Cats are certainly not known for being creatures of the water, but many have had to find their sea legs in the Netherlands. Nearly 100 neglected or abandoned cats are cared for on a houseboat docked by the Singel Canal in Amsterdam.

Called De Poezenboot, this sanctuary for stray cats has become something of a tourist attraction, as visitors are allowed on board to mingle with the kitties. Having been in operation since 1968, when its founder acquired an old Dutch sailing barge to house the rescued cats that were overflowing her home, De Poezenboot operates as a no-kill animal shelter seeking homes for its cats. Volunteers work hard to keep the boat clean and hygienic for its feline inhabitants, all of which are spayed or neutered upon admission to the floating cat shelter. With June being the ASPCA’s “Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat” month, what better time to take a look at one of the most unusual animal shelters in the world?

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Count your dog in this summer when you make your travel plans! Pet friendly hotels, campgrounds and other summer vacation facilities recognize that “family vacation” just wouldn’t be the same without Fido!

Being prepared will ensure your summer trip is a fabulous dog vacation as well! Things to keep in mind:

1. What type of trip are you taking? If you plan on spending most of your time outdoors: on the beach, hiking in the woods, taking long leisurely bike rides and having dinner on the grill….your dog will have a great time. If you are planning on touring buildings (museums, etc), taking guided tours, visiting the spa, and dining out on the town….your dog may be bored to tears….or worse, destroy the hotel room. Even well-behaved dogs can exhibit unsavory behavior in strange places.

2. Inquire about local leash and dog laws. Can your dog be on the beach? In the woods? On or off leash? Is he allowed at outdoor cafes and restaurants?

3. Have you inquired about pet friendly hotels or facilities in your vacation area? Facilities run the gamut from being “no pets allowed” to “pet tolerant” to “pet friendly.” Pet tolerant facilities often require a deposit and there is usually no special treatment for your dog. Pet friendly hotels and facilities usually go out of their way—offering special treats at check-in, play programs, day care and sometimes even special spa treats and turndown service for your pet. Call ahead to get details and to reserve a space for your dog.

4. Is there a local doggy day care in the places you are going? This may be fun for your dog while you are out to dinner or getting that massage!

5. If you are flying, call the airline and reserve a space for your dog. There is a fee and there are a limited number of pets on each flight. Depending on your pet’s size, they may be unable to fly in the cabin and this will require further information from the airline.

6. Visit your veterinarian. Make sure your dog is current on his vaccinations, as well as flea, tick, parasite and heartworm prevention. Make sure your dog has been micro-chipped. This will enable identification if he ever gets lost. Get a health certificate and all of his vaccination tags. If your pet has a medical condition, take a copy of pertinent medical records in the event of an emergency. If possible, identify a veterinarian in the area where you will be vacationing.

Checklist of pet travel gear:

1. Food and water bowls
2. Portable (collapsible) bowls for day excursions
3. Food in airtight containers—it is important to keep your dog’s diet the same while on vacation to prevent stomach upset
4. Poop scooper and bags—to properly clean up after your dog
5. Extra collar and leash—in case the original gets wet, torn or lost
6. Identification tags—make sure there is a cell phone number on the tags in the event your dog gets lost
7. Medication—bring any prescription or non-prescription medication your dog is taking
8. Pet First Aid Kit—You can ask your veterinarian what to include for your particular pet. Good things to include are benadryl (diphenhydramine), triple antibiotic ointment, general antiseptic (nolvasan or betadine), bandage material (sterile gauze and a wrapping material), tweezers (for tick removal from dogs or people if needed!), emergency veterinary contact information
9. Dog bed or something comfy to sleep on
10. Dog life jacket (if you are taking any aquatic excursions)

Traveling with pets can be fun and enjoyable for all! Happy Trails!

