If You Lost Your Dog, How Much Would You Spend

How about $10,000 to help find your dog, that is about the amount that Beth Edinge has spent on searching for her dog named Sassafras.

View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.

I personally don’t know what amount that I would spend on looking for one of my dogs, but I know that I would never give up.

Beth Edinger said: The house feels empty, you know in those first few days I could swear I heard her walking around.
It is a lot of money and I don’t know when we started this we comprehended that, but knowing that she’s alive at this point we can’t say we’re giving up now.
We’re hoping to catch her on camera coming back there, which would sort of give us an idea that that’s a regular thing for her. From there we can set up a trap, or as my husband says, we’ll just set up a tent and start living there until she comes back.

Now these are two dog owners who really love their dog.

Read the article by John Schriffen here.

Also if you look to the right of this page you will see a link for Help Find My Pet which is like an amber alert for pets if your dog ever goes missing.

Hey Dog Lovers: If Your In Knoxville, Tennessee See If You Can Make It To The K9 Cancer Walk

Pet Industry Innovator Sponsors K9 Cancer Walk in Knoxville

It's estimated that 50 percent of canines will develop cancer. In fact, cancer is the number one cause of death in dogs over the age of two. Having seen the effects cancer has had on the pet population on a local level, PetSafe – a leading innovator in pet behavior and lifestyle products – is sponsoring the first-ever Morris Animal Foundation K9 Cancer Walk in Knoxville.

All dog lovers and their dogs are invited to join the festivities on Sunday, September 18 at noon at the Cove at Concord Park. The event will benefit the Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign, an initiative to fund research to prevent, treat and, ultimately, cure cancer in dogs.

Participants are encouraged to walk to celebrate canine life or walk in memory of dogs that have lost their battle with cancer. Two walking paths will be provided: a short course for cancer survivors and dogs that are not very active and a longer path for more active families and their pets.

Registration is now open. Additional event details, including information about our virtual Sit & Stay option, can be found at www.K9CancerWalk.org. Those interested in volunteering for this event should email Events@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.

Companies interested in learning more about or promoting the event are invited to attend a breakfast hosted at PetSafe's headquarters, 10427 PetSafe Way, on July 7th at 8 a.m. Contact Laurie Macnair at lmacnair@petsafe.net to reserve your spot.

About PetSafe®

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, PetSafe® leads the industry in the development of innovative pet behavior, containment, lifestyle product solutions and services. Visit: www.petsafe.net.

SOURCE PetSafe

You Can Help Best Friends Animal Society Though Donations From John Paul Pet's

John Paul Pet™ Launch of Awapoochi Line to Benefit Best Friends Mission to End Pet Homelessness

It's summertime—that adventurous time of year when dogs and their people are hitting the trail. So, at the end of a hot busy day of romping through the great outdoors, what could be better than a relaxing canine bubble bath with a luxurious new shampoo from the innovators at John Paul Pet?

Even better, during the month of July, national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society® will have exclusive pre-launch rights to sell John Paul Pet's Awapoochi shampoo in the online Best Friends Store as well as at the Society's sanctuary gift shop located in Kanab, Utah. For every bottle sold between July 1 and July 31, John Paul Pet will donate $1 to Best Friends.

John Paul Pet products were created by John Paul DeJoria, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Paul Mitchell and are specially formulated to meet the needs of our four-legged friends. DeJoria adds, "We are very excited about our relationship and partnership with Best Friends Animal Society. At John Paul Pet, we appreciate the kind work they do for the animals and support their philosophy and culture. We share the goal of making animals better off in the world. Peace, love and happiness."

"Best Friends Animal Society is so appreciative of the generosity of John Paul Pet, which will help us fund our work with local rescue groups and shelters to reach our goal of No More Homeless Pets," said Gregory Castle, chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society.

John Capra, John Paul Pet Co-Founder, also noted, "John Paul Pet is excited to share the opportunity of this exclusive pre-launch of our Awapoochi line with Best Friends Animal Society in order to support the Best Friends commitment of 'a better world through kindness to animals.' Along with our partners Paul Mitchell and Paul Mitchell Schools, John Paul Pet promotes the 'Behind the Bottle' culture of bringing people, passion and programs together in an effort to create a better world."

And, Awapoochi is not just for dogs, felines also will fancy these products made with the Awapuhi plant, legendary for its moisturizing benefits.

www.johnpaulpet.com

Which One Of These 10 Finalist Rescue Stories Will Win

PURINA® PRO PLAN® RALLY TO RESCUE® STORIES CONTEST HONORS REMARKABLE PETS WITH EXTRAORDINARY TALES OF SURVIVAL
Winner of Nationwide Contest to Be Featured in Official National Dog Show Program and Receive VIP Treatment



The resilience of a rescue pet and the bond that quickly forms with its new owner is truly remarkable. This year, the Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest celebrates these extraordinary pet rescue stories with a nationwide competition honoring these rescue pets and the organizations that helped give them a new life. Pet lovers can participate in the nationwide contest by voting on 10 finalist stories to help choose the winner, who will be featured in the official program at the 10th Annual National Dog Show, presented by Purina®.

The winning rescue organization, pet and owner will win a trip to Philadelphia and be honored live in the main ring prior to the start of the National Dog Show presented by Purina®, which airs on NBC on Thanksgiving Day. In addition, the winner will receive VIP treatment at the National Dog Show including a backstage tour, exclusive tickets and seating, and the opportunity to have a meet-and-greet with David Frei, expert analyst for the show and nationally renowned dog expert. The winning pet rescue organization also will be rewarded with $5,000 in Purina® Pro Plan® brand pet food coupons to help support their continued care for animals in need.

“These extraordinary dogs and cats serve as inspiration to all of us about the sheer power and determination for survival among rescue pets,” said Robert Tochterman, senior brand manager for Purina® Pro Plan®. “We’re proud to recognize these amazing animals and the dedicated rescue organizations that care for them.”

The nationwide contest raises awareness about pet adoption and promotes the incredible but often untold stories of pet rescue. The Pro Plan Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest honors rescue pets that have overcome tremendous odds thanks to the constant support and dedication of small pet rescue organizations.

Through Oct. 3rd, pet lovers across the country can visit www.facebook.com/rallytorescue to view the 10 finalist pet rescue stories and vote for their favorite. More than 63 stories were submitted and a judging panel selected the 10 most inspiring success stories as finalists. The contest winner will be determined by a combination of a popular vote and judges’ scores.


Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest Finalists

Pets honored as the 10 finalists in the Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® Stories Contest include:



Tucker, submitted by Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, Inc. (Deerfield Beach, FL)
Named after the truck that once abandoned him, a black lab who showed his ongoing hope through a tail wag now lives with happiness in his forever home.


BB King, submitted by Billerica Cat Care Coalition (North Billerica, MA)
A friendly black cat appeared at a feeding station in need of a meal and serious medical attention. In the end, he lost his tail, but found care and the forever home he always deserved.


Alex, submitted by Sheltie Shack Rescue of Kansas, Inc. (Blue Rapids, KS)
Forced from a breeding facility to an animal shelter, a fearful Sheltie soon found hope in a few kind hearts who knew he was worthy of a second chance.


Rudy, submitted by A New Leash on Life Rescue (North Olmsted, OH)
After being saved from a horrific hoarding situation, a rescued Shepherd mix learned to move on from his past and spread joy through the love of therapy work.


Pepper, submitted by Sheryls Den Animal Rescue (West Milford, NJ)
One fateful snowy day, a selfless woman on her way home from rescuing 15 dogs in a shelter unexpectedly crossed paths with one more who couldn’t be left behind.


