===============================================
ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK | June 28th - July 6th
a not-for-profit bi-weekly newsletter
===============================================
In this newsletter:

* BANNING THE SLAUGHTER OF HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
* ALFA-DOG TOUR IN DENVER THIS WEEKEND
* CONSUMER REPORTS ... NOT SO UNBIASED?!
* ANIMAL DISCRIMINATION IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY

===============================================
THIS WEEK ON ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK
===============================================

**WE ARE LIVE FROM BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY**
Tour and meet the staff and animals of our country's largest sanctuary. BEST FRIENDS is home to 1500 animals at any one time. It is also the largest employer of Kane county Utah, as well as the highest paid employer too!

Rick Randall interviews BEST FRIENDS original founder and artist, CYRUS METIJA, and discusses his controversial "575 PROJECT" - Cyrus has created artistic installations symbolizing the 575 ANIMALS EUTHANIZED EVERY HOUR in this country.

Also this week:
*How dangerous is the "SLIDEOUT" in your RV,
*What YOU NEED TO KNOW about DECLAWING,
*Holistic Veterinarian DR. CHIRSTINA CHAMBREAU,
*...and our "TOP PET RESORTS" countdown continues.

Next Week:
Rick Randall and the Alfa-Dog at Best Friends, MICHAEL MOUNTAIN

This week's show is underwritten by the animal conscious folks at:
- THE MISSING LINK (http://www.DesigningHealth.com);
- MYPETPRESCRIPTIONS.COM (http://www.MyPetPrescriptions.com)
- SUPREME PET PRODUCTS (http://www.russelrabbit.com)
- HOWARD JOHNSONS PET FRIENDLY HOTELS (http://www.hojo.com)
- LITTER WELCOME MAT (http://www.LitterWelcomeMat.com)

HEAR OUR MISSION NOW: http://animalradio.com/about.ram

LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK: A list of 70+ AM-FM RADIO STATIONS that broadcast Animal Radio Network is at the bottom of this newsletter. Consult your station for day and time.

IF YOU CAN'T FIND A RADIO STATION NEAR YOU - Listen ANYDAY, ANYTIME ONLINE using the FREE Real Audio Player (http://realplayer.com).

Click to LISTEN ONLINE NOW: http://animalradio.com/cfc.ram

===============================================
YOUR OPINION - WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY
===============================================
As always, we welcome your response to articles in our bi-weekly newsletter or whatever is on your mind. We wish we could publish all the e-mail, but there is simply not enough space in this newsletter. You may view other comments online at http://animalradio.com.
_______________________________________________
MAIL ORDER MEDICINE:

*David Keller of Woodland Hills, CA responded:
I was truly enlightened by your interview with the mail order pharmacy. I was shocked to learn that I could take my prescription and shop it around if I want. What I wasn't shocked to hear was that the pharmaceuticals like Pfizer and Novartis are companies with too much power to dictate on such important issues. If I can take my prescription for my heart medicine to any pharmacy I want, why can't I do the same with my pets medicines? This sounds like a case for the Federal Trade Commission.

_______________________________________________
RV'ing WITH YOUR PET:

*Julie Strauss of Salina, KS responded:
We were all moved by the letter about the Recreational Vehicle slide-out. We have always wondered if our small Chihuahuas could be harmed by these moving
rooms. Now we will keep a close eye on how we use every part of our motorhome.
_______________________________________________
{Comments welcomed at: YourVoice@animalradio.com}

===============================================
ASPCA-ON-AIR | BAN THE SLAUGHTER OF HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
===============================================
Your help is urgently needed to prevent the continued slaughter of horses!

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), H.R. 857, has been reintroduced in the United States House by Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY), and Congressman John Spratt, Jr. (D-SC).Ê The AHSPA will ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for human consumption.Ê

Americans don't eat horsemeat, so it may be a shocking revelation to many people that thousands of horses are slaughtered every year to please the palates of the French, the Belgians and the Japanese.Ê Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of horses are stolen each year for the horsemeat trade.Ê Horses have been our trusted companions and have assisted us throughout history.Ê They deserve a more humane and dignified end to their lives than being slaughtered and served as dinner.

Please contact your Representatives and urge them to join in supporting this important bill.Ê To view a sample letter, please go to http://www.aspca.org/site/R?i=aAN 0YSUYqAXSXLRAGHJvQ..

