2011Weight Loss Resolutions… For Your Pet

OK, so you purchased new running shoes, joined a gym, and are ready for a fit and healthy 2011. But while getting in shape and losing weight is an admirable New Year’s resolution for you and your family, it’s important to remember that people aren’t the only ones who might need to shed a few pounds. The number of overweight pets in America continues to rise. Nearly half (45 percent) of dogs and 58 percent of cats are overweight or obese (at least 20 percent above ideal weight), according to a recent survey of veterinarians by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

Pet owners need to remember, however, that while their weight loss success rests largely in their own hands, paws don’t have the same power. If pets are to be successful at getting in better shape – and health – their owners need to intervene. Fortunately, concerned pet owners can start the New Year off on the right foot.

In 2010, Dr. Meredith Rettinger, a veterinarian with Laurel Pet Hospital in West Hollywood, Calif., supervised a group of eight overweight dogs and their owners as they participated in Project: Pet Slim Down – a 90-day weight loss journey documented online at projectpetslimdown.com. Dr. Rettinger currently is overseeing a similar 120-day journey for dogs and cats and their owners. Project: Pet Slim Down is a nationwide program from Purina Veterinary Diets that unites pet owners and veterinarians in helping pets lose weight.

To be continued….

7 Reasons to Give Thanks for Pets

Pet owners feel grateful for their four-legged companions every day. But in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, we at Zootoo put together some reasons why we give thanks for the pets in our lives:

1. Pets inspire us. Even in the face of past adversities or physical limitations, animals stay strong and keep their hearts open to love.

2. Pets make us laugh! Whether they’re chasing a laser light toy or barking back at the television set, our pets surprise us and make us smile every day.

3. Pets comfort us. When we’re feeling under the weather or blue, pets lift our spirits with a warm nuzzle.

4. Pets help us live longer. Research conducted around the world shows the health benefits of life with pets — from lowering the risk of heart disease to helping humans heal faster after surgery.

5. Pets keep us active. Whether by taking a long walk with our pets or trying out “dog-a,” we also benefit from giving our four-legged friends exercise.

6. Pets protect us. Even if they’re just barking at the wind or raising their fur at shadows, pets instinctively try to keep us safe from harm.

7. Pets teach us compassion. By caring for our furry friends, we learn about the value of patience and unconditional love.

 

Cold Weather Pet Care

December has arrived! And though we may still be snacking on leftover turkey, snow in the Midwest and windy rainstorms in the Northeast remind us that Jack Frost is on his way.

As you prepare to head into the cold weather with your pets, keep these tips in mind so that your furry friend stays safe while having fun outside.

Fur only goes so far. If you’re feeling cold enough that you think it’s time to go inside, chances are your pet feels the same way. Even if your animal has a coat or winter gear, make sure not to expose him to the elements for too long. While outside, if you notice your pet becoming less active or looking for a place to burrow or hide, he may be telling you he wants to head indoors.

Don’t rub it in—the salt, that is. Well-meaning neighbors and shopkeepers treat sidewalks against the elements to avoid slips, but the salt can cause cracked skin and even bleeding on animal paws. After your pets come in from the cold, wipe their paw pads with warm water and dry the paws completely to avoid any rawness. Checking your pet’s whiskers for any dampness can also help to avoid discomfort.

Also, if your pet has been walking or playing in deeper snow, be sure to clean and dry his belly. This practice will also prevent the accidental ingestion of any antifreeze or de-icing chemicals that your pet may have on his fur.

Comfort food. When your pet is outdoors, staying warm consumes more energy than his usual activity. Keep your pet well fed with high-protein foods to help him enjoy the weather. And of course, make sure that water bowls are not only full, but also unfrozen—so that pets don’t seek alternate, potentially unsafe sources of water outdoors.

Tagging tips. Microchipping or tagging your pet is always important, especially in the wintertime, when more dogs are lost than at other times of year. Because animals can lose their scent in the snow and ice and become lost more easily, make sure that your pet’s ID is up-to-date for the season.

