Get Into the Fur-Free Spirit!

November 23 - the day after Thanksgiving is Fur-Free Friday. A day where animal advocates all over the world conduct activity's and events to educate holiday shoppers about the cruel fur, leather, down, and wool industries. "Animals on fur farms spend their entire lives confined to cramped, filthy wire cages. Fur farmers use the cheapest and cruelest killing methods available, including suffocation, electrocution, gas, and poison." - PETA Let's Take action against cruelty to animals and sign PETA's fur-free pledge.

Adopt a Turkey Month

This year why not start a compassionate holiday tradition and sponsor a turkey for Thanksgiving? Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project saves turkeys at Thanksgiving through adoptions and sponsorships to rescue and provide care for animals at their sanctuaries. For a one-time donation gift of $30 anyone can sponsor a turkey who lives at one of their three shelters. As a sponsor you'll receive a certificate, color photo and details about your adoptee. For a gift of $180, you can sponsor a whole flock and have adoption certificates sent to family and friends. View the photo gallery of these beautiful, beloved birds in need of sponsorship support this Thanksgiving. 

Have You Hugged Your Little Dog Today?

Founded in 2011 by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Behaviorist and Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige. Created in memory of her lost companion Tinkerbell, National Little Dog Day, celebrates the joys little dogs bring to us. Find out Why Little Dogs Rule!

Bird Health Awareness Week

Bird Health Awareness Week was observed last year for bird lovers, poultry owners, students and educators. It was a week-long event about keeping our birds safe and healthy. The event was part of the USDA's Biosecurity For Birds campaign to promote awareness about the diseases that affect bird health, and the ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. When I visited the USDA's website, it appears that the event wasn't held this year. However, I did come upon some valuable information about the "Exotic Newcastle Disease: A Deadly Disease That Affects Poultry and Pet Birds" and an article about "Biosecurity for Pet Birds". You can find some other useful information in the articles and downloads pages - including a "Biosecurity For Birds Coloring Book".

National Reading Assistance Dog Day

Betcha hadn't heard of this one before...

Simply put READing Paws helps children read. They accomplish this with Teams comprised of a registered Therapy Animal and owner/handler. These Teams volunteer their time to go to schools, libraries, bookstores and other settings. The handlers have undergone criminal background checks, and the animals are trained and tested for health and safety. READing Paws is active in literacy programs primarily in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. After viewing the photos posted on the READING Paws website, the animals look like they really love listening and participating with the children. The children as well look encouraged and are enjoying this unique reading exercise.

National Shelter Check-In Day

On Saturday, November 10, join in for the 2nd Annual National Animal Shelter Check-in Day. Founded by Best Friends Animal Society, they're asking us to visit a nearby animal shelter/rescue and “check-in” using our mobile phone's geo-location app. Take a picture of a dog or cat that needs a home and share it. Maybe do some volunteering while you're there. This campaign is about helping adoptable pets waiting in our country’s shelters to be seen and adopted. Twitter's users use the #CheckInDay hashtag so your tweet appears on their Twitter Ticker. Facebook Fan? Join the event!

FACT: "Every day, more than 9,000 pets are killed in America's shelters simply because they don't have a home. Each one an individual. Each one a valued life worth saving. 9,000. That number should be zero. And it can be." (www.bestfriends.org)

More on Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week ...

Tuesday is about giving a shout out of "THANKS!". Thank the people who work at your local shelter/rescue. If you've adopted from them, maybe send a current photo and note about how the new addition to the family is doing. I showed my appreciation by sending thank you ecards to the shelters in my area.  

For all you Facebook fans - Wednesday is for you. HSUS had like 5 recommendations for us:

• Join the Event in Facebook so you can share in on the fun
• Show everyone you're a shelter/rescue supporter with the cat and dog Facebook share graphics 
• Become a fan and "Like" the Shelter Pet Project on Facebook at facebook.com/shelterpetproject  
• Share HSUS's Facebook icon and show you support shelter adoption and rescue
• Share with your circle a shelter animal’s picture to help them find a their forever home

Alright folks - let's get to it.

It's Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week

This week is about celebrating the places that care for our homeless pets. Starting on Sunday, November 4 and everyday during the week, the Humane Society will be sharing their "Seven days and seven ways to say thank you" series. Seven ways to show some love and appreciation to our local shelters and rescues. Sunday kicked off with "Locating your local shelter and rescue group". Monday is catchy with "Learn before you leap". The Shelter Pet Project is showcased in this segment. Discussing things to keep in mind before you adopt like the adoption process, costs and places to adopt.

National Go Cook for Your Pets Day

How many went online and made the pledge? Pledging to focus on your pets nutrition and cook for them on November 1st? Well if you had gone online and made the pledge, cookforyourpets.com would have emailed you some of their most favorite and popular treat recipes. Their website also features cooking tips and foods to avoid. Go Cook for Your Pets Day is about cooking for our pets, but also showing how much they mean to us by reflecting on their nutrition and health. Rather it be one simple treat or making a day of it - whatever you do they'll love it! Talk to me - what did you do for your companion?