Fear Free Shelters

Brachycephalic dogs steal hearts with their adorable faces, but their unique anatomy often comes with complex health challenges.

Join us on Thursday, March 13, at 1 p.m. ET for a RACE-approved webinar with Carol Reinero, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), PhD, FFCP-V.

Learn how to:
✔ Diagnose and address respiratory and aerodigestive disorders.
✔ Manage risks tied to comorbidities like obesity and infections.
✔ Implement treatments that prioritize recovery and minimize stress.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your care for these special patients.

This webinar content is built for veterinarians; however, it may also be applicable to your role within your clinic or shelter.

Register now: https://fearfreellc.webinargeek.com/optimizing-care-for-brachycephalic-dogs-addressing-respiratory-and-aerodigestive-disorders?cst=soc1

by our friends at Elanco

For shelter dogs, going for walks can be a great way to provide enrichment and help them feel more comfortable in their new environment. However, these outings can also come with risks, especially when encountering other dogs—particularly off-leash ones. A sudden attack can be distressing for both you and the dog, potentially leading to fear and anxiety that may persist even after the walk.

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for every dog, check out this article for expert tips on keeping your dog protected during walks and be sure to share it with your community!

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/keeping-dogs-safe-on-walks/

Shelter environments can be overwhelming for cats, with loud noises, strong smells, and unfamiliar faces. Simple changes, like adding cozy hiding spots or soft music, can make a world of difference in helping them feel safe and calm.

Check out this blog to discover 17 easy ways to reduce stress for shelter cats and help them feel more at ease while they wait for their forever home.

https://fearfreepets.com/reduce-stress-in-shelter-cats/

Happy National Love Your Pet Day! 🐾💙

Today’s the perfect reminder of why we do what we do—helping every pet feel safe, loved, and stress-free, whether they’re in a forever home or still waiting for one.

We’re here to support shelters in providing stress-free care for pets, helping them feel calm and comfortable while they wait for their forever homes. Together, we can make every pet’s experience a little less stressful and a lot more loving.

When cats purr, it’s more than just a cute sound—it’s a sign of love and comfort!

Purring helps build the bond between cats and their caregivers, and it has a calming effect on humans too, reducing stress and boosting endorphins.

Share this blog with your community to help adopters understand the significance of purring in their new cats. It’s an important part of their love language and a great way to connect—especially this Valentine’s Day!

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/feline-love-language-what-the-purr-means/

The Fear Free Shelter Program is dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing of animals in shelters by reducing stress, fear, and anxiety. This program equips shelter staff and volunteers with the knowledge and techniques to create a more comfortable environment for animals, ultimately boosting their chances for adoption and improving their overall quality of life.

It’s never too late to make a difference! Learn more and register now: https://fearfreeshelters.com/program/

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and many adopters may not realize how important dental care is for their new pet’s health. Fear, anxiety, and stress can make vet visits and treatments challenging.

Share this blog with your community of adopters to provide them with helpful tips on stress-free dental care. These tips will help both pets and families ensure a healthy start with proper dental care for years to come.

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/how-to-overcome-fear-anxiety-and-stress-about-your-pets-dental-care

February is National Dog Training Education Month, a great opportunity to focus on helping canine shelter adopters create a smooth transition for their new pet. Whether it's housetraining, establishing routines, or building positive reinforcement habits, setting clear expectations from day one is essential for a successful bond. A structured environment helps reduce stress and ensures a well-adjusted dog, making it easier for both adopters and their new pets to thrive together.

Share this blog with your community of adopters to provide them with helpful tips on getting their new dogs off to a great start. From training basics to building confidence, these tips will set both pets and families up for a positive and successful beginning.

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/bringing-a-new-dog-home-successful-adoption-habits/

Creating a Fear Free environment in shelters isn’t just about behavior—it’s about design too. Lighting plays a crucial role in reducing stress and creating a calming space for animals. Simple changes, like maximizing natural light and using the right fixtures, can significantly improve the shelter environment for both pets and staff.

Check out this blog to learn different ways you can improve lighting in your shelter and how these changes can create a safer, more relaxed space for animals.

https://fearfreepets.com/shelter-lighting/

Some treats are more tempting than others, especially in shelter environments. High-value options can serve as a powerful distraction, ease anxiety, and create positive associations with new experiences. The right texture, scent, and temperature can help transform a stressful situation into one where pets feel more at ease and engaged.

Check out this blog for a list of top 10 recommended treats to win animals' hearts and help them stay calm and engaged during their care.

https://fearfreepets.com/top-10-treats/

Puppies need socialization, but they also need protection from infectious diseases. Fortunately, meeting these needs doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive! Join us, along with Dr. Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCP-V, and Dr. Jason Stull, VMD, MPVM, PhD, DACVPM, on February 6, at 8 p.m. ET, for a review of key concepts and a practical approach to safe and effective puppy socialization.

*This webinar is RACE-approved for 1 CE Hour and will be recorded.

Register Now: https://fearfreellc.webinargeek.com/puppy-socialization-or-infectious-disease-prevention-can-t-we-have-both?

by our friends at Elanco Pet Health

Happy New Year! 🎉 We’re excited to step into a new year filled with opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of pets and their people. Your passion and support inspire us to continue expanding Fear Free’s mission. Cheers to 2025 and all the amazing things we’ll achieve together!

Wishing our incredible Fear Free community a joyful holiday filled with love, laughter, and of course, stress-free moments with your furry, feathered, and scaly companions.

Thank you for all you do to bring comfort and compassion to pets and their people year-round. You make the world a brighter, happier place for all creatures big and small.

May your holiday be merry, bright, and Fear Free! 🎁🐾

Fear Free Holiday Closure Announcement 🎄❄️

Fear Free will be on holiday shutdown from Tuesday, December 24, 2024, through Thursday, January 2, 2025, as our team takes a well-deserved break to recharge and spend time with loved ones.

Thank you for being a valued part of the Fear Free family and for all the work you do to bring comfort and joy to pets and their people. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a bright start to the New Year!

National Mutt Day is celebrated each December and mixed-breed dogs bring love, joy, and endless tail wags to our lives—but many shelter pets face health challenges that go unnoticed.

From using tools like Mella Petcare's Home Thermometer to ensuring shelter pets get the care they deserve, let’s make a difference. Read more about the challenges shelters face and how you can support your community!

https://bit.ly/4grEaQF

Shelters and shelter workers make a world of difference for countless animals. Many of these animals come from environments filled with fear, anxiety, and stress. Fear Free is dedicated to eliminating FAS in all care settings, including shelters. Listen to our podcast to learn how to provide Fear Free care in your shelter and help animals live happier, healthier lives.

https://fearfreepets.com/connecting-fear-free-best-practices-in-the-shelter-environment/

Halloween is around the corner, and black cats are a major symbol of this beloved holiday. Unfortunately, stigmas and myths associated with black cats can negatively impact their chances of being adopted from shelters. Read this article to learn how shelters can help increase adoption rates for black cats.

https://fearfreepets.com/upping-adoptions-for-black-cats-dogs-in-shelters/