Reduces the shedding up to 90% by removing the loose, dead undercoat without damaging the topcoat

Misc.: 
CDQuickly and easily grabs and removes loose and undercoat hair, Uniquely designed stainless steel 1.75-inch blade, Recommended for all shedding cats, Helps eliminate hairballs, Reduces shedding up to 90 percent

Company: FURminator 

(2007-04-25)

List Price: $34.99
Amazon Price: Too low to display

Used Price: $17.48

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The Turbo Scratcher cat toy offers hours of fun and exercise for your cat while reducing potential furniture damage due to scratching. Catnip and ball included. Scratch pad is replaceable. 16” Diameter x 1.88”

Misc.: 
Entertain your cat and protect your furniture from scratching, Place ball in circular track for hours of fun, Scratch pad is replaceable, Catnip and ball included, Measures 16 inches in diameter

Company: Bergan 

List Price: $19.99
Amazon Price: $10.67

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When pets get older, there are some accommodations you may want to make for them. A pet’s behavior may change as it ages. The first recommendation would be a visit to the veterinarian. Many symptoms interpreted in elderly contributed to age may actually be medical conditions.

If your pet seems less active, confused, disoriented, and disinterest in household activity, it could signal cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is a treatable geriatric disease.

Weight gain is a common problem with older pets. Exercise is still important for older pet health. It helps them stay toned and will help stimulate internal function. They may need shorter exercise periods at a slower pace. Try walking your pet during less extreme temperatures of the day.

Grooming is another area that becomes more difficult for older pets. As their joints get stiff, it may be harder for your pet to groom hard-to-reach areas. Their skin can also become dry or matted so it is important to brush your pet thoroughly.

As your pet ages, it may be harder for them to get around the places that they are familiar with. Some ideas to help your pet navigate are the following: If your pet likes to sleep on your bed, and is still continent, perhaps a small stair would assist them to reach the top of the bed. If they have trouble navigating the stairs due to hip problems, perhaps a ramp with cleat strips to give their paws grip may help. Also, check the outdoor run area of your pet. Holes, steep grades and gravel may make their outdoor travels difficult. Observe your pet climbing wooden deck stairs, sometimes those can be slippery for older pets. Simple sandpaper treads can be applied for grip.

Overall, think about your aging pet and their needs. Some simple changes could make their life more comfortable.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.
Kim Prissel owns several cats and can be reached by email at legerdemain@writing.com

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It is always sad when a beloved animal family member leaves their body and goes into spirit. We call this death, but truly, no one dies. The physical body drops away as the spirit separates from it and goes into another dimension. The spirit is the being that we truly love, although we may be attached to the physical aspect that we associated with that being. Since we are still in physical, we often miss the sight, touch and smell of our friend and we grieve this loss, which is appropriate.

As an Animal Communicator, I frequently speak with clients and their animals who have passed into spirit. When the animal tells me they want to return it leads to discussions about what form they plan to take and when they might come. Sometimes animals tell me that they “try out” different forms while still in spirit. At other times, they already have decided or know exactly what form they want, down to sex , size and color of the body.

Humans always want to know how they will recognize their beloved friend upon their return and how they will be able to find them. The replies are fairly consistent. “You will recognize my energy.” “Look into my eyes and you will know me.” “This is a time for you to learn to trust your intuition.”

One of my clients, who had two dogs, was sad to realize that the older dog, Chanel, a white German Shepard female, was getting ready to pass into spirit. I spoke telepathically with Chanel prior to her leaving, and again, after she had completed her spiritual transition work. In a series of conversations with Chanel in spirit, she explained that she wanted to return to her family. She was very specific, saying she wanted to be a white German Shepard female once more, perhaps a bit smaller in size. She said she would return in the New England area, where her family lived, and would be born around April 1, 2002.

Her person wrote, “White German Shepherds are fairly rare. However, that June, after much searching and networking, a friend of a friend told us of a white, female German Shepherd in Manchester, Connecticut, born on April 1. She warned us that this dog wasn’t very friendly or social with anyone. We immediately visited the puppy. Everyone was amazed how she came right to us, sat down and gave me her paw!”

