Meet Louie Blue, a Happy, Loving Pup & a Water Sport Buff! May/June 2023 Early Summer Issue!
Full-Service Veterinary Medicine & Surgery for Small Animals Crystal Berarducci, DVM Terry Clekis, DVM, MS Barbara Lewis, DVM • Ana Cepeda, DVM Tyrene Fellman, DVM Kathryn Bailey, DVM • Tim DelValle, DVM Kelly Schwaner, DVM 5012 State Road 64 East | Bradenton, FL 34208 Across from River’s Edge Publix Shopping Center 941-745-1513 • www.bradenriveranimalhospital.com VOTED BEST VETERINARIAN — 2013 — by Bradenton Herald & Herald-Tribune DR. TERRY CLEKIS VOTED VETERINARIAN OF THE YEAR! — 2019 — by the Florida Veterinary Medical Association — Offering the Excellence in Care Your Pets Deserve — since 2003! since 2003! www.CanineCastaways.org 863-491-MUTT (6888) Adopt ...Don’t Shop! A Lifetime of Love is Waiting for You ... Right Here! Changing the world one dog at a time since 2003! Changingthe world one dogatatimesince 2003! Changing the world one dog at a time since 2003! hangingthe world one dogatatimesince 2003! www.CanineCastaways.org Meredith Gray Bumbles 316 S. WASHINGTON BOULEVARD • SARASOTA • 941-870-5756 www.tenderpawsgrooming.com • [email protected] Specializing in a safe, gentle & stress-free grooming experience — FREE — WITH EVERY FULL GROOM OR BATH SERVICE TOOTH BRUSHING New Clients Only • Expires 06/30/23 We Groom Cats, Too! 2030 Bispham Road • Sarasota, FL 34231 Located one block east of South Tamiami Trail in Gulf Gate 941-822-0888 www.beverlyhillsdog.net [email protected] Not Valid With Other Offers Beverly Hills Dog We are proud to say our facility is welcoming, quaint, cozy and just the perfect size, allowing us to offer the best personalized care of your pet...a great place where your dog can enjoy both canine human interaction while feeling loved and special. You will feel it, too! Sarasota’s Premier Doggy Daycare Must Present Coupon Upon Check-In Specializing in Tiny, Small Specializing in Tiny, Small & Medium-Sized Dogs Medium-Sized Dogs 2016 Herald-Tribune Readers Choice FINALIST 2017 Herald-Tribune Readers Choice WINNER! 2018 Herald-Tribune Readers Choice WINNER! 2019 Herald-Tribune Readers Choice WINNER! 2020 Herald-Tribune Readers Choice FINALIST 2018 2019 2020 2021 2021 Herald-Tribune Readers Choice WINNER! New Clients Only Not Valid With Other Offers Proof of Vaccination Required Tiny, Small & Medium-Sized Dogs $ 1000 OFF Your Dog’s First Full Day of Doggy Daycare! 2022 Herald-Tribune Readers Choice WINNER!
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 3 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED COPYRIGHT 2023 No part of this publication can be reproduced or duplicated without the publisher’s permission. Diseases & Surgery of the Eye 941-379-3937 13 Month Internship in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery University of Georgia Three Year Ophthalmology Residency University of Georgia Office Hours by Appointment—Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.AnimalEyeCare-Sarasota.com (1 ½ miles west of I-75 off Bee Ridge Road) 3807 Bond Place • Sarasota, FL 34232 Dry Eye. Cataracts. Glaucoma. Is Your Pet at Risk? Serving Sarasota and the West Coast of Florida for 31 Years Schedule an Appointment Today! Animal Eye Care, Inc. M-A Salisbury, DVM, DACVO -A Salisbury, DVM, DACVO DVM Degree Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine Board-Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist Publisher & Founder Candace T. Botha 3193 Bellevue Street • Sarasota, Florida 34237 (941) 961-0303 E-Mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.SuncoastPet.com Vol. 17 • No. 3 Suncoast Pet Magazine, Inc. Suncoast Pet Magazine, Inc. Serving Florida’s Suncoast Cover Photo by Moments Unleashed by Sherri Krams Photography 941-323-5450 Website: www.momentsunleashed.com FRONT & CENTER—The ultimate blessing: That’s what Louie Blue, an Australian Labradoodle, is to his human companions, the Watts/Young family of Sarasota. Adopted at the age of 8 weeks, Louie Blue—who turned 2 this past January—is a true family dog, sleeping with his human “sister,” Grace, every night and resting at the feet or walking by the side of his mom throughout the day. And he also thoroughly enjoys long walks and golf cart outings with his dad, too! Both fun and mischievous, the young pup loves to play hide and seek, romp in the park, swim at the dog beach in Venice and go kayaking with Grace every chance he gets. Described as a trickster who loves to steal the dish towels to initiate a game with anyone who will play with him, Louie Blue has a very sweet and affectionate personality, Grace says. Despite being on a limited diet due to his breed’s allergies and food sensitivities, the pup is very food motivated and really enjoys fruits and veggies, including raw carrots and apples. One of his all-time favorites: The crunchy white part at the end of a head of Romaine lettuce! “Life with Louie Blue is like having a teenage brother,” Grace says. “He is such a spirited puppy, who brings joy to everyone in our family and every person he meets.” Find out more about Louie Blue—and the sudden illness last Christmas that nearly took his life—in the article on page 16. DRIVEN BY COMPASSION FREE Transport After Emergency Care Emergencies Regular Vet & Specialist Visits Transport to/from Boarding/Day Care/Grooming Compassionate Home Pick-Up of Pets That Have Passed Affordable Help When You Need it the Most — PET EMS — “I can tell you that in my hour of absolute greatest need you were possibly my source of greatest comfort. I am so thankful for you and the service you provide. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your quick response and compassion! You are an angel!” 941-592-5131 • www.VetCareExpress.com VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED ABC 7 Amazing Woman of the Suncoast Sarasota Pet’s Choice Awards 2011, 2012 & 2013 For The Love of Animals 2010 2021 WINNER! Manatee Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year 2022 NOMINEE! Best of Florida Annual Awards Community Spotlight Photos by Jim Fullwood Paws for Pet Sake Photography 941-755-8419 Website: www.pawsforpetsakephotography.com www.SuncoastPet.com
4 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 Use Code SCP20 Expires 6/30/23 Early Summer Special! Save 20% ! Save 20% Early Summer Special! Happy Puppy Pet Spa All Hypoallergenic Products An Aqua Water System Let Us Pamper Your Pet to Perfection! $5 Of Your Pet’s 1st Groom! $5 Of Your Pet’s 1st Groom! 728 Shamrock Boulevard Venice, Florida 941-497-3083 HappyPuppyPetSpa.net • • We Use Jeanine’ s Professional Dog Training CCPDT Nationally Certified APDT Professional Member NADOI Endorsed Member IPDTA Member AKC CGC Evaluator (941) 371-5174 JeaninesProDogTraining.com Positive Training for Family Pets & Assistance Service Dogs Offering Private Sessions Playing Cards With Your Favorite Pet's Photo! 10% of the profits are donated to area animal groups! G I F T S F O R A N I M A L L O V E R S meandmy dogusa Standard 52-Card Deck + 2 Jokers Choose From Nine Colorful Backgrounds or Create Your Own! Game On! www.meandmydogusa.etsy.com In Every Issue Front & Center..........................................................................3 From the Publisher...................................................................6 Pet Bites............................................................................ 26-27 Health Snapshot................................................................ 32-33 Calendar of Events............................................................. 39-41 Rescue Me......................................................................... 42-45 Above: Beginning in June, Cat Depot’s “Critter Camp” is back with five, week-long sessions for kids 8 to 14 years of age! Get all the details in the article on page 28. Photo courtesy of Cat Depot. Above right: Lisa Burns, co-founder of Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary, explores the rewards and responsibilities of adopting a guinea pig as a fun, furry companion! Find out all you need to know in the article on page 12. Photo©123rf.com. At right: Veterinarians nationwide are seeing a spike in the number of cases of Lyme disease in dogs. What can you do to minimize your pup’s risk? Get the scoop in the article that begins on page 32. Photo©123rf.com. issue in this Articles by Area Pet Experts Dog Flu...Is Your Pet at Risk? by Dr. David T. Smith, Sarasota Veterinary Center ....................8 Help Your Pets Have a Safe Summer! by the Veterinarians at UrgentVet.........................................10 Guinea Pigs—Tiny Pets, Big Personalities! by Lisa Burns, Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary ...........12 The Fraternal Order of Eagles—People Helping People & Animals, Too! by Barbara Bounds, Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory ............. 14-15 Diva Delights by Susan Marie, Francesca, CoCo and Fawn ..........................18 Cat Depot’s Community Food Bank: Providing Much-Needed Support to the Local Community by Peyton Davis, Cat Depot Communications Specialist.... 20-21 Community Spotlight Wiggle Your Tail Pet Care Services—Premium, Round-the-Clock Pet Care is Just a Phone Call Away! by Candace T. Botha.....................................................34-37 Features On Our Cover—Meet Louie Blue, Happy Pup, Water Sport Buff! by Candace T. Botha..........................................................16 Bayside Pet Resort Presents an “Evening Under the Stars Dog Prom” in Support of Humane Society of Manatee County by Candace T. Botha..........................................................22 Registration Now Open for Cat Depot’s Critter Camp! by Candace T. Botha..........................................................28 www.SuncoastPet.com
CATDEPOT.ORG | 941.366.2404 2542 17th Street • Sarasota, FL 34234 2542 17th Street • Sarasota, FL 34234 In 2022, Cat Depot adopted out 540 kittens during Kitten Season... ...This Year, We are Expecting Even More! Adopt a Kitten (or Two!) Become a Foster Parent Sign Up to be an In-House Shelter Volunteer Make a Donation at www.catdepot.org Shop Our Online Wish Lists by Visiting www.catdepot.org/other-ways-to-give/ — How You Can Help — It’s Kitten Season!
6 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 from the publisherIt’s evening of “fun, fur and fund-raising”? On Thursday, June 8, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., Bayside Pet Sort is hosting “An Evening Under the Stars—Dog Prom” at one of Bradenton’s favorite hot spots— Motorworks Brewing, located at 1014 9th Street West. Dogs and their humans are encouraged to dress up in their party attire and gather with animal-loving friends for dancing, light food, games, music and amazing raffle prizes, all in support of Humane Society of Manatee County. Your personal prom “invitation,” with all the details, can be found on page 22. In this issue, our “Community Spotlight” introduces Christa Pecha, a Sarasota-based entrepreneur who has made an impressive splash in the area’s pet care service industry; her business, Wiggle Your Tail, has skyrocketed in less than 12 months! This young go-getter has also launched an innovative new offering amidst her wide selection of pet care amenities: Pet Attendant Wedding Services! That’s right, Christa and her team of pet care givers is happy to assist couples who want to include their furry family members in their festivities by serving as the pup’s companion from the walk down the aisle to the moment they say “I do” and throughout wedding photos and the reception! Find out more about all of the services Wiggle Your Tail offers in the article that begins on page 34. Finally, I am proud to introduce a brand new addition to the pages of Suncoast Pet called “Health Snapshot,” which will highlight an array of medical conditions that can impact the well being of your furry friends. In its first installment, Health Snapshot focuses on six critical things dog owners need to know about Lyme disease, a timely topic now that tick season is at its peak in Florida. You’ll find the article on pages 32 and 33. Enjoy this issue! Until next time... been three long months since my “heart dog,” Toby, took his final journey to The Rainbow Bridge, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss kissing the top of my little boy’s head. Too many of us on the Suncoast—and around the globe— have suffered the heartbreaking loss of our furry family members, and, I am sure you will agree, it never, ever gets easier. The special people in your life, however, can make the impossible more bearable with their compassion, comforting words or a heartfelt gift. And so it was with my wonderful friend, Kim Ranson, owner of Sun Dog Dezign in Sarasota, who, after Toby’s passing, asked me for a photograph of my pups, which I gladly sent (Don’t we all want to share our pets’ photos every chance we get?). Just a few weeks later, Kim knocked on my door and gave me the most amazing gift that I truly will treasure forever—a beautiful, large stone that she had lovingly painted by hand—and with meticulous detail—of my Toby, Lucy and Rikki. You can see more of Kim’s breathtaking work online by visiting Sun Dog Dezign’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=100060832843615. If you are interested in commissioning unique and custom painted gifts on stone, wood or another interesting surface, contact Kim by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Now, on to this issue! From food banks and dog flu to guinea pigs and summer safety tips, Suncoast Pet’s regional veterinary experts have gone above and beyond to offer their very best to keep you informed about the best way to care for your pets. You’ll find it all here in the pages of Suncoast Pet! Are you ready for an exciting Publisher Candace T. Botha and her beloved Toby. Photo by Steven Stolman Find Us at ADOPT-A-PALOOZA on May 13th! www.SuncoastPet.com
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Who’s at Risk? More social dogs are most at risk, such as those who travel a lot, participate in dog shows and sports or go to dog parks. Exposure to other dogs on daily walks or at a doggy day care or boarding facility can increase the risk, as well. How Dog Flu Spreads The virus is shed in aerosol droplets when an infected dog sneezes, coughs or even barks. It is also spread directly through physical touch with food and water bowls, leashes, cage/crate doors and other dog owners. Fortunately there is a preventative vaccine which is reasonably priced and is not known for serious adverse effects. It often prevents the illness altogether, but even if not, it definitely reduces the severity and duration of the symptoms. If your dog has sneezing and coughing, as well as nasal and ocular discharge and lethargy, canine flu could be the culprit. If you note prolonged symptoms, along with fever and trouble breathing, you need to have your veterinarian examine your dog ASAP, so he or she can recommend an appropriate course of treatment. Hopefully, your dog will not develop these symptoms, but if you think your dog is at a higher risk level based on his or her environmental exposures and interactions with other dogs that I mentioned above, you should still have a discussion with your veterinarian about getting the canine influenza vaccine for your dog. Dr. David T. Smith has been a veterinarian in Florida for 35 years. His local practices are the Sarasota Veterinary Center, 4019 Cattlemen Road, which is south of Bee Ridge Road in a shopping plaza between Burlington Coat Factory and LA Fitness; and also Parkway Veterinary Center, which is on the southwest corner of University Parkway and Tuttle Avenue. Dr. Smith is a past president of both the local Southwest Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association. He was also previously the medical director of three emergency and critical care centers in Broward County. He currently owns three veterinary centers in Florida and is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of a national chain of veterinary hospitals. Dr. Smith can be reached by phone at 941-377-3031 for any questions/inquiries or contacted online at www.drdavedvm.com. By David T. Smith, DVM, Sarasota Veterinary Center & Parkway Veterinary Center F lu season returned with a vengeance this winter now that everyone is not as focused on COVID and are increasingly active, spending more time around other people and pets, both in public and in private. The upsurge in flu cases this past winter is continuing into spring, and humans are not the only ones suffering from this more extreme flu season. As “dog flu”—or canine influenza—outbreaks hit dog shelters and the homes of pet owners across the United States this winter, veterinarians encouraged dog owners to get their furry friends vaccinated. Florida is among the top five states in the country that have reported recent outbreaks of canine influenza. What to Watch For Your canine companion may be a victim of dog flu if he/she develops any or all of the following symptoms: Symptoms can be easily confused with other issues and may not be taken seriously, but if they seem severe and persistent, then an examination by your veterinarian is a must. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited to supportive care after the dog already has the flu virus, so preventative measures are important to protect your dog, because it is a very infectious and contagious virus. David T. Smith, DVM, Sarasota Veterinary Center & Parkway Veterinary Center. Photo by Keith Millard • Coughing (Dry & Moist) • Nasal Discharge That May Contain Pus • Runny Eyes Photo at left: ©BigStockPhoto.com/kwanchai.c • Fever • Sneezing • Lethargy • Breathing Difficulties 8 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 www.SuncoastPet.com
Photo at left: ©BigStockPhoto.com/kwanchai.c High Quality, Low-to-Moderate Cost Veterinary Services — BY APPOINTMENT — OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! VETERINARY CLINIC Compassion. Commitment. Community. 2415 14th Street W. Bradenton, FL 34205 Dermatology ServiceS available! www.humanemanatee.org For appointments, call 941-747-8808 Option #1 or email: [email protected]
