Archive for January, 2011

Adopting From an Animal Shelter



Animal shelters are your best source when looking for a pet. Not only do they have a great selection of adult animals for adoption, but they also have kittens and puppies, even purebred animals. On average, purebreds account for about 25 to 30 percent of a shelter’s dog population.
Many pets at your local shelter are waiting for new homes because they were obtained by someone with unrealistic expectations of the time, effort, and money required to sustain a lifelong relationship with their pet. National figures indicate that about half of the animals in shelters must be euthanized for lack of homes. Animals at your local shelter are eager to find a new home and are just waiting for someone like you.

You can depend on responsible shelters to assess the animals’ health and temperament in order to make the best adoption matches possible. When animals are relinquished by owners, the shelter staff makes every attempt to collect a thorough history of that pet. Then, while caring for animals, staff and volunteers try to learn as much as they can about these animals as well as those who come to the shelter as strays.

Don’t be discouraged if, when you first visit the shelter, there are no animals of the breed or type you want. Shelters receive new animals every day. Your shelter may also have a waiting list and can call you when an animal matching your preference becomes available. Before choosing your pet, you can even speak with an adoption counselor about whether your choice of a particular type or breed will be best for you.

In an effort to make good matches between people and animals and to place pets in lifelong homes, many shelters provide adoption counseling and follow-up assistance, such as pet parenting and dog-training classes, medical services, and behavior counseling. Or they may be able to refer you to providers of these services.

Another advantage is that shelter adoption fees are usually much less than an animal’s purchase price at a pet store or breeder. And your new pet is more likely to be vaccinated, dewormed, and spayed or neutered. To locate your local animal shelter, check the Yellow Pages under “animal shelter,” “animal control,” or “humane society.”

Many shelters have websites on which they display the animals they have available for adoption. Some sites allow you to download adoption forms and read about responsible pet care. A growing number of shelters also promote their web sites, and the animals they have for adoption,

Tips For Yellowstone National Park Travelers



Yellowstone National Park is one of the best reasons for living in and visiting the United States. The vast natural forest is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and it’s been preserved so well that pleasant and exciting surprises await the adventurous visitor. If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone soon, here are some travel tips you can use for your safety and security:

Be aware of prevailing conditions but be ready for anything Yellowstone is like a whole different world in itself. Conditions vary here, changing easily from calm to stormy within just 24 hours. When traveling to Yellowstone, always check weather conditions in the area and use precautions to ensure your safety for the trip.

Practice defensive driving. The area going to and within Yellowstone is often used by both humans and animals. Be especially aware of distracted drivers, animal crossing and other related incidents. These will result to travel delays, so be very patient.

Bring all necessary gear and supplies When traveling to Yellowstone, bring all the basics with you in terms of food, water, clothing and survival gear. Having sufficient supply of clean water is essential since water from the park itself is not guaranteed safe. Drinking water from streams, lakes, ponds or creeks that have not been boiled or treated could put you at risk of intestinal infestations and infections.

Even water from thermal pools isn’t safe for consumption. They have been known to cause serious burns in numerous visitors over the years.

As for equipment, think of worst-case scenarios. Bring a tent, weather-resistant clothing and other survival equipment such as lighters, all-purpose knives, flashlights, first aid kits, etc. to ensure your personal safety and protection.

Take care of your trash Food, food scraps, containers, tissues and other materials that end up in your trash should be disposed of properly. During travel to Yellowstone, be aware that the trash you leave behind could have a negative impact not just on the environment but also on the animal residents of the area.

Think safety, regardless of where you are When entering Yellowstone, know that you are at the mercy of Nature. Your only defense is correct information and common sense. When traveling to Yellowstone or participating in the numerous activities available there, be aware of animal activity. Bears, for example, are just a few of the natural threats that you have to watch out for. When driving, walking, hiking or camping, be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for signs of animal activity that might expose you to danger unnecessarily.

Follow regulations Yellowstone maintains a strict system for its camps and backcountry areas. Be aware of all regulations that are in place not just to ensure you don’t violate any rules but also for your own personal safety.

Certain activities also require permits. Camping, for example, is allowed only in certain designated areas. Permits for overnight stays have to be obtained personally in advance, so check with the administrative office for information.

Enjoy yourself Yellowstone is too beautiful to ignore. When traveling, bring a camera to capture the scenic routes and spectacular views. As long as you keep safety and security measures in mind, you can be assured of a very enjoyable trip to Yellowstone again and again.