Outreach Event: Canadian Tire

Every weekend TAGS has an outreach event at the Petsmart store in Whitby. A couple of volunteers and a few dogs are at the store between noon and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 

This past weekend, though, brought a fun, once-a-year event that TAGS has participated in for the past two years—an outreach event at Canadian Tire! 

Here we are, set up right between the kitchen appliances and checkout counters

Canadian Tire has been a great location to show off our dogs for a few reasons: 

• There's an element of surprise for the shoppers, and the store is always packed with people shopping on the weekends.
• There aren't any other dogs, like there often are with the shoppers at Petsmart, which ensures a more relaxed atmosphere for the TAGS dogs.
• In most cases, the shoppers at Canadian Tire might not already have a dog (as opposed to shoppers at Petsmart) and would be more likely to adopt a dog they've seen at the store.

Dawson, ready for his big debut

The day was a huge success for both dogs, Tucker and Dawson, being showcased. Both received attention from Canadian Tire employees who are currently considering adopting a dog.

Dawson charmed everyone by nudging for belly rubs or giving his paw for a "handshake" and eventually formed a "fan base" around himself. His friendly charm resulted in not only a bone for him from one of his admirers but also two adoption applications for him the very same day! 

A very relaxed Dawson, gnawing away on a bone from a potential adopter

Canadian Tire has been a great place for TAGS to create awareness about the rescue, and we are hoping to have more chances to feature our dogs in the store in the future.

Pet Cancer Prevention Tips

Dos and don’ts

November is national Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Many people don’t realize that their beloved pets are just as likely to get cancer as humans are. Unhealthy processed foods and environmental factors are most often the cause of tumours developing in our pets’ body. While it’s more common for dogs to get cancer, but that also means, that cats can, too, and because cats tend to mask illnesses, it’s harder for us to see if our cat is sick. But the signs are the same in both species: tiredness, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, coughing or evidence of pain. 

What is more important, however, is trying to prevent this terrible disease from taking hold in your pet. Here are some dos and don’ts for keeping our dogs in good health.

Food

Dos

CC image courtesy of photofarmer on Flickr

• Give your dog dark green vegetables (e.g., broccoli, asparagus, lettuce) a few times a week.
• TAGS recommends natural dry foods that have the AAFCO guarantee along with vitamins E and C.
• Add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil to your dog’s food (it’s high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which help maintain a healthy immune system).

• Enrich your dog’s diet with antioxidants such as a tablespoon of ground flax seed.
•  Add coconut oil to your dog’s food (it contains fatty acids).

• Add a small amount of minced garlic to your dog’s dinner (great cancer-inhibiting element).

• If you prefer to make your dog’s food yourself, then be sure to use organic ingredients that are free from pesticides and drug residues.

Don’ts

• Don’t give your dog dry foods that contain artificial flavours or artificial colours.

• Don’t feed your dog grain-based food, because dogs have a hard time digesting grains, especially uncooked ones, and a regular diet  of them can lead to serious problems like organ failure or cancer.

Environment and Habits 

Dos

• Consider making your lawn and garden organic.

• Keep your dog in good condition by engaging him or her in sports or other activities.

• Vaccinate your dog with only the necessary vaccines (vaccines stimulate the dog’s immune system in a way that can cause fibrosarcoma).

• Install a water filter to avoid pets’ consuming fluorides.

• Massage your dog from the feet toward the heart to stimulate circulation.

Don’ts

• Don’t smoke in the house or around your dog – second-hand smoke is as dangerous for animals as it is for humans.

• Don’t walk your dog behind idling cars or trucks. Gas and diesel emissions will be picked up by your dog’s nose a lot faster than they are picked up by ours.

• Don’t let your dog sniff chemically treated grass.

• Don’t use household chemicals, especially if the label states “Keep away from children and pets.”

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop

That perfect moment...

Don't forget to check out the other participating blogs by clicking here or on the picture below!

Blog Hop

 

Useful Pet First-Aid Tips

You cannot predict when an accident will happen to your pet, but you can most certainly be prepared for it- especially as the cold weather and the holidays are approaching since the number of injuries usually increases at this time of the year. Remember these useful tips when you find yourself in this situation: 

Pet First-Aid Course: November 11

1. Don’t panic. Staying calm and acting quickly are key. If you manage to make decisions fast, you could get ahead of the problem, preventing it from becoming more serious. 
2. Console your dog. Talk to him or her using a calm and relaxed tone in your voice. Your animal is just as much in shock as you are, so it’s your job to make sure he or she is in a resting position. 
3. Move your dog carefully. If necessary, always move your injured dog as smoothly as possible, especially when you are about to transport it. Make sure to support his or her head in the case of head injuries or trauma. 
4. Stop the bleeding. Stop bleeding by putting pressure on the wound with your finger or a bandage. 
5. Remove everything that’s blocking the airway. Clean your dog’s mouth of excess saliva, vomit or blood to make space for the air-flow. Apply CPR if necessary. 

Enroll now in our Pet First Aid Course to find out more details and to gain practical experience that could save your pet’s life one day! Taught by Dr Tanya Varley, a certified veterinarian the course runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Coffee breaks and a free lunch are included. 

Don’t forget to bring your pet!
Location: Quality Suites, Bloor and Grandview, Oshawa.
Date: November 11.

E-mail us here or call us (905-263-8247) to register!

25 Years Young!

Nick Iordanis, one of the very dedicated TAGS volunteers, recently attended The Animal Guardian Society's big anniversary event and kindly reported on it for us here. To all those who supported this fund-raising gala, thank you! It was a great success!


On Saturday, October 13, TAGS hosted a 25th-anniversary gala. 

It is not often that a volunteer group makes it to 25 years, so doing so is definitely a cause for celebration!

The venue was the Ajax Convention Centre.  Doors opened for cocktails at 5 p.m., and the mingling continued until attendees were asked by DJ Rusty James to take their seats at about 7. 

About 100 silent auction items were donated by local businesses and adopters to help raise funds for TAGS. Some of the more memorable ones included a TV and autographed Leafs jerseys. Throughout the evening, party guests continually visited the silent auction tables and made bids. After all, it was for a good cause.

After TAGS founder Kathy Asling spoke about the long road her TAGS journey has been, she was presented with a gift for her 25 years of dedication and service by TAGS president Andree Wagar. 

Before the dance floor opened up, a video presentation finished off the evening’s formal festivities.  Titled “Desperate Measures,” the video included only a fraction of the dogs saved by the volunteers at TAGS over its 25-year history.

At the end of the day, over $7,000 was raised for TAGS—a great success!—and partygoers had a fantastic time!

Special thanks to the volunteers who made the night such a success: Erin Roux, Adrienn Tordai, Lana Croxford, Karen Koene, Pauline Parsons, Annetta Wange, and Nikki DeGroot. 

And here’s to many more years of rescuing animals in need!