Pink Ribbon Tags for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

History of our Pink Ribbon Tags

Breast Cancer Awareness Cattle TagLast year, I asked Gary to engrave a ribbon on one of our pink cattle neck tags to show our support for the men and women currently battling breast cancer. The tag turned out great and we featured it on Facebook. Then, one of our customers who wanted an order of 20 tags asked us how they could get a pink ribbon tag. This lead us to start selling the tags and what helped us raise $200 for the Cancer Services Program of Saratoga County.

We’re offering them again

Ring of Pink Ribbon Cattle TagsWell, that time of year has come again, and we are proudly offering Pink ribbon tags once again. Like last year we will be donating $2.50 for each tag sold to the Cancer Services Program of Saratoga County. While there are many worthy organizations out there who are working very diligently to find a cure for breast cancer, we want to keep our support local.

Our goal for this year

breast-cancer-awarenessWhile we did fall short of our 100 tags goal last year, we did start late in the month and it was a spur of the moment idea. This year, our goal is to sell 200 tags. If you’re interested in purchasing one of our Pink ribbon tags, you can find them here or by clicking on the image.

breast-cancer-infographic-2014

 

Finally, in support of those who are looking to lower their risk and who have someone in the family who has had breast cancer in the past, here is an infographic on some facts about and how you can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on !

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6 Steps You Should Take to Cat-Proof Your Home

SUPER SUNRISE KEMPIn a recent article we wrote (which you can read here), I mentioned, “Cats are born with the natural instinct to run around, jump, hide, and hunt.” Of course, when you take an animal into a confined space, like a house, accidents are bound to happen. Luckily, there are preventative measures you can take that will ultimately save you time, money, and stress. These are our suggestions:

Stow Away Your Valuables

We understand that it can be hard to stow away all of your valuables – like vases, glass objects, etc. They can add flavor to your home. But the truth is – only leave them out if you want them broken. A cat won’t necessarily break something just to do it – it can often happen by accident. Regardless, putting the valuable stuff away is important.

Protect Your Counter Tops and Furniture

Cats are scratching machines, and we know you don’t want to sit on a couch that has holes in it, or use a counter top that looks worn beyond belief. One of the first things you should do is purchase a scratching post for your cat. Rub some catnip on it, and introduce it to your cat. Also, don’t forget to trim your cat’s claws.

Remove Poison

While many people think “Poison? Not much to worry about in my house!” – think again. PLENTY of plants are toxic to cats – including the American Holly, Azaela, Lily, Tulip, and more (for an extensive list, please see here.) Replace those plants with ones that aren’t toxic.

Remember, cats LOVE plants. So this is very important. Also, don’t forget about other forms of poison – like roach traps, ant traps, etc. And on a similar note, human medicine can be very dangerous to cats (and animals in general.)

Get Used to Checking Uncommon Areas

Cats are sneaky, and they can hop into places you’ve never had to double check before. Check dresser drawers and the dryer, freezer, fridge, etc. before closing the doors. Also, keep your toilet lid down. If a cat hops in without you around, it could not make it out.

Change Cords

Cats love cords of all kinds. If there’s a cord to your blinds, it’s a danger. Either tuck the cord away, or change your window-shading solution. The same goes for other loose, hanging cords around the house. Corded phones, although not widely used now, used to be a big target. Cords of all kinds can be a thread because cats can get their body stuck in them – like being choked, for instance.

Watch out for General Hazards

You’ll obviously want to make sure general hazards are taken care of or cleaned up, like sharp objects in your home, food that can easily be choked on, rubber bands, etc. But other things to be aware of are yarn, strings, tinsel, and anything similar. Similar to phone cords and cords on blinds, your cat can get tangled or strangled. They can also swallow yarn, strings, tinsel, etc.

If your cat eats something it shouldn’t, you should get your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+!

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5 Summer Activities You Can Do With Your Dog In Upstate NY

dog-lakeLive in Upstate NY? Looking for something fun to do for the day or the weekend? Here are 5 activities you can do with your dog!

