Angel Tales » Adoption

Join us for the 36 Hour Adopt-A-Thon!

Oscar Mendez — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:28:30 +0000

Update: We are excited for the First Annual PAWS Chicago Adopt-A-Thon! Cats and dogs will be arriving as our current residents are adopted by wonderful families who have opened their homes this holiday to save the life of a homeless animal. The times listed are estimated and subject to change.

Click to see some of our dogs/puppies available for adoption!

This holiday season, don’t forget the homeless pets in need. Consider adopting at PAWS Chicago’s first-ever, 36-Hour Adopt-a-thon on December 6th and 7th at the PAWS Adoption Center, where hundreds of pets will be looking for new homes.

Join the festivities and ensure that many more precious campanions will be “home” for the holidays.

In these difficult economic times, cats and dogs are being turned into shelters in alarming numbers. You can help give them a second chance.

If you have any questions about the Adopt-A-Thon, please call (773) 935-PAWS (7297).

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The Ultimate Kitten and Puppy Guide

Oscar Mendez — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Are you ready to bring home baby? (Four-legged baby, that is!) Welcome to the ultimate guide to parenting the pet of your dreams. It’ll require baby-prooﬁng the pad, procuring all the essential accessories, and getting ready for a lifetime of unconditional love and cuddling.

Just like human children, pets are a reﬂection of the time, energy and patience that their parents invest from day one. Be sure to study tips on puppy and kitten socialization from the experts on these pages to start off on the right paw.

Study, Study!

The most important thing: before welcoming a puppy or kitten into your home, you need to educate yourself. You’ll ﬁnd the basics here, but the internet offers tremendous resources on potty training, teething, destructive behavior, socialization, good manners and information on what to expect form your new pet. With all these tools, you’ll be a pro at successfully raising your puppy or kitten into a well-behaved family pet.

Of course, adopting (instead of purchasing) little Max or Emma is the only way, since you’ll be saving the life of a homeless pet. If you insist on a particular breed, do your research. The most important consideration is your lifestyle and the activity level of the pet you want to bring home. (Just remember, all puppies and kittens have an endless supply of energy!)

The reality is, you might think that Australian Shepherd puppy staring through the window is a must have, but are you ready for a working dog that needs plenty of exercise, regular tasks and a ﬁrm owner? There’s a world of online resources to help you make the right pet choice. And if your lifestyle requires a particular feline or canineality, you may want to adopt a pet that’s more than one year old so you know a little more about the pet you’re taking home.

Next you’ll want to research veterinarians in your area. The best recommendations come from those who already have pets—friends, neighbors, coworkers or a local animal shelter. You may also want to visit the clinic that the veterinarian works at and review the information on their Web site.

Knowing which veterinarian you’d like to use is important because you’ll want to take your new puppy or kitten in for an appointment during the ﬁrst week he/she is home. Not only do you want to ensure that your new addition to the family has a clean bill of health but you’ll also be aware of any vaccines or medication your pet will need throughout the year.

Start Good Habits Early

Remember, everything’s better with treats, so don’t be stingy.

Brushing Teeth

To prevent damage to your dog’s teeth and gums, veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth at least once a week. Work with your puppy or kitten daily, touching his lips and teeth, to get him used to having his mouth handled. (And you’ll be much happier if you ever have to medicate in the future, or get something dangerous out of his/her mouth!)
The recommended way to brush your dog’s teeth is in short, circular strokes near the gum line, about two teeth at a time. There is speciﬁed toothpaste and brushes that should be used on dogs. Brushes with soft, pliable bristles work best.

Trimming Nails

Touch your puppy or kitten’s paws often so that when the time comes you can quickly and easily trim their nails.
Rest your puppy or kitten on your lap and rub the paw you are going to start trimming. From there, hold the paw in one hand and press one of the animal’s toe pads to extend the claw.
You’ll want to avoid the pink tissue (the “quick”) within the nail. Holding your clippers at a vertical angle allows for better trims. Of course if your puppy or kitten wants nothing to do with a nail trim, try trimming one nail a day or ask your veterinarian or groomer to trim them.

Pick Up After Your Dog

Give the pets we love a good name by being a responsible citizen!
In Chicago, you are legally bound to pick up your dog’s waste. Failure to do so can get you a $50-500 ﬁne each time.
Extremely contagious parasites for both pets and people, like Giardia, are frequently transmitted when irresponsible pet owners don’t pick up after their pets.

