Pets: 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Pet products are selling, despite recession

Technorati Tags: New product,Pets food,Shaky economy

In hard times, pet owners are still shelling out for items like this DogTread motorized treadmill.

Despite the shaky economy, dozens of hot new products for pets are hitting the market.

Manufacturers are coming through for all those pet owners who are willing to cut back in other areas rather than deprive their pets, says Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Association.

"Total pet spending has grown at a pace equal to or greater than most other retail segments," says Vetere. He adds that consumers are following the trend toward natural products.

According to the Yellow Pages Association, based in Berkeley Heights, the "pet grooming" listings get the most response from 50- to 64-year-old women with incomes above $60,000. July sees the most frequent usage on grooming. "Our display ads in the pet supplies and food categories peak in August," says Larry Small, director of research.

More than 60 percent of all households (about 71 million in all) own a pet, according to a recent national pet owner survey by American Pet Products. The organization predicts the pet industry will generate sales of $5 billion this year with the top two categories being food ($17.4 billion) and supplies ($10.2 billion).

CHECK OUT THESE PRODUCTS

When we said hot products, here's one that just became available online tomorrow. If you don't want your couch going to the dogs while Scruffy lounges on it, Surefit.com offers a durable and attractive quilted soft suede cover to help keep it clean. How's that for hot?

Prices for the well-constructed covers range from $29.99 to $49.99. In the fall, covers also will be in major stores where the slipcover-maker's full product line is offered.

Remember Stump, the Sussex spaniel who holds the current Best in Show title from Westminster? He's now stumping for a line of products from the Children's Art Project. Launched last month at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, "Flag" doggie bandanas were designed by three pediatric patients. Proceeds from the $12 bandanas go directly to pediatric programs at the famed cancer facility.

Joy to the World Collectibles also sells adorable glass dog breed ornaments ($39) to benefit the program. View products online at childrensart.org.

Who doesn't want an easy million? All you need to do is look like your dog. All American Pet Company launched "Bow Wow Million Dollar Contest" to recognize the dog and owner that look the most alike. Submit a photo online no later than July 26 to capture the million or one of the other generous cash prizes. Details at
bowwowmillion.com.

Shop 'til you drop and help homeless animals at the same time through a newly launched website, bringpetshome.org, a nonprofit foundation in Roseland. The site lists 150 major retailers who will allocate a percentage of sales to benefit shelters. Operating costs are absorbed by Schering-Plough Animal Health in Kenilworth.

Sparky losing his spark? How about DogTread's motorized exercise treadmill? You don't want Sparky to reach the point of exhaustion, which means you'll need to watch him throughout his run. This product could be a boon in the dead of winter when a walk outdoors would be unappealing. It comes in three sizes, ranging from $500 to $900. The economy can't be that bad; they were temporarily out of the large size. Go to petzenproducts.com.

If you and your pup like night walks, let some light shine on both of you with HUGlight, a hands-free, flexible light that hangs comfortably from soft foam "arms" around your neck. At $10 to $15, the device generates enough light that you could even read The Star-Ledger at midnight without disturbing anyone. Check mylight.com for details.

Finally, a practical solution for the part of a dog walk owners like least. The name speaks for itself: "Never Touch Shovel Bag." Described as the "civilized way to scoop," packs of bags sell for $2.49 to $8.99, depending on quantity. Visit shovelbag.com.

FURminator.com has a wide range of products, including a terrific line of brushes to snare that extra pet hair and fur before it blankets your furniture.

The site also offers treats that promise to reduce shedding. I can attest that they work. Instead of shedding bushels, my Siberian husky is shedding far less and he loves the treats. Their brushes help, too.

Unquestionably, Up Country offers the most terrific lineup of colorful dog and cat collars, leads and harnesses I've seen, in fabric and leather ranging from $8.50 to $14. Their collections -- about 100 choices -- burst with color and clever designs featuring dog breeds, ducks, fish, Christmas themes, birds, horses .â€‰.â€‰. you name it. They also carry stylish furniture and healthy treats. Find the products at upcountryinc.com.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Pet Airways: Where the Fur Flies

Pet-Oriented Airline Will Take Dogs and Cats Airborne, Starting at $149

Technorati Tags: New Airline,Pet owners,Alissa Binder

There's a new airline that has no security lines, no middle seats and flight attendants who even take customers for a walk before they fly. The only catch? You've got to be a dog or a cat -- no humans allowed.

