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Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Gifting Pets for the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a season of giving.. and of gift giving! If you're thinking of giving a dog or a cat as a pet for someone else, please think thoroughly through your decision before picking up an animal. We are BIG commitments and we want a forever home, not a seasonal one.
There are lots of things to consider when getting a new pet, can you afford the food, vet, and of course the ever important treat and toy bills? Where are you going to get the animal? There are so many puppy mills out there mistreating animals and if you purchase one from a pet store, there are strong chances you're supporting those inhumane places.
Are you willing to commit to exercising the dog and spending time with the dog or cat? Animals are definitely resilient, but who wants to stay home for 14-15 hours a day by themselves? Dogs especially! We're pack animals and we want to be close to you. Can we help that we want to please you and be near you, unconditionally loving you? :)
Take some time and think about the involvement it takes, especially if you're getting this animal for someone else, like your children, parent, friend, etc. We hope you'll consider their time and effort and ability to care for us. Quite often, animals are returned a few months after the holiday season or dumped at the shelter because people changed their minds or got bored or didn't have enough time anymore.
I'm not writing this to deter anyone from getting a new pet as there are definitely enough animals in the shelter who need loving homes and could use a warm bed when it's cold outside. I just ask that people put in careful consideration when getting a new pet, just as you would any other time of the year.
Maybe instead of putting the dog or cat in a box/basket to surprise that special someone.. surprise them with a collar and then you can go find the right dog together! Or better yet, make it an early gift and spend the time before the holiday's to find the right addition to your family and give the best gift you can give to a shelter or rescue animal.. a loving, forever home!
So I leave you with a poem.. Forgotten Dog's Christmas and hopeful wishes for all the shelter dogs and cats out there!
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Season of Giving!
Everyone is experiencing hardships this year, yet I have seen the spirit of giving shine brighter than before! Everywhere people are coming together to rescue animals, collect food for the hungry, and help give warmth to those who are stuck in the cold.
As people experience economic difficulties they often have to give up their pets. Many end up in the shelters where they are in danger of being euthanized if not adopted or rescued quickly. Some shelters, due to the overwhelming number of animals being dumped, can only give these animals a few days before they're put to sleep.
'Tis the season to give the Gift of Hope and a second chance to save a dog or cat's life. This holiday season, Furry Friends Rescue is asking that you dig deeper into your hearts and considering giving a little more of yourself this year. Perhaps, adopting a new dog or cat, or becoming a foster home so that an animal has a second chance to find a forever home is a way you can give back.
If you can't do that, all rescues and shelters would greatly appreciate monetary and in-kind donations of any amount! Every penny will help save an innocent furry life!
We give thanks to our good health, friends and family (both human and furry). Thank you all for your support and kindness.
May the holiday season fill your hearts with peace and love!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Holiday Safety Tips for Pets
As the season of food, gifts and seasonal plants comes into full force, it's important to make sure us dogs and cats are kept safe! As you know, many of us can't discriminate between what's good for us and what's bad for us... especially when food is involved!
So make sure you protect your furry friends from eating too much of the wrong food or plant or dashing out the door by mistake!
Tips for a Safe Holiday Season
1. Make sure your pet only eats their normal diet, feeding turkey or pork to your dog or cat can cause them unwanted pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. Also bones from these animals can also splinter and hurt your pets if they try to eat them.
2. Discourage family and guests from feeding inappropriate foods to your pet. Fatty foods like poultry skin, beef or port fat can cause an inflammation of pancreas. Pancreatitis is potentially life-threatening condition. Other foods to avoid are grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and onions. For a non comprehensive list click here.
3. Make sure you dispose of wrapping paper, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, wax paper, twisty ties, etc in containers where your pet can't get to it or dig it out. Pets can accidentally consume these objects which can cause intestinal blockage.
4. Keep CHOCOLATE AWAY from your pet!! Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which can be harmful to animals. Rapid breathing and hyperactivity are signs of bad reactions to chocolate, get your pet to a vet immediately if you think they consumed chocolate. Although the degree of harm can depend on the amount of chocolate consumed and the dogs weight, some animals are more sensitive than others regardless.
5. Be wary of certain holiday plants, such as poinsettias and lilies, if ingested these plants can cause sever illness or even death in pets.
6. It helps to maintain regular feeding and exercise schedules to decrease any stress on them. Make sure to give them as much attention as usual so they do not feel neglected.
7. Be careful if you have guests coming in and out of your house that you know where your pets are so that they don't dash out the door and get lost or hit by a car. If you need to, keep them in a quiet, secured area in the house where they'll be safe and calm.
***Doggie/Kitty Tip: Make us an area somewhere where we'll feel safe and where we can get away from the hustle and bustle! This is also an area where you can give your pet a time out when they need it. Us dogs sleep a lot during the day, it's important to let us nap too. :D
8. Be careful in large crowded areas as well, as there may be new noises or people in costumes that they've never seen before. Some of us can get scared by costumes and loud noises!
9. Make sure your pet has fresh water, when we get nervous we get thirsty! Plus you never know when a child or relative might bump the bowl and spill it!
10. MOST IMPORTANTLY! Keep current registration and ID tags on your pet at ALL times! This way if your pet goes missing it'll be easier to locate you if they're found. It's also a good idea to microchip your pet, this way if their collar and tags fall off, the vet or shelter can scan the pet and find your information. For information on microchipping click here. Local pet stores often have low-cost clinics on weekends who offer low-cost microchipping.
Furry Friends Rescue hopes that you and your furry loved one have a happy, warm and safe holiday season!
... now all this talk of food has me hungry, I'm going to go see if mom has a snack for me..
Information for this article was obtained from the following sources:
* please note that this article is meant as food for thought and you should always consult a vet for an expert opinion*
Monday, November 10, 2008
Welcome to the New Furry Friends Rescue Blog!
Well, Furry Friends Rescue (FFR) thought it would be nice to have a blog to share stories and tips about rescue animals! And who better to author the blog than one of their own rescue dogs.... me, Morgan!
I wanted to start this blog by telling you how these abandoned animals find their way to FFR. Most of us come from shelters anywhere in the bay area from the East Bay down to the South Bay, as far as Los Banos! Our dedicated volunteers visit local shelters and save animals who are in danger of being put to sleep, they temperament test and pull as many as our foster homes can hold and these lucky animals become FFR rescued dogs and cats!
I was personally rescued on May 7, 2007 from Los Banos Animal Shelter and transported to a vet's office that works with FFR. After I was checked over and released a nice volunteer put me into crate for another car trip. Next thing I know I'm meeting another volunteer! She took me to her home and I got cuddles, play time and of course food! I love food! On the weekend we went to this event called an adoption showcase where I got to meet loads of new people and play with other dogs. The best part? They fed me treats! We were there for quite some time, I got lots of pets, treats, and people greeting me, it was great!
On Mother's Day, May 13, 2007 I was officially adopted and home to stay forever! Guess where.. with my foster mom! She just fell in love with me and decided I had found my forever home.
I still go to showcases on the weekends to greet people and when we go out I wear my FFR volunteer t-shirt to advocate and encourage others to support shelter and rescue animals! There are so many animals at the shelter that are wonderful, loving, and waiting to be adored just like I was!
If you're looking for a pet please take a look at some of our rescued animals and the ones at local shelters who desperately need warm, safe homes and people who will love them forever!
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