Remember adopting a pet is saving a life. A pet is a privately-owned companion animal. Pets and animals must never be subjected to any combination of temperature and humidity for a duration that is detrimental to the animal’s health or well-being, taking into consideration such factors as the animal’s age, breed, overall health status and acclimation. Pets and animals are impacted by emergencies. It is critical to include their needs in your family’s preparedness efforts.

DID YOU KNOW

Caring for Pets activity books and coloring sheets is a fun way to encourage children to learn the basics of protecting and keeping your animal healthy.

Download the free basic manners and training guide for the family dog eBook to help teach you all about many problems reported by dog owners, behaviors that are instinctual to the dog such as barking, digging, pulling, jumping up, nipping, chewing etc.

Enjoy about cat's educational activity book with information about cats that we think you fun learning information, a game to play at a cat show, several pages to color, a few word games and find out some interesting facts about cats.

Steps to Better Prepare you for a Pet Medical Emergency

First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until he/she receives veterinary treatment. Prepare yourself for the appropriate response in various emergency situations.

Pet First Aid Tips, Information, and Resources for Pet Owners Brochure

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Pet First Aid Tips, Information, and Resources for Pet Owners Brochure - Spanish

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What is socialization?

Socialization is the process by which puppies learn the skills needed to mature into normal adult dogs. Proper puppy socialization allows puppies to learn how to explore and become accustomed to their surroundings, and it also allows them to learn how to get along with littermates, puppies from outside their litters, older dogs, other animal species and people. Only through proper socialization can puppies become loving, confident and trainable pets.

Why is Hair or Fur Important to Dog Health and Well-Being?

• It protects the skin from chemicals, bacteria, and physical injury. It also helps regulate body temperature:
• Coat glossiness reflects sunlight to aid in cooling.
• It also acts as a barrier to block wind, rain, and snow to aid in warming.
• Color, length, and density can help retain or dissipate heat.

Hair mats are commonly found under the collar, behind the ears, and in the armpits—areas where there is rubbing

Matted Hair May:

• Be painful
• Cause skin irritation
• Hide foreign bodies, such as ingrown collars
• Hide tumors, injuries, or other skin disease
• Trap foreign material such as leaves, twigs, mud, urine, or feces
• Interfere with vision, hearing, and chewing
• Interfere with urination and defecation
• Interfere with normal movement
• Interfere with temperature regulation, both cooling and warming

Video: Puppy Martha's Life in the Animal Shelter

Martha tells the story of her life in the animal shelter. Before she was adopted, Martha considered all of the possibilities--maybe she would become a police dog, or be adopted by a family in a bowling alley!

Video: Animal Shelter Rescue Myths and Facts

At the Animal Shelter we provide a database of animals which will allow you to search for your next pet based on animal type, breed, size, gender and location. You can also search through our growing directory which now includes, animal shelters, lost, found or adoptable pets, pet meds, dog parks, and hundreds of frequently asked questions. Read More

Definitions

Household Pet – A domesticated animal, such as a dog, bird, rabbit, rodent, or turtle that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes, can travel in commercial carriers and be housed in temporary facilities. Household pets do not include reptiles (except turtles), amphibians, fish, insects/arachnids, farm animals (including horses), and animals kept for racing purposes.

Congregate Household Pet Shelters – Any private or public facility that provides refuge to rescued household pets and the household pets of shelterees in response to a declared major disaster or emergency.

Service Animal – Any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

Traveling with Your Pet

When travelling with your pet(s), there may be animal health requirements specific for that destination. As soon as you know your travel details, contact your local veterinarian to assist with the pet travel process. Factors to consider may include meeting time frames for obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing, or administration of medications/ treatments.

USDA.gov Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Read More

• Pet Preparedness

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Public Downloads - Español (Spanish)

When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.

Download Pet Learning Activities

Download Pet Activity Books

Download Pet Coloring Books

Download Animal Disaster Preparedness Activity Books