Scratchy is now ready for adoption!

Scratchy is now available for adoption! She tested negative for FIV and Feline Leukemia. She was spayed, micro chipped and vaccinated yesterday.

Click the link below to be taken to her petfinder page:
Adopt Scratchy!

I keep finding cats outside!

Last night, as I was going outside to feed some kittens I saw around the dumpster, I got a good view of one of them. It looked to be about 6 months old, based on it's size only, and it was a beautiful Siamese. I know there is also a tabby, possibly two tabbies. I can't tell if I am seeing the same one or not-I haven't seen them together. I am trying to figure out what to do about them. I have 9 cats right now and I cannot bring anymore in until some are adopted. I know time is of the essence, the longer those kittens are outside, the harder they will be to tame.

I have also seen an adult Siamese walking around and meowing for food. It has some kind of temporary collar on, it looks like it is made of plastic or even paper, but there are no tags on it.

City Council Not Quick to Ban Pit Bulls

There was no movement Monday night by the Joplin City Council to ban any particular breeds of dogs to try to reduce aggressive-dog behavior and bites.

Instead, council members informally agreed to look at making changes to the city’s animal-ownership ordinances that would forbid tethering or chaining as a means of securing dogs, require mandatory neutering and spaying, and strictly cite owners for violations of the ordinances.

Members of the Joplin Health Department’s advisory board are to make specific recommendations for council authorization.

The topic of changing the city’s dangerous-dog ordinances drew representatives of several groups: postal workers, the Joplin Humane Society, the Tri-State Kennel Club, veterinarian and health-board member Ben Leavens, and police Chief Lane Roberts.

Read more here...

Treat Your Pets to a Safe Halloween

No Boo! Hoos: Treat Your Pets to a Safe Halloween

That parade of kids, adults—and yes, even pets—in funny outfits is due to arrive at your door next week, bringing all the sweet and scary joys of Halloween! But pet parents, as you carve the jack-o-lanterns and fill those bowls of candy, please be aware that your furry friends may stumble upon dangers you hadn’t thought of.

Warns Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Health Services, which includes the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, “Many of our favorite Halloween traditions could pose a potential threat to our companion animals. As pet parents start to make plans for trick-or-treating or costumes, they should be aware of Halloween-related products and activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.”

The following are just a few precautions you should take:

No Chocolate: Even if your pet has a sweet tooth, ingesting chocolate—especially baker’s and dark chocolate—can be dangerous for dogs and cats, possibly causing vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and even seizures.

No Sweets for the Sweet: Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures.

Dangerous Décor: Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

Don’t Play with Fire: Keep your pets away from jack-o-lanterns with lit candles inside—knocking the pumpkin over can easily cause a fire. And curious kittens can get burned or singed by candle flames.

Costume Caution: Please don't put your pet in a costume unless you know that he or she loves it. Costumes can cause skin irritations, obstruct a pet’s vision or impede his breathing.

For more information on having a safe Halloween with your pets, please visit our complete list of Halloween Safety Tips. And if your pet accidentally ingests potentially harmful products, immediately consult your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Source: ASCPA

Recall of SPECIAL KITTY Gourmet dry food sold at Wal-Mart in 15 states 10.27.08

Mars Petcare US today announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of bags of SPECIAL KITTY Gourmet Blend dry cat food sold at Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled following a positive test result indicating a potential contamination with Salmonella.

This product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should dispose of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

There have been no complaints or reports of illness resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product.

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit visit www.petcare.mars.com.

Product: SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend Dry Cat Food
Best If Used By Date: AUG 11 09
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Production Lot Code: 50 XXXX X (Found on back of bag just after "Best If Used By" date. Consumers should look for "50" as the first two digits of the second line.)

For more information, visit their website.

Formerly chained dog, Roscoe, needs a home in Indiana.

Roscoe, is a sweet three year old purebred German Shepherd. He is neutered, UTD on vacs and heartworm negative. He was recently rescued from life on a chain and is looking for a forever home to call his own. Roscoe hates cats but likes everyone else. He seems to have an issue with male dogs larger than himself. We think this may be because he is so little and skinny ( only weighing in at 57 lbs ) that at this point he feels intimidated by their strength and eagerness to play with him. He should weigh at least 90-100 lbs.

If you have room in your heart and home for Roscoe, please contact: chainfreeindiana@yahoo.com

Do see more formerly chained dogs who need forever homes click here!

