AniMel’s A.R.C Pet Services

11/02/2024

📣 Important Announcement ‼️

AnimMel’s now has availability all day on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s for Nail Trims and Grinding of the nails on all dogs/cats/some small animals & exotics! With that being said I would like to transition my nail clients on Sundays to one of these days to have availability to spend with my own animals ( Rayah & Me In Picture Below ) and getting caught up for the following week but will still offer drop in care as needed for my clients going out of town or working as well as all the other days 🥰

Nail Trims with Grinding Included or Not are $15 for the First Pet and any Additional is $10 Per Pet and I travel all around Chattanooga and some surrounding areas for the same price and I work with all breeds and behaviors! ❤️

10/10/2024

Starting tonight I will not be responding to inquiries until October 21st and will be in contact with very minimal people during my time away! Thank you for understanding ❤️

09/20/2024

📣 Attention to existing/future clients: I will be out of state from October 10th through 20th! Please make sure you have your dates to me prior to October as I would like to make sure your pets are cared for before/during and after while I’m gone as I do have pet sitters I network with that hopefully will be available while I’m away to take care of your needs! ❤️ Please be considerate and book at no later than 1 week prior to your needs as I am not going to be available and other pet sitters need to have enough time to do a meet and greet prior to caring for your pets to ensure they and you/your pets are a good fit! Much love, Melody ❤️❤️

09/10/2024

Some Amazing Facts About Our Canine Friends:

Dogs noses are wet to help absorb scent chemicals

This amazing dog fact might answer a long-standing question that dog owners have. Why are dogs noses wet? The answer is that dog’s noses are wet to help them absorb scent chemicals! Their nose secretes a special mucus that helps to absorb these chemicals, and then they lick their noses to sample them, helping them understand what the smell is.

The Beatles song ‘A Day in the Life’ has a frequency only dogs can hear

In an interview in 2013, Paul McCartney said that he added a frequency only dogs can hear to the end of the Beatles song ‘A Day in the Life’. So watch your dog when you play the song! How’s that for an amazing dog fact?

Did you know that three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic?

The Titanic was very dog-friendly, with excellent kennel facilities by all accounts for the canines onboard. It has been reported that there was even supposed to be a dog show on Titanic on April 15th.Out of the twelve dogs onboard only three survived Titanic’s tragic sinking, a Pekinese and two Pomeranians. The dogs were in first class and included a Pomeranian puppy - which her owner wrapped in a blanket to escape with, and everyone thought she was carrying a baby. Move over Rose and Jack!

The Saluki is the oldest dog breed

The world's oldest known breed of domesticated dog is the saluki, believed to have emerged in 329 BC. Saluki dogs were revered in ancient Egypt, being kept as royal pets and being mummified after death. There are carvings found in Sumer (present-day southern Iraq) which represent a dog, closely resembling a saluki, which date back to 7000 BC.

Dogs have three eyelids

Many owners haven’t heard of this interesting dog fact, but did you know that your four-legged friend has three eyelids? The third lid is called the ‘haw’ or nictitating membrane, and it’s responsible for keeping the eye protected and lubricated.

09/09/2024

Amazing Cat Facts: Fun Trivia About Your Feline Friend 🐈🐈‍⬛

You may love your cat, but you may not be fully aware of just how cool He/She is — and His/Her overall species — really is. For example, did you know that cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents? Or that they developed meowing as a way to communicate exclusively with humans?

Clearly, there’s more to your little feline friend than meets the eye. So, to help you fully appreciate how awesome cats are, I want share my favorite fun facts about these mystical creatures. I pulled together a list of the most amusing cat facts that you can share with your friends and family.

Facts About Cat Anatomy & Physiology:

* Cats are believed to be the only mammals who don’t taste sweetness

* Cats’ claws all curve downward, which means that they can’t climb down trees head-first, they have to back down the trunk.

* Cats’ collarbones don’t connect to their other bones, as these bones are buried in their shoulder muscles.

* Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents on the air, which is why your cat stares at you with her mouth open from time to time.

* Cats’ rough tongues can lick a bone clean of any shred of meat.

Facts About Cat Health & Wellness:

* Cats are crepuscular, which means that they’re most active at dawn and dusk.

