This is extremely cute! Enjoy!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2098676/tigers_leopards_vs_pumpkins/
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Advice: Rescued Pets are more than today's hottest trend!
Kate Woodviolet of the Los Angeles Pet Rescue Examiner’s article about an emerging fad, “The Rescue Pet” is worth reading for prospective pet owners. She writes,
You’ll find them in the homes of your friends and coworkers, who no doubt love to tell their friends, “This is Ginny…she’s a rescue dog…” then a pause, presumably for the benefit of the Nobel nominating committee.
Animals rescued from shelters are certainly a nice way to adopt a pet for the home. It usually will be more a cost-effective alternative than going to a breeder or pet store. But make sure your heart is in the right place when making this decision.
Woodviolet notes,
Often, but not always, it means the animal was abused. More certainly it means the dog or cat was neglected…
That means that the care and affection required for these pets may be even more difficult. There could be behavioral and psychological challenges as well.
If you or someone you know is considering adopting a pet from a pet shelter, pay attention to the following:
* Be sure to understand the temperment, space/time requirements and other needs of the specific breed or mix of breeds.
* Understand the life expectancy of the animal. As an example, there are birds that can live 60+ years.
* Research and understand the costs associated with owning the animal. There’s more to owning a pet than just food and water; consider vaccines, spay/neuter and routine checkups or even emergencies.
* Make sure to identify a local veterinarian.
It’s not that rescuing a pet from a shelter would ever be a bad thing, but just remember the responsibilities and expectations of pet ownership never change. Pets don’t think that their adopted families are just today’s hot trend.
You’ll find them in the homes of your friends and coworkers, who no doubt love to tell their friends, “This is Ginny…she’s a rescue dog…” then a pause, presumably for the benefit of the Nobel nominating committee.
Animals rescued from shelters are certainly a nice way to adopt a pet for the home. It usually will be more a cost-effective alternative than going to a breeder or pet store. But make sure your heart is in the right place when making this decision.
Woodviolet notes,
Often, but not always, it means the animal was abused. More certainly it means the dog or cat was neglected…
That means that the care and affection required for these pets may be even more difficult. There could be behavioral and psychological challenges as well.
If you or someone you know is considering adopting a pet from a pet shelter, pay attention to the following:
* Be sure to understand the temperment, space/time requirements and other needs of the specific breed or mix of breeds.
* Understand the life expectancy of the animal. As an example, there are birds that can live 60+ years.
* Research and understand the costs associated with owning the animal. There’s more to owning a pet than just food and water; consider vaccines, spay/neuter and routine checkups or even emergencies.
* Make sure to identify a local veterinarian.
It’s not that rescuing a pet from a shelter would ever be a bad thing, but just remember the responsibilities and expectations of pet ownership never change. Pets don’t think that their adopted families are just today’s hot trend.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Need to find a great holiday gift for an animal lover?
Help support the animals!
Looking for a unique, customized gift for the animal lover on your holiday list? A donation to Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) that benefits a favorite animal--dog, cat, horse, or species of wildlife--makes for a special gift for anyone on your list. Making a donation as a holiday gift is fast and easy. Visit MorrisAnimalFoundation.org and click on Donate Now.
For 60 years, MAF has been at the forefront of research to prevent, treat, and cure diseases and health issues that afflict the animals we love. Along with research initiatives to cure diseases in dogs and cats, the MAF has a worldwide research team working on an Equine Consortium for Genetic Research.
MAF research has been the catalyst for many animal health breakthroughs, and virtually every veterinarian on earth has been positively affected by MAF's research and training programs. For more information, visit MorrisAnimalFoundation.org or call 800/243-2345.
Looking for a unique, customized gift for the animal lover on your holiday list? A donation to Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) that benefits a favorite animal--dog, cat, horse, or species of wildlife--makes for a special gift for anyone on your list. Making a donation as a holiday gift is fast and easy. Visit MorrisAnimalFoundation.org and click on Donate Now.
For 60 years, MAF has been at the forefront of research to prevent, treat, and cure diseases and health issues that afflict the animals we love. Along with research initiatives to cure diseases in dogs and cats, the MAF has a worldwide research team working on an Equine Consortium for Genetic Research.
MAF research has been the catalyst for many animal health breakthroughs, and virtually every veterinarian on earth has been positively affected by MAF's research and training programs. For more information, visit MorrisAnimalFoundation.org or call 800/243-2345.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Requested: Pictures of Kitty & the Spider!
So over Thanksgiving dinner tonight, some family members said that they never saw my series of Kitty & the Spider pics so I am posting them on here! Enjoy!
So sometime beginning of last summer or beginning of this year, a gigantic garden spider was found in my parent's bedroom - actually I should say that my mom found it and she let out a very loud scream upon finding it. It was the biggest garden spider I have ever found inside of a house! I've seen lots of big ones outside, in bushes and on beautiful webs, etc. I put it into a jar and noticed that Kineivel was aware of what was going on and really really wanted to know what I had in the jar. So I set it down on the ground and this is the series of pictures that came from this experience. They are very cute!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
So sometime beginning of last summer or beginning of this year, a gigantic garden spider was found in my parent's bedroom - actually I should say that my mom found it and she let out a very loud scream upon finding it. It was the biggest garden spider I have ever found inside of a house! I've seen lots of big ones outside, in bushes and on beautiful webs, etc. I put it into a jar and noticed that Kineivel was aware of what was going on and really really wanted to know what I had in the jar. So I set it down on the ground and this is the series of pictures that came from this experience. They are very cute!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
Advice: Surprising Dangers for Pets during the Holidays
(CNN) -- Our dog Tilly loves the holiday season. Turkey for Thanksgiving. Brisket for Hanukkah. Ham for Christmas and pot roast for New Year's. With so much food moving around the house and visitors who generously -- and covertly -- feed her under the table, Tilly has always been a happy dog during the season of giving.
Not anymore.
After we spent much of one holiday season at the animal emergency center trying to keep Tilly alive, our holiday celebration turned into a hunt for household toxics.
Tilly was diagnosed with severe anemia, which could have been caused by any one of numerous toxic items found in the refrigerators, cupboards and medicine cabinets of most homes.
Now, Tilly's kibble and treats practically need their own passport to reach her mouth; human food is out of reach; visitors are asked to put away any medications and shown where the "approved" treats are kept.
It may sound extreme, but veterinary medical experts say this type of preventative behavior can keep pets safe. This is especially true during the holidays, when family chaos increases and your pet's environment may change from day to day with the arrival of family and friends bearing gifts, holiday food items and exotic plants.
"Dogs and cats do not know what is bad for them," said Dr. Cynthia Gaskill, associate professor and veterinary clinical toxicologist at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. "If there is medicine on the bathroom counter or food left on the table, that is irresistible to them."
Keep out of pets' reach
• Antifreeze
• Chocolate
• Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Prescription or illegal drugs
• Rodenticides
• Xylitol
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions and garlic
• Lilies
• Macadamia nuts
And unless your houseguests are conscientious pet owners themselves, chances are they aren't aware that they may be creating a toxic environment for your pet. Gaskill says it is important to let guests know not to leave their medications in an open suitcase or otherwise exposed.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications can kill small animals.
Because metabolic systems vary between species, a drug that may alleviate pain in humans can easily induce a toxic reaction in a dog or cat. For example, ibuprofen ingested by a dog can cause gastrointestinal damage and kidney dysfunction. Cats are especially susceptible to even small amounts of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol); ingestion of just one tablet can result in anemia and potential liver damage.
Dr. Robin Van Metre, a veterinarian at the Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Colorado, says that many of the emergency calls he receives involve pets that have accidentally ingested prescription medications or been given an over-the-counter medication by well-meaning owners who believe that their animal is in pain. Van Metre says these calls increase significantly over the holidays.
"Dogs will eat almost anything," Van Metre said, "and there is no such thing as a dog-proof cap."
Take care in the kitchen, too. Typical holiday staples such as grapes and raisins have been shown to cause renal failure when ingested by dogs.
Although small amounts of onions and garlic are often used in pet foods and treats to add flavor, ingestion of large amounts can cause severe red blood cell damage; cats are especially sensitive.
Macadamia nuts can cause a short-term hind-limb paralysis, and bread dough, if eaten before baking, can expand rapidly once ingested and cause ethanol poisoning.
Sweets, gum and hard candies are often problematic depending on ingredients. Chocolate contains a theobromine, a chemical that can affect the heart, kidneys and central nervous system. Dark chocolate and baker's chocolate contain higher concentrations of theobromine and are more toxic than similar amounts of milk chocolate.
Sugar-free gums and candies that contain the sugar-substitute xylitol can lead to quick onset of toxic clinical signs that may include a rapid decrease in blood sugar and possible seizures.
