To read more on this story, click here: Step by Step Reef Aquarium Setup
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Step by Step Reef Aquarium Setup
To read more on this story, click here: Step by Step Reef Aquarium Setup
The Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Cat
According to 2008 stats from the Humane Society, there are approximately 88 million owned pet cats in the United States (more than dogs!). Nearly one third of all US households own a cat and on average most of those homes have two cats. Eighty seven percent of the pet cats in the U.S. are spayed or neutered. It's a very common procedure and there are many benefits.
What Is Spaying And Neutering?
Sterilizing a cat is known as neutering for males and spaying for females. Neutering a male cat is a fairly simple procedure performed by a professional veterinarian. The cat is placed under general anesthesia, and the testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum. The incision is very small and stitches are usually not even necessary.
Spaying a female cat is a more involved and invasive procedure, and as such is often more expensive. The ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed after the cat is immobilized with general anesthesia. The operation is known as an ovario-hysterectomy. The abdominal area is shaved and the surgical wound usually only requires a few stitches.
Kittens should be spayed or neutered when they reach sexual maturity, which is usually between four and six months of age. However a cat can be safely spayed or neutered at any age, so even older adopted cats should have this procedure.
Some rescue organizations participate in a "catch and release" program where homeless cats are captured, neutered or spayed and released. This is considered more humane than euthanizing strays. The catch and release program is sometimes known as TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and the cats that are sterilized have part of one ear clipped. If you adopt a cat with a clipped ear, he or she has almost certainly been already spayed or neutered as a result of this effort.
Why Spay Or Neuter Your Cat?
There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your cat, and they extend to your pet, your family, your home and society in general.
Stray and feral cat overpopulation is a massive problem. The life of a homeless cat can be miserable and harsh. Feral cats also contribute to the destruction of other indigenous wildlife, especially birds.
Un-spayed female cats may be restless and noisy and exhibit other behavior problems.
Males who are not neutered (also known as Tom Cats) have many behavior problems, including a tendency to roam if allowed outside and a habit of spraying strong smelling urine inside the house to mark their territory.
Spayed and neutered cats generally have fewer health problems and a longer life expectancy.
Is there a downside to sterilizing your pet cat? Not really. Sometimes neutered males require slightly less food after the procedure so they don't gain weight. But most cats are healthier, happier and calmer if they've been spayed or neutered.
Fast Facts On Cat Sterilization
Most animal shelters and rescue groups require cats to be spayed or neutered before they will allow them to be adopted. The new owner should anticipate picking up the cost for this procedure.
The cost of spaying or neutering varies widely depending on the U.S. location, but will range from a low of $50 through a pet shelter to a high of $200 for a private veterinarian in a large urban area.
In most cases your cat will be able to come home the same day, especially if they are scheduled to be spayed or neutered in the morning.
For nervous cat owners who worry excessively about their beloved kitty, most vets are happy to call you after the procedure is over to let you know how your pet is doing.
Millions of beautiful cats and kittens are exterminated each year by animal shelters who can't find enough homes for them. The famous artist Leonardo da Vinci once said "even the smallest feline is a masterpiece." Cat owners can help make sure that each precious fur covered work of art has a happy home. The best way to accomplish this goal is through responsible spaying and neutering.
A Starving Dog Found Inside a Zipped Suitcase Outside a Bronx Apartment Building is Showing Signs of Recovery
A month later, Fraggle has started to eat on his own, and walk small distances without help, according to the ASPCA.
It's a miraculous recovery given that he was perilously close to death when he was found, according to ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group Senior Director Howard Lawrence.
Fraggle will continue to recover at the ASPCA Hospital. A reward of $22,000 is being offered by both the ASPCA, and the NYPD for information leading an arrest/conviction in the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS
Beneful Press Statement 2-25-2015: Frequently Asked Questions
We continually work closely with the FDA to ensure the quality of every Purina product. We use only safe ingredients to ensure that all of our products meet or exceed FDA, USDA and AAFCO standards. In addition, our products are formulated by pet nutritionists, scientists and veterinarians to provide complete and balanced nutrition, and millions of healthy dogs eat Beneful each year.
As pet owners ourselves, our priority is the health and well-being of the millions of dogs who enjoy Beneful. We take these allegations very seriously and stand by our product, which is backed by Purina's strict quality controls and comprehensive food safety program.
Unfortunately, class action suits are common these days. They are not indicative of a product issue. In fact, we've faced two such suits in the past with similar allegations. Both were found to be baseless and were subsequently dismissed by the courts.
Adding to the confusion, social media outlets can be a source of false or incomplete information, as many other pet food brands have experienced themselves.
We at Beneful want you, our valued customers, to know that this lawsuit is baseless; you can continue to feel confident feeding your dogs our food. We stand committed to our Brand, our products and your pets.
We encourage you to reach out to us at any time with any questions at 1–888-236-3385. Or, visit https://www.beneful.com/our-people to get a behind the scenes look into how the Purina Nutrition Research team evaluates the safety and ingredients of Beneful dog food.
More >>>
Washington Humane Society - Meet Kaelyn, For Her 7th Birthday She Requested Donations for WHS Instead of Presents - She Raised $472!
This is a great way for anyone under the age of 18 to help out the Washington Humans Society. If you know anyone who would like to volunteer like Kaelyn did, please e-mail volunteer@washhumane.org.
