Michigan Pet Fund Alliance

Workshop: Behavioral Medication for Shelter Animals 


 
HSHV logo
Animal Behavior Clinic




Michigan Pet Fund Alliance is a proud sponsor of the Humane Society of Huron Valley's workshop  Behavioral Medication: Use of Pharmaceuticals as a Tool in Behavior Modification Programs in Animal Shelters , presented by  Dr. Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, of the Animal Behavior Clinic.

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM 
Where: Humane Society of Huron Valley,
Address: 3100 Cherry Hill Rd Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $50

Behavioral medication is viewed as a compassionate, life-saving tool to address fear and anxiety too often suffered by animals housed in shelters.  It can also address chronic behavioral issues that may be an impediment to adoption.  

Spending any length of time in a shelter can be stressful for any animal. Reducing stress has been shown to have positive impacts on adoption rates, adoption success, length of time in foster homes and return rates. Enrichment, daily management and behavior modification can help -- and what role can medication play?

Dr. Pachel and the Animal Behavior Clinic have seen pharmaceutical intervention have a positive impact on:
  • Repetitive/stereotypic behaviors
  • Excessive or persistent vocalizations
  • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
  • Excessive appetite (pica, polyphagia)
  • Destructive behaviors
  • Avoidance behavior (overall, or specifically triggered by individual's approach)
  • Worsening or change in behavior over time (as reported by volunteers or staff)
  • Excessive arousal
  • Excessive self-directed behaviors (grooming, licking, etc.)
  • Weight loss
  • Gastrointestinal upset
  • Concurrent illness and/or medication use
  • Lack of response to social interaction with people or other animals
  • Disconnect from physical/social surroundings (may appear "calm")
While medication use generally isn't automatic in any of these conditions, there are circumstances in which you may want to consider it. When? How? How long? Dr. Pachel will answer these questions and more to help you help your animals.

More information and registration are here.  
Rescue Bank


 
 

Does your shelter or rescue group utilize
Rescue Bank
 
As a signature program of GreaterGood.org, Rescue Bank utilizes donations made at TheAnimalRescueSite.com to grant donated pet food and supplies to smaller, less-visible non-profits that have limited access to resources. Each year, brand name manufacturers and retailers donate millions of pounds of nutritious pet food which Rescue Bank makes available to pre-qualified animal welfare non-profits nationally. 
 
Rescue groups, animal shelters, dog/cat sanctuaries, feral cat organizations, and disaster relief/emergency aid animal welfare organizations are eligible.
 
New  recipient  organizations are encouraged to apply.

More information, eligibility criteria, and application are here

Silver Muzzle Cottage

 
Silver Muzzle Cottage 
 
One of MPFA's Certified Rescue organizations, Silver Muzzle Cottage, has recently been featured in the Detroit Free Press. The Elk Rapids-based group, founded and run by Kim Skarritt, specializes in r escue and hospice for homeless senior dogs.


The coverage resulted in great response from the community, as covered here: " Readers shower Up North dog hospice with donations."

Silver Muzzle accepts owner-surrendered as well as shelter dogs into their innovative and unique program, providing love and care during the dogs' final weeks or months, ensuring that the dogs never suffer.

Volunteers are welcome to spend time with the dogs! Find more information here.  
 
About Michigan Pet Fund Alliance 
The single mission of Michigan Pet Fund Alliance is to stop the killing of healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs in Michigan shelters. 
 
MPFA is an all-volunteer organization collaborating with shelter and rescue organizations to achieve No Kill through training, technical  assistance,
 education and advocacy.
 
For more information: 
877-FUR-PALS  (877-387-7257)
 
Michigan Pet Fund Alliance is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization as defined by the IRS (EIN 20-0399162) and is a Guidestar Exchange Platinum Participant.
Guidestar Platinum

 Contributions are tax deductible. 
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