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518-766-27073541 US Route 20, Nassau, NYOpen Mon-Fri: 9-6, Saturday: 9-2Does your pet nd it difcult to takemedications? Do you have to struggle with your pet everytime?LIQUID, GELS & TREATSfor an easier way to give your pets their medication *Save $5.00 NOW!* $15.00 Mininum Purchase. New Prescriptions OnlyWE TURN YOUR PETS’ MEDS INTO FLAVOREDAsk our Pharmacy about llingall your pets’ prescriptionsH e a lt H & W e l l n e s s C e n t e rLEARN MORE ABOUT COMPOUNDING AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOUNassau Pharmacy2CrazyHorseLadyMa@gmail.comFarm ChoresBarn CleanoutsFoal WatchEquine Exercise Pet SittingPersonal AssistantHousekeepingSeasoned ExperienceSolid ReferencesBerkshire Humane Society214 Barker Rd, , Pittseld, MA 01201Phone: (413) 447-7878, Berkshirehumane.orgApollo would like to know – “Would you like to dance with me?” Named after the Greek God who enjoyed dance and sunlight (don’t we all?), this handsome 8-month-old American pit bull terrier is an active and exuberant pup. He has bouts of “excite-ment overload”, because he’s a youngster who simply needs structure in his life. He’s a highly trainable boy who is receptive to learning new things. Apollo would do best in a home with teens and older due to his mouthiness, which the kennel staff is working with him on. He would love a dog-savvy cat friend as well as a dog playmate pending a successful introduc-tion; he nds great joy in the company of both. Apol-lo eats things he shouldn’t, so he’ll need a watchful owner to monitor his tendency. Overall, he’s a lovely boy who has a lot going for him. He’s looking for the perfect person to help him learn and grow! If you think you’ve got the dancing moves to suit this boy’s energy, please contact kennel staff at Berkshire Humane Society – (413)-447-7878 ext. 126

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Paws to ReectSPOTLIGHT-Q & A with JAE! 4Dog Wags–Flea & Tick Prevention 5Cats Meow-This Side of Purradise 6Adoptables 1, 2, 4, 7Horse Corral-Mothers and Offspring at Equine Advocates 8CGHS-Housetraining and More 9 Natural Fun Facts 10Guide To Our Local Shelters 10Cat & Dog–Caring for a Pet Rat 11 Animalectory 12, 13Cat & Dog-National Pet Week 13Rescue Leagues 14Dog Wags-Monthly Breed– Coton De Tulear 15Monthly Dog & Cat Pawoscope 15Founder: Gayle SchechtmanEditor: Jane NicoleWriters: Iris BassColleen CarpenterLinda ClaytonDr. Melody R. Conklin Dr. Debra Primovicfrom www.petplace.comAlex ValverdeBerkshire Animal WorldBerkshiremountainanimalworld@gmail.comCRATE OF CONTENTS3Front Photo Credit:P.O. Box 1842Lenox, MA 01240anlife@aol.comwww.berkshiremountainanimalworld.com• Columbia Green Humane Society • Berkshire Humane Society• Mohawk Hudson Humane Society • Out of the Pits and so much more!Check out our Canine Rescue League DirectoryBark!Bark!TIMELY ADOPTABLES ALL AROUND!Give your pets a hug for me!! GayleBerkshire Mountain Animal World™ 2018-2025. All rights reserved. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced, rewritten, or pho-tocopied without permission of the publisher. Distribution is FREE in all of Berkshire County and areas in Pioneer Valley, Massa-chusetts, Northwest Hills, Connecticut, Co-lumbia/Rensselaer Counties in New York and the border towns of Vermont. Advertising rates are based on monthly dis-tribution. Berkshire Mountain Animal World Publication™ is not responsible for adver-tising claims. The advertiser is SOLELY re-sponsible for content. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ re-serves the right to refuse any advertising for any reason. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ is not responsible for errors in content made by any writers. Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ does not endorse what is printed.Year 7, Edition 80 National Pet Week®May 4-10Be Kind to Animals Week®May 4-10National Animal Disaster Preparedness DayMay 8International Migratory Bird DayMay 10National Endangered Species DayMay 16National Rescue Dog DayMay 20World Turtle DayMay 23World Parrot DayMay 31Pictured with CGHS/SPCA Animal Care Technician Melissa Revette is Dakota, an 8-year-old Husky mix who was surrendered because her previous own-ers didn’t have enough time for her. Despite her age, she’s incredibly active and playful and would benet from a family who has time to run her. Dakota absolutely loves her squeaky toys! She’s good with other dogs but a meet and greet is always required. She’s never been around cats before but seemed to do well, so management would be recommended. Due to her energy level, older kids are best for her!

