Common Myths that are Portrayed on Shelter Dogs

So, next time you want to add a dog to your family or your pack, adopt don’t shop — you’ll save a life and find a faithful friend at the same time.

What is your favorite dog rescue organization in your area and why?

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The only way we can truly stamp out cruelty to animals is if all of us are vigilant and willing to do our part.

Recognizing cruelty

According to the Humane Society, there are two kinds of animal cruelty: direct violence and neglect. Unfortunately, unless you witness something happening, it’s not always clear when something constitutes neglect. Here are some signs to look for:

• Direct violence. Signs include open wounds, multiple scars, limping, or difficulty walking. Many dogs that suffer direct violence will also display behaviors such as hiding, walking with their head down and tail between their legs, or cringing when people approach, but since those can also occur for other reasons, those behavioral signs alone shouldn’t be taken as definitive proof that a dog is being hurt.
• Neglect. Most people don’t go so far as to actually lay hands on their dog to hurt them. But what happens with far too many owners is just as bad: they neglect the needs of their dog. Signs of neglect include injuries or illnesses that linger untreated, poor living conditions (including filth and dangerous objects near the dog and being left outside in bad weather), bones being visible through the skin, and extremely poor grooming.

Reporting cruelty

So what do you do if you notice an animal that appears to be suffering from one or more of these issues? Call your local animal welfare agency immediately.

In most areas, someone from the local animal control agency, humane organization, or animal shelter will be responsible for investigating and enforcing the local anti-cruelty laws, but if you don’t know who’s in charge in your city or town, you can always call the local police non-emergency number to find out who to report the cruelty to. Also, in many locales, 311 connects directly to city services, who will know where to direct you.

Fighting cruelty

Of course, the best way to fight cruelty is to teach as many people as possible how their pets should be treated — and what they should never ever do. Parents and educators should teach children how to safely and humanely interact with animals at an early age, as well as how they can tell if an animal is being harmed and what to do about it.

You can help spread the word by utilizing your own community to do so. For instance, you can share messages about proper treatment of animals on your social networks or offer to teach a class at your local elementary school or even pre-school.

Beyond this, people need to stand up for what they believe in when they witness animal cruelty and take a stand by reporting the behavior. The more often that abusive individuals are punished, the less likely others are to do the same thing.

Have you ever reported a case of animal cruelty? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

The post How To Stop Animal Cruelty appeared first on Cesar's Way.

I really admire the work that you do. I think it is amazing how many lives you have transformed, both canine and human. I know at the end of your stay here on Earth you will be greeted by thousands of pets at The Rainbow Bridge. I wish you continued success with your work and I know God will continue to bless you.

I would like to share with you the story of Jesse. I want to get the word out to others so that together we can make the world a safer place for our furry & four-legged friends. I am hoping that one day you may want to share this article so that others can be educated. No person or pet should have to go through what happened to us.

A Desire to Adopt

Last summer I decided to adopt a “small” puppy. I needed a small breed since I have a parrot, a rescued sparrow, & two rescue bunnies at home. After months of waiting to adopt a small pup I became inpatient and went to a “breeder.” I did not want to go to a pet store since I am aware they sell puppy mill pups. I ended up purchasing an 11 week old Shih Tzu/Maltese mix, “Shi-tese” as the “breeder” called him. Less than 24 hours later my pup became extremely lethargic & was coughing. I rushed him to the vet to discover he was hypoglycemic (blood sugar of 24), loaded with parasites, and had pneumonia. The vet stabilized his blood sugar but told me he had less than a 50% chance of pulling through. They suggested putting him down. I opted for taking him to the emergency hospital for intensive care. The vet was not even sure he would survive the 10 minute transport to the hospital.

I called the “breeder” who instructed me to bring him back for a refund.

He stated he could care for the pup at home. Being a registered nurse I knew there was no chance for this puppy if he went back to the “breeder”, as he was in need of critical care. A few minutes later he offered me a Yorkie I was playing with in “exchange” for Jesse. However, he had previously told me the evening before, the Yorkie was sold. At this point I knew he was not a reputable breeder.

Research Breeders Before Purchasing

I began to research this “breeder” and discovered that other people who purchased puppies from him had similar issues. After researching what makes a breeder reputable, my sister went in pretending to be interested in his puppies. When she asked to see the parents he stated that his sister breeds them and he sells them. He stated the parents were not around for viewing. He was selling the pups from an uninhabited apartment. He kept bringing pups out of a back room for my sister to see, but told my sister she could not go back there. At this point I realized even “breeders” can sell puppy mill dogs.

