If you’re involved in or just want to keep an eye on the $24 million class action lawsuit involving the pet food tainted with melamine, keep the following info handy!
First off, if you purchased and your pet consumed pet food after March 16, 2007 double check to see if it’s on the recalled products that are affected by the lawsuit, which contains a lot of big names like Nestle-Purina, Royal Canin, Diamond Pet Food, Hill’s, and Del Monte.
The case is called Pet Food Products Liability Litigation; MDL Docket No. 1850, Civil Action No. 07-2867 (NLH). The final hearing will take …read more

Summer is in full swing which means it’s vacation time! If you have a pet, though, you’ve got a lot of extra preparation to consider before you even pack your bags: Where will the dog stay? Who will take care of the cats? Why not take them with you!
Many hotels and resorts around the world are realizing how important pets are to their guests and have become accommodating by not only allowing supervised pets on the properties but some even go so far as to provide special outdoor areas for them as well.
My friend and fellow pet lover Alicia helped …read more

Do you take your dog(s) to the dog park?
The only time Chip has been to a dog park was actually when we went to meet Honey for the first time when we were looking to adopt a second dog. We decided to meet at a neutral spot (instead of the front or back yard, which were Chip’s territory) to give each of them a chance to adjust and get used to each other. We haven’t taken them back since because as far as exercise goes we’ve got a big enough backyard and well, they’re pretty small dogs!
Socialization is …read more

This week’s video is about taking care of an overweight cat and the best way to handle feeding time.
We haven’t had this problem (knock on wood!) and have always “free fed” the cats with a reservoir-style food bowl. The cats are getting older and less active, though, and Kricket has always tended toward the fluffy side of the spectrum.
Have you ever taken care of an overweight cat? Would you add anymore tips?

Timberwolf Organics brand dog food is voluntarily recalling two formulas from their line of pet food due to some customers reporting that their dogs are vomiting, have diarrhea, and are refusing to eat.
Only two lines are affected – the Dakota Bison and Ocean Blue with the following “best by” dates printed on the bag:
- Dakota Bison: best by date of February 12, 2009
- Ocean Blue: best by date of February 20, 2009
- Ocean Blue: best by date of March 8, 2009
If your bag is affected you can take it back to the store you purchased it from for a …read more

The stress of an emergency situation can be alleviated a bit when steps have been taken to prepare for it.
These videos give tips and ideas for preparing your dogs and/or cats for an emergency and what kinds of supplies you’ll want to have on hand to make for a quick evacuation if needed.

Tips include the basics like food, water and dishes, but don’t forget about rabies vaccination records, treats, ID tags and bedding!

Image details: Pet Food In Red Plastic Bowl served by picapp.com
Companies that were sued over the tainted pet food that caused the deaths of thousands of animals last year have reached a settlement amount of $24 million to pet owners in the United States and Canada.
The agreement still needs a judge’s approval but if it makes it through it will benefit the people who incurred expenses directly related to the illness or death of a pet linked to the food, and pet owners could be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses, including veterinarian bills and burial or cremation costs.
The pet food …read more

It’s been many years since I’ve had hands-on experience with snakes and I’ve never actually owned one (though I’ve wanted to!), so I found this neat series of videos by Holli Friedland, Reptile Rescue Coordinator at the Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show.
The videos walk you through every step of set-up, care, maintenance and even troubleshooting in corn snake ownership!
I love snakes and the only thing that’s kept me from having one myself is that I’m squeamish about feeding time. Though I’ve (live- and dead-) fed many snakes (my first job was at a small pet store, and I was at the bottom …read more

Pet laws in California may be changing soon: One lawmaker wants to make it illegal for pets to ride on their owners’ laps while driving and offenders could face a $35 fine.
He says he was inspired to introduce the bill when he witnessed one driver with three dogs on her lap at once!
To be honest I think this is a good move. Keeping your pet restrained either in a carrier or pet-specific seat harness while in a moving vehicle not only keeps them safe but you as well.
Restraining your pet helps you concentrate, and what happens if you’re …read more

Image details: Chihuahua served by picapp.com
Well, my chihuahuas don’t go “beep beep!” but one in Detroit does!
For the last four months Peanut the chihuahua’s owner, Ken Brown, has been building the three year-old dog a remote controlled Volkswagen Beetle!
It’s not finished yet but he says when it is it’ll have turn signals, spinners, a horn, headlights and a padded seat. He hopes to have it done by Memorial Day weekend:
Brown said the car will go up to 15 m.p.h., but he plans to slow the engine so Peanut won’t have such a bumpy ride. And if the car …read more