Long Live Pets: Your rescue pet could be a star in a film for Nat Geo
Wild
Best
Friends Animal Society is on a mission to inspire people to change a
shelter pet’s life and to celebrate rescue pets that have already found their
forever home. An estimated 270,000 pets in shelters will be euthanized in March
alone all due to a lack of space- almost 9,000 a day. Because of this growing
epidemic CEO
and co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society Gregory
Castle and veterinarian and former Miss. America Dr. Debbye Turner Bell
have teamed up with Natures Variety Instinct
to create the Long Live Petscampaign. This
effort is to help reduce the number of animal deaths in shelters across the
country and to invite people to enter their rescue pets to be featured in a
film for Nat Geo Wild.
Hope you are having a great Tongue Out Tuesday!
"TACO TUESDAY!!!"
Photo by Buntekuh Foter CC BY-NC-SA
Add your own caption in the comments!
Ontario Parks: Best parks to snowshoe in Petawawa, Ontario
Petawawa is nestled between Pembroke and Chalk River in
the scenic Ottawa Valley region. The Ottawa Valley is known for its Provincial
Parks, white water rafting, year-round fishing, and natural resource
preservation.
Once the snow hits the ground the Ottawa Valley springs
back to life- headed by a diverse cross country ski and snowshoe community.
Several ski and snowshoe clubs exist in Petawawa and the surrounding area and
they maintain the trails every winter. Outdoor adventure is in people’s blood
in the Ottawa Valley and winter exploration is welcome and celebrated.
Photo by Finger Food Foter CC BY-NC
Delicious
or deadly: Purina responds to class action lawsuit against Beneful
The Purina pet food empire has been hit with
a class action lawsuit alleging that Beneful dog food is responsible for
killing thousands of dogs. Beneful has had poor reviews online for years- all
one has to do is Goggle search “Beneful
petitions” to see that several thousand people do in fact want the
brand discontinued from Purina’s catalogue.
Beneful is one of the more popular Purina dog foods- mainly
due to its very low retail price, accessibility and claims to be a “nutritious”
and “balanced” dog food. However according to the Feb. 5 class action lawsuit
filed in a California federal court by plaintiff Frank Lucido, Beneful causes
illness and sometimes death.
Photo by PacificCove Foter CC BY-NC-ND
February 27 is International Polar Bear Day Did you know that in May 2008, U.S. Department of the Interior listed the polar bear as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act? Help raise awareness about Polar Bears by checking out Polar Bears International.
Photo by Yersinia Foter CC BY-NC-SA
Take a hike: February 22 is Walk the Dog Day Spring is almost upon us! Time to celebrate Walk the Dog Day. It is in a dog's nature to travel and walking a dog is an essential part of asserting your dominance and a great way to burn off energy. The benefits of the walk are endless- read more on Paws For Reaction and perfect your walk today!
Photo by swong95765 Foter CC BY
Four-legged fraud: The Dogington Post uncovers service dog scam On Feb. 16 The Doginton Post released a report titled "The Four-legged Scandal No One Is Talking About" that details the flaws in the service dog system and how it is commonly taken advantage of. People are purchasing service dog vests and collars and strapping them on their house pets so they can bring them anywhere they want. The problem has become so bad that even an iguana has been registered as a service animal. Read The Dogington Post report for a shocking look at the service dog scandal.
Pets will be able to vote in the 2016 Presidential election Pet owners who
treat their pets like people can now allow their furry family members to take
part in another human activity: vote. That’s right, pet parents in the United
States can now log on toPetsVoteToo.comand register their pet to vote for the
2016 President. PetsVoteToo- based out of Austin, TX- was created “to engage,
amuse and inform politically-minded pet owners, and in so doing support
the fund-raising efforts of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals,” according to their Feb. 16press
release.
Happy Family Day Canada!
Have a very happy Family Day from my furry family to yours!
Photos: Valentine's Day goes to the dogs
Photo by Tracy Lee Foter CC BY-NC-ND
Doggy date night: How to include your dog in your Valentine's
Day celebration
Photo by grwepr Foter CC BY
Love is in the air and
dog owners across North America are spoiling their pooch with lavish
Valentine’s Day gifts. The Feb. 14 celebration often means romantic dates for
pet parents but what about the dogs? They stay at home lonely while you and
your loved one enjoy time together. Speaking on behalf of the dogs in the world just doesn’t seem fair. What if there was a way to have a romantic date
with your significant other AND your furry family member?
This list has creative
and fun ways to include your canine companion in your Valentine's festivities.
Check out these dog-friendly Valentine’s Day dates that will strengthen your
bond with each family member- furry ones included!
Photos: Puppy kisses for Valentine's Day
Photos: Festive felines share the love this Valentine's Day
Photo by adholmes Foter CC BY-NC
Photo by somecanuckchick Foter CC BY-NC-SA
Valentine's Day doggy dangers: Chocolate is not so sweet for a canine companion
With
so many holiday gift traditions including chocolate- such as
Valentine’s Day- concerned pet owners are smart to be concerned for
their pet's safety. It is a bad idea to give just
about any
animal chocolate but when it comes to chocolate and dogs the
combination can be
deadly. A gift from a loved one can turn into a lethal weapon...
Photo by Georgie Pauwels Foter CC BY
Pet food recalls: February 2015
Pet International Inc. Recalls
6” Beef Trachea Pet Treat
Contact:
Consumer:
(305) 591-3338
FDA PRESS RELEASE — February 11, 2015 — Pet International of Miami,
Florida is recalling 1500 units of 6” Beef Trachea Pet Treat because it has the
potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can
affect animals (i.e. dogs) eating the products and there is risk to humans from
handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly
washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces
exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella
should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella
can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis,
arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers
exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact
their healthcare providers.
Flyer made by Rhonda Schwendeman
Update about Zara: Army National Guard's missing dog suspected to be in South Carolina
On August
20, 2014 I reported on a German shepherd named Zara
who was missing and suspected stolen in Crownsville, Maryland while her owner
was posted to Kuwait. Jon Kenneth Walker is a member of the Army National Guard
and has been searching for Zara ever since while over 4 000 people- myself
included- have been watching his “Bring Zara Home” Facebook page for any
sign that she will be returned to him. Those following the page have
shared his posts and spread Zara’s
story but still no sign of her. Today- Feb. 10- Jon posted some newsand gave us all hope
that Zara may have been located- in South Carolina.
The following is Jon’s full post. I hope anyone reading this
will share this story
and go to the “Bring Zara Home” Facebook page- especially
if they reside in any of the places mentioned.
Pet Dental Health Month: Dr. Sanchez
demonstrates 3 step dog dental routine
Are you getting your dog’s dental health advice by word
of mouth? Dr. Andrea Sanchez, the Medical Director of Hospital Operations at Banfield
Pet Hospital in Portland, OR was willing to fill me in on dental disease in dogs. She promotes good oral hygiene by teaming up with
Greenies dental chews
for National Pet Dental
Health Month.
“All across the country, Banfield Pet Hospital is teaming
up with Greenies dental chews to raise awareness about pet oral health and most
importantly how pet owners can best care for their pet's teeth- both at home and
at the vet clinic,” Dr. Sanchez said in a Feb. 7 video interview.
Hope you are having a great Tongue Out Tuesday!
"I left some food up there..."
Add your own caption in the comments!
Photo by PoshMoggy Foter CC BY-N
C
Survey shows women prefer Valentine's kisses from pets over
kisses from partner
Who are you kissing this Valentine’s Day? Petplan pet
insurance thinks they know exactly who you will be more likely to kiss on the
sweetest of all holidays and it’s not your significant other.
According to a recent survey conducted by Petplan pet insurance 57% of
pet parents prefer Valentine’s Day kisses from their furry family members over
a kiss from their partner. It may seem like a lot but these numbers are down
from last year’s survey that concluded 62% of people prefer doggy or kitty
kisses over kisses from their two-legged lover. The findings of the survey were
released in a press release on Feb. 2.
PAWS FOR REACTION is celebrating 12 years! Ottawa-based pet care and nutrition, environmental, and lifestyle blog- always searching for the best in pet care, eco-friendly products and fun local events! Come explore with Hazel, the Saint Bernese, as she lives her best, food-driven, outdoor-loving, asymmetrical, #DogLife
ABOUT ME: I have nine years of experience working in veterinary medicine. I'm a Climate Reality Project Leader and have spent years volunteering with organizations including OSPCA, Farley Foundation, Ontario Nature, Future Ground Network, and Girl Guides of Canada.