Bulletproof Vests For Dogs
Sandy Marcal, Vested Interest In K9s, Inc.
As our canine friends have become integral members of many police forces, it is becoming more apparent for the need to suit them properly for the dangerous job. That's where Sandy Marcal came in. She raised funds to help afford the vests that protect our working dogs.
Vested Interest In K9s has provided vests for many dogs since their inception as a non-profit in 2009. This was done through fundraising events that they coordinated, private and corporate sponsorships, and events that businesses or individuals held independently.
Initially, Sandy focused on providing the bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement dogs in Massachusetts. But as time went on, she realized there was a need for these vests all over. She then started providing these vests for law enforcement dogs whose departments didn't have the budget to provide them all over America. These included thousands of dogs that work in narcotics, or are tracking or patrol dogs.
Why do the dogs need vests? Previously a police dog in Florida was shot and in Minnesota a police dog was stabbed to death. These dogs are the first ones sent into a potentially dangerous situation. They are protecting their community and human partner. As a result, they need to be protected.
A dog vests last five years, which means most dogs will need at least two throughout their careers. The life of the vest is put at five years because the ballistic material breaks down after a period of time. So the manufacturer puts a warranty on them, just like a human's police vest would have. If a dog retires early, the vest can be recycled for another dog.
If you would like more information or wish to volunteer, please visit their website.
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Food Stamps For Pets
Marc Okon, Pet Food Stamps
In these rough economic times, many pet owners are forced to abandon their beloved pets due to the inability to pay for their basic food supply and care. There are over 50 million Americans who currently receive Food Stamps, many with dogs or cats, and that's why Marc Okon formed a program to ship pet food to those that couldn't afford it, and to fill the void in the United States Food Stamp program, which excludes the purchase of pet food and pet supplies.
The program sent out pet food to people in the United States who were on food stamps, receiving public assistance or just simply had a rough time feeding their pets.
If you needed assistance and were at or below the poverty level, whether you were on welfare or were just in a low-income bracket, you could apply for pet food stamps. After you signed up, you were contacted by an agent to begin the verification process.
What if your pet needed a special diet or a specific brand of food? Many brands and diets were available through this program. What if you had a pet other than a dog or cat? You were also able to get food assistance for other animals, including but not limited to parrots, reptiles and guinea pigs.
Once you were a verified and approved member of the program, your pet food order was placed based on the amount awarded with your application approval and your pet's needs.
Unfortunately, this particular program no longer exists. But if you need assistance to feed your pet, or can help other organizations who do this, there are other resources available to help, such as local animals shelters and even pet food pantries.
Pet Flipping - Seven Tips to Safeguard Your Pet - Dr. Debbie
Pet lovers beware of the disturbing criminal trend called "pet flipping." This is when a person steals a pet or takes ownership of a lost pet, and then sells the animal. Pets are typically sold on the Internet to make a quick profit.
Pet flippers most commonly target purebred dogs because they can fetch a high price, but even mixed breed dogs are at risk. Dogs are swiped from porches, fenced in back yards, dog parks, and cars. Some pet scams involve a person advertising as a pet sitter or trainer, who then disappears with your pet. Other scams involve someone who steals a pet and then responds to the lost pet ad, making money on rewards.
Top 7 Tips to Prevent Pet Flipping:
1. Don't Leave Your Pet Unattended
Avoid leaving your pet unattended, even in your own backyard. Don't leave your pet outside of stores or coffee shops. Tying your dog's leash up while you run that quick errand can give a thief the few minutes he needs to snatch your pet while you step away. Keep a watchful eye on your dog when visiting dog parks.
2. Get Your Pet Microchipped
A microchip is one of the best tools to reunite lost pets and serves as legal proof of ownership. Be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the microchip company.
3. Use GPS Collars
A GPS collar allows you to track your dog's movement minute by minute. These units can help you find your pet quickly if lost, but are of little use if a pet flipper removes the collar. I use the Tagg Pet Tracker for my dog and like that I can locate him to a precise location with my smart phone.
4. Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered
Dogs that aren't spayed or neutered are especially prized targets to thieves since they are perceived as a money-making opportunity. Spaying and neutering also decreases the desire to stray and is good for your pet's health.
5. Research Pet Services Carefully
Before signing on for pet sitting or dog trainer services, research the business person's reputation with the Better Business Bureau. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a reputable pet professional. Request references before using a new pet service.
6. Buyer Beware
Be cautious when buying a pet online and only use reputable breeders. Check out a breeder's standing with the AKC and breed clubs. Be wary of individuals that lack documentation of breeding or veterinary health care records.
