Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Causes of Dog Heart Disease

This can be caused by a change in the heart valves and their function, or a number of other potential causes. Dog heart murmur symptoms may be caused by an abnormal communication between the left side and the right side of the heart. There are a number of things that may cause this, as they may be congenital or present from birth, or acquired which means the heart was affected after birth because of age or disease. There are two types of heart murmurs in dogs, benign murmurs which do not concern the health of the dog, and much more serious heart murmurs which may indicate the development of congestive heart failure in dogs.

Dog heart murmur symptoms may involve the following: bluish tinge to the gums or tongue, poor exercise ability, coughing, labored breathing and even fainting. Some of these symptoms would suggest that your pup may have other health issues. However, the symptoms are similar between benign heart murmurs and those that are more severe in nature. If you are at all concerned about your canine’s health, you should consult your veterinarian. A couple of these symptoms may be overlooked which would include poor exercise ability and a bluish tinge to the gums. If you think that your dog has any dog heart murmur symptoms, canine heart disease or the development of congestive heart failure, immediately contact your vet for a positive diagnosis.

These are symptoms that indicate that something serious is going on with your dog’s health. The best way to identify the source and severity of the dog’s heart murmur is to conduct a thorough physical examination by a veterinarian, however sometimes additional testing is needed including a heart ultrasound, blood testing, an EKG and chest x-rays. The ultrasound offers a particularly enticing list of benefits because it allows your veterinarian to measure the extent of the murmur, defining whatever the cause of the underlying heart disease may be. It is vital that you be able to properly diagnose the cause of your dog’s heart condition because some conditions that cause heart murmurs are treatable, either through surgery or through medication.

If your canine has a congenital heart murmur, then surgery may be necessary. On the other hand, you may have to give your pooch certain types of medication as non-congenital heart murmurs are often an underlying symptom of congestive heart failure in dogs. You will not be sure exactly what to do until you have consulted with the right veterinarian and have been given advice as to your dog’s health. You should not leave symptoms like these unchecked due to the fact that not every heart murmur is benign and there could be serious changes occurring in your dog’s heart.

It is vital to share any concerns or questions that you may have with your veterinarian especially when it comes to your dog’s physical condition and lifestyle. If you are not comfortable with a diagnosis from your general veterinarian, you should consider seeking out a specialist for your dog. You could either go to a veterinary cardiologist or an internist. These vets have specialized training and probably have vast experience in these problems and other issues that your dog may have.


Veterinary Secrets Revealed. Treat Your Pet At Home With Over 1000 At-home Pet Health Remedies: Keep Your Dog Or Cat Healthy, Extend Their Life And Save Money At The Vet!


Tuesday, March 24, 2009

More Pets Becoming Victims Of Foreclosure

For an animal lover like me, this is heartbreaking:

Personally, I’d rather spend bailout money on the Humane Society than covering bad Wall Street investments, but I’m afraid the Humane Society’s clientele doesn’t have a PAC.

By the way, I spoke with a woman who works with an animal rescue group. She said that too many people put off making arrangements for their pets too long. There are breed specific rescue groups who will help place animals, or you can advertise on bulletin boards or Craigslist to try and find a new home for your pet. The process takes time though, and you greatly reduce the chance of your pet finding another home if you wait until the last moment, then drop them off at a shelter. When you know you can’t keep a pet, start making arrangements ASAP.

Another thing to remember-

Many people believe that they cannot keep their pets in rentals. That is not the case. The home that I am currently renting, as well as my last home, both said "No pets" in the listing. My previous landlady said "yes" when we asked her, the current one said "yes" after he was offered a hefty deposit. Sure, not everyone will do that for you, but it never hurts to ask.


Veterinary Secrets Revealed. Treat Your Pet At Home With Over 1000 At-home Pet Health Remedies: Keep Your Dog Or Cat Healthy, Extend Their Life And Save Money At The Vet!


Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Nueter-alize your pet care costs

Nueter-alize your pet care costs
3/30/2008 3:10 PM
By: Lisa Chalenza

Spaying and neutering should be considered a regular part of pet parenting and adoption.
There's a lot of misinformation about spaying and neutering, why it's so important and where you can find low-cost programs to help defer the expense.

Spaying and neutering should be considered a regular part of pet parenting and adoption.

Many shelters require your new pet to be spayed or neutered and have this done before you even pick them up.

However, if you acquire a pet from another source, that responsibility will probably lie with you. And while some people think the procedure is painful for the animal, that's not the case.

Animals are sedated. Today's techniques are less invasive and recovery time lasts only a few days.

You may have to go to great lengths to keep a playful pet's activity to a minimum.

