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Benefits of Pets in the Workplace (Infographic)

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:56:04 GMT

Feeling stressed at work? You may want to bring in your dog. Workers report that they feel less stressed and more productive when their pet is by their side.

Are pets allowed at your workplace?

Source: care2

HOW TO: PROTECT YOUR FURNITURE FROM PETS

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:34:26 GMT

Pets are always the best addition to a home. But when they are the four legged, furry kind that tend to have their own ideas of what’s fun to play with, put hair all over and edit to make their own– things can get a little destructive and out of hand.But where there’s a will, there’s a way. And if you do your part as a responsible pet owner (and maybe even a bit of an OCD homeowner), there are a few tips and tricks that can help to alleviate your home being destroyed with the addition of a new family member. See some of our “go-to’s” when dealing with pets and all of the fun they bring along.

1. Look to slipcovers. If you’ve got no boundaries set with your pets as to what furniture is and isn’t off limits– slipcovering your upholstered pieces might be the best way to have a worry-free living space. Toss them in the washer each week and voila! You’ve got a new sofa all over again.

2. Pick your materials wisely. When you pick a pet, it’s certainly not the same as going out and picking a sofa or coffee table. So while you may not have had the thought that the tiny little kitten you once had would turn into a fur shedding machine that’s 5 times the size of a small dog– you have full control over what your favorite sofa is covered in. Leather can be a great option for those who just want to be able to wipe things clean and have less worries over pet hair.

3. Think like a pet. If you’ve got items in your home that look, sound or smell like toys– chances are that in time your pet will see them. Dangling tassles? Cords from blinds? Tasty looking wood legs? Well, you get the point. Find a way to keep these items out of reach when supervision isn’t an option.

4. Sprays to keep pets away. Though spraying furniture with sour, sticky apple smelling spray certainly doesn’t sound appealing, it’s got to be worth a shot right? There are different sprays made for dogs versus cats and though they aren’t distracting to human senses– your pet won’t want to associate with the furniture that’s been tainted. Just be sure that these topical deterrents aren’t going to harm your collection.

5. Maintain a grooming regimen. If hair is your issue, grooming can make a large impact. At times, all you can do is look to your pet and make sure you are doing everything as a pet owner to keep them well groomed and happy. Even if the hair isn’t all that big of an issue– your pet could be unhappy about something and taking all of that pent up frustration on your beloved cabinetry, or brand new floors.

6. Keep the lint rollers handy. This probably goes without saying, but pet hair can make an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved. Those tiny hairs infiltrate every part of your home and seem to be a permanent part of life. If you can stay prepared and on top of a cleaning routine, the hair will be less of an issue as time goes on.

Source: inthralld

Why You Need to Take Your Cat to the Vet in a Carrier

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:21:24 GMT

Does your cat hate their carrier? Probably, but it's still really important that you use one when you're transporting them somewhere. Specifically, the veterinarian's office. It's also a pet peeve of veterinary staff when people bring their cats in without a carrier. Transporting a cat in a carrier is mostly for their own safety, although the cats might disagree with us there... There are several reasons why you need to take your cat to the vet in a carrier - here are some of the most important.

Keep Your Cat Safe
I'd have to say the number one reason is safety, as I mentioned above. There are all kinds of things that could go wrong if your cat isn't safe and cozy in their carrier. I hate to think about all the different scenarios, but there are a lot.

Ensure a safe car ride - What if you were to get into an accident? If your cat is roaming the car freely, they are very likely to get hurt. Not to mention they could jump out of a window or dart out of an open car door.
Prevent your cat from running away - Riding in the car can be a scary experience for cats. If they are scared, they may be more likely to run away if they get the chance. It could be hard to catch them, plus you are probably going to be in an area where there are lots of cars around. Another added danger.
Some dogs don't get along with cats - If you've managed to make it safely inside the vet's office without the carrier, you now have to worry about dogs. There could be dogs in the lobby that may not be cat friendly or are just excited. This could be scary for your cat! You and your cat could end up getting hurt in this scenario.

Keep Your Veterinary Staff Happy
When you bring your cat to the vet without a carrier, it can make things harder on the staff. They will probably do everything they can to make sure that your cat isn't injured or put in harms way. They are vulnerable when not in a carrier. It makes the staff very happy when you bring your cat in a carrier to the animal clinic.