Abandoned chihuahuas crowd Santa Barbara shelters

Chloe, the preening four-legged princess in the film "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," might want to take note. In this economy, even pampered pets from better addresses can quickly become Little Orphan Annies. Times staff writer Catherine Saillant reports:

In Santa Barbara County, three rescue shelters are housing a veritable glut of abandoned Chihuahuas. So many, in fact, that shelter managers are concluding a weeklong "Adopt-a-Chihuahua" campaign.

More than 100 of the high-energy pets went up for adoption Saturday. Though there's been a flurry of interest, more than 75 of the animals are still waiting for homes, said Animal Services Director Jan Glick.

Most were brought to county animal shelters as strays or were dropped off by owners who are moving or who can no longer afford to keep them, Glick said. High rents, rampant foreclosures and rising costs of pet food and veterinary care have dampened the popularity of the once-hip pooch, shelter operators say.

"People find they can't afford to feed them, or they lose their homes and they have to give up their animals," Glick said.

Read more here...

Personally, I think people are full of it. I don't care what happens, I am keeping my cats. There is no way I would bring them to a shelter to be killed! I could never give up my pets. I have had them for almost 10 years. I think it is just such a cop out when people say they are moving and can't take their pets. Why can't you take them? Because you are an idiot and didn't find housing that allows for pets? Tell the truth, tell us you have no compassion and are choosing to kill your pet instead of taking it with you and that you might get another animal in a few months or so. You are living in a dream world if you really think your adult cat or dog will get a home. People like this get my blood boiling!

These are the irresponsible a-holes who cause animals to be killed. They are ignorant about spaying and neutering and keeping their animals inside where it is safe. So, their cat is an indoor-outdoor cat, gets hit by a car and they go adopt a kitten from the shelter. The cycle continues...or god forbid they see a "free kittens" sign! I just want to rip people's heads off when I see signs like that. There is NO EXCUSE for not having your pet spayed or neutered. If you got off your lazy butts and looked online, you could find a low cost clinic or save the money you would use for those lattes at starbucks everyday and have enough to get your cat fixed at the end of the month.

Don't have pets if you can't be responsible!

Formerly chained dog, Donte, needs immediate foster/adoption in North Carolina.

I came from a life of living chained 24/7 in a fenced yard. I know what you’re thinking, why chained when the yard is fenced? I wondered the same thing – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

My next-door dog neighbor was fortunate enough to have a group called “Dogs Deserve Better” put up a fence for him so he could live his life unchained. While they were working on this, they noticed me in the next yard over. They asked my neighbors owner about me and she explained how I had to live, along with being hit in the face and head whenever I tried to greet my owners when they would come outside.

The representative for Dogs Deserve Better took a closer look at me and noticed evidence on my neck above my very tight chain of a previous embedded chain or collar, as well as an injury on my back leg that was caused by my chain getting wrapped up around my ankle.

She talked with my owners and was able to convince them to turn me over to her to find me another home. So my 2 new caring friends from DDB picked me up, took me to get all my shots, and I tested negative for heartworms. They will be taking me to get neutered soon.

They are now paying to keep me at a boarding kennel until they can find me the happy home that I deserve. I do have a lot of energy from being chained up for so long so I would really like to have a large area to run and play in. I am a little leery of hands coming toward my face and head because I only know of human hands hurting me when doing this. My new human friends come by to visit me often and spend time playing with me. They are helping me to learn that now the hands approaching me are good hands and they don’t hurt. I really like these human hands, as they are showing me that there are caring people out there and that I am loved.

I seem to do well with my dog neighbors at the kennel. I’m not sure about cats because I have never been given the chance to meet any. I really am a good boy, my new friends will agree. I am looking forward to settling down in a new, happy, and loving home, free from chains. If you think you can provide this for me, please contact my friends Shari or Wendy. Here are their numbers:

Shari Strader 336-207-8796 e-mail sdstray40@yahoo.com Wendy Wilson 336-749-5473

Vote for the Parkville Animal Shelter!

Vote here!

* 1st Prize -- $10,000
* 2nd Prize -- $3,000
* 3rd Prize-- $1,000
* 4th and 5th Prizes -- $500 each

Over 7 million adoptable dogs and cats are put to sleep each year due to overpopulation. Through this contest Care2.com will reward shelters and rescue groups who work tirelessly to care for homeless animals, and raise awareness about the importance of supporting pet adoptions and taking action to save animals’ lives.

Ends November 1

Vote here!

Annabelle was picked up today!

