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Do Donations to Stray Dogs Actually Help?

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Yes, Donations to Stray Dogs Do Help

Dog Donations
IrynaTiumentsev/Deposit Photos

We’re flooded with donation requests every day–sometimes multiple times a day. However, most of us click past photos of dogs’ pleading eyes, heartwrenching animal cruelty cases and shelters filled to the brim with dogs. Some pictures of these abandoned dogs are burned in our retinas forever.

Look, I’m just as guilty as you. I quickly click past those haunting faces because it hurts my soul and I feel so helpless. Seriously, how could I help a dog down in south Louisiana? I live so far away. Then I wonder, do donations really work and, if so, does the dog in need actually receive every penny?

Then, a heinous dog abuse case crossed my path and I refused to look away. I had to help. After that experience, I can now answer your burning question. Yes, every penny does help a defenseless abandoned dog and it does something more–it changes your life too.

Dog Donation Facts

When researching donation behaviors (I find behavior fascinating!),  individuals make up 75 percent of giving in America, according to Talk About Giving. Wow! It’s not the size of the donation that matters. It’s the heart behind the giver that makes the difference.

It seems lower income households give the most, which is not shocking, as we know what it’s like to need. Helping a defenseless animal will bring a sense of accomplishment, inner peace and deeper connection with fellow animal lovers. It’s indescribable.

How Donations Break Down

If done correctly, every penny is applied to an abandoned dog’s needs. We’ll talk about identifying legitimate fundraisers in another article because it can be tricky. If you’re interested in becoming an abandoned animal advocate, I have advice on starting up fundraisers myself. You can check out the story that changed me forever.

Most stray dogs need immediate veterinary care, food and a safe place to rest. So let’s discuss how small donations really do add up.

Food

Dog food costs range between $15-$60 per month, depending on the size and health condition of the stray dog. Most strays are very skinny, so they may eat four to six cups of dog food a day.

  • If 10 people donated their coffee money for one day ($5), they can feed a large dog for an entire month or two small dogs for a month.

Spay/Neuter

  • Most female dog spays hover between $100-$250. If 15 people donated their lunch money for one day ($10-$15), it will cover one female dog’s spay.
  • Male dog neuters are significantly cheaper, as it’s less invasive, so costs hover around $80-$150. Again, if eight people donated their lunch money for just one day, they would pay for a neuter.

Veterinary Costs

One stray dog’s veterinary care costs range between $150-$500, depending on his specific needs. When donating for veterinary care, ask the dog’s advocate to post an estimate of the dog’s veterinary costs and choose the portion of the bill you’ll cover. Most givers like to know where their costs go, so choosing provides a type of reassurance.

  • One nice dinner out ($30-$45) would cover a full vet exam.
  • Sacrificing $80 (nice dinner for two)  would cover a dog neuter.
  • Donating $15-$30 would cover tests to check for intestinal parasites.
  • 10 people donating $10 each would cover medications needed to treat any issues.
  • Eight people donating one night out ($25) would cover a high risk spay.

Every amount counts. If every person helped rescue one dog a year, we would make a huge difference! Be a dog’s voice.

READ NEXT: Rescue Dogs Need Your Help

Rescue Dogs Need Your Help

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New Take on Dog Rescue

Stop Passing the Buck, You Must Take Action Now

Rescue Dogs
vilevi/Deposit Photos

Somehow, the world envisions non-profit rescue organizations to have unlimited pet-friendly homes and no waiting list. People assume these organizations are able to accept every dog in need. Well, if this were true, shelters would be empty across the world.

Facts About Rescue Organizations

Fact: Foster homes are extremely limited and rescue organizations have very limited resources, such as funds and volunteers. When we see an abandoned dog, we need to take the initiative to rescue the dog rather than beg rescue organizations to step in. Yes, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and work with these organizations rather than passing the buck, which is happening at an alarming rate.

Rescue organizations excel at their adoption process. There’s a lengthy application process with requirements, home checks and legal contracts. If rescue organizations redirected all of their time and finances to adoption processes, we could make a big dent in finding forever homes for abandoned dogs. However, they spend valuable time begging and pleading people to find acceptable foster homes for homeless dogs. When no homes are available, they’re not able to welcome in more dogs.

Sound hopeless? Far from it. We need to rethink rescue processes. There’s a huge gap missing in saving and rescuing dogs, and that’s community involvement. If one person saved one dog every year, we most certainly would see a difference. Day in and day out, I see the same people tirelessly saving, nurturing and placing abused dogs into homes. These people need a break. We need fresh faces, new ideas and more people stepping in and helping. Abandoned pets are our problem, so we need to fix it together. No more calling someone else to help. You need to step in, roll up your sleeves and save dogs.

