MAY 9, 2011
Horse Rescue asks community to join the Pennies and Pounds for Pachanga Campaign
Conquistador Program looking for help for young mare who sustained a patella injury in Charros
PHOENIX – The Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program recently took into the program an exquisite 11 year-old registered Peruvian Paso mare from Norco, California. Her name is La Pachanga II. Photos of Pachanga are attached. La Pachanga II is the granddaughter of the great HNS Domingo. Pachanga is a wonderful little girl. She has been fully trained, has worked with special needs children and is sweet and kind. Unfortunately, before she got to Arizona, they used Pachanga in Charros (Mexican Rodeos) where Pachanga sustained a break to the knuckle of her patella.
The practice of horse tripping in Charros has been criminalized in Arizona.
The eight-hour trip from Norco made Pachanga sore and she is going to need veterinary care, corrective shoeing and medication for the rest of her life. Pachanga is a wonderful mare, so truly beautiful that people cannot take their eyes off of her and so sweet they fall in love with her. Pachanga deserves the very best quality of life. We are asking for donations to help Pachanga. Any amount, even $5 or $10 would help. Community members can donate to help Pachanga by going to www.conquistadorprogram.org and clicking on the Pay pal donation button.
Checks can be sent to:
Dr. Pat Haight
The Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program
4715 North Black Canyon Hwy., #1019
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Or donations can be called in directly to:
Southwest Equine and Surgical Center (Please let them know the donation is for La Pachanga II):
6001 E. Bell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: 480-998-9460
Donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law and we are very happy to give community members a donation receipt. Thank you very much for your kindness and compassion.
MAY 4, 2011
Boarding a pet
Sometimes, you may find yourself in the position of needing to leave your animals for a few days. If you cannot find a sitter to care for your pets in your home, you may want to consider boarding them at a kennel. And since there are more than 9,000 boarding kennels in the United States and Canada, there is probably one near you.
Fees can range from $12 to $45 a day, depending on the facility, the type of services offered, and other factors. While boarding a pet may seem like a simple procedure, there are still some questions you might want to ask, says Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, Clinical Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
"A good way to find out who the best boarders are is usually by word of mouth," Blue-McLendon believes. "People tend to be picky about their pets, and they know who the good boarders are and which ones to avoid."
Blue-McLendon says a prospective boarder should try to tour a facility before boarding the pet.
"Look to see if the facility is clean," she advises. "Also, inquire about temperature control, whether 24-hour care is available and if the facility allows multiple animals from the same household to be in the same holding area.”
Also, are cats kept in a separate area away from dogs? If not, they could experience some trauma. In addition, is there proper security at the facility to keep intruders out and your pet from escaping?
Is there adequate lighting at the facility, and is the bedding for the animal sufficient for its needs?
If the owner is to be away for an extended time, Blue-McLendon says it's a good idea to ask how often the animals get exercise or some form of entertainment. Dogs will usually enjoy a brisk walk, she says, but some facilities may not have the manpower for such activity.
Parasites can often be a problem for some boarding facilities, and the diseases they carry can be harmful to your pet, Blue-McLendon adds.
A common ailment associated with boarding of animals is bordetella, commonly known as "kennel cough." Although usually not serious, the ailment can be a nagging problem and is caused by the pet's close proximity with other animals. Vaccinations are available to prevent it, Blue-McLendon says.
Once the animal has been picked up at the boarding facility, you may want to see the log kept during its stay. Most facilities keep daily records of how often the pet was fed, exercised or groomed.
"Boarding a pet can be a tough time for some animals, especially if they are not used to it," Blue-McLendon says. "The best solution is usually to keep the animal at home and have someone care for it in its own environment. But if that isn't possible, boarding is necessary and that's when the owner needs to do a little homework. Most facilities are properly run, but it's always best to do a little checking around before you board your pet."
Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at http://tamunews.tamu.edu.
