Thursday, December 12, 2013

Over the River and Through the Woods - How to Travel with your Pet

It is that time of year, when everyone is taking a trip. If you are planning to travel with your cat, dog or rabbit, you should check out this great story [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/travel/were-heading-to-london-but-how-to-bring-the-dog.html in the New York Times about traveling with your dog.

You may not be heading overseas, as the author is, but at the end of his story there is a great reference list that can apply to taking a shorter-distance trip in this country.

Have questions about how to travel with your rabbit or your cat? Email us and we would be happy to help you out.

Want a safe place for your rabbit to go while you're on the road? A place your bunny can have individual attention and all the comforts of home? Red Door does Bunny Boarding, with Oxbow timothy hay, two fresh salads a day, and an individual playpen for exercise time. We can give meds, too.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Easter Amnesty Partner 2013

Easter Amnesty Campaign 2013

For the second year in a row, Red Door has teamed up with local pet stores to discourage impulse purchases of pet rabbits at Easter. The Easter Amnesty campaign works to raise awareness of rabbit welfare issues, as well as educate the public on proper care. It is an opportunity for retailers to openly demonstrate that they take their animal care responsibilities seriously, and that they are willing to put animal welfare before commercial profit. The Amnesty is also a great way of engaging customers, forging long-term relationships with customers and the local community through positive action. From the retailers perspective, a customer who gives the rabbit up after a few weeks or months is only a very small and short-term financial benefit. A customer who is truly committed to the long-term care of their rabbit can be a great customer for 10 years or more! 

As part of this year's campaign, Red Door spoke with Amnesty partner, Kenn Bearman, owner of The Animal Store. This family-friendly pet shop is located at 4364 W. Touhy Avenue in Lincolnwood

What is the history of The Animal Store?
I bought The Animal Store (formerly known as The Sea Shell) in 1992. We renamed it after a poem by Rachel Fields called "The Animal Store" and expanded the business from being primarily dedicated to fish, to serving the needs of all kinds of pets and their owners. 



How did your family get into this business?

I managed a pet store right after college and have always loved animals. After more than 20 years in retail, I wanted to own my own business and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Having living inventory is a labor of love. There's no such thing as a day off or a snow day. There's always something new and surprising that our animals have to show me. Our customers love to visit us and our animals. On any given day, we welcome parents and their children, scout troops, day camps, classroom fields trips and passersby. We love to answer their questions and tell them all about our animals.




What type of animals do you sell?

We sell everything except dogs. Education is an cornerstone of our mission. We want people to find the right pet to fit into their lives and families. It's important to understand what it takes to keep that animal happy and healthy. Taking care of animals means knowing more than just what they eat:
  • How long will they live? 
  • What kind of attention do they need? 
  • Are they good pets for an apartment? 
  • Do they board well? 
  • Can they bond with more than one person? 
  • Do they do well with other animals? 
Answers to these questions are vital for making the right pet choice. We are all animal lovers here, and our staff is very knowledgeable. We even have a group of young volunteers called the Jr. Critter Crew. These are kids who love being around animals, and their job is to learn about the animals so they can answer questions, and to handle and socialize our animals so that they will be great family pets. 




What small animal products do you sell?

We sell everything you need for the health and happiness of all pets. We have treats and food, habitats and toys, and all kinds of accessories for small animals, from furry friends, to reptiles, fish and amphibians, to birds large and small. 




What is your favorite part of owning a pet shop?

Watching the smiles on people's faces when they find the pet they want to bring home. Pets are important members of our families. There's a lot of joy in playing matchmaker between people and pets, and we love to bring them together.

Check out The Animal Store blog on Wordless Wednesdays for great pictures of happy people with their new pets. They post lots of great information on pet care, new products, and pets in the news. The Animal Store is open seven days a week at 10 a.m. You can also visit their website, TheAnimalStore.com, find them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter @TheAnimalStore




Saturday, February 23, 2013

Huey the Mascot needs your love

Huey has always been a character!




If you've been to Red Door in the past 13 years, you've met Huey. He's the friendly ocicat who is our official mascot and greeter.   He is a hilarious cat, and definitely our most popular cat at the shelter. He is on the A-list and likes to be at the center of the action, which is why he often tries to escape into the front office.

Huey came to us as a kitten when Red Door first opened in 2000; he had been badly abused--including being thrown against the wall--so he had lost some feeling in his hindquarters. His tail droops and he doesn't always make it to the litterbox in time. Despite his cruel history, Huey is a happy-go-lucky guy who loves life and gets along with everyone. He is an inspiration to us all.

We're sad to report that Huey has developed diabetes. We will be providing him with all of the medical treatment (and love) he requires. Please keep our beloved Huey in your thoughts, or better yet, stop by and visit him.  No treats allowed, but hugs are always welcome.
You can even make a donation in honor of Huey through our website:
https://npo1.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=993

Huey is the sweetest, friendliest cat in Red Door history.
 


Saturday, February 02, 2013

On Groundhog Day, Elke Didn't See Her Shadow

Most people look for groundhogs on February 2, but Red Door saw a large black rabbit out in the snow. We are happy we were able to rescue her and get her out of the snow.

An added bonus: she didn't see her shadow today, so spring must be near.