Bringing your new friend home

On average, it takes a dog anywhere from an estimated three weeks to three months to truly feel at home and acclimated to your routine and home life. One mistake that we see commonly in the world at large is for a new adopter to bring an animal home and expect near instant assimilation into the person’s life and routine. This is simply not reality.

Many animals, particularly in rescue, have a back story and history rich in experiences- good or bad. Every rescue story starts with heartbreak of some sort. Many are not fair.

The best thing you can do is to toss your expectations and timelines when bringing a new friend home and simply exist. Set healthy boundaries but don’t expect your new friend to understand everything that is being thrown at them all at once. They are in a new environment, new sounds, smells, new people, and no idea that they are home yet. Love, time, and patience can truly move mountains, we can attest to it! We wish you nothing but the best of luck with your new friend.

Time Well Spent

As we continue to pray that the virus known as Covid-19 will leave as quickly as it came to us; that our healthcare providers and those whom our society rely upon are able to work safely, we find ourselves staying at home to protect the vulnerable members of our society.

So while you’re at home, what are you doing with your time? We suggest spending some time making memories with your pooches! Get outside and play some fetch, watch some Netflix and cuddle, work on some new tricks. You will never regret the time spent making memories with your furry pal!

Everything you never wanted to know about rabies

Did you know that a current rabies shot is legally required for all domesticated and owned dogs, cats, and ferrets in the state of Georgia? According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, “Rabies is a viral infection transmitted in the saliva of infected mammals.” In order for an animal to be considered vaccinated against rabies in the eyes of the Georgia state law, the animal must have been vaccinated by a licensing, practicing veterinarian at least 28 days prior to the bite or exposure of the domesticated animal. If your dog comes in contact with a wild animal that you think may have rabies, according to Georgia state law, you must contact the county health board and notify them of the incident.

In the state of Georgia, if a pet is exposed to a rabid animal, and that pet’s vaccines are out of date, it is recommended that the pet be euthanized immediately. This is to keep the spread of rabies down. If the owner is unwilling to do this, the animal must be kept in complete isolation for four months if a dog or cat, and six months if a ferret. This means no human contact. If a pet is simply overdue for a booster but has prior medical history, the animal should be revaccinated immediately and kept under the owner’s strict control for 45 days. Currently vaccinated animals are to be revaccinated and kept at home under the owner’s control for 45 days. If any of these animals start showing symptoms of rabies, they are to be euthanized immediately. So you see, keeping your animals up to date on their shots could literally save their lives!

Did you know that livestock is also susceptible to rabies? They should also be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian.

The signs and side effects of rabies can show up anywhere from a few days after exposure to six months after exposure in different species of animals. These signs include:

irritability or aggressiveness
excessive movements or agitation
confusion, bizarre or strange thoughts, or hallucinations
muscle spasms and unusual postures
seizures (convulsions)
weakness or paralysis (when a person cannot move some part of the body)
extreme sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, or touch
The affected animal has a hard time swallowing, which is what creates the tell-tale “foaming a the mouth” symptom. Rabies is not contagious from person-to-person.

Above all, decisions on how to proceed after possible exposure to rabies must be made swiftly and decisively. Contact your county health board or animal control if an event occurs. In Peach County Ga, please see the following page: https://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/contact-us/
They may be contacted at: 478-751-6303.

As always with any preventable disease, the best way to deal with rabies is to prevent it all together. Domesticated animals should have care taken not to come into contact with wildlife. Their rabies shots should be up-to-date at all times. Rabies shots come in a one year or three year option.

All information taken from Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website on rabies information at: http://agr.georgia.gov/Data/Sites/1/media/ag_animalindustry/animal_health/files/Rabies-Manual-April-2018.pdf

To Love and Lose

To Love and Lose


Today it was testified to us once again that it is possible to meet someone, fall in love with them, and lose them all within the same hour. Today was hard. This morning we were urgently contacted by a kind family in Peach County about a dog in major distress. In Peach County, for those that do not realize, there is no animal control, and rescues are responsible on a county level for helping where possible. This dog had shown up in their yard, collapsed, and was unable to eat or drink or stand.

Our manager rushed her to our veterinary staff immediately, where she was evaluated carefully. In addition to cosmetic details that included a very obviously matted and dirty fluffy coat, our vet staff determined that she was quite old and had multiple very serious conditions that no one could fight for her. And oh, how we wanted to fight! At the top of the list was advanced, end stage heartworm disease. Her abdomen was full of fluid and her legs were so very swollen. She had a mass in her fluid filled abdomen the size of a small tank. She had a mass on her leg that was huge. Her gums had gone pale from her fight with all her medical problems. The list of things that had gone wrong with her exhausted body went on.

Together with our compassionate veterinary staff, we respectfully and tearfully sent her to the Rainbow Bridge. Our manager gave her the name of Loni, because no domesticated creature should leave this world without at least a name. She was not alone in her last hour of need. She is mourned. We praise God that this caring family saw a need and called for help. And we will never forget this sweet spirit.

Some of you are probably wondering, “Why are you posting such a sad event? There’s nothing we can do about it!”

Loni’s life mattered. She deserved better. If you think that her story is just a fluke, you are very wrong. In Middle Georgia alone, hundreds upon hundreds of cases of heartworm disease – JUST heartworm disease by itself- exist, and negligent owners are doing nothing to stop it. Dogs and cats are being dumped and left to wander, looking for help, every single day. In the last week, there have been three cases of animals in Middle Georgia being taped into containers and left to die in record breaking temperatures. We need citizens to wake up and report abuse, to put the law to work for themselves, to get involved in their local governments, and to reach out a helping hand to those struggling to survive. To be a voice for those that cannot speak for themselves.

Loni’s life mattered! Every animal like her’s life matters! Local rescues and animal controls are fighting a battle against ignorance, intolerance, cruelty, and apathy. We cannot do this alone! For Loni’s sake and for the sake of so many like her, it’s time for all of us to go to work. Run free, sweetheart, we’ll see you again some day at the Bridge.

Welcome Aboard!

 

Welcome to PCAR! We’re so excited you stopped by. This is where magic happens – it’s where broken hearts are mended, trust and relationships are built and families are made. Take a look at adoptable dogs that are current residents at our rescue, or mosey around the volunteer section and learn about ways you can help out sweet canines in middle Georgia. We hope to see you soon!