Knotty Creek Animal Rescue

Knotty Creek Animal Rescue We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, ensuring every animal experiences love, care, and brighter tomorrows!

🎃🐾 Halloween Safety for Pets: Keep the Scares Fun, Not Frightening! 🐾🎃Halloween is full of costumes, candy, and chaos — ...
10/31/2025

🎃🐾 Halloween Safety for Pets: Keep the Scares Fun, Not Frightening! 🐾🎃

Halloween is full of costumes, candy, and chaos — but for our four-legged friends, it can also bring real dangers. Before the festivities start, take a few minutes to make sure your pets stay safe this spooky season. 👻

⚠️ Top Halloween Hazards

🧁 Candy & chocolate: Even small amounts can cause vomiting, tremors, or worse.

🍬 Sugar-free treats: Many contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.

🕯️ Candles & décor: Curious tails can knock over candles or chew on wires.

🎭 Costumes: Keep them comfy and breathable — if your pet looks stressed, skip it.

🚪 Door traffic: Constant knocking and costumes can trigger fear or escape attempts. Create a quiet room away from the chaos.

🧡 Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips

Walk pets before dark to avoid scary encounters.

Make sure collars and ID tags are secure and readable.

Keep treats out of reach — even candy wrappers can cause blockages.

Light up leashes or reflective gear help keep everyone visible.

Halloween should be fun — not frightening. Keep your pets safe, cozy, and stress-free
so everyone enjoys the night!

Stay safe & spooky,

🎃 Knotty Creek Animal Rescue

🐾 Holiday Food Warning: Why Ham Can Be Dangerous for DogsThe holidays are for sharing — but not everything on your table...
10/29/2025

🐾 Holiday Food Warning: Why Ham Can Be Dangerous for Dogs
The holidays are for sharing — but not everything on your table is safe for your dog. Ham may look like a harmless piece of meat, but it carries multiple risks that can seriously harm dogs.

⚠️ Why Ham Is Risky

High fat content → pancreatitis. Fatty foods can trigger inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis is painful and can be life-threatening.

Salt and preservatives. Hams are cured with large amounts of salt and nitrates/nitrites, which can cause salt toxicity, vomiting, and dehydration.

Seasonings and glazes. Onion, garlic, and certain sweeteners (like xylitol in sugar-free glazes) are toxic to dogs.

Cooked bones = danger. Splinters can puncture intestines or cause choking.

Dogs metabolize differently. Even though ham is meat, the mix of fat, salt, and preservatives makes it hard for dogs to process — often leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and painful pancreatitis.

🚨 Watch for These Symptoms
If your dog ate ham (even a small amount), monitor for:
Vomiting or diarrhea
Lethargy or loss of appetite
Hunched posture, whining, or restlessness
Fever or dehydration
Collapse or weakness — seek emergency care immediately

✅ Safer Holiday Treat Alternatives

If you want your pup to enjoy the holiday feast too, stick with these simple, healthy options (all plain, unseasoned, and cooked or steamed):

Steamed green beans – low-calorie and gentle on digestion

Fresh or cooked carrots – full of fiber and vitamins

Pumpkin purée – excellent for digestion (plain canned pumpkin only)

Plain sweet potato – rich in nutrients and much easier to digest than white potatoes
Apple slices (no seeds) – a refreshing, antioxidant-packed snack.

Let’s keep tails wagging and tummies happy this holiday season — skip the ham and share love instead. 💛
— Knotty Creek Animal Rescue

Fall Safety Tips for Dog OwnersFall is here — crisp air, crunchy leaves, and a whole new set of safety reminders for pet...
10/27/2025

Fall Safety Tips for Dog Owners

Fall is here — crisp air, crunchy leaves, and a whole new set of safety reminders for pet parents 🍁

✅ Keep pups away from wild mushrooms and acorns — both can be toxic.
✅ Watch for antifreeze drips (sweet taste, deadly consequences).
✅ Shorter days mean less daylight — reflective gear helps keep evening walks safe.
✅ And yes… pumpkins are great for digestion — just skip the sugary spice! 🎃
A little awareness goes a long way toward keeping tails wagging this season.

🐾 Meet Lacy — Your Next Adventure Buddy! 🐾Lacy is a beautiful mixed-breed girl with a blend of Labrador and Malamute — t...
10/26/2025

🐾 Meet Lacy — Your Next Adventure Buddy! 🐾

Lacy is a beautiful mixed-breed girl with a blend of Labrador and Malamute — the perfect mix of loyalty, energy, and heart. This sweet girl is affectionate once she trusts you and will quickly become your shadow.

Lacy is potty trained and knows how to sit, but she’ll need a family willing to continue her training and help her build confidence. She’s eager to please and will thrive with patience, structure, and love.

She takes a little time to warm up to new people and can be shy or skittish at first, but once she bonds, she’s a complete mama’s girl — loyal and devoted through and through.