My client e-mailed some photos of the puppy to me, and in a telepathic session, she claimed to be Chanel. It certainly sounded and felt like Chanel to me, and my client also sensed it was her friend. She named the dog Lily, and brought her home on June 10, 2002. My client wrote, “It was amazing how she knew where everything was and, although we were told that she was not housetrained, we did not have to do anything in that regard. Lily had only one accident and was instantly going to the door to ask to go out–the same door Chanel used to go to! Finding Lily and knowing she is also Chanel has been a wonderful experience for our family. We feel blessed to have gotten our Chanel back in the form of another loving and beautiful canine.”

Not every return to the physical plane takes places so quickly. Animals from our childhood may return when we are adults. Sometimes they come many times in our same lifetime, and other times they come once and then not again until we experience a different life. One of my cats, Violet, has been with me three previous times in my current lifetime, each time as a cat. You can read the story of Violet’s most recent return at http://raysofhealinglight.com (click on Nedda Wittels, and then click on Violet Returns).

The important thing to remember is that we are never truly separated from the ones we love. We can speak to them while they are in spirit. Many of them visit us after they pass over. At other times, they may choose to return to us in physical.

One cat already in spirit was clear that she planned to return soon. “I want to be a dog this time,” she told her family. The cat wanted to be a small, white, and lap size. The family was more interested in a larger type of dog. They compromised, agreeing on a nearly white Golden Retriever. When the family found her, they were so certain it was she that they never even asked me to speak with her to be sure.

Compromises of this type are not always possible. Types of bodies, sex, and colors, and possibly other details of appearance and genetics have different vibrations. The being who is returning has specific life experiences and lessons they may be planning to incorporate into their next lifetime. Sometimes they simply prefer a particular form or color. It is up to spirit to make these determinations. It is not up to us to try to control the process and the form the animal is choosing.

Another cat I spoke with didn’t ever purr, according to her family. They wanted to know why she would make growling sounds whenever they stroked her, yet didn’t move away or try to scratch or bite them. The cat explained that she had never been a cat before and was very experienced at being a dog. She said she didn’t know how to purr, and was trying to imitate the sound. What came out sounded like a growl.

Experience has taught me that our job is to allow the returning being into our lives with love and acceptance. It is not our job to orchestrate all the details. Most returning spirits give us just enough information to get us to search for them. We are encouraged to strengthen our intuition and to learn to recognize them by their energy, their spirit. Then, when we welcome them with open arms and hearts, we experience the miracle of their return.

Rev. Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., is a telepathic Animal Communicator, Spiritual Counselor, and Shamballa Master/Teacher, offering private sessions in communication and healing for humans and animals. She teaches workshops in Animal Communication, Communication with Nature, and Shamballa Multidimensional Healing. She can be reached at 860.651.5771, NeddaW@aol.com, and
http://www.raysofhealinglight.com

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Ever since the beginning of time there has always been the pet and the family, today’s pets have become an integral part of the family, and even considered by some to be a part of the family. With this relationship being so vital, protection of the family pet is a major concern of many pet owners.

Each year millions of pets are reported lost or found, but a large majority of these members of the family are never reunited with their owners. The main reason for this is lack of identification is because most pets do not have a pet collar or identification tag to contact the owner if they are found, and the ones that do contain obsolete or outdated contact information. There are many ways to tag a pet, but the pet collar is, and has always been the most recognize method of identifying the pet, and its owner for those who find a lost pet.

The remedy for this dilemma seems simple, just buy them a new pet tag every time you move or change contact information. The problem with this solution is that buying them a new tag with every change can become a bit expensive in an upwardly mobile society. The best alternative is to register with a service that provides a unique tracking number for your pet, and provides free lifetime updating of your contact information.

