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.

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.

JOB TITLE:

Are you passionate about dogs and their well-being? Do you have a natural knack for understanding canine behavior and an unshakeable desire to make a positive impact in the lives of both dogs and their owners? If so, we invite you to apply for our Bilingual Pet Education Associate position. As a Bilingual Pet Education Associate at Napa Humane, you’ll have the opportunity to turn your love for dogs into a rewarding career. You’ll be responsible for fostering strong bonds between pets and their families, helping to address behavioral challenges, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for both dogs and their human companions. Join our dedicated team, and embark on a fulfilling journey where your passion for dogs can shine, and where every day brings the chance to make a lasting difference in the world of canine companionship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Educate: Lead group training sessions for dogs and their owners, focusing on basic obedience commands, socialization, and behavior modification.
• Behavior Support: Meet with individual clients/families and their dog(s) to problem solve more challenging dog related behaviors.
• Marketing and Outreach: Participate in marketing and outreach opportunities to promote Napa Humane’s programs and services.
• Community Presentations: Lead community pet education classes/presentations.
• Bilingual Communication: Effectively communicate training instructions, techniques, and principles to pet owners in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear understanding.
• Problem Solving: Identify and address behavioral issues, such as aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking, and provide guidance to owners on managing these issues.
• Stay Current: Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in dog training techniques and methods to provide the most effective training experience.
• Customer Service: Provide exceptional customer service by addressing client concerns, answering questions, and building strong relationships with clients.
• Facilities Maintenance: Keep training facility and pet relief area clean at all times.

Qualifications

• Bilingual English/Spanish required. Ability to work well with and communicate effectively in both English and Spanish, both orally and in writing with the public, staff and volunteers.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, possess outstanding customer service skills, and be reliable with a strong work ethic.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required. BA or AA degree not required, but preferred. Degrees in Animal Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, or Education are preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Must have customer service experience, education, or client based background.
• Charismatic personality with strong public speaking skills.
• Dog Behavior and Training course of study (e.g., Marin Humane Society Canine Behavior Academy, Academy for Dog Trainers, Karen Pryor Academy, Bergin University) in process or completed or comparable dog training/experience. CPDT-KA or CBCC-KA preferred.
• We will train the right candidate

Physical/Environmental Requirements

• Work in various environments with regular exposure to children, adults, animals and animal allergens.
• Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds.
• Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 30/40/50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain animals when necessary.
• Work in a variety of weather conditions.
• Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.
• Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
• Dexterity to handle animals and small objects.
• Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds.
• Able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Sit for long and short periods of time using a computer.

Position Specification

• Part-time up to 25 hours weekly
• Position requires flexible scheduling with evening and weekend work.
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and must be insured.
• Position will be reference-checked.
• Pay range of $22 to $28, DOE
• Sick pay accrual and SIMPLE IRA benefits after waiting period.

TO APPLY

Submit your cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references to Alyssa Vincent through Indeed or via email at dogtraining@napahumane.org. Please reference ” Bilingual Pet Education Associate” and your name in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Submitted information will be carefully reviewed and the most qualified applicants will be contacted. We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled

The post Join Our Team as a Bilingual Pet Education Associate! 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.

1. 1. Check the screens…. There’s nothing like opening the windows and letting that fresh spring air in! But before you do, make sure all window screens are properly fitted. Both cats and dogs have been known to fall out through unsecured screens.
   2. Think twice before planning your spring garden. Make sure you’ve looked into which plants can be toxic to pets before planting. If your pets have access to your garden, you may want to stay away from common varietals such as birds-of-paradise, irises, or buttercups.  (Here’s a list of toxic plants and foods.)
   3. Hot cars = Hurt pets. Don’t leave your pets in the car during warm weather. Even with the windows down, temperatures inside your car can shoot up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit within just a few minutes! If you’re going to be out and about, just leave your buddies at home where it’s cool.
   4. Water duty. This goes without saying, but we’re saying it anyway: Don’t let that water bowl dry up! Make sure your pet has access to fresh water 24/7.
   5. Lock up the gardening supplies. Many fertilizers and pesticides that are helpful to your garden are harmful to your pet…so if you use them, be sure to stow them away out of pets’ reach.
   6. Watch out for bees and wasps. If your pet gets stung by a bee, carefully remove the stinger and apply an ice pack. If the sting is around the head, mouth, or nose keep a close look to make sure there aren’t issues with breathing or swallowing. As always, contact your veterinarian with any concerns.
   7. Protect the paws! On hotter days, take the temperature by putting your palm on the ground before you head out for a walk with your pet. If it burns your hand, it will likely burn a paw!
   8. Get serious with fleas. Flea and tick populations are at their peak during warmer seasons, so make sure your pet is protected! We recommend flea and tick control year-round, but spring and summer coverage should be the absolute minimum.
   9. Brush off the winter coat. Warmer temperatures typically translate to shedding, and sometimes our pets need a little help ditching that winter coat. Groom your pets at home, or use a professional groomer to lighten the load!
   10. Check the chip. Great spring weather means many pets are spending more time outdoors – which means a higher risk of them getting loose or running away. Make sure your pets are microchipped and that the microchip information is up to date. A microchip and collar identification are your pet’s best chance at being returned to you.