Also, please try to limit one cat per carrier. I've seen some cats put in a carrier together and by the time they get to the vet's office, they are very angry with each other. Of course, that makes them even more unhappy to be at vet clinic. It also makes it more difficult to remove them and put them back into their carriers.

Other Tips for Taking Your Cat to the Vet in a Carrier
Most vet hospitals will do this already, but you should label your cat's carriers with your cat's first and last names and even your own name. Especially if you have two or more cats and you're dropping them off for the day. It is possible for people to make mistakes and this can help prevent any mix-ups with your pets. Labeling your carrier can also help prevent it from getting lost or sent home with the wrong person.

And don't forget to make your cat comfortable in their carrier! Give them a blanket or towel to lay on. Avoid placing water dishes in the crate as they are likely to spill and get kitty all wet.

If your cat has an "accident" in the carrier - don't worry. It happens all the time and the veterinary staff should be used to this sort of thing. But don't put any bedding in the carrier that you wouldn't want to be soiled.

Whether your a seasoned cat pro or this is your first trip to the vet with your cat, hopefully these tips are helpful to you in some way. Do you use a carrier to transport your cat to the vet? If not, I hope you will consider using a carrier for future visits.

Source: mypawsitivelypets

Heroic Pet Chicken Saves Family From Fire (Yes, Chicken!)

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:42:13 GMT

Dogs hold the title of man's best friend, and are constantly making headlines for doing all sorts of amazing things like rescuing their owners and keeping toddlers safe through freezing nights. Good for them; but there are other remarkable pets out there too you know -- like chickens, for example.

Yes, I said chickens, and one amazing one helped save her owners from what could have been a deadly fire recently. Her name is Cluck Cluck, and she's one cluckin' smart bird. According to Fox News, Dennis Murawska, 59, and his wife Susan Cotey, 52, were sleeping in their Wisconsin home early last Thursday morning when a fire broke out downstairs. For some reason their smoke detectors didn't go off, but Cluck Cluck started squawking loudly enough to wake the couple, and they knew something was wrong.

"The chicken gets quite vocal when she gets excited," Murawska said. So they got up, saw the fire, and escaped, all thanks to Cluck Cluck (who firefighters later rescued from the basement). It's horrible to think about what could have happened if not for this clever chicken.

Even more remarkable is the fact that Cluck Cluck almost wasn't around to be the hero she is. She actually belonged to a neighbor, and repeatedly wandered over to the couple's house. The neighbors said she wasn't producing any eggs so they could kill her if they wanted. Instead of frying her up, however, Murawska felt sorry for her and made her into their pet, built her a coop, and put her in the basement on cold nights.

He told the station, "I spent way more money than I ever should've. I guess it paid off." Indeed! Chickens have been gaining popularity as pets in recent time. Tori Spelling has one (Coco, who she dresses in vintage outfits), and a large number of people, even in cities, are getting permits so they can keep them and get farm fresh eggs. This certainly ups their cred a bit, and may make you want to rethink calling someone a bird brain the next time ... you know, if there ever was a first time for you. Go chickens!

Source: thestir.cafemom

Pets As Pillows

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:25:34 GMT

New Rule Of Cuteness Proposal: If one animuhl uses another as a pillow…that’s cute.

Creditos:
1. April G.: “I came across this photo on Reddit this afternoon. Those precious big pup/small pup faces are too gorgeous not to share! It’s always wonderful to adopt animals who need a home.”
2. Ashlee sent us this snapshot of Tom (cat) and Milo (dog), photo by Sarah G. and/or Derek H., we dunno.
3. Larissa C.: “Who needs an ordinary pillow when one has a bunny pillow? Selling like hot BUNS! Get ‘em while stocks last. Video credit to Ignoramusky.”

Source: cuteoverload

How To Keep Pets Safe From Coyotes

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:52:16 GMT

It happens far too often. Unsuspecting pet owners let their dogs and cats out to play or do their business in the backyard and before they know it – a predator looking for a quick meal has attacked and injured their pet or worse.

Coyotes are a fact of life in the Chicago area. They always have been and always will be. As humans encroach on their territory, these usually secretive animals have had to resort to any means necessary to eat. Sadly, that often means snacking on a pet.

“They’re everywhere,” says Dr. Julia Georgesen of Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago and resident expert for CBS Chicago’s Eye On Pets. “They’ve been spotted downtown, at Wrigley Field and they’ve been spotted multiple times in the suburbs.”

