Due to the even higher demand for assistance with pet food and supplies, our great and wonderful, Sara, has set up an appointment page. Instead of having to email or call back and forth about appointment times, you will be able to pick an available date and time straight from our online calendar. This will enable us to be more effective with our time-management skills.

Just remember a few quick points:
1. If you make an appointment please be on time. We are all volunteers so if you show up 30 minutes early or late, we may not be there.
2. We cannot take specific pet food requests. We will do the best we can to accomodate your needs, but we are often at the mercy of what has been given to us by our wonderful supporters.
3. Please allow 24-48 hours for a return phone call or email. As the economy worsens, so does the amount of pet owners who need our assistance. Therefore, more calls and emails to return, more pets to feed. So, we are a little slower processing than we were even six months ago.

We look forward to this new appointment system, and I would love to have feedback once you have had the opportunity to utilize it.

Peace, Love & Paws - Liz and Petey
Best Wishes,
Liz

 

Petey’s Promise announced today its first annual “Petey’s Promise Pet Awareness” Commercial Contest sponsored by Wiley X Eyewear®.

The contest is open to all University of North Carolina at Charlotte students, and will consist of one 30-second commercial promoting Petey’s Promise and responsible pet ownership and awareness.

“We are really excited about this

opportunity to see what the creative and fresh minds of the UNC-Charlotte students produce,” said Liz Mellott, president and founder of Petey’s Promise.

“Initially, we are opening this up to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte students. Hopefully we will encourage other Nationwide colleges to participate and promote the need for pet food banks across the Country in the future.”

The contest will be held on the Petey’s Promise page on the online social media site YouTube.com (www.youtube.com/peteyspromise). Voters of all ages will be encouraged to log onto the page and vote for their favorite submission.

Petey’s Promise will not limit the total number of entries. However, the starting top 50 commercials to be considered for voting will be selected solely by the Petey’s Promise team. Public voting will begin April 5th, 2010, with eliminations announced in the following order until the Grand Prize winner is announced. The top 50 will be posted April 5th, the top 25 announced April 12th, top 10 April 19th, top five April 26th, and the Grand Prize team will be announced Monday, May 3rd.

Contest teams may consist of one to four people (not including pets), and entrants should be between 18-24 years of age. Send submissions to peteyspromise@gmail.com from March 8th-26th via YouSendIt.com. Please, legitimate entries only!

The Grand Prize team will receive two men’s and two women’s pieces of Wiley X custom eyewear, along with other contributions from local vendors, such as Foster’s Grille of Concord, NC. Wiley X Eyewear®, a leading provider of protective eyewear systems, offers a full range of high-performance protective eyewear products which has lead to increased brand recognition and growing use among enthusiasts of a wide variety of demanding outdoor sports and activities, including boating, fishing, motorcycle riding, mountain biking, rock climbing and more. For further information about Wiley X or to view its product line, please log onto www.wileyx.com.

Petey’s Promise, Provisions for Pets in Need, is a 501c3 non-profit that provides pet food and supplies for pet owners in the Greater Carolina area who require assistance to care for their beloved animals, versus having to surrender them to a shelter or foster home. For further information regarding Petey’s Promise or the contest please log onto www.peteyspromise.org or email us at peteyspromise@gmail.com.

 

 

January 16th's "Come and Get It" open pet food pick-up at our office was a huge success! At last count we had helped feed 200 animals. Those of us who worked the event (Sara, Toby, Suzy and Liz) felt like we fed over 1,000 with all of the packing, lifting and paperwork flying everywhere.

Our original two hours flew by in a wink of an eye, and before we knew it we had long passed our end time. It was exhausting and our office looked like a bomb went off, but it was an incredible amount of fun! We will try to do this once a month moving forward for those of you who can't get by during our weekday hours.

Also, talking to the pet owners Saturday, the need for a Vet Fund and help for feeding horses was reiterated. This has been part of our long-term plan, but we will work very hard this year to set these goals in motion and meet the communities need.

Due to the kindness of our community we have a gracious plenty of pet food and supplies to share with those in need. So, we are celebrating by holding a big “Come & Get it Food Pick-up”.

 

If you are a current client, or someone who might just need help feeding their animals for a short period of time, please come by Saturday, January 16th from 11am – 1pm for your free pet food or supplies.

 

We will help anyone in need, so make sure to spread the word!

 

Items Available:
-Dog Food – wet and dry
-Cat Food – wet and dry
-Cat Litter
-Dog & Cat treats
-Some Hamster, Bird, Guinea Pig supplies are available
-Dog & Cat collars, leashes, bedding

The end of the year is growing to a close, and that means several different things for a non-profit. First, we give praise that we have lasted one more year in this downtrodden economy and managed to feed almost 1,000 animals. Second, after the rosy glow of our accomplishments fade away, we have to get down to brass tacks and business.

 

Running a non-profit takes a lot of work, and we have to be very careful with our records to appease the government. Our annual board meeting will be held on Thursday, December 17th. This is our once-a-year sit down to discuss where we have been, and what our future holds. At this time I have to present the Board with all of our expenses for 2009, as well as a list of our financial donations and donors. Also, I must make sure that all receipts are in order and accounted for.

 

This same list, along with copies of checks and all financial records are turned over to our CPA for tax preparation. All 501(c)(3) organizations are legally bound to disclose there tax records at the request of anyone. So, if you ever have a question about Petey’s Promise, or another charity, and how they spend their money, all you have to do is ask. If they don’t provide their records, report them to the Secretary of State and do not donate to them until they provide the requested documents.

