Animal Shelter News Archives

No Pets Allowed in Shelters

Saturday, February 25th, 2012 at 12:34 am  
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No Pets Sign

No Pets Allowed

What? No Pets Allowed in Shelters?

I am not referring to animal shelters here. Rather, I am referring to women’s shelters. You see, I have learned about a dog who is staying in a safe haven while her pet parent transforms her life into one of hope and love again. Her human family is in turmoil right now. This dog is afraid of the abuser in the home and growls at him. The children are not aware of what has happened to their mother because the abuse happens when they are not at home.

Since her pet parent cannot find a women’s shelter that will allow her to take her loving companion with her, a family is providing foster care for this dog. If you would like your pet parent to help other pets in need, have them check out Ahimsahouse to learn more about providing a safe haven.

Why Do Victims of Abuse Stay in the Home?

Girl Loves Dog

This Child Finds Comfort With Her Dog

Up to 48% of domestic violence victims will delay or refuse leaving an abusive home out of fear of leaving their pets or livestock behind according to Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T).  This is the first and only national program to encourage domestic violence shelters to allow families to bring their pets with them.

It is no secret that domestic violence often starts with violence towards pets. More than 72 million homes in the U.S. in 2011 included companion animals. Women without children consider their animals as their children and are reluctant or totally unwilling to leave them behind. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 72% of homes have women as the primary caretaker of the pet. That’s true in my home. This dog that I know about does not like her male abuser but she does warm up to every other man that she meets.

Two cats together

Cats Are Often the Victims of Abuse

 

There are approximately 2500 women’s shelters. In early 2009, there were only 8 women’s shelters known to take in pets also.  Although the number has grown, less than 70 women’s shelters across 29 states are listed as being able to accommodate pets.

 

 How Can We Make a Difference?

We have Allie Phillips to thank for fighting for our rights to remain with our pet parents.  Besides founding Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T), Allie has worked on legislative issues and developed national initiatives on human-animal interactions.

This abused pet parent, who is still in her home with a protective order against her husband, has to be less stressed knowing that her companion is in a safe haven. The foster parents are trying to keep their guest very busy and very pampered so that she isn’t anxious while she is away from her pet parent.  She tried to snap my face off at first…more than once… but I reassure her that I am her new friend.  I share my food and treats with her too. As an only pet myself, I have not had to share before but I sense that she appreciates my generosity. However, not every pet has an option like my new friend.

What kind of accommodations do the pets have in women’s shelters?

Playground for small animals

Small Animals Have Luxury Accommodations in a Healthy Home

We viewed outdoor kennels or indoor rooms filled with cages. This certainly in not what my new friend is used to.  I can tell that she is a diva like myself and expects only the finest comforts of a human home.

Women’s shelters across the states house from 1-3 pets per month for up to 90 days.

Sick pets, elderly pets  or those used to the constant companionship of their pet parents would have a tough time adapting to this type of environment. This is where Red Rover comes in with available grant money. Their slogan is Bringing Animals from Crisis to Care.

What are the primary concerns about pets in women’s shelters?

  • Allergies
  • Funds to pay for the pets
  • Sustaining the pet program
  • Dog bites
  • Abandoned pets
  • Legal issues

 

Allie Phillips has thought it all through from how to garner support, how to establish SAF-T, and the future of SAF-T.

Your pet parent can do more to help pets like my friend. The goal of SAF-T is to have one SAF-T shelter in each state by 2014 through education and awareness. If you know of a pet and their family that is being abused, and they don’t have a place to go together in your area, have your pet parents team up with Allie Phillips. They can learn more about her work at www.manifestedharmony.com.

Help us assist Allie in multiplying the number of women’s shelters that welcome pets.

What are your feelings about pets being allowed in women’s shelters? Share your feelings with us…

Three rabbits

Help Multiply Pet-friendly Women’s Shelters

 

 

 

 

 

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to Animal Lover Amelia Johnson

Are You Enrolled in a Canine Life and Social Skills Program?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 12:35 am  
Comments (1)

It looks like my pet parent is checking out the Canine Life and Social Skills Program to promote training using positive reinforcement. It has been been developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to strengthen relationships between us dogs and our pet parents. I am all for that. Strong relationships are what keep us in our homes in spite of what we do…

Puppy with Pillow Stuffing

I Didn't Do It!

how we look (dirty & scraggly), or how much maintenance we require (annual vet visits).

