Frequently Asked Questions

A: The Cat Tracker is a new mapping project that encourages cat owners to put GPS collars on their cats in order to monitor their habits. The information can give new insight into cat behavior, and help conservationists save wildlife. Anyone in the USA, New Zealand, or Australia can participate.  There are at least 95 million pet cats in the USA and millions more feral cats, and ecologists are concerned about their impact on wildlife.  The project will show whether cats in general kill wildlife routinely, or if just some cats engage in this. It can also help show whether cats that do kill and eat during their outdoor adventures have a higher incidence of parasites, and if these parasites are dangerous to humans. The project will also track cats' habits - some have been known to live with more than one household - and how large their areas are. A similar project tracked a cat with a home range of more than 1,300 acres. Does your cat stay close to home, or does he/she roam? In order to participate in the program, the cat must be yours, and it needs to spend time both indoors and outdoors. Naturally, local leash laws must be observed. If you want to learn more about the cat tracker project, click here!

A: As much as we might want them to be, dogs aren't human. Many incidents with dog bites could be avoided if everyone understood that we're different. It's tempting to greet a new dog like a new person or even a child, but not a great idea. Many humans say hello to dogs they don't know by bending over him or her and ruffling the top of the dog's head. This might seem like a great idea to us, but to a dog it's rude and might even be perceived as threatening. Children tend to run up to dogs and try to pet their faces, accidentally poking the dog's eyes, or want to hug the dog. This can cause the most well behaved and kind pooch to growl or even bite. So, what should you do when meeting a new dog? First of all, ask the owner's permission to approach the dog. If he or she says no, accept it and move on. There might be many reasons why it isn't a good time to make a new friend. If the owner says yes, a good way to greet a dog is turning your body sideways, relaxing, and not staring. In doggie language, looking away is polite and staring means a challenge. Give doggie time to become curious and approach you. If the dog comes up to sniff you, it is curious and interested. It might sniff you and pull back, and that means it wants some more space. Many dogs are more comfortable if you crouch down with your side turned to him or her. Remember not to loom over the dog when you switch position between standing and crouching, and don't stare. You want to come across as polite and friendly in doggie language. Let the dog approach at its own pace. If it seems relaxed and comfortable - loose and wiggly body and relaxed eyes, ears and mouth - you can gently touch its side. If that goes well, pet its side. When you withdraw your hand you should be able to see if the dog wants more attention or not.

A: If you pet goes walkabout or is stolen, the chances of getting him or her back increases if the pet is microchipped. However, the chip only works if the registration information is correct. Check the Chip Day is created by AVMA - the American Veterinary Medical Association - and the AAHA - the American Animal Hospital Association. To update your pet's registration you need your pet's microchip number. If you don't already have an account with the manufacturer you need to do that as well, so you can update the information if something changes in the futures. It's particularly important that your phone number and address are correct. Most animal shelters and veterinarians will search a big database updated by the chip's manufacturer. If you have your chip's number, you can try to search it here to see if the information is correct: //www.petmicrochiplookup.org

A: Inhabitants of the small town of Cormorant, Minnesota, recently set out to vote. It was time to elect a new honorary mayor, and everyone could vote for whoever they wanted. Many thought the owner of the store would win, but he didn't even have half as many votes as the victor. Meet Duke, a 7 year-old who is surely the fluffiest mayor in the country. He won a landslide victory and celebrated with an extensive grooming session and a new outfit. He does get paid for the job; a local pet store donated a year's supply of kibble. //youtu.be/pJC--33ohUk

A: Stacey Savige found a lost terrier roaming around the local elementary school, picked it up, and took it home. Her neighbor Yolanda agreed to watch over it for a while. The two did everything to reunite the dog with its owner. They printed up 4,000 fliers that they stuffed in mailboxes, and they put in a Craigslist ad. Yolanda's sons - Azaiah and Christian - loved the dog at once, but she told them it belonged to someone else and would have to go home in not too long. Four days later, RaeLee was still in Yolanda's home, and when she came home from work the little dog flung himself at the screen door and barked like crazy. When she opened the door, he led the way to Christian's room where the boy was in the middle of a violent seizure. Without the dog she would most likely have headed in the other direction. The neurologist said her son would have choked on his own blood and died, but thanks to RaeLee help arrived in time. The next day, the dog's original owner called and came by to pick up his dog, but he was so moved by the story and the boys' attachment to the dog that he let the family keep him.

A: Cats might not be able to talk like humans do, but they do communicate. Unfortunately, we often misunderstand the attempts of communication and think the cat is "bad" or just weird. Here are some instances when kitty might be trying to tell you something. From time to time, cats chow down on strange things, but if your cat eats cardboard, plastic, paper, or something similar and looks at you when he/she starts eating, it's probably a call for attention. When kitty deliberately knocks things on the floor it's not to mess with you or a sign of disliking your decorations. This too means that the cat wants attention - which could mean food. A cat presenting its butt to you might not seem like a good thing, but in cat language this is a huge compliment. It means that you're a trusted friend.

