Why Isn’t Service Dog Fraud Against The Law?

by Maggie Marton

Published: September 8th, 2015

why isnt service dog fraud against the law

Fake service dog certifications spread and cause problems for real working dogs. But is there a way to weed the real from the fake? It turns out that the law is closer to closing in on this scammy trend.

It started in New York. Pet owners who were out shopping, eating or going to the movies didn’t want to leave their pets at home or tied up outside businesses. So, they devised a workaround; they went online and purchased fake service dogs vests to pass off their pup as a working animal. When the problem was reported in The New York Post, one source, a restaurateur, even bragged that his fake service dog teacup Yorkie helped him pick up girls in nightclubs.

What seemed like a small, isolated problem grew into a large global issue. On July 1, a law went into effect in Florida to protect the rights of disabled persons and their service animals. The law addresses that growing problem: People adorning their pet dogs in a vest and calling them a service animal to get them into businesses that don’t allow pets.

Anyone can buy a vest and certification paper online to pass off a pet dog as a service dog. But service dogs are not pet dogs, and those impostors cause major problems for real service dogs.

Untrained, fake service dogs disrupt true working dogs. Badly-behaved dogs wearing a service dog vest sour the perception of working dogs for other patrons. Irritated restaurant and shop owners are stuck trying to adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) while feeling like they have no recourse when badly-behaved dogs are passed off as service animals. Some business owners attempted to refuse service, which put them in a sticky position because the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

A messy situation that makes it more difficult for real service dogs to do their jobs.

Because the ADA prohibits businesses to ask about a person’s specific disabilities, the law in Florida and the Department of Justice encourage business owners to ask two questions: First, is the dog a service animal? Second, what is it trained to do?

The Florida law also will help real service dog teams avoid discrimination. It weeds out phonies, but it also penalizes businesses that refuse to serve disabled persons with their service animal.

Advocacy organizations urge the Department of Justice to crack down on service dog fraud. You can take action. Canine Companions for Independence launched a petition, the Pledge To Stop Service Dog Fraud. Sign it today and help put a stop to people who try to cheat the system.

Maggie Marton

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Ask The Hairy Dogfathers: Therapy Dog Fraud?

Just because you can register your pooch as a therapy dog, does it mean that you should? The Hairy Dogfathers have a few thoughts on if a dog should be registered just for a reader’s convenience. Dear Hairy Dogfathers, I have a wedding next winter that I have been invited to. I am close to this niece and I would like to support her. However, it’s a destination wedding and I don’t want to leave my dog at home. I heard from a friend that she registered her pooch as a therapy dog, so she can bring it on the plane with her anywhere she goes. How do I do this? Signed, Not Going to Fly Solo Related: Why Isn’t Service Dog Fraud Against The Law? André says: Dear No Solo, Leaving your dog behind when you go away is never fun. I always do my best to plan road trips instead of hitting the airways for this exact reason. In terms of your current situation, getting your dog some kind of service designation may be an option, you will have to do some research on this as the requirements vary by region. But I caution that before you go through with this, make sure to think it through. Getting your dog on the plane is only part of it; will this vacation be conducive to having your dog with you? Are you planning on spending your afternoons at a swim-up bar or on the beach tanning? If you dog will end up spending more time in the hotel room than with you, you are likely better off finding a good kennel where your dog and stay and play while you enjoy your niece’s wedding. Related: American Airlines Stops Hero Service Dog From Boarding Plane Home Kevin says: No, No Solo! Just don’t do it! People who rely on service dogs, RELY on them! Now we’re seeing refusal of entry to actual service dogs because so many people have had the same thought as you and are trying to get their dogs passed off as “therapy dogs.” This is a growing problems that is jeopardizing special needs people and their dogs. Actual service dogs go through intense training, not so they get on planes, but so they can do a critical job. I get the guilt and you not wanting to leave your pup behind for a wedding. But ask around – there are some really wonderful house sitters and doggy camps out there. The best ones book up early, so start looking now. And my bet is that your dog will have such a good time, he won’t even miss you!

