June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month

Summertime brings a population explosion commonly known as "kitten season" - thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats already in shelters across the country. That means your local shelter has tons of cute, cuddly kittens, mellow, older cats and everything in between!

Steve Dale Addresses Feline Overpopulation

June is American Humane Association's Adopt-A-Cat Month, and Steve Dale uses this time to address the issue of feline overpopulation: 

Via Chicago Tribune - There's no question that Americans love pets. Most homes have a pet, including about 40 million homes with at least one cat, adding up to over 86 million pet cats, according to the American Pet Products Association.

Despite all that, estimates are that every minute, approximately four cats are euthanized in U.S. shelters. It's tragic and shameful because the majority of these pets are adoptable. In fact, feline overpopulation is a serious problem.

There's only one way to solve the problem: Reduce the numbers of pets coming into shelters in the first place. So, how do we impact cat overpopulation? Here are three steps I believe can change the equation:

Stray Dog Completes 1,100 Mile Run Across China

Image via The Telegraph

Via ABC News - A stray dog completed a 1,100 mile trek across China, climbing 12 mountains in nearly 25 days. All it took to get the dog to complete the mission was giving it a bone.

The tenacious pup, nicknamed “Xiaosa,” or Little Sa, encountered a team of cyclists in the beginning stages of a race from Sichuan province to Tibet. When one of the cyclists fed the hungry-looking dog some food, the smart dog decided to stay with the hands that fed him and continued the race.

Soon Xiaosa was the team’s mascot, and a national hero in China was born. A blog started by one of the cyclists chronicling Xiaosa’s adventures had attracted 40,000 fans by the end of the race.

Adopt a Retired Military Working Dog

Image via
Lackland AFB

Via MarketWatch - As we pay tribute to our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, let's not forget to honor the war dogs who fought for our country - and who need a home after serving abroad.

"With Memorial Day upon us it's a great time to reflect on the men and women who have served our country to give us the freedoms we enjoy, but this year take a little extra time to remember the war dogs who have been instrumental in saving countless lives and making a lasting impact on the handlers they worked with," said Jason Macek, a Marine Corps veteran and contributor to The Dog Training Secret.

"In honor of all of our fallen war dogs, we will donate $500 to the Military Working Dogs Organization, which goes to great lengths to help retiring dogs find their forever homes. We would encourage you to support their cause as well," he said.

Hot Vet Talks About Cats and Vaccines

He's cool. He's fun. He's hot, and he's a vet! Dr. Courtney Campbell answers a question submitted by Brittni B. about what vaccines you need if you are thinking about getting a cat and how often you need to get them.

8 Tips for a Safe Memorial Day with Your Pets

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of cookout season and with it comes many potential hazards to your pets. Petside.com has put together this list of cookout safety tips. Follow these tips to ensure a safe and fun time for you and your pets this holiday.

Don't let your pets taste any of the food. Pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas, is often caused when pets eat greasy, spicy, or fatty foods – exactly what people eat at barbeques. 

Keep pets away from the garbage. If your dog chews on cooked bones, bone fragments may become lodged in his palate, esophagus, stomach, or intestines, causing pain and frequently requiring surgery.

Keep matches, lighters, and lighter fluid in a secure place away from your pets. The chemical phosphorus in matches acts like a poison if ingested, and lighter fluid can also be harmful if ingested, inhaled, or simply placed on the skin.

U.K. Study Shows Dog Breed Mirrors Owner's Personality

Via Huffington Post - Would you rather own a domineering pit bull or a loving Labrador? The answer may say a lot about your personality.

New research, detailed last week in the journal Anthrozoos, finds that people with argumentative personalities are more likely to choose bull terriers and other aggressive dogs than their agreeable counterparts.

The finding, along with other research, suggests the dog breeds we choose act as mirrors for ourselves. For instance, research presented in April at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference suggested individuals who own toy dogs are more likely to be open to new experiences, a trait called openness.

Meanwhile, owners of famously friendly dogs, like retrievers, are likely to be the most agreeable personalities around.

Register Your Pet with Mutt-i-grees for a Chance to Win $2,500

Via PRNewswire - Two lucky adopters have the chance to win a prize totaling $5,000 in the North Shore Animal League America National Mutt-i-grees Registry Adopter Sweepstakes, sponsored by Purina One. Adopters simply have to enter the name of their pets online through the Mutt-i-grees Registry, and one lucky cat adopter and one lucky dog adopter will each win $2,500.

Every name entered into the registry will become an instant member of the exclusive National Mutt-i-grees Registry of people who have saved a pet's life and will also receive a certificate of their membership to display proudly. Each name will also be published on the Animal League website.

The term Mutt-i-grees includes all shelter pets – purebreds and mixed breeds; puppies, kittens, dogs and cats. In 2009, the Animal League created the Mutt-i-grees Movement to give a voice to the millions of shelter animals in the United States and to change the way cat- and dog-loving Americans perceive shelters pets and ultimately save the precious lives of countless animals. The National Mutt-i-grees Registry was created as part of the Movement as a place for adopters to tell their stories and share their love of their Mutt-i-grees.

Moses the Cat Becomes an Internet Sensation

Image via
MilkDrinkingFool.blogspot.com

Via ABC News - Bobbi and Mark and Meg and Clay are the two sets of neighbors who, one day in early April, heard squeals from inside the carport of Meg and Clay’s home. What the couples discovered was a kitten so small they hardly knew what it was.

“He looked like a little mouse,” Mark said of their 4-in., 4 oz. discovery. “None of us had ever seen a kitten that small.”

The foursome quickly realized that this kitten, who they named Moses, was the now-orphaned kitten of a stray cat that had recently been hit by a car near their respective homes.

Amazon CARES Needs Your Help

Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety (CARES) was founded in 2004 by citizens with a desire to protect the countless stray animals that roam the streets and villages of Peru.

While the outside world is focused on the important global and environmental issues facing the Amazon Rain Forest, there are no other programs in place for domestic animal welfare. Amazon CARES is the only charity in the entire Peruvian Amazon region dedicated to the protection of domestic animals and wildlife.

Studies show a strong link between animal and community health. CARES seeks better health and living conditions for ALL living beings of the Amazon region. This includes appropriate care, respect, and protection from cruelty and neglect.

Top 10 Warning Signs of Cancer in Dogs and Cats

Via PRNewswire - May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spread awareness of the symptoms of cancer in dogs and cats.

As cancer is the leading cause of death in cats and dogs, knowing the symptoms your pet may present if he develops the disease can help you and your vet diagnose and treat him sooner. Therefore, petMD.com has pulled together the top 10 warning signs of cancer in dogs and cats:

1. Lumps and Bumps: Not every lump or bump is necessarily cancerous, but consulting with your vet is the only way to be sure. If the lump is growing or not resolving itself, contact your vet and he will do a biopsy to determine the contents of the bump.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

Via AVMA.org – Did you know that May 20-26 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week? Every year, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs, and children are the most common victims. In addition, 800,000 people receive medical attention for dog bites each year, and children are far more likely to be severely injured.

There are several things you can do to avoid dog bites ranging properly training and socializing your pet to properly educating your children on how, or if, to approach a dog.

What to do if you’re a dog owner:

• Carefully select your pet. Puppies should not be obtained on impulse. 
• Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy so it feels at ease around people and other animals. 
• Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased. 
• Train your dog. The basic commands "sit," "stay," "no," and "come" help dogs understand what is expected of them. 
• Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation. 
• Avoid highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war. 
• Use a leash in public to ensure you are able to control your dog. 
• Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. 
• Neuter your pet. 
• If you have a fenced yard, make sure the gates are secure.  

Wabbit Wednesday Revisited

I wanted to end the Rabbit Adoptathon with a post that is very dear to my heart. Entitled Wabbit Wednesday, it was the first in a series of posts featuring adoptable rabbits. It was originally posted on September 22, 2010. 

