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Pet Stem Cell Therapy – Can It Help Your Pet?

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pet stem cell therapy

That phrase alone - stem cell therapy - brings with it controversy like few other topics. Be it the idea of harvesting embryos, to the reality of cloning living beings, it isn’t difficult to find a large contingency of stem-cell opposers. And while stem cells, cloning, and embryos are often interchanged (accidentally and purposely), there is an entire faction of this science that is far less controversial, yet still overwhelmingly successful in treating animals. Adult stem cells and pet health In the debate over stem cells, many people tend to overlook the advances being made by adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are often misconceived, due in large part to their name. You might think that only adults and full-grown animals have adult stem cells, however, even puppies and children have them. Adult stem cells are matured stem cells that have found their place and “job” in a living being’s body. While many people ...

Toledo Zoo to Publicly Debut Their Polar Bear Cubs

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polar bear cubs

The Toledo Zoo has announced that it’s as yet un-named, twin polar bear cubs will make their public debut this spring, likely in May. The cubs were born November 21st, 2012 to Crystal. This is the fourth litter of cubs born at the zoo since 2006 and Crystal’s third litter. The cubs are currently off-exhibit with their mother. Zoo staff have not yet seen them in person. They are monitored through cameras located in the mother’s den. Polar bears are found in the northern parts of Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Norway and Russia. More than two thirds of them reside in Canada. They are considered threatened due to habitat loss as a result of climate change. Current estimates of the remaining polar bears in the wild are 20,000 to 25,000. As a result of this, many zoos, including Toledo’s, participate in a Species Survival Program (SSP) run by the Association of Zoos ...

Are electric shock collars helpful, harmful or useless for dog training?

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shock collar

Whether we subscribe to them or not, I’m sure we all have some sort of reaction to electric/shock collars. Many of us see them as a distant cousin of electric-shock therapy, while others of us see them as a saving grace for dog training, particularly with redzone dogs or to instill good off-leash manners. So, are electric/shock collars helpful, harmful, or useless for dog training? When are electric shock collars used Electric collars can be used for nearly any situation, but the most common reasons trainers and owners use these collars are for: Unwanted barking Off-leash training Correcting aggression (associated with people, dogs, or food) These collars are also used to prepare dogs for worse-case scenarios, such as to avoid certain animals (like snakes). An example of this would be to “shock” the dog when he nears a caged snake, so that he learns that snakes, in general, should be avoided. First, let’s tease out the shock For starters, ...

Stamping Out Illegal Wildlife Trade in China

illegal wildlife trade

The illegal wildlife trade suffered a setback recently thanks to a multinational crackdown led by China. The crackdown included Asian and African nations, in an operation named COBRA, which spanned from January 6 to February 5. Seized in the crackdown were: 6.5 tons of elephant ivory 2,600 live snakes 22 rhino horns 1.5 tons of shahtoosh (made from the hair of an estimated 10,000 Tibetan antelopes) 10 tiger hides 324 helmeted hornbill beaks And other wildlife products   In addition to the seizure of these items, more than 100 suspects were apprehended. The work was done by 100,000 law enforcement officials from Asia and Africa in an effort to target poachers. However, that’s only half the job. This multinational effort will also begin to target Chinese buyers as well. A big step forward for China This wasn’t just a big step forward for the fight against illegal wildlife trade; it was a big step for China. COBRA marked the first time China took ...

Humane Society Urges Texas to Say ‘No’ to Shark Fins

shark fins

Shark fins may become an illegal commodity in the Texas if a recently proposed bill becomes law. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) expressed its approval of Bill 852 (H.B.852), which was sponsored by state Representative Eddie Lucio and Senator Larry TaylorHouse, in a February 15 statement. If the legislation does pass, Texas will join California, Hawaii and a handful of other states to ban shark fins from the market. “HB 852 and SB 572 will put the state of Texas in line with other coastal states in our nation by eliminating the market for shark fins here, and will end our state’s involvement in the highly destructive global shark fin trade,” said Katie Jarl, Texas state director for The HSUS, in the statement. “The Humane Society of the United States is thankful for Rep. Lucio’s and Sen. Taylor’s leadership on this important issue.” How Sharks Lose Their Fins Wasteful and ...

