Companions For Life

Humane Society Says...

2008-05-14T18:29:00.001-07:00

Correct grammar is beside the point. The point is: snipping saves lives!

Picture courtesy of http://icanhascheezburger.com

Support Spay/Neuter Measures in Dallas!

2008-05-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

What's the problem?
Last year, 26,979 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens were put down in City of Dallas shelters last year - another 13,000+ were found dead on the streets. It's clear that Dallas has a pet overpopulation crisis - there are too many unwanted pets crowding under resourced shelters, and not enough of them are finding homes.

What can be done about it?
We mentioned in a previous post that many cities across the nation have found that requiring people to spay or neuter their pets has lead to a drop in the number of animals being euthanized at taxpayer expense, and also lead to increased adoption rates in shelters.

There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your pet, besides helping to alleviate the pet overpopulation issue - to learn more, download a fact sheet by the ASPCA on spaying and neutering from the Companions for Life website in English or Spanish.

Learn what Companions for Life is doing about this crisis:
Companions for Life has recently teamed up with Metroplex Animal Coalition in support of mandatory spay/neuter ordinances in the city of Dallas - you can read more about this, including an executive summary of the changes being requested at the Dallas Animal Advocates site.

Do something!
If you'd like to add your support to our proposal, please sign our petition encouraging the Dallas Mayor and City Council to adopt these new measures. We are aiming to get 10,000 signatures, so every signature counts!

People of Dallas - don't stand by and let your tax dollars be used to kill unwanted animals! Sign here to tell your City Council you want change!

Say it (safely) with Flowers!

2008-05-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

Birthdays, get well wishes, anniversaries - there are multiple opportunities in the year to give flowers, but how do you know if the bouquet you give that special someone is safe for their pets?

Never fear! The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center experts have some suggestions for pet-friendly selections at 1-800-FLOWERS.com. Click here to see some beautiful violets, orchids and Gerber daisies recommended by the ASPCA that are non-toxic to pets. Roses are also non-toxic, but remember to remove those pesky thorns that can prick or scratch a pet's nose!

And because we all like to do good without trying, when you use promotion code ASPCA when ordering, 1-800-FLOWERS.com will donate 10 percent of the net proceeds from your purchase to the ASPCA.

Puppy Love: a story of understanding

2008-05-08T09:28:00.001-07:00

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy.

'Mister,' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.''Well,' said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.'

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. 'I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?' 'Sure,' said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. 'Here, Dolly!' he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.

'I want that one,' the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, 'Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.'

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, 'You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.'

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. 'How much?' asked the little boy. 'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'

With thanks to KC for sending this in...

Teach Your Kids to Be Kind To Animals

2008-05-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

May 4-10 is Be Kind to Animals Week - an initiative founded in 1915 by the American Humane Association to celebrate the unique bond between animals and humans. Click here for some simple suggestions on being kind to animals from the American Humane Association.

Be Kind to Animals Week is a particularly good opportunity to teach kids compassion and respect for animals – have a talk to your child about why it’s important to look out for our animal companions, or find stories, projects, games and more at sites like Kind News Online, and ARF Rescue Patrol.

The National PTA Conference in 1933 asserted that “humane education is key to solving the enormous pet overpopulation problem in our country…” and notes that “Children trained to extend justice, kindness, and mercy to animals become more just, kind, and considerate in their relations to each other…” We can all do with more justice, kindness and mercy in our society – today more than ever.

Because of this, Companions for Life offers Humane Education resources and programs to teach children respect and responsibility for pets, animal safety, compassion, caring, and the importance of spay/neuter and adoption. The goal is to ultimately help build a more compassionate society that places great value on the role of companion animals.

Parents and teachers, check out programs and information offered by Companions for Life to help you teach kids to make every week Be Kind to Animals Week:

Visit our Just for Teachers page for a whole range of helpful resources and lesson plans designed specifically for the classroom!
Companions for Life also provides humane education programs to children and adults in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. We can send trained humane educators to conduct fun, interactive on-site lessons for groups of children, using professionally-developed humane education workbooks and materials. These programs can be custom tailored for youth groups, day care centers, summer camps, special events, and private schools and designed for kids of all ages.

