5 Awesome Spay and Neuter Feral Cat Programs

by Rita Brhel

Published: February 28th, 2017

5 awesome spay and neuter feral cat programs

To help control the feral cat population, we want to highlight five amazing spay and neuter programs that may be available in your community.

I remember my heartbreak years ago when I heard about legislation passed in Utah allowing feral cats, deemed as pests, to be shot. I’ve since heard about cities applying the same control measure to their stray populations.

Not surprisingly, this has been an outrage to pet lovers across the country, and there is now growing interest in feral cat programs that take a much more humane approach to the problem of out-of-hand feral cat populations: spaying and neutering.

February 28 is World Spay Day. The idea behind these is to promote spaying and neutering our pets, to lessen the chance that there may be unwanted kittens or puppies in the future.

Or…if you’re like me and can’t imagine an unwanted kitten or puppy, there may still be the distinct likelihood that you would not be able to afford or have the room to keep all the kittens that your cat or dog could’ve had.

Education about spaying and neutering our dogs and cats has been ongoing for years. World Spay Day began as Spay Day USA in 1995, eventually evolving into a global observance in 2006. We now know that spaying or neutering our pet is about much more than preventing a surprise litter of kittens or puppies. It’s also about improving our pet’s health, reducing behavior issues, and saving on the long-term cost of veterinary care.

The bottom line is this: Committed pet owners get their pet spayed or neutered. There are many low-cost programs available for pet cats, but who speaks for the feral cats who aren’t tame enough to be adopted?

Related: How to Care for Stray Cats

A lot of people and programs, apparently. There are lists of amazing organizations out there providing free spaying and neutering services for feral and stray cats. Here are five programs that just go to show how big this movement truly is:

1) Fix Nation

This Los Angeles nonprofit works off the principle of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), loaning out humane traps free of charge to the public to capture their local feral cats and offering guidance on long-term care and management for feral cat colonies. Trapped cats are then spayed or neutered, and returned to their local area unable to breed.

2) Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project

This Washington state nonprofit has been providing free spaying and neutering of feral cats since 1997. Like other programs, this project’s mission has been expanded to provide low-cost spaying and neutering to pets as a way to prevent future feral cats. As of 2016, more than 100,000 surgeries have taken place to address the problem of free-roaming cats in their state.

3) Feral Fixers

This Illinois nonprofit has a comprehensive plan on how to address its local population of feral cats. Its services are provided at no cost, and it follows the TNR model. It’s mission encompasses not only pets and feral cats, but also semi-feral and stray cats. Basically any cat can get services here.

4) Community Cats Toronto

This Toronto nonprofit prefers we use the term “community cats” rather than feral cats, and I have to agree that the new term is much kinder. This program doesn’t so much do the actual spaying and neutering of community cats, but it does do a great job at educating the public and giving community referrals that can fit their needs, no matter their relationship with the community cat in question.

5) Tuscaloosa Spay & Neuter Incentive Program

This Alabama nonprofit meets the alternative control methods head-on, pointing out that removal and euthanizing do nothing to solve the feral cat problem in the long-term as other feral cats, being territorial, will simply move into the unoccupied area. Rather, TNR places a cat back into its home territory, where it occupies its space and keeps other cats out without adding to the population.

Tuscaloosa specializes in creating target zones of fixed feral cat colonies that stabilize an area’s overall feral cat population. The idea is that if fixed cats are released in a corner of the city, their territorial needs will keep that corner of the city from increasing in feral cat population more so than if the fixed cats were spread evenly across the city, in that the remaining unaltered cats would be better positioned to push the fixed cats out of their territories where the unaltered cats can continue to reproduce. To date, there are 175 target zones of fixed cats in the city with more than 1,200 fixed cats in total.

I’m hopeful that cities and states that condone shooting cats to control feral populations will take note of the effectiveness of these kinds of humane programs as well as the tremendous public support they garner.

Rita Brhel

Rita Brhel is a freelance writer with a huge heart for animals that she's passed on to her 3 children. Rita herself has a cat named Tippy (in photo) and 4 finches. Her 3 kids and husband share an additional 3 cats, 3 small parrots, 3 rabbits, 5 pigeons, 8 chickens, and 2 ducks on their acreage near Hastings, Nebraska, USA. She has experience with a lot of different species of pets of her own, has worked a 1-year stint in a vet clinic as part of a hands-on journalism project, and has been a foster pet parent for an animal shelter. Each of her children dream of careers working with animals, and Rita wholeheartedly supports them!

