Southside Animal Shelter Adoptees

 

 If you are looking for a new warm fuzzy friend , we have several Kitties available for adoption 

at Best Friends.  We have been working with SouthSide Animal Shelter for the last couple of years by featuring a few feline friends.   The Buff tiger cat is Chester, he is about 9 months old, playful, amusing and gets along well with other cats.  The gray tortoise cat is Nanook.  She is about 1 to 2 years of age, loves to play and explore and also gets along well with other cats.  Then we have Shaka, a long haired tiger and white girl and her friend Aimee, a short-haired tiger girl.  Both are about 1 and 1/2 years of age, like to drink water  from the sink, they are also playful, cuddly and get along well with other cats.   All are spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations Feline leukemia tested negative and available  for loving homes.    

Groom of the Week!!

Roscoe M.

Hello, my name is Roscoe and I am a 10 year old Springer although the way I act you would think I was 1 yr old!! I absolutely love coming to Best Friends! I always do the Play N Stay where I make a ton of new friends for a minimum of 4 hours a day. After my playtime with my friends I get to eat dinner, snuggle up on my wooly and pass out!! I’m normally asleep right after dinner! On the day I go home I always get the “Go Home Fresh Bath”. And today I’m even getting a haircut! I know my parents will be excited to see my new haircut as am I to show it off!! Hats off to Claire!

Pet of the Week!!

Kela C.

Hi! My name is Kela and I am a 12 yr old Siberian Husky! I am an absolute gem and love to be snuggled and loved on by my non fuzzy friends here at Best Friends. When I board mom and dad get me a cuddle time everyday and at night I get tucked in on my super soft orthopedic bed. Mom and dad get me the “Go Home Fresh Bath” when I stay here so I go home smelling wonderful. I’m an older gal but the girls and guys at Best Friends treat me great and I always greet them with a kiss and leave the same way!

Pet of the Week!!!

Chesney W.




Hello, my name is Chesney and aren't I just too cute?!? I'm a English Setter, and I love coming to Best Friends! I have been coming to Best Friends since I was 3 months old which was only 3 months ago! I'm still 100% pup and my mom and dad are SOO excited that I am old enough to do the Play N Stay now! I get to make new friends and get out all that puppy energy so I can sleep at night for one low rate! I know, its the best right?!? But they also have other options if you aren't into playing with other fuzzy friends, you can play with the non-fuzzy ones on two feet for the same price! Well enough about me, I'm off.....Puppy Power!!!

Groom of the Week!!

Charlie F.

Hi, my name is Charlie and I am a 7 month old shih tzu. I am so puppy! I dont mind being groomed but all I really want to do is play and Sara my groomer loves to play so it PERFECT! She took me from shaggy to shag-o-rific!! I'm so handsome now, just call me a young puppy lovin casonova. So come and see Sara, tell her what style you want and she will do it! Thank you Sara, your the best!

How to teach your cat tricks

Yes, even cats can be taught tricks. Some cats are easier than others. Here are some techniques that will help you train yours.


Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Lots of patience

A sense of humor

1 First you need to know what your cat absolutely loves. One of mine, Nori, is madly in love with shrimp tails. He hasn't gotten as well trained as the other who loves ordinary -- far more affordable -- cat treats.

2 A clicker

Clicker training works very well on cats. The concept is to get one of these little plastic clickers, click it and treat the cat simultaneously until the cat associates the click with the treat. It is a lot faster to click the clicker than to feed the cat so when the cat (dog or other trainee -- no, I haven't tried this on children ;-) )-- actually does the behavior, you can 'mark' it and the cat knows the treat is coming. If you just use treats, by the time you give the cat a treat, he or she may be doing a totally different behavior and you are essentially rewarding the new behavior, not the one he/she was doing a second ago.

3 Get the cat's attention. The sound of the freezer door where shrimp is kept usually is enough for my shrimp-lover. Do what works for yours. I always call mine. They so look forward to training (and rewarding) sessions that they always come when called. This means if ever I NEED to call them, they will also come.

4 Once you have the cat's attention, wait (and this may take awesome patience) until he/she makes at least the beginning of the move you want. For example, to make my cat, Nori, "spin" I would move my hand around his head while he is sitting. When he gets up and starts to turn I click and treat. Before long he starts to get up and move around automatically hoping for a click and the following shrimp tail. Once he has part of the turn learned, I make him turn more each time before clicking until he makes a full circle.

5 Once he starts to make a full circle I start labeling it by saying "spin!". Before too long he associates the command with the trick -- and that wonderful shrimp tail.

6 There are many techniques for training. Even clicker training is handled a little differently by various trainers. This is how I've been training my cats -- and others -- and it's worked well for me.

Thank you to ehow.com for information to this article.

Meet our Kitty friends!

HI! My name is Charlie

and my friends here are Amiee and Shaka.

