Patience, Love and Determination.  These are the three words that come to my mind when I think of animal rescue.  My name is Angel Salazar. I am a volunteer with Paw Prints in the Sand Animal Rescue and this is what I have learned so far from volunteering with them.

I started to volunteer as part of my school’s community service requirements for my senior project about animal cruelty and how to help abused animals. During the course of my project, I did a lot of research on the topic of animal cruelty and abuse and wrote a 10-page paper on its facts and what could be done to help abused animals have a second chance at life.  My paper introduced cases of animal cruelty involving physical abuse, neglect, and starvation, to mention a few. After completing my research, I then arrived to the conclusion that it is our responsibility to help stop animal cruelty at least by helping the rescue organizations that rehabilitate the animals that have been subjected to abuse, or to volunteer and make a difference in their lives.

Although my senior project is complete, I continue helping rescue animals under the mentorship of Monica one of the rescue’s co-founders. As a result of my hands-on work with the rescue pets, I found that patience, love, and determination are the three things a person needs most when helping abused animals. 

In addition to providing assistance at adoption events, my volunteer work has consisted of assisting in the rehabilitation of rescue animals in training and socializing walks with the rescue’s professional Master Trainer Tim Welch of Redefined Dog Training. In the course of these training walks, I learned that PATIENCE is needed because depending on what these pets have been through, it may take some time for them to get used to people and other pets as well.  At first, while walking the rescue dogs, I saw that some of these pets like to test the people with whom they are not yet familiar, to see how much they can get away with.  For example, on my first couple of walks, some of the dogs would not listen to me, but they would listen right away once the trainer was near us.  It was actually quite interesting to see how he could get them to listen. From this I learned that being patient and assertive helped me handle the dogs better, and when I would provide a command to a dog while being assertive, the dog would readily follow the command.

I also learned that LOVE is a key factor in helping these pets. Some came from a world where all they knew from their previous owners was hate and abuse, but all they needed to be shown is love, along with it being what all pets deserve.  I experienced that showing the rescued dogs some love allowed them to show their love back to me.  One such dog is Dalton. He is a great dog, and I enjoyed walking and training with him very much. What I learned from him is that dogs have a lot of love to give.  On one of my first walks, a lady that seemed to know Dalton very well approached him, and he was filled with so much happiness and excitement to see her. It was almost unbelievable, but the same was with me when I would come to work with him and all I had given him was a few hours of my time at a training walk. It was very rewarding to see, and I was happy to love him back.

Lastly, DETERMINATION is something I saw that the co-founders, the fosters and volunteers had while working with Paw Prints in the Sand. The rescue dogs had been through so much and in some cases it was not easy for all of them, but no one was giving up on animals.  Back to Dalton, I was very surprised when I found out Dalton had been waiting to be adopted for a very long time (almost 2 years!) He was such a good dog, and I couldn’t understand why people didn’t want to adopt him right away.  But with determination, the rescue continued working with Dalton, and he even received his Canine Good Citizen Certification. I was very happy to learn recently that a great family had finally adopted Dalton. It was nice so see him finally have a home. 

Ultimately, whether it is trying to find a rescue and abused pet a new home, or trying to help them recuperate, it is very important to stay determined and not give up on them.  I learned a lot from working with them. I am so excited to continue to help and work with them. I look forward to working with our new rehabilitation cases and getting more involved in saving the lives of abused animals, as well as getting more of my friends involved with this cause.

Paw Prints in the Sand is always in search of volunteers. If you would like to join our team, you can view our available volunteer opportunities and send your application by visiting www.pawprintsinthesand.org/volunteer or by contacting us at volunteer@pawprintsinthesand.org.

Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa… No matter what you celebrate, your holidays are filled with celebration. But, that doesn’t always mean you have to include your pets in the festivities. Funny pet videos, gifts for pets, and even trying to make them a part of the holiday feast; as fun as all of these activities may seem, pet safety is a key concern that all pet owners need to consider during the holidays. So we’d like to give some tips on keeping your pets safe while celebrating the season.

Decorations
The Christmas Tree: The lights, the bulbs, the garland – all look like toys to your pets.  

• Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet.
• Provide your kitty with a cat condo so he/she will be less inclined to exercise on your tree.
• Make sure that you do not use any chemicals in the water for your tree, which may poison or cause stomach upset. Also, make sure that it does not stagnate causing bacteria to reproduce and affecting your pet’s digestive system.

Mistletoe, Holly & Poinsettias:  These plants are a holiday must, and while very pretty, they can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested by your pet. Mistletoe is poisonous can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Also, many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. We suggest you opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Tinsel: Pets love this sparkly, light-catching decoration that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But, a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to avoid it all together.

Menorahs: Don’t leave candles unattended or use flameless candles instead. Pets can burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders placed on a stable surface. And, make sure you extinguish all candles when you leave.

Wires and electric cords: Keep wires and cords out of paws reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus.

Decorations: Be careful with glass ornaments. Shards of a broken glass ornament can damage your pet’s mouth and digestive tract, which could cause serious GI issues and even death. Try decorating with plastic ornaments to avoid the issues.

