Archive for the ‘Boarding’ Category
How Animals Can Help Your Career
January 11th, 2011
Do you care about animals? Would you like to find a new job, or need a job? Listening to the news I would think the economy is coming back, but not when I talk with a lot of people around the country. Making a living still seems to be a challenge for most. Many people are very unhappy doing the work they are doing everyday. They have passions and desires that are not being fulfilled. Others are out of work and say they want to find “anything” because they need the income.
This is the perfect time to evaluate what is really important to you, what your passions are AND help animals at the same time.
If you are out of work, or would like to do something else, this is the best time to open the doors for the kind of work YOU want to do. Do you know what you’re really passionate about? Most people have no idea. Don’t think in terms of income but what kinds of things get you really excited and leave you happy and fulfilled when you are finished. 
It could be ANYTHING:
1. Walking in the woods
2. Doing crossword puzzles
3. Meeting new people
4. Caring for animals
5. Gardening
6. Talking on the phone
7. Reading
8. Traveling…..the list goes on and on
Recently I’ve had a number of friends ask me to help them figure out what they should do, they are not happy doing what they are doing, or they got laid off and fear they won’t find a job in their industry.
If you know what you’re passionate about, you can use that passion to help animals and open doors for your next career. Yes, CAREER, not job. The animal organizations, and charities, around the country need help now, more than ever before. Funding has dried up so they can’t hire the people they need. They also can’t afford to buy the food and supplies needed to care for the animals. Everyday I get requests from these organizations for volunteers and donations.
Right now you are asking yourself, “How can helping an organization help me”? It can, in MANY ways. You meet new people who might open the door to your next position. You also get to do the things you are passionate about. It’s a great way to find out if it’s something you want to do for a living. If so, you can put the experience on your resume. Most people have only worked in the field they have been trained in, but that is not what they love doing. 
Here are some ideas for you to think about:
1. Walking and caring for animals at a shelter (if you like being outside)
2. Help the staff with ideas about how to raise money and supplies (doing crossword puzzles)
3. Feeding baby animals or holding ones that are afraid (caring for animals)
4. Cleaning up and landscaping the facility (gardening)
5. Making calls for supplies, donations, volunteers, etc. (talking on the phone)
6. Research and help find new ideas that can benefit the organization (reading)
7. Animals and supplies need to be transported to other locations (traveling)
These are only a few ideas. I could go on for quite sometime. There are also a lot of animals that need to be fostered until a permanent home can be found. They can be cats, dogs, ferrets, iguanas, pigs, etc.
What kinds of animals do you like?
1. Tigers
2. Dogs
3. Cats
4. Birds
5. Horses
6. Monkeys
7. Deer
8. Pigs
There are organizations caring for any kind of animal you can think of, all over the country. All of them need help. You can Google the kind of animal you want to help with “rescue” or “shelter”, then your area. (Ex: ferret shelter Florida) You will most likely find something in your area. If not, call or email the ones that pop up. The animal community is very small and we all help each other the best we can.
I hope that this post will inspire people to find their true passion, and use their passion in a way that will fulfill them personally and help animals that have a lot of needs. At the very least, you will open doors by meeting other people who might know a company that needs a position filled with someone who has your qualifications.
Fun Events that Help Animals
August 30th, 2010
Fall is approaching and that means lots of fun things to do. I am working on an event that will take place in New Orleans. It will benefit the wildlife, pets and other animals that have been affected by the oil disaster in the Gulf. Once I get more specifics finalized, I will be sending out information. Stay tuned…….
If you, or someone you know, has an event coming up, please send me the information. I will place it on this post, so please come back to see new announcements, anywhere in the world.
Here is information on an event that will take place on Saturday September 18th. It is an adoptathon put on by the Humane Society of Sarasota County. If you are on the West Coast of Florida, this is an event you might want to check out. Click here for a website.
If you like golf and animals, this is the event for you. Saturday, September 25th in Sarasota, FL. It’s the Ron Gordon golf tournament. It’s always a fun event, which also happens to be in Sarasota, Florida. You can contact Ron at: nuts4golf@verizon.net
Oak Street Pelican Block Party in New Orleans on Saturday October 23rd. This is a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Louisiana and the theme is “Everything Pelican”. To learn more click here to go to their website.