How to Find a Reputable Service Dog Training Program

We’ve seen a growing crop of scammy organizations that offer “Service Dog Certification.” If you have legitimate need for a service dog, do it the right way. A service dog is a canine that has been trained to offer some kind of assistance. Service dogs can be useful for people with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, seizure disorders, mental illness, and a wide variety of other conditions. Unfortunately, there are dog owners who want to have their dog certified in order to bring their pooch into a restaurant… and there are plenty of shady organization that are happy to help them (for a fee, of course). It’s these people who are ruining a vital service for the ones who need it most. If you are thinking about getting a service dog for yourself or a loved one, be sure to take the time to select a reputable service dog training program or organization. Related: Why Isn’t Service Dog Fraud Against The Law? Tips for Finding a Service Dog When it comes to finding a service dog or a reputable certification program, the choice can be difficult; there are so many different training programs out there. Unfortunately, there are also many fraudulent programs out there so you need to be careful about making your choice. These tips will get you started down the right path: Ask around for referrals from any friends or family members who have a service dog. You might also be able to get information from a local shelter or veterinarian.Perform an online search and check the yellow pages for training programs in your area and then compile a list of options.Check the website for each program and look for important details like registry with the Pet Partners, Assistance Dogs International, or other organizations. Make sure the website includes contact information as well as details about the organization, the training program, and the dogs or trainers themselves. Related: Top 10 Therapy Dog Breeds Visit the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and check for complaints against the programs on your list.Contact the rest of the programs on your list and ask what they need in order to pair you with a service dog or a trainer. Reputable organizations will have your doctor fill out forms regarding your mental or physical needs and they will ask detailed questions about how your condition affects your day-to-day living.Ask each program plenty of questions to determine their legitimacy. For dogs, ask where they get the dogs for their program, how they train the dogs, and how they pair the dogs with the right people. In regards to a trainer, get previous references, experience background and qualifications.Remove from your list any programs that seem reluctant to answer your questions or that do not answer your questions fully. You also want to avoid programs that refuse to let you review medical or training records for the dog they pair you with.Before you make a commitment, make sure that the organization offers support for their clients. You should be able to call or email if you have a problem with the dog or a trainer.Visit the training facilities for whatever program you choose before you make a commitment and meet the dog or trainer you will be paired with to make sure it is a good match. You should also make sure that the facilities are clean and sanitary and that the dogs are properly cared for. If you have never worked with a service dog program before, there are certain things that might seem like red flags when they are actually standard procedure. For example, a good service dog training program will have a deep understanding of their dogs and they will not give you much choice regarding which dog you are paired with. If they conduct a thorough examination of your needs they will know which dog is the right choice. It is also standard procedure for dogs in service training programs to be kept in a family environment during training rather than in a kennel. The dogs should be fond of their trainers and appear to be happy and healthy. The key to making sure that you find a service dog or a service dog trainer from a reputable organization is to take your time and do your research. Learn everything you can about the organization before you make a commitment and be sure to visit the facilities in person to be assured of its legitimacy.

