For 46 years, the third week in March has been designated as National Poison Prevention Week by U.S. Public Law 87-319. This year, it is observed March 20-26. According to the National Safety Council, thousands of lives have been saved due to physical barriers like child-resistant packaging and awareness campaigns. Likewise, in recent years, the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about protecting our vulnerable and unknowing pets from common household items that are highly poisonous to them.

“Every year, we receive thousands of phone calls from pet owners, veterinarians and veterinary technicians about potentially poisoned pets,” said Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC and Associate Director of Veterinary Services for Pet Poison Helpline. “Fifty percent of the calls are for pets that have been accidentally poisoned by something that is safe for humans, but toxic to pets. It only takes a few minutes to educate yourself on how to avoid these situations. Appropriate pet-proofing and awareness of what to do in the event of a pet poisoning situation could spare you and your pet trips to the veterinarian for expensive, but life-saving treatments.”

Below are the most common household items that are toxic to pets. Ensuring that your pet doesn’t ingest them will be well worth the time and effort needed to keep them a safe distance away.

Xylitol

Many sugarless gums, including some Trident™, Orbit™, and Ice Breaker™ brands, contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Candies, mints, flavored multi-vitamins, desserts and baked goods may also be made with xylitol. Even small amounts when ingested can result in a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, or with large amounts of ingestion, liver failure. Signs of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, tremors and seizures.

Human medications

Common human drugs including NSAIDs (e.g. Advil®, Aleve® and Motrin®), acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) and antidepressants (e.g. Effexor®, Cymbalta®, Prozac®) can cause serious harm to your pets when ingested. NSAIDs can cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure. Acetaminophen can damage red blood cells in cats, limiting their ability to carry oxygen, and in dogs, it can lead to severe liver failure. Ingestion of antidepressants, which, of all human medications account for the highest number of calls to Pet Poison Helpline, can lead to neurological problems like sedation, incoordination, agitation, tremors and seizures.

Flowers

With Easter and spring right around the corner, flowers will begin to bloom. As beautiful as they are, some flowers can cause severe toxicity, or even fatalities, in animals. Certain types of lilies including tiger, day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese lilies, are highly toxic to cats. Severe kidney failure can result from ingestion of even a few petals, leaves, or even the pollen. In addition, ingestion of certain spring bulbs (e.g. daffodils, tulips) can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. More serious reactions include abnormal heart rate or changes in breathing.

Chocolate

With the Easter bunny on his way, make sure your kids hide their candy from your dog. While the occasional chocolate chip in one cookie may not be an issue, certain types of chocolate can be very toxic. Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest problem. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to our pets. The chemical toxicity in chocolate is due to methylxanthines (a relative of caffeine) and results in vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and possibly death.

Fertilizers

Many fertilizers are basic gastrointestinal irritants. However, some are often combined with dangerous chemicals and compounds called organophosphates or carbamates, which can be harmful or deadly to pets. Ingestion can result in drooling, watery eyes, urination, defecation, seizures, difficulty breathing, fever and even death.

Pest Control Products

Rodent, snail and slug baits are often used to keep pests at bay. However, if ingested, these poisons are extremely harmful to pets. They are highly toxic and without immediate veterinary attention can be fatal. Rodent baits typically can result in blood clotting disorders, brain swelling or kidney failure, while snail and slug baits can result in severe tremors or seizures.

Pet Poison Helpline recently worked with VPI pet insurance to produce several videos with helpful and interesting information about keeping your pets safe from toxins inside and outside the home. They are available here: http://petpoisonhelp.wpengine.com/Ask-the-Vet-Videos.

Remember that what is safe for humans isn’t always safe for pets. If you think your pet has ingested something poisonous, it is always better (and less expensive) to get help immediately, rather than waiting until your pet is showing severe symptoms. Contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately at 800-213-6680 for life-saving help. Pet Poison Helpline is the most cost-effective animal poison control center in North America, including unlimited follow-up consultations.

Upcoming CARL Adoption Events

CARL has started reopening some of their adoption events held throughout Ventura County. Come by and see some of our dogs up for adoption!

C.A.R.L.'s Pet Care Center
901 Mission Rock Rd.
Santa Paula

• By appointment only 
• Please submit an online application for any dog(s) you want to meet. This is required before any meet and greet will be scheduled.

