There are often a lot of questions asked about feeding our pets – how often, how much, what kind of food.  These questions are best answered in consultation with your veterinarian so any needs of your specific pet can be addressed.  But, what about how to feed your pet?

Feeding can be more than plunking a bowl on the floor.  Feeding certainly provides for the physical and nutritional needs of your pet, but it can also offer mental exercise, stimulation and enrichment, particularly for canines.  So, why not make it a more engaging experience for them – and for you as well!

Most pet stores will have a variety of games and puzzles that you can use.  But, you can also make some great games at home.  Here are some safe and simple DIY ways to make your dog’s favourite time of day even more special!

Muffin tins

Spread kibble around the depressions in a muffin tin turned upside down. You can also put it right side up and hide the kibble underneath tennis balls or balled socks placed in the cups.

Paper roll

Before you toss those cardboard rolls found in toilet paper and paper towels, consider turning them into fun, interactive puzzles for your pet! Just fold one end of the roll and place their kibble inside. Then fold the other.

The Cup Game

Place a number of plastic cups around the room, and place a piece of kibble or treat under some of them.  Then sit back and watch as your pooch sleuths around trying to discover which cups have hidden treasure.

Snuffle mat

Grab a snuffle mat, a high-pile bathroom mat, or just some fleece strips tied to a rubber mat. Hide the kibble inside the mat and let your companion forage for their food like their ancestors did.

Box puzzles

Hide kibble in a cardboard box filled with crumpled-up newspaper. Make sure to pick up the shredded paper afterward so your dog doesn’t eat it.

Kibble scavenger hunt

You can create a kibble scavenger hunt in a room in your house or outside when it’s not too hot. Place a tracking harness and long leash on your dog and “cue” them to search while they lead you from hiding place to hiding place. This allows you to control the pace of the hunt!  Be sure the hiding places are too difficult to find – they may lose interest if they can’t find the treat. Once your dog gets the idea, you can gradually make the hunt more challenging. Remember, if the dog stops looking or shows stress over the game, simply make it easier or take a break for a while.

Make feeding time, fun time, too!

Each spring and summer, we see them…owned cats who are allowed to roam our city streets and parks. Doing so, is not only a violation of the Regina City Animal Bylaw, but also very dangerous for the cat.  A host of hazards loom for cats allowed to roam freely from their home.  Injury or death can often result from vehicles, toxins, disease, temperature extremes as well as threats from other animals including dogs, other cats and urban predators such as coyotes, foxes, owls and hawks.  Cheese’s story is an unfortunate example of one of these encounters before he arrived at the Shelter.

It was clear that the 5-year-old orange tabby had suffered numerous scratch and bite wounds around his head and neck. If you’ve ever heard two cats fighting, it’s not hard to imagine the damage that can be done to the combatants as each unleashes claws and devastating bites toward their opponent.  Cat saliva carries large amounts of bacteria, which, if deposited beneath the skin of another animal, can quickly cause painful and debilitating infections if not treated.  Similarly, bacteria is present under their claws from litterboxes that can have the same effects.

Often, these types of wounds seal over rapidly and trap bacteria inside the skin.  One of Cheese’s wounds had abscessed, causing significant pain.  Untreated, his wounds would lead to continued suffering and infection in other parts of his body.  Because of your support of the RHS, our veterinary team was there to provide immediate medical care to Cheese. His wounds were treated and antibiotics were administered to get him back in top condition. After a week-long recovery, Cheese’s time with us ended in the arms of his new mom in a very happy adoption photo-op! Nothing is cheddar than this!

While Cheese received the medical attention he needed, it was costly and his pain and suffering were avoidable.  When provided with places to climb and scratch and toys to satisfy their hunting instincts, domestic cats are not wild animals and are perfectly content to be indoors.  Should they want to venture outside, this should only be while on a harness and leash and supervised by their owner.  Another option is an outdoor “catio”, which can provide hours of safe time outside in the fresh air. When it comes to the health and safety of your cat, there truly is no place like home.

Adoption day!

As the warmer weather approaches, leash walks don’t have to be just for Rover.  With a little time, encouragement and patience, both you and your feline family member can spend more time in the fresh air and sunshine…on a leash walk!

