Pet Dish for April 29, 2009

In this issue:

• An incredible day
• At the Walk
• Pets ready to party
• MnPAW coming together
• Unleashed lessons
• More treats
• Scratching post

A few days from an incredible day for animals
Be Kind to Animals Week is May 3-9 and many of you have shown incredible kindness to animals by raising funds for Animal Humane Society’s 35th annual Walk for Animals which will be held this Saturday, May 2. You’ve raised funds guided by the knowledge that this year the need is as great as it has ever been. Animals also suffer the effects of tough times and you have shown how strong your commitment is to the work we do. All of us at Animal Humane Society are incredibly appreciative of your hard work and can’t wait to celebrate your achievements for animals on Saturday.

Be a part of the celebration
Join us this Saturday at AHS in Golden Valley for the Walk for Animals—an incredible day full of inspiration, people and animals. And there is still time for you to be a part of the celebration. Set up your own personal Walk page—it’s simple and takes very little time to raise a few funds. Or simply arrive on Walk day and make a $25 donation to take part in the day’s events.

Learn more at www.animalhumanesociety.org/walk and keep reading...

(back to top)

It’s happening at the Walk for Animals
The Walk for Animals is a short walk that goes miles and miles and miles for animals. But did you know it’s also going to be a huge dog dish of fun?

The Walk is not just a walk. It’s a festival for people and their pets; that one time of year when you’re able to spend the day at an event with your dog, cat, guinea pig, potbellied pig, horse, or alligator and just have fun. Whether you’re the smallest dog, biggest dog or most unique pet at the event, you’ll find more to do than a catnipped kitten at a light show.

• Get your kicks when the Radio Disney Dancers take the main stage to kick off the event
• Brag about your pet to your favorite Fox 9 anchors and meet their favorite pups
• Put a face to a name when BT and Lee arrive from Cities 97
• High-five Viking Ben Leber off the field and gush about him to his wife Abby
• Show what your pets are made of by entering them in the stupid pet trick contest
• Show your kid how cool you can be and let them get their face painted
• Ensure the safety of your pet and have them microchipped, get their nails trimmed too

Call for entries: Be America’s Top Dog Model
Are you and your dog ready to be part of the hottest and most stylish dog competition in America? Then enter the 2009 America’s Top Dog Model contest at the Walk! We’re staging the regional event at the Walk and the winner will go on to the national finals. Pre-registration is required. (Learn more… )

Get closer to your pet through Tellington TTouch®
Observe Elaine Garley from Animal Bridges as she provides insight into how you can strengthen the bond you share with your pet through several Tellington TTouch demonstrations. Tellington TTouch is an animal communication method that positively affects behavior, performance and health by utilizing a variety of touch, movement, and body language techniques.

Break biscuits with Master Baker Klecko

The breads of Master Baker Klecko have been served in some of the finest restaurants in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Now, he shares his favorite recipes for his favorite clients—the four-legged kind. Meet Klecko and watch his biscuit baking demonstrations at the Walk! Your pooch can try a free sample too! He will also be selling his new book, “K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friends” with words from AHS’s own Deb Balzer.

And those are only the highlights. Map out all the activities you’re going to participate in by reviewing the Walk contests and See who’s at the Walk sections on our website.

(back to top)

Festival-ready pets
Does your pet like to be the life of the party? Or does he prefer to stay under the bed until the last guest is resting comfortably… back at their place?  Considering how your pet reacts to people in and out of the home will help you ensure their safety and happiness, and that of others, when you head out to events this summer. Be sure they’re festival-ready by considering the following tips from Paula Zukoff, Animal Humane Society’s behavior and training supervisor.

1. Keep your pet from running around naked by properly fitting their collar. If you can pull the collar off, the dog can back out of it and run away. Make sure the collar has an ID tag giving the animal’s name and your cell phone number where you can be reached during the event. 
   
2. Remember to keep your dog close. Attach his properly fitted collar to a non-retractable leash no longer than four to six feet so you can monitor his whereabouts and behavior.
3. Make sure your pet likes people and doesn’t merely tolerate being petted. People love animals and want to show their appreciation through kisses, petting and head scratching. Please leave shy and aggressive dogs at home. 
   
4. Festivals are often family events and small children may not be able to contain their excitement over your furry friend. Think about what your pet will do if a child jumps on her and tries to give her a hug. If you don’t feel comfortable with what could happen, please leave your pet at home.
5. Kindly let children know they must ask to pet your animal. This simple gesture can make the difference in similar interactions for them down the road.
6. Teach your dog good etiquette by not letting your pet get right in the face of another dog. Other dogs deem this as a rude gesture and their owners might too. Ask them if your dog can meet theirs and then approach the other dog slowly.
7. Watch your pet for any signs the weather is affecting them. If it’s a cold, rainy day, make sure they have appropriate shelter or clothing. If it’s a hot day, help them stay hydrated by providing them with cold water.

