Mesa/Tempe Pet Sitting Expert

Kitten Cuteness Overload!

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:19:00 GMT

Cups O' Bunnies!

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:51:00 GMT

Truth About Puppy Mills

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:41:00 GMT

The Truth About Puppy Mills

Animal Compassion Network

Puppies crowded together in a puppy mill

Puppy mills are commercial mass dog-breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Most puppy mill dogs are housed in shockingly poor conditions, especially the ones kept in cages to be bred over and over for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family. After they're no longer profitable, these dogs are simply discarded. And hundreds of thousands of puppies are born every year, adding to the pet overpopulation that fills our nation's animal shelters.

Puppy mills sell their "products" to unsuspecting consumers in pet stores, over the Internet, and through newspaper classified advertisements. Many of the puppies have serious behavioral and health problems that might not be apparent for months—problems that can cost thousands of dollars to treat, if treatable at all.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licenses and inspects puppy mills for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, and some states have laws to protect the animals. But puppy mills can get around USDA licensing requirements by selling directly to consumers, and many simply rely on the limited reach of the law—with so few inspectors and only minor fines in place, it's often easy for puppy mills to stay in business.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has investigated puppy mills for decades, exposing the realities of the industry. We've lobbied for the current laws—and for more money to enforce them. And we continue our support for a bill now before Congress that would crack down on chronic violators and raise minimal standards for the facilities. We've also educated millions of consumers on the issue, most recently through our new Stop Puppy Mills campaign.

We've worked shoulder to shoulder with other organizations and law enforcement officials, as well, to shut down puppy mills. Last year we investigated a facility in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County and joined with local officials in executing a search warrant for the property. And this summer our Spay-Neuter Clinic and Animal Wellness Center in Dallas provided spaying and neutering surgery and vaccinations for more than 120 dogs seized during a raid at a suspected puppy mill in Texas. And our Northern Rockies Regional Office joined the Judith Basin County Sheriff's Office and state Disaster and Emergency Services personnel in a multisite raid in Montana and organized a team to assess the 116 seized dogs.

In spite of this progress, our work is far from over—thousands of puppy mills are still in operation, and we need your help to stop them. Visit our Stop Puppy Mills campaign website at www.StopPuppyMills.com to find out what you can do. You'll also be able to order our bumper sticker and How to Buy a Puppy flier so you can help us spread the word. After all, our best friends deserve better.

From the Humane Society of the United States

*NOTE*

As pet sitter's (and bloggers!), who have worked with puppy mill dogs, we have seen the devastating effects these environments have on dogs later in life. Our hope is that people who have a yearning for a companion animal will bypass the need to get a puppy from one of these places, and adopt instead. In our household, all of the animals we have had over the years have come directly off the street or from rescues. So, until the law can catch up and place regulations that are implemented to effect OR all the dogs from the pound, the street, the shelters and the rescues have homes---please, ADOPT : ]

Tiger's Could be Extinct in 12 Years

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:36:00 GMT

By IRINA TITOVA, Associated Press Irina Titova, Associated Press – Sun Nov 21, 10:53 am ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Wild tigers could become extinct in 12 years if countries where they still roam fail to take quick action to protect their habitats and step up the fight against poaching, global wildlife experts told a "tiger summit" Sunday.

The World Wildlife Fund and other experts say only about 3,200 tigers remain in the wild, a dramatic plunge from an estimated 100,000 a century ago.

James Leape, director general of the World Wildlife Fund, told the meeting in St. Petersburg that if the proper protective measures aren't taken, tigers may disappear by 2022, the next Chinese calendar year of the tiger.

Their habitat is being destroyed by forest cutting and construction, and they are a valuable trophy for poachers who want their skins and body parts prized in Chinese traditional medicine.

The summit approved a wide-ranging program with the goal of doubling the world's tiger population in the wild by 2022 backed by governments of the 13 countries that still have tiger populations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.

The Global Tiger Recovery Program estimates the countries will need about $350 million in outside funding in the first five years of the 12-year plan. The summit will be seeking donor commitments to help governments finance conservation measures.

"For most people tigers are one of the wonders of the world," Leape told The Associated Press. "In the end, the tigers are the inspiration and the flagship for much broader efforts to conserve forests and grasslands."

The program aims to protect tiger habitats, eradicate poaching, smuggling, and illegal trade of tigers and their parts, and also create incentives for local communities to engage them in helping protect the big cats.

The summit, which runs through Wednesday, is hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has used encounters with tigers and other wild animals to bolster his image. It's driven by the Global Tiger Initiative which was launched two years ago by World Bank President Robert Zoellick.

Leape said that along with a stronger action against poaching, it's necessary to set up specialized reserves for tigers and restore and conserve forests outside them to let tigers expand.

"And you have to find a way to make it work for the local communities so that they would be partners in tigers conservation and benefit from them," Leape said.

"To save tigers you need to save the forests, grasslands and lots of other species," he added. "But at the same time you are also conserving the foundations of the societies who live there. Their economy depends very much on the food, water and materials they get from those forests."

About 30 percent of the program's cost would go toward suppressing the poaching of tigers and of the animals they prey on.

Russia's Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev said that Russia and China will create a protected area for tigers alongside their border and pool resources to combat poaching.

Leape said that for some of the nations involved outside financing would be essential to fulfill the goals.

"We need to see signficant commitment by the multilateral and bilateral indsitutions like the Global Environment Facility and the World Bank plus individual governments like the U.S. and Germany," Leape told the AP.

For advocates, saving tigers has implications far beyond the emotional appeal of preserving a graceful and majestic animal.

"Wild tigers are not only a symbol of all that is splendid, mystical and powerful about nature," the Global Tiger Initiative said in a statement. "The loss of tigers and degradation of their ecosystems would inevitably result in a historic, cultural, spiritual, and environmental catastrophe for the tiger range countries."

Three of the nine tiger subspecies — the Bali, Javan, and Caspian — already have become extinct in the past 70 years.

Much has been done recently to try to save tigers, but conservation groups say their numbers and habitats have continued to fall, by 40 percent in the past decade alone.

In part, that decline is because conservation efforts have been increasingly diverse and often aimed at improving habitats outside protected areas where tigers can breed, according to a study published in September in the Popular Library of Science Biology journal.

Putin has done much to draw attention to tigers' plight. During a visit to a wildlife preserve in 2008, he shot a female tiger with a tranquilizer gun and helped place a transmitter around her neck as part of a program to track the rare cats.

Later in the year, Putin was given a 2-month-old female Siberian tiger for his birthday. State television showed him at his home gently petting the cub, which was curled up in a wicker basket with a tiger-print cushion. The tiger now lives in a zoo in southern Russia.

