Animals pat life

Since it was such a hit at Halloween, Animal Enrichment Specialist Suzanne was at it again for Thanksgiving with another great set of activities and opportunities to explore for our animals.  First up were our feline residents!   Alphonso decided to go sailing in the Mayflower, finally realizing his dream of being a pilgrim. The Mayflower was a repurposed cardboard box with some catnip sprinkled in the bottom to entice the kitties to explore. Alphonso then spent some quiet time in a teepee. We don’t think he learned how to grow maize but he certainly enjoyed his time relaxing. Our bunny residents got cornhusk leaf piles and lettuce cornucopias to chew and play with over the holiday weekend. Trust us, they were extra thankful! Our shelter dogs moved the activities outdoors, despite a wet weekend.   Dogs like discovering new things and using their noses. Adding something unexpected to their routine mentally stimulates them and builds a more confident pup.  Pools full ...

In light of the Halloween season, Animal Friends is again providing some not-so-spooky enrichment for its shelter residents based on this ghoulish holiday. Our eerily creative Animal Enrichment Specialist, Suzanne Denk, cooked up a “Halloween Enriched Environment Trail” for our shelter dogs this past weekend! The first stop on the trail was a pool of leaves, with hidden tasty treats, requiring dogs to use their noses to find them. Another scent game included sealed boxes with holes to tempt canine noses. Fresh hay, herbs and apple cinnamon air fresheners were hidden inside the boxes. Spooky hanging obstacles (pool noodles) were used as a confidence builder for our shyer shelter residents (you can also stick treats in the hollow end of the pool noodle to entice shy dogs to approach). Many made a quick stop at the festive Jack-o-Lantern duck pond and then it was on to the final stop of the trail – The Magic Potion Cheese Tree. Treats were stuck to the tree with a bit of cheese for the do...

  By: Suzanne Denk, Animal Enrichment Specialist Remember paper bag pumpkins from preschool?   A brown lunch bag filled with hay provides an enriching way to provide a rabbit with some of his daily portion of hay.      Simply fill the lunch bag with hay.   A treat or a few pellets can be added. Twist the top of the bag into a pumpkin stem.   Wrap raffia around the stem.   Wrap the loose end of the raffia in as you wrap.   Leave loose ends as leafy tendrils! A Jack-O-Lantern smiling face is optional!

Providing enrichment to your pet gives the pet an opportunity think and use his senses.   A new or unusual toy each day stimulates the pet’s mind.   Rabbits :          Hay carrot : Gather a bundle of hay into a log about 6” long.   About 1/3 of the way down the hay log, begin to wrap the raffia.   Leave a loose tail of raffia which will be used to tie off the raffia when finished.   Continue to wrap the hay with the raffia, tying additional lengths of raffia as needed.   Gradually pull the raffia tighter and to create a carrot shape.   Cut excess hay to shape of carrot if too bulky at bottom. Continuing to wrap the hay, work the way back to the top and tie ends of raffia together to secure. Trim “leafy” carrot top. Bunny Sushi Roll : The rolled toy moves, is textured, and provides a challenge to reach the treat.   Cut a 2” by 6” piece of corrugated paper.   Tightly roll up the herbs or hay in the paper...