Stricter Rules For Flying With Pets on the Horizon

The US Department of Transportation met to discuss guidelines for service animals with regards to air travel and there may be implications for your pet. Currently the rules regarding service animals on airplanes are somewhat fluid in their execution as there are no rules that govern Emotional Service Animals. The department revised its policy on service animals in 2003 to include emotional service animals, but at that time, there was no real definition of a service dog and there were no firm regulations or restrictions for emotional service animals. The concern, according to Jenine Stanley, who is with the Guide Dog Foundation and serves on the Access Committee for the Department of Justice, is that once a person boards a plane with a ‘service animal,’ it is not necessarily easy to validate the necessity of the animal. Particularly when the service animal is not the standard service dog so many are used to seeing. Related: Legal Limbo Of Emotional Support Animals Threatened By Frauds A number of air travelers file complaints against some of the more unique ‘service animals,’ which have been known to include pigs, boa constrictors and even miniature horses (whaaaa???)–most of which are not used to air travel and don’t often know how to behave on a plane with other human travelers. Other concerns, which actually come from those who have highly skilled service dogs who act for their humans as seeing-eye dogs, for instance, are that these unique, out-of-the-norm service animals can cause distraction for the seeing-eye dogs. And while the committee is looking to decide whether or not regulations should include specific species definitions, and if so, what they would be, there are other considerations to be made, specifically by mental health specialists themselves. The University of Missouri recently conducted a study that looked at the complicated issues that surround defining a need for an emotional support animal. For instance, there are no set rules that necessarily determine someone needs an emotional support animal, but there are very specific rules that regulate who is eligible for a ‘service’ animal that provides support other than ’emotional.’ Related: Why Isn’t Service Dog Fraud Against The Law? The study suggested that treating therapists not write letters certifying that someone needed an emotional support, but instead, a separate forensic evaluator/psychologist who would look solely at psychological issues addressed do so. This could eliminate the concern that therapists are simply stating ‘need’ because an an owner, their patient, just wants to be with their pet, rather than needing it for emotional function. The study recommendations also spoke to the need for an emotional service animal based on ability/disability function with regard to emotional health. A psychological assessment should be done in order to determine whether an emotional service animal would benefit the person with the disability, and whether or not the animal could/would be considered appropriate treatment for the disability. Various organizations are represented on the committee, including those from airlines, service dog alliances and mental health providers, and the committee hopes to have new rules out within the year for public comment and to be set within three years.

Legal Limbo of Emotional Support Animals Threatened by Frauds

An emotional support animal can be certified almost instantaneously online, but what does that mean for the public? Here’s why easier hurts those who need this service most in the long run. Service animals are an invaluable asset to those who require specialized assistance in their lives, such a seeing eye dogs and dogs trained to help those with PTSD attacks. However, there has been a rise in the certification of so-called Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). Emotional Support Animals may also be extremely helpful for those in need, but lax certification processes for the designation have watered down what takes to become an ESA. The result is animals with potentially very little training being given similar legal treatment as those who have undergone rigorous certification regulated by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Those who may not experience an emotional or physical disability are able to request that their pet be designated an Emotional Support Animal by a mental health professional. There are extreme ethical and legal issues with this process, especially for psychologists handing out ESA certifications. If an animal misbehaves and causes an injury, the psychologist who deemed them a support animal may come under questioning for their decision. As there are very lax regulations on support animals, the psychologist may be held legally responsible for the actions of the dog. This can quickly become a very risky situation for mental health professionals who can not easily refuse to certify a dog if there are no guidelines to hold it to. Related: New Tech Vest Gives Service Dogs a Voice As well, under the law, an emotional support dog is not considered a pet, and therefore may be allowed in pet-free apartments and other pet-free areas. There is an implication that some may exploit the designation to bring their pets where they ought not to be, or to bypass pet condo fees. Cassie Boness, a clinical psychology graduate student studying the effect of emotional support animals, stated that “housing that prohibits pets must allow ESAs and landlords have to waive any fees or pet deposits. Airlines are required to allow emotional support animals to accompany their handlers in the main cabin of an aircraft. As a result, it can be implied that some patients who claim they need ESAs are doing so to avoid higher rent and fees.” Related: Why Isn’t Service Dog Fraud Against The Law? Unfortunately, support animals may not have gotten the required training to safely be in these public areas, which causes a huge amount of trouble for those who are not comfortable around dogs and it may give service dogs an unfortunate reputation. A dog that is trained not to be scared of loud noises may remain calm and unbothered in a social situation, like in a restaurant, but an untrained animal could become fearful and aggressive. There is the potential for trauma to occur for both the dog and those around it. With some going so far as to fake their dog’s qualifications, including purchasing knock off service animal vests to take their pets with them, stricter regulation is a necessity to protecting the public and making sure support and service animals of all kinds are properly trained and able to assist their owners safely and effectively. With growing research that confirms the positive impact that support animals have on the lives of people who need them, we need rules sooner rather than later that crack down on those who abuse these regulations. By doing nothing, these frauds are jeopardizing the system for people with real medical issues who rely on these support animals to live their daily lives. [Source: Science Daily]

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What Are the Requirements for Flying with a Dog?

