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Dogs and Cats Avoid Euthanasia with Free and Affordable Care

As president and CEO, Cate Lemmond oversees a nonprofit veterinary hospital in San Diego, California, and Harrisonburg and Manassas, Virginia. Cate Lemmond’s organization works to address a common situation in which animals with conditions that could be treated face euthanasia because of the high cost of veterinary care.

One success story centers on Lucy, a beloved chocolate Labrador who was diagnosed with a large growth on the spleen that required immediate surgery. Unfortunately, the procedure cost of $11,000 to $15,000 was far beyond the family’s means. Lacking good options, they contacted the nonprofit hospital, which undertook the procedure for much less money than was previously quoted. This helped them avoid the need for euthanasia, and, as a bonus, the biopsy revealed that there was no cancer to be concerned about. As the family described, “The place is amazing, and the people who work there are angels.”

In another case, the veterinary hospital handled an emergency involving a cat named Clover, who was injured severely in the hind leg. A Good Samaritan found the wounded feline and brought it to the nonprofit hospital, which performed extensive medical treatment, including leg amputation, at no cost. This also involved a situation where the cat would likely have faced euthanasia.

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Time Commitments for Raising America’s Most Popular Dogs

In 2022, seven out of every 10 US households had at least one pet, including approximately 69 million American families with dogs. Those interested in becoming pet parents must consider the various time commitments of successfully raising a dog, including training and exercise requirements. Dogs may require anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours of exercise daily. In addition, certain breeds like the Australian Shepherd and Siberian Husky need to be presented with specific tasks to complete to feel true contentment.

To determine whether you are prepared for the responsibilities of caring for a dog, you must explore the specific requirements associated with the breed you are considering. According to the American Kennel Club, the most popular dog breeds in America for 2021 were the Labrador Retriever, the French Bulldog, the Golden Retriever, and the German Shepherd.

Most Labradors and Goldens are eager to please humans, making for highly trainable dogs. That said, training must begin as soon as you welcome a new dog into the home. Pet parents can expect even the most well-trained Lab or Golden to be full of energy at all times. Healthy adult Retrievers require a minimum of 80 minutes of quality exercise daily, meaning activities that involve more intensity than a short walk.

Fortunately, individuals who feel prepared to manage a Lab or Golden’s exercise needs will enjoy several health benefits. The average dog parent gets two hours of moderate exercise per week based on walks alone, which results in healthier weights and improved heart health, among other benefits.

That said, families with Labs and Goldens must also be prepared to spend time and money addressing potential medical concerns. Retrievers are susceptible to joint issues, including osteochondritis dissecans, soft joints, and hip dysplasia.

On the other hand, French Bulldogs have lower energy levels than Retrievers but still require considerable exercise. Despite their small size, French bulldogs need at least one hour of exercise every day, ideally in the form of several short walks.

An intelligent breed, French Bulldogs, are relatively easy to train, though pet parents must try to present training as an enjoyable game or risk losing the dog’s attention. Unfortunately, despite the breed’s popularity, French Bulldogs are prone to medical conditions requiring extra effort from pet parents. These include breathing problems, skin conditions, ear infections, and conjunctivitis.

Finally, the German Shepherd is a highly active dog breed that demands hours of exercise daily. Like retrievers, German Shepherds benefit from long walks and off-lead activities in open, pet-friendly environments. In addition, pet parents must be skilled enough to manage various physical activities for their dogs, including ongoing training, to prevent German Shepherds from growing bored and restless.

Signs that a German Shepherd is not getting enough exercise include destructive behavior and excessive barking. While weight gain and depression may also indicate a lack of exercise, they can also be warning signs of medical conditions involving the heart or respiratory system.

Other popular dog breeds include Poodles, Bulldogs, Beagles, and Rottweilers.

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The decision to acquire a puppy from a breeder instead of a shelter can stem from various factors, from needing a breed more suited to a specific role to finding comfort in lifelong support from the breeder. When making this choice, part of responsible pet parenthood is committing to work with a reputable breeder and due diligence regarding breeder research before purchasing a puppy. To accomplish this, you need to understand what constitutes a responsible breeder and how to recognize positive signs and red flags.

