Author: Guest Author

The loss of a pet is one of the most difficult situations a pet owner and animal lover will need to endure. Never is the comfort and constant companionship a pet provides more evident than when it is no longer there. When you lose a pet, you don’t just lose an animal; you lose your best friend. No matter how old or how sick your pet may have been, death shocks the senses. The feeling of grief may be overwhelming immediately following your friend’s death and may linger for months or longer. It takes time to recover emotionally from such a profound loss. Below are some tips for helping you cope after losing your best friend.

Photo credit: BrittneyBush via photopin cc

Give Yourself Time

People widely accept that the grief process is different for everyone when it comes to mourning the loss of a person, but grief-stricken pet owners are sometimes frowned upon. Well-meaning friends and family may ask insensitive questions like, “Are you over it yet?” Even with pets, the time a person grieves varies from one person to the next. For some, it may last for a couple of weeks. For others the grieving process can take months or longer. Don’t rush yourself. Instead, allow yourself to experience the natural sadness that comes with loss. It’s necessary for healing.

Don’t Go Through It Alone

For some pet owners, the loss of their beloved pet results in more than tears and sadness. It may be a serious interruption in your life, an overwhelming feeling that prevents you from getting on with your daily routine. If this is the case, don’t go through the grieving process alone. Seek comfort in talking to friends or family. If you don’t feel they’d understand how heartbroken you are, talk to a counselor instead. There are therapists who are trained in dealing with and recovering from the loss of a pet. A counselor may be able to introduce you to coping skills that can help you resume your normal routine.

Remember Your Friend

One of the best ways to combat the sadness you experience after a loss is to remember all the good times you had with your pet. Look through old photos of your pet as a puppy, kitten or whatever the case may be. Create a collage of some of your favorites. Some people find scrapbooking to be a great form of therapy, and it’s the perfect way to tell your pet’s story through words and pictures. If your pet enjoyed sitting under a particular tree for cooling down, place a little statue there in his memory. Donate to a charity or animal shelter in honor of your pet. There are so many ways to remember your loved one. Do something that is meaningful for you that represents the life and legacy of your friend.

Embrace New Friends

There will come a time when you’re ready to get another pet, and that time varies according to each individual. After my Lab mix died, I was heartbroken. I rescued him after he had been dropped off on a neighbor’s farm. Yet as much as I missed him, I knew that Max would rather me save another dog than sit around sad and lonely. So three months after Max passed, I rescued a Shepherd mutt. It doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten about Max. You never forget a pet. It simply shows that I enjoyed Max’s companionship so much, and I felt so good about providing him with a loving home, that I wanted to do that again. And I think Max would be very proud of me.

While some pet owners, like myself, find it healing to embrace a new relationship with a pet right away. Others prefer to wait until they’ve completely moved past their loss before getting another pet. Do what works for you, but there’s no better feeling than providing a safe, nurturing home for a pet in need of one.

Losing a pet creates feelings of grief that are very real. Don’t try to hide away your emotions; let yourself go through the grieving process.

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and animal lover. 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.

Dog parks are a wonderful thing. For those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have a fenced-in yard, dog parks are a great way for your pup to get the exercise he needs without being confined to a leash. They’re also great for making sure that your dog stays socialized with other dogs. However, as a frequent visitor of my local dog park, I’ve learned that there are a there are rules that all dog owners should follow when they decide to take their pooch to get some exercise. Here are a few simple, common courtesy rules that my family and I have learned, and abide by, when visiting the park. 

(Photo credit: spilltojill viaphotopin cc)

Bring Water to Share

Dog parks will often have water dishes for owners to fill up with water to ensure that their pet is staying hydrated while running around in the hot sun. It’s common courtesy to fill up a jug of water and bring it with you to the park. While your dog is off having fun, walk around to the water dishes in the park and make sure each of them is full of cold water for all of the dogs to enjoy.

Clean Up After Your Dog

 It may feel as though you don’t have to clean up after your dog when he’s at the park because it’s essentially public property, but it’s nice to follow the rules and do it anyway. Dog parks can get crowded, with both people and dogs, and no one wants to be stepping in a present left by your pup. Or worse, take their dog home, only to find out that he stepped in doo-doo at the park and now it’s all over the backseat of your car.

