Berkshireanimalworldnovemberissue : simplebooklet.com

Paws to ReectSpotlight On–Senior Pet Month 4Dog Barks-The State of Shelters 5Cat’s Meow-This Side of Purradise 6 CGHS-Saint Francis Blessing 7Horse Corral-Honoring Veterans at Equine Advocates 8Adoptables 2, 9, 15All Animal Alcove-Holiday Hazards for Dogs and Cats 10-11Natural Fun Facts 12Bird Perch-Pet Bird Equipment 13Climate Change & Winter Wildlife 14Guide To Our Local Shelters 14Small Animal Hutch-Toys for Rabbits 15Regional Farm Sanctuaries 15Information and Food Bank Listing for Animals 15Animalectory 16-17Chatham Animal Haven-Rescue to Freedom Spotlight 17Rescue Leagues 18Dog Wags-Monthly Breed– Chihuahuas 19Monthly Dog & Cat Pawoscope 19Berkshire Mountain Animal World™ 2018-2023. 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 6, Edition 64 Founder: Gayle SchechtmanEditor: Jane NicoleWriters: Iris BassLinda ClaytonMichael CorralKaren B. LondonCharlene Marchand Dr. Debra Primovic - DVMColleen Carpenter-RiceAlex ValverdeBerkshire Animal WorldBerkshiremountainanimalworld@gmail.comCRATE OF CONTENTS3Front Photo Credit P.O. Box 1842Lenox, MA 01240anlife@aol.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!www.berkshiremountainanimalworld.comTIMELY ADOPTABLES ALL AROUND!Give your pets a hug for me!! Gayle November IS . . . • Adopt a Senior Pet Month• Adopt a Turkey Month• Manatee Awareness Month• National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week 2023 • Jellysh Day - November 3• Bison Day - November 4, 2023 (First Saturday in November)• World Numbat Day (anteater)• National Hug a Bear Day - November 7 (...a Stuffed Bear!)• American Frog Day - November 10• AFRMA Fancy Rat & Mouse Day - November 12• Turtle Adoption Day - November 27This sweet little man is Thumper. Bordering senior life as a bun, Thumper would love to live his retirement years in a home where he’ll receive all the TLC! Thumper is calm and quiet, and enjoys being brushed and pet. If you have a quiet home and would enjoy the company of this lovable boy, please reach out to our small animal department at (413)-447-7878 ext. 124 today! And because November is adopt a senior pet month, Thumper’s adoption fee will be waived! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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4SPOTLIGHT on SENIOR PET MONTHThis November, Open Your Heart to a Senior Pet Here at the ASPCA, we love our senior pets—that’s why we are thrilled that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month! If you’ve been thinking about adding a four-legged-friend to your family, consider opening your home and your heart to an older dog or cat in need. While small kittens and puppies may be adorable, older pets are just as loving and loyal as their younger counterparts. Not to mention, adopting a senior animal companion comes with some cool advantages:• Grown-up pets don’t require the constant monitoring and training that puppies and kittens do.• Many are already housetrained.• Since senior pets are fully grown, you’ll be immediately aware of important information like personality type and grooming requirements, making it easier to choose the perfect pet for your family. It is a sad fact that senior pets are often the last to be adopted from shelters, putting them at an increased risk for euthanasia. When you adopt a senior pet, you’re not only welcoming a lifetime of love into your home, you’re also saving a precious life.History of Adopt A Senior Pet Month Many people walk into a shelter hoping to adopt a puppy or a kitten, while overlooking the older animals living in the same shelter. Older pets are seen as less desirable; however, they are often easier to adopt than younger animals. The ASPCA and petnder.com founded Adopt a Senior Pet Month to help improve the perception surrounding senior pets. Their aim is to present senior animals as quality candidates for adoption. One misconception older animals suffer from is that they are in shelters because of their destructive or bad behavior. Though this is far from the truth, there are many reasons why a pet would end up in a shelter. Many of these senior pets were once someone’s faithful com-panions. Changing home circumstances, nancial restrictions, death, or relocation can have adverse effects on a pet’s life. These pets have much to offer, and they are usually adaptable. Younger pets can be adorable, but they also demand a lot of attention and can be destructive and very hard work to keep up with. Usually, an older pet can easily t into your lifestyle and adapt well to a loving new home.How To Celebrate Adopt A Senior Pet Month• Adopt a senior petIf you are thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family, then perhaps you could open your home and your heart to an older dog or cat in need. Visit the nearest shelter to adopt a senior pet and help save a life.• Encourage senior pet adoptionPersuade people to adopt senior pets. If anyone in your friends and family is planning to adopt a pet, then encourage them to adopt older animals who are in desperate need of a home.• Volunteer at a shelterFinancial restrictions, long working hours, or sometimes even un-friendly living spaces can shatter our dreams of having a loving pet in our homes. Thankfully, there is more than one way to show your love for animals, so volunteer at a local pet shelter and help out in any way you can.