 

There are a lot of good charities out there, but unfortunately, there are also a lot of “convenience” charities set up as tax shelters. So, be careful this Christmas as you are thinking about which non-profit you might want to help during the season of giving. Whether it be Petey’s Promise, or another cause that is dear to your heart, on behalf of all non-profits, we thank you for a great 2009!

 

Halloween has come and passed, and now the wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas begins. As cold weather is beginning to approach don’t forget that we are giving away free dog houses to those in need of keeping their animals toasty and warm this winter. You can either sign up by emailing Petey’s Promise or contacting Kitty City. Also, please remember to tell friends, neighbors and co-workers about our services. One never knows who might need help, but is too shy to admit it.

 

We will be kicking off a new holiday campaign the middle of November, so please keep our gift store in mind when buying presents for loved ones. Giving the gift that keeps on giving takes on a whole new meaning when you know how many animals need our help. Our gift shop has a great many items from t-shirts to books and all profits go straight to Petey’s Promise to help others.

 

Also, don’t forget the tickets for the Guardian of Animals Ford F150 raffle! They are $20 each and GoA is only selling 2,000 tickets so your chances of winning are really good! They are also pulling the winner December 15th, so you could play the role of Santa and put that under someone’s tree this year. I am sure we can find you an appropriate size bow somewhere.

 

As you know from our previous updates, October is an incredibly busy month for Petey’s Promise. We were lucky enough to participate in the Greg Biffle Foundation Day, and even though it rained we still had a great time! By the way, if you haven’tbought your 2010 NASCAR Pets Calendar, you can log onto www.gregbifflefoundation.com and purchase one. We fell in love with all the beautiful animals on this year’s calendar, and itwill make a great Christmas gift for almost anyone on your list.

 

Speaking of Christmas gifts, have you checked out our new t-shirts on our store yet? We have three new Petey’s Promise designs, and also will be featuring some shirts from the Guardians of Animals non-profit as well. Guardians of Animals is a leader in promoting “Puppy Mill Free America”, and we are excited about being able to work with them on not only their apparel, but their raffle as well. Forjust $20 you can purchase a raffle ticket to win a 2008 Ford F-150 XL truck. They are only selling 2,000 tickets, so your chances of winning are excellent. Soon you can purchase your tickets on the Petey’s Promise store. The drawing will be held December 15th, 2009. What a great Christmas surprise that would be for a loved one!

 

We have one more fundraiser to go this month. This Saturday, October 24th, is Dog’s Day Out at Les Meyer’s Park in Concord, NC. The day will include a Doggie Fun Zone, Contests (Obedience Contest at 11:45; Talent Contest at 12:15; Costume Contest at 1:15), Pet Photos, Information Booths, Vendor Booths, Veterinarian Village, Food, K9 Demos & MORE! Be sure you come out and stop by to tell us hello! We will be doing “Paw Readings” at our booth by the famous and amazing “Pet Whisperer”.

 

Also, don’t forget that anyone needing a dog house for this Winter can contact Petey’s Promise or Kitty City to sign up. They will be built this weekend at the Dog’s Day Out by Concord youth volunteers. This is a great project and we are so happy to see our youth taking a step to help their neighbors.

 

Okay, that’s it for now, but we will be back next week with photos from our October adventures.

 

October is always a busy month with Fall Festivals, the NASCAR races at “home” in Concord, NC, and Halloween. However, this year we are going to be even busier with many exciting events coming up.

 

First, October 14th, from 11am-7pm Petey’s Promise has been invited to participate in the Greg Biffle Foundation Day at Roush-Fenway Racing. This is going to be a very exciting day for all racing fans! Potential drivers and special appearances will be made by Greg and Nicole Biffle, Matt and Katie Kenseth, Jamie and Christ McMurray, and Carl Edwards.

 

There will be live bands, horse/dog training seminars, booths full of local pet care providers, NC Agility Dogs and best of all FOOD! This is one event you will not want to miss! Please come by the Petey’s Promise booth and say hello!

 

Next up, on October 24th is Concord’s Dogs' Day Out festival at Les Myers Park from 11am-2pm at Les Myers Park. There will be tons of vendors and non-profit groups participating. Also, this year we will have a group of Concord youth helping build dog houses for those in need of help keeping their animals warm this winter. If you are interested in signing up for a free dog house you can email us at peteyspromise@gmail.com or sign up at Kitty City.

 

I will keep everyone updated as plans fall into place for the two events.

 

Also, please check out our store if you haven’t lately! We are bringing in new merchandise everyday. Right now we have three new T-shirt designs that should be up in a few weeks, and also, my new book Cinderella is Dead and I don’t Feel so Good Either is for sale online. A portion of the proceeds from each book is going directly to Petey’s Promise!

 

Peace, Love, & Paws;
Liz and Petey

 

Petey's Promise NHRA Night at Chick-fil-A

 

Wednesday, Sept. 16th

5 - 7pm

 

Come and Meet NHRA driving stars including: Cory McClenathan & Jack Beckman. Wear your Petey's Promise or Race Fan Gear! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Petey's Promise.

Chick-Fil-A

Concord Mills Blvd, Unit 1105,

Concord, NC

click here for map

Big news for all of our Petey’s Promise

friends and families! We have been

accepted by the Best Friends Networks Charity Program. For those of you who don’t know about Best Friends, please log onto their site www.bestfriends.org to read all about them. The work that they do to help homeless, abused and abandoned animals is amazing!

