Pet Resources, Vets, Kennels, Grooming in the Springfield, Illinois area

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In Development: NEW! Pet Corner Directory A Guide to Area Vets, Pet Shops, Pet Products, Grooming Services, Kennels, Doggie Day Care, Pet Training, Animal Hospitals and more. Have a business for our directory? Contact Us for pricing. Preview a our Featured Ads or Directory Ad See our Birthday Party Page for a completed directory sample Coming SOON: Ask the Veterinarian: Q & A's with featured local Vets. Featured Resources Dog Parks Safeguard Your Pets “Alternative” Pets American Veterinary Medical Association Area Pet Adoption Agencies Keep Cats From Chewing Cords Sibling Rivalry? Tips for Mixing Pets & Babies Ticks: the downside of the outdoor experience!	Featured Sponsors, Coupons & Printable Directory Green Gourmutt Healing Hands Pet Massage & Pet Sitting Services Oh My Dog A Bow Wow Boutique Pampered Pet Center Have a cute photo of your child(ren) with your family pet or just your darling pet? Email us and share a tip on how you divide up responsibility for its care!
Dog Parks Most of the area parks of course allow your dogs to come too, just keep them on a leash and please bring the bags to clean up after them! Check out our Parks Directory for a complete list of parks all around Central Illinois. Complete with photos of the playgrounds if you are bringing your human kids too! There are a few that have special places just for our four-legged friends! Stuart Park: The official dog park in the Springfield area. There are two fenced in areas one for the big ones and one for the little! Riverside Park: Dogs don’t have to be on a leash in the front part of the park NOTE: Carpenter Park: In the nature reserve part, you can now have your dogs come too, but they must be on a leash and stay on the path. (top)
Safeguard Your Pets
	Going green and composting? Keep the pups out; some dangerous mold can be lurking about! Watch pesticide use; use only whats needed and consider more natural options to keep your pets (and plants) thriving Some plants can be very toxic to animals Check out www.aspca.org/apcc to learn more.
Tips for keeping them safe during the summer heat! Reprinted with permission from the Animal Protective League (APL) By Karen Adkins With hot weather here, be sure to take precautions to prevent heat related illness or injury to your pet. Never leave a pet in a vehicle. Leaving a car window open a few inches won’t prevent adequate cooling and ventilation, and temperatures rise quickly to levels that can cause heat stroke, brain damage or death. Animals are much happier left at home, especially inside where it’s cool on a hot day. If you must keep an animal outside, be sure to provide shade and plenty of fresh cool water throughout the day in a well-ventilated area. Heat stress can be brought on by a number of things: exposure to excessive heat, dehydration and too much exercise in the heat. Some pets are more susceptible than others: i.e. the very young and old, short-nosed breeds, overweight pets and those with respiratory or cardiovascular problems. Heat stress symptoms to be aware of include: excessive panting or salivating, warm, dry skin, an anxious or staring expression and fatigue or collapse. If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, try to cool him down by gradually immersing him in cool water (do not leave him unattended, even if conscious), to spraying him with cool water or applying ice packs to the head or neck. Wrap him in cool, damp towel and take him to the vet immediately for further treatment. (top) Keep Cats From Chewing Cords Tips from the APL Cats are attracted to electrical cords and cables because of the animal by-products used in their manufacture to keep them pliable. Chewing cords and cables is not only destructive; it puts them at risk for shock. To counteract chewing, keep electrical cords tucked out of the reach, under furniture or rugs. If this is not possible, coat the cord with jalapeno pepper oil or wrap it in aluminum foil; cats are not fans of either of these items and it may discourage them. Another option is to purchase some PVC tubing, wide enough to both plug and cord, from the hardware store and thread the cord through that. If you still have problems with destructive chewing, get your pet checked out by the vet; she might have a tooth or gum problem. “Alternative” Pets Many parents may fear the day that their child asks, “Can we get a puppy?” It’s inevitable in most case, who can resist? However, if you do not want to commit to a dog or a cat, consider a smaller pet. My sister’s family started out with gerbils, and then “graduated” to their first dog. Before you purchase any pet, be sure that you do your research first. Smaller pets like hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs or even desert animals can be a good place to start. However, there are pros and cons to any choice. Gerbils are lower-maintenance they are also less smelly than hamsters and mice. Hamsters are also known for nipping. If you want a somewhat larger animal you can choose a guinea pig. However guinea pigs are a little bit more work and also eat and drink more. Always remember that children have short attention spans so choose an animal that does not have such of a long commitment. You will also want to investigate the cost and size of the accessories that come with your new smaller pet! Shop around for the best deal, and make sure the family communicates to divide up pet responsibilities such as cleaning the cage and feeding your new pet! Try