A dog that has been abandoned often suffers from a host of physical, emotional and behavioral issues. Along with the proper veterinary care and lots of TLC, this simple acupressure session can help address his well-being on all levels. No one reading this article would be capable of abandoning a dog. But sadly, shelters, rescues,…
Thanks to mobile apps, the ability to help animals is right at your fingertips! Sales of live animals from pet stores have been decreasing in recent years, thanks to concerns over commercial breeding operations. More people are turning to shelters and rescues to find companion animals, and our digital world is making it ever easier…
From whole countries to individual cities, a growing number of regions around the world are banning declawing. Declawing is a hot topic in feline health. This inhumane and unnecessary surgical procedure leaves cats with negative long-term physical and behavioral issues. Unfortunately, many people still opt to declaw their cats to prevent destructive scratching. But lately,…
Why are anxiety and aggression so common in dogs and cats, and how can they be resolved? About three years ago, our Irish setter Coral developed a fear of thunderstorms. She was seven at the time, and prior to that, she’d completely ignored thunder and even fireworks. We have no idea why her behavior changed,…
Breed labeling in shelters can do more harm than good, according to a recent study. Adopting a dog? Behavior matters more than breed when selecting your new family member, according to a recent study published in PLOS One. Shelter workers aren’t always correct when it comes to breed labeling, so selecting a dog based on…
Anyone with a rescue dog will tell you that their pup is incredible – so why aren’t more people choosing to adopt from shelters? You’ve probably heard the astonishing statistics. Approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters nationwide every year and of those dogs, only half are adopted. These numbers beg the question – why aren’t…
Being a pet parent offers many benefits. Animal companions not only give us unconditional love and friendship — they also improve our health! Karen is an actress who used to burn the candle at both ends. That is, until she rescued a beaten and abandoned dog named Valoche. As a pet parent, she experienced a…
Warm temperatures can put kittens in serious peril, but if people, shelters, and communities step up to tackle the problem together, we can hopefully turn kitten season into foster season. Kitten Season — the annual high-breeding period that runs through spring and summer — is a time of tremendous challenges for young cats, whether they’re…
The PREPARED Act will help protect animals from harm’s way during disaster and emergency situations. Earlier this week, U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Pete King (R-N.Y.) introduced the Providing Responsible Emergency Plans for Animals at Risk of Emerging Disasters (PREPARED) Act. This new bill requires any USDA-regulated business that profits off animals such as zoos, commercial animal dealers,…
A behind-the-scenes look at the physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation efforts that give shelter and rescue dogs a second chance at life. While some dogs in shelters and rescues have healthy bodies and minds, others aren’t so lucky. Every day, rescue organizations and animal shelters bring in four-legged victims of neglect and abuse – some…