Unfortunately, Rocco’s rehabilitation has met challenges that we are not able to overcome. After numerous visits to Ohana Pet Hospital in Ventura, Dr. Jill and Dr. Jan have diagnosed him with Pemphigus. This condition is an autoimmune disease where his body basically attacks itself through manifestations of the skin. Symptoms that Rocco exhibits are many oozing lesions that cause the skin to fall off. In addition to painful skin and paws, it has started to affect his mouth making it uncomfortable to eat. 

Pemphigus is a disease that is common amongst puppy mill dogs which are sold in pet stores. It is suspected that Rocco was indeed a pet store purchase and his condition was probably the reason for his surrender to the shelter. Commonly, a dog lover will see a puppy in the small cage of a pet store and want to get it out of that situation. What that consumer does not understand, is that they just created the demand for another innocent victim of the circumstance. Frequently, these puppy purchases end up at veterinary clinics for multiple reasons. Some conditions might be minor, but all too often they become overwhelming health issues and financial burdens similar to Rocco’s situation. 

Rocco’s wonderful foster parents, Blake & Stephanie Burgard, have made him as comfortable and happy as possible. They have worked with Dr. Jill and Dr. Jan to create a compassionate care plan for the rest of his days. Sadly, his life expectancy is only 4-6 months. During that time, his discomfort will be managed with steroids and antibiotics. 

Of course, this was not the outcome that we had hoped for this sweet little guy when we first pulled him from Ventura County Animal Services.  However, we are very grateful that the Burgards have decided to provide him a loving and warm atmosphere for the rest of his days. Without Rocco’s rescue he would have been euthanized weeks ago, with only the memories of his abandonment and lonely days in a shelter kennel. 

To learn more about puppy mills and backyard breeding visit:

http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/puppy-mills

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/

#roccomakingadifference

Our gratitude to the Burgard family for providing such compassion and an exceptional standard of care for Rocco. 

We also appreciate the assistance and medical care provided by Dr. Jan & Dr. Jill at Ohana Pet Hospital in Ventura, CA.

Our sweet Foster is currently on a mission to cheer up a sad goat named Chili! Unfortunately, Chili's companion horse passed away. Since the death, Chili's caretakers noticed that she seemed depressed. Our mutual vet recommended that Chili get another companion to lift her spirits and health. However, since Chili was a rescue animal herself, they do not know how long she will live. Reasonably, they did not want to make a commitment to another goat and end up with the same problem. 

Luckily, our Foster turned out to be a wonderful match! Chili was a little hesitant at first, but the two have turned out to be fun companions. We are so happy to be able to help out another goat in need! It has been an absolute pleasure meeting Chili and her human family! We appreciate their efforts to make Foster feel at home and the excellent standard of care that they give to their animals. 

Cheers to Chili & Foster!

Dear Animal Friends,

It’s that time of year when invaders start showing up at the house. It starts on the last day of October when little humans come to the door seeking treats and waging war! Next, all sizes of humans get together inside the home with a big feast in November. It’s during these times that so many of them intimidate us with what they call “cuddling” but it’s more like squeezing and tail pulling. It doesn’t end there though! After the big feast, the living room becomes an obstacle course of unfamiliar items. They have little melting sticks of fire strategically placed throughout the house. The smells can be very overwhelming. Sometimes, there is even a tree from outside placed within our den! It’s usually covered in shiny objects and flashing lights, a warning indeed! Then, after one frightening and chaotic morning of paper ripping, shouting, and laughing, just when you think things might calm down there is one more battle. The humans wait until the middle of the night and then they shout and cheer as explosions erupt all over the land! It’s a confusing and scary time. Find a bed to hide under and hopefully your personal human will help protect you!       

Yours truly, Animal Informant

The holidays are right around the corner bringing the excitement of social gatherings, decorations, and of course delicious food. Unfortunately, our beloved animals don’t always interpret this season the way we do. From Halloween to New Year, our animal companions can find themselves in many scary situations. Common holiday hazards include unsafe decorations, poisonous foods, and behavioral issues. As their guardians, it is our responsibility to be as proactive as we can while celebrating with both humans and animals.



