Author name: offleashd

Since the dawn of civilization, humans and animals have shared a powerful bond. What started as a need for survival has evolved into a relationship of true companionship; from therapy dogs to working ranch horses to the family cat. The pandemic saw a surge in pet adoption during quarantine, but many new pet owners were not prepared for the full scope of responsibility that comes with caring for an animal. As we kick off a brand-new year (oh hey, 2022!), the team at Offleash’d would like to offer a few tips for the animal lovers out there looking to find their fur-ever friend. Financial Commitment Before plunging into the cute and cuddly world of animals, take a moment to look at the financial side of pet ownership as well. While puppies are usually the most popular choice for adoption, their everyday care can quickly add up, from initial shots and annual vaccinations, adoption fees, food and toys, to any additional training they might require. Adopting an older animal is a great way to give a deserving pet a second chance at life, but they often have potential health issues which may require extra vet visits or costly accommodations. This is a great chance to assess your situation and plan accordingly for the kind of pet you want. Time Constraints Most pets require a significant amount of attention, whether it be daily walks around the neighborhood or regular litterbox/tank/cage cleaning, so consider how much time you are able to commit to your pet. While cats are well known for their independent attitude and low-maintenance care, they still require attention and stimulation to lead happy, healthy lives. The same goes for certain reptiles, rodents or fish, which are great for those with busy schedules or for children to learn the basics of pet care. Just keep in mind that every animal requires their own unique type of care. Location Do you live in a house or an apartment? Do you have access to green space for walks and play? These are just some of things to consider depending on what type of pet you are looking to adopt. Some animals and breeds thrive in large open spaces where they can get plenty of exercise – so if you don’t happen to live on a ten-acre farm but have your heart set on a dog known for its boundless energy, consider whether daily access to a large yard or dog park is feasible. Temperament Temperament is such a huge factor in choosing the right pet. Utilize the expertise of shelter employees or breeders to discern what animal would be right for your situation and personality. Like humans, every animal has their own personality, and many cases of pets being given up or returned to the shelter is a case of mismatched dispositions. If possible, spend some time with the pet you are hoping to adopt to learn how they interact with you and others, especially if multiple family members or children are involved. Nearly 70% of US households are home to at least one pet, and Offleash’d wants to help you join the community! We hope these tips can help make this process a little easier so that you can find your own animal companion.

Meeting new people is exciting! It can also be a bit stressful, even when you are looking forward to creating connections. The Offleash’d team wants to help put those first meet-up jitters aside so that you can focus on building relationships with your fellow Pet People in a natural, comfortable environment. Whether you are bonding with a new BFF or looking to switch up your date night routine, these fun, low-budget hang outs are designed for you (and your pet, duh!) to create memorable experiences without all the pressure. Movie Night If you feel like staying in on date night (because you know, covid), how about a movie night?! It’s the purr-fect excuse to wear comfy sweats while spending time with your significant other, not to mention being in a familiar environment will keep your pet at ease. Stock up on all the snacks, grab all the blankets and snuggle up for cozy night in. Bonus points if you watch an animal themed movie, like one of these. Coffee Date Grabbing a cup of coffee is a great way to get to know people in a more laid-back environment. Many cafes and coffee shops are more lenient when it comes to your furry friend tagging along, while some are specifically designed with animals in mind. Cat Cafeshave surged in popularity in recent years, allowing patrons to sip their coffee and play with kitties while they’re at it! Take a Hike It’s time to get out in nature. Hikes are a great way to engage in a physical activity while also leaving room for conversation to ebb and flow naturally (unless the elevation gain makes it a little hard to breathe, let alone wax poetic on your middle school angst years). Trails are usually pet-friendly, but make sure to double check the regulations and trail conditions before you go. Even a nice, leisurely stroll through a park or neighborhood is great way to get to know a new person with your pet in tow. Stay tuned for more Offleash’d Pet Friendly Hang Outs, coming soon!

