Soul Mating

By Laura Milligan

Besides the stresses and frustrations of ordinary dating, animal lovers have a lot of issues to consider before settling down with a new partner. Finding someone who is compatible with their lifestyle and their pet’s lifestyle poses a challenge, even more so when the new partner comes with a pet of his or her own. To help single pet owners make sense of it all, we’ve come up with an animal lovers’ dating how-to for meeting other animal lovers, understanding how your pet increases your chances of getting a date, and even bringing your pet along on romantic getaways.

Optimum Spots to Meet

From rare animal exhibitions to the dog park, make yourself a presence on these circuits to increase your chances of meeting another animal lover.

1. Dog park: Dog parks are great places to scope out a crush: you can easily blame stalking and tangled leashes on your pet wanting to make friends.
2. PETA rally: PETA rallies attract all kinds of passionate animal lovers, so sign up to volunteer at their next event.
3. PETCO Saturday adoptions: On Saturdays, PETCO invites volunteers from the local humane society to bring dogs and cats for adoption. Volunteering will get you a chance to play with and show off cute animals and cute PETCO shoppers.
4. Shows: Even if your cat, bird or dog isn’t blue ribbon material, you can still get tickets to attend a show and hang out with other animal lovers.
5. Conventions: Many animal groups, especially ones for rare or exotic animals, birds and reptiles, sponsor conventions around the country for networking and social purposes.
6. Humane society: Hook up with your local humane society to support all kinds of animals and meet others who are passionate about protecting the environment and rights of animals.

Social Media Sites

Set up a profile for yourself or your pet on one of these sites so that you can network, get invites to special events, upload pictures of you and your pet, and eventually meet up with your pet-friendly crush.

7. Dog Star Daily: Manage a profile, submit photos and interact with other dog lovers on this site, which has a blog and shares training tips.
8. MyCatSpace: Cats — with a little help from their owners — get profiles, kitty badges, and a chance to play games, watch videos, upload pictures and meet other kitties on this networking site.
9. PetBrags.com: PetBrags.com is "where all pets deserve a web page." The community features a space for all pets, as well as a page just for dogs and one for cats. Members can join groups, share photos, post events send notes, connect on the forum and more.
10. PetPop: Here, your pet can create his or her own customized website, including the space for uploaded photos and videos. Meet other pet owners by joining groups, looking at other profiles, and finding pet-friendly events to attend.
11. PETA on Facebook: Join PETA’s Facebook page to learn about rallies and meet other supporters online and in your community.
12. CatChannel.com Community: The community portal on this site welcomes cat owners to chat on the forums, browse photos, watch videos, send ecards and more.
13. Dogster: Access all kinds of dog resources on this site, including health information, breed resources and adoption information. Dogster also lets you create an account, join groups and meet other dog owners.
14. Facebook Pet Profile: If you’re looking for a date through Facebook, check to see if your crush has a pet profile so you can determine if he or she is pet-friendly enough for your clan.
15. BirdChannel.com: Learn about breeding, bird shows, training and more on this site, which also connects bird owners through forums, photo sharing and more.
16. Meetup: Search for or start a common interest group for pets or animals on Meetup. Once you have enough members, you can schedule an event or club meeting in your area and scope out all the hotties.
17. Pikapet: Pikapet features a dogs area, cats area and a spot for all other pets. Pets get their own web page so that they can meet other pet friends, play games, share pictures, connect on the forums and more.

Date Ideas

Once you’ve experienced the spark, get creative with date ideas that appeal to your romantic side and your passion for animals.

18. Obedience training: Steal a peek into your future as a couple during a doggie obedience training session; you’ll find out a lot about your partner’s dedication and beliefs about discipline.
19. Pet shopping: Go to the pound or visit a breeder to pick out a pet together and test out your relationship. You’ll also need to do a lot of research first, including deciding where your pet will live, how you’ll split the bills and more.
20. Enter a show: Enter your pet in a local or national show to pamper and show off your little friend together.
21. Go to a pet-friendly restaurant: Who says you have to leave your pet at home when you go on a date? Pet-friendly restaurants will give you a chance to connect without feeling guilty.
22. Volunteer: Volunteer together for an animal cause in your area as a way to learn more about each other’s convictions and share a meaningful experience.
23. Watch a movie about animals: There are a lot of great movies about animals, from Homeward Bound to Black Beauty to White Fang to Bambi. Rent a DVD and curl up to indulge your romantic side and your soft spot for animal stories.
24. Go the zoo or aquarium: Visit the zoo or aquarium to learn about different kinds of animals, including endangered species.

