AB 1634

Whooops! Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, author of AB 1634 has done it again! His own survey shows 7 out of 10 people oppose AB 1634, a proposed law to force pet sterilization in California.

However that is not stopping him from pushing to make AB 1634 law. AB 1634 has passed the California Assembly and is currently in the Senate Local Government Committee where Levine’s campaign says it will be heard within weeks.

Animal rights extremists have spent millions of dollars waging their campaign against the rights of pets and their owners. On the heels of their successful campaign to force pet sterilization in the city of Los Angeles, they have set their sights on mandating pet sterilization for the entire state of California and then across the nation.

PetPac

Some Animal Activist Groups Have Become Terrorists

Animal Activists Sued By University Of California Regents For Threatening University Reseachers

By Emily Huh on Other Pets

In 2006, according to court documents, animal rights activists harassed UCLA professor Dario Ringach and other scientists who conduct research with laboratory animals.Documents stated that they hurled firecrackers at his house and planted Molotov-cocktail-like explosives at the homes of other faculty members and threatened to burn down their houses. Ringach was afraid for his family and their safety and wrote an email to the animal activists begging to be left alone: “Effectively immediately, I am no longer doing animal research. Please don’t bother my family anymore.” In response to the threats by the activists, the University of California regents are suing UCLA Primate Freedom, the Animal Liberation Brigade, the Animal Liberation Front and five people allegedly affiliated with this group. From Washington Post: Harassment by violent animal rights activists has climbed at universities across the country, including Oregon Health and Science University, the University of Utah, and Ohio State University, where researchers have been victims of home visits or, in one case, found their windows slathered in glass-eating acid. Scientists, administrators and lawyers are closely watching the effectiveness of the California regents case. Experts say the shift toward more personal attacks is a response to increasingly fortified laboratories, which universities began securing in the 1980s and 1990s as attacks heightened. Now, groups have shunned “Fort Knox” in favor of ill-prepared homes, said Jerry Vlasik, the former vivisector turned spokesman for the North American Animal Liberation Press Office. Vlasik has repeatedly advocated for using “whatever force against animal research scientists necessary.” “If killing them is the only way to stop them,” he said in a telephone interview, “then I said killing them would certainly be justified.” Some scientists refuse to relinquish their work, but others are not taking chances. Like Ringach, some continue to work but not with animals. Most who leave the profession make their decisions quietly, not wanting to fuel the movement. Still, ripples are spreading through the science community. Positions in animal research are increasingly difficult to fill, according to Frankie Trull, president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research, a national organization that supports the humane and responsible use of animals in medical and scientific research. “I do hear scientists say that they have open positions and nobody to fill them because it’s animal research,” Trull said. “The bigger question, and we worry about this a lot, is what will happen to the future of biomedical research? Will brilliant young minds go to some other field because this field has become too contentious?”

