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How to Choose a Professional Dog Trainer You’re Comfortable With

Posted on January 24, 2018December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

*By Stephanie Du Preez, Great Dog Rescue*

The start of a new year can mean a fresh slate and a chance to improve the relationship you have with your dog. One great way to do this is by signing your dog up for professional training. If you’ve ever sought professional training for your dog in the past, you may have experienced conflicting perspectives between trainers. It can be overwhelming. Most importantly, know that not all training methods work for all dogs, so it’s important to find a training program that both you and your dog are comfortable with. What works for your friend and their dog might not be the right program for your situation.
With that being said, there are some things that every pet parent should research when choosing a dog trainer. Follow these tips to prioritize your dog’s safety and set you up for the best chance of success with dog training:

Listen to Your Gut

It’s often best to find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement and emphasizes communication between you and your dog, nurturing ways in which you and your dog can read one another better.

Since dog training is an unregulated industry, when searching for a trainer, it is important to keep in mind that you are your dog’s advocate. If anything makes you uncomfortable, speak up, say no, or step out. It’s okay to walk out of a class for any reason, if an instructor is asking you to do something you are not comfortable with, wants you to use potentially harmful equipment or is degrading to you or your dog.

As the Behavior Consultant at Great Dog Rescue New England, I often get asked how to find a good trainer─ one who uses the most up-to-date methods. This can be tricky; it is up to us to do our due diligence in selecting who we work with, and how we want to treat our dogs. No one ever goes into training with hurting their dogs as a goal, but putting our trust in the wrong people can inadvertently do so. You can turn to friends, family and your veterinarian for a referral, but you’ll still need to do your own research.

Practicing “paw” command.

Do Your Research

So, what should you be looking for?

Certifications:

CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed)
CPDT-KSA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge & Skills Assessed)
CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed)
KPA (Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional Program)

Terminology

Positive Reinforcement
Relationship Based
Clicker Training/Reward Marker

Organizations they belong to:

Pet Professional Guild- The Pet Professional Guild is a membership organization representing pet industry professionals who are committed to results based, science based force-free training and pet care
IAABC- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Equipment:

You’ll find that some trainers only use flat or martingale collars and harnesses, while others may incorporate electronic collars or prong collars into their programs. You need to decide which equipment you’re comfortable with and which equipment you’d rather not use. Equipment alone will not bring dog training success. The key is to develop a positive relationship with your dog through training, and the equipment just supplements this relationship, serving as a tool to communicate more clearly with your dog. Without improving the bond you have with your dog, equipment is not so useful.

Detail:

Do they require you fill out an application/behavior questionnaire?
Do they have a liability form/insurance?
Do they offer a written behavior plan after one-on-one lessons?
Will they share contact information of prior clients they’ve worked with so you can get a referral?

Working on the “come” command.

Tips for Finding Potential Trainers

Many local Shelters and Rescues have excellent, modern, relationship-based training classes.
Your local branch of the SPCA is a good place to start when searching for a trainer.
Ask your veterinarian
Ask your family, friends and neighbors for recommendations

If you are looking for specific behavioral training for a problem behavior, the same rules as above apply, but you may also want to get a referral for a Veterinary Behaviorist. These are veterinarians who specialize in behavior. They can write out a behavior plan for you, prescribe medication if needed and set you up with a local trainer to help you follow through. Many trainers may also be able to help you with behavior problems and modification, but again, make sure they are experienced enough to be doing so, and handle the dogs and the behavior in a way you are comfortable with, and that won’t potentially harm your dog or make the problem worse.

We all love and want to help our dogs, while being able to live with them in a way that fits our lifestyle. Our dogs are always there for us, they love us unconditionally, and we owe it to them to slow down, breathe, educate ourselves and make sure we are doing the best for them we can.

Steph Du Preez is an Adoptions, Behavior, Returns and Local Intake Volunteer at GDRNE as well as, BS, CPDT-KA of Great Dog Rescue NE and Ohh, Sit! Pet Services.

Why Does My Cat Do That? Decoding Common Cat Behaviors

Posted on January 19, 2018December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

Most cats are beloved furry members of the family but even though they are adored, they can also leave the human members of the family frustrated and confused by behaviors that don’t seem to make sense. What we label as misbehavior or random behavior is just miscommunication between the cat and human. All behaviors make sense to the cat! Let’s decode a few commonly misunderstood behaviors.

