Three Star Pet Sitting Services

Christmas and New Year's

2011-11-19T20:21:00.000-05:00

If anyone needs me to pet sit over the holidays, please let me know ASAP as I'm already going to be quite busy over that time, especially between December 23rd and 29th. The best way to reach me is by completing the appropriate form.

My vacation

2011-08-14T19:40:00.002-04:00

Long time, no blog! I just want to let everyone know that I will be on holidays from October 15-23 and will not be available to pet sit or dog walk during that time.

Hope everyone is having a terrific summer!

Shovel your driveways and walkways

2010-12-29T19:39:00.000-05:00

If you're away during winter, even for just a day or two, make sure someone is clearing your driveway and walkway of snow and ice. This is not just a liability issue but if thieves are targeting a house and they see that there hasn't been any shoveling, they're going to guess that the house is unoccupied.

The forms are working again!

2010-12-17T20:25:00.000-05:00

If you want to book or if you just need a quote on services, go ahead and use the forms. Remember, don't consider the services booked until you receive a personal email from me which will tell you whether or not I can take care of your pets.

Don't use the forms!

2010-11-25T20:54:00.001-05:00

The forms for booking pet sitting or dog walking are not working at the moment. If you need to book me, please email or phone. We're working on the problem and hope to have it resolved soon.

National Post article about feeding raw food to cats and dogs

2010-10-17T09:08:00.001-04:00

"...From the moment we switched Ruby's diet, her digestive tract found its form immediately. Even more remarkably, she has not passed wind since."

Read more...

Raccoons with distemper in the GTA

2010-03-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Two raccoons with distemper were found at Rosetta McClain Gardens in Scarborough in the past 2 weeks. One was in a low lying tree near the fountain, the other was in a window well of a house that backs on to the park.

Other dog walkers in the GTA are also reporting raccoons with distemper.

Keep your dogs on leash in the bluffs areas and if you see a raccoon acting oddly, contact Toronto Animal Services immediately at (416)338-7297.

Pills found in Toronto off leash park

2010-02-21T23:02:00.000-05:00

Beware, if you let your dog off leash, it looks like we have another sicko on our hands. Pills were found at the off leash park at Allan Gardens.

Christmas time is getting booked up!

2009-11-25T20:35:00.000-05:00

If you're planning to go away between December 15th and January 15th, please let me know ASAP. The week between Christmas and New Year's is filling quickly.

Pet photos with Santa!

2009-11-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

Pet photos with Santa! Global Pet Foods at 3110 Kingston Road will be hosting Santa Claus on November 28 and December 5 from noon till 4 pm. All proceeds will go to the SPCA.

Map to the store

There's more than one way to pill a pet

2009-10-28T21:53:00.000-04:00

This week, I took on a new client that had a cat who needed medication every 12 hours. I was reluctant to take this job at first because he only allowed one person to pill him, that being his dad. When he went to the vet for any reason, it took several people to hold him down. However, the owners are so dedicated to their cats and after meeting their kitty I thought it would be easy to pill him. He'd mellowed out because of this medication and when I met him, he didn't hide or run away which was unusual for him.

The first time I pilled him it was a breeze, but the next time he turned into the Tasmanian devil! Seeing he needed the medication, I knew I had to come up with a plan. Here is what I started with:

Sliced cheese. I rolled a small piece in a tiny ball and he licked it, rolled it, then left it alone.

Canned tuna. He loved the juice and ate a bit of the meat. There had to be a better solution.

Fancy Feast canned food. Something I would never feed any cat regularly, but as a temptation it does the trick. I took a very small amount of Fancy Feast, mixed it well with the crushed pill, added a bit of tuna juice and presented it to him. He ate it! There were a couple of tiny bits left so I added a bit more Fancy Feast and tuna juice and it vanished.

We have done this all week. When I say a tiny bit of Fancy Feast, I mean tiny. One small can lasted us 6 meals. Once he eats the canned food with crushed pill, I put his dry food down and he gobbles it up, then it's removed until I go back to his house in 12 hours. By then he's hungry again and has no problem eating his laced canned food.

