Good News for Rabbits

The House Rabbit Society has announced that Petsmart is ending its "test" of selling baby rabbits in its stores. The Society states,

We have heard that it was because of the vocal opposition of animal lovers across the United States that they have reconsidered their choice. Please thank PetSmart for their decision, and let them know that it was the right choice. Please address your thanks to PetSmart care of:

PetSmart

John Alpaugh Vice President,

Specialty Merchandising19601 North 27th Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85027(623) 580-6100

mailto:corpcommunications@ssg.petsmart.com.

Although I could find nothing about this decision on Petsmart's Web site, I'm trusting that the House Rabbit Society knows what they're talking about. This is great encouragement for those who spoke out against the ill-conceived "test" of selling rabbits. There are plenty of rabbits already in shelters and rescue groups that need homes. No one needs to buy a rabbit.

Puppy Mills in Virginia Exposed

The Humane Society of the United States has brought to light the deplorable conditions of many unlicensed breeding facilities in Virginia. The undercover operation shows filthy, crowded conditions and lack of veterinary care for dogs that exist solely for their breeders' profit. It's easy to feel shock and horror that people could operate these inhumane facilities. But are the breeders the only ones to blame? What about those of us who purchase these dogs? In our desire for a puppy of a certain breed, do we shirk our responsibility to learn where the puppy came from? If we buy a puppy based on a cute photo on the internet, what do we know about the conditions in which it has lived? What is that purchase price going to: The pet store that doesn't ask questions of their suppliers and the breeders who protect their profits by keeping operating costs low?

Besides mistreating the breeding animals and their pupppies, these puppy mills are adding to the pet overpopulation crisis by selling unneutered dogs. Do any of these breeders or pet stores require neutering? I doubt it. What can we do? Like the illegal drug market, if there were no consumer demand, there would be no suppliers. Obviously, one answer is to adopt dogs from the large supply of homeless animals already in our Virginia shelters. If you decide to buy a purebred dog, investigate first and make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. Visit the facility and ask for references from a veterinarian. Find out whether a breeder is primarily interested in the welfare of the dogs or in making a sale.

Until we consumers demand change, puppy mills will continue to exist. Let's look at our own contribution to the problem and make decisions that promote animal welfare.

Deer Collisions

It seems that the first two weeks in November tend to have the greatest number of vehicle-deer collisions. Obviously, this can be deadly for both people and deer. With the frequency of deer sightings in Northern Virginia, we need to be on the alert when driving even in urban areas.

The Insurance Information Institute gives defensive driving tips for avoiding deer including being particularly cautious from sundown to midnight and at dawn and never swerving out of your lane to avoid a deer.

According to the Humane Society of the United States

"The breeding season for deer occurs between October and January. This period—termed the "rut"—involves dramatic physiological and behavioral changes in male deer. ... Nervous and almost constantly active during the rut, males wander into residential areas and places where they would otherwise never be seen."

For our own well being as well as for wildlife, let's be alert and careful while driving.

Why Is Petsmart Selling Rabbits?

I have thought of Petsmart as an innovative retailer in that it does not sell dogs or cats and it offers space to rescue groups to show animals for adoption. But the company's decision this summer to do a "test" of selling baby dwarf rabbits harks back to the bad old days of pets being sold to anyone with the money with no questions asked. To their credit Petsmart has included on their site the very appropriate blast from the House Rabbit Society about the folly of this idea.

As anyone who has animal shelter experience knows, rabbits are the third most frequently surrendered animal. While they are wonderful pets for the right people, they are not low maintenance and they have a lifespan of more than 10 years. At the Animal Welfare League of Arlington over the past fiscal year, the average shelter stay for rabbits before finding an adoptive home is 69 days. This compares to 36 days for cats and 25 days for dogs. Shelters and rescue groups are overwhelmed with unwanted rabbits.

