Avoid ‘lost’ signs by tagging your cat

(ARA) – You’ve seen the posters decorating mailboxes, telephone poles and trees in your neighborhood. The picture of a cat – usually curled up in the sun or giving a curious look to the camera – with “LOST” in bold, capital letters and a contact number underneath. Sadly, less than 5 percent of lost cats make it home.

Many of these lost cats end up in animal shelters, some are adopted by new families and others unfortunately, aren’t so lucky. An estimated 70 percent of all animals euthanized each year are cats who enter shelters without identification tags, according to the North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Many shelters are full, and can only hold cats for a few days or less, giving grieving owners limited time to locate their lost pet.

Cat owner and author of “Oh My Dog,” Beth Ostrosky Stern is passionate about saving the lives of animals and providing them to loving families. “Through my work with North Shore Animal League America, I have seen firsthand how many cats enter the shelters. I’m a firm supporter of cat tagging to help ensure a safe return home. I would be completely devastated if my cat, Apple, were lost. Having her wear an identification tag is a simple step, but gives me peace of mind that if she were to be lost she can be identified and returned home.”

Whether your cat stays inside or roams the outdoors, tagging is the best way to keep him safe. Even indoor cats may sometimes slip through an open door or window for some fresh air so it’s important to remember they need identification tags as well. Special cat collars are available also, so that your cat won’t get caught on any objects when he’s playing inside the home or exploring the great outdoors.

Many cat owners may not know how simple it is to get a tag for their cat. The maker of ARM & HAMMER Super Scoop and Multi-Cat litter products is even offering cat owners the opportunity to receive customized identification tags via mail with the purchase of two ARM & HAMMER cat litters. Visit www.pettagoffer.com for more information.

Tagging cats is just one safety tip. Other tips from NSALA to keep cats healthy, especially during the summer months include:

* Never leave a cat in a car – cats can quickly overheat and die from heatstroke.

* Keep cats inside during a thunderstorm – cats are easily frightened by loud noises and are more at risk of being struck by lightning.

* Check cats daily for fleas and ticks, and talk with a veterinarian about prevention products to keep cats safe.

* Change litter regularly to maintain a fresh and healthy litter box for cats.

* Watch for signs of heat stress, including glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, restlessness, lack of coordination, unconsciousness, deep red or purple tongue and vomiting.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

 How you can help a pet in need

(ARA) – Imagine waking up every morning wondering if you’ll someday be able to find a home to call your own or how you’ll find your next meal. For so many pets, not having enough food in their bellies or a safe home are harsh realities. Fortunately, there are simple ways pet lovers can be heroes in the lives of pets.

To help in this important effort, Purina ONE has teamed up with Martha Stewart for social network fundraising and the Tour For Heroes, a mobile tour visiting animal shelters coast to coast, providing pet food, supporting pet adoption and helping pets in need.

“My pets are important members of my family and I am deeply committed to helping homeless animals,” says Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. “I’m pleased to be working with Purina ONE to support pets in need because I believe this is a worthy cause that can help so many animals across the country.”

All Pet Lovers Can be Heroes
While not every pet lover is able to adopt an animal, people can still help pets in their own community and across the country through online social networks. Purina ONE and Martha Stewart are helping pet lovers make a difference and raise funds for shelters by simply sharing photos of adoptable pets on Facebook.

Sharing is easy. Start by searching for an adoptable pet anywhere in the United States by visiting tourforheroes.marthastewart.com. Choose a pet to help and click to share his or her profile with friends on your Facebook page. Every time a photo is shared, Purina ONE will donate $1 – up to $50,000 – worth of food to feed pets in need in local communities. Pet lovers can share photos until March 31.

Food for Fluffy and Fido
Throughout the month of February, the Purina ONE Tour For Heroes will travel from San Francisco to New York and stop at local animal shelters in 11 cities along the way to set up temporary food banks and hold adoption events. More than 63,000 pounds of dog and cat food – equaling 11,000 bags of food – will be given out to help pets in need.

Whether you’ve lost your job, have large veterinary or medical bills or are struggling to pay your mortgage, no one will be turned away at any of the Tour For Heroes events.