First, there are a few things you will need…

Harness

The harness should be snug but not too tight – you should be able to fit one or two fingers between the harness and the cat.  Ensure that the harness for this purpose is not a ‘break-away” model, as this type may release should too much force be put on it by your cat.

Leash

Use a shorter leash – no more than six feet.  This will help you maintain control of your pet.  Retractable leashes should be avoided so as to ensure your cat does not get to close to traffic or other animals.

Treats!

It’s best to use your cat’s favourite treats for the best results.  And, if possible, use these treats for leash training exclusively, at least until she has it mastered. If treats aren’t her thing, try a wand toy.

Now let’s get started!

As noted above, patience is crucial to your success. Don’t rush! Rushing can lead to your cat developing a negative association with the harness or leash. Also, don’t expect your cat to walk on a leash the same way a dog would…your cat will not likely want to go too far from home.

Here are four steps to harness train your cat:

1. Start with the harness

Don’t worry about the leash for now. Just focus on getting your cat comfortable with the harness. Start by putting your hand through the ‘head-hole’ loop of the harness and feed your cat a treat. Continue to feed treats like this, but reduce how far your hand goes through the loop each time.

Eventually, offer treats behind the loop until your cat puts their head through it to access the treat. Once your cat is clearly comfortable with the harness against their chest and neck, clip the straps and feed more treats.  Remember – patience!  Some cats will accept the harness readily, others not so much.

2. Practice walking inside

Entice the cat to walk forward by offering a treat a short distance in front of them. Keep the treat steady as they approach. It is important that you do not move the treat forward until they have finished it. Once they finish eating, offer another treat further away. For cats that are not food motivated, a toy can be used instead. Continue until your cat walks around your home comfortably.

3. Now comes the leash

Don’t go outside just yet. But now that you two have the hang of the whole harness thing, you can attach the leash and repeat step 2 a couple more times.

4. Explore outside!

Beyond that door is a vast world you and your kitty can explore. But don’t overdo it. The outdoors can be overwhelming for cats at first. Be mindful of outdoor surroundings that can potentially pose a risk for your cat – such as wildlife or dogs.  Initially try your enclosed yard or just the front of the house for now.

Start with short trips, avoid busy areas, and be sure to offer lots of treats/toys to keep the experience fun. If you live in an apartment, start by taking them for walks in the hallway. After a few visits to the hallway and stairs, you can take them outside to a quiet spot. Slowly increase the duration of your trips, but don’t proceed if your cat is showing signs of fear, anxiety, and stress. Stress signs may include a tense posture, large pupils or flattened ears.

Even if you just stick to the confines of your yard, with a little time and patience, you and your cat can experience a whole new world – together!

We never want our cats to fight. We want them to be playing and giving each other baths.

So, what can we do when our cats aren’t exactly getting along?

Here are some tips on how to help your pets live happily together…

Consider a Visit to the Vet

There are many things that can contribute to a tense relationship between cats, such as environmental changes (e.g., recent vet visits, renovation, moving), boredom or even competition over toys, food or the best snoozing spot.  But often a visit or phone consultation with your vet may help eliminate any underlying medical issues that could be at play. Spaying or neutering can dramatically reduce a host of behavioural and medical conditions. Your vet can also run tests to rule out any other chronic conditions that may be leading to aggressive behaviour.

Enrichment

Think of enrichment as providing your cat with an outlet to be themselves.  They can channel their energies through exercise and play, which can turn, can lead to a range of more desirable behaviours.

Examples of feline home enrichment include:

• Hiding opportunities: gives the “victim” cat a safe place to go when things get tense.
• Climbing opportunities: like hiding spots, these provide cats with an escape. They can also provide active cats more opportunities to expend their energy.
• Toys and feeding puzzles: these can keep active cats engaged, keeping them from pursuing other cats in the home out of boredom.

Provide Enough Resources and Space

Sometimes, the source of aggression is competition for valuable resources (resting spots, litter boxes, food bowls). Introducing multiples of each resource can help eliminate the need for your cats to guard them.  It is also important to place these items in separate parts of the home. For example, if one cat is guarding a litter box and not letting another cat use it, putting a second litter box next to the first will not solve this problem. Instead, add a second litter box in another part of the home.

When the Aggression Starts

Stay calm and very gently block the aggressor cat from their intended target with a thick blanket. Then usher them into a quiet, dark room where they can calm down. Do not punish the behaviour! This will make the situation worse, both in the short and long term.