Petsmart says, "We are testing the rabbit market believing that adoption and responsible sales can successfully coexist." So Petsmart already "believes" that selling rabbits can be successful. I welcome Petsmart to ask shelters and rescue groups to report on how many of these "baby" rabbits end up homeless when their owners (or their children) lose interest, don't have the time, or discover that someone in the household is allergic to their purchased pet.

Blessing of the Animals

Each October near the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi churches throughout the world hold a special Blessing of the Animals service.

This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. In the Arlington, Virginia area a Blessing of the Animals will take place at the Arlington Presbyterian Church at 3507 Columbia Pike in Arlington on October 6 at 5:00 p.m.

Some people may think that there are many more serious problems in the world to warrant a special service, but caring for and honoring the creatures with which we live is a good step toward making our world better.

Albert Schweitzer said, "Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind."

Whether we attend a religious service or not, the first week in October is a good time to remember all the creatures that share our world and to renew our commitment to be compassionate toward all living beings.

Microchip Concerns Premature

Animals shelters, veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates have touted the benefits of microchip identification of companion animals for several years. It is standard practice at many animal shelters to microchip all dogs and cats before adoption. But recent news reports have alarmed many people about the possible health risks. A series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, stated that chip implants had "induced" malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats.

The controversy mostly surrounds the very recent practice of implanting microchips with medical or identification information in human beings. But the reports also have alarmed pet owners. No one wants to implant something in their pet that might cause cancer. But it seems that science is a long way from being ready to state that microchips cause cancer.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises pet owners against a rush to judgment on the technology. As a pet owner I’m still glad that my dog has a microchip. If she were to get lost and somehow lose her identification tags, she would still have the microchip as a permanent means of identification. We saw after the Katrina disaster how difficult it is to reunite pets with their owners when they have no permanent identification. Until further studies are done pet owners should still rely on microchips as the best way to find their lost pets.

Bring Fido!

Doesn't your dog deserve a getaway, too? Thanks to Travelocity and BringFido.com, you can find a dog-friendly hotel, motel or B&B just about anywhere in the US. Isn't your furry friend in need of a little vacation time, too?

Cat Predicts Death

Is Oscar, a hospice cat at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, R.I., a harbinger of death? According to nursing home staff, he has, on several occasions, curled up with a patient who passes away within hours. The staff is so certain of the accuracy of Oscar's predictions that they will call a patient's family once Oscar has chosen to perch himself upon the patient's bed. It sounds a bit eerie but, according to doctors, most patients are too ill to be aware of the cat's presence and most family members take comfort in the companionship that cat provides for their dying loved one.

This story may sound far-fetched, but animals have been known to pick up on signals that humans often miss. A study reported in New Scientist shows that dogs predicted epileptic seizures with 80% accuracy. The dogs were not trained for this, they began predicting the seizures spontaneously by whining, licking or standing by the person who would have the seizure.

Also, dogs can predict certain cancers by smelling a person's breath. Our animal companions have highly developed senses of smell and awareness of subtle body language that we can't replicate. We've only begun to find out all the benefits that our furry friends can provide, besides the obvious -- love and companionship. So a cat sensing that a person's last moments are drawing near isn't surprising.

Michael Vick Indicted

It appears that the evidence is overwhelming enough to indict Atlanta Falcon's Quarterback Michael Vick on charges related to dog fighting.

Upon searching Vick's property in Virginia, officials found dogfighting equipment, blood stains on carpets and walls, and more than 60 dogs. The indictment also states that Vick and two others named in the indictment, executed as many as eight dogs that were not performing well by hanging, drowning and slamming against the ground.

These allegations are absolutely sad and sickening. What kind of man could possibly treat "man's best friend" this way?

Household Dangers

There is much curiosity and speculation over what foods and other common household items are, in fact, potentially harmful to pets. I, personally, have received several questions, specifically about foods and items such as rasins, grapes, chocolate, and plants.

So here is the skinny on household dangers from HSUS and AVMA:

Foods Potentially Poisonous to Pets
Common Household Dangers
Common Poisonous Plants
Household Hazards

We have collected these links along with several others on pet safety, care and training on our pet care page for your convenience.

