Pet Appreciation Week

Although we should be letting our pets know how special they are to us every day, June 7th through June 13th 2015 is National Pet Appreciation Week. This is the "PURfect" time to celebrate just how much our favorite four-legged friends mean to us.

Some of us are cat people and some of us are dog people but, regardless of which category you or I fall into, most of us are just plain crazy about our pets. The connections we form with our cats and dogs are often the longest and strongest relationships in our lives. These kind creatures are our soul mates, our best friends, and sometimes even our surrogate children.

So what makes our pets such key members of our families? Perhaps it’s because our beloved pets have long provided us with comfort, camaraderie, and unconditional love. Cats and dogs are our unending source of kisses, cuddles, slobber, claws, and laughs. They make great companions for anyone at any age and can even be excellent exercise partners...well, at least for those of us who actually want to exercise!

This week is about going that extra mile and really showing our furry family members just how much we love and cherish them. And to help us out with this, here are a few suggestions from a pet's point of view on how they would like us to celebrate this week with them.

1. "Make sure we have a proper and up-to-date identification tag." What a great time to make sure your playful pup or curious kitty can make it home easier if he or she is ever lost.

2. "Treats and LOTS of them ...we pets don’t mind at all when you show us how much you love us with our favorite treats!"

3. "LOTS of hugs and kisses...just because we deserve it!"

4. "Make sure we are eating the right food. Food is very important to us, and we always let our humans know if we're unhappy in this department!" This is a great time to make sure the food your pet is eating is appropriate for their age and weight.

5. "More toys! Have you seen some of the super cool new toys in the pet stores? Some of them are really challenging and make us pets think while we play!"

6. "Take us on a special outing!" This could be visiting a new park or beach, switching up the walking route, attend a pet-friendly social event, etc.

7. "Did we mention treats?"

"Just a few ideas to get you thinking about treats...ooops, we mean Pet Appreciation Week! WOOF-WOOF, MEOW-MEOW!" Happy tails to you until we meet again!

Pets In Paradise

I'd like to start off by giving a great big shout out to Gracie and all of the staff and volunteers who helped make this year's Puppy Love fund raiser so successful.  Putting together an event like that is a huge task that I certainly wouldn't want to be responsible for, but Gracie and her team did an amazing job.  All of the animals at Pet Pal are raising their paws to show their appreciation for all the hard work and for the generous donations received to provide for their care. 

 

So what's up next?  I'm thinking it's time for a well-deserved and much-needed vacation!  Since Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, I thought this would be a good opportunity to share a few helpful tips to make summer traveling safe and enjoyable for the four-legged members of the family too.  Whether you're traveling by car, plane, bus, or train, here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind as you plan your trip. 

 

Traveling by car:
1.  Get your dog used to the car by letting him sit in it with you without leaving the driveway and then going for short rides.
2.  Avoid car sickness by letting your dog travel on an empty stomach.  However, make sure he has plenty of water at all times.
3.  Keep the car well-ventilated.  If the dog is in a crate, make sure that fresh air can flow into the crate.
4.  Never let your dog ride in the back of an open truck.  This is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injuries or death.
5.  Stop frequently for feeding, exercise, and potty breaks.  Be sure to clean up after your dog.
6.  Car rides can get boring for everyone so, if traveling with children, instruct them not to tease or annoy the dog in the car.  Also be sure to have a few favorite toys to keep the dog entertained. 
7.  Never, ever leave your dog unattended in a closed vehicle, particularly in the summer.  If you must leave the car, designate a member of the family to stay with the dog.

 

Traveling by plane:
Each airline has its own set of rules for canine air travel.  Check with the specific airline you're flying on for information and make the necessary arrangements well in advance of your trip. 

 

Traveling by bus or train:
If you plan to travel by bus or train, you may be disappointed.  Dogs are not permitted on Amtrak trains or on buses operated by Greyhound and other interstate bus companies.  Local rail and bus companies have their own policies.

 

Once you've figured out how you're going to travel, it's time to decide where you want to go.  As more families are bringing their beloved pets with them on vacation, the number of hotels, campgrounds, beaches, and even restaurants and wineries that welcome animals is quickly growing.  Sometimes pet-friendly lodging can even cost less than boarding your dog in some kennel where they will most likely feel scared and lonely the entire time.  Find out in advance which hotels or motels at your destination or along your route are pet-friendly.  Be careful because there is a vast difference between places that simply allow pets and those that are truly pet-friendly.  Call ahead and ask to make sure that what they consider pet-friendly really does meet your needs.  Consider asking some or all of the following questions before booking your stay.