She does well with the animals she currently lives with but isn’t comfortable meeting new pets, so she’ll do best as the only animal in her future home.

Due to medical reasons, her current family can no longer keep up with her care. She is pending spay and searching for her forever home where she can feel safe, loved, and part of the family.

📍 Courtesy post — located in Linn County, Oregon

Rescue dogs don’t need dominance — they need direction. 🧠✨Training is more than “sit” and “stay.” It’s structure, commun...
10/24/2025

Rescue dogs don’t need dominance — they need direction. 🧠✨
Training is more than “sit” and “stay.” It’s structure, communication, and confidence-building for dogs who may have never known consistency.
At Knotty Creek, we focus on confidence-based training — teaching dogs that humans are safe, predictable, and worthy of trust.
That’s how fear turns into focus, and confusion turns into connection.

10/22/2025

🤧 Kennel Cough & Canine Flu Peak Season

As the holidays approach, more families travel, board pets, or gather at events. This makes fall and early winter a high-risk time for contagious respiratory diseases like Kennel Cough (Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis) and Canine Influenza (Dog Flu).

🦠 Why Fall Increases Risk
Boarding & Travel: Dogs mix at kennels, daycares, and pet sitters more frequently around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cooler Weather: Dogs spend more time indoors in close quarters—just like humans in flu season.
Holiday Events: Farmers’ markets, pet parades, and fall festivals mean more nose-to-nose greetings and shared water bowls.

⚠️ Signs of Kennel Cough or Flu
Persistent, honking cough (often worse at night)
Sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes
Loss of appetite, lethargy
Fever (more common with Canine Influenza)
Both illnesses spread quickly through droplets in the air, shared toys, or surfaces.

✅ Prevention Tips
Vaccination: Bordetella and Canine Influenza vaccines reduce severity and spread.
Avoid shared bowls & toys at public events.
Good ventilation in kennels and indoor play areas is key.
Isolate sick dogs immediately to prevent outbreaks.

🐶 Just like human cold and flu season, dogs face greater risks in the fall. With awareness and prevention, you can help keep your pup safe and healthy through the holidays.



📖 References:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC).
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Canine Influenza Virus.
ASPCA. Kennel Cough in Dogs.

Fall in Love with Fostering🍁 Ever wondered what it feels like to literally save a life from your living room?Fostering d...
10/20/2025

Fall in Love with Fostering

🍁 Ever wondered what it feels like to literally save a life from your living room?
Fostering doesn’t just give an animal a temporary home — it gives them a second chance. Every puppy, mama, or senior dog we can place in a foster home opens up a kennel for another in need.
We provide everything you need — food, supplies, and medical care. You provide the love, patience, and space to heal.
Ready to make a difference? Apply to foster today. Your spare room could be a rescue’s safe haven. ❤️

10/17/2025

🌾 The History of Dogs in Harvest Seasons

For thousands of years, dogs have been more than companions—they’ve been partners in survival. During the fall harvest season, working dogs played vital roles that supported farming communities, protected food stores, and helped families prepare for winter.

🐕 Herding Livestock
As crops were gathered, herding dogs kept sheep, cattle, and goats moving safely from harvested fields into winter pastures. Breeds like the Border Collie, Old English Sheepdog, and various European shepherd dogs were essential in preventing livestock from trampling crops or wandering off during busy harvest times.

🦴 Guarding Food & Fields
Harvest meant abundance—but also risk. Dogs were used to guard stored grain and produce from wildlife and thieves. In rural Europe and Asia, large guardian breeds such as Maremmas, Great Pyrenees, and Tibetan Mastiffs watched over barns and storage areas, ensuring months of food weren’t lost.

🦆 Hunting for the Table
Fall was also hunting season, providing much-needed protein to store for the winter. Dogs like Spaniels, Retrievers, and Sighthounds were bred to flush, track, or retrieve game. In North America, settlers relied heavily on dogs for bird hunting during autumn migrations.

🐾 Why It Matters Today
While most of us no longer depend on dogs to protect crops or put food on the table, the harvest-season partnership shaped many breeds we know and love today. Their instincts for herding, guarding, or retrieving come from centuries of fall labor alongside humans.

🍁 When you watch your Labrador happily fetch a stick or your Collie “herd” kids in the yard, you’re seeing echoes of an ancient working bond rooted in the harvest traditions of fall.



📖 References:
Clutton-Brock, J. Dogs: Their Fossil Relatives and Evolutionary History. Columbia University Press, 2017.
Serpell, J. The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior, and Interactions with People. Cambridge University Press, 2016.
American Kennel Club (AKC). Breed Histories.
Larson, G. & Fuller, D. The Evolution of Animal Domestication. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 2014.

10/13/2025

🎭 Costumes & Dogs

For many people, Halloween and fall festivities are all about fun costumes—but for dogs, it can be a confusing and even stressful experience.

