Pet Education

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue is proud to serve our community through education and partnership. BWAR is dedicated to talking to groups around the Asheville area about the importance of spaying and neutering, animal safety, rescue awareness, and much more.

Being a responsible pet guardian is more than just providing adequate water, food, and shelter for your pet. Domestic pets are completely dependent on their guardians for their welfare.

• Taking care of a pet is a lifetime commitment. If you can't make the commitment, don't get the pet.
   
• Choose a pet that fits your lifestyle.  Don't get an energetic dog if you don't have the time to exercise him/her. If you can't afford grooming or can't do the grooming yourself, pick a dog with a low maintenance coat.
   
• Spay or neuter your pets. There are already too many homeless animals. Don't add to the problems.
   
• Don't make your dog or cat an "outside animal". Dogs especially thrive on companionship and need to be with their "human pack."
   
• Be aware of weather conditions.  Leaving your animal in the car on a hot day (even for a few minutes!) or in the yard without shade or water is risking your animal's  life.
   
• Make sure your home is "pet" safe. Pesticides, medications, household cleaners, and some household plants (dieffenbachia, philodendron, hyacinth, and mistletoe) can be deadly to your pet. Keep them out of reach. 
   
• Provide veterinary care for your pet.  Keep their vaccinations up to date and make sure they have annual check-ups.
   
• Keep an identification tag on your pet.  A tag is your pet's ticket back home. Both dogs and cats need  ID! Microchipping is good too, but an external tag is essential, it could mean the difference between your neighbor returning your pet to you or turning him/her in to the pound!
   
• Obedience train and socialize your pet. There's nothing better than having a dog the comes when you call. This too can be the difference between life and death. Also, dogs develop fears at different points in their life, so it's important to expose them to all sorts of different sounds and people at all different ages, so they don't develop fears or aggression.
   
• Don't let your pets run loose. Dogs should be walked on leashes. Any outdoor off-leash activity should be in a secure or fenced in area where the dog cannot run into the street or be otherwise harmed. Cats should live indoor only. An outdoor cat's average lifespan is 3 years; an indoor cat's average lifespan is 14 years.
   
• Provide your pet the proper diet. Quality nutrition is as important to pets as it is to us. Obesity is as deadly as malnutrition. Be aware that some foods can be deadly to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, and onions. Fatty food can cause pancreatitis.
   
• Make sure your pet gets the proper amount of exercise; a walk does everyone good!
   
• Take extra precautions during holidays, like the 4th of July. It is the scariest time for pets, with all of the noise and fireworks going off. Make sure your pets are secure indoors. Also protect your pets during Halloween.
   
• Be kind to your pet and shower him/her with love. Remember - you are  his/her world! Take special care of your pet during his/her senior years.