General Updates

Bowie CLAW continues to support the local animals and pets in our community. If you belong to FaceBook, please “friend” us. We are listed at Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare.  We still welcome donations and volunteers to help support all the work we are doing, including working with our community cat program, kitten socialization, and helping families involved in our Pet Assistance and Support Program (PAS). We are also looking for fosters for our kitten program and need help caring for the Bowie Petco cats and assisting with weekend adoption events. If you are interested, email us at BowieCLAW@gmail.com.

Our July general meeting is still up in the air.  Please stay in touch with us via FaceBook and CLAW Tawk. Until we meet again, may you (and all your loving pets) be and stay healthy and happy!

Pets in Hot Cars

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. There are plenty of excuses: “Oh, it will just be a few minutes while I go into the store,” or “But I cracked the windows…” Stop using them as they won’t amount to much if your pet get sick or even dies.

The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F…and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle!

Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn’t seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference.

Special note: The new Prince George’s County Animal Control ordinances states in Sec.3-101 that proper outdoor shelter is NOT adequate when “the heat index is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher as determined by the National Weather Service; or (d) during a heat advisory issued by a local or State authority; or (e) during the effective period for a severe weather warning issued for the area by the National Weather Service, including a hurricane warning, tropical storm warning, or tornado warning.” If you are aware of a pet that is not brought indoors during these conditions, please notify Animal Services at 301-782-2000.

Community Cats

The number of community cats in the US is estimated to be in the tens of millions. Sadly, many communities still opt to control populations using outdated, ineffective methods—including lethal elimination or relocation. Community cats who end up in shelters make up a large percentage of cats euthanized throughout the country every year. According to the ASPCA, “Community Cats” is a term used to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. These cats could be friendly, feral, adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered and/or unaltered. They may or may not have a caregiver.

If a community cat survives kitten hood, his average lifespan is less than two years if living on his own. If a cat is lucky enough to be in a colony that has a caretaker, he may reach 10 years. Community cats who live in managed colonies—a colony with a dedicated caretaker who provides spay/neuter services, regular feedings and proper shelter—can live a quite content life.

Bowie CLAW has been supporting colony caretakers for several years – assisting with trap-neuter- return-monitor (TNRM). TNRM is the method of humanely trapping community cats, having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies, and then returning them to their colony to live out their lives. TNRM has been shown to be the least costly and the most humane, efficient way of stabilizing community cat populations. To get involved please contact BowieCLAW@gmail.com!

Pet Jokes!

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

General Meeting and Elections

Please note, in order to mitigate the community spread of coronavirus and adhere to Governor Hogan’s stay at home directive the May 16^th general meeting has been canceled.  We will keep in touch via Facebook and Claw Tawk.

As we noted in the April edition of CLAW Tawk, typically at our May meetings we hold an election for the Board of Directors. This election will be postponed until we are able to all meet in person.

Support People and Pets During COVID-19

Our work with the Pet Food Pantry continues even during these trying times. But we would welcome assistance.  Many people have lost their jobs or are furloughed. They need food and medical supplies for their pets. Additionally, Bowie CLAW has been approached to assist local citizens with their pet’s medical bills.  If you are able, please consider donating.  To do so, go to our webpage, BowieCLAW.org and simply click on our donation button.  Every little bit helps.

We are not the only ones needing help. Our friends at the Prince George’s County Animal shelter are as well! Even though they have emptied their kennels significantly, there are still many dogs that are legal holds and could use a little extra enrichment due to boredom. If you can help, please email RLCarpenter@co.pg.md.us.  They are also in need of items that can be purchased on Amazon and donated.  Please click on the following link for a list. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157759824098371&id=242065008370

Coronavirus and Your Pets

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set out to answer questions about how coronavirus affects your furry friends. The information is limited at this time, but the risk of pets spreading the virus in people is thought to be low.

In some situations, it appears that the virus can indeed spread from people to animals. In fact, there have been some reports of a small number of animals, including dogs and cats, infected with the virus. These animals were in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, the FDA noted. However, the agency stated that there is no evidence to support that animals play a big role in spreading the virus.

