Hank the Cat Runs for U.S. Senate

There's a new candidate in the race for the U.S. Senate seat in Virginia. Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine, will have to scratch and claw with another rival in the heated race, as independent Hank the Cat has thrown his collar into the ring.

The Springfield, Va. cat’s Senate campaign has become an online sensation. The cat’s owner, 36-year-old Anthony Roberts, says the “Hank for Senate” website has been jammed following a recent spate of publicity.

According to his campaign website, Hank is an “energetic, inspiring, and real” candidate, and unlike so many other political frontrunners, he wasn’t born with a “silver spoon.”

PetSmart Charities Assists in Caboodle Ranch Rescue

PetSmart Charities has dispatched three of its Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicles, each stocked with $80,000 worth of crucial supplies, to the scene of an alleged animal hoarding situation in Florida. The ASPCA is the lead organization in this rescue.

Hundreds of cats are in need of emergency assistance and medical care after being discovered in an overcrowded and unsanitary cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch.

At the request of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Animal Control, the ASPCA is on the ground in Florida managing the rescue of the cats. It is the largest number of cats the ASPCA has ever had to remove from one location in the course of an animal cruelty investigation.

PETA Killed 95% of Animals in its Care in 2011

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) advertises itself as the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than three million members and supporters. 

What PETA does not tell you is that it doesn’t like pets - which it sees as a form of animal slavery. Nor does it tell you that it euthanizes most of the animals it rescues.

Last week, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) published documents online showing that PETA, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, killed a staggering 95.9% of the adoptable pets in its care during 2011.

Crazy Cats Go Cruising

Waffle and Tirzah are two cats who really know how to make an entrance! At the recent Steel City Kitties cat show, Waffle rode in child-size Model A followed by his sister Tirzah, who rode in a two-wheeled cart pulled by the little car.

Waffle, a black and white tuxedo cat, and Tirzah, a tortoiseshell, are owned by Greg and Karen Sue McCandless of Butler, PA.

"We never planned any of this, but Waffle loves his little car and they both love the attention they get," said Mrs. McCandless.

National Justice for Animals Week

February 19-25, 2012 marks the Animal Legal Defense Fund's fourth annual National Justice for Animals Week, a yearly event that is dedicated to raising public awareness nationwide about how to report animal abuse, and how to work within your community to create stronger laws and assure tough enforcement.

Meet National Justice for Animals Week's mascot Teagan, a little German shepherd who endured a life of severe neglect and abuse before she was miraculously rescued. Teagan was shot at close range and left for dead in central Mississippi. Upon rescue she was starving and weighed only 15 lbs. Teagan is now a healthy and happy in her forever home after being adopted from Rocky Ridge Refuge by ALDF's student liaison Nicole Pallotta. Read more about Teagan at http://aldf.org/teagan

Feline Non-Profit Asks For a Helping Paw

FixNation, a Los Angeles-based non-profit group devoted to ending feline homelessness by offering free spay/neuter services to caregivers of community cats, has announced that operations will be drastically reduced if a fundraising goal of $500,000 is not met by March 2012.

Through a program that promotes and furthers the community-based method of homeless cat population control known as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), FixNation sterilizes more than 70 cats each day and will have successfully trapped, neutered and returned 80,000 cats by the summer of 2012. To date, there are 7,076 volunteer trappers and caregivers that have embraced FixNation and contributed to these results.

With financial support from a major donor, FixNation was launched in July 2007, but that five year start-up grant has ended and officials within the organization say they’re on the verge of having to dramatically cut back operations in 2012.

“The shame of this is that we are making a huge impact, yet we have so much more work to do,” said Karn Myers, co-founder of FixNation. “Our charity needs support in order to continue. Assembling all known TNR resources under one roof and applying them to the problem on a massive, full-time scale is something very few other organizations can do.”

FixNation hopes to serve as a working model for other organizations to follow by demonstrating the effectiveness of TNR in a large urban environment. Through the free feral program, FixNation provides the community with information about the Trap-Neuter-Return method.  In addition, FixNation provides services above and beyond the typical homeless feline spay/neuter clinic such as antibiotics, fluids, pain medication, vaccines and flea treatments, all of which are performed free of charge for animals with no caregivers. The organization also provides reduced rate spay/neuter surgery for cats and kittens of low-income families, which is a critical component to reducing the homeless cat population.

FixNation remains booked with spay/neuter appointments and volunteer trap training for weeks in advance. While performing surgery on nearly 18,000 cats each year, there continues to be a critical need for this service.  With an estimated one million homeless cats in Los Angeles alone, FixNation and the communities committed to helping these cats through TNR need the time and support to show its effectiveness in dramatically reducing the feral cat population. Slowing operations due to a financial shortfall will have a negative impact in Los Angeles and the progress made so far.

You can help support FixNation by writing a post on your blog, following them on Twitter or "liking" their Facebook Page.  And of course, you can visit their website to make a financial contribution. 

Bo Obama Latest in Long Line of Presidential Pets

Happy President's Day! Many people know that Bo (Amigo's New Hope) is a neutered male Portuguese Water Dog given to the Obama family by the late Senator Edward Kennedy. But Bo is hardly the first "First Dog". In fact, pets have been a part of the presidency since George Washington held office.

While dogs certainly have been the most frequent furry resident of the White House, other presidential pets have included cats, birds, horses, goats, rabbits - and even lions, tigers and bears (oh my)! In fact, the only presidents for whom the Presidential Pet Museum records no pets are James K. Polk, Franklin Pierce and Chester A. Arthur.

Check out this video to see some of the interesting furry, feathered and finned residents of the White House!




Source: Wikipedia.org and Cleveland.com

Designing a Pet-Friendly Home

So you want a beautiful home to share with your furry best friend? Julia Szabo, author of Animal House Style: Designing a Home to Share With Your Pets, has some good advice: "If a house doesn't work with dogs, it won't work with children or guests, either. You can have a beautiful house and a pet, too."

The Oregonian's Carolyn Patten has culled some of Szabo's best tips on design to help pet owners create a stylish environment while making pets more comfortable.

1.  Use stain-resistant fabrics. Forget silk, chintz or velvet. Some people say leather is fine around pets, but beware if you have cats. Cats will scratch most any upright surface. For them, microfiber is the kryptonite of fabrics, with the bonus of feeling as smooth as suede and being extremely stain-resistant.
2.  Match colors to your pet. Use your pets as design inspiration and see what magic you can create. Start with the pet bed, choosing a black one for your black Lab or a cream-colored one for your Siamese. If you have a brilliant green parrot, why not match that color with an accent wall or bright pillows on the sofa
3. Put washable fabrics on your bed. If your dog or cat sleeps with you, you want to be able to wash the duvet, comforter or bedspread. Delicate-looking matelassé coverlets are surprisingly durable, with tight quilting that resists pet toenail snags and looks good after repeated washings.
4. Rethink wall-to-wall carpet. It absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up stains. If you must have carpet, choose a low pile and a stain-resistant synthetic fiber or wool. Cotton, jute and sisal stain easily. Stay away from continuous loop carpet because pets' claws can catch in a single loop and easily unravel a wide area. The best floor is easy-to-clean ceramic tile. It's impervious to claws and gives your pets a cool place to nap during hot weather.
5. Set up an entry space with pets in mind. Make sure they can come in through an area where you can get dirt off before they come into the main house. Even a small condo can accommodate a bench with cubbies for towels, leashes and treats. Special water-trapping doormats are great for soggy dog reentry issues.

 Here are some additional tips on maintaining your pet-friendly home:

• Vacuum regularly. Pet hair has an odor and contains oil that attracts dirt, so don't let it hang out on your furniture or flooring.  With a single pet, you should do a once-over twice a week. With multiple pets, consider daily vacuuming part of the household routine.
• Bathe and groom your pet often. Trimmed nails won't scratch floors or upholstery. Regular brushing and bathing removes loose hair before it ends up on your floor, bed, pillows and curtains. 
• Give your pet tidy treats. Dogs adore pig's ears and rawhide bones, but they're smelly and can leave greasy stains on floors and furniture. Choose a rubber chew toy like the Kong or the Super Tuff Rhino, available at most pet supply stores.

Click here for a list of pet-friendly decorating resources. 

Source: OregonLive.com

Image via MorgueFile.com

Over 16,000 Pets Find Homes During National Adoption Weekend

Via PetSmartCharities.org - More than 16,000 pets found a forever home during the most recent PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend, just in time for Valentine's Day. The event was held in partnership with nearly 2,000 animal-welfare organizations throughout North America, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Held last week in all 1,210 PetSmart stores, every adoption benefitted participating local shelters and rescue agencies because each received $35 in adoption-reward grants from PetSmart Charities for every pet they adopted during the event.

“Our National Adoption Weekends continue to show how many people are willing to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “With the strong support of our in-store adoption partners, we are helping more pets find the lifelong, loving homes that they deserve.”

Of the 8 million pets in U.S. shelters, approximately 4 million are euthanized each year because they aren’t adopted. Since 1994 PetSmart Charities has led pet-adoption efforts across North America; helping nearly 5 million pets find homes through the PetSmart Charities adoption centers located in every PetSmart store.

The next PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend will take place May 4-6, 2012.

My Valentine

Yesterday was a very scary day at my house. The day started out like normal - getting my 17 year old daughter out of bed and ready for school.

As always, she was running late. I had parked behind her in the driveway so I told her to take my car (an SUV) to save time. She left for school and I settled down to work, but less than five minutes later I received a phone call.

Shortly after leaving the house, she turned east and faced a glare so bright she couldn't see. A more experienced driver would have stopped, but she did not. There were two large utility trucks pulled over on the side of the road, and she hit the one that was parked in front of her.

Luckily, she was wearing her seat belt. She flew forward and hit her head on the steering wheel, but other than a bump on her forehead and a bruise to her ego, she is fine. I thank God she was driving my car because hers would have gone underneath the truck, and I have no doubt that she would have ended up in the hospital.

So my Valentine's Day present this year is not flowers or chocolate in a heart-shaped box. It's that my baby is home safe with me, and that's the best present I could ask for.

Wishing you a safe and happy Valentine's Day.

Pedigree Every Dog, Dog Show Supports Shelter Dogs

On Saturday, February 11, The New York Times published an article stating that the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show had dropped long-time sponsor Pedigree, in part because of its ads focusing on adoption.

“We want people to think of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as a celebration of the dogs in our lives,” said David Frei, the club’s director of communications and the host of the show for over two decades.

“Show me an ad with a dog with a smile; don’t try to shame me,” Mr. Frei told The Associated Press. The kennel club had expressed its concerns to Pedigree, he said, adding, “We told them that, and they ignored us.”

Melissa Martellotti, a brand communications manager for Mars Petcare US, which makes the Pedigree brand, said that Westminster had initiated the split and that dog show officials told the pet food company that its decision involved concerns about the ad campaign.

“They’ve shared with us, when we parted ways, that they felt that our advertising was focused too much on the cause of adoption and that wasn’t really a shared vision,” Ms. Martellotti said. The kennel club is “focused on the purebred mission,” she added.

Pedigree Foundation has traditionally kicked off its campaigns around the time of the Westminster Dog Show (which takes place this year on February 13 and 14). Over the years, Pedigree has raised over $7 million to help shelter dogs, and while it is no longer associated with the dog show, Pedigree remains committed to this cause.

From now until February 14 at 11pm ET, Pedigree is holding its own "Every Dog, Dog Show" on Facebook. For every person who uploads a photo of their four-legged friend or tells their dog's story on Pedigree's Facebook page, Pedigree will donate a bowl of food, up to 500,000 bowls.

Show your support of the Pedigree Every Dog, Dog Show because EVERY dog deserves a forever home.

Source: NYTimes.com and ChicagoNow.com
Image via www.facebook.com/Pedigree

Five Tips for a Pet-Safe Valentine's Day

Via PRNewswire.com - It's fairly common knowledge that cats and dogs make the perfect valentines. They give unconditional love, are always up for cuddling, and don't care if you've put on a few pounds over the holidays. The only setback to having a four-legged valentine is that many of the more traditional Valentine's Day gifts can be harmful to them. PetMD.com has put together the following tips to help keep your dog or cat safe this Valentine's Day:

1. Melts in Your Mouth: Everyone knows that chocolate causes a rapid heart rate in dogs, among other problems. But not everyone is aware that baking chocolate is especially toxic. While an M&M or two may not do any harm, a dog or cat that snatches a large chunk of baking chocolate may end up in the ER. It is essential to keep all chocolates out of your pet's reach.  
2. Skip the Candygram: Sugar-free candies and gums often contain large amounts of xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to pets, especially dogs. If ingested, it may cause vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and in severe cases, liver failure in dogs. 
3. Restart the Heart: If your dog or cat should ingest large amounts of chocolate, gum or candy, it may go into cardiac arrest. Be prepared by learning the proper methods of CPR for dogs and cats. 
4. A Rose is Just a Rose: But then again, it may also be something that causes harm to your pet. The aroma of floral arrangements can be enticing, and it only takes a nibble to cause a severe allergic reaction in dogs and cats. Even small amounts could lead to an upset stomach or vomiting, particularly if the plant or flower is toxic. Be extremely cautious of lilies, as these lovely flowers are fatally poisonous to cats. 
5. To Give or Not to Give: Are you planning to give a new puppy or kitten to a loved one for Valentine's Day? You may want to think again. Mull it over and do your homework - animals are not disposable, nor can they easily be repackaged, re-gifted or returned if the recipient is not pleased.

Wishing you and your furry friend a safe and happy Valentine's Day!

Image via MorgueFile.com

Take Care of Your Bunny’s Bite

Don't forget, February is National Pet Dental Health Month. And while we might immediately think of our dogs and cats, it's important to keep the dental health of our other pets in mind. For example, rabbits!

If you have a rabbit, you know that bunnies love to chew. Your rabbit uses its teeth for a lot more than just eating – they aid in grooming, marking territory and expressing a variety of emotions. As a responsible rabbit owner, it's up to you to ensure your bunny’s teeth stay in good working order.

Your rabbit's teeth grow continuously throughout its life. The front teeth (incisors) can grow up to five inches per year. Should these teeth fail to wear down properly, they can become crooked and/or overgrown. This condition, known as malocclusion, can lead to difficulty in chewing and swallowing. Malocclusion is most often treated with regular trimming of the teeth by a veterinarian. In some cases, extraction of the misaligned teeth may be a viable alternative to trimming.

Abscesses of the cheek teeth are also sometimes seen in rabbits. They may be caused by impacted food or fractured teeth. Treatment varies depending on severity, and options include tooth extraction, antibiotics, surgical scraping of the abscess, and injections into the wall of the abscess. Other dental problems in rabbits include broken teeth, overgrown cheek teeth, and infection of the tooth root.

Diet can play a major role in the development of dental disease. Rabbits that are fed a strictly pelleted diet don't get enough chewing time, and it's the very act of chewing that helps keep their teeth in good condition. Injury to the teeth or face can result in malocclusion, as can poor nutrition and various other diseases in the body. Older bunnies may also develop problems as a result of the aging process.

Although some signs of dental disease are hard for pet owners to detect, the following are indicators that your rabbit may be suffering from a dental problem:

• Drooling and/or wet, matted fur around the chest, chin and mouth
•  Excessive production of tears
• Tooth grinding
• Changes in eating habits
• Bad breath

While some dental disease in rabbits is strictly genetic, many problems may be avoided with a proper diet. A pellet-only diet can spell trouble, so it's crucial to ensure your rabbit is eating unlimited hay daily. You'll also need to provide your pet with appropriate items for chewing, such as branches or twigs from non-toxic trees that have not been treated with any chemicals.

Check your rabbit's teeth on a regular basis and look for breaks, chips and any changes in color and shape. For a thorough check-up of the entire mouth, take your bunny to the vet at least once a year.

Source: PetDoc.com

Image via MorgueFile.com

Like Bud Light and Help Rescue Dogs

Via MNN.com - Budweiser took the unusual opportunity during a Super Bowl ad for Bud Light beer to not only promote its brand but also to raise awareness for the plight of shelter dogs.

The beermaker created an amusing one-minute spot featuring a rescue dog named "Weego" who races off to get beers for anyone who says "Here, Weego." At the end of the montage of hijinks, Weego is seen pushing a cooler of beer that has the words "help rescue dogs" and a link to Bud Light's Facebook page.

Jump there and you'll find a campaign by Bud Light where the company will donate $1 (up to $250,000) to Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation for every new "Like" their Facebook page receives.

