Animal Defense League is offering free spay/neuter services for San Antonio’s community cats! These clinics help manage the cat population humanely while improving their health and well-being. Texas Public Radio covered our efforts—learn more about how you can take advantage of this program:
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Can you believe we are 91 years old? If you ask me, we don’t look a day over 35! We are so excited to celebrate this milestone and share the . . .
The post Happy 91st ADL! appeared first on Animal Defense League of Texas – San Antonio.
We had such an amazing time this weekend, hanging out with the Devil’s River crew and WWE Superstar and actor Dave Bautista! We got to meet so many amazing fans and ADL alumni and helped two new friends find their furever homes! See more about the event here and follow along for more exciting events from ADL!
At Homeward Pet, we have taken in kittens as young as 1 day old and kittens who both have and don’t have mothers that are still caring for them. When we take in kittens who are too young to be adopted, they go straight out to foster care until they are ready. This is the best way to ensure that these fragile little beings are properly socialized. Most kittens do not spend more than a week in the shelter.
Have you ever considered fostering a litter of kittens? Here is what you can expect at each of their formative weeks.
The First Week
Newborn kittens are incredibly vulnerable. They are born blind, deaf, and unable to regulate their own body temperature or eliminate waste independently. Tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand, they weigh just 3-5 ounces. At this stage, they are entirely reliant on their mother for protection, warmth, and nourishment. Despite their helplessness, they can purr and vocalize distress. They spend most of their time sleeping, waking primarily to eat, as they have significant growth ahead.
During their first week, kittens cannot stand. Their eyes remain closed, and their ears are folded. Orphaned kittens this young require round-the-clock care, including bottle feeding every two hours—yes, even through the night! Their senses of smell, hearing, and taste begin to develop.
By about one week of age, kittens become slightly more aware of their surroundings. Their eyes are nearly open, though their vision remains unfocused, and they have typically doubled their birth weight. Their ears also start to unfold.
The Second Week
Kittens continue to grow rapidly during their second week. They huddle together for warmth and comfort, rarely straying far from their mother, their nest, or each other. Their eyes remain blue, a color that persists for the first few weeks, with their true eye color not fully apparent until around two months old. As their sense of smell develops, they may hiss at unfamiliar scents or sounds, though their tiny vocalizations are often more endearing than ferocious! They also begin kneading, though their claws are not yet retractable.
The Third Week
By the third week, you can often distinguish between male and female kittens. Their teeth begin to emerge, and their walking becomes more confident. This is a good time to introduce a litter box and wet food. Even at this age, kittens still sleep for a substantial portion of the day. They also start to eliminate waste independently, a significant milestone that signals the beginning of litter box training.
If you’re bottle-feeding, you’ll notice kittens drinking more at each feeding, but less frequently—typically four to five times a day. You can also begin introducing solid food, starting with wet food mixed with kitten formula. By the end of this week, they will weigh close to 15 ounces and walk steadily with much less wobbling.
During the Second Month
At four weeks old, kittens are sturdy on their feet and engage in playful interactions with each other, toys, and people. Their fur begins to fill out, and you may start to tell whether they will have short, medium, or long coats.
This is a particularly fun age! With their sight fully developed, kittens engage in vigorous and exhaustive play, running and exploring until they literally fall asleep wherever they are. While they are experimenting with solid food, most kittens still nurse from their mother (or are bottle-fed by you) a few times a day. Human interaction is crucial for kittens at this stage. Consistent handling and play from people help them associate positive experiences with humans, which is vital for their successful adoption into new homes. Kittens also begin to exhibit instinctual behaviors like stalking, hiding, pouncing, and digging—behaviors ingrained in all cats, whether they grow up indoors or outdoors.
By the end of the second month, kittens will be almost fully weaned. Introducing them to new people, different areas of the home, and other pets is an important part of their socialization. At this point, they are fairly self-sufficient.
Ready for Adoption
At Homeward Pet, we have taken in kittens as young as 1 day old and kittens who both have and don’t have mothers that are still caring for them. When we take in kittens who are too young to be adopted, they go straight out to foster care until they are ready.
Considering opening your home to a litter of foster kittens? It’s a rewarding experience that makes a huge difference in their development and lives.
Not ready to foster or adopt? Please consider a donation to help us care for these fragile beings over the coming year. Make your donation recurring by clicking the tab to make it a monthly gift.
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excerpted from a story written by Alley Cat Allies
photos courtesy of The Kitten Lady
At Homeward Pet, we believe every life is worth saving—even when the road to recovery is long, complicated, and expensive. This GiveBIG, your generosity makes a meaningful difference for pets like Marlin, who need more than just shelter.
Marlin joined Homeward Pet in December 2024. During his intake exam, he rubbed against the vet’s hands and purred contentedly. At six months old, he was drastically thin and malnourished. Our hope was that a few weeks of a healthy diet and a steady stream of love would be all it took to prepare this kitten for his forever life.
