The ASCPA has put out a call for nominations for their annual  awards event. They will honor an extraordinary cat, a dog, a child under the age of 14 and a public service officer (firefighter, police officer, etc). The winners will be honored at a luncheon event in New York City. The date of the event has not been announced but the entry deadline is coming up on June 8th, so don’t delay.

The nomination forms are available online at http://www.aspca.org/hal/humane-award-nominations-2012.

The result? According to a study from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the level of plastic that is found in seawater has increased 100 fold since the early 1970s. The amount of plastic that is killing fish and wildlife has increased 100 fold. Think for a moment about the ramifications for the food chain. How much of our food comes from the ocean in one form or another?

The veterinarians at Westside are proud to support the conservation advocacy efforts through the Seymour Center at UC Santa Cruz. Fixing the damage of the past is a job that is more than humans can accomplish. What we can do is to educate people as to the harm that is being done to our Earth before even more damage is done.

Think carefully about whether you need that plastic bag (which thankfully you will not get in Santa Cruz) or that take out food in the styrofoam container. Its time to stop feeding the fish.

To learn more, check out the Seymour Center at UC Santa Cruz in person or online.

Click here to see the findings released on May 8, 2012 from Scripps Institute of Oceanography. 

The most basic plans cover accidents only while the more comprehensive programs move into medical and even hereditary conditions. With so many options available, it just makes sense to take a look and see if pet insurance is a good fit for you and your fur family.

There is a lot to think about. Fortunately, there is a great internet resource to answer so many of those frequently asked questions. To learn more about pet insurance, visit the VPI Pet Insurance website at http://www.petinsurance.com/

Check in with your veterinarian at Westside now to prevent problems later.  Because we know Santa Cruz so well, our veterinarians can help you to find the right products and strategies for your particular pet now while the ticks are in an egg state.  It is important to check yourself, your pet, your yard and your surroundings before they make you and/or your pets sick.

Prevention, prevention, prevention.  Talk with tick control specialists if you have a yard that is inhabited by your pets, especially if you have a lot of trees or growth.  Check yourself and your pet daily for ticks and even more often if you have been outdoors and in wooded areas.  If you do find that you have a tick hitching a ride on you or your pet, remove the tick carefully to ensure that you get the whole thing.  And ticks are hard to find sometimes.

If you have reason to believe that your pet may have a tick that has found its way into their skin, bring them to Westside immediately for a tick check.  Once the symptoms appear, treatment is far more involved for you and your beloved pet.

The CDC has provided a great checklist.  Working with your veterinarians at Westside and following the checklist will keep you and your pets healthy and enjoying the great outdoors in Santa Cruz.

There are a number of ways that you can help Peter and his many friends.  In Santa Cruz and the greater Bay Area, a rescue organization called The Rabbit Haven is an entire community dedicated to rescuing bunnies, providing education and getting bunnies into foster and permanent homes.  Unfortunately, they were overwhelmed this year even before the “Easter Rush” and cannot take on any more bunnies at this time.  They could really use your help financially, as a volunteer, as a foster family or a permanent family. Visit the Rabbit Haven website at http://www.therabbithaven.org/ to learn more.

Other than rescue organizations, there are plenty of rabbits available at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter or through Petfinder.com

Start by checking in with your veterinarian at Westside. Is your dog a good candidate for running? Not all dogs are runners. Once you have checked in with your own medical professional, its time to lace up your running shoes and hit the trail.

Find a good place to run. Here in Santa Cruz, we have so many. We have dog friendly beaches and trails that meet most any description. Find one that is a surface similar to what your dog is used to in order to protect her sensitive feet. Be sure that her pads are free of any sores or cuts and that her toenails are groomed. If the trail is well traveled or your dog is not well trained off leash, staying on leash is probably the way to go.

