Petfinder Blog

It's Me or the Dog Nominated for People's Choice Award: Vote Today

2009-11-20T22:10:53Z

We're thrilled to announce that Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog is nominated for the 2010 People's Choice awards in the Favorite Animal Show category.

Victoria Stilwell, a true dog lover and pet adoption advocate, has a proud history with Petfinder, donating her time for our Victoria Stillwell contests. Victoria worked with the two winning Petfinder dogs to help them find forever homes. (Read about the winners Lab mix Logan and shy Pit Bull, Liza Bean.)

]]>
To vote for It's Me or the Dog, click on the "Vote Now" button above. Then share your vote on Facebook and Twitter!

You Might Also Like:

Blog: Victoria Stilwell to help one lucky, behavior-challenged shelter dog

Blog: Rescued pit Liza Bean to get a Victoria Stilwell consultation!

Blog: Liza Bean update: What did Victoria Stilwell suggest?

Blog: Victoria Stilwell visits Liza Bean the shy pit bull in person!

Blog: Lab mix Logan wins a consultation with Victoria Stilwell!

Blog: Logan update: What did Victoria Stilwell suggest?

<Return to blog home page>

Happy Tail: Shelter life was all he knew until a road trip changed everything

2009-11-20T18:51:57Z

Read Rex's Happy Tail in Michael's own words.

Rex, a German Shepherd, Labrador and Bassett Hound mix, never knew anything but shelter life. His mother was dropped off at a Tennessee facility two days before Rex came into the world.

Quickly transferred to another shelter, Rex was put on a transport for New Hampshire in an effort to get him to a part of the country where shelters weren't so overcrowded.

Eventually he came into the care of the Salem Animal Rescue League in Salem, NH, where his photo and description were put on Petfinder then jettisoned far and wide.

A year and a half earlier, the Walsh family dog, Bootsie, was killed in an accident. The whole family was devastated but Jamie, now seven, had a particularly rough time.

"She spent many nights crying for her beloved Bootsie," says Jamie's father Michael Walsh. "My wife and I really had a hard time deciding whether or not we should get another dog and possibly put her through something like that again."

]]>
And indeed they did, as soon as they saw Rex. "He was so cute. I immediately showed him to my wife, Cathy, Jamie and my son, Michael, who is 11. We all fell in love with Rex," Michael Sr. says.

He picked up the family on his lunch hour and they headed to the shelter. "We spent about 45 minutes with Rex and decided that he was coming home with us." Along with Rex came his best friend, a stuffed animal called Mr. Hedgehog.

"Rex and Mr. Hedgehog made the long journey from Tennessee together, and they were buddies," Michael says.

The journey may have been a long one -- from Tennessee to New Hampshire to Massachusetts -- but it was worth it. Rex and Mr. Hedgehog finally know what a "real, forever home" means.

Previous Happy Tails:

After a marriage, a Jack Russell finds his soulmate

Dog vs. puppy? One adopter finds out love is ageless

An energetic Corgi becomes a model neighbor

A seriously ill kitten is saved by her adopters' TLC

After her Pit Bull is killed, fate sends a new best friend

They almost sent him back, but patience -- and training -- paid off

A lonely cat is reunited with her foster home soul-mate

A rescued pit bull helps a daughter through a time of loss

A Pekingese poster child for senior-pet adoption

Two dogs - one with mange, one abused - come home

Saving a starved and scarred Pit Bull

An abandoned cat comes in from the cold

A puppy-mill Chihuahua learns to live outside a cage

Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull

<Return to blog home page>

Pompeii's stray dogs up for adoption

2009-11-19T15:49:44Z

Pompeii has over 50 dogs that will be up for adoption. (Photo: icanidipompei.com/)

According to Discovery News, the stray dogs of Pompeii are about to get a second chance.

On Monday, Pompeii's Emergency Commissioner, Marcello Fiori, announced a campaign to microchip, collar and tag each of the more than 50 dogs that frequent the ruins to find them permanent, loving homes.

