Petfinder Blog tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008-04-16:/petfinder//1 2008-11-20T23:25:01Z Movable Type 4.2rc2-en Member Spotlight: A loss for all animals tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.229 2008-11-20T22:35:15Z 2008-11-20T23:25:01Z When a fellow animal rescuer dies, the loss is felt... Sara, shelter outreach http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/sara_shelter_outreach/ IngelaBlog.jpgWhen a fellow animal rescuer dies, the loss is felt by every person and animal touched.

On November 13, 2008, longtime animal rescue advocate Ingela Levett passed away after a long battle with leukemia. After her retirement form the corporate world, Ingela devoted her life to animal rescue, creating Rawhide Rescue in 2001.

Based out of New Jersey, Ingela worked hard to create a phenomenal network of volunteers and foster homes across the state with the mission of saving homeless dogs.

The organization she created has re-homed thousands of dogs since it began. In addition to helping the animals, Ingela inspired countless people to become involved in animal rescue.

On behalf of everyone at Petfinder, we are honored to have known and worked with Ingela.

Visit Rawhide Rescue on Petfinder.

]]> After nearly giving up, finding the (possibly) perfect dog tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.228 2008-11-20T15:16:58Z 2008-11-20T16:07:03Z Izzy, a 2-year-old basset hound/lab mix, was a strong candidateWhen... Greg Kincaid, author, A Dog Named Christmas izzy.jpg
Izzy, a 2-year-old basset hound/lab mix, was a strong candidate
When we last heard from A Dog Named Christmas author Greg Kincaid, he and his wife Michale Ann had decided to adopt a shelter dog -- then realized they had very different ideas about what makes the ideal dog. Read all of Greg's posts here.

I tried to explain the concept of the dog I wanted in perfectly simple terms. "I want a dog that looks like he can discuss the finer aspects of elk hunting and is potty trained for a bass boat."

My wife looked at me strangely and said, "But you don't hunt and don't own a bass boat."

"Exactly."

Her head cocked to one side. "Yes?"

"This dog has to say MAN all over it. This has to be a dog that can carry my fishing pole ..."

"Even though you don't fish?"

"Precisely. This dog should jump excitedly within 100 yards of a shotgun hanging in the back of pick-up truck."

"That you don't own?"

"Right. Do you understand now?"

"Not really."

Over the next few days, I sent Michale Ann a flurry of e-mails suggesting dogs posted on Petfinder who looked well-suited for me, including Izzy, a 2-year-old basset hound/lab mix waiting for a home at Heart of America Humane Society in Kansas City, KS.

]]> lucky.jpg
Lucky was cute, but not quite the "manly" dog Greg was looking for.
Each time, I got the same answer: "The dog has possibilities."

In other words, Michale Ann still thought I was nuts. When I came home from work that night, the computer screen was accidentally left on. Lucky, a poodle-dachschund mix at Kansas's Olathe Animal Control, was waiting for me.

Well, maybe the concept of me getting the dog I wanted just wasn't going to work out. I could always wait for another walk-on.

She came into the room and asked, "What did you think of Lucky?

"He has possibilities.

anika.jpg"Not what you wanted?"

Anika, a hound/lab mix at The Animal Rescue Alliance in Kansas City, MO, was more like it.
"Maybe we're not ready for another dog."

"We're not on the same page, are we?"

"Not even close."

The next day, when I got to work, a link to Anika's profile was in my e-mail, with a short note from Michaele Ann: "Is this more like it?"

That was a dog! I shot back a quick note. "I think she has a lot more than possibilities. I think she looks terrific!"

The search was back on! ]]> Wife of T. Boone Pickens gives lifeline to wild horses tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.227 2008-11-19T11:43:24Z 2008-11-19T22:06:22Z Mustangs in a federally maintained herd in Nevada (Washington Post)I... Emily, marketing manager http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/emily_marketing_manager/ horses.jpg
Mustangs in a federally maintained herd in Nevada (Washington Post)
I just read an interesting story in the Washington Post about a herd of 2,000 wild mustangs due to be euthanized by the Bureau of Land Management.

