Extra Extra ! Baark! gets a weekly Column!

We are excited to announce that Baark! now has a weekly column in the Nassau Guardian!

This is an incredible opportunity to help our message reach even more Bahamians and subsequently help even more animals! 

Every Tuesday, please show Nassau Guardian your love for our work by purchasing a paper. 

We would love your comments and questions, you could just make it into our column too.

This blog will now be the place to catch the weekly column should you happen to miss the paper.We will be re-posting a few of our previously done blogs to correspond to the weekly column, but we are sure they are worth reading again! 

Please spay and neuter your animals, this simple procedure saves lives and decreases the suffering of unwanted animals.

This blog is proudly brought to you by BAARK! the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness.

For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org, (558-3039) or visit our website www.baarkbahamas.com

Baark! On... Strutt your Mutt!

We at Baark! are pleased to announce our celebrity columnist, Snickers. Snickers is a potcake that has risen to fame over the last two years as a Baark! rescue. We are fortunate to have her as a columnist to share her perspective.

Hey readers, Snickers here.  I wanted to share with you an exciting event Baark! is putting on that you do not want to miss!

It is the 3^rd annual “Strut Your Mutt” walkathon. Make sure you tell your humans!

Sunday November 4th 2012

3pm Registration, Walks starts at 4pm

Goodman's Bay, West

Not only do you get to enjoy a walk with other potcakes, your humans can win some really great prizes! Last year my human, won a great prize for coming second for her age group! While her trophy is fabulous, I mostly enjoyed the treats for me. We were a great team! There are also really great prizes for those who raise the most money!

This year there is a gift for just participating, a walk and a treat? Can it get any better than that?

Another highlight is that some of the dogs without families currently living at the Humane Society and Foster homes will be coming out as well so if you have more humans than potcakes, they can still “strut a mutt!”

Best of all, we raised money for Baark! All of the money goes to support our spay and neutering program and you know that is dear to my heart. So please! Tell your humans they have to go, it is the event of the season for potcakes like us! See you there!!

Please spay and neuter your animals.

By ensuring your animal cannot produce more litters you are saving lives and decreasing the suffering of unwanted animals.  Please consider donating or helping with Baark!’s efforts to improve animal welfare in the Bahamas. For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org or (558-3039)

Baark! On.. Thank you

We often receive thank you letters as an expression of gratitude for what we have done. This one is from a potcake, we are sure you it will touch your heart.

Dear Baark!

I want to thank you for the quick surgery you did for me. I understand that this surgery will save me from having any other litters. I have loved all my puppies but the toll it has taken on my body is enormous and I could not fathom having another litter without serious consequences on my health and that of my puppies. Thank you to the wonderful team of caring and kind people at baark! for giving myself a new “leash” on life.

I understand that in January of 2013 something called “Operation Potcake” is taking place here in the Bahamas. Baark and lot of other amazing people will be coming to Nassau to help a lot of dogs like myself. Thank you! I will spread the word on the street so my potcake friends can come to receive your much needed services! You are amazing.

Sincerely,

Fredina Barker

Please spay and neuter your animals.

By ensuring your animal cannot produce more litters you are saving lives and decreasing the suffering of unwanted animals.  Please consider donating or helping with Baark!’s efforts to improve animal welfare in the Bahamas. For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org or (558-3039)

Baark! On- Guard dog wanted.

Dear Baark!

I want my new pit-bull puppy to protect me. I was told to pinch it a lot, feed it pepper, tease it with food, kick it and yell at it. Will this make my dog protect me once it knows to be angry?

Signed- family guard dog wanted

Dear Family guard dog wanted

We are so glad you asked, asking the right questions gets you started as a responsible pet owner. Sadly you have been given the wrong information. Kicking at a dog is abusive and is not tolerated. Pinching and teasing a dog will not make it more protective of you; it will make it more afraid of you.  A good guard dog will protect because he is loyal to his caring owners, not bark and bite at anyone who happens to come near.

