Holiday Feasts and Treats: The Risk of Pancreatitis

It’s tempting to share holiday meals with our pets, but fatty foods like turkey skin, gravy, buttered dishes, and even certain desserts can trigger a potentially life-threatening condition known as pancreatitis.

What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite in pets. Rich, fatty foods are the primary culprits, and the holidays often bring an abundance of these.

How to Prevent It:

• Stick to pet-safe treats and meals.
• Ensure guests know not to feed your pets scraps from the table.
• Keep trash and leftovers securely covered to avoid sneaky snacking.

Decorations Can Be Dangerous

Tinsel, ribbons, and ornaments might make your home festive, but they can also pose significant risks for pets. Cats are particularly drawn to tinsel, which can cause intestinal blockages if ingested, while dogs might chew and swallow small ornament pieces.

How to Prevent Issues:

• Use pet-safe decorations, like fabric or plastic ornaments that won’t shatter.
• Secure Christmas trees to prevent tipping.
• Keep electrical cords out of reach to avoid chewing hazards.

Toxic Holiday Plants

Some popular holiday plants, such as poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and lilies, are toxic to pets. Ingesting these plants can lead to symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe poisoning.

How to Prevent Issues:

• Decorate with pet-safe alternatives like silk flowers or faux greenery.
• Place toxic plants well out of reach or avoid them altogether.

Holiday Stress and Anxiety

The hustle and bustle of the holidays, including unfamiliar visitors and noisy celebrations, can be overwhelming for pets.

How to Reduce Stress:

• Create a quiet, safe space for your pets to retreat to during gatherings.
• Stick to their regular routines as much as possible, including mealtimes and walks.
• Consider calming aids like pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps if your pet is particularly nervous.

Traveling with Pets

If your holiday plans include traveling, make sure to prepare your pets for the journey. Long car rides, new environments, and unfamiliar people can be stressful.

Travel Safety Tips:

• Use a secure carrier or harness during car rides.
• Bring familiar items like their bed or favorite toys.
• Ensure they’re microchipped and have up-to-date tags in case they get lost.

A Safe and Happy Holiday for All

By planning ahead and being mindful of these potential hazards, you can ensure a safe and joyous holiday season for both you and your pets. Remember, when in doubt about something your pet has eaten or if they’re showing signs of distress, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Want to learn more? Join us at our free Festive Fido Humane Education event to discover even more tips and tricks for keeping your pets safe and happy this holiday season. We’ll cover everything from holiday hazards to stress-free celebrations for your furry family members.

Let’s keep the holidays merry and bright—for everyone in the family!

The post Protect Your Pets This Holiday Season appeared first on Napa Humane.

The post Napa Humane October Mixer appeared first on Napa Humane.

The evening was a wonderful opportunity to connect with Napa Humane board members and staff. We loved sharing more about our work and the programs that make a difference in the lives of animals across Napa Valley.

Thank you to our business supporters

We’re especially grateful to Gott’s Roadside for their generosity, donating the event space and 10% of the day’s sales to Napa Humane. Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a delicious meal—your support means so much!  The team at Gott’s was so welcoming and excited to see our furry friends, even treating them to trays of pup-cups!

We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our raffle donors: Sportago, Fideaux, Paula Kornell, and the Napa Humane Board of Directors. The excitement over the prizes really helped make the evening even more memorable

A special shoutout to drool. dog cookies, who were onsite selling some of their delicious treats—many of our four-legged attendees went home with full bellies and wagging tails! Drool also kindly donated a portion of their sales to Napa Humane, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their support.

We also want to thank Suzanne Hawken of She Shoots Shots, who showcased her wonderful Rescued Dogs of Napa Valley photo books and took sign-ups for future photo opportunities—your presence added a unique and meaningful touch to the event.

Join us for our October Mixer

Our Napa Humane Pet Education Manager, Alyssa Vincent did a fantastic job with her dog training demo, giving participants some great tips on enhancing their bond with their furry companions.  Be sure to submit your questions for ask the trainer, which will be featured at our October Mixer.  You can RSVP here!

Thank you to everyone who attended. From raffle prizes to drool-worthy treats and dog training tips, the night was filled with laughter, fun, and incredible support for our mission.  Your participation helps us continue our work to ensure a healthier, happier life for pets and people in Napa Valley. We can’t wait to see you at our next event!

Check out all the photos from the event, courtesy of Seymour & McIntosh Photography.