World's Longest Snake Dies

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:34:00 GMT

Reprinted from Pet People's Place

Powell, Ohio (Nov 10th, 2010)

A reticulated python that's thought to be the world's longest snake has died at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

On the morning of August 27th, zookeepers found that "Fluffy" had died during the night, and preliminary findings of a necropsy by Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine revealed the presence of a mass on her ovary. Fluffy was eighteen years old, 24-feet-long and 300-pounds and held the title of longest snake by Guinness World Records since the 30th September 2009. She was described as "gigantic and gentle" by staff at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Fluffy has attracted large crowds at the zoo since she made her public debut in April 2007, when she was originally brought to the zoo on loan. She became such a favorite with staff and visitors alike that the zoo decided to keep her permanently. "When Zoo visitors saw Fluffy they experienced many emotions such as awe, curiosity and even fear. Everyone was moved by her presence and she created the connection for them to learn more, and care more, about misunderstood animals such as snakes." said Zoo President and CEO Dale Schmidt.

Reticulated pythons are non-venomous constrictors found in tropical forests in Southeast Asia. They are the world's longest species of snakes, averaging 10-20 feet in length. The reticulated python skin has a geometric pattern that camouflages the snake protecting it from predators and allowing it to ambush prey. Feeding mostly on small mammals such as rodents, large snakes may consume wild pigs, deer and even primates.

Photograph courtesy Guinness World Records.

This news story is independently sourced and PetPeoplesPlace.com does not specifically endorse products or services offered by any company referenced in this article, or benefit from any association with any companies referenced.

Missouri Puppy Mill Law Passed

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:31:00 GMT

Reprinted from petpeopleplace.com .

Jefferson City, Missouri (Nov 10th, 2010)

Missouri has passed the historic Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act on the state ballot, in a move welcomed by animal welfare charities.

Nearly 1 million Missouri voters voted to approve the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, also known as Proposition B, a statewide ballot initiative to establish basic standards for the care of dogs in large-scale commercial breeding facilities. An estimated 3,000 puppy mills operate in Missouri, with more than one million puppies for the pet trade being produced every year in Missouri.

Given these numbers, it is not surprising that on an almost weekly basis the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and other charities rescue dozens of dogs from properties in Missouri. And a recent Better Business Bureau report entitled "The Puppy Industry in Missouri: A Study of Buyers, Sellers, Breeders and Enforcement of the Law", stated that Missouri is "so overwhelmed by the number of puppy sellers that it can't regulate the puppy industry properly". Proposition B will improve the lives of dogs by requiring large-scale breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with such basics as sufficient food and clean water, necessary veterinary care, adequate housing, and adequate space and exercise.

The Missourians for the Protection of Dogs had been running a campaign to back Proposition B, and over 6,000 citizens, 162 businesses, 109 animal welfare charities and 150 veterinary clinics signed the petition. "We are grateful to the citizens of Missouri for voting to crack down on puppy mill abuses and to establish common-sense standards for the care of dogs," said Barbara Schmitz, campaign director. "Finally these animals will have relief from being crammed into small and filthy cages, without veterinary care, exercise, or human affection. If we can do it here in the nation's largest puppy mill state, we are more likely to carry the day with reforms enacted in other states, where this cruel industry is not nearly as strong and entrenched."

The act's passage was also warmly welcomed by the ASPCA's President, Ed Sayres, who called the passage a "landmark achievement in the ongoing fight against animal cruelty". Sayres added that he hoped that other states would follow Missouri's lead, and that Missourians had set "an admirable precedent for reform".

Photograph courtesy The Missourians for the Protection of Dogs

Petland to Start Adopting out Shelter Pets

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:26:00 GMT

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 07:07 PM PDT

Hate Petland? A lot of folks do, and have spent hours upon hours picketing the stores across the country. Finally, one Petland seems to have heard what their picketers have been saying. The East Liberty, PA Petland has decided to stop selling puppies and kittens from commercial breeders. Instead, they will bring in homeless pets from Western Pennsylvania Humane Society and Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania.

Puppies and kittens from commercial breeders will no longer be sold at Petland in East Liberty, a regular target of animal rights picketers.

Instead, that puppy in the window — as well as kittens and rabbits — will come from two local shelters.

“It’s a good thing to do,” said Eric Caplan, when asked about the change. He and his wife, Marci,, own the franchise for that Petland store, located at 6401 Penn Ave. in the Village of Eastside.

The store inventory currently includes five purebred puppies and three “designer” mixes, including a fluffy cockapoo, which is a cocker spaniel-poodle cross.

When those puppies are sold, the store will bring in puppies, kittens and rabbits from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society and kittens from the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania. The store owners hope it will happen in the next week or so.

The Caplans are calling it ASAP: Animal Shelter Adoption Program. The animals will live in the store, and not all of their time will be spent in cages. The store has indoor exercise and play areas.

“We look at this as a step in the right direction,” said Dan Rossi, executive director of the Animal Rescue League. “We don’t get many puppies,” but the shelter is inundated with kittens. The Petland store does not have adequate living and exercise facilities for larger animals, but adult dogs may be brought from the Larimer shelter to Petland on weekends for adoption events, Mr. Rossi said.

[...]

The Caplans will add a service fee to the shelter animals that are sold, he said. “It won’t be a profit. It will be to help cover our costs.”

Kittens are usually $60 at the Animal Rescue League. The Caplans expect to add about $30 to $40 to that cost to cover the care they provide. The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society puppy adoption fee is $200, and Mr. Caplan said he’ll add about $100 to the cost.

The adoption fee includes neutering by a veterinarian, inoculations and microchips. The Humane Society fee also includes the cost of training classes.

Read the rest of Petland to sell animals from shelters.

The article also says Petland has 100 stores, 96 of which are franchises. I don’t know if any of the other franchises are doing what the East Liberty, PA store is doing. If not, I’m hoping more will follow suit. This is definitely a good PR move on their part, but above all it’s going to help cats and dogs that desperately need homes.

Dog Lost in Car Accident--Central & Northern Aves in ARIZONA--Occurred Saturday Oct. 16, 2010

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:30:00 GMT

NOTE: We would have posted this sooner but we have been having formatting issues with our hosting site. We apologize. If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of Molly please use the contact information below.

"Hi guys ~

I need some help with something, please. I'm sending this to people I can think of who live or work in central Phx....

My mom (Vicki) was in a bad car accident on Sat. It appears that she had a seizure and hit a powerbox at full speed, then rolled her car a couple of times, taking out a monument sign and a boulder. They actually thought she was gone at the scene, but thankfully is recovering in the hospital with a broken vertebrae and a concussion, and lots of bruises and pain. She's one tough cookie!

