5 Fantastic Programs to Keep Pets and People Together
As you know, we are always—seriously, always—looking for amazing programs and ideas that will help your organization keep pets with their families, where they belong. In this edition of Steal This Idea, we have not one but five such ideas to share. We are presenting this roundup now to spark some ideas to boost your fundraising efforts for Giving Tuesday—and beyond—because the only thing better than helping people and pets stay together, is getting your community excited and involved. And please reach...
Putting the Fun into Fundraising
The Dachshund is one of the 10 most popular dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club, but sometimes they are not the best fit for a person’s lifestyle. This is where Dachshund Rescue NW in Spokane, Washington, comes in. Dachshund: A half-a-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long. – H. L. Mencken This group was founded in 1991 when creator Margo Mossburg saw that most of the hunting dogs were being euthanized by local animal control. Says Margo, “Folks do not realize that Dachshunds are the smallest hunting breed, bred to...
France Bans Fur Farming
France has banned fur farming in a historic move that will save the lives of thousands of foxes, minks, and chinchillas. They join over a dozen other countries, like Belgium and the United Kingdom, that have banned the cruel practice. “Each year, around one hundred million animals are bred and killed on intensive fur farms specifically to supply the fashion industry,” states The Humane Society International (HSI). Photo: Unsplash/Jo-Anne McArthur The animals are kept in small wire cages, unable to move around, and then slaughtered...
Volunteer Dog Walker Helps Pit Bull Who Has Spent The Past Five Years In Shelter Find Loving Home
Christmas has come early for a shelter dog named Caesar and longtime shelter volunteer, Doug Sears. The estimated 8-year-old pit bull arrived at Animal Charity of Ohio over five years ago covered in sores. He was found chained outside with an untreated case of mange. The rescue took him in and gave him daily medical baths. He also tested positive for heartworm, but underwent treatment and is now cured. Through it all he never stopped wagging his tail. Posted by Animal Charity of Ohio on Friday, January 17, 2020 But the years passed and...
Sam’s Club Recalls Popular Dog Treats Sold Since March
According to a November 16, 2021, news release, Sam’s Club is voluntarily recalling Member’s Mark Beef Stick Dog Treats “due to the potential presence of metal material.” The recall was issued in all Sam’s Club stores after the company received a “limited number of customer contacts.” What is recalled? Member’s Mark Beef Stick Dog Treats (2.2-pound package)UPC: 19396-804731All products sold since March 1, 2021 What To Do If you have purchased these treats, stop feeding them and return them to...
Emotional stress in dogs
A close-up look at emotional stress in dogs — and how our own stress contributes to theirs. None of us is a stranger to stress. It affects many levels of our lives, and it also affects our dogs. Generally, the human and animal body is influenced by three types of stress: chemical (pesticides, medications, vaccinations, by-products of normal metabolism), physical (injuries, exercise), and emotional (thoughts, perceptions, experiences). This first of this two-part article will focus on the emotional aspect of stress, and how our own...
Want a silent night at your animal shelter this season? Try holiday fostering!
This post originally ran in December 2018, but we think it’s as relevant as ever. 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 are usually short, from overnight to several days. Inviting the public to participate and keeping the commitment short makes it easy for community members join in (and many fosters opt to keep them for...
Wild Bird Flies Into House And Cuddles Up With The Dog
When lawyer Viktoriya Belostotskaya pulled out her phone to record her dog, Yunona, standing up his hind legs at the window sill, she thought she’d capture a video of her adorable pup looking out the window. However, as she filmed, something unexpected happened. In from the window, a pigeon flew and landed right beside her large Labrador! The pigeon stood there for a moment, and Yunona seemed unphased by the new guest in their Belgorod, Russia, home. Photo: YouTube/Caters Clips Photo: YouTube/Caters Clips 33-year-old Belosotskaya...
Dogs Rescued From Abuse Were Never Suppose To See Each Other Again
Two brother dogs had a rough start to life. They were neglected, left tied to a giant log with no water and little food. When Rachael with SideWalk Specials was called to asses the situation, the poor dogs appeared to be visicous and aggressive. They were growling and snapping when Rachel approached, but after she offered them a little food, they realized she wasn’t there to hurt them. Photo: Facebook/The Dodo Photo: Facebook/The Dodo Both dogs devoured the food and their demeanors quickly changed from aggressive to docile. Rachael was...
Old Dog Left Tied To A Wall Gets A Taste Of Freedom
It’s always sad when animals are neglected and ignored. Sometimes people get them with the intention of setting them up for a sad life, but sometimes people get animals with the intention of caring for them. As the years pass, they get put on the back burner and forgotten about. Regardless of why an animal is being neglected, it’s a heartbreaking situation. Some animals live out their whole lives without ever knowing love, but some animals are rescued from their awful situations before it’s too late. That was the case with a...