Annabelle was unofficially adopted on Thursday. No money exchanged hands yet so I didn't feel as sure about her adoption as I would have if they would have paid. I wasn't able to do the contract myself so they waited to pay until today when there were two people there that could sign off on the adoption (which is required for every adoption).

So, she was picked up today and is starting her new life in her forever home!

Chained puppy dies of neglect-Sentencing Oct. 28

The Ohio woman whose German shepherd puppy died with a temperature of 106 degrees after being on a tangled chain in sweltering heat has been found guilty of animal abuse and child endangering.

Jody L. Seabolt, 48, of South Lakeview Ave., entered pleas of no contest Wednesday [Sept 3, 2008] in municipal court to the two charges. A second count of child endangering was dismissed in a plea agreement.

Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. found Seabolt guilty, ordered a background investigation and set sentencing for Oct. 28. She faces up to nine months in jail.

After court, Seabolt had no comment.

Three of her neighbors who attended Wednesday's court hearing said they hope she is punished with the maximum time in jail.

"He was cooked alive with a temperature of 106," Detective Sgt. John Perdue said in June as he signed charges against the dog's owner. "I had half the neighborhood in my office signing complaints."

The normal temperature for a healthy dog can range from 99 to 102 degrees.

When arrested in June, Seabolt lived in a house she rented at 118 S. Portland Ave. The endangering charges related to what Patrolman Sam Mosca described as the squalid and unsafe conditions he found inside Seabolt'shome.

The children, Seabolt's 8-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter, were taken by agents from Mahoning County Children Services Board and placed temporarily with an aunt, reports show. Mosca said in his report the children were home when they should have been in school and records showed they'd been absent from school a lot.

Seabolt told The Vindicator in June she was at work when her dog was removed by neighbors and taken to a vet. She denied mistreatment of the animal, saying he had food and water but added that he sometimes would knock the dishes over.

Fresh Steps Litter Box Wipes Review

I was at a store one day buying cat supplies and happened to see something interesting. Litter box wipes! Why hadn't I seen these before? No more cleaning and hosing them out in the backyard and letting them dry in the sun. All I would have to do now is use these specially developed wipes to clean them.

Unfortunantely, I have found that generic baby wipes are better.  The baby wipes are thicker and much cheaper.  I bought the baby wipes for 40 for 96 cents!  The special litter box wipes were $3.48 for 35.  I would buy the baby wipes instead.  The baby wipes are just as effective in removing the dried urine and/or feces.  

Need behavior advice for your doggie? Chat With an Expert Today! Noon to 2:00 PM EST

No one loves your dog more than you do, and that’s why you’re tuned into his every—shall we say—idiosyncrasy. If you’d like some insight into why your pooch behaves the way he does, please join Trish McMillan, ASPCA Director, Animal Behavior, for a live discussion on the ASPCA Online Community. She’ll be available today from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST to give advice on how to better understand and communicate with your canine. For inspiration on what to ask, check out last year’s behavior chat with Trish.

Annabelle was adopted!

Annabelle was adopted today! She will be picked up on Saturday, she still needs her rabies shot, which she is getting tomorrow.

Vote for the Parkville Animal Shelter!

Vote here!

* 1st Prize -- $10,000
* 2nd Prize -- $3,000
* 3rd Prize-- $1,000
* 4th and 5th Prizes -- $500 each

Over 7 million adoptable dogs and cats are put to sleep each year due to overpopulation. Through this contest Care2.com will reward shelters and rescue groups who work tirelessly to care for homeless animals, and raise awareness about the importance of supporting pet adoptions and taking action to save animals’ lives.

Vote here!

Small-dog rescue needs supplies in Tennessee-can you help them out?

Small-dog rescue needs supplies

Second Chance & Happy Tails, a small-dog rescue and retirement home, is in need of dry and canned Pedigree, Iams and Iams puppy dog food and monetary donations for veterinary care. The shelter also is in need of dental bones, biscuits, small collars, cleaning supplies, grooming tools, dog bedding, blankets and toys. In addition, the shelter is collecting the weight circle proof-of-purchase symbols from all Purina dry dog food bags to exchange for veterinarian visits or dog food.

Mail circles or donations to: 513 Yvonne Drive, Clarksville, TN 37042

Contact: Inge Irby, 503-8300, 1PawUp@bellsouth.net or visit www.secondchancehappytails.petfinder.org.