Her dog (and constant companion), Molly, was in her car and has disappeared. We believe that she might still be alive, and are holding out hope that we find her, because we know Molly will be key to mom's recovery. The windows would have been open in her car, so it's possible that Molly was thrown and got away.

As mom is in the hospital, I have to keep working on finding her dog. That dog is her reason for getting up every day. Post this pic, if you want, on facebook or send to anyone you know in Central Phx , or simply keep your eyes open for us. The accident was at 19th Ave/Northern.

Thank you so much!!"

Bridgette Zellmann
Media Supervisor
The Lavidge Company

480.998.2600 | 480.998.5525 FAX | lavidge.com

Animal Microchips Linked to Causing Cancer

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:25:00 GMT

(NaturalNews) Many veterinarians recommend them, and most animal shelters require them. Identification microchips injected into the necks of cats and dogs are touted as useful in recovering lost pets because the devices store owner and medical information. But are they safe? A new lawsuit against Merck & Co., Inc., maker of the HomeAgain pet microchip, says they are not, noting that they can cause cancer to develop in pets.

Featured at www.ChipMeNot.org, a website launched to raise awareness about the harm caused to animals by microchips, the lawsuit alleges that Merck's HomeAgain pet microchip induces cancerous tumors in pets. According to the suit, the defendant's cat developed cancer after getting a chip implant, and according to reports, other animals have gotten cancer after getting chipped as well.

"Based on the alarming number of microchip-induced cancers we're discovering, I predict this lawsuit will be just the tip of the iceberg," said Dr. Katherine Albrecht, a consumer advocate and expert on side effects associated with implantable microchips. "Merck and organizations that advocate pet chipping should take this lawsuit seriously and start warning pet owners of the risk of microchip-induced cancer."

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, potential health risks associated with implantable microchips include "adverse tissue reaction". Based on data from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, this can include "swelling", "infection", "abscesses", and "tumors".

Albrecht presented a paper on the subject called "Microchip-Induced Tumors in Laboratory Rodents and Dogs: A Review of the Literature 1990-2006" (http://www.chipmenot.org/pdfs/P074.pdf) at the June conference of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers that documents the increasing number of animals being harmed by microchips. Currently, there is no repository of data on adverse events associated with microchips in the U.S., but Albrecht organization, CASPIAN, is filling that void by compiling such information and making it available to the public.

To learn more about the dangers of animal microchips, visit: www.ChipMeNot.org

NOTE FROM MESA PET SITTING EXPERT:

After you read this article, and before you scream and tear your hair out, ask yourself some questions; is this a Cup-Runneth-Over-Scenario? In other words when my pet was chipped was he eating chemically laced, artificially colored, by-product filled, filler-grain stuffed, no-meat-included grocery store food (READ THOSE LABELS)? Is my pet a pure-bred...worse; a puppy-mill pure-bred? Is my pet vaccinated...worse; over-vaccinated? Do I smoke around my pet? Do have it on conventional medication? Is my pet overweight...worse; obese? Is my home constantly filled with artificial scents?

If you answered yes to all or most of these questions, your pet may be on the brink of getting cancer, or some just-as-bad disease sooner that should be expected anyway. Do yourself and your pets a favor; get rid of all the above listed scenarios...THEN decide if microchipping is the best plan. I have had all my animals chipped since chipping first came out, and those that have died so far have died at a very old ages, and had varying expected old-age diseases.

Schwarzenegger Vetoes Declawing Bill for Landlords

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 22:36:49 GMT

Sacramento, California (Oct 6th, 2010)

A bill making it illegal for a landlord in California to require their tenants to have their pets declawed or devocalized has been rejected by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger Vetoes California Bill To Ban Landlords From Declawing

Assembly Bill 2743 (AB 2743) would have imposed a civil fine of $2500 for each instance of declawing or devocalization as a result of a landlord-tenant agreement. Landlords would also not have been able to give preferential treatment to tenants with declawed or debarked animals or advertise in a manner designed to discourage applicants with animals that have not been declawed or devocalized. AB 2743 was authored by Pedro Nava of the district of Santa Barbara, and was passed with bipartisan support of 63 to 7 by the California Assembly in May and passed 21-12 by the California Senate in early September. However, the bill was vetoed by Governer Schwarzenegger last week.

"I support the goal of this bill, which would preclude landlords from making inappropriate medical decisions as a condition of occupancy. However, I cannot sign a measure that contains findings and declarations by the Legislature that are unsupported by science. In addition, this measure suggests that declawing should be prohibited for any 'non-therapeutic' reason, which would include the legitimate medical needs of a pet owner. Regrettably, this bill goes too far in attempting to deal with inappropriate demands by landlords," said Governer Schwarzenegger in his veto statement.

While the bill was supported by the California Apartment Association (CAA), the bill was not supported by the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and many commentators therefore expected the bill to be vetoed. The CVMA had problems with several key sections of the last version of the bill. Specifically, they say there is no evidence that declawing cats has unintended effects on their behavior. Critics have condemned the CVMA for looking after the financial interests of it's members.

"I am very disappointed that the Governor vetoed my bill. Declawing and devocalization are complex surgeries that can have severe complications for animals, and emotional and financial consequences for pet owners. Cats often change their behavior in unacceptable ways after being declawed and some dogs develop scar tissue that interferes with their ability to eat. Sometimes these procedures are performed routinely," Pedro Nava, the author of AB 2743 told the LA Times after the bill was rejected.

This news story is independently sourced and PetPeoplesPlace.com does not specifically endorse products or services offered by any company referenced in this article, or benefit from any association with any companies referenced.

PET FOOD RECALL: Blue Buffalo food

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:06:41 GMT

Blue Buffalo has been under scrutiny lately due to dogs becoming ill after eating some of their food. As a result, they are now recalling specific lots of their the following Blue Buffalo dog foods: Wilderness Chicken-Dog, Basics Salmon-Dog and Large Breed Adult Dog products. It's been discovered to be due to an increased amount of Vitamin D in the food.

At Blue Buffalo, nothing is more important than the health and well being of our dogs and cats, so it’s consistent with this guiding principle that we are voluntarily recalling specific production runs of our Wilderness Chicken-Dog, Basics Salmon-Dog and Large Breed Adult Dog products, as we have reason to believe that the products from these runs may contain a higher level of Vitamin D than is called for in our product specifications.

We came to this conclusion after discovering that our ingredient supplier had made a scheduling error and produced a Vitamin D supplement immediately prior to preparing the ingredients for the BLUE products that are in question. We believe that some of the Vitamin D supplement may have been carried over into our products, resulting in more Vitamin D than is called for in our formulas.

While the potential of increased Vitamin D presents no serious health risk, and any negative reaction to these products has been confined to a very small segment of the canine population who appear to be sensitive to higher levels of Vitamin D, we have a zero tolerance for any product that does not meet our specifications. I think you’ll agree that our decision to withdraw these specific products is simply the right thing to do.

