Training Resources

YOUR ONLINE GUIDE

We know getting started on training your animal can seem like a daunting task, which is why we have worked to compile an online resource center for you. Check out our new Behavior & Training Resource Guide on the SafeHaven website to find local trainers, helpful articles, and tips on how to use positive reinforcement training techniques.

With warmer weather and longer days ahead of us, most of us are getting outside more with our canine friends. To help prepare you for the adventures to come, we've made sure to include resources including topics like Pulling on Leash, Dog to Dog

Introductions, Leash Reactivity and more! Check out the link below to get started.

VIRTUAL TRAINING

Wait… What? Did you say FREE dog training?

We’ve also partnered with GoodPup! Anyone who adopts from us will receive 1 FREE week of dog training, plus 20% off for life on future trainings, plus GoodPup will donate $50 to SafeHaven for every paying client.

SCAN THIS QR CODE OR VISIT THE LINK BELOW TO GET STARTED

» Work 1-on-1 with a Top Trainer » Their Trainers are Certified, Vetted, and Reviewed » Flexible Scheduling. Train over video chat at home. » Chat With Your Trainer Whenever You Need Help.

A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER

Compassion truly knows no age. Meet Maelee Bronson, a sweet 4 year old who has been dedicating her birthday to a cause for two years now. For her 3rd birthday last year, she dedicated her efforts to all things Australia Zoo. During the Australia brush fires, she was determined to help the animals. Her plan was to go there and put bandaids on them, but since that wasn’t possible, she and her mom, Kylee Bronson brainstormed to find a way to help. She even hand painted magnets to give in exchange for a donation to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors. For her 3rd birthday, she was able to raise $215 to send Down Under.

For Maelee's 4th birthday, she chose a new cause and you guessed it, she chose to help SafeHaven! We asked Kylee how she came across the idea and her mom told us, "She wanted to help animals

in a shelter near by so I Googled a few and she independently chose SafeHaven."

Maelee's goals for her 4th birthday were not small. She wanted to raise at least $108 to donate, have a donation drive, and also help find an animal at the shelter a new home. And, did she not only reach her goals, she accomplished even more!

On May 10th, Maelee delivered her donation of $156, a box full of supplies for the animals, and she even spread awareness to help find a home for one

of the shelter dogs, Phyllis. Kylee told us that they visited and fell in love with Phyllis but could not bring her home due to her need to be an only pet. But they told friends and family about her and used social media to spread the word and, thanks to their help, Phyllis found a perfect forever home!

But Maelee's journey didn't end there. A few weeks prior, Kylee let us know they were looking to add a furry family member to their family. When they saw Peter Panic on Facebook, they reached out and adopted him on the same day they came in to donate! Peter Panic, pictured below and now named Cooper, is Maelee's new best friend and is having a blast in his new home with the Bronsons.

Kylee updated us and said "Life with Peter Panic, now

Cooper, has been nothing short of exciting. Every day is a new adventure with this boy. He has become daddy’s favorite child and my daughter Maelee’s favorite sibling! Cooper absolutely loves our baby as well...but Tucker isn’t too sure about him yet (they are about 1 week apart in age). Our other animals (all older) are still adjusting to the puppy energy, so they don’t play with him often but Cooper goes on a LOT of play dates to make up for it. He is doing fantastic with his training and is SO incredibly smart! Although, he is also very clumsy so he keeps us giggling all day long. His next new adventure starts today when we head down to Petco for his first nail trim and teeth brushing. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will also get to pick out a new toy after as well!"

A REUNION TO CELEBRATE

This Happy Tail all started when Melinda phoned us to see if we had kittens available for adoption. We let her know that we did not have kittens in at that time, but to keep an eye out on our website. About an hour or so later, we received a call from her again. She identified Mr. Muffin Man (a stray that recently arrived) as looking exactly like the cat that her family lost about 3 months ago and had given up hope of ever finding! After hearing her description of her lost cat, it sounded consistent with what we knew about Mr. MM. Our front office staff requested that Melinda send over photos of her lost kitty so we could match them to Mr. MM and save her the time and energy/emotions if it didn’t seem like the right cat. The staff member working on our cat floor said that once she looked at the photos they had sent in, she knew right away that it was their cat. No question.