"Stray dogs have given Pompeii a bad image, but things are going to change. From now on, dogs will have their own identity and dignity and will be taken care of," Fiori told reporters at the press conference.

Volunteers from three of Italy's leading animal charities have offered assistance with the campaign.

More from Discovery News after the jump.

]]> The dogs will be treated for any illnesses and then sterilized. Volunteers have already established shelters just outside the ancient town's walls.

But the most important part of the project is to find a new home for each dog.

"The dogs cannot remain at the site forever. Our goal is to find them a family," Fiori said. Those interested in adopting one of Pompeii's stray dogs will soon be able to submit applications to http://www.icanidipompei.com/.

Of course, if you're looking to adopt a tad more locally, you can always search on Petfinder! Plenty of shelters and rescues here in the United States are willing to consider long-distance adoptions if your local rescue doesn't have that perfect pet for you.

Did you or someone you know adopt a stray dog? Did you find that adopting a stray dog was different from adopting one that was surrendered to a shelter or rescue?

You Might Also Like:

Preparing Your Home For A New Dog

Blog: A bomb-sniffing dog is found after 14 months MIA in Afghanistan

Blog: Homeless dog a hero dog in Chile -- how can we help other street dogs?

Blog: Saudi Arabia pet ban: Is it an entirely bad thing?

<Return to blog home page>

Video: Former Petfinder Great Dane named 'World's Tallest Dog'

2009-11-17T22:16:35Z

Titan, a Great Dane, was recently named the World's Tallest Dog by Guinness Word Records and appeared on the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. He is also special for another reason.

The Baltimore Examiner reports that Titan's mom found the blind, deaf and epileptic rescue dog on Petfinder when he was just three months old -- and already weighed 55 pounds.

]]>

Even as a puppy, Titan weighed 55 pounds. (Photo:The Baltimore Examiner)

"I had no idea Titan would be so tall," Taylor told the Examiner. "But he just kept growing." Titan is now 42.25 inches.

According to the Examiner, Taylor is using Titan's new found fame to raise awareness about these "gentle giants:"

"Titan is my first Great Dane," says Taylor. "What I love about the dogs besides their size is their demeanor. They have a good temperament. They love people and dogs, even small dogs. They love everybody."

Not only is Taylor a proud rescue mom, she's showing the world what great companions special needs dogs like Titan can be. Thank you Taylor and Titan!

Do you know a special companion animal that's a true ambassador for their breed? Tell us about them!

You Might Also Like:

Blog: Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month: 10 ways YOU can help

Blog: Deaf Dog Awareness Week: A photographer sees the beauty in deaf pets

Blog: On Aug. 12, help us celebrate Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day!

Blog: Living with a deaf (and blind) dog: Keller's amazing story

<Return to blog home page>

Movie inspires Petfinder's Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays Program

2009-11-17T16:10:58Z

Tune in to the CBS special, A Dog Named Christmas, Sunday, November 29 at 9/8 c.

'Tis the season ... of Christmas re-runs. But there's a new movie I bet will be on your seasonal favorite list from now on -- and a brand new Petfinder program to go with it.

The show is Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of A Dog Named Christmas.

Based on a great little book by author and Petfinder blogger, Greg Kincaid, the story follows a developmentally challenged young man who fosters a dog from his local shelter during the holidays and he gets the whole community involved. It's a feel-
good story with a great message.

The idea inspired Petfinder to start the Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays program, and we hope you will invite a shelter pet into your home for this special time of year.
]]> By contacting a participating Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays shelter or rescue, you'll be helping a shelter during a season when it's short-staffed or when the pet's regular foster "mom" or "dad" needs some respite time. Plus, you'll be making a difference in some little (or big) critter's life. You can hardly top that for imbuing yourself with Christmas spirit!

Fostering doesn't have to be a long-term commitment -- just a few days or a week. And if you're thinking of adopting, this will be a great way to see how adoption might work out.

Watch the show on Sunday, November 29, on CBS, then find a participating shelter in your area and give them a call.

See if you can help. It will be a case of life mimicking art where everyone has a very happy holiday season.