If you are in the Fairdealing Missouri area on Saturday Sept. 4th you might want to stop by and say hi to these guys. They are having an adopt-a-thon. This shelter is always saving animals, even ones that are dumped on the road and no longer wanted. Any help you can give them is greatly appreciated. Click here to learn more about them.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd in Cookeville, TN. there will be the 7th annual, walk-in-the-park. It will be a lot of fun for everyone involved, including the animals. Click here to learn more.
REGAP (Retired Greyhounds as Pets) of Illinois is hosting a Reunion Picnic on September 25th. Click here to learn more.
Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue is having a 5th anniversary party on September 12. Click here to learn more.
Saturday, October 2nd at the Loose Screw Bar & Grill, 45 Church Street , German Valley, IL . 7pm to 1 am. Join the fun at this Benefit party for Critter Camp Director Beth’s 50th Birthday to raise funds. Click here for more info.
The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri is hosting their annual Bark in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 25 at Kiwanis Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. This event helps raise money for the shelter. Click here for more info.
This is a very inspiring video that my mom sent me. I wanted to add it since it is uplifting and shows how connected humans are with animals. Please enjoy!
Unfortunately, there are tragedies as well. Below is an email I got today. We have had a number of really bad storms in my area. These are stories about Greyhounds. PLEASE KEEP YOUR ANIMALS SAFE!!!!
A greyhound got out because the storms had weakened the fence. Please check out your fenced areas if you plan to leave them out unsupervised. This female grey pushed open the weakened area and was missing for what seemed an eternity for the frantic parents looking for her. She was found in the river, but safe.
Other stories…… not so good an ending:
1) 2 greys get out of a gate left open – one is hit on a busy highway almost immediately – $ 2,000 later pinned and recovering. The other was found after 5 days of intense searching and she had been hit twice and required over $ 5,000 of treatments and huge help from the kennel owner
2) weaken fence with another 2 greyhounds getting out both get into a pond and 1 is bitten by a gator, but miraculously survives. Has had 2 very expensive procedures and now has a permanent pin. Let’s make these learning moments to help us all protect our seemingly invincible greyhounds.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips for your Pet
Now that we are into the heart of hurricane season, we would like to remind everyone to make sure and include your pets in your hurricane evacuation plan. If you need to evacuate and cannot take your pets, make arrangements for them ahead of time at a local shelter or boarding facility. Never leave pets at home alone.
Be Sure to:
Prepare adequate supplies of food, medications, and water for your pet. Also, be sure to have medical records, leashes, collars, food bowls, bedding, toys, trash bags for waste, and a crate/carrier ready. Because sometimes our pets can get separated from us micro chipping is also a great idea. Many shelters are overwhelmed with found pets with no ID and a micro chip would get them back to you safely and quickly.
Ferret Sitting/ Boarding
April 29th, 2010
If you,or someone you know, needs a ferret sitter in the Sarasota area, please let me know. I’ve had some people contact me about ferret sitting for them this summer. I will be happy to do it. The ferrets will be in a safe, free roaming environment. The ferrets will also get a complimentary “spa treatment” before they are picked up to go home (bath, clip their nails, clean their ears, massage, etc). You can contact me for more information.
Have Fun With Your Pet Anywhere in the World
March 28th, 2010
Have you ever thought about going on vacation but you’re concerned about what to do with your pet? How about taking your pet with you?
It is estimated around 85% of pet owners travel with their pets by car. If you’re planning to take your pet with you on trips in the car, start early when the pet is young so they get used to the routine. Short jaunts across town and back, or easy day trips, will get your pet used to the ride. A carsick pet can make the trip miserable for everyone.
A seat upholstery protector, such as a pet hammock or waterproof seat cover will make clean-ups easier in case your pet does get sick or has an accident.
Be sure to bring along cleaning supplies to avoid having to search out a place to purchase them at the last minute.
