Author: Guinn

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Kennedy

Posted on by Guinn
HSU volunteer Kennedy reads a book to an adoptable cat.

Kennedy is a sweet-spirited eight-year-old who’s been volunteering for the Humane Society of Utah’s Pet Resource Center in Murray since January 2022. She comes to our center weekly to help out where she can: reading books to our homeless cats or socializing with the bunnies, ferrets, and rats in our Humane Education Program. Usually, when Kennedy arrives for her shift, she’s wearing a pair of leggings decorated with cat faces or sparkly animal ears on the top of her head, or both. This month is National Volunteer Month—a month dedicated to recognizing the importance of volunteers like Kennedy and honoring their significant contributions by generously donating their time and talents to worthy causes.

For as long as she can remember, Kennedy has had a deep love and appreciation for animals, especially cats. Reading to our cats through our kid-oriented Happy Tales Reading Program is her favorite thing to do. “I like reading the book, ‘Are You My Mother’ by Dr. Seuss the most because it’s really cute. The cats seem to like it, too. When I read to them, they’ll lay beside me and get comfortable, or sometimes they’ll fall asleep!” She explains with a laugh. 

Kennedy’s Dream

Kennedy’s dream is to learn how to care for all types of pets and support as many as she can in her lifetime. She says she’s volunteering at HSU in hopes of working for us when she’s older. Since Kennedy is only eight years old, her mom, Brittany, accompanies her during her volunteer shifts. Brittany is happy to support her daughter’s dreams and desires to give back. “Most kids her age aren’t that into volunteering. But I think it’s beneficial for them to learn the value of volunteering early on so they can see the importance of being a part of a greater good,” Brittany explains.

April is National Volunteer Month

At HSU, we depend on our volunteers for many critical tasks, such as providing direct animal and staff support, assisting in fundraising efforts and events, and so much more. Our volunteer opportunities allow individuals and families to work side-by-side with our staff as we work to save the lives of more than 7,000 homeless pets each year. In 2021, we had 496 volunteers donate a total of 11,740 hours, which saved our organization an estimated $152,620 in costs. 

HSU’s Foster and Volunteer Manager, Jolie Gordon, states, “To say we can’t do what we do without our volunteers is an understatement. We are so grateful.” Jolie adds that recruiting young volunteers helps them foster a lifelong commitment to helping their community. “As young people grow older and into more power to act on that commitment, imagine the change they’ll be able to create. Not to mention, young volunteers often bring a fresh perspective, passion, and energy to our organization. They tend to be more open to new ideas, meaning they can help drive positive change and create new opportunities for improvement.”

To learn more about HSU’s volunteer program and opportunities, click here.

What can happen when using E-collars, prong collars, choke chains on your dog?

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With so many training options available, it can be hard to figure out which is the best method for you and your pet. The animal training industry remains unregulated, leading to various opinions about what methods are the “right” methods. Evidence supports the use of reward-based methods for all canine training, along with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

Here’s why:

Scientific evidence in support of positive reinforcement-based training has been overwhelming. Studies show that positive reinforcement leads to improved welfare of companion animals, has a positive influence on the human-animal bond, and effectively achieves training goals.

  • The use of aversive-based methods and equipment, including e-collars, prong collars, choke chains, and other tools, can result in fallout, including:
    • Aggression (directed towards the handler or others)
    • Escape/avoidance behavior
    • Learned Helplessness (apathy)
    • Generalization of fear to other elements in the environment (including the handler)
  • The science of behavior across species is well-established and has been studied for decades through fields such as applied behavior analysis and animal welfare science. This field overwhelmingly proves that positive reinforcement is the most humane and effective method to teach and to modify behavior
  • Using punishment becomes habitual and easily escalates. This is not the relationship we want to promote for pet guardians in our community

In alignment with our mission to “eliminate pain, fear, and suffering in all animals,” the Humane Society of Utah chooses to use evidence-based force-free training. We want to grow the human-animal bond by increasing understanding between humans and their pets, establishing clear communication, and putting the welfare of both human and animal first.