Although there is no evidence that shows the virus that causes COVID-19 can be transmitted from the skin, fur or hair of pets to humans, the FDA recommended that all pet owners continue to practice healthy habits. These habits include:

• Washing your hands before and after touching your pet. In some cases, pets can carry other germs that can make humans sick.
• Avoid letting your pets interact with people or animals other than those in your household.
• When walking your dogs, do so on a leash and maintain at least six feet from other animals and people.
• Avoid going to public places like the dog park.
• Testing your animals for the virus is not recommended at this time, according to the FDA.
• From https://feeds.rxwiki.com/news-article/how-covid-19-might-affect-your-dog-or-cat

Pet Jokes!

Next General Meeting To Be Determined

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

General Meeting and Elections

Please note, in order to mitigate the community spread of coronavirus, Governor Hogan has implemented a stay at home directive. Therefore, be prepared that the May 16^th general meeting will likely be canceled.  We will keep in touch via Facebook and Claw Tawk.

Typically at our May meetings we hold an election for the Board of Directors. We have two full terms that expire in May (Paul Nadler and Tara Kelley-Baker), and two terms currently filled by interim appointment (Michaele Angulo and Michelene Kennedy-Teston) to fill. Given we are likely to have to postpone the meeting, the five remaining directors – Hugh Hammett, Michael Semeniuk, Michaele Angulo, Michelene Kennedy-Teston and Virginia Jones  – will make interim appointments to the full-term seats until the next general meeting, when we will hold proper elections for all four seats in question.

To continue and extend our various animal welfare actions, we invite active members who are willing to serve on this Board.  Please consider this opportunity and submit your interest by May 1^st to Virginia Jones (Secretary-Treasurer) or Paul Nadler (President) at BowieCLAW@gmail.com.  

Pet Jokes!

 

Can your pet be suffering from allergies?

You may not be the only one in your home suffering from seasonal allergies. Your dog or cat can also have reactions to pollen and other environmental allergens. As with people, animals’ immune systems can start to perceive pollen as a threat, causing a negative reaction. Even pets who spend most of their time indoors can suffer from environmental allergies.

The biggest symptom of seasonal allergies in pets is skin inflammation. A dog may scoot her rump, lick her paws or groin, or shake a lot. Cats may over-groom or develop skin crusts. Naturally, itchiness will make your pet scratch, and too much scratching can lead to infection. Over time, dogs can develop hair loss, thickened skin, hyperpigmentation, hot spots, and ear irritation, so keep an eye out for those symptoms. Cats often over-groom, leading to hair loss, especially on their sides or bellies. In both species, excess scratching can cause yeast and bacteria on the skin to multiply, setting off infections. Call the vet if you notice these signs of itchiness.

A vet will test for specific allergen sensitivities and routinely expose pets to them via either a daily serum under the tongue or a shot every one to two weeks. The goal is that over three to 12 months, the animal’s immune system stops reacting as strongly and requires fewer medications. In addition to prescription treatment, itchy pets can get relief from cool baths once a week or so.  Bathing can rinse off allergens before they are absorbed into the skin, causing an allergic reaction. Check with your vet first to rule out a secondary infection and ask for shampoo recom­mendations. Adapted from: https://www.prevention.com/health/a27021540/does-my-pet-have-allergies

Next General Meeting To Be Determined

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Please note, in order to mitigate the community spread of coronavirus, Governor Hogan has implemented a comprehensive list of actions to take. This includes the prohibition of large gatherings/events. Therefore the Green Bowie Expo that was set to take place April 18^th has been canceled.  Further, the Bowie CLAW Meet and Greet is temporarily suspended until the state of emergency has been lifted. We will keep you informed.

Although the Bowie CLAW meeting generally have less than 50 people attending, we feel that for the safety of our friends and members, it is best to cancel the March 21^st meeting.  We will keep in touch via Facebook and Claw Tawk.

Coronavirus and Your Pet

According to the World Health Organization, there is no evidence that companion animals such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus as of now. Covid-19 transmits primarily through droplets of coughing, sneezing, saliva, or discharge from the nose. While pets generate droplets, there are barriers for the virus to jump from humans to animals, and vice versa. So even in a rare situation, when a pet carries the virus, it is still unlikely that it would spread to a person.

As more people start social distancing and working from home, you are likely to be in more frequent contact with your dog, cat or another pet. WHO advises washing your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. It’s the pet owners, rather than pets, that have a higher risk of spreading the virus.