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4SPOTLIGHT Q & A with JAE!Do you have a question about pet food or herbal supplements for your fur babies?Contact us at Berkshiremountainanimalworld@gmailoraka.jae.evans@gmail.comwith your concerns or questions!Question: How do I begin? There are so many brands and each one says they are the best. Can you help me?Answer: It’s every brand’s job to claim to be the best, so of course it’s confusing. So, begin by skipping both name recognition and any claims the brand is making, such as “natural,” and go directly to the ingredients panel. You don’t want to see ultra-processed food on that list. If you don’t know what that looks like: basically, if you couldn’t possibly produce it in an ordinary household kitchen, it’s ultra-processed. You also don’t want unpronounceable additives, which may or may not be an ingredient a dog’s body can absorb and utilize. That goes for nutritional supplementation, too. For instance, I just googled the ingredients of a popular brand of fairly upscale commercial dog food. This brand lists “L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, as a source of vitamin C.” Well, you know what else has vitamin C? About a million different fruits and vegetables, none of which need to be ultra-processed. Okay, next step: Check out the amount of meat and produce compared to the amount of grain. Looking at that popular brand again, its rst three ingredients are rice by-product, chicken by-product meal, oats, and wheat. So we’re four ingredients in, and our ratio of grains to meat is already three to one. And “chicken by-product meal” is not a food you could rustle up in your own kitchen -- I hope! In fact, I’d argue that it’s debatable whether it necessarily qualies as meat). Produce shows up in eighth place, in the ultra-processed form of dried beet pulp. Forget it! Alright, one more tip: The phrase “human-grade” means you’re getting the highest possible quality. NEWSBITE16th Annual Dairy Queen Benet . . . for the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Saturday, May 10th, 2025 -10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the Ghent Dairy Queen, 2319 Route 66Shop for your Mother’s Day gifts. There will be jewelry, kitchen items, oral arrange-ments, artwork, spring wreaths, lighthouse motif decorations, dog/cat items & more!The shelter would like to thank the crew at Dairy Queen - Ghent for this ongoing support. This benet has raised over $18,000 for our animals over the years!This super cute pair of 2-year-old male guinea pigs are Reggie and Rocky. Since they are a shy pair who are slowly coming out of their shell, they’ll need a condence-building home where they can thrive. With time, love and care, they will make a lovely addition to some-one’s home. Guinea pigs make excellent pets for those who live in smaller spaces. If you think you can provide them with the life they’re seeking or you’re interested in learning more about guinea pig care or adoption, please reach out to our small animal department at (413)-447-7878 ext. 124. Berkshire Humane Society currently has six guinea pigs available for adoption at this time.Berkshire Humane Society214 Barker Rd, , Pittseld, MA 01201Phone: (413) 447-7878, Berkshirehumane.org

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Dos and Don’ts of Flea & Tick Prevention for Dogs and Cats Stephanie Silberstang, DVM CVA Flea and tick preventatives are highly recommended in most parts of the United States and internationally for dogs and cats. Fleas can cause local itchiness, allergies, anemia, and can transport certain diseases, including tapeworms and the bubonic plague. Ticks are by far the scarier bug, as they can cause life-threatening diseases to dogs, in-cluding Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.Here are some Dos and Don’ts for concerned pet parents interested in safeguarding their furry friends from eas and ticks:The Dos:• Use a dog or cat ea and tick preventative. Over-the-counter ea and tick preventatives can be ineffective, or, in some cases, dangerous to your pet.• Treat your entire home if one ea is found on your dog or cat. Fleas do not live on your pet, but instead live within your home, and only attach themselves to your pet when they need a meal.• Keep your pet on a ea and tick preventative year-round . With warmer winters and evolving species, eas and ticks are no longer dying or hiding during win-ter months.• Choose the best ea and tick preventative for your dog or cat. Topical is not the best choice for dogs that love to swim daily, and oral prevention may not be the best for pets with food allergies, since they contain avor-ing. Ask your veterinarian to help you pick the best option for your pet.The Don’ts:• Don’t give ea and tick preventative medication to your cat if it is la-beled for a dog. Dog preventatives contain more than 10x the amount of medication present in the cat version, which can be toxic to cats, leading to tremors, seizures, and hyperthermia. If you give a dog preventative to your cat, seek veterinary attention immediately, since symptoms can be delayed.• Don’t give topical ea and tick preventative medicines orally or vice versa. Always double check the label of your preventative to see how it should be administered. If you have a question, check with your veterinar-ian.• Don’t bathe your pet within 2 days of applying topical ea and tick pre-vention medicine . The preventative is absorbed systemically through the skin which can take up to 48 hours. If your dog likes to swim, consider an oral or collar form of prevention.• Don’t forget to check your pet after each excursion into heavily wooded areas or known tick-infestations.• Don’t hesitate to remove a tick from your pet. A tick can be removed by grabbing the head, where it inserts into the skin, and pulling it out. Do NOT burn the tick out, as you are at risk of burning your pet. If an engorged tick is found on your pet, tick-borne disease testing should be performed by your veterinarian in 4-6 weeks. The safest decision for your pet is to be proactive with ea/tick medi-cations. It is easier to prevent infestations and the diseases that they may carry by preventative medication than by treating the diseases once they are present. It is also less expensive to keep your pet on year-round preventative care than to treat the disease once they are infected. In some ea/tick diseas-es, extensive diagnostics, hospitalization, and treatment may be required. www.petplace.com

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6This Side of Purradiseby Iris Bass • SALON – 75 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE 2 CERTIFIED PET AESTHETICIANS ON STAFF COMFORT GROOMS A SPECIALTY CAT GROOMING AVAILABLE• PLAYCARE – STAFFED WITH CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS OPEN 5 DAYS/WEEK TO APPROVED DOGS• TRAINING – 6 WEEK SESSIONS RUN CONTINUOUSLY THROUGH THE YEAR EARLY PUPPY; BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE &ADVANCED OBEDIENCE AND MORE!Offering Salon Services, Playcare and Training for THE TRI-STATE AREA’S PETSFor more information on our services, please see our website: www.bowmeowregency.comCheck us out on FacebookContact us at 413-229-0035 or by email at honor@bowmeowregency.com Caption: Dunkin. Copyright © 2025 Berkshire Humane SocietyFARM SANCTUARIES (In our region)• Chatham Animal HavenP.O. Box 49, Chatham , NY 12037518-218-6885Chathamanimalhaven@gmail.comhttp://chathamanimalhaven.org/• Berkshire Farm Sanctuary34 West Main Rd., Peru, MA 01235413-344-7433info@berkshirefarmsanctuary.orghttps://berkshirefarmsanctuary.org• Farm Sanctuary3150 Aikens Rd, Watkins Glen, NY 14891607-583-2225, experience@farmsanctuary.orghttps://www.farmsanctuary.org• Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary254 Gardner Hollow Rd, Poughquag, NY 12570845-724-5138 to schedule a visitsafehavenfarmsanctuary@gmail.comhttps://safehavenfarmsanctuary.org• Woodstock Farm Sanctuary2 Rescue Rd, High Falls, NY 12440845-247-5700 info@woodstocksanctuary.orghttps://woodstocksanctuary.org/Golden-Maned All OverIf you’ve a hankering