How You Can Help Homeless Animals Over The Holidays

The holidays are around the corner!  You may think not much goes on at animal shelters and rescues because of the holidays.  Not true!  Animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country may need your help this time of year more than ever.  It's the season for giving, and while monetary donations are always needed and always welcome there are other ways to help animals this season as well.  

If you're short on cash or would like to do more than write a check, here are some other things you can do to help homeless animals

DONATE MUCH NEEDED ITEMS

Shelters and rescues are always in need of food and other supplies.  Contact a local shelter or rescue and ask what's on their current donation "Wish List".   

Food is always a good donation, especially canned food.  Young puppies and kittens usually need canned food and cans are not always as available to the shelter as dry food.  In addition, pets that are ill and in Isolation are often unable to eat dry kibble.  Dogs with kennel cough are just one example of that. 

Blankets and towels are another great item to donate.  Those ratty blankets and towels sitting in the back of the linen closet?  Donate them to an animal shelter!  Winter is nearly here and the nights can be cold, any type and size blanket is welcome.  Kennel floors are often made of concrete and can be very cold.  The little ones are especially prone to the cold.  Give them a blanket to cuddle up in, it will make they more comfortable and may help prevent them from getting sick.  

Towels are also much needed, they are used not only to help stay warm but shelters go through a ton of towels following spay/neuter and other surgeries.  Blankets and towels can get worn out quickly so there's always a need.

If you don't have many blankets or towels to donate yourself, check with friends, family, neighbors, or even your coworkers.  Ask them to gather blankets and towels for you to bring to a local animal shelter or rescue.  Most people are happy to help out.  It helps them get rid of old stuff easily with your help, and they can feel good about helping homeless animals.  Kids especially love being involved in this type of activity, it's a good learning experience for them as well.  It helps foster empathy, kindness, and respect for animals and shows them how easy it can be to give back and be part of the community.

Icy and I dropped off a bag of blankets and towels for BIDEAWEE, the shelter we do our therapy dog work through.

I'll share a true story with you.  My good friend Gene helped me out with this a couple of years ago.  He went into work and asked his coworkers if they had old blankets or towels they no longer wanted.  Days later I went to his house and picked up bags full of blankets, towels, and soft pillows!  The county animal shelter was thrilled to have these items.  It happened to occur just before a cold front was coming in.  We literally dropped off these much needed items hours before the temperature plumetted that night!  It was so heartwarming to place those blankets inside the kennels.  Immediately, the dogs all hopped onto their blankets and snuggled right into them!  It was a beautiful sight.

Another fun idea is to organize a small donation party among your friends, family, or coworkers (Be sure to ASK the Boss if it's ok first!).   One of our friends hosts parties at her home a couple times a year.   Instead of bringing something for the hostess, she asks each guest to bring a bag or can of food or other item to donate to the local animal shelter or animal rescue.  Everyone has fun at the party and the next day she loads up the donation items and brings them to the shelter!  

Alternatively, you can ask each person to bring a small monetary donation.  Perhaps each person brings $5.  You can then either pool the money and give the donation directly to an organization that helps homeless animals, or you can shop for items on their WISH LIST.  If you and your guests are comfortable with the idea, this makes it easy for everyone.  Except you of course, because you need to do the shopping!  Personally I love to shop for items on the shelter's wish list, it's so much fun, even more fun than shoe shopping!

If you shop on Amazon, and really who doesn't these days?!  You can sign up for AmazonSmile and a donation will be made to the shelter(s) or other charitable organization of your choice when you shop!  It won't cost you any more and can help a shelter or rescue organization you feel passionate about. At this time, Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases.  The Director of a shelter I volunteer at asked volunteers and employees to consider doing it for them.  OMG, why hadn't I thought of that myself!?  I have since signed up for the program!  You can choose when to use it.  You can shop using the AmazonSmile program or not, it's your choice every time.  How can you not Love that??

Another simple way to give is to Sponsor a shelter pet's adoption, where you pay all or part of the pet's adoption fee.  This can help promote adoption by reducing the overall costs involved when you first add a pet to the family.  It just might help tip the scales in favor of someone adopting a pet that day!

You could even pay for medical services the shelter can't afford.  This is my foster, sweet Dusty, continually passed over simply because he had cherry eye.  I sprung for his surgery and within 48 hours he got adopted! 

If you want to go BIG, organize a larger scale event to raise funds such as a doggie fashion show,  a holiday luncheon at a club or restaurant, or an outdoor event such as a walk or run.  Anything that can get people together to help homeless pets!  You may be able to partner with a local pet store or other business to gain sponsorship.