Behavior Guide

Potty Training

Puppies: Having your dog sleep in a crate as well as using the crate as a place to keep your dog when you aren’t home during the day can be one of the easiest ways to potty train. Dogs naturally like to keep their dens clean, and a crate can act as your new puppy’s den.

Kittens await their medical check-up and spay/neuter surguries at PAWS Chicago's Admissions & Recovery Center

It is important to remember that most puppies need to go out every few hours depending on their age–a three-month-old puppy can wait three hours, a four-moth-old for four hours, etc. You should also pay attention to your puppy’s body language. Pacing, whining, circling, snifﬁng and squatting are all signs that your puppy needs to go outside. However, if you begin to take your dog outside in regular intervals and praise him/her when they eliminate outside you’ll begin to see progress. Keep in mind that you should never use the crate for punishment or scold your dog for eliminating in the house.

Cats: Most cats are quick to learn and are quite happy to use a litter box. At ﬁrst, you’ll want to limit the area that you let your kitten run free until you feel he/she is consistently using the litter box. Other than that, all your cat asks is that you scoop the litter box daily and provide fresh litter once a week. For houses with multiple cats, it is ideal that each kitty has its own litter box.

Teething

Puppies and kittens have a lot of energy and need varied levels of mental and physical stimulation. As a new pet parent, it’s your job to teach your puppy or kitten what is acceptable to chew on and what is not.

Wrestling or roughhousing with your puppy or using your hands to play with your kitten only encourages him/her to bite at your hands and feet. This might be cute as a puppy or kitten but can turn into a serious problem as an adult pet. Instead, provide your puppy or kitten with plenty of his/ her own toys. It’s also important that you spend time daily playing with your pet using these toys and giving a lot of positive praise.

Scratching

Teaching your cat the appropriate places to scratch is essential from day one. Be sure to buy a couple of scratching toys. (Sisal scratching posts work best!)

If you cat is inappropriately scratching, use a spray bottle when you catch them in the act or buy specialty cat sticky tape from any pet store to place over her favorite spots. One scratch and they’ll never go back!

Socializing Your Puppy

Puppies look forward to meeting their new families in the Puppy Room at the PAWS Chicago's Adoption & Humane Center

Make sure to keep your puppy on a leash when socializing with other dogs. When your puppy is on leash, you have more control over how the dogs interact. While most adult dogs adjust to puppies just ﬁne, some are plagued by all- too-common puppy aggression or prey drive. Since any interactions your puppy has when it is young will be imprinted for life, you want to make sure he/she has as many positive experiences with other dogs and people as possible. Be sure to limit socialization with other animals until your puppy is fully vaccinated.

Two Kittens are Better Than One

Having one kitten might seem like the perfect addition to your home, but kittens are very curious and playful. Without a companion, loneliness sets in and destructive behavior may begin when left at home alone. It is highly recommended that if you are in the market for a kitten, adopt two. Two kittens can play with each other, help train each other and burn off more energy, leading to happier, better behaved kitties. When those nocturnal urges strike, they’ll chase one another, not your foot under the covers. Plus, when you go away for the weekend, they have a companion and aren’t totally reliant on you.

Little Dog – Big Dog

You might not see your Rotweiler mix as a threat, but the toy Pomeranian that just entered the dog park might. In general, small dog owners must be very cautious when letting their little darlings off leash when large dogs are present. Some breeds of dogs have hunting instincts and your precious Boo Boo may look more like little bunny Foo Foo when prey drive kicks into high gear! If you have a larger breed, a very calm and loving temperament at home doesn’t mean Maximus understands that dogs come in all sizes. Be careful until you’ve observed him in all situations, and even be cautious thereafter, because injuries can happen—even during the most innocent play. Keep in mind that most dogs instinctively want to chase moving things and that other dogs have a strong prey drive that motivates them to catch, potentially shake and cause serious damage to small animals. Be a responsible owner and make sure your dogs are either always on leash or off leash in designated areas with dogs of comparable size.

Medical Guide

It’s Time for Heartgard!

If your pet is not on Heartgard yet, we’re now in prime heartworm season. Heartgard is a monthly medication for dogs and cats that provides protection against heartworm disease and is used to treat hookworm infections as well. This medication can be picked up from your local vet’s ofﬁce. Typically, you’ll receive the medication in a six month supply that starts in May, but some veterinarians wil recommend it year-round.

