A new study exploring whether household pets can contract the new coronavirus poses some grim news for cat lovers, but one thing is clear: There’s no evidence suggesting your pet can become very ill or die as a result of the virus. As cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, impact health systems and patients around the world, some people have reported cases of the disease in animals. Hong Kong, for instance, reported two cases of positive tests results in dogs. And one cat in Belgium was determined to be positive for Covid-19 after its owner also tested positive for the disease. The researchers assessed the animals at intervals post-exposure to determine their susceptibility to the virus. The researchers also placed some of the infected animals in cages next to uninfected animals of the same species to determine whether they could infect each other.
Of the cats infected with the virus, two presented with viral RNA and virus particles in their upper respiratory systems days later. The researchers also placed the infected cats in close proximity to three cats who weren’t infected with the virus. One of the cats that was not originally infected with the virus later tested positive for the virus, indicating that the cat caught the virus via droplets breathed out by the infected cats.
However, none of the infected cats showed any signs of illness, according to the study.
The study also found that ferrets are “efficient” replicators of the virus. “SARS-CoV-2 can replicate in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets for up to eight days, without causing severe disease or death,” the researchers wrote in the study. However, the infected ferrets didn’t show any symptoms of an infection, the researchers said.
The researchers determined that the virus “replicates poorly” in canines, meaning dogs have “low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.” As for livestock, the researchers determined that chickens, ducks, and pigs are also not susceptible to the virus.
The researchers concluded that the results imply the virus can be transmitted between cats through respiratory droplets.
However, health experts said it is still highly unlikely that a person’s pet cat or ferret—the animals that are susceptible to the virus themselves—will become infected or critically ill as a result. Veterinary specialists added the scenarios in the study do not reflect how the virus would be transmitted in real life, considering animals will likely never be exposed to such a high level of the virus.
“That’s a whole lot more than an average human would get,” said William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “This is an artificial circumstance and we don’t know that it happens in nature at all.”
The study also does not include any evidence that the virus can pass between pets and humans, experts explained.
“While [two] dogs (Hong Kong) and [one] cat (Belgium) have been reported to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets spread Covid-19 to other animals, including people,” the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) said.
Research during the SARS epidemic in 2002 showed similar results, CNN reports. The virus did spread between cats, but there were no known cases of transmission between cats and humans.
“The focus in the control of Covid-19 therefore undoubtedly needs to remain firmly on reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission,” said Dirk Pfeiffer, an epidemiologist at the City University of Hong Kong.
However, AVMA and CDC still recommend that people with Covid-19 symptoms limit close contact with their pets until scientists conduct more research on the virus’s impact on the animals. “Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet,” AVMA advised. “If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then wear a facemask; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.”
Pet owners who are not sick, on the other hand, should “embrace their pets,” according to John Williams, chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
The Edmond Animal Shelter is working to clear the shelter this weekend.
The shelter needs to move all of their dogs out by Monday due to a major renovation project and ongoing coronavirus procedures. “Folks, we need you now more than ever!! Not only have we been making changes in our everyday procedures due to COVID-19, but our shelter is also undergoing a major renovation project. In order for this project to go as smoothly and quickly as possible, we need to move all of our dogs OUT of our building by MONDAY!! In order to do so, we are temporarily waiving our adoption fee (normally $25) on all animals, effective immediately! See adoption criteria below for more details!”
Just as other businesses have been impacted by the closures mandated by Gov. Jay Inslee in a state-wide effort to reduce COVID-19 closures, so to have Tamara Bean and Cameron Thompson.
While the Seattle-area Fetch Pet Care franchisees and regional partners, however, normally offer a range of animal services, the pair are now focusing on a specialized program conceived by Bean aimed at serving essential personnel and seniors. The Fetch and Go service is a no-owner contact method of picking up and returning a pet.
Bean said she thought of the Fetch and Go program when coronavirus cases first started to be reported in the area. To minimize risk to both pet sitters and the people they serve, the safety program requires clients to have a sanitation station by their front door. Dog walkers are also carrying their own leashes for dogs, and dog owners are leaving collars and harnesses on their pets. Upon arrival, all dog sitters have to do is put the leash on the dog, leave for a walk, and, when they return, wipe everything they tough with pet-friendly disinfecting products they carry before they leave.
“It takes potentially 20 seconds,” Bean said.
If a client is medical personnel, pet sitters won’t go into their homes until they have been at work for a minimum of three hours. This is another safety measure they’ve implemented in response to the pandemic, Bean said.
“I’d rather us err on the side of safety than otherwise,” she said.
Thompson agrees the focus is on everyone’s safety.
“We’ve done everything we can except put a bubble around us,” he said.
Bean said, with the closures, 90 percent of their professional pet care services are shut down. They are only accepting new clients if they are senior citizens who are immobile or first responders or medical personnel who need their dogs walked.
She said one of her clients in Ballard has been working the overnight shift, and they have scheduled her dog walker to come between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
“We are doing whatever we can to help, even if that means coming in late at night,” Bean said.
The rest of their focus is on their senior clients. Thompson said without their dog walking services, some of their more elderly clients would not be able to exercise their dogs.
“At the end of the day, we are providing a service that allows them to have their friends and maintain their way of life,” he said.
Petsitters will also run errands for owners if requested. Recently, a petsitter also took one of his elderly clients’ dogs in to the veterinarian for vaccinations and a quick check up.
“These are things we typically provide, but at this time, they’re even more significant to people,” Thompson said.
He said while his dog sitters will deliver pet supplies to clients upon occasion, because of the pandemic, he has arranged for his dog sitters to take other necessities, as well.
“This is something we want to do to keep our clients happy,” he said. “We’re all in this together during this tragic time.”
