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.
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Overweight cats are at a higher risk of health issues like diabetes, skin issues and arthritis. Being overweight also decreases the quality of a cat's life. They are unable to thoroughly groom themselves all over, have trouble getting around, feel uncomfortable and may possibly be in pain. However, through diet...
Firework and thunder season are almost here. It's so difficult to watch our beloved pups suffer from noise phobias. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help your canine companion cope: Prepare: First, keep your dog indoors and stay home with him, when possible. A panicked dog will...
What does this mean?
The cat has a history of urinating or defecating outside the litter box. This behavior could be inconsistent meaning it happens once in a while or it could be consistent where it happens regularly.
What causes this type of behavior?
This behavior is a normal behavior...
It is easier to train rabbits if you understand that their behavior is usually motivated by one of three things:
- Their natural need and inclination to chew and dig
- Their need to communicate and our tendency to require words for understanding communication
- The social structure as seen...
A rabbit's diet should be made up of high-quality pellets, fresh Timothy hay, fresh water, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Hay and pellets should be available 24 hours a day. Fresh veggies should be give twice per day and fruits should be limited to a treat, but no more than...
Rabbits are very social creatures and require as much attention and stimulation as a cat or dog. Because of this requirement, rabbits tend to be happier, healthier, better adjusted, and more affectionate if housed indoors. Rabbits also tend to live longer, happier and healthier lives in pairs or groups. Companionship...
Rabbits may act as if they're hardy creatures, but they are, in fact, extremely delicate–from their skin to their spines to their external systems. Care must be taken to maintain their good health, but a well-cared-for rabbit can live 12 to 15 years. The following basics are necessary to know...
Why Are Toys Important?
Toys are important because they provide:
- Mental stimulation. Without challenging activities to occupy your rabbit when you're not home, your rabbit, especially a solitary rabbit, will get bored. This could lead to depression and/or excessive destruction. The creative use of toys can extend your rabbit's...
Housetraining a puppy requires time, vigilance, patience and commitment. By following the procedures outlined below, you can minimize house soiling incidents, but virtually every puppy will have an accident in the house (more likely several). This is part of raising a puppy and should be expected. The more consistent you...
What Is A Bunny Box?
A bunny box is basically a large cardboard box with door holes and extras.
Start with a large cardboard box about two feet by three feet and eighteen inches high. Then, add layers of flattened cardboard boxes to the bottom until the pile is about...
Dogs are complex animals that may display a variety of different behaviors in any given situation. Any dog–from your best friend at home to the stray dog on the street–will react differently, and possibly unexpectedly, to people, places and other animals. Animal behavior can shift from moment to moment, so...
Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for widely varying reasons. Your dog may be:
- ¬ôseeking entertainment ¬ôseeking prey
- ¬ôseeking comfort or protection ¬ôseeking attention
- ¬ôseeking escape
- seeking prey
- seeking attention
A head halter is a special kind of collar with a strap that goes around your dog's nose and another strap that goes around his neck, just behind his ears. The leash fastens under his chin to a ring that's attached to the nose strap. When your dog begins to...
Pet overpopulation is a serious problem. It costs the lives of millions of pets and costs communities millions of dollars a year. Nationwide, the number of pets entering animal shelters is estimated to be 6 to 8 million. Only about 30 percent of dogs and 2 – 5 percent of...
Some dog owners believe that dogs, especially large ones, should be "outdoor only" pets. At the Dumb Friends League, we believe that dogs of all sizes are happier, healthier and safer when they can be indoors with their people the majority of the time. Dogs have a need to be...