The post A Guide to Springtime Pet Safety: 10 Must-Know Tips appeared first on Napa Humane.

As we mentioned a while back, Napa Humane is launching a new dog training program to help address one of the leading causes of canine surrenders at the shelter: behavioral issues. Proper training makes it easier (and therefore much more likely) for dogs to get the exercise and stimulation they need to be good companions, and it also helps strengthen the human-canine bond – both of which help keep dogs in their homes, and out of the shelter.

We are excited to be expanding our preventative programs to include this critical area of pet well-being, and even more delighted to introduce you to Napa Humane’s first Pet Education Manager! Read on for a Q&A with Alyssa Vincent, CPDT-KA.

Q: Tell us about your experience in Pet Education.

A: I have been working with dogs since 2009 and have been training since 2012. I have helped coordinate summer camps, and also had the opportunity to visit classrooms in schools and to work with visiting Girl and Boy Scout groups. Many children do not have pets at home, and I find these kids are often the most excited to learn about safe interactions. I find it incredibly rewarding to watch their faces light up while they learn about how to safely have fun with animals and how animals experience life. In addition, I have also spent the last 7 years educating adult volunteers on safe and healthy interactions with shelter dogs.

Q: What is the significance of the CPDT-KA certification?

A: Pet Care and Dog Training currently have no industry-wide regulatory standards. Unfortunately, this means that people of a very wide skill set and knowledge base are training and caring for pets. A consumer winds up relying on someone’s ability to sell their knowledge, or the rate of their services, to decide on a trainer. While I know many skilled trainers without a certification, I decided that for my own comfort, I wanted to achieve certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers(CCPDT). Their CPDT-KA certification stands for Certified Pet Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed, which means you have passed a standardized exam – which I like to equate to a Dog Trainer SAT. I collected over 300 hours of experience through various mentorships, internships, and seminars, while gaining experience in the classroom and the shelter before taking the exam. I chose to sit for the exam due to the ethical standards it represents, such as following the philosophy of Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive. The goal is to prioritize the safety and comfort of both the human and the dog throughout the education process.

Q: What made you apply for the position of Pet Education Manager with Napa Humane?

A: I left the shelter world in 2021 and while training privately has been hugely rewarding, I really missed working with the community. Napa Humane’s approach to meeting their community’s needs and to help keep animals out of the shelter is extremely exciting to me. I have seen how the community is often left behind when most shelter resources go to housing and rehoming animals. I believe that educating the next generation is not just about keeping children safe from dangerous interactions, but also shapes the future of animal sheltering and responsible pet ownership.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working with people and their dogs?

A: I love helping people understand their dogs. From teaching them how to read the dog’s body language, to better understanding how their dog learns, to understanding the “why” behind their behaviors. Pet owners, no matter how frustrated or exhausted, love their animals and want to have a better relationship with them. I love helping to strengthen the bond on both ends of the leash. When we know better – we do better, so my goal is to teach and share my knowledge and the most up-to-date information to help spread the ripples of knowledge everywhere!

We are so happy to have Alyssa on the team and cannot wait to share our new Pet Education resources with our community!

The post Meet Napa Humane’s New Pet Education Manager appeared first on Napa Humane.

The post Five Ways to Incorporate Pets Into Your Valentine’s Day Festivities appeared first on Napa Humane.

If not, don’t worry; you can do plenty of other things outside your regular walks to keep your dog active and entertained.

Doggie Playdates: Arrange small group play-dates with dogs with compatible play styles and fully vaccinated.

Doggie Daycare: Doggie daycares are monitored by trained professionals who watch over your pup’s behavior and enforce the rules.

Obedience Training; Teach your dog a new command per week. They love the one-on-one time with you and enjoy the praise and treats.

Playtime at home: Use interactive toys, like treat dispensers, that keep your pup busy indoors where it’s safe.

The post Alternatives to Dog Parks appeared first on Napa Humane.

It Keeps Their Brain Active
A dog is a pack animal and, as such, is always looking out for the good of the unit. When you travel outside the safety of the family “den,” their senses are heightened, and they are alert for potential danger, fun, or friends. This is a lot of new stimuli they have to process. They are also exposed to new smells, which gets them in touch with some of their hereditary traits and instincts.

It Creates A Bond
Your dog won’t forget you’re out there exploring with them, too. And you are the individual looking out for bicycles, cars, and other potentially frightening obstacles and toward parks and playgrounds and positive things. So, a walk habitually confirms that you are a good leader, strengthening your dog’s devotion.

It Relaxes Them
Ultimately, this creates calm, curious, friendly behavior. The more your dog feels safe and has a good leader, the happier and more relaxed it will be.

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