December 31, 2005 - Happy New Years!!

Who Gets the Money?
Merritt Clifton, Animal People
Once a year Merritt Clifton, Anima People, does a watchdog report on major non-profit organizations in animal protection and animal habitat protection, which includes some of the big conservation groups, to see "Who gets the money," which is a financial report, sort of a financial page, on about 140 organizations. They also look at some of the leading opposition groups. Then in the spring, they update this with the Watchdog Report, which also adds program and policy information and comes out as a handbook. Who gets the money is a section of the Animal People Newspaper. You will be surprised at the six figures some of these CEO's take home! See transcript in newsletter.

Annemarie Lucas - Star of Animal Precinct
Annemarie Lucas is a Supervisory Special Investigator for Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). She has received training by both the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Annemarie is also the star of Animal Precinct. Unfortunately, Annemarie tells us that animal cruelty happens everyday all over the country. Find out who you can contact to stop this injustice, and even how you can become an animal investigator yourself.

Cell Phones for Your Pet?
Britt Savage
PetsMobility threw down the PetsCell last year, and now they're losing an "s" and going for broke with their latest version, PetCell. Due next March, the collar mounted phone lets you talk to that furry buddy of yours, and he can even talk back, pleading with you to stop the insanity. You can assign a GPS fence for keeping track of your dog (which would seem to be as effective, though more degrading, for a kid), with his exact location accessible through a call center, and once someone does find the runaway mutt they can phone home with the "call owner" button. The $350-ish phone also supports a wireless camera for "search-and-rescue or bomb-squad missions," but we're sure you can come up with something a bit more frivolous than that.

Rat Champ
Many of us have heard about a boy and his dog. But a girl and her rat? Sondra Holloway's special friend is a female blind albino rat named Bob. And they are a winning team. Holloway and Bob were champions in this year's Xtreme Rat Challenge at Nebraska Wesleyan University, which showcases athletic skills rats learn as part of a Basic Learning Principles psychology course. The duo placed first in the long jump with a leap of 28 inches. The pair also won the tightrope competition, setting a school record after Bob negotiated the four-foot rope in about five seconds. By the way, Bob's name based on an episode of the TV show "Friends" in which a character had what she believed was a male rat until it gave birth.

Cesar Millan - Dog Psychology Center of Los Angeles
In the wild, a dog's survival depends on a strong, stable, and organized pack where every member knows its place and follows the rules established by the pack leader. The pack instinct is perhaps the strongest natural motivator for a dog. Cesar Millan teaches that to be an effective owner, you need to become your canine's calm, assertive pack leader. Cesar Millan is one of the most sought-after experts in the field of dog rehabilitation. From bullying Chihuahuas to timid Great Danes, Cesar has an uncanny gift of communicating with dogs and seeing the world through their eyes. His celebrity roster of clients includes Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Vin Diesel, Nicolas Cage, Ridley Scott, Michael Bay, Hillary Duff and, of course, their dogs. Tune in as Cesar divulges some of his secrets to dog training.

Do You Get An Exact Copy When You Clone?
Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary News Network
Is it safe and ethical to clone? A recent survey showed that 80% of the people asked were not in favor of cloning pets nor the selling of genetically altered animals as pets.

While there is tremendous publicity that surrounds a cloning success, the public rarely hears about all of the cloning failures.

It is impossible to get an exact replica of a pet, because training, experience and environment are all keys to an individual's behavior and personality.

It is best that our cherished "Once in a lifetime" pets should remain just that.

Talk With Your Animals
Joy Turner
A dog advises her guardian that she would like to spend more time with her son. Perhaps if her son can come outdoors more often, or maybe she can come in the house more frequently and spend time with the family. Could your dog be telling you the same?

Safety Tips to Pet Owners During Cold Weather
Jo Sullivan, ASPCA
Most of us know some of the basic things to do in the winter to keep our pets protected, such as not leaving an animal in a car, or making noise before starting your car in case a cat is seeking warmth under your hood. But did you know that you should wipe your dog's legs, paws and stomach when they come in out of the sleet, snow or ice? The salt used to thaw ice can irritate paws and antifreeze or other chemicals can be toxic if swallowed. Also, those swifter disposable sheets used on mops have some of the same chemicals as antifreeze, and if an animal walks across the floor and licks it paws, it can be toxic? Listen in for safety tips and other helpful information on how to protect your pet in the cold.

Is Your Cat Unleaded?
Darlene Arden
There are some things you need to know about lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in pets was a major problem some years ago. The most common source of lead today is still the older house with lead paint and linoleum, and those inner city areas that have junk piles. What's the leading source from which a cat can get lead poisoning? Household items. No one knows how much lead must be ingested before a cat gets sick, and the amount ingested before a cat dies varies. Because if they ingest a small amount over a long period of time, they can take in a lot more before it will reach a lethal level than ingesting a large amount all at once. Hear Darlene talk about some of the signs of lead poisoning. See December's Newsletter for more.

Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know
Traci Hotchner, The Dog Bible
How many books do you have relating to questions about your dog? Perhaps you have a book on training, another one on diet and yet a further one of behavior. Well, now you can have it all in one book. The Dog Bible has everything you will ever need to know in one book. This is the book your dog would want you to read. Tune in to find out what YOUR dog wants you to know!

Possum Surprise
The surprise for one Pennsylvania teen-aged girl wasn't under the tree ­ but in the tree. Sixteen-year-old Mary Kathleen O'Connor was doing some studying one morning when the angel popped off her family's Christmas tree. Then she saw glowing eyes and started screaming. A game commissioner was eventually called, and they removed an 18-inch long opossum from the eight-foot Douglas fir. The animal was later released into the woods.

Merlin - Master of the Animals
Rae Ann Kumelos, Voice of the Animal
Although the Master of all Wizards is best known as magician and indispensable advisor to King Arthur, Merlin also enjoys a special connection with the world of animals. Discover how this poet-enchanter relies on his animal companions when it comes to counseling kings.

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