Monitor Your Dog

Yes, the dog park is your dog’s time to have fun and let loose with other furry friends, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be watching him or her to make sure he’s behaving correctly. Dogs are easily excited by new environments, new people, and new dogs, which may cause them to be a little more aggressive, or get a little too rough without realizing it.

Is the Dog Park the Right Fit for Your Dog?

Every dog deserves to get out of the house and run free every now and then, but if your dog is antisocial, the dog park may not be the best place for him. If your dog is snarling and growling at the gate before he enters the dog park, you may want to consider taking him home and returning to the park when it’s less crowded. The last thing you want is another dog owner calling their injury lawyer because your dog bit them.

If you follow these simple rules for dog park etiquette, you and your dog are guaranteed to have a great time at the dog park. Just remember to be considerate of the other owners and dogs using the park, keep a responsible eye on your dog, and make sure you consider your dog’s personality and whether or not the dog park would be a good fit for him or her.

Last but not least, look up the rules of your local dog park and make sure you’re following their rules as well. Happy playing!

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and animal lover. 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.

Bad pet breath is not just an unpleasant odor – it can be a sign of dental disease! Just like with people, your pet’s teeth wear down over time and periodontal disease and infections can set in. And just like with people, dental disease untreated can lead to more serious problems, including heart and kidney disease. But unlike with people, your pet can’t point to their mouth and say when they have a toothache. This is why it is so important to prevent problems before they occur and get regular vet checkups to spot problems if they exist. There are many special toys and treats designed to help keep your pet’s mouth clean, but on top of regular cleanings with your vet, you really should learn to brush your pet’s teeth. Our friends over at PetParents know this isn’t the easiest mission to accomplish with dogs and cats! They have a simple three-step process you can follow to get your pet used to teeth brushing (click that link) if they’re not so keen on the idea at first.

 

You can’t judge a book by its cover.  This phrase is embedded in all of us from an early age, yet as people grow up we often ignore this sound teaching.  But sometimes we get great reminders about how true it is… Early in April, Eldad from Hope For Paws received a call about a sick homeless dog that was in desperate need of medical attention. Her skin was raw, swollen, covered in scabs and she was missing most of her fur. Eldad asked if Bill Foundation could take this baby in and find her a home and Hope For Paws would pay for her all of her medical care. We needed less than a second to say “Yes” and right away, Eldad and I headed out to find this poor dog. When we arrived, we could see she was in even worse shape than we had imagined. Not only was she covered in severe mange, she was completely dehydrated and having a difficult time standing up because of how infected her body was.

 

 

The kind people who had found her and called Eldad said that she had recently been pregnant, but her body had aborted her pups… most likely because she was too sick maintain a pregnancy.

Bethany, as we have named her, cautiously welcomed our arrival and with the help of a few cheeseburgers and some chicken, she allowed us to rescue her.

All the way to the hospital Bethany insisted on being close to us, even though she must have been in excruciating pain. Without Eldad knowing, I was able to capture a very tender moment (seen above) during the car ride between the two of them. I don’t think any words are needed to describe the true beauty of the moment between rescuer and dog that is celebrated in this photo.

Bethany has quite the gentle and trusting spirit and she allowed us to bathe her and scrub off ALL of the infected areas. She didn’t fight us one bit, even through her pain. I truly believe that she knew we were there to help her.

Tests concluded that Bethany did indeed have severe mange and several internal bacteria infections,. Her condition was so bad that she had to remain on IV antibiotics for several weeks, followed by further injections given to her in her foster home for an additional two weeks.

Everyday, Bethany made remarkable progress and like a phoenix rising from the ashes, watching Bethany’s transformation has been an awe inspiring journey.

With the help of her amazing foster family, Bethany is now happy, healthy and awaiting a forever home. [Here’s her adoption listing on Adopt-a-Pet.com.]

Bethany’s rescue was made possible because of the of the incredible partnership between Hope For Paws and Bill Foundation. By combining our efforts, we have been able to provide her with all she needs to prepare for a happily ever after.