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Lawmakers in New Mexico just endorsed a $100 fee to brand-name pet food manufacturers in an effort to help pay for spay and neutering costs for dogs and cats. It’s no secret that spay and neuter programs help the problem of pet overpopulation. In a day and age where on feral cat colonies are anywhere between two and fifteen cats, when you multiply that number with being un-neutered or spayed, it’s easy to see how fast the problem grows. Related: 5 Awesome Spay and Neuter Feral Cat Programs So lawmakers look for innovative ways to help. In an effort to prevent the need for euthanasia because of overpopulation, programs are created to fund spay and neuter costs–through community groups and legislation. Such is the case in Sante Fe, New Mexico, where lawmakers are supporting a proposal that would help fund dog and cat sterilizations by imposing an annual fee on pet food manufacturers that retail in their state. New Mexico lawmakers unanimously endorsed the proposal, which would impose a $100 fee on the parent company of each name brand of pet food distributed in New Mexico. Currently, over 13,000 pet food and treat labels are registered with state offices in New Mexico. The fee could make a tremendous difference in the ability to spay and neuter dogs, and in turn, reduce the number of pets euthanized each year. It is estimated that 55,000 dogs and cats were put down in 2011 simply because they were unable to find forever homes. Related: Scientists Propose New Non-Invasive Spay and Neuter Procedure Some suggest the fees would be given to consumers, but lawmakers and analysts say that $100 is a drop in the bucket for pet food manufacturers, but when combined, a big difference maker to homeless animals. New Mexico follows the suit of states like Maine and Maryland, who have also imposed surcharges or fees on pet food suppliers to help pay for state spay and neuter programs.

Shelter’s “Kitty Bjorn” Gives Feral Cats Much Needed Comfort

Feral kittens in Boston are taking ‘babywearing’ to a whole new level, as they’re toted ar0und in the cutest kitten carriers we’ve ever seen! Babywearing is the thing to do if you are a mom. Toting that tot around all snuggled up helps moms bond with the baby, and allows them to have controlled socialization. Which is exactly what some staff at the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) thought would benefit feral kittens they came upon and rescued regularly. According to Michael DeFina, who is the communications and media relations officer with ARL Boston, a carrier would allow feral kittens to be socialized and introduced to tons of different stimuli to prepare them for loving homes, but in a safe way that would also allow volunteers to be hands-free and do other volunteer work like answering phones and talking with clients. Related: 5 Awesome Spay and Neuter Feral Cat Programs So, ten years ago, when staffers were talking about the needs of the kittens with a seamstress who also volunteered with the shelter, the “Kitten Bjorn” was created! If feral kittens are rescued young enough, around four months or younger, they can often be socialized enough to be loving and friendly family pets, but they need the constant exposure to various people that the Kitten Bjorn gives. That constant exposure is a process, and the Kitten Bjorn helps make it one that helps build personal connections with the kittens but doesn’t prevent the staff from doing what needs to be done. The vest works just the way the popular BabyBjorn carrier works. It has a little mesh pocket on the front to carry the kittens all cozy like, and they basically go wherever their ‘wearer’ goes and are exposed to whatever their wearer is. This is invaluable exposure for the feral babies and builds security that prepares them for their future home exposures.