A Love Story From Texas to California

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Six-year-old Jaeger’s story began in El Paso, Texas. While we don’t have many details of his early life, we know that he was a frequent flyer at the local animal shelter and found himself there numerous times. After spending an unknown amount of time in El Paso, Jaeger was transferred to the Humane Society of Utah in June of 2021 for a second chance at life.

Filled with energy and enthusiasm, Jaeger arrived at HSU ready to find his perfect match. Our staff quickly picked up on his quirks and started making a plan as to what type of adopter would suit him best. We found that he had lots of energy and needed an adopter who could help him stay stimulated mentally and physically. He also wasn’t house trained and would need a refresher on doggy etiquette, so finding a patient adopter was vital.

During his stay

Jaeger worked closely with our behavior team and was learning more every day. We knew finding the right fit for him might take some time, but seeing him with a loving family would be well worth it.

From June to September of 2021, Jaeger was adopted and returned three times. There were various reasons for Jaeger not being a fit for each of these families. However, it also gave us more information about who would be a good fit for him.

Jaeger continued to work with our staff and volunteers on a daily basis who took detailed notes of his personality and behavior. He became a staff favorite and was loved by every person in the building! Everyone was rooting for Jaeger to find the best home possible and was prepared to do whatever it took to get him adopted.

Fast forward to the end of September

It began as a typical day but little did we know, it would end up being an unforgettable one for Jaeger. A woman walked into our Adoptions Center and talked with our staff about the type of dog she was looking for. After introducing her to several dogs and learning more about their personalities, she laid her eyes on Jaeger. With his vibrant red coat and puppy dog eyes, she couldn’t resist taking him out to the play yard to see if they’d be a good match.

A short time later, she brought Jaeger back inside and insisted that he was the one for her! Filled with excitement, our staff gave her a rundown of Jaeger’s history, enjoyments, and struggles, emphasizing the importance of him finding the right fit. The potential adopter was sure she could help Jaeger become the good boy he was destined to be and started filling out the paperwork.

Only a week after taking Jaeger home, we received this message:

“Thank you so much to you amazing humans. It has been a little over a week since I adopted Jaeger, renamed River. He is exactly what I was hoping for and more. He’s definitely a cuddle bug but loves his walks, especially with our next door neighbor’s dog who is his new best friend. I love him so much and as much as I wish he wasn’t adopted and returned three times before me, I’m glad they brought him back so I could give him an amazing home and all the love I have.”

Worth the wait

We were elated to see that Jaeger (renamed River) had finally found his perfect match. We kept in touch with his adopter throughout the following months and learned that they had moved to California together. She expressed how she was so glad to have River by her side through the move and that he behaved perfectly through it all. “River has been with me every step of the way,” she said. “He was a champ and enjoyed the car ride more than I did! So far, he loves going for walks more than ever because it’s warm and there’s still light later in the day. We have yet to go to a beach out here but I’m positive he’s going to love it!”

Stories like this show that even if a dog has tried out multiple homes and bounced around from shelter to shelter, it doesn’t mean that they won’t find the right fit. Jaeger (renamed River) would never have met his current family if he didn’t wind up at the shelter in El Paso, been transferred to us, and returned three times before meeting her. Some dogs may take a little extra effort when finding a home, but in our minds, we think it’s worth it!

Do bunnies make great pets? You bet!

Posted on by Guinn
white and grey bunny banner

Bunnies are the third most common animal at the Humane Society of Utah after cats and dogs. Still, many people aren’t aware of what great pets they make!

Did you know that rabbits can be litter box trained, just like a cat? Once litter trained, they can freely roam around the house and become involved in daily activities. These curious creatures love to explore and relax. When bunnies bond with their owners, they often enjoy cuddling or lying next to you.

Just like dogs and cats, bunnies have individual personalities – they’ll often follow you around, get excited around mealtime, and ask for attention. They can also learn tricks! For example, how to come when called, walk on hind legs, do spins, or even participate in bunny agility.

