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:
helpline for a dog helpline for a cat Other Resource links Have General Questions?
See our FAQ

Here are some FAQs about cosmetic procedures in animals.

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Congratulations on adopting your new family member! Here are some important resources and information that will help keep your pet healthy and happy.

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Clicker training uses a precise sound (a click) to tell the cat that he has done something to earn a reward. Think of the clicker as the shutter of a camera: you click when you see the correct "picture" of the behavior you're training your cat to...

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If you allow your cat to wander around outside on her own, without your supervision, she is susceptible to any of the following tragedies:

  • Being hit by a car
  • Ingesting a deadly poison, like antifreeze or pesticide
  • Being trapped by a unhappy neighbor or picked up by animal control
  • ...

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Safe Toys

There are many factors that contribute to the safety or danger of a toy. Among them are your cat's size, activity level and personal preference. Another is the environment in which your cat spends his time. Although we can't guarantee your cat's enthusiasm or his safety with any...

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Training Tips

By this time, your cat can probably perform a few behaviors, such as "sit," "touch" and "watch me," some of the time. However, you've probably found that with any small change in the environment your cat may "forget" what he's just learned. Teaching your cat the new behavior...

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Living with a cat can be beneficial to children. Cats can enhance a child's self-esteem, teach them responsibility and help them to learn empathy.

Selecting a Cat

Under 2 years of age

  • Time and energy: Require a lot of time, patience and supervision.
  • Safety: May become frightened or even...

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Well-socialized cats are more likely to have well-socialized kittens. Kittens "feed" off of their mothers' calm or fearful attitude toward people. Although feeding time is important, it's also vital to include petting, talking, and playing in order to build good "people-skills" in your kitten. Kittens are usually weaned at six...

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It's important to have realistic expectations when introducing a new pet to a resident pet. Some cats are more social than other cats. For example, an eight-year-old cat that has never been around other animals may never learn to share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the...

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Play-motivated aggressive behaviors are common in young, active cats less than two years of age, and in cats that live in one-cat households who don't have enough mental and physical stimulation. When cats play, they incorporate a variety of behaviors into their play, such as exploratory, investigative, and predatory behaviors....

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Does your cat demand to be petted or played with? Ignore you when you call him? Wake you up to be fed in the middle of the night? "Nothing in life is free" (NILIF) can help. NILIF is not a magic pill that will solve a specific behavior problem; rather...

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While pet owners would never consider withholding food or water from their cats, many forget to provide adequate exercise and stimulation. Yes, cats do sleep a lot, but play is an important component of any pet's health and well-being. The release of energy triggered by regular daily interactive play sessions...

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Pets bring a joy to your family that is unmeasurable. They are known to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and provide companionship. Selecting the right pet for your family is easy to do when you first consider the following…

What type of pet is best?

There are many different types...

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Most cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. By following the suggestions outlined in this handout, you'll be able to start off on the right foot with your new cat.

Location

Most people are inclined to place the litterbox in an out-of-the-way spot in order to...

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