Indoors doesn’t always mean safe. Even indoors, dogs and cats will seek out just about any source of warmth, so take the time to “pet-proof” your home in cold weather by making sure that space heaters, fireplaces, and even car engines are secured against animals looking for a cozy place to nap. Also, bird owners should make sure that cages are a comfortable distance from any drafty spots.

Taking a few moments to protect your pet against winter weather will ensure his health and comfort, so stay safe before hitting the frosty outdoors.

Do you have other tips for keeping your pet safe in bad weather? Share your suggestions below!

Holiday Pet Travel

Simple steps to keep your pet safe in transit.

Holiday travel and New Year’s vacations are just around the corner. If you’re planning to take your four-legged friend with you this season, consider these tips to ensure your pet enjoys the ride safely.

The ASPCA urges pet owners to think twice about flying their pets on commercial airlines, especially if they plan on checking them in as cargo. “Unless your animal is small enough to fit under your seat and you can bring him or her in the cabin, the ASPCA recommends pet owners to not fly their animal.”

But for those pet owners who have already committed to transporting their pets on commercial airlines, the ASPCA suggests some common-sense precautions.

If owners must fly their pets, in addition to a collar and ID tag, invest in a microchip for identification. Breakaway collars are best for cats. The collar should also include destination information in the event of escape.

After reception or inspection, secure the animal’s kennel with zip ties — a major factor in preventing animal loss at airports.

Failure to examine zip ties was a factor in the loss of Moya, a gray and orange Tabby traveling with her owner on Hawaiian Airlines from Hawaii to Los Angeles last year.

A porter took the kennel to the bag room. “The cat’s kennel was inspected by Transportation Security Administration inspection, but not properly secured thereafter,” according to a DOT incident report.

Moya bolted. But even worse, no one reported the escape. Moya’s owner did not know her cat was missing until after takeoff. Neither the porter’s ban from HA contract work, or the $225 pet fee refund could have made up for the loss.

Fastening carriers adequately is one way to reduce the chance of loss. Also, try to reduce the number of flights taken over one journey, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. When Horizon Air lost a Blue Heeler, the 45-lb. dog had already traveled from Anchorage to Seattle to Portland. He was overdue for a walk, but the trip still wasn’t over.

While the Blue Heeler was waiting in his kennel for the next leg of his journey to Medford, Oregon, a Horizon Air employee took pity on him and opened the kennel to take him for a walk.

Unfortunately, the American Kennel Club identifies the breed as one that is naturally suspicious of strangers, and the Blue Heeler bolted.

Horizon Air’s policy states that if its employees believe the pet needs attention, they should locate the owners.

“The employee was trained on this policy, but was trying to be helpful and kind to the dog and opened his kennel,” the airline reported in its incident report to DOT.

The Blue Heeler was missing for four days before his owners found him.

Pet owners can learn lessons from this herding canine, whose instinct was to make a break for open space.

“Book a direct flight whenever possible,” advises the ASPCA. “This will decrease the chances that your pet is left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel.”

The ASPCA also cautions owners to purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate large enough for a pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably. Some airlines even sell the USDA-approved shipping crates.

Make sure the crate’s door is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in an emergency. Affix a current photograph of the pet to the top of the crate for identification, added the ASPCA.

“Should your pet escape from the carrier, this could be a lifesaver,” an ASPCA spokesman said. “You should also carry a photograph of your pet.”

What tips do you have for keeping your pets comfortable when traveling? Share them below!

 

Shelter Pet Project Creates Strong Network

Advocacy group highlights pet adoption on Facebook.

Shelter pets received thousands of shout-outs on Facebook and Twitter on Nov. 30, as the Shelter Pet Project encouraged its present followers and potential new ones to use their Internet social networking skills for a greater good. But the designated one-day campaign appears to have stuck well with former shelter pet owners who continue to log in and share their love stories with their pets.

The Shelter Pet Project, a joint effort by the Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund and the Ad Council, launched its “Celebrate Shelter Pets on Facebook Day” on Tuesday, prompting social media coordinator Christie Keith to have to struggle to keep up with the heavy flow of stories, pictures and notes people posted about their animals rescued from shelters.

