The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Do You Love Watching Birds? Did You Know that there Are Over 10,000 Various Species Across the World? (Videos)


There are over 10,000 various species of birds across the world. These feathered creatures are warm-blooded, can fly due to their wings, and lay eggs (as opposed to mammals). From varied size, communication skills, migration patterns, diet and feeding requirements, shapes, colors, to types of flight, these creatures are nothing short of a marvel.





Avocets

There are 4 different species of Avocet found around the world - Pied Avocet, Red-necked Avocet, Andean Avocet, and American Avocet. This bird is found in North and South America, Europe, and even Australia. This long-legged bird has webbed feet and an upturned, thin bill. They live in large colonies and have been known to become quite aggressive and defensive, if feel threatened.











Bald Eagles

The bald eagle is found in marshes and near coastlines. They have very large and broad wings, with a broad tail. The head and tail are white in color, which is the major distinguishable factor of the bald eagle. The long, hooked bill is yellow in color. They prey on fish, ducks, rabbits, raccoons, beavers, geese, gulls, reptiles, etc.











Catbirds

Catbirds are known to imitate the sounds of other birds. They are gray in color, and have a shade of chestnut, just under their tail. Different species of Catbirds are found in various parts of the world - Spotted Catbird, Green Catbird, White-eared Catbird, Tooth-billed Catbird, Gray Catbird, Black Catbird, and Abyssinian Catbird.











Doves

Doves are smaller than pigeons and have a longer tail in appearance. Doves are found throughout the world and these are also a symbol of romance as well as peace. They feed on fruits, plants, and seeds to survive. There are different species of doves found - Dwarf Fruit Dove, Eared Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Laughing Dove, Whistling Dove, Caroline Ground-dove, Grenada Dove, Black-banded Fruit Dove, Moreno's Ground Dove, Rock Dove, Atoll Fruit Dove, Orange Dove, Socorro Dove, Polynesian Ground Dove, and Ruddy Ground Dove.










Eastern Bluebirds

These are around 6½ inches in length. Such birds are found mainly in gardens, woodlands, and orchards with the arrival of spring. Male Eastern Bluebirds are bright blue on the upper half and have a white belly. Female Eastern Bluebirds have a grayish head with shades of blue as well. New York and Missouri have named this creature as their state bird.










Flamingos

These pink-bodied birds with a unique beak, are generally found in large colonies. The beaks are capable of eliminating mud and silt before they can eat their food. Flamingos can be found in many African countries, areas of Florida, and one particular type of species is found only in the Andean highlands. The various Flamingo species are - Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, American Flamingo, Andean Flamingo, James's Flamingo, and Chilean Flamingo.










Geese

There are 3 different types of geese found around the globe - grey geese (Anser), black geese (Branta), and white geese (Chen). Geese are medium to large in size and can be domesticated easily. There are many species of the same; most of which migrate to various places each year. This bird is vegetarian by nature, therefore not a favorite when it comes to farmers trying to protect their crops.










Herons

Herons have a slight resemblance to storks, spoonbills, etc. These are also known as egrets or bitterns. These are generally found near wetlands. They feed on fish, insects, and other aquatic animals. There are about 64 different species of herons found in the world.












Kingfishers

There are over 90 various species of Kingfishers found in the woodland areas as well as wetlands, across the world. They are superb divers when it comes to catching fish in the rivers. Their pointed bills are what help them bag the catch. Kingfishers have superb eyesight whether they are in air or under water.











Magpies

This bird is considered to be a thief because it is known to steal young birds away from the nests. Such is the reputation of the magpie that it turned out to be the main culprit in the popular Tintin series, The Castafiore Emerald. There are many species of the same. These are self-reliant from their young age when it comes to hunting for their food.











Owls

Sleep by the day, awake through the night; these hunt in the night for insects, rats, hares, certain fish, and other birds. There are many varieties of owls and many of these are found all over except for regions of Antarctica and remote islands. Although, they can be divided up into 2 distinct families - Strigidae and Tytonidae. The unique feature of owls is that it can rotate its head in any direction.










Penguins

Penguins are found in the Southern hemisphere; most Antarctica. The Emperor Penguin is the largest of these species. These are aquatic birds, which cannot fly. There a few species that are found in the temperate zone, like the Galápagos Penguins, as well. The most fascinating quality about penguins is that they tend to live half of their lives in the chilly waters of the ocean and the other half on icy land.










