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Home of the Donofrio Family Animal Shelter
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April is Prevention of
Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Lyme disease affects both humans and animals and is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the U.S. according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In dogs, Lyme disease is also one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. However, it only causes symptoms in 10 percent of affected dogs.
The bacterium that causes Lyme disease - a worm-like, spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi - is carried and transmitted primarily by the tiny, black-legged deer tick. Infection typically occurs after the Borrelia-carrying tick attaches itself to a dog for at least 48 hours.
Lyme disease can be difficult to detect and can cause serious and recurring health issues. Therefore, it is important that you take preventative measures to protect your pet against tick bites. The dominant symptom is recurrent lameness due to inflammation of the joints, and a general feeling of malaise. There may also be depression and a lack of appetite. More serious complications include damage to the kidneys, and rarely, heart or nervous system disease.
Preventive measures you can take to protect your dog: - Use reliable tick-preventive products. Talk to your vet about what product is right for your dog.
- Work with your vet to decide whether to vaccinate your dog against Lyme disease. This may depend on where you live, your pet's lifestyle and overall health, and other factors.
- When possible, avoid areas where ticks might be found. These include tall grasses, marshes and wooded areas.
- Check for ticks on yourself and your animals once indoors. Run your hands carefully over your dog every time he or she comes inside, and especially check inside and around the ears, head, feet and tail.
- Clear shrubbery next to your home.
- Maintain your yard. Mow your lawn regularly and remove tall weeds.
If you find a tick on your dog, remove it promptly but be careful. The ASPCA offers the following best practices to prepare, remove, disinfect and monitor your dog after: - Wear latex or rubber gloves so you never have direct contact with the tick or your pet's bite area. Throwing a tick in the trash or flushing it down the toilet won't kill it. Use a screw-top jar containing rubbing alcohol to put a tick in after removal.
- Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your dog's skin as possible. Pull straight upwards with steady, even pressure and place the tick in your jar. Don't twist or jerk the tick. This may leave the mouth-parts embedded in your pet, or cause the tick to regurgitate infective fluids. Also, don't squeeze or crush the tick since its fluids may contain infective organisms.
- Disinfect the bite area and wash your hands with soap and water. Sterilize your tweezers with alcohol or by running them over a flame. Monitor the bite area over the next few weeks. If infection occurs (often redness or inflammation), bring your pet and your jarred tick to your vet for evaluation.
For additional information on Lyme Disease and prevention in your pet, visit the CDC's website here and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) . |
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Do's & Don'ts to Consider Before Adopting a Pet
A writer recently interviewed some local CT shelters (including ROAR!) for tips on the do's and don'ts to consider before adopting a pet.
You can read the story here. If you are interested in adopting one of our available rescue dogs or cats, please visit http://roar-ridgefield.org/adopt and contact us to schedule an appointment.
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April Showers Bring May Flowers & Kittens!!!
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Please Support Our Mission to Save Lives
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Please donate today to our 2020-2021 Annual Appeal so that we
can continue to deliver on our mission.
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Come Meet Badger & Maria!
Badger
Badger is still waiting to find his forever home! He is currently in a foster home with another easygoing kitty. They play together very well and according to his foster mom, he is just a wonderful, loving sweet boy who is a joy to have!
Badger is inquisitive and loves to explore, whether it's climbing into an open drawer, slinking under a dresser or sofa, or climbing on top of his scratching post. He is only two-years old and enjoys playing with his toy mouse, watching the birds outside and cuddling next to you on a bed or sofa. A vocal kitty, Badger will greet you with meows when he enters the room you're in.
We recently learned that Badger has a heart condition known as Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM). He is currently on a daily medication and will require check-ups to monitor the progression. However, he takes his medication easily and none of this discourages him and we hope it won't discourage you!
Badger is neutered, micro-chipped and up-to-date on vaccinations. Please call the shelter to schedule an appointment to meet Badger.
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Maria 
Maria is a five-month old pup who is demure, cute as a button and loves to snuggle. However, she takes her time getting to know people. As a result, very young children's energy might be a bit much for her, but with some patience and a dog-savvy family, Maria will be a future super-star.
Maria recently arrived at ROAR from northern Mississippi. ROAR is now helping her find her way in New England.
She would be a good fit in a home with other dogs and cats, and is up-to-date on vaccinations, micro-chipped and spayed.
Please make an appointment to meet this shy, sweet pup!
To help rescue more amazing animals like Badger and Maria, please ...
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RIP
Pets and children often have a special bond. They grow up together, are each other's playmates and in some cases are best friends. Having a pet can also teach children about responsibility, compassion and so much more! Bringing home a new cat or dog to join your family can be be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences for a child. We received the most heartwarming note from 10-year old Phoebe Fisher, whose family recently adopted their dog Rip from ROAR shelter. She wrote an essay titled "Why You Should Adopt a Pet at ROAR". The family also reports that they absolutely love Rip and that he is doing wonderfully at their home. Great writing, Phoebe - Way to go!