A guard dog should be able to alert you to things around you that are potential threats, but a good guard dog will also be able to stop its reaction by your command. You want a confident, highly socialized dog that can interact in a friendly way with many people but when they sense danger or a threat can turn on the guard dog attitude. Learning the basics skills of obedience will be your first step in helping create a smart, confident guard dog. We recommend trying out some of the dog training courses offered around Bahamas and getting their opinion if your dog would be suited to being a guard dog.

Thanks for asking!

Baark!

Please spay and neuter your animals.

By ensuring your animal cannot produce more litters you are saving lives and decreasing the suffering of unwanted animals.  Please consider donating or helping with Baark!’s efforts to improve animal welfare in the Bahamas. For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org or (558-3039)

Baark! On Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Signs and Treatment for Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

Heat Exhaustion is a serious issue for dogs and if not treated can lead to death. We at Baark! are serious about animal care and want you to be informed.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

 1. Vigorous panting

 2. Dark red, dry gums

 3. Stumbling and lack of coordination

 4. Laying down and unwilling to get up

 5. Collapse and/or loss of consciousness

 6. Thick saliva
 7.  Dizziness or disorientation

 8. Diarrhea or vomiting

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stroke, you must take immediate action.

Treatment of Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

1. Move the dog out of the sun and heat; ideally, the dog should be moved to an indoor, air conditioned location.

2.  Fill a tub with a few inches of cool water.

3.  Pour room temperature water over the dog's entire body.

4. Aim a fan at the dog (if a fan is unavailable, fan the dog manually with a magazine or similar item

5. Offer a bowl of cold water for drinking.

6.Seek the advice of a veterinarian

Please spay and neuter your animals.

By ensuring your animal cannot produce more litters you are saving lives and decreasing the suffering of unwanted animals.  Please consider donating or helping with Baark!’s efforts to improve animal welfare in the Bahamas. For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org or (558-3039)

Baark! On... Hot Weather Tips for Dogs

Hot weather tips for Dogs

Hot weather can be dangerous for our dogs. Dogs lack the ability to cool off as effectively as is often required. Since we live in the Bahamas, known for our often soaring 

temperatures we dedicate this column to helping our canine friends stay safe in the heat.

    1. Water, water and more water.  Dogs can dehydrate very quickly. In the hot weather dogs need access to plenty of water. Be sure to check the bowls a few times a day to ensure a constant supply of fresh water.

    2. Shade, shade and more shade. Think about it, if you get hot while in the sun what do you do? Chances are you seek shade and feel the instant difference. Dogs require the same thing and need access to a shaded and ventilated area if they are kept outside.

    3. Limit your dog’s exercise to cooler portions of the day.

  4. Remember dogs are much closer to the ground than we are, standing on the hot asphalt street will heat up the dog faster than it does us. Be mindful and if choose grassy areas over the pavement to stop during your walk.

   5. Groom your dog regularly. This not only helps prevent flea and tick problems but it helps thin out the dogs hair which can trap heat. Dogs can get sunburn so avoid shaving off their hair; instead keep their coat shorter in the hotter months.

   6. Bring your dog inside your home during the hottest hours of the day.

Please spay and neuter your animals.

By ensuring your animal cannot produce more litters you are saving lives and decreasing the suffering of unwanted animals.  Please consider donating or helping with Baark!’s efforts to improve animal welfare in the Bahamas. For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org or (558-3039)

Baark! On- A new weekly format for Baark!

You really must excuse the lengthy lapse of time between our last blog post in April. 

We have been busy brainstorming a new and creative ways to get our message of animal welfare in the Bahamas out to the public. Starting tomorrow one of those ways will make an appearance.

Starting tomorrow Baark!s blog will be posting a weekly column, called 

 Baark! On

We will be using guest columnists and tackling many different issues we face here in the Bahamas about pet care and animal welfare.

Be sure to come by tomorrow to see our first column posting! And please be sure to let us know your thoughts!