ASPCA survey shows an increase in kittens spring to fall season is really three seasons in one, starting in spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in fall. “One female and one male cat and their offspring can produce 1728 kittens in just 3 years….420,000 in 7 years” (http://www.peopleforanimals.net ).Those statistics are staggering.

We live in a world with a major overpopulation problem where there are 3-4 million animals euthanized a year. In April 2013, The Tennessean reported that Metro Animal Control  (Davidson County) had an intake of 10,000+ animals annually with a euthanasia rate of 76-78%.

How you can help:

1-Spay and Nueter your pets (and any feral ones in your community)

There are lots of low cost spay and neuter clinics in Middle Tennessee and financial support programs. The Pet Community Center just opened a new clinic in East Nashville and also offers a Trap Neuter Release Program to humanely help curb the feral cat program. View the list of resources available to help in Middle Tennessee. Read an article that also lists prices and additional details.

Here are some benefits of spaying and neutering your pets according to People For Animals
-
“Sterilization of your cat or dog will increase his/her chance of a longer and healthier life. Altering your canine friend will increase his life an average of 1 to 3 years, felines, 3 to 5 years. Altered animals have a very low to no risk of mammary gland tumors/cancer, prostate cancer, perianal tumors, pyometria, and uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers.”

-“Sterilizing your cat/dog makes him/her a better pet, reducing his/her urge to roam and decreasing the risk of contracting diseases or getting hurt as they roam. Surveys indicate that as many as 85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered. Intact male cats living outside have been shown to live on average less than two years. Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome is spread by bites and intact cats fight a great deal more than altered cats.”

2-Adopt a kitten or a cat

Consider adopting a kitten or a cat. Kittens are easier to adopt because they are so cute so take the time to consider rescuing a cat instead! Read an article about the pro’s of picking a cat instead of a kitten, published on Veterinary Partner.

Click here for a list of rescue groups, shelters and animal control agencies who will all have animals to adopt!

Other ways to help:

Foster, volunteer or donate time or funding to help support efforts.
You can even purchase an animal friendly license plate and $15.62 of the annual $56.50 fee will be “allocated to the Animal Population Control Endowment Fund.”http://www.tn.gov

Other Resources
Pet Statistics, ASPCA, http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics
Spay/Neuter Statistics: People for Animals, http://www.peopleforanimals.net

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We live on an incredibly busy street and immediately the head thinks of all the bad things that can happen while the heart speeds up rapidly.

The second time it happened, I was at home alone with the kids and we were actually playing in the backyard while he was with us and then he was gone. I yelled at them to get in the car, grabbed my car keys and we jumped in the car to start canvasing the area. Thankfully, we found him fairly quickly as he had run to the street behind our house and was in a neighbor’s yard a few houses down.

Fence, microchip, collar, you can have all the precautions in place and still most everyone has experienced the horrifying scare of a missing pet.

The uncertainty, the complete lack of control, the worry it’s almost paralyzing. BUT the quicker you can respond and the faster you can start the search process the more likely you will have a happy reunification.

Stray Magnet strives to be a helpful resource if you ever lose or find a pet.
The best NEWER RESCOURCE around is NEXTDOOR. It’s an online neighborhood bulletin board. We highly recommend you post pictures and information immediately on the website through your computer or the NextDoor App.

We have helpful resource section (tips and phone numbers to call), a bulletin board to post the pets picture and information and we will post the information on facebook, twitter and send out an email alert for your county. Consider helping others, by signing up to receive lost/found pet alerts for your county.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you lose your dog.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you lose your cat.

On the other side of things, you can be instrumental in helping a lost pet reunite with their owner.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you find a dog.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you find a cat.

The post Help We Lost Our Dog appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Dave thought he took it mainly in the face-not good but he wasn’t bitten or visibly injured. The only concern were his eyes. He was rubbing them and they were red and teary. We called our sister in law, who is a vet, to help us determine if we needed medical attention. She seemed to think it was okay to watch him and so we shifted gears to focus on the smell. Several articles conferred that tomato juice is not the way to go and the newest homemade concoction includes-baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing detergent.

