Today
Sections
More
Features
Displaying 1 - 10 of 52 |
Next »Adoptables
Pets dumped at shelter need homes for the holidays!
Last week, I shared a video from xtranormal that pokes fun at the behind-the-scenes at animal shelters across the country.
Los Banos Animal Shelter
Will you help me?
As laugh-out-loud as the video is, it is also, sadly, spot-on. This past weekend, as if on cue, no fewer than nine pet owners dumped their pets at the Los Banos Animal Shelter in the Central Valley, sending it over its maximum capacity.
Due to state budget cuts and resources that are already stretched beyond thin, several of these pets plus a few that were on "the list" from last week, will be killed as soon as tomorrow morning if they are not adopted or fostered immediately.
Can you help adopt or foster an animal? Or do you know of a local rescue organization that can?
These Doberman pups were an owner surrender.
Stories like these break my heart, because these animals have simply and suddenly run out of time — and at zero fault of their own.
Two months ago, I adopted Alice "The Rabbit" Wonderland, from San Francisco's Animal Care and Control and now I can't imagine life without her. If I could, I would scoop up this motley crew and take them all home with me.
As much as monetary donations help to cover the food and medical expenses for shelter pets, cold hard cash won't help these guys. Their only hope is to be physically removed from the shelter, or it's... over.
If you or someone you know can help save a life, please call volunteer animal worker Laurel Carle at 209-617-2008. You can also email her at rescuelaurel@earthlink.net.
Los Banos Animal Shelter
This beauty needs a new home.
Here is a list of just some of the animals that are in danger of losing their lives this week:
- Blacky-10-2094-Male-Chi-Black/brown: This little guy was found by a volunteer who has been taking care of him. He is house trained and is great around children and other dogs. He is about 3 years old.
- 10-2085-Male-Chi-Brown/black: As soon as you sit down with this adorable pooch, he comes and sits on your lap. He is about 4 months old and around 8 pounds and LOVES to be held.
- 10-2077-Male-Chi-Black/Tan: This sweet boy is about 2-3 years old and around 10lbs.
- 10-2103-Male-Chi-Fawn: Shy at first, this friendly dog warms up quick! He is about 1-2 years old and around 15lbs.
- 10-2104-Male-Poodle-white: This cutie is about 1-2 years old and around 15lbs. He gets along great with people and other dogs.
- 10-2107-Male-Terrier-Tan: Friendly with people and dogs alike, this 10-pound, 5-month-old loves to play with his two other kennel pals.
- Patches-10-2113-Female-Spayed-Cattle Dog: Patches' previous family couldn't keep her because one of the family members had allergy problems and their backyard was too small for her. She is about 7 months old and around 50 pounds.
Los Banos Animal Shelter
How can you say no to this face?
- 10-2110-Male-Dacshy/Longhair Chi-Red: This happy-go-lucky guy is about 1-2 years old and around 15lbs.
- 10-2118-Female-Doberman-Black/tan: Four adorable female pups were an owner surrender. They are around 3-4 months and weigh about 20 pounds each.
- 10-2126-Female-Poodle-white: She loves to be held and sit on your lap. She is about 1-2 years old and around 10lbs. A good grooming would make her a new dog!
- 10-2127-Male-Yorkie-Gray/tan-Available: Although he may bark at you first, as soon as you sit with him he will get on your lap. He loves to be held. He is about 1-2 years old and around 10lbs.
- Princess-10-2128-Female-Westie Terrier mix-white: Princess was surrendered by her family because they were moving into an apartment. She is about 3 years old and weighs 15 pounds. She gets along great with children.
- Chula-10-2129-Female-Chi-Gray/brown-/white: Chula is an owner release with Princess. She is about 3 years old and around 15 pounds. She also gets along great with children.
- 10-2131-Female-Lab mix-Black: This sweet girl is about 2-3 years old and around 40 pounds. She loves the company of people and other dogs.
- 10-2132-Female-Shep mix-Tan: This friendly, fun-loving shepherd mix is about 2-3 years old and around 60 pounds.
Find more information about Los Banos Animal Shelter and its adoptable animals here.
This cutie pie will clean up well with a little TLC.
| December 20 2010 at 03:30 PM
It's the most wonderful time of the year... to adopt a cat!
Bring home a cat (or two) for the holidays!
MarinHumaneSociety.org
Boots is an 11-year-old male tuxedo who needs a loving home.
The homeless cat population has exploded and is up more than 100% over last year. This means the Marin Humane Society has kitties coming out of the woodwork, and is urging anyone out there with a genuine hankering for a new family furball to check out its many super cute shelter cats.
As added incentive, the organization has reduced all feline adoption fees during month of December. From two-month-old old tabbies to 10-year-old torbies, more than 55 cats are currently available for adoption.
The shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Cats are just $75 each or $125 for a pair, while kittens are priced to sell at $95 each or $150 for a pair.
Here's a quick rundown on the cast of colorful characters waiting for new homes (maybe yours?):
- Most Mature: Boots, 11-year-old male tuxedo
- Sweetest: Sugar Pie, 2-year-old female short hair
- Most athletic: Tim Lincecum, 6-month-old tuxedo
- Nicest eyes: Xander, 8-year-old Siamese mix
- Most likely to ask for a belly rub: Floyd, 5-year-old Silver Tabby
MarinHumaneSociety.org
Sugar Pie is one of the sweetest cats you'll ever meet.
Check out pictures and descriptions of all of Marin's adorable, adoptable cats here.
For more information call (415) 506-6225 or visit MarinHumaneSociety.org.
| December 16 2010 at 12:18 PM
Video: Sad-but-true animal shelter humor
Here is another fabulous satirical video from xtranormal:
Person surrendering his 10-year-old dog: "But you are a no-kill shelter. I saw it on the news. City Council said you were no-kill."
Shelter worker: "They also gave us a unicorn, we keep it in the back where it shits bricks of gold all day long."
Here's to animal rescue workers and shelter volunteers everywhere who work so hard. Thank you, THANK YOU for all that you do. I'm sure many of you would love to say some (all?) of these things to people who are "moving" and just want to "drop off" their "really sweet" pets.
| December 13 2010 at 02:09 PM
Celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week!
Each November, National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week celebrates the tireless work shelters do to promote the human-animal bond.
The Humane Society of the United States launched the week-long annual campaign (this year November 7-13) based on an idea from the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska to help promote the invaluable role shelters across the nation play in increasing the public's awareness of animal welfare issues — including calling attention to the many wonderful pets waiting patiently for forever homes.
To make the search for the perfect pet even easier, Comcast's popular series, Pet Adoptions On Demand, shines the spotlight on a parade of precious pooches and captivating cats in local shelters, hoping to melt the hearts of the perfect family.
Since Comcast launched Pet Adoptions On Demand in 2006, more than 32,000 adoptable pets at over 100 shelters have been featured in video profiles, and thousands have found happy homes as a result. To date, 1,290 Bay Area pets have appeared on the series from shelters including the Peninsula Humane Society, San Jose Animal Care Center and Valley Humane Society.
Every month in 27 U.S. cities, Pet Adoptions On Demand airs up to 30 profiles of adorable, adoptable shelter animals. Each clip tells the story of a special furry critter — including his or her name, tag number, personality, temperament and background. The series also lists each shelter's URL, phone number and address so that potential adoptees can find out more information and arrange an in-person meeting.
Check out one of the series segments below:
If you are considering adding a furry friend to your family, please make adoption from your local shelter or rescue group your first choice!
| November 08 2010 at 03:15 PM
October is adopt a shelter dog month!
According to the ASPCA, as many as 12 million dogs enter shelters all across the country each year. And more than half of these adoptable pups are euthanized for a single, heartbreaking reason: lack of space and resources.
There are lots of adorable adoptees at your local shelter waiting for forever homes.
To help raise awareness shelter animals everywhere, October has been officially named Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month.
Veterinarian Dr. Gary Edelson and PetAlive* offer these suggestions for anyone who might be thinking about adding a canine to their clan:
- Do your due diligence: Spontaneity and animal adoption don't mix. Before deciding on a particular breed, research the heck out of it. Does it match well with your lifestyle and time constraints? Be realistic. Your soon-to-be new pet will thank you.
- Examine your reasons for adopting: From darling Dalmatians to cute Chihuahuas, animals featured on the silver screen often become the new "it" pet following their media debut. While some of these pets find life-long, happy homes, many end up in shelters once the next fad rolls into town. Are you willing to make a lifetime commitment to your new animal? If not, don't adopt.
- Look past the puppies: If you're focusing only on the puppies, you may be missing out on a sweet, well-mannered older dog. While pups require lots of supervision, patience and training, adult dogs often arrive pre-trained and ready to please.
- Chat up the staff: Shelter workers and volunteers interact with the animals on a daily basis. Ask them which dogs are their favorites and why.
gouhegou.com
- Keep an open mind: The breed you had your heart set on might change after you get to see the dogs in action. Once you find a dog you may want to take home, spend some time playing with him or her (especially if you have children) to see how you jive.
- Schedule a checkup with a vet: Many shelter dogs need extra care in addition to regular vaccinations. Have them checked out by a vet you trust to ensure their good health.
- Prep your home for your new furry bundle of joy: Rather than waiting until the last minute, stock up on basic supplies, like a good quality food, bowls, collars and leashes.