The post An Evening of Wags, Friends & Pupcups: August Mixer at Gott’s St. Helena appeared first on Napa Humane.

Microchipping your pets can significantly increase your chances of being reunited with them. A study published by the Journal of the AVMA revealed that only 22 percent of lost dogs entering shelters were returned to their families.  That percentage rose to more than 52 percent when a dog was microchipped. Even better results were achieved in the feline population. Only one in 50 cats in animal shelters was returned to their owners, but when microchipped, nearly two out of five cats were reunited with their families.

Steps Pet Owners Should Take:

• • • If your pet isn’t already microchipped, make an appointment with your veterinarian for microchipping, or stop by Napa Humane’s drop-in clinic, held every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Register your pet’s chip immediately with the manufacturer, ensuring all your contact information is included.
    • Ask your veterinarian to scan the microchip during your pet’s annual wellness exam every year.
    • Each year on Check the Chip Day (August 15), check your pet’s microchip registration information and update it if it’s incomplete or no longer correct. Set a reminder in your calendar today!

Updating Your Pet’s Microchip Registration:

To update your pet’s registration, you’ll need your pet’s microchip number. If you haven’t already created an account with the manufacturer, you’ll need to do that as well. Ensure all information is correct, especially your phone number(s) and address.

While there are many databases that allow you to register your pet’s microchip, the one that truly counts—the one animal shelters and veterinarians will search—is the database maintained by the manufacturer of your pet’s microchip. You can quickly search the registries of most microchip manufacturers using this universal lookup tool.

Microchipping your pet and keeping their microchip up to date is a vital step to ensure your pet will be reunited with you should they go missing!

The post Why Microchipping Matters appeared first on Napa Humane.

Today, the Napa Humane Clinic is staffed by licensed veterinarians and skilled, professional veterinary support staff.  Between 2021 – 2023 we spayed/neutered over 13,000 pets, microchipped over 4,000 animals, and provided affordable vaccinations to over 11,000 companion animals in order to keep our pet population healthy and safe.

Napa Humane has been part of the community for over 50 years.  Below is a brief timeline of our history:

• • 1973 – Founded
  • 1990- Acquired Spay/Neuter Clinic
  • 2001 – Shelter razed, forcing a re-examination of our goals, programs, and strategies
  • 2002 – Shift to prevention-focused efforts, turning our focus to bigger-picture solutions that help keep pets out of shelters in the first place
  • 2023 – Celebrated 50 Years

Our belief

We believe that the answer to the problem of homeless, abandoned, and neglected companion animals lies in changing attitudes and practices that lead to irresponsible pet ownership. Our programs and services are designed to address the needs of companion animals – but also to provide support, education, and assistance for the people who care for and about them. Because the humane treatment of companion animals is such an important indicator of healthy communities, we’ve grown to consider Napa Humane a community service organization.

Our Impact

Since 2002, when we refocused our efforts on prevention, we have seen a steady decrease in the number of companion animals surrendered at the Napa County Animal Shelter.  We are confident that our strategic direction and mission will continue to drive those numbers even lower.

Our Programs

Today, our programs have grown beyond being the only low cost spay/neuter clinic in Napa County.  Our work includes the following:

• • Weekly drop in affordable vaccination/microchip clinic

• • Spay/Neuter services for Community Cats (Learn More HERE)

• • Humane Education, including Napa County classrooms presentations, free subscriptions to Kind News and free community education events hosted at the Napa Humane Education Center.

• • Pet Education Center & Dog Training Classes, available in both English and Spanish.

• • Pet Behavior Help and Support

• • Community Wellness Clinics dedicated to assisting Napa County’s underserved populations, these clinics address critical barriers to accessing veterinary care, including socioeconomic constraints and language barriers.

• • The Napa County Animal Shelter Medicine program provides comprehensive medical care to animals in care of the Napa County Animal Shelter.  This program helps reduce animal stress, shorten shelter stays and assists NCAS in managing their cost of care.

• • The Services for Unhoused program plays a crucial role in promoting responsible pet care and strengthening the human-animal bond. By facilitating essential veterinary care, grooming, and training services to the pets of the unhoused, we help maintain the health and well-being of both animals and their owners.

Join us in advocating for a more humane and compassionate Napa County, strengthening human-animal bonds to enhance the quality of life for both our animals and our community.  Napa Humane is supported 100% by donations, grants, and fundraising events. We do not receive money from national animal organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. We do not receive government funds. We could not do the life saving work we do without the generous support of our community.