for a long-haired cat, this handsome fellow may be right up your alley. Alas, predominantly orange Maine coon Dunkin may be all too accustomed to al-leys, as he was rescued as a stray and brought to Berkshire Humane Society. At eight years old (50 in human years), he’s hardly old, but surely deserves to live out the rest of his days in far more comfort and security than where he was discovered. He looks a bit ragtag now, but his long, LONG fur can be kept in gorgeous order with your gentle ministrations of ngers, comb, and brush. Stroking Dunkin softly at rst to get him accustomed to your touch would be a good start, followed by the use of a soft-bris-tled brush once he accepts your hands and he is in a relaxed state (= doesn’t run from the sight of the brush). Don’t be too vigorous, or else the static could give him a light electric shock. Long hair can become matted easily, so the next step should be to accustom him to the light use of a comb, more a stroke than a tug, close to the surface at rst, then gradually introduced to areas closer to his skin where mats could form, especially in warmer weath-er. Outright bribery with the promise of catnip or a treat only after he lets you complete a section may ensure success, also, giving him breaks between sessions/sections will allow him time to de-stress as well as learn to that grooming times are brief. If he likes music, as-sociating a particular soothing piece with beauty time, such as a song or simple melody you could coordinate with your grooming strokes, may reassure him to relax for a brief routine that he’ll learn will end in just a little while…followed by a reward if he lets you groom him to the end of the tune. Fur aside, Dunkin has a quiet personality, best paired with a quiet, adults-only home. If you are able to include an additional cat, he’s fond of another stray at the shelter, a nine-year-old (mid-50s), more outgoing, short-haired female brown tabby named Sparkles. It is not necessary to adopt her too, but if you can nd room in your home and your heart for both, you’d have the extra benet of a discount from the shelter’s Buddy Program or its Senior Discount that lowers the price for cats greater than seven years old (in kitty years). Have a hankering to make TWO cats happy? Done!Iris Bass, coauthor of the Cat Lover’s Daily Companion, shares her Lee home with two shelter cats. Please contact Berkshire Humane Society’s main shelter at 214 Barker Road, Pittseld, MA, 413-447-7878. Conrm its hours before heading over, or check out https//:berkshirehumane.org to read more about Dunkin or the other cats currently available for adoption there or at Purradise, 301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA, 413-717-4244. Purradise is open for both adoptions and boarding. Please respect any COVID-19 proto-cols that may be in place at either shelter.

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7Berkshire Humane Society214 Barker Rd, , Pittseld, MA 01201Phone: (413) 447-7878, Berkshirehumane.org650 ROUTE 295, OLD CHATHAM WOODHILLVETCLINIC.COMWood HillVeterinary ClinicOPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK518-392-6224Like us on Facebook!http://www.taizeshepherdkennel.com/125 Humane Society Rd, Hudson, NY 12534 (518) 828-6044 Open daily Tuesday - Saturday 11:30 - 4 https://cghs.org/ Boarding and Daycare remain the same and the food bank is open 7 days a week. Please call with any questions.Pictured with CGHS/SPCA Ani-mal Care Technician Sarah Ozmon, Dante and Elliot are 3½-year-old Miniature Pinscher mixes who were surrendered at no fault of their own. They’ve been together their whole lives and are incredibly bonded, so they must be adopted together. These boys are great with other animals and would be amazing dogs to live with kids...they need someone to help tire them out! Even though they’re attached to each other, they both are very affectionate with people.Meet Ruby! Although this gorgeous do-mestic shorthair isn’t a dog, she certainly has a dog-like personality. Ruby is a laid-back 3-year-old lady looking to be the queen of the castle. Having arrived at Berkshire Humane Society from a busy household, this green-eyed beauty is hoping for a quieter home without other cats or dogs. Ruby is a very friendly and sweet girl who would do best with teens and older. She loves her people, but can become a bit shy when strangers visit. Although shy to start, once she comes out of her shell, she’s truly a lovely girl who will follow you around seeking love and attention. She also enjoys nding toys and amusing herself with them! Ruby will need to be on a strict dietary regimen as she could stand to lose a few pounds in addition to requiring a urinary prescription diet. If you have the purr-fect home for the perfect girl, please speak with Berkshire Humane Society’s feline staff directly. (413)-447-7878 ext. 124

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8Horse Corral Mothers and Offspring at Equine Advocates At Equine Advocates, we consider all our equine residents and human staff one big family. However, some of our horses are actually related, and we love knowing they’re in the same safe home. In recognition of Mother’s Day, we want to share their stories and some fun facts about mares and offspring.Peggy and Melanie Peggy, a Belgian Draft born around 1996, is a former PMU (Pregnant Mares’ Urine) Mare who was part of a major rescue operation of 46 Canadian PMU mares that Equine Advocates saved in Manitoba between October 2003 and March 2004. Peggy was in foal at the time of her rescue in 2004. She arrived at the sanctuary in the spring of that year and gave birth to her daughter Melanie shortly after. Peggy has a freeze brand #157 on her side, which represents the stall number at the PMU facto-ry farm where she came from. The majority of foals born to PMU mares are considered byproducts, and many are sent to auction and/or slaughter. Since Melanie was born at our sanctuary, she thank-fully will never experience the abuse her mother and countless other horses suffered in the name of medicine. These two beautiful mares live in the same eld with two other draft horses. Annie and Connor Annie, born around 2001, is a Belgian Draft branded with #157, the same as Peg-gy. She was the youngest of the 46 Canadian PMU mares we rescued in Manitoba. For that reason, she does not seem to have as many physical and emotional scars as most of the other mares rescued during those six months. She gave birth to a colt named Connor in the spring of 2004 at our sanctu-ary. They were adopted out, but both horses came back to us in 2008. Annie lives in the same eld as Peggy and Mel-anie, while Connor lives with Jeffrey Mac, a Draft Cross and fellow PMU offspring. Facts about dams and foals• The female parent, or mother, of a foal is referred to as a “dam.”• Mares are seasonal breeders, meaning they can be bred from late spring to early fall.• The average gestation period for a horse is 340 days, or about 11 months. That’s two more months than humans!• Mares typically give birth to one single foal. Twin pregnancies are rare and are very risky for the dam and offspring. It’s rare for both foals to survive.• Most often, foals are born at night, and it happens very quickly. This is because in the wild, it protects the mare and foal from predators when they are at their most vulnerable.• Foals can weigh up to 150 pounds at birth.• When rst born, foal hooves have a special covering called “fairy slippers,” which develop in the womb to help protect the dam’s reproductive organs and birth canal during pregnancy and birth. This covering hardens as foals start standing and walking within hours of birth.• Colostrum, the dam’s rst milk, provides foals with in-fection-ghting antibodies. Since foals are born without a fully developed immune system, receiving the colostrum is critical for a horse’s health and survival.At Equine Advocates, we don’t breed our rescued equines. We do, however, feel proud to have saved dams in foal and had many equines born under our care, ensuring they’re safe from a life of abuse or mistreatment.

