Animal Cruelty

Fortunately there are a number of laws against cruelty to and neglect of animals. Laws require owners to provide their companion animals with proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. It is against the law to beat, torture, or needlessly kill an animal. It is also against the law to overwork or abandon an animal. If you see someone mistreating an animal, you can contact the Denver Dumb Friends League. We have trained Investigators who are Class III Peace Officers.

In a year’s time, the League’s Investigators respond to more than 1,000 reports of animal cruelty and neglect. Most of these cases are a result of unintentional neglect by pet owners and only require the League’s Investigators to educate them on proper pet care. However, the League’s investigators can impound an animal if its life is in immediate danger or if the Investigators feel that the animal will not receive the care it needs. If they need to remove an animal from its home they will bring it to our shelter. Here the animal will receive the care it needs from our veterinary and animal care staff.

Depending upon the court’s decision, people convicted of animal abuse often lose ownership of their animals, must pay fines, and may even serve time in jail.

Companion animals are totally at the mercy of their owners. They can’t protect or speak for themselves. With help from a caring public, the Denver Dumb Friends League can, and will, protect and speak for companion animals.

Companion Animals

Over the years, animals who have adapted to our environment have become domesticated. Because they are no longer wild, these animals are dependent on us for their physical and emotional needs.

Because domesticated dogs are very social animals, they need and want to be with their people. The best doghouse, food, water, and veterinarian care is not enough. They need LOTS of love and companionship.

Cats may seem more independent than dogs, but in fact, they too need plenty of gentle, loving attention. Kittens as young as four weeks of age need to be held, petted, played with, and talked to.

Caged animals such as birds and small mammals need exercise and time out of their cages. Providing them with love and attention will keep them healthy and content.

One of the best places to adopt a companion animal is at an animal shelter like the Denver Dumb Friends League. Animals at shelters need a loving and responsible new home. They come to the shelter either because they are lost or because their original owner can no longer care for them.

If you come to the Denver Dumb Friends League to adopt, our Adoption Counselors will ask you questions about what kind of animal or personality you are looking for and how much free time, energy, and space you have. With this information they will help you select the best companion animal for your lifestyle. They will also give you information on how to properly care for and train your animal. The goal of the adoption process is to help you adopt a companion for life.

Exotic & Novelty Animals

The term "exotic animal" refers to any wild animal that someone relocated from its natural habitat and tried to domesticate. This would include iguanas, chinchillas, hedgehogs,certain snakes, lizards, and birds. Taken from the wild, many will die before they reach the pet store. They will never be pets, and will always remain wild. Because owners are often ignorant about animal behavior patterns and are unable to provide a proper diet and habitat, these animals usually have a reduced life span and suffer the ill effects of this inappropriate environment. Typically these animals cannot be placed back in the wild if, and when, their owner no longer wants them. Very few people have the knowledge or qualifications to care for these animals. If you are interested in wild animals, it is better to observe them in their natural habitat than to try to make them a pet.

"Novelty animals" are animals that are bought on impulse in response to their fad appeal. These include baby chicks, ducks and bunnies. People who purchase these animals are usually ignorant of the animal’s needs. Often they are given as novelty gifts for holidays, such as Easter.

As with exotic animals, novelty animals have a unique diet and habitat requirements. When the novelty wears off, it is difficult, if not impossible, to find an appropriate new home for them.

Food & Water

Kittens and puppies under three months of age should be fed canned or moistened dry food three to four times a day. You need to remove any uneaten food after 15 minutes. Overeating can cause them to become ill. From three to six months of age you can feed them three times a day, and between six months and one year of age, feed them twice a day. You can also start feeding them dry food, if you wish. After one year of age, cats and dogs should be fed one to two meals a day. Always be sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink.

Though we all like to give our companion animals treats, it is important not to feed them "people-food" like milk, cookies, ice cream or chocolate. "People-food" can cause an animal to become sick and chocolate is actually poisonous to dogs. The best treats to give your pet are treats that are made just for them.