One company that provides this service is RecoveryPets.Com, and their website is located at http://www.recoverypets.com. The services they offer includes pet registration with a unique identification number, and the register will receive a pet identification tag and pocket card with this identification number on both items. The service is internet based and is accessible from any computer in the world that has internet connection, and they provide unlimited lifetime of contact information, along with a webpage that contains a description of the pet, photograph, and up to ten contact numbers or emails.

Ensuring that our pets are safe is a major concern for many pet owners, and providing a way to recover a lost pet is just as important. With the advent of the internet, recovering pets has become increasingly easier, but it still takes an undertaking on the part of the owner to make sure that their four legged family member is protected.

Thaddeus Collins is the owner of RecoveryPets.Com and they specialize in the global recovery of lost pets using a unique tracking number. For more information visit http://www.recoverypets.com

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While a bird is an easy pet to care for, they do require just as much commitment and preparation as any other type of pet. Whether you are buying a small parakeet or an large parrot, you should make sure that you are prepared to care for your new feathered friend properly.

One thing that all pets, including birds need is attention. If your schedule has you working long hours and not spending much time at home, perhaps you should consider a fish tank instead of a bird. A bird cannot be left in it’s cage alone all the time and still be expected to be friendly on the odd days when you feel like playing with it. Some birds require more interaction than others, but they are social creatures and need you to set aside some time each day to play with them. You can use this time to teach them tricks and strengthen the bond between you.

When considering bringing a bird into your home, you must think about the safety of your new pet. Are there other pets in the house that could be threatening to the bird? Are there tiny nooks and crannies that a bird could get into and hurt himself? Do the other members of your family leave the windows and doors open where the bird could fly out and be lost? All these things must be considered for the safety of your new pet

The purchase and placement of his cage is another consideration. You must buy a cage that is the right size for your bird. Many parrots become quite adept at opening their own cage doors so you should consider how easy the cage is to break out of. The cage should be made out of a safe material and have bars spaced in such a way that the bird cannot get his head stuck in between them. There should be no sharp edges and their should be appropriate food and water dishes as well as perches inside the cage. Cages can be expensive, but don’t skimp on this as it is your pets new home!

Before you buy the cage, consider where you will be keeping it. It is best if the cage can be in a quiet corner but near family activities as your bird really wants to be part of the family. You should keep it out of direct sunlight, and away from any drafts or anywhere that could have a sudden change in temperature like in front of the heater or air conditions. Avoid placing the cage in the kitchen as fumes and hot surfaces can be hazardous. Be aware that the fumes from nonstick pans can be deadly to a pet bird, so make sure you get rid of all your non stick pans before bringing your bird home. Of course, you will want to keep the cage out of the path of traffic so you need to buy a cage that is the appropriate size for your bird as well as the right size to fit in the intended area.

Depending on the size of your bird, you may want to consider the level of noise that he will produce. Parakeets make little chirpy noises that, for the most part, are not annoying. Conures, on the other hand have a shrill call that goes right through you. Most happy birds will not yell constantly, but it is natural for them to call out at times so make sure you (and your neighbors) can handle the level of noise produced by the bird.

Finally, make sure that you want to commit to the care that is necessary to have a happy healthy bird. You’ll need to clean out the cage daily and make sure you provide fresh food and water. Food your bird a varied diet and have him checked by a vet (preferably one who specializes in birds) every year.

Birds can be very rewarding pets and take minimal care but they must be provided with a comfortable and safe environment and your companionship in order to thrive. Many birds can live for 20 years or more, so you are making a long commitment when you bring home your new feathered friend. This commitment to care and companionship is well worth it, however, as the rewards of owning these enchanting creatures are many!

Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of ePet Pet Center where you can find information on every type of pet including
pet birds.

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Otitis Externa — smelly, itchy, dirty ears — is the third most common reason we take our dogs to see the veterinarian. Pet owners generally do not include ear cleaning as part of their daily or weekly grooming routine, but veterinarians are finding that at-home general cleaning can help eliminate the problem of otisis externa.

Spring and summer can be particularly hard on the ears. Walks, swimming and increased outdoor activity expose our pets to more pollutants and irritants. The ear naturally produces more wax for protection , giving more surface for dirt to accumulate. A vicious cycle for sure.

