Episode 9:
Cindy & Tim discuss dog trainers, pet insurance, microchipping & highlight Corner Brook Scaredy Cat Rescue, which leads to the discussion of feral cats.
With the discussion about dog trainers, an interesting read is Cindy’s Blog titled: Discipline vs Training vs Love
https://www.doncherryspetrescue.org/discipline-vs-training-vs-love/
Plus, read Cindy’s take on: small cute “feisty” dogs vs big dog and equating dog & child rearing at:
FYI: Why do people think this is a part of showing how well trained your dog is? It proves nothing & is demeaning to your dog.
Prong Collar debate:
Cons: https://www.sfspca.org/behavior-training/prong/myths/
Pros: https://topdogtips.com/prong-collars-debunking-the-myths-and-what-you-need-to-know/
Pet insurances
According to The Spruce Pets (which adheres to strict standards of articles), they choose the top 5 healthiest breeds:
#1- Beagle, then: Australian Cattle Dog, Chihuahua, Greyhound, Poodle.
The jury is out in what is the unhealthiest breeds for everyone has their own version. My choice would be, in no special order: Shar Pei, French Bulldogs, English Bulldog, German Shepards, Spaniels. My theory is increase the popularity in a breed, increase its health problems, due to the Dalmatian Syndrome. Read about this phenomenon at
www.doncherryspetrescue.org/the-dalmatian-syndrome/
Microchipping your dog is practically a routine procedure for responsible pet owners, but remember, it is not a GPS locator.
The producer of this podcast with Lil & Jessie, the Staffy whose microchip floated away, as Cindy tells her experience with microchipping in this episode.
In each episode there is a hot topic discussed or a rescue group that the Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation has given a grant to. In this episode Corner Brook Scaredy Cat Rescue was highlighted. Click here for more information about this group in located in Newfound: https://www.doncherryspetrescue.org/our-successes/monetary-donations/corner-brook-scaredy-cat-rescue/
As with many cat rescues the main topic is the issue with feral cats, which is discussed by Tim & Cindy.
If only Cindy’s friend in Kingston would read the last fact on the right. As said many a times: “the road to hell is paved with good intentions!”
Pictured here is the animal that Cindy refers to in this episode that cleaned up a rat infestation by a Kingston waterfront & moved on to other “food sources” is called a Fisher.
AKA a FisherCat, though not related to cats, but is of the mustelid family (weasels). They grow up to 32-43” & can weigh between 3-13 lbs. Despite their name they rarely eat fish and one of the few animals that have no problem attacking & eating porcupines & the occasional cat according to Cindy’s friend in Kingston.
Other interesting facts:
When early Dutch settlers first encountered the fisher, they recognized its close resemblance to its European cousin, the polecat. Fitche was the Dutch word for polecat; over time, fishercat became the norm. Another common story of how “fisher” became “fishercat” is their reputation for sounding like caterwauling cats.
Listen to Episode 9 of Cindy’s Pet Talk:
