At the World Parrot Refuge on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, winged residents get lots more than a mere cracker.

This non-profit, educational facility operated by FLOPRS (”For the Love of Parrots Refuge Society”) provides a “Home for Life” for previously owned pet parrots.  Parrots have a very long life span, so it is very likely that they will have a need for more than one owner over their lifetime.  Many parrot owners fail to foresee or plan for this, making it increasingly common to have parrots turn up in shelters.  The Refuge is a home for life for these parrots, and it does not adopt out.

The estimated cost to care for a parrot in a good quality sanctuary is approximately $10/week.  This amount covers a healthy diet, shelter, warmth, light, safety, free-flight enclosures, and skilled veterinary care.  That doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but with current residency at over 500 parrots, which, unfortunately, seems to increase daily, it is easy to see how the World Parrot Refuge has its work cut out for it. 

The Refuge is open to the public every day, from 10 am ““ 4 pm, and visitors have the opportunity to meet and learn about these amazing birds.  The Refuge is located at 2116 Alberni Highway in Coombs, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 

Visitors to the Refuge are occasionally treated to up close and personal meetings with the avian residents, and many birds enjoy being cuddled and fussed over.  If you can’t visit in person, you can meet the residents online via the Parrot Gallery.  Parrot lovers can also support the work of the World Parrot Refuge through its Adopt a Parrot program.

Photo credit:  SXC

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When it comes to other members of the animal kingdom, with very few exceptions, they all trigger the “aahhhh” factor.  Judging from how frequently animals are turning up in movies and commercials, it’s clear that I’m not the only one with this reaction.

With that in mind, I understand the fascination of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  It’s the “aahhh” factor a hundred times over.

This year’s show, the 131st, is February 12th-13th, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The current Madison Square Garden is actually the fourth location of the facility.  This MSG opened on February 11th, 1968, with entertainment provided by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.  Since that time, MSG has become one of the most recognizable sports and concert facilities in the United States.  Tours of the facility are available daily, starting at 11 am, every half hour. 

Location:  Madison Square Garden, Pennsylvania Plaza, 7th to 8th Avenue and 31st to 33rd Street.  (New York Penn Station)

Dates & Times:  February 12th-13th, with individual breed judging each day between 8:30 am ““ 6 pm.  Group judging and Best of Show will take place each night between 8 ““ 11 pm.

Tickets:  Reserved seating (sections 40-299) and general admission tickets (sections 300 and 400, no assigned seats) can be purchased through Ticketmaster or Madison Square Garden.  Prices range from $20-145.

Last year, Rufus, a Bull Terrier, won Best in Show.  I didn’t think he was all that adorable.  This year, I’m rooting for someone from the Hound Group to take Best in Show.

If you can’t be at the show in person, you can follow show happenings at the Westminster Dog Show Blog.  The Group competition and the Best in Show competition will be televised live from Madison Square Garden on the USA Network from 8 ““ 11 pm (ET).

Photo credit:  Wikimedia (Madison Square Garden), flickr (dog)

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Do you want a luxury suite?  Premium beds and linens?  Do you want a spa on premises where you can get a massage?  Do you like a stereo in your room and hundreds of channels on cable television?

Hotels are going all out to secure your business and your loyalty, and it seems like no amenity is out of the question.

Enter the Wag Hotel, a boutique hotel for pets, who are taking that same approach.

A hotel for the four-legged among us, the Wag Hotel takes pampering to the pet level.  Guests get twice daily room service, daily maid service, play groups, exercise sessions, music, and medication service, if needed.  Plus, the opportunity to play with other guests and make new friends.  If you really want to splurge for your pet, the luxury suite has a premium bed, plasma TV, sofas, rugs, toys, and art.  With amenities like this, your pet may hope that you’ll go away more often!

In addition to the standard, all-inclusive, wag care packages, the hotel offers a variety of a la carte menu items.  There’s swim time, extra walks, grooming and massage.  Trained staff members provide all services.  The hotel is open 24/7.