New airline offers safe travel for four-legged passengers.

Pet Airlines will get the fur flying next week when it begins service as the country's first pet-only airline.

The airline's launch is the culmination of an idea from pet owner Alissa Binder and her husband, Dan Wiesel, after they took their aging Jack Russell, Jack, on a cross-country flight. Like other pets, Jack had to fly in the cargo bay.

"We were totally stressed out," Wiesel said. "We didn't know if she was on the flight, didn't know how she was doing."

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To avoid that stress in the future, the couple leased a plane, hired veterinary technicians to monitor the animals in flight and started advertising their new airline. Starting at $149, pet owners can send their furry friends on flights that provide a preboarding walk and bathroom break.

Pet Airways will initially fetch animals from five cities -- New York, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.

The planes have no seats and no overhead compartments, and are all designed for creature comfort.

"Our priority is the pets," Binder said. "It's about the pets."

While Pet Airways may be the newest dog on the block, they face competition with major carriers such as Continental, which moves an average of 500 pets every day.

"We've got dedicated personnel, constant monitoring 24 hours a day, tracking all animals," Continental employee Lisa Schoppa said.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Nearly 500 dogs seized from Montague County kennel

BOWIE, Texas — Nearly 500 dogs were seized Tuesday from a kennel where a Humane Society supervisor said several dead animals were found after complaints the dogs hadn't received proper veterinary care.

The Montague County Sheriff's Department served search warrants at Maggic Pets/Heddins Kennel, which offers on its Web site breeds including pugs, schnauzers, toy beagles, akitas and shitzus.

Cloyce Heddins, the husband of the kennel's owner, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the dogs received proper care and authorities had bad information. He said his wife, Carol, has heart problems and was taken to a hospital by ambulance when officers arrived.

"We've been in this business a long time," Heddins told the newspaper. "If you raise dogs, you've got to get them veterinary care, especially if you're trying to make a living of it."

Heddins did not immediately return a Tuesday night call from The Associated Press.

Sandy Grambort, a supervisor with the Humane Society of North Texas, said authorities found dogs in crates double-stacked in outbuildings, as well as in outdoor pens and kennels. Some had skin conditions and open sores, she said.

While not all the dogs appeared to have health problems, she said those in the poorest condition were discovered at the back of the property, where customers are not allowed.

"We are very secure in our case," Grambort said.

Heddins said officers took eight to 10 filing cabinets from the home. He suggested complaints could have come from a few dissatisfied customers.

"Every time someone gets mad they can just call and say someone is not taking care of his dogs, and that makes them subject to an

Technorati Tags: Humane Society,Veterinary care,investigation,warehouse

investigation," he said.

The dogs were taken to a Fort Worth warehouse donated to temporarily house them. A Montague County justice of the peace will decide whether to return the animals to the kennel or leave them in the custody of the humane society.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The People Speak Deposits For Guard Dogs Not Allowed

Technorati Tags: guide dog,pet owners,deposit

Here is the thing. Pets Guide In one conversation, a lady informed that she had a house for $525 per month and a $400 deposit, no pets. I informed her I was blind and had a guide dog. She promptly informed me of the following: “There will be a non-refundable deposit of $500 for that guide dog.”

I wanted to ask how long she had been in the real estate business. Landlords of any kind cannot charge a “pet deposit” for a guide dog/service animal. This is against the law. Landlords should acquaint themselves with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 or go to Assistance Dogs International (ADI.org) or GDUI (Guide Dog Users Inc.

These two sites have lots of information about guides and laws governing them. Landlords charge deposits for everything —pets, security and children, etc. Most deposits are not returned no matter how clean or what a place is left like. Yet it makes it hard for pet owners and guide dog users to rent.