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5SPOTLIGHT on . . . SHELTERSAmericans can’t afford their pets. It’s pushing animal shelters to the brink. Lonely and stuck at home, millions of Americans turned to animals for comfort in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, adopting and fostering cats and dogs from shelters at record rates. Videos of empty animal shelters went viral; Wired called it “the feel-good pandemic story you need right now.” “It was a really fun time to be in animal welfare,” said Bobby Mann, chief programs ofcer of the Humane Rescue Alliance, the largest animal shelter in the Washington, DC, metro area. “We did absolutely see an uptick in adoptions.” But starting in 2021, shelters began lling back up as there were more animals entering than leaving, and now many are packed to the brim. From Rhode Island to Seattle and everywhere in between, shelters are reporting they’re at capacity, forcing an increase in the number of dogs killed due to space constraints. Earlier this year, almost half of shelters surveyed reported an increase in euthanized dogs, while only 10 percent reported a decrease.“Perfectly adoptable dogs are losing their lives and it is a crisis,” said one municipal shelter that was surveyed. “We need volunteers, fosters, and adopters.” Dogs are kept in cages at the Harris County Pets animal shelter in Houston, Texas. In 2022, the shelter reported being over capacity and understaffed as a steady increase in animal returns and rescues overwhelmed the facility. “By and large, shelters are screaming from the rooftops that they’ve been in crisis for a while, and it’s not letting up,” said Stephanie Filer, executive director of Shelter Animals Count, an organiza-tion that collects and publishes data from thousands of animal shelters and conducted the euthanasia survey. The group predicts the situation will continue to worsen this year. The trend threatens the immense progress that animal shelters have made to reduce the number of animals put down since the 1970s, when 13.5 million of the 65 million dogs and cats in the US — more than one-fth — were euthanized. In 2019, fewer than a million dogs and cats, about 0.7 percent of the country’s 135 million, were put down. It’s one thing for, say, Peloton bikes to pile up in some warehouse as Americans return to normal-cy and consumer demand rebalances in response. But when the product is an animal — and make no mistake, we treat animals as products — the rebalance of demand and supply can result in mass suffering, as shelters are forced to make the hard choice between packing more and more animals together in crowded, noisy environments, euthanizing them, or turning them away.What’s driving America’s animal shelter crisis? The state of animal shelters can largely be tracked by a simple metric: how many animals are entering shelters versus how many are leaving, known as the population gap. An animal can be taken into a shelter because they were picked up as a stray (the most common reason), surrendered by their owner, or rescued from a cruelty case or puppy mill. Animals leave shelters when they’re found by their owners, adopted, transferred to another shelter, or euthanized (almost 15 percent of cases in 2019). In 2020, when people were adopting shelter animals at record rates, 2 percent more animals left shelters than came in over the course of the year, according to Shelter Animals Count. But in 2021, that gure reversed — 2 percent more animals entered shelters than left, either as strays or surrendered by their owners. In 2022, the trend worsened: 4 percent more animals entered shelters than left. That may not seem like much, but each percentage point amounts to tens of thousands of animals. Shelter Animals Count projects that by the end of 2023, the population gap will tick up to 5 per-cent. Many of the animals currently entering shelters are strays. While owner surrender rates have fallen in recent years, there’s been an 8 percent increase in stray intakes from January to June 2023 compared to the same time period in 2022, and a 26 percent increase compared to the same period in 2021. But why so many are coming in off the streets is a bit of a mystery. One theory is that some of these strays are just owner surrenders in disguise. In 2020, due to Covid-19 precautions, many animal shelters stopped allowing people to walk in and surrender their animals, instead requiring them to make an appointment — a practice many shelters have kept in place. The demand for surrender appointments is now so high that many shelters have long waitlists. So the uptick in strays could simply represent people trying to jump the surrender line by claiming they found a stray animal (which doesn’t require an appointment). Or they could be simply abandoning them on the street. It’s tempting to judge people who surrender their animals, and some surely do so for shallow reasons, like deciding a pet is too much of an inconvenience or failing to properly train them. But the main reason so many people are giving up their pets — espe-cially dogs — is because they simply can’t afford to keep them. For low-income families, it’s hard enough to nd affordable housing, and affordable pet-friendly housing is even harder to se-cure. Many apartment buildings ban certain breeds or dogs over a certain weight. Shelters are taking in especially high numbers of large dogs over 40–50 pounds, Mann of the Humane Rescue Alliance said, “The same [economic] trends that affect people always affect animals,” said Filer with Shelter Animals Count, referring to high ination and the national housing crisis that has led to a rise in eviction rates and homelessness in recent years. Housing insecurity is the top reason people are surrendering their animals, according to Mann and Filer. If someone gets to the point where they’re surrendering their animal out of nancial hardship, they’ve generally tried everything else and they have no other option, she added. The high stray rates, Mann speculates, could also be a conse-quence of high pet acquisition rates early in the pandemic: There are now simply more animals out in the world who can become strays by, for example, slipping out of their homes and getting lost. Veterinary costs have also heavily outpaced ination from July 2022 to July 2023 because of increases in the cost of medical supplies and rising wages due in part to a veterinarian shortage. Some veterinarians partly blame the corporate and private equity takeover of clinics and hospitals for rising vet care costs. There’s also a shelter worker shortage, which is part of an economy-wide labor market shortage. Some people may be surrendering their pets because pet own-ership is just difcult, especially with animals that are having a hard time adjusting to post-pandemic life after years cooped up with their owners. Many dog owners report behavioral issues as they head back to the ofce or bring their poorly socialized animals into public spaces.Berkshire Humane SocietyBerkshire Humane Society214 Barker Rd, , Pittseld, MA 01201214 Barker Rd, , Pittseld, MA 01201Phone: (413) 447-7878, Berkshirehumane.orgPhone: (413) 447-7878, Berkshirehumane.orgThis friendly and lovable 3-year-old male guinea pig is Gizmo! Gizmo is here due to allergies, so now he’s looking for a new home with you! Giz-mo is outgoing and loves head scratches. He enjoys the company of people and would make a nice addition to any home.Finding the best ways to do goodBy Kenny Torrella@KennyTorrella. Vox.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 BREEZY NOOK PET CREMATORIUM, LTD.