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Here’s a story to brighten up your day! (You can email us yours at info@cms.adoptapet.com.) We just love hearing from happy adopters who have used Adopt-a-Pet.com to find their new furry friend, and here’s a great one that we received via email with some wonderful photos, from Pam: “Thank you for all your efforts in helping locate and English Bulldog. You connected me to Smash Face Rescue where I adopted a lovely English Bulldog. I not longer need your services. If not for you I would not be a bulldog momma now. Please remove me from your data base. He is a picture of Sadie. I have been on many sites for about a year and a half or more. Finally I saw Sadie and fell in love. I went to Smash Face Rescue in Van Nuys and they let me take her home. I have been to a vet because she has skin problems. I got an easy lead harness as recommended by the vet and I am crate training this adult dog to be housebroken. I am really lucky. I waited so long. Now tomorrow I go into the hospital for a total hip replacement and my boyfriend promised to keep up the training. My roommate Robin will babysit Sadie and Elvis, the Pug who belongs to my boyfriend. Oh yes and Daphney the Siamese cat. We are one happy family and I am so pleased I got my wish. Here’s hoping that the housebreaking won’t take too long. I have had English Bulldogs and have done the crate training method on my last puppy. I don’t see why it would be any different for an adult dog. Sadie gets lots of attention and we love her. Here are a few pictures. Sorry I haven’t had time to pose for one with her. Too much prep for the surgery. Sincerely, Pam”

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You might know that chinchillas are rabbit-like animals with small bodies and soft fur. What you might not know, however, is that chinchillas are sadly abandoned by their owners, too, and many are homeless just like cats and dogs are. With the increase in foreclosures, all animals were effected. This means that there are many adorable chinchillas up for adoption through rescue groups or local shelters. You can even search right here for a chinchilla to adopt near you!

Unfortunately, it’s the same excuses when it comes to surrendering any animal, and these little friends are no exception. Often people don’t know what they’re getting into when they get a chinchilla in the first place. Through awareness and education, hopefully people can learn more about these special pets and be better prepared to commit to their lifetime before bringing one home. We just want to remind people that there are plenty of chinchillas out there to adopt when they’re ready! For more information and facts about chinchillas, click here.

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Got fosters? If you open your heart and home to pets in need, then you know that one of the biggest factors to consider is how well a foster pet will get along with other pets you may already have in your house. It is always best to do slow, gradual, and supervised introductions between animals who are strangers to one another. Over time relationships (and hopefully bonds) will develop between them, allowing you to let everyone interact freely.  Watch our latest video where Turbo the foster kitten gets introduced to other kitties in his foster home’s safely enclosed catio for the very first time! It’s a great example of how a proper cat introduction can happen by following the Six Cat Introduction Steps we describe here.

It’s exciting to be a part of a foster pet’s progress, to witness them thriving and blooming with a little love! Many rescue groups count on fosters in order to save animals. If you are already a foster parent, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! If you’re interested in becoming a foster family, just click here and fill out a volunteer profile. We will help match you up with a shelter or rescue group near you where you can start to get involved. There are so many homeless kittens out there just like Turbo looking for a loving foster or forever home! Can you help?

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Just picture it: you’re walking down the street, smiling at all the people and dogs passing by. Suddenly, you see a cat. Not a stray cat. Not a roaming kitty. But a feline wearing a harness, on a leash, proud owner behind him. Leash training your cat to walk outside on a leash and harness has become more and more popular in recent years.

We do NOT recommend leash training your cat to walk on a leash outside. Ever.

What changed our opinion: While some pet owners and cats accomplish training their cat to walk on leash and tell happy adventure stories, sadly we heard story after story of cats who lost their lives because of being outside on a harness and leash. Some panicked and escaped the harness. Others had owners who didn’t realize walking their cat on leash out the door (like a dog) would teach their cat to dash out the door when not leashed too. Some cats were attacked while on leash by a dog walking by. The end result was tragically the same: Cats killed or horrifically injured by a car or dog, or lost forever. Because of the high risk vs. reward, we do not recommend training your cat to walk on leash. There are safer equally as enriching safe alternatives, see below, so WHY TAKE THE RISK.

Safe alternatives to walking a cat on leash outside:

1. Catios don’t have to be large or expensive to give your cat all the stimulation that being “outside” to watch the birds and bugs go by. See how we built a catio here and watch our video tour.

2. Cat playpen or cage: Giving your cat a safe place to enjoy the outside can be as simple as a cat playpen like these, or even just a big wire dog crate that you train your cat to go in to safely inside your home, and carry or wheel him in to your yard, balcony, or patio.

3. Window perches: These are a great way to give your cat a bird’s eye view of the world outside!

4. Cat trees or your furniture in front of windows: Giving your cat a comfy spot to sit and watch “cat TV” go by outside can be all that it takes to safely enrich your indoor cat’s life.

