Iams Home 4 the Holidays

Iams Home for the Holidays has set a goal to place 1 million orphaned animals into happy and loving homes during this year's holiday season from October 1, 2008 to January 5, 2009.

Award-winning actress and pet parent Felicity Huffman has teamed up with Iams Home for the Holidays to help raise awareness for the millions of homeless dogs and cats throughout North America.





- Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Iams Home for the Holidays is among the world's most successful pet adoption programs and includes nearly 3,000 partner animal organizations from around the world that are dedicated to helping raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and educating people considering a new pet.

- Since it began in 1999, Iams Home for the Holidays has helped place more than 2 million pets into happy homes. Last year alone, Iams Home for the Holidays helped nearly 500,000 families experience the joy of pet adoption.

- Every cat, dog, puppy or kitten that is adopted during Iams Home 4 the Holidays will go home with an Iams Adoption Starter Kit.

- Founded by the Helen Woodward Animal Center and supported by Iams, Iams Home for the Holidays began in 1999 with just 14 participating animal shelters in San Diego County. Today there are nearly 3,000 shelters in 15 countries around the world helping orphaned animals find loving homes and families.

Cat Reunited With Family

"A couple have been reunited with their missing cat after nine years, the RSPCA said on Wednesday.

Dixie, a 15-year-old ginger cat, disappeared in 1999 and her owners thought she had been killed by a car.

She was found less than half a mile from her home in Birmingham after a concerned resident rang the animal charity to report a thin and dishevelled cat who had been in the area for a couple of months.

RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Alan Pittaway checked her microchip and confirmed it was Dixie. She was returned to her owners, Alan and Gilly Delaney, within half an hour.

"In 29 years of working for the RSPCA I have never seen anyone so excited and happy as Mrs Delaney," Pittaway said. "It made my day to return Dixie to her owners."

The couple were "overjoyed" to be reunited with their missing cat after so many years."

Throwaway Cats

"Niko is a fine cat. He enthusiastically greets guests, meows appreciatively when he gets attention, adores playing chase the laser light. He is litter box tidy and helpfully tries to assist when his human companions read books and send e-mail. He has handsome golden eyes, soft gray fur and Russian Blue features.

Jack and Sue Majors adopted Niko in May at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region after seeing his photo online and then visiting him.

After all, they say, who wouldn't love this cat?

Apparently, not his former owner, who never bothered to search for him at the Humane Society when he strayed, according to shelter officials.

There are thousands of Nikos out there. They are sometimes called "throwaway cats."

Animal Rescue

I found this worth sharing. I love it.


"Testimonial poem: Take me to the Rescue!

You may not think you know me, but I’m sure you’ve seen my face in back yards, fields & busy streets, you’ll find us any place. I’m what you’d call a rescue dog, who needs a safety haven. I may be thin & sickly, too, but I promise I’m worth saving.

I’m the dog who lives next door, the one you always see outside seeking shelter from the sun, and cool, safe place to hide.

You have seen me on the streets with no place to call home or maybe in an open field, scared & sad, & all alone.

But did you know that there’s a place that was built with me in mind? Where people love & care for me & show me the world is kind.

Where no dogs will go hungry, where peace & love abound Where kind & caring people will always be around.

I may be scared of humans because of what they’ve put me through But my heart is quite forgiving, won’t you please take me with you?

Take me to that rescue place, they’ll help me find a home And they’ll make sure while I’m waiting, I’ll never be alone

I’m small, I’m meek, I’m timid, but I’ll be strong before they’re through For life will begin again for me, if you’ll take me to the Rescue."

Your Pet Or Your Home

"Most people would never fathom having to choose between their pets or a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, in the valley, it's a reality perceptive tenants are forced to contend with.

"We actually became homeless because we had pets," says displaced resident Nancy Grenia.

Grenia and her family, which include two dogs had to move, and fast. Her husband had recently suffered an injury at work, which sadly left him out of a job and home.

With 30 days to find something suitable for them, their two kids and their dogs, Grenia was determined to find them a new home to rent. But it wouldn't be easy.

Placing an ad in the paper, describing themselves and their well-behaved pets, the family was optimistic they would be able find a place to call home. The ad ran for three weeks. The family received no calls.

Meanwhile, Grenia was calling every suitable rental ad, imploring apprehensive potential landlords to meet her pets."

