Search Results for: animals

For many pet lovers, we are aware that one of the problems in the country is the growing number of stray animals like dogs and cats. In 2019 alone, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society was able to record at least 12 million stray animals. Many of them are afflicted with diseases and pose danger to the public. Animal shelters are becoming crowded as more animals are being rescued every day. Many of the shelters that we know are privately owned and facing some problems in terms of resources, whether financial or human. This is one of the main reasons why people are encouraged to help to save more animals in distress. But why volunteer? Here are some benefits that you can get when you volunteer in an animal shelter.

Good feeling

Being an animal shelter volunteer makes you feel like you are doing the right thing. You become part of the solution to the problem. Part of the job of being a volunteer is that you work with the animals so they can be healthy for foster care. Most of the animals that are sent to shelters are stray and have little to no human interaction. Being with them on a regular basis will develop their trust with humans. This strongly helps them get prepared for future foster parents.

The fruits of your labor

You can instantly the results of your hardships as you begin to work with a fur baby. Remember that many of the animals rescued have minimal human interactions and by showing them some love, their personalities start to come out. Whether you are giving them a bath, taking them for a walk, or simply cuddling them makes a big difference in their lives. 

Volunteers are needed

As more shelters take in more animals, your love and care for the animals are very much needed. There will always be a dog to walk or a cat to groom. It has been observed that giving this care to the animals relieves them of kennel stress. Animals respond differently when they are stressed. Some may become aggressive, others may lose their appetite, and many may increase their frequency of barking or vocalization. Engaging in activities with rescued animals will make them happy and healthy.

Being a volunteer is a good therapy

Being an animal shelter volunteer is good for your total well-being. Studies have shown that spending time with animals helps lower your stress levels and blood pressure. They also help you become physically active as you engage them in various activities. Playing with them has been proven scientifically to increase your levels of serotonin and dopamine. These body chemicals are known to help you become calm and relaxed. 

Memorable professional experience

Being a volunteer is a great way to try a new career. This may be an opportunity to explore a new interest. By volunteering, you will gain new experiences and skills as well as build your own strengths. If you want your resume to be colorful, then the experience you had with the animal shelter is great to add. 

Being a volunteer helps you become responsible in life

Being a volunteer helps you develop yourselves professionally. This includes being on time and managing your time. Moreover, being a volunteer makes you feel like you are part of something that will make a difference in the community

Rescuing animals is a much-needed effort to protect animals that are in dangerous situations. In the Philippines alone, there are millions of dogs and cats roaming around the streets. In fact, many of them are seen limping and in not-so-good condition. Sad to say, this is a common sight in the country and many of them are euthanized or die of hunger, wounds, or diseases. Many animals are turned into shelters due to abandonment by owners, expensive health concerns, and others. 

Animal rescue vs. Animal shelter

The difference between the two is quite difficult to describe as their objectives coincide with each other’s goals. There tends to be flexibility surrounding the two terms. In general, “animal rescue” may even cover animal shelters as a subset of animal rescues. If you are talking about their difference, animal shelters tend to have facilities that house animals while animal rescues are typically foster-based organizations. Both types of organizations exist to help animals. 

Stray animals in the Philippines

According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), having stray animals is caused by irresponsible pet ownership, owners not neutering their pets, and people still buying and breeding instead of adopting or fostering shelter and rescue animals. Commonly, stray animals are once domesticated and thrown out into the streets when the owners cannot afford to take care of them. In 2019, PAWS has reported about twelve million stray dogs and cats in the country. 

Dangers of having stray animals

It is a public health concern for having a large population of stray dogs and cats. Among the problems faced by many are dog bites, rabies, leptospirosis, cat scratch fever, and others. Stray animals may also cause disruption to the flow of traffic and the noise they cause because of territorial fights. Children may also die of rabies since they are more likely to conceal their bite wounds from their parents. According to the World Health Organization, often it is too late to save the lives of rabies victims. Patients usually die soon after the symptoms appear. 

The situation of animal shelters in the country

In other countries, COVID 19 pandemic has led people to adopt pets since they have more time to take care of them. However, the situation is different here in the Philippines. Many families have been forced to give up their pets due to the lack of funds. Animal shelters have been receiving rescue calls even though their resources are problematic. There were more animals in need of care since the pandemic struck the country. Various organizations also have mentioned that since the animal rescue rate is increasing, most shelters have become unsustainable and overpopulated. This is the main reason why animal protection organizations highly recommend adopting pets from shelters rather than buying from pet shops. You may have heard of these: “Adopt, Don’t Shop” and “Kapon, Hindi Tapon” advocacies. Hopefully, with these, the number of homeless cats and dogs will be decreased. 