ummer is here and that means food, festivities and fun. For pets, it can also mean increased opportunities for injury or illness. Here are some tips on how to safeguard your furry friend as the temperatures rise. • Keep your pets cool! Always make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun. Also, be careful not to over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot. If in doubt, stay inside. • Always have water available. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so it’s crucial to provide easy access to fresh water around the home and especially when traveling. • Stay on top of your pet’s health. Visit your regular vet for a spring or early summer checkup. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm, and stay up to date on all recommended preventions. • Know the symptoms of overheating in pets. These include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, along with an elevated body temperature of more than 104 degrees. Bring your pet into the air conditioning and consult a veterinarian if he or she experiences any of these symptoms. Do not attempt to give the pet an ice or cold-water bath, however. • Take special consideration with animals that have flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, because they’re more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with those that are aging, overweight or who have heart or lung diseases, should be kept in the air conditioning during hot months. • Never leave your animals in a parked vehicle. The interior temperature rises rapidly and can result in death in a short amount of time. • Do not leave pets unsupervised around water. Not all dogs are good swimmers. Take time to get them acclimated to the water, and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. It’s also a good practice to rinse your dog after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur. • When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog stand or walk on hot asphalt. Short dogs are especially at risk because of their close proximity to the hot ground. Also, dogs’ paw pads can easily burn on concrete or asphalt. Consider an early morning or evening walk. Also, always check the surface with your hand before your dog sets foot on it. • Commonly used pesticides and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. Keep citronella candles, tiki torch products and insect coils out of your pets’ reach, as well. • Remember that food and drink commonly found at summer gatherings can be poisonous to pets. Check with your vet about which people foods may be safe before feeding a pet something other than their normal food. • Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and even unused fireworks can contain hazardous materials. Many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented, so it’s best to keep your furry friends safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area of your home. If your pet does experience an injury or illness, call your regular vet if it’s during business hours. If not, and the condition isn’t life-threatening, UrgentVet can help. Visit urgentvet.com to learn about locations and hours. If the condition is serious and life-threatening, proceed to your local 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital. It’s a good idea to have all three contact information sets handy, so you’re prepared. UrgentVet is located at 501 North Beneva Road in the Publix Town & Country Plaza at the intersection of Beneva Road and Fruitville Road in Sarasota and at 9620 State Road 64 East in School House Plaza in Lakewood Ranch/Bradenton. UrgentVet is open Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and 12 Noon to 8 p.m. on holidays. For more information, visit www.UrgentVet.com. By the Veterinarians at UrgentVet S Help Your Pets Have a Safe Summer! At left - Photo of dog: ©123rf.com; photo of cat: ©BigStockPhoto.com 10 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 www.SuncoastPet.com
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12 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 Located in Myakka City, Florida, Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to caring for, loving and supporting the exotic, domestic and farm animals that live at the sanctuary. For more information or to make a donation, call 941-219-9515, or visit www.farmhousesanctuary.org. By Lisa Burns, Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary you have been thinking about adding a pet to your family but are not sure a cat or dog is the best fit for your lifestyle or living space, adopting an adorable and affectionate guinea pig could be the solution. There are several things to consider when choosing a pet of any kind, including the amount of space, money and time you must dedicate to a pet. Today we are focusing on what you need to know before adopting a guinea pig. Lifespan & Temperament—Guinea pigs generally live 5 to 7 years, but it is not unheard of for a well-cared-for little piggy to live 8 or 9 years. Guinea pigs can be shy at first and may be skittish when trying to pick them up, but most will warm up to you the more time you spend with them. Each one has his or her own personality. Some may remain shy and hide in their houses, while others will crave attention, squeaking when they hear you enter the room. Guinea pigs generally do not bite and enjoy being brushed or petted. They can be a good first pet for older schoolaged children, but not a great match for a toddler, who may accidentally squeeze too hard or drop the piggy. Overall, guinea pigs are intelligent creatures and can even be taught a few tricks. Social Life—While you may only want one guinea pig, it is important to remember that they are social animals and do well when they are paired with another guinea pig. Of course, if you socialize often with your guinea pig and give him daily time outside the cage, he will do well on his own. If you are thinking of adopting two males, it is best to adopt them very young and from the same litter. Boys who are introduced as adults tend to fight. If you would like to adopt a male and a female, make sure the male is neutered before introducing them, or you will find Guinea Pigs—Tiny Pets, Big Personalities! yourself with more guinea pigs than you originally planned! Space Requirements—When creating your guinea pig habitat, the cage you choose should have a minimum of 7.5 square feet of floor space and a waterproof—not cloth—bottom surface. Make sure the cage allows for enough room for a food dish and space to exercise. Also be sure the cage is big enough to include a “hide,” or an interior house, where guinea pigs can find refuge and feel secure. They also enjoy a safe, enclosed place to snuggle while sleeping. Additionally, you should purchase a playpen that you can use for outside-of-cage playtime for your guinea pig. This will come in handy when cleaning the cage, too. Diet & Nutrition—It is important to feed a proper diet to your new family member. Your guinea pig should be fed a combination of a quality, hay-based guinea pig pellet twice a day and fresh fruits and/or veggies daily, along with unlimited access to Timothy hay. The hay will help with their digestion and will keep their teeth from growing too long. It is equally important that guinea pigs have fresh water daily. They do best with a drip-style water bottle and tend to drink a lot, so be sure to check the water every day. If you have more than one guinea pig, it would be a good idea to add a second water bottle. A Clean Home is a Happy Home—Just like any pet, your guinea pig will be much happier and healthier with a clean home. The bottom of his cage should be covered with bedding. There are many choices of bedding on the market, but we prefer recycled paper bedding in our piggy cages. It is biodegradable and helps to sop up urine, water and odors. You should spot clean the bottom of the cage daily and do a complete clean out once or twice a week, removing all bedding and cleaning the bottom of the cage, any toys and hides with a petsafe disinfectant. Your nose will let you know if you have waited too long between cleanings. When adopting any animal, whether it’s a cat, dog or a guinea pig, keep in mind that each animal has his or her own personality and will take time to adjust to his or her new home. Most importantly, do your own research before making a guinea pig a part of your family. Note: Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary has rescued guinea pigs for adoption from time to time. Visit our website adoption page, https://farmhousesanctuary.org/meet-the-animals/, to see if we have any guinea pigs available, or contact us directly. Guinea Pig photos courtesy of Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary If — An Alternative Furry Companion — www.SuncoastPet.com
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Barbara Bounds, Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory The By Special Contributor Barbara Bounds Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory — The Fraternal Order of Eagles — People Helping People & Animals, Too! Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.): Many of us have known someone, whether it be a neighbor or a family member, who is or was a part of this noteworthy international organization whose mission is “uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.” Without exception since its founding in 1898, the F.O.E. has a solid reputation for their good works in just about every community in the United States and abroad. So, it was a big surprise when one of the Eagles’ auxiliary members, Michelle Londke, from the 15th Street Bradenton Aerie Order reached out to Belspur Oaks asking for help in sterilizing and vaccinating approximately 25 feral cats living on the property belonging to her fraternal order. To these local Aeries, it was perceived as a daunting endeavor that was complicated by several factors, including the sheer number of felines needing sterilization, the anticipated medical cost and the amount of manpower hours and transportation required to successfully capture and treat the entire colony. Soon after our initial conversation, Michelle introduced us to a key Aerie officer, Gussie Killion, who is the primary caretaker of this large feral cat colony. Gussie, who serves in several capacities at the lodge, feeds the cats every morning and explained that the Eagles just needed help with sterilizing and vaccinating the entire colony. What’s more, they absolutely wanted the cats returned back to the property. Many lodge members regularly enjoy the company and presence of the cats, especially during outdoor entertainment activities when the cats often hang out among the Aeries, lounging under the pavilion. In all of our years of feral cat trapping spay and neuter, this was welcome news as the calls received about community and feral cats often involve requests to permanently remove cats from properties due to nuisance behaviors, such as aggression and yowling. The cooperation of this organization inspired us to get to work quickly. We knew that the sheer size and scope of this trapping event would require the addition of another feral cat trapper. April Stout, a long-time local, trusted trapper, was added to our arsenal of manpower. April’s knowledge, experience and volunteerism for Feline Friends of Southwest Florida provided an extra layer of expertise to help plan and manage this trapping event. As for funding this huge project, the Eagles’ club members held a fund-raising drive and secured a generous donation, which was presented to us to help defray the cost of the spay/neuter services, as well as provide funds for any cat in need of medical beyond sterilization. In January of this year, we began the task of first trap training the cats, which involved placing the traps in and around the feeding areas and then leaving food next to the traps. The traps were not activated at the time, thus providing the cats a chance to not only get comfortable with them, but also not perceive them as a threat to their well being. While time was taken to get the cats acclimated to our traps, as well as our presence on the property, spay and neuter appointments were secured with grant monies through the Humane Society of Sarasota. Dr. Laurie Walmsley of Ashton Animal Clinic provided neutering services for any felines that were trapped above our quota for “spay day” at the humane society. Prior to and immediately after the sterilization surgeries, the cats were housed in Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory’s climate-controlled warehouse. Once the cats were fully recovered from the effects of anesthesia and had regained their appetites, they were then transported back to the Eagles’ property and released. Care was taken to ensure that the cats, who were still safe in their 14 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 www.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 15 Inspired by Sophia, the Doggy Diva Miss Olive Miss Olive of The Doggy Diva Show thedoggydiva.com | facebook.com/TheDoggyDivaShow Miss Olive Find the Books at BarnesandNoble.com & Other Online Book Retailers A heartwarming tale of Miss Olive’s journey from a life of loneliness to love everlasting. An inspiring tale of Miss Olive’s encounter with bullies, and how she learns that her very own superpower is kindness! Miss Olive Finds Her ‘Furever’ Winter Wonderland — Three MulTi, AwArd-winning TiTles FroM — Book #3 in The Doggy Diva Diaries Series AWARD WINNER! Miss Olive Finds Her ‘Furever’ Home Miss Olive Finds Her ‘Furever’ Friends A very merry tale about Miss Olive’s discovery of the true meaning of the holidays and the season’s greatest gift of all. AWARD WINNER! AWARD WINNER! Pick Up Your Copies of Books #1 & #2 in The Doggy Diva Diaries Series! All Three Books Have Won EIGHT Prestigious Book Awards! 1086 S. Tamiami Trail Blackburn Point Plaza • Osprey, FL 34229 MONDAY - FRIDAY: 9:30 AM - 6 PM SATURDAY: 9:30 AM - 5 PM SUNDAY: CLOSED c c c www.aNaturalPetPantry.com • [email protected] Since 1988, Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory, located at 2122 Whitfield Park Avenue in Sarasota, has been serving the veterinary and animal community on Florida’s Gulf Coast by providing dignified after-care services that include pet cremations, grief resources and personalized pet products. Barbara and her husband, Raymond, also lead Sneaker’s Ark Pet Loss Support Group on the third Wednesday of every month. The meetings currently are being held virtually on Facebook Messenger. For details about the crematory or the support group, call 941-751-5044, or visit BelspurOaks.Com. Photos courtesy of Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory traps, had time to re-acclimate to their environment before releasing them. Several Aeries members stood on the sidelines and watched as their beloved cats were released one by one, and many cheered as the breeding cycle of this feral colony had officially come to an end! For anyone who has ever been involved with feral cat spay and neutering, you know from experience that half the battle is making sure that the colony, or cat(s), is actively managed and cared for after sterilization. This trapping event was a blessing on many levels and provided an opportunity for us to meet and educate members of our local F.O.E. community about the importance of TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinatereturn). Knowing the future health and safety of these precious feral cats will be so much better now that they are sterilized created heartwarming memories not only for Aeries, but also for each one of us involved in the trapping. Thank you, F.O.E., for your care and compassion for our local human and animal community. www.SuncoastPet.com