You Might Also Like:

Before You Foster

Blog: 8 reasons you CAN foster a cat -- even if you think you can't

Video: Volunteering with Shelter Cats

Video: Volunteering with Shelter Dogs

<Return to blog home page>

A bomb-sniffing dog is found after 14 months MIA in Afghanistan

2009-11-12T17:22:11Z

Sabi and friend in Afghanistan (photo: AP/Andrew Mearse)

We love stories of lost pets reunited with their families -- often as a result of a wisely placed microchip.

But Discovery News has a truly miraculous lost-pet story, about an Australian explosive-detection dog named Sabi who vanished during a September 2008 gunfight in Afghanistan.

Fourteen months after Sabi's disappearance, a U.S. soldier found her at an isolated patrol base. The retriever was returned to her Australian caretakers in time for a visit (and some pets) from Aussie Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. (Read the full story here.)

Speaking of pets and the military, you can help men and women serving in the armed forces by fostering their pets while they're stationed abroad. Learn more after the jump.

]]> fostering pets for soldiers.

Sign up to be a foster caregiver or make a donation to the Military Pets Foster Project at NetPets.org.

Previous entry:

Pit Bulls, other breeds banned in military housing

Would you bring your pets on your honeymoon?

2009-11-11T15:16:49Z

Do you bring your pets everywhere you go? (photo: The Bride's Guide)

MarthaStuart.com blog The Bride's Guide is asking readers: "Do you intend to honeymoon with your pet? If so, where are you going and how do you plan to get there?"

Blogger Jennifer Miranda even gives Petfinder a nice shout-out, writing:

To me, someone who was never allowed to have a significant pet besides a few goldfish and a newt, that [idea] is just bizarre.

But pet travel is becoming more and more popular in recent years, so much so that Petfinder.com even created a list of the five pet-friendliest airlines.

What about you -- would you take your pet on your honeymoon? Take our poll after the jump.

]]> Would you bring your pets on your honeymoon?

You might also like:

Blog: Petfinder names the top 5 most pet-friendly airlines of 2009

Blog: Want to include your dog in your wedding? Here are some tips!

Blog: Tell us: Was your pet in your wedding?

Library: Traveling with Your Pet

Library: Pet Air Travel Tips

Video: Car Rides with Pets

Video: Tips for Hotel Stays with Pets

<Return to blog home page>

Wow! Check out our cat-room makeover contest winner now!

2009-11-03T23:24:49Z

Central Minnesota Animal Care & Control's cat room today (Photo)

Remember when we ran a cat-room-makeover contest in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month? The winner, Central Minnesota Animal Care & Control, received $1,300 worth of gorgeous cat furniture from The Refined Feline for their new colony-housing cat room.

CMACC's cat room, pre-makeover

Well the makeover is complete, and what a difference! According to the St. Cloud Times, shelter staffers designed the cat room to look like a living room, painting the walls tan and adding a viewing window, a faux fish tank and artwork on the walls.

The Refined Feline contributed two litter-box holders designed to resemble end tables, two cat shelves and three cat towers.

Shelter owner Lisa Tenter tells the paper: "[The cats] love it. They're laying around, stretched out, letting me scratch their bellies. They would never do that in a cage."

The new room's impact is more than cosmetic. Says Tenter: "The cats will be less stressed in here. Less-stressed cats mean healthier cats." (Read the full article here.)

]]> Previous entries:

Congratulations to our cat room makeover contest winner!

Buy super-stylish cat furniture -- and help homeless pets!

Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month: Five senior-pet Happy Tails to warm your heart

2009-11-02T15:54:50Z

November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, and we'll let people who've done just that explain why seasoned companions are so special.

Read on for five senior-pet Happy Tails -- and if you can't adopt your own senior pet, you can help them find homes by adding our adoptable senior pet search widget (shown here) to your Web site.

