Understanding Pit Bulls

If you look through the list of dogs having the toughest time being adopted from a shelter, you'll find a disproportionate number of them are pit bulls. They aren't in the shelter because they're a problem, their story is just like other dogs - the owners couldn't take them or can no longer care for them or the dogs were abused.... Unfortunately, with news stories, many have a fear about these dogs. Those fears are unfounded. They're just like other dogs - they make wonderful pets when treated well and if mistreated, sick, not socialized... they may react aggressively just like any other dog would.


Here's a site that discusses the facts and myths about pit bulls:
http://www.thedogpark.com/articles/dog-breeds/pit-bull-breeds/pit-bull-myths-and-facts.php

An Easy Way to Help Rescue Animals

Rescue shelters are always in need of food for the pets and money. With the help of sponsors, The Animal Rescue Site donates food to shelters. All you have to do is click one button. Each click provides .6 bowls of food.

We've made it easy and given you a button you can click to take you to the Animal Rescue site - it's the purple one that says Help Animals in Shelters with one click.

You can also have the rescue site send you a daily email with the link so it's easy to do and you won't forget. Personally, I always enjoy reading the rescue stories.

While you're at the site, take the time to vote for your favorite shelter. Based on the votes and stories, they award money to rescue shelters all across the states. Eligible organizations with the most votes could receive a weekly prize and/or one of the other grants below:

Grand Prize: One $10,000 grant!

Second Prize: One $7,000 grant!

Third Prize: One $5,000 grant!

Most Touching Story Prize - May: One $2,000 grant!

Most Touching Story Prize - June: One $2,000 grant!

Most Touching Story Prize - July: One $2,000 grant!

Most Touching Story Prize - August: One $2,000 grant!

State Winners*: Fifty-one $1,000 state grants

(50 U.S. states and Washington D.C.)

You might want also take just a minute to help other organizations at the site(like hunger and breast cancer) by clicking a button - it's quick, easy, and free.

Dogs In Danger

While I've been focusing on local pets needing homes, here's another site that tries to help Pets find homes quickly. These dogs are destined to be euthanized if not adopted soon; dogs are listed across the country.

http://dogsindanger.com/

Scoobie

Adopt a Beagle

Please help us find a home for Scoobie

You would never guess that Scoobie is 9 years old - he looks and acts half that! He's a very handsome boy with his looonnng ears. He weighs in at 26.1 pounds, so he's a little fellow. He has a long waggy tail, and puts his paws up on the kennel gate, the better to greet visitors!

Scoobie lived with his previous owner for the last 6 years. She is moving, and will be living in an apartment that doesn't accept dogs, so she took him to the Frederick Animal Control Center. Scoobie shared his previous home with 2 other dogs, and 3 CATS! - Although she reports that he doesn't really get along with the cats. Scoobie knows his basics, like how to sit, and he walks well on a leash.

Scooby doesn't particularly like to ride in the car, and is afraid of thunderstorms. Maybe a 'Thundershirt' (www.Thundershirt.com) would help!

Scoobie needs a loving forever home. He is a cheerful fellow, and would be a wonderful addition to a home.

Scoobie is currently at Frederick County Animal Control, located at 1832 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21702. (301) 600-1546. PRESS 0 WHEN YOU BEGIN TO HEAR THE RECORDING TO AVOID THE PHONE TREE. Pet ID:10-0736

Please pass this on to others. Scoobie needs and deserves a good home. Come see this dog now!.

German Shepherd Lovers Merchandise

The German shepherd, originally from Karlsruhe, Germany, was ranked as the #2 most popular/registered dog breed in 2009 by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is categorized in the herding group by the AKC, which has recognized this breed since 1908. They are hailed as police dogs.

Show your love for your German shepherd with custom, personalized German shepherd gifts such as clothing/apparel for men, woman and kids/babies, including t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, camisole/tank tops, hoodies, babydolls and more; trucker hats/caps; bumper stickers; photo greeting cards; keychains; postage stamps; and refrigerator magnets.

Labrador Retriever Merchandise

The labrador retriever, originally from Newfoundland, was ranked as the #1 most popular/registered dog breed in 1999, 2004, 2008 and 2009 by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is categorized in the sporting group by the AKC, which has recognized this breed since 1917. Labs are water dogs (although my mixed-breed labs don't like the water!) and are in three colors: black, chocolate and yellow (some of which appear white).

Show your love for your labrador retriever with custom, personalized labrador retriever gifts such as clothing/apparel for men, woman and kids/babies, including t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, camisole/tank tops, hoodies, babydolls and more; trucker hats/caps; bumper stickers; photo greeting cards; keychains; postage stamps; and refrigerator magnets.

Postage Stamps to Support Shelter Pets

Dog Breed Postage Stamps

Cat Postage Stamps

Flower/Nature Postage Stamps

And check out the various postage stamp designs promoting shelter pet adoption or fostering.

Help Cassie Find a Loving Home

Adopt a Pit Bull Terrier Mix

Please help us find a home for Cassie. You know she's sweet, because she let us put on her T-Shirt for her! She arrived as a stray on 6/28/10, so she's been here far too long already. She has a long waggy tail, and she gave a hoarse little bark to say hello (she must have been inhibiting the volume of her bark for her 'inside' voice - what a smart girl!).