Jesse spent the first two weeks of his life in the hospital. After spending over $4,000.00 in vet bills during his first two weeks of life he finally made it home, however he was still not out of the woods. Jesse battled the parasites for weeks. He was failure to thrive and had to be force fed every few hours. He began to lose all his fur as well. Thankfully he did not have mange and it was just from being so ill and malnourished. I decided to have him shaved down at that point, hoping his fur would grow in healthy…and it did. He has since been neutered and has recovered nicely.

A Happy Ending for Jesse

Jesse turned a year old on April 15th. He is the cutest and sweetest puppy ever. He brings so much happiness into my life. I take him along with me wherever I can. Jesse loves watching “Dog Whisperer” with me. I have tried your techniques to get him to stop nipping but it doesn’t work for me. People tease me about the bruises on my arm and about being abused by my puppy, but I don’t mind. From watching your show I know part of it is my fault from babying him so much when he was ill. I will continue to work on him and hopefully he will calm down. I have dedicated my life to keeping him happy and healthy. I have researched so much on canine care and nutrition, and I share this information with other pet owners as well. I even became certified in canine CPR and first aid.

Not once did I have to hesitate and think about saving Jesse’s life.

Even though I had him for less than 24 hours, at only 11 weeks old, my heart knew he deserved a chance at life. Being a single mom behind on all my bills, I had to charge all my vet bills. However, this was the best investment I have ever made. You simply can’t put a price tag on life and on love! They say be careful what you wish for…in my heart I wanted a RESCUE dog…turns out I got my own personal rescue! And a VERY SPECIAL one at that!!! Thank you Cesar for all that you do and all the lives you save!!!!!!

Maggie Benenati

Middle Village, NY

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As retired military dogs, these brave canines were hand-selected to protect our nation because they demonstrated natural fearlessness and courage from puppyhood.

Serving proudly

While their brothers and sisters were playing fetch and taking naps, military working dogs were undergoing years of rigorous training. They learned how to apprehend an enemy, attack on command, and detect explosives and narcotics through their sense of smell. Through intensive training, military dogs heightened their sense of drive and environmental and social stability.

When they were ready, these courageous canines joined fellow brave soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. Military working dogs have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Air Force, and the police force as sentries, trackers, search and rescue dogs, scouts, and more.

A change in treatment

In the past, dogs were euthanized when they became too old, injured, or weary to continue serving as military working dogs. But in 2000, new legislation was passed that permits the adoption of military working dogs after they retire.

Today, veteran dogs are adopted into loving homes across the country after completing their service. These dogs are released to centers such as the Warrior Dog Foundation and the Military Working Dog Adoption Program.

Veteran dogs are evaluated for temperament and sociability to determine if they are suitable candidates for civilian adoption. Aspiring veteran dog owners, in turn, must go through a strict evaluation process to demonstrate they can raise their dog in a healthy environment that emphasizes obedience and structure.

Interested in adopting a veteran dog?

Retired veteran dogs are extraordinary animals and can be courageous companions to the right owner. They require a high amount of care, exercise, discipline, and structure, but the experience of adopting a veteran dog can be life-changing.

If you are interested in adopting a dog, you can visit the websites of organizations such as Warrior Dog Foundation and the Military Working Dog Adoption Program to submit an application. The wait to adopt a veteran dog is around 12 to 18 months, as there are often hundreds of applicants each year. The cost of adoption is free, though you should plan on spending money on special medications and treatment for older veteran dogs. After adopting, you will also have to have your dog spayed or neutered if he or she has not already had the procedure.

The post Reward A Veteran Dog By Rescuing Them appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Because most emergency shelters for humans are unable to house animals, many beloved pets required temporary placement in animal shelters.  With shelters closest to the fires filled beyond capacity, surrounding agencies sprang into action, taking in hundreds (if not thousands) of displaced pets.

There are many ways you can help, but the best gift you can give is cash. It may seem like a nice gesture to donate food or dog beds but overtaxed agencies usually do not have the manpower or facilities to manage such tangible gifts.

Because wildfires by their nature affect relatively smaller areas than hurricanes, local and regional animal welfare organizations do the bulk of the work. We’ve scoured the Web to find the most effective organizations who can benefit from your help.

Napa Humane

Sonoma Humane Society and its Amazon Wish List.

Sonoma County Animal Services

Marin Humane

KQED’s “California Report” offers a list of additional agencies.

