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Winter PMFAS Newsletter 2024

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:40:22 GMT

Here's the Scoop - PMFAS 2024

Check out our Winter Newsletter! It is full of heartwarming stories, volunteer shout outs, and our favorite pictures of our adorable animals! Click below to download:

Spring PMFAS Newsletter 2023

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:14:41 GMT

Spring PMFAS Newsletter 2023

Check out our Spring Newsletter! It is full of helpful information, recipes, tips & tricks, and much more. Click below to download:

Winter PMFAS Newsletter 2022

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:53:08 GMT

Winter PMFAS Newsletter 2022

Check out our Winter Newsletter! It is full of helpful information, recipes, tips & tricks, and much more. Click below to download:

Fall PMFAS Newsletter 2022

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 14:08:15 GMT

Fall PMFAS Newsletter 2022

Check out our Fall Newsletter! It is full of helpful information, recipes, tips & tricks, and much more. Click below to download:

PMFAS Summer Newsletter 2022

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 15:03:22 GMT

PMFAS Summer Newsletter

Check out our Summer Newsletter! It is full of helpful information, recipes, tips & tricks, and much more. Click below to download:

Winter Newsletter 2019

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:11:27 GMT

PMFAS WINTER NEWSLETTER

Check out our Winter Newsletter. We here at Pope Memorial want you to be the best pet owners. We offer up some tips and tricks, recipes, usual tips, and so much more. Click below to download:

Summer Newsletter 2017

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:08:48 GMT

PMFAS Summer Newsletter

Check out our Summer Newsletter! It is full of helpful information, recipes, tips & tricks, and much more. Click below to download:

Gardening Safety for Your 4-Legged Friends

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:54:16 GMT

Gardening Safety for Your 4-Legged Friends

Summertime is here!

It’s been a harsh, cold winter and the longer, warmer days bring a sense of being happy and carefree! There are more opportunities to be outside with your beloved furry friends and while you’re taking advantage of longer, more enjoyable walks, they are taking advantage of so many new smells. It’s also a time when many of us get involved with gardening and lawn maintenance. There are some important things to keep in mind regarding springtime, gardening and our four-legged friends.

Springtime brings flowers and while we may be attracted to their colors, our dogs and cats are attracted to their fragrance. Beware! There are several that are toxic to pets. Daffodils can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and possibly respiratory distress in dogs and cats. Tulips and Hyacinths are flowers that grow from bulbs and the bulbs contain a substance that is toxic to dogs. Dogs that like to dig should be kept away from these plants as biting into a bulb can cause excessive drooling, vomiting and even diarrhea. Lilies, common especially around Eastertime, and some of the first to bloom in gardens in the summer, are particularly fatal to cats. Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies and others in the Lilium group are the hazardous culprits. These are so toxic to cats that severe kidney failure can develop quite quickly if a cat bites into a lily leaf or petal, licks lily pollen from its paws, or drinks water from a vase holding lilies. This kidney failure can come on quickly and requires immediate veterinary attention. Calla lilies and Peace lilies are not of the Lilium family and do not cause harm to animals. A type of Crocus which blossoms later in the season called the Autumn Crocus can be very harmful and even fatal to our pets.

Pesticides and insecticides are other products of which we should be aware. While they usually cause only mild irritation if ingested by our dogs or cats, the concentrated forms can be quite harmful. Fertilizers like bone or blood meal help our outdoor plants grow but it’s important to remember that dogs enjoy the scent and taste of these products and ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea and gastric obstruction. Some fertilizers can be very toxic. One example is a rose fertilizer that contains a chemical called disulfoton. An amount as small as a teaspoon of this can be fatal to a medium-sized dog. Generally, lawn fertilizers are reasonably safe when applied correctly according to instructions. A good practice is to keep pets off the lawn until any liquid fertilizer is dry or until a dry fertilizer has worked into the soil.

While devoting time to healthy lawns and flower gardens is a great pastime, we also need to keep in mind the health of our beloved dogs and cats as well. Keep containers of lawn care products out of the reach of pets. Save labels or containers so that if your pet does ingest something, this information will help your veterinarian find the best treatment. In addition to your own vet, a good resource with which to be familiar is the Pet Poison Helpline. This is a service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While there is a charge to call this organization, the website has a lot of good, free information. Bookmark it as one of your favorites for easy access: www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners . (It’s the source we used for this article.)

Yes, spring and summer are times for being outside and enjoying sunshine and fresh air! And it’s also a time to keep our four-legged friends safe and healthy so we can enjoy their company on those nice long summer days filled with walks, hikes and napping in the hammock!