[This preceding information is provided by Animal Radio Network partner, the ASPCA. Hear ASPCA-ON-AIR on Animal Radio Network. http://animalradio.com]

===============================================
CONSUMER REPORTS ...NOT SO UNBIASED
===============================================
For all of my time on this earth, I've always respected Consumer Reports Magazine as an unbiased accounting. Until now. The magazine takes no advertising and theoretically has no favorites. But, we've found it's latest article, "Veterinary care without the bite," (July 2003) to be full of erroneous misconceptions about Veterinarians.

We believe all trades have "bad" practitioners. To accuse all practitioners of "bad" practice is not fair reporting.

Here's what Animal Radio Network experts agree with, and disagree with:

We wholeheartedly agree that you should shop your prescriptions. More than 600 drugs that are used to treat pet illnesses are actually human drugs. You can find a better deal from an online outlet or a retail drugstore.

We also agree that purebred animals have more genetic diseases and more hospital bills.

We also know that reducing the barrage of vaccinations not only reduces the cost, but in some cases can reduce traumatic side effects. Additionally, spaying or neutering pets reduces many cancers that could be costly.

We also believe you should choose your vet before you need him/her.

We do not believe you should choose a vet by price. You are treating your loved one and should examine the quality of the veterinarian over the price of services. Get several referrals.

We believe pet insurance is a good investment. If something catastrophic happened, you would not have to euthanize your friend because you didn't have the funds to help him/her. I've seen it come into play over and over. And I've seen some very thankful guardians.

What disturbed us most about the Consumer Report article:

Not all vets are bad. The report certainly painted a picture that exists in every industry. There are bad Painters, bad CPA's and bad McDonalds employees. But, we can safely say "not all veterinarians are out to get you!" Most are pretty good. You'll find a higher batting average among DVM's than M.D.'s.

Also, we felt that Consumer Reports editors don't respect animal life as you or I (I'm assuming ... you're reading this newsletter). In our interview with the Consumer Reports author (airing July 12th), Jeff Bryskel speaks candidly, and says that human life is worth more than non-human. That certainly is an unbiased view. Not the kind we're used to getting from Consumer Reports.

[Hear our interview with Consumer Reports Editor, Jeff Blyskel on Animal Radio Network http://animalradio.com]

===============================================
ATTENTION DENVER!! ALFA-DOG TOUR THIS WEEKEND!
===============================================
We're broadcasting Animal Radio Network from 40 cities. This weekend we're at PETCO at 13750 E. Mississippi at Potomac in Aurora. We're bringing ANIMAL PLANET's DR. KEVIN FITZGERALD, ARN's ANNIE BRUCE, 3 Ark Angels FAYE PETERSON and more surprise guests. Bring your friends, family and furry companions! We'll have treats while supplies last. Look for the 40' Alfa-Dog Broadcast Vehicle with logos from our sponsors - FRESH STEP, BISSELL, COMFORT ZONE, PRO DOG Grooming Supplies, and PETCO

Find out when we'll be in your city...and find out who we're bringing. Go to http://animalradio.com

===============================================
THE SCOOP ON KITTY LITTER
===============================================
These days, there canât be many feline households today without a litter box.

But have you ever wondered where the idea for Kitty Litter came from? Well, it didnât actually start out as kitty litter it started out as an industrial absorbent made of tiny clay nuggets in January of 1948.

The product was manufactured by Ed Loweâs family, which he named "Kitty Litter". In expanding his family's business, Ed tried selling it to farmers to use as a nesting material for their chickens, but they werenât buying it.

Meanwhile, Kay Draper, of Michigan, was trying to find something to use for her catâs litter box. It was winter, and because of the cold, the sand she normally used had frozen solid. She even tried ashes from her fireplace, but all she got was a mess.

When Kay went to the Lowe factory to get some sand, Ed told her about using Kitty Litter instead. Well, Kay loved the product so much she came back for more and told all of her friends.

Ed then tried to sell his new product, which didnât sell, so he gave away packages to a local pet shop. The shop started giving away free samples to its customers, who liked it so much they were willing to pay for it.

Well, thatâs all it took. Ed started selling his kitty litter to pet shops and cat shows.

Now we have an influx of kitty litter products on the market to choose from. We have clumping, non-clumping, wheat, wood chips, corn, even alfalfa sprouts. If youâre not sure which kitty litter to use, try setting up several boxes with different litter types. This will let your cat choose which one they like.