Pet Sitting 101

Pet Sitting 101

By Patty Richard on Dogs

I guess that sooner or later, just about everyone is pressed into service as a pet sitter. It can be a pleasant experience if you follow a few simple guidelines. To illustrate some basic tenets of the craft, I will use Annie Maguire and her guardians as an example. This isn’t intended to be a guide to professional pet sitting. I pet-sit only for friends and animals with whom I have an established relationship. For information on professional pet sitting, see www.petsitters.org. Annie is a golden retriever, approximately four years old. Her guardians, Jane and Joel, are experienced and dedicated dog lovers. Over the years, they have shared their home with some marvelous canines. They raised Annie from puppyhood, and their general joie de vive is reflected in her personality. Taking care of Annie Maguire is the pet-sitting equivalent of winning the Irish Sweepstakes. The Maguires’ home is one of the more comfortable residences on the island, and Annie is intelligent, affectionate and humorous. So let’s just say that I don’t shrink from the prospect of staying in that gorgeous home, taking care of that lovable dog. In a general sense, it’s best to have a pre-care visit with pet and guardians. The Maguires always write down all the things I need to know about Annie’s routine: what she’s eating, how much to feed her and how often; what medications or supplements she might be taking… that kind of thing. They also let me know how to reach them in an emergency, and give me the contact information for their veterinarian. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case you can’t perform your pet sitting duties. I got sick once while the Maguires were on holiday and ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, we live in a community where we can rely on friends and neighbors to lend a hand, so their dog was well cared for in my absence… a little confused by the sudden change of venue, but well cared for nonetheless. We didn’t have a plan and it worked out, but now when I agree to care for a pet I always keep a backup sitter in mind. Pet sitting is not just a matter of feeding an animal and attending to its elimination issues. Pets get lonely when their families are away. A lot of people think that cats do well on their own, and it’s true that they do better than dogs, but most of them appreciate some companionship as well. For dogs, daily exercise is essential. Depending on the dog’s personality, interactive play and lots of affection can be just as important as regular meals. Annie Maguire falls into this category. I don’t think the Maguires will be surprised, or at all offended, if I tell you that Annie is a bit of a goofball. She loves to be the center of attention, and will go to some lengths to get it. She has a laundry basket full of toys and she’ll parade every single one of them in front of me in an effort to interest me in a game of tug-of-war… her favorite pastime. If the bones and balls and ropes and stuffed animals don’t elicit a response, she’ll up the ante. She’ll take some household item that clearly is not hers – a dishtowel or a shoe, and wave it in my face. Her reasoning is that I will try to take the article away from her. She’s prepared to put up with a little scolding if that will advance the game. I learned a long time ago that Annie does not respond to the firm, “mommy” tone of voice. The guilt gene is completely missing from her DNA, and there’s just no point in playing the disciplinarian with her. In fact, she seems to relish the idea that she can work me into a lather over some minor transgression. I’ve found that the best way to get Annie to lose interest in an item is to feign indifference to the fact that she’s stolen it. The exception to this strategy is if she gets hold of something that might hurt her. The last time I was staying with her, she decided to show me how efficiently she could chew up her grooming brush, which she had stolen from the kitchen counter. It had a plastic handle that disintegrated into small sharp pieces when she bit into it, which could have been a disaster had she swallowed them. Annie doesn’t respond to finger wagging and orders, but she does cooperate when my tone of voice reflects worry and concern. She dropped the brush immediately when I told her how dangerous it was, and allowed me to clean up the pieces without interfering. Annie is an inventive dog, and she’s found some interesting, not to say alarming ways to amuse herself and liven up the household. One of her games is “how many things can I get in my mouth at once?” This challenging activity involves picking up and holding as many toys as possible. If we’re outside, sticks are used as game pieces. This game seemed benign enough until the day she managed to get two tennis balls wedged in her mouth and could not dislodge them. We had a few tense moments while I carefully extricated them, and now she’s allowed to have only one tennis ball at a time. I walk Annie at least twice a day; three times if the weather is good. We’re fortunate to live in an area where dog walking is a pleasure: very little road traffic, lots of woodland trails, and miles of largely deserted shoreline. Annie’s pretty well behaved on the leash, with one notable exception… she’ll lunge at any cat that crosses her path. Annie was trained on a gentle leader, so she rarely pulls at her leash, but she can slip a normal collar like Houdini if she’s determined to give chase. Annie’s favorite outing is a walk to Sandy Beach. In winter, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll meet anyone else there, so I can let her run to her heart’s content. She’s a retriever and can’t resist a dip in the bay, even when it’s freezing, so I carry a bath towel with me. I also carry a pocketful of dog treats, to lure her away from any disgusting thing she might decide to eat. She seems to have a particular fondness for seagull carcasses, which I’m pretty sure are not part of her approved diet. She’ll also eat shells, dead horseshoe crabs and seaweed if left to make her own decisions. I suppose a lot of people would take issue with the bribery method that I use to separate her from these taste sensations, but I’m a path of least resistance kinda gal. My one goal in caring for Annie is making sure that when Jane and Joel return from their trip, I don’t have to open our conversation with, “Remember that dog you used to have?” Annie takes her duties as hostess quite seriously. No matter what I’m doing… reading, watching tv or working, she stays within petting distance so I can stroke her whenever I feel the need. She selflessly tastes everything I eat to make sure it isn’t spoiled or poisoned. When it’s time for bed, she flops down beside me to guard me from intruders. When Jane and Joel are at home, Annie has permission to be in the yard all by herself and she doesn’t stray. I always go outside with her, because one thing I’ve learned in my many years of pet care is that dogs seldom adhere to “the rules” when a sitter is in charge. A pet sitter is the doggie equivalent of a substitute teacher, and even the most well behaved animal will test the boundaries occasionally. Annie thinks it’s weird that I don’t let her go outside unattended. She graciously plays soccer and frisbee and fetch and tug-of-war with me, but she harbors the private conviction that I’m a pretty needy human being that can’t be left alone for even one minute. As much as we enjoy each other’s company, Annie goes totally bananas when her folks finally return from their trip. It’s not that she doesn’t like me; it’s just her way of saying, “You aren’t my parents!” I’m always happy to see them, too. I like looking after Annie, but it’s a relief to return their adored pet to them in pretty much the same condition as when they left… maybe a little weightier from those extra dog treats, and with a faint aroma of seagull feathers on her breath… but pretty much intact. To recap the salient pointers: always know the routine, plan ahead, never assume that pets will behave as well as they would with mom and dad, and let them have as much fun as they can, as safely as possible.