No More Disposable Pets!

2008-05-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

We’ve mentioned before that 3-4 million animals are euthanized every year across the country because shelters can’t keep up with the influx of abandoned, stray, unsuitable or otherwise unwanted pets.

We’ve talked about the issue of shelter overcrowding and how responsible pet ownership actions like spaying/neutering, microchipping and adopting can reduce the number of strays and unwanted pets adding to the problem.

What we haven’t told you is the sordid reality animal shelters have to live with – the story of what happens to those 3-4 million animals who die every year because of human indifference, and the story of the shelter workers who bear the burden of those deaths.

It’s hard to know – because once you do, you can’t un-know and then you have to do something. So we’re going to tell you – because if just one person reads this blog and decides they’re going to do even just one thing to address the problem, a life has been saved.

Steve Blows of The Dallas Morning News ran this piece on Thursday telling the story of what happens to animals that aren’t adopted – they’re “dealt with – needle stick after needle stick, 80 to 100 times a day” by shelter workers afraid to give their names because people would turn on them for “taking up the slack.. because someone has been irresponsible.”

It’s heart rending to read about a trusting and happy dog – “a black-and-tan mutt with eager eyes and a wagging tail” - brought into the sterile back room of an animal shelter, only to be efficiently dispatched in the ultimate betrayal he will suffer at the hands of humans. It’s appalling to think of the psychological cost to shelter workers, many of them who do the job because they love animals, having to steel themselves to take one innocent life after another.

And it’s shameful to know that because there are so many of them, these thousands of unwanted pets will not even achieve dignity in death. They will be bagged and carried in twice-daily ignominy “to the landfill to be buried with the rest of the city's trash”.

How many of you would be OK with this happening to a family member? Because that’s what our pets are – they’re family – dependent on us for their very lives.

If you’re not OK with it, then we challenge you to do your bit! Adopt a pet from a shelter or humane association. Have your pets spayed or neutered. Microchip and tag them. Keep them safe so they can’t get lost. Educate your friends, family and colleagues.

Pets are family – they’re not landfill.

Animals Everywhere Love Volunteers!

2008-04-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

In honor of National Volunteer week, we'd like to share this poem (modified a little from the original we found on this site). Thank you to everyone who volunteers on behalf of animals everywhere!

Jeni Selesky with Dallas Animal Services holds Bailey, a 5-month-old collie mix available for adoption

The Reason (to you from all your rescue animals)
- Author Unknown

I would've died that day if not for you.

I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.

I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.

I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care

Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted,

skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it,

beds to sleep on, someone to love me,

to show me I deserve love just because I exist.

Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands

Your big heart saved me...

You saved me from the terror of the pound,

Soothing away the memories of my old life.

You have taught me what it means to be loved.

I have seen you do the same for other pets like me.

I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair

Why you do it-

When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes

You open your heart a little bigger,stretch the money a little tighter

Make just a little more room...

to save one more like me.

I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes

In the best way I know how

Reminding you why you go on trying.

I am the reason

The pets before me are the reason

As are the ones who come after.

Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given

We would die if not for you.

If you are considering volunteering, contact your local animal shelter, humane society or rescue group. Sites like VolunteerMatch.org make it easy to find rewarding ways to make a difference in any way you can.

Save the date - Lone Star Pet Adoption Marathon happening this Saturday!

2008-04-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

This coming Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 2 dozen local animal shelters, humane societies and breed rescue groups will participate in the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition’s Lone Star Pet Adoptathon at The Ballpark in Arlington.

The festive parking lot event will showcase shelters and rescue groups as the place to find the perfect pet - and will even feature adoptable animals so you can get your new perfect pet right away!

Companions For Life will be on hand to educate new and potential adopters about basic pet care and responsibility and the importance of adoption in fighting the pet overpopulation problem. We will also have free pet care coloring books for the kids.

The Ballpark in Arlington is located on I-30 at Ballpark Way in Arlington. There is no charge for admission to the Lone Star Pet Adoptathon, and the cost to adopt a dog or cat will vary depending on the animal shelter or humane group. For more information, visit www.sheltercoalition.com.

