There are actually many ways a shelter can be innovative and increase their live outcome rate, despite being an open intake shelter.  But one that is quite simple:  hours open to the public.

It is probably the first thing I look for when checking out a shelter’s website – their hours.  This is usually my first indicator to whether the shelter leadership is progressive or if they are outdated in their practices.  Are they open late on weekdays?  Are they open both weekend days?  Are they open most major holidays?  THESE hours are when people are off of work and able to look for a new companion animal.  A shelter that is closed on weekends, holidays, and close by 6pm on weekdays are making it difficult for families to meet and adopt the animals.

Being open when people are off of work helps increase adoptions; increasing the live outcome rate and decreasing the length of stay.  It also gives the animals more socialization time and volunteers more opportunities to give back.

Check your local shelter’s hours.  If they are closed more than they are open, reach out and encourage them to change their hours to be more friendly for the public and for the animals.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County are preparing for summer – where the Clubs are open all day (7:30am – 5:30pm) and offer an extensive variety of impactful programming for over 1500 youth in Larimer County.  As we prepare for all these programs for all these wonderful kids, we are asking the community to support us!  Please consider a gift towards the summer programming (and beyond!) for these amazing youth.  Gracias!  🙂

This is the best graphic I’ve found on pet CPR and the Heimlich for dogs/cats.  Definitely something to know and be prepared for in case of an emergency with your four-legged family members.

In honor of National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD) on Wednesday, April 8, the ASPCA is asking animal advocates across the country to help them ‪#‎GetTough‬ on dog fighting.  This brutal form of animal cruelty occurs in every part of the country and in every type of community, and it must be stopped.  The ASPCA is working to eradicate dog fighting by assisting in raids and rescues alongside law enforcement agencies and by advocating for stronger laws and sentencing for those who commit this terrible crime.

Visit aspca.org/gettough to:

1. Get the #GetTough toolkit

2. Get justice by signing the petition

3. Learn more about dog fighting

I’ll admit that I never thought twice about letting my dog chew on a stick or throwing one to play catch with him.  It is quite possibly his most favorite thing to do when we are out on a hike or walk:  pick up a stick, carry it around proudly, beg for me to throw it, chase it, chew it.  The stick was the cheapest, best toy my pup could want.

But this past summer, I learned a very valuable lesson about sticks.  They are not a toy.  Your dog should NOT play with them.  We were in a dog park, having our usual fun.  Monty brought me a stick and did his usual play-bow to encourage me to throw it.  I, of course, obliged.  The second Monty reached the stick and bit down on it, I heard the most disturbing scream my dog has ever made.  He instantly laid down, and I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast in my life to get to him.  There was a little blood coming out of his mount, but I couldn’t see anything wrong inside.  He perked back up pretty quickly and we walked back home.

That night, he didn’t eat or drink and was not his usual self.  I finally decided it was time to get over to the animal emergency room.  After many hours and a transfer from the E.R. to a full vet hospital, I learned Monty had been stabbed by the stick.  Through the base of his tongue and into his throat.

He had surgery to clean the puncture wound up and close it.  When we got home, I googled to see if this was a common situation for dogs with their sticks, and I was shocked to learn it is VERY common.  TOO common.  How did I not know this?!  I was taken aback.  But lesson learned, and luckily Monty is perfectly fine now.  We have learned to walk with a ball in my pocket so we can avoid using sticks.

I wanted to write about this to warn anyone who may not know or realize the dangers of sticks.  It seems so natural to play with a stick with your dog, but PLEASE, PLEASE do not.  It is not safe and your dog could become injured or, even worse, die from the wound inflicted.  Use approved toys that we all know are safe instead and both you and your pup will be much happier!

Kye was a 3-year-old Belgian German Shepard and he worked as a K-9 with the Oklahoma City Police Department.  Kye was killed in the line of duty last month and was just given a full police burial.  The service included full police honors and a 21-gun salute.

Granting animals “legal personhood” is one way the law could recognize animals as living beings with interests, or rights, of their own.  You can learn more about this issue and concept on the Animal Legal Defense Funds website here.

It has come to light that the City of Austin is no longer allowing Austin Pets Alive! (APA) to pull animals into their facility at the Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) and only allowing APA to take dogs if they are going into foster.  Many supporters of APA are up in arms as they fear this new policy will endanger the no-kill status of Austin and kill animals that do not need to die.

While I’m really concerned about the welfare of the animals in Austin as well, I can see where the city is coming from on this decision (and see why the pressure is there to stop sending animals to TLAC).  As an outsider now, I have seen four news stories in the last six weeks that covered facilities issues at TLAC: the facility failed inspection, heat didn’t work during a cold spell, it floods when it rains, and fires in the laundry area. Four incidents showing TLAC as an unsafe facility in that short amount of time is incredibly concerning.  Hopefully APA can get some capital money to improve TLAC and have it pass inspection/avoid the news catching these stories of facility issues and get the city on back on board with TLAC being a safe place to house animals.

Until then, PLEASE consider adopting from the Austin Animal Center, fostering for Austin Pets Alive!, and spreading the word for adoption/fostering to everyone you know in Central Texas so we can keep these animals safe and get them in loving homes.

Also, please remember that most human food is dangerous for animals so just go ahead and skip sharing your meal with your fur friends.  Happy Thanksgiving!