The Pet Haven

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

S.F. Zoo to Reopen After Tiger Attack
2008-01-03 19:45:00
According to an AP story, nine days after a tiger mauled three visitors, the San Francisco Zoo is set to reopen amid heightened scrutiny of its security procedures and a flurry of questions over the events that led to a teenager's death.The big cat enclosure where a 350-pound Siberian tiger escaped on Christmas Day was to remain closed indefinitely, while visitors Thursday were to find a new public alert system and more signs around the facility warning people not to pester the animals.The improvements were made as police investigated whether the victims had taunted the tiger before it climbed or leaped out of its outdoor pen. Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, was killed, and his two friends were severely injured.Personally, I love going to the zoo. Seeing those exotic and unique animals is fun at any age. However, there have been times when I wondered if maybe there should be some more protection between me and the animals. I'm all for having "natural" habitats for the different species, but...
More About: Tiger , Attack , Atta

Pet Friendly Laws
2008-01-01 23:35:00
2007 saw some pet-friendly state laws passed. Here are just some of the highlights.Arizona passed a law requiring that engine fluid must include a bittering agent to keep pets and children from drinking it by accident. Indiana signed a bill that makes killing an animal in order to threaten, intimidate, coerce or terrorize a household family member a class D felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine.Iowa passed a law prohibiting 'internet hunting.' Apparently, hunters were setting up web cameras to spot their targets from a distant location. One click on the computer and they could shoot their target. Many states also enacted legislation that would require disaster plans for evacuating, transporting and sheltering service animals and household pets.On the federal level, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act was signed into law. This provides felony penalties for interstate and foreign animal fighting. Since dog kennels rely on transporting their fighting do...
More About: Laws , Friendly

Happy New Year
2007-12-31 20:43:00
Wanted to wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe new year. When I started writing this blog in March, I had no idea where it would take me. I'm proud of all the people I've met and how far this blog has come. I hope I've been able to entertain everyone as well as provide some useful information. My goal in the new year will be as always -- to have a forum to share things that are all about pets, including news, notes, tips, fun stuff and more. Again, happy new year, from The Pet Haven!
More About: New Year , Happy , Happy New Year , Year

Celebrities & Their Pets
2007-12-28 15:38:00
http://originals.msn.com/CelebrityPetDish /photos?photoidx=1If you ever wanted to see celebrities showing off their pets, then this link is for you. Enjoy.
More About: Pets , Celebrities

Buying Tropical Fish
2007-12-27 15:20:00
When buying a tropical fish, There are some important things to consider before taking one home. Obviously, you want a fish that is healthy. But how do you pick a healthy one out when at the store?First off, it helps to know a little bit about the fish you are buying before taking it home. This way you will know what the fish should look like and what kind of behavior to expect. You should examine the fish closely before it even leaves the store. Here are some things to look for when you're at the fish store:Examine the fish closely for any type of white spots or fungus Look at the eyes of the fish. Make sure they are not cloudy or show signs of pop-eye (a condition where the eye of the fish looks like it it popping out)Examine the fish closely for any torn or missing fins-Are the fish swimming normally? or are they exhibiting some sort of unusual behavior.-How are the other fish in the tank? Do any of them have signs of illness or disease? If so, don't purchase any fish in that ...
More About: Buying , Fish , Tropical , Pica

More Holiday Wishes
2007-12-26 22:56:00
Hope everyone had a good holiday. The "boys" got plenty of new toys and treats and we are enjoying some time off. I'll be back soon with some more fun posts.
More About: Holiday , Wishes

Vacuums Destory Flees!
2007-12-24 03:00:00
A recent article puts to rest the question of what happens to flees when they are vacuumed up! Experiments conducted by Ohio State University researchers on the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)—the most common type of flee plaguing companion animals, such as dogs and cats, and humans—showed that vacuuming killed fleas in all stages of life.The stages of life of a flee aren't very appetizing: Fleas have multiple life stages- Adults suck the blood of their host and females lay eggs on them. The eggs roll off onto the floor, furniture or pet bedding and hatch two to 14 days later. The insects go through three larval stages, the last of which spins into a cocoon to protect the pupa stage. New adults typically emerge within a week or two.Click the link below for the full study, but the good news is, when it comes to flees, a vacuum really sucks!!!www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22300344/
More About: Vacuums , Lees

Pets Get Holiday Gifts Too
2007-12-22 14:29:00
It's no secret that America has a love affair with pets. In fact, more than one-half of pet owners in the US report buying gifts for their pets, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association's (APPMA) 2007-2008 Pet Owners Survey.The year-end holiday season is the most frequent gift-giving occasion for US pet owners, with this breakdown:57% of dog owners report giving their dogs gifts for Christmas or Hanukkah, spending an average of US$10 per gift; 42% of cat owners say they give kitty gifts at this time, spending an average of US$11; 32% of small animals owners report giving their pets gifts at this time and spend an average of US$12; and 27% of bird owners say they give their feathered friends holiday gifts, spending an average of US$13.One of the most popular types of pet gifts is treats, says the survey. As many as 90% of US dogs receive treats, followed by 82% of birds, 79% of small animals and 69% of cats. On average, dog owners spend US$66 per year on tre...
More About: Holiday , Gifts , Pets

Family dog viciously attacked
2007-12-20 15:46:00
Terrible, senseless act in Connecticut. by News Channel 8's Annie RourkePosted Dec. 18, 20079:55 PMMilford (WTNH) _ A disturbing case of animal cruelty has a Milford pet owner mystified and his small dog recovering from a vicious attack that took place just steps from his home.The attack happened early Sunday morning around 1 a.m. when Jack Vernon let his dog Sparky outside before going to bed. That's when he says two teenagers, a boy and girl, tried to kill his dog."I just sat down, about two minutes later, I hear hee hee hee, laughing and giggling, I said, what the heck are kids doing out this time of night? I go out there and they ran down the street," Vernon explained.When Vernon went outside he made the disturbing discovery - his 11-year old Pekinese-Pomeranian mix had been slashed with a knife."He was gashed all the way from the back, all the way down the front and then the top, they must've stuck him with the knife and then they cut him over the ear and all the way down al...
More About: Family , Attacked , Atta

What do Therapy Dogs Do?
2007-12-18 15:34:00
When I was visiting a relative in the hospital, she was visited by a therapy dog. It was great to see the dog and took our minds off of things for a while.How do dogs help with therapy? According to Thera py Dog International (TDI), The dogs bring sparkle to a sterile day, provide a lively subject for conversation, and rekindle old memories of previously owned pets. Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes; real dogs with real personalities and real love to share.The volunteers in the program and the dogs who visit with those in care facilities do make a difference in the quality of life. Real therapy is provided between animals and people.The first time a dog prances into a care facility, most people do a double take. A split second later broad smiles stretch across faces. Regardless of how residents look or how they feel, the animals are happy to see them. Those who live or must stay in a care facility truly benefit from the unconditional love and acceptance provided by TDI Dogs . ...

Preventing Cats From Scratching
2007-12-16 14:10:00
Kailani at an Island Life Blog (http://islandlife808.com/) posed a problem she is having. Her cats constantly scratch the carpet and furniture? She has scratching posts everywhere but they still prefer the carpet. And with new carpets installed, she'd like to stop the problem.Unfortunately, this is no small task. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. It helps strenghthen their claws, and is also a way of scent marking objects.However, these tips may help:-Many cats truly dislike the sound of pennies in a coffee can, and a few shakes if they are scratching something they shouldn’t can often make them run away from the object.-Have a squirt water bottle ready. When the cat attacks furniture or the new carpet, give the cat a few gentle squirts to make him stop. Cats may also be discouraged by citrus smells, and spraying furniture, rugs or drapes with a citrus deodorizer can occasionally convince the cat to leave your itmes alone.-At the same time that you discourage cats from s...
More About: Eventing

Turtle & Bird Joke
2007-12-16 14:06:00
Deep within a forest a little turtle began to climb a tree. After hours of effort he reached the top, jumped into the air waving his front legs and crashed to the ground. After recovering, he slowly climbed the tree again, jumped, and fell to the ground. The turtle tried again and again while a couple of birds sitting on a branch watched his sad efforts. Finally, the female bird turned to her mate. "Dear," she chirped, "I think it's time to tell him he's adopted."pet joke, turtle joke
More About: Joke , Turtle , Bird

More pets getting end-of-life care
2007-12-14 19:24:00
If there is any doubt that more and more people now-a-days care for their pets as if they were people, the growth of "animal hospice" may make you reconsider.According to an article on MSN.com, about 30 vets nationwide are offering services for terminally ill cats and dogs.For terminally ill pets, hospice care gives owners an alternative to expensive medical procedures or early euthanasia by teaching them how to nurse their dog or cat at home.Hospice care doesn't aggressively treat terminally ill dogs and cats. Instead, animals are cared for at home and made comfortable through the use of painkillers and holistic methods, until pets die or their owners decide to euthanize.While some pets only survive a few days, others live longer than expected—sometimes years— with supportive care.To read the entier article, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22097836/
More About: Life , Pets , Care

Cloned Cats Glow in the Dark
2007-12-13 13:22:00
SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean scientists have cloned cats by manipulating a fluorescent protein gene, a procedure which could help develop treatments for human genetic diseases, officials said Wednesday.In a side-effect, the cloned cats glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet beams.A team of scientists led by Kong Il-keun, a cloning expert at Gyeongsang National University, produced three cats possessing altered fluorescence protein (RFP) genes, the Ministry of Science and Technology said."It marked the first time in the world that cats with RFP genes have been cloned," the ministry said in a statement."The ability to produce cloned cats with the manipulated genes is significant as it could be used for developing treatments for genetic diseases and for reproducing model (cloned) animals suffering from the same diseases as humans," it added.The cats were born in January and February. One was stillborn while two others grew to become adult Turkish Angoras, weighing 3.0 kilogrammes (...
More About: Cats , Dark , The Dark , Cloned , Glow

Small Pets - Big Business
2007-12-12 15:55:00
The American Pet Products Manufacturers Assn.’s 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey shows that 6 million households in the U.S. share their homes with some 22.8 million small pets, a 25 percent increase since 2004. Mice, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs and degus, are proving that even if a creature is tiny, doesn't mean it's not loved. And these pet owners are willing to spend money on their little buddies. The amount rabbit owners spent on toys, for example, quadrupled from $20 in 2004 to $83 in 2006. The dollars spent on nonsurgical veterinary care by guinea pig owners grew during that same time period from $28 to $58. The fact that the "pocket-pet" segment of the industry is growing is of no surprise. It goes to show that the explosion of the pet industry is across the board, and not just in certain areas. In additional, smaller pets can be a bit easier to house, since they require less space, and usually less resources.
More About: Business , Pets , Big Business , Small , Sine

"Tug of War"
2007-12-11 15:45:00
New pics of the puppies playing tug of war with one of their favorite toys. The funny part is that there are plenty of toys to go around. But, they always want to play with the same one at the same time. dog, dog picture

Unique Litter Box
2007-12-10 15:28:00
Anyone with cats knows that the better the litter box system, the easier it is to clean up after your cats. The Petmate company thinks their product is the ultimate in easy kitty clean-up.Petmate presents the Litter Sweep Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Care System. Featuring sensors that detect when a cat enters and leaves the unit, it quietly rakes the clumps into a large-capacity waste receptacle and seals waste and odors in a disposable bag, according to the company. Other features include a high rim, hidden gears and motors, a plated steel rake to help keep clumps from sticking, and an additional side-scraper to help prevent litter buildup around the pan’s edge. Twelve waste receptacle bags are included. Paw-cleaning ramp, dome and litter catcher mat are sold separately. More info on the company can be found at http://www.petmate.com/Since I don't have cats, I haven't personally tried it, but if anyone has, I'd be interested in hearing your feedback.
More About: Unique

Wealthier Pet Owners Driving the Market
2007-12-09 20:51:00
Wealthier pet owners are increasingly driving the dog and cat market, with pet-owning households with annual incomes of at least $70,000 now accounting for more than half (51 percent in 2005, compared to 35 percent in 2000 and 28 percent in 1995) the dollars spent on pet products and services ($47 billion), according to an August 2007 report from Market Research.com’s Packaged Facts division.Between 1995 and 2005, the $70,000-plus households, which comprise less than one-third of overall pet-owning households, tripled their household expenditures from $5.2 billion to $18.6 billion and now account for more than half of spending for pet supplies, pet services and veterinary services, according to the Packaged Facts report “Market Trends: Premium Pet Demographics and Product Purchasing Preferences.” During that time, these households more than doubled their market share of overall pet supplies spending and now account for more than 60 percent of pet services bought. Those are thre...
More About: Driving , Owners

Raisins Toxic to Dogs?
2007-12-07 15:25:00
Confirmation from Snopes ....http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusad er/raisins.asp Written by: Laurinda Morris, DVM Danville Veterinary Clinic Danville , Ohio This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet. My patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking about 1AM on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency service until 7AM. I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure but hadn't seen any formal paper on thesubject. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, an d the doctor there was like me - had heard something about it, but.... Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give I V fluids at 1 1/2 times maintainance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-7...
More About: Dogs , Toxic

Car Travel with Your Pet - Tips
2007-12-07 01:48:00
I originally posted this last spring. But all the travelling people do during the holiday season, I thought it would helpful to post it again. I was doing some research on travelling with your pet by car, and found this on petfinder.com.Take your companion animal for a veterinary check-up and obtain a health certificate and documentation of inoculations.If your pet has never been in a car, take him on short trips to condition him for the journey. Remember, traveling can be very stressful for a pet; you should try to eliminate as much stress as you can.Animals should be secure during the trip and not allowed to jump around or hang out of the window. For this reason, a crate or carrier is recommended:A strong, wire mesh crate, not permitted for air travel, is preferable for car trips because it allows ample ventilation.The crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down in.Line the bottom with towels to absorb accidents. Attach bowls for food and water, to b...
More About: Travel , Tips , With You

The Fish Keeping Obsession
2007-12-05 16:03:00
Can you become obsessed with fish keeping? In most cases, having a fish tank starts out as a hobby. However, I can understand how it can become an obsession. Sometimes, I feel as if I'm starting to become obsessed. Fish are relatively inexpensive when compared to the costs of many other animals, and with so many varieties and types, it is easy to become obsessive about the hobby. At first, a 20 gallon tank is great, but then you want to keep more fish, so you look to purchase a bigger tank. Maybe a 30, or 55 gallon tank. But after a while, as your fish get bigger, and you get bored of the species you own, and you want to get a bigger, newer tank. With more fish. Or perhaps you want to keep the fish you own, but you want to try a different species that isn't compatible with your current fish.So you start a second tank with a different species. But maybe you want to try your hand at breeding fish, which then of course may require some type of breeding tank. And then you want to kee...
More About: Obsession

Tainted food killed 224 pets in latest tally
2007-12-04 16:16:00
Vets have only been able to confirm fraction of claims!According to a Rueters article last week, U.S. health officials received thousands of complaints earlier this year about pets killed by contaminated pet food, but veterinarians said they had been able to confirm just 224 deaths.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it received 17,000 complaints of related pet deaths, although it had confirmed just 16.A survey posted on the Internet, and widely publicized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, attracted just 500 responses and of those, only 348 cases of pet sickness met the criteria for kidney failure caused by the contamination, the team at Michigan State University found.“It is easy to think that every death or every sickness is occurring because of the pet food problem,” Wilson Rumbeiha, who worked on the study, said in a telephone interview.But when strict criteria were applied, it appears that far fewer deaths could be blamed on the pet food.The deaths from...
More About: Pets , Killed

Morning Lesson From My Dogs
2007-12-03 14:28:00
Every day when my dogs wake up, they are excited. The are wide awake, full of energy, ready to start the day. I find that there are some lessons to learn from my dogs early morning routine.The first thing my dogs do in the morning is come over to my side of the bed, bark, and wait for me to react. They then jump up and wish me a happy good morning. The Lesson ? - Maybe we should all wish our loved ones a happy good morning.Then, when I get up for them, they are excited to start their next day. They are happy to be here, happy to be able to start anew after a restful night. Lesson - We should also be excited that we are starting our day anew.Even if I yelled at them the night before, they are always there the next morning happy to see me. Maybe I should take that lesson to heart as well.The dogs never tire of their early morning walks. They don't make a fuss about seeing the outside world, or being able to walk around the block. Instead, they embrace the fact that they are able to le...
More About: Dogs , Morning

Dogs & Children Activities
2007-11-30 14:38:00
Here is some info from Yahoo's pet page about making sure your pet is involved with your life, especially for those with children.As a member of the family, your dog is certainly loved - but perhaps there is room for improvement in the ways that commitment is expressed. Take some time to reexamine, with your child, the most important gifts that families and dogs can give one another. Here is a list of suggestions for activities:1. Review with your child his or her dog-related responsibilities. It is understandable that busy schedules interfere with the best intentions, but it does help to make a list and accommodate the dog’s needs to everyone’s busy days. Depending upon age and ability, children can take responsibility for: letting the dog outside or in for bathroom needs; exercising; feeding or grooming. If any of these has presented a problem, now is the time to discuss solutions. Probably the most time-consuming chore is regularly exercising the dog, which can be limited to...
More About: Children , Dogs , Activities

Are Pooper Scooper Laws Fair?
2007-11-28 14:33:00
http://www.helium.com/tm/499019/asking-po oper-scooper-askingOn another site where I write, there is a continuing debate on whether or not pooper scooper laws are fair. My feeling is that if you are going to get a dog, then you need to expect that a dog will have to "dog his business" and that it is important to scoop it up, especially in public places. Here is the full article I wrote, and you can also click through and see the other sides of the debate if you're interested.
More About: Laws , Fair

Diabetes Rising in Pets Too
2007-11-27 15:48:00
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21755451/Good article about how the diabetes is rising in pets, just as it is in people. Diabetes now affects as many as one in 50 of the animals, some statistics show, especially pudgy pets.Veterinarians say that while obesity clearly is linked to diabetes in pets, it appears to contribute to the disease differently in cats and dogs.Fat cats are prone to diabetes because they develop insulin resistance, meaning their bodies don't effectively use insulin. As a result, the pancreas pumps out more insulin as well as another hormone called amylin.With dogs, obesity is associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis — an inflammation of the pancreas — which can then lead to diabetes because the body doesn't make enough insulin.Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, Rosemary's Thoughts, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Chuck Adkins, and High Desert Wanderer, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
More About: Pets

Matted Fur Problems
2007-11-24 15:29:00
A furry pet with a long coat should be brushed and combed several times a week. Doing so can prevent matting and debris buildup in the dog's coat.If left unchecked, matting can become a serious condition for your pet. It is much more then purely a cosmetic issue. Mats are formed by intertwining hairs, dirt, grit, leaves, grass and other matter in the coat. Mats can grow large and heavy and eventually pull at a dog's skin. This may cause hot spots or wounds. In extreme cases, insect infestation or infection in the wounds may occur.If your dog already has mats, you may need to take them to a groomer and have them shaved to remove the mats. The dog make look a bit strange to you, but it's better to have a strange looking pup then one that needs medical attention do to hot spots. Once the mats are gone, you can then brush the coat frequently to avoid the mats from popping up again.
More About: Problems

Pet Tips for Thanksgiving
2007-11-21 15:45:00
As with any holiday, it's important to keep the pets in mind during this sometimes stressful time. The good people at the Petsitusa blog have posted some great tips that I'd like to share. Check it out http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=767
More About: Thanksgiving , Tips , Hank

The Doggie Cam
2007-11-21 15:30:00
The people at photojojo.com have come up with a unique twist on people who want to know what their dog is thinking. Now, you can see life from a dog's perspective. With their idea, you can put a camera on your dog and view life the way he does everyday. What's the point of seeing life like a dog does? According to the people at photojojo, with the photo cam we can sympathize with what our dog has to view everyday. I guess if I consider what my dogs see everyday, there would be a lot of pictures of feet, rugs, and food on shelves that is too high to reach. How does this invention work? Well, you have to buy a "gorillapod" which is sold on their site. This pod supposedly can wrap around your pet (just be careful not to get it too tight or you might cause injury) and then you attach your camera. I have yet to actually try this creation, but if you're interested, here is their site:http://photojojo.com/content/diy/see -life-from-a-dogs-pov-with-doggiecam/Also , a search on Youtube.com ...

Dog back home after adventure, neutering
2007-11-20 15:19:00
Great story that is all over the AP News today!DIAMOND, Mo. - The Bowman family has its pooch back. Their dog Happy is back after seven months of adventure, an operation, two intermediate homes and a new name.Happy, also known as Radar, is the same dog who ran away from a different Joplin household last week to live at veterinarian Steve Walstad's Joplin office, where he was neutered last month.Misty Bowman, mother of Codey, 14, and Chase, 9, saw Happy's picture Monday in the Joplin Globe with a story about Walstad deciding to keep the dog that he called Radar."I was yelling at my husband, saying, `Tell me I'm crazy, tell me that's not Happy,'" Misty said of her reaction reading the newspaper.The Bowmans say they took the dog they called Happy home from a friend's house when he was 8 weeks old. He stood out to Misty because he was so friendly and not at all aggressive.Misty's husband, Rob, was especially attached to the dog and named him Happy "because he always looks like he...
More About: Adventure , Home , Back , Erin