Search Results for: blog pedigree adoption drive

Are Adoption Rules too Strict?

Posted on by

If you decide to adopt a pet from a shelter (and I hope you do — there are plenty of great dogs, cats, and other pets out there that need loving homes), you may find yourself faced with a laundry list of criteria you have to meet. When my family adopted Becca back in the summer of 1997, we went to a local shelter called Jersey Shore Animal Center. Once we decided on which dog we wanted, we filled out an application. The shelter asked for contact information for our former family veterinarian (it had been more than ten years … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Feb 12-18

Love was in the air with Valentine’s Day being the highlight event of last week, and Aimee and myself found a lot of stories with love as their theme to include in the Pets Blog last week… Monday, February 12 The pet industry is booming these days thanks to the millions of pet owners lavishing love on their pets every way they know how. But Aimee shows us that Memorializing Your Pet Becomes Big Business after they pass too, and she shares ways we can keep our dearly departed pets’ memories alive. The theme of loving animals (and learning from … Continue reading →

Pedigree Adoption Drive

Maybe you’ve seen the commercial: images of dogs with a voiceover that talks about how they know how to sit, or roll over, or do other tricks. What they don’t know, says the announcer, is why they’re in a shelter or when they’ll find a home. It’s a heartbreaker… but it’s part of Pedigree’s campaign to help increase adoptions in 2007. Pedigree’s adoption drive site has plenty of information about where and how to find a dog (or cat) in your area. There are loads of great tips for people who are getting ready to pick out a new pet, … Continue reading →

Shelter Discrimination

A blog I wrote about adopting black cats (and dogs) has gotten some attention from shelters. I’ve had several people contact me, looking for permission to adapt the list for their black shelter residents. You might be surprised to learn that black dogs and cats tend to linger the longest in shelters — longer than older animals, abused animals, or even injured animals. The problem is common enough (especially in large black dogs) that it has a name: black dog syndrome. What makes animals with black coats harder to adopt out? Perhaps the dark color of their coat makes them … Continue reading →

Would You Make a Good Parent for a Deaf Pet?

I really took my quest to heart in regards to finding information about training deaf dogs for my friend who found out she’d adopted a deaf puppy. In addition to finding information on the Internet, I also posted a request for help in the Pets forum. Interestingly, several Families.com family members responded that either they’ve had deaf pets or knew of people who did. Not just dogs, but also cats and even a ferret was mentioned. The one thing that wasn’t mentioned was getting rid of any kind of deaf pet. Everyone who shared stories of deaf pets mentioned how … Continue reading →

Shelters Overwhelmed With Fighting Dogs

The dogs seized from Michael Vick’s property may be the most famous dogfighting survivors headed to animal shelters this month… but they aren’t the only ones. Animal control and police departments around the country have seized dozens of injured and abused pit bulls from dogfighting operations in homes, barns, yards, and on the streets. In July 2007: Six dogs were seized in Columbus, Ohio. Thirty-seven dogs were seized in South Holland, Illinois. Four dogs were seized in Chicago, Illinois. Thirty-one dogs were seized in Reelsboro, North Carolina. Twenty-two dogs were seized in Richland County, South Carolina. And that’s just a … Continue reading →

Starting A Shelter: How Are You Doing?

Posted on by

Running a shelter is not an easy job. There will be hard days and depressing days. There will be happy days and triumphs. You’ll spend a lot of hours sweating over your finances or cleaning kennels. You may be witness to cruel mistreatment of animals. You’re going to encounter a lot more doggy doo and kitty poop than ever before. So how do you objectively assess the success (or failure) of your shelter? The shelter leaders and board of directors are responsible for seeing your mission statement come to life. If you aren’t fulfilling your mission, then something may need … Continue reading →

Be Kind to Animals Week 2007: How to Participate

This week (May 6-12) is Be Kind to Animals Week. The American Humane Association started this national awareness week 92 years ago, in 1915. Their mission was the same then as it is today: to raise awareness about the importance of being kind to animals, and to educate people about the importance and impact animals have on our lives. Be a Part of It! Aimee and I are both big time animal lovers. (Naturally. You’d hope to have such people assigned to the Pets Blog, wouldn’t you? The managers at Families.com excel at placing bloggers in appropriate subjects, but I … Continue reading →