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‘Newnan Notes’ By Gina L. Snider City of Newnan Public Information Officer January 25, 2010 There were seven new tax occupational licensesissued by the city. The business names are Amazing Grace Designz, ArcherLandscape LLC, Couture House Interiors, Mom With A Mop, NCNQ Photography,Newnan Regional Radiation Therapy Center and Tomco Construction Services LLC. TheCity of Newnan has a program to sweep debris from the streets with curb andgutters. The Public Works Department runs sweeper trucks throughout the citystreets to prevent debris and other polluting materials from reaching bodies ofwater by way of the city’s storm water sewer and drainage systems. The sweepersnot only keep the streets aesthetically pleasing, but they are used to pick uptrash, dirt, leaves, grass clippings, chemicals, motor oil, and more that cancontaminate the environment. The material is disposed of at the Newnan TransferStation. The city has collected over 5 tons per week, totaling 266 tons for2009. Please report any clogged storm drain inlets or illegal dumping to theCity of Newnan Environmental Hotline at 770-253-1823. The city of Newnan Animal Control officer offerstips on how to keep poison away from your pet. With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, thehome can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2009, the ASPCA’s AnimalPoison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases ofpets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday householdproducts. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep them safe. Below is alist of the top 10 pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2009. People FoodPeople food like grapes, raisins, avocado and productscontaining xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry friends, andaccounted for more than 17,453 cases in 2009. One of the worstoffenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, ifingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting,excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heartrhythm, tremors and seizures. PlantsCommon houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCCin 2009. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoeand schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies areespecially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even insmall amounts. Rodenticides Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls about pets thathad accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many types of bait used toattract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets aswell. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentiallylife-threatening problems for pets including bleeding, seizures or kidneydamage. Household CleanersEverybody knows that household cleaning supplies can betoxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their petsfrom common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Last year,the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related to household cleaners. These products,when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distressand irritation to the respiratory tract. Heavy Metals It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next petpoison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury,which accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings in 2009. Lead is especiallypernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumerproducts, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in olderhomes are scraped or sanded. Garden ProductsIt may keep your grass green, but certain types offertilizer and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs.Last year, the ASPCA fielded 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure, whichcan cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction. Chemical HazardsIn 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175 cases of petexposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found inethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spachemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can causegastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemicalburns. Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure,but if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact yourveterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888)426-4435.
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