Two Pink Chickens Found Running the Portland Waterfront: Owner Did it to Make People Smile

The owner of two pink chickens found running the Portland Waterfront, in Portland, Oregon, Bruce Whitman, says his prank succeeded beyond his wildest hopes.

He says, he used food coloring, beet juice and kool-aid,  to dye the two birds, then released them to "make people smile."

He tucked the chickens into a tree to roost early Thursday, in a waterfront park, figuring they'd wake to a good day with water nearby and bugs to eat, spread some smiles and he'd pick them up Thursday evening. He soon heard news reports that the birds had become poultry celebrities.

KATU News went to look for the chickens after a viewer emailed pictures of the brightly colored animals wandering along the waterfront.

"Pink chickens. Are they native to Portland?" one tourist joked.

No one knew where they came from or how long they had been there.

KATU News, called Multnomah County Animal Services. The county sent an officer to pick up the chickens to make sure they were safe while they tried to identify an owner.

They will remain with Animal Services for 72 hours, at which point they could be put up for adoption.

Animal Services billed Whitman about $16 per bird for their time in custody, and cautioned him about the risks of releasing birds in public places. He says he probably won't do it again — but he and the birds have now been invited to a couple of parades.

The county sent out the following statement concerning the popular pink birds:

One of our officers just rescued two pink chickens from the park on the waterfront. If you or someone you know lost two pink chickens, please contact us!

Video:

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Meet Miracle Mike the Colorado Chicken Who Lived for 18 Months Without His Head

Mike meet everyone, everyone meet Mike. No, no, don’t wave. He can’t see, you’re just making this awkward.

Also known as Miracle Mike, Mike the Headless Chicken was a plump, five-year-old cockerel when he was unceremoniously beheaded on 10 September 1945. Farmer Lloyd Olsen of Fruita in Colorado did the deed because his wife Clara was having her mother over for dinner that night, and Olsen knew she’d always enjoyed a bit of roast chicken neck. With that in mind, Olsen tried to save most of Mike’s neck as he lopped his head off, but in doing so, he accidentally made his axe miss Mike’s jugular vein, plus one ear and most of his brain stem, and to his surprise, Mike didn't die.

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Nestle Purina PetCare is Offering a Service Allowing Dog Owners to Customize Food for Their Pets

St. Louis, Missouri -  Nestle Purina PetCare is offering a service allowing dog owners to customize food for their pets.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the new Just Right by Purina service allows customers to formulate dog food based on specific characteristics of their dog — age, breed and activity level. St. Louis-based Purina is a unit of Switzerland-based Nestle.

Purina makes the Beneful, Apo and Dog Chow brands. It says it is the first major pet food maker to produce a personalized dog food in the U.S.

Purina began sales in March as a testing phase. The product launched nationwide Oct. 28.

"So far people have responded well to it," said Brian Lester, director of marketing for Just Right by Purina. "As you look at the many other categories that consumers are in, there are more and more customized features that are being offered every day."

Customers log in at JustRightPetFood.com and enter information that begins with the dog's name. Users are asked protein preference with options that include chicken, salmon and lamb.

Pet owners are asked if their dog has dry skin, whether its coat is shiny, and whether the dog is over- or underweight. In fact, a photo of the dog can be put on the personalized bag if the owner chooses.

It doesn't come cheap — the price is higher than Purina's standard dog food. A 6-pound bag is $24.99; a 12-pound bag is $37.99.

Lester said Purina is deciding whether to make a similar offering for cats.

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Baby Chicken Finally Nods Off After Surviving Horrible Highway Accident

When a young baby chicken fell off a livestock truck on her way to New York, she fell out of the frying pan and into the fire. Once destined for a slaughterhouse, she was now left to die by the side of the highway.

But luckily, things took a welcome turn for her and dozens of other chickens who fell off the truck. Officers from NYC Animal Care & Control rescued them from the Staten Island Expressway and quickly brought them to the New York Shelter of the organization Farm Sanctuary.

