From the category archives:

General

Uncovering the Truth about Animal Hoarding

August 18, 2010

Earlier this year, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrived at a New York City apartment to find that dozens of cats and kittens had overtaken the small space. The cats were severely malnourished, and many suffered from upper respiratory disease. There were no litter boxes, and the floor was covered in several inches of feces and urine. Living among the filth and debris was an 85-year-old woman suffering from dementia—she had been hoarding animals for years.

Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate social issue with far-reaching effects that encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns. Victims can include cats, dogs, reptiles, rodents, birds, exotics and even farm animals. While it’s not clear why people become animal hoarders, current research suggests the cause is often attachment disorder in conjunction with personality disorders, paranoia, dementia, depression and other mental illness. The hoarder does not intend to inflict harm on animals, and in most cases, the hoarder can no longer take care of himself, much less multiple animals.

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Removing Urine From Wool Rugs

August 11, 2010

Your beautiful expensive wool area rug once your pride and joy now is an embarrassment because of the urine smell that you cannot get out. Why is it so difficult to get urine out of wool rugs and how do you eliminate that terrible odor?

Here are your answers.

I have been a professional carpet cleaner in Anchorage Alaska for over 30 years. Through experience we know that these tips will work.

Why is it so difficult to get the smell out?

Wool is of course a natural fiber and is very different from other synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester. If you were to look at a strand of wool under a microscope you would see why it holds onto the smell. The stalk of a strand of wool is covered with little pockets. These pockets get filled with soil and in the case of urine issues they get filled with urine crystals. It is very difficult to get the urine out of these pockets. Another problem is that what looks like a small amount of urine on the surface is actually a lot of urine because most of it is hidden in the pockets. Many people including less experienced carpet cleaners do not use enough cleaning solution because they are treating what they see.

Also it is pretty easy to turn a medium sized urine problem in a wool rug into a bigger urine problem if you spread the urine all over the carpet.

There are certain steps that need to be taken to remove the urine and the odor.

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Quarter Horses

August 4, 2010

Americans should be proud to call these magnificent horses American-bred. Their natural talents and abilities in many capacities, paired with their amiable personalities, make the American Quarter Horse a true renaissance animal, and a valuable asset to many.

In the 17th century, colonial Americans began crossing the English Thoroughbred horse with other horses native to America, including Chickasaw horses, themselves an amalgam of Arabian, Iberian, and Barb horse breeds from Spain.

Two hundred years later, during the Westward Expansion, the pioneers bred quarter horses with both wild and domesticated horses from the Southwestern US and Mexico, in order to achieve a more durable horse. These western horses were found to possess an innate ability to work with cattle, and began to be used more widely in this way.

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ZAPP Opens New Facility Hopes To Address The Horrific Pet Overpopulation In Mexico

July 17, 2010

Right now in Mexico, thousands and thousands of dogs and cats roam the streets seeking food and shelter, most dealing with serious disease, starvation, heat exhaustion and eventually, death. In the past in San Felipe, if strays were caught they were electrocuted. Now, because of ZAPP, if caught strays are euthanized, it must be by sedation.

To further address the issue, ZAPP has officially opened a new facility in Mexico that has an open door policy. Officials that used to take strays straight to their death, now drop the animals at the ZAPP door where they receive treatment and more.

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Dog DNA, Barking Mad or Useful

April 17, 2010

s humans we long to find out where we have evolved from and why we behave in a certain way. Tracing our ancestors can be a fascinating and inspiring activity. However is it essential to do the same for our pets? Some would say this is a ridiculous idea but for others it may actually be a worthwhile procedure.

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Weekly Tweets 2010-01-29

January 29, 2010
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Weekly Tweets 2010-01-15

January 15, 2010
  • Help save America’s horses and put an end to this cruel practice – http://bit.ly/8cw7MF (via @humanesociety) #
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Ensure Your Privileged Pooch is Always Properly Pampered

December 17, 2009

The World’s Richest Pets … and How to Ensure Your Privileged Pooch is Always Properly Pampered

A cat with a $200,000 trust fund … and how to make sure your pet is well-provided for by avoiding any of the 101 BIGGEST ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKES, written by estate attorney Herbert E. Nass.

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How To Get Ready To Foster A Pet

October 11, 2009

by Connie Janzen

What if it’s too hard to let it go?
That was my first thought before I decided to become a Foster Parent for the Humane Society. I’m so glad I put my concerns aside and set out on one of the most rewarding experiences ever.

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Why Dogs Love Bones

August 27, 2009

With a nick-nack, paddywack,
Give a dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
~Old English nursery rhyme

Not to belabor the obvious, but dogs do love bones. They don’t much care what kind of creature the bone came from, nor are most dogs terribly picayunish about the relative freshness and state of hygiene. It’s a BONE. Whether it’s a fresh

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Pet First Aid On Your iPhone

August 25, 2009

When vet bills are too expensive…

If you are reading this, I already know that you love and want the best for your pet. Whether it be your running companion golden retriever or your lazy, yet fluffy, Persian cat, I know that you would do anything for the happiness, healthiness, and well-being of your pet. At the same time, I know that veterinary care can be very expensive.

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Hartz Crunch ‘n Clean Dog Treats

August 9, 2009

Dogs suffer from tooth decay and gum disease, just like we do. We all know that tartar buildup can lead to gum disease for our canine companion (and for us). That’s why we use tartar control toothpaste, right.

Well, a really nice guy over at Hartz sent over a box of their new Crunch n’ Clean dog treats and asked us to give a them a try.

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