Have You Ever Lost A Pet?
Leslie Poole, Pet FBI

It happens to the best of us. Your cat or dog makes a dash for the door and suddenly you find yourself posting "Lost Pet" signs throughout the neighborhood. The Executive Director of Pet FBI, Leslie Poole, will share tips to ensure a fast and happy reunion with your pet.

Pet FBI helps find lost and found pets. They've been in business for 20 years and have a huge national database, along with the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. So it covers the whole country. They are probably one of the best lost and found databases anywhere on the Internet. Founder Marissa Fanelli started Pet FBI 20 years ago and it was one of the first web based lost and found services around. They are volunteer run and they are always 100-percent free to use. Anybody can go onto their website and log a lost report if they've lost their pet. You can also post a found report if you find a pet. They also have all kinds of resources online on what to do if you've lost your pet and a huge searchable database so you can go through and see all of their listings.

So what is the first thing we should do if we lose a pet? What if our cats either sneak through the door or our dog finds a hole in the fence? What should we be focusing on when that happens?

Leslie Poole explains that that is the worst feeling and they have very explicit directions on their website. They have checklists of things to do and it's different depending on whether you've lost a dog or a cat. Some of the first things they say is that before you lose your pet, microchip them. Also make sure that they have a collar with an ID tag that has your phone number. If you do microchip your pet, make sure the microchip information with your address is up to date. Unfortunately there are only about six out of 10 microchips that are actually registered with current contact information. So it doesn't do you any good if that microchip is not registered with current information. Do these things first before you lose your pet. Then hopefully you never have to take advantage of their services.

Another thing they always say is you've lost your pet, put their bedding outside. Put out something that smells like them. Put some food outside. For cats, if you can safely leave a door cracked open a little bit, like a garage door, they can sneak back in.

Then go online and fill out your lost pet report on Pet FBI. Call your microchip company and report it to the microchip company so they know your pet is lost if somebody calls in. Again, make sure that information is current. If you haven't updated your pet's information, call them and update it as soon as you can.

Also, walk around your neighborhood. One of the first instincts you might have is to run outside shouting for your pet and maybe shaking a treat bag while calling their name. That's probably the worst thing you can do. Don't chase and don't yell. Just think if you were a dog that was displaced or running freely. Then all of a sudden there are people running after you and yelling. This will just make you run faster because these people are after you. Also, if you chase a pet, you may accidentally run them out of a safe area and into an unsafe area, like out into traffic. So you want to be very careful to not chase your pet and scare them. The same goes for cats. Cats generally hunker down somewhere close to you. Cats are great at going under bushes, under decks and into sheds and they usually stay pretty close to home.

Dr. Debbie says that as a veterinarian, she often find that lost pets are picked up by people in the nearby area. So she suggests scouting the neighborhood and making a physical presence. Put up signs and let local veterinarians and animal caretakers in the area know what your pet looks like.

Sometimes people might even think that your pet doesn't look like he wasn't loved and taken care of, so they may take them to a vet for a checkup and tell the vet that this is their new dog that they just rescued. A lost animal can look dirty after only being lost for maybe a day or two. So people then assume that maybe that dog doesn't have an owner or the cat doesn't have an owner. If you already have those visuals out, it helps to prevent that kind of thing from happening.

Leslie says they do recommend putting up flyers and also going door to door and handing them out with your contact information. And, she says you should not only post your information on their database, but all of the social media sites you can find. These include Craigslist and Nextdoor. There are lots of community bulletin boards to get that information out.

Pet FBI has helped to reunite ferrets, goats, iguanas and tortoises, as well as cats and dogs. Leslie tells us a story about a tortoise was funny. She said she could just vision this tortoise making a break for the open gate. The tortoise in this case was a giant tortoise that went missing. The owner immediately got onto Pet FBI and filed their lost pet report. The owner then received a call from the local police department. It turned out somebody called the police to say they were stuck in the road with a giant turtle blocking their path. The dispatcher then goes online to the Pet FBI website and finds the missing report and contacts the owner. A police officer goes to the scene, the owner shows up and they load the tortoise back into the car. The owner then went back to track the actual path of the tortoise. The tortoise was missing about 36 hours and traveled more than two miles. Tortoises usually sleep at night, so maybe the tortoise really only had a good 12 hours of travel time to go two miles. Leslie thought that was pretty impressive that a tortoise could move that fast!

Another story Leslie tells us one that just happened last year. A gentleman was driving and this little puppy darted out in front of him. Thankfully he was able to swerve and he missed the dog. He was then able to coax the dog into his car. He took the dog to the shelter and also filed a found report on Pet FBI. A woman was looking at found pets and she sees this report. She thinks to herself, well, that actually looks like my father's dog. However, her father had passed away two years earlier and his dog went missing right around the same time that he passed away. So she figured the chances are pretty slim. However, she went to the shelter anyway and checked and sure enough it was her father's dog. She has no idea where this dog had been for two years. But what a wonderful thing for this woman to have that piece of her father's life back after he had been gone for two years.

