Crazy Eights!

09 Wednesday May 2012

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APA Adoption Counselor and Animal Care Technician Kaitlyn just told me something crazy – we have eight cats available for adoption who are all over eight years old!

So this got me thinking… maybe people don’t know the benefits to adopting an older cat.  Quite often, I hear people say, “I’d like to adopt an older animal but I don’t know how much longer he will live.”

To that I say, “WOOF!”  Older pets are great.  They are already used to human schedules (do you REALLY want to be woken up at 4am to a kitten stampeding across your head?).  They seem to know that they’ve been given a second chance and, they bond very quickly to their new families.

There is no guarantee how long an older pet will live but with a good diet, plenty of exercise and lots of TLC, an 8+ cat can live for many, MANY more years.  If you would like to visit with these cats or any of the pets at the APA, you know where to find us!

New Arrivals

26 Thursday Apr 2012

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Yesterday five dogs embarked on a very exciting journey.  Waldo, Winston, Bear, Kramer and Isabelle were stray or surrendered dogs at St. Louis County Animal Care and Control.  They had been doing well at animal control but were being overlooked with all the other dogs in the facility.

Here at the APA, we have been doing a lot of adoptions – an average of 12 pets a day!  We had several empty dog runs and there were only a couple of dogs in the puppy room.  So my quick-thinking friends at the APA called St. Louis County Animal Care and Control to see if we could help by taking in a few of their dogs to get them adopted!

Isabelle is enjoying playtime outside at the APA.

Wouldn’t you know? Winston was already adopted!  Now he has reached the final stop on his journey – he is HOME!  I know the others will be adopted very quickly.  They are all healthy, friendly and adorable dogs who will be wonderful companions.

Waldo getting some TLC from Animal Care Tech Chris Dobert.

Animal Care Techs Jessica Johnson and Chris Dobert giving Kramer his vaccinations so he can be placed for adoption.

Shelter Me Photography

20 Friday Apr 2012

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Recently I talked about the importance of good photographs for shelter pets.   Remember my post about Chunk? Here is is: http://blog.apamo.org/2012/02/24/picture-perfect-pets/  Well Chunk was adopted and you know what sealed the deal? HIS PICTURE!!!

So today, Purina ONE has arranged for Nanette Martin from Shelter Me Photography to give the animal care technicians at the APA a lesson on photographing shelter pets!  Nanette has taken pictures of over 5,000 shelter animals, and her images have increased adoptions in shelters across the country.

The day started with everyone looking at print-outs of pictures taken before Nanette's lesson so they could see "before and after" shots.

Perhaps Nanette’s most important tip: make sure the animal is looking at the camera and fill the frame with the picture.  This will help the potential adopter connect with the animal and fall in love!

Nanette giving photo tips to APA staff members Chris Dobert, Sandi Gryder and Lisa Pearse.

A big thank you to Purina ONE and to Nanette for all their help!  My human pals are looking forward to photographing the pets and helping them find their forever homes!

Animal Care Technician Sandi getting Murphy the dog ready for his photograph.

Field Trip

19 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Events, Just Another Day at the APA!

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Today several of my adoptable pals got to take a field trip to Nestle Purina.  The company held their “Building Better Pet Communities” employee event, and the animals had a great time!  They just got back and told me about all the fun.  Francine played in the water fountain…. Jazz purred when she got pet… Diamond had so much fun that she fell asleep open on the ride home…

My friends at the APA really do whatever they can to find homes for the animals.  They take adoptable animals on special outings like the Purina employee event quite often.  Look for them and the 37 foot Homeward Bound Mobile Adoption Unit all over town this spring and summer!

Francine playing in the fountain!

Volunteer Sandy with Diamond the dog!

If you would like to have adoptable pets at your event or business, just give a shout to the APA’s Special Events Coordinator at 314-645-4610 x112 or email Robin@apamo.org.  Tell her the Bogster sent you.

The Furriest Race in Town

21 Wednesday Mar 2012

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When I heard the “Furriest Race in Town” was coming up, I got super-excited.  I have a lot of fur and I’m pretty fast.  Wait. What? You don’t know about the event?!

This is the fourth year the APA is hosting its Fast and the Furriest 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk. The best part of it – dogs can participate too!

If you prefer not to run with a furry friend, that’s okay too.  You can bring the whole family or come solo.  The event is Sunday, April 29 at Tower Grove Park.  Prizes will be awarded, and if you register by April 6, you are guaranteed to get an event shirt and goody bag. 

If you’re not feeling so energetic, there will be other activities too.  Meet APA adoptable pets at the Homeward Bound Mobile Adoption Unit, visit the vendor booths and let the kids explore the children’s area.  Festivities start at 9am.

All proceeds benefit the APA.  You can view the event flyer and register on the APA’s website: http://www.apamo.org/ff2012.aspx

It’s gonna be a great event! If you see a big, goofy Golden Retriever, stop by and say Woof!  I love ear scratches and doggy treats. We’ll be great friends!

Lost Pets Have Hope!

02 Friday Mar 2012

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I was never a lost dog, thank goodness.  But if I were to ever get away, I am pretty sure I’d get home quickly.  My family always makes sure I wear my collar and tags.  Plus, I am microchipped, and my information is up-to-date in the national registry.

But I know not all dogs and cats are as lucky as me.  I see too many lost pets coming in every day, and I know they must belong to someone.  Without tags or a microchip, it is very hard to find their families.