Saving Dogs is a Team Effort

Many people have tirelessly donated their time transporting, grooming, training and fostering dogs. Every bit of blood, sweat and tear is extremely appreciated, but we need more. Even non-pet people need to step in. This is not a “dog people” problem, but rather a humanity problem.

I’m not asking you to open up your home for a pet in need. I’m asking you to open up your wallet and donate time. We need you to help raise funds for these poor abandoned animals. I know you can most certainly help here.

Money makes the world go round. When sprinkled with kindness and good intentions, it’s unstoppable!

What Fundraising Can Pay For

By fundraising for donations, you can certainly ensure neglected dogs receive veterinary care, food in their belly and a safe place to stay.

Safe Housing

Due to the lack of immediate foster homes, a short stay in a boarding kennel is a safe place for stray dogs to lay low and recover until an opening pops up. But kennels cost money.

A home environment is best for all dogs, but they don’t magically appear right away. Most dog lovers are hesitant to open their homes to unknown dogs with unknown illnesses and temperaments. So by raising funds, you can help place a dog in a kennel environment until he or she is temperament tested with children, people and other pets. Kennels are good temporary options, but again they require money.

Veterinary Costs

Veterinary costs can add up, ranging between 50 percent to 80 percent of all donations. These costs can also depend on a stray dog’s needs. Some dogs are found duct-taped, discarded with broken legs or heartworm positive. Most stray dogs need to be spayed or neutered. For a single dog, these costs can quickly add up to $800. Donations can take care of this issue.

Veterinarians are Not the Enemy

Before we point fingers at veterinarians and demand deep discounts off “outrageous” fees, these folks charge a fraction of conventional human medical care cost. In addition, they walk out of college with the same amount of tuition debt as human medical doctors. Veterinarians are not the enemy. These folks are lumped into the tireless rescue fighters who have offered discounts, but they still need to feed their family. It’s our turn to help.

RELATED: Why You Should Get Pet Insurance

Food and Dog Behavior Training

Luckily, this issue is somewhat managed since large pet retailers offer free dog food to non-profit organizations. Just about every big box pet company has an active program in place. They donate toys and treats plus dog food.

Dog trainers are hidden heroes too. Many donate their time to temperament test, provide behavior protocols specific to each stray dog’s needs, and support rescue organizations and foster parents with ongoing advice and mentoring. Now, it never hurts to pay these dedicated folks either. They’re not making large profits like big box retailers. Money helps here too.

How You Can Save Animals

Find your cause. It’s pretty easy, as we’re bombarded with soulful eyes of dogs in need every day. If a stray dog shows up in your neighborhood or a friend finds a dog in deplorable conditions, jump in and help.

Set Up a Fundraising Website

Set up a website using PayPal for donations. It’s much cheaper than GoFundMe and other websites that charge between 3 to 10 percent on fund-raised money. You can also set up direct billing with the veterinarian caring for the dog.

From experience, I would set up both donation options. Some people are uncomfortable paying online while others worry about credit card information getting lost at a veterinary clinic. Setting up both options ensures you’re receiving the maximum amount of donations.

Set a donation limit that’s reasonable. Yes, we would all love to raise a million dollars for a dog, but it’s unreasonable and a bit off-putting to donators. Post a picture of the vet’s estimated bill, so donators can see where their funds are actually going.

Be honest and transparent. Explain why you’re asking for donations. Tell a stray dog’s story because that’s the reason you’re donating your time to help this cause. Keep emotions in check (I know it’s hard) and post pictures and updates. Givers want to know all of their money was used to help the dog rather than being wasted.

Lastly, open up your wallet and donate too. Yes, you’re donating your time, but give $25 or $50. Every bit of money is needed.

RELATED: How to Find an Excellent Dog Training Blog

Spread the Word

Trust me, your fundraising website will not reach goal within 24 hours. (Although I wish it did.) You’ll have to spread the word through social media, friends, family and contacts. Make it a point to meet a new contact every day and post results weekly, so folks know progress is being made.

Involve Rescue Groups

Once fundraising has begun and you’ve found a safe place for a dog in need, contact your local humane society or rescue organization. Explain to them the dog is safe and being seen by a vet, and fundraising has begun. Then, ask if they could post the dog on their website for adoption.

