IGP’s help sought in missing cats case

Hundreds of pet lovers and animal rights activists will rally outside Bukit Aman this evening to seek Inspector-General of Police, Ismail Omar’s, assistance in recovering 100 missing cats that could be fighting for their lives. The cats are among the hundreds that were left under the care of Petknode, an animal boarding facility in

Damansara Damai, over the week-long Hari Raya Aidilfitri break. The owners returned over the past weekend to discover that their pets had been abandoned for nine days without food or water, and were covered in their own waste. Thirteen of the 300 rescued cats are dead and many more are missing.

Petknode owners, Yushairi Khairuddin and Shahrul Azuwan Adanan, were brought in for questioning on Sunday evening but were released just hours later without being charged. And now they are refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the 100 more missing cats. To make matters worse Sharul’s family reportedly cleaned out the Petknode premises and destroyed the evidence last night.

Over 100 activists and owners stormed the Damansara Damai police station late yesterday evening to demand that the police take immediate action in finding the missing felines and persecuting the duo. Fingers have also been pointing at the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) which has taken over the case.

But lawyer and PKR vice-president N Surendran told FMT that although the DVS is investigating the cruelty charge, the police are still responsible for investigating the missing cats case. “The police are working on some leads but the problem is that the culprits have been released,” he said after joining the group at the police station last night.

“When DVS took over the investigations the police washed their hands off the case and now the men are free to do whatever they want. The two should have been held further.”He added that the distraught group is demanding that the duo be charged with cheating and theft which carry a heavier penalty than a cruelty charge.

“But the Criminal Investigation Department has yet to classify it as such so I hope they do it soon,” he said. “This is a clear cut case of cheating and theft, and we want to see these monsters behind bars.”
“We also want the police to devote their full resources into locating the missing cats hence why we’re trying to meet the IGP later. It’s a race against time to save the cats which may be starving to death.”
Surendran further expressed dissatisfaction with the police for failing to take swift action when the issue first broke on Sunday morning.

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Shelters struggle to care for dogs and cats in peak months

We thought it might be funny to have a “Vacancy/No Vacancy” neon sign that we could hang out front, letting people know our status of cage availability for new animals coming to the shelter. We wondered if it would make a difference.

Spring and Summer time signals kitten season plus an over-abundance of stray dogs and puppies. Shelters can’t handle the increased volume and it seems like everyone makes decisions in June, July and August to move to places that won’t allow pets or they decide that they can no longer handle pet responsibilities. Or, they decide the outside cat for which they have taken responsibility over months or years needs to go because it keeps having kittens or they are tired of it and it must go now; they can’t wait.

At this time of year we struggle to find the funds to take care of the little ones who are brought to us, we struggle to find the space to put them, and we struggle to control our emotions when they are too sick or too wild. We adopt out two animals and ten more come in. This June and July our cat intake has increased by 38% and dogs by 22%. It feels like we are bailing out a sinking boat without fixing the leak.

Animal shelters did not create the pet over-population problem but we are asked to clean up the mess created by society. That is why we all preach spay/neuter. It is hard to make a case for spay/neuter with people who are only captivated by the cuteness of kittens and puppies and do not understand the consequences of having so many of them. There are also those people who can’t afford to get their pets fixed or think that the stray cat having kittens in their neighborhood isn’t their problem. On the other hand, it would be repugnant for us to show pictures of sick, suffering and dead animals we deal with every kitten/cat season. But, consider this: the mortality rate of kittens born in the wild is estimated to be 50-75% before reaching six months of age and in many shelters it is 80-90%. Spay/Neuter can avoid misery on so many levels.

The Lynchburg Humane Society is committed to fixing the leak- this is another reason we preach spay/neuter and have our new City Cat Fix program where we are providing free spay/neuter services and a rabies shot for outdoor cats.

But spay/neuter isn’t the only thing we preach. It is just as important for owners to be responsible for their pets especially during this very busy time. We do ask owners to wait and to bring their pet in when we have space through our appointment system. We are here to help owners and we offer services such as behavior support and assistance with re-homing their pets, but the Lynchburg Humane Society does not feel we or any other shelter should take in an owned pet just to euthanize another for space reasons.

So, we ask for patience as we work with you to bring your pet in responsibly when we have the space to accommodate it. Of course not everyone can wait and we always bring those in that can’t but for those that are not in dire straits we ask for you to be honest and do what is right for your pet and the others in our shelters. Please continue to work with us to become part of the solution because we know most people want what is best for their pet.

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Taipei Zoo's horse whisperer has thing for wild horses

Taipei Zoo officials said Wednesday that the keeper charged with taking care of the zoo's wild horses -- said to be one of the most hard-to-handle species -- has an uncanny knack for dealing with the animals.

Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), commonly known as the Asian wild horse or the Mongolian wild horse, is known to be feisty and even routine checkups, vaccinations and medical treatment can be fraught with difficulty, the officials said.

Senior keeper Hu Chung-yuan, however, who has 13 years of experience, has a thing for handling the zoo's horses and can approach every one of them, with the exception of the oldest stallion. Hu recalled that he was once kicked when he tried to stop two stallions fighting. The next day, his assailant lifted its leg to him, which Hu said he took as a gesture of apology.

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Doggie day-care opens in Wangara

DOG lover Carol Spencer is capitalising on people’s love of pets through her new business Paws at Play dog day-care centre in Wangara. Pet services are part of a successful industry, with results from the Coles Pet Survey released earlier this year showing that, on average, West Australians spend more than $65 a month on their pets.

Ms Spencer said the centre, due to open today, was like children’s day-care, but for four-legged friends. “A lot of people are choosing not to have kids, so their pets become like their children,” Ms Spencer said.

She said the service would be for pampered pooches as well as bored dogs that ended up digging up the garden when they were home by themselves too much. Ms Spencer said the service was cage-free and gave dogs an opportunity to spend a day playing and socialising. While Melbourne and Sydney have had doggy day-cares for years, the idea is still relatively new in Perth.

Ms Spencer said when she applied to the council it did not initially have a classification for her type of business, but the City of Wanneroo created a separate classification. The centre is in a warehouse and has an outdoor area with grass, sandpits and paddling pools.

Ms Spencer said all dogs who visited the centre would be temperament tested and would have to be sterilised, vaccinated and more than four months old. The centre will also offer dog-grooming services.

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ELDERLY GET HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE TREAT

Black Horse Carriages of Cartmel trotted into the Old Vicarage residential home in Allithwaite to take the older people on a 10-minute jaunt around the surrounding Allithwaite lanes. Sheila Ramsbottom, 80, said: “It was super. I could’ve kept going round and round. It was beautiful.

“I love horses and my husband did. I used to ride a bit when I was younger.”Malcolm Wilson, 93, said: “It was very good, very nice. It’s my first time in a carriage more or less.”

Also among the people to enjoy a ride was 99-year-old Alice Foster – a resident at the Vicarage Lane home for 12 years. She is due to turn 100 in December and used to help all her fellow residents by doing jobs around the home such as sewing, making curtains and taking up hems of dresses.

Pippa Whitehead, the home’s new activities co-ordinator, said: “We’ve organised it because I’ve just taken over doing the activities here and lots of the residents are a bit infirm and they don’t go outside, so we’re trying to bring different activities to them which are going to engage and motivate them. “I had seen the horses around the village and they looked spectacular, and thought it would be something a bit different and something the residents could all do from their front door.

“We’re trying to follow what the residents’ hobbies were when they were at home and to incorporate them into what we do here. “The owner’s mantra is they should be treated as you would want your parents to be treated, which is how we operate here.”

Other summer activities have included a strawberry tea party for the entire community, and a tea dance will be held at the end of the month. An art therapist visits once a week and there is a film club, craft and gardening activities ongoing. Owner Barbara Siddiqi said of the horses’ visit: “It’s lovely. It will take them back. It definitely takes me back.”

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Vets worried about shortage of heartworm medicine for dogs

The company that sells the only FDA approved medicine to treat adult heartworm in dogs has announced its manufacturer has halted production leaving veterinarians with few boxes on the shelves and concerns about what to do if they see multiple cases.

Earlier this month, Merial, a veterinary product company, said it is nearly out of the heartworm medication Immiticide and is urging veterinarians to only place orders for the most severe cases.

Most vets have only a few treatments of the drug stockpiled and worry about what they will do if they see multiple cases.

Although vets are concerned, they say Colorado receives fewer cases of mosquito-borne heartworms than many other states and most see only a few cases a year.

"So it's a concern at this point but it's not an emergency so it's not something people should be panicking about and it's something that hopefully won't be a problem at all," Urban Vet Care Veterinarian Dr. Naomi Weber said.

There are alternative treatments to Immiticide, including antibiotics and surgery but those options can be more costly for owners and more dangerous for a dog's health.

Veterinarians urge preventative care and medicines and because of the lack of symptoms associated with heartworms they recommend people have their dogs tested at least once a year.

Merial has not given an exact date on when it may get a new manufacturer to make the drug, but it says it could be at least several weeks before restrictions on orders are lifted.

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Dr. Madalyn Ward, DVM, Offers Advice On Horse Care & The Heat;Humidity

First, you should calculate the temperature-humidity index( THI) and all you do is add the air temperature, in degrees F., to the percentage of humidity, for example, if the air temperature is 80 degrees F., and the humidity is 60%, the THI is 140. When the THI gets to 150, your horse might have trouble cooling off. A THI of 180 and you should NOT work your horse at all and take immediate action to cool him down!

Another thing you can do is check your horse`s temperature. Their normal body temperature should be between 99.5 and 100.5, but can reach 103 or 104 during exercise and workouts. If your horse`s temperature gets to 105, he is in danger of being overheated and may suffer chronic or permanent damage.
If his temperature is above 105, your horse will be suffering from heatstroke, and will need to get to a vet (or vet-called out) immediately!

Some things you can do to prevent overheating is to provide plenty of cool water as a horse at rest will consume at least 10 gallons or more a day. Avoid automatic waterers as they only let the horse sip, not gulp the water. Provide a well-ventilated shade/stall and put a fan in the stall to keep the air moving. Always cool your horse before and after workouts by hosing him off with cool water.

Don`t bathe horses who have trouble sweating, but rather, sponge them with air-temperature water mixed with a liniment like Sore No More. Provide the right horse feed and research what are considered ‘heated feeds’ as well as you don`t want to feed a lot of hay during hot weather as this will make your horse even hotter, because of the digestive process.

Try adding Simplexity Health or Pro-Bi to help their tummy and also try cooling foods, like apples, citrus foods, barley grass, lemon balm, fresh peppermint or cilantro. Also consider your horse`s fitness and environment as well-conditioned horses will do better in hot, humid weather than out-of-shape horses.

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Dog Grooming at an Affordable Price

It cannot be denied that visiting dog grooming stores on a regular basis can be very expensive for people. Everyone cannot afford to spend a large amount of money on dog grooming. However, people should also know that it is not necessary to take your dog to dog groomers for looking good. Basis procedures which are included in dog grooming can be easily done by people at home. Dog groomers charge good amount of money for their services. If you can’t afford to visit dog groomers for making your dog look good then you should know about how to groom your dog by yourself.

Cutting a dog’s hair and making him bath are two most important procedures for grooming a dog. Basic trimming of dog’s hair can be easily done by people at home. Before you cut the hairs of your dog you should be having hair brush, dog hair clippings, dog hair dryer, scissors for cutting dog’s hair, a broom and a dust pan to carry dog’s hair. In order to ensure that any kind of debris does not get stuck in the hairs of dog, people need to trim their hairs. Dogs having long hairs are more likely to get things stuck in their hairs. It may cause several hygiene related problems.

Bathing a dog is easier because you need to bath a dog once in a month or once in two or three months. It is not important to make your dog bath everyday unless you have a reason to do so. You can use a tub which is purchased specifically for the purpose of dog bath. People may also go to dog grooming centers for dog bathing. If your dog gets a bath from someone else then you need to pay more. In case, you wish to spend less money, you can choose to bath your dog with your hands. Many of the dog grooming centers offers a place where people can bath their dogs by themselves.

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Are You Prepared For A Pet Miniature Donkey?

While a lot of people would love to have a miniature donkey as a pet, not everyone should have one. The fact is they are not as easy as they seem. Yes, they are docile and loving creatures, but they do require a lot of care.

First, you have to understand that one miniature donkey is not going to do too well on their own. They are a breed of animal that does better in a herd. What this means is that if you are going to adopt one, you should adopt two, so they have a companion.

Even though the donkey is small, it does require a lot of room to run, play, and exercise. Not having ample room can lead to an obesity problem, shortening the life of the animal. If you do not have the adequate room available, do not get one as a pet.

You also have to consider the cost of caring for this animal. Like a horse, they will need regular check ups and vaccinations, as well as constant foot maintenance. Unless you are prepared to spend the money on its care, you should abstain from getting one as a pet.

Last, you have to think about the environment. Donkeys do not like dogs and, if there are a lot of dogs in the neighborhood or you have some of your own, you will find the donkeys will always be stressed.

Even though the miniature donkey is a loving creature that is playful and makes a wonderful pet, they are not for everyone. Before you go out and make a commitment, be sure you have the proper knowledge to care for one, as well as the finances.

