Canine In Translation

05/19/2026

🚨 Can we talk about retractable leashes for a second?

We know they seem convenient, but retractable leashes can put your dog in serious danger — and we want to keep your pup safe! 🐾

Here’s the thing: retractable leashes can extend up to 16–26 feet, which means your dog is essentially walking you. By the time you react to a potential hazard, it’s often too late. That distance makes it nearly impossible to maintain control in unpredictable situations.

Here’s what can go wrong:
🚗 Your dog darts into the street before you can reel them back in
🐶 Your dog rushes up to another dog who isn’t friendly — putting both animals at risk
😰 An off-leash or reactive dog charges your dog before you can pull them to safety
💥 The leash cord snaps under pressure — and they do break

The thin cord also poses a real risk to people too. It can cause serious rope burns or cuts to anyone — including you — who gets caught in it.

This isn’t just theoretical — it happened to one of our own.

Recently, one of our beloved volunteers was doing everything right — their dog was on a standard leash, close by their side, and under control. Despite that, their dog was attacked by another dog who was on a retractable leash. The other owners had no way to react in time because their dog had too much distance and freedom to close the gap before anything could be done to stop it. It was a scary, traumatic experience for everyone involved — and it could have been completely avoided.

This is exactly why we are so passionate about spreading the word. You can be the most responsible dog owner on the street, and a retractable leash on someone else’s dog can still put your pup at risk.

📋 And here’s something worth knowing: Under Philadelphia Code 10-104, all dogs in public must be on a leash no longer than six feet. That means retractable leashes extended beyond six feet aren’t just dangerous — they’re not in compliance with the law. Another great reason to make the switch!

A standard 4–6 foot leash gives every owner the control to react quickly and keep everyone safe — yours and the dogs around you. 🐾

Drop a 🙋 below if you’ve made the switch to a standard leash!

💛 Familiar Hearts — because every animal deserves to be safe and loved.

11/16/2024

Thank you foster families for your generosity and devotion to saving lives!
This little girl was transported to a family in Philly thanks to a collaboration between the Humane Society of Harrisburg and Familiar Hearts Animal Society. Lucky for her, she had a family ready to provide hugs and a home.

05/05/2024

I had the privilege of getting to know this intelligent and sensitive being. Be prepared for her questioning if you decide to meet her but if you pass the test I predict an interesting life with a loyal and loving companion. She's available for adoption at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

04/15/2022

On National Dog Bite Prevention Week let's work together to help our community prevent dog bites. The IAABC offers free resources like our Dog Park Safety posters in multiple languages. These tips are applicable not just for dog parks but in many situations to help us better interact appropriately with dogs, how to respect their space, and how understand how they communicate with us through body language. Visit our site to download and print or share these posters by Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin
https://m.iaabc.org/resources/dog-posters/

07/14/2021

Summer is a great time to be a dog owner. But as the weather heats up, dog owners need to know about heat stress and heat stroke in dogs.

06/13/2021

Good advice to help pets make the adjustment to alone time

The world is slowly returning to a state of normalcy, which means many are going back to work, this causes a change in your pet's routine!

05/07/2021

In celebration of National Pet Week, a reminder that we have much to learn about - and from - our canine teachers

A poem by Mary Oliver:

PERCY WAKES ME
Percy wakes me and I am not ready.
He has slept all night under the covers.
Now he’s eager for action: a walk, then breakfast.
So I hasten up. He is sitting on the kitchen counter
where he is not supposed to be.
How wonderful you are, I say. How clever, if you
needed me,
to wake me.
He thought he would hear a lecture and deeply
his eyes begin to shine.
He tumbles onto the couch for more compliments.
He squirms and squeals; he has done something
that he needed
and now he hears that it is okay.
I scratch his ears, I turn him over
and touch him everywhere. He is
wild with the okayness of it. Then we walk, then
he has breakfast, and he is happy.
This is a poem about Percy.
This is a poem about more than Percy.
Think about it.
—Mary Oliver

05/01/2021

Have you noticed any unusual behavior in your elder dog?

Aging dogs can develop dementia, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), with behavioral and neurological symptoms.

04/21/2021

I'm not saying that your dog doesn't like your child, but I am saying that your child does things that your dog doesn't like.

04/18/2021

Wise words from Sydney, honoring Dog Aware Month

Tips for new parents from FPPE Educators!

"Teaching both your dog and your child how and when to comfortably interact (and not interact) with each other not only creates a safe and happy home in your house but can also set your child up for success and safety when they visit a home with other dogs that may not be as tolerant as your own. Being dog aware is not about teaching your dog to tolerate child behavior. It is about teaching the whole family to be mindful of the behaviors and comforts of dogs, and how best to create comfort and safety for everyone, humans and dogs."

- Sydney Warner, of Clever Critters, LLC and FPPE Educator.