dog adoption
- behavior
What to Expect at Puppy Socialization Classes
A dog behaviorist schools us on why puppy classes are more about socializing than getting straight As.
![Two Golden Retriever puppies playing with a large blue tennis ball outside in the grass]()
- lifestyle
Why You Should Adopt a Black Dog
October 1 is National Black Dog Day. Sadly, black dogs are adopted less than pups with lighter coats. Here’s everything you should know about “black dog syndrome.”
![Woman lying in bed hugging a black dog.]()
- lifestyle
Why You Should Adopt a “Less Adoptable” Dog
It’s Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week! Here’s why you shouldn’t rule out senior dogs, special-needs pups, bully breeds, or tripods.
![tripod dog / dog with three legs]()
- behavior
Does Your Dog Have Littermate Syndrome?
If you adopted puppy siblings — and they fight nonstop — you could be dealing with littermate syndrome. Here’s everything you need to know.
![2 dogs playing]()
- lifestyle
9 Tips To Find A Lost Dog — Fast
Buddha Dog Rescue and Recovery founder Nicole Asher’s pro tips for getting your missing pup home safe.
![Woman in a coat soothing a rescued German Shepherd dog in a field outside]()
- lifestyle
How Bunny the Dog Got the Literal Mercedes-Benz of Wheelchairs
Rescuer Henry Friedman helped a disabled dog go from abandoned on the street to rocking a designer whip.
![Henry Friedman and Bunny’s new/custom wheelchair from Mercedes Benz.]()
- behavior
When to Start Training a Puppy: a Complete Puppy Training Schedule By Age
Your puppy training schedule, from eight weeks to six months. Let’s do this.
![Border Collie puppy shaking owner's hand]()
- lifestyle
How to Help the Animals Affected by Hurricane Idalia
Rescue organizations are in need of donations and adoptions after the storm.
![Wings of Rescue transporting kitten in crate in response to Hurricane Idalia in Florida.
]()
- lifestyle
Urban Farmer Indy Srinath’s Pup Okra Lives the West Coast Granola-Fantasy Life
The star of the new Nat Geo series Farm Dreams feeds her pup fresh popsicles and foraged kelp.
![Indy, a woman with brown deadlocked hair, sitting next to a sunflower outside while holding a blind white dog named Okra]()
- lifestyle
The Fiction of “Unadoptable” Shelter Dogs
Wolf Mother K9 founder Saharai Salazar on misunderstood behaviors, giving every pup a chance, and the need for more empathy.
![Saharai “Sada” Salazar and a large Belgian Malinois dog who is part of the Wolfmother K9 Rescue.]()
- lifestyle
25 Barbiecore Names For Your New Pet
Here are the pinkest, sparkliest, wittiest Barbie movie-inspired names for your dog or cat.
![the cast of Barbie with a small white cat and white Pit Bull dog]()
- lifestyle
How You Can Test the Waters of Pet Parenthood
How five aspiring pet parents are getting their feet wet by moonlighting as shelter volunteers and dog walkers.
![Woman running with her cute spotted beagle while enjoying good weather and playing together in the city.]()
- lifestyle
How You Can Help the Animals of Maui During These Deadly Wildfires
For starters, you can donate to Maui Humane Society as they help pets on the ground.
![Shelter dog on beach in Maui during wild fires.]()
- lifestyle
You Must Love Mutts on National Mutt Day
July 31 is National Mutt Day. Here are nine reasons why a mixed-breed dog would make a great new addition to your family.
![cute mutt / mixed breed dog]()
- lifestyle
Corook’s Rescue Dog Gives Them Permission to Have Bad Days
The TikTok sensation and singer-songwriter says their German Shepherd mix, Cubby, has taught them it’s OK not to be perfect.
![Corook wears a black-and-white striped shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes, paired with a green frog hat while they pose with their dog, Cubby outside on the grass.]()
- lifestyle
How to Puppy Proof Your Home
Is your home a danger zone for a new dog? Follow these pro tips.
![Man laying on floor playing with dog]()
- lifestyle
You’ve Adopted a Dog From a Hoarding Case. Now What?
Hundreds of dogs have been rescued from hoarding situations so far this year. Here’s what their adopters should know, according to animal welfare experts.
![Man holding a dog in front of a light gray background]()
- lifestyle
How to Introduce Your New Dog to Your Kids
They’ll always remember their first childhood pet — this intro is just the beginning.