Feral Cats Chase Rats in Urban Areas to Earn Their Keep

Feral cats’ instinctive prey skills are being put to use in new programs that use them to help urban areas rid themselves of rat problems. In Washington, D.C., a feral cat named Miso has just found a new place to hunt and hang. In the Columbia Heights neighborhood, rats are everywhere, and as feral cats like to do, Miso is looking to get rid of the rat problem. Miso was born on the streets, and will spend three weeks in a covered crate being fed and sheltered so he’ll want to stay around the area he’s been brought to. Related: How to Help a Semi-Feral Cat Get Used to Life Indoors Then, he’ll hopefully start catching the many rats that line the streets and alleys, and establish a relationship in the area that is mutually beneficial for the rats and the residents. More and more urban areas are looking to recruit animals to help with their vermin problems, with places like New York City using terriers, dachshunds and even mutts to look for rats while Chicago even allows urban coyotes (not to be confused with cowboys!) an unofficial opportunity to take out whatever rats they see. Gerard Brown is the manager of the D.C. rat-control program. He says that calls about rats are up by over a third as many over the last three years, something Brown believes is due to the mild winters the area has had in the last few years. Colder winters are more natural exterminators, he says, and the numbers of rats have been growing. Two ways to curb rat population exist–cutting off food supply and predatory (human or otherwise) killings. DC is employing a program called Rat Riddance, which suffocates rats in their burrows with carbon dioxide released from dry-ice pellets. Related: 5 Awesome Spay and Neuter Feral Cat Programs Miso is the 44th cat that has been brought in under the Blue Collar Cats program, which was launched by the Humane Rescue Alliance earlier this year. They trap the feral cats, spay/neuter and vaccinate them and then release them into areas in D.C. where they’ll be able to use their prey-drive instinct to take the rats out. Area homeowners and businesses provide food and covered shelter outdoors as pay for the cats to continue to keep them rat-free. Lauren Lipsey is with the Humane Rescue Alliance and says that it saves the lives of the cats, and because people naturally tend to care for the cats, who do them the favor of getting rid of the rats, it’s a win-win. And, believe it or not, it’s more humane for the rats too because rat poison causes them to slowly die, and not only is horrible for the rats but can bring illness or death to wildlife and/or pets. The District is also looking into birth control for rats, taken from bait stations. The liquid is sweet and has a chemical that destroys a female’s eggs and prevents sperm production in males. New York is also looking at how rat birth control would work, but in the meantime, Miso and friends will continue catting around!

GoFundMe Campaign Helps Grandfather Care for Stray Cats

For the past 20 years, Willie Ortiz has been looking after stray cats in his hometown of Hartford. Now, you can help him continue his work feeding and caring for these homeless pets. Every city has it’s own hometown hero. We all have people in our community of whom we are proud. But Hartford, Connecticut, takes the cake this week with their own own home town hero, Willie Ortiz. Ortiz is a father, grandfather, veteran, and animal lover. About twenty years ago, Ortiz noticed that his hometown had a problem with feral and stray cats. He decided to deal with the situation. He started feeding strays, gaining their trust, capturing them and spaying/neutering. As of right now, he feeds 16 separate colonies of stray and feral cats. That’s about 68 cats in total. Related: 5 Awesome Spay and Neuter Feral Cat Programs The thing about cat colonies is that they aren’t static; they are constantly changing, growing and relocating. Willie’s cats are incredibly healthy though; he makes sure they get what they need to make life as good as possible. This includes visits to the vet for injured and sick cats, medicine when it can be useful, and of course, spaying and neutering. Spaying and neutering stray cats is not only something that helps with the cat overpopulation in general; it’s also a great way to ensure the cats are healthier, and live a longer life. Ortiz has a really simple schedule. At around 6pm, armed with only a headlamp and some cat food, Ortiz gets into his car and drives to the 16 different cat colonies throughout Hartford and East Hartford. In each of the colonies, he puts out food and watches the cats eat. He looks who’s hungry – pregnant cats eat more, so once he notices that a cat is unusually hungry, he picks her up to check. If yes, she is pregnant, he takes her with him. This gives the cat a safe space to have the kittens. Once the cat has given birth, Ortiz brings her to the vet to be spayed and then puts her back into her colony, while the kittens are put up for adoption. Related: TNR: What is It And How Does It Help Feral Cats? The process of feeding all his colonies, checking the cats, recognizing new cats and making sure everyone’s healthy and happy takes Ortiz about 3 and a half hours every day. Ortiz has not missed a single day of this despite inclement weather and his own health issues. He loves his cats, and in return the cats of Hartford love him. Not only does Ortiz invest a lot of time in his cats, however; feeding 68 cats every day costs money. Ortiz spends his days collecting scrap metal to sell in order to pay for the cat food that he buys for his neighbourhood friends. His cats have particular food needs, and Ortiz has perfected the art of taking care of them. Everyone in Hartford is in awe of Ortiz’s passion; the local vets and animal rescue shelters do what they can to help him, but, as Roberta Faltus, owner of Freedom Paws Rescue, put it “[working this these cats] is Willie’s life.” Willie Ortiz is no overnight star. He’s been doing this since the 90s, and people have slowly been taking noticed. Last year, Kathleen Schlentz set up a GoFundMe for Ortiz, so he can buy cat food. More than $25,000 dollars has been donated to Ortiz since then, and it’s still going strong since then. If you’d like to donate and help Ortiz, visit the GoFundMe page.

