This Cute Pet: 11/25/07

The ferret is a member of the Mustelidae family, this including the Mink, Ermine, Weasel, (sea)Otter, Black-Footed Ferret, Skunk, Fisher, Marten, Badger, Wolverine and the European polecat.
The scientific name for this domestic animal is Mustela Putorius Furo .

Scientific evidence by blood tests of the ferret has shown traces coming from the European polecat (Mustela Putorius). If the ferret has recently been bred with a European polecat, his bloodline will have much more European polecat blood than a normal ferret has and ferrets bred with the European polecat are not trustworthy pets.
Ferrets are lovable, friendly, playful little animals. If you keep a single Ferret, it will get lonely. Being very curious, they need attention and lots of toys.

Sometimes ferrets sleep so soundly that they seem to be dead. You can pick them up, shake them, pinch their toes, or thump them on the chest, and they hang from your hand as limp as rags, with their eyes closed.

Ferrets require a high protein diet and plenty of fresh water. Protein levels should be at least 33%. The protein should also come primarily from chicken or poultry.Because ferrets have fragile skeletons, be sure to handle them carefully.

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Your Pet and Air Travel

Federal regulations require that pets be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before flying. Generally, a health certificate (which is not more than 10 days old) must be available before pets will be permitted to fly. A valid rabies vaccination certificate will also be required.

Contact the airline well in advance for specific regulations and to secure your pet's reservation. Tip - book a nonstop and midweek flight for the smoothest way to go. During warm weather periods choose early morning or late evening flights. In colder months, choose midday flights.

Arrive at the airport early and exercise your pet. When you are done, personally place it in its crate. When you arrive at your destination pick up your pet promptly .

Transport crates are available from most airlines or pet shops.

Generally these crates must:

Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without touching the top of the cage), turn around, and lie down.

Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle or grips.

Have a leakproof bottom that is covered with plenty of absorbent material.

Be purchased in advance so the pet can become acclimated to the crate prior to travel.

Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, home address, home phone number, and destination contact information, as well as a designation of "Live Animals," with arrows indicating the crate's upright position.

Be ventilated on opposite sides, with exterior rims and knobs so that airflow is not impeded.

Before you leave, it is best to talk to your veterinarian. You can get specific feeding instructions and more advice.Air travel on an almost empty stomach is usually recommended.

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The Pet Turtle
A Basic Guide
Source Herp Hacienda
Pet Turtle.com

Many people think that the Turtle is the perfect pet for young children . It is important to do your research before you make the final decision to purchase one. Turtles live 40 and more years, which is the first sign of a commitment.

A minimal setup for a small turtle consists of:

20 gallon aquarium or similar container (a 10 gallon tank is too small!!)
Some kind of filtration.
An aquarium heater to heat water to about 82F, depending on turtle.
A lamp, with a 40-60W incandescent light bulb, installed to warm basking/land area to 85-90 degrees.
Land area, built from bricks, rocks, wooden boards, rocks, where turtle can easily climb out.

Food will cost 10-20 dollars a month, depending on what you are feeding. An initial setup will cost you at least $50.

Basics
Every turtle tank should have a swim area and a land area. "Swim area" is water deep enough for the turtle to swim. The water must be at least as deep as the turtle's shell is wide, and the area must be big enough for the turtle to swim comfortably.

"Land area" refers to an area above water line, at the minimum big enough for the turtle to sit on. Some of the land area should be heated to about 90F (using a lamp, for example). Some of the land area should be room temperature. Turtles like to have a temperature gradient to choose from. Keep in mind, that a sudden changes in temperature can affect the immune system of reptiles, since they are cold-blooded animals and take longer to adjust to the changes.

Turtles like to have a place where it can bask in the heat of a sun lamp. The ideal temperature for your turtle's habitat depends greatly on the breed, as terrestrial turtles can maintain body heat longer than aquatic turtles.

Cautions.
Most importantly, remember to wash your hands after handling your turtles.

Avoid using tap water for your turtle tank, as chlorine and fluoride are present in tap water.

Experts suggest that you change the water at least once a week completely. You should wash the tank out with a thin bleach solution a few times every year. Adding a strong aquarium filter will reduce the frequency of cleaning.

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Parrot Joke

A lady who was very lonesome bought a parrot from a pet store, complete with cage. Before purchasing it she got a guarantee that the parrot would talk.She took the parrot home.

In a week and a half she returned to the store very disappointed.
"The parrot doesn't talk."
"Did you buy a mirror?"
"No."
"Every parrot needs a mirror. "

So she bought a mirror and installed it in the parrot's cage. Another week and a half went by and she returned. "The parrot still doesn't talk."
"Did you buy a ladder?"
"No."
"Every parrot needs a ladder."

So she bought a ladder and installed it in the cage. Another week and a half passed and she returned."The parrot still doesn't talk."
"Did you buy a swing?"
"No."
"Every parrot needs a swing."
So she bought a swing and installed it in the cage.
A week and a half later she returned.
She was furious! The store owner asked,
"Did the parrot talk?""No!, he died."
"Oh, that's terrible.
Did he say anything before he died?""
Yes."
"What?"
'Don't they have any food down at that store?'"

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Pet Adoption

Are you interested in adopting a pet?
The internet is a great place to start.

Many shelters have websites on which they display the animals they have available for adoption. Some sites allow you to download adoption forms and read about responsible pet care. A growing number of shelters also promote their web sites, and the animals they have for adoption, on sites such as Pets 911, Petfinder, and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.

Purebred pet rescue sites are also an option . Check your local search engine for a start.
To locate a rescue group that specializes in the breed of dog or cat that interests you, contact your local animal shelter, check the classifieds section of the newspaper, or search the Internet.

The HSUS at 202-452-1100 (ask for the Companion Animals section), will be happy to help you find out if there is a breed-rescue group near you.

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Dealing with pet loss
source Humane Society

Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear.
Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.
Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group or can refer you to one. You may also want to ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter about available pet loss hotlines.
Explore the Internet for pet loss support groups and coping information.
Prepare a memorial for your pet.

What Can I Do for My Child?

The loss of a pet may be a child's first experience with death. The child may blame himself, his parents, or the veterinarian for not saving the pet. And he may feel guilty, depressed, and frightened that others he loves may be taken from him. Trying to protect your child by saying the pet ran away could cause your child to expect the pet's return and feel betrayed after discovering the truth. Expressing your own grief may reassure your child that sadness is okay and help him work through his feelings.

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Dog 411

- The nose knows! Your dog can detect odors about a billion times better than you can.
- The average lifespan of a dog varies from 8 to 16 years, depending on breed type, size, genetics and care.

- For information on dog care that’s written especially for kids, check out ASPCA Animaland.

The No-No List
Do not feed your dog the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Grapes & raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic & chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough

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Cat 411

- The average cat has a "vocabulary" of more than 16 different sounds, including purring, howling, hissing and happy meowing.

- Crazy kitty! More than 50 percent of felines go wild when they smell catnip.

- Lickety split: A cat's tongue has lots of tiny spines that help pick up dirt from her fur when grooming.

- The average lifespan of an indoor cat is 13 to 17 years—and we’ve known lots of kitties who’ve made it to 20-plus!

- For information on cat care that’s written especially for kids, check out ASPCA Animaland.

The No-No List
Do not feed your cat the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Grapes & raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic & chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough

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Basic Cat Care
Source ASPCA

- An adult cat should be fed one large or two or three smaller meals each day.
- Kittens from 6 to 12 weeks must eat four times a day.
- Kittens from three to six months need to be fed three times a day.

Most cats stay relatively clean and rarely need a bath, but you should brush or comb your cat regularly.

To pick up your cat, place one hand behind the front legs and another under the hindquarters. Lift gently. Never pick up a cat by the scruff of the neck or by the front legs.

All indoor cats need a litter box, which should be placed in a quiet, accessible location. A bathroom or utility room is a good place for your cat's box.

Cats delight in stalking imaginary prey. The best toys are those that can be made to jump and dance around and look alive.

Cats need to scratch! When a cat scratches, the old outer nail sheath is pulled off and the sharp, smooth claws underneath are exposed. Cutting your cat’s nails every two to three weeks will keep them relatively blunt and less likely to harm the arms of both humans and furniture.

Provide your cat with a sturdy scratching post, at least three feet high, which will allow her to stretch completely when scratching. The post should also be stable enough that it won't wobble during use, and should be covered with rough material such as sisal, burlap or tree bark.

Cat Supply Checklist
- Premium-brand cat food
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- Interactive toys
- Brush
- Comb
- Safety cat collar with ID tag
- Scratching post or scratching pad
- Litter box
- Litter
- Cat carrier
- Cat bed or box with warm blanket or towel

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Basic Ways to Take care of Your Dog
Source ASPCA

- Puppies 8 to 12 weeks old need four meals a day.
- Feed puppies three to six months old three meals a day.
- Feed puppies six months to one year two meals a day.
- When your dog reaches his first birthday, one meal a day is usually enough.
- For some dogs, including larger canines or those prone to bloat, it's better to feed two smaller meals.

Dogs need exercise to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and keep healthy. Exercise also tends to help dogs avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors.
Your pet needs a warm, quiet place to rest, away from all drafts and off the floor.

You can clean your canine’s teeth with a dog toothpaste or a baking-soda-and-water paste once or twice a week. Use a child's soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger.

Heartworm
This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from dog to dog by mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be fatal. Your dog should have a blood test for heartworm every spring—this is crucial for detecting infections from the previous year. A once-a-month pill given during mosquito season will protect your dog.

Dog Supply Checklist
- Premium-quality dog food and treats
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush & comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash

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Cat Statistics from the Humane Society

There are approximately 90 million owned cats in the United States
Nearly 36 percent of U.S. households (or 38.4 million) own at least one cat
Fifty-six percent of owners own more than one cat
On average, owners have two cats (2.3)
More female cats are owned than male cats (73 percent vs. 63 percent respectively)
Eighteen percent of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter
Cat owners spent an average of $175 on routine veterinary visits
Eighty-seven percent of owned cats are spayed or neutered

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Dog Stats from the Humane Society
There are approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in the United States
Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog
Most owners (63 percent) own one dog
Twenty-five percent of owners own two dogs
Twelve percent of owners own three or more dogs
On average, owners have almost two dogs (1.7)
The proportion of male to female dogs is even
Ten percent of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter
On average, dog owners spent $219 on veterinary visits (vaccine, well visits) annually
Seventy-five percent of owned dogs are spayed or neutered

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