Decorations
As we begin to decorate the house and get into the holiday spirit there are a few things to keep in mind. Many seasonal plants such as lilies, poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, and amaryllis, are toxic to household pets. Before introducing a new plant in the home, research it to find out if there are potential toxic dangers to any animal residents. Also, be aware of the set up for any lighting. In addition to being a general fire hazard, the electrical cords can be enticing to play with and chew on, which can lead to electrocution. Place candles in safe areas and refrain from creating heavy scents. The smell can be overwhelming to an animal’s highly sensitive olfactory senses. In addition, some candles are toxic to certain animals, especially birds. Similarly, scented oils, which are increasingly popular these days, should be placed out of the reach of animals. Felines are known to be inquisitive, so they must be protected from ingesting oil or getting burned from it. If your holiday festivities include a Christmas tree, be sure to secure the tree and prevent any animals from drinking out of the water base. It is best to refrain from using tinsel and glass ornaments. If you do, strategically place them amongst the branches. Cats love to play with ornaments and a happy dog’s wagging tail might send your favorite ornament crashing to the floor. 



Food 
Aside from festive decor, food is a main component and attraction at holiday gatherings. When cooking food, restrict animals from entering the kitchen for their safety and yours. Cooking with non- stick pans can leach chemicals into the air, which are toxic to birds. Place parrots and other birds in well ventilated areas as far away from the kitchen as possible. When it comes to dinner time, it is best to redirect animals away from the humans’ meal by giving them their own appropriate savory dish in another area. If you do not wish to remove your pet, request that all guests refrain from feeding them any scraps or treats. If you choose to share parts of your holiday meal with your pet, check the ingredients with a list of foods that might be toxic to the animal.



Etiquette
The holidays present a wonderful opportunity to shower your pets with love and attention. The goal is to keep the interactions positive and behavioral expectations consistent. Show guests how to properly interact with animal residents.  Discourage the reinforcement of poor behavior such as barking or jumping up. Provide toys and other tools for redirecting the energy of excitement, such as a ball for fetch or a puzzle for treats. Young adults and children can be encouraged to act as a protector or trainer for your pet. Such a role will encourage them to refrain from negative interactions and help foster positive ones. Young adults and small children should always be supervised when an animal is present, especially if they are not well acquainted. 



Other Dangers
Another common scenario that should always be supervised is the presence of alcohol or smoke. An animal ingesting alcohol isn’t the only danger that the alcohol presents. If a guest becomes very intoxicated, remove all animals from the atmosphere. Impaired judgement presents many dangers, as well as the possibility of accidental physical harm to the intoxicated person and/or the animal due to stumbling or mishandling. Second hand smoke is very harmful to animals. Relocate all animals to a smoke free environment or request that guests smoke in a designated area away from pets.



Fireworks
To finish off the holiday season, most animals will experience the sound of fireworks during New Year’s celebrations. Most importantly, keep secure identification on the animal at all times. Too many loved pets go missing or get injured without resolution due to lack of identification. Keep animals in secure areas, preferably without direct access to glass windows. Turn some music or the television on to fade out the sudden noise of exploding firecrackers. Do not console or coddle pets while in a scared state. Such conditioning positively reinforces the panicked state. Instead, ignore insecure behavior and model a calm and confident demeanor. For severe anxiety, there are products such as ThunderShirts or veterinarian prescribed medications to ease the situation. 




A happy and safe holiday is what everyone wants! Once the house has been responsibly decorated try to stick to a normal routine. Take the dog for a walk before people arrive for the gathering. Remember to use verbal praise or treats to positively reinforce obedient behavior. Provide a safe place for animals to retreat to if they do not want to be social. Festive pet attire can be adorable as long as the pet is not restricted. When in doubt, take a quick photo and let your pet be comfortable without the festive accessory. Lastly, keep identification tags securely on any pet that could possibly escape. Now, you and your pet are prepared for the holidays! Enjoy and don’t forget to take a moment to see things through your beloved pet’s eyes this season!

Tail wagging regards,
Kate Kohagen

The photo above speaks to the relief of being pulled from a shelter. Many abandoned dogs don't end up next to a kind human on a soft cozy couch. That was almost the case for Rocco until Stephanie heard about this sweet boy! 

