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Why Is My Dog Barking At The Wall?

Your dog may be barking at the wall because he hears animals or pests scurrying about or because he is experiencing cognitive dysfunction. The latter is more likely to occur when the dog is older. If he only focuses on one area of the wall, pests are more likely the cause while those with a medical problem typically stare and growl at various places on the wall.

So It’s Not Ghosts? 

The internet is fun. It’s given us dancing babies, social media, and information about how to tell if your dog barking at the wall is due to paranormal activity he’s sensing. The truth is that it’s much more likely that he hears mice or other animals or that he has a medical condition. Here’s what you need to do if you dog is barking at the wall:

Set Up An Appointment With The Vet

Anytime your pet exhibits strange behavior, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment just to rule out any medical concerns.

Call The Pest Control Company

If your pet is barking because some uninvited guests have taken up residence in your walls, the behavior will cease soon after they are removed. Call a humane pest control company that will safely relocate your visitors.

Another possible reason your dog may bark at the wall, especially if he’s never done it before, is because he senses an outside threat. Whatever the cause, it’s important not to ignore unusual behavior in your pet. Whether he’s trying to warn you, detects pests, or is suffering from a medical condition, it’s vital to address the underlying cause of barking at the wall. 

Should You Feed A Stray Cat?

Before you feed a stray cat, you should check with your neighbors that the cat does not belong to them. Some cats are allowed to wander outside at their leisure and though they are fed, they will still beg for more. If the cat does not belong to your neighbors and does not seem scared of humans, the cat may be lost. You can feed the cats if you have the means to do so and it is legal in your area. You should also refer to our lost pet guide on the next steps.

Know The Laws In Your Area 

It is illegal to feed stray or feral cats (cats who have lived their entire life outdoors and do not tolerate human interaction) in some locations, so it’s important to know the laws in your area. It’s also important to know that many communities have groups of animal lovers advocating against such laws—and they have been successful in several places.

Talk With Members Of A Local TNR Group

If you notice a cat or multiple cats that are extremely scared of humans, it is likely a feral cat. Find a local group of feral cat advocates who will be happy to give you advice specific to your area. They will know if it is legal to feed these cats and whether or not it will be helpful for them. They’ll likely also encourage you to get the cat or cats TNR’d (trapped/neutered/released), which is another great kindness to these cats. 

How Long Does It Take an Australian Cattle Dog to Get Used to a New Home?

The amount of time that it takes for an Australian cattle dog to get used to a new home can vary based on a range of different factors. Australian cattle dogs are known to become attached to their owners, and they may have separation anxiety. As long as the dog feels safe and cared for, and they have owners who understand and accommodate their needs, they should start to acclimate within a week or so. However, it can sometimes take longer.

Understanding some of the factors that affect the adjustment period and taking steps to make the transition to a new home easier will help to speed up the process. Below, we will be looking at these factors and what you can do to make the dog feel safe and welcome.

The Age of the Dog 

The age of the dog could be a factor when determining how long it will take them to get used to a new home. Puppies and younger dogs tend to have an easier time adapting than older dogs in many cases. Older dogs might feel a bit skittish at first, but as long as they are treated well and their needs are met, they will adjust relatively quickly. With older dogs, it tends to be a good idea to continue calling them by the name their previous owner gave them. This is what they are accustomed to.

Making the Dog Feel Welcome and Part of the Family

Those who are adopting the dog should make sure that they learn as much as possible about the personality of the dog. Knowing the likes and dislikes of the dog when they come to the home for the first time helps to ensure they feel more at home. Make sure that they are on a good schedule for their walks, playtime, and bathroom time. Give them time to adjust and love and encouragement along the way.

Be Sure to Choose the Right Dog and the Right Home

If you are going to be adopting an Australian cattle dog, or if you are an owner who needs to put their dog up for adoption, considering using Rehome. This is a platform from Adopt-a-Pet that helps to make it easier to find the right homes for the dog. Owners who have pets they need to put up for adoption can add photos, videos, and information about their dog’s personality and temperament.

This information is highly valuable to those who are considering adoption. It can help them to determine whether they are getting the right Australian cattle dog for their home. The information also lets them create an environment that will be comfortable for the dog when it arrives.

