YOUR DAILY LOL

YOUR DAILY LOL

IT'S HOWL-O-WEEN...TIME TO DRESS UP YOUR PETS!

It's that time of year when the ghosts and goblins come out to parade the neighborhoods in search for some sugary treats; but who says they get to have all the fun? Halloween is also an exciting time your pets! They too have the opportunity to get dressed up and show off their costumes.

Whether you're planning on bringing your pet out for some trick or treat fun, or hosting a Halloween get together, people love to see pets get in on the action. Don't already have a costume lined up for your furry friend? No problem! There is a large market for dog and cat costumes and it is only growing larger.

PetSmart has a great variety of fun, creative costumes. They have everything from spiders to dinosaurs for dogs of all shapes and sizes. You can even take your own costume to the next level with one of the stylish matching costumes that PetSmart offers. There are also some simple, but fun get-ups for the cats out there that are looking to get in on the action. You can order the costumes offline or visit their local store at 1671 East Market Street, Harrisonburg.

It is important to remember to keep your pet safe and comfortable during all the fun. EntirelyPets.com offers a helpful pet costume safety guide that highlights some important things to be aware of when dressing up your pet, especially if you are taking them out trick or treating with you. While dressing up your cat or dog can be adorable and fun, it is crucial to be aware of how your pet is feeling throughout the night. Lots of people, or a costume that is too tight can create fear and anxiety for your pet, so it is a good idea to look over some of the pet costume safety guide before the night begins.

So, with only a few days left until Halloween, it's time to get shopping!

WAL-MART TURN TRASH INTO PET SUPPLIES

I don't think it's too much of an exaggeration to say that Harrisonburg's Wal-Mart Supercenter is what keeps the city running (could JMU dorm-life survive without it?).  It's enormous to say the least, and one could therefore assume the amount of waste produced is also enormous.  

Well, earlier this month Wal-Mart unveiled a plan to begin recycling some of its wasteful items for use in pet products.  No, this doesn't mean they'll be handing out old shoes to teething puppies, but what it does mean is that Wal-Mart's new partnership with pet supply company Worldwise aims to create new products through environmentally sustainable means.  According to GreenBIz, CEO of Worldwise, Matthew Turnbull describes the partnerships: "Creating 'Closed Loop' systems, that generally utilize waste from one process as the raw material for another, have long been hailed as an important model for more sustainable consumption."

Some of the products to be recycled include hangers, plastic bags, cardboard and plastic bottles for use in dog beds, litter boxes, and cat scratches.  The bloggers over at Unleashed also took note of the initiative;  They reported that sales of the pet beds will ultimately keep 100 million plastic bottles out of landfills.  More than 50 products will be sold through Wal-Mart under the brand names Poochplanet and SmartyKat.  I couldn't agree more with a statement Unleashed made regarding the project, "Now even if you’ve got issues with some of Wal-Mart’s policies and politics, you have to respect the company for taking a step in the right direction with this."  

The new products are on sale now in store and through their website.  So, if you’re in the market for some new supplies, take the green route and shop smartly at Wal-Mart.  

YOUR DAILY LOL

HARRISONBURG VOLUNTEERING: CAT'S CRADLE EDITION

Earlier in the week we profiled an SPCA volunteer.  We told you how to get involved, what the time commitment was like, and what to expect on the job.  Since then, we've decided to ask a few questions to another volunteer, this time, from Cat's Cradle.

The little downtown shop located right on South Main Street is always looking for some extra help.  Many times, a reason for not volunteering is one as simple as not having transportation to and from the center.  Because of its location, Cat's Cradle could be just the place for those looking to volunteer somewhere within walking distance of the JMU campus.  Jess Jondahl answered some questions about her experience volunteering at Cat's Cradle:

P+C- How did you get started? 

JJ- I started off by filling out an application to be a volunteer. I had visited many times before, but one day I decided I'd like to do a little more for them. 

P+C- Is there any training involved?

