“Be Kind to Animals Week” Kid Contest

March 30, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

Deadline for filing taxes is fast approaching as is American Humane’s “Be Kind to Animals” Kid Contest on the same date, April 15th.  I know what I would rather be doing. “Be Kind to Animals” week is May 2nd – 8th this year.  The contest acknowledges those teens and children who show compassion to animals and help them in extraordinary ways.

Nominations are for two age groups:

  • Children ages 6-12 years old
  • Teens ages 13-17 years old

The winner in each age group will receive $1,000 and the runner up will receive $500.  Winners will be announced during “Be Kind to Animals” week, May 2-8, 2010.  Not bad winnings for such a fun and rewarding contest.

The contest is intended to instill a sense of responsibility, appreciation and love for animals.  Some suggestions  for helping to make a difference in animals lives yearlong:

  1. Be an advocate for animals. Look at policies and legislation locally and nationally that have an impact on animals.
  2. Respect and love. Show children the importance of animals in their lives.
  3. Donate to your local animal shelter. Donations can be in time, money or needed items like blankets.
  4. Gift of wildlife. Explore the great outdoors to really appreciate nature and know that you can share it respectfully with animals.
  5. Report animal abuse. There have been many reports lately of how animal abuse is interrelated with other forms of abuse and violence.
  6. Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue group. Many shelters and rescue groups are overwhelmed with animals looking for loving homes.  One out of every four dogs in a shelter is a purebred.
  7. Take care of your pet. Pets unlike children never grow up.  They require constant care and attention. Maintain annual vet visits and vaccinations. Besides unconditional love there are many rewards to pet ownership.

Nominate someone you know for the “Be Kind to Animals Contest”:

Last year’s (2009) winners were pretty impressive.  So put on those thinking caps and see how you can contribute to the betterment of the lives of animals year-round.

Source: American Humane

Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animal Shelter, Animals, Cats, Dogs, Humane Societies, Pet Adoption, pets, Rescue Groups · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Pet Fostering for Military Service Members and Veterans

March 25, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

I am trying to sort out vacation plans for this year and I am having a difficult time thinking of leaving my cat, (Miss) Mia behind. Having said that I cannot imagine not seeing her for an extended period of time as the men and women in our armed services. How grateful and fortunate we are for their service to our country.

In steps an incredible organization, Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets to fill the void of assuring service men and women as well as veterans that their beloved pets are well taken care of in their absence.  They are a non profit public charity completely run by volunteers.  And even better they are “Non-political, non-partisan, and do not support nor endorse any political candidates”.  Not sure if you agree but these politicians exhaust me. Thank God for our pets, our service men and women and this organization.

Guardian Angels has three programs in place:

  1. Foster Home Program
  2. Military Pet Assistance
  3. Military and Veterans Pet (MVP) Sanctuary

How can you help?

  1. Contribute
  2. Foster a Pet
  3. Volunteer
  4. Other Ways to Help

If you are an animal lover and/or pet owner like me please do consider assisting this wonderful organization and our troops. It’s a win win I think!

Guardian Angels for Soldiers’ Pets

Filed Under: Animals, Cats, Dogs, Pet Fostering, Pet News, pets, Veterans · Tagged With: , , , ,

Consider adoption on National Puppy Day

March 23, 2010 by · Leave a Comment


Watch CBS News Videos Online

With today being National Puppy Day please do consider adopting versus shopping for a puppy.  There are so many wonderful and worthy pups available for adoption. But this also means a serious commitment of time and money.  All too often especially during these difficult economic times animals are abandoned due to lack of finances.

Andrea Arden of Animal Planet’s “Underdog to Wonderdog,” recommends creating a ‘Puppy Wish List’ to discuss each family member’s foreseeable relationship with the prospective new puppy.

  1. Every puppy is different with respect to energy level
  2. A larger dog will require more food than a smaller dog therefore be more expensive
  3. Seriously consider whether you want a mellow dog or one that has a bundle of energy

I have had a couple of friends in the past who have gotten a timid dog that was fearful of men, a dog that raced barking at the door when the mail person arrived and a dog that was not good walking past other dogs while on leash. So there are many variables and important things to observe while in the company of your prospective new puppy.

Important items Miss Arden recommends to have ready when your new puppy arrives home for the first time: crate, leash for possible accidents in the house, food stuffable chew toys, and puppy training classes.

Resources:

Local Shelter

Petfinder

American Kennel Club

Filed Under: Animal Shelter, Animals, pets, puppy · Tagged With: , ,

Baby chicks and rabbits not good Easter gifts

March 22, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

“Within the first few weeks of Easter an estimated 30% of all Easter “pets” die and another 60% to 70% are abandoned or turned in to shelters.”
-The Humane Society

I remember growing up and going to my aunt’s house for Easter. We would visit my uncle who lived next door to see his bunnies and rabbits. Of course I thought they were adorable and desperately wanted one at the time. But as a child I quickly lost interest in “Peter Cottontail” once I got that Easter basket filled with chocolate bunnies and peeps instead.

Having said that The Humane Society and ASPCA are reality checks for those parents/adults considering purchasing a baby chick or bunny as an Easter gift. As with other pets, bunnies, ducklings and chicks grow up and require a commitment. Chicks and ducklings can be carriers of salmonella.

Bunnies:

  • Live on average 7-10 years
  • They like to dig and chew
  • They should be spayed and neutered
  • Makeminechocolate.org a great alternative!

Ducks:

  • Live on average 8-15 years
  • Social animals and most likely require another duck for companionship
  • Require sufficient space for shelter and safety from predators

Chickens:

  • Live on average 5-8 years
  • Scratch, peck and dig holes in the soil
  • Check with local health and zoning boards before purchase
  • Become hens and roosters pretty quickly
  • mypetchicken.com….awful lot of work….

Filed Under: ASPCA, Humane Societies, pets · Tagged With: , , ,

Vote to make a difference for animals

March 18, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

Take Part the social action network has partnered with American Express for the Members Project a new venue for citizens to participate in supporting favorite cause. You can vote, volunteer and/or donate.  Among the categories to choose from is Environment & Wildlife. And the ASPCA is one of the many worthwhile organizations.

Please vote to make a difference for animals in need and help the ASPCA win $200,000! All you need to do is vote online at takepart.com every week through May 23. Voting is open to everyone, so be sure to encourage everyone you know to join this movement to help animals by voting for the ASPCA every week!

Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animals, Cats, Dogs, Pet News · Tagged With: , , ,
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