Australian cattle dogs tend to be an energetic and loving breed. Some might adjust to their new life almost immediately. Others will be nervous, and it will take more time for them to become comfortable. Don’t pressure the dog. They will adjust in their own time and become a loving member of your family. 

Does PetSmart Take Cats?

PetSmart does not take cats, though you are allowed to bring your cat into the store if you are shopping. If you attempt to surrender a cat at a PetSmart location, you will be turned away and given other options.

What About All the Cats I See For Adoption In Store?

The adoptable cats you see in some PetSmart locations are available through a specific organization that has a partnership with PetSmart. These cats are brought in daily so that they can gain more exposure and hopefully more potential to be adopted. Each of these cats undergoes a health and behavior evaluation with the organization they are available through to make sure that they are good with other cats and ready to be adopted to a new home. Adding a new cat to the mix can potentially cause extra stress for the cats and therefore, the cat you would like to surrender would not be allowed to stay with these cats.

What Options Do I Have For a Cat I Can’t Keep?  

There are some great options to help you find a new home for a cat you can’t keep. It’s best to try to find the cat a new family to live with rather than bringing them to a shelter. Shelters can be very stressful for any animal, so finding a new home for your cat yourself will help make the transition easier on him. Here are the steps you can take to find your cat a new, loving home:

Start With Friends and Family  

Talk to the people that you are closest with and see if they can adopt your cat. You can post pictures and a description of your cat on your social media channels to cast a wider net as well. If your cat can live with someone you already know, it will give you peace of mind and allow you to remain in contact with the owner.

Create An Account On Rehome  

If your friends and family are unable to help give your cat a new home, you can turn to another online resource called Rehome. This no-cost program is easy to use and gets your pet posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com. Once your pet is posted, millions of potential adopters will be able to view him, giving you the best chance of finding a great new family!  

All you need to get started is a clear, bright photo or two of your cat and some basic information about their behavior and medical history. Then you’ll be able to create your account and craft a bio about your cat to give potential adopters more details.  

Where Can I Put a Husky Up for Adoption?

You can put your husky up for adoption online and through local facilities if you are no longer able to keep your dog. Many people find that they can’t keep their dog for one reason or another. It might be financial, or it could be because they have to move to a location that does not allow pets. If you have to give up your husky, it’s time to look at the adoption options that are available for your pet.

Beware of Listing Your Pet in Online Classifieds

Some people list their pets online when they can no longer take care of them. There are good options for online listings, but there are plenty of bad options, as well. Online classified sites are not a good idea for rehoming a pet because you will not know anything about the person who wants to take your husky. They might not have the financial means or the space to care for the dog properly, for example. This could end up putting your dog in a bad or even dangerous situation.

Friends and Family Could Be a Good Option

One of the top options for putting your husky up for adoption is to talk with friends and family. They have been looking for a dog, or they may know someone who is looking to adopt a dog. This can ensure that your dog is going to the right new owner. You will have a better idea of whether the new owner can take care of the dog financially and if they can give the dog the space and exercise that is needed.

Placing the Dog in a Shelter

Many people are reticent to take their pets to a shelter. They worry that the dog will not be properly cared for. However, most shelters strive to take care of the animal as best they can with the resources they have. This could be an option to consider if you do not know anyone who can take the Siberian Husky, but other options could work far better.

Consider a Siberian Husky Rescue

Another option is to find a rescue that specializes in huskies. Siberian Husky rescues could be an ideal solution. These facilities will know how to give the dog proper care. Additionally, adopters come to these facilities knowing that they want to adopt a husky. While adoption is not guaranteed, it is improved.

Consider Using Rehome for Your Husky

One of the best options available today is to use Rehome from Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is a peer-to-peer platform that helps to connect adopters with owners who need to give up their pets. Owners can create a profile for their husky, write up a bio, and add photos and videos. You can even upload medical records, which can then be sent to the new owner after adoption.

This provides a safe way to ensure that your dog will be going to a new owner who will love and care for it as much as you have.

Can You All Of A Sudden Become Allergic To Cats?

It is possible to all of a sudden become allergic to cats. Various types of allergies, including allergies to cats, can develop at any time throughout your life. The good news is that, in most cases, you and your doctor will be able to come up with treatment options that allow you to continue living with your cats without dealing with constant discomfort.