According to the article:
[Y]esterday, at a public hearing in Reno, Nev., to discuss the issue, a solution arrived on a white horse, so to speak.

Madeleine Pickens, wife of billionaire T. Boone Pickens, made known her intentions to adopt not just the doomed wild horses but most or all of the 30,000 horses and burros kept in federal holding pens. Lifelong animal lovers, the Pickenses just a few years ago led the fight to close the last horse slaughterhouse in the United States.
Until now, I'd only known of T. Boone Pickens as a super-rich advocate of energy independence. How nice to hear that he and his wife are not only animal lovers, but people who use their wealth to quite literally save animals' lives.

But a little Internet digging revealed that, in fact, any qualified person can adopt a wild horse or burro. Find out how after the jump.

]]> Bureau of Land Management's Web site, you can adopt a wild horse or burro at one of the agency's adoption events (see the schedule here).

It takes a little digging, but here's how you can adopt. You need to complete an application and prove that you're able to provide the horse with adequate care.

This topic is actually quite controversial, as these horses are wild animals (the BLM even runs an Extreme Mustang Makeover event in which trainers work with the horses, then compete in an obstacle course and encourage their adoption), and the government spends a lot of money to corral and care for them. Just read the comments on the Washington Post article and you'll see what I mean.

Of course, you can also adopt a horse on Petfinder (more than 2,500 are waiting for their forever homes right now!).

UPDATE: Mrs. Pickens to buy land to create refuge for wild horses


]]> A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.225 2008-11-18T11:00:00Z 2008-11-17T23:11:36Z Montana had demodectic mange, a non- contagious, treatable condition common... Joan, Happy Tails editor http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/joan_happy_tails_editor/ montana sick2.jpg
Montana had demodectic mange, a non- contagious, treatable condition common in pups who've had poor nutrition or stress
Last month we told you about Montana, the puppy abandoned by the side of a road in Georgia, malnourished and suffering from mange and parvo, who was rescued by Kaci Deater of Statesboro, Ga.

You left such nice comments that we had to send them to Kaci. She sent us this letter in return, and included this heartbreaking "before" photo of Montana and an incredible "after," which you can see after the jump.
Thank you so much for putting Montana's story out there so that everyone can see. She is so special to me and I find it comforting to see all the positive feedback that it's been getting.
]]> montana healthy2.jpg
Happy and healthy with her new mom
It feels good to know that there are so many people out there that support adopting animals in need. I hoped that writing her story would motivate more people to go out on a limb and adopt an animal that may need special care.

If I, being a poor college student, can do it then it's possible for anyone. I have attached a before and after picture to show the wonderful transformation Montana has gone through.

Again, thank you,
Kaci Deater and Montana
Previous entries:

Happy Tail: Someone sees beauty under the scars

A rescued bait dog: Incredible before & after photos

Happy Tail: A former bait dog finds safety and love


]]> Send us your ugly pet-sweater pic, be on a Petfinder e-card! tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.224 2008-11-17T19:05:37Z 2008-11-18T15:11:55Z This belongs to a friend of Petfinder who shall remain... Kim, shelter outreach http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/kim_shelter_outreach/ sweater1.JPG
This belongs to a friend of Petfinder who shall remain nameless.
As the holidays approach, you may remember the decorative, ornate holiday sweaters that were so popular in the '80s and '90s. Some of you might even pull yours out as Thanksgiving rolls around -- hey, what better way to get into the festive mood?

However, all of us in the pet-loving community know the only thing better than a not-so-fashionable holiday sweater is an ugly pet sweater. So send us yours!

dog-christmas-sweater.png
Photo from MyDisguises.com
Whether it belongs to you or your pet, post it here in the comments section (here's how) or e-mail it to us at blog (at) petfinder.com by Nov. 23 to share a couple of laughs.