Petco Foundation Honors Animal Lovers Who Made Big Impacts

The Paw-parazzi was out in full fur for Petco Foundation’s Celebration of Love gala, which honored organizations and people who make big impacts on the life of animals! Petco Foundation’s Celebration of Love awards gala recently recognized seven organizations/people for their commitment and actions to help pets in need across the country. The star-studded event was emceed by well-known animal lover Jane Lynch, and for the first time, in Shark Tank-style, partnered with the Jackson Galaxy Foundation to allow to organizations to pitch their lifesaving ideas to a panel of animal welfare and advocacy investors in an Innovation Showdown. Related: Petco Foundation and Blue Buffalo Foundation Announce $2.35M in Pet Cancer Grant Investments Petco Foundation Executive Director Susanne Kogut said that they were humbled to honor the organizations and individuals that made such a difference in lifesaving efforts for animals this year. “It’s Me Or The Dog” host and dog behaviorist Victoria Stilwell, along with State Farm, presented the Unsung Hero Award to animal advocate Karl Booker for his tireless work to save the hardest-to-place dogs. Booker works with Atlanta, Georgia’s Lifeline Animal Project, which works to make Atlanta a no-kill community. Lifeline Animal Project also received the Lifesaving Impact Award for achieving a nearly 90 percent save rate in its community. The Founder’s Award, presented by Lucy Pet, went to former Petco CEO and chairman Brian Devine for his creation of the Petco Foundation and his dedication to the Petco Foundation’s efforts to make a difference in the lives of animals everywhere. Additionally, Mission K9 received the Helping Heroes Award, which was presented by Natural Balance, for its work reuniting American service members and dog handlers with their retiring or retired military/contract/service working dogs. In the event that the organization cannot reunite handlers with their dogs, they work to adopt them into new furever homes full of love. Other awards went to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, which received the Paul Jolly Compassion Award, and the Los Angeles Coalition for Pets and Public safety, which received the Spay Neuter Award for their work to spay or neuter over 100,000 animals in commonly underserved areas. Related: 5 Awesome Spay and Neuter Feral Cat Programs Petco and NBC Universal also awarded the Love Amplified Award to the Clear the Shelters movement, which partnered with hundreds of animal shelters across the U.S. in campaigns for local pet adoption. Their efforts resulted in more than 70,000 pet adoptions! The Innovation Showdown saw Brandywine Valley SPCA compete with Animal Care Centers of NYC in presentations to Shark Tank’s Daymond John, Jackson Galaxy and Susanne Kogut. Both organizations received funding for their missions. Brandywine Valley SPCA presented the Mama in The Box concept, which is a kitten feeding solution that helps make kitten care for bottle-feeders easier and safer, and Animal Care Centers of NYC wowed judges with their ACC Digital Shelter. The digital shelter is an interactive kiosk that brings adoptable pets to hotspots in New York City so that New Yorkers can get constant visualizations of pets in need of homes in an effort to increase adoption rates. We congratulate all the award recipients!

