Four new pet heroes honored in Canada May 8, 2009

Source: UPI.com, May 4, 2009

TORONTO, May 4 (UPI) — Three dogs and a cat were honored as human-lifesaving heroes at the Purina Animal Hall of Fame in Toronto Monday.

The inductees included a young Bijon Frise dog named Sophie from Olds, Alberta, Sophie awoke her owner and alerted her that the woman’s daughter had slipped into a diabetic coma in her bedroom.

The second dog inducted was an 8-year-old Chow Chow named Jarod from Genelle, British Columbia. Jarod distracted a charging black bear and allowed its owner and another dog to flee to safety before escaping from the bear.

The only cat inducted was a 21-pound male domestic shorthair named Nemo, which made persistent efforts to awaken a Toronto woman and alert her that her husband had stopped breathing beside her in bed. The man survived.

Purina also honored Ace, a Dutch-Shepherd mix adopted by a police officer in Hamilton, Ontario, who trained him as a search and rescue service dog. In December, Ace located a woman missing for three days during a major snowstorm. She was buried in snow, but recovered.

Since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 1968, 117 dogs, 24 cats and a horse have been named as heroes for their life-saving deeds, Purina said in a release.

A “Killer Deal” For The “No Kill” Animal Movement! April 27, 2009

Source: 1888Pressrelease.com, April 25, 2009

The First National Dog Training, Dog Walking & Pet Care Franchise offers a deferred Franchise fee to a select and special few who meet the necessary criteria in an attempt to move the “No Kill” movement nearer to the goal of zero in the United States.

(1888PressRelease) April 25, 2009 – The DogSmith, a national Dog Training, Dog Walking and Pet Care Franchise operating out of Florida, is now offering deferred franchise fees on select Franchise Territories nationwide.

Niki Tudge, the founder of The DogSmith, explains the motivation for this unprecedented Franchise offering. “If we can increase the share of the pet adoption market by a mere 3% by educating qualified dog trainers committed to assisting rescue groups and shelters with training and socializing more dogs and cats thus making them more appealing to the adopting public, we can stop the killing of millions of animals each year and be on our way to reaching our ‘No Kill’ goal” says Niki. That is the mission of The DogSmith. “I developed the DogSmith training methodology because of the huge disconnect between the millions of dollars we as pet owners spend each year at groomers, dog boutiques and pet stores yet millions of adoptable dogs and cats are sentenced to death each year for behaviors and quirks that could be easily resolved with a couple of hundred dollars invested in training. So many animals are surrendered to shelters and rescue groups every year because of problem behaviors that could be remedied with just some basic training.”

Niki began her dog training career over a decade ago after having managed luxury hotels all over the world. Since she began her hotel career training and educating hotel managers it was a natural fit to combine her love and expertise for animals with her many years of experience in business and teaching.

As a professional dog trainer and dog behaviorist Niki witnessed firsthand the paradox in the number of pets coming into our homes nationwide versus the number of dogs abandoned at shelters available for adoption. Families bring more dogs and cats into their homes than there are adoptable animals in shelters (more dogs and cats are brought into homes every year from breeders and “puppy mills” than are waiting for adoption through shelters and rescue groups). So Niki decided to do something about it and committed her life, through The DogSmith, to combining her business management and teaching expertise with her unique dog training/behavior mastery to improve the relationship between humans and their pets. She felt especially passionate about the animal rescue “No Kill” movement believing that if enough dedicated dog trainers were available to assist rescue groups rehabilitate the pets in their charge, creating more “adoptable” pets, then the number of animals euthanized every year could be greatly reduced. This commitment led Niki to cofound the Alaqua Animal Refuge, an animal rescue group in Freeport, Florida, that provides refuge for more than 250 animals ranging from dogs and cats to goats, chickens and deer. Niki also serves as the Executive Director at a “No Kill” facility in Bay County Florida.

