Tag: First Batch

What Do You Do With An Abandoned Cat?

There are a few options of what you can do with an abandoned cat including adopting him (after speaking with animal control), finding him a new home, or surrendering him to a shelter or rescue. Before doing any of those things, you’ll want to make sure the cat is really abandoned. It could be a feral cat or it could be someone’s lost pet.

Cats On The Street: Abandoned, Feral, Or Lost? 

It would certainly make things easier if a cat you found could tell you their story. Instead, you have to piece it together using clues from the cat’s condition and behavior.

Feral Cats 

Feral cats are those who were born outside and are usually part of a colony. Most of these cats will not make suitable house pets as they have not been socialized and are afraid of people.

There are exceptions to this, but socializing them is a long process, and some cats will never be comfortable around people no matter how much time goes by. While feral cats will not make good house pets, they can be used as mousers in a barn-home-type arrangement.

Clues that you’re dealing with a feral cat include:

  • The cat runs when approached.
  • The cat will not meow or purr.
  • You may see the cat in the same place at the same time each day.

Lost Pet 

When a house cat escapes his home, it’s possible for him to become disoriented and have trouble finding his way back home. A lost cat will typically be socialized and may approach people for pets or food.

If you find a social cat, bring him to a vet or shelter to see if he has a microchip. You can also check community pages like NextDoor or local Facebook lost pet pages to see if any listed cats match the one you’ve found.

You should also notify animal control if you think the cat is a lost pet, as that’s the first place many pet owners look for a lost cat.

NOTE: In some locations, animal control will require that you hand the cat over to them. If this is the case where you live, and you worry for the cat’s safety, make it very clear that you’ll take the cat if his home isn’t found.

Abandoned Cat 

Many times, abandoned cats are identified by neighbors who know the family moved and left the cat behind. Abandoned cats will often be social, may be hungry (they don’t know how to fend for themselves), and hang around the place where they were abandoned waiting for their family to return.

Once you know that the cat is not feral and no pet owners have been located, you’ll have to decide what to do with the cat. Your options are:

  • Keep Him: Thanks for being the cat’s hero and congratulations on your new family member!
  • Surrender Him: You can leave the cat at an animal shelter and the staff will do all they can to get him adopted. However, the reality is that many shelters have high euthanasia rates—especially for cats. Be sure to do some rehome_research before surrendering a cat.
  • Rehome Him Yourself: Taking the time to find a cat a new, loving home is a true act of kindness. Visit the Rehome website for tips and tools that make the process easier. 

What Does It Mean to Rehome a Jack Russell Terrier?

Rehoming a Jack Russell Terrier means that you’ll take the time to find a new home for your dog instead of surrendering him. There are many benefits to rehoming, including the peace of mind that you’ll have in knowing he’s going to a great new home. However, there’s also some work that you’ll need to put into the process.

What Should You Consider When Looking for a New Owner?

As you’re looking for a new owner for your dog, you need to be sure that you’re choosing someone worthy of your dog, naturally. You want to find a home and family that will be a good fit for your dog’s personality and needs. If he’s not fond of cats, you wouldn’t want to put him into a home with cats. It wouldn’t be fair to him or the cats, and you can be sure his new owner won’t be too happy.

If your dog has any medical issues, you’ll need to be forthcoming with the new owner about them, as well. This will help to ensure that your dog is going to a home that can handle those medical issues, and that can afford your dog.

Speaking of affording the dog, you’ll also need to be sure you charge a rehoming fee. When going through a site like Rehome, the fee will be charged to the adopter, so you don’t have to worry about it. These fees help to reduce risk to your dog. It ensures that the adopters are not just looking for free dogs they can then sell to a lab or use for bait dogs.

You could opt to find someone that you know personally to adopt your dog. This can often be a good fit if you know someone who wants to get a dog. However, you may also want to check online pet adoption sites like Rehome. These sites can make the process easier on you, so you can be sure you’re finding the perfect home for your dog.

Are Shelters and Rescues Options for Rehoming?

You must understand the distinction between rehoming and surrendering your pet to facilities like shelters and rescues. When you surrender your dog, you’re giving up your legal rights to him to a facility. These organizations will do their best to ensure that your dog is safe, but there’s never a guarantee that he’ll be adopted.

Rescues will keep your dog for the remainder of his life and will continue trying to find him a forever home. Of course, rescues are often full because these are no-kill facilities. You might not be able to get your Jack Russell Terrier into one of these rescues.

Shelters do their best to care for the animals in their facility. However, they can only keep animals for a limited period in most cases. Shelters may have to euthanize pets that have been there for a long time, although they hate doing it.