If you are going to be riding on buses or trains you need to check the state and local restrictions. Some prohibit pets from riding on buses or trains unless they are assisting visually impaired or physically challenged persons. Always check in advance with these transportation providers to find out what regulations they may impose.
Before you travel with your pet, check with your veterinarian to make sure your pet is physically able to make the trip. Some senior or physically impaired dogs and cats do not travel well. You may want to consider a local, reputable kennel for your pet, or if your pet is would be more comfortable at home, you may want to contact a pet sitting organization to locate a pet sitter in your area who can take care of your pet in its own, familiar surroundings.
If you decide that your pet is able to take the trip there are still a number of things to consider.
Traveling with pets internationally can be much more challenging than domestic travel with pets because of long waiting periods, quarantine requirements and other importation regulations. If you are considering traveling internationally with your pet, it’s important to begin planning way ahead of your intended time of travel. Proper planning will help better prepare you and your pet for the trip, lessen the stress on both of you and provide realistic expectations of international pet travel.
Here are a few things you should think about:
- What types of airline restrictions do you have for international pet travel?
- Do you limit the number of pets allowed in cargo and in the cabin?
- Are certain breeds of pets not permitted or not advised to travel internationally?
- What are the container requirements?
- Will my pet have to change planes?
- Will my pet be able to relieve himself somewhere if it is a long flight?
- When and where should I drop off my pet?
- What documents will I need to transport my pet?
- Where will my pet clear customs?
What do you do if your pet needs emergency care, at home or while you are away? What if your pet gets lost or even worst, what if there is a disaster in your area? You will need to find resources for all of these issues.
We can help you find answers to these and other issues. If you have suggestions you have used for your animals, please post them so that other pet owners can learn from your experience.
How Animals Fit Into An Ever Changing World
March 4th, 2010
Our world is ever changing. Remember when there were only three networks on TV? Now there are so many choices that people are overwhelmed. You add reality TV networks to the mix and it’s impossible to keep up. A lot of people record, or “Tivo” shows so they can see them “when they have time”. When does that happen? We have become so overwhelmed with keeping up with work and family life that most people don’t have time for TV. When they do watch it I wonder, how many people really take in what they are watching? Are their minds still on something else?
Now, add the internet to the mix. Most people are on their computers for work and play. It’s no wonder TV shows try to direct you to their website. That’s where most people spend their time. It is the place to find love, food, cars, investments, TV shows you missed, coupons and specials, old friends, as well as anything you need regarding animals. That is why I am placing my show on the internet, so I know you will see it!
I wanted to share with you some sites I think you might want to put into your database. You never know when you might need them. You’re already on the computer reading this 🙂 I have posted them below.
There is also a term a lot of people have heard but really don’t understand. It is called “Fostering”. I recently did a report on Greyhounds. The dogs are rescued, sent to prison and trained by the prisoners. After they are trained they are sent to foster homes, or rescues, until they are adopted.
I always thought that fostering meant you HAD to keep the animal until a new home was found. That is not the case. Most of the time animals are only with you for a short time, maybe a week or two. If you have to leave for a trip, the organization will take the animal. If you only want a “friend” for a few weeks or a month, that is fine. There is a HUGE NEED for foster homes everywhere. There are all kinds of animals that need a foster home. It can be fun to learn about a new animal without the long term commitment. The animals come with food. Any medical care is also taken care of for you. All the animal needs is a safe and loving place to stay, temporarily. In addition, think of the love you will get in return.
The other nice thing about fostering is that you just opened up a spot for another animal. If it had not been for you, that animal might have been put down because there was no place for it to go.
If you would like to find out more regarding fostering, I suggest you contact your local shelter, rescue or other animal organization. Ask, “what does takes to be a foster parent”?
If you are looking for animals to adopt:
1.www.petango.com – These are all PetPoint Shelters. They also have a web based store and will make a donation to a selected shelter as a result of the person’s purchase.
2. www.adoptapet.com – People can do a “search saver” which will send them an email when a specific breed they are looking for becomes available.
5. www.akc.org – breed specific rescue groups
If you lost an animal:
4. http://haveyouseenthispet.com
Organizations that will help owners that cannot afford vet care.
