Cats are estimated to be three times more popular than dogs as pets worldwide. In the United States, there are more pet cats than pet dogs, even though more households own at least one dog. As of 2012, there were about 74 million cats and 70 million dogs kept as pets in the US, while…
Many people believe that dogs and cats are mortal enemies, as the common phrase “fight like cats and dogs” points out. The truth, however, is that these animals can learn to live together in harmony, given the right conditions. In fact, a cat and a dog can sometimes get along better than two cats or…
Dog foster homes are a unique idea that eases the burden on shelters, and also may exist in programs that train guide or assistance dogs. Like foster homes for children, dog foster homes are a means of temporarily sheltering dogs until a permanent home can be found for them. A dog or cat might be…
Prison dog training programs are programs which bring dogs into prisons so that prisoners can train them. These programs have a number of important functions, from training dogs so that they are suitable for adoption to providing prisoners with therapeutic experiences, and they have become quite popular in some regions of the world. A typical…
A dog birthday party is quite simply a birthday party or celebration for a dog. In a society where our furry friends are frequently honored, it’s not that uncommon for people to throw a dog birthday party for Fido or Spot to celebrate the contribution that pets make to their lives. If you’d like to…
Dog boarding is a service offered by some veterinarians and pet boarding kennels, allowing owners to drop their dogs off for a set amount of time in exchange for a fee. While boarding, dogs are fed, walked, and cared for by kennel staff, who are responsible for keeping the dogs healthy and happy. Some boarding…
For pet owners, there’s rarely a more frightening experience than discovering a pet missing. In the case of a lost dog, there’s often a frantic search throughout the house or yard, followed by a few dozen anxious phone calls to neighbors and local animal shelters. After that, the search turns to a slow drive through…
Most areas require people with dogs to get a license, for the safety of the dog population and so that statistics on the area’s dog population can be kept. As a general rule, dog licenses are required for all dogs over four months of age, and you have two weeks after getting a new dog…
Before buying a dog, it’s a good idea for prospective owners to evaluate the costs — both financial and time. To be a responsible owner of a pet, you really need to decide if you are prepared to meet these costs. Even if you’re offered a free puppy, owning a dog is not free. When…
While most are used to expecting antipathy or acrimony from cats and dogs, some animals defy expectations and get along with uncommon fraternity. A cat can certainly befriend a dog, or vice versa, but much depends upon each animal’s personality. One has to take into consideration how likely one’s dog will respond with friendship to…