From a next steps standpoint, all products with the specific manufacturing dates in question will be removed from retailer’s shelves. If you have any products with the codes shown below you should stop feeding them immediately.You may call Blue Buffalo at
1-877-523-9114 to arrange for return of the product and reimbursement.

These are the ONLY code dates being recalled:

* BLUE Wilderness Chicken (Dog)
Bag sizes: 4.5 lb., 11 lb., 24lb.
Best Used By Dates: JUL1211B, JUL1311B, JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z, JUL2811Z
* BLUE Basics Salmon (Dog)
Bag sizes: 11 lb., 24 lb.
Best Used By Dates: AUG2111B, AUG2211B
* BLUE Large Breed Adult Chicken
Bag size: 30 lb.
Best Used By Dates: SEP 22 11 P, SEP 23 11 P, OCT 26 11 P

This Vitamin D issue does not effect any other code dates of these products or any other Blue Buffalo dog or cat foods. In addition, new bags of Wilderness Chicken, Basics Salmon and Large Breed Adult Chicken will be available on the shelves so you can continue to feed BLUE with complete confidence.

If your dog has shown any adverse reaction to the recalled products, have him checked by your veterinarian. Typical symptoms might include excessive water intake and/or excessive urination, and in some cases vomiting. Blue Buffalo will reimburse any veterinary or testing expenses related to illness caused by these products.

Earlier today the Michigan State University website published this about the vitamin D problems in the

A team of researchers at Michigan State University has discovered a group of illnesses reported in dogs across the country is linked to a specific brand of dog food from the Blue Buffalo Co.

Veterinarians from across the country recently began sending samples from dogs with elevated levels of calcium in their blood to MSU's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, director Carole Bolin said. The sick dogs had increased thirst and urination, and some of them also suffered weight loss, loss of appetite and signs of kidney damage.

Endocrinologists with the Diagnostic Center, a service unit of the College of Veterinary Medicine, soon noticed the pattern and found a common factor: All 16 dogs whose samples were tested had very high levels of vitamin D in their blood and were fed a diet of Blue Buffalo's Wilderness Chicken Recipe.

[...]

It is routine for veterinarians across the country to contact the center for specialized testing to explore the causes of clinical conditions. In this specific case, all the dogs were found to have very high levels of vitamin D in their serum, a quite unusual finding. Endocrinologist Kent Refsal picked up on the pattern of cases and began to investigate.

The affected dogs ranged in age from 8 months to 8 years. There were three mixed-breed dogs and 13 purebred dogs. The samples originated from eight states: Michigan, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin, California, Illinois, North Dakota and Utah. In addition to the testing, there was either a brief written history and/or communication with the referring veterinarian to discuss the possible sources of excess vitamin D.

Here's the rest from MSU: MSU researchers link pet food, dog illnesses nationwide.

This recall info can also be found on the Blue Buffalo board.

To unsubscribe from these announcements, login to the forum and uncheck "Receive forum announcements and important notifications by email." in your profile.

You can view the full announcement by following this link:

http://thepetfoodlist.com/forums/index.php?topic=1163.0

Regards,
The The Pet Food List Forums Team.

The "extra" thing we did on my birthday

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:27:00 GMT

Do you ever see something like this on streets near where you live?

Here in Mesa, AZ there was a woman who sells puppies out of an X-pen in the grassy area near the Starbucks on the corner of Val Vista and Southern Aves on many weekends. At first I thought we must not have a city law regarding the sale of live animals on the streets, or she would not be so bold as to set up shop right there in front of Starbucks patrons and all.

The times that I have driven by and seen her there, which are many, I noticed the crowd around her X-pen is ever-growing. All I can think of as I drive by is how many of those pups are really going to have healthy, long-lived lives, and how many will actually end up neglected, shunted to the backyard, or worse....surrendered to the pound. After all selling live animals on the street is akin to Point-of-Purchase sales displays at the checkout counter of your local grocer; they WANT you to impulsively buy that invitingly sweet, comfort-providing, late-night friend, the......chocolate bar.

Oh, you thought I was talking about a puppy?

I was.

Anyway, you see where this leads; guilt and remorse over the impulse buy, and the need to do something to get rid of it. To tell you the truth, I think most people find it easier to get rid of an unwanted puppy, than to get rid of the weight gained from eating an impulsively bought chocolate bar. Which path is actually taken is the real question.

Can we control what impulses people have over buying either chocolate or puppies? I don't think so, but we can control Point-of-Purchase sales both in stores, and on our streets.

Last Sunday we again drove by this woman with the puppies for sale. Since it was my birthday, and I was feeling especially cheerful, and we were on our way to getting Birthday-Massages, I felt my heart drop with much more force upon spotting that woman on the grass yet again. I turned to Mae, since I was driving, and "impulsively" asked her to call the city police and ask them if they have a law regarding the sale of live animals on the street. Lo and Behold they do! They asked for all the pertinent information...as they should; height, weight, age, hair color, what is she wearing, location, race, do we want to remain anonymous....hell yes we want to remain anonymous!

Well, that didn't last long....here I am telling you all about it. I couldn't keep quiet about it. I wanted to make the point that just because you see someone on the streets selling live animals, doesn't mean they are allowed to be there.

Yes, she'll probably find another location, and set up shop all over again. So what if she does? What if every time she is spotted on the streets someone calls the city police and asks if there's a law? What if there IS a law each and every time the call is made? She'll be made to move, each and every time. She'll be forced more and more underground, having to now pay for advertising, spend more money than perhaps she is taking in. She can't be charging that much for the pups. Point-of-Sale items are always cheap. Will we have killed the beast at that point? Maybe.....

Maybe she'll get discouraged, and find some other way to make extra money.

Stolen Dog Reunited with Owner After 7 Years

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:42:00 GMT

Estill County, Kentucky (Sept 15th, 2010)

A dog that was stolen from it's backyard almost 7 years ago has been reunited with it's shocked owners.

On the day after Thanksgiving in 2003, Brad and Amy Davis and their three children reported their nine-month old Weimaraner called "Jake" as stolen. The Davis family had gone to have their Christmas pictures taken and were away from their home for no more than 45 minutes. That was enough time, however, for thieves to steal their dog from the backyard, leaving his collar behind.

"He had been a Houdini-like dog in the past," Amy Davis said, "but there was no way he would have been able to get the collar off by himself." Despite offering rewards for his return, the family never received any news or updates about Jake's whereabouts. And after nearly seven years had passed, the Davis family had given up hope of ever finding their dog again. On September 7th, however, Phyllis Arsenault, a recovery specialist from the American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR), the nation's largest not-for-profit pet recovery service, called the Davises to say Jake had been found as a result of his microchip being scanned at the Estill County Animal Shelter in Ravenna, Kentucky - over 420 miles and 7 hours from their home in Michigan.