Why Does My Cat Like to Hide?

Cats need hiding places.

If your cat likes to hide, it isn’t because he doesn’t like you. If you’ve been trying to get your cat to be more sociable by dragging him out from under the bed, it’s only going to backfire. Being able to have hiding places provides security and allows the cat to feel invisible. If the hiding place gives the cat the opportunity to have his back up against something it also provides extra safety because he’ll feel that no one can sneak up on him from behind. If you set up comfy hiding places such as cave-type beds or boxes turned on their sides, you’ll give your cat a chance to remain hidden while still being in the room with you. As he feels more comfortable and has the choice of whether to engage or not, you may find him spending more time out in the open.

Is My Cat Asking for a Belly Rub When She Rolls onto Her Back?

Relaxed cat exposing that hard-to-resist, soft tummy.

You’re probably familiar with the image of a dog rolling over on her back for a good belly rub. What does it mean when your cat exposes her belly and looks as if she wants the same thing? If you’ve obliged in the past, chances are your hand was met with claws and teeth. Is it a trap? What is she telling you by this confusing behavior? In a secure, relaxed environment, a cat may stretch out on her back to sleep or enjoy a sun bath. It’s a sign she feels completely trusting about being in a vulnerable position. Don’t mistake this posture for an invitation to rub her belly because it will likely result in her grabbing your hand. Touching the bellies of most cats triggers this reflex behavior. The reflex is based on the fact that when threatened, a cat may take a defensive posture of rolling over to let an opponent know that she doesn’t want to engage in battle but if pursued, she will engage all weapons – teeth and claws.

Why Does My Cat Knock Things Off Tables?

Cats often love to explore objects on tables.

Many people may describe this behavior as cats just being jerks or deliberately knocking things over to be annoying. For cats, this behavior makes perfect sense and certainly isn’t motivated by a desire to annoy. Cats use their paws to investigate. It’s safest for a cat to explore an object with his paw before he puts his face close to it. Cats will also touch objects to test for potential movement during play, especially if they’re bored. Certain objects that fall to the ground and roll may spark play behavior. Cats may also knock things off the table as an attention-seeking behavior. This behavior gets repeated when it gets a response from you. The perfect example is if your cat knocks something off your nightstand by the bed in the early morning hours. If you get up and put food in the bowl to quiet him you’ve just taught him that this attention-seeking behavior was a success.

Why Does My Cat Scratch the Furniture?

The ability to scratch is a natural and important part of cat life.

Furniture scratching isn’t done just to sharpen claws and it certainly isn’t done to be destructive. So why does your cat choose the sofa instead of the scratching post? Typically, cats look for objects that are tall, sturdy and covered in a claw-appealing material. Objects also need to be located where the cat likes to scratch. Many scratching posts are too short, covered in a soft material and not very sturdy. To understand what a cat needs, you must understand why they scratch. First, it removes the outer dead nail sheath to expose the new growth. Scratching is also a marking behavior. In addition to leaving a visual mark, it leaves a scent mark from scent glands in the paw pads. Scratching is also how a cat stretches her back and shoulder muscles. Last, but not least, it’s an emotional release. These are all much needed functions in daily cat life. If you’ve tried to convince your cat not to scratch, you’ll only frustrate her. Cats need to scratch. Provide a tall, sturdy post and place it where your cat is currently scratching. Sisal-covered posts are often most appealing to cats. If you give your cat a better option than the sofa, she’ll use it.

Why Isn’t My Cat Affectionate?

Cats show affection in many different ways.

Actually, cats are affectionate, but we often expect them to show it in the same way as dogs. You may be missing signs of affection from your cat. A common sign of affection is when a cat rubs his cheek against you. If you thought that behavior was just marking, you’re missing the good part. It’s associated with affection, friendliness and familiarity. Another sign of affection is head bunting. This is where your cat touches or butts his forehead up against you. Kneading is another affectionate behavior. It’s a throwback to kittenhood where kittens would milk tread with front paws to stimulate the mother’s release of milk. Many adult cats engage in the behavior on soft surfaces (such as our laps) when feeling content and happy. There are many other affectionate signs from your cat as well, such as an upright tail flick when greeting you, displaying a vulnerable posture, slow eye blinks (also known as cat kisses), touching you with a paw or sitting close by. Your cat may even lick you or “groom” you, known as allogrooming, which is a clear sign of affection as well. This is how the cat mixes his scent with yours. And of course there’s always the magical, mystical purr! Although purring is complex and can be displayed in a variety of situations, chances are, the cat that’s curled up next to you is purring out of love and affection.

