Posted By Monique Conway, HSSA on Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 3:06 PM

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Bigstock

Dogs with birthday hats

August 1st is Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs. It’s a day to celebrate all of the homeless dogs who are in shelters waiting to meet their forever families. At the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) it will be a special day.

HSSA’s Dog Days in the Desert Summer Campers learned how to make dog friendly Frosty Paw treats during their last week of camp. HSSA’s volunteers will be going around on Thursday, Aug. 1st giving each dog a delicious Frosty Paw treat and giving them some extra TLC.

Frosty Paw treats are easy to make and you only need a few ingredients.

Ingredients:
· 32 ounces of plain yogurt
· 1 jar of baby food carrots, or baby food meat, or one mashed banana
· 2-3 Tablespoons of Honey
· 2-3 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter

Mix all the ingredients and freeze in an ice cube tray. Once fully frozen you can give the treats to your pup to enjoy.

You can help make a difference for homeless dogs at HSSA by making a donation at www.HSSAZ.org/DONATE.

*Always check with your veterinarian before giving to your pet to verify there are no health risks for your pet.

Tags: dog birthday , dog treats , Humane Society , HSSA , pets , adoptions , shelters , Image

Posted By Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Mon, Jul 29, 2019 at 9:19 AM

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Courtesy of Humane Society

Hello! I’m a mellow 1-year-old boy named Dex. I am friendly, happy-go-lucky, and enjoy meeting new people. I walk well on a leash but prefer to be cuddled up next to your or sitting on your feet. My favorite thing in the world is food! I’ll do anything for a treat. I already know sit, down, roll over, but am best at beg,” Dex (873432)

Fall in love with Dex at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. Have questions? Give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.

Tags: pets , Humane Society , dogs , adoption , furry , cuddle , Dex , Image

Posted By Meredith O'Neil on Fri, Jul 26, 2019 at 12:27 PM

Courtesy of Pima County Public Library

Reading while snuggled up to a dog is a wonderful way for kids to practice their reading skills. The Pima Animal Care Center is bringing a team of therapy dogs to Pima County Libraries to sit with kids while they read.

Kids are welcome to sit and read with a dog, practice reading aloud, sound out words, or just find joy in reading. Dogs will never judge, so kids can practice without worry of making a mistake. It gives kids the freedom and the enjoyment to begin a lifelong love of reading.

You can also read to your child while sitting with the dog if your child is not of reading age.

Read to a dog is a regular event held at participating Pima County Libraries. See the event schedule for dates, times, and locations.

When: Saturday, July 27, 2019
Where: Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Children's Room, 1st Floor
Time: 11 a.m. - Noon
(This event is recurring, see event schedule for other dates, times, and locations)

Tags: Read , library , kids , dogs , animal rescue , therapy dogs , Image

Posted By Meredith O'Neil on Fri, Jul 26, 2019 at 9:31 AM

Courtesy of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is celebrating the plethora of amazing insects that live in the Sonoran Desert July 27 from 5 - 9 p.m. during their Insect Insanity night.

Children of all ages can learn about local bugs, make their own wearable antennae, see moths, butterflies and beetles, and even...try eating cricket-infused treats.

Meet American wildlife artist Guy Coheleach and draw your own rendition of a Sonoran wild cat, pet a stingray and explore in the packrat playhouse.

Bring a black light to look for fluorescing insects along the walkways! Museum docents would be happy to tell you all about the insects you find.

Tags: Insects , Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum , Museums , Nature , Bugs , Image

Posted By Meredith O'Neil on Fri, Jul 26, 2019 at 9:29 AM

If you've ever ridden you bike along the Rillito bike path and gone under the bridge at Campbell and River, you might notice an acrid smell - that's guano. There's a colony of bats that live under the bridge and take flight right at dusk during the summertime. It's a beautiful natural phenomenon, and fun to bring kids to see.

Courtesy of Southern Arizona Guide

It might seem like you're waiting a long time, or maybe they won't leave, or maybe you've missed it - you haven't, be patient.

A few bats will fly out first as the colony gets ready to leave the bridge. All of a sudden they will take off, streaming out from underneath and form a cloud. Their chirping is audible as they take off to go feed on insects.