Above, right: Louie Blue and Grace Watts. Photo by Sherri Krams of Moments Unleashed Photography. Background image: ©123rf.com was Christmas Day 2021 when the Watts/Young family of Sarasota first “unwrapped” an extraordinary gift that has proven to be more than they could ever hope for time and time again. That memorable gift was an 8-week-old Australian Labradoodle puppy that the family named “Louie Blue.” “The puppy was a Christmas present from my father,” says Grace Watts, who says that living with Louie Blue is “like having a playful teenage brother.” “Because the breed is known for being both affectionate and attentive, my dad chose Louie Blue because he wanted a pup that would be a comfort dog for my mom and keep her company during the day and also bring joy to our entire family,” Grace says. And that Louie Blue has done. Celebrating his second birthday this past January, Louie Blue is “very sweet, warm and caring,” Grace says. “He’s also quite the trickster. He will steal dish towels from the kitchen to initiate a game, and he also loves to play hide and seek; if I run away, he always will come looking for me.” For Grace, Louie Blue has become the perfect outdoor companion. He loves to take long walks, swim at Venice Beach (“He’s a great swimmer,” she says) and, yes, he even enjoys kayaking! “When Louie Blue was about 6 months old, two of the women I work with said that he was the right age to try kayaking, because he was young enough not to be scared,” Grace says. “From the get-go, he really enjoyed being out on the water with me.” Despite being “very food motivated,” Louie Blue suffers from food allergies and sensitivities, which are characteristic of his breed. “He is allergic to chicken, wheat, soy and lentils, so we have to keep Louie Blue on a limited diet and carefully watch everything he eats, including his treats,” Grace comments. “When he was a puppy, he would develop ear infections, and our veterinarian told us that they were most likely diet-related.” Despite his diet limitations, Louie Blue can enjoy fruits and vegetables, including raw carrots and apples. But his absolute favorite treat is crunching on the white part at the end of a head of Romaine lettuce! During the Christmas season in 2022, the Watts/Young family experienced a horrifying night that nearly cost Louie Blue his life. “Louie always sleeps right next to me, but one night, I woke up and he was not on the bed,” Grace says. “He began vomiting and had bloody stools; we found out later he was bleeding internally. “I took him to West Coast Veterinary Center, where our vet put him on fluids and told us he was in kidney failure,” Grace continues. “When he was strong enough to transfer, I drove him to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Clearwater, where the veterinarians said that he was experiencing an Addisonian crisis and confirmed that he was suffering from Addison’s disease. Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison’s disease is a potentially deadly condition that develops when the body’s adrenal glands do not produce the hormones aldosterone and cortisol, which play a critical role in regulating both the dog’s body systems and internal organs. “We almost lost Louie Blue,” Grace says. “It was awful, and I felt so helpless. I was beside myself; he was just a puppy, a poor, helpless little thing, and this disease is very uncommon in young dogs. “We were very lucky that we were able to receive treatment right away,” she adds. “The vets at BluePearl saved Louie Blue’s life.” What is the pup’s long-term prognosis? “Louie will take medicine for the rest of his life, and we have to be very careful with his diet, but he should live a full and happy life,” Grace says. Born and raised in Sarasota, Grace is a die-hard fan of the city in which she grew up. “I have traveled throughout the United States and all over the world, and nothing beats Sarasota,” she says. The only time in her life that Grace has lived elsewhere, in fact, is when she attended Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore, Maryland, after graduating from high school. “My mother, who is an amazing artist, went there, and I wanted to study there, as well,” she says. “It was an eye-opening experience, and I loved it.” While Grace didn’t pursue a career in fine arts, she does enjoy painting in oil and acrylic as one of her hobbies. Her real love, however, is the performing arts, and she is an accomplished singer and dancer with onstage experience here on the Suncoast. Since high school, it is the restaurant industry in which Grace first began to pursue a career that she finds both fun and fulfilling. “I got my first job as a hostess when I was 15 years old, working for Above the Bar Hospitality, a company that owned The Hub and The Cottage on Siesta Key,” she recalls. “I stayed with the company until I left for art school. “When I finished school, the hospitality company had opened The Summer House, a steak & seafood restaurant that is also located on Siesta Key,” Grace continues. “After college, I started there as a hostess and then began bartending. I now serve as the bar manager.” When asked what it is that she enjoys about her work at The Summer House, Grace says, “Every day is a new experience; it is never the same old routine. It’s also a really fun atmosphere; we have a great team of employees and the most amazing guests.” And what is it that Grace loves most about Louie Blue? “Everything,” she says without hesitation. “He has the most beautiful, golden brown/honey-colored eyes, and is a very spunky puppy. And he is so mischievous that we often call him ‘Louie Bad Boy Blue.’ “Most importantly, Louie Blue is very in tune with everyone in our family; he knows who needs him at any given moment, and he is so good about sharing his love with all of us,” Grace continues. “With my mom, he gives her such comfort; he always sleeps at her feet during the day and walks beside her without ever getting in the way. And he just loves taking long walks and golf cart rides with my dad! “Louie Blue has such a wonderful, loving personality,” Grace adds. “We truly are so very blessed.” It 16 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 On Our Cover www.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 17 BradentonerVet.com 941-748 -0202 Located in deSoto animaL cLinic at the corner of 30th Street & manatee aVenue WeSt ProudLy SerVing WeSt Bradenton & Surrounding communitieS 863-458-7686 URGENT CARE WELLNESS VISITS HOUSE CALLS IN-HOME EUTHANASIA Excellent & Excellent & Affordable Affordable Veterinary Care Veterinary Care Well Worth Well Worth the Trip! the Trip! WWee''llll BBee TThheerree ffoorr YYoouu!! [email protected] fureverfriendsanimalhospital.org Pamela Wright, DVM 1432 NE Wayne Street Arcadia, FL 34266 SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10 AM TO 8 PM COMPLETE VETERINARY CARE INCLUDING: EVENING & WEEKEND HOURS FRIDAY & MONDAY 12 PM - 8 PM Fur-Ever Friends, a nonprofit animal hospital, is a DBA of Canine Castaways, a Florida 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer dog rescue Extensive In-House Lab Services Digital X-ray Ultrasound Laser Treatment Surgery Dental Cleanings Spay/Neuter Services DNA Testing Vaccinations Microchipping AdorAble AKC YorKshire Terrier bAbies TrAdiTionAl • PArTi • ChoColATe • ChoColATe PArTi home-rAised WiTh loTs of love & soCiAlizATion 941-962-1207 Buy From a Reputable Breeder! Suzanne Quick • [email protected] Puppies! www.SuncoastPet.com
By Candace T. Botha | Photo, at left, by Sherri Krams of Moments Unleashed Photography by Sherri Krams H The Doggy Diva Show Tune Into a New Episode Every Saturday! www.thedoggydiva.com Community Pet News Interviews with Pet Professionals, Best-Selling Book Authors & Industry Experts Pet Tips of the Week News From the Rescue Community ... & More! http://petliferadio.com/doggydivashow.html Miss Olive Photo of Miss Olive by Connie Summers Photography Sophia, the Doggy Diva The Doggy Diva Show owl-ooo, my fellow Divas! Francesca here celebrating the beautiful May flowers popping up all over from April showers— spring has definitely sprung! My sisters, Fawn and CoCo, and I enjoy being outdoors in the sunshine so much, chasing pretty butterflies (and each other!) around the yard. Though we all love playing outside, our mommy and daddy never leave us in the yard unsupervised. They did their research to ensure that we have a pet-safe and pretty yard to play in. In case they were unsure of what pet-safe flowers and greenery to plant, they visited www.aspca.org for helpful safety tips. May is truly one of our favorite months, not only because of its beauty, but also because it is National Pet Month, a commemoration of the loving bond between pets and their parents. The month-long celebration fosters awareness of the many advantages of adoption and helps spread the word, so there is a better understanding of the unconditional love and many benefits of the bond between pets and people! My sisters and I hope that you will give your pets a big hug and kiss (and yummy treats!) during this celebration and every day! Please remember—We love you all...unconditionally. May also brings another important week of awareness— National Hurricane Preparedness Week. The most effective way to prepare for stormy weather is to plan ahead NOW!! Every Florida home should have hurricane preparedness kits for their pets (and humans!) in case of weather emergencies. Here are recommendations for your pets and their kits: • Microchipping—Should your pets ever become lost or separated from you, microchipping your furkids greatly increases the chances of locating them. It is important to keep your contact information current and to include an out-of-state contact number in case local phone/cell connections are down. • Collar With ID Tags—Keep your pets collar on at all times with ID tags for identification. Keep contact information current with an out-of-state contact number on your furkids’ tags, as well. • Leash/Harness— Bring an extra harness and leash for each pet in case they pull out of their collars. • Crates/Carriers— These should be roomy enough for your pets to comfortably stand, lie down and turn around in. • Cat Litter Box—Since you need a litter box small enough to fit in your kitty’s carrier, consider using a small shirt box if you can’t find one. Don’t forget to pack extra kitty litter, a scoop and secure, disposable trash bags. • Photos—Current photos of your pet—both groomed and ungroomed—pictured alone AND a photo with you are critical. • Food, Treats and Water—Pack enough food and water for at least five days for each pet. Include bowls, and don’t forget to bring a can opener if you give your pet canned foods. • Medication—Contact your veterinarian before a weather event to insure that your pets’ prescriptions are filled; don’t wait until the last minute. If your pet suffers from anxiety, discuss medication or calming treatments with your veterinarian. • Medical Records—Obtain your pets’ vaccine/medical records from your veterinarian early. If you must evacuate to a petfriendly shelter, your pets’ medical records will be required to enter and stay at the shelter. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! If you cannot take your pet with you and you must evacuate your home, it is critical to have a plan in place, so make boarding arrangements in advance with your veterinarian and/or boarding facility! Remember, the key to surviving extreme weather conditions is to be prepared! For more information on Pet Disaster Preparedness, visit www.aspca.org. And, as always, contact your veterinarian for all of your pets’ health-related questions. Finally, the months of May and June also bring two very special days to mind—Mother’s Day on May 14 and Father’s Day on June 18. My sisters and I feel blessed to have loving pet parents who care for us and share their unconditional love with us. We also understand and appreciate how important foster moms and dads are, so let’s celebrate them, too! Remember to honor pet parents everywhere with the most rewarding gift of all—adopt, foster or make a donation to your favorite shelter or rescue! You can find some really cute, adoptable pets in Suncoast Pet’s “Rescue Me” section that begins on page 42 of this issue. Sadly, we lost our beloved sister, Miss Olive, last year on Mother’s Day. To honor our sweet, precious sister, our Mommy and Daddy made a donation to Italian Greyhound Rescue Gulf Coast (www.igrescuegulfcoast.org) in her memory. We have lost sooo many of our beloved fur friends this year... run free over The Rainbow Bridge, Miss Olive, along with Scooter, Toby, Amelia, Luigi and the many other furkids whose families’ hearts are broken because of their passing. We miss and love you, Miss Olive...“furever.” Love and kisses, Francesca, Coco and Fawn “Diva Delights” from Francesca, CoCo & Fawn
By Candace T. Botha | Photo, at left, by Sherri Krams of Moments Unleashed Photography by Sherri Krams Photo of Miss Olive by Connie Summers Photography
Peyton Davis, Cat Depot, Communications Specialist regarding their cats, TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release) services, low-cost medical care through our Cat Care Clinic and so much more. Every month we feed more than 930 cats. The majority are community cats, and the remainder are personal pets. Not only do we have community residents struggling to feed their own personal cats, we also have residents feeding community cats at their own expense. For those who do not know what community cats are, they are cats in our area that have no human companions and they live outdoors, oftentimes in colonies. These cats may be feral or friendly, they may have been born in the wild or they may be lost or abandoned pets. So many of our food bank recipients work to care for these community cats, which includes feeding them and providing medical services, such as TNVR. By providing much-needed food resources to these community residents, we are able to directly impact this population of community cats; we can ensure care and love for these cats. Colony Caregiver April Stout shares her thoughts on Cat Depot’s Community Food Bank: “The caregivers who feed community cats need assistance to supply this much-needed nutrition, because buying cat food can hinder their household budgets, leaving the cats to possibly go hungry until food can be purchased again. Thank you, Cat Depot, for providing an important lifeline with your food bank program!” In the month of March, Cat Depot gave out more than 2,000 pounds of dry food and more than 900 cans of wet food. With the increasing number of sign-ups we have at the community food bank every month, we are not able to provide these lifesaving By Peyton Davis, Communications Specialist at Cat Depot magine you lose your job through no fault of your own, your rent is increasing and you just cannot seem to keep your head above water. Not only do you have your family to feed, but you have pets that are also like family to you. How will you afford to feed your pets? Will you be forced to surrender them to a shelter? What are your options? Who can help? These are questions many in our own community are facing. Since 2020, our community has experienced increases in rent, gas prices, groceries and so much more. While we have come together to provide food for families in need, what about the fur members of those families? What happens to them in their time of need? The Cat Depot Community Food Bank was created as one solution to a much larger problem. On the last Saturday of every month, dedicated staff and volunteers gather to prepare and hand out cat food—dry and wet—and even kitty litter to community residents. As an organization, we understand and are aware that many families in our community need assistance in feeding their beloved pets due to financial hardships. We provide not only food supplies to these community residents but other resources, as well, including advice Cat Depot’s Community Food Bank Providing Much Needed Support to the Local Community I
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 21 Cat Depot, a non-profit, free roaming, limited-admission adoption center and rescue, is recognized for its progressive design and commitment to helping homeless, abandoned and injured animals. Cat Depot’s mission is to save lives, find loving homes and provide the resources and education needed to improve the destiny of homeless cats. Cat Depot supports more than 130 cats and kittens on any given day. The Adoption Center and Retail Store are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cat Depot’s Cat Care Clinic is open by appointment only. Cat Depot is located at 2542 17th Street, FL 34234. For more information, visit www.catdepot.org, send an e-mail to [email protected], or call 941-366-2404 for assistance. resources without the kindness of donations. We are always in need of wet food, dry food and litter for these community residents. Please consider donating supplies by visiting one of our online wish lists: • Chewy—https://bit.ly/3i7rPoN • Amazon—https://amzn.to/3igXPXm • Cuddly—https://bit.ly/3pS6Bie Supplies can also be dropped off seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at our shelter or shipped to 2542 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234. We are also able to take open bags of dry food and open litter. Please support our Community Food Bank so we can support the local community! Photos courtesy of Cat Depot Are You Grieving the Loss of a Beloved Pet & Cherished Family Member? We are Here to Help... — Free Support for Any Kind of Pet Grief — RSVP to [email protected] forThis Month’s Meeting Information The Third Wednesday of Every Month 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Place: To be Announced Either In-Person or Virtual! Your most loyal and loving companion deserves better than cell phone pictures. Moments Unleashed specializes in capturing your furry best friend’s unique and loving soul. Create forever lasting memories, contact us today. (941) 323-5450 [email protected] www.momentsunleashed.com www.facebook.com/momentsunleashed Christine Merkent • Breeder for 50 Years • 941-773-0723 Who Says You Can’t Buy Love? Yorkshire Terriers MINIMAGIC YORKIES Adorable Tiny Teddy Bears Specializing in All Sizes Teacup - Mini - Standard Feel Free to Visit & Check out our Great Selection Home Raised European Champion Bloodlines Healthy & Affordable! Meet Your Puppy’s Parents! www.minimagicyorkie.com NOW AVAILABLE! Sable Yorkie Puppies! www.SuncoastPet.com
In Support of The Humane Society of Manatee County njoy an evening under the stars in early June when Bayside Pet Resort hosts “Dog Prom,” a “fun, fur and fundraising” event to support the Humane Society of Manatee County. Held Thursday, June 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Motorworks Brewing, located at 1014 9th Street West in Bradenton, Dog Prom promises to a tail-wagging night you won’t want to miss! Plan on partying from the moment you arrive at Motorworks Brewing, home to Florida’s largest Beer Garden! Light food, music, dancing, games and photo ops will be among the many highlights of the evening’s outdoor festivities. But that’s not all! There will also be an array of spectacular raffle prizes, including gotta-have goodies from Bark Box, Chewy, Fishing Charters and many more! All attendees are encouraged to bring their own prom dates...your furry friends, of course! Your frisky, four-legged pals will also have a chance to party the night away with games of their own, as well as playtime with other pup prom-goers. Human companions are also welcome, so bring your partner, bring your friends, bring your family! While there, be sure to have a picture-perfect photo taken with your pup by one of the photographers who will be on hand to record your special prom night memories, while also snapping candid shots of the festivities. Looking for a new forever friend? Dog Prom is the place to be for an opportunity to meet some of the adorable, adoptable pups from Humane Society of Manatee County’s Second Chance Adoption Center, who will be happily wagging their tails in anticipation of finding families of their very own! And, who knows? You may even fall hopelessly in love with a new prom date! “Dress to impress” is the suggested attire for the evening...and that means doggies, too! It is prom night, after all! Tickets are priced at $25 per person and can be purchased at the door on the evening of the prom or online in advance at www.eventbrite.com/e/doggy-prom-tickets-577643074987. Proceeds from the event will support the lifesaving work of Humane Society of Manatee County, located at 2415 14th Street West in Bradenton. If you plan on attending Dog Prom with your own furry companions, proof of vaccination—including Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella—is required. Vaccination paperwork can be submitted online prior to the event by visiting https://form.jotform.com/bprgenmgr/ doggyprom. For more information and updates about Dog Prom, follow the event on Facebook by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ BaysideDogProm, or call Bayside Pet Resort at 941-351-0730. E Photo at left: ©123rf.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 23 www.wiggleyourtail.com [email protected] Dog Walking Boarding Home Sitting Pet Taxi Drop-In Visits & Overnights Away From Home & Snowbird Services Premium Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Services Schedule a FREE Meet & Greet TODAY! 941-799-6655 WE LOVE YOUR PETS... ...JUST LIKE YOU! Ask About Our New Pet Wedding Attendant Services! TLC Enterprises A New Community Resource Center for Cat Owners/Caretakers, Rescue Groups & Fosters E-mail: [email protected] Tossed & Lost Cats Providing lifesaving resources & alternatives for the Suncoast’s community cats Suncoast Community Cat Caretakers Find Us on Facebook: www.SuncoastPet.com