Bean said while the business’s focus is making sure clients’s needs are served during this time, the pandemic and resulting closures have personally affected her as a small business owner and single mom. She said she has grown her business into a successful enterprise over the last 13 years.
“It’s been my heart and soul, and it’s devastating in a significant way,” Bean said of the pandemic, adding she can learn and grow from the experience, as well. “So when we do build back up, we can institute everything we have learned.”
Bean also recognizes the importance of communication and positivity during the pandemic, which is why she has created the Raise a Paw to Pets Facebook page.
She said #RaiseAPawToPets is a “community movement to share love and light being generated by pets everywhere. Bean invites people to join the Facebook group and share funny and thoughtful stories about their pets.
“A pet’s purpose is to share and spread love, so we created this movement to follow their example,” Bean said in an email. “The least we can do is tell their stories.”
A Lubbock police dog that was wounded as officers responded to a domestic disturbance on Monday has been released from the vet and is in improving condition, police announced Thursday.
Fflorian, a 6-year-old police K9, was back at home recovering with his handler following Monday morning’s domestic disturbance in which a 15-year-old girl is accused of using a stolen handgun to threaten her boyfriend’s family and later responding officers.
The teenager, who was also treated for wounds at a Lubbock hospital, was placed in custody while Fflorian was treated for injuries stemming from the incident that was reported about 11:15 a.m. in the 5500 block of Amherst Place, Lubbock police spokeswoman Allison Matherly said at the time.
A police report released later in the week shows investigating officers believe the incident started when the girl’s boyfriend told his mother the girl threatened to “shoot up” their house.
Upon arrival, officers found the subject had left the residence and began checking the area.
Fflorian and his handler, a Lubbock police officer, searched the perimeter of a house in the 5600 block of Amherst Street, near where the 15-year-old was hiding in the bushes. Police say she opened fire on the police K-9, striking it at least one time. The K-9 handler returned fire.
The 15-year-old was taken to University Medical Center for treatment of her injuries from the K-9 bite and a possible gunshot wound. It is undetermined at this time if the gunshot wound was from the officer returning fire or self-inflicted. Upon release from UMC, the 15-year-old was taken to the Lubbock County Juvenile Detention Center and charged with:
· Four counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer
· Aggravated Assault
· Interference with Police Service Animal (Second-Degree Felony)
· Theft of a Firearm
· Terroristic Threat (Misdemeanor A)
Fflorian was taken to a Lubbock veterinarian hospital for treatment.
No other injuries were reported.
On Thursday, Lubbock police released a statement saying Fflorian is expected to make a full recover. The dog, a Belgian Malinois, came to the LPD in 2017, according to police. He is trained in narcotics detection and criminal apprehension.
It was not immediately clear what led to the initial disturbance or how the teen allegedly acquired the gun.
The Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Mike Gordy has been out of the military since 2002. For 18 years, he has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Mike used methods like music to help with his PTSD, but he says that wasn’t enough, so he signed up for a service dog.
“I’ve been on a waiting list since August or September, I would say of 2018,” says Mike.
After a two-year wait, Mike was introduced to Roxie through K9s For Warriors.
“She’s great; she’s pretty well behaved. Her purpose is to help me with PTSD. She’s able to notice situations when I’m uncomfortable where I might be getting upset,” says Mike.
When Mike starts getting upset, Roxie will lay her head on him to help calm him down and does whatever she can to help him get out of those situations.
Mike got Roxie in early February this year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he hasn’t been able to train and bond with her in public.
“We really need the time; we really need to get some practice in. I can’t justify going into the store just to walk my dog around and practice,” he says.
He recommends to other veterans who are struggling with PTSD to get a service dog.
Many love their pets more than they love people – and we can’t blame them when they are as cute and cuddly as some of our record holders.
While every owner thinks their pet is amazing in their own way, there are some that are Officially Amazing because they hold Guinness World Records titles.
So in celebration of National Pet Day, check out some of the most talented furry friends we have in the record books. Bini is no ordinary bunny! The eight-year-old pet bounced his way into global success for his spectacular record-breaking ability to do the most basketball slam dunks in one minute by a rabbit. In a matter of sixty seconds, the Holland Lop rabbit can put a miniature basketball through a hoop seven times – an impressive total for such a tiny animal. Owner Shai Asor affectionately jokes that Bini developed an interest in basketball thanks to him. He says that basketball is Bini’s favorite activity, and that he even practices his dunks every night before going to bed. On the days he’s not trying to become the next basketball legend, Bini wakes up very early and runs around the house, before eating some fresh greens for breakfast. Bini is a well-rounded rabbit, and enjoys the arts as much as sports. He is capable of styling hair and painting, by holding a paint brush in his mouth.
Those who know Nala might recognize her from her brilliant blue eyes and characteristic faces. After all, she is in the Guinness World Records 2020 book for having the most followers on Instagram for a cat. But while Nala boasts 4,323,973 followers on the platform (and counting), she wasn’t always insta-famous. Like many animals across the United States, her story began in a pet shelter in California, where her owner Pookie adopted her back in 2011. Pookie began Nala’s renowned account to share with friends and family, but she never dreamed it would get the amount of attention that it does today. After nurturing her original followers, interacting with fans, and developing Nala’s persona on her profile – it is now one of the most thriving pet accounts in the social media world and has led Nala to have opportunities such as having her own pet food line and writing a book.
