Month: December 2012

In 2013, #ResolveToSolve Pet Homelessness

Ending pet homelessness begins with all of us and helping can be as easy as 1-2-3. Together, we can empty the animal shelters and we can start today. Right now.

Join Adopt-a-Pet.com as we #ResolveToSolve pet homelessness this New Year. Make a resolution to help one shelter pet find a loving forever home in 2013.

1. Take the Pledge

It takes just a moment. By pledging that you #ResolveToSolve, you are taking the critical first step toward a better tomorrow for today’s shelter pets. Your pledge means that you will try to help one shelter pet – just one – find a home in 2013.  It’s easy to help and we’ll tell you how. You don’t even need to leave your chair and you can do it right now!

But first, be proud of your pledge – pick up the phone and tell a friend or, better yet, get on the social web and tell the world. Announcing your pledge makes it real and motivates you and the people around you to create change. Go ahead, shout about it! We’ve even made this sharable graphic to help you announce your resolution on Facebook or wherever. Then, skip down to the second step and get started.

2. Do Something

After you’ve announced your pledge to help one homeless pet in 2013, download  Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Resolve To Solve Pet Homelessness action item list. Action items range from simple, quick things you can do on your computer right now to volunteer opportunities that will hands-on involve you with the pets that need your help.

Want to go the extra mile? Consider encouraging others to take the pledge, too.  Every person who takes the pledge is potentially another homeless animal saved.

3. Share

Share your progress, your actions, what you’ve done to fulfill your resolution to solve animal homelessness. Post photos on our Facebook page, tweet us your progress with the hash tag #ResolveToSolve, and keep us and your network updated on all you’ve been up to.  Inspire others by sharing the great things you’re doing to help animals in need. Together, we can save homeless pets!

Are you signed up for our monthly newsletter?  If not, sign up and we’ll periodically keep you posted with #ResolveToSolve updates, sharable graphics, and inspirational stories that will make you smile.


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New Year's Eve Pet Safety

Dog-Cat-fireworksBig parties, crowds, fireworks, and… fun? New pet owners often don’t realize that the noise and festivities that often accompany New Year’s Eve – even if you’re staying home and watching them on TV – aren’t much fun for most pets! My dog, like many dogs, is terrified of fireworks. He doesn’t know the ones exploding on the surround sound system aren’t the real thing lighting up the corner of our living room. He barks at dogs barking on the TV too – I like to think he’s very “sound aware”  but my other pets look at him like, “Dude, its on TV.” When the fireworks and happy screaming people are on TV, obviously its easy enough to turn the volume down. But what can you do if you or a close neighbor are having a New Year’s Eve party with noisemakers and revelry? Here is our NYE countdown of tips to help your pets enjoy Auld Lang Syne safely:

5. Up-to-date ID
Parties mean doors getting opened a lot. Even if you’ve thoughtfully hung a sign on your bedroom door saying do not open, or if you have your pets safely contained in a crate inside the bedroom (wearing safety breakaway collars only in a crate), accidents happen.  Make sure your pet ID tags and microchip information has your current address and phone numbers.

4. Exercise
For dogs and even cats, giving them plenty of exercise on New Year’s Eve day will help them to rest more peacefully that night. Plus a good long walk or hike with your dog will help you burn off those extra holiday calories too!

3. No human food
If your pet is going to be out loose in your home during a party, make sure every single guest agrees NO HUMAN FOOD FOR PETS. The #1 reason pet owners end up at the emergency vet on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day is because a pet is sick from too much people food, or the wrong people food. Even human foods you think are “safe” for pets can cause pancreatisis, which can be fatal.

2. White noise
Loud music and fireworks can upset even the calmest of pets. If you don’t have a white noise machine, putting classical music on where the pet can hear it can help cover up outside upsetting noises. If you have an anxious sound-sensitive dog, many pet owners find relief using a Thundershirt pet wrap, available at most pet supply stores.

1. Happy New Year!

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December's Double Adoption Cuteness on PeoplePets.com

Deck the halls with boughs of…rescued Dachshunds?! Don’t we wish! Perhaps the only thing better than adopting one dog is adopting two, and this bonded pair is no exception to the double-the-love-cuteness! Cassidy and Colby are super sweet senior brothers saved in the nick of time by Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, an entirely senior-focused rescue group located in San Francisco, CA. These Doxies are incredibly affectionate and spry, love being the center of attention, and love each other! They’re known to cuddle, groom one another, and play like pups. Cassidy and Colby are also great with other dogs and kids, and they’re so adorable that they’re the stars of the latest PeoplePets.com adoptable feature story!