What Else Can I Do to Understand my Cat?

Learn to Think Like a Cat

Decoding a cat’s behavior is easier than you realize if you take the time to look at the environment from their point of view. Rest-assured that every behavior, no matter how puzzling it may seem, always makes sense to the cat.

Keep an eye on our blog for future articles and tips on how to better understand your feline friends! You can also sign up for our newsletter to receive insider content and savings!

How a Therapy Dog Spreads Holiday Cheer

Posted on December 18, 2017December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

Hey everybody, Kono here!

I am a 2-year-old Golden Retriever who lives in Orlando, Florida. My curiously confident and affectionate nature helps me to be a great Therapy Dog, spreading love and happiness to everyone I visit. And that is just what I love to do this holiday season!

The holidays can be a difficult time for many humans, but Therapy Dog visits (or “Animal-Assisted Therapy”) can offer numerous and significant physical and mental health benefits for patients and residents in various settings.

Here I am with a new friend at an assisted care facility.

For example, interaction with a gentle pet has been found to release hormones (i.e. serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin – all hormones that have important roles in boosting moods) that provide an automatic relaxation response in the body. This positive response offers a plethora of physical and mental health benefits such as:

Mental Health:

lowers anxiety
provides comfort
decreases loneliness
lessens depression
reduces boredom
increases mental acuity
provides a happy distraction or “escape”

Physical Health:

lowers blood pressure
improves cardiovascular health
provides a calming effect
diminishes pain
slows down respiratory rate in anxious individuals

With my fluffy powers in tow, I strut into nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities; watching every room I enter light up with smiles at the first sight of me. Sometimes, I even go on Therapy visits with my brother Jack, who’s also a Therapy Dog!

Here I am getting ready to visit kids at the Florida Hospital for Children.

Depending on the environment, I typically do a combination of visiting people in common areas as well as private rooms. I spread love to patients and residents in the nursing homes and hospitals and their friends and family. Having a loved one in the hospital can be taxing. While the patients and residents are usually my main focus on visits, there are other people in the room in need of my healing paws.

Here I am at an assisted care facility spreading joy to one of the residents.

When my parents and I enter a room, they introduce us and walk towards the patient or resident. Sometimes they are in the bed, other times in a chair or wheel chair. I do not immediately go up to every person we visit, as some people want me to visit them, but maybe not come too close, or do not wish to pet me. Even my presence can bring relaxation and a happy distraction.

Most of the time, humans can’t wait to pet me! When we get the okay, I’m given my “Go Say Hi!” command; this means I have permission to approach the person. I calmly walk towards them–my wagging tail at work–showing everyone in the room just how important this job is to me. If there’s a request, I’m permitted to put my front paws on the bed so the patient can pet me. My command for this is “Paws Up!” which differentiates between my normal “Up” command, for jumping on something with my whole body, versus just two paws. (To keep both the patient/resident and myself safe, I do not ever put my whole 75-pound body on patient beds.)

Once I’m in the best position and settled close to them, they’ll begin to pet me, ask questions, share memories, talk to us about their families and share thoughts and feelings with my parents and I.

Everyone loves my Christmas reindeer antlers and light-up Christmas necklace I wear on visits around the holidays. Sometimes, I even show off my party tricks when we’re in common areas. I love the attention so entertaining with my fun tricks is something I’m always excited to do!

As a Therapy Dog team, my parents and I cannot forget some of the most important people that keep these facilities and health care institutions running! Many employees in the facilities are in need of a smile and are very grateful to get their spirits lifted by some time with me. Petting, hugging and cuddling me is an uplifting respite in the middle of a long shift or tough day.

Whether they’re patients, residents, friends and family or nurses, social workers and doctors I pass in the hallways I can help ground people from all walks of life, no matter their current struggles.

Here I am greeting some new friends at the Florida Hospital for Children.

