We Love a Good Adoption Story! Don’t You? One of our favorite classic tales of adoption might also be one of your favorites. ANNIE, which made its stage premiere back in 1976, went on to be a Broadway hit the following year, with a movie version following soon after in 1982. Now, all these years later, the inspiring adoption tale is back with a twist. In the new version, little orphan Annie is now a foster child, but one important thing remains the same: Sandy, the adorable homeless dog who stars alongside Annie, is adopted by Annie in all versions! You’ve got to just love that! For more on the Blu-ray™ release of the film or to enter to win a trip (with your dog!) to NYC where ANNIE was filmed, visit www.Annie-Movie.com.

“Thank you to your wonderful search site, we’ve found our little boy, Todd! Todd is everything we wanted and more! He’s very sweet and funny and so well behaved. We feel so fortunate to have him in our life! We had our previous dog, Tasha, for 16 years and when she passed we felt her loss. We were told his original owner was homeless, and Todd was getting chewed on by the bigger dogs. He loved him so much, he surrendered Todd, his 3-year-old best friend, to Brightside Animal Center in Redmond OR to have a better home. Thank you again for helping these sweet innocent animals find new forever homes! Thank you again for all you do! – Kim & Curt.” We love hearing stories about how Adopt-a-Pet.com helped a loving family adopt a homeless pet like Todd. We’d love to hear your Happy Beginnings story too! Send your pet adoption story to info@cms.adoptapet.com with a photo or two, and tell us how Adopt-a-Pet.com helped you with your adoption. Thank you for adopting a pet and saving a life!

The Homes for Dogs Project, which kicked off earlier this month, is a collaboration between Coldwell Banker and Adopt-a-Pet.com and aims to find loving homes for 20,000 of the awesome shelter dogs available for adoption on Adopt-a-Pet.com in 2015. As part of this fun campaign, we recently spent the day with the pet-loving Coldwell Banker team at the Best Friends Adoption Center in Mission Hills, California making this fun video (and meeting some of the adorable shelter dogs who are hoping to find love as a result of the project). Check it out!

Could it be true… is a bag of potato chips dangerous for dogs? Yes! Sadly we know this because of a horrible accident with a friend’s dog. He managed to get a bag of potato chips off the counter while his people were sleeping. When they woke up, it was to find their beloved pet suffocated by the bag. So horrible! He put his head in the bag trying to lick all the chips out, and the bag got stuck on his head covering his face, and he couldn’t breathe. Newer chip bags are made from material that is very hard to tear, and though he must have tried to get it off his head, he couldn’t before he passed out, and eventually died from lack of oxygen. We’re sharing this very sad story as a warning to all dog owners: keep potato chip and other snack bags totally out of reach of your dogs. Keep them closed inside top kitchen cabinets, just like you’d keep plastic bags out of reach of small children and babies. We hope this safety tip keeps dogs safe from the dangers of potato chip bags.

1. Use our website’s search to find pets for adoption!

Adopt a Pet is a website where shelters, rescues, and private owners list their pets for adoption. We don’t have the pets ourselves!

Click a link below to….

• Find a dog

• Find a cat

• Find other pets (rabbits, horses, and more)

Type in your zip code and select the type of pet you want, then click the search button.

You will see photos of matching pets. Click on a pet’s photo to see that pet’s information and Adoption Process.

2. How to adopt a pet

If you’ve never adopted a pet before, you may be wondering, how does the process work? How long does it take? How much does it cost? The information below will help give you an overview of how it works to adopt a pet from Shelters, Rescues, or Rehome: Cared for by Private Owner pet listings. Each is different. It helps to understand what to expect, so you can have a better overall pet adoption experience.

 

Adopting from a Shelter

Shelters include public shelters like the city and county animal shelters, animal control, police and health departments, dog wardens, and are often called the pound. There are also private shelters that might use the words “humane society” or “SPCA” in their name. They are all separate, independently run organizations or government offices. Just because shelters have similar names does not mean they are connected — just like different banks might have the word “bank” in their name.