* Cats are fastidious creatures about their “bathroom.” If you have more than one cat, you should have one litter box for each.

* Your cat’s grooming process stimulates blood flow to his/her skin, regulates his/her body temperature and helps him/her relax.

Facts About Cat Communication Cues:

* A slow blink is a “kitty kiss.” This movement shows contentment and trust.

* Cats mark you as their territory when they rub their faces and bodies against you, as they have scent glands in those areas.

* Cats may yawn as a way to end a confrontation with another animal. Think of it as their “talk to the hand” gesture.

* If your cat approaches you with a straight, almost vibrating tail, this means that he/she is extremely happy to see you.

If you don’t have a cat, hopefully this will make you want one!

08/28/2024

Prince ( Chihuahua) is here to formally introduce you to the newest member of our Family Rafael Morrison ( Kitten )!! Just a few short weeks ago my Brother was driving down Morrison Springs Road in Red Bank and as he was driving he witnessed two young kittens estimated to be about four weeks old get ran over and killed and he happened to look over and see a third heading towards the road and had stopped to save him and as I was preparing to care for him to later be adopted at the appropriate age, and after he had been neutered, I then realized that he was a month old on August 12 which would’ve put him born around the time of my housefire on July 12 and the day that my soul dog had passed away, and it just felt like it was meant to be and the more I interacted with him the more I realized that he has many of the characteristics of my dog Levi that had passed away, and I just couldn’t bring myself to depart from him!

08/13/2024

Hey 👋 Everyone! I’m slowly recovering from last month’s house fire and the devastating loss of my two beloved soul animals Levi and Palmer and I appreciate everyone for all the love, care and support from so many amazing people and it has truly held me and kept me going as well as all of the babies I get to take care of and I just wanted to update and let everyone know that I am slowly starting to open back up and take on more nail trimming and drop in care visits! I truly appreciate everyone’s patience with me during this time as it has been very overwhelming but I’m starting to come around ❤️❤️ here’s some of the pets I’ve been able to care for the last couple of weeks and has truly helped me during a difficult time to be doing what I love the most!

07/31/2024

I picked some things I know we could use since I’ve been asked to create a list but I’m sure I’m missing some things ❤️ I started it as a wedding registry but now we need basically most things since losing our home.

Melody Bradley and Jeffrey Selvidge's Wedding Registry

07/21/2024

Update

07/21/2024

Today is the day!

07/18/2024

This Sunday this is Happening and it’s the best BBQ in town so come on out and I would absolutely love to see you all!!

07/14/2024

I know I am not able to get back in touch with people at this time but any kind of pet care services I have scheduled in the next couple of weeks please reach out to Annabel! I will get back to everyone as soon as I am able, but at this time if you are needing care, I want to make sure that your animals are still cared for with your upcoming trips and I promise she is amazing and I trust her with my whole life!

07/12/2024

I’m sorry and I will publicly update as much as I can as soon as I recover things like getting my remaining animals transported to me. I will send a further thank you and update and that I never expected that kind of outpouring and just want you all to know that if you have an animal, please love them so much for me and kiss them and spoil them all day. Every day as much as you can and just know that your best friend would literally die to save your life 😭

Also an amazing person and rescue will be given a huge shout out once I’m able to gather my thoughts as she was able to recover my dog’s body so he can get the respect he truly deserves ❤️❤️

07/11/2024

Last week went out with a bang 🧨 and I enjoyed spending Independence Day/Week doing what I love the most and that is making sure all my Furiends were Safe, Loved and well taken care of and it went very smooth and luckily none of my Furiends were frightened with all the festivities going on and no emergencies or incidents were had!

06/29/2024

🎆 July 4 safety 🎆

Fireworks, picnics and other Fourth of July traditions can be great fun for people. But all of the festivities can be frightening and even dangerous for animals. Noisy fireworks and other celebrations can startle animals and cause them to run away; holiday foods can be unhealthy; summer heat and travel can be dangerous; and potentially dangerous debris can end up lying on the ground where pets can eat or play with it.
Whether or not you're planning your own Independence Day celebration, it's important to take precautions to keep your pets safe both during and after Fourth of July festivities.

