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Where Are Exotic Pets Allowed?

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exotic pets tiger

For some people, having a pet tiger as a companion isn’t an impossible dream. In the United States, legally owning a wild animal can be as simple as moving across the state line. Laws governing the transportation, ownership and maintenance of exotic animals are as diverse as the governments that create them. While universal bans on dangerous exotic species make sense to many people, the situation isn’t so simple.  Having a wolf or cougar around the house may seem unnecessarily dangerous, but it’s hard to justify forcing pet owners to give up their beloved companions if they follow safety regulations and treat their pet with care. After all, the animals we considered to be appropriate companions are descendants of once-dangerous wild animals that were tamed by people over time. Some people keep exotic pets as part of rehabilitation programs or as a refuge caretaker, so a blanket ban on keeping wildlife could ...

Dogs and Vodka… An Unusual Duo

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vodka and dogs

The “hair of the dog” is taking on new meaning these days. From a Ukrainian hunting dog that knows what his master really wants to an Australian puppy that was saved by ingesting vodka, it seems that dogs and vodka just go hand in paw lately. Both Tsar and Cleo are examples of good things that can come from alcohol consumption. Tsar is a German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) that lives in the Ukraine. GSPs belong to a group of dogs known as versatile hunters. They are meant to locate the game, point to its location, flush it out, and retrieve it to hand after the shot. This group also includes Weimaraners, Vizsla, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, Italian Spinone, and German Wirehaired Pointers. Capable of hunting fur and feathered game, there are few limits to their talents in the field. They are favored by hunters that seek an all purpose gun dog. Tsar ...

Why Cats Go Crazy for Catnip

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catnip

Nepeta cataria is a big hit in the feline world. Lions, tigers and domestic short hairs all love to sniff and munch on this common herb. It’s a pretty effective recreational substance for your kitty whether it is fresh or dried, as long it’s stored in a sealed container. While the “high” cats get from catnip is paralleled to the impact marijuana has on the human brain, catnip is not toxic or addictive for your feline friend. The catnip plant Catnip is common throughout the United States and Canada. It currently thrives in every state in the US except Hawaii and Florida and grows in most Canadian provinces, according to the United States Department of Agriculture PLANTS Database.  The herb is considered invasive because it is not native to the North American continent, but it does not pose a particularly significant ecological threat. Catnip is a type of mint, so basil, spearmint and ...

Is It Really Okay to Eat Horse Meat?

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horse meat

A recent food uproar in Europe has opened up the debate on horse meat. Here in the U.S., the idea of eating horse meat is as revolting as the idea of eating dog. But in other parts of the world (including parts of Europe), horse meat is an acceptable addition to any menu. Why is it that we’re okay with stuffing our faces with cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys (not to mention deer, pheasant, sometimes gator, etc.) but are horrified at eating horse? And, if we got past that idea - eating Mr. Ed., is it really safe and okay to eat horse meat? Europe’s horse meat debate Europe is an extremely diverse part of the world. While England finds the idea of eating horse as repulsive, other European countries find it to be a delicatessen. France and Italy, two countries known and revered for their food cultures, eat horse. In fact, Italians ...

New dog website provides forum for question and answers

dog website

Scouring the depths of the internet searching for an answer to a specific question can take a frustratingly long time, but those with dog-related inquiries may be in luck. DogHQ is a new dog website that hopes to provide users with a place to ask anything they want about their four-legged companion. “Unlike the forums where you need to go through all the pages to find the right answer you’re looking for, DogHQ is questions and answer site,” according to the website’s about page. “The DogHQ user vote for the best questions and answers so you can easily find the best information.” While it has only been up for a few weeks, the site already boasts dozens of registered users and hundreds of visitors a day. DogHQ implements a point-based peer review system that gives moderating power to users that provide quality answers. Questions and Answers on DogHQ After registering for the site, you ...

Murder at the Westminster Dog Show?!