DC Considers Tougher Dogfighting Laws

Hats off to the District of Columbia for putting forth the effort to crack down on dogfighting. The DC Council is considering making simply watching a dogfight a felony, subject to five years in prison. Unconstitutional? Maybe it's time to hold these people accountable, not just for their actions, but for supporting such actions, as well.

Take Your Dog to Work Day

Friday, June 22, is Take Your Dog to Work Day. While this may be a novelty at most workplaces, it’s a common occurrence at an animal shelter. Obviously, people who work in animal welfare are passionate about animals and are likely to bring their pets along whenever possible. But the other thing that makes animal workers unusual is that we understand very well why dogs in a place of business could also be a problem. No one wants a dog barking incessantly or jumping up on everyone while they’re trying to work. That’s why we have some rules. You can bring your dog to work occasionally so long as it is under control, in a private office or on leash, and not disruptive. You must clean up after your dog outside and (heaven forbid) inside if necessary. You can’t go out and leave another staff person to care for your dog.

The best thing about Take Your Dog to Work Day is the recognition by businesses that their employees’ companion animals are an important part of their lives, even members of the family. While most businesses don’t want dogs at work every day, it’s great for a business to have the flexibility to let an employee bring his or her dog when necessary. Perhaps you’re having work done on your house or your dog has a vet appointment in the middle of the day or your pet sitter canceled at the last minute. This is a great way for businesses to let their workers know that they see them as whole individuals with many kinds of responsibilities, not just workers. And for many of us our pets are one of our most important responsibilities.

Dogs for Defense

America has been diligent about supporting and thanking our troops that serve and protect us each day -- and we should. But wait, maybe it's time to take a moment to appreciate our four-legged protectors, too! Check out what our furry friends are doing to aid our troops and serve their Country.

Open Door Shelters

What exactly does "open door shelter" mean? Well, exactly that, a shelter whose door is open to any and all animals regardless of age, species, behavior, health, etc. It seems these days that everyone out their knows the term "no-kill" shelter but very few understand the true concept and certainly do not understand why the alternative is an "open door" shelter, NOT a "kill" shelter.

Kudos to two Pennsylvania animal shelters for building a site dedicated to educate the public on this sensitive topic. Now, open your mind and find out exactly what an open door shelter is and why these "no-kill" rescues could simply not exist without us.

Michael Vick & Dog Fighting

It began in April when investigators, based on reports of alleged dog fighting, searched the Virginia home of Atlanta Falcons' Quarterback Michael Vick and found three buildings of neglected dogs behind the home. Due to the severe nature of this crime and this high-profile suspect, the case has escalated, bringing the horrors of dog fighting and the ignorance of those involved into the public eye.

While Vick claims to not reside at the Virginia home, various reports have suggested that he has been involved in dog fighting for quite a while, placing bets on and attending dog fights.

Others have defended him, including Washington Redskins' Clinton Portis who claims that it's his business and the dogs are his property and that he should be able to do what he likes with the dogs. Since Portis' comments, the Redskins have had the good sense to apologize for Portis' remarks.

It is a sad state of affairs when our society cannot see what is wrong with dog fighting. It is cruel and unjust, causing undue animal suffering for what, entertainment purposes? Dogs, including pit bulls, are typically most interested in pleasing their guardians and dog fighters are exploiting the loyal nature of these dogs to create violent animals who suffer severe abuse, neglect and injury.

It is even sadder when "role models" like Vick and Portis cannot step out of their own, selfish ways to see the damage they are doing with their statements and their actions.

I hate to waste my time going on about why dog fighting is and should be illegal. As far as I'm concerned, a decent human being can figure this out all on his own. If, however, these reasons are not apparent to you, please take a moment to consult the following information to educate yourself on exactly what is so horrible, sadistic and sickening about dog fighting:
Underworld of Dog Fighting
Dog Fighting Fact Sheet

Pet Cell Phone

I love this! A super-small cell phone for pooch.