You should also ask if they would accept the dog you’re helping into their program, so potential adopters could be screened and home checked through their organization. As of yet, I haven’t had a rescue group refuse. Instead, they thank me profusely for doing the right thing and not dumping the dog on them.

One person, one dog every year. We can do this!

Dog Abuse Story: My Reality Check

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Helping an Abused Dog Named Noodle

Dog Abuse
Noodle, the female Pit Bull Terrier.

The last few days are a blur. A very skinny and severely neglected female Pit Bull Terrier came into my life and my world has been spinning ever since. While my soul still aches, I want to share her story with you not to make you sad, but to empower you. We all need to help.

The Story of Noodle

My day started like most days, sipping coffee and typing away at my next article. Then, an early morning phone call sank my heart to my feet.

A dear friend arrived at work earlier than scheduled on a hot and humid Friday morning. As he approached the front door, he was greeted by a malnourished female dog that was tied and duct-taped to a massive tree log. She had dragged this log for miles, as there were no homes or businesses close by. She dragged this huge truck for so long that the bottom was sanded flat.

She was filthy and extremely skinny, and her breasts told of a recent litter of puppies. Her feet were red and blistered and her neck was bleeding. She was exhausted. She could barely stand or walk. She collapsed at his feet.

My friend slowly befriended her with his breakfast and removed the log. Next, he freed her from the thick rope and duct tape choking her. It seems the duct tape was freshly applied probably within eight hours, which sickens me because some horrible person must have recently touched her and did it in pure cruelty.

Dog Abuse
Noodle, the female Pit Bull Terrier.

Fighting back waves of nausea, I had to sit down while listening to the dreadful details. My friend grasped for words followed by long pauses, as we both fought back tears. He was begging for help. We had to save her. Then, I asked for pictures, hoping with every fiber of my being that it wasn’t too bad. After viewing them, I wished I’d never seen them. Those pictures can never be unseen. They’re burned in my eyes and soul forever.

A rage filled me unlike anything I’ve felt before. I cried and screamed inside and out–how could this happen? Another wave of pure disgust fueled my rage. This poor Pit Bull girl had pulled this log along aside a busy road and no one stopped to help her! I know someone saw her. It was during rush hour for Pete’s sake!

No, I will not let her down. Cruel humans have done enough.

Stepping Into Action

Used My Contacts

Thankfully, I’m blessed with a hefty number of dog-loving contacts, so I started using them all. I begged for help on Facebook and made hundreds of phone calls. As kind souls began arriving at work, they pooled funds together and purchased her a dog crate, food and treats. She was safe, but I needed to find her a safe place for the night.

Fostered the Dog

Noodle’s story spread like wildfire. Two kind souls offered to foster her until she was able to find her forever home. Now, fostering is not for the faint of heart. It’s mentally challenging for both humans and their personal dogs. However, the reward most certainly outweighs its challenges.

Contacted a Local Veterinarian

I begged and pleaded on social media for funds, which I knew would be desperately needed to save this girl. She has probably never seen a veterinarian in her life. While the outpouring was massive, there was a delay in fundraising. Folks were unsure about donating to a website, so we set up direct billing to a local veterinarian.

Why I Didn’t Contact Animal Control

Many of you are probably asking, “Why didn’t you contact rescue?” Well I did, and they’re drowning in abandoned dogs. Pit Bulls are usually the first dogs euthanized at animal control because so many idiots are breeding them and no one adopts them out.

Time and time again, local and national rescue organizations rejected me. After hearing “Sorry, we’re full” 15 times, I learned a very valuable lesson. The problem is not rescue. It’s us. We’re asking others to clean up our mess–out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, not anymore.

Everyone, including non-pet lovers, needs to roll up his sleeves and help every animal in need regardless where it happens. We must take action and quit passing the buck. Don’t look away.

It takes a village to save a dog.

Six Days Later (8/27/15)

Noodle has gained 10 pounds, learned to play with toys and experienced sleeping on beds, which she loves. She used to be scared she’ll never eat again, but she’s learning to eat slower. She’s causing chronic stomach distention, as she drinks every water bowl dry, including the toilet. Keep in mind she’s never had unlimited access to resources. She’s scared of male dogs, which makes me think she was forcibly bred for puppies over and over again.

She loves people so much so she would rather sit in your lap than eat her chewies. She’ll probably develop separation anxiety, but I’ll see her through it. Her foster Momma is teaching her crate training skills and polite leash manners.

