Pet Resource Center
Getting help for your pet
Regardless of your dog or cat's behavior, we offer several free options to help!
Our team of behavior specialists provides enrichment, daily training, and when necessary, additional behavior support to pets in our shelters so that they become the best possible candidates for adoption.
Other resources
Schedule a Behavior Help Line appointment:
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Is your cat more independent than you would like? Is your cat affectionate but only pays attention to you when he decides? A common misperception about cats is that they aren't affectionate, or only give affection on their terms. Another misperception is that you can't train a cat–but you can!...
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem. The idea is to tether your dog in the places where your family spends time, such as the kitchen, the TV room, or the bedroom, so he...
Aggression means intent to do harm. The word aggression however can refer to a range of behaviors from barking and growling, snarling and snapping, to biting and attacking. Threats of aggression are one way dogs have of communicating and are often displayed as a means of avoiding outright aggression. However,...
Cat owners sometimes have difficulty understanding why their cats, who seem to be friendly and content one minute, may suddenly bite and scratch them the next. Aggressive behaviors are part of the normal behavioral patterns of almost any animal species. Cat bites are seldom reported, but may occur more frequently...
Reactivity is not aggression. Aggression means intent to do harm and though reactivity can look aggressive in nature when your dog is barking and lunging on leash, there is no intention to do harm. Many reactive dogs live well with other dogs or play well at dog parks, because reactivity...
It is not uncommon for cat owners to experience situations where their cats wake them up during the night by meowing, scratching at the door, or knocking things off shelves and counter tops.
Reasons why:
- Cats are crepuscular, which means that they are most active at dawn and dusk....
Definitions
Cats will sometimes eat strings, rubber bands, towels, or other objects, which may result in a variety of problems for both you and your pet. Not only can your possessions be destroyed or damaged, but these objects can produce life-threatening blockages in your pet's intestines. Eating non-food items is...
Definitions
Dogs will sometimes eat socks, rocks, or other objects, which may result in a variety of problems for both you and your pet. Not only can your possessions be destroyed or damaged, but these items can produce life-threatening blockages in your pet's intestines. Eating non-food items is called pica....
Some veterinarians partner with the Dumb Friends League to ensure that animals in our community receive the best possible care. Here is the list of those hospitals should you desire to patronize them:
Alpenview Veterinary Hospital
Blue Spruce Animal Clinic
Brooklyn Veterinary Clinic
Cat Specialist
Cat Friendly Homes® explains the risk factors, symptoms and treatment of Feline diabetes, known as diabetes mellitus.
Our Animal Behavior Helpline counselors have completed an extensive training program taught by animal behavior professionals. They are able to assist pet owners with many types of problems; however, there are some that can't be resolved by email or phone, because it isn't safe or accurate to diagnose certain problems...
Over the years, I've had numerous conversations with folks telling me they have trouble stopping their horses. I often hear, "I've tried this bit, I've tried that bridle, and nothing seems to get my horse to stop." If you have this problem, you're certainly not alone–but in order to correct...
Cats are the most popular pet in the United States (and on the Internet!). Cats offer companionship, unconditional love, entertainment, affection, lots of purring, comfortable silences and they're trainable! Cats are:
- Happy living indoors
- Neat, grooming themselves regularly
- Use a litter box without training, which is easily cleanable
- Pest...
Knowing why dogs bite and what to do to keep yourself safe is important. Dogs may bite for the following reasons:
- Fear or surprise
- Excitement
- Pain or sickness
- Protecting property
Excitement
The noises and movements you make when you play are very exciting to dogs. When dogs play...A common reason a pet will stray from home is that it isn't spayed or neutered and is looking for a mate. Spaying or neutering eliminates an animal's reproductive instincts and decreases the desire to roam.
Make sure:
- Your cat or dog wears a current rabies tag, license tag...