The PetSource Blog - Scribbles 'n Bits

U.S. Reps Working To Ban Exotic Pets

2008-07-03T01:27:00Z

Pet owners all across the country are up in the arms due to a proposed ban on imported animals. The bill entitled the Non-native Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act was recently introduced and if allowed to pass could potentially wipe out entire pet based industries such as the importation of exotic fish (a huge business in the U.S.)

The reasons behind the bill are easy to understand since basically it was designed to “prevent the introduction and establishment of non-native wildlife species that negatively impact the economy, environment or human or animal species’ health” by establishing a risk assessment process that imported species would undergo before being allowed into the United States”, but many say the idea that foreign animals will bring nothing but disease and bacteria into the country which we are not equipped to fight is absurd. According to Marshall Meyers in a statement before the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans “It imposes of persons interested in importing or possessing a species for commercial on non-commercial purposes the task of having to scientifically prove a negative — that the species will not cause harm or be likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human and animal species’ health. Simply on the grounds of ‘statistics 101,’ this is unworkable. Absent a crystal ball, it is impossible to prove conclusively that no harm has ever nor will ever occur at any time, anywhere in the United States.”

Ideally if passed the legislation would split foreign animals into two groups, one for approved and the other for animals deemed a threat to the U.S. ecosystem. And believe it or not may even prevent several breeds of dogs and cats from coming into the country. While discussions are still on going as to the validity of the bill, many believe that it would do more harm than good and in a time when the dollar is loosing value, the last thing that the country needs is a law that would hurt the economy even more that it already is.

Scooby Caught In Bizarre Hostage Situation

2008-07-02T02:08:00Z

One of my favorite things about writing for Scribbles N Bits involves writing about the lengths people will go to in order either steal a pet, save a pet, or get away with a crime with the aid of the pet. A great example of this are the recent tales of two separate criminals who were involved with shoplifting a snake down their pants and attempting to attack the police by giving their snake the “attack” command. It seems that at least twice a week I run across a story or two that just demands to be told and today is no exception.

This particular tale revolves around a black lab named Scooby. It seems Scooby got a little adventurous one afternoon and ended up lost. Eventually Scooby wound up where most stray animals do, in the city pound waiting to be adopted. That’s where Jutta Hollar enters the picture and decides to adopt Scooby. A week or so goes by and Scooby’s owner (who says she merely thought the lab was stolen) discovers that her old pet is somebody’s new pet. Hearing the news that their newly crowned Buddy was really good ole’s Scooby, Jutta decides to talk to the animal’s previous owner in hopes of working the whole thing out. Unfortunately according to Mrs. Hollar "she was very rude and yelled at us and treated us really not very nice” so she decided to keep Scooby/Buddy.

It was soon after that the Hollar’s came home to find the following message on their machine “I was the used-to-be-owner, but I was wondering if you were missing a gray *** cat. Because a pussycat ran out in front of my car not far from your house and I saved its life. I almost ran him over. So, I was just wondering how you are enjoying Scooby, because I am enjoying your pussycat while he is in his crate. You call it crate, I call it a cage. Have a nice day.” Unfortunately for Scooby’s previous owner justice prevailed in the end as she was arrested and charged with theft/extortion all thanks to a message left on an answering machine.

Keeping Those Kitty Claws In Check

2008-07-02T01:36:00Z

Depending on your views concerning the matter of the declawing of cats (many say it changes the animals personality and there’s no doubt is leaves them defenseless while others say it’s the only way to keep your furniture and family safe) you may be wondering just what you can do to keep that new kitty you love so dearly from ripping the house to shreds.

Of course the first thing you should try are scratching posts. It’s better to start out getting kitty used to scratching posts as early as possible and if at first he/she doesn’t take to it try sprinkling it with some catnip. Another trick on getting kitty used to a scratching post is to gently grab it’s front paws and run them over the scratch pad so that they have an idea of what you are wanting them to do. If you have a large home or if your pet is allowed to roam freely from room to room, you may want to consider purchasing multiple scratch pads so that kitty will always be close to one should it get the urge to scratch.

A second option you may want to consider is using double sided tape. If your kitty already has a favorite corner of the couch or bed that it just loves to tear into, cover it with a few pieces of double sided tape. Cats hate the way it feels and can’t stand for their paws to be stuck to anything.

Finally you may want to consider a pet repellent spray such as No Scratch. No Scratch can be sprayed on furniture multiple times a day if needed and promises not to stain the fabric (though you may want to test it out on a small square of fabric that stays out of site). The cats smells the repellent and immediately goes the opposite direction leaving the item you want them off just like new.

Teaching a cat not to claw isn’t always the easiest thing to do especially if you are trying to teach an older animal, but with some patience and a little consistency kitty should be able to drop this bad habit in no time.

March Of The Sea Turtles

2008-07-02T01:36:00Z

The ocean is a little fuller this week thanks to the efforts of scientists and volunteers of Vero Beach, Florida. Over 140 sea turtles were released back into the Atlantic Ocean Monday through out the areas of Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce, Florida. Up until this week the turtles had spent most of their lives at a research facility in Galveston Texas, where they were being used to test out safer, turtle friendlier fishing nets designed to keep fish and shrimp in while letting the turtles out.

According to one biologist “It's very rewarding to see them get released back into the wild. They are not pets, they are wild animals and we used them for the research we needed to conduct. It's very exciting to let them go and be free and wild animals.” The turtles were actually loggerhead turtles, which have been on the endangered species list since 1978. Loggerheads typically make their home in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and can be found on the coast of Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Loggerheads are essentially what people imagine when they think turtles. Adults can grow to weigh over 350 pounds , can get to upwards of 3 feet long, and typically nest along Florida beaches between April and September. One major reason the loggerhead is on the verge of extinction is due to their inability to escape nets laid out by shrimp trawlers. That’s why it's so important that these nets be made safer and easier for the turtles to escape from so that their beauty can be shared by generations to come.

California Wildfires Spark Concern Among Pet Owners

2008-07-01T03:00:00Z

As you have no doubt heard, hundreds of wildfires are raging all across California. The fires which were ignited by lighting are causing some major issues in regards to air quality for those living in the area. According to Dimitri Stanich of the Californina Air Resources Board, “When you have it on the scale we are seeing now, it is very dangerous to the general public health. This is a very serious problem.” Over the weekend the government took a few major steps in hopes of getting area firefighters some much needed help. Almost all of the northern half of the state was put under a “red flag” warning (the highest level for fire warnings) and then President Bush issued a state of emergency for the entire state.

With state officials wondering just how much money the fires will end up costing them the government has made available a team of Nasa satellite researchers, federal firefighters, several Marine helicopters and is letting the state know that more resources are available. Per FEMA regional director Bob Fenton “At this point what we're providing are the immediate resources needed to save lives. If there's additional requirements above and beyond that I'm sure the state will be bringing that to our attention.”

While the 17,000 firefighters work around the clock to help prevent the fire from destroying over 10,000 homes, veterinarians are asking people to not forget their pets. According to one recent report “Some veterinary offices said pet owners were bringing in dogs and cats with symptoms ranging from weepy eyes and irritated skin to difficulty breathing or unusual lethargy. Vets were advising that pets remain inside until the smoke clears.”

FDA Working To Help Pets

2008-07-01T02:56:00Z

Similar to human medications, pet meds aren’t the easiest things to get approved. The FDA has a ton of tests that all must be passed before they will let any type of medication reach the open market and into the hands of the public is serves. This being said over the past year several new drugs have been approved that promise to make the lives of our furry friends much more pleasant. Most recently the FDA gave their consent towards the antibiotic Convenia (or cefovecin sodium). Convenia is a long term (a typical dosage normally lasts up to 14 days) medication that is designed to give relief to those animals who are dealing with skin infections. “By relieving pet owners of the often impractical responsibility of giving pills to their pets several times a day ... Convenia ensures the antibiotic's course of treatment is completed on time” according to a spokesman from it’s creators over at Phizer.

Another medication that has been approved fairly recently is Cerenia. Cerenia was designed specifically for dogs and is the first of it’s kind created to stop the effects of motion sickness. As any pet owner who likes to travel with their animal will tell you, motion sickness can be a major issue. One study even suggests that as many as 1 out of every 6 dogs get motion sickness when traveling and that with just one dose of Cerenia 93% of all cases experience vast improvement within a short period of time.

While both medications are still fairly new, if you think you might have a pet that could stand to benefit from taking them remember to consult with your vet about obtaining a possible prescription.

When Coming Across A Baby Bird....

2008-06-29T17:36:00Z

We’ve been talking a ton about parks lately specifically how to get there and how to act once you’ve arrived. Today I want to talk about some of the animals that call our city parks their homes. They wake us with their songs in the early morning, give us a good head start on approaching weather changes, and add that special touch to a summers day that only they can provide. I’m talking birds of course and if you haven’t noticed they have been busy recently guarding over their babies as they prepare to take their first lessons in the art of flying. It’s not as easy as it may appear and that’s why it’s not uncommon to find where a newborn bird has fallen out of the nest. But before you go rushing to handle the babies, it’s important to consider a couple of tips that just might help you decide what your first move should be.

Look for feathers! This makes all the difference in the world. If the baby doesn’t have any feathers pick it up and feel its body temp. If the newborn bird is warm chances are it will be accepted back in the nest by mom and dad, however if it’s cold the babies parents may not be able to recognize it. What do you do if the baby bird you’ve just come across does have feathers? As inhumane as it may seem the best thing to do is leave it alone. More than likely the bird has fallen from a nearby nest and now that it’s survived the plunge is attempting to learn how to fly. Being on the ground won’t stop it from receiving care from momma and poppa bird and though it may take a few days sooner or later baby will be soaring the friendly skies.

So the next time you are out taking a leisurely stroll and come across a newborn who looks lost, remember feathers equal freedom while nothing but skin means it needs to be put back in (the nest).

New Bus Route Causing Tails To Wag In Boulder,Co.

2008-06-29T17:10:00Z

A new bus route has tails wagging and owners leaping for joy all over Boulder Colorado. Everyone loves to go to the park. The fresh air, the trees, all that green grass, and most importantly for us pet owners….all the open space to just let our dogs run free. As fun as dog parks are though the trip there isn’t always a picnic. First off if the inside of your car looks anything like mine, you’re gonna have make room for somebody besides the driver to sit. Next up is the issue of getting Fido inside the vehicle and if you have opted not to use a pet carrier than you have to worry about any surprises that might be left behind. Of course then there’s the traffic, the half hour spent looking for a parking spot, and the fear that puppy will try to use your latest cd as a chew toy….add all this up and it’s easy to see why many just decide to stay home.

Well now thanks to a new program in Boulder, Colorado the park is just a stop away. The program offers free rides for man and beast to a nearby historic park. According to transportation planner Chris Jones “A lot of people wanted to come to the park and take their dogs to open space, and they were forced to put the dogs in the car because they weren’t allowed on transit throughout the city.” The city decided this was the right thing to do after months of considering the best way to reduce traffic and parking. “The negative feedback has been a kennel on wheels where there’s worries of dogs barking and leaving messages and fighting. And in actuality, we have a few dogs a day and we haven’t had any problems. The drivers love it, the dogs love it and the guardians love it as well.”, adds Jones.

Wouldn’t it be great if programs like this began to spring up all over the country? If you know another city that has enacted a similar program or another which you believe our readers might be interested in, drop us a line and we’ll use your name in the story!

Minding Your Manners At The Dog Park

2008-06-26T18:56:00Z

Since we are on the subject of dog parks today, I thought it might be good to put a positive light on what really is a great place to spend the day. Not only do dog parks contain tons of room for your pet to run and romp, they give you both a chance to enjoy some fresh air while getting some exercise to boot. Plus with the way gas and food prices keep shooting up and up these days we may all find ourselves not being able to afford to do anything but walk around a park all day.

When going to a dog park for the first time make sure you know the rules (yes believe it or not there are rules to the park just like everywhere else). Park rules are typically posted throughout the area and should be pretty easy to find. Normally they include where the designated “no leash” zones are for those that want their pets to be able to run free, whether or not leashes are mandatory, and the importance of safety when it comes to not only other pets, but other owners as well.

Manners are extremely important while visiting the dog park. Nobody is looking for a bad experience and with a few simple tips we can all enjoy the time outside with our pets:

Always keep your pet within your site range. Not only does this keep from getting him lost, but also allows you to ensure he’s not posing a danger to others.
Beware of one on one encounters. Like people not every dog gets along with every other dog. By no means don’t discourage interaction between two pets, just be prepared to jump in should things turn ugly.
If you are in a no leash zone and see other dogs that are wearing restraints do not approach them. Obviously they are being held back for a reason.
Don’t forget to scoop your poop. If you’ve forgotten to bring plastic bags with you, find an alternative even if it means stopping at a store on they way there. Remember dog parks are for pet owners also.

There’s nothing better than a long slow day enjoying the outdoors with our pets. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to the rules of the park and respect the other pet owners. With a little common courtesy a great day can be had by all.

Dog Park Closed After Rash Of Poisonings

2008-06-26T18:55:00Z

A report in today’s Baltimore Sun discusses a rash of animal poisonings all connected to a dog park. Unfortunately in the world we live in it’s not uncommon to hear about animals being poisoned by neighbors or out of just plain meanness, but this is the first time I can recall hearing about a park being the scene of this awful crime. The dog park in question is Toronto Canada’s High Park and according to the report the park has been forced to close after it was discovered that antifreeze was being poured into communal water buckets. The buckets are set out and kept full of water so that dogs who visit the park can stay hydrated. Officials also believe that the same person who spiked the watering troughs is responsible for leaving wheat break laced with antifreeze in different areas of the park.

Authority’s began looking into the recent poisoning after six dogs that had visited the park had gotten sick (sadly two of which passed away). Though some believe that raccoons were the intended victims and that the dogs were never the targets of the poisonings, at this point no one is definitely sure of the reasons behind the attacks. The Baltimore Sun quotes one official as saying, “Maybe it's hard for folks to understand who haven't had a pet but you can't avoid it -- they soon enough become a member of your family. This is very difficult for families to cope with and there's something fundamentally wrong with society if you can't take your family pet for a walk in a public park and not be concerned about somehow endangering your pet.”

Hilton Wants Your Pets

2008-06-25T23:43:00Z

Earlier in the week we brought the story of the Melrose pet store that refused to sell Paris Hilton a Yorkshire Terrier due to the feeling that it was too much of an impromptu purchase for the hotel heiress and that the animal might be in some type of danger if sold. Now comes word that another Hilton is making the news with a story regarding just who is allowed in their hotels.

For those of us who travel on a regular basis one of the hardest decisions to make is what show be done about leaving the family pet. Should you leave extra food and water and hope they don’t spill either by the time you get back in town? Should you make a few calls and arrange someone to come by once a day to check on it? Maybe it would just be easier to drop it off at a local vets office or pet salon where it can be picked up when you are back in town? Forget all this worrying and uncertainty! Hilton Hotels want your pets to stay with them.

That’s right Hilton Hotel’s are pet friendly!! In addition to allowing guests bring their dogs and stay in the room with them, the popular hotel chain is even offering amenities to encourage people to bring their pets. Organic treats, bio-degradable litter bags, travel totes, mini bottles of disinfectant, deodorizer, and stain cleaner (especially formulated for pets) along with their very own Hilton pet collar are all offered as part of the hotel chains pet policy. Wanna take your pet for a walk once you arrive? Hilton even offers pet owners directions to local walking trails, groomers, and veterinarians just in case of emergency. Plus you get a nifty pet bowl, place mat, and exclusive Hilton Crypton Clean Pet Pillow as a special thank you for your visit.

Obviously you don’t want to stay in a room whose previous tenant was some dude and his over weight St. Bernard. To make sure that nothing is left behind in terms of foul smells and icky stains, Hilton hotels thoroughly scrub each room once a pet leaves. By using industrial strength vacuums and cleaners especially designed to remove pet stains, the agency let it be known that they are tired of you not enjoying your vacation because you’re worried about your furry friends at home. Now thanks to this new program the entire family can enjoy a trip to some far off destination.

PetSmart Rushes To Help Flood Victims

2008-06-25T23:37:00Z

Over the past few weeks you’ve bound to have heard something about the current flooding situation in the Midwest. As the days pass the waters of the Mississippi and Iowa rivers continue to rise leaving behind an environmental tragedy. In Iowa alone storms and flooding have killed an estimated 24 people and left hundreds injured. Some economists are saying that damages in that state will be figured in the billions and are finding it hard to calculate what the final numbers might be once the other 5 states being hit by the floods have been surveyed.

As the number of injuries continues to rise along with reports that more and more levees are bursting everyday, one company has stepped up to look after those that may be left behind by fleeing families. Over the past several weeks PetSmart has began sending out Emergency Relief Waggin’s in an attempt to save the animals that have been caught in the middle of this deadly disaster. On June 8^th a group of PetSmart volunteers were sent out to Martinsville, Indiana where they met up with the Morgan County Humane Society. Together the group was able to rescue over 26 abandoned pets, then sent the animals to Milwaukee where they could be adopted and brought back to health. If not for the help of PetSmart those animals saved that day would have faced a good chance of being euthanized in order to make room for other abandoned animals.

The Relief Waggin didn’t stop there though! On June 13^th the pet retailer sent out a 53-foot semi-trailer filled to the brim to Ottawa, Illinois. There PetSmart volunteers passed out pet food, bowls, bedding, and other essential items. PetSmart’s relief program has been around for several years now and thanks to all of its supporters, has managed to save over 3 million pets! If you know of somebody who is doing their part to help save pets, drop us a line and you just might read about them here on Scribbles N' Bits

FDA Cracks Down On Petco

2008-06-25T03:10:00Z

Mere months after a lawsuit between pet food makers Menu Foods and pet owners who lost their beloved animals was settled, comes news that supermarket shelves may not be safe after all. Just 24 hours after the FDA filed a lawsuit based on a warrant to search Petco warehouses located in Chicago, reports began piling in that what they found during inspections in April and May of this year could lead to long term ramifications for the large retailer. According to several sources the feds inspected Petco warehouses on multiple occasions between April and June of this year leading to this weeks lawsuit. Among the rodent and bird droppings that were found during the inspections, holes along exterior walls in which vermin were able to enter in and out were also discovered. In addition several dead birds were also found near food containers. It’s the view of the FDA that all pet food is susceptible to pest and vermin unless enclosed in a metal/glass container.

Petco which sales to stores in (Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky along with 10 other states) says that they are fully cooperating with the investigation and that have “acted aggressively to address each and every concern that was raised” per the chains VP of corporate communications. While April’s settlement with Menu Foods managed to somewhat calm the fears of pet owners all across the country, this weeks action against Petco could bring the issue of better pet food practices back to the front of the publics eye. With food and fuel costs rising on a daily basis, pet owners are already finding it difficult to feed their animals and a new food scare just may send the adoption/abandonment rate even higher.

Just What's In Those Puppy Kisses?

2008-06-24T01:08:00Z

I’ve never been one to let an animal lick me in the face. In fact I cringe everytime I’m watching one of those home video shows and they show somebody letting their pet eat directly out of their mouth. I mean don’t those people know what their pets spend all day doing? Well a recent study by Britain’s Department of Environmental, Food, and Rural Affairs at the University of Liverpool Veterinary School seems to have proven once and for all that those well intended puppy kisses may just be exposing people to a multitude of deadly illnesses. According to the study when an animal licks your face you stand a chance of contracting infections such as staph, salmonella, campylobacter (Most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis get diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within two to five days after exposure to the organism. The diarrhea may be bloody and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The illness typically lasts one week. Some infected persons do not have any symptoms. In persons with compromised immune systems, Campylobacter occasionally spreads to the bloodstream and causes a serious life-threatening infection.)

and MRSA ( another variation of staph). Although the study did note that the exposure to the deseases mentioned above are limited, chances do still exist that you may be exposing yourself to illness nonetheless.

As a pet owner myself just what I’ve seen my cat eat is enough to ruin me on the whole kisses thing and I can’t imagine what it does when I’m not around. The study does try not to cause a scare amoung pet owners and goes out of it’s way to point out that pets do provide many healthy benefits to their owners. Pet owners are typically less stressful, recover faster when sent home from surgery, and generally happier. However if you are worried about catching an infection maintaining a weekly grooming routine including baths, combing, etc…is one sure way to keep your animal and yourself feeling fine all year round.

No Puppy Love For Paris

2008-06-24T01:07:00Z

It’s not too often we get a chance to delve into the world of Hollywood here at Scribble’s N’ Bit’s, but recently a story caught our attention that just couldn’t be ignored. Specifically I’m talking about the incedent in which a Melrose Ave pet store refused to sell Paris Hilton a Yorkshire Terrier puppy. By now it seems that all of Hollywood must have a puppy under their arms at all times with the likes of Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, and of course Paris never being more than a few feet from their beloved Chihuahuas and Yorkies. In fact according to one report Hilton has owned over 17 dogs and was in search of an 18th to act as an accessory in a recent photo shoot. Paris simply “wanted a puppy in the picture with her so it would look cutter” says the New York Post. Unfortunately Hilton got a huge surprised when she learned that an employee of the pet store refused to sell her the animal because it was nothing more than an impulse buy. The pet store was well within it’s right to refuse the sell, but that didn’t stop Paris from going ballistic and screaming “ I love my puppies! I want my baby!!” as she was exited out of the shop.

As any pet owner can tell you animals are not impulse buys. So many people today purchase an animal for their child or themselves without truly understanding the commitment that comes with it. Depending on what type of animal they are looking for, a pet owner can expect to be taking care of their furry friend for any where between 1-15 years or longer. A direct result of people buying pets without fully considering what will be required of them, is the increase in the number of animals abandoned each year.