Some people think it's better to let your dog or cat have one litter before having them spayed or neutered, or want their kids to experience the miracle of life.

Well, here's a thought: a pair of unneutered dogs or cats and their offspring, in just a few years, can produce thousands more potentially homeless pets. Furthermore, local libraries stock plenty of videos that show and explain in great detail the miracle of birth.

Some say, "I'll wait until they get a little older." The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends neutering your pets before they reach six months.

After having females spayed, they're less likely to develop painful mammary tumors, uterine infections and other diseases.

Neutering males before six months can help prevent testicular cancer, prostate disease and bad behaviors that become uncontrollable stop once they start.

Another excuse people give is that the procedure is expensive.

The cost of caring for a litter exceeds the cost of vet care for a new mother and all her babies, and ad placements to find homes for all the offspring.

Friends of Animals offers a low-cost program for neutering and spaying.

Call your local shelter or vet and ask if they participate in the Friends of Animals program.

Thousands of cats are euthanized or abandoned, so spaying and neutering your pets is one of the most humane things you can do for them.


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Pets Just Want to Have Fun

Pets Just Want to Have Fun
WLBT-TV - Jackson,MS,USA
This year's pet parade was quite a sight to see! Dogs of every size took part. Some were dressed top to bottom in green. Others took a more subtle approach. ...

Do you talk to your pets?
Seattle Post Intelligencer - USA
That's not why we talk to our pets, though. We do it because it feels natural to speak to family members who share our home. To outsiders it might seem ...

Urban forest, feral pets and rotting real estate … welcome to a ...
Sunday Herald - Glasgow,Scotland,UK
By Jasper Hamill IT'S THE end of our world and feral domestic pets stalk the deserted cities of Scotland. Holyrood lies in ruins and the Clyde has burst its ...

Wake Considers Taxing Pets
NBC 17.com - Raleigh,NC,USA
Wake County is looking to tax all the estimated 90000 pet owners to assure that care is provided to the animals. Photo By: NBC17 By Jaclyn Asztalos, ...

Economic Woes Forcing Homeowner to Give-up Pets
Northland's NewsCenter - Duluth,MN,USA
As Joel Runck explains, animal shelters in the Twin Ports are seeing an increase in pet drop-offs. With economic woes taking their toll across the Nation, ...

The 'Dos' of Safe Boating with Your Pets
PR-USA.net (press release) - Varna,Bulgaria
With boating season fast approaching, it’sa great time for a little refresher on safe boating for pets. Before hitting the high seas with your pet it’s ...

Program offers protection for pets
Wisconsin State Journal - Madison,WI,USA
Editor's note: To protect the women -- and their pets -- mentioned in this story, the women's names and hometowns are not revealed. ...

More on Easter Pets
Texarkana Gazette - Texarkana,TX,USA
The Texarkana Humane Society will give out information on why people shouldn’t buy Easter pets without serious consideration from 11 am to 3 pm today at ...

Pets of the Week
Murfreesboro Post - Murfreesboro,TN,USA
By Kelly Hite Top left is a male black, white, and tan hound and treeing walker coonhound. He is two months old and in kennel number D2. ...

Pets of the Week
Visalia Times-Delta - Visalia,CA,USA
Joey is a 3-year-old beige-and-tan terrier mix with a fluffy, wavy coat. He's an absolutely adorable, unique-looking fellow who weighs about 20 pounds. ...

Frame Your Pets
By Aya Chin(Aya Chin)
On Fame Your Pets you’ll be able to view many cute and funny photos of Eddy and his fellow pet friends. I had a good laugh from some of the captions included next to each photo. Another highlight of the site is a section where you can ...
Aya's Blog Review - http://ayasreviews.blogspot.com/

Men with Pets
By Chris Leavins
Pixel_adam_hawaii_abe "Pixel". With Adam. Sent by Abe in HAWAII.
chris leavins - http://www.cutewithchris.com/

Bright Guy - Penguin Flashlight
By FUNNY PETS(FUNNY PETS)
Bright Guy - The Self-Powered LED Penguin Flashlight. Need a little light and all of your batteries seem to have died??? Then you need this cool self-powered penguin flashlight. When you press the lower button Bright Guy's wing pops out ...
Penguins! - http://penguinsland.blogspot.com/

drunk dog
By adimoga
Wtf.. i drink to much..
Pets Funky - http://www.petsfunky.com/

Pets and a Blog Chain
By Kathleen
I’m writing in a blog chain, and the big conversation lately has been about pets. Many people talk about their pets, or about being slaves to their pets… but things are a little different for me (and here I go shocking the rest of the ...
Polyamory from the Inside Out - http://polyspace.wordpress.com


Another pet-food recall could happen

Another pet-food recall could happen
San Francisco Chronicle - CA, USA
Although the name Menu Foods wasn't familiar to pet owners, the recalled cans and pouches bore the labels of dozens of the most familiar and trusted brands ...

Unusual Pets Find New Home in German Valley
WREX-TV - Rockford,IL,USA
By Gretchen Ross GERMAN VALLEY - Abandoned exotic pets with nowhere to go, find a new place to call home. Pocket Pets rescue in Central Illinois ran out of ...

Animal-to-Human MRSA Has Researchers Worried
Newsinferno.com - New York,NY,USA
Researchers are beginning to see MRSA in family pets, which has slowed healing in some MRSA-afflicted pet owners. Suspicions about animal-to-human MRSA ...

Fauna Sauna: Far Infrared Healing For Pets
Inventorspot - USA
Fauna Sauna uses the same radiant heat that the sun produces, minus the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays, to bring healing to your pet right in your home. ...

Job Prospects in Vet. Medicine
KSBI 52 - Oklahoma City,OK,USA
Additionally, pet owners are more knowledgeable about the improvements in veterinary medicine and ask for advanced care for their pets, creating even more ...

The 'Dos' of Safe Boating with Your Pets
PR.com (press release) - Levittown,NY,USA
With boating season fast approaching, now is a good time to review safe boating for pets. South Portland, ME, March 14, 2008 --(PR.com)-- With boating ...

Auf Wiedersehen, Pets
Lanark Today - Lanarkshire,UK
"The relationship between an owner and a pet can be nearly as strong, if not stronger, than one they had with a human." DAWN Murray will happily bury your ...

Despair over stolen pets
Horsham Today - Horsham,England,UK
The couple called the police and the local dog warden, and knocked round houses searching for their pet. Two days later, Scoot was found wandering the High ...

Shelter bringing pets to park
Vallejo Times-Herald - Vallejo,CA,USA
But while rabbits can be a great pet for the right family, many of them are let loose or end up in local shelters once the novelty wears off, said Benicia ...

Legislators to Consider Laws for Exotic Pets
WRAL.com - Raleigh,NC,USA
Raleigh, NC — A state legislative committee will take public comments Thurdsday on the issue of exotic pets. The Joint Select Committee on Inherently ...

Pets General Pets General Pet invention

Pets General: Pets General; Pets General; Pet invention. Pets General By MC and PINK from North Carolina If their was one invention that you could have to make your life better what would it be It dosent even have to be about pets just ...
Pets Bulletin Board - http://board.pets-buynow.com

Amazing Pets: Savannah Cat
By UltraYeah
I’ve always considered getting a pet, but don’t know if I could maintain the responsibility. Taking care of myself is hard enough; I can only imagine how hard it would be to feed and clean a pet. But if I’d had pet it would definitely ...
The Daily Yeah - http://dailyyeah.com

urgent! please help save 300+ pets from euthanasia
By Urban Vegan(Urban Vegan)
Bossa Nova is asking nicely. Can you please help? The SPCA is my home county--a financially depressed region in Pennsylvania--is about to close its doors due to lack of funding. Read the article here. Please sign the petition, ...
- http://urbanvegan.blogspot.com/

Radio Edit
By bananatree
I just pulled out some swag I scored from CKXU awhile back (yes, listeners and volunteers sometimes get free CDs), and I found a CD single for Massive Attack. I neglected the CD for awhile, I haven’t been in a Massive Attack mood lately ...
Kids And Pets Blog and Dance... - http://kidsnpets.wordpress.com

RFID pet food access system to teach your pets basic table manners
Now this scenario is set to change as here is RFID Pet Food Access System where an RFID chip is attached to the dog collar and when any of the dogs makes an attempt to intrude into others food bowl a high pitched warning signal goes off ...
The RFID Weblog - http://www.rfid-weblog.com/


Friday, February 22, 2008

Pet News!

Miami Metrozoo offers amnesty for exotic pets
WWSB ABC 7 - Sarasota,FL,USA
AP - February 21, 2008 6:54 AM ET MIAMI (AP) - Miami Metrozoo is offering amnesty for exotic pets that are too difficult to keep at home. ...

Pets are special guests at reopening of store
The Star - UK
The Pets at Home store at Parkgate Shopping Centre was one of the worst hit in last June's devastating floods when the nearby River Don burst its banks. ...