Why have an adoption marathon?

Thousands of dogs and cats sit in North Texas shelters and animal welfare organizations for days, weeks and sometimes months waiting for new homes because few people think of animal shelters or breed-specific rescue groups when they are ready to add a new pet to the family.

“Sadly, only 15% of pet owners get their furry companions from an animal welfare organization,” says Anne Thomason, president of the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition (TASC). “The other 85 percent acquire pets from breeders, pet stores or from friends.”

But animal shelters and rescue groups have puppies, kittens, purebred dogs and cats, and older pets that all need a second chance at a new home. “One of the benefits of adopting a pet is that every adoption really saves two lives: the animal being adopted, and the animal you’re making room for,” said Tammy Kirkpatrick, coordinator of TASC’s Lone Star Pet Adoptathon.

Among the shelters, rescue groups and educational organizations participating in the Lone Star Pet Adoptathon are Dallas Animal Services, Companions for Life, 911 Wildlife, Irving Animal Services, Feral Friends, Arlington Animal Services, Chris' Rescue Angels, Tri-City Animal Shelter, Hope Humane Society, DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue, North Richland Hills Animal Services, Coppell Animal Services, DFW Humane Society, Mansfield Animal Services, Humane Society of North Texas, SPCA of Texas, Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas, Southern States Rottie Rescue, Operation Kindness, Huts for Mutts Dog Rescue, DFW Shih Tzus & More Rescue, Mobile Animal Rescue Services, Fort Worth Animal Services, Animal Angels, Mid Cities Humane Society and Lamar County Humane Society.

Tips for cat allergy sufferers

2008-04-26T16:02:00.000-07:00

Many cats are surrendered to shelters because someone in the family (often a new addition such as a partner or a child) has allergies. Anywhere from 2% to 15% of the world’s population is allergic to cats, and up to 40% of Asthma sufferers are particularly affected.

Research has revealed that FEL D1, a small protein found only in cats, is produced in the sebaceous glands of their skin and saliva and is responsible for 60% to 90% of allergic responses to felines, including streaming eyes, sneezing and asthma.

But does having an allergy mean you have to give up your beloved pet? Not necessarily! For some people, having the best of both worlds is simply a matter of addressing symptoms, taking certain steps to reduce the amount of allergens they are exposed to, or choosing a particular breed that is less likely to provoke an allergic reaction.

First of all we suggest that the affected person is allergy tested to make sure that the reaction is definitely a cat allergy before you go through the trauma of giving up your pet. If you are definitely allergic to cats, you can try the following measures to reduce your exposure to the allergen and therefore either reduce or eliminate your reaction.

Wash your hands immediately after handling your cat, and don’t touch your eyes
Ensure your cat is spayed or neutered – the highest levels of FEL D1 are found in un-neutered males followed by un-spayed females. Neuters of both sexes have considerably lower levels, as do kittens. Early sterilization is highly recommended to prevent the rapid increase of the allergen as the cat approaches maturity.
Bathe your cat at least once or twice a week with a hypoallergenic shampoo. Allerpet, a well-known brand of liquid that reduces cat allergen in the air, can be applied to your cats' coat and is available from your local veterinarian.
Wiping the cat with a wet cloth or hand towel daily - or an Allerpet wipe - can be preferable to bathing them and will reduce the amount of dander.
Remove your cat from the bedroom, close the bedroom door and air vents to the bedroom at least until your symptoms are under control – you may need to consider permanently banning Fluffy from the bedroom though, for your own comfort.
Carpets trap the dander and other things that are likely to keep FEL D1 levels high, so ideally reduce the number of carpeted areas in your house, or restrict your cat to a part of the home with an uncarpeted floor.
Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner.
Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as to not stir up more dust).
Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions.
Use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home, which are now proven by research to be extremely helpful in killing off the cat proteins/dander, which are embedded in your carpets and upholstery. Steam cleaners provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and cat allergen.
Cat dander can persist for months to years in the home even if the cat is gone – therefore it is important to clean thoroughly.