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murder westminster dog show

Laurien Berenson has been writing murder mysteries set at dog shows for years but now North America’s most famous show may have a murder mystery of their own. Cruz, a three year old purebred Samoyed, became ill and died just four days after competing at the Westminster Kennel Club show in New York City. Cruz’s co-owner, Lynette Blue, and his handler, Robert Chaffin, believe that foul play may be the cause of their beloved companion’s death. Cruz, also known as Am GCh Polar Mist Cruz’N T’Party At Zamosky, left New York for shows in Colorado after the Westminster show. He became ill and began vomiting blood and died of internal bleeding a short time later. It was initially believed that he had gotten into rat poison at the hotel they had stayed at in New York and so he was cremated without a necropsy (animal autopsy). Rat poison, also known as warfarin, ...

Domestic Cats in U.S. Responsible for Bird Deaths?

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feral vs domestic cats

The feline’s sharp hunting instinct made them an invaluable companion animal for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians even revered them as gods. They kept pests away, which made food storage more effective and reduced the spread of disease. Cats still make great companions for people in modern society, but their increasing population is a grave threat to wildlife that are already suffering from the expansion of cities and towns. In fact, the authors of a recent study published in Nature Communications estimate that domestic cats kill over 1.4 billion birds and 6 billion mammals every year, according to the abstract. Feral and ownerless cats account for most of the bloodshed, but pet felines are part of the problem. Is it really that bad? There’s no doubt that cats are a threat to local wildlife, but it’s tough to make a proper estimate of the number of animals killed by cats, according to ...

Funny Animal Videos are a YouTube Trend

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funny animal videos

A viral video is a video that has become inexplicably popular, so popular that is shared by friends around the world to a degree that is not related to its relevance or even intelligence. The perfect example of a viral video is Psy’s “Gangnam Style”. It was such a huge hit that it has been viewed on YouTube over 1.35 billion times. It has also inspired thousands of imitations and mock-ups. While it is hard to pin down what makes something go viral, one common component is animals doing crazy things. For example, one of the latest funny animal videos which has gone viral features goats making noises that sound exactly like human beings screaming.  In just a few weeks, it has garnered over seven million views and spawned at least one imitator that did a mashup of the goats and Taylor Swift. Why goats that sound like people has captured ...

Circus Animal Abuse – Does It Still Exist?

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circus animal abuse

We all know that circus animal abuse once existed and was, in fact, quite a regular affair. But is it possible that this type of abuse still exists? Recent news stories suggest so. Last month, music mogul Russell Simmons took to the web to proclaim his unhappiness with UniverSoul Circus’ decision to hire Hugo Liebel. UniverSoul Circus is one of the most popular circus group in the country. Liebel’s Family Circus (based in Florida) has a long history with USDA violations. In 2005 the circus was fined by the USDA for multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act, including failure to provide adequate space and a veterinary care for animals, particularly with an elephant named Nosey. PETA has been on Liebel’s case for years, proclaiming that Nosey the elephant has been abused at the hands of Liebel. They cite a 2004 incident, in which the elephant pushed a circus worker, as demonstration ...

Beyonce’s Fashion Choices vs. Animal Rights

Famed vegetarian Morrissey recently added Beyonce to his list of not-so-animal-friendly celebrities. The singer told a Los Angeles crowd that Beyonce’s handbags are aiding the extinction of rhinos. “The rhino is now more or less extinct, and it’s not because of global warming or shrinking habitats. It’s because of Beyonce’s handbags,” he told the crowd. Morrissey isn’t alone in his Beyonce bashing. Others also use Beyonce as an example in the hot topic of animal rights. PETA has claimed that some of the megastar’s shoes have come from the skin of snakes, stingrays, and other animals. They also attacked her Super Bowl halftime show outfit for containing python and iguana skin. This recent focus on Beyonce’s wardrobe is not a new phenomenon. Celebrities have long been criticized for which way they fall on the animal rights front. Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman and Lea Michele boast their animal-friendly choices, while Paris Hilton ...