First, the facts. According to the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey: 

• There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States (21 percent of which were adopted from a shelter)
• Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog
• There are approximately 86.4 million owned cats in the United States
• Thirty-three percent of U.S. households own at least one cat (21 percent of which were adopted from a shelter)

So cats are the winners in terms of popularity by the numbers, but dogs have permeated a larger percentage of the actual households in America. A new Associated Press-Petside.com poll took their cat versus dog analysis a bit further and asked pet-owners as well as those without pets how much they actually like dogs and cats. Participants had the options to respond with “like a lot,” “like a little,” “neither like nor dislike,” “dislike a little,” or “dislike a lot.” While 74% of respondents said they like dogs “a lot,” only 41% said they like cats a lot. And while only four percent responded that they dislike dogs “a little” or “a lot,” 26% claim to dislike cats a little or a lot.

According to the poll, dogs seem to have gotten some of the loyalty that they are said to offer their owners back in return. But this so-called man’s best friend might not actually make the best companion for everyone. The bottom line is that cats and dogs are each unique in their own way, and there are a variety of factors to consider when deciding which animal is right for you and your family.

Sociability

Dogs are highly social animals, having been derived from the gray wolf, a pack animal. Thus dogs tend to thrive on human companionship, and have a lot of love and affection to share. Still, some breeds are known to be more independent than others.  Cats, while often perceived to be solitary and even distant animals, can express great affection toward their human companions, too, especially if they are treated with constant care.

Training and Housebreaking

While dogs are able to be trained with more ease than cats, dogs actually require more training in order to be a good, disciplined pet. When it comes to housebreaking, this can mean a long – and messy – process for dogs, which means a lot of patience – and forgiveness – for their owners. When housetraining dogs, it is recommended that they are taken outside several times a day and confined to a “safe zone” such as a crate or a chosen room between outings, until they learn when, and where, to relieve themselves. 

Cats, on the other hand, have an innate desire to bury their waste and look for a litter-like surface to do so. Thus, housetraining cats generally will only involve showing your cat where the litter box is and they will use it (as long as you keep it clean).

Exercise

Daily activity and exercise is essential for dogs’ bone and joint health, and lung and heart function (and to keep them resting calmly at home). If you don’t have a large, fenced yard for exercise, you will need to consider finding a nearby dog park or committing to long walks around your neighborhood. Cats require physical exercise for their own well-being too, and this can generally be accomplished with the use of toys involving feathers on a string, or balls and fluffy toys on the end of a fishing rod. They are designed to imitate the natural prey such as mice and birds that outdoor cats love to chase.

Cleanliness

Cats are known for their cleanliness, and spend hours licking their coats each day. Cats’ tongues contain spines called papillae, which act like a hairbrush to help them clean and detangle their fur. Despite this natural grooming behavior, it is recommended to brush cats regularly, especially those with longer hair, to help prevent mats, knots and hairballs. Dogs need to be groomed regularly, too, and in addition to brushing, monthly bathing should be employed. Some owners choose to keep long-haired dogs’ coats cut short also to help the dog stay cleaner, and easier to groom.

Service

Dogs may require more service from you in terms of training and cleaning, but they also offer more service in return. Dogs are natural born protectors, which allows them to fulfill the role of “guard” in addition to companion. And their trainability allows them to offer additional services from tidying up their own toys to bringing in the newspaper from the lawn. Cats are not known to be quite as obedient, but they can lend their services in the area of eliminating household pests. 

Cats and dogs have individual personalities, just like people do, and the way an animal behaves can have just as much to do with heredity and breeding as with upbringing and training. They do have certain basic needs from their owners, so be sure to do your research to make sure you are able to provide those needs, and that the animal you desire will fit in with your lifestyle.

Author: Jaime Lin Weinstein

*Some pets are better suited than others for spending extended periods of time outdoors – and younger and senior pets are even more susceptible to the dangers of the cold such as hypothermia and frostbite. It is best to keep pets indoors during times of extreme cold, but if that is not possible be sure to provide them with a suitable outdoor shelter with plenty of insulation such as straw or blankets to help keep in body heat. A heated dish will also make sure the animals’ water stays cool but doesn’t freeze.

*During the winter outdoor cats often sleep under the hoods of cars. If you know that there are outdoor cats in your area, be sure to honk your horn or bang loudly on the car hood before starting your engine. This will allow the cat time to escape and avoid any injury that can be caused by your motor.

*Be sure to wipe your pets thoroughly (preferably with a warm, wet cloth) after walking in the sleet, snow or ice. Dogs can get large ice balls between their pads from walking in such areas and the pads can become dry and chapped as well. Additionally, pets may ingest salt, antifreeze and other potentially dangerous chemicals upon licking their paws.

*Never leave your pet alone in a car during cold weather. The interior of the car can actually be colder than the outside air, and can cause the animal to freeze to death.

