The Shelter Pet Project

I know Toby and I have talked about this website before.  It supports such a great cause I thought I would make note of it again.  Many of you have probably seen the advertisements on television for it lately.  The Shelter Pet Project.  The website itself is remarkable.  It gives you everything from cool activities you can do, to helpful hints for you the care of your dog and cat.  Obviously the best part is the wonderful online resource it provides for people who wish to adopt a dog or cat.  If you have not already definitely check it out!  For those of you who live in our area make sure to bring your new adopted friend over to Best Friends Prairie View for a visit.  We have everything for them to enjoy from doggie camp, to a fun filled retail store!  For all our new friends your first night with us is FREE!  How can you beat that! 

http://www.theshelterpetproject.org/

A Really Cool Rescue

Photo from Rescue Ink website

Toby and I first got hooked on this group when we watched their program on television.  Recently I found their website, and thought I would share.  The following exerpt is taken diretly from their home page. 

Enjoy!

The Foundation

In 2010, the Rescue Ink Foundation was formed and assumed all the assets of the former non-profit organization affiliated with Rescue Ink. The mission of the foundation is to help enhance the quality of life for animals that are in need of care. It plans to further its purpose by providing specialized programs that aim to raise awareness concerning animal brutality and mistreatment.  The formation of this new foundation allows the members of Rescue Ink to focus on taking action against animal abusers and neglect cases. With generous donations, we can save the lives of hundreds of abused animals, educate the youth of America on the proper care of animals, and provide essential animal care services, including veterinary and rescue care.

Who We Are
Rescue Ink is an animal-rescue group dedicated to battling animal abuse and neglect, and educating and informing children and families about the mistreatment of animals. But don't be fooled: Rescue Ink isn't your typical rescue organization. These tough-talking tattooed bikers aren't afraid to use their verbal muscle-power to take the fight against animal abuse to the next level, within the boundaries of the law. The group uses their intimidating presence to shame and report animal abusers and rehabilitate distressed animals.

Our Work
Rebel, originally named "Ribbons" because of his tattered, shredded ears, was found as a stray in Kentucky. The ligature marks on his legs and nose, as well as his severely infected, pus-filled ears, suggested he had been used as a "bait-dog" to train fighting dogs in a suspected dog-fighting ring. Rescue Ink swooped in and, with the aid of Animal Rescue Flights, flew Rebel home and offered him a new lease of life as the official Rescue Ink mascot.  With his scarred face and muscle-bound body, Rebel is a shining example of an animal's ability to forgive and live in the moment. He is a daily reminder of Rescue Ink's mission.  While Rescue Ink deals with serious cases like Rebel's on a daily basis, the group also assists with some, er, eclectic situations. When a group of renegade cluckers took up home in a Queens neighborhood, Rescue Ink was called in to help New York City animal control round them up. After much chasing, stalking and net-waving, the team finally caught the rogue rooster (nicknamed Junior) and some hens. Junior is now living the high life at a working farm in upstate New York, alongside Sophia, Isabella and Henrietta, his harem of hens. Most rescuers don't list chicken-chasing under their credentials. Then again, most rescue groups are nothing like Rescue Ink.

Shelter
Rescue Ink's sanctuary is located in upstate New York. The 25-acre rehabilitation center has two pack leaders who make every opportunity to rehabilitate the rescues. By fully providing for these dogs everyday, they earn their trust, their respect and ultimately, their allegiance. In return, Rescue Ink offers them balance to replace fear and dominance. Every decision made is for the benefit of the dogs and every dog that we work with resides under this blanket of safety and care. By using our presence as a figure of leadership and our sanctuary as the territory that we control, we are their main source of guidance. As a result we form the dog's tendencies, personality, and their temperament. With an unwavering image of leadership - every dog can have the opportunity to become a balanced and calm submissive member. Rescue Ink is in the process of expanding the sanctuary, and will have updated news on this project over the next several months.

Adopting a Forever Friend

This is Otto he is for adoption through Young At Heart Pet Rescue

Thinking about opening your heart and home to a new family member? Before you make an impulse decision to buy that cute ball of fur in the puppy store, stop and consider whether it's the right pet for your family and lifestyle.


Some things to consider:
•How much time do you spend at home? Puppies and kittens need a lot of human attention, especially for housetraining and socialization. If that's not possible, an older pet make be a better choice.
•How involved will the pet be in family activities? If yours leads an active lifestyle, you'll want to consider getting a hardy dog who enjoys the outdoors. These pets must be well-behaved, too, which involves a commitment to ongoing obedience training.
•Are there other pets in the home? Be sure to consider how the resident pets will interact with the new addition.
•Are there children in the family? The age of the children should be taken into account. Very young children may unintentionally injure a fragile small breed dog.

There are a host of good reasons to try your local animal shelter or rescue group for your new pet:
•Puppies and kittens are cute, but the paper-training, teething and obedience skills phase is exhausting. Besides, that cute 8-week-old ball of fur might grow into a 90-pound eating machine!
•Shelter pets, as a group, are healthier than the animals flowing from "puppy mills" into local pet shops. Most are vet-screened and receive good preventative care, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations.
•Most shelters screen for temperament and work to match the pet with the right type of family. Why end up with a cat who hides under the bed when your youngsters try to pet her?
•Shelter pets are a real bargain: you pay only a nominal fee to adopt and most of those first year medical expenses - like spaying or neutering and vaccinations - are already taken care of.

Thinking about a specific breed? Shelters can still be a great option, since they are filled with the most popular breeds in your community. Or contact a breed-specific rescue group.

To locate pets available for adoption in your area, contact your local humane society. Or visit www.petfinder.com to find available pets in your area.

Chicagoland Tails Top Ten Reasons To Adopt

I found this in a recent publication of Chicagoland Tails Magazine. I thought I would share.

TOP 10 REASONS TO ADOPT
1. Rescued Lives

Many people assume animals end up in shelters as the result of abuse or bad behavior, although most often people give up pets for personal reasons. No matter the cause, adopting an animal saves a life and gives new purpose to the guardian’s life too.

2. Healthy Guardians

Pets provide unconditional love and—as research shows—can be psychologically, emotionally, and physically beneficial to their guardians as well. They provide a sense of fulfillment and can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

3. Community Camaraderie

Shelters provide a community of veterinarians, volunteers, and other adopters ready to share their experience and knowledge. Shelters often organize events for pets and their guardians that provide socialization and a sense of community.

4. Endless Options

Some people avoid shelters because they want a purebred pet and think that shelters can’t meet this need. But shelters host both purebreds and mixed breeds. There are also many breed rescues.

5. Perfect Match

Because shelters often screen animals for particular behavioral issues and temperaments, they can match potential guardians with the ideal pet for their lifestyle, especially among pets coming from foster homes.

6. Good Example

Rescuing a pet sets a solid moral example for everyone in the guardian’s life—from children to friends to neighbors—regarding the value of saving an animal’s life.

7. Healthy Pets

Shelters like to keep their animals happy and healthy (making them the best possible candidates for adoption), so shelter animals undergo extensive health screenings and often receive vaccinations and treatment for any medical issues.

8. Test Drive

Some shelters, like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), offer fostering programs. This enables potential guardians to interact with the animal and decide if pet guardianship fits their lifestyle.

9. Save Money

Shelters charge far less for pets than pet stores and other resources. Typically, shelters also spay or neuter and vaccinate, which adds even more worth to an already valuable deal.

10. Shelter Support

Instead of putting profit above animal welfare, shelters dedicate themselves to finding the perfect homes and guardians for pets in need.