Here are the ingredients, keep them on hand

-1 quart hydrogen peroxide
-¼ cup of baking soda
-1 tsp of dishwashing detergent preferably Dawn (any will do)
***if you have a large dog you may need to double, triple the recipe

My sister in law sent a link to the very same concoction from Dr. Karen Becker. Read the article for helpful detailed directions on how to administer the bath.

I sprinted off to the nearest pharmacy to buy the critical ingredients, some gloves, and dog shampoo for after. I wished I had received my sister in law’s email first so that I could have bought enough ingredients for 2-3 treatments instead of just one. I got back, quickly made the recipe in a old juice container and Dave headed off to the self cleaning car station (only outside water source) at the apt. complex by himself because one of us had to stay with the kids. Once he left I was able to read the full article outlining the steps to treating your dog (NO WATER first). I quickly called Dave trying to stop him from putting water on the dog but I was too late.

Directions were to apply the solution directly on your dog and lather it in then let it sit until the smell subsides 5-10 minutes. Wash and repeat as necessary. ***But be very careful with the face, especially the eyes because the solution has hydrogen peroxide and could burn the eyes. Dave had enough for only one treatment, washed poor Winston off with practically a power washer and came back. He hadn’t done his face yet (bad idea with power washer) and that was the part that smelled the worst.  I located a small amount of hydrogen peroxide I had, mixed up a smaller batch in a juice box, got some towels and a sponge so we could gently apply the solution on his face, around his eyes.

We snuck Winston into the bathroom, passed a sleeping child, and washed his face and gave him a warm rinse before drying him off. All his hair in the bath stopped up the drain-oh well. He was trying to rub his eyes on me a lot. As soon as we toweled him off we put him on the little porch to dry off. He proceeded to throw up a significant amount. Thank goodness he was on the porch. It literally smelled like he had eaten the skunk. I was worried that he might be really sick and that maybe we should take him into the vet. Back to the search engines.

On all accounts nausea and throwing up seemed common after a skunk spray but the main concern were the eyes. According to a client sheet by Cheryl Yuill, DVM, MSc, CVH, if sprayed in the eyes there’s concern because “it can damage the delicate cornea of the eye and cause temporary blindness.” I called back our sister in law to see if we should go the emergency vet clinic. She thought not but said she would not be the one to tell us not to go. I called the local emergency pet clinic, Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners, to inquire about wait and cost. They were extremely cordial and said no one was waiting and it was $85 which to me seemed pretty reasonable for an after hours emergency clinic. I told the receptionist what happened and said we were concerned about the eyes and that he had thrown up. She checked with a tech and confirmed everything we had already done-bath ingredients-careful with eyes, vomiting normal and said to flush the eyes with water if possible.

While I was writing the article, Dave was off on another pharmacy run of which he has been to three because most close at 10p.m. to get saline solution and gentil, an eye lubricant to help Winston’s eye discomfort. While it was challenging couple of hours (fun Friday night) and a comedy of errors, at least the kids were asleep and we were able to give Winston our full attention. All in all, it’s good to know what to do when you are sprayed by a skunk, however unlikely.

(Originally written August 2012)

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One featured animal in the show is the Eastern Box Turtle, which is actually “the official state reptile of both North Carolina and Tennessee,” (http://www.boxturtles.com).

Did you know that it is illegal to have a turtle as a pet in Tennessee?

Eastern Box turtles are considered a threatened species (step prior to endangered) and thrive in their natural forest habitat filled with dense leaf cover. “Their territory consists of an area less than 200m in diameter,” (http://www.bio.davidson.edu) but their survival is threatened with urban development. The loss of rich habitat and an increasing number of accidents (hit by cars, trains, lawnmowers etc.) are greatly affecting their lifespan and ultimately their future.

If you find a turtle, what should you do?