Most likely, these are Mexican free-tail bats that have migrated here in April from Mexico, and will return to Mexico in October. They are protected by Arizona law and best viewed from a distance.

Catch their flight at dusk any evening during the summer, likely through September.

Tags: Bats , Rillito bike path , Image

Posted By Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Mon, Jul 22, 2019 at 9:43 AM

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“Hi there! My name is Cupcake and I am a 1-year-old girl. I am a mellow girl who absolutely loves to be pet. I have done well with kittens but do not have any experience with dogs or kids. I came to HSSA as a stray and hope to find a loving home that can show me how great life can be. I tested positive for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) which means I will need to live in a low-stress home and live exclusively indoors. I can go to a home with other FeLV positive cats, as well as, FeLV negative cats that have been properly vaccinated against the disease. Our adoption policy includes free FeLV testing and vaccinations for potential adopters’ current cats in the home if considering adopting an FeLV positive cat like me from HSSA. Cats with FeLV can live long and healthy lives."

- Cupcake

To learn more about feline leukemia visit http://bit.ly/WhatIsFelineLeukemia.” Meet Cupcake at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. Have questions? Give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.

Tags: Pets , cats , meow , animals , adoptable animals , adoption , Cupcake , black cat , Humane Society , Image

Posted By Monique Conway, HSSA on Fri, Jul 19, 2019 at 2:22 PM

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Courtesy photo, HSSA

This summer, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) has experienced an increase in the number of pets coming into the shelter. Right now HSSA has over 150 cats that are waiting for their forever families.

“We have had to add kennels to our cat adoptions area, place multiple cats in each kennel, turn our spacious catios into additional kennel rooms, move cats into our meet and greet rooms and add additional kennels into our Welcome Center. We are running out of places to put them! If you’re interested in adding a cat to your home now is the time! We have every personality, color, and age. They are just waiting for you,” said Morgan Treiber, HSSA’s Adoption Supervisor.

As part of HSSA’s 75th Anniversary Celebration all cat adoptions for cats over 6 months of age are 75% off through Thursday, August 1. If you’re interested in a kitten, don’t worry there are plenty! Kittens will be eligible for the 75% OFF adoption fee discount through Sunday, July 21.

For more information on cats that are waiting for their forever families visit HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. or PAWSH Park Place at 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. You can also give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173.

Tags: Humane Society , cats , adoptions , sales , animals , pets , forever homes , Image

Posted By Meredith O'Neil on Fri, Jul 12, 2019 at 10:55 AM

As we enter weeks on end of 100+ degree weather, it's important to consider our pets' comfort too. There are a few rules to follow to make sure your dog or cat enjoys the summer too, shared by the ASPCA.

1. Make sure your pet has plenty of water, always.
2. Never leave your dog in the car. Even when it's 70 degrees outside, the car interior can get up to 20 degrees hotter. That means that when the temperature is 100 degrees, the car can get upwards of 120. Open or cracked windows don't effectively cool down the car.
3. Don't leave pets unsupervised around a pool. Not all of them are good swimmers.
4. Trimming your pet's hair is okay, but shaving them may remove layers of protective fur that will keep them from sunburn or overheating.

Courtesy photo

See these other rules shared by the friendly ASPCA staff. 

Tags: Pets , dogs , cats , summer , heat , protection , ASPCA , Image

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 11:40 AM

For our pets edition this year readers submitted their best dressed pets and here at Weekly headquarters, we wanted to get in on the action! So, here are the wonderful fluffy, scaly and all around cute pets of the Tucson Weekly.

Slideshow

Tucson Weekly Pets

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Tags: pets , best dressed , dogs , cats , tortoise , hamster , outfits , animals , cute , Slideshow , Image

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 10:11 AM

After much deliberation, Ace the golfing dog is the winner of our 2019 Best Dressed Pets competition! Thank you to everyone who submitted photos, turns out we have some pretty well dressed pets in Tucson! 

Slideshow

Best Dressed Pets 2019

Click to View 5 slides

Tags: pets , dogs , best dressed , animals , competition , contest , cute , Slideshow , Image