As retailers are worried about the worst fourth quarter in generations the pet products industry are finding themselves seemingly exempt from much of the gloom of American business. Business is up for companies that sell everything from organic dog treats to couture-inspired pet toys. Many pet owners are as dedicated to their animals as parents are to children and are willing to sacrifice on themselves before trimming back on their four-legged friends. It seems the pet industry is definitely more resilient than most categories tied to discretionary spending, however not recession proof. The American Pet Products Association estimates Americans will spend $43.4 billion this year on their pets. That’s 26 percent higher than what U.S. consumers spent in 2004. Some parts of the pet food industry, particularly gourmet and organic pet food, will likely be even more insulated than the sellers of pet carriers, clothing and outdoor gear because many pet owners, who upgraded their kibble after contaminated pet food killed or sickened thousands of animals last year, are leery of switching back and possibly causing digestive problems for their pets.

According to industry statistics, nearly one out of every three U.S. households has a pet. Here’s a breakdown of the $43.4 billion the American Pet Products Association estimates pet owners will spend this year.
- Food: $16.9 billion.
- Veterinary care: $10.9 billion.
- Supplies, toys and over-the-counter medicine: $10.3 billion.
- Pet services (Grooming, boarding, etc.): $3.2 billion.
- Live animal purchases: $2.1 billion.

There is clear evidence that Petland obtaines puppies from puppy mills. During investigations of puppie mills two of Petland’s “private breeders.” were visited. During the investigation of the breeders, it was found that the dogs were never let out of their cages which caused neurotic behavior due to long confinement. The dogs were flithy, had maggot-infested food, timid dogs housed together with aggressive dogs, untreated wounds, broken bones, mange, open sores, and rotted teeth–conditions causing the dogs tremendous pain and long-term suffering. A former truck driver for a Petland breeder was told by her boss to throw a live puppy into a trash burner because he was sick. Many of the dogs purchased at Petland contain many health problems. This is not surprising, as puppy mills are also known for breeding animals with genetic defects as well as breeding dogs as often as possible, causing the mother to wear out and die young after producing many litters of sickly puppies.

Don’t be fooled by any papers that may come with a Petland puppy from a Kennel Club, as the papers usualy only say that the two parent dogs were of the same breed, and this is usually only confirmed by the breeder’s word. Parent dogs can be toothless, lame, undernourished, have serious genetic defects, and still have their litters of puppies registered.

All this abuse is made worse by the fact that it is completely unnecessary. Petland sells animals for one reason only–profit. In the US year after year, a conservative estimate of 3 million dogs and 4 million cats are killed in U.S. animal shelters due to lack of homes. It’s estimated that a quarter of the dogs killed in shelters are purebreds. The vast majority of the animals killed in shelters are healthy, friendly, and young.

While our local shelters and rescue groups struggle valiantly to rescue homeless animals, spending their energy and money to save innocent lives, Petland’s contribution is to pump mass-produced animals into our community, as well as similar communities all over the country.

MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy.

FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise.

MYTH: It’s better to have one litter first.

FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.

MYTH: My children should experience the miracle of birth.

FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others.

MYTH: But my pet is a purebred.

FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred.

MYTH: I want my dog to be protective.

FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

MYTH: I don’t want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.

FACT: Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality. He doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her.

FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn’t mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can’t guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner’s chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet’s (and her mate’s) worst characteristics.

MYTH: It’s too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.

FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian’s fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost—a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It’s a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly, it’s a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets.

MYTH: I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.

FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet’s litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.

1. Cats were domesticated in Egypt in 3000 B.C. They were used as vermin hunters to protect corn supplies.

2. Tortoise shell cats are always female

3. Cats hearing is much more sensitive then humans and even dogs, however totally white male cats with blue eyes are often deaf.

4. Cats can jump up to seven time their tail length. Watch Mutegi Jump 7 Feet. Of course this might be true for the tubby variety of cats.

5. A cats tail is used to maintain balance.

6. Cat night vision is 6 times better then humans.

7. There are more cats in the US then dogs.

8. A domestic cat can run at 30mph.

9. In multi-cat households, cats of opposite sex usually get along better. Please however remember to spay or neuter them, don’t want them getting along too well.