 

 

Movie Nights in Colonie, NY

Check out movies about pets, with your pets! It’s only $5.00. The following movies will be playing at All Dawgs Training Services in Colonie, NY:
“Marley & Me” – Friday, July 25th @ 7PM
“Because of Winn Dixie” – Friday, August 22nd @ 7PM
“Best in Show” – Friday, August 8th @ 6:30PM

Dog Hikes

There are so many unbelievable hikes in the Adirondacks that are easy enough for dogs. Try Buck Mountain, a 6.6 mile hike that overlooks Lake George at the summit, for example. If hiking a mountain isn’t your thing, try the Albany Pine Bush Reserve. Dogs are allowed to walk alongside of you on a leash, and you’ll still get trails – complete with pines, butterflies, and more.

Camping Trips

There are plenty of pet friendly campgrounds in Upstate, NY. It all depends on where you’d like to visit. Hearthstone Point, in Lake George NY, is a popular campground with access to the water. You can also try other popular ones, like Nicks Lake Campground in Old Forge, or Rogers Rock Campground in Hague.

Weekend Getaways

Not into camping? Not a problem. There are plenty of pet friendly hotels in Lake Placid, Schroon Lake, Lake George, and more. Note: they will often have various rules (such as extra fees, number of pets allowed, months where pets are not allowed, etc.) In Lake Placid, try the Lake Placid Lodge – one of the most scenic resorts in the Adirondacks. In Lake George, try the Green Haven Resort – a small, nestled resort with a pool, hot tub, and rooms with a cabin feel.

Vineyards/Breweries

I know of two of these places that allow dogs – at least last time I checked. The best part – they’re extremely close to each other! Standing Stone Vineyards and Two Goats Brewing Company in the Finger Lakes region. What could be better than a relaxing day at Seneca Lake?

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+!

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5 Facts About American Farms (And Why You Should Start Farming)

American_farm

Even though we live in an era where young people are flocking to cities and the latest technology rules the world, farming is still extremely important in America. After all, this is where most of the food you eat originates.

Did You Know?

1) According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, less than 1% of the population claims farming as an occupation. There are about 2.2 million farms. These farms are of all different shapes and sizes. Some are large family farms, some are nonfamily farms, some are limited resources farms. While it is often assumed that many farms in the U.S. are corporately controlled, 97% of U.S. farms are family owned and operated.

2) The U.S. is home to over 40 different types of sheep – 47 to be exact.
Breeds include: Suffolk, Dorper, Hampshire, and more. Sheep can be classified in a few different ways. You can classify them by what they’re used for (such as milk or wool), or their type of fibers, their face color, etc.

3) Although farming is often thought to destroy forests some farmers will plant new trees on portions of their farmland because of the positive roles trees play in the environment. Trees can lead to an increased number of habitats for wildlife.

4) Farming is an escape from computers, the Internet, and most technology, right? Incorrect. Computers are used on about 83% of American farms.

5) Cows are capable of producing 7 gallons of milk per day. 7 gallons! That’s about 2,555 gallons per year. Dairy farms pump out 23 billion gallons of milk per year. I guess this is an appropriate time for this saying…”Got milk?”

Why You Should Start Farming

You Own the Produce
The type of food a farm produces will always vary. But just think about this for a second…what if you could go to the store and buy everything your family needs for less than 50 bucks? If your farm produces dairy products, vegetables, grains, etc., you don’t need to worry about buying it! Save that money!

You’re Interacting with Animals
Did you know chickens eat grass like humans eat spaghetti? Or that cows are social animals who have 360-degree vision? Or what about how sheep don’t like walking through water? These are the types of things you’ll find out with farming experience! Human to animal interaction is a fascinating thing!

You’re Helping the World
If you ever read a news article that’s talking about a farm, you’ll almost always find that it mentions the shortage of farmers in the U.S. It may seem like there are farmers everywhere, but there’s always a need for more. If you decide to take up farming, you’re helping your local community greatly, and on a bigger scale, the world. In turn, you’re improving the economy. Over 22 million people in the U.S. are employed on a farm, and over $100 billion in agriculture related business is circulated throughout the U.S. yearly. Farming is a big deal!

You’re Active in the Community
Everything your farm is producing has to go somewhere, doesn’t it? Local farmer’s markets are always increasing in number. When you farm, you’ll become very familiar with the people involved in your local food scene! And farmer’s markets are trendy!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+!

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