Fresh Start Services

27/06/2024

MISSING DOG Female, Toy Poodle X, , MA, 06/26/2024
Sadie is grey and white in color, 6 yrs/ 8 lbs, and is missing from the area of Neil Road and Sea Street near Sundae School Ice Cream

SHY! DO NOT CALL TO OR CHASE, or post sightings on social media!
Call 401-864-2126 with sightings or information.

26/06/2024

Keep your pets safe this 4th of July! 🎇🇺🇸

Join us this Friday at our Dennis location for another Pet Talk Summer Series with Lauren. She will provide valuable tips and tricks for keeping your pets safe and calm during the chaos and loud fireworks of the upcoming holiday. See you soon! 🐾

26/06/2024

Now is the time to talk to your veterinarian about calming methods and medications for your pets. Medication is NOT the tool of Satan, I promise. Yes, your pet may be drowsy, they may sleep more with it on board.

Is…is that not preferable to them quivering in terror for hours? Having seen that terror firsthand I can assure you that being drowsy is far better.

Call the vet 🫶🏻

26/06/2024

24/06/2024

It isn't worth leaving them in the car for a few minutes!

24/06/2024

Missing!

20/06/2024

😂😂😂

19/06/2024

A picture is worth a thousand words...image credit International Canine Behaviorists

18/06/2024

Heat emergency declared as heat wave looms!!
The next several days are not going to be hospitable to your 4-legged friend.
Minimize outdoor time, avoid asphalt, offer plenty of fresh water, and remember, leaving your dog in your car for any length of time can be DEADLY!! Leave your dog at home with the air conditioning on.

18/06/2024

UPDATE UPDATE: MASS 911 STATEWIDE SYSTEM RESTORED AT 4:18PM. Save this list of numbers for your resources./END UPDATE. MASS State-wide 911 System Outage. For emergencies, call your local police or fire department. Numbers below. Share as appropriate.

17/06/2024

The National Weather Service is forecasting a multi-day period of dangerous heat and humidity this week.

If you’re going to be in and out of your car running errands, PLEASE leave your dog home!

Believe it or not, leaving the windows partially open is NOT enough.

Parking in the shade WON’T keep the car cool enough either.

Dogs feel heat differently than humans do. They sweat differently too. Dogs sweat by panting and by sweating from their paws. However, a dog trapped in a hot car cannot effectively rid its body of enough of the heat by panting and sweating — simply because there’s not enough cool, fresh air to replace the heated, stale air.

Therefore, a dog breathing in warm/hot air for too long will suffer heatstroke …and could die.

If you see this activity, please call us immediately BUT know the law!

In Massachusetts, it is law that residents can take swift action when they see a pet stranded in a hot car. BUT there are protocols that must be followed to protect you from civil or criminal liability, you must of course: FIRST try to find the owner, SECOND make a call to authorities, and stay on the scene. After that and if a true emergency beckons, the law wants you save that pet from an overheated vehicle.

AGAIN you must..

First notify law enforcement or call 911

Determine the vehicle is locked "or there is no other reasonable means for exit

Have a firm belief that entry into the vehicle "is reasonably necessary” to prevent imminent danger or harm to the animal. You can’t just break a window!

17/06/2024

Walk times will be adjusted accordingly to accommodate pups during the hot days ❤️

With temperatures soaring over the next few days, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is reminding pet owners to take steps to keep pets safe as we experience the summer-like conditions.

Keep your pet safe and healthy by following these important basic guidelines:

🐾 Prevention is always your best bet. Whenever possible, leave your pet at home in a cool, low-humidity, and temperature-regulated room.

🐾 If your pet must be outdoors, find a shady spot with ample air flow to prevent overheating.

🐾 Hydration is key, so keep a bowl of cold water accessible at all times.

🐾 Limit exercise to the morning or evening hours when temperatures are at their coolest. Aside from the heat, the high humidity can cause respiratory issues for animals, particularly short-snouted animals (i.e. pugs).

🐾 When the temperatures rise, it’s Too Hot for Spot®! Never leave your pet alone in a parked car -- even with the air conditioner on or the windows cracked.

It is illegal in Massachusetts to keep an animal confined in a vehicle during extreme hot or cold conditions, and when a weather advisory is issued, it is also illegal to keep dogs tethered for longer than five hours in a 24-hour period. Dogs also cannot be tethered outdoors between 10 PM and 6 AM, unless for not more than 15 minutes and when the owner/keeper is present.

For more safety tips, visit https://arl.boston/THFS.
Image description: a white and brown dog drinking from a hose.

17/06/2024

14/06/2024

12/06/2024

Missing pup!

10/06/2024

Preparation for Pets and July 4th! Now is the time to start preparing and be sure you have all things you need to make your pet comfortable during fireworks.

~If your pet has anxiety or sensitivity to noise-call your Vet NOW so they are ready come July
~Order that Thundershirt
~Be sure all ID tags are up to date and legible OR get an ID tag if you do not have one
~Update microchip information or schedule an appointment to get your pet microchipped
~Restock your natural calming remedies
~Check your fencing and fix any broken areas (this should be done regularly as fencing can break or come down anytime)
~Be sure your ambient noise devices are working and ready to go-fans, AC, television, radio or noise machine.

Now is also a great time to start building confidence, better association with the noise of fireworks and desensitizing. Play Youtube videos of fireworks SOFTLY and reward your pet while listening, engaging with positive fun things. Give them yummy treats and work your way to being able to play while listening and also giving treats periodically. Over time you can increase the volume, but be sure to reward when you increase. This may be too much for some dogs, so be sure to pay attention to your dogs body language and do not overwhelm them.

