June is Social Petworking Month! This one is fairly new, so you may not have heard of it yet. However, it’s a great cause, and one we’re happy to put in the spotlight. A local Bourne, MA veterinarian offers some information on social petworking in this article.
The main purpose of Social Petworking Month is to help pets in shelters and foster homes get adopted. One great and easy way for you to facilitate this is to share posts on social media. Go to the social media sites of a few local rescues, and share some of their adoptable pets. You may change a pet’s life with a single keystroke!
There’s another, less common aspect to social petworking: dog sharing. This is something like the dog lovers’ version of Uber or Lyft. Apps work as matchmakers to connect pups with potential ‘borrowers’ in their local areas. For the owners, this provides an alternative to boarding or petsitting. The hosts get to enjoy the fun and experience of caring for a dog, without the long-term commitment. There are some clear benefits here, but we do advise erring on the side of caution. Needless to say, vetting is absolutely crucial. You can also skip the apps entirely. This type of arrangement often works well within small ‘bubbles’ of family and friends.
Socialization is very important to our canine pals. Some dogs may have gone backwards on this one over the past year, due to the Covid lockdowns and quarantines. Get your pet back into the swing of things by having a puppy party. Have some friends and family members bring over their pooches, and let Fido run and play with his buddies. Just make sure that your furry friend’s playmates are polite, well-behaved, and current on vaccines and parasite control.
Want to get even more involved? Consider fostering some rescue dogs. For Fido, a foster home can be a crucial stop between being rescued and being adopted. Many dogs need time to relax, learn to trust, and perhaps work on their petiquette. Fostering isn’t for everyone, though. Many people just find it too hard to say goodbye. Before signing on, do plenty of research, and think things over carefully.
Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Bourne, MA veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!
