One month into the ASPCA grant challenge but no word yet from Cobb County Animal Control (CCAC) shelter on how the numbers are looking. 

The shelter won a chance to compete against 49 other U.S. shelters for part of the $300,000 grant money being offered by the ASPCA. The top prize is $100,000 with the remaining $200,000 divided up into $5,000 and $25,000 grants.  

The challengers must adopt out a minimum of 300 more animals over the three-month challenge period (Aug. 1 – Oct. 31) than were adopted out the year before during that same three-month period. The ASPCA purpose for this challenge is to get communities involved in their local shelters, and with more community involvement, adoptions will increase and more lives will be saved. 

Three special adoption event days have been planned at the CCAC shelter during this grant challenge. The first adoption day, August 6, kicked off the challenge; when the day was done…62 animals had been adopted out. 

The second adoption event day is set for Saturday, September 10. At this event, you will find various types of retail vendors and community resource booths, chances to win raffle prizes donated by all sorts of Cobb County businesses, food vendors serving out food, a photographer snapping shots of animals and friends, and a DJ spinning tunes and making merry. 

But most importantly, you can browse the shelter in search of that special addition to your family. There are lots of wonderful animals eagerly waiting for new friends and new homes. Special adoption prices will be set, with blue light special animals - hand chosen by volunteers and staff to be highlighted every hour. 

Looking for a pair of Boots? You can get two pair here at the shelter. And while you’re at it, pick up Socks and little Big Man. 

Orange Boots – such a sweet boy, he’s been at the shelter so long and I’m not sure why. He’s a bit quiet but very playful and precious. You just have to engage him and then off he goes. He has grown since I first snapped his picture. He came in on June 23 – turned in by his owner. They said he was 4 months old but he was so very small. He has grown and is healthy and happy, although he would love to finally have a home where he is loved. He plays with his fellow neighbor kittens, Norman and Marvel, so he should do well with other cats and maybe dogs too. ID No. 532403.

Small Tabby Boots – what a darling face this little fellow has. He’s been in his cage since August 4, when his owner dropped him off - like orange Boots, he was also 4 months old. But, this little Boots is lonely in his cage. Perhaps they should put orange Boots in with him and have a pair of Boots. This special babe loves to be held and he loves to be talked to. In fact, he enjoys anything that brings people close to him. He’s a social kitty and will work well in a house with kids, chaos, and lap time. ID No. 534177. 

Big Tabby Boots – at 4 years old, she is as comfortable as a well-worn pair of boots. The only female out of the Boots was turned in by her owner on August 20. This young girl is a sweetie pie. She rubs, she purrs, she moves and moves and moves. I couldn’t get a shot of her face…she wouldn’t hold still long enough. She was too busy enjoying every ounce of loving the volunteer gave her, and then she some. Pretty Boots will be an asset to any household…she’s a puss and Boots. ID No. 534851. 

Grey Boots – is such a scared kitty. He was brought into the cat room while I was there…turned in by his owner. He’s a real handsome guy and just a youngster at only one year old. Grey Boots is very confused as to what has happened to him. He liked being talked to but wasn’t ready to come out from the back of his cage. You can tell he is a sweet fellow and a good natured cat…being so scared and not acting out. He will fit right in to any home but will take a bit of time adjusting to the new circumstances…but then, don’t we all? ID No. 535013. 

You can’t have boots without Socks and gorgeous Socks at that. This big boy can contort his body into a straight line…check out his picture. You can hardly tell which foot goes where. Like all the Boots, Socks was also turned in by his owner back on August 10. He is 4 years old, - a great age, nicely worn without any wear. A beautiful Tabby with lovely markings and sock feet, he has a good natured disposition and a friendly personality. Socks is good with kids and he’ll keep their feet warm too. ID No. 534392. 

Awwwww…what else can you say when you see this precious little Big Man. He’s such a tiny boy now; but being a Lab pup, he will grow right into his name. Yellow Labs are special dogs – great companions and friends for life; you can’t go wrong choosing one of these. Robbie Evans came in looking for a puppy and this little five week old fella is on his list of possibilities. He was brought in as a stray so he didn’t have a name. I asked Robbie what he thought his name should be. He said, “Big Man.” Here he is, little Big Man. ID No. 534834.  

Once these animals are at the shelter, they have only two ways out - adoption or death. Help make it adoption.

Pet Buddies food pantry will be at the adoption event. Pet Buddies will be taking donations, either monetary or pet food. Pet food donations can be: dog/cat, kitten/puppy, wet/dry, or any flea medicine products.  Just bring it when you come to the adoption event.

Kuranda beds can be purchased and donated to the shelter - allowing every dog and cat to have its own bed to sleep on. You can order them online and they will be sent directly to the shelter. www.cherokeeanimals.petfinder.com

All donations are tax deductable.

For more animals available for adoption at the Cobb County Animal Control shelter check out these sites:

www.facebook.com/FOSACobb

www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA50.html

My Blog: A cat in a dog’s world

http://willowwrites.wordpress.com/

More info on the SPCA challenge can be found on the shelter FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/CobbAC

Vet Tip of the Week

Dogs and cats can develop allergies to certain ingredients in their food. This often happens after exposure to offending ingredient(s) over many years. In dogs and cats, food allergies mainly affect the skin, but they may also affect the gastrointestinal system.

Here are some tips to recognize if your dog or cat may have food allergies. If you note these signs, bring your pet to your veterinarian for an exam to determine if food allergies may be an issue. 

• Your dog/cat itches consistently year-round, not just seasonally.
• Dogs with food allergies tend to chew their feet and legs, have an itchy belly and/or face and are prone to ear and skin infections. However, seasonal allergies and other conditions can cause these signs too.
• Your cat itches and/or has scabs around the neck/face and may have patches of hair loss.
• Your dog/cat has chronic diarrhea and/or upset stomach. Cats in particular can develop gastrointestinal issues from a food allergy. 

What are the common sources of food allergies? The top offenders are beef, chicken dairy, wheat, egg, corn and soy. Cats can develop an allergy to fish too. 

So how do you determine if your dog or cat is allergic to their food? 

By placing your pet on an elimination diet - changing to a food that is limited to 2 ingredients your pet has not previously eaten OR a prescription diet w/hydrolyzed protein.    

• Examples of limited ingredient diets include: fish/potato, venison/potato, duck/potato, rabbit/pea, kangaroo/oat, etc. 
• It is crucial that NO OTHER foods, treats, rawhides, or supplements (unless approved by your veterinarian) be given to your pet. 

• The elimination diet must be fed for a minimum of 12 WEEKS. If your pet’s itching resolves during this time, then you can choose to add back one ingredient at a time. If your pet’s itching returns, then the ingredient you’ve added back into their diet is a culprit. 

Keep in mind, that dogs and cats can be allergic to multiple ingredients. Of course, the treatment for food allergies is to continue to feed the food that resolves your pet’s allergy symptoms.

Dr. Lori Germon is a veterinarian at Chastain Animal Clinic in Smyrna. You can find information on pet introduction and other pet topics at their website. You can also find them on Facebook.