The Human Society of the United States has posted information on what they are doing to address this crisis, and information on how you can care for your pet. See  https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-faq

St. Patrick’s Day Pet Safety

St. Patrick’s day is here. Shamrocks and everything Irish! Celebrate this fun day but do take a few precautions with your pets.

Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets: Dogs love the smell and flavor of alcohol, and they will drink it if given the opportunity. Place your drinks out of your pet’s reach. Alcohol can be toxic to pets.

Parades/celebrations and loud noises can make your pet nervous: If you are having a party, your pet might not wish to participate.  Separate your pet in a quiet room with a distraction like a radio or television. 

Shamrocks are poisonous: Shamrocks are traditionally Irish and beautiful, but they are toxic to pets. Keep them out of your pet’s way. Fortunately these plans aren’t the tastiest, but don’t risk it.

Pets in green!  Dressing your pet up like a Leprechaun? If you do is used to wearing seaters, sure s/he is likely to be good with this.  But not all pets appreciate costumes. Don’t force the issue.

Clover – the Lucky Kitten!

We believe little Clover was struck by a vehicle prior to February 18. Bowie CLAW made it possible for Clover to receive the surgery she needed – repairing her broken front and back leg, and amputating her broken tail.  Clover has been battling a blood infection, anemia, ear infection, roundworm and constant diarrhea – but this little girl is a FIGHTER!  She continues to gain strength every day and her health is greatly improving.  Clover is being cared for by two, dedicated CLAW volunteers, Michaele Angulo and Nancy Laubenthal.

Clover’s medical bills have been extensive.  Fortunately, amazingly generous people have made donations toward the cost of her continuing care.  We know there will be more medical expenses for Clover, so if you can, please help with the cost of her recovery. NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL and all donations are greatly appreciated!  Clover has a long road to recovery – but she’s feisty and determined to be a healthy, active kitten! Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and send positive, healing vibes her way! Be sure to follow Clover’s progress on the Bowie CLAW Facebook page

General meeting Saturday, March 21^st has been canceled

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Thank you all who joined us at the Kissing Booth last month. A lovely time was had by all thanks to Honey Bee Photography!

Spring is in the air (almost)! Join us April 18^thfrom 12 to 4 PM for the Green Bowie Expo brought to you by the Bowie Lions Club. This is a family-fun event open to the public. Activities include Kids Zone with make and take activities, puppet show, live entertainment, electric car display, over 50 vendors showcasing their environment-friendly products and services.

If you are interested in organizing events for Bowie CLAW, WE NEED YOUR HELP!Please reach out to us at Bowieclaw@gmail.comor come to our general meetings.  Even if you can only commit to one event, we could sure use you! We are very open to ideas, have members of the Board who can assist with organizing, and have a nice group of volunteers. We just need a motivated leader. The only way we can support programs like our Pet Assistance and Support (PAS) and Community Cats are through donations often brought in by the events we have. So, if you’ve been looking for a way to help, this is the chance! Please consider. 

Discriminatory Breed-Specific Ban

As many of you already know, Bowie CLAW has been advocating for several years the repeal of Animal Control Ordinance Section 3-185.01 that bans in Prince George’s County those dogs labeled as pit bull terriers.  We want to commend our pet loving colleagues in Denver, Colorado for their accomplishments. They have demonstrated there are cleaver and common senses approaches to addressing this issue!  “Denver City Council repeals ban on pit bulls after marathon vote” – The Denver City Council repealed the city’s 30-year-old ban on pit bulls Monday night by a razor-thin margin, replacing it with a type of “probation” meant to safely reintroduce the often-demonized breed. The measure replaces the breed-specific ban with what they call common-sense tactics to reintroduce and track pit bulls in Denver. Residents will apply for a pit bull license which will require name and contact information, emergency contacts, a description of the dog and proof that it’s microchipped and properly vaccinated. It also carries a fee. If there are no attacks, instances of animal cruelty, fighting or other issues with the dog for three years then the restricted license will be removed and the pit bull will be licensed just the same as any other breed. Owners are limited to two pit bulls per home. 

For more information go to https://www.denverpost.com/2020/02/10/denver-council-pit-bull-ban-repeal/

Facts About Pet HEART Health

Nothing warms our hearts like the love of our pets. That’s why taking care of their hearts is so important. With Valentine’s Day just passing, here are 14 facts about the health of your pets—and the impact having pets has on your heart, too.

