Friday, December 17, 2010

Pet Sale Regulations Vs Pet Ownership

Where do you go if you wanted to acquire a pet dog? Your current options are: the nearby pet stores, the rescue or animal shelter, or check out the morning paper or the internet for resources. Or ask a dog-owner friend for referrals. If you are in San Francisco your options may be limited. Soon.

The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare will discuss a proposed ban on the sale of dogs and cats, and a host of other small animals, including birds and fish. The proposed ordinance provides that in San Francisco people could acquire pets "of all species" only through pet store adoptions, direct retail sale by small breeders, or adoption from shelters or animal rescue organizations. All other pet sales, including by pet stores, would be completely prohibited.

To pet owners and dog lovers, the difference between pet store adoption and pet store sale may be just a question of semantics. Or maybe price. So call it adoption, not a sale. Problem solved.

Not that easy. Because businesses are involved. The proposed ban on pet sale impacts a business that nationally generated $2.16 billion in live animal purchases in 2009. It is estimated to have grown to $2.21 billion in 2010, according to a 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

As the pet sale business grows, so do the issues and problems arising from pet over-population and unwanted animals. The proposed ban is expected to stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills and decreasing euthanasia rates of other small animals in city shelters.

It is easy to get carried away by so-called national statistics on animals that go in and out of shelters, or those that are euthanized. Supporters of pet sale ban also cite the big cost to the taxpayer in rounding up, housing, killing, and disposing of homeless animals. Recent cost figures cited are almost equal to the business generated by the live animal purchase industry. But it is just as easy to lose the trail in verifying the real source of these statistics. The reality is there, however: it costs taxpayer money to address these problems.

While the issue is being addressed in San Francisco, it is not an isolated problem. Local and state agencies across the country -- Los Angeles, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii, for instance -- are faced with the same problems and are proposing similar or related initiatives controlling pet sale and ownership. And while the problems are being addressed on the local and state levels, the outcomes will have nationwide, even global, impact because of the nature of the pet sale business itself and the internet.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), a non-profit service-oriented organization based in Washington D.C. and comprised by members of the pet industry and people who care about pets, is vigilant about government control and regulations. In San Francisco, the PIJAC has campaigned against the ban in multiple meetings after the proposed ban was introduced last year. PIJAC believes in re-homing adaptable animals, not limiting the availability of pets to the public, to solve the shelter issue. And pet retailers have committed to re-home adoptable animals from shelters, a commitment which the local council deems is not the answer.

PIJAC supports the right of individuals to responsibly own pets and to have the options as to where to get them according to their preference. It also maintains that pet stores provide healthy, responsibly raised pets to the public and should be an option, and that the public should not be discouraged from pet ownership by imposing costly and burdensome government restrictions.

While the issue in San Francisco is divided between the local government agency and animal rights groups on one hand and PIJAC and its supporters on the other hand, the pet owners sector has a role to play. In the case of pet dogs, what is responsible dog ownership? Where does it start? Does it start with simply wanting a dog and getting one from wherever is convenient or where the price is most affordable? Or does it stretch as far back as to where the dog comes from and under what conditions it was bred? And does that responsibility stretch far into the future with regards to their commitment to having a dog?

Responsible pet ownership then starts the moment you decide at having a pet. But right now, if you are in San Francisco, whatever options you have hang in the balance. If you have strong opinions about this issue, you can let the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare know. If you are outside of San Francisco, the same issues could be in the corridors of the animal welfare commission near you. Ultimately your action may be the factor that will tip the balance -- for or against the proposed ban.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Dog Bathing As an Indoor Sport

If you've just finished bathing your dog, you may feel like you've earned a gold medal. Successfully bathing and grooming your pooch without inflicting water damage to carpets, floors or furnishings can make you feel like you're the winner for the latest indoor sports event. Three cheers for you! You won!

If you're a bit timid about getting into the water, here's a bit of coaching that will help you train for your next Olympic trial:

1. How often? This depends on your dog. A mischievous Westie that's attracted to the latest disgusting smelly substance may need baths more often than a couch potato sort of Greyhound. For the sake of your dog's skin, baths shouldn't be more frequent than once a week. (In the case of disgusting smelly exposure, you may need to improvise a bit.) A more fastidious dog could go three months between baths.

2. How big did you say? Where you bathe your dog depends on the size of your dog. A terrier breed fits nicely in the kitchen sink. A Golden Retriever belongs in the bathtub, or on warmer days, a kiddie pool or large plastic tub in the back yard.

3. Timing's everything. If you have the luxury of time, introduce your dog to the bath gradually. Put her in the tub or sink when there's no water. Give her a treat. She's so smart! Then get her out (or give her the command to jump out) before she can think about jumping out herself. On another day, add a wee bit of water to the sink or tub and repeat the exercise. Finally on the last day, you can bathe your dog. Slow and steady is a great approach.

4. Preparing your tools. Having everything you need within reach is crucial. A stack of towels, a small bath cloth, specialty pet shampoo, pet brush and cotton balls are all practical. A non-slip mat helps Scoundrel keep his footing secure. If that's not available, a towel in the tub or dishtowel in the sink can also suffice.

5. Can't I just use baby shampoo? Please don't! The pH of your skin is very different from the pH your pet's skin. Even baby shampoo can dry out your dog's skin which can lead to other problems.

6. Just before the immersion. Brush your pet before he's wet. The knots are much easier to handle dry rather than wet. You'll also manage to get a good bit of loose hairs out before they end up in your kitchen or bathroom plumbing pipes.

7. Where are my ear plugs?? Actually, cotton balls are all you need to protect your dog's ears. Put them in her ears to keep them dry. Wet ears can lead to all sorts of problems.

8. Just right water is perfect. Warm water - not cold or hot - is best, and smaller dogs can become chilled easily.

9. Shake your booty. With apologies to K.C. and the Sunshine Band, it's a given that your dog is going to shake, but you want to have a little say about "when." A hand on your dog's back as you're getting him out can prevent him from shaking himself and showering everyone (and everything) in close proximity. Towel him off as best as you can and lead him to a safer place to shake off the excess water.

10. Location, location. Remember how you thought long and hard about where your dog is best allowed to shake? If you made it to the back yard, monitor her closely to keep her from wallowing in your flower bed. Some clean dogs are simply drawn to dirt.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Zebra Finches are easy to care for and that includes when they are breeding. The little birds are great pets due their quirky little personalities,

When creating the ideal aviary or cage for your finches remember that as small as they are they're very energetic and need space to move. They are made to fly long distances so this must be taken into consideration when building their home. For the benefit of their health and wellbeing they must not be kept in an environment that is too small or suffocating.

You have two options when it comes to an aviary or cage for your finches, purchasing one or building one;

Constructing one is usually the cheaper option and most of the tools can be found close to home; such as a hammer, nails, staple gun, saw, barbed wire, sandpaper, wire screening and lumber.
• Make the lumber splinter free by sanding it down.
• Create the front, back and sides by building frames.
• Stretch the mesh over each of them.
• Screw all the parts together.
• You now have the basics of an aviary.

If not an aviary for your finches then a cage for your is a good alternative. Remember don't purchase a cage that is too small, and don't overcrowd the cage with too many birds; remember space is essential to their health.

A 'Flight bird cages' is another idea. They are made for birds that need to move a lot. They are a lot taller and wider than other cages and are made to house more birds in the one space. They come with several feeders and perches. You can have more than two finches in a flight bird cage but don't forget the issue of space.

When it comes to accessories stick only to what is needed;
• Finch feeders for food and water.
• Dishes for bathing and for treats and grit.
• Perches of different sizes depending on the size of the aviary or cage. Perches are good for your finches feet and for keeping their toe nails trimmed.
• For the bottom of the cage use either grit paper or paper sprinkled with grit.
• An optional extra is a 'bird protector' disk on the side of the cage. This is great for protecting them from mites.
• A great idea is to give them a nest box for them to sleep in at night.
• However you choose to create their home, remember it should have ventilation, be draft free and in a well lit area but away from direct sunlight.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are many other resources available to help you in the form of eBooks, websites, online articles and pet stores.

Creating a good aviary or cage for your finches is essential to their health, and usually affordable depending on how you approach it. They have minimal demands and will offer you lots of leisure time in return. They are small yet sturdy and tend to live a long time. Due to their endless energy, cheery bird song and beautiful colours they offer all finch enthusiasts' hours of amusement and entertainment.