We’ve all heard that it’s important to read to your baby for his or her development, but could it help your dog or cat be a calmer, happier pet?

The Arizona Animal Welfare League & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is using reading as a tool to help animals in their shelter become happier, more socialized pets.

Volunteers spend time reading to dogs and cats awaiting adoption at the state’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter.

“Reading is an important socialization activity for dogs and cats,” said Whitney Fletcher, director of Volunteers & Special Events at AAWL & SPCA. “It helps fearful dogs and cats become more comfortable with people without forcing interaction.

“As you read out loud, you are focusing on something other than the animal,” she explains. “In turn, the animal grows accustomed to your presence and voice, which is calming.”

It really doesn’t matter what the volunteer reads, she notes, adding that college students volunteering at the shelter often read their text books to the animals. “Dogs and cats find the rhythmic sound of a voice very comforting and soothing.”

AAWL & SPCA volunteers can either bring their own books or borrow one from the shelter’s free Little Library.

The reading program is one of the socialization techniques the organization uses to help dogs and cats become better pets. Other programs include night walks with shelter dogs at local parks and “Doggie Coffee Dates,” in which volunteers take pups with them to local coffee shops each Saturday.

These programs help the dogs learn to interact with strangers and become accustomed to new situations.

For more information about AAWL & SPCA, go to www.aawl.org or call 602-273-6852.

The Arizona Animal Welfare League is located at 25 N. 40th St., Phoenix.

Source: Ahwatukee Foothills News

PHOENIX -When it comes to planning your will, most people make sure their families and loved ones are taken care of. Now there is a growing number of people who are also taking steps to make sure their four-legged friends aren't forgotten by creating "pet trusts" to help care for pets after their owners pass away. 

For BJ and Donna Jensen, their horses Tippy and Red are more than just pets.

“We come out here on a regular basis, so we can ride our horses,” says BJ Jensen. “It's a passion we both enjoy, we've been involved with horses most of our lives.”

“I love these horses,” says Donna Jensen. I mean, they are our children. And like we would provide for our children, we provide for them.”

And that means providing for them even if BJ and Donna are no longer here.

The recently retired couple, like a growing number of people planning their estate, created a "pet trust," a fund set aside specifically to care for their horses.

“It gives us a tremendous amount of peace of mind to know that after we're gone, people have followed our instructions to make sure these horses are cared for and loved just like we have for so many years,” say the Jensen's.

The attorney who helped the Jensen's prepare the pet trust says it's not as uncommon as you might think, with animals playing such an important role in many people's lives. 

“At first some people think - 'That's frivolous,' but it's not,” says Leo Pruett with Frutkin Law Firm. “It's being responsible to the animal and to the people who take over to care for the animal.”

“Tippy and Red have provided us with tremendous opportunities and memories that a lot of people only dream about.  It's important for me to know that they will have a good life – forever,” say the Jensen's.

A recent survey showed 44 percent of pet owners have made plans for their pets after they pass away, but it's usually not in writing. Estate planners say the costs to set up a pet trust can vary depending on the health and age of the animal being cared for.


Source: Fox 10 News (Phoenix)

A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

Did you know that 1/3 of domestic violence victims delay leaving an abusive relationship due to concern for their pets? Data also shows that 25% of victims return to an abusive relationship to protect the pets retained by the abusive partner.

I feel extremely naïve to have only recently learned that pet ownership or abuse of a pet could be effectively used by one individual to continue a harmful or abusive relationship with another individual. An article in the latest Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association discusses some of the problems faced by victims and pets of abuse and highlights federal legislation that might help abuse victims.  

The depth of the suffering form abusive situations is not over even if a victim escapes it. This is summed up by the article’s quote from Maya Carless, the executive director of Animals and Society Institute.

“I have personally worked with hundreds of victims who escaped abusive situations with little more than the clothes on their backs and their pets in their arms. Not only were they struggling to find safety for their pets, the abusers’ control over their finances left them unable to afford necessary veterinary care for their pets who have been harmed by the abuse.”

Legislation for Victims of Abuse
“No one should have to make the choice between leaving an abusive situation and ensuring their pet’s safety” says Rep. Katherine Clark of Maryland, co-author of House of Representative Bill 1258. With Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, the two congresswomen have drafted the Pet and Women Safety Act or PAWS. The provisions of the legislation will aid both female and male victims of abusive relationships. The specifics of the bill include:

1. Make threatening a pet a stalking-related crime



2. Provide grant funding to increase the availability of alternate housing for pets of domestic violence victims



3. Encourage states to provide coverage for pets under protection orders



4. Require abusers who harm pets to pay veterinary and other expenses incurred as a result of abuse

Ms. Carless adds about the legislation:

“While many kindhearted veterinarians help greatly by discounting their services, the PAWS Act would provide financial restitution for the costs of veterinary care in these situations, lifting the burden from the veterinary profession and greatly increasing treatment for animal victims of domestic violence.”