Shelters often have a physical facility, with staff, and operating hours. Some have volunteers and do adoption events around town too. If the pet you see on Adopt-a-Pet.com says that pet is at a Shelter and has an address with business hours, the easiest way to adopt that pet may be to go visit. That’s because some shelters are under-staffed and may not answer all phone calls or emails. Especially if the pet listing says ACT QUICKLY you should go to that shelter ASAP to see that pet!

Each shelter’s adoption process is different. Here’s an example of how a shelter adoption might work:

1. You find a pet you want to adopt on Adopt-a-Pet.com who’s at a shelter.
   
2. On the pet’s page, that shelter’s Adoption Process might direct you to visit the shelter facility during their adoption hours, or to email them for an appointment. You go to the shelter and see the pet. He’s adorable! You ask at the shelter desk and they have a staff or volunteer take him out so you can meet with him. You fall in love.
   
3. You go to the shelter’s front desk, give them your photo ID, pay the adoption fee (average range is $25 to $200), and get copies of the pet’s vaccination records and sterilization certificate so you can get him licensed.
   
4. You take your new pet home!

Adopting from a Rescue

Rescues most often have their pets in foster homes or private boarding facilities, and are run by volunteers. They may have adoption events at pet stores on the weekends. If a pet you see on Adopt-a-Pet.com says that pet is at a Rescue, be sure to read the pet description and the Adoption Process under that, and follow each rescue’s instructions. Some prefer you email them first (click the Ask About Me button on that pet’s page), some prefer you fill out their application before asking about a pet, so they can answer your questions more knowledgeably.

Please be patient when waiting for a response from a rescue, giving them a few days to respond. Rescue volunteers are people just like you and me, often with very full lives in addition to their rescue volunteering.

Each rescue’s adoption process is different. Here’s one example of how a rescue adoption might work:

1. You find a pet you want to adopt on Adopt-a-Pet.com who’s at a rescue.
   
2. You read that pet’s Adoption Process. It says fill out their online application, and there’s a link on that pet’s page to that rescue’s website and application. The next day, one of the rescue’s volunteers calls you and you talk to them more about the pet. It seems like a good match, and agree to come meet the pet at their adoption event in a local pet store that weekend.
   
3. You meet the pet and fall in love. An event volunteer calls a home check volunteer, and you all arrange for a home visit. After the home visit, you get a call from a volunteer to let you know you will be the home adopting the pet! They email you copies of his vaccination and sterilization records. You arrange a delivery day for your new pet.
   
4. Your new pet is brought by his foster volunteer to your home! You sign their adoption contract and pay their adoption fee (usually ranges from $100 to $300 but sometimes more).

 

Adopting from a Rehome Private Owner

If you see “I’m Being Cared for by Private Owner” on the top of a pet’s page, it means that they were listed by their owner through Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Rehome program, so you will be adopting the pet directly from the pet’s private owner. Read all about the pet. If you’re interested in speaking to the owner and meeting the pet, click “Apply To Adopt” and apply. The owner will be notified of your application, so they can review it and call you if they’re interested.

Rehome asks private owners to reply to you promptly, and most do within a few days. However some owners are in difficult situations, so please allow up to 14 days for an owner to respond to you. Rehome is only the listing website. It is up to the owner to choose who to contact and who will adopt their pet. It is up to you the adopter to ask lots of questions about the pet on the phone with the owner, then meet the pet in person before paying safely through the Rehome website to adopt a private owner pet.

Read more about how Rehome works in the Rehome help center for adopters here.

 

Shelter vs Rescue vs Private Owner

Some of the advantages of adopting from a shelter are you might be able to see many pets for adoption all at once at their facility. Many shelters have a very easy or no screening process, and will let you take home whatever pet you want the same day. Adoption fees are often lower than a rescue’s, but you may need to pay for additional vet care after adopting.