Arrow, submitted by Azalea City Cat Coalition (Mobile, AL)
After spotting a desperate cat – sick, with an arrow hanging from his chest – a devoted team of volunteers worked diligently to give him the life he deserved.


Julie, submitted by Adopt A Spot Dalmatian Rescue, Inc. (Chesapeake, VA)
When a sick Dalmatian underwent surgery to heal his condition, the outlook wasn’t good. But the strong, vibrant puppy continued to show the world he had more life than ever expected.


Titan, submitted by Texas Husky Rescue, Inc. (Carrollton, TX)
When a puppy with a severe cleft palate was given little chance of survival, faith, perseverance and a public outpouring not only gave him a chance to thrive, but life in a forever home.


Milly, submitted by Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue, Inc. (Grand Haven, MI)
Found on a cold winter night with his eyes swollen shut and a severe skin condition, a brave Weimaraner goes through many caring hands on his continued path towards finding a forever home.


Bodie, submitted by Almost Home Animal Rescue of Rutherford County (Murfreesboro, TN)
Originally said to be “unadoptable,” a frightened dog with multiple health conditions soon proved he was not only ready to live his life, but to be a continuous inspiration to those around him.

About Rally to Rescue®

Smaller pet rescue organizations help place nearly half a million dogs and cats in homes each year and represent nearly 45 percent of all pet adoption agencies. However, they are often overlooked by potential donors due to more limited fundraising and marketing resources.

The Rally to Rescue® Tour is part of a larger campaign known as Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue®. The campaign is committed to raising funds and awareness for pet rescue organizations nationwide via local adoption events. In addition to helping pet rescue organizations find loving, forever homes for more than 400,000 pets since 2005, Pro Plan® has provided more than $1 million in support of the Rally to Rescue® program during the past two years.

To learn more about the Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® campaign or find out where the Rally to Rescue® Tour will be traveling, visit www.facebook.com/rallytorescue.
About Nestlé Purina

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., the world's largest food company. Rally to Rescue is not a 501(c)(3) organization.

Another Cat Food Recall, This Time Nestlé Purina

Nestlé Purina Recalls Limited Number of Dry Cat Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk
(Shipped Only to Colorado, Idaho and Oregon)

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company (NPPC) is voluntarily recalling approximately 870 bags of dry cat food shipped to Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. This is being done as a precautionary measure, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Only the following products with both the "Best By" date and production codes shown are included in this voluntary recall:


Product Name
Bag Size
"Best By" Date & Production Code*
Bag UPC Code



Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Foot
6.3 lb.
AUG 2012 10331083 13
17800 11320



Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food
3.15 lb.
AUG 2012 10381083 06
50000 08450



Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food
16 lb.
AUG 2012 10381083 06
50000 57578




*"Best By" Date and Production Code is found on the back or bottom of the bag.

The bags of dry cat food in this recall were distributed in error in February, 2011 to a small number of customers in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon, which may have further distributed the product to other Western states. There have been no consumer complaints and no reports of illness.

No additional Purina cat or dog products are involved. Only products which match the "Best By" date and production codes above are involved.

Consumers who have purchased any of these dry cat food products with these "Best By" Dates and Production Codes should discard it.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated products. People handling contaminated dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may exhibit decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

At Nestlé Purina PetCare, the safety and efficacy of our products are our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience due to this voluntary recall. For further information or to obtain a product refund, please call NPPC toll-free at 1-800-982-6559 weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, or visit www.purina.com.

Dead Dogs And Killing Dog In The News Today

Back in July 2010 a wolf hybrid that was owned by Earl Dwayne Adkins had killed Debralynn Holland’s five year old son. Now Earl is being charged with one count of dangerous animal causing death and Debralynn is being charged with manslaughter.

It’s bad enough to lose your child this way and now be charged with these charges that the Wayne County Prosecutor has made due to neglect for not caging the dog at night seems a little hard but maybe not.

Read the article here.


A Michigan State student named Andrew David Thompson is facings ten felony counts of animal killing and one count of animal cruelty for killing ten Italian Greyhound dogs.

The article doesn’t state how the dogs died, but why would you kill your dogs.

Read the article by Kevin Grasha here.


Ok I’m a police officer who has two police dogs with me to protect the people. But I forgot that I left my two dogs in the car to die while I went into the office.

That kind of says it for the officer or officers from the Metropolitan Police who left their German shepherd and Belgian Malanois in the car with the windows shut.

It’s a shame when you are honored to have a dog by your side when you’re out there protecting the people in your community and you forget about your partner. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t want to work with this guy on the job. I also feel sad for the two dogs because of neglect.

Read the article here.

Sick Dog Tries To Sexually Assault His Dog

Photo by wjhg


This is one sick article when I read about this wacko named Eugene Hickman who is charged with sexually abusing his dog not once but on other occasions too according to his family.

The Walton County Sheriff's have charged Hickman with animal cruelty for what he has done to this dog. I think that there should be a new law for people that do these disgusting things to animals like this, maybe it should be called rape. And treat them like a rapist and not some low level felony that will just get a slap on their hand by a judge.

Read the article here.

Staring The New Worlds Ugliest Dog Yoda

1.8 Pound Mutt Claims the 2011 World's Ugliest Dog (R) Title at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma Tonight
Acclaimed contest has a new winner in a 1.8 pound mutt named Yoda. Yoda claims prize from a field of 29. Owner claims she first thought he was a rat, before learning otherwise and making him a family pet.

1.8 Pound Mutt Claims World’s Ugliest Dog ® Title for 2011 at The Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma

A 1.8 pound mutt from California took the 23rd annual World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma tonight, taking the title from a field of 29 contestants of questionable beauty. The packed crowd settled on Yoda in the mutt round and she quickly sailed past the Ring of Champions to win.

Her owner, Terry Devine Schumacher, is from Hanford, California, and said the dog was found by her daughter in a field when she was two, “I told her to put it down because I thought it was a rat.” However they soon learned otherwise and the dog has been in the family now for 14 years.

Her irregular features, scruffy fur, especially between her toes and tiny stance made her a crowd favorite. Favorites coming into the contest were Icky, Cuda, Handsome Hector, Ratdog.

The Sonoma-Marin Fair allowed the audience a vote this year via text (ala American Idol) and Yoda quickly skyrocketed to the top of the text voting. The judges concurred and a new winner was named.

Yoda wins a trophy 15 times her size and $1,000 as this year’s winner. She also receives a photo shoot with Kira Stackhouse of Nuena Photography and a pampered overnight stay in the luxurious Loft Suite at the Sheraton Sonoma County. In addition, most dogs enjoy fame as the World’s Ugliest Dog ®, hitting the talk show circuit and become a star at local dog events.

The Sonoma-Marin Fair recently trademarked the name World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest which has received worldwide acclaim. In 2009, the announcement of the winner was named the top third story in the world following a speech by President Obama and Michael Jackson’s death.

Are You A Diabetic And Own A Dog

Dog Consumed Part Of A Sleeping Patient's Toe: Case Study To Highlight The Danger Of Pets In The Presence Of Open Wounds

In a case study that illustrates the need for people with diabetes to be cautious of foot injuries and to protect themselves from pets, a woman with numbness in her feet caused by diabetic neuropathy slept through a traumatic episode in which her Jack Russell terrier chewed off part of her slightly infected big toe, according to an article published in this month's issue of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The patient's wound required surgery, and it ultimately led to the amputation of her leg, leaving her a double amputee.

The case study, co-authored by Valley Presbyterian Hospital specialist Lee C. Rogers, D.P.M., is only the second of its kind to be published in the medical literature, although more cases like it have been reported in the media. This case highlights the need for diabetic patients with neuropathy to avoid having their feet or wounds exposed when sleeping with their pets.

"Pets have a tendency to lick wounds, and that simple lick can turn into a bite, if there is no response from the owner. There have also been reports of dogs' saliva infecting diabetic patients with the antibiotic-resistant Superbug, MRSA, which can be deadly," Dr. Rogers said. "This case illustrates the perils of pet ownership in diabetic patients who have numbness in their hands or feet caused by neuropathy."

The Centers for Disease Control estimate diabetes affects 25.8 million Americans - or 8.3 percent of the population - and report that it is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations. In this case, the 48-year-old woman didn't feel any pain and only realized part of her toe was missing when she awakened in the morning and found blood in her bed and on the floor.

She was sleeping with her 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier and realized it must have chewed off part of the toe during the night because the dog had blood in its facial fur. Doctors amputated part of her toe and, later, the lower portion of her leg because she developed other infections and neuropathic ulcerations, skin lesions that are common in diabetics who suffer from numbness.

"People with diabetes and neuropathy must take special precautions to protect their feet from infections to avoid amputations and other complications," said Dr. Rogers.

Dr. Rogers is the associate director of Valley Presbyterian Hospital's Amputation Prevention Center, an integrated limb-preservation center that is one of the nation's only facilities of its kind. Since its January 2010 opening, the Amputation Prevention Center's specialized multidisciplinary team of highly skilled professionals has treated more than 350 patients with leading-edge technology and achieved a limb salvage rate of 96 percent.

"With its exemplary record of success, the Amputation Prevention Center is truly a community asset and an extraordinary benefit to patients in danger of losing a limb," said Gustavo Valdespino, President and CEO of Valley Presbyterian Hospital. "The Center is leading the way in patient care and treatment with its cutting-edge technology and innovative team approach pairing podiatrists with vascular surgeons."

George Andros, M.D., the Center's Medical Director, notes the center recorded an average wound-healing rate of 52 days - less than half the national average of 120 days, in its first year.

"At Valley Presbyterian Hospital, we are proud to be part of this pioneering effort to employ new technology to bring expertise to patients wherever they may be," he said. "The Amputation Prevention Center is on the leading edge of advancing the pace of medicine and improving the care of patients."

Source:
Norma O'Flaherty
Valley Presbyterian Hospital

OK We Needed A Little Laugh For The Day

So as the video says: Which dog is guilty

Why Do People Let Their Dogs Starve To Death

There are two different animal abusers who did just that to their poor dogs.

An unnamed animal abuser from Kanawha County, Ohio had left his two pit bulls to die in a cage even after a neighbor offered to take them.

Photo by wchstv


A neighbor named The Rev. Robert Hairston said: I could just hear them barking and barking. And evidently, they just up and left because I haven't seen them for a couple of weeks.

How could you just get up and leave your pets like this. The video on the link page is real graphic.

Read the article by Kristin Keeling here.


Then you have this guy named Vernon Hollingsworth from Springfield,LA who didn’t feed his two dogs for weeks. And one of the dogs was only able to walk a few steps before it went down and had to be killed.

Photo by LPSO




Now this animal abuser is in jail and he is being charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and simple cruelty to animals. Hopefully he will be sentenced behind bars for a while to see how it feels for what he did to these poor dogs.

Read the article by Mike Oliver here.



On A Real Sad Note: I would like to offer our Prayers to little Taylor Mae Stinchcomb and Her Family as little Taylor had died along with her dog as she tried to save her dog from being put to sleep.

There are no words that can be said except that the love for her dog will live on forever in many hearts.

A Special Dog Named Naki”o Gets To Walk Again With 4 Prosthetic Paws

Just looking at this video it is an amazing to see the development that medical science has done over the years. This dog named Naki’o had lost all his paws due to getting frostbite when he was abandoned in the winter cold in Nebraska.



Thanks to the Veterinary technician named Christie Tomlinson who took the little dog in and was trying to get money to through a fundraiser to help pay for two prosthetic paws when the founder of OrthoPets Martin Kaufmann offered to pay for the other two prosthetic paws.

It people like these two who have a real heart and didn’t give up on this poor dog to give him another chance to enjoy life.

Read the article by Alyssa Newcomb here.

Does Thunder Or Fireworks Give Your Dog Anxiety

Thundershirt Study Reveals Prevalence of Anxiety Among Dogs; Storms, Fireworks Factors

Surveys of U.S. Dog Owners and Thundershirt Customers Show 23 Million Dogs, 18 Million Households Could Be Affected

Dog Owners Spending More than $1 Billion Per Year Addressing Anxiety and Fear Issues

Summer storm season and celebratory fireworks are found to be a few of the main triggers that may cause Fido's odd behavior. To help diagnose this condition, Thundershirt™, a leading manufacturer of anxiety-reducing dog products, announces results from its first study, "The Thundershirt Dog Anxiety Survey" focused on the different types and pervasiveness of dog anxieties. While widely believed that anxiety and fear issues are very common for dogs, there has been very little research to determine just how common it is and what solutions are being used by dog owners. Conducted by an independent third party, GMI Inc., a Washington-based online panel company, Thundershirt commissioned two surveys, one focused on U.S. dog owners and one examining its own customer base.

There were nearly 1,960 dogs owned in the 1,201 households that were included in the survey of the general dog owner population – an average of 1.6 dogs per household.
According to the owners surveyed, 41 percent had at least one dog that currently has or had an anxiety issue. It was also reported that of the dog population surveyed, 577 (29.4 percent) suffered from some form of anxiety or fear issue.
By applying its study to U.S. population estimates from the 2010 National Pet Owners survey, Thundershirt's results suggest that nearly 23 million dogs currently suffer or have suffered from some sort of anxiety.
Statistical inference from Thundershirt's sample also implies that dog anxiety issues have impacted 18.6 million U.S. households.


Despite the pervasiveness of anxiety amongst dogs, the survey results suggest that less than half of the survey respondents (46 percent) take action to address the issue.

Seventy-one percent of respondents did not feel that it was necessary; 29 percent did not feel like there was a viable solution; 13 percent felt that solutions were too expensive.
For those that did address their dog's anxiety, survey results indicate more traditional solutions tend to be the most popular, including medications, training and simply avoiding the circumstances that create the anxieties.
The evidence also suggests that dog owners spend, on average, more than $1 billion per year addressing anxiety and fear problems, with more than $240 million attributable to property damage alone. For example, many dogs experiencing anxiety destroy furniture, walls and doors with clawing, digging or chewing.


The Thundershirt product, designed to provide a dramatic calming effect for most dogs, was found to be the most effective solution provided for dog anxiety as determined by the Thundershirt customer-based survey of nearly 2,000 dogs.

Thundershirt was identified as having the highest success rate of all solutions tried for various anxiety types with nearly 82 percent seeing improvement in symptoms.
Other solutions noted include environmental management, which had 77 percent success rate and drugs at 76 percent.


"We've worked with tens of thousands of dogs over the past two years, so we knew that anxiety problems in dogs are very common...but we were incredibly surprised by the results of this data," said Phil Blizzard, founder of Thundershirt. "As our surveys show, millions of dogs are suffering from, and not being adequately treated for, fear of thunder, separation and travel anxiety and a whole host of other anxiety and fear issues. It is our hope that by highlighting the prevalence of these issues, we're able to alleviate anxiety for more dogs and their owners in the future."