- Purchase pet insurance: Unfortunately research and planning alone can't protect your dog (and your wallet) from accidentally swallowing a toy or having an allergic reaction to a new food. Investing in a sound policy is a smart way to offset emergency vet costs.
- Timing is everything: If and when you do decide to get a new dog, give your pet some time to acclimate to his or her new surroundings. Many shelters suggest adopting on a weekend or when you will have a significant chunk of unscheduled time to bond with your new pup.
- Practice patience: Problematic behaviors often stem from underlying issues, which can usually be resolved by reward-based behavior training and a generous dose of love and TLC.
Find more tips on how to choose the shelter dog that's right for you, here.
*PetAlive is celebrating Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month by offering 15% off any pet care purchase during the entire month of October.
| October 15 2010 at 03:52 PM
It's a purr-fect time to adopt a cat!
San Francisco's shelters are overflowing with adoptable cats, desperate to find new homes.
sfspca.org
Demure Betsy is on the shy side, but loves to be petted on her cheeks and cute little chin.
A combination of the current economic situation that caused many people to move out of their homes and into apartments that aren't pet friendly and this year's krazy kitten season has created the perfect storm for an explosive cat overpopulation.
To help encourage as many adoptions as possible as soon as possible, the SFSPCA is offering a "name-your-own" adoption donation as low as 20 bucks.
While kittens are undeniably cute, here are a few benefits of adopting an older or senior cat:
- What you see is what you get: Adult cats' purr-sonalities are already established, which means they are less likely than their kitten counterparts to develop bad habits, neuroses or other behavioral problems. Adult cats also have fully developed immune systems and are less likely to succumb to kitty colds and flus.
- They've mellowed: Older cats are generally calmer and less demanding and don't require as much supervision as kittens. And senior cats won't be as inclined to climb the curtains, hang from the chandelier or send your breakables flying off the shelves.
- They come pre-trained: Kittens have a tendency to sleep or play in their litter boxes, whereas older cats only use their little box for the reasons it was intended.
- They have a lot of love to give: Indoor cats live regularly into their late teens and sometimes early twenties.
- They're more adaptable: An adult cat will often adapt to his new surroundings more quickly than a kitten. Plus, if you already have an older cat at home, carefully introducing another adult cat of similar age and temperament can be less stressful than surprising him or her with a kitten.
- Every adult cat was once a kitten: Mature cats languish much longer in shelters, where they can become depressed or ill while their younger friends are often adopted within days. You will be their hero forever if you take them home.
sfspca.org
Cheddar is a 9-year-old Balinese with the look of a lion and the sweet personality of a lamb. He and Nugget are a bonded dynamic duo!
sfspca.org
Nugget is a 5-year-old who enjoys cuddling and playtime with equal enthusiasm. His best bud is Cheddar.
Check out some of the available and adorable adoptees here.
If you've been thinking about adding a cat to your family, there's no better time than the present. Visit your local shelter and meet your feline match today!
| October 04 2010 at 04:37 PM
New OK Go video goes to the dogs
In case you haven't already seen it, or even if you have (it's definitely worth multiple viewings), check out OK Go's new video that takes canine obedience — and cuteness — to a whole new level:
According to OK Go's website, most of the dogs in the White Knuckles video are rescues that have been adopted by loving families. (Kudos to Talented Animals for the impressive training!) But unfortunately, there are countless animals out there who have not been so lucky.
When you download the White Knuckles video here, net proceeds go to the ASPCA, specifically earmarked to support rural, volunteer-run animal shelters throughout the country.
Be generous. You can help save a life.
| September 27 2010 at 01:22 PM
"Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet" week begins!
What if people were denied a loving home just because they had dark-colored hair or were considered "past their prime?"
H.O.P.E. Safehouse, Inc., Racine, WI
Douglas is a large, beautiful cat who loves to play and secretly dreams of becoming a professional wrestler.
A recent Petfinder.com survey found that 95 percent of shelters and rescue groups are having a hard time placing some of their furry residents in forever homes, simply because they are "too old," "too dark," the "wrong breed," or have other characteristics that are beyond their control. In fact, 33 percent said they have had adoptable pets listed on Petfinder.com for one to two years, and an additional 27 percent said they have cared for pets that have been homeless even longer.
To help put an end to this pet discrimination and ensure no animal is left behind, yesterday Petfinder.com kicked off its annual "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet" event. About 500 animal adoption groups nationwide, including San Francisco's Pets Unlimited, are shining the spotlight on their "less adoptable," but no-less-lovable, pets between September 19 and September 25.
Loli's Place/petfinder.com
Winnie is a sweet, friendly lab-pit mix living in Hamilton, New Jersey. All of the volunteers at Loli's Place LOVE Winnie, and wonder why she keeps getting overlooked.
