|
|
 |
 They’re good for us
It’s official. Animals enhance our health and well
being. Comprehensive studies that examine
how animals impact our physical and emotional
well-being were presented at the International
Society for Anthrozoology Conference last
October. One study demonstrated that senior
citizens who have a dog to walk are more
active and fit than those who walk with a human
companion or alone.
Also, a landmark grant for human-animal
interaction research was presented to Dr. Rebecca
Johnson of the University of Missouri College
of Veterinary Medicine’s Research Center for
Human-Animal Interaction. The grant will
support her study on how fostering shelter dogs
can help improve the health and well being of
seniors. anthrozoology.com |
|
Angels to the rescue
Pets Alive, one of the nation’s oldest no-kill animalsanctuaries, has received a $100,000 gift from Sidewalk
Angels Foundation. Founded by Matchbox Twenty singer
Rob Thomas and his wife Marisol, the foundation raises
money for worthy causes.
Sidewalk Angels has so far donated almost half a
million dollars to Pets Alive to help the organization save
abandoned and unwanted animals. The current donation
will go towards Pets Alive’s annual operating budget. The
sanctuary saved a record 1,000 unwanted animals last
year. petsalive.com |
| |
Athletic approach
Sports stars love animals too. Athletes For Animalsworks
with professional athletes to  raise money and awareness
foranimalwelfare charities thatteach children to be kind,
compassionate andrespectful with animals.
The organization is teaming up with the Washington
Humane Society (WHS) to further its humane education.
Star athletes, including Chris Cooley of the Washington
Redskins and Shaone Morrisonn of the Washington Capitals,
are visiting area schools with their dogs to speak to
students about the importance of treating animals with
respect and kindness. athletesforanimals.com |
| |
 A brave face
Many families facing economic challenges have had to cut back on spending for their
animals. In what is being called “economic euthanasia”, many people are being forced
to put their animals down because they can’t afford expensive veterinary procedures.
The Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) was launched in 2006 to provide
needy families with financial grants to save their animals’ lives. But since the
current economic slowdown, the organization has been snowed under with more
requests for help than they can afford. The foundation relies solely on donations and
is actively seeking support through cash contributions, partnerships, in-kind donations
and volunteers. www.face4pets.org |
| |
“Fur” keeps
According to a new survey from Petfinder.com, 85%
of shelters and rescue groups have animals who were
given up because of issues that could have been
resolved with proper training. In an effort to decrease
the number of surrendered animals, Petfinder.com
has developed the “Fur Keeps Program”, an initiative
designed to arm potential animal parents with
information they should consider before adopting, as
well as the resources they need to ensure the adoption
lasts a lifetime.
Launching this March, the program will include
a web page for those in need of advice and tips, a
panel of expert behaviorists to answer questions,
an extensive adoption checklist and a “Pet Personals” page that matches potential adopters with animals.
petfinder.com/furkeeps |
| |
|
| |
|
|