 

Also, Sara Barkman and I have the pleasure of talking to some of the students at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC on August 28th. We will be discussing turning our passion for animals into a thriving non-profit charity. After all the years Sara and I spent in college seats facing lecturers, it will be nice for us to be standing in front of the podium looking the other way for once.

 

Don’t forget about our Chick-fil-a Night at the Chick-fil-a on Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC on Wednesday, Sept. 16th. We will have our spokesman NHRA Top Fuel driver Cory McClenathan there signing autographs and taking pictures with fans from 5pm - 7pm! He promises to bring along a few “surprise NHRA drivers” as well. So, if you are in the area, this is one event not to miss! Wear your race fan gear so we know you are a big race fan, and we will be raffling off prizes as well.

 

Stay tuned for more news to come!

 

The Petey’s Promise Birthday Party at the Kannapolis Intimidators game was a huge success! Thank you so much to all of you who came out to help us raise money and food for pet owners in financial distress. For those of you who couldn’t make it, you missed one humdinger of a time! We had balloons and goodie bags for all of the children, and a very well decorated Petey’s Promise section for our supporters to sit in.

 

Also, thanks to Petey’s human cousin, Courtney Price, Petey managed to actually throw the ball all the way to home plate. Petey was going to let me do it, but, seriously, I throw like a girl. There are great pictures, by Jennifer Barbour Photography, of Petey on the pitcher’s mound, as well as the rest of the night, on our blog.

 

As always, we couldn’t have done it without all of our volunteers and supporters. You are the backbone of our organization, and we are truly grateful.

 

Quick Reminder: Please remember to pass along our name to anyone and everyone you meet! You never know who might need our help, but haven’t shared their financial woes with anyone.

 

 

Okay, don’t really take us out, but come join Petey and the rest of the Petey’s Promise family at the Kannapolis Intimidators game.

 

Wednesday, July 22nd is Petey’s Promise Night, and not only will Petey be throwing out the first pitch (don’t ask – we don’t know how yet), but all the fans will join together to sing Happy Birthday to Petey during one of the first three innings. Tickets are still available on our store for $6 each.

 

OR, if for some unexplained reason, you can’t come to the game, please consider making a monetary donation to our non-profit. We will receive a lot of pet supplies that night, but we can’t pay rent in dog bones. We have tried, it doesn’t work.

 

 

 

The Petey's Promise First Mobile Pet Food Bank was a complete success! Even though it was a hot North Carolina day, and with not a breeze in site, we were able to come together and feed a total of 44 dogs and cats.
 
Petey's Promise couldn't believe the turnout, and we are so thankful to Foster's Grille for allowing us to take over their outdoor space for an entire Saturday afternoon.
 
The best part of the mobile food bank was actually having a chance to visit with, and get to know more about our applicants. We also enjoyed the hospitality of Foster's Grille General Manager, David Ruppel, his beautiful dog, Demi Lynne, and the great Foster's staff. Please always remember to support those businesses that support charities, and the next time you are on Concord Mills Blvd., in Concord, NC stop by and tell them Petey sent you!
 
We will continue to work towards having a mobile food bank at least once every quarter for those who can't reach us during our regular business hours. Remember to pass our information along to anyone that might need our help!
 
Also, a big thank you from Petey, Liz and Sara to all of our volunteers: Lisa G., of Harrisburg, NC; Aaron O., of Pineville, NC, and Ashley B., of Charlotte, NC. It was a very hot and long day, and each of you kept a smile and a great sense of humor. We could not have done it without you!

Petey’s Promise will be holding their

1st Annual Mobile Pet Food Bank for

those members of the community in financial distress that need assistance supplying food and supplies for their pets.

 

 

Saturday, June 27, 2009
1:00pm - 4:00pm

Foster’s Grille
8520 Pit Stop Ct.
Concord, NC

 

Click here for a map to Foster’s Grille.

 

Those in need of pet supplies can come and fill out an application on-site to receive free food and supplies, or download an application prior to the event at www.peteyspromise.org/apply-now and bring it with you.

 

Throughout the pet food bank hours Foster’s Grille will also be offering 10% off all purchases that day, along with a buy one adult entrée, receive one adult entrée free.

 

For information on how you can help, please email us at peteyspromise@gmail.com.

 

Due to an overwhelming response from our community we are actually overloaded with pet food! This is a great problem to have, but we need help to reach those who need our assistance.

 

We would like to have a one-day mobile pet food drive where those in need of our help can all meet at one time, on one day and receive supplies.

 

In order to accomplish this we need your help! Items Needed:
1. Walk-in (souvenir-type or small race trailer) to haul the food and act as the headquarters for the day.
2. Help getting the word out to all your friends and family so they can contact those who need us.
3. Volunteers before, during and after food drive to help package and pass out food to the applicants.

 

Date: June 27th
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: TBA

 

Also, please remember that word-of-mouth is the best form of advertisement! We need everyone in our community to know about us, especially those who need our assistance. So, please pass us along!

 

It is finally spring and we have several reasons to celebrate, other than the beautiful NC weather.

 

First, April 3rd the Kindergarten through Second graders at WR Odell Elementary in Concord, NC held a fundraiser/dance to benefit Petey's Promise. It was followed by a school-wide fundraiser to help raise food, and let me tell you, if you could see our office you would know it was a total and complete success. So, thanks again to the Odell Elementary Dragons for all of their hard work!

 

Second, thanks to Sara Barkman's hard work, we now have our In Memoriam section up and running. If you have suffered the loss of a special pet in your life, please log on and let us know about him/her. Or, you can always email us, and we will upload it for you.

 

Also, don't forget you can always upload photos of your pets 24 hours a day on our Photo Gallery page.