The main reason this has worked is the timed feedings. If he were able to eat throughout the day, he wouldn't be hungry enough to eat the tuna mixture at night.

For those of you who have hard to pill pets, here are a couple of other things you can try:

Pill Pockets are soft treats that are hollow in the middle and across one end. You put the pill in, pinch the top closed and give it to your pet. They come in a number of flavours and are made for cats or dogs. They need to stay moist so remember to seal the bag once it's been opened.

Sliced cheese works for a lot of pets but my dog Sam was always aware of the pill in the middle so I had to use trickery and deception! I would take three pieces of cheese and make 3 small balls with the middle one having the pill. I would give her a pill-less piece first to gain her trust, then present the remaining two; first the one with the pill and then the final piece. She would see the third piece and eat the second one with the pill quickly to try and get at the third.

I have one cat that's on medication for hyperthyroidism and another for a heart problem and they are given a chewy, salmon flavoured treat that has the medicine in it. These can only be purchased through a vet so if you are having problems using conventional pills, ask your vet if the medication comes in a chewy treat. They are more expensive but if it does the trick it's worth it.

Some medications are compounded into a transdermal gel that you put on the inside of the ear. The most common is Methimazole, which treats hyperthyroidism in cats. The medication is in a tube and the caregiver measures out the prescribed dose and applies it inside the cat's ear.

These are among the most stress free ways of medicating a pet. If it works, it's a win-win situation for everyone involved!

Online auction to help dogs in need

2009-10-14T21:44:00.002-04:00

Speaking of Dogs is a Toronto based charity and they are holding an online auction to raise money for the dogs they help. There are 130 very interesting items available, so if you see something you like, go ahead and bid!

Petition against HST in Ontario

2009-09-12T07:45:00.002-04:00

Please read the website and sign this petition if you feel so inclined. Among the many things that will increase by 8% is pet sitting. Every service I offer will increase by 8% as pet sitters and dog walkers only charge GST at this point, which is 5%. If this goes through, it will increase to a whopping 13%. Veterinary care will also be affected so caring for your pet will become substantially more expensive.

My holidays - September 26 to October 4/09

2009-08-26T23:00:00.001-04:00

I will be on holidays beginning September 26 till October 4, returning to work on October 5.

Alternative to letting cats roam

2009-06-20T22:12:00.006-04:00

I'm a big fan of the Kittywalk System. I bought my first component several years ago and added a covered part the following year. There are many more pieces than the two I chose, and I continue to resist adding them because they will take over my backyard!

Having the Kittywalk Deck and Patio as well as the Clubhouse is great because Molly can spend hours in the backyard with me and can watch the birds without catching them. She gets to breathe in fresh air and roll around in the grass. The Deck and Patio section is made of a fishnet material so she can hang out in the sun or shade, while the Clubhouse piece is enclosed with canvas along the bottom, top and sides. A small window allows her to peek out when she feels like it and there are flaps on either end. She likes to lie in the Clubhouse while watching birds through the flaps, and if she gets tired she curls up and falls asleep. I usually put one of her (many) beds in it and she's eaten quite a few meals alfresco.

For information on the Kittywalk system, visit their website at http://www.kittywalk.com/outdoor.asp

New website for cat owners

2009-05-31T13:30:00.002-04:00

A wonderful, new website has been launched and it's all about cats and the optimal way to feed them. Check out Feline Nutrition Educational Society and learn about your cat's nutritional needs and how feeding cats what they need prevents many chronic illnesses.

Summer holiday bookings

2009-04-30T22:48:00.002-04:00

Long time no blog!

If you know when your summer vacation will be and you need me to pet sit, please book ASAP. Over the last few days I've had quite a few bookings and some weeks are getting filled up.

Humane Society of Durham Region

2008-12-18T23:48:00.002-05:00

By now you've probably heard of the devastating fire at the Humane Society of Durham Region in which over 150 animals died. To make a donation, go to their website.

Forms are now ready!

2008-11-30T16:43:00.002-05:00

Whether you're a new client looking for a service, or an existing client wanting to book pet or house sitting, the new forms are finally ready. From the main page, click on Contact, or for the direct link, click here.

