Best Friends Pet Resort & Canine Academy

Watch this 4 min video about the new model of animal sheltering. We and Westside Animals for Adoption are part of the growing safety-net resource centers around the country that focus on keeping pets in homes, reuniting lost and found pets, and preventing relinquishment when we can. Our local public shelters are slowly moving toward the same goal. See how you can be part of the solution.

Hi, all. we hope that you and your family are well. Just a quick post to say we are settling into the routine behavior change caused by the pandemic. To follow best practices we ask our customers to come into the lobby one at a time so we can reduce distance. And to wear your mask. We are changing our lobby hours temporarily to the morning from 7 am to 11 am, and opening again from 4 to 5:30 pm. Sometimes staff will still be here after those hours. You can call to let them know you are coming 209.892.3114 or call Augusta at 209.402.8343 for any out of hours needs that you might have. Be well.

One of our volunteers shared this. If anyone want to send a photo, you can text 209.402.8343 or email [email protected]

You can never have too much of how to live a joyful life.

Teaching tricks to your pets can be fun and oh so rewarding; yes, cats can learn tricks too. Some ideas where to find resources are in the article, and of course there is Google and FaceBook. Also go to DoMoreWithYourDog.com as well as AKC.org.

If you're looking on the internet for pet dog training tips, here is a new site you can trust.

This is a chart from Stanislaus Animal Services Agency recently. Notice the tiny orange bar that barely budges. That is the poor outcome for pets being returned to owners over the years. Microchip with registration, post on FB and other SM pages, check the shelters in your area, insist that shelter staff makes an effort to find and return particularly when owners can't afford fees and fines, etc. Some areas get that return to owner rate at 70%. We can do better.

Let's keep pets at home and families bonded.

Is everyone aware of the principle of 5 Freedoms for all animals in our care? What started in the livestock industry is now a welfare standard in all domains, eg, livestock, zoos and shelters, pets, research.

Take notice if your dogs are players.

Keeping the Human-Animal Bond strong.

If you are looking for resources to help your dog to handle scary events,, this book and website is highly recommended.

Goodbye, Jasper. You never know what you're going to get when dogs found as strays come in for training. Each one challenges my skills and knowledge, having to make it up sometimes, going backwards and forward, always...well, not always but trying to...giving each a say in how I approached the teaching by what they were willing to accept. Small things like eating out of my hand, letting me put a collar on, and finally trusting enough to jump in my car voluntarily and walk in the crate, and best of all were the playbows and leaning on my leg. Now he's off to his rescue in Washington by private plane no less. I hope he lands well. Good boy.

I'm training Sadie to improve her leash walking manners, but I think we got our messages crossed today.

Horace thought my place looked like more fun than his. He is fascinated by my dogs, but he belongs in his yard not mine. He spent the early morning visiting all the dogs at my house and at the kennel until his owners came and rounded him up and fixed the gate to his place. He's definitely not satisfied with his flock of sheep.