National Black Cat Day

Black cats have it bad in America. The Journal of Applied Animal Welfare found that in shelters, black cats are half as likely to get adopted as are tabby cats and two-thirds less likely to be adopted than white cats.

Many rescue organizations and shelters even have to prohibit the adoption of black cats during October due to the nasty treatment many unfortunately receive.

Black cats and wonderful and should be celebrated.
So, here are top ten reasons why everyone should adopt a black cat:

10. You’ll save money on their Halloween costumes.

9. You can always find them in the snow.

8. Holding a black cat is very slimming.

7. Black cats will match any decor.

6. A link brush isn’t required for a black-tie affair.

5. When you love a black cat, luck is on your side.

4. Black cats are like onyx, a beautiful gem!

3. They love to play just as much as any cat.

2.They are least likely to be adopted.

1. Love knows no color.

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know?
-Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year
-One in four dogs die of cancer.
-Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develops a tumor of some kind during his lifetime.
-Just like in humans, cancer can occur in any part of your dog’s body.

Are you aware that November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month? Run your hands over your pet and feel for any unusual lumps or bumps. If you feel something new or unusual, let's take a look at it. Dogs and cats can get benign lumps such as lipomas and sebaceous cysts, but they can also get much more serious tumors, like mast cell tumors, melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and many others. Many of these can be diagnosed with a simple in-office procedure involving a needle aspirate and then a microscopic exam of the cells obtained. A fine needle aspirate is generally less painful than a vaccination, so don't hesitate to get that lump checked out. The importance of annual check-ups regardless of the age of your pet is critical in the prevention of cancer.

Here are the top 10 early warning signs of pet cancer listed out by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Better to be safe than sorry, and much better to catch something sooner rather than later!

Feline Friday

It's Feline Friday! Did you know that cats have 4 rows of whiskers? Cat's whiskers act as feelers or antennae to help them judge the width of a space.

PET FOOD DRIVE FOR ANIMAL LIFELINE OF IOWA

Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex will be hosting a Pet Food Drive for
Animal Lifeline of Iowa from November 1st – 30th, 2011.

Animal Lifeline of Iowa, Inc. is a no-kill special needs animal shelter that
accepts unowned dogs and cats who are handicapped, injured, have a serious
medical condition, pregnant or nursing, and orphans that need to be bottle fed.
The majority of these dogs and cats are on special diets because of their medical
conditions. The shelter spends $220.00 a WEEK for food.

Please stop by Avondale anytime throughout the month of November. Help us feed
these amazing dogs and cats while they are waiting to find their forever homes! We
will have pictures of some of them along with a note showing which diet they eat.
If you are not able to stop in you can still help by going to www.animal-lifeline.com
and clicking on “donate" to make a donation through PayPal.

Click here http://www.animal-lifeline.com/adoption.html to see the wonderful cats & dogs that will benefit from your donation. Oh, and they would love to go home with you too!

Animal Lifeline (ALI) is supported solely by donations. ALI is recognized by the IRS
as a 501(c) (3) organization.

National Senior Month

November is Senior Pet Month. Do you have an older cat or dog sharing your home? If so, you know the joys of pets who might have less spunk but more soul. Here are five reasons to love a senior pet.
1. Distinguished look
You know how as we age, we are said to look distinguished? The same is true for our pets. I think senior cats project an air of peaceful dignity. And who can resist the precious gray muzzle of an older dog?
2. Laid-back lifestyle
For kittens and puppies, most any time is play time. Older pets, however, don’t need to release all that youthful energy. They are quieter and often content to just watch what’s going on in the living room or outside the window. Cuddling next to you takes precedence over most anything else.
3. Fewer demands
Older pets still need love and attention, but they don’t require babysitting like a frisky puppy or curious kitten. Some older pets have special medical needs, but after all they’ve given us through the years, it’s an honor to take care of them in return.
4. Wisdom of the ages
When I look into the eyes of a senior dog, I see a world of experience and wisdom. Older pets know what to expect, and are generally reliable and even. They require little training since they already know the rules.
5. They might be just like you!
As we get older, our needs and routines change. We might prefer quiet evenings at home rather than going out on the weekends. We still like to exercise, walk, or even run—but sometimes we go at a different pace. We might even nap in our chair occasionally. If you have a senior dog, you might find that he’s just like you!