Rooms are available for dogs of all sizes, and the Cattery is a two-story condo, with private bathrooms, for cats and kittens.

There are two Wag Hotel locations, San Francisco and Sacramento, with a third location set to open in Sunnyvale in early 2007.

Room rates vary, depending on type and size of pet, and range from $17/day for cats and $30-65/day for dogs.

Via Hotel Chatter

Photo credit:  flickr

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Still, until recently, there weren’t a lot of hotels that were welcoming large dogs, that is, dogs in the 30-plus pound range.

Enter Big Dogs Welcome, a website designed to provide information about hotels that are welcoming of larger dogs.  The site contains information about which hotels accepts larger dogs, along with specific information about the hotel and their pet amenities and restrictions.  These are hotels that don’t just “allow” your dog, but are actually welcoming to large dogs, and are eager to solicit your business.

The site also includes lots of other good information for travelers with dogs, in general, along with the information to meet the very specific needs of travelers with larger dogs.  It’s a new site, but already there’s lots of good information there.

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I haven’t (yet) heard about anything dedicated solely to feline travelers, but the U.K. budget hotel chain Travelodge is rolling out the welcome mat for feline guests, as well as canine ones, by providing bet beds in some of its British hotels.  The beds, sized for a cat or a very small dog, have a mattress, pillow, and duvet all matching the Travelodge color scheme.

“For a long time, we have allowed customers to bring their cats and dogs with them when they stay with us. Now we are adding a little bit extra for those who want to spoil their furry friends by giving them their very own bed.”

Travelodge charges $10 per day per pet, maximum of two per room.  The pet beds, which are part of a trial program, are provided at no additional charge.

Here are some additional tips from Travelodge for traveling with your pets:

• Take a few things that are familiar to your pet, such as a favorite blanket, toy, feeding bowl and treats to help them be comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings
• Pets tend to drink more water while traveling so be sure to have plenty available
• If you are leaving your pet alone in a hotel room, place a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door and inform reception staff
• Leave the radio or TV on quietly in your room for back ground noise
• Pets tend to shed more when travelling, so its a good idea to keep a lint brush handy for clothing or car seats
• Never leave your pet unattended in the car. It takes mere minutes for cars to turn into ovens. Your pet cannot take the heat

So, next time you’re reluctant to leave Fido or Fluffy at home, make a few calls to see if your travel destination accommodates your four-legged family members.  The pet industry is a huge business, and hotels are starting to capitalize on those dollars spent. 

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Turns out that over 29 million dogs travel with their owners each year, and hotels have started to roll out the welcome mat to both two legged and four legged guests.

This month’s, Fido Friendly Magazine, The Travel Magazine for Dog, reports on the top 10 exclusive resorts that cater to pets and their owners.  When your dog is getting fresh gourmet dog biscuits, being walked by the bellman, and getting its own CD of music, you know that both of you are on vacation.

Calling itself a complete guide to Fido Friendly accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, the magazine adds:

Perhaps “you” can do without our magazine, but for kibbles’ sake, think of your dog! At last, a voice for the traveling canines of the world. Until now, few have taken us mobile pooches seriously. After all, who appreciates warm shelter and a comfy bed more than a dog?

There’s also a Travel Club (”Leave No Dog Behind”), with membership that includes a subscription to the magazine, a one-year membership with The Pet Protector System, and a variety of discounts.

If you travel with your dog, it sounds like this could be a great resource of pet-friendly accommodations and travel information.

Via The Informed Traveler

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Most private pilots wear ear protection in the cockpit.  Now, you can protect your dog’s hearing as well, with Mutt Muffs, an over-the-head hearing protection unit with foam-filled ear seals and adjustable straps to fit the curvature of a dog’s head.

While designed for use in the cockpit, they can also be used if your dog is going to be around other loud noises such as a lawnmower or fireworks.

Mutt Muffs retail for $52, and come in a variety of sizes.

Photo credit:  Mutt Muffs

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