The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA in Burlingame, CA - Giving Free DNA Tests Under the Slogan "Who's Your Daddy?"

Burlingame, CA - A quarter of the dogs taken in by one California animal shelter look like Chihuahuas. So how do you make a pet stand out when it's similar to so many other dogs at the shelter? Check the DNA.

The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA in Burlingame, a 30-minute drive south of San Francisco, began free DNA tests under the slogan "Who's Your Daddy?" Scott Delucchi, the shelter's senior vice president, came up with the idea to speed up adoptions of Chihuahua-centric dogs.

Because pets become part of the family, the $50 tests allow owners to find out the background of their pooches and certain traits they could exhibit. The tests also allow the shelter to get creative by coming up with clever breed names that can boost adoption odds.

For example, the Chihuahua-Australian shepherd-Jack Russell terrier-collie became a "Kiwi collier"; a Yorkshire terrier and beagle mix became a "Yorkle"; and a golden retriever-miniature pinscher-Chihuahua was proclaimed a "golden Chinscher."

In February, the shelter tested 12 lookalike dogs. One of the results was inconclusive, but 11 showed mutt combinations that the facility had never seen before. The tested dogs were all placed within two weeks — twice as fast as any 11 untested small, brown dogs in the previous months.

Twelve more dogs were tested, and once the last few in that group are placed, 24 more dogs will find out their breed backgrounds, Delucchi said.

In the two batches of tests, only 10 of 23 dogs had no Chihuahua in them. Chihuahuas took over from the glut of pit bull mixes that dominated the shelter until five or six years ago, Delucchi said.

There are a lot of reasons Chihuahuas became so popular, he said, citing Hollywood stars toting them in purses and the "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" movies.

Seeing one of the tiny dogs at the shelter changed Lynn Mazzola's mind about what kind of pet she wanted.

Mazzola of San Carlos, California, wanted a big dog, but 2-year-old, 6-pound Lily stole her heart. DNA results showed her that her new dog was part miniature pinscher, part Yorkie terrier and part Chihuahua, which the shelter dubbed a "Chorkie."

Knowing Lily's DNA gives you clues to her behavior, Mazzola said. For example, "it explains why she goes after birds and mice and she's not nervous like a Chihuahua," she said.

Mazzola's husband was about to undergo surgery and she wanted the dog to keep him company while he recovered.

After his operation, "he walked in the door, she ran up to him and hasn't been out of his lap since," Mazzola said of the dog that had been at the shelter for seven months.

The adoption promotion helped Lily, but it's going to take more than a gimmick to reduce the "alarming" number of Chihuahua mixes coming in, Delucchi said.

"Another part is making spay-neuter low-cost or free to the community," he said. "If you have a lot of one breed, you target that breed and those owners and make it easy for them to do the right thing and get them fixed."

He said facilities also work with states that need small dogs, such as Florida and New York, by flying in as many as they can handle.

Despite the promotion's tagline, the question that never gets answered is "Who's Your Daddy?" The DNA tests describe two parents, but they don't reveal which one is dad.

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Washington, DC - Meet Tali, A Gorgeous Siamese Mix, Who is Looking For Her Forever Home With Someone 50 Years or Older - Adoption Fee Waived at the Washington Animal Rescue League

From: Washington Animal Rescue League

Meet Tali, a gorgeous long-hair Siamese mix. She found herself at WARL because she is—wait for it, wait for it—too affectionate! Apparently, that was a big turn-off for her human companion. So now Tali is looking for someone who longs for a quintessential lap cat...a cat that wants to be with you, interact with you, and have a strong relationship with you. At 8 years old, Tali qualifies as a “Boomers’ Buddy,” which means her adoption fee will be waived for adopters 50 years or older. ‪

Tali
Animal ID: 23578090
Species: Cat
Breed: Siamese/Mix
Age: 8 years 6 months 21 days
Sex: Female
Size: Medium
Color: Cream/White
Spayed/Neutered
Declawed: Yes
Housetrained: Unknown
Site: Washington Animal Rescue League
Location: Main Cat Room
Intake Date: 3/14/2015

To learn more about Tali, click HERE


If you are interested in adopting Tali, please read: How to Adopt 

Website: http://www.warl.org/



To learn more about the About the Washington Animal Rescue League, HERE.

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Man Drowns While Trying to Save His Dog From Falling Through a Frozen Pond

Old Forge, NY  - The Ontario County Sheriff's Office says Garvin Anthony Brown and his fiancee were renting a home in the Finger Lakes town of Naples, 40 miles southeast of Rochester.

Deputies say Brown was walking his dog around 1:00 a.m. Sunday when the dog went onto the ice of a pond and fell into the water.