Most of them handle serious medical conditions and injury. Some focus on low income, elderly and handicapped owners. A couple of them are for rescue organizations and homeless pets.
3.www.fveap.org/sys-tmple/door
I am sure there are many more organizations that can be added to this list. If you would like to post about one you know of, please submit it under our “Resources/ Organizations” page. Thanks for all you do for animals around the world!
Rescued Dogs are Sent to Prison, Go Behind The Scenes
March 1st, 2010
Donna Paige with Greyhounds
What is your first impression when you hear a rescued dog was sent to prison? Do you conjure up images that are not pleasant? READ THE INFORMATION AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES, WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and your heart will pound, in a good way.
There is an organization called 2nd Chance at Life. They place Greyhounds in prisons once they have been rescued. They have placed over 600 dogs nationwide. These dogs are fostered by the prisoners.
Keira
What Does The Greyhound and Inmate Prison Partnership Do?
Greyhounds
1. Delivers an Obedience Trained Greyhound to the Community
2. Provides a Network of Prison Foster Homes for Greyhounds
3. Gives them a place to live until they can be adopted
4. Allows two 24/7 inmate caretaker’s for each greyhound
5. Saves thousands of retired racing greyhounds
Huney
Prisoners
1. Allows inmates to give something back to the community
2. Allows inmates to experience un-conditional love
3. Relieves inmate idleness in prison facilities
4. Teaches inmates patience and responsibility
5. Establishes vocational jobs for the inmates
ALL OF THE DOGS ON THIS POST ARE UP FOR ADOPTION!
Chief
Who is a typical adoptable Greyhound?
They’re really a 45 mile an hour couch potato!!!!!!
Usually between eighteen months and five years old.
They do not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do enjoy their daily walks.
These ex-racers are intelligent, quiet, clean, good-natured, adaptable, sensitive, dogs who adjust readily to their new home environment.
They are eager to please and respond positively to any attention.
They provide their new owner with never ending loyalty and affection.
Pebbles
What does Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions do?
Find the best prescreened, match as possible for your family, with current shots, cleaned teeth. Prescreening includes cat testing that would help ensure compatibility with cats and other small animals.
Find loving and qualified homes for the Greyhounds entrusted to our care. We spay/neuter provide vaccinations and make sure all Greys are in excellent health, including teeth.
Provide ongoing support to those who adopt Greyhounds from Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions, Inc. or any other group.
Educate the public and raise awareness about the availability and suitability of retired racing Greyhounds as pets.
Promote harmony and teamwork among all segments of the worldwide Greyhound community.
Shaye
How can someone adopt a prison trained or even a non-prison trained rescued Grey?
There are a number of organizations where you can adopt these wonderful dogs. One that I know about, in my area, is Gold Coast Greyhound.
ALL OF THE DOGS ON THIS POST ARE UP FOR ADOPTION
You can complete the adoption form from Gold Coast Greyhounds here. You can also call them at 941-312-1750.
Katie
More Foster Homes Are Needed!!
1. They provide extension into the community
2. Conduct reference checks
3. Provide ongoing support to the Grey and his forever home.
4. Great option for snow birds or anyone without a long term commitment.
Tupelo
Everyone asks, “Is it difficult to give up a foster?” Yes and No. It’s very easy to develop an emotional attachment but when you place a happy Grey in his forever home with wonderful & caring families we are very happy! Then we know we can foster another Grey and help them find a loving home. If you cannot foster and cannot adopt, donations help support the cost of caring for our Greyhounds and preparing them for our prison training program.
Sophia
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION….
ALL OF THE DOGS ON THIS POST ARE UP FOR ADOPTION.
Racing Greyhounds spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs, their trainers and handlers. Racing Greyhounds have all the advantage of breeding and training when it comes to being a good pet. Their social ability generally makes them great with other pets. Their temperament makes them wonderful around children and friends. Their intelligence and breed make them perfect house pets. A clean, quiet loving companion, a well-mannered Greyhound could be just the pet for you.
Pay-It-Forward Friday
February 18th, 2010
I want Friday’s to bring awareness to other organizations that are doing wonderful things for animals. If you have information you want to share, send me a paragraph on the topic with a link to the website, by 11am on Thursday. I will do this each Friday. Please pass this link on to bring awareness to these wonderful organizations, thanks!