And here's the best part: One ugly pet sweater will be made into a holiday e-card!
]]> Whale Wars: How far would you go to save animals in danger? tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.223 2008-11-14T11:00:00Z 2008-11-14T00:52:12Z Sea Shepherd Conservation Society quartermaster Shannon MannFor many of us... Emily, marketing manager http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/emily_marketing_manager/ whale-wars-08.jpg
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society quartermaster Shannon Mann
For many of us who love animals, "Save the Whales" were probably the first words we ever learned that showed us protecting other creatures could be a collective and even political effort.

But as we got older and started taking action close to home and saving the dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, etc. -- and as laws such as the Endangered Species Act were passed and society in general became more aware of ecological and animal-welfare concerns -- well, we probably figured the whales were okay.

Well, guess what? They're not.

The Japanese are still hunting whales by the thousands, under the banner of research (i.e. using a legal loophole -- you can learn more about the controversial practice here).

Petfinder's sister company, Animal Planet, has been documenting the efforts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a fearless group of activists who quite literally put themselves between the harpoons and the whales in order to save these giant, gentle creatures.
 
]]> Whale Wars, on tonight at 9 EST, two Sea Shepherds volunteer to board the whaling ship, where they're promptly taken hostage.

Want to fight whaling a little more safely? Find out how to write to the governments of pro-whaling nations such as Japan, Norway and Iceland.]]> A writer and his wife decide to adopt, and the Dog Wars begin tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.222 2008-11-13T11:00:00Z 2008-11-13T17:14:26Z Greg was drawn to Ginger Spice, a redbone coonhound up... Greg Kincaid, author, A Dog Named Christmas hound dog.jpg
Greg was drawn to Ginger Spice, a redbone coonhound up for adoption at Heart of America Humane Society in Kansas City, KS. His wife was not.
Greg Kincaid wrote about shelter dogs in his novel A Dog Named Christmas, and after researching the book, was inspired to adopt one himself. He's chronicling his adoption journey each week on the Petfinder blog. Read all his posts here.

Most of our pets wandered onto our farm looking for dinner and then hung around for the next 80 dog years.

They picked us, and we cared for them because they needed a home. A few showed up attached to my wife, Michale Ann, or one of our kids, who was pleading, "Please ... please ... please, can I keep him?"

I'm not good at "no," so for long periods
we've had bumper crops of pets. Until I
found Petfinder, I had never had the opportunity to engage in a well thought-out selection process.

Michale Ann and I haven't had a "walk-on" for quite a few years now and we were down to only one dog, a little dachshund named Ruthie who seems surgically attached to my wife's hip. With the exodus of our now-grown children, the house has grown still, particularly in the evening hours and on weekends.

The idea that maybe I should carefully choose just the right dog for me was a concept that made its way from my subconscious and into A Dog Named Christmas. Todd, the main character, spends hours at his local animal shelter, picking just the right dog for him.

My wife said that this was a clear manifestation of my latent desire to adopt a dog. Translation: She wanted another dog.

]]> sandy.jpg
Greg's wife preferred Sandy, a terrier at Lifeline Animal Placement and Protection in Wichita, KS.
Besides, she said, "How can you write a book about adopting dogs and not adopt one yourself?" It's possible. It's called fiction. Did Jules Verne really take a journey to the center of the earth?

But in this particular case, I didn't mind being bamboozled. She was right. I really did want a dog, but I was adamant. It was going to be the dog I wanted!

That's how we became Petfinder junkies. Having waited so long for the privilege of choosing a dog, I wanted to be careful. We spent weeks sifting through the pictures, reading the descriptions and really thinking about this momentous choice.

I wanted a dog of substance. I love to hike, ride and jog on the trails that cut through the meadows and woods of our East Kansas farm, so my dog should enjoy being outside as much as I do. I also wanted a dog who seemed, well, manly.