Vaccinations

Puppies and kittens will get their ﬁrst vaccines as early as six weeks and up to 12 weeks. Most vaccines are injected as part of a series so it is important to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible to create a vaccine schedule. Puppy immune systems are not fully developed and therefore should not visit parks, dog parks, boarding facilities or daycare until your veterinarian gives you the go ahead.

Canine Vaccines

Rabies – Protects against a very serious disease that can be fatal to all mammals (including humans).
Distemper/Parvo/Leptospirosis/Parainﬂuenza/Adenovirus Combination – Protects against several potentially fatal diseases and is the most common combined dog vaccination. Combinations may vary depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation and regional risk.
Bordatella (also known as Kennel Cough) – helps prevent or reduce the possibility of getting this respiratory infection. If you board or take your dog to daycare frequently your veterinarian may ask you to get this vaccine twice a year.
Leptospirosis – protects against a bacteria that affects the liver and kidney.

Feline Vaccines

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – protects against a highly infectious, fatal disease caused by a feline coronavirus.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – protects against the highly contagious disease that is always fatal.
Rabies – protects against the very serious disease that can be fatal.

Microchipping

While it is always important that your puppy or kitten have a collar that includes a tag with your phone number in case he/she is lost, it is also important to make sure your pet has a registered microchip. Microchips are small identiﬁcation devices that are implanted beneath pets’ skin, similar to a vaccination. When they are registered, microchips give pets a permanent, unique identity that makes them instantly recognizable when read with special, hand-held scanners.

Have fun!

The bond and memories you make with your new pet will last a lifetime.

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The Foster Experience

Oscar Mendez — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:16:16 +0000

Annie was abandoned behind an apartment building, left tied to gas piping with a rope. When I ﬁrst spotted her, she looked like a little red fox, wildly barking at all of the disruptive urban bustle surrounding her. She was brave and pitiful at the same time. As I approached her she calmed and then licked my hand when I hesitantly held it out to her as if to say “I’ve been waiting for you.” Annie jumped into my car, sat still and upright in the passenger seat looking forward, never once looking back.

Annie gave birth to ten puppies two days later in my basement, surrounded by an audience of my own dogs and cats who sat quietly watching her. I fostered Annie and the pups until they were old enough to be adopted. When it came time for Annie to be adopted, I was ﬁlled with conﬂicting emotions. Hope for her, yet sadness at letting her go. My sadness quickly diminished as I heard the ﬁrst few glowing reports from Annie’s new family. She was soon attending their daughter’s pajama parties, 4H club, baseball games and all of the stimulating activities a dog could want.

It occurred to me that without living in my home for the weeks that she did, it is likely that Annie would not have ended up with the wonderful family that adopted her. She came to me starving, understandably fearful, and a bit distant. In my home she received love and an assurance of safety that she had probably never experienced before the day we met. Annie’s short time with me and my dogs helped her bond easily with her new family.

Jake came into my life after Annie. He was a fearful German Shepard who had been given up by his family and was scheduled to be euthanized. Jake bonded with me instantly, sensing, as dogs so accurately do, that I was going to help him.

Something happens to dogs as they spend time homeless or in a shelter. It’s not just elevated stress levels from the uncertainty of their environment and the chaos of other pets surrounding them with similar anxiety. Their sad abandonment has an affect on their souls that is evident in their eyes, some ﬁlled with lonely acceptance, some with panic. This lack of belonging can lead to feelings of desperation and anxiety and it can prohibit many of them from bonding with a prospective adoptive family and portraying their true loving nature.

As pack animals, dogs need to belong. Not belong “to” but belong “with,” having a role within a family. After a long time without a permanent role, they can forget how to accept and act within one. The stability and love found in a foster home transforms many of them from wild, difﬁcult-to-adopt pets that lack socialization and go through a revolving door of homes into the loving, well-adjusted pets who make an easy transition into their new homes. As a foster parent, not only can you provide them with a protective environment, but you can help to heal their hearts and to increase their chances of a permanent place within a family.

Statistics prove that a dog or cat’s chances of ﬁnding a permanent home increase by ﬁrst being placed into a foster home. It helps calm them and in some cases heal them if they have a sickness or injury, and also helps prospective adoptive families get an accurate read on the true personality and nature of the fostered dog or cat.