These dogs are highly trained. We have to keep them brushed, bathed, clean their teeth, pick up after them, so they usually do not cause any problems. They are also taught not to bark.

Pets Guide I was raised in Muskogee and am returning home after 18 years away.I would like to begin my transition on a good note. Landlords need to wake up. Perhaps, you should start charging deposits for the drunks and druggies you rent to. I would hate to begin my new life in Muskogee in court for discrimination or civil rights violations.

Tags: 18 years, adi, americans with disabilities, americans with disabilities act, assistance dogs international, civil rights violations, discrimination, drunks, estate business, guard dogs, guide dog users, landlords, muskogee, pet deposit, pet owners, refundable deposit, returning home, service animal, these dogs, users inc

Patriotic pets parade for Fourth

Technorati Tags: patriotic parade,costume

If you're an animal person, the American Visionary Arts Museum's annual pet parade should be a must on your calendar.

More than 80 pets came out -- many sporting their red, white and blue -- for the event this morning. The costuming was as eccentric as you'd expect from the museum. A pup wearing a pickle. Not one but two pugs with the stars and stripes painted (hairsprayed, actually) right onto them. A tortoise that essentially hauled an entire art project on its back.

Check out my first batch of pics. More to come later. Happy Fourth!!

Photos by Jill

Sunday, July 5, 2009

AP Poll: Half of pet owners give pets human names

This photo released by Veterinary Pet Insurance shows Snag L. Tooth catching a cat nap at his home in Portland, Ore.

NEW YORK — So much for Rover and Fido.

Almost half of American pet owners gave an animal a human-like name, such as Jack or Sophie, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll of more than 1,000 pet owners released Tuesday.

Some of the more unusual names: Hollywood and Chichi Mittens, both cats; Vegas the Labrador Retriever; Jibber Jack the dog; the Beagle named Talulublue, and Louis XIV, the Yorkie.

In all, 49 percent of respondents, including 51 percent of dog owners and 50 percent of cat owners, had given at least one of their pets a human-like name.

The most popular? Max got more mentions than other names in the AP Poll, but not enough to give it any broad claim of popularity less than 2 percent of all mentions). One database of pet names, maintained by Veterinary Pet Insurance, also finds that Max pops up more frequently than any other name.

There has been a move away from classic dog names such as Spot and Lassie, according to VPI spokesman Curtis Steinhoff. There were 13 Fidos in VPI's database in 2008, placing the name at No. 2,866. Rover was No. 2,534, behind names like Grendel, Ginger Snap and Munchie.

Steinhoff said the trend reflects a stronger bond between people and their pets.

Pet owners who give their pets human names are more likely to see them as full members of the family, said Wayne Eldridge, veterinarian and author of "The Best Pet Name Book Ever!"

But he cautions against reading too much into pet names. Many people choose names based on the animal's appearance, he said. One of the most unusual names in the VPI database was Snag L. Tooth for a cat with a "snaggle tooth" that protrudes.

And some people don't know why they chose a certain name for their pet.

Like Beth Hart, 63, of Houston, who started naming her dogs Sassoon for the hair salon Vidal Sassoon. Her current Shih Tzu is Sassoon the Third. Her husband named their Lhaso Apso, "Dawg," their second dog with that name.

Daniel Rivera, 23, of Lansing, Mich. said his 4-year-old daughter named their pit bull lab mix Little Fella. He said he guesses the name fits since the dog has very short legs.

For some it's all about being creative. Susan Jacobs, 45, of Long Beach, Calif., named her black poodle Kingston for her best vacation ever.

"It was beautiful, the people, the music, the warm weather," she said of her trip to Jamaica a decade ago. "Now whenever I say his name, I think of that time of in my life."

Technorati Tags: names,cats,dogs

Friday, July 3, 2009

2 British police dogs die after being left in hot car during heat wave

LONDON — Two British police dogs have died after being left in a car during a heat wave.

