Ben's Pet Party was a Tremendous Success--Many say Silent Auction, La Cucina Food, and Live Music Highlights!

Bark if you love Artown!  

Artown’s 14^th Annual Art Paws hosted a Wine Pet Party, Fri, June 13, 4:30 to 7pm, at Ben’s Fine Wine & Spirits, 3480 Lakeside Drive, Reno.  The gala was well attended by pet lovers, wine lovers, and bargain hunters! 

One of the biggest wine, beer, and spirit tastings of the year, this party benefited the animals.  A ten dollar donation at the door got unlimited premium tastings, tasty appetizers, from La Cucina Italian Restaurant, and live music.  

The Bow Wow Silent Auction touted five tables of goodies from casinos, local restaurants, pet businesses, and jewels from Michael & Sons!  

Many, many thanks goes to our tireless volunteers who helped with set up, ticket sales, and auction items.  Thank you to everyone!

Visit  www.ArtPawsReno.com for more details--and invite your dog-loving friends--to the main event, Artown's 14th Annual Art Paws, Sunday, July 20, at McKinley Arts & Cultural Center, Riverside and Keystone Drives.

All the funds go toward the three Art Paws Underdog Grants.

Reno's Own "A Beloved Friends Pet Crematory" Wins National Accreditation

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PET CEMETERIES & CREMATORIES (IAOPCC) NAMES FIRST ACCREDITED PET CREMATORY FACILITY IN THE NATION 

A Beloved Friends Pet Crematory of Northern Nevada  -  

First in the Nation to Pass Pet Crematory Accreditation  

Atlanta, Georgia – April 15, 2014 – The International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC) has announced the first Pet Crematory facility in the nation to pass its Accreditation Program.  A Beloved Friends Pet Crematory of Northern Nevada received its Accreditation award on April 1, 2014.   

Pet Parents can now feel reassured about the care their deceased animal receives now that the new worldwide Accreditation Standards have been announced for pet cemeteries and crematories by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC).   

Founded in 1971, the IAOPCC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the standards, ethics and professionalism of pet cemeteries and crematories worldwide.   

In an unprecedented and historical first, the IAOPCC is the only organization with published recommended procedures for every step of the pet cremation process, including, transportation, each type of pet cremation, readily retrievable records, facility standards and continuing education for pet crematorium staff members.  Following five years of study and research, these Accreditation standards, processes, and program of inspections were rolled out in January of 2014 across the United States, Canada, and worldwide to its Members.  Since 2009 the IAOPCC Standards Committee, a group of eight pet crematory owners and operators located throughout the US and Canada, have met monthly to develop these intense and rigorous standards.   

A Beloved Friends Pet Crematory of Northern Nevada, in Reno, was the first pet crematory in the country to complete this inspection process.  Before applying in March 2014 to become accredited, owners, Steve and Elaine Woods, had spent several months prior examining its systems, processes, and procedures to be sure every aspect met the IAOPCC’s standards of quality.  After a thorough review and inspection, they were awarded Accreditation status on April 1, 2014. 

Through the IAOPCC’s Accreditation Program, pet crematories are evaluated against a pool of more than 240 standards representing the best practices in pet cremation care and management. An international task force of crematory operators created and continually update the standards to reflect the latest developments and improvements in pet aftercare care, pet cremation techniques, records, cleanliness, staff and client safety, and areas essential to excellent pet and client care. 

In an industry requiring very little oversight, other than environmental regulations and business licensing, pet aftercare has been largely a self-regulated profession.  Currently there are only 2 states, Illinois and New York, in the United States that have any legal standards for pet cremation.  With the introduction of the IAOPCC Accreditation Program, the IAOPCC has given the industry and the pet owner a measure of protection regarding the integrity of the pet aftercare processes from those pet crematories who seek out Accreditation and inspection. 

For additional local information, please contact Steve Woods with A Beloved Friend’s Pet Crematory at 775-825-9900. 

Contact:  Donna Shugart-Bethune 

Telephone:  1-800-952-5541 

Email:  donna@dpc-i.net 

Make Your Donation DOUBLE--when you give to Pets of the Homeless, now until Sept

Donation-matching mission in full swing to benefit pets that belong to the homeless

A donation-matching challenge, issued by The WHC Foundation of Reno to Feeding Pets of the Homeless of Carson City, will help pets that belong to the homeless in Northern Nevada.

From now until September, WCH Foundation will match donations up to $10,000.  The money will be used to provide pet food to area food banks; for emergency veterinary care for pets that belong to the Northern Nevada homeless population; and for sponsorship of at least two Wellness Clinics during the year in downtown Reno.

Nationally, since 2008, POTH has treated over 10,000 pets of the homeless with veterinary care and POTH 475 member collection sites have reported over 265 tons of pet food has been taken to food banks in their respective communities.

To donate or learn more, go to www.petsofthehomeless.org

Your Help Is Needed...right now

Pets of the Homeless Is Recruiting 

Collection Sites & Pet Food Donations

Carson City, NV – Each year, 3.5 million experience homelessness in America, less than a quarter will be homeless for a short time.  However, over 76% are chronically homeless due to physical disability, developmental disability, HIV/AIDS, mental illness and substance abuse problems. Pets of the Homeless (POTH) estimates that as many as 10-25% have service or companion pets.  The need for pet food and veterinary care is at an all-time high. 