Eastern Box Turtles were created with an amazing homing sense. This is especially important if you find a turtle crossing a busy street and want to help. Make sure you pick up the turtle and place him/her across the road in the direction he/she was heading. If you take him/her backwards, he/she will just try to cross the street again. If you just spot a turtle in the wilderness, leave him/her alone. If you find an injured turtle, contact our local wildlife center, Walden’s Puddle,  and record the “EXACT location where it was found so it can be returned there when it has recovered,” (http://www.waldenspuddle.org).

Other fun facts:
They are “The only turtle in Tennessee that can completely close itself in its shell (and very tightly) due to its broad hinged lower shell.” (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org)

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The post Tennessee’s state reptile is the Eastern Box Turtle- LEARN MORE! appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

This week’s pick is Alex from the Nashville Humane Association

Brief Description:
-Domestic Short Hair
-Orange/White
-2 year old
-Neutered Male
-10 lbs
-Up to date on shots

“Hi! I’m Alex and I am shy at first but I warm up pretty quickly. I love to play fetch with cat toys. I have lived with another cat and a dog and seem to do well with them. I would love a good home to call my own. Please visit me soon!”

For more information or his full listing visit Nashville Humane Association.

View other adoptable cats, adoptable dogs.

Nashville Humane Association
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 352-1010

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 10AM–5PM
Closed Wednesday
Thursday-Saturday 10AM-5PM
Sunday 12PM-5PM

The post Past Featured Pet: Alex appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Oct. 3

Second Annual Paws in the Park
10a.m.-2p.m.
Charlie Daniels Park
Benefiting the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter
Food, music games, silent auction, vendors and more!
For more info call 615-773-5533 or visit their Facebook Page.

Oct. 3

Second Annual Balls to the Wall
12-4p.m.
3660 Bear Creek Rd, Thompson’s Station
Benefiting Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue “saving dogs of all kinds, and properly matching them with their forever families and our passion lies in special needs, medical cases, seniors, and hospice” and “Micah Ralston, a local 10 year old boy with a condition called Craniopharyngioma.”
Entrance $5 a car
For more info visit http://snootygiggles.com

Oct. 4

Pitbull Awareness Day
11a.m.-4p.m.
Centennial Park
Food trucks, live music pittie parade, auction, free vaccines and microchips and more!
For more info visit http://www.nashvillepittie.org

Oct. 17

7th Annual Barktoberfest hosted by Nashville Paw Magazine
12-5p.m.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Food trucks, live music, fun activities for children, adult and dogs! Costume Contests with lots of prizes!
For more info visit http://www.tnbarktoberfest.com

Oct. 26

Witches and Wine at the Manor
6-8:30p.m.
Monell’s Manor (1400 Murfreesboro Road)
Benefiting the Cat Shoppe Rescue
Tickets: $20
Music, Food and Auction
For more information, please call (615) 297-PURR (7877) or visit http://www.thecatshoppedogstore.com

October 31

Bark For Life
10a.m.-1p.m.
Red Caboose Park, Bellevue
Live Music, Costume Contest,  Magic Show, Fun and Games for people and pets, Food and Vendors
Sponsored by Music City Animal Rescue (MCAR), Granite Regen Tax and the American Cancer Society
For more information, visit http://main.acsevents.org

The post October Events appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Agape Animal Rescue presents their fifth annual Glitter and Glam event July 28, from 5-8p.m, at the Hutton Hotel.

Enjoy an evening filled with fashion, food, auctions and wine tasting.

