To the rescue: cats and dogs : Winter's Here & So Are The Mice

To the rescue: cats and dogs

Carol Hawn-Miller and Cindy Liggett are local animal advocates who work to save the lives of homeless cats and dogs. In 2001 they founded Kitty and K-9 Connection, a non-profit rescue/foster/adoption program. In this blog, they will discuss the issues around the numerous homeless cats and dogs in Anchorage, and the process of placement, including animal and human behaviors that lead to success or failure. They are pictured here with Gladys on Carol's knee, Cherri in the middle, and Ambrosia the cat on Cindy's lap.

Contributors

Cindy Liggett

Because she's a "cat person," Cindy concentrates on cat rescues, fosters and adoptions. She faces daily attitudes towards cats as "throw-away pets" and deals with issues regarding "unwanted" cats due to over-population. She has advocated on their behalf for over 20 years and enjoys sharing her knowledge and insights so cats can enjoy their nine lives in the manner they truly deserveas an important member of the family.

Carol Hawn-Miller

Carol loves being the "dog mom" to all kinds and varieties -- small to large; mutts or purebreds. At home she deals with an ever transitional pack as she rescues, fosters and adopts dogs that would not otherwise have a "new leash on life." She has been doing pet rescue for more than 14 years. While loaded with a lap full of dogs, covered in dog hair or accepting K-9 kisses, Carol advocates for permanent, lifetime homes and responsible ownership so rescue will no longer be a necessity.

Sue Wirth

Sue is the other cat mom who takes in fosters and gets them ready for adoption. She has been doing cat rescue since 1998. To help control reproduction of unwanted pets, Sue advocates with a local veterinarian to spay/neuter cats as young as 8 weeks old before they go to their forever homes. She would like to see an end to full Animal Shelters, euthanasia and a home for every pet.

Emily Brand

Emily joins us as a guest blogger from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to raise awareness about issues affecting companion animals in Anchorage and the surrounding area. She shares the ASPCA�s mission to prevent animal cruelty and provide positive outcomes for at-risk animals across the country. Emily hopes to encourage people to be a voice for animals by doing something to help people understand the importance of treating animals with the love and respect they deserve.

Multimedia

VIDEO

First Aid for pets

Robin Newby of the American Red Cross of Alaska teaches pet first aid. In this video of a recent class, she describes the focus and some of the techniques. Find schedules of ongoing classes at "The Red Cross"

Resources

ALASKA LOCAL

Alaska Dog News

Winter's Here & So Are The Mice

Posted by Cindy

Posted: November 17, 2009 - 8:54 am

You see the evidence they leave behind and know they are there somewhere. You are more aware of their presence as the weather gets colder. and the ground gets harder. They get brave, seeking out the warmth and food of your house, garage, shed - whatever gets them out of the elements. I don't mind mice as long as they stay out of my house and shed. I've learned not to store any type of food in the shed so as not to encourage them to move in and stake a claim.

I do have mice, they find ways to get in the house and live in one of my closets and one of my cabinets. I have yet to figure out how they get in and it drives me and my cats crazy. A mouse doesn't last long in my house once it ventures out, but I don't like to find their dead, decapitated bodies laying around.

NEVER NEVER use Decon to control your mouse population if you have pets. It is deadly and could kill your pet as well. I'm aware of two incidences recently of pet owners whose dogs ate Decon. One person waited for 4 days before taking her dog to PET. The dog died. The other woman had called the vet clinic stating her dog had eaten Decon and was told she needed to get her dog to a vet immediately. She said maybe she'd make an appointment the next day. What is wrong with these people? I don't know what happened to the second dog, if she followed through or not, or if the dog is still alive, but the suffering these dogs went through. As far as I'm concerned, this is a blatant act of animal cruelty.

I've opened my shed door and had a stare down with this furry creature. I yelled "this is your eviction notice, you need to leave or the traps will be set". I have tried various types of mouse traps, and either the mice are too smart or I'm not using the right type of trap. I refuse to use sticky tapes as I find them inhumane. I tried live traps, and the few I've caught I turn loose....down the street, in the park, away from my house. Guess I'll keep trying to convince the mice they don't want to live at my house.