A year after pet food recall, still buyer beware

Main efforts, not fully implemented yet, criticized for lack of bite

Pet health videos

Economic downturn takes toll on pets   March 18: Cash-strapped pet owners are forced to give up their pets. WAVY’s Ava Hurdle reports.

Related stories

What’s this?

Recall Of Contaminated Frozen Dinners Implemented

By Kim Campbell Thornton

MSNBC contributor

updated 5:25 a.m. PT, Mon., March. 17, 2008 function

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One year after contaminated pet food killed potentially thousands of dogs and cats, few safety measures have gone into effect.

While pet food safety legislation has been passed and an industry commission has made recommendations to improve the safety and quality standards for pet food, some critics say the efforts, even when they are fully implemented, may not amount to much more than the fox guarding the hen house. The federal legislation, for instance, relies on manufacturers to voluntarily recall contaminated pet food. “As long as it’s voluntary, there will always be breaches,” says Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University and author of the forthcoming book “Pet Food Politics: The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine,” due out in September. “There will be breaches anyway, but voluntary doesn’t work as well as regulated.”

Because there is no national tracking system that monitors pet deaths, there is no definitive tally of animals that died from consuming pet food made with imported Chinese ingredients tainted with the chemical melamine.

In the month after the biggest pet food recall in U.S. history began last March 16, the Food and Drug Administration received more than 14,000 consumer complaints about pet foods. In the end, the FDA never reported more than the first 14 deaths — nine of which were lab animals for pet food manufacturer Menu Foods, plus four cats and one dog reported by consumers.

Meanwhile, the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians is performing an ongoing study that as yet has certified 226 deaths. And just last month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas indicted two Chinese businesses and the U.S. company ChemNutra for allegedly introducing adulterated food into the market, asserting that consumer reports suggest as many as 1,950 cats and 2,200 dogs died after eating contaminated food.

“I still hold by the estimate that thousands died and tens of thousands were affected,” says veterinarian Paul Pion, president and co-founder of Veterinary Information Network, an independent veterinary medical information service. “My bet is that it happens more often than we think and it never gets detected.”

‘Not an overnight process’
Veterinarian Kimberly May, assistant director of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s department of professional and public affairs, says over the past year the industry has become more aware of what needs to be done and where safety measures were deficient. “It’s not an overnight process, so whether you can say enough has been done, I’m not sure anybody would say that at this point, but there are definitely good strides in that direction.”

Reed Saxon / AP file Contaminated pet food claimed the lives of an untold number of dogs and cats, including Pebbles, a Yorkshire terrier shown in this March 2007 photo before she died of kidney failure.

Kurt Gallagher, director of communications and export development for the Pet Food Institute in Washington, D.C., which represents pet food manufacturers, says PFI is working on the recommendations made by its National Pet Food Commission in October. Those recommendations include working with retailers and the FDA to develop better ways to remove recalled pet foods from stores and to inform pet owners about recalled foods.

