I just want to take this moment to soap-box for a second, which I never do… But this video dredges up some things that I’ve really wanted to say for a long time. These two might be getting along and having a good time together, but to anyone reading this PLEASE keep in mind that the majority of animals at a zoo see dogs as predators. When these animals are in the safety of their enclosure and a dog suddenly appears outside the window, it can mess them up for HOURS after the dog leaves. As a keeper, it’s painful for me to hear my animals alarm calling endlessly without any way to help them. Other small animals will hide or freeze in fear, etc. On the flip side, your dog could be seen as prey to some predator animals, and your dog might end up being the scared one (example below…).
If you have a service dog and really want to visit a zoo, please be aware of this. If you’re capable of leaving your dog at home for the day, please consider it. If not, please watch the animals and how they’re reacting to your dog, and move on from exhibits quickly if you notice yelling or other “scared” behaviors. There are a few service dogs I see a couple times a year and they are great, beautifully trained, and their owners understand all of this. I never have a problem with these dogs, and generally they cause the least disturbance around my animals.
If you have an emotional support dog, or a “service dog” like this one, PLEASE don’t bring them to the zoo for the reasons I stated above. It’s not funny, it’s not cute- it legitimately messes with the welfare of our animals. There is another “service dog” that comes a couple time a year… and I have seen multiple occasions of the owners holding it up to our tiger for her to “hunt” it. The dog always looks terrified…
We are not allowed to ask for verification on whether a dog is truly a service animal or if someone just bought a vest. Hell, even dogs without a vest get in, as long as they immediately state it’s a service dog. We’ve had PUPPIES be allowed in because of this. And I hate it… We have legitimate reasons to keep dogs (and all other outside animals!) out of the zoo. Which is why when I see videos like this, it pains me because I know it’s going to give people ideas. It also discredits the work and training of ACTUAL service dogs. So please if you’re reading this, take this to heart and also do your part to educate others. If you’re going to the zoo, please leave your dogs at home!
Hi! I’m not sure if this is the right blog to ask, but I’m thinking about getting a cat soon. I’ve never had one before in my life so I was wondering if you could point me to resources that cover all the basics of what I need to know about them?
I’ve been teaching Kitten Kindergarten classes for a few months and it’s been a super interesting process. Kitten behavior is so different from puppy behavior, so I had to play around with the class structure quite a bit to find something that works. Each class we work on socialization to new people, animals, stimuli and places, introduce a behavior to train, and walk the owners through cooperative care strategies.
Thanks to the classes, Bebe has learned bite/claw inhibition, Porky has learned to love his carrier and car rides, Furiosa sleeps through the night, and Blossom (foster kitten) found a forever home. And of course everyone learned targeting! I really hope these kinds of classes become more common, since early training and socialization can prevent so many behavior problems and keep cats out of shelters. Every time I hear someone tell me cats are untrainable I roll my eyes up into outer space.
Please write a guide or something, or link me one if you have cause I’d like to learn
So I actually do have a guide I made for this class! It’s simple but hopefully has some useful info. The file labeled “printable pamphlet” is formatted so you can print 2 sided sheets and fold/staple them like a little book. Here’s a Dropbox link to the files because I think this information should be free and accessible to whoever wants it:
I’ve been seeing a lot of anti-Nazi ones, which is great, but I felt like we needed one to show our support for the Jewish community.
all you goyim I follow - I see you reblogging this and it warms me.
do not reblog this unless you mean it. I have dealt with so much anti-semitism in my life and the number of times I get it from “open-minded liberals” is disturbing. Remember this summer when the Dyke Marches banned people for having a rainbow flag with a Star of David on it? I was accused of playing my “Jew card” too much when I tried to get my shitty goy roommate to stop making Auschwitz jokes.
Being anti-nazi does not equal support for the Jewish community. Do not claim you support Jews just because you recognize that Nazis are terrible. Surprise, we actually have more to us than the Holocaust!
If you DO support the Jewish community, reblog the crap out of this so people can feel safe!
Taken by a trail camera on a sanctuary perimeter predator proof fence. Cats kill up to 70% of wild juvenile kiwi.
This needs so much more attention. Indoor cats are enviromentally friendly cats. Plus indoor cats are much safer and healthier.
Indeed. I don’t think I would ever have a cat again, but if I did it would be indoor only with either a catio or leash walking for outdoor time.
The image reached the NZ news, but of course most people here think keeping cats indoors is cruel, and many of the comments are “the cat isn’t even looking at it” or “its photoshopped” or similar. It’s frustrating in a country with natives so vulnerable to introduced predators that people have this attitude and don’t understand the bigger picture.
I’m glad to see how many people on tumblr actually get it though.