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9125 Humane Society Rd, Hudson, NY 12534 (518) 828-6044Open daily Tuesday - Saturday 11:30 - 4 Boarding and Daycare remain the same and the food bank is open 7 days a week. Please call with any questions.https://cghs.org/Open 7 daysa week440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 413-528-8020413-528-8020www.vcaallcaring.comwww.vcaallcaring.comHouse Calls onTuesdays!!Conventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureConventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureClass 4 Laser for Healing Class 4 Laser for Healing VCa all Caring animal HospitalSoft PawsBy Charlene MarchandYour NeighborhoodPet Supply Store featuring:• Made in the USA Foods & Treats• Toys • Essentials • Gifts• Natural and Organic Products• Lots of Fun Stuff!Monday - Friday 10 - 5, Saturday 10-4Closed SundaysLenox Commons • 55 Pittseld Road, Lenox, MA413-637-0800 www.chezpet.com It goes without fail that almost on a weekly basis, some-one is referred to me for their dog’s submissive urination problem. It’s important to understand that this behavior is quite common, can begin as early as ten to twelve weeks of age (though more commonly around ve or six months), affects both sexes equally, and if handled properly, will ex-tinguish by about a year of age – let me repeat – if handled properly. Let’s dene our terms. Even when housebroken, a dog can submissively urinate when the owner arrives home, is in close proximity to the dog, when the dog is approached by a stranger outside of the home, in a veterinarian’s ofce, in a training class, or when company (even familiar extend-ed family members) arrive for a visit. The behavior, in a pack-technical sense, is a deference behavior to a dominant pack member – an acknowledgement of respect, a gift (if you will), an act of subordination. Many dogs exhibit-ing this behavior will also roll over on their backs for the “boss.” Unfortunately, our instincts as humans are almost al-ways incorrect in the handling of these undesirable behav-iors. By that, I mean that the typical response is to yell or reprimand the dog in the heat of the moment – thinking that this negative reinforcement will stop the wetting. Wrong! The verbally aggressive posture taken by someone in charge will always exacerbate the gift-giving, precipitating a quicker “gift,” and often, a much greater (quantity) one. The only individual in need of behavior motivation in this trigger situation is the dog’s owner. The uid, dynamic encouragement of the submission must be identied and stopped immediately. Correct responses include no eye contact upon approach, diffusing the focus of the dog to track-it, turning away from the dog once it squats, keeping your facial expression a “calming signal,” and never allow-ing the dog to watch as you clean up the mess. As those who train with me so well know, the offset tone of approval from the pack leader can also forestall an acci-dent. While on this note, it is imperative to ignore or walk away from a dog who rolls over in a submissive manner. I’m not talking about a nice, relaxed, leisurely belly-rub when all’s well – most of you know what I mean, and if you’re not sure, connect with someone who can explain the difference to you. Let me assure all of you that this behavior typically will not go away on its own. We need to have an understanding, united in helping our Fi and Fido realize that the human king and queen of the household don’t need these seless liquid gifts to be given. They already have the greatest gift – the love and devotion of man’s best friend. Another APB: All dog owners should frequently check the t of your canine’s collar, especially if it is not removed on a daily basis. I’ve inadvertently discovered a number of too-tight “necklaces,” while doing a hands-on for other reasons. A at, round, or buckle collar, when checked at the thickest part of the dog’s neck just above the tie-in to the shoulder blade, should allow comfortably for the t of two ngers, one on top of the other. Some collars may need three. A properly tted slip collar, be it nylon or a ne chain link, should rest open at the base of the neck, with two to three inches of play when gently tightened to t snugly against the neck muscle. Dogs grow (puppies very quickly), dogs gain weight, and dogs that are active and athletic lay on muscle, which can all affect the proper t and comfort of their collar. Feel free to call us with any questions at (518) 828-6044 or visit our website at www.cghs.org. Charlene Marchand is the Chairperson of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Board of Directors. She may be contacted at cghsaaron@gmail.

