Join Us at the PuppyUp Walk!

Mark your calendars now because we don’t want you to miss the PuppyUp Walk November 5^th at MacArthur Park! PuppyUp is a

two-mile walk created to help promote awareness of canine cancer and fundraise for cancer research to benefit both pets and people.

Pre-registration will be going on through November 3^rd for $20. After the 3^rd, registration increases to $25. Kids under 14 can participate
for free.

Onsite registration begins at 11:00 a.m., and the walk starts at 1:00 p.m. (Check below for the complete schedule). Since 2010, the PuppyUp Foundation has funded $400,000 in cancer research in the areas of osteosarcoma, breast and bladder cancer, as well as mast cell tumors. So, we encourage you to form a team, join a team, or just walk as an individual to help raise funds for this very worthwhile organization.

2016 PuppyUp Schedule

WHEN: Saturday, November 5^th, 2016

WHERE: McArthur Park Pavilion – 601 East 9^th St. – Little Rock

11:00 a.m.     Registration & silent auction begins
12:30 p.m.    Opening ceremony
1:00 p.m.      Walk begins
2:00 p.m.     Announcements & prizes to top three fundraisers
2:30 p.m.     Silent auction ends
3:00 p.m.     Farewell ceremony

Keep Your Pets Safe During Fireworks Season

Your pet has acute hearing. Loud bangs can cause a great deal of pain to their ears. By following these simple guidelines from Little Rock veterinarians, you can help keep your pet calm and safe.

Little Rock Veterinarian Tips for Keeping Small Pets Safe During Fireworks

• If you have small pets, such as rabbits and birds, make sure you place their cages or hutches indoors in a quiet room, shed or garage.
• Provide extra bedding for your pet so it feels snuggly and safe.
• If you’re unable to bring your pet’s cage or hutch inside, turn the enclosure around to face a fence or wall instead of an open gate.
• Cover hutches and aviaries with thicker blankets or even a duvet to help block out the sight of the fireworks and dim the sound of the bangs. Remember to leave enough ventilation.

How to Keep Cats and Dogs Safe During Fireworks from Little Rock Veterinarians

If you have dogs and cats, follow these easy tips from your Little Rock veterinarians:

• Always keep your cats and dogs indoors when you hear fireworks going off.
• Ensure that you walk your dog earlier in the day before the fireworks will be going off.
• Close all your doors and windows and block off cat and dog flaps to stop your pets escaping to keep the noise out. Draw all the curtains and if your animals are used to the sound of a radio or TV, switch them on and keep them at their usual noise level to block out some of the fireworks.
• We suggest that owners ensure their dogs are wearing some sort of identification that is easy to read, even while they are in the house. At the very least they should have a tag and collar.
• Consider microchipping your pets so if they do get out, you have a better chance of being reunited with them.
• Prepare a safety den for your pet where they will be comfortable. This could be under a bed with old clothes.
• Allow your pet to pace and whine if they need to.
• Try to remain calm and carry on as you normally would. Give your cats and dogs plenty of praise for their calm behavior. It is fine to pat your pet if it helps them to calm down, but if they would rather hide in a cupboard or under the bed, allow them do so.
• If you know there are going to be fireworks, we advise that you don’t leave your pets alone.
• Do not tie your dog up when fireworks are being let off nearby. This means either outside the house, outside a shop while you pop in or even in the car.
• Please try not to take your pet along to a fireworks display. If they don’t typically whimper or bark at the noise, it doesn’t mean they will not be stressed. Excessive yawning and panting can also indicate that your dog is stressed.

If you would like to discuss further methods for keeping your pets calm during fireworks, contact Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic today.

June is Adopt-A-Cat Month

June is national Adopt-A-Cat month! Cat adoption is very important during the summer. Spring is “kitten season,” which means your local shelter now has plenty of cute, adoptable kittens in addition to those laid-back adult cats they already had. If the kittens or cats aren’t adopted, your local shelter can get overcrowded.

This month, we want to share some information about adopting local cats so you can make an educated decision before you adopt. Here are five things to think about before you adopt a cat:

1. Be prepared for a long-term commitment. Cats can live up to 20 years if they are well cared for. Make sure you are prepared for the responsibilities of pet ownership. Are you willing to change your cat’s litter box for the next 20 years? Can you afford to buy monthly food and occasional grooming for your cat, as well as toys and scratching posts? Are you willing to do what it takes to keep your cat healthy with vaccinations and vet bills?
2. Make sure you’re getting the right cat for you. Each cat has its own specific personality, but in general, cats are known for being low-energy in their adult years. Try to find a cat whose personality meshes with yours. If you want a playmate, get a cat with a lot of energy. If you’re more interested in a cuddly friend, maybe look for a cat who likes people and is laid-back.
3. Prep your home for your new feline friend. Obviously, you will want to train your new cat, but be prepared for your cat to train you too. After your cat gets comfortable in your home, you will quickly learn that you can no longer leave food out on your counters. Also secure loose electrical cords so that your cat or kitten can’t chew on them. In preparation for your cat, you also should schedule an appointment with a local veterinarian for a few days after you bring your cat home.
4. Socialize your cat, but make sure they feel safe. This is very important to your relationship with your cat. Be sure to spend enough quality time with them so you can bond, but also give them enough exposure to your regular guests and other pets. Go slow, because it may take a while for your cat to get comfortable in its new environment. Too much change too quickly will make your cat feel unsafe, which can bring out their mean, defensive side.
   

