Giving Pets as Gifts

Dogs and cats are cute - puppies and kittens are even cuter. And they’re pretty much a rainbow explosion of adorability when they’re sitting underneath a Christmas tree wearing a big red bow.

But you know what’s not so cute? The increased numbers of animals that are turned into shelters after the holidays are over. Because a pet is about more than a photo op, it’s a 10-20 year commitment of your time, energy, love, and money.

So what if you want to get someone a pet for Christmas? Well, it might be the perfect gift - as long as you follow these important guidelines.

Do not surprise someone with a pet - especially an adult!

Even if you are sure that your loved one wants to get a pet, it should be up to the pet owner to decide if they are ready to take on the responsibility. Additionally, the bond between a pet and an owner is a special thing. Choosing a pet is very personal, and it’s important that the prospective adopter actually be present when the animal is chosen.

It’s best to give a pet a few weeks before or at least a week after the holidays.

Holidays are stressful enough for the people and pets already in a home. New decorations, family members hanging around, parties, noise - all of these things can freak out even the most well-adjusted cat or dog. Bringing a new animal into a home is also stressful. Don’t make it hard on yourself or your new furry friend by combining stressors.

Ok, so you’ve thought it through and you’ve decided that it would be appropriate to give someone a pet as a gift. Here’s how to do it.

Give the recipient a large wrapped box full of pet supplies and a coupon for the animal of their choice. It’s ok to offer to go with them to pick out the pet, but don’t push. It might take a couple of visits for the adopter to find their perfect fit.

If you absolutely must give a pet during the holidays, remember:

• Plan on spending quiet time at home so bonding with the new owner can occur and the pet will learn that home is a safe environment.
• Clean up all the present wrappings before introducing the new pet.  The new pet should be the last present received.
• No parties at your home and limit the time you are away from home.
• Make your house pet safe.

Black Friday

It’s Black Friday, the day when yesterday’s gratitude for what we have turns to a desire to grab many things we don’t. In our frenzies, we hope you don’t forget what’s important, and think about adopting, not shopping, if there’s a person on your list who would like a pet for Christmas.

Many of those looking for pets overlook the option of adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue, favoring a certain breed or preferring a puppy or kitten.  We often have purebreds, and find that many mixed breeds are healthier and happier. We also have puppies and kittens that pass through our doors, but older animals can be even better pets;  they’re more likely to be settled down, and their personalities show, helping you to choose just the right fit.

At the risk of seeming a bit grinchy, we just don’t think surprising a loved one with a pet is a good idea, for the pet or the recipient. We firmly believe that the key to a lifetime of love is a mutual bond right from the beginning, and we wouldn’t dare to take away that important step in finding just the right pet.  We’d encourage you to bring your loved one to our facility to meet and choose a new companion, or just present the person with a gift certificate under the tree, making their own choice when the holiday hubbub has died down.

This holiday season, help us make both homeless pets and pet-seeking humans happy.  If you are looking for a new best friend, or know someone who is, please remember:  Don’t shop – adopt!

Puppy Love Pt 2: Bringing Puppy Home

Welcome to Part II of our series on adopting puppies. In Part I we took a look at the decision to adopt a puppy and the pros and cons of choosing a young animal over an adult. Today we'll discuss adopting the puppy, puppy-proofing your home, and what to expect over the first few days.

One of our sweet HSEC litters available for adoption!

It shouldn't come as a surprise that HSEC recommends adopting a puppy from an animal welfare organization or city shelter, especially if you are adopting a family companion, not choosing a breed for a specific purpose (hunting, herding, competition, or show). Many pet stores have ties to puppy mills, but even if they are above board, adopting from a store causes demand for the intentional breeding of puppies. (If you choose a breeder, the ASPCA recommends a small scale operation that does not sell to pet stores.) There are already many wonderful and loving puppies available at animal welfare organizations.

Before you head over to the facility, purchase the major supplies your puppy will need:

• Water and food bowls
• Collar and leash
• Puppy food - not adult dog food. Like all babies, puppies have nutritional needs different to those of adults.
• Number of a local vet

Other supplies will vary by circumstance and include:

• Outdoor shelter (if your pet will be spending time outdoors other than walks and playtime, this is a MUST)
• Carrier (for a small dog)
• Crate and/or bed
• Pee pads
• Treats
• Toys
• Grooming items like brush, nail clippers, etc. 
• Puppy proofing supplies (see below)

If you don't have toys when you bring the puppy home, they will find something to play with. Don't let them chew or play on things that are off limits even once, or they will continue this behavior. Having acceptable toys at the ready is the best plan.