My fluffy head, big golden smile and eyes brimming with unconditional love provide companionship for those who need it most. Whether it’s a few moments or an hour with me, my parents and I have seen just how powerful Therapy Dogs are in helping others open up, enabling them to find comfort, peace, and happiness in the most difficult times of their lives. There is an undeniable wave of joy that fills each room as all eyes lock on me, and ear-to-ear smiles spread like wildfire.

10 Cats in Christmas Trees, Just Because

Posted on December 18, 2017December 16, 2020 by Above1 Support

Our cats really know how to get a rise out of us during the holidays. But who can blame them? Sometimes, they need an escape from the holiday excitement, too. And when they do, they head straight for the tree.*

*Safety first! Although cats might sometimes find their way into the Christmas tree, it’s important to closely supervise your pets around your decorations. You can review our full list of Holiday Pet Safety Tips for other potential holiday threats to dogs and cats.

1.

Photo via Andrea N.

2.

Photo via “barkingb”

3.

Photo via “maurinek”

4.

Photo via “entgrty”

5.

Photo Via “lakesidens”

6.

Photo via “pdnitram”

7.

Photo via D. Young

8.

Photo via D. Nolan

9.

Photo via Katrina S.

10.

Photo via “laurene”

Let’s see how many cats love hanging out in the tree! Tag your cat in the tree via #wellnesspetfood #catinatree and post to Facebook or Instagram & we might feature your photo on our website!

15 Pets That Are All of Us This Holiday Season

Posted on December 13, 2017December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

These dogs and cats are our spirit animals this holiday season.

1. The familiar feeling of exhaustion only the holidays can bring.

Photo via Olga O.

2. When your sweater “shrinks” after all the dinner parties.

Photo via “angeleyes”

3. Combing through HomeGoods for a wreath, like:

Photos (top to bottom) via Courtney R., “jfk”, and “DHinels”

Forty-five minutes later…found the perfect one!

Photo via “vmorales”

4. When you find out your house guests are staying an extra week.

Photo via “juno”

5. No matter how hard you try to keep them untangled, the lights always end up like this:

Photo via “spittz”

6. That one friend at the holiday party…

Photo via “mwenjerr”

7. Hmm, looks like I’ll be working from home today.

Photo via Samantha B.

8. When my friends ask me what my Saturday plans are…

Photo via Anna D.

9. No such thing as going overboard on the decorations.

Photo via “beckikeighs”

10. That moment of peace amidst the bustle when you admire all your hard work.

Photo via J.L.C.

11. Like we said, all the activity of the season can make us a little sleepy.

Photo via ©aperson

12. ‘Nuff said.

Photo via “msl”

13. Too many cooks in the kitchen.

Photo via “mlhomishak”

14. Even with the stress, there’s nothing like spending some quality time with your whole crew.

Photo via ©MarloJohnson

15. And last, that feeling when it’s all over:

Photo via Penny M.

Happy Holidays! Which photos of your pets best reflect your holiday moods? Share them on our Facebook page or tag us with #wellnesspetfood and we’ll be sure to see your post!

Doggone Good Deals: Best Black Friday Finds for Pets

Posted on November 21, 2017July 26, 2021 by Above1 Support

We conducted a recent survey of pet parents across the country and found:

74% of pet parents give a gift to their dog or cat during the holidays.

As Thanksgiving approaches, are you starting to feel the pressure? We sure are. That’s why we’ve curated a list of some of the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings on sought-after pet products in all sorts of categories. Whether you and your pets are techies, looking for the latest in pet innovation, or you’re a practical pet parent looking to score savings on staple pet food or treats, we’ve got something for you.

Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food at PetValu

A long-time staple for energetic, thriving dogs, Wellness Complete Health dry dog food is complete and balanced, plus it’s loaded with antioxidants and guaranteed levels of probiotics. This Black Friday weekend, U.S. and Canada PetValu stores are offering $5.00 off large bags of Complete Health for dogs, as well as a FREE 12.5 ounce can of Wellness Complete Health wet dog food with purchase of a large bag of dry. Find out where your closest PetValu store is. Offer is valid Nov. 24-Nov. 27.

Photo via @koopthegolden

Petcube

Being able to coax your dog away from the windows from your phone while you’re stuck at work will be equally as thrilling for your pooch as it is for you. That’s because the Petcube Bites HD camera monitors and flings treats! And each Petcube Bites purchase comes with free Wellness Petite Treats so you can treat your dog to healthy, grain-free treats in delicious, festive flavors like Lamb, Apples and Cinnamon.