*Never shave your pets during winter. A longer coat will provide more warmth. If your pets are short-haired, consider getting them coats or sweaters with maximum coverage. 

*Did you know that more dogs are reported lost during the winter than any other season? This is because dogs can lose their scent during colder weather and easily become lost. Be sure your dogs always wear proper identification and do not let them off of their leashes.

Do you have any additional cold weather tips to share? Be sure to leave them in the comments! And don’t hesitate to contact the Atlanta Humane Society with any questions and cold weather safety concern!

It’s the abominable snow pup!

Author: Jaime Weinstein

In the last few years, there has been an increase in the popularity of stores that advertise “one-stop shopping”. What does this mean? That you can find everything you want in one place, so you don’t have to go through all the trouble of researching the best prices and dealing with the traffic to get to places all around town. Well, you can consider us your “one-stop shop” for pets! We will be doing the research for you and making it engaging so that taking care of your pet doesn’t end up being a snoozer. The best part is…we take requests!! There are a lot of different aspects of being a pet owner (or even a pet lover ) and we know that we don’t always cover what you want at the time you want it.  Soooo, just ask and you shall receive! If it is a pet-related topic that we think would be valuable to our other readers, we will write about it! If not, we will still answer your questions to the best of our abilities personally.

What are some of the things to look forward to that’ll make you come back for more?? Here they are:

-          Contests

-          Photo sharing

-          Pet tips

-          Success stories

-          Events

-          Interactive “themed” days

-          Suggested sites and products

-          Featured pet

-          Whatever else you can think of!!

Like I said, you’ll want to make a habit of checking this blog EVERY DAY! Start sending us your suggestions at PR@atlantahumane.org. Also, make sure to like our Facebook page so that you can get updates about our blog topics. Who knows? You may get recognition for getting involved!! Thanks for reading and happy “petting”!

I just talked to 6 yr old Cinnamon’s new mom.  Cinnamon was one of the dogs brought in from an over crowded breeder and was adopted in September 2011.  At the time that she was brought to AHS, this was probably the first time that she had ever been seen by a vet.  We got her ready for adoption where her new mom found her not long after.  The first week in her new home was very stressful with the new surroundings, new people, new sights and smells and nothing remotely familiar from what she was used to.  Her new mom was very worried because Cinnamon was not even drinking water from her bowl; luckily she was eating wet food and her vet told her that she was pretty well hydrated from the water in the food.  By some miracle on day 8, Cinnamon all of a sudden was drinking her water, eating her food ok and starting to sniff out her new surroundings.  I think Cinnamon decided that this was not such a bad place after all.  She has now been to the vet for her first check up, learning to walk on a leash, really starting to become comfortable with her new family and is enjoying her new environment.  Cinnamon’s new mom was exactly what she needed; a very patient, nurturing and loving home!

Congratulations to Cinnamon and her new family!

Thanks for a great share Julie!

Stephanie C.: “I once had a pygmy goat named Vincent Van GoghT”

Moony’s C.: “Iam. So I can stand outside and yell, “HERE IAM, HERE I-AM!”

Melanie G. P.: “Tony Short Stubs (he was a basset hound)”

Wes M.: Skateboard

Grant D.: Mohasky

Erica M.: Mr. Higglesworth

Justin A.: Mr. Freckles

Brian G.: Lebowski

Myda Z. C.: MissCocoChanel

Rylee N.: Peanut M&M

Catherine E.: Tater Tot

Jill B. R.: Detour

Sonia B.: Fatback

Robert H: CC Biggs

Nancy N.W.: PetmeKissmeLovemeWalkme

Cindy M.P.: Hotdiggitydog

Dayla E.B.: Colonel Puff

Sylvia J.U.: Vinny “Bag-o-Donuts”

Tia C.: Sugar-foot

Lisa M.: Wurstchen

Glenda Y.: Gumbo

Rebecca M.: Tinker-Bell

Jonnie B.P.: Harley

PuroClean Restoration: FOOT

Jodi H.: Stuart Stop It

Danielle W.: Zonker

Grace A.: Beakerman

Gillian C.: HRH (His Royal Highness) Buster Fitzwilliam Darcy

Fiona R.B.: Deefer

Great responses! Feel free to send more ideas to PR@atlantahumane.org. If you do have a new pet and need a name, let us know which of these you pick. Send us a picture and we may post you on our Facebook!

The current show is Next Bite at Twilight: The Saga Continues. If you’ve already been bitten once, you’ll definitely want to return for a second.

The remote town of Spoon, Washington just hasn’t been the same since sullen teenager Bella lost her heart (and nearly her neck) to themysterious (yet sparkly) vampire Edward. But , their romance is short-lived when a film crew, looking to cash in on the vampire craze, arrives in Spoon to make a movie about bloodsucker starring the equally sullen actress Kristen Stewpot. However, the movie’s shooting schedule is soon disrupted- by murder!