Loving words from Nala’s owners: “It wasn’t until she was adopted and cared for, that she became the lovable cat she is today. Even though I never really intended to adopt a kitten that day, when I saw her, I just knew it was meant to be.” Abbie Girl is a kelpie who holds the record for the longest wave surfed by a dog (open water) after surfing a 107.2-m-long (351-ft 8-in) wave at Ocean Beach in San Diego, California, USA, on 18 October 2011. Kelpies are an Australian dog breed. They herd sheep, occasionally jumping on the backs of stubborn individuals to steer them while balancing on top – exactly the same balancing skills needed for surfing! Abbie Girl’s owner Michael adopted her as a shy rescue dog five years ago. To build her confidence, he would take her to a beach used by other dog owners. She would follow him into the water and enjoy jumping on his surf board. One day he allowed her to float with the wave and she didn’t fall off. Since then, she’s always loved to surf. Nowadays Abbie will attend local dog surfing competitions and spends most days in the water! When it comes to tongues, Mochi “Mo” Rickert, a female St Bernard from South Dakota, USA, has the competition licked. Officially measured by a vet at 18.58 cm (7.3 in) – the equivalent of two-and-a-half Jenga blocks in a row – Mochi’s was verified for having the longest tongue on a dog (current) in 2016. Mochi’s owners got their extraordinary, peanut-butter-loving pooch from Big Dogs Huge Paws rescue home when she was two years old. They never expected for their pet to have a Guinness World Records title! Obstacles Mochi faces as a result of her long tongue include breathing challenges, extra slobber when she’s nervous, dirt, dust and leaves sticking to her tongue and needing help when picking things up off the floor. However, that doesn’t stop her from doing some of her favorite things like posing for photos and snacking on sweet potatoes!
The upside of spending so much more time indoors is you’ve got more time to look at cool dogs on the Internet. The labradoodle (Labrador and poodle) was the first “designer breed” that boasted widespread popular appeal. They were first created in the middle of the 20th century. They didn’t gain popularity until the early 90s as service dogs for people allergic to pet dander. Their popularity spread thanks to their goofy personalities, soft fleece coats, and amiability towards children. The cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle) followed in the labradoodle’s paw prints, and then it was off to the races for designer breeds. “Doodles” and “poos” are common, because poodles don’t shed as much as other breeds, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. We bet you’ve never heard of these 10 boutique dog breeds.
Pomeranian and Toy Poodle
These little dogs are ideal apartment dogs, with cheerful dispositions and great trainability. They require plenty of exercise, as they’re prone to wait gain. Socialize them early and they’ll do great with young children and busy households.
Schnauzer and Poodle
Both the schnauzer and poodle come in a variety of sizes, from toy to giant. Because of this, you can get a schnoodle in any weight class, from 6 pound apartment dogs to 76 pound giants. They bond with their owners, and because they’re smart and active, they love advanced training
Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever
These two dogs are so closely related, you may not distinguish a Labrador from a goldador at first glance. They’re popular in law enforcement for drug sniffing, as search and rescue dogs, and as family pets because of their gregarious nature and ease of training.
Pomeranian and Husky
The appeal of the pomsky is obvious, they look like miniature wolves, adapted to city living. As far as designer breeds go, this hybrid is new, and combines two unique personalities, Pomeranians bond with their families, while huskies tend towards independence.
Chihuahua and Yorkie
Can’t go wrong with two tiny adorable breeds combined. They’re below 10 pounds when full grown, and confident energetic dogs. Because they’re prone to weight gain, they require regular exercise and training from a young age.
Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles
This hybrid is hypoallergenic and doesn’t shed thanks to the bichon frise. They have soft fluffy hair and grow to around 15 pounds. They’re accepting, tolerant, and enjoy spending quality time with their owners. It’s a great breed for apartment dwellers and retired individuals.
Pekingese and Poodle
These are playful small dogs that love being around their family and get along great with children of all ages. You can rely on them as guard dogs who will bark to notify their owners of suspicious activity around the home. Because of their tenacity protecting the home, they may not be ideal in an apartment building.
Chihuahua and Pug
Sure, it sounds like a chant at a frat party, but this petite dog breed is ideal for families and city dwellers. They’re loyal, playful, and have goofy personalities. Since they’re prone to weight gain and yappy barking, plenty of exercise is essential for their happiness and health.
Basset Hound and Labrador
An unusual combination, basadors combine the tenacity of the hound with the trainability and sociability of the Labrador. They require regular exercise and short training sessions to keep their attention engaged.
Australian Shepherd and Poodle
These are intelligent and affectionate dogs who require regular training to engage their minds, and plenty of exercise. They require plenty of space to roam, but are perfect for people with allergies who want an active and trainable breed.
The agency responsible for animal welfare in British Columbia is making an urgent appeal for pet food donations to help vulnerable pet guardians during the COVID-19 crisis.
The BC SPCA says it isn’t just families affected by the virus; it’s their pets too, and assistance is needed for thousands of cats and dogs in the province.
While the agency already offers pet food banks, free vet clinics, and other programs during the year to support struggling pet parents, the need right now is “extraordinary,” says Marieke van der Velden, outreach specialist for the BC SPCA.
With more and more families impacted by illness, unprecedented job loss, plus economic and housing instability, there is a higher likelihood that people will be forced to give up their pets if they can’t be supported.
Donations can be made either by drop-off at any of the province’s 36 branches or by online delivery. The items will be distributed to pets in need in the community through staff, volunteers, and community partners.
The animal welfare agency has instituted new protocols for its pet food banks to ensure social distancing and biosecurity measures are in place.
van der Velden hopes the extra support will mean fewer British Columbians will have to give up their pets during a time where the emotional support they provide is more needed than ever.
“Animals are such an important part of our lives, and we want to do everything we can to keep people and pets together,” she says.
Just as other businesses have been impacted by the closures mandated by Gov. Jay Inslee in a state-wide effort to reduce COVID-19 closures, so to have Tamara Bean and Cameron Thompson.
