 Got a super cute fur friend? Start snapping some photos now and get ready to enter them in the Animal Care Foundation’s First Annual March Madness Cutest Pet Match-up! Entries due by February 26th, 2023!
Starting March 1st, photos will be matched up against another entry and the winner will go on to the next bracket until we have the 2022 Cutest Pet winner! Voting will be done on Facebook, but you don’t need a Facebook account to enter. The winning pet will be featured in a blog post and their human will earn bragging rights for having the cutest pet! To enter: 1. Send your photo to us by February 26th, 2023 via: a. Facebook messenger @AnimalCareFoundationMN b. Email [email protected] 2. Be sure to include your pet’s name and your name. You may share the event and ask your friends to vote on Facebook. You’ll get an email or Facebook messenger message with the schedule of the matchups for each round so you’ll know when voting for your pet will occur. We can’t wait to see all the adorableness! Good Luck!
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 When discussing the dangers of leaving pets in cars, unlike hot weather, we often fail to consider cold weather. While it’s true there are more risks to leaving an unattended pet on summer days, leaving an unattended pet on winter days, despite fewer risks, is just as deadly. For your pet’s health and safety you should never leave them unattended in a car, no matter what the outside temperature is.
Just like your car can act as an oven in the summer, it can act as a fridge in the winter (or freezer if you’re in Minnesota). In the winter, cars cool to the outside temperature within minutes, enabling medical complications such as hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when a pet’s internal temperature drops. Shivering and curling for warmth are often observed in the early stages. If can intervene now, the likelihood of drastic consequences is low. As the hypothermia becomes more severe you may notice lethargy or sluggishness, stiffness in their movements, slower breathing, and a decrease in their responsiveness or confusion. As the symptoms become more severe the less likely they are to recover. It is important to take your pet into the ER immediately if you see the more severe symptoms. For this reason, it is important to not risk your pet’s life, as these symptoms can cross over into the severe in a very short period of time. It’s important to consider the ways you’re helping, or in some cases, hurting your pet. Pet owners have attempted various strategies to safely leave pets in cars, all of which have proven unsuccessful. One mistake is cracking the widows. To avoid possible suffocation, you may think to crack your windows, but don’t! Every year there are pet owners that crack their windows on cold winter days and return to a pet fatality. Another mistake is to leave water. This can be a problem for several reasons. First, it will likely freeze and become undrinkable or extremely cold. If it freezes, your pet will not have access to water, you then risk your pet becoming dehydrated. If the water has cooled because of the ambient temperature but not frozen, they have access to water, but this is very cold water. Their bodies must then expend the energy to combat that freezing cold liquid inside their bodies. Due to the inactivity forced on a pet locked in a car, they can not exercise to stay warm. This increases their risk of life threatening hypothermia. Keep in mind, just like people, pets can tolerate cold temperatures differently. For example, the nature of the fur; generally pets with longer hair endure the cold better than pets with short hair. But because of the time your pet spends indoors, there is no guarantee that their body would have triggered the necessary reaction to develop their true winter coat. The health of the pet matters too! Pets with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease are at a much higher risk due to their inability to regulate body temperature. What can you do if you see an animal trapped in a car that appears unsafe? The state of Minnesota prohibits leaving a dog or cat unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the dog's or cat's health or safety. For this reason, call law enforcement immediately and help save a pet life. The bottom line is, leaving a pet in an unattended car is dangerous in every season. If you’re not sure that you’ll be able to take your pet with you to every location on your errands, don’t risk it—leave them at home where they’re safe and secure. Your pet’s safety is your responsibility, err on the side of caution and always protect your pet! Written By: Gracie Butler  Live In-Person and Virtual CE Opportunities
February 1st - 4th, 2023 "MVMA Annual Meeting - Great Vet Get-Back Together" In-person only, no virtual option. Multiday and multitrack event. MVMA $350-$420 for MVMA Member and Non-MN resident veterinarians, $550-$620 for MN Non-member DVM, $300-$370 Technician or Staff Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Updates on the Management of Feline Diabetes" 1 CE Matt Eberts, DVM, Regional Consulting Veterinarian, Elanco MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) Tuesday, February 28, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Small Animal Toxins on the Farm: A Review of Toxins Commonly Found in Rural Settings" 1 CE Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT Pet Poison Helpline Free Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Updates on the Management of Feline Diabetes" 1 CE Matt Eberts, DVM, Regional Consulting Veterinarian, Elanco MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) Thursday, March 9, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Handling Medical Board Complaints and Malpractice Lawsuits" 1 CE Charlotte Lacroix, DVM Pet Poison Helpline Free Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Breed Specific Issues in Popular Dogs: Brachycephalics and More!" 1 CE Matt Eberts, DVM, Regional Consulting Veterinarian, Elanco MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) On-Demand Virtual CE Opportunities "A Day for the Cats: Trends in the Diagnosis and Treatment of your Feline Patients" 7.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$200.25* Technician and Other Staff-$110.25* Student-$50.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code. "Gastroenterology for the Small Animal Private Practitioner and Technician" 5.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$145.25* Technician and Other Staff-$80.25* Student-$35.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code. Winter is in full swing, burr! Despite the frigid temperatures and frosty air, it’s important to continue spending quality time with your pets, in addition to engaging with the Minneapolis and surrounding community! Continue reading for a schedule of dog friendly events this winter. If you have an event that you don’t see on the calendar that you’d like us to add, please send us an email or comment below!  1. Drink for Dogs Date and Time: Thursdays 4:00pm-8:00pm Location: Unleashed Hops and Hounds, 200 East Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Details: Support a rotating list of wonderful nonprofits by heading over to Unleashed Hops and Hounds with your pup every Thursday. Make sure that you register your pup ahead of time and upload their vaccine records. A Day Pass is $9 for your dog and reservations are recommended. 2. Healing Hearts Rescue Adoption Event Date and Time: Sun, January 22nd 1:00pm-3:00pm Location: Saint Paul Brewing, 688 Minnehaha Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106 Details: Join Healing Hearts Rescue at the taproom for their monthly adoption event. Play with their foster pups and enjoy a beer! 3. Beer for Better with Lost and Found Date and Time: Sun, January 26th 2:00pm-5:00pm Location: Lakes and Legends Brewing Co, 1368 Lasalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Details: Join Lost and Found for their Beer for Better event at Lakes and Legends Brewing! The Beer for Better fundraiser supports mental health relief and suicide prevention. Enjoy a fun night out with your pup supporting a great cause, note that a percentage of beer sales will go to the fundraiser. 4. Winter PupFest with Save-A-Bull Rescue Date and Time: Sun, January 29th 2:00pm-5:00pm Location: Lakes and Legends Brewing Co, 1368 Lasalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Details: Enjoy fun seasonal activities including a valentines photoshoot, and play games for the opportunity to win free beer! Brought to you by Save-A-Bull and Lakes & Legends, this free event will help you get out of those mid-late winter blues and into the spirit for the holiday of love. 100% of donations will go to Save-A-Bull Rescue of Minnesota 5. Doggy Depot Date and Time: Sat, February 4th 10:00am-3:00pm Location: Union Depot 214 4th St E St Paul, MN 55101 Details: Union Depot is going to the dogs for this year’s Doggie Depot! The event kicks off on Saturday, February 4 at 10 AM. Start the day with a doga session (dog yoga) taught by Studio 9-to-5. Shop local pet vendors in the Waiting Room and celebrate the grand crowning ceremony of the 2023 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Canine King & Queen with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Royal Family. Follow Union Depot on social media for highlights of local vendors, rescues, dog products and adoptable pups the entire month of February. 6. Art Shanty Projects Date and Time: Sat, February 4th 10:00am-4:00pm Location: Northwest corner of Bdé Umán/Lake Harriet Minneapolis, MN Details: Operating in an urban winter wonderland, the frozen festival held on the lake! The festival features performances, art actions, and hot food and beverages. Note that pet attendance is encouraged, however be ready for unfamiliar sights and sounds that could potentially stress your furry friend out. 7. City of Lakes Loppet Festival Date and Time: Sat and Sun, February 4th-5th 8:00am-9:00pm Location: Bde Maka Ska North Beach, 2707 Lake Street West Details: The City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival is a two-day festival featuring various magical winter events. Activities such as cross country skiing, fat-tire biking, skijor, and snowshoe events will take place all weekend long both at the competitive and recreational levels. 8. Beer for Better with YouthLink Date and Time: Sun, February 23rd 2:00pm-5:00pm Location: Lakes and Legends Brewing Co, 1368 Lasalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Details: Support YouthLink at their Beer for Better fundraiser at Lakes and Legends! YouthLink is an amazing organization that works to support youth struggling with mental health, homelessness, and other varying basic needs. A percentage of the beer sales will go to YouthLink.   It is so important to ensure that your dog continues to get exercise, even in the winter months. But with the colder temps, there are new safety concerns that need to be taken into account.