 

Last, but definitely not least, NHRA Top Fuel driver Cory McClenathan sported our Petey's Promise logo all the way to the semi-finals at Atlanta Dragway, April 19th.

 

As our official spokesperson, Cory will be appearing and signing autographs for us September 16th, 5-7pm, at the Chick-fil-a on Concord Mills Boulevard in Concord, NC prior to the NHRA Nationals at the zMax dragway. So mark your calendars now!

 

It is OFFICIAL! Petey’s Promise has been granted our 501 (c) (3) by the IRS! Many of you may think, “What is all the excitement about?” Well, let me tell you, receiving your non-profit status from the government is no easy task. There are all sorts of hoops you have to jump through (some of which they light on fire), which is good, of course, because that keeps everyone honest. However, even though it was a paperwork nightmare, the pride we feel today at this accomplishment makes it all worthwhile.

 

As you know, in February we ran our Share the Love with your Four Legged Friends contest, and we received hundreds of photos through our Web site and Facebook page. I can’t believe how many people took time to upload pictures of their adorable animals. We enjoyed looking at each and every one. Congratulations to Anna M. from Charlotte, NC, for winning our grand prize, and Jimmy A. of Norfolk, VA, for being our first prize winner.

 

The month concluded with a great article on how Petey’s Promise is helping the community in the March 1st, Charlotte (NC) Observer. Of course, Petey posed for the photographer like a pro and did a spectacular job promoting his favorite charity!

 

Also, if you haven’t yet, please check out our new Petey’s Promise online store www.shop.peteyspromise.org. The site was created by our own Sara B. and she did a fantastic job as always. We have everything from ACC accessories to designer flip flops. All proceeds go to directly to our foundation.

 

With all of the excitement from the past month, we just can’t wait to see where we go from here!

 

I know it has been some time since I have had a chance to catch up with everyone, but just because I haven’t written doesn’t mean there isn’t much to write about! Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to meet some great people and pets. My favorite was a Rottweiler/Chihuahua mix named Sinister. Odd combination, I know, but what a great puppy!

 

We are still working with Cabarrus (N.C.) County Meals on Wheels, along with our private applicants. Another great partner we found is My Sugar Bean, which specializes in all-natural dog treats. The owner has been providing us with holiday dog treats for Meals on Wheels pet owners. Their treat baskets have been the cutest I have ever seen, and Petey absolutely loves them! If you own a dog, be sure to visit www.mysugarbean.com for some pawiches or pupsicles.

 

Also, Petey’s Promise is happy to announce that National Hot Rod Ass’n Top Fuel (the fast ones!) driver and noted animal lover Cory McClenathan has agreed to be our official spokesperson. We are so happy to be associated with Cory, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

 

The most exciting part of our January has been submitting our official 501 (c) (3) application with the IRS. It has been a long and strange journey, but we are almost there!

 

In the meantime, we are running our first donation drive of 2009 - Share the Love With Our Four-Legged Pals!

 

In honor of February and Valentine’s Day, we want everyone to participate in our new “Share the Love” contest. Upload a picture and a short description of your pet to our Facebook Petey’s Promise Group page. You can tell us how you rescued your pet, their best trait or trick, or just simply how much they mean to you.

 

To increase your odds of winning (and to make it more fun) we have added a few twists!

• For every 5 additional people that upload photos of their pets and mention your name, you will receive 1 extra entry into the drawing.
• For every donation you make on PayPal, you will receive an extra 2 entries.

• A donation of pet food or supplies is worth an extra 2 entries as well.

 

Two winners will be drawn from all of our entries on March 3rd. Our prize pack is in the works, and for locals near Petey’s Promise Intimidator tickets are available; for out-of-towners we have pet coupon cards and/or gifts.

We are also working on several new fundraisers for the Spring, so stay tuned for updates.

 

*Please remember to allow at least 48 hours for returned phone calls and emails.

 

As I prepared to write this update, I spent a lot of time looking back at 2008. What started with a small idea to help families struggling to feed their pets, has turned into an actual non-profit pet food bank that has served over 105 animals in the months of November and December alone!

To some people, that may seem like a small-time venture, but to those of us at Petey’s Promise we have always felt that if we saved just one animal we would consider ourselves a success. So, just imagine how we feel about feeding over 105!

 

Everyday was an adventure and a learning experience. Some days were good, and some days we wanted to hide under the covers and cry. However, we knew for every bit of hard work, we were helping another pet eat at least one more meal.

Along the way we have had the opportunity to work with some other great organizations such as: Cabarrus County Meals on Wheels, the Kannapolis Intimidators, Whirlwind Creative Group, Fox News and Fox News Rising just to name a few. We hope to continue these partnerships in 2009, and in the coming months there are going to be so many opportunities for Petey’s Promise that it feels like an exciting dream!

 

So, to all of you who have helped us become the success we became over the past five months, thank you! Without each one of you we would not be where we are today. Now, let’s put 2008 behind us and make 2009 the year that we can say not one animal in Cabarrus or Mecklenburg County had to go hungry!

Happy Holidays,
Petey and the Petey’s Promise Staff

 

Just when we thought things at Petey’s Promise couldn’t get anymore exciting, the month of October hit us like a bullet! Let me catch everyone up on our activities.

First, we started with our first Meals on Wheels of Cabarrus County drop off. At this point we are helping 20 dogs and 15 cats. We will continue to make deliveries to the Meals on Wheels office every two weeks. With the cold weather drawing near and the cost of heating rising, we need to do everything we can to alleviate the financial pressure of keeping their animals.