The German shepherds died Tuesday in a car in the parking lot of police headquarters in Nottingham, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of London. Nottinghamshire Police say they have called in animal welfare investigators.

Temperatures in the area reached 84 F (29 C) that day, according to Britain’s weather office. Police did not say how long the dogs were in the car.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Davies called the deaths “tragic.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says it is investigating. The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary distress to an animal is six months’ imprisonment or a 20,000-pound ($33,000) fine.

Technorati Tags: dogs,nottinghamshire,investigate

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Pet python strangles Sumter County 2-year-old

Technorati Tags: sumter county homes,pet python

OXFORD — A 2-year-old girl was strangled this morning by a pet python at a Sumter County home, according to a sheriff's report.

The incident occurred just after 10 a.m. at a residence in the 1500 block of county Road 466 in Oxford, which is located west of Lady Lake.

It's not known if the pet snake got loose before killing the girl.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, pythons are a nonnative species to Florida, although some Burmese pythons have been found in parts of Florida.

An invasion of giant Burmese pythons in South Florida that made national headlines last year was "rapidly expanding" and could reach Central Florida, according to a University of Florida study.

"There's no part of this state that you can point at and say that pythons couldn't live here," researcher Frank Mazzotti said. "They're capable of incredible movement -- and in a relatively short period."

Most of the pythons were brought over as pets and then turned loose in the wild, he said.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Keep pets indoors during fireworks

Technorati Tags: pets,fireworks,safety

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Question: Is it true that the Hawaiian Humane Society supports bans against fireworks?

Answer: The Hawaiian Humane Society is not anti-fireworks but pro-pet safety. So many lost pets without ID end up at its Moiliili shelter after the 4th of July. Keeping pets safely indoors is the most important thing you can do to keep pets from getting lost. It's also useful to make sure pets are microchipped and wear a collar and tag, even if they're kept indoors. Pet owners may call 946-2187 to ensure their contact information is current with the Humane Society, which improves a lost pet's chances of finding his way home.

———

The Hawaiian Humane Society welcomes questions by e-mail, hhs@hawaiianhumane.org. Indicate "Pet Ohana" in the subject line.

Question: Is it true that the Hawaiian Humane Society supports bans against fireworks?

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Perfect Pet for an Apartment? Try Rabbits.

Technorati Tags: dogs,cats,pets and apartment

Dogs and cats. Dogs and cats. When potential pet owners of the greater D.C. area are looking to add some fur to their abodes, dogs and cats are the go-to. But consider the small, humble bunny.

Bunnies don’t bark. They don’t claw the top of your pillow at 3 a.m. They don’t need to be walked. Neither your neighbors—nor likely your landlord—need know you have an adorable-eared roomate.

“We put bunnies in our newsletters, on our Web site. We take them to TV appearances. It’s the first room here at the shelter….We put them anywhere we think they’ll be visible,” says Kay Speerstra, executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

“Bunnies do take longer to adopt than dogs and cats,” says Communications Manager Susan Sherman.

Although they’re not pets for the absent-minded owner—bunnies will chew electrical chords and such—they’re pretty much ideal for urban living. Rebecca Kingery, a volunteer at the shelter in Shirlington for more than 20 years, had three.

“I always thought of myself as a dog person,” she says. It’s the reason she started coming to the shelter in the first place—to be near and walk dogs since she was a renter in Arlington County and couldn’t own one.

The bunnies got a lot less attention, she says, so she started paying attention to them. Her first two rabbits were a “bonded pair.” Nestle and Beatrix were attached to one another and had to be adopted together. “Once you have two like that, you understand,” says Kingery. “They’re very social.”

The original two have died. She has a third and at the shelter Thursdsay, it’s Kingery cleaning the cages of the seven bunnies available for adoption. All of them are spayed or neutered.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Family Pets May Harbor MRSA, Other Nasties New Research Points to Dogs, Cats as Possible Carriers of the Deadly Superbug

By MICHAEL SMITH
MedPage Today Staff Writer

Technorati Tags: Family Pets,MRSA,New reserach Points to dogs

The nasty, drug-resistant bacteria known as MRSA may have a new carrier: the family pet. The scourge of hospital wards and locker rooms, MRSA often begins with small red bumps that can turn into painful abscesses requiring surgery to drain them.