Petcube is offering some serious savings on both their Bites and Play models this Black Friday:

Petcube Bites

Petcube Play

Kurgo

Creators of high-quality dog gear, Kurgo’s motto is #gotogether. And they sure do make it easier to share life with your dog, whether it’s with a dog backpack for hiking on the trails or a backseat protector so you and the pooch are always road trip ready.

This holiday season, our friends at Kurgo are offering 30% off all items on Kurgo.com. Just use code CYBERWKND at checkout. Promotion lasts from 11/24-11/28.

KitNipBox

Our friends at KitNipBox have cats figured out pretty well. Not only do irresistible, grain-free Wellness Kittles regularly make an appearance in this cat-exclusive subscription box, but it’s loaded with fun, innovative kitty toys, and best of all, is shipped in the all-important cardboard box that cats will instantly claim as a new favorite hangout spot.

Here’s the famous Oreo Cat about to dig into his KitNipBox to find Wellness Kittles & more!

This Black Friday week, KitNipBox is generously offering Wellness Pet Food fans 25% off KitNipBox by using code WELLNESS25 at checkout. Offer is already live and runs through 11/27/17 at midnight.

If you have any questions regarding the offers presented, we suggest you please reach out to the brand or store directly as they will have the most up-to-date information about offer details. Please note that some of the deals mentioned do not go live until Thanksgiving (11/23) or Black Friday (11/24).

Dr. Alison Reveals Top Thanksgiving Foods That Send Pets to the Vet

Posted on November 7, 2017December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

Autumn is here and the feeling of fall is in the air. Pumpkin spice is on every menu, the air is cool, the leaves are extraordinary colors, and Thanksgiving planning has begun! I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving is one of my all-time favorite holidays. And as much as we all love the amazing Thanksgiving food and festivities, so do our pets. My dog Dory sits patiently in the kitchen all day while I prepare Thanksgiving dinner for our family waiting for me to drop a piece of turkey or offer some mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, as a small animal veterinarian, this is a common time of year when I see many emergencies from pets eating “human” food that can cause illness. So today, I would like to take a moment to discuss the typical autumn and Thanksgiving foods that are toxic for our pets, what clinical signs that you may see, and what you need to do if your pet eats these foods.

Onions, Garlic, Chives

I know…who knew? These food items are commonly used in preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Cats are actually more susceptible to the toxic effects of onions, garlic, and chives; however, dogs are also at risk. The toxicity causes a condition called hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by the bursting of red blood cells circulating through your pet’s body. Ingestion can also cause less critical side effects such as gastrointestinal irritation. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic evaluation of red blood cells.

Grapes and Raisins

Some fruits are more common for consumption during autumn months. Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure in dogs. It is best to avoid feeding grapes and raisins to dogs altogether.

Macadamia Nuts

Although not as common, many people bake cookies and desserts with macadamia nuts. Weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia are common clinical signs associated with macadamia nut ingestion in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Nuts

Nuts, including almonds, pecans, and walnuts, contain high amounts of oils and fats. Foods that are high in oils and fats can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in pets.

Milk and Dairy

Milk and cream are common ingredients in Thanksgiving foods. Please be cautious with dairy. Despite what many people believe, pets do not digest dairy products well. Dogs and cats do not have significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk. Milk and other dairy-based products cause your pet to suffer from diarrhea or other stomach upset.

Salt and Salty Snack Foods

Pretzels and potato chips are in abundance during the football season. Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium-ion poisoning in pets. Salt toxicity clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. Please avoid giving your pets foods that are high in salts such as potato chips or pretzels.

Alcohol

I know, I know, this seems obvious, right? Well you would be surprised how many times I have seen alcohol intoxication on emergency. Most cases are accidents. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. If your pet has ingested alcohol, see or contact your veterinarian immediately.

Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine

Chocolate, ice-cream, and desserts are a big part of the Thanksgiving meal, especially if you have children. Chocolate contains two ingredients that are toxic in large quantities: theobromine and caffeine. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine and caffeine; therefore, the amount and the type of chocolate your pet eats plays a role in its toxic effects. Darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of theobromine, while baking chocolate contains the highest. Clinical signs of chocolate toxicity include diarrhea or vomiting from the high-fat content in the chocolate, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, tremors, increased drinking and urination, excessive panting, irritability, increased heart rate and abnormal heart rhythm.