“Where your feelings are understood and your presence is always welcome.”452 Presbyterian Hill RoadStephentown, New York 12168Georgi Beebe 518-733-9896Established in 1997One of a Kind Yes, every animal—and person—is unique, but let’s be honest: have you ever seen such a gorgeous, unusually patterned kitty as . . . Miss Kitty?! So-called tuxedo cats, including some that sport a gray rather than black suit, as well as cats with a mostly white coat ornamented with gray or black splotches, share a gene that you might not expect that cancels out all other colors in only certain areas of fur: the so-called white dominant gene. Which areas this gene affects can vary considerably from cat to cat, as is quite clear from how even seemingly cookie-cutter classic tuxedo cats wear a lifetime suit of never quite of the same “tailoring” from one to another.In the case of Miss Kitty, as you can see, her gray patches are distinctively shaped as well as interestingly distributed, including a paisley-shaped patch right across her nose! It is as if the Powers That Be decided to go for a Jackson Pollock spatter effect when designing her fur pattern! As Berkshire Humane Society’s staffer Jenn explained to me on October 19, the past two years of Miss Kitty’s life unfortunately have been patchy as well: Having become accustomed to sharing a home with just one person, her world was turned upside down when, due to health issues, that person needed medical treatment, which result-ed in someone else stopping by to tend to feed Miss Kitty’s and take care of her other basic needs—for two years! Alas, recently, her original person recently required placement in a long-term nursing facility that does not accept pets. So, while Miss Kitty had clearly been cared for in at least a rudimentary sense, she had lived in lonely limbo for many months. Quite possibly traumatized by having witnessed the decline of her longtime person as well as from having been kept in familiar surroundings yet with barely the warmth of human contact for so long, this shy beauty is already making up for it with the shelter staff: she loves to snuggle and to be held, says Jenn. Although considered a “senior” at nine years old (early 50s in human years), Miss Kitty deserves to live the rest of her life in a calm, quiet home with someone who will be there for her, both physically and emotionally, without other people or pets in residence to interfere with establishing a new, steady, one-on-one relationship. Can you open your heart and home for this kitty so clearly in need of TLC? (Maybe you wish you had someone special to snuggle with, too…a win-win, then!) Be sure to check out the shelter’s senior discount adoption program, to sweeten what looks to be an already sweetheart of a deal. Iris Bass, coauthor of the Cat Lover’s Daily Companion, shares her Lee home with four 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 view more photos of Miss Kitty 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 protocols that may be in place at either shelter.

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7125 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 The warm, empowering, prayerful blessing of the ani-mals at CGHS/SPCA was lled with hope and gratitude and protection, everyone’s spirits not dampened by the rainy day from the heavens. Thank you to Reverend Gary Paul Gelfenbien for your blessings, which touched every heart and encompassed all beliefs. Each animal was personally blessed along with photos of those unable to attend. Father Gary raised all of our animals in the shelter up for protec-tion and new, loving homes. I think appreciation for the feast of Saint Francis is pretty universal. I share with you the prayer of St. Francis:Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, lightand where there is sadness,joy.O divine Master,grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled, as to console;to be understood, as to understand;to be loved, as to love;for it is in giving that we receive,it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.St. Francis of AssisiPatron Saint of Animals, Merchants, and EcologyPictures are of the Reverend Gary Gelfenbien offering a blessing of the animals at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA. The public was welcome to attend with their pets to receive the blessing as well. Feel free to call us with any questions at (518) 828-6044 or visit our website at www.cghs.org. Our Food Bank is open to any from the public in need of pet food or for those wishing to donate food from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Spay/neuter clinics for cats are $86.00 male or female, including a rabies vaccination and a 5-in-1 feline distemper combination vaccination. Nail clipping services are available every Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the shelter for a donation of $10 for cats and $15 for dogs (currently prepaid only). Charlene Marchand is the Chairperson of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Board of Directors. She may be contacted at cghsaaron@gmail.com.

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8Horse Corral Honoring All Veterans at Equine AdvocatesBy Alex Valverde, Equine Advocates Communications Manager Every Veterans Day, we pay special tribute to those who served our country in the United States Armed Forces. At Equine Advocates, we honor all veterans for their service, both human and animal. In addition to our continued rescue work, we’ve been fortunate over the last few years to become a retirement home for six former Military Working Horses who served with the Caisson Platoon, a unit of the U.S. Army at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia. “It has been an honor and a privilege for this organization to provide these equine veterans with permanent retirement homes following their years of loyal service to the country,” said Equine Advocates President and Founder Susan Wagner. “All of them are older with different degrees of soundness issues and consequently are no longer able to be ridden or driven. Sanctuary life is the best situation for these animals who have given so much and deserve a safe and loving retirement home where they can remain for the rest of their lives.” The Caisson Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Old Guard,” consists of horses who escort the caskets of fallen service members to their nal resting places at Arlington National Ceme-tery. The horses are paired into three teams – the lead team is in front, the swing team follows, and the wheel team is located closest to the caisson, or wagon that carries the casket. Our sanctuary is home to Tyler, Sergeant York, Randy, Luke, King, and Amos. They all performed a variety of roles during military funerals and have a combined nine decades of mili-tary service. The horse who served the longest of the group is Sergeant York, who also happens to be one of the most famous and beloved Caisson Horses of all time. He gained worldwide attention in 2004 when he performed as the Riderless Horse at the funeral of former President Ronald Reagan. He fullled that same role in thousands of Armed Forces Full Honors Funer-als and other ofcial ceremonies. The Riderless Horse is always behind the caisson wearing an empty saddle with the rider’s boots reversed in the stirrups, symbolizing a leader who will lead and ride no more.“Since arriving here, Sergeant York has become a local celebrity,” said Wagner. “On Veteran’s Day in 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a special Citation to Sergeant York for his quarter century of service in the Caisson Platoon. In March of this year, he was awarded the Distin-guished Service Medal from the organization Animals in War and Peace, which held a ceremony on Capitol Hill. He is so popular that we have visitors who come here just to see him.” Since giving these horses a retirement home, Equine Advocates has gained a positive reputation among local veterans and now hosts an annual Veter-ans Day event where men and women who served get the chance to meet the wonderful equine veterans at our sanctuary. We hope to do more to help and honor those who served. “We recently fullled a long-time dream to purchase some additional acreage attached to our sanctuary to grow Equine Advocates and the humane work we do for horses,” said Wagner. “We are looking at the possibility of using some of that land to develop a new and innovative program for veteran horses and veterans. Since Tyler, our rst retired Caisson Horse who arrived here in January of 2021, I noticed a special bond and afnity that veterans have for these former Military Working Horses. They see them as fellow veterans and that has had a profound effect on me, as well as other members of our staff who witnessed the same thing. We are excited about the prospect of exploring and researching all the aspects of how this program could be developed and launched.” Veterans Day has always been special at Equine Advocates but is even more so since these amazing horses have come into our lives.

