What Does a Pet Foster Parent Do?

By Julia Williams

I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember, and have always looked for ways to help them. Volunteering at my local animal shelter is one way I do this. The actual acts of walking the dogs and petting the cats is very enjoyable; seeing so many beautiful animals without forever homes is the hard part. Even so, I do it because it makes me feel good to know that for a brief moment in time, I make a difference in their lives.

Wanting to do more, I signed up for the pet fostering program. Pet foster parents are critical to the success of animal shelters and rescue groups; without them, there would be a lot less “happy endings” for homeless animals. Thanks to kindhearted pet foster parents, countless kittens, puppies, cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals can be in safe, loving environments until they are ready to be adopted.

However, as gratifying as becoming a pet foster parent might be, it’s not for everyone. It can require a lot of time and energy, especially when caring for newborn puppies or kittens that need to be bottle fed every two hours. Fostering a pet is also a very emotional experience, and some find it heart-wrenching to say goodbye to the animals they so vigilantly nurtured for weeks. It takes great courage to let them go when what you really want to do is keep them near you forever.

As fate would have it, I never got to find out if I had what it takes to be a pet foster parent. Shortly after completing my home interview with the shelter’s volunteer coordinator, I discovered two tiny kittens living in a flea infested shack. They were near death from flea anemia, so I took them first to my vet and then into my home. After nursing them back to health, I couldn’t bear to give them up. I moved out of state soon after, and my current three-cat home isn’t big enough for me to become a pet foster parent. Nevertheless, it’s always in my thoughts and something I may still do someday. In the meantime, I’ve written this article for those who’ve thought about pet fostering and want to know what it entails.

What does a pet foster parent do?

Pet fosters open their hearts and homes to provide temporary care for animals in need. They provide basic care such as food, water, shelter and medicine (if needed), along with copious amounts of much-needed love. Foster parents may be required to potty train young puppies and kittens. If you foster an adult dog that has yet to be taught basic house manners, you might be asked to start this training. If the foster animal becomes ill or injured and needs veterinary care, you’re usually required to transport them to the shelter or to a designated vet for care.

Why are pet foster parents needed?

Animal shelters and rescue groups often receive underage kittens and puppies that need special attention and around-the-clock care. Feeding, nurturing, socializing and training these tiny creatures into adoptable animals is best accomplished in a home environment.

Sometimes, adult dogs and cats need a break from the high-stress environment of a shelter. Placing them in a temporary foster home can help calm them down, improve their temperament, and increase their odds of becoming adopted. Adult animals recovering from surgery or an illness also benefit from being in a loving home environment, and usually get well much quicker.

Pet foster parents also care for animals that would be difficult to nurture in a shelter environment, such as puppies and kittens with weakened immune systems, orphaned or feral kittens, and dogs needing one-on-one behavior rehabilitation.

How much does it cost to foster a pet?

Shelters and rescue groups generally provide all the food, supplies and medical treatment while the pet is in foster care. All you have to provide is time, energy, and a safe, loving home that gives needy animals a better chance for survival and adoption. However, most animal shelters are nonprofit, cash-strapped organizations. If a pet foster parent is financially able, and wants to provide supplies for the animals in their care, it’s always greatly appreciated.

How long do animals stay in foster care?

Most foster pets typically require a commitment of between 2 to 8 weeks. Occasionally, situations arise where a longer foster period is needed.

If you think you have what it takes to be a good pet foster parent, why not give it a try? Just contact your local animal shelter or rescue association to enquire about their particular pet fostering program. Yes, you will probably get attached to your foster animal, and yes, it will likely be very hard to let them go. But the happiness of knowing you helped an animal survive and become a cherished family pet, is priceless.

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Disc Dog: A High Flying Sport

By Ruthie Bently

CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods recently donated prizes (which included high quality pet food and Frisbees) for Slovenia’s first Disc Dog competition. It was hosted by the Maribor Kennel Club on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Fifty-six international teams from six countries (Hungary, the Netherlands, Croatia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia) competed in the event. The event was held to raise funds for Slovenia’s Horjul Animal Shelter. Their mission is to help as many homeless animals as possible by finding them new homes and providing them with temporary accommodations, health care and improved living conditions.