![mom and daughter playing with puppy]()
- behavior
Here’s the Potty Training Game Plan You’ve Been Waiting For
Seven tips you’ll want to pay attention to.
![A puppy outside on a leash]()
- lifestyle
Brady Oliveira Is Rushing to the Rescue
How the Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back expertly uses his football skills to help street animals in need.
![Brady Oliver with three puppies in Mexico.]()
![Woman holding dogs at an animal shelter]()
- behavior
10 Signs Your Dog Has Imprinted On You
This has nothing to do with a werewolf named Jacob in a series called Twilight, but here’s what it is all about.
![A woman sitting on a floor playing with her dogs.]()
- lifestyle
Bernadette Peters Brings Adoptable Dogs to Broadway
Tony winner and Broadway Barks founder Bernadette Peters tells The Wildest about her nonprofit’s star-studded adoption event.
![A woman holding a dog and posing for a picture.]()
- health
When, Exactly, Should You Vaccinate Your Puppy?
If it’s time for a round of shots (no, not that kind), follow this guide.
![man and lab puppy on park road]()
- lifestyle
“Yellowjackets” Actress Samantha Hanratty’s Dogs Remind Her of the Show’s Characters
At least when it comes to their personalities. Not, uh, the other thing.
![Samantha Hanratty with her dog]()
- lifestyle
7 Ways Student Loan Debt Relief Could Have Benefitted Pets
The Biden administration’s plan has been blocked by SCOTUS. Here’s how pets’ lives could have been better if their parents had extra cash.
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- lifestyle
How to Help the Rescue Pets Who Seem to Be Stuck at Shelters Forever
And why the problem of long-term rescue and foster animals persists.
![Couple hug their Pit Bull dog outside on the beach.]()
- lifestyle
For the Resident Pets of This Animal Sanctuary, There’s No Compromise on Happiness
Happiness Compromise Farm is a queer and trans-founded-and-run animal sanctuary with four-legged residents who “couldn’t care less how you identify.”
![Happy Compromise Farm, a non profit and sanctuary in Upstate New York]()
- lifestyle
Why You Shouldn’t Get a Dog Breed Because You Saw It in a Movie
The John Wick franchise’s latest installment could pose a real threat to Belgian Malinois.
![Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry star in John Wick with two German Shepherd dogs.]()
- lifestyle
Building a Queer Family One Pet at a Time
My life looks nothing like I imagined growing up — but it’s perfectly complete.
![two dogs cuddling surrounded by a bright orange background with pink stars]()
- lifestyle
How 5 Pet Parents’ Lives Had a Glow-Up After They Got Their Pets
Turns out finding community isn’t so hard when you’ve got a cute pal to help get you out of the house.
![two girls bonding over a cute fluffy dog]()
- lifestyle
Kelsey Darragh’s Pit Bull, Hippo, Is Her True Soulmate
The filmmaker, comedian, and mental health advocate’s boyfriend didn’t want to adopt their foster pup. She ditched the guy and kept the dog.
![Kelsey Darragh with her dog Hippo]()
- lifestyle
In Gemini Season 2023, We All Contain Multitudes
Geminis are the cats who know how to use the toilet like a human.
![Prince, Awkwafina, and Emily Ratajkowski all pose with their pets]()
- lifestyle
The Newly Proposed “Bowie’s Amendment” Needs Your Support
This potential legislation could save the lives of countless shelter dogs. Here’s how you can help.
![Bowie's Law]()
- lifestyle
Loneliness Is a Public Health Crisis. Pets Can Help
Per the US Surgeon General, loneliness is as dangerous for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Here are ways pets can solve that.
![two people bonding and smiling over a dog]()
- lifestyle
How DIY Animal Rescuers Tell The Exhausting, Rewarding Stories of Their Work
In volunteers’ Instagram videos, you’ll see both the joy and the fatigue behind finding these deserving pets homes.
![Group of young people pet a brown dog with a jacket on outside.]()
- lifestyle
Pirate the Pit Bull Is Asha Leo’s “Person”
How the Pit Bull advocate is bolstered by her Instagram-famous psychiatric support dog.
![Asha Leo walks with her psychiatric service dog, Pirate, on a trail]()
- shopping
The Found My Animal X Petco Collab Has Some Irresistibly Cute Swag
The partnership’s groovy items support animal advocacy and are only available through August 20.