Now, St. Louis has a new online resource for lost and found pets: www.STLLostPets.org. This site is sure to give hope to lost pets and their families!  The website features stray animals brought to the organizations that take in 90% of animals coming into shelters in the St. Louis Area: The APA, Humane Society of Missouri and St. Louis County Animal Care and Control.  STLLostPets.org also allows people to post lost and found pets, find tips on what to do if you’ve lost your pet and gives information on lost and found resources.

Even if you haven’t lost your pet (I hope you never do!), check out www.STLLostPets.org and let us know what you think!

Picture Perfect Pets

24 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by in Just Another Day at the APA!

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When I first came to the APA, I was a scrawny 6 month old puppy.  My legs were too long for my body and my ears didn’t quite hang right.  The photograph taken upon my arrival was a blur of gold fur.  It was hard for me to sit still – I was excited and nervous.  Plus, the animal care technicians were busy giving me vaccinations, dewormer and flea medicine.  They didn’t have time to get a great photo, and I didn’t help matters with my feistiness.

This is a problem for a lot of animals that come to shelters.  We are in a strange place with unfamiliar people.  We don’t know what is going on then all of a sudden, we have to get our picture taken.

Why do we have to take pictures, you ask? 

Many potential adopters go online before even stepping foot inside a shelter.  They want to see the adoptable animals and find out if they are a good match.  The APA posts pictures of every adoptable pet on its website, and the site is updated hourly. 

Now let’s say you have a great dog like my friend Chunk.  He came to the APA back in December of 2011.  After his exam and vaccinations, this picture was taken and posted online:

Chunk's original photograph

Fast forward a couple of months and Chunk is still at the APA.  He is a great dog, likes other dogs, gets along with children, is housetrained and knows basic obedience.  Why hasn’t he been adopted?  Could his picture be partly to blame?

The Brighton Agency, a local marketing agency with an affinity for pets, contacted the APA to see if they could help.  They arranged for professional photographer Lynn Terry to take photographs of pets looking their best.  The photographs would be displayed on a unique website created using the talents of Brighton staffers.  What came out of it was amazing!  You can check the pictures and the website at www.picsofthelitterstl.com. 

All but four dogs have been adopted.  Chunk is one of the dogs waiting.  Check out his picture now – quite amazing, huh?  Looking this good, I don’t think it will be long before he finds his forever home!

Chunk's photo courtesy of Lynn Terry Photgraphry

Crating Your Dog

08 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Just Another Day at the APA!, Training Tips

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I was chatting with Ripley, the adoptable dog hanging out at the adoption desk today.  She said she didn’t understand what the adoption counselors were talking about.  She said they kept recommending that people “tate” their dogs.  I told her, “Nooooo, CRATE your dogs.”  She had a blank look on her face.

So I told her that crates are cool.  I know how nice it is to have a safe place of my own to go every now and then.  Here’s what I told her:

Crates can be plastic “kennels” or metal pens. They come in different sizes and can be purchased at pet supply stores.  Your dog’s crate should be large enough for him or her to stand up and turn around.  You can use a crate to help with housetraining, to keep your young dog safe in your house while you are gone or to provide a comfy bed for him or her.  Crates are also great for providing a secure place for your dog to go when he needs a little time alone.

Ripley said that sounded really good, and she hopes her new family will get her a crate. 

My pals at the APA have excellent tips for getting your dog used to the crate.  Sometimes it takes a little time and effort but once your dog is crate trained, you will all be very happy!  If you have any questions on crate training, don’t hesitate to call.  Or better yet, stop in and visit my friend Ripley!

Why Cats Scratch

30 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Training Tips

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Yeah, I know what you are thinking: “Bogey, you’re a dog… a dog’s dog.  Why are you talking about cats?”  Well my friends, I’m going to share a little secret.  I like cats.  I like cats a lot.  I spend lots of time around them at the APA, and I learn more and more about fantastic felines every day.

photo courtesy of savannahvideocentral.com

One of my first questions about cats was “Why do cats scratch?”  Dog’s don’t scratch.  I didn’t get it.  Here’s what I was told:

As a cat’s claw grows, the outer sheath needs to detach.  This reveals a new, sharp claw.  You may find the old sheaths around your house.  (Hmmm.. maybe I should try eating one.  I’ll eat anything, especially if it comes from a cat.)  Anyway, scratching helps the cat to maintain her nails.

Another reason cats scratch is that they have scent glands on their paws.  Scratching areas such as the couch or chair is her way of marking her territory.  She is saying, “Stay away, this is mine.”  Some experts think that even declawed cats will attempt to scratch objects to leave their scent.

Be sure to provide your cat with plenty of scratching posts and put them in areas where your cat likes to be: the living room, the bedroom, etc.  Some cats prefer vertical posts, others prefer horizontal.  Some cats like carpet posts and others like rope.  Test a few out and see what your cat likes best, but just know that cats will scratch.  There is no point in punishing them, just give them something to scratch instead of your family room couch!

20 in 20

27 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in How You Can Help

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Hello Friends, Volunteers and Supporters of the APA!  Have you heard about this cool and exciting campaign going on at the APA?  No?  Well, let me fill you in!

It’s called 20 in 20 and the concept is very simple: we want to raise $20,000 in 20 Days.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, raising that much money in a short amount of time is not as easy as it sounds.  We need your help to donate and spread the word!

You have seen the faces of the pets we’ve helped.  You know that we take in every animal that is brought to us, and you feel good knowing that there is an organization working to educate people in our community about responsible pet care.

By giving a gift, you are making a difference for the pets in our shelter!  As a former shelter dog, I know how much the animals appreciate your kindness.  Please take a moment and make a gift today!  You can donate online at www.apamo.org, by phone at 314-646-4610 or by mail at 1705 S. Hanley Road, Brentwood, MO 63144.

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