Seven years ago, I walked into a pet store looking for a small pet for my daughter. We lived in an apartment at the time, so I was thinking about a hamster, a gerbil or maybe a guinea pig. But what caught my attention was an older rabbit - one who had been returned by the previous owner because her son was "allergic" to it.

This rabbit was about two years old, and she sat in a cage all by herself looking so forlorn it broke my heart. No one was going to buy her, not when there were adorable baby bunnies hopping about in their glass enclosure. So I told my daughter that she was coming home with us. That was the day we got Bunny.

Rascally Rabbits Available at Judge’s Park

Judge's Park is a small animal rescue located in Edinburg PA, about one hour north of Pittsburgh. Judge's Park was founded in 2005 to create a rescue where small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, hamsters, gerbils, mice, etc.) would be welcome since none of the rescues in that area took in small animals. Since 2005, over 500 animals have been placed in loving forever homes.

Judge’s Park is currently operated out of the founder’s home, but it is their hope that someday they will move to a larger facility where they can also take in dogs, cats, and other animals. Since the rescue is located in a private home, appointments must be made to see the animals.

The cost to adopt a single bunny from Judge’s Park is $60 ($50 if you are adopting a companion for your current rabbit) or $75 for a bonded pair. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, and the first vet visit. Here are just a few rabbits available for adoption:

Adorable Adoptables at Western PA Humane Society

The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS) was originally founded in 1874 to prevent cruelty and protect the lives of children, the elderly, and animals within the region.

Today they operate two shelters in Allegheny County. They work to prevent cruelty to animals, provide care to pets in need, promote adoption for homeless pets in the region, and strengthen the pet and people bond.

WPHS operates as an “open-door” shelter maintaining their commitment to never turn away an unwanted pet or homeless animal. Last year they cared for over 14,000 animals in need; rescued over 1,100 abused and neglected animals; and taught over 27,000 students about the proper way to care for animals.

Adoptable Bunnies from Animal Rescue League

The Animal Rescue League of Western PA (ARL) was formed in 1909 by a group of citizens with a shared concern for both animal welfare and the public health. Since opening their doors in 1910, they have remained true to their mission of helping all animals in need, regardless of species or breed.

At Animal Rescue League’s shelter, they care for and find permanent, loving homes for dogs, cats and other companion animals. There is no time limit on the length of an animal’s stay, and they keep all healthy and friendly companion animals until they are adopted.

ARL’s Open Door policy means that no animal is ever refused shelter. Between their shelter and wildlife center, they take in over 13,000 animals annually. Last year alone, ARL rehomed over 6,100 companion animals, treated over 2,000 injured wild animals and spay/neutered over 6,400 animals.

Adoptable Rabbits Available at Animal Friends

Animal Friends, located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, is a non-profit companion animal resource center serving the needs of pets and people since 1943. Their nationally-recognized programs include humane rescue, shelter and adoption services for over 2,500 pets annually, humane education, pet behavior classes, pet-assisted therapy, wellness programs and more.

Animal Friends cares for 250 dogs, cats and rabbits on site and many more in foster homes. Each one of these animals has been thoroughly examined by their medical staff and has been spayed or neutered. Each pet is also "microchipped," or implanted with a small identification device that can help get them back home should they get lost.

Animal Friends hosts weekly Bun Runs, which are a great opportunity to meet all the rabbits they have available for adoption. Because the bunnies are free to roam, their personalities really get a chance to shine. Experienced rabbit volunteers are on hand to answer any questions about bunny care, and children are welcome but need adult supervision.

Rabbit Rescue Helps Bunnies Find Forever Homes

Pittsburgh is blessed to have three wonderful animal shelters – Animal Friends, Animal Rescue League, and Western PA Humane Society. And each shelter has beautiful, adoptable bunnies waiting to find their forever homes.

In addition to these shelters, Pittsburgh also has a rescue group called Rabbit Wranglers. The mission of Rabbit Wranglers is to help abused, neglected and abandoned rabbits and educate the public to improve the lives of these companion animals.