The post Celebrating a Milestone in Napa Humane History! appeared first on Napa Humane.

Here are top tips to keep your pets safe:

• • Stay vigilant: Maintain a close watch on your surroundings, especially in areas known to be inhabited by rattlesnakes.

• • Leash Up: Keep your pets on a leash during walks or hikes to prevent them from straying into snake territory.

• • Avoid High-Risk Areas: Steer clear of tall grass, rocky outcroppings, and dense brush where snakes may be hiding.

• • Educate Yourself: Learn to recognize the signs of a rattlesnake encounter and learn what to do if your pet is bitten.

• • Consider Rattlesnake Avoidance Training: Historically, this training has involved aversive equipment, but there are now options available that don’t rely on fear or pain. Check out local class options at Marin Humane or explore online training options. These classes often include one-on-one coaching and a self-paced system, allowing you to make training progress without sacrificing your weekends.

Here are some recommended options:

• • Marin Humane – Rattlesnake Avoidance Class
  • Karen Pryor Academy – Snake Avoidance Training with Ken Ramirez
  • Confident Canines Dog Training – Rattlesnake Training

If you suspect a rattlesnake has bitten your pet, seek veterinary care immediately. Time is of the essence in these situations.

The post Rattlesnake Season: Safety Tips and Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Options appeared first on Napa Humane.

Clinic Staffing

We have hired a new Clinic Assistant Manager, Hayley, who comes to us with management and animal welfare experience. I am beyond excited to add this depth to the Clinic team, and have been busy re-arranging the Clinic office furniture and loading her computer so we will be all set to welcome her on Tuesday the 27th. 

We also have a new Vet Assistant/Client Services Coordinator starting Monday. Esai will be filling the shoes of Hilda, who is starting Registered Veterinary Technician school in March. We wish her well and hope that she re-joins us once she is certified! One of our former full-time RVTs is helping out while we continue our RVT search. Happily, we are in talks with a great RVT candidate and hope to offer her a position soon.

Internships

Two new interns from New Tech High School joined us this month, spending 4-5 hours each week working and learning with our staff. We have also laid all the plans needed to welcome a new intern in March, in partnership with Moving Forward Towards Independence. We have worked with Moving Forward quite a bit in the past to provide Paid Internship Programs, which allows them to pay adults with developmental disabilities in order for them to gain work experience. Our Moving Forward intern will be joining us for 16 hours a week for 6 months. She comes to us with a passion for animal welfare and some experience in the field already. 

Shelter Support with Napa County Animal Shelter

In addition to the general veterinary rounds, disease control, feline neuters and education that we provide to the Animal Shelter staff at each visit, we have been able to jump to the rescue in some interesting cases this month. The Shelter recently rescued 38 chihuahuas from a single home. When the vet that the Shelter usually contracts with said that they do not provide health certificates for animals, we were able to step in and quickly provide exams and health certificates for 20 of the dogs, so they could be transported to an out-of-state shelter. 

Believe it or not, there are some parts of the country where chihuahuas are rare, and enterprising California shelters like ours will often transport these dogs to the states where they are coveted and very quickly adopted. We also were able to see a few of these dogs for their neuter surgeries, so they could be put up for adoption locally. I am happy to report that besides needing some serious socialization, they were in fairly decent shape.

Additional Shelter Support

Our Humane Education Manager, Alyssa, provided an hour-long training for employees of Abode (the shelter for unhoused humans), the County and some of the team at the Animal Shelter. She spoke about behavior, the use of muzzles, general safety and addressed the staff’s questions about safety and how to handle the frequently recurring situations that arise with some of the larger canine residents at Abode. Alyssa has also provided a few one-on-one sessions with a couple of the Adobe residents, who needed assistance with their dogs’ behavior so they could fit in and co-exist peacefully with the other shelter residents.

Through our new PAWS Program for the Pets of the Unhoused, we have provided 3 spay/neuter surgeries for this population in the past week. Our case manager holds office hours at Abode each week so we can meet with the residents and discuss their needs. Most of the visits are for food, warm pet clothing and general veterinary care. The County has already asked us to expand this program to include serving the residents at the new Motel 6 shelter, and another Abode-related housing complex on Coombs. We are excited to make this work.

Dog Training

Napa Humane’s dog training courses and workshops are in full swing, with Alyssa teaching 5 classes on Sundays, and 2 per night Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We held three special one-time workshops in February, and finished our first “Tricks ‘n’ Treats” and “Intro to Dog Sports” classes this month – and the dogs did awesome! Clients have requested that these be offered regularly, and we hope to be able to oblige.  Check out all of our dog training classes here!