This is in part why the American Veterinary Medical Association is backing PAWS with its lobby support. As a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, I generally do not support AVMA lobbying efforts because they largely promote economic advantage for the veterinary profession. In this case, I favor their efforts. The article cites the other reasons that the AVMA feels compelled to support the legislation:

"The AVMA Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions, together with the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee, recommend that the Association support H.R. 1258 because it is consistent with the veterinary efforts to protect the welfare of animals and promote responsible human-animal relationships, including the philosophy in the AVMA Animal Welfare Principles and its resource publication ‘Practical Guidance for the Effective Response by Veterinarians to Suspected Animal Cruelty, Abuse and Neglect.’”

This law will certainly not do much to end domestic violence and abuse, but hopefully it provides a back-up plan to encourage victims of these relationships to leave before there is serious injury or emotional trauma.

Source: Pet MD / Dr. Tudor

Shanghai bank employee Frances Chen spends about a fifth of her monthly salary on her poodle Cookie, one of the millions of pet owners turning China's pet care industry into one of the fastest growing in the world.

Chen takes Cookie to a groomer for a weekly shower and feeds it imported food, costing her some 2,000 yuan ($320) a month. "I want to give him the best," said the single 26-year-old who lives with her parents. "He's our kid. The only difference is that he can't speak human languages."

Once banned by Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong as a bourgeois pastime, having a pet has now become a symbol of financial success in China, where consultants Euromonitor forecast the pet care sector to grow by more than half to 15.8 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) by 2019, outpacing the world's biggest market the United States, which is expected to grow just over 4 percent this year to $60.6 billion.

The prospects have multinationals such as Mars Inc, Nestle S.A., Procter & Gamble Co and Colgate-Palmolive Co licking their lips, especially as growth in the overall retail market slows along with the world's second largest economy.

Dogs are by far the most popular pets and dog food sales alone are expected to almost triple to over $760 million by 2019, Euromonitor data shows, as higher disposable incomes make keeping a pet an affordable luxury for more Chinese, particularly in more developed cities.

The loneliness and stress endemic to city life are also driving the pet ownership boom: last year, some 30 million households, or nearly 7 percent of the nationwide total, owned a dog, Euromonitor said.

Matthias Berninger, Mars global head of public affairs, said there was plenty of room for growth in China's pet food market, which was already expanding beyond most industry expectations. "Pet food penetration in China is very, very low," he told Reuters. "People didn't believe chocolate would ever be something Chinese consumers would like, let alone that Chinese consumers would become passionate pet owners."

The U.S. firm renowned for its confectionery owns pet food brands including Pedigree and Whiskas. Mars was the market leader in China two years ago with a two-thirds share, according to the latest Euromonitor data. Nestle-owned brands were second with just over 16 percent followed by local firm Nory Pet (Shanghai) Co Ltd with an almost 7 percent share.

"There is huge demand for pet food as owners give up feeding their dog rice and meat and switch to proper pet food," Chen Xiuqiang, sales manager at pet food importer and distributor Guangzhou Mudi Trading Co Ltd told Reuters.

A woman takes a picture with her pet dog at a shopping mall in Beijing, in this November 25, 2014 file photo. Kim Kyung Hoon / Reuters
In addition to branded food, more Chinese are paying top yuan for pedigree dog breeds such as Tibetan mastiffs, and the services and accessories they think these prized pets deserve. "In big cities like Shanghai, many people feel lonely and treat pets like family," said pet groomer Zhao Huanhuan.

"People are now willing to spend on their pets as much as they are willing to spend on their parents." Beijing pet photographer Yipets offers clients packages - including pet costumes and styling - that range from 388 yuan to 8,888 yuan ($63-$1,430) while a one-month dog training course at JinJiaJun Kennel can cost 5,000 yuan.

Luxury retailers are also benefiting. U.S. firm Chrome Bones, which opened its first China franchise in Shanghai in September, said sales have risen by up to 40 percent a month. The brand specializes in Swarovski-crystal encrusted pet collars that cost some $260, snakeskin carriers that start at $3,800 and patent leather beds and bowls.

"The prospects are very good," said shop owner Chen Yinfeng. Pet pampering has also become big business. Cole Zhang, who owns Blue Bone near Shanghai's Bund, offers to chauffeur canine clients in a Ferarri or a Maserati, a service he said costs up to 500 yuan a kilometer and is often booked out.

"On average, we have more than 100 clients a week. We usually work overtime on weekends," he added. "Most of my customers treat their dogs very well and they are willing to spend a lot on their dogs."