While the Seattle-area Fetch Pet Care franchisees and regional partners, however, normally offer a range of animal services, the pair are now focusing on a specialized program conceived by Bean aimed at serving essential personnel and seniors. The Fetch and Go service is a no-owner contact method of picking up and returning a pet.
Bean said she thought of the Fetch and Go program when coronavirus cases first started to be reported in the area. To minimize risk to both pet sitters and the people they serve, the safety program requires clients to have a sanitation station by their front door. Dog walkers are also carrying their own leashes for dogs, and dog owners are leaving collars and harnesses on their pets. Upon arrival, all dog sitters have to do is put the leash on the dog, leave for a walk, and, when they return, wipe everything they tough with pet-friendly disinfecting products they carry before they leave.
“It takes potentially 20 seconds,” Bean said.
If a client is medical personnel, pet sitters won’t go into their homes until they have been at work for a minimum of three hours. This is another safety measure they’ve implemented in response to the pandemic, Bean said.
“I’d rather us err on the side of safety than otherwise,” she said.
Thompson agrees the focus is on everyone’s safety.
“We’ve done everything we can except put a bubble around us,” he said.
Bean said, with the closures, 90 percent of their professional pet care services are shut down. They are only accepting new clients if they are senior citizens who are immobile or first responders or medical personnel who need their dogs walked.
She said one of her clients in Ballard has been working the overnight shift, and they have scheduled her dog walker to come between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
“We are doing whatever we can to help, even if that means coming in late at night,” Bean said.
The rest of their focus is on their senior clients. Thompson said without their dog walking services, some of their more elderly clients would not be able to exercise their dogs.
“At the end of the day, we are providing a service that allows them to have their friends and maintain their way of life,” he said.
Petsitters will also run errands for owners if requested. Recently, a petsitter also took one of his elderly clients’ dogs in to the veterinarian for vaccinations and a quick check up.
“These are things we typically provide, but at this time, they’re even more significant to people,” Thompson said.
He said while his dog sitters will deliver pet supplies to clients upon occasion, because of the pandemic, he has arranged for his dog sitters to take other necessities, as well.
“This is something we want to do to keep our clients happy,” he said. “We’re all in this together during this tragic time.”
Bean said while the business’s focus is making sure clients’s needs are served during this time, the pandemic and resulting closures have personally affected her as a small business owner and single mom. She said she has grown her business into a successful enterprise over the last 13 years.
“It’s been my heart and soul, and it’s devastating in a significant way,” Bean said of the pandemic, adding she can learn and grow from the experience, as well. “So when we do build back up, we can institute everything we have learned.”
Bean also recognizes the importance of communication and positivity during the pandemic, which is why she has created the Raise a Paw to Pets Facebook page.
She said #RaiseAPawToPets is a “community movement to share love and light being generated by pets everywhere. Bean invites people to join the Facebook group and share funny and thoughtful stories about their pets.
“A pet’s purpose is to share and spread love, so we created this movement to follow their example,” Bean said in an email. “The least we can do is tell their stories.”
Pets help keep your body healthy
According to the PDSA regular walks help dog owners get lots of exercise themselves, but the benefits of dog ownership don’t end there. Dogs can often break the ice in social situations, helping dog owners meet other people and feel less lonely.
Running with a dog is great exercise for both of you, and can help you feel safer if you’re running in the evening.
Growing up with pets is great for children’s health, too. Playing with a cat or dog can help keep your kids active.
For owners with physical health problems, assistance is not limited to Guide Dogs: pets can become unofficial support animals for owners. As well as offering comfort and emotional support, there have been cases of pets predicting their owner’s fits, helping them after a fall or warning about serious illnesses.
Pets are great for our mental health
There’s plenty of evidence to show that pets can be great for our mental health, too. The PDSA Animal Welfare (PAW) Report 2018 found that 94 percent of pet owners said owning a pet makes them happy.
Pets can also help their owners feel less fearful or lonely. Some older pet owners say their pet is their only friend and feel a bond equal to a friendship with another person.
Children too can benefit emotionally from having a pet and will seek them out when they are feeling upset, which may be helpful during stressful life events.
Pets are part of the family
Our pets are members of our families and provide a focus in life. This can be good for those in need, such as the ill and elderly, whose pets can provide an important source of companionship. Pets also support owners who are going through hard times in their life such as losing a job or breaking up with a partner.
The right pet for you
Taking on a pet is not something that should be done on a whim and there’s lots to think about before you bring a pet into your life. It’s important that you get a pet that fits into your lifestyle and that you can give them everything they need.
Pets bring much joy to the lives they touch. So it should come as no surprise that the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey, which was conducted by the American Pet Products Association, found that about 85 million families in the United States own a pet. In Canada, 7.5 million households are home to companion animals, states the PetBacker blog.
Pets offer companionship and unconditional love. While they are fitting for any family, senior citizens may find that having a pet is especially beneficial. The organization A Place for Mom, which helps match families with senior living residences, says pets provide a comfort system that produces measurable health results. Caring for pets and being around them can produce a chemical chain reaction in the brain that may help to lower stress hormones while also increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin.
This is not the only health benefit pets may provide. A recent study from the Mayo Clinic, which looked at 1,800 people between the ages of 25 and 64 who had healthy hearts, found that almost half owned a dog. Having a dog was likely to spur heart-healthy behaviors, like exercising with the pet, eating well and having ideal blood sugar levels.
Pets also provide emotional support and companionship that can help seniors – including those who may be divorced or widowed – feel more secure and happy. The National Poll on Healthy Aging found that, among respondents who had pets, 88 percent said their pets helped them enjoy life, and 86 percent said their pets made them feel loved.
Seniors considering getting a pet can explore the many benefits to doing so.
Reduce pain: A 2012 study published in Pain Magazine found therapy dogs provided ‘significant reduction in pain and emotional distress for chronic pain patients.’