Dogs like Ginger Spice, a redbone coonhound, seemed perfect to me. I bet Ginger could track down raccoons, sniff out escaped convicts and fight off the worst of the Hell's Angels, all before the first drop of morning coffee hit the bottom of the pot. I e-mailed my wife Ginger's profile. It didn't go well. "The first time you take her for a jog, she'll run off. And do you know the size of the poop that will come out of that dog?"

Michale Ann, it seemed, had something different in mind for me.

Now admittedly, her choice, Sandy, looks like a really fine dog, but my wife's selection criterion was bothering me. "Doesn't he have just the cutest face? We can go get him tonight if you want!"

The Dog Wars had begun.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Greg's adoption story next Thursday.

Previous entry:

After writing about shelters, a novelist is moved to adopt


]]> Member Spotlight: A ferret rescue and resource in Texas tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.221 2008-11-12T13:24:17Z 2008-11-12T17:58:24Z Shadow is up for adoption from Texas Ferret Lovers RescueEveryone... Sara, shelter outreach http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/sara_shelter_outreach/ TX673.11769023-1-x.jpg
Shadow is up for adoption from Texas Ferret Lovers Rescue
Everyone knows that there are adoptable cats and dogs on Petfinder -- but we list many other homeless pets in need as well. One example: ferrets.

One of the liveliest household animals, ferrets can always keep their pet parents entertained with their antics. But when households have questions about the care of ferrets or can no longer care for the pet, there are ferret-specific rescue groups with expertise that can help.

Texas Ferret Lovers Rescue is part of the Ferret Lovers Club of Texas, a group that provides expertise to the general public, pet stores and existing and potential ferret parents. This is an invaluable service that not only strengthens the bond ferret guardians feel to their pets, but can also offer the support needed to help a ferret stay in his or her current home. But when ferrets are in need of re-homing, the rescue division of the club steps in and helps.

Visit Texas Ferret Lovers Rescue on Petfinder.

]]> Do you know a shelter or rescue group doing something creative and/or different? Let us know at outreach@petfinder.com.

Previous Member Spotlights:

Rescues that focus on senior dogs

A safe haven for senior & special-needs cats

Rehabbing the Vick dogs and helping all pits

Special attention for pets with special needs

Inmates and adoptable pets help each other

Training shelter dogs to help the deaf ]]> One weird cat inspires a lifelong interest in senior pets tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.220 2008-11-11T18:14:51Z 2008-11-11T18:26:14Z Callie, a "special" cat in many waysDuring my life I've... Betsy, co-founder Callie.JPG
Callie, a "special" cat in many ways
During my life I've had many cats. All but one were normal and well-adjusted. But the first was not. It was this one weird cat that prompted my lifelong interest in senior pets. Here is our story.

When I was in college I saw an ad in the paper for a free cat. She was a 16-year-old Calico named Callie. I thought we were a good match. I could help a cat in need and get her love in return. And, because of her age, I figured she'd pass away before I left for graduate school. Perfect timing for both of us.

Her owner had died, and she was the one pet his family wouldn't take in. I might have inquired why they didn't want her with an open mind and understanding heart, but instead, I was simply aghast (just a wee bit judgmental). After all, I was 20 and issues of animal welfare were pretty black and white.

I'm far too stubborn to be a hypocrite, so over the next months, my noisy criticism of her previous family strengthened my resolve to make this strange cat love me. For four months she lived in the kitchen cabinet (actually in my lazy Susan) only to come out to relieve herself on the carpet. Wall-to-wall became bare wood.

In Month 6, she moved into a new space, under my bed. Eventually, she began to sneak out until her days were spent with me instead of the dust bunnies.

]]>
Now she purred and sought an extended hand for a few rubs on the chin. Late at night, I would lift her onto my lap to watch Magnum, P.I. reruns (she couldn't jump onto the couch, but we shared a mutual "thing" for Higgins).

Remember how I said I thought we'd be perfect together because, let's face it, I didn't presume she'd live long enough to see me go to graduate school? Ha! That decrepit cat moved with me from state to state -- through graduate school AND my first three "real" jobs -- content, if not happy, up to her final days.