Nothing puts big smiles on our faces like hearing from happy adopters who have used Adopt-a-Pet.com to find their new furry friend! (You can email us yours at info@cms.adoptapet.com.) Here’s an email we received with a great photo from Sandy: “Dear Adopt-a-Pet.com, Thanks to your organization, I have found a wonderful little female to adopt.  I have had her two weeks and am in love. I signed up with Adoptapet.com quite a few months ago.  I was looking for a younger female shih-tzu as my male was 11 years old and was getting anxious when it stormed or when I left him alone.  I was hoping for a companion for him and a pet for me to have for a long time. Each female that I received notice on had been rescued from a breeding facility and I was afraid housebreaking would be an issue as I have another dog.  Three weeks ago I got a notice with a picture of a beautiful little face and a story that touched my heart.  It seems Lucy was found as a stray wet and dirty in Bowling Green Kentucky.  An emergency call was placed the the shelter picked her up. She was born with a deformed left front leg that has two feet on it.   It was a kill shelter and Buffalo Pugs and small breeds found out about her and arranged for the shelter to immunize, micro chip and send her to Rochester, New York.  From there Lucy went to a foster home in Jamestown after a caravan of cars moved her from Rochester.  I applied to adopt her and when accepted she came for a “home” visit with me and my male Shih-tzu,  It was love at first sight for me and her.  My male dog was a little shy, but has warmed quickly.  They go out and do their business together and, for the most part, get along well.  Lucy still acts like a puppy and there are times when I take her out for a run (she does it very well) to give my older dog a break from the action.  Everyone that has met her has fallen in love.  I feel so fortunate that I found her and have a life long love in this sweet little lady.”

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In an art exhibit in Taoyuan, located in northern Taiwan, a Taiwanese photographer named Tou Chih-kang hangs his portraits on the walls.  But he is not like other artists because Chih-kang is also a hero for animals. Visiting Taiwanese animal shelters for over two years now, he has been taking more conventional and formal style pictures of shelter dogs as if he were snapping human portraits. Hoping to capture their distinct personalities and create a sense of dignity for these discarded beings, some think that Chih-kang’s pictures make the dogs themselves look almost like people.

His beautiful, soulful canine photographs celebrate their lives. Lives which unfortunately ended all too early. By using art to affect change, Chih-kang hopes to educate the public on proper pet care. He also wishes to shed light on the thousands of shelter dogs Taiwanese authorities put to sleep each year, which is estimated to be approximately 80,000 stray dogs. For more on Chih-kang’s story, and to leave a comment thanking him for helping encourage his country to take animals more seriously, click here.

We at Adopt-a-Pet.com wish to give thanks to all the heroes out there helping animals. Through Chih-kang’s dedication and artwork, he proves that no matter where you live or how you choose to make a difference, we can all be a part of saving lives. Did you like this article? Click an icon below to share it on Facebook, Twitter, and more!

In August of 2001, Sarah Sypniewski joined an AmeriCorps program called the National Rapid Response Corps. She was assigned to serve in a Los Angeles service center of the American Red Cross, expected to be teaching CPR and First Aid as well as assisting families recovering from any local or national disasters. What Sarah and the others could never have expected was that only one month later September 11th would happen. And it would change the world. Being a brave woman, Sarah stepped forward to join the many heroes of our country and accepted a new role as caseworker for the hundreds of people who had lost everything in 9/11. Her new responsibilities were to listen to their stories, assess their loss, and provide assistance. She kept it together, she provided aid, and she stayed strong for the individuals she was there to help. But when the many therapy dogs came to offer unconditional love, tender kisses, and sweet companionship, Sarah began to feel. Even though she will be the first to tell you she was not a victim of 9/11, even though she may still feel like she didn’t deserve to grieve, one thing is for certain: she was there to help others. And in doing so she opened her heart to the plight of this great tragedy. The therapy dogs of 9/11 made it possible for Sarah to support others because they healed her own broken heart, because they helped her deal with the weight of all those feelings and fears surrounding her.

Below is a poem that Sarah wrote about her experience. We’re so grateful she chose to share it with us, and that her generous spirit was able to give during a time of so much loss. On this day, we wish to honor the people and animals who helped heal our nation, who offered strength and kindness when it was needed most. We wish to remember the victims of 9/11 with tremendous respect and honor. We hope we can all continue to come together, humans and animals, to live a more compassionate existence.

Paws Amidst Pain 

by Sarah Sypniewski, November 2001

Dedicated to the therapy dogs at Pier 94 in NYC who worked so hard responding to the human mess of 9/11, particularly to my special friend, Wusel. Thank you, dogs and humans for your undying love.

The hours upon hours you pad through these paths of pain
are the hours you help us see the light through the pouring rain.
You never falter, never fail, and always call to mind
the joy and inspiration that’s sometimes hard to find.

As we muddle through the wreckage that’s half hope and half despair,
you stand by like an anchor, tail wagging in the air.
With every touch, you heal us–from fur to human heart.
Solace in each stroke, you prevent our falling apart.