So, you made it through the holidays… and now you’re ready for a vacation. Same. For those days when you just need a change of scenery, these super cute, super cozy vacation stays will welcome you and your pet with open arms. We are starting our journey in Washington state, home to several Offleash’d team members and some amazing views. It’s time to pack your bags and hit the road for some pet-friendly fun! Blue Elk Inn – Leavenworth, WA A little over two hours west of Seattle is the quaint, Bavarian village of Leavenworth. Known for its German alpine architecture and themed activities, Leavenworth is a great destination any time of year. Explore the downtown shops and eateries, check out the seasonal festivals or hike the surrounding trails. The Blue Elk Inn is a picturesque lodge located just a few minutes from the heart of Leavenworth, boasting spectacular views, an outdoor pool and treehouse saunas. For an additional fee (based on type of room) you can bring your furry friend along, but make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations before you go. Click here for a more comprehensive guide to their pet policies. Tucker House Inn and Harrison House Suites – Friday Harbor, WA Looking for an island escape? Hop on a Washington State Ferry and travel across the sound to Friday Harbor, located on San Juan Island. Friday Harbor is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but it is also home to several museums, restaurants and shops celebrating the spirit and cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. Tucker House Inn and Harrison House Suites bring Victorian charm into the modern age. Both properties are green certified and located less than a ten-minute walk from the ferry terminal and historic downtown. There is a $45 pet deposit, but for only $10 more, you can indulge in the special pet package, which includes a freshly baked ‘pupcake’ upon arrival, a handmade doggy bath bar for extra pampering and more! Click here for more details. Kimpton Hotel Monaco – Seattle, WA Whether you are visiting from out of town or a local Seattleite, everyone should experience downtown Seattle like a tourist! Take in the museums, explore the melting pot of cultures in the surrounding districts, and enjoy some of the best food on the west coast. Plus, Seattle is a great starting point for day trips to stellar hikes, scenic drives, and stunning vistas. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco is a luxury escape right in the heart of Seattle. This eclectic boutique hotel is conveniently located to some of the hottest tourist spots in town. There are no size or weight restrictions to bring your pet along and no extra fee! Check out the full list of pet amenities here. Lake Quinault Lodge – Olympic National Park, WA Olympic National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the country and one of three national parks located in the state of Washington. Mountains, lakes, rainforests and beaches can all be found just a few hours’ drive from Seattle – there is no shortage of adventures to be had with your pet! After a day of fishing, paddleboarding and hiking galore, it’s time for some much needed relaxation. Head over to the Lake Quinault Lodge. This rustic getaway is conveniently located just off U.S. 101, offering several amenities and beautiful lakeside views. Something to keep in mind – Pets are allowed for $25 per day but are permitted only in the Boathouse rooms, so be sure to plan accordingly. We hope this list inspires you to start planning your next vacation, weekend getaway or day trip in the beautiful state of Washington. Tag us in all of your pet-friendly adventures @offleashd on Instagram, Twitter and Offleash’d on Facebook!

There is no better way to celebrate the season of love than by sharing it with others! Offleash’d is all about building connections and making the world a better place, so here’s a little inspo to help you get involved in your community this Valentine’s Day. Gather your best buds, bring your SO, or fly solo with your precious pet in tow and Spread the Love! DIY Pet Treats It’s time to put all that Pinterest scrolling to good use! This Valentine’s Day, get creative in the kitchen and bake some DIY treats that you can distribute to friends and family, local shelters, and neighborhood pets. No matter what kind of pet you are baking for, there are tons of fun, easy recipes that require minimal ingredients and equipment. Here are a few to get you started! 3 Ingredient Dog Treats Recipe · Nourish and Nestle Homemade Cat Treats Recipe – Mess for Less 5 Homemade Rabbit Treats To Make For Your Bunny (bunnylady.com) If you really want to get into the spirit, use cookie cutters or fun ice tray molds (these are the perfect size for smaller pets like rabbits and guinea pigs) and give your homemade treats some flair. Bonus points for heart-shaped goodies because you know… Valentine’s Day! Volunteer at a Local Animal Shelter Volunteering at the animal shelter isn’t all about playing with cute animals. From laundry duty to administrative work, there are so many positions that need to be filled for shelters to run smoothly and efficiently. Get in touch with your local animal rescue to see what sort of volunteers are needed and how you can help. You can also check out The Humane Societyvolunteer page and filter by location to find virtual and in-person positions at Humane Societies throughout the country that match your availability and skill set. If you are looking to volunteer on a larger scale, you could help organize an adoption drive or fundraising event. This is a great way for larger groups, companies, and organizations to get involved in a great cause and help pets find their fur-ever homes. We would love to see how you Spread the Love this Valentine’s Day – tag us @offleashd to share all your favorite moments while out and about in your community.

