Thursday, May 19, 2011

Cairns pet owners need to watch out for crocs in waterways

Cairns Crocodile sightings seem to be getting regular, with a large (2.0m) crocodile removed from Saltwater Creek behind Edge Hill State School on Sunday and another, larger (2.4m) Crocodile in Moody's creek in Mooroobool.  Both of these creeks are in suburban areas, popular for fishing and bait fishing with nets.  Both creeks have walking tracks along their banks which are popular with pet owners: take care if you regularly walk your dog in this sort of habitat, as crocodiles can lurk nearby.  No doubt the ancient reptiles have been encouraged into the creeks as a result of the extended wet season and high water levels.

Read more about Crocodiles in Cairns at Cairns Pet News from Cairns Vet Clinic

Read more about recent Cairns croc sightings at the Cairns Post:  http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/05/20/165005_local-news.html

 

Cairns residents worried about crocodiles in suburban waterways

Friday, May 20, 2011

© The Cairns Post

 

Cairns residents are worried about the safety of suburban waterways after three close encounters with crocodiles in neighbourhood creeks.

About 50 people gathered at Moodys Creek at Mooroobool yesterday as wildlife rangers tried to catch and remove a 2.4m crocodile, spotted on the bank by nearby residents.

Police were called to keep the eager onlookers from spilling on to Swallow Rd, and the growing crowd was kept waiting for hours while the croc hid beneath the water.

The rangers used nets to cordon off an area of the water and keep the croc from drifting away with the tide.

At one point during their operation, an unknown man burst into the creek from the other side of the Swallow St bridge and waded through the water, into the same area as the lurking crocodile.

Onlookers held their breaths as police persuaded the man out of the water and he was safely removed from the area a few minutes later.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) said rangers were still trying to catch the animal late last night.

Mooroobool resident Joy Hand had raised the croc alarm to neighbours on Swallow St yesterday after seeing the 2.4m reptile on the creek's banks in the morning.

Mrs Hand said residents are concerned that crocodiles are making their homes so close to built-up areas.

"It's a busy road, and so is Mulgrave Rd where we saw a croc yesterday, and it's surprising that they're so at ease around the traffic and noise," Mrs Hand said.

"It's worrying to see two crocs in two days, and to see them in creeks where children go swimming and go fishing - so close to houses too."

The sighting follows similar reports in other residential areas this week, including a 2 metre croc in Saltwater Creek behind Edge Hill State School on Sunday.

And the Moodys Creek crocodile was also spotted near Mulgrave Rd on Wednesday, frightening local fishermen as it crept on to the banks.

And Yorkeys Knob anglers raised concern about a 4 metre saltie photographed from their boat on the banks of Moon River at Half Moon Bay.

 

<strong>Visitor:</strong> The crocodile was spotted sunning itself on a bank at Mooroobool before rangers showed up to catch it. Picture: DONALD BIEHLER (reader-submitted)

Visitor: The crocodile was spotted sunning itself on a bank at Mooroobool before rangers showed up to catch it. Picture: DONALD BIEHLER (reader-submitted)

Crocodile: Cairns Park

Cairns Vet Clinic extends discount microchipping

Cairns Vet Clinic ran a promotion through April where we offered discount Microchip implantation when given at the time of vaccination OR desexing.  We had a great response to this promotion, and it really is easier to microchip a pet when we are already doing something else to it, so we've decided to create a permanent Microchipping discount.  Its really easy to use, as most pets will be microchipped at the time of desexing or vaccination anyway.

Why would you want to microchip your pet?

  • Its legally required for all dogs and cats which were less than 12 weeks old on 12 December 2010 (ie: born after 19 September).  Dogs and Cats born after this date must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before they are sold or given away.  This means if you sell, give away,  or receive a puppy or kitten it MUST be microchipped
  • Dogs and cats born BEFORE 19 September 2010 must still be microchipped before they are sold or given away.

