Finding the Canary Cage

Canaries are very sociable soft-billed birds that are native to the Coast of Africa. These friendly, bright-colored birds have a life span of about 8 to 10 years. As they love to be in the company of their own breed, it is best to keep them in pairs or groups. If these birds are kept longer indoors, they need more activities outside their cages. They usually remain active during the day and asleep in the evening. And one of the best ways to ensure that they will feel satisfied while doing their regular activities (whether in the morning or at night), is to provide them with the right cage to stay in. If you decide to keep canaries for a pet, finding the best canary cage should be one of your major concerns. And if you are looking for a cage, this article will provide you with the basic requirements that you may need to look into when finding the best canary cage.

Canary-Cage

Things to Consider When Looking for an Appropriate Cage for Canaries

A canary, like any other bird, needs adequate space to do whatever it is that makes them feel happy and fulfilled throughout the day. Space, as referred here, means everything that makes up its second home. It is not just the overall dimension of the cage, but it also includes every accessory that makes up the bird’s new environment.

So, when thinking about building your pet bird’s new home, you need to consider the following elements as the overall look and feel of the cage will either encourage health and comfort in your bird, or may later cause some health problems.

Size of the Cage

Canaries, as already mentioned, are very lively and agile birds. That means they need to be moving up and about all the time. If the cage won’t be able to support their regular activities, the bird may feel restricted and may later be stressed about its physical condition. As such, the cage that you need to pick for your pet needs to be spacious enough to allow the canary to fly. The width of the cage must allow the canaries to hover to and fro. Opt for a rectangular cage with the minimum dimensions: a width of 24 inches (60 cm) and a height and depth of about 18 inches (45 cm). It should also be able to fit two perches (one on each end of the cage) as this will allow the canary to exercise whenever necessary.

Shape of the Cage

You may find a circular or dome-shaped cage to be an attractive option as it can also add to the overall look of the space where you intend to place the cage. However, many have observed this type of cage to be too restricting, as well as confounding, for the canaries. To the canary’s vision, the space created by a dome-shaped cage may prove to be missing reference points, whereas a rectangular cage has four corners that provide the bird four points of reference, which makes it feel more relaxed. (more…)

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What is the Best Hay for Guinea Pigs?

Hay is an essential part of a guinea pig’s diet. When provided as your pet needs together with water, you will be sure that your pet will be happy and healthy while under your care. Hay is also vital for your pet’s digestive health, as well as in maintaining a healthy chopper. Since hay contains other essential nutrients, offering it as your pet needs it will ensure that your cavy will enjoy an overall good health. However, not every available hay will provide the same benefits to your pet. To help you decide on how to choose the best guinea pig hay, read on.

Hay-for-Guinea-Pigs

What Benefits Does Feeding Your Pet Guinea Pig with Hay Provide?

If it is your first time to have a cavy as a pet, you may not yet be fully aware of all the things that your pet needs to stay healthy and happy. This does not refer to the new habitat that you have prepared for your pet even before you have brought your guinea pig to your home, however.

One of the most essential elements that will affect your pet’s overall health is the diet that your pet enjoys every day. Since hay is the mains source of nutrition for your cavy, you need to make sure that your pet has unlimited access to the best hay for guinea pigs every single day.

Guinea pigs enjoy a variety of plant food sources, such as twigs, grass, shoots, even wild fruits. This ensures that a guinea pig in the gets it daily nutritional needs in its immediate environment. A domesticated cavy, on the other hand, is served with only a limited source of plant food that is available to owners like you, and it is essential that your pet’s diet should include an unlimited and free access to hay. (more…)

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Owner Release Form

If you are looking to surrender our own pet into our program:

We have limited foster homes available DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

We require a completed owner surrender form and pictures of the pet.

Should your pet fit in our program and we have space someone will contact you to transfer ownership to rescue. This process may take several days.  

We urge you to investigate all possible options to keep the pet with the family.

NEVER place an on line ad for FREE TO A GOOD HOME as it is rarely a good home.  Most pets end up in dire circumstances such as used for fighting, bait, animal abuse and tortue, medical testing and worse.  They people may seem wonderful that is an act to get your pet.  An internet search for Craigs list Free pet will show you far too many horror stories, DON’T let allow that to be your family member’s fate. 

“With my Daughter facing possible foreclosure on her home, my heart and thoughts went immediately to her two poodles, a Standard and a Miniature, and what would happen to them.  Very fortunately, I phoned a very good Friend who spoke of Wee Waggin Rescue.  Kelly responded immediately to my Daughter and myself, and soon the poodles went to live with Kelly and Craig until they found for them their ‘forever homes’.  In these difficult times our Family is so grateful for Wee Waggin.  Our dear Furry Friends certainly have benefited from the caring Friends at Wee Waggin.  Thank you so much!”