Chow Mix Needs Rescued in Hiawatha KS

This sweet boy named Snoopy has been through a lot in the last few months. He lived chained outside for over two years, then his "owners" moved and didn't want to bring him with them. He ended up at a local shelter. Apparently, he was sprayed with a hose by the shelter manager on numerous occasions for an unknown reason.

He is now living outside at a home where there are 20 other dogs. A shelter worker brought him home to prevent him from being killed. He is not being taken care of as well as he should be. Although the woman's heart is in the right place, she can't really give them all the time they deserve.

Snoopy has a small area at the front of her house that is fenced in doesn't really have a shelter to speak of from the rain etc... there is a partial porch that is really dilapidated that he can get under if need be. She leaves early in the morning to come into work and then doesn't get home til later in the evening.

It's going to get really cold soon and we are trying to get into a home.

Do you have room in your heart and home for this sweet boy?
If so, contact these people:
Marie Belanger 765.517.1532 e-mail chainsoff@sbcglobal.net
Stacy Reeves 913.208.0727 e-mail dogsdeservebetterkc@gmail.com

Charlie was adopted and now I have one of his siblings!

Charlie was adopted this weekend. Many people called about him but only a few showed up. I now have one of his siblings here, we call her Jewel. She is just as cute as he is. So, hopefully, this week she will get fixed and I can bring her to adoptions.

Do you have some extra love?

FOPAS Volunteers & Community Friends Needed to Save our Strays!

Due to the change in seasons and current economic conditions, FOPAS is in desperate need of foster homes for our cats and dogs. With limited space available at the shelter, without your help we will need to turn animals away. Your support will save lives!

What is a foster home? FOPAS provides food and medical while the foster family provides love and an indoor home until the cat or dog finds a forever family. Long and short term commitments are available. We ask that you transport the animal to Saturday adoptions and/or be available to meet a FOPAS volunteer with the potential adoptive family evenings or weekends.

Fostering is a rewarding experience and helps us know more about an animal's behavior so we can match with the best possible home.

If you are interested, please contact Leslie at friendsofparkville@hotmail.com. Thank you in advance for your friendship and support!

Vote for the Parkville Animal Shelter!

Click on the purple button at The Animal Rescue Site and
give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary
--at no cost to you. Then vote for your favorite shelter for a chance to win $1000!
www.theanimalrescuesite.com

Thank you so much for voting!! :) The animals thank you too!

Eight cats beaten, throats cut, thrown in dumpster by South Carolina College Student, Christopher Joel Campbell.

A Summerville college student, in Berkeley County, South Carolina has been charged with animal cruelty after he was accused of beating two cats and slitting the throats of six kittens. A witness told authorities he had given the cats to Campbell a day earlier.

Eighteen-year-old Christopher Joel Campbell is accused of leaving all the animals to die in a trash bin in back of a church.

Campbell was also charged with harassment in a separate case after allegedly sending his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend an e-mail that included a threat to her life.

Workers discovered the cats behind the Peace Presbyterian Church on September Seventh. The affidavit says three of the felines were alive when they were found but had to be euthanized because of their injuries.

Updates:
He admitted to killing eight cats - slitting the throats of six kittens and bashing in the skulls of two adult felines.

During his court appearance on Wednesday, Joel Campbell also owned up to making threats against his ex-girlfriend.

The 19-year-old's plea in General Sessions Court left a judge with a crucial decision: Was this a young man who made bad decisions, as his attorney claimed? Or was he a dangerous person with the capacity of inflicting monstrous cruelty, as animal-rights activists and his former girlfriend's family maintained?

In the end the judge showed some leniency, handing down a sentence that means Campbell will be monitored for years to come but could be out of jail in as little as 90 days if he successfully completes the state's Shock Incarceration Program.

Goose Creek police arrested Campbell, a Summerville resident, in October 2007 after being called to Peace

Presbyterian Church on Londonderry Road. Four cats were dead inside a dumpster behind the church, while four others were barely alive. All were later euthanized.

In addition to eight counts of ill-treatment of animals, Campbell faced a harassment charge stemming from threatening telephone calls and profanity-laced e-mails directed at his ex-girlfriend, then 15.

Statements before sentencing generated two vastly different portraits.

Campbell's attorney, G.W. Parker, spoke of his above-average intelligence, his supportive family and his involvement at Ridge Baptist Church.

Jennifer Conlon, the ex-girlfriend's mother, enumerated the horrors her family had observed during nine months they knew Campbell: squirrels killed by the dozens, ducks driven over with a pickup, a cat killed with a shotgun.