 

1.  Are there size or breed restrictions?
2.  Is there an extra charge or cleaning fee for pets?
3.  Are pets required to be on leash?
4.  Are dogs allowed on walkways, paths, or trails?  In city or downtown areas?  On sidewalks?  In stores, galleries, wineries, or other local attractions?
5.  Do I need a health certificate or proof of vaccinations?

 

Once you locate  the perfect place for you and your furry friend, be the perfect guest by doing the following. 

 1.  Respect other guests, staff and the property.

2.  Keep your dog as quiet as possible.
3.  Do not leave the dog unattended.  Many dogs will bark or destroy property if left alone in a strange place.
4.  Ask the management where you should walk your dog, and pick up after him.  Do not leave any mess behind.
5.  Remember that one bad experience with a dog guest may prompt the hotel management to refuse to allow any dogs in the future.  Be considerate of others and leave your room and the grounds in good condition

Don't forget to look for nearby veterinary care and pet supply stores when planning your getaway.  Also, if your pet isn't already microchipped, you may want to consider this before traveling in case of separation.  If nothing else, make sure your pet is wearing a well-fitting collar with a current ID tag at all times.  Of course no one wants to think that something bad could happen on their long-awaited vacation, but responsible pet owners need to be prepared for anything.  

 

Finding the perfect vacation spot for you and your pampered pet will require a bit of planning and preparation, but there are plenty of websites that can help you with the research.  "GoPetFriendly.com", "BringFido.com", and "PetFriendlyTravel.com" are popular sites that have vast resources for any and all of your pet travel needs.  So, wherever your travels take you and your four-legged companions this summer, be safe and enjoy your pets in paradise! 

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again! 

Share the Puppy Love

Well, it's spring time again and with the spring comes Puppy Love!  Pet Pal Animal Shelter's 13th annual Puppy Love Benefit is on Saturday May 9th from 6 PM to10 PM at the Historic Coliseum in St. Petersburg.  This is Pet Pal's largest fundraiser of the year.  It is VITAL to the day-to-day operation of the shelter, providing much needed funds for the care and recuperation of the animals. 

 

This year's "uncorked" evening will include dinner, silent and live auctions, "puppy pimping" (sloppy kisses - no charge), 50/50 raffle, live music, and much more!  A few of the silent auction items include a 3-night stay at Atlantis Casino Resort, a TradeWinds Guy Harvey Outpost Resort weekend, 2 tickets to Counting Crows concert on July 31^st, 2 tickets to Garth Brooks concert on June 6^th, season tickets to the Florida Orchestra, a spa package from Royal Palms Spa, a 3-hour sunset cruise on the Freedom III, Marc Jacobs sunglasses, a Kate Spade scarf and Bella Capelli hairstyle basket, and a whole lot more.  There will be about 200 auction items in all, so there’s a little something for everyone.                 

Although I've been volunteering at the shelter for nearly 3 years now, I've never been able to attend this event but I've heard so much about it over the years that my husband and I decided to sign up to volunteer there this year and will finally be getting in on the fun too!  Keep reading this Happy Tails blog for future posts on the highlights of the evening.  And if anyone is still interested in volunteering, donating, or buying  tickets to attend, call Pet Pal at (727) 328-7738 or visit www.petpalanimalshelter.com for more information.  There will also be a final Puppy Love meeting for all volunteers on Sunday May 3rd at 2 PM at the shelter to go over last-minute details.  

 

With less than 2 weeks to go until the big night, there's still lots to be done which means plenty of craziness at the shelter...even more than usual!  So we welcome anyone and everyone willing to lend a "paw" to help the animals.  They're depending on all of us to make this event a success...so let's all share some Puppy Love! 

Happy tails to you until we meet again! 

Cheers For Volunteers!

In honor of "National Volunteer Week", which is from April 12th through April 18th, I thought I'd dedicate this blog to all the wonderful people who volunteer their time at Pet Pal Animal Shelter.  Whether they're walking dogs, cleaning the kennels, cuddling with the kitties, assisting at adoption events, or even just answering phones as I do, each one of us is helping to make a difference in the lives of animals.  Now that's something we can all feel good about!  Here are a few more benefits of volunteering at an animal shelter:

 

1.  Be part of the solution.  You'll join others working to make the world safe and more humane for all living creatures by lending a hand and spreading the message of responsible pet ownership and animal protection.