When asked why The DogSmith is offering franchises to qualified persons on such attractive terms, Niki explains that “there is a lack of affordable, humane, efficient and effective dog trainers and an even bigger shortage of dog trainers willing to give their time and services to local rescue groups. I am passionate about helping the “No Kill” movement become successful nationwide through proper, effective and humane training of our abandoned pets. My dream is to train enough DogSmith Dog Trainers and Pet Care experts to make a difference in the way we live with our pet animals.”

One of The DogSmith’s primary missions, and a requirement to attain DogSmith certification, is for each DogSmith franchise owner to partner with local rescue groups and help animal facilities become “No Kill” by supporting training and behavioral modification programs.

To prevent euthanizing millions of animals each year requires a three tiered process:
1. Support shelter management with the implementation of training programs for both employees and animals.
2. Ensure “No Kill” facilities have the expertise on hand so animals entering the system can become adoptable and that their standard of living increases and does not decline.
3. Prevent animals entering the system by educating pet owners on “responsible pet ownership” and how education for both dogs and humans can be affordable (preventing problems is always cheaper than fixing problems), fun and in many cases life saving. This includes an effective Spay and Neuter Program.

“DogSmith Trainers can play an integral role in each step of this process but I cannot do this alone” says Niki, “I need likeminded people to join me in making this dream a reality. We have the resources, the passion and the energy and we invite others who share these goals to join us. We are so confident in our system as a viable business plan and as the best way to make a difference in our relationship with our pet animals that we are prepared to make this unprecedented offer”.

http://www.888DogSmith.com

AKC Announces New Program for Mixed Breeds April 20, 2009

Source: AKC.org, April 14, 2009

New York, NY – For the past 125 years, the American Kennel Club® has been the nation’s premier advocate for dogs and the people who love them. The AKC’s Board of Directors has voted unanimously to proceed with a program for mixed breed dogs which will allow it to act even more broadly and effectively as the dog’s champion. The creation of this program ushers in new opportunities for AKC’s constituents and clubs and will allow the organization to grow and flourish.

“Our goal in creating a program specifically designed for mixed breeds is to share our passion for dogs and our sport,” said AKC President and CEO Dennis Sprung. “AKC will broaden its legislative influence by representing more dog owners and achieve greater exposure for our responsible dog ownership messaging. But ultimately, the positive developments that this program creates will benefit dogs the most, and this is what we value above all.”

The mixed breeds program will be implemented in three phases. As of October 1, 2009 owners can begin enrolling their pets and receive an AKC ID number. Then beginning April 1, 2010 enrolled dogs will be eligible to compete in mixed breed classes at stand-alone AKC Agility, Obedience and Rally events. Soon after they will have access to benefits such as discounted AKC Companion Animal Recovery Lost and Found service, a free AKC Canine Good Citizen® certificate for dogs passing the CGC test, a free initial veterinary visit, a trial offer of pet health insurance and discounted coupons for dog supplies.

The third phase will offer a dedicated Web site where dog owners can interact via an online community with discussion forums and access dog care video downloads, advice from experts and the most up-to-date news on canine health and welfare. The site will be continually enhanced with new features and benefits in order to respond to the changing needs of pet owners.

This new AKC initiative is the first designed to specifically benefit mixed breed dogs and their dog owners, however the AKC has long included mixed breeds in programs such as AKC Canine Good Citizen®, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppysm, AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day and the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund’s disaster relief efforts. In addition, AKC has always actively advocated for the rights of all dog owners and the welfare of dogs through its Government Relations efforts and serves dog owners through its affiliate organizations such as the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation and AKC Companion Animal Recovery.

For more information about the AKC’s mixed breeds program, visit www.akc.org/mixedbreeds.

Animal Planet Special Takes a Look at ‘Puppy Mills’ March 26, 2009

Source: Pet product News, Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Animal Planet is set to air a special Animal Cops: Philadelphia episode in April that focuses on substandard commercial dog breeders. The special, entitled Puppy Mills: Exposed, aims to “take viewers inside the world of puppy mills,” according to the network.

