Animal Crazy

Zoo camp correspondent wraps up with two final reports

Daphne Sashin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:45:19 -0400

My 7-year-old niece, Claire, finished zoo camp outside Chicago on Friday and sent her final reports. See previous installments: Who knew dolphins ate Jell-O? Zoo Camp: Day 3 Zoo Camp: Day 2 My 7-year-old niece reports from Zoo Camp July...

Boston zoo says it won't have to kill animals

Daphne Sashin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:20:31 -0400

Interesting story out of Boston, where the Franklin Zoo warned last week that if the state didn't restore its funding, it would be forced to shut down the zoo and destroy up to 200 animals because it would be impossible...

Support local artists, Pet Rescue by Judy

Daphne Sashin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:13:12 -0400

Neu America Art Magazine and Kirkpatrick Veterinary Hospital are sponsoring a free art show to benefit Pet Rescue by Judy. Perspectives: A Fine Art Gala (July 30 to Aug. 2) will feature 13 local artists. Artist reception for Allan Cody-Rapport:...

More dog bakeries coming to Central Florida

Daphne Sashin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:54:58 -0400

Woof Gang Bakery plans to open its first Central Florida location in Dr. Phillips in a few weeks, followed by shops in Winter Park and the Lake Nona area later in the year. The shops specialize in healthy, natural pet...

No fees for Fleet Peeples Park

Daphne Sashin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:52:02 -0400

Winter Park ended a nearly yearlong brouhaha over the future of Fleet Peeples Park on Monday, deciding to keep an off-leash dog park -– without charging fees -– and approving a separate, 3-acre “people park” with bathrooms and picnic pavilions....

Rhino donated by Animal Kingdom gives birth in Uganda

Daphne Sashin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:15:00 -0400

A white rhino donated by Disney's Animal Kingdom to Uganda, recently gave birth to the country's first rhino calf in 27 years. Animal Kingdom reports that first-time mother Nande, a 10-year-old female white rhino, gave birth June 24 to a...

Is it a cat, or a hat, and which end is up?

Gail Smith — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:15:23 -0400

Talk about a lap cat. Friend and former colleague Sarah Lindner Beckham's cat, Sally, used to be very shy with anyone besides Sarah. But it's clear Sally is very comfortable with, and making herself comfortable on, Sarah's husband, Jeff. Yes,...

What cat-killings investigators took from teen's family

Mary Anna Gentleman — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:18:05 -0400

The latest grim news about the Miami cat killings and the teen accused in them. From The Associated Press: Cutting instruments, needles, pills, dark clothing and catnip were among the items seized from the family of a South Florida teenager...

New zoo baby sticks his neck out in Jacksonville

Mary Anna Gentleman — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:08:22 -0400

From The Associated Press: Officials at the Jacksonville Zoo and Garden say a newborn baby giraffe is doing well. The 128-pound male born July 7 got his first exam July 9. Veterinarian Nick Kapustin drew blood and checked the infant's...

Reno is ready for a home

Mary Anna Gentleman — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:04:06 -0400

From the folks at Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, we have Reno, looking for a place to hang his collar: Hi! I am Reno – a large 2-year old yellow boy with lots of energy. My foster mom says I...

Fraudulent city letter says animals must be kept inside

Daphne Sashin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:09:42 -0400

Longwood is warning residents about a fraudulent code enforcement letter that says that all dogs, cats, reptiles and small livestock such as chicken must be kept indoors, according to Sentinel reporter Rachael Jackson. So far only one resident has reported...

Happy birthday! Can't beat this cake

Mary Anna Gentleman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:06:52 -0400

Giant Panda Tai Shan licks his birthday cake on his fourth birthday, July 9, at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington. The cake was a frozen combination of water, beets and beet juice enhanced with bamboo and fruit. Tai Shan...

Montana, Idaho prepare for gray wolf hunts

Mary Anna Gentleman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:09:08 -0400

From The Associated Press: Montana and Idaho are moving toward becoming hosts for the first open gray wolf hunts in the lower 48 states after the animal's removal from the endangered list across much of the Northern Rockies. Montana wildlife...

Your pets: A canine model of water safety

Mary Anna Gentleman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:01:20 -0400

Baxter Peck, a 5-year-old Yorkshire terrier who lives with Bruce and Gail Peck of Orlando, is ready for summer canoeing trips on Lake Jennie Jewel. His life jacket not only is brightly fluorescent but also comes equipped with a handle...

The frogmen of Cedar Creek

Mary Anna Gentleman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:56:42 -0400

Here's an unusual pairing, but one that seems to suit everyone involved, especially the frogs. By Jennifer Sullivan of The Seattle Times: Kneeling on the edge of a tank the size of a child's wading pool, Harry Greer thrust his...

Bowling for charity with Gold Coast Greyhounds

Daphne Sashin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:34:32 -0400

Saturday, August 8, 2009, 3-6 p.m. at Bowl America, 111 Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park 32789 Come out and help Gold Coast Greyhounds raise money to pay for care and veterinary bills associated with rescuing these wonderful animals. Your $15 donation...

17 days left to help out Seminole County's furry friends

Daphne Sashin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:22:02 -0400

Sunday, July 26 is the deadline to cast your vote for Seminole County Animal Services to win a $20,000 grant from the Animal Rescue Site and Petfinder.com. The animal shelter is currently in second place nationwide. Voting is simple, free...

Your pets: Nobody messes with Krystal

Mary Anna Gentleman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:05:34 -0400

Krystal, the 12-year-old Siamese cat Kimberly Edmond found as a 21-day-old kitten on the side of a road, displays her best-known attitude, striding through their house in Orlando. Edmond says Krystal is the queen of the house and makes no...

New fees proposed for Fleet Peeples Park

Daphne Sashin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:40:48 -0400

City staff, working with Commissioner Phil Anderson, have a modified plan for Fleet Peeples Park, including entry fees, that's expected to get the city commission's approval on Monday. An approval would cap nearly a year of discussion and debate about...