JJ- As for training, there's a one-hour preliminary session, and then you pretty much learn as you go. They won't have you giving cats vaccinations and such on your first day, for example. 

P+C- What is a typical visit like?

JJ- A typical visit usually involves cleaning cages and litter boxes as one of Cat's Cradle's major priorities is cleanliness and keeping the shop orderly for potential customers. Lately the staff has been preparing their Christmas mailing list, so I help out with that a lot too.

P+C- What is the time commitment? 

JJ- The time commitment is totally up to you. If you can only offer an hour a week, that is still very valuable to the regular staff who works there. I personally volunteer up to eight hours a week; some volunteers do even more!

P+C- What is your favorite aspect of volunteering?

JJ- My favorite part is that most of the cats love to be pet, held and played with, and even some of the newer, less socialized cats will eventually come to see who you are. All of the cats are so sweet and it helps me to get some fuzz therapy in when I miss my own animals at home. And even the people there are awesome. It's so relaxed because you don't have to worry about salaries. It's just a great environment.

P+C- Do you volunteer with a partner? 

JJ- Most of the time there's another volunteer there, but sometimes when schedules don't match, I'm the only one. However, there is always a regular staff member there to do all the heavy lifting with adoptions and such.

P+C- What's the first step someone should take if they want to get involved? 

JJ- If anyone wishes to get involved they may contact Cat's Cradle (info is on the website) or go to the adoption center/ office/ shop on South Main and fill out and application.

P+C- Are there any upcoming events you want to mention?

JJ- Well, I'm not really sure of any events that are coming up soon, but they have a website...www.catscradleva.org/NewsAndEvents

YOUR DAILY LOL

YOUR DAILY LOL

WHATS THE DEAL WITH VOLUNTEERING? -HARRISONBURG SPCA

So, what is the deal with volunteering?  If your any kind of dog lover living in Harrisonburg, VA, then you've probably heard about, and maybe even contemplated, volunteering at an animal shelter like the SPCA.

The idea makes perfect sense:

you love dogs + you miss your pet from home + you'd like to be more involved in the community = you volunteer at the SPCA.

This idea is exactly what got Bridget Draper motivated to start volunteering some of her time with local animals at the SPCA.  What's her time commitment like? How'd she get started? I decided to ask Bridget these questions and a few more in hopes of getting some insight into just what volunteering is all about.  

P+C- How did you get started? 

BD- As a college student there's no way i have the time to care for a dog so this was a great way to get to "have" a dog for a few hours a week and the dogs are very appreciative to get some time to play!

P+C- Is there any training involved?

BD- There was a 2 hour training session that i signed up for by e-mailing the SPCA

P+C- What is a typical visit like?

BD- You can volunteer for either cat socializing or dog walking and there are hour and a half time slots for each. they are Monday- Friday 12:30-2:00 pm and 2:00-3:30 pm.

P+C- What is the time commitment? 

BD- You only have to complete 3 hours each month and are welcome to do as many hours as you'd like!

P+C- What is your favorite aspect of volunteering?

BD- I love getting a chance to play with dogs since I am currently unable to have one of my own. I know I've also made these dogs day by hanging out with them for a little while, even if it's only for ten minutes.

P+C- Do you volunteer with a partner? 

BD- I volunteer with my boyfriend and we go every week together. it's something fun for us to look forward to each week. you can go with friends or by yourself! 

P+C- What's the first step someone should take if they want to get involved? 

BD- Call or e-mail the SPCA and ask when the next training session is. the day after you complete the session you will be able to play with kitties and puppies!!

P+C- Are there any upcoming events you want to mention?

BD- I'm not sure of the details but I know they're having special events before the holiday season to help get these pups and cats adopted around the holiday season!

YOUR DAILY LOL

YOUR DAILY LOL

YOUR DAILY LOL

YOUR DAILY LOL

YOUR DAILY LOL

AFFORDABLE SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC IN HARRISONBURG!

Attention: all dogs and cats living in the Shenandoah Valley looking to get fixed, (but still stay under budget), there is a place for you. 