“Weego’s shelter and owner played a critical role in his story,” Bud Light’s Facebook page reads. “In celebration of his humble beginnings, Bud Light is joining forces with Weego to make a donation to help these animals in need and those that make animal rescue possible.”

7Up Employee Fired for Feeding Feral Cats

Last week, the Sacramento Press reported that a long-time employee of the 7Up Bottling Company lost his job simply for feeding hungry cats.

Larry Ottoviani had been warned several times by his supervisor to not feed the cats, and his official notice of termination stated that he had violated his “last chance agreement not to feed the cats on company time and/or company property.”

Ottoviani does not deny feeding the cats, but he does deny doing so on company time or company property.

“The FDA states that we must ensure that the grounds around the food plant under the control of the operator shall be kept in a condition that will protect against the contamination of food," says company spokesman Jason Genther. "Over the years we have seen an increased presence of feral cats on our property.”

Ottoviani believes that if it weren’t for him there would be far more cats on and around company premises.

In 2008, two local animal advocates discovered Ottoviani feeding cats. When they saw how many cats there were, they immediately began working with him to institute a Trap/Neuter/Return program.

Volunteers from the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) helped sweep and clean up shards of broken glass in an unused area adjacent to the 7Up Bottling Company before launching an aggressive trapping program.

Between August 2008 and December 2009, 71 cats were trapped and taken to the SSPCA. The costs for altering the cats were paid by donations from the volunteers and from grant funds. Ottoviani took home some of the tame cats and kittens, later finding homes for them.

Ottoviani still believes he did the right thing. “I acted according to my conscience”, he said.

If you want to help Larry Ottoviani get his job back, you can join the hundreds of people who have posted their comments on 7Up’s Facebook page  or sign the Reinstate Larry Ottoviani petition.

Image by Heather Ireland

10 Reasons Rescued Rabbits Rule

Via Petfinder.com - February is Adopt-A-Rescued-Rabbit Month, and here are 10 reasons rescued rabbits make great pets:

1) Rabbits are the perfect pets for those who may not have time for daily walks. Like cats, rabbits can be litter trained very easily.

2) Many people who are allergic to dogs and cats are not allergic to rabbits. 

3) Rabbits are uniquely talented comedians. Binkies, bunny flops and bunny 500s are just some of the quirky and amusing habits of the house bunny.

4) Rabbit schedules match up with people schedules. Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk, which corresponds well with the times most of us are starting our day or getting home from work.

5) Rabbits help you get healthy. Having a pet who encourages you to stock your fridge with fresh fruits and vegetables is good for everybody - vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

6) Rabbits make great pets for city dwellers. They stay in large cages or puppy pens during the day when you're gone and love to come out to romp around in bunny-proofed rooms when you're home.

7) Rabbits have long lifespans compared to other small animals. They can live 10-12 years if provided with a proper diet and care.

8) Rabbits are heroic. In the wild, rabbits communicate with each other about perceived dangers by thumping their back legs; astute house bunnies will provide you with a similar security system.

9) Rabbits are great listeners. They also make excellent snugglers with their extra-soft fur and loving nature. What more could you ask for from a friend?

10) Rabbits need homes too. Perhaps the best reason to adopt a bunny is that there are so many waiting for forever homes. In fact, after dogs and cats, rabbits are the third most abundant adoptable pet.

The bunnies pictured above are Snap, Crackle and Pop. They are available for adoption through the Animal Rescue League of Western PA. If you have room in your heart and your home for a new bunny friend, please contact your local animal shelter or visit Petfinder.com.

Watch Puppy Bowl VIII This Sunday

Are you ready for the big game this weekend? No, I don't mean the Super Bowl - I mean Puppy Bowl!
Puppy Bowl is back for its 8th consecutive year with an all-star, all-adorable cast that's ready to mix it up on the grand gridiron of Animal Planet Stadium. 



Did you know that all the animals featured on Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl are Petfinder alumni? That means all the puppy players, all the kittens in the kitten halftime show and even this year's new piggy pep squad and the bird who will be "tweeting" the action came from Petfinder shelters and rescue groups.

Puppy Bowl VIII airs this Sunday, February 5 from 3-5pm ET/PT. Don't miss it!