Tag Archives: rescues

Adorable adoptables in Northern Virginia: Alice & Ernie

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  This week, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so I’ve got some lovely senior pets to share with you today.  You know I think that senior pets rock, so let’s find them some homes!

First up, meet Alice!  This Beagle/Dachshund mix is approximately 8 years old.   Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Hi, my name is Alice. I am beagle/dachshund mix. I am housebroken,
crate trained and moderately active. My favorite past time is spending
time with my foster mom and my foster sister who I am laying with in the
picture. She says I am an angel because I don’t chew on anything and
she can trust me when I am out of her site. I am not good with young
children as they make me nervous so I would do best in a home with no
children under 12 years of age. I prefer to be the only pet so I can
get all the hugs and kisses. I walk nicely on a leash and am not a big
barker.”

If you have lots of hugs and kisses for Alice, 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 Ernie!  Ernie is one of the wonderful dogs I met when I took photos at FOHA.  Here’s his bio from FOHA:

Ernie 22
“Sweet Ernie is losing his sight and hearing and would truly benefit
from a quieter environment. He was one of many stray dogs who end up on
the PTS list in a rural pound. His rescuer said that he would dig holes
and sleep in the corners of the pen instead of sleeping in his house, as
if he had no concept of shelter. He even had to learn to eat out of a
bowl.

FOHA must seem like Heaven to Ernie. He has shelter, heat in the
winter, a/c in the summer, nutritious food, a full water bowl, a bed,
and TLC from his favorite volunteers. But we know Ernie’s life could be
even better if he had a family and home to call his own.

Ernie loves going for walks. He is great on the leash and pretty
low-energy. After all, he is in his twilight years. Ernie is very
affectionate and would make a great addition to any family.

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Ernie has won the hearts of the volunteers with his mild manners and
trusting personality, won’t you give him the chance to win your heart
too? Email Cheryl at fosteradog@foha.org.”

If Ernie sounds like the guy for you, visit Friends of Homeless Animals for more information, call 703-385-0224 or email doginfo@foha.org.  To see the other dogs (or cats) available for adoption at FOHA, please click here.

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


Bios and photo of Alice used with permission from A Forever Home.  Photos of Ernie by me.
 

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Help senior dogs by voting for The Old Dog House

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I have a treat for you today… a guest post from my pal Chandra of Daley’s Dog Years, a fantastic blog about senior dog life.  Enjoy!

Every day of the year, amazing humans known as animal rescuers save the lives of homeless senior dogs. November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, offering all of us who know and love senior animals an opportunity to pitch in by encouraging adopters to choose a grey muzzle. Today, I’m thrilled to share an additional way this month that you can help homeless senior dogs, with just one click of your computer mouse per day!

The Old Dog House, a nonprofit senior dog rescue and sanctuary in Jacksonville, Florida is currently in the running for $25,000 in funding from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

When older dogs find themselves homeless, their health and wellness needs have often been neglected and those issues contribute to the several months time it can take for senior dogs to get adopted. The Old Dog House is seeking $25,000 in funding to build a warm water therapy pool on its property, a fantastic idea for the health and wellness of the dogs in its care.

The project directly speaks to The Old Dog House’s mission to rehome the senior dogs it rescues and rehabilitates. “A warm water therapy pool will give the dogs the opportunity to exercise without any impact on their joints, allowing muscle development and improving overall health,” writes Kim Siegmund Stordahl, president of The Old Dog House. “If we’re funded, we will share the wealth with other rescue groups in our community by allowing them to utilize the pool for their dogs.”

Meet Sam, one of the residents

Currently, the closest warm water therapy pool is a two-hour drive away so a win for The Old Dog House is a win for all senior dogs in the area—in addition to those in local rescue, The Old Dog House would like to make the pool available to senior dogs in the community.

So how do we help make this great project idea a reality? Vote every day, through November 30, online here or text the code 109539 to Pepsi (73774). Each day you have five votes to spread among all the great ideas up for funding!