The Davises learned that Jake had been dropped off at the shelter by a gentleman who had found him running in the street. "The really strange thing is that when we got the calls, we had just returned from Kentucky and our son's BMX race - we were only about 100 miles away from him!" said Amy. Since his return, Jake has transitioned back into his family quite easily, even making friends with the Davises' new six-month-old puppy.

"When the shelter staff contacted us I was really glad we had the family's updated information in our database and that we were able to reunite them with Jake," said Phyllis Arsenault, the recovery specialist who handled the case. "When I spoke to Brad, he was just ecstatic about his dog's return."

According to the American Kennel Club's National Pet Theft Database, based on customer and media reports, approximately 177 pets have been reported stolen so far in 2010 compared to 162 in 2009 and 71 in 2008. And this case demonstrates the importance of microchip identification in the fight against pet theft.

Article reprinted from Peoples Pet Place .

California Bill to Ban Landlords From Declawing in Final Stages

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:16:00 GMT

Sacramento, California (Sept 8th, 2010)

A bill making it illegal for a landlord in California to require their tenants to have their pets declawed or devocalized has been passed to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signature.

Assembly Bill 2743, authored by Pedro Nava of the district of Santa Barbara, was passed with bipartisan support of 63 to 7 by the California Assembly in May and passed 21-12 by the California Senate several days ago. AB 2743 will impose a civil fine of $2500 for each instance of declawing or devocalization as a result of a landlord-tenant agreement. Also, landlords will not be able give preferential treatment to tenants with declawed or debarked animals or advertise in a manner designed to discourage applicants with animals that have not been declawed or devocalized.

"Declawing and devocalization are permanent, complex surgeries that can have unintended consequences for property managers, physical complications for animals, and emotional and financial consequences for pet owners. It is unconscionable that landlords throughout California have been requiring these procedures for prospective tenants," said Nava. "My bill is the first step in stopping these policies and promoting safe and easy alternatives to these surgeries, which are increasingly being viewed as outdated."

According to Debra Carlton, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the California Apartment Association (CAA's), "CAA endorses the humane treatment of animals, and as a result, years ago the association purposely decided to exclude any language about declawing cats and devocalizing dogs in our widely used rental and lease agreements. Instead we recommended to owners that they utilize security deposits when it comes to damage to the rental unit as a result of negative pet behavior."

However, perhaps surprisingly, the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) strongly opposes the bill, despite being supportive of the overall goal of the bill. The CVMA has problems with several key sections of the current version of the bill. Specifically, they say there is no evidence that declawing cats has unintended effects on their behavior with poses a public safety concern. Since the CVMA's opinion carries such weight, it is yet to be seen which opinions Governor Schwarzenegger will consider when deciding whether or not to enact the bill.

Eight local governments in California have recently banned the practice of cat declawing (Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Culver City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica, West Hollywood), recognizing the practice as inhumane. A search of rental listings throughout California, however, shows a number of properties with landlords and managers requiring that potential owners will be considered only with declawed cats.

This article has been reprinted from Pet Peoples Place .

The Oasis Sanctuary-The Past Ten Years

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:13:00 GMT

September 5 th 2010

The Oasis Sanctuary - the past Ten Years

Ten Years in Cascabel
September 13th 2000- September 13th 2010

For the first three plus years of its existence, The Oasis was located on an acre (my backyard) in Phoenix Arizona. After spending two years dedicatedly seeking out affordable, appropriate, acceptable property, we were in the final stages of having our dream of a dedicated site come true.

In June of 2000 The Oasis found a 72 acre dormant Pecan Orchard in southeastern Arizona, 26 miles north of the town of Benson. By August of 2000 we had gone thru the Special Use Permit process with Cochise County and were given permission to move the birds to their new home.

Thanks to a young animal loving couple who literally had won a Lottery, we were given a down-payment on land and much of the money needed to move the facility to its new home. (This couple, as all too many Lottery winners have found, divorced. They found their changed lives also changed their interests. Within 2 years of moving to our new facility, the now-estranged couple stopped any financial contributions to the birds, but we are forever grateful for their important help in the first years....)

Escrow closed during the last few days of August 2000. The most of August and early September 2000 were spent running back and forth from Phoenix to the Sanctuary, more than 3 hours away. We were dealing with various contractors, restructuring the property to suit our needs. The Pecan Harvesting building was turning into a Bird Building; windows were added, heating and air conditioning installed, insulation provided and walls put up.

Weld-wire fencing was put around an acre attached to the newly renovated Bird Building. This was where the out-door cages and aviaries would be set up.

There was only one home on the property, a small 1100 square foot house which had been inhabited by the orchard's owners. TJ Georgitso, The Oasis' original Associate Director (1998-2009) and I would share that house until my Phoenix home was renovated and sold. In February 2001 I purchased the first of a number of manufactured homes which now house staff, and I moved into that house. At night I slept a few feet from the bird's habitats, listening in my sleep for any sounds of distress... Located directly across the driveway, that building now is the Sanctuary's office and guest quarters. (In 2005 I purchased a walking-distance foreclosure, renovated that, and moved into the house in late 2006. I now live within earshot of the birds on my own five acres.)

For the first 6 years there was no separation between home, office and work. Back in 2000 there were no houses on the property for staff. During the first couple of years we attempted to hire from among the local residents. But Bensonites did not want to drive an hour and a half round trip daily and beat the heck out of their vehicles. Cascabel, the unincorporated community in which the Sanctuary is located, has 200 people within 200 miles. Generally speaking, the people who want jobs have them, working on nearby ranches. Other folks are retired and don't want full-time back-breaking employment. Still others were drunks or drug addicts and were not at all suited for work with Oasis' birds.

At the time that The Oasis moved, Benson had a seasonally fluctuating population of 2500 to 3500 people. The closest services to the new Oasis facility were all located in Benson or further away in Sierra Vista or Tucson. Back then, the last twelve miles between Benson and our land was a dirt road. It took a minimum of 45 minutes to get to Benson from the sanctuary.

The first year TJ, along with a part-time older employee and I fed, cleaned, ran errands, and cared for the over 250 birds in residence. By the end of 2001 there were about 300 birds, and we had found only one additional part-time staff member.

For the first few years care giving was a 24/7 job...

On September 11^th 2001, two days less than one year from the date that the birds arrived, The World Trade Towers were demolished and our country has never been the same.

The next few years were difficult in all too many ways. ...inadequate staffing....and now inadequate funding.