While at the shelter, he let the staff know that he was uncomfortable, and we were challenged to keep him eating. His sweet nature had volunteers flocking to his kennel to try unsuccessfully to find treats or a food combination that would entice him. He always leaned in for the love but away from the food with that wrinkle to his nose that only cats will make. You know the one.
As his time with us stretched into the holidays, Marlin’s weight stayed critically low, and his spirit showed weakness between the purrs. A staff member offered to take him home to see if that would help. His time in foster included sleeping on his foster dad’s chest, and requesting cheek rubs from his foster mom. However, he didn’t show the verve one would expect from a kitten and struggled to explore his playful side.
Marlin came to visit our clinic often and was tested for any disease that might be causing his symptoms. Our staff consulted with multiple outside vets and researched conditions that might be less common. Marlin bravely leaned into the tech’s fingers for scritches while blood was drawn and curled into a volunteer’s waiting arms while his prognosis was discussed.
Marlin spent months in foster care. In February, it seemed like the combination of meds and supplements prescribed had finally gifted our gentle boy with a reprieve. He started to play; he jumped for the first time after a wand toy, and spent calculated time figuring out how to escape his foster room.
He was brought back to the shelter in hopes that we were close to being able to list him for adoption. Volunteers welcomed him home with cheers and open arms. Despite his playful nature and hopes for his healing, he started to show pain in his mouth, which culminated in the removal of five of his teeth. Unfortunately, the upward trajectory of his health was not to be and his mouth has continued to become more swollen and more painful. He struggled again to eat. His treasured face scritches started to cause him to flinch.
After thoughtful tests, he has been diagnosed with stomatitis, which is a severe inflammation of the mouth that can affect up to 4% of cats. It is a painful condition where the immune system overreacts to the bacteria in dental plaque, leading to inflammation and ulceration. Most often, the only cure is to remove the source of the plaque – the teeth. Yes, all of his teeth. Thankfully, Homeward Pet has had several litters of kittens where this was the diagnosis, and has a staged plan in place to ensure that the best decisions are made for the long term health of cats with this horrible condition.
Poor Marlin is now only ten months old but has spent his entire life battling mysterious ailments. Despite the pain he’s feeling, he continues to be a bright spot in our day, every day, giving us reasons to laugh and celebrate his silly personality. He still greets every volunteer with a purr and gentle taps with his paw. He patiently allows our clinic staff to poke and prod, confident that they have his best interests at heart. Not once has he growled, swatted, or been cranky about his care.
Marlin’s story reminds us why our work—and your support—matters so much. He’s still fighting, and so are we. When a pet arrives sick, injured, or in distress, they don’t know what’s coming next—but together we can make sure what comes next is healing, compassion, and hope.
Your GiveBIG gift isn’t just a donation. It’s a lifeline for pets like Marlin, ensuring that we never have to say “no” to an animal in pain because of cost or the time it takes to find a cure.
Your gift will be put to immediate use to treat, heal, and comfort more than 1,500 pets’ that come through our doors this year, including Marlin’s continued care. Thank you for being a part of our mission, and for giving animals like Marlin the care they deserve.
There’s still time to have your gift go TWICE as far this GiveBIG! Thanks to a generous matching grant, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar until midnight.
Give now. Give hope. GiveBIG.
In 2018, Kaia arrived at Homeward Pet Adoption Center, and it didn’t take long before she found a loving home. However, when a new baby joined the family, Kaia struggled to adjust. Having a young child in the house proved stressful for Kaia. She became withdrawn, and her reactivity grew as her stress did.
Her loving owners reached out to Homeward Pet. For five years, Homeward Pet Adoption Support provided behavior training, guidance, and support to try to help her thrive with her growing family.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, and although her family loved her deeply, they ultimately made the difficult decision to return her to Homeward Pet. They wanted the best for this sweet girl and hoped Kaia could find a quieter, more predictable home, better suited to her sensitive needs.
Upon Kaia’s return to the shelter, our team worked patiently to match her with a foster home that could gift her with an environment to help her decompress from years of stress. We introduced her to her potential foster family multiple times to ensure a smooth transition.
Unfortunately, the first night in her foster home, Kaia suffered what can only be described as a panic attack. She was so terrified of her new surroundings she tried to escape by throwing herself at walls and out of windows. At midnight, our team received a call from her foster family, who rushed to bring her safely back to the shelter.
After allowing time to settle back into life in the shelter, Kaia underwent a sedated physical exam and extensive testing. The results revealed she was hypothyroid – a condition that can heighten anxiety. With new medication and a treatment plan in place, Kaia miraculously began to seem less stressed.
To ensure she could feel safe and happy in a home again, our team went the extra mile. After a few months of care in the shelter, staff members were able to secure an AirBNB for an overnight to see how Kaia would do in a home environment.