Please fill out as much of the form as possible as it will allow me to determine whether I have availability. You will receive a copy of the filled out form, and I will then send you a confirmation.

And remember, until you hear from me, don't consider the dates to be booked. You should hear from me within a day at the latest but usually within a few hours.

Peter Organa, pet photographer

2008-11-22T18:40:00.001-05:00

Peter Organa will be offering a special deal of 25% off to all clients. Peter is a well known pet photographer in the GTA, and can be reached by phone at 416.261.7349 or via email at organa@rogers.com.

To see some of his incredible photos, as well as his rates, take a look at his website: http://www.organa.ca/pet/. This offer expires December 15th, 2008.

Upcoming event: The Wild Ball

2008-10-31T20:45:00.004-04:00

The Toronto Wildlife Centre's annual fundraiser, The Wild Ball is being held on Thursday, November 13th at 7 pm. See their website for location and details.

They also have an extensive wish list. If there is anything you can give, email me and if it's not too big I may be able to pick it up and get it to TWC.

Upcoming event: Wishbones for pets

2008-09-29T16:30:00.016-04:00

I am currently collecting cat and dog food, treats and supplies as a representative of Wishbones for Pets. WFP is a pet sitter driven organization that began with a pet sitter in the U.S. who wanted to give something back to the community. She came up with a food drive for pets that coincides with the Thanksgiving season. I will be leaving plastic bins in several stores in the east end of Toronto and Scarborough where people can drop these items off. I've chosen two recipients, Annex Cat Rescue and Great Dane Rescue, Inc.

I'm in the process of adding drop off locations so stay tuned, more will follow! This will begin this week and continue through to the end of Thanksgiving week.

Locations

Global Pet Foods
3110 Kingston Road
Scarborough, ON
416-265-1047

Kim's Dog Grooming
3785 Kingston Road
Scarborough, ON
416-266-5356

Great Dane Rescue Inc's wish list

Annex Cat Rescue's wish list

Fall bookings...and beyond!

2008-09-11T18:09:00.004-04:00

Fall and winter bookings are currently being accepted. A few people have already booked for Christmas/New Year's so if you know you are going away, please contact me.

ANNEX CAT RESCUE YARD SALE!

2008-08-06T15:03:00.000-04:00

Date: Saturday August 9th, 2008 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (rain date Sunday, August 10, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM)

Location: 244 Howland Avenue -- just south of Dupont (2 blocks east of Bathurst), Toronto

Great finds and bargains galore! Proceeds to the Annex Cat Rescue. Come out, have fun, buy great stuff and show your support. No early birds please!

Not interested in another man's treasure? How about a little something for your favourite feline? Our famous catnip "sausage" toys and "Purr Pads" will be there!

Holidays

2008-08-06T15:02:00.002-04:00

I will be on holidays starting September 13th and ending September 21. I will return to work as usual on Monday, September 22.

August is almost entirely booked

2008-08-06T14:56:00.002-04:00

I will not be accepting new clients in August, as I'm pretty much booked solid for the entire month. Barring any cancellations, the following dates are completely filled:

August 13, 14 & 20.

There is availability on most of the weekends but not a lot. Some weekdays have room for 1 or 2 more visits but nothing more.

If you have pet sitting requirements for September, please book as soon as possible. New clients needing pet sitting in September will have to meet with me on a weekend in August as evenings are filled up.

Diabetes in cats - an epidemic

2008-06-15T12:33:00.005-04:00

In the last month, 2 cats that I pet sit for developed diabetes. Both were overweight and sadly, it caught up to them. One had to be put to sleep and the other is on insulin twice a day, probably for life.

Before I became a pet sitter, I had no idea that diabetes was so common. The first diabetic cat I cared for was overweight. I figure that in the almost 6 years I've been pet sitting, I've taken care of 20-30 diabetic cats. I can't think of a single cat that was at an optimum weight, or skinny. The common denominator? Dry food, usually free fed so the cat could eat as much as she wanted.