Cairns Vet Microchip Discount Details:

Discount Microchips must be done at the time of vaccination or desexing at one of our 3 clinics

Cairns Vet Clinic, Pease St, Manunda.  Ph 4032 9999

Aeroglen Vet Surgery, Aeroglen Drive, Aeroglen.  Ph 4032 9977

Gordonvale Vet Surgery, Norman St Gordonvale.  Ph 4032 9988

Please phone for an appointment for discount microchipping and vaccination or desexing

Read more Cairns Pet News

Read more information about Desexing, Vaccination or Microchipping your pet at Cairns Vet Clinic

Read more about microchips at wikipedia: excerpt below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microchip

 

Microchip implant (animal)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Microchip implant in a cat.

A microchip implant' is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a dog, cat, horse, parrot or other animal. The chips are about the size of a large grain of rice and are based on a passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

The use of externally attached microchip devices such as RFID ear tags (piercings rather than implants) is another, related method commonly used for identifying farm and ranch animals other than horses. In some cases the external microchips may be readable on the same scanner as the implanted style.

 

Microchips have been particularly useful in the return of lost pets. They can also assist where the ownership of an animal is in dispute.

Animal shelters and animal control centers benefit using microchip identification products by more quickly and efficiently returning pets to their owners. When a pet can be quickly matched to its owner, the shelter avoids the expense of housing, feeding, providing medical care, and outplacing or euthanizing the pet. Microchipping is becoming standard at shelters: many require all outplaced animals to receive a microchip, and provide the service as part of the adoption package. Animal-control officers are trained and equipped to scan animals.

In addition to shelters and veterinarians, microchips are used by kennels, breeders, brokers, trainers, registries, rescue groups, humane societies, clinics, farms, stables, animal clubs and associations, researchers, and pet stores.

Several countries require a microchip when importing an animal to prove that the animal and the vaccination record match. Microchip tagging may also be required for CITES-regulated international trade in certain rare animals: for example, Asian Arowana are so tagged, in order to ensure that only captive-bred fish are imported.

Please phone for an appointment for discount microchipping and vaccination or desexing 40329999

 

 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Pet rescue after the end of the world

Some pet lovers in the USA have formed a business to care for pets after the Rapture (when true-believing christians are spirited away and non-believers remain behind on planet earth).  Apparently they are already doing a good trade with over a hundred families signing up (for US$135 for the first pet + US$20 per additional pet).  Scam or essential service?  You be the judge.

Read more Cairns Pet News from Cairns Vet Clinic.

Read more about Pet Services after the rapture

on news.com.au: http://www.news.com.au/technology/atheists-offer-pet-help-after-judgment-day/story-e6frfro0-1226058673384

Atheists offer pet help after doomsday

Pets

How will you know for sure how your pets will be cared for after you're gone? Picture: Thinkstock WHEN Judgment Day comes - which some US Christian fundamentalists insist will happen on Saturday - have you thought about what you're going to do with the family dog and cat?

In 26 US states, you could have them rescued and adopted by enterprising atheists who have set up a business to care for the animal companions of any Christians who are selected to go to heaven when Jesus Christ comes back.

"You've committed your life to Jesus. You know you're saved. But when the Rapture comes, what's to become of your loving pets who are left behind?" Eternal Earth-Bound Pets says on its website, offering to "take that burden off your mind". 

 

Eternal Earth-bound Pets website

Eternal Earth-bound Pets website
The post-Doomsday pet rescue service already has 259 clients, who have paid $135 for the first pet and $20 for each additional pet at the same address, to ensure the faithful animal companions are looked after and loved even when their Christian owners have gone to the other side.

All the rescuers are sworn atheists, which means they will definitely be left behind on Earth, ready to rescue pets after the Rapture, which one US Christian fundamentalist group has pencilled in for Saturday.

When Judgement Day happens, Eternal Earth-Bound Pets co-founder Bart Centre "will notify all of our rescuers to go into action and they will drive to the homes of anyone who's signed a contract with us, pick up their pets and take them home and adopt them as their own, keeping them happy and healthy for the rest of their lives.

Cairns Pet Accommodation - RSPCA boarding

Cairns RSPCA at Stratford offers boarding for dogs and cats. RSPCA is run as a not for profit animal shelter: their pet holiday accommodation including dog, cat, bird and small animal boarding services provide additional revenue to support the shelter's operations. 