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Saving Missy

Oscar Mendez — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Missy with her new family.

Having lost her home, Sylvia Wise found an apartment where the landlord claimed to allow pets, but once she moved in the story changed. Exhausted from the roller-coaster she was living, Sylvia decided that she could no longer keep Missy and researched options online, ﬁnding PAWS Chicago’s Foreclosure Program only a few days after it launched on PAWS Chicago’s Web site. But even though she knew Missy would be guaranteed life at PAWS Chicago, the decision was far from easy.

Dear PAWS Chicago,

Words cannot convey my gratitude for what you have done for Missy and myself. From my heart, I thank you. I will continue to speak out in support of PAWS Chicago to everyone who will listen and keep all of you in my prayers. Although what has happened is what is best for Missy, it still saddens me. However, “this too shall pass”. I will always think of her as my baby and hope that if for any reason, she is returned, you would be so kind as to let me know.

Thank you again for all of your efforts and GOD bless.

Sincerely,
Sylvia Wise

After many tears, Sylvia decided to part ways with her beloved companion, saying, “I’ve had to accept the reality that if you don’t have your home, there’s nowhere to really put your dog.

Sometimes you have to do what’s best for them, and I think this is best for her.” Having lived with Missy for seven years, Sylvia said the decision was harder than the day she lost her job and even worse than the day her home was foreclosed on: “I lost my car then I lost my house and then I lost my dog and it seems to me I lost everything.”

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Oprah Becomes the Voice of Homeless Pets

Oscar Mendez — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:21:26 +0000

After losing Sophie, her beloved Cocker Spaniel at the age of 13 on March 10 of this year, Oprah was devastated. “She was a true love in my life,” Oprah said.

Now, she has become an advocate for pets who are homeless, facing death, or living in inhumane conditions in puppy mills. In April, Oprah highlighted issues facing pets in the United States on three separate shows, including a tour through PAWS Chicago’s cageless No Kill Adoption & Humane Center.

Oprah dedicated her entire April 4 show to issues pets face in puppy mills and shelters throughout the United States. Oprah Show correspondent Lisa Ling, equipped with hidden cameras, ventured into puppy mills for an investigation into horrific conditions that many of the nation’s puppies are born into each year. In these inhumane breeding grounds, moms are forced into pregnancy their entire lives, never stepping outside their small wire cages. Ling exposed images of the cruel conditions: of dogs who have never set foot on grass and a female Lab who has been forced to have more than 1,000 puppies. The result was a tremendous feat for pet advocates as the country saw the reality of the abusive and “factory-like” breeding operations behind the purebred and “designer” puppies seen in pet shop windows every day.

Then, the show toured a typical Animal Control shelter that kills an average of 40 homeless pets each day and showed a dog being euthanized—one of an approximated 4 million homeless dogs and cats that will be killed in America this year. Though challenging for viewers to watch, the Oprah Show took a large step forward for homeless pets by exposing what happens behind closed doors in shelters every day, motivating people across America to rescue their future four-legged companions. Without public involvement and commitment to change the status quo, lives with continue to be taken.

“I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show” -Oprah Winfrey

This enlightening show elicited the largest response of any Oprah show this season, having a great effect on people across the country and inspiring record-breaking adoptions. Oprah herself was deeply impacted, saying, “I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show.” She was so inspired that she decided to take further action, this time in her hometown.

PAWS Chicago was notified that Harpo wanted to film the new state-of-the-art, cageless Adoption Center and hear about the tremendous response from the community that occurred after Oprah’s show on puppy mills aired. Volunteers and the PAWS Chicago team were shocked when Oprah walked in for a surprise visit, saying on camera “I’ve heard all about this place. I’ve heard how great and how cool and how clean it is.”

Paula Fasseas, PAWS Chicago founder, was caught on camera, shocked as Oprah walked in and picked up adorable shepherd/chow mix puppy, Brianna.

Fasseas then toured Oprah, Brianna, Harpo’s film crew, and the nation through Dog Town and the rooftop deck where the dogs play. Oprah was delighted, saying, “I’ve never seen anything like this. So the animals aren’t caged at all. They have their own little rooms!” Impressed with the new way of sheltering homeless pets, Oprah presented a check to PAWS Chicago from Target for $10,000, but it did not end there.

