Tag Archives: adorable adoptables

Say "cheese… and adopt me please!"

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Last month, I read a post on Jezebel entitled “Pet Photographer Says Better Photos Save Shelter Dogs’ Lives.”  Not long after that, I read another article on FIDO Friendly on the same topic.  Through the FIDO Friendly article, I learned about Second Chance Photos, a non-profit that encourages people to donate their time to take personalized photos of animals in need of a forever home.

I was intrigued – the idea makes perfect sense.  The cuter that furry face looks in the photo on the rescue group or shelter website, the more likely someone looking for a pet is going to fall in love.  Not convinced?  Check out some of these before and after photos.

As someone who’s obsessed with her camera, I couldn’t think of a better way to volunteer!  Inspired by Second Chance Photos, I contacted some local rescue groups to see if they could use my services.  One group, Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA), took me up on the offer.  FOHA is a non-profit, no-kill shelter that operates in the DC/Northern Virginia area.  (Remember Dozer?  He’s a FOHA alumnus.)  According to its website, FOHA typically houses more than 100 dogs and 30 cats on site (as well as more in foster homes).  As you can imagine, that’s a lot of animals that need photos for the website!

This weekend, I visited FOHA to take photos of some of their adoptable pets.  I’m so glad I did.  A friend came along to handle the dogs while I took photos – we spent the afternoon playing with dogs and (fingers crossed) helping them find homes.  It was rewarding and fun  – I hope they’ll be willing to have me back.

Want to see some of the photos?  Allow me to introduce you to my new friends…

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

If the slideshow didn’t work for you, check out the set on Flickr.  For more information on these pups, visit Friends of Homeless Animals.

Interested in learning more about volunteering as a shelter pet photographer?  Second Chance Photos has some great tips on how to get started, as well as tips regarding equipment, how to conduct the photo shoot, and editing. 

You don’t have to be a pro – it just takes a little bit of homework and a lot of practice.  It’s nice to think that all of my time playing pupperazzi has a practical application.

Have you ever taken photos for a rescue group, or are you considering doing so?

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Boo and Bosco

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).

First up, meet Boo (aka Susie)!  This adorable lady is approximately eight years old and is an English Springer Spaniel / Black Labrador Retriever Mix.  Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Boo and Buddy recently lost their home due to their family breaking up.
Susie is a playful girl and loves the water. She is a very confident
girl and would do best in a home with another dog that will let her be
the leader. Boo is playful and loves the water.”

If you have room for a playful gal like Boo, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption (including her pal Buddy) at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Up next, meet Bosco!  This handsome guy weighs approximately 80 pounds and has a fantastic smile.  Here’s his bio from HSFC:

“Bosco is a big boy and a big lover. He’s great with
other dogs and a real sweetie. He’s 3 yrs. old, housebroken and loves
attention. He’s had some bad luck in his short time alive, but hopes
someone will want the love he has to give. He dreams of a forever home
and tries so hard to be your best friend. He’s a lab mix with another
larger breed added in for good measure. We think it may be Mastiff or
Newfoundland mix but whatever it is, it’s a breed of pure sweetness.
Please come and meet Bosco and make his dream of a home of his own a
reality.

Attributes: Big Lover Boy!”

 

If you’re interested in meeting Bosco and bringing this lover boy home, visit the HSFC website for more information.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.
Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these pups?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for these great pups!


Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.
 

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Coonhound edition

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As I mentioned last week, every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).

This week, I’m featuring two Coonhound mixes.  Did you know that Coonhounds fall into that dreaded “less adoptable” category that makes it harder for them to find homes?  (As always, I’m convinced that “less adoptable” really means “awesome but people are too dumb to see it.”)  Check out this week’s post about Coonhound Companions over at Be the Change for Animals to learn more about this awesome breed.