Food Dangers
Food is an integral part of the holidays, which is why going on a diet is the #1 New Years resolution, but your pet doesn’t need to share your holiday treats. Make sure you keep the following away from your pet:

• Chocolate
• Anything sweetened with xylitol
• Spicy food
• Cooked bones
• Alcohol
• Grapes

Plan a Pet-Safe Holiday Gathering
Make sure to exercise your pet before your party so they will be calmer when your guests arrive. It’s always best to keep your pets secured in a room or crate during the festivities. You wouldn’t want one of your guests to inadvertently give your pet a treat that will him or her sick. Also, a crowd could cause anxiety in your pet so it’s best to give them a safe haven while you enjoy your guests.

Welcoming the New Year
As you count down to the New Year, please keep the following in mind:

• Confetti is lots of fun for dogs and cats and can cause intestinal obstructions that could require surgery.
• Poppers and fireworks can frighten pets and cause anxiety and possible damage to their ears. Make sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches.

Finally, make sure to keep the contact information for your Emergency Vet or your Veterinarian handy in case of an emergency.

From all of us here at Paw Prints in the Sand, we wish you and your pets a very happy and safe holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

When you decide to foster a rescue pet, you are giving that pet a second chance at life. To set aside time and energy to help save a homeless pet; It is the most selfless thing you can do to!

We believe pets belong in a home and not stuck in some boarding facility. Because of that, Paw Prints in the Sand is a 100% foster-based rescue organization. We cannot save a life without a dedicated foster in place.

So, now you’ve made the decision to become a foster parent. What’s next? Well, we’re here to help! Fostering is free and temporary. All you have to do is care.

How to Become a Foster Parent
To become a foster parent, you must first decide that you are ready to make the commitment and that your home is ready to welcome a foster pet. When you are ready to foster, contact local rescues and complete their foster application. Make sure to include the level of responsibility you are able make (a week? A month? Until adopted?). Once you have completed and sent in your foster application, the rescue will contact you to conduct an interview, discuss your application and schedule a home check. They will also discuss the fostering process and get a better idea of the best type of pet for your home and capabilities. Some fosters can only take in small dogs; some only want puppies or kittens, and some are able to take in larger dominant breeds dogs. The rescue will also take into account your personality, work schedule, activity level, physical capability, experience, and the personalities, breeds and temperaments of your own pets.

Once you are approved and available to foster, the rescue will match you with a pet in need and will make arrangements to get your new foster pet to your home. With over 7,500 companion animals euthanized daily in our nation’s shelter system, there is always an immediate need for foster homes.

Make sure the rescue for which you chose to foster provides all vetting, food and supplies. Also, make sure they properly network their foster pets for adoption.

Most rescues have private Facebook groups that include all of their fosters and volunteers, which is a portal for sharing rescue-specific information and events, fellow foster stories, seek advice, or just share photos of their foster pets. The rescue should also properly network available pets in their rescue across their social media sites and sites such as Adopt-A-Pet and RescueMe.org

You Got Your Foster Pet, Now What?
Some rescues provide informative documentation and frequently asked questions that will help you with your new foster pet. When your rescue pet arrives, you should also receive any supplies provided by the rescue (such as food, medications, crates, leash and collar, toys, treats, shampoo, etc.). You should also receive an “Adopt Me” vest or bandana and rescue business cards to give to anyone who may be interested in adopting your foster pet. These supplies are for you to keep while you are fostering and should be returned to the rescue once your foster pet has been adopted, unless of course, you are going to foster again for the same rescue.

Start Loving Your Foster Pet!  
The great majority of rescue pets have had a rough life – until you came along. You have now given them the opportunity to be in a loving home so start loving! This will increase the chances of your foster getting adopted, as they will become accustomed to being in a home and cared for like never before!

Help the Rescue Help You
To increase your foster pet’s chances of getting adopted, ‘Like’ the rescue’s Facebook page, follow them on Instagram, Twitter and any other of the rescue’s social media sites. Make sure to document your journey with your foster. Take lots of photos and videos that show just how fun and cute your foster pet is. If it is a medical needs case, document their progress. People love to see pets get happy and healthy! Make sure to share your photos and videos on your social media pages and those of the rescue for whom you are fostering. Also make sure to always include the rescue’s handles and hashtags, as well as other generic hashtags such as #adopt, #dogbreed (for example #pitbull, #lab #gsd) #rescue #adoptdontshop, #fosteringsaveslives, etc.  

Once you get to know your foster pet, send the rescue photos and a bio with information about your foster’s personality, likes and dislikes, level of activity, etc. to help them best describe your foster on their adoption websites.

Always make sure to place your dog’s ‘Adopt me’ vest or bandana when taking him or her out for a walk so people know your foster is looking for its forever home.  Give any interested adopters the rescue’s business card and adoption information. Don’t forget to add the rescue pet’s name on the card to help people remember in what pet they were interested and whom they met. Try to get their contact information as well to share it with your rescue.

