WHO RESCUES WHO?

Adopting a rescue? Here are some tips to make a perfect match!

By Alana Lauren

Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company— pets may decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills.

In 2019 Canadian shelters took in 78,000 cats and just under 28,000 dogs. That’s over 100,000 pets needing homes. On average, an animal will spend 30 days in a shelter before finding a new family.

It’s so important to adopt and not shop for your new companion and we’ve compiled a list to help you make the perfect match.

Looking to add a dog to your pack? Do your research before visiting a shelter and falling in love. Know what traits each breed or combination of breeds will have. For example, a Labrador will need lots of exercise and time with their human to be happy. A Jack Russell terrier doesn’t enjoy being alone and may bark at everything they see outside your window while you are at work.

If you live in a condo or apartment with limited outdoor space, a smaller dog might be the best option. But keep in mind that a terrier has a completely different personality than a poodle. If your environment is primarily urban and you’re not very active do not choose a working breed like a border collie or husky.

Choosing a dog is a lot like choosing a human partner in that there needs to be some level of compatibility. The more compatible you are, the happier you are. If you strive to find a dog that compliments your own personality, expectations, and training style, you can achieve a balanced relationship that works for both you and your dog.

Don’t just choose a dog based on a breed description or a breed of dog you had as a kid. While breeds do share particular genetic predispositions (e.g., herding dogs inherently chase things, hunting dogs often have a high prey drive, working dogs are bred to be highly focused), dogs are still individuals, and should be chosen on individual merit. Even littermates can be very different from one another. Choosing a dog – regardless of the breed – based on how compatible your individual behavior and lifestyle needs are will exponentially increase the odds that you and that dog are a good long-term match.

Personalities are important. While it goes without saying that a 95lb dog is a very different creature than a 10lb dog, the bigger personality does not necessarily belong to the bigger dog. Many small dogs have mighty big attitudes and many a gentle giant has been overlooked simply because of stature. If you think you would like to live with a very small dog (e.g., under 10lbs), consider at least the next size up (e.g., 10-20lbs). Be flexible at least one size up and/or down when searching for a dog. As long as you and the dog are the right lifestyle and behaviour match, size becomes a much smaller issue. of you will be happy in the long-term. The same goes for a separation anxious dog that lives with a person who really prefers their personal space. Taking the time to think about what your own realistic expectations are – before you choose a dog – will help you find the dog that’s really right for you. less adoptable cats. There are many wonderful cats that have special needs also that would make amazing pets and are often overlooked when deciding between them, or a cute and fluffy kitten.”

Talk to shelter staff, explain your lifestyle and ask about the available dogs that will be a good match. If you’re unsure, ask about fostering a dog keeping in mind that it can sometimes take a few weeks before the dog’s true personality is evident.

Before you choose a cat, dog or any other companion animal, consider the commitment that comes with adopting a new pet. Dogs, depending on the breed and size, can live anywhere from 10 to 20 years, whereas a cat can live 12 to 15 years. A well-cared-for cat may commonly live to 15 or beyond and some make it to 18 or 20.

Age is just a number. It’s true that dogs do age more quickly (than humans) at the beginning of their lives but the aging process actually slows down as they get older. The really good news is that most dogs still remain young at heart, mind, and body well into their senior years. And with so many wellness products on the market today, dogs are living longer than ever before. Given that the majority of dogs act like youngsters well beyond their puppy years, adopting an adult or older dog does not mean you’ll miss out on any of that puppy love.

Balance expectations. Why we want to share our lives with a dog is just as important as which dog we choose to share our lives with. If what you expect out of the relationship is affection and companionship and the dog you bring home isn’t much of a cuddlier, neither

Choosing a cat or kitten has basically the same steps. Each cat has a different personality—some love attention while others simply allow you to live in their home.

Lori Burnell, founder of Keeping Cats Homed, suggests adopting in pairs: “There is a lot of research that adopting cats/kittens in pairs is very beneficial to them. Even though cats are very independent, they are social creatures that need companionship to thrive. If a cat is left alone too much, they can develop behavioural issues, and in some cases, may even show signs of depression. On the other hand, cats in pairs are more likely to be better adjusted and happier in general.“

Burnell adds: “I love when people decide to adopt older, or generally

Other considerations? Your new pet will require regular veterinary care which can be expensive. What would happen if you had to move and couldn’t take the pet with you? If you are a senior, is a younger pet really a good fit for you? Kittens and puppies are usually much more work and they will require much more attention than a mature or senior pet. They would most likely need you just as much as you need them.

Whether you choose to add a dog or a cat to your household, be patient with your new arrival. There really isn’t anything that compares to the love of a pet.

What's in store for YOUR RESCUE AT BLUE RIBBON?

"Blue Ribbon Pet Supply has everything you need for your best friend. We treat your pets like family!"

420 Queen Street, Charlottetown 902.370.3373 www.blueribbonpei.com

A Cozy Bed

A Be One Breed dog bed is a place where your dog can go to relax and be at home.

Food Bowls

Messy Mutts is the leader in stylish pet accessories for your cats or dogs.

A WHOLESOME RAW DIET!

Let your rescue dig into something Bold. Drool-worthy, whole ingredient raw recipes.

Special Cookie

Celebrate Gatcha Day with a special treat!

Keep Your Rescue Busy

Keep your pet occupied with high quality toys, treat dispensers and lick mats. Make your own treats with silicone molds.

