Petfinder Blog

I would like to invite everyone to visit our message board this week! We're hosting a special moderated forum on co-exisiting with wildlife. Katherine Uhler of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can answer your questions about keeping yourselves, your pets and your wild neighbors safe and healthy.

This topic hits home for me, as I live in the beautiful mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where it is not uncommon to look out my window and see deer, turkey, squirrels and the occasional bear roaming past our home.

It seemed only fitting that on Monday morning I walked outside and saw a baby porcupine waddling his way across the lawn and up a small maple tree to enjoy a morning snack of leaves. So of course I grabbed my video camera to capture this rare opportunity. Enjoy! And remember to join us in the forums!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Pennsylvania Bar Institute's Fifth Annual Animal Law Conference, which Petfinder co-sponsored.

Topics included recently passed and pending animal welfare legislation, developing an animal cruelty case, laws regarding assistance animals, ethical issues for shelter/rescue boards and estate planning.

It was really great to meet so many attorneys dedicated to changing and enforcing the laws that protect our companion animals. Many of the attorneys, I learned, volunteer and work in rescue themselves. A huge "thank you" for all that they do.

New pet parent Martha writes:

Hello! We recently adopted two terrific mixed breed dogs, Jake and Tycho, and can now, more than ever, appreciate all the wonderful work you do. We have produced a public service announcement video starring Jake and Tycho that we want to share with you.

Thanks Martha!

(You can also check out the video on the Petfinder.com Foundation YouTube channel!)

This weekend I went to the Celtic Fling, a great Celtic festival held at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire grounds on the Mount Hope Estate & Winery in Manheim, PA. 

The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League was there with a few of their gorgeous babies. They had a really cool way of getting donations: Each dog wore a vest with a pouch on either side. The public had a chance to interact with the dogs, petting them and spending time with them, and could leave a donation with each dog. 

It turns out the vests are handmade by two MAGDRL volunteers, Jody Cohen and Terry Lanphear. The vests, as well as lots of other donation and "adopt-me" apparel, are available at ThankfulPaws.com.

Jody tells us the vests are a lot more effective than a donation jar or can. "Wearing the donation apparel lets your dog -- and you -- walk through the crowd spreading the word about your organization," she says. "Children -- and adults too -- love to put money into the clear plastic pockets. After all, who could resist a dog asking for donations?"