2013 is the Year of the Snake – Do Those Born This Year Resemble Serpents?

year of the snake

According to the Chinese calendar, 2013 is the year of the snake. The Chinese zodiac revolves on a twelve year cycle. So, previous years of the snake include 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917 and 1905. All of the symbols of the Chinese zodiac system are animals. It is believed that people born in a specific year will take on some traits of those animals. Do people born in the year of the snake really resemble serpents? Snake people are said to be charming, popular and recognition-seeking. They love to be at the center of attention. In the case of the animal, most snakes live solitary lives. Some snakes, such as rattlesnakes, do form groups, particularly during hibernation periods. Females are definitely charming and popular though. Many snake species, including common garter snakes and gigantic anacondas, form mating balls around receptive females. Humans tend to find snakes fascinating as ...

2012 State Rankings for Animal Protection Laws

animal protection laws

Each year the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) releases a comprehensive report ranking states (and Washington, D.C.), on how well they deal with animal cruelty, wildlife, farm animals and more. While the overall trend seems to be moving toward stronger laws, the country as a whole still has more work to do in order to get to the level that the Humane Society would consider acceptable. States with stellar animal protection laws It’s interesting to note that looking at a map of the states, in terms of animal protection laws, is a lot like looking at a map of the country during a presidential election (note: in the image linked above, the darker the state, the more animal-friendly the laws). The coastal states, for the most part, are the states that demonstrate the strongest animal protection laws. Washington (#7), for example, has the strongest law in the country in terms of possessing ...

Considering a Pet Hedgehog? You May Want to Reconsider

pet hedgehog

Some people find pet hedgehogs absolutely adorable. So cute, in fact, they’re adding the small mammals to the list of favorite pets. But with recent findings indicating a link between these prickly critters and a strain of salmonella bacteria it may be best to reconsider the addition to your family. A hedgehog is a small animal known for its prickly, stiff quills. When in nature they often live in hedges (hence the name) and roll up into a ball when they need to defend themselves. Cute without question, more and more people these days are choosing pet hedgehogs instead of a cat or dog. They are native to New Zealand and Europe, though they are commonly seen in the United States as well. Pet Hedgehog Salmonella Outbreaks in Several Cities Since 2011 there has been one death related to hedgehogs and this salmonella bacteria relation. An additional 20 people were affected by the ...

Check Out The Finalists For Westminster’s Best In Show

contenter for best in show

Swagger, a 20 month old Old English Sheepdog, is one of the contenders for the 137th Westminster Kennel Club dog show’s Best in Show title. A late entry to this year’s contest, he has only been in three shows, but has quickly emerged as a crowd favorite. Due to a rule change, dogs that have not won the number of shows required by the American Kennel Club to be deemed champions were allowed to participate this year. This gives Swagger, with his fluffy white and gray cloud of fur, the opportunity to compete. Swagger, a herding dog, won his category’s Best in Group title, and he will compete against six other finalists for the coveted title of Best in Show. The Show The Westminster Kennel Club dog show is an annual, two-day event. Dogs competing in the show number more than 2,700, and they come from all over the world. Each of ...

Looking for a Career Change? Be a Dog Trainer

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be a dog trainer

It doesn’t take thousands of dollars or a 4-year education to become a dog trainer; however, it’s also not as simple as waving a magic wand. Becoming a dog trainer takes commitment, studying, and experience. If you’ve ever wanted to be a dog trainer, here are some things to consider, and programs you might want to pursue. What kind of dog trainer do you want to be? There are various types and styles of dog training, so before you jump into the world of dog training, make sure you’re following a path that best matches your style and expectations. First, the training styles: The most popular dog training styles out there are positive reinforcement and alpha-dog/pack-leader training. TV shows like “Dog Whisperer” and “It’s Me or the Dog” have made both these styles popular and well-known. Positive reinforcement - oftentimes linked to clicker-training, the belief of this method is that by rewarding and shaping ...