We love Tracy Aviary!

What many may or may not know about Dr. Folland is his involvement with Tracy Aviary. For over 20 years, he takes the weekly drive into Salt Lake City to treat numerous birds in the area south of Liberty Park. We have a special place in our hearts for the Aviary and its many programs, events, shows, education and conservation efforts.

Most of the birds at Tracy Aviary sustained injuries in the wild and now after being rehabilitated, play a huge role in educating people about conservation and protecting wildlife and habitats. Some of the resident birds include bald and golden eagles, tropical birds, owls and the infamous Andean Condor, Andy.

Throughout the years, our clinic has seen and helped the birds of the Aviary, whether it's the angry hornbill, the sweet owl or the magnificent eagles. We support the efforts of the Aviary and its programs. Nature in the City is one of the many wonderful programs that helps children and people of the community get outside and explore nature in their backyards.

There are many opportunities to get involved with Tracy Aviary. They always take donations, including the option to adopt a bird (not to take home) and provide it with food, toys and other necessities. There are also many volunteer opportunities for all ages and groups.

If you haven't experienced the Aviary, we highly recommend you take advantage of what it has to offer. You aren't simply watching birds, but learning about how you can help endangered species in the wild. We have the responsibility to protect nature and its beauty.

Thank you, Tracy Aviary!

Reptile Rescue--Sarah Southerland

You may have heard of cat and dog rescues, but it's not very often you encounter a reptile rescue. Sarah Southerland has been coming to our clinic for several years, bringing in neglected and sick reptiles from all over Utah. She chose reptiles because members of her family are allergic to feathers and furs. In December of 2012, she rescued her first bearded dragon, and has rescued over 200 reptiles since then.

Sarah has made a name for herself. People from all over the world contact her with questions about their reptiles, and she has befriended many reptile lovers that share her passion. Reptiles often are misunderstood by people, and reptile rescues aren't nearly as popular as dog and cat rescues, but Sarah hopes to change this mentality. Like dogs and cats, reptiles have personalities and are just as cute and cuddly.

Throughout Sarah's rescuing, she has encountered a lot of heartbreaking cases. Often the owner of the reptile waits to seek help until it's too late. The hardest part of rescuing for Sarah is when the reptile is past the point of healing and all she can do is hold and keep it warm until it passes away.

There are happy endings to Sarah's rescues. Her most rewarding experiences are when the reptiles are half dead and unexpected to live, but receive help and are healthy enough again to be adopted out. Below are before and after photos of Noel, a bearded dragon, who got a second chance at life.

How Sarah's rescue operates:

She learns about the sick reptile from friends or online ads, where she is tagged in a post or forwarded a link. Often she tries to get the animal surrendered to her, and will even pay to have this done. Once she has the reptile, she assesses the situation and determines what needs to be done for it to survive, whether it's a bath and cleaning or saline injection. For more complicated cases, Sarah pays a visit to our clinic. Once the rescued reptiles are healthy again, she adopts them out to safe homes.

How to help:

There are opportunities to help Sarah out with her rescue. She is always looking for foster homes to house bearded dragons and accepts donated reptile supplies (tanks, light fixtures, hides, etc.). Monetary donations can also be made directly to her PayPal account, and she also sells cute costumes, blankets, and supplies through her Etsy site to raise funds. Check out her blog and website as well.

Sarah's bit of advice:

Always do your research BEFORE buying/adopting any animal, but especially a reptile. Educate yourself about diet, husbandry, and diseases. ADOPT, don't shop. As always, exotic vet clinics are a great resource!!

Direct link to Sarah's blog

 

Shelter Pets Need Your Love

April 30 was National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, and we at Parrish Creek want to share the importance of pet adoption.

There are thousands of pets around Utah that are in need of forever homes. While purchasing from a breeder may sound enticing, adopting a shelter pet may be the best decision you will ever make. There are so many pets willing to offer their love to you. They are often vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and potty trained. Most shelter pets have been abandoned and are in need of a loving owner. In our experience, shelter pets have made some of the most loyal companions.

Courtney, our receptionist, believes highly in pet adoption and has adopted several dogs in her lifetime.