The art of playing as a team with your dog and a round flying disc is known by more than one name: Dog Frisbee, Flying Dog Disc sport and Disc Dog. Because the name “Frisbee” is a registered trademark, the sport is officially known as Disc Dog. It is now an international sport, and there are teams in the United States, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Canada. There are now international competitions for teams, as well as demonstration events.

While I knew who Ashley Whippet was and was able to see him perform, I didn’t know the beginnings of Disc Dog itself. It was started by Alex Stein (Ashley Whippet’s owner) in August 1974, when he jumped a fence during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alex and Ashley performed for eight minutes, while Ashley leapt nine feet in the air to grab discs and ran at a top speed of 35 mph. The baseball game was actually stopped during the exhibition, and Joe Garagiola kept announcing the action on the field until Alex and Ashley were escorted off the field.

Ashley Whippet went on to win three Disc Dog world championships, starred in a documentary “Floating Free,” performed at Super Bowl XII and even performed for Amy Carter at the White House; all other dogs since are measured by his standard. Thirty five years later, the sport of Disc Dog is still alive and well.

Any dog with an aptitude to catch things is eligible to play, as long as they are entered with a human partner. Most canines have a natural talent for Disc Dog because it plays to their prey instinct to chase things and stop them. What makes it different from chasing a ball is that the disc is more of a challenge. It can reverse direction or hover, can be thrown high or low, and really tests the dog’s ability to pay attention. You are also able to bond more with your dog during these sessions, even if you choose not to compete and only play for fun. It doesn’t matter if you have a big or small dog, purebred or mutt – any of them could theoretically learn to play. Before starting any form of exercise, you should have your dog checked out by your veterinarian to make sure they are physically capable of playing.

There are three types of Disc Dog competition: freestyle, long distance and short distance. There are variations within the types, and room for physical artistry and creativity. During the distance/accuracy events where only one disc is used, teams are awarded points for the distance and accuracy of the catches. Short distance events have many names: Throw and Catch, Distance/Accuracy, Toss and Fetch, and MiniDistance. The idea is usually the same: on a field with incrementally longer distances a team gets sixty seconds to get as many catches as possible. The longest distance is usually 54 feet (50 meters) for the longest catch. Points are given based on the distance of the catch, and if the dog is completely airborne during the catch they get an extra half point. A Long Distance event (where generally the longest catch wins) has a few different formats, and while still popular it is less common.

Freestyle seems to be the most popular, and routines can be anywhere from one minute and thirty seconds to three minutes long. They are frequently choreographed to music with more than one disc in play at a time. When competing in freestyle, a team (which consists of a dog and their handler) are judged subjectively. Each team is judged on showmanship, degree of difficulty and canine athleticism.

Freestyle is seen as the highest level of accomplishment. It is well-liked by spectators for its multiple catches, super speed, fabulous vaults and incredible flips. The competition divisions in Disc Dog events are based on the experience and skill of the handler, and men and women compete together. The Long Distance event is considered a “power” event, and is broken into women’s and men’s events. Competitions usually take place during summer on flat grass fields, though winter Disc Dog on snow is also popular in some areas.

Read more articles by Ruthie Bently

the dainty dog: from 1902

A DAINTY dog had chanced to note
The breakfast of a greedy goat,—
Half-rotten grass, a shocking pile.
" Fie!" said the dog; " what wretched style!
Good taste demands, you clownish beast,
A dish to eat from, at the least.
And as for food, that garbage foul
Would even make a camel scowl,
Would make a very buzzard groan,
Would " Here the goat laid bare a bone,
Which when our dainty dog had spied,
"Your pardon, friend!" the critic cried;
"I'm quite near-sighted, neighbor mine.
I see your meal is fair and fine.
Invite me, pray, with you to dine!"

-- from Amos R. Wells (illustrated by L.J. Bridgman), Rollicking Rhymes for Youngsters (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1902) .