September is National Happy Cat Month!

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 20:15:28 GMT

September is National Happy Cat Month!

At Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, we all love our feline friends, and we strive to make every month “Happy Cat Month” for our shelter kitties. September is especially designated as the month to celebrate cats and ensure that they are happy, healthy, and valued.

Cats are often viewed as self-reliant loners who don’t need much beyond an appropriate diet and a place to sleep. However, nothing could be further from the truth! Cats need companionship, environmental enrichment , daily play, and most of all, they need us to love them just as much as they love us.

Visit the website of The Conscious Cat ( www.consciouscat.net ) and learn more information about how to keep your cat healthy and happy. Better yet, visit the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter and bring home a “purrfect” furry, friendly kitty of your own. Cats are social creatures and like to keep each other company so consider adopting two! All they need is a loving “furever” home!

Autumn – Celebrating Animal Adoption

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 20:08:25 GMT

Autumn – Celebrating Animal Adoption

October celebrates Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. With two consecutive fall months promoting adoption from local animal shelters, it’s easy to see that Autumn is the season for spreading the word about all the great animals in local shelters just waiting for their own forever homes.

Each year in the US, many people find a devoted furry friend or new family member at their local shelter. Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter encourages everyone to "Make Adoption Your First Option." The goal is to encourage people to give first consideration to their local shelter when planning to add a pet to their family.

There are many good reasons to adopt a dog. Dogs can be loyal companions that make a big difference in your world as a best friend, an exercise buddy for walking, hiking, boating, a pal that can be trained to provide animal-assisted therapy, or simply a sweet, fuzzy face to greet you each morning and evening after a hard day at work.

As with many shelters, PMFAS takes in scores of adoptable dogs each year that become homeless through no fault of their own. Each dog is medically evaluated, updated on vaccinations, and given an identifying chip. Additionally, a behavior assessment is done to determine the dog’s unique attributes and characteristics. These profiles help potential adopters choose the pup that best suits their personality and lifestyle.

Unfortunately, there is a misperception that shelters only have “mutts” (mixed breed dogs) available and that purebred dogs are never available for adoption. First of all, “mutts” often make the best family members and the best companions due to the very mix of their breeds. Aside from that, nationwide, shelters report that anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of dogs surrendered or found as strays are purebreds. Additionally, literally hundreds of purebred rescue groups focus solely on taking in and adopting out specific breeds. Like shelters, many rescue groups are made up of dedicated volunteers who usually work hand-in-hand with foster homes and local shelters to house, care for and carefully place purebreds in new, hopefully permanent, homes. For prospective dog owners who are interested in a particular breed, rescue groups provide an alternative to breeders and pet shops where most puppies come from puppy mills. For more information about specific shelters or specific breeds, visit www.petfinder.com . You can search by locality, by shelter, by breed, age, and gender to find your new best friend.

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month! At animal shelters and rescue groups everywhere, there are loving, healthy senior pets looking for that one special person or family to cherish them for the rest of their life. They don’t ask for much: just a warm place to sleep, healthy meals and plenty of love. They often enjoy going for walks with you and they can cuddle and snuggle as well as any younger pet. Adopting a senior pet really means that you’re adopting a furry friend that has years of experience in being a best friend. Most older dogs are house-trained and have mastered basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “down.” The old adage of “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not true! Dogs can be trained at any age and older dogs are just as teachable as younger ones. Older dogs have a greater attention span than a puppy, which makes them easier to train. Older dogs and cats are often more calm than puppies or kittens. They have lived with humans before and, with the right amount of time, they can easily become accustomed to a new home and family.

During this autumn season, take the opportunity to get acquainted with the cats and dogs available at Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter. You can view our cuddly creatures at Pets for Adoption at Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter Inc., in Orleans, VT | Petfinder or find us on Facebook at Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter.

Better yet – just call to make an appointment (802-754-2228) and come see our delightful furry friends at 4473 Barton Orleans Road in Orleans, VT. Spend some time with our senior felines. We look forward to seeing you soon! And remember: Don’t shop - Adopt!

Keep Your Furry Friends Healthy & Safe this Holiday Season

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:50:00 GMT

Keep Your Furry Friends Healthy & Safe this Holiday Season

Everyone at Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter wants the holidays to be a happy and memorable time for you, your family, and your pet. Therefore, once again, we offer these simple, but important guidelines to have a safe and enjoyable holiday season. We want to help you become aware of some potential holiday hazards so that you can prevent any problems. When in doubt, common sense is always a good strategy! Let’s keep your pets healthy and safe this holiday season.

