It is not an understatement to say that running this Cutest Pet photo contest is one of the joys our staff looks forward to all year. This year, Central Oregon Pets launched a new online platform allowing readers to vote for their favorites. We got over 800 entries from over 400 pet parents; then, over […]
Central Oregon Pets
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
A Cat’s Castle: The Catio
Outdoor cat enclosures offer a sunny spot — and a sense of safety for cats and their humans
In 2018, Jonathan and Jennifer Elwing launched a general handyman operation in Sisters. But five years on, what started out as a catch-all business aimed at helping people build decks and fix fences has morphed into a full-on cat-centric operation. The Elwings, under the name Elwing Works, now specialize in building catios – those outdoor […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Central Oregon Pets – Spring 2022
Meet the winners in our Cutest Pets Contest, get tips on pandemic pounds, learn about ostrich farming and so much more
It’s time again for another Central Oregon Pets! Our entire team of pet lovers is thrilled to bring you a new edition of this special magazine, filled with lots of furry felines, precious pups and even a goat, and an ostrich or two. Central Oregonians came out in droves to enter our Cutest Pet Contest, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Meet Central Oregon’s Cutest Pets!
From dogs to cats to goats, meet the winners in 11 categories of our Cutest Pets contest!
We asked Central Oregonians to share photos of their beloved dogs, cats—and even goats—and they sure did deliver! Our pet loving-team enjoyed seeing each and every adorable face, making this a tough decision… but in the end, we created 11 categories and recognized 17 pets. The winning “Cutest Pet, ” Remy, gets a custom pet […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
A Spay/Neuter Clinic in the Yucatán
Bend’s Street Dog Hero teams up with nonprofits in Mexico to treat over 400 pets
Dogs and cats can be our faithful companions—but left unchecked and uncared for, their populations can quickly get out of control. A single unspayed female and her puppies can produce 67,000 puppies in just six years, says Bend-based nonprofit Street Dog Hero, with a single unspayed cat and her kittens able to produce a whopping […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Final Farewell
It’s never a good time to say goodbye forever to our beloved pets
Over New Year’s Eve weekend, our 21-year-old boy cat, Gallup, had pretty much stopped eating and was having trouble getting around on his own. By Sunday night, wife Floy and I knew it was time. I emailed the vet office and Dr. Byron Maas at Bend Veterinary Clinic had us come in on Monday morning. […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Losing the Pandemic Pounds
Pets, like their humans, tended to gain weight during the time of social distancing. Here are a few ways to help your pets get back to a more ideal weight.
The shock was real—but not entirely unexpected—the first time we brought our little (formerly) 11-pound rescue mutt to the vet after the pandemic had started. Three pounds is not a big weight gain for an adult human, but for this little guy, it was a lot. I guess all those evenings opting to watch “Dogs” […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Dog Docs Return
Central Oregon once again has options for emergency veterinary care, after months without
In May of last year we reported that Bend had lost its only 24-hour emergency veterinary care when Bend Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center cut its hours. A staffing shortage, burnout during COVID-19 and patient overload from more people adopting pets during the pandemic all contributed to the crisis, and it left a gap in […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Rescue. Refuge. Rehome.
A local program brings low-cost spay and neuter services and a refuge for the pets of people in crisis
Amanda Wheeler is the Chief Wagologist, founder and executive director of The Rawley Project, a relatively new nonprofit in Central Oregon offering services for animals in need. We chatted with its founder for this issue of Central Oregon Pets. Source Weekly: What are the Rawley Project and Fixbend, and what is the mission of each? […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Precautions for Plants and Pets
Tips and advice for successful plant-pet cohabitation
Plant and animal purchases have boomed during the pandemic because of the nurturing comfort that both can provide. John Kish, owner of the Bend plant store Somewhere That’s Green, is obviously a fan of indoor plants, believing they can be a soothing trial run to see if people are ready to handle the responsibility of […]