Posts tagged: dog adoption

Seniors Can Benefit from Dog Adoption

By jnavary, November 25, 2010

There’s no question that having a pet dog can be great therapy for some seniors. The benefits are well-documented. They include:

* Reduced feelings of stress
* Lower blood pressure
* Reduced cardiovascular disease
* Lower cholesterol levels
* improved overall health means fewer doctor appointments
* Reduced sense of loneliness
* Increased sense of responsibility and alertness
* Increased activity during the day
* Increased fun and enjoyment of life

Sounds great, doesn’t it? But before you rush out and adopt a pooch, make sure you are making the right adoption decision.

Things to Consider About Dog Adoption for Seniors

* Don’t surprise anyone with pet adoption. Ever. No matter how wonderful the animal is, pet ownership is a big responsibility. The American Humane Society encourages people not to purchase animals as a surprise, so discuss dog adoption and ownership with the senior before you acquire the animal.

* Let the person choose their own dog. You may love Beagles, but your grandmother might want a quieter dog. And while your grandfather says he would love to have a Collie, perhaps grooming a long-haired dog isn’t what he had in mind. Dog adoption is sort of like dating…there has to be the right chemistry or it won’t work.

* Consider the senior’s activity level and lifestyle. Does the older person enjoy going for walks? If not, then an active dog might not be a good choice. This is another reason to discuss dog ownership before deciding to adopt.

* Consider a mature dog. An older dog is likely to be calmer, which may be a good fit for a senior. Check out your local Humane Society, animal shelter or rescue group for wonderful, loving and more mature companions.

* Consider the senior’s health. Having a larger dog requires more physical strength and agility to handle it, so talk about which type and size of dog would result in the most successful adoption.

* Who will care for the dog if its owner gets sick? Be prepared for this by making a plan for someone to care for the

animal if the owner becomes incapacitated.

* Can the senior afford food and veterinary care? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has calculated the following average annual costs of pet adoption, including food, toys, treats, medical care and licensing, if required:

* Small dog: $575
* Medium-sized dog: $620
* Large dog: $780

And don’t forget that additional supplies like dog crates, dog beds, and training can add an additional $75 to $400.

These are average costs for dog adoptions, but pet owners will tell you that the costs can go much higher if there are unexpected medical problems…or if you like to buy exotic toys for your best friend. Make sure the new owner can afford to care for the animal, or make additional arrangement to help pay for dog care.

Senior and Pet Adoption: Consider All of the Options

Seniors and dogs can make a great combination, but adoption brings big responsibilities along with the joy. To find the best fit, make sure you consider all of the options before making a decision about adopting a dog.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Special Pleader

Framed Art Print

Barber, Charles Burton

30.75 in. x 25.25 in.

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dog adoption | adopt a dog, Adoption Decision, Agility, Alertness, American Humane Society, Animal Shelter, beagles, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol Levels, Collie, Doctor Appointments, dog adoption, Humane Society Animal, Loneliness, Lower Blood Pressure, Lower Cholesterol, Pet Adoption, pet ownership, Physical Strength, Pooch, Rescue Group, senior citizens, senior dogs, Sense Of Responsibility

Iams Home 4 The Holidays & Hilary Swank

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By jnavary, November 28, 2009

Iams Home 4 The Holidays & Hilary Swank Aim To Place 1.5 Million Pets Into Homes This Holiday Season!

Hillary Swank and Her Rescued Family

Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) needs your help to place 1.5 million pets into loving homes by January 4, 2010!

Last year, the program’s goal of helping 1 million pets get adopted within three months was outdone when 1,202,701 pets were placed in homes — including Rumi, adopted by two-time Academy Award® winner and 2009 IH4TH ambassador Hilary Swank.

With nearly 8 million homeless animals in the U.S. today, and almost half scheduled to be euthanized this year alone, our help is needed now more than ever. And who better to give these animals a voice than Hilary Swank?

In partnership with the Helen Woodward Animal Center, IH4TH is one of the most successful pet adoption programs in the world and brings together nearly 3,500 animal organizations worldwide. Since 1999, IH4TH has helped more than 3 million animals find homes and hopes to continue breaking the goals they set each year.

To learn more about how to make a difference in the life of a homeless pet — such as adopting, volunteering or donating — please visit IH4TH.COM and join us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to be involved even more? Join our blogging program (extended info below).

ADOPTION FACTS

As many as 8 million animals are homeless in the U.S.
Nearly 4 million orphaned dogs and cats will be euthanized this year due to shelter over-crowding and lack of awareness about the importance of pet adoption.
More than 25 percent of all dogs in shelters are purebreds.
IH4TH helped 1,202,751 pets find homes last year alone.
In Oct. 2008 Hilary Swank adopted Rumi through IH4TH at a Los Angeles shelter.
Over the past decade more than 3 million pets –1,638,515 dogs, 1,505,690 cats and 134,062 “other” animals – have been adopted through IH4TH.