Preparing in advance:
* Make sure your pets—cats and dogs alike—have identification tags with up-to-date information. If you have horses, you might consider marking a safety (breakaway) halter with your contact information and leaving it on your horse during this stressful time.
* If your pets aren’t already microchipped, talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. This simple procedure can greatly improve your chances of getting your pets back if they become lost.
* If your pets are microchipped, make sure your contact information in the microchip registry is up to date.
* Take a current photo of all of your cats, dogs and horses—just in case.
* If your pet has historically been anxious on this holiday, or if you have reason to expect potentially harmful reactions, consider behavioral therapy to desensitize your pet and reduce the risk of problems. Some pets may need medication. Consult your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.
* Make sure the environment is safe and secure. If your neighbors set off fireworks at an unexpected time, is your yard secure enough to keep your pet contained? Are pasture fences secure enough to keep horses or other livestock confined? Evaluate your options, and choose the safest area for your animals. Make improvements if needed to make the area more secure.

Safety during July 4 celebrations:
* Leave your pets at home when you go to parties, fireworks displays, parades and other gatherings. Loud fireworks, unfamiliar places and crowds can all be very frightening to pets, and there's great risk of pets becoming spooked and running away.
* Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate during parties and fireworks.
* Keep horses and livestock in safely fenced areas and as far from the excitement and noise as possible.
* If you're hosting guests, ask them to help keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape. Placing notes on exit doors and gates can help both you and your guests remain vigilant.
* Keep your pets inside if you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks.
* Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
* Don't let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
* Avoid the urge to feed your pets table scrapsor other foods intended for people. Be especially careful to keep them away from these common foods that are actually toxic.
* Remember that too much sun and heat (and humidity!) can be dangerous to pets. Keep them inside when it's extremely hot/humid, and make sure they have access to shady spots and plenty of water when outdoors. Don't leave pets outside for extended periods in hot weather. And know the signs that a pet may be overheating.
* Never leave your pet in your car when it's warm outside. Vehicle interiors heat up much faster than the air around them, and even a short time in a locked car can be dangerous to pets.
* If you're travelling out of town for the holiday, consider leaving your pets at home with a pet sitter or boarding them in a kennel. If you need to bring them with you, be sure you know how to keep them safe.
* Follow safe food handling and hygiene practices to protect your family and guests.

After the celebrations:
* Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn't set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
* Check your pastures and remove debris to protect horses and livestock.
* If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

Have a Happy 4th and make sure to get refills on your pets anxiety medication, pet CBD oil or treats or diffusers and to block out the noise with Music, the TV or a white noise sound machine!

❤️ Mel

06/28/2024

Let’s Support Our Shelter Friends ❤️❤️

It costs an average of $25 a month to feed an animal at HES. We currently have 600 animals in our care. Will you donate $25 to feed a shelter animal for a month? Let's feed all the hungry animals in the shelter! Visit heschatt.org/donation

Comment below once you've made your donation, and we'll give you a shoutout with the animal you've helped!

06/24/2024

📣 Review and Feedback Request 📣

Here at AniMel’s A.R.C Pet Services I strive to provide quality care, communication, education and affordable prices for all creatures 🐶🐱🐰🦎🐢🦜🐥🐹🐍! If I have cared for your pets whether it be Drop In Care, Dog Walking, Nail Trims, A**l Gland Expressions, Transportation to Veterinary Clinic or Physical Therapy Animal Services I would love for you to take time to leave me a review right here on my page and on My Google Account https://maps.app.goo.gl/4dTbcNoPboMkPGrq9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

This helps me tremendously as most people like to read reviews before reaching out to use my services and know that it truly is me who is caring for their pets and not a company with employees!

It is greatly appreciated to know you all take time out to support my small business!

06/23/2024

Summertime Fun: Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe and Happy at Outdoor Events

Summer has arrived, and that means time for fun outdoor events! From July 4th parades and fireworks to street fairs, farmer’s markets, and art and music festivals, there is a plethora of activities for the whole family to attend. For pet owners, that can include bringing their dog along. While these events can be a great way to spend time with your pet, there are some issues to keep in mind to make sure your dog has a good time and a safe experience.
Here are some tips on how you can make sure you enjoy these outdoor community events while keeping your pet happy and healthy.

