Hurry! There is still time.

The Angel’s Wish 2011 auction is nearing it end. But don’t worry, there is still time! The auction ends June 30, 2011 and many great items are still available. Items like:

• Doggy Daycare passes
• Veterinary gift certificates
• Microchipping services
• Restaurant gift cards
• Beauty products
• Jewelry
• Art
• Furniture
• And more!

So don’t waste anymore time and check out some of the great items we have to offer! Participating in auction is a great way to give back to the animals and support homeless pets in South Central Wisconsin. All proceeds go directly to the animals we foster and aids the special features Angel’s Wish provides.

Angel’s Wish is different in that each adopted cat that leaves the center with up-to-date vaccinations and is spayed or neutered. Our cats also stay in foster homes throughout the week and are only in the “spotlight” on weekends during adoption events. Through our annual auction, we are able to provide food, shelter and safety to all Angel’s Wish homeless pets. And thanks to participants like you, we are able to continue our mission every day.

If you have any questions concerning auction or any other Angel’s Wish services, please visit angelswish.org or email info@angelswish.org.

Introducing a New Cat to Your Home.

Bringing home a new addition to your family has its challenges, especially if you have other cats living with you. As I’m sure you’ve experienced, cats can be very territorial, especially if they have been on their own for some time. Whenever you bring home a new pet, they should always be introduced slowly, before a face-to-face meeting. Here are a few helpful tips to bringing home your new addition:

· Feed your pets and the newcomer on each side of the door to his room, so they associate something enjoyable with each other’s smells. Make sure you don’t put the food too close to the door that your pets are too upset to eat — about 10 inches away would do the trick!

· Get your pets to interact using a toy. Tie a toy to each end of a string, then place it on either side of the door. Hopefully, they will play with the toy and even bat their paws!

· Swap blankets or beds the cats use. That way when they meet, their scents will be familiar.

· Once your cat is using the litter box and eating regularly while confined, let your cat have free time in the house while confining your other pets to the new cat’s room or area. This allows cats to experience other scents before an actual face-to-face meeting.

Remember, introducing a new pet can take time — a few days, weeks or even a few months. But be patient, these things can take time! A slow and steady introduction will pay off; it reduces the chances of your cats being afraid or aggressive. If signs of aggression persist, try making a loud noise like clapping your hands together to distract them. This may be a sign you need to start the introduction process over again. Consider talking with your vet about advice he or she may have concerning your pets’ behavior.

Additional tips to reduce tension:

· Have one extra litter box per each cat.

· Try to keep your resident cats on the same routine as it was before the new arrival.

· Make sure all cats have a “safe spot” to escape to.

For more information about introducing new pets, talk to your vet or visit humanesociety.org.

Allergic to cats? Here are some solutions!

We all know someone who is allergic to cats — a family member, a significant other, a roommate or even yourself! But allergies are no reason to avoid adopting a cat. They are also no reason to get rid of your cat either. In fact, there are many ways to remedy pet allergies before you consider such extreme measures. Below are the top 9 ways to reduce cat dander in your home.

1. Don’t allow your cats to sleep on your bed. This is a small price to pay for allergy relief. It allows you to give yourself a break while you try to abate your symptoms.
2. Keep them out of the bedroom altogether. Reducing the amount of dander in the bedroom will allow your room to be a sanctuary from allergens. So tempt your cats to sleep elsewhere during the day/night.
3. Wash all bedding in 140-degree hot water at least twice monthly. This eliminates dust mite and cat allergen embedded in your linens.
4. Invest in HEPA air filters in rooms where your cats frequent. Cat allergen is difficult to remove. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air purifier will do the trick. For them to work, they need continued filter replacement, but they can reduce your symptoms substantially!
5. Vacuum your home with a HEPA vacuum cleaner twice weekly. Walls, carpet, flooring, chairs, furniture — wherever your cats dwells, vacuum!
6. Use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home. In addition to vacuuming, vapor steam cleaners are proven by research to be helpful in killing cat dander that may be imbedded in your carpet and upholstery.
7. Wash your hands immediately and don’t rub your eyes. Use a strong anti-bacterial soap to kill all cat dander after you have interaction with your cat.
8. Clean your cat. Some people wash their cats to reduce the amount of dander. Allerpet (sold at the Angel’s Wish retail store!), a well-known brand of liquid, reduces cat dander and can easily be applied to your cats’ coat.
9. Confine your cats to one area of the house. This can be difficult, but it controls the cat dander to a separate place where you can concentrate your air purifier and cleaning efforts.