No, Fido doesn't have to learn how to dial, speak or text message. This gadget helps protect him from getting lost. This bone-shaped gadget, worn around your dog's collar, features GPS for tracking Fido if he get's lost, an owner call button for a good samaritan to call when Fido is found, and a speaker-phone that will only answer from your approved phone number.

Ok, so I'm not sure the call Fido feature is exactly handy or sane, but the GPS and owner-call features are brilliant ideas. Could this bring an end to the lost and never-found pets epidemic?

BARF Diet, One Alternative

As the list of recalled pet foods grows, loving pet owners worry more and more. "Is my pet's food on the list?" "Will it be added to the list?" Switching to a new type of food might be the answer, until the new food is suddenly recalled, too.

What is the alternative?

One possibility is the BARF Diet. The BARF Diet claims to be safe and nutritious and has been around for years. It is not a new philosophy, in fact, the BARF Diet website, Barf World, claims that the diet "mimics the way your pet used to eat before highly processed, grain-based foods entered our pet’s food chain." What is it? Basically, the diet is a "biologically appropriate raw food."

Might be worth a try but always check with your veterinarian before making any major changes to your pet's diet.

In the Lap of Luxury

When's the last time you went on an expensive vacation to a posh resort only to feel guilty about leaving Fido or Fluffy in a stark, no-frills boarding kennel? If this feeling is all too familiar, consider the latest luxurious pet hotels.

The Wag Hotel, just opened in San Francisco, is a luxury "hotel" just for pets. "Guests" of the hotel enjoy an array of perks including doggie facials, an indoor pool, a rooftop garden to romp, and plasma TVs in each room--kennel. And, thanks to cameras in every room, guardians of guests of the Wag Hotel, may also drop in for a virtual visit. At $45 to $85 a night, the pet hotel might be a nice alternative to your typical boarding kennel.

Don't live in the San Fran area? No worries, many new luxury boarding kennels have opened across the Country in the recent years. In our area (DC) we are fortunate to have the Olde Towne Pet Resort, where DC pets enjoy the same perks as those in the Bay area. Not too shabby.

Is Your Pet Stressed?

Japanese company Medical Life Care Giken claims to have the answer in a patch that measures his or her sweat. Just stick the patch on the bottom of your furry friend's paw and the color of the patch will change depending on sweat secretion which will, in turn, tell you how stressed your pet really is.

The company also makes a similar patch for humans. Hmmm, I think I remember these in the 70s... Weren't they called mood rings?

How Humane is Your Town?

Interested to find out how your city compares to others on humane issues? Check out the Humane Index from HSUS.

Although we live in a suburb of DC, we at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington are proud to live in an area that ranks 4th in overall humaneness of the largest metro areas!

Canine Heritage Breed Test

Walk into any animal shelter and you may find various breeds of dogs, including possible purebreds, but you will also find several "hound" mixes, "lab" mixes, "retriever" mixes and "shepherd" mixes. This labeling, while based on the best guess of shelter staff, leaves it up to the imagination to determine whether your new-found furry friend will have the fun-loving spirit of a Golden Retriever, the brilliance of a German Shepherd, or the aloofness of a Chow.

Enter the Canine Heritage Breed Test. This brand new dog-breed DNA test, will allow you to send away a swab of your dog's mouth to a lab in California for analysis and determination of your dog's exact breed(s). Sound interesting? Check out NBC's "Today" show next month when Meredith Vieira has her dog Jasper tested.

Pet Food: The Alternatives

While the news about this alarming pet food recall doesn't seem to be subsiding, there does seem to be hope in the headlines for desperate pet owners trying to protect their beloved companions. The headlines lately, are focusing on alternatives for so many pet owners at a loss for finding safe nourishment for their furry friends. While I am not a veterinarian and do not specialize in what is best for Fido or Fluffy's health, I can bring you the news I have found on supposedly safe alternatives.

