The state of Oregon is pushing to ban all pit bulls in the state and have them euthanized along with fining the owner. I thought that you euthanize an animal when it’s suffering or incurably sick and now you have a state that wants to go around and just kill these dogs because of a few dogs that were untrained had attacked someone.
These states seem to just make up these laws instead of going after the dog’s owner. How about all the ones that are friendly and have been trained properly, we just kill them too. Over in New Mexico they were trying to pass some tough laws too. They wanted to label Pit Bulls and Rottweiler’s as dangerous animals, which failed.
New Mexico now wants the owners to take out insurance policies which is better than kill the poor dogs. But Oregon wants to kill your dog and fine you put you in jail. It gets even worse if your dog kill someone.
Read the article by Meghan Kalkstein here.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Best Friends Animal Society Teams Up With Noah's Wish
Best Friends Animal Society Rescue Team Will Travel to Missouri to Evaluate Condition of 200 Dogs Rescued from Commercial Breeder
A six-person Best Friends Animal Society team is en route to Missouri to evaluate the condition of 200 dogs seized from a commercial breeder. Best Friends, working in concert with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Noah’s Wish, a California-based animal rescue group, will also help with the placement of the dogs with rescue groups.
(Vocus/PRWEB ) February 26, 2009 -- The Missouri Department of Agriculture has asked Best Friends Animal Society to evaluate approximately 200 dogs rescued from an unlicensed breeding kennel near Tecumseh, Mo. A Best Friends rapid response team of six was en route to Missouri today to examine the dogs and help with placing them with rescue groups.
Best Friends' involvement follows actions by the Ozark County Sheriff's Department, acting in concert with the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Animal Care Facilities Act program, to close the facility and take possession of the dogs.
A six-person Best Friends team will arrive in Missouri later today and is expected to be on site for approximately four days. Preliminary reports indicate that a fire had damaged the kennel and that some dogs had been injured. Noah's Wish, a California-based animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to rescuing and sheltering animals in disasters, will set up a temporary shelter on the kennel site.
"We will be working to stabilize the situation this afternoon by helping to gather the dogs," said Nikki Sharp, campaigns manager for Best Friends Animal Society. "Then we will assess them and work with the State of Missouri to provide contact with groups who can take the dogs and care for them."
The initial investigation began in September, 2008 when the Department of Agriculture asked River Valley Puppies Kennels to surrender 50 dogs because it had not passed a state inspection or been licensed by the state. Recently, the state discovered that the unlicensed kennel was continuing to do business and took steps to remove all the dogs from the property.
Misti Preston, spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Agriculture said help provided by Best Friends and Noah's Wish would be welcomed at the rescue site.
"Although the Department of Agriculture does everything we can to protect the health and safety of animals, we don't have all of the resources needed here at the Department of Agriculture to facilitate the rescue of large numbers of dogs," Preston said. "We truly appreciate the efforts and rely on outside groups such as Best Friends and Noah's Wish, who bring their experience and knowledge to the rescue effort."
Noah's Wish is an experienced rescue organization, which, like Best Friends, includes experience at Hurricane Katrina and other recent natural disasters.
"We are looking forward to working with Best Friends as we round up the dogs and make sure they are healthy, safe, and ready to go to a new home," said Noah's Wish Board Chair Amy Maher. "It will be a collaborative effort with Best Friends and the State of Missouri so that we can find better homes for these dogs, who have suffered unfortunate circumstances through no fault of their own."
Sharp said the Missouri State Department of Agriculture's oversight and inspection of commercial breeding operations is a positive step.
"But oversight by the state is only part of the solution," Sharp said. "Best Friends advocates adoption, but if people do buy from a breeder, they should not buy dogs from the internet or purchase from pets stores because the majority of these dogs come from puppy mills. Additionally, if people notice neglect at a commercial breeder's facility, they should report this to local authorities who can take appropriate action."
The action against River Valley Puppies Kennels is one of 23 enforcement actions taken by the State of Missouri since the beginning of the year, resulting in the rescue of more than 1,100 dogs. Operating a breeder's business without a license in Missouri is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine.
Volunteers Not Needed at Rescue Site
Sharp stressed that volunteers are not needed at the puppy mill site, but people interested in helping can make a donation for the care of the puppies by visiting www.bestfriends.org.
For more information on the Missouri puppy mill rescue, visit: puppymills.bestfriends.org.
For more information contact:
John Polis
435-644-2001 ext. 4858
Barbara Williamson
435-689-0200
About Best Friends Animal Society:
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Best Friends Animal Society is one of America's foremost animal rescue organizations. Best Friends advances nationwide animal welfare initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country. On any given day Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation's largest facility for abused, abandoned and special needs companion animals located in southwestern Utah, is home to approximately 1,700 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The society also publishes Best Friends magazine, the nation's largest general interest, pet-related magazine with approximately 300,000 subscribers. For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org.
A six-person Best Friends Animal Society team is en route to Missouri to evaluate the condition of 200 dogs seized from a commercial breeder. Best Friends, working in concert with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Noah’s Wish, a California-based animal rescue group, will also help with the placement of the dogs with rescue groups.
(Vocus/PRWEB ) February 26, 2009 -- The Missouri Department of Agriculture has asked Best Friends Animal Society to evaluate approximately 200 dogs rescued from an unlicensed breeding kennel near Tecumseh, Mo. A Best Friends rapid response team of six was en route to Missouri today to examine the dogs and help with placing them with rescue groups.
Best Friends' involvement follows actions by the Ozark County Sheriff's Department, acting in concert with the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Animal Care Facilities Act program, to close the facility and take possession of the dogs.
A six-person Best Friends team will arrive in Missouri later today and is expected to be on site for approximately four days. Preliminary reports indicate that a fire had damaged the kennel and that some dogs had been injured. Noah's Wish, a California-based animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to rescuing and sheltering animals in disasters, will set up a temporary shelter on the kennel site.
"We will be working to stabilize the situation this afternoon by helping to gather the dogs," said Nikki Sharp, campaigns manager for Best Friends Animal Society. "Then we will assess them and work with the State of Missouri to provide contact with groups who can take the dogs and care for them."
The initial investigation began in September, 2008 when the Department of Agriculture asked River Valley Puppies Kennels to surrender 50 dogs because it had not passed a state inspection or been licensed by the state. Recently, the state discovered that the unlicensed kennel was continuing to do business and took steps to remove all the dogs from the property.
Misti Preston, spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Agriculture said help provided by Best Friends and Noah's Wish would be welcomed at the rescue site.
"Although the Department of Agriculture does everything we can to protect the health and safety of animals, we don't have all of the resources needed here at the Department of Agriculture to facilitate the rescue of large numbers of dogs," Preston said. "We truly appreciate the efforts and rely on outside groups such as Best Friends and Noah's Wish, who bring their experience and knowledge to the rescue effort."
Noah's Wish is an experienced rescue organization, which, like Best Friends, includes experience at Hurricane Katrina and other recent natural disasters.
"We are looking forward to working with Best Friends as we round up the dogs and make sure they are healthy, safe, and ready to go to a new home," said Noah's Wish Board Chair Amy Maher. "It will be a collaborative effort with Best Friends and the State of Missouri so that we can find better homes for these dogs, who have suffered unfortunate circumstances through no fault of their own."
Sharp said the Missouri State Department of Agriculture's oversight and inspection of commercial breeding operations is a positive step.
"But oversight by the state is only part of the solution," Sharp said. "Best Friends advocates adoption, but if people do buy from a breeder, they should not buy dogs from the internet or purchase from pets stores because the majority of these dogs come from puppy mills. Additionally, if people notice neglect at a commercial breeder's facility, they should report this to local authorities who can take appropriate action."
The action against River Valley Puppies Kennels is one of 23 enforcement actions taken by the State of Missouri since the beginning of the year, resulting in the rescue of more than 1,100 dogs. Operating a breeder's business without a license in Missouri is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine.
Volunteers Not Needed at Rescue Site
Sharp stressed that volunteers are not needed at the puppy mill site, but people interested in helping can make a donation for the care of the puppies by visiting www.bestfriends.org.
For more information on the Missouri puppy mill rescue, visit: puppymills.bestfriends.org.
For more information contact:
John Polis
435-644-2001 ext. 4858
Barbara Williamson
435-689-0200
About Best Friends Animal Society:
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Best Friends Animal Society is one of America's foremost animal rescue organizations. Best Friends advances nationwide animal welfare initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country. On any given day Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation's largest facility for abused, abandoned and special needs companion animals located in southwestern Utah, is home to approximately 1,700 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The society also publishes Best Friends magazine, the nation's largest general interest, pet-related magazine with approximately 300,000 subscribers. For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Lungworm Parasite Strikes The UK
New Parasite Infection Killing Pet Dogs in Southern England
Vetscriptions CEO Andrew Prentis advises all UK dog owners to protect their dogs against rising levels of infection with a potentially fatal lungworm.
London, UK (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- It was not that long ago that lungworm in dogs was considered to be an exotic disease, and not at all the sort of thing that we needed to worry about in the UK
Not so in 2009.
The lungworm's slightly improbable scientific name is Angiostrongylus vasorum. It used to be known as the 'French heartworm' giving lie to it's continental origins, but recent studies have shown it now to be alive and well in the UK, with infections in dogs now occurring regularly in the Southern Counties and much more recently in the Midlands.
The main reservoir of infection seems to be the common red fox. An article in the journal Veterinary Practice back in 2005 suggested that it was the increasing urbanisation of the fox that might be the crucial factor in its spread.
A more recent paper published by Morgan and colleagues in Veterinary Parasitology in 2008, confirmed that nearly 10% of wild foxes in the UK are now infected. This varies from almost none in Scotland to as many as 23% of foxes being infected in Southern England.
Garden snails and slugs are the creatures that actually spread the parasite from the resident fox population and it is here that so many of our pet dogs start to be at risk.
"How many people wake up to find snail trails in the garden or on the patio?" asks vet Andrew Prentis, Managing Director of Vetscriptions Ltd "It is from eating snails or slugs or by licking at these trails that pet dogs can become infected."
Infection with this parasite is potentially fatal and can be difficult to spot in the early stages. Later and more serious signs of infection include coughing and difficulty breathing. Lungworm can cause a rapid heart rate, limb swelling and neurological symptoms including weakness and loss of co-ordination, but it is the cases of sudden and uncontrollable internal bleeding that are causing the most distress.
"Luckily there are a number of medicines available that can provide real and lasting protection from this nasty parasite. At www.vetscriptions.co.uk we recommend that all dog owners make it their business to find out about this disease and make sure that their dogs are fully protected."
Vetscriptions CEO Andrew Prentis advises all UK dog owners to protect their dogs against rising levels of infection with a potentially fatal lungworm.