While traveling with your pet can be challenging, it doesn’t have to be. Even though some  airlines can be a bit finicky about their rules and regulations, you can fly with your pet in tow safely and comfortably, as long as you know their requirements and follow them to the letter.Having your choice of airlines to travel with your dog as your companion, broadens your options when it comes to travel destinations and can eliminate a lot of usual travel-related stress factors in the process. In fact, flying your pet together with you can be simple, straightforward, and hassle-free! As long as you stick to the rules, that is. So, without further ado, what are the requirements for flying with a dog? Are there any universal practices you should know or does it really depend from company to company? Here’s everything you should know before packing your bags.What Are the Requirements for Flying with a Dog?Of course, it goes without saying that you can’t just appear with your pet at the check-in gate and fly away! There are many important rules involved, mainly in order to keep your pet safe, to comply with specific airline regulations, the rules of other countries, and the comfort of other passengers as well. It is also important to remember that different airlines might have different rules. It is crucial that you contact your desired airline beforehand, checking about any special regulations that they require. Still, there are some universal criteria that any pet will have to meet in order to fly on a plane.One of the foremost requirements that will allow your pet to fly on a plane is a health certificate. This is a special document that can be issued by your veterinarian after a thorough physical examination. It guarantees that your doggo is healthy, has no diseases, and has all the required vaccinations that are up to date. And, of course, this certificate needs to be recent. They are valid for only about 30 days, so make sure to do it in time. Some airlines also require that your pet be microchipped. This is advisable for all pet owners regardless of travel or not. The  microchip allows for quick and simple identification in case your pet gets lost and also serves as a sort of doggo credential. Just make sure that all the information stored on the chip is up-to-date!

Pet Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and you’re probably excited about everything that this festive time of year has to offer. But even though you might be focused on being with the people you love, eating delicious food, and sharing gifts, it’s important to also consider the effects the holidays can have on your pets.To help you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season with your furbabies, here’s a list of holiday safety tips for pets.

Dog Helps Find Missing Child

Dogs can be heroes, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to the story of a very special police K9 in Auburn, Massachusetts. When a 12-year-old went missing from their home and couldn’t be found for roughly two hours, Auburn police knew that they had to work quickly, and Biza the dog played an integral role in the child’s rescue.Child Found with the Help of a Police K9 Named BizaAccording to a Facebook post by Auburn MA Police Department, information about a missing child was received around 10:30 p.m. on January 31, 2024. The child had been missing since around 8:30 p.m., when they had left their home. No one knew where the child could be, and the frigid temperatures made everyone worry even more about their safety.Because the child had last been seen in the Pakachoag Hill area, Auburn police officers, Massachusetts State Police troopers, and detectives got to work looking for them. But it would be Biza, the K9 partner of Officer Ljunggren, who would really come through and help the search end successfully that night.Following the Scent to a Missing ChildBiza picked up the child’s scent and tracked it for more than two miles. The police were able to find signs that the missing child had been in the area, so they kept up the search until they were able to find them and bring them home to their family just a short while later.This is one example of many times that Biza has helped police in Auburn succeed since she joined them in 2022 from Germany. In addition to helping find missing people, she has also helped police track down suspects.  Thanks to Biza and her ability to track the right scent that night, a child was saved from the cold and made it home safe.Here’s a quick video about this story, showcasing a few photos of beautiful Biza:

