While boarding facilities are a great option for many people, some pet parents feel more comfortable hiring a pet sitter to stay home and care for their pet while they are away. Pet sitters and pet parents can make for a winning combination in companion animal care, but the secrets to this relationship are preparation and communication. If you are planning on hiring a pet sitter, here are some tips that help ensure a seamless experience: More...

Small and medium-size rescues are the primary beneficiaries of the grants awarded by the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation. However, in times of crisis, they also bestow emergency donations of food and financial support to casualties of disaster. Thus far, victims of hurricanes, tornados and fires have all received funding and/or food donations from our non-profit. We can now add flood victims to the list of recipients who’ve benefitted from the foundation’s generosity.

In this special video report, Dr. Sarah serves as our ‘boots on the watery ground’ in flood-ravaged Colorado. Our Staff Veterinarian reveals what our non-profit has done to help alleviate the suffering of pet parents who’ve lost their homes and most, if not all, of their possessions.

As you’ll see, whole neighborhoods have been submerged or wiped off the map by the deluge, putting countless companion animals at-risk. Even now, weeks after the initial torrential rains and widescale flooding, rescue crews continue to search for missing people, dogs and cats.

Fortunately, amidst the chaos of indiscriminate destruction, Colorado residents have also been inundated with kindness from all corners of the country. Life-saving and sustaining aid pours in, including that from the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation.

We also encourage you to watch last month’s episode of Pet Talk, ‘Disaster Prep’, which details the steps that pet mamas and papas can take now to be ready should disaster ever strike in your neighborhood.

Part of the privilege of sharing our lives with a pet kid is the emotional bond we share with them. Even among these relationships, often there is one very special companion animal, whether a dog, cat, bird or even a reptile, who makes an indelible mark on our lives.

When we are faced with the loss of any pet kid, much less a truly exceptional companion, we may be surprised to find ourselves suffering from agonizing grief. Some people worry over the intensity of their feeling, doubting their right to grieve so acutely. Rest assured, beloved furry, feathery or scaly companions ARE NOT ‘just animals’. This sentiment, shared by some who have chosen not to share their lives with a pet kid, belittles your experience, so give it the credence it deserves … none. More...

In the 20th century, Americans were encouraged to guard against an ever-present Communist menace, even to go so far as to build underground fortifications to protect against an onslaught of nuclear weapons. Modern-day preppers face a much bigger adversary – Mother Nature. With brutal winters, tornadic springs, fiery summers and a hurricane season that lasts for months, calamity seems ubiquitous in the news. Before adversity strikes in your neighborhood, watch this episode of Pet Talk where Dr. Sarah offers her insights for how to avoid pandemonium in the wake of turmoil. Take this opportunity now to learn how to get your house in order, with helpful tips from our good doctor.

Dog racing is big business. Whether or not you condone the enterprise, there’s no denying that it can take a toll on the racers. Not content to sit on the sidelines, this month’s featured grant recipient addresses the sport’s collateral damage, working to heal the bodies and spirits broken by years of circling the track.

Located in Los Angeles County, FastFriends Greyhound Adoption of California maintains a wide foster-home network. When it comes to their rescue, FastFriends has a one-track mind - to help transition greyhounds from racing careers to lives of companionship with adoptive families. More...

It’s an unfortunate fact that our dogs and cats become sick and sustain injuries. And sometimes, getting to a vet quickly isn’t an option. Isn’t it comforting to know that you might be able to help simply by using items found in just about every home? Benefit from Dr. Sarah’s expertise as an emergency veterinary doctor, and watch this month’s episode of Pet Talk. You too can become a ‘Medical MacGyver’! Hopefully, you’ll learn something new that’ll help a companion animal in need until you can get to the vet.

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you’ll know that we want you to be prepared. Being able to recognize an emergency situation as opposed from something that’ll ‘just pass’, is critical. To make these vital decisions, we offer the following documents: “Tips for Emergency Situations” and “Recognize the Signs of Shock (Requires Immediate Vet Care)”, PDF’s to print for future use. Consider posting each page in a central location, like the refrigerator, for quick reference, should an emergency arise.

People often ask me if cats can get asthma. Unfortunately, the answer is a definite, “Yes”. The signs of feline asthma can come on quite suddenly and can constitute a medical emergency, so let’s review this condition in some detail.

Just like in humans, the airways in cats with asthma become restricted and inflamed. Mucus forms in the respiratory tract and the airway walls spasm. This can lead to wheezing, coughing, tiredness and difficulty breathing. Some cats can also vomit or lose their appetite. A cat having an asthma attack may sit with his head extended and breathe with an open mouth. Open mouth breathing is abnormal in cats. If you see this, consider it a sign of emergency and contact your veterinarian immediately. More...

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The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation is gratified to bring you news of our latest grant, awarded to Richardson Rescue, a medium-sized group in York, SC. Richardson Rescue has been rescuing pets since 2003. The mission of this Carolina rescue is to provide shelter and care for both dogs and cats, and ultimately to place them in forever homes. In addition to these vital services, they also provide a low-cost spay-and-neuter program for local families subsisting on low incomes. An ardent advocate on behalf of animal rights, founder Janet Richardson views her work as falling under the umbrella of “preserving the sanctity of animal life”. As goals go, it’s our opinion that her rescue agency has become a great success! Unlike many of our grant recipients, Richardson Rescue owns and operates a physical facility. The rescue center has a capacity of 130 animals, with nearly 40 dog runs, a medical facility with 15 crates and an observation area with 12 crates. And outdoors, there’s a dog park for exercise and play. More...

No matter how much we adore our companion animals, there’s no denying that they come with responsibilities. Keeping your dog’s coat clean not only helps to support skin health, a luxurious, odor-free coat can actually improve your quality of life, too.

Not all of us are able to get to our professional groomer every time we really need to, so this episode of Pet Talk is all about techniques to wash your dog’s coat at home … in between regular groomer visits.

With help from her beautiful, blond assistant, Alma, Dr. Sarah offers a quick overview of the basics of home bathing, to leave your dog’s coat lustrous, clean and smelling spectacular.

Could that growth on my dog’s back be a mast cell tumor? Is that cough really kennel cough, or perhaps something even worse? My pet is drinking more water – what does that mean? If you have ever gone online to try and diagnose what is wrong with your dog or cat, you have plenty of company.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center indicated that 35% of U.S. adults say they have used the Internet to figure out what medical condition they or someone else might have. I imagine if this many people are using the Internet to figure out what is wrong with themselves, then they are most likely searching for what is wrong with their pets as well. More...