Feeding Ottawa's fur-families: Ottawa Paw Pantry is dedicated to supporting community pets in need
Food banks have been a lifeline for people struggling to make ends meet. I'm not immune to struggle- I have used the services of the Food Bank. That's why donating to and supporting local food banks has been a passion of mine. But what about our pets? They're family and we are responsible for feeding them, but sometimes we need help. In Ottawa there is a non-profit that has been dedicated to supporting fur-families in need.
The 12 ways of Christmas: 12 ways you can support animals, wildlife, and children in need
On the first day of Christmas, my community gave to me a helping hand and a second chance. I've decided to kick the 12 days of Christmas to the curb and replace it with the 12 ways of Christmas. Don't worry, I still included some birds! This year has been a struggle and the community needs your support and generosity. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ontario Government has supported people's financial struggles. But what about support for those who rarely voice their needs: pets, wildlife, nature, and children? Paws For Reaction is a voice for the voiceless, and that's what the 12 ways of Christmas are all about.
Doggy Christmas gift idea: Tasty treat and the gift of giving #DOGforDOGPetSmart
This post is sponsored by DOG for DOG and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about DOG for DOG being available at PetSmart Canadian stores but Paws For Reaction only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. DOG for DOG and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.
The magic of the holidays is in the air and I am looking for gifts to go in Hazel and Keira’s stocking. This is Hazel’s first Christmas and I want it to be special. I was really excited when I heard about DOG for DOG pet treats because for every item they sell they donate all-natural DOGSFOOD to help feed dogs in need! This is the season of giving so I had to get involved and try some of their products.
DOG for DOG is all about providing dogs with tasty and nutritious food, because every dog deserves that! DOG for DOG includes three different types of treats that I am sampling with my girls. They are all available at Canadian PetSmart locations:
DOGSBUTTER: Peanut butter for dogs! This product was inspired by all natural peanut butter at the Los Angeles Farmers Market. It is gluten free with no added salt, sugar or hydrogenated oils. A lot of human-grade peanut butter on the market today contains the sugar substitute xylitol that if ingested is toxic to dogs. This peanut butter is safe for my dog and it is nutritious too. It is perfect because Hazel loves peanut butter in her Kong!
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| Photo by M Glasgow Foter CC BY |
Blue
Buffalo’s Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive rescues one million pets
Blue Buffalo
celebrated a milestone Jan. 26 when a cat named Watermark became the one
millionth pet to be adopted this season during their Home 4 the Holidays pet
adoption campaign. Watermark was rescued by the Monmouth County SPCA,
NJ and waiting for a forever home when the Ferrier family took him and set the
record for this year’s adoption drive.
Blue Buffalo’s Home 4 the
Holidays campaign was launched in 1999 and since then has become the
largest pet adoption program on record. The Home 4 the Holidays drive has saved
more than 10 million pets overall and each yearly campaign lasts three months.
With so many new pets coming home during the holidays Blue Buffalo uses the
campaign as a way to educate the public about happy, healthy pets available for
adoption in animal shelters.
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| Photo by Army Medicine Foter CC BY |
Gorilla the pug wins 1-800-PetMeds prize to help cover
medical expenses
America’s Largest Pet Pharmacy® 1-800-PetMeds®
has announced the three winners of its Change a Pet’s Life Contest on Jan. 23.
The contest was established to sponsor medical procedures and adoption fees of
rescue pets in the United States. 1-800-PetMeds®
organization was inspired by Change a Pet’s Life Day which is celebrated on
Jan. 24.
Adoptable pets from shelters and rescue organizations all
over the U.S. were entered in the contest that ran from Jan.9 to the 15. 1-800-PetMeds®
selected a winner and two runner-up pets to sponsor. Gorilla the adorable black
Pug is the lucky winner of the contest who will be receiving up to $2,000 to go
towards his medical treatments that are quoted at $1,800.
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| Photo by All Chihuahuas Foter CC BY-NC-ND |
Furry fall fun!
Did you celebrate these pet holidays in October? Find out the fun you missed!
Christmas gift idea for
the animal lover and all my single ladies
The inspirational 2015 Tailsof NYC RescueMen Calendar will give you a double dose of cute and it raises money for a great cause. The calendar
features 12 true stories about New York City men who rescued animals in need- ladies
listen up!
Valley Animal Rescue supports animals in Renfrew County and
we support them with a giveaway!
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| Photo provided by Valley Animal Rescue |
Meet Little Willy! Willy is one on the many pets that
have been fortunate enough to be rescued by the Valley Animal Rescue in Renfrew County, Ontario.
