bloggers unite for dog rescue | ontario pet photographer

Today is Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue, an online event to stress the importance of dog rescue. Millions of dogs are euthanized each year  — MILLIONS. One of the main reasons is because not enough people are adopting dogs through local rescue groups and shelters. Also, many people underestimate the the time and dedication it takes to become a responsible pet owner, and surrender their dogs, or worse.

Local rescue organizations consist of volunteers who help by fostering dogs in their own homes while they search for permanent placement, taking dogs to adoption events, fundraising to cover medical and boarding costs, to name a few.  Most rescue groups do not have the luxury of people dedicated to promoting their efforts on a large scale.

To help raise awareness, today's post is a peak into what goes on behind the scenes at the shelter I volunteer at — the Burlington Humane Society. Although most of the pets that pass through here are cats, there are many dogs that have been cared for here and have gone on to find forever homes. There are so many tasks that must take place for BHS to run smoothly — things like laundry (those cat and dog beds need to be washed!), doing the dishes (those bowls need to be cleaned!), bathing the animals, administering medication, hand-feeding kittens if necessary, and lots and lots of paperwork.

All of the hard work and dedication of the staff and MANY volunteers is all for one purpose: so animals — dogs and cats alike — such as Duncan here find forever homes.

Duncan is on his way to his new home!

Also a paws up to the ordinary people who give what they can and donate to the shelter. These donations help provide daily necessities for all the residents — this place runs because of you!

Right now BHS is caring for Weego — a fantastic friendly fellow. If you know someone looking to add to their family with a four-legger, please spread the word and help him find a home! 

BHS is one of many local organizations making a difference in animal lives. A few others I have dontated my time to include the Milton Animal Sanctuary and The Dog Rescuers Inc. If you are looking for a way to help dogs who can't help themselves, please look into all of these groups — they are doing great work and saving one dog's life at a time. Here are a few other things you can do TODAY to help:

• Adopt a four-legged companion from a local shelter or rescue organization
• Donate to a local shelter
• Foster a dog or cat
• Volunteer at a local shelter or rescue organization
• Share this post and encourage others to participate!

Wags,

Stacey

puppy! | burlington, ontario, pet photographer

If you need a smile today, this might help! This little guy is up for adoption — with that face, I think he'll be snapped up in no time!

Hope you're all having a good weekend!

~ Stacey

furry faces | southern ontario pet photographer

I thought I would share a few more of the furry faces I've had the pleasure of photographing at the Burlington Humane Society. I'm happy to report that several have already been adopted!

One of the volunteers left me this wonderful comment:

"Just to let you know, we have had lots of great compliments on your photos and in some cases, they are drawing people in as they come to see specific animals whose pictures have caught their eye as they were looking.  Thank you so much for coming in to take photos.  We really appreciate your time, your photos are wonderful and it is making a difference for the animals."

These photos are pretty much straight out of camera. I don't do any processing aside from a little brightening and optimizing them for the web. I want prospective families to see how the animal really is, so I try to capture each dog and cat's personality rather than worry about the exposure in the rest of the photo or if I cut a tail off. I think you can tell which ones are shy and the ones that are more curious. The ones that are super affectionate are typically the really closeup images, usually because they like to be close and hang around my feet.

I've said it before — I have never met an animal here that I wouldn't take home. They are all amazing creatures!

the shelter pet project

I am a big fan of any organization that helps pets in need. I recently discovered The Shelter Pet Project, based in the U.S., which is doing an amazing job of getting the word out and helping shelter pets. It has created one of the best ad campaigns I have ever seen — posters, videos and web banners that are touching, endearing, and most of all, funny! The posters feature photography by one of my favourite pet photographers, Grace Chon of Shine Pet Photos.

I think an ad like this works on so many levels. The dog is super cute, of course, but he's not in a shelter behind bars looking depressed. He is outside and he has personality! I want to take him home with me, but wait, he's already been adopted! It's a happy story, which in my opinion, is far more effective than stories that just make you feel sad.

I try to use these same elements in the shelter photos I take — if it's a dog, I take him or her outside. I let the cats out of their cages and try to photograph them roaming free and happy. I put the pet's name on each photo, because it shows their uniqueness and gives them personality. You aren't just adopting a dog or cat, you're adopting Tipper or Blizzard or Wishbone.

Check out The Shelter Pet Project to see the rest of its fantastic ads. In the meantime, I'll leave you with this awesome video!

more adoptables | burlington, ontario, pet photographer

It's been a few months now since I started volunteering at the Burlington Humane Society — I pop in every few weeks and take photos of the animals available for adoption for the shelter's website. The feedback I've received makes my heart warm. I get such a nice welcome every time I show up and it sounds like the photos might be making a difference! I haven't posted photos of adoptables on the blog in a while, so I thought I'd give you a quick sample of the sweet faces I've met over the last few weeks.

 As you can imagine, working with animals can be unpredictable and there are so many funny moments that happen "behind the scenes." I post a lot of these outtakes on my Facebook page, so if you're not already a follower, what are you waiting for?

I'm just going to get up on my soapbox for a quick moment ...  if you have the love and the time, adopting a pet in need can be so fulfilling. Help an animal that can't help itself and check out your local shelter!

Wags!

adoptables | burlington, ontario, pet photographer

I was back at the Burlington Humane Society on the weekend to take more photos of the amazing animals available for adoption. There are still a ton of cats and kittens being housed at the shelter, so I was busy photographing all their cute faces for the website. Every single one of them is a sweetheart and deserving of a loving home (seriously, they are all adorable!). If you're looking to add a feline friend to your family, drop into the shelter for a visit. Here are a few of the awesome animals looking for homes:

And Cliff, the only canine in the pack!

adoptables | burlington, ontario, pet photographer

On the weekend I volunteered my photography services at the Burlington Humane Society — a fantastic no-kill shelter run by more than 400 volunteers. There are currently more than 100 cats and kittens being housed at the shelter, so my first visit was all about the felines. It was so much fun to capture the personalities of the animals — they were all amazing and each one deserves a wonderful home.

My photos will be used on the organization's website and will hopefully entice people into the shelter to adopt. I hope that by putting their best paw forward in a great photo that shows their personality (no cages or bars!), these animals will have a better chance at finding their forever homes.

Are you looking for a new four-legged family member? Here are a few of the animals available for adoption at the Burlington Humane Society.

And lone dog Heidi!