The Gentle Touch: Teaching Kids How to Pet a Dog
Children and dogs can be playmates, partners in crime, and best friends, but children must learn appropriate, gentle, and safe behavior with dogs. Even the gentlest dog may lash out if a child causes the dog pain, fear, or anxiety. Behavioral issues are one of the main reasons dogs end up in shelters. That can include biting or growling because a child wasn’t taught about animal consent. To ensure a safe relationship between the two, here are some tips on teaching kids how to pet a dog gently and safely. Benefits of Growing up with a...
Adopting the Right Dog or Cat for You
Falling in love with a certain shelter dog or cat, and want to adopt him? That’s great — but first of all, find out if he’s the right fit for you and your lifestyle. When visiting an animal shelter or rescue facility, it can be very easy to fall in love with a particular dog or cat. Before filling out the adoption form, though, it’s important to determine if the animal you have your eye on is right for you. Adopting a dog or cat that isn’t a good match for your household, budget, or lifestyle can lead to problems...
Shy Cat Who’d Settled Into His New Home is Back at Shelter After His Family Had to Move
This story was submitted by our shelter friend The Cat House on the Kings. The Cat House on the Kings saves pets’ lives in the Fresno County, California area, and the Animal Rescue Site is proud to share their stories. You can learn more about their work here! There are a lot of nicknames for those who are nervous and timid. Challenge yourself to think of as many as possible. Then think of the challenges for those that are not only reserved as a general spirit, but for whom life has reinforced their reasons for being shy, apprehensive,...
They’ll Help Bring You Suitors, And Other Fun Facts About Black Cats
As spooky season nears its peak with Halloween, you’ve likely seen a black cat decoration or two over the past few weeks. The association of fright with black cats isn’t really all that fair, though, unless you’re talking about the fright you experience when your black cat gets an especially terrifying case of the zoomies. There’s a lot more to them than being October’s unofficial mascot, though. Learn some fun facts below! Black Cats Are Quite Common There’s a good chance you’ve seen a few black cats...
Before Their Viral TikTok Video, Senior Dog Duo Stunned Shelter Staff With Jeweled Foreheads
When Peanut Butter and Jelly first arrived at Sonoma County Animal Services as strays, they immediately caught the attention of everyone who laid eyes on them. The shelter staff was stunned and bewildered. These senior dogs had jewels glued to their foreheads. “Our staff was shocked and confused. Many of them have been working in animal care for many years and had never seen anything quite like it,” Emma Diemert, shelter supervisor, told The Dodo. Photo: TikTok / allthefosterpupsPeanut Butter and Jelly arrived at a shelter with...
Over 50 Shelter Dogs & Cats Get Second Chance To Find Forever Homes On Flight To Freedom
Another successful Flight to Freedom has saved the lives of over 50 shelter pets. We couldn’t have done it without your support, so thank you! 36 dogs and 20 cats left noisy and overcrowded shelters in Louisiana and Alabama and caught a Flight to Freedom. They boarded the flight in the early morning hours of October 25. When they arrived at their final destination, they were greeted by friendly faces who were thrilled to meet them. Photo: Greater Good Charities Cats meowed and the dogs barked with excitement as they were transported...
Dog Left Heartbroken After Family Surrenders Her To Shelter Because Of New Baby
Afraid, alone, and heartbroken… this describes how a sweet dog named Snowflake feels after her family surrendered her to Humane Society of Broward County after they had a baby. The 3-year-old pit bull mix doesn’t understand why she is in this strange place and misses her family, even if they don’t miss her. She would have loved the baby and been a great big sister. Instead, she was cast aside and is now wondering what she did wrong. Screenshot: TikTok/humanebroward She spends her days watching out the door of her kennel for...
Heroic Border Collie Saves Teen’s Life During Sudden Stroke
In a heartwarming tale of heroism and quick thinking, a one-year-old Border Collie named Axel became a lifesaver for a 17-year-old teenager, Gabriel Silva, who suffered a sudden stroke. Without Axel’s timely intervention, the outcome could have been far worse. Photo: Facebook / Amanda C Tanner17-year-old teenager Gabriel Silva suffered an unexpected and sudden stroke. A Sudden Stroke in the Night Gabriel Silva, a healthy and athletic 17-year-old from Texas, experienced a life-altering event on the night of August 26. He initially...
Stray Cat ‘Had Other Plans’, Gets Neighbor to Foster Her, and Finds New Home
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! There were several stray cats that lived around my apartment complex. I left out food for them on a fairly regular basis, but the vast majority were feral and wanted nothing to do with humans. One little kitty, however, had other plans. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / RAY CONSER I had seen this pretty fluffy little ‘calitorbie’ cat more than once, and we jokingly called her a calitorbie...
Data Insight: What We Learned from a Simple Question About Visible IDs and RTH Rates
Animal shelters are overflowing with pets that have become separated from their people. According to our HASS pilot data, as well as Shelter Animals Count (SAC), “stray” animals make up around 50% of 2023 shelter intake across the United States. It’s not surprising that organizations are looking for answers to the question, “how can we increase return to home (RTH) rates?” Here’s an example from one of the HASS pilot organizations: With stray pets accounting for nearly 80% of total intake and...