Birds and small mammals each need a varied and balanced diet of certain grains and seeds. They may also need supplemental food, like vegetables, fruits, or greens. And, of course, you need to give them plenty of fresh water each day. In short, each animal needs a special diet designed especially for them. It is a good idea to research their specific needs BEFORE you adopt so you are aware of the care they will need. There are many good books in the library or bookstore on each kind of bird or small mammal.

Grooming Your Pet

Your pet will be much healthier and happier if groomed regularly. Grooming protects your pet from developing skin disorders, mats or external parasites. It also protects them from extreme weather. A coat that is matted will not provide proper insulation for your pet.

Dogs need to be combed or brushed at least twice a week. Your dog also needs periodic baths. It is best to brush your dog before bathing, since water will tighten any mats your dog may have.

Cats and rabbits typically don’t require bathing, but they do need to be brushed. Brush short-haired cats and rabbits at least twice a week and long-haired ones daily. Remember, when cats and rabbits groom themselves, they swallow a good deal of hair which can form into hairballs in the stomach. Grooming them regularly helps prevent the health problems associated with hairballs.

Your pet’s nails grow continuously and need to be trimmed on a regular basis. Not trimming your pet’s nails can cause your dog to lose traction on slick surfaces and your cat to exhibit nail-sharpening behavior and possibly damage furnishings and carpet. Because trimming a pet’s nails can be difficult to do, and must be done very carefully, you should have your veterinarian or parent trim your pet’s nails.

Health & Exercise

All companion animals should visit their veterinarian annually for their check-up and annual vaccinations. Puppies and kittens begin their series of vaccinations at six to eight weeks of age, and annual boosters are recommended to maintain immunity. These vaccinations not only protect your pet from several diseases, but the rabies vaccination is required by law.

Rabbits and many small mammals are nocturnal. This means they will sleep most of the day and play at night. Small caged animals, like mice and gerbils, need an exercise wheel to get their much needed exercise. They also need something to chew on, like wood or cardboard. Rabbits, rats and Guinea pigs need to be let out of their cages to run around in a safe, but larger area.

Birds need a large enough cage to be able to fly from perch to perch. They also need toys or distractions to stimulate them.

Because cats love to play, providing them with toys that appeal to their hunting instincts will help them exercise.

Dogs need daily exercise. Just giving them a backyard isn’t enough. Most yard dogs are bored and either bark constantly or sleep. Playing fetch or other games with your dog is not only fun, but provides exercise too. Of course, the best exercise you can give your dog is to walk him or her each day.

Home Sweet Home

A dog is happiest and healthiest when it is allowed to live in the house with you, its family. Because dogs are social animals, they want to be where you are. You can’t expect a dog to be a loving companion and know how to behave indoors if you keep it in the backyard or allow it to roam the neighborhood. When a dog occasionally needs to be outside, it needs a doghouse to protect it from the cold or heat.

Cats are safest when kept indoors. There are many dangers outside including cars, disease, poison, and becoming lost. A healthy indoor cat can live to be fifteen to twenty years of age. A cat that has never been outside will not miss it, while an outdoor cat can often be retrained to be happy indoors when provided with plenty of opportunities to play.

Dogs and cats should have their own special sleeping place. It can be as simple as a towel or blanket, or you can purchase special beds made just for them.

Caged animals such as birds, mice and gerbils need a cage big enough for them to exercise and have a special sleeping area. Rabbits, guinea pigs and rats need to be able to exercise in an area outside their cage.

Lost or Found

If you lose your pet you need to start searching your neighborhood immediately. Let your neighbors know your pet is missing and ask them to keep an eye out for it or perhaps help with the search. If you see your postman tell him/her too, so they can keep a look out while delivering the mail in the neighborhood. Post signs with your pet’s picture and your phone number throughout the area. Place lost ads in the newspapers and start reading the found ads. Visit every shelter right away. Animals can wander great distances or may be picked up by a kind person and taken to their local shelter which might be a great distance from your home. Do not count on finding your pet simply by telephoning all of the shelters, you will need to visit each one. This may take some time, so have patience.