How Do I Know I’m Allergic? 

Symptoms of cat allergies include:

  • Sneezing
  • Congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Itchy, red skin
  • Itchy, red eyes
  • Cough
  • Facial pressure 

And in the most severe cases:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Wheezing 

Of course these are the same symptoms you may have for many types of allergies, so don’t automatically assume the cat is to blame.

The best thing to do if you start to experience these or other symptoms is to make an appointment with an allergist. They will perform tests to definitively determine if you’re suffering from a cat allergy.

Do Cat Allergies Mean I Have To Rehome My Cat? 

In most cases, it will not. Many people who have pet allergies live with a cat…or multiple cats. Of course, that’s not a good idea for those with life-threatening symptoms, but such severe allergies are rare.

In most cases, you will be able to manage your symptoms with over-the-counter medicines or with prescription medications. You can also reduce exposure to dander by bathing your cat weekly, vacuuming daily with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, and installing an air filter on your HVAC system. Check out Tips to reduce allergies to pets for more information. 

Do You Have to Pay to Rehome an Australian Shepherd?

When you rehome an Australian Shepherd, whether you pay or not will depend on how you rehome them. If you’re going to be giving the animal to a rescue or a shelter and surrendering them, you’ll have to pay a fee. The amount of the fee will vary between different shelters and rescues.

Surrendering vs. Rehoming

You will want to contact the locations where you’re considering surrendering your pet to determine what the fees will be, along with any other information or paperwork that you might have to bring. Many people don’t realize that they have to pay when they surrender their dog like this, but the money helps to pay for the care of animals in the facility before they are adopted.

Of course, you also need to keep in mind that not all animals are adopted out of these shelters and rescues. Although shelters work hard to find new homes for pets, there is no guarantee of adoption. In some cases, they may need to euthanize the animals to make room for more coming into the facility. Rescues don’t euthanize, but there is still no guarantee of adoption.

When you give your dog to a shelter or a rescue, the hope is that he will be rehomed, but this is not always the case. True rehoming often requires some additional work on your part, but it does help to ensure that your beagle goes to a great home where they will be loved and cared for properly.

Rehoming Options

When you are rehoming, you shouldn’t have to pay a fee at all. Instead, those who are adopting the pet should pay a rehoming fee. There are a couple of reasons for this.

The rehoming fee, when you’re rehoming on your own, is to ensure that the adopter has a financial investment in the animal. This reduces the risk of letting someone who has bad intentions adopt your pet. When you are using a free platform like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com to help with rehoming your beagle, adopters will pay a small fee that goes to caring for other animals that need adoption.

You have a few ways that you can rehome your beagle. One of the first things you’ll want to try is talking with people that you know about adopting. Whether it’s someone you know from work, a family member, or a friend of the family, it can make it easier to screen the adopter. You will get a better sense of whether your beagle will be a good fit for their home or not.

Another option is to use Rehome, as mentioned earlier. This platform lets owners upload photos, videos, and a profile of their animal. Be forthright in the profile and let the potential adopters know if there are any behavior issues with your beagle or if they have any medical problems. This helps to ensure that you’re only finding the right people to adopt your dog. Rehome is easy to use, and it is a safe way to ensure your dog goes to a good home.

How Do I Give Up My Border Collie?

There are several ways that you can give up your border collie if you find that you can no longer keep her. No one likes the idea of needing to get rid of a dog they love and have cared for, but it happens. You might have a new family member coming into the house who is scared of dogs or allergic, for example. Maybe you have to move for work, and you’re going to a new home that doesn’t allow pets.

There is any number of reasons that you might have to give up your border collie. Naturally, you want to be sure that your dog goes to a good home. Below, you’ll find options that you can try.

Should You Consider Shelters and Rescues?

Many people will first think about the possibility of taking their dog to a shelter or a rescue. Shelters will require a surrender fee, and they’ll require that you make an appointment before you drop off your dog. The same is true with rescues. Additionally, not all of the dogs brought to these organizations will be adopted. Despite shelters trying their best, they do not have the resources or the space to keep all of the dogs indefinitely.