Kaia had a blast – she curled up on the couch with staff, cozied in, and took a peaceful nap. In fact, she felt so at home, she even stole a piece of pizza when she woke from her nap!
Because of your incredible generosity, Homeward Pet was able to provide Kaia with the specialized veterinary and behavioral support she desperately needed to treat and ease her anxiety. Today, Kaia is ready to find her forever family.
Your GiveBIG gift isn’t just a donation. It’s a lifeline for pets like Kaia and so many others still waiting for a second chance.
Take advantage of our match pool and DOUBLE your gift, today! Thank you for being a part of our mission, and for giving animals like Kaia the care they deserve.
Give now. Give hope. GiveBIG.
Huskies, often known as the “Siberian husky” because of its origin in Siberia are the most loved dog breeds. You can easily identify them because of their thick double-coated fur, pointed ears, bushy tails and their sociable and loyal nature.
They are also playful and powerful, therefore a good choice for active dog owners especially those with kids. Just like any other dog breed, huskies too shed fur. This guide covers everything you would like to know about huskies shedding. Let’s dive in!
So, you have got this beautiful friendly dog but one of the questions you would like to know is that “Do huskies shed?”
But first, we need to understand what shedding is. Well, this is when animals lose dead or damaged fur to make room for new and healthy fur to grow.
Back to our question, the answer is yes, just like other dogs, huskies do shed off their coat that protects them from the cold, also known as blowing their coat.
The unique thing about these breeds is that they shed once or twice a year only compared to other breeds that do it throughout the year because of seasonal changes.
It has been proven that most huskies will shed twice a year although some will only do it once a year, especially during spring as the weather gets warmer. It is therefore normal for the husky to shed, but it becomes a nightmare if your husky sheds off unusually.
So, if you are thinking of getting this stunning steady dog breed, you need to know what causes these beautiful dogs to excessively shed their coat abnormally.
One thing you should be aware of before owning a husky is the fact that it is a thick double coated animal. This means that it has two layers of hair comprising an undercoat and a topcoat.
The undercoat is made of a layer of fine soft hair used for insulation during winter when they regrow and used for cooling during summer when they blow off or shed off while the top coat is harsh, wiry, and waterproof and obviously, protects the body of the husky from harsh environment and water.
For this reason, as the weather changes from hot to cold or the other way around expect the hair to fall off too much to fit the stipulated weather condition surrounding the husky.
They either have to shed and grow thinner undercoats during summer seasons or grow thicker, denser overcoats during winter when the weather is cold.
In other words, it is Mother Nature that determines when it is time for the husky to lose some hair or to grow it. But for some reason, the husky may shed off excessively which is frustrating and these could be the reasons why.
So we are very aware that it is normal for huskies to shed to fit the seasonal change of their environment. However, abnormal shedding can take place.
These are some of the reasons why there may be excessive abnormal shedding in huskies.
This is caused by feeding the dog an imbalanced diet especially when the food lacks protein which is essential for skin and hair growth.
2. Certain diseases
Some diseases may affect the husky’s skin and fur. Excessive hair loss in dogs could be an indicator of an underlying illness so you need to take it to the vet to find out the disease in time.
3. Skin parasite like flea and ticks
Parasites which irritate the dog’s skin force them to over-scratch, ending up losing its beautiful coat abnormally.
4. Skin allergies
Skin allergies may cause rashes, itching, and other skin reactions affecting the hair. It also makes the dog over-scratch.
5. Using the wrong shampoo
Some shampoos sold on the market are not good for either the skin of the dog or the hair itself. It may irritate the skin forcing the dog to over-scratch or break the hair hence over-shedding.
6. Stress at home
Biologically, it has been proven that animals lose hair when they are stressed and this is very true with a husky. According to Mayo Clinic, stress possibly causes the body’s immune system to attack hair follicles where the hair is rooted thus causing hair loss.
It is good that every problem has a solution, and these are some of the solutions to excessive shedding in huskies.
Vet visits: Regularly take your dog to the vet to check on its health especially when it feels irritated or it is over scratching to save both time and money.
Feed the dog a balanced diet: When you go out shopping for dog food, make sure to shop for food rich in protein especially chicken or fish. This is good for the skin and fur.
Introduce food supplements with Omega-3 oil: This has been proven to be very good for the skin of the dog. When the skin is fine, expect the dog to have good hair which will not abnormally break off.
Avoid using the wrong shampoo: Use deshedding shampoo that contains natural ingredients and avoid the ones that will burn the skin and the hair of the dog. Not all shampoos are good.
Don’t ever shave the hair from a dog: Instead, brush it regularly on a schedule. It is advisable to do this 2 to 3 times a week to reduce the dead skin on the dog.