Bunny
"We drove 800 miles to get her. It was love at first site. She happily hopped in the car and headed back to Alabama with us, where she immediately made herself at home and has stolen all of our hearts. She has filled much of the void left by my old pal Bud, and filled our home with the love of a senior dog. We tell her every day that she hit the Basset Hound lottery, but actually it was us who won."
>> Read Bunny's full Happy Tail.

]]> Boogie
"When I saw the face of Boogie, 13, I begged a rescue to take him from the city shelter. ... He turned out to be much more than a pretty face, however. He acts more like a dog than any cat I have ever had. He has more than 30 meows and I hear new ones every week! ... I will never understand why this cat was given up, but as luck and fate would have it, Boogie and I found each other!"
>> Read Boogie's full Happy Tail.

Willie Nelson
"I found this 10-year-old little guy on Petfinder a year ago. He was bald, skinny and stinky and had severe gum disease as a result of prolonged neglect and abuse. Despite the rugged life he had obviously endured, his wonderful spirit brightens my life and the lives of everyone who meets him. He had the demeanor of a little middle-aged hippie troubadour, so I named him Willie Nelson."
>> Read Willie Nelson's full Happy Tail.

Tyke
"Tyke is a 16-year-old Chinese Crested Powderpuff. He had been surrendered to rescue for the second time. ... I was very touched by Tyke's picture, and by the fact that he was in rescue at such an old age. ... I have only had Tyke for a short time; however, I am just in love with this happy, energetic 'old man.' He is such a sweet, funny little dog. I am so happy to have him in my life."
>> Read Tyke's full Happy Tail.

River
"Fully aware that senior pets are all too often passed over, we looked for a little female senior kitty that needed a home in our area on Petfinder. River has now been home for a week, and she is the happiest, most delightful little kitty. Even though she is estimated to be 11 years old, we still may have many years left with her and we look forward to all of them."
>> Read River's full Happy Tail.

Do you have a senior-pet Happy Tail you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it!

You might also like:

A Companion Animal's Golden Years

Caring for Your Senior Dog

The Special Needs of the Senior Cat

The First Days with Your Senior Dog

Blog: Dog vs. puppy? One adopter finds out love is ageless

Blog: Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day

Blog: One weird cat inspires a lifelong interest in senior pets

<Return to blog home page>

Video: Rescued Pit Bulls star in a new Animal Planet series!

2009-10-30T18:22:35Z

Don't miss tonight's premier of Animal Planet's new series, Pit Bulls and Parolees, about Petfinder member Villalobos Rescue Center. The show follows Villalobos' founder, Tia Maria Torres, and her staff of ex-cons as they rescue, rehabilitate and find new families for homeless Pit Bulls.

"[T]he 'bad boys' of society meet the so-called 'bad boys' of the canine community, and boom! Just like that -- they create magic together," Torres says on the show's Web site. "They bring out a side of each other that's sweet, warm and unbelievably touching." Tune in Fridays at 10pm E/P on Animal Planet.

]]> You might also like:

Blog: National Pit Bull Awareness Day is this Saturday, Oct. 24

Blog: Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month: 10 ways YOU can help

Blog: Happy Tail: After her Pit Bull is killed, fate sends a new best friend

Blog: Michael Vick gets second chance; Pit Bulls deserve one too

<Return to blog home page>

Happy Tail: After a marriage, a Jack Russell finds his soulmate

2009-10-30T16:06:06Z

Read the story of Tilly's rescue in her adopter's own words.

Bugsy, an eight-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, was Lauren Morris's dog. He had come with her from her parents' home -- where he had plenty of playmates -- to her marital home.

Now he was depressed, missing the little pack of terriers he'd been around all his life. Lauren and her husband decided to get him a companion.

"We both agreed the route of rescue would be best," Lauren says, "giving a forever home to someone in need, rather
than supporting the breeding industry."

The couple asked their veterinarian what kind of dog would be best for Bugsy. The vet suggested that a younger female dog would probably work out well.

Lauren's husband favored German Shepherds, but they figured that was too large a breed to be a good companion for little Bugsy. So they logged on to Petfinder to see what was available and were shocked to see how many homeless pets were in their area.

