PAWSITIVELY PURRFECT PET SITTING

04/07/2025

Lost Dog After the Fireworks? Don’t Panic—Here’s What to Do

If your pup bolted during the July 4th celebrations, take action right away. These steps can help bring them home:

✅ Start by searching your yard and neighborhood. Look under cars, in garages, sheds, and any quiet hiding spots. Call your dog’s name and use words they know—like “Treat!” or “Wanna go for a ride?”
✅ Leave out food, water, and a crate or bed near your home. Many dogs return when things quiet down.
✅ If your dog has a canine buddy at home, bring them along on your search. Familiar scents and sounds can help draw your dog out.
✅ Make a yard sign with a photo of your dog and your phone number—place it where people walking or driving by can easily see it. Post Lost Dog signs on community boards.
✅ Lay out worn clothing or used bed sheets in a wagon wheel pattern around your home. Your house is the hub, and the scent trails act like spokes to guide your dog back.
✅ Contact Marion County Dog Services at 503-566-6988 or visit mcdogs.net to file a lost dog report. You can also see which dogs are currently at the shelter. Please note: this number will not be monitored or answered on July 4th, but you can leave a message and our team will get back to you on July 5th when we are back in the office.
✅ Post your lost dog info and photo on social media. Try , and don’t forget neighborhood apps like NextDoor or Ring’s Neighbors app.

Don’t wait! If your dog is taken to Marion County Dog Services, he will be placed on a 3-5-day stray hold. If he is not claimed during that time, he can be placed up for adoption or transferred to a rescue agency. Begin your search immediately!

Be patient and persistent. Many dogs are found after a day or more—don’t give up!

12/06/2025

Male cats who are neutered are less likely to fight and defend their territories.

Diseases are less likely to be spread, and fewer injuries will happen because they aren’t fighting, which leads to much happier and healthier male cats.

Make sure all male cats are so they aren't beat up, injured, & suffering.

✅️ Find low-cost spay neuter resources in our LinkTree account:
https://linktr.ee/friendsofferalfelines

T-shirt Design: https://catman.bigcartel.com/product/balllessandflawless-t-shirt-tittybats-x-cat-man

20/05/2025

RESEARCH REQUIRED!

Choosing a dog just because of the way they look.

We wouldn’t choose a partner or make a commitment to sharing our lives with someone based purely on the way they look – (I suppose there could be exceptions in some cases!)

We would first really get to know them, what kind of personality they have and who they really are before making that sort of commitment.

Yet people continue to choose dogs just because of the way they look.

Maybe they saw a dog like that in a movie that they enjoyed or maybe they just really like the way they look, without having any understanding or thought to learn about what that particular breed was selectively bred to do and what behaviour might be expected.

The way a dog behaves is not always specific to the breed. Dogs are individuals, with their own unique personality and their behaviour is shaped not only by genetics, but by specific life and learning experiences and environment, but problems can happen when the traits of that breed and their specific needs are not taken into account.

Some breeds may just simply not be compatible with a particular person or family’s needs, lifestyle, environment or expectations.

Is it fair or ethical to need to suppress, train out or even punish breed specific tendencies, calling them behaviour problems, when we hold a dog in a captive environment that is unsuitable for them.

First research the breed and learn all you can about potential traits and what to expect before making that choice.

20/05/2025

BORN THIS WAY?
Why is a dog the way they are? Are they just born this way?

Genetics certainly play a part, but genetics are not always a reliable predicter of behaviour.

Genetics can provide us with insight as to what could be expected, but it’s so much more than just that.

Genetics, environment, life experiences and individuality all play a role in shaping a dog’s behaviour.

Just like us, dogs are unique individuals, each with their own personalities, emotions, likes and dislikes, sociability, preferences or different health issues. These often change throughout life.

Just as we learn and change through our life experiences, so do dogs. Negative or positive experiences, trauma, stress, learned habits, training methods, trust, feeling safe and secure, predictability and stability are all part of how these type of experiences affect behaviour.

Many dogs live in environments that are not compatible with what they were selectively bred to do.

People bred dogs to do certain jobs like guarding, herding, hunting, pointing, scenting, tracking or companionship. When dogs that were bred for specific jobs, find themselves “unemployed” and have no outlet for what they were originally bred to do, this often leads to pent up frustration and behaviour problems.

Conflict between the environment and a dog’s genetics are an increasingly common reason for behaviour problems.

Yes, a dog may have just been “born this way”, but always look at the whole picture to understand the why of behaviour.

Genetics, environment, individuality and experiences – they all matter.

20/05/2025

Shared post♥️- What an excellent example of kids doing grief right. Kudos to this family!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1743846213153673

20/05/2025

Was stoked to get a great deal!
I try and support local business, but lately it's been Chewy for the win.

21/01/2025

Have you seen our latest Infographic with the data from our Pet Suffocation Survey? 🐶🐱

Do you want to know what types of food bags pets suffocate in the most?

Do you want to know where pets found most food bags?

Do you want to know what to do to help protect your pets from pet suffocation?

Share this Infographic with friends, family, pet sitters, pet groups, and veterinary staff, etc. to help spread awareness and prevent pet suffocation! You can also print it off from the Infographics page on our website. Spreading awareness is our best defense against pet suffocation!
www.preventpetsuffocation.com

01/01/2025

Please, no fireworks!

01/11/2024

01/11/2024

🎃Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pup by Dr. Loudon🦇

Halloween can be fun, but it’s important to keep our dogs safe during the festivities! Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

👻 Keep Candy Out of Reach – Chocolate, xylitol, and candy wrappers can be toxic to dogs.

🎃 Watch Those Decorations – Keep candles, glow sticks, and small decorations away from curious noses and paws.

🧙‍♀️ Costume Comfort is Key – If your dog isn’t used to costumes, make sure they feel comfortable and can move freely. No pressure to dress them up if it stresses them out!

🍬 Limit Door Time – With the doorbell ringing all night, create a quiet space for your dog to relax and avoid potential escape risks.

Stay safe and enjoy a spooky and dog-friendly Halloween! 👇Share your pet’s cute costume or cozy setup with us in the comments!

08/09/2024

This is awesome!!

27/08/2024