APRIL 2017 NEWSLETTER LINCOLN COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES Thank you to the Newsletter contributors - LCAS Staff!
Happy Adoption Update!!! We love getting adoption updates here is one that we received recently that made us smile! I just wanted to send an update on a dog I recently adopted from your shelter. I know a lot of the staff loved her and wanted to make sure she went to a good home! "Breezy" now lovingly named Juno, is doing awesome in her new home with us. We are slowly introducing her into our "pack" of other dogs (two mini dachshunds and an Australian shepherd) and things are going very well. Each day she comes more and more out of her shell and we love her so much! I just wanted to thank everyone who helped with her adoption, I had a wonderful experience with your staff and I could tell everyone genuinely cared for all the animals there.
Spring Hazards for Pets EASTER LILLIES Most pet owners may not know that Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats. The petals, leaves, stem and even the pollen of an Easter lily are poisonous. Ingesting as few as one or two leaves can result in severe kidney failure. After ingestion, symptoms of poisoning will commonly be seen within 6 to 12 hours. Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration are early signs and symptoms can also include disorientation, ataxia, and seizures as kidney failure develops. Fortunately, Easter lilies are not considered to be toxic to dogs, but can result in gastrointestinal upset if ingested. EASTER GRASS Plastic Easter grass is commonly used in Easter baskets and can look very appetizing to both cats and dogs. However, animals cannot digest plastic. If ingested, Easter grass can become lodged in the stomach or intestines, requiring surgery to have removed. Signs of ingestion or gastrointestinal obstruction can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and stomach pain. PLASTIC EASTER EGGS Dogs can easily chew these up! Once broken, the pieces of plastic are sharp and can cause damage to internal organs if swallowed. CHOCOLATE Believe it or not, the smell of chocolate is just as enticing to our canine companions as it is for us. All chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs, but Baker s chocolate is considered to be the most dangerous, followed by dark, milk, and white chocolate varieties. Theombrine and caffeine are both substances that are found in chocolate and can increase your pets heart rate and constrict arteries. Symptoms of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, frequent urination, rapid breathing, increased heart rate or stiffness. If left untreated, your pet may face cardiac problems, seizures, coma, or even death within 4 to 6 hours after ingesting. Please seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect your pet has ingested any Easter hazard! Chelsea Cooper, RVT
4-H Club Presentation On March 21, Chaya Parker and Chelsea Cooper went to visit the local 4-H Animal Science Club. Chelsea made a wonderful presentation for the group about Responsible Pet Ownership! 4-H members also gave their own awesome presentations about different animals, and the care they require. We look forward to being able to visit them again in the future, and thank you to 4-H for inviting us! Chaya Parker, RVT
How to Calm Your Dog During a Storm Do you have a dog that is afraid of storms?! If so, unfortunately it is that time of year for those loud thunderstorms and heavy downpour s. Here are a few tips to help: Reward calm behavior year-round. Give the dog a safe place where he can go in a storm. Ask your veterinarian for advice. Consider a snug garment like a Thunder Shirt! Distract your dog. Act nonchalant and relaxed around your dog. Unfortunately during or sometimes even before storms, if your dog is not confined properly, they may run off in fear. Here are some ways to help get your dog back home if that was to happen: Be sure your dog is wearing a collar with contact information tags. Get your dog microchipped at a veterinarian make sure to get the chip registered! Tell everyone make a post on social media with detailed descriptions and your contact information Contact your local animal shelter and fill out a missing form and provide photos of the dog. Here are the ways Lincoln County Animal Services can help you when you are looking for your missing pet: Go to lincolncounty.org/animalservices and fill out a lost form. Bring a photo of your missing pet, and staff can walk you through our facility to see if your pet is there. Call LCAS and ask if they have seen your pet come into the facility (704-736-4125) - but it is always best to come in person and look! If your pet is microchipped, and the chip is registered, LCAS will notify you of your pet being in our care. Ashley Parsons, Animal Caretaker
It s time for 2017 Rabies Clinics! May 6 th 12pm-4pm East Lincoln May 13 th 12pm-4pm Lincolnton June 24 th 12pm-4pm West Lincoln Only $7 per animal! All dogs and cats 4 months and older must be vaccinated for rabies it s the law! So come and visit us with your pets at one of our rabies clinics to get either a 1 year or 3 year vaccine for your pet, depending on their vaccination history! For questions, please call Lincoln County Animal Services at (704) 736-4125!
March 2017 Statistics
Adoptable Pocket Pets! Did you know, at Lincoln County Animal Services we often have other animals that are available for adoption?! Right now we have a potbellied pig, a rabbit, 3 rats, and a ferret! For questions about adopting, please call Lincoln County Animal Services at (704) 736-4125!
UPCOMING EVENTS 4/22 Earth Day Animal Services Downtown Lincolnton, 11-3pm 4/29 Make Every Day Earth Day Animal Services Info Booth at Habitat Restore, 10-2pm 5/6 Rabies Clinic East Lincoln Middle School, 12-4pm 5/8 Animal Services Advisory Board Meeting 6.30pm 5/13 Rabies Clinic Lincolnton Animal Hospital, 12-4pm 6/24 Rabies Clinic West Lincoln Animal Hospital, 12-4pm Visit Lincoln County Animal Services at: 650 John Howell Memorial Drive Lincolnton, NC 28092 Call us at: (704) 736-4125!