This is a disease that can be so easily prevented with proper nutrition. The cat is an obligate carnivore, yet almost all processed pet food is loaded with grain. It has nothing to do with nutrition and everything to do with maximum profit. Grain is cheap filler and costs much less than meat, which is essential in a cat's diet.

So what happens if a cat becomes diabetic? First, you'll probably notice enormous amounts of urine, both in and out of the litter box. Weight loss, lack of appetite, significant drop in energy, increase in thirst are all indicators of diabetes. Some cats eat more, but continue to lose weight. The first thing to do is get your cat to the vet for an exam, including bloodwork.

If your cat does become diabetic, you'll have a number of things to address. Are you afraid of needles? Can you commit to giving insulin twice a day, 12 hours apart, for the duration of the cat's life? Can you afford the extra trips to the vet, the cost of insulin and syringes? Do you have someone in place that can give insulin if you have to go away or have something to do outside the home when the shot is due?

All these things will come into play once there is a diagnosis. The good news is, many cats go into remission. It usually involves getting them on a low carb diet. In my mind, no diet is better suited to a cat - regardless of health - than a grainless, raw food diet.

Prevention is everything with this disease. I'm not saying that a cat can't live a good life as a diabetic, but many adjustments have to be made. But avoidance is the simplest, and this is one disease that is so easily preventable.

If your cat is already diabetic and you want to put her on a species appropriate, low carb diet, home testing is a necessity. With a newly diagnosed diabetic, you may see immediate effects once the low-carb food is consumed. Speak to your vet about home testing. Many vets have glucometers at their clinic and will train the cat owner on proper use. The reason this is so important is that you don't want your cat to become hypoglycemic. If your cat needs less insulin than she's been getting, hypoglycemia probably will take place. Testing the blood sugar before giving the shot will determine how much insulin is needed.

There are a number of excellent websites that can help people who want to get their cat on the right track:

Cat Info

This was put together by Lisa A. Pierson, DVM. Not only is there a great deal of info on diabetes, but on many other illnesses and problems cats face. It's a very detailed website but totally worth the read.

Feline Diabetes

This is the bible of sites for owners of diabetic cats. There is information that will help those who have newly diagnosed diabetics, complete with a forum where you can ask questions and offer support to others who are going through the same things you are going through.

Cat Nutrition

Not necessarily about diabetics but the information about raw food is invaluable. Not only is it well written, but there is a step by step pictorial that shows the reader how easy it is to make the food.

Your Diabetic Cat

This website is the work of Elizabeth M. Hodgkins, DVM, who has also written a book called "Your Cat: Simple new secrets to a longer, stronger life". It's not just about diabetics although there is a section about diabetes and a number of other common cat ailments.

There are many pet food companies that make raw food. I have been feeding these frozen foods for years after I had trouble sourcing rabbit for my cats. Most of these companies are regional; in the Toronto area the most common are Pets 4 Life, Healthy Paws and Tollden Farms. If you're outside of the GTA, check with high end pet food stores as they're usually the ones that carry raw food.

One last thing about processed food: Don't fall for words like "holistic" or "natural". Look beyond the marketability of these words and read the label. Natural food for a cat is prey, in an unaltered state. Not cooked, not baked, but raw.

Woofstock is almost here!

2008-06-03T23:59:00.004-04:00

Woofstock weekend has arrived! Click on the link to read all about it. Dogs are allowed and it will be a great weekend with tons of happy dogs and their people. It looks like we're in for a very hot weekend so if your dog can't handle the heat, it's best to keep him or her at home.

If you do bring your dog, keep an eye out for Cool Doggies. Cool Doggies is operated by the All Canadian Pet Services Network (acpsn.com). Your dog can cool off in a swimming pool or have a drink before heading out for more fun.

A message to other pet sitters

2008-04-10T21:11:00.005-04:00

I started my business in 2002 with a huge amount of help from seasoned pet sitters, especially those in the About Pet Sitting Yahoogroup. Because they gave so much, I continue to be a member to help new sitters. A few years ago, I created a group for Canadian pet sitters so that we could discuss things more suited to Canucks.