Here are the latest headlines:

Pet owners choosing locally made pet food

Basic recipes for homemade dog, cat food

Business booms in alternative pet food sources

After recall, pet owners go gourmet

Feeding dogs' inner beast
Orders jump for Winter Park firm's raw-meat food

It is good to see that information on what TO do is now as readily available to pet owners as what NOT to do.

Iditarod Musher Disqualified for Abuse

Two-time runner-up Ramy Brooks was disqualified from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for abusing his dogs. The 38-year-old Brooks hit each of his 10 dogs with a trail marking lathe, similar to a surveyor's stake, after two refused to get up and continue running on an ice field, race marshal Mark Nordman told The Associated Press from Nome on Sunday.

One of Brooks' dogs died the next day on the trail.

Not sure I could possibly have anything constructive to say about this one other than the fact that physical abuse is NEVER the answer. Would love to hear what you think.

Read the full story.

Recalled Pet Food

Menu Foods -- a major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands -- recalled 60 million containers of pet food after reports of kidney failure and at least 10 deaths of cats and dogs.

Read the full story.

For updates on the pet food recall visit Menu Foods.

Top Ten Poisons Dogs Ingest

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center recently released a list of the ten most common poisons that dogs ingest.

1) Ibuprofen
2) Chocolate
3) Ant and Roach Baits
4) Rodenticides
5) Acetaminophen
6) Pseudoephedrine Containing Cold Medications
7) Thyroid Hormones
8) Bleach
9) Fertilizer, Including Plant “Foods”
10) Hydrocarbons Including Paints, Polishes, and Fuel Oils

For more information visit MSN Dog Central for the full article.

Rabbits: A Classic Story of What NOT To Do

As a child, I had two bunnies that I loved very much but knew absolutely nothing about. All I knew was that they were cute and fluffy and fun to play with from time to time. Little did I know that I was an incredibly irresponsible rabbit owner. My story is a classic case of everything a rabbit owner should NOT do.

My second grade teacher lived on a farm and bred various animals, including rabbits. She told the kids in her class when she had a litter of bunnies up for grabs and I, being a lover of all things furry, had to have at least one. I ended up getting two. I named one Snuffleupagus and my sister named the other Joshua. My father built a big wooden hutch for them, that we kept outside on the porch, with an outdoor area fenced with chicken wire, and an indoor area that we filled with sod.

The outdoor fencing of the hutch was not small enough to always keep the young bunnies inside and they frequently escaped. I remember running through the yard after one, finally cornering and catching him. As they grew, they could no longer escape, but often stuck their heads out through the wire, enticing our dog to lunge for them. The always escaped the dog's jaws but only by a hair.

Joshua was a rather sweet bunny that I often picked up and cuddled but Snuffleupagus was, well, vicious. He bit every finger that crossed his path, and I could only handle him, wearing thick gloves. Neither of the rabbits was neutered and, looking back on it, I guess we were lucky that Joshua was as sweet as he was, considering.

The bunnies were also very messy, I didn't know you could litter train them but I didn't know that they should be neutered, either. Cage cleaning duty fell on my patient father who ended up with scars all over his fingers from Snuffleupagus' teeth.

The mess spread into the house, too. We often let them out in the living room to romp, much to my mother's dismay, and they would leave droppings with each hop and chew the back of the sofa, chairs and anything else that looked chewable.

Eventually, Snuffleupagus died. Then when we moved from Maine to Virginia, I gave Joshua to a friend and never saw him again.

Why do I share this story with you now? Not to open myself up to critique or stone-throwing, rather to educate people like me who simply don't understand what it means to care for a rabbit.