London, UK (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- It was not that long ago that lungworm in dogs was considered to be an exotic disease, and not at all the sort of thing that we needed to worry about in the UK
Not so in 2009.
The lungworm's slightly improbable scientific name is Angiostrongylus vasorum. It used to be known as the 'French heartworm' giving lie to it's continental origins, but recent studies have shown it now to be alive and well in the UK, with infections in dogs now occurring regularly in the Southern Counties and much more recently in the Midlands.
The main reservoir of infection seems to be the common red fox. An article in the journal Veterinary Practice back in 2005 suggested that it was the increasing urbanisation of the fox that might be the crucial factor in its spread.
A more recent paper published by Morgan and colleagues in Veterinary Parasitology in 2008, confirmed that nearly 10% of wild foxes in the UK are now infected. This varies from almost none in Scotland to as many as 23% of foxes being infected in Southern England.
Garden snails and slugs are the creatures that actually spread the parasite from the resident fox population and it is here that so many of our pet dogs start to be at risk.
"How many people wake up to find snail trails in the garden or on the patio?" asks vet Andrew Prentis, Managing Director of Vetscriptions Ltd "It is from eating snails or slugs or by licking at these trails that pet dogs can become infected."
Infection with this parasite is potentially fatal and can be difficult to spot in the early stages. Later and more serious signs of infection include coughing and difficulty breathing. Lungworm can cause a rapid heart rate, limb swelling and neurological symptoms including weakness and loss of co-ordination, but it is the cases of sudden and uncontrollable internal bleeding that are causing the most distress.
"Luckily there are a number of medicines available that can provide real and lasting protection from this nasty parasite. At www.vetscriptions.co.uk we recommend that all dog owners make it their business to find out about this disease and make sure that their dogs are fully protected."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Milk-Bone 100th Anniversary Spokes Dog Winner
Milk-Bone(R) Announces First-Ever SpokesDog!
Wisconsin Dog Fetches Title in Contest Celebrating Bond Between Pet and Pet Parent; Will be Treated to $100,000 Contract
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2009-- To honor the iconic brand’s 100th anniversary, Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM), today announces that its Milk-Bone® brand has named its first-ever SpokesDog. It was a doggone great competition, but when America voted to pick just one dog to represent Milk-Bone®, a Great Dane named Winston from Mosinee, Wisconsin stood, literally and figuratively, head and shoulders above the rest. Winston and Melissa Ruppert, his proud pet parent, are taking home first prize in the Make a Milk-Bone Moment™ contest — a search for those genuine moments of joy that strengthen the bond between a pet and his or her pet parent.
“We received thousands of entries from across the country, but in the end America decided that it was Winston and his pet parent, Melissa, who best exemplified a Milk-Bone Moment,” said Christie Fleming, Vice President of Marketing, Del Monte Foods. “It’s evident from their picture and their story that these two share a very special bond and are genuinely the best of friends. We believe Winston is going to be a great SpokesDog and look forward to working with him over the next year to continue celebrating special moments across the country.”
Winston and his pet parent Melissa Ruppert are both paws-itively excited about being named America’s top dog. Along with his new found fame, Winston, who was a gift for Melissa from her husband on their first wedding anniversary, will receive a $100,000 contract to serve as the first-ever Milk-Bone® SpokesDog. As part of becoming the first-ever SpokesDog in the 100-year history of the brand, Winston will be featured on packaging later in the year and take part in several marketing initiatives for 2009. He will also serve as an advocate for the Milk-Bone® Canine Heroes™ program, a longstanding, national-outreach program that provides canine assistance dogs to individuals with disabilities, as well as police dogs to law enforcement organizations.
Celebrating 100 Years (that’s 700 in dog years!)
A century ago, a New York City baker was barking up the right tree when he decided that his four-legged friends deserved a tasty treat too. Originally created in a small bakery on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the biscuits became known to millions as Milk-Bone® dog biscuits, America’s favorite dog snack. 100 years later, the brand commemorated the special occasion by kicking off the Make a Milk-Bone Moment™ contest, which included the construction of the world’s largest doghouse in New York City and a mobile tour that visited cities across the country. The contest — designed to sniff out America’s best Milk-Bone Moment™ — drew thousands of dog lovers’ entries throughout 2008. The 100 finalists were chosen based on a picture/video submission, along with the essay they entered in the Make a Milk-Bone® Moment™ contest. The 100 finalists were featured on www.milkbone.com, where America voted for their favorite moment. Nearly 70,000 votes were cast, with Winston chosen as top dog.
About Milk-Bone®
Milk-Bone® is a leading and trusted dog snack brand and markets a complete line of dog biscuits, chewy treats, long-lasting chews and crunchy treats. Since 1908 when the first Milk-Bone® Original Dog Biscuit was sold, Milk-Bone® has made high-quality dog snacks that excite dogs and their pet parents! Today, dogs wag their tails for Milk-Bone® Original Biscuits, Milk-Bone® Flavor Snacks, Milk-Bone® Chewy Treats, Milk-Bone® SteakChew, Milk-Bone® Mar-O Snacks™ crunchy treats and Milk-Bone® Original Dog Treats. For more information about Milk-Bone, visit www.Milk-Bone.com.
About Del Monte Pet Products
At Del Monte, our pet products nourish and enrich the lives of pets and pet parents by providing great-tasting, high-quality and innovative products for dogs and cats and by encouraging them to enjoy an active lifestyle together. With trusted brands including Meow Mix®, Kibbles ‘n Bits®, 9Lives®, Snausages®, Pup-Peroni®, Milk-Bone®, Meaty Bone® and Pounce®, our products enrich the connection between people and the pets they love. As a premier provider of taste-oriented pet food and pet snacks, our products play a key role in the lives of millions of pet families everyday.
About Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.2 billion in net sales in fiscal 2008. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte®, S&W®, Contadina®, College Inn®, Meow Mix®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, 9Lives®, Milk-Bone®, Pup-Peroni®, Meaty Bone®, Snausages® and Pounce®, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. The Company also produces, distributes and markets private label food and pet products. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) visit the Company’s website at www.delmonte.com.
Del Monte. Nourishing Families. Enriching Lives. Every Day.™
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5902206&lang=en
Source: Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods
Bryson Thornton, 415-247-3052
bryson.thornton@delmonte.com
or
Coyne PR for Del Monte
Jennifer Lilly, 973-316-1665
Wisconsin Dog Fetches Title in Contest Celebrating Bond Between Pet and Pet Parent; Will be Treated to $100,000 Contract
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2009-- To honor the iconic brand’s 100th anniversary, Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM), today announces that its Milk-Bone® brand has named its first-ever SpokesDog. It was a doggone great competition, but when America voted to pick just one dog to represent Milk-Bone®, a Great Dane named Winston from Mosinee, Wisconsin stood, literally and figuratively, head and shoulders above the rest. Winston and Melissa Ruppert, his proud pet parent, are taking home first prize in the Make a Milk-Bone Moment™ contest — a search for those genuine moments of joy that strengthen the bond between a pet and his or her pet parent.
“We received thousands of entries from across the country, but in the end America decided that it was Winston and his pet parent, Melissa, who best exemplified a Milk-Bone Moment,” said Christie Fleming, Vice President of Marketing, Del Monte Foods. “It’s evident from their picture and their story that these two share a very special bond and are genuinely the best of friends. We believe Winston is going to be a great SpokesDog and look forward to working with him over the next year to continue celebrating special moments across the country.”
Winston and his pet parent Melissa Ruppert are both paws-itively excited about being named America’s top dog. Along with his new found fame, Winston, who was a gift for Melissa from her husband on their first wedding anniversary, will receive a $100,000 contract to serve as the first-ever Milk-Bone® SpokesDog. As part of becoming the first-ever SpokesDog in the 100-year history of the brand, Winston will be featured on packaging later in the year and take part in several marketing initiatives for 2009. He will also serve as an advocate for the Milk-Bone® Canine Heroes™ program, a longstanding, national-outreach program that provides canine assistance dogs to individuals with disabilities, as well as police dogs to law enforcement organizations.
Celebrating 100 Years (that’s 700 in dog years!)
A century ago, a New York City baker was barking up the right tree when he decided that his four-legged friends deserved a tasty treat too. Originally created in a small bakery on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the biscuits became known to millions as Milk-Bone® dog biscuits, America’s favorite dog snack. 100 years later, the brand commemorated the special occasion by kicking off the Make a Milk-Bone Moment™ contest, which included the construction of the world’s largest doghouse in New York City and a mobile tour that visited cities across the country. The contest — designed to sniff out America’s best Milk-Bone Moment™ — drew thousands of dog lovers’ entries throughout 2008. The 100 finalists were chosen based on a picture/video submission, along with the essay they entered in the Make a Milk-Bone® Moment™ contest. The 100 finalists were featured on www.milkbone.com, where America voted for their favorite moment. Nearly 70,000 votes were cast, with Winston chosen as top dog.
About Milk-Bone®
Milk-Bone® is a leading and trusted dog snack brand and markets a complete line of dog biscuits, chewy treats, long-lasting chews and crunchy treats. Since 1908 when the first Milk-Bone® Original Dog Biscuit was sold, Milk-Bone® has made high-quality dog snacks that excite dogs and their pet parents! Today, dogs wag their tails for Milk-Bone® Original Biscuits, Milk-Bone® Flavor Snacks, Milk-Bone® Chewy Treats, Milk-Bone® SteakChew, Milk-Bone® Mar-O Snacks™ crunchy treats and Milk-Bone® Original Dog Treats. For more information about Milk-Bone, visit www.Milk-Bone.com.
About Del Monte Pet Products
At Del Monte, our pet products nourish and enrich the lives of pets and pet parents by providing great-tasting, high-quality and innovative products for dogs and cats and by encouraging them to enjoy an active lifestyle together. With trusted brands including Meow Mix®, Kibbles ‘n Bits®, 9Lives®, Snausages®, Pup-Peroni®, Milk-Bone®, Meaty Bone® and Pounce®, our products enrich the connection between people and the pets they love. As a premier provider of taste-oriented pet food and pet snacks, our products play a key role in the lives of millions of pet families everyday.
About Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.2 billion in net sales in fiscal 2008. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte®, S&W®, Contadina®, College Inn®, Meow Mix®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, 9Lives®, Milk-Bone®, Pup-Peroni®, Meaty Bone®, Snausages® and Pounce®, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. The Company also produces, distributes and markets private label food and pet products. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) visit the Company’s website at www.delmonte.com.