]]> Doodle Dawgs and Fabulous Felines in Waldorf, MD. It was a female puppy with markings like a German Shepherd but who was expected to stay under 40 lbs. as an adult.

She and her littermates had been taken out of an open-admission shelter where their days were numbered due to overcrowding. The Morrises contacted the foster mom, filled out an application and were invited to meet her.

"Other families had gathered to meet the litter, and they were all drawn to our girl," Lauren says. "She stuck out as a diamond in the rough. She was the only one with a longer, silky coat -- dull black with light tan points. The whole litter was friendly, but she was particularly social. My husband picked up our puppy and never put her down."

They had found their dog -- and a friend for Bugsy. Lauren's husband is a firefighter and named the dog Tilly, short for Tiller, a reference to a fire truck.

At first Bugsy was unsure of the new addition to the family, but Lauren says he was curious. "She was small, but held her own and quickly became his puppy."

Or did Bugsy become Tilly's dog? "On the second day in our home," Lauren says, "I called my mother in tears as Tilly cleaned Bugsy's ears for him -- something my first dog had done from Bugsy's puppyhood and something that he had obviously missed since her passing the year before."

Truly, a sweet match for the whole family.

Previous Happy Tails:

Dog vs. puppy: One adopter finds out love is ageless

An energetic Corgi becomes a model neighbor

A seriously ill kitten is saved by her adopters' TLC

After her Pit Bull is killed, fate sends a new best friend

They almost sent him back, but patience -- and training -- paid off

A lonely cat is reunited with her foster home soul-mate

A rescued pit bull helps a daughter through a time of loss

A Pekingese poster child for senior-pet adoption

Two dogs - one with mange, one abused - come home

Saving a starved and scarred Pit Bull

An abandoned cat comes in from the cold

A puppy-mill Chihuahua learns to live outside a cage

Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull

A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics

Someone sees beauty under the scars

A 'wild' Chinese Crested puppy comes home

A dad with Alzheimer's gets a 'miracle dog'

The rock-star cat who looks like a polar bear

A senior Dalmatian loses weight, gains new life

Lovebirds go from hoarder to happy home

A former bait dog finds safety and love

A perfect match is worth waiting for

A deformed kitten gets a happy ending

The victim of a cruel prank finds happiness

A rescued Border Collie mends a broken heart

<Return to blog home page>

Video: Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month gets a YouTube shout-out

2009-10-23T10:13:28Z

Petfinder has the world's greatest fans -- they're always coming up with new ways to spread the word about pet adoption. Case in point: Pals Jill, Esther and Lisa recently sent us this great video they made for Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month.

Lisa e-mailed to tell us, "I was asked by a friend of mine from YouTube to help her come up with a concept for a video for Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month and I immediately thought of Petfinder.com -- adopt, don't buy!"

]]>

Thanks to the four-legged stars of this video, Rocko and Zimba, too!

She added: "It was short notice and we were just having fun, but it's all about how awesome Petfinder.com is!"

We love it! Thanks ladies!

How did you celebrate Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month? Tell us!

You might also like:

Video: See dogs adopt people in this funny music video

Video: The Shelter Pet Project puts Petfinder pets in the spotlight

Blog: Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month: 10 ways YOU can help

<Return to blog home page>

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is this Saturday, Oct. 24

2009-10-22T10:41:44Z

Want to help spread the word about Pits? Add an adoptable-Pit Bull search widget to your Web site.

This Saturday, October 24, we'll celebrate one of our favorite breeds on National Pit Bull Awareness Day. The annual event was started by Bless the Bullys in 2007 to bring positive media attention to these special, and misunderstood, dogs.

You can find events near you on the Bless the Bullys calendar and at NationalPitBullAwarenessDay.com (also check out Petfinder's own event calendar). Want to do more? Here are some ways to help Pit Bulls, adapted from a previous blog post about Pits.

Here's how you can help:

Adopt a Pit Bull. Pit Bulls are devoted, affectionate and joy-inducing pets with as great a range in personality as any other breed. As with dogs of any breed, not every Pit is perfect for every family. Read more about things to think about if you're thinking of adopting a Pit Bull.