06/06/2024

This Saturday , we are coming to Orleans!! Come see us 10-1.
No early birds and no late comers!
Mark your calendars for this one time , let’s see how it goes event!!

Orleans Police Department
Wellfleet Police Department
Truro Police Department
Provincetown Police Department
Eastham Animal Control
Chatham Pet Pantry
Chatham Dog Club
Chatham Police Department

05/06/2024

💯

ESSENTIAL ENRICHMENT

Imagine being kept in the same space each and every day. You know every blade of grass, every scent, every brick, every piece of fence. You have no books to read, no TV to watch, no one to talk to, no interaction with the outside world and absolutely nothing to do.

Would this situation begin to affect your behaviour and influence your emotional, mental or physical state? What about our dogs?

Many dogs live in this type of environment and yet we wonder why they develop behaviour problems, bark excessively, destroy the garden, become over excited, over aroused or maybe just shut down or sleep all day having completely lost interest in the world.

Many behaviour problems are caused by boredom, a lack of mental and physical stimulation or being confined to the same space every day.

Providing enrichment for dogs is so important for their wellbeing and really doesn’t require that much effort from us.

There are so many simple ways to provide enrichment. An online search for DIY enrichment ideas will provide lots of ideas.

Older dogs may enjoy a ride in the car, sitting at a window watching the world go by, bringing the outside in – sticks, cones, grass etc. from different areas placed in a box for them to rummage through and smell, dinner in the park, or even just playing some doggie music will make a difference.

“Chronic inescapable boredom can be extremely aversive, and under-stimulation can harm neural, cognitive and behavioral flexibility.” - A biological perspective on animal boredom and suggestions for its scientific investigation by Charlotte Burn - The Royal Veterinary College

Here are some links for enrichment ideas -
Enrichment ideas by Laura Gendron
https://missbehaviortraining.com/blog/diyenrichment

DIY boredom busting toys by Luke Balsam
https://wunderdogmagazine.com/care/awesome-diy-dog-toys-our-dog-trainer-made-some-boredom-busting-toys-and-you-can-too/

Link to a free introduction on ACE free work by Sarah Fisher -
https://animalcentrededucation.teachable.com/p/watch-this-space

03/06/2024

This Thursday!

Lost Dog Prevention, Recovery & New Rescue Etiquette!! This is our next Talk in our ACO Series which will be held at the Harwich Community Center on Thursday, June 6th at 5:30pm!

This is a FREE educational talk and a great one for all.

No one ever thinks their dog will go missing and most families end up in a panic when it happens. Come learn all about when a dog goes missing and what to do. We will have some of our amazing Missing Dogs of Massachusetts volunteers there as well.

We will be discussing bringing a new rescue into the home, what to expect and how to work with a new rescue especially those with fear and anxiety.

We will have a a few fabulous giveaways as well!!

01/06/2024

Happy June from our Independence House staff and family pets! It's Pet Preparedness Month! Our June newsletter has an important article about leaving abusive relationships when pets are involved. If you don't receive our news , read it and sign up here..JUNE NEWS: pets, festival legislation & more https://conta.cc/3V6D8k4 .

30/05/2024

These are phenomenal events - attend if you can!

Lost Dog Prevention, Recovery & New Rescue Etiquette!! This is our next Talk in our ACO Series which will be held at the Harwich Community Center on Thursday, June 6th at 5:30pm!

This is a FREE educational talk and a great one for all.

No one ever thinks their dog will go missing and most families end up in a panic when it happens. Come learn all about when a dog goes missing and what to do. We will have some of our amazing Missing Dogs of Massachusetts volunteers there as well.

We will be discussing bringing a new rescue into the home, what to expect and how to work with a new rescue especially those with fear and anxiety.

We will have a a few fabulous giveaways as well!!

29/05/2024

28/05/2024

This poor box turtle took an unexpected dip this Memorial Day, and it almost cost him big time!

A passing boater spotted him bobbing on the waves in Onset harbor and fished him out. From there Wareham Department of Natural Resources kindly gave him a lift to our hospital. Thankfully other than being a little salty about the whole incident, he was unharmed. We re-hydrated him (with fresh water) and will keep him for observation for a few days while we sort out where he originated from.

This normally terrestrial species rarely enters the water, and certainly does not make a habit of swimming in the ocean. We are unsure if someone got confused and “released” him to the water, or if he was swept out by an incoming tide. We confront this situation at least once a summer. People call us to share they have helped a turtle back to the water (which is awesome), but when they describe the turtle we have to send them running to retrieve a land-lubbing box turtle from the pond.

We thought we’d share this rhyme we came up with to help folks remember which turtles live on land full-time and which ones are ok to be in water. “Domed shell, land is swell. Sleek and low, to the water I go!” 🐢

We hope you all had a shell-of-a holiday weekend. If your out there on the roads keep an eye out for our reptilian friends who are out and about laying eggs this time of year!

!

28/05/2024

😭

26/05/2024

📅 Mark your calendars! Join us on Tuesday, June 11th, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a special Appraisal Day hosted by Eldred's Auction Gallery specialists. Best of all, proceeds will benefit the Sampson Fund for Veterinary Care! 🐾 We couldn't be more excited about this fantastic event and the opportunity!

https://loom.ly/Z0vztk8