Oprah shocked PAWS Chicago for a second time that day when she so generously announced, “I would love to sponsor a room on behalf of my lovely Sophie,” choosing a beautiful pale yellow dog home.

Now, adopters and visitors at the PAWS Chicago Adoption & Humane Center will have the opportunity to see Sophie’s Place, the most famous spot in Dog Town. Oprah’s design crews came through and built out the most beautiful tribute to Sophie, with a custom-built dog-house for the room’s homeless guests, a beautiful portrait of Sophie, an iron chandelier, and detailed painting on the walls featuring tufts of grass and a banner above that reads “In honor of my beloved Sophie”.

Brianna's adoptive family prepares to take her home.

When the segment aired on April 21st, Oprah announced that Brianna still had not found a home. That day, a family had seen the show and went to PAWS Chicago to claim Brianna as their own. On April 28th, Oprah featured Brianna’s story. “There are three boys in the house who say they love her furry face and are excited to have her home,” Oprah said. “I was so happy Brianna got a home.”

Though Oprah had fallen in love and wanted to take Brianna home for herself, she said she was not quite ready for a new dog in her life. “It will take some time for me to be ready,” she said. “As I said before, the next time I adopt a dog, I’m going to go to a No Kill shelter.”

With Oprah on-board, a No Kill Chicago and a No Kill nation is much closer to reality.

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Share your Love for Pets Without the Commitment

Oscar Mendez — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

With the surge in adoptions at PAWS Chicago’s new Lincoln Park Adoption & Humane Center, PAWS Chicago needs foster homes now more than ever. With more foster homes, PAWS Chicago will be able to save even more homeless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.

Young kittens and puppies and dogs and cats in need of medical treatment often need a few weeks of TLC before they can be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and adopted. At PAWS Chicago, these needy pets would occupy space at the Admissions Center for weeks—space that could be used to save many more homeless pets during that time if foster homes are available.

PAWS Chicago will provide the medical care and support team to help you with any questions you may have during the foster period. We match foster animals with foster homes to meet the needs of both.

Foster Parents Needed for:

Puppies (10 day – 2 week commitment)
Kittens (10 day – 2 week commitment)
Mom and/or Newborns (3 – 6 week commitment)
Dogs & Cats Recovering from an Illness or Injury (10 day – 3 week commitment)
Emergency Network providing temporary homes for pet owners in crisis (3 – 12 week commitment)

Foster Parent Commitment:

Caretaker providing food, water, toys and a lot of love
Administering medicine or special diets as needed
Scheduling any needed medical appointments with the PAWS Chicago Admissions Center at 3516 W. 26th Street (Little Village/ Pilsen Neighborhood) and providing transportation

If you have questions regarding fostering or are interested in becoming a foster parent please contact:

Kitten/Cat Foster Coordinator

(773) 475-9463
catfoster@pawschicago.org

Puppy/Dog Foster Coordinator

(773) 475-9462
dogfoster@pawschicago.org

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PAWS Chicago Becomes Regional Meet Your Match Training Facility

Oscar Mendez — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:05:03 +0000

The PAWS Chicago Adoption & Humane Center has been chosen as a regional training facility for the Meet Your Match™ program created by behaviorist Emily Weiss and the ASPCA. Meet Your Match™ focuses adopters on looking for a pet that matches their lifestyle and expectations, evaluating activity and energy levels when color-coding each pet and adopter. This enables adopters to identify which pet would be the perfect match for their home.

As one of only three training centers nationwide, shelters throughout the country will come to workshops at PAWS Chicago to learn this cutting edge program that helps forge a successful bond between adopters and their new companions, helping to build a lifelong commitment. Tony La Russa’s ARF in the San Francisco area and the Richmond SPCA are the other two centers.

To take the Meet Your Match survey online and determine what canine best suits your needs, visit the PAWS Chicago website.

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A Personal Look at PAWS Chicago’s Evolution

Oscar Mendez — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:46:51 +0000

Groups of people hurried toward the entrance, pausing to admire the cats and dogs at play on the other side of the glass. Sharing the eagerness of those around me, I made my way inside the new PAWS Chicago Adoption Center for the opening reception. As I toured the facility, the welcoming, homelike atmosphere was everywhere–in the sitting area complete with bookshelves and ﬁreplace, the serene rooftop garden, and, of course, the cheerful animal suites. Flowing throughout the Center was the distinct blend of joy and determination that has underscored every experience I’ve had with PAWS Chicago since joining the organization as a volunteer in 1999. Warmed by this mood and my surroundings, I found myself reﬂecting on my ﬁrst encounter with PAWS.

