Friday, December 17, 2010

Rescued Oregon Dogs Still Looking for Homes

 

The Oregon Humane Society experienced a record-breaking number of visitors yesterday but is still looking for homes for more than a dozen of the dogs rescued from a breeder in Medford last Saturday.

Of the 41 dogs relinquished by the breeder, 14 remain available for adoption today at OHS; another three dogs are in medical care and will be offered for adoption when they are healthy enough for a new home.

Dogs available include Dodger (pictured above) a five-year-old pomeranian. Other dogs from the rescue still available include shiba inus, shih tzus, West Highland terriers, a Brussels Griffon mix, a pug/Chihuahua mix, and a miniature poodle. An up-to-date list of available dogs, with pictures, can be seen here at the OHS website.


Nearly 1,000 people visited OHS yesterday, more than twice the normal number of visitors, with a crowd gathering early in the morning to get in line to see the rescued dogs.



Eloise, a seven-year-old West Highland terrier, became the first dog to be adopted.

If you can't adopt, you can still help. OHS is seeking financial donations and donations of dog food to help care for the rescued dogs and other animals at the shelter. Monetary donations can be made on the OHS website at www.oregonhumane.org; food donations can be dropped off at OHS, which is located at 1067 NE Columbia Blvd. in Portland.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Editor's Pick: Thundershirt, the best solution for dog anxiety


To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure what to think about the company's claim of being "The Best Solution for Dog Anxiety," but as last night's crazy storm rolled in with thunder, lightening and wind (if you live in Seattle then you know what I'm talking about), I thought it had to be worth a try.

My boxer Scout has always been afraid of thunder...fireworks too. She starts shaking, panting and pacing... it's terrible. So last night, as soon as the thunder and lightening started up (and with it, the shaking and panting), I put the Thundershirt on her and within five minutes she was calm. Seriously.

Apparently, gentle, constant pressure has a calming effect on most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited and the Thundershirt does just that -- the shirt's stretchy material and Velcro fasteners provide a snug, but comfortable fit, creating slight pressure to the dog's torso.

In addition to noise anxiety, the Thundershirt works for separation anxiety, travel anxiety (which Ziggy has, so I'll be buying one for him), crate training, problem barking (um, again...Ziggy), and leash pulling.

So, thank you Thundershirt! A less anxious Scout and a less anxious Ziggy, means a less anxious CityDog editor!

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Seattle Area Pet Stores Take The Humane Society of the United States’ ‘Puppy Friendly’ Pledge

Thanks to the efforts of local advocates, over 60 Seattle area pet stores have recently signed The Humane Society of the United States' puppy friendly pet store pledge — committing not to sell puppies, and instead support local animal adoption programs and provide literature that helps customers learn how to locate a reputable dog breeder. We applaud these retailers because their actions prove it is not necessary to support the cruel puppy mill trade to operate a successful pet-related business.

"These stores have set a positive example of corporate responsibility for other businesses to follow," said Dan Paul, Washington state director for The HSUS. "Pet stores that profit from the cruel puppy mill industry need to step up and do the right thing by stopping their puppy sales. I am thrilled to have wonderful local advocates working in our area to increase the public's awareness of puppy mills."

Store owners and managers who sign The HSUS' pledge receive a placard proclaiming, "We love puppies; that's why we don't sell them," to display in the store, as well as materials about adopting a dog or finding a responsible breeder. The HSUS encourages shoppers to purchase pet supplies at stores displaying the puppy-friendly sign.

The independent retailers in the Seattle area that have recently signed the puppy friendly pledge to not sell puppies are:

Mud Bay – (all locations)
The Pet Stops Here (Bellevue)
Walker's Healthy Pet (all locations)
Next to Nature (all locations)
Smiley Dog (Edmonds)
Simply Paws (Federal Way locations)
The Pet Market @ Dash Point (Federal Way)
Pet Country (Kent)
Denny's Pet World (Kirkland)
Dooley's Dog House (Kirkland)
Heads to Tails Grooming Spa (Kirkland)
All The Best Pet Care (all locations)
Dog Daze Natural Pet Market (Puyallup)
Eastside Dog (Redmond)
Paws Café (Redmond)
Pet Pros (Renton)
A Dog's Dream (Seattle)
Animal Talk (Seattle)
Crown Hill Pet Supply (Seattle)
Fido-N-Scratch (Seattle)
Great Dog Daycare & Shoppe (Seattle)
Mes Amis (Seattle)
Pet Elements (West Seattle)
Petapoluza Pet Supply (Seattle)
PJ's Paws and Claws (Seattle)
Wally Pets (Seattle)
Zak and Zoe (Seattle)
Lucky Dog Outfitters (Tacoma)
Purdelight's Grooming and Pet Boutique (Tacoma)
Wag Pet Market (Tacoma)
Beastie Boutique (Vancouver)
Natural Pet NW (Vancouver)
The Whole Pet Shop (Woodinville)

Facts about puppy mills:
  • Approximately one-third of the nation's 9,000 independent pet stores sell puppies.
  • The HSUS estimates that 2 million to 4 million puppy mill puppies are sold each year in the United States.
  • Documented puppy mill conditions include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor food and shelter, crowded cages and lack of socialization.
  • Dogs kept for breeding in puppy mills suffer for years in continual confinement. They are bred as often as possible and then destroyed or discarded once they can no longer produce puppies.
  • Pet stores and online sellers often use attractive Web sites to hide the truth and to dupe consumers into thinking that they are dealing with a small, reputable breeder.
  • Reputable breeders never sell puppies over the Internet or through a pet store and will insist on meeting the family who will be purchasing the dog.
  • Puppy mills contribute to the pet overpopulation problem, which results in millions of unwanted dogs euthanized at shelters every year.
  • Over the past three years, 16 states have passed laws to crack down on puppy mills.
To learn more about puppy mills, visit humanesociety.org/puppymills.

Canine Christmas Adoption Event

Don’t miss the upcoming Canine Christmas adoption event hosted by Pawsitive Alliance. Meet hundreds of great dogs and puppies from across Washington in one location. Come meet the dogs Sunday, December 12th, noon until 3 pm at Academy of Canine Behavior in Bothell, WA. Over 97 families found their new best friends at last year’s Canine Christmas event!

The Academy of Canine Behavior is located at 4705 240th St. SE, Bothell, WA 98021. Directions can be found at http://www.aocb.com/contact.

Experienced shelter staff, volunteers and trainers will be on hand to help you find the right animal for your family. The trainers will be available to answer your questions about any dog you are thinking of adopting. Shelter staff has evaluated each dog’s behavior and temperament. Adoption fees range from $150.00 to $250.00.

Participating organizations bringing animals to adopt include:
*NEW* Food Drive - The Animals Need Your Help
Times are tough, especially for the shelters and rescues relying on donations. In conjunction with the adoption event, Pawstivie Alliance will also be holding a food drive and the food will be distributed to the shelters and rescues attending this great event.