1. Dogs have a larger heart to body mass ratio than all other mammals.

2. Cats have dogs and humans beat when it comes to heart rate. A typical cat heart beats at 140-220 beats per minutes, whereas dogs are at 60-140, and humans at 60-100.

3. The best screening test for heart disease is having your veterinarian listen to your pet’s heart with a stethoscope twice a year as part of a wellness exam.

4. People who love pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.

5. Dogs are just as prone to getting heart disease as people are. In fact, dogs and people share over 400 ailments and illnesses.

6. Unlike people, dogs and cats don’t typically have heart attacks from clogged arteries, because both animal species are very efficient at digesting fats. They carry more of their cholesterol in HDL vs. LDL, so saturated fats aren’t a problem and are actually a very good source of energy.

7. Cats with heart disease are susceptible to dangerous blood clots that can break off and cause paralysis of the legs (aortic thromboembolism), an important reminder that heart health should always be checked by a vet.

8. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may help reduce inflammation in the body—and when it comes to heart health, they have been shown to help manage abnormal rhythms and to prevent muscle loss. 

9. Taurine, an amino acid that dogs (but not cats) can make, helps the heart pump effectively. Deficiency can cause the heart to weaken, so look for foods with high-quality protein to help dogs make taurine.

10. The heart’s a muscle, and muscle is made from protein. Make sure the food you choose includes large amounts of heart-healthy animal protein.

11. One of the easiest — and most enjoyable — ways to promote heart health in pets is regular exercise. Taking daily walks, playing with toys, and maintaining an active lifestyle can be mutually beneficial to you and your pet. 

12. Leaky valves are a common cause of heart disease in dogs. A group of veterinarians have been doing open heart surgery to replace damaged valves, a procedure which will soon be available soon in the US.

13. Overweight pets can be predisposed to cardiovascular disease. To prevent overfeeding, portion your pets food.

14. Believe it or not, human, dog, and cat hearts are nearly identical. There are only some slight differences in a few valves and the coronary vessels, or blood vessels, that supply the heart with blood and nutrients.

https://www.nomnomnow.com/blog/14-facts-about-pet-heart-health

See you at our general meeting Saturday, March 21^st

^{9:30 am Kenhill Center Hall (Old City Hall)}

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Join us for Purrs and Pooches Who Give Smooches at the Calvert Brewery. Honey Bee Photography will be taking Valentine Day photos of your pet on January 25^th from 12-4.  Contact Megan of Honey Be Photography for details at 240-766-8966 to schedule your 10 minute session for your fur babies! Your $20 donation helps support Bowie CLAW. Bespoke luxury photography experiences are uncommon and authentic, which means they are about you.  http://www.honeybeephotography.com/thehiveblog.html

Upcoming CLAW Meeting

Reminder City Hall will no longer be open to the public on Saturdays. We will now be meeting bimonthly at Kenhill Center (2614 Kenhill Drive – the old City Hall). We be in room 126 for the following third Saturdays of alternating months in 2020. Meeting times remain at 9:30. Fortunately, food and drinks are permitted, so coffee and doughnuts will be served! Our first meeting at our new location is January 18^th.

Working to Repeal Discriminatory Breed-Specific Ban

Bowie CLAW has been advocating for several years the repeal of Animal Control Ordinance Section 3-185.01 that bans in Prince George’s County those dogs labeled as pit bull terriers.  Last November our County Council passed a broad range of improvements to the ordinances that promote animal welfare as well as citizen safety.  But the repeal of the breed-specific ban failed at the last minute.

We have the opportunity now, with the support of Council members Turner, Glaros, Harrison, and Davis, to enact a repeal of Section 3-185.01.  Prince George’s County is the only jurisdiction within the DMV and the states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey that prohibits such labeled dogs.  They are discriminatorily euthanized based solely on appearance, not scientific fact, unless rescued by an out-of-county rescue organization.   As a result, hundreds of innocent dogs that pass behavior evaluations die every year. Please contact your Council members at the following addresses and let them know that you want our County to repeal this minimally effective, discriminatory, inhumane, and expensive mandate.  You will find your district representative at pgccouncil.us/443/Councilmanic Districts; click on the district maps to determine your council member, and be sure to write to the two At-large members who represent you as well.