Hosts

This year’s event will be hosted by “singer-songwriter, model and television personality” Kimberley Locke, and CMA’s recently chosen “Debut Spotlight Artist” Phoenix Stone. “Locke has achieved five Top 5 singles on the Billboard dance chart and ten Top 20 singles on the adult contemporary chart, the most of any Idol alumni.” Stone’s “debut country single “100 Proof Moonshine” has already “hit #1 on the New & Active Charts and Billboard Top 50,” and he is currently a “judge on the brand new reality television music competition “Next Great Family Band.”  (Glitter and Glam)

Fashion Designers

This year’s fashion show will feature Nashville Designers Corello for the humans and Baxter Bailey & Company for the furry friends. “Corello will be showcasing their 2013 “Black Jezebel Road” collection at Glitter & Glam. Core says the collection is inspired by Caballo’s country chart topping single of the same name and is about “delving into unfamiliar territories and realizing how familiar it really is.” (Glitter and Glam)

Baxter Bailey & Company’s latest collection, “Music City Mutt,” will serve as inspiration for the custom pieces going down the Glitter & Glam runway. “As a play off our company tagline, ‘Luxury Living For The Discriminating Mutt’, this product line will embody the look and spirit of Music City!” said Brown. These custom pieces will compliment the looks of human designer, Corello.” (Glitter and Glam)

Auctions

In addition to the fashion show, there will be a silent and live auction featuring over $15,000 worth of merchandise. A few notable items include “a one-of-a-kind autographed, oversized Thomas Kincaid painting and a Predators 2012-2013 team autographed jersey”.

Cause

All proceeds will go directly to Agape Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, benefitting the dogs of Middle Tennessee. Agape Animal Rescue is dedicated to finding forever homes for abandoned and displaced dogs while educating the public to be more responsible pet owners.

Agape Founder, Tanya Willis said “Last year we raised over $37,000 and we hope to break $40,000 this year!”

Tickets are now available online for $70. Visit http://glitterandglam.org for tickets or more information.

Photos by April Hollingsworth, Harmony Designs Photography, Courtesy of Agape Animal Rescue

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Kitten season starts in the spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in the fall. According to the Pet Community Center, “Each year in Nashville over 10,000 animals are euthanized because of pet overpopulation.” “Spaying and neutering makes a big difference: Just one unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce an incredible 370,000 kittens!” (PETA)

Middle Tennessee has lots of spay and neuter services, financial assistance programs, and low cost clinics.

A full list of those can be found at http://straymagnet.com. Below we we highlight a few mobile options, clinics and financial assistance programs.

Mobile Services:

Rover (Davidson County Residents)

Website: www.nashvillehumane.org
Rover is the Nashville Humane Association’s mobile surgical unit. “ROVER travels four days a week and is staffed by a Veterinarian, Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT), Veterinary Assistant and Project Coordinator.” You can’t miss the big yellow bus which offers practically free -$10 spay and neuter services to qualifying individuals.

To qualify: you need to live in Davidson County and bring proof of one of the following: food stamp card, free school lunch program card or WIC documentation, disability letter or V.A. disability letter, last year’s tax return statement, public housing rent receipt or Section 8 letter, or Social Security income documentation.

To set up your appointment:
1-Call 615 352-4030
2
2-complete the patient information packet at http://www.nashvillehumane.org

The Spay Station (Wilson County)

The Spay Station is a New Leash on Life 33-foot mobile veterinary clinic. The Spay Station offers FREE spay and neuter services to those who demonstrate financial need.

To qualify: participate in ANY of the following programs: “food stamps, public housing, disability, WIC, Families First, SSI OR Medicaid.” While the Spay Station primarily serves residents in Watertown and Lebanon anyone (group or individual) may sponsor the spay station ($1,100) for their county. The Spay Station runs solely off of grants, donations and sponsors.

For an appointment or more information, please call 615-444-1196.

Spay & Neuter Programs and Low-Cost Services

Sumner Spay & Neuter Alliance

1033-B Union School Road
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 452-2233
Website: www.sumnerspayneuteralliance.org
Email: info@sumnerspayneuteralliance.org

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40, Feral Cat $25
Male dog $45, Female Dog $55

To schedule an appointment; call (615) 452-2233, Monday – Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Beesley Foundation

2215 Keeneland Commercial Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37217
(615) 890-6878
Website: www.beesleyfoundation.org

Cost:
Male Cat $40, Female Cat $45 (add $15 if pregnant or in heat)
Male Dog range $50-$90 depending on weight, Female Dog range $65-$100 depending on weight, exact fees available at http://www.beesleyfoundation.org.