If you or someone you know is looking to adopt a couple of silly lovebugs, you can find out more about Cassidy and Colby by contacting Muttville. There are so many wonderful senior pets at local shelters and rescue groups right now. Older pets make terrific companions as they’re usually much easier and mellower, already housetrained, and their life experiences make them wiser! Please consider saving a senior pet who would be very grateful for a warm loving home to spend his or her golden years in. Thank you for sharing this story and promoting senior pet adoption!

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Amazing Cat Cardboard Box Castle

This seemed like an appropriate post for the Boxing Day holiday! What do cats like more than a cardboard box? How about multiple cardboard boxes attached together with cutouts creating tunnels and multilevel fun! We love what this awesome cat-loving owner did for his cat Rufus, to make up for having just gone through a painful ear infection. We were inspired to make a mini cardboard box cat castle for our foster cats holiday present, and though it wasn’t worthy of millions of views on YouTube like Rufus’ video received (you can watch the video below) it was a huge hit in our catio! What a great way to recycle large gift boxes or those inevitably huge online shopping boxes that arrive with the ordered item hidden inside of reams of packing paper. If you don’t have any boxes readily available, often a search of your local Craigslist can turn up people cheaply selling or giving away moving boxes, often just after the 1st or the 15th of the month, the most common moving dates. Please make sure your boxes weren’t used for anything that might not be good for your cat, and use nontoxic glue or tape to attach them together. The cardboard box cat castle configurations  — and fun — are almost endless! Watch the Rufus Tower video below to see what we mean.

You can find a cat like Rufus to adopt near you at http://www.adoptapet.com. Did you like this article? Click an icon below to share it on Facebook, Twitter, and more!
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Holiday Decoration Safety for Pets

Simon’s cat is adorably troublesome in his Santa Claws video climbing the Christmas tree, knocking the ornaments off one by one, and… well, I won’t spoil the whole thing so you can watch it below! But for non-animated real-life cats and other pets, holiday decorations can pose a real hazard, not just a decorating frustration. Vets report that the most emergency room visits, is from pets eating people food, is tinsel, ribbons, or other wrapping or decorating items. Especially tinsel and ribbons can form blockages that require complicated emergency surgery to save the pets life! There are plenty of pet-safe ways to make your holiday home festive and bright. If you have a dog, cat, or other pet that likes to chew, the safest thing is to keep all ornamentation and lighting completely out of reach — or the pet out of the room! Just like kitten, puppy or child proofing your home year-round, the holidays are a time when pet owners and families with pets visiting can avoid an expensive or tragic vet visit with a little planning and common sense. Now, enough with the serious warnings, and enjoy Simon’s cat antics in his silly little cartoon video!

Santa Claws – Simon’s Cat Video

I Love Animals, but They’re Destroying My Yard!

We all love adorable animals, whether they’re our own pets or the cute little rabbits and squirrels that are scurrying around our neighborhoods. But what happens when those cute critters start destroying your yard? Winter is prime time for a variety of animals to be digging through your trash or tearing up your shrubs. A general misconception is that most critters hibernate during the winter. However squirrels, rabbits, skunks, possums, and deer (among others!) are active all winter long. Animals can be even more destructive in the winter because food is scarce and they’re more desperate to find it. So what can you do? You don’t want to hurt the poor things! You just want them to leave your yard alone! Here are some humane ways you can stop the destruction:

Fencing

Putting up a chicken wire fence around your shrubs is a great deterrent for rabbits. Make sure the chicken wire is at least 2 feet high and at least 2 inches down into the ground to prevent tunneling. For deer, the fence needs to be a bit higher. And by a bit, I mean at least 7 feet high. Fencing is the most reliable way to keep deer from damaging your trees and shrubs, even though it’s not necessarily appealing to look at. If you have a little time and money, this can be a great option for protecting your plants!

Repellents

Animal repellents are another way to deter animals from tearing up your yard. Repellents are often categorized into two groups: area repellents and contact repellents. Area repellents are applied to the perimeter or surrounding area of what you want to protect. They give off an offensive odor to animals and the animals stay away from the area completely. Contact repellents are applied directly to plants and repel animals by causing the plant to taste terrible. It’s important to remember that repellents will reduce damage, not eliminate it completely. Fences are much more likely to solve your deer problem than deer repellents will. They also need to be re-applied after it rains or snows. Please make sure to find products made with natural plant oils and organic, non-poisonous ingredients so that they can be used safely around your family and your own pets, as well as not harming the visiting animals. You want to deter but not hurt them.