Cairns Vet Clinic currently does the RSCPA contract veterinary work, which includes:

  • Routine pre-adoption health checks
  • Preventative health care
  • Desexing
  • Diagnosing and Treating sick animals
  • Advising shelter staff on managing health and preventing disease
  • Advising shelter staff on suitability of pets to be rehomed.
  • Treating RSPCA police cruelty cases

Read more Cairns Pet Accommodation options like dog boarding kennels, catteries and Pet friendly accommodation from Cairns Vet Clinic

Whichever Cairns Pet accommodation you choose, please ensure your pet is fully vaccinated and treat them for fleas, ticks and worms before taking them to the boarding kennel, to help prevent disease spreading.

Cairns RSPCA pet accommodation & boarding services

Cairns RSPCA: Arnold Street, Stratford - (07) 4055 1487
From their brochure:

RSPCA QLD Logo  

The RSCPA Cairns Shelter offers a boarding service for cats, dogs, small animals & birds.

Daily Cairns RSPCA pet accommodation /boarding rates:

(current at 1 May 2011)

  • Dogs                 $15.00 per day
  • Cats                  $12.00 per day
  • Birds &
  • small animals     $15.00 per day
Daily rate not applied if animal is collected before 10am.
RSPCA's boarding services include:
  • Fully fenced play area for dogs.
  • Fully enclosed play run for cats.
  • Complimentary hydrobath (for stay sover 7 days) otherwise $15.00 per dog.
  • We supply tinned & dry food, alternately you may provide your own food.
  • No extra charge for animals requiring medication

All dogs & Cats boarding at the RSPCA must be fully vaccinated.

Required vaccinations:



  • Dogs C5 vaccination
  • Cats: F4 Vaccination

Boarding hours:

8:30am-3:30pm 7 days

Public Holidays:

9:00am-11am & 3:00pm-4:00pm

Monday, May 16, 2011

Cairns Pet Accommodation - Kuranda Pet Resort

Cairns Pet Holiday Accommodation

Cairns Pet owners and travellers often ask Cairns Vet Clinic Staff about options to Cairns Pet Holiday Accommodation options in the Cairns Region.  We will be showcasing the boarding kennels and Catteries in the Cairns region.

Read more information about Cairns Pet Friendly Accommodation (Hotels, motels, apartments etc that take humans and their pets) and Cairns Pet Accommodation (Boarding Kennels and Catteries) from Cairns Vet Clinic.

Kuranda Pet Resort - Luxury Accommodation for dogs

Kuranda Pet Resort is a modern and well organised resort located around 20 minutes from Cairns in beautiful Kuranda.

(07) 4093 8239
(07) 4093 9962
graham@kurandapetresort.com.au

For more about Kuranda Pet Resort, visit their website: http://www.kurandapetresort.com.au/accomm.html

Excerpt below:

Resort Accommodation

 

For Dogs

At Kuranda Pet Resort, our canine guests enjoy accommodation and services superior to any in the region.

Accommodation and exercise
Our kennel is specially designed for the comfort and security of your pooch, while allowing suitable dogs to safely socialise.

  • Huge, cool, clean, fully-roofed kennels and runs
  • Premium quality diet and all special needs catered for
  • Hygienic trampoline beds with cosy winter covers
  • Very caring, responsible and experienced staff
  • 8 big exercise areas (over 2000 sq metre turfed) for hours of play every day

We organise active times and quiet times, so your dog can run and play and then have a good rest. Each kennel has direct access to grassed exercise areas. Dogs of similar size may be allowed to play together under the supervision of our experienced staff if their temperament allows. Play time, cuddles and all entertainment provided with great pleasure and free of charge.

Feeding
We know dogs love their tucker, and we feed the best twice daily. Our sumptuous chicken risotto is cooked fresh each day and is served with a highly nutritious Royal Canin premium dry food in hygienic stainless steel bowls.

Hygiene
The cleaning and disinfecting chemicals used in our facility are non-toxic to dogs and people. All food is prepared in our commercial kitchen.