Whenever you have the option, it’s better to rehome your Jack Russell Terrier. It will help to ensure that he has the best possible life.

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Dog?

Surrendering a dog means that you are relinquishing ownership of the pet to a shelter or rescue. Some pet owners think that when they surrender their pet to a shelter that the pet will be loved and spoiled for as long as it takes to find them a home—the truth is often quite different. Depending on the facility, it can be hard to find space to properly care for the dog. When shelters run out of kennel space, sometimes even healthy adoptable dogs are put to sleep. Some shelters simply don’t have the manpower to spend time with each dog, so they spend most of their time alone in a small cage. Of course, many shelters are wonderful places that do have the resources they need to provide a loving environment, but some do not. What is true at every shelter is that when you surrender a dog, what happens to him is completely out of your hands.

The Shelter Environment

After you pay the fee for surrendering your pet, you relinquish all rights. Even in the best shelters, some pets suffer from separation anxiety, fear, and confusion. Ideally, your pet will be placed in a loving home but, sadly, this is not always the case. Your pet was part of the family, so when you surrender them, it can be hard to know you have no control of what happens to him. Consider these alternatives: 

Keeping the Pet 

This should always be the first choice. Whatever is causing you to consider not keeping the pet, including behavior issues or financial problems, you may be able to find help. Shelters are a great place to find such resources as the shelter staff’s goal is always to help the pet owners keep their pets. You can also view our Keep Your Pet guide here. It may not be possible, but responsible pet owners will try. 

Finding a Rescue

When a rescue takes your pet, you are still surrendering him, but you are surrendering him to a private group that will give the dog as much time as he needs to find a new home. It can be difficult to find a rescue with space, but this is certainly an avenue worth exploring. If your dog is purebred, look for a breed-specific organization as this may increase your chances of finding a quality rescue that will take your pet.

Rehoming the Dog Yourself 

If you’re willing to put in a little time and work, you can find a loving home for your dog yourself. This is a great option because you remain in control of where your dog ends up, you’re able to choose the family, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your dog is in a safe and loving home. Our program called Rehome can assist with the process by allowing you to create an online profile that will be seen by people looking for a pet. If keeping your pet isn’t an option, this is the next best solution. 

What does it mean to surrender your dog? Uncertainty. Instead, consider one of the other options above so your loving dog can go on being loved.  

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Shih Tzu?

To surrender your Shih Tzu, it means that you’re giving up your legal rights to him. Once he has been surrendered to a shelter or a rescue, he’s no longer your dog. Many people who find that they need to give up their dog first think about bringing him to a shelter or a rescue. While these facilities do their best to ensure that dogs are adopted, this doesn’t always happen.

It’s important to understand what you’ll need to do when you’re surrendering to a shelter or rescue and to consider some other options that you could choose.

Surrendering to a Shelter or Rescue

Before you can bring your dog to a shelter or a rescue, you’ll need to contact them. Start by checking out the websites of locations in your area, which can give you a better sense of what you need to do and what you can expect. Most of the time, you’ll have to pay a surrender fee to a shelter or a rescue. The cost varies and could be from $50 to $150 or more.

The fees for surrender charged by the facilities are used to ensure that they can continue to operate. When you call the facility, they can let you know how much you’ll have to pay and what paperwork you will need to bring.

When you talk to a shelter or a rescue, they’ll likely ask you if there might be a way that you could keep your dog. After all, they want what’s best for the animal. In some cases, they can provide you with a list of resources that could help with things like behavior issues or financial problems, for example.

Other Options to Consider When Giving Up Your Shih Tzu

In addition to shelters and rescues, you can consider some other options. One of the things you’ll want to do is speak with your friends and family. They may be considering adopting a dog, and they might love the idea of bringing your Shih Tzu into their lives. This could be a nice solution since you already know and trust them and their capability of caring for him.

Of course, we aren’t all fortunate enough to have family and friends who can adopt. In those cases, it’s possible to find people online. However, you always want to be careful when a stranger wants to adopt your dog.

You should ask for references and be sure to request a rehoming fee. This fee from the adopter isn’t to give you financial recourse, but to ensure that only those who have good intentions toward your dog try to adopt. Charge a rehoming fee that’s around the same as what shelters and rescues in your area charge.

To make things easier, you may want to use Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This platform is a peer-to-peer service that connects owners with potential adopters. You can create a profile for your dog and then choose from the various adoption applications to find the perfect new home for your Shih Tzu.

Why Do Dogs Howl When Left Alone?

Some dogs howl when left alone simply because they are lonely. Dogs are very social, and they want to be around their families. In some cases, howling can be a sign of separation anxiety—a condition that must be properly treated in order to stop it from getting worse over time. If your dog only howls when left alone, it’s probably loneliness or anxiety. On the other hand, some dogs are just very vocal and will howl whether you’re there or not. 