DONATE YOUR TIME
Instead of donating money or items, you can also give your time.  There are lots of ways to give of yourself while helping animals in need.

You can organize a volunteer event at the shelter.  There are SO many things a shelter needs help with.  Everything from walking or playing with dogs and kitties to helping sort donation items, decorating the place for the holidays, or tidying up play yards.   Many shelters welcome groups from companies, social groups, religious organizations, even kids from groups like Eagle Scouts or Girl Scouts.  At the Phoenix shelter, we once had a fabulous Eagle Scout group construct Welping Boxes for expectant dog mothers and their soon to be born puppies!  

Volunteers can get dogs or cats out of their cages to walk and play with them.  This helps dogs get fresh air and exercise and stay well socialized as well as healthy.  It also burns energy so they're not bouncing off the walls when adopters walk through.   Playing also helps cats stay healthy and socialized.  These things contribute to the dogs and cats being more appealing to potential adopters.  

You can foster a dog or cat in your home.  Some shelters have Day Foster programs where you can get a dog out of the shelter just for the day.  It may not seem like a lot, you may even think it's mean to take a dog out for a day and bring him back to the shelter.  But believe me it's a much needed break that helps the dog more than you might think.

Some shelters offer Home for the Holidays events where families offer to host an animal in their home through the holidays.   This is a fun option if you have the time and don't plan on having a house full of people over the holidays.  

If you can do it, becoming a permanent foster would be a wonderful gift to a shelter or rescue.  They are always in need of fosters.  I foster animals in my home, and I know first hand that Fostering Saves Lives!

Offer to take photos of adoptable animals for a shelter.  Shelter staff are usually super busy with the tasks of taking in new animals and caring for the ones that are already there.  They are not always able to spend time getting a good intake photo of every animal that comes in.  Ask a local shelter if they need some help photographing their adoptable pets.  Provide a few props such as a holiday blanket, toy, or santa hat and take some great shots for the shelter to post online.  Bring along a friend who can provide assistance.  If the dog or cat doesn’t have a name, make one up!  A name can forge an emotional feeling and place a name to a face.  People can identify more with the dog or cat when he's not just a number. 

Get on social media and help spread the word about animals that are available for adoption.  Work with a shelter or rescue organization to post photos of their adoptable dogs or cats with compelling details about the animal and links to their site.  This may be a bit of work keeping up with each pet, but it's so helpful.   “Cooper is a lovable Golden Retriever mix.  She loves walks and playing fetch!”   Then Share, share, share your post on social media and ask your family and friends to do the same.

Do you have other ideas on how we can help shelters and rescues?  Please leave us a comment and Share your ideas!
This post contains an affiliate link(s)

A Tale of Two Spay Neuter Tragedies

I wasn't going to write another post on the importance of spaying and neutering pets but some recent conversations have compelled me to do so. 

February was SPAY/NEUTER AWARENESS MONTH. All month long people were blogging about the importance of spaying and neutering pets, but not everyone agrees and not everyone is concerned about not spaying and neutering pets.

One of many unneutered dogs that end up in our shelters

I'd like to share stories of two dogs who were not spayed and neutered.  Things took a serious turn for the worse because of it.

The first story is about my sister's beautiful Dalmation, Suki.  I want to stress that this happened years ago, and she would never be persuaded like this again.  My sister got Suki from a "professional breeder".  Suki was apparently show quality but the breeder agreed to sell her to my sister at a pet quality price if my sister would breed her at least once, allow the breeder to show her, and give the breeder pick of the litter of puppies.  My sister really wanted Suki and thought having a litter of puppies would be a fun "experience".  She was dead wrong. 

The breeder's contract stipulated that Suki was not to be indiscriminately bred, the Breeder would provide an appropriate male stud.  She cautioned my sister about guarding Suki when she came into heat, explaining that an un-neutered male within a mile or more can scent a dog in heat and would go to great lengths to get to her.

My sister did her best to guard the chastity of her sweet girl.  However, while on a potty break in their own backyard an un-neutered neighbor dog jumped their 6 foot fence and mated with her.  It happened in what seemed like seconds to my sister, and she couldn't get that dog off Suki!

Poor Suki ended up preggers.  She called the breeder, who proceeded to chew her out (pardon the pun) for "not being careful"  What was she supposed to do, get a medieval chastity belt for the dog?!