If you’ve always wanted a cat but never took the plunge because of your allergies, there are some existing breeds that, while not strictly hypoallergenic, at least tend to cause less severe symptoms in some people. The best way to test your reaction is to spend some time with them. Visit a breed-specific shelter or a breeder (to keep your sample “pure” and to be sure you’re only responding to the breed in question). You’ll have to go a few times, and handle the cats while you’re there, but you’ll know pretty quickly if this is a breed you can tolerate. We know of many highly allergic people who own Bengals, Siberians or Rex breeds who experience no symptoms from their cats at all.

The following breeds tend to cause less of a reaction in some people:

Norwegian Forest Cats
Maine Coons
Bengals
Russian Blue
Siberian
Cornish Rex
Devon Rex
Sphynx

The Pets 911 adoption search tool lets you look for specific breeds, so if you are looking into getting a cat and you have determined a breed that lets you breathe easy, chances are you'll be able to adopt.

Outdoor doggies will love this!

2008-04-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Petsit USA blog highlighted a great new gadget today that could come in helpful during those hot summer months for pet owners whose animals live outside - it's an electronic outdoor pet drinking fountain called WaterDog, that lets your outdoor pet help itself to fresh drinking water on demand.

The WaterDog automatically turns on a stream of water from an outside tap when a dog (I'm guessing it could work for outdoor cats too) walks within a certain distance, and turns it off when they walk away. It's battery operated and comparable in price to other automated pet feeding/watering solutions.

Gadgets like this make it easy to be a responsible pet owner - keeping your pet well hydrated with clean, fresh drinking water is key and with summer on its way, it's a good time to think about how best to accommodate your outdoor pet's water requirements.

Teach Your Kids To Be Safe Around Dogs

2008-04-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Children seem to love dogs with a passion. They just need to learn to love dogs with some caution. Even the friendliest dogs can be uncomfortable with a child's quick movements and loud tone of voice.

So what's a child to do? In a nutshell: Speak quietly and move slowly around dogs, and follow these simple guidelines:

Before petting someone's dog, ask the person's permission.

Never sneak up on or pet a dog who is eating or sleeping.

Never pet a dog who is playing with a toy.

Never try to pet a dog who is in a car or behind a fence.

If a strange dog approaches, children should follow these tips:

If you are walking, stop and stand still (like a tree) with your hands at your side.

If you are playing on the ground, lie still on the ground (like a log) with your knees tucked into your stomach and your hands over your ears.

Never, ever try to outrun a dog. Back away slowly from him instead.

Have you thought about adopting today?

2008-04-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

Innovative approach to animal shelter decor

2008-04-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

Animal shelter turns into lap of luxury - click to watch video
"Designers have turned an otherwise depressing animal shelter into a place where cat and dog lovers can visit abandoned or unwanted pets that are up for adoption. Video from KNSD-TV in San Diego."

It would be great if all shelters had the resources to apply an innovative and welcoming approach like this - there are so many benefits! Having a more homely decor makes it easier for prospective adopters to imagine these pets in their own homes and families; and the animals themselves are probably less likely to demonstrate the stressed personality they exhibit in a more traditional, caged shelter environment. Also, families might be more inclined to bring their children to this shelter as it's not such a scary experience for them - which means the kids are more likely to clamor to take a certain furry companion home, which could increase the adoption rates.

Unfortunately most shelters don't have the luxury of being able to do this - they are over crowded, under-staffed and definitely under-resourced - in other words, they're running just to stand still.

This can be changed though! Through pet population control measures such as spay/neuter initiatives, helping families keep their pets through hard times with economic measures, by microchipping and tagging to increase reunions with lost pets and if more people would support their local shelters by donating or volunteering, all our shelters could one day dream of having the resources to create welcoming environments like this for the people and pets they host.

In the meantime, low-budget suggestions to make an animal shelter a little more inviting and cheery include using colorful toys and bedding in the animals' cages, try warm (but still bright) lighting instead of harsh fluorscents, and accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

Help your prospective adopters see the animals in the best setting possible, and hopefully more of them will find homes faster. Why not share your ideas for cheering up your local shelter? Does it help increase adoptions? Are the animals less stressed (and therefore behave more like they would once adopted) in a less stark environment? We'd love to hear from you!

