Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition featuring Dr. Chris Pachel
Join us at Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition on March 20 and April 3, 2024 from 9AM-1PM PT (12PM-4PM ET) for two free, virtual, half-days that will include presentations, short videos and question & answer sessions about dog behavior. We’ll talk about determining which dogs are safe to rehome, keeping dogs happy and healthy while they are in your care at the shelter, and finding them homes. Kicking off Camp Maddie will be Chris Pachel, DVM, Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist (DACVB), Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC), and...
Beyond the Save Rate: Integrating People into the Sheltering Equation
[embedded content] Having a 90% or higher save rate has become the gold standard for measuring the success or failure of an animal shelter or rescue, and it will continue to be an important metric. The problem is that the save rate focuses only on a singular point in a complex societal issue. The more the animal welfare industry learns about people and pets, the more we realize that the trouble is less about the pets in the shelter and more about the “people problems” that put them there to begin with. In this webinar, Dr. Ellen...
7 Reasons to Try Wet Food for Dogs and Cats
Whether you have a dog or cat who won’t eat or drink enough, has a sensitive tummy, or is getting older and having trouble with kibble, wet food can help! If your fur baby is having food issues, here are seven benefits of wet food for dogs and cats. Kibble is one of the most popular diet choices for dogs and cats because it is convenient and easy to store, has a long shelf life, is relatively affordable, and comes in a large selection of recipes. But wet food options like stews and canned entrées share many of the same benefits...
Learn how one high-intake zip code increased its kitten fostering engagement
Kitten season is just around the corner and March’s Maddie’s® Insights has you covered. On Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 12PM PT/3PM ET, Debra Olmedo and Greg Miller of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) will provide an overview of recent research aimed at identifying ways to increase awareness and engagement in kitten fostering programs among residents of areas with high intake of kittens to animal shelters. They will discuss the project methodology, what they learned about awareness,...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kitten fostering engagement, Open Arms Challenge and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How you can take Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity’s REDI course for just $25In honor of the Open Arms Challenge and their belief in its mission, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) would like to offer all applicants the opportunity to take the REDI Bronze course for $25 a person. This applies to anyone in your organization! The course is available to you after your Open… Learn More Apply for the Open Arms Challenge by March...
Shocking Ways Traditional Ice Melts Can Harm Cats and Dogs
Traditional ice melts contain ingredients that aren’t safe for animals, people, or the environment. These are six ways they can pose a safety risk for dogs and cats. Slips and falls are a common winter hazard that many people combat with traditional ice melts. However, these products contain ingredients that can cause pain and burns on contact, as well as mild to serious health problems — and even death — when ingested. Here are six ways traditional ice melts can harm dogs and cats. 1. THEY CAN BE FATAL One of the main...
APA! & the American Red Cross Partner to Help People & Pets Affected by Disasters
Feb 29, 2024 Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) and the American Red Cross of Central & South Texas Region have partnered to help pets and people affected by natural disasters, fires, flooding, and other disaster relief. The partnership will offer Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS) program assistance to help those in need when the Red Cross is called to a scene and ensure animals and their families do not fall through the cracks when disaster strikes. “We are thrilled to establish a partnership with the American Red Cross here...
Top 11 Behavioral Problems in Dogs
Canine behavioral problems can be challenging because there are many types of issues, multiple causes, and several strategies to manage them. However, behavioral problems are one of the reasons dogs end up in shelters, so it’s important to understand these actions and the approaches that can help address them. Let’s dive in and look at 11 common behavioral problems in dogs. 1. Aggression Aggression can include growling, snapping, biting, and other threatening behaviors. Dogs may exhibit aggression towards people or animals. There...
How you can take Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity’s REDI course for just $25
In honor of the Open Arms Challenge and their belief in its mission, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) would like to offer all applicants the opportunity to take the REDI Bronze course for $25 a person. This applies to anyone in your organization! The course is available to you after your Open Arms application is submitted. REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) works outside the traditional framework of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). Often DE&I is performative, done to look as though diversity...
Data Insight on Reducing Returns: Help Adopters Let Dogs be Dogs and Cats be Cats
Highlights Behavior is a leading cause of returns, second only to owner/household preferences. Nuisance behavior is the most common type of behavior-related returns. The median time out of shelter for animals returned due to nuisance behavior is only 3 days. Data on returns suggests an opportunity to provide more behavior and training education and support for adopters. Recommendations are provided on how to support behavior needs in pet adoption journeys. What’s Happening Why are adopted pets returned? HASS pilot shelter data...