“It couldn’t have gone better. I was absolutely stunned. Not even in my wildest dreams had I imagined – it is still happening right now, even though it ended last night – just people posting tributes and love songs to their pets,” Keith told Zootoo Pet News. “In a one minute period there would be 30 to 40 posts and I would refresh the page and then there would be a whole other batch of comments.”

Founded in 2009, the Shelter Pet Project is a unique advocacy group.

“We don’t want your e-mail address and we don’t take donations,” Keith said.

What it does is develop and promote unique advertising campaigns – often with multimedia elements – to appeal to prospective pet owners about the benefits of considering a shelter pet.

And there’s nothing better than hearing from thousands of people – the Shelter Pet Project had its number of “Likes” on Facebook increase from around 19,000 to 25,000 in one day on Nov. 30, and that number has since risen by several more hundred – about why they are glad they brought their dog or cat home from the shelter.

“We did research with the Ad Council and found that the number one reason people fail to follow through on their commitment to adopt from a shelter is because they believe something is wrong with pets in shelters, that they come with a certain amount of baggage,” Keith explained. “Most of the pets have nothing wrong with them.”

This initiative, which was a first of its kind, went above and beyond in showing that, Keith says.

“I was very struck by the number of people who adopted animals most people would traditionally think of as a little less than adorable,” she said.

One Facebook user posted about her dog Zelda, who got abandoned at the age of nine by her family when they moved to a nursing home.

“She was at a city shelter for six months, passed over by people wanting younger dogs,” Zelda’s owner said. “We are the luckiest people in the world to have found her. She was a dear friend and great love for five amazing years.”

Another Shelter Pet Project Facebook follower wrote about her four-year-old mutt, Chilidog, who survived five months in a kill shelter in Georgia and then a long journey by truck from Georgia to Connecticut.

“Although it makes me sad to know what he lived through, we are so happy and committed to making the rest of his life wonderful,” his new owner wrote.

In the past, the Shelter Pet Project has done series of multimedia public service campaigns, including a series of T.V. advertisements that use live animation, enabling pets to “speak directly to you.”

“We try to use humor as we think it’s important to not just hit people with doom and gloom messages,” Keith said.

 

Sad But True!

OH! Should have stuck with the tree…

Destroyer of Cats and Devourer of Chickens..

Funnies..

Rescue Ink: A New Style of Animal Rescue

This unique group is expanding its mission to reach more dogs in need.

When you think of animal rescue advocates, you may not immediately picture tough-looking, tattooed guys educating children and families about the mistreatment of animals. However, that’s exactly what the guys at Rescue Ink are doing.

Rescue Ink is a dedicated animal rescue group focusing on saving animals from abuse as well as neglect. The gentlemen at Rescue Ink are indeed tattooed, tough-talking, intimidating bikers, and they use their strengths and passion to change the lives of animals every day.

Composed of a retired New York City Police Department detective, club bouncers, and security guards, Rescue Ink’s members are all animal activists on an admirable mission. Some of their journeys have been somewhat turbulent, but much like the animals they fight for every day, they persevere and believe in second chances.

Rescue Ink’s shelter is a 25-acre rehabilitation center located in upstate New York. The purpose of the shelter is to provide a stable and safe environment in which the animals housed there can learn trust and allegiance. Rescue Ink is currently in the process of expanding their shelter, and with it, their rehabilitation efforts.

Rescue Ink prides itself on its many programs and areas of focus. The organization currently has a volunteer program for the foster care of animals, as well as behavioral training for troubled animals requiring rehabilitation.

Rescue Ink also features a “Jr. Ink” Members program. This initiative specializes in Humane Education as it pertains to the younger generation of pet lovers. The guys at Rescue Ink teach children about compassion and responsibility when dealing with their non-human friends.

In addition to these programs, Rescue Ink also has a Domestic Abuse program which focuses on the unfortunate link between animal and domestic abuse in households as well as an Adoption Program. Rescue Ink likes to believe in second chances—and their adoption program is living, breathing proof of this.

To find out more about the wonderful work of Rescue Ink, visit http://www.rescueink.org