket home.
• Make sure your pet’s immunizations are current and keep a copy of the veterinary records with you.
• Take a photo of your pet and keep it with you for identification purposes.
• Make a pet emergency kit. You should have enough pet food, bottled water and medications for three days. Also, pack cat litter and pan, manual can opener, food dishes, leash and collar, brush, blankets, a first aid kit and other supplies. A full list of items to include can be found online at www.Ready.Gov. Information also is available at www.Cal-cares,com and www.CDFA.ca.gov.
• If you plan to shelter in place, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Put all emergency supplies in that room ahead of time, including your pet’s crate and supplies.

Pet Emergency Kits come with the supplies your furry friend needs to evacuate, shelter and survive with the rest of the family!

Include Your Pets in Emergency Planning

• Consider checking with your local animal control agency or emergency management office now to determine if a pet-friendly shelter is available in your area. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies.
• Make a buddy system with your friends or neighbors as a back-up emergency plan if you cannot care for your animals yourself. The buddy system will assure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

Those with larger animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs should also plan for these animals by:

• Ensuring all animals have some form of identification.
• Evacuating animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
• Making sure vehicles and trailers for transporting animals as well as experienced handlers and drivers are available.
• Ensuring destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment.

Survivors can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Registration continues through Nov. 23.

We've talked about it before, and we'll talk about it again... you need to prepare ahead of time for pets in emergency situations.

When you prepare for disasters, be sure to make arrangements for your pets too! In the event that you have to evacuate to a public shelter, keep in mind that for health reasons, some facilities cannot accept pets, so it’s important to prepare them for an alternative shelter. However, service animals are allowed in general population shelters.

• “Ready, Pet, Go!” Preparedness Calendar
• PetParedness takes the spotlight
• Sheltered Pets
• 5 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Pet
• Pet First Aid Month
• 5 Pet First Aid Tricks
• Pet Safety & Holiday Happiness
• Keeping Your Pets Safe
• How to respond if your pet has a medical emergency
• Red Cross Pet First Aid App
• American Red Cross Pet First Aid

The Ready Campaign offers the following tips when seeking a pet shelter:
• Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office to get advice and information; and
• If you’re unable to return to your home right way, you may need to board your pet. Find out the location of boarding facilities and research some outside of your area in case local facilities are closed.
Once you’ve found an alternative shelter, follow these tips to keep your pet safe while they are away from you:
• Make sure microchips and identification tags are up-to-date and securely fastened to your pet’s collar. If possible, attach the address and phone number of your evacuation site;
• Take a current photo with your pet for identification purposes; and
• Pack a “pet survival kit”

Disaster Supplies for Pets
Disaster Emergency Kits for Dogs and Cats + Survival Food

We recently talked about PetParedness at the White House... now the American Public Health Association (APHA) recently released an exciting new resource to help prepare your family, school, or office for emergencies. Their 2016 “Ready, Pet, Go!” Get Ready calendar features images of animals sharing important safety tips you can follow throughout the year, including:

• If you live in an area at risk for hurricanes, know your community’s hurricane warning system. Find your evacuation routes and have supplies packed;
• If you have to go outside during a winter storm, bundle up. Wear mittens and a hat to stay warm. Limit your time outdoors; and
• Know where to take shelter during a disaster, whether you’re at home, work, school, or in transit.

Images used in the calendar feature winners from APHA’s recent photo contest held during National Preparedness Month. This calendar can be a great addition to your bulletin board, office space, or refrigerator. Download and print your copy today!

Pet First Aid & Pet Emergency and Survival Supplies come in many varieties!