Ohio State’s “Honoring the Bond” Program Helps Grieving Pet Owners

The hardest part about sharing your life with a companion animal is when the time comes to say goodbye.  The loss of a beloved pet is difficult for all pet parents.  Luckily, there are some helpful support resources out there, including Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center’s Honoring the Bond program.

Honoring the Bond not only helps clients of the Veterinary Medical Center (providing on-site social work services) but also pet owners everywhere.

You can visit their website and download information resources on pet loss topics such as:

• Deciding on when and why to consider euthanasia
• Coping with the loss of a pet
• Helping children handle the death of a family pet
• Do other animals in the home grieve the loss of a companion?

Ohio State has also compiled a great suggested reading list on topics related to pet loss, including making end of life decisions and children’s books about the loss of a pet.  You can also find a list of hotlines and online sites that support grieving pet owners.

 

Gifts for Animal Lovers at the FACE Store!

Hey, did you know that we have an online shop?

We sell a variety of cute animal-themed items through a partnership with Threadless.  35-45% of all sales go to the FACE Foundation and our work to save the lives of pets in need of critical veterinary care.

We carry a wide range of clothing and accessories that feature artwork of a few of the adorable pets we have helped save.

All products are on sale until 11/27/19, 9 p.m. CT, so take a look!

 

 

Kitten Checklist Helps New Owners Pick the Perfect Cat

 

An organization of cat care professionals in the UK called The Cat Group has created a very helpful “Kitten Checklist” for anyone thinking about adding a new kitten to their family!

This user-friendly checklist was designed to help owners choose a happy and healthy kitten, whether it comes from a shelter, rescue organization, friend, or breeder.

Besides checking for signs of poor health, the creators of the checklist also note the importance of assessing temperament.  “Many people don’t understand that in order to become a good pet cat, kittens need positive interactions with people and need to get used to the human environment and lifestyle before they are about 8 weeks old,” they report.

The checklist guides potential owners through a series of questions.  These include things to consider before visiting a shelter or breeder to see kittens and what to observe when you are visiting and interacting with a kitten.

The health section includes an easy way to evaluate the different parts of a kitten’s body:  eyes, ears, nose, coat, etc.

You can download or print out the Kitten Checklist pdf by clicking HERE.

 

 

Dog Aging Project Seeks Volunteers for New Canine Health Study

The University of Washington and Texas A&M University have teamed up for a large-scale study called the Dog Aging Project.  The project invites dog owners to nominate their pets to be part of the study.

The goal of the Dog Aging Project is to identify factors that are critical to improving healthy lifespan in dogs.  The researchers are interested in finding out how genetics, lifestyle, and environment influence the canine aging process.

By analyzing the data collected, the researchers’ ultimate goal is to provide owners with evidence-based advice that will help owners increase their dog’s healthy lifespan.

If you are accepted into the program, you will be invited to fill out surveys about your dog’s health and life experiences.  You will be asked to submit a sample of your dog’s saliva for DNA testing as well.  Some owners will be able to perform special activities with their dogs and report the results to the study.

Interesting in getting started?  You can learn more about nominating your dog HERE.

 

Dog-Friendly Golf Tournament Photos!

On Monday, November 4th, pups and pros enjoyed a day of golf and fun at San Diego’s Lomas Santa Fe Country Club for FACE’s 8th Invitational Golf Tournament!

This dog-friendly event featured a golf tournament followed by an awards ceremony, live auction, silent auction, and exclusive opportunity drawings.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this fundraising event a success!  Enjoy these photos of a few very good dogs!