Seven times a year, people and organizations submit their project ideas to the Pepsi Refresh Project. The ideas are organized into categories and voted on by funding amount—$5,000, $10,000, $25,000 or $50,000. The Old Dog House’s idea is in the “We Heart Animals” section of the $25,000 Communities category.

Muttley, another one of the adorable residents

Only the project ideas voted into the top 15 slots in each category are eligible for funding. Right now, the Old Dog House’s project idea is ranked #32 in its funding category so we need your vote and those of all your friends!

Learn more about The Old Dog House at its site here and find it on Facebook here. Currently, The Old Dog House has nine dogs in its care—three permanent residents due to physical/medical issues, five adoptables and one who will be available for adoption once medical issues are treated. See all their adorable photos here.

Photo caption quoted from The Old Dog House:

“Every dog at The Old Dog House is viewed and treated as part of the family. We do not have kennels, runs, or cages, rather they live in a true home environment with all of the comforts of home. Since establishing the rescue in 2006, foster homes, besides our own, have been few and far between, limiting the number of older and senior dogs we are able to help. So, we did a little brainstorming and turned our attention to our old, dilapidated 1930’s detached garage. The only thing it was housing was bugs and some moving boxes! In 2010, down it came and in its place stands The Old Dog House, equipped with all the comforts of a home – heating and air conditioning, a bathroom, cable TV, WIFI, radiant heat floor (yes, it does get cold in Jacksonville!!), stereo, couch with a chaise lounge – well, you get the idea! We can comfortably house 4-6 dog-friendly dogs in The Old Dog House. Also, it is a comfortable place for volunteers to come hang out with The Old Dogs to keep them happy and socialized.”

Thanks to Chandra for sharing this great cause.  I’m heading over to vote for The Old Dog House right now.  How about you?

 

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Dulci & Elizabeth

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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).

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so I’ve got some lovely senior pets to share with you today.  You know I think that senior pets rock, so let’s find them some homes!

First up, meet Dulci!  This cute cat is approximately 9 years old.  Here’s her bio from HSFC:

“Very playful. Would make a great friend for another cat that needs a ‘perpetual kitten’ playmate. Likes to sleep on the foot of the bed or
your feet at night. Other than ‘hard play,’ her favorite past time is
eating!”

 

Think this perpetual kitten is for you?  If so, visit the HSFC website for more information.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.

Up next, meet Elizabeth!  This Chow Chow mix is approximately 11 years old and weighs 36 pounds.   Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I am looking for a new home. AFH rescued
me from an awful life where I had to live outside all of the time. No
one really cared about me when I lived outside and I developed heartworm
and had all sorts of infections and parasites. The doctor said I have
the worst arthritis that he has ever seen. All of my infections are now
gone. My heartworm has been treated and I have been eating good food so
I look and feel much better. I would love to live in a home with
carpet so I can walk around and follow my mom or dad or go into the
other rooms to check things out.

Oh, I am supposed to tell you that I am
completely house trained, so no worries there. It would also be nice if
there were only a couple of stairs to go to the back yard. Right now, I
have to be carried down a flight of stairs. And, sometimes when my
foster mom is busy in the yard, I start to walk up the stairs by myself.
Since my balance is not so good, she runs over to help so I do not fall
down and really hurt myself.

My foster mom says I am tenacious with a
high spirit who does not like to give up. She also says I try to frolic
and it makes her laugh. She really loves me, but thinks there is
someone who can offer me more that what she can provide and really wants
me to find the perfect forever home. I am so much better off now, but
my foster mom says I deserve the best since things were so bad for so
many years. And, who am I to argue? Be sure to contact AFH if you
would like to meet me. Thanks, Elizabeth

P.S. Be sure to watch my
video!”

If you think you have the perfect home for Elizabeth, 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 lovely ladies?  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 Dulci and Elizabeth!