Watch this clip provided by our friends at Fox 9, major sponsor of the Walk for Animals, for additional tips on how to get your pet festival ready.

And watch Paula every Sunday morning on Fox 9 during their “Ask the Trainer” segment for more advice on how to lead a safe, happy and balanced life with your pet. Upcoming topics include preparing your pets for July 4th and keeping them safe in the summer heat.

Learn more about AHS Training Services

(back to top)

MnPAW coming together for animals
A new coalition has come together to find a better way for animal welfare groups across Minnesota to work together to help more animals in our communities. The Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare (MnPAW) is beginning to take shape and invites you to learn more about the coalition.

Join them for a town hall meeting on Saturday, May 9 from noon–1 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. (Room N203, 7520 Golden Valley Rd.)


Founding organizations of the Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare (MnPAW) include:

• Animal Humane Society
• Pet Haven
• Chuck & Don’s
• Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue
• Minnesota Spay/Neuter Project
• Tri-County Humane Society
• Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota
• Animal Allies
• St. Paul Animal Control
• Minneapolis Animal Control

Additional members will be added to the coalition as things progress. For more information, please visit www.mnpaw.org.

(back to top)

What I learned at Unleashed summer camp
At Animal Humane Society, we’re excited about creating happy beginnings for families and the pets they adopt. Seeing so many smiling faces leave our building generates within us an enthusiasm to help others experience the wonder of the human-animal bond. One way we do this is to invite animal-loving kids discover their inner veterinarian or animal advocate at our Unleashed summer camp. Eight-year-old Christina Foley attended camp last year and left awe-struck over animals, animals, animals. Below is her top 10 list of things she liked about being at AHS’s summer camp:

1. Making toys for the animals
2. Learning about animals
3. Spending time with the animals
4. Learning how to take care of animals
5. Taking pictures with the animals
6. Playing animal games
7. Drawing pictures of animals
8. Meeting new people
9. Learning about microchips
10. Helping animals get adopted

If you think your animal-loving child would be interested in getting unleashed at AHS’s Unleashed summer camp, sign them up today! Sessions are filling up fast but there is still plenty of space available at each AHS location in Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul and Woodbury. (Learn more… )

(back to top)

Stray Dog Arts giving back
Jessie Marianiello of Stray Dog Arts will be donating 20% of all commissioned portraiture fees throughout the spring and summer to Animal Humane Society. Find out more about her “Animals of AHS” project when you visit her tent in the Flealess Market at this Saturday’s Walk for Animals.

 

A picture worth a thousand purrs
Thanks to the Photographers Guild there will be a lot more happy purrs and barks and squeaks at Animal Humane Society. Now through the month of May they’re offering a sitting for you and your pet, plus an 8x10 photo for a suggested donation of $40. Get a picture of you and your pet and help homeless and neglected animals. Call (651) 646-3239 to schedule your sitting.

Join the celebration online
Are you located a great distance from Minneapolis and can’t make it to the Walk for Animals? Are you local but your boss is requesting you come in to work that day, of all great pet festival days? Don’t fret. You can get real-time updates on what’s happening at the Walk by following us on Facebook and Twitter. It will be like you’re there, but without all the barking and sloppy kisses.

 

 

(back to top)

Call for entries: America’s Top Dog Model contest
Are you and your dog ready to be part of the hottest and most stylish dog competition in America? Then get ready to “Go Gorgeously Green” at the Walk for Animals and enter the 2009 America’s Top Dog Model contest! We’re staging the regional event at the Walk and up to 3 finalists in the casting call will go on to the national finals. (Learn more… )

 

 

 

What women want
The annual “What Women Want” issue of the Minnesota Women’s Press is on newsstands and features an assortment of readers’ pet friendly favorite places—and Animal Humane Society’s Boarding facility in Golden Valley is one of them! Reserve your pet’s stay today by calling (763) 489-2222. Rates are reasonable and all dollars go back to help the animals of AHS. (Learn more…)

 

 

 

Minneapolis/St. Paul #10 kitty city
The CATalyst Council recently named the top 10 cat-friendly cities and Minneapolis/St. Paul took the 10th spot. If you’re one of the many cat lovers across the metro, consider becoming a Mission: Meow foster volunteer. The program gives you the opportunity to help Animal Humane Society through the busy kitten season by taking an adult feline houseguest into your home for six months. We provide everything you need to care for the cat, all you provide is the love.  (Learn more... )

 

(back to top)

 

See our archive of news items...