Shelter Animals Count’s Post

Newborn kittens and puppies are undeniably adorable, but they also bring a responsibility to provide loving homes. Each year, numerous dogs and cats become homeless due to the limited availability of caring families. You can make a difference by ensuring your own pets are spayed or neutered. Fun Fact: Did you know that a single cat could potentially bring over 100 kittens into the world during her lifetime? Let’s be responsible owners and help control the population while giving every animal the love they deserve. #PreventALitterMonth #ResponsiblePetOwnership #SpayAndNeuter #AskYourAnimals

When dogs do not find the right home the 1st time - one where they will be accepted as members of the family, here's the result. Is this fair? Is this acceptable? Is this justifiable? The answer is No to all of the above for all dogs. Cutting corners to speed up adoptions backfires - and it backfires on those without a voice. I get it - shelters and rescue groups are overcrowded. Dogs don't belong there. The goal should always be to find them loving and forever homes. I may be petite but I have a voice and I'll stand on a soapbox if need be and use it for the welfare of all dogs. These canines aren't the problem. The people responsible for simplifying the adoption process are the ones who need to do a lot of rethinking. It's about what's in their best interest, and their future, not the policy changers. #lesleyosbornposts #dogsarefamily 🐾💞🏡 #storyteller #author ✍️📚 Follow Lesley Osborn Canine Consulting.

Reflecting on the question of whether individuals experiencing homelessness should have pets. Veterinarians, who have served diverse clients, affirm that those unsheltered often form profound bonds with their animal companions, serving as sources of companionship, motivation, hope, and protection. Regardless of socioeconomic status, the care and devotion they exhibit toward their pets are remarkable. While there may be exceptions of neglect, this transcends all social classes. Every animal deserves love, regardless of material possessions. Pets value affection over expensive beds or toys; they prioritize being fed and safe. Let's not let biases affect our love for animals. The human-animal bond should extend beyond wealth. In today's uncertain world, anyone could face homelessness. Shelter, family, and friends are privileges. Instead of judging by shelter quality, let's advocate for care in every setting. Everyone, including animals, deserves compassion. Pets are family. #EmbraceCompassion #PetsAreFamily"

While catching up on this year's National Dog Show, I was thrilled to see they had recognized the Women's Animal Center (https://lnkd.in/eAh5bzUg) for their work with survivors of domestic violence! While shelters are required to take in service animals, many survivors are told they must leave their pets, which can exacerbate feelings of grief, loneliness, and isolation during a tumultuous time. Please note pet cleaning is costly and behavior can be unpredictable. I do not fault shelters who do not have the capacity to take in pets. Rather, I wish to bring awareness to the issue so that we can be better equipped to help when needed! If you or a loved one are facing DV issues, or if you would like to find a place to help out, please see the below resources. National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Search for pet-friendly shelters near you: https://lnkd.in/evjriVu7 List of shelters accepting family pets by state: https://lnkd.in/epD5zZ5S List of more specialized DV resources (children, homelessness, etc.): https://lnkd.in/e-hE-jEM

Our furry friends are patiently waiting for their loving forever homes. This Adoptober, you can make a huge difference to the lives of the cats that need our help. Adopting a pet is not only life-changing for the animal, it changes the life of the adopting family. Having a pet is good for our mental (and physical*) health. Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost our mood. *If you are prepared to be active ;-)! Not sure about owning a pet yet? Why not become one of our fosterers? (We do not guarantee returning the animal to us for rehoming is easy.) To find out more, visit our website. https://lnkd.in/eRK2GAUV #adoptober #animalwelfare #cats #rehomingcats #fosteringcats #givecatsahome

In July 2020, I founded Lesley Osborn Canine Consulting to provide education and guidance on fostering, adopting, and caring for adult, senior, and special needs dogs. My company’s preeminent goal is to empower people to provide loving forever homes to rescue and shelter dogs. The focus will always be the "QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES." I have shared my life (and it’s a long one) caring for rescued adult, senior, and special needs dogs by providing them a forever home in my home - a safe, secure place I call GREYSETT. Now I offer my knowledge and expertise to anyone - whether you’re looking for a first dog, adding another dog, or just need some advice about your present canine family. I provide proven and practical solutions for the issues dog parents may face. Integrated into my company are my passion, mission, and values: ◾️Our Passion - Helping people save dogs from neglect, abuse, and abandonment. ◾️Our Mission - Educating people on how to adopt dogs and provide them with forever homes the first time. ◾️Our Core Values - ▪️Never Perpetuate Their Pasts ▪️Be Their Solution ▪️Canine Families Are Forever! I believe the bonds between dogs and "their people" improve each other's lives - physically and emotionally.