🐾 Why Dogs React Differently
Change in Appearance: Dogs rely heavily on body language and familiar outlines. A hat, mask, or cape can make you look like a stranger.
Altered Smell or Movement: Some costumes use perfumes, makeup, or materials that carry new scents. Flowing fabrics change how you move, which can trigger uncertainty.

Hidden Signals: Masks and face paint cover eyes, facial expressions, or smiles—important cues dogs use to read human emotions.
Startle Response: Dogs may bark, growl, or avoid you when you first appear in costume. This isn’t disobedience—it’s their way of signaling discomfort or confusion.

📖 Ref: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); American Kennel Club (AKC); Landsberg GM, Hunthausen W, Ackerman LJ. Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat. 2012.

✅ How to Help Your Dog Adjust
Introduce Costumes Gradually: Show your dog each piece and let them sniff before you put it on.
Keep it Positive: Pair the costume reveal with treats, praise, or play.
Watch for Stress Signals: Yawning, lip licking, tucked tail, or avoidance mean it’s time to remove the costume.
Safe Space: If you’re hosting trick-or-treaters, provide a quiet crate or room where your dog can retreat if overwhelmed.

🐕 Remember: What feels fun to us may look scary to them. By preparing and paying attention to body language, you can keep celebrations safe, calm, and enjoyable for both people and pets.

What To Do If Your Dog Gets SprayedIf you’ve been noticing more skunk smell in the air lately, you’re not imagining it —...
10/13/2025

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Sprayed

If you’ve been noticing more skunk smell in the air lately, you’re not imagining it — fall is prime time for skunk encounters. Here’s what you need to know if your dog ever comes face-to-tail with one.

🚨 Step 1: Stay Calm & Check Your Dog

•Keep your dog outside (if possible) to prevent the odor from spreading indoors.

•Check their eyes, nose, and mouth. If they were sprayed directly in the face, flush gently with cool water or saline and call your vet immediately.

⸻

🧪 Step 2: Mix the De-Skunking Solution

Forget the tomato juice myth. The tried-and-true solution recommended by veterinarians is:

•1 quart (4 cups) 3% hydrogen peroxide

•¼ cup baking soda

•1 teaspoon liquid dish soap (like Dawn)

⚠️ Mix fresh right before use. Never store in a sealed container — it can build pressure and explode.

⸻

🛁 Step 3: Apply & Rinse

•Put on gloves.

•Apply to your dog’s dry coat, focusing on the sprayed areas. Keep away from eyes, ears, and mouth.

•Work in gently for about 5 minutes.

•Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

•Repeat if needed.

•Follow with a gentle dog shampoo if you like.

(Note: Hydrogen peroxide can lighten dark fur if used repeatedly.)

⸻

👀 Step 4: Monitor Aftercare

Watch closely for any concerning signs that require a vet visit:

•Red, swollen, or painful eyes

•Drooling, vomiting, or nausea

•Lethargy or pale gums

•In rare cases, anemia may develop after heavy exposure

Also double-check that your dog’s rabies vaccine is up to date — skunks are known carriers.

⸻

🛡️ Step 5: Prevention Tips

•Skunks are mostly nocturnal — walk your dog during daylight hours when possible.

•Don’t leave pet food outside and secure your trash.

•Block access to crawl spaces, decks, or sheds where skunks might den.

•Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can help deter nighttime visitors.

📚 References & Further Reading
VCA Animal Hospitals – Skunk Spray and Your Dog
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine – What to Do When Your Dog Gets Skunked
ASPCA – What to Do If Your Dog Gets Sprayed by a Skunk
MedVet – How to Remove Skunk Odor
Veterinary Partner (VIN) – De-Skunking Your Dog or Cat

Meet Gabby 🐾Gabby is a 4-year-old spayed female cat with a playful personality and a heart full of love. She enjoys atte...
10/13/2025

Meet Gabby 🐾
Gabby is a 4-year-old spayed female cat with a playful personality and a heart full of love. She enjoys attention, affection, and being part of your daily routine — whether that’s playing with toys, lounging nearby, or curling up for a nap.

Unfortunately, Gabby’s current owner is working over 50 hours a week and can see that she’s craving more time, engagement, and companionship than he’s able to provide. Out of love and responsibility, he’s looking for a home that can offer her the attention she deserves.

Gabby would thrive in a home where someone is around often — she’s social, affectionate, and loves being part of the action.

💛 Age: 4 years
🐾 Spayed: Yes
🐱 Personality: Playful, affectionate, and people-oriented
🏡 Ideal Home: One with time for daily interaction and love

If you’re looking for a loyal and loving feline companion who will brighten your days, Gabby might just be the perfect match.
Located in Albany

Address

Riggs Hill Rd
Sweet Home, OR
97386

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+15416660076

Website

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