As the ears become dirtier, both wax and dirt can become lodged or accumulate in the ear canal. Dogs will commonly shake their heads and/or paw and scratch their ears. The pawing may lead to scratches and infections.

Gently cleaning the “outer inside” of the ear is now being recommended by many veterinarians. Cleaning helps remove the dirt and wax preventing the discomforting build-up.

Use a soft gauze or cotton ball and pet ear cleaner to gently wipe the ear. It is not recommended to use cotton tips (Q-tips) inside the ear. Also, look for a non-toxic and alcohol-free ear cleaner. You may also want to avoid those with fragrances and dyes as these can be an irritant.

If you think your pet has any type of infection, consult your veterinarian.

Marian Brown has been active in holistic health care for people and pets for over 15 years. She is editor of Holistic Health News. Visit the website and join our free email newsletter at http://www.hhnews.com and for more information on safely cleaning your pet’s ears, visit http://www.oxybreath.com.

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Animals unlike humans cannot express their feelings and they cannot go on making demands and tell their owners when they need food. They are animals. Pet keepers bring home fish, cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and birds home all the time eagerly but sadly, they fail to take proper care of their pets because of which their animals die. If pets can not speak out, pet keepers themselves should be humane enough to understand their pets heartily and give them their rights.

Some basic and simple tips for pet keepers can ensure a healthy and loving relation between themselves and their pets. As far as dogs are concerned it is advisable to keep it in a proper dog house which should be comfortable and cozy enough for it to reside in. Whenever you take out your dog for a walk make sure you leash it. They are playful animals, they love to jump and mingle with other animals and chase things. So avoid any bad circumstances it is always better to play it safe. Cats are well mannered and they are less messy than dogs. However they too need proper care. Dogs and cats should be bathed regularly and their utensils cleaned on daily bases. If your dog or cat ever urinate or excrete in your lounge, you should never leave it unclean. It is highly unhygienic for animals and pet keepers both.

The animals that you keep in cages need a little more attention. They are enslaved so it is better to make them at least feel free. Birds or rabbits should never be kept in small cages. They should be big enough so that your birds can easily flutter their wings and fly about. It should be big enough so that your rabbit can run about and hide when it wants to hide. Animals kept at home should provide them with a sense of being in their natural habitats. This way they feel free and they live happily. Their cages, their beddings should be cleansed thoroughly and regularly.

Animals should be vaccinated whenever they need to be. They should be taken for regular medical checkups so that they stay health and energetic. Animals too should be kept in a secured area and never be left out on their own. Pets are unlike the stray animals; they are vulnerable and require special attention. So pet keepers should make sure they take care of their pets the way they should be kept. They can always keep themselves updated through internet and magazines to acknowledge and fulfill their pet’s needs.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Pets, Shopping, and Clothing

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When a beloved pet dies, some people simply accept the pet loss,
as a regular part of life. People that have strong feelings for their
pets are deeply affected by their grief. In taking responsibility
for owning a pet, we accept the burden of every aspect for that
pets life.As a pet grows from a baby to adult, that pets responsibility
and affection becomes a way of life to us. This mutual bonding
becomes an exchange of need and fulfillment between owner and
pet. It’s ironic that we become dependent on our pets as well.
We rely on their needing us.

When a pet eventually dies, as we all
must, we are never prepared emotionally, from our pet loss. We
first get an extreme case of separation anxiety. Our routine and
patterns are disrupted abruptly by the loss of our pets.
Understanding the phases of grief and mourning that other people
have gone through, can help us through our loss
and bereavement. Often the way we react depends upon the
circumstances of how our love ones pass, and how attached we were
to them.

Shock and Disbelief

This usually is the first stage. Weather the pets death was sudden or
expected. It doesn’t seem real. We have trouble accepting the truth,
and are not equipped to handle the reality of the pet loss. We all
experience this to some degree.