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10ReliableReliablePet Sitting Pet Sitting CompanyCompanyServing Berkshire County since 1997PET SITTING DOG WALKINGVeterinarian RecommendedP.O. Box 232, Pittseld, MA 01202413.329.5127mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.com25Natural Fun FactsDid you know that . . .RATS Bold, healthy, well adjusted Goldendoodle and German Kleinpudel pups available now.Call or text Susan at (413) 717- 9317 BridleWoofgb.com Susan@BridleWoofgb.com535 Egremont RoadGreat Barrington, Massachusetts 01230MARIDAY GEYER• Daily and Overnight Pet Sitting• Dog Walking• Other Services413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.comwww.shakerpaws.com• Puppy Skills• Manners Training• Loose Leash Skills• Connection Cooperation & ControlCertied CCC InstructorCertied Pet SitterBonded & InsuredPaw-fessional Pet CareRelationship Focused Dog TrainingRhonda’s ReptilesWe Rescue Reptiles in NeedReptile Birthday Parties & EventsRhonda Leavitt • New Lebanon, NY • 413-446-1059RhondasReptiles.comAnimalkind, Inc.721 Warren StreetHudson, NY 12546518-822-8643Berkhire Humane Society214 Baker RoadPittseld, MA 01201413-447-7878Columbia Greene Humane111 Humane Society RoadHudson, New York518-828-6044Dakin Humane Society171 Union StreetSpringeld, MA 413-781-4000Everybunny Counts Rabbit Rescue618 Matthews St.Bristol, CT 06010Facebook@Everybunnycountseverybunnycounts@yahoo.comGeminis Pampered Greyhounds145 N. Whitney StreetAmherst, MA 01002413-253-4894Greyhound Options43 Sczgiel RoadWare Ma413-967-9088Hop On Home info@hoponhome.orgSaratoga, New YorkHouse Rabbit ConnectionPO Box 2602Woburn, MA 01888781-431-1211OUR LOCAL SHELTERSIn Honey’s Memory Cat ShelterPO Box 147Huntington, MA 01050413-667-0049Kanes KrusadeP.O. Box 1085East Longmeadow, MA 01028Lttle Guild of St. Francis285 Sharon-Goshen TurnpikeWest Cornwall, CT860-672-6346Mohawk Hudson Humane Society3 Oakland AveMenands, New York 12204518 434-8128Mutt Rescue102 Grove StreetChicopee, MA 01020413-594-8144Northeast Avian Rescue East Greenbush, NY OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY HOTLINE: 518-708-6091Second Chance Animal Center1779 VT-7AArlington, Vermont 05250802-375-2898Thomas J. O’Conner Animal Control & Adoption Center627 Cottage StreetSpringeld, MA 01104413-781-1484Westeld Homeless Cat Project1124 East Mountain RoadWesteld, MA 01085413-568-6964√There are more than 60 species of rats in the world. ...√Rats’ teeth never stop growing. ...√Rats are excellent swimmers. ...√Rats are social creatures. ...√Rats can survive falls from great heights. ...√Rats have poor eyesight but have a great sense of smell and hearing.

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11How to Care for a Pet RatBy Lianne McLeod, DVM Rats are smart and friendly, and they like to cuddle. They make great companion an-imals, including for kids. They are playful animals that desire human companionship, as well as socialization with other rats. Rats require a moderate amount of care, but, once you get past the initial setup of the enclosure, it’s fairly straightforward. Their formulated diet can be found in most pet stores. Plus, their housing doesn’t take up much space and is pretty simple to maintain. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering a rat as your pet.Species OverviewCommon Name: RatScientic Name: Rattus rattusAdult Size: 14 to 18 inches (tail included)Lifespan: 2 to 3 yearsRat Behavior and Temperament Rats are social creatures, and most can learn to be comfortable with—and even enjoy—gentle handling by people. They recog-nize their owners and will even get excited to see their favorite humans. They tend to bond with whoever cares for them and socializes with them the most. So besides spending some time on their daily enclosure upkeep, daily interaction is a must. Rats are largely nocturnal, but they can be active for periods during the day. A good time to interact with them is often in the evening hours. To hand-tame a rat, start slowly by enticing it to explore your hands as you hold treats. Always make sure you’re supporting the rat’s weight when picking it up, and never squeeze it. Once a rat is comfortable with this kind of handling, it will likely want to climb on you to explore. Many rats like perching on their owners’ shoulders or cuddling in their laps. And they don’t typi-cally bite unless they feel threatened. Rats are overall quiet pets, though they do make some soft vocalizations. It’s best to keep them away from other household pets to prevent undue stress and potential injuries. But they do prefer to live in pairs or small groups. A female pair can often coexist peacefully. A pair of males will sometimes become territorial but can do well if they’re introduced at a young age. A female and male also can live together as long as they are spayed and/or neutered. Otherwise, you will quickly nd yourself breed-ing lots of rats.Size Information Rats reach around 14 to 18 inches long on average, including the length of their tail. They weigh between roughly one-half and 1.5 pounds, with males generally being larger than females.Housing A powder-coated wire cage with a solid oor base is ideal for pet rats. It will allow good air circulation but still be comfortable on the rats’ feet. For two rats, the minimum cage size should be 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet, but bigger is always better. Because rats like to climb, a multilevel cage would be suitable to give them more exercise and enrichment. Keep the enclosure in a relatively quiet spot. And make sure it is out of drafts and direct sunlight. Stable temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are best.Within the enclosure, provide rat toys—especially chew toys. And add a nest box. You can opt for a store-bought small animal nest, or use a small cardboard box or half of a clay owerpot turned in its side.Specic Substrate NeedsPlace a few inches of bedding materials, such as aspen or paper pellet bedding, on the bottom of the enclosure. Avoid cedar and pine bedding, as their oils can be harmful to rats.1 You also can add some shredded pa-per towels or napkins for your rats to use to make