We’ve been bringing our dogs to work for 10 years!

Every year, thousands of Americans take their dogs into the office as part of National Take Your Dog to Work Day, created by Pet Sitters International ten years ago!

TYDTWD is an annual event designed to celebrate dogs as companions, encourage employers to experience the value of pets in their workplace, and encourage pet adoptions from shelters, humane societies and rescue groups.

According to the Pet Sitters website, a  2006 APPMA [American Pet Products Manufacturers Association] Survey showed that millions of employees feel that pets in the workplace can lead to a more creative environment, decreased absenteeism, improved productivity and can help co-workers get along better, yet only about one in five companies allow pets in the workplace. 

Somebody we know (identities hidden to protect the innocent) works for a company that doesn’t allow pets in the workplace but does allow service animals. While therapy dogs are not included in the definition of service animal (don’t get us started), she is currently taking advantage of a grey area in the company’s policy to bring her registered therapy dog into the office. She tells us that people regularly drop by her office to confide in her dog, cry on his shoulder, or simply pet him – and that every one of her visitors reports feeling more calm, centered, happy and able to go get on with their work after a bit of doggy lovin’…

Take our poll here and tell us if your company participates in Take Your Dog To Work Day!

Dallas Animal Services Open House TODAY, June 20!

Dallas Animal Services is hosting an Open House today in honor of Adopt A Shelter Cat month.  They'll showcase cats available for adoption, discuss the benefits of adopting from a shelter, and provide specific information about cat ownership responsibilities.

This Open House is TODAY, June 20th from 11a-3p at Dallas Animal Services' new adoption center, 1818 N. Westmoreland, – just a few minutes west of downtown Dallas off I-30.

Adoption fees for cats/kittens are just $55.  Dogs/puppies are $85.  All fees include current vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchip.  In addition, a bag of Hill’s Science Diet pet food and a coupon for a free pet physical will be sent home with any animal adopted.

For more info: Visit Dallas Animal Services website.

The Shelter Pet Project

An upcoming nation-wide ad campaign promoting shelter pets is a joint venture between The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund and The Ad Council.  The project now has a name - "The Shelter Pet Project" and is today debuting their website. 

It's not much more than an intro page right now, but if the graphics and the video up there are any indication, there are great things to come.  Check it out here and sign up to be notified when the campaign launches!

Spay/Neuter Myths BUSTED

We saw this article on the pawsperouspets.com community site and thought we’d share.

It busts common myths that stop people from being responsible and spaying or neutering their pets, such as "Females should be allowed to have one litter" and "Spaying or neutering my pet will make it fat."

It’s kitten and puppy season right now, and the shelters are filling up with unwanted litters – at a time when pet surrender is up and donations are down. Now has never been a better time to get your pet spayed or neutered!

So true…

Check out your local animal shelter or breed rescue group today, to find your new furry family member!

June 20 is Doggie Date Night!

FEATURES FLICK, FAMILY FUN FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

Hawaiian Falls Waterpark in The Colony will host Doggie Date Night with a special showing of “Hotel for Dogs” on Saturday, June 20.  Fittingly, pet owners can bring their canine companions as well as their children to this family-friendly flick.

Billed as a date night for people and their pooches, the event benefits Animal Guardians of America.  The evening under the stars begins at 7:30 p.m. with games, activities and contests for children. 

The film will be shown at dusk on a 16’ outdoor screen on the lawn adjacent to Hawaiian Falls.   Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets, and food and beverages will be available for purchase. 

“This is a special opportunity to have a night out on the town and watch a movie on the big screen with your four-legged best friend by your side,” said Annette Lambert, president of Animal Guardians, a nonprofit organization that cares for homeless and abandoned dogs.   “For those who might be thinking of adding a new canine friend to their family, we’ll have several of our most adorable, adoptable dogs at the event.”   

“Hotel for Dogs” is a heart-warming movie about children who take in stray dogs in an old, abandoned hotel.  While the movie has a happy, “Hollywood” ending for the homeless dogs, Lambert said the reality for strays in the Metroplex is not always so pleasant. 

“While we want everyone to come out and enjoy the movie and the entertainment, it’s important that we realize that much still needs to be done for our homeless animals,” said Lambert.  “Our local animal shelters are operating at full capacity.  Sadly, over 100,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in Dallas-Fort Worth every year.  It will take all of us working together to change these sad statistics.”

1. Admission to Doggie Date night is just $7 per person or $25 for four people; dogs get in free.  
2. Reservations are requested, but tickets may be purchased at the door.  To make reservations, call 214-207-0045 or email stevehurst@animalguardians.com. 
3. All proceeds benefit Animal Guardians of America. 

Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is located at 4400 Paige Road in The Colony at the corner of Highway 121 and Plano Parkway.   For more information, visit www.AnimalGuardians.com.

# # #

The mission of Animal Guardians of America is to rescue stray, abandoned and neglected dogs; bring about their recovery as healthy companions; and promote care and compassion for all animals.  The nonprofit volunteer group is committed to enriching the lives of dogs who may be without shelter, food, care or love—regardless of age, natural beauty or condition—and finding them temporary and permanent homes.  Animal Guardians takes dogs that no one wants and turns them into dogs that everyone wants.

Want to be a hero? Spaces available in Emergency Animal Rescue training session June 27th!

How often do you watch the news about natural disasters or man-made catastrophes, and think about what’s involved in saving the animals? As we’ve seen since Katrina, disaster response has improved where animals are concerned but the success of any first-response effort is entirely reliant on the availability of trained volunteers.

Did you know that Rebecca Poling, our President, and Judi Burnett, our Treasurer, are trained and certified in Emergency Animal Rescue by the United Animal Nations? Why not join them and get trained to be a hero?

** United Animal Nations is holding a training session in Waco on Saturday, June 27^th and there is still space available! **

UAN volunteers are often called upon to provide temporary sheltering services for disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, as well as large puppy mill busts.  For more information, or to sign up for the class, visit http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=35.

 

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New adoption hours at Dallas Animal Shelter effective June 3, 2009.

Heads up everybody – effective tomorrow, June 3, the Dallas Animal Services shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland has new and more convenient adoption hours.

Moving forward, adoption hours will be as follows: 

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday – Saturday:  11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.

So come along and find some unconditional love and a wonderful furry companion to share your life!