We are kitties looking for a new home. We are staying with Best Friends Pet Care in Indianapolis right now while we wait for that oh so PUUR-FECT family who wants nothing more then to love us and spoil us rotten. We are offered through Southside Animal Shelter who is a Non Profit No Kill shelter on the south side of Indianapolis.


If you have the room (and we don't take up much!) in your home and in your heart (Ok we are all waiting to fill up THAT space!) and maybge looking for something warm soft and cuddly please keep us in mind. The girls would love to stay together but me, I'm a one man show. I'll take all of your love! We are all up to date on our vaccinations and have been spayed and neutered. We do have our claws but promise to not tear up your furniture or curtains. just give us a good furry scratching post and we are happy little kitties!

Charlie is a real sweetheart who seems to get along well with dogs and loves to talk. He loves to watch everything that we do and give us his opinion on how we do it. He is one kitty who will be at your side offering up all he can give in any chore you do.

Amiee and Shaka have become better accustomed to having dogs in their life though it may take them a day or two to warm up to any in your own home. Both of the girls are real sweet and love to cuddle with you. Amiee is the more adventerous of the two where Shaka just wants to be loved. The girls would love to go to the same home as they are used to being together but will adjust quickly to a new loving home on their own.

Please contact Best Friends pet Care 317-841-8182 if you think you might be interested in either of them or just stop by to meet them! We are at 8224 Bash Street Indianapolis IN (right off of I-69 North)

Pet of the Week

Hello, my name is Kittykat. I am a black DSH kitty. I love when I come and stay at Best Friends! When I am here, I love to explore Kitty City and play in the sink! Cats do like water, but Shhh, don't tell anyone! I enjoy being petted and playing with the feather toys that my human friends let me play with!

Meet The Staff

MEET THE STAFF
JESSICA EARLY

Jessica started with Best Friends Pet Care in Indianapolis just before the Christmas holidays. She came in full of confidence and quickly followed through with her expertise. She started off helping in our kennels, getting to know our four legged clients. Unable to help herself from falling in love with them all, she has proved to be invaluable as a staff member.

Once the holidays passed and she was able to begin her training in our front lobby as a Lead CSR. Jessica learned the ropes quickly and has since been promoted to her position of hire as a Manager Intern.

Jessica shares her home with her three Siberian Huskies, Alaska, Denali and Kodiak and her Main Coon kitty, Romeo. They come to work with her and hang out on certain days, or they join some of our daycamp friends for some much needed playtime. In Jessica's spare time she likes to play with her trio, taking them to the parks or just hanging out playing at home.

When she is just trying to let her brain relax Jessica likes to engross her mind deeply into Reality TV or by watching comedies and cartoon type movies (go Roger Rabbit!)

Though you will often times see Jessica on the front desk working, her most favorite thing about working at Best Friends is in working with the four legged clients that come in to us. Jesscia says she loves the look on the human clients faces when they pick up their beloved fur-kids. They look so happy and thankful!
Please help us all in welcoming Jessica aboard our crew here. In the famous words of Mr. Spock...may you *live long and prosper* here at Best Friends!

Seniors and Supplements?

We at Best Friends understand the importance of proper care of our pets, at all ages. When boarding here we take extra special care of our geriatric bunch. Following is an article on supplements for our seniors:

Some senior dogs may see some benefits with supplements. Hip and joint problems have been greatly diminished by these types additions to their nutritional needs. Arthritis and other joint pain can be helped with supplements such as glucosamine and prescribed medications from your doctor.

Chondroitin with glucosamine has shown senior dogs to have marked improvement in their mobility and their quality of life. Along with weight control, the senior dog won't have the agility and energy of a puppy, but will have more movement and flexibility in their joints, hips, and legs. Glucosamine can be bought at local drug stores or health food stores but you should ask you vet before you use and get an idea about the dosage. Too much of any supplement can be as harmful as it is beneficial.

Supplements for diet is recommended when you dog needs something more from their diet than what their food is giving them. This can occur when you dog's food, even though you picked a good food with the help of your vet, still is not providing the nutritional value your dog needs. Because an older dog usually loses more electrolytes in their urinary and kidney systems, they need to get more of these vital minerals and vitamins from other areas. Another cause of a need for supplements is that your dog just eats less than they used to. This could be because of teeth pain or other oral diseases or that their metabolism is slowing down and they eat less so not to feel overfull or bloated.
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Rainwater

Meet The Staff

Our Meet The Staff person this week is our

Center Manager Shawn Roberson

Shawn has been working for Best Friends for over 17 years. Given that she has worked in the animal care industry for even longer, she brings a lot of experience and talent into this business.

Shawn shares her home with two pets. Sophie, the true light in her life (and heart) and her more recently aquired kitty Cricket. Wherest thou (Shawn) goeth....Sophie goeth with her. The two are an inseparable pair. Cricket came to Shawn one day with the full intention of being adopted. Shawn with her loving heart toward animals, found Cricket too hard to resist.