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9Berkshire 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!Meet Daytona!! This beautiful girl is such a gem! She would do well with a male dog (meet required as she is picky about companions). She has lived in a home her entire life. Unfortunate-ly her family fell on hard times and had to move out of state and couldn’t take her with them. So she is a little confused right now!Daytona is a little unsure in new settings but just needs a little help gaining condence! She is eager to please and a quick learn-er! She is house trained and crate trained. Did we mention she loves kids!! When she saw the small human in her foster home she came alive! She would love to have a small human in her life everyday.If you are looking for a beautiful girl who is just waiting for a place to call her home, Daytona is the girl for you!Out of the Pits, Inc.P.O. Box 2311Albany, NY 12220Info@outofthepits.orghttp://www.taizeshepherdkennel.com/Meet Bandit the 1-year-old Miniature Pinscher Mix. This spicy, little bean is a ball of energy and surely no couch potato! Bandit loves to play, play and play some more—so any potential adopters will need an energy level to match his personality. Bandit is incredibly smart, highly food motivated and knows many commands and tricks; such as sit, stay, & roll over to name a few! His willingness to learn will be benecial as he does need some further training on housetraining and reactivity to passing cars. His previous owners spent a great deal of time working with Bandit in the time they had him, and described him as “wonderful, energetic, entertaining and funny” as well as “smart and handsome”. Bandit enjoys tummy rubs, butt scratches, naps in the sun and playing with dogs who match his level of enthusiasm. Bandit would do best in home with children aged 12-years and older. If you have the time and dedica-tion to provide Bandit what he needs, please reach out to the Berkshire Humane Society Kennel staff at (413)-447-7878 ext. 126 Bella is a sweet pit bull mix who loves nothing more than to meet new people. She enjoys going on walks and romping around outside, then coming inside to snooze the day away. Bella is ful-ly house-trained. She’s lived with children before and could po-tentially do so again, but should be the only pet in the home. If you’re interested in meeting Bella, please call Berkshire Humane Society’s kennel at 413-447-7878, exten-sion 126. VV

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10Holiday Hazards for Dogs and Cats During the most joyful time of the year, it can be hard to keep your cat or dog comfortable and happy. Following these safety tips and avoiding holiday hazards can make things a bit easier for you and your pets. Even though most of us know the hazards, this article may jog your memory or add to your already responsible list of things to watch out for to keep your beloved pet safe. From understanding toxic food and plants to traveling with ease, we cover all the essentials you need to know to protect your furry companion throughout the holiday season.Safety Tips for Dressing Up Cats and DogsIf Your Pet Doesn’t Like Their Costume, Take It Off- It’s fun to include your dog or cat in the festivities by dressing them up, but not all pets like wearing clothes or accessories. If they show distress while wearing something, take it off immediately.Make Sure Your Pet Can See and Move in Their CostumeAvoid outts that cover your pet’s eyes, limit their vision, or restrict movement. They should be able to walk, bark, meow, and hear without issue.Don’t Leave Your Cat or Dog Unsupervised While Wearing a CostumeAlways monitor your pet when they are in costume, so you can quickly remove it if necessary.Don’t Take Off Your Pet’s ID TagYour pet’s ID tag is crucial for safety, especially during the holiday season. Always ensure your pet’s tags are secure and visible regardless of their outt. If your pet happens to get out, possibly due to the chaos of guests and entertainment, their identication while be key in ensuring a safe re-turn home. For your pet’s safety, please keep them in a secure room when guests are over to prevent them from escaping. But most importantly, keep their tags on at all times.Tips for Traveling with PetsMicrochip Your PetCombining travel with an already frantic holiday can make things hectic. So, being prepared is vi-tal. Before you travel, microchip your dog or cat. It’s a simple, reliable, painless procedure that can reunite you with your pet if they go missing. Ensure your contact details are accurate and current, so lost pet companies can contact you if your pet is found. Even when not traveling, it’s common for pets to go missing during the holiday season. .Flying with a Pet• When deciding on a travel spot, check the requirements of your destination, as some places have different rules and regulations for pets.• Book early, as most airlines limit the number of pets on each ight.• Ask your vet if any calming medications can help your pet relax during a ight.• Purchase an airline-approved kennel that has enough room for your cat or dog to sit, stand, and move around.• Avoid traveling with your pet by plane if they need to be placed in cargo; it can be a scary experi-ence with loud noises, turbulence, unsecured items, and uctuating temperatures.Road Trips with Your Pet• Take your pet on practice car rides so they get used to being in a moving vehicle.• Never leave them in a parked car alone. Depending on the climate, they can quickly get heat-stroke, hypothermia, or frostbite.• Pack a travel kit with water, toys, food, treats, and poop bags.• Secure your pet in a carrier or seatbelt so they don’t distract you while you’re driving.• Dogs need exercise, too. Take breaks so your dog can use the bathroom and stretch their legs. A cooped-up dog can get excited if they don’t expend that energy.Where to Leave Your Pets When You’re TravelingIf you’re not taking your pet with you and friends or family can’t watch them, you can nd a pet sitter in your local area. There are always choices. Someone can come to your home or keep your pet in their home or you can board your animal. What to Do If Your Pet Goes Missing During the HolidaysReport the incident to your microchip company, loal arthorities and shelters and make yers, both online and paper.Holiday Decoration Safety for Cats and DogsTinsel and Broken OrnamentsPets are curious. They love tasting and touching objects. Ingesting pieces of tinsel or broken orna-ments can cause internal bleeding or get stuck in the digestive tract, resulting in surgical removal.Tree SafetyIf you celebrate any holidays involving trees or bushes, the best way to keep your pets safe is to put a barrier like a gate or play-pen at the base. This will prevent your dog or cat from playing with it or climbing it. Also, stagnant water can contain bacteria and fertilizers that drip down from the tree.DIY Dough OrnamentsYour pet might be attracted to the smell and eat it right off the tree, which can lead to salt toxicity.Snow GlobesSome snow globes contain antifreeze, which is highly toxic to pets. It also has a sweet smell that can attract pets if the snow globe breaks open.CandlesOpen ames can ignite fur and burn curious animals. Scented candles with essential oils can be toxic. They can be inhaled or stick to your pet’s fur.Gifts and Wrapping PaperSmall toys are a choking hazard and can obstruct your pet’s airways. Wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows can also create a blockage if enough is consumed.CordsPets might chew through cords from decorative lights and get electrocuted or trap themselves if tangled.Toxic Food for PetsTurkey BonesWhile they aren’t toxic, they’re still dangerous to dogs because they can get stuck in their digestive system, cause choking, and sharp pieces can lead to internal bleeding.Onions, Garlic, Chives, and LeeksWhether it’s cooked, raw, or powdered, ingesting these foods can damage your pet’s red blood cells, which carry their oxygen.ChocolateThe darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for dogs. Ingesting toxic amounts can result in symptoms like vomiting, elevated heart rate, seizures, death, and more.AlcoholYou would never give your pet alcohol, but some are so curious they’ll drink it right out of the glass, which can lead to alcohol poisoning.