Wendy Ellis, DVM | Ashley carson, DVM Stu Clarke, DVM | Lucia Cresci, DVM | Cristin Rieskamp, DVM Hannah Grosko, DVM | Ken Goldrick, DVM Wellness Visits • Sick & Urgent Visits • In-Hospital Blood Work Ultrasound • Vaccinations • Dentistry • Surgery Palliative Care ICU Oxygen Units • Class IV Laser Radiology In-Home Euthanasia And More! Coming in 2023! VMC Emergency & Specialty Center Two Stories • 11,966 Square Feet Offering 24/7 Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Lesleigh Redavid, DVM, DACVECC Emergency & Critical Care • Medical Director Director of Blood Bank Services Wendy Ellis, DVM | Alicia Snell, DVM Lucia Cresci, DVM | lori awadalla, DVM Ashley Huesman, DVM | Ryan Fincher, DVM • In-Hospital Blood & Urine Analysis • Complete In-House Pharmacy • 24-Hour Emergency Care • ICU Oxygen Units & High-Flow Oxygen Therapy • Ultrasound • Digital Radiology (X-rays) • Endoscopy • Thermal Imaging • Class IV Laser Therapy • IV Nutrition • On-Site Animal Blood Bank • Anti-Venin • Emergency Surgery • Blood Pressure Monitoring • ECG • Complete Anesthesia Monitoring • Cardiopet & Radiology Telemedicine • VetStem Stem Cell Therapy Our Complete Spectrum of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Services Includes: Providing lifesaving blood products for cats & dogs, including whole blood, packed reds, plasma & platelets Open 24/7 Including Holidays & Weekends Including 941-739-1800 • LakewoodRanchVet.com — Next to Bayside Pet Resort — 15205 Garnet Trail • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 facebook.com/VeterinaryMedicalCenterLWR Exceptional Veterinary Care With a Personal Touch
Wendy Ellis, DVM | Ashley carson, DVM Stu Clarke, DVM | Lucia Cresci, DVM | Cristin Rieskamp, DVM Hannah Grosko, DVM | Ken Goldrick, DVM Wellness Visits • Sick & Urgent Visits • In-Hospital Blood Work Ultrasound • Vaccinations • Dentistry • Surgery Palliative Care ICU Oxygen Units • Class IV Laser Radiology In-Home Euthanasia And More! Coming in 2023! VMC Emergency & Specialty Center Two Stories • 11,966 Square Feet Offering 24/7 Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Lesleigh Redavid, DVM, DACVECC Emergency & Critical Care • Medical Director Director of Blood Bank Services Wendy Ellis, DVM | Alicia Snell, DVM Lucia Cresci, DVM | lori awadalla, DVM Ashley Huesman, DVM | Ryan Fincher, DVM • In-Hospital Blood & Urine Analysis • Complete In-House Pharmacy • 24-Hour Emergency Care • ICU Oxygen Units & High-Flow Oxygen Therapy • Ultrasound • Digital Radiology (X-rays) • Endoscopy • Thermal Imaging • Class IV Laser Therapy • IV Nutrition • On-Site Animal Blood Bank • Anti-Venin • Emergency Surgery • Blood Pressure Monitoring • ECG • Complete Anesthesia Monitoring • Cardiopet & Radiology Telemedicine • VetStem Stem Cell Therapy Our Complete Spectrum of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Services Includes: Providing lifesaving blood products for cats & dogs, including whole blood, packed reds, plasma & platelets Open 24/7 Including Holidays & Weekends Including 941-739-1800 • LakewoodRanchVet.com — Next to Bayside Pet Resort — 15205 Garnet Trail • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 facebook.com/VeterinaryMedicalCenterLWR Exceptional Veterinary Care With a Personal Touch
26 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 Pet Bites Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary Launches “Farmhouse Pet Food Bank” to Assist Myakka City Pet Owners 941-219-9515 • www.FarmhouseSanctuary.org It’s a skill that every pet owner and pet professional should have in his or her arsenal...Are you certified in Pet CPR and First Aid if an emergency should arise? Here on the Suncoast, Vet Care Express Animal Ambulance offers certification in Pet CPR and First Aid. Vet Care Express Animal Ambulance, winner of the 2021 Manatee Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year Award,” has certified hundreds of pet owners, college and high school students and pet sitters, as well as the personnel at veterinary hospitals, boarding and day care facilities and grooming facilities in Pet CPR and First Aid during the past 12 years. The team members at Vet Care Express—who each have been certified in Pet CPR and First Aid by the American Red Cross—can schedule whole groups at your place of business. Individual pet owners are welcome to earn certification by joining one of Vet Care Express’ community classes. Learn the lifesaving information that will help you recognize emergencies, as well as identify the resources and skills you need to be able to help, should an emergency occur. For additional information, to schedule a Pet CPR and First Aid class or to join a community class, contact Cheryl by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Looking for a fun way to practice yoga? Cat Depot, Sarasota’s non-profit, free roaming, limited-admission adoption center and rescue, makes the experience even more enjoyable for community residents of all ages by hosting sessions where attendees share the health-enhancing workout in the company of adorable, adoptable cats! The Namastray Yoga sessions, which are led by Liana Sheintal Bryant, an expert instructor at Sarasota’s Rosemary Court Yoga, are held at the Cat Depot Community Center, located at 2525 17th Street in Sarasota. While Cat Depot offers adults-only yoga sessions, classes for children 4 years of age and older and adults also are available. The fee for each yoga session is $10 per person. Participants are asked to bring their own yoga mats to class. For yoga sessions scheduled during the months of May and June, visit https://catdepot.org/our-events/. To register for an upcoming session, visit https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink. aspx?name=E164361&id=88. Payments for the yoga sessions—which support Cat Depot’s mission—can be made online at registration. 941-366-2404 • www.CatDepot.org 941-592-5131 • www.VetCareExpress.com Do You Have the Skills to Save Your Pet’s Life in an Emergency? Cat Depot Offers “Namastray Yoga” Sessions... ...It’s Yoga With Cats! Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary (FANS), a 501(c)(3) animal sanctuary, recently established a program designed to help residents of Myakka City in both Manatee and Sarasota counties keep their pets. The program, called “Farmhouse Pet Food Bank,” provides free pet food, including food for farm animals and pocket pets, to local families during times of financial strain. FANS is partnering with local shelters and suppliers to offer this program to pet owners who would otherwise be forced to surrender their animals to the already strained local shelter system. A Community Need—In the past year, both Manatee County Animal Services and Humane Society of Sarasota County have reached capacity multiple times and have struggled to find space for animals in need. CBS Miami recently reported that inflation and a higher cost of living are now top reasons why Floridians give up their pets. Having to choose between feeding children or the family pet has created an animal welfare crisis. By providing struggling families with free pet food, FANS will help relieve the strain felt by regional animal shelters and help Myakka City families keep their pets. The Program—FANS is currently partnering with Leo & Lucky’s, Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, Waste to Charity and Greater Good, who are making program donations to help provide free pet food to qualifying Myakka City residents. The goal of the program is to help reduce the number of pets surrendered to local shelters and help families keep their beloved pets when times are tough. Myakka residents who would like to learn more about food bank pick-up dates and times can send an e-mail to info@farmhouse sanctuary.org (subject line: pet food bank) or text “Pet Food Bank Info” to 941-219-9515. We Need You—We are currently looking for local community sponsors who will allow us to place a donation drop box at their business locations or who would like to make monetary donations to ensure the program’s continued success. There is an ongoing need for cat litter, small animal bedding/litter, hay for small animals and feed for animals, including—but not limited to—dogs, cats, small animals, pigs, chickens and horses. As a continued program sponsor, your business name will not only be included on all materials distributed to the public and in our press release information, but also listed on the Community Sponsors’ page on the FANS’ website. Additionally, your company will be mentioned in FANS’ social media shoutouts. Photos courtesy of Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary Photo©123rf.com www.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 27 941-525-4568 • www.VeniceCatCoalition.com Cupid, a two-year-old neutered male cat, was in terrible shape after living in a Venice homeless encampment since his kittenhood. His eyes had a chronic goopy, crusty condition; he could not breathe right; an abscessed tooth was infecting his mouth; and his grey and white skin was infected and full of lesions. Many animal care groups would give up on such a sick kitty, but Cupid was also sweet and had great energy. Luckily for the kitty, a call came into the Venice Cat Coalition (VCC) asking for help just as the VCC was receiving the latest in four straight years of grant awards from the Helen C. Schwieder fund of The Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Within a few days in early March, the VCC had sponsored Cupid’s trip to the low-cost community clinic run by the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), and he began his long journey to becoming a healthy—and hopefully—adoptable pet. Demand is always high to help sick cats in our area, and the VCC found itself dealing with numerous other emergency medical cat situations simultaneously as word got out in the community that the VCC had grant funds to help. Another cat named “Mr. Muller” had been taken indoors after roaming the Venice streets for an unknown period of time. His conditions included being grossly obese, a compromised immune system, dental issues and flea dermatitis that made his skin a scabby mess. To worsen the situation, his 91-year-old caretaker was being moved by her family to The Netherlands (after 63 years in Venice) in five short weeks. So the 7-year-old neutered male tiger also made the trek up to HSSC, and the VCC began working with community partners to improve Mr. Muller’s health. Working together, the VCC and its partners in helping animals— HSSC and Feline Friends SWFL, a trap-neuter-return nonprofit organization—will spend the next few months helping these two boys and many others like them to regain their health. The only other option for both cats was euthanasia, either at the county shelter or some other veterinary outlet. However, our groups work hard to avert euthanasia in the case of cats who can be saved. Now in its fourth year, the Animal Medical Welfare grant program has provided funds to a dozen animal nonprofits in 2023 and has also been a central contributor to all of this heavy-duty work. The VCC received $12,500 this year, to be augmented by funds from the coalition’s private donors, to help more than 100 cats get emergency medical care. In February 2023, the Community Foundation announced nearly $200,000 in animal medical grants to two dozen organizations. The grants provide humane care financial support in four Florida counties for domestic, farm, wild and exotic animals. Four private donor funds contribute to the program. In the last four years, Animal Welfare Grants have invested $733,000 in dozens of local nonprofit organizations working towards the betterment of animals in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Working as a local nonprofit cat rescue since 2006, the VCC does not operate a shelter, but, instead, assists local cats and their human caretakers with access to medical care. Through its programs, thousands of cats have been spayed, neutered and adopted and also have received medical care. The VCC can be reached by phone or text at 941-525-4568 and online at www.venicecatcoalition.com. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $460 million in more than 1,570 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $45.3 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $395 million to area nonprofit organizations in our community, thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families and businesses. For more information about the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, visit www.CFSarasota.org, or call 941-955-3000. Feline Friends SWFL is a nonprofit that performs about 1,000 spay/neuter surgeries annually, providing help in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties. Feline Friends SWFL can be reached online via its Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/TNVRSRQ. The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), which also received an animal welfare grant in 2023, operates a low-cost community clinic for cats and dogs. For additional information about the clinic, visit www.hssc.org/clinic/animal-clinic-of-hssc. For more information about the VCC or to make a donation, visit www.venicecatcoalition.com or call 941-525-4568. By Theresa Foley, Venice Cat Coalition Community Foundation of Sarasota Awards $12,500 Grant to Venice Cat Coalition Photo, above: Cupid before medical care. Photo, below, Cupid after medical care. Photos courtesy of Venice Cat Coalition www.SuncoastPet.com
28 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 7910 State Road 72 • Sarasota, FL 34241 941-925-2262 www.westcoastveterinary.com [email protected] AdvAnced diAgnostics gnostics surgery digitAl rAdiogrAphy Acupuncture chiroprActic cAre dentistry entistry with digitAl rAdiogrAphy physicAl therApy & rehAbilitAtion cold lAser therApy & wAter treAdmill reproduction eproduction & heAlth services ervices online phArmAcy for smAll AnimAls on-site boArding pet educAtion services ervices AdvAnced diAgnostics gnostics surgery digitAl rAdiogrAphy Acupuncture chiroprActic cAre dentistry entistry with digitAl rAdiogrAphy physicAl therApy & rehAbilitAtion cold lAser therApy & wAter treAdmill reproduction eproduction & heAlth services ervices online phArmAcy for smAll AnimAls on-site boArding pet educAtion services ervices The Very Best in Veterinary Care Canine & Feline Meet Our Veterinary Team! Terah M. Browning, DVM Elizabeth L. Brown, DVM Liv Kismartoni, DVM, MPH, CVSMT, CCRP, CVA Marguerite Voorhees-Hernandez, DVM ooking for a fun and educational summertime experience for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 14 years of age? Cat Depot, Sarasota’s non-profit, free roaming adoption center and rescue located at 2542 17th Street, is once again offering its ever-popular Critter Camp program that blends interactive learning with fun activities and science projects to help kids discover more about cats and other living creatures in our global animal kingdom. Each day during a Critter Camp session, campers will create a different craft project, engage in a lively game of cat trivia, move and stretch during a session of animal-themed yoga, learn a different lesson about cats or complete a science activity related to cats and participate in a hands-on workshop. During the week, kids will also have an opportunity to spend an hour with Cat Depot’s adoptable cats and kittens and attend a special presentation by a guest speaker. This year, Critter Camp will be held during the months of June and July, as well as the first week in August, with five weekly sessions that each have a unique theme. These sessions include: • Week One: Monday, June 5 – Friday, June 9—Campers will learn about the life cycle of a cat, how to choose the right cat to adopt and cat enrichment skills and techniques. • Week Two: Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16—Campers will learn how to introduce a new pet to other household pets, how to properly care for a cat, the history of animal shelters, a cat’s inherited and learned behaviors and how animals and plants change with the seasons. • Week Three: Monday, June 26 – Friday, June 30—Campers will develop an understanding of community cats, different cat breeds and their origins, careers in animal care, food chains and how to use scientific investigation tools. • Week Four: Monday, July 17 – Friday, June 21—Campers will be introduced to the history of the domesticated cat and learn about famous cats throughout history. They will also explore why cats do the strange things they do and the basics of animal classification. • Week Five: Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 4—Campers will compare the differences between cats and dogs as family pets Registrat ion Now Open for Cat Depot’s The half-day camp sessions are held Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The registration fee is $175 per week per camper and includes one healthy snack each day, guest speakers and all craft supplies, in addition to special encounters with an array of animals. Siblings of campers registered for the program will receive a 15 percent discount on their registration fees. Campers can be dropped off between 8:50 and 9:00 a.m., and picked up each afternoon between 1:00 and 1:10 p.m. Optional supervised care before and after camp begins and ends is also available for an additional $20 per week for before or after care or $35 per week for both before and after care. For before-and-after-care campers, drop off is no earlier than 8:30 a.m., and pick up is no later than 1:30 p.m. Campers are welcome to bring a bag lunch. A midday meal, which includes a sandwich, drink, snack and fruit, can also be provided for an additional weekly fee. Registration forms are available online at https://catdepot. org/critter-camp/ or can be obtained by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Payment in full must be made at the time of registration, which must be completed in advance and will not be permitted on the initial day of the weekly programs. Once registration is completed and submitted, parents will receive an e-mail confirmation within 5 to 7 days. If a requested camp session is full or the registration form is incomplete, a Cat Depot representative will follow up with a phone call. For additional information about Critter Camp, visit https://catdepot.org/critter-camp/, call 941-366-2404 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Critter Camp 2023! Photos of Critter Camp 2022 courtesy of Cat Depot L and learn the differences and similarities between big cats and domesticated cats. They will also explore anomalies in cats and adaptations and habitats of various animals and plants, while learning how to classify objects. www.SuncoastPet.com