UT 'Bunny Girl' parades pets
UT The Daily Texan - Austin,TX,USA
By Phillip Paquette A girl with a cult-like following walks her pet bunnies with delicate cloth leashes around campus, sometimes taking them to class with ...

Officer goes all out to save pets from fire - with video
Livingston Daily - Livingston,MI,USA
By Christopher Behnan On an otherwise uneventful mid-November day, Brandon Bullock found himself playing the role of police officer, fireman and good ...

To get pet a new home, plan ahead
Atlanta Journal Constitution - GA, USA
By EILEEN DRENNEN After seeing a story Wednesday about an increase in pet abandonment linked, in part, to foreclosures, a reader whose family struggled ...

This hospital panders to pets »»
The Independent Online - Brighton,Ontario,Canada
The vet adds that good care can also provide relief for pet owners, who can become upset and stressed when their pet is sick.

What do our pets see?
Biloxi Sun Herald - MS, USA
The answers to some of these questions might surprise you but, by knowing what your pet's vision should be, this information may guide you and help you ...

Bills to protect pets introduced
Martinsburg Journal - Martinsburg,WV,USA
The amendment would also enable commissioners to enact additional ordinances that would require pet owners to provide adequate food, water, veterinary care, ...

Traveling with pets, couples and money, street performer’s ...
Boston Herald - United States
By AP / Watercooler FIDO IN A LIMO: More than 29 million Americans say they’ve traveled with their pets in the last three years, according to the Travel ...

Countdown to celebration: Seniors and pets gather Saturday at ...
Rossmoor News - Walnut Creek,CA,USA
The Diabetes Support Group and the Office of Counseling Services extend an invitation to all Rossmoor residents, their families, their friends and their pet ...

Cremating beloved pets grows in popularity
In life, pets are treated like part of the family. So it's only fitting that the same holds true when they die. When families are faced with the loss of a pet, some owners are turning to cremation as the way to handle the remains.
inRich News Business - http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/business.html

Dog sling carriers Mackenzie
By admin
Dog sling carriers Mackenzie are stylish pet carriers designed like a clutch with the capability to be worn across your body like sling bags. Carrying your little dog across town has never been so easy; (more…) ...
Pets Trends - http://www.petstrends.com

TF2008: Jakks Pacific - Wonder Pets
Our Toy Fair updates continue with a new gallery of Wonder Pets toys on display in Jakks Pacific's showroom at Toy Fair. Enjoy!
CoolToyReview.com - http://www.cooltoyreview.com

How to Save Abandoned Pets After Foreclosure
With the home foreclosure crisis sweeping the US—abandoned pets are definitely something we need to be concerned about. Of course, pets can’t fend for themselves—and have often been found dehydrated and on the brink of starvation. ...
Digg / upcoming - http://digg.com/

How to Save Abandoned Pets After Foreclosure
There have been quite a few cases reported of pets being abandoned after their owners foreclosed on their homes. With the foreclosure crisis sweeping the US?this is definitely something we need to be concerned about. ...
eHow - Expert - http://www.ehow.com/


Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Foreclosures hit pets, too

By: SARAH GORDON - Staff Writer

NORTH COUNTY -- In the midst of record foreclosures, regional animal shelters say they are taking in a wave of pets who, like people, have lost their homes.

Traci Chavez, director of animal services with the Escondido Humane Society, which also serves Poway and San Marcos, said that the shelter has seen an influx of animals from families who can't make their mortgages. Forced to move quickly and with limited means, they are unable to locate housing that accommodates their pets.

"They say, 'Look, the bank is taking my house; I have no choice,' " Chavez said.

Many apartments won't accept pets, and even those that do often set weight limits that ban medium-sized and large dogs, Chavez said.

The shelter has about 30 percent more animals than it did at the same time last year, Abigail Rowland, the Humane Society's development director said.

Since summer, the shelter has fielded 20 to 30 calls a day, compared to just a few each day a year ago, from people who say they are losing their homes and don't know what to do with their pets, she said. Staff members inform callers about pet-friendly apartments.

The foreclosure casualties became evident in the fall, Chavez said, when the shelter's numbers failed to drop as usual following the teeming kitten and puppy season.

The trend mirrors the housing crisis, with 2007 bringing record-high foreclosures county-, state-, and nationwide.

In North County, the number of houses and condominiums entering foreclosure in 2007 more than doubled in the last year, according to La Jolla-based DataQuick Information Systems, with 6,586 notices of foreclosure recorded in 2007, compared to 2,875 in 2006.

Separation difficult

The separations are hard on animals and humans alike, Chavez said. One man who recently dropped off his pets of nine years, a border collie mix and a Labrador, lingered long in the office, sobbing and hugging and kissing his dogs, Chavez said.

"Half the staff had to turn around and walk out of the room. ... It was hard to take," Chavez said.

The surrendered animals have strained the shelter's capacity, Chavez said. She doesn't mind sharing her space with Millie, a 13-year-old tabby, but housing animals in almost every office is an emergency measure.

Chavez worries about what will happen when the numbers are compounded by the wave of kittens and puppies that will start arriving in March.

Many partner rescue groups also are full and unable to take more animals she said. Rowland urged people who do have room for a pet to consider adoption.

The North County Humane Society, serving Oceanside and Vista, also reports being atypically full for this time of year.

Family pets in the shelter, including a purebred maltese, lhasa apso and chihuahua, that would normally be adopted quickly are having difficulty finding homes, spokesperson Lindsay Hood said.

The unusual number of dogs means that small dogs are housed four to a two-dog kennel, and the stray cattery has also become a makeshift doghouse.

So far this month, the shelter has taken in 399 animals, compared to 262 for all of January 2007, Hood said.

She is unsure how many animals are the victims of foreclosures, but most people surrendering pets recently have checked the "moving" box on the shelter's required form.

"They're really not more forthcoming that that ... I wouldn't be either," Hood said.

She does not think military deployments have caused the increase, because deployments have been an ongoing issue.

In order to help displaced and financially strapped families keep their pets, the shelter will soon distribute a list of area apartments that accept larger pets and free pet food as needed.

Some shelters unaffected

Not all shelters have seen the foreclosure effect.

John Carlson, regional director of the San Diego County animal shelter in Carlsbad, said that he number of surrendered pets was slightly down in the second half of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, 529 compared to 592.

Dawn Danielson director of San Diego County Animal Services, said animal surrenders and abandonments were lower at all three San Diego County shelters.

The Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas, where Danielson serves as chairwoman, has also seen a drop in surrendered pets, she said.

The housing market's impact on animals does not appear to be exclusive to Southern California. The Humane Society of the United States issued a statement earlier this month urging foreclosure victims to make plans for their pets.

The group suggests that families start planning as soon as the threat of foreclosure is real. Shelters in cities where families plan to relocate can often provide a list of pet-friendly apartments.

And preparing proof of responsible pet ownership, such as veterinary records, may help convince future landlords to accept animals.

If no other arrangements can be made, turning animals into a shelter is the most humane move, the group says.

"No one likes to think of leaving their pet at a shelter," Stephanie Shain, a national Humane Society spokeswoman, said. "... But if you can't take him with you, it is far more humane than leaving them in an apartment or a house alone."


Shelters have seen a rise in abandoned pets

Feral cats are fed a supply of cat food at a park on Wednesday in Stockton. In the heart of foreclosure country, abandoned animals are becoming a given, much like destroyed houses and fallen neighborhoods. (Courtesy photo)


By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Updated: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 6:43 AM PST

Animal rescue organizations in Lodi have had to deal with animals that have been given up by people whose homes were foreclosed.

"It's just mind boggling," said Patricia Sherman, president of Lodi Animal Friends Connection. "We've got a lot of them — at least a dozen or so calls in the past two months."

Cats, dogs and other pets have been abandoned, either because their owners can no longer afford to take care of them or because pets aren't allowed in their new homes.

For example, Sherman said, a family that lost its house gave up their 6-year-old dachsund-beagle and 5-year-old red dachshund because they had to move to an apartment building where the landlord didn't allow dogs.

"It took us two months to find them the right home," Sherman said.

Brena Schweitz, an animal services officer at the Lodi Animal Shelter, said it's hard to tell how many pets were abandoned because their owners' homes were foreclosed. That's because pet owners may be too embarrassed to tell shelter officers that their homes were foreclosed, Schweitz said.

Sometimes, owners will say that the animal they're bringing in is a stray, Schweitz said, That way, the owner can avoid the $50 fee for vaccinations. However, Schweitz said it would better if the family is candid about their situation so that Animal Shelter officers will know the animal's history, such as whether it's an indoor or outdoor pet and whether the animal is good with children, she said.

"It would make it easier for us to find a home (for the pet)," Schweitz said.

A lot of animals from foreclosed homes come from Stockton, said Sherman and Jennifer Bender, a Lodi animal services officer.

If there isn't enough room at the Lodi Animal Shelter, pets may be taken to the Sacramento SPCA, for example, Bender said. And if the animal is a purebred, there are special purebred rescue organizations, she added.


Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Pet-mad Hong Kong fertile ground for pooch pampering services

Protesters with their animals gather at a 'pet cafe' in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AFP) — The latest bakery to open in one of Hong Kong's prime residential areas, Happy Valley, is perfectly positioned to catch passing trade.

The gleaming counter displays mouth-watering pastries, cookies and cakes as the smell of food lovingly prepared by resident chef David wafts from the giant ovens into the street.

But the target customers of this particular bakery, even the biggest, cannot always see the goodies on the shelves -- although their barking indicates they can definitely smell them.

Three Dog Bakery is the latest effort to provide a further level of pampering for Hong Kong's four-legged friends in this pet-mad city.

Most of Hong Kong's seven million people live in tiny cramped apartments and dogs are banned from many city parks but nevertheless the animals have become a must-have accessory and are treated accordingly.

"People consider their dogs as an extra member of the family," said Brent Earles, general manager of Three Dog Bakery, which is an international franchise based in the United States.

"If your dog is your companion or surrogate child there are people who will go and spend a lot of money on their dogs."

The range of options is endless. Around Hong Kong dogs are dressed in elaborate costumes, expensive collars and even pushed around in strollers if walking gets a bit too much for them.

Every week, TV programmes show elaborate and expensive ways to spoil dogs -- and this is where Three Dog Bakery comes in with its extensive range of exclusive items ranging from 350-US-dollar blankets to fluffy toys shaped like expensive shoes and embossed with the names "Jimmy Chew" and "Vera Wag".

"I have to laugh sometimes -- they are ridiculous items for pets. There is a certain whimsy about the whole thing, but we do it for the love of animals," said Earles.

Owners of the new Three Dogs Bakery are hoping to repeat in Hong Kong the phenomenal success of their outlets in Japan.

The chain now has eight stores in Japan, having opened its first eight years ago, and Japanese dog owners and their pets regularly queue outside them.

Clement Lo, who runs Hong Kong's Three Dog Bakery, expects to have a similar impact here. He is opening a second store in the territory at the same time and believes the city's 200,000 registered "loved ones" will create enough of a market for five.

He says he has already been approached by a city restaurant to provide special dog dinners and one of casino billionaire Stanley Ho's relatives has visited the new store with an eye to setting up a franchise in the nearby gambling centre of Macau.

Peter de Krassel, a director of the Pets Central chain in the city, says the demand for pet-pampering has rocketed in recent years.

"The number of dogs registered has doubled over the past five years," said de Krassel, who says he wants to list his company in London in 2009.

"You have a lot of young professional couples who are choosing to have pets instead of children and you have a lot of empty-nesters," he added.

He says the potential market in Hong Kong and mainland China is huge, and he is looking to expand into Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai -- despite the fact that dog meat is still eaten many parts of China.

De Krassel said some high-earning pet owners in China regularly fly their pets to the United States for medical treatment.

And in Hong Kong, the growing number of pet owners appear to constitute a powerful lobby group, with politicians taking on their concerns. Chairman of the city's Democratic Party and dog owner Albert Ho joined a recent protest to demand tougher action on animal abuse.

But the rapid expansion of the market here has created some tensions. De Krassel was recently forced to shut down his Pet Parents' Café by health inspectors following a complaint that it breached regulations by having dogs in the vicinity of food for humans. He is appealing the closure.

Despite, and perhaps because of, the pet boon, Hong Kong does suffer a large number of pet abuse cases.

Packs of wild dogs roam some of the more remote parts of the territory, having been abandoned by their owners. Police handled 41 abuse cases between January and September last year, according to the South China Morning Post.

But the most sinister anti-pet backlash remains the city's mysterious "Bowen Road poisoner" who has allegedly killed dozens of pets in the past two decades.

The killer, who has never been caught, leaves pieces of meat injected with poison at the side of a tree-lined street popular with dog walkers.

Despite police appeals and offers of a reward, the killer remains at large.


PETS Q&A: Jesus pictures still available

By CONNIE BLOOM
Akron Beacon Journal

Q: I read your article about pets pictured with Jesus. I've been trying to contact the Raymonds to place an order. I got no answer or voice mail.

"We had one time period where phone and fax lines were crossed and might have missed some calls," said Donna Skoda, a member of the Pet Tribute Creations team. The number - 330-659-4908 - is working now.

Chris and Kirk Raymond and Skoda, all of Richfield, Ohio, are still going strong with their Pet Tribute Creations (www.pettributecreations.com). Kirk Raymond, a whiz at Photoshop, places likenesses of deceased pets in the arms of Jesus or another religious figure, then frames the picture. Check prices and other details on their Web site.

"The best part is we talk to the nicest people all over the country," said Skoda.