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11Raisins, Grapes, and CurrantsProtect your dog’s kidneys and prevent them from consuming raisins, grapes, or currants.NutsDue to their high-fat content, nuts can cause pancreatitis. They pose an even greater risk if coated in other toxic ingredients like garlic or choco-late.Milk ProductsMost pets are lactose intolerant, so ingesting milk products can create gastrointestinal issues.Unbaked BreadUnbaked bread dough can expand in a pet’s stomach and cause bloating. Pets can also get alcohol poisoning if they consume uncooked yeast.CoffeeIngesting a moderate amount of coffee grounds, tea bags, or diet pills can lead to death in small animals.XylitolXylitol is a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs and is found in candy, chocolate, and some peanut butter. If enough is ingested, it can result in liver failure and low blood pressure.Fatty MeatsExcessive amounts of fat may lead to diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomit-ing.SaltConsuming too much salt, especially without water, can trigger symp-toms like lethargy, muscle weakness, and seizure-like activity.Toxic Plants for PetsLilliesEven a bite or two of the ower or stems can lead to severe liver failure in cats. Snifng the pollen or drinking the water can have the same result.AmaryllisAn amaryllis ower’s leaves, stems, and bulbs can cause vomiting, low blood pressure, and abdominal discomfort.YewOften used in wreaths for the holidays, yew can cause symp-toms like drooling, difculty breathing, tremors, coma, death, and more.Holly and MistletoeEating holly or mistletoe can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues, like vomiting and diar-rhea. Pets will also smack their lips, drool, and headshake because the spiny leaves are painful to swallow and ingest.PoinsettiasPoinsettias are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs, but can irritate the stomach, mouth, and skin.To prevent your pet from eating any of these common holiday plants, avoid bringing them home, inspect gifts from guests, and share a list 518-766-27073541 US Route 20, Nassau, NYOpen Mon-Fri: 9-6, Saturday: 9-4Does 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 Pharmacyof plants and owers to avoid with your orist.What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something ToxicIf you suspect your pet ate something they shouldn’t have or are showing signs of poisoning, seek medical assistance immediately. Call your vet, local emergency, or the Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 for advice. However, there is an $85 fee per incident when you call the Pet Poison Helpline®.Remember, when you have a pet, preparation is the best way to have a fun holiday. During holiday parties, keep your pet in a secure room to prevent them from escaping or eating something toxic when you’re not looking. Whether you’re traveling or stay-ing at home, it’s a good idea to note what vet clinics and emergency services are open during the holidays. If something does happen, you’ll be prepared. For even more peace of mind, you can access a 24/7 vet helpline free for one year with the Lifetime Protection Membership from 24Petwatch.