Nowadays, many animal shelters are in peril because of the lack of resources that are needed to sustain their operations. Employees of private-owned shelters often shell some cash from their pockets to keep the organization afloat. Unfortunately, this is not sustainable and they are in dire need of our help. A little help goes a long way…

For the second time in a row, Artdesign is holding another photo contest for our friends. Just as much as we enjoyed last year’s photo competition, we will surely have a great time with this year’s event! Artdesign’s photo contest this year will make you and your fur baby shine. With the theme, “Beautify Your Walls with PAWtrait of your Pets”, you will have the opportunity to feature the most loved photo of your pet in our collections. 

We know that there are thousands of pet lovers in the country who are more than willing to make their PAWtrait viral. It is easy to join! All you need to do is submit your entry and let your family and friends vote for it by sharing the link to your photo. 

In cooperation with Happy Pet, exciting prizes await the winners! The entry with the highest votes will get a large-framed print of their PAWtrait, a voucher worth Php 10,000 from Artdesign, and 5 packs of kibbles from Happy Pet. How about that?! Of course, just like in any contest, we also have some rules and restrictions to follow. As much as we want to accommodate all animals, exotic ones are not allowed. This is in accordance with the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 (R.A. No. 9147). 

What makes this year’s contest even more exciting is that we will be able to support a local animal shelter. Cez Yor and Rolf Temme’s Animal Shelter/Foundation is a privately owned organization whose sole objective is to save animals in peril. The group started only saving a few cats and dogs, and now they have over 100 rescued fur babies. The sad part is, that funds are a bit dwindling. We don’t want their initiative to cease because of this problem. As such, we want to be part of their mission. Your help is very much appreciated as we all try to make this world a better place to live. 

By joining this contest, not only that you will have the chance to win cool prizes. You will also be part of the history of Artdesign as we embark on another journey of helping Cez Yor and Rolf Temme’s Animal Foundation. 

Check out https://www.artdesign.ph/photo-competition/ for the contest details. 

Your little girl’s bedroom is commonly known for being posh, stylish, and chic. If you are looking for a fun and entertaining activity, then decorating your little princess’s room is an activity to consider. The good thing is that you can also involve your daughter in the process. From the planning process up to doing the actual project, this will be a memorable activity to share with your daughter. 

The colors to use in the bedroom

Although decorating the girl’s bedroom is a fun activity to share with your little princess. There are still some challenges that we need to face before succeeding with the project. The first thing to consider when decorating the room are the colors to use. Traditionally, shades of pink are used in the girl’s room. However, these are not just the options as there are other colors that can be used. 

Even though pink is preferred in many homes, the girl’s bedroom need not be overwhelmed by it. You can add other colors such as purple to give an accent. The combination of pink and purple evoke a romantic vibe and is likewise considered to be a classic girl bedroom color combination.  What makes this color combination remarkable is that it can easily blend well with other colors. 

Combine a bright shade of pink with yellow, lime green, and other bright colors as these will enhance the feminine vibe of the room. Pink and orange are great to combine and will look impressive with white furnishings. You can also combine pink and black and this can give an elegant and sophisticated look. 

Neutral colors are known to evoke a peaceful and serene room atmosphere. Neutrals are recommended to be used as a backdrop for furnishings and decorative items. These colors may also be considered to be versatile and can be used with various furnishings without changing the colors of the wall. 

A fairy tale in your home

Since we were kids, we have loved fairy tale stories. Sometimes we also imagine ourselves being part of these stories. Many daughters also aspire to become princesses, at least in the bedroom. Fulfill this dream by transforming the room into a world that they will love. Create a mini kingdom with the addition of images, decors, and toys of castles, fairies, kings, queens, princes, and princesses. Create a magical world with posters of fairy tale characters, enchanted forests, animals, and others. 

VIntage girl’s bedroom

Redesigning the girl’s bedroom may be costly, especially if you are going to buy new items. Take a look at what furniture you already have as you might be able to upcycle instead of buying new ones. You can simply add a fresh coat of paint to give old furniture a modern twist for the girl’s bedroom. 

Display their art

Instead of buying a bunch of art to decorate the girl’s bedroom, use the art they finished in school. Group them accordingly and make a themed gallery. You can also have them framed for a more personalized touch. 

