Written by loving adopter, Aaron V.
“My girlfriend and I love cats and were looking to a adopt one of our own. When we got to the adoption clinic, the first two cats to catch our eye were the brothers, Apollo and Hercules. At that moment we knew that we were going to be adopting more than just one cat. The two boys were each about 3 months old when we adopted them. We brought them home and we could instantly see how excited they were to be able to explore every nook and cranny of their new environment. They are still very playful kittens and they love to wrestle with each other. Their favorite toys include socks, crumpled paper and any box they can fit into. They add so much joy and excitement to our apartment and we couldn’t be happier that we adopted them.”
Volunteer Spotlight: Nicole M.
Nicole has been with BHS since 2017 and has since become a Level 2 dog walker and mentor. As a nurse, Nicole has long stretches of her work week and on days off chooses to spend her free time here at BHS. She’s partial to our older residents and gives them all the love they deserve. Because of her schedule you won’t see her around every day, but when you do she’ll always have a smile on her face. Thanks Nicole, we love having you here!
Do you have any animals of your own?
“I have a family dog Lola, she lives with my parents since I moved up here for nursing school a few years ago it was for her best interest to stay with them as I was a full time student renting an apartment at the time. I wouldn’t have been able to provide the best life for her. Since I was very little I grew up around dogs and as a family we always had a dog. Which I missed most about leaving for school as I no longer had that and that’s really what got me interested in volunteering.”
What are some of your hobbies?
“Some of my hobbies include, co ed softball, hiking, working out, and attending concerts with my friends.”
What do you like most about being a volunteer and mentor?
“I love being a volunteer and mentor. I initially did it to get my dog “fix” while not being able to adopt one myself due to various reasons at the time. I came to realize as much as they enjoyed getting out of the kennels, playing, and socializing, I also really needed them. The laughs, cheer, and happiness was also all I needed sometimes. Being able to give back while enjoying doing so is such an amazing feeling.”
What’s your favorite animal themed movie?
“My favorite animal themed movie would have to be Homeward Bound.”
Volunteer Spotlight: Kandi W.
Kandi Has been a volunteer at BHS for over a year, and since then has taken her natural talent for helping others to her position as a warehouse mentor. Kandi is always willing to lend a hand, especially in the administrative office. She helps in so many different ways and always goes above and beyond, all while keeping a smile on her face. Admin staff love having her and her cheerful personality around!
What made you want to start volunteering?
For years Cale and I would go sit in the cat room after yard sailing on Saturdays and give love till our eyes were red from allergies. We came in so often they even let us back to play with the puppies one time. If I had know Veterinary Nurse was an option, I most likely would have been a doggy nurse instead of an LVN. I have wanted to volunteer for years but worried I had too many health issues to do a good job. Finally I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did because I love it!
What’s your favorite area to volunteer in?
I love volunteering in the warehouse because I know I am making a difference for the cats and the staff in the surgery. Joline was my mentor for my first shadow shift and again for my mentor shift. She spent another couple shifts volunteering with me to help me get the hang of how to fold stuff so it would fit properly in the limited space. I quickly found out all of the mentors and staff had the same awesome helpful spirit.
What do you like to do for fun?
For fun I like to nerd out with my hubby and binge watch documentaries and sci-fi tv shows (True Browncoat here…). I also like to scrapbook, paint and papercraft while we watch..
Do you have any hidden talents? (for example: being a dog psychic!)
I’ve always been able to communicate with animals, I’m glad to be able to put it to use! I also love making realistic crepe paper flowers and other decorations for friends and family’s wedding.
Clinic Corner: Allergies & Your Pet
As the weather warms up and we transition from spring to summer (it happens so fast!) you may notice you are suffering from allergies. Do sneezing, watery eyes, and itchy skin sound familiar? You may not be the only one in your house that is suffering seasonal allergies, your pet’s can suffer too! Allergies occur because of irritating substances in your pet’s environment. Common allergens are dust, grass and pollen. Pollen is the most common airborne allergy and can travel up to 100 miles! Common signs that your pet may be suffering from allergies are red or itchy skin or paws, hair loss, hot spots, itchy ears or redness and irritation of the ears or face, or licking or chewing their paws. For mild cases, there are things you can do at home to minimize your pet’s suffering during allergy season like bathing your pet regularly with a natural, moisturizing shampoo to wash away allergens and minimize dry skin, wiping their paws thoroughly after they go outside, washing their bedding frequently, and limiting the time they spend outside in contact with potential allergens. If your pet seems to have a more severe case or their allergies aren’t improving with the steps above, it’s time for a trip to the veterinarian! The doctor will get information on the symptoms your pet is experiencing, asses their coat, skin, eyes, ear and mouth and then determine the best course of action to help your furry family member out of their allergy fog and get them back to their happy, healthy self! Do you have a pet that suffers from seasonal allergies that you aren’t able to control? Would you like to learn what you can do to help your pet during an allergy episode? Schedule an exam with our veterinarian today to learn about what options your pet has to beat the allergy blues! Call for an appointment at 530.343.7917 x 202.
Clinic Corner: Heartworm Awareness
April is Heartworm Awareness Month! The Butte Humane Society Clinic is a proud member of the American Heartworm Society and we are committed to keeping our clients informed and educated to best protect their pets. Did you know that both cats and dogs have been diagnosed with heartworm in all 50 states? Heartworm is an invasive parasite that is transmitted by mosquitos. Northern California has a large mosquito problem and the American Heartworm Society estimates that 9 out of 10 mosquitos are carriers in our area. The rate of infection in in dogs in Butte county is 1 in 63!
Our clinic alone has diagnosed 5 heartworm positive cases in the last 45 days. Heartworm can be painful for a dog to live with and the treatment is expensive and painful as well. It is important to note that dogs are not the only ones who can suffer at the hands of a heartworm infection, cats can contract heartworms as well. Cat’s immune systems are good at fending off the worms before they become adults; however if a cat becomes infected with heartworm, they are at risk for secondary infections, specifically Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease, which causes significant inflammation and permanent damage to the lungs.
There is no approved treatment for cats infected with heartworm, only supportive care can be offered for the secondary infections that accompany a heartworm infection. Heartworm disease affects the heart, lungs and pulmonary blood vessels of pets and can be fatal to both dogs and cats. Monthly heartworm prevention should be given for the life of your pet, even if they aren’t outside often- there is no such thing as an “outdoor only mosquito”. Annual testing and monitoring is important- even if they are on heartworm prevention, because prevention (as with human flu vaccines, etc.) is not 100% effective. The earlier an infection is caught- the easier it is to treat! We recommend that your pet starts on monthly heartworm prevention by the time they are 6 months old and have a heartworm test every year to make sure everything is working as it should. If your dog or cat is over 6 months old, is not on heartworm prevention, or has never been tested; we urge you to set up an exam with our veterinarian to get your furry friend tested and started on monthly heartworm prevention. Schedule your appointment today by calling us at 530.343.7917 x 202. We look forward to keeping your furry family member happy and healthy for years to come!
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