'Injured Wildlife'
Before you pick up a wild animal, be sure you are prepared by reading through these steps:
Animals will protect themselves if they are threatened. Do not approach or attempt to rescue an animal if it unsafe for you to do so.
Have an appropriate container ready. A cardboard box will be work for most birds. Mammals will require a sturdier container such as a fiberglass pet caddy or a strong wooden box.
Ensure that the container has adequate ventilation.
Wear leather gloves and have a towel available to throw over the animal.
Once the animal is in the container it is vital that you keep the animal safe, warm, and quiet – away from pets, children and noise.
Transport the injured animal to the nearest wildlife veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitation centre as soon as possible.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers:
Cochrane Ecological Institute | (403) 932-5632
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation | (403) 946-2361
'Orphaned Wildlife'
Most of the young animals that are brought in to rehabilitation centres are not truly orphaned. Many animals will leave their young for several hours.
'Spring & Summer are coming… What you and your pet need to know to have a safe, happy & healthy season'
Travelling With Pets
Ensure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date. Health certificates can be obtained from your veterinarian & should be issued no later than 14 days prior to travel.
Crossing the border into the U.S. and back into Canada will require proof of your pet's rabies vaccination (rabies certificate is given at the time of vaccine). It is always a good idea to take all your pet's health records with you.
Check with your veterinarian about any disease concerns in areas you are traveling to. Preventative measures are recommended for heartworm disease, fleas and other parasites.
Avoid altering your pet's diet while away from home.
Be sure your pet has identification tags including a contact number that can easily be traced to you should you become separated from your pet. Microchips are a good idea if you are travelling beyond the province.
Make sure your pet is in good health. The stress of travel can be detrimental to older animals or those with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Talk to your veterinarian if you suspect a trip may be too hard on your pet. Check out pettravel.com!
Travelling By Car
Pets should be safely restrained in the vehicle (seat belt or crate).
Pets should NEVER be left unattended in a vehicle - heat stroke can happen in only minutes.
If dogs are travelling in pick up trucks they need to be restrained (ideally in a crate). Metal flat beds heat up quickly and flying debris can injure eyes & ears.
Travelling By Air (You can minimize the chance of an unpleasant experience by following a few guidelines.)
Contact the airline well in advance to check regulations and services.
Health certificates can be obtained from your veterinarian & should be issued no later than 14 days prior to travel. Regulations state that dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old before flying.
Current health and rabies vaccination certificates will be required.
Try to book a direct, midweek flight or one with a minimum of stops.
During warmer periods, reduce risk of overheating by choosing early morning or late evening flights.
The proper cage (available from most airlines and pet shops), should have the following features: Large enough to let the animal stand, turn and lie down. Leak-proof bottom covered with plenty of absorbent material. Ventilation on opposite sides, with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow. Label "LIVE ANIMALS" - with arrows indicating upright position and your name, address and phone number.
Feeding and emergency instructions should be attached.
Accomodations
Check ahead to make sure hotels, campgrounds and your friends accept pets - don't assume they do. A list of "Pet Friendly" accommodations is available through the Alberta Motor Association or online at petfriendly.ca!
Consider what to do with your pet while visiting attractions or eating in restaurants that don't welcome pets.
Camping With Pets
Trouble can arise quickly in country settings. Skunks, porcupines, snakes and other creatures can bite or injure your pet. To avoid this danger, keep your pet in sight and/or on a leash and always be considerate of wildlife and other campers.
Upon Return..
You should consider a health examination for your pet following your trip to determine if any internal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, heartworm) or external parasites (ticks, fleas) were picked up in contaminated wooded or exercise areas.
Hazards At Home
Spring and summer brings all kinds of beauty to our homes, yards and community, but does present some hazards for your pets..Insecticides, herbicides & fertilizers may be potentially poisonous. In your own yard be sure to use non toxic & natural products.
Rinsing your pet’s feet after a walk can be done as a precaution.
Be sure to check that your plants you are adding to your garden are pet friendly.
On hot days try to walk at dawn or dusk when it is cooler. When it is hot out it is best to leave pets at home if they cannot come in with you as heat stroke can happen in only minutes and can be fatal.
Places like dog parks & day cares are a great places for your dog to socialize & burn off some energy, but your dog should be up to date on vaccines and be dewormed regularly to help prevent disease transfer.
Summer = Swimming - Giardia (aka: Beaver Fever) is transmitted from host to host by ingesting cysts in contaminated feces or drinking water. Cysts may also be found in streams or other water sources.
Ticks are something to be aware of when you are out in wooded or areas with lots of brush. Although ticks are commonly thought of as insects, they are actually arachnids similar to scorpions, spiders, and mites. Ticks are among the most efficient carriers of disease because they attach firmly when sucking blood, feed slowly, and may go unnoticed for a considerable time while feeding. Ticks take several days to complete feeding.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm is an often fatal disease that is spread by mosquitoes. Heartworm is prevalent in the Okanagan region of B.C., southern Ontario, southern Quebec, southern Manitoba and most states in the U.S.
If you are traveling outside Alberta with your pet, be sure and ask your veterinarian about a heartworm prevention plan. Your veterinarian will prescribe preventive medication, which, if needed, is usually given once a month. Heartworm is easy to prevent but difficult to treat - don't let your pet suffer needlessly.
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