File under things we love: great children’s books with positive messages about animals. It’s so important to teach young people to be empathetic to animals—that’s why we love the new book…

“Lucky the Lorikeet” by Monica Engebretson, a publication of the Avian Welfare Coalition. Based on a true story, Lucky tells the story of a young parrot who is captured in the wild and with the help of a compassionate young Indonesian boy, eventually regains his freedom to return to the wild where he belongs. The book’s dedicated website, http://www.luckythelorikeet.com includes all kinds of information about parrots, the ecosystem in which they dwell, conservation efforts, and even a narrated documentary video clip where children can meet the real Lucky.

Proceeds from the book benefit avian welfare, rescue, and conservation. If you want to help birds like Lucky, never buy a bird from a pet store or breeder! There are so many birds in shelters who need good homes. Visit Adopt-a-Pet.com to find birds for adoption near you!

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Below is a beautiful note we received from Patricia Chavous about the wonderful experience she had adopting not one, but TWO sweet polydactyl kittens (polydactyls, also known as Hemingway cats, have thumb-like appendages on their paws) from Whiskers in Waiting rescue:

Dear Adopt-a-Pet.com,

I want to thank you for your efforts in saving animals.

I have been in animal rescue for many years, I have lost both legs and can no longer help in this way. All my pets have been rescues, we chose each other through fate and need.

My family has had polydactyls since my great grandmother. For once I decided to chose kitties and go back to my childhood. I felt guilty because I always wanted to help those that had the most need.
Adopt-a-Pet.com helped me do that – I adopted two sibling polys from Missouri, from Whiskers in Waiting ten days ago.

They have fit in beautifully with my feral cats who have been with me for thirteen years. They have charmed everyone and have given my family great happiness.

Even though I am in a wheelchair, they climb the wheels when they are tired and sleep in my lap. They will be with my husband and me as long as they live.

Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
Patricia Chavous

Pet Adoption News, Pet Heroes | No Comments »

One of the keys to a community’s success rate in helping their homeless animals is for local rescue groups to work together and support one another’s efforts. Los Angeles-based Molly’s Mutts & Meows was actually founded on this principle, so much so that it is inked into their mission statement.

Molly Wootton, founder of Molly’s Mutts & Meows, goes to great lengths to offer support and guidance to anyone in the community who wishes to help animals. Like many rescue groups, Molly’s Mutts & Meows does not have a physical facility, but instead relies on those willing to provide foster homes for animals until permanent homes are found. Molly attributes her tremendous success rate to her innovative methods of engaging volunteers; she allows foster home providers to go with her to the city shelters to pick out the animal they wish to care for.

Molly believes that including the volunteer in this manner fosters dedication, loyalty and a real commitment to the animal in their care. Molly’s dedication and can-do attitude are truly infectious, “We can save lives. People need to make adoption the first option,” says Molly, “We all need to get out there and educate our peer group. Those who have an adopted pet need to make it known and spread the message.” Check out all of Molly’s adoptable pets, or to find out how you can help, visit http://www.mollysmuttsandmeows.org/.

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What are the best dog breeds to get along well with children? A few have become well-known as great dog breeds for kids, due to their typically friendly, tolerant personalities. However with any dog, when looking for one compatible with children, there are more important qualities to consider than just their breed. These include: individual temperament, past experiences, training level, activity level, and age of both the dog and child. Remember, it’s never safe to leave a dog unsupervised with toddlers or babies. When you get a new dog or puppy, a slow introduction with the assistance of a trainer is the safest route. That said, here are a few dog breeds that are well-known as great “family” dogs:

• Poodles often do well with children. They are known as one of the most intelligent breeds of dog, and because they come in all sizes, from Toy (10″ or under at the shoulder), Miniature (11-15″) to Standard (over 15″, ranging from 45-70 pounds) a fit can be found for most any age of child.
• Golden Retrievers and Labradors are famous for their love of children. Many will follow children around as if they have adopted the child. They can be very playful and high energy, especially as young dogs, so plenty of exercise and training is key.
• Mixed breed or Mutts – you can always find the perfect combination of traits in a Muttigree dog! Mixed breed dogs are much less likely to display undesirable characteristics of inbred purebreds that can be dangerous with children, and you can focus on the individual and unique personality of the Mutt to find your perfect family dog.

To discover more breeds that do well with children read the article at http://dogs.about.com/od/dogbreeds/qt/dogsforkids.htm

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Our friends at Threadbanger, a really cool site for all you DIYers out there, just released an awesome video blog about the beauty of adopting a pet.  AND, we’re proud to say, Adopt-a-Pet.com got a nice little mention.  Thanks for the shout-out, Threadbanger!

Check out the video here.

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Sounds too good to be true right? Toilet train a cat? Actually, with a little work, patience and time many cats can be toilet trained. It has to come in steps, the basics are first getting your cat to think of the toilet as the litter box, and then getting your cat to be comfortable so as not to fall in! To accomplish this unusual and hygienic goal you will need flushable litter, an aluminum pan, xacto knife, scooper, and of course one cat and one toilet.

For complete steps and a video of a cat in action visit Toliet Train a Cat

Raising Your Pet | 1 Comment »

While begging for hot dogs, and picnic scraps might seem like the perfect dog day, what comes after on the 4th isn’t so K9 friendly. At night the bangs, cracks, and screeching of fireworks elevate your dogs drive and can cause them to panic, run, become highly distressed, wet the floor, tear up things, pant out of control hide as well as other behaviors. Some dogs like police dogs are trained to deal with the stress, but more pedestrian dogs can’t handle the excitement. Here are 5 tips to help your dog stay cool this day of independence.

1. Keep your dog inside! Turn on the TV or loud music to minimize outside sounds.
2. If you stay with your dog, don’t coddle them when they are scared. Be strong, talk with a normal voice and be indifferent to the sounds.
3. Give your dog a special toy to play with, a bone or something to keep their mind off of what’s going on outside.
4. Keep doors closed. This is one of the busiest times at shelters for runaways. Even if your dog has never shown a proclivity to run, this may be the time. Be Aware!
5. If at all possible, do not leave your dog alone, especially outside during these events. If you must leave them alone, leave them inside with a TV or radio playing.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

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