There's one thing wrong with this poem -- I haven't met the dog yet that wouldn't wholeheartedly roll in garbage instead of standing around criticizing it.

Can Dogs Think On Their Own?

By Linda Cole

We teach dogs how to do tricks, retrieve things, herd sheep, flush out birds and wrangle geese. Dogs learn how to lead the blind, assist the disabled so they can live in a home environment, and use their incredible noses to find those who are lost. We know dogs can be taught, but can dogs think on their own?

Research has shown that dogs have the mental capacity of a 2 to 2-1/2 year old. We know dogs understand up to 165 words. They also understand the body language we use along with our words. Compared to 100 different breeds of dogs, the Border Collie tops the list in intelligence, followed by Poodles and German Shepherds. The Afghan Hound sits at the bottom along with the rest of the hound group, but where do dogs who aren't purebreds fall? Regardless of whether a dog is purebred or mixed, if dogs have the intelligence of a 2 year old, it's reasonable to believe dogs think.

Ethologist (scientists who study animal behavior in their natural habitats) can rank different species according to how they survive in and react to their environment, if they use tools, or can figure out how to overcome a specific problem in order to obtain food. Chimps and parrots are at the top of the list. Both species have learned our language and communicate with us verbally or with sign language, but other animals and birds have reacted to situations showing their ability to think. Ravens have learned how to pull a piece of string up to retrieve meat at the end of it. Otters use rocks to break into clams, their favorite food.

Trying to determine how dogs think is more complicated because they are not studied in the wild. A wolf pack is the closest cousin we can compare dogs to, but dogs aren't wolves. A dog's natural habitat is someone's home or backyard. Ethologists have a difficult time trying to determine dog intelligence for that reason, and they know far more about other animals than they do about dogs. The emotional bond we share with our dogs creates conditions that make it challenging to accurately test how smart dogs are.

Years ago I had a male dog, Bear, and female, Mindy. They were siblings, a Collie/Shepherd/Irish Setter/Great Dane mix. My dog pen is behind my house with inclines outside a 5-foot fence on the east and west sides. Bear and Mindy invented a game they loved to play. My office window and kitchen window overlook the pen. One day, I glanced out the kitchen window and saw them on the outside of the pen. Frantic to get outside before they ran away, I raced out the front door and ran to the side yard. The dogs were gone. I tore back inside to get their leashes, preparing for an afternoon or longer searching for them. Bear and Mindy were waiting in the basement.

Relieved, but confused, I opened the door and put them back outside. Back in the kitchen, I could hear them running around the pen and went to the window to watch them. They ran around the pen 4 or 5 times and then, as if on cue, looked at each other and jumped the fence in one bound, turned around and jumped back into the pen. They reversed direction, ran a couple of circles before jumping the fence onto the hill on the other side of the pen, then jumped back inside. They continued running and jumping the fence a few more times before tiring of the game. Bear walked over to the back door, took the door knob in his mouth and turned it, holding the door open for Mindy to walk through. Mindy stopped long enough to allow Bear to move in front of the door so he too could enter the basement. My confusion about how they had gotten into the house had been answered.

Can I equate Bear and Mindy's actions with dogs thinking? They noticed the ground was higher in those two sections of the back yard. To me they demonstrated a certain amount of reasoning by synchronizing their jumps and inventing their entertainment which appeared to have been thought about beforehand. I didn't teach Bear how to open the door. He taught himself, and to me that proves dogs think.

Scientists haven't been able to definitively conclude whether dogs actually think; however, if you own a dog, you don't need anyone to tell you how smart your dog is. Observant dog owners see every day how their pet reacts to their environment. I'm constantly amazed at what my dogs come up with. To me, dogs do think, and it's time we gave them credit for it.

