We were incredibly honored and grateful that actress, producer, and animal activist Jenna Dewan-Tatum chose DaisyCares as one of her featured charities on her new Ebay Celebrity profile!!

We want to thank all of our supporters, Jenna, and her husband Channing Tatum for helping DaisyCares through Jenna’s Ebay charity auction! Your generous donations and support raised over $2100 for our organization in just 4 days, and we’re EXTREMELY grateful!!

Last year, we launched Millie’s Mission - a new program here at DaisyCares designed to reduce animal abuse in Bexar County through public education and awareness. We ask that you please take a few minutes to help us with today’s mission…

MISSION BACKGROUND

Marley, a brave yellow Labrador Retriever that saved a little girl from a vicious dog attack, needs our help! Here’s background on Marley’s story via ChipIn:

“San Antonio Animal Care Services impounded both dogs and destroyed the attacking dog. Animal Care Services has deemed Marley a ‘Dangerous Dog’ and is requiring his owners to pay $100,000 public liability insurance on Marley, purchase special collars/leashes, muzzle him, and more. Marley’s owners do not have the financial capabilities to fight the city & the city is charging the family a specific fee for each day Marley is impounded. We believe Marley is NOT a dangerous dog and instead should be regarded as a hero.“

HOW WE CAN ALL HELP

The family is currently using an attorney to fight for Marley, who is thankfully taking this case pro-bono. Supporters can CLICK HERE to make a financial contribution to help the family cover the fees charged by the city. You can also CLICK HERE to view Marley’s story on the local news.

Patrons donated and put their name on an ornament that was placed on the tree to motivate others with their generous holiday spirit!

THANK YOU to Eagle Pet Hospital, Barbara’s Clips and Bows, Kowboy Kennels, Newby’s, Tails Natural Pet Market and WellMed for participating, and thank you to everyone who took the time to add your ornament to their trees!

Here is a suggested list of resolutions every pet owner should adopt for 2012:

• Don’t neglect routine vet care! Skipping yearly routine visits to the vet may end up costing you money in the long run, and costing your pet a few less years in his life. Keeping up with vaccinations and parasite prevention isn’t just smart, it’s essential!
• Do commit to exercising your pet daily. While “I’ll start exercising tomorrow” may be your mantra, it is up to you to make sure that doesn’t carry over to your pet’s routine. Tomorrow isn’t good enough. All pets need a regular dose of exercise every day, whether it’s a 15-minute walk with your dog or a game of laser chasing with your cat, you need to get your pet up off the couch and working toward fitness. Not only is exercise good for her health, but it also staves off behavior problems in bored dogs and cats with unspent energy.
• Don’t let your pet fall victim to household dangers. Take some time this month to do some pet proofing. Just as you would if you had a toddler underfoot, you need to make sure all hazardous products are safely out of reach for your curious kitties or inquisitive pups. Also, check all window screens. Are they secure? Tragically, this is overlooked all too often. A squirrel in the yard or a bird landing on the windowsill is all it takes for the hunter in your pet to surface and send your dog or cat soaring through the window.
• Do spay or neuter your pet. The health benefits of spaying/neutering include a decrease in cancers for both male and female dogs and cats and less cases of problematic urine marking in males.
• Don’t forget to adjust your pet’s diet according to his age and size. What was good for Fido at five simply may not be good for Fido at 10. Check with your vet to see if any adjustments should be made. Keep in mind, fat is not cute. When it comes to overweight pets, it is just the catalyst for a whole slew of problems, including diseases like diabetes and heart disease, as well as joint problems.
• Do get your pet micro chipped. At the very least, make sure your dog or cat is wearing an up-to-date ID tag at all times.
• Don’t neglect grooming. Even if your cat spends half her waking hours primping and fussing over herself, don’t assume that’s all she needs. Cats and dogs both need at least an occasional brushing and toenail trim. Check their coats for hot spots, bumps, cuts, etc., too.

Is the list a bit long? Perhaps. Is your beloved pet worth it? Undoubtedly.  Here’s wishing a happy new year to all of our furry friends!

