Category: Humane Tales

Purr-fect Companions: Celebrating Adopt A Cat Month!

Posted on by Guinn
White kitten lays on table looking over shoulder at camera for adopt a cat month.

The Humane Society of Utah is thrilled to announce the arrival of June, officially designated Adopt a Cat Month, a time to celebrate the joys and rewards of feline companionship. HSU encourages potential pet parents to consider adopting a cat or kitten from their shelter and experience the numerous benefits of feline adoption.

During Adopt a Cat Month

HSU emphasizes the following advantages of adopting a cat or kitten from their shelter:

  1. Lifelong Companionship: Cats provide loyal companionship and unconditional love. Whether curling up on your lap or greeting you with a purr after a long day, cats are known for their unique ability to bring joy and comfort to their owners.
  2. Health and Happiness: Numerous studies have shown that interacting with cats can have a positive impact on our physical and mental well-being. Cats are excellent stress relievers, helping to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.
  3. Save a Life: By adopting a cat from HSU, you become a hero by giving an animal a second chance at life. Each adoption opens up space in the shelter, allowing HSU to rescue and care for more animals in need.
  4. Expert Guidance and Support: The Humane Society of Utah provides valuable resources and assistance to adopters, ensuring a smooth transition for both the cat and their new family. From behavioral tips to medical guidance, HSU is committed to supporting the bond between pets and their owners.
  5. Pre-Adoption Care: All cats and kittens available for adoption at HSU receive thorough medical examinations, necessary vaccinations, microchipping, teeth cleanings if needed, and are spayed or neutered before joining their new families.

“We are excited to celebrate Adopt a Cat Month and raise awareness about the countless benefits of feline adoption,” said Juli Ulvtad, Pet Resource Center Director of the Humane Society of Utah. “Our dedicated adoptions team works tirelessly to match cats and kittens with loving homes and ensure their lifelong happiness.”

To learn more about the adoption process and view the available cats and kittens, visit www.utahhumane.org. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #AdoptACatMonth and help spread the word about the importance of feline adoption.

Shelter Mythbusters: Unpacking the Myth of Hypoallergenic Pets

Posted on by Guinn
Red doodle dog looks up at camera with open smiling mouth.

Allergies are frustrating for many reasons, but for pet owners, they can be incredibly daunting. Enter the idea of a hypoallergenic pet, and animal lovers rejoice! But do hypoallergenic pets truly exist? According to organizations such as the AKC, VCA Animal Hospitals, and The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the short answer is no.

What are Pet Allergies?

To understand why this is the case, we need to look deeper into what it is about pets we are actually allergic to. The idea of a hypoallergenic dog or cat suggests that dander and pet fur are the primary sources of pet allergies. While dander can potentially spike allergies, saliva, and even urine are often the real culprits. As there are no terrestrial mammals that don’t salivate or urinate, finding a truly hypoallergenic pet can be a challenge.

Blue cat with green eyes sits on a blue blanket looking at camera.

Further complicating matters, allergies vary from person to person and from pet to pet, so it can be hard to pinpoint a dog or cat that will be hypoallergenic in an all-encompassing sense. In addition, Genetics is a fickle science, and you can never know for sure what traits are going to pass to the offspring of any given pet. So, for example, even if a Goldendoodle you met in the past did not trigger allergies for you, that doesn’t mean all Goldendoodles will carry the exact same traits, and you could be allergic to one and not another.

Finding the Right Pet for Your Allergies

But animal lovers with pet allergies don’t despair! Just because hypoallergenic pets aren’t what common belief often suggests doesn’t mean there aren’t pets that affect certain people’s allergies less than others. People who are allergic to cats may not be allergic to bunnies. Again, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula, so our best recommendation is to spend time with the pet you are considering bringing into your home affects you before sealing the deal with adoption. You can also work with your doctor or an allergist to see if there are alternative methods of controlling your pet allergies.

We’d consider the shelter myth of hypoallergenic pets officially busted!

An Unexpected Friendship: Phoebe’s Story

Posted on by Guinn

When Ashley visited Kitty City back in October of 2020, she had never had a cat before and described her expectations for what she might find as being low. She had some doubts about how affectionate and full of personality felines could be. But never did she imagine that she would find Phoebe— a 5-year-old kitty with the most enchanting blue eyes and sweetest demeanor. 