From a health perspective, Noodle is heartworm positive. Her vet estimates her age between one to two years old, but couldn’t give a specific number. Her young body aged fast due to a hard life. As I type, I’ve scheduled a local dog trainer to temperament test her today. I’ll follow up with phone calls.

Accepted Into a Local Rescue

Due to our fundraising efforts and attempts to find her a kind foster home, a local rescue (Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue) accepted her into their program. You know why? Because we didn’t dump her. We took action and asked the experts to help find her a home.

You see, I did all of this from my home. I live six hours away.

It takes a village to save a dog and we need to all step in. You can do this too.

Please Help Noodle

If you would like to donate to Noodle, as her veterinary bills are huge,
please contact Gill Bright Animal Hospital at (337) 477-4252.

For checks, please add Act #14292 in the subject line and
make the check out to Gill Bright Animal Hospital. Please mail to:

Gill Bright Animal Hospital, Care Of Noodle LCPBR
406 W. McNeese
St., Lake Charles, LA 70605

Take a moment and thank Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue. They’re located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Also, thank Samantha Collins for donating her time to temperament test Noodle. She owns Companions TLC in Lafayette, LA. Don’t forget to like their Facebook pages too.

Should You Let Your Dog on the Couch?

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Dog on the Couch: Do’s and Don’ts

Dog Couch
trybex/Deposit Photos

Most people want to share their couch with their dogs—my dog is sitting next to me as I write this. However, you may have read that allowing your dog on the couch is not a good idea because it may send the wrong message. In my professional opinion, it’s not so cut and dry. This article will break down some do’s and don’ts when it comes to allowing your dog on the couch.

Evaluating Your Dog and the Privileges Given

To be completely honest, I think this is the most important part of deciding whether you should keep dogs off the couch. Depending on your situation (whether your dog already uses your couch or not), evaluate your dog’s behavior.

You can do this by writing down your dog’s general characteristics, such as energetic, calm, submissive and pushy. You also want to note when he shows different behaviors, such as affection, submissive urination and resource guarding. This will help you determine your dog’s couch privileges.

Remember that sitting on the couch is a privilege. If your dog’s behavior is good, then why not reward him, especially when it’s rewarding to you as well? Now, if your dog’s behavior is unacceptable, then we may need to remove some privileges until his behavior improves.

If You Let Your Dog on the Couch, Then…

In my experience, it’s good to start clean and not allow your dog on any furniture to set forth some rules. Once your dog is aware he’s not allowed on any furniture, you can begin giving him privileges, such as jumping on the couch or even on the bed to snuggle.

Set Boundaries

When inviting your dog onto your couch, set boundaries on where he can and can’t sit, especially if he’s a puppy. I enjoy my dog on the couch when I invite him up to cuddle, but I definitely don’t want two full-sized Boxers jumping up on me whenever they choose nor do I want to ask them to move all of the time for me to sit down. Establishing boundaries makes for good communication and a strong relationship between you and your dog.

How to Set Couch Boundaries

Leash Your Dog

Your dog doesn’t know he’s not allowed on the couch just like he doesn’t know not to nip your hands when you’re playing with him. It’s your job as the dog owner to train your dog to keep off the couch. Leash your dog with a six-foot nylon or leather leash and allow him to drag it around the house when you’re home.

Avoid Body Contact

When teaching your dog new boundaries, be aware this is usually new to him whether he’s a puppy or an adult dog who’s been allowed to come and go on the couch as he pleases. You don’t want to make the couch or the training negative in any way by yelling or harshly removing him from the furniture. Any body contact (i.e. pushing him off or picking him up) causes more arousal in your dog and can ultimately turn the dog training session into a game or negative situation. This is why I suggest using a leash for dog training purposes.

Reward Good Behavior

If your dog jumps on the couch, guide him off with the leash by saying “off” and redirect him to a toy or his bed. It’s equally important to reward your dog when he’s playing on the floor or lying quietly in his bed. As I’ve said before, it’s a good idea to remove all couch privileges in the beginning to avoid confusion and doing this until your dog no longer actively tries to get onto the couch.

Remove the Leash and Invite Him on the Couch

Once you’re ready to give some privileges back, take his leash off and start inviting your dog up on the couch for some TV time. If your dog is hesitant at first, know this is normal behavior. I  mean you did just teach him not to get on the couch. Continue to coax him up, giving him the “up” cue with some kissy noises and couch pats. Once he jumps up on the furniture, reinforce him with some petting and verbal praise. When you’re done with your cuddle session, give your dog the previously worked on “off” cue, so he knows it’s time to get off the couch.