Rabbit Wranglers works with animal shelters and aids these facilities with humane rescues. The organization also assists shelters by taking in those rabbits with more challenging behaviors that prevent their adoption, those requiring medical or palliative care beyond what the shelter is able to provide, or those who would otherwise be euthanized due to shelter overcrowding.

Second Annual Rabbit Adoptathon Begins Today

Today is the first day of the 2012 Rabbit Adoptathon Blog Hop. This event was founded last year by my friend Carrie Boyko at All Things Dog Blog. In addition to being a dog lover, Carrie also had a rabbit named Robby, and she wanted to help spread the word about adopting these wonderful creatures as pets.

This year, the event is co-sponsored by Affurmation and Bunny’s Blog. It runs from Sunday, May 13 through Saturday, May 19. You can join the blog hop at any time by writing a blog post about rabbits or rabbit care and adding it to the link list. Or you can post adoptable rabbits to your Facebook page. Petfinder makes it easy with the share buttons available on each animal’s profile.

Today, I would like to talk about something I call the “Easter Bunny Syndrome”. Rabbits are popular Easter gifts, but many people purchase them on impulse without taking the time to learn about their special needs. Once the novelty has worn off, many former Easter bunnies end up in animal shelters.

New Guidelines Address Concerns About Canine Over-Vaccination

Image via MorgueFile.com

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recently issued new guidelines addressing canine over-vaccination.

According to Steve Dale, there has been ongoing concern about how often to administer the combination vaccine for canine distemper, canine parvovirus and canine adenovirus. Until recently, annual boosters were recommended by most veterinarians, but that is longer the case according to the new guidelines.

Dr. Ron Schultz, professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, states that puppies must absolutely be given these vaccines, which are administered in several doses. The final dose of the initial series must be given between 14 to 16 weeks of age.

National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day

Depending on where you go on the internet, National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day is either May 8 or May 12. Either way, you need to have a disaster preparedness plan in place that includes your pets.

Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from sheltering in place for a few hours, a brief absence from your home, or a long term evacuation.

Prepare a Pet Emergency Supply Kit 

Just like you need to prepare an emergency supply kit for yourself, you will also need one for your pet. Make sure you use plastic zipper bags to store items and then place them into a larger waterproof container. Here are items to include in your kit:

Recommendations for Pet Owners Affected by Pet Food Recall

Via PR Newswire - As of May 8, 14 brands of pet food were recalled due to a Salmonella bacteria contamination. The recent pet food recall has left many pet owners scrambling to replace their recalled pet food brands, yet few are aware of the proper protocol for disposing of contaminated food and rapidly changing their pets' diets.

To assist pet owners, petMD.com has pulled together a list of recommendations for what to do if your pet's food has been recalled:

1. Remove the Recalled Food: If you check the labels of your pet food bag and find that it has been recalled, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in a secure garbage can. This helps ensure that neither your pet nor an outdoor animal will eat the contaminated food and risk becoming ill.

 2. Clean: Thoroughly wash all containers, utensils, bowls, your hands, and any other items that have come into contact with the recalled food. If surfaces are not sanitized, bacteria can attach to various objects and people and live for several hours or even days.

3. Change Food: Switch out your pet's food for a non-recalled brand. Talk with your veterinarian or pet food supplier to get more information on the status of the recall and to identify which brands are considered safe.

No-Kill Movement Spares More Shelter Animals

Image via MorgueFile.com

Via Scripps News - In 1994, San Francisco became the nation's first community to stop the municipal pound from killing healthy dogs and cats by introducing a radical combination of adoption outreach and companion-animal birth control.

Now those and other no-kill tactics are being embraced across the country. The chain stores PetSmart and Petco no longer sell dogs and cats; they host shelter adoption events. Spay-neuter laws and programs are more common. A loose network of rescue groups, shelters and pet-oriented businesses connects adoptable animals to new homes, sometimes hundreds of miles away, in what some animal advocates call a variation on the Underground Railroad.