Bethany’s story reminds us all that sometimes books are damaged, or ill cared for, or simply show wear from their owner treating them poorly.  It does not mean that the pages within are not insightful, poignant and full of magic.  And these books, like an innocent life, should never be thrown away because they are not beautiful to the eye.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us celebrate this partnership. With your continued support, we will be able to save many more dogs like Bethany. Please share this video and story far and wide and help us help dogs.

Annie Hart, who authored this piece, is the Executive Director of Bill Foundation.  To inquire about adopting Bethany, please visit www.billfoundation.org. To donate to Hope for Paws, which funds rescues like Bethany’s, please visit www.hopeforpaws.org or visit www.giftforcause.com to purchase great gifts with proceeds benefiting their rescue work.

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We all want our dogs to be happy and healthy! However, providing the best care possible is an ongoing learning experience. One issue many dog owners have is figuring out just how much exercise their faithful companions need. Not only can lack of exercise cause dogs to experience health problems like obesity; it can also lead to behavioral issues like whining and destructive chewing. If you’re dealing with any of these issues with your dog, or want to avoid them, this article is for you! Pet owners may wonder, “Can my dog get too much exercise?” Yes, it is possible for a dog to get too much exercise. Smaller breeds and older dogs are the most susceptible groups. While there aren’t clear-cut guidelines about how much is too much since it varies from dog to dog, the easiest thing to do is pay attention to your dog’s behavior. [Editor’s note: Our vet tells us to know your dog’s fitness level, and let them set the pace. Avoid exercising in hot or humid weather. If they start panting excessively or suddenly seem drained, it’s time for a break. Cool down in the shade, offer them water to drink, pour tepid (not cold) water on their paws or if possibly hose their body. Watch out for signs of heatstroke: death occurs within minutes of the dog’s core temperature reaching 110°F. If you see signs of heatstroke, get them to a vet immediately to increase their chances of survival.] This is especially important for breeds that have flat or short noses.

In addition to those specific signs, there are a few other things to keep in mind.  For breeds like Great Danes, which have narrow bodies and deep chests, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise before or right after eating since it can lead to bloat, an often fatal condition. While younger dogs have a lot of energy, jogging generally isn’t the best option for them. Since their bones are still developing, this type of exercise can be quite hard on them. And because jogging can cause problems like hip dysplasia, the same is true for many large adult dogs. Lower impact exercise is better for these dogs.

So, How Much Exercise is Needed?

The basic range is between 30 minutes and two hours daily. Younger or larger dogs will generally fall on the higher end of this range. The same goes for intensity. While small and older dogs still need exercise, it’s best for them to stick with lower intensity options. Even when both activities are done for the same amount of time, there’s obviously a big difference between walking around the block and jogging up a steep path. And also obviously, start out slowly, increasing your pet’s fitness and exercise over days and weeks, just like you would a child or adult.

What Type of Exercise is Best?

Just like us, dogs benefit from variety. The best thing you can do for your favorite canine is to mix it up throughout the week. Keep in mind the previous guidelines we describe above. You might go to the park one day and then play with your dog in the yard the next day as you’re going through your organic lawn care routine. Also, don’t be afraid to try out different approaches. Since there’s no doubt that you know your dog quite well, you’ll be able to gauge how they react and feel about different types of exercise. It will also give you even more opportunities to have fun with your pooch!

Michelle Rebecca is an aspiring writer, blogger, and animal lover. She’s the new mom to a rescued German Shepard mix who she loves more than anything!  She loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.

What does your dog expect when you’re expecting? We’ve heard stories of dogs curling around pregnant bellies, stealing baby toys, and many other silly and wonderful stories from our pregnant friends and family about their dogs behavior when a human baby is on the way!  Our friends over at Bark Busters —the world’s largest dog training company—offers tips to help families ensure a smooth transition for their dog when bringing home a new baby. If you are expecting a baby and you have a dog, take time now to prepare your dog for the day you bring home your new child. “Dogs can feel rejected and become confused or stressed when parents suddenly shift their attention from dog to baby,” said Liam Crowe, CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA.  “A dog doesn’t understand why a baby is being elevated above the dog in the pack. In trying to regain his pack position, the dog may seek attention through behaviors such as barking at the baby’s cries, jumping up, or chewing on baby’s things.” Head on over th BarkBuster’s Tips to Help Prepare Your Dog for the Arrival of a New Baby for help reducing bad behavior, easing everyone’s stress, and help to keep baby safe.  