Not All Dogs Can Handle Couch Privileges

Not all dogs can handle the privileges of sitting on the couch, as this causes them other behavior problems, such as possession and food guarding. I personally have a dog like this, but we’ve determined which privileges she can and cannot handle. For example, she can handle being on the couch at times, but not on the bed. To her, the bed holds higher value. This is not an easy thing to determine. If you’re dealing with any dog behaviors like this, I recommend looking for a local dog trainer who works with behavior modification.

The bottom line is if you and your dog are happy and there are no serious behavior problems, keep things the way they are. If you would like a little more control when it comes to accessing the furniture, then set a few boundaries and you should be fine. Most of us have our dogs because we couldn’t live without them. Let’s face it: they’re really adorable and cuddly. Enjoy them!

Sources:
www.animalbehaviorcollege.com
www.apdt.com
www.iaabc.com

How to Train Your Dog to Play Fetch

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Play Fetch, Exercise Your Dog

Fetch Dog Toy
6bears/Deposit Photos

As day-to-day life gets busier and busier for most of us, it gets harder and harder to find the time to exercise our dogs properly. All dogs need some sort of exercise, but the amount varies depending on your dog’s breed. I’m sure you’re aware of your dog’s energy level and how he requires a moderate amount of daily exercise. Allow me to explain a fun game that will poop your pup out and give you time to spare.

Why Play Fetch?

Fetch is a great game to teach your dog. It builds a strong relationship and provides lots of physical activity. One of the great things about the game is you can play it anywhere–indoors or outdoors, which is convenient during extreme weather conditions and apartment living.

RELATED: Does Exercise Relieve Excess Energy in Dogs?

Choosing a Fetch Toy

Choosing a fetch toy is a very important part of the fetch process. If your dog is not interested in the toy, then he’s not interested in the game.

Find two toys that are easy to throw, such as tennis balls, rubber toys and squeaky toys that your dog finds enjoyable. Now, all fetch toys should be able to bend easily. If they’re too hard, they can fracture your dog’s teeth.

If your dog tends to like stuffed toys, you may want to try the Kong Wubb. This is a Kong toy covered in furry fabric material with dangling pieces. Whichever toy you choose, make sure your dog likes it and the toy is only used for fetch games. If your dog is not interested in toys, that’s OK. We can charge the toys and build a positive association. To do this, pair the toys with a yummy treat and reward your dog and interact with them with the toy.

Teaching Your Dog to Play Fetch

There is more than one way to teach your dog the game of fetch. Today, I will discuss the two most common ways that may work for you. You can either choose to use only one of them or even combine both methods to see what works best for you.

Use Food Rewards

This particular method works really well for dogs who are not really motivated by toys and play.

First, stock your pocket with really yummy, high value rewards. Play with your dog and introduce the fetch toy. Next, toss the toy for your dog to retrieve. Once your dog begins running and grabs the toy, verbally praise him. Encourage your dog to come back to you by making kissy noises and patting your leg. When your dog returns to you with the toy, trade a treat for his toy. This teaches your dog to release the toy–win-win situation!

You want to practice this exercise several times for short periods to keep your dog interested in the game. Once your dog is happily retrieving the toy and finding the behavior (game) rewarding in itself, you can begin fading the food reward and only reward randomly or at the end of a good game.

RELATED: The Right Way to Do Lure Reward Dog Training

Use Two Toys

If your dog really loves toys, this may be the way to go when teaching fetch.

First, take your chosen fetch toys. Begin light play with your dog to get him excited about a play session. Toss the first toy, encouraging your dog to retrieve it. Praise your dog once he runs toward the toy.

Once he grabs the first toy with excitement, encourage him to head back your way with some kissy noises or pats on the leg. If this doesn’t work, show him the other toy. Maybe even give it a squeak or bounce. Once he returns back to you, trade your dog for the second toy (dog drops first toy on ground) and then immediately throw the second one.

Ping bong back and forth for short periods of time to keep the dog interested in the game. Continue to use two toys until your dog finds the game rewarding in itself, eventually eliminating the second toy.

Now Play Fetch!

Now you and your dog have a fun game to play that will give your dog the exercise he needs and help continue to strengthen your relationship. I encourage a nice fun game of fetch every day, especially if you’re unable to take your dog for a walk. Remember, end your fetch game before your dog becomes disinterested, so he’s anticipating the next game.

Sources:
www.akc.org
www.kongcompany.com

READ NEXT: Free Games for Dogs

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