‘Pocket Pets’ and Hobby Breeders
August 3rd, 2007
Pet owner can minimize the risk of contagious diseases that sometimes give “pocket pets” a bad rap by purchasing a pet from a hobby breeder affiliated with a national breed club or a rescue organization affiliated with such a club rather than from a pet store.
Like breeders of purebred dogs and cats, breeders of “pocket pets” — hamsters, gerbils, fancy rats, fancy mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits — may choose to belong to an organization dedicated to the responsible ownership of these charming companions. Small mammals purchased from pet stores are largely “factory” raised and receive little socialization; if the health is checked by a veterinarian, it is a cursory check for obvious illnesses.
Hobby breeders live with their pets day-to-day, regard them as members of the family, and are intimately familiar with their health over a long term. Pups and kits are handled from birth, receive excellent socialization and are constantly monitored for signs of any illness.
Adults interested in acquiring a home-raised pet for a child or themselves can locate breeders or rescues on the following Web sites: Rat and Mouse Club of America, American Fancy Rat and Mouse Club, American Gerbil Society, House Rabbit Association (Rescues) and Rabbit and Guinea Pig Breeders.
Further links and clubs may be identified by searching for “(species) + breeders + clubs” on any search engine.
Insanely Cute Cat Picture Archive
August 3rd, 2007Check out http://www.dropline.net/cats/ for a good laugh and cute captioned cat pictures. My favorite is Badass Cat.
Cat With Eyes Spray Painted Shut
August 3rd, 2007
A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a person who officials said spray-painted a cat’s eyes shut. According to the Animal Protection and Rescue League, an employee at the San Diego City Attorney’s office was leaving for work Wednesday morning when she discovered the spray-painted cat.
The lawyer, Kim Urie, said she was in the alley between Valle and Martin avenues near Memorial Community Park around 7:30 a.m. when she spotted the cat against a wall. A can of spray paint was next to the animal, Urie said. She took the cat and the spray paint to work with her and called the county Department of Animal Services. Animal Services director Dawn Danielson said officers with her agency picked up the cat around 1 p.m. from the City Attorney’s Office.
The APRL is offering a $500 reward in the case. You can contact them at 619-236-4250 or visit www.APRL.org. Additionally, the San Diego Animal Advocates announced Thursday a reward offer of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for whoever was responsible for the abuse.
“The kitten is resting comfortably and ate ravenously, which is a good sign,” said Danielson.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Department of Animal Services tip line at 619-767-2740.
SOURCE: 10 News San Diego
Oscar, the cat
August 2nd, 2007Oscar, the cat found to have a very high success rate for predicting patients deaths in a nursing home in Rhode Island, has been all over the internet this past week. His many followers have created a homage to his powers in a cute photo gallery of captioned pictures, The LOLcat of Death.
Gene Simmons Ferret Picture Caption
August 1st, 2007Adorable captions photo of 3 ferrets playing, from I Can Has Cheezburger
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