Thank you to the Fisher Family for adding Rip to your pack and providing him with a loving home, and many thanks to our friends at Blue Buffalo for making HappyTails like this one possible.
For more information on adopting a pet from ROAR or to make a donation to help us find forever homes for pets like Rip, please check out our website http://roar-ridgefield.org
"Why You Should Adopt A Pet At R.O.A.R - By Phoebe Fisher
Let's say you want a Pet but you're like me, Very impatient. Well I know exactly what shelter you should go to! Its Roar. This shelter is in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Here are all the reasons why you should adopt a pet at roar.
My first reason is they get back to you so soon! What i mean is let's say you go visit a dog on Saturday. They will get back to you in 3 to 5 business days! I think that's CRAZY fast! So if your inpatient like me this is one of the reasons why you should adopt a pet at Roar.
My second reason is there is a variety of so many different dogs and cats! WHen you go on to their website you will see so many dogs and cats! So it will be easy to find the right dog or cat for you! It's also fun to look at all the dogs and cats as a family.
My Third reason is they give you a lot of information about the dog or cat. Lets say you found a beagle mix, you would go to the bottom and it would tell you the age, if its good with other dogs, and way more!
My last reason is they give you so much stuff to start with! If you adopt a dog they would give you a crate, the food his or her likes and more! If you're getting a cat they would give you the food he or her likes!
Those are all the reasons why you should adopt a pet at Roar."
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Thank You to Our Adopters!!!
Thank you to all of our adopters who opened their hearts and homes and recently made these lucky kitties, cats, puppies and dogs a part of your packs!!!
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Pets for Vets® -- ROAR -- Ridgefield, CT Chapter
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Meet Our Latest Match:
Eric & Toby
We were lucky that during Covid we found Toby for Eric and his family. HUGE thank yous go to Trainer Evelia, Foster Lori, and assistants Beth and Pam. We could not have made this match without you.
Toby has been loving life with Eric, "Sarge," and thoroughly enjoying having the whole family home to play with! And Toby has made quite a difference in Eric's life.
Eric says: "My purpose of finding a new dog for me was to help me relax. And ... he has done that. I feel relaxed when I'm playing with him or even just petting or brushing him. I'm not sure who is more relaxed actually. He is a goofy, young boy. He makes me smile. What's really funny is he actually puts our shoes away! Yup, if we leave shoes in our kitchen or living room he actually brings them into our rooms! Not just me or my wife, but my kids as well. It's hilarious!!! So he makes me laugh. He's really become part of the family and that also makes me happy. Toby aka the Butler."
Well, Toby is definitely the cutest butler we've ever seen! We're so happy that Toby is part of this wonderful family.
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Why Do You Do What You Do?
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"I do what I do for ROAR because I feel lucky to be able to meet so many wonderful dogs and be a small part of their lives. It amazes me how so many of the dogs I get to know and love have such sad backstories, yet come to us with such trust and open hearts. I walk in and see how happy the dogs are to see me, but little do they know that I am the one who feels special and loved."
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Sue D., Dog Volunteer
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Welcome Choice Pet Ridgefield!
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Choice Pet Ridgefield is Now Open
Choice Pet Ridgefield recently opened it's doors and is partnering with ROAR by supporting every adoption.
Each ROAR adopter will receive a Choice Pet gift certificate for pet-related items and services, and ROAR will receive a donation too! Take your dog in for a dog wash and Choice Pet will again make a donation to ROAR.
The first Choice Pet store opened in 1979 in Norwalk, CT with the simple idea of offering the absolute best for the health and well-being of pets. And now Ridgefield will be one of their newest locations.
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J. McLaughlin
Sip, Shop & Celebrate Spring!
In support of ROAR, J. McLaughlin will be holding a
Sip, Shop & Celebrate event at its store located at
391 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT on:
Saturday, April 24 - 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. &
Sunday, April 25 - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hosted by ROAR, guests can shop with social distancing at the store or online. Fifteen percent of sales will benefit ROAR during the event.
Curbside pickup, local delivery and complimentary shipping is available. You can call or email the store's team to order at: 203-894-4187, stctridgefield@jmclaughlin.com
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Ridgefield is so fortunate to have such a gem in our community.
Presenting the check is the Thrift Shop's Sandra Capriotti (along with Milky Way), ROAR's Director of Operations, Sarah Roberts, and board member Donna Gale.
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Thank you to our ROAR Volunteers!
All throughout this last year of the pandemic, ROAR has been so lucky to have a group of volunteers that have continued to come in once a week for their shifts in order to keep our dogs and cats happy and social. We could not have gotten through it without them! Volunteers have always been the heart and soul of our shelter; giving their time, energy and experience to make ROAR a better place. Although National Volunteer Appreciation week is only once a year, our staff would like send a huge thank you and hug to every one of you that has donated yourself to the animals at ROAR every day of the year!
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