Ashley decided to take a chance on Phoebe and brought her home. When they arrived, Ashley’s partner told her to “take a good look at [Phoebe] because she was going to be her best friend for the next 10-15 years.” Ashley said she wasn’t so sure he was right at the time, but she never should have doubted him.

Now Ashley can’t imagine her life without Phoebe. After about a month of living together, Phoebe began to open up and show off her personality and quirks, and the pair became absolutely inseparable. Phoebe now spends her days greeting Ashley the minute she gets home and cuddling on her lap while she reads. She also loves playing fetch, watching cat TV, and pondering on art pieces (and the wall), Ashley says.

At the end of the day, this is what Ashley has to say about Phoebe: “I couldn’t have made a better match if I tried. I love her more than words can describe, and couldn’t be happier that the humane society made it possible for us to find each other.”

You found stray kittens? Now what?

Posted on by Guinn
Small white and brown stray kitten sits in grassy field meowing.

Ahhh, kitten season. It’s that magical time of year when the weather gets warmer, and suddenly, an influx of kittens are born into the world. As kitten season picks up speed, so do phone calls to local animal shelters from concerned citizens wondering what they should do with stray kittens they have found. 

What to do if you find warm, clean, stray kittens:

Our answer may surprise you, but most of the time, the answer is to leave stray kittens where you find them. We know this advice can be difficult to heed after so many years of hearing that you should bring stray kittens to the shelter. Still, data from organizations such as Ally Cat Allies  and the ASPCA shows that kittens have a much better chance of survival if left where their mother cat can care for them. Even kittens that appear to be unattended likely have a mother cat looking out for them who will be distressed should they go missing.

Tiny gray and white kitten is held in a human hand.

Here’s a trick to make sure that mom is coming back to look after her litter: take some flour and spread a circle around the kittens, then leave. If a few hours later, there are paw prints in the flour. You can rest assured that a mother cat is keeping an eye on her kittens.

What to do if you find cold, malnourished, or sickly stray kittens:

There are a few cases in which leaving stray kittens where they are may not be the best course of action. If the kittens appear malnourished, sickly, and/or overly dirty, and you have not seen a mother cat return within a few hours of finding the kittens, there are a couple of things you can do.

Tiny white and tabby stray kitten gets bottle fed milk by shelter staff.
  • Foster: If you feel equipped to care for and bottle-feed the kittens until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered, fostering the kittens may be a good option. Contact our Foster Department for information and resources.
  • Contact Your Local Animal Services: Your local animal services will be able to help you determine the next best steps for the kittens. They may have you bring them to their shelter, or they may come and pick them up.

What about Trap Neuter Return?

Another way you can help your local community cats and reduce the number of homeless cats in your area is to see if your local shelter or rescue has a TNR (trap-neuter-return) program. These programs involve humanely trapping stray cats, bringing them into a shelter to be spayed or neutered, and returning them to the area in which they were found. Kittens can participate in TNR programs as young as 8 weeks of age so long as they weigh at least 2 lbs.

Outdoor mom cat sits on rock surrounded by her litter of kittens.


Our TNR program is called CATNIP. For more information on CATNIP, humane trap rental, and more, visit the TNR Page on our website.

Subaru Presents Bark at the Moon

Posted on by Guinn
Black dog plays in fountain at Bark at the Moon event.

Join us on Saturday, May 20th, from 5–9 pm for Bark at the Moon, a dog-friendly event to raise funds to support the lifesaving programs at HSU. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids and include admission to the festival. Dogs must be six months of age or older, up to date on vaccinations, and socialized with other dogs and people.

Tan dogs visits Subaru Booth at Bark at the Moon event.
Silver lab jumps in water fountain at Bark at the Moon event.
Two dogs sit in owners' laps at the Gateway.
Small black dog rides in stroller at friendly event.
Crowd explores food trucks at dog-friendly event.

“This is a fun community event to raise money for our homeless companion animals,” said Kaya Nielsen, HSU event manager. “We’re excited to return to The Gateway this year and grateful to the participating businesses for their support that allows us to bring people and pets together.”

Bark at the Moon will feature over 30 local vendors, food trucks, craft beer, live music, a splash zone for the dogs, a doggy food truck, Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, and more. At 9 pm, pets and people can participate in a glow walk around The Gateway. 