Peafowls

The Peafowl includes two species of birds. The male is called the peacock and the female, a peahen. In India, the peacock enjoys the position of a national bird and is most admired for its attractive tail, which is displayed during the courtship period. They mostly feed on flower petals, seeds, insects, reptiles, and certain parts of plants.









Quails

Quails belong to the pheasant family. These are medium-sized and feed mainly on seeds and insects. Certain species of quail are hunted in the wild or on farms, raised to be cooked, or even produce eggs.













Roadrunners

Roadrunners are generally found in the deserts of Southwestern United States, Central America and Mexico. Such birds feed largely on insects and lead either a solitary life or in pairs. There are two different species of roadrunners found - Greater Roadrunner and Lesser Roadrunner. They feed on insects, certain reptiles, rodents, fruits, seeds, and small mammals.










Sparrows

Sparrows are plump and have powerful beaks. These include seeds and insects in their diet. These like to dust bathe. For this, they will dig a little bit of earth with their feet, lie on the dirt, and fling it around. This way, dust falls on their bodies and wings. They also like to do the same in water.











Toucans

Toucans have a very colorful and large bill, which is the most distinguishing factor of these birds. These are brightly colored, flamboyant birds. These eat fruits but can also include insects in their diet as well. Such birds are non migratory and nest in tree holes.












Vultures

Vultures are easily distinguished because of their bald head and brown bodies. These are scavengers and generally kill only the wounded or sick animals. They tend to wait for another carnivore or scavenger to eat the carcass first, and then make its move when possible.











Woodpeckers

The woodpecker probably got its name because of the tapping sound it creates when it pecks on the tree trunks. This method is used as means of communication as well as to find insects in the tree trunk.









There are many beautiful and attractive birds, such as parrots, hornbills, cranes, weavers, ostriches, emus, swans, ducks, swallows, etc., one can see in nature apart from these. These are better off in their natural surrounding, so if you think you can have it as a pet, you need to think again! These would prefer to have their own freedom rather being cooped up in a cage. Observe and enjoy their presence, but from a distance!

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Did You Know that You Can Find the Perfect Cat at the Shelter?


There are advantages to adopting from a shelter, and saving money is one of them. Adult pets are usually spayed or neutered before they’re made available for adoption, and that’s a savings right there. The cats you see at the shelter have also usually been vet-checked, vaccinated and, in some shelters, evaluated for temperament before you meet them. In many shelters you’ll find staff members and volunteers who are familiar with each cat’s personality and can tell you which are lap-sitters, which are playful, which like kids and dogs, and which would prefer adults.

Another plus to the shelter is the variety of cats you can find: Longhaired, shorthaired, tabby, calico and sometimes even pedigreed cats, especially popular breeds such as Siamese and Persian. Yes, that’s right: If you’ve always dreamed of having a chatty Siamese, you may be able to find one in a shelter, especially if you broaden your search by using Petfinder.

Want more reasons to adopt from a shelter? Many shelter cats are already familiar with home life, because that's where they came from, often ending up in a shelter through no fault of their own, especially in this economy. They may be cool around kids or dogs, and they probably know the litter box routine. I’m no fan of declawing, but if you believe you must have a cat who is declawed, there’s a good chance you can find one at a shelter. I’d rather see you adopt a cat who has already been declawed if that's what you want, and they're out there!

Before you go to the shelter, get a picture in your head of what you want in a cat. Lap-sitter or lively? Outgoing or introverted? Chatty or quiet? Some shelters start with adoption counseling first, then introduce you to the cats who are the best matches. Other shelters give you a chance to look the cats over and visit with them first, then help you choose the one cat who’s right for you.

Choosing on Your Own
At a shelter that doesn’t offer adoption counseling? Look beyond the cute and think of the home you’re providing. If yours is a three-ring circus with boisterous children and lots of other animals, you’ll want to consider those bold, friendly cats who seem to be handling the shelter environment well. If you have a quiet home, look to the shy cats who may just need time to relax and look around in a new home. That cat can also be a good choice if you enjoy the feline presence but would prefer not to have one who’s “in your face” all the time.

Most important, look past appearance and "see" with your heart what's really there. Behind the plain-vanilla exterior of a cat who has been overlooked by many, you may discover a sweet pet with the perfect personality. Those cats are the keepers, no matter what they look like.