I came across a really cool program called “Puppies Behind Bars” which places puppies in prisons to be trained as service dogs by the inmates. The inmates are choosen carefully, so that the dogs are only placed with inmates who will care for, love and spend the time to train the dogs. This program not only provides service dogs for the disabled, but it transforms the inmates lives. Dogs as we all know really can bring out the best in people by bringing out the loving and caring sides of even the most hardened people. I really hope this program expands, I beleive it is only in few prisons in and around the New York area. These dogs while being trained themselves are teaching their trainers compassion, caring, and accomplishment and really help to rehibilitate these inmates so that they can one day be contributing members of society.

I have never understood the joys of hunting, but I accept that some people will do it. But I think Aerial Hunting takes ridiculous unfairness, and hunter lazyness to a new level. Basically lazy hunters who rather not track their prey (something that might require some skill), or walk through the woods (too much effort) go up in a plane, and shoot wild animals from the air, who have absolutly no way to escape. I would hope this is not a practice that is accepted among reputable hunters. Anyways if there was not enough reasons to think Sarah Palin is an idiot, here is another.

There are very few things that make my blood boil and torturing of an animal is most certainly one of them. In Alberta a young man, Daniel Haskett, 20, killed and brutally tortured a dog when he was 17.

The man put a plastic bag over the dogs head and dragged her behind a vehicle and hit her over the head with a shovel. The dog with her muzzle and all four legs duct-taped, was found so severely injured that a vet had to euthanize her.

His lawyer called this a “poorly thought-out euthanasia attempt”. The Crown asked for Haskett to be sentenced to three to five months and banned from owning a pet for two years. The max sentence was six months in jail or $2,000 fine.

This trial is a joke, and Canada needs to overhaul its animal cruelty laws and recognize that tortured animals are not merely damaged property and this crime should be treated with the severity it deserves. It should also be recognized that people like Haskett clearly enjoy brutally torturing and killing living beings, and having this type of person on the streets I believe is a danger to society. There is much evidence that states most serial killers begin by with this type of act before they go onto bigger prey like human beings.

Here is just a funny little website with pictures of cats and silly captions with each. I thought all the cat lovers out there might have a bit of a laugh at a few of them.

www.lolcats.com

The Calgary Humane Society fund to pay for medical treatment for its residents is nearly depleted. If animals which are brought to the Calgary Humane need medical treatment and cannot receive it, they do not make it to adoption and are euthenized, so this very important saves many lives each year. The Calgary Humane is asking people to donate and if anyone is interested pleae call 403-205-4455.

When going on vacation leaving your cat can feel like leaving a member of the family behind. You have a few options for care of your cat while you are gone, trusted neighbour/friend, pet sitter or cattery. If you decide to leave them in a cattery you should choose it carefully. After all, it’s important that your cat is just as happy on their holiday as you are on yours. There are some simple points that you should keep in mind when choosing a cattery.

- Find a cattery which welcomes viewings, you definitly need to see the place and meet the staff your are leaving your cat with. When meeting the staff you should get a sense that they really do love cats, as a little loving care is invaluable to have your cat settle in and enjoy his/her stay.

- Only choose a cattery that only accept cats with all their proper shots.

- In case of illness there should be a quarantine area so that they can be separated from the healthy cats.

- Cats are escape artists, find what measures are in place to prevent escapes.

- Ask if you are allowed to take them to their quarters, it is nice to see exactly where they will be and also it is nice for your cat to be with you when they first experience this new environment. The space they will be in should be large enough to move around in.

- Privacy, especially for timid cats is important. They should have their own area to relax, if the doors to the space are mesh or glass, allowing all cats to see each other, this may effect your cat. Proper barriers will avoid this problem.

- If the cattery also has a dog kennel, make sure the dogs and cats are well seperated, and that you cannot hear dogs barking, as this can be unnerving for a cat.

- Each room should be heated in the winter, cats are creatures of comfort and it is important that the whole room is heated.

- It good when there are outside runs for your cat to enjoy (not essential). However their should be at a minimum a window for your cat to view out of if they wish.

- Good catteries are clean and do not smell bad. If the place is dirty, don’t use it.

- Your cat should be fed at least twice a day. It is always best if you can bring your cats regular food, this will help them to feel more at home and reduce the likelihood that they will refuse the food they are given.

- If you cat has any special requirements like diet, the cattery should be willing and able to cater to them.