 

Pets of the Homeless (POTH), is a nonprofit organization that provides pet food and veterinary care to the homeless in local communities across the United States and Canada, is asking for assistance from business owners and managers.

With the increase of the need for food for pets of the homeless, there is a need for more POTH collection sites. These sites provide the public with a convenient location to drop off pet food and supplies. The donations are then delivered to distributing organizations (food banks, homeless shelters and/or soups kitchens) that have agreed to distribute the pet food to the homeless and poor. Businesses can become a collection site at no cost by signing up on the POTH website, petsofthehomeless.org. Participating business will receive a collection site kit that instructs businesses how to collect and distribute the donations, and gives them authorization to use the POTH logo and photo resources. In addition, partners receive a guide to accessing free publicity in their area.

By becoming a collection site, businesses benefit by unifying staff members, gaining internet exposure and publicizing their business to current and potential customers. These businesses also make the statement that they are socially responsible members of their community. But, perhaps the largest benefit of all is the positive impact that is made in the lives of our less fortunate neighbors and their loving pet companions.         

Since 2008, POTH has recruited over 470 collection sites and over 400 distributing organizations.  Collection sites reporting more than 511,500 pounds of donated pet food and supplies over that time. These statics change daily.

In addition to establishing collection sites, POTH sponsors veterinarians that go to where the homeless congregate and provide wellness veterinary care such as vaccines, spay/neuter and other needed treatments. POTH also assists homeless pet owners with emergency veterinary care.  With cash donations they have provided veterinary care to over 10,400 pets that belong to the homeless.

Interested businesses are urged to visit www,petsofthehomeless.org to join, or email info@petsofthehomeless.org for more information.

Record Breaking Art Paws Heats Up with Dogs Galore!

Keep Your Pet Safe in the Heat NOW!  Art Paws was the first step to summer fun with your pet...keep reading for tips to protect your pet from rising temperatures this summer.

In case you missed Artown's 13th Annual Art Paws, last July 21st, we had a doggone grrrreat time!

The record heat did not deter many of the people and pets of Art Paws.  Red Cross Representative Peggy Rew placed ice chips in water bowls and puppy pools throughout the park, so canines had a chance to cool their feet.

Here are the latest hot weather tips for your pet by Cesar Millan

With record temperatures around the country, it is important to keep your dogs in mind when it comes to keeping cool. Here are Cesar's Top 10 Tips for beating the summer heat!

1.) Exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night.

Since these are the cooler parts of the day, this will make the walk more comfortable for both you and your dog. I'm a believer in vigorous exercise for healthy dogs, but this is the time of year to back off on exercise intensity.

2.) Use doggie boots.

You can find these at your local pet supply store. If you can't walk your dog during the early and later hours of the day, this is a good way of protecting him. Heat rises from the ground, especially on surfaces like cement and asphalt, and dogs absorb and release heat through their feet. Just like boots prevent the dog from absorbing the cold in the winter, they also isolate heat.

3.) Watch for signs of dehydration.

Dogs can't sweat. They cool off by panting, so an overheated dog will drool excessively. It will become lethargic, its eyes will be bloodshot, and it may appear a little pale. If you lift its skin, it will take longer than usual for the skin to fall back into place.

4.) Keep your dog hydrated!

Different dogs have different needs when battling the heat. Keep in mind that darker coats absorb more heat than lighter coats. Also, overweight dogs are at higher risk for dehydration. Carry a bottle of water when going on a walk with your dog. Better yet have your dog carry it for you in a backpack or a vest! The water in the bottles will keep the dog cooler and also give the dog a sense of purpose.

5.) Find innovative ways to cool your dog.

Don't have air conditioning? No problem! Find a spot in the shade and set up a kiddie pool. Lay down a wet towel for your dog to lie on. Or simply set up a fan in front of a pan of ice. At the Dog Psychology Center, we have sprinklers that spray the dogs with a gentle mist of water.

6.) Dogs cool from the bottom up.

Make sure to spray the paws and stomach, not just the top of the dog, when spraying it with water. A wet towel does more good on the bottom of your dog than when laid on the top of its coat.

7.) Let your dog dig!

Your dog may resort to finding his own way to avoid the heat. Dog in nature dig their dens not out of frustration but to find food, hide, give birth--or keep cool! If it's possible, locate a shady area where it's okay for your dog to dig.

8.) Let your dog check the weather.

Dogs don't have the Weather Channel, so they don't know why they are being denied a long walk for the day. Allow your dog to step outside and feel for itself that it is too hot, too wet, or too cold to go on a long walk. Instinctually, the dog will understand that it has to shorten its walk, or simply come back inside where it's safe.

9.) Never leave your dog in a parked car.

The car retains more heat than an open area, even if it is in the shade. Plus, a dog may get overexcited in the car due to passersby or panic from claustrophobia, making dehydration more likely. On longer trips, make sure you have water for the dog and keep the AC running.

10.) Use hot weather as an excuse to swim more often!

The best activity you can do in summertime or hot weather is swimming. Instead of walking the dog, take the dog on a swim! If you hold on and allow your dog to take you around the pool, it becomes a powerful bonding experience for the two of you, similar to the walk.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-health/top-summer-tips#ixzz2adzdKd3a

More FREE Photos from Art Paws 2013:  http://www.pixellaphotography.com/p542219742