Homemade Solutions 

There are  a few unconventional ways you can deter animals. They seem to work well for some and not so well for others, but most of them can be made with things you already own:

  • Vinegar – Many animals hate the smell of vinegar, even after it’s dry. Soak rags in white vinegar, place them on stakes, and surround your plants and trees with them.
  • Hair – Human hair is another unconventional way of repelling animals from your yard. For deer, place hair in some old panty hose and hang it from trees. For rabbits (and possibly other animals) spread human or dog hair around plants and shrubs.
  • Citrus – Cats dislike citrus, so if you have destructive kitties coming around, you can place a grapefruit, orange, or lemon peel near the area they’ve grown accustomed to.
  • Cayenne Pepper – Sprinkling cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your yard or on and around your plants will deter squirrels and raccoons. Raccoons have a heightened sense of smell and will stay away from the cayenne pepper. Squirrels will dislike the taste.
  • Soap – Hanging bars of soap from trees or in large shrubs is one of the best-known ways to repel deer. Simply get ordinary bar soap, tie it to a string, hang it from a tree branch!
  • Adopting a Dog! – Many animals (like rabbits) are frightened by the scent of a dog. If they smell that a dog has been on your property they may be more likely to stay away. Just make sure you’re ready to make a lifelong commitment to love and care for your pooch, and make him/her part of your family!

As you can see, there are plenty of humane ways to stop animals from damaging your property. Did you like this article? Click an icon below to share it on Facebook, Twitter, and more!

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and animal lover. She just rescued a 1 year old German Shepard mix who was found wondering the streets of West Virginia this summer. She has a passion for the Internet, and loves how it connects people across the globe. She loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.

It's Hard To Say Goodbye To A Foster, But It's Worth It.

Recently my foster dog, Clooney, got adopted. He is the 36th foster pup we’ve had in our home, and each and every time it’s tough to send them off even though it’s right. Despite the tears, my family keeps fostering dogs in need because it’s just so rewarding. It’s an amazing way to give back, to help make a pet whole and ready for a home. It’s also a fun way to get to know so many quirky and silly personalities! So when Clooney’s wonderful people presented themselves the other day, I should have been thrilled. I should have been jumping for joy. I should have been ready to say goodbye and move on to the next dog I could help save and bring home. But to be honest, as happy as I am for him and his happily ever after, I just miss having him around.

Clooney is a special dog. Aren’t they all? He was an easy foster, made fast friends with my own pups, and made my husband and I laugh all day long. Being an eight-year-old, 60-pound Pit Bull mix, I guess I assumed it would be hard to find him a home and that he’d be staying with us for a long time. Which was fine by me! But sometimes the world surprises you. Sometimes karma seals her deals quickly. Sometimes you have to say goodbye too soon.

So I packed up his goody bag a few days ago and off he went smiling. I will miss sitting with Clooney on his big ol’ dog bed in the pitch black, petting him softly, feeling his gratitude, and knowing that his tail was wagging even though I couldn’t see it. I will miss feeling him press into me, relief surrounding us in the dark night, just so happy to lay together and be warm and close. I will miss the funny, weird nosies he makes when I bring out the leash for a walk, so shamelessly excited about it as if I’m as cool as The Rolling Stones (which I’m not!)

Clooney, you’re so gentle it’s heartbreaking. Clooney, you’re home for the holidays. Clooney, on our last night together we snuggled for the last time, and I cried because I had that sinking feeling. You were leaving. Clooney, it’s bittersweet to let you go, you silly goofball, you good boy, you sweet heart. Clooney, I’m the lucky one because I got to know you.

Tomorrow our next foster comes. I know I will adore him and that my heart will mend even though today it still feels achy because Clooney isn’t here anymore. I will shift focus onto the new pooch and once again connect, spend time with, and learn to love. Until it’s his turn to go, and the cycle repeats. I will continue to get updates on Clooney, celebrating his progress, and remaining thankful that he is now a cherished member of his very own family. And you can help in this way as well, you can help dogs like Clooney stay safe until their forever home is found. I’m here to tell you that even though I opened my house and heart to him, he helped me so much more by being truly kind and generous with his affection.

