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Animals

Pet Talk: How often do you need to change cat litter?

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DEAR PET TALK: How many times do you have to change the litter box if you have a cat? — Trixie, age 7

DEAR TRIXIE: Your kitty will be most appreciative if you (or your parents) frequently clean the litter box. Cats are very fastidious creatures (all that time spent on grooming is part of their nature), and a soiled litter box could prompt kitty to find other places to use as a toilet. Many stores sell a slotted scooper, so you can separate the waste-clumps from the litter, and some manufacturers have made pooper scoopers with long handles, so you needn’t bend down to retrieve kitty’s little creations.

But why do cats use a litter box, while dogs will relieve themselves out of doors? Go back many thousands of years, to the origin of the domestic cat in North Africa, a place filled with sandy deserts.

As “house” cats evolved alongside their human keepers, they retained that need to cover their feces, and sand or loose soil was the preferred medium. A man named Ed Lowe invented commercial cat litter in 1947, using a clay substance called Fuller’s Earth which was more absorbent than sand. It also wasn’t as easily tracked through one’s house.

Since Lowe’s invention, multiple manufacturers have produced varieties of litter ranging from crystals, to wood pellets, to walnut shells, to variants on clay. However, the clumping variety is the most popular and convenient. If you have multiple cats in a household, they may need their own litter boxes, as some cats don’t like to share.

Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Send questions to sallycragin@gmail.com.

Pet of the Week: Let Walter waltz into your heart

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From the mean streets to warmth and comfort – Walter the cat has seen more than most of us, yet his spirit is full of love. Currently cared for at Ahimsa Haven, this cream-and-striped tabby mix is about four years old.

Yes, he has crumpled ears, and definitely is not a “showroom fresh” candidate. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, he shows the love he’s experienced in his physical self, and volunteers report this sweet kitty is extremely responsive to attention and affection. He is available for a reduced adoption fee of $40 as he is FIV+ and in good health.

By remaining an indoor kitty, Walter should have many more good years with a purr-son or peeps who love him.

Visit ahimsahaven.org to fill out an application. All cats ready to be adopted are spayed/neutered, have age appropriate shots, are micro-chipped, dewormed/deflead, and FEL/FIV tested. If you can’t adopt, please share this story.

‘Pulling 4 Paws Truck Pull’ to benefit NEADS World Class Service Dogs

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PRINCETON — NEADS World Class Service Dogs is actively looking for teams and sponsors to take part in the NEADS’ “Pulling 4 Paws Truck Pull” to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Polar Park in Worcester.

Teams of 15 will put their strength to the test to see who can pull an 18-wheeler the fastest.

Already onboard as sponsors are Polar Beverages, Meet Boston, Monty Tech, and O’Connell Plumbing, Inc.

Pulling 4 Paws brings out some friendly competition among different divisions — police, fire, businesses, schools (sports teams, clubs, or other groups are welcome) to name a few.

The winners score major bragging rights, and everyone helps NEADS provide life-changing Service and Assistance Dogs to those who need it most.

The entry fee is $500 with a recommended fundraising goal of $2,500. The team who raises the most overall receives a prize.

The number of teams who can participate is limited, so NEADS encourages you to sign up soon.

Whether you have a team or not, you can also support NEADS and the Pulling 4 Paws Truck Pull by becoming an event sponsor.

“Our goal with the truck pull is to have a community event where partners and friends can have fun and raise money for a good cause,” said Gerry DeRoche, NEADS CEO. “We’re excited that this event is back for the first time since 2019, and we’re also looking forward to opening the event to the public to join as spectators for the first time ever. We’re encouraging teams to sign up now and more details to come on tickets for the public. Everyone is invited to cheer on their favorite team while enjoying a day at Polar Park this April – we look forward to seeing you at the ballpark.”

The event will feature family-friendly activities, games, food, and great entertainment.

NEADS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton. Established in 1976, NEADS offers the widest array of Service Dog programs in the industry, including Service Dogs for adults and children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for veterans, Service Dogs for Hearing, and Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities.

NEADS dogs are also partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings. As of 2022, NEADS has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for 20 consecutive years.

To register, for this event, or for more information, call 978-422-9064; visit neads.org; or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Pet of the Week: Juno you want to adopt this German shepherd

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German shepherds are a relatively recent breed — American Kennel Club identifies the first official dog at “Hektor Linsrhein,” who was priced at 200 German gold marks at a dog show in 1899. Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz, a connoisseur of sheep-herding dogs, gladly paid top dollar to hold the other end of the leash. He recognized the quick reflexes and high intelligence of his dog, and renamed him “Horand von Grafrath” (the latter name loosely translates to “Count Advice”).

Quite a fancy background, for a gorgeous female shep named Juno, currently at Manchester Animal Shelter in Manchester, New Hampshire. She’s just a year old, and shy in new situations. She needs slow introductions, and would thrive in a home with “patient people who can help her build her confidence.”

She likes going out – but busy places make her nervous, so if you have some woods or greenspace to take her, she’ll sniff to her heart’s content. Email canines@manchesteranimalshelter.org. If you can’t adopt – share this story.

Affordable pet vaccine clinic planned; in memory of Jeff Stephens

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FITCHBURG — Along with all the work he did for the Fitchburg Board of Health, Jeff Stephens was extremely proud to help establish an affordable vaccine clinic for residents and their pets.

“Not only did he do whatever was possible for people but his caring nature extended to their four legged companions,” said his widow, Deana Stephens.

Registration is now open for Second Chance Animal Services’ pet vaccine clinic to be held on Saturday, March 11. The clinic offers low-cost vaccines and microchips to help Fitchburg area pet owners care for their pets.

The clinic is being organized by Be PAWsitive Therapy Pets and Friends of Fitchburg DOGS Inc. and is dedicated to Jeffrey Stephens, who was a Leominster resident and helped organize the first clinic in 2011.

“All pets found a soft spot in his heart and even though we are still devastated by his sudden passing, we continue to carry out the efforts he put in place many years ago to help our furry friends,” said Deana Stephens. “Our family is comforted that his legacy continues because of Second Chance Animal Services’ long commitment to providing low-cost vaccines for pets in our community.”

Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato urges local pet owners to check their pet’s vaccine records and take advantage of the low-cost clinic if their pet needs a rabies or distemper vaccine.

“The pandemic disrupted so much, including visits to the vet,’ she said. “We hope to get more pets up to date on vaccines to fend off outbreaks like last year’s parvo outbreak in Springfield.”

The vaccine clinic will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 11, at the Fitchburg Fire Department Headquarters, 33 North St.

Advance registration is encouraged as there will be limited availability for same-day registration. Rabies and distemper vaccines are $18 each and microchips are $22.

Pet owners can register their pet for a rabies vaccine online at secondchanceanimals.org/vaccine-clinics/.

Microchips and distemper vaccines can be added for an additional cash-only fee at the time of service.

Pet of the Week: This Ruby shines bright

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Second Chance Animal Services would love to sing the Rollings Stones’ blues classic: “Goodbye Ruby Tuesday,” to a very special pup, currently at the shelter.

Ruby is a 9-year-old bulldog/setter mix who is sweet and loving. Volunteers report she is “sweet and loving, and if she’s comfortable with you, she’ll roll over for some good belly rubs.” However, this black-and-white lady needs a home where she can be the queen of the castle, without other animals or small children. There’s a sweet video of her at the SCAS web page.

Call 508-867-5525 or email adoptions@secondchanceanimals.org if you think Ruby could be your top dog. Visit secondchanceanimals.org to apply, and if you can’t adopt, please share this story.