Also before picking up the puppy, make sure your home is ready! Puppy proofing your home is not entirely dissimilar to baby proofing. Not only are you looking to keep the puppy safe and out of trouble, the goal is to make it possible for the puppy to be able to be in your home without constant supervision.

For each room, ask yourself the following questions: What's dangerous? What's breakable? What's off-limits? Then act accordingly.

• Place household cleaners and other toxic items out of the puppy's reach. Consider temporarily removing obstacles like swinging doors that could shut on a neck or tail.
• Remove breakables or set them up high. Put chewables (like shoes) in closets with doors that shut firmly. Pick up small objects like toys that could be swallowed.
• Ensure that the puppy won't be able to pull items down on itself (for example, pulling a tablecloth down with everything that's on it). 
• Think about things like low windows and wide holes in decks or between stairs. Electric cords and dangling cords from blinds are other potential hazards.
• Remove access to garbage cans or diaper pails.
• Create a safe space where the puppy can play without concern. A baby gate is a great way to separate a room without shutting the puppy behind a door. 
• We recommend that the garage and the bathrooms should be totally off-limits, at least when the puppy is young.

As the puppy gets older, smarter, and calmer, you will be able to relax most of these measures. For a full list of potential puppy proofing ideas, check out this site.

Finally it's time for the exciting moment when the puppy comes home for the first time. Remember that this can be scary and stressful for your new baby, so be patient and don't overwhelm them with too much all at once. Walk them around the house and give them lots of love and attention. Plan for them to sleep near you on the first few nights.

In all the excitement, don't forget to take care of important details for the puppy's health and safety. Call your vet as soon as the puppy is home and make an appointment for a check up. And purchase a dog tag that has your information on it, just in case the puppy is separated from you.

Over the first couple of days, you will get to know your puppy's personality and they will become more comfortable in your home. Problems like whining at night and nervous behavior should subside during this point. Now it's time to think about potty training, obedience training, and proper socialization.

And finally, enjoy this time and the new addition to your family.

Puppy Love Pt I: Pros and Cons

HSEC puppies!

Puppies. The word conjures big eyes, wiggly tails, soft ears, and, of course, fuzziness. Puppies are an adorable package of enthusiastic love, which is one reason why they tend to get adopted more readily than older dogs.

But is a puppy the best pet for you? This week we'll take a look at adopting puppies. Part I will feature the pros and cons of choosing a puppy over an adult dog. Part II will describe how to get your home ready for a new puppy and the responsibilities of puppy ownership. It's a whole week of puppy cuteness, so let's get started!

Puppies can be great pets, but they aren't right for every household. Adopting a puppy is a big decision, so be sure to consider carefully before making this choice.

In order to become happy, well behaved adults, it's important for puppies to be socialized correctly, and it is easier to cultivate good habits in a puppy than it is to attempt to undo an adult's poor socialization. In some cases, adult dogs may already have some bad habits that can be difficult to break. But keep this in mind: your new puppy has to be socialized correctly - by you! That's a significant commitment, and improper socialization can result in a dog that is fearful or unpredictable. Many adult dogs waiting for homes have already been properly socialized and will be able to fit seamlessly into the environment of your home.

Another reason to adopt a puppy is that a young animal is more trainable than an older one. However, just like socialization, you are the one who must train your puppy. Many adults are already housebroken and some will have obedience training as well.

It may be true that a puppy can be raised to fit a particular lifestyle, but it's also true that an existing lifestyle may not have room for a puppy. Puppies are cute! But they will chew things. They will have potty accidents. They will make messes. That's not to say that adult dogs don't do all those things. But adults will already have some good habits and most likely will be over the worst of the destructive and energetic phases that make life with a puppy so unpredictable.

Chutney checks things out

And the puppy's behavior isn't the only unpredictable thing about it. With a puppy of unknown heritage, it's impossible to predict adult size, weight, or temperament. And that can be really important in knowing how a dog will fit in with your family. It's exciting to see a puppy grow and mature. But if you want a dog to fill a particular niche - high energy, low energy, big, small, etc - an adult is your best bet.

Then finally, there are two more really good reasons to choose an adult over a puppy. Adult dogs are less likely to be adopted. And they will love you just as much.