        

    

New Year’s Resolutions with Your Pets (from HomePet.com)

Resolution #1: Measure your pet’s food….every time! Like us, it’s all too easy for a pet’s weight to gradually creep up over time. Obesity in pets is a serious health concern.

Resolution #2: Get more exercise. When it comes to health and weight control, diet is only part of this equation and in order to maintain (or lose) weight, an increase in activity is also necessary in order to meet these goals.

Resolution #3: Try a new activity. From doga to hiking, bikejoring to kayaking, it’s easier than ever for you to incorporate your dog into a new exercise routine.

Resolution #4: Incorporate more play time. While taking your cat hiking isn’t a practical approach to upping the step count of our feline friends, incorporating more playtime definitely is!

Resolution #5: Schedule a check-up with your vet. Have your veterinarian examine your pet at least once a year to make sure he or she is healthy and to help detect any potential problems early.

Resolution #6: Update your pet’s ID info. Now is the time to ensure that your pet has an up to date tag and microchip information. It’s the best way to ensure a lost pet makes their way safely home.

Resolution #7: Clear out old toys. Take a fresh look at your pet’s toy collection and stop holding on to old, tatty, and often germ-infested pet toys.

Resolution #8: Grooming time. Not only does grooming your pet remove excess fur from the coat and so reduce the amount you find on your clothes and furniture, it also helps to distribute oils from the skin to the fur, keeping the coat shiny and healthy.

Resolution #9: Create a safe, happy home and garden. Make sure all potentially harmful substances (such as cleaning products and medications) are kept in cabinets that your pet cannot easily reach and access.

Resolution #10: Seek more natural ways to support your pet’s health. Integrated’ health care for pets can combine the best of conventional Veterinary medicine alongside diet and nutrition, supplements, herbal and homeopathic formulas, physiotherapy and acupressure and acupuncture.

See you at our general meeting Saturday, January 18^th

^{9:30 am  Kenhill Center Hall (Old City Hall)}

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Past and Upcoming Events

Thank you to all who participated in Photos with Santa at Calvert Brewery (brought to you by Honey Bee Photography).

We have some fun events coming up! The Mutt Strut will take place Saturday January 25^th from 11am-1pm at the Bowie Community Center, Stoneybrook Drive.  We plan to be an exhibitor and are looking for volunteers! This event is sponsored by M-NCPPC and focuses on providing pet owners with resources that aid in the health and development of their furry companions.  It will feature a social hour and fashion show for dogs and their owners!  How much fun is that!!! There will also be information  about the importance of spaying and neutering.  Please plan to attend.

 In February, get ready for kisses with your pooches at the Calvert Brewery. Honey Bee Photography will be taking Valentine Day photos of your pet..  And finally, bring on your Irish with our St. Pawtrick’s Day celebration at the Calvert Brewery.  Stay tuned for exact dates.

If you are interested in leading or assisting at these events (or others) we would so appreciate your help! Drop us an email at BowieClaw @ gmail.com letting us know of your availability and interest.

Upcoming CLAW Meetings

Changes are coming. City Hall will no longer be open to the public on Saturdays. We will now be meeting bimonthly at Kenhill Center (2614 Kenhill Drive – the old City Hall). We be in room 126 for the following third Saturdays of alternating months in 2020. Meeting times remain at 9:30. Fortunately, food and drinks are permitted, so coffee and doughnuts will be served! – January 18^th  March 21^st  May 16^th  July 18^th  Sept 19^th  November 21^st   Mark your calendar now!

Thank You!!!

We are so grateful to Belair Veterinary Hospital and Photographer Mark Honke for their Photo Christmas fundraiser for our pet food pantry! We received winter clothes as well as food, treats, toys, and monetary donation!

We also received generous donations from Custom Cuts Horticulture & Design.  They have been great supporters of our community cat program.  Christian Community Presbyterian Church invited us to participate in their annual Christmas Market, and we appreciate the generous support we received from their community this year.  And we are always grateful to our faithful donors who make possible all our efforts.

Bumps and Lumps

So what should a pet owner do when they find a new or changing lump? Schedule an appointment to have any and all lumps examined, measured and charted. This will help to track any changes that may occur over time. The suspicious lumps should be aspirated to identify any unusual cells. (Lump aspiration can be done in an office call. It requires sticking a small needle into the lump to pull out a few cells to identify under the microscope. From this we can many times tell if the lump is serious or not).