Homeless Pets

"The number of homeless pets in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, continues to swell as more animals arrive at emergency shelters.

The emergency Cedar Rapids animal shelter set up at Kirkwood Community College has taken in 1,000 displaced animals. An estimated 85 percent of the animals have owners, according to Kirkwood Animal Health staff.

In addition to the pet dogs and cats, the shelter’s animal tally includes birds, rodents, lizards, and ferrets. The Kirkwood rescue effort mobilized after the Cedar Rapids Animal Control headquarters was flooded."



"Do you want to give a pet a new home? Many shelters now post online their animals available for adoption.Web sites also provide a wealth of information about animal shelters in your area.Do you want to give a pet a new home? Many shelters now post online their animals available for adoption."

Homeless Pets: China

"On May 12, 2008, an earthquake measuring 8.0Mw on the Richter scale hit China, claiming the lives of over 69,000 people and over 12 million animal lives. Countless dogs and cats are homeless, injured, and starving. Drinking water is polluted and there is a critical need for water pumps. Reportedly, there are some 30,000 pet dogs in one province alone, many of them now homeless.

Since the dog cull has been in effect, it is questionable if the government will allow rescue efforts to take place. Nevertheless, rescuers and volunteers are doing all they can to save as many animals as possible or at least offer them some relief amidst so much suffering. There is a desperate need for food for companion animals, and livestock feed, not to mention vaccines and other medications."

Homeless Animals

"Karen DeAngelis began her career in veterinary science, hoping to make a difference. She believes she is.

In addition to seeing to the medical needs of animals, she volunteers as a board member at the Peninsula SPCA.

"Some say the number of homeless animals is too great, so how can one person make a difference?" she says.

"I learned I can in many ways — from fostering hundreds of young kittens through the years to offering medical aid to the shelter pets. From volunteering with Noah's Wish after Hurricane Katrina to walking in our first annual Paws for a Cause Walkathon last year. There are so many ways one person can make a difference and even save a pet's life — it's easy to start."

Pet Adoption Resources

Here's a website with tons of information.

"Welcome to our pet adoption mini website. Here you will find information about how you can obtain a pet through pet adoption. Here you will also find a list of resources you can use when seeking the right pet, along with the most current news about pet adoption. The information presented here is useful if you plan on adopting a pet in the United States."
************************

"In my world, there are few things more noble than those who work on behalf of the homeless and unwanted pets in our area. To that end, I've begun assembling links for those groups dedicated to pet adoption and reducing the pet population through spay/neuter."

Black Dogs

"It's not like Pamela Gregg was a stranger to helping out the underdog. She thought she knew what kinds of pooches linger the longest in animal shelters: Older dogs, abused dogs, sick or injured dogs — dogs like George Bailey, the hound mix she'd rescued after he'd been struck by a car.

But black dogs? While searching for a companion for George Bailey, Gregg was shocked to see a banner on an Ohio animal shelter's Web site that detailed how tough it is for big dogs with black coats to find homes."



Excellent tips for finding a lost pet.

Go here.

Shame On Miller Beer

I received this comment recently to another post here and I'd like to share it. I hope to talk more about this tomorrow but wanted to post a scan of this flyer now.

Thanks, Jason, for the information and scan.


"Unfortunately, there are some out there who think it is OK to diminish efforts to rescue lost and homeless pets in order to further their own agenda. I recently came across a lost dog flyer that had on it pictures of a dalmatian and pleas to help find him. But the number on the flyer actually connected me to a recorded phone message that was a pitch to drink Miller Lite beer. I guess it is related to their television ads that feature dals, but it really upset me on a number of levels. How many people will refrain from helping find a lost pet because they got burned by this promotion? And what is the Miller company saying about the work of rescue organizations and people working hard to rescue animals?"

Animal Rescue

"Animal Rescue was founded in 1976, by Grace Froelich as a result of being given the alternative to either give up her beloved cat or face eviction. Grace's philosophy is that an animal is a companion pet that is a member of the family, and deserves the same respect and considerations.