Also, I am pleased to announce that we are partnering with the Kannapolis Intimidators for a monthly prize giveaway. Each month we will draw one winner from our donators and they will receive a fantastic prize pack!

 

Christmas is quickly approaching and we have launched a “Christmas Shop With Petey” fundraiser on ebay. With numerous fantastic holiday gifts being auctioned off by us you are sure to find something for that special someone on your holiday shopping list!

Last, but certainly not least, Petey’s Promise is catching on in the media! We have received coverage on 96.1 The Beat’s morning show, as well as Fox Charlotte. The requests for food are pouring in and we are doing the best we can to keep up with it all.

 

As always, if you feel in your heart to donate through food, monetary contributions or just volunteering we would love to hear from you!

 

What an eventful month September was for us at Petey’s Promise. All within a span of two weeks we had our first official food drive at the Petco at Concord Mills, a second food drive at Hickory Ridge High School, organized by their volleyball teams, and then we reached out to Meals on Wheels with a plan to work together to help the elderly of Cabarrus County feed their animals.

First, the Petco food drive turned out to be a spectacular day with many donations including not just food, but plenty of other supplies like toys, food dishes, and leashes. We would like to thank everyone who stopped by to show their support.

Second, there is nothing we can possibly say to begin to explain the enormous amount of pet food and supplies we received from the Hickory Ridge volleyball games. In lieu of an admission fee, fans and spectators made donations of pet food or supplies to enter the game. When we arrived, the amount that had already been donated was beyond our wildest dreams of what we would receive. Halfway through the game, we were pretty sure we were going to have to rent a U-Haul to get it all back to our storage unit. These students and parents really went all out for Petey’s Promise, and we hope they realize all the lives they will touch with their kindness.

Last, but certainly not least, we were able to meet with Meals on Wheels to begin a program that would help provide pet food for their participants. Petey’s Promise is extremely worried about the elderly in Cabarrus County who are on a tightly fixed budget and will surely suffer from the rising cost of oil and gas this winter. We must work together to make sure that they do not have to sacrifice anything for themselves to feed their pets. Remember, often these elderly who are not able to get out often rely on their pets for constant companionship and love.

 

Come and show your support for the Hickory Ridge High School volleyball teams and Petey’s Promise!

 

When: Monday, Sept 22nd
Where: Hickory Ridge High School
7321 Raging Ridge Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075

Schedule:
4:00pm - Jr. Varsity Game
5:30pm - Varsity Game

 

Admission to the games will be granted with a donation to Petey’s Promise.

 

Official Launch Party & Food Drive!

Saturday, September 20 | 10am - 2pm

 

Petco

8070 Concord Mills Blvd.

Concord, NC 28027

704.979.1952

 

Bring your leashed pets to participate in the pet costume contest and parade from 12pm - 1pm.

 

Gourmet cat & dog treats | Contests | Give-aways | Prizes

 

We will be accepting all types of food and pet supplies including kitty litter, de-wormer, leashes, collars, brushes and anything else that you can think of that a pet might need.

 

Petey’s Promise’s first fundraiser “Lunch has Gone to the Dogs” is presented by Angie’s List. This premier magazine will help you find thousands of unbiased reports and reviews about service companies in your area. Their members share their experiences with each other so that you can choose the service company that’s right for your job the first time around. Angie’s List will be donating a year’s subscription, valued at $74.00 to one lucky person.

 

To be eligible, all you have to do is become a part of Lunch has Gone to the Dogs by brown bragging your lunch on Wednesday, August 20th and donating your lunch money saved to Petey’s Promise. One random winner will be chosen on Friday, August 22nd. The winner will be contacted on or about Monday, August 25th.

 

The recently founded pet food bank Petey’s Promise announced today the official launching of its first fundraiser, Lunch has Gone to the Dogs. On August 20th, everyone in the Charlotte/Concord area is urged to bring brown bag lunches to work, and donate the
money they saved to Petey’s Promise to help provide provisions for pets and their families in need.

“When people find it in their heart to donate $5 or $10 of their lunch money on August 20th, just one person’s donation will be enough to feed a 5 to 9 pound cat for two weeks, or one 50 pound dog for 16 days,” said Liz Mellott, president and founder of Petey’s Promise. “Hopefully, some offices will pool their money and buy larger items to donate like bulk bags of dog food or kitty litter,” agrees Sara Barkman, who serves on the board.

 

Petey’s Promise - Provisions for Pets in Need, was founded by animal lover Mellott when she learned of individuals struggling to make ends meet and having to give up their beloved pets.

Involved in several other charities, and having two rescued pets of her own, this problem touched her heart. Mellott immediately started researching how she could help pet food pantries in N.C.

When she realized the lack of pet food assistance in the Concord/Charlotte area she decided to take matters into her own hands and start her own pet food bank. With the help of good friends and family Petey’s Promise was born. The pet food pantry is named in honor of Mellott’s rescued lab-spaniel mix Petey. Realizing that no one is able to rescue all the abandoned animals, she decided to start by helping feed them one pet at a time.

A recent article in the Independent Tribunes’ Harrisburg Horizons began to spread the message about Petey’s Promise and has already helped bring in numerous food and supply donations. To read the article online log onto click here.

For more information on Lunch has Gone to the Dogs or how to donate your lunch money, please log onto www.peteyspromise.org or contact Liz Mellott at PeteysPromise@gmail.com or (704) 654-9231.

 

Winter can be a fun time for you and your pets, but it can also pose safety risks to our furry friends. Being aware of these hazards and following these tips will ensure that you and your pets will have a safe and happy winter season.