Pet FBI is a nonprofit organization. They are funded completely by donations. Leslie tells us that they have wonderful supporters out there who feel grateful for the service that they provide and give them donations. However, like most non-profits, they are always looking for donations and help.

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Snowcats Convention Scheduled For The Rocky 'Meowtain' Region
Brandon Zavala, Apollo Peak

No stranger to Animal Radio, cat crazy Brandon Zavala tells us his plans for an incredible convention of cat lovers and famous kitties. The Snowcat Convention will be a 2-day event celebrating the splendor of cats and the humans that love them.

Snowcats, the Ultimate Cat Lovers Convention is Pouncing Its Way to Denver on December 8th & 9th. The Convention is a 2-day event celebrating the splendor of cats and the humans that love them. Snowcats is the first cat convention in Denver and the first in this part of the country. This is a really exciting time for all cat lovers in the area.

Brandon Zavala, Founder and Lead Cat at Snowcats Convention, tells us that they have a lot of stuff going on at this convention and are separating themselves from all the others across the country. They are really focusing on music and cats as well as artwork. They are actually going to have some live concerts and will have Moshow, the Cat Rapper, as a headliner for the event.

There will also be many Meet & Greets with famous cats, including Baloo, the adventure cat who's a pretty famous cat in Colorado. You may know him from Instagram for Henry the Colorado dog, who is a hiking dog out in Colorado. They are a hiking pair. They will also have Lil Bub and the Kitten Lady

The convention will also include some fun games and a lot of fun stuff as well as a full bar, with 'Meowmosas' and 'Meowgaritas.' There will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Then there's the Catchelor Auction. You will find the finest cat men to be auctioned off in the name of charity. They haven't started taking names for the auction yet, but they will be releasing that information soon. Brandon explains that it will be a little bit different than what most auctions are in general. They're going to have several Catchelors walk around the venue looking for donations and the individual with the most donations is the one who's going to win. The winner will then get their choice out of their top donations from the women or men who choose them at the event.

Brandon Zavala has always been a big cat lover and you might remember him from Apollo Peaks Cat and Dog Wine. He explains that the pet wine business is doing well and he's still getting cats and dogs drunk around the country and the world as well. (Of course, we just want to mention there is no alcohol in his pet wines!)

Starting a cat convention is of the things that Brandon always wanted to do at some point in his life. He said it took several years of busyness with Apollo Peak pet cat wine venture for him to finally step out and say, "I'm going to take some time and actually focus on this event." He said it's been about two years in the making. He's been putting a lot of time in it recently just to get it moving forward. However, he really didn't push the button until about January or February of this year. He's very excited to get started with it and also to kind of get started with several other events across the country too. So this is just the beginning for him.

Brandon is hoping that the Snowcats Convention will be an annual event in Denver. He's also looking at different locations across the country to open up several different types of Snowcats' type themes. Perhaps even a Suncats Convention in a southwest city yet to be determined.

Brandon tells us he's always been excited about doing events that bring cat people together. This is because, and you might understand this too if you're a cat person, a lot of cat people kind of stay inside. They don't really go out as much and so when there is an occasion or an event that cat people can go to and meet other cat lovers, it's just so much fun to get out there and enjoy some time together!

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Don't Stuff Your Pet With Thanksgiving Leftovers - Dr. Debbie

Thanksgiving is all about enjoying time together - family, friends and great food. In many households the family pet may also sample a taste from the holiday table; a morsel of turkey breast for Tabby or a side of fixings for Fido. Tuned in to those enticing smells, our pets know how to manipulate us with a flutter of sad puppy dog eyes or incessant meowing.

Sharing these Thanksgiving goodies with our pets can put their health in jeopardy, but many of us do it. Over 60-percent of pet owners confess to sharing their holiday meal with their pets, but that doesn't make it wise.

Here's Why
Dogs' and cats' digestive systems thrive on a stable, consistent diet. Toss in a few leftovers and your pet will respond with a thankful tail wag, but it could leave him with gastroenteritis and leave you with vomit and diarrhea messes sprinkled about the house.

Sharing Thanksgiving leftovers can risk more than just an upset belly though. Feeding human food to our pets can trigger pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that results in release of digestive enzymes into the abdomen. Pets with pancreatitis develop vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and abdominal pain, often demonstrated by a hunched abdomen. Pancreatitis is painful and life-threatening and may result in bleeding disorders or heart arrhythmias. Treatment for pancreatitis includes hospitalization, intravenous fluids, pain medications and anti-nausea medications.

Pancreatitis risk is greatest in obese pets or those that ingest especially fatty foods like greasy meat trimmings, sauces and other rich side dishes. Be especially cautious with Schnauzers, who have an increased risk of pancreatitis due to breed predisposition.

Thinking of handing that turkey bone to your dog? Fugettaboutit! Any bones even cooked bones have the potential to splinter, damage the digestive tract, or cause an intestinal obstruction. Bone chewing also leads to damaged, chipped teeth, which may require root canal surgery or surgical removal. You are better off to just brush those pearly whites than risk tooth pain and a costly dental procedure.