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Letters from Our Happy Families

“We adopted “Baby” (we call her Sally) several weeks ago and are so very pleased with her. Sally goes shopping with us and enjoys riding in the seat of the cart. Of course, everyone admires her! In just a week, she learned to walk on a leash and enjoys going around the block in our neighborhood. She sleeps with us and enjoys the full run of the house. She’s a great girl and makes us very happy. She seems pretty happy herself. She has found her “Forever ” home!”

  • Hi Kate & Kelly,
    I have attached some pictures of Champ, now known as Gallagher.  He is a greeaaatttt dog & we absolutely love him to death!    His rottweiler brother and sister love him also; they love to play together.  Our corgi, who always wished she was an only dog, doesn’t pay him much attention, but Gallagher doesn’t seem to mind.
    Today he is here at work with me for 1/2 day.  He is so good in the office and gets to meet lots of people.  He has already been to downtown Boca for Ice cream, the dog beach in Venice where he played endlessly with a 5 month old yellow lab (it was his twin brother), a golf cart ride, and to work with me 3 x’s (everyone in my office wants him!). He also helps every morning with barn chores, and is great around the horses.  He is such a good boy.  Oh, and he is a total momma’s boy.  He follows me everywhere.  I think it was good my husband was away until Saturday; it gave Gallagher and I time alone to bond before my husband returned.  He already walks great on the
    leash, and knows to sit when I scuff my feet to stop (that has always been our cue for our other dogs).  We are now working on stay and down, but he is
    such a fast learner, I hope I can keep up with him. And he knows his name already.
    Thank you,  thank you, thank you for choosing me to be Gallaghers mom! We
    are having such a good time.
    Regards,

  • dusty_and_her_new_mom.130183420
    “We arrived home a little while ago, and even though I knew I was in love before I left you in Estero–I am totally be-sotted now!!  She slept in my lap the whole way and then took me for a walk when we stopped at the pet store.   And was she a hit in there!!  The name-game vote in there was a bit wild but I am still leaning towards Punkin as that’s what I often called Cassie and it comes a little more naturally. We are getting to know each other and I plan to spend the next couple days/weeks/months/ years making sure she feels secure here and knows that I am going to be her Forever Mom.  She just wanted me to tell you how much she appreciates everything you did for her and that she will always love you and your family. Thanks again–I KNOW I won the lottery!!”

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Adoption Policies and Guidelines

Wee Waggin Rescue uses the following guidelines and policies when processing applications. We thank you in advance for your understanding of our priorities and requirements.

We require that all animals in the family be spayed or neutered, up-to-date on rabies and distemper/parvo vaccines, and heartworm tested and on prevention.

 

We prefer homes with fenced yards. While this is not necessarily a strict requirement, it is taken into consideration when processing applications.

 

We generally do not adopt out to a family that rents; while there are rare situations we prefer the new family to own their home.  We receive dogs in all the time that were in a rental situation and could not move to the new place.

 

We also consider the size of the home in relation to the size and temperament of the dog to determine if it is a match.  

 

Applicants must be 30 years old or older. At a young age, there are so many aspects of life that can change: a new career, a new home/apartment, a husband, children, etc. With these changes, dog ownership becomes challenging and sometimes impossible.

 

Dogs cannot be adopted as gifts. We take the placement of our dogs very seriously and do not allow them to be adopted as gifts for another. We do this to ensure that the owner of the dog is the right match and we require that a ‘meet and greet’ take place prior to adoption. The dogs are the ones with the final “approval” for an adoption. They must show us that they are willing to bond with your family.

 

You must have a vet. If you do not have a pet, we still require that you have given this enough thought to select a vet. In addition, if you have owned a pet in the last five years, we need to know where you took that pet for health care. This is part of the veterinary reference check that helps us to determine if we have a match for your family among our rescues.

 

We do not reserve dogs. Even if you seem like the perfect match for a particular dog, we will not hold a dog in a foster home to wait for you to get approved. It is not fair to the dog should another, possibly better, match be approved and want to adopt. We recommend that you get approved before you see a dog you want so that when the right match comes along, you will be ready.

 

Female Only? If you will only adopt a female dog, chances are that your application will be put on a waiting list. Females are rare in rescue and when they do come in, we have many applicants who are already approved and waiting for their right match. The more specific your requirements, the less chance you will find what you want in rescue. We are looking to find the perfect family for each dog as, for us; the dogs are our top priority.

 

Make sure that Rescue is right for your family.

