The Five Freedoms, animal welfare concepts that came out of agricultural reform, have been important in improving the lives of sheltered animals. But at Maddie’s Institute, we believe in six freedoms, including the freedom to live.
Cats may not show their emotions as blatantly as dogs, but a recent study tells us they really do love and respond emotionally to their owners.
We’ve vilified, guilt-tripped and “educated” pet owners in an effort to prevent them from surrendering their pets at shelters. Is it time to try something new?
A kitten’s antics aren’t just adorable and enticing; they’re a roadmap to physical and behavioral development. Make sure the kittens in your care are on the right track with this infographic based on Dr. Susan Krebsbach’s “From Helpless Newborn to Skilled Acrobat: Feline Development and the Orphaned Kitten.”
Do the people who work and volunteer at your shelter care about your organization? Do they feel connected to their jobs?
Certified cat behavior consultant Marilyn Krieger has some tips for teaching those shy shelter kitties how to turn on the charm when meeting new people.
Are employees and volunteers at your animal shelter not as happy and productive as they could be? A recent nationwide survey of sheltering organizations found that a written job description could be the key to turning that around.
Maddie’s Fund today announced that Dr. Sheila D’Arpino will direct Maddie’s Animal Care Center, a model animal shelter and educational center slated to open next year in Pleasanton, CA.
There’s a lot of debate over the best way to motivate dogs during training. Of course, not all rewards work for all dogs, but a recent study has identified the most consistent winner: food.
Do humans do a good job of understanding the emotions on a dog’s face? Can we draw valid conclusions about what a dog is feeling, experiencing, or his propensity for aggression from facial clues? And does having a lot of experience with dogs help us “read” dogs better?