Helping My Dog With Loneliness 

No good pet owner likes the idea of leaving their dog alone—and hearing them howl as you pull out of the driveway only make the guilt worse. While you may not be able to quit your job and spend the entire day pampering your pooch, there are some things you can do to help ease his loneliness.

  • Try doggy daycare or hiring a dog sitter. Daycare is great for dogs who enjoy playing with other dogs to get lots of exercise and be happier and less anxious on days when they are left at home.
  • Leave him treat puzzles and other interactive toys. Keeping his mind occupied is a good way to ease his loneliness.
  • Consider a second dog to be his companion. This way, he will never have to be alone!
  • Check out more tips to help your dog’s loneliness in our blog article here. 

Dealing With Separation Anxiety 

If the howling is accompanied by destructive behavior, escape attempts, and excessive chewing, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is not something that will get better on its own. In fact, when left untreated, it often gets worse. Treatment depends on the severity of the anxiety, so talk to your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist for advice about how to help your dog if you suspect separation anxiety.

Some breeds howl more than others, but if your dog becomes vocal only when he’s alone, these tips may help to ease his loneliness. 

Why Do Dogs Tear Up Stuff When You Leave?

Many dogs get into mischief now and then, but if your dog often tears stuff up when you leave, it could be a sign of anxiety. Anxiety in dogs is quite common, and it ranges from mild to severe. It won’t resolve itself if ignored, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from anxiety, it’s important to take steps to address the issue before it gets worse.

Is It Anxiety Or Boredom? 

Boredom is another reason that your dog may be destructive, so how do you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Here are a few hints that it’s anxiety:

  • Your dog only acts up when you’re not there.
  • The destruction is accompanied by excessive barking.
  • Your dog tries to escape.
  • Your dog goes to the bathroom in the house.

Dogs with severe anxiety are not only destructive, but they may even injure themselves trying to escape. That’s why it’s so important to find a resolution.

Work with your vet to determine if your dog is just bored and lonely or if he’s suffering from anxiety and then you can address a solution to his behavior based on that.

For Boredom:

  • Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise—and that means different things to different dogs. Some pets are fine with a 30-minute walk each day while others need to be much more active.
  • Provide interactive toys, such as treat puzzles, to keep his mind busy. Swap out the toys often to keep it interesting.
  • Consider investing in doggy daycare especially if you work long hours. Hiring a dog walker is another option. 

For Anxiety: 

While mild anxiety can sometimes be resolved with the use of calming products, by changing the dog’s environment, or even by playing classical music, moderate to severe cases may require the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. 

The good news is that destruction due to boredom and anxiety are behaviors that can be resolved with the right interventions.

  

What is the Best Way to Rehome an English Bulldog?

The best way to rehome your English Bulldog is by rehome_researching your prospects and finding the best new owner out of the potential candidates. Although doing this on your own will take some additional time when compared with surrendering your dog, many find it preferable. It allows to you be sure that he’ll be going to a safe home where he’ll be loved.

When you surrender your dog to a shelter or rescue, they’ll try their best to find a new home for him, but it’s not guaranteed. You want to be sure that your English Bulldog gets the treatment that he deserves. Here are some of the options and things to keep in mind.

Your Dog Has Unique Needs 

Even dogs of the same breed will have vastly different personalities and different needs. You want to be sure that you understand what he needs. Maybe it’s a dietary restriction that needs to be maintained, a temperamental issue, or anything else that the new owner would need to know about regarding your dog.

All dogs are different, and adopters should have a good sense of what they’re bringing home when they adopt your English Bulldog, both the good and the bad. It’s also easier for you to be sure that you’re letting the right person adopt.

Rehoming Options Online

You’ll find a range of rehoming options on the Internet, but you have to be careful about which ones you choose. It’s always a good idea to work with a reputable site, like Rehome from Adopt-a-Pet.com. The platform makes it easier for owners to connect with people looking to adopt dogs like theirs. You’ll build a profile for your English Bulldog that has pictures, videos (if you have them), and a bio. The bio is the perfect place to put all of the most important information the adopter will need to know.

You have the opportunity to review the applications and choose the best fit for your dog. It’s nice to have full control over who gets to adopt him.

Another one of the benefits of using Rehome is that it’s free to owners like you. The adopters will only have to pay a small rehoming fee that goes back into getting other animals adopted. The rehoming fee is also important because it shows that someone is willing to invest in your dog. The fee also helps to reduce the risk of someone getting the dog to sell to a lab or to use for fighting. People with bad intentions don’t want to put out money for the animals they get.