DO:

Spay or neuter you rabbit
Give them a litter pan
Keep their cage inside, away from danger
Make sure that they cannot escape from their cage
Give them plenty of safe toys to nibble on
Line their cage with plain paper (shredded paper or care fresh, never cedar shavings)
Give them love and attention
Let them roam around the house in rabbit-proofed areas for some extra exercise
Teach your children about proper rabbit care and handling
Feed them appropriate rabbit food and veggies
Adopt a rabbit forever

DON'T:

Allow your second-grader's teacher to offer rabbits to him or her without consulting you, first
Leave your rabbit outside
Allow the dog or any other animal easy access to your rabbit
Corner a rabbit, you could frighten it to death
Breed rabbits, there are far too many homeless rabbits today
Give a rabbit as an Easter gift

In-Home Breeding Alternatives

A recent story about Yorkie pups that were advertised for sale and then stolen, at gunpoint, raises some real questions in my mind. This story certainly calls to mind the dangers of advertising and selling anything out of your home, but many of the comments I read suggest that dogs should not be bred and sold at all and some say that dogs should only be sold in puppy stores, both of which raise further questions, in my mind.

I, too, obviously believe in spaying and neutering all pets and, of course, knowing how many homeless pets are out there, am not a proponent of any kind of breeding of animals. But I am also realistic enough to know that, despite my wish, not everyone is going to adopt a homeless dog from an animal shelter.

So, what is the alternative to home breeding and selling? Puppy stores? Aren't these the places that get so much of their stock from puppy mills? And aren't puppy mills often guilty of overbreeding, inbreeding, poor care, overcrowded cages and neglect?

So, while so many chastise this family for breeding dogs, charging outrageous prices for them, and selling them out of their home, maybe we should consider the alternative.

Citizen Safety is Never a Waste of Money

Remember the bill that requires states to include pets in their disaster plans or risk losing federal funds? Remember the statistics citing that as many as 44% of those who chose not to evacuate for Hurricane Katrina remained in danger because they would not leave their faithful, furry companions?

Now, some States and Counties are doing the best they can to ensure the safety of their citizens in the event of an emergency. Arlington County, Virginia, has allocated 10% of a Homeland Security grant to purchase and stock an emergency trailer that will be used to transport supplies needed to set up a temporary pet shelter in the event of a disaster.

Of course, as expected, some citizens are grumbling over what a waste of money this is and that it would be better spent on the people of the County rather than the pets. However, if you take just a moment to review what we have learned from Hurricane Katrina, it is obvious that having a plan for Arlington pets is, in fact, helping to ensure the safety and welfare of Arlington citizens, as well. If New Orleans had also had a plan for pets, wouldn't there be 44% fewer people left in danger?

Spay/Neuter: The Truth

Spaying and neutering pets. It's a tough topic to cover in just one blog post and sometimes a bit controversial but with Spay Day USA tomorrow, now's as good a time as any to touch upon the subject.

Spay and neuter is such a fundamental topic for animal shelters that it seems unnecessary to mention. Doesn’t every thinking person agree that spay and neuter is the answer to ending the suffering and death of our surplus (unwanted) companion animals? This is not news, but there still seem to be people, even veterinarians, who are perpetuating the old ideas about waiting until an animal has been through its first heat cycle or even had its first litter(!) before neutering. Shelters across the country have been performing so-called early age neutering for 20 years without adverse effects. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association both support early age neutering.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington started pre-adoption spay and neuter surgery in 2005 for all dogs and cats at least eight weeks old and weighing at least two pounds. Why is this so important? No dog or cat adopted from the League will create a litter of animals that may end up unwanted, uncared for, or abandoned. We think this is reason enough to do everything we can to promote spay and neuter not only for our adopted pets, but for all the dogs, cats, and house rabbits in our community. We sponsor Spay Day every year and subsidize low-cost surgeries for residents year-round with money from our Hantke Memorial Spay Neuter Fund. Until every pet that is born has a home, the campaign for spay and neuter will be a primary mission for all those interested in animal welfare.

Designer Dogs?

What's all the hype over the latest and greatest breeds of designer dogs? Labradoodles, goldendoodles, puggles, cockapoos, boggles. While people are paying hundreds, maybe thousands, for a special new breed of dog, we've got a ton of them right here at the shelter, but we usually call 'em mutts or mixed breeds.

They aren't "pure" Golden Retrievers or Labs, rather a hybrid of some pretty great dogs and adopting one won't take a chunk out of your savings.