a soft nest. Change theWhat Do Rats Eat and Drink?Always have fresh water available for rats. A water bottle that attaches to the side of the enclosure is ideal, as it’s easy to keep sanitary. But offer a water bowl as well until you’re sure the rats are using the bottle. Use heavy ceramic food dishes, as they are difcult to gnaw and tip. Pelleted or block-type diets are typically fed as a rat’s primary food. They are formulated to be nutritionally complete. Follow the feeding instructions on your chosen pet rat food, and be sure to run it by your vet. It’s common to offer a day’s worth of pellets in a dish, disposing of uneaten food after 24 hours before adding the next day’s portion. Rats tend to graze during their waking hours. Fresh foods can be offered to supplement the diet and prevent boredom with the pellets. Try feed-ing your pet rats small amounts of fruits and vegetables, whole grain pasta and bread, brown rice, and plain yogurt. Occasionally, you can offer low-fat cooked meat, mealworms, cheese, seeds, and nuts. It is important to keep rats on a high-ber and low-fat diet.Not all veterinarians accept rats as patients. So before even acquiring one as a pet, make sure there is a vet near you who will treat it.Litter TrainingBecause rats are very smart and naturally tend to pick one spot to use as their bathroom, it is pos-sible to litter box train them. Get a litter box made for small animals that your rat can easily get in and out of, and ll it with a different kind of litter from the main cage bedding. Place the box in the spot where your rat normally relieves itself.It can help to put some soiled bedding in the box to show your rat that this is the spot to go. Howev-er, if the box becomes too soiled, the rat might not want to use it anymore. If your rat starts reliev-ing itself in a different spot, move the box there or add a second box if you have the space. It should catch on fairly quickly, though not all rats will become fully litter-trained. Make sure to change the litter in the box daily.Exercise Rats must exercise every day not only to keep them physically t but also to stimulate their minds. Rats love to climb and will make good use of ladders, ropes, hammocks, tunnels, and plat-forms in their enclosure. Some rats like to run on an exercise wheel. If you include one, make sure it has a solid surface, not wires, to prevent injury. Besides rat toys, they also enjoy toys made for ferrets and parrots. But look for rope and wood toys, as most plastic can’t stand up to the gnawing of a determined rat. Moreover, simple items like large cardboard mailing tubes, crumpled paper, paper bags, and cardboard boxes can also make wonderful homemade rat toys. Because rats are very intelligent, it’s best to rotate the toys regularly to avoid boredom. Take your rat outside of its enclosure daily as well for exercise. But be sure to rat-proof the area because rats will chew on just about anything they can reach. Keep electrical wires out of reach, and ensure your rat cannot access anything toxic. Rats also tend to scent mark as they roam, leaving little drops of urine. The odor is not offensive, but you might want to cover furniture with a throw while they are out of the cage. They will also scent mark on their owners, so be prepared.GroomingRats are very clean animals that mostly self-groom. But they might require nail trims if they don’t naturally wear down their nails. Your vet can either take care of this for you or show you how to do it at home. Moreover, rats don’t need water for baths. But if they happen to get some dirt or debris stuck in their fur, you can help them get it out by gently rubbing the area with a damp cloth.Upkeep CostsOn a monthly basis, expect to spend around $20 to $40 on average for a pet rat. Your primary costs will be food and bedding. And you’ll periodically have to replace chew toys and other items in the enclosure. Also, make sure to budget for routine veterinary care, as well as emergencies.

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12BensDotter’s pet940 Main StreetGreat Barrington, MA413-528-4940Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat 10a-4pQuality foods, Equipment and SuppliesANIMALECTORYCrematoryDoggie Day CareOffering Salon Services, Playcare and Training for THE TRI-STATE AREA’S PETSwww.bowmeowregency.com413-229-0035 honor@bowmeowregency.com BOWMEOW REGENCYLenox Commons • 55 Pittseld Road, Lenox, MA413-637-0800 www.chezpet.comMonday - Friday 10am - 5:00pm, Saturday 10am - 4pmClosed SundaysCHEZ PETYour Neighborhood Pet Supply StoreShaker Paws, LLCwww.theconnectionpuzzle.netOUR CCC CLASSES CAN HELP!Contact: Mariday GeyerShaker Paws LLC • 413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.com • www.shakerpaws.comTaize Shepherd KennelPositive Reinforcement Dog TrainingPrivate and Group ClassesCharlene Marchand • North Chatham, New York(518) 766-3804 • www.taizeshepherdkennel.comGINA’S K-9BED AND BREAKFAST518-329-4675Quality Care Pet Sitting in My Safe, Comfortable HomeCopake, NY 12516Fully insured & member NAPPSPet SittingGINA’S K-9BED AND BREAKFAST518-329-4675Quality Care Pet Sitting in My Safe, Comfortable HomeCopake, NY 12516Fully insured & member NAPPS59 MAIN STREET • LEE, MA • 413-243-1220www.leemeowandgrowl.comMEOW  GROWL P S U SELF SERVEDOG WASH• Fantastic Selection of Dog & Cat Food • Pet Supplies • Leashes, Collars, Grooming Tools • Gifts • Treats• Human Products, Too • Barrington Coffee & Fire CiderDog TrainingFood & SuppliesReliable Pet Siing CompanyVeterinarian Recommended 413.329.5127mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.comHerbal Medicine411 North Street •• Pittseld, MA, MA 01201(413) 347-8040 •• pampered-pup.comMARIDAY GEYERBonded & Insured Certied Professional Pet Sitter 413-446-3336shakerpaws@gmail.comwww.shakerpaws.comSHAKER PAWS PET CARESERVING CENTRAL COUNTYMASSACHUSETTSGroomingpittsfielD Veterinary Hospital &sHaker Hill pet resort1634 West Housatonic Street (toute 20)Pittseld, MA,, 413-499-1580www.pittseldvet.com, Open 7 Days a WeekInvisible Fenceinfo@siennaskypetaftercare.com(518) 816-2092Veterinarian

