Linda Brent–co-founder and former director of Chimp Haven (the world’s largest chimp sanctuary!), Executive Director of the Parsemus Foundation, and CEO of Blue Toby Pet Products–has seen firsthand just how exotic pet ownership really affects these animals. And as expected, it’s usually not great.

When we understand dog communication, the change in their body language becomes easier to notice and that helps us, as amazing pet parents, support them so they can feel safe and comfortable, no matter what. And when it comes to reading body language, Sian Lawley-Rudd–ethical dog trainer, trauma-informed coach, and owner of Lavender Garden Puppy & Dog Training–knows exactly what we should be looking for.

If there are other pets in the household, how do they experience the passing of their buddy? Do they grieve? Are they sad? Kate LaSala–professional dog trainer, certified behavior consultant, and companion animal end of life doula (to name a few!)–has some powerful insights that very well might change how we view the death of a beloved pet.

Can you even imagine a life without a pet nearby?? For some pet parents, yes, they actually can. Pets were absent from their childhood, and sometimes, even strictly forbidden. That was the case for Luna Guo–Marketing Strategist, social media manager of @sunny_the_majestic, and animal lover to the core–but it wasn’t enough to make her give up.

When it’s time to bring a new pet into your home, choosing which one isn’t always an easy decision. But for Tyler Dawson-Arroyo--pet sitter, personal assistant, visual artist, and Cotl's own Community Growth & Insights Coordinator--the decision to adopt Pamina ended up being the easiest he’s ever made–it just wasn’t the one he was expecting.

When we hear the word “play,” we often associate it with doing something fun. But when it comes to our pets, especially domesticated companions like dogs and cats, play isn’t just about entertainment… this need for play is wired into their instincts. Like daily meals or regular vet care, it’s a necessity for a long, healthy life. Are our pets really getting what they need?

While rescues all around the country have restrictions in place with the pets’ health and safety in mind, they may also be preventing a perfect match. And it’s these very restrictions that led Erin Handley, along with co-founders Mike Ezzo and Shaina Ward Siegel, to create Resilient Hearts Animal Rescue. Their first mission? Make rescue accessible.

“I’ve seen dramatic differences in people’s emotional states after bringing a dog into their lives,” says Dr. Carolina Estevez, Psy.D. Psychologist at Soba New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ. But it’s not just their ability to sense sadness and come to our rescue that makes them so meaningful to have as pets. It’s the actions we actively take when they’re in our lives too.

Sometimes, pets are brought into our life very intentionally. Other times, it may be more circumstantial: maybe the pet needed a new home or we found them all alone. Does that mean we love them any less? For Sean Valle, Cotl’s founder and CEO, the pet he never planned on getting was the one he needed most.

The new year is the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve been doing and where we’d like to show up differently–not just in our own lives, but in those of our pets too. Read below for some fun New Year’s resolutions from each of the pet parents helping build Cotl. Their pets may have some resolutions of their own 😏

This Christmas, we thought we'd share a story inspired by the craziest cat in all of winter wonderland. 🎁 You'll learn more about Jack soon. But in the meantime, may Jack's silliness brighten your holiday the way it brightens our founder Sean's life every day. ☃️

No matter where you live, a quick search on Petfinder will reveal a handful of pets that are in need of a home. But what happens when the homeless pet situation is actually more of a crisis? When the amount of available pets exceeds the number of people searching… It’s time to get creative. And that’s exactly what Meagan Licari, founder and president of Puppy Kitty NYC, did to get hundreds of cats off the streets.

Having volunteered for rescues for many years, Alice Mayn, Founder & Executive Director of Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, had seen firsthand just how big of a difference we can make in a dog’s life. And when she met a senior Golden Retriever named Lily, her purpose became clear: become an advocate for senior dogs across the nation. 

Though he had strong bonds with pets before, Sean Valle (Cotl’s founder and CEO) was in for a treat when he brought Loki home. And after he earned Loki’s trust, the love he received was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

It’s common to assume that shelter animals are “broken pets,” but what is the reality? In this blog we hear from Melissa Arbitman, a senior dog trainer who has spent a decade providing behavioral-focused training to dog shelters across NYC and has seen how trust and communication help them thrive.

In this blog, we hear from  Veronica Lundh, a college administrator a rescue pet mom on how rescue pets have made the best pets she has ever had…and the fulfillment that comes in saving a life.

When we think about what we’re thankful for, our pets are front and center. So, we asked our team what makes their pets so special. 🍂 Read below for some gratitude from each of the pet parents helping build Cotl. 🥧

This is the second blog in a special series that highlights Cotl’s namesake pet. In this blog, we have “T” for Thor, a very special cat that changed the life of our founder, Sean Valle, forever.

Saying goodbye to our pets is incredibly difficult. In this blog, we hear from Dr. Benson, founder of Paws Into Grace, about her experience as a vet with end of life and tips to create a comforting experience when it’s time.

Training your dog can feel like quite the undertaking, and how necessary is it anyways? In this blog, we get to hear from Sam and Mya Wolf from Wolf Hill Kennels about why dog training is important, how to start at home training, and the reason your dog wants it too!