Rehoming with People You Know

Of course, you might be lucky enough to know someone that has been looking to adopt a dog. Maybe a sibling or a friend of yours has mentioned wanting to get a dog and would be a good fit for your English Bulldog. If that’s the case, consider asking them if they might like to adopt. If you feel they would be a good owner, it might be a perfect way to rehome your dog quickly. It’s even better if they already know and love your English Bulldog.

Why Do Dogs Moan?

Dogs moan to show they are content—or disappointed, so context is important when trying to figure out why your dog is moaning. If he’s happily snuggling next to you, it’s likely a contented moan. If you’re rebuffing his attempts to play, he’s probably disappointed. Whining and moaning can also occur when a dog with separation anxiety is left alone.

It’s A Form Of Communication 

Since dogs can’t say “I’m so glad you’re here,” or “I’m so disappointed you won’t take me for a walk!” moaning is a way that they express their feelings. Usually, moaning is no cause for concern, but there are some cases in which action may need to be taken such as:

You Suspect Separation Anxiety 

Does your dog moan or whine when you’re gone? That could be a sign of separation anxiety, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter the level of your dog’s anxiety, you should talk to a vet or animal behaviorist. Separation anxiety won’t go away without intervention, and it often gets worse over time. The sooner you start working on ways to help your dog overcome his anxiety the better.

My Dog Moans When Trying To Get Comfortable On A Bed 

Most of the time dogs suffer in silence. That’s why diseases are sometimes quite advanced before they are detected. Sometimes, however, their discomfort does lead to vocalization. If your dog moans when getting comfortable in their bed, it could be due to fluid buildup in the abdomen. To test this, try rubbing your dog’s belly. If he seems to be in pain at your touch, make a visit to your vet a priority.

Whether your dog’s moaning is a sign of contentedness or disappointment, it’s usually no cause for concern. Just pay close attention to context, and contact your vet if you suspect there may be a problem. 

What is the Fastest Way to Rehome an Australian Shepherd?

The fastest way to rehome an Australian Shepherd is to surrender your pet to a shelter. However, just because this might be a fast option does not mean it’s the best option. Although shelters work hard to provide care, and help all the animals that come to them, not every shelter pet ends up adopted. It could mean that your Australian Shepherd has to stay in the shelter for a long time, or it could even mean that he will be euthanized.

When you need to rehome your dog, you shouldn’t only ask about the fastest option. You should instead consider the best option. You’ll find that surrendering to a shelter, despite being the fastest, should be your last resort.

Look for Alternatives to Rehoming

Giving up your dog can be one of the hardest things that you have to do. Before you make this decision, you should always check to see if there could be other options that could work for you instead.

Consider why you have to give him up. Are you moving? See if you can find a location that will allow pets, and then take him with you. Do you not have enough time during the day to spend with the dog? Are you unable to provide them with enough exercise? Consider looking for doggy daycare or a sitter for him that can help. Always see if there are other options.

Sometimes, you might find a solution you hadn’t thought of before. However, there may still be times when you have no choice except to find a new home for your Australian Shepherd. In those cases, there are still options better than a shelter.

Finding the Perfect Forever Home for Your Pet

One of the first things you should do is talk with people that you know to see if they might want to adopt your dog. If you’re only going to be gone for work for a few months, they might be able to foster the dog until you return, for example. If you can no longer keep your pet, you might find someone who is able and willing to adopt your dog in your circle of family and friends.

If you still can’t find anyone, a great option is to find a free adoption site like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This platform makes it easy to connect owners like you with people who are looking to adopt an Australian Shepherd. It’s a free site for owners, and the adopters only have to pay a small rehoming fee, which is then used to help other animals.

Rehome allows owners to put up a bio of their dog with all of the pertinent information about the animal, along with images and videos. This information helps prospective adopters know whether it will be the right pet for them or not. They can fill out an application, which you can then examine to find the ideal new home for your Australian Shepherd.

When My Dog Plays With Her Toys, Why Does She Often Grab Them and Shake Them Repeatedly?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandDogs have a natural inclination to chase, capture and kill prey. From the Dachsund to the Saint Bernard, dogs will exhibit this instinct when playing with toys. It’s called the prey drive.

Dog owners know this scene. The pet grabs a toy and shakes it violently. It looks like he’s having fun – and he is. On another level, it’s serious business. What the dog is doing is nothing short of killing his prey, the toy. Hide the toy and your dog might start barking excitedly trying to “flush” its prey out of hiding. Dogs also exhibit the prey drive when they chase a ball and won’t give up when it rolls out of reach. A dog with a strong prey drive will need equally strong toys and lots of play time.