The "Shut Up Dogs"

Meet precious, Hadley, Otter , Doodle ,
Dale , Jammer, Moona , Pammy , Mikki and Fudge . I pretty much know their names by heart because I see them at least a couple of times a day when I'm checking around for site updates.

Its not unusual for a few dogs to be listed for a while with any of the No Kill Shelters and groups around the province. In some cases, like Chase at the No Kill TLC Animal Shelter, their sweet selves can wait for a year or more until the right and Forever Home comes along. But while Chase has been waiting, other dogs have come and gone through the TLC Animal Shelter .... which is the normal way of things.

Anyone who has read this blog, or the old one knows that, like a stuck record, I can go on and on about the virtues of Petfinder . It has a proven track record of boosting adoptions. Its a well known service that is popular with potential adopters. And of course, best of all, it is free. All that is needed is for the group or shelter to invest a bit of time to do pictures and writeups.

There are some very creative and funny writeups out there. IMHO, CAPS deserves a very special mention - on any given day they have well in excess of 100 adoptables, yet each and every one of them has a good listing. ( I define good as having at least one picture and containing all the pertinent info that potential adopters need to know - age/a bit of history and more importantly .... whether the pet is already house trained, vaccinated and altered)

For a long time, ARC and NS Labrador Rescue. definitely took the prize for humour .... although lately the Metro Shelter bios have definitely stepped up quite a few notches. Besides being well written, S.H.A.I.D 's bios often include an appealing video of the pet as well.

Now what do these ten dogs pictured here have in common? All ten are listed on the Cape Breton SPCA Petfinder page. Their predecessors all came off the site at the same time, a day or two before these ten were listed. If they follow true to form, some evening when I'm doing a last round of checks, all ten will disappear off the site at once, leaving me to sadly speculate. Then ... unless the pattern changes .... in a day or two ten more dogs will be listed for roughly another month.

So I have started calling the petfinder listings for the Cape Breton SPCA the "Shut Up Dogs" They're only there to satisfy the minimal requirement set out by the new provincial board. And perhaps to shut me up.

They're not there to get adopted. If they were .... even if it wasn't cleverly written, each bio would include the pets age and whether they were housetrained/vaccinated and / or altered.

I'll be the first to admit that it must be a challenge to find adopters when the CBRM is so far off the beaten track. But that's the beauty of Petfinder .... it opens up a whole new set of possibilities because the people who visit Petfinder are normally looking to adopt. In other worlds, its a free service that already has the target audience.

I'll be the first to admit that with the price of gas, adopters are probably thinking twice before travelling there. Would that not be all the more reason to invest a wee bit of time and energy into the Petfinder bios? All we know, this month, is that Precious is "very strong . loves to ride in cars " Moona seems like a lovely quiet dog, but there is absolutely no information whatsoever about her. Are any of them playful? Should they have obedience? Would they be suitable for a family with children? Do they get along well with the other dogs? With cats?

If the shelter was in a more central location, interested adopters could go see for themselves. But its three and half hours to the city, where well over half of Nova Scotia's population resides. In most cases, its going to take more than a picture to inspire a potential adopter to make the seven hour + round trip.

Here in the real world, there is another fringe benefit to boosting adoptions. Animal lovers are generally squeamish about volunteering to help in a high kill shelter. As adoption rates improve, other groups elsewhere have found that both volunteers and donations have increased remarkably. In other words, the better they do the better they do.

What time is it? With rising gas prices and more job losses on the horizon, its time to use Petfinder listings to let the animals speak to potential adopters, and not to shut up the critics.

