Tips

YOUR PET NEEDS A TAG
Dogs and cats are the most likely pets to wander off and become lost. Putting a collar and tags on your pets is their “ticket” home to you. An identification tag should be kept current with your name, address, and phone number. Even if your pet has a tattoo or microchip, the tag is your pet’s quickest and easiest way home. Indoor cats sometimes manage to slip out and become lost. “Break-away” and stretchy collars are made especially for cats to prevent them from getting stuck on a tree branch. Keep clear photos, descriptions, and vaccination records of your pets to help in the event your pet does become lost. Visit the Humane Society often when searching for a lost pet.

DOGS WITH BEHAVIOR ISSUES
Dogs are pack animals and will often develop bad behaviors when lonely or bored. Be sure to spend plenty of quality time with your dog, playing, exercising, and teaching it commands. Make sure the dog has a stimulating environment with plenty of toys or playmates. Be realistic with your expectations: remember that he’s still a dog and he may have inbred qualities that are typical for his breed. Punishment for behavior issues usually does not work, as you must catch your dog in the act every time. Seek the cause of the behavior and adjust the dog’s environment accordingly. Find ways to reward his good behaviors to reinforce what you want him to do.

Barking: Your dog may be barking because he is lonely or bored, but he might also bark to protect his territory. You may need to teach him the “speak” and “quiet” or “no speak” commands so you can control his barking when you are around. If your dog barks at sounds he is afraid of, he might benefit from being left indoors with a radio or TV on.

Digging: Digging may be a form of play for your dog. Leave plenty of interesting toys for him to play with in the yard. Consider providing him with a special digging area where you don’t mind if he digs. Some dogs dig shallow holes to cool off in hot weather, so make sure he has proper shade or shelter and water. If your dog is digging to escape under the fence, be sure to adjust his environment to prevent escape (bury the fence under ground or place large rocks or obstacles along the fence line).

Escaping: Try to discover how and why your dog is escaping. Is he bored? ..lonely? ..afraid?.. sexually stimulated? Be sure your dog gets enough exercise with you by taking walks, playing, and fetching. When left alone, dogs spend lots of time resting even in the biggest of yards. Provide safe toys or playmates when you’re gone. Block views of parks or trails where more exciting events are happening. Spay or neuter your dog. Make your yard secure to prevent digging, climbing, or jumping to freedom.

Chewing: Like toddlers, dogs discover their world by putting things in their mouths. Be sure to teach them what is okay to chew. Provide your dog with plenty of appropriate and safe chew toys and limit his access to areas where too many non-toys are available. Train your dog to “drop it” in case he gets a hold of the wrong item. Help him release extra energy by playing and exercising with your dog.

INDOOR CATS LIVE LONGER AND STAY HEALTHIER
Unsupervised outdoor cats are often injured or killed by vehicles. Dogs and other cats may chase, attack, or kill your cat. Cats often become prey to fox, coyote, or mountain lions trying to survive in urban areas. Outdoor cats are more likely to be poisoned or exposed to diseases from neighboring animals. Not all people are kind to animals, so cats on the loose may be trapped, stolen, or purposely injured. Supervised visits outdoors or cat-proof enclosed outdoor areas can allow your cat a breath of fresh air. A stimulating environment indoors, with plenty of toys, scratching and climbing areas, quiet napping spots, and attention from you may help your felines enjoy a long healthy life.

SPAY AND NEUTER:
Spaying is the surgical procedure done on female animals and neutering is the surgical procedure performed on male animals. Both surgeries prevent pregnancy and resulting litters of offspring. Early neutering (by 6 months of age) of male dogs and cats prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease, and hernias. Neutered males are less likely to spray or mark territory and are less aggressive. Early spaying (before first heat cycle) nearly eliminates a female cat or dog’s chance of developing mammary tumors and uterine infections.

An unspayed female dog can have an average of 2 litters per year, with 6 to 10 puppies in each litter. She and her offspring could produce 67,000 dogs in 6 years. An unspayed female cat can produce an average of 3 litters of 7 to 10 kittens each per year, resulting in 420,000 cats in 7 years. Unwanted pets can quickly become an overwhelming problem. Fewer unwanted litters of cats and dogs allows the Humane Society to find homes for more of the pets already born and at the shelter.