If you are looking for a safer way to include your pets in the holiday cheer, have a handful of pet treats on the ready. Better to stick with snacks you are certain will agree with your pet's digestive system. But if you must look on the table for your pet's treat, offer a small amount of white turkey meat without the skin or bones. Skip the sides, sauces and deserts. And be wary foods that are toxic to pets such as raisins, grapes, onions, macadamia nuts and chocolate.

After the meal is done, do a thorough cleanup and discard the turkey bones in a secure, outdoor garbage can away from pet access. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or where pets cannot reach them. Keep on the watch for the curious pets with a nose for trouble. Pets will ingest the turkey string, foils and any items with juices dripped on them.

Being thankful for your pets doesn't mean you have to stuff them with leftovers. Veterinary clinics across the country see a surge in sick pets every year after Thanksgiving. Be informed about Thanksgiving dangers and you'll avoid that unwanted emergency room visit this holiday.

Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend." Dr. Debbie's books.

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Animal Radio News - Lori Brooks

Study Reveals Pet Can Tell Time
Are you taking your sweet time when getting your pet's meals ready? Fluffy and Fido are on to you and they can tell when you are dawdling. A new study from Northwestern University has found some of the clearest evidence yet that animals can judge time. By examining the brain's medial entorhinal cortex (where information enters the hippocampus), the researchers discovered a previously unknown set of neurons that turn on like a clock when an animal is waiting. These "timing cells" did not fire during active running only during rest. It shows that not only are the cells active during rest, but they actually encode how much time the animal has been resting or waiting. The implication of the study expands well beyond your hungry dog. Now that researchers have found these new time-encoding neurons, they can study how neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's might affect this set of cells, because the entorhinal cortex is one of the first brain regions affected by the disease. The research was published online in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Feed Your Pup Remotely
There's a new computerized feeder on the market called The Wagz Smart Serve Feeder. The maker says is the only automatic dog feeder that delivers the right nutrition at the right time while keeping you remotely connected to your pup. When connected with the smart collar, it allows you to automate mealtime based on activity levels, eliminating concerns of overeating with intelligent serving technology that allows pet owners to control mealtimes from your smartphone. It can be loaded with any food, but also accepts new Whello smart food boxes that easily snap into the feeder, a premium quality dog food that has adopted a "Keurig-like" food delivery system with stay fresh food cartridges that snap directly into the feeder to eliminate food waste and hassle. It offers a built-in replenishment system that monitors and detects when food levels are low, then automatically reorders food to be shipped to you. The Wagz Smart Serve Feeder sells for about $200.

$100 An Hour Petting Puppies
Mutts Canine Cantina, which opened its first location in Dallas, Texas, was looking for its first-ever "MUTTS Puptern" for their new location. The position pays $100 an hour to pet puppies at their new Fort Worth, Texas location. Qualified applicants had to post a photo or video that showed their puppy petting skills and why they're the best fit for the position.

4-Legged Therapist
At an innovative substance abuse program in San Francisco, a friendly Labrador retriever named Cassie is often cited as the "favorite therapist" on client feedback forms. What makes this remarkable is the fact that Cassie is a trained narcotics detection dog who works to keep people struggling with addiction on the path to recovery. Cassie was actually rejected by police to be a narcotics dog, but has found her new calling at Remedy Recovery, a medication-assisted program. Although they use a variety of standard FDA medications, they have pioneered the use of cannabis as an "exit drug" to reduce or eliminate opiate use. Cassie was trained to work at an all-day job at the typical places that narcotics detection dogs work, but as the runt of the litter, she wasn't attracting any interest from airports and customs agencies. Now, she acts as a therapy dog (and a pet) with residential patients and in-group sessions and can switch into her detection role when necessary. Management at the center says Cassie is particularly helpful to the men in the program, because men generally don't respond as well as women to group therapy. Cassie gives men another form of therapy assistance.

Make Your Pet A Star
If you've already begun your holiday shopping and have a pet lover on your list, here's an idea for a gift that they probably don't already have, a Petlandia Personalized Story Book. Make any pet the star of a personalized, custom storybook. Using a simple online tool at Petlandia.com, you can create an adorable lookalike of any dog or cat in just a few clicks. The likeness of the pet then stars in its very own 36-page personalized storybook, which sells for $30.

Lone Exotic Duck Can Stay in Central Park
There is a lone exotic Mandarin duck in New York's Central Park. No one has any clue how it got there, but people from all over the country have been flocking to the park to see the duck. Now, parks and wildlife officials in New York say it will be left alone to live its life in the park. The super colorful duck was first spotted late last month and it was thought it would be captured for its own safety. However, a Park Ranger says that after a few days of observation it's believed the duck is comfortable living in Central Park. It appears healthy, able to fly, find feed and it seems to be social with the other waterfowl in the park.

Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#990)