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

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Shelter employee fired for taking non-crappy photos of dogs

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Ernie 24
Shameless plug – adopt Ernie!

You know I’m all about the notion that better photos can help dogs get adopted.  It’s logical, after all.  I’m always drawn to a photo of a pup with more personality.  (Speaking of personality… at right, you’ll see a photo I took when I volunteered at a local shelter last month.)

Anyway, today I’m here to share a story about something that strikes me as completely illogical.  Let’s say you’re a shelter… you have a crappy camera and have some crappy photos of adoptable dogs up on your website.  An employee decides to use her higher-quality DSLR to snap some photos of dogs scheduled to be euthanized and shares them in hopes of finding a rescue group or potential adopter who could save the dogs.

This woman displayed initiative, saw a problem, and took steps to improve the situation. Sounds like Employee of the Year material to me.  In reality, she joined the ranks of the unemployed.


According to the New York Times, Emily Tanen was fired from Animal Care and Control of New York City for taking photographs of animals scheduled to be euthanized.  Why?  Her photographs apparently violated her employer’s rules regarding photos – specifically, who can take photos, how the animals can be photographed, and how the photos can be used.  (One rule precludes showing humans in photos with the animals – apparently this extends to body parts such as a hand.  Even with my limited experience, I can tell you that it’s not always possible to get a photo of a nervous dog without a human’s arm or elbow somewhere in the frame.)

Emily took some lovely photos of the dogs that put the official shelter photos to shame.  It sounds like those photos helped some animals escape death row. Instead of seeing the potential here, the shelter fired her.  (Another former volunteer has also expressed displeasure with the fact that the shelter wanted to tightly control any of the photographs he took instead of allowing him to post them on his Facebook page.  Since when is wider exposure for an animal in need of a home a bad thing?)

Don’t get me wrong – I realize that not all shelters have the time or resources to devote to getting some truly fantastic photographs of adoptable animals.  They may not have enough volunteers to do so – in fact, the article suggests that there are only a handful of volunteers to take photos for the entire city shelter system involved here.  In addition, I’m sure there are sometimes valid legal reasons that an organization like this one would want to control the use of photos or set forth standards.

However, why not try to find a middle ground?  Perhaps the shelter could have taken this opportunity to revisit its policies and come up with a plan for getting photos of the animals that would both be acceptable to the shelter and would increase the animals’ chances of adoption.  (Similarly, in the case of the other volunteer I mentioned above, perhaps agreeing to a reasonable way that the photos could be circulated while noting that he did not officially represent the shelter would have been an option.)

This story isn’t about a lack of resources – you have an employee who is willing and able to help take better photos of the animals.  Perhaps she violated the policy, but wouldn’t a reprimand would have made more sense than firing her?

You can read the full New York Times article here.

UPDATE 11/15/11: There appears to be an online petition circulating to get Emily her job back.  If you’d like to learn more, click here.

 

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Belle & Buddy

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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). 

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so I’ve got some lovely senior pets to share with you today.  You know I think that senior pets rock, so let’s find them some homes.  Let’s get to it!

First up, meet Belle the Beagle!  This lovely Beagle/Dachshund mix is approximately 11 years old.  (She looks a bit like my Bella, don’t you think?  With that resemblance, she’s obviously 100% adorable.)  Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Belle is a sweet dog in search of friendship, love and comfort. She
tends to enjoy being a super loyal friend to mainly one person and
doesn’t want to have you out of her sight. Belle warms up quickly to
women and those who are soft spoken. Hanging out in the yard, going for
car rides, or just hanging around the house are all things Belle has a
good time doing if she is in your company. She would do well as an only
dog or as a part of a dog pack. Belle enjoys the company of her many
foster dog friends, but also craves to be the center of her loyal
friend’s attention. Belle is fully housetrained and crate trained. She
is a very smart lady dog and can do several fun tricks, including ‘What
up dog?’ (fancy shake), ‘Roll Over’, and even balance a treat on her
nose. If you think you could be Belle’s best friend and provide a
loving, calm home for Belle please send us an email and come meet her.”

