emBARK on Pet Health {Sergeant’s Pet Care}

Over the years, we have had a number of cats and dogs come into our home. Not all have been complete success stories, as finding the right match for your family dynamic is a challenge, and sometimes hard decisions have to be made, but adopting a pet from a rescue or shelter program, as opposed to a local pet store, is something that is very important to us. All our pets have been rescues, so when Sergeant’s Pet Care asked if we could participate in their newest program, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.

*me with a dog available for adoption from a local rescue group

Over the past six months, I have been working with a local rescue group, doing what I can to make life a little easier for the pups that are waiting to find their new homes. In that time I have also learned that my resolve is not strong enough to subscribe to any “death row animal” e-mail group. Heart too big, house too small. You’ll just have to trust me on this.

Merry, our current resident hound seen above (and a different dog from the first picture), is a dog that we are fostering. Although I brought her into our home under a straight-up foster arrangement a few days before Christmas, it’s been almost two months now and I’m pretty sure that we’ve failed Fostering 101 and she’s become a true member of our family. We recently donated a bunch of leashes to the rescue group, and go on scheduled “pack walks” on available weekends, which is when we take the shelter dogs out for a three mile hike to get them out of the cages and into fresh air and a little bit of exercise.

In point, we do what we can.

It takes every bit of resolve I can muster not to bring them all home with us. In fact, after the first pack walk I went on, I returned to the shelter asking if the dog I had that day (the first picture above) needed a foster home. It was so hard to bring her back to the caged run and leave her there. {She has a strong prey drive for cats, so unfortunately she wouldn’t work in our household.}

Being hands-on with the rescue group shows me how much help they still need on an ongoing basis. And right now, there’s a simple way you can help. The emBARK on Pet Health campaign is asking pet owners to take a simple pledge to become more mindful of their pet’s ongoing needs at www.embarkonpethealth.com. Each pledge will trigger the donation of a Sergeant’s Pet Health Kit, which – with the help of the American Humane Association – will be sent to help one of the millions of animals waiting for their forever homes at local shelters nationwide. Sergeant’s Pet Care Products is committed to donating up to 5,000 kits, which ensures that these animals are sent home with all the products they need to get started on a healthy and happy life together after adoption.

The kits are valued at $50 each, so this is a pretty serious donation, and can help so many pets. The pledge takes less than 10 seconds to fill out, just your e-mail address and town, and you’ll be helping Sergeant’s donate another kit to an animal shelter in need.

We’ll also be having a Twitter party tonight at 7 pm EST – I hope you’ll join me. Whether you’re a new or seasoned pet owner, you’ll learn ways to help your pet avoid fleas, ticks, dental problems, obesity and more! We’ll be sharing the best ways to care for your pets to keep them in good health and prevent problems in the future. Just search for the hash tag #SergeantsPet tonight and join in the conversation.

Tomorrow? Eat.Live.Be.
Friday? Hosting an animal-themed birthday party and how to make cat cupcakes.
Saturday? Toothbrushes with tunes!

*I was compensated to share information on Sergeant’s Pet Care and their emBARK challenge with you, and just can’t say no to a project so close to our hearts.