If you find a lost animal, do not try to approach it . Tell an adult and they can carefully approach it, or better yet, allow it to come to them and look to see if it is wearing any identification tags. If it is, call the owners and have them come pick up their pet. If it only has a license or rabies tag, you can call your local animal control agency and they can match the tag with the owner. If there are no tags, call and leave a report with all the shelters in your area. Place a found ad in the newspaper and look at the lost ads. Post notices in your neighborhood. Contact your neighbors to see if they have lost a pet or if they recognize the animal. If you are unable to care for the animal, bring it to the animal shelter nearest to where you found it.

Pet Overpopulation

Dogs, cats and rabbits need an operation (spaying for females or neutering for males) to keep them from having litters of puppies, kittens or bunnies. Spayed or neutered companion animals live longer, healthier lives than those who aren’t. They are less likely to develop certain kinds of cancer and infections of their reproductive organs. Neutered males tend to be more affectionate and less aggressive. They lose unpleasant behaviors such as roaming and marking territory.

Spaying or neutering your pet will also eliminate unwanted animals. Sadly, each year millions of animals are euthanized (humanely put to death) because there are no homes for them. By spaying or neutering your companion animals and encouraging others to do the same, you can help some animals from suffering the tragedy of being born homeless or being euthanized.

Many communities require dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered. It’s a good idea to check with your local animal control agency for restrictions that may exist in your community.

Rabbits also benefit from being spayed or neutered. Not only does it help with rabbit overpopulation, but also improves litter box habits, corrects chewing behavior, and decreases territorial aggression.

Tags & Collars

An identification tag with your dog’s or cat’s name, as well as your name and telephone number, is a lost pet’s ticket home. The identification tag, rabies vaccination tag, and their license tag(if required by your city or county), should be attached to your pet’s collar. Micro chipping is another method used to help you find a lost pet. A micro chip is inserted into the animal’s neck area under the skin. This chip is coded with a number and that number is then detected when the animal is scanned. The shelter can then contact the manufacturer and find out who the owner is. Remember, Micro chipping your animal does not replace the need for a collar and tags!

It is recommended that cats wear a "break-away" collar to prevent them from becoming entangled. Occasionally check your pet’s collar to make sure it hasn’t become too tight or worn.

It’s a good idea to keep a current photograph and a description of your pet including color, age, sex, breed and any distinguishing marks. This will help a great deal in case your pet becomes lost.

Most communities have leash laws, which means that a dog must be on a leash at all times if it is not confined to its house or yard. A growing number of communities also have leash laws for cats which requires them to be on a leash when not indoors.

Wildlife

There are many areas in, and around, Metro Denver where you will see wild animals. They have learned to adapt to an urbanized environment. In vacant lots, cemeteries, and along the Highline Canal there are still remnant populations of wild animals.

Spring, of course, is the time when many wild animals have their babies. If you look, you may see young rabbits, raccoons, foxes, and even deer. If you are lucky enough to see a baby rabbit or other wild baby, enjoy watching them, but don’t approach, touch, or try to take them home. Remember, their mother is probably close by foraging for food or just waiting for you to leave so she can go to her baby. Most of the baby wildlife that are removed from the wild by well-meaning people don’t need to be rescued.

The odds of you being able to raise a young, wild animal to healthy adulthood are very slim. Even if you are able to care for the animal properly and succeed in raising it, the adult animal can never be domesticated like companion animals. It would not behave as a domestic pet, but would still have the instincts and traits of a wild animal. The result would be an animal that can’t adapt to either the wild or to a domestic situation.

This same problem occurs when we try to mix species. Wolf hybrids are part dog and part wolf. They can no longer survive in the wild and they don’t belong in our homes. They are potentially dangerous to their owner and others in the community. Unfortunately, when they become a problem, owners usually have no place to take them and they are euthanized.