MRSA

For a small number of unfortunate pet owners, household cats and dogs can be a source of infection with the superbug MRSA.

If not detected and treated, they can find their way into the body, causing infections in heart valves, lungs, joints, bones and the bloodstream.

Yes, Kitty and Spot may be boon companions, but their friendship comes with the possibility of the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and at least 30 other pathogens, according to Dr. Richard Oehler and his colleagues at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa.

Many of these bugs are transmitted by bites and scratches, but others -- such as MRSA -- can cycle back and forth between pets and owners, Oehler and his colleagues warned in a review article, which appears in the July edition of the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases.

"Pet owners are often unaware of the potential for transmission of life-threatening pathogens from their canine and feline companions," the researchers said.

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Particularly worrisome is a growing body of evidence that cats and dogs can be colonized by MRSA -- germs that are probably acquired from their owners, since cats and dogs usually carry a different strain of Staphylococcus bacteria.

But the cats and dogs can give the bug back. As long ago as 1988, researchers reported that a cat living in a United Kingdom geriatric unit had passed MRSA back to people. Screening of patients and staff showed that 38 percent of the nursing staff there had colonies of the bacteria living somewhere on them.

And that's not uncommon, according to Lawrence McGill, a veterinarian at the ARUP Animal Reference Pathology Laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"There is more and more data pointing to the [fact that the] most common source for animal infections with MRSA is from humans, including contact with medical facilities where humans are treated," McGill said.

In 2006, researchers isolated MRSA from the skin sores of a three-year-old domestic short-haired cat and -- for the first time in a household pet -- confirmed the pathogen as belonging to the infamous strain known as USA300.

The USA300 clone is a major source of skin infection in community-acquired MRSA in the United States -- and the owner of the cat had indeed experienced repeated soft-tissue staphylococcal infections.

Pals with Paws: Surrendered pets need new homes

Sunday, June 21, 2009 3:00 AM

The Rowan County Animal Shelter has several animals waiting to be adopted and taken to a good home.

Cat: Callie's owners had to surrender her to the shelter when they had to move and could not take her along. She is a smoke-colored adult, spayed female with short hair. Callie loves to purr and have her head rubbed. Since Callie has been spayed she is free to adopt.

Dog: Her name is Sparkle and her personality certainly fits her name. She is one of the most affectionate and submissive little girls you'd ever want to meet. Sparkle is just over one year old and her owner had to surrender her to the shelter because she could no longer afford to care for her. Sparkle is a female Chihuahua mix.

From rescued animals to those abandoned by owners who couldn't afford them and all others in between, the Animal Shelter has them all.

Adoption fees are $70, a down payment for spay/neuter costs. The voucher can be used at any veterinarian's office.

Before adopting any animal, a person must agree to take the pet to a veterinarian for an exam and spaying/neutering. If the animal isn't already vaccinated for rabies, the person must agree to begin shots within three business days.

Rabies shots can be given as soon as the pet turns 4 months old.

The animal shelter isn't equipped with a medical facility and cannot administer any procedures or treatment.

A worker at the shelter will go over all information and gladly answer all questions from those adopting pets.

Want to view animals at the shelter? Kennel hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30-4:15 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-noon, and Saturdays from 8-11:30 a.m.

To learn more about adopting a pet, call the shelter at 704-216-7768, or visit the shelter at 1465 Julian Road, Salisbury. You can also visit the shelter's Web site at www.co.rowan.nc.us/animalshelter/.

Technorati Tags: pet,petshelter

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Hints From Heloise

Technorati Tags: pets,pet pal,care

Carrier Trick

Dear Heloise: I read a hint in your column ON GETTING A PET INTO A CARRIER. Well, mine is foolproof. I saw them do it at my vet's office. Just sit the carrier on end with the open end up. Pick up your pet and gently deposit it into the carrier and close the door. Your pet does not see the carrier and does not fight your trying to put it in. My husband and I have four cats -- one shelter cat, two strays and one from a local family. They are Tucker, Taffy, Tracy and now Coco, who is a stray and part Siamese. Thanks for all your great hints. -- Dot Althouse, Smethport, Pa.