So why are we addressing this issue now? Well since we have been more proactive about these lumps we have found many tumors that needed to be removed. Some of these lumps have been previously called fatty tumors because of how they felt, but once tested turned out to be cancer. If we catch the cancers early, then the chance of surgical cure increases.

So now that the weather is colder and your pet is snuggled up next to you and you feel a lump, old or new, it needs to be checked out. Call your vet and get things assessed. Don’t let a small problem become a big problem by procrastinating

(This information provided  by Spay Now Animal Clinic – Laurel, MD)

See you at our general meeting Saturday, January 18^th

^{9:30 am   Kenhill Center Hall (Old City Hall)}

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Past and Upcoming Events

Thank you to all who participated in our annual Bowie CLAW Blanket Drive. We collected an amazing number of blankets and quilts, sheets and bath towels. A big shout out to Ledo Pizza for allowing us to set up in front of their restaurant and Exit Reality for the use of their truck. 

Brought to you by Honey Bee Photography, it’s time for Photos with Santa at Calvert Brewery. For those of us with human children, one favorite activity of the entire year is the day you get to take your child to the mall to see Santa. But what about our four-footed fur babies?  It isn’t like you can take your German Shepherd to the mall for photos with Santa.  Wouldn’t you love to have your own experience, watching your pet having fun with the jolly old elf, and having those photos to enjoy for years to come? Come join us at our FIFTH ANNUAL Pets with Santa Event, November 9, from 12-4.  Appointments are HIGHLY encouraged, however, walk-ins are welcome! For more information, check out Honey Bee Photography. http://www.honeybeephotography.com/thehiveblog.html?b_blog=P4O9d+kaqNjaCwEfd0e6qQxhoaGjPQU5026IUzz2D7YXKLy6AE6oJxcZ53OP

News from the Board

We are pleased to announce the election of two new members to the Bowie CLAW Board of Directors: Michaele Angulo and Michelene (Mickey) Kennedy-Teston! We are very excited and grateful to have these pet-loving members.

Community Cat Program

Please donate your unused medium-to-large styrofoam boxes like the ones you receive with deliveries of food items. We use them to construct outdoor cat shelters, as pictured here. You can drop off a box at any Bowie CLAW donation location.

Give $1 Back for a Good Cause

Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold at the Giant Food store located at 15520 Annapolis Road, Bowie MD in the month of November. 

Adopt a Senior Pet Month

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month–a month dedicated to helping older pets find loving forever homes. Shelters and rescues across the country hope those looking to adopt a new furry friend will consider adding a senior pet to the family this month. 

Meet Hamilton

     Three years ago, my family went to the Prince George’s Animal Facility looking for a puppy. Of course, like many places, the puppies were the first to be adopted. But lucky us, we met our rescue dog (of course, he rescued us!).  They truly have no idea how old Hamilton is.  There were lots of guesses – and crazy ways of guessing. But it really doesn’t matter if he is 7 or 10. He is ours and we absolutely love him.  He got a second chance at a family and we got a first class dog.  – The Kelley-Baker Family –

See you at our general meeting Saturday, November 16^th

^{9:30 am   Bowie City Hall}

Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 19^th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM is our annual Bowie CLAW Blanket Drive. We will be collecting blankets and quilts, sheets and bath towels curbside at Ledo Pizza & Pub  (formerly TJ Elliot’s – 6814 Laurel Bowie Rd.). Sorry, no pillows, afghans, table linens or rugs please.  We could use volunteers for this event. Help us make the dogs and cats at the Prince George’s County Shelter a little warmer this year. If you are available, please contact Tara at BowieAnimalShelter@gmail.com or BowieClaw@gmail.com.  

Other upcoming events – There will be a Feral Winter Shelters Workshop October 26^th at 3:00 PM.  Please contact us if you are interested in attending. We are also accepting donations of Styrofoam coolers and boxes to use in making cat houses. Photos with Santa at Calvert Brewery and the Christmas Market will take place November 9^th. Stay tuned for details. If you are willing to volunteer, please reach out to us at BowieCLAW@gmail.com.