As a local private nonprofit, the Humane Society of Utah relies solely on donations and small fees for some services; we do not receive state or federal funding and are not a branch of any national organization. However, we are grateful for our sponsors like Subaru and community supporters like you! To purchase your tickets to Bark at the Moon, click here.

Adventure is Out There: Rainey’s Story

Posted on by Guinn
Adventure Dog Rainey sits atop a rocky mountain peak with snow capped mountains in the background.

If you’ve ever wondered about the definition of “adventure dog,” Rainey’s picture is right next to it in the dictionary… or at least it would be if “adventure dog” were in the dictionary. However, that isn’t how Rainey’s story began… first, she was just a dog in a shelter, waiting to find her family.

From shelter dog to adventure dog

Rainey was adopted from the Humane Society of Utah in 2014 by her human, Tiffany. Little did either of them know then that for the next 9+ years, they would be best friends, travel companions, one another’s support system, and more.

“Rainey has been at my side through career changes, moving states, and everything life has thrown at us… She loves to travel, adores the sunshine, and loves adventures and camping. She tolerates her little sister and her bird siblings and is gentle and kind with everyone she meets,” Tiffany said.

Rainey a grey and white dog with a bog blocky head looks up at camera.
Rainey a gray and white bully breed stands on a sandy red trail wagging her tail.
Adventure Dog Rainey sits on a bed wrapped in a blanket next to a jeep and camp chair.

Rainey’s interests besides adventure include popcorn and cheese (but really any snacks), meeting people wherever she goes, and being an absolute champion at always having a smile on her face.

Reflecting on her time with Rainey, Tiffany said, “She’s been my very best friend. There are no words to fully describe how amazing of a companion she’s been for almost a decade now.”

Do you have a heartwarming adoption update you want to share? Then, please post your story on our Facebook Adopted Pets group! We love getting adoption updates and adoption success stories.

An Injured Cat Steals Our Veterinarian’s Heart

Posted on by Guinn

An injured cat, Mango, arrived at the Humane Society of Utah’s St. George Clinic with a gaping and infected face wound. A local rescue, One More Chance, had brought him to our clinic through our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. TNR involves fixing, vaccinating, and ear-tipping feral and stray cats, then returning them to their territory. TNR is a humane way to control the community cat population and stop the spread of fatal viruses, such as rabies and distemper.

An injured cat gets the help he needs

After assessing his injury, our veterinarian, Dr. Gray, realized the wound could not be sutured- it was too infected. So, she cleaned and debrided the injury in hopes of helping it contract down and heal together naturally. During Mango’s examination, Dr. Gray also noticed he had necrotic, or dead tissue, surrounding an old wound on his right front paw. The most likely cause was that Mango previously had something wrapped around his paw that restricted his blood flow for a considerable time.

As Dr. Gray carefully removed the dead tissue, she realized three of the toes were completely dead, and she’d only be able to save two of Mango’s five toes. Dr. Gray cleaned and debrided the injury, leaving only fresh, healthy tissue so the rest of his paw could heal. Dr. Gray shared, “As soon as we became aware of Mango’s disability, we knew he couldn’t be released to live as a feral cat. It wouldn’t be safe for him. So, we called Kris Neil, owner of One More Chance, to ensure Mango would have a safe place to live after his surgery. Kris said that Mango could live with her until she could find a good home for him, which relieved me greatly.”

Two women stand over an injured cat on an exam table at the St. George Clinic.
Side of injured cat's face before surgery.
Mango right after surgery with two large wounds on the side of his face.

Because Mango’s right front paw was now permanently in the unmistakable “hang loose” sign, the ultimate symbol of Aloha in Hawaii serving as a reminder not to worry or rush, HSU’s St. George staff lovingly nicknamed him “Shaka.”  Since Mango proved unusually chill for a feral cat, even coming off as sweet and friendly, his new nickname suited him perfectly.

Mango was so friendly that our St. George team found it hard to believe that he grew up as a feral cat. Upon further research, our team discovered that Mango most likely lived in a home with two other cats until his owner died a year ago. The other two cats were caught and rehomed, but the third cat remained missing ever since.