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VCa all Caring animal Hospital440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 413-528-8020www.vcaallcaring.comConventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureConventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine & AcupunctureClass 4 Laser for HealingClass 4 Laser for HealingVeterinariansWood HillVeterinary ClinicOPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK650 ROUTE 295, OLD CHATHAM • 650 ROUTE 295, OLD CHATHAM • 518-392-6224 518-392-6224 WOODHILLVETCLINIC.COMWOODHILLVETCLINIC.COMMichael Delliere, D.V.M.Gwen Hood, D.V.M.Like us on Facebook!ANIMALECTORYWilDlife animal resCueNewhouse Wildlife RescueChelmsford, Massachusetts(978) 413-4085Bluebird Farm SanctuaryCheshire, MA. 413-446-3345Berkshire Wildlife“To succesfully treat injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of releasing them.”413-623-834013Celebrate National Pet Week® May 4-10, 2025National Pet Week® celebrates the pets that enrich our lives and encourages responsible pet care every day of the year. Created by the AVMA and the Auxiliary to the AVMA in 1981, it’s observed during the rst full week of May each year.Whether companion, comedian, condant, or protector, our pets are al-ways there for us. National Pet Week® celebrates this bond and encour-ages pet owners to be certain to provide their best friends with every-thing needed for a happy, healthy life. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, school groups, and communi-ties host a variety of fun and informative events throughout the week.Everyone loves their pets, but not everyone is aware of all that their pet needs to be happy and healthy long into its senior years. AVMA’s member veterinarians – experts in animal health, welfare, and behavior – invite you to take each of the essential actions highlighted during National Pet Week® that are vital to provide a lifetime of love.Daily ThemesEach day of the week focuses on a different topic essential to responsible pet ownership:Sunday: Choose well: Commit for life Monday: Behavioral health: Habits for happy petsTuesday: Nutrition and exercise matterWednesday: Love your pet? See your vet!Thursday: Travel with careFriday: Emergencies happen: Be prepared Saturday: Plan for their care: Give them a lifetime of love

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14CANINE RESCUE LEAGUES WEBBED SIGHTINGSLooking for a dog? Look here or contact us and we can help! 413-496-8188, anlife@aol.comAFFENPINSCHER RESCUE OF AMERICADonna Wolfe, http://www.affenpinscherrescue.org/AIREDALE TERRIERNew England Airedale Rescue www.newenglandairedalerescue.orgAKITAAkita Rescue of Western New York, www.akitarescuewny.comALASKAN MALAMUTEAlaskan Malamute Rescue of New England, www.amrone.org 413-429-7286 MAAMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIERPittieLove Rescue www.pittieloverescue.orgOut of the Pits, www.outofthepits.org, (Albany NY area) info@outoft-hepits.orgThe Simon Foundation Inc, thesimonfoundation.org, 860-519-1516 CT AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDNortheast Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline (ARPH) www.arphinc.com 877-ARPH-779BASSET HOUND-New England Basset Hound Rescue Inc nebhr.orgBEAGLE- B.O.N.E.S./Beagles of New England States www.bonesbea-gles.org admin@bonesbeagles.org 508-473-2228 MABERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGBernese Education and Rescue Northeast Region www.bernerinc.orgBICHON FRISEBichon Frise Club of America, www.bichonrescue.org, 866-473-0722Linda Ferrullo, 845-561-7004 NYBLOODHOUNDNorthEast Bloodhound Rescue www.bloodhounds.com/tbn/nebr.htmlBORDER COLLIENew England Border Collie Rescue www.NEBCR.org, (ME/NH/VT/MA/CT/RI/upstate NY/northern NJ), info@nebcr.org, 800-760-1569Nutmeg Border Collie Rescue, Jalyn White 860-742-6349 CTBOXERNortheastern Boxer Rescue www.BoxerRescue.com contact@boxerrescue.com (all New England)The Boxer Rescue www.theboxerrescue.org info@theboxerrescue.org (MA/CT/RI) 800-471-2030Second Chance Boxer Rescue, www.secondchanceboxer.com, (all New England) juliescbr@gmail.com, 877-281-3146 (shelter calls or urgent issues only) BRITTANYNew England Brittany Rescue www.nebrittanyrescue.orgBULLDOGBulldog Club of America Rescue Network (BCARN) www.rescuebulldogs.org/rescueroster/rescueroster.htmCHIHUAHUAYankee Chihuahua Rescue www.YankeeChihuahuaRescue.org yankeech-irescue@gmail.comConnecticut - rescueconnecticut@gmail.comMassachusetts - rescuemassachusetts@gmail.comVermont - ycr.vermont@gmail.com COCKER SPANIELCocker Spaniel Rescue of New England www.csrne.org, info@csrne.org, 603-547-3363 NHCOLLIECollie Rescue League of New England and Eastern NY www.collierescueleague.org 1-800-296-3265DACHSHUNDDachshund Club of America, National Rescue, guiness7@comcast.net, 904-217-7698DALMATIANDal Rescue of Upstate New York, StoneHillDals@aol.comDalmatian Club of America, www.thedca.org DOBERMAN PINSCHERDoberman Rescue Unlimited www.dru.org/ doberman@dru.org (NH/MA/RI/CT/VT/ME) 603-887-1200 NH ENGLISH COCKER SPANIELEnglish Cocker Spaniel Club of America, www.ecsca.org/rescuehome.htmlENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELNew England English Springer Spaniel Rescue www.essrescue.org/ GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG German Shepherd Rescue of New England www.gsrne.org (all-New En-gland states) info@gsrne.org, hotline 978-443-2202 MA GOLDEN RETRIEVERYankee Golden Retriever Rescue (New England only) www.ygrr.org Ho-tline 978-568-9700 MA GREAT DANEGreat Danes Around New England Rescue, www.gdaner.orgCarrie Loholdt (MA, VT, NH, CT, RI, ME) gdanerescue@aol.com207-321-2771 ME GREAT PYRENEESNortheast Pyr Rescue www.nepyresq.org 877-528-0637GREYHOUNDGreyhound Friends, www.grey-hound.org (New England/NY/NY) 508-435-5969 MAGreyhound Rescue of NE, www.greyhoundrescuene.org, adopt@greyhoundrescuene.org 508-478-1617 MA Greyhound Pets of America/Massachusetts, www.greyhound-petsmass.org, IRISH SETTERIrish Setter Club of New England, www.iscne.orgJACK RUSSELL TERRIERPauline Clark @www.jacksgalore.orgLABRADOR RETRIEVERLabrador Retriever Rescue www.labrescue.com/ (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) Hotline 978-356-2982 MALabrador Retriever