January 20, 2007

Earl Holliman
Actors and Others for Animals
Earl Holliman, star of stage, screen, and animal fund-raisers has been president of Actors and Others for Animals for over 25 years. Actors and Others for Animals is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of the human treatment of animals. Their main mission is to curb the pet overpopulation problem by subsidizing spay/neuter surgeries. Together with other vital services, they are there to help pet guardians living on a low and/or fixed income care for their beloved companions. Earl Holliman currently lives in Los Angeles with his two dogs and 10 cats.
http://www.ActorsAndOthers.com

Microchips
Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary News Network
A national animal companion organization voices opposition to a microchip rule that would endanger the lives of millions of American pets.

The Microchip Advisory Council for Animals has voiced opposition to a proposed rule by the USDA that would require the use of a microchip that is incompatible with the system now used in the United States. This could adversely affects millions of American pets that have been microchipped or will be microchipped in the future.

The tiny rice sized microchip is used in millions of pets and horses and can save the life of an animal that has been lost or misplaced after a disaster, or one that simply wanders away from home. Many shelters and rescue organizations microchip 100% of the pets adopted and thousands of veterinarians offer this service to their clients. More than 1,200 calls a day are placed by veterinarian hospitals, humane societies and rescuers who are looking for a microchip number to reunite pets with their owners. Microchip numbers are maintained in pet recovery databases that work together to provide the information necessary for animal care providers to quickly reunite lost or displaced pets with families 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The identification system has grown rapidly since 1996 when microchip manufacturers complied with compatibility requests from veterinary and shelter organizations. Since that time, scanners used in recovery efforts have been able to read all chips made in America regardless of the manufacturer.
http://www.VetNewsNet.com

The $2,000 Hamster
Britt Savage
We all know at times that pets can be expensive, but a $2,000 hamster? A family was on a road trip with their hamster when they noticed he was missing. After a thorough search, the saddened family thought that the hamster had simply escaped from the car.

Miles later, when the car was taken to a mechanic to find out why the car wouldn't start, the mechanic found that the hamster had not only chewed it's way through the seats, but had also done a great damage to the wiring.

Even though the repairs were about $2,000, the family was relieved to have their hamster back.

Have a Heart for Chained Dogs
Tammy Grimes, Dogs Deserve Better
Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit working to bring dogs into the home and family, has designated February 7-14th "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week," and has set a goal of 8,000 Valentines to be delivered to chained and penned dogs in its fifth year running the program. DDB is seeking students, groups, and individuals to participate by creating Valentines for the chained dogs and mailing them to the organization's headquarters in Tipton, Pennsylvania.

The group is raising awareness for chained and penned dogs in a positive way...by delivering Valentines, a brochure and a treat coupon to dogs living outside all over the U.S. and into Canada. In the 2006 "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs" campaign the group delivered 5277 Valentines to chained or penned dogs.

Valentines are needed at the Dogs Deserve Better headquarters in Tipton, PA by February 5th. The group is also seeking coupons for free or low-cost dog treats to include with their packets. To participate by creating Valentines or mailing coupons, send them to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684. Interested parties may e-mail info@dogsdeservebetter.org, or call 814.941.7447 for further details.
http://www.DogsDeserveBetter.org

Do Cats Get IBS?
Dr. Michelle Gaspar, Board Certified Feline Specialist
While cats don't necessarily get IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) like humans, they do get something similar called inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Gaspar explains some of the ailments that may affect a cat's digestive system. A cat experiencing stomach problems may exhibit signs such as being itchy around the face and the upper 1/3 of the body, waxy ears, and they may lick their abdomen where the problem is located. Part of their problem is the diet we are feeding them. Cats originally ate things that either "ran,' "flew," or "crawled."

If you cat is experiencing stomach ailments, check with your vet for diagnostic tests. First, try getting a GI panel done. There is also an intestinal biopsy, which is pretty invasive, and then there is a test with an endoscope, which is less invasive and should give you some results.
http://www.VeterinaryPartner.com

Talk With Your Animals
Joy Turner
Joy speaks with George, a tabby who is not using his litter box.
http://www.TalkWithYourAnimals.com
http://www.JoyTurner.com

Your Pet's Information in One Place
Peter Norback, Top Tag Pet ID
As you know, most pets never leave home. However, there are all-too-common situations where the primary care giver is not available and pets are placed at risk.

Top Tag Pet ID protects your pet more than any other pet tag by providing complete care information to friends, vets, kennels, pet sitters and rescuers who may be responsible for your pet's welfare and special needs.

With Top Tag you can easily write, organize, store and retrieve ALL of your pet's important care information.

And it only takes seconds to access Top Tag information on millions of Windows® desktop or laptop computers.

*Plugs Into USB Port on Desktop or Laptop Computers Running Windows®
*As Easy-to-Use as E-mail
*No Battery Required
*Durable Waterproof Case
*Full 1-Year Warranty
http://www.TopTagID.com

Pet Relocation Internet Scams
Anthony Denicker, Animals Away Pet Relocation
The Internet is full of pet relocation companies that ship pets and offer pet travel services. Many are designed to steal money from the unsuspecting with promises of puppies and baby monkeys from remote locations for only a few hundred dollars. "You need to take caution when selecting a pet relocation service," said Anthony Denicker of AnimalsAway.com.

"It is very important for consumers to research and verify experience and reliability when selecting a pet relocation services company," said Denicker, "Ask all the questions you can come up with and get specific details so you can feel comfortable with who handles your precious pets. Research pet relocation companies to confirm their service offerings, local and world office locations and clientele/referrals to ensure you are not misled by false claims."

And most importantly, make sure that they are an IPATA (Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International, Inc.,) Member.
http://www.AnimalsAway.com

Listen to the 1st Hour ABRIDGED VERSION Podcast of this show (#373).
Purchase a CD Copy of this Show

View Animal Radio Network® Broadcast Schedule in a new window.
Listen to Animal Radio® - Go to the launch page
Return to Animal Radio Network® Home Page
Read January Newsletter