Feeling of purpose: Caring for an animal not only stimulates physical activity, but it also can give seniors a reason to get up and go, which equates to a feeling of purpose.
Altered focus: Having a pet can help seniors focus on something other than physical or mental health issues and preoccupations about loss or aging, according to New York-based psychologist Penny B. Donnenfeld.
Increased physical activity: Pets require care, and that interaction can get seniors moving more than if they didn’t have a pet.
Improved health: Ongoing research from Harvard Medical School has found dog owners have lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease than those who don’t own a dog.
Stick to routine: Caring for pets helps seniors maintain a routine. Having structure after retirement can be important to ward off risk of depression. Staying on top of feeding, grooming and other pet needs also can help prevent cognitive decline.
The Dog in a Doublet pub near Whittlesey launched the 24-hour roadside takeaway service ‘McDoggals’ on March 26 to passers-by, such as key workers like paramedics as well as the general public.
John McGinn, owner of Dog in a Doublet alongside wife Della, was preparing for a busy Mother’s Day weekend before being told to shut in line with Government guidelines over the coronavirus pandemic.
But as well as its usual takeaway and delivery service, the restaurant on North Side is offering meals ranging from egg and cress sandwiches to clotted cream scones, as the service continues to grow in popularity.
John said: “It was absolutely devastating, and I tried to think fast what to do.
“McDoggals was set up in response to people, the NHS and paramedics wanting something to get some coffee late at night when nowhere is open.
“It serves the likes of coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches, desserts, apple crumble and custard, all homemade. It is free to all Blue Light workers and people can help themselves.
“The first week was a learning curve but the second week we are rolling.”
Customers have been putting their donations into an honesty box to help the cause, which so far, has totalled around £200.
John has even made his own ice cream and has been asked to make a birthday cake since launching the drive-thru, but despite struggling financially, he is confident the service can still be a success.
He said: “To be honest, we need to take £12,000 a week to break even and we are taking a tenth of that now. We have got enough money to fund staff, stock and that is it.
“I have done liquorice and Horlicks and I have called it Mr Whippet. I am constantly thinking of ideas and getting people to talk about them.
“I have got an amazing team and when it came to lockdown, they all moved in. All we are doing is stocking at the front and for the future.
“It is our livelihoods at risk. We are like a family. Why go and be at risk of coming back to work when we are all here?
“A cup of coffee could go a long way, and I’m not going to charge them. When things hopefully get back to normal, I will have a few customers to carry on.
“I am able to interact with people safely and certainly make more business from myself which keeps things ticking over and providing a service at the same time.
“We make sure it is the best it can be.”
A track into a swamp by Peterborough Police Service dog Isaac resulted in officers locating a suspect following a residential break-in in Cavan Monaghan Township on Wednesday night.
According to the Peterborough Police Service, around 11:10 p.m. a neighbour called police to report suspicious activity at a home on Larmer Line. Police allege suspects broke into a large garage at the home and stole a Honda dirt bike, dirt bike helmets and a television in a box.
Police say the suspects fled into a wooded area nearby. Officers and the K9 unit were dispatched to the scene.
Police say canine (K9) unit officer Robert Cowie and police service dog Isaac conducted a track and located a suspect hiding in a densely wooded swamp.
Police say the man was arrested and found in possession of several break-in tools, including bolt cutters, a flashlight and a hammer.
The property stolen during the incident was located at the scene and recovered, police said.
Munden Cody Smith, 28, of Peel Street, Barrie, was charged with break and enter, possession of break-in instruments, trespassing at night and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
He was held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court later Thursday, police said.
The investigation continues.
You’re stuck at home. Your anxiety is high. The walls are closing in on you. Luckily, we have a fix for that. Livestreaming puppies.
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes its mission based trauma recovery model to help wounded warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other. WCC’s program not only creates valuable service dogs, it harnesses the healing power of the warrior ethos and the human-animal bond. The program is designed to trigger powerful mind/body effects in our warrior trainers that reduce the symptoms of combat trauma. Their mission is certainly noble and what’s better than anything on the internet right now: You can livestream their puppy play room.
In the lead up to the Easter bank holiday weekend, IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy has issued a stark warning to all dog owners.
He said, “Dog owners can be held responsible for any losses involved in dog attacks on sheep, with serious financial and legal consequences. Farmers have a right to protect their sheep flock and can shoot a dog worrying, or about to worry their flock.”
His warning comes after a pack of dogs attacked a flock in South Tipperary this week.
She said: “This horrendous attack by marauding dogs on a sheep flock is an all too common occurrence. The owner is devastated as a number of sheep were killed and more had to be put down.”
Erica O’Keefe said this is the second dog attack in South Tipperary in recent weeks, with another severe incidence in the Cashel area recently where seven lambs and a ewe were killed by dogs.
Sean Dennehy reminded farmers that IFA has a detailed Protocol to help those who encounter a dog attack on their sheep flock. It outlines important aspects of the law and how the dog warden service and the Garda can help. It also sets out how to keep a full record of the attack, which can be used as evidence at a later stage.
The IFA Sheep Chairman concluded, “Dog owners who allow their pets to roam without restriction, are acting in a grossly irresponsible, reckless and selfish manner. A family pet can turn into a brutal killer and cause savagery and mayhem if they are not properly monitored.”
Two dogs in Khayelitsha, Fifi and Fido, are recovering at the SA.MAST Animal Clinic after being treated for rubber bullet wounds – allegedly inflicted by a police officer enforcing the Covid-19 lockdown.
Fido was shot twice in the shoulder. Fifi was shot twice in the neck.
According to the clinic’s director Tamsin Nel, only Fido was strong enough last week to undergo surgery. On Friday, two rubber bullets were removed from his shoulder.