Responsible breeders prioritize the health and welfare of their dogs above all else, ensuring that the parents and puppies receive high-quality food, routine veterinary care, and proper socialization and exercise. These individuals breed dogs not for profit, but out of a passion for a specific breed. They focus on only one or two breeds and become knowledgeable about their particular characteristics, as well as maintain detailed records on lineage, health, and genetic history for all dogs and puppies in their breeding program. Moreover, their breeding dogs are considered members of their family and are shown regular affection.

Start your search by looking for breeders who follow ethical and humane breeding practices, of which the treatment of the mother dogs and the frequency of puppy availability serve as key indicators. For the mother’s well-being, good breeders limit the number of litters each year and retire female dogs from breeding at around six years old. They also base parent selection on overall health, genetic predisposition, and temperament rather than appearance or pet trends. Furthermore, reputable breeders screen parents and puppies for hereditary problems like heart conditions and hip dysplasia. Avoid those unable or unwilling to present both documentation of these tests and veterinary records.

Beyond care and breeding practices, consider the breeder’s level of interest in you as a potential pet parent. Responsible breeders invest in ensuring that their puppies go to loving homes capable of meeting all of a dog’s needs, so they welcome inquiries and questionnaires about your lifestyle, living circumstances, and reasons for wanting a puppy. You should also expect to sign a written contract that includes a health guarantee and stipulations such as sterilizing puppies and returning the dog if you’re ever unable to keep them.

While finding a breeder with these qualities might seem easy, the biggest challenge lies in distinguishing them from backyard breeders. These individuals also run small operations and can seem knowledgeable or well-intentioned. However, they either lack the experience necessary for responsible breeding or willfully engage in irresponsible practices to maximize financial gain. Therefore, vetting breeders and watching for red flags is essential.

Avoid those who permit taking home puppies less than 8 weeks old, or refuse requests to meet the puppies or their parents. If you can visit the dogs, look for signs of neglect, poor health, and inadequate grooming and socialization. Breeders who keep dogs and puppies outdoors, in unclean environments inside their home, or at an off-site kennel risk compromising the mother and puppies’ health, regardless of their intentions.

Moreover, responsible breeders never sell their puppies to pet stores or advertise puppy sales on online marketplaces. If they have puppies available year-round or multiple litters at once, then they likely lack the time and resources to provide sufficient care to the puppies and their mothers.

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Are you an animal lover who isn’t quite ready to make the commitment to adopt? You may want to consider becoming foster caregiver. Fostering allows you to take care of a homeless shelter pet – typically a dog, cat, or other small animals – until they are adopted. You’ll get to shower them with affection and love without permanently taking care of the animal. Check out these seven benefits that show how being a foster caregiver is a rewarding experience for both you and the foster pet.

Fostering a Pet Helps Save Lives One of the best benefits of pet fostering is that you help save lives. Each day, homeless animals sit alone in shelters waiting to be adopted. Even a great animal shelter is not the ideal environment for many pets. Some shelter pets get very stressed from the shelter environment.

Fostering a Pet is a Short-Term Commitment One of the benefits of fostering a pet is that you don’t have to commit more time than you can afford. If you’re only able to house an animal for a few days, fostering allows you to do so. For the period of time you foster, you get all of the benefits of adopting a pet without any of the associated expenses.. The few days can make a huge difference in an animal’s well-being – and yours, too!

Fostering Allows You to Meet Different Pets & People Pet fostering gives you the chance to meet pets with a rainbow of different personalities. Fostering will teach you that all animals are individuals, and just like people, each one you meet has their own distinct personality, likes, and dislikes.

Fostering opens the door to meeting a wide array of people. Rescue groups and shelters have a robust network of volunteers, fosters, and staff members who work together to provide care for their animals. You may even have a hand in placing your foster pet with an adopter. As the foster caregiver, you will know better than anyone what the pet likes and the environment in which they would thrive.

Fostering is Beneficial to the Health of Both Pet and Person For those who are struggling with improving their health, adding a pet to your life, even temporarily, can help. Fostering an animal gives you the chance to do something positive, and doing good makes us feel good. You’ll bring a little bit of happiness into your life each time you bring home a new foster pet. In addition to the mental health benefits, fostering a pet can give you more opportunities to exercise and can reduce your level of stress leading to health benefits. Fostering also betters the mental and physical health of pets.