Does that mean that an adult dog is always the best choice? Not at all. For experienced dog owners, raising a puppy can be a rewarding and joyful experience. Keep in mind that just like any adoption, a puppy is for life.

Is a puppy right for you? In Part II, we'll discuss making your house ready for a puppy and what to do once the puppy is home!

Summer Stats

*Make sure you tune in on Wednesday - you won't want to miss our next post!*

As we say goodbye to the summer of 2012, let's take a look at our summer stats!

In July and August, we took in 52 animals in total; 32 in July and 20 in August. Our July intake was 14 dogs and 18 cats, while in August we took in 7 dogs, 1 puppy, 4 cats, and 8 kittens. At the end of August, we had 47 animals in our care.

Adoptions in July and August totaled 55! We had 29 adoptions in July and 26 in August. July numbers include 7 dogs, 7 puppies, 4 cats, and 11 kittens. In August, we adopted out 5 dogs, 6 puppies, 6 cats, and 9 kittens.

As always, puppies and kittens go fast! It's hard to resist those cute little faces. We're happy to say that most animals do not remain at the facility for long. The average stay, from intake to adoption, is less than 40 days!

Summer adoptions include:

Kayla and her new owner, HSEC animal care tech Danny

Lilly - after living at HSEC for a year and two months! Featured on the blog.

Olive - featured on the blog

Bonnie...

... and Newton, adopted together!

Slate, adopted by a tech at Firetower Animal Clinic

Sadie

Theodore with his new sister!

We also have some pictures of HSEC alums sent in by YOU! Post your pictures on Facebook or send them to humanesocietyofec@gmail.com and they will be included in our next stats post!

Rudy, adopted two years ago - now in the doghouse for pigging out on her brother kitty's food!

Mona - featured on the blog

Shorty

Razzle and her mommy Christina

Is Two Better Than One? Adopting Two Cats

Can you imagine Romeo without Juliet? Bert without Ernie? Barbie without Ken? Neither can we!

Why not think about creating your very own memorable duo? 

When you adopt two cats, you soon find that you can’t imagine life without them. There are many benefits to having double the cat companionship:

• Having a constant playmate to chase and wrestle with helps keep cats lively, well-exercised and healthy.
• Often, destructive behavior in pets can be traced to boredom. The stimulation of a companion can help ward off inappropriate feline behaviors and scratching.
• Two cats will keep you laughing with their antics.
• Many cats are social creatures, and will happily groom one another and sleep cuddled together. People who work long hours, travel overnight or spend frequent evenings away from home will find a warm greeting upon returning, but without the guilt of leaving a beloved pet all alone.
• Two cats will bring their humans double the love. They will offer an endless supply of purrs and head butts. The only thing more heartwarming than the love of a pet is the love of two.

Adopting two cats actually saves four lives - the two you're adopting, and the two that will take their places, given a priceless second chance thanks to your adoption. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between 6 million and 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year, about half of which are euthanized. Think of how much easier the work of shelters across the country would be if more families were willing to welcome not one, but two cats into their hearts and homes.


Having two cats doesn't require much additional effort. An extra food and water dish and litter box is worth the joy your instant family will bring. And, being rather compact creatures, cats don't take up much space. As long as your home can provide a bit of separation from time to time, there's no worry about needing a larger home with room to roam.



Not all cats will be instant buddies. If you are interested in adopting two cats (or two dogs), it may be a good idea to adopt two animals that are already buddies, like kittens from the same litter or cats that came to HSEC from the same home. On Friday, we'll meet the HSEC's resident best friends, Mavis and Maude. If you are introducing a new kitty to one that you already own, make sure to introduce your new pet properly to help ensure a good relationship between old and new.

So, it’s the perfect time to bring home two homeless cats! How can you resist? We recommend making the trip to the Humane Society at double speed, two-stepping all the way. After all, two cats certainly are twice as nice!

Deal of the Century: Fee-Waived Adoptions!

We have some exciting news to share today. Seven HSEC residents have just been approved for fee-waived adoptions, which means that there is no cost to take them home with you!

Our adoption fees are designed to cover or defray the costs incurred while the pet is living at the facility - food, medical care, and so on. But these residents have either lived at the facility for more than a year, or they have special needs and will greatly benefit from finding a home right now.

Don't worry - these animals are just as loving and wonderful as any other pet at HSEC. In fact, since we've known them for so long, we've gotten very attached. It's just time for them to move on to their forever homes, which is of course a huge benefit to each animal, but also benefits HSEC since we can use the space for more needy pets.

Remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch. That concept is especially true of a "free" pet. All adopters must meet HSEC requirements.

We're hoping that this is the little extra push these cuties need to find their homes. And maybe they've been waiting so long because you haven't found them yet! Click on the name under each photo to visit that pet's Petfinder page, where you can get more information and see more pictures.

Blossom

Blossom is a true lady, sweet, calm, and friendly. She's mastered the puppy dog eyes, so be warned! She is crate trained and housebroken. This mama sacrificed everything to raise her puppies, and when she arrived at HSEC, she was in bad shape. Now that she's been nursed back to health, she is most comfortable around women but is learning that men are good friends too. She needs to be in a home where she is the only dog - she isn't classically dog aggressive, but she will snap if another dog gets in her face. Our February 2012 Blog Dog of the Month!

Lilly

Lilly is a smart, sociable girl who loves to be outdoors. And doesn't that doggy grin just make you smile? She excelled in foster care, where she learned several commands and had lots of fun camping and canoeing. If you're looking for a dog who will keep up with all your adventures, Lilly's the one for you! Our April 2012 Blog Dog of the Month!

Rocky

In addition to having the world's cutest ears, Rocky is loyal, well-mannered, and easy to please. All he wants is a calm home (preferably one with other dogs to be his friends), a few treats once in a while (cheese is his favorite), and maybe a few toys to play with. Rocky has irritable bowel disease, a condition exacerbated by the stress of living at the facility. When in foster care, the condition went into immediate remission. Read more about IBD here. Rocky is house trained. He's a real favorite at the facility - we've known him since he was a pup, and we're hoping he gets to go home soon! Rocky was featured as a foster success story on the blog in February 2012.

Mona

Mona will always let you know how much she loves you! She's a vocal cat with personality to spare, and her beautiful, silky coat is so wonderful to touch. She loves attention and cuddles. But she doesn't like to share her humans with other cats, and doesn't like to be surrounded by so many felines at the Humane Society. Potential adopters have been mislead by her sulky demeanor, but that's not what she's really like. Give her a treat and some chin scratches, and she's yours forever. Mona needs to be the only cat in her home. Our January 2012 Blog Cat of the Month!

Olive

Olive is a striking girl who loves to play and give head boinks. Pictures don't really do justice to her beautiful and unusual markings, which she keeps exquisitely clean. She's alert and curious (some of her neighbors might say nosy), and will often stick a paw out of her cage to say hello. Olive likes attention on her own terms and needs an understanding family that will give her the affection she wants. Our February 2012 Blog Cat of the Month!

Harriet

Harriet will greet you at the door when you come home and snuggle on your lap every night. She's a beautiful tortie with glowing eyes and is quite the chatterbox, upholding her end of every conversation with purrs and meows. She doesn't always like to be petted, but she loves to be near people and to cuddle up with them. In her foster home, she enjoys limited access to the outdoors, and is available as an indoor/outdoor cat to a home with a safe yard (no busy streets or aggressive dogs nearby). This is the kind of cat who will keep you company when you're sick. Our April 2012 Blog Cat of the Month!

Smokey Joe

Smokey Joe is a laid back, friendly guy who's never met a stranger. He'll greet you with a head boink and just loves to be petted and held. Smokey Joe is FIV positive, a chronic condition that can be managed well with preventative care, and is no barrier to a long and healthy life. Read more about FIV here. Smokey Joe is one of the sweetest cats we've ever had at HSEC. He's looking for someone with a big heart who will look past his diagnosis to see his wonderful personality. Our May 2012 Blog Cat of the Month!



These pets have been waiting a long time for their owners to walk through the facility door. Is one of them waiting for you?

Success Story - Ezy, Soft, and Balto

Every animal that comes through our doors is loved, but there are those few cats or dogs that really touch the heart. For some reason - length of stay, special needs, health concerns - everyone who works or volunteers at HSEC knows these extra-special guys, and we celebrate even more when they have success. So let's take a look at three of our recent extra-special success stories: Ezy, Soft, and Balto.

Ezy

When we began this blog in October of 2011, we had just one candidate for the very first blog dog - Ezy. By October Ezy had already been at the facility for longer than a year. Ezy was brought in as a stray with an uncertain pedigree and it was clear that he wasn't very comfortable around people. He was never mean or vicious, but he was very shy. Staff and volunteers had to be careful to approach Ezy the right way. He quickly warmed up to his favorites, but was often overlooked by potential adopters because of his shy personality.