Willy, like so many other dogs and cats being fostered through this organization, is
in need of a loving forever home with caring and patient people who can tend to his needs.
Valley Animal Rescue- or VAR- is a registered charity
organization that relies solely on foster parents for the animals they take in.
They run off of the donations and support of their community and local animal
lovers. But unlike some of the other wider known animal shelters or rescue
organizations that have more funding, VAR has to do quite a bit of the legwork. VAR has a network of community members who put in time for these animals without any pay- just the reward of giving a helping hand and a temporary home. Since it’s a foster run charity 100% of all donations go to the
animals.
Hey Paws peeps- Keira needs your help!
My name is Keira and I'm a contestant in the Petcurean Savour the Moment Contest. I could win free Petcurean dog food for a year! That's my favourite food! My mommy and daddy could win cool stuff but what I'd be most excited about is being a spokes dog for Petcurean! But I'm having a hard time getting my two-legged friends to vote for me. So I'm reaching out to get some votes.
How to vote:
-Follow the link http://bit.ly/12CyGYu
-Like Petcurean's page: Petcurean is the leading Canadian holistic pet food that includes the pet foods Go!, Now Fresh and Summit. It is one of the last privately owned Canadian pet food companies and is committed to serving only the best to your pet.
-Visit the Savour the Moment contest page and click on View Gallery.
-You can view Keira and her profile in the Gallery; shown is the above photo.
-Facebook will ask you for certain Access to your Account. ALL THIS MEANS is that Facebook needs to create a SHARE link to post to your Timeline and in doing so it must Access your account to find your Wall and make a Post on your Timeline. It will not view passwords, information, or post on your behalf when you do not allow it to. There is no spam. You can even chose not to share it on your Timeline.
-You are able to vote once every 24 hours. Keira needs your votes!
More about me- Keira!
I am a two year old Saint Bernard/ Bernese Mountain Dog mix. I am quiet and very well behaved so my parents reward me for that all the time with lots of outdoor adventures. I am really good at hiking, swimming and climbing steep hills. I love to jump over things and run real fast. I was rescued from a shelter from my first mommy but she ran into tough times. So she found me another mommy and daddy and they told me they will keep me forever. Its okay though- I love everyone and I'm always happy as long as I have a family. I really want to win to show other doggies that even though your in a shelter there is a family out there that is perfect for you and that will love you. Just like my mommy and daddy love me!
Keira's favourite things:
-playing with the ball
-squeaking her ball
-playing hide and seek, especially the seeking -going in the water
-going in the water when mommy and daddy say not to
-doing my tricks; high five, playing dead, rolling over. I can do anything!
-Rolling in poop (unfortunate for my two leggeds)
-snuggles and kisses
-spreading my love around and just being a dog, a really good dog.
Bath time blues
Kickin' it in the wetlands
Mommy and daddy gave me a job!
I love the water! This was my first time at the cottage and I can't wait to go back!
Sometimes I roll in dirty stuff...then I have to have bath time.
But I guess bath time is not so bad- it does make me look extra pretty!
This is what I do when mommy works on the computer- I'm doing in right now!
Daddy can't get away with not giving me belly rubs when he lays with me on my bed.
I play air guitar too! I'm so talented!
Sometimes I squish mommy...
...but I'm so cute she doesn't mind!
I love affection almost as much as...
...I love impressing people with my skills- I'm pretty good at playing dead, rolling over and high fives!
I always make sure I shake off near mommy on warm days to make sure she stays cool.
My zombie is the first toy my mommy and daddy gave me. Its my favourite. I sleep with it on the comfy bed with me until its time for me to sneak into mommy and daddy's bed. I know I'm not supposed to but they never seem to mind because they love me so much.
The month of May features many pet related holidays and awareness weeks
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| Photo by Cia de Foto Foter.com CC BY |
The first week of May is National Pet Week making May just as much fun as April was for pet
parents. The month of May pays tribute to our furry family members with many
pet related holidays and awareness weeks.
Spend some extra time snuggling up with your pets for
the second week of May which is Be Kind
to Animals Week. Some pet parents are making donations to humane societies
and animal rescue shelters to raise awareness for the ethical treatment of
animals. Don’t forget to donate to charities that train, foster and support
service dogs. And don’t forget never to pet a service dog or a service dog in
training.
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| Photo by Paolo Margari Foter.com CC BY-NC-ND |
Cupcakes for cats and canines!
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Photo by Swamibu's
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Join the Ontario SPCA and Humane Societies on Monday, February 25th for what they call "the sweetest day of the year!" Register for National Cupcake Day and raise money to support local animals in need of homes, medical care, and adoption.
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