We are BEYOND excited, honored, and grateful that actress, producer, and animal activist Jenna Dewan-Tatum would choose DaisyCares as one of her featured charities on her new Ebay Celebrity profile!!

From a gorgeous All Saints dress that was worn at an international premiere to an Alice + Olivia dress worn at a Tinseltown party to Adriano Goldschmied jeans personalized with Channing Tatum‘s name, Jenna and her husband graciously donated their personal clothing to help our organization this holiday season. All of the items and a Skype call with Jenna are currently up for auction on Jenna’s new  charity profile.

Fans of the two stars can CLICK HERE to head on over and bid on the auctions through December 19th, and all of the proceeds will be donated to DaisyCares.

THANK YOU again to Jenna and Channing for the incredible support they have provided to our organization and animals in our community! Hugs from all of us here at DaisyCares!!!

The Domain

Well, for one thing, the chaos of the holidays could scare the new dog or cat and create trouble right from the start. So, before you decide to bring a pet into your home during this busy time of year, make sure you are prepared to give him the proper pampering so he feels safe and right at home.

For a dog, that safety net just might be a crate. If you are planning on crating your newest family member, take comfort into consideration.

The Planet Petco Natural Wood Crate ($119.00-149.99), available at Petco, is a comfortable and attractive choice. The dark wood fits into many decors, doubling its function as an end table or nightstand, as well as a safe haven for your new pet.

At the very least, you want to make sure your dog or cat has his or her own special place to sleep. The variety of pet beds and blankets can transform any place in your house into your pet’s ultra-comfy boudoir.

Consider the plush Precision Pet SnooZZy Sleeper Natural Crate Mat ($7.99-$39.99), also available at Petco. Or, for a step up in the comfort department, the Precision Pet SnooZZy Black Cozy Comforter Crate Mat ($22.99-$59.99). This mat is sounds so comfy, you might find your kids cuddled up in Fido’s bed! The crate mats can be used, even if you don’t have a crate. They soften any surface where your pup wants to bed down.

Kitties need a place to call their own as well. While dogs tend to be ‘cave dwellers,’ cats prefer lofty lounging. Cats are also territorial, so it is important they have a place they can put their claim to. The best way to make your new cat feel at home is to give her her own room…at least for the first few days. Confining her may not seem like the right way to welcome her into the family, but it really will help her adapt to her new home.

Of course, she will need a fresh new litter box, food and water, and a comfy place to curl up. Cats love boxes, so place one in the room and see if that’s where your new kitty decides to bed down. And, as mentioned, give your cat a higher ‘perch’ to satisfy her lofty aspirations.

A carpeted or sisal rope climbing ‘tree’ provides perfect pampering for your new pet. CozyCatFurniture.com offers a wide variety of Cat Trees, Towers, Playgrounds and Beds for prices ranging from around $30 to close to $900!

Other ways to pamper your new pet over the holidays and beyond…

• Toys – Both cats and dogs need a selection of toys to keep them occupied, active and to help prevent boredom-related behavioral issues. Drs. Foster and Smithoffer a whole slew of toys designed to keep pets stimulated and happy.For cats, you can opt for simple furry play mice or small crinkly balls or more advanced interactive toys like the Booda Balance Ball Cat Toy($12.99).Dogs like toys they can chew on, so be careful to choose toys they can’t choke on. Always buy toys specifically made for dogs, like Pro Action Dental Chew ($8.99-$16.99). Dogs also enjoy tossing around stuffed toys. The Squeak N Grunters Dog Toys ($17.99) come in a menagerie of animal shapes designed for pampered playtime.
• Clothing  – Of course, this category is limited to dogs, as most cats will feel neither pampered nor pleased when wearing anything more than a collar! Keeping your pups tootsies warm and dry as they head outside on a snowy evening is easy with a set of boots. Check out the stylish boots and socks at DoggieVogue.com. Aside from warming their paws, the selection of doggie sweaters and coats is almost overwhelming. Head over to your local pet store to see which style fits your pup’s needs.
• Palate – Yes, there are right and wrong ways to pamper your pet’s palate. While the Christmas ham might entice your dog or cat, keep it on your plate. If you want to treat your new pet, stick to special goodies made for them, such as Frosty Paws ice cream for dogs or Catsip Lactose-free Milk for cats.