We provide a complimentary hydrobath before departure for dogs staying 7 days or more if time permits. Hydrobaths for dogs with shorter stays incur a small fee. We ask that you provide a specific check-out time to ensure your pet is ready when you arrive.

 

Tropical landscaping between kennels
 
Our customersarrive on all sorts of transport

Cairns Pet Accommodation - Dog boarding Kennels & Catteries

We get heaps of enquiries from Cairns Pet owners and Travellers about the options for boarding pets around the Cairns region.  Sometimes people want to board their pet for a few days or weeks while they go on holidays.  other times they need to board their pet unexpectedly due to a hospital stay or other emergency.

To help you choose Cairns pet accommodation options - dog boarding kennels and catteries, I am going to provide some information and links to the boarding kennels in and around Cairns.  By and large we hear good things about all these premises. 

Boarding kennels & catteries near Cairns

There are a number of Cairns Pet Accommodation options in Cairns itself, but most are 15-60 minutes away from Cairns.  These are often helpful when you are travelling by car: eg: if you are driving south then Lyndor, Sanlay, Cats Cattery or Tropicats may be convenient.  If you are travelling North, the RSPCA, YAPS,

Dog Boarding Kennel and Cattery tips

Its important to remember when you board your pet you will need to:

  • Ensure their vaccinations are up to date (needs to be done 2 weeks prior to boarding)
  • Apply a flea and tick product such as Frontline or Advantix
  • Worm your pet
  • Ensure they are clean and well: remember if your pet is unwell the manager will need to take them to the vet.
  • Mention any concerns to the kennel/cattery manager.
  • Leave contact details for your vet, and emergency contact details for yourself and another person of authority if you can't be contacted.

Its also worth noting that kennel cough is very common in boarding kennels in Australia.  While vaccinations are available, it may only reduce the frequency and severity of infections, not totally prevent it.  Also there are many strains of kennel cough and we only vaccinate for 2 of the most serious and common infections.

Read more about health care for your pet at Cairns Vet Clinic

Read about Cairns Pet Friendly Accommodation at Cairns Pets

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Cairns Police Shoot dog during raid

Cairns Police have shot a dog during a raid in White Rock on Saturday 14th May.  The dog had allegedly attacked one of the officers and was shot. A vet was called in to assess the dog and decided it needed to be euthanased.  Neighbours reported the dog was known to them as a vicious dog and they were careful not to let their dog go near the fence.  Aggressive dogs are a common problem for police and other people who need to visit homes (such as meter readers and tradesmen).  Its important to socialise your dog from an early age and take them through basic obedience training to ensure they are safe around visitors.

 

Dallas McMillan, Cairns Vet Clinic

Read more about Cairns Dogs and Cairns Pet News

Read the original article about the Cairns dog shot during police Raid at the Cairns Post: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/05/16/164165_local-news.html

Excerpt below

Police shoot dog in White Rock raid

Cait Bester

Monday, May 16, 2011

© The Cairns Post

Scene of the shooting: The house police raided, where they were allegedly attacked by a vicious dog which was shot and later euthanased. Picture: Mike Watt

 

POLICE officers who shot and wounded a dog while conducting a raid on a White Rock home will be investigated by the force's ethical standards bureau.

Neighbours of the Coombs St house where the incident took place on Saturday told The Cairns Post yesterday they heard up to nine shots fired.

Police ethical standards yesterday confirmed investigations into the shooting had begun after the animal, which was described as vicious by one neighbour, was shot and wounded as police swooped on the residence looking for evidence of drug supply and illegal activity.

"A dog has attempted to attack an officer and was subsequently shot," a Queensland Police media spokesman told The Cairns Post yesterday.

 

Cairns Pet Microchipping

Cairns Vet is offering Discount Microchipping when you desex or vaccinate your pet.

Microchipping can help your dog find their way home when they are lost and can even save their life if they end up in a shelter or pound. 

Since late 2010, throughout Queensland including Cairns Microchipping is now required by law when you sell/buy or give away a puppy, kitten, dog or cat. 