Try to solve the mystery with the help of suspects like Louisiana waitress Pookie Packhouse,  flamboyant vampire king Carlton Flambe`, werewolf Packmaster and would-be presidential candidate Donald Trumpet.

Nouvelle Orleans has quite the story to tell. He was rescued from a hoarder in New Orleans where he had been living with 70 dogs. They did not have the best quality of life, and they were living in horrible conditions. We helped out the local SPCA by bringing a few to Atlanta to try and find them homes. Novelle is also extremely special because he had very mature cataracts. He has had eye sugery and will probably need eye treatment (drops) for the rest of his life. Novelle also has dermatits, so he will need medicated baths possible long-term. Novelle needed an owner who is willing to pay for his treatments, who can be home with him a lot and who can give him the environment and care he needs. Nouvelle Orleans did live with the other dogs and did well with them, and sometimes it helps if he has a dog in his new home to follow around and show him the ropes.

Now he has his forever home! His new name is Neville. Here is an update from his new mom:

“Just wanted to send you some pictures for the nice family that supported Neville’s surgery and adoption.  We’ve re-established care with Dr. King and the pressure in his eyes remains within normal limits on the Dorzolamide HCl drops. We may be able to gradually wean him off the drops.  We have a follow-up with the doctor at the end of September.  She also added cyclosporine drops to lubricate the eye twice per day – he was developing a slight film on them.  His skin issues are all resolved and his ear infections are gone too.  He’s had much more energy lately, especially now that the weather is better.  Has a nice little hop to his step that is really endearing.  People stop on the street to ask about him and he loves all the attention.

He is such a blessing to me.  I have loved every day that we have spent together and I am so happy that I was able to adopt him.  We are walking 25-30 minutes twice a day and that is definitely his favorite time.  We live close to several parks with dog-friendly trails and he loves to play in the grass (see photo).  He’s on the hypoallergenic diet still and his favorite snacks are fuji apple slices:)  He loves all other dogs and makes friends easily.  In the evening he plops on the couch beside me and falls a sleep while I work or watch TV.  When I get home from work he is always excited to see me and I get lots of kisses and tail wags!

When I travel for work my friend from church, Karen, is happy to play mom. She has a 2 year old grandson that just adores Neville.  She too had been wanting a dog but was concerned that it wouldn’t be practical with her work
schedule.  She sends me little texts and pictures from her iPhone and is completely smitten with Neville too.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you again for putting us together!  He is such a darling boy and I am so happy he is a part of my life.”

They have selected two winners but last one woman is chosen by you! Read their stories from their top five finalists and vote on your favorite! Meet our favorite! AHS’s own All-Star Volunteer, Alison Bearman.

Nominated by: Jana Cooper
My friend and fellow volunteer, Alison Bearman, is the perfect candidate for LHJ’s “All Star Volunteer” contest. Alison volunteers 6 days a week averaging 30 to 40 hours per week. She’s worked in many capacities at the Atlanta Humane Society since 2002. No job is too big or too small for Alison. She regularly walks between 15 and 20 dogs a day. She cleans kennels, bathes dogs, picks up poop, and comforts sick, injured, or recently rescued dogs. She understands the needs of dogs who come from puppy mills or who are rescued from hoarders. She helps dogs who have never had a real home overcome their fears and insecurities so that they can become adoptable. One of Alisons’s favorite ways to help the animals is by taking pictures of them to put on the AHS website. In this way, she speaks for the animals who have no voice and spreads the word about their need for a permanent home. Alison is tireless in her efforts. She never complains about the hard work and never brags about her good deeds. She quietly goes about her day, always putting the dogs’ needs before her own. Alison has no children but the hundreds of dogs she has helped are truly her family. All who know Alison respect her, and I can think of no volunteer more deserving than she to win your contest.

Prize Details:

• Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 donation to a charity of winner’s choice and featured in Ladies’ Home Journal
• 2nd Prize Winner – $2,500 donation to a charity of winner’s choice, featured in online at LHJ.com and WE Volunteer
• 3rd Prize Winner (People’s Choice) – $1,000 donation to a charity of winner’s choice, featured in online at LHJ.com and WE Volunteer

Vote everyday until August 31: http://www.wetv.com/we-volunteer-awards/nominee.php?id=97

People and businesses may sponsor a pet each month by simply covering the adoption fee for that animal. Many of our long-term residents have not been adopted because they are older, have a medical condition, or just don’t stand out in the crowd. By covering the cost of adoption, you are spotlighting an animal in need and allowing adopters to put their own money toward potential medical bills or obedience training.

For more information: http://www.atlantahumane.org/donate/sponsors/sponsor-pet-program.php

Here are some of our special furbabies and their generous sponsors:

AHS: Charlie

Maverick and Owners( Brandy & Renee): Eisenhower

In Memory of Minnie: Princess Peach

Natural Body Spa and Shoppe in Buckhead Obedience Class: Hazo