The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas

 

Wannabe pet owners hoping to bring a new puppy or kitten home this Christmas are being urged to research the seller behind the pet to avoid being 'petfished'. 

A recent survey of UK cat and dog owners by the' British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), found over a quarter (27%) had come across a seller or advert that made them feel suspicious of the welfare of the pet, while purchasing their last cat or dog.

It seems soon-to-be pet owners aren't taking appropriate care in checking out the person selling a prospective pet, with less than half (43%) of UK dog or cat owners saying they visited the seller in-person in the animal’s home when researching their recent pet purchase.

To read more on this story, click here: The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas

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Hansel the Pit Bull Barely Escaped Euthanasia. Now, He's Investigating Arson Cases With His Partner

The fact Hansel the pit bull is still alive is a minor miracle, but the hero dog is doing more than just living—he's working to help his local fire department save lives all while chipping away at the stereotype surrounding his breed.

Hansel was rescued from an alleged Canadian dog fighting ring when he was just 7 weeks old. He'd never fought, but he was still scheduled to be euthanized. Thankfully, a shelter in Florida took him in before he was plucked by the Throw Away Dogs Project, which trains dogs to become K-9 officers in the Philadelphia area.

To read more on this story, click here: Hansel the Pit Bull Barely Escaped Euthanasia. Now, He's Investigating Arson Cases With His Partner

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Bi-partisan bill introduced to change animal testing mandates

WASHINGTON – U.S. senators Rand Paul and Cory Booker introduced the FDA Modernization Act on Thursday to end animal testing mandates.

The bill would end an outdated FDA mandate that experimental drugs must be tested on animals before they are tested on humans in clinical trials. The bill would not ban animal testing outright, but would allow the option for drug sponsors to use alternative methods.

Current mandates were passed in 1938, but since then, research has proven that animal testing is highly inconsistent at predicting toxic responses in humans. Senator Rand Paul says he believes the bill can pass both the House and the Senate without being challenged.

To read more on this story, click here: Bi-partisan bill introduced to change animal testing mandates

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These Are the 15 Longest Living Dog Breeds, Because You Want as Much Time as Possible with Fido

Dogs live forever, right? Right!? Unfortunately, like humans, dogs are mortals. Anyone who has lost a pet knows how heartbreaking it is to say goodbye. They are truly family members. If you’re someone who hates goodbyes or simply wants a companion for as long as possible, look into the longest-living dog breeds. On average, domesticated dogs live about ten years, but the dogs on our list have been known to live well into their teens. You’ll notice most of these pups are on the smaller side. While breed alone isn’t going to tell you how long your dog will live, it can give you a pretty good idea.

To read more on this story, click here: These Are the 15 Longest Living Dog Breeds, Because You Want as Much Time as Possible with Fido

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The Capitals have a new team dog. His name is Biscuit and he’s freaking adorable!

Popular Capitals’ team dog, Captain, officially graduated from training earlier in the year and was matched with retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark Gwathmey to be a service dog. Selfishly, that made us sad because that meant there’d be no more pups around the rink.

To read more on this story, click here: The Capitals have a new team dog. His name is Biscuit and he’s freaking adorable!

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'Goodbye kisses': Alabama animal hospital gives dogs taste of chocolate before euthanasia

(Meredith) – A bittersweet photo from an Alabama veterinary hospital has gone viral amongst animal lovers on Facebook.

The photo from Smiths Station Animal Hospital in Smiths Station, Alabama shows a jar of Hershey’s kisses with the words "goodbye kisses" labeled on the jar. The photo's caption reads, "This jar is reserved for our euthanasia appointments...because no dog should go to Heaven without tasting chocolate."

To read more on this story, click here: 'Goodbye kisses': Alabama animal hospital gives dogs taste of chocolate before euthanasia

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Recent discoveries reveal how dogs are hardwired to understand and communicate with people - even at birth

• Recent findings reveal that dogs are born ready to communicate with and understand people.
• Studies show puppies can reciprocate human eye contact and follow gestures to locate food.

• Research also suggests puppies raised with little human contact can understand gestures without training.

Dogs often seem uncannily shrewd about what we're trying to tell them.

A handful of recent studies offer surprising insights into the ways our canine companions are hardwired to communicate with people.