So, faced with that decision, Grace went to look for a new home, one where she would not have to make a choice to give up her pet. She bought a place, now affectionately nicknamed the "farm". After she bought her new home, the strays started showing up. A dog here, a cat there. She would feed them and let them stay. She felt strongly that they should never be homeless again. She eventually moved to adopting out some of them if she knew a good home looking for a new pet. And that is how it started. Animal Rescue, Inc is set up to a forever home for the homeless. Grace stands by her initial mission that they will never be homeless again. There will always be a home at the farm for them. Hopefully, they will find a conventional home to be a part of a loving family but if they never find a home, they can live as part of the Animal Rescue family.

Animal Rescue is dedicated to these animals that are waiting for a home or never find a home."

Faith In Man

"Delaware County is hoping that man will be a lost dog's best friend.

Such faith in humankind underpins a new Web site that allows anyone discovering a mislaid pet to try to instantly find the pooch's true master."



"If you´re a pet owner, you know how it feels when your beloved pet looks at you with total trust and faith. People who share their lives with dogs know adoration; those who share their lives with cats know acceptance. All pet lovers know humor, and ultimately, they know tears. There is an acknowledged bond between humans and the creatures who love them and the expression of that bond may be greatest among those involved with animal rescue."



"The problem of abandoned and unwanted pets is not unique to Toronto. A recent Toronto Star article, however, has highlighted the plight of abandoned animals who may no longer be collected by City of Toronto shelters due to budget concerns, ultimately leading to an overflow of dogs and cats in neighbouring municipalities. According to the article, one of the biggest fears is an explosion in the feral feline population, since—as everyone knows—cats are raging sexaholics if left un-neutered or unspayed."

Animeals

"Ten million animals are abandoned to shelters and the streets in this country every year. Many of the shelters and the rescue groups that house and feed these animals are struggling to keep them fed. Since 2003 AniMeals has been providing food and supplies for these hungry and homeless animals. We also feed the pets of the homebound and disabled, feral cat colonies and thousands of animals living on the streets. In the last two years we have sent out over 46 tons of food Our territory covers all of Western Montana...an area of approximately 29,600 square miles. Our deliveries are made by the "AniMeals Express" a volunteer network of drivers."

http://www.animeals.net/



"If you do a search on the Internet for “rescue dog” you will find endless links for ways to rescue and adopt puppies, adult dogs and abandoned dogs of every imaginable breed, from all around the world. These wonderful humane efforts to place dogs in loving homes are indeed one logical response to “rescue dog,” but the other is the polar opposite, with tales of heroism where it is in fact the dog who rescues the human, or more often, numerous people, trapped in perilous conditions due to earthquakes, avalanches, other natural disasters or manmade destruction."

Dog's Best Friend

"They say dogs are man's best friend. But this week, a mysterious GO Train rider proved he was a dog's best friend. And now his grateful owner is trying to track him down for a thank you that can't possibly express the relief she feels.

This is the story of Jagger, a Toronto pooch who got scared three weeks ago when he came into contact with another canine in a local dog park. He ran away and for nearly a month, Karen Ke had no idea where her beloved pet had gone - or even if she'd ever see him again."



Community For Dog Lovers
http://www.k9mania.com/forum/index.php



"There are numerous programs to help the homeless on the streets, but what about the pets of the homeless?

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, about 750,000 people in the United States experienced homelessness on a given night. About ten percent of the unshielded homeless have at least one dog or cat."

If A Dog Taught Us

I would gladly give credit if I knew who wrote this but a friend sent it to me. I think it's wonderful!

"If a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be
pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle
them gently.

Be always grateful for each new day.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!"

Fido And Tabby

"A well dressed woman walks up to a homeless man and gives him a bag of fast food on her way to work. The man has been sitting on the sidewalk in the same spot for weeks, he looks up and says “God bless you.” The woman nods and walks away but not before she turns to see him open the bag and remove a burger, take a bite and give the rest to his dog. This scene is probably something that goes on more often than we would like to think."


"By registering with Fido Finder, you will be registering your dog's vital information, such as name, breed, gender, color, and postal code. If your dog is ever lost, the person who has found your dog will be able to locate you based on the postal code in which the dog was found."



"By registering with Tabby Tracker, you will be registering your cat's vital information, such as name, breed, color, and postal code. If your cat is ever lost, the person who has found your cat will be able to locate you based on the postal code in which the cat was found."
http://www.tabbytracker.com/




Fuzzster.com (BETA), where our fuzzy pets can meet other fuzzy pets and owners! Invite your friends and their fuzzy pets to join, and meet other interesting people with pets just like you.