Other key highlights from the Thundershirt surveys include:

Two of the most prominent forms of anxiety among dogs were noise (most notably thunderstorms and fireworks) and separation anxiety, with the number of dogs suffering from these anxiety triggers at 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
Loud noises such as thunderstorms (86 percent) and fireworks (74 percent) were the most often cited form of noise anxiety among respondents.
The most common symptoms for noise anxiety are shaking, trembling and cowering (82 percent), hiding (74 percent) and restlessness (69 percent).


For more information regarding the Thundershirt survey results or to interview an executive from Thundershirt, please contact Frances Fawcett at Frances.fawcett@fleishman.com or 919-457-0750.

About Thundershirt™

Founded in 2009 in Durham, N.C., Thundershirt's mission is to bring relief to the millions of dogs and dog owners struggling to cope with dog anxieties. In its first two years, Thundershirt has helped tens of thousands of dogs across the country and around the world. The company also donates thousands of Thundershirts and funding to rescue groups and shelters to help these organizations manage their dogs' anxieties and find permanent homes. Thundershirts are sold online at www.thundershirt.com and by retail stores, veterinarians, trainers and kennels across the country.

SOURCE Thundershirt

You What, Left Your Dog In A Car For 3 Hours

Over and over you hear it everywhere, don’t leave your pet in the car when it’s hot. Well this animal abuser named Chang Qui had left her one year old Golden Retriever in the car while she went shopping at the Ontario Mills Mall in California for three hours.


The poor dog had to be killed because it was suffering from heat stroke. Dam this upsets me to read about this, what was this dumb kid thinking. Oh I forgot she needed to shop.

Read the article by Leticia Juarez here.


Please...Please...If your reading this,please don't leave your pet in the car.

A So Called Dog Breeder Leaves Her Kids Home With Dead Dogs

Can you even imagine what these poor kids must have gone though when their mother Tiffany Wilkerson-Hood just left her four kids with two dead dogs and thirty seven other dogs fending for themselves in her house.

Tiffany Wilkerson-Hood will be headed to court to in July to face four counts of aggravated cruelty and four counts of being a companion animal hoarder who neglected her dogs. She also faces four counts of contributing to the dependency and neglect of her children and four counts of endangering the life or health of a child.

Detective Janette Carlton said: As soon as police officers and animal control officers entered the home they noted the stench and foul odor of animal feces and urine, and the general filth of the home was nearly unbearable. The first floor of the house was soaked with urine, covered with feces and approximately one inch of standing water.

My heart goes out to these poor kids and the dogs for what Tiffany Wilkerson-Hood did to them. Hopefully she will never have another animal and her kids will be taken away from this sick person.

Read the article by Tony Reid here.

3 Types Of Extreme Animal Cruelty To Their Pets

An animal abuser named David Roman from the Buffalo, NY area has been charged with animal cruelty for beating his dog after posting a video showing what he did to the poor dog on YouTube.

The SPCA's public relations director Gina Browning said: It's a brutal beating, and the dog is clearly in pain, It’s very difficult to watch. As long as I've worked here, I put off watching it til today, and I still couldn't watch the whole thing. The dog doesn't have any broken bones, we don't know if there is any brain damage, she’s walking and wagging her tail. She's just a sweetheart.

How can anybody do something like this to their dog is beyond me. I hope that the dog will get a new home and that this animal abuser gets what’s coming to him.

Read the article by Gene Warner here.


A drunken health care administrator named Stewart Gibbs from Chicago has been charged with felony cruelty to an animal when the police found his dog covered in blood as Gibbs was trying to perform surgery on his dog.

Hopefully the Doberman will find a new home after what this nut case did to this dog. The Chicago Animal Care and Control now has the dog in their possession.

Read the article by Liam Ford here.


The police in Memphis, TN have finally found the sick’o who set a cat on fire named Richard Erby back on June seventh on which the poor little cat died. Hopefully this teenager will get a stiff sentence for what he did to this cat.

Read the article by Jody Callahan here.

Two Dog Magazines Editors Clash Over Who’s The Real Local Dog In Town

Things have been getting a little heated up between two rival dog magazines called Dogs Today & Surrey Dog Life on who’s the real first and only magazine in the county. The editor of the Dogs Today Beverley Cuddy has accused the editor of Surrey Dog Life Lizette Roux of lying that her magazine was the first and only dog magazine in Surrey.

Beverley Cuddy said: I wrote a very polite email to her pointing out that obviously it wasn’t the case that her magazine was the first and only dog magazine in Surrey and asked if she could please remove that claim.

And Lizette Roux’s reply was: I have taken abuse of the highest standard from your boss and have handed this to the police. If you threaten me one more time I will get the police to caution you and Ms Beverley Cundy [sic]. I am fed up of your threats and disgusting abuse to me and my company.

So now you have to wonder on who’s, who after all this and who’s going to survive all this after all their readers read about this. I always thought that these magazines were for the dogs and their owners to read articles about being a dog owner.

I think I’ll stick to Blogging instead it’s more fun and I'm here for the dogs only… Woof…Woof…

Read the article by Valerie Elliott here.

A Jerusalem Judge Orders A Dog To Be Stoned To Death

This is a bit over the top that I have ever read, what kind of judge would order a poor dog that wouldn’t leave his court to be stoned to death? Thankfully the poor dog got away and maybe the judge needs to step down after thinking that the dog was reincarnated from some lawyer.

What a cruel person that judge must be, I sure hope that he doesn’t own any pets with a sentence like that.

Read the article here.

North Shore Animal League America and National Mill Dog Rescue Create New Partnership

North Shore Animal League America and National Mill Dog Rescue Announce Launch of Life-Saving Rescue Program

Mobile Rescue Unit Completes Cross-Country Journey From NY To New Home in CO

Mobile Unit Dedicated Solely for Mill Dog Rescues and Adoptions

North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) proudly announced an exciting new partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR) in which one of the Animal League's rescue mobile units will be permanently stationed at National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado Springs, CO. For the first time, an Animal League mobile unit will be dedicated solely for the purpose of the rescue, safe transport and adoption of mill dogs. The two organizations share a mission to save as many animal lives as possible. By combining the unique resources of NSALA and NMDR, this partnership will help raise awareness of the plight of mill dogs and their cruel and inhumane treatment, bring attention to the importance of their rescue, and focus on shelters as an ideal source for people looking to add a canine or feline to the family.

The mobile rescue unit will be used for cooperative adoption events and rescue. NMDR, which previously did not have a rescue vehicle, will now gain the ability to regularly bring animals into the community and showcase them in a whole new way, facilitating more dog adoptions. The mobile rescue unit, which measures 36 feet long, 12 1/2 feet high and 8 feet wide and houses 32 cages, has traveled back and forth to California and through the western and mid-western states numerous times for animal rescues and transports. North Shore Animal League America began using this mobile unit in 2005 and has since saved thousands of animal lives with it.

"National Mill Dog Rescue's mission, to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for discarded breeding dogs and to educate the public about the cruel realities of the commercial canine breeding industry, is vital to the work of North Shore Animal League America and to animal welfare advocates around the world," said John Stevenson, President of NSALA. "Quite simply, the more mill dog rescues NSALA and NMDR do, the more animal lives we save."

"North Shore Animal League America is looking to expand its network of animal rescue and humane groups for the purpose of identifying animals in need, providing the appropriate level of care and finding loving homes for as many of them as we can, and this partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue is a perfect next step," said Joanne Yohannan, senior vice president, operations for NSALA. "With the addition of this mobile unit, National Mill Dog Rescue will be able to access areas they previously could not reach and the hundreds of mill dogs who have outlived their profitability each year will be rescued and adopted into loving homes."