Microchipping only takes a minute to do: a tiny implant is inserted by a needle into your pet's skin.  The chip can be read with a microchip scanner, and the number is added to a database with your details which help to locate you in the event your pet is found lost or injured.

When a vet, pound or animal shelter are brought a lost animal, one of the first things they do is to scan it for a microchip.  They can then contact an animal registry.  We use Central Animal Records as our registry: they have some more great advice and tips on microchipping.  You should also contact them if you move house and need to update your records.  

Read more about Desexing your pet & Microchipping at Cairns Vet Clinic and more Cairns Pet News.

Read more from Central Animal Records about microchipping or to update your details:https://www.car.com.au/change/details

Check out Central Animal Records: Cairns Vet's preferred microchip registry

Returning Lost Pets Home

Welcome to Australia's foremost Nationally accredited companion animal microchip Registry! We are licensed by the Victorian & Queensland Governments under their respective Animal Legislations, accredited by the National Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and Domestic Animal Registries (DAR) - the companion animal registry watchdog. Our goal is simple - to provide a reliable, 24 hour per day, 7 day per week animal recovery service for lost or stolen companion animals including not only dogs and cats, but also horses, birds and reptiles that will work to ensure that your microchipped pet can be returned home, from anywhere in Australia, at any time, business hours, overnight, weekends and public holidays.

Central animal records can even text you when your pet is found by microchip

Central Animal Records has introduced an additional way of communicating with you.
Via SMS Text message!
So if your pet goes missing & is found, and you have a mobile number listed with us, we can now contact you by text message direct to your mobile, providing information of where your pet is & who to call so that you can make arrangements for its return home to you. 
All the more reason to also ensure that your contact details are kept up to date, so if you’re unsure whether we do have your correct details, please call our Customer Care team who will assist you over the phone, or lodge details on-line at https://www.car.com.au/change/details 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Cairns RSPCA Million Paws Walk this Sunday May 15

RSPCA's annual fundraising dog walk, the Cairns RSPCA Million Paws walk will be held this Sunday on the Cairns Esplanade.

The Million Paws walk is held nationwide and is a great outing for Cairns dogs and their owners alike.  The Cairns Million Paws Walk is special in that it is on our scenic esplanade and it has been one of the biggest turnouts in Australia.

Cairns Vet Clinic will be at the RSPCA Million Paws walk

Cairns Vet Clinic works closely with the Cairns RSPCA from our Aeroglen Vet Surgery to make sure all their pets are healthy and desexed before they go to new homes.

Cairns Vet nurses Kristy Anne, Rebecca and Asami will be at the Cairns RSPCA Million Paws Walk with heaps of freebies and would love to say hello to you so please come and introduce yourself and your pet :-)

Read more about the RPSCA Million Paws Walk in Cairns at: http://qld.millionpawswalk.com.au/default.asp?PageID=19559

Cairns Million Paws Walk 2011 - fundraising for Cairns RSPCA

 

Located at the Skate Park on the Esplanade, the Cairns Million Paws Walk continues to be a favourite outdoor event for Cairns animal lovers and their furry friends. Get involved on Sunday 15 May 2011,  by enjoying a 3km walk along Cairn's beautiful waterways, mingle with other pet owners, enter fantastic competitions and end the day by relaxing with great entertainment, food and drink, exhibitor stalls and animal demonstrations.

Funds raised through walk registrations and online fundraising goes towards vital programs, services and campaigns undertaken by RSPCA Qld, as well as looking after the animals in our care.

 

Activities scheduled on the day include:
* Dog agility demonstrations.
* Dog hydrobath.
* 'Kids Corner' including a jumping castle
* Competitions and plenty of prizes.
* Sausage sizzle.

