How to get more cats adopted The following tips on how to increase cat adoptions are from Bonney Brown, former executive director of the Nevada Humane Society. I attended her presentation on saving shelter cats at the 2012 No Kill Conference. This post is not intended as an outline of her presentation. These are just …
Animal humane issues
An open letter I wrote to a local rescue group about my concerns with its adoption policies.
I’ve caught myself spreading myths about pitbull dogs such as “They can be really nice dogs. It’s how they’re raised.” This myth implies that a pitbull raised without love, training or exercise will become a “bad dog.”
Myths and negative stereotypes do not help dogs get adopted. Shelter volunteers love to use them, though, and it’s hurting the dogs. “We have so many unwanted pitbulls,” a volunteer might say to a potential adopter. But pitbulls are far from “unwanted.” They’re among the most popular types of dogs in America. “We also have tons of …
The black dogs get to me first. Their shiny coats and ghostly eyes reflect back at the camera’s flash. Their photos never do them justice. And then it’s the puppies that get to me – so young and already so close to death. And after that it’s every dog that resembles any dog I’ve ever …
I want to share the 2012 pound statistics I gathered from the three local pounds in my community of Fargo, N.D., West Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn. I also want to share some of my thoughts on the stats.
It is important, I think, for each of us to be open to the ideas of others. Shifting my own opinion is a good thing. I am certainly wrong sometimes. And my ideas are always changing. Like everything else, the “animal world” has become a place where it’s difficult to listen. A few people are …
The outdoor cat. A free spirit. Beamer is an indoor cat now. So is Scout. There is a difference between our cat who used to roam outdoors and our cat who has never had that freedom. Two levels of awareness. Beamer would sometimes be out for hours, napping on the deck, slinking between bushes. Sometimes …
13 ways to help animals Earlier this month I decided to participate in The 13 Project. This project was created by a site called Pretty Fluffy to encourage individuals to help homeless animals. To participate, all you have to do is come up with your own list of 13 ways to help animals before 2012 ends. I …
Adopt A Senior Pet month Shelters and rescue groups across the country are making a difference for senior pets by participating in Petfinder’s Adopt A Senior Pet month. If your shelter is offering adoption specials or events highlighting senior pets, let me know and I will add your events to this post. Below are two examples of …