This program is similar to the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

American Kennel Club Socialization Training Activity and Responsibility

Socialization-Training-Activity-Responsibility

and Canine Good Citizen Program in that life skills are taught and then tested by certified evaluators.

Recognition for a Canine Good Citizen

Are You Ready to Become a Canine Good Citizen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The APDT C.L.A.S.S. program is based on input from both dog owners and non-dog owners, shelter workers and professional dog trainers. It is a 3-level evaluation for our pet parents to demonstrate our real-life skills and their basic knowledge of how to handle and care for us. The positive, reward-based training minimizes the chance that we will be punished and increases the chances of having fun with our pet parents.

We can earn a B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. certificate as we progress with our skills. An entire curriculum is available for use by shelters to either enhance their present programs or to create a new one. The dogs waiting for homes can be evaluated for no cost and then listed in the C.L.A.S.S. web site ins the “dogs for adoption” section…train ‘em up and match ‘em up! Fees for other dogs are only $5.00

The APDT designed C.L.A.S.S. with the needs of shelter dogs in mind. This makes the shelter dogs more adoptable.Knowing basic skills will increase the shelter pet’s chances of staying in their new home.  The marketing behind the C.L.A.S.S. program will attract people to these precious pets.

So ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you wait at the door?
  • Come when you are called?
  • Allow your leash to be attached?
  • Walk loosely on a leash and stare adoringly at  your pet parent?
  • Meet people nicely when you are out and about?
  • Leave the “untouchable” items untouched?
  • Wait for your food bowl to be placed in front of you?
  • Stay in one spot?
  • Settle down your wiggle butt?

If you can do these things, then you are ready to become a B.A. with C.L.A.S.S.

Have your pet parent study the rules and requirements in the Student Handbook. The components of Canine Life and Social Skills includes educating your pet parent in responsible dog ownership and positive reinforcement, assessing real-life skills, encouraging ongoing training, expanding the opportunities for those of us that are well-behaved and supporting shelters and rescues.

Scientific research has shown that we dogs do not behave “badly”; we just exhibit normal dog behaviors to get our needs met or to resolve conflict. We don’t feel guilty at all because we don’t know right from wrong. We just know what works and we figure out a way to get what we feel that we need.

Your pet parent will have to pass a multiple-choice test on dog information and ownership. They will learn how to relate to you by setting clear boundaries for you rather than confronting you with drama.

Positive, reward-based training works! How have your pet parents “trained” you?

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

Be Grateful for the Best of Pets

Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 6:45 pm  
Comments (4)

Our pet parents are grateful when they see the best in us. We wag our tails as we listen to them tell the other pet parents on our walks just how smart, cute, agile and comforting we are.  Sometimes though, they laugh when they talk about the worst of our behavior rather than the best that they see in us pets.

With both parents in a household working, it is difficult to add a pet to the family.  Other pets may be easier to maintain than we dogs are because they don’t require the outside exercise. Children who love pets are discouraged from having a dog of their own for these reasons so I adopt children without pets. I want them to learn about the best side of pet companionship.

My Adopted Boy

I first locate grandparents in my neighborhood that have visiting grandkids.  Then I make myself look like a big stuffed animal and wear my brightest smile. This little boy has no fear of me so I cuddle up to him. He met me when he was just a baby. By then, his big sister had gotten over most of her fear of me. In fact, she introduced him to me.

His sister decided that she wanted to be in the picture with both of us. However, you can see that she is still a little bit reserved around me.  As she leans to the right, I stay near my adopted boy. I also lay my ears close to my head around her so I look more like a friendly puppy. These children keep me socialized and I keep them well-adjusted so that they learn how to behave around dogs.

My Adopted Children

My Adopted Children

Wise parents who are not able to welcome pets into their homes take their children to places where friendly dogs hang out…like dog shows and dog parks…or just around the neighborhood. The many “no dogs allowed” signs at public parks and playgrounds keep us off limits to the children playing there…something about doggie poo.