Coyotes generally like to live out of the sight of humans and they normally hunt small mammals like rabbits but attacks on cats and small dogs are on the rise in the Chicago area, as Brad Edwards of CBS 2 reported back in February.

What can pet parents do to keep their dogs and cats safe?
“Don’t leave your pets alone outside, especially at dawn or at dusk,” says Georgesen. “They also come out a lot during breeding season which is usually January to March.” Dogs should never be chained outside and should be on a leash in public areas. And she says never let your pet play or interact with a coyote.

Georgesen also advises pet owners to never leave dog or cat food outside. The warning is especially important for people who feed stray cats. Coyotes will prey on feral cats that are coming to a feeding place. “If you are feeding outside cats, do so during the day and for a set amount of time and elevate feeding stations.” Also keep trash in high quality containers with tight fitting lids.
If your pet must be outside, Georgesen suggests you use fencing and make sure it is at least 6-feet high and 6-inches deep to keep Coyotes from jumping over it or digging under it.

“If you encounter a coyote, never throw food at it,” Georgesen says. “Don’t turn and run your back and run away. You want to yell or make a loud noise or clap or stomp. Make eye contact and make yourself look bigger. They get scared easily and they’re not going to come after you.” She says throws rocks or sticks if they approach you.

Georgesen says coyotes, humans and our pets can live in harmony together if everyone understands how these animals live. In Cook County, animal experts have fitted more than 60 coyotes with radio collars and have been studying their behavior and interaction with humans and pets. The effort is among the largest urban studies of coyotes in the world. Research has focused on Cook, Kane, DuPage and McHenry counties where about nine million people live. Scientists say the area is also home to between 1,000 and 2,000 coyotes.

Scientists say urban coyotes do an important service to Chicago by eating small rodents and helping control the rat population. One expert says a single coyote could eat 10,000 mice in a year if that was its only source of food.

Dr. Georgesen’s Safety Tips:
•   Coyotes normally hunt small mammals, such as rabbits, but will attack and kill cats and small dogs.

•   Never leave your pets outside unattended, especially small pets and cats. Only let them outside when you are with them. Be especially cautious at dusk, night and dawn.

•   Never leave pet food and water outside. Coyotes will prey on feral cats that are coming to a feeding place. If you are feeding outside cats, do during the day and for a set amount of time. Elevate feeding stations. Keep trash in high quality containers with tight fitting lids.

•   Dogs should never be chained outside and should be on a leash in public areas. If your pet must be outside, make sure your yard fence is 6-feet high and at least 6-inches deep. Never let your pet play or interact with a coyote.

•   Attacks can occur on larger dogs during Coyote breeding season when coyotes feel their territory is threatened, which is usually January to March.

•   If you encounter a coyote, never throw food at it. Don’t turn your back and run away. Yell or make a loud noise, clap or stomp. Make eye contact and make yourself look bigger. Coyotes get scared easily and will usually run away

Source: chicago.cbslocal

Keep pets healthy, happy with the right toys at home

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:13:22 GMT

Our dogs are often as fat as we are, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Family cats can look like furry ottomans. At Tufts University, they’ve set up an obesity clinic at the vet school.
It’s time to get our pets up and at ‘em.

Dogs and cats love to play, and there are scores of great toys to engage their bodies and minds. Be mindful of your pet’s breed and character when choosing games and toys, advises Victoria Wells, senior manager for behavior and training at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ adoption center in New York City.

Dogs
“Scent-oriented dogs will respond best to games that involve seeking out something that has an odor, so hide treats around the house that they have to locate,” she says. “Buy toys that you can hide treats inside, and the dog has to tumble it to get at them.”

Intelligent dogs need mental stimulation just as people do, says Wells. Spot’s Seek a Treat sliding puzzle and Discovery Wheel might fill the bill. Company of Animals has a Twister treat-finding game. The Kong line of toys are pack pleasers; the toys have holes at one end to hide treats, and the heavy-duty rubber construction makes them tough enough for larger dogs. (Available at many pet stores.)

Big, energetic dogs will have fun chasing the sturdy Varsity Ball. And for a little humor, consider Moody Pet’s Humunga lips-, tongue- or moustache-shaped chew toys that give your dog a hilarious visage when they’re holding them. ( www.varsitypetsonline.com; www.moodypet.com) Dogs that love to interact love to tug — and Wells says that, contrary to some opinion, tugging can be a great game.