Del Monte. Nourishing Families. Enriching Lives. Every Day.™
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5902206&lang=en
Source: Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods
Bryson Thornton, 415-247-3052
bryson.thornton@delmonte.com
or
Coyne PR for Del Monte
Jennifer Lilly, 973-316-1665
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Frederick County Animal Shelter Could Use Your Help
The Frederick County Animal Shelter has just received 75 dogs by a guy who had just dropped the dogs off after being unable to care for them. They have been getting a little too many dogs at one time to handle, so if you are in the area they could use all the help they can get to adopt these dogs.
Anyone who would like to adopt a dog or become a foster family is asked to call the Frederick County Animal Shelter at 301-600-1546
Read the article here.
Anyone who would like to adopt a dog or become a foster family is asked to call the Frederick County Animal Shelter at 301-600-1546
Read the article here.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
PawsAbilities 13th Annual Event This March 14-15
Susquehanna Service Dogs Launches New PawsAbilities Website
PawsAbilities, Susquehanna Services Dogs' annual community event for dogs and dog lovers, has a new website, www.pawsabilities.net ! Completely redesigned, the website features all the information guests will need to have a tail-wagging good time. PawsAbilities takes place March 14-15 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA and benefits the Susquehanna Service Dogs, which breeds, raises and trains service dogs to help individuals lead more independent lives.
Harrisburg, PA (PRWEB) February 22, 2009 -- PawsAbilities, Susquehanna Service Dogs' annual celebration of canines and the way they enrich people's lives, now has its own website, www.pawsabilities.net. Completely redesigned, the website contains the information guests need to plan their weekend of fur and fun, including activities, volunteer opportunities, vendor and sponsor information, directions, lodging, tickets and the PawsBlog.
PawsAbilities 2009 will be held on March 14-15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA. Throughout the weekend, both two-legged and four-legged guests can compete in the Dog Olympics - a series of games based on the skills service dogs need to be successful partners - Agility Try-Outs, a costume contest and a parade. Dogs can try their paws at the extreme canine sport of dock jumping with the Keystone DockDogs or test their obedience in the APDT-sanctioned Rally Obedience trials.
Among the weekend's featured presenters will be animal trainer and author Bill Berloni. Berloni will be signing his latest book, Broadway Tails, and talking about his experiences training animals for theater, film and television. The animals he has trained have appeared in the Broadway productions of Annie and the recent movie Charlie Wilson's War, among many others. Joining Berloni will be Chico, the Chihuahua star from Broadway's Legally Blonde The Musical.
The Canine Marketplace features vendors with everything from homemade dog treats to information about humane societies. Information about becoming a vendor for PawsAbilities 2009 is available on www.pawsabilities.net.
There are still sponsorship opportunities available. All sponsors will receive recognition and benefits, which may include recognition on the new website, an ad in the event program, signage at the event, free admissions or exhibit and display space. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring PawsAbilities should visit www.pawsabilities.net.
Last year, over 4,000 people and 2,000 dogs attended PawsAbilities.
Now in its 13th year, PawsAbilities benefits the invaluable work of Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD). Accredited by Assistance Dogs International, SSD unites people and service dogs to enable individuals to live full, independent lives in their community. Currently, SSD has placed service dog teams in 23 counties in Pennsylvania.
For more information about Susquehanna Service Dogs, visit www.keystonehumanservices.org.
PawsAbilities, Susquehanna Services Dogs' annual community event for dogs and dog lovers, has a new website, www.pawsabilities.net ! Completely redesigned, the website features all the information guests will need to have a tail-wagging good time. PawsAbilities takes place March 14-15 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA and benefits the Susquehanna Service Dogs, which breeds, raises and trains service dogs to help individuals lead more independent lives.
Harrisburg, PA (PRWEB) February 22, 2009 -- PawsAbilities, Susquehanna Service Dogs' annual celebration of canines and the way they enrich people's lives, now has its own website, www.pawsabilities.net. Completely redesigned, the website contains the information guests need to plan their weekend of fur and fun, including activities, volunteer opportunities, vendor and sponsor information, directions, lodging, tickets and the PawsBlog.
PawsAbilities 2009 will be held on March 14-15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA. Throughout the weekend, both two-legged and four-legged guests can compete in the Dog Olympics - a series of games based on the skills service dogs need to be successful partners - Agility Try-Outs, a costume contest and a parade. Dogs can try their paws at the extreme canine sport of dock jumping with the Keystone DockDogs or test their obedience in the APDT-sanctioned Rally Obedience trials.
Among the weekend's featured presenters will be animal trainer and author Bill Berloni. Berloni will be signing his latest book, Broadway Tails, and talking about his experiences training animals for theater, film and television. The animals he has trained have appeared in the Broadway productions of Annie and the recent movie Charlie Wilson's War, among many others. Joining Berloni will be Chico, the Chihuahua star from Broadway's Legally Blonde The Musical.
The Canine Marketplace features vendors with everything from homemade dog treats to information about humane societies. Information about becoming a vendor for PawsAbilities 2009 is available on www.pawsabilities.net.
There are still sponsorship opportunities available. All sponsors will receive recognition and benefits, which may include recognition on the new website, an ad in the event program, signage at the event, free admissions or exhibit and display space. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring PawsAbilities should visit www.pawsabilities.net.
Last year, over 4,000 people and 2,000 dogs attended PawsAbilities.
Now in its 13th year, PawsAbilities benefits the invaluable work of Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD). Accredited by Assistance Dogs International, SSD unites people and service dogs to enable individuals to live full, independent lives in their community. Currently, SSD has placed service dog teams in 23 counties in Pennsylvania.
For more information about Susquehanna Service Dogs, visit www.keystonehumanservices.org.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Dog’s Owner That Didn’t Give Up
So just because you own a dog you think he won’t get sick, well there is a guy named Jeff Button who worked with his best friend named Rakker who is a K-9 dog while working the Bomb Squad. Jeff couldn't figure out why his buddy was always getting sick. So after my times to the Vet and after trying so many meds that just didn’t work, Jeff finally found a med that work from a friend.
Sometimes by word of mouth works best and Jeff was finally able to get his dog Rakker back to better health. We all know how we love our buddies and will do whatever it takes to help them, so Jeff quest didn’t stop there. Jeff went on to help his fellow friends out on what he had found and the next thing you know he left his job and started a business selling dog products that he knows are good and healthy for dogs that he even feeds to his buddy Rakker.
Sometimes we just need that little push to find our goal in life and to be able to pass on the experience that Jeff had gone though and to help other dog owners is even more a plus. As Jeff and his wife Joanna has said in their motto "Because your dog deserves to be healthy!" is what it’s all about.
So stop by and see all the healthy food that they have on their site and don’t forget to see Rakker's Blog here.
Sometimes by word of mouth works best and Jeff was finally able to get his dog Rakker back to better health. We all know how we love our buddies and will do whatever it takes to help them, so Jeff quest didn’t stop there. Jeff went on to help his fellow friends out on what he had found and the next thing you know he left his job and started a business selling dog products that he knows are good and healthy for dogs that he even feeds to his buddy Rakker.
Sometimes we just need that little push to find our goal in life and to be able to pass on the experience that Jeff had gone though and to help other dog owners is even more a plus. As Jeff and his wife Joanna has said in their motto "Because your dog deserves to be healthy!" is what it’s all about.
So stop by and see all the healthy food that they have on their site and don’t forget to see Rakker's Blog here.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Two Great Dog Recues
Photo by Pat Sullivan
First was the pit bull that had fallen down into a drainage pipe some sixteen feet down in water up to his neck. Thank fully a worker hear the dog barking and with the help of the Gulfport Firemen they were able to rescue the poor dog.
The dog owner was grateful to see her dog again after being missing for a few days.
Read the article here.
Next there was a dog who was so lucky that a bunch of loggers from Mayfield Township, Maine helped save the life of the wounded dog that had been shot in the head and neck.
Just to even think that the dog was able to survive in the woods for some time is unbelievable and for the guys who had help this dog get some medical help he now has a chance to live.
Read the article by Sharon Kiley Mack here.
So a Great bit of Thanks goes out to those who had help save a few of our buddies… Woof... Woof...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
BBC Puppy Trade Documentry
Dark Side Of The Puppy Trade Exposed By New BBC Documentary
The grim reality of unethical puppy trafficking will be exposed in BBC One's Rogue Traders
London (PRWEB) February 19, 2009 -- The grim reality of unethical puppy trafficking will be exposed in BBC One's Rogue Traders this Thursday, which goes undercover with RSPCA officers to reveal the shocking truth behind this lucrative market.
The broadcast comes as new Consumer Direct figures reveal the number of complaints related to animal and pet purchases have almost doubled in two years. In 2006 the Government watchdog received 2,793 complaints, but by 2008 this had soared to 4,6271.
The programme, on BBC One on Thursday 19 February at 8pm, comes after the launch of the RSPCA's puppy trafficking campaign, which aims to advise prospective buyers on what to look for when buying a puppy.
Mark Evans, the RSPCA's chief veterinary advisor, said: "Puppy trafficking is a despicable, profit driven business. The RSPCA wants the public to destroy the puppy trafficking business by only buying from responsible and caring breeders. We hope this episode of Rogue Traders will raise awareness of this unethical trade.
"If you're planning to buy a puppy, do your homework. Make sure you know what to look for and what questions to ask. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't, so walk away. Never let your heart rule your head, no matter how tempting."
As well as confronting those accused of selling sick animals, the BBC's Rogue Traders will give an insight into the heartbreak of those who have been caught out by the shocking trade.
Garry Green of Feltham, contacted the RSPCA when his golden cocker spaniel Alfie died of a lung condition just three weeks after he bought him from a pet shop and after more than £1,000 spent on vets bills. Garry will share his sad experience in the programme when he warns people of the tragic consequences of buying a sick dog.
For more information about the RSPCA's puppy trafficking campaign and to watch a short film on the subject, visit www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk.
Tips on buying a puppy are also available at www.rspca.org.uk/buyingapuppy.
RSPCA advice to consumers:
Always see a puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred, and pay attention to the mother's size, health, personality and reaction to the puppy - is it the real mother? Ideally see the father too. If you can't see them, be suspicious
Try to find out as much as possible about where the puppy has come from, and beware if the breeder is from outside the UK
If you are told the puppy has been vaccinated, check the vaccination cards carefully. Be wary if the vet's contact details are not visible, or have an address outside the UK
Pedigree certificates are never a guarantee for the condition of your puppy, and may not even mean you are buying a pure-bred dog
Never buy from someone who offers to deliver your puppy or arranges to meet you somewhere
As hard as it will be, never buy a puppy just because you feel sorry for it
If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't - use your common sense, and walk away
If you are concerned about how you were sold the puppy, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06
If you have welfare concerns about puppies you have seen, contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999
Always consider instead adopting a rescue dog from an animal welfare organisation.