Fostering is Fun Fostering is an absolute blast. It elevates mundane tasks like car rides and walks in the neighborhood to exciting adventures with your furry companion. You will have fun watching your foster pet’s personality blossom. Playing with your foster pet is fun for you both. Not only do you get to spend time with these animals, but you get to train them as well. Training a pet is fun work, and the reward of seeing them learn a new trick is amazing. Plus, a trained pet is easier to get adopted, which will help you see your newfound furry friend in a permanent home quicker.

Fostering Helps Animals Get Adopted Faster Animals who live in a shelter may not have the opportunity to show their full personality. Shelters tend to be restrictive, and since pets spend most of their days in a kennel or enclosed room, they don’t get the chance to truly shine. Dogs and cats tend to thrive in a home environment where they are able to move freely and interact with their environment. Potential adopters are able to see the animals as they would be in their own homes, giving them a better understanding of who the pet is and what their personality is like.

Fostering a Pet Helps You Decide You’re Ready for Adoption Bringing an animal into your home to foster gives you an idea if you’re ready to adopt a pet of your own. Taking care of an animal short-term is like a brief look into the life of a pet parent. You can decide after fostering if adoption is right for you.

Foster a Pet Today! Pet fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences that you can have. Not only does it give you the chance to meet many new furry friends, but you also get to make a difference in an animal’s life. Consider fostering a homeless pet from an animal shelter today.

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One of the most important decisions pet parents make is what to feed their dog. Most dog parents choose dry food or kibble, which is convenient and typically the most affordable. Age, medical conditions, and nutritional standards are important considerations in selecting the appropriate food.

First, consider the life stage of their dog. For example, puppies require more protein and other nutrients than older dogs, making a puppy formula important. Toy or large-breed puppies need breed-specific puppy food, including an appropriate ratio of nutrients to support healthy growth. Similarly, senior dogs have unique nutritional needs. For example, senior dogs may benefit from food with added joint support. A veterinarian can recommend food that supports these needs.

In addition to the dog’s age, pet parents should consider the activity level when choosing food. Many breeds, especially working dogs, need a high-calorie diet to support their higher energy expenditures. Less active dogs may need food with fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight.

Medical conditions also play a role in choosing the right food for a dog. A veterinarian can prescribe a diet that has the specific nutrients a dog needs to help manage any medical conditions or particular formulations that will not exacerbate a condition.

When choosing food, dog parents should also consult nutritional standards such as those established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Based on current scientific research, foods with this label have been analyzed and verified to contain adequate nutrition. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s global nutrition committee recommends that consumers observe even more stringent standards. They might inquire whether the dog food company employs a qualified veterinary nutritionist when formulating their food and where they produce or manufacture it. The website of a trustworthy dog food company might also provide a complete nutrient analysis of its products and details of any scientific research they have conducted.

Finally, when choosing kibble, pet parents should watch out for a few red flags. For example, when a dog food has very few ingredients, the manufacturer has likely not added vitamins and minerals. The highest quality kibble should have a single protein as its first ingredient and should not include added sugar.

It will be important to some dog parents to choose a formulation that will not trigger allergies. The most common food allergens for dogs include beef, dairy, and chicken. If a dog has an allergy, a veterinarian can recommend the right food.

Instead of kibble, some owners choose fresh food for their dogs – preparing meals the same way they would for themselves. A diet of natural, real ingredients might include beef, chicken, lamb, and vegetables and should be created after consulting a veterinarian. Typically, a veterinarian will recommend adding in vitamins and other supplements appropriate for the dog’s age, breed, and activity level.

If a pet parent suspects that their dog’s diet is not ideal, they should implement changes slowly. Adjusting to a new food can take time. Most pets do well with a transition period of one to two weeks. During this time, owners can replace 25 percent of their old food with new food, mixing the two. If the dog tolerates the change over a few days, they should increase the ratio to 50 percent, then 75 percent, then 100 percent.