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13BIRD PERCHEssential Bird Equipment From cages and perches to toys and bowls we take a look at the equipment essentials you’ll need to care for your feathered friend. Pet birds need a large amount of equipment. Fortunately, most of it is easy to acquire. The main thing to be careful about is safety. In some ways, choosing equipment for your bird is like buying for a small child, and you need to ask yourself the same questions: Is there a choking hazard? Are the colors from safe dyes? What is this made of, and will it hurt my bird if he swallows some of it?YOUR BIRD NEEDS TWO CAGESThe main cage is where your bird will be spending the nights, and possibly most of his days, too. It needs to be big enough to spread and ap his wings. For nches, width is more important than height, because they y across but not up. Parrots climb, so height is almost as useful as width for them. Choose a rectangular cage because it feels more secure to the bird, and be sure that the gaps between the bars are the right width for your bird’s species. Otherwise, a head or foot could be caught.The second cage that is needed is a travelling cage, to allow you to take your bird to the vet and so on. It is also a safe haven to keep your bird in when cleaning the big cage.PERCHES AND LADDERSIt would be ideal to have a variety of perches for your bird’s comfort. Most or all of them should be wide enough that the bird’s toes do not overlap around them. A minimum selec-tion to start for most species, would be a natural-wood branch-type perch, a rope perch, a wooden ladder (a textured plastic one will do for small nches, but wood is better), and a swing.CLEANING PRODUCTSPlain white vinegar diluted half-and-half with water is a good general-purpose cleaner for the cage and toys. Any mild dish soap is appropriate for the food and water containers. For really tough messes, and organic stains on the rugs, walls, furniture, and so on, an enzyme cleaner in a spray bottle will pay for itself many times over.Plain white paper towel and a bottle brush are the only other cleaning equipment that should be needed. However, if you are ill or if you have a compromised immune system, rubber gloves and a face mask may be a wise precaution.FOOD AND WATER DISHESThere are two main types dishes pet birds: the hopper and the bowl.Hoppers that t through the bars of the cage are a popular choice for budgies and canaries. They have the advantage of cutting down on evaporation, for water, and of cutting down on mess, for seeds and pellets. It is more difcult for a bird to hurt or drown himself with a hopper, which is why hoppers are used for farm fowl such as domestic turkeys. Some people even believe that their pets won’t foul the water with food or droppings if a hopper is used, but don’t be fooled. The hopper still needs to be cleaned every day.A heavy ceramic or metal bowl is a perfect water dish for conures and similar birds that like to play with their food and dip their heads in their water. Yes, this makes a mess. And, yes, you’ll need to clean it every day. There are brackets which hold bowls on the inside sides of cages, to keep the water dish off the oor and to keep it from spilling. They also discourage your parrot from throwing the bowl around.In warm weather, it’s a good idea to use both a hopper or two and a water bowl. You really can’t have too much water available for your bird, as long as it isn’t too deep. Many birds enjoy ‘foraging toys’. These are puzzle toys that reward the bird with food. They have the advantage of mimicking the kind of work a wild bird would need to do, to nd his food, and so they provide productive mental stimulation. Foraging toys are available in many sizes and levels of difculty, geared to the many kinds of pet birds.The food itself is worthy of an article on it’s own. A bird bath is also needed. If you bathe your bird in your bathroom, a shallow plastic basin can be ideal. There are commercial bird baths available for the many kinds of pet birds, if you prefer. A spray bottle with a ‘mist’ setting makes a nice shower for birds who enjoy that kind of thing: cockatiels and some nches.TOYS, TOYS, TOYSIn addition to foraging toys, chew toys are important for the hook-billed birds. Destruction of wood and wood-like objects is very important to them, for showing off and for personal amusement. Toys made of wood, twisted paper, cardboard, and plastic are designed with different types of birds in mind.If a bird’s natural habitat is in thick foliage, be sure that at least part of the cage has enough toys to hide in.‘Preening’ toys are meant to be pecked at and groomed, in much the same way that some children like to play ‘hairdresser’ with a doll. In a similar vein, many birds like to have a warm cuddly toy to snuggle up against. Obviously, a canary’s snuggle toys will be smaller than a cockatoo’s.For more tips, head over to our article on bird’s toys and exercise.ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOMEA good cage will be the biggest initial investment in your bird’s equipment, and you’ll nd that replacing the toys will “add up.” However, it shouldn’t be hard to nd all the right bits and pieces. What’s the next step? Check out the particular needs of your bird’s species, and make sure you’ve got everything covered.www.Vetbabble.com

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Animalkind, 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 Animal Shelter171 Union StreetSpringeld, MA 413-781-4000163 Montague RoadLeverett, MA413-548-9898Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter875 Crane Ave.Pittseld, MA413-448-9800Everybunny Counts Rabbit Rescue618 Matthews St.Bristol, CT 06010Facebook@Everybunnycountseverybunnycounts@yahoo.comGeminis Pampered Greyhounds145 N. Whitney StreetAmherst, MA 01002413-253-4894Greyhound Options43 Sczgiel RoadWare Ma413-967-9088OUR LOCAL SHELTERSHop On Home info@hoponhome.orgSaratoga, New YorkHouse Rabbit ConnectionPO Box 2602Woburn, MA 01888781-431-1211Kanes 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 01085413-568-696414Surviving Climate ChangeHow Climate Change Affects Winter WildlifeBy Christine Peterson, Freelance Writer As temperatures drop and snow piles up, our instinct is often to hunker down, stay warm and wait it out. While some wildlife species move to escape harsh winter conditions—some even migrating to Latin America—others remain, coping with dropping temperatures in ways that have evolved for thousands of years.But climate change, with shorter winters, thinner snowpack and more extreme temperatures, could be threatening those carefully honed systems. That’s why a team of scientists from The Nature Con-servancy spent 10 years identifying climate resilient and connected landscapes across the U.S. with characteristics that could help animals adjust or adapt to a changing climate.In Idaho, we are working to conserve areas identied as climate resilient to help ensure wildlife are able to survive and thrive. Here is a breakdown of some of the state’s most interesting winter wild-life coping strategies, and some ways climate change may impact them.Cold HousesUnlike similar-sized rodents, pikas, which are more closely related to rabbits, don’t hibernate through winter. They spend most of the summer gathering grass and stay in their nests all winter eating their carefully stored forage, says Kevin McKelvey, a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service. Deep snow keeps their dens at a