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Horse Care and Natural Grazing

Often the most convenient routine for horse owners today, especially if they board their horses at a stable, is turning the horse out all day and bringing them into a stall at night. The horse can be turned out late or brought in early for riding sessions. It is also suitable if supplemental feedings are required as part of your horses care. This arrangement allows plenty of freedom for the horse. Horses need to spend some of their time out of their stalls so they may freely move and do some "self exercising".

Horses are designed to spend the majority of their time grazing. To some degree a herd situation can be replicated if they are turned out together with other horses. Horses enjoy natural grazing. This should not be overlooked as we care for our horses.

When making the choice for the pasture for our horses grazing care should be given to the lay of the land. Ideally it will be flat but a slight slope will allow for better drainage. If a pasture is chosen that has a steep slope it will offer a more intense work out for your horse during the grazing time.

Ideally the grazing pasture will contain a properly designed field shelter even if your horses are stabled at night. But a good thick hedge can also take care of the horses shelter needs. This will offer the horses protection from unexpected storms or prevailing winds.

Land drains may be needed to take care of places that are wet areas in the horse pasture. If the soil is clay drainage will be even more important. Land drains are channels of gravel or pieces of pipe that are laid just under the surface. These drains will take up excess water until it can empty on its own.

A water trough should be placed where it is easily accessible for the horses. It must be kept clean and full with fresh water. It will also need to be kept free from ice in cold weather. As dry a place as possible should be selected to place the water trough to take care of the water needs for the horses. If the area around the trough is not dry it can be layered with bark chips or something else safe for horses to give them a dry place to stand as they drink.

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Who To Get To Help With Your Horse Care

Horses need care 365 days a year. This is a massive commitment for anyone and during the normal course of everyday living, isn't always achievable. Nearly all of us have holidays whether its 1 day or 2 weeks, we are all susceptible to becoming ill or having an injury and we also have a life around our horses, be it work, family or friends. This means at some point we are going to need help from someone in caring for our horses.

You could ask for help from friends, family or other horse owners but what happens if something goes wrong. Is your family member aware of the subtle signs of colic and what happens if your friend becomes ill or tied up at work and can't make it to your horse? Who will cover the vets bill or insurance excess if your horse is injured while in the care of someone else? Because our horses are so important to us these ‘what if's' could leave even the best of relationships frayed. So why risk it?

Rather than putting the big responsibility of your horse onto a friend and risking a friendship, why not consider using a professional horse care company or person to care for your horse. This way no friendships are risked, your horse will always be cared for when you require and should anything go wrong there is sufficient insurance in place.

Using an outside person to care for you horse is a concern to most horse or yard owners as you don't know who you are employing, their experience, if they are competent, trustworthy or even if they are going to turn up at all. All of these concerns are justified and thorough checks should be carried out before employing anyone to care for your horses.

Employing a groom
Using a professional horse sitting or freelance groom company rather than an individual person can help eliminate these concerns. A professional horse care company who bases it reputation on competent and reliable grooms cannot afford to send grooms who are not capable of the duties required by the horse owner. Therefore the company will already have done most of the checks you should carry out before employing a groom. It is still advisable you ask the individual groom for references from previous clients.

A professional horse care company will be able to assist larger equestrian yards such as riding schools or livery yards as well as private or professional hunt, polo, dressage yards etc. If your usual yard staff or groom is on holiday, ill or even if you're looking for temporary or a long-term regular groom using a professional horse care company will take away a lot of the time and resources you spend on advertising and interviewing.

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Dog Care Basics

The opportunity to care for a pet makes for a very fulfilling activity and can bring about plenty of fond memories. A pet is a companion that is able to listen unflinchingly, brings joy when you're feeling down, and provides a great degree of loyalty all throughout its life. No wonder pets have always been one of the perfect means of reducing stress levels among people.

Dogs and cats have always been on the top of the list of favorites among people of all ages. This discussion is focusing on dogs and the correct means of dog care. Dogs share a pack mentality with a strong bond for its owner. The dog has been labeled as man's best friend. This is due to the fact that dogs have consistently shown a great, and sometimes sacrificial, form of loyalty for their owners putting to shame even fellow human beings. Proper care and plenty of love will ensure a happy environment for the dog and the family.

Dog care begins while the dog is still a puppy. Making the decision to care for a puppy is a big responsibility. Dog owners are expected to raise their dogs with the right love and care so as to instill good and desirable traits. It is totally unacceptable to be negligent just because of a lack of interest. Too many sad stories of abandoned dogs have already been going around.

A puppy is given proper dog care by teaching it to know who the family members are and house training. Positive reinforcement plays an integral role in instilling discipline and proper dog care. Harsh methods only make things worse and do little in teaching pups to be well-behaved.

Feeding is a very crucial element of dog care. Feeding times should be kept as constant as possible. Since a puppy is in the growing stage, proper nutrition is extremely important. Feeding times slowly get reduced as the puppy grows older. Clean water should always be readily available at all times.

Puppies will inevitably cause accidents with their droppings. Potty training will serve to teach the pup where to properly relieve itself as long as it is done properly. It is this aspect of pet care that some people actually find very tedious yet this is part of the responsibility in dog care. A dog cannot be expected to pick up afterward after all.

If possible, avoid the use of spanking as a means of discipline. Dogs want to win your approval and desire nothing but to please so be patient when they make mistakes. A firm "No" is enough to keep the dog in check. Rewarding of good behavior will hasten the dog's learning so be consistent with this as well.

Dog care is very much similar to raising a human baby. Proper instruction and love will let a dog grow up as a loving member of the family. A faithful dog is able to give much of itself without expecting anything but your approval.

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Pet Care Tips: Where Are Dogs Allowed?

When taking pups out for a walk, most people assume that they must drag their furry friends along the same tired path every day, as if routine were somehow required. While people often appreciate a steady routine, no one likes monotony, least of all the tenacious and curious mind of a household pet. Trainers are now recommending that you introduce your dog to new people and places to encourage comfort with strangers as well as stave off boredom. One way of introducing your dog to new environments, and give them a coveted car ride, is to bring them along while running errands and shopping.

This is, of course, easier said than done. If you thought it was difficult having kids along at the salon or drugstore, pets would be murder, right? Not necessarily. Pet owners everywhere are finding that, more often than not, stores are welcoming leashed pups with open arms. In the twenty first century, you don’t have to be a guide dog to enjoy a day at the mall or night on the town.

Stores like Petsmart and Petco have, of course, always enjoyed pets of all kinds roaming down their well-stocked aisles. But where else might a dog or cat stray? While Home Depot was once pet friendly, rules have changed, banning pets of all shapes and sizes. Chains like Starbucks and most restaurants won’t allow pets due to sanitary and health reasons, so a good rule of thumb is to never expect any establishment that serves food to accommodate your beloved pet.

There are, however, several pet-friendly chains. Barnes and Noble booksellers, for instance, welcomes dogs, despite animal illiteracy rates. Anthropologie, Bebe, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Foot Locker, and Gap (in certain metropolitan areas) all allow dogs to help their caretakers select the most aerodynamic pair of running shoes or flattering dress. Crate and Barrel allows polite pups to shop, as does the Pottery Barn.

Fifth Avenue and Fifty-Seventh Street’s Tiffany’s welcomes diamond-minded dogs to stop in for a shiny treat. And Bergdorf Goodman’s and Polo Ralph Lauren invite canines to accompany their humans for a delightful afternoon stroll through bags and blouse galore.

There are plenty of stores, chain and otherwise, that don’t mind a well-behaved dog trotting down their aisles. The important thing for pet owners who don’t want to leave canine friends behind is to call ahead and make sure that their dog is welcome in a store. Global Animal also encourages caretakers to be considerate—while an individual employee may enjoy your dog, it’s not nice to expect your local café to embrace the sanitary and safety risks that come with allowing animals on the premises.

Dogs are highly intelligent and friendly creatures. Along with love and affection, they need a change of scenery every now and then. Having your dog tag along on short trips will give him the experience he’ll need to stay happy and healthy.

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How to take care of pet Horse

If you have decided to purchase a new horse then you must know that taming a horse require a great deal of responsibilities. Like other pets, horses require proper care and attention. If you are a beginner then you need to take a great care for a horse. So for beginners some effective horse care tips will help you them to keep their pet horse strong and active. Some of the basic horse care tips are mentioned below that will help you in keeping pet horse healthy.

Basic horse care tips: 1. Pet horse barns: it is important for horse owner to provide comfortable and safe barns to his horse in order to make him feel comfortable. Make sure that the barn you build for your horse is comfortable as horse have to spend his whole day there. The barn should be large enough in size so that your horse can relax and clam there. Horse barns can be constructed in several ways but it wholly depends on the ability and interest of the owner to construct and maintain it. You can also provide bedding in the barn so that you can rest. You will amaze to see that proper rest to horse can work wonders for your horse. It is important for horse owners to clean the horse barns regularly in order to prevent your pet form getting ill.

2. Pet horse feed: The amount of food your horse requires totally depends on following things -size, breed, age, and activity of the pet horse. Generally, a 100 pound of horse needs 2 to 2.2 pounds of food per day. Some of things that you can serve to your pet horse are hay, pasture, Concentrates and Beet pulp pellets. Add wheat germ oil, vegetable oil, alfalfa to your pet horse’s diet as it contains octacosanol which helps to provide strength and stamina to the horse. Make sure that you stick on that diet which works for well for your horse. If you want to make any changes in your pet horse diet than start it slowly as horse needs some time to adopt new food. If the food you serving to your pet is making him ill than consult veterinarian.

3. Maintain horse’s first aid kit: For making your pet horse active and healthy, you need to monitor his activities regularly. Therefore, it is important for horse owner to maintain proper first aid kit for his horse. At times Veterinarians reside far away from your place or you are unable to respond to a call right away, so horse owners must have a basic knowledge to handle a sick horse on their own.

4. Pet horse grooming: It is important for horse owner to groom their horses regularly in order to prevent them from getting ill. You can use scrubber, soap, shampoo and conditioner to groom your horse. Check whether the products suit your horse or not. Just like you, your horse too, needs such products to be fit and fine.

The above mentioned basic horse tips will help you to ensure that your horse is well cared for. The horse owners should regularly take their horse to a veterinarian for regular checkups.

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Cat Care and Grooming

Most cats are surely clever of cleaning themselves. Proper cat care and grooming is essential in order to avoid fleas and ticks making their home on your cat. You need to purchase proper cat care and grooming tools in order to make your activity a lot easier and more important. You will need a brush and comb set, scissors and a cat glove. Conserving the hair neat is one way to keep your cat in good condition.

The best way to achieve the desired results is to comb and trim the hair on a regular basis. use a brush with a number of tiny pins for tidying up your cat's coat. For easier brushing, make sure the head is comparatively small. Brushing your cat in the direction of hair growth is the correct process. If you don't do this, you may receive plenty of scratches from your angry cat.

An important part of cat care and grooming is that you have to give them a bath from time to time. Select a shampoo made for cats that will produce a admirable lather. It should also make your cat more agreeable by stopping dry, chafed skin.

Making certain that your cat doesn't get matted, knotty hair is another vital part of cat care. If your cat's hair is long, trim it on a regular basis using proper grooming tools along with a comb. Your cat has delicate skin, so take care not to cut or scratch it by mistake.

Not only will shedding be diminished, but brushing will be less difficult and smoother via the use of cat grooming gloves. Find a pair that can be washed in the machine. You can also use it to get cat hair out of your upholstery and carpet. The difference between a well-groomed, healthy cat and one with tangled, matted hair can be the proper equipment. The tools you use for cat care and grooming should be utilized in a way that makes the experience calm and pleasant for your cat.

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The Components of Proper Dog Care

Dogs have often be referred to as man’s best friend. Dogs should be taken care of just like we take care of our children. Caring for a dog takes a lot of responsibility. To be healthy and free of disease, proper dog care must be applied. Since our dogs are loyal companions, we must provide them with the essentials of proper dog care.

They need to be provided with water, healthy food, exercise and we shouldn’t forget veterinary checkups and their vaccinations. Dog owners who need more information on proper dog care and tips for having a happy and healthy dog, books on dog care offer a lot of great information for maintaining our dog’s health. The owners themselves need to show their dogs how much they care, just as our dogs offer unconditional love to us.

Daily Dog Care Needs: Food and water are the most obvious everyday need. The dog food the owners feed their dog should be high in protein. Natural dog food is the best choice. Regular bathing and grooming helps to keep them free of fleas and ticks. To keep them smelling fresh, they should be bathed weekly. Dog grooming is a bonding experience between the dog and his or her owner, plus this also emphasizes the owner’s authority over the dog. The grooming and hair brushing helps to relax your dog, and they enjoy it much like petting. Don’t brush too fast; Slow steady strokes are best.

Vitamins are also an important part of dog care. For shin ailments, vitamin E can help cure them. Vitamin E oil applied to the skin can help relieve dry skin. Natural and conventional ways of giving proper dog care can save the owner money. Yogurt contains acidophiles, which is good for your dog just like it is to humans. However, their are some factors that can be harmful to pets, so you should consult with your veterinarian before doing so.

Supplies For Dog Care: Provisions for dog care are classified as basic, pampering and functional. Fundamental dog care supplies are comprised of leashes,grooming kits, a bed or sleeping pad, a dog house or kennel and especially food. Doors, fences and gates are not only practical, but functional as well. Toys, massage oils and treats make up a pampering kit for your dog.