Members of Courtney's family. L to R: Rowdy, Anna, and Walter.

"I’m a huge advocate for adopting a 'shelter pet' because of so many reasons.  The first and most important reason is because a shelter dog is as deserving of the comfort and consistency of a forever home as any new puppy that came from a breeder. A shelter pet is really just a label. And that label doesn’t describe the personality and character of the animal.  I have three dogs. Two of them were adopted from a rescue center and one from an owner release. I can’t imagine my life without my three furry kids. They add so much love and laughter to my family. The fact that they were spayed and/or neutered, housebroken and somewhat trained when we crossed paths was a perk! The shelter is a stressful environment for any dog and just one day in a shelter is too long. The sooner you can rescue a dog from any shelter especially a high kill shelter the better.  Your 'shelter dog' will thank you with lots of kisses and unconditional love. I know mine do."

As we celebrate Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, let's remember our furry friends in shelters and the love they deserve.

Get the Right Dog for You!

Have you ever passed someone on the street with their dog and instantly become dog hungry? The cure is simple. Go get yourself a dog! But then you wonder, where do I start and what type of dog should I get?

People searching for a dog often make the mistake of purchasing/adopting the wrong breed for their lifestyles. We’ve often encountered clients who obtained a dog and then realized they can’t give it what it needs.

There was a client who adopted a Border Collie and had the best intentions, but lived in a small apartment and was absent from home a majority of the day. The dog spent most of its time in a kennel—which is not ideal for Border Collies, who require several miles of exercise every day. Eventually the owner had to find another person to take care of the dog.

You can avoid mistakes like this simply by doing your research. There are several things to consider when bringing a new family member into your home.

Is the breed good with children?

Some breeds of dog are not suitable for young children. If you have children, don’t pick a breed that may possibly bite them. Chow chows are one example of dogs who don't work well with children.

Health problems

Certain breeds of dogs are susceptible to different types of illnesses. For example, Pugs tend to have respiratory issues, while Standard Poodles are prone to ear infections.

Exercise demands

Some larger dogs, such as Australian Shepherds, require exercise every day. If you work outside the home and don’t have time for much exercise each day, a small breed of dog would be perfect for your situation.

Are living areas (apartments, homes, townhomes) suitable for the specific breed?

Some apartment complexes have different guidelines for dogs living in the apartments. Make sure you know what your landlord requires before obtaining a dog.  

Work schedule

Some dogs require more time than others. Make sure if you work that your dog’s needs are met.

Arranging boarding when out of town

Dogs still need attention when you go on vacation. Arrange proper boarding before you leave. This can be with a pet sitter or friend, or a professional boarding facility.

Costs of food

Dogs need to eat. Add dog food and treats to your budget.

Veterinary care

We recommend when you first get your dog that you set aside money or an account for veterinary expenses. It is likely your dog will get sick and need to visit the vet sometime in its life. Dogs also require maintenance services (vaccines, heartworm protection, grooming, etc.). It’s good to be prepared.

Who will be primary care taker?

Are children taking care of the dog? If so, parents still need to supervise them so that the dog’s needs are met. Sometimes in large family homes, the dog gets ignored.

Other pets in house

Some dogs get along with cats and birds—some don’t. If you have other pets and want to bring a dog home, consider the living space. Ask yourself, if I bring a new dog into the home, do I have enough space to keep my pets separated and happy?

Shelters or breeders

Shelters are a wonderful place to give a dog a forever home. Most dogs in shelters are adults and potty trained already. In our experience, they make great pets! Some people may choose to get their dog from a breeder. It’s good to make sure the breeder is legitimate before purchasing a puppy. Please avoid puppy mills at all costs! Puppy mills have terrible living conditions for dogs and puppies.

Puppy or adult

Some people want to raise a puppy and others prefer an adult dog. Either choice is rewarding, but make sure you’re prepared for whatever you decide. Puppies require lots of time and patience.

New dogs are always a fun experience! Being prepared before choosing your family member is in your best interest and will make the journey much better! And as always, staff at Parrish Creek are available for your questions.

Visit the AVMA website for more detailed information.