Animal Shelter Receives Donations in Memory of Jon Stewart’s Dog

Comedian Jon Stewart returned to “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central in February, and viewers have been tuning in to watch him talk about current events. Stewart hosts every Monday night, serving up news in a hilarious way. But on February 26, he closed the show on a somber note, spending a few minutes talking about his dog, Dipper.Jon Stewart Remembers His Extraordinary DogStewart shared a touching story of how he met and came to adopt Dipper. He explained that, 12 or 13 years ago, his young children wanted to raise money for Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats in New York City. To fundraise, his family baked cupcakes and set up an area outside of the shelter to sell them.  He went on to say that the shelter brought out a pit bull who was about 1 year old. At this point, Stewart started to break down, clearly getting emotional as he explained that the dog had been hit by a car in Brooklyn and had lost one of his legs as a result.Through tears, Stewart said his family left the shelter after raising some much-needed funds for a wonderful organization that does great work. But they also left with the very special pit bull who had stolen their hearts and who was, as Stewart described him, the best boy. Dipper even used to go to the studio with Stewart, so he met the famous people who were guests on the show.Then, Stewart shared the devastating news that Dipper had passed away just the day before. He ended with a wish for everyone to find an amazing dog they could love. And then, for the show’s “Moment of Zen,” they played an adorable video of Dipper playing in the snow.You can watch the segment here:

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Homeless Man Rescues a Litter of Orphaned Puppies During a Storm

An anonymous homeless man has become an internet sensation after rescuing a litter of puppies and taking them to the shelter during a storm. In the wake of a recent storm, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society in North Carolina discovered that a nameless man had dropped off a litter of five puppies at the shelter’s door. The puppies, estimated to be less than two months old, were left with a touching note. “The note was from a kind soul, a homeless man who, despite his own hardships, took it upon himself to rescue these innocent lives after their mother, a local stray he cared for, tragically passed away,” share the shelter in a Facebook post. The shelter also posted pictures of the note left by the homeless man, who apologized for not being able to care for the puppies himself. “Please help,” he wrote. “I found these puppies sadly after noticing a local stray dog that I would often feed when I could, dead by the road. She had been hit by a car.” The man added that he knew she had a litter of puppies nearby and that he searched the area for them, so they wouldn’t starve and freeze to death waiting for their mom to return. “I’m sorry for leaving them like this, but I myself am homeless and cannot afford to care for them,” the man explained. “My heart shatters for them and their mother. I just want them to be given the chance their mother, like myself, was never given.”“Please do not think poorly of me, but it felt wrong leaving them alone in the cold waiting on a mother that would not be coming home. Sincerely, the nameless man.” Touched by this selfless act of kindness, the shelter thanked the nameless man, saying that his good deed hadn’t gone unnoticed. The shelter promised to honor this selfless gesture by ensuring these puppies get all the love and care they deserve. “Your empathy in the face of adversity gives us hope and inspiration,” the shelter wrote. The staff invited the man to come by the shelter to visit the puppies and get a proper thank you. So far, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society has not heard from the man but noted that many people have offered to help him get back on his feet if he comes forward. To acknowledge the lucky circumstances of their rescue, the shelter named the puppies Chance, Kismet, Serendipity, Fortun, and Fate. The puppies were extremely malnourished and small when they were rescued, so the shelter couldn’t yet determine their breed.“We are guessing they are lab mixes and will grow to be about 30 to 40 pounds, but again that’s a guess,” said the shelter. According to the shelter, the applications to adopt these cute puppies will open on February 1. The organization explained that they will only consider applicants from Cumberland County, North Carolina because the puppies are going home on a foster-to-adopt basis until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered. In the meantime, the organization is accepting donations and has a wish list available for anyone willing to assist in caring for these puppies. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have any updates about the kind man who brought these puppies to us. While the puppies have names now, their rescuer remains unknown. We continue to hope he’ll come forward,” the shelter wrote. “Thank you for your continued support and love for these animals. Together we’re making a difference in their lives one puppy at a time.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Pandemic Puppies Are Behaving Badly, Study Shows