Long story short, she brought Suki to the vet to abort the puppies.  The breeder steadfastly insisted on this and made some breach of contract threats - can you believe that??    Apparently, if she had puppies with a mutt she'd be ruined for life. 

Something went terribly wrong during surgery and Suki nearly bled to death!  Thankfully they were able to save her and had to perform an emergency hysterectomy.  Don't even ask about the breeders response to that - Yikes! 

In the end Suki was a happy, healthy member of the family bringing joy to everyone for many years!  Except that time she jumped up and snatched all the S'mores fixings I had laid out on the kitchen table during a family BBQ - LOL!!!  Angel Suki, you are still sorely missed.

An un-neutered male dog who ended up at the shelter where I volunteer

This next incident happened to a nice couple we met in one of Icy's training classes.  They had two gorgeous Leonbergers, a male and a female.  In the contract, the breeder they got the dogs from stipulated that they were not to spay or neuter the dogs until they were 2 years old. 

Many Veterinarians and breeders state that giant dog breeds shouldn't be spayed until they reach their full height at around 2 years old for purposes of bone and joint growth.  They feel that if the dog is spayed/neutered before 1 to 2 years old there is a greater chance of joint issues such as hip dysplasia.  I'm not a Veterinary health professional so I'm not qualified to affirm or dispute that.

The couple did their best to keep the two dogs apart, but eventually the inevitable happened and the female ended up pregnant at about a year old.  She had beautiful puppies, which the couple decided to sell on the internet (Grrrr!!).  The 6 pups were all pre-sold to people the couple had never met. 

Adorable videos were posted online for the future parents so they could keep up with the pups' growth.  All was well until they were 8 weeks old.  The puppies went to their new homes, all except one.  The one puppy couldn't go to her new home because she became sick.  Very, very sick.  After weeks of suffering for the puppy and several thousand dollars in treatment for the owners, the little girl had to be humanely euthanized by their Veterinarian.   They couldn't save her.

It was utterly devastating for the couple.  They felt so awful and grieved the sweet little puppy so deeply. 

My girl Icy wants everyone to please spay and neuter responsibly

Why am I sharing these tragic stories with you?  I'm doing it to illustrate how difficult it can be to prevent unwanted litters when you don't spay and neuter.  If your Veterinarian advises a family to wait until a certain age to spay/neuter their pet for medical reasons, I understand.  But please know the risks in doing so and put safeguards in place. Ask your Veterinarian or breeder for suggestions.

Having two dogs (or cats) in the same house that are not spayed or neutered is a disaster waiting to happen.  It was foolish of the breeder to think the couple above would be able to keep the dogs apart, living under the same roof, for nearly 2 years!  The breeder should have advised them to wait until one of the dogs was old enough to spay or neuter before bringing another dog into the household.

A sweet shelter kitty whose owner had passed away.

What do you think the dog owners in these two stories could have done to avoid these tragic outcomes?  What would you have done differently?  Please leave us a comment and share your thoughts, we love when you Bark & Meow back at us!

If this resonates with you, you may also like my earlier post on Tens of Thousands of Puppies From One Dog.

Let's connect on Facebook!

JOIN US ON THE PET PARADE BLOG HOP!!

An InLinkz Link-up

You can't BUY Love but you can adopt It!

Money can't buy me love, but adoption sure can!  Phoebe is living proof of that.

Don't you agree?  Leave us your thoughts in the comments, we always love to hear from you!

THIS IS THE WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

5 Hero Dogs and a Human

Awhile back I had the privilege of volunteering at one of the most fun and heartwarming events of the year, the 13th annual HERO Awards in Phoenix, Arizona!  The event benefited the Phoenix county shelter, with proceeds going towards low cost and free spay/neuter services the shelter provides to the community.


Diva, an amazing therapy dog who was honored at the Hero Awards

 

Award winners are animals who have demonstrated outstanding courage, ability to overcome extreme challenges, and the will to survive.  Also honored is one Human Hero, someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the lives of animals.

To celebrate the positive impact animals have on our lives, 5 exceptional Hero Dogs and one Human Hero were honored.  Grab a tissue because you'll be both inspired and moved to tears by their stories!

DIVA:
Diva is a Therapy Dog who, for the past 9 years, has brought joy and healing to hundreds of kids at Phoenix Children's Hospital.   When she's not busy visiting sick children in the hospital, she's working with kids in local schools, helping them improve their reading and writing skills.  Diva was a HUGE hit a the hero Awards, surrounded by adoring fans all evening!  She has the prettiest smile and the most loving temperament.  I loved meeting Diva and talking with her family, especially since my dog Icy and I are also a Therapy Dog team!