Police say Brown ventured out onto the frozen pond to save his pet, but the thin ice cracked and the 34-year-old fell through.

Investigators say Brown was unable to get out of the frigid water and drowned. His dog survived the harrowing ordeal.

The couple were staying at Jim's Adirondack House during their weekend getaway when tragedy struck.

When the dog fell through the ice, Brown ran inside the cabin to alert his fiancée and then returned to the pond to try and rescue the animal.

The woman immediately called 911 to get help, and first responders arrived on the scene along Route 21 in Naples a short time later, but by that time Brown had already drowned.
Responding officers were able to locate the man's body at the bottom of the pond and recover it within an hour.

Brown was pronounced dead at the scene.

The deceased pet owner's body was taken to a nearby hospital for an autopsy to confirm his cause of death.

Brown, a Brooklyn DJ who went by the stage name Tony Trixx, leaves behind a large extended family.

'To all who knew him. My nephew, Anthony Garvin Brown gone to soon. Died being a hero,' his uncle Alfie Blackman wrote on his Facebook page.

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Opossum, the American Marsupial That Dines on Ticks: Where Lyme Disease Goes to Die

They come out at night, they have scary teeth, they have a weird name with an extra vowel most people don't pronounce…and they are where Lyme disease goes to die.

Say hello to the opossum, the American marsupial with a pointy nose and prehensile tail that dines on ticks like a vacuum dines on dust.

Most people drop the first vowel when speaking of 'possums, but possums actually belong to a different species native to Australia.

Tiny adolescent ticks that carry Lyme disease bacteria are most active during the late spring months, typically May and even as early as April during warmer years.

But whereas these ticks can be found in large numbers on mice, shrews and chipmunks, they are eaten in large numbers by opossum.

Research led by scientists based at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook placed different species into cages, covered them with ticks and waited for the biting arachnids to jump off.

The scientists then counted how many survived.

Opossums can eat or remove as much as 96 percent of the ticks that land on them.

Research also suggests the immune system of opossums is fairly effective at fighting off the disease.

So even the ticks that do survive a visit to an opossum are less likely to acquire the disease.

Cary scientists are continuing to examine the correlation between the frequency of different types of mammals, and the infection rates of ticks found in the same area.

The initial thought? Where foxes thrive, Lyme doesn't.

That's because foxes are good hunters of the small mammals that serve as the most effective reservoirs of the Lyme pathogen.

Ongoing research is also looking at the role opossums play.

All of this points to why Lyme is a particularly inscrutable disease.

There are so many complex interactions that govern its prevalence — from human land-use development, to shifting climate patterns, to the abundance (or lack) of certain mammals.

And that doesn't even address how the disease behaves once it is in the body. The Lyme bacterium is apparently one of the only things on earth that doesn't need iron to survive.

Opossums are your friend in the fight against Lyme.

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The Carroll County Sheriff's Office Needs Your Help in Naming Their Adorable New K9, A Four-Month-Old Female Bloodhound Puppy - Contest Ends March 29

Westminster, MD - An adorable new K9 puppy at the Carroll County Sheriff's Office needs your help: She doesn't have a name yet!

The four-month-old bloodhound puppy is set to be much more than merely adorable, of course. She's slated to undergo 10 weeks of training with the Maryland State Police, after which she'll also be highly skilled.

The puppy will learn how to search for missing people, criminals who have tried to evade police, and escaped inmates. She'll also be able to help investigators develop leads in criminal cases.

But she still doesn't have a name, and that's where you come in. The Sheriff's Office is asking people to send their suggestions to ccsopuppycontest@gmail.com. In your message, include a history of the name or the reason why you're suggesting it.

The Sheriff's Office is accepting ideas through email only, so hold off on any social media submissions.

You have through March 29 to submit name suggestions. A decision on the name will be made no later than April 2nd, and will be announced via social media.

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Louis, a Ginger Tom Cat, Accused of Pouncing on to Unsuspecting Pet Dogs Heads in Wells, Somerset

Louis, a 17-year-old Ginger Tom Cat, accused of pouncing on to unsuspecting pet dogs heads in Wells, Somerset.

Whether he’s running through the magnificent nave, warming himself next to a cosy radiator, or curling up in his favorite basket in the gift shop, Louis the cat has become a beloved feature of Wells Cathedral.

But Louis has gotten himself into trouble after a Ginger Tom answering his description was accused of a series of rather nasty attacks on dogs in the peaceful Somerset city.

The owner of one alleged victims was, Mandie Stone-Outten, who said her Springer Spaniel, Millie was targeted in Market Place close to the Cathedral. “This dangerous, semi-feral cat pounced like a wild lion in the jungle on to my dog Millie’s head,” she said.