“Puppy mills are a blemish on a country that loves and respects its dogs,” Marjorie Kaplan, Animal Planet president and general manger, said in a statement. “Puppy Mills: Exposed tells the truth about these operations — no matter how disturbing — in order to incite emotions and action in everyone who watches.”

Puppy Mills: Exposed premiers Monday, April 27, 10 p.m. (ET/PT) as a special episode of Animal Cops: Philadelphia.

The one-hour show starts with the law enforcement officers of the Pennsylvania SPCA as they recount the case of Limestone Kennels, where more than 80 dogs were reportedly rescued from last year. According to Animal Planet, officers at the site found multiple dogs packed into cramped cages, food dishes contaminated with feces and animals with multiple birth defects, including dogs with missing eyes. The special then explores similar stories in Tennessee and Florida.

Lastly, viewers hear from a woman in Miami, Fla., who bought her puppy from a pet store. Shortly thereafter, her puppy became sick. In its release about the special, Animal Planet stated that “like most people, the owner had no idea that virtually all pet store puppies come from large commercial breeding facilities — many of which can be considered puppy mills.”

Humane Society Silicon Valley set to unveil state-of-the-art animal shelter, CA March 26, 2009

Source: Mercury News, March 26, 2009

Humane Society Silicon Valley will debut its new, state-of-the-art animal shelter in Milpitas at an all-day open house on Saturday.

The $25 million facility, funded through donations, will serve as a regional animal community center. It features a low-cost spay/neuter medical center, a community dog park and training center, doggy day care, boarding and grooming, a veterinary hospital with a public viewing room, an education center, a pet store and a pet-friendly cafe.

Christine Benninger, president of the Humane Society chapter, said the center’s many new features will help change the way people think about an animal shelter. No longer will it be a warehouse full of cages of unwanted pets, she said.

This new shelter features cageless animal habitats to simulate home environments and will be able to handle up to 10,000 animal adoptions a year.

Saturday’s open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 901 Ames Ave. near Milpitas Boulevard and Montague Expressway.

The event will feature a performance by Raggs, the singing canine from the Raggs Kids Club Band, as well as animal balloon making, coloring, a scavenger hunt, face painting and other arts and crafts for children. Tim Jeffreys from KUFX 98.5 (“KFOX”) is scheduled to be there from noon to 2 p.m.

And you’ll have a chance to make a video statement, pledging to help animals in your community in the shelter’s Community Room. Humane Society staff members will edit the video and post it on the society’s Web site and on YouTube.Staff will also be available with information for those wishing to volunteer at the new shelter.

Animal adoptions, however, will continue to be done at the Humane Society’s shelter in Santa Clara for the next two to three weeks. That building has been sold.

Laura Fulda, Humane Society spokeswoman, said the new facility is California’s first regional animal community center and is one of the first environmentally certified “green” centers of its kind in the United States.

The center has an extensive on-site solar system that is expected to generate 40 percent of the facility’s energy needs from renewable sources, a kennel cleansing system that reduces water use while ensuring proper disinfecting, and artificial turf and native plants in the dog park areas intended to reduce the need for irrigation water.

Located on nearly five acres of land, the 48,000-square-foot center has homelike habitats for dogs, cats and rabbits.

As of February, Humane Society Silicon Valley had raised $20.4 million for the new center. It hopes to raise the rest soon. Donors can make payments on the shelter’s Web site at www.hssv.org or get more information at (408) 727-3383, ext. 878.

Love is in the Air as Camp Bow Wow® Announces its Canines and Cupids Event in Kemah, TX February 2, 2009

Source: PRWeb.com, Feb 2, 2009

Camp Bow Wow® Kemah Celebrates its Cupids and Canines Event on February 14th– Stop by between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM and get a reading from pet psychic Griffin Kanter!

Kemah, TX (PRWEB) February 2, 2009 — Cupid’s bow left its mark on dogs across Houston as Camp Bow Wow® Kemah announced their Cupids and Canines event on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Dogs and their two-legged guardians are invited to visit the premier doggy day care and overnight boarding camp located at 300 Anders Lane near the corner of 518 and Anders Lane for this fun, free, family event!

