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Before a new baby is born, expectant parents with
pets need to prepare. To help with preparation, two
well-known Rhode Island humane organizations have joined
forces to present a program for expectant parents with
pets called Baby-Ready Pets.
Baby Ready Pets is free to pet owners who are
expecting a baby. It provides a checklist for expectant
parents so that they can prepare their animals and
themselves for change in the household dynamics.
“It is important to remember that dogs and cats are
natural predators,” advises Jane Deming, Director of
Operations and Outreach at the Providence Animal Rescue
League. “Because of new sounds, smells and activities
surrounding a new infant, your pet may see your newborn
as competition, prey or even a toy.”
Katenna Jones, Animal Behaviorist at the Rhode Island
SPCA, adds that “no matter how much you trust your pet,
or how gentle they seem children, especially newborns,
should NEVER be left alone with a pet.”
The two-hour workshops include informational
literature, a live animal presentation and opportunities
for questions and answers. Free dog evaluations will
also be offered for any expectant parent concerned about
their dog’s ability to adjust to an infant. After the
program, participants will have the opportunity to call
or e-mail their follow-up questions to either
organization.
The program has received a wonderful response and
will be continued indefinitely,
offered on a monthly
basis.
Where?
At the RISPCA shelter
For more information or to register, contact:
Katenna Jones, Animal Behaviorist at RISPCA
at (401) 438-8150 or
Jane Greco-Deming, Director of Operations &
Outreach at PARL (401) 421-1399 (http://www.parl.org) |
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