Progress Update of APA!’s Veterinary Services Contract in Laredo
Aug 23, 2023 The City of Laredo and Laredo Animal Care Services (LACS) partnered with Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) in February 2023 as a result of the city’s desire to meet the Laredo community’s need for shelter improvement. Due to limited resources, LACS has historically faced challenges in implementing veterinary best practices, struggling to save half of the 8,000 pets that come into its shelter. Recognizing that a change was needed, LACS contracted with APA! to provide veterinary care services and updated shelter operations....
Unleash Your Dog’s Vitality: The Case for Daily Dog Supplements
In an ideal world, your pooch is getting all the vitamins and minerals he or she needs through their food. Newsflash: we don’t live in an ideal world. Your pup may be missing out on essential nutrients for good health, courtesy of hindrances like environmental pollution, processed food, and pup-pickiness. Enter dog supplements. As humans, we are taught – from as young as we can remember – to eat well, drink lots of water, and exercise regularly if we want to grow up big, strong, and healthy. On top of this, some of your...
Practical Strategies for Managing Separation Anxiety in Dogs
The bond between pooch and pooch parent is undeniably strong. You love that furry being more than life itself. You would do almost anything for them. Except, of course, stay at home 24/7, 365 days a year. More’s the pity, because here’s the thing: as much as you love Fido, Fido’s love for you is more than double. You are their everything. Little wonder, then, that separation anxiety in dogs is so common. Separation anxiety is thought to affect one in every four to six dogs. What’s more, a study by Green Element reports...
Shy Street Survivor “Dr. Pepper” Has Transitioned to a Loving House Kitty
Meet Dr. Pepper, a young female feline rescued from a life of scrounging for food and shelter. After struggling to survive on the streets, just skin and bones, Dr. Pepper has blossomed into absolutely loving indoor cat life. It was a big change for her to come inside, but she was accepting of human love from day one. She is still a little shy at first, and you have to approach her slowly at her level (when she’s on the floor, cat tree, etc.) for her to feel comfortable. However, when doing this, she will then allow you to pet her, and...
The Best Luxe Vacation Packages with Your Pooch are at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
End of summer is nearing, and many people are looking to squeeze in one last getaway before fall, school, and the holidays are upon us. If you count yourself among them and are a canine owner, the Ritz-Carlton has just the thing for you. It’s their luxury pet package called Love Your Pup, and it will not disappoint. If you’ve stayed at the Ritz in the past, you know the lengths they go to in order to accommodate their guests. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a treat. If you go by December 31, 2023, your pup’s...
Beyond Enforcement: Insights into Community-Centered Field Services
[embedded content] Traditionally, field services or animal control roles have been dedicated to enforcement: impounding animals, tackling cruelty and neglect, getting unsafe animals off the streets, and issuing citations to people violating animal statutes. Field services roles are changing, expanding into community-centered practices to support people and pets through community outreach, supplies and food, helping pet owners access vet care, and getting lost pets home. What can these changes mean for your organization and community? Tune...
How Massage Can Benefit Your Dog
From calming anxiety to easing pain to improving circulation, massage can help improve your dog’s health and well-being. There’s no substitute for taking your dog to the vet when he’s ailing. However, massage is one example of an alternative practice that can aid with healing and help him feel more comfortable. Canine massage has been used for some time to help dogs cope with a variety of issues, including muscle aches, anxiety, and more. “While massage is not going to be a ‘cure’ for diagnosed conditions,...
Save the date August 31: Apply for Online Instructor-Led Courses
Looking to implement a new program, learn more about a specific subject and create positive change for pets and people in your community? Be sure to save the date for Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses! The fall 2023 application window opens on August 31, 2023 and closes on September 13, 2023. “The facilitators were not only subject matter experts but also some of the most genuine, positive, and compassionate people I’ve met,” one former student shared. “Their love for people, planet, and animals...
Adaptogenic Mushrooms for Dogs and Cats
Adaptogens are compounds found in plants that can help the body to manage stress. We know they’re present in roots, herbs, and other plant substances. But a lot of people don’t realize that there are also adaptogenic mushrooms! Knowledge of adaptogens is relatively new. But people are becoming increasingly interested in them for themselves and their animal companions. Let’s look at what adaptogens are, how they benefit health, and two great adaptogenic mushrooms for dogs and cats! What Are Adaptogens? Researchers discovered...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dog training classes, humane education and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How Napa Humane is offering dog training classes to keep people and pets togetherBroadening community services through accessible preventative programs is what Napa Humane is all about. Although the organization has been around for about 50 years, they no longer have a physical shelter or animals. So, what do they have? A spay/neuter and vaccine clinic, a mobile clinic, humane education programs and most recently, accessible dog training...