Pet Tags

My Family pet tags for your cat or dog are engravable to ensure your furbaby always finds their way home. Various breeds/styles available.

THE MUST-HAVE SCRATCH POSTS

Keep your furniture safe and your cat’s claws worn down naturally with a scratch post - or two - or three.

BOLD BY NATURE!

A Hideaway

A Be One Breed hideaway for your new cat will give them a place to feel safe.

THE ESSENTIALS!

Ensure your cat has a long, healthy life with a speciescorrect raw diet!

For The Anxious Pet

The ThunderShirt® for Cats is perfect for reducing anxiety during vet visits, nail trimming, travel, or other general anxiety issues. Preventative vet visits are very important for maintaining cat health.

It’s easy to keep a fresh odour-free litter box with Odour Buster clumping cat litter. The hooded litter box provides privacy while retaining the litter inside the pan. Replaceable carbon filter helps control odours.

“While on an adventure with our parents on the west coast of Newfoundland, we saw our Dad holding up a little point and shoot camera, mouthing the words, OH HEY! We asked him what he was doing to which Dad replied, making himself smile for a selfie. He said you always smile when you say OH HEY, that’s how you take a selfie! This will go down in history as a funny story, a way to make someone or yourself smile, and it quickly became the name of our store!”

Q. When did you open the business?

In 2019, we (Rachel and Kim) joined forces to open our first space together. The flagship store is in Founders’ Food Hall & Market, and it shares the works of not only ourselves but many of the talented local artists across PEI. Previously in 2016, Kim had a small shop, called “the Makers” in North Rustico during the first summer the North Rustico Sea Walk Park shops opened. I was minimally involved, but from that time we dreamt we would own a space together. Our vision is to celebrate our local talent with unique offerings that we work with artists to create.

Q. Who are the owners of the business?

Sisters, Kim Roach (illustrator/ designer) and myself, Rachel Peters (photographer.) Kim’s background is marketing and mine is in the arts.

Q. What roles do each of you play in Oh Hey PEI?

Our roles vary and they are also the same. It is our collective dream to be able to share the incredible talent that PEI has to offer. To do this we have to use our individual talents. Kim does a lot of the behind-the-scenes work as well as the illustrations and designs that you see throughout some of our shop and in our branding. I work on store experience and the visual feel of shopping in our space, the social media, and photograph the products and document our time together. We work together to develop the products and the marketing plan.

Our staff is small but mighty and we are so proud to have them as part of the Oh Hey family. Their growth and learning of new skills are so important to us as well. We have big dreams, and we love that we get to include them in our growth. Every one of them has played a role in helping our store and vision come to life and make it through these past few tough years. That’s something we are so grateful for. Of course, there are lots of other roles you do as self-employed owners and operators but one of the best parts of working together as sisters, and best friends, is that you get to dream the biggest you have ever dreamt and work on it together!

Q. What products do you sell? We sell local unique gifts and a lot of one-of-a-kind items that are only found in our shop. It’s a wide variety, from candles, jewelry, photography and illustration, to one-of-a-kind art pieces that we love to have in our own homes. Right from the beginning we knew we wanted to work with other local artists and create custom works and pieces that would be special to our shops. We love collaborating with other artists.

How were you affected by Fiona? Our original “By the Sea” location, which was located in the little yellow lighthouse structure in our home harbour of North Rustico, was devastated by Hurricane Fiona this past fall. Literally and figuratively. Fiona had picked up the building, ripped out the floor, products, decks, and anything connected to the building out to sea, all the while filling it with surged ocean water to the roof where it sustained for most of the day. The building is no longer usable by us and sits sideways on the coastline in the harbour with sea water washing up around it. The mental and financial ruin from Fiona to our business, and so many other fellow business owners, has been horrible and heartbreaking.

Will you rebuild? Any plans for the future?

Thanks for asking. Proof to us that communities and small businesses are resilient, and that caring for each other through tragedies is still strong on PEI, is powering us through. One wave at a time, we will get through this all together.

We are quickly working on creating a new artisan goods shop/take-away coffee location, fabricated with two sea shipping containers. Our two 40ft containers are being modified to create a modern, warm, airy and inviting space for both locals and visitors. Graciously, Robbie and Kendra of Brackley Bay Oyster Co have offered to help us out by sharing some of their land in Brackley Beach where they are setting up their new location for Brackley Bay Oyster Co. It warms our hearts to know others care and would miss our business. We have a great team of local tradespeople helping us and all are on board to make this happen. We know this will be a great asset to the North Shore, as well as a perfect partnership with Brackley Bay Oyster Co. www.ohheypei.com

At our new Brackley location, we will be carrying our own products as well as some other local makers’ unique collaborations. We will have some different offerings/services in Brackley that will be unique only to this space. Samuel’s coffee will be served, and owner Moyna and her staff will help us set up the take-away portion of the shop. We are grateful for so many amazing resourceful small business friends who are helping us make this dream come true. Having coffee on the North Shore open into (hopefully) December will be a first for that area, and from people approaching us, will be a welcome option.

Q. Tell us a bit about your experiences running your business?

Running a business as a self-employed artist is equal to a constant everchanging learning experience, while being on a roller-coaster. You really have to be ready to pivot and change as quickly as needed. We meet so many amazing clients and so many amazing artists. The stories from these people help us keep on dreaming!

Where are your products available in addition to the Founders Hall location? Our products are available online and at Founders’ Food Hall and soon at Brackley Beach at our new location. Both stores will have some unique offerings and services.