The FDA Amendments Act of 2007 requires the agency to set up an early warning system to identify contaminated pet food and outbreaks of illness associated with pet food and to work with industry representatives, veterinarians and other interested parties to establish pet food ingredient standards and definitions, processing standards and updated labeling requirements for nutritional and ingredient information. The agency has one year from the passage of the legislation, last September, to implement the early warning system and two years to establish standards and definitions. The FDA did not grant requests for an interview on the progress of these efforts.

Call for stronger enforcement
While the legislation sounds good, some say it lacks bite because it doesn’t provide the FDA with mandatory recall authority. That means that with the exception of medical devices, infant formula and biological products, the FDA can only encourage companies to initiate voluntary recalls.

May says mandatory recall authority for the FDA would be a positive step.

“It was incumbent on the companies to make the decision [to recall foods], and some of them maybe weren’t moving as quickly in that direction as others,” she says. “If the FDA could actually direct that process, I think that would be of benefit.”

In addition to the requirements set down in last year’s legislation, an agreement was signed in December between the U.S. and China to improve the safety of certain imported products, including pet food and treats — but the limited agreement relies primarily on China to police product safety.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Chinese producers will register with Chinese authorities, and Chinese regulators will certify that foods covered by the agreement meet U.S. standards. FDA inspectors gain broader access to Chinese production facilities, and each government must notify the other within 48 hours of any significant risks to public health.

Some pet owners skeptical, too
Pet owners spent $16.2 billion last year on food for their animals, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. But regardless of government and industry plans and promises, last year’s scare left many pet owners skeptical about pet food safety and has fueled demand for organic products and interest in homemade food.

Teri Fields of Lubbock, Texas, says the recall prompted her to never trust what she was being told about a dog food or even human food. “There are simply too many products coming into this country that can’t be checked thoroughly,” she says. “I am terrified at the thought of feeding my dogs something that ends up hurting them, and I think about it every time I give them a treat or feed them dinner. It definitely continues to concern me and other dog owners that I know.”

In Seattle, Ben Huh, founder of pet Web site Itchmo, which was among the blogs that kept the pet food recall in the news, says the recall changed the way he and his wife, Emily, fed Nemo, their miniature poodle mix. “We’ve done a lot of research and we have pet food companies that we trust, but unfortunately the amount of information that’s available out there really hasn’t increased that much.”

A slog through the miles of aisles at last month’s Global Pet Expo in San Diego turned up more than 20 companies touting foods they described as natural, human-grade or organic. That’s a trend that’s been growing for several years, along with homemade foods for pets, and the recall helped it along.

Click for related content

Discuss: A year after the pet food recall, how concerned are you about the safety of pet food? Three companies indicted over tainted pet food Tainted dog food maker to pay for pet deaths Q&A: What’s really in your pet’s food? More Creature Comforts columns

“Many customers changed pet food brands after the recall and have been selecting alternatives that take a more natural approach,” says veterinary nutritionist Sally C. Perea with Davis Veterinary Medical Consulting in Davis, Calif. “We have definitely seen an increased interest in pet owners who have elected to home-cook for their pets and are seeking advice on the most appropriate way to balance a home-cooked diet.”

Among them is Sara Romans of Orlando, Fla., who has Cavalier King Charles spaniels. “Because of the recall, I started making my own food and using vitamin and mineral supplements,” she says. “I will never feel truly safe and believe much more should be done to ensure there are no more problems.”

Golden retriever owner Bob Kurtz of Fairfax, Va., gave up standard pet food and now feeds his dogs a commercial raw diet. It’s not immune from recalls — nothing in life is guaranteed, after all — but Kurtz is now much less worried about what goes into his pets’ mouths.

Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning author who has written many articles and more than a dozen books about dogs and cats. She belongs to the Dog Writers Association of America and is past president of the Cat Writers Association. She shares her home in California with three Cavalier King Charles spaniels and one African ringneck parakeet.

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive

Canned vs Dry Cat Food, Which Is Better?

Cat Crazy Newsletter

Last week, I wrote to you about Betty – who thinks her cat likes junk food. She was pretty funny. It came down to this – she thought her cat liked junk food because her cat preferred canned and pouched food over dry.My response was – as long as she is feeding a good quality and nutritionally balanced food – then any food is okay – canned, dry, or pouched.

