berkeley humane blog

News, Advice, & Everything Pets

Berkeley Humane’s blog is filled with helpful tips and resources for our animal-loving community, as well as exciting news about our shelter’s animals, programs and events!

12 Spring Flowers That are Toxic to Pets

If you suspect your pet may have ingested a potentially toxic substance, call animal poison control at 888-426-4435 or contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible. Note: This is not a complete list and flowers can vary in color and size. Check here for a complete list of plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs.   A bouquet of flowers or a blooming garden can brighten up any home, but before you pick up or plant

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How to Trim Your Cat’s Nails

Berkeley Humane’s Dr. Crystal Heath and her sidekick Austin the cat, demonstrate how to trim your cat’s nails and how to make it an enjoyable bonding experience for the both of you! Keep it positive! Make sure your kitty is comfortable with handling. If they are purring, then now is a good time! Offering lot’s of treats will help. Extrude their claws by lightly pressing

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Adoptable black kitten wearing a blue bow with a blep face, also known as, a tongue sticking out.

From Street to Sleek—Thanks to You!

Once simple act of kindness can save a life. For senior cat Braveheart, it came in the form of a phone call to Berkeley Humane in late August 2020. Braveheart was your average neighborhood stray who survived off of handouts and garbage. Most people ignore strays, but some pay attention, and he owes his life to keen-eyed neighbors who grew concerned that his health was

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momma cat and kittens

Found Kittens? Here’s What to Do During Kitten Season

Updated March 16, 2026. Each spring and summer, tiny litters of kittens begin appearing throughout our communities in what animal welfare organizations call “kitten season.” These kittens can be only days or weeks old and may look incredibly vulnerable when you first discover them.  Your instinct may be to scoop them up and bring them inside, but the best way to help is to pause, assess the situation,

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And the “Longest Stay Award” Goes to…

In 2020, Ernest won the not-so-pleasant award for ‘Longest Stay.’ No, it’s not a testament to his patience to sit for a treat, but a tragic truth about senior dogs in rescue shelters. When we transported Ernest in February 2020, he was 12 years old, 65 lbs and deaf. The adoption odds were already stacked against him, and with his medical issues, we knew Ernest

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