Whether by plane, train, or automobile, family vacations are what memories are made of. But pet parents often face a dilemma when making their travel plans. What do you do with your beloved dog or cat when you’re heading out of town?
Cute and fluffy, and full of hippity hoppity fun, bunny rabbits can make great pets. But just like adopting a dog or a cat, they are a lifetime commitment that should be well thought out before bringing one into your home.
World Spay Day started in 1995 to call attention to the problem of homeless pets across the country, and to promote spay/neuter as a way to prevent pet overpopulation as well as save animals’ lives. Homeless animals living on the street can reproduce in record numbers every year. Many of those will have to search for food, water, and shelter, and are likely to die needlessly from malnutrition, disease, and exposure to the elements. Some may find themselves in overcrowded shelters where millions of otherwise healthy companion animals are euthanized every year, simply because there just aren’t enough homes.
North Shore Animal League America is proud to partner with Subaru for their Subaru Loves Pets initiative, where retailers host adoption events to help dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens find loving, responsible homes.
When you bring your dog or cat to North Shore Animal League America’s Pet Health Centers — consisting of the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center, Don and Karen LaRocca Pet Wellness Center, and the Elizabeth Freed Special Recovery Center — you can be assured that they are in the best hands possible. That’s because we are proud to be accredited through the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Fewer than 15% of animal hospitals in the U.S. hold this distinction.
Our Freed Special Recovery Center recently welcomed Boone and Doc, pair of Siberian Husky-mix puppies in need of emergency medical treatment for parvovirus. These young brothers suffered from neglect, and would likely have perished without intervention. Their tragic circumstances — avoidable with standard vaccinations — serve as a reminder that taking an animal into your home is a significant, lifelong commitment.
When several dogs tragically died last month after playing in a Brooklyn park, it was a grim reminder of the dangers that can lurk in our environment. Their deaths were traced to an outbreak of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that is spread by urine. The bacteria can be easily picked up by dogs who spend time outside.
Winter is a difficult time of the year for Community Cats; it’s cold, food and water are scarce, and a warm, dry place to rest their weary bones can be hard to find. Providing some sort of comfort for these cats — whether it be a bowl of food, a feral house to call their own or a fresh bowl of water — will go a long way to make their life so much easier.
Every dog in the shelter can provide you with endless love and companionship, and every dog deserves a loving, responsible home. But some dogs are better for you and your lifestyle than others. That's why you should take the time to make a thoughtful choice. After all, you're choosing your new best friend who will be with you for 10, 15, or even more years. Here are some helpful tips to choosing the right dog so you can both enjoy your years together to the fullest.
When 14-year-old Danielle was left with extra time on her hands last year while schools and activities were shut down, she decided to get creative. “I have loved animals – especially dogs – my whole life,” said Danielle. “It’s why I want to be a vet someday. There were so many dogs in my neighborhood and helping out with them seemed like a great way to combine doing something that I love and raising money to help North Shore Animal League America.”