Study Finds Pet Parents Care More About Their Dogs Than Their Cats

Pet parents tend to place themselves into one of two categories. You can either be a dog person or a cat person - there’s nothing in between. This may come as a shock to all cat lovers, but scientists have found that dog owners care more for their dogs than cat owners care for their cats. At least that’s the case with pet owners across Denmark, Austria, and the United Kingdom.Although these findings have been observed in older studies, veterinary scientists from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, wanted to find out whether cultural factors had any effect on the results. Their results were first published in the Journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. “We and others have found that people are willing to spend much less on their cats than on their dogs,” said Peter Sandøe, professor at the University of Copenhagen and the study’s lead author. “We wanted to find out whether cats could eventually end up having the same high status as dogs do today.”The scientists surveyed 2,117 pet owners, including 844 dog owners, 872 cat owners, and 401 owners who owned both cats and dogs. Participants were asked questions about their pets’ health insurance, their willingness to pay for life-saving medical treatment, and other questions designed to determine how much owners care for their pets. Pet owners from all three countries had a higher attachment score for dogs than for cats. Dog owners were more likely to buy insurance for their dogs, and said they were willing to spend more for life-saving treatment for their dogs. However, the results of the study varied greatly across the countries. The differences were most noticeable in Denmark, where 41% of dog owners said they were willing to pay a high cost of life-saving medical treatment for their dogs compared to 26% of cat owners. On the other hand, the United Kingdom’s results were in favor of dogs, but only slightly. Around 34% of dog owners in the UK said they would pay more for their dogs’ medical treatment compared to 28% of cat owners. According to scientists, such a slight difference isn’t statistically significant. ‘While people care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries, the degree of difference varied dramatically between countries,” said Sandøe. The researchers originally hypothesized that people in Denmark might be more unaccustomed with cats living indoors than people living in Austria and the United Kingdom since Denmark became urbanized much later than these two countries. Thanks to a much more recent rural history, cats in Denmark might be seen as just another farm animal.According to researchers, several studies hypothesize that when cats are more likely to spend time indoors, they tend to become much closer to their owners, who consequently care more about them. This was confirmed by studies in the U.S. and Mexico, where many cats are indoors-only felines.So it comes as no surprise that in Denmark, where just one out of five cats is kept strictly indoors and many have outdoor access, most pet owners care less about cats. Researchers think that pet owners’ level of care for their pets may depend on the level of interaction and dependence, as well as other factors. "There seems to be no natural limit to how much people will end up caring about their cats compared to their dogs,” said Sandøe. “The British are often portrayed as a nation of cat lovers, which is certainly confirmed by our study. The Danes have a long way to go, but they may eventually get there.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Six-legged Abandoned Dog Has Surgery to Remove Extra Limbs

A six-legged cocker spaniel found abandoned in a supermarket parking lot in Wales has had surgery to remove her extra limbs. The pooch was named Ariel, after the Little Mermaid, because her extra limbs were fused together, resembling a mermaid’s tail. Greenacres Rescue, a non-profit group from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, took Ariel in, arranged her surgery, and found her a foster family.  Ariel, who was born with multiple birth defects, was operated on at Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital. Surgeon Aaron Lutchman performed the surgery and managed to save all four limbs amid fears that one hind leg might have to be amputated. “She’s doing really well, she’s bounced back and she’s a happy little dog and we’re hoping she’s going to go on to lead a fabulous little life,” said Lutchman. “She’s got her own little character and even though she’s had a tough start in life she really has done well to come through this as she has… if we can do what we can to help then that’s just absolutely brilliant.” According to Mikey Lawlor, founder and manager of Greenacres Rescue, Ariel was skinny and distressed when she was rescued. “The vet who initially assessed Ariel noted that, in addition to her two surplus back legs, she also had an additional vulva,” said Lawlor. A CT scan later revealed that Ariel was born with only one kidney, which increased the complexity of the medical treatment she required. Unfortunately, the pup’s pelvis never formed properly because she had two hip joints on one side of the body. As a result, Ariel’s normal hind leg had no muscle tone, so there was a chance that that leg had to be amputated as well. “Thankfully, that wasn’t the case though as it’s shown signs of having strengthened a lot in recent months,” Lawlor added.Ariel is recovering nicely after her surgery, having lots of love and fuss from the nursing team. Now that the surgery is behind her, everyone is hoping that she’ll have an easy and quick recovery.“There were two procedures which lasted about two hours, but both went fine. The next day she was up, walking around and eating and drinking.”“Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed she doesn’t get any infections, but she really is in the best of hands,” added Lawlor according to BBC. The brave pooch was discharged over the weekend and has already returned home to her foster family in Wales. According to her vet, Ariel has to rest for the next two weeks to recover completely. The founder of Greenacres Rescue hopes that the organization will be able to find a forever home for Ariel after she completes physiotherapy and recovery. “The response we had to Ariel’s story so far, including calls and emails from as far away as New York and Australia, has been incredible - so I’ve no doubt she’ll be snapped up,” said Lawlor.“I just can’t say enough of a thank you to everyone who’s contributed to helping her.” The organization raised around $19,000 for Ariel’s life-changing surgery thanks to donations from people all over the world.“Ariel was a complicated little dog whose care required close collaboration across a number of our specialist teams, including orthopedics, soft tissue surgery, anesthesia, and radiology,” said Vicki Black, the director of Langford Vets’ Hospital. “As part of the University of Bristol, we are a center committed to career-long learning and are proud to innovate and treat pets like Ariel. We are delighted such a lovely animal has recovered well from her surgery.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Here Are the 10 Rarest Dog Breeds in America