comfortable 34 or so degrees, never cold enough to freeze. Climate change is causing two problems: drier summers mean less grass available for forage and thinner snowpack means more exposure to the cold. “They use the snow to stay warm,” he says. “And when they’re exposed to too much cold, they eat too much grass and don’t make it.”Snowshoe Hare For animals like the snowshoe hare, the seasonal shift from brown to white fur is triggered by day length, not temperature.White Animals in a Brown WorldWhen people think of species that change colors to match their surroundings, chameleons are likely the rst to come to mind. But for animals found in Idaho, few top the snowshoe hare and ermine for clever camouage. Each year, they switch from brown to white and back again to match the land-scape.They become little light-colored beacons in this brown world.The adaptation has kept them alive and allowed them to escape predators—or better sneak up on their prey—for millennia. But the color change is triggered by the sun, not the weather, which means as winters shorten, their coats aren’t catching up, says Leona Svancara, a spatial ecologist and climate change liaison with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. “They become little light-colored beacons in this brown world.”Waking up Too EarlyHibernation is a classic adaptation for animals in a cold climate. And what could be better than crawling in a cozy den and waiting out the harshest parts of the year? While it’s worked perfectly for everything from the smallest of bats to the biggest of bears, researchers are beginning to worry about what happens in a shifting climate that has shorter winters and more extreme temperatures. “If it gets warm enough,” Svancara says, “they can come out of hibernation and we go through an extremely cold period that physiologically they are not prepared for.”Canada Lynx The thick fur and large paws of a lynx are poorly adapted for warming temperatures.Adapted to the Cold—Not the HeatWatching a Canada lynx walk across snow is like watching an eagle y. They grace the surface of feet-deep snow with their enormous, furry paws and light bones, and rarely sink in. It’s what makes them efcient winter predators, tracking down animals like snowshoe hares. But these adaptations to winter—the thick coats and big paws—aren’t likely as well adapted to warming temperatures. It’s also critical to their survival that their scattered populations across the northern U.S. and Cana-da are able to connect. As the climate warms, and species that require deep snow and cold winters retreat to higher elevations and further north, they could become more disconnected from other populations.Pronghorn Migrating wildlife depend on connected and protected corridors to reach critical season-al habitat. Herds of wildlife, such as mule deer, elk and pronghorn, move seasonally to nd food and avoid harsh winter conditions. More frequent and intense droughts and shorter plant growing seasons caused by climate change can threaten the availability of forage, on seasonal ranges and along migratory routes, which can affect survival and reproduction.PRONGHORNS

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15FOOD HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH ANIMALS:Berkshire Humane Society • Mohawk Hudson Humane SocietyColumbia Green Humane Society • www.petpartnersberkshires.orgCheck with: Your Local Food Pantries: www.foodpantries.org • www.foodbankwma.orgWebsites that provide information about people and animals:www.AKC.org • www.avma.org • cdc.gov • www.AAHA.org• www.americanhumane.org • FARM 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• Catskill Animal Sanctuary316 Old Stage RoadSaugerties, NY 12477845.336.8447Email: info@casanctuary.orghttps://casanctuary.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 12440845-247-5700info@woodstocksanctuary.orghttps://woodstocksanctuary.org/Rhonda’s ReptilesWe Rescue Reptiles in NeedReptile Birthday Parties & EventsRhonda Leavitt • New Lebanon, NY • 413-446-1059RhondasReptiles.comwww.berkshiremountainanimalworld.comHomemade Toys Your Rabbit Will Love Rabbits love to play and will turn just about anything into a toy. To encourage safe play, and to prevent chewing or playing on electric cords or furniture, here are some sugges-tions for inexpensive and homemade toys for your playful bunny.• Paper bags and cardboard boxes can be used as hiding places, scratching posts and for chewing. Make sure there are two areas for your rabbit to enter and exit. A large card-board box turned over with holes cut big enough for the rabbit to go inside and disappear are quite popular. Each day change the boxes as bunnies get bored easily. Use long boxes like those for uorescent lights (open on each end) and computer boxes, which are turned over with holes cut in each end so he has his own burrow.• Cardboard rolls from toilet paper and paper towels are great chew toys.• Boxes full of shredded paper, junk mail or magazines can be used for playful digging and scratching.• Toys from other sources can also be used for bunnies. Cat toys that your bunny can roll or toss and bird toys that can be hung and batted or chewed can be fun. Even human baby rattles or mobiles make great playthings for rabbits.• Hard plastic lids from laundry detergent and softener bottles (carefully washed and rinsed) make excellent toys. They are easy to grasp with teeth and, as an added bonus, make great noises.• Dried pine cones, straw whisk brooms, hand towels and even old telephone books can keep your rabbit busy for hours.• Since rabbits love to chew, consider offering your bunny twigs as toys. If taken from a tree outside, age the wood for at least 3 months. An exception is an apple tree twig, which can be eaten straight off the tree. However, some twigs are poisonous – avoid twigs from cherry, peach, apricot, plum or redwood trees. Make sure all the toys are clean and not small enough to be swallowed. When chewed to a size that could cause a problem, discard and replace the toy. One good things about most homemade toys is that once they “disappear,” as they inevitably will behind the sofa or refrigerator, bring them out later and they are once again “new” toys.Samll Animal HutchCalling all hound lovers! Our gorgeous girl Fern, the 1-year-old hound mix is currently Berkshire Humane Society’s longest-term resident. Having arrived back at the beginning of June, this active and outdoorsy girl is looking for the perfect adopter who un-derstands the needs of a true hound personality. Fern is not only beautiful and sweet, but she’s a rough and tumble girl who has tons of energy to burn. She will require an active owner who en-joys being outside, going on long walks or hikes and who is will-ing to spend the time providing Fern with the appropriate outlets for her needs and energy level. Fern enjoys playtime with certain male dogs, some females (as she can be a bit selective) but should not live with small pets as she does have a strong prey drive. She enjoys playtime in the pen, smelling all the smells and carrying large sticks, and when say large, we mean branches! Such a silly girl, don’t you think? If you know hounds and you are willing to give this girl the time and training, she requires to be the best ver-sion of herself, please reach out to the Berkshire Humane Kennel staff at (413)-447-7878 ext. 126 to learn more about her. Let’s help Fern nd her true, forever family. Fern’s adoption fee has been graciously sponsored by Avela Floral Design.

