What if playing and interacting with shelter pets didn’t help them get adopted more easily? Would that be a reason to stop? Absolutely not, and here’s why. A number of studies in recent years have looked at the impact of toys, play, grooming and human interaction on pets in shelters. Some have shown those interventions… Learn More
Spring is already here in some parts of the country, and knocking on the door of the rest. To those of us in the sheltering world, that doesn’t mean spring flowers or spring showers… it means kitten season. Maddie’s Institute® is here to help with this list of kitten season resources! Orphaned Kitten Care How-To… Learn More
A stranger stops you in the street and tells you his dog is missing. Would you know what to tell him? Thanks to her time volunteering for Lost Dogs Minnesota, Linda Conrad did. Conrad was packing up her van for a trip one morning when a car stopped in her driveway. He’d noticed the dog… Learn More
The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine’s Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Course invites all shelter veterinarians, shelter professionals, vet students, and community members to join them for their series of free webinars this semester: This lecture series not only discusses concepts key to sheltering but also helps veterinary students, shelter professionals and volunteers, and members… Learn More
Even the best canine behavior evaluation systems are not reliable when assessing shelter dogs, suggests a recent Australian study. Psychologist Dr. Zazie Todd’s influential blog Companion Animal Psychology took on the challenges of canine behavior evaluations in animal shelters last month. Todd examined at recent study by Monash University’s Kate Mornement, evaluating the Behavioural Assessment… Learn More
So you think your shelter’s already doing everything it can to get its dogs adopted. Maybe there’s one new trick you can learn from a bunch of dedicated runners! RuffTail Runners is an Austin, Texas, based running group that teamed up with a local sportswear store to get shelter dogs out for some exercise and… Learn More
Looking for an easy way to enhance the well being of your dog and yourself this New Year? Simply resolve to play! Just as with children, play for dogs isn’t only about having fun. In fact, play is as essential for dogs’ health and well being as it is enjoyable. Now is the perfect time… Learn More
Can food time be play time for shelter dogs? Not only can it, but it’s better that way! That’s just one of the enrichment tips shared by Rebecca Lohnes, Lollypop Farm’s behavior and training manager, at the 2015 Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference. In her presentation, she demonstrated how positive reinforcement training and enrichment exercises reduce… Learn More
Are dogs and cats in shelters developing health and behavior problems because of stress? And does that make adoption more difficult and less likely for those pets? Yes, says board certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sheila D’Arpino. On January 14 and February 4, 2016, she’ll be presenting free webcasts on how stress is sabotaging your pet… Learn More
Foster homes can provide a valuable safe harbor for stressed, fearful, or anxious shelter pets, as well as a place where they can learn behaviors that will maximize their chances for successful adoption into a permanent home. For that to happen, however, the foster family must also provide appropriate support for the easing of fears… Learn More