Animal prints are commonly seen in various industries, such as fashion and design. You will see these prints in interior decorations, handbags, footwear, and clothes. Animal prints not only make the interior look extraordinary, but they can also captivate the hearts and minds of every child. 

Animal prints are used to resemble the pattern of the skin of certain animals like cheetahs, zebra, tigers, and crocodiles. The pattern was also used in creating other products, especially in women’s fashion. They are also used in interior decoration, especially in posters, murals, and wallpapers. 

What’s so special about animal prints?

Animal prints have been popular for interesting reasons. Many of the designs may look expensive and exotic and as such, they represent wealth and status. In the medieval period, kings and other noblemen used animal prints on rugs and other fabrics. It became popular in women’s fashion in the 1960s during the height of the Bohemian movement.

Animal prints have also been seen on paper and canvas. Just like in various fashion products, prints on paper may replicate the same skin or fur pattern. They are also used to design race cars, airplanes, signages, building extensions, and sports helmets. Many companies also use animal prints in designing commonly used items like cellphone cases and folios. 

Animal-themed posters in your homes

Trends in interior design come and go. After all, that’s what the trend is all about. The good thing is that there are styles that never go out of style. Framed animal-themed posters are simply adorable. This art can be used in many ways and can be displayed in any part of your home. For instance, similar-sized posters can make an appealing wall gallery, while large prints can create a focal point in the bedroom or living room.  

When added to the kids’ room, animal posters can create a jungle theme that may be used in storytelling and play. Add matching toys and decorative items and these will make a fascinating interior.

The nursery is also one of the sanctuaries that deserve proper decorations. Cute and cuddly animal-themed posters can be used in adding beauty to the walls. Kids love anything that has cartoon images. This is the reason why many posters have cartoon-like animal images. 

Parents may also help in the growth and development of their children. Posters can be used as visual aids to tell stories or teach them lessons about nature. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, the nursery can be transformed into a mini playschool where you can spend quality time with your kids. 

You can also complete the characters of a story with a wall gallery of animal-themed art. This is one of the ways to make learning more fun and entertaining. Kids are visual learners and displaying posters can be a great help in their play and learning.

Posh, cozy, and appealing. These are what to expect in a girl’s room. Decorating their rooms is a cool bonding activity that you can do with your daughter. From the planning stage to the activity itself, your child will have a memorable experience that she can treasure forever.

Colors to consider for the bedroom

Looking for a fun and thrilling activity to do with your little girl? Then decorating their room is one of the perfect activities that you can do. There is a wide range of choices when it comes to this. The colors, for instance, may come in different appearances and are commonly adored by girls. Pink or any shade of pink is the most frequently used color for the bedroom.

Though it is the most preferred color, the room does not need to be overwhelmed by it. You can blend other colors to give the room some accent. You can also add purple as this is also a classic girl’s color. These colors can be romantic and may be considered to be a girlish territory. 

Try combining a bright shade of pink with yellow, lime green, and other bright colors as these will likewise help create a feminine and striking look in the room. Pink and orange are another powerful combination and will look impressive with white furnishings. Another interesting color combination is pink and black, especially with black furniture pieces as this combination can give a sophisticated appearance. 

For a peaceful and serene room atmosphere, it is recommended to have the walls with neutral colors. This may serve as a wonderful backdrop for the furnishings and decorative items that you will add. Neutral colors are also versatile as you can use different furnishings without changing the colors of the wall. 

A fairy tale in the bedroom

Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Becoming part of a fairy tale is one of the loveliest things that you can do to your little girl. This can be done by creating a fairy tale in their bedroom. Images, decors, and toys of castles, fairies, kings, queens, princes, and princesses will help in transforming their bedroom into a kingdom. 

Posters that feature different fairy tale characters can help you create stories for them and let them be part of the adventure. Nursery-themed prints can also make the room look adorable. Prints of cartoon-like animals can help them learn more about their nature. With a little creativity, you will bring the fantasy into the bedroom. 

Posters that can be displayed

The display of posters is one of the easiest and cost-efficient ways to decorate the girls’ bedroom. There is a wide range of available designs that young girls will adore. Examples are prints that feature flowers, cartoon characters, nature, and typography. These posters are adorable and can instantly transform the overall appearance of their room. 

In addition to these, the frames of the prints add beauty to the walls. Neutral colored frames will enhance the appeal of the prints. They will likewise make the walls look more interesting and exciting.