February 20-26, 2022 is officially National Justice for Animals Week! This annual event, created by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), raises “public awareness around crimes committed against animals. This includes learning what criminal cruelty is under the law and how we can all work to build stronger laws, prevents criminal cruelty, hold abusers accountable, and vindicate the interests of animal cruelty victims.” The ALDF is a non-profit organization focused on animal law, with over 300,000 members, attorneys, and supporters working to change the U.S. legal system’s approach to animal abuse. Each year, an animal representative is chosen – meet 2022’s rep, Sam the Ram! – and the ALDF Top Defenders are announced. Top Animal Defenders include “prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officials, animal rescuers, lawmakers, animal legal advocates, and others who champion the cause of animal crime victims.” Want to get involved? Educate yourself on the animal protection laws in your state or volunteer with a local rescue organization. There are so many sanctuaries across the country working to provide safe homes for abused and abandoned animals – here are a few of our favorites! Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary is home to wild mustangs and burros rescued from kill pens, auctions, and unfit homes. Skydog Ranch actively works to educate the public on equine treatment, as well as bring awareness to the SAFE Act, “which would prevent the shipping of equines across our borders to be killed for their meat”. Click here for more information on how you can support Skydog Ranch. Goats of Anarchy is a sanctuary and rehabilitation center for injured and abused animals (primarily goats), including those with disabilities such as blindness, mobility impairment, and neurological disorders. Their mission is to encourage empathy for all creatures while providing a safe and loving home for animals who are often viewed as “less than”. Help support Goats of Anarchy by making a one-time donation, sponsoring an animal, or even becoming a donor. Click here for more information. Little Bear Sanctuary is a no-kill sanctuary where abused and neglected animals can “live out the remainder of their lives in a cruelty-free environment.” Many of the animals at Little Bear Sanctuary were surrendered by owners who were unprepared for the responsibility of pet ownership or misled by unethical breeders, making education and community outreach their main objective. Become a volunteer, sponsor an animal, or visit the farm for the day – every little bit helps support animals in need!

Happy International Women’s Day! Every day, women are making huge strides in their chosen fields, from politics to athletics to science and more, and today we come together to celebrate the strong, fierce women in our lives. The theme for IWD 2022 is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, with the focus on women and girls who are leading the fight for climate change adaptation and sustainability efforts. In honor of this year’s theme, we wanted to shine some light on a few incredible women who are making a difference in the fields of animal advocacy and the commercial pet industry through their commitment to a greener world. Genesis Butler genesis butler (genesisforanimals.org) Genesis Butler is a fifteen-year-old animal rights and environmental activist who has already made a name for herself in the advocacy world, focusing on the impact of animal agriculture on the environment. In addition to being the youngest Tedx talk presenter, Genesis has won several awards and launched her own non-profit, Genesis for Animals. “Genesis for Animals’ mission is to help support animal sanctuaries and rescues throughout the United States. We do this by providing financial support with any expenses the sanctuary may have for medical treatments, emergency funds, aid through natural disasters, and any other costs they incur, like purchasing supplies for the animals.” Melissa Mitchner Melissa Mitchner is the owner of The Bark Shoppe, a pet care facility that offers grooming, boarding, and daycare services as well as selling its own brand of pet grooming products. Community outreach is a large part of The Bark Shoppe’s philosophy, partnering with several initiatives such as Low-Cost Vet Care through the ASPCA and offering internships to help introduce people of color to the pet industry. Audrey Castonguay Audrey Castonguay is the founder of Wholesome Culture, a retail company specializing in sustainably made clothing. From eco-friendly materials to bio-degradable packaging, Wholesome Culture puts the environment first. Not to mention that 10% of their profits go to animal rescue and environmental organizations such as Sale Ranch Sanctuary and Rancho Relaxo.