Some manufacturers even offer several different types of litters. Fresh Step offers a non-clumping clay based litter called Fresh Step Clay, a clumping clay based litter, Fresh Step Scoopable, and a non-clumping silica gel based
litter called Fresh Step Crystals. Plus, with every purchase of any Fresh Step products, Fresh Step will make a donation (up to $250,000 annually) to fund the Safe Steps Home program, which helps rescue abandoned cats. The money raised is used for financial grants to cat rescue programs throughout the country and for the nationwide education of new cat owners.

If you switch litters, mix a small amount of the new litter with the old. If your cat still uses his box without any problems, you can then gradually add more of the new over a week. By the end of the week, your box should be filled with the new litter. If at any time your cat stops using the litter box, go back to the day before and stay with that mixture for a few days before adding more of the new. Donât automatically assume, though, your cat no longer likes his original litter if it begins to urinate and/or defecate outside his box. Your cat may have a medical or behavioral problem unrelated to the litter. If you change kitty litter and your cat doesnât resume its normal litter-box routine, have you cat checked by your veterinarian.

Not using a litter box is the number one reason cats are surrendered to animal shelters. First, you must rule out a possible medical cause. Then, you can consider behavioral problems.

We now have new and different problems with kitty litter. Most cats prefer clumping litter, but it is sometimes tracked throughout the house. It sticks to your catâs paws when he gets out of the litter box and then he tracks it all over your house. But, there is help. Group One Pet Products
manufactures the Litter Welcome Mat. Itâs the first litter mat that actually captures the excess litter from the bottom of your catâs paws as he
exits the litter box. How does it work? Well, it has over 1,500 small openings in the surface and litter falls into the large collection tray below, not the floor! Ask for it at your pet supply dealer or visit them online at http://www.LitterWelcomeMat.com.

We have all seen the many kitty litter products on the market today, and finding the correct kitty litter for your cat will make both your lives easier. So, happy litter hunting!

[Learn more about litter at http://animalradio.com]

===============================================
NO CHOWS ALLOWED
===============================================
Discrimination in the Insurance Industry - No, not the human kind, but dog breed discrimination?

Insurance companies are now dropping coverage or denying homeownersâ insurance based upon the type of dog someone owns. Certain insurance companies are refusing to insure owners of certain types of dogs based upon the background of these breeds to bite. Some breeds that are being targeted are Pit Bulls, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies and wolf-hybrids. The end result is that people are now surrendering these animals to shelters in order to retain and obtain insurance.

The insurance companies are not asking the owners questions about the temperament of the dog, whether the dog owner is a responsible pet owner, nor whether the dog has ever bitten anyone. They are just immediately
denied coverage upon ownership of any of these breeds.

It doesnât seem right for insurance companies to deny or drop coverage to owners of these types of breeds, but it is unfortunately not illegal for them to do so. They fail to look at the statistics that most dog bites are from unneutered males, and can usually be traced to their socialization and training.

Anyone who owns one of these dogs should be able to find adequate homeowners insurance by shopping around and asking friends and neighbors who they are insured with. There are insurance companies who do not this practice this discrimination, such as Prudential, Farmers Insurance and State Farm. But others, such as AIG, Allstate, Nationwide and Liberty Mutual are still discriminating against these breeds.

You can help put a stop to this. The ASPCA currently has an online survey for breed discrimination at www.aspca.org . You can also call or write your state representative to back legislation that will stop the insurance companies from doing this.

If your dog is spayed or neutered, properly socialized and trained, and is current with his vaccinations, you should not have a problem passing an insurance application. Donât give up and surrender your dog to the shelter, there are companies that will insure you and your dog. You just have to do your homework!

===============================================
ANIMAL NEWS CENTER HEADLINES - RAINBOW TROUT SHOWN TO FEEL PAIN
===============================================
by Amanda Katz and Patricia Collier

A study recently conducted by the Royal Society, a British organization "dedicated to promoting excellence in science," has revealed that rainbow trout are capable of feeling pain.

"Bee venom or acetic acid was injected in the lips of some trout, whilst other fish were injected with saline solution or merely handled to form control groups," said a Royal Society spokesperson.

The fish in which venom or acid had been injected "demonstrated 'rocking' motion, strikingly similar to the kind of motion seen in stressed higher vertebrates like mammals." In addition, "the trout injected with acetic acid were also observed to rub their lips onto the gravel in their tank and on the tank walls."