Luckily, Callie, who was very slow to warm to me, is not at all the norm. My other senior pets have moved graciously into my life.

But my experience with Callie taught me a good lesson: Adoption doesn't come with guarantees. All pets have their own personalities and idiosyncrasies. Adopting an elderly pet can be somewhat like bringing your elderly parent into your home: Expect them to be rather set in their ways. Don't expect them to bend to your needs, but do try to meet theirs. Value them for who they are and learn from them.

Your reward will come as mine did with Callie. She graced me with her presence, and I knew I had done right by her as her time on earth wound down. I was fulfilled by that.

Senior pets continue to make my life full. My old man, Harper, is a gorgeous and silly 38-year-old Quarterhorse who spends his senior days bossing my goats around. Senior farm animals may be the most needy of our concern -- but that is worth a whole blog of its own.

Previous entry:

Is it natural to fear pit bulls? And what can we do about it?
]]> On Obama, hypoallergenic dogs, goldendoodles and allergies tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.219 2008-11-10T19:41:47Z 2008-11-14T00:05:33Z Goldendoodle Capers is up for adoption at Grateful Goldens Rescue... Emily, marketing manager http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/emily_marketing_manager/ goldendoodle.jpg
Goldendoodle Capers is up for adoption at Grateful Goldens Rescue in Mt Pleasant, SC
Since I last reported on Obama wanting to adopt a shelter dog, but having concerns about daughter Malia's allergies, two things have happened: (1) The story has only gained ground, and (2) I realized that the buzz is that Malia wants a goldendoodle (not a labradoodle).

I'm thrilled that so many people have urged the Obamas to find their next pet on Petfinder, including Best Friends Animal Society, The Oregonian and author and blogger Carole Raphaelle Davis. And after the jump, I've included links to some of the adoptable goldendoodles listed on Petfinder.

I also learned some interesting information from Petfinder staffer Kim Saunders that could be useful to anyone with pet allergies:

There are plenty of hypoallergenic breeds, but there are actually no non-allergenic dogs (or cats). However, dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair -- like the Poodle or the Bichon Frise -- may be less irritating to some people. This might even be because they are bathed or groomed more frequently.

If your or a family member's allergies are uncomfortable but not life-threatening, you can take these steps to reduce the symptoms:
  1. Wash pet bedding regularly and change your air filters frequently. You should also use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner in the home.
  2. Create an "allergy free" zone in the home -- preferably the bedroom -- and strictly prohibit the pet's access to it.
  3. Brush your pet four to five times a week to reduce pet dander.
  4. Choose the right pet brush -- one great option is the FURminator.
  5. Consider getting allergy shots to improve symptoms. Steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine pills can also work to make you feel better.
If you have any other tips for living with pet allergies, let me know!

]]>
  • 2,558 poodles / poodle mixes (including goldendoodles)
  • 925 Yorkshire Terriers
  • 657 Bichon Frises
  • 434 Cairn Terriers
  • 247 West Highland White Terrier Westies
  • 152 Cockapoos
  • 120 Wheaten Terriers
Some adoptable goldendoodles on Petfinder today:

Bailey in Daytona Beach, FL
April in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Hope in Willingboro, NJ (poor baby has a terrible -- but treatable -- case of mange)
Darren in Elverta, CA
(not yet named) in Montreal, QC -- puppy mill refugee

Related links:

Poll: Should the Obamas adopt from a shelter? (AnimalPlanet.com)

Previous entries:

Hey Obama, you CAN adopt a labradoodle!

Obama's puppy and more good news for animals

Nominate a Petfinder dog for the Obamas!

HSUS urges Obama to cast a vote for homeless pets



]]> Hey Obama, you CAN adopt a labradoodle! tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.218 2008-11-07T21:27:28Z 2008-11-14T00:07:59Z Suzy the labradoodle is waiting for her forever home at... Emily, marketing manager http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/emily_marketing_manager/ labradoodle.jpg
Suzy the labradoodle is waiting for her forever home at Animal Rescue League in Marshalltown, IA.
This whole Obama-dog story is really taking off like crazy. The president-elect told reporters today, according to the Associated Press:
We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic so it has to be hypoallergenic. ...