You never complain and though you cry, you do not show your tears–
you swallow them back, hold your post, and calm so many fears.
Your spirit penetrates our beings right into our souls.
You let us touch and talk to you as we try to fill the holes.

There are times we want to just give up and head back to our homes
and there you are with pricked up ears and then we’re not alone.
You sigh, surrender, and knowingly roll onto your back:
“Here’s my tummy – you can have it…just give me a snack.”

You do so much for us that we just can’t do ourselves.
You specialize in soulspeak that never ceases to delve
straight into the place we do not talk about–
you let us cry and let us laugh and get all of it out.

So before I go, I want to say I hope you know the truth:
You saved me every single day, I survived because of you.

Photo by: Kim Rodgers, Bark Pet Photography

Cocktail Reception with Live Auction on September 22 at AFA Soho in NYC

WHAT:

Adopt-a-Pet.com is pleased to be the beneficiary of “AWAKENED,” a unique art exhibit and fundraising event presented by AFA and Sloan Fine Art.  This special 10-day exhibition has challenged over 60 artists to create powerful works of art inspired by the powerful impact that pet companions have on human lives.

WHO:

Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption charity that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free.  Every month, Adopt-a-Pet.com displays photos and descriptions of adoptable pets to over 2 million people looking to adopt a pet.

Alix Sloan, Founder/Director of Sloan Fine Art Gallery in NYC, is a curator, gallerist and writer with over 20 years experience in the arts, and has just completed her first novel, “Pet Sitter: A Jenna Stack Mystery,” a labor of love co-authored with writer Amy Eyrie.  AFA owners Heidi Leigh and Nick Leone have generously loaned their 4,000 sq. foot gallery to this exhibition.

WHERE:

AFA is located at 54 Broome Street, NY 10002

WHEN:

Artists Reception: Saturday, September 22 from 5-8 PM

Exhibition runs September 20 – 29, 2012

ABOUT:

A portion of the proceeds from every sale will be donated to Adopt-a-Pet.com in support of their mission to help find loving homes for homeless pets.  The exhibition is highlighted by a cocktail reception and live auction of rare prints including an exclusive ADOPT print signed by Shepard Fairey. Participating artists include Tim Burton, Tom Everhart, Theodor Geisel, and Maurice Sendak, among many others.  Original artwork will be for sale during the exhibit and exclusive prints will be available at the live auction.  More information on the exhibit and a detailed list of artists can be found at the AWAKENED website.

Gallery space is limited so please RSVP to attend artist reception. 

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:

The live auction will be led by Dr. Pia Salk, Adopt-a-Pet.com spokesperson, celebrity pet advocate and psychologist.  Interviews with Pia are available upon request.

CONTACT:

Sue Cornick, Coterie Media, 310-995-1074; sue@coteriemedia.com

Nikki Pesusich, Coterie Media, 818-788-7650; nikki@coteriemedia.com

Through our partnership with PeoplePets.com we’re working to raise more awareness for the thousands of animals up for adoption. Each month, they highlight an Adopt-a-Pet.com adoptable sweetheart who is looking for a home. This month, it’s Yancey, a loving and lovable Beagle boy!  Although Hokie’s Hounds rescue had no room at the time, when they saw this three-year old hound dog, full of playfulness and wiggly excitement, they knew they just had to save him. Yancey was spared hours before euthanasia, and he is one grateful pup for it! Having not been properly cared for before coming into the shelter system, his dew claws had grown so long from neglect that they had circled back into his paws. But now he is living the high-life in his foster home, playing with other pooches, up to date on shots, neutered, and happy!  He is up for adoption in Prairieville, Louisiana and waiting for his forever family to find him. He deserves to be cherished once and for all, and he’ll be your devoted companion in return! To learn more about adopting Yancey, click here.

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Have you been thinking of building your very own cat catio?  In case you aren’t familiar with the term “catio,” it refers to an enclosed outdoor area designed especially for cats!  Unfortunately, cats who roam free outside generally have more health issues and shorter lifespans than cats who remain indoors.  It’s important to keep your felines away from the many dangers they would face on the streets. A catio is a great solution as it gives kitties the semblance of being outdoors while providing them with a fully protected sunshine environment.  This way your feline can enjoy the comfort and safety of inside life yet still bask in the fresh air!

People from all over the world have constructed catios for their furry friends, including our very own Director of Shelter Outreach, Jennifer Warner Jacobsen!  Varying in size, shape, and layout, you can really get creative when it comes to building your own catio.  Just remember the most important part is to make certain that your kitties will remain safe and secure while frolicking in there!  Click here to watch a video tour of Jennifer’s catio which is sure to give you great ideas and inspiration when it comes to constructing your own.  You can also see a catio photo tour here. Hint hint, catios can be especially useful when it comes to fostering cats from a local shelter or rescue group!

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