Jim Tedford

PetSafe® Shelter Advocate

Jim Tedford served as PetSafe® brand's Director of Animal Welfare Initiatives and Alliances. Jim facilitated partnerships with animal welfare organizations, commissioned animal behavior research to help improve PetSafe products, and advocated for our training, lifestyle, and behavior products worldwide.

Working on the front line of animal welfare for over 20 years, Jim has served as CEO for organizations in New York, Louisiana and Tennessee. Prior to joining PetSafe, he provided marketing and fundraising services to animal welfare organizations nationwide.

Jim holds a degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He and his wife Ann share their "empty nest" in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains with two Labs, Bodie and Sam, one Jack Russell, Henry, and a blue and gold macaw, Gipper - all adopted!

Jim was a regular contributor to the PetSafe blog, where he shared his experiences working with shelters and his adventures as a pet owner.

Articles by this Author

5 Most Common Dog Behavior Problems: Digging

Pet Care

Finding a Lost or Missing Pet

If you’ve ever lost a pet or had one go missing, you know it can be an extremely traumatic experience for you as well as your pet. Follow this guide to help you find your pet as quickly as possible.

Health

Man’s Best Friend and the “C” Word

Most dog owners may not be aware of the high incidence of the “C” word in their canine companions. Yet cancer does strike far too frequently. According to the Morris Animal Foundation, a leader in canine cancer research, cancer strikes nearly half of all dogs at some point in their lifetimes, and one in four dogs will die of the disease. The statistics are staggering. But, what can be even more staggering is the toll of the disease on our canine companions and the people who love them. In my case, his name was Otis.

Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month: The Cure for Kitten Season

Pet Care

Why Should You Adopt a Shelter Pet?

October 1 marks the beginning of a 31 day stretch called National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! That’s right…the entire month of October is a great big celebration of “man’s best friend.”

October Is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Who among us could not use another friend? Then, what the heck are you waiting for? Head on down to your local animal shelter and take your pick!

Pet Care •

Health

The Pet Owner’s Home Safety Guide

When you bring a dog or cat into your home, you are extending love and protection to the animal and also making a commitment to its care. To do this, you’ll need to keep your pet safe and healthy, including making sure your pet can’t get into any potentially dangerous or deadly items in your home.

Training •

Pet Care

Crate Training Tips

Many professional trainers believe that crate training is the easiest and most natural way to house train a new puppy.

Training

Advanced Off-Leash Training

Does your dog obey verbal commands? How about 100% of the time? Teach your dog better obedience and enjoy more freedom for both of you.

PetSafe® Shelter Enrichment Project

Toys aren't just for playtime anymore. Enrichment toys keep pets happy and active, especially in animal shelters.

Summertime, and the Living Is Easy, Unless You Suffer a Dog Bite

Training: The Investment That Always Pays

5 Resolutions for a Happier Dog for the New Year

Pet Care

5 Reasons You Should Appreciate Your Animal Shelter

We are in the midst of a very important week. You see, this is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Most of the work done by our shelters is done quietly and with little or no fanfare. They don’t necessarily want the praise… they just want to save lives. But they are more than worthy of our gratitude.

Training

Training Deaf Dogs

Wondering how to train your deaf dog? You have lots of training options.

Pet Care

Breed Info: Poodle Hybrids

Thinking of adding a poodle mix to yoyur home? Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of these breeds.

Celebrate National Feral Cat Day!

Real Dads Love Dogs

How to Help Your Pet Have a Healthy New Year

There’s No Such Thing As a Free Pet

There is truly no such thing as a FREE pet. That kitten your neighbor convinces you to take off his hands will be with you for 15+ years. During his lifetime, he will eat every single day. He will need fresh litter regularly. He will need to be neutered. He will need annual vaccinations and other preventative health care. He will need medical care when he’s sick. And sometimes that care will be extraordinarily expensive!

5 Most Common Dog Behavior Problems: Chasing

Can I See Your ID?

Pet Care

Microchip Implants in Pets

Implantable microchips, or radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, help identify and locate lost pets. Learn how they work.

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

Adopt a Mutt, The Best of Everything

The Story That Never Ends: Pet Property Damage

Pet Care •

Health

Why Neuter a Dog? The health and behavior benefits

Does Your Community Take Care of Its Animals?

Get Paid Back in Kisses and Tail Wags

Training

Break the Barking Habit: Speak and Hush

Have a noisy pup? Stop your dog's barking by teaching him to bark on command and be quiet on command.

Are You a Responsible Pet Owner?

How Safe Is Your Pet in a Parked Car?

Pet Care •

Play

Traveling with Pets

Taking a pet on a vacation or a trip can be a great adventure for you and your animals. Before you go, consider these preparations before heading off.

Pet Care

Thanking Everyday Heroes: Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

There is another group of heroes we may never encounter, but should be very glad they are out there. People who work in our nation’s animal shelters deserve our recognition and our praise. These everyday heroes save lives each and every day. That may sound overdramatic, but it is not an overstatement. These folks face unspeakable cruelty and neglect so extreme most people cannot begin to imagine. They repair broken bodies and broken lives every day. And they deal with emotional highs and lows that surround animals and our relationships with them.

3 Reasons You Should "Fix" Your Pet

How to Detangle Your Pet’s Winter Coat & Survive Shedding Season

Pet Care

Breed All About It: Terriers

Though Jim is pictured here with his two labs Bodie and Sam, he is really a Terrier guy. How did he end up with two labs then? He says it's really simple - his wife is a Labrador Retriever person.

Here Kitty, Kitty: Adopt a Shelter Cat in June

Pet Proofing Prevents Poisoning

Do You Need a Dog Park?

Could You Be Poisoning Your Pet?

Pet Care

What Should We Do with Feral Cats?

Feral cats can be a real problem for communities, but many are lost as how to handle them. Trap-Neuter-Return programs are usually the best option.

Training

How to Set Off-Limits Areas for Pets

Our homes, pets, and lifestyle preferences are entirely unique. Some people enjoy having their dogs beside them on the couch or keeping them company in the kitchen. Others prefer that pets stay off of the furniture or out of certain rooms in the house. Whatever your lifestyle, pet barriers and deterrents are useful training tools. They establish boundaries for your dog so everyone lives together peacefully.

Health

Feeding Options for Your Dog

Did you know the method you use to feed your pets can be just as important to their health as the type of food you choose?

Pet Care

Pet Theft Awareness

An estimated 2 million pets are stolen each year and only 10% of these pets are returned to their owners. To protect your pet, it's important to know about pet theft.

Pet Care

Pets Are for Life, Not Just Christmas

For most of us, Christmas is a wonderful season chock-full of last minute shopping, overeating, late night greeting card addressing and general chaos. I don’t know about you, but if I have to add one more item to my list my head might spontaneously combust! Sounds like a great time to add a new member to the family, right?

Pet Care

Finding Your Perfect Pet

Whether you’ve grown up with animals or are getting a pet for the first time, it's important to choose the right kind of pet for you and your family.