Loud Noise
Fireworks are really fun for the kiddos, but usually not so much for dogs. While some dogs tolerate the sound of fireworks, many get very anxious and distressed. If you know your dog dislikes fireworks and other loud noises, you should either have a plan in place so you can go with them to a comfortable location before the noise starts, or consider leaving them home to avoid the situation. The same goes if your dog is new to you and you’re unsure how they will react. Be sure to “test the water” in a situation where you can get your dog away from the noise quickly.
In addition to July 4th fireworks, take the noise volume into consideration for whatever event you’re bringing your dog to. Music, large crowds, loud trucks, or motorcycles can all create anxiety for your dog.

Heat
High temperatures affect all dogs, and certain breeds are particularly susceptible to heat exhaustion. Before bringing your dog to an event when the weather is hot, make sure you take into consideration the ability to keep them cool and comfortable. This means making sure ahead of time that you’ll have access to shade and water. If the event is in an urban location on hot pavement, you’ll have to provide protection for your dog’s paws or be able to avoid it. Consider the time of day the event is taking place. If it’s an all-day event, go early in the morning before the heat sets in or after dusk when it’s cooling off. If the event is in the hot afternoon sun, it may be best to leave your dog home.

The Elements
In addition to the heat, dog owners need to take into consideration other weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, wind, and rain. If your dog gets anxiety from the sound of thunder, you’ll need to be able to get them to a comfortable location should a storm occur. Summer storms can be unpredictable and an isolated thunderstorm can pop up out of nowhere, so it’s important to be able to seek shelter immediately. If you do get caught out in the elements, it’s important to have supplies to clean mud off and dry your dog.

Food
Ah, the smell of onion rings and fried dough! These tasty human treats are delicious to us and although tasty to dogs as well, are very bad for them. Summer is the season of food trucks and fair food. Dog owners need to be very prepared to make sure their pet does not eat any of this human food while out at crowded events. You will either need to train your dog a command such as “Leave It” or have them on leash to prevent them from eating anything they shouldn’t. A short leash or one that has a second handle for a short lead is best.
Many strangers in the crowd will think it’s okay to give your dog a little treat, so a short leash will help by keeping your dog closer to you, as well as providing you the opportunity to have a quicker response. If your dog has any food sensitivities that you are already aware of, it’s a good idea to be extra cautious when around that food. Also take extra care around chocolate, onions, alcohol, and coffee. These foods are very toxic to dogs.

Crowds
Before bringing your dog to a crowded event, it’s important to make sure they have socialization skills and be aware of the level of those skills. Is your dog socialized with both people and other dogs? Is your dog leash-aggressive? If you are unable to prevent your dog from pulling you on-leash to chase after another dog, then it may not be time yet to take them to crowded events.

Often in crowds, you will have people pet your dog before asking or overzealous children that are very excitable with your dog. You should have a plan in place for getting between your dog and these people if necessary. Do not use a retractable lead. As mentioned with the food issue, a short leash is the best option. Another consideration before taking your dog into a crowded event is their size. Small dogs run the risk of getting trampled in a crowd, and large dogs take up a lot of space, making it difficult to get around. You will need to be aware of just how crowded an event will be.

Preventive Veterinary Services
In addition to preparedness specifically for these outdoor events, you also want to make sure you have taken care of general health matters for your pet, such as keeping them up to date on their vaccines and preventative medicines. Unfortunately with the onset of the warmer weather come the fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. If you need preventative refills, or if it’s time for your dog’s annual heartworm test, please contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment.
If your dog will likely come in contact with standing water and other dogs during the summer, vaccines for leptospirosis, influenza, and bordetella may be recommended.

Identification
Make sure your pet’s identification tags are up to date and legible. This should include a name tag, rabies tag, and any other local licensing needed. It’s also a good idea to make sure the rings used to attach the tags are in good working order. Occasionally the thinner, weaker rings get pulled and separate, causing them to fall off.
Is your dog microchipped? If not, you may want to consider having it done. It’s a beneficial tool in locating your dog should they get lost. It’s also a good idea to have a recent photo of your dog on your phone (or the old school printed method), should your dog get loose and run off at an event. Make sure you have all of the proper restraints (collar, harness, leash) and that they are in good condition. As previously mentioned, do not use retractable leashes.
I hope these tips help you prepare for having some summertime fun with your pet. If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to me directly. ❤️ Mel