It is always a privilege to get to be a part of a rescue story. Tomorrow a new chapter begins, but Clooney’s place in my book will forever be there. Please consider becoming a foster parent for a homeless pet this holiday season, or make it a New Year’s Resolution. Together we can show all animals that they count, that they matter, that they have friends. I promise you will get as much as you give and more. Clooney, I will never forget you.

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Stray Dog: What to Do If You Find a Stray Dog

Found a stray dog in your neighborhood? Read more to learn how to help safely.

My friend Kate called me the other evening in a panic, screaming, “there is a small white Terrier mix running around my neighborhood!” Being an animal lover herself, when she saw this little fellow running around, Kate immediately parked and got out of her car to try and catch him. Probably scared from the chase, confused from the streets, and perhaps a tad shy, the pup ran away and hid. Kate was beside herself for not being able to catch him and she suffered a long, tearful, sleepless night even after I tried to calm her down on our phone call. The next day, she saw him again. She wasn’t sure what to do or how to catch this pooch, but she knew that chasing him again would only result in him running away.

A friend told me about a local animal rescuer with much experience capturing and helping stray dogs. We reached out to him and asked for guidance. Below is a list of tips for what to do if you see a wandering dog in your area. I hope this encourages you to try and help lost or abandoned pets as a life on the streets is not an ideal life for them. There are many dangers that stray animals face such as oncoming cars, predatory animals like coyotes, or living sick, starving or injured without any proper care. Please help to get them off the streets and into safety!

Tip 1: Call Animal Control. Please call your local animal shelter and let them know the exact location of the dog so that they can come pick him up as soon as possible. By calling the authorities, you can follow up and visit the dog at the shelter once he or she is caught without having to try and catch the dog yourself.

Tip 2: Bring friends. If Animal Control can’t catch the dog or you decide you want to try, it’s best to do this with other people. Please only move forward with attempting to capture a lost dog if you understand and accept the risk that you and your friends could get bitten. Strays are often scared or timid and might bite out of fear or perceived threat to defend themselves. Having people with you is often the best way to successfully trap a stray but make sure everyone understands the concerns. Also, having at least one other person is recommended for protecting yourself as there is safety in numbers for both animals and people! Try getting in touch with local animal rescuers or trappers who may have more experience and invaluable wisdom to share.

Tip 3: Contained space. If you are trying to help catch a dog off the street and understand the risks, an effective strategy may be to lure the dog to an area or yard with a fence/gate so that you can shut off escape routes. By corralling the pup to a contained area, you can better ensure that there aren’t any escape opportunities. Verify that the yard has high enough walls and that there are no holes anywhere! By combining minds and forces and working together as a team with those helping you, you can better prevent the dog from darting away. If you cannot find a contained area nearby, try luring or leading him into an alley or space with only one entrance and exit and have another person there with you to block it with an opened up box or baby gate. Another option is to set up a feeding station in your own yard if you can, even if it is not contained, and then you can use a humane dog trap once a stray has become used to eating in your yard. This could be a way to build trust and gradually meet the dog.

Tip 4: Use food. The most important thing is to have high-value food on hand such as pieces of hot dog, wet canned food, or some kind of meat or meat treats. Usually the smellier and mushier, the better. Using food is commonly the only way way to lure a stray to safety. Make sure to give the food in tiny crumbs. Ideally you can use the pieces to lead the dog into the chosen yard or contained space. Remember to keep the pieces small! If you give a whole hot dog at once the pooch will likely get satisfied and run off. The key is that the lack of satiation and increase in temptation will very gradually allow you to coax the pup closer. Please make sure the dog seems friendly. It is not recommended that you try to lure or get close to an unfriendly animal. You can always call your local animal shelter to come catch the dog by providing location and any detailed information about the animal (i.e. what the dog looks like, what time(s) you usually seem him, etc.)

Tip 5: Be calm and prepared. If you catch the dog in a contained area or yard, try sitting down on the ground so you are at level and not towering over. Do not rush over and leash him or get close to him right away. Sprinkle treats around yourself and leave some pieces in your hand with your palm open. Turn your head so that you’re not looking the dog in the eyes, but from the side of your eyes. Staring right at a dog can be interpreted as a sign of aggression in the canine world, especially if you’re a stranger! So look away to convey a sign of peace. Have the leash out and limp in front of you and let the dog approach, eat, and hopefully also visit the treats in your hand. Give him time to get used to your smell and to the situation, and very gradually and slowly try to get a leash around him. Avoid sudden, jerky movements but you will want to be swift. Just remember to stay calm while you move. If the pup bears teeth, growls, lunges or tries to bite, please contact your local Animal Control and stop trying to catch him yourself!