Website: Washington Humane Society
Remember John Unger? His Video Went Viral Showing Him Cuddling Schoep, His 19-Year-Old Dog in Lake Superior to Help with His Arthritis Pain - He Gets a New Puppy
Bayfield, Wis. - John Unger and his dog Schoep became an internet sensation three years ago after photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, snapped a sweet moment of them on Lake Superior.Schoep loved the water but arthritis settled into his joints which made it hard to swim or even walk. So, Unger would just hold Schoep on his chest in the water, sometimes for hours.
"He was my life," Unger said.
Twenty years ago Unger was battling depression when he found Schoep in a shelter.
"He saved me that night and I could only do my very best for him after that," he said.
It was the best to the very end. A year and a half ago, Schoep passed away.
"It was really tough after Schoep left and didn't know what to do with my time," Unger said.
Months passed. The thought of moving on came and went. Unger thought about getting a new dog but nothing seemed right.
"It was re-learning how to live and once I learned that and once I got through the toughness of his love that's when I started searching again," Unger said.
Ninety miles away in Hayward someone else was searching too. A few days ago several dogs were surrendered to the Northwoods Humane Society. Among them was one-year-old Bear. Older dogs and black dogs like Bear often have trouble finding new homes, according to Kim Molitor, who works for the shelter. But a suitor was already at the front door.
"I was like cool. He's like a surfer dude from California. He's going to get along with all the dogs," Molitor said after the long-haired Unger walked in.
Molitor had no idea who the "long-haired surfer dude" was until a co-worker recognized the name.
"I got chills. I couldn't' believe it. He's in the water with the dog and it was beautiful," Molitor said.
Just as beautiful was the moment Unger met Bear.
"It was just unison. It was just you know, in love from the moment they said hello to each other," Molitor said.
In less than a week together Unger and Bear have their walk down. But there are some things they are still learning about each other, like whether Bear likes playing with sticks or a ball.
Starting over is never easy but Unger learned years ago from his first love that it's a chance worth taking.
"I talk to him still. Thank him for everything," Unger said.
If you'd like to send John and Bear a welcome message you can write to them at P.O. Box 434, Bayfield, WI 54814.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
In a Northern Dutch Town, the Residents Are Being Terrorized by an European Eagle Owl
There have been a rising number of owl attacks.
An European eagle owl has silently swooped on dozens of residents over the past three weeks, causing many victims to seek medical attention.
The latest attack, two members of a local athletics club were attacked. One person required stitches for six head wounds caused by the nocturnal bird of prey's talons.
The club has cancelled all training until further notice.
Residents and workers at Prinsenstichting home for the handicapped have been left terrified following at least 15 attacks, spokeswoman Liselotte de Bruijn told AFP.
"During the day there's no problem. We only venture outside at night armed with umbrellas, helmets and hats, anything really, to protect ourselves," said De Bruijn.
"The problem is that you don't hear the owl before it strikes. Its claws are razor-sharp," she said.
Purmerend city council said it was trying to find a solution.
"We want to catch the owl as our city's residents are in danger," it said on its website, noting however that the European eagle owl is a protected species that requires special permission to be trapped.
"These procedures can still take some time. Meanwhile, we are advising people to stay away from the owl," the city said, telling night strollers in the area to shield themselves with umbrellas.
Gejo Wassink of the Netherlands' OWN owl foundation said the bird's behavior was unusual.
"Either the owl was reared in captivity and released into the wild and now associates humans with food -- meaning it's not really 'attacking' people."
"Or it may have heightened hormone levels as the breeding season starts, which influences its behavior and makes it defend its territory," Wassink told AFP, saying the bird "appears to be a female".
He pointed to the wider problem of people hand-rearing owls and then releasing them into the wild when they become too big to handle, potentially leading to an increase in attacks.
The European eagle owl is one of the largest owl species, with a wing-span of up to 1.80 metres (almost six feet) and weighing up to three kilos (seven pounds).
You Will No Longer Be Able to Feed the Dolphins at SeaWorld Orlando - A New Program, Starting in March, Will Allow You to Only Touch and Interact With the Dolphins
The new program starting on March 2, will cost $15, and will be a reservation-only package, that allows small groups to spend several minutes touching and interacting with dolphins but not feeding them.
"Dolphin Cove will continue to provide areas where all guests are able to view dolphins up close, and interact with animals that choose to interact with them," said spokeswoman Becca Bides in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
Conservationists hailed the move as an incremental improvement in the treatment of captive marine mammals, saying the feeding pools are dangerous.
"It’s out of date, out of style and it’s full of risk," said Courtney Vail, campaign and program manager for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
Vail said dolphins have been harmed in large feeding programs fighting over food and by guests dropping objects into the pools, not washing their hands and touching the dolphins’ eyes or blowholes. Guests occasionally are bitten, she said.
Vail said feeding programs encourage people to feed dolphins in the wild, leading to dolphin-boat collisions and teaching dolphins to beg rather than forage.
Vail said most aquariums other than SeaWorld ended feeding programs years ago.
Feeding of dolphins will remain a part of SeaWorld’s sister park in Orlando, Discovery Cove, where a limited number of guests touch, feed and swim with dolphins.
SeaWorld San Diego ended its large group feeding program in 2012, followed by the San Antonio park in 2013, according to Bides. Those parks still allow guests in small group interaction programs to feed dolphins.
Attendance at SeaWorld Orlando park took a hit after a 2013 documentary focused on its captive killer whale program, and in particular on Tilikum, formerly a performing a killer whale that drowned trainer Dawn Brancheau.
Her death led a federal administrative judge to order the theme park to maintain barriers between trainers and the whales.
In August, the company announced a planned expansion of the whale pools, and a $10 million contribution to killer whale research.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)