Dallas to Dallas ride successfully completed!

2008-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Bill Craig on finishing his Dallas to Dallas Ride for Wet Noses last weekend! Overall Bill rode 662.6 miles and spent 8 days on the road talking to anyone who would listen about the problem of shelter overcrowding and why it's so important to Spay, Neuter and Adopt.

Check out Bill's blog about the ride here and enjoy some of his colorful descriptions of days in the saddle on behalf of all those furry critters who can't spread the word about this important cause themselves.

Thinking of adopting? Petfinder.com features 246,959 adoptable pets from 11,253 adoption groups.

Why not consider "Tennis**Dogs", today's featured adoptable pet from the City of Dallas Animal Services? Click here for more info on this sociable little guy! That's him in the picture, waiting for his next family to take him home!

Black Dog Syndrome

2008-04-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

Black dogs and cats are less likely to be adopted from animal shelters than their lighter colored counterparts, and as a result are more likely to be euthanized.

While this ongoing discrimination is not officially tracked, anecdotal reports are prevalent enough that this unfortunate situation actually has a name in the animal welfare world - Black Dog Syndrome. Large black dogs are disproportionately impacted, however black dogs and cats of all sizes are subject to Black Dog Syndrome.

Why do people discriminate against black dogs and cats? Like most discrimination, much of it is a result of perception, superstition or a lack of education. Blackpearldogs.com lists the following reasons for why black dogs are passed up so often for adoption:

Superstition - this is likely to play a huge part in discrimination against black cats too - people tend to associate black animals with arcane rites and beliefs, as well as simple superstitions - how many of you have tried to avoid being "crossed" by a black cat?

Negative labels - for example, the use of "Black dog" as a euphamism for depression and those menacing "beware of the dog" signs

Fear - big black dogs look imposing and it's also harder to read the expressions on a black animal's face - what may look like a goofy doggy grin on one dog, may look like a menacing snarl on a black dog.

Too common - unfortunately the gene that gives an animal a black coat is a dominant gene, which means there are more of them. As a result, they are passed over by people wanting something "unique" which compounds the issues that result in so many black animals in shelters anyway. Many larger black dogs like labs and pit bulls have bigger litters too, a good reason to support spaying or neutering pets to help with the pet overcrowding problem - black pets already have the stakes loaded against them, without adding more of them unnecessarily to the population.

Other reasons include the fact that older black dogs and cats show white in their muzzles can earlier and look older than they really are; and the fact that in poor lighting conditions or cages, darker animals don't "pop" - they are less likely to be noticed and don't show up as well in the adoption photos shelters post on their websites.

Shelters are taking steps to try and counter Black Dog Syndrome. Some work to make their black dogs less intimidating and easier to notice, by putting brightly colored, eye-catching blankets and toys in their kennels, tying bandannas around their necks and taking the dogs to a well-lit area outside to have their photo taken for their Web site. Madeline Bernstein, the president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles has her shelters tie pink ribbons around the necks of the girls, and fasten big bow ties around the necks of the boys. Other shelters even run special offer discounts on adoption fees for black animals.

Petroglyphs agrees that colorful accessories and good light can help a shelter get a black animal noticed either in person or in a photo, and offers some additional helpful tips, noting that "A ball in the dog’s mouth or a tongue hanging out is good, but a dog who is eating or barking looks vicious. Profile shots are better than full face, and light backgrounds show the dog off well".

Other helpful tips for shelters include:

Give a black animal a light-hearted or creative name to make people stop to notice the name and look at the animal.

Intersperse the black animals with lighter colored ones, so they're not all clustered together and can stand out a bit more - it also de-emphasizes the numbers of black animals in the shelter.

Definitely make sure your write-ups of black animals are up-beat and positive - jazz them up a bit so that these pets don't get overlooked!

A trick or polite “Sit” will also make them more adoptable by helping people see their friendly, obedient side.

