Dec
01
It’s a myth to think that most cats end up at shelters because they have behavior problems. The truth is, most cats are turned into animal shelters because of changes in people’s lives, which means there are lots of great cats waiting at shelters for a new home. Here’s a top ten list of why cats end up in shelters from the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy.
Many cats end up at shelters because of allergies.
1. Too many in house – Cats multiply quickly and very often a person will relinquish a feline because there are too many cats in the house. Cats can be very territorial with each other and so having a lot of cats in a small home can be very stressful for the feline.
2. Allergies –Many cats are given up because someone in the home, usually a new baby or young child, develops allergies. While this is understandable, I would caution parents to make sure it is indeed a feline allergy since many toddlers can be allergic to foods, like dairy products, that sometimes mimic airborne allergies.
3. Moving – Cats don’t like change, but being a pet owner who has moved 17 times with my felines, I can tell you that they can handle it and adjust more easily, the less stressed you are about the move.
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Nov
20
It’s a myth to think that most pets end up at shelters because they have behavior problems. The truth is, most pets are turned into shelters because of changes in people’s lives, which means there are lots of great pets at shelters — and lots of people who have trouble adjusting to change. Here’s a top ten list of why dogs end up in animal shelters from the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy.
Moving is the one reason people give for surrendering their pet to a shelter.
1. Moving — Dogs can handle change, especially if their owners make the change fun. But so many people leave pets behind at shelters when they move. That’s much more traumatic for dogs than riding two days in a car with their friend to a new home.
2. Landlord issues — If you rent, then you must get approval from your landlord to have a pet. Some people lie about these things and then when the landlord finds out they have a pet, they end up getting rid of the pet rather than moving.
3. Cost of pet maintenance – Pets are not cheap to care for. The average cost of caring for a dog is estimated at about $400 a year. That includes food, toys, vaccinations, and an annual visit to the vet. It cost a lot more if your dog gets sick or injured, has special dietary needs, or takes medication.
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Nov
06
Looking for a place for your dog to run and play off-leash? If you don’t already have a dog park in your community, your dog may thank you for helping to get one started.
Dog parks exist thanks to determined dog lovers working together to bring this dedicated play area to the community. If your neighborhood needs a dog park and you want to lead the charge, here’s how to get one started.
Dog parks are a great place for socialization
STEP 1: Get Organized
Seek out other dog lovers who want a dog park in the community too. When you find at least five committed people, you are ready to host your first meeting and begin discussions.
STEP 2: Develop a budget and funding strategies
The good news, you don’t have to start from scratch. Contact other groups around the country that have opened dog parks in their communities. They should be able to provide you with a general budget so you can make some financial projections. You will need funding for:
• An acre of land (unless you can get it donated)
• A nearby parking lot
• A fence with double-gated entry/exit
• Water fountains for people and pets
• Benches for seating
• Trees for shaded areas
• Handicapped accessibility
• Trash cans
• Poop bags and dispensers
Because most city budgets are tight, dog parks are often funded through private funding. In order to raise funds, some groups form their own 501(c)3 so they can elect a board, craft a mission, and create a fundraising strategy. If you are not ready to start your own nonprofit, some cities offer community groups a nonprofit umbrella structure to work under. See if your city has one, as it could expedite your planning and fundraising efforts.
You’ve got committed dog lovers on board, created a budget, and developed a fundraising strategy, now it’s time to start talking to your city officials and scouting for potential locations for your dog park.
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