Some of the advantages of adopting from a rescue are they often know a lot about each of the pets in their care, since the pets may be in foster homes. A rescue might have a more involved screening process, which can take more time, but can help you adopt a pet that is more likely to be an easier match for your home. Adoption fees are often higher than a shelter, but often include vet care that would cost more if you paid the vet yourself.

Some of the advantages of adopting directly from a Rehome private owner is the owner may know a lot about their pet’s behavior and health. The pet will be going straight from a home to your home, which can be less stressful than being in a shelter. Private owners are not as experienced as shelters and rescues at doing adoptions and each private owner will be very different in how they handle communicating with applicants, and very different in what vet care they’ve been able to provide for their pet.

 

We hope this overview and these examples help you better understand how you can adopt a pet. If you’re ready to start looking for a pet to adopt, click on the “Find A Pet” menu above to search for dogs for adoption, cats for adoption, or other pets for adoption like rabbits, horses, and more.

Thank you for adopting a pet!

If you are a SHELTER or RESCUE, sign up here. Individuals looking to find a pet a new home, click here.

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Curtains and blinds make great cat toys… said no cat owner, ever! Plenty of cats and kittens do find the swaying curtain pulls, shimmering sheers, and horizontal mini-blinds not only irresistible for hiding, pouncing, and batting, but they also are clearly thinking, “Why does my human keep putting them in the way of my view of the fascinating things going on outside?” Finding “kitten-proof” window treatments that will work for what you want them to do on your windows and not have your cats destroy them can take compromise and detective work. We present you with example number one, in the photo above. In the photo you see James, my 8-month old foster kitten, who has not only managed to wrap himself up in the sheer curtain, but figured out its a great way to make batting at the almost-cat-proof plastic plant even more fun. I managed to snap the photo just before he executed a perfect jelly roll move that took him and the tension curtain rod tumbling to the ground. Mini blinds seem to suffer the worst, with the metal slats being so easily bent and plenty of cloth cords to be chewed on too! So are there cat-proof curtains? Yes! Read on for some ideas.

Don’t forget that most cats LOVE to see what’s going on outside. Please don’t deprive them of that pleasure! When planning your window coverings, include kitty window perches where they can see out unobstructed.

1. Vertical blinds. Before you shudder at the 70s flashback, vertical blinds have come a long way since their motel beginnings. Check out the gorgeous modern vertical blinds on Houzz for example. Many use larger panels of fabric, so choose ones that are smooth and less likely to be a scratch temptation.

2. Wooden shutters.  Virtually indestructible, especially if made of a smooth hard composite material. You can also open them enough so kitty can see out, but still keep out most of the light and still protect your privacy.

3. Wood or faux wood blinds. These look like thicker mini-blinds, but because of their weight and heft, are often not as easily destroyed by playful cats. Make sure you keep the pull cord securely wrapped up and out of kitty’s reach!

4. Any curtains you want, just keep Nail Caps on your cat! Most curtain damage is done by the cat’s claws. If you keep soft kitty nail caps on your cat’s front claws, the damage they can do with their paws is eliminated. As long as you don’t have a chewer, this could be your least expensive solution.

Cats meow to communicate. Most often domestic cats are meowing to try to tell their humans something. Usually humans appreciate these vocal requests, being such vocally communicative creatures ourselves. But when a cat is meowing at night when we (and our neighbors) are trying to sleep, that’s not usually appreciated! Cats are naturally nocturnal beings. If you have a cat that is meowing at night and you want him to stop, it typically involves a bit of detective work and trial-and-error figuring out what will be a happy resolution to what is causing the meowing and making him stop. The first step is to try to figuring out why he is meowing. Here are some things a cat’s meow at night could be trying to tell you:

– I’m lonely/bored/stressed

– I’m hungry (or think I’m hungry)

– I’m thirsty

– I want to be let in (if he’s locked out of the bedroom for example)

– I want to go outside

– I miss my mom (most often baby kittens, but older cats too)

Ideally the solution will eliminate the reason for the nighttime meowing before it starts. Once you’ve gone to bed and your cats starts meowing, if you get up to do something about it, you are teaching you cat — or rather, your cat is training you — that if he meows, you’ll get up and do something. That’s rewarding the unwanted behavior. You might want to invest in some ear plugs for your household and neighbors while you give the various solutions a try!

