The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Sunday, August 16, 2020

“Sheep Pigs” Are Real And They’re Like Giant Fuzzy Dogs

We all know that sheep are quite fuzzy animals, which is part of their charm as farm animals. But when we think of pigs, we definitely don’t envision hairy animals. Quite the opposite, we think of pigs as being relatively sparse with their fur and constantly dunking themselves in mud in order to stay cool.

However, there is a “sheep pig” out there, and they’re quite the unusual-looking animal. The Mangalitsa pig is an actual fuzzy pig! They have the outward appearance of a sheep with the wooly coat, but they’re actually bred to be pets since they’re quite tamable. The breeder of the Mangalitsa pig has stated that they can be tamed just like dogs if they’re shown the right affection. As a result, these pigs have been known to follow around their owners or play with their owners – just like a dog!

To read more on this story, click here: “Sheep Pigs” Are Real And They’re Like Giant Fuzzy Dogs

Woman Adopts One Cat Then Returns To Shelter For The One She Left Behind

Cats and dogs are stuck in shelters all over the world. Some are lucky enough to find forever homes, while others are at the shelter for life.

11-year-old Mojo was lucky enough to be adopted. He and 16-year-old Max were dropped off at Anne Arundel County Animal Control in Maryland. They spent years together at the shelter, but it was unknown whether or not they’d spend the rest of their lives together.

To read more on this story, click here: Woman Adopts One Cat Then Returns To Shelter For The One She Left Behind

An Adopted 14-Year-Old Girl is Helping Senior Dogs Find a Forever Home Just Like She Did

(CNN)A 14-year-old girl has raised $14,000 for senior dogs who have been left behind with the goal of helping them find a forever home like she did when she was adopted.

Meena Kumar at nine months old was found abandoned in a basket on a college campus in Pune, India. After spending a year in an orphanage, she was adopted by a couple in Mumbai and brought to San Jose, California.

To read more on this story, click here: An Adopted 14-Year-Old Girl is Helping Senior Dogs Find a Forever Home Just Like She Did

Stray Dog Who Keeps Visiting Car Dealership Is Adopted By Staff And Given A Job

A stray dog who was determined to land his dream job at a Hyundai car dealership has seen his persistency pay off after he was given a job - and a home.

Earlier this year, staff at a Hyundai Prime branch in Brazil spotted the dog waiting around outside the showroom and assumed he would eventually move on.

But as time passed by the stray continued to show up and on one particularly rainy night the manager, Emerson Mariano, took pity on the pup and invited him into the warm for some food and water.

The lonely dog seemed determined to stay and it didn't take him long to win the hearts of the staff, who adopted him as the dealership's mascot.

To read more on this story, click here: Stray Dog Who Keeps Visiting Car Dealership Is Adopted By Staff And Given A Job

Canaries: These Songbirds are a Top Choice for Bird Owners

Canaries have perhaps the sweetest song of any creature on Earth. These small, puffy birds are welcome tenants at any home, whether you live in a house or an apartment. It will take your canary some time to polish his voice — these birds, like people, get better with practice.

To read more on this story, click here: Canaries: These Songbirds are a Top Choice for Bird Owners

Tips for Ferrets

We are seeing a large number of ferrets at our hospital, as we have the expertise of Dr. Tracey Ritzman, DABVP. This week’s post will just offer a broad overview of Ferret Ownership.

Background

Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are members of the weasel family that have been domesticated for over two thousand years.

HEALTH

Ferrets have a lifespan between 6 to 8 years. They will require routine visits to your veterinarian for regular vaccinations (including canine distemper and rabies virus) and annual examinations. Ferrets are at risk of heartworms and fleas, so monthly preventative treatments should be used.

To read more on this story, click here: Tips for Ferrets

Pet Birds and Air Travel

You may have seen a fellow traveler bring a small dog or cat into the airplane cabin or take a larger dog with them as checked baggage. But did you know that a few US airlines allow you to bring your pet bird with you on your flight, provided you meet certain conditions?

Species

Each airline specifies which birds are permitted as carry-on baggage or as checked baggage. Typically, your bird must be a "household" bird, a pet, in other words, not a wild bird, and it must be odorless and quiet.

Hawaiian Airlines, for example, says that your bird must be "harmless, inoffensive, odorless and not require attention during the flight." Most airlines that accept pet birds will not allow you to bring chickens or other poultry, only pet birds such as finches and parakeets.

To read more on this story, click here: Pet Birds and Air Travel

Cat Falls Out Of Sky And Onto Pensioner’s Head Knocking Him Out

‘It’s raining cats and dogs’ is a saying most of us will have heard throughout our lifetimes whenever it’s chucking it down outside. But did you ever think you’d be using the phrase literally?

Nope, me neither, but mark this date in your diary because something of the sort has happened in China – and the whole thing was caught on camera.