Why prices are low:
1-”We are a non-profit clinic run by Beesley Foundation and supported in part by donations and fundraisers.”
2-”We only provide spay/neuter services and do not have the overhead required for full-service clinics.”

To Sign up for an appointment: Click here to download their application. “Fees for surgery (and required shots) must be paid before an appointment is made. When we receive your application with payment, we will call you to make an appointment.”

Fix for Life Spay & Neuter Clinic

511 W. Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 453-2349
Website: newleashonline.org
Email: fixforlife@newleashonline.com

“Fix for Life, an initiative of New Leash on Life, is a spay/neuter clinic that is dedicated to reducing pet overpopulation in Wilson and surrounding counties by providing high volume, high quality, low-cost sterilization services. Spay/Neuter services are offered to shelters, rescue groups as well as the general public and you do not have to qualify financially to use our services.”

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40
Male Dog under 50lbs $40, over 50lbs $50, Female Dog under 50lbs $50, over 50lbs $65
*Prices sometimes decrease when they receive grants, call regularly to inquire.

Call for an appointment (615) 453-2349 Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic

738 B. North Main St.
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-5353
Website: www.mtsnc.org

Cost: Cat $30 Dog $45

Who Qualifies: “Anyone on state or federal assistance including TNCare, food stamps, disability, reduced or free lunch etc., anyone who adopts from an animal agency, animals in the care of a rescue, humane or animal control, anyone with barn or feral cats (not owned pet cats) and those on fixed income. A 1-2 person home under $30,000. For each additional person add $6,900.
*Thanks to a grant provided by ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) we are able to offer a discount of $20 off a surgery for big dogs over 50 pounds.”

Financial Assistance Programs:

Pet Community Center

Financial assistance and transport available to Fix for Life Spay-Neuter Clinic.
(615) 512-5001
Website: www.petcommunitycenter.org
Email: info@petcommunitycenter.org

Cost:
Male Cat $30, Female Cat $40, Feral Cat $38 (includes rabies vaccination and ear tip)
Male Dog $45-$55 (based on weight), Female Dog $55-$70 (based on weight)
Full list of prices available at http://www.petcommunitycenter.org.
Book an appointment by completing their questionnaire.
*Financial Aid may be available, contact them for more information.

People for Animals

Financial assistance and discount certificates available.
Franklin, TN
Website: www.peopleforanimals.net
Email: PeopleForAnimals@comcast.net

Process:
 Call (615) 794-8925 to talk to a volunteer who will determine the level of assistance available and the appropriate vet clinic for the surgery. The pet owner then calls the clinic to schedule the surgery.
List of programs and services
List of vets they work with (accept PFA certificates)

Nashville Humane Association

Discount certificates called “Friends of Animals Certificates” are available for purchase to use at participating clinics
. Anyone can purchase!
213 Oceala Ave
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 352-1010
Website: www.nashvillehumane.org

Cost:
Male Cat $51, Female Cat $65
Male dog $64, Female Dog $90


List of participating vets

Cheatham County Animal Awareness Foundation (Cheatham County Residents)

Spay neuter services and financial assistance program for residents of Cheatham County. The Spay Station comes once a month to spay and neuter cats and small dogs and large dogs are performed at a local vet clinic.

Website: www.cheathamcountypaws.org

Call or email for more information:
Call for cats and small dogs (615) 829-8984
Call for dogs over 40 lbs (615) 578-1262
Email: cheathamcountypaws@hotmail.com

Local Trap and Release Programs:

The Pet Community Center also have a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program called Feline Fix. For more information visit www.petcommunitycenter.org
Together with Nashville Paw Foundation they are offering a spring program called Free Feral Cat Mondays. They will fund the sterilizations for 120 cats Fix For Life. The two dates left are May 6 and May 13. To schedule an appointment, visit http://www.petcommunitycenter.org.