Pet Food Express
1330 N. Moorpark Road (next to Home Goods)
Thousand Oaks

• Second Saturday of the month.  Next events  Saturday, Mar 12th & Saturday, April 9th
• 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sailor & Friends Pet Supply
2070 E. Main Street (across from Ventura High School)
Ventura

• First Saturday of the Month. Next event Saturday, Mar 5th & Saturday, Apr 2nd
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Skunkmasters

• First Sunday of the Month.  Next event  Sunday, Mar 6th & Sunday, April 3rd
• 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Theresa's Country Feed & Pet

• Fourth Saturday of the Month.  Next event  Saturday, Mar 26th & Saturday, Apr 23rd
• 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Click here if viewing calendar on mobile phone.

Calendar from https://carldogs.org/events-2/calendar/

Donor & Volunteers Recognition

Mary O'Sullivan has accepted the volunteer position Deputy Executive Director. She has volunteered as a kennel walker, at adoption events, screening and approving adoption applications, taking dogs on outings and currently is a kennel walker and screens and places dogs in foster homes. CARL activities have grown over the years and our organizational structure does not always provide the support needed. I am extremely grateful Mary has accepted this opportunity. She is initially focusing on volunteer recruitment, for both adoption and kennel walker. Covid closed all adoption events, our volunteers drifted away and our walkers stayed home as ordered. We need new volunteers!  She is also charged with recruiting someone to do our Network for Good appeals that Talisa Garcia was so instrumental in creating and sending before her departure. Mary also will bring focus to our health plans for CARL dogs.

Maybe you have thought, why doesn't CARL.... If so, let us know, maybe that will be Mary's next focus.  We hope her addition will revitalize our thinking so we help more dogs escape the needless killing in our shelters. And, maybe you have been thinking, Covid is slowing down, maybe I should volunteer, sounds like they need me. WE DO! Go to carldogs.org and sign up to volunteer!

Say hi to Mary and please support Mary in her new role.
Thanks
Sharon Clark
Executive Director

Thanks to - Chrissy for this Facebook post! Since the posting, 9 people have filled out applications to volunteer

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Our C.A.R.L. dogs are looking to have more friends who can come walk them, bathe them, spend time socializing with them, hang with them at adoption events, etc. We have dog walking seven days a week in the mornings at our kennel in Santa Paula. To volunteer, simply fill out a volunteer application to get started! Even if you have just a couple hours to spare each week, it will go far in enriching a rescue dog’s life!
To read about our volunteer opportunities:
https://carldogs.org/how-to-help/volunteer/
To fill out our volunteer application:
https://sites.google.com/.../carlvo.../volunteer-application



Thanks to - Paul, Shaina, & Robert! Orientation Volunteers
Before COVID-19 happened they were all part of the Volunteer Team that conducted orientation for new volunteers at Pet Barn and the Ventura Library on Hill Street. Along comes COVID-19 and then shutdown orders from CA, causing volunteer orientations via public meetings to cease. There was a short period where an online orientation program was started with self-viewing, thanks to Talisa!

In September 2021, Paul, Shaina & Robert worked together to set up Volunteer Orientations via Zoom. From setting up Zoom schedules and emailing potential new volunteers to attend. They, then began conducting the new orientation via Zoom and the signing of liability waivers.  Since its inception, 76 persons have applied and 25 persons have attended orientation and became volunteers.  

Thanks to - Volunteers for Adoptions, DDC, Facilities, Thrift Store, and the Kennel and Admin Staff
There is a small group of volunteers that give their time where they are most needed! Whether its at the kennel to walk and groom the dogs, help with laundry and facilities work, or at adoption events to show the dogs. These dedicated volunteers are usually there on multiple days. And, of course the volunteers from CARL's Thrift Store who prep and sell, producing revenue to help feed and get medical attention for the dogs. Last, but not least CARL's Kennel and Admin Staff, who make sure the dogs needs are met and the never ending paperwork is kept in check.

Thank You! 


FYI - CARL has over 800 signed up volunteers. Volunteers can join multiple teams or just one team. Adoption Team (411 members) and Direct Dog Care Team (628 members) are our largest volunteer teams. With so many volunteers, you would think that we have more than enough volunteers! Not the case, very few are active. Inactive volunteers, I ask you why?

Current Fundraisers

Donate to Help with Unexpected Medical Expenses

Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) has recently seen an uptick in owner surrenders and as much as we would love to help every dog, we are still under financial stress from 2020, like many other nonprofits. We are hoping to receive a small donation to help offset a few extra medical expenses that we have incurred recently.

