Tag Archive for help

Hope For The Holidays

Join us for an evening of Holiday Cheer & Shopping on November 30th! Special Guest: Celebrity Petographer, Jim Dratfield’s Petography will be signing his latest book “The Love of a Lab”. Proceeds will benefit our local safe pet fostering program at STARelief and Pet Assistance, a non profit that supports the pets of those in need.

Jim Dratfield will also be featuring his work and donating one of his framed pet photographs.

Special Gift Items Include: Harry Barker, the Thymes Home Collection, Archipelago Candles and Spa Line, Jewelry, Scarves, Wraps, Home Accessories, Oribe and R&Co Hair Care Products.the-loft-fundraiser-2016

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How to Introduce a NEW DOG TO YOUR OTHER PETS

9 Easy Steps to Welcome a New Dog Home

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Few things are as exciting as bringing home a new pet. At least for you. But how do you imagine the big introduction between your new dog and your resident pet(s)? Do you imagine handing out treats and name tags at your front door, resulting in happy munches and friendly woofs (or meows) as they bond instantly and forever. Cesar Millan would be so proud.

Then you blink twice and remember that you are living in reality and not in some ideal parallel universe. But reality can match your ideal, when you’re armed with these nine easy to follow steps, and a healthy dose of reality.

 

  1. Patience. Introducing your new dog to the pets already in your home is a process. To succeed, you must start with a plan and a promise – to yourself — to be patient. The process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks (and in extreme cases, a few months).
  2. Making a Match. To improve your chances of a happy blending of old and new, choose a dog as close as possible in temperament and activity level to the pets you already have. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit, and most dislike any disruptions to their daily lives and routines.
  3. Monitor Temperament. Some dogs are naturally more relaxed and more social than others. Some are more territorial and don’t enjoy sharing at all. Unhappy with the arrival of a newcomer, they may demonstrate their disapproval by fighting with the perceived “intruder” or by marking.
  4. Separate Corners. Allow your new dog to adjust to you and to his/her new surroundings by keeping him/her in a separate room with his/her bed, food, water and toys for several days. This is where having its own crate can be a lifesaver. And make sure to spend as much quality, comforting time with your new arrival as possible.
  5. Maintain Routines. Maintain your other pets’ regular routines – from feeding and pottying, to exercising, playing and together times. This will reassure them that nothing has changed.
  6. The Nose Knows. Since smells are of utmost importance to animals, get them used to each other’s scents as soon as possible. We’ve all witnessed how dog’s get to know each other through the tried and true smelling of the rear. It’s important they have the opportunity to smell each other, but it’s a good idea to keep the new dog on a leash at first, in case you need to take control quickly.
  7. All About Food. Another smell driver is food. Feed your resident pets and your new dog on either side of the door to his/her room, or crate, encouraging them to associate something pleasurable with one another’s smell. Once this has been successfully accomplished, walk your new dog slowly through your home, room by room, allowing him/her to become familiar with its sights, sounds and smells. Keep your other pets behind the closed door of his/her room to allow your new dog a sense of safety and privacy, while promoting a further exchange of scents between them. Repeat this several times a day for a few days.
  8. Good Sightlines. Next, use two doorstoppers to keep the door to your new dog’s room propped open just enough for all of the animals to see each other. Repeat this several times a day for a few days.                                                                                                                                                 But remember, when you leave your home, make sure your new dog in his/her room with the door closed, or secure in its crate.
  9. Reward and Correct. Armed with the tastiest treats and most tempting toys, you can expect sniffing, approaching and walking away. Reward good behavior with praise and treats, but discourage bad behavior by promptly separating the offending parties and gently, but firmly correcting them.

Hopefully, when you’re ready to make the “formal” introductions, your patience and your animals’ pre-preparations will pay off. And they will not only recognize, but also start to accept one another by what they see and smell.

Once again, patience is key. This too is a process, which may take time until the blending is successful, and your family is calmly and contentedly one.

If, however, certain problems persist, speak to your vet or consult a recommended animal behaviorist.

Some additional resources on introducing new dogs to your existing pet family may be found on Cesar’s Way Blog and the Humane Society.

Bridgeport Bluefish Community Day

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Let’s Take It Out to the Ball Game!
Watch the Bluefish take on the Somerset Patriots, enjoy a hot dog, and some peanuts in the company of friends while helping families in need by supporting STARelief and Pet Assistance.
  • Sit together with family and friends in reserved seating areas and receive a discount through group code: STARelief
  • $4 of every ticket sold goes to support STARelief’s pet food pantry
  • $11 box seats can be purchased online through the use of group code: STARelief
  • Come cheer on one of our supporters as they throw out the first pitch
  • Can’t attend, please consider supporting one of our programs with a generous donation
Hope to see your there!

STAR Wrappers at Barnes and Noble

FREE Holiday Gift Wrapping December 20, 2013 – Barnes and Noble, Stamford Town Center, Stamford, CT

STARelief will be wrapping at the Barnes and Noble located in the Stamford Town Center from 10am to 9pm.

Four ways we can help you:

  1. finish your holiday shopping
  2. save time – by getting your holiday gifts wrapped
  3. reduce stress – your gift is wrapped and ready to give
  4. help a pet family in need

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Contact

STARelief and Pet Assistance
P.O. Box 3035
Stamford, CT 06905
Phone: 203-636-0971
Fax: 203-883-0325
Email Us