Here are some of the "new" breeds we tend to see at the shelter:

Labrotties (lab, rottie mixes)
Shepradors (lab, shepherd mixes)
Chowperds (shepherd, chow mixes)
Hybrahounds (hound mixes)
Chorkies (chihuahua, yorkie mixes)
Shuskies (shepherd, husky mixes)
Berriers (beagle, terrier mixes)

But we're always meeting some even more interesting blends so stop by your local shelter for the most unique breed of loyal companion that won't break the bank!

Pedigree Says It Best

Call me sentimental, but everytime I see this Pedigree dog food commercial I get just a bit choked up. I have seen commercials and ads for homeless animals that make every attempt to tug at the heart strings, using images of abused, sick or ailing dogs and, of course, they are sad, but this one just does it. It's true! Normal, healthy, mixed-breed dogs are the stars of this clip and the stars at just about every animal shelter in the U.S. They are often good dogs who are given up for unsensational reasons such as "not enough time" or "moving to a place that does not allow pets."

Kudos to Pedigree for hitting this nail on the head and for supporting animal shelters!

Protect Paws in Winter

While we’re preparing for winter snow and ice, we need to remember to protect our pets, especially dogs, from harsh de-icing chemicals. Dogs’ paws are particularly vulnerable in winter. Snow and ice can get between their toes, and chemicals can cause their paws to dry and crack. On walks try to avoid areas that have been salted or have other chemical de-icers. Inspect your dog’s feet when you come inside. Wash them off with warm water and dry them thoroughly. And consider using a safe product like sand or kitty litter or a de-icer called Safe Paws. If you can talk your dog into it, you can also protect his or her paws with dog mittens.

Sunroom for Kitties

Indoor cats may finally enjoy the fresh air without the dangers that outdoor cats face. The Cat Veranda is the purrfect little sunroom that allows Fluffy to enjoy the fresh air and bask in the sun without the worry of encountering a treacherous world full of wild animals, speeding cars and freezing temps.

Lost Dog? Search Wisely!

Free enterprise is certainly the foundation this country is built on and I'm an avid supporter of it. It's what ensures that we have choices -- choices in brands of bread, choices in internet service providers, choices in animal shelters and rescues. Although, sometimes it seems that, with so many brands and so many options, it's not only confusing, it's often difficult to make the right decision.

This seems to be the case when it comes to lost and found dog listings. They seem to be popping up all over the internet now, and who's to know whether they will actually do any good in locating a lost dog.

After a quick Google search, I found three potential lost dog services. The first, Fido Finder (FF), listed only two found dogs in Arlington, Virginia. At the Arlington animal shelter, we know that there are more than two dogs that have been found in Arlington and far more that are lost. The second site, Hugs for Homeless Animals (HHA), only allowed me to search by state. The listings did include the city, but no dogs were found in Arlington. The third, Lost Your Pet, actually charges $10 a listing and returned absolutely no results for found dogs in Arlington.

To their credit, FF and HHA do not charge for the listing (HHA does request a donation to their organization, though). A free listing certainly doesn't seem to hurt and may aid somewhat in the search for a missing dog, but it is imperative that dog owners understand the need to contact their local animal shelter.

Most animal shelters will take and actively search lost and found reports. Of course, those who live in a dense area should also consider filing reports with all area shelters. Seem redundant? Not at all. Unfortunately, not all shelters have the infrastucture to share reports with other organizations and, while a dog may have been lost in a town like Alexandria, a concerned citizen who may work there but live in Arlington, may bring the dog to the shelter he or she knows. There is also no substitute for ensuring that current lost dog signs are hung around the neighborhood and that neighbors are contacted.

If a dog is lost, it can be heartbreaking experience and many owners may go the extra mile to find him. Just make sure that the first resource is your local animal shelter and the "extra mile" is an online listing.

Active Dogs, Inactive Owners

Think daily walks or a game of fetch is enough to burn off your dog's energy? Think again. Looks like we can't seem to find enough time to devote to our dogs' exercise needs. In turn, we have resorted to investing in equipment designed to increase our dog's activity and, well, decrease our own. The dog-powered scooter is the urban answer to mushing. Hook up your dog, hop on, and your off. Now there's a doggie treadmill?