Other Clinic Updates

In beautification news, we have added new gravel to the Clinic parking lot, as the non-asphalt portion was quite bare and incredibly muddy during times of rain. Van Winden’s Landscaping was kind enough to discount and deliver the product. We also owe a special shoutout to Salvador from Taqueria el Rey (a delicious food truck parked near the Clinic), who saw the pile of gravel, recruited a friend to help, and came to our rescue – spreading the truckload out for us. Our Clinic Manager’s husband generously pressure washed the outside of the Clinic, and everything is looking so much better. Next up: a few beautification projects on the inside of the Clinic, including some caulking and a painting refresh.

2024 Wellness Clinics

Our Wellness Clinic program aims to remove the language and financial barriers that can often stand in the way of pets receiving care. Due to a lack of veterinary volunteers and a few other extenuating circumstances, we unfortunately had to cancel our planned February wellness clinic. Even so, we were able to provide significant essential services to the targeted population. So far, we have seen 22 pets for spay/neuter at our clinic and have provided free microchips, vaccines, flea meds and nail trims to those clients. We have an additional 23 pets scheduled for surgery next week. Being able to reach 45 pets for spay/neuter and other life saving services is huge, and has made a real difference in supporting this pet population.

Spay/Neuter and Vaccination/Microchip Clinic

In addition to all of the above, we are methodically working our way through a fully booked spay/neuter calendar. The Clinic has performed 288 spay/neuter surgeries in just 17 surgery days so far this month (at the time this was written) – an average of 17 surgeries EACH DAY. At the four Friday microchipping and vaccination clinics this month, we also treated 259 pets – more than 64 animals per day, on average. Our incredible Clinic team is running like a well-oiled machine, saving lives and improving others every day.

I leave you with this photo of Harry, a community cat who was neutered yesterday under our Feral Cat Package, and who is already well on the way to living his best life.

Lisa Alexander

The post A Month in the Life of Napa Humane appeared first on Napa Humane.

These three new initiatives weren’t impulsive moves – each program draws on years of careful consideration and strategic planning by Napa Humane’s Board of Directors and staff. Napa Humane has performed virtually all the spay/neuter surgeries for adoptable dogs, cats and rabbits at the Napa County Animal Shelter for decades. A local veterinary hospital provides most of the shelter’s other veterinary care, but in 2023, Napa Humane stepped up to provide the animals with regular veterinary attention. Under our new Shelter Medicine program, we send a veterinarian to the shelter at least bi-weekly to examine the animals NCAS would like a medical opinion on. These exams may include treating skin issues, ear or eye infections, performing senior pet blood panels, and providing veterinary support and guidance to enhance pet care at the shelter overall.

Behavioral issues are, across the board, the most common reason for euthanizing sheltered dogs, and some estimates suggest that 1.5 million dogs in U.S. shelters are put down each year.  In 2023, Napa Humane took a proactive approach to this tragic situation by launching Pet Ed: a whole slate of training and socialization classes for puppies and adolescent dogs. These early education classes aim to help young dogs and their people build healthy behaviors right from the start, and develop deeper, more rewarding relationships that will stand the test of time.  We also began offering refresher courses for adult dogs, with specialized classes to focus on life essentials like socialization and coming when called. The response has been terrific, and we look forward to a new season of classes in 2024!

Our third new program of 2023 aims to help some of our most vulnerable local animals: pets of Napa County’s unhoused. Funded by a special grant awarded to Napa County Housing & Homeless Services, this new program provides care support to clients of Napa’s adult emergency shelter and Day Center service program (both run by the non-profit Abode Services). Napa County Housing & Homeless Services asked Napa Humane to manage this program, and we jumped at the opportunity. We hired a part-time Case Manager to work with Abode clients who have pets, helping ensure the animals have access to veterinary care, vaccines, microchipping, spay/neuter, grooming, supplies and training – all with the goal of keeping those beloved pets healthy and with their people. Our furry family members’ unconditional love and company play such an important role in our well-being. We look forward to helping strengthen that bond and the emotional support it provides to the unhoused in our community.

We had more than three big headlines last year, though. Napa Humane’s veterinary scholarship dreams also came to life, thanks to a partnership with Napa Valley Community Foundation. The Dr. Rick Bachman Memorial Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Fund is now live, and accepting applications from current or former residents of Napa County, Solano County, or Lake County. We hope this scholarship empowers many more animal lovers to pursue their veterinary dreams, and help address the ever-worsening vet shortage.

