Blog Archives

WORLD MOSQUITO DAY August 20

August 20 is World Mosquito Day. On this day in 1897, British scientist Sir Ronald Ross made the breakthrough discovery that malaria is transmitted between humans by the female anopheles mosquito. More than 100 years later, we are still working to find a cure for this deadly disease. The website malarianomore.org.uk debunks myths regarding mosquitoes: […]

Can You Watch Spot?

For pet owners, it’s great having a friend or relative watch Fluffy or Scamp while you’re on vacation. But extra consideration is in order. This setup may be cheaper than hiring a pet sitter, but you can’t put a price on a good — or strained — relationship. Lizzie Post, spokeswoman for The Emily Post […]

Hug Your Hound Day

The second Sunday in September, which this year is September 13, is Hug Your Hound Day. This day is dedicated to our furry pooches and the way they spend their days. National Hug Your Hound Day is about truly observing our dogs (from their point of view) in their environment and everyday life. As you […]

Treatment of Bee Stings

The Mayo Clinic offers these tips for treatment of bee and wasp stings: Treatment for minor reactions To sting, a bee jabs a barbed stinger into the skin. Removing the stinger and its attached venom sac right away will keep more venom from being released. • Remove the stinger as soon as you can, as […]

Hydrate Your Pets

Dehydration is a lack of water in the body, and can cause serious complications for pets and people alike. Water is essential to all living beings, including dogs and cats, who depend on proper daily fluid intake to maintain appropriate health. How Can I Prevent Dehydration? • Provide clean water at all times, and change […]

Five Water Safety Tips for Dogs

It’s really hot out there. Heading off to the beach or just staying at home by the pool are great ways to beat the heat with your pet—but fun can turn quickly to disaster if you’re not careful. The ASPCA posts five water safety tips for dogs: • Don’t leave pets unsupervised around water—not all […]

Venice Audubon

The Venice Area Audubon Society (VAAS), a chapter of the National Audubon, serves Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, North Port, and Englewood. It was founded in 1965 with a mission to promote interest in wildlife and foster the cause of conservation with an emphasis on birds and their habitat. VAAS sponsors birding field trips and walks, bird […]

Before Adopting a Parrot

Photo courtesy of our very own, Renee Wing’s Indian Ringneck named Biggie Bird Although parrots are truly fascinating animals, they can also be much more challenging than people anticipate. If you’re thinking of adopting a parrot, Best Friends Animal Care has posted a few things on their website (bestfriends.org) that you should consider before bringing […]

Steer Clear of Turtle Nests at the Beach

Last week’s blog discussed sea turtle nesting season. This week we are expanding upon that post because according to the North Port Sun, five turtle nests on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County were destroyed by an ATV that was driven over roped-off turtle nests and shorebird nesting areas late in the evening of June […]

Turtle Time

Have you noticed four yellow stakes on the beach tied together with yellow flagging tape? These “cages” are erected to protect sea turtle nests during nesting season, which runs from May 1-October 31. A female turtle can lay several nests during one season and only nests every two or three years. The hard process of […]