The clinic reported the matter to Lingelethu West police station in Khayelitsha and the bullets were collected by police as evidence, Nel said on Tuesday.
Originally, the clinic did not want to risk operating on Fifi because she was suffering from a tick-borne disease, which meant she would bleed excessively during the surgery. But on Monday, staff at the clinic decided that it could not wait and they operated. Fifi almost died during the surgery, which was risky because the rubber bullet was lodged millimetres from a main artery.
At this point in the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve gotten used to store shelves emptied of staples… including pet food, making it an ideal time to try a pet food subscription service. Not only will your beloved pet get top-quality food in flavors they love — and not just whatever’s left at the supermarket — you can also stay safe at home. It’s a win-win.
Online shopping favorites Chewy, PetSmart and Petco offer autoship options on popular pet foods, with a small savings over one-off purchases. (Currently, Petsmart is also offering a 10% discount on online purchases that are picked up at a store curbside.) Meanwhile, subscription services take that convenient concept a step further, providing portioned, specialty food and customized plans. Some focus on dogs, a smattering are only for cats, but many cater to both.
Of course, if your pet has a health condition or other special considerations, you should consult with your vet before totally changing up their diet. This may be especially true right now. If your pet has a bad reaction to a new food, it’s going to be harder than usual to get them in to see a vet quickly.
“The optimal pet food choice will depend on your animal’s individual needs and life stage,” says veterinarian Dr. Rachel Barrack, founder of Animal Acupuncture in New York City. “Call your veterinarian in order to make the best possible decision for your pet’s health and well-being.”
In general, when choosing a food for your dog, “Look for one that has undergone AAFCO feeding trials, meaning they have been extensively researched under the guidance of veterinary nutritionists,” Barrack says, which all of the below brands have. If it’s a cat you’re feeding, “it’s important that the most prevalent macro-nutrient is protein, followed by fat and then a minimal amount of carbs,” she says.
And when you do decide on and order a new food during this stressful time, be prepared, urges Barrack. “Currently, as you’re stocking the pantry with your personal essentials, make sure to have enough of your pet’s food, medications, kitty litter and all of that on hand,” she says. “A minimum 30-day supply is recommended.” With that said, here are some of the top contenders in the pet food subscription arena, all still shipping and serving their furry patrons.
Who it’s for: Dog owners who are all about convenience.
The basics: Dinners that are ready to eat and created by vets show up like clockwork, making doggy mealtime easy-peasy.
What makes it unique: All four of Pet Plate’s recipes (turkey, lamb, chicken and beef) are carefully balanced by vets to ensure they provide optimum canine nutrition. The meals are created using fresh, USDA meat and are pre-cooked and perfectly portioned. Being these are fresh meals, they arrive frozen. The food is packaged as two meals in one resealable container. So you can serve up half as breakfast, then put the rest in the fridge until dinner time. Once defrosted, all you need to do is put the food in your dog’s bowl. The container is even microwavable.
Plans and pricing: Delivery is weekly; pricing varies quite a bit — from $2.50 to $19 a day — depending on the size of your dog and other factors, like their activity level, that can affect how much they eat.
Who it’s for: Parents of a very pampered kitty.
The basics: You get freshly-cooked food for cats delivered to your home on your own schedule.
What makes it unique: You won’t find nearly as many subscription services exclusively for cats as you will dogs, but here’s one that’s worth considering. Smalls sends off fresh, freeze-dried cat food that’s grain-free. It is pretty much what your cat would be eating if you were motivated to make their meals in your kitchen. And since, as any cat-lover knows, felines are often persnickety about new foods, Smalls shares tips on how to make the transition go smoothly (and even offers a full refund if it doesn’t).
Plans and pricing: You can opt to have food arrive anywhere between every single week and once every six weeks. The cost ranges from $2 to $3.50 per cat, per day.
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Who it’s for: Doggo devotees who want a truly personalized plan.
The basics: The fresh meals offered through Ollie are tailored to your one-and-only pupper.
What makes it unique: Your pooch gets to enjoy food of the same quality as what you might prepare for yourself, but geared to their unique needs. The wholesome meals are vet-formulated and include meat, vegetables, fruits and supplements. You’ll get serving recommendations based off of your dog’s age, weight, activity level and more key factors. You also have the option to sign on to have yummy, yet wholesome, dog treats come along with the meals. As if you wouldn’t…
Plans and pricing: You can choose to have packages arrive once a month, or once every two weeks. Cost will run about $9 to $42 each week, depending on the attributes of your dog.
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Spot & Tango
Who it’s for: Those who prefer to stay away from the typical grains found in dog food, instead offering brown rice, chia seeds and flax.
The basics: This popular service dispatches fresh dog food made in small batches.
What makes it unique: The dog food is pretty much the human equivalent of farm-to-table cuisine. It is made from ingredients that come from family farms in upstate New York, and in small batches without artificial preservatives, additives or fillers. Canine nutritionists came up with the recipes, and they arrive in vacuum-sealed packages, frozen. Aside from the company’s well-regarded fresh food, it just came out with a dehydrated food, UnKibble, for those who prefer a pantry-stable option. It too is made from human-grade meat and produce, with no fillers or additives. When you sign up, you fill out a quiz that ascertains your dog’s needs, but also takes into account what they like to eat.
Plans and pricing: Deliveries show up every week, at a cost of $2 per meal or higher, depending on your dog, as well as whether you want the fresh-frozen meals, UnKibble or both. Your first shipment is considered a trial, so you’re not on the hook if, for whatever reason, your dog isn’t loving the food.
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Who it’s for: Those for who see their dog as essentially their human child.
The basics: This service is a favorite of many dog parents, thanks to its top-quality, human-grade fresh food tailored to individual dogs.