A dog bed or sleeping pad is an essential basic supply, as it helps to keep the dog’s bones healthy and strong. Some pet stores carry supplies such as training equipment and can make it easier for your dog to follow. Some dog available collars are made to punish dogs if their behavior is inappropriate.
Kennels come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. When choosing one for your dog, choose one that is spacious enough so your dog can move around. Grooming kits are also available in a variety of options as well. Some of the included products are nail clippers, shampoos, combs, brushes, and conditioners. Supplies for good hygiene are available as well for the best dog care the owner can give.

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Colleyville Animal Clinic Minimizes Pet Care Efforts

Pet owners are always concerned about the health and hygiene of their pets. Providing the best possible care to loving pets is a top priority. In order to reduce their pet care worries, they look for dedicated pet care clinics. Colleyville Animal Clinic in Colleyville is minimizing the pet care efforts of pet owners with their excellent pet care services.

Colleyville Animal Clinic (the Colleyville, TX based animal clinic) is a full-service animal care center. Thousands of pet owners in Colleyville, Bedford, Grapevine, Keller, Southlake, and nearby cities have complete trust in veterinary services offered by Colleyville Animal Clinic. The clinic offers basic animal care, emergency animal care, as well as preventative animal care services. In addition, the location also offers pet boarding, grooming services, and surgical care.

Colleyville Animal Clinic ensures peace of mind for pet owners by offering them comprehensive animal care services. Be it vaccination of pets, periodic health checkup, or common illness issues, the veterinary experts at Colleyville Animal Clinic take care of everything.

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The Easter Bunny is Not a Pet

Parents: Beware of the Easter Bunny. Don't give children pets as Easter presents, says Adam Goldfarb, director of the Humane Society's "Pets at Risk" Program. He says generally, people have gotten the message about pets with feathers – but with bunnies, not so much.

"We don't see an issue as much with the chicks and the baby ducks as we used to, but it's definitely still an issue with the rabbits."Animal welfare experts say rabbits aren't as docile as they look, and they may even bite. So, while parents think they might be fulfilling a young child's dream of owning a cuddly bunny, there's a definite downside.

"They might have a very 'cute' Easter – but unfortunately, the novelty of having a rabbit and the reality of caring for them long-term, kind-of wears off."He urges parents to do some research so they have a realistic idea of what to expect if they decide to have a rabbit join the family. Some consider them "high-maintenance" pets, and they often live more than ten years.

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Take care of your pets and the planet

According to the American Pet Products Association, we’re going to spend more than $50 billion on our pets this year. And we expect to get the best quality products for those dollars.

In fact, pets are so much a part of the American family that the 2007 Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act, designed primarily to protect children, included language that required the Food and Drug Administration to develop regulations for pet food quality.

That’s how serious we are about the well-being of our pets. So it’s of no surprise that animal lovers end up as product developers, and the products they develop are in line with our other concerns – sustainability and safety.

Sustainability takes into consideration not just the well-being of the pet, but by extension, the well-being of the planet. A good example of that is the proliferation of handy doggy-do collection products that keep our sidewalks and beaches clean, PCB-free water bowls, and even poison-free wormers.

Add to that list the high quality cleaning products that protect the health of our pets and the health of the planet at the same time. There’s no doubt there are cleaning products on the market that do a tremendous job and leave your house smelling of pine or citrus – but savvy pet owners expect more these days and they know that some of those products can actually harm their pets.

Since pets (and infants) are closer to the floor, they breathe in much more of the chemical gases put off by chemical cleaners. Pets are also much more sensitive to scent and their nasal membranes can be burned or otherwise insulted by scents we may perceive as “pretty.” For those reasons, pet owners usually avoid cleaners with strong chemical or even natural smells, which can irritate nasal passages and eyes. Chemical cleaners may also stick to a pet’s feet and be ingested when the animal cleans its paws. So, although citronella (citrus odor) works well as a natural insect repellent and is often used both in shampoos and in bug sprays for horses, it is far too strong a scent for use on cats or ferrets. Many cat owners also testify that cats will avoid entire rooms if they have been cleaned with orange or citronella-scented chemicals. A low or no-scent biodegradable cleaner is best for sensitive noses. For instance, a simple vinegar and water solution will clean tiles and glass – and has the added benefit of repelling ants. Other recommended products include natural enzyme cleaners such as Pure Ayre, Nature’s Miracle and Bissell products such as Yecch, Ewww, and Crikey — all available at The Pet Works in Astoria.