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When Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria struck, it wasn’t just people who were affected. With flooding through parts of Texas, Louisiana, Florida and the Caribbean displacing tens of thousands of people it’s easy to forget the many household pets also caught up in the disaster.

Shelters from other areas across the US have taken in pets to reduce the load in shelters hit by the flooding — and remember, in many cases, these are not abandoned or lost dogs and cats. Rather, many emergency shelters for humans do not allow pets, so it becomes necessary to place them temporarily in animal shelters.

There are many ways to help out, but remember this one important word of advice: In disasters like this, the best gift you can give is cash. It may seem like a nice gesture to donate tangible things instead, like clothing or food, but quite often areas hit by disaster do not have the means to store or distribute such goods, so they wind up being wasted.

America’s leading animal welfare organizations have responded quickly to the disasters and you can help their efforts with donations:

The ASPCA’s Field Investigation and Response Fund supports all of thethe ASPCA’s life-saving efforts for animals in disaster and cruelty situations, including Irma, Harvey and Maria. Donate here.  The ASPCA recently added a donation page for Puerto Rico.

The Humane Society of the United State’s Disaster Relief Fund is helping animals affected by all three hurricanes and future disasters. Donate here.

Best Friends Animal Society is also helping those affected by the hurricanes.  Donate here.

AKC Reunite’s Pet Disaster Relief Funds helps local emergency management provide animal care services immediately after a disaster.  Donate here.

There are many, many smaller and more local organizations that can also use your support.

GoFundMe lists a number of grass roots campaigns to raise funds for hurricane relief. You can see a list of opportunities for Irma here, a similar list for Harvey and a new list for Maria.  Please keep in mind that these appeals may not be tax-deductible — and always use your wisdom when deciding where and how to donate.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida helped relief efforts in Texas and Puerto Rico, but its facilities were severely damaged by Irma.

Safe Animal Shelter near Jacksonville, Florida suffered flood damage and needs donations to get back into operation.

The Houston Pet Set, a 501(c)(3) umbrella organization, has also set up a Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund that’s accepting monetary contributions online.

Daisy Cares is looking for volunteers, as well as accepting donations of dog food and supplies, and monetary donations through their website.

Elite Daily offers a short list of Puerto Rico-based organizations that can use your support.

The Lafayette, Louisiana Daily Advertiser offers this list of shelters and rescue orgs ready to provide emergency housing to displaced pets:

Austin Pets Alive
Animal Rescue of New Orleans
San Antonio Humane Society
SPCA of Texas

Among natural disasters, hurricane induced floods arguably have some of the most devastating long-term effects, and it could be months or several years before things return to normal in the flooded areas, so the need for assistance will be ongoing. Sadly, the aftermath won’t go away just because the story fades from the news, but every bit we do to help now will make things easier later.

Are you in the area affected by Harvey, Irma or Maria, or affiliated with a shelter or rescue involved in helping animals in the flood zones? Or do you know of other charities that are helping out? Let us know in the comments below.

The post UPDATE: How To Help With Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria appeared first on Cesar's Way.

After he told the story on-air the next day, he started to get calls and photos from other people who had found dogs and so LovePup was born.

From one dog to hundreds

To date, the Van Eses and their three sons have helped rescue and rehome over 500 stray dogs, and there’s no sign of things slowing down. They aren’t choosey about the dogs they’ll help and, as Van Es recently told People magazine, they’ll take any dog, adding, “It was never a burden. It was always fun and passionate and organic and real.”

Of course, while they’re not picky about the dogs, they are much more selective about the adopters, although not in the traditional home-visit way of many rescues. In the same interview, Van Es explained, “I go to their social media and I scroll through their life. I can tell if they’re party animals, bad people — if I don’t like what I see, then they don’t get the dog. It really works really well.”

Bringing rescue to the modern age

Van Es reports that he and his wife have been rescuing dogs for as long as they’ve been married. Since that was in 1996, it pre-dates all of social media and most of the Internet — but rescuing dogs in the modern age has gotten a lot easier precisely because of social media.

Just do a Facebook search for “dog rescue,” and you’ll find endless groups and pages. A Google search for the same gives over 10 million results. This is a boon both for rescuers, who can now extend their reach beyond flyers in the local vets’ offices or local word of mouth. It can also help dogs that are otherwise traumatized by all the noise and excitement of adoption events.