Me with Diva and her Mom, an incredible woman who serves our community in many ways.

CHARLIE:
Charlie came into the shelter as a puppy with his fur half gone and his skin torn and itchy.  He had a horrible case of mange.  He was in such bad shape that he was slated for euthanasia!  Lucky for Charlie, a wonderful local rescue group, Medical Animals in Need  (MAIN) rescued him and later found him a loving home with a family that included a seeing eye dog named Kagan. A strong bond formed between the two dogs, they're inseparable and are considered a seeing-eye team!  These dogs and their parents were so sweet, I really enjoyed spending time with them. Charlie was super sweet and never left Kagan's side.




Charlie (left) with Kagan and their parents.  You can just see the unbreakable bond these two dogs have!

LEO:
On his 10th combat rotation in Afghanistan, Army Ranger SFC Cory Remsburg suffered a traumatic brain injury.  He spent 3 months in a medically induced coma followed by 3 years in hospitals and rehab centers, working to regain speech and movement.  Leo is his service dog, who Cory credits as being one of the most crucial remedies in his recovery.  Leo was himself close to death, on a euthanasia list in North Carolina.  Cory's sister rescued Leo specifically with her brother in mind.  She somehow knew these two, who had both escaped death, would end up healing each other!  

Leo is a beautiful dog with a dark, thick fluffy coat.  Slight flecks of brindle reflected off the lights.  On stage receiving their Hero Award  and pendant for Leo, Cory joked about Leo's breed, saying he did a DNA test because everyone kept asking what kind of dog he was.  According to the DNA test, Leo is a combination of just about every breed of dog known to man, LOL!  Cory has become a celebrity in his own right, traveling extensively, sharing a message of hope and inspiration.  He's even met and been honored by President Obama.  Leo and Cory are both heroes, I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet them!



One of the wonderful items available in the silent auction was a photo on canvas of Heidi, a Scout dog who served in Viet Nam.  I love this piece, such a beautiful dog!  Decades ago, families donated their dogs to the war effort.  I consider myself to be patriotic but I have to admit, I couldn't possibly give my dog up to go to war!

RONIN:
Ronin, a K9 Officer was fatally shot during pursuit of a gunman who had been threatening local businesses and innocent bystanders. The armed suspect ran through a neighborhood with Ronin and his partner, Officer Zygmont in hot pursuit.  When the gunman was cornered he opened fire, critically wounding Officer Zygmont and killing Ronin.  Ronin is a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.  In memory of his K9 partner, Officer Zygmont and his wife formed the non-profit Blue Line K9, which offers support and financial assistance to K9 teams across the country.  I am grateful to both Officer Zygmont and to Ronin for their service to our community.  Rest In Peace, angel Ronin.

STORMY:
Stormy, a gorgeous German Shepherd, was found at a construction site following a severe monsoon.  She was rescued by construction workers from underneath heavy debris.  To their surprise, Stormy wasn't along under there - she had a litter of puppies with her!  They had to be dug out by hand to prevent the structure from collapsing.  Stormy was in bad shape; emaciated and anemic, she had wires deeply embedded in her skin.  If that wasn't bad enough, she had a prolapsed uterus, a belly full of gravel since she had no food, and advanced heartworm disease.  She was given a 25% chance of survival, but she fought hard for herself and her puppies.  She and her puppies ultimately survived and thrived!  Stormy is so sweet and loving, it was a pleasure to meet her and her owner.

I'm holding Ranger, a super sweet dog who had been in the shelter for 6 long months before finding his forever home at the Hero Awards!  Congrats to Ranger and his new Mom!

Dr. Kit Slocum:
The Human Hero award went to "Dr. Kit", a local Veterinarian, for her tireless work helping animals in low income and underserved communities.  Many low income pet owners don't have access to transportation so Dr. Kit bought a mobile RV clinic and drives Vet services directly to them.  By reducing unwanted litters in Phoenix area neighborhoods with high numbers of strays, Dr. Kit has helped reduce the number of animals entering shelters. It's estimated that she has saved approximately 10,000 lives from euthanasia!  That certainly says Hero in my book.

CONGRATULATIONS to these deserving Hero Award recipients!

"Since 2006, Friends of Animal Care and Control has funded over 91,000 surgeries through the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) preventing hundreds of thousands unwanted dogs and cats from entering our Valley shelters.  In fact, the ASPCA calculated that every two spay/neuter surgeries performed in Maricopa County, directly reduces euthanasia in our shelters by one dog or cat! This means there is no more cost effective way to save a life than by funding spay & neuter."

