Acupuncture for Pain Management in Dogs
Watching your furry friend struggle with pain can be heartbreaking. Whether your dog is dealing with arthritis, back problems, or recovery from surgery, you want to find safe and effective ways to help them feel better. One treatment option that’s gaining attention in veterinary medicine is acupuncture. What Is Veterinary Acupuncture? Acupuncture is an ancient practice that involves placing thin needles into specific points on the body. In veterinary medicine, trained professionals use this technique to help manage pain and promote...
Does Your Cat Exhibit Confusing Behaviors?
If you’re a cat parent, you’ve probably experienced moments where your feline friend acts in ways that leave you completely baffled. One minute they’re purring in your lap, the next they’re swatting at you. Don’t worry – you’re not alone in feeling confused by these mixed signals! Why Cats Act So Mysteriously Cats communicate differently than humans do. What seems contradictory to us often makes perfect sense in the cat world. Your kitty isn’t trying to be difficult – they’re just...
Four national family foundations collaborate to bring free spay/neuter event to the Bay Area on December 6-7
Nine animal well-being organizations across five Bay area counties are partnering to provide free spay and neuter surgeries and vaccines to pets over a two-day, December 6-7, 2025, event called “Champions for Pet Health: Communities Partnering for Wellness and Spay & Neuter.” This event, all due to the generosity of four national family foundations – La Russa Rescue Champions, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, Maddie’s Fund® and BISSELL Pet Foundation – represents a collaborative effort to make vital...
Understanding Reverse Sneezing in Dogs
If you’ve ever watched your dog suddenly start making loud, honking sounds while standing stiffly with their head stretched back, you’ve likely witnessed reverse sneezing. While this can be scary for dog parents, understanding what’s happening can help you stay calm and know when to seek help. What Is Reverse Sneezing? Reverse sneezing, also called paroxysmal respiration, is a common breathing event in dogs. Unlike regular sneezing where air flows out through the nose, reverse sneezing pulls air rapidly inward while the...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Holiday fostering, understanding tribal sovereignty and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Want a silent night at your animal shelter this season? Try holiday fostering!This year is the perfect time to bring back, start or expand your holiday fostering offerings. Organizations across the country are getting dogs out of the shelter and into homes for the holidays through foster care. Holiday foster initiatives… Learn More Learn how to bridge your animal organization’s services and strengthen your community Looking to strengthen...
Managing Fear-Based Issues in Dogs
Every dog is unique, but some need extra patience when it comes to facing the world around them. If your dog seems scared of new people, other dogs, or certain situations, you’re not alone. Fear-based issues are common, and with the right approach, you can help your furry friend feel more confident and secure. Fear-Based Issues Fear-based issues happen when dogs have strong, worried reactions to things that most dogs would handle easily. Your dog might shake, hide, bark loudly, or try to run away when they see their triggers. These...
Building Safe and Happy Relationships Between Children, Dogs, and Cats
On this Children’s Day, let’s take some time to reflect on and improve our perspectives about nurturing positive relationships between kids and pets. Having pets and children in the same home can create wonderful memories and teach kids important life lessons. However, it’s essential to understand how to keep both your children and your furry family members safe and happy together. Starting Off Right When introducing a new pet to a home with children, or bringing a baby into a home with pets, take things slowly. Animals need...
Organizational Culture
[embedded content] Cultivating a strong, inclusive culture can fuel innovation, sustain momentum, and transform outcomes for animals everywhere. Speaker: Brian Daugherty – Executive VP, San Diego Humane Society Find Human Animal Support Services Online Our Website: www.humananimalsupportservice… Facebook: / humananimalsupportservices Instagram: / thehasslife LinkedIn: / hassproject Source: Human Animal Support...
Generating Government Buy-In
[embedded content] How to foster a productive, efficient, and mutually beneficial relationship with local municipalities. Presenter: Mike Wheeler, Director of Cabot Animal Support Services Find Human Animal Support Services Online Our Website: www.humananimalsupportservice… Facebook: / humananimalsupportservices Instagram: / thehasslife LinkedIn: / hassproject Source: Human Animal Support...
Osteosarcoma in Dogs: How to Spot Symptoms Early and Support Your Furry Companion
Learning that your furry friend might have osteosarcoma can feel overwhelming. This bone cancer is serious, but understanding what it is and what options are available can help you make the best decisions for your pet’s care and comfort. What is Osteosarcoma? Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in dogs. It develops when abnormal cells in the bone grow out of control, destroying healthy bone and replacing it with cancerous tissue. This makes the affected bone weak and prone to breaking. Unfortunately, this cancer is very...