About Bark Busters:
Bark Busters, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, more than 500,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural methods. With 225+ franchised offices in 40 states and more than 400 offices in 10 countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral therapists to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers guaranteed lifetime support. SPCA International selected Bark Busters dog behavioral training services as the “Best of the Best” in its category. No other training company or dog trainer received such a distinction. To fetch a trainer in your area, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.BarkBusters.com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs’ behavior.

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By Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com. You’ve heard the rumors and myths surrounding rescue dogs, and they may have prevented you from adopting one of these furry fellows. We’re here to clear up some of the popular misconceptions and convince you why bringing home a rescue dog may be the right choice for you.

1. Dogs end up in a shelter because of behavior problems.
There are many reasons why a dog ends up at a shelter. Perhaps the owner died or moved somewhere that wouldn’t allow pets. It could have been a stray or born on the streets when it was found and brought in. Or perhaps the previous owner just didn’t have the time or patience to dedicate to a dog. Real behavioral issues usually make up a small portion of rescue dogs in a shelter, and these dogs are not put up for adoption.

2. There are no purebred dogs at the shelter.
Shelters have its share of mutts (and we have nothing again mutts – we love them to bits), but you’ll find that about a quarter of the rescue dogs are purebred. If you have your heart set on a purebred, you should try a breed-specific rescue group. There are plenty out there that focus on just one breed or type of dog. Just Google your favorite breed, along with the term “rescue group” and a location (city, state, province, country) and you’ll be treated to a list of breed-specific dog rescues close to you.

3. Rescue dogs are unhealthy and sick.
Again, another untruth. Dogs that are taken in by shelters are given a complete health exam by a veterinarian before being put up for adoption. If a dog does have any medical problems, you’ll be told about them upfront.

4. Abused rescue dogs don’t make good pets.
A dog that’s been abused has so much love to give. These dogs can make a full emotional recovery in the right home, as long as you provide the right care and attention. In fact, an abused dog is so happy to be rescued you’ll find that your new pooch is much more devoted and loyal to you and your family.

5. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
That’s the biggest misconception out there! Older rescue dogs in shelters will impress you with their ability to learn. Dogs are incredibly adaptable. All they need is some guidance, patience, love and leadership from you. Once they have that, prepare to be amazed with how fast your dog picks up new habits and tricks.

Author Bio
Amy Tokic is the Editor of PetGuide.com. With the help of her trusted sidekick, Oscar, PetGuide.com covers all the latest dog news, events, information and products that pet parents need to know about.

We’re kicking off 2013 with a resolution for the year. We’re promising to #ResolveToSolve pet homelessness, and we’re urging animal lovers everywhere to pledge to do the same.  If you have an extra 3 minutes, you can potentially save a homeless pet. If you have an hour, you can do even better! If you have an afternoon – well, you get the point.

Below are 50 ways YOU can help homeless pets right now. They range from easy things you can do in a couple of minutes using social media to hands-on volunteer opportunities that will have you working directly with the pets that need your help. Please use this list as a starting point to brainstorm more ways to help. You can start by telling people about #ResolveToSolve and encouraging them to help, too.

Tweet us your suggestions with the hashtag #ResolveToSolve or post on Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Facebook page with your ideas and progress.