"National Mill Dog Rescue is so incredibly fortunate to be working with North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization," said Theresa Strader, Director of National Mill Dog Rescue. "The documented problems in puppy mills include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor quality food and shelter, lack of socialization, overcrowding, and the killing of unwanted animals. Sadly, young, adoptable dogs are either killed or forced to live in puppy mills their entire lives. The number of mill dogs being released to us is absolutely staggering and we cannot come close to saving them all without the help of others. Through this partnership and our mutual goals of rescue, adopt and educate, the sky is the limit. We intend to save many thousands of dogs in the coming years as we continue to grow our program across the country."

NSALA developed its cooperative adoption and rescue program over a decade ago and were pioneers in humane relocation. This program allowed rescues to take place in a much more efficient way, and in a broader geographic area. Since that time, organizations across the country – from high profile retailers to large humane groups - have modeled their programs on the one created by NSALA.

For more information on cat or dog adoption, or to find a local shelter, visit www.AnimalLeague.org.

ABOUT NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA

The Animal League has saved almost 1,000,000 lives. As the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, we understand that a rescue isn't complete until each animal is placed into a loving home. Our innovative programs provide education to reduce animal cruelty, and advance standards in animal welfare. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly in the pursuit of our vision of a world where all companion animals find permanent homes to end euthanasia. For more information, visit www.animalleague.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL MILL DOG RESCUE

National Mill Dog Rescue pledged to put an end to the cruelty of the commercial dog breeding industry, more commonly known as puppy milling. Through rescue and education, NMDR continues in its life-saving work while enlightening the public about the truth of pet store puppies. NMDR has taken a national approach to their rescue and adoption efforts and they have rescued and placed almost 5,000 mill dogs since their inception in 2007. These dogs are now living as cherished family members across the United States. To learn more, visit www.milldogrescue.org.

Devera Lynn
North Shore Animal League America
Phone: 516.883.7633
Cell: 516.474-5332
Email: deveral@animalleague.org

Loni Koller
National Mill Dog Rescue
Cell: 303.818.9600
Email: LoniKoller@yahoo.com

SOURCE North Shore Animal League America

On A Sad Note:

Rescue Ink Foundation Officially Closes

The Rescue Ink Foundation Board of Directors announced today that the foundation has been officially closed and dissolved. The certificate of dissolution was filed with the State of Delaware on June 13, 2011 and accepted by the Secretary of State.

According to the Board of Directors, "The Rescue Ink Foundation is no longer accepting donations and all activities have ceased. Rights to the animals Rebel, Vesper, Lucky, Joe Thunder, Scrappy, Kate & Willie have been assigned to the care of Eric Bellows of Pack Ethic Rescue (http://www.packethic.com/). The board is confident that Eric Bellows and the team at Pack Ethic Rescue will care for and rehabilitate these animals in a compassionate manner."

Rescue Ink was formed to aid in battling animal abuse and neglect and to assist existing animal welfare agencies and shelters. Donations were used to fund animal rescue and animal abuse education.

SOURCE Rescue Ink Foundation

So Who’s Going To Win The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest On June 24

That’s what we all would like to know at this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest that is being held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, CA on Friday the twenty four of June. It looks like it’s going to be one fun dog day with all that will be going on for the dogs and their owners.

The 2011 World’s Ugliest dog winner Princess Abby will be there along with twenty other dogs who will be competing to win the title. Looking at the polls they are using to see what the online voting choice is has a rescue dog named Icky at the lead followed by Cuda which is not too far behind. But we will have to wait and see what the judges have to say to find out who is the real winner.

Check out the dogs photos here.

North Carolina Officials Recue Some 300 Dogs From A So Called Kennel

I will call it a recue but you can call it a seizer of William Thomas Allen dogs from his so called Mason Creek Kennels in North Carolina. The Caldwell County Health Department had obtained a warrant due to the conditions of the so called kennel.



Caldwell County Animal Control Director Greg Greene said: Mason Creek Kennels has been under investigation for quite a while, but it's taken a little while to get enough evidence for the warrant.

The seizer took a lot of help from the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, the Caldwell County Animal Control, the Burke County Animal Control, the Catawba County Animal Control, and the Union County Animal Control.

Hopefully the dogs will be able to find a real home after living in this rat trap of a kennel.

Read the article Jeff Rivenbark here.


Anyone wanting to make donations for the care of the animals and their upkeep should contact Donna West with the Caldwell Humane Society, PO Box 1991, Lenoir, NC, 28645. Phone number 828-292-2925 or email at caldwell4pets@gmail.com.

Update: FACW K-9 Training and Rehabilitation Centre Owner Facing More Charges

The owner of the FACW K-9 Training and Rehabilitation Centre Craig Wright has now been charged with nineteen more charges of animal abuse. Some of the twenty three charges Wright is accused of are kicking the dogs and hanging the poor dogs by their leases. He also has allowed the dogs to fight each other.

So tell me what kind of dog trainer this nut case is that abuses animals. Hopefully the judge will take care if this animal abuser and the dogs owners will own everything he owns for what he did to their dogs if he is found guilty.

Read the article by Zoe McKnight here.

Dog Fighting News For The Day And A Few More Articles

Down in Augusta, GA the police have arrest Ulysses Carl Thomas Jr. on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals for dealing in dog fighting when the police found a dog that was used to train other dogs for fighting.

Read the article by Liz Hill here.


Then you have the Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley in Bradford, MA that is looking for someone to adopt an American bulldog named Goliath who used in dog fights.

The Methuen's animal control officer Karen Phillips said: When I met Goliath, even though he was in the pain that he was in he did nothing but kiss my face and give me his paws and look at me with those eyes and say, Can you help me?

Photo by Carl Russo


So if you would like to adopt or foster this poor dog or even help with a donation you can contact the Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley @ 978-374-7233

Read the article by Alex Bloom here.


A so called dog breeder named Tiffany Wilkerson–Hood from Decatur, IL has been arrested for animal cruelty when the animal control took away thirty seven dogs from her home. The worst part is that this breeder also had her kids taken away due to the conditions in her home.

So I guess that Tiffany’s dog breeding company called Majestic Mi-Kis is out of business and hopefully the judge will take away her license.

Read the article here.


Up in Lancaster County, PA a dog kennel called Turkey Hill Kennel has been fined for failing inspections and now North Penn Puppymill Watch wants this place shut down for good.

North Penn Puppymill Watch Jenny Stephens said: The East Earl facility is run by a commercial breeder housing as many as three Hundred and sixty four dogs. No one person can take care of three Hundred and sixty four dogs appropriately. The first time at Turkey Hill in January, it was noted that there were frozen water bowls which means the temperature was well below thirty two degrees. Dog’s lives are in jeopardy. These dogs can't speak for themselves.

So will they get enough support and will the judge realize what this breeder is doing to these poor dogs and shut this puppy mill down.

Read the article by Jenni Joyce here.


And finally we have a judge who has sided with a seven year old who is autistic by telling the Orange County elementary school in California that his dog is welcome to go to school with him.

Can you even begin to believe that a school wouldn’t even allow a handicap child his service dog to be by his side. What has become of our morals when we don’t care enough to help a child have a right to learn as any other child would have? The ADA laws were written for a reason and the way I look at it, is that whoever was involved in this sure didn’t read the ADA rules.

Read the article here.

Parvovirus Outbreak In Pennsylvania

There has been a report of an outbreak of Parvovirus in Columbia and Lancaster City in recent weeks with a total of seven dogs that have died already.

A Veterinarian at the Manheim Pike Veterinary Hospital Dr. Jeffrey Steed said: It spreads by fecal oral contamination, the heat keeps it viable. It can't survive in the cold, plus people aren't out and about as much. The most common sign of parvo is bloody diarrhea and depression. If left untreated parvo will cause death in a few days, however, it is very preventable with vaccinations.

It’s always good to watch your dog and make sure they are up on their shots.

Read the article by Brette Keeley here.

Have You Seen Dane Cooks Dog Beast

Photo by DanCook.com

Can you help found my dog is what Dane Cook would like to know, when his dog Beast had become missing. So if anyone that was in the West Holly are a you can send an email; to direct2dane@DaneCook.

Read the article here.

Vhoebe Gets Her World Record Title Back For The Long Jump

What a comeback for this three year old Malinois dog named Vhoebe who has just set a new world record in the long jump at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge that was held at the Del Mar Arena, CA.

Vhoebe owner Lisa Strum said: It was unbelievable, this really is her joy. If she could tell me what she's passionate about it'd be this.

I will have to say for a dog to jump thirty one feet and five inches is incredible for any dog to make it that far.

Read the article by Jonathan Horn here.

Rachael Ray Teams Up With ASPCA For A Disaster Fund

ASPCA Establishes Emergency $500K Grant Fund for Animal Welfare Groups In Wake of Natural Disasters Across the U.S.

"Rachael's Rescue" Joins the Effort; Animal Welfare Organizations Encouraged to Apply

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it has established the ASPCA Disaster Fund and is accepting disaster grant applications from qualified shelters and other animal welfare organizations in states affected by or responding to recent severe weather incidents.

As part of the effort, TV personality Rachael Ray, her dog food line Nutrish®, and her philanthropic initiative Rachael's Rescue have partnered with the ASPCA Disaster Fund to pledge support with a generous contribution of both funds and food for the animals in need. All of Ray's proceeds from each sale of her pet food go to Rachael's Rescue and in the few short years since its launch, the Rachael Ray Nutrish brand has raised and donated more than $1.5 million for animal charities.

"After our Field Investigations and Response team witnessed firsthand the incredible devastation – especially in the Midwest and Southeast – we wanted to offer additional aid in the form of the ASPCA Disaster Fund," said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. "We know that local animal shelters and rescue groups are feeling the effects of this unexpected natural disaster, and these funds, along with Rachael Ray's generous support, will provide needed resources and capacity to help them protect and care for animals in their communities. We are grateful to Rachael for reaching out to the animal welfare community during this very challenging time."

"I am a huge lover of animals, and I simply can't bear the thought of them homeless, hungry and in need of care," said Rachael Ray. "One of the main factories where our Nutrish Just 6 treats are manufactured is located in Joplin, Mo., so this tragedy has really hit home and we knew we needed to spring into action and help. I'm so happy I could join the incredible efforts already underway by the ASPCA in helping families find their pets and care for animals in their community – we started Nutrish and Rachael's Rescue for this very purpose."

Applicants to the ASPCA Disaster Fund must meet the following eligibility criteria:

* Non-profit organization or government agency, such as municipal or county animal control, with an animal welfare mission and a federal tax ID (EIN/Employer Identification Number);
* Qualified shelter and/or other animal welfare organization in states affected by or responding to recent severe weather incidents, plus organizations outside those states providing outreach and assistance;
* Directly affected by or providing/participating in direct response to the spring 2011 natural disasters; and
* In need of immediate assistance.


Eligible requests from the ASPCA Disaster Fund include cash assistance for the following purposes:

* Food and food banks for at-risk animals;
* Shelter supplies and equipment;
* Rescue supplies and equipment;
* Sheltering or temporary boarding and fostering of rescued or at-risk animals;
* Transport/transfers/relocation of animals;
* Veterinary expenses/medical care for animals;
* Overtime expenses for shelter staff;
* Travel and related incidental expenses for shelter staff or staff deployed to affected disaster areas to assist with disaster response for animals; and
* Infrastructure repairs/rebuilding.


Eligible applicants directly affected by and/or responding to the floods and recent tornado affected states plus organizations outside those states providing outreach and assistance may submit a disaster application here.

All ASPCA grant applications are subject to standard review, approval and acceptance guidelines as outlined on this site. We appreciate the patience of our applicants with non-emergency requests as we accommodate disaster applications.

About the ASPCA®

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation's leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca.

About Rachael's Rescue and Nutrish

In 2008, Ray partnered with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition®, a company formed by Dad's Pet Care and Hampshire Pet Products, to develop a line of super premium dog food called Rachael Ray™ Nutrish®. Rachael Ray™ Nutrish natural dog food includes four varieties: Real Chicken and Veggies, Real Beef and Brown Rice, Just 6® and Nutrish Healthy Weight with Real Turkey and Veggies. All of Ray's proceeds from each sale of Rachael Ray™ Nutrish, Just 6® food and dog treats and the Nutrish Healthy Weight will be donated to Rachael's Rescue (www.rachaelsrescue.org) dedicated to helping animals in need. So, not only are Nutrish products great for your dog, they're great for countless other dogs as well. To follow Nutrish on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/nutrish.

SOURCE ASPCA

I just love what Rachael has done to help our buddies....
Thank you Rachael....
  Dogman2.....Woof... Woof....

OK Who Can Write A Song About Dogs Because Country Singer Trace Adkins & Waggin' Train® Brand Dog Snacks Want To Know

A Tail Waggin' Jingle Contest!

Country Singer Trace Adkins Invites Dog Owners to Write a Fun-Loving Song About Their Four-Legged Friend

One Lucky Winner Gets Recording Session Produced by the Country Music Star

Is life with your four-legged friend so full of "tail waggin'" good fun that it makes you want to sing out loud? Then Country Music Star Trace Adkins wants to hear from you.

Starting today, dog owners can enter the Waggin' Train® Tail Waggin Jingle Contest by creating an original jingle for Waggin' Train® brand dog snacks with lyrics that describe how they enjoy a "tail waggin' good time" with their four-legged friend. One lucky Grand Prize Winner will win the chance of a lifetime to meet Trace Adkins during CMA Awards week in Nashville, TN, and perform his or her jingle in a recording session produced by the Country Music star. The winner will also receive an autographed CD of their jingle and it may be featured on both the www.WagginTrainBrand.com and the brand's page on Facebook.

For many dog owners, there is nothing more enjoyable than spending carefree moments with their dogs, such as a walk in the park, a spontaneous game of fetch or a belly rub. Waggin' Train brand dog snacks is inviting dog owners to celebrate these moments by creating a fun, catchy jingle that captures the good times they share with their dogs. From now through August 3, dog owners can visit www.WagginTrainBrand.com and enter the contest by uploading their lyrics and a 60-second video showing them performing their original jingle with their dog. Five finalists will be flown to Nashville during CMA Awards week in November 2011 to perform their jingles at a private event in front of contest judge Trace Adkins who will then select one Grand Prize Winner.

"I own two dogs who remind me to enjoy the simple things in life and inspire me in so many ways, including my music. That's why I've teamed up with Waggin' Train for the Tail Waggin' Jingle Contest to find other dog owners across America who have such great relationships with their dogs that they are inspired to write a song about it," said Adkins. "This contest is not just for dog owners who happen to be musicians -- it's for anyone who has such a tail waggin' good time with their dog it makes them want to sing a song."