![Black and white French Bulldog with a colorful harness and leash sitting in the grass.]()
- lifestyle
How Artist Grace Miceli’s Dog, Tony, Helps Her Deal
“I was like, ‘How can I draw myself without drawing my actual self?’ We have this sort of symbiotic relationship — he’s become this character that I’m able to explore things through...”
![grace miceli and tony]()
- lifestyle
You’ve Got Company: How to Cohabitate with a New Dog
Boundaries, right? But if they end up sleeping in bed, that’s cool, too.
![Happy young female student playing with hairy dog at home]()
- lifestyle
Shelter Pets Deserve Amazon Pet Deals, Too
Seriously, you can donate to shelters just by shopping!
![shelter kittens playing with a round blue plastic toy with balls]()
- lifestyle
Where Have All the Fosters Gone?
This is the Paula Cole parody that rescue orgs are singing as they struggle to find people to foster pets.
![a person with short blonde hair and glasses hugs three rescue puppies and kisses one on the head]()
- lifestyle
Kate Mara Is Funding the Adoption Fees of 10 Georgia Pups Who Need Homes
The dogs are graduates of Canine CellMates’ alternative sentencing program, which pairs dogs with people charged with felonies in Fulton County, Georgia.
![Kate Mara on the ground with three dogs in her lap]()
- lifestyle
How Korean K9 Gives Dogs Rescued From the Meat Trade a Second Shot at Life
The rescue’s founder, Gina Boehler, on her mission to help these pups start over.
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- lifestyle
Dayna Isom Johnson Is the Ultimate Cool-Girl Pet Trend Expert
And her pup, Mojo, is her stylish right-hand dude.
![Dayna Isom Johnson with her small white and orange dog on a picnic blanket]()
- lifestyle
6 Ways to Help Local Shelters Without Committing to Full-Time Pet Parenthood
Adoption isn’t for everyone — here are other ways you can be there for animals in need.
![anonymous woman pampering and taking care about a small ginger kitten]()
![Big dog meets little brown puppy for the first time]()
- lifestyle
Sqirl Chef Jessica Koslow’s “Handsome” Rescue Dog Taught Her What Family Means
OK, this is too pure: His favorite words are “love” and “friend.”
![Jessica Koslow sitting on a beige couch with her black wire-haired dog sitting in her lap with a bookshelf in the background]()
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- behavior
Is Your Dog Tricky to Train? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty
It’s important to remember that dogs are individuals, so training isn’t one-size-fits-all.
![illustration of multi-colored dogs]()
- lifestyle
You Can Help Save Pups From Asia’s Dog Meat Trade
From adopting to fostering to sponsoring on Patreon, there are many ways to give these rescue organizations the support they need.
- behavior
Your Dog Should Do This 30-Day Training Challenge
It’s like your 30-day yoga challenge — except with way more training treats.
![woman gives small black dog treat for sitting]()
- lifestyle
What to Do When Your Partner Doesn’t Want a Dog
Persuasive strategies to convince your S.O. they do want a dog.
![Dachshund dog sits between two people]()
- lifestyle
Should You Get a Second Dog?
A few things to consider before expanding your fam by four more paws.
![Sealyham Terrier and golden retriever playing in the grass]()
- lifestyle
Meet the 11 Special-Needs Dogs Competing in Puppy Bowl 2023
Introducing some of the stars of the 2023 Puppy Bowl and the rescue organizations they’re representing.
![a small orange and white dog using wheel assistance]()
- lifestyle
How The Animal Pad Rescued 111 Doodles From a Backyard Breeder
Further proof that you can — and should — adopt rescued designer dogs.
![Three doodles sitting outside in the grass.]()
![Owner adjusts collar with tags on their dog]()
- lifestyle
The 10 Most Popular Pet Names of 2022
2022’s pop culture trends not-so-subtly influenced our new adoptees’ monikers.
![pet names 2022]()
- behavior
How to Choose the Right Friend For Your Dog
7 signs your pup and their pal have BFF potential.
![Two mixed breed dogs, one white with brown spots and one black, both biting on a S-shaped teal chew toy int he grass outside]()
- lifestyle
12 Red Flags You Should Watch Out For in a Dog Breeder
Look out for untrustworthy breeders — and report them.
![Portrait of six pure-bred Husky puppies sitting side by side on a table while their breeder tried to arrange them for a photo in the background]()
- lifestyle
Ditch Your Guilt Over Getting a Second Dog
Change is hard, but that doesn’t mean you should feel bad.