From the end of 2001 for almost two years The Oasis had little donation-income due to the panic in our country. During 2003 thru 2005 I liquidated all of my personal assets...6 rental properties... in order to keep the doors of the Oasis, keep the birds safe.

Thankfully during that time, as the country stabilized, a growing number of donors became Friends of The Oasis, enabling us to grow and continue to provide the most highly regarded life-care services for parrots in the country. By 2008 our budget rose to over $600,000....almost every penny coming from individual donors. (Less than 5% of our annual income comes from grants which are always dedicated to specific projects.)

Over the past ten years, many staff members and volunteers have come and gone. Each has left an indelible impression on the sanctuary. We could not be here, doingwhat we do, without their help....whether for a few days or a long number of years....

Many birds have come to the Sanctuary and joined the growing flock...and some...too many... have passed on....

When would people come to visit over the past few years, I would have them stand on the front porch of the office and look around. I explain to them what was here....and what was not.

Not a single Flight (large aviary) was in existence.

There were no homes for Staff.

The free-standing animal infirmary did not exist until 2002 and the small bird building known as "The Pumpkin Trailer" came 18 months after that.

The fencing around the "bird field" which houses all the outdoor birds has expanded over time to enclose two and a half acres. Our pecan orchard, old and non-productive, sits on more than 22 acres, so in the area surrounding the bird field can expand ten-fold.

Of the 72 acres The Oasis' Birds now own free and clear (we paid off the first mortgage in less than 5 years) approximately 40 acres can be developed over time....with the remainder being a safe barrier against any developmental growth which will occur in the future.

Today, even in this shaky economy, we have managed to survive.

But we do not survive for ourselves...We exist is in order to continue to care for the ever increasing number of Parrots and their care-givers who need our specific help.

Thanks to all of you, The Oasis Sanctuary has come a very long way in the past ten years.

And we have so very far to go.

Sybil

Ten Years in Photos

Each and every one of YOU are the reason that The Oasis Sanctuary is

the most highly regarded Parrot Sanctuary in the country.
All of YOU make it possible for us to care for the birds every day.
Each of YOU, one dollar at a time, allow us to care for
the almost 700 birds in residence....
and bring hope and safety to more birds in need.
We know times are hard.
But Every Dollar
Every Penny
COUNTS.
Please...
Donate what you can
TODAY.

We can't do it without you!

Sassy 1994-2010

Thank You for Your Support and Your Love for the Birds of
The Oasis Sanctuary
Sincerely,

Sybil Erden, Founder
and the Entire Staff of The Oasis Sanctuary

Contact Us

Do you want to learn more about birds? Come on out and VOLUNTEER at The Oasis Sanctuary.
You will get to know almost 700 birds and work with the BEST animal care-givers in the WORLD!
We will provide you with a private bedroom, bath and you will have kitchen facilities available.
Call Julie to get on the calendar
520-212-4737

Do you have accumulated pet stuff that you no longer want?

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:04:00 GMT

Pay it Forward Pet Supply, LLC can take it off your hands!

Our Mission Statement
“To provide pet owners with gently used, inexpensive pet supplies; while providing a donation structure to needy pet rescue groups around the country. People who supply us with their gently used pet supplies will have a place to feel that their goods will pay-it-forward to those who can’t always afford full-priced pet items; while a buyer can make a difference with a percentage of their purchase going to an animal charity in need.” Items we want!

Leashes
Collars
Harnesses
Pet Bowls
Pet Beds
Pet Toys
Litter Boxes
Scratching Posts
Cages
Waterers
Perches
(Bird or Pocket Pet) Play Pens
Hamster Wheels
Reptile Supplies
AND MORE!

Items must be in good usable condition!
ITEMS WE DON’T WANT!!

NO Chains!
NO Choke Collars!
NO Electronic Fence Collars!
NO Prong Collars!
NO Vinyl items!
NO Plastic Bowls!
NOTHING Ripped, Torn, or Permanently Stained!
NO Missing pieces/parts!
NOTHING low-quality!

(NO live animals, food or supplements please!)

Maricopa County, AZ Pick-Up Choice:
1. Payment to you: 10% of fair-market value of usable items.

Shipping from Other States Choices:
1. Payment to you: 10% of fair-market value of usable items. OR
2. A Pay it Forward Pet Supply, LLC Gift Certificate, equal to the shipping amount.

Restrictions:
1. USPS shipping only.
2. To get your full value Gift Certificate or 10%:
a. ALL items must be usable.
b. Don’t use a Horse sized box for a Chihuahua sized item!!

How to Email Us: usedpetsupplies@gmail.com
1. Subject: Pay it Forward Pet Supply [SHIPMENT] OR [AZ PICK-UP]
2. Body: List items by color, size, description and condition [New, Slightly Used, Used but in GREAT condition!]
3. Your location: [City, State]
4. Payment to you: [Pay it Forward Pet Supply, LLC Gift Certificate] OR [10% of Fair-Market Value]
5. Any questions you have.

We will respond within 48 hours.

New Study Sheds Light on Pet Owners

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:58:00 GMT

South Bend, Indiana (Aug 18th, 2010)

According to a new academic study, the way pets are treated by their family might depend on where they live.

A study by David Blouin, assistant professor of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Indiana University South Bend, found that people who think of animals as children tend to have a city background. However, no matter where someone lives, having children often changes the owners' thoughts on their pets - with Blouin postulating that owners who think of their animals as children often change their mind when they have human children.

"To think of pets as just another animal is not uncommon in rural areas, which makes sense given the utilitarian relationships people in rural areas are more likely to have with a range of different animals - from farm to wild animals. If you have kids, you have less time to spend with your pets. That's part of it, but not the whole story. People who think of their pets as their children often re-evaluate this thought when they have human children of their own," said Blouin.

The study, carried out in Indiana and presented at the American Sociological Association 2010 Annual Meeting, found that 93% of dog owners and 77% of cat owners took their pets to the veterinarian at least once a year. The study also found that 81% of dog owners and 67.5% of cat owners spent two or more hours daily with their pets, with only 2% of both dog and cat owners spending time with their pets less than once a day.

During interviews, the main concern of pet owners was their pets' health, and the often the associated costs that accompanied illness. Skin allergies, Crohn's disease and diabetes contributed to the diseases most likely to cause stress as a result of cost.

Source: Pet Peoples Place

Is Your Pet Dying From Over-Vaccination Due to Vet Economics?

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:57:00 GMT

CFPS's Note to Readers: We have in the past requested from our vet to write a Letter of Exempt to the County for our animals that are considered "Senior Citizen's," so that that would not have to get any rabies shots. Your vet should be able to do the same thing. As far as licensing the County pretty much decided our dog could be ignored and stopped sending us letters for licensing. It's up to you!

