Shelter practices & barriers in the use of anxiety medications and alternatives
Join us on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12PM ET/3PM ET for the next installment of “Maddie’s® Insights: Shelter Practices & Barriers in the Use of Anxiety Medications & Alternatives,” presented by Bailey Eagan, PhD, MSc., Director of Research with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Fear, anxiety and stress are common challenges for cats and dogs in shelter environments, yet little is known about how shelters use psychoactive medications and non-medication alternatives to...
Can Pool Water Be Bad for Dogs?
Many dog parents wonder if it’s safe for their furry friends to take a dip in the pool. While swimming can be great exercise for dogs, pool water does come with some risks that every pet owner should understand. The Good News About Pool Water Most of the time, properly maintained pool water is safe for dogs. Once pool chemicals like chlorine are diluted in water, they usually won’t harm your pet if they drink small amounts while swimming. Many dogs enjoy splashing around in pools without any problems. When Pool Water Becomes...
Heal unwanted dog and cat behaviors with Emotional Freedom Technique
Get to the root of unwanted pet behaviors with animal communication and EFT! Does your dog or cat vocalize excessively? Resource guard? Destroy furniture? Often, unwanted behaviors stem from an underlying cause that must be addressed before the behavior will stop. With a combination of animal communication and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), you can discover and address the emotions at the root of the problem. Let’s explore EFT with the help of Joan Ranquet, one of the world’s leading animal communicators! Why we see unwanted...
Ready Your Dog’s Immune System to Nip Cancer in the Bud
Dog parents want to do everything possible to keep their furry family members healthy. While we can’t prevent all health problems, we can take steps to support our dog’s immune system in its natural fight against cancer. Understanding Your Dog’s Natural Defense System Your dog’s immune system works around the clock, recognizing and destroying abnormal cells every day. A healthy immune system can often catch cancer cells before they become a problem. However, sometimes cancer cells multiply too quickly or hide from the...
4 Powerful Ways Adaptogens Benefit Dogs and Cats (and the #1 Herb for Them!)
Adaptogens benefit dogs and cats in many ways. Here’s a look at four of the most important advantages and why it’s smart to include KSM-66 Ashwagandha in their diet! Adaptogens are natural substances like herbs that help the body resist stress. They’re becoming increasingly popular among dog and cat parents, especially as science begins to learn about additional ways they naturally support pet health. One of the most powerful adaptogens is an ancient herb called ashwagandha. The most clinically studied...
Social media that delivers — how digital engagement boosts foster placementsÂ
Let’s face it: people spend hours scrolling social feeds. Why not turn that scroll into a shelter-to-home journey? Our 2024 National Foster Survey spotlights social media as a powerhouse for foster recruitment. Here’s how to post smarter—and fill more foster homes faster. Shelters that ramp up their social media activity see real results: high activity organizations posting 10 or more times per week place a median of 350 pets in foster care, while low activity shelters posting just 0–4 times manage only 151...
Laser Play for Cats: Fun or Hidden Danger?
As a cat parent, you’ve probably watched your feline friend chase that tiny red dot around the room with pure joy. Laser pointers seem like the perfect toy – they’re cheap, easy to use, and cats absolutely love them. But is laser play always safe for our furry companions? The Appeal of Laser Play Laser pointers tap into your cat’s natural hunting instincts. The quick, unpredictable movements of the red dot trigger their prey drive, providing excellent exercise and mental stimulation. For indoor cats especially, laser...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Programs for neonatal kittens, addressing gaps in veterinary care and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. We’re also excited to announce the new Community Conversations host for October: Rachel Rae Williams, Board Member of Spay Neuter Network. Below is the call lineup for next month so you can plan ahead: 10/6: Keeping Families and Pets Together 10/20: Experiencing Domestic Violence 10/27:Beyond the Binary: Intersections for Community-Centered Animal Control and Shelter Operations Learn how to build one-of-a-kind programs for neonatal kittensNeonatal kittens may...
Evolution of dog training methods
Take a look at the evolution of dog training — from dominance-based methods to science-backed positive reinforcement. Find out how modern techniques prioritize respect, trust, and effective communication. Humans and dogs have lived together for millennia. Yet one of the most significant changes in the human-canine relationship occurred just 40 years ago. In the 1980s, dog training shifted towards more scientific and humane approaches. This article traces the evolution of dog training methods, and how we’ve moved from punishment to...
