Can an Apartment Complex Deny an Emotional Support Animal?

An apartment complex cannot deny an emotional support animal (ESA) that provides support directly relating to a mental or emotional disability of the owner. While emotional support animals are not afforded the same widespread protections as service dogs, housing is an area in which there is legal protections in place. Even if a complex has a no-pet policy, a waiver must be granted in most cases once documentation is provided.

Providing Documentation 

Getting the needed document is pretty straightforward. You’ll just need a letter from a licensed therapist or other mental health professional. If the landlord still refuses, you can file a discrimination complaint with HUD or get a lawyer involved.

Some landlords think they are not required to provide accommodations for an ESA in the same way they are for a service dog, so sometimes it only takes educating them on the laws to get them to comply.

Note that while the landlord should not charge you a pet deposit, you will be responsible for any damage caused by the ESA.

Service Animal vs. ESA 

It’s also important for those with an ESA or those planning to get one to understand that protections for an ESA only pertain to housing and air travel. Unlike a service dog, an ESA may not be welcome in restaurants and other rehome_legacy places while a service dog must be allowed anywhere open to the rehome_legacy.

Exceptions to the Rule 

Most rental properties must allow your emotional support animal, but there are some exceptions:

  • Single-family homes rented without the help of a broker
  • Buildings with four or fewer units and in which the landlord occupies one 

The laws change from time to time, so it’s important to know your rights before you begin your search for the perfect rental.  

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for a Catahoula Leopard Dog?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a Catahoula Leopard Dog will vary based on several factors, but the minimum is usually $50. Depending on the location, the rehoming fee could be up to $250 or more. The age of your dog, along with whether it’s a purebred dog can be a factor, too.

If you’re an owner who has to give up their Catahoula Leopard Dog, you’ll want to look at some of the local fees to get a better sense of what you should charge. If you’re someone looking to adopt, you’ll want to do the same, so you know what you should be paying. Keep in mind that if the price gets too high, it’s not really a rehoming fee, it’s more akin to buying the dog.

Why Do People Charge Rehoming Fees? 

You might be wondering why any rehoming fees are charged at all. After all, if someone needs to give up their dog, shouldn’t they be happy that someone else wants him? Shouldn’t they give the dog away? Unfortunately, the world can be a cruel place. The rehoming fees are in place to help provide some protection for your dog.

Unscrupulous people often look for pets online that are being given away or that are cheap. They get these dogs and other pets and then sell them to labs for a profit. Other times, they use dogs for fighting. This could be the fate of a large and powerful dog like your Catahoula Leopard Dog, and that’s the last thing you want.

Therefore, you should always make sure that a rehoming fee is being charged whether you’re rehoming on your own or you’re going through a site.

Do Shelters and Rescues Charge Fees?

When someone adopts a dog through one of these types of facilities, they’ll typically have to pay adoption fees. Although they might not be called rehoming fees, they do the same thing. They make sure that the wrong people aren’t getting their hands on the animals. The money also goes into the facility to ensure that it can continue operating and providing care for the pets.

Use Rehome to Make Rehoming Simple

Trying to find a good new home for your dog is not always easy, especially if you don’t know anyone who might want to adopt him. Going online and using Rehome, which is a platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com could be a great solution. It’s an easy to use site that lets you create a profile for your dog complete with a bio, photos, and videos. The bio allows you to detail everything potential adopters will need to know about your Catahoula Leopard Dog.

The site is free for owners to use, and adopters only pay a small rehoming fee to the site. You won’t have to worry about charging a rehoming fee at all. This money is used to help more animals get adopted. It’s a simple and safe way to find a home for your dog.

Photo credit: Olgierd

How Long Can I Crate My Dog?

Most dogs should not be crated for more than 8 hours at a time, and the length of time is shorter for older dogs and puppies. Also, you shouldn’t have your dog spend most of the time in a crate, even if you give him frequent breaks. Dogs are social and need to be around their people, so it’s not ideal to have them crated all the time.

Proper Crate Training Is A Must 

Crates are a great tool when house-training a dog as it draws on their natural instinct to spend time in a den. When proper crate training is implemented, the dog will view the crate a safe and comfortable space. That’s definitely what you want if you plan to crate your dog while you’re away. 

