Long Horn Spider (Gasteracantha arcuata) (by melvynyeo)
Category Archives: Animals
11.15.12 During the ‘Pig Time’ At The Zoo
My Guinea Pig friends at Hutch A Good Life are so adorable and that got me thinking about our past piggies. We miss them very much. We have been pigless for a few years now.
Mr. Moto (mostly white) and Georgia (brown) had a wonderful life together at the zoo. They had 3 kids, 2 boys (Bubba (aka Mo Jr) and Panda) and their daughter, Checkers. Mo and Georgia started their family very early in life. You see, the pet store where they came from, though Moto was a girl (whom we named Martha) and it was not until Georgia was with child that we learned the differences in the appearance of boy and girl guinea pigs (just think ‘Y’ or ‘i’) and how young they can conceive (3 weeks). Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! (I learned a lot about birthing piggies that year.)
That being said, we had a happy hutch of 5 pigs, with the girls in one cage, the young boys in another, and Mr. Moto by himself (because he just did not like living with the family).
For years, multiple cages took over my kitchen and then the dining room. But it was worth it. They were the sweetest (and funniest) pigs in the universe. The boys were adopted out after about a year, but Checkers stayed with her Mother all her life. Sadly Checkers was the first in this family to pass over at about 4 years; Moto passed in 2009 at about 7 years of age, and Georgia lasted until she was 8. Before that family we had ‘Sam,’ who was a great pig and really started the whole thing, and then during the ‘pig time,’ we took in a rescue named S’more, but he died very shortly after coming to us. We had such fun with them and miss them all. Maybe someday we will have Guinea Pigs again, but right now, the zoo is full (and I am afraid the dogs would eat them). But if you don’t mind, I think a will tell some pig stories over the next few months because they are just so cute.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
11.4.12 How You Can Help Pets Effected By Storm Sandy
You can help the pets effected by Storm Sandy. When shelters are without power the job is so much harder.
RumpyDog posted a great one on Helping Animals Affected by Sandy. Thank you Rumpy for being so thoughtful. Please help as you can. This is going to be a hard winter for an already stressed animal population at the shelters.
Also, here are some good links from Petfinders Blog
Shelters and adoption groups damaged by Hurricane Sandy or assisting their communities in recovering won’t be taking time off this weekend. There is a lot of clean-up to be done, often in areas that still don’t have power.
Mochi is bundled up to stay warm while Animal Haven is without power!
Please take some time to review our posts on Petfinder animal welfare organizations who need help, and reach out to them this weekend if you can. Here are our past posts from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with additional shelters checking in below.
New York:
- Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C)’s Manhattan and Brooklyn Care Centers are now open for adoptions, return-to-owners, and in-takes on a limited basis. They ask that anyone intending on surrendering a pet to call Pets for Life at (917) 468-2938 . Updates are available via their Facebook page
- Animal Haven is on day five without power. They have posted a great video of their experience caring for their animals here on YouTube. You can follow their progress and find a link to donate via their Facebook page. They are also accepting donations outside the front gate at 251 Centre Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They need linens, towels, flashlights, lanterns, batteries for flashlights, paper towels, bleach and rubber gloves.
New Jersey:
- Atlantic County Animal Shelter reports that flooding came right up to the door but remained outside. Their animals are safe and well.
- Cape May Co. Animal Shelter (CMCAS) Staff remained at the shelter throughout the storm. Luckily they were not flooded and did not lose power, however they need to find homes for cats, so consider adopting a hurricane kitty of your very own! They are also on Facebook
- The Humane Society of Atlantic County was not as lucky and experienced serious flooding. They report that “much of the cleaning is done and we are rebuilding some of the counters that were destroyed. We have power, heat, water for washing (not drinking though) and lots of friends. At this point [we] estimate the HSAC had about $100,000 loss in supplies, equipment, and business. We hope to re-open Monday. Financial support and Lowe’s/Home Depot cards are still needed.” You can find this update and more on their Facebook page. Monetary donations can be accepted via their web page
We hope Blair finds a home now that Sandy has passed.
- The Humane Society of Ocean City suffered minor damage from Hurricane Sandy. The structure is sound and they plan to open today, November 2nd at 11 a.m. All of the animals are safe. They are asking for donations of laundry soap, bleach, canned cat foot, 33 gallon trash bags, and towels, as these were the most used items during the storm. They would appreciate monetary donations as well. Updates are available via Facebook.
- Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter does not yet have power or heat. You can donate via their web page and receive updates by way of their Facebook page.
NOT Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo 