Blog posts Categorized under ‘Amazing Pet News’

Grammys, Nobel Prizes, road race trophies, gold stars – everyone gets an award nowadays. Few honorees, however have accomplished the outstanding feats that some pets and pet owners are able to boast.

This week, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) will hold the Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City to recognize the heroism and astonishing achievements performed by animal owners and their beloved pets.

"The ASPCA is proud to honor those who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion, bravery and commitment to furthering the human-animal bond," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. "The Humane Awards celebrates the important role that animals play in our lives."

The ASPCA Dog of the Year award for 2009 will go to Archie, a black Labrador retriever that serves as an assistance dog for Sergeant Clay Rankin, who suffered spinal injuries while performing military service in Iraq. The Cat of the Year will be YouTube sensation, Nora, a former shelter pet who entertained the world this year with her dexterity on the piano.

The ASPCA also gives awards for Firefighter of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Tommy Monahan Kid of the Year – an award named after a 9-year-old who took pet care to the next level, losing his life to save his pet from a house fire in 2007.

It’s not unusual, nowadays, for a family to have cake for their cat’s seventh birthday, or put an extra stocking above the fire for the family dog. More and more Americans consider their dog, cats, hamsters and iguanas to be actual members of the family. Consequently, when pet health is an issue, the majority of pet owners say that would consider performing CPR on their beloved animals.

According to an Associated Press poll, 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners said they would be at least somewhat inclined to go mouth-to-snout to revive an endangered pet. Of the poll’s respondents, 65 percent of women said they would perform the emergency procedure, compared to 50 percent of men.

Tammy Parks, a dog-owner who has taken a pet first aid class was among those who wouldn’t delay resuscitating her 15-year-old terrier, Lucy. "It’s not rocket science. The mechanics are the same as humans," she told the Associated Press. "Size is the biggest difference."

Despite the general willingness to help pets, the poll also found that just 20 percent of animal owners have a pet first aid kit in their homes.

The North American Pet Health Insurance Association says that veterinary pet insurance can be used to protect pet health and ensure the financial stability of the pet’s family.

Amorous cats and dogs with puppy love now have the option to bid farewell to the philandering life of the animal kingdom and tie the knot of holy matrimony, as one kennel owner has launched a pet wedding service.

Ann Clark, who owns Kitz-Katz animal shelter, will perform a wedding service for owners who wish to make honest animals of their pets, and can pay about $200. According to the Evening Telegraph, cake and a marriage certificate are standard amenities of the ceremony; limousine service and caterers for the pet wedding breakfast are optional.

Kitz-Katz will accommodate small animals in love, like dogs, cats, hamsters and guineas pigs – love struck horses, however, have no recourse. Though animals of different species may marry, Clark strictly forbids marrying pet owners with their pets, as the services are designed solely for furry creatures.

"I ask people to write their own vows as they know their pets best," Clark told the news source. A traditionalist, she added, "I encourage people to dress their animals up in a suit or a dress for the wedding too."

The first pet wedding will unite two adoring Chihuahua dogs, and is scheduled for next spring.

While Clark admits, "People think I’m mad," she also recognizes that some "people really love their pets."

Though many pet owners think of cats as independent and stubborn compared to dogs, one animal expert says he’s developed methods to train cats to do just about anything.

Gregory Popovich, a trainer who leads the Comedy Pet Theater in Las Vegas, will release a book later this month explaining his techniques for affecting the behavior of household felines, USA Today reports. The book, You Can Train Your Cat, is set to be for sale on October 13.

Though Popovich’s cats are well known for performing skits, jumping through hoops and dancing on their hind legs, the trainer advises that his methods work for preventing clawed furniture as well.

The cat connoisseur explains that his pets respond best to praise. He claims that changes in pitch and volume of his voice motivate the cats to achieve the goal the trainer sets out. He warns, however, "I never shower the cat with effusive praise except during training."

Popovich, a fourth-generation circus performer from Russia told the news source that that Las Vegas’ animal shelters allow him to keep his performances fresh, and provide a home for his favorite animals.

The U.S. Humane Society advises that when training cats, punishment is only effective when it does not come directly from the owner. For example, double-sided tape on couch cushions may prevent the pet from scratching furniture more effectively than a squirt with a spray bottle.

The popular interactive video game system, Nintendo Wii, now allows pet owners to let their favorite animals get in on the fun.

The game Wii Fit Plus, and update of Wii Fit, lets users involve their pets by creating avatars of their dogs and cats and entering profile information such as the pet’s name, birthday and weight, the Associated Press reports. Through use of the game’s balance board controller, the owners may weigh themselves with their pets; the game then continues to monitor the pet’s weight.

While the updated game does not provide any training exercises for pets, it includes three strength training exercises, three yoga activities and 15 balance games for humans.

Katie Cray, manager of trend marketing at Nintendo, told the news source, "It’s so fun to have a motivator when you’re working out."

She added, "Obviously, if you have a dog, you’re probably out there walking it, and that’s exercise in and of itself, so it’s nice to have the ability to track the progress of both your dog and yourself." The game provides owners who have taken out veterinary pet insurance to monitor their animal’s health.

An article published by the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine claimed that daily exercise for dogs reduces hyperactivity, prevents depression, builds confidence and controls weight.