Puppies bought during the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to exhibit one or more problem behaviors, a new study suggests. Research by the Royal Veterinary Colledge (RVC) has found that four in five (82%) owners of pandemic puppies have resorted to using punishment-based training methods to try to curb their dog’s problem behavior. The study found that moving the dog or shouting at them were the most commonly used aversive training methods. Other owners reported using water pistols, rattle bottles, and choke chains. Only 18% of owners who participated in the study said they didn’t use any aversive training methods or aids. Not only are aversive training techniques such as yelling at the dog or pulling its lead ineffective but they are also linked to further behavioral problems. The survey which was funded by the Battersea animal rescue charity asked more than 1,007 UK dog owners to list problem behaviors exhibited by their dogs. The list consisted of 24 problem behaviors reported by the owners. They ranged from control behaviors ( pulling on the leash) and attention-seeking behaviors, to aggressive behaviors and fear behaviors (anxiety around other dogs or people).Almost all (97%) owners said their dog exhibited at least one problem behavior from the list. At 21 months, owners on average reported five behavioral problems, while 20% of owners reported that their dogs had eight or more problem behaviors. According to owners, pulling on the leash is the most common problem behavior (67%), followed by jumping on people (57%), and not coming back when called (52%).Denise Mariner-Chappell got a Labrador retriever Ted during the pandemic. Strict lockdown measures made it hard to properly train and socialize her new pooch.“He’s a crazy dog when he’s out,” she said. “He’s just manic. He just wants to play and sniff, and everything, but not with humans.” Dr. Rowena Packer, the lead author of the study explained that problem behaviors are very common in pandemic puppies. In many cases, owners exacerbate these issues by using punishment-based training methods. “Although we understand these problem behaviors can be very frustrating for owners, they are often a sign a dog is struggling to cope or that they haven’t been taught an appropriate response in a situation, rather than dogs intentionally behaving badly,” she added.Packer warned that punishing the dog can make it anxious and fearful and cause it to develop further behavioral problems, including aggression. According to Robert Bays, Battersea’s senior animal behavior manager, the charity has seen an influx in dogs with behavioral problems coming into centers. These pups are suffering from separation anxiety and show other problem behaviors, which can be linked to training challenges brought on by the pandemic. “Without the right kind of positive training and support, a small behavioral problem in a puppy or a dog can quickly escalate into a serious issue, so we are deeply concerned with this study’s findings that so many owners are using aversive training methods,” said Bays.This training approach can cause additional behavioral problems in adulthood and also significantly damage the relationship between the dog and its owner. The study found that puppies who were still exhibiting problem behaviors by the age of 21 months were at a higher risk of being rehomed or euthanized. “A key piece of guidance arising from our study is that attending puppy classes is a vital way to support owners in using the best training techniques available.”Although many pandemic puppy owners missed these training classes due to lockdown restrictions there are thankfully many certified trainers who offer training classes for adult dogs. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Here Are the 10 Rarest Dog Breeds in America

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How Do I Train My Dog to Wear a Muzzle?

Introducing a new tool to your dog can feel like uncharted territory. While some dogs will readily accept whatever is thrown their way, others will become stressed or anxious when presented with something new. Unfortunately, if you are in a position where a muzzle is necessary for the safety of your dog or others around you, forgoing a tool because your dog appears to be uninterested in it isn’t an option. So, what do you do? How do you train your dog to wear a muzzle? This guide will dig into the importance of conditioning when planning to muzzle your dog. This includes explaining what conditioning is, walking you through the process step-by-step, and sharing some helpful tips to set you up for success. What is Muzzle Conditioning? Before expecting your dog to wear their muzzle, it is recommended that you take the time to focus on muzzle training, also referred to as muzzle conditioning. This is the process of introducing the muzzle alongside positive rewards. If each time your dog sees or interacts with the muzzle, they get “good things,” it will create a positive association. Over time, they will not only tolerate the muzzle but happily accept it. Why? They recognize that wearing their muzzle means they will receive good things like verbal praise, pets, and their favorite treats. How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Get Used to a Muzzle? There is no one guaranteed timeline when working on muzzle conditioning. While some dogs will quickly take to the muzzle, adjusting in just a few days, others will take longer. Some factors that can impact this include your dog’s personality, trainability, previous experience (positive or negative) with a muzzle, and their trust/bond with you as the person introducing this tool to them. It’s important to keep in mind that the time it takes does NOT mean you are doing better or failing at your training efforts. We have three dogs, all of which have been muzzle-trained. While two of our dogs took to the muzzle relatively quickly, Lucifer’s nerves and anxiety made the process more challenging. This doesn’t mean it was impossible. With time, patience, and consistency, he is now the dog that is most comfortable in a muzzle out of the three. We just had to move at his pace.

What Is Pyoderma In Dogs?