Source: NBC News / REUTERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 4, 2015 – Ainsworth Pet Nutrition of Meadville, PA is voluntarily recalling five varieties of Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® wet cat food, including Ocean Fish-a-licious, Lip Smackin’ Sardine & Mackerel, Ocean Fish & Chicken Catch-iatore, Tuna Purrfection, and certain lot codes of Paw Lickin’ Chicken & Liver due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. Symptoms of excessive vitamin D consumption usually develop within 12-36 hours after ingestion and may include vomiting or diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and muscle tremors or seizures. Any cat experiencing these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

Two variety packs that contain some of these recalled products (the Chicken Lovers Variety Pack, and the Ocean Lovers Variety Pack) will also be recalled. The recalled products are distributed nationwide. No other Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® products are affected by this recall.

The UPC code can be found on the bottom of the cup. The Best By code can be found on the side of the cup.

To date, there have been 11 reports of illness associated with these products.

After conducting a number of product tests, Ainsworth confirmed that the affected products have elevated levels of vitamin D. The high levels result from the natural levels of vitamin D that are found in some of the fish ingredients that were used in these specific formulas.

"At Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and Rachael Ray™ Nutrish®, the safety and quality of our products is our top priority," says Jeff Watters, CEO. "For the time being, we recommend disposing of any of the affected wet cat varieties. Rest assured we have implemented additional operating procedures to prevent an issue like this from occurring in the future. We sincerely apologize to our loyal consumers everywhere."

Ainsworth is working to ensure the removal of all affected products from store shelves. Retailers with affected products are asked to contact 888-943-4218 for additional information.

Consumers with questions about the recall are encouraged to contact Ainsworth’s Consumer Care Team at 877-650-3486 or visit www.nutrishforpets.com/news.

Representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET Monday thru Friday and 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.

Vitamin D is important in regulating calcium and phosphorus in a cat’s body. But, when ingested at very high levels, it can lead to serious health issues.

Production of the affected varieties has been suspended and will resume after reformulation.

As the popularity of dog parks explodes across the nation, it's important to understand dog park "etiquette." As leash laws become more restrictive, dog owners are discovering that the parks are a great place for exercising and socializing their dogs in a safe environment. Ranging from a basic enclosed field to a fancy space filled with agility courses, water fountains and doggie swimming ponds, all dog parks have one thing in common: they provide a place where dogs can run and play off-leash.

Unfortunately, not every dog park is visited by responsible owners. Even a few inconsiderate people can ruin the experience for everyone. Make sure you're not one of them by following these simple dos and don'ts of the dog park:

1. Observe all park rules. It's a good idea to make your first visit alone so that you know the park rules before bringing your dog. Failure to follow the rules can cause a park to be shut down or a serious incident to occur.

2. Never leave your dog unattended at the park. Trouble can brew quickly when unfamiliar dogs gather – you'll want to stay alert and in close proximity to your dog at all times.

3. If your dog becomes aggressive, leash it immediately and leave.  It's important to know you are legally liable for your aggressive dog.  

4. Don't bring puppies younger than 4 months who have not had all the required vaccinations. It puts the health of the puppy, as well as the health of other dogs, at risk.

5. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all of its vaccinations, and that its license and rabies tags are visible on his collar.

6. If your female dog is in heat, keep her home. It would be terribly irresponsible to bring her to the dog park with dozens of dogs running loose, including the possible unneutered male.

7. Many parks will have a posted limit on the number of dogs one person can bring into a dog park. Abide by that number, and don't bring more dogs than you can easily handle.

8. If children accompany you to the park, ensure their safety by staying alert for aggressive dogs. Remind children to always ask an owner for permission before petting a dog.

9. Dispose of your garbage correctly. Old food, food containers and cigarette butts are harmful to dogs if eaten.

10. Finally, pick up the poop! Most dog parks have poop bags, scoopers and special waste receptacles. If yours doesn't, bring a plastic bag with you and dispose of waste properly.

When these simple rules of safety and courtesy are followed, everyone has a good time. Dogs get to play with other dogs, and their owners meet like-minded people with a common interest – the love of dogs.

Source: WebVet / Nancy Dwyer

The drama over Johnny Depp's decision to bring his dogs into Australia without quarantine is far from over.

While the actor removed his two Yorkshire terriers, Boo and Pistol, from the country before a deadly deadline passed, Depp himself could now be facing serious consequences for the violating the pet-related regulations.

The Australian government takes its biosecurity laws seriously, and as such an ongoing investigation into the incident was brought up during a Monday Senate committee hearing.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, it was revealed that if the country pursues a case against Depp, he could face jail time of up to 10 years or a maximum fine of $265,000.

Depp, like his dogs, is currently out of the country. He had been there working on the next installment in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise.

It's been almost two weeks since Australian agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce announced that Depp's dogs were in the country illegally. At the time, Joyce gave Depp 50 hours to remove the dogs or they'd be euthanized.


Source: Today.com / Ree Hines