Raw or Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets and humans. Pets can choke on bones, or sustain injury should the bone splinter become lodged in or puncture their digestive tract.

Yeast Dough

I have seen this emergency a few times. When pets digest raw yeast dough, the dough can expand and rise in the GI tract, causing gas to accumulate. This can be painful and cause the stomach to bloat, and potentially twist, becoming a life-threatening emergency. In addition, the yeast produces ethanol as a bi-product and a dog ingesting raw dough may become drunk (see the section on alcohol above).

I hope this helps all my pet parents out there be more aware of all the possible common autumn foods that can be dangerous for your pets. There is no need for your pets to feel left out. Let them indulge on Thanksgiving! I tell all my pet parents to have your Thanksgiving treats and food easily accessible during the holiday festivities and spoil your pets rotten. I absolutely love and trust Wellness CORE and it is what feed my own dog. Wellness CORE is a balanced diet that is grain free, contains all the highest quality ingredients, added supplements (omega 3 fatty acids, and glucosamine), and higher protein for lean body mass and muscle tone. My goal is to always keep our pets safe and healthy. As much as I love seeing them walk through my animal hospital doors, I prefer to help avoid sick trips to the veterinarian, especially during Thanksgiving when you should be spending time being grateful with your closest friends, family, and of course your pets.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Originally published on Forever Freckled.

Hello everyone! My name is Alison Streit and I am Forever Freckled’s veterinarian. Being a veterinarian has been my dream job since I could barely speak. Over the past six years, I have dedicated my life to building, opening, and running an animal hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, accomplishing a life long goal of mine. It has been an amazing journey turning my passion for animals into a career. I know pets are our family and nothing brings me more joy than to help pets and their parents with wellness and healthy living. In addition to being a veterinarian, I am a wife to my amazing husband Rob, and a mommy to my greatest accomplishments and the most unbelievable joy for me, my children Luke, Leah and Hayden. Everyday I feel so lucky to have pursued my dreams to take care of animals, and become a wife and mother. I am so proud to have started Forever Freckled with my sisters and develop a platform to help people and pets on their life journeys.

See How This Party for New York Cat Lovers Raised Thousands for Pets in Need

Posted on November 6, 2017December 16, 2020 by Above1 Support

Wellness Pet Food participated as a head Paw It Forward event sponsor, donating over $1,000 of natural cat food

Over $1,000 in donated cat food and treats for KittyKind Rescue.

On October 14, 2017, the cat people were in full effect in New York City. Cat lovers far and wide convened for Paw It Forward NYC, a fundraiser for cats.

Now in its third year, the event saw over 150 guests and raised over $8,500 for this year’s benefit rescue, KittyKind. Each year, the event organizers choose a non-profit rescue and 100% of the proceeds are donated directly to the organization.

This year’s chosen shelter, KittyKind, is a local NYC no-kill, all-volunteer, rescue who also also provides NYC’s first cat café – Meow Parlour – with their adoptable cats.

guests at Paw it forwards event in new york

Cat lovers walk the red carpet at Paw It Forward NYC. Photo via @madebyroman.

Paw It Forward started as a low-key gathering to unite the human faces behind their Instagram-famous cats. Several meetups later, the idea for a fundraiser was born – something that could benefit cats while serving as a social hub for cat Instagrammers – so in the Fall of 2015, the first Paw It Forward took place. Using brand connections garnered from the organizers’ Insta-famous cats, the event featured cat-centric raffles and an open bar, and 100% of the proceeds were donated to the event’s charity of choice. In the 2015 and 2016 installments of the event, over $10,000 was raised and donated to Sean Casey Animal Rescue and Jersey Cats, respectively. In 2017 alone, over $8,500 in monetary and product donation was raised for KittyKind.

Cat lovers walk the red carpet at Paw It Forward NYC. Photo via @madebyroman.