Adequate Shelter
The best method of protection for dogs and cats is to keep them indoors during cold weather. If this is not possible the next best option is to provide a dry, draft free shelter that they can easily get in and out of. Just be aware though, that if the house is too large it will not be able to retain heat. Blankets should not be used since they get wet and can freeze. Straw and hay work as good insulators and several pet stores carry heated floor mats. Cats will seek warm spots in the wheel-wells and engine compartments of cars, so it is always a good idea to bang on the hood of your car before starting it.

Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) and De-Icers
Cats and dogs are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of antifreeze, and will often sample some if left out in a container or spilled on the garage floor. Antifreeze is highly toxic - it is rapidly absorbed (initial signs appear approximately one hour post-ingestion), and there is a high mortality rate. A safe alternative to Ethylene Glycol antifreeze is available, it is called propylene glycol, and while it does cost a small amount more than 'regular' antifreeze, it is worth the piece of mind.

 

The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet's feet and may be harmful if ingested. Wipe the feet with a damp towel before your pet licks them to remove snow packed between your pet's paws. Pet-friendly ice melts are available at many pet supply stores across the nation or online.

Preventions
It's a common misconception that once the weather turns cold we can stop our pets preventions, however due to our relatively mild climate this just isn't true. We see mosquitoes, fleas and parasites all year long. Remember cats can get heartworms and need to be on heartworm prevention every 30 days just like dogs! It is easier and less expensive to prevent parasites than to treat them when a pet is infected. To learn more about canine and feline heartworms go to http://www.heartwormsociety.org.

Proper Identification
More pets get lost during the winter than any other season. During snow or ice storms dogs can easily lose their scent and are unable to find their way home. Cats can wander for miles looking for a warm place to take shelter. Without proper identification the likelihood of them returning home is greatly reduced. Since collars can break or slip off, the best form of protection for your pet is to have them HomeAgain microchipped. A microchip is the size of a grain of rice inserted between your pet's shoulder blades that has its own unique number and is used by HomeAgain to help identify your pet reunited them with you.

 

Holiday Tips (not just Christmas)
All types of holiday food-candy, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, turkey and pork, just to name a few, can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Some pets can even become seriously ill. If you're having guests over put your pets in a pet safe room, or let your guests know to not feed any table scraps.

 

Ornaments, tinsel, yarn, ribbon and garland can be dangerous if your pet eats them. You may want to consider securing your Christmas tree with a rope or cord if you have a cat that thinks the tree is their new play toy.

 

During the holidays, extra lights mean extra electrical cords and plugs. These can be tempting to new puppies and kittens, so take a few additional minutes to tape down or cover these hazards. Taking these additional measures will prevent shocks, burns or more serious injuries.

 

Keep lit candles and liquid potpourri out of reach of curious pets.

Be aware of toxic plants: Christmas rose, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia and philodendron are toxic. For a complete list of toxic plants visit www.ASPCA.com.

University Animal Medical & Dental Clinic

Celebrates National
Senior Pet Month

Living longer, living better – Starting at age 7!

 

 

Just like us, pets are prone to many age-related problems such as heart, kidney, liver, dental disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, cognitive dysfunction, thyroid and weight issues once they begin to reach the later years of life. It would be nice if our pets could tell us their symptoms, but of course they cannot. They are much better than we humans are at hiding and dealing with their pain and discomfort, because of this, diseases often go unnoticed until it is too late. However, with the help of diagnostics we can often find diseases in their early stages.        

 

Please take a few moments to answer the following questions:

 

Is your pet:

♥ Not acting like himself/herself 

♥ Interacting less often with family
♥ Having difficultly climbing stairs

♥ Having difficultly or reluctance to jump
♥ Exhibiting increased stiffness or limping

♥ Drinking more or more often
♥ Urinating more often

♥ Eliminating inappropriately

♥ Losing housetraining patterns
♥ Changing eating patterns

♥ Gaining or losing weight
♥ Becoming confused or disoriented

♥ Having tremors or shaking
♥ Exhibiting bad breath/red or swollen gums
♥ Experiencing changes in hair coat, skin, or new lumps or bumps

 

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it could be an indication of a serious medical condition or disease.  With early detection we can oftentimes offer you more and less expensive treatment options, minimize pain and improve your pet’s quality of life. Even normal test results are invaluable, as they allow us to establish normal baselines so that we can respond to even the subtlest changes in your pet’s health. Though we know how critical this assessment is, we also know times are tough economically for everyone. Consequently, Dr. Sain is offering the complete Senior Health Profile at a significant savings for the entire month of September.
    
What Our Senior Health Profile Includes:  

► A comprehensive senior evaluation & physical exam (which includes assessment for cognitive abilities, arthritis and pain issues), a complete blood count, a 12 body systems blood screen, a urinalysis, a thyroid function test, an ECG or chest x-ray, glaucoma test, an early renal disease test, a blood pressure reading, results interpretation, and if needed a follow-up consultation to discuss treatment options to devise a treatment plan. 
► Believe it or not, the price for all this is only $250.00, which is over an $85.00 savings on these tests and services!  Remember, whether the results of this profile are positive or negative, it will give your veterinarian invaluable information to better direct your pet’s healthcare as she or he ages!

 

As a thank you to all of our clients each month we will be holding a drawing for a free pet portrait painted by the talented Katy Caroline. Two lucky pets will be chosen each month from the names submitted into the drawing. The portrait is painted from a photograph of your choice. 