To read more on this story, click here: Recent discoveries reveal how dogs are hardwired to understand and communicate with people - even at birth

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Do Dogs and Cats Recognize their Owners? The Many Ways Pets Tell Us Apart

Dogs and cats have many cues to help them recognize us. Learn about all the different ways our pets know who we are.

When you watch your dog bounding across the dog park, or when you see your cat perched atop her scratching post, you recognize your pet by her shape, the color of her coat, and the way she moves. You may find yourself wondering, “Does my cat know me?” or, “Can my dog tell me apart from everyone else?” Our pets certainly know who we are, but they often know us in ways that humans, with our different set of senses, can only imagine: scent, sound, and subtle cues of movement and touch.

To read more on this story, click here: Do Dogs and Cats Recognize their Owners? The Many Ways Pets Tell Us Apart

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Pet Food Express removes toy from shelves after East Bay couple says needle found

CONCORD, Calif. (KRON) — Pet Food Express is removing a certain brand of dog toys from their shelves after a couple in the East Bay says they found a needle in their pets brand new toy.

Isreal Saucedo says he found the needle as he was playing with his dog Oliver at their Concord home.

“I started to squeeze it to get the squeaky noise because Oliver goes crazy over it,” Saucedo said. “And then I pinch myself really hard on my fingers and I was like ‘ouch it really hurt.'”

To read more on this story, click here:  Pet Food Express removes toy from shelves after East Bay couple says needle found

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Remembering the Hero Dogs of 9/11

When the World Trade Center collapsed on September 11, 2001, nearly 10,000 emergency rescue workers joined in the efforts to help. More than 300 of those heroes were dogs.

We remember and honor the Hero Dogs of 9/11 along with the countless people who had their lives irrevocably changed by man’s best friend. From search and rescue dogs to comfort dogs to bomb detection dogs, these canines’ stories of courage and healing are a long-lasting legacy that must never be forgotten.

Always remember.

To read more on this story, click here: Remembering the Hero Dogs of 9/11

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The benefits of owning a pet -- and the surprsing science behind it

(CNN)Snuggling next to my kitties while their furry chests softly rumble is a proven antidote to the day's stress.

For me and millions more, having a pet brings a circle of love into our lives -- they give affection, we give it back and all of us are the better for it.

Science agrees.

"I have a list of 10 health benefits [that] studies have shown pet owners have," said psychologist Harold Herzog, a pet-loving professor at Western Carolina University who has long studied the human-animal connection.

To read more on this story, click here: The benefits of owning a pet -- and the surprsing science behind it

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Dog trainer Cesar Millan’s pit bull killed Queen Latifah’s dog, tried to cover it up: lawsuit

A young gymnast’s suit claims a dog owned by famed canine trainer Cesar Millan attacked one owned by the rapper-actress.

The details of a lawsuit from a young woman named Lidia Matiss allege that a dog owned by famed canine trainer Cesar Millan previously attacked another.

The lawsuit claims that Junior, Millan’s pit bull, attacked and killed a dog owned by Queen Latifah, and Millan lied to cover it up.

To read more on this story, click here: Dog trainer Cesar Millan’s pit bull killed Queen Latifah’s dog, tried to cover it up: lawsuit

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HOW TO KEEP LADYBUGS AS PETS

Ladybugs are cute little creatures that you can keep at home. It is even possible to breed them if you want. Let’s see how can you keep ladybugs as pets.

To keep ladybugs, put the adult ladybugs in a small container. You can decorate the container with some small plants, twigs, and miniature figurines or toys. Cover the container with a mesh lid or a solid lid with ventilation holes. The mesh/vent opening should be small enough so that the ladybugs do not escape. Alternatively, you can also use a commercially available DIY terrarium. Feed the ladybugs with 10% syrup solution or raisin. Feed your ladybugs with aphids or mealybug if you want to keep them healthy. The female ladybugs need to feed on aphids or other prey in order to produce viable eggs. The larvae of ladybugs also require prey as part of their diet to turn into adults.