ABOUT IH4TH.COM
IH4TH.COM is a great resource for anyone who wants to get involved with helping homeless pets – offering tips about adoption, volunteering at a shelter and important information for new pet parents.

Every family that adopts a pet through IH4TH will receive an adoption kit and a DVD loaded with important information including: bringing a new pet into your family training tips, pet care, nutrition information and coupons.

WIN FREE FOOD FOR YOUR FAVORITE SHELTER
With our “Feed Pets in Need” program, you can help bring much needed food to your favorite IH4TH shelter by simply casting a vote at IH4TH.COM. Each month, for the next 13 months, the shelter with the most votes gets a month’s supply of free food! But why stop there? Enter our Life’s Better Sweepstakes too and enter to win a FREE YEAR of food!

IH4TH’s 2009 AMBASSADOR – HILARY SWANK
Hilary Swank is “so proud to be working with Iams Home 4 the Holidays to help raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption,” because it’s a cause close to her heart. Swank has adopted many pets throughout her life, including her two dogs Karoo and Rumi. She rescued Karoo from the side of a road while filming in South Africa a few years ago and adopted Rumi last fall from a participating IH4TH shelter in Los Angeles.

IH4TH HISTORY
Mike Arms, president of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, founded IH4TH with support by Iams in 1999 with just 14 participating animal shelters in San Diego County. Since then the program has grown worldwide helping over 3 million pets find homes within the past decade. The 2008 IH4TH ambassador was Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives).

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Dalmatian Looking Through Window

Framed Art Print

Burgess, Michele

17.6875 in. x 21.6875 in.

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dog adoption, dog news, dog rescue | adopt a dog, dog adoption, dog rescue, shelter dogs

Adoptable Dog of the Day – Ichabod the Poodle

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By jnavary, November 4, 2009

Ichabod is a one-year old male Poodle who is awaiting adoption in a foster home sponsored by the Underdog ResQ organization in Boston, Massachusetts.

Ichabod’s Story

Ichabod - Click My Photo for More Information

Washington Irving was a very creative fellow but I don’t think even he could have dreamed me up. I’m the sweetest and most lovable pup you’ll ever meet, and that’s not fiction.

I have the characteristic thin frame of a poodle. I’m lean, lanky and silly as can be. I’m probably around a year old — my goofy, awkward disposition is a telltale sign of my young age. Irving compared his Ichabod to a grasshopper; that’s a pretty accurate description of me. My gangly legs give me the ability to hop with the best of them. And, I often stand upright and move my front legs up and down (paws bent at the wrists) to signal to my people that I would like some love and attention.

Although I do enjoy occasional exercise, I am not hyper. I am more likely to try to curl up next to you than to run amok and destroy things. Toys are pretty new to me so I am still figuring out how they work. However, I do enjoy them. If you offer me something to play with I will take it happily and flop around with it for a while. Sometimes I will pick up something that is not a toy but, if you tell me to, I will bring it to you and drop it immediately. I hate to make my humans upset and work very hard to be a good boy.

I am quite the comedian — my ridiculous antics will keep you giggling for hours on end. I have a hard time taking life seriously; why should I when there’s so much fun to be had?

I am crate-trained and will climb in voluntarily and lay down (with the promise of a cookie, of course). How I got this way, however, is kind-of sad. There are small areas on my body that lack hair. The positioning of these spots indicates that I spent most of my early life in a crate.

My history is unknown, I was found wandering the streets (I know! Can you imagine?!!)
It’s hard to believe that someone could possibly part with me but I think it’s for the best — now I can find a family that will offer me as much love and affection as I offer to everyone and everything around me.

And now a little more about me: My hobbies include giving kisses, snuggling, going on walks, and playing with each and every pooch I encounter. I am a friendly little guy and have yet to make an enemy. I am extremely gentle and would be good with children. However, in case you haven’t noticed, I am a little on the scrawny side so children would need to be old enough to understand how to treat me.

I am a BIG cuddler. I will pretty much do a somersault into your lap to be in your arms. And, if you scratch my chest we’ll be best friends for life — okay, I’ll be your best friend anyway but I still love a good chest rub.

I am a smart little guy and am very receptive to commands. I will come running each and every time you call. Also, I am a quick learner and am picking up this potty-training thing. I will need an owner that is willing to dedicate time to training me — I am eager to please and my foster parents have no doubts that I will grow into the perfect pet. Just give me a chance and I’ll come running into your arms and we can spend a lifetime snuggling.

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