Jake
Urgent: Jake needs a new home today, Friday! This dog is at Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood Florida. Jake is cage stressed and is going to be euthanized on Friday. He is a great dog and loves people and toys. He just doesn’t like being confined in a run and has damaged his tail. A great dog. We can help with transport from englewood to anyone that will take him. He is fully vetted.
If you can help email Michele at doggieresqr@yahoo.com
1. A documentary on the pairing of seniors with seniors was recently completed. The purpose is to raise awareness, and secure more homes, for older shelter pets as well as bring companionship to the elderly. It’s called: Old Friends… Timeless Love. Perfect Pairings.
“Old Friends…Timeless Love” came about when Maureen Kelly realized the beautiful energy of pairing seniors with seniors: bringing companionship to the elderly, saving older pets from shelters, and honoring the magic that animals bring into our lives.
Working with a variety of organizations across the United States, she has had the great joy of meeting not only hard-working, loving people, but remarkable dogs, cats and horses.
This is a film in their honor. Hopefully, it will ignite a spark that will inspire many more such pairings.
View the heartwarming video here.
2. Pattie Roberts has a ranch called Dudette Ranch. Pattie spent years promoting good causes with local radio station KFROG and then with her own agency, MarketingWithACause.com. Through the years she has served on various Board of Directors. She has worked tirelessly to promote organizations such as Exceed, work programs for Adults with Disabilities, Animal Friends of the Valley, the Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s awareness, she supports four school districts Student of the Month programs and many others good causes.
Last year she relocated her horse ranch to Murrieta and retired from advertising to pursue her lifelong passion of horses. She started the Dudette Ranch. The concept is a local take off of the vacation destination Dude Ranch. “Although we aren’t wrangling cattle or sleeping under the stars, this is a working horse ranch and the monthly membership allows members daily access to hang out at the barn and work with the horses as we care for, train and ride.
Here is one great story: Dakota is a tall rangy bay Quarter horse gelding, he was a competitive working cow horse in his younger day. A knee injury took him out of the show ring years ago. Dakota has been totally healed from his injury for years, but he still favored it not out of pain but out of fear. This beautiful horse, with plenty of life left in him, was just standing in a stall. This summer he became the best friend of a troubled teen. She worked with him daily, riding him slow and easy until he got stronger and realized his knee didn’t hurt any more. He thrived on the attention and got strong and muscled up again. Unfortunately, the teenager went back to her old ways and left Dakota alone. Lucky gelding though because he now has a brand new best friend! A really nice lady named Micheal. She has fallen in love with him and signed up to sponsor him. She already takes lessons here and after riding him last Saturday well….no other horse would do she just had to have him!
Individual Sponsorship programs are one way you can have a horse without really owning one, there are horses available for Adoption and Lease and a Sponsorship Program Geared to the whole family! To learn more click here.
3. Small Angels Rescue, a non-profit based in Frederick, MD, finds homes for rescued chinchillas, degus, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats.
They do not have a shelter and use a network of foster homes for these rescued animals until they are permanently adopted. They have very dedicated foster parents involved with this organization. One guinea pig foster mother-in-charge has a wonderful web page (click here) where you can scroll through, looking at pictures and reading very engagingly written bios of rescued guinea pigs awaiting adoption.
Enzo and Eva, a bonded pair of guinea pigs, were adopted. I’ve been told the Small Angels vetting process is very meticulous. The owners of Enzo and Eva had a process to go through before adopting. They were invited to the foster mother-in-charge’s home to meet her and the guinea pigs. This kept Enzo and Eva from being subjected to undue stress by taking them from place to place to show to prospective adopters. Then they had to fill out a detailed, five-page questionnaire containing questions that would really screen the potential owners to be sure they’re responsible. It takes about a week for the application to be approved. The new owners said, “Adopting from Small Angels Rescue has been one of the most satisfying things we’ve have ever done”.
To learn more about Small Angels Rescue, click here.
4. Nature’s Variety Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall
Nature’s Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.