Gemini Universal LLC

Heart disease is the silent killer of cats. One in six cats can be born with and develop heart disease in their lifetime. There are no outward symptoms, but now there is a blood test called a proBNP test that can detect heart disease earlier.

If you are a first-time bird owner or want to be, now is a good time to brush up on bird care for their continued health and well-being, especially before you run out to a shelter and bring home that special rescue pet for your very own.

Halloween and black cats go hand in hand.  However, did you know that adoption data has indicated that black cats stay longer in shelters and are considered less adoptable than cats of other colors?  Our black feline friends are therefore subject to needless euthanasia more so than other pets.

When it comes to pet health and welfare, many animals are lucky enough to be in good homes, loved as a family member, and well cared for by their pet parents. However, some animals are not so lucky. Thousands of cases of animal cruelty are reported each year while it is estimated that thousands of cases go unreported.

Because ticks pose such a health threat to both pets and people, it’s important to stay aware of tick migrations taking place in our area and be diligent with parasite protection. We’ve been following the migration of the East Asian tick (also known as the Longhorned tick) since its discovery in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, back in November 2017. According to recent updates by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the Longhorned tick has now made its way to our own Somerset County along with Hunterdon, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Bergen and Monmouth Counties.

I always have the best time attending 4-H Fairs. The variety of animals just fascinates me, especially when I meet those that I simply don’t see every day, such as the livestock. This year I was fortunate enough to meet a few Llamas up close and personal while learning about them from one of the 4-H leaders in the Llama tent.

The Garden State Cat Show/Expo took place July 21-22, 2018, at the New Jersey Convention and Exhibition Center in Edison, New Jersey. The event was hosted by the Garden State Cat Club. One of the features of the annual event was the Feline Agility contest, and what fun that was to watch!

Duke Farms in New Jersey offers excellent educational programs. Most recently I had the opportunity to attend an hour-long presentation about Birds of Prey. The presenter was from the Delaware Valley Raptor Center (DVRC) who brought live rescued birds to showcase while educating the audience about the bird species and its habits and characteristics. Following are some takeaways.

Wishing all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day! And that includes moms to both human and furry friends, as well as animal moms and their offspring.