Following these steps will decrease your allergies significantly and make a happier environment for all. If these steps don’t work, consider talking with your veterinarian about additional advice he/she may suggest.

Source: about.com

Adult Volunteers Needed.

Do you love animals? Are you looking for new ways to help out the community? Angel’s Wish is actively seeking adult volunteers to help with adoption events on Saturdays and Sundays. The center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays, and are usually done in shifts.

One of the great qualities of volunteering with Angel’s Wish is that you can volunteer as much or as little as you want — there is no required amount of time in order to volunteer. Some of our volunteers spend one day a month, others spend every Saturday at the center. It is a great way to learn communication skills and work directly with animals. Some of the opportunities at the adoption events include:

• Retail area - welcome customers, provide product recommendations.
• Pet caretakers - prepare condos, cleanup after animals leave.
• Adoption consultants - help make great pet and people matches.
• Office administration - answer phones, computer work, etc.
• Building maintenance - minor projects, routine cleaning, etc.
• Education - assist with volunteer orientations.

If you are interesting in volunteering with Angel’s Wish, fill out a volunteer application and submit it to volunteer@angelswish.org. For more information about Angel’s Wish, visit our website at www.angelswish.org.

Please Note: Angel’s Wish is unfortunately not on a bus line and we do not have the ability to offer transportation for volunteers. Also, Angel's Wish is unable to participate in court-ordered community service at this time.

Shop Local. Shop Angel's Wish.

Angel's Wish has a full retail store equipped with all the necessities you need for you and your companion! The best part about it? All your purchases will go directly towards Angel's Wish and the animals. Shopping at the retail store is a great way to support the rescue, especially if you are looking for additional ways to help. We carry a wide variety of products with competitive prices including:

1. Cat litter, litter boxes, scoops, etc.
2. Cat Food - Royal Canine, Science Diet, Max Cat, Pro Plan and an assortment of wet food
3. Cat toys - cardboard scratches, fake mice, string toys, etc.
4. Grooming tools including the Furminator (at a great price!)
5. Original Pet Fountain, food and water bowls, treats and more
6. Animal carriers and bedding
7. Human allergy control methods
8. Scratching posts (made local)

The retail store is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. during adoption events. If we don't have something you need, please be sure to let the cashier know!


Visit our website for more information about our retail store and other products we carry. We hope to see you soon!

Come Visit Us at Dog Fest 2011

Mark your calendars! Angel’s Wish is proud to be apart the annual Mounds Dog Fest on June 12, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s event will take place at Angell Park in Sun Prairie, Wis. and admission is FREE. For the last couple of years, Angel’s Wish has hosted a pet microchipping clinic and will be available again at Dog Fest 2011! You can have your pet microchipped for a small cost of $20 with registration. If your pet is ever lost, microchipping substantially increases the likelihood of your pet returning home by offering permanent identification. Below are some statistics of return rates of pets with microchips:

• Only about 22 percent of lost dogs that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families. However, the return-to-owner rate for microchipped dogs was over 52 percent (a 238 percent increase).



• Less than 2 percent of lost cats that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families. The return-to-owner rate for microchipped cats was dramatically higher at over 38 percent (more than 2000 percent better).
  

Stop by this years Dog Fest and visit the Angel’s Wish booth for more information about our organization and to have your pet microchipped!

Note: Angel’s Wish offers $20 microchipping at the center in Verona every third Sunday of every month. No appointment is necessary! Visit the Angel’s Wish website for more information.

Summer Safety Tips for Your Cat

Summer in Wisconsin is the time to get outside and enjoy the weather. And even your cat can enjoy it! Indoor cats like to enjoy the summer months just as much as you do — more birds to watch, basking in the sun and even exploring outside. But it’s important to remember that cats enjoy the freedom of being outside, and even tall fences can’t always contain them. Here are a few ways to ensure a safe, fun summer for your cat(s):

• Have plenty of fresh water available and make sure he/she has a shaded place to nap and stay cool.
• Clear your home of any poisonous plants.
• Plant a cat garden. Grow grass or catnip indoors. Your cat will flip for dried catnip and will love to munch on fresh cat grass.
• Place a birdfeeder near a window where your cat likes to sit. Your cat will love to watch the birds — and you will love to watch them!
• If your cat is used to being indoors, make sure you keep your cat on a leash or enclosed area where he/she can't escape.

For more healthy summer tips for your cat(s), visit: http://blogs.webmd.com/pet-tales/2011/05/summer-safety-for-pets.html