Introducing Your Pets

Bringing your pet and the pet of your partner together could pose some challenges, so read these guides to figure out how to make the transition a smooth one.

25. Dogs and Cats Get Along Just Fine: This article from Live Science debunks the myths that cats and dogs will always fight.
26. Helping Multiple Dogs Get Along in the Same Household: Understand how to manage pack order, dog aggression and introducing a younger dog to an older dog in this article.
27. Can Dogs and Birds Get Along?: This article shares advice for picking a dog that is compatible with pet birds.
28. Helping Cats Co-Exist: Creating Feline Friendships: Consider purchasing this CD if your cat and your partner’s cat are causing problems.
29. Cats and Dogs Typically Get Along: Here’s another article about how cats and dogs aren’t necessarily predisposed to fighting.
30. Teaching Two Dogs in One Home to Just Get Along Together: If you and your partner are moving in together but want advice on making the transition easier for your dogs, read this article.
31. Will Ferrets Get Along with Other Pets?: This article helps cat and dog owners determine whether or not their pet will get along with a ferret.
32. Love Triangle: Helping Your Pet and Your Partner Get Along: If the fact that your partner and your pet don’t immediately connect isn’t a deal breaker for you, read this article to learn how you can help them get along.
33. Bringing a New Dog Home: Teaching Your Dogs to Get Along: This step-by-step guide will help dog owners introduce a new puppy or older dog into the home of another pooch.
34. Bringing Your New Cat Home: This article has lots of great tips for bringing a new cat into a home that already has a cat or dog. Consider confining the new cat to a separate room at first, use a carrier during the first direct confrontations, and don’t let animals get too rough with each other.

How Pets Give You Game

Learn about the different ways pets make you more attractive to the opposite sex here.

35. Walking your dog: No one can resist a cute puppy, so taking your dog on lots of walks around your neighborhood is the easiest way to get people to notice you and start up a conversation.
36. It means you’re responsible: When people find out you have a pet, they’ll think you’re more responsible and compassionate, able to take care of something other than yourself.
37. They show that you’re flexible: Anyone who has a pet — no matter what kind — has to be flexible in order to manage unexpected bathroom accidents, trips to the vet and muddy paws.
38. Pets make you loveable: If your pet clearly loves you, you can’t be too bad, and so it’s easier for someone to imagine themselves with you, even if they know nothing else about you. Pet owners are generally perceived as being loyal, too.
39. Pet owners may have fatter wallets: While it’s true that anyone can have a pet, responsible pet owners are willing to pay veterinarian and vaccination bills, buy food and basic supplies, and on occasion pay for boarding, grooming and training for their pets.

Pet-Friendly Vacations and Honeymoon Resources

For information, resources and tips for bringing your pet along on a romantic vacation, visit the links in this list.

40. Pet Friendly Travel: This website gives information on pet-friendly hotel chains, restaurants, attractions, pet products and more.
41. Dogfriendly.com: Dogfriendly.com posts travel guides for U.S. cities and international locations, which include dog-friendly restaurants, tips for beach and hiking excursions, off-leash dog parks, managing road trips and air travel, and more.
42. PetsWelcome: Find lodging information and get travel tips for taking your pet on your next vacation here.
43. Travel Pets: Access this site’s free online directory to find pet-friendly hotels and lodging in the U.S., Canada and around the world. You can even post travel pictures of your pet
44. Trips and Pets: This resource posts information about airline pet policies, vacation rentals, pet-friendly lodging, animal hospitals around the country, state leash laws, and pet-friendly activities to try out on vacation.
45. Pets on the Go: Learn all about travel on this site, which posts ideas for pet-friendly activities, travel trends, and more for "air, sea and land pet transportation."
46. Doginmysuitcase.com: Check out deals and activities in featured pet-friendly cities, like San Francisco, San Antonio, Myrtle Beach and Seattle. You can also get access to pet-friendly lodging, flights, rental cards and travel packages.
47. Pet Travel: Three on a Honeymoon?: This guide from About.com has tips for traveling with your pet, including making sure they have time for exercise, enough food and treats, and will actually enjoy the vacation.
48. Cesar’s Travel Tips: Cesar’s Milan gives readers tips for traveling with their dogs in a car and on the plane in this guide.
49. Five Great Places to Vacation With Your Pets: Find out why San Francisco, New York, Key West, Washington, D.C., and Myrtle Beach are great pet-friendly destinations.
50. Airline Pet Rules: If you absolutely must travel with your pet, you need to know about all of the restrictions and recommendations. Find them here, along with advice for traveling by train, ferry and car.

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