To submit a Lost or Found Pet Ad, email us at pets@wxbm.com. Lost and Found notices only please. Be sure to include the animal's color and breed, whether it's male or female, the town or area and most importantly your phone number. We can post pics but only for lost ads. We keep found pet descriptions vague so only the true owner can identify them.

We reply to all lost/found notices. If you don't receive a reply from us within two days, please resend as that means we did not get your email.

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Pet Safety and Fireworks Santa Rosa County Animal Services reminds residents that fireworks can cause a great deal of stress for some pets. Be aware that your pet may display behavior not normally expected including running away or “flight from fright”, biting, jumping the fence, digging out of the yard, and destroying yard or household items. Use caution and be sensitive to their situation. Help keep your pet safe during the upcoming fireworks displays by following these safety tips: Do not take your pet to fireworks displays. Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. Even at night, the heat in a car can cause serious health problems and even death in only a matter of minutes. Additionally, a stressed animal can cause major damage to the interior of your car. Keep pets indoors. Close the curtains and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction. Never leave pets outside unattended, not in a fenced yard or on a chain if you live near a fireworks display or even if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may run away or become entangled in their chain. Provide a small den-like place like a crate or pet bed. If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times. Take your pet for a walk first and/or encourage your pet to “go” before fireworks begin. This can help prevent toileting accidents if your pet becomes frightened. Ensure your pet has proper identification tags with current information, in case they become frightened and run away. Keep pets away from matches, open fires, and fireworks. If your pet has a history of becoming stressed during times of continuous loud noises like thunderstorms, consult with your veterinarian to see if a tranquilizer is appropriate for your pet.

Escambia County Animal Shelter Warns Residents About Canine Parvovirus Escambia County is currently experiencing a very serious outbreak of a canine disease called parvovirus. An especially dangerous part of the parvo epidemic is that some dogs can spread the disease and not appear ill but sudden death is common. Here's important information on the signs and symptoms of an infected animal along with ways you can protect your dogs.  MORE

Both the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the United Kingdom and the Thirty Million Friends Foundation are asking animal lovers to urge the French government to step up enforcement of laws against the use of live dogs and cats as bait by amateur fishers on the French-controlled island of Réunion. You can sign a petition here. The dog pictured was treated by a veterinarian after he escaped local fishers but many are not so lucky. He is now recovered and home with his owners. The barbaric practice was originally reported in the October 19, 2005 issue of National Geographic News.  MORE

Gulf Coast Residents Urged to Include Animals in Disaster Plans The failure to plan for your pets’ safety can lead to tragedy. During Hurricane Katrina residents were forced to abandon dogs, cats and other animals by the tens of thousands. Fortunately, you can take simple steps to ensure that your pets will not be left in a dangerous situation. A  pet disaster kit should include: • A three-day supply of food and drinking water, as well as bowls, cat litter and a container to be used as a litter box. • Current photos and descriptions of pets. • Up-to-date identification, including an additional tag with the phone number of someone out of the area in the event the pet becomes lost. • Medications, medical records and a first aid kit stored in a waterproof container. • Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely as well as blankets or towels for bedding and warmth. Carriers should be large enough to comfortably house your pet for several hours or even days.  For more information about disaster preparedness   visit www.humanesociety.org/disaster

Panhandle Equine Rescue Needs Your Help Panhandle Equine Rescue is in desperate need of donations. The rescue currently has a total of 17 horses in foster care and does not receive county or state funding nor federal grants.  In 2005, they were approved by a judge to do equine investigations in Escambia County and have worked 111 cases involving 466 horses. They have rescued 54 horses. They are currently at full capacity and cannot take in any more rescues until they have more space and can raise the funds to support them. In addition, they are in great need of foster homes. Donations can also be sent to Panhandle Equine Rescue,  P.O. Box 777, Cantonment, FL.  32533 To read more about their rescues visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org

Protect Your Pets from Coolant Poisoning Ethylene glycol is the ingredient that gives antifreeze its sweet, enticing taste, and less than a teaspoon can be life threatening for your pet. Always take these precautions: • Keep pets inside when flushing your radiator, and never drain it into gutters or onto the ground. • Fix all radiator leaks, even if no antifreeze is dripping onto the ground. Cats can (and often will) crawl up into car engines to lick drops of antifreeze from leaky radiator caps. • Store new and used antifreeze in a leakproof container. • Promptly clean all spills. • Don't let your cat freely roam in your garage or outdoors. One stroll through a puddle of antifreeze, followed by paw licking, can result in death. • Buy antifreeze with the bitter-tasting and less toxic propylene glycol instead of the sweet-tasting ethylene glycol. (All brands of antifreeze should be handled with the same precautions listed above.) If you suspect your dog or cat has ingested antifreeze, get to the vet immediately. Irreversible kidney damage can occur within hours of ingestion. Lethargy, depression, and staggering are a few of the symptoms of ingestion, but some dogs or cats show no symptoms at all.

For more information on manatees, SMC’s Adopt-A-Manatee program, and to sign up for their free E-newsletter visit www.savethemanatee.org Currently, there are about 3,300 manatees in existence concentrated year round in Florida. They are listed as endangered at the international, national and state levels. Collisions with boats are the largest known cause of manatee deaths. For boaters who plan to boat in Florida ’s waters, visit SMC’s website to get manatee protection tips at www.savethemanatee.org/boatertips.htm

Protecting Your Pets From Summer Heat Keep your pets safe during high temperatures with these tips from Santa Rosa County Animal Services and Pets America. MORE

They’re found waiting on front lawns and locked inside foreclosed homes. Abandoned family pets are the latest victims of the mortgage crisis. Best Friends is busy helping families keep their pets rather than leave them behind or take them to the local shelter.  MORE

Why Spay or Neuter? According to the Humane Society of the United States, spaying or neutering is good for your pet, you and the community:  Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet • Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives. • Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat. • Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle. • Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease. Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You • Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions. • Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory. • Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, attract unwanted male animals, and also exhibit escape behavior. • Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered. • By altering your pet, it will be less likely to be involved in a bite situation. • Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights. Spaying and Neutering is Good for the Community • Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals. • Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks. • Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals. • Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.

Animal Rescue Groups From specific breeds of dogs and cats to turtles, ducks and other wildlife, here's info on how to get in touch with Rowe's Orpahange for Cats & Kittens in Pensacola, Nature First in Navarre along with many other rescue group's phone numbers, e-mail addresses and links from around the Gulf Coast. More

DART (Disaster Animal Response Team) members or anyone with experience with animals that would like to volunteer please contact Sheena at clawsandpaws63@yahoo.com for information and meeting dates.

Pet Safety Tips Read more important safety tips on keeping your pets away from harmful household items and other dangerous hazards. More

How Could You When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask, "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub. More