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Average Cost of Pet Ownership

Pet ................First year cost .........Annual cost
small dog .........1,050 .....................580
medium dog.... 1,260.................... 695
large dog ..........1,435..................... 875
Cat.................... 1,035 .....................670
Rabbit ...............1,055..................... 730
Guinea Pig ..........705..................... 635
Small Mammal... 340.................... 300
Small Bird ............270 .....................200
Fish........................ 235....................... 35

Prices do not include adoption costs, tank set up for the fish, or purchase cost.
Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Mange Infestation

The mites that can cause mange in dogs (both sarcoptic and demodectic) will always be present on the dog’s body, but in small numbers they usually cause no harm. Dogs are immune to infestation unless they are put in situations that will lower their immunity, or are of the breed that have a predilection to mites. Since mange is a skin disease, most owners would think that it really is not that dangerous. But mange infestations do tend to get worse and opens the dog to further opportunistic infections.

Severe mange infestations can have the following effect:

1. It can allow other harmless microorganisms to infect your dog like fungi, or harmful bacteria. The skin condition will worsen, and it could lead to sepsis and shock. Some dogs with mange infestations in a local area like around the eyes can also get eye infections. Although antibiotics will clear these infections, they will recur if the mange is not treated along with it.

2. Because your dog will be feeling extremely uncomfortable, the dog will also likely act poorly. He will not have a good appetite, and will lead to the degeneration of his physical well being. Weight loss is just another way to weaken an already compromised immune system. In this weakened state, the dog can just catch about anything, despite the fact that he is vaccinated for them. Vaccinations are never 100% effective against the diseases that they are made for. They are only an added security for your dog’s health.

3.A mange infested dog can pass his mange to other dogs and in the case of sarcoptic mange, even to you. The mites will not live long in your body, that is true enough, but that doesn’t mean they won’t keep trying to live there whenever they can. As long as your dog has these types of mange, there will be occasions that you will itch along with him.

Mange infections are treatable and prevention is not that hard, either. An infestation can be very uncomfortable for your dog, and there is no reason to let it continue. If you see symptoms of mange on your dog, take him to the vet as soon as possible. The earlier the infestation is caught, the easier it will be to get rid of it. It will also be less expensive and bothersome for you.

The Benefits of a Haircut for Pets

By Ruthie Bently

Skye is a short haired dog, and other than a bit of brushing, she doesn’t really need a haircut. However, many other breeds of dogs can actually benefit from getting a regular haircut. When you take your Afghan Hound with the long flowing hair, a plucky Welsh Terrier or even a long-haired domestic cat to the groomer, you may be looking at less hair around the house, but that isn’t the only benefit you are getting.

Groomers are a wonderful early defense against health issues that may arise with your pet. The simple act of shampooing and rinsing your pet can remove dander on their skin. The groomer may also find hair mats that can become painful if not removed. Not only that, the groomer could find a lump from an injury that you may not even know about.

A regular haircut also helps your dog regulate their own body temperature. If you have a long haired dog and live in a colder winter climate, you don’t want to cut your dog’s hair too much in the middle of winter, because you would be cutting their natural insulation from the cold. However, a long haired dog in Southern California in the summer would be better with a shorter hair cut, because it would let the air circulate through the hair closer to the skin and allow the dog to cool faster.

During a haircut, groomers remove the dead and loose hair, which can cause irritations to the skin. I can understand the skin irritations – have you ever stepped on a piece of dog hair in your bare feet? I have, and it’s like having a needle I can’t see under my skin. Groomers can also spot ringworm, fleas, ticks and other parasites that may have been hidden from view in that luxurious hair. Not only that, a neater haircut makes those nasty little bugs easier to deal with. A groomer can also tell the health of your dog’s skin and coat, and even see if your pet’s hair is dry and brittle, which can lead to split ends. They can spot hot spots, rashes and abrasions on the skin that you may not have seen.

If you are handy with scissors or clippers and want to learn how to give your pet a haircut, there are many good books on the subject. If you have a dog that needs to be clipped and you bought them from a breeder, contact your breeder and ask if they groom their dogs. If they do, ask them if you could come and have them teach you how to groom your own dog.

If you have a breed that needs regular haircuts, it’s to your advantage to learn how to clip your pet yourself. In doing so, you may get a leg up on any health issues before they become too serious, and you get to spend more quality bonding time with your four-legged friend. This is a win-win situation in my eyes. What do you think?

Read more articles by Ruthie Bently