Dogs are the most popular pets in America – deservingly, they are the most loved and affectionate furry friends, and their popularity as family companions never wanes. We all know what are the most popular dog breeds – and which evergreen breeds have been stealing hearts for decades back, but how about those lesser-known breeds? Which in particular are the rarest among them? Even if touting great qualities, some of these super rare breeds are simply hard to come by, and they are seldom seen. Thanks to a survey conducted by the American Kennel Club ( AKC), we can now find out which dog breeds are as obscure as can be. Out of a list of 199 registered and accepted breeds, the AKC revealed the 10 rarest dog breeds in America. 10.  Pyrenean Shepherd9.  Cesky Terrier8.  Sussex Spaniel7.  Harrier6.  Azawakh5.  Belgian Laekenois4.  American Foxhound3.  Sloughi2.  Norwegian Lundehund1.  English FoxhoundDon’t be surprised if you have never heard of some of these unique breeds. They are rare for a reason! On the other side of the spectrum, looking at the most recent trends, the French Bulldog holds the number one spot as the most popular pet dog breed in America, with the Labrador and Golden Retrievers following close by. That’s a bit of a change, as the Golden Retriever long held the number one spot. Generally speaking, most people tend to go for more known and traditional dog breeds when looking for a purebred dog, but the world of canines is much more diverse, with plenty of unusual and amazing breeds to choose from.Ultimately, the popularity of a certain breed should not be connected with their suitability as pets. After all, many factors contribute to that – a great deal of pet parents, myself included, are proud to share their lives with a mixed breed pooch and the fact that they’re not a certain breed doesn’t make them any less perfect. Your four-legged bestie might be a more popular dog breed, a rare purebred, a hybrid designer dog breed, or a cute mutt – they’ll steal your heart either way!

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Great Dane Sets the Largest Litter Record at North Carolina Rescue

A North Carolina dog gave birth to a litter of puppies and has set a record in the process. Earlier this month, Perfectly Imperfect Pups, a North Carolina foster-based rescue took in a pregnant Great Dane, named Meadow. Two days later, Meadow gave birth to 15 puppies. “It’s the largest litter we have ever seen,” said Nicole Kincaid, the rescue’s founder and director. “We could not believe it when we heard she had 15 puppies, and most of them male! We are so excited for their bright future!”Meadows litter is the largest the rescue has seen since it was founded three years ago. The PIP’s founder and director, Nicole Kincaid, shared that this is also the largest litter she has seen in her 13-year-long rescue career. According to Kincaid, Meadow’s litter is unique for another reason - most of the puppies in the litter are male. “Shockingly enough, we have 12 boys, which is a huge number of boys out of a litter.”PIPs share the news of the record-breaking litter in a Facebook post, writing, “Puppies, puppies, and more puppies! Mamma Meadow and her crew are doing great.”“We are shocked to find out how many puppies she actually had and that all have survived and are doing well,” said Kincaid, according to PEOPLE. “Before being taken in by the Perfectly Imperfect Pups, Meadow had an unsteady past. “She has been passed around to five homes, since giving birth to another litter in February. She was being given away on social media and we reached out, but unfortunately, they gave her away pregnant to someone else.”“Within two days they contacted us and asked if we could still take [Meadow], and of course, we were delighted to take her in,” Kincaid shared. “We got her to our vet the next day, and the day after, she started going into labor.”Meadow is just one of many dogs who had the misfortune of being bounced around from one home to the next. Kincaid shared that this wasn’t Meadow’s fault, saying, “People get a large breed dog, and they don’t realize what they are getting themselves into.”“We are delighted that this will be her final [litter], and her next home will be her forever home,” said Kincaid. “We will also make sure that all 15 puppies go to homes that are experienced with large breed dogs.”For now, Shari Willson, one of the Perfectly Imperfect Pups’ fosters is taking care of Meadow and her pups. The foster mom is supplement feeding the pups in between feedings to make sure all puppies are getting enough food. “Everyone’s gaining weight, everyone’s eating, they are all doing really well,” said Willson.Kincaid praised Meadow’s foster home, saying that her organization “is so proud of our foster parents. They take in dogs without knowing what the next few days or months could bring.”“Taking in a pregnant dog is even more of a challenge because you don’t always know when mom will give birth, how many puppies will be born, or what complications may come along,” she said.The rescue has already received applications and hundreds of messages about adopting Meadow or her puppies when they are old enough to go to their forever homes. All of PIP’s adopters sign a contract in which they commit to taking care of the dog for its entire life and promise to contact the rescue if they can no longer care for them. The rescue’s post-adoption team follows up with the adopters and is available to answer any medical or training-related questions. Mamma Meadow and her pups are going to make wonderful companions and loving dogs to their new families! Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Pennsylvania Dog Shocked Its Owners After Eating $4000 in Cash

