Animals pat life

Crisp fall temperatures have arrived and you may be looking for some indoor fun with your four-legged friends. Here are some enrichment activities that are just what you need to keep your pets stimulated (both physically and mentally!) once the cool weather arrives. Rabbit Enrichment Toys Wheat Grass Containers Grow wheat grass in a small plastic container – apple sauce or dressing cups work very well. Your rabbit will enjoy grazing on a healthy snack in a fun new way! Cardboard Ball Cut a paper towel tube into rings. Insert one ring into another to make an X. Continue to add rings to create a round ball. Add hay to the center and allow your rabbit to have fun tossing and tearing.   Bubbles for Cats Everyone loves bubbles, and your cat is no exception! Bubbles can provide something new for your feline friend to look at and the fun, unpredictable movement stimulates her mind. And, the adventurous kitties will love the excitement of popping them! You can even find several different b...

Halloween is just around the corner! While you’re putting together your costume, stocking up on candy and transforming your yard into a spooky graveyard, remember that holidays like Halloween can be stressful times for your pets. Animals don’t understand why their best two-legged friends are wearing scary disguises or why the doorbell keeps ringing all night long. To keep Halloween fun and safe for everyone in the family, consider the following pet safety tips ... Sniff Test If you or your children are going to dress up for Halloween, allow your pet to smell the costume before putting it on. Beat the Sweets Keep candy – especially chocolate and gum – away from your pets. Certain candies, wrappers and ingredients can be poisonous and even fatal for pets if ingested. Leave Fido at Home Don’t bring your dog (or other pets) trick or treating! The costumes, noise, music, bright lights and decorations could be overwhelming for them. Try finding a quiet room where your pets can curl up with t...

With her face out the window and nose to the wind, it’s clear this 10-year old Labrador Retriever mix is relishing every minute of the car ride with one of her favorite volunteers. This is Sadie. And, seeing her enjoy her time away from her kennel, walking carefree with a stuffed bear in her mouth you’d never guess the past she so narrowly escaped. Sweet Sadie was found tied up outside during a snowstorm in January without protection from the frigid elements. Once she was rescued, she was taken to a local shelter and transferred to Animal Friends. As Sadie was getting settled into her second chance, our Medical team soon discovered that she was in need of some specialized care. Sadie was diabetic and needed medication to help manage her condition. So, we jumped into action and created a plan for her. Our compassionate staff and volunteers kept a close eye on her around the clock. But sadly, Sadie’s diabetes had gone untreated for so long that it’s causing her to slowly go blind. But, w...