For more information and tips on having a happy cat home, CLICK HERE

There are many ways in which your support of the RHS helps animals.  From our Subsidized Spay/Neuter Program to our Education and Outreach initiatives, animals are living healthier and happier lives thanks to you.

One of the higher-profile and core RHS programs is Adoptions.  Each year, close to 2,000 animals find new homes through the Society – that’s 5 to 6 animals each day!  Our adoption efforts are supported by a team of adoption counselors who work with adopters to find the perfect pet, as well as six pet retailers who act as satellite adoption centres to help even more of our pets go home.

In recent years, the RHS has also developed partnerships with other Humane Societies, SPCA’s and rescues to help find homes for pets who are struggling to find the right home or to move them to areas where there is higher demand.  Over the past two years, for example, the RHS has transferred 200 felines to rescues and humane societies as far away as Vancouver Island, where there is high demand, but a shortage of available cats, in contrast to Regina where there is an abundance of homeless felines.

January 28th was a big day at the Shelter! After successfully finding homes for 35 canines already that month, the Society had available space in its canine area, and through one of our partner agencies, arranged for the transfer of 14 dogs and puppies into our care.  Each had been waiting for some time to be adopted and all were not able to find a new home in their current environment.  Each pet was health-checked by RHS Veterinarians and once cleared, was placed for adoption.  We were thrilled when several of these cuties were adopted within hours of being made available, with most going home over course of the following days.

These happy-ever-afters are only possible for these deserving pets because of you.  Thank you for helping to make them happen!

Here are some pics of the big arrival!

We have certainly seen a number of extremely cold weather days this winter, and many people ask us about how best to keep pets safe during these times.

Just like us, our pets are susceptible to cold and the effects of wind.  While some breeds of dogs, such as huskies and pyrenes, are more suited to colder temperatures, shorter-haired breeds, older dogs and young puppies can be affected more quickly by the cold.

Here are 7 tips to keep your pet safe this winter:

1. Always supervise your pet when outside. Watch for signs they are uncomfortable such as raising paws off the ground.
2. You can still take your dog for a walk, but perhaps shorten your walk time or shorten your route so you are not too far from home should your pet become uncomfortable.  You can still cover a lot of ground going in circles!
3. Always have your pet on a leash when outside of your yard. Besides being the law in Regina, having your dog leashed will avoid your dog from becoming separated from you in blowing snow or hidden from view behind snowbanks.  Dogs can also lose their scent in snow and have difficulty finding you or their way home on their own.
4. Frostbite is a serious hazard for your dog. Signs of frostbite include swollen or hardened feet, ears, tail tips or lips. Fur over frost-bitten areas may turn white, and the skin underneath may appear red, black or blue.  If you observe any of these conditions, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
5. Avoid areas that have been treated with salt or ice-melter as this can stick to a dog’s footpads. Be sure to rinse your pet’s paws when you get home to prevent irritation or licking the chemicals from their paws.
6. Groom your dog regularly – a properly maintained coat will maximize the natural insulation capabilities of their fur. Be sure to trim excess hair around toes and foot pads to ease snow removal and cleaning.
7. Always keep your cat indoors during the winter. Felines can become lost, injured or be killed by chemicals, the cold or other animals.

Don’t forget hypothermia!

Frostbite is not the only cold-related injury that is a threat to your pet. Hypothermia occurs when a pet cannot maintain their core body temperature at normal levels.  Blood flows to the important organs in the chest and abdomen and results in decreased circulation to the legs, tail, and head. Dogs and cats may stumble and shiver in mild cases.  As hypothermia becomes severe, animals may have grey or white gums, appear very stiff, and eventually become comatose. Hypothermia can be fatal without emergency medical help.

Should you have any concerns about your pet and taking them outside, always consult your family veterinarian before heading outside.

The Regina Humane Society would like to acknowledge that it received a property tax exemption for the 2022 tax year, for the site of the its planned new facility at 4900 Parliament Avenue, Regina.  The Society qualified for the exemption under the City of Regina’s Community Non-Profit Tax Exemption Bylaw.

The exemption allows the Society to direct its resources fully to programs and services that will benefit the community.

When RHS Animal Protection Officers were flagged down one November morning, they had no idea what they were about to encounter.