Later, Melinda and her two children came to SafeHaven. When they got to the cat room, they saw him in the center of the kennels interacting with the staff as they were doing chores. They instantly knew that he was their kitty and all three started crying. They told us that they had lost all hope of ever getting him back again, believing that another family had him or he had been killed. When they called us that morning, they were finally feeling ready to move on and find another kitty to call their own. They were thrilled beyond belief at the coincidence of finding him here and are feeling so thankful!

A HAPPY ENDING FOR EDELYN

Remember Edelyn? Her story and time with SafeHaven has surely been one for the books! Edelyn originally came to us on a Fetch Fido A Flight Transport back in December 2019, sadly escaped her loving foster home, was ultimately caught and returned to SafeHaven, and then fostered by a SafeHaven employee, Alexandria Groenig. We're happy to announce that Alexandria officially was added to our happy list of foster failures and adopted sweet Edelyn, now Edie, in April! She recently sent us this update:

"Edie (Edelyn) has been an official part of the family for a little over a month now and is really coming out of her shell. When we first brought her home to foster back in November, she would tip toe around the house and run to hide anytime something new would happen. From being terrified of car rides, walking through doorways, running from the tv, and not eating until everyone was asleep, she’s grown a lot. Now she gets excited when she sees her leash, loves rolling in the grass, and gets the zoomies daily. We did a DNA test on her last month to see what she is a mix of. Turns out she’s about a quarter Staffordshire Terrier and a quarter Pyrenees and a handful of other things, and 100% lovable. She’s come so far these past six months and we can’t wait to see her continue to grow!"

NORTH ALBANY IGA

Shout out to North Albany IGA Supermarket for making SafeHaven the recipient of their Round-Up program for March. Shoppers were able to 'round up' over $3,000 for the animals! Thank you North Albany IGA team for supporting us in saving lives!

SPIRIT ESPRESSO

We want to send a HUGE Thank You to Spirit Espresso for hosting a fundraiser on April 2nd that brought $1,032 to the animals at SafeHaven! And Thank You to all of YOU who came and supported both Spirit Espresso and the animals.

This is the 5th year in a row that Kelly Robbins, Spirit Espresso owner and SafeHaven Board Member, has hosted this fundraiser!

FILL THE VAN WITH CANS

THANK YOU to everyone who showed up to donate cans and bottles at our Fill the Van with Cans event in Lebanon on March 27th. We thought the SafeHaven van was big enough...but you filled it and then some! We hope to host more Fill the Van with Cans in the future and appreciate everyone supporting this program.

In case you missed it, you can still drop off blue bags to the shelter or either Gift & Thrift store and we also have blue bags for you to take home!

SAVING ANIMALS & THE PLANET

Clothing and other textiles remain the number one seller

at both SafeHaven Gift & Thrift stores. And while that one category brings in thousands of dollars each year to help rescue homeless pets, we're proud to also be assisting in recycling gently used items and sustaining the earth. In honor of Earth Day that was celebrated on April 22nd, we want to remind you of yet another reason to shop at the Gift & Thrift stores. Your support is making a powerful impact in more ways than one.

Did you know? It’s estimated that textiles make up 5% of all landfill space in the United States. That means the average American throws away more than 80 pounds of clothing every year!

Why Sustainable Fashion Matters

Fashion waste comes from a variety of issues, but one of the biggest culprits is the movement toward “fast fashion.” These clothes are typically so poorly made that you’ll toss them out right along with the trend. This leads to long-lasting environmental issues.

When we focus on sustainable fashion, we’ll see benefits across the world.

FASHION WASTE AND SUSTAINABILITY FACTS

» A 2016 McKinsey report revealed that three-fifths of all clothing items will end up in an incinerator or landfill within a year after being produced. » We don’t really wear our clothes. Worldwide, clothing utilization (how often we put something on) has decreased by 36 percent compared to 15 years ago. » But consumer attitudes for ethical fashion are increasingly favorable. Sixty percent of millennials say they want to shop more “sustainably.”

What Can We Do?

Luckily, there is still much to be done to help! Shopping second hand FIRST when you need clothing or other items is the best way to reduce waste. All of the items at the SafeHaven Gift & Thrift stores are inspected and looked over for any damage and everything that makes it to the shopping floor is in great condition! Donating your unwanted items to thrift stores is also a great way to be kind to the earth. Plus, donating and shopping at SafeHaven Gift & Thrift saves lives. Thank you for your continued support!