Additional Resources:

“Pet Statistics: How Many Pets are in the United States?/ How many animals are in shelters?/ etc.” ASPCA
“Why Spay/Neuter?” on People for Animals
“Kitten Progression: At-a-Glance” on Alley Cat Allies
“Feline Spay + Neuter” by Mark Waldrop, DVM on Nashville Paw
“Spay and Neuter FAQs” from the Sumner Spay & Neuter Alliance

The post It’s Kitten Season; Help Control Overpopulation by Spaying and Neutering Your Pets appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

The holidays are upon us and there is much to do! This holiday season consider helping local animals by adopting a pet, donating to a local shelter or organization or by participating in an event.

Adopt a Pet:

Year round you can save lives by adopting a pet!  In fact you are often saving two lives as you allow for additional space in a shelter. There is no greater gift than giving of oneself to help others even a four legged one who will in turn bless your life richly!

It is important to note generally pets should not be given as gifts (unless sanctioned by parents etc.) as the recipient really should be the one to choose and be ready for the commitment and responsibility that comes with owning a pet. It’s a grand gesture but often ends in dismay. For those of you who have been considering adoption and the timing is finally right-GO FOR IT!!! Some shelters like the Nashville Humane Association, offer adoption gift certificates during December so that family members can help pay for a pet but the responsible member will choose their pet.

Donate Supplies or Money:

Remember supplies are often just as critical as financial contributions! All shelters and rescue groups have much needed items on their wish lists. The Nashville Humane Association has a wish tree in their lobby. All  items requested are from their wish list. Check out all the other local groups listed on the website to see what is on their wish list. They could also all benefit from year end giving financial donations large and small.

Sumner County Humane Society has a simple “Pennies for Pets” campaign asking people to donate their spare change as “every penny county.”

Buy a Holiday Gift:

Several organizations are selling 2013 calendars and other great gift ideas:

The 2013 New Leash on Life wall calendar, starring Vanderbilt and all the other winners from this year’s calendar contest, are now available for purchase.
Cost:$10 Calendar ($12 with shipping) Purchase on line at http://newleashonline.org/index.php/2012-calendar-contest

Humane Society of Sumner County T-shirts and 2013 Calendar
Cost: $10 (available at their open house Dec. 15)

Attend an Event:

There are a variety of events to choose from this December to help animals from low-key pictures with Santa to a full day music festival.

Saturday, December 1
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Sunday, December 2
Holiday Pet Photos with Santa
1-4 p.m.
Nashville Humane Association
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Cost:$40 includes Sitting, One (1) 5×7 and Two (2) 4×6 Prints
Holiday cards are available for purchase

Sunday, December 2
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Saturday, Dec. 8th
Photos with the Grinch or Santa! (Benefiting New Leash on Life)
10a.m.-4p.m.
Amy Rich Photography
706 West Main Street
Lebanon, TN 37089
No appointment needed!
Cost: $20 for 2 4X6 prints and a digital file of your photo. Proceeds will Benefit New Leash on Life’s Angel Fund “dedicated to providing medical treatment to the animals in our care.” Pets and people are welcome to come pose with the Mean Green One and/or the Jolly Old Elf!

December 8, 2012
Subaru Share the Love Adoption Event
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Teddy’s Wagon from Nashville Humane Association will be at Nashville Subaru
1512 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37023

Saturday, December 8
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Sunday, December 9
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

December 15, 2012
Humane Society of Sumner County Christmas Open House and 38th Birthday  Celebration
11a.m.-3p.m.
16 Volunteer Drive
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Refreshments and Birthday cake will be served. Join the celebration. Also available for purchase new t-shirts and 2013 Calendars for #13.