Campbell told her family of years of abuse, a stark contrast from the loving family he described in court.

"That's not the person who was up there today," Conlon said. "His true character is going to come out again."

The defense attorney said the cats had been living in a neighbor's shed. Campbell agreed to get rid of them, but killed them instead of taking them to a shelter, he said.

"He made a poor decision," Parker said. "I don't believe it was done out of some deep-seated psychological need to inflict cruelty on animals."

Animal-welfare advocates called it one of the worst cases they have seen. Two gave statements in court.

After 52 days in jail, Campbell moved to his grandparents' home in Kingstree and devoted time to officiating youth sports.

After weighing both sides, Circuit Judge Markley Dennis imposed a sentence not to exceed five years in the state's Youthful Offender program on one ill-treatment charge. That included 90 days of boot-camp-style shock incarceration, followed by supervised monitoring.

On a second charge, Dennis handed down five more years of probation to take effect after the Youthful Offender program.

Campbell received credit for 30 days served on the harassment charge and credit for 180 days on the other ill-treatment counts.

Ninth Circuit Deputy Solicitor Bryan Alfaro prosecuted the case. Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said her office made no plea deal.

"This troubled young man intentionally committed horrific acts of animal abuse towards eight defenseless creatures," Wilson said in a statement.

Campbell's parents said he loved the outdoors and aspired to work for the state's Department of Natural Resources.

"We don't want to condone his actions," said his father, Joe Campbell, after court. "But we believe that Joel deserves a second chance."

Visit pet-abuse.com for more on this story.

Charlie has tapeworms!

We have recieved a lot of calls on Charlie after he was put on petfinder.com. I saw yesterday that he has tapeworms! So, he may be adopted tomorrow but I think he might be staying with me until these tapeworms are gone.

When he first got here, he was pretty nervous around us, especially when we were walking around. So, we put him in a cage and gave him a few days to get used to all the normal noises of a household, the dishwasher, the tv, the washer, etc. He is much better and has stopped hiding behind the couch. He comes out and runs around with the other kittens. He lets us walk up to him and pet him now. He used to run away when we walked up to him. He purrs a lot more, too. He is definitely a cutie!

Low cost vaccines in Florida, 10.18 & 10.25

Veterinarian David R. Malone Jr. and M-III Veterinary Services will conduct two low-cost pet-vaccine clinics for dogs, cats and horses:

Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Astor Public Library, 54905 Alco Road. Details: 352-759-9913.

Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Hendrix Feed & Fence Store, 35042 County Road 437, Eustis. Details: 352-589-6393.

Rabies shots are $8.50 for cats and dogs and $15 for horses. All other vaccines will be offered at discounted prices. Flea, tick and heartworm prevention also will be offered. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. Details: 352-314-3838.

Our newest addition-Artie!

This is Artie's story:

My boyfriend and I were walking up the stairs to our apartment and heard some meowing. This dirty but friendly cat was following us and meowing at us. He came inside with us and got some dinner and rest. He went to the vet the next day. He was tested for FIV and Feline Leukemia and was negative.

He started to have diarrhea and was put on medication. After about a week he was still having problems but was well enough to be adopted. He was adopted. A week later, an adoption counselor called to see how Artie was doing. His new "parents" said he was sleeping a lot and not as active as he was when they brought him home.

The adoption counselor told them he needed to be seen by a vet. They said they did not want to take him to the vet. She then said, either take him to the vet or bring him back to the shelter. They brought him back and I took him to the emergency vet. I happened to be cleaning at the shelter that day. At the vet he had 104.8 fever! He was very sick. His temperature should have been around 101.5 degrees.

So, I nursed him back to health and he got better. After a couple of days, I was entertaining the thought of adopting him.

After many days of introducing him to my other cats and testing the waters, we decided to keep him. He has been a pleasant addition to our family!

Oprah to talk about Factory Farming today!

Do you ever wonder what "cage-free" or "free range" on the label really means? Lisa Ling gets a rare look inside some of America's farms to see firsthand how the animals we eat live before they end up on our tables. From chicken farms to pig farms, Lisa visits several very different farming operations to show us how some animals are cared for. Then, people from both sides of the issue share their views on how they think we treat the animals we eat. Where does our food come from?

Click here to find out what time she is on in your area!

Check out the Humane Factory Farming Association's website if you can't wait for her show.

Charlie and Annabelle got fixed today!