Following the entry period, 20 semi-finalists' entries will be posted on www.WagginTrainBrand.com for consumer voting August 22 - September 2, 2011. During this voting period, five finalists will be selected by the consumer vote (20% of the final score) and by Trace Adkins who will judge the semifinalist entries (80% of the final score) using the following criteria:

* Jingle describes the good times enjoyed by the entrant and his/her dog (50%)
* Musical performance reinforces Waggin' Train wholesome fun personality (25%)
* Overall creativity/originality (25%)


Five finalists will be flown to Nashville during CMA Awards week in November 2011 where they will perform their jingle at a private event in front of Trace Adkins, who will judge each finalist and select one Grand Prize Winner. The Grand Prize Winner will win the chance of a lifetime to perform his/her jingle in a recording session produced by the Country Music star.

"The Waggin' Train brand is all about celebrating the fun, carefree moments we share with our dogs," said Sean Boland, Waggin' Train brand director. "We are excited to launch our first-ever jingle contest and can't wait to hear all the toe-tapping, tail waggin' songs from dog owners across the country."

Waggin' Train offers a full line of wholesome snacks made from natural ingredients that dogs love, including jerky treats, chews, dental bones and wellness products. The popular snacks offer a fun way to share carefree moments with your dog.

The Tail Waggin' Jingle Contest kicks off at the 2011 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN, June 9-11 (www.CMAfest.com). For more information on the contest and to get the official rules, go to www.WagginTrainBrand.com. No purchase is necessary to participate. The Contest is open to amateur songwriters who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older (19 years of age in AL or NE) at time of entry, and who own a dog.

About Nestle Purina PetCare Company

The North American headquarters for Nestle Purina PetCare Company is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri, where Ralston Purina was founded more than a century ago. Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. One of the leading global players in the pet food industry, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of the Swiss-based Nestle S.A. – the world's largest food company.

About CMA Music Festival

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, CMA Music Festival is an unparalleled music experience. Taking place Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12, this event brings the music industry together with fans from around the world. The 2011 CMA Music Festival will once again be filmed for an ABC Television Network special to air later this summer. Four-day ticket packages are on sale and fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased through CMAfest.com or (800) CMA-FEST. Fans should order their tickets now to guarantee their place at the event USA Today named "the crown jewel of Country Music festivals" and the reigning winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association's (2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010) LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year. Visit CMAfest.com for more information.

SOURCE Nestle Purina PetCare Company

I'll Take The Dog And You Can Have The House

petMD Survey Reveals 90% of Pet Owners Would Choose Pets Over Money in a Divorce; 66% Would Reject a Presidential Candidate Who Doesn't Like Pets

Survey shows that love for a pet influences decisions in many aspects of life -- Dating, politics, friendship and more

petMD, the world's largest source of pet health information, today announced the results of the first annual petMD Pet Owners Survey. The survey, which in May polled 1,500 U.S. pet owners, reveals that the bond pet owners share with their pets impacts many decisions in their daily lives, well beyond those that are just pet-related.

"Pet owners are passionately loyal to their pets and they show it in every aspect of their lives. The petMD survey shows that, much like human relationships, pets are a mixture of love, worry, joy and frustration for their owners, who consistently look for ways to improve the quality of their pets' lives. A pet's well-being is indelibly linked to that of its owner, and vice-versa," said Nicolas Chereque, PetMD Co-Founder.

Highlights of the 2011 petMD Pet Owners Survey:

Consumer Products -- Social responsibility equals loyalty

Pet owners are extremely loyal to companies that support animals:

* 15% would automatically buy the products of a company that supports a pet charity over products of a company that does not support a pet charity, and that figure goes to...
* 65% if product quality and price are the same


Politics -- Pet owners could make or break an election

* 66% of pet owners would not vote for a presidential candidate who is perceived not to like pets


Relationships -- Pets come first

In the battle of the sexes, it turns out pets are actually in charge:

* 90% of pet owners would fight more passionately for their pets than for money in a divorce


In the dating world a similar allegiance is revealed:

* 60% of pet owners would be totally turned off and decline a second date if a date didn't like pets
* Only 10% would give the person a second date
* 30% would try to change the person's mind about pets before dumping him or her


And in a stat that exemplifies the expression "man's best friend":

* 73% would choose their pet over a human if they could only have one friend


Parenting -- Pets are family members

Pet owners overwhelmingly believe that pets are an essential part of the family:

* 98% believe it is important for children to grow up around pets


Ever taste your child's baby food?

* 25% of pet owners report having tasted their pet's food


Pet Owners' Concerns -- Cost of pet care is the least of their worries

* Only 12% worry about the cost of their pet's care
* In contrast, 25% say their biggest worry is that their pet will get sick


Quality of life is just as important as health:

* 22% worry that their pet spends too much time alone
* 20% worry their pet is not happy


Pet Health -- Education is essential

Although pet owners' top worries revolve around their pets' health and wellness:

* Only 34% rated their knowledge of what's best for their pet's health as excellent


The survey uncovered deficiencies in key areas of pet health knowledge:

* A startling one in four pet owners stated that their pets have accidentally ingested a toxic substance
* Only 5% identified pollen or mold as common pet allergens


Pets Aren't Perfect -- We're human, after all

With all the love, of course, comes a few caring complaints:

* 53% of pet owners say that scratching and shedding drive them most crazy about their pets


Likewise, under the category of if they only had thumbs:

* 50% of pet owners wish their pets could brush their own teeth
* And yes...40% wish their pets could clean-up after they go #2
* Only 3% wish their pets could feed themselves


About petMD

petMD is a leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets. The site maintains the world's largest pet health library, written and approved by a network of trusted veterinarians. petMD was founded to inspire pet owners to provide an ever-increasing quality of life for their pets and to connect pet owners with pet experts and other animal lovers. petMD is a subsidiary of the Pet360 family of brands, which also includes www.PetFoodDirect.com -- the most complete pet food and supply retailer online, and www.NationalPetPharmacy.com -- a fully certified, full-service pet pharmacy delivering pet meds, vitamins and comprehensive pet health and wellness products. For more information, visit www.petMD.com.

SOURCE petMD

It Wasn't Just A Dog Rescue, It Was The Whole Farm

The Franklin County Animal Services in N.C. have removed some two to three hundred animals from a home owned by Renee Jean Long and found that twenty five of the dogs might have Parvovirus which could be fatal along with three dead puppies.



Just looking at the video I feel real sad for all these animals that had to live in these conditions. So will any charges of animal abuse be filed against Renee Jean Long, I guess we will have to wait as see.

Read the article by Justin Quesinberry here.




Why did it take seventy visits to the home of Patricia and James Freeman for the authorities to finally do something about the care of their animals. Now these two have pleaded not guilty on thirty nine charges of animal cruelty.

The charges are a result of the animals having any water or they were not receiving proper care which has resulted in the removal of most of the animals. Hopefully the animal shelter will be able to find new homes for them.

Read the article here.

I Wish I Had Some Good Dog News, But I Don’t

A New Haven animal abuser named Alexander Bernard who is accused of stabbing his pit bull named Princess some twenty nine times was at court today. Hopefully when Bernard returns to face Judge Phillip Scarpellino next month the judge will stick him in a cage.

Read the article here.


An ex-founder of the Suffolk SPCA has been turned in by her husband for animal cruelty when Elizabeth Epps had taken on too many pets in her home.

Her husband Michael Wilkinson said: What I did for her was a wakeup call. It was hard, but it had to be done. She won't stop taking in animals until her heart stops beating.

Michael even had to move out of the home to due the conditions with all the animals. Now Elizabeth Epps has been charged with five counts of animal cruelty along with a few other charges.

How sad is this to read about a woman that loved animals and now she is being charged with animal cruelty herself.

Read the article here.

Photo by KTRK-TV

Then you have an animal abuser named Nidra F. Billard who is being accused of throwing her boyfriends little puppy off a third story balcony.