Much as you are advised to brush your dog, take into consideration the type of brush you are to use when brushing your dog. Use an undercoat rake and slicker brush which don’t damage the hair of the husky.
Avoid over bathing: This is because it will risk drying the dog’s skin which will turn out not to be good for the hair conditioning of the dog.
Exercise the dog: This will keep the dog in shape and remember when you are in shape; it makes your body system work normally, and also works well for the dog. So go have fun walking your dog.
Much as you don’t want your husky shedding off abnormally, wouldn’t you want to see its coat healthy and shiny? Well, here is how to maintain the cool coat of our husky.
a) Emphasize on protein diet
Always look out for food rich in protein as a primary ingredient. It is advisable to feed them lamb and chicken since they are rich in protein and make the hair glow.
b) Give the husky an Omega-rich diet and supplements
This has been proven to reduce dry skin and general irritation making our husky soft and beautiful. Give the husky some seafood, especially fish.
c) You are also advised to massage the coat with coconut oil
According to Jessica Smith, coconut oil is one of the best remedies for nourishing dehydrated skin and hair as well as preventing skin infection making the husky’s coat glow.
d) Bath, groom and brush your husky regularly
Use organic shampoo with natural ingredients to preserve the beautiful dog coat.
e) Pay attention to the environment in which your dog will stay or play
Make sure it is always clean. Also, make sure that the place your dog stays or plays is not infested with a parasite that will make its body itch.
f) Make sure to see the vet to check on the health of the dog to prevent diseases
Sometimes it is good to do a medical checkup on the dog to find out the problem that could affect its health, in this way you will be able to maintain a beautiful coat on your husky.
You may also like to read: Husky Lifespan – How Long Do Huskies Live
How long does a husky shed?
It normally takes 2 to 3 weeks for huskies to shed. However, some huskies may shed quickly or longer depending on the climate. As soon as your dog sheds, you need to observe to make sure it’s okay
When do huskies shed?
Huskies shed twice a year and this normally occurs during spring as the weather is getting warmer, and again in fall to make way for the growth of new undercoats for the cold weather ahead.
How much does a husky shed?
Huskies can shed a lot but there are times when they can shed excessively. This could be because of several factors but mostly because of health concerns.
Do huskies have hypoallergenic hair?
Huskies are not hypoallergenic. They shed all year round so it is not good for people with allergies.
Having a husky as a pet is great because of its loyalty, strong with a lot of stamina, and playfulness. They enjoy outdoor activities but are also independent so be rest assured of personal space just when you need it from your husky.
I hope this guide has given you a deeper understanding on huskies shedding and how to know abnormal shedding. You have also learned some tips on how to maintain a healthy coat for your husky.
A lot of us don’t want to think of being separated from our pets in any way, shape, or form, but unfortunately, it can happen. If the worst should happen to you, is your pet protected? How do you know that your beloved pet is going to end up with someone you can trust or that they are going to be properly looked after?
In this guide, we explore the options that you have to make sure your pet is looked after long after you have died and still lives the full and happy life you intended.
When you work with an estate planning attorney to plan for your passing, there are a lot of different clauses and stipulations you can put into your will. A pet clause will outline who you want to look after your pet and turns this into a legal guideline to protect your pet when you die.
Who will be your pet guardian? It isn’t easy to choose, and you will want to make sure that you have discussed with anyone you want to name as a guardian and see if they are happy for you to do so.
Pet guardians should:
It is a good idea to leave some money to pets. Of course, they can’t spend this money themselves, but it is for things that may crop up throughout their lives. Pets need food and care including veterinary attention from time to time. Leaving some money for this removes the burden from your potential guardian.
You can create a separate document that can go to the guardian in the event of your death. This can outline things like veterinary details, medical records, and other important documentation regarding your dog. It can also show what they like and the sort of things they are not keen on or even scared of.
It is normal for a pet guardian to feel a bit overwhelmed in the case of needing to inherit and care for a pet, even if they love animals. This means that the more instructions and help you can provide, the better.
A pet trust is a way to ensure that you fund your pet’s care even after you have gone. Working with an estate planning attorney, you can complete the relevant documents to ensure that you have outlined what money is going to be put in this trust, as well as the trustees. The trustee/s will be able to access the money after you have passed and they are responsible for sticking to your instructions.
It is a real fear for many of us. What is going to happen when we die, and what will happen to our loved ones? This includes pets, of course.
Luckily, by creating a will and a pet trust, you should be able to ensure that your pet has the kind of care they need. In your will, you can outline who you would like to leave your pet to, just make sure you have asked them if they are happy to take on the guardianship of your pet. It helps if you have left behind financial backing, of course.
We all love our pets and want to know that they are in good hands, even after we have passed away. Your will can give you the peace of mind you need, knowing that someone you can trust will be given your pet if you pass away and can no longer take care of them.