Food-related Items

Rich, fatty foods like gravy or grease can cause an upset stomach for our pets and even a more serious disorder called pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. This illness requires veterinary care and perhaps even hospitalization. Despite how tasty it might smell to them, it’s best to prevent our four-legged family members from eating these kinds of fatty foods.

Alcohol is another product that can cause serious harm to our pets. Dogs especially are attracted to it by its sweet smell, especially if in eggnog. Be sure to keep alcoholic beverages out of your pet’s reach.

Chocolate, coffee, and tea all contain substances called xanthines which can cause disorders of the nervous system, urinary system, and heart muscle. Chocolate, with theobromine, can especially be a problem because many dogs like its flavor. However, it can cause diarrhea, seizures, and even death. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst culprits, but all food items of this nature should be placed out of your dog’s reach.

Uncooked meat, fish, and poultry can contain bacteria such as E. coli and parasites that cause disease. For your own health, as well as your pet’s, always wash utensils that have been in contact with raw meat and cook meat thoroughly.

Remember that small bones such as those from fish and poultry can cause severe problems if swallowed. They can easily splinter and cause a laceration (tearing) in the intestinal tract. This usually requires surgery. It’s best to keep these away from your pet. Some better alternatives are Kong toys and other safer chew toys.

Other items to be aware of include grapes and raisins which contain a toxin that can damage kidneys. Keep in mind that dogs have an exceptional sense of smell and juices on plastic or aluminum foil left on countertops can be very tempting. If ingested, plastic or foil wrap or string from roasts can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. To be safe, immediately put away food and any food wrapping material. It’s also a good idea to pet-proof your garbage. This prevents any potential mishaps that could lead to an emergency visit to your animal hospital!

Poisonous Plants

While many of us enjoy decorating with festive holiday plants, it’s important to keep them out of reach of our pets. For example, the leaves and berries of Holly plants cause stomach problems and can be potentially fatal to both dogs and cats. Mistletoe can also cause an upset stomach and the Hibiscus plant can cause diarrhea in our four-legged friends. The Poinsettia, while very easily available and commonly used over the holidays, can cause blistering in the mouth of our pets as well as an upset stomach. When brightening up your home with some of these plants, just remember to keep them out of reach of your pets.

Decorations and Wrappings

Ribbons, yarn, string, wrapping paper – all of these can cause intestinal obstruction which could require surgery.
Adhesives and glues, which could have an attractive smell to our pets, can also be toxic.
Candles can cause burns and fires. Never leave lighted candles unattended or within reach of your pet. A safer substitute might be battery-operated candles which are abundantly available in a variety of sizes.
Keep in mind that the end of a table cloth or a runner hanging off the edge of a table might signify a fun game for your dog or cat, tempting the happy, eager creature to grab it and pull it off the table. Just consider how things look to your four-legged family member before setting up decorations.

Christmas Trees and Gifts under the Tree

Christmas trees and gifts under the tree might seem quite inviting to an inquisitive dog or cat. Remember that the gifts you place under the tree might be opened by a curious pet well before the holiday, especially if there’s an inviting smell wrapped inside that gift. It’s best not to leave gifts like perfumes or food items under the tree when your pet is unattended.

The tree itself should be set up in a stand that is very stable. You may want to consider securing your tree to a window or wall with wire or fish line if your pet is especially interested in jumping on it or climbing!

Tree needles and water from the tree stand can be toxic and can cause mouth and stomach irritation. Cover the water-filled stand with a tree skirt or towel. Be aware of how your pet behaves around the tree and take precautions to prevent mishaps.

Shiny, glittering Christmas ornaments are especially attractive to dogs and cats that may well consider these items a new toy! Place the shiny, breakable ornaments toward the top of the tree, and the larger, less breakable, and less intriguing ones at the bottom.

Visitors

We all know that some pets love visitors and behave very well. Others may be fearful or aggressive. Think about how your pet might react to visitors and be ready to plan accordingly. A quiet room, away from the commotion, with water, food, and toys available will help fearful dogs and cats be more comfortable. If you expect a lot of visitors for a longer period of time, another alternative might be asking a friend to keep your pet or using a local boarding facility.

If you are planning on traveling and cannot take your pet, make reservations at your local boarding facility well in advance of your departure. Many facilities fill up quickly over the holidays. A good alternative is hiring a responsible pet sitter and assuring that they become familiar with your home before you leave.

Pet Gifts and Treats

When choosing a holiday gift for your four-legged family member, be sure it is safe, with no small pieces that could come off and be swallowed. In addition, choose healthy holiday treats and give them in moderation. With all of the festivities, remember to relax and spend some quality time with your pet. You and your pet will both find that that’s the best gift of all!

