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The Power of Petfinder.com!
What would we do without Petfinder.com? PoundHounds and rescue organizations across North America have come to rely on Petfinder to get the word out about the animals in their care. In 2008 alone, 2.1 million pet adoptions were facilitated through Petfinder. Beyond the adoption listings and resources, Petfinder has extensive reach across the nation and is committed to educating the public and generating awareness about the importance of choosing adoption first. With the support of its sponsors, Petfinder provides excellent publicity, marketing campaigns and a host of creative resources for rescue organizations and potential adoptors alike.
As a member of Petfinder, PoundHounds has access to all of the helpful resources Petfinder has to offer. In addition, we are able to share best practices with other rescue organizations, ultimately helping to increase our circle of support for the dogs we all strive to save. As Petfinder continues to come up with creative awareness themes and educational tools that reach a vast audience, grassroots organizations like PoundHounds can focus efforts and resources on achieving goals on a smaller, local scale...helping to save one dog at a time.
Seana Dowling
President, PoundHounds, Inc. |
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Health Check
Maintaining Oral Health and Fresh Breath
There are many treats and foods on the market that are specially formulated to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. The special fiber in these products is designed to scrub the teeth and reduce plaque. All of these foods and treats are helpful, but they are not a cure-all for dental disease. Daily brushing has been found to be the best way to prevent bad breath, plaque build up and tooth and gum disease.
Along with a regular brushing regiment, talk to your veterinarian about professional cleaning and scaling. Following the cleanings, your veterinarian may prescribe you products you can use at home that will help keep those pearly whites sparkling and healthy.
One of the products veterinarians prescribe is a gel that has been shown to be very effective at neutralizing offensive mouth odors and reducing plaque. 'Maxi/Guard' gel is applied at home by squeezing the bottle and running applicator tip along your dogs teeth and gums, or applied directly with a finger.
'Oravet', is another at-home maintence product. It creates an invisible barrier over the teeth, preventing bacteria from attaching. The ointment is a waxy layer applied weekly with medical grade cotton swabs, which are supplied in the Oravet kit. It adheres to the tooth surface through an electrostatic charge and peels away with time taking plaque with it.
It's never too late to start taking care of your dog's teeth. Next time you are at the pet store, pick up a toothbrush and dog toothpaste and get those choppers cleaned up! |
Layla, the Wrong Right Dog
A Memorial to a PoundHounds Legend
What was wrong with you Layla? You were abandoned by your owners. Was it because you were part Greyhound and your owners thought you might chase cats? You had a square head and a brindle coat, did your owners think you were a Pit Bull and just assumed you would be aggressive?
When Marcia took you in as a foster, you were her first dog. She didn't know what to expect. But guess what? You lived with cats and got along fine. In fact, those cats thought you were the most wonderful playmate in the world. You played with every dog you met and you loved people. You had a marvelous temperament and became a PetPals volunteer, working with Alzheimers patients in nursing homes. You went to every fundraiser for PoundHounds to work the crowd and raise money for other dogs in town pounds.
You were energetic and calm, enthusiastic and dignified. You loved travel and adventure, and hearth and home. In fact, you always seemed happy being where you were, doing whatever you were doing. As long as Marcia was there, of course.
Maybe it was everyone's ideas about 'dogs like you' that were wrong. In fact, the only thing wrong with you Layla, was the cancer that took you too soon. We will miss your beautiful face forever.
-----------------------------------------------------------PoundHounds board member Marcia and her family are broken hearted at the recent loss of their beloved Layla. Only nine and a half, poor Layla went to Rainbow Bridge due to an aggressive tumor in her chest. |
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ASPCA 'Puppy Facts'
Online Resource to Verify Breeder Reputation
The ASPCA has created a 'Puppy Facts' database that provides access to current information and reports for breeding facilities and pet stores nationwide. In addition to general facts about the breeder, it lists violations, such as unsanitary conditions, lack of medical care or poor record keeping. Click on the link below to access the site.
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ACO Resources: Bark Control
Invisible Fence Company Sponsors Program for ACOs
The Invisible Fence company believes that solving nuisance barking issues helps prevent dog owners from relinquishing their pets to municipal pounds. The company has implemented the ACO Bark Control Program to help ACOs give pet owners and their dogs another chance.
Invisible Fence provides discounted Bark Control Collars and training to ACOs to learn how the system operates. The ACO offers the system to pet owners with barky dogs to try for 10 days at no charge. If the system works for the dog, the owner turns in the loaner and can purchase one with the knowledge that they will have resolution to their dog's troublesome barking. To learn more about how you can work with experts from Invisible Fence, click here. |
Ask the Trainer
Pet Care Going Green
Question: How do I 'go green' when caring for my pets?