Be sure to keep up with the grooming to keep their coats glossy and to make sure a black dog's eyes are visible.

Blackpearldogs.com offers some lighthearted reasons for families to adopt a big, black dog: Their color doesn't clash with furniture or clothing, hides dirt well, and is easy to accessorize. In other words, black dogs could be the new black. These reasons apply just as well to black cats!

So the next time you're in a shelter looking for a new addition to the family, please consider those black animals who are all too easily overlooked. Nobody likes being the victim of discrimination, so give a black pet a chance.

Awesome new program and how YOU can help

2008-04-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Imagine this: you are a woman who is being abused at home. You finally gather your courage to flee the situation but you know that you can't take your beloved pet(s) with you. Your abuser may threaten specific harm to your animals if you leave, involve the authorities or testify against them. Do you stay or do you still go?

That's a very real dilemma facing many victims of domestic violence. While more than 700 women's shelters across the US provide assistance or referrals for placement of pets; American Humane is aware of only a few shelters that actually provide on-site housing for pets.

Some women stay and are subjected to ongoing violence. Others have to sacrifice their pet to save their own lives and those of their children, adding yet another traumatic element to the situation.

Now imagine if those women could escape their abusive situations and take their pets with them! It's one less reason to stay - not only would their pets be safe from the abuser and spared the desperation of an animal shelter, but having their animals with them would provide immeasurable comfort and strength to the women and especially their children.

American Humane just launched a Pets and Women's Shelters Program (PAWS) to do just that - it is a national program to guide domestic and family violence emergency housing shelters toward permitting residents to bring their pets with them. So those courageous women who do escape violent homes to save their own life and that of their children can also save their pets.

What can you do?

If you are a woman in a violent or abusive situation, contact the 24x7 National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) to work out a plan of action to get yourself and your children safe. Know which domestic and family violence shelters allow you to bring your pet with you - click here for a list or options if you can't find such a shelter.

If you're an animal shelter - understand how you can support PAWS - click here for the National Humane PAWS start up guide.

Everybody - pledge your support by signing this petition to support on-site housing for pets in women's shelters and share this information with anyone who could benefit!

Let's all help these women keep their kids and their pets safe!

Pick me!

2008-04-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm sure if animals in shelters could try harder to get someone to take them home, they would.

Why not visit your local animal shelter this weekend and consider adopting one of those little critters who is trying so hard to be picked? Click here to find tips on finding an animal shelter near you.

see more crazy cat pics

Dallas to Dallas update - half way! How can you help?

2008-04-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, Companions for Life co-hosted a reception to kick off one man's 800 mile bike ride to raise money and awareness for the spay, neuter and adopt cause.

Check out how Bill is doing here - he's over half way, at 402.6 miles today, in Kosciusku, MS!

Every day he posts a little audio update from the bike and those updates are quite moving. Yesterday he raised the fact that Wednesdays are sad days at animal shelters, because that's the day unwanted animals are euthanized. There are more and more animals in this situation lately due to the economic downturn and the fact that some people can no longer keep their pets (or their homes).

How you can help reduce the numbers of animals who are euthanized is to spay or neuter your pets to cut down on pet overpopulation, and to adopt an animal from a shelter.

If you're on Bill's route (or even if you're not), please consider donating to your local animal shelters or humane society to help them do a better job of caring for and finding homes for the animals they have. Here is a list of the states on Bill's route and some of the organizations he's helping raise money for.

Of course, money isn't the only way to help - have you considered volunteering at a shelter or humane society? What a wonderful way to give back, and to feel the unconditional love of animals every day!

We hope that Bill's epic bike ride inspires you to take action - do anything, just don't do nothing!

It's April - get educated on Pet First Aid this month!

2008-04-09T19:31:00.001-07:00

We're not sure who gets to choose which month is which, but it turns out that April is Animal Cruelty Prevention Month and Pets Are Wonderful Month, AND ALSO National Pet First Aid Awareness Month.