How Much Time is Too Much Time in a Crate? 

If you’re crating your dog while you’re at work all day and then crating him again all night, it’s too much. If you feel you must crate the dog while you’re at work, allow him out once you get home and overnight. Another solution is to bring your dog to doggy daycare during the day so he is supervised, but not confined to a crate or to hire a dog walker or have a friend or family come over to take your dog out for a mid-day potty break.

Crating too much is a quality of life issue for your dog, and his physical well-being and emotional well-being must be considered when deciding how often to crate.

How Long Can Dogs Hold It? 

If you’re wondering how long dogs can go between potty breaks, the average is 4 to 6 hours, but older dogs and puppies may need more frequent breaks. If you’re gone longer than that during the day, consider installing a doggy door and not crating while you’re away, hiring a dog walker, or signing up for doggy daycare.

While there is no hard and fast rule about how long you can crate your dog, one answer is: no more than is necessary. Let your dog be part of the family as much as possible.  

Do I Need a Tetanus Shot After a Dog Bite?

In most cases, your doctor will recommend a tetanus shot after a dog bite if you haven’t had a tetanus shot within the past five years. While there are no statistics on how many cases of tetanus have passed from dogs to humans, and tetanus is rare in dogs, there is still a chance that a dog bite can transmit tetanus to humans. A dirty wound presents a higher risk, but your doctor is likely to order a tetanus shot for any bite that has broken the skin.

When To Get A Tetanus Shot 

Even if you’re able to clean up the wound yourself, you should still visit a doctor immediately after being bitten. Tetanus shots may need to be administered within 48 hours to be most effective. The doctor may discuss whether you need other treatment which may include antibiotics and, in some cases, rabies shots.

Why Do I Need A Tetanus Shot If The Disease Is Rare In Dogs? 

It’s rare—not unheard of. The mortality rate for tetanus is 30% and it’s more than 50% in patients over 60. That’s why administering the shot following a dog bite is standard procedure.

Symptoms of Tetanus 

If you did not get the shot and are worried you may have contracted tetanus from a dog bite, here are some symptoms to look out for:

  • Jaw Cramping
  • Involuntary Muscle Spasms
  • Painful Stiffness
  • Headache
  • Seizures
  • Fever
  • Elevated Heart Rate 

The chances of contracting tetanus from a dog bite are slim, but out of an abundance of caution it is best to follow the advice of your doctor if he/she recommends getting a tetanus shot following a bite. 

How Do I Find a Good Home for My Beagle?

You want to find a good home for your beagle. You love your dog, and it breaks your heart that you have to give him up. It’s even more difficult because you may not have any idea of where your dog should go or how to find a great home for him. We can make things easier for you. Let’s look at some of the things you can do to ensure that you find a great home for your dog.

Shelters and Rescues

They might be the first places you think of, but they might not be the best choice for your beagle.

Shelters work hard to provide a safe place for the dogs to stay while they wait to be adopted, but this doesn’t mean that they are the right solution. Many dogs have a difficult time adjusting to life at a shelter, which can make it hard for them to find a new home. In some situations, shelters still have to euthanize pets that aren’t adopted. Rescues are less likely to have this issue, but they are often full, and they may not be able to take your beagle.

Fortunately, you have other methods are your disposal. You should look to rehome the dog on your own. You can do this by asking family and friends whether they might be interested in adopting, or by using Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. Rehome is a peer-to-peer adoption service that lets you put up a profile for your beagle so potential adopters can see his info and fill out an adoption application if they’re interested.

Consider Your Beagle’s Needs and Personality

When you’re choosing someone to adopt your beagle, you always need to think about your dog’s needs and personality. Make sure that the person who will be adopting her will be able to give her plenty of exercise and will be able to buy her the treats she loves. Make sure that your dog’s personality is suitable for the adopter’s home, as well.

Be Sure to Charge a Rehoming Fee

When you are looking for a new home for your beagle, don’t just give the dog to someone. While this might seem the easiest way to give up your dog, they may not go to a good home. Some people look for free pets online for nefarious purposes. Charging a rehoming fee ensures that they have a financial stake in your dog. They will likely treat her well.

