Getting help for your pet We offer several free options to help regardless of your pet’s behavior! Frequently Asked Questions
Pet Loss Resource Center Resources designed to help you and your family cope with the loss of your companion animal. Remember, grieving a pet is natural and will vary from person to person. In her Tedx Talk, Dr. Sarah Hoggan shares her thoughts and experience with pet loss and grief. As an emergency…
Understanding feral cat behavior, TNR, and caring for community cats MetroCat Feral Cat FAQs The MetroCat Street Team is one of our community initiatives providing vital services to Denver area community cats in high impact areas. We get a lot of questions about the cats we serve, understanding their behavior, and what exactly TNR programs do. Here, we go through…
DIY Shelter for Feral Cats Can cats handle cold weather? Feral cat colonies and wildlife are particularly susceptible to extreme weather conditions. While vital as the temperatures plummet in the winter, these DIY shelters for feral cats can help them survive as temperatures rise in the summer. If you live in an area where…
What is canine enrichment and why is it important? Enrichment is about providing outlets for mental and physical stimulation in ways that allow animals to express their natural, species-typical behaviors. The main goal of enrichment is improving an animal’s quality of life, making it very similar to hobbies for humans. Think of some hobbies that people engage in, such…
High angle view portrait of a mackerel cat mother lying on grass with two kittens enjoying her lap. What to do if you find kittens outside. Kitten season is right around the corner. If you’ve heard the midnight yowls of cats in heat as the weather warms, chances are, you’ll see kittens in the coming months. Even if you don’t hear the cat calls, it’s important to know what to do if you find kittens outside.
Feline Behavior: What you knead to know When out cats stare longingly into our eyes, meowing for seemingly no reason, how many of us often say, “I know” without having a clue what they’re trying to tell us? We’d venture to say that most people have had this very exchange with their cat, perhaps even multiple times…
Teaching your Dog to Not Jump Up Definition: Rather than teach the dog to “not” do something, we will ask him to do something he knows how to do that is incompatible with jumping up on you or someone else. You may use “sit” or “touch” or some other behavior as your alternate incompatible behavior. Your dog…
Teaching your Dog to “Settle” Definition: “Relax, be calm.” Practical uses: “Settle” should be more relaxed than a “Down-stay” or “Sit-stay”; the dog need not maintain a specific position. You can use it in the waiting room at the veterinarian, or when you are out on a walk and stop to chat with a neighbor.
Teaching your Cat to “Sit” Definition: The cat’s hind end is touching the ground How to Teach: Sit: Stand or sit next to or in front of the cat, holding your clicker and treats. If you have treats that he wants, then the cat will wait for you to give him one. While he is waiting…
Teaching your Cat to “Sit Pretty” Definition: Cat will be sitting with his front paws in the air, as if begging How to Teach: After you have taught your cat to sit, you can then move to “Sit Pretty.” Your cat will sit when he is waiting for the clicker and treat. If you wait (up…
Teaching your Cat to “High Five” Definition: Cat touches one of his front paws to your hand. How to Teach: High Five: Sit or squat next to or in front of the cat. Hold your hand flat and in front of the cat, within paws reach. When he lifts one leg off the ground, click and treat…
Teaching your Cat to “Down” Definition: Lying down How to Teach: Down: The easiest way to teach this behavior is to catch the cat in the act. He will lie down when he feels comfortable. Watch for him to lie down, then click and treat. Deliver the treat so that he must get up to eat…
Starting Out Right with Your New Cat and the Litter Box Most cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. By following the suggestions outlined in this handout, you’ll be able to start off on the right foot with your new cat. Location Most people are inclined to place the litter box in an out-of-the-way spot in order…
Standing tied by Brent Winston, trainer, Harmony Equine Center As I have been out riding this summer, I have noticed that a lot of people struggle with some of the same issues I used to struggle with. One of those issues is standing tied. It’s not uncommon for horses to pull back…
Solving Litter Box Problems Cats tend to have surface and location preferences for where, and on what, they like to eliminate. Most cats prefer a loose, sandy substance, which is why they will use a litter box. It’s only when their preferences include the laundry basket, the bed, or the Persian rug, that normal…
Shape Up by Brent Winston, equine trainer As we are being teased with warmer weather, many of us are anxious to get out and enjoy our horses with some trail-ride therapy. Maybe we haven’t had time to ride during the winter because it’s too dark by the time we get home or…
