Animal Fosters Needed at the San Diego Humane Society

The San Diego Humane Society is looking for volunteers!

Calling all Warm Hearts and Homes! The San Diego Humane Society cares for thousands of animals annually and many of them get a head start in foster care.

Animals that are candidates for their Foster Program include animals less than eight weeks of age; mothers with litters; animals with minor medical needs; animals recovering from surgery or illness; and animals that need further behavior evaluation or socialization. The San Diego Humane Society is looking for applicants with big hearts and a special commitment to provide a warm and loving environment for the animals in need. The San Diego Humane Society provides any supplies, special medication or food needed. All the animal needs, is you!

Foster is the temporary removal of an animal from, in this case, the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, to care for it until the animal is ready to be placed up for adoption.

Temporary shelter in a volunteer’s home can make all the difference to an animal that needs a little extra care to be ready for adoption.  Cats and dogs with litters, animals under 8 weeks of age, and animals with minor, treatable illnesses are given a second chance at life through the work of our Foster Care Volunteers.  The foster volunteers also grant The San Diego Humane Society the opportunity to free up more kennels for more animals that are in need of immediate care.

The San Diego Humane Society provides all the necessary training, supplies, and support the foster family will need to care for their foster animals, including food, bowls, bedding, toys, litter, medication, and any veterinary services.

Even if you aren’t in the San Diego area, you can also volunteer or foster at your local humane society.  Volunteering is a great way to spend time with animals if you can’t have them in your home.

Why A Cat Can Benefit Seniors

Cats make wonderful pets for people of all ages.

Wherever you live, a cat can be an ideal pet for you.  There are many reasons why but we would like to focus on the benefits cats provide for senior citizens.

Cats can improve your health – Even though cats require fairly minimal care, the care they do require provides much-needed exercise for older owners. Even seniors who have arthritis or other physical limitations can easily care for cats. Because cats need us to care for them by scooping their boxes, feeding them and giving them fresh water, cats get us up and moving whether we want to or not! Caring for and feeding a cat calls for routines and activities seniors might not otherwise have, providing important mental stimulation. This not only benefits senior citizens’ overall health, but can help them live longer and healthier lives.

Cats can improve your mood – Seniors can become lonely, or even depressed, when they retire or lose their spouse, or when their children move away. Some seniors become depressed simply because they do not get out and about as much anymore. Studies show that pets help seniors overcome loneliness and depression by providing affection, company, entertainment and a sense of responsibility and purpose. Seniors with pets tend to get up, talk and smile much more than when there are no pets around.  Think about it, when you are home alone with your cat, do you usually say a few words to him?  It definitely makes being alone more enjoyable when you have your furry feline around.

Cats over dogs – Although dogs can also make great pets for some seniors and provide the same benefits as cat ownership, careful consideration should be given to the care, training and exercise requirements of a dog. Many older owners simply can’t keep up with a dog’s needs, which makes adopting a cat a much better choice. Unlike dogs, cats are happy staying indoors all the time.  Most adult cats require only 20 to 30 minutes of playtime per day, and interactive play does not require the owner to be mobile. A kitty fishing pole or laser toy lets senior cat owners engage their cat in play while sitting in their favorite chair. Cats are also very content to spend most of their time sleeping on their owner’s lap or bed which makes this pet a perfect fit for someone less active.