A wise volunteer once said "there's a lid for every pot", meaning that every animal had an owner out there already waiting for them. Well, in Ezy's case he's more like a stock pot - and his lid has finally found him. His adopter is a volunteer who spent several weeks getting to know Ezy and making him comfortable before finally taking him home.

Some adoptions are so happy they just make you cry. We couldn't be happier that Ezy has found his pot!

Soft

Soft was another long-timer at HSEC. This older cat came from a home where the owner could no longer care for her, and it was clear that the seven-year-old was stressed out at the facility. We give our residents the best care possible, but our environment can be loud and scary and is no replacement for a permanent home.

Soft was also our very first cat of the month in October 2011, and she had already been in the facility for several months at that point. Because she was stressed, she could be shy and even temperamental. She certainly wasn't putting her best foot forward for potential adopters. Luckily for this beautiful long-haired cat, she was fostered by a wonderful family who finally made things official by adopting her in April.

Older cats can have a difficult time finding a home, and we were all a little worried about Soft. This is an adoption to celebrate for sure!

Balto

Balto was a more recent addition to our facility. A year-old malamute should have plenty of energy to spare, but Balto is hampered by the painful condition of hip dysplasia. He needed two surgeries just to have a normal, pain-free life.

We reached out to our friends through Facebook and on the blog to help us fund Balto's surgeries, using a new tool called ChipIn to track donations. We're happy to announce that we have completely funded Balto's surgery and care, raising $1005 in total!

Balto has already had his first surgery, and is doing well in his foster home. And best of all, potential adopters have stepped forward to give him a forever home! This is the best kind of happy ending and we couldn't be more grateful for the role you played in making it come true.

So from Ezy, Soft, Balto, and all of us at HSEC...

Just the Facts - March and April

It seems like the past few months have flown by, and all of a sudden we're right around the corner from summer. Our freshly painted Cat Palace is looking great, and a beautiful mural has just been finished - we'll be sure to share pictures as soon as we have them.

Adoptions generally slow down a little bit during the summer months, but during March and April we've had quite a few to celebrate.

In March we took in 32 animals in total - 19 cats and 13 dogs. And just to keep things nice and symmetrical, we've adopted out 32! This includes 9 adult cats, 6 kittens, 10 adult dogs, and 7 puppies. 9 of these adoptions were off-site.

In April, we took in 23 animals, 9 cats and 14 dogs. But again with that magic number, we adopted out 32 - 11 adult cats, 3 kittens, 10 adult dogs, and 8 puppies. 8 of these adoptions were off-site.

It was wonderful to see so many animals go off to their forever homes, and this opens up more space in our facility to transfer in more critters. Remember, when you adopt a pet from a no-kill operation, you're not just giving that animal a home. You're also opening a space for another unwanted animal in the facility. You're saving TWO lives - and providing the no-kill facility with the funds to continue operating. Thank you!

So without further ado let's take a look at some of the sweet guys that found their forever homes in March and April!

Addie

Ezy!!! Blog Dog of the Month October AND November 2010

Bunny

Patrick

Zeke

Just The Facts - February

February was a day longer than usual this year, and we made the most of the month at HSEC. We took in 40 new cats and dogs, and 35 of our now-former residents were adopted!

Here’s the breakdown:

Cats:
22 cats entered the facility.

• 1 abandoned
• 1 return
• 1 surrender
• 19 transfers

12 cats and 1 kitten were adopted this month. As we look ahead to the spring, we’re gearing up for kitten season!

Dogs:
18 dogs entered the facility.

• 0 abandoned
• 1 return
• 10 surrenders
• 7 transfers

February was big for the canines - 11 dogs and 10 puppies were adopted this month!

Congratulations to all the dogs and cats who found their forever homes this month! And if you’re one of the lucky new owners, we always love to hear how our former residents are doing. Leave us a comment, post on our Facebook page, or email in your story.

And now for some adorable pictures. Remember that these sweet fuzzy faces are all sleeping happily tonight in their forever homes because of your support. THANK YOU!

Domino

Faith

Jerry and his brother...

Tom, featured on the blog and adopted together!

Reggie

Remi - January Blog Dog and at HSEC one whole year!

Slate

Stone (and his new people)

Susie

Tinkerbell

Adama (aka Molly) in her new home!