Join us for a new year of Community Conversations
Happy New Year! We’re excited to announce January’s Community Conversations host, Miguel Ruelas. Miguel is the Community Resources Manager at Pasadena Humane, bringing over a decade of experience in animal welfare grounded in a human-centered, equity-driven, and community-focused approach. He hosted yesterday’s call, Get Them Out, Even for a Little, and will host the remaining calls this month, as shown below: 1/12 Money Mindset for Animal Organizations 1/19: No call for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 1/26:...
Natural Habitat for Your Cat at Home
Cats are amazing creatures with wild instincts that remain strong, even after thousands of years of living alongside humans. Understanding these natural behaviors can help you transform your home into a space where your feline friend can truly thrive. Vertical Space is Essential In nature, cats climb trees to survey their territory, hunt, and escape danger. You can recreate this by adding cat trees, wall-mounted shelves, or window perches throughout your home. These elevated spots allow your cat to observe their surroundings from above, which...
Fox Nuts for Dogs: A Healthy Snack Option
If you’re looking for a healthy treat alternative for your furry companion, fox nuts—also known as makhana—might be worth considering. These crunchy, white puffed seeds come from the lotus plant and have become increasingly popular as a human snack. But can they benefit your canine friend too? What Are Fox Nuts? Fox nuts are naturally low in calories and fat, making them an interesting option for dogs, especially those watching their waistline. They contain fiber, protein, and several minerals that can support your...
Body Condition, Weight Management, and Healthy Dog Diets
Learn how to score your dog’s body condition and discover healthy dog diets that can make weight management a breeze! Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a long, active, and happy life. Excess weight and obesity can cause joint problems, heart and respiratory issues, diabetes, reduced immunity, decreased energy and quality of...
4 Signs Your Dog Is Over Holiday Socializing
Holidays can be full of parties and socializing, and it’s natural for us to want to include our dogs in these celebrations. But many dogs, like humans, may have a limit for how much socializing and partying they’re up for. Knowing when your dog has had enough holiday socializing is an important part of keeping everyone safe. Should Fido Be at the Gathering? The first thing to consider is whether or not you should even include your dog in holiday gatherings. You need to know their personality type, as well as their likes and...
Building the Human Animal Support System: Data That Helps Pets Stay Home
In the first blog of this series, Give Pets a Seat at the Social Services Table, Human Animal Support Services (HASS) introduced social services roundtables, a national effort to connect animal welfare and human service organizations to talk about shared challenges and solutions. Those discussions highlighted how deeply human and pet well-being are connected, and how community collaboration is essential to supporting families on both ends of the leash. In this second installment, we move from conversation to investigation. National HASS...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: 2025 wins, marketing long-stay pets and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Giveaway: What’s a win you’re celebrating from this past year?As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to a new year, it’s a natural moment to pause and reflect on the progress we’ve made, both the milestones we planned for and the unexpected victories that showed up along the way. Back at the beginning of January 2025, many of you shared your goals for… Learn More Tips for marketing long-stay petsMarketing pets with long shelter stays can be...
Light Therapy for Dogs: How Photobiomodulation Can Help Your Furry Friend
As advances in veterinary medicine continue to grow, more dog parents are discovering innovative treatments that can improve their canine companion’s quality of life. One such breakthrough is photobiomodulation therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or red light therapy. This gentle, non-invasive treatment uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing at the cellular level. What Is Photobiomodulation? Photobiomodulation works by delivering red and near-infrared light to tissues, which helps cells produce more energy...
Holiday Season Dangers That Put Cats at Risk
The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and beautiful decorations to our homes. However, cat parents need to stay alert to potential dangers that come with festive celebrations. Many common holiday items can pose serious health risks to our feline friends. Understanding these hazards can help keep cats safe while still enjoying the season’s magic. Decoration Dangers Holiday decorations create the biggest risks for curious cats. Tinsel and garland may look like fun toys, but they can cause serious problems if swallowed. These shiny...
Giveaway: What’s a win you’re celebrating from this past year?
As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to a new year, it’s a natural moment to pause and reflect on the progress we’ve made, both the milestones we planned for and the unexpected victories that showed up along the way. Back at the beginning of January 2025, many of you shared your goals for the year in our 2025 Goals Giveaway thread on Maddie’s® Pet Forum. Community members shared goals aimed at growing your foster network, strengthening community partnerships, expanding pet support services, improving shelter medicine...