Walk Location:                   
Address:                              
Parking:                              
On Day Registration:         
Walk Commences:           
Length of walk:                  
Skate Park (next to Muddy's playground)
The Esplanade, Cairns
On-street parking is available
From 7.30am
9.00am
3km


Further information please contact:

All Event Enquiries
Cairns MPW Team

P: 07 4055 1487
E: yrankin(at)rspcaqld.org.au

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Snake removals Cairns: concerns about new permit system

Queensland Snake removalists are being affected by a new permit system which may have an even bigger impact in remote areas of Queensland where few registered Snake handlers are available.  Snake catchers are a surprising service that pet owners often require in a tropical, bushy city like Cairns.  Fortunately most snakes found in Cairns houses are pythons, so pose little threat to adult humans.  Pets and small children may be at risk though, with cats regularly being taken by pythons in Cairns.  Pets may also directly or indirectly attract snakes: spilt feed from pets or horses attract rats which attract snakes, and small pets like birds, chickens, guinea pigs and small dogs and cats may offer a tasty treat to a hungry python.

Cairns Snake removalists come from a variety of backgrounds.  Some snake catchers are professional pest controllers.  Others are reptile enthusiasts or wildlife carers.  Other people just helped out a few times decades ago and got a reputation as a snake removalists.  Overwhelmingly, they do it to help people out.  Most charge a fee (which probably seems like a bargain to most of their customers!).

Queensland snake catchers under pressure from permit system

Recently there has been controversy about a new permit system which limits who can remove snakes in Queensland.  In a town like Cairns with many Snake Removal options this may not dramatically impact residents, but in some remote areas, the new permit system means no one locally can legally remove snakes.

 

Read more about Cairns Reptiles and snakes at Cairns Vet Clinic.

Read coverage of the new permit system impacting Cairns Snake removalists at the Courier Mail

 http://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/outdoors/new-permit-system-squeezes-o... 

Excerpt below: 

New permit system squeezes out Queensland snake catchers

Chris Roberts, snake singer

IT'S a sight that fills many with dread: finding a snake in the house.

But fewer trained snake catchers are volunteering to relocate snakes from homes because of a strict new permit system in Queensland.

Experts warn the damage mitigation permit has become so stringent outback towns like Emerald, Mount Isa, Blackwater and Charters Towers face having no-one officially registered to catch and remove reptiles.

"Singing" snake catcher Chris Roberts, with 50 years experience, yesterday said he may have voluntarily relocated his last reptile as he hauled a 3m scrub python from a family home in Cairns.

"I don't do it for the love or the money," said the 63-year-old baritone.

"I do it to put humans at ease and save the snakes, it is more of a community service, but the safety of people comes first.

"Most people untrained with handling snakes get bitten when they try to catch or kill them."

He said the tough new rules, believed to aimed at stemming wildlife poachers and liability issues, threaten to push him out of his lifelong passion.

"It is too much drama and paperwork for what is essentially a volunteer role."

In Cairns, there is one pet cat lost to a python, on average, every month.

Hungry scrub pythons have devoured nine cats in Cairns backyards in the past eight weeks alone.

Mr Roberts said he has removed at least three snakes over 7m-long and as thick as a man's thigh from roofs in recent years.

Cat desexing controversy and shocking cat breeding time bomb

Cat overpopulation is a huge issue in Australia, leading to the euthanasia of many thousands of cats every year.  Further, unowned cats cause a major impact on native wildlife and can spread diseases like Feline AIDS virus, Feline Leukemia virus and cat flu among pet cats. 

Desexing cats seems like a simple solution, and many pet owners do get their cats desexed: why isn't it working?

Cats have an incredible reproductive potential: you might have heard the phrase "breed like rabbits" but it could just as easily have been "breed like cats."  One breeding pair of cats in a suitable environment can breed to produce 420,000 descendants in only 7 years.

For this reason, its vital to desex your cat.  Many pet owners fail to do this by 6 months of age and their cat is pregnant (or impregnating someone else!) before they know it.  The RSPCA desexes all the cats they rehome.  This is really important, and cat welfare or rehoming programs that don't do this are actually contributing to overpopulation and cat euthanasia down the track.

Is mandatory cat desexing the answer?

The RSPCA goes further though, calling for mandatory desexing of all cats.  This is fairly controversial and if implemented would result in cat population decline.  We probably need something close to this for a short time but many people are concerned about mandatory anything as an incursion on personal freedom.  A few weeks work in a shelter euthanasing dozens of cats might change their mind though. 