Volunteer with Pit Bulls. At many city shelters, Pits and Pit mixes make up the overwhelming majority of the canine residents, and because Pits have been bred to bond closely with humans, the isolation of shelter life is particularly hard for them. You can visit the shelter to help exercise and socialize the dogs; open your home to a foster dog; photograph and write bios for local adoptable dogs' Petfinder profiles; start a bedding drive at your office to collect old blankets and towels to donate ... the possibilities are endless. For more ideas, read our article on volunteering or visit BAD RAP's How You Can Help page.

Educate others about Pit Bulls. Once you've fallen in love with a Pit (and to know one is to love one), you'll start to notice how many offhand Pit Bull stereotypes people throw around in everyday conversation. Learn the facts about Pits and you'll be able to shoot down the myths (no, they do not have locking jaws). Some great resources include Petfinder's book The Adopted Dog Bible (you'll find an excerpt, Pit Bulls: The Myths, the Legends, the Reality, after the jump), as well as BAD RAP's Monster Myths page and Pit Bull Rescue Central's breed info page. (All three sites are excellent, and we encourage you to click around on them.)

]]> Here are some talking points from The Adopted Dog Bible by our own Kim Saunders to get you started. Learn more about this excellent book, including where to buy it, here.

Pit Bulls: The Myths, the Legends, the Reality

The general term "Pit Bull" refers to a number of breeds and mixes, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, and any dogs made up of or resembling these breeds. Pit Bulls are physically powerful, strong, agile, and energetic dogs with an unrivaled joie de vivre. They are also known for the determination they bring to any task. These traits can sometimes combine to make the Pit Bull "too much dog" for an inexperienced pet parent or a family with small children, but that certainly doesn't mean that they can't be loving, wonderful dogs in the right homes.

Let's take a look at some common Pit Bull myths and the corresponding realities.

Myth: Pit Bulls have locking jaws and a higher biting power than other breeds.
Reality: There are no unique mechanisms in the jaws of Pit Bulls, and these dogs cannot lock their jaws. Additionally, in a test of biting pressure that included a German Shepherd Dog, a Rottweiler, and an American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier had the least amount of bite pressure.

Myth: Pit Bulls are vicious to people or more dangerous than other dogs.
Reality: There is no room for human aggression in a behaviorally sound Pit Bull, and the reality is that most Pit Bulls are not aggressive toward people; many are extremely sociable and adore children. A Pit Bull who passes a behavioral evaluation poses no more of a threat to people than any other large dog. The American Temperament Test (see The American Temperament Society at www.atts.org) shows that Pit Bulls consistently score above the average for all breeds tested over the years. As of December 2007, American Pit Bull Terriers had a pass rate of 84.3 percent compared to a pass rate for all breeds tested of 81.6 percent.

Myth: Adopting a Pit Bull is the same as adding any other type of dog to your family.
Reality: While behaviorally sound Pit Bulls make excellent family companions, the reality is that adopting a Pit Bull does require some special considerations:

Dog-to-dog aggression can be an issue with these dogs, and despite your best socialization efforts, a Pit Bull may become dog aggressive upon reaching maturity (roughly two years old). This will affect your ability to have other pets in your home as well as your continued responsibility for ensuring that your dog never has the opportunity to injure someone else's beloved pet.

Pit Bulls face misunderstanding and prejudice from many people who do not know much about them, so adopting one requires a willingness to consider your friends' and neighbors' concerns and to educate them about Pit Bulls in general and your dog in particular.

Prejudice and discrimination can extend beyond individuals, and in some places can include local legislation banning Pit Bulls from the community. Be sure to check local laws before adopting and before moving with your Pit Bull. Securing homeowners' insurance can also be more of a challenge if you live with a Pit Bull, but there are insurance companies that do not discriminate based on the breed of dog.