Notes to editors:
1. Figures taken from the numbers of complaint cases on the Consumer Direct database related to animals and pet purchases. Information captured by Consumer Direct is provided as given by the consumer. No opinion on the truth or verification of the facts has been made by the Consumer Direct service.
The grim reality of unethical puppy trafficking will be exposed in BBC One's Rogue Traders
London (PRWEB) February 19, 2009 -- The grim reality of unethical puppy trafficking will be exposed in BBC One's Rogue Traders this Thursday, which goes undercover with RSPCA officers to reveal the shocking truth behind this lucrative market.
The broadcast comes as new Consumer Direct figures reveal the number of complaints related to animal and pet purchases have almost doubled in two years. In 2006 the Government watchdog received 2,793 complaints, but by 2008 this had soared to 4,6271.
The programme, on BBC One on Thursday 19 February at 8pm, comes after the launch of the RSPCA's puppy trafficking campaign, which aims to advise prospective buyers on what to look for when buying a puppy.
Mark Evans, the RSPCA's chief veterinary advisor, said: "Puppy trafficking is a despicable, profit driven business. The RSPCA wants the public to destroy the puppy trafficking business by only buying from responsible and caring breeders. We hope this episode of Rogue Traders will raise awareness of this unethical trade.
"If you're planning to buy a puppy, do your homework. Make sure you know what to look for and what questions to ask. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't, so walk away. Never let your heart rule your head, no matter how tempting."
As well as confronting those accused of selling sick animals, the BBC's Rogue Traders will give an insight into the heartbreak of those who have been caught out by the shocking trade.
Garry Green of Feltham, contacted the RSPCA when his golden cocker spaniel Alfie died of a lung condition just three weeks after he bought him from a pet shop and after more than £1,000 spent on vets bills. Garry will share his sad experience in the programme when he warns people of the tragic consequences of buying a sick dog.
For more information about the RSPCA's puppy trafficking campaign and to watch a short film on the subject, visit www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk.
Tips on buying a puppy are also available at www.rspca.org.uk/buyingapuppy.
RSPCA advice to consumers:
Always see a puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred, and pay attention to the mother's size, health, personality and reaction to the puppy - is it the real mother? Ideally see the father too. If you can't see them, be suspicious
Try to find out as much as possible about where the puppy has come from, and beware if the breeder is from outside the UK
If you are told the puppy has been vaccinated, check the vaccination cards carefully. Be wary if the vet's contact details are not visible, or have an address outside the UK
Pedigree certificates are never a guarantee for the condition of your puppy, and may not even mean you are buying a pure-bred dog
Never buy from someone who offers to deliver your puppy or arranges to meet you somewhere
As hard as it will be, never buy a puppy just because you feel sorry for it
If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't - use your common sense, and walk away
If you are concerned about how you were sold the puppy, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06
If you have welfare concerns about puppies you have seen, contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999
Always consider instead adopting a rescue dog from an animal welfare organisation.
Notes to editors:
1. Figures taken from the numbers of complaint cases on the Consumer Direct database related to animals and pet purchases. Information captured by Consumer Direct is provided as given by the consumer. No opinion on the truth or verification of the facts has been made by the Consumer Direct service.
HSUS Said The Dogs Must Die?
Coalition Urges HSUS to Revise Policy on Dogs Seized in Fighting Busts
The court-ordered destruction Monday of 145 dogs, including about 75 puppies, which were seized from a fighting dog breeding operation in December, was based on the faulty assumption that all dogs seized in dog-fighting related busts should arbitrarily be deemed dangerous and euthanized.
Wilkesboro, NC (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 19, 2009 -- The court-ordered destruction Monday of 145 dogs, including about 75 puppies, which were seized from a fighting dog breeding operation in December, was based on the faulty assumption that all dogs seized in dog-fighting related busts should arbitrarily be deemed dangerous and euthanized.
The decision to kill the dogs was supported by the largest animal welfare organization in the country, the Humane Society of the United States. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, representatives of HSUS testified in Wilkes County Superior Court that the dogs had to be destroyed because they had been 'bred for generations to be aggressive.' HSUS reasserted its outdated policy, written more than 20 years ago: 'Any dog who has been specifically bred or conditioned for fighting, or for which there is evidence that the dog has been used for fighting should not be placed for adoption by an animal shelter but humanely euthanized as soon as legally possible.'
A Best Friends Animals Society-led coalition offered resources to the county for evaluation, spay/neuter, and support in finding homes for qualified dogs. These animal welfare organizations, which have extensive experience with rescued fighting dogs, urged Wilkes County to accept their offer of support for an alternative approach, such as was used in the Michael Vick case. The coalition includes BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), Animal Farm Foundation, Villa Lobos Rescue Center, Downtown Dog Rescue, The Sula Foundation and Our Pack.
“We are disheartened and shocked that HSUS, a leader in the animal welfare community, would testify in court for the automatic destruction of puppies and dogs, who had not been given the opportunity to be evaluated as individuals, based on this policy. The Michael Vick dogs have proven how antiquated this approach is,” said Ledy VanKavage, an attorney with Best Friends Animal Society.
In 2006 HSUS advocated that all of the dogs from the Michael Vick dog fighting case be put down for the same reasons they used when recommending the killing of the Wilkes County pit bulls. In that case a federal court appointed a Special Master to oversee the evaluation of Vick’s dogs, all of which were adults. Many of the Vick dogs are now in adoptive homes, and at least two of the so-called “aggressive fighting dogs” are therapy dogs that visit hospitals to cheer up ailing patients.
“The coalition members and their supporters are urging HSUS to revaluate this policy and apply a more progressive approach that reflects the lessons learned by the animal welfare groups in the coalition, as well as other organizations that work directly with dogs,” VanKavage said.
COALITION CONTACTS:
Best Friends Animal Society http://www.bestfriends.org
Barbara Williamson (435) 689-0200 (cell) (or) barbara(at)bestfriends.org
John Polis (435) 644-2001, ext. 4858 or johnp(at)bestfriends.org
Animal Farm Foundation http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org
Stacey Coleman (845) 868-7559 (or) scoleman(at)animalfarmfoundation.org
BAD RAP http://www.badrap.org
Donna Reynolds (510) 441-6461 (or) donna(at)badrap.org
Downtown Dog Rescue http://www.downtowndogrescue.org
Lori Weise (213) 448-9961 (or) lori(at)modernica.net
Our Pack http://www.ourpack.org/
Marthina McClay (408) 460-4244 (or) marthina(at)ourpack.org
The Sula Foundation http://www.sulafoundation.org
Ken Foster (504) 613-7370 (or) kenfoster(at)gmail.com
Villa Lobos Rescue Center http://www.vrcpitbull.com/home.htm
Tia Maria Torres (661) 268-0555 (or) tiamaria(at)vrcpitbull.com
About Best Friends Animal Society:
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Best Friends Animal Society advances nationwide animal welfare initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in southwestern Utah is the nation's largest facility for abused, abandoned and special needs companion animals. On any given day the sanctuary is home to approximately 1,700 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The society publishes Best Friends magazine, the nation’s largest general interest, pet-related magazine with approximately 300,000 subscribers. For more information on Best Friends Animal Society, visit: http://www.bestfriends.org/
And I thought that the HSUS were suppose to stand up and help protect all of our buddies.
The court-ordered destruction Monday of 145 dogs, including about 75 puppies, which were seized from a fighting dog breeding operation in December, was based on the faulty assumption that all dogs seized in dog-fighting related busts should arbitrarily be deemed dangerous and euthanized.
Wilkesboro, NC (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 19, 2009 -- The court-ordered destruction Monday of 145 dogs, including about 75 puppies, which were seized from a fighting dog breeding operation in December, was based on the faulty assumption that all dogs seized in dog-fighting related busts should arbitrarily be deemed dangerous and euthanized.
The decision to kill the dogs was supported by the largest animal welfare organization in the country, the Humane Society of the United States. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, representatives of HSUS testified in Wilkes County Superior Court that the dogs had to be destroyed because they had been 'bred for generations to be aggressive.' HSUS reasserted its outdated policy, written more than 20 years ago: 'Any dog who has been specifically bred or conditioned for fighting, or for which there is evidence that the dog has been used for fighting should not be placed for adoption by an animal shelter but humanely euthanized as soon as legally possible.'
A Best Friends Animals Society-led coalition offered resources to the county for evaluation, spay/neuter, and support in finding homes for qualified dogs. These animal welfare organizations, which have extensive experience with rescued fighting dogs, urged Wilkes County to accept their offer of support for an alternative approach, such as was used in the Michael Vick case. The coalition includes BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), Animal Farm Foundation, Villa Lobos Rescue Center, Downtown Dog Rescue, The Sula Foundation and Our Pack.
“We are disheartened and shocked that HSUS, a leader in the animal welfare community, would testify in court for the automatic destruction of puppies and dogs, who had not been given the opportunity to be evaluated as individuals, based on this policy. The Michael Vick dogs have proven how antiquated this approach is,” said Ledy VanKavage, an attorney with Best Friends Animal Society.
In 2006 HSUS advocated that all of the dogs from the Michael Vick dog fighting case be put down for the same reasons they used when recommending the killing of the Wilkes County pit bulls. In that case a federal court appointed a Special Master to oversee the evaluation of Vick’s dogs, all of which were adults. Many of the Vick dogs are now in adoptive homes, and at least two of the so-called “aggressive fighting dogs” are therapy dogs that visit hospitals to cheer up ailing patients.
“The coalition members and their supporters are urging HSUS to revaluate this policy and apply a more progressive approach that reflects the lessons learned by the animal welfare groups in the coalition, as well as other organizations that work directly with dogs,” VanKavage said.
COALITION CONTACTS:
Best Friends Animal Society http://www.bestfriends.org
Barbara Williamson (435) 689-0200 (cell) (or) barbara(at)bestfriends.org
John Polis (435) 644-2001, ext. 4858 or johnp(at)bestfriends.org
Animal Farm Foundation http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org
Stacey Coleman (845) 868-7559 (or) scoleman(at)animalfarmfoundation.org
BAD RAP http://www.badrap.org
Donna Reynolds (510) 441-6461 (or) donna(at)badrap.org
Downtown Dog Rescue http://www.downtowndogrescue.org
Lori Weise (213) 448-9961 (or) lori(at)modernica.net
Our Pack http://www.ourpack.org/
Marthina McClay (408) 460-4244 (or) marthina(at)ourpack.org
The Sula Foundation http://www.sulafoundation.org
Ken Foster (504) 613-7370 (or) kenfoster(at)gmail.com
Villa Lobos Rescue Center http://www.vrcpitbull.com/home.htm
Tia Maria Torres (661) 268-0555 (or) tiamaria(at)vrcpitbull.com
About Best Friends Animal Society:
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Best Friends Animal Society advances nationwide animal welfare initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in southwestern Utah is the nation's largest facility for abused, abandoned and special needs companion animals. On any given day the sanctuary is home to approximately 1,700 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The society publishes Best Friends magazine, the nation’s largest general interest, pet-related magazine with approximately 300,000 subscribers. For more information on Best Friends Animal Society, visit: http://www.bestfriends.org/
And I thought that the HSUS were suppose to stand up and help protect all of our buddies.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Furry Friends Festival Is Holding A Benefit For The Dogs
There will be a fundraiser to help pay for the care of some 600 dogs that were part of the two puppy mills that were raided in Skagit County, Washington.