But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household.
Well we want the president elect to know that it's easy to balance those two things: More than 25% of shelter pets are purebred -- and it's easy to find the breed you want on Petfinder!

To contact Obama and urge him to adopt, you can write to him at his Chicago office at:
John C. Kluczynski Federal Office Building
230 South Dearborn St.
Suite 3900 (39th floor)
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Or e-mail him through the online form at http://www.change.gov/page/s/yourvision.

And for fun, cast your vote on AnimalPlanet.com's new poll: Should the Obamas adopt from a shelter?

After the jump, links to more adoptable, hypoallergenic labradoodles on Petfinder. Tell us which one is your favorite!

]]> Presley
Mr. T Bear
Austin
Charlie
Petey
Koda
Shirley
Rachael
Troy
Bentley
Max
Heidi
Brady
Bob
Corn Flake 2
Molly
Chelsea
Kia
Reno
Argus
Bo
Simon
Bob

Previous entries:

Obama's puppy and more good news for animals

Nominate a Petfinder dog for the Obamas!

HSUS urges Obama to cast a vote for homeless pets


]]> After writing about shelters, a novelist is moved to adopt tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.217 2008-11-07T16:18:25Z 2008-11-07T16:20:27Z Greg Kincaid at home with his dogsEditor's note: Greg Kincaid's... Greg Kincaid, author, A Dog Named Christmas Greg with dogs 028.jpg
Greg Kincaid at home with his dogs
Editor's note: Greg Kincaid's first novel, A Dog Named Christmas, hit shelves on Tuesday. The book tells the story of a special young man who inspires his entire town to take in dogs from the local shelter.

Greg lives on a farm in East Kansas with his wife, Michale Ann. He and his family had always taken in stray dogs who "found them," but after writing the book, Greg was inspired to adopt from a shelter. He will be blogging here each week about his search (on Petfinder, of course!) for the perfect dog.

This fall, Christmas came early. On my wish list was launching my new book, A Dog Named Christmas, finding a good truck and, finally, settling on the perfect dog to go into it.  

In October, I finally found the right truck. It's a real  beauty -- a 1982 Ford  F-250 with only 80,000 miles. The search took me several months, but the book was worse: That was about nine years from start to finish. The effort that went into the truck and book were significant, but picking the right dog ... I had no idea! It was quite a journey, but I can't remember when I've had more fun.

To research A Dog Named Christmas, I had the privilege of visiting shelters and meeting some of the most amazing people -- many of whom have made it their life's task to care for creatures who want nothing more than a home, a place where they belong. Before I wrote this book, I had never been inside a shelter. In my mind, it would have been too painful. Like most of us, it was easier to pretend that the problem didn't exist and, even if it did, it wasn't really my problem. Frankly, like some of the characters in my book, I was carrying around a flawed perspective.

I learned something important in my visits.

]]>
After I finished the book, I had this vague sense that my muse was trying to tell me something: I needed rescuing!

Surely in all the shelters I'd visited, there had to be at least one dog up to the task. Admittedly, it was going to take a special dog to care for me. Apparently, I have issues. I don't always mind and my wife insists that I need to kept on a very short leash. I've spent plenty of nights in crate training with the hope that my messes might be confined or eliminated. It really hasn't worked all that well.
 
I knew it was going to take a long and hard search to find a dog up the task of rescuing me. In my mind, the size of the project dictated one big dog. While I was searching for the perfect truck, I started to also frame in my mind exactly what it was going to require to save me. Over the next several weeks, I'm going to share with you how I got to a dog fully up to the task.
 