The sight of an itchy dog often raises concerns among pet parents. From parasites, like fleas and ticks, to uncomfortable skin issues and irritation, the explanation is rarely a positive one. In some cases, even finding a cause is an uphill battle. One condition you may have read about or heard your veterinarian mention is pyoderma. But what is pyoderma, and what does this mean for your best friend? In this article, we will dive deep into the world of dog skin issues, uncovering not only the warning signs and possible causes of pyoderma in dogs but also the steps you can take to offer some much-needed relief from the itch and irritation. Let’s get started… What is Pyoderma? Pyoderma is a term used to refer to a bacterial skin infection, with the word literally translating to “pus (pyo) in the skin (derma).” It is one of the most common dog skin conditions. Luckily, it is also often easy to treat once it has been diagnosed. Most dogs recover fully with the proper medication. The condition is classified into one of three types based on its location in or on the skin. They include: Surface Pyoderma: infections on top of the skin’s surfaceSuperficial Pyoderma: infections in the outermost layer of the skin, including in the hair follicles (which may be referred to as superficial bacterial folliculitis)Deep Pyoderma: infections in the deeper layers of the skinThe condition itself isn’t always visible, making it sometimes difficult to spot. This is why it is so important for dog parents to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of skin irritation and seek veterinary help. They can do the tests necessary to look beyond what is visible to the naked eye. What Causes Pyoderma in Dogs? Every healthy dog has bacteria on the surface of their skin. When a dog’s skin becomes irritated for any reason, they respond by scratching at the spot. This creates openings in the layers of the skin where the bacteria can move deeper, creating the perfect environment for them to grow and thrive. There are several potential triggers for the initial irritation, including: Environmental or seasonal allergies Food allergies Flea allergy dermatitis Chronic exposure to moisture (like skin folds)Seborrhea Impaired blood flow to the skin Endocrine disorders (Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease) It can also start when the skin is damaged due to an injury. Even a minor injury could cause just enough of an opening into the skin’s layers to begin the cycle. Is Dog Pyoderma Contagious to Humans? As this is a bacterial infection, it isn’t a risk of transmission like an airborne virus would be. Some strains of the bacteria can occasionally lead to an infection in humans or other dogs. However, the risk is incredibly low unless you have a compromised immune system. You can minimize the risk of transmission by focusing on keeping your home clean as your dog fights the infection. This includes regularly cleaning their food and water dishes as well as any bedding your dog sleeps on regularly. If you have an open wound, keep it covered when spending time with your infected dog.

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

When it comes to eating, most dogs will eat just about anything – in fact, if it’s something that’s forbidden for them to eat or something that they really shouldn’t be munching on, their appetite only seems to increase. And unfortunately, that also includes poop. While it is definitely disgusting to see, it actually has a lot of science behind it. The behavior is called  coprophagia, and it is influenced by a lot of major factors. Getting to know them can help you better understand this odd behavior, and help you act accordingly. So let’s learn all about dogs and poop-eating.Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?Believe it or not, eating poop is a fairly common behavior in dogs. In fact, recent studies reveal that it is  in a dog’s DNA to eat poop. It isn’t, however, a behavior that should be ignored completely. Because it can give you insights into the health and mentality of your four-legged friend. If you spot your pet munching on the forbidden fudge, it could signal a major nutritional deficiency. So, basically, if a dog is lacking certain nutrients in their diet, they may seek to fulfill those needs by eating feces. Of course, it can also signal underlying medical issues. It is known that some medical conditions can lead to coprophagia, such as malabsorption disorders or  parasites. Coprophagia can also sometimes stem from behavioral issues, such as stress, anxiety, or boredom. Dogs may resort to eating poop as a way to cope with these feelings or out of sheer boredom. It can also come from simple attention-seeking. Yup, your dog can eat feces as a way to gain attention, especially if they've received a strong reaction from their owners in the past. And, if you notice that your doggo is nibbling on poop in the park or on the street, they could be attracted to the scent. The scent of feces attracts some dogs, especially if it's from another animal. Of course, neglect can also be a viable cause. Dogs that are confined in tight spaces or cages can exhibit unnatural behaviors, such as excessive eating of poop. It can also stem from anxiety, fear, isolation, or from problems related to diet. Either way, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues and to address any behavioral concerns. Of course, ensuring your dog has a balanced diet, plenty of physical and mental stimulation, and positive reinforcement training can help deter this behavior. It can also be wise to supplement your dog’s diet with  quality multivitamins, which can balance their nutritional needs and prevent poop-eating. 