Another innocent bystander

Grreat news!!! Thanks to his former dog sitter, Morgan has a safe new home!
When people hit hard times, it affects everyone in the family circle. Five year old Morgan needs a new home and the timeline is very tight on this one ... before the 15th of July which is only a week away now.
His former dog sitter is committed to finding him a new home ... she has known him well and says that "He has a "little old man" on the outside look- but he's got "Dennis the Menace" fun in him (in a positive way!) Approximately 20 lbs, neutered, needled, sensitive tummy (no table scraps please,) fully crate trained, exceptionally well trained in the house (with shock collar outside- but he's very bright, so I'm sure this could be quickly changed if desired.) Morgan loves, and is loved by children. He is generally good with other dogs- but has never lived with one. Morgan is a real character- a ready smile and happy personality, he has been very well loved, with firm expectations for behaviour. Morgan is a strong jumper and very bright- I suspect he would excel at agility etc., because of his extensive training, and his will to learn new things. He really only needs one good walk a day to be happy, but two are really nice! "
Right now Morgan is located over on PEI, but this kind woman is so committed to finding a safe new home for him that she is even willing to come part way to meet the right person.
For more information you can email the Webmaster at the homeless pet pages and I will forward the email on to the woman who is working so hard to save Morgan's life.

If this little kitten could talk, odds are he or she would have quite a tale to tell about how it wound up seeking shelter with a kind hearted soul on Monday night.

At the moment, this baby is being sheltered in her porch, but unfortunately a kind heart does not always have the resources to help this kitten with the obviously needed vet care.

If anyone is able to foster or provide assistance, please contact HART of Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia . At the moment, HART is full with other good cats and kittens in need.

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Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

My mother used to call them Depression Greens, and over the years I've spent a lot of time and energy mowing them and weeding them out of my garden. Not that I don't recognize their worth, but the old saw is true ... a weed is any plant growing where you don't want it to.
But they all have value in their own right. The same sheep sorrel that is weeded so merrily out of the vegetable patch is one of the three ingredients in Essiac ... the native cancer remedy. Yarrow is one of the world's oldest herbs known to man and is still the best flu remedy I know of. Queen Anne's lace is a famous remedy for headaches. There are dozens of delicious recipes calling for Dandelions in my cookbooks. ( If you have to ask why I haven't made them at home, you clearly have not shared your yard with pets or free ranging wildlife.)
And of course, because i have perennial herbs throughout the yard, invariably something will 'jump the fence' and land in the lawn. Many herbs are persistent to the point of being invasive, and the different fragrances are the best bit about mowing the lawn. ( the subject of how this would be a wildflower meadow, not a lawn, if not for the darned ticks is a separate rant for another day)
In countryspeak, when I use the ride on, I have a two and a half hour lawn. It wouldn't take nearly as much time if I hadn't planted so many trees, shrubs and perennials. But of course, then it wouldn't be nearly as interesting either.
A lot of the trees were planted four years ago, which means that this is the time when they are all really shooting ahead. It takes three to four years for a transplanted tree to really settle into its new spot. Roots have to grow and it has to acclimatize.
Amateur gardeners and home landscapers often get discouraged when the tree doesn't seem to 'do anything' after they plant it. After all, they have spent a lot of time and energy ... not to mention money .... choosing what they felt was the right tree. In many cases, the tree gets moved in the hopes that the new location will prove more suitable. Shifting it around of course isn't going to let it properly settle.... so often the tree is discarded completely and ends its days in the green cart.
While its sad to see trees and shrubs not live up their full potential, its a genuine tragedy when this happens to pets. It only takes a quick look at Kijiji each day to see how many good pets are being shifted.
There is a real "chicken and egg" aspect to the free online ad sites. Did the pet wind up there because its owner was irresponsible .... or was the original owner able to find the pet there in the first place because there were no questions asked. In most cases, the pets did not come from a reputable breeder or rescue.... because their adoption contracts included a clause insisting that the pet be returned if he or she could not be kept for any reason.
What do Kijiji, backyard breeders, pet stores and unsavoury puppy brokers like the Benoits have in common? They all offer the convenience of the no questions asked solution. You won't catch them invading people's privacy by checking vet references. No Sir.
Like a used car salesman on a Saturday afternoon .... they are all about the sale. Unlike the car salesman, there is no "lemon law' in Nova Scotia to protect unwary consumers who purchase pets. Instead of a good deal, they often get more than they bargained for with a lifetime of high vet bills, undisclosed behavior issues and hidden health problems.
Advertising is normally subject to legislated standards and regulation. Why? For consumer protection of course and just as importantly, to protect the reputations of reputable vendors of a product.
What time is it? Its time to recognize that legislation to ban the traffic of pets on the free online ad sites protects animal lovers as much as the animals. Its time to remember that good legislation, such as the increased penalties for drinking and driving, has the potential to educate and improve both quality of life and public safety. Its time to realize that this is a lifesaving tool that is within the grasp of our legislators.
This summer, while our new provincial government is preparing its agenda, its time to let your MLA ( find their contact info at Members - Constituencies) know that this is an issue that is important to you as a voter.
It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds. - Samuel Adams

