One of the simplest and best ways to help reduce your dog’s separation anxiety is to go out and about to any of several dog-friendly places in Alameda. Getting out for a day with the dogs is also a great way to get in extra exercise and enjoy those furry friends.

The Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) wants all the shelter animals to have homes for the holidays, so the group is offering a special discount through the end of the year. As of now, all adoption fees are 50 percent off through Sunday, Dec. 31.

John L. Lipp was officially appointed executive director of Alameda’s animal shelter, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) Oct. 20. He had served as FAAS’s acting director since March. Before that, he served on the FAAS board of directors from 2011 to 2017.