Earth Day 2012: Planting Joy in the Community

Animal World USA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, John Buckman Club, celebrated  Earth Day with a fun-filled festival  on Thursday afternoon, April 19th featuring the loving West Tennessee Therapy Dogs, a healthy eating booth with Memphis Food Awareness, live music from Richard Lewis and delicious fruit and beverages. 

On that beautiful perfect spring day we planted flowers, veggies, a Japanese Maple tree and hung a colorful red bird feeder.  It was fun, and we learned a lot about what it takes to use a tiller and to plant according to where each of the plants need the sun most. The birds really enjoy their bird feeder!

Richard Lewis, former school teacher and very talented professional musician, who plays  at festivals taught the youth how to play the guitar and sing songs. He is an amazing teacher and talent. He made us laugh and was a highlight of the day.

Our gift bags included  Eco Squad workbooks, educational animal books, Warner Brothers 'To the Arctic 3D' IMAX movie posters and 'The Lucky One' shirts, and very cool writing pads. We also shared tips for helping our pets be happy & healthy. 

West Tennessee Therapy Dogs Tiva and Kicker showed their special love and brought smiles the entire afternoon. They really helped us to realize how important it is to have our unconditionally loving animals around us in whatever we are doing. Their love brought us closer together in realizing that Earth Day includes cherishing and protecting all of the wondrous creation of our amazing planet. 

 

Thanks to the Boys  & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis youth and directors Tyronne Drakeford and Stephen Davis! We love you all and are so grateful to you for your friendship and inspiration. You bring such happiness to our lives and to the community.

Special thanks to Amerispan Tents, Bartlett Nursery, Superlo Foods, Wild Birds Unlimited,  Warner Brothers Movies and to all those who contributed to make this a day never to be forgotten! We are forever grateful to you.

Tornado Relief for Pets in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Tornado Relief for Pets in Chattanooga

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Donations for Humane Educational Society(City Shelter)
HES is accepting pet food donations to help provide food for local animals that have lost their homes during the current storms. Dog and cat food can be dropped off at HES from 8am to 4pm. If you would like to donate but cannot make it during our hours of operation, you can leave the food in the breezeway up against the building and therefore out of the elements. Even a small bag of food will help a family. Please give if you can.

Volunteers Needed to Transport Food!
Let us know if you can help transport food to those in need!
Email Jeanine at hesvolunteer@comcast.net

Humane Educational Society
212 N. Highland Park Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404
423-624-5302
www.HESChatt.com

Chattanooga Times Free Press story
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/03/tornado-outbreak-chattanooga-area-damages-homes-an/

Peaceful Protest Against Inhumane Treatment of Memphis Shelter Animals

February 20, 2012 UPDATE:
Peaceful protest took place on Sunday, February 19th. Please read about it and watch video with interviews.
http://www.wmctv.com/story/16970698/protesters-express-outrage-with-memphis-animal-shelter

Also note that a special meeting will take place tonight in midtown Memphis. Scroll down for details on location. All who can attend are asked to do so for the animals.

February 17, 2012
This past week in Memphis Tennessee, the news outlets reported horrific problems surfacing once again at the Memphis Animal Shelter. One: A city official ordered Memphis Animal Services staff to kill all Pit Bulls and anything that looked like a Pit Bull. Also, the inhumane practice of the mistreatment of animals continues. A peaceful protest has been planned.

Protest is at Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Corner of 3468 Poplar Avenue & Highland St. in Memphis, TN 38111. There is a Petco and Spin Street Music store at the corner. This is a central location. Media is expected to cover the event.

See the three links below for the MAS abuse stories week which aired between February 14-17, 2012:

http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/THE-TRUTH-High-Ranking-Memphis-City-Leader-Says/VuEqpZrj0Ue92h8zbCy6Qg.cspx

http://www.abc24.com/content/thetruth/story/THE-TRUTH-New-Allegations-Of-Starving-Animals-At/9jQBaZ4mBk2C-cJ_TG0YAA.cspx

http://www.abc24.com/content/thetruth/story/Memphis-Leaders-Told-About-Starving-Dogs-Weeks-Ago/Mwb8UNjSxk64b73hmIJTVA.cspx

Please share!(Thank You Beverly King for the above update.)

MEETING
All are asked to attend: Emergency SOS Memphis meeting
Monday evening, February 20, 6:30 pm
The DeNeuville Learning Center in Mid-Town, at 190 S. Cooper next to Ike’s (Union and Cooper)Mphs 38104
Visit www.SOSMemphis.com

Is Your Cat in Good Health?

By Sally Endaer

In general, cats are healthy animals. They do not get sick often at all. However, once they are sick, it can be hard to tell. Cats often do not show symptoms of being sick until they are quite ill. However, if you train yourself to look for changes in behavior, and other, subtle differences, then you will be able to tell much earlier that your cat is sick.

Please remember that although most health issues in cats can be easily prevented through the use of good, high quality cat food, as well as regular veterinary appointments, sometimes, your cat will simply get sick-no matter how well you take care of it. The best thing you can do if the cat is sick is to take them to the vet for help.

Before I go into the different signs of a sick cat, I just want to briefly say that it can be difficult to diagnose at home, because many of these signs can be normal as well. You just need to know your cat well and be able to tell that there is something wrong. However, if you do see one of these symptoms and you aren't sure, bring your cat to the vet just in case.

1. Vomiting/Diarrhea - Most cats have this at some point simply because they ate something bad and their body is reacting to it. However, if this occurs for an extended period of time, or they are getting dehydrated from it, then it may be a sign of sickness.

2. Sneezing/coughing - Sneezing usually means that your cat has a cold, although sometimes this means other illnesses as well. If your cat is sneezing or coughing, you should bring it to the vet.

3. Inappropriate elimination - Basically, this means going outside of the litter box. Although this can be a behavioral problem, often it is an issue like a urinary tract infection and must be taken care of quickly.

4. Increased Vocalization - If your cat is meowing a lot more than usual, then this may be a sign that they are in pain or unhappy.

5. Increased/Decreased drinking/eating - Any drastic change in eating or drinking behavior can be a sign of an ill cat.

6. Decreased Grooming - When a cat is sick, they may stock grooming themselves as often as they usually do. If your cat's coat begins to look ragged, he may be sick.
These are the most common signs of a sick cat. You know your cat best, if it seems to be changing behavior, or anything seems out of place, then you should take them to the vet. Every cat displays illness differently.

Sally write about cats and kittens on her website, Kitten Advice.