"...Since the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) was launched in 2006, 55,000 fewer pets have lost their lives in Maricopa County shelters..."

- Friends of Animal Care and Control

This wonderful event, held at the beautiful Montelucia Resort & Spa, was hosted by Friends of Animal Care and Control and sponsored in large part by PetSmart Charities.

Wordless Wednesday: Dog Adoption

I took some photos to post online to help these two dogs get adopted but one of the dogs, Scout, got adopted before I could post them - YAY! 

Scout, a sweet English Foxhound mix, got adopted before I could post his photos online!

This photo of Scout Chillaxin' in his bed cracked me up!

I volunteer at a PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center.  As I walked Scout around the store, a wonderful young man stopped to pet him and ended up adopting him!  Congratulations Scout!

This adorable little girl named Spaghetti is unfortunately still waiting for a loving furever home.  

She loves to carry her little stuffed toy around constantly. I think it gives her comfort, she's a bit timid.

They named me Spaghetti, don't ask me why!  I'm 2 years old & looking for a home.

Yes, I can walk and chew a stuffie at the same time!

I need to give my jaw a rest from that stuffie!

Spaghetti didn't find a furever Valentine during the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend.  She's still available for adoption at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Her ID# is A3717118.  You can ask about her by calling 480-429-4519 (select option 5 for the adoption center).

JOIN US ON THE BLOGPAWS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!!

Why I Volunteer At A Shelter That Isn't "No-Kill"

"I'll only adopt a pet from a No-Kill shelter!"  If I hear that one more time I think I'll rip my hair out.  When you refuse to consider adopting a pet simply because they landed in a shelter that isn't "No-Kill" the only thing you've accomplished is to take away the prospect of a loving home for an animal that desperately needs it.  Since millions of animals are euthanized in shelters every year, animals in shelters that aren't No-Kill need homes even more desperately than those in No-Kill shelters.



Could you look into Phoebe's eyes and say "Tough Tarts little white dog, I won't give you a loving home because you landed in a shelter that isn't No-Kill and I won't adopt from them!"

When  you refuse to consider adopting from a shelter that isn't No-Kill, when you bash shelters that don't have the option of being No-Kill, when you do everything in your power to ensure that others won't adopt from a shelter that isn't No-Kill, you might as well sign the death warrant for those animals.  Here's why...

The Dog I Couldn't Save

In the world of Animal Welfare, when we say one of our foster animals was a “Foster Failure”, it’s tongue in cheek.  It usually means the foster parent couldn’t part with the animal they were fostering and ended up adopting them.  It’s usually a happy accident!  Usually.



One of my fosters, Rudy, who I fell totally in love with!

Buttercup was an adorable little Chihuahua mix that I fostered about a year ago.  She was my first Foster Failure, but it wasn’t the happy accident that usually defines “Foster Failures”.   This one was a true failure.  Buttercup turned out to be beyond my abilities.  I had to admit that I couldn’t help this one, I couldn’t save this one.

ANIMAL SHELTERS FILL UP FOLLOWING 4th OF JULY

Several years back, I received a plea in an email from my Volunteer Coordinator at the animal shelter I volunteered at. After that, I decided to write about shelters being inundated with lost pets following 4th of July weekend. 

Animal Shelters Fill Up Following 4th of July. I microchipped Icy and Phoebe as soon as I got them!

Why Animal Cruelty Hurts Everyone

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.  The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is urging supporters across the country to help raise awareness about animal cruelty.

One of the worst forms of animal cruelty is dog fighting.  In honor of National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD) which was on April 8, the ASPCA spearheaded a campaign to  GET TOUGH ON DOG FIGHTING.  The war against dog fighting is a battle that cannot be confined to just one day or one month.  It’s an ongoing battle that requires everyone’s awareness and support to win.  If you think animal cruelty and dog fighting don't negatively impact you or your family you are mistaken.




Join the ASPCA, and Get Tough on Dog Fighting

Here are a few reasons why animal cruelty, including dog fighting, should  matter to everyone:

** Statistics show that approx. 30% of children who have witnessed domestic violence have in turn abused animals. 

** There's a strong link between animal abuse and violence against people.  Animal abuse is known to be an early indicator of abuse against people as well.  Social services agencies are trained to recognized the signs of animal cruelty in children and determine whether or not the abusive behavior is a warning signal.

** There are links between dog fighting and gang activity as well as other criminal activity such as drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession.