Note: These solutions are not the only possible solutions! They are just ideas to get you started on figuring out the best solution for your household and your cat.

Solution for lonely/bored/stressed: One hour before bedtime, engage Kitty in 45 minutes of playtime and games. The last 15 minutes are spent giving Kitty attention, but of the low-key kind, like talking to him, snuggling with him if he likes that. Some cats loves being read a bedtime story! We are often so busy with our lives, and cats appear to be so low-maintenance, but some cats need more physical and emotional attention that they are getting, which is why they are meowing at night.

If you recently moved or adopted a new cat, they may be meowing because they are stressed. They may be calling out to try to locate their past home, or cat friends. Giving your cat time to adjust to the new home may be all it takes, but you can speed that along and help your cat be less stressed by:

1. Get your cat on a solid steady routine, cats find routine reassuring.
2. Use calming pheremone plugins (i.e. ComfortZone or Feliway) in every room.
3. Give your cat plenty of hiding places, either up high if they like being up high, or under things like under your bed if they are happier there.

Solution for I’m hungry/thirsty: Feed your cat meals instead of free-feeding, if you are free feeding. Or if you are gone most of the day, free-feed while you are gone, but take up the food when you get home.Or use a time-release cat feeder. Then put down the free-feeding dish right before you go to bed. Alternately, feed your cat a bedtime snack of wet food.

Solution for I want to be let in: If you are locking Kitty out of the bedroom because he wants to sleep with his belly across your face, try getting him a super awesome carpet cat tree (aka cat condo) with the U-shaped or O-shaped kitty sleeping perches, and put it right next to your bed, making sure one of the sleeping perches is higher than your head – cats often want to be higher than us. If Kitty is locked out because he attacks your feet as they move under the covers, one hour before bedtime, engage Kitty in 45 minutes of running-around playtime and games, then 15 minutes of mellow winding-down playtime.

Solutions for I want to go outside: This is typically a cat who goes out during the day, or who used to be allowed to go outside, but is now being kept inside at night for his own safety. GiveKitty access to an open but securely screened in window with a kitty perch where he can feel as if he’s outside, or build him a catio (it doesn’t have to be large) and install a cat door so he can go in and out without needing your assistance.

Solutions for I want my mom: Lots of cuddle time before bed, and if you can have kitty sleep in bed with you, that will often solve this problem. If kitty is too small to be safely in bed with you, and you don’t have or can’t get your kitty a real feline friend, a stuffed animal the size of another cat or kitten can help. They even make them with heartbeat noises!

Rarely, cats may have high anxiety from traumatic past experiences that causes nighttime meowing. These cats may need a professional cat behaviorist or veterinarian’s help to stop their night time meowing.

We hope these solutions for your cat meowing at night are helpful!

Sometimes our pets get adventurous and search our homes for things to sniff and eat. And sometimes, they find things that pose a hazard to their health — food in the kitchen, in particular. It’s important to store food out of our pets’ reach to prevent them from getting sick and requiring an emergency trip to the veterinarian’s office. Consider these quick storage solutions for pet-hazardous foods:

 

#1 Avocado

Should your dog or cat ingest an avocado peel, it will likely result in an upset stomach.  However, should a pet happen to eat an avocado pit, it can harm the gastrointestinal tract and require an emergency trip to the vet. Avocado seeds contain a toxin known as persin. Persin can cause respiratory problems which can lead to fluid buildup around the heart — and sometimes even death — for animals.

Where to store: Pet owners should store fruit in a refrigerator drawer. However, avocados often require some time to ripen on the countertop. Since cats are particularly agile counter-jumpers, take the added measure of storing avocados in a container with a plastic top on the windowsill. It might slow the ripening process, but it will protect your cat from getting near the peel or pit.