The reality is that, as with all breeds, there are great Pit Bulls and Pit Bulls who -- due to poor breeding, handling, or socialization -- are not suitable as pets. While we urge shelters and rescue groups to perform a behavioral assessment on all dogs who enter their programs, it is particularly important to be sure that this has been done with the Pit Bull you are going to adopt. While a mistake in judgment with even a small dog can have serious consequences, a similar mistake with a large, strong breed such as a Pit Bull (or Akita, Rottweiler, Mastiff, Labrador Retriever, etc.) can be deadly.

If you are prepared, know your local laws, and have decided that a Pit Bull is a good fit for your family, do consider adopting one from a shelter or rescue group who carefully evaluates their dogs. My adopted dog Mojo possesses the characteristic Pit Bull enthusiasm, determination, energy, love of life, and smile that the breed is known for. His stubbornness is sometimes a challenge for my other dogs and me. At times they have difficulty convincing him that they really don't want to play tug again. Likewise, I often cannot convince him that having him sit on my lap and lick my face is not my favorite thing in the whole world (but, truth be told, it's not far from it!).

--The Adopted Dog Bible

You might also like:

Michael Vick gets a second chance; Pit Bulls deserve one too

Is it natural to fear Pit Bulls and what can we do about it?

Happy Tail: After her Pit Bull is killed, fate sends a new best friend

ALL PIT BULL BLOG POSTS ON THE PETFINDER BLOG

More Pit Bull resources:

Bless the Bullys

Best Friends Animal Society's Pit Bulls: Saving America's Dog campaign

BAD RAP

Pit Bull Rescue Central

Animal Farm Foundation, Inc.

<Return to blog home page>

Cat survives two-mile ride in car engine: Check under the hood this winter!

2009-10-20T14:22:55Z

Art survived a two-mile ride in an SUV engine (photo: NY Daily News)

With cold weather already upon us, it was no surprise to read about about a cat who survived a two-mile car ride while trapped in an engine. (Read the original story and the follow-up in the New York Daily News.)

Luckily, the cat made it through his ordeal unscathed and is now recuperating at Animal Care & Control of New York City. But every winter, many others aren't so fortunate.

When it gets cold, stray and outdoor cats keep warm however possible. According to the Massachusetts SPCA Web site, "Cats often climb under car hoods to get warm and then get caught in the radiator fan when the engine is started."

What can you do to prevent tragedy this winter? Find out after the jump.

]]> cat who survived a hundred-mile trip under a car hood, offered these tips:

Before you get in your car, pound on the hood to get any hiding cats to jump out.

Once you're in the car, honk the horn before you start the ignition.

Keep your own cat indoors -- not only will it prevent him from climbing into a car's engine compartment, it will keep him safe from hypothermia and other winter dangers.

Have other winter-weather pet tips? Tell us!

You might also like:

Winter Weather Pet Safety Tips

Cold Weather Pet Tips

Blog: 8 reasons you CAN foster a cat -- even if you think you can't

<Return to blog home page>

Near D.C.? Say 'Hi' at Petfinder's third annual Adoption Event!

2009-10-19T17:02:57Z

It's that time of year again ... time for the third annual Petfinder Adoption Event! On Oct. 27, eleven D.C., Maryland and Virginia-based shelters and rescue groups will join the Petfinder team for a day of adoptable dogs and -- in an event first -- cats!

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Discovery Communications World Headquarters, One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD, from 4 to 6 p.m. It's a great opportunity to meet some of the people behind Petfinder, not to mention your new best canine or feline friend. We'll also be offering snacks, prizes and free custom pet tags.

Here's who will be there:

Best Dawg Rescue

East Coast German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue

Lizzy's Lodge

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Montgomery County Humane Society

Partnership for Animal Welfare

Roxie's Fund

Shingilana Rescued Felines

St. Seton's Orphaned Animals

Washington Animal Rescue League

]]>
You might also like:

Blog: Discovery staff turns out for Petfinder adoption event

Blog: Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month: 10 ways YOU can help

Blog: On the road: The Eastern States Hedgehog Show

<Return to blog home page>