Animals pat life

National Dog Day is on Fri., Aug. 26. Founded by an animal advocate in 2004, National Dog Day celebrates dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate with your dog or you’re interested in adopting a new family member, here are a few ideas to help you make the most of National Dog Day … 5. Make a fun new toy. Everyone loves spoiling their pooch by buying them the best food, treats, accessories and toys, but making a toy for your furry friend can be just as enjoyable! Toys are a fun way to help your dog get the exercise that is so important to keep them healthy. As vital as physical activities are for dogs, mental exercise is just as important. Enrichment is a form of playtime designed to work out your dog’s mind along with their body. Why not celebrate National Dog Day by making a fun enrichment toy for your favorite four-legged buddy? Here are some ideas to get you started! 4. Explore a new part of town. Do you ever get the bug to explore a new

 Adoptable cat, Capellini. Black Cat Appreciation Day is Wed ., Aug. 17 ! To celebrate, we're offering a one-day adoption special! Stop by Animal Friends on Wed., Aug. 17 to adopt one of our many beautiful black cats ages 2 and up and the requested donation will be discounted to just $25! Read on for some serious ( and not-so serious ) reasons to adopt a black cat today! 10. You can't tell if they're dirty and their teeth always look white. 9 . A black cat is a great accessory to any outfit – they go with everything! 8 . Dark colors are very slimming – holding your black cat will make you look extra slender . 7 . Save time on date night! You won't need the lint brush on your little black dress. 6 . Black cats are the best to play hide and seek with. The difficulty levels jumps up a few notches . 5 . They have a "black belt" in cuddling. 4 . In most cultures, a black cat in your home brings good luck! 3 . They always win for best dressed. 2 . They make y

This handsome boy is Jade and he is looking for a home that will offer him all the love and affection he deserves. Jade is a gray 2-year-old Tabby that was originally a rescue but quickly become a beloved member of his family. He is a genuine sweetheart and is very playful and friendly. One of Jade's favorite pastimes is to jump into the nearest lap, wait for the pets to begin and then start the purr engines! Give him a toy like a small ball and Jade will keep you entertained as he chases it all through your home. Jade's family is searching for a new home that will love him just as much as they do. He loves to use his scratching post and never scratches the furniture or, more importantly, people! This 2-year-old dream cat is also anything but a fussy eater ... could you ask for a better feline friend? If you think Jade would be a good fit for you and your home, please contact his current family to arrange a meeting: Jack Schaeffer 412.421.3791 or 412.268.3561 js5m@andrew.cmu.ed

“Oh my goodness …” a woman muttered to herself. She was driving on the South Side and came across Maximus and Leonidus sitting in the middle of the road. She stopped her car and scooped them up. She was in disbelief. How could anyone abandon these sweet pups?! Lucky for them, she turned to Animal Friends ... But they weren't in the clear just yet. Upon admission, they tested positive for a very serious and sometimes deadly virus and were rushed to an emergency vet. After weeks of supportive care and continuous monitoring, they were bouncy and playful – they were going to make it! And, once they were strong enough, they were both neutered and cleared for their second chance. All pets admitted to Animal Friends are altered before they can be adopted. Spaying/neutering is not only necessary for their health and well-being but it also compassionately and proactively combats pet overpopulation. And, we won't stop with the animals in our care. Animal Friends is committed to creating

Summer is the perfect time to experience the outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather, but the heat can take a serious toll on your four-legged companion. Animal Friends has a few helpful tips to help you beat the heat and keep your furry friend safe, healthy and cool during the dog (and cat and rabbit!) days of summer. Practice vehicle safety. Your pet should never be left in a parked car. Even with the windows slightly open, a car can quickly reach an internal temperature in excess of 120 degrees. This is enough to cause animals to suffer severe heat stroke or even death. Your pet is much safer at home on warm days, especially if your destination is not a pet-friendly one. If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, call 9-1-1 immediately. Drink up. As the temperature rises, animals need to drink much more water to stay hydrated. Be sure your pet has plenty of cool, clean water to drink, especially if they’re spending time outside on warm days. Check water dishes frequently and

Meet Doc Watson! He came to us as a stray through one of our community clinics to be altered. But, our veterinarian quickly realized he was in need of much more than that. Doc Watson had two badly injured eyes and a severe infection setting in – he made it to us just in time. Not only was he neutered and vaccinated but both of his eyes were removed. Our compassionate team saved Doc Watson's life. And now he's happily and healthily living out his days ... in a loving home! Animal Friends has been committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for the pets of our region – starting with a gender neutral pet community where every pet is spayed or neutered. But there are still so many pets out there that need these lifesaving services ... Now is the time to help keep Animal Friends gender neutral by supporting spay/neuter! An anonymous donor will match your gift 50 cents on the dollar, but only if you act now !

Many of us are looking forward to Fourth of July weekend this year. Families will be gathering for outdoor barbeques, friends will be enjoying the warm summer weather by the pool and what Independence Day celebration would be complete without fireworks?   Unfortunately, in the flurry of patriotic parties that are planned for the long holiday weekend, pets can unintentionally be put at risk. Many of the activities that humans see as fun and games can be dangerous and frightening for our pets. Knowing how to keep your pets safe and happy during the festivities could quite literally save their life. Proper Identification Be sure that your pet is wearing a collar with legible and up-to-date contact information at all times. In the event that your furry friend escapes from the safety of your home, proper identification will allow neighbors, animal control and law enforcement agencies to contact you if your pet is found. Microchipping your pet is an easy and inexpensive way to implant them