Consider these facts:

  • Males out number females in rescue by at least 4:1.
  • Females in rescue will likely be adult or senior dogs.
  • It is more common to find an adult or senior dog in rescue.
  • Rescue dogs are commonly 10 pounds or more.
  • If you see one tiny dog available, there are 40 other people who want the same dog.
  • If you are looking for a young dog, don’t expect him/her to be a “lap dog”. Young dogs want to run, go for walks and play. An adult or senior dog will more likely want to be a “lap dog”.
  • Rescue dogs need and deserve your patience, whether it be house training, getting along with the other pets or just settling in. Be prepared, they will need time to adjust to your home and family.
  • Dogs are expensive to own – they have the same medical needs as human children and deserve the same care.
  • Be prepared to drive. It is best when you and your pet(s) can come to the foster home to meet the dog you are interested in adopting. Also, we do not ship our rescues to adopters. No exceptions.
  • We charge adoption fees for our dogs. These fees vary based on the gender, age, size and health of the dog. All money received goes directly to caring for the dogs in our rescue – no person is compensated for their voluntary services to this organization. Please be sure that you are applying to truly adopt a rescue dog and not just shopping for a less expensive, perfect representation of the breed standard. If this is what you are looking for, then please look for a “Reputable Breeder”. Reputable Breeders breed to improve the breed, make every effort to cancel out genetic faults, spay/neuter the dogs they sell to prevent further pet over-population, and have you sign a contract that requires the return of the dog should it not meet your needs for ANY reason.

 

While these are the basic guidelines, we can at any time, deny an application because we know that there is no dog in our rescue that will fit your environment. Please do not take this personally and understand that every volunteer in this organization works hard to do what is in the best interest of each and every dog.Our priority is always the dog.

Thank you for considering adopting a rescue.

If you do adopt a dog, you won’t regret it!

 

kerbe

 

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Application to Foster

lucy_smallThe more dogs we can temporarily house in foster homes the more dogs we will be able to rescue from overcrowded shelters and unsafe environments. If you have room in your heart and home and would consider fostering one or more of our homeless dogs please fill out an application and email it [email protected] If you have problems downloading the form please email us and we will send to you.

We need to know as much about you as possible before we place one of our rescues in your home. The information you provide on our application/contract will help us determine the best possible match for you, as well as for the dog. Please answer all questions honestly, as there are no right or wrong answers.

The care WWR provides includes, but may not be limited to, all vaccinations, heartworm testing and prevention medication, flea prevention, fecal testing and worming if necessary and surgical procedure for spay/neuter. We ask that our foster volunteers provide shelter, food and love.

 

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The Importance of Heartworm Prevention

Prevention Prevention is the key to keeping your pets free of the parasite – even if they encounter the disease carrying mosquito. Preventative medications come in daily and monthly oral and topical forms and can be obtained from your veterinarian along with a heartworm checkup. Heartworm prevention is safe, inexpensive and easy to follow and should be maintained all year long – NOT just in the summer months.

Wee Waggin Rescue urges you to consult with your veterinarian and see which heartworm preventative is best for your pet. The alternative can be expensive, painful and even deadly.

It is not a matter of IF but WHEN!

Just about everyone has heard of heartworm and is somewhat familiar of its very serious and often lethal effects. But surprisingly, not everyone takes preventative measures to prevent heartworm in their pets. In fact, The American Heartworm Society (AHS) estimates that only 55% of dogs in the U.S. are currently on a heartworm preventive, leaving 27 million dogs at risk of acquiring heartworm disease.
Wee Waggin rescue cares about your pets. We feel that the best defense to illness and injury is education and awareness and we would like to shed a little light on heartworm disease and to stress the vital importance of a monthly heartworm preventative and regular heartworm testing.
Heartworm is a parasite that is spread through mosquito bites. Most common in dogs, but also prevalent in cats, the heartworm, a long thread-like worm, lives in the arteries of the lungs and also in the right side of the heart of its host.
Heartworm is extremely dangerous and not to be taken lightly. It is prevalent in all 50 states, and on every continent except Antarctica. It is easily transmitted and contracted. Once in its host, the parasite rapidly multiplies and grows, invading the chambers on the right side of the heart and the arteries in the lungs. Treatment for heartworm disease can mean weeks of discomfort, and pets that go untreated will die.

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Because the heartworm parasite goes through various life stages before reaching full maturity, early detection is very difficult. These parasites can live in its host for years before symptoms appear and can reach lengths of up to 12 inches.
Dogs: While recently infected dogs may not show any signs or symptoms, heavily infected dogs show the following symptoms: A consistent cough, fatigue and aversion to physical activity, coughing up blood, loss of appetite and weight loss. The most extreme symptom in very advanced cases can be congestive heart failure.

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