Secondary Source: belladogmagazine.com

Is Your Pet Dying From Over-Vaccination Due to Vet Economics?

Nationally and internationally, companion animals (pets) are being over-vaccinated - a practice that is resulting in vaccine related deaths, severe illnesses, reduced longevity and large monetary costs to guardians (pet owners).

The most common practice is the annual administration of rabies vaccine, based upon the oft-stated supposition that an annual booster is necessary to maintain the vaccine's effectiveness. In reality,there is no research substantiating that practice, and veterinary schools and professional associations increasingly are embracing a triennial administration standard.A study of more than 1,000 cats and 1,000dogs in the United Kingdom by Canine Health Concern in March 2001 showed a 1in 10 risk of adverse reaction from vaccines! The study, which tracked over a seven-month period the health of cats and dogs vaccinated by one UK veterinarian, found that7.54% to 12.42% of the dogs had adverse reactions within a 45-day period post-vaccination. An almost-identical number of cats - from 7.56% to12.44% -- also suffered adverse reactions within 45 days. This is quite contradictory to the vaccine-manufacturers' claim that less than 15adverse reactions occur out of 100,000 companion animals vaccinated. The UK study results were reported at the 99% confidence level. Vaccine manufacturers rely on adverse-reaction statistics from the vets themselves.

In our opinion many vets continue to cling to the annual rabies shot has less to do with a cautious standard of care and more to do with their economic dependence on vaccinations for fiscal solvency. This is especially true of a substantial- if not vast - majority of small vet practices (1-3 people, non-specialty,non-emergency practice).

A vial of rabies vaccine costs the veterinarian about 61cents and is typically administered at a cost to the guardian of from $15 to $38 - not including the $35 office visit. In perspective, an18 oz. package of Kellogg's Sugar Frosted Flakes® is $2.20 to the grocer and approximately $2.75 retail. If the grocer's mark-up were comparable to that of rabies vaccine, Frosted Flakes would cost$137 without the office visit and more than $260with it. To borrow Tony the Tiger's expression,that size of a mark-up is "Gr-r-reat!"®

Take out 1year of rabies vaccination and the consequential office visit-- just for dogs -- and the average small-practice vet's income drops from approximately $87,000 to $25,000 -- and this doesn't include cats or other vaccinations!

The Veterinarian "Shot-based Practice" Model is a systemically flawed economic approach and potentially detrimental to companion animals. Bad practice-management becomes bad medicine,resulting in unnecessary -- and widespread --death, illness, reduced longevity of companion animals and unnecessary cost to owners.

Moolah's Story: What happened to the Standard of Excellence?

By Jim Schwartz, Founder of Next-To-Kin, man of dog

My first generation of companion animals were all named after great professional wrestlers. There was my silver Miniature Poodle, Buddy; named after Nature Boy, Buddy Rogers, the first dual National Wrestling Alliance/World Wide Wrestling Federation champion. There was Nicki, a Black Lab-Shepherd female who was named after Nick Bockwinkle, the American Wrestling Association champion; and there was Rickie, a female marked Maltese - all nine pounds of her - who was named after Ric Flair, the16-time NWA/WWF champion.

Then there was my black Standard Poodle, Moolah, the Standard of Excellence. Moolah was named after Lillian Ellison, who wrestled as the Fabulous Moolah. Lillian is probably the greatest female wrestling champion known to date. For 27years, she was the champ and she trained all the subsequent female wrestlers for many years. I picked Moolah from a litter of 11 puppies. She was such a fabulous dog that I named her "The Fabulous Moolah - The Standard of Excellence."

On October29, 1999, I brought Moolah in for her annual rabies shot. At that time, I asked the vet, "Can we not do the three-year rabies vaccine - like we are doing the three-year parvo and distemper?"

"No," I was told. "Arapahoe County [Colorado] still requires the annual rabies vaccination."

Now Moolah, at the time, was not in the best of health to begin with. Secondly, she was 11 years of age.I would later learn that both of these are critical concerns. I would later learn that the rabies-vaccine label typically states "only administer to healthy dogs." I would later learn that the research is pretty overwhelming that older dogs do not need the vaccination - especially if they arekept in a confined area and out of thewoods.

However,at that time, I was not aware of those points. Nor was I aware that Colorado had passed, in January of 1999, a bill allowing the three-year rabies vaccination - or that it had been enacted into law in July of 1999, four months prior to Moolah's shot.

Moolah developed autoimmune illness.

Every guardian knows his or her dog. Moolah wasn't herself. Normally upon my calling, she would be up instantly. Now she wasn't. Moolah always ate very well. (Once she got into my Werther's Original gold-wrapped butterscotch candies,devouring them. When I looked for themand accused her, she gave me a "who me?"look even as the wrappers dangled like tinsel from her ears). Now she wasn't eating well, either.

Moolah was always at my side. Now, she was in the cool hallway - panting and panting and panting. Her gums became pale. Her blood platelet counts dropped like a rock; Oxyglobin was used, special medication requiring me to wear gloves. Her platelets continued to drop. Her dosages of the steroid prednisone were increased.

She still wasn't eating -- not even Good Times hamburgers with cheese.

I was advised to leave her at the vet's for a 24-hour watch. It went on for days; I visited her several times daily. The last day she looked at me as if to say, "Take me home to die." I didn't. I can still see her face as she went back into the cage.

Then came the call: "You ought to come down."

Five-six-seven thousand dollars later - all to no avail - she could hardly get up; she could hardly breathe.Hearing my voice when I entered, for the first and last time that day, she raised her head.

It was time. I had promised my late-friend Fred Burke to do what he had done: "I bring them into my life,"he said, "I will be the one that takes them out."

I sang to Moolah and held her. The vet sedated her. I kept my promise to Fred Burke.

Sadly, The Fabulous Moolah's case is not isolated. It unfortunately happens every day.

The vet that I liked left the clinic that I was not happy with to join a new clinic. So, this is early inthe year 2000, February or March. It was time for shots for Ellie-or to look into shots for Ellie-my black, female Standard Poodle,and I asked the vet about the annual rabies vaccination.

"No, we can do a three-year vaccination," she said.

I asked, "Did that just occur?"

The doctor replied, "No. I mean, we've had it since 1999."

Well, that was interesting to me. So, I called the vet clinic that had given Moolah her shot, talked with the manager, and asked, "Do you still do the annual vaccination?"

She replied, "Yes."

I asked, "Is it still required by Arapahoe County?"

She said, "Yes, Arapahoe County requires it."

I was convinced that Arapahoe County was at fault. Why would I think otherwise? Why would the vets mislead me? So I inquired at Arapahoe County Animal Control and eventually learned that they were not at fault. As a matter of fact, they had notified everyone of the change in the rabies vaccination law. Additionally, I learned that the vaccination period was not set by county ordinance but by state law.