Shawn tells us she loves working with pets of all shapes sizes and ages, but our Geriatric pets have a special place in her heart. When Shawn is here at work there are times when she is totally *behind the scenes* working diligently in the loving care of your pets.

Othertimes she is knee deep in her work, giving and getting kisses.

So the next time you stop by Best Friends give a friendly shout out to Shawn, she's here to help you and your pets enjoy the best experience possible while at Best Friends Pet Care.

Pet and Make Over of the Week

Pet of the Week

Scribbles Yosha

Hi, my name is Scribbles! I'm a long hair tortise colored kitty. I love coming to Best Friends to stay!

Kitty City is so much fun!

There are toys, toys and more toys for me to play with during my playtimes. I really love how my Best Friends cuddle and love on me when I'm here! Best Friends is PURR-FECT!

MAKE OVER OF THE WEEK

DAISY JONES

HI! My name is Daisy and I am a Shih Tzu. We're supposed to be a *Chinese Guardian Lion* breed

but as my mommy can tell you, the only *Lion* about me is when I'm lying in my house being the Queen Bee.

When my hair gets to be bigger then my personality my mommy and daddy bring me in to Best Friends to

see my favorite groomer Carolyn. She knows how to tame that *lion* in my coat and make me into

that beautiful little girl you see before you now.

How to Keep a Cat Safe During the Winter Holidays

Cats like presents, too. Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice, New Year's Eve and other winter holidays are a joyous, exciting time for humans, but they can be scary or dangerous for our pet cats. Gift ribbon, poinsettias, candles and tinsel are just a few holiday traditions that can harm, or even kill, a cat. With a little planning and forethought, you can have a holiday that is happy for both you and your cat.

Step 1: Wrap your gifts with thick ribbon, sturdily applied, and decorate your tree with garland instead of tinsel. Many cats love to eat things that they shouldn't. Tinsel or thin ribbon poses a choking hazard or can become wrapped around a cat's intestines, eventually killing the cat.

Step 2: Store chocolate and other candies safely away from cats, and do not leave open alcoholic beverages unattended. Chocolate and alcohol are toxic to cats. If you are entertaining, remind your guests to keep an eye on their drinks.

Step 3: Be careful with meat "treats." It's tempting to give your cats a little treat and offer them a bite of turkey, goose or ham. However, ham is very fatty and even very small amounts can cause digestive upset in cats. Poultry may be given in moderation, but do not let your cats chew on the bones, since cooked bones are very brittle and can splinter easily, damaging your cat's mouth or digestive tract.

Step 4: Keep lit candles well out of reach of your cats, and do not allow candles to burn unattended or for extended periods of time. Cats don't understand fire like we do, and may become curious about lit candles.

Step 5: Avoid bringing poinsettias, ivy and mistletoe into your home. Cats love to chew on plants, but many common holiday plants are toxic to cats. Even if you think you have a safe spot to put them in, many cats find the lure of green things irresistible and go to great lengths to try to eat it.

Step 6: Be aware that your cat is probably going to climb a Christmas tree. Ensure your tree stand is sturdy, and choose a tree with softer needles. Avoid hanging fragile ornaments on the tree, in case your cat tips it over; at the very least, place breakable ornaments near the top of the tree, so that your cat cannot as easily bat them off. Avoid hanging ornaments with metal hooks, since they can be a danger to your cat if swallowed. Another alternative is to forgo the indoor Christmas tree altogether, and instead string lights around some outside trees and hang ornaments in windows and doorways.
Step 7: Keep your cat shut away in a private room if you are having a party. Having lots of unfamiliar people in its house can be stressful to a cat, and with people coming and going there is the danger of it slipping out the door and getting outside. Choose a room in a quieter part of the house and set up the cat's bed, litter box, toys and food and water bowls so that your cat has a sanctuary during the chaos of a party. Put a sign on the outside of the room reminding guests to keep the door shut.

Step 8: Set aside time every day to give your cat some special attention. When you're busy shopping, decorating, entertaining and cooking, it can be easy to overlook your cat's needs.

Contributor
By Sonya Welter
eHow Contributing Writer

Cats and Kittens at Best Friends!

Let's talk a little more about kittens! Why? Because they are so darn cute!!

Best Friends Pet Care works closely with Southside Animal Shelter to help find homes for some of their cats and kittens that are available for adoption.

We house several of Southside's cats and kittens and have helped find homes for about a dozen so far. If you are interested in adopting a new feline friend, stop by our facility to see the adoptable cats. Or check out Southside Animal Shelter's Website for more information.

We even put some of the kittens to work while they are staying with us. This is Sampson answering phones during a busy moment. Obviously he has it backwards, but at least he is trying!

He has mad computer skills and is putting together a powerpoint presentation with the click of a mouse!

He works for peanuts too!!