Some have also asked that their departed children and other family members be superimposed in the picture. "Some people want them before their pet dies," said Skoda.


Delisle officials review policy on dangerous pets

Mark Ferguson, The StarPhoenix

Published: Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Town of Delisle will review its policy on dangerous pets following a dog attack on a young girl.

Five-year-old Jaidyn Solanik was rushed to St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon Thursday, where doctors treated multiple bites to her face. In all, 29 stitches were needed to close nine wounds after she was mauled by a neighbour's Rottweiler-cross. She's recovering at home.

"If it wasn't for the scars on her face, you'd never know there was anything wrong with her," Jaidyn's mother, Cindy Solanik, said of her daughter's current condition. "She's a little spitfire."

Solanik said she wants vicious dogs banned from town.

"I don't want any other kid going through what Jaidyn has," said Solanik.

Mark Dubkowski, administrator for the town, said the dangerous pets bylaw is under review.

"An incident like this could happen again -- anywhere, any time," said Dubkowski. "It does occur all over Canada."

Dubkowski will wait to hear from the RCMP before any decisions are made, but the issue will be addressed Feb. 12 at the next town meeting.

"We're trying to restrain these animals from being in our community." said Dubkowski. "It's a much bigger issue than just the municipality. . . . It's an issue for society as a whole. Are we comfortable having these types of dogs among us?"

Dubkowski thinks banning dangerous pets should be provincewide, as it is in Ontario, where there is a ban on pit bulls.

"We need to be on the same page and I think the only way to do that is to look at this at the provincial level," Dubkowski said.

Many communities in Canada have banned dangerous pets. The Town of Biggar banned pit bulls, Rottweilers and boxer breeds in 1991. Winnipeg was the first city in Canada to ban dangerous dog breeds in 1990.

According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), Rottweilers and pit bulls account for the majority of dog attacks in Canada. The society estimates that 470,000 people are attacked each year by dogs. Shilagh MacDonald, program director for the CFHS, said this number is difficult to prove.

"Somebody needs to fund a process to collect info on dog bites," said MacDonald. "It would be very helpful."

MacDonald agrees some dogs are more dangerous than others, but said in the end, the owner is ultimately responsible. "In almost every case, there is owner irresponsibility involved."

Jaidyn Solanik was attacked in the backyard of her friend's house where the family pet, Bandit, was chained. RCMP are investigating the incident but cannot press charges because the dog was restrained and on private property. The SPCA will only step in after a hearing is held to prove the dog is dangerous.

Dorothy Carnell, Bandit's owner, says the dog hasn't been aggressive before.

Curt Haegle, registrar for the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, teaches children to protect themselves from dog attacks. The Doggone Safe program is taught to school-age children around the province. Haegle compares this program to the stop, drop and roll campaign firefighters use.

"With dogs, we teach kids to stand like a tree or lie like a rug," he said.

Haegle said to never hug a dog around the neck and try to avoid eye contact with an approaching dog. He doesn't believe, however, there was anything Jaidyn Solanik could have done to avoid being attacked.

"It's amazing how many kids are bitten by dogs in Saskatchewan," he added.


Pets pay price in foreclosures, too

The increase in mortgage foreclosures may be leading to an increase in abandoned pets, the Chicago Tribune reported today.

"We're seeing people in bad financial situations who are moving to places where they can't have pets," said Angie Wood, assistant executive director of the Naperville Area Humane Society in Illinois. "There definitely has been an increase in the past six months to a year."

The story points out other shelters haven't seen a spike, but as more families get ousted from their homes, it seems a strong possibility that, if it hasn't happened yet, it will.

Authorities in recent months have reported cats, dogs, birds, horses and other animals left abandoned at foreclosed houses and farms, the story reports.

Among the more notorious cases were three dogs and 20 birds in a house in Lorain, Ohio; 24 horses on a farm in Bixby, Okla.; and 63 cats in a house in Cincinnati. It was too late when authorities got to a foreclosed house in Bradford, Pa., to discover the bodies of 21 Great Danes. The owner on Thursday pleaded guilty to 21 counts of animal cruelty.

In the third quarter of 2007, the number of homes in some stage of foreclosure in the U.S. more than doubled from the same period last year -- one of every 196 homes, according to RealtyTrac, an Irvine, Calif., company that tracks mortgage data.

To see the full Chicago Tribune story, click here.