Are you ready for an entire day dedicated to sweet, adorable puppies?! March 23 is National Puppy Day, which means there is no better time to show some love for humankind’s best friend! Founded by animal behaviorist and pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige, the mission of National Puppy Day is to educate the world on the dark side of the pet shop industry and puppy mills. Commercial dog breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills, are characterized by crowded and unsanitary living conditions, where maximizing profit is put before the health and wellness of the animals. According to Spots.com, more than 4 million puppies are born into puppy mills every year, with only half of puppies surviving their first 12 weeks. Many puppy mills are operating illegally and go on to supply pet stores with underweight, ill, and abused animals that are at a higher risk to develop health issues later on. One of the best ways to combat the influence of puppy mills is to practice “Adopt, Don’t Shop”. For those looking to adopt a puppy, avoid going straight to the pet store and instead visit your local shelter or rescue organization. Not all pet shops are supplied by puppy mills, but it’s important to do the research to ensure that you are entering a transaction with full transparency and that your puppy is healthy, happy, and ready to join your family. For those who aren’t ready for adoption, there are several ways to show your support on National Puppy Day, from volunteering with your local shelter to fostering an animal. Already a pup owner? Snap a pic of your favorite furry friend, tag us @offleashd, and use #nationalpuppyday to spread the love (and help increase awareness!).

Each year the pet industry’s biggest brands and most innovative creators come together for a weekend of workshops, networking, and social events at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida. Offleash’d had the opportunity to share its story on a major stage while connecting with those making a difference in the pet industry, from The Incredible Dr. Pol to pet lifestyle influencers like Emzotic. “The appeal of our brand’s goals and mission resonated with numerous companies that we were able to interact with throughout the conference, many of which are excited to partner with Offleash’d to continue to push the pet industry forward.” – Terry James CEO Offleash’d is all about making healthy, pet-friendly connections – a guiding principle in our outreach towards potential partners and subscribers alike. We are so excited for all that is in store for Offleash’d and our future partners, and we can’t wait to share everything with you! For more information, or if you are interested in partnering with us, contact us here!

Inclusivity is about providing equal access to opportunities for all people regardless of their age, gender, or race, and Offleash’d is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive space where ideas are shared, and relationships can be formed on the foundation of respect. So, what can pets teach us about inclusivity? Well, for starters, pets don’t judge. They are not weighed down by biases or social constructs. They offer unconditional love without expectations, though like all creatures, they need mutual love and respect to thrive. There are pets for every personality, from the happy-go-lucky pups to the sassy, introverted felines. There are hypoallergenic pets and specially trained support animals for those with disabilities. However, access to these animals can be limited depending on several factors. A study done in 2017 by Psychology Today found that there are significant differences in pet ownership between racial groups, where white people were about three times more likely to own a dog and nearly five times more likely to own a cat compared to non-whites. With “the average Black and Hispanic or Latino households [earning] about half as much as the average White household and [owning] only about 15 to 20 percent as much net wealth”, according to an article posted by the Federal Reserve in 2021, it can be inferred that socioeconomic factors such as homeownership and income brackets can play a large role in who has access to adoption centers and who can financially support a pet. Luckily, there are organizations that can help owners who struggle to afford care or treatment for their animals such as The Bowwow Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit that helps provide medical care to homeless dogs and families who cannot afford medical care for their dogs. Bowwow Buddies even provides grants to shelters and rescue groups to provide medical care for the animals awaiting adoption. With the help of these organizations, so many more people will be able to experience the joy of pet ownership. Download Offleash’d and create your own community today!

All apps operate with an algorithm – the analysis of data to generate a desired result. By having users choose certain traits, interests, and physical attributes, social networking apps can better connect like-minded individuals and improve the overall experience. Offleash’d utilizes the same principle for both their social and dating platforms. But we take it one step further. Not only are users able to customize their profile and select characteristics that best describe themselves, but they are also able to create a presence for their pets as well. With Offleash’d, users have the unique opportunity to match with people who have similar interests and find animals that their pets will get along with. Say your pet is more introverted, perhaps a shy sand boa, and prefers peace and quiet. By selecting the appropriate pet traits, the Offleash’d algorithm works to connect you and your reclusive reptile with pets and their people who will complement both personalities. While the maxim of ‘opposites attract’ may work for humans, for our pet companions, it can be a horse of a different color. For some animals, instinctual behavior can have a dominant effect on their relationship with other animals. For instance, dogs and cats have an age-old rivalry, but they have been known to form unlikely bonds. The same can be true for many other species of animals that find themselves under one roof. As every animal is different, it is important to understand the personality and needs of each individual pet before introducing a potential new pet buddy into their world. Our goal is to foster meaningful connections, and that means giving our users an inclusive experience customized for the needs of both them and their pets. That is what sets our app apart from all the other dating and social apps on the market. Download Offleash’d for Apple and Android to see what kind of connections you and your pet can make!