The no-kill revolution has gone mainstream, promoting the ideal of euthanizing only those shelter animals suffering from terminal illness or injury or too vicious to live among humans. Nevertheless, millions of pets are still at risk, even in supposed no-kill shelters.

Be Kind to Animals Week

Image via MorgueFile.com

Did you know that May 6-12 is Be Kind to Animals Week? Founded by the American Humane Association in 1915, the purpose of this annual event is to celebrate the role that animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others to do the same.

And while Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated only once a year, there are many ways people can be kind to animals every day. Here’s how:

Speak out for animals - Get informed about policies and legislation that can impact the animals in your community and throughout the country. Register to receive Action Alerts. Advocacy for animals can make a huge difference in their safety and well-being.

Bob Barker Opens New Section in Chimp Haven

Image via CtPost.com

Via CtPost.com - Animal activist and retired game-show host Bob Barker visited northwest Louisiana Thursday to open a new area at Chimp Haven, a national chimpanzee sanctuary, and to watch as five HIV-infected chimps transferred from a closed Texas facility were introduced to their new home.

"They came down the hill through the timber, some of them running on their hind legs. Just running," Barker said after the ceremony. "They were so happy. One climbed a tree clear to the top. They played with balls and they ate bananas."

The Texas sanctuary had closed because of overcrowding and money trouble. Other sanctuaries took the rest of its animals, including 11 chimpanzees. None would take Doc, JoJo, Murphy, Flick or Pierre because they are infected with the HIV virus. One also has hepatitis.

Katherine Heigl and Halo Support PBS Film “Shelter Me”

Image via
 jasonheiglfoundation.org

Actress and animal advocate Katherine Heigl is hosting the PBS premiere of "Shelter Me," a film that illustrates how people's lives are positively impacted by shelter dogs. The one-hour television special celebrates the human-animal bond by showcasing three inspirational stories about shelter dogs and the lives they change.

"As a huge animal lover, I was immediately drawn to this project because it advocates for the homeless pets at our local shelters," said Katherine Heigl, co-founder of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. "It's important to generate awareness and overcome stigmas about these local facilities as well as promote these amazing animals and how they improve people's lives."

The project was created by filmmaker Steven Latham who wants to engage the public in helping to find solutions for the 3-4 million dogs and cats that are euthanized every year in the United States. "Shelter Me" is sponsored by Ellen DeGeneres' pet food company, Halo, Purely for Pets.

Pet Health Report Reveals Dramatic Increase in Chronic Diseases

Image via New York Daily News

Via PR Newswire - Banfield Pet Hospital, the world's leading veterinary practice, has released its State of Pet Health 2012 Report, revealing that certain chronic diseases in dogs and cats have risen drastically since 2007.

The 2012 report shows that in the past five years, chronic diseases have continued to increase, some at an alarming rate. Overweight and obesity increased 37 percent in dogs and 90 percent in cats, whereas arthritis increased 38 percent in dogs and 67 percent in cats.

While the rise in chronic diseases is alarming, equally concerning are pet owner perceptions surrounding the overall health of pets. Although the 2012 report shows an increase in chronic diseases, only 36 percent of dog owners and 28 percent of cat owners said they would take their pet to see a veterinarian to manage an existing disease or condition.

Black Lab acts as guide dog for blind Golden Retriever

Image via TNT Magazine

It’s been a rough life for Tanner, a two year old Golden Retriever who currently lives at the Woodland West Animal Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tanner was born blind and also has epilepsy - suffering seizures which cause him to evacuate his bowels.

Tanner had a home until his owner died in 2010. Then he bounced between a foster family and the Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue. The rescue group placed him at the animal hospital last December to care for his seizures.

It was there that Tanner, who may have been put down if his condition didn't improve, met Blair, a one year old Black Labrador. Blair, a stray found wandering the streets of Tulsa, was shot last year, leaving him skittish and nervous around humans.