I believe my friends that this is a great step in the right direction by our friends in West Hollywood. The new ordinance prohibits the sale of dogs and cats in companion animal stores. Personally I think anyone whom buys a dog or cat in a pet store is doing a dis-service to all the humane societies and animal rescue organizations out there. I personally have nothing against someone getting a specific dog from a breeder (if they are dead set on a breed), but purchasing one at a pet store is just feeding the puppy mill fire.

“This ordinance represents an important step toward ridding our nation of the cruelty of puppy mills and other commercial assembly-line animal breeders,” Councilman Jeffrey Prang said in a statement. By instead encouraging adoption from shelters and rescues, West Hollywood hopes to lower the humanitarian and financial burden that the millions of homeless pets have on society each year. The ordinance will go in to effect March 19.

When most people think of Hollywood pets, most would likely think of the ‘legally blond’ chihuahua and pets that are always dressed up in urban clothes and groomed to the hills. In actuality, West Hollywood also banned the declawing of cats back in 2003 (which is something that we ALSO believe is inhumane and wrong).

You can read lots more here at the LA Times blog.

Tags: Animal welfare,Cat,Dog,Pet,Pet store,Puppy mill,West Hollywood,West Hollywood California
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Recently Details.com released a list of really cool dog accessories which I read through and noticed. Before you go out and buy yerself  a spankin new 60″ Samsung HDTV, might I be so bold as to suggest you give that best friend of yours that’s with you through thick and thin a little lovin?

Some of the items including a rockin Titanium Bowl, an extremely cool dog house, and a no-nonsense leash.. I won’t list them here, but you can check them all out over at details.com

8 Stylish Dog Accessories That Will Mesh with Your Décor – Details.com

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Can anyone tell me the best way to exercise their pet in the winter? Unfortunately, I work all day and when I get home – especially in the cold months – the last thing I want to do is head outside for a walk. Now I know that I’m supposed to, but that’s the benefit (to me anyhow) of having the invisible fence.. they can go out for a walk anytime and I don’t have to worry about them running away on me! Plus they get a little bit of exercise.. a real, little bit!

What I’m wondering is if anyone had any alternative ways of getting their pets exercise in the Winter months? I know that there are lots of day car entertainment centers which pop up like Camp Bow Wow which will keep your dog all day long while you work, and they will monitor your pet – plus your pet plays and interacts with other dogs all day! Fantastic idea! Unfortunately, they’re pretty pricey for the most part.

Anyhow, I was wondering if any of our awesome readers out there had any good ideas?

Tags: Camp Bow Wow,Directories,Dog,Health,Pets,Pop music,Recreation,Shopping
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A lot of people before they purchase a pet, don’t realize that you have to be prepared to do so. It’s just as important as when you ‘baby-proof’ a home. Trust me, taking home 3 beagle puppies at once – I certainly know what I’m talking about when it comes to the fact that they can do a lot of damage to your house and themselves if you’re not properly prepared.

There are a lot of dangers that can be found in a home, things like cleaning supplies, toxic foods, medical supplies, even the trash can be extremely harmful to your pets if you leave them around and they get into them. Ha, also a very wise tip if you ARE bringing home or having kids over!

You have to also take into consideration the expenses that a new pet brings into your life. One thing that can’t be stressed enough which is incredibly important is having your pet spayed or neutered. It’s already been proven that pets whom HAVE been fixed lead a longer, healthier life – so you have to budget for that before you purchase your pet! Fortunately both humane societies that I work for have mandatory ‘fixing’, so you can’t keep your pet if you don’t have them fixed.. GREAT IDEA!

Medical bills can also pile up, I remember when I first got my dogs that I was told that the first year is always the most expensive, and were they ever right! You have to get them checked up twice a year on average after their first year, and during that first year (which is the most important!) you have to get them vaccinated, and de-wormed, and there are other petmeds you have to consider as well.. there are some great products out there like Frontline Plus and Sentinel which are great for this.

I would also suggest that you look into pet insurance, even if just a little bit. I know personally I use PC Financial for my pet insurance and so far they’ve been good although I haven’t had to make a claim yet (knock on wood).

What about feeding your pet? Have you decided what food you are going to try and what alternatives are out there in case your pet doens’t like them or develops an allergy? Make sure you do that and make sure you try to feed your pet the best food you can afford. It’s worth it.. they’re worth it.

Above all however, the most important thing about owning a pet is this. Do you have TIME for a pet? A dog should be walked daily, and a cat played with! Get a laser pointer if you’re a cat owner.. they love those things! If they don’t .. find something that DOES stimulate your pet! Dog owners.. how about that daily walk? How about that game of fetch? In the winter, it’s certainly hard and I know that my two little ones pack on the pounds.. but that just means that we’re gonna have a LOT of fun this summer!

Think ahead before going out and getting your pet, you’ll be glad you did in the long run.

Tags: Cat,Dog,Health,House,Insurance,Neutering,Pet,Waste container
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Well, it’s been over a month since Hunters first surgery and over 3 weeks since his last. He’s coming along great and starting to walk on both feet again and I’m so grateful that my boy is going to be just fine.

Seeing that this was my first time that I’ve ever had to really care for an animal while he recovered, I thought I’d mention a few things that I thought helpful during the time.

The Invisible Fence

Although I’ve had wireless security systems for my animals before the surgery, I am extremely thankful for it now. The reason that is? Well, I have more than one dog. So while I’m trying to carry Hunter up and down the stairs every time he goes out, poor Bella wants to get ahead of me and run around just as much while we’re waiting for Hunter to finish his business. This has been a lifesaver for me as I haven’t had to worry about Bella at all during the entire time. You can get wireless portable ones as well, I just have an invisible fence around my back yard (under the ground).

Cones

As much as the dog hates them, it is crucial that the cones stay on while stitches and cuts heal. Otherwise, they’ll lick them, and lick them, and lick them. This slows down the healing process and increases the chances of infection. I found this out the hard way – not that my boy’s stiched up knees got infected – but he would lick and lick and it turned them red.. and then they’d have to heal again.. just long and painful.

Kennel or Cage

I guess I would consider this the most important piece of equipment that I’m thankful for. While myself and Liz were at work every day, my boy would stay in his cage (albiet the largest kennel I could find) which I’ve had for quite some time since they were both puppies actually. It’s come in handy and even though I know I could sell it for $100 likely and reclaim the bit of space it takes up while folded up.. it’s not worth it to me as it’s so big that both can fit in and sleep, and when Hunter was alone while we were at work.. it was great to put my mind at ease that he wasn’t going to try to jump up on anything.

Healthy Treats

Obviously my boy was down in the dumps the entire time he was recovering. He’d not move, just lay either in his cage or on his bed that he had in front of the fireplace. One thing that beagles know how to do however, is eat. He never lost his appetite once during the entire ordeal, so I kept feeding them to him! I realized rather quickly however, that since he wasn’t moving much.. he would have a hard time burning any fat or anything that the treats would include – so best to keep him with the healthy ones.. fortunately they love them! So that’s what I did.

These were just a few things that I am thankful for – I’m sure there are more that I’m missing, but I figure I’d post it anyhow.

Tags: Animal,Dog,Hunter,Infection,Pets,Security,Shopping,Surgery
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