“It’s all about who’s in control of the game. You decide when you play it, when the toy must be released, when it must be dropped,” she says. Teaching these skills early in a puppy’s life makes play a lifelong joy. But even a rescue dog can learn, with patience and understanding.

Try a tennis ball attached to a rope, which makes retrieving and throwing easy — no slobbery balls to grip. Petco also offers Bamboo’s Combat Bone, a soft and floatable bone-shaped tugger, while Homegoods’ extensive pet department, HG Pet, has great squeak-and-fetch options, too. ( www.petco.com, www.homegoods.com)

Sturdy coils of small, medium or large marine-grade rope also do the job, but for multi-dog tug action, consider Ruff Dawg’s four-handled rubber toy. ( www.wag.com) If you’ve got a ball-loving dog, you’ve probably spent hours throwing one; tennis balls seem to be the toy of choice. For something a little different, consider the Mystery Tree, which requires the dog to trip a lever to release the ball.

And for truly energetic canines, get the Hyperdog Launcher, which shoots up to four balls 220 feet via a slingshot-like contraption. No more goober-y hands or sore throwing arms. ( www.activedogtoys.com)
Some dogs love hide and seek; Kyjen has a plush tree trunk you stuff with mini squirrels for Dog to extricate. ( www.kyjen.com)

And how about chasing bubbles? Activedogtoys.com has the automatic Bubbletastic and Bubble Buddy, which blow bacon- or chicken-scented bubbles. For help deciding what toy or toys to get, try a toy test: Does your pet respond best to a plush toy, a ball or an interactive food toy?

On his website www.Cesarsway.com, dog behavior specialist and TV show host Cesar Millan advises that toys can help a dog learn not to bite. With puppies, introduce toys quickly as substitutes for hands.
Wells suggests some easy-to-make homemade toys. Poke holes in a 2-liter soda bottle and fill it with a few kibbles: Pawing the bottle will randomly release the treats. A popular treat at shelters is a savory ice pop. “We put some treats in deli or carry-out containers, then fill them with water or chicken stock” and freeze them, she says. Caregivers also scent objects with cinnamon, clove or lavender at different times of day, she says, depending on whether they want to energize or soothe their furry charges. When you leave the house for a long period, Wells say, “limit the number of toys you leave out. Just like children, pets get bored if their entire toy box is available to them every day.”

Cats
Cats appreciate an interesting toy as much as dogs do. Kitty condos, which often have several elevations and platforms to climb, sit on and hide in, are excellent choices. “Vertical hiding places and sanctuaries are very important to cats,” notes Wells, since they seek these out in the wild.

Look for upholstered versions in kneadable micro plush, or carpet remnants. Scratching posts made of sturdy jute will save your furniture, and can be purchased or made at home. A feline version of the mouse exercise wheel is available at www.Catwheelcompany.com. Other homemade cat toys include toilet paper rolls filled with catnip or treats, which the cats release by batting the toy around, and wands made out of rulers, rubber bands and feathers, Wells says. Cats get their own version of the ice pop, she says: 3-ounce drink cups filled with cat food and chicken or beef stock, and then frozen.

A fun interactive family toy might be the Abo Cat Tunnel: Kids and pets chase each other through a nylon tube. The Bergan Catnip Cyclone involves a circular track on which a cat spins a ball filled with catnip; the more twirls, the more catnip aroma released. A feathery teaser can be attached. The Cataction Magneticat provides a magnetized bug on the end of a wand that bobbles around while your cat tries to catch it. ( www.petco.com)

The Ba Da Beam Rotating Laser Cat Toy features a battery-operated laser. ( www.drsfostersmith.com)
At www.Catchannel.com, find tips on making your own versions of wand, tug and climbing toys out of boxes, paper bags and other household items.

Source: news-sentinel

Pets for adoption

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:28:57 GMT

THE HUMANE SOCIETY FOR GREATER SAVANNAH
All pets adopted from HSGS are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines, dewormed, micro-chipped and get a free vet exam. To view all available pets, go to humanesocietySAV.org or stop by 7215 Sallie Mood Drive.

SAVE-A-LIFE
Adoptions are 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays at PetSmart, 11132 Abercorn St. Foster pets are socialized, current on vaccines and spayed/neutered (or a voucher is given). We assist pet owners who need to find a new home for a pet. For info, go to www.savealifepets.org or call 912-598-7729.