7910 State Road 72 • Sarasota, FL 34241 941-925-2262 www.westcoastveterinary.com [email protected] AdvAnced diAgnostics gnostics surgery digitAl rAdiogrAphy Acupuncture chiroprActic cAre dentistry entistry with digitAl rAdiogrAphy physicAl therApy & rehAbilitAtion cold lAser therApy & wAter treAdmill reproduction eproduction & heAlth services ervices online phArmAcy for smAll AnimAls on-site boArding pet educAtion services ervices AdvAnced diAgnostics gnostics surgery digitAl rAdiogrAphy Acupuncture chiroprActic cAre dentistry entistry with digitAl rAdiogrAphy physicAl therApy & rehAbilitAtion cold lAser therApy & wAter treAdmill reproduction eproduction & heAlth services ervices online phArmAcy for smAll AnimAls on-site boArding pet educAtion services ervices The Very Best in Veterinary Care Canine & Feline Meet Our Veterinary Team! Terah M. Browning, DVM Elizabeth L. Brown, DVM Liv Kismartoni, DVM, MPH, CVSMT, CCRP, CVA Marguerite Voorhees-Hernandez, DVM
32 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 # 3Symptoms—One of the most common signs of Lyme disease in dogs is the onset of limping or lameness that results from inflammation of the joints. These gait symptoms can actually shift from one leg to another over the course of a short period of time. Other symptoms to watch for include: Things You Need to Know 6About Lyme Disease & Dogs By Candace T. Botha • Fever • Lameness • Enlarged lymph nodes • Inflamed joints # 1What It Is—Lyme disease, which is also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdoferi that is transmitted by infected ticks to humans, dogs and other animals. Once the bacterium enters the bloodstream, it migrates to other areas of the body and typically travels to the joints and kidneys. The condition, which can be debilitating in both humans and animals, was named for the city of Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first identified in 1975 by scientist Willy Burgdorfer, who discovered that a spirochete—or a type of bacterium—carried by ticks was causing the disease. The first diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs was 10 years later, in 1985. # 2Tick Talk—As parasites that are merely 3 to 5 mm in size, adult ticks—which do not jump or fly, but can only crawl—feed on the blood of animals. In the article referenced above, writer Angela Vuckovic reports that dogs can become infected with Lyme disease if a tick attaches to your pooch for 24 to 48 hours. There’s good news and bad news: Not every dog that is bitten by a tick will develop Lyme disease, but, on the down side, a dog or another animal may have the disease but not initially exhibit any symptoms. Veterinary experts report that Lyme disease symptoms generally do not manifest until two to five months after a dog becomes infected. One solitary bite: That’s all it takes for your pup to become exposed to Lyme disease if he or she is bitten by a tick that is a carrier of this infectious disease. What makes matters even worse is this: The number of cases of Lyme disease in dogs is increasing. In her article titled, “Lyme Disease in Dogs is on the Rise...” found online at www.PetGuide.com, writer Angela Vuckovic reports that in 2022, veterinarians in the United States saw a “spike in Lyme disease cases,” with some doctors reporting seeing a new infection every day. In fact, according to Florida’s Department of Health, the number of Lyme disease cases in our canine companions has increased by an alarming 40 percent in just five years. Here are six critical things you need to know about Lyme disease and what you can do to minimize your pup’s risk. According to www.pestworld.org, the official website of the National Pest Management Association, there are about 850 different species of ticks worldwide, and more than 90 that can be found coast to coast in the United States. While ticks are a year-round health hazard in the state of Florida due to our hot and humid climate, the Florida Department of Health reports that they are most active during the spring and summer months. But that’s not all: There are five varieties of ticks frequently found in Florida, according to www.stopticks.org, an online site committed to preventing Lyme disease in humans and pets. These ticks include: • The Gulf Coast Tick—commonly found throughout the southeastern United States and known transmitters of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever • The Blacklegged Tick—also known as “deer ticks” or “bear ticks.” This tick is the culprit in the onset of Lyme disease, as well as other tick-related diseases • The Lone Star Tick—frequently found in high grass or underbrush • The American Dog Tick—common grassland and shrubland inhabitants • The Brown Dog Tick—frequently found in communities throughout Florida In an article titled “Lyme Disease Ticks in Florida,” found online at www.lymetalk.net, writer Peter E. reports that while all species of ticks can carry bacteria and viruses, three species in particular—the Blacklegged Tick, the Lone Star Tick and the American Dog Tick—can cause Lyme disease. The Blacklegged Tick (deer tick) is, however, the most common carrier. As a side note, the article’s author also points out that one female tick can lay as many as 6,000 eggs at one time! According to the University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center, up to 50 percent of all adult female deer ticks are infected with the bacterium that leads to the onset of Lyme disease in both dogs and humans. If you suspect your dog has Lyme disease, it is imperative to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent additional—and critical—health complications. www.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 33 Things You Need to Know About Lyme Disease & Dogs # 4Veterinary Care & Treatment— A veterinarian’s expertise is critical in determining if your pup has developed Lyme disease and in providing an appropriate course of treatment. In the article, “Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Tests, Treatment and Prevention found on the American Kennel Club’s website (www.akc.org), author Harriet Meyers reports that after the veterinarian reviews your pet’s symptoms and physical signs, urinalysis, as well as two blood tests—the C6 and Quant C6—are performed. According to the article’s author, the C6 test can detect if antibodies against the “C6” protein are found, which is usually indicative of a Lyme infection that is considered active. These antibodies are detectable, she says, three to five weeks after a dog has been bitten by an infected tick and can be present in the canine’s bloodstream before any symptoms develop. The Quant C6 test, coupled with the urinalysis, are helpful in establishing whether or not a round of antibiotics should be prescribed. Katelyn Son, author of “Lyme Disease in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment” found online at www.veterinarians.org, reports that some veterinarians also perform an antibody test to evaluate a pup’s immune system in order to determine if Lyme disease is, indeed, causing your dog’s symptoms. Most often, a 30-day course of antibiotics is the veterinary treatment of choice, and many of the disease’s symptoms can improve within several days. However, there are some cases in which the infection is not resolved in 30 days, and a longer course of antibiotics may be required. In addition to treatment with an antibiotic, additional therapies may be recommended to target other symptoms your dog may be experiencing. An anti-inflammatory medication, for example, may # 5Tick Removal—Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to remove a tick from your pet. Twisting or jerking the tick while it is still attached to your pup can leave the mouthparts of the tick embedded in your dog or cat’s skin. Experts recommend that the best way to remove a tick from your pet is to first put on a pair of disposable gloves to avoid contact with the tick. Part your pet’s hair to make it easier to see the tick. Then, using a pair of tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can and pull straight up with a firm and steady pressure. After removing the tick, clean your pup’s skin with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, and apply a pet-safe disinfectant or antibiotic ointment. Be sure to keep an eye on the area for several days to watch for redness or other signs of infection. Are Cats Immune to Tick-Borne Diseases? • Lameness • Enlarged Lymph Nodes • Swollen Joints • Fatigue • Appetite loss • Sensitivity to touch • Breathing issues Left untreated, the symptoms of Lyme disease can progress, leading to the development of life-threatening cardiac conditions, kidney failure and neurological issues, ranging from face paralysis to seizures. And, yes, in some cases, Lyme disease in dogs can even be fatal. • Fever • Rash • Lethargy • Appetite Loss/Weight Loss • Swollen Lymph Nodes • Joint Stiffness • Pain and Discomfort • Breathing Difficulties If your feline companion is experiencing these symptoms, see your veterinarian immediately. # 6Prevention—As the number of canine cases of Lyme disease continues to escalate, it is more imperative than ever that dog owners do everything possible to minimize their four-legged companion’s risk of contracting the debilitating disease. In the American Kennel Club (AKC) article titled, “Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Tests, Treatment and Prevention,” AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein offers these recommendations to keep our pooches safe: • Inspect dogs daily from head to toe after outdoor play and walks, especially in grassy and wooded areas. Don’t overlook common tick bite sites, such as on the feet, between the toes, around the eyes, on and in the ears, under the tail and near the anus. • Brush your pup frequently, parting his or her fur as you brush to check for ticks. • When visiting your veterinarian, ask him or her to perform a thorough tick check during the examination. • Use a monthly, veterinarian-approved flea and tick repellent. Do your research to find a natural alternative, when possible, to keep your dog safe from harsh chemicals. • Keep your lawn mowed as short as possible. Here are several other recommendations from veterinary experts: • Keep your yards free of leaf piles, woodpiles, fallen branches brush, tall grass and tree debris. • Bird feeders often attract small mammals, including chipmunks and mice, that can carry ticks Always clean up spilled bird seed and remove any other debris around the feeder. Sadly, our feline friends that spend time outdoors or live in households with dogs also can experience a range of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and several others that can be potentially deadly. According to www.stopticks.org, symptoms of Lyme disease in cats can include: be prescribed to relieve pain, inflammation and fever. As always, it is imperative to give your pooch the full course of medication as prescribed by your veterinarian, even if many of his or her symptoms have diminished in the early days or weeks of treatment. Opposite page: photo of tick on dog’s nose @123rf.com/ 40867510. Top right: Photo of deer tick @123rf.com/kpixmining www.SuncoastPet.com
PET CARE SERVICES By Candace T. Botha Premium, Round-the-Clock Pet Care is Just a Phone Call Away! the owner of a relatively new premium pet care service, Christa Pecha has singlehandedly achieved the nearly impossible challenge of launching and growing a business of her own in an uncertain economy and a highly competitive market. In June 2022, Christa “unleashed” Wiggle Your Tail Pet Care Services, a Sarasota-based family of professional pet caregivers that has virtually exploded, growing from one client to more than 180 pet families in a little less than a year. So, how did this determined entrepreneur, who is the founder and president of Wiggle Your Tail, launch a brand-new pet care business that has experienced such phenomenal success? The answer is simple—Christa wholeheartedly believes all pets and their families deserve “high-quality, personalized care” that is completely in sync with the family’s schedule and caters to the specific needs of each furry companion and his or her pet parents. What’s more, with each and every service Wiggle Your Tail provides, Christa says “cuddles and love are always in abundance!” Wiggle Your Tail has a straightforward mission, which is, in essence, a promise and commitment to every pet owner the pet care business serves. That mission is “to make sure your pets are safe and feel loved, all while making your life easier and giving you peace of mind.” Providing peace of mind for families and their pets is, in fact, the cornerstone of Wiggle Your Tail. Whether it’s dog walking, in-home sitting, boarding, pet taxi services or any of the array of services the pet care business provides, offering parents the utmost confidence that their fur babies are always well cared for and loved is first and foremost and also why Wiggle Your Tail has not only flourished, but also exceeded expectations in a very populated industry. Originally from California, Christa grew up in Los Angeles and attended school in North Hollywood. As a young girl, her family home was filled with animal companions, including a cat she named “Review” (“That’s the sound he made when he meowed,” she says), as well as a dog, a bunny, a hamster and a snake. After graduating from high school, Christa attended college classes while working at a UPS store located on Hollywood Boulevard. “I lived just up the street from UPS, so it was a quick, threeminute walk to work,” Christa remembers. “It was a very busy and awesome location, frequented by many celebrities.” Christa’s love of animals eventually inspired her to take a job as a pet caregiver with a national dog walking/pet sitting company. It wasn’t long, however, before she became disillusioned with the company’s policies and processes. “I can remember being hired by the company to walk the family As dog for 20 minutes, 3 times a day,” Christa recalls. “However, because there was no ‘meet and greet’ scheduled prior to my first appointment, I was a complete stranger when I showed up at the client’s home for my first walk, and the dog didn’t know me at all. “Right then and there, I had an ‘ah-ha’ moment,” she adds. “I realized the importance of having an introductory meeting with every person and his or her dog or cat before scheduling any pet care service. It’s a much more comfortable and peaceful experience for both parties if you meet the family pet and become familiar with his or her environment from the outset. “I realized that there was a need out there for amazing and loving pet caregivers who are willing to take the time to get to know both the clients and their pets beforehand,” Christa adds. “It is a more time-consuming process, but, it is a more respectful and thorough way to provide pet care services.” In January 2019, while she was still living in Los Angeles, Christa took the initiative to launch her own pet care business that focused on not only providing peace of mind to pet owners, but also the very best care possible. How did she choose the name “Wiggle Your Tail”? “I did a lot of brainstorming, and the name just came to me,” Christa says. “I just fell in love with it.” While her new business was in its very early growth stages, however, Christa made a major life change and relocated from California to Florida in August 2020. “I basically had to start all over,” she says. “I did retain one client in Los Angeles, who would fly me back to California several times a year to watch her dogs; she just didn’t trust anyone else.” After settling in at her new home in Sarasota, Christa began to research the pet sitting landscape, not only around her immediate turf, but in surrounding communities, as well. “I was pleasantly surprised by the number of pet sitters here on the Suncoast, and I have since learned what a great community of people they are,” Christa says. “I have made many new connections in the regional industry, and we all talk and work together to share ideas on what new and innovative strategies we can utilize that are in the best interest of the animals in our care.” After spending the time she needed to rebrand her company, perfect her logo and revamp her collateral materials, Christa relaunched Wiggle Your Tail in Sarasota in June 2022. Within less than 12 months, Christa now has a team of four pet caregivers and a healthy client base of 180-plus pet families within a 25-mile radius of her home in Sarasota. Wiggle Your Tail’s service area also has flourished in the past 11 months and now includes Bradenton, West Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, the Keys, Nokomis, Osprey and, of course, Sarasota.