Junk food to me is a non-premium brand of food that is not nutritionally balanced. After that email – I got several emails asking: “What are the pros and cons of canned, dry, semi-moist and pouched food?”

Great question!

I think it is easiest to look at this in pros/cons.

Pros for dry food

•  Nutritionally balanced if you feed a premium food
•  Less expensive
•  May help minimize tartar
•  Long shelf life

Cons for dry food

• Cats don’t like it as much
• If you leave a full bowl down – it is hard to determine if your cat is eating

Pros for Canned or Pouch Food

• Nutritionally balanced if you feed a premium brand food
• Has more water content which is good for cats with urinary problems
• Cats love it
• Offering a small amount once a day can help you assess your cats appetite

Cons for Canned or Pouch Food

• Cost
• Limited shelf life once opened
• No abrasive activity to minimize tartar
• Cats can become “fussy” if this is all they eat

These are the major pros and cons. Personally; I think a mixture of the two is an ideal way to feed a cat.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

What To Do When Your Pet Is Choking

Your Pet is Choking- DO THIS FIRST

By Dr Andrew | February 24, 2008

Hello fellow readers.

This is one of those rare Sunday newsletters.

First the SALE..It is Nearly OVER

My special three quarter’s off sale ends at midnight on February 25th.
If you’d like to get the revolutionary dog and cat healing system
so many pet owners are raving about …and save 75%, then go here
now:
http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com/specials/subscribers.php

——————————————-
What would you do if your pet was CHOKING?
——————————————-
I woke up with my cat Cleo walking on my head-
and the NEED to share with you HOW to STOP
your pet from choking.

I have had 3 clients phone on EMERGENCY in a frantic
about their pets CHOKING.

Fortunately I was able to give them specific DIRECTIONS,
and ALL were able to STOP the Choking at HOME.

BUT..Do you know what to do?

If your dog or cat was choking NOW..WHAT would
you do FIRST?

Here is a SMALL SECTION from my book on Pet First Aid:

SIGNS

The signs of choking are much the same as a person. Your dog or
cat is struggling to breathe, with their mouth open. They may
be pawing at their mouth. They may be attempting to vomit.
You may hear an unusual sound as they attempt to breathe and
pull air through a foreign object lodged in their throat.
CAUSES

The causes of choking are with anything that can lodge in the
throat. This is fairly exclusive to dogs – cats are usually
more particular. An example would be a dog fetching a ball,
and having it lodge in their throat. A variety of food objects
can lodge in your pet’s airway.
SOLUTIONS

CALL YOUR VET IF NEEDED. Dogs are notorious for trying to
swallow things that are a little too big. The result can be
choking where an object lodges in the airway.

REMOVE THE OBJECT. When time is of the essence, you must
act quickly.

Open your pet’s mouth:

For a dog

    * Open your pet’s mouth
    * Grasp the upper jaw with one hand over the muzzle.
    * Press the lips over the upper teeth with your fingers
      on one side and the thumb on the other so that the dog’s
      lips are between its teeth. Firm pressure may be required.
      The dog then can’t close its mouth without biting itself
      and is less able to bite you. Pull his tongue out of the way.
    * Reach deeply in to the back of your pet’s throat and try to
      grasp the object. If it is a ball, and you are unable to move
      it, try using some type of instrument; tweezers, pliers or even
      a spoon shaped tong.

For a cat

    * Grasp the cat’s head so that your palm is over the cat’s eyes
      and ears, and your thumb and index finger are behind the canine
      (eye or fang) teeth.
    * Tilt the cat’s nose upwards. In most cases this causes the cat to
      automatically relax the jaw muscles so that you can open the mouth easily
    * You can then use the index finger of the opposite hand to gently
      open the mouth. Place the fingertip on the lower incisors (the small
      teeth between the canines) and gently push the lower jaw down.
    * An alternative is to push your thumb and index finger of the hand
      holding the cat’s head towards each other. Some cats resent this more
      and it is easier to get bitten but it does hold the mouth open while
      the opposite hand is now completely free to hold tools etc.
    * Examine the mouth and if you can see the object it may be possible to
      remove it with your fingers, tweezers or small pliers immediately. Do
      not attempt to remove a needle embedded in the roof of the mouth but
      take your cat to your veterinarian.
    * It may be possible to gently pull the tongue forward to gain better
      access, but some cats will not allow this.

If this method does not work for extracting the object from your pet’s throat,
try this technique. Lay your pet on its side. For small pets, place your palms
behind the last rib on both sides of your pet’s abdomen and press your palms
together quickly 2 – 3 times. Repeat if necessary. For larger dogs, place both
hands behind the last rib and push down and slightly forward sharply. Repeat
rapidly until the object is dislodged

If you still can’t remove the object and if your pet can breathe, transport
him to your veterinarian. However, if your pet can’t breathe you must continue
to try to dislodge the object either by compression or by using the Heimlich,
as your pet is unlikely to survive the delay in reaching veterinary aid.

COMPRESSIONS. Gentle compressions on both sides of the widest point of the
chest may help dislodge a ball or other object. Place both hands at the
back of your pet over the widest point of the chest while he is standing,
and give 5 firm compressions to dislodge the ball.

HEIMLICH. If after trying to manually remove the object, and after gentle
compressions it won’t move, and your pet is still not breathing, then
proceed with the Heimlich.

TURN your pet upside down, with his back against your chest.

WITH both arms, give sharp thrusts to the abdomen.

AFTER 5 thrusts, stop and check to see if the object is visible
in the airway. If so remove it and give 2 mouth-to-nose rescue
breaths. If the breaths do not go in, repeat HEIMLICH.

In some cases, your dog is too large to pick up. You can lay him
on his side, and make a fist. Put your fist into the hollow
beneath the rib cage, then push firmly inward and upward. Repeat
5 times, and then check to see if the object has been dislodged.

If after a few attempts it is still lodged, but you can still
hear wheezing and some noise when your pet is breathing, then
you have time to rush to your vet.

CPR. If your pet completely stops breathing, then you will have
to know the CPR steps.

After the airway has been opened, you may need to give artificial
respiration.

CLOSE your pet’s mouth and breathe directly into his nose until
his chest expands. If the chest doesn’t expand then go back to
STEP 2 – AIRWAY.

VENTILATE at 15 breaths per minute. One BREATH every 4 seconds.

PROCEED to STEP 4 – CIRCULATION

See: Section II CPR for the entire in-depth description of CPR.
HOME CARE

In some cases of choking, your pet’s mouth has been injured.
This means feeding a soft food for 7-14 days while the wounds heal.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

BELLEVUE, WA –  Today, King County Council heard a disturbing report from a consultant on the ongoing conditions at King County’s two public animal shelters, located in Kent and Crossroads/Bellevue.  Members of the King County Council responded to the report by saying it now faces the decision on whether to take the County out of the provision of shelter services.

” We’ve had several calls from the public confusing us with the King County shelter.  We are a private nonprofit organization of over 100 years that does not receive any funding from the city, state or federal government,” states Chuck Stempler, Board Chair for the Seattle Humane Society.  “Like the community, we are distressed by what the report revealed today and we stand ready to help King County address these problems as much as we can.”

The Seattle Humane Society and numerous other private nonprofit animal welfare agencies in the Puget Sound community are hard at work around the clock attempting to ensure that no adoptable companion animal is euthanized.  The Seattle Humane Society remains committed to be of assistance to King County Animal Care and Control as it works though the issues and opportunities it faces.

The Seattle Humane Society was founded in 1897 to bring people and pets together.  The Seattle Humane Society does this today through its low-fee spay/neuter surgery program, pet workshops and training, pet food bank, humane teen club, visiting pets program and more. The Seattle Humane Society is located in Bellevue, at 13212 SE Eastgate Way.  For directions and more information, visit www.seattlehumane.org or call (425) 641-0080.

How Long Do Cats Live?

 

Cat Crazy Newsletter

 

People often ask me “How Long will My Cat Live?”  

Recently, I saw a client with a 22-year old cat. If I didn’t know how old this cat was, I’d guess he was 10-years-old.