If you want to be Belle’s best friend, 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!)

Next up, meet Buddy the Basset Hound!  (Apparently I’m all about the alliteration today.)  Isn’t he handsome?  Here’s his bio from HSFC:

“Don’t let Buddy’s age keep you from coming out to meet
this adorable purebred Basset Hound. He is such a sweet boy. At 8 yrs.
he still has lots of spunk and is always ready and willing to go for
long walks whenever you are. He’s great with other dogs and loves people
of all ages. He’s housebroken, loves attention, and will be a really
good companion for someone who doesn’t want to play fetch all day and
night. Give Buddy a chance to show you he can be the best pal you’ve
ever had. 

Attributes: Best Friend you’ll ever have!”
 

Think this young at heart pup knows the way to your heart?  If so, 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 sweethearts?  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 Belle and Buddy!


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

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Adorable adoptables in Northern Virginia: Shea & Bonnie

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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).  (In light of the holiday, perhaps I should have saved Boo for today!)

Let’s get to it!

First up, meet Shea!  This Lab mix is approximately 5 years old.  I just want to snuggle with her!  Who could resist that face?  Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Shea is a beautiful, loyal black lab mix. She is
very laid back and loves relaxing around the house while lying on her
back. Nothing makes her happier than greeting you when you come home
and letting you rub her belly. Snuggling in bed is also at the top of
her list of things she loves, as are car rides and walks around the
neighborhood. Shea is very relaxed and can be good around other dogs
once she gets to know them better. Shea spent the last 4 years being
best friends and house mates with her fellow lab–mix friend, but did
take some time getting used to him. Shea would do better in a house
without young children.”

If you want to be Shea’s snuggle buddy, 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!)

I’m changing it up a bit this week… I’m adding a cat into the mix!  When I saw this beautiful black cat, I just knew I had to share her with you.  So, without further ado… meet Bonnie!  Here’s her bio from HSFC:

“Bonnie’s a real beauty. Her white socks and the white tip on the end of
her tail, sets her apart from other black long hair cats. She knows
she’s beautiful and walks proudly strutting her stuff. She needs a home
of her own so her true personality can shine.”
 

Do you have the perfect home for this gorgeous gal?  If so, 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 sweethearts?  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 Shea and Bonnie!


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

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An update from Coney Island

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Bella has a new cone (the Comfy Cone).  She seems to prefer this one to the plastic monstrosity she was wearing on Saturday.  Her navigation has improved.  It also makes drinking easier and appears to make sleeping more comfortable.

However, the new cone has not caused her to develop an appreciation for life as the sole occupant of Coney Island in our household.  I still catch her shooting me dirty looks on a regular basis.  The fact that I keep referring to her as Coney Island and Coney McConerson probably isn’t helping matters.  (When she takes a nap in the middle of the living room these days, she’s like her own little island of annoyance.  I wouldn’t recommend it as a tourist destination.)
I asked Bella to watch the following video shared with me by Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes.  She was not amused (apparently they don’t enjoy cone humor on Coney Island).  However, as a not-so-proud member of the People’s Republic of Evil Cone Purchasers, I found it highly entertaining.


Thanks for sending this my way, Pamela.  I love it!

On a related note, I think Bella has been deploying her cone to score maximum sympathy points.  Last night, those points were awarded in the form of chicken.  The cone has really upped her game in the begging department.


Tomorrow, I reveal what Bella’s going as for Halloween… any guesses?  (Hint: the cone is involved.)

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Buddy & Marty

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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).  Let’s get to it!

First up, meet Buddy!  This Border Collie/Spaniel Mix is approximately 6 years old.  Could this handsome guy be the one for you?  Here’s his bio from A Forever Home:

“Buddy and Boo lost their home due to their family breaking up. Buddy is
a lovebug. He gets along with other dogs and loves everyone. He is
housebroken and would just like a lap to sit in.”