What If I Need to Travel?
Just because you need to be away from home, it doesn’t mean that you cannot foster. If you have to go out of town for any reason such as work, vacation, emergency, etc., let your rescue know as soon as possible.  Some rescues may allow you to take the pet with you. However, most will require the pet to stay in town so they can continue to network them or have them present at adoption events.  Always make arrangements with your rescue for your foster pet. Typically, they will transfer your foster pet to a another foster in their network while you are away or the pet will be placed in short-term boarding. If you have someone coming to your home to take care of your own pets, and they are happy to care for your foster pet, make sure to provide the rescue with your pet sitter’s contact information. Please keep in mind that the foster pet is the responsibility of the rescue, and they need to know where the pet is and under whose care it is at all times.

What If There Are Any Medical Issues with My Foster Pet?
Medical questions and issues always come up! Contact your rescue as soon as possible to gain support or permission if medical attention is needed for your foster pet. Most rescues have approved veterinarians near their foster parents’ homes and will make an appointment for you. Always obtain treatment approval from the rescue, or you may be stuck paying for unapproved vetting costs.

Dog Parks and Play Dates
Dog parks can be fun for pets, but always discuss social outings with your rescue as not all dogs are fit for dog parks. Your foster dog may behave well, but that doesn’t mean other dogs at the park are well behaved or socialized. Additionally, most rescues do not know a rescue dog’s background and any emotional trauma through which he or she may have suffered. Most rescues do provide socialization and integration training and techniques. Always ensure your foster pet is friendly with others before you put him or her in a social setting.

What If I fall in Love with My Foster Pet?
It always happens: you save a pet from certain death, return it back to health and happiness, so you now have a bond with this pet. Chances are, you’ll fall in love and want to keep the pet for the rest of its life. This is what we (lovingly) call “Foster Failure”. Many rescues will allow you to adopt your foster pet. Let the rescue know as soon as you decide to do so, so they can let other potential adopters know the pet is no longer available. Some rescues require a deposit. Others will require a discounted adoption fee. You will also need to sign the rescue transfer agreement confirming that the pet is now in your care and your responsibility.

All rescues are different and provide different services so do your research to decide which rescue best fits your needs and fostering objectives. Paw Prints in the Sand is a 100% foster-based non-profit animal rescue. We are always looking for fosters of all kinds of pets: dogs, cats, long term, short term, young, old, etc. We pay for all vetting and provide all food and supplies as described above. If you are interested in fostering for Paw Prints in the Sand, please fill out our foster application by visiting www.pawprintsinthesand.org/foster

Service dogs: A man’s best friend. These specially trained dogs have been working alongside dedicated women and men who’ve served our country and involved in the United States military since the Revolutionary War. At that time, those dogs were used as pack animals, but by World War I, they were also used to help kill rats in war zones.

By World War II, the help of service dogs increased significantly to where they began to support different military operations and in the US. Over 10,000 specially trained dogs were deployed. These dogs held some very important positions such as messengers, scouts, sentries, and mine and explosive detectors. Today, service dogs are present in all of the US military branches and Police Departments, serving in all areas of the country when needed and on foreign grounds far away from home. Currently, there are thousands of service dogs in the US: Dutch and German shepherds, rottweilers, doberman pinschers, labradors, pitbulls, beagles, as well as Belgian Malinois. These dogs have been used as service dogs because of their protective nature, obedience, loyalty, intelligence, and dedication. Alongside these traits, these amazing animals are also athletes, capable of enduring extremely harsh terrains and temperatures, anywhere in the entire world.

Thousands of service dogs have been brutally killed in service. If these dogs were not killed during their active time in the military, sadly, most of them were required to be euthanized after service. This was either because of the aggressive nature of these dogs; they carried harmful diseases, or because they were weak, had missing body parts, and/or were living in agony.

In 2000, in an effort to give retired service dogs a safe, and loving home, former President Bill Clinton signed a law that stated both retired military soldiers and civilians were allowed to adopt dogs that served in the military. This new law created a dramatic change in the attitude towards service dogs. Since then, many organizations have been created to assist and migrate the dogs back into family homes. Examples of such organizaciones are the Military Working Dog Team Support Association (MWDTSA) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Today, these dogs’ roles are also often referred to as police dogs, Military Working Dog (MWD – in the US military), or K-9. As of 2011, 600 US Military dogs were actively participating in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As partners in everyday police work, dogs have proven versatile and loyal officers. They are trained to respond viciously if their handler is attacked, or not to react at all unless they are commanded to do so by their handler. Many police dogs are also trained in drug and explosives detection. Military working dogs continue to serve as sentries, trackers, search and rescue, scouts, and mascots. Retired working dogs are often adopted as pets or used as therapy dogs.

The official K9 Corps was created on March 13, 1942. Thousands of dogs have served with honor, dignity and valor throughout our country’s history. To this day, dogs continue to serve on our borders and abroad every day on both land and sea.

It is important to recognize their service and contributions. They stand in the line of fire, they find the missing, protect our borders, and help keep our country safe. In honor of K9 Veteran’s Day, PPITS salutes all of the dogs that have courageously sacrificed their lives while serving our county and those who continue to do so. 

– Jonah Brand