Second Chance: Getting Pets Out & About

08 Jul Second Chance: Getting Pets Out & About

Howdy folks my name is Pluto and I’m a one-year-old Hound Mix, waiting (for a new family) here at the Second Chance Humane Society. Although, we really don’t just sit around and wait for you to come to us, we get out into the community as part of our Shelter Enrichment Program.

The program is not as simple as it sounds, however, so I thought, to guide you in getting your pets out more as well, I would talk today about how the staff prepare us for the experience.

Pluto

For some dogs and cats, particularly a stray like me, the world can be a chaotic and scary place filled with unusual and unfamiliar experiences. So to get us ready for our outings the staff gradually introduces us to some of the unknowns using tasty high value treats and lots of positive reinforcement and love. We start with the basics, introduced to things like getting in and out of a car, which many of us have never done before. Once comfortable with the car, we get to go into Ridgway to walk in the park and visit the Second Chance Thrift Shop.

Before any of us get to go to our first event, we are also socialized and introduced to as many other dogs, cats, and people as possible here at the shelter to help us get comfortable with strangers and the excitement of the Telluride Farmers Market, just one of the events you can find us at this summer.

All this training also helps us to be calmer, happier, and more adoptable.

Moqui

My feline friend Moqui is no stranger to chaotic and crowded situations, because she just finished nursing and caring for her litter of five kittens. Moqui already has a paw up on some because the cats that get to attend offsite events have to be adaptable and not overwhelmed by travel or lots of stimulation. But weather and conditions permitting, the shelter cats also attend our offsite events.

So if you’re unable to visit us all here at the shelter, keep your eyes peeled while out this summer and you might just meet me, Moqui, or other furry friends while at the Free Concert Series in Ridgway or at Chow Down Pet Supplies in Montrose, just a couple more of the offsite events we get to enjoy. And remember, if you have a pet that is uncomfortable in new or social situations, let them tell you when they are ready as they can be to get comfortable with greater and greater challenges.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)