No year-in-review piece would be complete without some inspiring stats on our preventative efforts. In 2023, our Spay/Neuter Clinic in Napa completed surgery on 4033 animals on 242 surgery days – a stunning average of 20 surgeries per day! Our experienced Clinic team runs like a well-oiled machine, and we are so grateful to have them supporting our community with low-cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping. Rising veterinary costs and vet shortages have boosted the demand for our subsidized services so much that our Clinic schedule is usually booked out 4 months in advance. Clearly, we are needed.

As we turn the page to 2024, I’m awe-struck by our Napa County community of animal lovers, and how much we have been able to accomplish together. It is hard to imagine a group of people who loves pets more! On behalf of everyone at Napa Humane, thank you for supporting our efforts to care for all the pets in our community – including and especially the most vulnerable. I am so deeply grateful.

~Wendi Piscia, Executive Director

The post Napa Humane’s Big 3 from 2023 appeared first on Napa Humane.

In 1973, the year Napa Humane was founded, Richard Nixon was the President and a gallon of gas cost $0.39. How times have changed! Back then, dogs were rarely purchased or adopted – usually people just knew someone whose dog had puppies. Dogs often spent most of their lives in the backyard or garage, tied to a tree with only a doghouse for shelter. Not so long ago, obedience training relied on choke chains and punishments to shape behavior. Dogs were expected to be practical, contributing members of the household – a far cry from today’s “fur babies!”

Our relationship with pets has evolved a lot over the years, thanks to a variety of social, cultural, economic, political and even technological changes that have shaped our outlook and values. Modern research has shown us that pets are good for our emotional and physical health. (It’s sure hard to beat their unconditional love and companionship!) The need to walk and entertain a dog often pushes owners to get out of the house, stretch their legs, and connect with nature and other people face to face.

People are much more reluctant to leave their pets home alone now, so our dogs tag along with us – which makes manners and socially appropriate behaviors even more important. More people than ever before are enrolling their puppies in pre-school, where fear-free methods and positive reinforcement have replaced choke chains and physical discipline.

These days, folks are much more willing to spend money on their pets, whether that’s on training, pet outfits, or other animal-themed bling. We also have many more services available to support (and pamper) our pets, like pet health insurance, government-funded dog parks, doggy day care, and pet-friendly travel accommodation. At the same time, veterinary medicine has taken mighty leaps forward, allowing us to raise the standard of care for our pets tremendously.

Napa Humane has been there every step of the way to ensure that all pets have access to wellness, training, and education regardless of one’s income, and we are continuing to strive for purrfection as we head into our next 50 years!

Of course, we aren’t doing this alone. Because you love animals and want the best for them, YOU and people like you have ensured that spay/neuter is accessible and affordable in Napa County – so that puppies and kittens are not born to an uncertain future.

YOU made it possible for Napa Humane to bring affordable dog training classes and puppy socialization to our community, so that pets and their people have the tools they need for success when we take them to parks, work, vacations, and even restaurants with us.

YOU understand that every pet should be able to see a veterinarian for regular check-ups – and certainly during times of illness or injury. As we navigate the current critical veterinary shortage, you might want to support Napa Humane as we fund Veterinary and Registered Veterinary Scholarships that bring more qualified pet caregivers into practice.

Since you know shelter animals and community cats are most vulnerable, you may choose to support Napa Humane so we can continue to provide veterinary rounds at the Napa County Animal Shelter, and spay/neuter services for unowned cats.

For 50 years, Napa Humane has received no government funding. We rely 100% on private grants and YOU to keep Napa a humane place for our beloved pets.

With your help, we can rise to meet the changing needs of Napa Valley’s animals in the next 50 years – and stay one step ahead through smart, preventative programs that make the most of every dollar you entrust to us!

Your donation of $50 ensures 5 pets can get microchipped, making it far easier to reunite them with their family if they are lost.

Your donation of $500 ensures that 4 community cats are spayed/neutered – or that 4 dogs and their people can participate in humane, effective dog training.

Your donation of $5,000 helps pay for veterinary school, so that we have more skilled veterinarians and RVTs available to care for our pets when they need it.

Can you help with a gift today? Every dollar you invest in preventative programs today saves thousands of future dollars dealing with animal suffering that could have been avoided.

You have the power to make a difference!

Together, we make Napa humane.

Wendi Piscia, Executive Director

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