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16BREEZY NOOK PET CREMATORIUM, LTD452 Presbyterian Hill RoadStephentown, New York 12168518-733-9896BensDotter’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 REGENCYForanimalsLLC• Behavior Consultations• Private Training• Group ClassesLeea Foran413-445-8843www.trainingforanimals.comLenox Commons • 55 Pittseld Road, Lenox, MA413-637-0800 www.chezpet.comMonday - Friday 10am - 5:00pm, Saturday 10am - 4pmClosed SundaysCHEZ PETYour Neighborhood Pet Supply StoreGroomingShaker 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 Cider(518) 477-7748By Appointment4162 State Route 20, Schodack, NY 12033Becky, Owner & StylistRenee, StylistCritter ClippersDog TrainingFood & SuppliesReliable Pet Siing CompanyVeterinarian Recommended 413.329.5127mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.comDog Training411 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 Week

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17VCA 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!ANIMALECTORYCHAtHAm AnimAl HAVen Rescue to Freedom Spotlight Shhhh, don’t tell the animals but Santa is coming! Since ALL of our animals have been extra, extra good this year, I would love for them to have a lot under their Christmas tree. If you’re like me, your life is already full of STUFF. I pray I get no more STUFF for Christmas. I believe Christmas is the time for giving. But I also know most people in my life are in the same boat as I am. One small gift sufces. Most gifts I buy this time of year are for our pets and the animals of the Haven. I also sign up for a Secret Santa at another rescue. Please think about giving to a local rescue or animal shelter this year. We/they are always in need! And special treats for the animals this time of year are so appreciated! Many rescues have Amazon and Chewy wish lists. If you are local, wrapped – because some animals really enjoy opening gifts- or unwrapped gifts can be dropped off. Food pan-tries at local shelters this time of year are often running low. Many people have added expenses with the holidays and Winter and a contribution may be the reason a pet has enough to eat! If you are not in a position to buy anything, please consider donat-ing your time, or even something you may have at home but no longer need. Used but in good shape blankets and towels are often needed. Some places will even take used dog and cat toys as long as they have been cleaned well. We have multiple wish lists and ways you can make a Christmas donation. Our Amazon wish list is at https://a.co/gkU6PA7. Our Chewy list is at https://www.chewy.com/g/chatham-animal-ha-ven-inc_b88730982 Our Shipping address is Chatham Animal Haven PO Box 49 Chatham NY 12037 We can also always use gift cards to Tractor Supply or our local Chatham Agway. If you call them at 518-392-3241 they will put the card aside for us. We are there every week and they know us well! Thanksgiving is nearly upon us as well. Did you know approxi-mately 46 million turkeys are killed in the US at this time of year alone? I can’t even fathom that number. There are so many really good veggie options out there. Me, I simply eat the many different sides that come along with dinner and have never missed turkey in the 36 Thanksgivings I have enjoyed as a vegetarian. If you really want to make a difference, sponsor a turkey at a local farm animal sanctuary. Turkeys are personable and really enjoy human com-pany. If you’ve never met a turkey, you don’t know what you’re missing! May you all have a compassionate and happy holiday season!

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18CANINE 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 RexLovingly home raised for pets, Therapy animals, & show.Socialized and started on litter box training.Our bunnies are so friendly and have the best temperaments!Specializing in rare, beautiful colors & 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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19Dog Wags-Breeds from A to ZDog of the MonthCHIHUAHUASMonthly Dog & Cat PawoscopePawoscoPesHAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAGITTARIUS!SAGITTARIUS (November 23 – December 21)DOG-Be On Guard. Fun-loving Sagittarians may have to perk their ears and rufe their fur. In other words, play the role of watchdog. It’s a dog-eat-dog world and we’re talking about self-preservation, Sag. To cope with bothersome humans or pets forget growling and snapping. It’s not your style. But it couldn’t hurt to keep one eye open.CAT-This will be a good month for fun times, and that is exactly what typical Sag is-a re sign that is free-spirited, friendly and playful. This independent cat can appre-ciate alone time or anked with carefree animal friends and humans.Relationships: November is a month that your cat may recall a time you two bonded, perhaps after returning after a vacation. Cats, like Sagittarians, love activity so rather than snooze get more active to rebuild that cat-human bond. Sagittarian felines are very passionate, excitement-loving creatures and spending non-boring time together will reignite passion in your relationship and good feelings.Well-Being: Go ahead – amuse your Sag cat. They will come to you on “your” terms and everything will be back to normal. You may notice your cat may be a bit on edge-perhaps due to the New Moon. By providing extra snuggles with you your re sign cat, it will forget that it’s a jungle outdoors and be an animal in bliss.Highlights: You can expect to make a cat-human connection because you keep your pet amused. In fact, the New and Full Moon periods can enhance your bond if you kick back, too, with your active feline. Cat-loving celebrity: “If animals could speak the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” – Mark Twain (author and humorist), November 30 Chihuahuas are the smallest breed recognized by some kennel clubs named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where it was rst noted in the mid-19th century.The Chihuahua has a reputation as a lapdog, but in fact it is extremely energetic and would rather be running, playing, and barking than sleeping. (Generalizations about dog breeds are well established and widely accepted, but individual dogs may differ in behaviour from others of their breed.) It prefers the company of its family members, both human and canine, and is not generally outgoing with strangers. Chihuahuas can be feisty, with a persistent bark, and many are likely to challenge larger dogs. While most Chihuahuas are bold, others can be timid to the point of being nervous and jittery. Chihuahuas are fairly playful and affectionate. However, their small size can make them difcult to train. This can be a good breed for the elderly, as long as its exercise needs are met, but it is often too small to be a good breed for very young children, who can inadvertently harm the dog. This quick-to-bark breed can be an excellent watchdog, but may be an ineffective protection dog. That is a generalization about the breed, as the behaviour of individual Chihuahuas may differ. e Chihuahua’s exercise needs can be met by a small yard or even by the open space in an apartment. Daily walks or other outings can be added for mental stimulation. However, dog parks should be avoided because of the Chihuahua’s small size relative to other dogs. Owners should exercise great care to protect the Chihuahua from larger dogs and, in some locations, birds of prey. e breed should also be protected from falling objects, since many Chihuahuas will retain a large open molera (that is, the so space on the skull), which makes them vulner-able to head injury, for a large part of their lives. Many Chihuahuas enjoy swimming in safe waters, such as those provided by a child’s backyard pool. Although Chihuahuas enjoy games and small toys, they are not particularly enthusiastic about retrieving.

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