A Potpourri of Useful Information for Pet Owners
INVITATION. Rep. David Millard, a member of the House Agriculture Committee who is debating the proposal to revise the dog law, told me recently that he intended to visit area kennels personally to check on conditions. If you are a local kennel owner, invite him to do so. Show him how dogs live in his district. I especially urge rescues and foster homes to extend invitations to Millard. And, while you have the opportunity suggest that the caging at the Fair Building Dog Show be an example for the rest of the state and all dog lovers. It should be an example of what kindness and care mean. The crating in this building should be a benchmark. I understand Millard has been accorded the very rare honor of an invitation to present the Best In Show Ribbon at the July American Kennel Club Lackawanna cluster.
While the AVMA still opposes traditional steel-jawed leghold traps, its policy now reflects the new trap designs and the need to capture animals in order to manage wildlife populations.
Also, veterinarians are now considering OCD as behavior in animals as well as in the behavior of people.
New research indicates a growing trend in pet ownership. Childless working older couples and retired older couples are among the groups increasingly likely to own pets. This was formerly exclusively a trend among young couples. Rescues and shelters must take this need into consideration when re-homing pets. The older pet with social skills could be the dog or cat in demand rather than a puppy or kitten. Trainers and training classes will be vital in making sure that these needs are met. Perhaps adoptathons will become Ashow and go obedience/canine good citizen show cases”.
ECONOMIC COSTS OF PET FOOD RECALL
Pet food recall costs are estimated to be approximately $54 million. Among the larger food manufacturers and retailers affected were: Del Monte, Proctor and Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Nestle and Mars, Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway, Petco and Petsmart. It is not known how much the local Del-Monte plant was affected in dollars and cents. It is one of the largest plants owned and operated by Del-Monte.
ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION
The American Humane Association (AHA) has formed a Human Animal Bond division to complement the Animal Protection Division and the Children=s Division. The focus of this endeavor is to highlight pets and women=s shelters by promoting and providing shelter for the pets of victims of domestic violence. The division will also include animal-assisted teams, educating health professionals on the use of therapy animals and exploring the links between violence toward people and violence toward animals. The AHA was the first organization to work with the American Red Cross in helping animals in disasters.
THE LITERARY DOG
The most recent Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) has a review of a book titled Small Animal Nerd Book. In the most recent MODERN DOG, advertisements for agility equipment from Toys-R-Us ! Also, Nutrience, a pet food made with North American-sourced ingredients; PUP-GRASS, a synthetic grass built for dogs; and Royal Canin, which has a weight reduction diet for medium-sized dogs (like Cocker Spaniels) . The cashew-shaped kibble supposedly also helps prevent cataracts and dental plaque!