Pet of the Month - February

In honor of Valentine's Day, we have decided to honor all of the homeless pets living in animal shelters, just waiting for someone to love.  If you have space in your heart for a furry friend, please consider adopting a pet.  Each year, in shelters across the country, over 6 million homeless animals are euthanized.  Most shelter pets find themselves homeless through no fault of their own.  Among the most common reasons a pet finds itself homeless are that their owners have passed away, gotten divorced or lost their home.

I got involved in rescue work over a decade ago, and I have to say that it is heartbreaking to see so many potentially great pets languishing in local shelters.  All four of my dogs are former 'shelter dogs'.  They are all wonderful companions and friends.  I think shelter dogs know just how lucky they are to be given a second chance, and, for that reason, are grateful to their adopter, frequently displaying this by showing extra loyalty and love, as often as they can.  My four are all just lovebugs and like nothing better than to cuddle on the couch with their 'mom' (me).  The greeting I get when I come in the door at the end of the day - you would think they just won the lottery, they are so happy to see me!

Shelter pets are fast learners, usually picking up the household routine quickly.  Since they are anxious to please, a little training goes a long way.  It is a myth that most shelter pets have behavior 'issues' and that shelters will not tell you of this, just so you will adopt the pet.  This myth is commonly mentioned by pet stores and unscrupulous breeders in order to 'sell' you on a new puppy . . . that they would be more than happy to provide . . . for a hefty fee, of course!  Just remember that 99 % of puppies in pet stores come from the misery that is a puppy mill - no matter what they tell you!  Almost all shelters do behavioral testing on dogs in their care to ensure that the dog is a suitable candidate for adoption.  For liablity reasons, dogs with aggression issues will not be adopted out.  Shelters try to match the correct dog with the correct potential adopter, based upon factors such as energy level, size, termperament, etc.

Another common myth is that most shelter dogs are mixed breeds, when, in fact, 30 to 40 % of homeless dogs purebreds.  Many shelters also have young dogs, even puppies, so if you just love the puppy stage, then you can meet your next 'puppy love' at a local animal shelter.

If you are looking for a specific breed, there are rescue groups that specialize in most breeds.  You can register with the breed rescue group of your choice and, once approved, they will work with you to find the perfect canine companion for you.

If you wish to find a 'furever' friend this Valentine's Day, check our your local animal shelter!

A good place to start is the website called Petfinders.com.  Most local shelters list their adoptable pets on this site. 

Most breed and non-profit rescue groups also have links to their own websites through this page.  There are literally thousands of homeless pets listed on this site at any one time.

So, this Valentine's Day, please think about opening your home and your heart to a homeless pet in need.

New Website for Paws & Kisses

We finally took the time over the holidays to redesign and update the Paws & Kisses website.  We think it looks good, even if we do say so ourselves!  New features include a 'Resources' page, which provides information and links to various pet care and pet adoption sites that we have found useful.  Also, there is now a Smilebox slideshow of some of the Paws & Kisses clients and our own PAK spokesdogs.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

The domain name remains the same:  http://www.pawsandkissessitting.com/

Dog of the Month for January 2012

While we were visiting a local animal shelter to drop off some Presents 4 Pets donations, we ran into this adorable senior pug.  She was sitting in a cage looking lost and lonely.  Poor Winnie found herself at the shelter for the second time in her life.  She was found as a stray when she was about 3 years old.  Then she was adopted by a nice man who gave her a good home for 7 years, until he lost his home.  Then Winnie found herself at the shelter for a second time.  Now 10 years old, poor Winnie did not stand much of a chance of adoption, as it is difficult to place senior dogs.  Well, we fell in love with her at first sight and just could not bear to leave her there for one minute longer, so she came home with us that evening!  She is now enjoying her golden years in a loving home with her three other furry siblings.  She has already commandered the most comfortable spot on the couch - and says she has no plans to give it up!

Check out the slideshow of Winnie the Rescue Dog!

Create your own free digital slideshow

Presents 4 Pets Campaign Slideshow

Check out the slideshow of our 2011 Presents 4 Pets campaign! 

Click here to learn how to support the 2012 P4P campaign.

This free slideshow design made with Smilebox

Presents 4 Pets Campaign Success!

A big thank you to all PAK clients and the local community for helping us to collect over $ 4,500.00 worth of pet care products for donation to local animal shelters and rescue groups during the 2011  Presents 4 Pets campaign !

Items collected include over 500 lbs of dry dog food, 200 lbs of cat litter, over 250 dog toys, over 50 boxes of treats, more than 100 cans of dog and cat food and dozens and dozens of collars, leashes, grooming products, beds, towels, blankets and more. 

With pet populations at local shelters at an all time high, and funding falling, it is harder and harder for shelters to meet the needs of all the pets that need new homes.  That is where we (and you) help out.  Each year, our donations are gladly received and used to help homeless animals have a more comfortable life. 

I received a letter from a small municipal shelter after last year's campaign thanking me for providing over 150 lbs of dry dog food in November.  The shelter manager said that they had run out of funding in September and wouldn't get any additional money from the city until January.  The shelter staff had been buying food to feed the dogs from their own pockets!  Needless to say, they were also very grateful for the treats, toys, bedding, collars and leashes that we provided, as well, as they were having enough trouble just feeding the animals, let alone having any left over for 'extras'!

We have disbursed about 40 % of the donated items and plan to distribute the rest in the coming weeks.  Thanks again to all who so generously contributed, helping make life a little brighter at the holiday season for homeless animals and their dedicated care givers working at local shelters and with animal rescue groups.

Pet of the Month - November

The Pet of the Month for November is Olivia.  Olivia is a little firebrand who is the 'spoiled little sister' of her family.  She gets her way - always.  She loves to tease the other dogs, who are older than her.  Much of the time, they give her weary looks as if to say, "Please leave me alone and find something to do to amuse yourself - I am not going to play with you all the time!"  She loves to lay on the arms or backs of the furniture, which is OK most of the time.  Once in a while, if she moves while deep asleep and forgets she is on such a narrow perch, she slides off!  Then she looks around as if to say, "I meant to do that!"  She loves to share a Chai with her mom in the morning.  In fact, if mom is a little slow in putting some in a bowl for her, she will give a little growl to remind her not to forget and drink it all before giving her some.  Such a sweetie!

Professional Pet Photography

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Rick DelVecchio, an avid animal lover and professional pet photographer.  I was impressed with his dedication to animals and the quality of his work, so I asked him if he would be interested in a plug on this blog, so here goes . . .

Rick DelVecchio Photography specializes in on-location pet photography and dog show photography in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. For most of my professional career, pets have been my ONLY business. That unique dedication to one photographic subject has helped me develop a unique style and bond with animals. As a lifelong animal lover, professional photographer since 1999, and the current owner of two crazy Golden Retrievers, I understand the special love all owners have for their "furry family members". I will work with you and your pet to capture an image you can treasure. For your pet portrait sessions you can choose natural light, candid, indoor or outdoor portraits or in-home studio style portraits designed to best capture your pet's personality. I bring the studio to you in CT, NY or MA! I am also available for special breeder sessions (at your location or during competitions) and pet product commercial photography, to create powerful advertising and promotional images.

To reach Rick call (203) 583-1440 or email him at rick@delvecchiophotography.com

To check out more samples of his work, visit his website http://www.delvecchiophotography.com/

Mention you were referred by Paws & Kisses Pet Sitting and receive a discount!