Which leads me to the best reason of all for adopting a cat from a shelter: that warm, fuzzy, tingly glow you get from giving a home to a cat in need and hearing him purr as he settles into his new digs,  after you get your veterinarian to check him over, of course!

                                                                                                    Persian


                                                                                                       Calico


                                                                                            Siamese


                                                                                              Tabby

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This Rescued Pit Bull's Transformation Will Renew Your Faith in Second Chances



A new viral video that has earned nearly 700,000 views since it was posted two weeks ago tells the moving story of Gideon, a sick Pit Bull whose joyful personality was revealed after he was rescued by the Bill Foundation in Los Angeles.

The sweet dog was living in an abandoned lot, terrified and in pain when rescuers arrived to help him in December. The foundation’s Annie Hart captured the rescue on video as two of her partners worked for three hours to gain Gideon’s trust with pieces of hamburger.

Finally, he was willing to go with them.

Hart told the Huffington Post that Gideon was “by far one of the sickest dogs" she'd ever seen. He was suffering from lacerations and bacterial and fungal infections, and he was starving.

Gideon had a microchip, but his registered owners told the microchip company they didn’t want the dog anymore, Hart said. The rescuers immediately brought him to the Animal Wellness Centers in L.A., which covered his expensive treatment.

Three months later, Gideon seems almost unrecognizable. "His beautiful spirit blossomed while his body healed," Hart said.

For now, Gideon is living with a foster family and looking for the right person to adopt him.

To apply to adopt Gideon, you can visit the Animal Wellness Foundation.






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Cosmetics Giant L'Oreal has Severed Ties with the Belgian World Cup Fan Whose Good Looks Swept the Internet After Controversy Over Her Hunting Trip Photographs


Cosmetics giant L'Oreal has severed ties with the Belgian World Cup fan who won a modelling contract after being spotted in the crowd after it emerged she is a fan of big game hunting.

Axelle Despiegelaere, 17, caught the world's attention after being photographed cheering on her national team in the Group H match against Russia - with the image widely shared online.

But L'Oreal has confirmed that the modelling contract it awarded her as a result of her new-found fame has already been cancelled after a photo emerged of the teenager posing with a rifle and a dead animal in Africa.


Discovered: 17-year-old Axelle Despiegelaere won a contract to model for L'Oreal after this image of her at the World Cup went viral. But after photographs of her hunting emerged, the cosmetics firm ended the relationship.


                                Axelle Despiegelaere pictured with a rifle and an animal while on a hunting trip in Africa


As a result of her appearance during the World Cup, Despiegelaere landed a contract to star in a L’Oréal Professionnel Belgique social media campaign, including a 'hair tutorial' video.

But within days of the announcement it emerged she is a fan of big game hunting, with a photograph her Facebook page showing her posing with a rifle and the bloodied corpse of a large Gemsbok antelope.

The image was reportedly accompanied with the caption: "Hunting is not a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that."

Now L'Oreal - which is keen to promote itself as sympathetic to animal welfare concerns - has decided to end its association with Despiegelaer.

Speaking to The Independent, the cosmetics giant said: "L’Oréal Professionnel Belgium collaborated with her on an ad hoc basis to produce a video for social media use in Belgium. The contract has now been completed."


World Cup winner: The photos of Axelle cheering on her team at the Group H game against Russia helped launch her career



Well-liked: After returning home to Belgium, Axelle set up a professional Facebook which has now been 'liked' over 200,000 times.

The L'Oreal spokesperson added that, although the brand was aware of the photograph of the hunting trip, it would not comment on whether it led to the decision to sever ties with Despiegelaere.

They were keen to stress, however, that L'Oréal "no longer tests on animals, anywhere in the world, and does not delegate this task to others."

L'Oreal has long promoted itself as sensitive to animal welfare concerns.

In 2012 the company donated $1.2million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help improve the testing of safe chemicals.

In the photo which scored Despiegelaere her modelling contract she doned red, yellow and black face paint and a horned hat.



              Belgian beauty: The pictures of Axelle quickly went viral and appeared in newspapers around the world.




On Tuesday, Axelle announced that she had accepted a contract to model for L'Oreal. Now, three days later, that contract has been cancelled.

The pictures of happy Despiegelaere quickly went viral and appeared in newspapers across the world, launching her new career.

After returning home to Belgium, Despiegelaere set up a professional Facebook page which now has over 200,000 'likes'.

On Tuesday, she announced her decision to accept a contract modeling for L'Oreal and even posted a video of her trying out their hair products.