They’re also self groomers, which means they keep themselves clean. While rabbits may be small, quiet, and relatively tidy house pets, they require the same attention, care, and love that our other companion animals do. Rabbits can live up to eight to ten years, so they are a big commitment. They also enjoy the companionship of another rabbit friend, as they are very social animals.

Bunnies need ample room to hop around and do best living indoors. Therefore, they require a contained space or bunny-proof room where they can stretch out and run around for at least 4 hours a day. Since they are prey animals having a space to hide out is key. Bunnies also enjoy enrichment, toys, and require wood chews to keep their teeth healthy.

These are just a few of our adoptable bunnies!

Are you ready to add a bunny to your home? If so, visit UtahHumane.org/adopt to view our adoptable bunnies online. When you adopt a bunny from HSU, they come spayed/neutered and microchipped. 

Housing Resources

Posted on by Guinn
Woman sits on fronch porch smiling while petting a long haired golden colored dog who is laying on his side with his tongue out.

Some apartments do not allow cats or dogs. View this Apartment Guide to see places that allow pets before signing a rental agreement. 

The inclusion of a service, organization, or program in this listing is NOT an endorsement or recommendation. We are not able to guarantee the quality of these services and recommend that you gain additional information before using a specific service.

The Guide to Understanding Your New Puppy

Posted on by Guinn
Tan puppy with black muzzle and ears laying on white backdrop with head on tan and yellow pillow.

You brought home a new puppy, now what?

Were you one of many people who recently added a new puppy to your household? Owning a puppy goes beyond basic training, and understanding what to expect in the first year can make living with your best friend much more enjoyable. 

We created a puppy timeline to help you understand how a puppy develops and reminds you of important milestones.

Puppy-Development-Timeline-FinalDownload

What Breed of Dog is That?

Posted on by Guinn
two pictures of the same brindle mixed breed one year apart.

“What breed of dog is that?” This is one of the most common questions we hear at the Humane Society of Utah. What breed would you guess for this Utah Humane Society alum, Rosco? Rosco came to our shelter two years ago with his littermates. His family recently sent her DNA results to us, which we have shared below. 

Even the most experienced dog lovers don’t know a dog’s mixed-lineage or exact breed without a DNA test. One study found that 90 percent of a dog’s breed that was guessed by shelter staff didn’t match the predominant breed identified through DNA analysis. Another study revealed that experts seldom agree on their breed guesses, so one person’s Mastiff mix is another’s Boxer mix or Lab-hound mix.

As a result, you’ll now find most “mixed-breed” dogs on our website are labeled as small, medium, or large mixed-breed. Since most dogs who come to our shelter don’t have pedigree papers, most people may try to label them by the breeds they most closely resemble, leading adopters to make assumptions about their personalities and future behavior based on these breed guesses.

The truth is, there is a wide range of behavior, even in purebred dogs. For example, a purebred field Golden Retriever will behave differently than a purebred show or pet Golden Retriever. Now, mix three or four breeds into one dog and it’s anybody’s guess as to which personality and behavior traits will shine through. Each dog has a genetic predisposition and unique learning history that shapes its personality. This is why we encourage people to meet each dog they are interested in adopting in person instead of making assumptions based on a breed label. Treat the dog in front of you as an individual, and get to know each dog’s unique personality to see if he or she is the right fit for you!

What is Gastric Dilation-Volvulus?

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Gastric Dilatation (GD) or “Bloat”

Is a condition in dogs where the stomach becomes dilated and distended due to the accumulation of gas or fluid. The abdomen is generally distended and uncomfortable, but the condition is easily treated by emptying the stomach. This is a much less serious condition than the main topic here, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), in which the stomach fills with gas or fluid then flips on itself, trapping the gas and/or fluid inside. 