** Most violent criminals have a history of animal cruelty.  David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam killer was reported to have poisoned his mothers parakeet.   Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, perpetrators of the horrific Columbine High School shooting had mutilated animals for fun.



Phoebe wants us all to Get Tough on animal cruelty!

Although Dog fighting is a felony in every state in the U.S. this barbaric act of cruelty still goes on.  Animal abuse, including dog fighting, doesn't just hurt helpless animals, it hurts people and communities.  Tougher laws and punishment against all animal abusers are needed. 

Visit the ASPCA's web site for ideas on how you can help here: help prevent cruelty to animals .

Please share this message in support of ending Dog Fighting and animal cruelty.

EDUCATION; The Only Real Solution To Pet Homelessness

There are many ways to combat the problem of homeless pets; we can adopt, donate, foster, provide free or low cost spay/neuter, hold innovative adoption campaigns, and microchip our pets.  But all these things will not put an END to pet homelessness, overcrowded shelters, and euthanasia.

I believe the only thing that will truly end the misery of homeless pets is a change in paradigm brought about by Education.  We have to educate the public on the accountability that comes with pet ownership, how to be a responsible pet owner, and how animals should be perceived and treated.  Shelters and rescues are great, I shudder to think of where we'd be without them, but they treat the symptoms, they are not the solution.  The problem is that far too many pets end up in shelters or rescues in the first place.  There are a million reasons for this; some completely valid, most are utterly callous.  The analogy I like to use when I talk about shelters and rescues being a band aid is this story:

Transporting Shelter Pets To New Lives

I volunteered at my county shelter for years.  For the most part, I was an Adoption Counselor at the shelter and at special adoption events.  I also fostered and attended events to help educate the public about the free and low cost services the shelter offers to the community. I also had the opportunity to participate in a different kind of activity at the shelter.

I took a selfie with one of the adorable Chihuahuas to be transported to the Humane Society in Missouri

Recently, the shelter has begun partnering with other shelters across the country on shelter Transport initiatives.  This is where animals in one shelter can be transported to a shelter in another state/city to help increase the odds of being adopted into loving homes.  For example, here in Phoenix we have a huge abundance of Chihuahuas and other small dogs.  In some areas of Pennsylvania and Missouri however, they actually have a need for small adoptable dogs!  They don't have enough small dogs for all the people in their community who want to adopt them - imagine that?! 

These little dogs are waiting their turn to be health assessed and vaccinated

Could You Foster a Dog For One Day?

We hear it all the time, Fostering Saves Lives!  And it does, but not everyone can take a dog into their home for weeks, or even days at a time.  If you wish you could foster a dog but it just doesn't fit into your lifestyle, there's a solution. You can Day Foster!

A Pitbull puppy waits for someone to love him again

When a dog has been in a shelter for more than just a few days, it begins to take a toll on them. 

# They don't get enough fresh air or exercise.

# They don't get the attention and love they remember when they were in a home.

# Shelter life is so stressful; it's loud, frightening, confining, and it's not a home!

# Some dogs develop behavior issues if they're cooped up in a shelter for too long without a break.

These factors effect them both physically and emotionally, these dogs need a break!  Even if it's not a forever break from the shelter, the benefits of getting out of the shelter even just for a day can be significant.

Sweet Cascade loved getting out of the kennel for long walks!  She enjoyed several Day Foster days with volunteers before she was finally adopted!

Getting a dog out of the shelter for a day helps dogs calm down, get fresh air and exercise, get some socialization, feel like a loved pet again, and have some fun!!

Here are some things you can do with your Day Foster dog:

# Take him to a park and go for a long, leisurely walk.

# Take her to a dog friendly outdoor café.  While you enjoy your favorite beverage, give her a chew stick, a toy, or a couple of treats.

# Play some games!  A great thing to do is work on basic obedience.  Make it fun to learn or practice Sit, Down, Shake Paws.  A dog who knows a few basic obedience commands can make a big difference to an adopter!

#Take some great photos of her and give them to the shelter for their web site or Facebook page.  Post them on your social media sites too and spread the word that an awesome dog is looking for a loving home!

# Write a few notes for the shelter to include in the dog's bio.  When you can say she's friendly, loves to play fetch or go for a walk, or knows how to sit and lay down it goes a long way with potential adopters.  It eliminates some of the fear of adopting a new dog when you've told them how loving and sweet she is!

One of my fosters, Howdy, content in my husband's arms.  He had displayed some aggression at the shelter, but after 1 day with us he was calm, sweet, and social.  He just needed a break!