“It happened so quickly. I pulled the leash backwards and Millie went flying down the curb, into the gutter, and ended up in a heap of muddy rainwater.

Beware, this ball of fluff is not as cute and cuddly as he looks. I’ve got a battered elbow, battered knee and a sore wrist,” she said.

Louis began living at the great 12th Century Church about ten years ago to keep the mice away.

He has become so popular he has even starred in a children’s book, called 'Louis the Cathedral Cat', and is featured in a range of merchandise including clocks, coasters and wine-stoppers available in the gift shop.

Debbie Sheppard, who works at the Present Company in Market Place, saw the aftermath of the Millie incident – and spotted Louis running off.”

“Louis likes to sleep in here, and he was in here on the day in question. It was nearing the end of the day, so I put Louis outside. The next thing I heard was this hissing, and when I looked outside Louis was walking up the street looking very sad.” She said.

Sheppard, insisted Louis was a very nice, gentle animal. “He’s a very sweet cat and I certainly don’t think he’s suddenly turned nasty." The last time she saw Louis he was being petted by children on their way to school, and was definitely not lashing out.

"There have been at least two other attacks involving a Ginger Tom around the Cathedral, but there is a chance that it could all be a case of mistaken identify.

I’ve heard there was another Ginger Cat around here at the same time, and it’s possible that it’s him attacking the dogs. We don’t know for sure whether or not Louis was involved. He had definitely been in the shop just before the incident happened outside, but it could have been a different cat.” She added.

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Feline Panleukopenia, Often Referred to as Feline Distemper, is an Extremely Contagious and Often Fatal Disease of Cats

Feline Panleukopenia often referred to as feline distemper, is an extremely contagious and often fatal disease of cats. It can also infect non-domestic felidae and other animals such as raccoons and certain members of the weasel family such as mink. It does not affect dogs.

What are the causes of panleukopenia?
Feline panleukopenia is caused by a virus closely related to canine parvovirus infection (some strains of canine parvovirus can infect cats) and like parvovirus of dogs the virus can persist in the environment for a year or more. Once a commonly seen disease, parvovirus is now relatively uncommon in large part because most domestic cats are vaccinated and the vaccine is very effective. Nonetheless, the disease persists among unvaccinated cats. As is the case with parvovirus in dogs, the feline form of the disease is transmitted in bodily fluids and can persist in the environment. Transmission (on shoes and clothing) and environmental contamination can be greatly reduced with simple hygiene1.

What are the signs of feline panleukopenia?
The disease occurs primarily in young cats and kittens and causes severe depression and lethargy as well as high fever and severe vomiting and diarrhea. Affected cats have a very low white blood cell count (hence the name panleukopenia). Many cats undergo a subclinical infection and do not show signs at all. Not all exposed cats become clinically ill but exposed cats as well as cats that survive the full-blown disease have long-term immunity after their infection.

How can cats become infected by feline panleukopenia?
The route of infection is primarily oral and nasal. The virus quickly enters the blood stream and spreads to all parts of the body. The clinical disease is frequently fatal with a mortality rate as high as 75 percent. Complete recovery can take several weeks2.

How is feline panleukopenia diagnosed?
A presumptive diagnosis can be made based on clinical history and clinical signs as well as a very low white blood count. More sophisticated tests may be employed in large outbreaks but are not generally needed.

What are the treatments for feline panleukopenia?
Because this is a viral disease, treatment is largely based on the symptoms until the patient begins to recover. The most severe symptoms occur in the first 5-7 days.

What is the prognosis with feline panleukopenia?
Unfortunately, as many as 75 percent of patients may not survive feline panleukopenia and the virus can increase the potential of secondary infections including chronic respiratory viruses.

How can feline panleukopenia be prevented?
There is a very effective and very safe vaccine available that has significantly reduced the incidence of panleukopenia. All cats should be vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and your veterinarian.

As with many diseases the answer lies in early and complete prevention by means of effective vaccination procedures. Be sure to discuss this and other vaccine recommendations as part of your cats overall wellness program.

Source: Pet Health Network FOLLOW US!

Heartwarming Story: The Rescue of Two Stray Dogs as They Get Separated During the Rescue, and Are Adopted Together

Sharing from: Hope For Paws and PAL Rescue

Hope For Paws and PAL Rescue teamed up to save three dogs who have been living on the streets for a long time. When Lisa Chiarelli and I arrived on the rescue location, we found Anna & Aurora, and we also found their friend... dead on the road.

We were able to save them in this challenging rescue, and a couple of days ago, our friend Diana Lundin Pet Photography volunteered to take some beautiful pictures of them in their new amazing home.