GDV happens most commonly in large and giant breed dogs especially Great Danes, Weimaraners, and German Shepherds. Deep-chested and underweight dogs are also at risk. Symptoms include a distended abdomen, abdominal pain, restlessness, excessive drooling, and most classically, unsuccessful attempts to vomit or belch. As the condition progresses, the pressure in the stomach continues to build, causing weakness, shortness of breath, and eventually shock (pale gums, low body temperature, collapse).  

The only treatment once the stomach has flipped is to surgically “unflip” the stomach and then suture it to the body wall to prevent future flipping (a procedure called Gastropexy).

As horrible and frightening as GDV can be, there are several things that dog owners can do to reduce the risk of this happening to their dog:

  • If you get a high-risk breed as a puppy, have your veterinarian perform a gastropexy at the time of spay/neuter.
  • Use a slow-feeder bowl to slow down your dogs’ eating so that they swallow less air (especially if your dog tends to inhale their food).
  • While some recommend using a raised food bowl to give the dog better access to food, it is best to feed on the floor in order to reduce swallowed air. 
  • Do not allow exercise for 30 minutes before or after a meal.
  • If you suspect your dog has bloat take them into your veterinarian right away!

Cat Declawing and Alternatives

Posted on by Guinn
grey cat legs and paws laying on a pink background next to a mouse toy on the right. On the left side are white cat paws with a rainbow ball toy.

What is Declawing?

Declawing is an unnecessary and expensive surgery that fewer vets are willing to perform and some states have banned. It is the amputation of the last bone of each toe and severing of tendons. Declawing alters the way a cat walks, their balance, and their ability to jump. For comparison, it would be like cutting our finger off at the first knuckle. 

Declawing Hurts

Not only is the surgery quite painful, but cats may experience lifelong pain or develop severe arthritis that requires medication as they age after a declaw.

The pain may result in the following behavioral problems and lead to rehoming, surrender to a shelter, abandonment, or euthanasia.

  • Not wanting to be touched
  • Biting
  • Litterbox Avoidance

MYTH: “Declawing prevents cats from scratching furniture, thereby keeping them in their home.”
FACT: There are humane alternatives to prevent furniture scratching that does not involve surgical amputation. Declawed cats are also defenseless and can never go outside!

Humane Alternatives

Cats scratch to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, mark their territory, and stretch and flex their paws. It’s important to provide an appropriate place for them to express this natural behavior and provide nail maintenance to avoid unwanted scratching.
If the cat scratches furniture, place a scratching post nearby, trim nails, or place double-sided tape on the area to deter them. Never punish your cat for scratching.

Scratching Posts

Put a scratching post in a high-traffic area of a room where you spend a lot of time. Ensure vertical scratching posts are sturdy, won’t tip over, and tall enough to allow the cat to extend when stretching fully. Also, try horizontal scratching pads to see which your cat prefers.

Soft Paws

Soft paws are vinyl caps you glue onto your cat’s nails. They need to be reapplied every 4-6 weeks and allow the normal function of a cat’s paw. 

Nail Trims

Trimming your cat’s nails every couple of weeks helps prevent destructive clawing.

How To: Gently squeeze their paw to extend the claws. Look for the quick—an area that contains nerves and blood vessels that support the claw, and cut below this area. Carefully trim the tip of the nail horizontally to the ground. Use sharp nail trimmers designed for cats.  

Foxtail Grass Dangers

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fox tail seeds, x ray image of dog leg bone with imbedded foxtail.

So far this season, we’ve been hearing increasing reports of people having to take their dogs to the veterinarian because of foxtail grass being embedded in their paws, ears, or even their nostrils or groin. 

The grass seed awn of foxtail grass won’t dissolve, and it causes pain and infection. It’s barbed, so it will keep traveling through tissue one direction, and it can actually be fatal depending on where it ends up. It needs to be removed surgically. 

Remember to give your dogs a thorough once-over when venturing into outdoor areas with foxtail grass, and avoid it whenever possible by keeping pets on a leash. 

We hope these images help you identify this menace before it becomes a problem for your pup! 

These seed awns on foxtails can be dangerous for outdoor cats as well, but it’s more commonly a threat for dogs.