Pet stores are filled with holiday-themed pampering pet products. But what your new dog or cat really needs can’t be bought. They need security, shelter, and a large dose of what they give to you … unconditional love. So pamper them a little with the things you can buy, and then pamper them a whole lot more with the things you can’t. Priceless!

BIG thanks to Encino Park Elementary, Girl Scout Troop 2047, Stone Oak Vet Clinic and Barbara's Clips and Bows!!!

We are so thankful to our many area friends and businesses that help DaisyCares by hosting a pet food drive for our local Pet Food Program!

This past week, we were contacted by a wonderful group of fourth grade girls at Encino Park Elementary who had chosen DaisyCares for their holiday service project. They will be collecting food and pet supplies through the week to be distributed through DaisyCares.

Girl Scout Troop 2047 has also selected DaisyCares as their project of choice and held a pet food drive on December 11th at Pet Supplies Plus at 1248 Austin Hwy Ste 108 from 4-6PM.

Pet food drives are such a great way to support the underprivileged families who need help taking care of their pets. Whether it is your school group, community or church organization, or just through your network of friends and family, we can help make it simple.

We will provide you with a container and signage and pick everything up when you are finished. If you don’t have the means to accept the donations, let us know, and we can work with you on a drop off location in your area. There are currently a few locations through out San Antonio that take pet food donations for the DaisyCares Pet Food Program.

Here are our current drop off sites…

• Stone Oak Veterinary Clinic
• Barbara’s Clips & Bows at The Yard Shopping Center

As always, our DaisyCares website hosts an ongoing virtual pet food drive which makes it even easier! You can just send an email to all your friends and family with a link to our virtual pet food site asking them to help the DaisyCares mission to save pets’ lives and help keep them with their families.

Thanks in advance for the much-needed help during this holiday season!

Even if it’s just the change in their pockets, patrons who donate to Daisy’s Care Tree can put their name on an ornament to be placed on the tree so that others can be motivated by their generous spirit!

Local veterinarians, such as Eagle Pet Hospital and pet boutiques like Barbara’s Clips and Bows are taking part in this festive fundraiser, and we hope you can too! If you see a DaisyCares tree please lend your support, because every little bit can make a difference!

If you have a local business or know of one that would like to participate, please contact Jennifer Starr at jstarr@daisycares.com, and make sure you drop by Eagle Pet Hospital and Barbara’s Clips and Bows to add your ornament to their trees!

• The best way to protect your pets during the winter? Bring them inside! Pets (especially cats) are safer indoors. Can’t have your pet inside the house? Purchase an insulated dog house or build a protective enclosure that shields your pet from the elements and gives them a safe, warm place to rest.
• Certain pets are more vulnerable to cold temperatures than others. Shorthaired dogs, very young or old dogs and all cats should not be left outside during winter months. Shorthaired dogs may benefit from a sweater while outside.
• Pets who spend much of their day outdoors will need some extra food throughout the winter months. That’s because they use up more energy trying to stay warm. A few extra kibbles won’t hurt but make sure your pet is getting daily exercise if they’re prone to weight gain.
• Always provide fresh, clean water regardless of the season. Check water daily and clean bowls regularly to prevent algae growth.
• Be mindful of your pets while winterizing your car. Antifreeze is deadly to pets who are attracted to its sweet taste. Store all chemicals out of reach especially if you’re going to bring your pets into the garage on cold nights.
• Before heading out to warm up the car, bang on the hood a time or two. A warm engine can be a welcome spot for a cold cat and the noise should scare them away before you start the engine.

The City of San Antonio has laws that protect pets from neglect including exposure to harsh weather conditions. Residents can report possible animal ordinance violations by calling the City’s 3-1-1 Customer Service line.