Washington Humane Society Blog

"Ask the Trainer" at Riverdale Park Farmer's Market

By Diana Foley

Yesterday afternoon the Washington Humane Society Behavior & Learning center hosted a table at the Riverdale Park Farmer’s Market.  The market, which allows dogs to stroll alongside their owners past the tables of organic produce, fresh-squeezed lemonade, handmade gifts, and the tastiest homemade sorbet we’ve ever had, invited our trainers to come provide helpful tips on taking your dog out in public to ensure a safe and fun environment for all market visitors, including the four-legged ones.

While we did meet our fair share of dogs and dog owners, the overwhelming majority of pet owners we spoke with were cat people, so in addition to providing dog behavior information, our trainers were able to help answer questions such as, “How do I train my cat to walk on a leash?”, “How can I teach my newly-rescued cat to trust me?” and “Why does my cat push his water bowl around the kitchen floor?”

We’re planning to return to the Riverdale Park Farmer’s market later in the summer with more helpful training advice and information about the programs and services offered by WHS.

Meow Luau - Thursday, August 27th!

Meow Luau - Thursday, August 27th!
Please join us on Thursday, August 27th from 7:00pm-9:00pm for a special Meow Luau Meow Mixer, to celebrate our last meow mixer for the summer season! The event will take place at the WHS Behavior & Learning Center, 7315 Georgia Avenue NW, and will feature delicious appetizers and plenty of leis to go around!

For more information please contact 202-723-5730 (ext. 122) or dfoley@washhumane.org.

WHS's Scott Giacoppo to host a Discussion at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment

This Saturday, August 1st, Scott Giacoppo, Chief Programs Officer for WHS, will host a discussion at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment, about the link between cruelty to animals and violence against humans.

For more information, please click here to read the DC's Examiner Newspaper's mention on this discussion.

The discussion will be held at the museum, located at 575 7th Street NW (between E and F Streets.)

Want the SCOOP on WHS?

Then, click here to read the latest Summer addition of the WHS Newsletter, The Scoop.

Chloe & Kit Cat Make Fox WTTG's Morning News

This morning WHS Adoption Manager, Natalie Kahla, was a guest on the Fox WTTG morning show with WHS's adorable duo, Chloe and Kit Cat. To watch these two specials friends in action, please visit: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/mornings/pet_page/072209_cute_dog_and_cat_couple 

Chloe and Kit Cat: A WHS Dog and Cat “Tail” of Love

On Friday July 17, 2009 a unique pair were surrendered to the care of the Washington Humane Society (WHS), a 5-month-old female Chihuahua named Chloe and a 2-month-old black and white female kitten named Kit Cat.

Due to the current harsh economic times, their owner could no longer afford to keep the pair, and like so many other animals we receive on a daily basis, the two were dropped off at our shelter in need of a new forever home.

It did not take long for WHS staff to realize this tiny puppy and kitten had formed a very special bond, and neither one seemed to realize that one was a canine and the other was feline; they cuddled together for comfort while they napped, then played wildly together when awake.

There is nothing more endearing than when two animals of the same species form such a friendship, and it’s even more touching when that bond is formed across specie lines. To honor the friendship of this adorable pair, WHS has pledged to find a forever home that will adopt these two special animals together.  

Donations to help Chloe and Kit Cat and animals like them, can be made online by visiting:
www.washhumane.org

Foster Kittens Find Permanent Homes at "Baby Shower"!

 By Diana Foley

Yesterday evening the Washington Humane Society’s Behavior and Learning Center hosted its first themed Meow Mixer and our mos t successful one to date – the Meow Mixer Baby Shower, a special adoption event for mother cats and their kittens.

Twenty-five kittens were brought from their foster homes to meet-and-greet potential adopters. Some were snuggled up in laps and some raced around the room, while others danced around their crates waiting to be the next to be chosen. A small orange kitten even treated himself to a bite of turkey from one of the delicious sandwich platters donated by Tryst! By the end of the event, more than 10 kittens had received adoption applications from families eager to bring them into their homes.  My own two foster kittens, Professor Chaos and General Disarray, did not live up to their names and managed to behave themselves long enough to melt the heart of one lucky adopter, who will be taking the two of them together!

The Washington Humane Society began holding Meow Mixers a year ago in an effort to bring more attention to the large numbers of cats and kittens in our shelters and to increase cat adoptions. The kitty cocktail parties have become a fun way for foster parents to show off their cats and kittens and for potential adopters to meet them.  For more information on becoming a foster parent, contact Alyson Burgess at volunteer@washhumane.org.

Please watch our adoptions page for information about future Meow Mixers or visit one of our Adoption Centers to meet the dozens of kittens and cats urgently in need of permanent homes.

 

Run with the PACK to Support WHS!

The WHS PACK program is pleased to offer area runners the opportunity to join in the challenge and excitement of the 34th Annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM)!

This WHS is proud to be involved as a charity partner of the MCM and excited to offer you the opportunity to show your support by running for the animals in our care.  By running on the WHS Team, you will not only help raise awareness, but will also help to raise the much needed funding through sponsorship contributions on your personal fundraising page.  In addition, there is an opportunity to run in the 10k portion of the event in support of WHS.

Entries are still available, but they're going fast.  Non-registered participants can sign-up for an $88.00 entry fee and 10K participants $45.00.  If you have already registered to run the MCM, but would like to run for WHS, we would love to have you on our team!  Simply follow the registration guidelines (below), minus the entry fee.

For more information please visit us at http://www.washhumane.org/mcm.asp. For inquiries or to register ~ email us at registertorun@washhumane.org

Summer in the City: WHS Adoption Events

Summer is now in full swing, and while things tend to slow down this time of year in our nation's capital, our animal shelters only  become busier, and are bursting at the seams with wonderful animals available for adoption right now!

 

In order to help you to meet the dogs and cats in our care, we take  them out of the shelters on our Mobile Adoption Center every Saturday and Sunday in to the community to adoption events held all over the city, to make it easier for them to meet you! Please take a look at our Upcoming Adoption Events Web Page to see all of the places you can find our

Mobile

Adoption

Center

during the month of  July. If your business would like to host a WHS Adoption Event, please contact,

Kelly Manion

, Adoption Outreach Coordinator, Kmanion@washhumane.org , 202-567-6839.

Canines & Corks Doggie Happy Hour at the Park Hyatt on August 5th

On Wednesday, August 5, 2009, Park Hyatt Washington, the city’s most sophisticated pet-friendly hotel, will host a second “Canines and Corks” happy hour, benefiting the Washington Humane Society.  From 6:00pm to 8:00pm, area residents and guests are invited to bring their four-legged friends to meet and mingle on the hotel’s outdoor grounds, adjacent to the lobby.  

The WHS Mobile Adoption Center will be on site for guests to meet adoptable animals. The cost of the event is $10, which includes two drink tickets for beer and wine.  

Complimentary dog treats and water bowls will be provided.  A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to WHS.  A third “Canines and Corks” happy hour at Park Hyatt Washington is planned for August 5, 2009.  

For additional information, please call the hotel concierge at +1 202 789 1234. 

Complimentary dog treats and water bowls will be provided.  A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to WHS.  A third “Canines and Corks” happy hour at Park Hyatt Washington is planned for August 5, 2009.  

For additional information, please call the hotel concierge at +1 202 789 1234.