Like the rest of the country, Virginia has seen single-digit temperatures recently, a level of cold for which many of us, and our pets, were not prepared. Local TV and radio stations have requested interviews, and we are grateful for the opportunity to remind viewers and listeners of the dangers pets face this winter, and of the importance of keeping them inside.
In some instances reporters ask, "What about people whose pets don't live inside?" Our response will always be "please, please, PLEASE, bring them indoors!" Not only for fear of frostbite and other perils from the drastic cold temperatures, but also for their overall well-being. For people whose pets aren't currently living inside as members of their family, our best recommendation is to contact us for help. Most often, pets have been relegated to the outdoors because of a lack of training or behaviors that don't make them the best indoor companions.
Our Behavior Helpline is a free resource that is available to help you address these issues and bring your companion inside. Regardless of where you acquired your dog or cat, our trainers will answer your calls and emails and help you with your behavior concerns. Please email your questions to [email protected] or call and leave a message at 804-643-7722.
At the other end of the weather response spectrum are the dogs who are experiencing a touch of cabin fever. It's too cold to be comfortably outside, and we're keeping walks short for their sake as well as our own, but the dogs are growing restless after another week of cold days. We have a solution to offer those dogs and guardians as well!
Training classes at the Richmond SPCA are taught indoors, in one of our two spacious training areas – the Track & Training Center is on the second floor of our humane center, and Smoky's Training Center is behind our Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital. Both spaces are heated, and we have classes that are open for enrollment now.
A new class offering is all about playing with your dog. This class is starting January 16, and will be held with instructor Marie Tripton on Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m. Students and their dogs will learn games they can play together that incorporate skill building. Learn more about this and many other classes by visiting richmondspca.org/classes.
I am a firm believer that if you don't want your furbabies inside with you, then you don't need them....they are family and love being with their humans!
Posted by: Rita Spangler | January 16, 2018 at 06:32 PM