Important tips to keep in mind when choosing your new pet cat –

• Lifespan – Before acquiring any pet, it is important to consider the lifespan of the animal and what will happen in the event that the owner is no longer able to care for the pet. In many cases, seniors need to move into a living facility that does not allow pets, or the pet outlives them. Both dogs and cats can live 15 to 20 years, so it is important that seniors have a younger friend or family member who is willing to take responsibility for the pet if necessary.
• Is a kitten or adult cat better for your senior – Many people think that getting a kitten or puppy for a senior will help “keep them young,” when in reality, puppies and kittens often provide seniors with more stress than enjoyment. Choosing to adopt an adult cat or dog is generally a wise choice for seniors. Adult animals have fewer exercise and training demands, making them easier for seniors to keep up with. Additionally, older pets are also less likely to outlive their senior owner.
• Talk with shelters to find the right fit for your cat – Arrange to visit your local animal shelter to view the cats available for adoption. Talk to the staff and ask for a calm, easygoing, adult lap cat with minimal medical requirements. The last thing a senior wants is an antisocial cat or one who is prone to urinary tract infections! Once your senior loved one decides on a cat — or two! – you can help shop for pet supplies (including a collar and ID tag) and set everything up  in a convenient location for both owner and kitty.

Support – If you are getting a cat for the senior in your life, make sure you can provide follow-up care and support.  Some seniors are not able to get to the store for needed supplies, while others are dealing with health or behavior problems with the cat and don’t know what to do. Be sure to check in with your loved one and their kitty to make sure things are going well.

If you know of a senior who is having difficulty affording veterinary care or food for a pet, be sure to contact your local animal shelter, food bank or veterinary clinic. Most professionals in the animal field understand how important pets are to seniors, so they may offer low-cost services and supplies just for seniors.

Be Kind To Animals Week

Did you know it is Be Kind to Animals Week?

May 6-12 is Be Kind to Animals Week, and it’s a great time to focus on sharing your love of animals with kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews, students and any other young ones in your life!

We would like to share ASPCA’s Five Tips you can take yourself to celebrate Be Kind To Animals Week:

1. Volunteer Together
Sure, many shelters require volunteers to be 18 to handle animals—but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing kids can do to help! Kids can hold a bake sale for a local shelter, help with web design or do even more. Call your favorite shelter to ask what your kids can do.

2. Write a Letter to Congress
I’m sure you know that animals across the country need our help! But did you know that kids can help, too? Talk about the issues with your kids, then write a letter together.

3. Get Crafty
If you’ve got a future artist on your hands, consider getting messy in the craft room for shelter animals. What can you do? For starters, you can make cat toys for homeless kitties in your area. Check out this page for instructions. (Hint: You’ll need some old socks.) Or you can decorate bandanas to help shelter pets get noticed!

4. Get ‘Em Involved in Pet Care
Whether you decide your 12-year-old is ready for his own guinea pig or you want your 14-year-old to feed the dog dinner each day, getting your kids involved in caring for your pets will help them build a lasting love for animals.

5. Foster a Shelter Animal
Of course, this choice isn’t right for everyone; adding an animal, even temporarily, is a big deal! But there’s no better way to show your kids the beauty of the human-animal bond than saving a life together. If your home has room for one more, Be Kind to Animals Week is a great time to foster a shelter cat or dog who needs some extra attention.

Make sure to comment on our blog if you have any other suggestions of ways to celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week.

Clear The Air Donating $1 For Each New Facebook Fan To The San Diego Humane Society

Please remember to share with others on Facebook that we are donating $1 for each new Facebook Fan that “likes” our page (Clear the Air) to the San Diego Humane Society for the month of January. It is such an easy way to raise money for animals looking for a Forever Home!!

Earth Care’s Donation for the San Diego Humane Society for January and February

Earth Care is donating a canister of our Clear the Air Odor Remover to every cat and dog adoption at the San Diego Humane Society from now until February 14^th as part of the “My Furry Valentine” event!

We are also proud to announce that we are donating $1 to the San Diego Humane Society for every new Facebook Fan Clear the Air’s Facebook Page receives through the month of January.  Please “Like” our Facebook page and share this with your friends.  Let’s raise money for the animals at the Humane Society!!

Pet Fostering

If you haven’t already heard of pet fostering or even if you have, it is a great way to provide a temporary home for a pet that is looking for their forever home.  For many dogs and cats that have been in shelters for too long, foster care provides a transitory place to live and a second chance at a new life.