Why Rehoming is a Better Option

When you rehome your border collie, you’ll be sure that your beloved dog is going to a home where she will be loved. You could choose to have a family member, or a friend take her, or you could find someone online. If you’re giving up your border collie to a stranger, make sure that you rehome_research them first, and charge a rehoming fee. The rehoming fee helps to ensure that they have a financial stake in your dog and will not be adopting her for any ill intent.

To make things as easy as possible, consider using Rehome. This is a peer-to-peer platform that allows you to connect with people looking to adopt. You can check their application to ensure they will be a good fit for your dog.

What If You Can Keep Your Dog?

While there may be some cases where you have no choice except to give up your border collie, you should strive to ensure that this is your last choice. Take the time to think about why you have to give up your dog and see if there might be a solution.

If you don’t have time to walk your dog each day, or if you have been injured and can’t take care of the dog right now, look for a pet sitter or dog walker, for example. For those who have border collies with behavioral problems, consider getting a trainer or taking her to a training class. This can often alleviate the issue.

Maybe there is a way that you can keep your dog. Of course, we know that this is not always possible. If you can’t keep your dog, consider rehoming rather than shelters.

Can I Drop My Australian Shepherd Off at an Animal Shelter?

In most cases, you can’t simply drop your Australian Shepherd off at an animal shelter. They don’t take walk-ins. Instead, you will need to find a shelter in your area and then call them to set up an appointment. When you call and let them know that you want to surrender your dog, they’ll typically ask you several questions before setting up the appointment.

Today, most shelters understand that the best course of action is to get the owners to keep their pets. They try to work with the owners who may want to give up their animals to find alternatives. For example, they can suggest training programs, doggy daycare, and even financial resources that can help with many issues owners are experiencing. This helps pets to stay in the home, and it reduces the number of animals crowding the shelters.

Of course, it’s not always possible to keep your dog. In those cases, the shelter will set up an appointment for you to drop her off and fill out the paperwork. You need to realize that once you surrender your Australian Shepherd to the shelter, you are giving up your legal rights to your pet.

Is a Shelter the Right Choice?

Shelters try hard to do a good job taking care of the animals that come into their care. Yet, it’s not always possible. Often, the shelters are crowded, and dogs don’t have enough space. To make more room, shelters will have to euthanize some of the animals. Typically those that have been there over a certain amount of time are first on the list. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a reality you have to consider. Fortunately, there are other options to try first. The shelter should always be a last resort.

Other Options to Consider

You might want to try a local rescue instead of a shelter. Rescues will keep the animals until someone adopts them, which can give you some peace of mind. However, there is no guarantee that someone will adopt your Australian Shepherd. Additionally, rescues are often at capacity and will not have room to take on more animals.

Rather than a shelter or a rescue, you may want to consider seeing if someone in your group of friends or your family might be interested in adopting your dog. This is a good option because it means you may still be able to see her occasionally, and she may already know the people in their new home.

Another option that could work well is to rehome your dog using Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This platform lets owners post information about their pets in a profile, which can then be viewed by people looking to adopt. When people are interested in adopting your Australian Shepherd, they will fill out an adoption application, which you can review. This will make it easier for you to find the ideal person or family to adopt your dog. It’s safe and easy to use.

How Do You Get an ESA Letter for Housing?

To get an emotional support animal (ESA) letter for housing, you must ask your licensed therapist or other medical professional to write one for you.

Why You Need An ESA Letter 

While emotional support animals do not enjoy the same broad protections as service animals, there are two areas in which they are protected: housing and airline travel. Having a letter ensures that you’ll be able to meet the requirements to have no-pet policies waived and to find rental housing and bring your ESA on a plane with you.

Some landlords may not require the letter, but it’s better to have it just in case. For airline travel, all airlines require an ESA letter and some may even ask for vaccination records and other paperwork.

If a landlord refuses to rent to you once you’ve shown him your ESA letter, he is in violation of the law and you can file a complaint with HUD. Most rentals are included, but there are a couple of exceptions:

  • Single family homes rented out without the help of a realtor.
  • Buildings with four units or less in which the landlord lives in one. 

It is also of note that the landlord is not allowed to charge you a pet fee for your ESA even if other tenants are required to pay a pet deposit. You can, however, be charged for any damage caused by your ESA.

It shouldn’t be difficult to find a rental just because you have an emotional support animal, and the law is on your side. Know your rights, secure your letter, and you should have no problem finding the perfect rental.