Photo, above right: Christa, owner of Wiggle Your Tail Pet Care Services with her pup, Milo. Photo by Jim Fullwood, Paws for Pet Sake Photography Christa is quick to credit both posting and messaging on Facebook and other social media platforms as one of the steps she utilized to grow her pet care business. “I initially created a flyer and posted it on the Facebook page of a local group online,” she says. “I was then redirected to a different group and posted the flyer on its page, as well, and it wasn’t long before I landed my first client. “I also was very proactive in quickly responding to Facebook posts in which area pet owners were asking for recommendations for pet caregivers,” Christa continues. “I posted my flyer in the ‘Comments’ and included a short, friendly reply, and, more often than not, I would get the job. “I truly believe that because of my credentials and experience, along with the time I took to do everything the right way, potential clients were confident that they were dealing with a professional and would schedule a meet and greet to learn more about the services Wiggle Your Tail provides,” she adds. Christa’s credentials do speak for themselves. Not only is she a fully insured certified professional pet sitter and a member of Pet Sitters International, but she is also certified in CPR. Soon, word of mouth about the excellent care Christa provided spread through the communities she served, and her pet care business began to skyrocket. “I am very proud and extremely grateful for the growth Wiggle Your Tail has experienced in its first year,” Christa says, attributing her success to the evolving array of services her pet care business provides. In addition to scheduled dog walking and day and evening drop-in visits, Wiggle Your Tail gladly provides overnight visits for the pets of the company’s signed clients. For pets with health issues, Wiggle Your Tail’s pet caregivers can administer oral medications. Christa also is currently planning to pursue training and become qualified to give injections to dogs and cats in need. Boarding is another option for Wiggle Your Tail clients who prefer that their pets not spend time at home alone. “We do provide overnight and short-term boarding for our clients on a limited basis and only accommodate one family at a time in our team members’ homes,” Christa says. Wiggle Your Tail also provides round-trip pet taxi service for clients with dogs or cats that need grooming appointments, nail trims, veterinary visits and more. But that’s not all. Wiggle Your Tail also offers home sitting and snowbird services for clients that have short-term or extended stays that take them away from home or out of state. “For clients that leave for a couple of weeks or several months, we gladly will bring in the mail, water the plants, make sure the plumbing is in working order and ensure the house looks lived in,” Christa says. In early 2023, Christa launched a brand new amenity—Pet Wedding Attendant Services—now available to pet owners in the communities she serves. See the sidebar on page 36 for all the details about this exciting new addition to Wiggle Your Tail’s menu of services! Ongoing communication with each client is a top priority for all Wiggle Your Tail team members. In fact, Christa has developed a customized system to convey critical information to each client. Christa’s system, which she claims is a “hidden gem” for her pet care business, includes a phone app that keeps records, tracks scheduled appointments and sends notifications to clients when the pet caregivers arrive at their homes. A timer is then activated that lets clients know how much time is spent with their pets and even shows the route the pet caregiver and pup have walked. The phone app also enables clients to submit requests for future pet care service appointments from the convenience of their smart phones. Following each home visit, clients receive a report about the visit and any concerns that the pet caregiver has. The report, which is further customized for each client, details how many times pooch went potty, if water bowls were refilled, if expected packages arrived and more. All information gathered has been specifically customized to meet each client’s specific needs. Included in the report are several photos of the client’s pet or pets at rest or at play, which are a welcome assurance that all furry companions are happy and healthy while pet parents are away from home. Despite all the time she spends caring for her clients’ pets, Christa is always happy to return home to her own fur family that includes a dog and a cat. As the oldest of the pack at nine years of age, Milo, a Havanese/ Maltese/Terrier mix, was an extraordinary gift Christa received from a close friend when the young pup was around 8 months of age. “Milo looks exactly like my beloved dog, Marley, who slipped out of my mom’s house and disappeared back in 2004,” Christa recalls. “My girlfriend, who is a huge animal lover and rescuer, would travel by bus with me to every animal shelter in the state in search of Continued on page 36
Continued from page 35 For many soon-to-be newlyweds, the wedding ceremony and reception wouldn’t be complete without their faithful, four-legged companions by their side during the celebration. “Of course, people who love their pets want them to be a part of the wedding ceremony!” Christa says. “So, with that in mind, I did some research and discovered that more and more pet owners are including their pups in their wedding festivities, but needed expert help handling the dogs before, during and after the ceremony.” Within weeks of creating a flyer and advertising her new services, Christa started landing clients, well before wedding season! Couples can choose either a two-, four- or six-hour time period for a Wiggle Your Tail pet caregiver to be in attendance prior to the wedding, during the ceremony while photos are being taken and at the reception, so that the new couple doesn’t have to tend to any of the needs of their pets on their special day. “If the couple is staying at an area hotel before the wedding, we can provide dog walking and pet sitting services before the big day, as well,” Christa says. “And, of course, while the couple is honeymooning, we can care for their pets while they are away and until they return home.” All details of the pet’s participation in the celebration are carefully coordinated with the couple’s wedding planner. In addition to tending to the pup during the wedding and/or reception, Wiggle Your Tail also will walk, feed and water the dog, as well as provide a quiet resting area, as needed. Of special interest is the added bonus of photographs taken from the pup’s perspective during the festivities. “I take as many photos as possible low to the floor or ground so the newlyweds can see their celebration from their pup’s point of view,” Christa says. “After the festivities, I e-mail about 20 of the best images to the couple, so they can either print them or post them on social media.” At a recent beach wedding she attended, Christa was responsible for keeping the couple’s pup away from the shoreline until the ceremony due to concerns about how the current Red Tide bloom might affect the dog. “Being part of the wedding celebration is such a fun and exciting experience,” Christa says. “Having the pet included in the festivities often becomes one of the highlights of the event and brings smiles to everyone’s faces; it truly is a very special moment for the couple and their pets.” For more information about Wiggle Your Tail’s new pet wedding attendant services or to schedule a pre-wedding consultation, call 941-799-6655. You are Invited to Discover Wiggle Your Tail’s New Pet Wedding Attendant Services! Marley, but we never found him; I was completely shattered. “Fast forward to 2013, when my friend rescued a puppy that looked just like Marley that she had found in a dumpster,” Christa continues. “She called me at 7:00 the next morning, and I rushed over to her house to meet him and instantly fell in love. “My friend gave the dog a much-needed bath and took him to the veterinarian for a medical check-up, vaccines and a microchip,” she adds. A couple of days later, she brought him to my house, and he was wearing a pretty red bow! He has been with me ever since.” At just eight months of age, Christa’s Sphynx cat, named “Blueberry” because of the cat’s beautiful blue eyes, is quite the character. “I love her attitude; she is very playful and so funny,” Christa says. “Blueberry lets me dress her up and she always comes when I call her; she’s a great little cat. “I’ve always been drawn to animals that look a bit strange,” Christa adds with a laugh. “The stranger they look, the cuter they are.” When asked what it is that she enjoys most about her work as a pet caregiver, Christa is quick to explain. “I love the fact that I can provide peace of mind to my clients, who need assurance that their pets will receive the very best care while they are away from home,” she says. “Not long ago, I had a meet and greet with a potential client who did not have a positive experience with another pet sitter she had employed,” Christa continues. “After we talked, I could tell that she felt very comfortable; she actually breathed a sigh of relief, and, for me, that was huge! “One of the biggest things that pet parents are worried about is feeling comfortable with the person with whom they are leaving their fur babies,” she adds. “The most important thing I would like pet owners to know about Wiggle Your Tail is that we absolutely care about their pets as much as they do, and we will do everything possible to make their pets feel comfortable. “While our clients are away from home, we will also keep our care as consistent as possible in order to maintain each pet’s daily routine,” Christa adds. Nurturing client peace of mind is just one of the aspects of Christa’s work that she enjoys. “I really love finding out the animals’ names and getting to know their personalities,” she says. “And I especially enjoy taking their photos and recording their happiest moments; that’s the best part of my day.” For Christa, her work as a caregiver also gives her an opportunity to spend a great deal of time outdoors. “It’s so great to not only to be able to do what I love, but also to not be stuck indoors, seated at a desk all day long,” she says. “I get a chance to exercise and enjoy the fresh air
Photo, opposite page: Christa tends to a couple’s pup during a recent wedding celebration. Photo courtesy of Wiggle Your Tail. Floral clip art: ©123rf.com Photo, above right: Christa and her Sphynx cat, Blueberry. Photo by Jim Fullwood, Paws for Pet Sake Photography Based in Sarasota, Wiggle Your Tail Pet Care offers a wide array of pet care services, including dog walking, drop-in visits, overnight stays, boarding, home sitting, away from home and snowbird services, as well as pet wedding attendant services. For more information or to schedule a free meet and greet, call 941-799-6655, or visit www.wiggleyourtail. com or https://www.facebook.com/WiggleYourTailDogWalking. and sunshine throughout the day, every time I take my four-legged canine clients out for their walks. “Best of all,” Christa adds,” I get to spend most of my time with animals!” Prior to accepting new clients, Christa schedules a meet and greet with the pet owners, offering free consultations about the services that Wiggle Your Tail can provide. “Once clients see that we are exactly what they are looking for, they will find that our services are worth every penny,” she adds. For the Wiggle Your Tail’s team, meeting the pets that will be in their care is equally important. “Spending some time with the animals prior to being retained gives us a chance to assess their personalities while they also get to know us, so we are not complete strangers the next time we show up at the front door,” Christa comments. “It is also helpful to learn their daily habits and their likes and dislikes in order to provide a seamless transition in the pets’ day-to-day care.” Celebrating Wiggle Your Tail’s first-year anniversary in business on the Suncoast in June, Christa already has a solid, five-year plan for her pet care business in place. “My vision is to continue to provide unparalleled customer service and to become known as the best pet care service in Sarasota,” she says. “I also would like Wiggle Your Tail to be the first name pet owners think of and remember when they need pet care and that they have complete confidence that it will never be a guessing game whether or not they will be satisfied with the services we provide, because we always do our absolute best to make sure that they will be.” Pet Supply Center 3558 Webber St • Sarasota, Fl 34239 (S.W. Corner of Webber and Beneva) Hours: Monday - Friday 10 to 6 Saturday 10 - 5 941-925-4376 • www.petsupplycentersarasota.com • • • • • • • • • — Pets Always Welcome — WE’RE CELEBRATING Years! 32 years selling the finest quality pet foods at reasonable prices 32
38 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS— MAY 2023 — TUESDAY, MAY 2 Cat Depot Hosts Teen Volunteer Orientation—Learn about Cat Depot’s Teen Volunteer Program designed to provide students between the ages of 12 and 17 with volunteer hours. The volunteer program includes assisting with Cat Depot’s monthly Community Food Bank, service projects, behavioral support program, garden upkeep and minor cat care duties. PREREQUISITE: All participants must complete Cat Depot’s Teen Volunteer Application found online at https://catdepot.org/volunteer/ under the “Teen Volunteer” section prior to attending the meeting AND must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at the orientation session. LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th Street, Sarasota. TIME: 5 to 6:30 pm. COST: $20 non-refundable fee that includes a t-shirt, name tag, training materials and volunteer insurance. Enroll online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cat-depot-teen-volunteer-orientation-tickets-603836510257. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org SATURDAY, MAY 6 Satchel’s Last Resort Rescue and Sanctuary and CoreSRQ Host “Get Your Mutt Movin’ 5K Run and Fun Walk” at Payne Park in Sarasota—Join Satchel’s Last Resort Sanctuary and CORESRQ for their third annual fundraiser, and enjoy a fun morning that supports community wellness and animal welfare! The 5K race will be chip timed. Awards will be given to the fastest overall female and male runners and to the top 3 finishers in each age group. For the Fun Walk, choose your distance. Following the race/walk, enjoy the event’s pet-related vendor market, food trucks, music, games and lots of fun! Sponsorships are Available! Proceeds from the fund-raiser will benefit Satchel’s Last Resort Rescue and Sanctuary and CoreSRQ. LOCATION: Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota. TIME: 7:00 to 11:00 am. COST: Mutt Movin’ 5K Race: $35 Race Fee + $3.10 Sign-Up Fee. Mott Movin’ Fun Run/ Walk: $20 Race Fee + $2.20 Sign-Up Fee. For more information, to register or to become a sponsor, visit https://runsignup.com/ Race/FL/Sarasota/GetYourMuttMovin5KRaceandFunWalk2023?fbclid=IwAR2yPcJewva65gcCRNmBVKhChyxchyWGf7C6PzKtAugViwod5R9_S4HBcus. 941-924-5070 | https://satchelslastresort.org/ Namastray Yoga Class (with Cats!) Hosted by Cat Depot—Join Rosemary Court Yoga Instructor Liana Sheintal Bryant for a yoga session with Cat Depot kitties in the room! Participants are asked to bring yoga mats. LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th St., Sarasota. This session is for ages 4 and older. TIME: 4:00 to 5:00 pm. COST: $10.00 per person. Register online at https://interland3. donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E164361&id=88. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org SUNDAY, MAY 7 Cat Depot Hosts “Reading to Rescues”—Bring your child to Cat Depot to read to—and cuddle with—our rescue kitties. LOCATION: Cat Depot, 2542 17th St., Sarasota. CHOOSE FROM TWO TIME SLOTS: 10:30 to 11:00 am • 11:00 to 11:30 am. COST: $5.00. Register online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx- ?name=E164361&id=119. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org SATURDAY, MAY 13 Cat Depot Hosts “Cats and Coffee,” an Adult Lecture Series—Join Cat Depot’s adult lecture series and gather with other community cat lovers while enjoying a cup of coffee! This month’s meeting will address the topic of “Hurricane Preparedness.” The class is interactive; attendees are encouraged to ask questions and share experiences. LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th St., Sarasota. TIME: 10 am to 11 pm. COST: $10.00 per person. Register online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx- ?name=E164361&id=118 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org Manatee County Animal Welfare and Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) Present the 7th Annual Adopt-A-Palooza—The largest one-day, family friendly adoption event and pet expo in Manatee County is back, with more than 100 adoptable puppies, dogs, cats and kittens from Manatee County Animal Welfare, as well as local shelters and animal rescues. The day’s events also will include pet retailers selling a variety of pet products and pet information tables with special pricing on an array of services, as well as The Adopt-A-Palooza Market Place that will feature a wide variety of raffle and silent auction items. Leashed pets are allowed. Proceeds from the event will benefit FoMCAS, the fund-raising arm of Manatee County Animal Welfare. LOCATION: 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. TIME: 11 am to 3 pm. COST: FREE admission and parking. For additional information, call 941-713-3105 or visit www.mymanatee.org/aap. 941-713-3105 | www.mymanatee.org/aap Vintage Paws Sanctuary Visits The Black Dog with Senior Pups Available for Adoption—Stop into The Black Dog on St. Armands Circle and meet with volunteers from Vintage Paws Sanctuary, who will be showcasing adoptable senior pups that are looking for new forever homes! LOCATION: The Black Dog, 364 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. TIME: 12 to 4 pm. 941-960-2795 | www.theblackdog.com SUNDAY, MAY 14 Cat Depot Hosts “Reading to Rescues”—Bring your child to Cat Depot to read to—and cuddle with—our rescue kitties. LOCATION: Cat Depot, 2542 17th St., Sarasota. CHOOSE FROM THREE TIME SLOTS: 10:30 to 11:00 am • 11:00 to 11:30 am • 11:30 am to 12 pm. COST: $5.00. Register online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E164361&id=119. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 Sneaker’s Ark Pet Loss Support Group Hosts Monthly Meeting— Area residents grieving the loss of a beloved pet are invited to attend this support group hosted by Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory that meets monthly. LOCATION: TO BE ANNOUNCED: The meeting will either be held in person or virtually online. TIME: 7 to 8 pm. COST: FREE. RSVP by sending an e-mail to [email protected] for this month’s meeting information. 941-751-5044 | BelspurOaks.com SUNDAY, MAY 21 Cat Depot Hosts “Reading to Rescues”—Bring your child to Cat Depot to read to—and cuddle with—our rescue kitties. LOCATION: Cat Depot, 2542 17th St., Sarasota. CHOOSE FROM THREE TIME SLOTS: 10:30 to 11:00 am • 11:00 to 11:30 am • 11:30 am to 12 pm. COST: $5.00. Register online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/ weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E164361&id=119. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org Three Dog Bakery & Grooming - Sarasota/UTC offers AnesthesiaFree Doggie Dental Cleanings—Make an appointment to have your pup’s teeth cleaned the natural way by Canine Dental Service, Inc.— without anesthesia! APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED: Call 941-355- 0399 to schedule your an appointment. LOCATION: Three Dog Bakery & Grooming-Sarasota/UTC, 8455 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton. TIME: 12:30 to 5 pm. 941-355-0399 | www.facebook.com/threedogbakerysarasota/ Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton Hosts Yappy Hour Pet Extravaganza—Bring your furry friends and join Motorworks Brewing for an afternoon of fun with a TON of awesome raffle baskets, amazing silent auctions items, drink specials, food trucks and local vendors. A portion of the proceeds benefit one of our local animal groups. All dogs must be leashed and have up-to-date shots. LOCATION: Motorworks Brewing, 1014 9th St. West, Bradenton. TIME: 1 to 4 pm. 941-567-6218 | www.motorworksbrewing.com MONDAY, MAY 22 Namastray Yoga Class (with Cats!) Hosted by Cat Depot—Join Rosemary Court Yoga Instructor Liana Sheintal Bryant for a yoga seswww.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 39 sion with Cat Depot kitties in the room! Participants are asked to bring yoga mats. LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th St., Sarasota. This session is for adults only. TIME: 12:15 to 1:15 pm. COST: $10.00 per person. Register online at https://interland3. donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E164361&id=88. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org SATURDAY, MAY 27 Cat Depot’s Community Food Bank Opens Its Doors—Cat Depot’s Community Food Bank helps community residents supporting feral cat colonies or in need of wet and dry food for their personal pets. Cat Depot has basic requirements that must be met to be eligible. Call 941-366-2404 for income requirements. LOCATION: Cat Depot, 2542 17th St., Sarasota. TIME: 10 am to 12 Noon. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org SUNDAY, MAY 28 Cat Depot Hosts “Reading to Rescues”—Bring your child to Cat Depot to read to—and cuddle with—our rescue kitties. LOCATION: Cat Depot, 2542 17th St., Sarasota. CHOOSE FROM THREE TIME SLOTS: 10:30 to 11:00 am • 11:00 to 11:30 am • 11:30 am to 12 pm. COST: $5.00. Register online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/ weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E164361&id=119. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org — JUNE 2023 — MONDAY, JUNE 5 - FRIDAY, JUNE 9 Cat Depot Hosts Week 1 of Critter Camp—Children between the ages of 8 and 14 are invited to enjoy a entertaining and educational summer program that includes crafts, games, yoga, cat-themed lessons, guest speakers, weekly cat socialization and more! LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th St., Sarasota. TIME: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Drop off time: 8:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Pick-up time: 1:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. COST: $175 per week; second camper receives a 15 percent discount. To register for Critter Camp, send an e-mail to educationcatdepot.org to receive a registration form OR print out the form you can find online at https://catdepot. org/wp-content/uploads/Critter-Camp-Registration-Form-2023. pdf, fill it out and then send it by mail to Cat Depot, Critter Camp, 2541 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234. The completed form also can be e-mailed to educationcatdepot.org or faxed to 941-366-2407. Payment in full is due at the time of registration. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org THURSDAY, JUNE 8 Bayside Pet Resort Hosts “An Evening Under the Stars - Dog Prom” in Support of The Humane Society of Manatee County (HSMC)— Enjoy a night of “fun, fur and fund-raising” when Bayside Pet Resort hosts a doggy prom charity event to benefit HSMC! The festivities will include light food, dancing, photo opportunities, games and more. There also will be activities, games and playtime for all dogs in attendance. Looking to find a new forever friend? Adoptable pups from HSMC’s Second Chance Adoption Center will be waiting to meet you! Dress to impress and come join the fun, while supporting a great cause. NOTE: Proof of vaccines required for all dogs in attendance. LOCATION: Motorworks Brewing, 1014 9th St. West, Bradenton. TIME: 5 to 9 pm. COST: $25 per person. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/doggy-prom-tickets-577643074987. 941-351-0730 | www.baysidepetresort.com SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Cat Depot Hosts “Cats and Coffee,” an Adult Lecture Series—Join Cat Depot’s adult lecture series and gather with other community cat lovers while enjoying a cup of coffee! This month’s meeting will address the topic of “Preventing Negative Behaviors.” The class is interactive; attendees are encouraged to ask questions and share experiences. LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th St., Sarasota. TIME: 10 am to 11 pm. COST: $10.00 per person. Register online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/ weblink.aspx?name=E164361&id=118 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org Vintage Paws Sanctuary Visits The Black Dog with Senior Pups Available for Adoption—Stop into The Black Dog on St. Armands Circle and meet with volunteers from Vintage Paws Sanctuary, who will be showcasing adoptable senior pups that are looking for new forever homes! LOCATION: The Black Dog, 364 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. TIME: 12 to 4 pm. 941-960-2795 | www.theblackdog.com MONDAY, JUNE 12 - FRIDAY, JUNE 16 Cat Depot Hosts Week 2 of Critter Camp—Children between the ages of 8 and 14 are invited to enjoy a entertaining and educational summer program that includes crafts, games, yoga, cat-themed lessons, guest speakers, weekly cat socialization and more! LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th St., Sarasota. TIME: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Drop off time: 8:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Pick-up time: 1:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. COST: $175 per week; second camper receives a 15 percent discount. To register for Critter Camp, send an e-mail to [email protected] to receive a registration form OR print out the form you can find online at https://catdepot. org/wp-content/uploads/Critter-Camp-Registration-Form-2023. pdf, fill it out and then send it by mail to Cat Depot, Critter Camp, 2541 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234. The completed form also can be e-mailed to educationcatdepot.org or faxed to 941-366-2407. Payment in full is due at the time of registration. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org SUNDAY, JUNE 18 Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton Hosts Yappy Hour Pet Extravaganza—Bring your furry friends and join Motorworks Brewing for an afternoon of fun with a TON of awesome raffle baskets, amazing silent auctions items, drink specials, food trucks and local vendors. A portion of the proceeds benefit one of our local animal groups. All dogs must be leashed and have up-to-date shots. LOCATION: Motorworks Brewing, 1014 9th St. West, Bradenton. TIME: 1 to 4 pm. 941-567-6218 | www.motorworksbrewing.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 Sneaker’s Ark Pet Loss Support Group Hosts Monthly Meeting— Area residents grieving the loss of a beloved pet are invited to attend this support group hosted by Belspur Oaks Pet Crematory that meets monthly. LOCATION: TO BE ANNOUNCED: The meeting will either be held in person or virtually online. TIME: 7 to 8 pm. COST: FREE. RSVP by sending an e-mail to [email protected] for this month’s meeting information. 941-751-5044 | BelspurOaks.com SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Cat Depot’s Community Food Bank Opens Its Doors—Cat Depot’s Community Food Bank helps community residents supporting feral cat colonies or in need of wet and dry food for their personal pets. Cat Depot has basic requirements that must be met to be eligible. Call 941-366-2404 for income requirements. LOCATION: Cat Depot, 2542 17th St., Sarasota. TIME: 10 am to 12 Noon. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org MONDAY, JUNE 26 - FRIDAY, JUNE 30 Cat Depot Hosts Week 3 of Critter Camp—Children between the ages of 8 and 14 are invited to enjoy a entertaining and educational summer program that includes crafts, games, yoga, cat-themed lessons, guest speakers, weekly cat socialization and more! LOCATION: Cat Depot Community Center, 2525 17th St., Sarasota. TIME: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Drop off time: 8:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Pick-up time: 1:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. COST: $175 per week; second camper receives a 15 percent discount. To register for Critter Camp, send an e-mail to educationcatdepot.org to receive a registration form OR print out the form you can find online at https://catdepot. org/wp-content/uploads/Critter-Camp-Registration-Form-2023. pdf, fill it out and then send it by mail to Cat Depot, Critter Camp, 2541 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234. The completed form also can Continued on page 40 www.SuncoastPet.com
40 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 be e-mailed to educationcatdepot.org or faxed to 941-366-2407. Payment in full is due at the time of registration. 941-366-2404 | www.catdepot.org DOG TRAINING CLASSES — MAY 2023 — EVERY THURSDAY IN MAY Ongoing Scentwork Classes Offered at Dog World Sarasota—In this ongoing class, dogs learn how to transition from hunting for food to hunting for a target odor. Experience searching various areas using the proper techniques to help your dog take charge of the sport. Each class is 60 minutes and will be held every Thursday. LOCATION: 8265 Blaikie Court, Sarasota. TIME: 4 pm. 941-377-3647 | www.dogworldsarasota.com TUESDAY, MAY 2 Beginner’s Level 1 Classes Offered at SOTC—Also known as “Companion” dog obedience, the Beginners Level 1 classes teach handlers to train their dogs using basic cues in group situations. Only positive training methods and positive reinforcement are taught. Classes are 50-60 minutes long and meet once a week for 6 weeks. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 1:30 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Beginner’s Level 2 Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Classes Offered at SOTC—This fun class will expand upon Level 1 class behaviors, introduce additional new behaviors with more distractions and include a lot more practice as a group to better proof your dog on basic obedience skills. The Level 2 class also includes all Canine Good Citizen skills. The AKC Canine Good Citizen test will be offered at the end of the class. (Test is not mandatory.) Classes are 6 weeks; dogs attend all classes. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 2:45 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 3 Beginner’s Level 1 Classes Offered at SOTC—Also known as “Companion” dog obedience, the Beginners Level 1 classes teach handlers to train their dogs using basic cues in group situations. Only positive training methods and positive reinforcement are taught. Classes are 50-60 minutes long and meet once a week for 6 weeks. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 4:30 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Bayside Pet Resort in Osprey Offers Basic Obedience II With Canine Good Citizen Classes—This class builds on the skills handlers and dogs have learned in a first-level basic obedience class. Practice skills will include proper behavior when dogs are out in public, as well as appropriate and reliable reactions to different distractions. At the end of this 6-week class, dogs will be eligible to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test given by one of Bayside’s AKC-certified CGC evaluators. PREREQUISITE: Dogs must have completed a basic obedience class. LOCATION: Bayside Pet Resort of Osprey, 718 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. TIME: 5:30 pm. 941-244-4930 | www.baysidepetresort.com Beginner’s Level 2 Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Classes Offered at SOTC—This fun class will expand upon Level 1 class behaviors, introduce additional new behaviors with more distractions and include a lot more practice as a group to better proof your dog on basic obedience skills. The Level 2 class also includes all Canine Good Citizen skills. The AKC Canine Good Citizen test will be offered at the end of the class. (Test is not mandatory.) Classes are 6 weeks; dogs attend all classes. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. Continued from page 39 TIME: 5:45 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com THURSDAY, MAY 4 AKC Trick Dog Title Classes Offered at SOTC—Learn how to teach your dogs the tricks required for the AKC Trick Dog Titles. This class includes all levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Performer and Elite. Students will learn how to teach the tricks from the level of their choice. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 1 pm. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Cementing the Team (Intermediate - Unit 3a) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This class builds on training in previous classes. Training at off-site venues will be introduced and elements from AKC and UKC will be utilized on a regular basis. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Unit 2b or evaluation by Scent Work Director. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 5 pm. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Bayside Pet Resort in Osprey Offers Agility Rally Intro Classes—This class teaches the fundamental skills needed in the dog sports of agility and rally. The class will cover focus, target work, handling skills and more. Teams will be introduced to fundamental agility obstacles and learn to read novice rally signs. All ages/breeds are welcome. LOCATION: Bayside Pet Resort of Osprey, 718 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. TIME: 5:30 pm. 941-244-4930 | www.baysidepetresort.com SUNDAY, MAY 7 SPECIAL CLASS: Come Learn UKC Obedience and Rally Class Offered for SOTC Members—During this special class for SOTC members, all levels will be discussed using signs and demonstrations. No courses will be run because of time, but bring your dogs if you like to practice. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 2 to 4 pm and 4 to 6 pm. COST: FREE. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com MONDAY, MAY 8 Puppy Level B Classes for 16 to 21 Week Old Dogs Offered at SOTC—This class is an AKC STAR (Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility) puppy class taught by certified STAR instructors. This class covers basic cues and problem prevention. Classes are six weeks; puppies attend all classes. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Puppy A class. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 1 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Puppy Level A Classes for 11 to 15-Week Olds Offered at SOTC— Puppies learn basic obedience skills in classes that are 50 to 60 minutes and meet for 6 weekly sessions. Motivational and positive methods are used in puppy socialization; basic cues and problem prevention will be covered. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 2:15 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com MONDAY, MAY 29 Developing the Team (Beginner - Unit 1b) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—Unit B is a continuation of Unit 1a. In this unit, students will build on drive, obedience to odor and indication started in Unit 1a. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 11:30 am. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Cementing the Team (Intermediate - Unit 3b) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This class is a continuation of Unit 3a. Training at off-site venues will be held on a regular basis. Multiple, higher level problems will be worked and teams will develop strategy for searching and problem solving. Fluidity in searching is the primary goal, preparing teams for level 4. LOCATION: 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 4 pm. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Cementing the Team (Intermediate - Unit 3b) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This class is a continuation of Unit 3a. Training at www.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 41 off-site venues will be held on a regular basis. Multiple, higher level problems will be worked and teams will develop strategy for searching and problem solving. Fluidity in searching is the primary goal, preparing teams for level 4. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 5:30 pm. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com TUESDAY, MAY 30 Cementing the Team (Intermediate - Unit 3a) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This class builds on training in previous classes. Training at off-site venues will be introduced and elements from AKC and UKC will be utilized on a regular basis. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Unit 2b or evaluation by Scent Work Director. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 5 pm. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Cementing the Team (Intermediate - Unit 3a) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This class builds on training in previous classes. Training at off-site venues will be introduced and elements from AKC and UKC will be utilized on a regular basis. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Unit 2b or evaluation by Scent Work Director. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 6:30 pm. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 Unit 2b (Novice) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This class is a continuation of 2a. Teams should be able to work Novice problems and move into more difficult exercises and airflow problems. This class also prepares teams for competition. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 9 am. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Unit 2a (Pre-Novice) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—Teams will work exercises that increase drive and independence and begin the learning process for searching for multiple hides. PREREQUISITE: Unit 1b. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 10:15 am. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com — JUNE 2023 — EVERY THURSDAY IN JUNE Ongoing Scentwork Classes Offered at Dog World Sarasota—In this ongoing class, dogs learn how to transition from hunting for food to hunting for a target odor. Experience searching various areas using the proper techniques to help your dog take charge of the sport. Each class is 60 minutes and will be held every Thursday. LOCATION: 8265 Blaikie Court, Sarasota. TIME: 4 pm. 941-377-3647 | www.dogworldsarasota.com SATURDAY, JUNE 3 The Polished Team (Unit 4) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This unit is the culmination of all of the hard work from previous units. Classes will focus on assisting partners, when necessary, and teams will visit off-site venues on a regular basis. PREREQUISITE: Evaluation by Scentwork Instructor. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 9 am. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Beginner Novice Classes Offered at Dog World Sarasota—For those interested in beginning competition, this class works toward accuracy and advancing beyond the exercises of the beginner classes. It is a structured course where people may be working at different levels. Every class is a stepping stone to the next level for advancing to other obedience classes. Instructor approval required. LOCATION: 8265 Blaikie Court, Sarasota. TIME: 9 to 10 am. 941-377-3647 | www.dogworldsarasota.com Pet Obedience Classes Offered at Dog World Sarasota—This is a fun class of games and bonding experiences for dogs and owners that focuses on teaching basic obedience skills while having fun interactions with your pet and class participants. Classes meet for 5 weeks. LOCATION: 8265 Blaikie Court, Sarasota. TIME: 10:30 am. 941-377-3647 | www.dogworldsarasota.com The Polished Team (Unit 4) Scentwork Classes Offered at SOTC—This unit is the culmination of all of the hard work from previous units. Classes will focus on assisting partners, when necessary, and teams will visit off-site venues regularly. PREREQUISITE: Evaluation by Scentwork Instructor. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 10:15 am. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Ready for More Classes Offered at Dog World Sarasota—This beginning class teaches basic obedience behaviors and manners as you learn how to communicate with your dog and build a bond of trust and leadership. Classes meet for 6 weeks. LOCATION: 8265 Blaikie Court, Sarasota. TIME: 12 pm. 941-377-3647 | www.dogworldsarasota.com THURSDAY, JUNE 8 Puppy Level B Classes for 16 to 21 Week Old Dogs Offered at SOTC—This class is an AKC STAR (Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility) puppy class taught by certified STAR instructors. This class covers basic cues and problem prevention. Classes are six weeks; puppies attend all classes. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Puppy A class. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 4:30 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Puppy Level A Classes for 11 to 15-Week Olds Offered at SOTC—Puppies learn basic obedience skills in classes that are 50 to 60 minutes and meet for 6 weekly sessions. Motivational and positive methods are used in puppy socialization; basic cues and problem prevention will be covered. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 6 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Puppy Level B Classes for 16 to 21 Week Old Dogs Offered at SOTC—This class is an AKC STAR (Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility) puppy class taught by certified STAR instructors. This class covers basic cues and problem prevention. Classes are six weeks; puppies attend all classes. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Puppy A class. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 7:15 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com MONDAY, JUNE 26 Puppy Level A Classes for 11 to 15-Week Olds Offered at SOTC—Puppies learn basic obedience skills in classes that are 50 to 60 minutes and meet for 6 weekly sessions. Motivational and positive methods are used in puppy socialization; basic cues and problem prevention will be covered. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 1 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Puppy Level B Classes for 16 to 21 Week Old Dogs Offered at SOTC— This class is an AKC STAR (Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility) puppy class taught by certified STAR instructors. This class covers basic cues and problem prevention. Classes are six weeks; puppies attend all classes. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Puppy A class. LOCATION: SOTC, 7505 County Road 675, Manatee County. TIME: 2:15 pm. COST: $105. 941-377-5984 | www.sotcdogtraining.com Include Your Upcoming Events & Fund-Raisers Here & on Suncoast Pet’s online Calendar of Events for FREE! Just send an e-mail to suncoastpetpublisher@ gmail.com, or fill out a simple form online by visiting www.tinyurl.com/IncludeMyEvent. DO IT TODAY! Calendar image above: ©123rf.com www.SuncoastPet.com
42 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 www.perks4petsfl.com 941-795-PETS (7387) RescueMe www.pawsitivelyhealthypetsupply.com 941-745-8511 Sponsor: www.underdogadopt.com 941-746-WOOF (9663) Underdog Rescue of Florida Zoey Jake About 2 Years Old, Male Apollo Sponsor: Sponsor: Dawn Allen, Animal Lover www.satchelslastresort.org 941-924-5070 Satchel’s Last Resort Sanctuary 5 Years Old, Male Mixed Breed www.animalerofuniversitypark.com 941-355-2884 Sponsor: www.DoodyCalls.com/Suncoast 941-841-1840 www.satchelslastresort.org 941-924-5070 Satchel’s Last Resort Sanctuary Casanova Sponsor: 8 Years Old, Male Snowshoe/Siamese www.satchelslastresort.org 941-924-5070 Satchel’s Last Resort Sanctuary Luke 7 Years Old, Male Labrador Retriever/Coonhound www.underdogadopt.com 941-746-WOOF (9663) Underdog Rescue of Florida www.minimagicyorkies.com Yorkshire Terriers MINIMAGIC 941-773-0723 Bogart & Bronco Sponsor: [email protected] 727-421-5505 All Kitty Korner 12 Weeks Old, Males 863-491-MUTT www.vintagepaws.org 941-921-4355 Vintage Paws Sanctuary About 10 Years Old, Male Mixed Breed Tater Sponsor: www.facebook.com/soosjewelrydesign Soos Jewelry Design 941-786-9924 Sponsor: www.CatDepot.org 941-366-2404 7 Years Old, Female Cat Depot www.minimagicyorkies.com Yorkshire Terriers MINIMAGIC 941-773-0723 Shea 5 Years Old, Female Manchester Terrier Chihuahua www.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 43 www.westbridgevetclinic.com 941-920-4010 www.pawsitivelyhealthypetsupply.com 941-745-8511 www.underdogadopt.com 941-746-WOOF (9663) Underdog Rescue of Florida www.satchelslastresort.org 941-924-5070 Satchel’s Last Resort Sanctuary Sponsor: http://moonraceranimalrescue.com 941-345-2441 Moonracer Animal Rescue Duchess 3 Years Old, Female Amara 3 Years Old, Female Medium Mixed Breed Sponsor: www.hssc.org 941-955-4131 Humane Society of Sarasota County www.DoodyCalls.com/Suncoast 941-841-1840 Sponsor: http://moonraceranimalrescue.com 941-345-2441 Moonracer Animal Rescue ToniLyon.preferredshore.com 941-928-8735 8 Years Old, Female Bailey About 7 Years Old, Male Poodle Mix Sponsor: www.love4pawsfl.org 941-479-0096 Love4Paws www.facebook.com/threedogbakerysarasota 941-355-0399 Bonded with Bear at right, but Can be Adopted Separately Bear About 6 Years Old, Male Poodle Mix Sponsor: www.love4pawsfl.org 941-479-0096 Love4Paws www.facebook.com/threedogbakerysarasota 941-355-0399 Bonded with Bailey at left, but Can be Adopted Separately Sponsor: 5 Years Old, Male http://moonraceranimalrescue.com 941-345-2441 Moonracer Animal Rescue Spanky Dawn Allen, Animal Lover Sponsor: 9 Years Old, Female http://moonraceranimalrescue.com 941-345-2441 Moonracer Animal Rescue Honey Dawn Allen, Animal Lover Mixed Breed [email protected] 727-421-5505 All Kitty Korner www.CatDepot.org 941-366-2404 7 Years Old, Female Cat Depot Sponsor: 7 Years Old, Female Mixed Breed Colleen Bella http://moonraceranimalrescue.com 941-345-2441 Moonracer Animal Rescue www.westbridgevetclinic.com 941-920-4010 www.SuncoastPet.com
44 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 3 Years Old, Male Havanese Mix Cooper Sponsor: www.minimagicyorkies.com www.minimagicyorkies.com Yorkshire Terriers Yorkshire Terriers MINIMAGIC MINIMAGIC www.BaysidePetResort.com 941-351-0730 Sponsor: Sponsor: 2 Years Old, Male Mixed Breed 9 Months Old, Female Domestic Shorthair www.thedoggydiva.com 941-747-8808 www.humanemanatee.org Humane Society of Manatee County 941-747-8808 www.humanemanatee.org Humane Society of Manatee County Merlin Mew 941-773-0723 941-773-0723 Sponsor: Fruit Loops 5 Years Old, Male Mixed Breed 941-747-8808 www.humanemanatee.org Humane Society of Manatee County 3 Years Old, Male Terrier Mix Cassian Sponsor: www.caninecastaways.org 863-491-MUTT Canine Castaways www.DoodyCalls.com/Suncoast 941-841-1840 Zinnia Sponsor: www.caninecastaways.org 863-491-MUTT Canine Castaways www.thedoggydiva.com 5 Years Old, Female Terrier Mix www.caninecastaways.org 863-491-MUTT Canine Castaways Sponsor: 12 Years Old, Male Italian Greyhound Florida Italian Greyhound Rescue www.thedoggydiva.com www.igrescuegulfcoast.org Robert [email protected] 23 Years Old, Male Blue & Gold Macaw Birds of Paradise Sanctuary & Rescue 727-366-9997 www.birdsofparadise.org Tommy Sponsor: www.SuncoastPet.com
Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 | 45 9 Months Old, Female Domestic Shorthair 941-747-8808 www.humanemanatee.org Humane Society of Manatee County 5 Years Old, Male Mixed Breed 941-747-8808 www.humanemanatee.org Humane Society of Manatee County 941-345-2441 941-345-2441 941-345-2441 Sponsor: Sponsor: Petunia Mopsy & Snowflake Sponsor: 7 Months Old, Male Mopsy - 3 Years Old, Male Snowflake - 4 Years Old, Female Sandy Dog Training Instructor 727-645-2598 www.caninecastaways.org 863-491-MUTT Canine Castaways www.farmhousesanctuary.org 941-219-9515 Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary www.farmhousesanctuary.org 941-219-9515 Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary www.farmhousesanctuary.org 941-219-9515 Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary 6 Months Old, Male Pot Belly Cross 6 Months Old, Female Pot Belly Cross Wilbur Sponsor: Kerstin Wiles, Animal Lover Tammie Holloway 505 CR 675 • Myakka City, FL www.sotcdogtraining.org 941-377-5984 SOTC can help you and your entire family with FUN CLASSES, including: Puppy Socialization and Basic Manners…Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Obedience…Recall…Rally…Agility…Scent Work…Flyball Locate the right class for your pet online at www.sotcdogtraining.org or call us at 941-377-5984. Whether you have a new PUPPY or an ADULT DOG, you will be amazed at how much you and your dogs can learn in classes at SOTC! Sarasota Obedience Training Club - SOTC - Rally Flyball Obedience Puppy Classes Scentwork Enroll in SOTC’s Agility Classes & Train With the Best! Garrett & Sandra Krug Friend of Mopsy FANS Snowflake Bonded Bunnies! www.farmhousesanctuary.org 941-219-9515 Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary www.SuncoastPet.com
46 | Suncoast Pet | May/June 2023 Suncoast Pet is pleased to sponsor the “Community Marketplace,” a special advertising section for business owners who are not necessarily in the pet business, but love animals just the same! To be included in this special section, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Kinsey's Produce 941-356-6004 The Best Produce in Town! Located on the Corner of 1st Street & Lemon Avenue Opposite Whole Foods Every Saturday at the Sarasota Farmers Market Suncoast Pet’s Community Marketplace 677 N. Washington Boulevard • Sarasota, Florida 34236 Campbell HarNess Capital WealtH maNagemeNt A Member of Advisory Services Network, LLC CH John Campbell, EA, CFP Certified Financial Planner ® Senior Accountant Ph: (941) 906-1760 Fx: (941) 366-8368 [email protected] cbdigitaldesignsplus.etsy.com CB DI G ITAL DESI G N S PL U S CCoolloorrffuull 88..55 xx 1111 IInncchh NNootteeppaaddss ttoo KKeeeepp YYoouu OOrrggaanniizzeedd!! Priced at $24.99 8.5 x 11 inches | 53 Single-Sided Pages 8.5 x 11 inches | 53 Single-Sided Pages 70# White Opaque Text Paper | Bound Pages 70# White Opaque Text Paper | Bound Pages Who Said To-Do Lists Had to be Boring? www.SuncoastPet.com
Critical patients can and do arrive at any time. Emergencies are treated in order of severity. Serving Sarasota & Manatee counties Professional and Courteous, Full-Service Emergency Veterinary Care DVMs and Technicians On Site During All Open Hours State-of-the-Art Diagnostic, Surgical & Life Saving Equipment Open 24 Hours 7 a.m. Thursday Through 7 a.m. Tuesday Closed Tuesday & Wednesday 8237 Cooper Creek Blvd. • University Park, FL 34201 TREATMENTS Soft Tissue Surgery • Endoscopy • Oxygen Support Fluid Therapy • Stabilization • Emergency & Critical Care DIAGNOSTICS In House Lab • Radiology • Blood Pressure • EKGs 941-355-2884 www.animalerofuniversitypark.com www.facebook.com/AnimalERofUniversityParkLLC New Hours! — Open 24 Hours on Holidays — 21 Years Experience in Show-Style Grooming 418 Central Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 955-7701 Metro Pet Salon www.cathospitalsarasota.com The Only Full-Service Veterinary Hospital Exclusively for Cats in the Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte County Area 3845 Bee Ridge Road (Opposite AAA Building) Phone: 941-921-4040 | Fax: 941-926-2436 Andrew G. King, DVM •Medicine •Surgery •Dentistry •SeniorCare •Vaccines •Blood Pressure Screening •Customized Treatments for Kidney, Diabetic & Thyroid Patients of Sarasota Baked Fresh from 100% Natural & Organic Human-Grade Ingredients Three Flavor Varieties • Healthy Mini-Meals Designed as Yummy Snacks! Proudly Serving the Bradenton & Sarasota Pet Community for 8 Years! Proudly Serving the Bradenton & Sarasota Pet Community for 8 Years! Bringing Our Customers & Their Pets More of What They Need...What They Deserve! CANOPHERA CHEW STICKS Brand New! EXTRA TOUGH & LONG LASTING! No Artificial Ingredients, Additives or Calories Odor Free • Vegan Relieves Stress & Tension Helps Behavioral Issues Strengthens & Cleans Teeth Natural Coffee Wood Chew Sticks Dogs Love! Bringing Our Customers & Their Pets More of What They Need...What They Deserve! Food • Treats • Toys • Leashes & Collars Beds & Carriers • Specialty Items & More! Featuring your favorite brands: 4 Sizes Extra Small to Large Come Groom With Us! 941-745-8511 • www.pawsitivelyhealthypetsupply.com Full spectrum CBD oil, treats & products for pets MADE IN THE FREQUENT BUYER PROGRAM Buy 5 Bottles of pet releaf CBD Oils... ...GET 1 FREE! • Boost the immune system • Diminish anxiety • Control seizures • Reduce pain & inflammation • Heal skin & GI issues • Relieve cancer symptoms • Slow cancer growth...and more! We Carry Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleanings! Saturday, July 8 • 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required...Call Pawsitively HealtHy today! Sign Up Today! 5222 SR 64 East | Bradenton In the Bennett Plaza Next to Rico’s Pizzeria Why CBD? It May Help:
Photo©Michelle Donner Carol D’Amato Dietitian 941-929-9704 • MarlinsRawSuperfood.com 4450 S. Tamiami Trail • Suite A • Sarasota, FL 34231 Dr. Mark D’Amato, DC, CAC Chiropractic Physician • Nutritional Counseling Designed for Your Pet • Specific Diets for Skin, Coat & Health Conditions FINEST Fresh Food & Treats for Dogs & Cats The Raw Food Specialists