Bunnies and chicks have been some of the traditional symbols of Easter. Chicks or hatching out of the egg symbolizes new life or re-birth, while bunnies or hare is a symbol of abundant new life in ancient times, and also it symbolizes spring and new life. Both have also been used as fabulous decors in homes. 

History of Easter bunnies and chicks

Easter is the time of the year when Christians commemorate the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that the Son of God died on the cross for everyone’s sins. After three days, he came back to life to defeat death and evil. 

Though many kinds of stuff highlighted in Easter are not in the bible, they are still cherished traditions that have been around for many centuries. One of the most popular symbols of the holiday is the Easter bunny, which was introduced by German immigrants to America. The exact origins of the mythical bunny are not yet clear, but bunnies are known to be prolific procreators and are ancient symbols of fertility and new life. The German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s brought with them their tradition and story of an egg-laying hare which they called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Later on, the story and customs evolved around the United States wherein during Easter morning, the bunnies deliver chocolates, candies, and other gifts in a decorated basket, instead of nests, which was the old tradition. 

Meanwhile, Easter chicks were known to be signs of fertility and new life during the Pagan times. This concept was then adopted by the early Christians since it helped them remember the Resurrection and having New Life through Jesus Christ. 

Since then, these two animals have become popular during the Easter celebration. They can actually be found in many homes during this Christian holiday and in many different forms and appearances. 

Decorating your home with bunnies and chicks for the Easter

There are many ways to decorate your home with Easter chicks and bunnies. Some of which can be bought from various stores and some can be created with a few materials needed. You can add some extra holiday flair to your home with paper cut-out bunny and chick Easter decorations. After creating them, scatter them on the food table to make a charming table setting. You can also distribute them to your kids so that they can glue them to a construction paper for a fun Easter craft. 

If you want to be more unique, make attractions in your garden with live bunnies and chicks. Have the bunnies run, or rather, hop freely in the backyard together with the chicks. Your kids will definitely enjoy watching and feeding them. Invite your friends over so that they too can have fun in your garden while serving them with hot choco and Easter bunny cookies.

Make your front porch one of the most attractive in the neighborhood. Add decorative bunnies and chicks. Do not forget to add nests for them to make it more realistic. 

You may have heard of the statement, “Those who can’t do, teach.” a rather popular sentence that we have heard over the years. Probably, for many people, teaching is a profession for those who have not become successful with their dreams. During childhood, your friends or parents might have asked what you want to become when you grow up. The answers were somehow common, such as becoming a doctor, lawyer, engineer (although the kind of engineer may be vague), nurse, and many more. 

Parents do their best to give their kids the education they deserve to achieve those dreams. However, along the way, some things may have changed. Those kids may have discovered something better or may have experienced some unfortunate events with their respective families. Some may even have encountered financial difficulties. Dreams may be shattered because of these unexpected reasons. As such, people tend to choose another profession. 

Being a teacher is one of the career choices when they were not able to pursue their dreams. Many would disagree with this, but it is a fact. But what’s wrong with being a teacher? Is it a profession to look down to? Why is it that among the careers, teaching is probably at the middle or bottom of the list? Teachers have various reasons why they chose that profession or ended up in that career. 

If you think that teaching is an easy job, then you are mistaken. There are tons of things to do before facing your students. Preparing the classroom, for one, is one of the most important things to do so that the room will be conducive to learning. Teachers need to choose the right learning materials so that students will be able to learn effectively.

Teachers also need to prepare the lessons they have to teach. It is easy to just go in front of the class and lecture. But, are the kids learning? It is more of using methodologies that will help kids learn. Teaching is a skill and educators need the right attitude and state of mind to be successful. It is not rewarding when it comes to monetary benefits. The reward is actually felt when you see students become successful. 

Teachers also become instant interior decorators, especially those who are teaching in basic education. They need to transform the classroom into something amazing. By adding wall decors, the classroom becomes a learner’s paradise. Visual aids are often displayed on the classroom walls. Posters of alphabets, numbers, plants, and animals are shown so that teachers can use them during classes. 

Without teachers, who will train young minds to be who they will be in the future. Without teachers, who will encourage kids to go on with their lives even if it becomes tough. Sometimes you don’t need to have a teacher’s diploma to teach. We can be teachers in our own special way. Helping your friends with their problems. Teaching kids the facts of life. Tutoring a neighbor with their homework. Aren’t these actions noble enough to be called a teacher? Do you still consider educators to be those who do not have any other paths in their lives and teaching is the last resort?