Brevard North Carolina Real Estate Blog

Looking for an online store where you can buy cool stuff and benefit a local animal rescue group? 

Check out Balloon Juice - a new online store where you can buy all sorts of gear including t-shirts, gym bags, aprons, hoodies and more.

And best of all, the proceeds all benefit Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue in Brevard, NC. 

Charlie's Angels is a group of volunteers dedicated to rescuing animals in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Every year hundreds of dogs who are found as strays, or abandoned by their owners, are brought in to the County's animal shelter.  That's where Charlie's Angels come in.  Through donations, the group is able to pay to have the animals spayed/neutered and brought up to date on their immunizations. From there we find rescue groups and foster homes. The Transylvania County Animal shelter is very small and space is limited so there are days when a dog's life is saved by only a matter of hours.

The group rescues an average of 30 dogs a month and because it is all volunteer, donations are always needed. This past month, a generous couple donated the funds to purchase 14 special beds for the shelter dogs. Without these beds, many were sleeping on cold concrete floors.

If you'd like to help Charlie's Angels, visit Balloon Juice today! And for up to date information on the animal rescue efforts in the Brevard area, animals that are available for adoption, and helpful animal care articles, you can also visit their new blog at www.BrevardNCAnimalRescue.com.

Cold Weather Animal Care

Between our weekly snows and temperatures in the single-digits, winter has been brutal this year.  For animals living outside, sometimes even their fur coats aren't enough to keep them alive.  A few simple steps can help protect your animals during cold temperatures.  Please review these cold weather tips and keep your pet safe:

• Keep pets inside.  If animals can't be inside, provide a warm, comfortable place.  Face shelter away from wind and provide a flap or door to help keep the animal's body heat inside.
• Bedding is essential.  It insulates the animal from the snow and ice underneath the body and allows the animal to retain heat within the bedding.  Straw is an inexpensive alternative.
• Cats may sleep under the hoods of cars to stay warm.  If you have outdoor felines in your neighborhood, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape or check under the hood before starting your car. 


• When walking your pet, keep them on leashes; they can't rely on their sense of smell in the snow and may become lost.
• Wipe of your dog's paws, legs and stomach after being outdoors to remove any ice, salt or chemicals.  Snow collecting between the toes of dogs can be very painful, and if large enough, obstruct blood flow to the toes.  Help your pet remove these collections of snow while you are out walking.  Dog boots would help eliminate this problem.
• Ice on walks is not only dangerous for us two-legged creatures, but for our four-legged friends as well.  Slipping on the ice is of special concern for older dogs that may already be stiff due to arthritis.
• Outdoor pets need more calories to produce body heat so extra food and water must be provided.  When the temperature is below freezing, you may need to increase calories by as much as 30%, depending on the pet and housing conditions.  Provide your pet with fresh, unfrozen water at all times.  Avoid stainless steel or metal bowls; instead, use heated buckets or bowls.
• Own a short-haired breed?  Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.  For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
• Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather.  A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
• Thin ice on lakes is hazardous for people and animals.  Keep your pet away from lakes or other bodies of water which may have thin ice.
• A good common sense rule is if you need to bundle up from the cold, you also need to take steps to protect your pets.  Animals are susceptible to hypothermia and are most likely to get it when they are wet.  The signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, apathy, a temperature below 97 degrees, and finally, collapse and coma.  If you believe your pet is suffering from hypothermia, consult your veterinarian.  Prevention is the best choice.

The dog pictured here is Oliver. Oliver is a sweetheart and chooses loving over treats. His owners left behind when they moved. He is available for adoption February 17. He is up to date on immunizations and will be neutered upon adoption or rescue. For more information on how you can adopt Oliver, visit him online at Pet Finder.

Meet our featured dogs! Logan is in a foster but the rest of these wonderful dogs are currently at the Transylvania County Animal Shelter in Brevard, NC. I met them all last week when I went out to take the pictures...and they all deserve loving homes.

If you'd like more information, please scroll to the bottom for contact names and emails.  And please repost this blog or share it with your circle of dog-loving friends and family....but we ask that you not change it or post it on Craig's List.

The Transylvania County Animal Shelter is very old and has very limit space. This time of year there are only 8 available cages so when they get filled, dogs that are not pulled and placed in foster homes or rescue groups are put down. They are given 5 days during which the owners can claim them...but sadly...that doesn't happen often enough. In fact in recent months, we've seen more dogs being turned in because their owners cannot afford to feed them.

Thank you in advance for caring.....

LOGAN Has wonderful foster, but still needs rescue asap. We pulled to avoid euthanasia
TOO great a dog to lose.
Size: M Age: Young Gender: M
Logan is a super friendly little guy. Less than a year old. Only about 20-25 pounds Takes treats nicely. EVERYBODY, ACO, photographer, volunteers, LOVE this little guy. He's just adorable. Deserves a loving home and companionship. Will be neutered on February 9, is up to date on immunizations. . http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html

TANK
Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog Mix
Size: L Age: Young Gender: M
This pet is: up to date with routine shots
Tank is about 1 year old, male Rottie/German Shepherd mix. He has spent his short life with a chain for a friend, so he doesn't know much about life in general. Even so, he's a friendly guy and with a heritage like his, training should come easy. He's ready for a new life, a REAL life, with new adventures and lots of love. Are you? http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html

Nomad 
 
Lab/Boxer mix
Size: M Age: Adult Gender: F
This pet is: up to date with routine shots

Small, maybe 30 pounds, less than a year old.
Young adult or teenager, friendly but shy. Wiggly and very sweet. Has been allowed to run loose. Needs a secure home and someone willing to spend the time it takes to train and help her grow into the dog she is meant to be. http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html

These little guys, Bonnie and Clyde, have been hanging around a local neighborhood for a couple of months. Need someone willing to help them become better socialized, give basic training and lots of love. http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html