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Tag: shelter pets

Animal Charities: Helping You Make an Impact

You’re a lover of pets, right? And you know you have to shop from time to time for various things, so why not combine getting the things you want or need with your love of pets?! Tons of animal charities have teamed up with some pretty awesome companies to bring you the things you need while giving a portion of your money for all sorts of awesome animals causes! We’ve listed some of our favorites below, so next time you grab your wallet, make an impact!

Businesses that Love Animal Charities

  • Lush Cosmetics – Lush Cosmetics specializes in whipping up fresh batches of natural skin care products. Not only do they not test on animals, they take a portion of your money to rescue dogs from laboratory testing with their Beagle Freedom Project.
  • Dog for Dog – Taking their cue from Tom’s shoes, Dog for Dog food and treats donates a bag to a pet in need for every bag purchased! You get to feed two dogs for the price of one!
  • Bissell – Need a new vacuum to help curb the pet hair take over of your home? Grab a Bissell! A portion of your purchase goes to fund the Bissell Pet Foundation – a charity designed to help find homes for abused and shelter animals!
  • Subaru – Looking for a new car that’s perfect for you and your pet? Check-out your nearest Subaru dealer! In last six years they have contributed 9.2 million dollars to the ASPCA.
  • Vans – This shoe company, popular among skaters, has also partnered with the ASPCA to help promote pet adoptions through a special line of shoes.
  • Amazon.com – Your one-stop-shop for just about everything online, the AmazonSmile program lets you had select the animal charity of your choice. You buy, and they donate, doesn’t get much easier than that!

photo credit: BOBBY. via photopin (license)

Adopt A Cat Month Is Here!

Adopt A Cat Checklist!

June is national Adopt-A-Cat-Month! Been thinking about getting a kitty (or a new kitty) for some time? June is the month to act! Shelters are frequently packed with kittens from unexpected Spring litters in June looking for a forever home – and that home could be yours! Not sure about it though? Don’t want to make a commitment you may not be ready for? Check out our list of things you should do or prepare for BEFORE you adopt.

Make sure your house is “cat-friendly”

  • Do you already own pets? If so, do you think they will respond favorable or hostile toward a new addition?
  • If you rent, make sure that pets are allowed and pay any required deposits!
  • Make sure you’re in the habit of keeping potential hazards out of a cats reach; medication, cosmetics, household cleaners, etc.
  • Cats are climbers and jumpers! Don’t keep fragile items of value where they could be knocked over.
  • Make sure your plants aren’t poisonous and take necessary steps to keep a new kitty from making it their litter box

Have the necessary accessories

  • Litter box with litter, scoop, and a mat or cover if needed
  • Food and water dishes with age appropriate food
  • Toys! If you don’t want all your household items to become toys, make sure you supply some!
  • Scratch posts – save your furniture and invest now!
  • Ensure there is a “Kitty Space”

Designate an area in your home for your new kitty

This can be a laundry or utility area or any place where there is easy clean up and you can preferably close off to some degree. Yes, your kitty will get to roam the house, but this will allow them to get accustomed to a going to a specific area to get their needs met; bathroom, food, scratching, and such. It also allows for a safe space that a new pet can feel safe in while they adjust!

Choose a vet and budget accordingly

Finding a vet now will help you keep your kitty healthy for the long term. Costs will vary depending on the age of cat you choose to adopt. Kittens will likely need wormers, and shots. If your shelter has kittens under 12 weeks, you will need to get them spayed or neutered yourself. And don’t forget about flea and tick control if you’re going to have an indoor/outdoor cat.

Consider a finding a good pet sitter too! You will inevitably have time when you won’t be able to be there for your kitty as much as you’d like to. A pet sitter will make sure your pet is fed, the litter box is clean, and that they get some good play time in! Most importantly adopt a kitty whose personality fits you! Spend some time with each one you’re considering and choose the best fit for your lifestyle!

photo credit: Take me home via photopin (license)

Great Article Referencing Why Shelter Pets Are The Best Pets

A recent article in the Huffington Post aptly titled “Why Shelter Pets Are Good for the Soul,” encouraged me to write this post inquiring how “shelter” or “rescue” pets have enlightened my life. I grew up in a family surrounded by animals because my Mom grew up on a farm with pigs, cows, horses, goats, chickens, you name it, they more than likely had it. My mother’s deep love for animals transcended to all of us, but more than that, she taught us they are a responsibility, just like a child or job, and you have to be diligent in your care taking for them. She taught us that you can’t just want an animal and expect someone else to take care of it, or that you didn’t want it anymore when it went past it’s puppy stage, because it wasn’t “cute” anymore; a pet is for the long-haul and for the durain that they’re with us. I’m so grateful she taught and instilled this in us, because I value and appreciate all our pets past and present for those very things, and other unexpected surprises. They really do become a part of you and are family, and it’s a very sad loss when they leave us. I’m a firm believer we will see our pets again. I know everyone has different views on this, but this is just mine.

I had a domestic short-haired kitten from an unexpected litter, when I was 12, and he was with me until I was 25 and he passed in my arms. I’ll never forget him, and he is always with me. We had chickens who were such a blessing to us with baby chicks at one time, and we had Bandit, who was abused in a puppy mill and was with us (and wholly protected us) for 13 years. We gave Bubbalicious who had been chained most of his young and adult life the best final 2 years of his life, and we now have our German Shephered Rescues, Lucy (Lulu Belles) and Beba (Bebabay), her daughter who is the only surviving puppy-now-adult out of her 3rd and final litter. She was a “guard” dog at a garage shop and was malnourished, standoffish, and very skinny when we got her. They’re both well-fed and spoiled rotten, and I’ve helped with that. I can tell you they’re definitely a part of my soul, because after living at home for over 10 years and helping raise them, I had a life change when I moved to Charlotte, NC the first weekend of January, and cried so hard when I left them, as if I’d never see them again. They’re not really left, and are with my parents who take exceptional care of them. Needless to say, I look forward to when I see them again in about a month!

Take a moment to reflect on this:

” are approximately 2.7 million healthy or treatable pets out there who still need our help to find a home each year. Since the Shelter Pet Project launched in 2009, euthanasia is down 12 percent. But we still have work to do. Currently, just 29 percent of dogs and 33 percent of cats in American homes were adopted from shelters or rescue groups.

The Shelter Pet Project has just released a new series of PSAs to inspire people from all walks of life to find out how amazing shelter pets really are. And of course, the only way to really find out is to meet one! The ads showcase the personalities of real-life adopted shelter dogs and cats who lick or paw at the screen to show that they want to meet someone just like you.”

Check out one of the many Shelter Pets featured in the playlist below:

“TheShelterPet.org is a terrific resource to find thousands of adoptable pets in your area. You can search by breed, age or gender and see tons of amazing photographs! You can also see available pets by zip code, read adoption success stories and learn more about the adoption process.”

So, what do you say? Is it time for you to have your very own shelter pet, or do you have a shelter pet and want to share your story? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-shaffer/why-shelter-pets-are-good_b_4861602.html