2.  Feel warm and fuzzy.  You'll never find a more grateful and accepting friend than an animal you've comforted.

3.  Keep good company.  You'll make lots of new friends — and not just the four-legged kind.  Working side by side with people who share similar interests can create lifelong friendships.

4.  Meet the new you.  You'll discover skills you never knew you had and you may be surprised at what you're capable of achieving.

5.  Enjoy a wagging tail, a purr, and a smile.  Didn't someone once say that the best things in life are free?

 

If you're interested in volunteering with Pet Pal Animal Shelter, this would be an excellent time to get started.  There are so many things happening this Spring and none of it is possible without the help of our awesome volunteers.  So pick up a volunteer application at the shelter or download it online and join us for all the fun! 

 

Here's a list of upcoming events you might enjoy helping out with or maybe just attend as a guest:    

 

Yappy Hour at World of Beer

April 9, 2015, 6 PM - 8 PM

100 4th St. South

 

Your best friend has been waiting all day for you to come home and is ready for Yappy Hour.  While your pet mingles and wags, humans can enjoy drink specials and snacks.  Pet Pal Animal Shelter will have dogs available for adoption on the patio.  Yappy Hour at World of Beer is held every second Thursday of the month and benefits Pet Pal Animal Shelter. 

 

Volunteers are needed for this event to talk to people, fill water bowls, walk and watch our adoptable dogs, etc.      

 

 

Block Party

April 10th, 2015, 6 PM - 10 PM

2263 7th Ave. North

The historic Kenwood District is blocking off two streets for their Block Party.  We will have adoptable dogs, dog treats, water, and our friends with St. Peters Bark will be there too!  Free to attend. 

 

Volunteers are needed for this event to talk to people, fill water bowls, walk and watch our adoptable dogs, etc.     

 

 

St. Peters Bark Grand Opening

April 11, 2015, 10 AM - 5PM

2435 9th St. North

 

In celebration of St. Peters Bark grand opening, Pet Pal will have adoptable dogs from 10 AM to 2 PM.  St. Peters Bark will have specials all day long so bring your pup down and say hi!

 

Volunteers are needed for this event to talk to people, fill water bowls, walk and watch our adoptable dogs, etc.     

 

 

Open House Anniversary

April 15, 2015, 10 AM - 7 PM

Pet Pal Animal Shelter

405 22nd St. South

 

In celebration of our Anniversary, we will have an open house all day long on Wednesday April 15, 2015 providing the following:

 

10 AM - 7 PM:  Extended adoption hours

10 AM - 7 PM:  Puppy Love table all day

10 AM - 7 PM:  Tours all day long

1 PM - 2 PM:  Volunteer orientation

2 PM - 3 PM:  Dog handling class (shelter only, not your pet) 

4 PM - 7 PM:  Snacks & beverages (wine after 5 PM)

5 PM - 7 PM:  Meet the artist of Murals for Mutts

 

Volunteers are needed throughout the day to help with the above. 

 

 

Dog Day at the Rays & Spring Cleaning Donation Drive

April 26, 2015, 1:10 PM - ?

Tropicana Field

 

The Tampa Bay Rays are pleased to invite you to come out to Tropicana Field for Dog Day with the Rays on Sunday April 26, 2015 when the Rays take on the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:10 PM.  This special ticket package includes a seat for yourself and your best pal for just $30 ($40 value) and includes a Rays-themed dog item.  Additional human tickets are available for $25 each and also include a Rays-themed dog item.  Don't forget to bring items from your spring cleaning around your house and/or business to donate to Pet Pal Thrift Store before the game  starts.  Pet Pal Animal Shelter will have adoptable dogs too. 

 

Offer code for dog + human ticket:  3bark

Offer code for human only ticket:  3barkh

    

   

13th Annual Puppy Love Benefit

May 9, 2015, 6 PM - 10 PM

The Historic Coliseum

535 4th St. North, St. Petersburg

 

Our Annual Puppy Love Benefit is our largest fundraiser of the year.  It is VITAL to the day-to-day operation of our facility, providing much needed funds for the care and recuperation of our animals.  The "uncorked" evening will include Dinner, Silent & Live Auctions, Puppy Pimping (sloppy kisses no charge), 50/50 Raffle, Live Music, and much more!   