 

#2 Chocolates, Coffee and Caffeinated Beverages

These three items are grouped together because they contain something known as methylxanthine, found in cacao seeds. Ingestion by your pet of any of these substances can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, thirst and urination, tremors, seizures and in extreme cases, death.

Some things to note:

• Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate.
• White chocolate is the least dangerous.
• Baking chocolates are the most dangerous because they have the highest concentration of methylxanthine.

Where to store: Keep coffee in a dog-proof canister and store it away in a pantry for added safety. Store chocolate in the refrigerator, pantry or freezer — and keep unopened caffeinated beverages stored in the refrigerator or pantry. Also, keep open caffeinated beverages far away from prying noses and paws.

 

#3 Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages can negatively affect human beings, but it’s even worse for an animal. Some effects include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Tremors
• In extreme doses, death

Where to store: Keep alcoholic beverages in the refrigerator or cabinets. Some cats are particularly good at opening cabinets; if yours is this way, consider buying and installing a childproof lock. Also, consider putting the alcohol in the pantry. The doorknob will prevent your dog or cat from pushing it open.

 

#4 Salt

While your pet may like fries and chips, excessive amounts of salt can lead to results like:

• Frequent urination
• Poisoning from sodium ion
• Vomiting
• Depression
• Elevated body temperature
• Seizures

Where to store: When you aren’t using salt, store it as far away from your dogs and cats as possible. If you have a particularly adventurous pet, put salt in a pantry with a doorknob or store it in a cabinet that has a childproof lock.

 

#5 Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic include a compound harmful to dogs’ red blood cells. Depending on its strength, it can be very toxic. Never feed dogs any onions or garlic, not raw or in concentrated soup mixes or powders. Some side effects include weakness, exhaustion, and orange or red urine. Should your dog ingest onions or garlic, take it to a veterinarian for potential blood transfusions immediately.

 

Written contribution by Andrea Davis, Home Advisor

photo credit: Rubbermaid LunchBlox – Lunch Containers via photopin (license)

 

 

Today, we have a very special Happy Beginnings story to share with you. It’s one filled with the glitter of the Hollywood lights and even a red carpet! The story starts off pretty sad, with little Max abandoned and alone. He was found as a stray in a field and then brought to an animal shelter in a part of California where animal homelessness is not uncommon. But what is uncommon is Max’s amazing turn-around. We’re talking a story fit for the big screen. You see, little Max not only found love when he was adopted by Kelly – an advertising executive at Siltanen & Partners, a firm that works with Coldwell Banker. He also found himself starring in a commercial for Coldwell Banker’s newest passion project, Homes for Dogs, which will make its television debut this Sunday, February 22nd during the Academy Awards! Yes, that’s right – Max will be starring in a commercial during the Oscars! How’s that for awesome?
Here’s what Kelly has to say about her loving relationship with Max:

“I found him on Adopt-a-Pet.com as I was looking for a male dog to rescue/adopt of that sort of breed and age. As soon as I saw his picture I just knew he was the pet for me. I contacted the Dexter Foundation and arranged to go and meet him in person the next week at a local pet adoption event. I fell in love with him immediately…we soon fell into a routine and it’s been bliss ever since. Now, I couldn’t imagine life without him. He comes to work with me almost every day and has become part of the S&P family. He has a spring in his step every day now that he is in a healthy, loving environment he can truly call home. It was kismet that we came into each other’s lives and some people inquire, “who rescued whom?!!”

We’re so happy for Max and Kelly and we can’t wait to see his adorable face on TV this Sunday! Watch the Oscars on Sunday and be on the lookout for Max in the new Coldwell Banker commercial. Then, let’s hit Twitter together to talk about it using the #HomeRocks hash tag.  You can also get a sneak preview of the commercial on the Coldwell Banker site (and learn more about why pet adoption is important to them!)