Another reason to foster pets is for kittens or puppies that are still too young to be spayed or neutered and are not ready for adoption quite yet.  Or mother cats and dogs that have nursing litters and need a safe environment while raising their babies.  Fostering is also beneficial for animals being treated for illnesses or injuries that require recovery time.

Some animals also respond poorly when in a shelter environment.  This is called kennel neurosis and over a period of time their behavior can deteriorate causing them to be un-adoptable often leading to euthanasia.  Sharing the home of a foster parent can relieve kennel neurosis and turn their lives around.

All you need to be a foster parent to a pet is a loving compassionate heart, some available time and maybe a little extra space in your home.  If you have considered getting a pet for some time and are not sure about making the commitment, fostering a pet can be a perfect situation for you.  There are many classes and programs offered to new foster parents through your local humane society.

Remember, Earth Care is donating a $1 to the San Diego Humane Society for every new Facebook Fan we get during the month of January.  What an easy way to give to animals looking for a forever home!  Like us on Facebook!

Shelter and Dog Rescue Groups Across the U.S. will Receive Help from PEDIGREE Foundation Grants $750,000 Awarded for Creative Programs and Basic Operational Needs to Help Dogs in Need Find Loving Homes

Shelter and Dog Rescue Groups Across the U.S. will Receive Help from PEDIGREE Foundation Grants
$750,000 Awarded for Creative Programs and Basic Operational Needs to Help Dogs in Need Find Loving Homes

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — PEDIGREE Foundation announced today the recipients of seven Innovation and 691 Operational Grants. Thanks to the generosity and donations from dog lovers across the country, the Foundation is proud to award a total of $750,000 to these selected local shelter and dog rescue groups. These one-time grants help fund creative programs and basic operating costs aimed at increasing dog adoptions and helping the more than four million homeless dogs find loving homes. In 2010 alone, PEDIGREE Foundation helped shelter and rescue groups give more than 80,000 dogs much needed comfort until they found their forever homes.

PEDIGREE Foundation Operational Grants were awarded to help alleviate the struggle shelters and rescues have to fund and provide the essential needs for dogs, including food, comfort, transportation and medical care. The 691 shelter and rescue groups will each receive $868 to help one dog at a time as they wait to find a loving home. Since 2008, PEDIGREE Foundation has distributed $4 million to thousands of organizations to help with their operational expenses.

For the second year, the Foundation is awarding $150,000 in Innovation Grants. These grants recognize shelters and rescues that are pioneering the industry with new ideas and efforts to help find dogs forever homes. Seven selected shelters will receive between $10,000 and $25,000 in grant money to fund their unique programs aimed at helping increase dog adoptions. Chosen out of almost 200 grant applications, these organizations truly demonstrate their ability to bring creative ideas to help improve adoption rates and the welfare of animals within their communities.

“We are grateful for the hard work shelters and rescues do every day,” said Debra Fair, PEDIGREE Foundation president. “From community outreach to behavior programs, we’re proud to award grants to aid in the adoption process that helps dogs find their forever homes.”

2011 Innovation Grant Winners

PEDIGREE Foundation Innovation Grant money, to be used within a one-year period, will assist homeless dogs with a variety of needs, including; behavior training, feeding, housing and support for medical issues:

Paw Prints Humane Society of Sedona, Inc. of Sedona, AZ, was awarded $10,000 to help fund the Mobile Adoption Vehicle to help increase adoptions, increase community education and awareness and serve as an emergency evacuation vehicle for at-risk animals in the Northern Arizona area.

Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Eatontown, NJ, was awarded $25,000 to help fund a Dog Behavioral Department which uses positive reinforcement training and enrichment to increase the adoptability of shelter dogs. The program focuses especially on those who come into the shelter with behavioral issues or who develop behaviors as a result of an extended stay in the shelter system.

Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County PCA of Fairport, NY, was awarded $10,000 to help fund the Behavior Modification and Enrichment Program to help dogs change behavior and ultimately find an adoptive family and forever home.