Really, how lazy or busy must we be if we can't hop off the couch long enough to take our pooches for a good stroll?

Behavior Issue or Health Risk?

It's a sad story but so often a true one -- pet owners giving up there once faithful, loving, well-behaved companions because of sudden behavior problems. It's especially sad when the pet is euthanized for a behavior issue that stems from an undetected health problem.

Thyroid issues, specifically hyperthyroidism, often cause an increase in energy that may make a cat or dog overly hyperactive. Unknown aches and pains can cause pets to snap at just a touch. And, as we often see at the Arlington animal shelter, something as simple as a urinary tract infection can cause a once-perfectly-potty-trained kitty to quit using the litterbox.

While it is quite obviously important to seek veterinary care when such behavior issues occur, it is extremely important to seek care right away, before these behavior issues become unbreakable habits.

Cats Save the Day!

Looks like cats all over the world are busy doing good deeds!

One cat alerted her owners in the Bay Area of their housefire, while another in Australia clawed his owner's face (ouch!) until he awoke to a matress ablaze. The latest, an adopted cat in Iowa, jumped on her guardian, alerting her to a fire and giving her and her daughter enough time to call 911 and escape a fire that destroyed her home.

Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, look out! The family cat is putting your good deeds to shame!

Could you possibly need any more reasons to adopt a furry friend?

Dogs Found, Cats Lost

The latest news is that lost dogs are returned to their owners more often and sooner than lost cats. This, however, is nothing new to animal shelter workers. The reasons are straightforward and the solution quite simple...

1) Dogs more often wear ID tags with current contact information than cats.

2) Dog owners are more aware when their dog is missing than cat owners because cats are often allowed to roam free and dogs must be kept on a leash.

3) People are more apt to react when they see a roaming dog, since roaming cats are more common.

How can we all solve this basic problem?

1) Make sure that all dogs and cats wear id tags at all times.

2) Call your local animal shelter immediately if your dog or cat is missing.

3) Keep your cats safely inside with you at all times.

Crossing the Line: Obesity to Cruelty

Two brothers in the UK were found guilty of "causing unecessary suffering to an animal," by allowing their 10 year old chocolate lab to gain a gross amount of weight, to the extent that he could not even walk more than five or six steps wihtout collapsing.

Some feel this crosses a line, causing pet owners to worry about a pet gaining a few pounds and others wonder if parents will be prosecuted for having "fat" children.

The story, plain and simple, is that the brothers failed to give the dog an appropriate diet and rejected any advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Could you even look at this image and watch this video of this poor, helpless creature and argue against this ruling? I'm glad to see that someone is looking out for at least one of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of neglected animals out there.

Diet Drug for Dogs

With the new year come new year's resolutions. One of the top new year's resolutions for people involves getting in shape or losing weight. Well, why not resolve to help your over-weight pet shed a few extra pounds, too?

Last week, the government approved the first "diet" drug for obese canines -- Slentrol. Produced by Pfizer, is meant to help obese canines lose the extra weight. The drug, however, is not without side effects and could cause loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite. Hmmm, loss of appetite? Well, isn't that by design?

Of course, why not try a healthy diet and exercise first?

Top Dog Names

The results are in and the top dog names in no way resemble the top baby names this year! Looks like we give our babies more distinguished names such as Emma (thank's to Friends), Madison, Aidan and Jacob, than we bestow upon our furry friends.

According to data from Pet Harbor, our favorite four-legged friend names include Molly, Daisy, Lucy, Princess and Charlie; but the two most popular, hands down, are Max and Buddy.

"Why not name your pet Zhivago or Toots or Sir Galahad or Tawni or heck, even Fido," suggested a Pet Harbor staff member. Also, according to Pet Harbor, some of the more unique names include Bamma, Wasabi, Watcher and Frankie Blue.

What's your favorite name?