According to staff, when this chicken in particular arrived, she was traumatized and unable to sleep. Now, the bird, named Jane, is so relaxed that she can fit in a snooze anytime. And in case you were unaware, the sound of a chicken snoring — snuckling? — is real and absolutely perfect:



It’s important to note that tens of thousands of animals are killed or injured in U.S. highway accidents each year while being transported by the meat industry. At the same time, some 9 billion chickens are slaughtered each year in the U.S. for food.

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9 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Pet

Is it okay to toss your pet a grape? How about the skin you just pulled off your baked chicken? We know it’s hard to resist those big eyes and wagging tongue, but beware: The very thing your pet’s dying to eat may just do more harm than good.

Here, Dr. Samantha Klau, veterinarian for the doggy-care center Biscuits & Bath, shares 9 types of food that are bad for your dog or cat.

Onions and garlic
Whether fresh, cooked, dried or powdered, these veggies cause damage to red blood cells and gastrointestinal problems in pets. "The small amounts found in dog food and supplements usually don't cause a problem, but we recommend not giving it to your pet," Klau said.

Signs that you should call your vet: weakness, shortness of breath, loss of appetite or vomiting

Alcohol
Make sure you keep alcohol far away from your pets, advises Klau. Beer, liquor or wine damages your pet’s liver, brain and can cause diarrhea, disorientation, dehydration and put your pet in a comatose state if not treated quickly.

Signs that you should call your vet: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, disorientation, stupor and, in severe cases, coma, seizures or the inability to stand up.

Caffeine
If consumed in large enough quantities, anything caffeinated can kill your pet. That includes coffee (even the grounds), tea, energy drinks and medications.

Signs that you should call your vet: rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors, bleeding, restlessness, rapid breathing or seizure-like symptoms.

Grapes and raisins
These snacks are perfect for people, but not so much for pets. Small amounts can make your sidekick sick, while larger amounts can cause kidney failure.

Signs that you should call your vet: non-stop vomiting, exhaustion or depression.

Unbaked bread dough
If it’s made with live yeast, raw dough can expand in your pet's stomach. Small amounts can lead to gastrointestinal upset, bloating and a belly ache.

Signs that you should call your vet: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, disorientation, stupor and, in severe cases, coma, seizures, swelling belly or the inability to stand up.

Raw eggs, meat and fish
Uncooked food may be contaminated with salmonella or E. coli, which can upset your pet's gastrointestinal tract.

Signs that you should call your vet: vomiting, fever or enlarged lymph nodes.

Fat trimmings and bones
Sure, they’re delicious for pets, but fat trimmings and bones just as dangerous. Fat, whether cooked or raw, can cause pancreatitis, and bone splinters can get lodged in your pet's mouth and throat and even block or perforate the digestive system.

Signs that you should call your vet: diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain or loss of appetite.

Dairy
Milk and other dairy products are not well tolerated by cats and is particularly rough on dogs. "Dogs don't posses a significant amount of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk," Klau said. Dairy products also predispose pets to food allergies.

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Porcine Family was Rescued from a Trailer Park in Rural North Carolina Recently - Adopted and Taken to a 400-Acre Sanctuary in Western Montgomery County, Maryland

Poolesville, Maryland - A mama pig and her seven piglets are happier than -- well, at least happier than where they used to live, according to the folks at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The porcine family was rescued from a trailer park in rural North Carolina recently, and on Monday was taken to a 400-acre sanctuary in western Montgomery County, Md., that's home to more than 200 abused and neglected farm animals.

"Today, these pigs are going to start the first day of the rest of their lives," says PETA's Lindsay Rajt.

"They were discovered by two PETA field workers who were out delivering dog houses to neglected dogs," she adds. "There were big, rusty nails protruding from the wood that was around the facility that the pigs had to walk on. And the air was so thick with flies that it actually looked hazy."

Rajt says the pigs' owner was an elderly man who could not care for the animals any longer and was planning to send them to the slaughter house.

Now they are at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville.

