Final Reflections from All Under One Woof

Over the this past semester I have had the chance to learn how to operate a handful of social media accounts on various platforms. Creating and managing my business, All Under One Woof, from a social media standpoint was excellent practice for what I hope to do once I graduate. I will admit that I did struggle with a few social media platforms that in turn caused inner turmoil for myself, however, the good outweighed the bad. 

The main platforms that I utilized were Facebook, Twitter, and my blog to post honest and current topics that my target audience would enjoy. The blog postings took a bit of time to plan and write. I am very pleased to see a difference between my first posting and my last; the overall tone stayed similar, but in turn have changed for the better. Using my Twitter account was very enjoyable because I did not have much experience with that particular social media. I liked being able to retweet certain posts from pages I was following because they were news articles or topics that focused on animal shelters, rescues, and certain laws. Finally, Facebook was the easiest to use out of the three main platforms I used. I say this because I use Facebook in my everyday life and have experience managing a business' page. Coming up with content was easy because I could use similar content between Facebook and Twitter. That, to me, is the best part about using any social media. You are able to share the same posts/content between the platforms. 

Instagram was another platform that I used. I struggled with this one only because I had issues with the app itself. My account was deleted for a short period of time, but after it was all sorted out I found that Instagram is a viable tool to use as a business. A picture says a thousand words and when it comes to dogs and cats that are in desperate need of a loving home, a picture works better than any blog post. I want to explore more with Instagram and see if I can utilize it at my current place of employment, which happens to be a restaurant. Another social media I used was SoundCloud and creating a podcast. Initially I was weary about creating a podcast because I am not the strongest speaker. However, from a business standpoint I found it to be exciting. Podcasts are an entirely new form of social media that can connect people with similar ideals and interests. I do not think podcasts, however, were the best route for my business. Like I mentioned, a picture is worth more that anything that i can say when it comes to rescues, so a podcast about why you should adopt seemed a little forced. I am sure that if i explored it more I would be able to find a way to make it intertwine with the platforms I was already using. 

With what I have learned I would highly recommend that any and all businesses utilized Facebook and Twitter to reach and expand their target audiences. They are easy to use and are accessible on basically every smart phone. Facebook even has a Pages app that allows you to manage any and all business pages you may have without having to use the Facebook app itself. It has a similar interface to when you manage your page on a computer. Twitter is great for a business as well because there are more and more people using Twitter over Facebook. Sometimes you have to follow the trends and stay current, especially with social media, because you have to be able to reach your customers/audience. I do recommend Instagram to any business solely because our society has become so fast-paced that a great picture catches our attention better than a well-written article or post.

I have learned a great deal more about social media and the best ways to use them from a business standpoint. I have already taken a lot of what I have learned and applied to my job at Seasons Tavern where I handle a lot of the social media accounts. As mentioned, it was great practice for when the future after graduation. 

We have a BIG announcment!

We have created an app called Under One Woof!

We created this app to help cat and dog owners alike keep track of viable health information of their furry friends. We understand that some pets have special needs that require more frequent vet visits. Within our app you can set up reminders for vet appointments and medication dosage reminders. 

All of the information is Under One Woof! 

Created by Stephanie Gianforte

Other features of PetBook include the ability to enter identification information such as birthdates and microchip numbers, custom notes, and photos.  

The best part? Our app can support multiple pets with customization of photos that you can share with other people within the app. The sharing feature makes life easier for when you are away from your pet and have someone pet sitting or even if you bring your pet to a daycare. All of your pets veterinary and medical information is easily accessible to those you wish to share the info with.

All of the rescues at our shelter have their own page in the Under One Woof app. We encourage those who adopt to download the app so we can easily share the pets important medical information, pictures, and microchip number with their new family. 

The app costs $1.99 to download but the proceeds go straight to the shelter and the rescues to ensure we have a proper updated facility that allows us to better care for our dogs and cats while they wait for their forever home. The app is available for iOS and android users. 

Scruff for Ruff

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What exactly No-Shave November? There are some people who just think it as an excuse for not shaving their beards or their legs (it's a lot of work, right ladies?). However, there is a deeper meaning behind November. The concept, according to the organization's website, is to "grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. [People] donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle." A key part of this national campaign is that participants' new facial hair often starts a conversation, so it is an opportunity to raise awareness about men's health issues such as prostate cancer.

It is hard knowing how much help animal shelters and humane societies need.We are keenly aware of the crisis-level of overcrowding that is occurring in shelters all over the nation. We wanted to combine our efforts with No-Shave November and raise awareness for animal shelters and local humane societies. We implore those who have pets that require monthly trimmings to skip the visit to the groomers and donate that money a local animal shelter in your area. In addition, skip your personal appointment at the salon and donate that money to the No-Shave November campaign. Grow a little scruff for ruff is a campaign that will benefit all the shelters that are continuing to do great work for our four-legged friends. 

