Had a deeply frustrating and eye opening experience trying to foster to adopt through Cause 4 Paws. I am an experienced local and international foster and this has to be the most unprofessional organization I have come across and I have seen a lot. The coordinator, Helen, explicitly confirmed a dog named Anaisa (not special needs or a difficult breed) was on hold for me. Based on that promise, I went out, prepped my space, and bought all the required gear and trackers she had mentioned was needed on the phone.

​She promised to set up a group chat with airport pickup details for Sunday, but never sent anything. After I cleared my entire Sunday schedule waiting on her, she only messaged me late Saturday night (because I prompted her first) claiming Anaisa was sick during transport and was being placed with a vet tech instead- this I could absolutely understand. What happened next was what made this situation look very sketchy.

​She told me to reach out on Tuesday for an update, but left me almost three full days without a real response back, or update on Anaisa's health. I messaged her Tuesday morning like she asked, and she left me on read (read receipt and everything) all day. She finally texted back near 10:00 p.m. (prompted by an email) with another personal excuse, completely dodging every direct question about the dog's actual health or when she'd be coming to me, as was promised. I was more concerned for the dogs health and safety and they were more concerned on the fact they wanted no text or email communication- It’s very clear she refuses to put anything in writing via text or email and only wants to do everything through phone calls so there's no paper trail.

​When I finally received an email from their main team to for a check up on Anaisa, another representative (Sue) emailed me back and literally tried to gaslight me, saying: "You must have misunderstood because being on hold does not mean that she is on hold for you." On the phone call Helen had explicitly stated Anaisa would be marked on hold for me, that I would foster to adopt and that they would require my help for Airport transport (which I am familiar with.)

​I am amazed by the total lack of transparency, zero respect for adopters' time or emotional investment, and outright dishonesty. If you’re looking to foster or adopt in Ontario, save yourself the headache and go with a reputable rescue that actually communicates honestly.

Hello!

Our local exotic pet expo lines up with my soon to be four year olds birthday. We are planning on taking him to the expo and letting him pick something out.

About us: I currently have an 18 year old cat I have had for 16 years and two rabbits. I have experience with rats, hamsters, crested geckos, tarantulas, snakes (king/milk), bearded dragons, budgies, dogs, and scorpions. Needless to say I love the exotics!

Child in question fairly recently lost a 2 year old dwarf hamster. He did really well on gentle handling.

Of course I plan on caring for whatever animal we get myself.

Child has expressed interest in isopods, lizards, and frogs

I don't want anything that has to be fed live food 😅 mostly just due to logistics of getting it

What are your suggestions?

ETA I also don't want a heat lamp. I almost burned down my parents house when I was a kid by putting it on the floor to get a lizard out 😬

TIA!!

ETA again: I think I knew the answer and I just needed to hear it from y'all again! I have reached out to an isopod breeder that will be at the expo and they are going to have an enclosure set up and ready to go for us to pick up at the expo ☺️

Situation that I’m hoping someone else has been in and can give ideas- my 10 yr old female cocker spaniel isn’t full blown incontinent, but every time she wakes up she lets go of a couple drops of pee so I have to have her wearing some form of diaper.

The washable reusable ones are great, but the flap of skin between her leg and body seems to be slightly itchy/irritated for her so I want to see if there’s any other kind of diapers someone’s tried?

I tried researching and the only real different ones I could find were male dog diapers but obviously that isnt feasible for my female dog lol

I told my boyfriend that I dont like idea of in door out door cats

I was kinda judging that fact people do that and he didn't like it

Because he also did that too and he felt like I was judging him(despite me not knowing that about him)

He said I think my way is the best way and other people's aren't

Me personally i just dont like the idea of indoor outdoor cat

I never have ever since i was younger and I would perfer if people didn't do it.

he said that I shouldn't worry about other people when I don't need to worry about other people and just worry about what I do in my life, and if I do worry about my life, I'll be much happier. Yes, they are apex predators but, like, at the same time, it's like I would prefer if they just stayed inside and go outside with surprised visions or catio

(Sorry speech to text at the last part)

Anyone planning to start a dog-boarding kennel? Looking for some feedback!

Hey everyone!

I'm working on a beginner-friendly toolkit for people interested in opening a small dog-boarding business.

The idea is to help people understand property zoning, permits, startup requirements, and what to check before investing money in a kennel.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has started a kennel or is currently planning one.

Three quick questions:

1. What's been the most confusing or difficult part of getting started?

2. Have you had trouble understanding zoning or permit requirements?

3. Would you be interested in reviewing a free draft checklist and telling me what's missing?

I'm developing this as a potential digital product, but I'm not selling anything here. Just looking for genuine feedback.

Thanks! 🐾

The kind of spot where you look at them and think, how is that comfortable?

Was it a one-off, or have they decided that's their bed now?

Took both of my cats there for a wellness exam on Monday. I asked for a claw trim for them as well and the vet tech was fine with it. No problems with the first cat. Second cat, she took to the other room and they were gone for a weirdly long time. Suddenly another tech came into the room and said "sorry, we're just finishing up." I asked what happened and she was like "um, well, he kinda threw up on the other tech and then pooped himself immediately afterwards.... it's ok though it happens."

I've never felt more embarassed in my life 🙃

Good day! I was stricken with the worst news ever, my bb boy cat got tested positive for "Parvo". Yesterday, he suddenly didn't want to eat breakfast with me then I tried to feed him chicken and his favorite treat but he didn't want to budge, he vomitted suddenly then I had to rush him.

I had him admitted for 1 day and got him the first aid he needed, now he's back with me as I am unable to keep on with the vet bills... The Vet provided us a prescription and updates while he was away, and I hope he does get past this bc idk what I'll do without him.

Any tips or help pls, I can't lose this kind boy. I found him while I was on my way to work on May 1st 2026 now he's 5 months old. He's been a good boy who sleeps with me, although the orange cat behavior strikes and he'd scratch/bites me whenever he feels zoomy

Someone said I was wrong about the carb percentage in a food. I plugged it into the calculator I was showed to use by the feline diabetes group. It ends up less than one 1% DMB going by what the can says but there's a random faq about it which I can't see on my app that says it's 14% carbs from 5 months ago. The diabetic calculator I was given SAYS there's no carbs. I found a similar food, same name and brand but pouch instead, which using the calculator says 14% DMB. But Petco says that one is 9% DMB. I called them, they don't know. They don't even know if there was a formula change within the last 5 months on their OWN BRAND. They are forwarding it to whoever makes it to get the exact percentage but I won't know for a few days. There is no room for carbs according to the can info and if there is any it shouldn't be 14%. I'm hoping I have enough fancy feast cans for his huge butt. He's a huge cat.

The calculator has never been wrong before when the brands have their numbers right. Idk if the calculator is wrong this time or if they messed up a number