Anger

When the numbness wears off, we are often overwhelmed by anger.
This emotion must be released and let go. Withheld anger can become
a potent force in self destructiveness. It is common to feel anger when
something we love is taken away from us.

Depression and Grief

We feel overwhelmed and very sad at the loss of our love one. All we
seem to care about is the loss of our pet,and our own misery. Appetite
loss, and difficulty to sleep are signs of this emotion. Depression is
the most normal of the stages to our pets death. We need some time
And privacy to recover through our depression and grief.

Give Yourself Time

The length of time to recover varies with each individual. Some need
more time and support than others. We have to give time for release
of grief without diminishing the memory of our pet. We never lose
a sense of bereavement for a pet. But we do learn to be less and less
overwhelmed by their death.

Moving On

No matter what method you choose, a Pet Memorial, or Garden Memorial
etc… You should offer a simple eulogy to help closure to the event.
It’s a chance to be involved with the final experience with your pet. And
to realize your loss and express feeling about it. It will give you a chance
to say, “You are gone, but not forgotten”

Your relationship with your pet is very special. Keep them in your heart
and they will never be forgotten.

Pet Loss Click Here!

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When a larger motif for remembrance is required, a monument stone or a grave marker is the best choice. Monuments erected in the memory of the pet can either be in the garden where the ashes have been buried or else at the pet cemetery if there happens to be one. Here it is important to select the right kind of material to make sure that it will not erode or break with the passage of time. Granite is the most favored material but it should be hard enough to be durable. The etched or the engraved lettering on the stone is an additional significant aspect of the memorial and this should be entrusted to a professional designer who has a thorough knowledge of fonts.

The headstones are usually created from a sand blasting or sand carving process, and it is important to check that real stones are used and not fake resin or molded stone pieces that only look like the real thing. The topmost quality of stone is always the one sourced in the form of premium river rock. Varieties of stones include slate, polished granite, marble, bluestone, or sandstone, depending on the quarries from which they come.

While the quality of the stone relates to the durability of the marker, the other factors that come into play are the composition, color, texture, density, and shape of the material. Some stones have natural flaws in their structure that can actually help enhance the appeal of the final design. Tombstones or markers are made from a special material called Vashon Buff with Grog. Thanks to the “grog,” the wet clay does not shrink when it is fired and is much more durable. After firing, it turns reddish in color and a glaze could turn it to any color you want. The stone should handle weathering just fine in most climates, so long as it is not subjected to long periods of freezing

Pet Memorials provides detailed information on Pet Memorials, Pet Memorial Stones, Pet Memorial Markers, Online Pet Memorials and more. Pet Memorials is affiliated with Pet Services.

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One common mistake made by a lot of pet owners is pampering your dog too much! Many people, when they hear their dog bark, either cuddle it, pat it, or feed it some type of dog treat. Although dog treats are popular, in a short time you will wind up with a dog that will whine, bark, or demand attention unnecessarily. This type of behavior teaches your pet to make a lot of noise whenever it wants attention. Henceforth, what your dog does all the time is bark! This is negative behavior modification and should be refrained from as much as possible to avoid spoiling your pet. After all, that is how your dog is trained, so reward the good habits only, never the bad ones.

Remember to keep the dog treats in the cupboard for a while, and even though it is hard to ignore a barking dog, it will pay its dividends later on. This is especially hard to do if most of the barking occurs outside and your dog is bothering the neighbors. You are best off to contact your neighbors and advise them that you’re involved in the training process of putting an end to the excessive noise and just ask their indulgence. Most people understand and you will have better neighbor relations as a result.

Here are a few tips to help you with incessant barking. Resist the urge to open your door to yell at your pet when he’s barking or give him some type of dog treat. The next time the barking starts, wait a minute until he stops and is quiet for a minute or two, then open the door before he starts barking again and praise him for being quiet. As soon as the dog starts to bark again, walk away and ignore him, and eventually he will realize that he only gets your attention when he is not barking instead of barking. Try and refrain from too many dog treats as your dog will expect to be rewarded with this type of treatment all the time. Remember that overnight success is not possible and that it will take you time to train your dog to stop barking. If your dog craves your attention all the time, it is important for you to reevaluate just how much attention he gets during the day. Maybe you just need to spend more time with him, giving more exercise and more love. This is something you and your dog will both be equally rewarded for.