While Despiegelaere may have come out a winner in this year's World Cup, her national team was not so lucky.

After escaping Group H, Belgium went on to beat the U.S. before being defeated by Argentina.

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Friday, July 11, 2014

Ever Wonder Why You Are Asked So Many Questions When Adopting a Dog?


If you have tried to adopt a dog, you know what I'm talking about. Dog Rescues - so many in-depth, personal questions; just to adopt a dog! For goodness sake - do they really need all of that information?

After all - aren't these homeless dogs? Wouldn't any owner be better than being a dog, lamenting in rescue? Than being homeless??

Nope - as a matter of fact, those questions and in-depth applications have a purpose. The individuals who run these rescues have seen quite a bit of dog stuff in their day. They have seen the circumstances that brought these dogs into rescue in the first place.

There are a few "real" cases where a dog needs the help of a rescue because the owner has died or fallen gravely ill (please see the article "cancer leaves 2 dogs without an owner"), but the majority of dogs in rescues are there because they had owners who did things all wrong.

So, why does the application ask the names and ages of those in the household? Because they need to know if there are kids in the house that might be at risk if an inappropriate dog is placed in the home.

Why does the application ask you where the dog will be at night, or while you are away? Because many of the dogs in rescue are there because a prior owner had to get rid of them after neighbors complained about constant barking.

Why does the dog rescue care about training? Really, if it is your dog, shouldn't training (or not training) be your decision? Nope. Many of the dogs in rescues are there because nobody took the time to train them.

The dogs become unruly, hard to own and guess what? Dumped at a shelter or in a rescue. The dogs become somebody else's problem. Unfortunately, at that point, they are often out of control and require considerable work to even become adoptable.

Why should the rescue know about your prior dog-ownership? Is it really their business? Yep. If you had a couple of dogs that you got rid of after they peed in the house, or because you were having a baby, or god forbid - moving, the rescue needs to know.

You see, rescues would not function if dogs were not re-homed. There would be no need for organizations to exist if all owners kept their dogs, no matter what. If all owners altered their dogs and prevented unwanted litters of puppies. If all owners kept their dogs safely indoors, instead of out in a kennel or yard where they might bark, or even get out of a yard and possibly injure someone or something.

The questions on the application (and if you're lucky enough to get that far, those asked of you in a phone interview) have been designed to weed out the bad owners. Is the system perfect? No. Nothing is perfect. However, the situations that the rescue organizations have encountered through the years has given them a pretty good idea of what to ask in order to find exceptional homes for the dogs.

Why are exceptional homes needed? So these dogs do not end up without an owner again. So the dogs don't end up at a shelter where they might be euthanized. The rescues aren't able to take in every dog that needs a place to go. Too many dogs are in danger at the shelters.

So the next time you are looking to adopt, be prepared to complete a lengthy adoption application and to spend some time chatting on the phone with a volunteer. Don't be offended or annoyed - be thankful that those rescue-minded individuals care enough about the dogs in their care to ask the questions that need to be asked.

Rescue organizations find some phenomenal homes - amazing people are out there. That being said, so many of the dogs in rescue are amazing too. They are worth the time and effort and they deserve the exceptional home. They deserve a home that will keep them until the end of their days.

And a final note - a bad owner is not better than getting a dog "out" of rescue. Getting out of rescue, only to be left in a kennel for 10 hours a day or chained in a yard is not better than sitting in rescue. Those "sitting" dogs will eventually get adopted and the new owner will not be keeping them in a bad situation.

Please adopt. Please alter your pets. Please own responsibly.


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Meet Fancy, A Sweet Adorable 2-Year-Old Blue Pit Bull Looking for a Forever Home - Do You Have Room in Your Heart and in Your Home for Her? Please Read Her Story! (Pictures)


On June 13, 2014, my husband and I found a dog lying in the street by our home. She looked dehydrated, hungry and her skin looked to have some type of rash, and her stomach was red and raw.

I immediately called animal control while my husband began directing traffic around her, to make sure that no one hit her. We stayed outside with her until animal control arrived.

I have been in constant contact with the shelter checking on her, and getting good reports.

The shelter staff who named her Fancy, told me that she had mange, and received treatment, and is doing well. I was also told that she is a sweet lovable little tail-wagging girl!