GEORGIA ANIMAL RESCUE AND DEFENCE
100 Dichroic Dragon Drive, Pembroke. View other animals at the shelter at www.gardonline.org. For appointments, call Micki at 912-271-4749. The shelter is open 2-6 p.m. daily, including holidays and Sundays.

F.A.C.T.S.
(Friends of Animal Control Team Sav). These pets and many more are available at Savannah/Chatham Animal Control, 7211 Sallie Mood Drive, behind the Humane Society. Open for viewing/adoptions 1 p.m.-4 p.m. daily. Call 912-484-4438 for information.

COASTAL PET RESCUE
An all-volunteer nonprofit animal rescue organization based in Savannah. Coastal Pet Rescue does not operate a shelter. All pets are in foster homes. Appointments to see pets may be made once an adoption application has been completed and reviewed. Email adoption@coastalpetrescue.org or go to coastalpetrescue.org.

DACHSHUND RESCUE OF NORTH AMERICA
A nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing dachshunds. Dogs are spayed/neutered, heartworm tested, up to date on vaccines and dental if needed. These are being fostered in Savannah. Email ellenwh@bellsouth.net or call 912-398-1892 for more information.

Food Stamps For Pets There’s An Organization For That

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:19:07 GMT

Have you ever sat back and said to yourself that you’d like a pet, but, in this unstable economy, don’t think you’d have the money to support one?
If you answered yes to that question, then Pet Food Stamps is for you! Pet Food Stamps, is a donation-based program based in New York which aims to supplement the incomes of families below for poverty line with pets so that their furry friends don’t go without food and care. To be approved for the program, families must provide proof that they are currently receiving government assistance.

Source: newsone

We can do better for our pets

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 14:31:53 GMT

Here are figures to make us ashamed. Last year, an estimated 1,600 cats were deliberately killed in Kitchener. While some were sick or injured, the fatal problem for the vast majority was that, although they were healthy, they were simply no longer wanted by people who owned them in the Kitchener and Waterloo area. And so they were euthanized, as painlessly as possible, by workers at the humane society shelter in Kitchener, which lacked the money and facilities to care for them all.

No one in these cities should be blasé about the extermination — for that is what it amounts to — of so many animals. These are intelligent, sensitive creatures that can experience pain and fear.

They were not raised as livestock to be killed for food. They were supposed to be pets — companions that traded their affection and loyalty in return for a safe, warm home and regular meals. But too many of the humans who owned these — and the other 2,400 cats that wound up at the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society in 2012 — failed to keep their side of the bargain. Now, the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and the humane society are teaming up to impose new rules that protect cats, and dogs, too, from unscrupulous breeders and irresponsible owners. The number and details of these rules need to be worked out, and the public should get involved in doing this. But the initiative itself deserves full support. We can treat our four-footed friends more kindly.

One of the most basic, though serious problems, is that too many cat owners let their pets wander. When the cats have not been spayed or neutered, it results in unwanted kittens that often wind up at the animal shelter. Stray cats, as well as felines that over generations return to a wild state, are also responsible for environmental carnage on a massive scale.

This week, a report by scientists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the American Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that domestic, stray and feral cats kill a median of 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals, such as shrews, chipmunks and moles, in the United States every year. Calling the cat one of the single greatest human-linked threats to wildlife, these scientists reckon that more birds and mammals are killed by cats than by pesticides or poisons.

But it’s not just cats that need greater consideration. As a front-page report in today’s Record shows, a court case involving a kennel operated by an Amish couple in Perth County has renewed concerns over how dogs are bred and sold in Ontario.

While this particular case has yet to be resolved and the charges against the couple remain unproven in court, the publicity surrounding this matter has focused attention on the larger issue of unsuitable kennel operations in this province. Whether in the basements or garden sheds of city homes or out in the country, there are too many operations that produce dogs at a high volume, in cramped unsanitary conditions and with inadequate care for the health of the animals being bred and born.

We can do better. We must, for the sake of creatures that depend so much on us. The solutions may be unpopular. Buying an annual cat licence would be an unwanted expense for some, yet it would increase the number of lost or stray cats that could be returned home safely. Pet stores might resist a bylaw that would allow them to sell only shelter or rescued animals. But that rule could choke off demand for kittens or puppies from reckless breeders.

This is a necessary conversation for the two cities. With the right that people in this country have to own animals comes a responsibility to treat those animals with care and consideration. Too many pet owners and breeders have yet to honour that duty.

Source: therecord