GROOMING IS IMPORTANT

Dear Heloise: We might not realize when our older pets become arthritic, but grooming is especially difficult for them. Gentle brushing improves their well-being and is so good for them. Every furry or hairy pet needs to be brushed every day, or as often as possible. It is a sweet way to make the bond with them even closer. -- Shirley Paschal, Cresson, Texas

Shirley, Cabbie, our miniature schnauzer, agrees! I try to brush her and clean her eyes daily. -- Heloise

FISH FEEDING

Dear Heloise: My friend and I trade pet-sitting duties when we travel. I have one of those weekly pillboxes, and I measure out the fish food into each day's compartment, which makes it easy on the pet sitter. The fish can continue to have the variety that I would provide if I were home without any interruption and in the proper amount. I had used an auto feeder, but somehow my fish always gunked it up. After a trip, I'd come home to find they'd gotten it in the aquarium, so I don't use it anymore. -- Melanie Parrott, via e-mail

PET PAL

Dear Readers: Verdi Adam of Baton Rouge, La., sent a photo of her 3-year-old black-and-white Persian cat, Aslan, sitting pretty as can be in a little box. To see Aslan, visit www.Heloise.com. -- Heloise

SAVE YOUR BAGS

Dear Heloise: We live in an apartment and have to make sure we pick up our dog's waste when we take her out. Doggie bags are pretty expensive, especially now. So I save my sandwich, bread, fruit and vegetable bags. I put them in our dog bag. Then when we take her out, we just pull one out of the bag. It works very well and doesn't cost us a penny, either. -- Nan from Ohio

DOG BED

Dear Heloise: If you replace your old lawn-chair cushions, save them. They make great outdoor beds for your cat or dog. Most of them are made out of fabric that holds up well in outdoor conditions, and they are portable, which makes them handy when traveling with your pet. When they get dirty, just add a little mild detergent, hose them down and spread them out in the sun to dry. -- Mary Michelle Martinez, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Tips on taking care of pets

Dear Heloise: I read a hint in your column on getting a pet into a carrier. Well, mine is foolproof. I saw them do it at my vet's office. Just sit the carrier on end with the open end up. Pick up your pet and gently deposit it into the carrier and close the door. Your pet does not see the carrier and does not fight your trying to put it in. My husband and I have four cats — one shelter cat, two strays and one from a local family. They are Tucker, Taffy, Tracy and now Coco, who is a stray and part Siamese. Thanks for all your great hints. — Dot Althouse, Smethport, Pa.

Shirley: Cabbie, our miniature schnauzer, agrees! I try to brush her and clean her eyes daily. — Heloise

Dear Readers: Verdi Adam of Baton Rouge, La., sent a photo of her 3-year-old black-and-white Persian cat, Aslan, sitting pretty as can be in a little box. — Heloise

Friday, June 19, 2009

Pets Insurance

Why do you need health insurance for pets? Not that long ago, health insurance for pets was relatively unknown. A family pet animal was seen as an animal and treated accordingly. It was given annual vaccinations and treated for emergencies, if they were not too serious or too costly. Family budgets did not allow for more. Today, the family pet is a member of the family and treated like it. That is why you need health insurance for pet"s."

What factors might effect the costs of insuring your pets? First, what is the age of your pet? May companies will not cover very young or very old pets. Next, is the pet you have selected a breed type which may have inherent health risks? Larger breeds can have a greater chance of certain types of injuries to knees/elbows and hips. Long, droopy ears are susceptible to frequent ear infections. Some breeds are prone to re-occurring skin problems. And a rescued pet may have a pre-existing condition that cannot be covered.

