Animals pat life

By: Robert Fragasso, Animal Friends' Board of Directors It is uplifting to see the gratitude that Americans exhibit toward the one percent of our population that serves in the all-volunteer military of our country, this rounded statistic according to the Department of Defense. These men and women have chosen to serve our country and will later return to productive civilian life. They are sorely needed as we are experiencing a shortage of qualified workers here in our area and nationally. There are several factors causing this. Unemployment nationally and locally ranges between 4-5%. That is considered full employment. Our educational system educates, but doesn’t typically teach marketable skills at the secondary and even post-secondary levels in many disciplines. Employers are finding it difficult to locate potential employees with the right work attitude and people skills. Military veterans, by nature of their service, present both job-specific skills and the right attitude toward...

To prepare for falling temperatures, Animal Friends urges anyone who owns or cares for outdoor animals – including feral cats – to take the time to ensure they will be safe and warm during the cold months ahead. While Animal Friends encourages pet owners to make pets part of the family and keep them inside the home, we recognize that in reality many animals live outside. So, we want to educate those caretakers about how to ensure that outdoor animals have access to proper food and warm, dry shelters. Blankets, towels and pillows can retain moisture and freeze, which is why straw is the best insulation against the cold and wet weather conditions. In addition to keeping outdoor animals’ living spaces insulated, there are other best practices pet owners should abide by, including: • Using a car mat or rug as a flap over a doghouse door to keep the inside free of wind, snow and rain. • Examining shelters carefully – and often – to ensure that there are no cracks or holes that will prevent...

A 2-year-old Mini Lop rabbit joyfully hops around the Outreach Center of Animal Friends during one of our BunRuns (resident rabbit recess!). He quickly races through a tunnel before finding a cardboard tube that he tosses into the air. He pauses just for second then is off and exploring once more. This silly, little guy is Rascal. Rascal came to Animal Friends this past spring when his former family noticed he wasn’t the same after they brought a dog home. The family thought Rascal would adjust and return to his spirited self. But they soon realized they couldn’t give him the help he needed and turned to Animal Friends. Once he was in our care, we were determined to bring back his true personality. From spending one-on-one time and taking him to BunRuns to giving him puzzles and lots of love, our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly with Rascal to get him out of his shell. After weeks of care and patience, we slowly but surely noticed his progress. Now, Rascal likes to make toys out ...

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. And, to spread the word about the benefits of adding an older four-legged member to your family, here are five reasons why you should adopt a senior pet ... You can teach an old dog new tricks … The old expression simply isn’t true – not just for dogs, but for cats and rabbits, too! Unlike their youthful counterparts, senior pets can be much more focused on learning the rules of their new home. A puppy, kitten or baby bunny will often be distracted by the new sights, sounds and smells of a new environment. With an older animal companion who has been around the block a time or two, you’ll be the newest and most exciting thing in their world, so you’re sure to be the center of attention! What you see is what you get … When it comes to personality, behavior or medical needs, senior pets usually wear it all on their sleeve. Youngers animals are growing so fast, that they’re almost certain to undergo personality changes as they continue to develop. Plu...

EDIT: We're happy to report that Oats has found a loving new home!   Oats is a 5-year-old Terrier mix who joined his family about 3 years ago. He was originally adopted from a shelter in Texas after being found as a stray. Although he is very shy, Oats has never shown any signs of aggression toward humans or other animals. He's a sweet and gentle dog, but is fearful of new situations and loud noises like fireworks.   This lovable boy is housebroken and loves going for long walks outside. He does well around small dogs and cats, but isn't a big fan of larger, energetic dogs. He would probably thrive in a family with another small dog to help him explore his new home. While he is very shy, Oats is great in the car and is very brave at a groomer or vet's office.   Since adopting Oats, his family has welcomed two new members who are currently 2 years and 4 months old. Although he hasn't shown any signs of aggression toward them, the loud noises and chaos that c...

Building a feral cat house is a great way to keep community cats safe from the elements during the cold winter months ahead. To get started with your feral cat house, you'll need to gather a few materials first. Materials needed: Large Styrofoam cooler (or sheets of 1-inch thick hard Styrofoam) Large cardboard box or plastic storage bin Box cutter or utility knife Black plastic sheeting Gorilla tape Straw To build your feral cat shelter, follow these steps: Place the Styrofoam cooler in a box that is about the same size and tape it closed or line the box with sheets of Styrofoam cut to fit. Cut a round doorway about six inches in diameter in one of the long sides of the box, cutting through both the box and Styrofoam. Do not cut the hole in the center – the wind will blow straight in. Be sure to cut the circle toward the side and high enough so the bottom of the doorway is several inches above the ground. Cut a piece of the plastic sheeting to completely cover the box. Wrap the box...