"And we have about 200 rescued animals here -- horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and turkeys," says sanctuary director and co-founder Terry Cummings.

"Initially we just took two pigs from that rescue," Cummings adds, "and then they told us one of the pigs had just given birth to seven babies and said they were unable to find placement for them, so we offered to give them a permanent home here."

"The pigs have reached their new and forever home," Peta's Rajt boasts. "So they can look forward to enjoying their long and natural lives here at Poplar Spring."









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Veterinarian Says Parents Should Resist the Urge to Give Live Rabbits and Chicks as Easter Gifts

A Purdue University veterinarian says parents should resist the urge to give live rabbits and chicks as Easter gifts.

Lorraine Corriveau, a pet wellness veterinarian, says the live chicks and rabbits available in many pet stores this time of year require more maintenance and care than most people realize.

"Often many folks think rabbits need only a small cage and don't need much attention," Corriveau says. "The truth is they have dietary requirements that include a balanced diet of pellets, fresh lettuce and other vegetables, and grass hays. They also require daily exercise and enough space to perform three consecutive hops in a cage. When you get a rabbit, it's potentially a 10-year commitment because the average life expectancy of most rabbits is 10 years."

Young children tend to be rougher and not understand that they can easily injure a rabbit's back. In addition, rabbits have long toenails that leave deep scratches if handled improperly.

Chicks can carry salmonella and E. coli, which can cause diarrhea and possibly even death to young children. Chicks also can be dangerous when they get older.

"Chicks grow into chickens," she says. "Roosters can potentially become aggressive when they hit sexual maturity. Roosters also tend to make a lot of noise in the wee hours of the morning before the sun comes up."

After Easter many shelters are overwhelmed by the number of rabbits admitted and have to euthanize several. Rabbits are the third-most relinquished pets to animal shelters, which are usually equipped to handle only a few rabbits and rodents at a time.

Rabbits also are often released to the wild to fend for themselves, and those that don't starve become easy prey for predators, she says.

"Those cute, long-eared, baby bunnies with their twitching noses and the soft, yellow, adorable chicks are not toys, and they grow up to become rabbits and chickens that carry big responsibilities," Corriveau says.




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Sharing Thanksgiving with Your Dog

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches many of you are wondering if you can give your dog turkey ...Yes, you can!  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, offering your dog a small piece of boneless, thoroughly cooked turkey, plain mashed potatoes and a smidge of pumpkin pie are not likely to be harmful treats for your dog. Just be sure to avoid giving foods with large amounts of onion or garlic, or any treats sweetened with xylitol, a sweetener that can lower the blood sugar of dogs.

When placing the meat in your dog's bowl, be sure to remove all pieces of bone, and the skin! Just like chicken bones, turkey bones splinter and can cause blockage or perforation of the intestine. Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin and dark turkey meat are difficult to digest and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and in extreme cases, pancreatitis. Dogs and turkey bones aren't a good combination.

If you plan on serving Thanksgiving dinner in your home, it’s probably a good idea to give your dog a special chew toy and put him in a secure room. With so many people coming into and out of your house, your dog may become agitated. Dogs don’t like changes in their routine and may not find mingling with strangers to be enjoyable. There’s also a higher risk of your dog escaping to the outside when there’s so much confusion.

Dogs enjoy the revelry at least as much as humans, with bits of this and that dropping on the floor, and delectable smells wafting around the house. But Thanksgiving mustn't be a free-for-all. Just because we try to pack away all we can doesn't mean our dogs should. And there are certain items your dog really needs to avoid.

Cooked turkey bones can be a danger to your dog. They're sharp, and potentially very dangerous. You may not know a dog has a turkey bone lodged in your dog's digestive system for days. Don't leave plates with bones lying around. Ditto for the turkey carcass. Hungry dogs have been known to run off with the remains of a carved turkey. It can happen in the blink of an eye. You notice the turkey is gone. You notice the dog is gone. With luck, you find their hiding place before anything happens. Put plates in an unreachable area if you can't dispose of everything properly right away.