“Pet owners are absolutely aware of these natural enzyme cleaners,” said Nick Thompson, manager of The Pet Works. “It’s often also the only way to break down the odor and get it completely removed to prevent remarking.” Other products such as BioKleen products for all cleaning applications can be purchased online, and many pet products purchased both from independent dealers like J.R. Watkins, Shaklee or Amway and in chain stores such as Walmart are pet- and environment-friendly. Other recommended cleaner brand names include Seventh Generation, Begley’s Best, Murphy’s Oil Soap and Mrs. Meyer’s. Some have pine and citronella scents, so know your pet’s sensitivity.

Parents choose no-tears shampoos for their infants, and once a pet owner realizes how delicate the nose and eyes of their pet can be, they will want equally gentle products for pet shampooing.

That’s why The Pet Works sells a lot of Paul Mitchell pet products, Thompson said. “They are soap- and detergent- free and rinse clear really, really well and are tested on humans first!” In fact, in the big dog-wash area inside The Pet Works, where pets from dogs to ferrets to even pygmy goats are washed, you will find 10 different shampoos and conditioners – all detergent- and chemical-free.

Cat owners should note that otherwise beneficial natural oils such as tea tree and eucalyptus can be poisonous to cats should they lick it off their fur, and can even be painful when in contact with a cat’s skin. Thompson recommends LaSalon “Soothe” for cats – which is soap-free and rinses clean.

Pet owners need to be alert when they go out to play, too. Pets who go out of doors can track in even worse chemicals than cleaners – weed killers and pesticides. Even a small amount of pesticide can result in a fatal dose. Although commercial chemicals can be safely applied in pet areas if proper mixing and application methods are used, many pet owners prefer to look for natural weed and pest killers. A good place to start looking for safe pesticides is ecosmart.com. Needless to say, a pet running through a sprayed field, or walking through a sprayed area, may also pick up a dangerous pesticide dose. Farm dogs especially should be kept close to home during crop or weed spraying.

Dog owners who walk with their pets down roadsides should also keep an eye out for evidence of roadside spraying and keep their pets away from those areas.

By exercising this caution, an expression of your love, pets can be protected from harmful chemicals they may pick up on their feet or breathe in. If proper nutrition is also maintained, they also will be more resistant to disease and allergies.

For many years, a number of pet owners sought out feed products for dogs and cats that had more grains – not just because of a personal desire to “go vegetarian” but also because it seemed a more sustainable and safer option than feeding meat products which were not subject to the same quality standards as those eaten by people.

However, animal nutritionists and veterinarians have discovered that many dogs and cats simply got fat on the grains and some were actually allergic to certain grains. As a result, many new lines of pet food have been formulated to provide pets with the optimal balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates while avoiding the most common allergens. While cats and dogs are not naturally vegetarian, a pet in a vegetarian household can safely share the family commitment to eat vegetarian with a little special shopping. Just two examples of healthy all-vegetarian pet food are Natural Balance brand (available at The Pet Works in Astoria), which provides vegetarian food for dogs; and Ami and Evolution brands, which produce vegan cat food. Check with your vet for recommendations.

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Pet shop owner busted after cops find five dogs & cats in her freezer, dozens more sick and hungry

A pet shop owner in Florida has been charged with animal cruelty after police found a dead and sickly pets throughout her home and shop, including several frozen in her freezer.

In all, cops rescued 26 pets - dogs, cats, a rabbit, a bird and a hedgehog -- on Monday from the Palm Beach home and shop of Debora Van Oort, owner of Forever Puppies. They also discovered five dead cats and dogs frozen in her freezer, two dead dogs in her shop and dozens of sickly, starving animals roaming around her apartment.

Police conducted the search after finding two dead golden retrievers at Van Oort's shop, which had no air conditioning or heat, police said. Necropsies revealed that the dogs hadn't eaten for days, authorities said.

After seizing 12 animals from the shop, including dogs, cats and a rabbit, cops raided Van Oort's home, where they found one cat that looked like a walking skeleton and several dogs in cages and caked in feces, according to The Palm Beach Post. Investigators pulled 14 more animals from her hovel, plus the five frozen corpses in the freezer, police said.

The hedgehog was the only one that appeared to have food and water, according to the Post. Animal control officials said that Van Oort was known to "stockpile" animals at her home and had run into trouble with animal authorities in the past.

One of her shops, Top Shelf Puppies, was nailed in the past for importing animals from large Midwestern puppy mills, a pet industry term for dirty, poorly run breeding farms, according to the Post.

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