From Data to Action: Keeping Pets and People Together in Times of Crisis
[embedded content] Leverage data to engage municipalities and build a sustainable network of crisis pet foster programs that support pet owners in accessing essential services. Speakers: Elkie Wills – Director, Human Animal Support Services Zoë Agnew-Svoboda – Director of Engagement & Program Development, BestyBnB Find Human Animal Support Services Online: Our Website: www.humananimalsupportservice… Facebook: / humananimalsupportservices Instagram:...
Acupressure for dog travel anxiety
Here’s how acupressure can help keep your dog calm and relaxed when you’re traveling — whether you’re driving cross-country or flying to a new destination. Dog-friendly travel is becoming increasingly popular. A successful trip depends on your pup’s comfort and emotional well-being. Planning ahead for safety and logistics is essential. Acupressure for dog travel anxiety also offers a natural, effective way to help him stay relaxed before and during the trip. Traveling with your dog: start by planning ahead Dogs...
Ear Mites in Cats
Ear mites are tiny parasites that can make your cat’s life miserable. These microscopic bugs, called Otodectes cynotis, live in your cat’s ear canals and cause intense itching. If you’ve noticed your cat scratching their ears more than usual, shaking their head, or if you see dark, coffee-ground-like debris in their ears, ear mites might be the culprit. Understanding Ear Mites Ear mites are highly contagious and spread easily between cats, dogs, and other pets. The good news is they don’t live in your home like fleas...
The Role of Interactive Toys in Reducing Anxiety and Aggression in Dogs
It’s hard on pet parents when dogs act out of aggression or anxiety, but these behaviors communicate a problem you must address. Sometimes, the problem might be physical, like pain or discomfort. However, these behaviors can also stem from stress. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to relieve stress-related aggression and anxiety, and interactive toys are an excellent tool at your disposal. Supporting Dogs with Anxiety Canine anxiety comes in many forms, and outward signs and symptoms include: Hiding or retreating to a corner or...
Learn how to bridge your animal organization’s services and strengthen your communityÂ
Looking to strengthen your community but not sure where to start? In a recent Maddie’s® Community Conversations call, the team from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) shared how breaking down silos between animal control, outreach and animal shelter services can transform the way we support both people and pets. Chief Animal Control Officer Jennifer Toussaint and her colleagues, Adam Jablonski and Karina Swetnam, walked us through how collaboration looks in action – like field officers connecting families to...
Do Dogs and Cats Have a Paw Preference
Just like humans can be right-handed or left-handed, dogs and cats can also show preferences for using one paw over the other! This fascinating behavior is called “laterality,” and it’s more common in our furry friends than many realize. Paw Preferences in Dogs Research shows that many dogs do favor one paw over the other when performing certain tasks. You might notice this when your dog: Gives you their paw on command Reaches for treats or toys Steps down from stairs or ledges Tries to hold down a chew toy Paw Preferences...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Social work guidelines, stock images and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Pets and People Photos is now Images With HeARTIn case you missed it, we’re excited to share that PetsandPeoplePhotos.org has merged with Images With HeART, and will be known as such moving forward. Originally launched in 2023 as Pets & People Photos, #ThanksToMaddie, the site was developed to help animal organizations better connect with their audiences through diverse images for marketing. The collection… Learn More Doors Wide Open Webcast: Social...
Can cats drink milk?
Find out why most adult cats are lactose intolerant, how milk affects their digestion, and healthier alternatives you can offer instead. Can cats drink milk? Most kitties love it, and in the past, people regarded milk as a traditional food for housecats. But it’s not really a good idea. In fact, veterinarians and other feline experts don’t encourage feeding milk to cats. Let’s find out why. Don’t kittens need milk? Kittens depend on milk — but only from mother cats. By the time they are four to ten weeks old,...
Stress-free bathing tips for anxious dogs
Learn why some dogs hate bathtime, along with 5 steps you can take to make it more enjoyable for your pup. Dogs need regular baths, but unfortunately, some pups hate them! Unfamiliar scents, slippery surfaces, and the sensation of losing control make baths unpleasant for many dogs. These factors often cause resistance, nervousness, and even fear. “Luckily, you can help your dog feel more comfortable with baths. Use gentle methods, positive reinforcement, and stress reduction techniques. Let’s explore why your dog might...
Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs
Chocolate is dangerous for dogs. But do you know why? Understanding chocolate toxicity can help you keep your furry friend safe and know what to do in an emergency. Why Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs Chocolate contains two harmful substances called caffeine and theobromine. These are called methylxanthines. While humans can break down these chemicals easily, dogs cannot. When dogs eat chocolate, these toxins build up in their system and cause serious health problems. These chemicals mainly affect your dog’s nervous system and heart. They...
