- 1. ASPCA Happy Tails: Grand Dame Goes Home
- 2. Pet Health Care Videos Launch on ASPCA.org
- 3. Ohio Farm Animal Ballot Initiative Gains Support
- 4. Please Don’t Go! Coping with Separation Anxiety in Pets
1. ASPCA Happy Tails: Grand Dame Goes Home
Elder kitty Jillian arrived at the ASPCA in May 2006, and despite a fun-loving nature and sweet face, remained without an official home for more than three years. During that time, she won the hearts of many ASPCA team members, who adopted her as an office foster cat, but still she longed for a home to call her home.
Sassy and quirky, Jillian was especially popular for her love of laps, where she would lounge and doze for hours. The Tabby cat’s forever lap finally arrived in October 2009, when Bobbi Manian spotted Jillian’s heart-shaped mug on the ASPCA website. “I found her on the site in the Cool Cats section,” Bobbi remembers. Utterly determined and smitten, she says, “I walked into the Adoption Center and said ‘I’m here for Jillian.’”
Bobbi wasn’t deterred, even in the face of Jillian’s FIV-positive status. Though FIV weakens the feline immune system, affected cats can live happy, healthy lives with proper treatment. Bobbi was the perfect person to ensure that Jillian received the compassionate care she deserves.
Now Bobbi and Jillian are celebrating more than seven months together, and both mom and cat are thriving. “Jillian is a wonderful cat,” Bobbi reports. “Her health is good, and she’s still very active and playful.” Check out this charming video of Jillian—who recently lost a few extra pounds—showing off her new svelte physique and, according to pet mom Bobbi, “bidding goodbye to an old couch.”
Read more stories of true furry love in our Happy Tails archive.
2. Pet Health Care Videos Launch on ASPCA.org
Prevention is truly the best medicine—even when it comes to your pet. It’s much riskier (not to mention more expensive!) to treat illnesses than to protect against them. So why not get a jumpstart on your pet’s healthy habits? Watch our new pet care videos for helpful hints on performing basic wellness checks and essential grooming from the comfort of your own home.
The ASPCA’s Dr. Jennifer Lander and a rotating cast of adorable, adoptable cats and dogs star in these useful “how-tos.” Current videos include “Performing a Basic Pet Check”, “Cleaning Your Cat’s Eyes”, “How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears” and a bonus blooper reel!
Please note: our advice is not intended to replace regular visits to your veterinarian. More videos will be added regularly, so be sure to bookmark our pet care video webpage and check back every few weeks.
3. Ohio Farm Animal Ballot Initiative Gains Support
On June 1, the ASPCA joined a coalition of animal welfare advocates, veterinarians, family farmers and environmental organizations in support of a citizen-backed ballot initiative to help prevent cruel factory farming practices in the state of Ohio. The coalition, Ohioans for Humane Farms, is asking the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to implement minimum care standards, including the humane euthanasia of sick and injured animals, a prohibition of cruel confinement practices, and the prevention of sick and injured animals from entering the food supply. Similar laws have already been enacted in Michigan, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine and Oregon.
To learn more about efforts to place this measure on the November 2010 ballot, please visit Ohioans for Humane Farms. For more information about farm animal welfare, please visit our Fight Cruelty section.
4. Please Don’t Go! Coping with Separation Anxiety in Pets
When your dog suffers from separation anxiety, leaving the house can be just as stressful for you as it is for him. No one likes to see a beloved pet upset—plus, any time away from home might be spent worrying what kind of mess awaits your return. Will your pooch tear up the sofa? Chew the walls? Pee on the carpet? Shake, drool and bark for hours?
Overcoming disorders like separation anxiety takes time, patience and consistency, but it can be done! Don’t wait any longer: take control of your dog’s happiness—and your own—just in time for summer travel season. Follow the advice of ASPCA animal behaviorists, and next time you drop off Fido at a friend’s house or the boarding kennel, you’ll feel sweet relief knowing that you miss him more than he misses you.
- Doctor Knows Best The first step in tackling behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing your pet’s behavior. For example, if your pet is urinating in the house, he might be suffering from a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes or kidney disease.
- Keep It Mellow All greetings—hellos and goodbyes—should be conducted in a very calm manner. When saying goodbye, just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed.
- Dogs Need Jobs Providing lots of physical and mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems, especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. Plus, a tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to burn when he’s left alone!
Visit the Dog Care section of our website to read our complete guide to tackling separation anxiety.