A Pittsburg couple was shocked to discover that their dog Cecil decided to have the most expensive snack of his life, after wolfing down $4,000 in cash. According to Cecil’s owners, Clayton and Carrie Law, the seven-year-old goldendoodle is a well-behaved boy who has never really done anything bad before. The couple had withdrawn cash to do a home improvement project, but Cecil had other plans for the envelope full of money. Less than 30 minutes later, Cecil was caught devouring thousands of dollars. “I walked back into the room and then all this cash was on the ground. He’s just like this, standing there, and I’m like oh my gosh, he ate some of this money and was in shock. I yelled to Carrie ‘He ate the money, he ate the $4,000,’” said Clayton Law to CBS News. After the initial shock, the couple discovered that Cecil ate a lot of the bills, but that some were still on the floor, albeit torn up and chewed into pieces. Carrie and Clayton describe their pooch as laid back, weird, funny, and almost human-like, and say that he is typically more of a snuggly couch potato. “He doesn’t do many dog things, he doesn’t chew furniture or clothing, that’s why we were extra shocked when he decided to do this,” said Clayton Law. “He has never in his life tried to get anything from the counter, even coffee table. We could leave dinner and go to the kitchen and grab wine, and he would not touch the food, and he just doesn’t care. He just took this opportunity and ran with it,” said Carrie Law. Once the initial shock passed, the couple contacted their vet to see if the dog needed any treatment. Given the goldendoodle’s size, there was no risk of bowel obstruction and he only needed to be monitored at home. At first, Cecil seemed fine, but in the middle of the night, the Laws were awoken by the sound every dog owner knows - the retching of their dog about to vomit. “When you hear that, you immediately just react, so I jumped out of bed and just made sure that he didn’t throw up anywhere,” said Clayton. “And then I went to pick it up… and I realized there’s a lot of like half eaten and $100 bills and $50 bills here.”That night marked the start of the Law’s unfortunate mission of sifting through their dog’s vomit and poop in an attempt to recover some of their money. Luckily, the couple was able to piece together most of the bills after carefully washing and sorting all the pieces back together. “There we are at the utility sink washing this shitty money, yelling ‘Yay! Yes! We got one!’ It smelled so bad,” Carries confessed. After piecing together as many bills as they could salvage, the couple managed to recoup $3,550. According to Carrie, the bank was really nice about it and told them that these things happen all the time. “They said it actually happens quite a bit because money just picks up so many scents, especially if it’s used in the food industry. I guess dogs pick up on that - they have such a good sense of smell - and something about it just drove him crazy.”Almost a month after the incident, Cecil is doing fine and is still a good boy. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Hypothermia in Cats: What You Should Know

Hypothermia puts your cat’s health at risk, and if not treated in time, can be fatal. So, it’s wise to know even just the basics about hypothermia so you can recognize the symptoms and get your cat the help they need right away. Here’s a short guide to get you started.