Answer: There are chemicals in foods, treats, sprays, vaccines, medication and in the home that you can limit using, or exchange for natural products. For example, instead of cleaning with bleach or Lysol, choose cleaning products that have a pine oil or citric base for 'greener' cleaning.
Often, one of the easiest changes you can make is to your dog's diet. Changing how many fillers versus proteins and complex carbohydrates makes a huge difference.
"Ask the Trainer" is written by Sonia Mullen of Canine Techniques. To read more answers to common questions about dog behavior, visit the "Ask the Trainer" section of the PoundHounds web site.
If you have a question about your dog's behavior, please send your question to info@poundhounds.org and put the word "TRAINER" in the subject line. We regret that Sonia won't be able to respond personally to every question.
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Featured Dog for Adoption: Billy
Playful Young Pup Ready for Action!
Billy's owner had to move and couldn't take Billy along. Billy loves to play more than anything else in the world, so an owner that enjoys activities and throwing balls would be the best fit. Click on the link to learn more about Billy or contact the Taunton Animal Shelter at 508.822.1463. |
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Lost Dog!
Have you seen this dog? Keeyne was last seen in the North Attleboro and Wrentham, MA area. Her owners are desperately looking for her. She is wearing a blue collar with a Gardner, MA tag. If you see her, call Michelle at 781-864-6556. |
Ready, Set, Walk!
Raise Funds at Barktoberfest's Walk Fur Dogs
Barktoberfest
September 20, 2009
It's time to dust off those sneakers and sign up those sponsors for the Walk Fur Dogs! Create your own Walk Fur Dogs fundraiser page by signing up at www.active.com/donate/barktoberfest2009. Or download a walk form at our web site. Walk Fur Dogs, our annual fundraiser that takes place at Barktoberfest, is an easy 1-mile loop around the scenic 4-H Fairgrounds in Westford, MA. Please reach out to friends and family now and ask that they sponsor you.
Know anyone who would like to participate in the walk? You can easily forward the Active Giving links to friends and family so they can get involved too. Get started by clicking here: Walk Fur Dogs. Attention Animal Welfare Groups! Raise funds for your group at our Walk Fur Dogs! Keep 70% of what you raise! Click here to download a walk form now or sign up online. Help us publicize Barktoberfest! Download the flyer (scroll to the bottom of the page) and post around town! |
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Campaign of the Month Help Us Win a Special Funding Prize from the Animal Rescue Site
It's easy to help. All you need to do is go onto the Animal Rescue Site every day and vote for PoundHounds. The Animal Rescue Site, together with Petfinder.com, is sponsoring a challenge for animal rescue organizations.
The organizations receiving the most votes are eligible to receive a weekly $1,000 grant prize and/or one of the other generous funding prizes being offered. Noted below are a few examples of the grants PoundHounds could receive with enough votes:
--Grand Prize: $20,000 grant
--Second Prize: $5,000 grant
--Third Prize: $3,000 grant
Save the link below as a "Favorite" on your computer and click every day to vote for PoundHounds! You can vote through July 26, 2009. Prize winners will be announced on July 29, 2009. Cast your vote now at:
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About MAC
Spay/Neuter License Plates
 The Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) disburses grants to non-profit humane organizations and municipal animal control agencies. The grants are funded by the sale of the Massachusetts Spay/Neuter License Plate Program.
MAC has provided funds for PoundHounds to pay for spay/neuter procedures for PoundHounds sponsored dogs. In 2007, funding from MAC allowed PoundHounds to help 8 different town pounds spay/neuter 81 dogs. Those procedures represent $10,000 in MAC support.
Please show your dedication to animals and help control over-population. Register your new car or swap your existing plates for spay/neuter plates.
The cost for a license plate is $40. Of that, $28 funds this statewide program; the remaining $12 is a one-time only cost to cover the manufacturing of the plate. Two-year renewal fees of $40 go directly to the program.
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Thank you for your continued interest and support of the invisible dogs in town pounds. We can't do it without you! Please visit the PoundHounds website at: www.poundhounds.org for more information. Or, contact us directly:
Message Center: 508.435.5029
Address: PoundHounds, Inc. - P.O. Box 454 - Hopkinton, MA 01748
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| Helpful
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Follow these links to learn how you can help PoundHounds:
Links to other important Websites:
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