Pink Tag Sale at the Shepard's Pets

The Shepard's Pets 

Belk's Shopping Center

1700 Croatan Hwy

Kill Devil Hills, NC

is having a......... "Pink Tag Special!" 

Store Wide! 

Too Many items to list here!

For the remainder of April 2009! 

Pampered Pets Guide

Rabie Case in Hyde County Apirl 8th 2009

Hyde County Animal control has reported the first case of Rabies this year in Hyde County.

 According to Animal Control Officer, JM Eakes, a Jack Russell terrier was attached and killed on April the 8th 2009 around 7am by a raccoon. The raccoon was sent for testing and conformation of Rabies was received on April the 9th 2009.

Hyde County North Carolina includes the following cities & towns:

Hyde County Animal Shelter

Engelhard

Fairfield

Scranton

Ocracoke Island

Swan Quarter

as well as smaller unincorporated areas.

Please check your pets vaccination certificates today.

Rabies vaccinations are available upon request at the

Hyde County Animal shelter

9300 North Lake Road 

Fairfield, NC

252-542-0807

Pampered Pets Guide 

3rd Annual Easter Begg Hunt Up-Date & Photos

The 3rd Annual Easter Begg Hunt that took place on 

April 3rd, 2009

Puparazzi! Pet Bow-tique on Historic Roanoke Island

in the town of Manteo, NC was a Great Success!

Lots of Doggies searched for eggs filled with a doggie treat and a special coupon for a free gift.

Gifts were bandanas, product samples and more. 

 Friendly Outer Banks of NC. Don't miss out on all the Fun!

Pampered Pets Guide 

Currituck County "Corolla" Pet Celebrities

Onyx & CoCo are the official welcome wagon of 

Dognutz

Timbuck II Shopping Village

799 F Sunset Blvd.

Corolla, NC

"The Shop for Dogs and People Nutz about Them". 

 Onyx is a black lab that was adopted from the Outer Banks SPCA operators of the Dare County Animal Shelter. Not only did Onyx find his Forever Home, he hit the jackpot! WOW his new Mom & Dad had Dognutz! Onyx Loved going to work with his new Mom & Dad each day and meeting new friends.

Onyx first appeared first in Vol. 5 of the Pampered Pets Guide, what a handsome doggie. In Vol. 6 of the Pampered Pets Guide CoCo had arrived.

CoCo was also adopted from the Outer Banks SPCA operators of the Dare County Animal Shelter. CoCo quickly followed Onyx's lead. WOW not only did CoCo find her Forever Home and get to go to work at Dognutz with her new Mom & Dad, but CoCo had a new big brother Onyx to play and show her the way to meet all the new friends that visit each day. 

Onyx & CoCo are also active with their Mom & Dad in helping local non-profit pet welfare organizations. You can read about how Onyx & CoCo helped at the 2nd Annual Bark in Maple Park. 

 Pampered Pets Guide 

80 pets Vaccinated in Hyde County

Hyde County Animal Shelter

Hyde County Animal Control announced 80 pet vaccinated in Sladesville, NC on April 2nd, 2009.

Hyde County Animal Control provides rabies vaccinations on demand at the 

Hyde County Animal Shelter

9300 North Lake Road

Fairfield, NC 

 Please contact Animal Control Officer, JM Eakes for more information at 252-542-0807

Pampered Pets Guide

News from Ginger Sikes, Animal Lovers Assistance League, Inc.

TEEN MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR CURRITUCK SHELTER ANIMALS

Fourteen -year -old Elyse Burwell is a young lady on a mission -- a mission to help animals and the environment. She heard about the crowded conditions for animals at the Currituck Animal Shelter and decided to try to help.

First she contacted Ginger Sikes, the president of the Animal Lovers Assistance League, which is the non-profit organization that operates the shelter, to find out their needs. Then she enlisted the help of some of her friends, including those members of a teen conservation group called Bob that she helped organize a few years ago . 