So let your hair flow in the wind and your pup get a little scruffy for the month to raise awareness for our furry human and four-legged friends. 

We are having a contest!

It is often said that, after a certain amount of time, we start to look like our pets. Or they start to look like us.

So, what do YOU need to do? Just grab your doggie doppelganger, have yourself a mini-photoshoot, and post the photos on twitter with the hashtag and #myfurrytwin and mention @allunderonewoof. Feel free to wear matching outfits to look more like twins, we encourage it! The contest ends on November 3rd at 11:59pm with the winner being announced on November 4th.

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How do we decide the winner? It's easy! 

You do!

All you have to do is vote for your favorite furry twin pairing by favoriting their photo on Twitter, the one with the most favorites will be crowned the twin-ers! 

Let's get down to the details...

Who can participate? You must be 13 years or older to enter and be a legal citizen of the United States. 

What do you win? Fido will receive a 1 year subscription to BarkBox (a $228 value) and you could win a $100 Visa gift-card. 

When does the contest end? You can submit and favorite photos until November 3rd at 11:59 pm. 

How will the winner be notified? We will direct message the winner on Twitter. 

Our two cents? Don your Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dog best, snap a few selfies together, and have a fun afternoon with your furry friend! Who knows, you could be howling when you win!

Pssst... Don't forget to follow us on all our social media! Click the links at the top of our page! Click here to see our brand new commercial!  

No tricks, just treats

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Halloween: It's for the dogs!

Who says that trick or treating is just for the kids? Take your kid-friendly dog for an evening stroll alongside the goblins and witches. We do suggest only taking them our for a short period, however, because the festivites may excite your pup a bit more than normal. And with all the candy that gets passed out, it is possible that dogs may inadvertently eat a chocolate bar or gum from the street or even in your house. 

Remember, no sweets for your furry sweetie.

That is why we wanted to provide dogs and dog owners alike a chance to fulfill their sweet tooth needs with safe and delicious treats. Starting October 27th until 4pm on October 31st we will be having a sale on a variety of dog-safe treats that can be handed out to our furry friends trick or treating this Halloween. 

We baked up a whirlwind of our top bark-inducing treats which include our Apple and Bacon Cheddar Biscuits, Peanut Butter Pumpkin Pie Bites, and our very popular Turkey Woof Balls! The treats (one of each) will come in a festive cellophane wrapper, ready to hand out to any furry trick or treater that may sniff at your door.

We promise you: no tricks, only treats!

Click here for more Halloween pet safety tips to make sure you and yours have a spooky and safe Halloween!

Think Before You Adopt - Top 9 Reasons Dogs End Up in Shelters

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All over the world, animals shelters are overflowing with dogs and cats that are in desperate need of a loving home. How did these once beloved pets get there? It can be hard for us dedicated pet lovers to comprehend how a person could just surrender their companion. When an animals finds themselves at a shelter, it is not their fault. Most of the behavioral issues, for example, can typically be traced back to how their former caretakers handled their training and how they treated them.

We all know the endless reasons why one should adopt a pet from a shelter. However, I doubt many of us know the most common reasons why our furry friends end up in a shelter. So, we present to you...

 THE TOP 9 REASONS DOGS END UP IN SHELTERS

1. Lack of training: There are a lot of people who may decide to get a puppy without realizing how much training is actually involved. Yes, you may decide to get an older dog thinking that they will come housebroken, however that is not necessarily the case. Dogs do not come trained. They require diligent leaders who are willing and able to put in the time setting rules, boundaries, and limitations. People fail to take all this into account and often ignore the problems which may only lead them into more behavioral issues. Shelters are filled with dogs that have potty training, socialization, and obedience issues, all of which could be avoided through proper training. 

2. Lifestyle changes: People are notorious for getting restless with their lifestyle and need change. We change our jobs, get married, have kids, get divorced, we could encounter a health change or decided to move. These are all common reasons why dogs get taken to shelters. A person may be overwhelmed by a dog when they have a newborn baby to take care of, find themselves too stressed, or too sick to take care of their pet. Also, when people move they find that they cannot take their pet with due to restrictions in their new home, roommates with allergies, and even instances where people do not wish to take their dog to their new home in hopes to keep it more clean. 

3. Not enough time for a pet: Similar to #2, we find that we have busy lives and having a dog or any pet requires a varying degree of time to properly care for them. This is a big reason why dogs end up in shelters. We tend to get busy and start to prioritize other things above the dog, and in turn neglecting its needs. Often times it is children who persuade their parents into getting a family dog by promising that they will take on the responsibility but end up leaving the majority of the needs to the already overwhelmed parents. 