Volunteers are needed for this event in the following positions:

 

*  Set up (Friday, arrive at 9 AM):  Help transport items to event and set up items.  Set up stage, tables, chairs, decor, etc. 

*  Table monitors, (Saturday, arrive at 4 PM):  You will be assigned a table section to watch over.  Upon your arrival, find the chair for the table monitors and he/she will direct you where your section will be.  Walk around the entire venue and familiarize yourself with all items.  We will also have a written list of items in your section as well as the sneak peak online prior to the event.  Keep a close eye on the merchandise.  Make sure that there are pens available and answer any questions you can about items and that items are being appropriately bid on.             

*  Pack up (Saturday night):  This job is for the real troopers - people willing to stay after the event is over and cleaning up/packing up anything that is left over. 

     

 

For more information on any of these events or other volunteer opportunities including animal fostering or activities children can get involved in, please call (727) 328-7738 or visit www.petpalanimalshelter.com.  Ordinary people doing extraordinary things can change lives!

 

To all the volunteers out there...thank you for doing what you do.  DON'T STOP, YOU ROCK!!!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!  

Hooray For National Puppy Day!

Did you know that March 23rd is "National Puppy Day"?  Millions of

unwanted puppies sit alone in shelters every day and, unfortunately,

many never make it out to enjoy a life of love and security. Instead

of buying a puppy from a breeder or pet store, why not support local

animal rescues like Pet Pal Animal Shelter and save a life today.  If

we are ever going to fix the problem of pet overpopulation, we all

need to become part of the solution...not part of the problem.

ADOPT....DON'T SHOP!


So how does pet adoption work?  Well of course the process is

different from shelter to shelter but, as I eluded to in my last blog

post, here's the basic qualification criteria required to adopt an

animal from Pet Pal.  First, there's the application to fill out

including all of your information as well as contact information for

your landlord and current vet (if either of these apply).  Pet Pal

staff will need to verify with the landlord that it's okay for you to

have a pet on their property and if there are any size limitations or

breed restrictions.  They will also need to verify that all of your

pets (current and/or within the last 5 years) have been

spayed/neutered and kept up-to-date on vaccinations and heartworm

preventative.

 
Along with the application, there is an adoption fee of $200 for all

dogs/puppies and $40 for all cats/kittens.  As a non-profit

organization, Pet Pal Animal Shelter depends solely on these adoption

fees and whatever donations are received from the local community.

When you consider how much it costs to properly care for each animal

(i.e. housing, feeding, vaccinating, spaying/neutering, etc.), it's

easy to realize that the adoption fees and donations barely cover it

all.  However, as huge promoters of responsible pet ownership, Pet Pal

would NEVER neglect or mistreat their animals simply to cut down

expenses.

 
Pet Pal also requires that every person as well as any other pets

currently living in your home come in to be introduced to the shelter

animal in a supervised environment.  This helps to ensure that

everyone in the household is on-board with the adoption and, more

importantly, that all humans and pets get along well with each other

before leaving the shelter.  Of course animal behaviors will most

likely change once in a home environment which is to be expected but,

by observing the initial interactions at the shelter, the staff can

get a pretty good idea whether or not the animal you've chosen will be

a good match for your family and lifestyle.

 
It may seem like there are a lot of "hoops to jump through" to adopt

from Pet Pal Animal Shelter, but these are all necessary steps taken

to ensure every animal goes to a safe home with loving and responsible

pet parents.  The staff and volunteers at Pet Pal all dedicate their

time to love and nurture every animal that comes in and make every

effort to place each one in a FURever home.


So in honor of "National Puppy Day", let me encourage all of you to

consider adopting a dog (or cat) from Pet Pal and keep at least one

more animal from spending another day left behind at the shelter.  If

you can't adopt a new furry friend today, you can still make a

difference by donating to Pet Pal Animal Shelter.  Find out more about

ways to help by going to http://www.petpalanimalshelter.com or calling

(727) 328-7738.


Thank you for taking the time to read this.  Please send any questions

or comments you have for me via email to chrisnorm74@gmail.com.  I

welcome any and all feedback you want to share.


Happy Tails to you until we meet again!

Mr. Daly, This Blog Is For You!