The event is called Furry Friends Festival that will be held in Everett, Washington to help raise money for the care of these poor dogs that were neglected in these two puppy mills.
There will be a whole lineup of Performers from Puppeteers to live music along with Auction to help support these perishes dogs that need all the love and care they can get.
Read the article by Eric Wilkinson here.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Did You Get Your $20 Veterinary Voucher
Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign Foots the Bill, So Pets Don't Pay the Price
Advantage(R) from Bayer Animal Health Distributes More than $250,000 Worth of Veterinary Vouchers to Get Pets Visiting Veterinarians
SHAWNEE, Kan., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health announced today the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign with a mission to distribute more than $250,000 in $20 Veterinary Vouchers and offer valuable money-saving information to help offset costs and concerns for pet owners nationwide. Regular veterinary visits and preventive care are essential to maintaining a pet's health, but during these challenging economic times, many pet owners are facing difficult choices about how to pay for and prioritize their pets' care and wellness.
In fact, a recent survey of veterinarians confirmed pet owners have scaled back on veterinary visits and preventive pet care in the past six months(2) -- and nearly one-half of pet owners revealed they are now more likely to wait until there are obvious, visible issues with their pets before seeking veterinary treatment, with most noting that costs and economic concerns were the reason for the delay.(1) More than 90 percent of veterinarians expressed concern about the future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline.(2)
From February 16 through February 28, 2009, the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage(R) from Bayer Animal Health is lending a hand by giving up to 13,000 pet owners the chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher. These veterinary clinic nationwide for preventive care services including: vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives and dental care. Each voucher helps offset close to 20 percent of the average cost of a veterinary visit for cats and dogs.(3)
"Cats and dogs age much faster than we do. For some breeds, they can go from adolescence to middle age in a few short years. Since their health issues can develop and progress faster, regular veterinary visits are critical for checking health status and any new health developments," said leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker. "Missed veterinary visits are missed opportunities to identify and address potentially serious health issues and complications as your pet ages. It's far easier and more economical to prevent a health problem than to treat one."
The Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health provides support to pet owners in two ways:
* At http://www.gettothevet.com from February 16 through February 28,
2009, dog and cat owners have a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary
Voucher good toward preventive veterinary care (vaccinations, wellness
exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives,
dental care, etc.). Vouchers are available on a first-come basis from
9:00AM to 9:00PM ET every hour on the hour with up to 1,000 vouchers
distributed each day. More than 80 vouchers distributed every hour. No
purchase necessary to obtain voucher. Voucher valid until May 31, 2009.
See official rules.
* At http://www.gettothevet.com, pet owners can find money-saving tips on
pet care from leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker.
"During these challenging economic times, we want to help consumers defray the cost of preventive care for their pets," said Joerg Ohle, President and General Manager of Bayer HealthCare, LLC, Animal Health Division. "At Bayer Animal Health, everything we do is to help protect, cure and care for pets. That mission is at the core of this new campaign."
Veterinarians and Pet Owners Weigh-In
Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health issued today "The State of Preventive Veterinary Care Report," a comprehensive compilation of third-party and original research from pet owners and veterinarians, that concluded veterinarians believe pet health care is a major area for concern -- with the potential for the problem to intensify without proper preventive care.
Insights from Advantage(R) from Bayer Animal Health:
* As many as 98 percent of veterinarians believe that preventive care is
one of the best ways to forgo added medical costs and treatments in the
long run for pet owners. (2)
* More than nine out of 10 veterinarians expressed concern about the
future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline,
with almost half of them expressing deep concerns. (2)
* More than 35 percent of pet owners admit they have already cut back on
veterinary services. Other areas where they indicated they are
seriously considering scaling back are grooming and teeth cleaning.(1)
* More than 20 percent of pet owners are seriously considering scaling
back on veterinary wellness visits, despite these pet-related costs
being one of the expenses they want to sacrifice the least. (1)
* Nearly half of the pet owners surveyed pointed to the cost of clinic
visits and exams as barriers to taking their pets to the veterinarian,
and 30 percent of pet owners admitted they have not taken their pet to
the veterinarian for routine and/or preventive care in the past six
months.(1)
* Nearly 50 percent of pet owners reveal they will now wait until there
are obvious, visible problems with their pets before visiting a
veterinarian, with almost 80 percent of them pointing to
economic/financial concerns as the reason for the delay.(1)
* Within the past year, 35 percent of pet owners have cut costs on
personal and lifestyle items (clothing, beauty products, home
accessories, etc.) to afford their pet's health care.(1)
"As animal health professionals and committed industry partners, we understand the vitally important role that veterinarians and preventive care play in keeping pets healthy," added Ohle. "We want to help pet owners to continue to work with veterinarians to ensure their pets' well-being."
To learn more about the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health and for a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher, visit http://www.gettothevet.com.
About Bayer Animal Health
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Bayer Healthcare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. With sales of EUR 956 million (2007) the Animal Health Division is one of the world's leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The division manufacturers and markets approximately 100 different veterinary drugs and care products for food supplying animals and companion animals (dogs, cats, horses).
Footnotes:
(1) Online survey of pet owners. Jan-Feb. 2009.
(2) Phone survey of U.S. veterinarians. Jan-Feb. 2009.
(3) American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. Pet Ownership &
Demographics Sourcebook, 2007 Edition, ISBN-10-1882691172, pg. 49
(C) 2009 Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 66201
Bayer, the Bayer Cross and Advantage are registered trademarks of Bayer.
Advantage(R) from Bayer Animal Health Distributes More than $250,000 Worth of Veterinary Vouchers to Get Pets Visiting Veterinarians
SHAWNEE, Kan., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health announced today the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign with a mission to distribute more than $250,000 in $20 Veterinary Vouchers and offer valuable money-saving information to help offset costs and concerns for pet owners nationwide. Regular veterinary visits and preventive care are essential to maintaining a pet's health, but during these challenging economic times, many pet owners are facing difficult choices about how to pay for and prioritize their pets' care and wellness.
In fact, a recent survey of veterinarians confirmed pet owners have scaled back on veterinary visits and preventive pet care in the past six months(2) -- and nearly one-half of pet owners revealed they are now more likely to wait until there are obvious, visible issues with their pets before seeking veterinary treatment, with most noting that costs and economic concerns were the reason for the delay.(1) More than 90 percent of veterinarians expressed concern about the future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline.(2)
From February 16 through February 28, 2009, the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage(R) from Bayer Animal Health is lending a hand by giving up to 13,000 pet owners the chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher. These veterinary clinic nationwide for preventive care services including: vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives and dental care. Each voucher helps offset close to 20 percent of the average cost of a veterinary visit for cats and dogs.(3)
"Cats and dogs age much faster than we do. For some breeds, they can go from adolescence to middle age in a few short years. Since their health issues can develop and progress faster, regular veterinary visits are critical for checking health status and any new health developments," said leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker. "Missed veterinary visits are missed opportunities to identify and address potentially serious health issues and complications as your pet ages. It's far easier and more economical to prevent a health problem than to treat one."
The Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health provides support to pet owners in two ways:
* At http://www.gettothevet.com from February 16 through February 28,
2009, dog and cat owners have a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary
Voucher good toward preventive veterinary care (vaccinations, wellness
exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives,
dental care, etc.). Vouchers are available on a first-come basis from
9:00AM to 9:00PM ET every hour on the hour with up to 1,000 vouchers
distributed each day. More than 80 vouchers distributed every hour. No
purchase necessary to obtain voucher. Voucher valid until May 31, 2009.
See official rules.
* At http://www.gettothevet.com, pet owners can find money-saving tips on
pet care from leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker.
"During these challenging economic times, we want to help consumers defray the cost of preventive care for their pets," said Joerg Ohle, President and General Manager of Bayer HealthCare, LLC, Animal Health Division. "At Bayer Animal Health, everything we do is to help protect, cure and care for pets. That mission is at the core of this new campaign."
Veterinarians and Pet Owners Weigh-In
Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health issued today "The State of Preventive Veterinary Care Report," a comprehensive compilation of third-party and original research from pet owners and veterinarians, that concluded veterinarians believe pet health care is a major area for concern -- with the potential for the problem to intensify without proper preventive care.
Insights from Advantage(R) from Bayer Animal Health:
* As many as 98 percent of veterinarians believe that preventive care is
one of the best ways to forgo added medical costs and treatments in the
long run for pet owners. (2)
* More than nine out of 10 veterinarians expressed concern about the
future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline,
with almost half of them expressing deep concerns. (2)
* More than 35 percent of pet owners admit they have already cut back on
veterinary services. Other areas where they indicated they are
seriously considering scaling back are grooming and teeth cleaning.(1)
* More than 20 percent of pet owners are seriously considering scaling
back on veterinary wellness visits, despite these pet-related costs
being one of the expenses they want to sacrifice the least. (1)
* Nearly half of the pet owners surveyed pointed to the cost of clinic
visits and exams as barriers to taking their pets to the veterinarian,
and 30 percent of pet owners admitted they have not taken their pet to
the veterinarian for routine and/or preventive care in the past six
months.(1)
* Nearly 50 percent of pet owners reveal they will now wait until there
are obvious, visible problems with their pets before visiting a
veterinarian, with almost 80 percent of them pointing to
economic/financial concerns as the reason for the delay.(1)
* Within the past year, 35 percent of pet owners have cut costs on
personal and lifestyle items (clothing, beauty products, home
accessories, etc.) to afford their pet's health care.(1)
"As animal health professionals and committed industry partners, we understand the vitally important role that veterinarians and preventive care play in keeping pets healthy," added Ohle. "We want to help pet owners to continue to work with veterinarians to ensure their pets' well-being."
To learn more about the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage(R) Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health and for a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher, visit http://www.gettothevet.com.
About Bayer Animal Health
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Bayer Healthcare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. With sales of EUR 956 million (2007) the Animal Health Division is one of the world's leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The division manufacturers and markets approximately 100 different veterinary drugs and care products for food supplying animals and companion animals (dogs, cats, horses).
Footnotes:
(1) Online survey of pet owners. Jan-Feb. 2009.