Mainly discovered by guests via organic reach on Instagram, the event’s turnout has grown exponentially each year. Guests fly in from all over the US to meet and mingle with other Instagram cat owners, and many bring cat merch featuring their furbaby’s face on stickers and business cards even clothing! The organizers are made up of a crew of NYC-based cat ladies with strong social media presences: @_porkchopthecat, @tinaf78, @life_of_ziggy, @thatcatblog, and @rukasthecat. Collectively, they have a reach of over 500K followers across platforms and are able to secure tons of fabulous product donations that are raffled off at the event. Sponsors range from human-focused products like Kate Spade and ConAir, to beloved pet brands such as Wellness, PetMate, and MeowBox. Guests who win prizes often Instagram their cats using the products, giving brands great organic exposure.

Paw it Forward MC pulls a winning raffle ticket. Photo via @madebyroman.

A lucky raffle basket winner celebrates her new cat goodies. Photo via @madebyroman.

This year, Wellness contributed the largest product donation ever – over $1,000 worth of Wellness product went directly to KittyKind.

Aside from the satisfaction of donating to a rescue each year, the best part about Paw It Forward is the chance to meet virtual cat-loving friends from across the US. Paw It Forward NYC hopes to continue the tradition in 2018 and beyond with even bigger events! If you are a cat lover and wish to get involved, please email pawitforwardnyc@gmail.com or submit an inquiry through the website, www.pawitforward.nyc. 2018’s event will be scheduled for Fall, date to be announced – “like” our Facebook page for updates. Hope to see you there!

Wellness Employee Diary: Adopting a Dog with a Baby at Home

Posted on November 6, 2017December 16, 2020 by Above1 Support

I’ll start with a confession: I’m embarrassed to say that even though I have spent my entire career in pet food, I have never had a dog or cat.

In contrast, my wife, Rachael always had pets—cats, dogs, a bird, and a turtle—until she met me. As long as I can remember I wanted a dog, but for one reason (excuse) or another the time was not right. Between our jobs and satisfying our wanderlust, we didn’t feel it would be fair to be kenneling a dog all the time. Fast forward three years and one baby later, we decided there was no time like present.

We knew we wanted our kids to grow up with a dog, but that also meant we needed to find a baby friendly dog. After searching through what felt like hundreds of PetFinder profiles, we came across Moana, a beautiful 3 year old lab hound mix.

Moana, an adorable lab, hound mix pup.

We wanted to rescue, but felt the need to meet the dog with our son before committing. Since the number of adoptable baby friendly dogs in the Boston area was limited, it took some time to find Moana. When we met her through Great Dog Rescue New England, Moana was so gentle with our 8 month old son. Even when he tugged her ear, pulled her tail, or used her as a walker she stayed unflappable.

Moana making best friends with her new brother.

We knew we had met the dog for us, and after wrapping up the formalities and picking up supplies—like some CORE food and WHIMZEES treats—we were going to have a new family member!

On October 11th Moana joined our family and has fulfilled a lifetime wish.

I was nervous and anxious that first night, especially because once I got home Rachael was leaving me alone with both Moana and our son! Thankfully Moana adjusted well to our house, and while it’s not been all sunshine and rainbows it has been easier and more fun than expected!

Robert’s son helping get Moana her dinner, Wellness CORE!

Moana fit right in to our busy lives. She’s loved going hiking, playing outside, and snuggling on the couch at the end of a long day. She particularly has connected with our son. She guards the stroller on walks and is our son’s personal jungle gym. Whenever he sees her—especially after a nap—he gives the biggest smile. Our son adores his doggy and loves it when she tries to give him kisses.

Moana taking a walk with her brother.

Q. How did you prepare your home to welcome the dog with your baby?

Since Moana was already house trained and seemed to behave well it didn’t take much preparation Just to be safe we picked up some shoes and toys to reduce any temptation. We set up her crate, dog bed, and water bowl. Our first day together she picked her spot on the couch, and we realized that we needed to set-up a baby gate on the stairs for both her and our son.

Moana loves snuggling with us on the couch!

Q. What advice would you give to a new parent(s) interested in welcoming a dog into the home?

Meet the dog first with your baby, but if you’re waiting, don’t. Just do it. There are so many dogs that need a home and the more we wait the more there are. It’s not as hard as we were anticipating. In some ways Moana helps – our son has an easier time waking up once he sees Moana. When walking with the stroller, Moana is very protective and keeps her eye on our son. She also tries to help by cleaning up his spit-up…gross.