While I was sitting at the front desk doing my volunteer thing at the shelter last Wednesday, Gracie (marketing director) was telling Scott (executive director) about my most recent blog and his response was, "Is it about me?"  Of course he was just kidding around (I think) but then I realized that might be a fun idea for a blog topic.  So Mr. Daly, this blog is for you! 

 

For anyone who may not know him, Scott Daly is the executive director of Pet Pal Animal Shelter as well as their veterinary clinic and thrift store.  He has over 20 years of experience working with animals in various veterinary offices and shelters, and he truly puts his heart and soul into his work.  As executive director, Scott has a GINORMOUS amount of responsibility to keep all 3 facilities running smoothly, but he ALWAYS puts the animals and their needs first.  He offers all the advice and support he can to anyone having difficulties with their animals, whether or not the animal was adopted from Pet Pal.  And he won't allow anything that could potentially be detrimental to animals, even if that means having to decline an adoption if the person or family doesn't meet certain qualifications.  Be sure to check out the next Happy Tails blog for more information about Pet Pal's specific adoption requirements and the reasons for them. 

 

Not only is Scott Daly devoted to Pet Pal's mission of rescuing animals from other shelters that may be at risk of being euthanized due to illness, injury, or lack of socialization/training as well as promoting responsible animal ownership, he's just an all-around great guy!  He's a real family man with an awesome sense of humor.  He likes to have a good time but, make no mistake, he's VERY  serious when it comes to his animals.  Best of all, he's not the type to just sit in his office shuffling papers while his staff and volunteers do all the dirty work...he'll get right in there with them mopping floors and cleaning litter boxes just to get the job done and ensure the shelter looks presentable to the public.  But perhaps my favorite thing about Scott Daly is the simple fact that, just like giving the animals a second chance at life, without question or hesitation, he was willing to give this blind woman the opportunity to volunteer and feel like she is part of something truly special!  

 

No, I'm not writing all this stuff to score some "brownie points" with the director...although a few extra crumbs now and then never hurts...LOL!  I really just want everyone to know that the animals who end up at Pet Pal Animal Shelter are actually very fortunate to have a man like Scott Daly caring for them and searching for the very best home for each and every one of them.  So the next time you're in the neighborhood, stop by Pet Pal and let Scott know how much we all appreciate his dedication to the animals and making such an important cause his life's work!    

 

Thank you Scott Daly for all you do!!! 

 

Happy Tails to you until we meet again!

Can Old Dogs Teach Us New Tricks?

How many times have we pondered whether or not an old dog can actually learn new tricks?  Well, how about dogs teaching humans new tricks?  Hmmm, what do you think we could learn from them?  Here are a few doggie life lessons to make us think and hopefully focus on the simple things in life – the parts of life that have endless value.  Take a break from the busyness of everyday life and see if dogs can, in fact, teach us a few new tricks.

 

If dogs were teachers, we would probably learn the really important stuff like...
*  When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
*  Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
*  Enjoy the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face (don't worry about your hair getting messed up)  .
*  When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience (being obedient might take a lot of practice for some of us).
*  Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
*  Take naps (my personal favorite).
*  Stretch before rising.
*  Run, romp, and play daily.
*  Avoid biting when a simple growl will do (something often easier said than done).
*  On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass (only if someone is there to help me get back up).
*  On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
*  When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body (just be sure no one else is around to witness this scary sight).
*  No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout… run right back and make friends (another example of something easier said than done).
*  Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
*  Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough (learning to stop when we've had enough may take some time to master).
*  Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not.
*  If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
*  When someone is having a bad day; be silent, sit close by, and be a true companion (no training needed...this is something we can all do but probably don't do nearly enough).

 

So let's try to learn from our very wise, four-legged friends and practice showing them all the love and patience they share with us every day of our lives.  Our pets truly deserve the same respect and unconditional love as all living beings do.  They are not status symbols...they have huge open hearts and, if we open our hearts as well, our lives are FURever changed for the better!

 

Ready to open your heart and home to a new dog, cat, puppy, or kitten?  Check out all the cuddly cuteness waiting for you at Pet Pal by going to http://www.petpalanimalshelter.com.  There you'll find the animals currently available for adoption as well as information about upcoming events, different ways to donate, and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.  Please post any questions or suggestions you might have for me in the comments section or via email to chrisnorm74@gmail.com.  I welcome and greatly appreciate any feedback you want to share. 

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!