"To demonstrate pain perception it was necessary to prove that the fish's behavior was adversely affected by a potentially painful experience and that the behavioral change was not a simple reflex response," Dr. Lynn Sneddon, who participated in conducting the study, stated. "Previous research carried out on the stingray classification of fish was unable to prove animal pain and we believe that our study may represent an evolutionary divergence between the different families of fish."

"This new research from the Royal Society proves that fish feel pain and need to be given legal welfare protection beyond today's industry standards," said Compassion in World Farming Director Joyce D'Silva.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.
If you would like to subscribe to the Animal News Center Newsletter, go to:
http://www.anc.org/newsletter/index.cfm

===============================================
ARN EVENT CALENDAR
===============================================
*HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - JULY 26th
Doga-Paw-Looza - Wag, Walk and Roll is coming to Huntington Beach, California, July 26th at 9am. Help Dog Partners raise funds to provide service dogs for mobility impaired people. This is truly a great cause and a day full of fun for your entire family, including your dog! So, pack up
your bags and all your dog goodies for a beautiful day at Huntington Beach Central Park ö next to the Dog Park. For more details, visit www.dogpartners.com to obtain a walk sponsor form. Raffles, vendors and entertainment will be available after the Wag, Walk and Roll.

*ADOPT A LITTLE NEW YORKER TODAYä! Coming to a Park Near You!!! Each of the five boroughs of New York City will be welcoming its own major dog and cat adoption event over the next few months as a result of the groundbreaking partnership among the Mayorâs Alliance for NYCâs Animals,
Inc., its affiliated organizations, and the City of New York.
The kick-off event, hosted by PLUTO Rescue of Richmond County, will be in Staten Islandâs beautiful Clove Lake Park on June 28, 2003. Next, the very special dogs and cats of the Center for Animal Care and Control, along with cats and dogs from several other Alliance rescue groups and shelters, will be introduced at the Central Parkâs Bandshell on July 26.
Some of these very special little New Yorkers will include:
-Completely black dogs and cats, specially selected to match the wardrobe of the most fashionable New Yorker!
-Feline New Yorkers of every stripe! (Orange, grey and even some tabbies!)
-A large and varied selection of loving and peaceable St. Francis Terriers (a.k.a. pit bulls)!
-Pure breeds, mystery breeds, and a few very special little New Yorkers with no breeding whatsoever!
For more information about the Alliance and its Participating Organizations please visit the Alliance website at www.animallliancenyc.org.

===============================================
FINAL THOUGHT
===============================================
In DC, a guy sees a sign in front of a house:
"Talking Dog for Sale."

He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is
in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and
sees a black mutt just sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Sure do." the dog replies.

"So, what's your story?"

The dog looks up and says, "Well, I discovered my
gift of talking pretty young and I wanted to help
the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and
in no time they had me jetting from country to
country, sitting in rooms with spies and world
leaders, because no one figured a dog would be
eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable
spies eight years running."

"The jetting around really tired me out, and I knew
I wasn't getting any younger and I wanted to settle
down. So I signed up for a job at the airport to do
some undercover security work, mostly wandering near
suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered
some incredible dealings there and was awarded a
batch of medals."

"Had a wife, a mess of puppies, and now I'm just
retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the
owner what he wants for the dog.

The owner says, "Ten dollars."

The guy says, "This dog is amazing. Why on earth
are you selling him so cheap?"

"Cause he's a liar. He didn't do any of that stuff."

(Submitted by an ARN listener - Send your "Final Thoughts" to
YourVoice@animalradio.com)

===============================================
ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK STATION AFFILIATE LIST
===============================================