“In tough times, a source of constant companionship can often be your dog or cat,” says Mark Stoddard, brand director for Purina ONE. “We want to lend a hand to pets in need, and by assisting their owners who may need a little extra help these days, we help their pets, too.”

For more information about the Tour For Heroes and to find a tour stop near you, visit tourforheroes.marthastewart.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Passing the Buck . . . and the Doe and the Fawn

(ARA) – Sipping coffee on your back deck on a beautiful fall morning, you look up and gasp — there in your suburban oasis stands a small herd of deer. For a moment you pause, enchanted. An instant later, as the deer begin to munch on your landscape, you realize they’re just not as awestruck by the encounter as you are.

You don’t have to be a wildlife expert to know that after generations of dwelling in close proximity to humans, modern deer aren’t afraid of us anymore. What’s more, they no longer fear many of the traditional repellents some homeowners still use to protect shrubs, trees and landscaping.  So when cool weather comes along and the natural landscape dies, deer have to start foraging for food sources. And they aren’t afraid to walk right into your yard and help themselves to your well-watered, well-established evergreens.

Even just a few deer can cause significant damage to your landscaping. “A single whitetail deer can consume, on average, 8 to 12 pounds of foliage a day,” says James Messina of Messina Wildlife Management. “In many areas of the country, deer overpopulation is a serious problem. With nowhere to go and not much left to eat in the dead of winter, deer can wreak havoc on shrubs, trees and gardens, and destroy new buds and leaves before they have a chance to grow, ruining your prospects for any spring growth.”

Hungry and bold, deer move into residential areas in the winter, and the damage they do in the cold weather will affect your landscape’s health next spring. Traditional animal repellents are also less effective than they were decades ago, Messina notes.

“That’s because those repellents rely on a bad smell — like the stench of a rotting carcass — to fool animals into thinking a predator’s kill is in the area and the predator may be returning for it,” he says. “But the number of predators has actually declined, and deer know it. They’re less afraid of predators, so relying on scare tactics has a greater tendency to fail over time.”

Some wildlife has also built up a resistance to chemical deterrents. Plus, increasingly eco-conscious homeowners prefer not to put potentially harmful chemicals into the environment. Other more lethal alternatives are not only inhumane but illegal in most parts of the country.

More homeowners are turning to organic alternatives, like Deer Stopper, a repellent formulated from plant extracts. This organic option works because it confronts deer by using their natural repulsion to certain plant smells and tastes rather than relying on fear.

“We know that deer will eat over 500 different types of plants,” Messina says. “Normally, they’re quite discriminating. But in fall and winter, when food is harder to find, they become less picky and much more of a threat to suburban landscapes. Still, like many wild animals, deer rely on taste and smell to judge if a food may be harmful to them. If your backyard foliage tastes or smells unpleasant to them, one bite and they’ll move on.”

An effective taste deterrent, Deer Stopper is 100 percent organic and completely safe for use on all types of plants — from vegetables to trees, flowers to shrubs. The Organic Materials Review Institute lists it as approved for use by organic growers. The smell- and taste-based technology also eliminates the need for a foul odor, so Deer Stopper actually smells good to humans. Lightly mist vegetation once a month, even during the cold and snowy winter to keep deer away all season long. To learn more, or to find retail locations, visit www.messinawildlife.com.

“In the early 1900s, there were probably only about half a million deer spread out over the country,” Messina says. “Today, there are more than 15 million. Deer, it turns out, adapt quite well to life in suburbia. Keeping them away from residential and commercial landscaping can help everyone — deer and homeowners —  co-exist more happily together.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Avoiding Expensive Visits and Treatment Begins with Simple Changes at Home

(NAPSI)-Every dog can have its day–with your help.

While a recent survey revealed that 88 percent of American pet owners considered their animals as family members, not all owners, however, have a place in their hearts and conscience for their innocent pets who only seek love and companionship.

What You Can Do

Experts offer these tips for anyone who sees or suspects animal mistreatment:

• Recognize signs of neglect

While physical abuse can be visually obvious, neglect can often go unnoticed. Signs of neglect include an underweight animal, an animal with visible, unattended injuries or an animal that is tied up and left outside with inadequate food, water or shelter.

• Know whom to contact

Compile a list of appropriate animal protection facility phone numbers, including law enforcement and humane officers.