Volunteer Showcase

For his school project Mike Kane has been volunteering for Bowie Claw. At the Kaleidoscope event, Mike handled Jayda, our very sweet guest from the Prince George’s Animal Shelter. He also prepared bags of treats for the Bowie Marketplace Chic-fil-A to be given to dogs at the drive thru. And next, he is volunteering at our Blanket Drive October 19^th. It’s great having such an enthusiastic supporter!

Community Cat Program Update

During the project year (October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019), we sterilized and vaccinated a total of 188 cats:  91 males and 97 females.  That is 157% of our assigned goal for the year!. We could not do this without our incredible volunteer trappers! THANK YOU!

National Animal Safety and Protection Month

We never expect an emergency. No matter what we do, accidents happen. Take steps to be prepared and be aware. Be safe and protect your treasured furry friend.

• Be proactive. Keep all animals up to date on immunizations. Farmers, ranchers and pet owners, and hobbyists: all follow the vaccination schedule set forth by your veterinarian.
• Pet-proof your home and property. Remove or secure choking hazards and toxic chemicals. Make your home pet-friendly and safe.
• Identify your animals. Place tags securely on collars and even label collars with your contact information.  Microchip all pets.   If you have more uncommon pets, take photos of them in the event they get loose.
• In a disaster, have a plan. Who will be responsible for locating each animal in the house? How will you transport them? If it’s a fire, human life takes priority. However, place decals on windows and doors with the number of humans and each kind and number of pets residing in the home. Keep the decals up to date.
• Learn basic first aid. Caring for your animal at home will prevent a minor injury from becoming severe. Always call your veterinarian or emergency animal hospital if you are unsure.
• Know your animal. If your animal’s behavior changes, watch for signs of illness. Is he injured or spent too much time in the heat? Contact your veterinarian before giving human over-the-counter medications.

See you at our general meeting Saturday November 16^th 

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events

September 21 – General Membership Meeting: 9:30 am at Bowie City Hall. YOU are invited!

Sept 28th–we will be participating again this year in Kaleidoscope, a community event held on the lawn of Cresthill Church on Rt. 197. We will have adoptable dogs from the Prince George’s Animal Adoption Center from 10-1, and lots of information about Bowie CLAW from 10-2.  Come out and look for us!

Other upcoming events – our annual Bowie CLAW blanket drive, photos with Santa at Calvert Brewery, and the Christmas Market. Stay tuned for dates. If you are willing to volunteer, please reach out to us at BowieCLAW@gmail.com.

Diamond Dogs

It is the end of another great season of the Bowie Baysox Diamond Dogs! Throughout the baseball season Bowie CLAW and other area animal shelters and rescue organizations have been bringing one dog to the Prince George’s Stadium during home games to help them find their forever homes. Bowie CLAW set up a table on the concourse where fans could meet the Diamond Dog of the Game and learn more about our group and help the area animals. Bowie CLAW worked with some great rescues groups include Lab Rescue of Capital Potomac, Canine Companions for Independence, Lu’s Labs, and All Shepherd Rescue. If you missed it, make sure to come out next year!

Stressed? Your dog might be too!

Research indicates that dogs can mirror their owners’ stress levels. When researchers measured the stress hormone cortisol in a group of dogs and their owners, they found that levels synchronized. Interestingly, the researchers determined that the dogs’ stress levels rose in response to their owners’ stress levels, rather than vice-versa. More research is needed to further confirm this finding, but if your dog seems stressed, maybe look to see if you’re stressed. Take time to laugh with friends, take up a yoga or meditation class, get into an exercise program, AND of course, walk and snuggle with your dog.

A Big (but Sad) Farewell

Deb Forespring, one of our wonderful Bowie CLAW Directors, is moving to Delaware. Deb has been very active with our Community Cat program, and the new Kitten Socialization program with Bowie Animal Control. We are very sad to see her go; but we wish her the very best. Wherever she goes, we know there will be some lucky animals!

Of course, this means a Director seat is now open. If you have been an active Bowie CLAW member for at least three months, you qualify to join the Board of Directors!Pleaseconsiderthis position – it is great fun to be with like-minded animal-loving people?Contact us at bowieclaw@gmail.com

Thank you!

Over the past few months we have received a tremendous number of donations. We are so appreciative of the generosity. As many of you already know, we are a fully volunteer operated organization. Every contribution matters!