If any pet sitter asked for advice I gave it freely or directed them to resources such as those listed above. What annoys me is that a number of professional pet sitting companies have taken large portions of my website and used it as their own. That is plagiarism, or more simply put, theft. Because of this I've had to take a great amount of time to write to the offending sitters to have them remove my words from their site. Many didn't respond or simply didn't take the site down, so I had to contact the hosting sites to get them involved. One person was shocked that I wasn't flattered! Would he feel flattered if someone liked something in his house and took it? I don't think so!

I'm certainly not the only pet sitter that has had to deal with this, and in fact only realised it when another sitter in my group told us that her site had been ripped off. There's a terrific website called Copyscape that makes it really easy to find out whose website matches your own. This time, I found 5 companies that copied sections of my site word for word. Another sitter on the Canadian group found that her site was copied by another company. Several sitters on the About Pet Sitting group found their sites were plagiarised.

This is an industry where networking with fellow sitters is important. It's also an industry based on trust; we're going into clients' homes and caring for their pets. If you're stealing from your fellow pet sitter, can you really be trusted with the keys to someone's home?

Spring is almost here!

2008-03-24T15:47:00.003-04:00

Really, it's true! Birds are migrating and even though there's snow on the ground, and a bit more in the forecast, people are thinking of spring and summer holidays.

Please contact me as soon as you know you're vacation plans to book me for pet sitting.

Going on holidays? Who's going to shovel?

2008-02-06T18:01:00.000-05:00

If you're going away and I'm to take care of your pets and home, make sure someone, either a friend, neighbour or a snow shoveling company is going to clear your driveway, pathways and steps. This is especially important if I'm staying overnight as I need a place to park my vehicle.

Even if you stop your mail and newspaper delivery, people are always delivering flyers and the local papers so it's important that all of us will be able to use your driveway and walkways safely.

Christmas week

2007-12-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

As of right now, I have no room available on the following dates:

December 24
December 25
December 26
December 27
December 28

I have some space available from December 29th and on.

On behalf of myself and Molly the Tabby, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may 2008 be the best year ever! Give your pets a hug and kiss for me!

Peter Organa, Pet Photographer

2007-11-03T22:58:00.000-04:00

Once again, Peter Organa will be offering a special deal of 25% off to all clients. Peter has quickly become a well known pet photographer, and you can see his photos on the covers of the October/November and December/January Animal Wellness magazine. You can contact Peter by phone at 416.261.7349 or via email at organa@rogers.com.

To see some of his amazing photos, as well as his rates, take a look at his website: http://www.organa.ca/pet/. This offer expires December 15th, 2007.

Rates for 2008

2007-11-03T22:23:00.000-04:00

I had planned to raise rates a little bit because of the high cost of fuel, starting January 1/08, but since GST is being cut by 1% I will leave them at the 2007 rates.

Global Pet Foods' discount for clients

2007-11-03T22:18:00.000-04:00

Global Pet Foods, located at 3110 Kingston Road, continues to offer a 15% discount to all clients of Three Star Pet Sitting Services, for everything except grooming and boarding. The offer is ongoing and is available at this location only. The store is located at Kingston Road and Fenwood Heights, just east of McCowan Road on the north side.

Just identify yourself as a client when you pay.

City of Toronto Dog and Cat licenses

2007-11-01T22:28:00.000-04:00

Dogs and cats within Toronto must be licensed. If your pet isn't licensed, you can apply online or via mail. Please check this site for more information:

http://www.toronto.ca/animal_services/licensing.htm

I cannot walk any dog that doesn't have a current license. Bylaw officers can issue tickets to the person who is walking the dog, whether it's the owner or dog walker.

Forms are coming!

2007-10-18T22:33:00.000-04:00

Online booking forms will soon be available on my website. These forms will ask for pertinent information regarding your pet and home while you are away.

Christmas and Boxing Day

2007-10-18T22:24:00.001-04:00

Christmas Day and Boxing Day are almost booked up. If you are going away over the holidays, please let me know asap so I can slot you into my calendar.