We have many cats and kitties hoping to find their fur-ever families before the new year. Come meet them at the Pet Supplies Plus in Sterling from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, December 7. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit the Humane Society of Loudoun County website!
If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, complete an application today to expedite the application process.
By Uchenna C. Okeke
When it comes to our homes, safety is paramount. However, for pets, the definition of safety can be vastly different. What may seem harmless to humans can pose significant risks to companion animals. Pet-proofing is essential to ensure your home is a haven, not a hazard. Here are steps to pet-proofing your home.
STEP 1- Understanding Your Pet’s World
The first step is to observe your pet’s behavior and habits to anticipate potential risks. Pets use their senses to discover hidden dangers. For example, Anne Senft, HSLC Board President, fostered a blind cat that relied on memory and touch to navigate. “We were told not to move any furniture because he would ‘map’ out the basement like a robot vacuum,” she relates. This experience shows the importance of consistency in your pet’s environment.
Before bringing a pet home or making changes to their environment, identify areas where curiosity and instinct may lead them astray. Consider the factors that drive their actions, including their natural instincts to sniff, chew and investigate, and physical abilities that enable them to climb and jump.
STEP 2- Room-by-Room Checklist
Conduct a thorough examination of each room to remove hazards and ensure safety.
- Living Room: Secure wires and cords, move toxic plants out of reach, and anchor heavy furniture to prevent tipping.
- Kitchen: Store food and cleaning supplies safely, block access to countertops and appliances and clean up crumbs and spills promptly.
- Bathroom: Keep toilet paper and towels out of reach, secure bathroom trash cans, and store medications and cosmetics safely.
- Bedrooms: Organize shoes and clothing, store electrical cords and devices and block access to closets and drawers.
STEP 3- Identify Hidden Dangers
Hidden dangers are often-overlooked areas that can pose significant risks to your pet’s safety. These include:
- Electrical outlets
- Toxic substances
- Choking hazards
- Fall risks
STEP 4- Assess Pet-Specific Needs
Consider your pet’s unique characteristics, such as age, size, breed, and abilities, to tailor your pet-proofing strategy. For example:
- As noted above, blind pets require consistent furniture arrangements to help them navigate through memory and touch.
- Senior pets need easy access to essentials like food, water, litter, and favorite resting spots to accommodate their reduced mobility and potential health issues.
- Puppies need to have secure environments, including blocked off areas and secured toxic substances which will help to protect their curiosity-driven nature and rapid growth.
- Small pets require secure enclosures and protected electrical wires to prevent escape and electrical shock.
- Large pets need reinforced furniture and secured heavy objects to prevent accidents and damage.
- Pets with medical conditions may need adaptations to accommodate specific health needs, such as easy-to-clean surfaces for pets with allergies.
STEP 5- Creating a Pet-Friendly Home
Creating a pet-friendly environment enhances overall well-being. Consider:
- Designating pet zones for rest and relaxation. Create cozy areas where your pet can retreat for calm and rejuvenation. This helps reduce stress and provides a sense of security.
- Choosing durable, easy-to-clean surfaces. Select durable, easy-to-clean surfaces. Hardwood, tile, waterproof furniture, and washable walls make cleaning easy, keeping your home and pet healthy.
- Supervising and interacting with your pet. Spend quality time with your pet through play, exercise, and mental stimulation. This strengthens your bond, promoting a happy and healthy pet.
Remember pet-proofing is not just about removing dangers; it is also about creating an environment that promotes well-being. Ensure your furry friends’ safety and well-being today!
Ready to take the next steps? Visit the Humane Society of Loudon County (HSLC) to check out available animals for adoption and access valuable resources and tips.
The Humane Society of Loudoun County will be bringing adoptable felines to Leesburg First Friday on November 1. Be sure to stop by and meet the kitties up close and in purr-son at Coldwell Banker Realty!
The Humane Society of Loudoun County will be bringing adoptable cats and kittens to Leesburg First Friday on October 4. Be sure to come inside and see the kitties up close and in purr-son and enjoy some free popcorn, compliments of Coldwell Banker Realty!
By Liz Bresnahan
If you are an animal lover, you know that a pet’s love is priceless. Life’s simple moments are that much sweeter. Maybe it is your cat’s calm purr as she keeps you company while reading or your dog’s excitement on walks that makes a routine stroll around the neighborhood anything but mundane. Pets provide so much joy and many consider them an integral part of the family.
If you are thinking about adopting a pet, the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) encourages you to consider an adult animal. While you ultimately have to do what is best for your household, many families who have adopted an adult dog or cat are so glad they did. Here are a couple of points to think about if you are considering adopting an older companion animal.
Time: Quality over quantity
Adopting an adult dog or cat may mean that you do not have as many years to spend with them as you would a puppy or kitten. However, the time you do have will be that much more cherished. In certain cases, rescued animals may not have had an ideal life. However, because HSLC animals are placed in safe and loving foster homes prior to adoption, they can start to heal from their past, if needed. Once adopted, you have the unique privilege of watching your pet continue to blossom into a more happy, trusting, and confident companion. And because you are helping your dog or cat rewrite their story, you can often expect them to show you unconditional love and loyalty in return.