To read more on this story, click here: HOW TO KEEP LADYBUGS AS PETS

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Grandma Adopts A Puppy For Her Grandson Who Was Saving Up To Buy One

This story speaks about a six-year-old boy called Xander Mellor, whose dream was to buy a pup. So, he’d been saving up for the past 18 months for that. The smart boy from Springfield, Illinois, would always ask his mama Natalie Ellenburg for the change to put it in his savings jar whenever she’d return home from work.

Can you imagine a kid stops buying goodies and sweets? Xander did that as he really wanted a pup! But his dream came true when his grandparents heard about his endearing struggle! So, they visited him with a big surprise!

To read more on this story, click here: Grandma Adopts A Puppy For Her Grandson Who Was Saving Up To Buy One

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Maybe It’s Time to Take Animal Feelings Seriously

Dogs can read human emotions. So, it appears, can horses. Whales have regional accents. Ravens have demonstrated that they might be able to guess at the thoughts of other ravens — something scientists call “theory of mind,” which has long been considered a uniquely human ability. All of these findings have been published within the past several weeks, and taken together they suggest that many of the traits and abilities we believe are “uniquely human” are, in fact, not so unique to us.

To read more on this story, click here: Maybe It’s Time to Take Animal Feelings Seriously

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6 Tips for Giving Your Dog Pills

A spoonful of sugar might help our medicine go down, but dogs typically pose a bit more of a challenge. While some canine companions dutifully eat their pills with dinner, most tend to need a little encouragement. These tips for giving your dog a pill will make the process more pleasant for everyone involved.

Pill Pockets

Not all medication can be given with food. But if it can, putting the pill in a pill pocket or wrapping it in a piece of cheese makes it easy to slip into your dog’s system. Keep in mind that this approach works best for dogs that wolf down treats without chewing. Dogs that chew soft treats may bite into the unpleasant-tasting medicine, making them harder to trick next time. It should be noted that dogs with food sensitivities or allergies might have issues with the ingredients in pill pockets, so consult your veterinarian if your canine companion has had problems with food in the past.

To read more on this story, click here: 6 Tips for Giving Your Dog Pills

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What to Do If Another Dog Bites Your Dog

Whether your dog got himself into a fight or was attacked out of the blue, he will need prompt care. Learn how to check for damage, clean the wound, and assess the need for veterinary attention.

Most dogs go through their lives without ever being involved in a real fight, but others are not so lucky. Maybe there was a disagreement over a toy at the dog park, or a loose dog went after yours while out on a walk. Whether your dog was the troublemaker or an innocent victim, here’s what to do if a dog bite occurs.

To read more on this story, click here: What to Do If Another Dog Bites Your Dog

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Pet Ownership Statistics by State, And So Much More (Updated 2020)

If you’re a pet owner, it should be no secret that Americans are crazy about their pets. The word on the street is that ownership has increased in recent years and people are spending more time and money on their pets than ever before. But what do the numbers say?

Here, we’ll explore where pet ownership and the pet population stand in the U.S. and how it differs across states and demographics. (If you're interested in facisinating statistical data from pet owners who are specifically interested in pet insurance, check out our free 2019-2020 report covering breeds, pre-existing conditions, pet names, and more.)

To read more on this story, click here: Pet Ownership Statistics by State, And So Much More (Updated 2020)

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High Blood Pressure in Dogs (Hypertension): A Brief Guide

 

There are various health conditions caused by high blood pressure in humans, and the same applies to dogs. High blood pressure in dogs can negatively affect how your pooch functions in their daily life. This condition occurs naturally, or may be triggered by an external source or underlying cause. Your dog will experience different symptoms depending on their age and if they have any other ailments.

To read more on this story, click here: High Blood Pressure in Dogs (Hypertension): A Brief Guide

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13-year-old boy sews bow ties in adorable effort to help shelter animals get adopted

A New Jersey teenager is helping shelter dogs and cats get adopted one homemade bow tie at a time.

Sir Darius Brown, 13, was born with a fine motor skill delay, so when he was eight years old his mother, Joy Brown, thought it would be useful for him to begin working with his hands.

His sister, Dazhai Shearz, was a hair stylist and at the time was making her own hair bows. Sir Darius wanted to be just like her, so his mother had the idea that he could become her “assistant,” helping her cut fabric and eventually using the sewing machine.

To read more on this story, click here: 13-year-old boy sews bow ties in adorable effort to help shelter animals get adopted

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