I was a Thanksgiving Day gift (you can read my story in The Gratitude Book Project:Best of Pets). Some shelters around the nation are promoting a program whereby families can take a pet home over the holidays and then return the pet to the shelter after the holidays.  This allows the pets to be in a family atmosphere and gives the shelter workers and volunteers a break.  It also allows families to see how well a pet will fit (or not) into their family. Although the pets may like the break, I doubt that they will appreciate being returned to the shelter atmosphere.

Responsible dog breeders do not advertise “Christmas puppies” for sale. They want their puppies to go to a forever home rather than be an impulse gift to please the momentary whims of children during the holidays. This can be a stressful time for everyone rather than the ideal time to bring a peeing, pooping, whining puppy into the house.  Of course, puppies only behave this way because their needs are not being met…too many other toys on hand to play with during the holidays. Households are unlikely to see the Best of Pets unless they have been brought up responsibly.

So my words of wisdom to parents of children that would like to be grateful for the best of pets this holiday season, are to buy a stuffed animal for your children with a gift card attached containing a promise for the future. For a present of the best of pets now, buy The Gratitude Book Project:Best of Pets for children of all ages. I highly recommend it. The profits from the book will benefit the ASPCA.

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

Animal Cruelty – Ducky’s Story

Friday, April 29th, 2011 at 11:51 am  
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Ducky

Ducky - a poster dog for Animal Cruelty

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has designated April as Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. The month may be ending but we need to continue to do our part to prevent cruelty to animals.

Ducky’s story created a media sensation in the newspaper, on radio and on Facebook during the month of April 2011. Volunteers that were searching for him nicknamed this medium-sized cream and brown terrier “Ducky” because his snout was wrapped in duct tape by his abusers.

As seven days went by with sightings covering many miles from Corriganville, Mount Savage, and Frostburg to Lonaconing, Maryland, rewards were offered not only for Ducky’s safe and sound capture, but also for anyone leading authorities to the perpetrator of this cruel act. Delegate Kevin Kelly and then Governor Martin O’Malley also responded to Ducky’s plight. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources used automated phone calls asking area residents to report Ducky sightings. Humane traps were set but failed to lure the wily terrier inside.

Ducky finally became totally exhausted far away from where he was first abandoned. Frightened, he bit the animal control officer that retrieved him from where he was resting. Ducky was then placed in quarantine for 10 days. Donations have paid his veterinary bills. Ducky is now at Ark of Hope Rescue along with his brothers Captain and Frank and his sister Mitzi. Diane Care stated that the next step is just making sure that the 2-year-old dogs are socially ready to be adopted.

You can help support Ducky and his siblings and others like Ducky who find themselves homeless and deserving of a better life with a loving family. Volunteer, donate money or visit them on the web at Ark of Hope Rescue.org. Ducky will be making a personal appearance at the General Art Store on April 30th during the Arts Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Local artist Artie Burl has contributed a painting of Ducky to be auctioned off and posters will be available for his many fans to purchase to support his continued care.

Prevent dogs from being abandoned for lack of socialization and exercise. Support the Frostburg Dog Park or your local dog park by volunteering or sending in your monetary donations. Be sure to attend obedience/agility classes to build your bond with your dog.

In this case, two men were arrested on numerous charges of animal cruelty in regard to Ducky. They posted $3500 bond. If convicted, they face maximum penalties of 90 days in jail and/or fines of up to $1000.

Have your pet parents comment about dogs they have rescued or cases of animal abuse that have had a happy ending for the animal involved.

Living in the moment,
Schatzi
Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

The Allegany County Animal Shelter *Save A Pet* Vision for the Future

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 at 2:52 pm  
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Thirty-eight years ago, an estimated 90,000 homeless pets were euthanized across the country every month. Gertrude Maxwell, through her Save-A-Pet website, has been credited with saving more than 70,000 dogs and cats since then. Her campaign included spaying, neutering and saving as many pets as possible.

Gertrude Maxwell died recently but her vision has ignited a firestorm in a small town in Western Maryland. Animal lovers were unhappy with the response from the Allegany County Animal Shelter staff, forcing change to happen. Volunteers were hoping that the shelter could become a no-kill shelter.  They have stepped forward to assist in pet care until new staff can be hired. Change is constant.  Some pets have been fostered and others have been adopted. Some volunteers have already burned out and others are frustrated…yet remain for the sake of the homeless pets.

Watch this pet video that was taken shortly after the upset to hear about the duties of animal-shelter  volunteers:

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia