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A shelter animal's best friend ... is just 16
LOS ANGELES - The person behind one of the country's fastest-growing animal rescues can't even vote yet. And neither can most of the people le…
To eat a turkey or to feed it?
LOS ANGELES - Turkeys: Main course or animal companion?
Animal News: Fliers are best ally in finding lost birds
I have often been asked what to do if a pet bird escapes outside.
Bailed out by the bank
CHICAGO - Boots, the Chicago-area cat saved from death row by Fifth Third Bank and a Cook County probate judge, found a new home - in Missouri…
Head tilt may point to infection
About a month ago, Tina thought she noticed her French lop rabbit stumbling. He did it only occasionally, so she put it out of her mind.

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Sunday 07/15/2012

New tools keep pets safe from hot cars

LOS ANGELES - Good Samaritans, temperature guns and tougher laws are the newest tools in the campaign to keep animals out of hot cars, where just minutes can mean death.

Sunday 07/08/2012

Raising a puppy versus training

When welcoming a new puppy into your life, you may think you are starting with a "blank slate," but this is not the case.

Pilots launch rescue highway in sky for pets

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A white Piper Cherokee drifts to earth like a paper airplane in the bright twilight, the buzz of its single engine only slightly louder than the chirp of grasshoppers in the surrounding farmland.

Pedigree recalls dog food

Mars Petcare has recalled some varieties of Pedigree canned dog food because of a potential choking risk.

Sunday 07/01/2012

A Big Fix for lost pets, their owners

Jorge Ceballos recently took advantage of The Big Fix.

Rusty Nail welcomes 'salty dogs' of all species

Drinking alone is no fun. And it's just not a party without your best friend.

Protect dogs from fireworks

The busiest day of the summer at most animal shelters around the country is July 5.

Animal shelters filling up as summer heats up

LOS ANGELES - Summer brings more animals, more work, more bills and more worries at animal shelters. Often there are fewer staffers, volunteers and donations to handle it.

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The dog days of summer are here and we have to treat pets a bit differently than we did years ago. When I was a kid, our dogs were outdoors all day, wandering the neighborhood. They exercised when they felt like it and only as much as they felt comfortable doing.

Sunday 06/24/2012

no headline provided in file

Summer means doors are opening and closing constantly and daylight lasts a long time. The opportunity for a pet to get out of the house or yard unnoticed is very real.

Keeping their cool

AUSTIN, Texas - A quick inquiry to dog-loving folks on Facebook and an online search turns up more than a dozen products designed to keep your dog cool when the temperature rises. A few are highlighted below.

Sunday 06/17/2012

Canine paintings fetch prices to wag the dog

LOS ANGELES - Dogs seem to be as popular on a canvas these days as they are on a leash, with paintings of dogs drawing big bucks and big crowds.

Sunday 06/10/2012

Animal News: Make sure pets' water is fresh and clean

Now that warm weather is here, I cannot stress how important it is to provide fresh water served in clean receptacles at all times. This is the most important thing for pets, apart from keeping them out of the sun to prevent heat stroke.

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Sunday 06/10/2012

Avoid crafty foxtails on dog walks or risk pet undergoing anesthesia

By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M., McClatchy Newspapers

Posted: June 10, 2012

It is foxtail season, and a booming one it is.

Little Croc Hunters top lineup on YouTube pet channel

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: June 10, 2012

LOS ANGELES - Instead of an alarm clock, they wake to the sounds of elephants and tigers. They walk their dogs, but it's often to go see the crocodiles and echidnas. And when they worry, it is about creatures like the Tazmanian devil.

Animal News: Make sure pets' water is fresh and clean

By MARC MORRONE, Newsday

Posted: June 10, 2012

Avoid crafty foxtails on dog walks or risk pet undergoing anesthesia

By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M., McClatchy Newspapers

Posted: June 10, 2012

It is foxtail season, and a booming one it is.

Little Croc Hunters top lineup on YouTube pet channel

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: June 10, 2012

Sunday 06/03/2012

Doggy couch surfing? Website connects pets with sitters

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: June 03, 2012

LOS ANGELES - When you travel and have to leave your dog behind, you can call a kennel, hire a pet sitter - or find him a new friend online.

The right reward(s) will have Chip running straight back to you

By LISA MOORE, McClatchy Newspapers

Posted: June 03, 2012

Dave lives on a ranch, and has a mixed-breed dog named Chip.

Some tips for a fun doggy day at the beach

McClatchy Newspapers

Posted: June 03, 2012

With this warm season come plenty of beach days. You can enjoy the beach with your dog, as long as you make sure your four-legged friend is taken care of. To help owners have a fun experience at the beach with their dogs, the American Kennel Club provides the following safety tips:

Sunday 05/27/2012

Horses helping heroes: Equine therapy helps veterans adjust, heal from war injuries

By DAVID BREEN, The Orlando Sentinel

Posted: May 27, 2012

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dave Vernaza came close to death while serving in Iraq. Eight years ago, a mortar shell fired by insurgents exploded near him at a base in Ramadi.

Pet news: A carbon monoxide detector could help protect your birds

By MARC MORRONE, Newsday

Posted: May 27, 2012

A reader sent in a letter that said his aging Amazon parrot had died suddenly. I replied that older birds and other animals can succumb unexpectedly from heart attacks and strokes, just like humans can, and only an autopsy from a vet could actually provide closure on why the bird had died.

Some tips for summer travels with the family pet

By KATHY ANTONIOTTI, Akron Beacon Journal

Posted: May 27, 2012

A 2009 Travel Industry Association survey indicated 14 percent, or more than 29 million people, said they have taken a pet on a trip that was more than 50 miles away from home. Traveling animals included cats (15 percent), birds (2 percent), and either a ferret, rabbit or fish (3 percent). But 78 percent of the respondents listed the family dog as the most common traveling pet.

The inconvenient change from normal routine doesn't matter much to a dog, as long as it is not separated from its family. Dog owners feel the same way. Forty-three percent of pet owners said they feel guilty about leaving their dogs behind.

Dogtrekker.com, an online site that scopes out pet-friendly places to stay while vacationing, recently released results from a 2011 analysis of American leisure travelers that indicates eight out of 10 people who bring their dogs along when they travel find hotel policies and amenities important when selecting accommodations.

"What really stood out was not the numbers of those who travel with dogs, but the reasons why leisure travel dog owners do not travel with their dogs," said David Kendrick, who founded Dogtrekker with his wife, Roxanne. "Over 40 percent said finding dog-friendly accommodations was difficult; a third said that their dog's safety was a concern and over 30 percent said that finding things to do with (a) dog was difficult."

Of dog travelers, 43.6 percent said there is a poor selection of truly pet-friendly hotels and 17.2 percent said concerns about finding doggie day care in their vacation location kept them from bringing their dog along on trips.

"This survey sends a huge message to the lodging industry. The influence of this significant group of leisure travelers is rising and hoteliers should take note of their concern about expensive hotel pet fees and confusion over pet-friendly policies," he said.

A hotel that promotes itself as "pet friendly" can really mean "pet tolerant," and only just so. Many times the staff is really more interested in getting your business than welcoming your pet.

"No pets left unattended in the room" is the norm, said Janet Fullwood, senior editor of DogTrekker who was travel editor for the Sacramento Bee for 22 years.

"This is because a dog left in an unfamiliar environment can bark, whine, scratch, panic, tear up the furniture or otherwise cause a disturbance, damage property or terrify the housekeeping staff," she said. "Some properties' exception is (if) the dog is crated."

Planning for a trip that includes your pet is essential, said Fullwood, who shared this personal story about the headaches the unprepared traveler can run into on the road.

"The first time my family traveled with our new dog, we patted ourselves on the back for finding a dog-friendly hotel - and ended up eating in shifts at a Chinese restaurant across the street when we found out we couldn't leave him alone, even in a crate," she said.

Pet sitters are an option during dinner, Fullwood said, "but their services can easily cost more than a meal itself." She said that many times, traveling with a pet requires compromise.

Fullwood provided these tips to help make your travel plans a vacation for every member of the family.

•Always speak with a live person before booking a hotel or vacation rental that claims to be dog-friendly. Many properties won't accept certain breeds, some have weight restrictions and some allow pets only in their most undesirable rooms. Pet fees can be per day or per stay, so be sure to clarify.