As far as we're concerned, EVERY month is Pets are Wonderful Month, and every DAY should be Cruelty Prevention Day, however we'll focus this blog post about Pet First Aid -what a great thing for responsible pet owners (and their pet sitters) to know! In fact, what a great thing for everyone to know - as the PetsitUSA Blog points out, it's not like there's a 911 number that people can call for injured animals which means people often don't know what to do in an emergency. It's not surprising that a full quarter of the pets that died in an emergency could have survived if some basic first aid had been applied, according to the American Animal Hospital Association.

Add these to your list of things to do this month:

Sign up for a Pet Tech PetSaver™ class, a comprehensive 8 hour in-person class that covers everything from restraining an animal in pain to assessing the situation, rescue breathing, canine and feline CPR, choking, bleeding and shock management. Other programs offered by Pet Tech include First Aid & Care For Your Pets™, Dental Care for Your Pets™ and Caring For Your Senior Pet-izen™ .
Many Red Cross chapters across the country offer classes with hands-on training in Pet First Aid procedures. A list of some of these chapters can be found here.
Buy a Cat First Aid or a Dog First Aid book and read it!
Buy a Pet First Aid kit just in case!
Keep phone numbers for your local vet and emergency animal hospital handy (stored in your cell phone, stuck to the refrigerator...) - you never know when you'll need them and you don't want to waste precious minutes trying to find them. Pet Care Hospitals offers a fully searchable directory of animal care facilities to help you easily find options.

Check out this video on Pet First Aid - hopefully by the end of April you'll be fully equipped to handle any pet first aid emergency!

Pet First Aid

Companions for Life Education Alliance Mixer

2008-04-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

This is a slightly belated update but we'd like to share as it's important for Dallas area shelters and rescue groups to know about.

On March 21, Companions for Life and Texas CARES hosted the 1st ever Companions for Life Education Alliance Mixer, a social and networking event for directors and managers of a dozen or more area shelters and rescue groups.

We know that everyone wants to work together for the common good, and we're confident this new education alliance will help - the alliance will be made up of local animal welfare organizations who agree on 2 key points: they understand the need to work together and are willing to do so, and they understand the role of humane education in the effort to reduce the number of homeless pets.

People are encouraged to talk about current events, problems they are having, or ideas they wanted to share. A comment from the mixer sums it up: "You can toss out ideas – things you’ve tried that worked that someone else might want to try, or things you tried that didn’t work, too – so another group doesn’t make the same mistake. We can help each other in a variety of ways – just by being willing to come together periodically and talk to each other. "

Rebecca Poling, President of Companions for Life, pointed out that another benefit of these events is being able to point people to useful resources. At a recent CFL TOP DOG event it was surprising how many people were totally unaware of the resources the speaker mentioned – resources we thought everyone knew about.

It was a great reminder that when you all are running a rescue group on a day to day basis, you often don’t have time to spend researching issues. We have lists of resources of all kinds, links to websites, brochures, books, all kinds of things so if there is an issue that you can’t help each other solve, perhaps we can follow up with some resources that might help – be it board development, fundraising, volunteer issues, whatever.

Joining the alliance is free. Organizations joining the Alliance will be given an Education Alliance Member logo for their website – or blog. And they’ll receive a Membership Certificate that they can display at their adoption events or put in your newsletters to show your supporters your commitment to the entire community. If YOUR GROUP would like to be involved in networking and be on the invitation list for future mixers – plus get some great educational ideas in the process, contact us at info@companionsforlife.org.

Dallas event tonight!

2008-04-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

Reminder that the reception and press party being held to kick off Bill Craig's Dallas to Dallas Ride for Wet Noses is tonight!

The event will be held from 5.30 to 7.30pm at PAWS Corporate Headquarters at 3506 Cedar Springs in Dallas, Tx and is jointly hosted by MAC, PAWS in the City, Dog & Kitty City and Companions for Life.

Tickets are $25 at the door, all funds to be earmarked for spay/neuter. Please e-mail: sandrasilver@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Click here for the full invitation.

I waited for you

2008-04-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Pictures on http://ihasahotdog.com/ are usually hilarious, combining random pictures of (generally) cute dogs with captions (or capshunz in lolcats - or in this case, lolDOGS speak). That's to be expected, it's a spinoff of the incredibly successful, and hysterically funny, lolcats site http://icanhascheezburger.com/.