(2) Phone survey of U.S. veterinarians. Jan-Feb. 2009.
(3) American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. Pet Ownership &
Demographics Sourcebook, 2007 Edition, ISBN-10-1882691172, pg. 49
(C) 2009 Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 66201
Bayer, the Bayer Cross and Advantage are registered trademarks of Bayer.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
So Can A Dog Change Ones Life
I thought that I would share a story I read with you.
'Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!' My father yelled at me. 'Can't you do anything right?' Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
'I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.' My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.
What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess. The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.
Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived.
But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.
The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. In vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, 'I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.' I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons, too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. 'Can you tell me about him?' The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement.
'He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him, that was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow.' He gestured helplessly.
As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. 'You mean you're going to kill him?'
'Ma'am,' he said gently, 'that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog.'
I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision.. 'I'll take him,' I said.
I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch.
'Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!' I said excitedly.
Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. 'If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it' Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.
Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples.
'You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!' Dad ignored me. 'Did you hear me, Dad?' I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.
We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.
Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne . Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.
Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne 's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.
Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.
The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.'
'I've often thanked God for sending that angel,' he said.
For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article.
Cheyenne 's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter . .his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of their deaths And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.
Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard,
love truly and forgive quickly.
Live While You Are Alive.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares?
But do share this with someone. Lost time can never be found.
Don't sweat the small stuff, and remember, it's all small stuff.
Author unknown
'Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!' My father yelled at me. 'Can't you do anything right?' Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
'I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.' My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.
What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess. The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.
Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived.
But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.
The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. In vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, 'I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.' I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons, too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. 'Can you tell me about him?' The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement.
'He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him, that was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow.' He gestured helplessly.
As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. 'You mean you're going to kill him?'
'Ma'am,' he said gently, 'that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog.'
I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision.. 'I'll take him,' I said.
I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch.
'Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!' I said excitedly.
Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. 'If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it' Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.
Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples.
'You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!' Dad ignored me. 'Did you hear me, Dad?' I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.
We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.
Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne . Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.
Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne 's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.
Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.
The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.'
'I've often thanked God for sending that angel,' he said.
For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article.
Cheyenne 's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter . .his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of their deaths And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.
Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard,
love truly and forgive quickly.
Live While You Are Alive.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares?
But do share this with someone. Lost time can never be found.
Don't sweat the small stuff, and remember, it's all small stuff.
Author unknown
Saturday, February 14, 2009
So What’s Your Behavior Patterns As A Dog Owner
That what Sarah Wilson was wondering when she came up with a list of nine different types of patterns on being a dog owner. Sarah has broken down the list into three different categories that just might surprise you.
Read About Sarah's list here.
And don’t forget to watch: Why We Love Our Cats & Dogs this Sunday night Premier on PBS series called Nature by Ellen Goosenberg.
Read About Sarah's list here.
And don’t forget to watch: Why We Love Our Cats & Dogs this Sunday night Premier on PBS series called Nature by Ellen Goosenberg.
Friday, February 13, 2009
OK Now I Have Seen It All, A Dog Who Climbs Trees
A women named Gwen Lloyd from England has a little Jack Russell named Penny who loves to climb trees.
This dog is amazing when you watch him climb and dog a tree.
You have to see this video of Penny Here.
This dog is amazing when you watch him climb and dog a tree.
You have to see this video of Penny Here.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
FDA's Recall List For Pet Food Products Gets Longer
Peanut Containing Product Recall - Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak
Here are the Product Description Recalling Firm Packaging Size Lot Numbers Stock Numbers Product Code Label
2 Pack Hooves Peanut Butter Hooves @ Petsmart 063725542000
4" Rawhide Bone Peanut Rawhide @ Petsmart 063725542003
6" Beef Shank Peanut Butter Dog Bone @ Petsmart 063725542007
6" Rawhide Bone Peanut Butter Rawhide @ Petsmart 063725542005
2pk Hooves Peanut Butter Carolina Prime Pet Single Packages 081508 to 010909 063725542000
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/carolina1.jpg
4" Rawhide Bone Peanut Butter Carolina Prime Pet Single Packages 081508 to 010909 063725542003
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/carolina4.jpg
6" Beef Shank Peanut Butter Carolina Prime Pet Single Packages 081508 to 010909 063725542007
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/carolina5.jpg
6" Rawhide Bone Peanut Butter Carolina Prime Pet Single Packages 081508 to 010909 063725542005
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/carolina3.jpg
6' Healthy Hide Beef Shank Peanut Butter Carolina Prime Pet Single Packages 081508 to 010909 09109333479
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/carolina2.jpg
Extra Large Assorted Petsmart 8 lb. All 73725700779
Large Assorted Petsmart 8 lb. All 73725700638
Peanut Butter Petsmart 4 lb. All 73725700766
Small Assorted Petsmart 32 oz. All 73725702900
Small/Medium Assorted Petsmart 10 lb. All 73725702755
Small/Medium Assorted Petsmart 4 lb. All 73725700601
Small/Medium Assorted Petsmart 8 lb. All 73725700605
Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits (Sold at ACME, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, and Shaw's/Star Market) SUPERVALU 4 lb 41163-42403 http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/happytails01_09.html
Multi-flavored Dog Biscuits (Sold at ACME, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, and Shaw's/Star Market) SUPERVALU 26 oz 41163-42406 http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/happytails01_09.html
Peanut Butter Filled Shank Bone Salix 1-count 6-inch Between CP 20081508 and CP 20012209 0-91093-33479-0 http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/salixa.jpg
Peanut Butter-Filled Rawhide dog treats Salix 3-count of 5" A 08 208, A 08 212, A 08 232, A 08 234, A 08 263, A 08 264, A 08 268, A 08 275, A 08 276 or A 08 277 09109333354
Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits Sold at ACME and Shaw's/Star Market) SUPERVALU 4 lb 41130-30507 http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/happytails01_09.html
I thought that I would add a link for those who would like to see all the recalls for the Peanut containing products here.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
National Pet Day 2009 Is Just Around The Corner
National Pet Day 2009, Sponsored by Colleen Paige's Pet Home Magazine
The 1st Annual Dog & Butterfly Pet Home Fair in recognition of National Pet Day will descend upon Carmel, California. Pet themed Crafters, Artisans, Home Improvement, Home Decor, and Gardening product industry professionals will gather to help save homeless pets and celebrate their unconditional love.
Carmel, CA (PRWEB) February 11, 2009 -- Colleen Paige's Pet HOME Magazine, announced today that it will be presenting the 1st Annual Dog & Butterfly Pet Home Fair at the prestigious Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Carmel, California in celebration of National Pet Day.
National Pet Day was founded by Colleen Paige in 2005 to help end the overpopulation of unwanted pets in the U.S. and to celebrate the unconditional love that our pets give us every day of their lives. This event will present pet related wares, products and services from around the country including crafters, artisans and home related products and services that benefit healthy living with America's furry and feathered kids. Scrumptious food will be available from the exceptional chefs at Quail Lodge Resort, as well as soft drinks, ice cream, snacks and beer.
Fair features include the Springtime in PAWadise Doggie Costume Competition & Cover Model Search in which the 1st place costume winner will be featured on the cover of the summer issue of Colleen Paige's Pet HOME Magazine and for the kids, an Easter Egg Hunt following The Great American Bunny Show Off is sure to be a hit. Adoptable pets will be on hand from (AFRP) Animal Friends Rescue Project, the featured organization of this year's event, which rescues dogs and cats from shelters and places them in loving foster homes until a forever home can be found. More information about AFRP can be found at their website, Animal Friends Rescue Project
Colleen Paige's Pet HOME Magazine is a pet and home lifestyle publication founded by the animal behaviorist, author, designer and philanthropist to promote harmonious and healthy living with pets. A popular online publication since its inception in the summer of 2007 to present, originally geared toward Californians and their pets with a Martha Stewart-esque feel, Colleen Paige's Pet HOME magazine is excited about its recent growth, allowing it to expand from a regional to a national brand and also launch its first ever print publication at the Dog & Butterfly event in Carmel, California on April 11th.
The goal of the magazine is to promote harmony between pets and their people by educating pet lovers about behavior, nutrition, health care and home design, with the goal of entertaining but more importantly, being a companion to helping solve the everyday issues that cause pets to be abandoned in the first place. Pet HOME spans a gamut of topics such as ridding dog and cat fur on the sofa, quelling stinky litter boxes, dog and cat behavior problems, animal rescue, non-toxic pet friendly gardens and home interiors, home décor, pet art, pet products, accessories and fashion, gourmet cooking for you and your pet, helpful tips from the stable to the barn, the best products and services across the nation, pet safety and so much more - Colleen Paige's Pet Home, can be your home.
Vendor space and sponsor opportunities are still available until otherwise announced on the event website. Magazine subscriptions are available through the Pet HOME website at National Pet Day
For press inquiries, images or further information please contact
Events Manager, Kathleen Kelly at 877-957-7387
The 1st Annual Dog & Butterfly Pet Home Fair in recognition of National Pet Day will descend upon Carmel, California. Pet themed Crafters, Artisans, Home Improvement, Home Decor, and Gardening product industry professionals will gather to help save homeless pets and celebrate their unconditional love.
Carmel, CA (PRWEB) February 11, 2009 -- Colleen Paige's Pet HOME Magazine, announced today that it will be presenting the 1st Annual Dog & Butterfly Pet Home Fair at the prestigious Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Carmel, California in celebration of National Pet Day.
National Pet Day was founded by Colleen Paige in 2005 to help end the overpopulation of unwanted pets in the U.S. and to celebrate the unconditional love that our pets give us every day of their lives. This event will present pet related wares, products and services from around the country including crafters, artisans and home related products and services that benefit healthy living with America's furry and feathered kids. Scrumptious food will be available from the exceptional chefs at Quail Lodge Resort, as well as soft drinks, ice cream, snacks and beer.
Fair features include the Springtime in PAWadise Doggie Costume Competition & Cover Model Search in which the 1st place costume winner will be featured on the cover of the summer issue of Colleen Paige's Pet HOME Magazine and for the kids, an Easter Egg Hunt following The Great American Bunny Show Off is sure to be a hit. Adoptable pets will be on hand from (AFRP) Animal Friends Rescue Project, the featured organization of this year's event, which rescues dogs and cats from shelters and places them in loving foster homes until a forever home can be found. More information about AFRP can be found at their website, Animal Friends Rescue Project
Colleen Paige's Pet HOME Magazine is a pet and home lifestyle publication founded by the animal behaviorist, author, designer and philanthropist to promote harmonious and healthy living with pets. A popular online publication since its inception in the summer of 2007 to present, originally geared toward Californians and their pets with a Martha Stewart-esque feel, Colleen Paige's Pet HOME magazine is excited about its recent growth, allowing it to expand from a regional to a national brand and also launch its first ever print publication at the Dog & Butterfly event in Carmel, California on April 11th.