STATE DMA MARKET CALL LETTERS FREQ TIME DAY Ê
AK Dillingham KRUP 99.1 Ê Ê Ê
AL Birmingham WSMQ 1450 Ê Ê Ê
AR Hope KXAR 1490 Ê Ê Ê
CA Los Angeles KOST 103.5 6:30am Sunday
CA Santa Barbara KTMS 990 6pm Sunday
CA San Luis Obispo KVEC 920 6pm Sunday Ê
CA Santa Maria KSMA 1240 6pm Sunday Ê
CO Buena Vista KDMN 1450 6:00 Saturday Ê Ê Ê
CO Colorado Springs KWYD 1580 6:00 Saturday Ê Ê Ê
CO Denver/Longmont/Boulder KLMO 1060 6:00 Saturday Ê Ê Ê
CO Vail/Aspen/Breckenridge KSKE 610 6:00 Saturday Ê Ê Ê
CT Bridgeport WICC 600
CT Hartford WNTY 990 Ê4pm Saturday Ê
CT New London WSUB 980 Ê Ê Ê
DC Washington D.C. WPLC 1050 9am Sunday Ê
FL Ft. Meyers/Naples WCNZ 1660 3 Sunday Ê
FL Sebring WWTK 730 Ê Ê Ê
GA Jasper WYYZ 1490 Ê Ê Ê
IA Marshalltown KFJB 1230 Ê Ê Ê
ID Idaho Falls KZNI 1260 Ê Ê Ê
ID Pocatello KZNR 690 Ê Ê Ê
IL Chicago WBIG 1280 3 Sunday Ê
IL Elgin WRMN 1410 2 pm Thursday Ê
IL Princeton WZOE 1490 Ê Ê Ê
IL Vandalia WTRH 93.3 Ê Ê Ê
IL Sterling WSDR 1240 Ê Ê Ê
IN Marion WGOM 860 Ê Ê Ê
KY Murray WNBS 1340 Ê Ê Ê
KY Murray WKJM 1320 Ê Ê Ê
LA Lake Charles KAOK 1400 Ê Ê
MA Boston WBPS 890 3 ÊSunday Ê
MA Providence WPEP 1570 Ê Ê Ê
MD Baltimore WHFC 91.1 noon Wednesday Ê
ME Portland WLOB 1310 Ê Ê Ê
ME Rumford WLOB 96.3 Ê Ê Ê
MN Duluth-Superior WDSM 710 Ê Ê Ê
MN Waseca KOWZ 1170 Ê Ê Ê
MO Osage Beach KRMS 1150
MO West Plains KWPM 1450 Ê Ê Ê
MS Greenwood WABG 960 Ê Ê Ê
NC Albemarle WSPC 1010 Ê Ê Ê
NC Charlotte WSPC 1010 Ê Ê Ê
NM Clovis KICA 980 Ê Ê Ê
NM Los Alamos KRSN 1490 Ê Ê
NV Las Vegas KSHP 1400 8pm Sunday Ê
NY Crown Point WIPS 1250
OH Portsmouth WPAY 1400 Ê Ê Ê
OR Salem KYKN 1430 Ê Ê Ê
PA Ambrigde WMBA 1460 Ê Ê Ê
PA Pittsburgh WBVP 1230 Ê Ê Ê
PA Youngstown WPIC 790 Ê Ê Ê
RI Providence WNRI 1380 Ê3 Sun Ê
SD Mitchell KORN 1490 9am Sat
SC Greenville WAIM 1230 Ê Ê Ê
SC Florence WJMX 970 Ê Ê Ê
SC Charleston WTMA 1250 Ê Ê Ê
TN Chattanooga WGOW 1150
TX Brownwood KXYL 96.9 Ê Ê Ê
TX Tyler/Longview KRBA 1340 Ê Ê Ê
TX Lubbock KKYN 1090 Ê Ê Ê
TX Texarkana KTFS 940 Ê Ê Ê
VA Johnson City WFHG 980 Ê Ê Ê
VA Johnson City WFHG 92.7 Ê Ê Ê
VA Richmond WHAN 1430 Ê Ê Ê
VT Burlington WIPS 1250 9am Sunday
WA Tri-Cities KTCR 1340 Ê Ê Ê
WV Bluefield-Beckley WHIS 1440 Ê Ê Ê
WV Tazewell WTZE 1470 Ê Ê Ê
WY Cheyenne KRAE 1480 Ê Ê Ê

Animal Radio Network not in your area? Call your local station and ask why.
Meanwhile, listen online.

CLICK TO LISTEN NOW: http://animalradio.com/cfc.ram

Get a WEEKLY COMPACT DISC of ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK...and help the Animals.
Log on, Learn more! http://animalradio.com/schedule.html#anchor432483

======================================================
HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER (sorry to see you go!)
======================================================
To be Removed from this list - Please reply with "Unsubscribe" in the
subject line. You will be removed within 24 hours. NOTE: You must reply from the exact same address that you used to sign up for this newsletter.

{Copyright 2003 Animal Radio Network- Various contributions have their own copyright. Material in this newsletter may not be published or broadcast without permission.}