When you use Rehome, as mentioned above, you will find that it won’t cost you anything to list information about your beagle. However, when someone adopts through the platform, they will pay a small fee. This money goes right back into helping to get more animals adopted.

Be Selective and Find the Ideal New Home for Your Beagle

When you are looking at the potential adopters, don’t just choose the first person who responds or provides an adoption application. You need to be sure that they’re the right home. Learn more about their household, their pets, whether they have kids, and so forth. This will help to ensure that you are choosing the perfect home for your beagle.

How Do I Give Up My Mastiff?

You can give up your Mastiff to someone that you know, someone you find online, or to a shelter or a rescue. It’s important to know the options that are available, how they work, and what you need to consider when giving up your dog. 

Do You Need to Give Up Your Mastiff?

One of the first things you’ll want to consider is whether you need to give up your dog at all. Think about why you need to give him up and whether there might be a way to ease whatever problem you might be having. If he has some behavioral issues, for example, working with a trainer could help. If you don’t have time to walk him each day, you could hire a dog walker to help. Try to exhaust all of your possibilities before giving him up. Of course, we know that sometimes you may not have any other choice.

Shelters and Rescues

These organizations are available for those who need to give up their dog. The shelters and rescues will require that you first contact them to set up an appointment. They’ll want to know the temperament of your dog, any medical needs that he might have, etc. Additionally, they may want to know why you have to give up your dog. They want what’s best for him and may have resources that could help you, such as information about low-cost vets, trainers, and more.

If you give up your Mastiff to a shelter or rescue, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a surrender fee, as well. The price will vary, but it typically starts at around $50 and goes up from there depending on where you’re located.

People You Know

A great option for giving up your dog would be to talk with the people you know, such as your friends, family, and coworkers. Let them know your situation and that you need to give him up. You might find that one of them might be looking for a dog and would love to give him a home. Of course, you need to be sure that whoever you give your dog to can care for all of his needs, whatever they might be. When you give your dog to someone you know, it also gives you more peace of mind.

Online Options for Giving Up Your Mastiff

Another option would be to use an online service like Rehome to find a new owner for your dog. This is a platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com that makes it easy to find potential adopters. You’ll create a profile for your dog, which the adopters can see and review. Those interested in adopting will send applications to you for review. You can then sort through the applications and choose the best new owner for your Mastiff.

It’s an easy to use platform and it’s free for owners to use. The adopters will only pay a small rehoming fee to the site, and the money goes back into helping more animals find a new home.

Photo Credit: Eran Finkle

Are Bark Collars Cruel?

Bark collars are cruel in that they inflict discomfort and/or pain as a method of stopping barking. There are better and more humane ways to deal with barking that don’t hurt your dog and also will address the root of the problem. Bark collars do not address the reason for the barking. Barking is a normal behavior, so punishing your pet for just being a dog is a cruel choice.

How Bark Collars Work 

Bark collars react to the sound of barking or the vibration of your dog’s vocal chords by spraying the dog with citronella, emitting a high pitched sound, or shocking the dog. All of these punishments fail to address the reason for the barking. In the best cases, they make the dog fearful and uncomfortable. In the worst cases, they cause pain.

Alternatives to Bark Collars 

Inflicting pain and discomfort shouldn’t be a method any pet owner is willing to try. Fortunately, there are plenty of humane ways to stop excessive barking such as: 

  • Ignore It: If your dog is looking for attention by barking, ignore him completely. Don’t say “no.” Don’t act annoyed. Just walk away. When the barking stops, give your dog the attention he craves. He’ll learn to associate barking with being ignored and being quiet with getting attention.
  • Find the Cause: If you can figure out what is triggering the barking, you can deal with that directly. For example, if he barks at people walking by, consider keeping him in a back room or blocking the windows during high traffic times of day.
  • Professional Training: If the methods you try at home don’t do the trick, invest in professional training. You’ll learn how to use positive reinforcement to stop unwanted behavior.
    If you suspect the barking is due to separation anxiety, seek the help of a vet or animal behaviorist at once. The problem will only get worse if left untreated. 

Whatever is causing excessive barking, punishing your dog isn’t the way to go. Rather than inflicting pain with a bark collar, find a training method that is positive and healthy and that will bring out the best in your pet. 

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.