 

The UAMDC is located at 4650 Highway 49 South in Harrisburg, NC - just 5 miles from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The staff is wonderful, just ask Petey's pal Madison. He's been going there for almost 12 years - since he was just days old! If you are interested in their services, just call (704) 455-5907.

 

Reasons why cats eliminate outside the litter box and things you can do to try to stop it.

1.Your cat may have a medical problem
Urinary tract infections are a common cause of a cat urinating all over the house.

Often a cat will inappropriately urinate because of a medical condition. Your vet can examine your cat to rule out medical conditions that could be causing the inappropriate urination problem. For example, a painful case of cystitis or urethral blockage may have your cat associating the pain of urination with the litter box and the cat will avoid the litter box.  The sooner you take your cat to the doctor, the quicker we can resolve the problem. Some medical conditions that cause inappropriate urination, can be painful and life threatening.

2.Diabetes and kidney disease
Diabetes and kidney disease in cats can cause increased urination and it’s possible your cat doesn't make it to the litter box every time.  Your cat needs to see a veterinary doctor right away for an exam, blood work and a urinalysis.  Proper treatment can help your cat feel better and resolve the problem. 

3.The litter box is dirty
Cats do not like using dirty litter boxes. Cats are clean animals. Scoop out soiled litter daily.  Remember that a cat's sense of smell is about one thousand times greater than our own. Cats will not want to go near a litter box that smells offensive anymore than we would want to use a filthy bathroom.  Any time you see the cat using the litter box appropriately, praise your cat.  Never scold, yell or hit.  If you catch him in the act, gently pick him up and put him in the litter box.

4. Change of litter type or texture
Cats dislike sudden changes.  Some cats might be okay if you change the brand or type of litter you use.  Some cats will do okay if you change it over gradually.  Some cats will not tolerate a new litter.  If you have changed litter recently, switch back to the previous brand or type.  Also, consider the type of litter box you have.  Did you recently get a new type of box?  An older cat may need a bigger box and a one with lower sides or a ramp due to arthritis.  Some cats will urinate or defecate on tile or in the bathtub. These cats may prefer no litter in the box. Try using newspaper on the bottom of the box, or tilt the box using a pad or thin piece of wood. Put some litter in the low end. Your cat will use the end without litter and the urine will run down into the litter to be absorbed. 

5. The location of the litter box is not in a good area or you moved it recently
Litter box location is very important.  A busy or noisy location can be frightening.  Put the litter tray in a quiet, easy to access location. Many cats like privacy. Some cats do not like to use the litter box near to where they eat. Do not put the litter box in a room or basement where the door may be closed and the cat cannot access it.  If you have children or company, the cat may not be able to get to the box when they need it.  Kittens might be too busy playing and forget where it is located.  Confining your cat to a small room such as the bathroom can often help matters. Once your cat is using the litter tray, gradually increase the area.  Have the cat’s toys, food, water and litter box in the room.  

6.Multiple cats
Some cats do not like sharing their litter box with other cats while some don't mind at all. Maybe your cat is one of the former and requires his own personal litter box. Multi-cat households pose numerous problems. Cats are territorial and by instinct they need to have their own space. In a multi-cat household this is often impossible and stress levels in the cats are raised. One cat will urinate somewhere to show that this is their territory then along comes the next cat and urinates over the top to show that is their territory and so it perpetuates. Defecating can also be a problem with cats in a multi-cat household.  It's sad to say but often there isn't a solution to urine and defecation problems in a situation where there are multiple cats living in a confined area. You have the choice of cleaning up or reducing the number of cats.  Spraying can be a bigger problem with multiple cats. The general “rule” is one box per cat plus an extra one. 

Determine if your cat is urinating or “spraying”.  These are two different behaviors.  Feline spraying (also called marking) is a cat depositing urine on vertical surfaces, such as furniture, doorways and walls.  The spraying cat may be seen to back into the area, the tail may quiver, and with little or no crouching the cat sprays the urine.  When cats spray urine it is not normal urination like when they need to eliminate. It is territorial marking behavior or it can be stress related.

Stressed kitties can eliminate inappropriately or spray.
Cats suffer from stress as well as humans. Cats are creatures of habit and thrive in a consistent and familiar atmosphere. When their 'comfort zone' is disrupted it can often result in stress that can contribute to inappropriate elimination.  Here are some questions to ask yourself. These could be reasons your cat may be stressed and has begun spraying.

 

1. ・Did someone new come to live in the house? This could be stressful until the cat knows that person means no harm.  Just make sure the litter box is where the cat can get to it any time of day without running into somebody that may frighten them.
3. ・Is there a new pet?  Maybe the new puppy chases the cat whenever the cat comes out and the cat doesn’t feel comfortable about using the litter box with that threat.
5. ・Could your cat be a victim of a neighborhood cat that is coming into your yard?

Cats will, at times, mark their territory, letting other cats know that these are the boundaries and this area belongs to him.  Seeing another cat outside can cause marking or inappropriate urination.  The cat could be marking his territory or is stressed because there is another cat in his territory.  If this is the case, you need to pull the curtains closed, close the blinds, move an outside feeding area out of sight, etc…This can definitely be a big cause of marking.  The marking cat feels it needs to mark its boundaries.

 

4. ・Has your cat's daily routine been changed in any way? Cats and dogs thrive and need daily routine to feel safe and comfortable.  Change should happen gradually if possible.
6. ・Is your cat being bullied by another cat?  It is possible your cat is unable to get to the litter box because the bully cat is waiting for an opportunity to pounce on him.
8. ・If your cat is marking and he is not neutered, that could be another reason why this all started in the first place.  All veterinary doctors say to neuter male cats at a young age before they start marking.  It could still resolve the problem after the marking has started but it will probably take longer and there is no guarantee.