They decided that the best way to help was to go door-to-door in the 425 home Eagle Creek subdivision in Moyock and distribute brochures that tell of the need for a new, larger modern animal shelter in Currituck. They also decided to include a request for donations of pet food, toys, treats, kitty litter, and money for the shelter animals. The Wednesday delivery was followed by a neighborhood-wide collection on this past Saturday. Eagle Creek residents were very generous! 

With the help of her parents, Kevin and Steff Burwell, Elyse delivered to the Currituck Animal Shelter the large amount of donations from the residents of Eagle Creek of pet food, toys, treats, and other needed supplies, as well as $187.00 in cash and checks! Elyse had the pleasure of sharing some of the treats with several of the dogs, puppies, and kitties and watching their delight at the treats and the attention. She and friends are planning to help with next Saturday's Doggie Easter Treat Hunt at Maple Park.

Elyse not only volunteered to deliver flyers soon at River's Edge but to also become a frequent volunteer at the shelter to help improve the quality of life for the animals. The students and staff at Knapp College Prep School, under the leadership of principal Dr. Wes Smith, also did a successful pet food and supplies drive recently.

At Currituck Middle School last week students learned about "Choosing a Career That Will Make Your Heart Happy! --Careers with Animals". Animal Shelter Manager and Veterinary Technician Laura Marquette, Animal Control Sgt. Gina Maurer, Wildlife Rehabilitator Malene Webb, and Animal Lovers Assistance League president Ginger Sikes presented information about careers from Animal Shelter staff and Manager, to careers working in an aquarium and as an Animal Control Officer, to zookeeper. 

Many students indicated that not only do they have pets in their household, the have an interest in pursuing a career with animals.

 Article & Photo by; Ginger Sikes,

 President Animal Lovers Assistance League, Inc.

Pampered Pets Guide

HEARTWORM DISEASE

Martin's Point Veterinary Hospital

April is Heartworm Awareness Month!

The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable in your canine and feline companions!

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially deadly disease caused by the parasitic worm, Dirofilaria immitis.

Dogs are considered the host for heartworms, but over 30 other species of animals may be infected (e.g., cats, foxes, coyotes, etc.). 

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites and takes a blood meal from a heartworm positive animal, the mosquito takes up microfilaria (baby heartworms). These microfilaria then mature over the next 10-14 days inside the mosquito to become the infective larval stage.

When this infected mosquito bites a susceptible host, the infective larvae are taken into the bloodstream and mature. They migrate through your dog’s body for 6 months until they reach your dog’s heart where they mature reaching a size up to twelve inches long! Recently infected pets may show no signs of disease, but as the heart fills with worms, signs of heart disease occur.

The heart and lungs are the primary organs affected; however all other systems are burdened. Heartworms can cause severe damage to your pet’s body and eventually lead to death. The good news for our fuzzy friends is that heartworm disease is preventable. Your veterinarian’s office can perform a simple blood test to screen for heartworms.

Once a negative test result is obtained, your dog can be started on heartworm preventative immediately. There are a variety of options available to dog owners for preventing heartworm infection. There are monthly tablets and chewables, monthly topicals, and a six month injectable.

All of these methods are extremely effective, and when administered properly on a timely schedule, heartworm infection can be completely prevented. There is a once monthly chewable available for cats. 

If your dog were to become infected with heartworms, there is a treatment option available. This treatment is complicated, expensive, and not without risks. Your dog will take weeks to completely recover. Currently there is no treatment available to kill adult heartworms in cats.

It is important that all dogs be protected from heartworm disease, year-round heartworm prevention is recommended for all dogs in North Carolina. Please speak with your veterinarian regarding heartworm prevention in your feline friends.

Mosquito control is important for all of us to consider. Steps can be taken to decrease the number of mosquitoes in your area. Dispose of any containers outdoors that collect and hold water, clean gutters, and change water in birdbaths once weekly.

If you have concerns about low lying regions in your yard you can contact your local public health or mosquito control office. Remember, prevention of heartworms is key.

So please protect your furriest family member and have a great time enjoying the wonderful Outer Banks!

Jessica Grosklos Stumph DVM

Martin’s Point Veterinary Hospital