1. Adopt a pet! It’s a no brainer.
2. If you are able to temporarily care for a homeless pet until they can find a permanent home, try creating a profile on Rehome for them! The pet will be posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see!
3. Sew, quilt, or crochet? Make blankets for your local animal shelter.
4. Hold a neighborhood pet food, blanket, or supply drive and ask neighbors to drop off donations.
5. Thank a shelter volunteer. A little appreciation goes a long way. Your “thank you” could be just the push someone needs to make volunteering a regular part of his or her life.
6. Foster a litter of puppies. Many pets newly entering shelters come in pregnant. Fostering a little pack gives you the opportunity to not only save one life, but a whole family. Plus, puppies are adorable!
7. Bottle feed newborn kittens. Newborn kittens need special care. Help them get the attention they deserve by volunteering for feeding times.
8. Clean kennels. It may the least glamorous way you can help homeless pets this year, but it is also one of the most needed. Keeping kennels clean and hygienic is one of the easiest ways to help keep pets healthy and adoptable.
9. Train local shelter pets. Been through puppy kindergarten and aced your final exam? Take your skills to your local animal shelter and give shelter dogs a crash course to get some skills to show off to potential adopters.
10. Walk Dogs. Shelter pets spend most if not all day inside just waiting for some special attention. Give local shelter pets some one-on-one time with a walk outside in the fresh air.
11. Work an adoption event. Weekend mornings everywhere are synonymous with adoption events in the rescue community. Donate a Saturday or Sunday morning each month to representing your favorite local group by introducing adoptable pets to potential new parents. If you’ve adopted, it is a great way to let people know how life-changing it is.
12. Crafty with your hands? Donate your carpentry skills to a local shelter or rescue to build catios, climbing posts, dog houses, and more.
13. Share an adoptable pet on Facebook.  Search on Adopt-a-Pet.com for a pet in your area. On Facebook, post that pet’s photo and a link to his or her profile page and encourage friends to check it out. Help that pet find a forever home!
14. Twitter a Critter. Conduct an Adopt-a-Pet.com pet search. Click the Tweet button on any pet profile and click send to automatically send out an alert to your followers about that pet along with the #TwitterACritter hash tag. Also, follow us on Twitter!
15. Bathe and groom shelter pets. When pets come in to shelters, they’re often dirty from wandering out there in the world all alone. Call your local shelter and offer to help the staff bathe intake pets so potential adopters can see their true beauty.
16. Pet cats and dogs at your shelter. Homeless pets often find it challenging to be in good spirits when they don’t understand where they are or what tomorrow brings. You can soothe the worries these pets understandably feel by giving them some gentle love and affection.
17. Tell your local rescue or shelter about Adopt-a-Pet.com. Believe it or not, there are some awesome groups out there that still don’t know about our free service. Write, call, email, or print and hand deliver one of our flyers to them to let know how listing on Adopt-a-Pet.com is an easy and free way to help the pets in their care find forever homes.
18. Amateur (or professional!) photographer? One of the top reasons pets are skipped over by potential adopters is bad photography. Volunteer to visit your local shelter to take flattering photos of available pets.
19. Donate. Ask any animal rescuer and they will tell you – every dollar counts. Consider skipping your next latte and, instead, donating $5 or $10 to your local animal shelter or rescue group.
20. Teach your child. Caring for animals and responsible pet ownership starts early. Visit your child’s class and make a presentation to them about pet adoption.
21. Paint the shelter. A coat of paint can give your local shelter a fresh look and brighten the moods of the animals and the shelter staff. Consider calling your local shelter and donating an afternoon and a few cans of paint for a good cause.
22. Admin for an afternoon. Animal shelters are often short staffed. Volunteer to answer phones or help with paperwork so shelters can stay organized and help more homeless pets find homes.
23. Long-Distance Transport. Sometimes the only barrier between a homeless pet and love is distance. You can help by volunteering to transport a shelter pet for one leg of a long-distance journey to an adopter.
24. Short-Distance Transport. Lend a hand to your favorite rescue group by providing transportation for newly rescued pets to the vet or to adoption events.
25. Share Adopt-a-Pet.com Facebook posts. With 850 million people using the social network, Facebook is one of the top ways people receive and share information. “Like” us on Facebook and help us spread the word about pet adoption by sharing some of our posts.
26. Spay or neuter your pet. Solving the problem of pet overpopulation begins at home. Be sure your pets are spayed or neutered to ensure you are not contributing to the issue.
27. Educate others. The first step to making a change is understanding what we can do and why we should do it. Take a few minutes to educate others about the importance of spaying and neutering and help them locate resources on the topic if needed.
28. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) feral cats. One of the biggest obstacles in controlling pet overpopulation is the birth of litters of kittens who roam free without a home. By trapping, neutering, and then returning feral cats to their native environment you are helping ensure additional cats aren’t born into homelessness.
29. Donate gently used collars and leashes. Many of us have old collars and leashes laying around that our pets have outgrown. Gathering these gently used items and donating them to a local shelter or rescue helps the group save funds that can be allocated toward helping the pets in other ways.
30. Donate cat toys. Shelter cats need more than just food in their bellies and a roof over their heads. They need activity and play to stay happy and healthy. Consider picking up some toys to deliver to your local shelter.
31. Throw a DIY scratching post party. Invite your feline loving friends over for a fun night of making scratching posts for cats. Encourage everyone to make one for themselves and one for a local shelter. Throw in some snacks and cocktails and make an evening of it!
32. Support pet-friendly businesses. Whether it is the café down the street that invites guests and their dogs to enjoy their outdoor patio or the apartment management company that opens the door for responsible pet owners, patronize businesses that align with your values. It is one easy way to encourage pet-friendly policies.
33. Lead by example. Be a model for responsible pet ownership by training your own pet to be a good canine or feline citizen and show those who are apprehensive how great pet ownership is.
34. Hold a tag sale.  With spring cleaning right around the corner, organize a yard sale and donate the proceeds to your local animal shelter or rescue.
35. Build fences and dog houses.  It breaks our hearts to see dogs chained up and living their lives in a back yard. Help brighten these dogs’ lives and help them avoid the shelter by lending a hand to build fences and dog houses for them.
36. Join the Adopt-a-Pet.com volunteer database. Sign up on Adopt-a-Pet.com as a volunteer and you’ll automatically be matched with shelters and rescues near you that need your help.
37. Fundraise with a bake sale. Work with your neighborhood school or your child’s PTO to organize a bake sale to benefit homeless pets in your community. This is a great way to educate children on the topic, create community buzz around available pets, and help provide funding to the animal organizations that need it most.
38. Have a website or blog? Visit our search tools section and add an Adopt-a-Pet.com search banner to your site to give your audience the chance to connect with adoptable pets near them.  If your website is a business site, this also shows your customers you care about a cause they may care about, too.
39. Reach out to your favorite blogs and websites ask them to post a pet search widget in the sidebar of their sites. Adopt-a-Pet.com search widgets are customizable so webmasters can easily create a search box that works perfectly with their site. Search tools can be found here.
40. Talk to your employer about setting up a collection jar for a local animal shelter or rescue and ask them to consider matching employee donations. This is also a great way to foster team spirit and give employees a good feeling about the company they work for!
41. Create a wish list scavenger hunt. Contact your local shelter or rescue and ask for a wish list of items they currently need. Organize your family or friends into small teams to see who can collect all of the items first.
42. Contact your local grocer or pet supply store and ask if they would be willing to donate ripped bags of pet food which you can then collect monthly to deliver to shelters in the area.
43. Ask your local retirement community or church group if they would be willing to sew pet beds out of donated blankets and towels to donate to shelters.
44. Call your local shelter and ask if you can bake dog cookies and deliver them.
45. Find a low-cost spay neuter program near you and distribute their flyers in low-income neighborhoods. Often, folks simply aren’t aware of programs that can help them.
46. Call local radio stations and ask if they can mention area adoption events on-air to help publicize them to potential adopters. Or contact your local news affiliate and inquire about starting a weekly segment featuring an adoptable pet.
47. Foster. Help shelters and rescues make room for new pets by inviting a homeless cat or dog to stay with you for a few days or weeks and help them get adopted.
48. Give the gift of adoption. When giving gifts to those considering acquiring a pet, help them choose adoption by purchasing an adoption gift certificate to your local shelter. When they are ready to make the leap, they can pick whichever pet they most connect to.
49. Sponsor a local youth sports team in the name of your favorite animal rescue. This will help draw attention to the idea of adoption to families that may be considering bringing a pet into their home.
50. Host a fundraiser. Partner with a local restaurant to plan and host a fundraiser for a local animal non-profit.

 

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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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.