Have you considered adopting a big dog, but you don't have a big yard? Big dogs need a big couch, not a big yard! If well exercised and trained, big dogs can be calm, couch potatoes. They are much safer and healthier living indoors.

Sprocket

Want to take a good picture of your dog or cat? Here's a few hints:

• Shoot outdoors.
• Shoot on a cloudy day. No hard shadows.
• Get eye level with the pet. Don't shoot above them.
• Get the animal to look into the camera by using a squeeky toy. It's important to capture them looking at you!
• Shoot with a nice (or neutral) background.

This picture of Sprocket was posted on FaceBook. He had 4 good adopters apply for him the first day. A great picture with a clever bio, is invaluable for posting homeless animals.

Cisco's crate

Do you crate train? It's a useful tool for housebreaking puppies. Pups don't like to soil their sleeping area, so it teaches them to wait to potty. Buy a crate from a pet retail store (I like the wire crates) and place the crate in a living room, near a window. When you first put the pup in the crate, give praise and treats. Place a blanket, toys and treats inside. Keep the door open to create a positive experience. General Rule: when the pup is unsupervised in the house, use the crate.

I usually leave the house for a couple hours when I first crate a new puppy. The pup will cry for awhile, but eventually settle into his new den. NEVER take the pup out of his crate while he is crying, or it reinforces the behavior. Wait until he's completely quiet to remove him!

Young pups will usually have to potty after waking from a nap, so be sure to go promptly outside. Praise them enthusiastically for eliminating outdoors. Take him to the same area each time. Depending on the pup's age, that's how long they can go without pottying. (ie: 3 month old pup can hold it 3 hours, 4 month old/4 hours etc...)

Don't leave water in the crate or the pup will have to potty prematurely. Be sure the pup is properly exercised, walked and socialized.

2 lb-Festus

3-month-old Bugsy

Do you know the proper age to sterilize your dog or cat? 

Pups can be fixed at 12 weeks of age and kittens at 2 pounds. 

If you wait longer, you risk an accidental litter or higher costs at the vet, (since most vets charge by weight.) 

Another benefit of an early spay/neuter is that young animals heal quicker than older animals! Its never too late to fix your older pet, as they can have litters at any age.

rescue supplies

Travel much? Good things to carry in a car when you encounter a stray dog or cat...

1. puppy food (high calorie)
2. leather gloves
3. sturdy slip lead
4. bowl/water jug
6. packaged meat sticks
7. canned pet food
8. dog biscuits
9. fold down wire crate
10. towels
11. Capstar flea tablets

I found a stray dog on the roadway. She was shy, but eventually came to me when I offered a 'Slim Jim' meat treat. I put a slip lead over her head as she ate the treat. I wore leather gloves and  gently picked her up and put her in the crate in my car. She was pregnant and had pups the next day. Momma and her 8 pups were eventually adopted out to lovely indoor homes, thanks to that enticing 'Slim Jim.'

"I care not for a man's religion whose dog or cat are not the better for it." ~ Abe Lincoln

 Fresh spay incision   

What's the first thing to do if you find a stray animal and you take it home? (Especially if its female)

- - - - TAKE HER TO THE VET! - - - -

 Many stray females are discarded BECAUSE they are pregnant. Also, if you have resident pets, protect them from disease by promptly vaccinating the stray. While at the vet, get the stray fixed.  Long haired dogs and cats hide pregnancy well, so don't take a chance on a surprise litter. (Ask your vet for a 'rescue' discount.)

If you locate the owner of the stray, ask them to reimburse you for the vet bills and insist they tag and contain their pets. Fixed pets stay home better too!

Are you experiencing cold weather this winter season? Imagine living outdoors, trying to stay warm in a doghouse. Unless that doghouse is sealed, insulated and heated, it does nothing to provide warmth to the dog inside. Because animals can't complain, owners mistakenly think their pets are fine. Unfortunately, animals suffer silently. During freezing weather, bring dogs and cats inside a heated area. Provide warm bedding and plenty of high calorie food to supplement their excessive energy needs.

No fence fighting 

Does your dog bark or growl at dogs (or people) as they walk by your fenced yard? Dogs that need exercise and mental stimulation can develop fence fighting issues that lead to aggressive, territorial behaviors. Stop these bad behaviors before they become patterns. 

• Supervise your dog when he's outside and stop him before he shows fence aggression. 
• Take your dog for more walks and socialize him with other well-behaved dogs. 
• Be sure he is neutered.  

Male Cardinal

Do you own a cat?  Outdoor cats kill millions of songbirds per year. Wild birds eat harmful insects and add beauty to our lives. Keeping your cat strictly indoors prolongs your cat's life, reduces vet bills and prevents bird deaths. To keep your cat content, keep his litter box clean, provide window perches and toys. 

"REWARD" dog tag

When ordering your pet's ID tag, list 2 phone numbers and the word "REWARD," rather than the pet's name. This is good incentive for the finder to call you!

Puppies for adoption

Got puppies or kittens? To rehome a dog or cat, it's important to ask an adoption fee. People that pay money often want the animal - and can afford to have one. Free animals have no value. 


Seventy-five dollars to $150 is fair for an animal that has been vaccinated, wormed and fixed. Interview, do a home visit and give vet records to the new owner. (See "all about rescue" for an adoption application.) Use low-cost spay/neuter clinics to fix them.

Keep for a lifetime

Thinking of adding a new family member over the Christmas holidays? Shop the shelter! Remember that a pet is more than a present, it's a lifetime commitment. There are plenty of purebreds and mixed breeds for adoption at your local shelter. If you're looking for a specific breed, go online and search 'breed rescue.' If you wait until after Christmas to adopt, put a stuffed animal (with a gift certificate) under the tree for the kids. 


Rescue groups are looking for good adopters, so be sure to visit them too! Shop your local Petco and PetSmart stores. 

laser pointer fun

Do you have a high-energy dog or cat that requires lots of play? Try a laser pointer. You can purchase them at most hardware or pet stores. 


A laser pointer gives an animal something safe to chase and is great exercise! Try to play at the same time each day, as pets enjoy routine and consistency.

DOG TRAPPING TIPS: How to catch a shy street dog.. 

• Set up a feeding station in a protected, shady spot where you often see the animal. The food will keep her in the area. Fill a a cake pan with water (a moat) and put a food bowl with smelly wet food in the middle. (This station provides food/water and keeps out ants.)
• Call animal control and report the location of the animal - (if they're effective.)
• Borrow, rent or buy a humane trap. Traps can be ordered online, purchased at feed stores or borrowed from humane societies. (www.trucatchtraps.com)
• Inspect your trap to be sure it is functional. Oil it, test the trap plate, inspect the welds to be sure the wire is secure. You often get only one chance!
• Third, remove the feeding station a day or two before you replace it with the trap. Post a notice asking other people NOT to feed the animal.. its very important that the animal be HUNGRY! Set the trap where you had been feeding.
• Find a flat surface so the trap is level. Place a chunk of wet food outside the trap door. Line the walkway of the trap with newspaper and drop chunks of wet food to entice the animal to walk in. Place a big portion of food on the trap plate. (If ants are a problem, dust the trap area with sevin dust.) Keep the food fresh and smelly. Oily food works best. (tunafish in oil, bacon, bbq, brisquit fat or deboned fried chicken works great!)
• Once you trap the animal, keep her IN the trap. Go straight to a vet or shelter. If you choose to foster the animal, have the vet remove the animal from the trap. Get her vaccinated, spayed and have the vet attach a harness/tags and leash while in surgery. 
• When the animal wakes, it will be ready to go to its foster home. Slowly acclimate it to a quiet room and secure yard. If its a dog, keep her on a leash at all times. Do not let the dog into an unsupervised yard until you KNOW she will return to you.