Dogs Trained to Detect Ancient Remains Expedite Search for Graves

Canada’s recent discovery of hundreds of tiny unmarked graves attributed to the residential school system has created not only cross-country outrage but also a determination to locate and repatriate the remains of all children who left home to attend these schools but never returned.Within a few weeks, the number of unmarked graves throughout Canada had quickly grown to over 10,000 and the ability to locate and identify additional sites (that would date back decades), had become almost impossible. Particularly since many of the schools had since been razed and pinpointing potential burial areas leaned heavily toward guesswork.The search had to be done respectfully – meaning without the use of large, excavation equipment – however, the need to cover a vast range of land in a timely manner was a challenge.That’s when the search teams decided to bring in the dogs.Part of the Ottawa Valley Search and Rescue Dog Association, German Shepherds, Recce and Taz are proficient in detecting older, archeological remains with drill work that has included using older cemeteries as their training ground. In fact, Historic Human Remains Detection Dogs have been used throughout North America and Europe to identify human remains in archaeological sites that date back hundreds of years… and longer. These dogs can pick up on the much lower scent levels that come from teeth and bones found in ancient graves… and some are even explicitly trained to detect cremated remains where no bones or teeth remain.This switch from bulldozers to the canine duo is a change welcomed by the area’s former residential school students who feel that because dogs have always been part of the Indigenous culture, they offer a natural, more appropriate approach to finding the missing children.According to Archaeology Professor Adrian Burke, dogs make a great option because they are non-invasive. Although it’s not an exact science – they can’t pinpoint an individual grave - they can hone in on a location and this saves time and the need for random digging. Once dogs flag a site, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is used to confirm what lies beneath.By adding Recce and Taz to the search teams, it’s estimated the time needed to cover a couple of acres can be reduced from a few weeks to just a couple of days.While the process is still slow and time-consuming, Indigenous residents confirm it’s about the children’s families understanding what happened to their little ones, being able to bring them home for appropriate burial, and ultimately experiencing a sense of closure and justice.

Is Dog Food Bad for Cats?

In households where cats and dogs coexist together, you can bet that furballs will “share” everything. Sofas, lounging chairs, cozy spots, beds, toys – you name it. Well, sure, not all of it is sharing in the real sense of the word, as it is more of your cat just claiming all of it for itself. That’s just how cats are. But hey, no harm in your cat and dog sharing a bed or a lounging spot. However, what would happen if your cat happened to “share” your dog’s food? Can dog food be bad for cats? Here’s what you should know if your feline is keen on nibbling your dog’s kibble.Is Dog Food Bad for Cats?Cats and dogs are different – it doesn’t take much thinking to figure that out. Not only in their behavioral traits but in their nutritional needs as well. And since their nutritional requirements differ, dog food will generally not be adequate for cats. While dog food is not toxic to cats, it does not have all the nutrients necessary for cats, and it is not formulated in the same way. Cats need specific nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, and certain vitamins that are not present in sufficient amounts in dog food. For example, dogs can survive with lower levels of Vitamin A and proteins, while cats cannot. And even if your cat somehow enjoys dog food and prefers to munch on it at feeding time, it is ultimately not good for her. In fact, feeding cats dog food over a long period can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health problems. It's essential to feed cats a balanced diet formulated specifically for their needs to ensure they stay healthy. This includes plenty of protein (more than doggos), and amino acids like taurine and arginine. In fact, these amino acids are essential for cat health. Taurine is especially important for cats. Unlike dogs, cats cannot synthesize enough taurine in their bodies, so they must get it from their diet. Taurine deficiency can lead to serious health issues in cats, including heart problems and vision issues.Cats also require arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in animal tissues. Arachidonic acid is necessary for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and reproductive function. While dogs can synthesize arachidonic acid from other fats, cats cannot produce enough on their own and must obtain it from their diet. The same goes for Vitamins A and D. They are essential components of a cat diet, and cannot be found in dog food in adequate measures. 

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