Matchmaker, matchmaker

Most animal lovers 'see with their hearts' when they choose their best friend(s). Yet the things that move us are all different as we each are. For some its the cute little face. Others are drawn by the name. Some selections are inspired by good behavior and/or an engaging 'trick'. Even a sad story can work for some folks.
Unfortunately for the animals, there are still some who are motivated by convenience. They want what they want and aren't interested in handing over control of the timeline. They are unwilling to wait even a few days for adoption screening and so opt for the no questions asked solution of the pet stores and the free online ad sites. ( There is a chicken and the egg aspect to the free online ad sites that has been, and will again, be a separate subject for another day)
Sadly, there are still quite a few great homes that don't see themselves as potential pet adopters because of the urban legends associated with the screening process. If one goes to any social gathering not frequented by animal rescue volunteers, its a sure thing that bringing up the subject of pet adoption will elicit some tale of Uncle Rob or cousin Hank who were great fellas but couldn't adopt. Left undirected, that particular train can run right off the rails in a hurry.
When I was at the cooking school, the first place that my warrant wanted to put me was in the bakery department. That was perfectly understandable, because out in the working world, I had already acquired quite a reputation as a baker. It turned out to be the toughest part of my tour. Why was that? Couldn't I bake? The problem was that I had been baking since I was a girl and didn't need to consciously think about the basics every step of the way.
Familiarity doesn't breed contempt, but it does create an environment where it is easy to forget how much the average person might not know about one's niche.
The adoption screening process isn't difficult. It is what it is ... a screening process to weed out applicants whose history raises any red flags. What it is not .... at least for anyone with a proven track record of being a responsible pet owner.... is difficult in any way.
The trick is to get that information out there to the responsible pet owners who simply are unawakened to the joys of pet adoption. At some point in time, every responsible animal owner has waited in an animal clinic with their pet .... what a great place for posters and brochures to promote pet adoption? Hit the "target audience" when they have no place to go and will likely have time to read it: )))
Its a shame that its not common knowledge that the rescues and shelters aren't just screening .... that they are also 'matching'. They know that pets are not a 'universal one size fits all' thing to be chosen for cuteness or breed alone.
Every pet is a unique individual and simply will not be suited to everyone who applies.
Personally, I'm a big fan of preapproved adoptions. Nobody knows the individual animals better than the people who are fostering and caring for them. Even better, at least here in this province, rescues often work together to find the right fit for both pets and adopters. In many instances it is the only way as infants and popular breeds often don't get listed on petfinder.
There are always going to be some who rush into pet ownership without thinking the whole plan through. Kijiji is constantly full of the poor animals that get lost in that particular shuffle.
When I first moved out here, every year my back yard would flood when the snow melted off the hill(aka mountain) behind me. It took a simple little drainage ditch to fix that little problem.
Boosting pet adoptions is nowhere near as simple as that ditch, but the concept is the same. I know I sound like a stuck record, but every pet that gets adopted is one less one bought or traded from the pet store, backyard breeder or Kijiji.
Matchmaking might have seen its best day in the matrimonial market, but its a surefire formula for lifelong success for potential pet owners.
What time is it? Its time to remember that there is a whole world of potential adopters out there that could be very interested ..... if only someone would show them how easy the 'basics' are.

