ASPCA

One of the things that I love doing on the weekend is visiting my local SPCA. This is an activity that I definitely recommend to animal lovers who have a shelter near them. Check nationwide shelters like the ASPCA or the Humane Society. They sometimes have free weekend classes to educate people on how to raise puppies, so it's a good idea to participate if you're thinking of getting a dog sometime in the future. I just go to coo at them through the windows and sometimes play with the animals as well.

Furthermore, animals are known to reduce stress, so consider this a healthy activity that will help you take your mind off work and reduce stressors in your life. In fact, a certain ivy league law school even started using a therapy dog to test out the stress reduction theory on students. The dog will be placed in a private area of the Yale Law School library, and students will get the chance to interact with the dog only if they sign up for a time slot. Have your own doggy relaxation time by visiting the SPCA, and who knows, this can possibly lead to opportunities for volunteering at the shelter on the weekend.

Source: Flickr User mbostock

Check out this post from the OnSugar blog The Adventures of Our Fur Babies.

I received my free pet safety pack from the ASPCA yesterday.  It took a while (oh about two months) but better late than never, right? I first learned about this pack in one of Pet Sugar's posts. It's from last year, but thank goodness I chanced upon it. Whenever I watch the news and see a home that caught on  fire, or an area affected by an earthquake or like lately, the gas leak explosion in San Bruno, I also wonder if they had pets in those homes.  What about them? =(

Being a stay-at-home mom, I'm almost always home. But there are still some days when I would be out doing some errands or spending some quality time with the family. So should something happen while we're not at home, though there are no guarantees, it's good to have this sticker/decal on my balcony sliding door  or window as a precaution in case of an emergency (earthquake, fire, etc). It contains info like what kind of pets you have at home and contact number.  I also plan to make one so I can stick it on my front door.

Just for picture purposes. Filled it out after.

Learn what else is in the pack and read more

I can't say enough about making informed decisions when it comes to adding a pet to your family. The choice to buy vs. adopt is yours, but if you do decide to go the breeder route then it's important to pick a legitimate, well-run facility.

It's now possible to research the breeder down the street, or clear across the country with the ASPCA Puppy Facts database. Simply enter the name, license number, or location and it pulls up current inspection records, which list violations from inadequate record keeping to unsanitary living conditions.

A bonus if you live in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois. There are laws in place to allow you to also search pet stores, too. So you'll know if you want to patronize a shop . . . or take your business elsewhere.