Common Causes of Gastrointestinal Problems in Dogs
Watching dogs suffer from stomach issues can be really stressful for parents. Gastrointestinal problems are common in dogs, but understanding what causes them can help you protect your pup’s digestive health. Dietary Troubles One of the biggest causes of stomach problems is what your dog eats. Dogs love to explore the world with their mouths, which can get them into trouble. When they eat something they shouldn’t – like garbage, spoiled food, or things that aren’t food at all – it can upset their stomach badly....
Understanding Feline Vestibular Syndrome: Natural and Alternative Approaches for Cat Families
If your feline friend has suddenly started tilting their head, stumbling, or seems dizzy, they might be experiencing vestibular syndrome. This condition can be scary for cat families, but understanding what’s happening can help you provide the best care possible. What is Feline Vestibular Syndrome? The vestibular system helps cats maintain their balance and know where they are in space. When this system isn’t working properly, cats can experience dizziness, loss of coordination, and difficulty walking straight. Think of it like...
Holiday Hazards That Could Harm Dogs
The holiday season brings joy, family gatherings, and festive decorations. However, many common holiday items can be dangerous or even deadly to dogs. As a responsible parent, knowing about holiday dangers for dogs helps keep your four-legged family member safe during the celebration season. Dangerous Holiday Foods Many holiday treats that people enjoy can cause serious health problems for dogs. Chocolate tops the dangerous list – it contains substances called theobromine and caffeine that dogs cannot process properly. Dark chocolate...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Peer support, animal well-being survey and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How one Missouri animal shelter is having success with their Dog’s Day Out programDoes your animal organization offer a Dog’s Day Out program? Maybe you’re thinking about starting one? These programs are an increasingly popular way to give dogs a break from the shelter while allowing volunteers to learn more about their personalities. Taney County Animal Care and Control in Hollister, MO, recently started a program of their… Learn More...
3 Common Dental Issues in Dogs
Dog parents want the best for our furry family members. But did you know that dental health plays a huge role in your dog’s overall well-being? Just like humans, dogs can develop serious dental problems that cause pain and affect their quality of life. Let’s explore the most common dental diseases in dogs and what you can do to help prevent them. 1. Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease is the most common dental problem affecting our canine companions. If your dog is over 3 years old, there’s an 80-90% chance they already...
Your Cat May Want to Escape the House This Holiday Season
The holidays bring excitement, visitors, and lots of activity to your home. While this makes for wonderful memories, all the hustle and bustle can create perfect opportunities for your cat to slip outside unnoticed. Here’s how to keep your furry family member safe and secure during the festive season. Understanding Why Cats Try to Escape Cats are naturally curious creatures, but they’re also easily stressed by changes in their routine. Holiday decorations, unfamiliar guests, unusual sounds, and new smells can make even the most...
How one Missouri animal shelter is having success with their Dog’s Day Out program
Does your animal organization offer a Dog’s Day Out program? Maybe you’re thinking about starting one? These programs are an increasingly popular way to give dogs a break from the shelter while allowing volunteers to learn more about their personalities. Taney County Animal Care and Control in Hollister, MO, recently started a program of their own. They’re sharing their experience and what they’ve learned along the way. “We did soft launch of the program last summer with some of our longer term volunteers,”...
5 Most Misunderstood Behaviors in Dogs
We love our furry friends, but sometimes their actions leave us scratching our heads. Many common canine behaviors are often misunderstood, leading to frustration for both dogs and their families. Understanding what your dog is really trying to tell you can strengthen your bond and help address any issues with compassion. 1. Excessive Barking Isn’t Just Noise When your dog barks constantly, it might seem like they’re being difficult. However, dogs always have a reason for barking. They use their voice to communicate excitement,...
Understanding Chronic Iron Deficiency in Cats with Digestive Problems
If you’re caring for a feline companion with ongoing stomach or intestinal issues, you might notice they seem tired or weak. One possible cause could be chronic iron deficiency, a condition that often goes hand-in-hand with digestive problems in cats. What Is Chronic Iron Deficiency? Iron deficiency happens when your cat’s body doesn’t have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells. Iron is like fuel for these cells – without enough of it, your cat’s blood can’t carry oxygen properly throughout their...
4 Healthy Cat Diet Tips to Prevent Obesity
These four key healthy cat diet tips will help you understand how to use food to keep your feline friend lean and full of energy! Obesity is a common health issue in cats. In fact, it’s estimated that over 60% of cats are overweight or obese. Luckily, it’s easy to prevent, and there are plenty of reasons you should take steps to do so. Excess weight can shorten their lifespan, reduce their quality of life, and cause health conditions like diabetes, joint problems, and heart and liver disease. Regular play and exercise are...