Oh Canada

I am a dog lover. My elderdog sleeps on my bed and my two younger dogs sleep in their own toddler beds beside me each night. The ornamental wrought iron candle holders by my wood stove are usually draped with leashes and harnesses. Every jacket I own has at least one poop bag in its pocket and I'm on a first name basis with all the staff at our favourite animal clinic.
I am a cat lover. My eldercat is allowed on my kitchen table and my younger ones all sleep on my bed. I could hire out to haunt a house with my hair in the morning .... but I always wake up to purrs and small kisses. Every sweater I own has a pulled thread or two and I never have to identify myself when I call the vet clinic.
I am a bird lover. My bird feeders are hung high up on a chain that is strung between two trees ... and the feeders are never hung close to the trees. I keep my barn kitties well fed at all times and the ground around the feeders is kept trimmed and neat. I can tell you first hand that healthy, vaccinated and altered ferals pose no risk to birds ... not when there are easier pickings with mice on the ground.
I am a wildlife lover. Its a shame I'm not much of a photographer with all the wildlife we get here. With three ponds and a yard full of both native and cultivated greenery, my yard easily passed muster to become a designated wildlife habitat.
I am an animal lover and I am Canadian. So until that day when our animal cruelty laws are specific enough to dam up the loopholes ... and that time when appropriate penalties are applied for successful prosecutions .... and it becomes socially unacceptable to be an irresponsible pet owner .... I will continue to scold our politicians at every level.
Because I am more than an animal lover and a Canadian ..... I am a grandmother who wants my granddaughter's generation to wonder why it took us so long to stop being barbarians
To ask for changes to the criminal code and in particular to let your MP and our federal government know that you strongly support Bill C-229 , find contact info Members of Parliament (Current)
To ask the NS government for more meaningful resources and to tighten up the animal cruelty law loopholes so that the society can address some of the most pressing advocacy and cruelty issues - Members - Constituencies
To find your municipal website and contact information to discuss animal control bylaws with your councillors http://www.unsm.ca/membership-directory/
Or, in the words of the "other' I am Canadian Speech, made in 1960 by Diefenbaker when he was quoting the (then) Canadian Bill of Rights
"I am a Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
or free to choose those
who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom
I pledge to uphold
for myself and all mankind."
From the Canadian Bill of Rights,July 1, 1960.

An Ounce of Prevention

Happy Canada Day! From the littlest village to the big cities, most of today's celebrations are going to include fireworks. Now where I live, I don't have to go down to the village to see the fireworks.... being just high enough up the 'mountain' to see the show without battling the traffic.
Sadly .... out here a lot of folks will be firing off fireworks at their own celebrations and gathering too. Why do I say that? Am I such a party pooper at the ripe old age of 54? Of course not.
Most folks do not understand that their pets don't view fireworks in the same way they do. My own Miss Ruby is utterly and completely terrified of fireworks. This evening I will need to make sure that we have our last stroll of the evening while it is still light. Fear of fireworks is quite common with pets and every year there are good pets who bolt when the fireworks start. Sadly not all of them make it back home safely.
So we'll be indoors .... fans and tv on for as much distraction as can be offered. I already know that if any late night revellers are still setting them off that in two seconds, Miss Ruby will levitate out of her toddler bed into bed with me and will be vibrating like a tuning fork.
Its moments like that that really highlight how inhumane it is to chain a dog outdoors. In spite of what all the experts say about not reinforcing a dog's fears, I'm just glad she trusts me enough to find comfort at my side.
So enjoy the day ..... but especially now that the sale of fireworks is pretty much unregulated in NS .... play it safe and keep all your pets safely inside.