By Terry Price- Remember to visit http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/pet-insurance.html for a great resource on all kinds of pet supply products, dog training ideas, dog treats or just great products to treat your pet with.

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When you own an indoor dog, its a good idea to pet-proof your house. Like child proofing, pet-proofing consists of making a sweep of each room to which your dog has access and removing anything that poses a potential danger. Some items may be dangerous to one dog while not to another. For example, electrical cords may be dangerous to the dog that enjoys chewing, but for a dog that isn’t into sharpening his teeth on household objects, electrical cords may not be a threat. You’ll be able to detect additional hazards once you’ve discovered what activities your dog may enjoy.

1. Watch Out for Small Items - Like children, dogs love to put things in their mouths. If swallowed, the object of their curiosity can become lodged within their digestive tract and cause damage. In some cases, surgery may be the only way to remove the offensive item. To avoid this, keep small items out of reach. Such items may include pens, pencils, rubber bands, coins, paper clips, staples, nails and screws, pieces of string, yarn, thread, or dental floss, earrings and other small jewelry, bells, small balls, sewing needles, pins, and the eyes pets may pull off pet toys.

2. Chocolate and Dogs Don’t Mix - Chocolate contains the active ingredient theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs if enough is ingested. It is difficult to estimate how much is required to cause death to a dog because the concentration of theobromine varies with the formulation of the chocolate; for example, milk chocolate will have less theobromine than baker’s chocolate. To keep your dog safe, be sure not allow him to eat any chocolate!

3. Watch the Tags - Your dog’s ID tag can pose a choking danger to your dog if it gets caught on anything. Keep your dog’s tags from getting caught in a heating grate when he lies down by using a Pet Pocket. The Pet Pocket attaches to his collar and lies flat rather than having his tags dangle from a collar.

4. A Shocking Danger - To keep your dog from chewing electrical wires, you must conceal the wires in some way. One way to do this is by buying a plastic decorator shower rod cover and inserting the wires inside the rod cover. Plastic rod covers can be cut to size. Another way to cover electrical wires is by purchasing concealing strips. These strips are specially designed to conceal wires running across floors, across baseboards, and up walls. You can find these concealing strips in hardware or office supply stores. They come in a variety of colors and they can be cut to size. There is also a newer product that has come on the market to protect your dog from wires. It is a “power strip with a brain” that detects insulation aging, damage, and penetration by such things as dogs’ teeth. If your dog tries to take a bite out of this type of cord, the cord will shut off and prevent your dog from getting shocked. This can also be found in a hardware store.

5. Blue Water is Bad - If you use an automatic toilet bowl cleaner or “toilet tablets”, be sure to put the seat down so that your dog won’t be able to drink the water. The blue water can be poisonous to your dog. You can sew a large pom-pom to your toilet seat cover to prevent the lid from staying up in case you forget to lower it.

6. Keep Cleaning Products Out of Reach - Be sure to keep chemical cleaning products out of your dog’s reach. If possible, consider substituting nontoxic cleaners such as vinegar and water mixtures or baking soda.

Felix Senhouse is a contributor for http://www.familydogcare.com

Family Dog Care is your complete resource for dog related news and information, covering topics that range from dog training to dog nutrition.

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If you had to make a list of the most important things in your
life, would you include your pet? Many of us would and it’s
nothing to be shy about. Millions of people take special joy in
caring for their pets. Pets give us proven health and emotional
benefits.

Even more, pets have their own personalities. When you really
get to know a cat, dog, or other pet — living with them day to
day — they almost seem like people. When you give your pet
attention, they really seem to respond!

Many people enjoy dressing their pet in specially designed pet
jewelry. These days pet collars can be adorned with crystals and
rhinestones so they look like something you might purchase in an
exclusive jewelry store. Purchase one for your pet and I
guarantee he or she will feel special AND get noticed wherever
you go.

