For Pet's Sake Column

Grab an extra cup of coffee because I have a lot to talk about this week. First up: the Gap Fire. While it looks like our hardworking firefighters are getting control of this devastating wildfire, pet lovers can never be too careful when it comes to making preparations for their pets in case of an emergency. It’s vitally important that you have an evacuation plan in place in the event that a fire (or other disaster) requires you to vacate your home. Take a moment now to gather together the essentials: pet carrier (one for each small pet in your household), leashes for your dogs, collars with current ID for both your dogs and cats (microchips are important too, as pets can wiggle out of their collars), food (at least a 3-day supply), bottled water, any medications your pet may be taking, vaccination records, cat litter/pan, dog waste bags, pet beds, and photos of your pets (for identification purposes if they get lost). It’s never easy to “grab and go” during a disaster, but by being prepared, you can help both you and your pets remain calm and evacuate quickly and safely.

On Tuesday, I spoke with Jan Glick, Animal Services Director for the County of Santa Barbara and she told me that, since the fire started last week, her agency has handled the evacuation for 700-800 head of horses, while most small animals were “self-evacuated” by their guardians. “The Santa Barbara Humane Society has been a fantastic resource as far as offering shelter locations for dogs and cats and opening up their facility on a 24-hour basis,” Glick said. “In addition, Equine Evac was very helpful with evacuations at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.”

For more information on animal evacuation services, call the Animal Assistance Hotline at (805) 682-4332.

KUDOS TO KOKO. While we’re talking about fires and animals, there’s one pampered primate who recently put out a blaze—on her birthday cake. Koko, the “talking” gorilla who turned 37 on July 4, spent the day celebrating with lots of good food (including chocolate alligators, a favorite treat) and presents (brand new barrettes for her hair). I love it—who knew that a gigantic gorilla could be such a girly girl?! Penny Patterson, Koko’s caregiver and sign language teacher, told me in an email message that everyone at the Gorilla Foundation near Santa Cruz where Koko lives is “keenly aware of the fires enveloping California .” In a recent tête-à-tête, Koko told Penny (through American Sign Language) that “smoke, smoke” was a health issue. Very asute, Koko! The sight and smell of smoke and ash lingering in the air is a vivid reminder that we must take steps to ensure the health and safety of ourselves and our pets now and in the future.

DOLLARS FOR DOGGIES. Animal protection organizations are salivating at the news that the late Leona Helmsley left the bulk of her billions to Bowser. We all know that the hotelier and real estate magnate bequeathed $12 million to her maltese, Trouble (which was reduced by a judge to a measly $2 million), but she also left a charitable trust (valued at $5 billion to $8 billion) to charities that provide for the care and welfare of dogs.

According to Wayne Pacelle, top dog at The Humane Society of the United States: “Such an expenditure, if made wisely, has the potential to solve some of the major dog welfare problems in society, such as ending the needless euthanasia of millions of healthy and treatable animals in the United States, halting the scourge of puppy mills, the barbarism of organized dogfighting, and ending the mistreatment of dogs in the greyhound racing industry. It could also be used to find cures for medical problems for dogs or provide urgent care for suffering animals, or even disaster planning for people and their pets. If also put to use internationally, it can address these problems on a global scale, including the public health problems associated with free-roaming and unsocialized dog populations.”

Good point, Wayne but I ask—what about our feline friends?! Let’s hope that other billionaires (Bill and Melinda, what do ya say?) step up and creates a charitable trust for cats as well. And I’d like to head up that organization. Just a thought…

WARNING FOR WHITE CATS. In May, Kathy Salotti lost her beloved 16-year-old cat, Tom Snow, to cancer. She writes: “Sadly, before Tom Snow came to us, he had been an outdoor cat and loved to sunbathe. We were not aware that white cats are genetically predisposed to skin cancer. A tiny spot appeared on his nose when he was about ten years old and was diagnosed as Melanoma; a type of skin cancer. It required radiation treatment that put the malignancy into remission for two years. The cancer eventually returned with a vengeance and saying goodbye was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do.”

Kathy continues, “I hope this will serve as a warning to owners of white pets. The earth’s ozone layer has a hole in it, allowing ultra violet rays to penetrate the atmosphere and studies have linked this phenomenon to skin cancer in humans as well as animals. Sunscreen for animals is not a good option since they lick it off. White cats should always be indoors and not allowed to sunbathe, even when indoors near a window as UV rays also penetrate glass.”

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Kathy. May your beautiful ‘Snow Prince’ rest in peace.

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BYLINE: With the recent (and frequent) power outages in Santa Barbara , Karen has been writing her columns by candlelight. If you send an email message to her at karenleestevens@cox.net, she promises to get back to you—just as soon as the electricity comes back on.