Pawprints - All About Dogs and Cats Blog

Back in February, ASPCA put out a call for photos of your first puppy (and kitty) loves for their My Furry Valentine Contest. The judges have selected the top entries, and have announced the winners. They can be viewed here.

Congratulations to the winners.

KOLD News 13   March 13, 2008

After hearing news about hundreds of dogs and puppies saved from a hoarding situation, the community is flooding the Humane Society of Southern Arizona with donations.

Whether it’s signing a check, dropping some cash, or bringing supplies, there’s no shortage of helping hands.

“I can not tell you how many people have come here today, not only with their donations, but saying, ‘what else can I do?’  It’s phenomenal,” said Susan Dellheim, volunteering at the donation booth.

“My heart just went out to these little babies,” said Toni Graham, dropping off a stack of towels and a $200 donation for the animals.  “We just had to do something.”

Volunteers are busy unpacking bag after bag of donations, including dog food, pet shampoo, blankets, and towels.

Even local veterinarians are giving their time, away from their own clinics, to help.  “I actually blocked off my afternoon of appointments,” said Dr. Erika Hartle-Schutte with the Pantano Animal Clinic.  “And I’ve blocked off my schedule tomorrow afternoon as well, because the need is going to continue for a time.”

And it’s not just citizens stepping in, but also businesses rolling to the rescue.  Thursday, PetSmart hauled in a semi-truck full of supplies for the animals.  Other companies also donating necessities include PETCO, Ok Feed & Supply, Park & Bark, and Phoenix-based Milum Textiles.  Christie’s Appliance is pitching in a washer and dryer to help with the heavy laundry volume.  Eegee’s and Spike Beverage have provided meals for workers.

ASPCA NEWS ALERT

Ready to do a little homework, pet parents? National Poison Prevention Week is almost here─March 16 to March 22─and because our pets depend on us to keep them safe, we think it’s the perfect time to review the harmful substances your furry explorers may encounter at home. Here are just a few ways to ensure that your household is pet poison-proof:

• Keep prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold and flu preparations and antidepressants behind tightly closed cabinet doors.
• Make sure chocolate, coffee and other potentially dangerous foods are kept out of pets’ reach.
• When using products to eliminate fleas, ticks and other pests, follow directions exactly. Be sure the item you’re using has been formulated specifically for your pet, and check with your veterinarian before using it.
• Many common household plants such as lilies, azaleas and kalanchoe can cause surprisingly severe, even life-threatening effects in pets. Please check our complete lists of toxic and nontoxic plants.
• Take care to use cleaning products that have been proven safe for use around pets. If you do use bleaches, detergents or disinfectants, keep your pets away from the cleaned areas until the product has dried thoroughly, and be sure to store the products in a secure place.

Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) online for lists of specific items that could be dangerous to pets. And if you fear your pet has been poisoned, don’t panic. Call the APCC hotline at (888) 426-4435. Please note that a consultation fee for this service applies.

MONTREAL, CANADA – (For Immediate Release) – Rolf C. Hagen Inc.’s product development concepts have earned it a leadership position in the pet industry. Now, these “winning” ideas have also garnered another honor for the company: the highly-regarded Global Pets Forum Award 2008. Hagen was given the award in January during a ceremony at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva, Switzerland for a presentation on how it has responded to “Changing Consumers, Changing Opportunities.”

Conducted by company president Rolf Hagen Jr., the presentation detailed how Hagen recognizes and appreciates shifts in consumer values, attitudes and lifestyles, then uses this knowledge to implement a brand strategy that helps the company and its retail partners reach consumers in a changing market.

The two other finalists for the Global PETS Forum Award 2008 were TRIXE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG of Germany and Tropehagen Zoo of Norway. Like Rolf C. Hagen, these two companies were individual category winners before advancing to the finals. Participants in the Global PETS Forum, which drew 217 industry leaders from 28 countries, joined a panel of judges from PETS International magazine to cast ballots for the Global PETS Forum Award 2008, which was sponsored by the German Pet Trade & Industry Association and WZF GmbH, organizer of the Interzoo Show.

Crufts 2008Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show will be taking place from 6th – 9th March 2008 at the NEC, Birmingham.  The show is open from 8.15 to 19.30 each day.

Officially recognised as the world’s largest dog show by the Guinness Book of Records, Crufts 2008 looks forward to expecting almost 23,000 dogs, including 1,165 dogs from overseas. As for human visitors the 2007 show had over 153,000.

Your pet’s safety could be at risk while you are out.  

In the event of an emergency, ASPCA’s  pet rescue window decal alerts rescue personnel that pets are inside your home. The pack also includes an ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center magnet—a great way to keep the APCC’s toll-free emergency number handy at all times!

Order yours now.