•Don't take off on a camping or hiking trip assuming that your dog can accompany you on trails. At many state and national parks, canines are restricted to campgrounds. Rules in national forests tend to be more relaxed.

•To minimize canine-caused distractions on the road, make sure your dog is safely secured in a crate or with a seat belt leash or harness.

•Familiar food, toys, bedding and other comforts from home will help the animal be more relaxed in new environments. Bring a gallon or so of water from home to minimize stomach upsets, and pack cleanup supplies and old towels for muddy feet. If you allow dogs on furniture at home, bring a sheet to cover beds and couches in hotel rooms.

•Make sure your dog is microchipped and has an ID tag that includes your cell-phone number. Tuck a copy of shot records in your canine travel kit and carry photos, just in case.

•"Leave no trace" principles are not just for camping. Always pick up after your dog. ]]>

Sunday 05/20/2012

Senior living centers now accepting more pets

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: May 20, 2012

LOS ANGELES - Shirlee and Nathan "Nick" Horowitz faced one serious health crisis after another before their doctor said they had to move into an assisted living center. They had only one condition - they weren't going anywhere without their dog.

Big Jake's difficulty jumping into pickup may be arthritis

By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M., McClatchy Newspapers

Posted: May 20, 2012

Big Jake, a large mixed-breed dog, just turned 8.

Animal News: Best help for baby birds is not to help

By MARC MORRONE, Newsday

Posted: May 20, 2012

Every late spring, my phone rings off the hook from callers who just found an abandoned baby bird hopping about on the ground and who want to bring it to me to be rescued.

Sunday 05/13/2012

Police help lost pets along journey back home

By SUSANNAH BRYAN, Sun Sentinel

Posted: May 13, 2012

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. - Indi the peripatetic Belgian Malinois was lost and found in the space of four frantic hours.

Pet News: Renew your pet licenses

By MARC MORRONE, Newsday

Posted: May 13, 2012

With longer daylight hours, pets are going to be out and about, and in the public eye. Most jurisdictions have some sort of dog licensing program or registration. Now is the time to check your dog's registration to see if it is current.

Rare bird virus may be ruffling Puff's feathers

By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M., McClatchy Newspapers

Posted: May 13, 2012

Puff is a 2-year-old umbrella cockatoo living with Salema and Trevont in Atlanta. She was born in captivity and raised from hatching by Salema's mother until she was about 12 weeks old.

Sunday 02/19/2012

Bring your dog to work, just follow a few simple rules

By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON, Associated Press

Posted: February 19, 2012

No one at the Ohio chapter of The Nature Conservancy enjoys going to meetings more than Annie. Once, she was even disciplined for attending a meeting to which she was not invited.

Sunday 02/12/2012

Baby on the way? Make time to prepare your pet

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: February 12, 2012

LOS ANGELES - Parents have months to get ready for a baby. Experts say the countdown should include prep time for pets too.

Animal news: Behind the scenes at Westminster, Caring for pets dents

Posted: February 12, 2012

Behind the scenes

Declawed cat's limp could be caused by partial-nail regrowth

By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M., McClatchy Newspapers

Posted: February 12, 2012

Jag is a 9-year-old indoor cat who recently developed a limp in his left front leg. Tammy reports no known history of trauma, although Jag likes to perch on objects and leap to the floor.

Saturday 02/05/2011

Popcorn Park Zoo offers warmer, fuzzier side to taxes

By ROB SPAHR Staff Writer

Updated: February 05, 2011 - 7:40 pm

LACEY TOWNSHIP — Tax seasons is a lucrative time of year for accountants and professional tax-preparation services, alike.

Sunday 01/23/2011

Preventing doggie breath and other pet briefs

Posted: January 23, 2011

Preventing doggie breath

Sunday 01/09/2011

Pet of the week: Grey mix tabby availabe at Cape-Atlantic CATS

Posted: January 09, 2011

Pet of the week

Saturday 01/08/2011

Pet briefs: Make sure animal is well cared for

Posted: January 08, 2011

Spotlight

Pets in our world

Biologists turn to dogs to help understand wildlife

By KENNETH R. WEISS, MCT News Service

Posted: January 08, 2011

Spotlight

BLACKFOOT VALLEY, Mont. - Squatting next to his quarry, the dog's eyes locked onto an athletic blond woman who was approaching cautiously.