Subsequently, I learned of a study in Europe indicating that 7 to 12 percent of all vaccinated companion animals experience adverse reactions within the first 45 days, including death and autoimmune illness. The 1-in-10,000 and1-in-100,000 adverse reaction statistics, thrown around by some veterinarians, have not been validated scientifically and are based on reactions reported by veterinarians themselves.That's sort of like Dracula guarding the blood bank. There is no real good data on these adverse reactions that I am aware of,other than that European study.

Based upon all of this information a list of questions was developed and submitted to the veterinary firm(part of a national chain) that had given Moolah the fatal shot. They wouldn't respond to the questions, but they sent the questionnaire on to the veterinary group's Southwest Regional medical director, Dr. Rocky McKelvey. He wrote back that the issue of annual vaccinations is a controversial subject, that it's based on local regulation, and that this national chain of more than 100 free-standing animal hospitals has chosen to practice "conservative medicine" and recommend annual rabies vaccination.

Then on September 1, 2001, the American Veterinary Medical Association issued "Principles of Vaccination"that state that the practice of annual rabies vaccination is based on historical precedent and government regulation not scientific data. And that's the basis for the practice of conservative medicine?

This brings up the real question: Who can you trust? Moolah's rabies shot did not come from a rogue vet or as a random act. The practice of annual vaccinations by this large group of freestanding vet hospitals continued in 2001, according to Dr. Rocky McKelvey. Moolah has passed on and there is no bringing her back. I realize this. Why do I tell Moolah's story? Because what happened to Moolah need not, and should not, happen to another dog. Unfortunately, since December 28, 1999,annual shots bearing potentially deadly side effects have been issued to thousands of dogs and cats knowingly, willingly, systemically by economically motivated "professionals."

Who can you trust? Guardians must ask about alternatives to annual rabies vaccinations because, obviously,the vets are not informing them. Not when the cost of the rabies vaccine to the vets is 61cents per shot and they sell it to guardians for from $15 to $38 along with a$35 office exam. Are vets in professional practices or are they in transaction-based practices - no different than commissioned salespersons? There are many, many,many veterinary practices that thrive and have done wonderfully - as illustrated in their own vet magazines - without being dependent upon transaction-based shots.

Why has this annual-rabies-shot practice gone on for 20-plus years? I can connect the dots only one way, and it draws a picture of economics.

I was financial planner of the year in 1985. I founded the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, the largest fee-only organization. I've written a book on financial planning that's gone into two editions. It's been critically acclaimed and 10 years later has been called one of the few classics in the business. I pioneered no-load insurance in this country and authored or have been mentioned in hundreds of different articles during my time. Had I not had this background, I doubt that I would have put two and two together.

Maybe this is not how the dots are connected. But in light of the vaccination protocols of all of the major vet schools, in light of the American Animal Hospital Association saying three-year vaccinations, in light of the law changes, any vet - any vet - who continues to practice a vaccination protocol of annual rabies shots, without providing guardians with the opportunity for informed consent, in my opinion, is guilty of malpractice and silent,deadly, animal cruelty.

I can't bring the Fabulous Moolah back. But I can carry on her legacy by applying her Standard of Excellence to the veterinary profession and, hopefully, save millions of dogs and cats from death and suffering, and save their guardians from the suffering and the cost.

And thus,we established Next-To-Kin, for The Fabulous Moolah - The Standard of Excellence, and for your fabulous canine companions.

Article provided by: http://www.vaccinationnews.com/dailynews/2003/May/09/IsYourPet9.htm

Emergency Bunny Rescue--Tranquility Trail Animal Sanctuary

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:16:00 GMT

Tranquility Trail press release (July 4, 2010) Tranquility Trail

TTAS was contacted about a backyard situation out of control in Phoenix. We have spent the last two days catching, sexing and separating the bunnies. We are up to 100 bunnies with many still in burrows and numerous pregnant females. Our detailed plan to get the situation under control and what supplies/volunteers will follow. We have set-up an Emergency Rescue Fund that will be used exclusively for this rescue operation. Funds will be used for medical treatment and spay/neuters. We estimate the cost for this portion of the operation to be $5000-$7000. If you would like to make a donation, please visit http://www.tranquilitytrail.org/Donation_Center.html and note Emergency Rescue Fund.
We've also compiled a list of things that we need to make this rescue a success. Items can be dropped off at the sanctuary at any time during business hours. Feel free to call us if you come across anything that may be useful to our rescue mission.

Emergency Rescue List of Needed Supplies

Paper towels

White vinegar

Syringes for medication

Disposable surgical gowns and booties

Mobile Air Conditioning Units and Fans

X-pens

Litter – Carefresh, Yesterday’s News or Wood Stove Pellets

Hay/Food

Chicken wire

Pavers or bricks

Vegetables for nursing mothers

Gift card for hardware stores, grocery stores, Costco, Staples, gas stations

Copy paper

Space – empty offices, warehouses, houses for temporary housing

Spay/neuter services

Towels and blankets

Toys for the bunnies

Monetary donations

Photo printer

Camcorder for documentation

Large Rubbermaid type storage containers

Large storage shed or container for bales of hay

Spray bottles

Please feel free to contact us at: (480) 406-7301 or email: info@tranquilitytrail.org with any questions.

Thank you! We sincerely appreciate your help and support!

Follow the link to donate via PayPal, located at the bottom of the page.

San Francisco Considers Banning Sale of Pets

Mesa Pet Sitting Expert — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:08:00 GMT

San Francisco, California (July 7, 2010) Article from petpeoplesplace.com

An influential commission in San Francisco is likely to recommend that the city bans the sale of pets from pet stores.

The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare will vote at it's next meeting on whether to recommend that the city enacts an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of pets by pet stores. While the proposal originally targeted only dogs and cats, other species are likely to be included too, such as hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas, other small animals, reptiles, and birds, among others.

The Commission stated that the proposed ordinance "is intended to stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, as well as decrease euthanasia rates of other small animals in city shelters". After significant discussion of the proposal at its last meeting, the Commission declined to act on the proposal but indicated it would be placed on the agenda again for its July 8th, 2010 meeting. While the Commission is only an advisory body, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors value their proposals.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has strongly opposed the proposal, saying that "the potential impact of this proposal goes far beyond the borders of San Francisco as extremists will seek to use such a precedent as a basis to adopt similar restrictions in other jurisdictions". They added that they support the right to keep pets, and the right of pet owners "to have options as to where they obtain their companion animals based on the pet owner's individual circumstances, needs and preferences". The details of the proposal is likely to be defined at their July 8th meting, and PIJAC recommends that pet owners wishing to oppose the proposal attend the meeting to voice their objections.