After Dr. Gray cared for Mango’s wounds and completed his neuter, vaccinations, ear tipping, and an umbilical hernia repair, she sent Mango home to recover with Kris. But as the weeks passed, Dr. Gray realized that she missed him. She felt a special bond with Mango and found herself considering adopting him. Dr. Gray explained, “The issue was I’d just had a baby and didn’t think it was an ideal time for me to bring home a new cat.”

Dr. Gray hold Mango while he wakes up from surgery.
Mango in his adopted home sitting next to a black and white dog on the dog bed.

Still, she worried about Mango and occasionally reached out to Kris to ensure he was happy and healthy. “Kris shared with me that Mango had taken on the role of “cat nanny” at her rescue as he was cuddling and caring for the other cats, especially the kittens. Mango is so sweet; it sounded exactly like something he’d do.”

A few weeks later, Mango visited Dr. Gray for a check-up to ensure his paw and face were healing nicely. Dr. Gray was excited to see her darling Shaka. She’d missed him fiercely. During their reunion, Dr. Gray realized she was madly in love with this hang loose disabled cat with the scarred-up face. He’d stolen her heart, and after learning that he still hadn’t found a permanent home, Dr. Gray decided to adopt him. She knew Mango would happily take on the role of ‘cat nanny’ to her newborn baby.

Months after adopting him, Dr. Gray shared, “Mango is such a sweet addition to our family. He’s healed, living a cozy life of luxury, and surrounded by so much love. Our dogs adore him, too, and they happily make room for Mango on their bed. I’m so happy he came to our clinic that day. I love knowing he’s safe now at home with us.”

A “Hoppy” Holiday: Easter Pet Safety Tips

Posted on by Guinn
Black and white dog lays on grass wearing bunny ears and is surrounded by colorful eggs in the grass.

Peter Cottontail hops down the bunny trail with many treats! However, while some parts of the Easter celebration are safe for our pets to partake in, others are not. Follow these Easter pet safety tips to ensure a “Hoppy” holiday!

  1. Easter Treats

Keep pets away from anything containing chocolate or xylitol (sometimes called “birch sugar”), which is a popular ingredient in sugar-free candy. Don’t allow children to store their Easter baskets in their room. Pets have very strong noses and can likely find even the most carefully hidden treats. Keep candy up high and stored securely out of paws reach.

  1. Easter Foliage

Easter lilies and tulips may be beautiful, but are often deadly for cats. Be sure to keep these popular flowers out of your bouquets if feline friends could come across them. Safer alternatives include roses, gerber daisies, and sunflowers.

  1. Easter Decor

Plastic Easter grass causes several vet visits every year as ingesting it can cause blockages and intestinal damage. If your pet does ingest Easter grass, refrain from pulling strings out of their backside. String can become twisted around your pet’s insides and pulling it out can cause further damage. Please visit your emergency veterinarian instead.

  1. Egg Hunts

If you’re hiding eggs, be sure to note how many eggs you’ve hidden and where they are. Both plastic and real Easter eggs can cause issues for pets if eaten or broken. Keep pets clear of the egg hunt area until everything has been thoroughly cleaned up.

  1. Easter Dinner

Sharing a plate with your pet? It’s important to know what foods are not pet-safe, such as onions, avocados, olives, garlic, grapes, cooked bones, uncooked dough, and alcohol.

Let’s Talk About Doodle Dogs

Posted on by Guinn
A Doodle dog stands in the grass over a red ball looking up at the camera.

In the last two years, the Humane Society of Utah has seen a large influx of doodle dogs surrendered to our shelter. This blog will address why and what you should consider before bringing home one of these popular dogs.

What’s a doodle dog? 

First, what is a doodle? A doodle is any breed of dog mixed with a standard, miniature, or toy poodle. For example, a golden doodle mixes a poodle and a golden retriever, aussiedoodle = Australian shepherd x poodle, and bernadoodle = Bernese mountain dog x poodle.

Doodles gained notoriety from Wally Conron, a breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia in the 1980s. Conron tried to find a guide dog for a blind woman whose husband was allergic to dogs. He came up with the idea to cross a poodle with a Labrador retriever, hoping the positive traits that make Labs great service dogs would combine with the non-shedding characteristics of a poodle. This history may suggest that doodles are hypoallergenic and make great family pets.

Are all doodles hypoallergenic?

However, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. Allergens carry in dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and urine, so they are impossible to avoid altogether. Some dogs produce fewer allergens or shed less than others, but no dog is completely free of allergens. In addition, allergies vary from person to person, so you never truly know if or how badly you will react to a particular dog. That’s why we always suggest treating every dog as an individual and interacting with them before bringing them home.

Second, it’s not black and white when it comes to genetics and mixing breeds. When you take the genes of two breeds, there is no guarantee of the puppy’s traits. You risk losing the desirable characteristics of each breed and inheriting health issues and undesirable traits. While mixing two dogs may counteract some of the specific hereditary diseases from each parent dog, there’s still no guarantee about which genes your pup will inherit. You could end up with any combination of these conditions, especially in the first mixed generation. Please keep in mind where and how we raise puppies can also contribute to their adult behavior. Puppies who experience early exposure and positive interactions with different people and environments in a home setting will have a better chance of success.

Doodle puppies who “look the part” and are supposedly hypoallergenic often cost more than doodle puppies who still shed or have a nontraditional-looking coat. That’s right; doodles have different types of fur! Many appear wiry, like Jack and Simba (pictured below). While wiry doodle coats will likely shed, they won’t require the regular trips to the groomer for trims and de-matting like a poodle coat will.

Three small dogs sitting on a bench. Including a red poodle, a cream doodle dog, and white and black mutt.
Jack (center) adopted from HSU DNA results came back primarily as a miniature poodle and Pomeranian mix.
Simba, the doodle dog sits on the floor looking up with his paw on the office chair arm.
Simba had his DNA test while waiting for adoption at HSU. He is a Lab standard poodle cross.

Do all doodles act the same? 

Third, because doodles are mixed with many other breeds, their behaviors come in a wide variety. For example, some families expect their doodle to behave low-key and goofy like their friend’s golden doodle. But, they preferred the blue merle coloring of the sheepdoodle or aussiedoodle may be in for a big surprise. Richard (pictured below) went through multiple families for not “behaving” like a doodle. He had a poodle coat, but he exhibited strong herding breed-like behaviors. 

Grey and white doodle dog Richard plays in yard with a tennis ball in his mouth.
Richard’s DNA test revealed he was a standard poodle sheepdog cross.

Doodles come in all shapes, colors, and sizes and can make wonderful additions to most families. However, we encourage you to do your research and understand that the doodle puppy in front of you may grow up differently than you expect. We often have poodle mixes available for adoption at HSU. Take a look at our website first if you’re considering one for your family. Like all our dogs, they come spayed/neutered, microchipped, dewormed, and have age-appropriate vaccinations.

Safe Houseplants for Cats

Posted on by Guinn
A long-haired tabby cat stand up on a safe houseplant for cats near a window.

With spring right around the corner, many people are gearing up for green leaves and bright blossoms. Adding plants to your home can be exciting and fun, but did you know some plants pose a danger to your furry friends? It’s important to get familiar with safe houseplants for cats!

What are some safe houseplants for cats?

Finding plants you and your cat can safely enjoy isn’t hard! There’s a variety of safe houseplants for cats. If gorgeous green leaves catching sunlight sounds like a dream to you, here are some plants to look for:

  • Spider plant
  • Calathea Orbifolia
  • Peperomia
  • Baby Tears
  • Prayer plant
A orange tabby kitten plays with safe houseplant for cats on the sunlight floor.

Some people prefer stunning colorful flowers hanging out in their homes. Don’t worry. There are plenty of beautiful blossoms that are also safe for cats! If you’re bringing flowers inside, either to plant or in a bouquet, here are some cat-safe ones to keep in mind:

  • Orchid
  • Rose
  • Bromeliad
  • African violet
  • Gerber daisy

Other safe houseplants for cats include:

  • Venus fly trap
  • Polka dot plant
  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Catnip (of course!)

What plants are dangerous for cats?

While we like to focus on the positives, it is important to note that there are many plants that are toxic to cats. Lilies, tulips, and aloe have all earned the title of being dangerous for cats. If you’re unsure if your plant is cat friendly, click here for a list of plants that could pose a danger to your cat.

It is possible to create a home that’s safe for humans, cats, and plants alike! Knowing what plants to look for when finding safe houseplants for cats is extremely important. Doing a little research now can ensure your cat stays happy and healthy!