DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are neighbors on the same street and have six cats between us. We wonder if anyone in Auburn makes house calls to cut nails and/or perform other routine nonveterinarian services. Senior citizens can have difficulty transporting their animals for routine monthly care. Thanks for your help. — Lily and Willy, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots found a couple of businesses online that offer those services:

* www.at-home-pet-grooming.com, Bethel, 333-7360

* www.athomeveterinarycare.com, West Gardiner, 582-8800

She also just received the following accolade for a service nearer your home. Perhaps additional recommendations will make their way to Sun Spots’ in box as well.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My family recently had to be away from home for about two weeks. We were fortunate to be referred to Gloria Maltz, whose business is the Neigh-borhood Pet Nanny. What a wonderful experience! She visited daily, brought in our mail and newspaper, brushed and played with our pets, took care of their physical needs and sent us an email each evening to let us know how the visits were going.

We are recommending her to anyone who has pets that need more attention than their “two-footed creatures” can provide. Her contact information is www.neigh-borhoodpetnanny.com or 418-7568. We will be glad to provide a reference. — Pet Nanny Fan via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I can’t agree with your suggestion (June 17) to feed old canned tuna to cats. If food is bad, it can make your pet sick just like it would you! Carnivores in the wild can eat food which is starting to decompose because they have a more acidic digestive tract than we do, but spoiled canned food is usually an anaerobic organism (which grows without oxygen), such as botulism or mold, which will make cats and dogs sick. Thanks. — Kat Coriell, DVM,  katcoriell@securespeed.us

ANSWER: You are right, of course. (Sun Spots never argues with a real expert!) Sun Spots was being a bit tongue in cheek, making a small joke about cats’ well-known love of tuna. But anything of questionable quality should always be tossed, not fed to your pets. As the saying goes: If in doubt, throw it out.

Interestingly, while researching this topic, Sun Spots discovered that canned meat often lasts longer than canned veggies. Who would have thought it?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This letter is in response to D. from West Paris (June 7) regarding pet food for our seniors’ pets. I work with homebound seniors in Northern Kennebec County for Spectrum Generations (Central Maine Area on Aging). With donations from the community and area businesses we have been providing 1 to 2 pounds of dog and cat food once per week to our Meals on Wheels consumer’s beloved pets for about eight years now.

We are always looking for monetary donations to purchase food or unopened bags of dog or cat food for our four-legged friends. If you would like to donate toward our “Animeals” program, please contact me at 1-800-639-1553 or ljohnson@spectrumgeneratons.org. — Lynda Johnson, nutrition/volunteer coordinator, Cohen Community Center

ANSWER: What a terrific program! Sun Spots hopes you get lots of donations.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society and Alley Cats L/A will be having its second annual yard sale on Aug. 13. For pickup or drop-off information, please call me at 784-1553 or GAHS at 783-2311. Thank you so much for your help. — Melanie Bolduc, gerardbold@oxfordnetworks.net

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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