   Two cats are healthier and happier than one!

5. Consider taking home two cats instead of one. Cats are social animals and need mental and physical stimulation. If you spend most of your day at work or away from home, it can be unhealthy for one cat to be alone for that long. If you adopt two cats, they can provide exercise and play for each other, and make better, happier pets in the long run.

Once you’ve done your homework and know that it’s a good idea for you to adopt a cat or kitten, you can visit any of your local shelters or online adoption agencies. Some great local ones are:

• Out of the Woods, a local adoption and rescue agency: http://ootwrescue.org/
• CARE, a non-profit organization focused on animal rescue: http://www.careforanimals.org/
• Friends of the Little Rock Animal Village, a dog and cat shelter: http://www.friendsoftheanimalvillage.org/
• Humane Society of Pulaski County, a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats:  http://www.warmhearts.org/

CPR Training

We want all our visitors (furry or not) to be safe while at our clinic. Recently, we brought Dr. Karen Konarski-Hart in to update our staff about what to do if a guest requires CPR.

The staff attended three-hour large group training in our clinic after hours. All of our vets and vet techs were required to be there. Dr. Konarski-Hart brought in CPR dummies to practice on and everyone completed a few minutes of CPR chest compressions.

We want our entire staff to know what to do in case of emergency in the clinic. CPR training will be done regularly to keep our vets knowledgeable about the changes that occur to CPR protocol.

Dr. Konarski-Hart offers CPR classes for both large groups and individuals. She is knowledgeable about the frequent changes that occur to CPR protocol and will update us whenever those changes occur, so that our visitors have the best care possible.

Thank you to Dr. Konarski-Hart for updating our staff’s CPR training! You can find more information about her services and training at: http://chiropractorlr.com/cpr-training/1849407.

Paws on the Runway

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to sponsor this year’s Paws on the Runway, a canine fashion show put on by CARE Inc.

The annual event draws hundreds of people each year for food, drinks, a silent auction, live music and a hilarious canine fashion show. CARE also brings in adoptable dogs for the guests to meet.

The doggy fashion show is always the highlight of the event. Each year, local celebrities and well-known faces accompany their dogs in strutting their stuff down the runway for a good cause. Our very own head veterinarian Dr. Brian Barron walked his dog Stella down the runway!

This year, some great gifts were donated for the silent auction, including our gift basket and dog bed. All the proceeds from the event go to CARE to help them fund their work in our community.

CARE is a non-profit animal welfare corporation that protects animals in control facilities from euthanasia. Their purpose is also to spay and neuter homeless animals in hopes of decreasing the number of dogs and cats out on the streets.

This year, the ninth year, it was held in honor of Lyndae Sain Allison and her many contributions to the animal welfare community.  We are so honored to have been apart of Paws on the Runway and are looking forward to next year!

To learn more about the event, click here: http://www.careforanimals.org/events.cfm?EventID=2

Dr. Charney & the Next Generation of Veterinarians!

Recently Dr. Charney made a “house call” to The Anthony School in Little Rock to help some budding young veterinarians learn some important skills including how to take a dog’s heartbeat.  All these Pre-K 3 students did a great job and we can’t wait until they join us a some of Little Rock’s best veterinarians!  You can see more photos on our facebook page.

Running and Golfing for Little Rock Catholic High!

2 Great Upcoming Events!

Our favorite Little Rock Veterinarian Dr. Brian Barron is a 3rd generation graduate of Little Rock Catholic High School and as a proud alumnus we love our connection to LRCHS and enjoy our opportunities to support this great institution.

Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic is sponsoring 2 upcoming events – and we’d love to see you there!

THE ROCKET 5K

On Saturday April 16th we’ll be at the Rocket 5K.  This great event includes a 3K walk, a Rocket Dash for your younger runners (including the Barron Boys) and you’re welcome to bring your canine friends to run with you.  Come on out!

Monsignor George Tribou Memorial Golf Tournament

This great event is always a big success for Catholic High, for more information or to enter a team, please click the link above.

Little Rock Veterinarians Microchip Over 400 Pets in 2 Days!

In early March Dr. Barron, Dr. Charney and our wonderful staff spent 2 days at Bass Pro Shops in Little Rock as part of the Little Rock Animal Village’s microchip program.  Neither rain nor, well, rain and more rain kept us from microchipping over 400 pets across two days!

We love being a part of this program and we feel that as a part of the Little Rock Veterinarian community it is important to help pet owners learn the benefits of microchipping your pets.  If you’d like to know more about the benefits of microchipping your pets as important way to keep track of them if they are ever lost, please contact us today.