Even in a Recession, Pet Owners Will Provide for Their Furry Friends










 National survey reveals consumers will sacrifice their own needs for their
pet, but preventative medicine for pets could be at risk

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Relax Fido, if a recession hits
in 2008, your owner is far more likely to pass on that plasma screen than
cut back on your kibble.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080123/AQW110-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080123/AQW110-b)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080123/AQW110-c)

A national pet owner survey released today at the North American
Veterinary Conference showed that if financial issues caused pet owners to
curtail their monthly expenses they are far more likely to cut back on
luxury items, electronics -- and even groceries and household goods -- than
on care or supplies for their pets.

The online survey of 665 pet owners (including 602 who have a dog or
cat) was conducted in late December by Fleishman-Hillard International
Communications, the only global public relations firm to offer a dedicated
animal care practice.

"We conducted this survey to help give our animal care clients better
insight into how changes in the economy might affect their plans for 2008,"
said Brian Cox, Fleishman-Hillard senior vice president and member of the
animal care practice. "Frankly, we're not at all surprised to see this type
of loyalty among pet owners. Even if a recession does occur, pet owners
will continue to provide for their companions."

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association,
animal care has become a $41 billion industry in the United States -- more
than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries and double the
amount spent just a decade ago.

The Fleishman-Hillard survey offered insight into why pet owners may be
willing to sacrifice their own needs for the needs of their pets. Most pet
owners said they consider their pets to be members of their family, like a
child, sister, or brother.

Yet amid this trend of increasingly pampering our four-legged friends,
pet owners did concede that some of Fido's luxuries could be cut by a
recession. If financial constraints led pet owners to reduce spending, they
would be most likely to scale back on pet fashions, toys, and trips to
professionals like pet walkers, sitters, and groomers.

The study also revealed a possible concern for veterinarians and animal
health providers -- nearly one-third of the pet owners surveyed said they
may cut their spending on veterinary visits and preventative medications if
faced with financial constraints. "The key to preventing this shift -- and
its detrimental effects on pets -- will be client education," said Doug
Bell, Fleishman-Hillard senior vice president, senior partner and member of
the animal care practice.

"We know that veterinarians' recommendations carry the greatest weight
with pet owners when making decisions about their pets," Bell said. "If a
recession hits in 2008, veterinarians and their in-clinic teams will need
to take the time to remind clients that on-going, preventive care is as
vital to their pets' health and safety as it is to the two-legged members
of their family."

Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading public relations
firms, has built its reputation by using strategic communications to
deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive, and measurable
impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely
recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture
founded on teamwork, integrity, and personal commitment. Based in St.
Louis, the firm operates throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin
America, Australia, and South Africa through its 80 owned offices. For more
information, visit the Fleishman-Hillard Web site at
http://www.fleishman.com.

This survey was conducted using a consumer panel provided by Greenfield
Online, from December 20-23, 2007. Interviews were completed by 1,048 panel
members 18 years of age or older living in private households in the
continental United States. The sample comprised 478 men and 570 women. Of
those interviewed, 665 were pet owners; 383 people were not eligible to
participate in the survey because they did not own a pet. Survey results
are weighted by three demographic characteristics: gender, age, and
geographic region, to ensure a reliable and accurate representation of the
total U.S. population, 18 years of age or older. The sampling error
associated with sample sizes ranging from 602 to 665 is plus/minus two to
four percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

To receive a copy of the full survey report, call Nader Ali-Hassan at
216.928.3477


Fat cats (and dogs): The challenge is on

obese_cat.jpg Saying there are 54 million overweight cats and dogs in the U.S., the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) -- along with Hill's Pet Nutrition and fitness guru Gunnar Peterson -- launched the 2008 "PetFit Challenge," pledging to help pets lose 50 million pounds in 2008.

The challenge kicked off yesterday in Los Angeles at an event featuring Peterson and the first PetFit Challenge participant -- actress and model Molly Simms, along with her two dogs, Chloe and Poepetten.

Peterson, a professional trainer who has worked with celebrities Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck and Gwen Stefani, teamed up with the association and the pet food company to create a "People and Pets Fitness video" that provides pet owners with simple exercises to get themselves and their pets in shape.

To get America's pets on track, Hill's and the AVMA are taking the PetFit Challenge on tour, with a mobile interactive "science museum" that will visit 18 cities across the country helping pet owners better understand pet obesity.

Pet owners also can log on to PetFit.com to download the workout video for free and to submit their own pet weight loss success story for a chance to win the America's Fittest Pets contest and an opportunity for their cat or dog to appear in a Hill's advertisement.

"We hope to inspire pet owners to take the weight of their four-legged friends very seriously, as it can be a life-threatening issue," said Gregory S. Hammer, a veterinarian and president of the AVMA. "This challenge offers a unique way to shed light on the effects of bad pet health habits, while encouraging pet owners to take action in a fun, new way."