Low-cost Equine Program Making Strides in Nevada

Popular Low-Cost Gelding Program Expanding Beyond CA

ENCINITAS, CA - National Equine Resource Network’s (NERN) low-cost gelding clinic drive that has already gelded over 150 CA horses in 2012 will be expanding to other states this Fall.

"Our goal has always been to develop a model that will work anywhere. We believe that with the success of our pilot program in California we've done just that," stated Shirley Puga, NERN Executive Director. "Now it's time to take it on the road."

NERN’s low cost gelding clinics have allowed horse owners, struggling in today's economy, to geld of their horses via leading equine vets for $75 per animal - a nominal fee compared to the average cost for this procedure of $150-300 or more.

Since March of 2011 a total of 242 horses have been gelded in heavily equine populated communities throughout California. In a world where there aren’t enough good homes for existing horses, this represents approximately 1,200 future foals that won't be sired.

The out-of-state clinics will assist in further reducing the country's future (excess) equine population, and will engage non profit equine rescues and equine veterinarians as partners. The first such clinic will be held this September in Washington State.

The Washington clinic, a two-day affair scheduled for Sep 8 & 9, will be co-hosted by three horse rescue affiliates - Horse Harbor Foundation in Kitsap County, Sunrise Equine Rescue in Mason County, and Center Valley Animal Rescue in Jefferson County.

These three 501(c)(3) equine rescue sanctuaries partnered on Project Safety Net, a local owner assistance program, that enabled over 60 horses to remain safe in their homes, with good owners who were struggling due to layoffs, unemployment and other factors.

A requirement for assistance in the Project Safety Net program was that any stallions or colts be gelded before any assistance was provided.  For that reason, these horse rescuers were highly receptive to the NERN gelding clinic program.

In addition to Fall clinics in CA and WA, NERN is organizing a 2-day clinic in Nevada, and also exploring opportunities in other western states. Visit their website atwww.nationalequine.org for a current schedule of clinics or contact NERN at nationalequine@gmail.com to inquire about participation.

To date, the NERN Gelding Program has received financial support from One Horse At A Time, BiSaddular, Tigertail Foods, Honest Kitchen and GreaterGood.Org. Further support is needed to assist NERN in expanding this highly successful, proactive program.  Tax deductible donations can be made directly though the website, at www.nationalequine.org.   Or contact:  Shirley Puga 760-419-2462.

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Photo 1: Owner and patient at Woodland, CA gelding clinic (photo by Jim Westin).

Photo2: Owner and patient at Auburn, CA gelding clinic (photo by Jim Westin).

Read about the "Yes" You Can Give Table Scraps to Your Pets!

August 8, 2012

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Pass the dinner plate

by Landess Witmer

1 day 6 hrs ago | 34 views | 0  | 1  |  | 

RENO — Why not share your vittles with your beloved pet? Maybe you should not feed your dog directly from the dinner table, but if you can add some fresh vegetables, fruits, and natural herbs to your dog’s diet, then I say, ‘Why not!’

With that said, these “extra foods” shouldn’t make up more than of one fourth of your dog’s diet. Be very sure to try out new foods one at a time until you’re certain that they don’t upset your dog’s stomach.

Breakfast: Cheerios, banana, blueberries, apple, watermelon and a little cottage cheese.

The cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium, and it’s fairly bland, so it can be a good way to add extra protein to your dog’s diet. Cottage cheese is a dairy product; some dogs don’t do well with dairy, so make sure you start with just a small amount.

Lunch: Sweet potato, rosemary, carrot, Swiss chard, and lean meat. Chicken, beef, or pork, with no visible fat and no added sauces or seasonings, add high-quality protein to your dog’s diet. Liver is available freeze-dried in most pet stores. You can also buy it fresh, either cook it or bake it, to make your own liver treats. However, too much liver may be toxic to dogs because of its high vitamin A content. Limit the amount of liver fed to not more than 1g of fresh liver/Kg body weight per day.

Snack Time: Banana chips, plain yogurt, frozen baby carrots, and pineapple. Pineapple, for instance, can be a special treat for your dog. Pineapple is mostly sugar, but it also contains calcium and potassium. Frozen pineapple can be a great summer treat. Also the frozen baby carrots can be used as a teething treat for puppies.

Dinner Time: Green beans, peas, parsley, peanut butter, and squash. Squash, like pumpkin, is good for your dog. You can remove the seeds, then slice, and freeze the squash to make it a fun, crunchy snack for your dog. Also, parsley can improve doggie breath. So next time you are baking lasagna for dinner, consider making a treat for your dog. By setting aside a few tablespoons of chopped parsley, you can create a new biscuit snack for your pet. The added flavor and color will change up any regular dog biscuit recipe into something fresh and new. Homemade treats that are peanut butter, sweet potato, pumpkin, apple, and carrot are another easy baked treat dogs enjoy.

Late-night Munchies: Popcorn. Yes, popcorn, air popped with no butter or salt, is a great low-calorie treat for your dog. Popcorn contains potassium as well as the bone-building minerals phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium.

Any Time Treats: Flavored ice cubes. You can freeze chicken or beef broth (natural, not processed) into yummy tasting ice cubes for your dog. Remember though, tasty broth ice cubes melt quickly and are best offered outside.

Cats, too?

So we all DO know that cats really should NOT be fed human food, since felines naturally have a very different diet from humans. Be careful, cats have delicate digestive systems. But if you are treating your dog, it may be difficult to hold yourself back when it comes to the purring kitty.

Wholesome meat such as chicken breast is something you can offer your cat. Luncheon meats, ham, hot dogs and sausages may look good to your cat, but their high sodium levels make them bad choices for your feline. Although vegetables are not harmful to cats, if they are not cooked thoroughly enough, they can cause constipation or diarrhea. Tuna and fish are options as well but only in very rare instances.

Keep in mind that most cats are lactose intolerant, but if your particular kitty can handle dairy, you can offer diluted warm milk, plain yogurt, and on a special day, a slice of cheese. Don’t forget your fruits, some felines adore fresh melons: honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe to name a few.

Some plain scrambled eggs, rice, raw egg yolks and pureed pumpkin can all be offered if your cat has an upset stomach. It has been reported that some cats love eggnog; go figure.

Never ever feed:

Alcohol, grapes, raisins, chocolates, potatoes, onions, raw salmon, artificial sweeteners, antifreeze, chocolate, Macadamia nuts, and avocados.

As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Every pet is different and may suffer from food sensitivities or allergies. DON’T offer your animal anything the vet says is harmful. Your animal’s diet should always be discussed with a veterinarian, combined with your own research on nutritious, well-rounded pet diets.

And nothing is more important to pet owners than happy, healthy pets. According to Luke Bucci, one of the co-owners of Scraps Dog Company (Longley at Virginia and Mae Anne locations), “Even though our first name is Scraps, we really want dogs and cats to eat healthy scraps. Feeding treats designed for dogs and cats in moderation is something we help our customers with every day.”

For more health articles, training tips, and animal attractions, visit PetFolioMagazine.com.  Illustrations courtesy of Turi Everett!

Read more: Sparks Tribune - Pass the dinner plate