If you are successful at catching a stray dog yourself, please be cautious and careful since this isn’t a pet you know well! You’ll want to immediately check for a collar and tag if you’re able to safely touch him, but if the dog isn’t wearing one, please take him to a nearby veterinarian or animal shelter so that they can check for a microchip. Hopefully you’ll be able to locate the owner and rejoice in the reunion of a family!  If this pup is not microchipped or identified in any way and you are able to temporarily care for the stray dog until she/he can find a permanent home, try creating a profile on Rehome! It’s a safe and reliable way to find a forever home for the stray you found! Once you create a profile, the cat will be posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see!

As for Kate, she did end up catching that Terrier mix with the help of a few friends. His name is now Mikey, and he is loving life as part of her very own family! Lucky for him Kate not only spotted him but also did not give up until he was safe. Thank you for being the kind of person who doesn’t turn away when you see a lost animal roaming the streets. We appreciate your willingness to work with your local animal shelters, and how much you care about helping homeless pets!

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Top 5 Winter Hazards for Pets

Keep your pets safe this winter! Learn more about the Top 5 Winter Hazards for your pets here…. Rock salt, antifreeze and mistletoe – oh my!  The holiday season brings many pleasures to our four-legged friends: family gatherings, big meals, special trips, and in many areas some chilly white fluffy stuff to frolic in.  However, many pet owners don’t realize that when the temperatures drop, the unexpected risks for pets rise. So we’ve teamed with celebrity veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney, pet expert for PerezHilton.com’s TeddyHilton.com pet website, to uncover the Top Five Winter Hazards that can be life-threatening for pets!

Rock Salt:  If you live in a cold climate where winter brings snow and ice, then you’re familiar with our first hazard.  Rock salt, also called road salt, is sodium chloride mixed with other chemical additives and is used to keep sidewalks and roadways from being too slippery from ice.  While the mixture works well, it is very tough on our pets’ paws and can be extremely dangerous if ingested.  Other de-icing agents should also be avoided in areas where pets congregate.

Antifreeze:  Pets may be drawn to this popular engine coolant because it has a sweet taste, but this exceedingly toxic substance that contains ethylene glycol can be found anywhere vehicles drive or park, including streets, roadways, parking lots, or even your own driveway.  If ingested, this fluorescent green fluid can cause kidney failure or even death in pets, and since it’s used to control the freezing and boiling point of liquids, antifreeze is not exclusively a winter hazard, but also quite dangerous during the warmer months as well.

Heating Sources:  Pets may enjoy cozying up near the fireplace to bask in the warmth, but this activity is dangerous because of the exposure to flames and increased temperatures that can potentially burn their skin.  In addition, pet parents need to be extra cautious when exposing their furry friends to electric blankets and space heaters because these electrical items can become toxic or harmful.

Winter Plants:  Although they look pretty, many holiday plants can be poisonous to pets.  Mistletoe, Poinsettias, Holly and Christmas Cactus are all extremely toxic and can cause severe gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurologic effects if ingested.  Christmas trees are also hazardous because not only are the pine needles poisonous, but also because of the bacteria and fertilizer harbored in the water stands (which pets are known to drink).  Additionally, decorations such as tinsel can also be very noxious if consumed.

Festive Foods:  Meats and sweets are treats that pets beg for, but are serious no no’s when it comes to your pet’s health.  Turkey and other holiday meats are very high in protein, but if meats in their natural form are not a regular part of their diet, they can be hard to digest, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or inflammation of the pancreas.  Chocolate may be the best-known food danger for pets because it contains caffeine.  Dogs in particular do not metabolize these stimulants in their liver, and elevations in heart rate, blood pressure, or even seizures, coma, or death can occur.  Of course, all candy is high in sugar, which can cause digestive issues for all pets.
“During the holiday season, we want to ensure that everyone enjoys a fun and safe celebration, which includes taking a few extra precautions for your beloved pets,” remarked Dr. Patrick Mahaney.  “Just avoiding the hazardous elements that pose even a remote threat to your pets could make a huge difference in their health and wellness.”

Watch videos with celebrity veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney explaining winter hazards for pets at adoptapet.com/winterhazards.

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