If you have a lap for Buddy, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption (including his pal Boo) 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 Marty!  This little cutie weighs approximately 15 pounds.  Here’s his bio from HSFC:

“This little fella is not only cute as a button, but
about as sweet as you can get. He’s only 4 yrs. young, super small,
loves everyone and everyone loves him. Marty was neglected and wants
desperately to find someone who will love him. As much as this boy has
been though, he is still full of sweetness. He has a beautiful grey and
white coat and is a purebred Shih Tzu. Come and make Marty’s biggest
wish come true…a family who will love him forever!


Attributes: Incredible Little Fella!”

 

If you’re interested in meeting Marty and loving him forever, 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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Hello… is it a doggie you’re looking for?

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I’ve got lots of linky goodness for you today.  Before we get silly, however, I have some cool information to share with you in honor of Pit Bull Awareness Day, which just so happens to be tomorrow.

Our pals over at love and a six-foot leash have put together a special adoption event with the Montgomery County Humane Society.  For a select group of lovable wonderbulls known as Little Zee’s Fabulous Four, all adoption fees will be sponsored.  Once a dog in the Fabulous Four is adopted, a new one will take his or her place on the list.

If you’re in the DC area, check out the details on how you can bring one of these adorable pups home.  (Even if you’re not looking for another dog right now or aren’t in DC, you can still help by spreading the word!)  For bonus points, head over to Peaceful dog, where a donation will be made to the Washington Humane Society for each comment.  Pretty cool, huh?

Now, back to your regularly scheduled puns…

  1. Your punny pet name: Lionel Itchy.
  2. Remember how much I loved that Lionel Richie teapot?  Well, here’s an awesome flyer to go with it. I don’t know why he fascinates me so… perhaps I’ve been wooed by his grammar skills.
  3. On a related note, I saw the sign below one day, and it was the highlight of my week.  I’m sure the people who saw me taking this photo thought I was nuts – however, anyone who gets the reference below scores instant awesome points.  (I’m beginning to think I need to join Lionel Richie Fans Anonymous.  Their motto?  “Hello… is it therapy you’re looking for?”)
    4. Lionel Richie crossing
  4. Um… moving on… looking for a treat to make for Halloween? Check out these creepy eyeball cake pops from Bakerella.  (Continuing on that theme… there photos of animals’ eyes up close are pretty cool.)
  5. If that didn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, try these awesome cakes inspired by Tim Burton.  (There might even be some new eye candy on my baking blog… head on over and check it out.)
  6. Last week, I highlighted some dogs in Halloween costumes.  This week, cats get their due.  (Speaking of cats, this diagram should clear up what all the fuss is about.)
  7. Also… I think this might be the best costume ever (although I doubt it’d translate into a pet costume).
  8. Want to see more cute pet costumes (and vote for your favorite)?  Go to All Things Dog Blog to vote for the Most Original Costume, and swing by DogTipper to vote for the Cutest Costume.
  9. I wish I’d read this article about pumpkin carving tips before I tried to carve mine last weekend.  Nonetheless, maybe it’ll help you in your carving endeavors.  (Are you a pumpkin carving savant?  Then you might want to enter this contest.)
  10. This photo looks like it came from some sort of horror movie.

The video below, however, looks like it came from the best movie ever.

It’s like a remake of 8 Seconds only much more fun and without Dylan McKay.

Oh, and I know it’s No Frown Friday, but I want to keep you posted on what’s up with us today.  Bella had to go in for surgery to have a lump removed this morning, and I’ll be picking her up this evening if all goes well.  That being said, we’d appreciate any healing vibes you could send her way.

I’m hoping that it’ll turn out to be nothing, and that the worst part of the whole ordeal will be her displeasure regarding the cone of shame.  (At least we don’t have a doggie door, I suppose…)

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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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