A newly designed bracelet for dogs is expanding the possibilities
for fashionable canines. Adorned in sparkling rhinestones, it
makes any dog look upscale. And a special magnetic clasp keeps
the bracelet from getting entangled when your dog is walking.

Attending a special event? Go all out and dress your pet in a
matching designer bracelet and necklace. Not only will you be
turning heads when you’re dressed up, your pet will be equally
attractive. You can even arrange to have your pet’s jewelry
match your own for a breathtaking and fun effect.

While you may not have thought of it, pets enjoy wearing
attractive jewelry just as much as people do. Pets immediately
know they are attracting positive attention, and they love it!
That makes your pet healthier, happier, and even more fun to be
around. Attention and positive feelings help develop your pet’s
personality and deepen your relationship with your pet.

So have fun dressing up your pet. Make them one of today’s
upscale animals. It’s fun and great for your pet.

Sharon Sheraton is founder of Sharaton Luxuries at
http://www.sheratonluxuries.com See their new lines of pet
jewelry including the new luxury Angel Wing Harness.
Reach Sharon at sglorsky@bellsouth.net

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Recently, in the Florida Everglades, a 13-foot Burmese python and an alligator got into a life and death struggle with each other. At the end, both animals were dead. Everglades and the entire state of Florida, estuaries, and wildlife habitats anywhere are teeming with wild animals that had been pets in homes but were unwanted later. Park rangers and animal trappers are seeing more and more of wild animals that do not belong in their state’s natural environment.

About six months ago, my husband and I spotted a small iguana on the front lawn of a hotel in Fort Lauderdale. When we alerted the hotel clerk, he told us there were loose iguanas all over the place, because people from the northern states brought their unwanted exotic pets and dumped them here since they thought the pet would survive on its own in a subtropical climate. Nothing could be further from the truth. Animals belong to several different habitats, even when the weather conditions are similar.

Wild animal babies are attractive and lovable. We all adore an irresistibly cute and cuddly ocelot, bobcat, monkey, or a bear while a baby, but these babies grow up in no time and, if they are kept as pets, they become a nuisance and danger to themselves and to their surroundings.

Another point to consider is that care of wild animals eventually becomes very difficult, or better said, impossible. Their appropriate care demands expertise of the species, tailor-made facilities, and indefatigable dedication lifelong. When the babies become older and are impossible to handle, they are usually put away or passed from owner to owner. Worse yet, wild animals that are declawed or changed in some way to fit into a home are not accepted into the zoos. So, at times, they are let loose in an environment where their survival is, at best, iffy.

What is more, these animals are social creatures and they need and deserve the company of their own kind. Even when their physical health is taken care of, they grow up with behavior problems and act unpredictably because they are out of their natural environment.

Wild animals also may come with unknown viruses and make other pets and people in a household ill. For example, lizards are famous for carrying the salmonella virus as some primates are for Herpes B. Other animals may bring rabies or still unknown and undetected diseases, and if we can take these animals back to their initial environment, it is probable that they will transport diseases from domestic cats and dogs to the wild.

Nobody benefits from keeping wild animals as pets, except for their breeders and sellers who exploit wildlife for huge financial gains. These people take animal babies away from their mothers at too young an age and transport them under deplorable conditions to the markets to be sold as pets.

During the transportation, many of the babies die in outrageous numbers; 90% of the reptiles and 95% of the birds are dead, long before reaching their prospective owners. In addition, as the result of the wild animal trade, natural habitats are disturbed and quite a few species become extinct, as in the case of several West Indies species of Macaws.

Owning a wild animal is not a status symbol. The actress or singer with a python, boa, or an anaconda wrapped around her (or his) body is neither being adventurous nor sexy. Moreover, she is advertising to the entire world that her artistic talent amounts to zero and she can be sure that people who feel like I do will boycott her work as long as she stays in the public eye.