Clearly all pet owners need to take responsibility for desexing their own pets, and shelters (and pet stores) need to ensure pets are desexed before rehoming to prevent unwanted litters.

What do you think?


Dallas McMillan

Read more about Cat Desexing at Cairns Vet Clinic.

Check out the RSPCA statement on cat desexing at http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/campaigns/desexing/

Excerpt below:

Cat Desexing

 The Issues

Around 13,000 cats and kittens lose their lives in Queensland every year, the innocent victims of irresponsible and uninformed pet owners. That’s more than one every hour. And the problem grows bigger every year.

 

Thousands upon thousands of unwanted kittens are born each year across the state, simply because their owners have failed to desex their cats. Thousands of these kittens are dumped at the RSPCA. While we do our best to find homes for all the animals that come into our shelters, there simply are not enough people willing to adopt all these cats and kittens. Our staff then face the trauma of euthanasing hundreds of cats and kittens every day – many only just a few days old.

 

Female cats can potentially produce three litters of six kittens each year. Even more staggering, over the course of her breeding life, a female cat (and her offspring) may be responsible for the birth of 420,000 kittens.

 

Mandatory desexing is the only solution

The only long-term solution to preventing the deaths of thousands of cats and kittens every year is State legislation to make the desexing of cats mandatory.

 

RSPCA Qld recommends that kittens be desexed at 8 weeks to 3 months of age. Desexing your cat before it reaches sexual maturity will avoid unwanted litters and reduce or eliminate the incidence of some health and behavioral problems.  But even if your cat is an adult, it is not too late to desex her/him.

 

It is just as important to desex male cats.  In just one night, a male cat can impregnate as many females as he encounters, each giving birth to a litter of 6 to 8 kittens.

 

If you are not a registered breeder, you should desex your cat. Even if you are a registered breeder, please make sure you have caring homes to cater for ALL the six to eight kittens in every litter.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Cairns Cats at RSPCA Cairns pet shelter

Cairns RSPCA always has heaps of great cats their Stratford Cairns Pet Shelter.  All pets are screened for common diseases, are vaccinated, wormed, microchipped and desexed.  They are sold at a fraction of the cost to do all this work yourself, so if you are considering a pet be sure to check out RSPCA Cairns pet shelter.

Cairns Vet Clinic does free follow up suture removal and health checks and also offer a discount on vaccinations for RSPCA animals

http://adoptapet.com.au/search/searchResults.asp?animalType=&colourMatch=&state=&regionID=14&statusid=3&task=search

Princess
-->Domestic Medium Hair cross
Desexed
Female - 10Mths
View Details >
 
click to view animal details
Finn
-->Domestic Medium Hair cross
Desexed
Male - 2Mths
View Details >
 
click to view animal details
Middy
-->Domestic Medium Hair cross
Desexed
Female - 2Mths
View Details >
 
click to view animal details -->Domestic Short Hair cross
Desexed
Female - 2Yrs
View Details >

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Avoiding problems when one dog goes to the vet but the other stays at home.

Cairns Vet Clinic has some dogs that LOVE coming to the vet, and others that need to be dragged through the door.  There are lots of things we can do to make the trip more fun for pets, such as coming to the vets just for a weigh-in or while buying worm tablets (with nothing bad happening to the pet... just a pat and a treat) and rewarding your pet throughout the experience.
But what about the pets which stay at home... occasionally they may have extreme reactions toward their house-mate who comes back from the vet smelling of other animals and chemicals etc.
A lot of people avoid this problem by taking both (or more) pets to the vet.  Cairns Vet Clinic actually offers a discount when 2 or more animals are consulted or vaccinated at once so this has further benefits.
It also helps avoid unwanted behavior like fear or aggression when one pet returns from the vet.
Another way you can deal with this is taking the dog which went to the vet to the park or for a bath as well, to get rid of some of those animal smells.
Taking both dogs for a walk and play afterward can also be helpful.  Feeding the dogs as soon as you arrive home is not advised though, as the dog which stayed at home may be more possessive of its food and territory.
 
Dallas McMillan
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