If you have just a few hours a month, contact local shelters to see if they have a Day Foster program.  If not, urge them to start one!


What do you think about fostering a dog for one day, giving them a break from the shelter?  Is this something you would be willing to do?  Please leave us a comment, we love when you share your thoughts with us!

8 Ways To Show You're NOT Appreciating Volunteers

If volunteers feel appreciated and feel like they are making a real difference, they'll continue volunteering for your charitable organization and will give their very best each day.  If you fail to show your volunteers that they are valued, you will lose them.

My little Angel Paws

Volunteers want to feel valued.  They want to feel like they've made a difference to those the charitable organization is there to help. I've compiled a list of things charitable organizations do that make volunteers feel very UN-appreciated.

ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH: 8 Questions You Should Ask Before Adopting A Dog

If you’ve decided to adopt a shelter or rescue dog, congratulations! You’ve made a decision that will save a life.  Choosing a dog is a commitment that will last the rest of the dog's lifetime.  Choose unwisely and you and your new furry BFF might not make a successful love connection.  As you head to the shelter, ask these 8 questions to ensure the dog you adopt is the right one for you! 

HOW BIG?

Most dogs are full grown at around 18 months old.  You'll want to know if the dog is already full grown, and if not ask about how big he's expected to get.  Most of the time a shelter or rescue can only estimate how big a dog will get when full grown.  Find our if there are any restrictions on the size or breed of dogs allowed where you live.  

Think about what size dog is right for you.

WHAT BREED OR BREED MIX IS HE?
Ask about the attributes of the breed(s) so you know what to expect.  Energy level and tendencies of the breed are import.  If you’re looking for a hiking or running companion then a high energy dog such as a Border Collie might be the right companion for you.  If you prefer a mellow dog that doesn't need much exercise, a Siberian Husky would not be a good fit!    

WILL SHE SHED?

What's your tolerance for shedding? Just because a dog has a smooth coat or very thin hair that does not mean she won’t shed.  If you want a dog that sheds very little or not at all, ask if the shelter has any non-shedding breeds or dogs that are mixed with a non shedding breed such as the Poodle, Maltese, or Bichon Frise.   

Is shedding a concern?  Dogs like Phoebe don't shed one bit!  We think she's a Havanese mix.

IS HE PEOPLE FRIENDLY AND DOG FRIENDLY?
Sometimes shelter staff and volunteers won’t know for certain, but at many shelters and rescues they can tell if a dog likes people and other dogs.  They do this by behavior assessing the dog and interacting with him on a daily basis.  If they have play groups for the dogs they’ll be able to tell if he’s dog friendly or if he displays aggression towards other dogs. 

I HAVE ANOTHER DOG AT HOME, WOULD YOU DO A MEET AND GREET?

Sometimes people who already have a dog worry about bringing another dog into the home.  Ask the shelter to arrange a meet and greet with your current dog and the one you want to adopt to see if they get along.  If they can’t accommodate, make sure you can bring the dog back if he doesn't get along with your current dog(s).

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTION FEE?

Ask what’s included in the adoption fee and what additional costs you might incur.  Most shelters and many rescues will have the dog spayed/neutered and include that in the adoption fee.  Vaccinations required up to the dog’s current age, such as Rabies, may also be included.  If you’re adopting a puppy, vaccinations and spay/neuter may need to be done later, at your cost.

Icy and Phoebe are both very dog friendly, so they became BFF's very soon after we brought Phoebe home to join our family!

DOES SHE HAVE ANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT YOU KNOW OF?
Ask if the dog has been treated for any illness or injury at the shelter, or if they are aware of any medical  issues.  If so, ask about follow-up care, prognosis, and potential costs.  Kennel Cough and other respiratory illnesses are common in a shelter environment.   Some shelters will send you home with necessary medications for minor ailments.   Ask if the dog's illness is contagious and what precautions may be needed if you have other dogs at home.  Ask about known behavioral concerns as well and how best to handle them.

WHERE DID THIS DOG COME FROM?

You can ask whether the dog was a stray picked up on the street, an owner surrender, puppy mill or hoarder rescue.  Most will probably be strays with little background information, but ask if there is any information on the dog’s history that might be helpful.

Asking these 8 questions will help you make the best decision about which dog is right for you, and you’ll know what to expect as you bring your new best friend home with you!

What other questions do you think are important to ask when adopting a new pet?   Please leave us a comment!