What contingencies should be covered in your insurance plan? Do you just want to cover basic annual maintenance, vaccinations and emergency treatment? How about tests for heart worm, parasites and fleas? What about spaying and neutering? Dental health is considered very important in the health of your pet. Cleaning of a pets teeth requires an anesthetic. You can see that just the basics of providing for good health are significant.

How is the payment of claims handled in health insurance for pets? As in human health insurance, deductibles come into play and co-pay plans may be available in health insurance for pets. Some companies pay a percentage "(up to 80-90%)" of allowable charges. If you have an older or larger dog, check on maximum payout per dog or per year. This would also apply to breeds with predisposition to certain conditions. Thought and research are needed for a good decision here.

Health insurance for pets really is an absolute necessity. Burgeoning technology is reshaping the realities of our world so rapidly, it is difficult to keep up with it! The pet industry has changed as well, with 63% of households having a pet. The majority are dogs and cats and the amount of money spent on them is staggering! The amount spend on veterinary bills is second only to the amount spent on pet food. Today, pet health care includes; information services, vet surgery technology and research, foods especially formulated, alternative pet therapy, pet behavior and psychology, pet health insurance and pet pharmaceuticals. Because of this expanded view of care options, owners of pets are inclined to provide much more elaborately for these important family members. The costs can be considerable. A good plan of health insurance for pets really is a necessity.

For a great source for this important resource, go to: http://www.squidoo.com./HealthInsuranceForPets

Sharon Brown lives on the Central Coast of California and loves her pets!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Lee_Brown

Pets Care

Pets play an important role in the home and can be wonderful companions to kids, adults and seniors. The bond that forms between a family and their pet is sometimes difficult for non pet owners to understand, but for all of us who have or have had a pet in our home, we know the joy and pleasure these faithful companions can bring.

Owning and caring for a family pet doesn’t have to be a difficult or burdensome experience. Simplepetcare.com is a free resource that was created for pet lovers like you to take away the mystery and difficulty of everyday pet care. From dogs, cats and birds, to reptiles and small rodents you’ll find all the necessary information to properly care for your pet.

Through a little knowledge and special care, you can make your pet a healthy, happy part of your home for years to come. We invite you to explore the wide variety of pet care information in our website. Find new and exciting information by keeping up on all the latest pet care tips and tricks from the Simple Pet Care blog or by simply let your voice be heard by sharing your own Pet Care expertise in our Pets Forum. Additionally, we invite you to search our pet articles for essential information related to pet care and other health and lifestyle related issues.

log on to http://www.simplepetcare.com/

Pet Blog

The PetSmart Charities web log, or blog as it is commonly called, officially launched April 1, 2006 with the purpose of acting as a forum for animal welfare workers across the U.S. and Canada. The blog is basically a collection of web site chat rooms combined with e-mail notification. It provides daily access to the same industry experts as our webinars at no cost to you. Topic areas include the following: charitable giving, webinars, Rescue Waggin’ ® , emergency relief, In the Field, and Pet of the Day.

Our goal is to promote a network of sharing and replication of best practices across the field. For those of you who have already attended one of our webinars, this site will give you the opportunity to continue the conversations and learning from the webinar into the future with your fellow attendees and expert presenter. We already have some great content posted to the site just waiting for you to read! Visit our blog site now.

Pets

A pet is an animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a household animal, as opposed to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song. Pets also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits;^[1] keeping pets has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around. There is now a medically-approved class of "therapy animals," mostly dogs, who are brought to visit confined humans. Walking a dog can provide both the owner and the dog with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction.

Terminology

Dogs and cats are often considered "small animals", while horses, cattle, sheep, and similar are considered "large animals". "Exotics" include birds, squirrels, and reptiles.^[2]

Local restrictions

Many cities and towns have local ordinances limiting the number of pets a person may have, and may also restrict or forbid certain pets (such as fowl or exotics). Certain breeds of dog, such as pit bulls and rottweilers, are banned in some places. Dog/other canid/wolf mixes are also banned in some places.

The cities of Berkeley, California and Boulder, Colorado have passed laws stating that people who have pets do not "own" them; rather, they are the pet's "guardian."