• Report what you see or know

If you witness animal abuse or neglect or even suspect abuse or neglect by someone, your best option may be to call in law enforcement.

Do not try to assess the situation yourself, as it can be dangerous.

• Be informed and involved

Stay aware and share your knowledge. Get involved. Sign pledges, write letters, circulate animal anti-cruelty e-mails, volunteer at shelters and support initiatives to strengthen anti-cruelty laws and penalties for abusers.

What Others Are Doing

The world’s largest no-kill animal shelter, North Shore Animal League America, recently responded to a rescue group’s plea for help for a severely neglected, two-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix.

Starved and suffering from a severe skin condition that caused her hair to fall out, this wonderful dog weighed only 24 pounds, far from her ideal weight of 50 to 60 pounds. Tender, timid and desperate for love, she was named “Angel” by her new-found protectors.

She was evaluated, medically treated and rehabilitated. Months later, nurtured back to physical and emotional health, Angel became a candidate for a “forever” home, where she would enjoy the love and protection all companion animals deserve.

Learn More

For more information about animal protection and how you can help North Shore Animal League America, visit www.animal-league.org or call (877) 4-SAVE-PET.

Angel, who was a victim of abuse and neglect, has been nurtured back to wellness.

(ARA) – Times are tight for Americans. Around every corner lurks more news about rising fuel prices, expensive food and families forced to leave their homes to make ends meet. According to RealtyTrac, home foreclosures in the first quarter of 2008 increased 23 percent from the previous quarter and jumped 112 percent from the first quarter of 2007. These increases in foreclosures have given rise to an unexpected problem: pet abandonment.

There are no figures to estimate the number of animals being abandoned or surrendered due to current economic hardships, but animal shelters across the country are taking in more animals every day as families find themselves without other options. Some families are taking advantage of shelters to temporarily board their pets with the hope of picking them up in a few days or weeks. Meanwhile, local authorities are seeing an increase in the number of pets being abandoned by their owners.

In Arkansas, three dogs were found starved to death in their kennels. The homeowners had left the dogs behind when they moved. Two dogs in San Diego were left at a vacant home for several months, but survived. In Downy, Calif., four birds were found abandoned in their cages.

But abandonment is never the answer, animal welfare experts say. “Whether it’s asking a friend to pet sit, finding an apartment that accepts animals, finding a local shelter that can help or asking your veterinarian for low-cost boarding, there’s always a humane option,” says Allie Phillips, director of public policy for the American Humane Association, the 130-year-old child and animal welfare organization.

To help struggling families find options, American Humane has put together a list of tips to help homeowners either relocate with their pets or find other safe placement options for them. Some of those tips include:

* Look for apartments and rental homes that will take pets.
* If you cannot take your pet, ask your veterinarian if you can receive low-cost boarding for your pet or set up a payment plan.
* Check www.petfinder.com for a list of shelters and rescue organizations in your area that can help board your animal or will accept it for adoption.
* Strongly consider taking your pet with you. The comfort and companionship of pets can help ease the strain of a move.

“There’s a lot of news about the stock market and a struggling economy lately, but it’s not the economy that’s struggling. It’s you, us, our friends and neighbors,” says Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane. “It’s a tough place for any family to find themselves. Bills need to be paid and in order to make ends meet, sometimes sacrifices have to be made. It’s not easy, but pet abandonment isn’t the answer.”

Tip sheets for homeowners looking for ways to keep or care for their pets during a foreclosure can be found at www.americanhumane.org. Also available online are tip sheets for bank and mortgage companies that may find abandoned pets in vacated homes. In addition, local animal shelters may be eligible for grants from American Humane to help families stay with their pets.

Neighbors Can Help, Too
Often a neighbor can help authorities and animal welfare groups spot an abandoned animal before it’s too late. Neighbors should listen for animal sounds, look in windows, check with other neighbors and be on the lookout for signs that the previous homeowners had pets. If pets are known or suspected to be on the property, animal control should be called immediately. With a neighbor’s help, animal control can get a search warrant to enter the home and check for pets that are abandoned or neglected.