What makes it unique: Each fresh meal contains USDA-approved ingredients, and it was made within a few days of when it arrives in your hands. Complete a pup profile to ensure that you receive proper formulas and portions. The healthy, original formulas — which include pork, turkey and beef —also include lentils, a proprietary blend of minerals and vitamins, and fish oil.
Plans and pricing: You can set up the delivery frequency that works for you, from once every two weeks to once every three months. A week’s worth of food will run you somewhere between $16 and $90, depending on your dog.
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Pretty Please
Who it’s for: Parents of kitties who go for dry food over wet.
The basics: The PrettyPlease service is a solid choice as an introduction to cat subscription services.
What makes it unique: High-quality ingredients, even down to the very end of the ingredient list, impress many cat parents. PrettyPlease dry cat food has no artificial coloring, preservatives or fillers. The formula, rich in vegetables, was created by a feline nutritionist and boasts 24 vitamins and nutrients, including biotin, prebiotics and probiotics. A bonus: PrettyPlease is from the same company that makes Pretty Litter, a new litter that only needs to be completely changed out once a month, and changes color to indicate potential clues in your cat’s health. You can get both delivered together, an option plenty of fans of the brand take advantage of.
Plans and pricing: The monthly delivery of PrettyPlease works out to about $25 per cat.
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Who it’s for: Dog and cat people who like the idea of feeding their best bud a paleo-style diet.
The basics: This service will send you a wide variety of formulas and flavors of Only Natural Pet food, from grain-free to raw, canned to dehydrated.
What makes it unique: Protein is king with Only Natural Pet food. Meat is the first ingredient in all of it, with no potatoes or grain. It guarantees 33% minimum crude protein, which is on the high side. Aside from food, you can also have a variety of other pet products shipped to you, not unlike Chewy or Petsmart. You can get convenient deliveries of bully sticks, beds, toys, litter boxes and just about anything else you might need to keep your pet comfy and entertained while the dog park is still off limits.
Plans and pricing: The auto-delivery plan is pretty straightforward: Set it up to fit your timing needs, and you can cancel or suspend it at any time without a fee. Price will depend, of course, on what you order. Shipping is free if your order hits $49; otherwise, it’s a $4.95 flat rate. It’s currently offering 25% off your first order if you sign up for its newsletter. And right now sitewide, you can get free shipping with the code SHIPFREE.
Top Paw Slow Feeder Pet Bowl ($12.99)
This clever feeding dish can be used for a dog or cat who tends to gobble down their food too quickly. That habit isn’t good for their digestion. The puzzle design naturally slows them down, engaging them by providing a little bit of play at dinnertime.
Catit Flower Pet Fountain ($27.99; originally $33.99)
Cats are not known to be big water drinkers. It’s the rare cat that will lap away at a bowl of water as enthusiastically as her canine comrades. But adequate hydration is important, particularly for felines on a dry-food diet. Enter this fountain. Ever see a cat trying to drink out of dripping faucet? This has that same allure, the splish-splash of moving, shimmery water.
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Wild One Bowl ($25; wildone.com)
Give your dog’s dinnertime an upgrade with these entirely customizable stainless steel bowls, which you can personalize with up to 26 characters and a choice of 10 different emojis.
Hannah Knight’s rather unique start-up business has just passed its first anniversary.
Knight Tails is a Connemara-based doggy daycare service for small dogs, collected each morning and dropped off every evening at their homes from Inverin to Galway city, including Knocknacarra and Salthill.
And to celebrate her first year in business at the end of March, “I was planning on throwing a party for the dogs to celebrate.” But it was not to be.
When Covid-19 became a reality for Ireland, people began working from home and looking after their dogs themselves – a loss for her business but also for the pets, she said, which enjoyed each other’s company.
The business continued for a while but she did not have enough clients to be able to open each day and knew the business would have to close, before the formal Government shutdown of all but essential services.
She had wanted to see “if I could help any health workers or anybody who is not able to walk their dog themselves”.
And despite the adverse circumstances she said she was “absolutely overwhelmed how kind and supportive my clients have been”.
“A lot of people offered to pay me anyway which of course I won’t accept but it is just so kind and generous. And people are reassuring me that as soon as this is over, they’ll be back using my service as normal.”
Originally from Yorkshire in England, Ms Knight spent childhood summers in Connemara and later worked full-time in the fashion industry in London.
“I got a small puppy and was learning how difficult it was to look after a dog while working full-time so I started using dog-walking services. I used to have to travel so I started using overnight boarding services.”
Her normal day would have started with picking up the dogs from their houses. “I have quite a few where I just open the van door and they just run straight out of the house and jump in which is a nice way to start.
“It’s like meet and greet in the morning. They all say their hellos and start playing with each other.
“They all have their pals, it’s like kids meeting up in a school playground. They all have their favourites. They know who wants to play and who wants to nap.”
They have “enrichment time where they’ll have toys to play with to use their brain to find treats inside things”.
“Sometimes we do a treasure hunt where I’ll hide treats around the daycare.”
At lunchtime they would go for a walk down to the beach and some will go swimming as well.
“In the afternoon they have nap time and snuggle up together on the couch.
“There is indoor and outdoor space and whoever wants to nap can sit inside and the others can play outside.”
That socialisation is now on hold as owners keep apart.
“It seems a bit surreal, that I worked really hard over the past year to build it up and then suddenly it feels like it’s going,” Ms Knight said. “But I do feel confident that it will come back and I just have to stay positive.”
Here’s a fluff piece to brighten your spirits.
Along with cats and dogs, New Yorkers are also bringing home rabbits as a fuzzy balm for the soul in trying times.