The Cupids and Canines event will feature games, prize giveaways, and special guests including:

• Griffin Kanter, animal communicator, offering readings for your pooch
• Bay Area Pet Adoptions with adoptable dogs looking for a good home
• Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue with adoptable dogs
• Houston Labrador Retriever Rescue with adoptable dogs
• Lil’ Pals Pet Photography will be taking portraits of your pups
• Connie Archer from Bark Busters Home Dog Training
• I Pause for Paws Pets Pet Sitting Service

And SO much more!

“We opened Camp Bow Wow® because we believe in providing quality care for all dogs, so partnering with Bay Area Pet Adoptions, and the local Golden Retriever and Lab Rescue Organizations to help find a loving home for their rescue pups was a natural fit for our event,” said owner, Jennifer Zuniga. “We are excited to offer a great array of prizes donated by local pet businesses, with proceeds benefiting these charities. We can’t think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day!”

For those who may not be familiar with Camp Bow Wow®, owners Jennifer and Al Zuniga invite you to come to the Cupids and Canines event and see this unique concept in doggy day care and overnight boarding for yourself. With its upscale and innovative environment for dogs to play, campers are sure to receive lots of love and attention. Camp Bow Wow® Kemah is a state of the art facility that offers many amenities to make sure the pups enjoy their stay.

Only at Camp Bow Wow in every nook and cranny of the camp, there are live Camper Cams® installed so owners can watch their beloved pooches play all day. Camp Bow Wow® has a 24 hour monitoring system to ensure all the campers are safe. Camp Bow Wow® Kemah has approximately 7500 sq ft of indoor camp and 2500 sq ft of outdoor play area with plenty of shade and puppy playground equipment.

Pups that visit Camp Bow Wow® enjoy most of their time (whether it’s for day camp or boarding) playing in one of the three large indoor/outdoor play areas for one flat fee, unlike many other similar businesses that charge extra for play time.

Another unique quality of the camp is that Certified Camp Counselors® are required to monitor the pooches all day and to adhere to the strict camper to counselor ratio for the safety of dogs. The counselors are trained in dog behavior, safety and health management. They are also CPR and First aid trained. Camp Bow Wow® knows how dogs play and interact, so they keep all sizes and types of pups very yappy! As an additional safety measure, the camp keeps large and small doggies in separate play areas.

There are a few requirements to be a camper and it all starts with the free interview day. The interview is a meet and greet with dogs of similar size and temperament and Al and Jennifer advise owners to take advantage of the free day and leave their pooches for the full day. Campers must be neutered or spayed if over 6-months old, up to date on rabies, distemper, and Bordetella vaccinations, and in good general health.

Camp Bow Wow® Kemah invites you to stop by and enjoy a day of free family fun at their Cupids and Canines event, where you can take a tour of the Camp and sign up for your interview day! Bring your kids, cameras, and of course your canines to the event on February 14th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. It’s sure to be a dog-gone great time!

For more information:
Visit Camp Bow Wow® online at www.campbowwow.com/kemah, stop by for a personal tour or call the Camp at 281-334-CAMP (2267).

About Camp Bow Wow®
At Camp Bow Wow®, campers can enjoy indoor, climate controlled play areas as well as large outdoor play areas complete with, security fencing, puppy pools and doggy playground equipment. Overnight campers lounge in cabins with cots and fleece bedding accompanied by a campfire treat at bedtime.

Camp Bow Wow is the premier doggy day care and overnight camp in North America. It’s where a dog can be a dog®, and is designed to provide the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its campers, and peace of mind for their parents. Since the Boulder, Colo.-based company started franchising in 2003, Camp Bow Wow has sold more than 200 franchises in 38 states, plus one in Canada. As we grow, our simple philosophy remains the same: It’s all about the dogs. Visit us on the web at www.campbowwow.com.