Sometimes wild animal merchants crossbreed wild and domestic species. This too is an appalling practice because it makes the animals inapt to survive both in the wild and in a household with other pets and young children.

Also, the rainforests of Central and South America are diminishing in size daily. In Florida, migrating birds are running out of places to stop and rest. If the wild animal pet owner really cared about animals, instead of imprisoning his pet under intolerable conditions, he would work toward keeping natural habitats, estuaries, jungles, and desert environments intact.

Several states ban the sale and keeping of wild animals as pets. Still, this ban is not enforced or the wild animal owners manage to fall through the cracks. Pet shops are not inspected daily, and if they are inspected, the inspectors may not be well versed in wild animals to detect or separate the wild species from the tame ones. Even if some of those animals may be orphaned or injured and then found by a person and brought to the pet shop, they still belong in the wild.

The sale of wild animals does not involve the pet stores only. It has taken hold of a sizable piece of the internet. This is scary, since internet has little control over itself.

These facts point to one important certainty: if we truly care for animals, we have to control our behavior. If we really want a pet that will be a positive addition to our homes, our local animal shelter is waiting for us to adopt a kitten, a puppy, or any tame pet, and if we find an orphaned or injured wild animal, our state’s wildlife officials or a professional wildlife expert are there to help the animal.

We are a nation of animal lovers. Most of us strongly feel that animal welfare is our responsibility. I can understand the wild pet owner’s feelings in wanting to get close to an animal, but we have to respect the way nature works. So, please, let’s not encourage the wild animal trade.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.
Joy Cagil is an author on a site for writers (http://www.writing.com). Her education is in foreign languages and linguistics. She is an animal lover.

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You have a new pet it doesn’t yet have a name. You haven’t had 9 months to think of one as you would with your children, so what can you do to invent a name distinctive enough to fit?
Use any of the following naming methods to get that perfect pet name, one that will make you smile every time you call it.

Animal Instincts
Observe your pet during the first two or three days that it is in your house. It will start to show some of its behaviour and personality. Now think: what animal (apart from the animal it is!) is it acting like? This is your new pets name. For example my brother bought a hamster, and saw that it would stand upright on her hind legs to look around. When it did this she looked like a miniature Polar Bear, so her name became ‘Polar’. My hamster’s main behaviour, however, was to climb up the side walls of his cage then, having nowhere to go, he would jump down heavily to the ground. His name is Lemming (shortened to Lemmy).

The Flattery
This is a very crafty naming method as it has the double benefits of getting your pet named and being a very cheap present. Name your pet after your boss/friend/client/colleague. Don’t forget to tell the human whose name you have used, as they will be very flattered that you have thought about them in this important decision, they will feel like a godparent.
Warning: if you fall out with the person, please don’t take it out on their animal namesake.

Celebrity Look-alikes
Look deeply at your new creature, which celebrity/historical figure do they resemble? Try to notice the features that are unique to the individual rather just the traits of that particular breed to get a personalised name (e.g. all cats look like Joan Collins, but who does your cat in particular look like?).

Battle of the Bands
Every rock/pop/jazz band have spend days agonising about getting the perfect name to describe their music, attitude, and values. You can bypass all this hard work by stealing their name! Choose the name of a band you like, or a band whose name seems to fit for your pet.
Just look at the Top 20 single and album charts for inspiration. Some examples are: Goldfrapp (for a gerbil?) Pulp (Alsatian?), Pink (Gecko?), Black Eyed Pea (rabbit?).

Colour Scheme
Another area where good names are devised is the names given to paint colours. Visit your local hardware Superstore and pick up a leaflet from a paint manufacturer. The leaflet will be filled with lots of rich and beautiful names that will work equally well for your pet’s new name. You can choose the name that describes the colour of your pet, or you can be a bit more flexible and just consider which names sound the nicest. Here are some examples: Soft Spice, Energise, Lemon Squash, Bermuda and of course Matt!

You, or your pet, can be a Saint - right now - at the author’s web business. Become a Saint at http://www.yousaint.com for a modest donation of

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