American Humane is quick to point out that animals left behind or simply set free will probably not survive. It can be weeks or months before a bank or mortgage company will visit an abandoned home to make an assessment or a neighbor notices that pets are trapped in a house. That’s too long for any animal to go without food and water. If abandoned, there is also a chance that the state criminal animal-cruelty laws might apply, even if arrangements are made for somebody to feed and water the animals after the home has been vacated.

“It’s a terrible situation for any family to find themselves in, but to leave an animal behind only makes it worse,” says Belew Wheatley. “It seems when times are tough we find the best in our friends, family and neighbors. If they’re unable to help there are always other options, from a vet to a local animal shelter. These are our family pets, and they count on us to take care of them.”

Visit http://www.americanhumane.org for more information.

(ARA) – Most people know that cats are easy animals to love and care for, and can be wonderful family pets. What you may not know is that owning a cat offers much more than just companionship. Studies show that owning a cat can have numerous benefits on overall mental and physical health for people of all ages. From lowering blood pressure in adults to helping children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), cats are more than just furry friends — adopting a cat can mean a healthier, happier family.

June is the American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Cat Month, a perfect time to consider adding a cat to your family. Adopting is easier than ever, thanks to 9Lives’ Morris’ Million Cat Rescue (MMCR). The goal of MMCR is to rescue one million felines throughout the U.S.

“We are committed to saving lives and educating the public on responsible cat care,” says Matt Simon, 9Lives brand manager. “Partnering with American Humane Association’s June Adopt-a-Cat Month was an excellent fit for 9Lives, since we share a similar vision and goal for finding loving homes for animals.”

With the current economic downturn, some people might be hesitant to take on a pet. However, the average costs associated with caring for a cat are relatively low.

“While there may be a small adoption fee, most cats at shelters are already vaccinated and spayed or neutered,” says Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM, and author of the Catster.com Vet Blog. “Additionally, the cost of litter, nutritious food and an occasional toy is relatively low, and cats are comparatively inexpensive.”

There are all types of cats available at your local animal shelters that are in need of loving and nurturing homes — from cuddly brand new kittens to sweet, lovable and already trained older felines. The trained staff and volunteers at animal shelters are likely to know the personalities of the animals and can help find the best match for you and your family. While you should only adopt if you feel like you and your family are ready to do so, your generous gift of adoption could mean the difference between life and death for a cat and a longer and happier life for you and your loved ones.

9Lives icon Morris the Cat is proof that an animal shelter is a great place to find your new pet. Morris was once a shelter cat; now as the famous spokes-cat for 9Lives, he is one of the most recognizable animal faces in the country. He has starred in television commercials, appeared beside Hollywood stars in major motion pictures and he’s even run for president.

If Adopt-a-Cat month and Morris’ Million Cat Rescue aren’t enough reason to adopt, here are a few more reasons to take home a furry friend.

Cats are Good for the Whole Family

Cats are good for kids
Studies show that positive self-esteem is enhanced in children when owning a pet. The responsibility that comes from owning a pet helps the child develop confidence in performing other tasks in school or interacting with friends and adults. Additional studies suggest that children who suffer from ADHD are able to focus on a pet, which helps them learn how to concentrate. Increased concentration will help them perform better in the classroom as well as complete tasks at home. Pets also give children an opportunity to interact with a live-in playmate rather than playing video or computer games or watching TV.

Cats are good for adults
A recent study reports that pets increase the survival rate of heart attack victims; 28 percent of heart patients with pets survived serious heart attacks compared to only 6 percent without pets. Cats have also been linked to decreased blood pressure and reduced stress levels. One study shows that cholesterol and triglyceride levels are lower in pet owners than in non-owners. Cat ownership is also suggested as a way to help depression.

Cats are good for the elderly
With old age come a number of physical and emotional difficulties. However, researchers are finding that pets truly have the power to heal their owners, especially the elderly. The most prevalent malady for older people is not cancer or heart disease, but loneliness. Cats are an excellent option for the elderly because they can be lifted easily and fit even on the smallest laps. Also, there is only a small amount of work and cost required to care for a cat.

There are plenty of reasons to adopt a cat, but the best way to discover all of the joys and benefits is by adopting one this summer. There are thousands of cats nationwide eager for your visit, so go to your local animal shelter and bring home the newest member of your family today!