Holidays are a time to be joyful and thankful. Everyone at PMFAS hopes your holidays are happy, healthy, safe, and memorable!

(Adapted from and for more information: ( www.avma.org )

Keep Pets Safe and Warm in Cold Wintry Weather

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:42:55 GMT

Keep Pets Safe and Warm in Cold Wintry Weather

Winter's bitter cold, bone-chilling temperatures are upon us, it’s important to keep our furry friends warm, comfy and healthy!

Here are a few guidelines on keeping your pets safe during harsh winter months (www.aspca.org):

Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to not only freezing temperatures but also infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
During the winter, stray cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
Thoroughly wipe off your dog's paws when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. Dogs can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking paws and paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. If your furry friend isn’t that furry and is a short-haired breed, consider getting him a cozy warm coat or sweater.
Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather, NOR AT ANY TIME! A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to sustain serious frostbite injuries or worse.
Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only long enough to “do his business.”
In milder weather, if your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him, and his fur, in tip-top shape.
Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect!

Probably the best prescription for winter's woes is to keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family as much as possible. The happiest dogs are those that are taken out frequently for walks and exercise, but kept inside the rest of the time with the comfort and love of family members! Enjoy the winter with your furry friend and do it safely!

February – Responsible Pet Owner Month

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:40:13 GMT

February – Responsible Pet Owner Month

February is Be a Responsible Pet Owner Month! There are a number of ways by which we can be “pawsome” pet parents. It takes lots of love and commitment. Bringing a pet into your home is a lifelong relationship and there are a few basic steps to showing how much you care.

Spay or neuter your dog, cat, rabbit or ferret. Hundreds of thousands of animals enter shelters nationwide each year. Many, and in some areas - most, face euthanasia. Spaying or neutering not only limits the pet population, it helps to keep your furry friend healthy for a longer period of time.
Keep regular veterinary checkups. It’s important that our pets receive their vaccinations on a regular basis, not only to keep them healthy, but also to prevent the spread of any animal diseases. In addition, many animals can easily conceal their pain and illness. Regular, at least annual, visits to the vet will help detect any signs or symptoms before serious diseases develop that require expensive treatment.
Identify and microchip your pet. Keeping up-to-date ID tags on your dog or cat helps to get them home safe and sound if they should wander away for a while. Keeping your dog registered with your town is also a good practice.
Always be prepared! Being prepared for an emergency or disaster also means having an appropriate emergency kit for your pet. Keep a list of items on hand that your furry friend needs if you ever need to evacuate. Have these items easily accessible in your home or already packed in a backpack. Always have ample pet food on hand in case you suddenly need to pack some for a few days.
Travel safely. Most dogs love car rides and it’s important to keep them safe when they are traveling along with you on your adventures. Using a harness that buckles into the seat belt or restraining small dogs in their own car seats are always good safety practices. When traveling with your feline friend, it’s best to keep kitty in his own crate or carrier, where he can feel safe and secure.
Most dogs love going out for a walk! Walking your dog regularly helps to provide ample exercise which is beneficial for physical and mental health, both human and canine. There are plenty of wonderful scents in the great outdoors and we all know how much dogs love to explore these smells. Give them a chance to do that every day! Use a leash when required and keep in mind that local dog parks or trails might offer your canine friend some off-leash freedom. Of course, always clean up after your pet.
Pet proof your home. As we all know, animals can be very curious. It’s important to keep any plants or products that may be toxic away from your pets. Keep plants out of reach of cats or dogs, and keep any hazardous products in cupboards that your inquisitive friend cannot open on his own. If your dog likes to counter-surf, or your cat likes to jump up on counters, keep items such as food products in the refrigerator or cupboard. For your pet’s good health, learn to read the labels on dog and cat food. Some are significantly healthier than others.

These are some of many responsibilities that come with the joy and privilege of having a pet in your home. Keep only the number of pets for which you can provide sufficient food, shelter, healthcare and companionship. Having a pet is a lifelong journey. Recognize that if something happens in your life that prevents you from keeping your pet, it’s important to find an appropriate, alternate home in which your pet can continue to live a healthy, happy life. Keep in mind that the life of our beloved pet is usually not as long as our own. This means there may be a need to consult with your veterinarian when your aging or ill pet begins to lose good quality of life so that appropriate decisions can be made.

Yes, having a pet means taking responsibility, and it also means enjoying the love, companionship and new adventures that you can share with your furry friend every day of the year! For more information on Responsible Pet Ownership visit www.avma.org .