I was at a charity dog walk this weekend at Rochester Institute of Technology and one of the groups that would be benefiting from the walk proceeds (in addition to Rescue Pit, the pit bull group I work with) was a kitten rescue group called Kitten Korner. Co-founder Laraine VanBlarcom had some kittens with her, what she called "bottle babies".So tiny!!Laraine explained that the one day old kittens had been found by a homeowner, who found them in an unsafe place and moved them for safety. … [Read more...]
Kitty endures a cycle in the washing machine and lives to meow about it
January 29, 2013 by 191 Comments
They say cats have nine lives. If it's really true, Natasha the kitty used one on an adventure in the washing machine. She survived an entire wash cycle, and came out fluffier in the process.Natasha, a six-month-old Siberian Forest kitten, has always been curious about the washing machine, her owner Daryl Humdy told Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI). He didn't think being curious about the washing machine meant the cat would ever get into the washing machine. But one day last year, Daryl's … [Read more...]
Vote for the most unusual pet insurance claim in the 2012 VPI Hambone Awards
September 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. is getting ready to award the 2012 Annual Hambone Award, and you get to pick the winner!Named after a dog that ate an entire Thanksgiving ham while stuck in a refrigerator, the VPI Hambone Award has since been presented for three equally unusual claims. Past winners include Ellie, a Labrador retriever who gobbled up an entire beehive and its thousands of inhabitants; Lulu, a hungry bulldog who swallowed 15 baby pacifiers, a bottle cap and piece of a basketball; … [Read more...]
Summer Top 10 Reading List – dogs, dogs and a little mystery
June 5, 2012 by 194 Comments
As summer nears, we bloggers here at Patheos have been asked to share our summer reading lists. Let me tell you, when you're talking about books, you're talking about my biggest love.I try to average a book a week every year; sometimes I make it. Sometimes I don't. But I always have several dozen books next to my bed, either in various stages of reading or in the "to read" pile. And I'm always adding more.So let me whittle my bedside pile down to a few books I'd love to read this summer, … [Read more...]
Pet foods recalled due to Salmonella outbreak at Diamond Pet Foods
May 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment
It's been a busy day here at The Funny Farm as I've been trying to keep up with the recalls of dog (and now cat) foods associated with Diamond Pet Foods.It started last month when the company recalled their dry Lamb Meal and Rice formula after a bag tested positive for Salmonella.Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food and Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food also tested positive. Other recalls soon followed as a precaution.Right now, the pet food recall i … [Read more...]
Hollywood plays host to the 26th Annual Genesis Awards, Saturday March 24, 2012 (Updated with winners)
March 23, 2012 by 385 Comments
Tomorrow night, the Humane Society of the United States and Hollywood will honor the major news and entertainment media who over the last year have produced "outstanding works that raise public awareness about animal issues" with the 26th Annual Genesis Awards.The list of nominees includes (full list at the end) features films like "Dolphin Tale," "Rio," "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," and "War Horse" as well as talk shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show."Dancing With The Stars" judge Ca … [Read more...]
Man ticketed after taking cat for a jog, then tethering it to a rock
March 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Video: Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy explains how to read a cat's body language I've venture a guess that most cat owners don't leash up their kitties and take them out for a walk in the neighborhood. Not that it can't be done. But as a man in Boulder, CO found out this week, if the cat doesn't want to go for a walk, you'd better take him home.According to DailyCamera.com,19-year-old Seth Franco, of Lafayette, CO, went out for a jog in Waneka Lake Park and took his cat with him. When … [Read more...]
Cat and dolphins playing (video)
February 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This video is "an oldie but goodie," as my cat-crazy friend Beth Adams Pitoniak said when someone shared it on her Facebook wall. And I saw it and and decided to share it, too!I was at Theater of the Sea once a very long time ago; I love dolphin shows. But this is even better than any tricks a dolphin can perform. Just goes to show that God's creatures have a lot to teach us about getting along, despite our differences!Watch more cute animal videos! … [Read more...]
State police raid Wyoming County, NY SPCA following charges of animal abuse
February 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Just a week ago we were talking about animal cruelty and puppy mills, and in an ironic twist the New York State Police today raided the Wyoming County SPCA following allegations that "hundred cats were living under inhumane living conditions and funds were being improper handled." Police also raided an adoption center run by the Wyoming County SPCA in the Eastern Hills Mall in Clarence, NY.According to the BuffaloNews.com, Erie County SPCA spokeswoman Gina Browning, who is assisting with the … [Read more...]
American dogs and cats obese; owners don’t see the problem in front of their eyes
February 7, 2012 by 189 Comments
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) has released the results of their fifth annual veterinary survey, which found 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats to be classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarian. That equals 88.4 million pets that are too heavy, according to veterinarians.As with humans, some of the common weight-related conditions in dogs and cats include osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease, and s … [Read more...]
