to get tips for helping family pets
Earlier this month, the Dearborn Animal Shelter launched a new pet behavior help line 313-355-7553, along with corresponding email addresses, HelpMyCat@DearbornAnimals.org and HelpMyDog@DearbornAnimals.org.
The purpose of the new outreach service is to give pet owners in the community a place to get some guidance for minor behavioral issues with their furry family members.
According to Elaine Greene, Executive Director, Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, “Having behavioral issues is one of the leading manageable reasons we find people surrendering their pet to the Shelter. There are unavoidable reasons of course, like a relocation where pets are not allowed, sickness in the family or loss of employment, but behavior issues, if given proper guidance, can often be corrected. Greene continued, Sometimes people ask friends or family members, but are not sure where to turn for professional advice or are not able to afford training courses. Our goal is to give them some help, an option to connect with one of our team members who are skilled in offering cat and dog advice”.
In preparation for the new help line, Dearborn Animal Shelter staff members were trained through a grant program made possible by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). This program focuses on cat behavior issues; as many pet owners understand that there are dog training options available to them; but are not as familiar with finding cat behavior advice. Once the Dearborn Animal Shelter staff members completed their training, they decided to extend the help line to dog owners as well, as they felt this service was important for dog family members too.
Linda Thomas, Certified Professional Dog Trainer for the Dearborn Animal Shelter, will oversee the new help line service. Thomas has completed the HSUS training and many other certifications in her role for the organization. The help line is free to callers and open to those who have pet family members. Recent Shelter adopters with any pet behavior issues are encouraged to continue their correspondence directly with their adoption counselors and not use this help line service.
The information can be found on the Dearborn Animal Shelter’s website under the Contact Us section. The following is a direct link to the Help line information on the site: https://www.dearbornanimals.org/contact/pet-behavior-helpline/
Learn more about adoption, training, events, volunteering or donating online at www.DearbornAnimals.org. The Dearborn Animal Shelter is located at 2661 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, and is operated by the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, a 501C3 nonprofit organization.
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