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Idaho Woman Charged With Killing Hunter's Pet Falcon to Save Duck

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - A woman who is suspected of beating a hunter's pet falcon to death with a beaded scarf after she saw it take down a duck, is facing a misdemeanor charge that the pet owner thinks is too lenient.

Patti MacDonald, 60,  was charged with beating the bird after authorities say she fractured the skull of the 8-year-old falcon, named, Hornet, on January 7.

Hornet's owner, Scott Dinger, said MacDonald should be charged with killing a protected species.

Dinger, who was hunting with Hornet at the time, was about 500 yards away when the bird of prey made a successful attack and landed with the duck.

He said he was approaching the spot when he saw MacDonald's red Jeep Wrangler pull up.

Hornet flew away, and Dinger found him dead about an hour later.

The duck also died.

According to Dinger, Hornet had been around humans since the day he was hatched.

"They don't really know they are falcons. That was probably a part of his undoing because you could walk up to him and he wouldn't fly or try to get away", said Dinger.

It is tough to accept what happened because he was so young, and falcons can live for about 30 years in captivity.

Craig Walker, a regional conservation officer for the Idaho Fish and Game Department, said he received an anonymous call from a woman saying she tried to save a duck from a falcon.

The phone system identified the caller as MacDonald.

Walker wrote in a report: 'The woman later stated that she had been very upset about the duck being injured, but felt bad about injuring someone's pet, because she "beat the crap out of it.'"

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh said he reviewed Walker's report and determined the misdemeanor charge was appropriate.

Beating or harassing an animal is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for a first-time offender.

Peregrine falcons were on the threatened and endangered species list, but they were removed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1999.

"There are between 2,000 and 3,000 breeding pairs of American peregrine falcons in Canada, Mexico, and the United States." according to the FWS.

It's unclear if Hornet was a peregrine.

Internet photo

Internet photo

Scott Dinger with other falcon

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New at Reason TV: Why Are Pit Bulls Banned? How Media Scare Stories Create Stupid Laws - Watch As Lisa LaFontaine, CEO, Washington Humane Society Gives Her Views

"This idea that aggression can be traced back to specific breeds is the folklore of a criminal subculture. This is not an idea that exists in science."

That's Janis Bradley, one of the country's premier experts on canine cognition, dismantling the idea at the heart of laws banning pit bulls, a dog breed that has become synonymous with violence, mayhem, and attacks on humans.

Watch the video below:




                                 Here are pictures of what Pitbulls looked like in the 1800's:

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Two Senators Are Urging the Food & Drug Administration to Open an Investigation into the Purina’s Beneful Brand Dog Food Allegations

A lawsuit filed in California claimed that thousands of dogs became ill or died after eating Purina’s Beneful kibble. Two senators are urging the Food & Drug Administration to open an investigation into the allegations.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, along with California Senator Dianne Feinstein, sent a letter [PDF] to the FDA calling for the agency to quickly investigate claims that Purina PetCare Company’s Beneful brand dry dog food contains toxins.

The senators also called for immediate updates on the implementation of FDA
requirements that could prevent such harmful contamination from occurring in pet foods.

In late February, it was revealed that a California man had filed a class action-seeking lawsuit against Purina saying the company’s dry dog food contains substances that are known to be toxic to animals and can lead to internal bleeding and other serious health issues for pets.

The man alleges that less than a month after beginning to exclusively feed his dogs Beneful dry kibble, all three became ill and his 8-year-old English Bulldog eventually died.

According to the lawsuit, illnesses experienced by thousands of dogs across the country were a result of toxins in Beneful such as, but not limited to, Propylene glycol and Mycotoxins.

Propylene glycol, the lawsuit states, is an automotive antifreeze component that is a known animal toxin. However, the substance is also an FDA-approved food additive for humans.

As for Mycotoxins, the lawsuit states they are a group of toxins produced by fungus that occurs in grains.

Representatives for Purina have said that the lawsuit was “without merit” and that the company would vigorously defend itself.

In their letter to the FDA, Durbin and Feinstein are asking for updates to the agency’s implementation of a 2007 law enacted to help prevent contaminated pet food from reaching animals.

Under the 2007 law, the FDA is required to ensure that pet food companies report to the agency within 24 hours of determining they have an adulterated product in their supply chain.

Additionally, the law requires the FDA to set ingredient and processing standards for pet food, strengthen labeling requirements, establish early warning systems for contaminated products and mandate that companies report contaminated food and make key records available during investigations.

“The components of the law that FDA has implemented are important to the public and veterinarians, namely the searchable online recall list posted on the agency’s website,” the letter states. “We appreciate that FDA has implemented an online database to inform consumers of pet food recalls. However, eight years later, most provisions of the pet food safety law have not been implemented and protections Congress enacted are not in place.” FOLLOW US!