Iams Help Send Pets Home For The Holidays

For their 11th year in a row, Iams is again partnering with animal shelters during their annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays. Their goal is to help 1.5 MILLION orphaned pets find their forever homes from Oct. 1, 2009 to Jan. 4, 2010.

How can you get involved?

- If you’re planning on bringing a pet into your home, check your local animal shelters for suitable pets in need of a home.
- Volunteer at your local animal shelter — during the holidays, animals living in shelters still need to be walked and played with.
- Make a donation to your local animal shelter.
- Donate pet food to your local food bank to help families in need continue to care for their pets.
- Shop for gifts for your pet-loving family and friends at animal shelter gift shops or rescue organizations. My favorite, of course, are the soft-coated wheaten terrier cards and wine glasses at Wheatens in Need. Check online for rescue organizations for your favorite breed.

Tips for a successful holiday adoption:

- Adopting a dog for your family when everyone is enthusiastic is a great idea.
- Don’t adopt a pet for someone else — especially as a “surprise.” You may think Grandma will enjoy having a new companion to keep her from getting lonely, but a rambunctious puppy or small active dog can easily get underfoot and lead to falls. If Grandma’s interested in a dog, counselors at your shelter can work with you AND her to find a perfect match.
- Spend the weeks before your pet joins the family getting ready. Consult training manuals (I find this helpful before bring any new dog into the home — even after reading them previously), prepare gear for the pet (leash, collar, bowls, poopie bags, chew toys, etc.), and decide on house rules for the dog (where will the dog sleep, will you allow dog on furniture or not, who’s in charge of feeding, walking, and scooping poop), and write down a puppy training schedule to include times for play, eating, sleep, and potty breaks.
-Then get your camera ready to capture all the fun!