For more information on Morris’ Million Cat Rescue Campaign and adopting a shelter cat, please visit http://www.9Lives.com     .

ARA) – With about three-quarters of the nation’s population taking at least one prescribed medication, it’s no secret that our bodies need help to be healthy. Heart disease, insomnia, depression and other diseases have reached epidemic levels.

Heart disease has almost quadrupled since 2000. Nearly 80 million people in the United States have heart disease, up from 22 million. More than 70 million people in the United States suffer from insomnia, a number that has stayed the same for a number of years. Roughly 18 million adults in the United States suffer from depression. Ten times more people suffer from major depression now compared to 60 years ago.

Fortunately drugs like Lipitor, Ambien and Zoloft have improved our quality of life and allow people to live longer, healthier lives.Lipitor is used to lower the amount of bad cholesterol, and Ambien is used for people with insomnia to help them sleep better. Zoloft is an antidepressant, but it’s also used to help obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

These valuable drugs don’t happen by themselves. And often, the frontline of drug discovery and ultimately development begins with a relatively unknown profession: veterinary pathology. These scientists are part of a team that not only finds the drugs that keep us healthy; they also keep thousands of unsafe drugs from ever hitting the drug store shelves.

These individuals are uniquely aware of animals’ and humans’ responses to drugs, because to know the animal body makes it easy to know the human body.

Ricardo Ochoa, a veterinary pathologist and pharmaceutical consultant, says veterinary pathologists have helped keep thousands of compounds that could have been harmful to humans from getting into development. Ochoa has worked extensively in the pharmaceutical industry discovering and developing drugs as a drug development scientist.

“People don’t realize that most of the compounds that we start working with actually don’t make it,” adds Ochoa. “Veterinary pathologists are guardians of the safety of compounds, and ultimately, of the greater population. The odds of becoming a winner in American Idol are better than getting a compound to the market.”

Hundreds of processes go into producing a therapeutic drug. Veterinary pathologists have proved to be invaluable assets in the pharmaceutical industry, but there is currently a shortage in the pipeline that could hinder future pharmaceutical development. Currently there are approximately 1,500 licensed veterinary pathologists – and only a small percentage in the pharmaceutical industry.

Ochoa says that the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) is working hard to ensure that there will be sufficient veterinary pathologists to continue to serve humanity. For more information on the profession, and other areas of public health served by veterinary pathologists, go to http://www.acvp.org . And the next time you pop a pill, quietly thank a veterinary pathologist.

(NewsUSA) – Spring and summer plants provide color and scent, but they can also mean upset stomachs for the family pet.

As the growing months hit, homeowners enjoy watching their garden flowers bloom. But according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA),common plants like lilies, sago palms, tulips, azaleas and oleander can poison Duke or Lassie.

Americans don’t have to choose between keeping a dog or planting flower pots. Yes, more than 700 plants cause toxic symptoms, ranging from mild nausea to death, in animals.

But homeowners can put poisonous house plants, like lilies and ferns, out of pets’ reach. High tables or window ledges can keep dogs from ingesting the roses, while hanging baskets stop cats from frisking in fronds.

Animals need their exercise. While some cats stay inside, locking the dog indoors will only cause behavior problems.

Canines and landscaping can co-exist. In outdoor areas, fencing keeps animals away from gardens, where everyday food plants like corn and tomatoes can poison pets.

For owners who cannot install wood or wire fences, or who want to see their landscaping without peering through wooden slats, electronic pet-containment systems provide a great option.

One system, Invisible Fence Brand Outdoor Solutions, uses a concealed wire to keep animals within safe areas. A professional installs the wire around the property line. The wire can also block off danger zones like gardens, pools and driveways.

The homeowner puts a transmitter in an out-of-the-way location. The transmitter sends radio signals to a collar. When Rover approaches the azaleas, his collar beeps a small warning. Thanks to a certified training program, Rover knows not to go near the flower beds.

The Invisible Fence Brand can be laid across pavement, water and rocky terrain. It allows avid gardeners and landscapers to enjoy their favorite summer plants without worrying about their animals’ health. In turn, cats and dogs can enjoy fresh air and exercise in safety.

For more information about the Invisible Fence Brand, visit www.invisiblefence.com.