If You’re Thinking of Fostering an Animal or Adopting a Special Needs Pet, Know the Challenges First
First things first. Adopting a rescue pet or fostering are two of the greatest things you can do in life if you love animals. The rewards are often immeasurable, but they’re not without their challenges even under the best of circumstances. Unfortunately, a lot of people go into these acts of love with blinders on. To make matters worse, sometimes they do so for the wrong reasons. So, before you rush in, it’s a good idea to know what you’re letting yourself in for first. Photo: Pixabay/mochawalk Special Needs Pets Animals...
Planning for the Inevitable: Living Arrangements for Surviving Pets
It goes without saying that nobody wants to think about death. But unless you’re planning on some sort of sci-fi ending involving a cryogenic freeze and rebirth, the truth is we’re all going to go someday. One of the last things people think of, as far as long-term, is what would happen to my pets after I’m gone. Generally, it’s not until people age, and the concept becomes more relevant that they start to give it any thought. Pet Planning The problem is, even if you have family that will outlive you, do they want to...
Humans Have Cared Enough About Their Pets to Provide Them with Burials for Thousands of Years
You’ve likely heard of pet cemeteries but assumed they were a relatively new concept. Perhaps not much older than the 18th or 19th centuries. That assumption would be false. As it turns out, humans have cared enough about their beloved pets to provide them with burials for thousands of years. Some individuals have even been discovered to have their pets buried with them in centuries-old tombs or graves. Photo: Pixabay/jenniferva Ancient Egypt & Roman-Era Pet Cemeteries About four or five years ago, a group of Polish archeologists...
Are Your Cats Ready for Holiday Gatherings? 5 Tips for Calming and Readying Fussy Felines
Got a kitty that has difficulty adjusting to visitors, added commotion, and/or more noise than usual? While some cats are oblivious regardless of the situation, others just aren’t happy when their routines are disrupted and will show it in the most pointed ways. If you have one of these easily irked felines, or you’re planning on hosting the holidays at your house this year and you’re not sure how your little darlings will react, we’ve got some tips for you. Photo: Pixabay/Sbringser 1. Holiday Decorations with Pets in...
Pet Food Donations Desperately Needed Across the Country
With inflation dinging so many people’s pocketbooks, many pet owners are feeling the squeeze this fall, and experts in the animal welfare community are concerned things could get worse for pet parents as winter approaches. The winter months can be a difficult time of year financially, even under normal circumstances. There are the holidays, with food and gifts eating into our bank accounts, and it’s a time of year when many are out of work in states that see regular snowfall. Add to that unexpected colds and injuries that force us...
November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month!
Senior pets and those with medical needs are by far the hardest pets to rehome, hands down. A lot of that has to do with the idea that they’ll be more work or that they’ll be too old to train if need be, propped up by the false adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The old tricks part is definitely not true, but animals with medical needs can come with more time and responsibility. That does not mean they’re not worth every moment or penny spent on them. Adopt a Senior Pet Since November is the official...
Feeding Dogs Table Scraps Isn’t In Your (or Their) Best Interest
We’ve all heard that feeding dogs table scraps should be, well, scrapped. Not only is the habit bad for your pet’s health, but it undermines teaching them not to beg. Yes, you can always wait until after the meal and then place scraps in their bowl, but it’s still not good for their health and most pets are significantly overweight right now in this country. Additionally, your veterinarian would most likely have a few choice words on the subject, were it to be brought up. Photo: Pixabay/Mylene2401 How Stuff Works A recent...
Save Money This Winter (and All Year Round) By Eliminating This One Thing From Your Pet’s Diet
With inflation still wreaking havoc on our budgets, pet owners everywhere are looking for ways to cut back and save money this winter. If you’re concerned with rising costs and facing costly heating bills this winter, you are probably looking for ways to cut corners. This is especially important during a time more and more pet owners are facing the unthinkable: surrendering their pets due to a lack of funds. One vet has a suggestion that can help save money and help keep your pets from gaining unnecessary pounds during a season when...
A Thanksgiving Cautionary “Tail” for Pet Owners to Acquaint Themselves with Immediately
With the holidays fast approaching, reminding readers about foods and decorations that could be dangerous to their pets is front and center. By now many, if not most, people are aware of the usual list of perishables containing toxins that lurk in people food, but there is one you may not be aware of. And frankly, even we were surprised. The info comes to us from the Pet Poison Helpline (PPH). If you’re not familiar with them as a pet parent you really should be. A lot of pet owners have their helpline number and web address posted on...
A Cat in North Carolina Has Attacked its Owner After Being Exposed to Rabies
North Carolina health officials say that a cat exhibiting signs of rabies has attacked its owner after coming into contact with a wild animal suspected of carrying the disease. The feline is believed to have contracted rabies from an “unspecified wild animal” during the week of Nov. 2 in the “southern central part” of Brunswick County. Keep Pets Vaccinated This comes from a November 14 news release per Brunswick County Health Services. “The cat was injured, became ill, and later attacked its owner,” the...