Think carefully before placing mistletoe or holly in low-lying areas, but put poinsettias anywhere you like. The effects of the poinsettia, long believed poisonous, are generally benign, says Dr. Anthony Knight, author of A Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants and professor of clinical sciences and toxicology at Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences.
Exposed plant bulbs such as Amaryllis and all species of lilies should be placed out of reach of pets not only during the holidays but year-round, Knight says.
Lily toxicity in cats can reach critical levels almost immediately after ingestion and lead to acute kidney failure within 48 hours or less.
"Lilies are one of the most poisonous houseplants that exists," Knight said. "It's not just the flower but also the leaves. ... If a cat eats any part of the plant, it would need to be treated immediately."
What should you do if your pet ingests a toxic holiday treat?
"Do not wait," Van Metre said. "Most people wait too long to call us, and that reduces our options for treatment."
Van Metre recommends calling a local veterinarian or animal emergency hospital first, or the ASPCA national animal poison control center (888-426-4435). The ASPCA charges a $60 veterinary consultation fee, but information about toxins is free on the ASPCA Web site.
Gaskill does not advise calling human poison control centers or attempting to diagnose your pet on the Internet.
Human poison control "is often not aware of the species differences and could inadvertently give the wrong advice," Gaskill said. "When doing a general Internet search, make sure the site is backed by a recognized veterinary organization or veterinary medical school. If it is not referenced, it is just someone's opinion."
Van Metre and Gaskill both warn against inducing vomiting in your pet before speaking with a veterinarian. Getting appropriate background information about the animal is critical to preparing a treatment plan for a particular toxin, they say, and every case -- every animal -- is different.
Tilly never recovered from her anemia, but she has been in remission long enough to create another toxic scare.
After learning that Tilly had ingested an entire bag of Hershey's kisses, we called our local animal emergency hospital in Atlanta. They did a quick calculation using Tilly's weight to determine whether a one-pound bag of milk chocolate would reach toxic levels in a dog of her size. It would not, but we were forced to clean up the silver-streaked evidence for many days afterwards.
------------
Melissa Tarkington is a former journalist for MSNBC, CNN.com and The Moscow Times. She is a second-year student in the professional veterinary program at Colorado State University.
Not anymore.
After we spent much of one holiday season at the animal emergency center trying to keep Tilly alive, our holiday celebration turned into a hunt for household toxics.
Tilly was diagnosed with severe anemia, which could have been caused by any one of numerous toxic items found in the refrigerators, cupboards and medicine cabinets of most homes.
Now, Tilly's kibble and treats practically need their own passport to reach her mouth; human food is out of reach; visitors are asked to put away any medications and shown where the "approved" treats are kept.
It may sound extreme, but veterinary medical experts say this type of preventative behavior can keep pets safe. This is especially true during the holidays, when family chaos increases and your pet's environment may change from day to day with the arrival of family and friends bearing gifts, holiday food items and exotic plants.
"Dogs and cats do not know what is bad for them," said Dr. Cynthia Gaskill, associate professor and veterinary clinical toxicologist at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. "If there is medicine on the bathroom counter or food left on the table, that is irresistible to them."
Keep out of pets' reach
• Antifreeze
• Chocolate
• Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Prescription or illegal drugs
• Rodenticides
• Xylitol
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions and garlic
• Lilies
• Macadamia nuts
And unless your houseguests are conscientious pet owners themselves, chances are they aren't aware that they may be creating a toxic environment for your pet. Gaskill says it is important to let guests know not to leave their medications in an open suitcase or otherwise exposed.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications can kill small animals.
Because metabolic systems vary between species, a drug that may alleviate pain in humans can easily induce a toxic reaction in a dog or cat. For example, ibuprofen ingested by a dog can cause gastrointestinal damage and kidney dysfunction. Cats are especially susceptible to even small amounts of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol); ingestion of just one tablet can result in anemia and potential liver damage.
Dr. Robin Van Metre, a veterinarian at the Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Colorado, says that many of the emergency calls he receives involve pets that have accidentally ingested prescription medications or been given an over-the-counter medication by well-meaning owners who believe that their animal is in pain. Van Metre says these calls increase significantly over the holidays.
"Dogs will eat almost anything," Van Metre said, "and there is no such thing as a dog-proof cap."