That’s right folks, the bizarre moment a cat fell from the sky, knocking out an elderly man walking on the path below in the process, has been documented for all to see.

To read more on this story, click here: Cat Falls Out Of Sky And Onto Pensioner’s Head Knocking Him Out

National Zoo Says Panda Mei Xiang Appears to be Pregnant, Could Give Birth Soon

The zoo said there could be panda cub, or cubs, within a few days.

Keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo said Friday they were thrilled to detect what looks like a fetus during an ultrasound earlier in the day on giant panda Mei Xiang.

"Theres no denying that a giant panda is a charismatic animal, this is a huge success story," zoo spokesperson Pamela Baker-Masson told ABC News. "We have million's of people watching our panda cam program every year around the world."

To watch panda cam, click here: Mei Xiang

To read more on this story, click here: National Zoo Says Panda Mei Xiang Appears to be Pregnant, Could Give Birth Soon

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Pet Travel - Bringing Five or Fewer Pet Birds into the US

The USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) defines a shipment of pet birds as five (5) or fewer birds brought into the United States (U.S.) that are not intended for resale. This does not include birds classified by VS as poultry (chickens, doves, ducks, geese, grouse, guinea fowl, partridges, pea fowl, pheasants, pigeons, quail, swans, and turkeys).

If you are bringing six (6) or more pet birds or any number of birds classified as poultry into the U.S., view the requirements for importing commercial birds and zoological birds and importing live poultry.

To read more on this story, click here: Pet Travel - Bringing Five or Fewer Pet Birds into the US

Bald Eagle Attacks Woman Along North Shore: ‘It Was Terrifying’

LUTSEN, Minn. — A scary attack between a young bald eagle and a woman took place along Lake Superior Thursday – and it was all caught on video, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports.

The aggressive bald eagle was seen attacking the woman Thursday morning just 100 yards away from the Cascade Lodge and Restaurant along Highway 61 in Lutsen.

Head Kitchen Manager Bernie Banks ran to help the woman — a guest at the lodge — using his chef’s jacket to safely stop the raptor from charging on.

To read more this story, click here: Bald Eagle Attacks Woman Along North Shore: ‘It Was Terrifying’

The National Zoo's Giant Panda, With A Yearly Window of 24-72 Hours to Become Pregnant, May Be Expecting

(CNN)When Mei Xiang went in for an ultrasound on Friday, her results were shared around the world.

The 22-year-old giant panda could deliver a cub in the next few days, the Smithsonian's National Zoo announced, after imaging revealed what appeared to be a fetus.

Mei Xiang has had a team of experts supporting her through the process since March, when they performed an artificial insemination. The beginning of her journey toward expectant motherhood also marked the country's shift to life under a pandemic, with zoos temporarily shutting their doors around the nation. And now, the possible birth could mark another moment -- one of wonder amid a time of continued uncertainty.

8 Top Friendly Pet Bird Species

It's no surprise that many people want a pet bird that is friendly, gentle, and well-suited to being a companion. These traits are even more important for people with limited pet bird experience. It's easier to bond with and care for an animal that has a naturally friendly disposition, rather than one that tends to be timid or aggressive. Here are eight of the friendliest pet bird species that typically make excellent companions.

To read more on this story, click here: 8 Top Friendly Pet Bird Species

Ever Thought About Getting A Bird? They Make Great Pets

Have you ever thought about getting a bird? They make great pets! Here are a few reasons you may consider:

They are fairly low maintenance

Birds are a good option for those who want to enrich their lives with a pet but are either slightly time poor or don’t want the high-maintenance cats and dogs bring with the need for a lot of attention, exercise, and training. Birds on the other hand, require far less training, unless you want to teach them cool tricks! They are much easier to clean up after as they are self-grooming creatures and their mess tends to be isolated to their cage.

They are highly intelligent

Birds are very smart and curious creatures. They have the capability to learn many new things, such as learning to mimic human speech and behaviours or using objects as tools. This makes them very intriguing and fun pets to watch and play with, especially with their human like antics!

Birds are perfect for small places

If you live in a small house or an apartment a bird is the perfect pet for these spaces. Whereas cats and dogs require a lot of room to run around, birds are quite happy with only a few metres of space for their cage.

They are very social

Birds are considered to be very social creatures as can be heard with their constant chirping and chattering. This makes them fun to interact and talk with, especially if you have trained your bird to speak or it has started mimicking human voices. Either way they are the perfect companion to talk to and get your thoughts off your chest without fear of judgment.

Life long companion

Did you know that some species of birds can live up to 50 years? That truly makes some birds life long companions. However, although some birds can live up to 50 years many have a lifespan of up to 20 years, which is still quite a long time. So whatever breed you choose be prepared for a long and happy life together.

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Sunday, August 16, 2020

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