The Shenandoah Valley Spay and Neuter Clinic offers a safe, reliable environment for both cats and dogs to receive spaying and neutering, vaccinations, de-worming, and many more services at a low cost. The Clinic has been dedicated to ending the euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs since 2005, and has already spayed and neutered nearly 60,000 animals.

The Clinic is currently staffed with two full-time and two part-time veterinarians, along with four licensed veterinary technicians. They also have plenty of help from experienced veterinary assistants, administrators, animal care technicians and even a canine behaviorist.

Some of you may be wondering why should you go through the trouble of "fixing" your cat or dog when they seem to be perfectly happy they way they are. SpayUSA.org  gives many reasons why this is the best option for your pet. The number one reason, of course, is that spay/neuter reduces overpopulation, so less animals will suffer from bad conditions on the streets, or be unnecessarily euthanized. It has also been proven that this surgery will allow your pet to live a healthier and longer life. Also, sterilizing your pet will reduce their urge to wander away from your home, therefore reducing the chance they will get contract a disease, get lost, or hit by a car.

The Shenandoah Valley Spay and Neuter Clinic reiterates the importance of spay/neuter and does everything they can to help owners help their pets. They work together with Cat's Cradle who also advocates that every cat be spayed/neutered.

So if you have a cat or dog that hasn't been spayed or neutered and you're a little short on cash...you know where to go for a safe and worthwhile experience. The Shenandoah Valley Spay and Neuter Clinic provides an easy scheduling process and directions to their location.

Want to help? The Clinic offers many ways that volunteers can contribute to their mission. You can give donations (which are tax deductible!) or even give dry pet food. There are also opportunities to actually go to the clinic and help out. 

YOUR DAILY LOL

YOUR DAILY LOL

Here at Paws + Claws we've decided to begin posting a daily Lolcat photo for your viewing pleasure.  So, without further ado...

CAT'S CRADLE, ADOPT OR SAVE, THE NO-KILL ALTERNATIVE

If you're an animal lover living in Harrisonburg, then you've almost certainly heard of Cat's Cradle.  Anyone walking past the downtown store may at first assume it sells pet accessories of some sort, that is, until they realize that those lovely fake cats modeling collars in the window are in fact real cats looking for a home.  The little downtown store is one of Harrisonburg's cats only rescue and adoption shelters.  

Unlike many animal shelters, Cat's Cradle has a strict no kill policy, and is focused on providing a haven for homeless cats as well serving as an adoption center for those kittens healthy enough for new homes. The center was opened in 1998 by a woman named Pat Rossi, who sought to provide care to stray cats in the area. Her goal; to reduce the population of strays. 


With the help of local veterinarians, Rossi was able to educe the cost lower cost cat neutering, ultimately making the service more available.  Popularity grew and Rossi found herself branching out into rescue and adoption as well.  The center firmly believes in a policy of TNR.  TNR? Trap, Neuter, and Release.  The loving caretakers at Cat's Cradle even offer a service in which someone they aid in capturing a stray cat, so that he or she can be properly altered.  Cat's cradle truly is dedicate to providing information and services to those who are unsure of how to handle strays. 

Just last week I found myself seeking the help of Cat's Cradle.  For the last month, my Harrisonburg home has been visited by an extremely friendly tabby cat.  Often my roommates and I would come home to find her lounging on our porch eager for some attention.  Because she was so outgoing, and because we noticed she was declawed, we assumed she was simply a neighbor's pet exploring the neighborhood. 


However, we soon realized that even on rainy and cold nights Amelia, as we came to call her, never seemed to be 'going home'.  So, last week we took her over to Cat's Cradle for some help.  The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and helped us discover Amelia was apparently a boy (hello, Emilio), and was altered.  Because the center was temporarily at full capacity, they lent us a cat house with a promise that we could bring him back in two weeks if we had no luck finding his original home.    

Thanks to Cat's Cradle, Emilio is in good hands.  If you know of any strays in your area, or are looking to adopt, Cat's Cradle may be the place for you.