How sick is that to just throw a six week old puppy to his death because you got mad at your boyfriend. At this time the poor little puppy is still alive but it has a contusion to its head and it’s unable to move or walk.

I would like to throw her off myself but that’s why we have laws and I hope the judge doesn’t let Nidra off the hook for her sick actions.

Read the article here.




An now you got some lowlife that stole a handicap dog named Lucky's wheelchair right off the front lawn during the night in West Roxbury, MA. The owner Dave Freeney is upset because his Belgian German Shepherd needed this wheelchair to get around.

Thankfully for Handicappedpets from Nashua, N.H. because they will be sending a new one for Dave Freeney’s dog. Now that’s a happy ending, but I hope they find this thief.

Read the article here.

2 Different Animal Abusers Torture Dogs To Their Death

Back on April 17th you had an animal abuser from West Valley City, UT beat his little puppy so hard along with throwing the puppy named Marley that it was unable move his back legs. That’s when a Vet said that the puppy was in a bad condition and the owners had the puppy euthanized.

Now the abuser has been charged with animal torture due to the spinal injuries he did to this dog. I hope the Judge doesn’t let this bum off the hook and makes him pay for what he did to this puppy.

Read the article by Benjamin Wood here.


Then over in Staten Island, NY you have an animal abuser named Nashbert Smith who beat and choked a little Jack Russell Terrier named Lady. Nashbert Smith has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals for what he did to this poor dog.

Looking at his past crimes this animal abuser will definitely be serving time for this crime.

Read the article here.


While up in Ontario they seem to be trying to figure out why a dozens of dogs were killed back in May of 2010 by the OSPCA shelter in Newmarket. The shelter said that the dogs had an outbreak of ringworm while the founder of Reform Advocates for Animal Welfare Lynn Perrier said: It’s horrific to think that hundreds of animals faced death based on inconclusive evidence. We expect OSCPA are the caretakers of our animals. We think they are doing their jobs, it’s all a farce.

One of the comments made by Animal Justice: The OSPCA would have had to give oral medication first to know that they weren't responding to treatment. There was no virulent strain, I never saw any dogs with signs of infection. Some staff & volunteers researched different types of treatment for the cats & they were rejected for cost reasons by management, we asked if we could talk with the drug companies or Vets to donate meds & that was rejected too. When we asked CEO Kate McDonald whether oral meds weren't given because of cost, she said that wasn't the problem, they were already given oral meds, which wasn't true. So either management & Provincial had a breakdown in communication, which happened often or there is too much authority given to people with business experience than animal shelter experience. From my experience there, I think it was both. Running an Animal Shelter is a job that requires specialized experience for many reasons, you can't just go in with business experience & think you'll be successful.

So what really happen at the shelter that caused all of these animals to die. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Read the article by Nicki Thomas here.

Nationwide Recall of Bravo! Pig Ears Dog Chews

Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Bravo! Pig Ears Dog Chews
Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Bravo! is voluntarily recalling select boxes of Bravo! Pig Ears Chews because it has the
potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.
People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have
not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any other surfaces exposed to
these products.

Healthy people with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms
including, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely,
Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis,
muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having
contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and
vomiting. Some pets will have only have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but
otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the
recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with the product.
Bravo! is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to
pet owners as a result of this announcement.

Bravo! Pig Ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts. They were shipped to
distributors and retailers distributed between January 1 and February 28,2011 where they were available
for purchase.

The products affected by this recall include:

Bravo! Pig Ears Product Code: 75-121 Lot # 12-06-10.

The recall is the result of routine sampling program by the Washington State Department of Agriculture
which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has no product left in
inventory from this batch of pig ears.

Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return the product to the place of
purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recall, should visit
www.bravorawdiet.com or call toll free 1.866.922.9222.

With The Weather Getting Warm We Need To Remember Precautions For Our Pets

Keeping Pets Healthy During Hot Weather

Extra care should be taken to protect pets in the current hot weather, Defra's Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens said today. In a statement issued jointly with the RSPCA and British Veterinary Association, Mr Gibbens urged the public to think about the effects of hot weather on their pets and to take the right steps to ensure their welfare.

Mr Gibbens said:

"You'd think that everybody would know about the dangers of leaving animals in hot cars, but it was still happening last year when we saw some really tragic cases of dogs dying because they were trapped inside cars in high temperatures. This just shouldn't happen these days.

"As it gets hotter this summer, all pet owners need to think about how they can take simple steps to ensure their pets are happy and healthy during the warm weather."

Mr Gibbens said there were some simple guidelines pet owners should follow:

- don't leave pets in vehicles in the heat;
- make sure pets have adequate water to drink;
- provide adequate ventilation for their pets at all times;
- avoid exercising pets in the heat of the day; and
- provide necessary protection from the sun in the hottest part of the day.
- BVA President Harvey Locke said:

"Dogs should never be left in cars by themselves, even when the day is warm as opposed to hot, it can quickly become very hot inside a vehicle. Leaving the car windows open and a bowl of water is not enough. As a dog can only cool down through its tongue and paw pads, it cannot cool down quickly enough to cope with the rising heat.

"Dogs still have thick coats on when humans are walking around in t-shirts and shorts. I would like owners to remember that a dog won't stop enjoying itself because it is hot, so it is up to the owner to stop the animal before it suffers - something that is particularly important as more and more people jog or run with their dogs."

Jude Clay from the RSPCA said:

"All too often, owners make the mistake of thinking that it is sufficient to leave a bowl of water or a window open for their pet but this is not enough to protect your pet from heatstroke, which can have fatal consequences. The RSPCA's message is: 'Dogs die in hot cars. Don't leave your dog alone in a car."

The temperature inside a car in full sunlight can quickly rise to double the temperature outside the car. Signs that dogs are overheating can include faster and heavier panting, with them being more active with barking or whining. They might produce more saliva that normal, have extreme panting and dark coloured gums. A dogs eyes may become glassy and it may appear unconscious.

Detecting overheating early and treating it promptly is essential to dogs recovering successfully. Dogs should be taken to a cool shaded place, given water to drink, and sprayed with cool water. Dogs can also be cooled down by blowing cool air from a fan over them. Pet owners should get advice from a vet immediately if the dog does not respond promptly.

Notes

Pet owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met through the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Advice on how to protect the welfare of pets during journeys was published in 2006.

The RSPCA has provided advice for pet owners.

Source:
British Veterinary Association

So Will Matevz Logar Get To Keep This Cub As A Pet For His Dog

That is the question about this little baby cub named Medo that has seen to take a likening to Matevz Logar’s dog in central Slovenia is: Can we keep him.

Photo by REUTERS


I would love to have one of these as a pet but as the local authorities have said: it would be best to remove the little guy. So the question is: Can the Logars keep him or not.

Read the article by Lee Moran here.

South Bend Animal Control Shelter Kills Dogs That Were Going To Be Adopted

I don’t know the whole story, but you would think that if two dogs were able to survive being abandoned in a home for who knows how long and had the opportunity to be adopted that would make sense.

Photo by Unknown


Well that didn’t happen to these two poor dogs as the South Bend Animal Control Shelter had killed these two dogs knowing that they could have went to a loving home. Now Charlie and Don Arnett want to know why and how did this happen when the employees knew that they wanted one of the dogs.

So now the blame game will go on as to the dogs being too aggressive or not. I can only say that when you know that a dog has an opportunity to be adopted and the people who are the adoptees are caring enough you should have gave the dog a chance of life, not death. Any dog can be train no matter what if it’s done by the right person.

Read the article by Jeff Harrell here.