Take care in the kitchen, too. Typical holiday staples such as grapes and raisins have been shown to cause renal failure when ingested by dogs.
Although small amounts of onions and garlic are often used in pet foods and treats to add flavor, ingestion of large amounts can cause severe red blood cell damage; cats are especially sensitive.
Macadamia nuts can cause a short-term hind-limb paralysis, and bread dough, if eaten before baking, can expand rapidly once ingested and cause ethanol poisoning.
Sweets, gum and hard candies are often problematic depending on ingredients. Chocolate contains a theobromine, a chemical that can affect the heart, kidneys and central nervous system. Dark chocolate and baker's chocolate contain higher concentrations of theobromine and are more toxic than similar amounts of milk chocolate.
Sugar-free gums and candies that contain the sugar-substitute xylitol can lead to quick onset of toxic clinical signs that may include a rapid decrease in blood sugar and possible seizures.
Think carefully before placing mistletoe or holly in low-lying areas, but put poinsettias anywhere you like. The effects of the poinsettia, long believed poisonous, are generally benign, says Dr. Anthony Knight, author of A Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants and professor of clinical sciences and toxicology at Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences.
Exposed plant bulbs such as Amaryllis and all species of lilies should be placed out of reach of pets not only during the holidays but year-round, Knight says.
Lily toxicity in cats can reach critical levels almost immediately after ingestion and lead to acute kidney failure within 48 hours or less.
"Lilies are one of the most poisonous houseplants that exists," Knight said. "It's not just the flower but also the leaves. ... If a cat eats any part of the plant, it would need to be treated immediately."
What should you do if your pet ingests a toxic holiday treat?
"Do not wait," Van Metre said. "Most people wait too long to call us, and that reduces our options for treatment."
Van Metre recommends calling a local veterinarian or animal emergency hospital first, or the ASPCA national animal poison control center (888-426-4435). The ASPCA charges a $60 veterinary consultation fee, but information about toxins is free on the ASPCA Web site.
Gaskill does not advise calling human poison control centers or attempting to diagnose your pet on the Internet.
Human poison control "is often not aware of the species differences and could inadvertently give the wrong advice," Gaskill said. "When doing a general Internet search, make sure the site is backed by a recognized veterinary organization or veterinary medical school. If it is not referenced, it is just someone's opinion."
Van Metre and Gaskill both warn against inducing vomiting in your pet before speaking with a veterinarian. Getting appropriate background information about the animal is critical to preparing a treatment plan for a particular toxin, they say, and every case -- every animal -- is different.
Tilly never recovered from her anemia, but she has been in remission long enough to create another toxic scare.
After learning that Tilly had ingested an entire bag of Hershey's kisses, we called our local animal emergency hospital in Atlanta. They did a quick calculation using Tilly's weight to determine whether a one-pound bag of milk chocolate would reach toxic levels in a dog of her size. It would not, but we were forced to clean up the silver-streaked evidence for many days afterwards.
------------
Melissa Tarkington is a former journalist for MSNBC, CNN.com and The Moscow Times. She is a second-year student in the professional veterinary program at Colorado State University.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Standardbred Breeding Farm to Receive AAEP Welfare Award
Hanover Shoe Farms, the world's most prolific Standardbred breeding farm, will be honored with the American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) 2008 award for outstanding service in equine welfare, the Lavin Cup.
The Lavin Cup, named for former AAEP President A. Gary Lavin, VMD, will be presented to a representative of Hanover Shoe Farms Dec. 9 at the AAEP's 54th Annual Convention in San Diego. Each year the Lavin Cup is awarded to a non-veterinary individual or organization that has exemplified outstanding care and compassion for horses and upheld AAEP horse welfare guidelines.
Hanover Shoe Farms, located in Hanover, Pa., is owned by the partnership of Jim Simpson, Russell Williams, and the Paul Spears family. The farm sets an example for treatment of retired horses in an effort to reduce the population of unwanted horses. The operation adheres to a policy of retiring broodmares over the age of 15 deemed no longer fit for the breeding program. More than 100 are currently retired on the farm.
An estimated 1,000 retired broodmares have lived out their natural lives at Hanover Shoe Farms.
An estimated 1,000 retired broodmares have lived out their natural lives at Hanover Shoe Farms, as well as some retired stallions, racehorses, and grade horses used as lead ponies. They also care for the 1991 Hambletonian winner, 20-year-old Giant Victory, repatriated from an unsuccessful stud career in Italy this year with the help of his former owner, Ted Gewertz. Every retired horse receives the same level of routine health care, nutrition and hoof treatment afforded to horses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Nominators praised Hanover Shoe Farms for acting "ahead of the curve" in retired horse welfare by exercising compassion and generosity to its horses.
"At Hanover, we like to say, 'We set a standard for excellence,'" said Jim Simpson, Hanover Shoe Farms president. "In our view, no animal is unworthy of our high standard of care. These horses are here in our service; it is our responsibility to care for them for all of their lives, even when they are no longer commercially productive. We are delighted the AAEP has recognized our commitment to the horses under our care."
Hanover Shoe Farms was established in 1926 as a Standardbred breeding operation, boasting the production of eight Horses of the Year. It is the perennial leading breeder in North America, with the winners of $24.6 million in 2007 alone. The operation has grown from a single barn to a conglomerate of 27 farms comprised of 3,000 acres in two states, 100 employees, and about 1,200 horses at the peak of the season.
Past recipients of the Lavin Cup include the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Inc., and the American Quarter Horse Association.
The AAEP, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the health and welfare of horses through professional development of its members, educational resources for horse owners and research. The AAEP reaches more than five million horse owners through nearly 10,000 veterinary members worldwide.
The Lavin Cup, named for former AAEP President A. Gary Lavin, VMD, will be presented to a representative of Hanover Shoe Farms Dec. 9 at the AAEP's 54th Annual Convention in San Diego. Each year the Lavin Cup is awarded to a non-veterinary individual or organization that has exemplified outstanding care and compassion for horses and upheld AAEP horse welfare guidelines.
Hanover Shoe Farms, located in Hanover, Pa., is owned by the partnership of Jim Simpson, Russell Williams, and the Paul Spears family. The farm sets an example for treatment of retired horses in an effort to reduce the population of unwanted horses. The operation adheres to a policy of retiring broodmares over the age of 15 deemed no longer fit for the breeding program. More than 100 are currently retired on the farm.
An estimated 1,000 retired broodmares have lived out their natural lives at Hanover Shoe Farms.
An estimated 1,000 retired broodmares have lived out their natural lives at Hanover Shoe Farms, as well as some retired stallions, racehorses, and grade horses used as lead ponies. They also care for the 1991 Hambletonian winner, 20-year-old Giant Victory, repatriated from an unsuccessful stud career in Italy this year with the help of his former owner, Ted Gewertz. Every retired horse receives the same level of routine health care, nutrition and hoof treatment afforded to horses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Nominators praised Hanover Shoe Farms for acting "ahead of the curve" in retired horse welfare by exercising compassion and generosity to its horses.
"At Hanover, we like to say, 'We set a standard for excellence,'" said Jim Simpson, Hanover Shoe Farms president. "In our view, no animal is unworthy of our high standard of care. These horses are here in our service; it is our responsibility to care for them for all of their lives, even when they are no longer commercially productive. We are delighted the AAEP has recognized our commitment to the horses under our care."
Hanover Shoe Farms was established in 1926 as a Standardbred breeding operation, boasting the production of eight Horses of the Year. It is the perennial leading breeder in North America, with the winners of $24.6 million in 2007 alone. The operation has grown from a single barn to a conglomerate of 27 farms comprised of 3,000 acres in two states, 100 employees, and about 1,200 horses at the peak of the season.
Past recipients of the Lavin Cup include the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Inc., and the American Quarter Horse Association.
The AAEP, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the health and welfare of horses through professional development of its members, educational resources for horse owners and research. The AAEP reaches more than five million horse owners through nearly 10,000 veterinary members worldwide.
BREAKING NEWS!
Interesting about a popular pet store chain in Portland, Oregon. BEWARE!!
HSUS investigation reveals national chain Petland tied to puppy mill cruelty
Petland, Inc., the country’s largest chain of puppy-selling pet stores, has been linked to supporting puppy mills. The Humane Society of the United States revealed today the results of an 8-month-long investigation in which they found that Petland stores obtain their animals from puppy mills while telling customers the dogs come only from good breeders. This marks the largest-ever puppy mill investigation; HSUS investigators visited 21 Petland stores and 35 breeders and brokers who sold puppies to Petland stores. Investigators also reviewed interstate import records of an additional 322 breeders, USDA reports, and more than 17,000 individual puppies linked to Petland stores. There are approximately 140 Petland stores in the U.S., selling tens of thousands of puppies each year.