A: Summer is a wonderful time, but can hold some extreme dangers such as hurricanes. Every year, families lose their pets in weather-related emergencies, and while some are reunited, other families search in vain for years. Here are some tips on preparing for emergencies, to make sure everyone is unscathed.  Prepare in advance Make sure all pets are microchipped, and that the information connected to the microchip is correct. Your vet can help you read the chip number, so you can double-check. Put a tag with your contact information on each pet's collar. If you don't already have decals on your windows informing rescue workers that there are pets in the household, this is a good time to put some up. Check your emergency kit If you already have a pet emergency kit, look it over to make sure everything is up to date. If you don't have one, make one, and keep it with your family's emergency kit. Pack things in plastic zip-lock bags. Good ideas for your kit include: At least two weeks' supply of any pet medications. Extra collar with ID-tag for each pet, and sturdy leashes. Photocopies of pet health records, and a recent photo of you and your pets. In case the worst happens and you're separated the photo will help you search, and help you prove that you're the rightful owner. Two week supply of water and food along with bowls. First aid supplies. Many vets have good lists of things you might need. You should at least have bandages, tweezers, tape, scissors, and antibacterial ointment. Crate with bedding and a toy your pet will recognize. This  can help your pet cope with stress and new environments. Poop bags and similar supplies. Have a plan When something happens it usually happens quickly, and it can be difficult to make the right decisions in a stressful situation. The more you prepare in advance, the better your chances of everyone staying together and being okay. Know where to go if you need to evacuate. If you need to leave your home, do everything in your power to bring your pets along. If it isn't safe for you to stay, it isn't safe for them, and animals left behind are often lost, injured, or killed. Check emergency shelters in your area. Many don't allow pets, and you need to find one where everyone is welcome. Make a list of relatives and friends that can shelter you and your pets in case you have to leave the area completely. Also make a list of pet boarding facilities, and keep all these numbers and addresses in your pet emergency kit. If you stay at home during the emergency, keep your pets with you in a safe room. Put them in their carrier or on a leash ahead of time - if there's a tornado you don't have time to dig the cat out from under the sofa. On a leash or in a carrier you can bring your pets quickly, and you have them under control. It can be difficult to stay calm, but do your best to keep your composure. If you're anxious, pets and children will feel it and be anxious too.

A: With recent dips in the economy, more Americans than ever live in multi-family units. While it's possible to make almost any dog happy in an apartment, choosing a breed well-adapted to the lifestyle when getting a new family member can make things easier. Here are some examples of breeds particularly well suited to apartment life.  Scottish Terrier This is a family friendly breed that quickly grows devoted to the family. The dogs often come across as serious and can be aloof when meeting strangers, but they're very loyal and loving towards "their" humans. Daily walks and fun toys generally satisfy their need for activity. Bulldog The average Bulldog loves a good nap on the couch. These dogs are good-natured and loving, and not interested in excessive exercise. They love to snuggle, watch TV, and keep an eye on what might be happening in the kitchen. Be aware that Bulldogs are sensitive to heat, and that they can't swim. Lhasa Apso These dogs have a convenient apartment-friendly size, are affectionate towards the family, suspicious towards strangers, and independent enough to not be needy. A Lhasa Apso tends to adapt their level of activity to that of the family. A daily walk and some play time keeps the dogs happy. Downside? The elegant coat requires a lot of grooming. Pug The Pug is a charming, playful, and affectionate bundle of love. These dogs can adapt to most environments and lifestyles - as long a they get to be a part of the family. As long as your Pug gets to be with you, he or she will likely be happy to chill in the sofa, go for a walk, visit family, or dress up in a costume. Greyhound The Greyhound is often called the 45-mph couch potato, and that describes them very well. An average Greyhound likes to mosey around the block with you, or run all he can for five minutes. When that's done, they like to snuggle up somewhere soft and comfortable. As a bonus, they rarely bark and are easy to groom.

A: August is one of the hottest months of the year, and few things are better on a warm day than some cool ice cream. Many dogs love ice cream just as we do, but it's too sweet and crammed with lactose to be good for them on a daily basis. Luckily, you can make frozen treats for your dogs both quickly and easily. Scoop the batter into ice cube trays for conveniently sized pieces. Once they're frozen you can move them to a freezer bag for storage. Banana - peanut butter ice cream To make banana peanut butter ice cream for your dog, you need: 1 banana 32 ounces of plain or greek yogurt 2 teaspoons of peanut butter 2 pea spoons of honey Mix ingredients in a blender, scoop up, and freeze. Peanut butter - yogurt ice cream Only two ingredients, and super-easy to make. Some peanut butters include lots of added sugar, try to find one with as few additives as possible. 1 cup peanut butter 16 ounces of plain or greek yogurt Microwave the peanut butter for about 1.5 minutes to get it soft. Mix with the yogurt until it's completely blended, scoop up, and freeze.    

A: Dogs aren't usually susceptible to the same viruses that make us sick, and the other way around, but they do get illnesses that are pretty similar to human sickness. This weekend, dog owners in Manhattan were warned about an outbreak of canine influenza. The virus is highly contagious and airborne, so if you're walking your dog in the area and encounter coughing dogs it's wise to stay away. Symptoms usually show up within a week of infection. A mild infection will resemble a kennel cough. The dogs become lethargic, some stop eating, and for some the condition progresses into pneumonia. In severe cases, the dog can die from the infection. Symptoms beside the cough include a runny nose and fever. If you're in the area, keep an extra eye on your doggie. There is a canine influenza vaccine available, and vets recommend this for dogs who will spend time close to other dogs.