Rescue-CT www.labrescuect.orglabrescuect@gmail.com, 860-767-0381 CTNorthEast All Retriever Rescue www.nearr.com email: nearr@ne-arr.com Hotline 617-824-4278 MA MALTESEAmerican Maltese Association Rescue, www.americanmalteseres-cue.org, MASTIFFFriends of Rescued Mastiffs, www.mastiffrescue.org, 800-200-5287Mastiff Club of America Rescue www.mastiff.org/MCOARESCUE.htm, RydalmMastiffs@aol.comOLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOGNew England Old English Sheep-dog Rescue www.neoesr.org,781-259-8173 MAPEKINGESEPekingese Rescue Network Inc (NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH, RI, ME, VT) www.pekerescue.petnder.comPOMERANIANBay Colony Pomeranian Club Res-cue, baycolonypomeranianclub.orgPOODLEPoodle Rescue of New England www.poodlerescuene.org Poo-dleRescue@poodlerescuene.org 617-628-1425 MAPoodle Rescue of Vermont, www.poodlerescuevt.org, 802-497-4144 VT, info@poodlerescuevt.orgPUGPug Rescue of New England, www.pugrescueofnewengland.orgGreen Mtn Pug Rescue www.greenmtnpugrescue.comCurly Tail Pug Rescue (NY/CT/NJ) www.curlytailpugrescue.orgRAT TERRIERRatbone Rescues www.ratbonerescues.com, ratbonerescue@ratboneres-cues.comROTTWEILERNorth East Rottweiler Rescue www.rottrescue.org, toll free 866-392-0102SAINT BERNARDSaint Bernard Rescue Foundation, www.saintrescue.orgSAMOYEDMinuteman Samoyed Club Rescue, www.doghows.org/ash/mscr/ , info@samoyedrescue.orgSHIBA INUNational Shiba Club of America Rescue, www.shibas.org/rescue.html, rescue@shibas.orgNYC Shiba Rescue, http://nycshibarescue.org, email: shibas@nycshibares-cue.org, 917-591-3408 NYSHIH TZUAmerican Shih Tzu Club Rescue contacts, www.americanshihtzuclub.org./rescue_committeeShih Tzu Rescue of New England, www.petnder.com/shelters/MA304.html, STRNE1@gmail.comWELSH TERRIER-welshterrierrescue.org.YORKSHIRE TERRIERYorkshire Terrier Club of America Rescue Inc, www.ytca.org/rescue.htmlThe MarketplaceFor SaleRabbits For SaleBerkshire BunniesPurebred Holland Lops and Mini Plush LopsLovingly home raised for pets, therapy animals, and show. Socialized and started on litter box training. Our bunnies are so friendly and have the best temperaments! Specializing in rare, beautiful colors and blue eyes. ARBA registered rabbitry.Otis, MA - call/text 413-329-8904 – berkshirebunniesrabbitry@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok: @berkshirebunniesrabbitryberkshirebunniesrabbitry@gmail.com

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15Dog Wags-Breeds from A to ZDog of the MonthMonthly Dog & Cat PawoscopePawoscoPesHAPPY BIRTHDAY!Taurus---April 21–May 20Coton de TulearDOG-Taurus is the rst of the earth signs; it represents the planting of the seed. Taurus pet personalities are stalwart, earthy, practical, and stubborn. Pets born under this sign are generally strong and fond of comfort (like the most comfortable place to lie down!), love food and snacks, and like things to stay the same. While Taurus pets may be determined, they are also very protective and like to keep an eye towards the safety of their home and family. Like their human counterparts, Taurus canines can be strong-willed and don’t like change. (Think twice before moving their water or food bowl.) They might also dislike exercise, but they still need it; make sure they have a regular routine. Taurus pups thrive on creature comforts in a physical environment that is quiet and safe. They have a loving disposition and are extremely loyalCAT-Born under the xed earth sign Taurus, your kitty is likely sweet and calm. Taureans are known to do everything on their own watch and move through life with chill ease, in part thanks to their ruling planet, beauty-loving Venus. This isn’t a kitty who’ll beg for hours of high-energy play. They’ll be much more content dozing in the sun or happily gobbling up treats. And as a xed (aka stubborn) sign, they’re also super-attached to their favorites, so you’ll want to ease them into a new wet food or wand toy when the old one goes missing.A Taurus cat is the ultimate connoisseur of comfort and luxury. Governed by Venus, the planet of love and beauty, these cats adore cozy spots and soft textures. They are likely to spend their days lounging in the sun or snuggled up in a plush bed. Taurus cats are loyal and affectionate, with a strong sense of stability and routine. They appreciate the ner things in life, from gourmet cat food to the perfect napping spot. These felines are gentle and patient, making them wonderful companionsYou can sum up a Taurus in one word: cozy! Born in the spring when the ground is lush and warmed by the sun, the Taurus is sensual, earthy, and natural. They are also practical, dependable, and hardworking, with a deep love of nature and beauty. The Coton de Tuléar is a breed of small dog named for the city of Tuléar in Madagascar. This breed is thought to have originated from a group of small white dogs that swam across the Malagasy channel following a shipwreck. Known for its white cotton-like coat, sometimes with grey, tan, black, or tri-col-ored markings, the Coton de Tulear stands between 9 and 11 inches high and weighing anywhere from 8 to 13 pounds.The Coton de Tulear is a bright, robust, happy-go-lucky companion dog whose favorite activities are is to provide amusement, comfort, and companionship. The bond between Cotons and their people is so close that owners discuss it in human terms. Coton fanciers describe them as ‘witty’ companions ‘at times boisterous but never demanding’ and ‘naturally clownish and lighthearted,’ who possess a ‘remarkably gentle, sympathetic awareness.’ Amusing traits of these long-lived jesters include unique vocalizations and a knack for walking on their hind legs. The Coton is a fairly active dog who requires a moderate amount of exercise. Daily walks with his human at a slow speed will keep him in good weight and condition. Chasing a tennis ball around his backyard can keep his mind active as well as his body. A bored and unhappy Coton can become destructive. He does best when provided with enough exercise, lots of attention from his owner, and plenty of interesting toys to keep him occupied.

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