Virginia SART

Local and state agencies practice life-saving skills

vasart — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:40:19 +0000

Local and state agencies practice life-saving skills in wake of Oklahoma tornado. Rescuing pets in a disaster was included in this exercise.
WTVR – Channel 6 News Segment

Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

vasart — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:58:02 +0000

From May 25-31, save money during Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Tax-exempt items include useful commonplace products such as cellphone chargers, all types and sizes of bottled water, batteries and duct tape. Also tax-exempt are traditional emergency preparedness supplies including fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, generators and first aid kits. For more information for retailers and consumers, go to http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stay-informed/hurricanes/sales-tax-holiday.

2013 Virginia Volunteerism Conference

vasart — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:54:46 +0000

The 2013 Virginia Conference on Volunteerism and Community Service will be held Thursday, June 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Virginia Beach. The cost for the conference is $85 per person and includes a buffet breakfast, lunch and workshops. Registration ends Monday, June 3, at 2 p.m. See a complete list of workshops and register online now.

VASART Board Member Works to Insure Pets are Safe in Case of Disaster

vasart — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:45:32 +0000

Samuel Tate spent his career caring for animals, and now in retirement he works constantly to figure out ways to save them as well.

Tate is a prominent face statewide in the area of disaster preparedness for animals. Studies show people are much more likely to evacuate in advance of a storm or in case of a disaster if they can take their pets with them, Tate said. http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county/dp-tsq-bright-spots-0425-20130425,0,2453524.story

Be Tech Ready for Emergencies

vasart — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:28:48 +0000

According to The American Red Cross, the Internet – including online news sites and social media platforms – is the third most popular way for Americans to gather emergency information and let their loved ones know they are safe. Make sure you are tech ready during an emergency with these tips from FEMA.

You can also get text messages from FEMA sent to your phone. To sign up, text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA). You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 43362 (4FEMA). Text messaging and data rates apply to this service.

Learn more about using technology to prepare for disasters and emergencies.

New Equine Permit

vasart — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:37:55 +0000

New Equine Permit Allows Horse Owners to Move Animals Throughout Southeast US for Six Months

According to Dr. Richard Wilkes, State Veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia horse owners have a new opportunity to travel with their horses throughout the southeastern United States for six months using the new Equine Interstate Event Permit (EIEP). Read more of this article by clicking on EquinePermitReleaseJanuary2013

March – Pet Tip

vasart — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:36:26 +0000

Spring is fast approaching and Easter will soon be here. As the weather warms up and many people look forward to celebrating Easter and spending more time outside with their pets, it’s important to keep these safety tips in mind:

Keep Easter lilies and candies (particularly chocolate candies) out of your pet’s reach. Chocolate is toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets, and lilies can be fatal if ingested by our furry friends. It’s also important to remember that xylitol, an artificial sweetener used in many candies, chewing gums and baked goods, is potentially very toxic to dogs and ferrets.
While baby chicks and bunnies may be cute as Easter gifts, remember before buying any animal, you should make sure you are aware of the care and feeding that animal needs and make sure whenever you are purchasing an animal as a gift, that the recipient is willing to accept that responsibility.
Pets may be attracted to and nibble on the colorful, plastic grass often used to decorate Easter baskets so make sure you keep it out of reach so that it doesn’t lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration.
In anticipation of the warmer weather, talk with your veterinarian about heartworm and tick-borne disease prevention for your pets.
Warmer weather means more trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off! Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information.

For more information and tips to help you and your pet have a happy, healthy spring, visit:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/springtime-safety-tips.aspx

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/toxicology/qt/easter_hazards.htm

January – Pet Tip

vasart — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:52:37 +0000

Many people enjoy spending time outside all year round and some of us particularly enjoy outdoor activities during the winter months. Many people believe that because their pets have a coat of fur they are able to withstand the cold better than humans, but this is not necessarily the case. Like us, many animals are accustomed to the warmth of indoor shelter and cold weather can be as hard on them as it is on people. Keeping your dog or cat outside in the cold for long periods of time can lead to serious injury or illness, so consider these tips to help you and your pet stay happy and healthy during the colder months.
• Keep pets indoors as much as possible in cold weather. When they go out, stay with them. When you’re cold enough to go in, your pet is probably ready to return inside too.
• If you use a space heater or light a fire, watch your pets closely. They are as attracted to the warmth as you are, so make sure their tails or paws do not come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces that can cause severe burns. Also, if a pet knocks over a heating source, the entire house is in danger of catching on fire.
• Pets who go outdoors can pick up rock salt, ice, and chemical ice melts in their foot pads. Keep your pet’s pads from getting chapped and raw by wiping their feet with a washcloth when they come inside.
• Have your furnace checked for carbon monoxide leakage before you turn it on, both for your safety and your pets’. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, but it can cause problems ranging from headaches and fatigue to trouble breathing and even death.
• Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

For more information about pet care in cold weather, visit:
Pet Care Tips
Pet Care