Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Busting barriers, We Foster Challenge Huddles and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Watch any of the We Foster Huddles on-demandWhether you missed one or want to re-watch for some tangible ideas, you can watch any of the four We Foster Huddles on-demand at your convenience! Below is the lineup. If you have questions or want access to resources mentioned on any of them, head over to Maddie’s® Pet Forum where you’ll find everything you… Learn More How your pet foster program can provide support for foster caregiversThis...
How Do Sounds Affect Your Dog Or Cat?
Your dog or cat’s sense of hearing is far more sensitive than yours, so he can be stressed by sounds you may not even be aware of. Find out how to create a more soothing soundscape for him in your home. It’s New Year’s Eve and the fireworks are starting. Your dog or cat trembles, lowers his tail, and runs off to a safe place such as his crate or under the bed. Loud noises like fireworks and thunder are scary for a lot of animals, and even to some people, especially children. But what about the sounds we humans don’t...
Dog was Tied to a Fire Hydrant before Being Abandoned Forever
What should you do if you could no longer take care of your dog? Tying it to a fire hydrant is certainly not the answer. And yet, this was exactly what six-year-old Baby Girl went through when her owners decided to give her up. The dog was tied to a fire hydrant with her things inside a BIG bag which included toys, treats, and dog food. Although her owners might have intended for Baby Girl to survive with a chance to go on enjoying her beloved stuff, Kylie Engelhardt, who found the dog, still thought it was an irresponsible way to dispose of...
Moving house? 5 steps to make it easier on your dog or cat
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
Is your pet putting on pounds? Time for expert help
Pet obesity is a huge risk factor and can expose your fur kid to many different illnesses and challenges. It may be time to get some help. Who can ignore the wide, eager eyes and wagging tail or purr of an adoring pet sending a strong hint that a treat would hit the spot? Pet owners know those looks are hard to resist and treats are a way to reinforce the bond with their animal companions. Like humans, pets struggle with their weight too Yet, like humans who may struggle with maintaining a healthy weight, many pets are obese, with an...
How your pet foster program can provide support for foster caregivers
This post originally ran in August 2020. It’s always in-style to focus on retaining and appreciating your foster caregivers. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters have been cleared out and foster homes have been filled. While it is truly the silver lining to this all, foster programs have been learning and pivoting in ways to support their new and long-time caregivers. Lea Williams, Ph.D, a nonprofit consultant and researcher, provides us with recommendations for foster teams on how best to support and retain their...
April Showers Bring (Dog-Friendly) May Flowers!
We’re well into the spring season which means one thing – it’s time to get planting! If you plan on doing some gardening this season, why not fill your garden with dog-friendly plants? We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite pet-safe plants, including a few that stand up well to even the most rambunctious pup. Camellia This beautiful flowering shrub originates in eastern and southern Asia but has become popular worldwide with gardeners looking for an easy to care for evergreen. Their vibrant flowers bloom in...
6 Tips for Building a Barrier-Free, Inclusive Foster Base
The ASPCA LA Foster Program launched in 2017 in partnership with the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (LA DACC). The first step we took to creating our foster volunteer base was making kitten fostering accessible to anyone who wanted to help. We also dedicated our efforts to supporting a successful foster experience by focusing on 4–8-week-old kittens who were still at risk in the shelter and yet were an easy group of kittens for new fosters to care for. Within the first year of our program, foster...
Rescue Dog Watches over Toddler Even at Night to Keep Him Safe
How much loyal love a dog has for his owners is just amazing! Emily did not expect that their rescue dog Kendall would become the number 1 protector of their son. Kendall was short of a few hours to being euthanized when Emily and Davy agreed to adopt her. Emily saw her picture and felt that she was the right companion for their dog Tiger. Photo: YouTube/The Dodo Yes, the two dogs became close friends. But in the early months of her adoption, Kendall was such a destructive dog. Emily and Davy were almost tempted to regret their decision, but...
Retired Firefighter Received Best News during Interview about His Stolen Pit Bulls
Kevin Johnson is a retired firefighter from Calavera County, California. He is the owner of two pit bulls named Hay Hay, ten months old, and Nina, six years old. Photo: YouTube/CBS Sacramento He loves them as if they were his children. He was also looking forward to one of them becoming a certified emotional support dog to help him recover from the trauma of his more than 30 years in the service of firefighting and rescue. But his experience did not prepare him for what was going to happen to his two pit bulls in the quiet neighborhood where...