Salt that is put down on sidewalks and roads to act as a deicer can be dangerous for your pup! These chemicals can cause irritation in their paws after walking on walkways and internal medical issues if ingested even from licking their paws post walk. To keep your canine friend safe, take the following precautions when you go out for a walk:
Check out our post over the rest of the month for other tips to keep your dog warm and healthy in the winter.  While your dog does come with a built in coat, of varying warmth levels depending on the breed, you can’t assume this is enough in our cold climates! It is so important to ensure that your pup is warm enough when you take them out in the winter.
Listen to your dog. When walking your dog this winter, don’t forget to watch for signs that your dog may be too cold such as whining, shivering, and lifting its paws or holding one up as they walk. If you notice these signs, get them somewhere to warm up as quickly as possible. To ensure that they stay warm enough check out these tips: 1. Cut back on walks on very cold days. On colder days limit the duration and the number of walks to protect your dog from frostbite and hypothermia. 2. Protect their paws. Make sure your dog’s toe hair is trimmed so that ice and salt don’t get caught in it. You can also buy your dog winter water-resistant boots. These will keep the snow, ice, and cold water off their sensitive feet. 3. Don’t allow your dog to eat snow on cold days. Eating snow dangerously lowers your dog’s body temperature which makes them more susceptible to cold related injury. Additionally, there could be chemicals or hidden objects buried in the snow that could be very harmful to them. If the snow is in a space that you know is chemical free and they are not out for a long period or it is a warm day, you can let them have a snow treat. 4. Get them a jacket or sweater. Even though your dog comes with a built in jacket, most breeds are not equipped to handle Minnesota's coldest days or long periods outside. A jacket or sweater can help keep them warmer so you can be out longer or on colder days. With these simple shifts, you and your dog can continue to enjoy the benefits of your daily walks even in cold months! Happy walking! Live In-Person and Virtual CE Opportunities
Tuesday, January 10th, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Top Financial Mistakes Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them" 1 CE Michael Jerkins, MD, M.ED., President, Co-Founder, Panacea Financial MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) February 1st - 4th, 2023 "MVMA Annual Meeting - Great Vet Get-Back Together" In-person only, no virtual option. Multiday and multitrack event. MVMA $350-$420 for MVMA Member and Non-MN resident veterinarians, $550-$620 for MN Non-member DVM, $300-$370 Technician or Staff Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Updates on the Management of Feline Diabetes" 1 CE Matt Eberts, DVM, Regional Consulting Veterinarian, Elanco MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) Wednesday, February 22, 2023 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "The Veterinary Technician's Guide to Feline Dentistry" 1 CE Heidi Olivier, CVT, VTS (Dentistry), Owner: Vet Techniques Training & Education, LLC Certified Veterinary Technician Webinars-MVMA Free On-Demand Virtual CE Opportunities "A Day for the Cats: Trends in the Diagnosis and Treatment of your Feline Patients" 7.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$200.25* Technician and Other Staff-$110.25* Student-$50.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code. "Gastroenterology for the Small Animal Private Practitioner and Technician" 5.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$145.25* Technician and Other Staff-$80.25* Student-$35.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code. Live In-Person and Virtual CE Opportunities
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Holiday Hazards and Cheer: Toxin Concerns for Your Pets During the Festive Season" 1 CE Dominic Tauer, DVM, DABT Pet Poison Helpline Free (Virtual) Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Is It Time to Expand? Navigating Expansions, Real Estate Purchases and Lease Negotiations - A Panel Discussion with Your Supporting Member Experts!" 1 CE Donnie Colvin, Vise President, Senior Business Lending Development Consultant, Wells Fargo Health Care Industries Group-Practice Finance Jon Helle, Commercial Real Estate Salesperson, CARR Healthcare Realty MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) Tuesday, January 10th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Top Financial Mistakes Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them" 1 CE Michael Jerkins, MD, M.ED., President, Co-Founder, Panacea Financial Rob Borcherding, BS, BA, Vice President, Regional Healthcare Manager, Panacea Financial MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) February 1st - 4th, 2023 "MVMA Annual Meeting - Great Vet Get-Back Together" In-person only, no virtual option. Multiday and multitrack event. MVMA $350-$420 for MVMA Member and Non-MN resident veterinarians, $550-$620 for MN Non-member DVM, $300-$370 Technician or Staff On-Demand Virtual CE Opportunities "A Day for the Cats: Trends in the Diagnosis and Treatment of your Feline Patients" 7.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$200.25* Technician and Other Staff-$110.25* Student-$50.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code. "Gastroenterology for the Small Animal Private Practitioner and Technician" 5.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$145.25* Technician and Other Staff-$80.25* Student-$35.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code. Live In-Person and Virtual CE Opportunities
Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Hematological Horrors! The Blood Thirsty Poisons" 1 CE Holly Hommerding, DVM, DABT Pet Poison Helpline Free (Virtual) Thursday, November 10th, 2022 (9:00-3:35 pm Central Time) "Frustrating Ear Cases-If You Can't Avoid Them, Here's How to Treat Them" 6 CEs Craig E. Griffin, DVM, DACVD, Animal Dermatology Group MVMA Fall Staff Seminar $195-$220 for MVMA Members, $245-$270 for non-member veterinarians, $125-$150 for other non-member professionals (On-Site and Virtual Options) Thursday, November 10th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Trends Impacting the Veterinarian-Pet Owner Relationship Today" 1 CE Kerry O'Hara, PhD Pet Poison Helpline Free (Virtual) Tuesday, November 18th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "The History and Future of Veterinary Medicine: A DEI Discussion" 1 CE Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Holiday Hazards and Cheer: Toxin Concerns for Your Pets During the Festive Season" 1 CE Dominic Tauer, DVM, DABT Pet Poison Helpline Free (Virtual) Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time) "Is It Time to Expand? Navigating Expansions, Real Estate Purchases and Lease Negotiations - A Panel Discussion with Your Supporting Member Experts!" 1 CE Donnie Colvin, Vise President, Senior Business Lending Development Consultant, Wells Fargo Health Care Industries Group-Practice Finance Jon Helle, Commercial Real Estate Salesperson, CARR Healthcare Realty MVMA Lunch and Learn Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual) On-Demand Virtual CE Opportunities "A Day for the Cats: Trends in the Diagnosis and Treatment of your Feline Patients" 7.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$200.25* Technician and Other Staff-$110.25* Student-$50.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code. "Gastroenterology for the Small Animal Private Practitioner and Technician" 5.5 RACE approved CE credits Presented by the Animal Care Foundation Registration Veterinarian-$145.25* Technician and Other Staff-$80.25* Student-$35.25 *10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code.  Trick-or-treat! Halloween is swiftly approaching and you may be wondering how to keep your night full of lots of treats and minimal tricks. For pets, some hazards are obvious, and some are not. Continue reading to learn about the pet dangers on Halloween and how to keep your pet as safe as possible. Candy Candy is certainly an essential element to Halloween, who doesn’t love candy? The hazards of candy go beyond the toxicity in chocolate. In addition to chocolate, sugar free candies contain xylitol which can be deadly in both cats and dogs. Since nearly all Halloween candy is dangerous due to wrappers and artificial sweeteners, it’s best to steer clear of candy around your pets. Stash the candy bowl, be sure to pick up wrappers, and make sure the only one devouring treats is you! Costumes and Decorations In relation to all the spooky knick-knacks around your home, make sure your decorations are out of reach of your four legged pals. Decorations with tempting tinsel can be especially dangerous and cause damage to the intestinal tract if consumed; that being said, keep tinsel well out of reach. Use extreme caution with candles and lit jack-o-lanterns along with other porch decorations. Safety is always the priority, which applies to costumes too. Make sure your pet is wearing a comfortable and breathable costume if you choose to dress your pet-up. While Halloween night is a fun occasion, it’s also a night where you’ll want to keep a closer eye on your furry friend. Trick-or-Treating The Halloween season is packed full of spooky activities all leading up to the spookiest celebration of the year, trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treating is not necessarily intended for pets; however, if you decide to bring your pet along, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind. The most important thing is that your pet is easily identifiable. Make sure your pet is easy to spot, preferably in bright or reflective colors. Be sure to come prepared, and bring your own dog treats to reward your pet along the way. If you’re finding that you have to ask yourself if bringing your pet trick-or-treating is a good idea, the answer is probably not. That being said, the best way for your pet to spend Halloween night is at home. Pets tend to get riled up by neighborhood activity, we recommend keeping your pet away from the commotion and checking on them periodically. Halloween night is intended to be fun, but sometimes things happen. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. If something unexpected comes up, act fact and don’t wait until the morning to do something. And most importantly, stay spooky! Written by: Gracie Butler  |
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