Before you begin, give her a good drink of water and be sure to have water with you at all times. Start with a a brisk walk, or depending upon your dog, a few warm up sprints to loosen muscles. It will not be a pleasant experience for your dog if she ends up with sore muscles after the adventure.

Keep it light at first. Once your dog starts to lie down, she is done for the day. Give her a rest and water and then walk back home until next time. Even if she doesn’t signal that she is tired, limit your first few days and build gradually. Be extra careful on hot days as dogs easily overheat and burn their feet on hot surfaces.

First of all, there is no better time to schedule your annual visit to your favorite Westside veterinarian.  After being cooped up all winter, it gives your pet a great start on a new season.  Many illnesses that affect your pets can lie dormant and catching them now may very well be a preemptive strike on painful and costly problems in the future.  It is a good time to be sure that all vaccinations and treatments such as heart worm are up to date.  And a tooth cleaning now will save pain and expense in the future.

Pets need a spring cleaning too.  Be sure that those beds and pet areas are cleaned out.  A good brushing will help to reduce skin problems and help to get rid of that big winter coat.  While the days are warmer, the ground is still damp from the spring rains so be sure to keep the paws of your outdoor pet clean.  Their paws may be tender from a winter indoors and keeping them clean will prevent painful foot problems.

And now for the fun part:  get outdoors with your pets.  The weather is wonderful and it will do both of you a lot of good.

I just came across this article in Good Times Santa Cruz and had to share.  It is the most comprehensive list and semi-review of All Things Dog in Santa Cruz:  parks, shops and restaurants.  http://goodtimessantacruz.com/dog-friendly-directory.html

Just a few things to keep in mind when taking your dog out in public:  for his safety and the enjoyment of others, take the time to teach your dog basic commands before going out in public.  Check out the rules regarding pets (Thanks, Good Times!) for each establishment and plan accordingly.  Don’t leave your dog locked in the car or tied to a post (remember a dog, not a horse!) outside of a place or business where they may be teased or stolen.  And finally, be aware of the things that might startle your dog (crowds, children, noises) and plan to avoid those stressors to keep the outing positive.

And with this list, surely there is something you can find to enjoy with your dog.

Unlike hay fever, which usually causes watery eyes and runny noses, atopy affects the skin.  It can cause paw licking, scratching, hair loss, rashes, and changes in your pet’s coat.

While there is little that can be done for atopy, your Santa Cruz family veterinarians at Westside can help with some relief that can prevent your pet from scratching themselves into open sores and skin infections.  It is also important to rule out more serious conditions such as autoimmune disorders and flea/tick infestations that can look similar but require medical treatment.

So, right now, while you are watching your poor feline lick herself into a lather, pick up the phone and call Westside.  We have an appointment waiting for you.

Some of the roles were very emotional:  “Joey” in War Horse; “Winter” in Dolphin Tale and “Caesar” in Rise of the Planet of the Apes were on one end of the scale while scenes such as the puppies as bridal shower gifts in The Bridesmaids and “Crystal” the monkey in Hangover Part II upheld the ridiculous end of the spectrum.  Documentaries to receive high praise for 2011 included “African Cats” and “Project Nim.”

Animals played strong supporting roles.  “Arthur” in Beginners had subtitles while “Uggie” stole our hearts with his clever tricks in “The Artist”.  “We Bought a Zoo” and “Water for Elephants” gave us a good look at human interactions with animals while “The Zookeeper” reminded us why animals inability to talk is not necessarily a bad thing.

There were, of course, the usual animated movies.  What is new is the technology that makes these animals more realistic than ever.  For 2011, there was  Rango, Kung Fu Panda 2, the remake of Lion King, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Muppets and one of the more memorable animation-real life interactions:  “Snowy” from The Adventures of Tin Tin.

Now that the awards season is over, most of these movies are either currently available or coming soon to DVD.  So pop yourself some popcorn and snuggle up with your favorite pet and catch a movie!

To learn more about all of these movies, check out the Internet Movie Database.