4. Cost of owning a dog: Between vet bills, boarding/daycare, food and treats, toys, and grooming, pets can be expensive. Many people underestimate the amount of money that owning a dog will involve, especially young adults. 

5. Health issues: Older dogs and dogs with injuries or other ailments require more money, time, patience, and attention that otherwise healthy dogs. There are people who make the decision to get rid of a dog versus continuing to care for them once and illness or ailment arises. 

6. Biting:  Dogs are often hauled to shelters because they have bitten a member of the family. If a dog exhibits any aggressive behavior, it must be dealt with immediately. Biting can be avoided if a dog is properly trained and socialized. 

7. Too many animals in the home:  There are many people who adopt pets impulsively. They feel that they are doing a good deed by giving a dog a home, however, when there are too many animals in the home it can lead to problems. People that fail to spay or neuter their pets may end up with multiple litters of dogs and nowhere to place the puppies. There could be fighting between a dog and cat in the house, or they could not be getting along with other dogs in the house. 

8. Allergies: If someone in the house develops an allergy to a pet, the dog may wind up in a shelter. Even someone who was not allergic when they first brought the dog home, may develop an allergy later in life. Equally, dogs may be sent to a shelter if a a significant other moves in that is allergic or if a child develops a dog allergy. 

9. Strays and rescues: People who find dogs on the street often take them in temporarily while they search to find the animals family. If the dog's home is not found they are often taken to a local shelter in hopes that they will find a new home.

Despite the ways that a dog may find its way into a shelter, there are a few ways that we can prevent that from happening. 

The biggest way is think before you get a dog. We urge potential dog adopters to carefully decide before bringing a dog home or not. Do your research and factor in whether or not you will have the time and money to meet their mental and physical needs. Make sure nobody in the house is allergic or if there are any home restrictions on pets. Consider whether or not current pets will get along with a new pet in the household and whether or not you are in a stable condition mentally to care for them.

If you find that you need to surrender your pet to a shelter consider other alternatives first. If you have a dog and find yourself experiencing a lifestyle change, try your best to work through it without leaving your dog at a shelter. If you find yourself with less time, consider putting your dog into daycare or hiring a dog walker if you have the disposable income to do so. If you move and are unable to take your pet with you or you cannot afford the costs, seek our a responsible caretaker for your pet. Often times relatives who are familiar with the pet are good places to start. If you develop an allergy, one could try bathing the dog in hypoallergenic shampoos to alleviate your condition, or even as simple as taking an antihistamine. If you find a stray on the street, do your best to find its owner and try to foster the dog if possible before opting for a shelter. 

By doing our part, we can all help to ensure that fewer dogs and cats end up confused, abandoned, and facing destruction in an overcrowded animal shelter. 

Check out our podcast at SoundCloud.com! 

Wag for a Awareness

The month of October is full of trips to the apple orchard, Halloween parties, and pumpkin spice lattes. For some people, however, October is full of pink clothes, remembrance, and fundraisers.

That's right folks, October is also 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

October is a special month for my family and myself as we take our time to honor Julie.

 

Julie Blasaer is my aunt that we lost to cancer when I was ten years old. I never got use to say "was" or referring to her in past tense. She will forever be my aunt and my friend.

Being so young I was never fully clued in on the details of Julie's cancer. I was kept in the dark about most things, but I knew she was sick. I remember visiting her in the hospital, holding her hand and reminiscing about times at the campground. The visit was a short one and the next time I saw her was on the Fourth of July. My family spends a lot of time camping in Chippewa Falls and Holcombe during the summer, and this one was no different. We spent the afternoon riding dirt bikes and riding four wheelers through the fields as planes flew above us. The night was spent watching fireworks, lighting off sparklers and smoke bombs. That is the last memory I have of Julie. I have tried to account for every detail of that day. I can remember how different she looked. She had a vibrant smile and she was laughing, but I also remember how tired she looked, how small she had gotten over the months. 

That was the last time I saw her. 

It pains me that we lost her at such a young age. I get frustrated that no matter how hard I try I can only recall certain memories of her: a Christmas on the lake, at the hospital, and that 4th of July. I weep at the fact that I can only remember one time when she was not sick. Julie passed away in April, and even though we celebrate her life every day, October is a month that we take time to honor Breast Cancer Awareness and all the lives that were cut short like Julie's.  

This year for the month of October here at All Under One Woof we are selling Cancer Awareness collars, leashes, and charms. They are the perfect accessory to honor the lives of those lost and those who are still here fighting. The proceeds from these sales will be going to the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation, and to Canine Cancer Research. 

Let's wag our tails to find a cure 

for us and our furry friends! 

Leash

Collar

Charm