But today a photo on the site was more poignant than playful - a dog sitting patiently in the middle of the road in a downpour, with the caption: "I waited for you".

It immediately made me think of all the pets that are abandoned when families move - either because they are forced to leave their homes or simply because they no longer want the responsibility of a caring for an animal.

A recent Humane Society press release noted "Some individuals who have faced foreclosure or a sudden move abandon pets in the home they are leaving. Too often, animals are found on the brink of starvation or have already died."

We would like to join with the HSUS to remind people never to abandon an animal. Abandoning an animal is not only an inhumane act, but also an illegal one. If you are unable to keep a pet and can't find a loving home for them, take them to a local shelter or animal control agency.

Pets are not disposable - they are animals who are dependent on our humanity and compassion for their very survival; and who honor us with unconditional love and loyalty - and who will wait for us when we leave them.

Search the web - Help our cause!

2008-04-02T19:08:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wished you could do more to support charities and non profits but you just can't spare extra money to donate, or time to volunteer? Well here's an easy way to do good!

See that GoodSearch button just above our featured adoptable pet on the side there? What if you could raise a penny to further the Companions for Life cause (No More Disposable Pets!) every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine and watch the donations add up!

In addition, GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause. Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

It's SO easy to make a difference - just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Companions for Life as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word - more people searching means more pennies to help us help pets!

Cat goes to heaven...

2008-04-02T18:57:00.001-07:00

A bit of fun sent in by one of our volunteers... Thanks KC!

A cat died and went to Heaven. God met her at the gates and said, 'You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the asking.'
The cat thought for a minute and then said, 'All my life I lived on a farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to sleep on.' God said, 'Say no more.' Instantly the cat had a huge fluffy pillow.

A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to Heaven together. God met the mice at the gates with the same offer that He made to the cat. The mice said, 'Well, we have had to run all of our lives: from cats, dogs, and even people with brooms! If we could just have some little roller skates, we would not have to run again.'

God answered, 'It is done.' All the mice had beautiful little roller skates.

About a week later, God decided to check on the cat. He found her sound asleep on her fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, 'Is everything okay? How have you been doing? Are you happy?' The cat replied, 'Oh, it is WONDERFUL. I have never been so happy in my life. The pillow is so fluffy, and those little Meals on Wheels you have been sending over are delicious!'

7 Days, 800 Miles - 1 Man, 1 Bicycle, 1 Message: "Spay, Neuter and Adopt!"

2008-04-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

The writer Sydney Smith once said "it is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can."

When you do what you can, it's amazing what you can accomplish - and who you can inspire! Last year, a man called Randy Boudouris rode his bike from San Francisco to New York City in order to raise money for a cure to Cystic Fibrosis on behalf of his daughter, Barbara. He successfully raised both money and awareness - and in turn inspired Bill Craig to take action on an issue he's passionate about - overcrowding in our nation's animal shelters.

This coming Saturday, April 5th, Bill will set out to ride his bike 800 miles in 7 days - from Dallas, Texas to Dallas, Georgia - to raise money for local animal shelters along his route, educate people about the overcrowding in shelters nation wide, and to bring the message of "Spay, Neuter and Adopt" to as many communities as he can. Visit his web site: http://www.d2d4wetnoses.com/ for more information about his mission and his commitment to this important cause.

Join us this Friday evening, April 4th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m for a reception/press party for Bill, and to celebrate the spay, neuter and adopt cause.

MAC, PAWS in the City, Dog & Kitty City and Companions for Life will be jointly hosting the event, to be held at PAWS Corporate Headquarters at 3506 Cedar Springs in Dallas, Tx.

Tickets are $20 by advance reservation or $25 at the door, all funds to be earmarked for spay/neuter. Please e-mail: sandrasilver@sbcglobal.net for an advance reservation. Click here for the full invitation.

Whatever you do, don't do NOTHING - come and help support Bill's inspiring ride and the spay, neuter and adopt cause!