‘No-Kill’ Horror Stories
To hear proponents of “no-kill” talk, one would conclude that the only reason why animals in shelters are euthanized is because open-admission shelter workers just haven’t closed their eyes, clicked...
View ArticleHow ‘saving’ animals at all costs can be a dangerous proposition
All across the country, people are hearing calls to raise the “save rate” at animal shelters. But beware: As warm and fuzzy as that sounds, a shelter’s high “save” rate does not reduce by one puppy or...
View ArticleIs your hero waiting in an animal shelter?
Dogs have earned the title “man’s best friend” for good reason. Consider a South Carolina dog named Killian, who is being hailed as a hero for outing an abusive babysitter. The normally friendly...
View ArticleDogs Can Be Vegan!
Making the choice to become vegan is a personal, reflective process of deciding whether or not you want to make the leap to a plant-based diet and lifestyle that benefits you, animals, and the planet....
View ArticleToxic Mushrooms in the Backyard
If you’ve experienced a lot of moisture and low temperatures in your area this past spring, you may have come across some wild mushrooms. I live in Colorado, and we went through a soggy and cold—yet...
View ArticleFor Animals, the Skies Are Anything but Friendly
We’re re-posting this piece in light of the news report about a Virginia couple who purchased a flying squirrel and had him shipped by the cargo department of American Airlines. The squirrel died while...
View ArticleCats and Their Claws
We cat lovers all have the same issue. What to do with our sweet little ones when they go on clawing around! We all know that declawing is a no-no, so what to do? Here is an excerpt from my book Making...
View ArticleThe Joys of Adopting a Senior Animal Companion
November is “Adopt a Senior Pet” Month, and as anyone who has adopted an older animal can tell you, age is just a number. Furry seniors still have a lot of life—and love—left. Just ask anybody who has...
View ArticleWhy People Abandon Animals
I’ve been an animal shelter volunteer for more than 10 years. A lot of strays come in the door, but the animals who really touch me are the ones they call the “owner surrenders.” These are the animals...
View ArticlePicking the Perfect Cat-Sitter
It’s time to go on a trip, but unfortunately, you cannot take your feline friend with you. Your neighbor will not be able to watch your cat companion either. You concede that you will have to work with...
View ArticleA Medical Fund for Your Animal Companion
I walk into the examination room and see a cute, 6-month-old male Shih Tzu named Gus. Gus’ caretaker is a frail, older woman with a walking cane. Gus appears bright and happy. I’m told, “You’re the...
View ArticleHelp! My Dog Ate My Medication!
According to recent studies, 50 percent of Americans take prescription medications, and the number is rising. When you consider that approximately 100 million Americans take medication two to three...
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