The goal of the magazine is to promote harmony between pets and their people by educating pet lovers about behavior, nutrition, health care and home design, with the goal of entertaining but more importantly, being a companion to helping solve the everyday issues that cause pets to be abandoned in the first place. Pet HOME spans a gamut of topics such as ridding dog and cat fur on the sofa, quelling stinky litter boxes, dog and cat behavior problems, animal rescue, non-toxic pet friendly gardens and home interiors, home décor, pet art, pet products, accessories and fashion, gourmet cooking for you and your pet, helpful tips from the stable to the barn, the best products and services across the nation, pet safety and so much more - Colleen Paige's Pet Home, can be your home.
Vendor space and sponsor opportunities are still available until otherwise announced on the event website. Magazine subscriptions are available through the Pet HOME website at National Pet Day
For press inquiries, images or further information please contact
Events Manager, Kathleen Kelly at 877-957-7387
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Survey Say's Your Dog Is Overweight
Pet Obesity Expands in U.S.
Nationwide study finds half of dogs and cats now overweight or obese, an increase from 2007. In the U.S., over 44% of dogs and 57% of cats are now estimated to be overweight or obese according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). The second annual National Pet Obesity Day Study conducted in October, 2008, found that from 2007 to 2008, the number of overweight dogs and cats increased by 1% and 4%, respectively.
Calabash, NC (PRWEB) February 10, 2009 -- In the U.S., over 44% of dogs and 57% of cats are now estimated to be overweight or obese according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). The second annual National Pet Obesity Day Study conducted in October, 2008, found that from 2007 to 2008, the number of overweight dogs and cats increased by 1% and 4%, respectively.
"Pet obesity continues to emerge as a leading cause of preventable disease and death in dogs and cats. Our pets are in real danger of not living as long as previous generations and developing serious and costly diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and other largely avoidable conditions," states lead researcher Dr. Ernie Ward.
Obesity rates in cats were highest at 17.8%; dogs were slightly better with 9.6% classified as obese. Approximately 39.6% of all cats and 34.7% of dogs were classified as overweight by a veterinary healthcare provider.
According to the study, 7.2 million dogs are estimated to be obese and 26 million overweight. The number in cats is higher, with 15.7 million estimated to be obese and 35 million overweight.
"These numbers, 33 million dogs and 51 million cats that are overweight, represent a huge problem for everyone. Excess weight causes or contributes to many painful and debilitating conditions. Just as we've become a nation of couch potatoes, our pets have become a nation of lap potatoes--and that's not good for anyone," replies Dr. Ward.
Older animals had a higher incidence of being overweight; 52.1% of dogs and 55% of cats over age seven were found to be overweight or obese.
"This is a particularly concerning discovery for veterinarians. Extra pounds in older pets amplify any pre-existing conditions and complicate treatment. We're seeing more and more diabetes, respiratory, and arthritic conditions in older pets as a direct result of obesity. These are often chronic, incurable, and generally preventable diseases. Pet owners need to understand that a few extra pounds on a dog or cat is similar to a person being 30 to 50 pounds overweight," says Dr. Ward.
Pet owners with heavy pets accurately reported their pet's weight status when asked by veterinary healthcare providers; 71.5% of owners with overweight or obese cats identified their cat as overweight or obese, and 60% of dog owners agreed with their veterinarian's assessment of their dog's weight.
"This tells me pet owners know their pet is too heavy. It's up to veterinarians to help pet lovers get their pet back to a healthy weight," responds Dr. Ward.
Smaller breeds of dogs had more trouble with their weight than larger breeds. Breeds such as Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Yorkshire terriers were more likely to be classified as overweight than Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers, or German shepherds.
"Smaller, indoor-only dogs tend to have more trouble maintaining a healthy weight because they don't get adequate exercise. Unfortunately, these are also the dogs we're seeing a high number of weight-related disorders in," says Ward.
The second National Pet Obesity Awareness Day study was conducted using data collected by 95 U.S. veterinary clinics in October, 2008. In all, 669 dogs aged 1 to 16 and 202 cats aged 1 to 19 were evaluated. Approximately 10% of dogs were classified as obese and 35% as overweight. Approximately 18% of all cats were rated as obese and 40% as overweight.
For additional information on the study, please contact Dr. Ernie Ward or visit www.PetObesityPrevention.com.
About the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP):
APOP was founded in 2005 by Dr. Ernie Ward to promote awareness of the dangers of pet obesity to veterinary healthcare providers and pet owners. APOP is not affiliated with any pet or veterinary company or corporation.
Contact
Dr. Ernie Ward, President Association for Pet Obesity Prevention
DrWard (at) SeasideVet (dot) com
910-579-5550
http://www.PetObesityPrevention.com
Monday, February 9, 2009
But Officer I Only Have 22 Dogs In My Car
Photo by SPCA
By the looks of the picture it looks a little stuff with twenty two dogs in a women’s car in Pottsboro, TX.
The dogs were taken to an animal shelter due to the circumstances of how the dogs were found. Apparently they were living in the car with their owner when the police found the dogs alone with only a pot of water and some blankets. The worst part was that the car had become overwhelmed with ammonia due to all the dog waste.
How sad is that to read about a women who seemed to love her dogs but was unable to properly take care of them. Hopefully they will be taken care of.
Read the article here.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Salmonella Outbreak Has Now Hit The Dogs
A Dog from Oregon has been tested positive for Salmonella from eating a peanut product dog biscuit that had been manufactured in Georgia called Happy Tails Multi Flavor Dog Biscuits.
So now we all have to take a look at all our dogs food to make sure that we are not feeding them any of these type biscuits. I wonder how many case are out there that wasn’t report by their owners.
Read the article here.
So now we all have to take a look at all our dogs food to make sure that we are not feeding them any of these type biscuits. I wonder how many case are out there that wasn’t report by their owners.
Read the article here.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
British Kids Caught Abusing Two Puppies
A group of kids in Britain were caught by a person who had seen them kicking one of the dogs and holding the other poor puppy over a fire.
The community is upset over the way the groups of kids have been treating the dogs in their community and how they are getting away with the abuse.
You would think that there would be some kinds of animal abuse laws in Britain, but there are no such laws to help protect our buddies. So maybe we all should try and to do something to help out our friends.
Read the article by Richard Dyke here.
The community is upset over the way the groups of kids have been treating the dogs in their community and how they are getting away with the abuse.
You would think that there would be some kinds of animal abuse laws in Britain, but there are no such laws to help protect our buddies. So maybe we all should try and to do something to help out our friends.
Read the article by Richard Dyke here.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Judge Sends Pop To Jail For Burying A Dog Alive
Judge Rick Knapp told the 75 year old Hyrum Long from Forest Grove, WA that his actions were barbaric and monstrous for what he did to the poor dog Molly.
The dog was thirteen years old and underfeed when the Police found her buried up to her neck back in October. Old Hyrum took the dog and hit her over the head with a hammer, ya how sick is that. You would think that Hyrum and his daughter, Susan Johnson would have gotten the poor animal some help, not try and kill the dog with a hammer.
Read the article by Valerie Hurst here.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Afghanistan Dogs Rescued With The Help From Dogpile.com
Dogpile.com Helps Soldiers Bring Rescued Puppies Home from Afghanistan
Puppies from Afghanistan enjoy their new home after being transported to the U.S. by Dogpile.com. (PRNewsFoto/InfoSpace, Inc.)
BELLEVUE, WA UNITED STATES
Search & Rescue Program Helps Provide Warm Welcome Home for Soldiers
BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dogpile.com assisted two American soldiers, Dan Barker and Adam Krause, with the expense and dangerous task of bringing home puppies they'd rescued in Afghanistan while stationed there. In anticipation of Dan and Adam's return to the United States, the puppies, Jack and Emma, were transported home to Dan's wife just in time for the holidays.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/infospace/36519
"We feel so fortunate to have played a hand in such an emotional and
memorable time for the soldiers, their families and the two puppies," said
Stacy Ybarra, director of corporate giving for Dogpile.com. "Helping
provide Jack and Emma safe and loving homes is what the Search & Rescue
program is all about and we look forward to continuing to help many more
animals in need by donating money through Dogpile searches."
In November 2008, Dogpile launched Search & Rescue, which allows anyone to help needy animals just by searching the Web on Dogpile.com. The company had no idea the message would reach American soldiers serving overseas. But Dan Barker heard it from Afghanistan. Dan, whose tour of duty was nearing its end, couldn't bear the thought of returning home without Jack, a malnourished, young stray he'd rescued and raised in his quarters. Adam Krause, a U.S. soldier serving with Dan, felt the same way about Emma, a struggling puppy he'd raised alongside Jack. The soldiers had bonded with the puppies and knew that, if left in Afghanistan, Jack and Emma wouldn't survive the war-torn streets. But bringing a puppy back from Afghanistan is expensive and dangerous. So when Dan read about Dogpile's Search & Rescue program, he reached out for help.
Once the Search & Rescue team heard Jack and Emma's story, they offered to sponsor and arrange the dogs' trips home.
"Jack has been such an important part of my husband's life these past few
months. He has helped my husband, along with the men on his team, escape
from the harsh reality they have been living in," said Dan's wife, Lisa
Barker. "The things these men have to see and deal with truly force them
to build a wall around their emotions. I believe Jack has been so
therapeutic to my husband, and helped him through some of the toughest
times. Jack and Daniel have formed a true companionship that I know will
continue to grow over the years. I promise you Jack will have the most
loving home and family a dog could ever ask for."
Visit http://rescue.dogpile.com/jack to meet the puppies who won the soldiers' hearts and follow each step of their journey home. Plus, check back for video footage of Jack and Dan's reunion and updates on how the dogs are doing in their new homes.
About Search & Rescue:
The Search & Rescue program was launched in November 2008 and allows anyone to help animals in need for free by doing what they already do -- search the Web. That's because a portion of revenue generated by searches conducted on Dogpile.com is donated to help animals in need. The downloadable Search & Rescue Toolbar makes it even easier to search right from your browser. With the help of its users, Dogpile hopes to raise at least one million dollars for pet rescue by the end of 2009. For more information about Search & Rescue, please visit http://rescue.dogpile.com/pets. To view a live counter tracking Search & Rescue revenue raised to date, please visit www.dogpile.com/rescue.
About Dogpile.com
Dogpile goes beyond search as usual by providing a fun and engaging place to discover all the Web has to offer. Because Dogpile compiles the top search results from all the leading search engines, searches on Dogpile return all the best results with just one search. Dogpile is a business of InfoSpace, Inc. (Nasdaq: INSP). For information about InfoSpace, please visit: www.infospaceinc.com.