]]> Obama's puppy and more good news for animals tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.216 2008-11-06T20:27:34Z 2008-11-14T00:09:19Z The Obama family (Essence.com)As you've no doubt heard, Barack Obama... Emily, marketing manager http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/emily_marketing_manager/ obama famly sharp.jpg
The Obama family (Essence.com)
As you've no doubt heard, Barack Obama said in his victory speech Tuesday that his daughters had "earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

The Obamas told Entertainment Tonight on Sept. 30 they planned to adopt a "rescue dog," and we hope they'll keep that promise. (Of course, readers of this blog were nominating dogs for the Obamas back in July!)

Tuesday's election brought other good news for animals as well.

All of these represent incredible advances in animal welfare. Now let's just hope the Obamas adopt a shelter dog -- that would really be the Change We Need in the lives of homeless pets everywhere!

]]> Previous entries:

Live in CA, MA or AZ? Cast your vote to help animals

Nominate a Petfinder dog for the Obamas!

HSUS urges Obama to cast a vote for homeless pets
]]> Member Spotlight: Rescues that focus on senior dogs tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.215 2008-11-05T15:17:07Z 2008-11-06T15:46:38Z Sara's dog Dexter, adopted in 2003There are more than a... Sara, shelter outreach http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/sara_shelter_outreach/ senior dog photo
Sara's dog Dexter, adopted in 2003
There are more than a dozen Petfinder member organizations who specialize in rescuing and re-homing senior dogs.

Personally, I am grateful to any organization that handles senior pets of all kinds. Exactly four years ago, when I was looking for pictures to use in an Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month promotion, I came across a little senior shepherd mix. I fell in love immediately, and Dexter has been one of my best friends ever since.

He was 10 years old when I adopted him -- he's now 14. He moves pretty slowly these days, but his adorable gray face always attracts attention from passersby on our walks. Below is just a sample of Petfinder members specializing in senior dogs.

St. Louis Senior Dog Project, St. Louis, MO

Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon, Philomath, OR

Libby's Haven for Senior Canines, Canterbury, NH

Senior Dog Adoptions, Cold Brook, NY

The Senior Dog House and Rescue, Columbia Fall, MT

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs, Cleveland, OH

]]> Do you know a shelter or rescue group doing something creative and/or different? Let us know at outreach@petfinder.com.

Previous Member Spotlights:

A safe haven for senior & special-needs cats

Rehabbing the Vick dogs and helping all pits

Special attention for pets with special needs

Inmates and adoptable pets help each other

Training shelter dogs to help the deaf ]]> Live in CA, MA or AZ? Cast your vote to help animals tag:blog.petfinder.com,2008:/petfinder//1.214 2008-11-04T15:50:34Z 2008-11-04T16:31:32Z Petfinder is proud to support Humane Farm Animal Care. Whatever... Emily, marketing manager http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/emily_marketing_manager/ cows.JPG
Petfinder is proud to support Humane Farm Animal Care.
Whatever your politics, I have no doubt you're excited to vote today. And if you live in California, Massachusetts or South Tucson, AZ, you have the chance to make a difference for animals.

In California, vote yes on Proposition 2 to end inhumane confinement of farm animals. Want to learn more? The New York Times has an interesting article about Prop 2, which includes arguments by its opponents; you can also check out the Web site Yes! on Prop 2.

(Even if you don't live in California, you can vote with your wallet to help farm animals by buying food that is Certified Humane Raised and Handled, a designation awarded by the non-profit Humane Farm Animal Care.)

And thanks to Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell, who notes in his November "Newshletter" that voters in two states have a chance to help racing greyhounds:

  • Massachusetts voters can vote yes on Question 3 to pass the Greyhound Protection Act, which would phase out commercial dog racing by 2010. (Learn more at YesOn3.com.)
  • Voters in South Tucson can vote yes on Prop 401 to pass the Tucson Dog Protection Act, which would not ban dog racing, but would improve the treatment of racing greyhounds and help protect the public from dog-borne diseases. (Learn more at TucsonCitizen.com.)
And of course, no matter where you live, you can always help by adopting one of the 2,200+ greyhounds on Petfinder!

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