December 15, 2012
Third Annual Miracle on Music Row with host Emmylou Harris
10a.m. to 3p.m.
O. Liv Body Bar in Edgehill Village
1200 Villa Place, Suite 404
Nashville, TN 37212
Cost: FREE, but there is a $20 suggested donation to benefit Bonaparte’s Retreat
It’s a full day of events including music by Sam Bush, Rodney Crowell, Mike Farris, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller and Kimmie Rhodes, a pet parade with Emmylou and Santa, pet costume contest silent auction, photos with Santa, food and holiday shopping. It’s also a big adoption event as local shelters/humane organizations will be on site like Teddy’s Wagon.

Saturday, December 15
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

November 16, 2012 – December 24
Gaylord Opryland® Resort’s sixth annual Hall of Trees
Hall of Trees is part of Gaylord Opryland’s popular A Country Christmas; located in the Holly Jolly Town Square
Noon – 7:00 p.m. – November 18 – 20 and 25 – 29 and December 2 – 6 and 9 – 13
Noon – 8:00 p.m. – November 16 – 17, 21 – 24 and 30 and December 1, 7 – 8 and 14 – 24
Ryman Exhibit Hall
Gaylord Opryland Resort
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
Cost: Admission is FREE. Single Ride Tickets – $3.00 or All Day/All Ride Pass – $12.00
The “Hall of Trees” is located inside the ‘Holly Jolly Town Square exhibit” which “is a step back in time to a nostalgic 1950s town square, complete with all the shops from main street, a holiday kids train, story time with Mrs. Claus at the library and more! Enjoy a visit to the Candy Store, or the all new Toy Store while visiting Holly Jolly Town Square,” (Gaylord Opryland).  All the trees and the gifts under them are donated by sponsors and auctioned off to raise money for local charities. Several local animal groups have trees this year including: Humane Society of Sumner County, Nashville Humane Association, Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, Robertson County Animal Control and Shelter, Elephant Sanctuary, and Weimaraner Rescue of the South. Bids may be placed online at or in person at the exhibit.The auction will close Monday, December 24, 2012, at 5 p.m. CST and the trees and gifts will be shipped to the winners for free by Friday, January 6.

Sunday, December 16
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Thank you in advance for helping local animals this holiday season!

The post In The News: Help Animals this Holiday Season appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

One morning as he was headed off to work, the kids and I walked him to his car. Looking off into the yard I saw something unusually big on the ground. I asked him to check it out. As the kids and I walked through the gate to the backyard so we could play on the swing set he walked back by to get a shovel. Apparently, our dog Winston had found a opossum the night before and sadly killed it. (Doesn’t he know we are an animal loving family?)

As my husband was disposing of the opossum I noticed he was looking around and I wondered if there were babies. He walked by me and I said “do I want to know?” He said “no”. I assumed there were dead babies but they weren’t. He just assumed they wouldn’t make it because they were so small. He went off to work and I immediately went into rescue mode.

In his efforts to help, he had made it even more difficult to find the babies. He had only seen three but had scattered them outside our yard so the dog couldn’t get to them. In the end, we found seven babies, many of which had gotten buried and tangled beneath our dense ground cover. In fact, I used our dog to flush out the last couple since I couldn’t see or hear them but he could smell them.

I put them in a shoe box with a towel to help keep them warm and then I called Walden’s Puddle. It is a non-profit organization that treats “sick, injured, and legitimately orphaned Native Tennessee Wildlife.” We are so fortunate to have them in Middle Tennessee. Their admissions line is (615) 299-9938. You may have to leave a message but they were quick to respond back to me and I was able to drop off the baby opossums that morning.

They said the babies were actually pretty old and should make it. My 2 and half year old still looks under the deck and asks for the babies? I hid them under the deck in their shoebox for a few hours between when we found them and were able to deliver them to Walden’s Puddle. Don’t worry she never touched them but I did let her look at them in the box. I tell her they are in their new home now whenever she asks.

Over the last few months when my husband has told this story, most people have been shocked that I would or anyone would want to save an opossum and many would have responded the same way he did not thinking that they would have a chance to live without their mother. Opossums are God’s creatures too and deserve to live. Sadly, I see too many on the side of the road but any animal you can help is worth saving. Anyone can save a life!

The post Opossums are animals too appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.