Condominium associations and rental properties often ban animals^{[citation needed]} because of the smells and noise the animals create.

Pet popularity

Around 63 percent of all U.S. households (71.1 million) are pet owners, and more than half of these households have more than one animal ^[3]. The two most popular pets in most Western countries have been cats and dogs. In the United States, a 2007-2008 survey shows that dog-owning households outnumber those owning cats, but that the number of pet cats is higher than dogs.^[4] Combined reptiles are the next popular followed by birds followed by horses.

According to a 2007-2008 Pet Owners Survey^[5]

Animal	Number of U.S. households that own a pet (millions)	Total number of pets owned in the U.S. (millions)
Bird	6.4	16.0
Cat	38.4	88.3
Dog	44.8	74.8
Equine	4.3	13.8
Freshwater fish	14.2	142.0
Saltwater fish	0.8	9.6
Reptile	4.8	13.4
Small animal	6.0	24.3

In Canada the latest survey done by Colin Siren of Ipsos Reid it is estimated that there are 7.9 million cats and 5.9 million dogs in Canada. The survey also shows that 35% of Canadian households have a dog, while 38% have a cat, which is consistent with other surveys conducted around the world. ^[6]

Overpopulation

Animal protection advocates call attention to pet overpopulation in the United States. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the country and many more are confined to cages in shelters. This situation is created by nonneutered animals (spayed/castrated) reproducing and people intentionally breeding animals. A particularly problematic combination of economic hardship combined with a love of animals contributes to this problem in parts of the rural United States.^[7] In an average year, a fertile cat can produce three litters of kittens, with up to 4 to 6 kittens in each litter. Based on these numbers, one female cat and her offspring could produce up to 420,000 cats over a seven year period if not spayed or castrated. There are also major overpopulation problems with other pet species, such as birds and rabbits. Local humane societies, SPCAs, and other animal protection organizations urge people to neuter their pets and to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of purchasing them from breeders or pet stores.

Effects on pets' health

Keeping animals as pets may become detrimental to their health if certain requirements are not kept. An important issue is the inappropriate feeding, which may produce clinical effects (like the consumption of chocolate by dogs^[8]). Passive smoking is another recurring problem, aggravated by the fact that fur animals groom themselves, which means taking in extra harmful substances that have landed on their fur, not just those inhaled. A study has revealed that 44% of pet owners who smoke in UK do so around their pets, with 38% of them stating that they had no idea that second hand smoke could damage their pet's health.^[9]

Effects of pets on their caregiver's health

Health benefits

Pets have the ability to stimulate their caregivers, in particular the elderly, giving people someone to take care of, someone to exercise with, and someone to help them heal from a physically or psychologically troubled past.^[10] Having a pet may help people achieve health goals, such as lowered blood pressure, or mental goals, such as decreased stress.^[11] There appears to be strong evidence that having a pet can help a person lead a longer, healthier life. In a study of 92 people hospitalized for coronary ailments, within a year 11 of the 29 without pets had died, compared to only 3 of the 52 who had pets.^[10] A recent study concluded that owning a pet can reduce the risk of a heart attack by 2% and that pets are better than medication in reducing blood pressure.^{[citation needed]} Dogs which are trained to be guide dogs can help people with visual impairments.

Pets in long-term care institutions

Even pet owners residing in a long-term care facility, such as a hospice or nursing home, experience health benefits from pets. Pets for nursing homes are chosen based on the size of the pet, the amount of care that the breed needs, and the population and size of the care institution.^[10] Appropriate pets go through a screening process and, if it is a dog, additional training programs to become a therapy dog.^[12]

Different pets require varying amounts of attention and care; for example, cats have lower maintenance requirements than dogs.^[13]

Health risks

Health risks that are associated with pets include:

Aggravation of allergies and asthma caused by dander and fur or feathers
Injuries, maulings and sometimes deaths caused by pet bites and attacks
Disease and/or parasites due to animal hygiene problems or lack of appropriate treatment (faeces and urine)
Stress caused by behavior of animals
Fear or distress from animal presence or behavior