Cassie is approximately 4 years old, and she has some mild allergies. The vet recommended that she receive some Benedryl, and it has helped her. she weighs in at 48 pounds, and she's at her adult weight.

She has a little bit of an underbite, and some tarter/yellowing on her teeth, so introducing a gentle toothbrushing routine with her would be a good thing. she has already been spayed, so she's ready to go!

Cassie is a smart girl - she learns easily and quickly. We knew she was smart the day she arrived, because she managed to survive all by herself on the streets. She loves to greet visitors, and she would love to greet YOU!

Do come and meet Cassie today - she deserves and needs a loving home to call her own.



PET'S NAME is currently at Frederick County Animal Control, located at 1832 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21702. (301) 600-1546. PRESS 0 WHEN YOU BEGIN TO HEAR THE RECORDING TO AVOID THE PHONE TREE. Pet ID:10-5801

Please pass this on to others. Cassie has been at the shelter way too long and deserves a good home. See this dog now!.

Help Sunny Find a Home

Adopt a Foxhound

Please help us find a home for Sunny. Just look at this face - how sweet! Sunny came to the shelter very pregnant and delivered 8 bouncing babies. Her kids have been weaned and now it is her turn to find her forever home. She loves being outside with her people and would love to run and run and run. She is a very outgoing, people friendly, curious and exuberant young lady. You've got to admire her lovely llloooonnngggg ears!

Sunny is currently at Frederick County Animal Control, located at 1832 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21702. (301) 600-1546. PRESS 0 WHEN YOU BEGIN TO HEAR THE RECORDING TO AVOID THE PHONE TREE. Pet ID:10-4788

Time is of the essence for Sunny, so please pass this on to others you know and help her find a loving home. Thanks for your help. See this dog now!

Brandy needs a home

Adopt a Spaniel, Pit Bull Terrier Mix

Please help us find a home for Brandy - soon. She a pretty dog! She loves to play, go outside for walks and be a loving member of a loving family! She does not like being in a kennel (who would)! She's approximately 5 years old (weighing in at 56.7 pounds, a touch overweight.

The shelter thought they had found Brandy a good home. They did - she was there for 3 weeks, but her previous owners have returned her because she and their Scottish Terrier dog just weren't getting along. Not all dogs like all other dogs (just like people). They had two cats too, and they don't think that was a good combination either. Brandy shared her original home with a cat, so it may be a question of 'which' cat too! She seems to have had kennel couch during that time, so this all may have been exacerbated by her not feeling well.

Brandy is housetrained, likes to ride in the car, and walks well on a leash (pulls when she's excited). She gets along with everyone (she was never around babies or toddlers, so we don't know about them).

Brandy would love to meet you - she is happy to meet and greet all visitors who come by. She's a 'people' dog - loves attention and affection. She's quite a character - do come and meet her today! .

Brandy is currently at the Frederick County Animal Control Center located at 1832 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21702. (301) 600-1546. PRESS 0 WHEN YOU BEGIN TO HEAR THE RECORDING TO AVOID THE PHONE TREE. Pet ID:10-5330.

Please pass this on to others. Brandy needs and deserves a good home. See her now!

Chaos needs a home

Adopt a Pit Bull Terrier Mix

Please help us find a home for this guy - he needs one soon. Don't let this name stop you. Just look at this photo! He's a gentle soul in search of a loving forever home.

Chaos's previous owners have moved to a new house, so they can no longer care for him. They report that he likes to ride in the car, walks 'kinda' well on a leash (!), and knows his basics like sit, no, stop, and come here. He seems to have stayed in some sort of 'dog shed' at night.

According to those a the shelter, he was just a touch shy, at first. Perhaps wondering why he was at a shelter. That's got to be so upsetting to a pet.

Chaos arrived with an ear infection, tapeworms (he's too thin at 70 pounds), some abrasions on his front toes and on his muzzle (from the kennel fencing at his previous home as per his previous owners). He has mild tarter and wear on all his teeth, and he is receiving a benedryl twice a day for mild allergies. Our vet checked him out just to be sure! He is starting to feel much better now that he has received the medication he needs.

Like all our dogs, Chaos will need remedial housetraining. He's a smart boy, quick on the uptake - so he'll easily 'get it' if you're consistent. He wants to please, so he tries hard to understand what is expected of him. He's a dear boy. Chaos is at his adult height and weight already!

Chaos is a Pit Bull Terrier [Mix] currently at the Frederick County Animal Control Center located at 1832 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21702. (301) 600-1546. PRESS 0 WHEN YOU BEGIN TO HEAR THE RECORDING TO AVOID THE PHONE TREE. Pet ID: 10-5247

Please pass this on - you never know who will want to take him home.

Raising awareness for shelter animals

I've been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. If it has 4 legs and hair, I'm sure I'll fall in love with it. The first time I ever walked into a shelter, I was just heart-broken to see so many sweet animals and not able to give them all a home. I hate to hear that an animal was euthanized because no one came to adopt them. The kittens and puppies go quickly, but the older pets or particular breeds, are the ones who are at a higher risk of being put down. So, this blog is dedicated to helping shelter pets find loving homes, but most especially the ones at higher risk of having their life end too soon. Living in Frederick, Maryland, you'll hear more about those in my area, but I will do my best to raise awareness for shelter animals everywhere, and will offer helpful pet-related information. Please pass these on to others that you know. Who knows - someone may adopt one of the shelter pets we highlight.