About InfoSpace, Inc.
InfoSpace, Inc. is a leading developer of metasearch products to help people easily search and discover the Web. InfoSpace uses its proprietary metasearch technology that combines the top results from the leading search engines to power a portfolio of branded Web sites, including Dogpile (www.dogpile.com) and WebFetch (www.webfetch.com). In 2008, for the second consecutive year, Dogpile ranked highest in customer satisfaction among search engines, according to JD Power and Associates. More information can be found at www.infospaceinc.com.
Press Contact:
Marya Pongrace
InfoSpace
212.931.6142
mpongrace@peppercom.com
Sahana Jayaraman
InfoSpace
415.633.3216
sjayaraman@peppercom.com
Are You Paying Too Much For Dog Food
Consumer Reports: Pricey Pet Food Not Necessarily Better
Consumer Reports advises consumers about what to look for on pet-food labels; plus, fancy claims consumers can ignore
YONKERS, N.Y., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to buying pet food, higher cost doesn't always mean higher quality, according to the March issue of Consumer Reports. A higher price could indicate better ingredients and better quality control during and after manufacturing, but it could also just mean prettier packaging, more marketing, or a fancy name. And despite food safety concerns that resulted from a recall of pet food tainted with melamine in 2007, Consumer Reports urges caution for consumers who are considering making their own pet food, a growing trend.
The full report is available in the March 2009 issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Consumer Reports asked eight experts in dog and cat nutrition at seven top veterinary schools what consumers get by spending more for pet food. They were also asked what they served their own pets: Most of the experts said they use a variety of common brands sold at pet stores or supermarkets.
A recent survey by the Associated Press found that although Americans may be spending less on themselves, they're not scrimping on their pets. According to the survey, just one in seven pet owners said they had curtailed spending on their pet during the past year, even as they cut back on other expenses.
Thirty-seven percent of U.S. households have dogs, and 32 percent have cats. But because of multi-cat households, felines outnumber canines: As of 2007, there were almost 82 million cats and 72 million dogs.
The bottom line, says Consumer Reports: It's more important to look for the overall nutrient profile of a particular pet food brand than it is to shop by price or even individual ingredients. "As a pet owner, your main goal is to ensure that your animal is active and healthy," says Jamie Hirsh, associate health editor at Consumer Reports. "That suggests that the food you're buying is doing its job. But it's also important to know that you don't have to choose the most expensive food to get what's best for your pet. Look for food labeled 'complete and balanced,' which indicates it can be the pet's sole nourishment."
Hirsh advises pet owners to look for labels stating that the food's nutritional adequacy was validated by animal-feeding tests based on protocols from the American Association of Feed Control Officials, a regulatory group. That statement is a step above the other one that AAFCO allows -- that a food was formulated to meet the group's nutrient profiles. "In addition, make sure the package has contact information for the food's manufacturer, in case you have questions," Hirsh says.
Consumers should also take into consideration the age of their pet and whether he or she has special needs. For example, cats with kidney or urinary problems might benefit from the moisture in wet food, while animals with dental issues might do better with dry food.
What Pet-Food Labels Really Mean
For pet food, there's no official definition of organic, human-grade, premium, no fillers, or gourmet. Gluten-free foods are generally necessary only for the tiny percentages of pets that are intolerant of that protein. There's some evidence that antioxidants -- such as vitamin E -- and some omega-3 fatty acids might enhance pets' immunity or help protect against certain diseases, but the experts interviewed by Consumer Reports were split on whether consumers need to look for them.
Consumer Reports recommends that consumers educate themselves about pet food labeling, which is mostly defined by AAFCO, which sets standards for pet food manufacturing. Here are some examples:
The 95 percent rule (Beef for Dogs). Named ingredient(s) must account for a least 95 percent of the product by weight.
Dinner; also Entree, Formula, Nuggets, Platter, Recipe (Chicken and Salmon Dinner for Cats). The named ingredients must make up at least 25 percent of the product by weight, not counting water. Each individual food must make up at least 3 percent.
"With ..." (Gourmet Fillets with Turkey for Dogs). Contains 3 percent or more of the named ingredient.
Flavor (Beef flavor). No specific percentage required, but the product must contain enough of the food to impart the claimed flavor, or another substance that tastes like it (beef stock, for example).
Guaranteed analysis. Mandatory guarantee that the food contains the labeled percentages of crude protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.
Light, lite, low-calorie. Meets AAFCO limits for a reduced-calorie diet for overweight dogs and cats. "Lean" and "low-fat" have a similar meaning for fat.
Natural. Technically, the food has few or no synthetic ingredients. But the claim is loosely defined.
Grain-free. Protein in the product comes from nongrain sources (perhaps for people who want pets to eat more animal protein). It's unclear whether there's any benefit to a diet high in animal protein.
What Consumers Can Do
Consumer Reports offers the following advice to pet owners:
Be careful when making your own pet food. Most experts said they hadn't seen a pet get sick from inexpensive food; however, half said they had seen pets become ill from eating homemade pet food, a growing trend since the 2007 recall of some commercial pet food contaminated by melamine. Dogs and cats each require about 40 different nutrients in very specific proportions, so pet owners who insist on making their own pet food should consider enlisting a nutritionist certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (www.acvn.org) or get help from the Web sites www.balanceit.com or www.petdiets.com.
Consider your pet's age. Age-specific food is very important for puppies, kittens, and pregnant pets, who have especially stringent nutritional needs. Foods labeled either "for growth" or "for all life stages" meet those needs. Foods "for maintenance" are for healthy adult animals only. "Senior" is a marketing term, not a nutritional term.
Weigh the costs and benefits of wet versus dry food. There's no nutritional difference between wet and dry pet food, but there is a cost difference. Wet foods contain about 75 percent water, so pets need more to get the same calories, and that makes wet food more expensive per serving.
Consumer Reports advises consumers about what to look for on pet-food labels; plus, fancy claims consumers can ignore
YONKERS, N.Y., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to buying pet food, higher cost doesn't always mean higher quality, according to the March issue of Consumer Reports. A higher price could indicate better ingredients and better quality control during and after manufacturing, but it could also just mean prettier packaging, more marketing, or a fancy name. And despite food safety concerns that resulted from a recall of pet food tainted with melamine in 2007, Consumer Reports urges caution for consumers who are considering making their own pet food, a growing trend.
The full report is available in the March 2009 issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Consumer Reports asked eight experts in dog and cat nutrition at seven top veterinary schools what consumers get by spending more for pet food. They were also asked what they served their own pets: Most of the experts said they use a variety of common brands sold at pet stores or supermarkets.
A recent survey by the Associated Press found that although Americans may be spending less on themselves, they're not scrimping on their pets. According to the survey, just one in seven pet owners said they had curtailed spending on their pet during the past year, even as they cut back on other expenses.
Thirty-seven percent of U.S. households have dogs, and 32 percent have cats. But because of multi-cat households, felines outnumber canines: As of 2007, there were almost 82 million cats and 72 million dogs.
The bottom line, says Consumer Reports: It's more important to look for the overall nutrient profile of a particular pet food brand than it is to shop by price or even individual ingredients. "As a pet owner, your main goal is to ensure that your animal is active and healthy," says Jamie Hirsh, associate health editor at Consumer Reports. "That suggests that the food you're buying is doing its job. But it's also important to know that you don't have to choose the most expensive food to get what's best for your pet. Look for food labeled 'complete and balanced,' which indicates it can be the pet's sole nourishment."
Hirsh advises pet owners to look for labels stating that the food's nutritional adequacy was validated by animal-feeding tests based on protocols from the American Association of Feed Control Officials, a regulatory group. That statement is a step above the other one that AAFCO allows -- that a food was formulated to meet the group's nutrient profiles. "In addition, make sure the package has contact information for the food's manufacturer, in case you have questions," Hirsh says.
Consumers should also take into consideration the age of their pet and whether he or she has special needs. For example, cats with kidney or urinary problems might benefit from the moisture in wet food, while animals with dental issues might do better with dry food.
What Pet-Food Labels Really Mean
For pet food, there's no official definition of organic, human-grade, premium, no fillers, or gourmet. Gluten-free foods are generally necessary only for the tiny percentages of pets that are intolerant of that protein. There's some evidence that antioxidants -- such as vitamin E -- and some omega-3 fatty acids might enhance pets' immunity or help protect against certain diseases, but the experts interviewed by Consumer Reports were split on whether consumers need to look for them.
Consumer Reports recommends that consumers educate themselves about pet food labeling, which is mostly defined by AAFCO, which sets standards for pet food manufacturing. Here are some examples:
The 95 percent rule (Beef for Dogs). Named ingredient(s) must account for a least 95 percent of the product by weight.
Dinner; also Entree, Formula, Nuggets, Platter, Recipe (Chicken and Salmon Dinner for Cats). The named ingredients must make up at least 25 percent of the product by weight, not counting water. Each individual food must make up at least 3 percent.
"With ..." (Gourmet Fillets with Turkey for Dogs). Contains 3 percent or more of the named ingredient.
Flavor (Beef flavor). No specific percentage required, but the product must contain enough of the food to impart the claimed flavor, or another substance that tastes like it (beef stock, for example).
Guaranteed analysis. Mandatory guarantee that the food contains the labeled percentages of crude protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.
Light, lite, low-calorie. Meets AAFCO limits for a reduced-calorie diet for overweight dogs and cats. "Lean" and "low-fat" have a similar meaning for fat.
Natural. Technically, the food has few or no synthetic ingredients. But the claim is loosely defined.
Grain-free. Protein in the product comes from nongrain sources (perhaps for people who want pets to eat more animal protein). It's unclear whether there's any benefit to a diet high in animal protein.
What Consumers Can Do
Consumer Reports offers the following advice to pet owners:
Be careful when making your own pet food. Most experts said they hadn't seen a pet get sick from inexpensive food; however, half said they had seen pets become ill from eating homemade pet food, a growing trend since the 2007 recall of some commercial pet food contaminated by melamine. Dogs and cats each require about 40 different nutrients in very specific proportions, so pet owners who insist on making their own pet food should consider enlisting a nutritionist certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (www.acvn.org) or get help from the Web sites www.balanceit.com or www.petdiets.com.
Consider your pet's age. Age-specific food is very important for puppies, kittens, and pregnant pets, who have especially stringent nutritional needs. Foods labeled either "for growth" or "for all life stages" meet those needs. Foods "for maintenance" are for healthy adult animals only. "Senior" is a marketing term, not a nutritional term.
Weigh the costs and benefits of wet versus dry food. There's no nutritional difference between wet and dry pet food, but there is a cost difference. Wet foods contain about 75 percent water, so pets need more to get the same calories, and that makes wet food more expensive per serving.