3rd Annual Spring Rummage Sale Coming Up Quickly!!!

It's only 4 weeks away.... Have you started your spring cleaning? Please consider donating your "stuff" to our Rummage Sale! Everything is tax-deductible and you'll get that warm fuzzy feeling of knowing you are helping homeless animals :)

We've expanded the times our Rummage Sale will be open!

Great Stuff - Cheap! April 3 - 5 at the VFW Hall in Lee's Summit, visit our website for times, location details and specials. We always have a ton of great stuff for sale - and all proceeds go to such a great cause!

Do you have items you'd like to donate? We'll take anything - clothes, household items, knickknacks, furniture, electronics, etc...Please call 816-853-9360 to arrange a pick up or bring your items to the VFW Hall in Lee's Summit April 1-3 (noon-6pm)!

If You Love Your Pet, Prevent Heartworms

Mabel is one of several dogs Furry Kids has rescued that has had to undergo costly and risky treatment for heartworm infection.  In just the first two months of 2009, Furry Kids’ Refuge has already treated eight heartworm-positive dogs at a cost of over $1200.  Mabel is an important reminder to all of us that year-round heartworm preventative is a loving, essential and necessary part of caring for our companions.

Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes.  When mosquitoes bite heartworm-infected animals, the mosquitoes become infected with the larvae.  Heartworm larvae mature during the next 10 to 14 days, at which point other animals bitten by infected mosquitoes can also become infected.  If animals are protected with monthly heartworm preventatives, the larvae will die.  If unprotected, within six months the larvae will mature into adult heartworms.  Heartworm preventatives will not kill adult heartworms or stop the progression of infection.   

Possible symptoms of heartworm infection include vomiting, coughing, lethargy, fatigue, reduced appetite and weight loss.  These symptoms can be signs of other illnesses as well, so making a trip to the vet in definitely in order.  The only way to diagnose heartworm infection is through a simple and inexpensive blood test administered by your veterinarian. 

Dogs that test positive for heartworms can be successfully treated, but treatment is both expensive and risky for the patient.   Dogs are treated with painful intramuscular injections of an adulticide.  There are risks for severe or even fatal reactions, so hospitalization may be recommended. Following the injections, a dog’s activity must be dramatically curtailed for up to two months.  The limited activity reduces the risk of a fatal heart blockage caused by the dead heartworms.  Without treatment, infection will very likely result in a long, drawn out death from heart damage and impaired heart function.
Currently there is no U.S. approved feline treatment for heartworm infection. 

Fortunately, cats are less susceptible to heartworm infection than dogs, and have even been known to spontaneously rid themselves of heartworms.  However, severe or even fatal shock reactions have been known to occur in cats as the body struggles to rid itself of the heartworms.  Generally veterinarians will treat infected cats with supportive therapies to minimize the risk or severity of such reactions.

Heartworms are not spread animal to animal or animal to human.  And while human heartworm infection from mosquitoes can occur, humans are very poor hosts making infection extremely rare. 

So even if your dog is a little lap dog like Mabel who only goes outside to piddle, it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to expose your beloved pet to heartworms.  If you haven’t been diligent about using a preventative, get your animal tested now.  If the test is negative, thank your lucky stars and have your veterinarian recommend an appropriate monthly preventative.  Maintain your pet’s resistance to heartworm infection by using the preventative year-round. 

If you'd like to contribute to help Furry Kids pay for these necessary heartworm treatments, just click on the donate button above and tell us you'd like your donation to go towards this cause. Every penny counts and your donation is deeply appreciated!

~Janet M. Barber & Carolyn Morrill, DVM, Diplomate ABVP

Hal is a fantastic dog who is about one year young, and we added the Halloween because he was found abandoned on a country road on Halloween day. Hal has one of the best temperaments you will ever see in a dog. He loves all other dogs and would be a great furry kid to take to your local dog park. Hal has been with small children and would be great with a family either with or without kids. Hal weighs 90 pounds so he is definitely a good sized boy! He has a beautiful, shiny, thick, black/brown coat of fur with white tipped toes & white on his chest. Sweet, loving Hal will need some work on his leash walking skills but he is such a people pleaser that it shouldn't take long to teach him. We are working on housetraining with Hal and he's making great progress. He's crate trained already so mastering housetraining will come easily. Please consider Hal in your search for a new companion - you won't be disappointed!

Read more about Hal on his Petfinder page!

Sebastian is a great boy, about 4 years old, who has the most beautiful eyes. He has a funky ear which only adds to his great personality - it gives him unique character! Sebastian was dumped in the country and taken in by his dedicated foster mom. We do believe he has lived in a home before - he gets along great with other cats and loves attention! He is litter box trained and is very good in the house. He will surely make you a wonderful companion.

Read more about Sebastian on his Petfinder page!

Call us or come by an adoption event and we would be happy to microchip your pet with a 24PetWatch™ microchip for just $20. 

Registration is free and easy and easy to update from the internet!

We can tell Isabella is feeling good because she wants to run and play.

Yet, we must be very careful with her leg and keep her quiet. She's an amazing dog, letting both her foster mom and the veterinarians take care of her with no complaints. Her forever family is extremely excited for the day she gets to come "home".

Isabella's veterinary expenses continue to add up as her cast needs to be changed weekly and she needs antibiotics to prevent bone infection. If you'd like to help Isabella, just click on the donate button above and tell us you'd like to help with her expenses. Your donation is very appreciated!

Saturdays from noon - 5pm at the Petco in Lee's Summit. Visit our website for up to date information!

Please visit our website and send us your story and pictures if you can and we’ll post them on our Happy Furry Kids Page!

Thank you to all who have sent their stories – it is so heartwarming to see our Furry Kids in their forever homes!

INTERESTED IN ADDING A FURRY KID TO YOUR FAMILY?

What if Furry Kids earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results.Just go to goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Furry Kids Refuge as the charity you want to support.

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours,
faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it
to him to be worthy of such devotion.