How to support dog rescues
Find out how dog rescues work and the many ways you can support their lifesaving efforts — from fostering to fundraising. Dog rescues play a vital role in the animal community. They help transition dogs from dangerous situations to “fur-ever” homes. Read on for details on how to support dog rescues, and what they do to save and find home for canines in need. Do rescue organizations differ from shelters? Unlike a shelter, most dog rescue organizations don’t have a physical location. Volunteer networks typically make up...
Caring for a Dog With a Broken Jaw
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
A Deep Dive into Emotional Freedom Technique: Learn About Tapping with Joan Ranquet!
Discover Joan Ranquet’s teachings on Emotional Freedom Technique and how tapping sequences can benefit dogs, cats, and their parents. Most pet parents struggle at some point with stress, separation anxiety, aggression, or other behavioral challenges. And while training is an important component for managing these issues, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a crucial puzzle piece that many pet parents don’t even realize is missing! EFT is a tool that can help you tap into your animal companion’s meridian system to address...
Learn how to build one-of-a-kind programs for neonatal kittens
Neonatal kittens may be the tiniest residents in our shelters, but they face the biggest risks. That’s why Kitten College: Transforming Tiny Lives Through Innovation, a free self-paced course on Maddie’s® University, is here to change the story. This one-of-a-kind program gives animal shelters and foster-based organizations the tools to launch or expand neonatal programs that are sustainable, impactful and built on proven best practices. Grounded in shelter medicine and guided by the principles of high-quality, high-volume...
Common Canine Idiosyncrasies and What They Mean
Have you ever watched your dog do something that made you think, “Why on earth do they do that?” There are many quirky behaviors in dogs that might seem strange to us but actually make perfect sense from their perspective. Understanding these common canine idiosyncrasies can help you better connect with your furry friend and know when something might need attention. Head Tilting When your dog tilts their head while you’re talking, they’re not just being adorable. Dogs tilt their heads to better locate sounds and...
Joint health nutrition for dogs and cats
Support your dog or cat’s joint health with anti-inflammatory foods and easy recipes that help ease arthritis and improve mobility. Many companion animals experience joint problems such as arthritis, especially as they age. Feeding them a joint-supportive diet helps alleviate discomfort and improve mobility. Let’s look at joint health nutrition for dogs and cats, along with recipes you can share with your beloved companion 10 joint-healthy foods for dogs and cats 1.Cold water fish: Salmon, sardines, trout...
Oral Ulcers in Cats
What Are Mouth Ulcers in Cats? Mouth ulcers are open sores that can appear anywhere in your cat’s mouth, including the gums, tongue, and inner cheeks. They often appear as red, inflamed areas and can cause significant discomfort. These ulcers can develop from various causes, including dental disease, viral infections like feline calicivirus, immune system problems, or even trauma from eating something sharp. Common signs your cat may have mouth ulcers include difficulty eating, excessive drooling, bad breath, pawing at the mouth, and...
2025 Access to Care Report: How we can address the biggest gaps in veterinary care
“Access to veterinary care is not just an animal welfare issue — it’s a public health and family well-being issue,” says Dr. Michael Blackwell, lead author of the 2025 Access to Care report. “When pets don’t get the care they need, families face emotional distress, financial hardship, and difficult decisions no one should have to make.” Dr. Blackwell and his team at the Program for Pet Health Equity, University of Tennessee, Knoxville released a new report that builds on the 2018 Access to Veterinary...
Benefits of dogs and cats for seniors
More and more people are discovering how powerful the bond between animals and seniors can be. As we age, it’s common to face health challenges and a shrinking social circle — factors that often lead to loneliness. In fact, the National Institute on Aging states that older adults are especially vulnerable to social isolation. The companionship of a dog or cat, however, can significantly enrich a senior’s life, offering comfort, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. One of the benefits of dogs and cats for seniors is...
My Word! Your Dog Possesses Amazing Language Learning Skills
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Cat Superhighway course, webcasts and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Your roadmap to get every cat to where they need to goDo you want to streamline pathway planning to find the best available outcome for every cat and kitten at your organization? Look no further than Cat Superhighway, a free self-paced course on Maddie’s® University. This course equips animal shelter professionals with the tools to implement or enhance pathway planning for cats and kittens, streamlining their… Learn More August and September 2025...