💢Recognize the unique challenges faced by paralyzed dogs and empathize with their struggles.💢 🌸Wheelchairs provide a vital solution, offering increased mobility and independence for paralyzed dogs.🌸 💥Tailor-built wheelchairs accommodate individual needs, ensuring a comfortable and effective fit for each dog. X🌸 💢Wheelchairs contribute significantly to a dog's overall well-being, enabling them to engage in regular activities and interact with their environment.💢 💢The act of building wheelchairs strengthens the bond between humans and their furry companions, fostering a deeper connection.💥 💢Building wheelchairs for paralyzed dogs advocates for the welfare of animals, promoting a compassionate and caring approach.💢 💥Showcasing these initiatives raises awareness about the challenges faced by paralyzed dogs and inspires others to contribute to similar causes.💥 #labeldesign #linkdinpost #linkedinengagement #linkedinarticle #linkedinexpert #linkedinexperts #linkedinforbusiness #linkedincontent

I told someone I bought a dog from a breeder. They said this: “You shouldn’t buy dogs! That’s stupid. You should rescue them.” How do you respond to people who disagree with you? Most people would defend their position like a mother bear protects her cubs by saying something like: “I wanted a certain breed.” The problem? When you go into explanation mode, you subconsciously say, “I’m right, and you're wrong.” People dig their heels in even deeper. They become more entrenched in their existing beliefs. It’s called a confirmation bias. The way out? If someone disagrees with you, you don't get to respond until you have recapitulated their viewpoint in a manner they find acceptable. Like this: “You’re passionate about offering a second chance to animals in shelters.” “There are millions of adoptable dogs that need homes.” “If more people adopted, far fewer dogs would be euthanized.” Making people feel heard and understood is a superpower for connecting with anyone in your personal and business life. You can *gasp* understand someone without agreeing with them. When people feel heard, they’re more likely to listen to you.

Who was right, the women or the elderly people? Many of you may have watched the video of a woman and a few elderly people fighting over feeding stray dogs. While I am fully supportive of feeding stray dogs and ensuring they are well taken care of, I did notice a few things in the video. The video begins with a few elderly people shouting at a lady for feeding stray dogs. They engage in a back-and-forth argument, with the lady asserting her rights. However, I observed a disconnect and wondered if the situation could have been handled better. The lady was undoubtedly within her rights to feed the strays, and kudos to her for that. What I heard from one of the elderly individuals was a suggestion to feed the dogs in the designated spot, which had been specified for feeding strays. Despite this, the lady continued to feed the dogs even after being threatened by a couple of elders. Could this scenario have played out differently? I believe so, and I welcome your thoughts on the matter. If there was a designated spot to feed the dogs, responsible community members should have adhered to it. If there wasn't a spot, creating one and sending out an email to the association documenting it would have been a proactive approach. There is already a growing animosity between pet parents and non-pet parents. Let's strive to coexist and appreciate each other. Pet parents, if you ever need to consult top vets for free emergency assistance or advice, please do so at DogSwag (website in my headline).  #coexist #petparents #vetchat #dogswag

People shouldn’t have to choose between personal safety and their pets. Too often, domestic violence survivors are unable or unwilling to seek help for fear of leaving their pets behind, but resources are available. AWI developed and launched Safe Havens for Pets in 2011, a national database of “safe havens”—sheltering services that help individuals who are experiencing domestic violence place beloved companion animals out of harm's way so that they may seek safety for themselves. Today, the Safe Havens for Pets database includes over 1,000 entities available to assist survivors and their pets. Safe havens operate differently from community to community. Some rely on networks of foster care homes. Others use the additional kennel space of a local humane society or veterinarian. In some cases, domestic violence shelters house victims and pets together. This #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth, learn more about AWI’s Safe Havens for Pets project by visiting its dedicated website at safehavensforpets.org.