This month, we’d like to highlight another financial award given by the Dr. Jane HealthyPetNet Foundation, this time to Angela's Angels Cat Rescue, a donor-supported, non-profit, no-kill, cage-free cat rescue in Columbia, North Carolina. What began as a personal experience caring for and rescuing sickly and abandoned cats, quickly became the established rescue organization we honor here.

A small, tightly knit organization, their focus is on saving felines from euthanasia at high-kill shelters, while also taking in stray, abandoned and surrendered cats. They actively work to maintain relationships with other no-kill rescues, shelters and vets in the surrounding area, thus creating a strong network of caring individuals working in tandem to save as many cats as possible, placing them in loving, permanent homes. The majority of their rescues are in temporary foster care, although some of their adoptable cats currently reside in the cage-free “Cat House” on the founders’ property. More...

We’re pleased to bring you news of yet another financial award given by the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, this time to a small, inspirational group of Boxer rescuers in North Carolina.

Headquartered in Hampstead, the Carolina Boxer Rescue is a not-for-profit rescue organization established in October of 2001. In their decade of operation, they have helped to rescue and find forever homes for hundreds of purebred Boxers in North and South Carolina.

The folks at this amazing non-profit liberate Boxers from nearby shelters and humane societies, accept surrenders directly from owners who are no longer able to provide quality care, and welcome strays in any condition. The rescued pups are then transferred to one of many caring volunteer foster homes in both Carolina states, living indoors with their temporary pet parents. Every Boxer receives a complete physical, immunizations, sterilization, heartworm test and treatment for any illnesses or diseases. More...

On April 27th, a massive storm system spawned over 180 tornadoes across the southeastern U.S., cutting a swathe of damage, injuries and death. The majority of the destruction occurred in Alabama, where tornados reached strengths of F4 and F5, the most destructive possible. Nearly 4,000 businesses were shuttered due to extensive damage. The full extent of the devastation is difficult to comprehend.

Now, just a few short weeks after experiencing the worst tornadic outbreak in over 50 years, Alabama residents are still digging through the rubble. So many lives were lost, many more were injured, and thousands are homeless. Many of those affected by the disaster included companion animals. Fortunately, a rescue organization has been making great strides in assisting dogs, cats and pet parents through this unbelievably trying time.

Established in 1971, the Humane Society of West Alabama is a no-kill, all-volunteer, non-profit organization utterly dedicated to the dogs and cats in their care. They operate on a spare budget, thanks entirely to donations and fundraisers, but never spare on the superior care they provide their rescues. In 2010, they placed 109 dogs and 91 cats in new forever homes, in addition to providing support to another hundred animals and families in need. More...

Are you stressed out? If you’re like most Americans, chances are the answer is, “Heck, yeah!” Unfortunately, stress is now just a way of life for too many of us. Whether it’s concerns over the uncertain economy, struggling to meet deadlines at work, handling family emergencies, dealing with relationship woes, or even tolerating daily traffic jams, there seems to be an unending parade of stressors in modern life.

Since this is National Stress Awareness Month, now’s a good time to discuss the different aspects of stress, how it can help or hurt you, and the coping mechanisms that can diminish it. If you’re already feeling too stressed to read the rest of this article, you really need to … so take a deep breath and read on. More...

All winter, our feet have been bundled and sequestered within dank socks, booties or other protective gear. But take heart … spring is in the air! Ladies, let’s celebrate by shedding our boots and letting the dogs out, giving our ten little puppies room to breathe. After months of hibernation, let’s give our toes some much needed attention with a long-overdue and well-deserved pedicure.

For some of us, just uttering the word “pedicure” can make our toes curl. Of the women who enter salons everyday for pedicures, a percentage exit with an unwanted visitor - fungus! Even the highest caliber salons can’t completely guarantee against fungal contamination. If you’re a victim, you’ll not realize it until your toes ache; by that time, it’s too late. More...

February is not just for lovers anymore. The American Heart Association (AHA) has officially dubbed February “American Heart Month”. So, what better time to start showing your heart more love than in February? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention claims that heart disease is the leading cause of deaths in the United States. Both the Mayo Clinic and the AHA suggest that consuming 2-3 (3.5 ounce) servings of omega-3 rich foods a week can help support a healthy heart. More...

Do you have a cosmetic “junk drawer” in your bathroom? You know, the one filled to the brim with enough makeup to beautify the entire Dallas Cowboy cheerleader squad! Somehow it’s difficult to bring ourselves to dispose of all the latest (or has been) styles that we have purchased over the years. They’re probably still good, right? However, in many cases, the answer is “wrong!”

Every time we use cosmetics, we expose our products to air, moisture and/or bacteria. Over time, the efficacy of the preservatives in cosmetics diminishes. As a result, cosmetics have the potential to become a breeding ground for bacteria. And when applied to the skin, cosmetics contaminated with bacteria could cause irritation, skin rashes or even worse – an infection! More...

 

For many people, the holidays are a stressful time of year. Unexpected guests dropping by, entertaining relatives, and finding the perfect gift on everyone’s list are all daunting tasks. To add even more to the holiday pressure, we must still deal with our day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. Talk about unwanted stress!

Stress is the body’s normal form of defense. When faced with danger or discomfort, your body reacts in a ‘fight or flight’ mode as a form of protection. If your body is subjected to constant, repetitive and stressful situations, without time to restore itself, your health could suffer. More...

This holiday season, we’re especially pleased to bring you news of yet another financial award given by the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, this time to an inspirational organization of animal rescuers in Pennsylvania.

Better Days Animal League is a non-profit animal rescue organization that was established in the summer of 2007. In their short time on the scene, they have helped to rescue and find forever homes for hundreds of animals in need.

The folks at this wonderful organization coordinate their efforts with local government officials and other local rescue organizations to further their primary mission, which is to be a strong advocate for animals. In fact, they are absolutely dedicated to the principle that all life must be treated with value, dignity and respect. More...

Skin. It has been with you since before you were born. The largest organ of your body, your skin stretches as you grow and shrinks when you diet. But, most importantly – ages while you age! Here are four simple steps that you can take to keep your skin looking younger and feeling healthier:

Sun Protection – As we age, our skin is exposed to countless hours of sun. Constant, unprotected exposure can eventually result in what we commonly refer to as age spots. Ranging in all different sizes and shapes, these spots can appear on any area that has been exposed to the sun’s rays – your hands, arms, legs and, unfortunately, even your face. In order to decrease the risk of the appearance of these spots, you must protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. These rays come in two different wavelengths, UVA and UVB. UVB rays, while shorter than UVA, make our skin burn when overexposed. UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin’s layers, damage our collagen fibers … creating those dreaded wrinkles and leathery-looking skin. The best form of protection (besides staying indoors during daylight hours) is to use a broad-spectrum sunblock that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Moisturize - Not only do moisturizers make your skin feel soft and smooth, they also act as a “security blanket” for your skin. By using a moisturizer, you are giving your skin a temporary layer of protection that substitutes for lost collagen and elastin. Blanketing your skin with moisture helps to slow the progression and deepening of wrinkles. When looking for a moisturizer, be sure to take your skin type into consideration. Typically, moisturizers are made from two types of bases, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions. Water-in-oil-based moisturizers tend to be thicker and greasier and ideal for hands or extreme dry skin. On the contrary, oil-in-water-based moisturizers are lighter and a much better choice for normal-to-oily skin. Be sure to check the label when choosing a moisturizer and select one that best matches your skin type and needs. More...