Today cats live longer than ever. Just 20 years ago the life expectancy of a cat was four to six years; today they live 15 years or more. Life expectancy in cats depends on many things, but the most important factor is whether he is an indoor-only cat or an outdoor cat. Life expectancy varies significantly between the two.

Indoor cats generally live from 12-18 years of age. Many may live to be in their early 20s. The oldest reported cat was 28 years old at the time of death.

Outdoor cats generally live to be around four to five years of age. Their deaths are typically due to traumas such as being hit by a car or dog attacks. Outdoor cats are also more susceptible to several deadly viruses that are spread by fighting or prolonged intimate contact with an infected cat.

Keep your cat healthy by feeding a high quality diet, providing routine vaccinations and physical examinations.

If money is tight and you are not sure if you will have the money for routine examinations (or even worse unexpected illnesses), then I recommend Pet Insurance.  A pet insurance policy , will generally cover wellness exams as well as unexpected illnesses.  If you don’t have pet insurance, it is a good idea to learn more about the benefits of pet insurance.

Take a few minutes to learn more. Go to: www.petinsurance.com. 

Well, I hope your cat lives a long and healthy life. That is one of the reasons why I take the time and energy to write this newsletter and why I started Petplace.com.  My goal is to share with you practical information that will help keep your cat happy, healthy and alive longer!

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

Talking to Your Pets

Talking to Your Pets

From For The Love of The Dog

Many devoted pet owners talk to their pets on a regular basis. Dogs and cats love the sound of their owners’ voices, and hearing them, especially in warm conversational tones, is very soothing and comforting. By deliberately talking to our pets as we do whatever we’re doing is a way of teaching them a bit of our language. Most dogs and cats can pick up on the words that are really important to them, like “dinnertime.”

We generally talk to our pets in a gentle, friendly way when we’re just chatting about the day. We’re not concerned about communicating anything more than “I enjoy your company.” We’re not asking anything of them, nor expecting a response. Dogs and cats are generally relaxed during this kind of chat because they don’t have to understand our words; they just know they’re being included.

When we’re actually trying to get something across to our pets is when it gets more difficult. What we may not be so aware of is that since our pets have limited capacity to understand our speech, they are mostly attuned to our tone of voice. This is easy for us to understand when we put it in context of a foreign language. If someone speaks to you in Japanese, you can generally gather, by tone of voice, whether she is asking for help, angry with you, warning you of danger or trying to sell you something.

Dogs and cats come from much simpler worlds, where their mothers used very basic sounds for training. A subtle growl was a warning to behave or of pending danger. A short, high-pitched bark from mom dog or a trilling sound from mom cat meant, “Hey, I brought you some food!” Most mammals are naturally inclined to slow or stop when hearing a low sound and motivated to get active when hearing a high sound.

Notice when you talk to your pets in a higher voice, they perk up, become attentive, and may get excited. Talk to them in a low voice, slowly, and they may stop and wait cautiously to see what’s going to happen next. If you are trying to train your dog to sit and stay and are having no luck at it, it could be because you are saying a perky “sit!” or “stay!” But the tone of your voice is communicating, “let’s play!” Instead, say a low and drawn-out “si-i-i-t” and “staaaaay.”

Conversely, you may be saying “come” in a low, commanding voice, thinking that will compel her to obey. To your dog, your tone may be a cue to stay right where she is or even back away thinking she’s in trouble. But say “come!” in a higher pitched voice and it sounds like an engraved invitation with a liver snap inside.

Defenders of Wildlife, The HSUS, et al. v. Norton (Canada lynx)

Court or Agency:	United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Kessler
Plaintiff(s):	Defenders of Wildlife, The HSUS, The Fund for Animals, Northwest Ecosystem Alliance, Kettle Range Conservation Group, Oregon Natural Resources Council, Predator Conservation Alliance, Restore the North Woods, Superior Wilderness Action Network, American Lands Alliance, Mark Skatrud
Defendant:	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
HSUS Counsel:	Pat Lane
Outside Counsel:	Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal
Status:	Appeal Pending

Federal Court action challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to classify Canada lynx as endangered rather than threatened and the issuance of so-called “counterpart regulations” exempting U.S. Forest Service and other agency actions from Section 7 Consultation under the ESA. The court recently ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.