Why Feral Cat Day

Feral Cat Day was started to promote and support efforts to care for feral cats in various communities around the United States.  It has spread to include cities and towns in Canada. Feral Cat Day helps animal groups such as the Humane Society, and Alley Cat Allies spread awareness about how to help feral cats.

Difference between Pet Cats, Stray Cats, and Feral Cats

Feral cats are also called outdoor or community cats – they are cats that who don’t belong to any one person/family.  In general feral cats have been abandoned or are lost, or they are the offspring of abandoned or lost cats.  Unlike strays and pets, feral cats are not socialized to humans and are not good candidates for adoption.  Feral cats may live in colonies typically composed of related cats.  Feral cat colonies tend to live in an area with access to shelter, and food (dumpsters or people that feed them).  In general feral cats are relatively healthy. Stray cats are lost or abandoned.  The main difference is that they are socialized to humans.  These cats are adoptable if they can’t be reunited with their owners. Pet cats are owned by a single person or family.  While they may enjoy time outside they have a home they return to.  Pet cats are socialized to humans.

Problems Cause by Feral Cats

Over population from feral cats is a huge problem.  When these cats end up in shelters they end up euthanized because they are unadoptable. Other than over population feral cats cause several community nuisances.  The main complaints listed by the Humane Society are:

• Noise due to fighting or mating behaviours
• Strong smells from territorial spraying
• Flea infestations

Trap-Neuter-Return

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) has been identified as the best way to deal with feral cats.  TNR decreases the number of feral cats over time.  The process is very simple:

• The cat is trapped in a safe manner
• The cat is spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, and “tipped” (a tip of the ear is removed – this makes the cat recognized as spayed or neutered)
• The cat is returned to its home

How you can Help

If you’d like to help the Humane Society has a list of things you can do: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/tips/what_you_can_do_for_ferals.html?credit=web_id83565963 For more information on Feral Cat Day check out: http://nationalferalcatday.org/about-national-feral-cat-day/

What do you think…

Should you feed feral cats? Let us know what you think on our Facebook page for a chance to win a pack of Cat Box Liners.  Deadline Oct. 21, 2014 at 11:55pm, for more information contact [email protected]

There are tons of dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted.  October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month – reminding people that there are lots of furry friends waiting in shelters. This blog give a quick overview of what to consider when adopting a shelter dog.

Things to Consider when Adopting

1. Finding the right match. Adopting a pet isn’t like buying a new wallet, you need to know what your needs are and the needs of your potential new dog.  Are you active, or too busy to exercise?  Do you have allergies?  Do you live in an apartment?  These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself to determine which breed of dog will be your best match.  Dogbreedinfo.com has a couple of quizzes to help you figure out your dog match: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/searchcategories.htm
2. Time consideration. Remember that owning a pet can take up a lot of time.  If you live on your own and have a very busy life make sure you choose a dog that doesn’t need constant attention. Once you know what kind of dog you’re looking for it’s time to hit the local shelters.  Sharon Maguire of dogbreedinfo.com says that it isn’t necessary to pick a dog from the first shelter you visit.  You’re bringing home a new family member – it’s important to take your time and visit different shelters
3. Alpha dogs. Nicole Pajer of Cesarsway.com listed lack of training as the top reason dogs end up in shelters.  Dogs are pack animals and packs have a hierarchy.  You need to be able to train your new pup consistently.  If you can’t establish yourself as the alpha dog your pet isn’t going to listen to you.  Before you adopt make sure you have the time and ability to establish yourself as the leader
4. Adoption Day The day you adopt your dog will be the happiest day of your new pup’s life.  But it isn’t all hugs and treats – here are some tips to be aware of before adoption day:

• Don’t invade your dog’s space.  Try not to smoother your new dog with hugs and kisses until you’ve exercised them and shown them their new home.  In dog language hugs can be considered an act of dominance.
• You’ll need a leash – take your dog for a super long walk before you go home.  Dogs that have lived in shelters typically don’t get enough exercise and all that pent up energy can spell disaster at home.  Always remember establish yourself as the leader during this first walk: enter and exits doorways and gates before your dog and make sure your dog heels.
• When you arrive home keep your dog on the leash, it’s time for the guided tour.  Lead your dog around the areas of the home she/he will be allowed in – always enter and exit the room before your dog.  Do not show your dog areas that are off limits to him/her.
• At the end of the tour show your dog his space – bed or crate area.  You can put some treats down so your dog has happy thoughts about this space.

For more information on adopting shelter dogs check out: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/adoptingrescuedog.htm http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/abusedrescuedog.htm http://www.cesarsway.com/channel/dog-rescue/adoption-tips https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/bringing-a-dog-home/tips-for-first-30-days-dog/ Have a question we didn’t cover?  Have a tip you’d like to share?  Let us know on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DoonGo.  You might even win a prize J

There are a lot of myths about having a deaf pet.  But just because a dog is deaf doesn’t mean that it won’t make a good pet.  Caring for a deaf dog is different than caring for a hearing dog.  This blog contains information about training, and safety.

Training

Training a deaf dog is different from training a hearing dog.  Here are some tips from deafdogs.org to help with training a deaf dog:

• The dog’s tags should read “(dog’s name) is deaf” and include your phone number
• Consider attaching a bell to your dog’s collar
• Find a basic training class that will allow deaf dogs to participate
• Use sign language and facial expressions to train your dog to do basic tasks (sit, stay, down, etc.).  Deafdogs.org recommends the American Sign Language Pocketbook to help with training
• Your dog should always be leashed while walking
• To get your dog’s attention thump the floor, wave, or use a flashlight or laser pointer

For more about training deaf dog check out http://www.deafdogs.org/training/

Safety

While out and about with your dog you’ll want to keep him/her on a leash at all times.  It can be difficult to get your pup’s attention in any public place; but with deaf dogs it’s an added challenge.  A leash ensures that you will be able to get your dog’s attention no matter what is going on. If you want to give your pooch some off leash time the best place for that is at home.  Any off leash time your dog has should be in a fenced in area.  Then ensures that you pup isn’t hit by a car or doesn’t make a break for it.  If you don’t have a fenced yard make sure you keep your dog on a lead.

Other Tips

Here are some other tips from deafdogs.org for owning a deaf dog:

• Place your dog’s be in a corner or against a wall
• If you’re waking your dog do it with a touch to the shoulder (always the same shoulder), or let your smell wake him by putting your hand in front of his nose
• Your dog’s food should be placed in an area away from a lot of activity

Do you have any tips about deaf dogs?  Share with us on our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/DoonGo?ref=hl If you’d like more information about deaf dogs check out the following links: http://www.deafdogs.org/ http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/training-and-caring-for-a-deaf-dog
https://yourdogadvisor.com/living-with-a-deaf-dog/