Take the case of Lala, who had spent years chained up in her owner’s yard, developing heartworm and tumors. A rescue organization found her and took care of the medical problems, but found that taking her to events just made her unhappy and stressed out. Consequently, she wasn’t putting her best face forward, so no one was adopting her. Social media is the perfect outlet for dogs like this, who can “meet” lots of potential owners without having to go through the anxiety or fear of being put out in a crowd.

Beyond rescue to awareness

Social media is also helping to dispel some of the misconceptions people have about rescue dogs and about senior dogs by showing them in a better light than would otherwise be possible with them stuck in a kennel and facing an uncertain future.

Cesar has even gotten into the act with his very successful “Adopt Me Thursday” program in association with his PACK Project and Merial, maker of FRONTLINE® Gold, which features new adoptable dogs every week on Cesar’s Facebook and Google+ pages, ranging from puppies to seniors and including all breeds.

The group Pets Add Life went even further, going beyond Facebook and Twitter to create a YouTube campaign encouraging people to adopt a new pet to keep their old one company, and asking for people to submit dubbed videos of their pets. The spokespets for the campaign, Jupiter and Kona, were featured in their own video — and if that human voice sounds familiar it’s because it’s Andrew Grantham, who is also the voice behind the ultra-viral 187 million view video featuring Clark Griswold the Dog.

Of course once they’re rescued these dogs don’t necessarily give up on social media. Whether they’re part of the Dogs of Instagram collection or just generally Internet famous, they continue to delight us online long after they’ve found their forever homes. And don’t forget that you can follow three of Cesar’s most popular pack members — Junior, Benson, and Gio — on Instagram yourselves!

Did you rescue your dog via social media or is she or he a social media star? Share their stories and photos below!

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As reported by the website LAist, Best Friends Animal Society of Los Angeles already puts this number at 89.4%, so the city is well on the way to success — but they aren’t quite there yet.

Speaking of the process, the Director of Policy and Legislation for city councilmember Paul Koretz, Jeff Ebenstein, told local radio station KABC, “It’s not going to happen over night but we increased funding to spay and neuter, that was a big part of it. We also put a ban on puppy mills in the city of Los Angeles that require all pet stores to use shelter animals.”

The resolution itself begins optimistically and sets a target of less than eight months from now:

“WHEREAS, while the no-kill goal is in sight and potentially within reach, there is more to be done in order to save all of the adoptable and healthy animals in the department’s care and jurisdiction.

“NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Los Angeles reconfirms its commitment to achieving the accepted no-kill live release for all healthy and adoptable dogs and cats at Los Angeles Animal Services by December 31, 2017, or by as soon thereafter as possible; and

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Los Angeles work in collaboration with the No Kill Los Angeles coalition, other rescuers and rescue organizations, humane organizations and the general public to develop a comprehensive strategy to reach and maintain a life-saving rate consistent with accepted no-kill standards.”

Of course, a resolution is one thing and a result is another, but residents of Los Angeles — and all communities with shelters — can help the process along toward the 90% goal. For example:

1. Spay and neuter your pets.
   Unless you’re a licensed, professional breeder, there’s no good reason for any of your dogs to have puppies — and don’t think that it can’t happen if you have one dog that never leaves your house. As they say, “love will find a way.” So will an intact male dog when there’s a female in heat anywhere in the neighborhood. Get your dogs (and cats) spayed or neutered.
    
2. Adopt, don’t shop.
   Every dog (or cat) rescued from a shelter is one less potential victim of euthanization, and frees up a spot for another dog to stay alive. Also, by investing your money in shelters instead of with breeders and pet shops, you’re helping to pay for the survival of future dogs.
    
3. Consider older dogs, not puppies.
   Adult dogs can be a much better fit than a puppy if you don’t have the time to properly train a young dog — which is pretty much a 24/7 job. They can also start out already trained and socialized. Senior dogs can be ideal for senior citizens or people with conditions that limit their mobility or activity level.
    
4. Consider “imperfect” dogs.
   Dogs aren’t hindered by handicaps, like hearing or vision loss, or the amputation of a limb. They go on being dogs, but these are the dogs that are often overlooked at adoption time. If you do see such a dog at a shelter, consider rescuing them. You’ll find them to be just as loving and loyal. They are also at much higher risk of being un-adopted and killed, so you’re guaranteed to save a life this way. And remember: “imperfect” is a human judgment, not a dog reality!
    
5. Never surrender your dog to a shelter.
   If you absolutely have to give up your dog, there are better alternatives that won’t put your dog on a kill list and, again, will leave a shelter spot open for another dog. Options range from no-kill private rescues, to friends and family, to interviewing to find prospective adopters.