“A lot of people who hadn’t even considered rabbits before are fostering and having a good time,” says Colleen AF Venable, who has volunteered with rescue organizations Animal Care Centers of NYC and Bunnies and Beyond for three years. “All the rabbits in the shelter are currently in foster care —it’s very uncommon.” Usually, the shelter she works in has 20 to 40 rabbits.
When she realized the pandemic would be keeping her in her apartment much more than usual, she offered to bring home two infant bunnies in need of round-the-clock care. “This is the first time I’ve ever taken care of baby bunnies,” says the associate director at Epic! Kids, who is quarantining alone in Crown Heights with 3-week-old Nugget and Chonkers, and the rest of her bunny brood: 6-year-old Tuck, 5-year-old Cher and 2-year-old Maxi. “It’s kind of like my zen right now. It’s the thing getting me through every day: taking care of them and, in turn, they’re taking care of me,” she says.
The ACC doesn’t normally send out bunnies for fostering, but when it became clear that New York City was shutting down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization made an exception.
“Basically, since March 13, that’s when we did our big push for fostering,” says Katy Hansen, ACC’s director of marketing and communications. They were quickly cleaned out.
“I don’t think we have any bunnies available right now,” she tells The Post, noting they usually do. “There’s an uptick in all adoptions, and people needing the companionship of an animal — plus they’re so cute,” she says, noting that bunnies have the added benefit of not needing to be walked.
For Thea Harting, the pandemic was the final straw in her adopting a bunny she’d long been enamored with. “I fell in love with her as a volunteer,” Harting tells The Post.
The larger-than-normal French Lop found a forever home in 2018 — only to be returned this December. “So I started fostering her again,” says the dog-walker. As much as Harting doted on the bunny, it had a number of health problems that dissuaded her from permanently taking responsibility for the rabbit — but when it became clear humanity was in for an shattering pandemic which would involve sheltering in place, the Williamsburg resident finally felt certain.
“Right before the quarantine, I was like, ‘This is ridiculous, I don’t even care. I want her to be with me always,’ ” Harting says of Latrice Royale, who she named after the drag queen. “It really removed any sort of doubt that I had.”
The 5½-year-old, 13-pound bunny has brought vital routine to Harting at a time when she can’t work, and the world feels like it’s falling apart.
“Not having work, I lost structure,” she says, but a silver lining to Royale’s bunny arthritis and other health issues is that Harting has developed a schedule around caring for her. “I truly understand now how animals can provide emotional support and how taking care of pets can help people through this sort of bizarre, long, collective experience.”
That Royale is entirely unaware that an epidemic is unfolding also brings relief.
“It’s all so stressful,” says Harting, “but she’s just being a bunny.”
And having Royale at home with her will make Easter tolerable — usually Harting would spend it at the shelter.
Nugget and Chonkers will be getting a special treat in quarantine with Venable. “I’m giving them their first banana,” she says, which “is basically catnip for rabbits.”
For those considering getting a cottontail for quarantine, it’s still possible. “They absolutely could” still adopt one, says Hansen, but there are a few things to consider first.
Bunnies require special veterinarians, and NYC does not have many. “It’s a really specialized field,” she says, adding that rabbits are not low maintenance. “They’re in between a cat and a dog.”
“You can litter train them really easy, and their litter is hay, so your apartment smells autumnal,” says Venable, noting that they generally have a 10- to 12-year lifespan.
To make sure you have what it takes to be the parent of a bun, Venable’s organization is checking in on people’s house setups — digitally, now that visiting in-person is out of the question. “We’re doing virtual visits with the rabbits,” she says.
And while it’s not a small responsibility to take one on, it may well be worth it.
“I think the people who are going to be reaching out in the next few months for a rabbit are looking for something to help their well-being,” says Venable. “You can just sit there and pet a rabbit forever, and they’ll be happy.”
As a college student, it is common to desire extra sleep. But for a college student struggling with chronic depression, it is hard to wake up and deal with reality. Vanilla Bean is one student’s motivation.
Bean is a one-year-old short-haired black French Bulldog and an emotional support animal. Every morning this small companion is the reason that Leigh Ann Ordonez ’21 gets out of bed to start her day.
“Knowing that I have to take care of her in the morning gives me a reason to wake up. It’s a good motivation to get up in the morning and take care of myself because I have this little thing that relies on me.”
At home, Ordonez had an older dog that acted as her emotional support animal: “I had her since eighth grade and that was peak depression hours before I was medicated; it was really bad. But she was a very steady thing in my life.” After her older dog passed away, Ordonez went through Disability Support Services, got permission, and completed all required paperwork to permit an emotional support animal on campus. Ordonez adopted Bean her sophomore year of college.
Even when Ordonez struggles with her mental health, Bean is always there to help. Animal companions help to create a sense of support which helps create resilience, according to Dr. Jeffrey Lating, a licensed psychologist and a professor at Loyola.
“One of the best behavioral ways to help cope with depression is to stay active, so having an animal companion, particularly a dog that requires walking, is good exercise for the person and the dog.”
Ordonez confirmed that there is a stigma around emotional support animals. “A lot of kids will see me with Bean and they’ll be like ‘oh, I wish I had my dog on campus,’ but the reality is that I have her because I’ve been struggling for years with depression.” Marcia Wiedefeld, Director of Disability Support Services, said that the biggest impact from emotional support animals is relieving stress and lifting depression.
Wiedefeld said that it’s not only beneficial to those struggling with their mental health, but for those with chronic conditions as well. Overall, emotional support animals positively impact Loyola students who might need them. “It’s having the responsibility to help students with mental health conditions that they might be grappling with,” said Wiedefeld.
No matter what, Bean is always there to support Ordonez, from when she wakes up in the morning to her return from class.
“If I am ever alone, I am not alone because I have this thing, so that’s nice,” Ordonez said.
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