Blame the Jack Russell Terrier; before him I wasn’t sure. I was an unlikely PAWS volunteer. I didn’t grow up around dogs, though I’d admired them with a sort of distant reverence. Always delighted to spend time with friends’ canine companions, I hadn’t considered making them an ongoing part of my own life. Until I walked past a curious Lincoln Park store-front on Clark Street in early 1999. In sharp contrast to the neighboring retailers and ofﬁces, this window revealed a gathering of dogs, some playing with human companions, some resting, all looking quite content on this particular day. I would pass by several more times before deciding to go in and investigate. The organization was called PAWS Chicago, I learned. They were hoping to build awareness about pet overpopulation and improve the odds of adoption for homeless animals by increasing their visibility. And yes, they were taking volunteers. I signed up mostly because walking and playing with the dogs sounded like a fabulous activity. The larger cause, I fully confess, was quite secondary at the time.

I showed up the ﬁrst day feeling a bit like a student starting a new school. What would the dogs think of me? Would I ﬁt in with the other volunteers? Following an informative orientation, I headed across the room to the dog crates, greeting the occupants and reading their bios, before I settled into a metal folding chair to survey my surroundings.

Not thirty seconds passed when the Jack Russell Terrier appeared at my feet and catapulted himself from the ﬂoor into my lap, front paws thrown over my shoulder. The other volunteers laughed at my surprise. He was ready for a walk and had apparently selected me for the task. As I secured a signature, goldenrod scarf around his collar and located a leash, I saw that I did have something to offer here. When we returned from our walk, I signed up for a weekly shift.

Making my way through the new Center, peering into the suites at the precious occupants, I could hardly believe eight years had passed since I signed up to volunteer. So much had changed since I ﬁrst walked into the modest storefront on Clark Street.

In the weeks to come, I was amazed by the number of visitors stopping through. Many had heard about the program and wanted to adopt, but others just happened by as I had, intrigued. Both inside the center and outside–on walks around Clark and Fullerton, led mostly by enthusiastic, scarf sporting mixed breeds, or at Angels with Tails events–people approached wanting to learn about the cause. My own explanations, I observed, gradually became more detailed as my knowledge and passion increased.

I continued brushing coats, straightening scarves, and ﬁlling water bowls, expanding my participation in Angels with Tails and special events when the dog adoption program on Clark eventually concluded. Traveling throughout the Chicagoland area, I met the Husky with the sorrowful eyes on Oak Street; the tiny, tiger striped terrier pup in the mall; the gangly black shepherd mix on Armitage; the Weimaraner litter at the Fur Ball; and the exuberant Australian Cattle dog in the suburbs, among so many others. Shopping trips slowly became like scrapbooks, ﬁlled with recollections of dogs I had chaperoned weeks, months, or even years prior.

Spending the day among dogs and designer clothing always seemed nearly too good to be true. Especially on those occasions when just the right adopter came by, and I witnessed that special connection, that unique bond between human and canine. Even though it often meant giving up my charge for the day, these experiences became one of my greatest joys as a volunteer.

Making my way through the new center, peering into the suites at the precious occupants, I could hardly believe eight years had passed since I signed up to volunteer. Even more stunning was the incredible evolution of PAWS Chicago during that same time. So much had changed since I ﬁrst walked into the modest storefront on Clark Street. Even so, that same, persistent mood clung to the air–joy and determination; hope, perhaps. As tails wagged throughout the suites, I made my way back outside, ﬁlled with anticipation for the next eight years. Jennifer Beck is a freelance writer and tutor.

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Successful Strategies for Welcoming Your New Dog

Oscar Mendez — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 01:46:42 +0000

Bringing a new dog into the home can be an exciting and sometimes trying experience. If you’ve decided to adopt a mature dog from a shelter, you should expect an adjustment period of several weeks while your new dog acclimates to his surroundings and you get to know his behaviors.

You can expect that your new pet will be slightly off balance or anxious as he starts to explore his new home. Not only is he exploring his new environment, he is trying to ﬁgure out where he belongs in the hierarchy of the pack. It may take awhile for him to want to take direction from you and to see you as his new leader.