Onions are toxic to dogs. They can lead to a dangerous form of anemia that may not be detected for days. Make sure your dog stays away from the pearly whites, and yellows, and reds.

keep your pup away from the uncooked dough for bread or rolls. What helps make dough rise? Heat. If a dog eats raw dough, what's it like for the dough in the dog's stomach? Warm. The dough rises in the dog's stomach, and if the dog has eaten enough, the swollen dough can cause pain, vomiting, and bloating -- conditions that can send you to the doggy ER on Thanksgiving.

Remember your dog may become agitated with strangers in your home.

Tips:

• Try to keep all foods pushed toward the back of the counter, prepared and uncooked.

• Feed your dog in their dog bowl.

• Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet.

• Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your dog.

• Once the meal is over, place turkey bones in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your dog.

• If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your dog may end up the victim of a dog bite incident.

• As guests enter and exit your home for Thanksgiving dinner this provides an opportunity for your dog to escape.

• If you think someone gave your dog too much turkey or table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your dog got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Thanksgiving, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.

Please take a look at the video below:





Please Share, and have a happy Thanksgiving!
The Pet Tree House

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Sharing Thanksgiving with Your Cat

As the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches many of you are  wondering if you can give your cat turkey….Yes, you can!  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, offering  your cat little nibbles of a small piece of boneless, thoroughly cooked turkey. Don’t give your cat any thing sweetened with xylitol, While xylitol is toxic and even potentially fatal when ingested by dogs, its effects on cats is unknown.

If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer them raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella  bacteria.

Tips:

• Do not leave food crumbs on plates and make sure all food items are sealed in containers with lids.

• Also place candles where cats cannot knock them over. Never leave a cat unattended in a room with lit candles. He will gravitate to them like moths to a porch light.

• Keep stoves and countertops off-limits to cats. Electric stovetops can be very hot without changing color, and present a serious burn hazard to curious noses and tender feet.

• You may be tempted to put your cats in the garage to keep them out of the way when your Thanksgiving visitors arrive. This is not a good idea for several reasons. Anti-freeze is both attractive and deadly to cats. Anti-freeze and caustic chemicals stored in the garage spell certain disaster if a cat comes in contact with them. Although it may seem like an attractive idea to keep a normally indoor-outdoor cat in the garage over the winter, please keep them in the house. If you need to keep your indoor-only cats away from the festivities, consider a Safe Room.

• Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your cat.

• Once the meal is over, place turkey bones in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your cat.

• If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your cat, may end up getting scratched.

• Sage (Salvia species) is considered to be edible in small amounts. However, it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and even central nervous system depression if eaten in large quantities.

• Cats are sensitive to the effects of essential oils. Keep your cat away from the sage, if  you are cooking with this while preparing your Thanksgiving dinner.

• As guests enter and exit your home for Thanksgiving dinner this provides an opportunity for your cat to escape. Your cat may become agitated with strangers in your home. To your pet the holidays are a confusing mix of noise, people, strange sights, sounds and smells. Make sure your cat or dog has his own space, either a crate or a separate room, to retreat to when it all becomes overwhelming. You and your pet will be happier for it.

• If you think someone gave your cat too much turkey or table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your cat got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Thanksgiving, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.

Please take a look at the video below:




Please Share, and have a happy Thanksgiving!
The Pet Tree House

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Rockland Farm, Poolesville, Maryland - Plan that Didn't Hatch: Chicks for Rent

It was an Easter promotion that didn't quite go off as planned.

Rocklands Farm in Poolesville, Maryland was offering to rent young chicks to families over the Easter holiday.

But Friday, Montgomery County Animal Control stepped in, and said the farm could only rent chicks that were three weeks or older.

Some families who showed up today walked away disappointed, but understood the county's decision:

Erinn Foster says she decided against bringing home some older chicks, saying they weren't as cute.

She says instead of chicks, she'll now fill up her kids easter basket with some toys.

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