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adoption ~ care & training ~ boarding
The Animal Protection League of Springield, IL offers free spaying and neutering to pits and pit bull mixes while funds are available. Call 217-544-7387 and choose option 2 to schedule an appointment. New online video series addresses housebreaking, not coming when called, excessive barking, jumping, pulling on leash, etc. ASPCA Poison Control Center |
No owner wants a pet to suffer because medical care is out of reach. Remember that a little preventive care can go a long way. Having your pet spayed or neutered, keeping their shots up to date, and keeping your pet safely confined can prevent serious and costly health problems. There are many animal welfare organizations that can help out with vet bills, either with low-cost care, loans, or grants. Here are a few: Dog breed-specific veterinary care assistance programs:CorgiAid: corgiaid.org Veterinary care assistance for working/service dogs:Helping Harley Cancer Treatment Grant: http://grants.landofpuregold.com National organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners in need: Please keep in mind that each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. Therefore you will have to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance: IMOM Inc.: IMOM.org Humane Society of the United States Links to Assistance by State: AL | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY | Puerto Rico | Please remember that, depending on the severity of your pet's illness or injury, you may still lose your pet even after great expense. Discuss the prognosis and treatment options with your veterinarian, including whether surgery or treatment would just cause your companion discomfort without preserving a life of good quality.
Don't buy into that old myth that you need to adopt a dog as a puppy in order to bond well. Here are some ideas for bonding that will lead any shelter dog to believe you're the cat's meow: Exercise the body. A simple walk can make a dog's day. Leash training will help you bond as well as help the dog to know he can trust you to be in charge. Dogs look forward to a chance to walk, run, see new sights and smell new smells.... If you provide this for him, you'll find him to be a faithful companion in no time. Food! You may be serving a perfectly well-balanced dry dog food already, but adding a little chicken, hamburger, or canned dog food to his diet will make you his hero. Dogs value meat above all else. Just make sure it goes in his dish at his regularly scheduled meal times--don't feed from the table or you'll create a monster! Exercise the mind. Teaching a dog simple tricks lays the foundation for a great relationship. The time invested, in addition to the treats, is valued by your dog. 10-15 minutes a day, 3 or 4 days a week, has a very positive effect. Playing. Playing with dogs is underrated. Throwing a Frisbee, a retrieving toy, or playing tug-of-war is an important way of challenging the dog to work for you. During play, your pet will approach, remain close to, and follow you. Obedience training. Whether in a class or with the help of a book or video, proper obedience training will help you learn to trust your dog and your dog to trust you. The dog will develop faith in your ability to know what is going on and that you will give him proper direction. An obedient dog is much safer in a human world than an unschooled dog. Positive attention. When walking past your dog, on the way to complete a task, bend and give 30 seconds of belly rub or ear scratch. As this crucial action becomes habit, you’ll see the positive change in your dog’s attitude toward you. Before you know it your dog will be posing for you, to look as cute as possible, for a belly rub! My Name Is Sam
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