Pet Dish - September 20th, 2011 | Animal Humane Society

Back to school fun with Animal Humane Society
Waiting for that perfect someone
The Great Minnesota Pet Together
Registration for Fall Mini Camp now open!
Blessing of the Animals
Pet Tips with Paula Zukoff
More treats
Scratching posts

Tales and Tails

Back to school fun with Animal Humane Society
Help name a shelter animal, plus discounts for teachers!

We all have a favorite teacher, one that’s made an extra special impact on our lives. You can commemorate those extraordinary individuals by naming one of our adoptable animals after your favorite teacher! Many animals come to us without identification and need fun and creative names. You can browse our adoptable animals to see all the dogs, cats, rabbits and critters that were named after selected educators.

For teachers looking to add a new furry family member to their own home, Animal Humane Society is offering a special discount on adoption. All teachers or instructors are eligible for a 15% discount on any pet adoption. Just bring your staff identification to any AHS adoption center through September 30 to receive the discount.

For a great way to help your favorite teacher and your favorite student at the same time, give them the gift of humane education. Trained humane educators offer classroom programs that cover everything from responsible pet care and ownership, to appropriate interactions with wildlife, opportunities in animal related careers, the perils of dog fighting, and more. Sponsor a program for your child’s class.

And now that the kids have gone back to school, let’s not forget about our pets too! It’s never too late for any dog to learn basic commands and a few new tricks. The AHS Training School offers more than 50 obedience and social classes each week at its facilities in Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, and Woodbury and at Now Boarding near the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport.

Waiting for that perfect someone

The average amount of time a dog spends in our adoption centers before finding a new home is just 12 days; for cats it’s just 10 days. But the following animals have been available for adoption for more than 30 days, earning them the title of Forget-Me-Not. To help distinguish them, these animals are marked with a flower on our website.

Do you have room in your heart and home for an animal that’s been waiting an especially long time? Or maybe you have a friend or relative you think would be the perfect match for one of these great pets?

Roscoe is a three-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound. This active dog loves the outdoors and is looking for someone who wants to go on walks, runs, and play fetch. He dreams of a fenced-in yard where he can chase tennis balls.

Mabel is a two-year-old pit bull terrier mix. She is an athletic dog who would love a running partner. To ensure Mabel is a shining example of her breed, she comes with a free eight-week training pass to the AHS Training School!

Daisy is a two-year-old domestic shorthair cat. She tends to be shy at first, but with a little soft petting and some gentle words she quickly warms up to people. She’s patiently waiting for a new family at our Golden Valley facility.

Sprinkles is a six-year-old domestic shorthair cat. She is quite the adventurer and loves to investigate new places! This energetic cat needs a playmate and someone who will offer a relaxing belly rub when she rolls over.

Walker is a five-month-old mouse. His favorite activities include running on his wheel and munching on snacks. He’s been handled quite a bit by children and is very comfortable with them. Bring your family to Woodbury to meet Walker!

The Great Minnesota Pet Together

Animal Humane Society is one of more than 25 animal welfare organizations that will have fuzzy felines and cuddly canines ready to leash up and go home at the Great Minnesota Pet Together on October 1. There will be plenty of puppies and kittens to melt any heart as well as loveable adult dogs and cats waiting to meet you at this pet adoption extravaganza.

Plus, we’ll be there to help you find the right pet for your family, as well as to provide pet tips and expert training advice. Bring the family and meet your purrfect pet match at this one-day only super adoption event.

When: Saturday, October 1
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: International Bazaar, MN State Fairgrounds
Cost: Free

All of the adoptable pets from Animal Humane Society will already be sterilized, microchipped and vaccinated so all you’ll have to worry about is enjoying the new love of your life. Please leave your current pets at home.

This free pet adoption event is sponsored by PetSmart Charities® and the Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare (MnPAW) of which Animal Humane Society is a founding member.

Registration for Fall Mini Camp now open!

Looking to keep your kids busy on those upcoming no-school days? Register them for our Unleashed Express Mini Day Camp.

Our Fall Mini Camps on October 20 and 21 run from 9 a.m. —4 p.m., keeping the kids entertained all day with fun, educational activities designed especially for animal lovers!

Camps are available for kids in grades 3-5 and 5-7 at our Golden Valley and Woodbury facilities. Register online to reserve your child’s spot.

Blessing of the Animals

The Basilica of Saint Mary is holding its annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 2. People of all faiths and their pets are invited to take part in the day’s event.

This year, Animal Humane Society is honored to be the beneficiary with proceeds of the event going to support our programs and services. Staff and volunteers from Animal Humane Society and Kindest Cut, a new low-cost spay/neuter service provided in partnership with AHS, will be among those at the event.

Click here for more information and a schedule of the day’s activities.

Pet Tips with Paula Zukoff

Dispelling common myths about spay/neuter