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Want to include the family pet in this summer’s travel plans? Before you do so, it’s important to know the rules and regulations of your vacation spot when it comes to bringing your favorite pooch or kitty. Pet travel can be lots of fun, but it can turn into a real hassle if you don’t know how your dog or cat will be cared for. A few policies of the most popular vacation spots:

Beaches:
- Ocean City, MD: Pets are not allowed on the beach or boardwalk between May 2 and September 30.
- Dewey Beach, DE: Dogs are allowed year round, but from Memorial Day through Labor Day, they can only be on the beach before 9:30am and after 5:30pm. You must obtain a Dewey Beach Dog License before bringing your dog at any time of year.
- Virginia Beach, VA: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, pets are not allowed on the beach from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
- Hilton Head, SC: Leashed dogs are permitted at any time of year.
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL: This beach has an area set aside in which leashed dogs can be brought Friday through Sunday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. You must obtain a dog license.
- Long Beach, CA: A special “Dog Zone” is available where dogs can run without leashes. All dogs must have tags and vaccination paperwork.

Amusement Parks:
- Disney World and DisneyLand: Both offer kennels and pet daycare service.
- Sea World: The park offers an air-conditioned kennel outside the main entrance.
- King’s Dominion: Pets can be boarded in an air-conditioned facility.
- Busch Gardens: Pet care is available in a ventilated facility, but it is not temperature controlled.
- Universal Studios (Orlando and Los Angeles): Pet kennels are available during park hours.
- Six Flags (Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, San Antonio, Arlington): Dogs and cats can be boarded in a kennel located at the main entrance
- Six Flags (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Louisville, Baltimore/DC, Springfield, Jackson, Lake George): Pets are not permitted.

Cruises:
- Carnival Cruises: Pets cannot be brought on board.
- Queen Mary 2 Cruises: Pets can be brought onto the ship, where there is a kennel that is open throughout the day to allow vacationers to spend time with their pets.

If your vacation destination does not offer pet services, you may want to look into any number of pet friendly hotels where you can stay with your dog or cat. Before heading to any destination, however, make sure to confirm their policy in advance. As noted, many amusement parks offer pet daycare, but some will require reservations and most will ask that you bring vaccination information with you. Many of those that offer kennel services require you to bring your own food as well, so make sure you’ve got some of your pet’s favorite natural pet food on hand to take with you!

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We heard from one of our readers with the following question:

“I have a female Lhasa Apso, 17 months old, and her name is Maggie. We found out two weeks ago she had bladder stones, many of them. She had surgery a week ago and had them removed. She is doing great and acts like a new puppy. The vet called today with the lab report on the kind of stones they were. He said we will be trying to treat her with a change in her diet rather than with antibiotics. Can you tell me if Halo Natural Dog Food would be considered a good food to keep her from getting more stones?

Thank you. I love my two dogs so much. I think we (you and I) must be kindred spirits!!”

Answer: You can learn more about Dog Bladder Stones in the Pet Education area of our site.

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

“Tis the season for your dog to get into trouble with the local wildlife!

If Rover noses around in the bushes, be prepared that he may turn up smelling like a skunk. Many grooming products will temporarily cover the smell but the faint odor of skunk can linger for weeks. This homemade recipe actually lifts the skunk spray oils out of your dog’s fur and rids them of the smell permanently…or at least until the next time!

Mix the following ingredients in a plastic bucket:

1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (open a fresh bottle)

¼ cup of Baking Soda1-2 teaspoons of Liquid Soap (Softsoap and Ivory are recommended)

Note: for large dogs, the recipe can be doubled or you can add one quart of lukewarm water to ensure complete body coverage.

Directions:

1. Apply the solution to the entire coat and work it deeply into the fur.
2. Leave on for at least 5 minutes or until the odor is gone.
3. Rinse your pet thoroughly with lukewarm water.
4. Smell your pet! If he still reeks of skunk, repeat steps 1-3!
5. Pour any remaining solution down the drain with running water.

NEVER store the solution in a closed bottle as pressure can build up and cause the container to explode.

Note: The solution will sting if it gets into your dog’s eyes. If your dog’s face is heavily soiled, use a toothbrush soaked in solution to clean the hair around the eyes.

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.