Annabelle was scheduled to get fixed today but Charlie was not. Charlie was a cryptorchid, meaning that his testicles had not descended. Last week the vet said he could not be neutered due to this. Today I brought him to the vet to get combo tested and microchipped while Annabelle was going to be combo tested, microchipped and spayed. They decided to re-check him and they found that they had descended! Now, he can go to adoptions this weekend. They were both combo tested for FIV and Feline Leukemia. They are both negative for both diseases. Yay!

So, I have four kittens that will be going to adoptions this weekend. I am not sure if I have blogged about where I got Charlie and Annabelle but I got them off freecycle. I saw someone had them listed and said that I could take them if nobody wanted them. So, now, I have them.

If you'd like to see these kitties or adopt them check out their petfinder pages:
Charlie
Ramses
Checkers
Annabelle

Checkers and Ramses got fixed!

Checkers and Ramses got fixed on Friday and went to adoptions on Saturday. Ramses was okay at adoptions but Checkers should have stayed home. She was probably not feeling her best and she is shy anyway. She was so scared, she was put back into her carrier and was covered with a blanket. I was helping with adoptions at the shelter while my kittens were at the adoptions at Petsmart. Next time I have a female fixed, I will give her more time to recover.

Checkers has worms!

Checkers vomited a few days ago and I recognized the characteristics of worms. It was a brown color and looked like silt. The next day, sure enough, more vomit but this time with worms in it! She has roundworms. I gave her some medication and I will follow up with another dose in a few weeks.

7 year old breaks into zoo and feeds animals to a crocodile and kills large lizards with a rock.

The Associated Press

SYDNEY, Australia – A 7-year-old boy broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock, the zoo's director said Friday.

RAMPAGE

The 30-minute rampage, caught on the zoo's security camera, happened early Wednesday at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre in central Australia.

KILLING SPREE

Three lizards were bashed to death with a rock, including the zoo's beloved, 20-year-old goanna, which was fed, along with several other live animals, to "Terry," an 11-foot, 440-pound saltwater crocodile.

EMOTIONLESS

In the footage, the boy's face remains largely blank, zoo director Rex Neindorf said: "It was like he was playing a game."

NO CHARGES

Police say they can't charge the boy because he's under 10, but Mr. Neindorf said he plans to sue the boy's parents for the $5,500 value of the animals killed.

I cannot believe the police say they cannot charge him. What if he killed a person? Could they not charge him then? I think this sounds like a cop-out, pardon the pun. This is a seven year old boy, who broke into a zoo and not only killed animals, but did it in a very disturbing way.

Who else thinks this is something that is so serious that they must charge this boy? He needs psychological help.

When you move-take your pets!!!!

When you move-TAKE YOUR PETS!!! (yes, I am yelling!)

I participate in a freecycle group in my area. In the last week or so, I have seen that many animals are being offered to others for free, hence the freecycle group, and possibly without a thorough check on the person. One of which was a "beloved" dog who they have to "get rid of" (I HATE that phrase!) because they are moving.

There is absolutely no freaking reason to not bring your pets with you. It is a cop out. You just don't want to deal with the hassle of bringing them with you. My pets will always live with me until they pass. I have had them for 9 years and I will have them until the end.

There is no excuse for this. Pets are not disposable! There are ways to find housing that accepts pets for those who are renting and apartment, condo, etc. If you are buying your house, you can certainly have pets. I understand that it is a hassle to bring your pet with you if you are moving a long distance. You have to stop every so often to let them out to go to the bathroom and let them move around. Pet owners that truly love their animals and believe that animals are worthy of living would not think for a second of not taking their animals with them. My animals are like my children. I would never put my child up for adoption simply because I am moving.

Many people bring these animals to a shelter-and they are KILLED! Could you imagine bringing your sweet cat or dog to a shelter where they are scared to death? They are whisked from their soft, warm bed and familiar surroundings and "loving" people and are taken somewhere that is cold and unfamiliar. There are strangers there feeding them a different food and never getting out in the fresh air, not getting taken for walks. Then one day, someone comes in to your cage or run and takes you to a room where they have to forcibly hold you down to kill you. What would your last thought be?

What did I do wrong and why are my "parents" letting them kill me?

This happens everyday in every city.

It is a damn shame that our society is so shallow that they are willing to "get rid" of their animals to make their lives easier.

When puppies and kittens are killed at shelters, older animals have NO CHANCE of getting adopted.

KEEP YOUR PETS FOR LIFE!