Peekah Blu is an owner surrender due to an unfortunate situation. She is blind, as one eye has already been removed. The other eye is set to be removed in mid December; Due to past medical issues she cannot see out of it. Leaving the non functioning eye in is causing her pain from chronic dry eye and inflammation. In addition she will need to be spayed, vaccinated and microchipped.

Peekah Blu also surprised us with a litter of 8 puppies; sadly 1 was stillborn. They will need wet/dry puppy food and potty pads. They too will need to be vaccinated, wormed, spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Another medical expense is a litter of back yard bred puppies. This litter of 5 has only received one round of vaccinations and will need additional vaccinations, as well as getting spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Mateo another owner surrender came to C.A.R.L. with a broken leg. He escaped from his backyard and when his owner found him the next morning, he was limping and crying in pain. Unable to afford the surgery he desperately needed, they turned to us for help. In addition to his surgery, he will need follow up visits as his leg heals as well as getting neutered and microchipped.

With your donation C.A.R.L. can provide the necessary medical needs that these dogs need. No donation is too small.

Please click here to make a donation through Network for Good.

Donations may also be made through PayPal, Venmo or by check. Please be sure to note the donation is for C.A.R.L.’s medical fundraiser.

Donate Using PayPal

PayPal is an on-line payment service that accepts all credit cards plus electronic checks. Safe, easy way to donate on line. A transaction fee is deducted for some donations. To donate using PayPal, click the link below.

Donate By Mail

Send a check to:
Canine Adoption and Rescue League
P.O. Box 5022
Ventura, CA 93005

Donate by Phone: 805-525-3212

*Any extra funds will be used towards other C.A.R.L. dogs’ medical bills.
All donations are tax deductible. EIN 77-0422714

Access link below to Donate!

https://carldogs.networkforgood.com/projects/143636-carl-medical-fundraiser

 

Spruce up your garden with gorgeous flowers and help CARL dogs! CARL will receive 50% profit on all spring-planted bulbs ordered! Place your order by April 25, 2022, and it will ship directly to you in early May—just in time for spring planting. Proceeds will be used to help pay veterinary bills and general care for the dogs in our program. Thank you for your support!

Canine Adoption and Rescue League (CARL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit all breed, no-kill dog rescue and adoption organization. Since 1996, CARL has rescued and placed thousands of unwanted, sick, abandoned, and homeless dogs. Dogs in our adoption program are placed in pre-screened, loving and secure homes. We make a lifetime commitment to all of our dogs.
 

You can support this fundraiser by sharing this page

Helpful Info

Details

Three Rivers Wreath & Plant Company Spring planted Bare Roots, Bulbs & Tubers are sourced directly from Holland. We have chosen healthy & hardy varieties that will succeed throughout the United States. At Three Rivers Wreath & Plant Company, we offer our products in larger sizes to maximize the blooms in your garden right from the start!

Spring Planted bare roots should be planted immediately upon delivery. If you must store them, do so in a cool dark location for only a few days.

Fundraisers earn up to 50% profit from every item sold! Help them earn the funds they need and add some color to your garden at the same time!

Shipping

Spring bulbs ordered online will begin shipping in early May. Three Rivers Wreath & Plant Company ships via FedEx Smart Post within the contiguous U.S. only. We cannot ship to Hawaii or Alaska.

Zone Map

Three Rivers Wreath and Plant Company

IRA Rollover Gifts

Now Canine Adoption and Rescue League supporters like you can plan to get a tax break — while supporting rescue and rehabilitation of homeless dogs— with an IRA Rollover gift. Here are the benefits:

• Use a portion of your Required Minimum Distribution to make a year-end gift to Canine Adoption and Rescue League and avoid paying income taxes on the amount you donate.

• Enjoy a quick and easy estate tax reduction.

• Advance our mission to advocate for animal welfare, seeking to end the needless deaths of companion animals through our adoption, education, and outreach programs.

To qualify:

• You must be 72 years old or older when you make the transfer to Canine Adoption and Rescue League.

• The donation portion of your Required Minimum Distribution must be transferred directly from your IRA to Canine Adoption and Rescue League.

For more information please contact us 805-644-7387 or info@carldogs.org.

As with any gift planning question, donors should consult their tax professionals for specific advice.