ASPCA Launches “My Furry Valentine” Online Photo Contest

NEW YORK, January 29, 2008—To honor St. Valentine and our furry paramours, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is launching a special online photo contest and encouraging pet parents to submit photos of their beloved cat and dog Valentines.

“Celebrating the important and lasting bonds we have with our pets is only natural during this love-filled time of the year,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “And while caring for and loving animals is important all year long, this photo contest is a great way to show how much we appreciate those special four-legged friends in our lives.”

The contest opens on February 1, but pet parents should remember to submit their photos by February 29, when the contest closes. Winners will be announced in late March.

Ten winners of this year’s contest will be featured on the organization’s web site at ASPCA.org, and will also receive a prize pack, including a copy of The Emotional Lives of Animals by Marc Bekoff, an ASPCA t-shirt, plush toy, and wristband.

For complete rules, and to submit favorite photos of your pets, please visit www.aspca.org/furryvalentine.

- Get a Free Magnet
- Order a Free Sticker
- Free ASPCA Ringtones
- Send ASPCA eCards
- Download Wallpaper
- Free ASPCA Toolbar

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Top US chefs knead dough for needy dogs

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Anheuser to Revisit Familiar Ad Themes

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Pet Pampering

Americans spend nearly $41 billion on pets--more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world. Annual spending is expected to hit $52 billion in the next two years, according to consumer research company Packaged Facts.

The pet industry is the seventh largest retail industry in the U.S., exceeding the jewelry, candy, toy and hardware industries. After consumer electronics, pet care is the fastest growing category in retailing, expanding about 6% a year.

In fact, a 2006 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturer's Association showed an astounding 92% of pet owners spent the same or more on their pets during the most recent recession period.

This consumer demand has spawned a myriad of boutique-style pet businesses that have capitalized on this emerging trend of pet pampering. Pets can enjoy acupressure, reiji and pet massage for the stress-induced muscle tension in Felix to hydro-surge and oatmeal spa treatments and aromatherapy.

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ASPCA Cold Weather Tips

1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.

9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

source ASPCA

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Searching for a veterinarian checklist

Determine your needs
Before you actually start looking for a veterinarian, take some time to think about the needs of your dog as well as your own needs.

Research

Helpful resources:
Your local Humane Society or animal shelter.

Other pet owners in your neighborhood.

Considerations;
Office hours, ease of getting an appointment , specialties, services provided,and addisional services available.

Ask what associations is the vet affiliated with.

When you visit the vet,
Is the facility clean and comfortable?

Is the staff friendly, knowledgeable and compassionate?

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