According to the HSUS, the investigation revealed:
Despite assurances by Petland staff and on their corporate website that the company knows its breeders and deals only with those who have "the highest standards of pet care," many Petland puppies come from massive commercial breeders in Missouri and other Midwestern states, where hundreds of breeding dogs are packed into cramped, barren cages—often for their entire lives, with no socialization, exercise, or human interaction.
· When HSUS investigators visited 35 of the large-scale breeding operations linked to Petland stores, they witnessed puppy mills where puppies are factory farmed in large numbers. At many, investigators saw appalling conditions: puppies living in filthy, barren cages reeking of urine, with inadequate care and socialization.
· Many of Petland’s puppies are not supplied directly by breeders, but are purchased from a “middle man”—large-scale “pet distributors,” otherwise known as brokers—showing that the company may not even know who the breeders are or what their standards of care may be like. The investigation revealed that some of Petland’s brokers are also buying from puppy mills.
· Some of Petland’s puppies are ordered online using a pet auction website called the Pet Board of Trade, demonstrating that many Petland stores are not screening breeders as its website claims. In fact, in some cases they may not even know the breeder’s name until after purchase.
· One of the most common sales pitches made by Petland staff is that they use “USDA licensed” breeders. However, investigators reviewed publicly available state and USDA inspection reports for more than 100 Petland breeders and found more than 60 percent of the reports listed serious violations of basic animal care regulations. Many USDA breeders exhibit a long history of substandard care and yet remained licensed. While USDA regulations are minimal, some of the Petland breeders are not even complying with these basic animal welfare standards.
· Documented USDA violations at some of Petland’s breeders and suppliers included dirty, unkempt enclosures; inadequate shelter from the cold; dogs kept in too-small cages; and inadequate veterinary care. Some of the breeders were found with sick or dead dogs in their cages.
HSUS investigation reveals national chain Petland tied to puppy mill cruelty
Petland, Inc., the country’s largest chain of puppy-selling pet stores, has been linked to supporting puppy mills. The Humane Society of the United States revealed today the results of an 8-month-long investigation in which they found that Petland stores obtain their animals from puppy mills while telling customers the dogs come only from good breeders. This marks the largest-ever puppy mill investigation; HSUS investigators visited 21 Petland stores and 35 breeders and brokers who sold puppies to Petland stores. Investigators also reviewed interstate import records of an additional 322 breeders, USDA reports, and more than 17,000 individual puppies linked to Petland stores. There are approximately 140 Petland stores in the U.S., selling tens of thousands of puppies each year.
According to the HSUS, the investigation revealed:
Despite assurances by Petland staff and on their corporate website that the company knows its breeders and deals only with those who have "the highest standards of pet care," many Petland puppies come from massive commercial breeders in Missouri and other Midwestern states, where hundreds of breeding dogs are packed into cramped, barren cages—often for their entire lives, with no socialization, exercise, or human interaction.
· When HSUS investigators visited 35 of the large-scale breeding operations linked to Petland stores, they witnessed puppy mills where puppies are factory farmed in large numbers. At many, investigators saw appalling conditions: puppies living in filthy, barren cages reeking of urine, with inadequate care and socialization.
· Many of Petland’s puppies are not supplied directly by breeders, but are purchased from a “middle man”—large-scale “pet distributors,” otherwise known as brokers—showing that the company may not even know who the breeders are or what their standards of care may be like. The investigation revealed that some of Petland’s brokers are also buying from puppy mills.
· Some of Petland’s puppies are ordered online using a pet auction website called the Pet Board of Trade, demonstrating that many Petland stores are not screening breeders as its website claims. In fact, in some cases they may not even know the breeder’s name until after purchase.
· One of the most common sales pitches made by Petland staff is that they use “USDA licensed” breeders. However, investigators reviewed publicly available state and USDA inspection reports for more than 100 Petland breeders and found more than 60 percent of the reports listed serious violations of basic animal care regulations. Many USDA breeders exhibit a long history of substandard care and yet remained licensed. While USDA regulations are minimal, some of the Petland breeders are not even complying with these basic animal welfare standards.
· Documented USDA violations at some of Petland’s breeders and suppliers included dirty, unkempt enclosures; inadequate shelter from the cold; dogs kept in too-small cages; and inadequate veterinary care. Some of the breeders were found with sick or dead dogs in their cages.
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