Should I Bathe My Dog During Winter?

Should your pet forego bubbly baths when the temperatures drop or should you bathe your pooch regularly all year long? There’s no universal answer to this question as situations can be wildly different from one pet or the other – how harsh is the climate you live in, would you bathe your pooch in a well-heated bathroom or not, how thick is their coat, and so on. All of these factors will influence the answer you’re given! To find out what’s the verdict for your own pooch when it comes to winter bathing, read on.Should I Bathe My Dog During Winter?The fact that it’s cold outside doesn’t have to mean your four-legged bestie has to smell funky for weeks on end – at least not in most cases. You can bathe your dog in the winter as long as you follow some ground rules that are meant to ensure your dog's well-being. Here’s what you need to know:#1 Don’t Do It Too OftenDogs don't need bathing as frequently as we do (duh), so if your dog isn't visibly dirty or smelly, you should be able to extend the time between baths to a couple of weeks. Overbathing can strip essential oils from your dog's skin, which can lead to dryness and irritation, so too much bathing isn’t good either. You can probably get through the winter with just one or two baths.#2 Keep The Water ToastyEnsure that the water you use for the bath is warm, not hot. Hot water can dry out your dog’s skin, so don’t be tempted to overly increase the water temperature just because the weather is cold outside. Of course, you should also make sure the bathing area is warm, and have towels ready to dry your dog quickly.#3 Fast Drying Is Key 

Once-Abused Dog Celebrates First Christmas With Vet Who Saved Him

A puppy who survived a terrible beating has celebrated his ‘first proper’ Christmas with a veterinarian nurse who provided a loving furever home for him.A whippet named Terry was only 12 weeks old when he was viciously attacked by his owner and left with severe trauma injuries after he urinated inside. The injured pup was taken to the Hull PDSA Animal Hospital in East Yorks, England, where he was treated by the veterinary nurse Rachel Coombes. During the initial exam, the hospital’s staff discovered that Terry had a bruised eye and lips. The pup was also missing three of his upper incisors, and another tooth was broken.For nurse Coombes, this was love at first sight! She told her colleagues that if Terry survived, she would adopt him, and that’s exactly what she did.Although Terry celebrated Christmas with Rachel and her son Stanley last year, this year was their ‘first proper’ Christmas together since Terry is now fully settled in with the family.“I just felt a connection as soon as he was brought in as he was in such a state we actually thought initially that he hadn’t made it,” said nurse Rachel according to Talker. “Then when we spotted gentle breathing I did say ‘if he survives this I’m going to give him home’ which is exactly what I did.”From that moment on, Terry’s life changed completely! “He hasn’t looked back since - he loves life and is having the best of life right now.” According to his new owner, Terry likes to run around the garden and enjoys going to the beach. The pooch has also formed a strong bond with Rachel’s son, Stanley, and is always by his side. “Last year, we got him around Christmas, but it was such a hectic time for him, and he was learning to settle then.” But this year, the family planned a festive celebration for Terry and did everything to make him feel special during the holiday season. Due to the suspicious nature of Terry’s injuries, RSPCA Inspector Laura Barber was asked to investigate. The inspector said that despite the severity of his injuries and his overall state, Terry had put his head on her and was so trusting. “He was in such a sad state and was really quiet and withdrawn when he was with people. He was so lovable, and it is great to see he has a home he deserves with such a lovely family.”“I know Terry will have the best first proper Christmas with his lovely new family and one he thoroughly deserves,” the inspector added. Terry’s extensive injuries were enough to build a case against his former owner. After appearing in court and admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, the person was handed a five-year ban on keeping animals. Emily Lomas, an animal care assistant at RSPCA’s Hull branch, said she was thrilled when she learned that Rachel had adopted Terry. “He was very traumatized and overwhelmed when he came to us, we had to really show him there was nothing to be scared of and that he was now safe. We took him to the socialization room, and I remember him falling asleep on my legs,” said Lomas.“We were all thrilled when he was adopted and knew he was going to a special home,” she added.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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