these sites for rescued animals www.ffgpr.org For rescued guinea pigs www.petfinder.com A classified system for pets; either searching for them or finding a home for that pet that did not work out. (top) American Veterinary Medical Association www.avma.org For the latest on all pet food recalls and a variety of public resources and animal health brochures, this website is a great resource. (top) Area Pet Adoption Agencies There are many local groups dedicated to helping our four-legged friends in need. Please support and adopt or foster from these terrific organizations. Please call ahead for the hours of adoption visits. Adopt a pet! www.petfinder.com Animal Protective League at www.springfield-illinois.com/apl. Phone: 217-544-7387. Human Society of Sangamon County. Phone: 241-2084 P. O. Box 13165 Springfield, Illinois 62791-316 217-241-2084 HumaneSocietyOfSangamonCounty@hotmail.com HSSC is joining Sangamon County Animal Control, Animal Protective League - APL, and Illinois Humane to lower the euthanasia rate and find forever homes for animals in need. The Humane Society of Sangamon County is organized exclusively for charitable purposes to support the adoption of rescued animals, promote spay/neuter initiatives; participate in educational programs and animal advocacy. The volunteers of HSSC assist the staff at Animal Control to make the lives of the animals more comfortable by finding homes and rescues to increase the number of animals being adopted. In addition, HSSC is working to educate the public regarding proper selection, spay/neuter, and assist in eliminating problems with behavioral assessment and proper training for both the animals and their owners. This will lead to a "Pets for Life" attitude resulting in fewer animals being turned in to Sangamon County Animal Control. Remember, "saving one cat or dog will not change the world, but it WILL change the world for THAT one cat or dog!" ... Anonymous Illinois Humane at www.illinoishumane.org. Phone: 698-3804. Sangamon County Animal Control Center at www.co.sangamon.il.us. Phone: 535-3065. Springfield Pet Exchange at www.springfieldpetexchange.com was created to help people interested in finding pets connect with pet owners who can no longer keep their animals and seek to find them loving homes. Through a national website, members can post messages, comments or questions and arrange meetings to exchange pets. or email Cindy Willoughby for more information at yorkie7878@aol.com. (top)
Sibling Rivalry? Tips for Mixing Pets & Babies by Kim Little For many of us, our family is not complete without the addition of our beloved animals. For some, the pets came first. In our house, we adopted one dog from the Animal Protective League; our 80-pound Labrador Buddy, and two years later we adopted another one; 50-pound Labrador D.J. Becoming a dog owner was a mild warm-up to our lives ahead as parents. We couldn’t come and go as we pleased anymore. Who would come home at lunch to let them out? Numerous items were chewed on, destroyed, peed on, pooped on, and vomited on. Unfortunately, this still continues so we keep a gallon size container of Simple Solution in our home.
But, Buddy & D.J. lived the good life. Sleeping on our bed, enjoying daily walks, and photo ops in our annual holiday card. We had playdates with a neighbor’s dog, Roxy! I’ll admit I even created a scrapbook of our dogs. I believe that is when I knew it was time to address my biological clock! One of my fondest memories of pregnancy is that both dogs loved to rest their head on my ever growing tummy. When we came home from the hospital with our firstborn, our big dog, Buddy, peeked his nose carefully over the pack n’ play to check out his new sister. A month into adjusting to new baby, our dogs got into a fight in the nursery with the baby being cradled in grandma’s arms. I rushed between the dogs to break them apart (do NOT do that!) and got a nasty dog bite on my arm. The outburst came out of nowhere, but it quickly reminded me that my furry-children are animals, and my eyes were open wider for the future. Flash-forward four years to a house filled with two preschoolers, and Buddy & D.J. have had a lot of changes to endure. They have adapted amazingly well. We haven’t had any more outbursts, and they tolerate being dressed in tiara and capes and always follow “the pack” around so we all together when at home. I do believe that having two pets is better than one because they are able to entertain each other when we are out of the house. They still lead the good life; fluffy beds to sleep on and lots of treats and room to run and play. However, I am sure it’s not the same feeling of being top dog all the time like the life pre-kids. But one of the best lessons our pets teach our children is the power of unconditional love. That’s all they ask from us is for love, attention…and delicious snacks! Mixing dogs and kids can be a lot of fun, but it also is important to remember that their animal instincts cannot be forgotten. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe: Do not leave your children or anyone else’s alone with your pets. Some experts say this is advisable until age 11. You can’t predict the child’s behavior any more than the reaction from the animal. Babies tend to treat pets like toys; they need to learn how to safely and gently pet and show love and attention to the animal. Give your pet extra attention when the child is asleep. Watch your pet for signs of jealously or depression. Make sure your pet is getting enough exercises and is eating well. If you are bringing home a newborn, bring home blankets from the hospital before you bring the child home, so the pet can “smell” the baby. A few months before the baby is born, play tapes of babies crying so they can get used to the extra noise. Reference Book: Childproofing your Dog: A Complete Guide to Preparing your Dog for the Children in Your Life by Brian Kilcommons. (top) Ticks: the downside of the outdoor experience! By Kim Little I guess our Advantage flea and tick application had run out! We had a great family vacation in a rustic area with our dogs this summer, but the downside was when we got home we found numerous ticks on our dogs—GROSS! Anyways, one got on the back of my daughter’s head! I absolutely despise bugs, but when you are a mom; you have to suck it up and do your job. Thanks to friend Audrie Haag for telling me to put iodine drops on the tick to help it loosen the “grip” before it is removed. See this AAFP website page for a helpful handout on the do’s and don’ts of tick removal. Link: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020815/643.html Have any more unusual questions for the doctor? Click on Ask the Professional (top) Featured Ads Healing Hands Pet Massage & Pet Sitting Services Dianne L. Potter, M.A., L.M.T. Certified Small Animal Massage Practitioner Certified Reiki Master Certified Professional Pet Sitter (217) 553-0965 Springfield, IL Di7111@yahoo.com or petmassage@myabmp.com www.HealingHandsPetMassage.ABMP.com Healing Hands Massage offers Swedish maintenance massage for health and well- being; pre-event and post-event sports massage for show animals; Reiki to balance your pet’s energy centers and Bach flower remedies for pets. Benefits of Pet Massage: õ Stress and anxiety reduction õ Increased Mobility and Range of Motion õ Aids in the Healing Process After Surgery, Illness or Injury* õ Calms Skin Conditions õ Complements Veterinary Care Massage is contraindicated on a fresh surgical or injured site, but can be gently performed around the area and on the rest of the animal's body. (Pet massage and alternative therapies do not take the place of proper veterinary care.)* I am becoming a Nationally Certified Professional Pet Sitter, which includes being bonded and insured. Pet & House Care Vacation Service Rates, and Pet Taxi/Drop-off Service Rates will be posted on my website soon. Click here for a new client packet! Visit www.HealingHandsPetMassage.ABMP.com today! Pet Massage Coupon: Buy one massage for your dog or cat and get the next one Free! (reg price $20-$50). First Time Clients Only. Pet Sitting Coupon: Buy three Regular Visits (30 – 45 minutes/$15.00 per visit), and get the fourth one Free. First Time Clients Only. (top) Oh My Dog! A BOW WOW ONLINE DOGGIE BOUTIQUE Melissa Klemm, owner www.ohmydogonline.com Oh My Dog! is an on-line boutique specializing in products that are sure to get your tail wagging! Whether your faithful pooch is petite and cuddly or a big loveable brute, you’ll find everything you need. From collars to clothing, and carriers to crates, Oh My Dog! is where you’ll find the most unique and playful gifts for dogs of all sizes… and for the people who love them, of course! “Fun and funky doesn’t have to be outrageously priced,” explains owner Melissa Klemm. “In fact, Oh My Dog! isn’t your typical high-priced, high-fashion doggy boutique at all. Instead, I wanted to create a place where all dog lovers would enjoy shopping and could find special ways to celebrate their pet.” Send us a photo of your pampered pup along with an award-winning story to be entered for a chance to win a $100.00 shopping spree from Oh My Dog! Oh My Dog! donates a portion of all proceeds to support dog-related charities, including pet rescue organizations and Dogs for the Deaf. COUPON: $5 off your first $25 purchase. Expires 7-30-08 Email info@ohmydogonline.com to redeem coupon (top) Pampered Pet Center Pampered Pet Center Jeanette Cowden 3401 Gateway Drive Springfield, IL 62707 217-483-9106 www.pamperedpetcenter.com topdog@pamperedpetcenter.com Available 24 hrs a day/7 days a week Pampered Pet Center is Springfield’s only cage-free, guilt-free 100% supervised doggie daycare offering short term and long term stays. Is your pet lonely when you head to work? Sign him up for the Pampered Pet Center where a standard day consists of chasing tennis balls, digging in the mulch, climbing play equipment, wrestling, splashing in wading pools, barking, drinking, napping, snacking on dog biscuits, and getting belly rubs. We let dogs be dogs in a healthy, safe way when you have to be away from home. Over 2,000 sq ft of climate-controlled, rubber matted indoor play area offers lots of socialization and exercise for your dog. A fenced in 23,000 sq ft outdoor park is available for plenty of running space. This full service doggie daycare also offers dog grooming services, webcams for online viewing of your dog, and a pet bus for transportation. Visit www.pamperedpetcenter.com to learn more. COUPON: Summer Special! 10% off 100 and 200 hour Daycare packages. Check or cash only. Expires 8-31-08 (top) Directory Ads on Pet Corner: Green Gourmutt Ann Fulkerson, Owner Springfield, IL Hours: By Appointment, At Many Local Events, and 24 hours online 217-414-2970 www.greengourmutt.com ann@greengourmutt.com Ecofriendly, organic, free range, recycled/recycleable, fair trade, and unique products for dogs, cats and even their humans. Toys, food, treats, leashes/collars, and accessories for pets. Fair trade, sustainable items like bamboo shirts, recycled paper bowls, baskets, and other fun stuff for humans. Definitely not your ordinary store! (top)