A person had found a young cat, only about a year old, in terrible distress. One of her legs appeared badly wounded and the paw was dreadfully deformed. Upon closer examination, an elastic hairband was found wrapped around the leg so tightly that it had become embedded in her flesh and caused irreparable damage to the leg and grotesque swelling of the paw. We don’t know how long this beautiful and precious soul had been suffering, but it was clearly for some time. The pain and agony she endured are unthinkable.

RHS staff named her Katniss Everdeen after the Hunger Games character – a testament to her soft soul and spirited resilience in the face of such adversity.

Sadly, there was simply no way to save the leg and the RHS veterinary team proceeded with an emergency amputation to relieve her suffering and place her on a path to recovery. She is now healing and hopes are high that she will be able to find a new home soon.

How the hairband got there, we don’t know. What we do know is your support of the RHS ensured we were there for Katniss, just as we will be for the next animal who desperately needs help.

 

It was a busy day that saw our amazing Veterinary Team spay and neuter 20 cats in one day!

Here are some views of the team in action!

 Prepping surgical instruments the night before.           Karyn has the paper work ready to go

            Awaiting transport to surgery                    Each pet is transferred from its kennel to the

                                                                                                     veterinary clinic

             Dr. Chow preps for surgery                           Implanting an identification microchip

.    Each pet receives an RHS ear tattoo                       Preparing the next patient

             One of the 20 surgeries                                 Nine patients await their turn

              Our smallest and largest patients

Last month, the RHS was happy to learn that the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association banned onychectomy surgeries for cats, commonly known as declawing, in our province.  The process involves the partial amputation of each digit of a paw, is painful for the cat and may cause long-term physical and behavioural side effects.  This practice was usually requested to avoid unwanted scratching in the home as a matter of convenience.

Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats to remove worn outer claws and expose new, sharper claws, reduce stress, mark territory and exercise.  Important to your cat’s health and well-being, the best approach is not to stop your cat from scratching, but instead to teach them where and what to scratch by providing appropriate, cat-attractive surfaces to scratch, such as scratching posts. By following these steps you can reduce and even eliminate unwanted scratching in your home – naturally!

• Provide a variety of scratching posts with different surfaces such as cardboard, carpeting, wood, sisal or upholstery. Some cats prefer horizontal posts. Others like vertical posts or slanted posts. Once you know your cat’s preference, provide additional posts like it in various locations. Determine the perfect location for the scratching post by assessing your cat’s current favorite places to scratch. For example, if your cat enjoys scratching a specific couch, place the scratching post right next to that couch. If your cat enjoys scratching the molding of a certain doorway, place the scratching post directly next to that doorway.  If their preferred scratching location is not ideal, the scratching post can be moved gradually over time to a more appropriate location.

• Encourage your cat to investigate posts by scenting them with catnip, hanging toys on them and placing them in areas where they’re inclined to climb on them.

• Discourage inappropriate scratching by removing or covering desirable objects making the wrong place to scratch less desirable. Put plastic, double-sided sticky tape or sandpaper on furniture or floor where your cat would scratch. Place scratching posts next to these objects, as “legal” alternatives. Over time, the double-sided tape can be removed as your cat is encouraged to use the appropriate location to scratch instead.

• Trim your cat’s nails (the white part of the nail, not the pink!) regularly or consider using nail caps.

• Nail caps are rubber caps attached onto your cat’s claws with adhesive.  They’re temporary, lasting four to six weeks. There are several brands of nail caps available for cats. These temporary nail caps still allow your cat to extend and retract her claws while protecting other surfaces from damage. Nail caps are fairly easy to apply and can be done by pet owners at home. The caps come in clear or a variety of colors, so you can decide what is the best option for your cat. Clear caps are less visible while colored caps make it easy to spot if one falls off.

• Whenever you see your cat using the scratcher, reward this behaviour with a treat, praise, or petting.  Again, this helps your cat associate the scratchers with positive, happy feelings.

• Don’t punish your cat for mistakes. Punishing your cat for scratching may scare your cat and damage your bond. Instead, focus on rewarding their good behaviours.

With a little patience and perseverance, scratching can continue to be a happy and healthy experience for both you and your cat!

Check out the fabulous job GMT Landscapes and Outdoor Living did giving our Shelter a facelift!

Many thanks for your help and caring!