![A man in a sweater holding two small dogs in his arms with a pensive look on his face]()
- lifestyle
How 6 Rescues Find Joy During the Tough Holiday Season
The holiday season is not so jolly for a lot of pet rescues. Here’s how they help their animals — and their volunteers and staff members — this time of year.
![Two women and a man in glasses sitting in front of a decorated and brightly lit Christmas tree while the central woman holds a Shiba Inu dog looking directing at the viewer]()
- lifestyle
10 Foster-Fail Stories That Will Tempt You to Do the Same
Adopting a foster pet doesn’t isn’t always the right choice. But for these families, it turned out to be the only one.
![A brunette woman holding a spotted gray kitten up to her face while its front paws rest on her chin]()
- lifestyle
Pinups for Pitbulls Rolls Up the Victory Curls For the Pups Who Need It Most
Back in the day, pinup models donned their victory rolls to boost wartime spirits. Now, they do it to advocate for a much-maligned dog breed. Deirdre Franklin, the founder of Pinups for Pitbulls, explains how a burlesque hobby evolved into a life-saving non-profit.
![Deirdre Franklin dressed as a pinup model holding one of her calendars while sitting on a wooden table next to a Pitbull dog sitting on its hind legs looking up at her]()
- lifestyle
Puppies in Peril: The Ongoing Fight Against Craigslist Scams
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is on a mission to take down puppy mills and animal traffickers who trick unknowing Craigslist users into purchasing dangerously — sometimes terminally — sick dogs.
![An angry looking cat hiding under a couch.]()
- lifestyle
Pups Without Borders: It All Started With a (Dog Named) Storm
Eve Bañuelos on how a pregnant dog and a pandemic layoff inspired her to start an organization that rescues dogs in California and Mexico as shelters overflow.
![A person wearing a plaid shirt and knit hat holding two cute puppies over their shoulder.]()
- shopping
Paravel’s Luxe Cabana Pet Carrier Literally Saves Rescue Pups
Paravel’s collab with Rescue City means your dog can get a chic carrier — and you can help pups in need. A true win-win.
![Two Paravel x Rescue City pet carriers with a small Chihuahua dog sitting in one of them]()
- lifestyle
Should You Give a Pet as a Gift? It Depends
Puppies and kittens are cute, but read this expert advice before attaching a bow to their collars and handing them to a pal.
![Couple laying on the floor with their kitten during Christmas]()
- lifestyle
17 Pet Charities to Donate to This Giving Tuesday
A way to pay it forward to our furry friends.
![A woman wearing a cat cartoon face mask and a pink sweatshirt holding a white kitten with spots that is looking directly at the camera]()
![woman holding beautiful cat]()
- lifestyle
Alex Proba’s Dog Knows How to Show Off For the Camera
The abstract artist on how her rescue pup, Sam, photobombed a video project and inspired a brand-new line of dog products.
![A cheerful woman with a puppy next to her wearing a vibrant harness.]()
- lifestyle
As Shelters Fill Up With Dogs, The Animal Pad Volunteers Roll Up Their Sleeves
The San Diego-based rescue’s 300 volunteers take saving Mexican street dogs as seriously as a full-time job (but have fun doing it).
![A woman smiling with a dog at an animal rescue service event.]()
- lifestyle
The Misunderstood Pit Bull Is at the Top of Yves’s Advocacy List
The model, activist, and musician on his activism philosophy: “I’ve always been drawn to those who have been left behind, forgotten, misunderstood. I relate to them on a very deep, personal level. No matter how different you are, everyone deserves a chance.”
![Yves, a man with a lot of tattoos and a brown paisley head bandana in tan pants holding his grey Pitbull dog who is wearing a tiny cowboy hat over his shoulder]()
- lifestyle
California Is the First State to Ban Testing of Chemicals on Cats and Dogs
The U.S. has a long way to go when it comes to ending what Gov. Gavin Newsom calls “cruel and unnecessary testing.”
![Beagles playfully running free after being rescued from an animal testing facility.]()
- lifestyle
Foster Parenting 101: How to Be the Best Caregiver to Your Guest Pets
All the steps you can take.
![Man with beard and wearing glasses and a grey hat sitting outside petting the head of his old foster dog]()
- lifestyle
How Sophie Gamand Showcases the Gentle Souls of Misunderstood Dogs
The artist and activist on how her work has helped hundreds of dogs get adopted (and how she copes with the heartache of photographing shelter and street dogs around the world).