Sunday 12/26/2010

Pets make cut on trips

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: December 26, 2010

When the Eubank family plans a trip, airplanes are usually out of the question. That's because the family's oversized dogs - a Great Dane and a pointer - are coming, too.

no headline provided in file

Posted: December 26, 2010

Betta fish

Sunday 12/19/2010

Bringing canines to work is doggone good idea

Posted: December 19, 2010

Doggone good idea

Pet of the week

Posted: December 19, 2010

Classy is a female medium-sized pit bull terrier mix. She is social and loves attendtion, but the active dog would do best in a home with either no children or children older than 10 years. The 2-year-old is spayed and up to date with routine shots.

Sunday 12/12/2010

Tips for giving a dog as a Christmas present

Posted: December 12, 2010

Pooch as present

Feeding the kitty

By KATHY VAN MULLEKOM, MCT News Service

Updated: December 12, 2010 - 2:40 pm

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The newly founded Peninsula Pet Pantry started this time last year with a sick kitten at Randi Helpinstill's home in Yorktown, Va.

Sunday 12/05/2010

Aww ... animal babies make conservation cute

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: December 05, 2010

LOS ANGELES - What makes a good baby picture? On ZooBorns.com, the babies have to be wild. Maybe obscure. Possibly endangered. Mostly, they have to be cute.

Pet of the week

Posted: December 05, 2010

Sara is a light-brown short-haired female shepherd-hound mix. She is playful, strong willed and affectionate with people, but Sara does not like cats and does not get along well with other dogs.

Pet briefs

Posted: December 05, 2010

Dog photo contest

Sunday 11/28/2010

Disabilities no longer death sentence for pets

By TOM BREEN, Associated Press

Updated: November 28, 2010 - 10:16 am

RALEIGH, N.C. - When Beverly Tucker's dog Tobi ruptured a disc in his back, the veterinarian gave her a stark choice: expensive surgery with little chance of success, or euthanasia.

Pet of the week

Posted: November 28, 2010

Bobby Sue is a small, adult, female cat with no tail. She is declawed, spayed and up to date with routine shots. The 8-year-old would prefer to be an only cat.

Debunking bird myths

Posted: November 28, 2010

Debunking bird myths

Sunday 11/21/2010

12 dogs, goat become YouTube sensations

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: November 21, 2010

LOS ANGELES - OK Go has gone and done it: turned the band's "White Knuckles" video into a dog fest of a YouTube sensation with a little help from a goat.

Pet briefs

Posted: November 21, 2010

Cats and water

Sunday 11/14/2010

no headline provided in file

Posted: November 14, 2010

Walk the dog

Dog-collar light inventor now selling to government

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: November 14, 2010

LOS ANGELES - Jackie Simoni is a computer geek turned inventor of a special light to make dogs safer after dark. Now, she's also a government contractor.

Sunday 11/07/2010

Decorated dog in demand

By SUE MANNING, Associated Press

Posted: November 07, 2010

LOS ANGELES - Rufus is the most decorated bull terrier in the history of the breed, a celebrity ambassador and one of the busiest therapy dogs in the country.

Pet briefs

Posted: November 07, 2010

Frog in the pond

Sunday 10/31/2010

Puppies deaths renew fears for precious cargo in planes

By LAURA STAMPLER, MCT News Service

Posted: October 31, 2010

There are certain things some frequent fliers can't imagine traveling without. A pillow. A fully charged iPod. Xanax.

Pet briefs

Posted: October 31, 2010

Dog breath

Sunday 10/24/2010

Pet products go green: Eco-friendly alternatives offer treatments for 4-legged friends

By TERRI BENNETT, MCT News Service

Posted: October 24, 2010

Anyone who knows me knows I love animals. Over the years I've had cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. Add in a few lizards, countless fish and even a few frogs and you can see why my house is called the "zoo."

Pet briefs

Posted: October 24, 2010

Sunday 10/17/2010

Rescue dogs from Gulf hop a flight to better life

By EVONNE COUTROS, The Record

Posted: October 17, 2010

HACKENSACK - Robyn Urman took one look at Joe Cocker coming off the plane at Essex County Airport and let out a sigh of relief.

Pet briefs

Posted: October 17, 2010

Bladder stones

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