In Prince George's County, Maryland, where I live, it is illegal to own a pit bull. She has been at the shelter for almost a month now.  Shelter rules are that pit bulls are not adoptable straight from the shelter. They must be picked up by a rescue first, and then put up for adoption.

Her current location:

Prince George's County Animal Shelter
3750 Brown Station Rd
Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 20772
(301) 780-7201
Name: Fancy
ID #A407542
Age: Approximately 2 years old
Sex: Female
Breed: Blue Pit Bull
Altered: Not yet, but will be when adopted.

I now have a rescuer for her, and she can be adopted.

If you are interested in adopting Fancy:

1)  You must put in an application for her and be approved.
2)  You MUST be able to pick her up immediately, the same day of spay.
3)  You will pay the $15 for microchipping.
4)   I will pay the $125 to have her spayed.

If you adopt Fancy, I would love to feature you/your family in a story on my blog, The Pet Tree House.  I would like for you to send me videos/pictures, and the story that you would like posted.

I may not have covered everything here, so please contact: Peggy Castle on facebook for more information.

One additional thing…you must have plenty of love to give Fancy!

Please take a look at her pictures:

This is Fancy, two days after we found her...
                                                                ...look at her now!















Please Share Fancy!

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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Venus the Amazing Chimera Cat with a Two-Toned Face and Different Colored Eyes - Becomes Internet Sensation!


Venus the Amazing Chimera cat has a two-toned face with different colored eyes.

The cat and her owner, Christina, appeared on Fox and Friends this morning. Since she's an Internet sensation, fans of the "two-faced" feline can actually buy a plush toy of Venus.

Her owner explained that she and her husband fell in love with Venus after coming across a picture on Facebook. Venus had been a stray and was living on a North Carolina dairy farm.

One of the theories behind the striking look is that Venus is her own twin. Christina said she has not taken Venus for DNA tests, adding she will only if it's medically necessary. And yes, Venus has a lot of fans, including more than 222,000 on her own Facebook page. She even posted a selfie from her New York City hotel after the interview.



The Two-Faced Cat, Venus Goes Viral by GeoBeats




On Facebook: Venus the amazing 'two-faced' cat
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venus-the-amazing-two-faced-cat/1499358613634057

From: Snopes.com
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/chimeracat.asp





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WARNING: PetSmart is Alerting its Customers About a Bacterial Disease Found in Parakeets at its Stores that can be Transmitted to Humans


PetSmart is alerting its customers about a bacterial disease found in parakeets at its stores that can be transmitted to humans, but one suburban Chicago family says their warning came too late.

The store has confirmed several cases of psittacosis, also known as parrot flu. When the bacterial infection is transferred to humans -- in some cases through the bird's droppings -- victims may develop cold or flu-like symptoms similar to a respiratory illness usually within one to two weeks after exposure to an infected bird.

The retailer says the infected birds have been traced to a single supplier and are asking anyone who purchased a parakeet from one of their stores between March 12 and May 20 to check their bird for illness.

The birds have been pulled from more than 500 of the retailer's stores.

New Lenox resident Wendi O'Brien bought a parakeet at an Orland Hills PetSmart in April. She learned about the sick birds after visiting the store to buy another on Tuesday night, and went she got home, her daughter discovered their pet was dead.

"The parakeet was chirping before we left. We had dinner at grandma's and we got home 9 o'clock and she started crying and brought the bird," O'Brien said.

O'Brien is upset because she says the store didn't notify them about the problem with the parakeets, and her bird had been flying around the house and exposed to elderly people and children at a birthday and graduation party.

"I am a perks member, so I should have gotten that email," O'Brien said. "I would've taken more precautions. I would've taken the bird back, had him quarantined. I wouldn't have let our 8-year-old daughter clean his cage."

PetSmart officials says a letter was sent out June 11 to customers who bought parakeets during the pertinent time period.

But now O'Brien says she's worried because she and two other family members have been suffering from respiratory problems.

"I just wish they were more proactive prior to so that so I could've avoided this so I didn't need to have this health scare," O'Brien said.

PetSmart is encouraging anyone with a dead or sick bird to call the store so they can take it to an avian veterinarian for testing.

Birds with psittacosis may appear to be drowsy or depressed, eat poorly and have runny eyes and noses. They may also sneeze, cough, have ruffled feathers or shiver. The bird's droppings will often be watery.

Humans showing symptoms are urged to see a physician.

PetSmart officials say 16 cases of psittacosis have been confirmed at its stores across the country.


Video:





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