As more people take their dogs outside to enjoy the summer weather, Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) is launching its “Always Ask” campaign, sharing safety advice for interacting with dogs. More warm and sunny days means more dogs on the streets, and HSWM believes it’s important that the community knows how to approach dogs to protect themselves and the animals.

“The goal of this campaign is to make a habit of respecting the animal’s needs over our own,” said Trudy Jeffers, Executive Director at HSWM. “Animals, especially dogs, have boundaries just like humans and simply need their space. They will let you know if they don’t want to interact by giving basic cues.”

HSWM provides the following tips when meeting a dog:

There is something for everyone at the Kalamazoo Expo Center this Saturday! Whether you like to shop, enjoy pets or support an organization, this is the place to be on January 21.

If you enjoy shopping, there is the Indoor Flea & Antique Market taking place from 8am – 3pm in the Main Expo Center. There will be 75 booths with antiques, handcrafted plus new & use items and more or the Winter Expo & Craft Show from 9am – 4pm in the South Expo Center where admission is free. There will be big giveaways and fun for everyone.

The chance to give your support for 4-H is possible at the 4-H Leaders Council Benefit Auction taking place in the North Expo Center starting at 10am, where admission is free. Plus the famous Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Show in Room A from10am – 3pm. Interested, patrons can buy, sell or trade small mammals, reptiles, amphibians or buy supplies & food.

Visit www.kalcounty.com for more details.

For many people, young and old alike, a pet for Christmas is the top desire for the season. For a long time, it was assumed that pets as gifts were a really bad idea, increasing adopted animals being returned to the shelter after the excitement of the holidays is over. Data supports just the opposite.

“It’s a myth,” states Trudy Jeffers, Executive Director of HSWM, “that giving a pet as a gift is a bad idea. In fact, with the right research, identifying the needs of the new pet, and knowing the person you are gifting to, helps make the right decision for both the pet and the person.”

A 2013 study by Dr. Emily Weiss says, “There is no increased risk of relinquishment for dogs and cats received as a gift.” In her research, Dr. Weiss found that over 87% of the pet owners in the study still had their pet in their home or had kept the pet in their home for the pet’s lifetime, even when the pet was given as a surprise or a gift, according to the ASPCA.