7. Sign Up For Doggie Facial Recognition Apps
High-tech facial recognition technology is now available to identify and track down lost pets with services like Finding Rover. Use your iPhone to download the app. Upload your pet's photo in their database and promptly notify Finding Rover if your pet is ever lost.
Pet flipping is so heinous because it exploits the cherished relationship between family and a beloved pet. Share this information with fellow pet lovers to spread awareness and halt this criminal trend.
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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The Dogfather's Grooming Tip with Joey Villani
Grooming Cats
Joeys hears from clients who state that when they have to clip their cat down short, the cat hides afterwards. Joey wants everyone to know that cats are very sensitive. Cats know when something is completely different. So when you bald a cat, or essentially make it "naked," while it may not know it is bald, it does know that something is not right. As a result, their defense mechanism makes them hide.
While people may like the look of a "lion" cut on a cat, it is something that is very unnatural for the cat. A few cats might like the change, but most cats would prefer to keep their natural fur.
So to keep their natural fur, make sure your cat is knot and tangle free. This will make a big difference in how your cat feels and their attitude. You can do this by brushing and combing their fur. No matter the length of your cat's fur, if you do this twice a week, you will never have problems. Also, your cat will never get dirty. When a cat gets matted, they don't like to clean themselves, because they can't get down to their skin. As a result, they neglect their own grooming. If you keep them tangle free, you are going to have a cat that is going to look better, is going to feel better and will have less dander.
Cats don't normally need to be bathed. But if they aren't cleaning themselves, you can use a spray bottle, or wet towel, to get them wet and then wipe them down.
If you do have to get your cat's fur cut down short, only do it once! You can then start with a clean slate by keeping up the brushing and combing so it never develops knots and tangles, and your cat will never need to be clipped again.
Animal Radio News with Stacey Cohen
Pasta Meals Contained Horse Meat
First centered on Britain and Ireland, the scandal over beef products filled with horse-meat escalated across Continental Europe after Nestle, one of the world's best-known food companies, said it removed pasta meals from store shelves in Italy and Spain. There were growing calls for more oversight of processed food. The involvement of Nestle was a significant act in a fast-moving situation that forced Europeans to question the contents of their meals. Before the announcement, the horse-meat crisis had already spread, with perhaps a dozen countries caught up in product recalls. Nestle said it was confident that products in the American market were unaffected. "Nestle U.S.A. does not use meat sourced from Europe," a company statement said. "Additionally, U.S.D.A. meat inspectors are in all processing plants and also have responsibility to oversee any imported meat. We have also requested and received confirmation from all our meat suppliers that they do not provide Nestle U.S.A. with any meat from the affected countries and companies." The United States does not import beef from any of the countries where the contaminated meat was found, according to the Agriculture Department. Nestle U.S.A. uses beef from the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, the company said. Although the horse-meat crisis had been considered mainly an issue of fraud and mislabeling, evidence emerged that a powerful equine painkiller may have entered the food chain. Eight horses slaughtered for food in Britain tested positive for the drug. Six of those carcasses had already been exported to France for use in human food. The European Union had also announced an increase in food testing, although there were growing calls for more regulation at a European level. Though tough traceability rules for fresh beef products were introduced after the crisis over mad cow disease many years ago, a similar regime is not in place for processed food. There are no horse slaughterhouses operating in the United States, and no horse meat is imported for human consumption, making the chances that Americans are unintentionally eating horse meat fairly remote, a U.S.D.A. spokesman said.
"Bad Dog" Statute Leaves Yellow Stain on Building
A giant statue known as "Bad Dog" turned out to be good publicity for the Orange County Museum of Art. The 28-foot-tall piece of art from Richard Jackson depicted a dog lifting one leg and leaving a yellow paint stain on the side of the building. A museum spokeswoman said that almost all of the reaction to the dog was positive, although some people wished the pooch wasn't quite so anatomically correct. Jackson explained that his intention was never to shock or offend anyone. But he said people's reactions to a particular piece of art often vary, and it usually "Depends on whether you're going home from church or from a strip club" when you see it.
Dipping In The Fish Tank
One hotel guest's decision to skip the European resort's pool and take a dip in the 3,000-lobby fish tank become a YouTube hit. The man's giggling friends used their cell phones to capture his impromptu swim at the more than $200 a night, four-star hotel in the Channel Islands. A spokeswoman for the hotel said it was a "dangerous stunt" for the man and the fish, although none of the tank's regular inhabitants were harmed. The swimmer was seen being escorted out of the building by a hotel employee, although it's unknown whether he faced any other form of punishment.
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