Rescuers Find “Piles Of Cats” And Owner Living In Condemned House
In a case of severe neglect, dozens of cats were rescued from a condemned house in Indiana after being found living in “deplorable” conditions. Officials in Muncie, Indiana were alerted to a possible case of animal neglect and called in the Humane Society of the United States for assistance. According to The Humane Society, their Animal Rescue and Response team assisted the Muncie Police Department in investigating the potential neglect and discovered an absolutely horrific scene. Photo: PixabayDimitris Vetsikas/ “Piles of...
Can You Spot The Cat Hiding Among The Stuffed Animals?
Cats are clever and they have a way of disappearing when they want to. Recently, I was visiting a friend who had two cats. All of the sudden, the house seemed to be quiet – too quiet. We realized the cats were not in their usual hangout spots and began to panic. After searching the entire two-story house three separate times, we went outside to search the yard and under the cars thinking they might’ve escaped somehow. Much to our relief, they were both later discovered hiding ever so quietly in a barely open closet under some...
Dog Hops On Every Window Sill In Made Up Game
I remember going on walks with my mom when I was younger, and my siblings and I would always make up games to play as we went along. After all, doing nothing but walking seemed rather boring at the time. Just like small children sometimes get bored, it seems dogs also experience boredom and sometimes they find creative ways to entertain themselves. Take, for example, this dog in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Pexels/Helena Lopes While out for a walk with an elderly man, the dog seemed to make up a game of sorts. As they walked along the sidewalk near...
Lonely Woman Asks For A Sign, Then Sees 2 Senior Dogs On The News In Need Of Home
When Jeanette’s beloved dog passed away, she was absolutely devastated. The house was much quieter now, which made her feel even more lonely. She cried every single day and asked God for a sign. That’s when she walked into her kitchen and saw a pair of senior dogs on the news who needed a home. Photo: YouTube/ASPCA Without hesitation, she called up the shelter and immediately drove from New Jersey to New York City to meet them. It was love at first sight, and as soon as Jeanette saw Ruby and Chicky, she knew she had to adopt them....
Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays
With the holidays in full swing, it’s fun to celebrate with our furry family members too. Here’s a few ways to keep your pets safe while having fun with them during the Thanksgiving holiday! 1. Treat your pets to a safe snack and avoid the bad ones. Make sure your furry friends aren’t able to get to unattended plates or overflowing trash cans during your holiday celebrations. With all the chaos of the holidays, it’s a lot easier for pets to try to snag their own human dinner off the counter. That...
Handmade Artisan Gifts For Under $30
Christmas is one of our favorite times of the year, but it isn’t easy or cheap, especially when you consider the pressure and cost of finding a unique holiday present for everyone on your list. But handmade artisan gifts from The Greater Good Store alleviates this seasonal stress with meaningful fair-trade gifts that are also easy on your wallet! In addition to treating your loved ones with gifts they won’t find in larger stores, these fair-trade presents support your cause of choice and help an artisan provide for his or her...
One-Of-A-Kind Gifts For The Animal Lovers On Your List
‘Tis the season of giving, so we have compiled a list of handcrafted goods that give back in more than one way. We have chosen a few of our favorite animal-themed gifts made by artisans from around the world. There is something for “crazy cat ladies”, bird lovers, and those wild at heart. Just be warned, you will probably want a few items for yourself. Photo: Pixabay/Bob_Dmyt Aside from getting an original gift, your purchase at The GreaterGood Store will also fund people, pets, or the planet (you choose) and support the...
Researchers Identify Deafness Gene
Jackie Brown Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: ‘Tis the season for research, free volunteer program assessments and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The Open Arms Challenge starts today! Today kicks off our Open Arms Challenge, where hundreds of organizations across the country will create more accessible and inclusive practices at their organization. For the next six weeks, participants will pilot new approaches that open doors to new adopters and volunteers and welcome your entire community. Registration is closed but you can follow #OpenArmsChallenge and check out our resources to get inspired! Learn...
Anxious Shelter Dog Who Nobody Wanted Ends Up Finding His Soulmate
Shelters can be scary environments and extremely difficult for animals to get adjusted to. Some never do get used to it and grow depressed in their kennel, which in turn, can make it even harder for them to get adopted. Sherman was one of those dogs who was having a hard time adjusting to life in a shelter. He was very anxious and so nervous that he completely stopped eating. Shelter staff knew they had to figure out a way to help him, despite no one wanting to adopt him. Photo: YouTube/Best Friends Animal Society That’s when they...
