Take the Thermostat Challenge on February 27th

On International Polar Bear Day - adjust your thermostat a few degrees - up or down - depending on where you live or the season - to reduce carbon emissions. Let's all try and make every day a Polar Bear Day by adjusting our thermostat's and taking additional steps to conserve energy. It's not easy ... but worth making a difference for our environment. I jokingly shared with a close friend that something like the thermostat challenge required "preparation" i.e. having additional sweaters, socks and warm undergarments available. That's what it takes! Post photos or video of your efforts at the SOS! Community Page. 
The Polar Bear Connection
Polar Bears International reports that our efforts to save energy can actually slow and even reverse global warming - the cause of melting sea ice. Polar Bears need require sea ice to reach their prey. Without it they can't survive. 
Learn More by visiting the Environmental Protections Agency's (EPA) website to get information about climate changes and what we can do.

 Action Tips to Fight Abuse
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) celebrates the sixth annual National Justice for Animals Week. The week was created to fight animal abuse and honor animal victims. ALDF says, “Animals can’t speak for themselves—even when they are horribly abused. It is our duty to be their voice and make sure cases involving animal victims get heard in the courts.” This week I realized the importance of understanding animal protection laws and knowing HOW to report animal abuse cases.

Get closer to doing real justice for animals and participate each day this week by following the action tips provided at aldf.org. Basically here how it goes:

1. Monday: Watch Actress/Advocate Charlotte Ross talk about supporting NJAW
2. Tuesday: Make the news
3. Wednesday: Fight cruelty with your phone - download ALDF Crime Tips app  
4. Thursday: Help ALDF help animals.
5. Friday: Use our computers to fight animal abuse

This Valentine's Beware ...
Every year on Valentine’s Day, Last Chance for Animals (LCA) celebrates Pet Theft Awareness Day by educating the public about the dangers of pet theft. “Dog Tags” were designed for supporters to wear on the 14^th.. Wear them to alert everyone around you about pet theft and remember the stolen pets that lost their lives to medical research. Check out the campaign materials and activity ideas provided at stolenpets.com to host a Pet Theft Awareness Day event in your area.


LCA provides a long list of guidelines to help keep our animal companions safe. Here are a few:

• Try not to leave them alone in the yard or the car and always know where their locate
• Spay/Neuter will help lower their desire to stray and the risk of them being stolen for breeding
• Use proper collars, ID tags, licenses and use alternative forms such as tattooing and micro-chipping
• Have recent photos and written descriptions on hand
  
• Keep them indoors especially when you’re not home
• Tell everyone you know about the dangers of pet theft

Join Us for the Count!

Time to gear up for the 17th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)! Bird watchers of all ages and backgrounds around the world will gather needed data about birds. Basically, anyone who counts birds for at least 15 minutes February 14-17, is a participant. The figures collected track bird health populations on a level that might not otherwise be possible.“People who care about birds can change the world,”says Audubon chief scientist Gary Langham, “Technology has made it possible for people everywhere to unite around a shared love of birds and a commitment to protecting them".

The Great Backyard Bird Count had a record breaking year in 2013 going global for the first time. Thanks to technological advancements, an online checklist program had been created that enabled participants from 7 continents, 111 countries and independent territories to report their bird sightings. Cornell Lab and Audubon reports that almost a third of the world’s bird species were recorded in four days - 34.5 million birds and 3,610 species  - GO BIRD WATCHERS!

Got Dog Breath?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) your pet's bad breath might be an indicator of a dental problem. "Pet Dental Health Month", sponsored by the AVMA every year in February, reminds pet owners to brush their pet’s teeth regularly. Preventive veterinary dental care maintains dental health and saves money in the long term.

VPI Pet Insurance conducted an analysis in 2013. The analysis showed the average cost to prevent dental disease in pets is $171.82, but to treat dental disease costs $531.71.

AVMA recommends that you get your pet to the Vet asap if you notice any of the following symptoms, dental disease may already be a problem:

• Red swollen gums and brownish teeth
• Bad breath - truly repugnant - similar to the smell of a rotten egg
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Frequent pawing or rubbing at the face/mouth
• Reluctant to eat hard foods

Dr. Clark K. Fobian, President of the AVMA, explains “One of the most common problems veterinarians see in pets is dental disease, and, unfortunately, these issues can get serious if untreated. I remind pet owners that an untreated dental infection can spread to the heart, kidneys and other organs, and suddenly become life threatening. Practicing good dental hygiene at home, in addition to regular dental cleanings by your veterinarian, is the most efficient and cost-effective way to keep your pets healthy, comfortable and pain-free.”

How to participate in "Dog Training Education Month?
Everyday during the month of February Dog Training Central provides an activity to perform with your dog. Today's activity is "Obedience". Dog Training Central describes Obedience Training as "The Key to Raising a Well Behaved Dog". It establishes rules that will enable your dog to behave properly in any situation - in the company of other dogs, animals and people. Ten fundamental obedience training commands are:

1. Sit!
2. Down
3. Come / Recall
4. Leash Training
5. Stay
6. Heeling
7. Go To Your Spot!
8. Leave It!
9. The Stand Command
10. Fetch or Retrieve

A home based Dog Obedience Training Package is also recommended to solve behavioral problems, teach obedience commands and help gain a greater appreciation of how dogs think.

Have A Heart for Chained Dogs Week
Dogs Deserve Better (DDB), a national rescue and advocacy group committed to stop the chaining of dogs, has mailed Valentines and treat coupons to chained dogs around the world for twelve years. These Valentine’s are created every year by schoolchildren, and encourage the guardians to bring their dog inside or to release them to a home that will. Tamira Thayne, DDB Founder and Director, says “Every winter our rescuers see dogs that have frozen in the snow, suffered frostbite, or otherwise endured horrific living conditions”. This year the goal is to send out 21,000 Valentine's.