Training: Basics are covered
Adult dogs and cats are usually potty-trained which is definitely a point in their favor. Many adoptable dogs will also know basic commands. But, if a dog needs additional training, know that you may be able to teach an old dog new tricks if you are dedicated to working closely with them. And, when you are successful, it will be so rewarding that you have directly supported the growth and development of your furry companion.
Temperament: No surprises
One of the biggest benefits of adopting an adult animal is that you know what you’re getting. You don’t have to wonder how big they will get or how their personalities will turn out. And, with adults, you are often getting an animal with a calmer temperament. For this reason, adults can be great starter pets for families with children.
Ready to adopt? Check out the wonderful adult animals that are available for adoption right now. Rest assured, HSLC will work with you to find the right animal to fit your household and lifestyle.
“Meow” is the best time of year to adopt! Through September 10, HSLC is waiving adoption fees* on cats 8+ months and offering BOGO for kittens! We’ll be at the Pet Supplies Plus in Sterling from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, August 24. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit the Humane Society of Loudoun County website!
If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, complete an application today to expedite the application process.
*Until sponsorship funds run out.
By Kailyn Carr
When it comes to things we like or love, we tend to live by the philosophy that if one is good, two is even better. Why stop at one piece of chocolate when you could have two? Same goes for cats. What could possibly be better than two best friends instead of one? Though adopting in pairs may not be for everyone, the pros—including twice the love—often outweigh the cons.
Benefits of Adopting in Pairs
Starting with kittens (we’ll get to adults in a moment), here are seven ways fur-babies benefit from a twosome according to the Kitten Lady, Hannah Shaw.
- Learn by Observation – Kittens learn by observation and will more quickly pick up skills like using the litter box or grooming if they have another kitten or cat to teach them.
- Focus Play Aggression – Having a friend means they can take out their play aggression on one another (instead of on you.) They’ll also teach each other good boundaries about biting and scratching.
- Entertain & Enrich – When your kitten has a buddy, they’ll always be entertained, active, and enriched. And a happy cat makes a happy home!
- Keep Out of Trouble – One mischievous kitten can be destructive if left alone, but two kittens tend to keep each other occupied and out of trouble.
- Easier Intro to Adult Cat – If you have an adult cat at home, two new kittens may be easier to introduce into your family than one. While one kitten may nag an older cat, two kittens will keep each other company while the older cat watches from a distance.
- Comfort in Friendship – Having a pal will help your kitten settle into a new home. Just like humans, kittens have an easier time feeling comfortable trying something new if they’ve got a friend to do it with them.
- Bonded Pair Adoption – It’s easier to adopt a bonded pair than it is to introduce a new cat later. Adopting a dynamic duo ensures that you’ll have a harmonious home for years to come!
Adopting in pairs also has a positive impact on animal rescue groups like the Humane Society of Loudoun County. By adopting two animals, you free up two slots in a foster home or shelter which allows the rescue to save two more lives.
Bonded Pairs
A bonded pair contains two cats that have a special relationship. While kittens often are bonded early in life with siblings, close relationships between cats can occur at any age. This is due to their natural instinct as social animals to form a pack. These bonds often develop between mother and offspring and even individuals with no familial relationship (true best friends!)
Once a bonded pair is observed, caretakers preserve the relationship by housing the cats together and encouraging an adoption into the same home. Maintaining the bond between two cats is essential. When apart, one or both cats can become stressed, anxious, or even depressed without the other around.
Spotlight on a Purr-fect Pair: Ripley and Winston
One of our pawsome fosters, Kelly, fondly recalls her experiences fostering (and eventually adopting) mama Ripley and her son Winston. Here is what she had to say:
“Winston was always very attached to his mom and we’re so glad we didn’t separate them. They are so funny together–they roughhouse all the time and run around the house chasing each other. It keeps Ripley active as she ages. Plus, if Winston was an only cat, he would constantly be making mischief for us. Having another cat gives him an outlet for his energy. Of course, it’s also comforting to know they have each other when we’re not home. I truly think they’re happier because they always have a buddy.”
If you are interested in adopting one or more cats, visit the Humane Society of Loudoun County’s current clowder of adoptable cats here. Once you find your next family member(s), be sure to complete an application to start the adoption process.
The Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) will be at the Alamo Drafthouse at One Loudoun for CatVideoFest – the world’s #1 cat video festival! Be sure to stop by the HSLC tables for free giveaways and HSLC merch! Adoptable cats will make an ap-purr-eance from 1:30 to 3:30. Alamo will be donating a % of gross ticket sales to the Humane Society of Loudoun County!
For showtimes, visit the Alamo website.
More about CatVideoStFest: CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience, only available in theaters, and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area.
Splash into savings at Pet Supplies Plus’ SUMMER PAW-RTY, sponsored by Primal! Beat the heat and bring your furry friend for a pool party, samples, activities, and a free petwash to keep it cool!
PLUS! HSLC will be bringing adoptable animals looking for their furr-ever homes from 1 to 3pm. For a sneak peek of our available cats and dogs, please visit the Humane Society of Loudoun County website! If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, complete an application today to expedite the application process.
Come meet our adoptable animals live and in-purr-son at HSLC’s next adoption event! We’ll be at the new Pet Supplies Plus from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, June 8. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit the Humane Society of Loudoun County website!
If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, complete an application today to expedite the application process.