Female cats can spray too.  Female marking isn’t as common but it does happen.

In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe a trial of prescription medication.  Discuss anti-anxiety medication options with your vet. Any behavior altering medication must be combined with a behavior modification program.

There are pheromone products to try on the stressed cats. This therapy works by spraying a 'friendly' pheromone in places where your cat sprays. Also available are plug in diffusers. These pheromones pacify cats that are spraying urine around the house. 

Lastly, there are devices made now that can keep a cat or a dog away from a certain area within your home.  Invisible Fence, the original invisible fence containment systems, carry these products.  Your cat would wear a special collar and be trained to stay away from “off limits” areas inside your home.  Also, if the problem is not resolved and your cat needs to stay outside, Invisible Fence now carries a containment system for felines similar to dogs.  You could check their website for these solutions; it’s another option.

 

Clean up all areas where the cat has previously sprayed as the scent can trigger them to spray again in the same area.

 

 

Directions:
1.  If the cat has recently urinated on the carpet, first absorb as much of the cat urine as possible using paper towels or an old towel. Place clean paper towels over the cat urine area and tread on them so as to absorb as much of the urine as possible. Repeat with dry towels until no more moisture can be absorbed.
If the cat urine has dried and you are not sure where the soiled area is you can use a black light (pictured above) to detect it. In a darkened room the black light will pick up urine and other stains.
2.   Next, wet the area with a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Make sure you use enough of the solution to penetrate the fibers deep down. Allow it to almost dry. You can assist drying by blotting with paper towels as described above. If you own a wet and dry vacuum extractor use that to remove excess moisture. The acidity of the vinegar will neutralize the ammonia in the cat urine.
3. Apply a liberal amount of baking soda over the affected area and drizzle it with a quarter of a cup of hydrogen peroxide mixed with a teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent. (not caustic detergent that you put in a dishwasher) Work it in with a scrubbing brush or your fingers (be sure to wear rubber gloves) to dissolve the baking soda and work it down into the carpet. Allow it to dry. Then vacuum.  The vinegar will neutralize the ammonia and hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer capable of killing bacteria which cause the urine smells. Baking soda is a well known deodorizer which absorbs odors. Sprinkle it on your carpet monthly then vacuum up to keep your carpet smelling fresh all the time.
Importantー Never use ammonia or ammonia-based products on the carpet. One of the ingredients of urine is ammonia and your cat may well be encouraged to re-offend in the same area if it detects the smell of ammonia. Many household cleaner cleaners contain ammonia so be sure to read the label. You may have to repeat the above process a few times for heavily soiled areas.

Caution, you should test your carpet for color fastness in an inconspicuous area for 24 hours.

Use only 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

 

Resolving inappropriate elimination can be tough.  Once a medical condition has been ruled out, start down the list of behavior modifications.  Keep trying, give it time and be patient.  Please keep in touch with veterinary professionals.  We want to help you resolve this problem so you can continue the loving and rewarding relationship you have with your feline friend.

 

 

Now that summer is here it makes us all want to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and for many of us pet owners that means including our pets in our summer fun. Just be aware that with warmer weather comes added dangers to our fuzzy friends. Here are a few tips to keep your pets safe this summer:

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN YOUR CAR

• • The temperature inside your car can reach up to 120 degrees, even in the shade, in a matter of minutes. Just a quick trip into the store can be fatal. Temperatures can increase up to 40 degrees inside a car in less than 30 minutes. Cases of children dying in cars on 70 degree days have been recorded and dogs are even more susceptible.

WATCH OUT FOR FERTILIZERS, INSECTICIDES, AND DEADLY PLANTS

• • Be sure that your lawn has completely dried after spraying insecticides and/or fertilizers. Also make sure that you are using a pet-friendly mulch. Cocoa mulch, made from cocoa bean shells, is very tasty and very toxic to pets. In addition, there are over 700 plants that are poisonous and can be fatal if ingested*.

BASIC SUMMER PET CARE TIPS

• • Make sure that your pets always wear proper identification. If you get separated this is their ticket home. Microchipping is the best option because even if the tags get lost the chip is permanent with a unique number that cannot be altered.
• • All pets should be on heartworm prevention and flea control all year long. Heartworm disease which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.
• • Have fresh clean water available at all times. In the summer heat it is easy for pets to dehydrate or overheat.
• • A simple rule to remember is that if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet. Pets can suffer heat exhaustion and heat stroke which can be fatal, just like us. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws. Signs of heat stroke could include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. If you notice any of these signs contact your veterinarian immediately.

Keeping to these summer pet care tips will help to ensure a wonderful and safe summer for you and your pet!

 

We are excited to announce that the staff at University Animal Medical and Dental Clinic has joined with Petey to help you raise happy and healthy pets. Topics will range from nutrition and diet to fun facts.

 

The UAMDC is located at 4650 Highway 49 South in Harrisburg, NC - just 5 miles from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The staff is wonderful, just ask Petey's pal Madison. He's been going there for almost 12 years - since he was just days old! If you are interested in their services, just call (704) 455-5907.

 

Lisa Weaver, an employee at UAMDC, also has her own pet-sitting service. Learn more about her services at www.lwpetsitter.com.

 

*If you have a particular question or subject you would like covered, please email your question with contact information to peteyspromise@gmail.com. Remember to put Petey's Vet Corner in the subject line.