THREE SIMPLE ACTS Will Stamp Out Pet Overpopulation and Homelessness

As an animal shelter volunteer I witness the heartbreak of the millions of homeless pets that end up in shelters every year in the U. S.  There are far more homeless pets entering shelters each day than there are homes to adopt them.   Herculean pet adoption efforts make a tremendous difference, but there are only so many homes available to adopt the 6 -8 million homeless dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters every year that desperately need a loving home.   (Source: Humane Society)

Eliminating pet overpopulation and the massive number of homeless pets entering shelters every day IS within our reach.  I believe that THREE SIMPLE ACTS will help us accomplish this goal. 

FIRST ACT:  ALWAYS WEAR A COLLAR & UPDATED TAGS:

The First Act is the simplest, and it's a no brainer.  Your pet should never be without a collar with updated tags.  The operative word being updated.  I don't need to elaborate on this one.

SECOND ACT:  SPAY AND NEUTER OUR DOGS AND CATS: 

I’m continually amazed that despite continued efforts to convince owners to spay and neuter their dogs and cats, so many people still refuse to do it.  Even though most shelters in the U.S. offer low cost, free, and even mobile spay/neuter services, many people will not do it.  Is it culture, religion, fear, or something else that causes this resistance?  I don’t have the answer.  All I know is that:

Spaying and neutering your dog or cat will prevent the enormous number of unwanted puppies and kittens that end up in shelters every day.   People always think they will find homes for all the puppies in all the litters their unspayed dog has.  They don’t.  They end up dumping the remaining unadopted  (or unsold) puppies at a shelter.  Even if a person finds homes for all the puppies or kittens in one litter, what about all the puppies and kittens subsequently born to all their offspring?    

According to the Humane Society of the U.S., the average female dog produces 2 litters per year, each litter containing 6 – 10 puppies.  If that dog remains unspayed and breeds for six years, that’s 72 – 120 puppies born!  If that dog’s offspring also remain unspayed that could produce tens of thousands of puppies over a 6 year period!   

Neutering reduces the desire to roam the neighborhood searching for a female in heat.  Roaming contributes to dogs getting lost, hit by cars, or attacked by strange dogs they may encounter.

Neutering will reduce or eliminate the desire to urine mark and claim territory.  I don’t need to elaborate on the benefits of that!

Neutering reduces unwarranted aggression in males.  Without the compelling desire to mark, roam, and mate, there is less need to compete with other males.   Dogs will still be protective of their home and family, so don’t worry about your dog turning into a pussy cat!

According to the Humane Society, spaying and neutering can reduce several kinds of canine and feline cancers.  A healthier pet means less illness for your beloved pet and fewer vet bills for you!

Sharing these cold hard facts with family, friends, on social media, and in organizations we participate in will eventually get through.  There are many myths around spaying and neutering; check out the Humane Society’s web site for a long list of myth-busters. 

 

THIRD ACT: MICRO CHIP OUR DOGS AND CATS:

If I had a buck for every dog and cat that came into the shelter without a microchip or a collar with updated tags I’d be a mega millionaire by now.   Recently, someone brought in a black and tan puppy they had found wondering around a shopping center.  No collar and tags, no micro chip.  The puppy may have slipped out of her collar, it’s easy for a collar to get lost or break off.   This woman’s first thought was to take the puppy to the nearest shelter.  I could see that the puppy was very young and the tattoo on her belly indicated she had been spayed.  We scanned her for a micro chip but there was none.  If that beautiful puppy had been micro chipped she would have been home with her family by dinnertime instead of sitting in the shelter waiting to be adopted by someone else.  I could recount hundreds of stories just like this one, but you get the point. 

Again, beyond ensuring that our own pets are micro chipped, spread the word to others broadly and often.    One more dog or cat whose owner can be identified means one less dog or cat in a shelter.  Micro chipping costs $20 or less at a shelter and approximately $50 at the vet.  It’s tiny and takes 2 seconds to inject underneath the skin.  It’s a lot like getting a vaccination.

I firmly believe that if these Three Simple Acts are performed by all dog and cat owners it will drastically reduce pet overpopulation and homelessness.  Like they say, it takes a village.  Together we can break the vicious cycle of pet overpopulation and overloaded shelters.   What am I doing to further this cause?  I help shelter animals find loving homes by volunteering.  I educate people about the importance of their dog always wearing a collar with updated tags, micro chipping, and spay/neuter.  And, I post information and stories like this one on my blog.

Needless to say, the fewer dogs and cats that end up in shelters, the fewer will end up being euthanized. 

 

 

Tell us how you help in the fight against pet overpopulation and homelessness?