"Some pets are homeless for years when they are just as wonderful as the younger, fluffier puppy next to them," says Betsy Banks Saul, the co-founder of Petfinder.com. "Many people don't even realize they are discriminating when they begin looking to adopt."
Check out the gallery Petfinder.com has developed to showcase more than 450 of these "quirky" cuties. (Warning: You may need to pull out your tissues for this one.)
Learn more about this special week-long adoption event here.
If you are not in a position to adopt, but would still like to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets, consider giving to the Petfinder.com Foundation.
| September 20 2010 at 12:54 PM
Homeless pets get airlifted out of Gulf
This weekend, pilots from Pilots N Paws, an online forum that connects animal rescue groups with volunteer pilots, and other volunteers will participate in the "Gulf Coast Rescue Flyway." The goal is to relocate hundreds of animals from high-kill shelters in the Gulf Coast disaster areas to other parts of the country where they will have a better chance of finding forever homes.
corpct.net/pilotsnpaws.org
Many of these pets had families who loved (and continue to love) them, but in the wake of the oil spill, their owners have lost their jobs, their homes and are barely surviving. "They no longer have the means to care for their pets," says Debi Boies, co-founder of Pilots N Paws.
According to the National Council on Pet Population, 9.6 million shelter animals are needlessly euthanized each year. After the oil spill, one shelter in Louisiana euthanized 900 in a single month.
With the help of the Pilots N Paws website, rescuers and foster homes in areas overwhelmed with homeless pets are able to easily connect with shelters where high-kill rates are not the rule. The sending and receiving pair then team up with a volunteer pilot, who provides the transportation.
Here are a few ways you can help make this life-saving, heart-warming effort a success:
- Fly for a good cause - Pilots can register online to volunteer to fly pets from shelters to their foster or forever homes.
- Become a foster pet parent - Take care of pets, ranging from overnight stays en route to longer periods, until sitable adopters are found.
- Lend a hand at your local shelter - Local shelters always need help walking dogs, returning calls, cleaning cages and filing paperwork.
- Spread the word - Tell your local animal shelter about Pilots N Paws. If there is a small airport nearby, ask the manager to let its pilots know about volunteer opportunities.
- Give $$ - Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)(3) organization, so donations as well as pilots' expenses relating to transport flights are tax-deductible.
- Adopt - Consider making one of the rescued pets a part of your family.
| September 17 2010 at 11:39 AM
Six packs for nine lives?
What can a dozen washboard stomachs do for the lives of countless frisky felines? More than you might think.
In an effort to shake off the "crazy-cat-lady" stigma for good (because guys love cats too) and help raise awareness for the millions of shelter cats in need of homes, Found Animals Foundation recently joined forces with fashion photographer Adam Bouska and BrownTrout Publishers to hold an open casting call in Los Angeles on June 5. The objective? To find 12 dapper dudes and their pretty kitties to star in the "6 Packs/9 Lives" calendar.
A panel of celebrity judges chose 24 finalists.
So, how exactly do they plan to whittle down the list? Fair readers, that's where you come in. Each week three new buff beefcakes and their cute cats will be showcased on the site. (Meoww!) You can check out each calendar hopeful and select your favorite cat-loving contender until only 12 remain. (Don't miss the guys' short interviews at the end of the video. They are straight out of a teenage beauty pageant.)
"6 Packs/9 Lives" claims to be "not only a one-of-a-kind project" but also the "first calendar ever published to incorporate sexy men and their cats." (As if there were ever a doubt.) Proceeds from the calendar will be used to improve the lives of shelter animals and support spay and neuter services, microchip programs and adoption of shelter animals and homeless pets.
Many shelters all across the country are overcrowded and underfunded, resulting in the deaths of millions of animals every year, simply for lack of space and resources.
Cast your vote and help shape the first annual "6 Packs/9 Lives," dedicated to changing the fate of shelter cats everywhere.
ADDENDUM:
Hold the presses! It turns out that "6 Packs/9Lives" is NOT the "first calendar ever published to incorporate sexy men and their cats." "Hot Guys and Baby Animals," now in its second scorching year, features photos of male hotties posing with puppies, kittens, bunnies, lambs, ducklings, and other cute critters. And like "6 Packs/9Lives," a portion of the proceeds are donated to to animal shelters and rescue organizations. (The 2011 addition benefits the SF/SPCA and the Milo Foundation.) Check it out here.
hotguysandbabyanimals.com
| September 14 2010 at 11:48 AM
Welcome to Tails of the City: A menagerie of stories about Bay Area pets and the people who love them.
By Amelia Glynn, Read Bio
advertisement
|
your ad here
more