Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary Manager Jeff Barker sits on a bench at the sanctuary with Chihuahuas Chance and Gigi. (Photos by Jett Loe — Sun-News) This story was originally printed in the Las Cruces Sun-News on April 3, 2015. About a year and a half ago, Jeff Barker, the manager of Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, located about 10 miles east of Las Cruces, spotted a chocolate brown Chihuahua running down the street while taking a cat to the vet. Those who saw the dog tried to coax

Special thanks to Mountain View Market Co-op for this recipe. Tasty Cat Treats 1/2 cup quinoa flour 1/2 cup brown rice flour 1 tbsp dried catnip 4-5 oz cooked meat (sardines, tuna or chicken) 1/4 cup parsley, rough chopped 1/2 tbsp of oil Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Throw all of the ingredients in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment until it comes together. It should be cohesive, and just a little sticky. If you would l

Click the above image to download a pdf which you can print, fold and keep in your wallet. What would you do with your pets if you were unexpectedly hospitalized? Did you know that the average length of stay in the hospital in New Mexico is 3.5 days? You never know when disaster will strike, so it's best to be prepared. We have a few ways to help make sure your pets are cared for in the event that something bad does happen. Create a plan using the following steps: Make an eme

This story was originally printed in the Las Cruces Sun-News on July 25, 2014. According to surveys made by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the third most common problem that veterinarians treat among dogs is canine diarrhea. If your dog has ever had this problem, you know how much it can affect your daily routine. Diarrhea is not a disease. It is a symptom of many different diseases. Many mild cases of diarrhea can be resolved quickly with simple treatments. Oth

Summer fun can be deadly for pets While chasing a ball at the park and taking trips to the beach might sound like fun, pet owners are being warned of the dangers of heatstroke this summer, particularly in dogs. According to Murdoch University’s veterinary expert Dr. Katrin Swindells, heatstroke is one of the most catastrophic, and yet easily prevented, conditions that dogs can suffer. “Dogs are so eager to please their owners; they often won’t stop playing until their bodies

Today is Pet Fire Safety day. Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe and house intact. #dog #infographic

More pets go missing on Independence Day than any other day of the year. The sound, smell and sight of fireworks attack dog's senses. If your pup is like many dogs and is frightened by fireworks, there are a few things you can do to help them out. Bring them in: If your dog is an outside dog, July 4 may be a good day to make them an inside dog - even if just temporarily. But don't leave them in a hot garage. Tire them out: Take your dogs for a long walk during the day so that

There are many reasons to switch your dog food. A recent diagnosis from a vet, recent weight gain or loss, switching between puppy, adult and senior. Either way, we have some suggestions to make it easier for your dog. Some dogs won't need this recommendation. They have iron stomachs. Other dogs are just looking for an excuse to be sick all over your beautiful (too light) carpet - how do they always ignore the tile?! If you know your dog is a little sensitive, here's what we