Currently, Austin is the biggest city in the U.S. to have made the successful transition to no-kill. At over four times its population, the city of Los Angeles would smash that record while proving that it is possible for a huge urban area to make its shelters humane and pave the way for the behemoth that is the County of Los Angeles to do the same. At 10.12 million people, it’s the largest county in the country. Turning the county no-kill would have an enormous and positive impact on the rest of the country.

You can find a list of resources for making your own shelters no-kill, whether you live in a small, rural area, or a huge city, at the Best Friends website.

The post Another Step Toward A No-Kill City appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Spay or Neuter

One unfixed female and her offspring can lead to 67,000 dogs in just six years. Spaying or neutering your pets now will eliminate unwanted litters, and has positive effects on their health and behavior.

There are many spay and neuter myths, but they are just that. Myths. Male dogs will not become fat and lazy, but will be less likely to be aggressive or mark indoors. It also eliminates the possibility for testicular and ovarian cancer, and reduces the likelihood for female dogs to have uterine or breast cancer.

Rescue, Don’t Buy

Shelters are full of unwanted but adoptable dogs looking for loving forever homes, available at a low cost, which usually includes spay or neuter and vaccination services.

Rescue dogs are usually more genetically diverse than purebreds, and this can be a blessing down the line, as they are far less likely to suffer from inherited conditions that their individual breeds are prone to. A purebred German shepherd, for example, is likely to develop a painful condition called hip dysplasia at some point. A mixed breed GSD is far less likely to have that problem.

Volunteer At a Shelter

This is a great way to help and hone your own dog skills in the process. If you don’t have a dog yet but are considering adopting, volunteering lets you see the various behaviors of a lot of dogs, and get to learn how to understand their energy and body language, so you’ll be better able to make the right choice when the time comes

If you do have dogs and they have issues, it’s an opportunity to meet other dogs with similar behaviors and practice the skills you’ll need to rehabilitate your own dogs. Finally, you’ll get to work with animals and practice becoming a better pack leader every time you’re at the shelter.

Keep Your Pet from Becoming a Stray

If you haven’t already, get your pets microchipped. It’s a safe, painless way to give them identification that can’t be lost or stolen. Also make sure your pets have collars with securely attached ID tags that they wear at all times, showing your name and phone number — and don’t forget to update whenever you move or change numbers.

Check your home or yard to make sure that it is escape-proof. Look for signs of digging near border walls or fences, or scratching and chewing on gates. Monitor your dog when they are in the yard alone. If necessary, make adaptations — if you have a dog that can jump your six foot wall, you’re going to need a higher wall!

You should also always have a supply of recent photographs of your dog. Include face, profile, and full-body shots, as well as pictures of distinguishing markings. Make sure they are well lit and in focus. For puppies, update the photos every six weeks; more often when they’re younger. For adult dogs, do this at least once a year.

Be the Best Pack Leader You Can Be

Sadly, many dogs wind up in shelters because of behavioral issues caused when their human pack didn’t bother to resolve the problem. When you adopt a dog, you are making a promise: “I am committed to taking care of you for the rest of your life.”

That commitment has no conditions. It does not mean “unless you pee on the couch” or “until you eat my favorite tie” or “as long as you don’t bark when I’m not home.” If your dog has behavioral problems, it’s up to you, as the pack leader, to fix them.

That’s what a Pack Leader does. Your job is to provide protection and direction. If you can’t do it yourself, hire a professional to help. But your dog will only reflect your energy, and do what you’re telling it to do, whether you’re aware of what you’re saying or not. Become aware, and save a life.

The marvelous relationship between humans and dogs is a unique gift from Nature. No dog anywhere should be abandoned or abused, ever. Luckily, each and every one of us has the ability and the power to do our small part to prevent that, one simple step at a time.

The post 5 Steps To Help Our Four-Legged Friends appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Wings of Rescue is an all-volunteer organization that moves animals around the country, taking them from overcrowded shelters and relocating them to places that are ready and able to take on and rehome the rescues. Completely donor funded, the group also provides air transport to animals with medical needs that might be made worse by a long drive.

There’s also good news for Andre Millan’s fans — you can see him costarring with Cesar in Dog Nation, premiering Friday, March 3, 2017 only on Nat Geo WILD!

How do you support dog rescue initiatives?

The post ‘What’s Up Dawg!’ Episode 3 appeared first on Cesar's Way.