We pulled Rocco from Ventura County Animal Services due to their over capacity situation. He was suffering from neglect resulting in sore paws and dermatitis. He had obvious wounds and we felt that it was unlikely for someone to adopt him while numerous healthy dogs sat in the kennels beside him. He was timid, but it was easy to see that he was sweet creature in an unfortunate situation. 

Rocco is now on a grain free diet and receiving the love and care needed for his recovery. His wounds are healing nicely and we will continue to monitor his progress with the veterinarian. Stephanie says that he is quite the cuddle bug, travels well, and gets along with both dogs and cats. We look forward to learning more about Rocco's personality as he progresses. For now, our main concern is to see his health fully restored!

It has been estimated that Rocco is approximately 5 years old and he appears to be a German Pinscher. His history is unknown, however, he has been neutered and vaccinated. Rocco will be available for adoption pending his rehabilitation. If you are interested in financially supporting Rocco's recovery, please visit the "Contribute" tab.

Thank you Stephanie Burgard for fostering Rocco and we appreciate OneMoreLife Photography for documenting his journey!

Scooter's caretaker was forced to give him up due to health complications. Scooter has deformed feet and splayed legs. He is a beautiful singer and sweet little canary!

Gimli didn't have any other goats at his previous home. They didn't want him to be lonely so the family donated him to our program! Gimli is very calm and sweet. We are happy to have him!

Mango landed on a lady while she was gardening. He was turned into Santa Barbara Animals Services in hope to reunite him with his owner. Unfortunately, Mango was not claimed. He is a resident as the ranch now and everyone loves him!

Little Bijou has been adopted by Evonne and Veronica Chala! This little sweetheart made herself at home with this mother and daughter duo. Bijou has a lot of other animals to socialize with and a nice big yard to run around in. We wish Bijou and the Chala family our congratulations and many years of puppy love!

Cameron has a new life and a new name! He goes by Tyrion now and he is part of the Altman- Pollack family. We are so happy to have him in such a great home. Congratulations and thank you to Loretta and Jessica! 

Our ranch is very happy to announce that Charlie has been adopted by Veronika and Billy! 

We couldn't ask for a better adoptive family for Charlie! It seemed like the two of them were meant to be from the very beginning!


Best wishes from Canine & Equine Ranch

During Christmas time, we decided to lighten the load of a local shelter by adopting a couple of animals. Our Rescue Coordinator, Stephanie Turner, pointed us in the direction of the organization Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter (BUNS). 

After speaking with their wonderful staff about what we were looking for, they walked us over to a pen with a beautiful creme Lop-eared rabbit inside. Renata was a calm sweetheart in my arms and yet active around the pen. We couldn't believe that she only had three legs! The volunteer informed me that they had rescued her from the side of the road with severe damage to one leg and a crushed pelvis. Renata recovered from her surgeries due to the loving care and rehabilitation of the BUNS volunteers. 

After meeting Renata, we decided to take a look at everyone else before we made our decision. We didn't get very far before our hearts were captured once again. In the next exercise pen was a dark agouti Lionhead rabbit named Lorna. She was confiscated from a breeder that was hoarding and neglecting rabbits. Lorna suffered infections in her eyes from the unsanitary conditions. Unfortunately, one eye did not completely recover. Regardless of her extra care, her spunky personality and gentle nature made Lorna our final candidate! 

Lorna and Renata are not available for adoption. Both  rabbits will remain  part of our programs here at Canine & Equine Ranch. We hope that people discover how wonderful rescue bunnies are.  Additionally, we admire each of these girls for their tenacity to overcome their terrible circumstances. 

The rabbits of BUNS are already spayed which is a huge benefit both behaviorally as well as for their physical health. To learn more about this fantastic organization visit www.bunssb.org!

Kate & Jason

In November of 2013, a fellow rescuer contacted us about multiple chickens that were confiscated from an improper care and hoarding situation. We welcomed two of the hens, "Thelma and Louise". These two hens are so happy to be in a healthy chicken coop.

In December of 2013, Thelma and Louise were adopted by the Snyder family!