HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR SPRING & EASTER
Help reduce the pet and feral/stray cat overpopulation crisis in Arizona, shelter/rescue
overcrowding, unnecessary euthanization of adoptable animals, and the death and
suffering of those born and living on the streets. PLEASE spay/neuter your pets
and any ferals and strays you might be feeding or living in your neighborhood.
There are many programs and assistance available. See our Resource and Feral Cat pages for more information on what to do, why
do it, how to do it, how to get help and what to do if you find kittens.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND KITTENS? They may not be orphaned, but mom is just
out hunting, eating, etc. Resist the temptation to rescue unless they are in obvious
imminent danger. See our
Feral Cat page for detailed information on what to do.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND a baby bird? Again, resist temptation to "rescue"
unless in imminent danger, do not attempt to feed or give water. See more information
on our Wild Birds page and find qualified help on our Resource page.
Thoughts for EASTER... It's fun for people, kids, but not always for the
animals and dangers lurking in plants we decorate our homes with.
- Please no baby chicks, ducks or bunnies as gifts for children or adults!
Stay with stuffed or chocolate animals. Too many of these "gifts" wind up tossed
aside when they are no longer cute babies.
- We are opposed to eating and feeding our animals lamb. Why do we have to take baby
animals from their mothers to kill and eat them? Please don't make lamb a part of
your Easter dinner.
- EASTER LILIES are extremely dangerous and can be deadly to cats. Please don't
put in the home or anywhere your cat can get to them. Just don't get them at all!
Unbeknownst to many pet owners, Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats. All parts
of the Easter lily plant are poisonous - the petals, the leaves, the stem and even
the pollen. Cats that ingest as few as one or two leaves, or even a small amount
of pollen while grooming their fur, can suffer severe kidney failure.
- There are several other types of lilies that are toxic to cats as well. They are
of the Lilium and Hemerocallis species and commonly referred to as Tiger lilies,
Day lilies and Asiatic lilies. Popular in many gardens and yards, they can also
result in severe acute kidney failure. These lilies are commonly found in florist
bouquets, so it is imperative to check for poisonous flowers before bringing bouquets
into the household. Other types of lilies - such as the Peace, Peruvian and Calla
lilies - are usually not a problem for cats and may cause only minor drooling.
- Thankfully, lily poisoning does not occur in dogs or people. However, if a large
amount is ingested, it can result in mild gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting
and diarrhea.
Other Dangers to Pets at Easter Time
Spring is in the air and Easter is a
wonderful holiday. Remember that your pets will be curious about new items you bring
into your household like Easter lilies, Easter grass and chocolate. Keep them a
safe distance away from your pets' reach and enjoy the holiday and the season.
Pet Poison Helpline also receives calls concerning pets that have ingested Easter
grass and chocolate.
Usually green or yellow in color, Easter grass is the fake grass that often accompanies
Easter baskets. When your cat or dog ingests something "stringy" like Easter grass,
it can become anchored around the base of the tongue or stomach, rendering it unable
to pass through the intestines. It can result in a linear foreign body and cause
severe damage to the intestinal tract, often requiring expensive abdominal surgery.
Lastly, during the week of Easter, calls to Pet Poison Helpline concerning dogs
that have been poisoned by chocolate increase by nearly 200 percent. While the occasional
chocolate chip in one cookie may not be an issue, certain types of chocolate are
very toxic to dogs. In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the greater
the danger. Baker's chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest problem. The chemical
toxicity is due to methylxanthines (a relative of caffeine) and results in vomiting,
diarrhea, hyperactivity, an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and possibly death.
Other sources include chewable chocolate flavored multi-vitamins, baked goods, or
chocolate-covered espresso beans. If you suspect that your dog ate chocolate, call
your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately.
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/seasons/easter/
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