Q. What are some of the challenges of caring for a baby and dog simultaneously?

There are certainly some challenges caring for a dog and baby. Like when Rachael is home alone and feeding our son, but Moana also needs to go out. Or when Rachael is pushing the stroller and Moana smells something she’s interested in. However, overall it’s not been as hard as we were anticipating. Rachael is definitely busier at home than she was without a dog, but it’s worth it!

Moana has been the perfect addition to our family, and we couldn’t be happier! I finally know what I was missing out on all of these years, and I’m looking forward to many years of great memories with Moana.

Pet Adoption: How I Met My Best Friend

Posted on October 17, 2017December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

We’re happy to introduce Jessica Denoncourt, Regulatory Affairs Specialist at WellPet who’s here to share her personal story about adopting her best friend, Maggie the dog. (above photo via Brooke Whicher)

Q. Why did you decide to adopt a dog?

I grew up always wanting a dog of my own. My mom always said no because she was afraid that we (the kids) wouldn’t own up to the responsibility of having a dog. I had moved out and knew with that, a dog was in my future. My partner and I had been together for a few months and our schedules worked out perfectly (one during the day, one during the evening) to welcome a dog into our little family.

Q. What’s Maggie’s story and why did you choose her?

I was watching the Puppy Bowl 2014, as one does, and saw the little bulletin that all the puppies feature in the Puppy Bowl are available for adoption. I decided to look into their stories and see who had been adopted and what the happy-endings were. That led me to Petfinder. I branched off from looking at stories about puppies across the country to looking up a local rescue in my area – Great Dog Rescue New England. I saw Maggie’s little face and just knew she was my dog. At the time, her name was Pipsqueak (rude!). There was something about her sweet face that I connected with. My partner had fallen asleep on the couch, so I quietly filled out the application. I woke her up and said to her, “I either need you to tell me ‘yes, we can do this’ or I need you to talk me out of it.” Shortly after that conversation, I hit submit and we were off on our adoption process.

Maggie’s, (previously Pipsqueak’s), original Petfinder profile

Q. What was the most challenging thing about adopting Maggie?

Great Dog Rescue New England was very easy to work with. The only challenge that I faced was not getting my hopes up. Maggie was one of six little girl puppies. The initial email I received after submitting my application stated that they received several applications, would read through every one to find the ‘best match’ for each pup, and at any time, they could be adopted and unavailable. I told my partner to not buy anything, not to pick out any names, and not to talk about having a dog until we were sure it was happening. It’s very nerve-wracking, but it was well worth the wait. Everyone I dealt with within Great Dog was friendly, patient and answered all of my many, many questions.

Here’s Maggie shortly after we brought her home.

Q. What advice would you give someone interested in adopting a pet?

Be patient. Be patient with your new dog or puppy. Every dog is different and has their own personality. Puppies are adopted with little to no manners. Adolescent and older dogs sometimes carry baggage. With proper training and a good heart, it’s one of the most rewarding things. Be patient with yourself. Everything is a learning curve. Be patient working with your rescue. Most of them are volunteer based and have other jobs on top of helping find these dogs and puppies new homes. After adopting Maggie, I started volunteering with Great Dog Rescue New England. I wanted to give back in some way to the organization that gave me my best friend. It’s filled with great people who are there solely to help rescue dogs and puppies.

Maggie enjoying her new home

Q. What’s Maggie’s favorite Wellness food or treat?

Maggie LOVES WellBites. Any flavor. Any day. She is on it. We especially like WellBites because they’re soft and we can cut them up into little pieces. She’s just a small gal, so she gets little pieces.

Q. What do you value most about your relationship with Maggie?

Maggie is my best friend. She is always there, no matter the day I’ve had. Doesn’t matter if it’s early in the morning or late at night. She’s always there with her tail wagging excited to see me. No one is as excited to see me as she is!

“I was grateful to have Maggie be with me as part of my wedding day.”

Q. What’s her goofiest or quirkiest trait?

Maggie is a little dog with a big personality. My favorite trait of hers is that she LOVES scratches. You will be in the middle of doing something and she will march on top of you to demand scratches. You can be reading a book or typing on the computer and she will come over to paw at your hand until you relent and scratch her up. And if you aren’t scratching her just right and where she wants to be scratched, she will let you know and paw your hand to exactly the right spot. She’s our silly little Maggie.

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Date:

17/10/2017