Your ﬁrst step should be to control the space in your home. You will need to teach him the rules of your household and he will need to know your expectations as well. If you don’t know very much about his past, you’ll want to observe his habits closely. Selectively allowing him freedom in the house can calm him down and give you time to get to know him.

One way to do this is to set up a crate or kennel. This can provide him with his own “sanctuary” or quiet place to rest. By restricting your new dog to a crate when he is left unattended, you can help him learn proper house manners. Most dogs will not eliminate in their “den” and prefer to be clean in their sleeping area. It will also save your house from destruction when you leave your new dog home alone for the ﬁrst time.

Some training may be necessary to get your new pet accustomed to his crate, although most dogs take to it quite naturally due to their “denning instincts.” One way to make a positive association is to feed him in the crate with the door open at ﬁrst. After several days, gently close the door while he is eating. Gradually increase the time in the crate, ignoring any whining or forms of protest. A satisfying chew bone or a kong stuffed with peanut butter can keep him busy and help ease any separation anxiety.

Now that you have a tool to help control your environment, your next step is to enroll in an obedience class. Obedience training will create a way for you to communicate with your dog. In a basic obedience class, you will learn how to teach your dog to sit, down, stay, come and heel on command. Going to class every week will also help you to socialize your dog around other dogs and people.

It is important when selecting a class to look for an instructor with knowledge of canine behavior who is capable of reading your dog’s behavior and selecting the best methods for his temperament. Sometimes there are lifestyle changes that must be put in place. It may be important that you instill “manners” that go beyond obedience training.

Maintaining a proper relationship between you and your dog may mean that you teach him how to greet strangers properly, that you always go ﬁrst out the door and that you don’t allow your dog in your bed or on the furniture. Decide early in your relationship what behaviors you want to live with and remain consistent in carrying our your wishes. Your dog will respect you for it. Ask your obedience instructor for guidance if you run into problems.

Finally, ﬁnd ways to bond with your dog through physical activity. Your dog is a social creature and requires stimulation and exercise on a daily basis. Although some dogs are content spending time watching a movie with you at home and going for walks in the park or around the neighborhood, many dogs need more. A great majority of dog breeds were originally developed to serve man and have a “job.” These dogs need to exercise their working drives and to use their intelligence productively. You may need to provide activity for this type of dog to fulﬁll his needs.

Consider taking obedience classes that go on to off-lead work, higher levels of distraction training and retrieve work. Or perhaps your dog would enjoy an agility class. These types of classes will encourage your dog to learn because it’s fun and increase your leadership status.

Whatever activities you may enjoy, remember that your new dog needs your time and commitment to develop into a conﬁdent, loving, well-behaved family member. Your extra time will be well worth the years of enjoyment!

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PAWS Chicago creates Pet Program for Girl Scouts of America

Oscar Mendez — Tue, 01 May 2007 19:43:46 +0000

Adoption events may tug at the public’s heartstrings and fundraising beneﬁts capture media attention, but the PAWS Chicago community outreach effort is a force of change in many of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Community outreach staff and volunteers make presentations in schools, park districts, neighborhood clubs, police beat meetings, and other assemblies.

Recently, PAWS Chicago launched a joint program with the Girl Scouts of America and their “Girl Space” program for inner city girls, many of whom live in the zip codes that are the focus of PAWS’ outreach efforts.

Initially, the collaboration will involve 1,300 girls who belong to 24 troops in Chicago Public Schools. They include Brownies (grades 1, 2, and 3) and Juniors (grades 3, 4, and 5). The girls can earn a PAWS Chicago Pet Badge after completing educational units and projects based on lesson plans that include PAWS’ core curriculum.

The PAWS lesson plans revolve around the themes of proper pet care, pet overpopulation and the importance of spaying/ neutering, safety around animals and ways to avoid bites, and prevention of animal abuse, with particular lessons and related activities geared to the speciﬁc age group.

“We enjoy collaborating with PAWS Chicago,” said Girl Scouts of America representative Gloria Shaffer. “This will be very helpful for the girls and the leaders. The girls are learning together while participating in fun activities.”

A PAWS program for Cadettes and Seniors (grades 6 through 12) is currently under consideration. Curriculum for the older girls would include such additional topics as animal sheltering, dog ﬁghting, volunteer opportunities, and careers with animals.

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