Now, allow me to introduce you to some adorable Coonhounds who are looking for their forever homes…


First up, meet Scupper!  This guy is a Coonhound mix, and he’s approximately 3 years old.  Here’s his bio from A Forever Home:

“Scupper is a sweet boy with a great personality. He’s completely crate
and house trained. He loves to play tug-o-war with his foster brother
Bailey. Even though he’s skinny he’s a fairly tall dog, so he would do
best in a home with older children. Scupper would greatly appreciate a
new home with active people and a fenced back-yard for play time, and he
would make an ideal running partner. Scupper does have a little fear
of certain dogs and some men, however, I have not had any problem with
him when there’s been a proper introduction. Scupper takes a while to
bond with his caretakers, but once he does he’s forever yours, and has a
great memory for people. Please come visit him at the next adoption
event.”

If Scupper sounds like the running buddy for you, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Up next, meet Connie!  This lovely lady is also a Coonhound mix, and she weighs approximately 45 pounds.  Here’s her bio from HSFC:

“They don’t get any sweeter than Connie unless you dip
her in sugar. She’s a Black and Tan Coonhound and one look into her eyes
will have you hooked forever. She did not had a good life before coming
to us. She was emaciated when she came into our care and very
frightened. She has gained weight and learned to trust us completely.
Her personality shines through more and more each day. She’s great with
other dogs, is only a year old and tries her best to please you. Please
give this sweetheart a chance to show you how wonderful she is. Send in
your dog adoption application today and get ready to be loved
unconditionally.
Attributes: Super Sweet Missy!”

 

If you’re interested in meeting Connie, visit the HSFC website for more information on how to experience her sweetness in person.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.
Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these pups?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for these great pups!


Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.

 

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: meet Tabasco and Wallie

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I’ll be doing a new feature here on Sundays, featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).

First up… meet Tabasco!  (Awesome name, right?)  This cutie is a neutered male.  He’s described as a terrier mix and weighs approximately 35 pounds.  Here’s his bio from HSFC’s website:

“Tabasco was abandoned and left to starve in a
vacant house. This did not change his sweet disposition, though it did
affect his weight considerably. After alot of TLC he looks great and is
more than ready to find a family who will love him forever.

He is a real
character and loves to show off his funny antics. He’s great with
people and other dogs, loves to go for walks and is a total lover boy.
He has the cutest puppy face even though he is about a year old and
weighs approx. 35 pounds. He may be an American Staffordshire mixed with
some other type of terrier because of his face and head shape, but
whatever he’s mixed with, he’s adorable. Make an appointment to meet
Tabasco and add some real spice to your life. 

Attributes: Super Sweet Little Buddy!” 
If you’re interested in meeting Tabasco, visit the HSFC website for more information on how to make his acquaintance.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.

Next, I’d like to introduce you to an adorable guy named Wallie.  Check out that face – a person would be lucky to have that smile greeting them every morning.  Here’s his bio from A Forever Home:

“Okay, let’s get the vital stats out of the way and then I can tell you
all about my friend Wallie. Wallie is a male poodle mix (we think
Bichon) of approximately 7 years of age. He weighs 19 pounds (could stand to lose a few – sorry Wallie, but it’s true) and is neutered and
potty trained. How did Wallie end up with A Forever Home animal rescue?
Well, certainly through no fault of his own. He was badly neglected by
his previous owners and when they decided they didn’t want to care for
him any longer (not that they did much of that to begin with), they
threw Wallie out of their car window at an animal shelter. The shelter
contacted AFH to come and rescue Wallie and the rest, as they say, is
history.

Since then, Wallie has been lovingly cared for in a foster home
as he waits to find his new family. I had the pleasure of meeting
Wallie last week. Wallie is a very sweet fella. You should know that due
to Wallie’s lack of attention in his past, he has developed cataracts
and his vision has been affected. He’s like a furry little Mr. Magoo.
That does not stop him from enjoying life and it certainly does not keep
him from being a loving affectionate guy. Oh, and don’t pass Wallie by
because of his age. Some dogs at age 7 are seniors, but poodles like to
keep us company for a range of 15 to 18 years. Wallie deserves a great
home with people who will treat him like part of the family. I promise
you he will give as good as he gets. If you would like to set up a
meeting with Wallie, please have your people contact his people at A
Forever Home.”

If you’d like to have your people contact Wallie’s people, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here.  (If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and meet some of them!)

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these pups?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for these great pups!

Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.

 

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