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Philadelphia, PA, was awarded $25,000 to help fund “Adopt a South Philly Dog” program which increases dog adoptions in this densely populated area with few walk-in adoption facilities.

Nashville Humane Association of Nashville, TN, was awarded $14,000 for a research program that will evaluate staff training and adoption policies of collaborative organizations that use visual and staff-based experience to identify dog breeds and mixes of those breeds. This program is aimed to increase dog adoption and retention.

Oklahoma Humane Society of Oklahoma City, OK, was awarded $25,000 to help fund the Homeward Bound Transport Program to safely and efficiently transport 80 dogs at a time from high-risk situations to safe outcomes.

SPCA for Monterey County of Monterey, CA, was awarded $25,000 for its ‘Take the Lead’ program which pairs dogs with at-risk youth. During each five week course, the youth are tasked with teaching their dogs basic skills and providing one-on-one interaction. The dogs learn new skills which make them more adoptable and the children learn important life, leadership and communication skills as they work to teach un-socialized dogs how to be great canine citizens through positive reinforcement.

From http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shelter-and-dog-rescue-groups-across-the-us-will-receive-help-from-pedigree-foundation-grants-2011-12-19

Dog Tales Therapy Helps Children to Read in Pittsburgh

The Western PA Humane Society has teamed up with Sewickley Public Library to help children improve their reading by practicing the skill in a fun, nonjudgmental environment. The dogs are brought in for children to snuggle up with while reading.

Read more from the article by Jane Miller, for The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

…Butter is a rescued therapy dog owned by 13-year-old Maggie Dobbins, who started “Dog Tales” as a Girl Scout service-award project at Sewickley Public Library.

…”The younger children are often more comfortable, because a dog doesn’t correct them,” Maggie says. “I’m listening to them read, and I think, ‘Oh, you missed that word.’ But I don’t say anything because it’s the dog they are reading to — and a dog wouldn’t correct them.”

For the past month, nearly two dozen children in kindergarten through third grade, have benefitted each week, as Maggie, Butter, and adult handlers with their therapy dogs representing the Western PA Humane Society, spread out over the floor of the library to listen to a different child read every 15 minutes.

“It is just wonderful to have this program for the library,” children’s librarian Rita Crawford says. Earlier in the fall, Maggie had approached her, and together they picked out appropriate books.

“We have all sorts of dog books — chapter books and picture books — and some kids bring their own books,” Maggie, a seventh grader in Quaker Valley Middle School, says.

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Did you know that for the month of November, shelters are encouraging local families to adopt a senior pet and are offering discounted adoption fees and some are even waiving the adoption fee?  Sadly, senior dogs are often passed over for puppies and young adults, but these precious senior pets deserve to live out their golden years in the comfort of a happy, loving home. These wiser and often calmer pets whom have traveled a long road are in search of reaching their happy endings.  And we all know that no one appreciates the love of a permanent home like an animal who’s spent his or her whole life searching for one.  So, if you are looking to get a new cat or dog this month, make sure to visit your local shelter and look for a senior pet that will give you unconditional love.

Second Annual National Food Drive For Family Pets Starts Sunday at Petco

Pet lovers are asked to donate pet food October 30-November 13 to help keep pets with their families this holiday season.  Pet food and cat litter donations can be made at all Petco stores nationwide.

During the two week drive consumers can pick up extra food or litter during their shopping trip or bring unopened cans or bags from home and drop it into specially marked Petco collection bins located in each store.

Throughout the drive, Hill’s Science Diet will match, pound for pound, every bag of cat and dog food donated, up to 100,000 pounds.  Last years drive provided more than 90 tons – about 200,000 pounds – of pet food for families in need which is an incredible gift leading into the holiday season and such an easy way for people to help keep pets well-nourished and with the families who love them in these tough economic times.

Find out more and help by volunteering.