Kroger announces pet food recall

Kroger has announced a recall of some of its cat and dog food because it may contain aflatoxin, a toxic chemical byproduct that could be harmful.

Click on this link to an article on cnn.com.

The horrors of Halloween shouldn't include pet danger

You know what tomorrow is.

Boo!

Did I scare you?

Well, it's Halloween. Duh. And that means doorbells will be ringing and trick-or-treaters will be wanting candy.

Remember that the amount of commotion surrounding the festivities might be a little stressful for Fluffy or Fido, and that constantly opening door could be dangerous.

Here are some tips to get through Halloween from the American Humane Society.

Then there are the other problems they face. If pets are not secured and they get out, it can be a particularly scary time, and they may run off and really get lost. Please be sure that your pet always has an ID tag and collar (or a microchip, which is permanent), even if they are always inside.

Candy is so bad for pets, particularly chocolate, so be sure to keep it out of reach and remind the kids how dangerous it would be for pets to eat their stash if it is not carefully stowed away. Also, some people play pranks on their neighbors, so be sure your pets are safely inside your house or secure in your barn. Cats can be particularly vulnerable around Halloween.

And while candles add that perfect spooky effect, make sure they can't be knocked over.

So have fun and don't eat too much candy.

Should dogs have access to street festivals?

The recent shooting of a dog at a District of Columbia neighborhood street fair has people rethinking whether pooches are welcome guests at outdoor events.


Read the story by Washington Post staff writer Steve Hendrix.

When a police officer shot a dog he judged to be a threat at a street fair in Adams Morgan last week, the incident reopened a long-standing divide between dog owners who see no problem in taking their pets just about anywhere in public and those who plead, "Leave the pooch at home."

At the H Street Festival in the District last weekend, Mauro Farinelli serenely walked his dog into a crowd—and a controversy. Farinelli and his pit bull mix, Doug, strolled through a multitude of legs, food carts and dozens of other dogs. Doug never so much as growled, Farinelli said.

"Just a lot of sniffing—that's the basset in him," Farinelli, 39, said. He is quick to make clear that Doug is an obedience school graduate that has never been any trouble on their frequent outings to festivals, parks and shopping zones. "He's really good in crowds. He's really good with kids. Unless they actually forbid dogs, I don't see any reason not to take him wherever I'm going." 

The article points out, correctly, that many of the festival venues have elements that could put people and the dogs at risk: low hanging edibles and strollers with toddlers come to mind.

And let's face it, sometimes people Just. Don't. Pay. Attention. That's when the dog—and then its owner—can get into trouble.

I think it would be a shame if there were an outright ban on dogs at public events, but I also think it should be taken on a case by case basis. Wide open spaces? OK for dogs. Tight, overly crowded? Maybe not so much.

What do you think?

Colorado fire victims include pets

People who were forced to evacuate their homes because of the 740-acre wildfire west of Loveland, Colo., dropped their animals off at the Larimer Humane Society shelter.

Read the entire story by Kevin Duggan for the Loveland Connection, part of the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

There are six cats and one dog now staying temporarily at the shelter.

The pet owners stayed with friends or at motels while awaiting permission to return home. Although the evacuation order was lifted Wednesday, only two cats and a dog in protective custody at the shelter were immediately picked up.

Shelter manager Jenny Gaukel said having the extra animals was not a burden on staff members, although some of the pets had special dietary needs. Volunteers gave the animals attention as they waited to be reunited with their families.

Gaukel said the owners have enough to worry about without having to be concerned for the care and feeding of their pets.

It's another opportunity to remind everyone that you should not only have a disaster plan for you and your family, but also for your pets.

Here's a recent blog entry on preparing for hurricane season.

Hurricane season continues; are you prepared?

From my sister Patch site — Middletown Patch — comes a good reminder of safety tips during hurricane season.

Middletown is in Rhode Island, so there's good reason to be worried and cautious during this time of year.

Perhaps the most important recommendation is to not wait until the last minute to make plans. If an evacuation is required, it is important that you take pets with you, as storm damaged homes can give pets the opportunity to escape homes, suffer injury, or become lost.

Read author Sarah Fernandez's entire article here.

She goes on to say one thing to think about is before an emergency is researching hotels and motels in advance to see what their pet policies are.

Another is to have enough food and water for each pet for at least a week as well as making sure the pets have tags

Heat still a problem for pets around the country

From MissionLoc@l comes an article by Gregory Thomas about how rising temperatures are affecting San Franciso's pet population.

Read the entire article here.

Dog owners in San Francisco are again contending with high temperatures, and SPCA veterinarians warn that some animals have to be watched more closely than others.

“Dogs, like people, need to acclimate to weather,” said Jennifer Scarlett, a veterinarian and interim co-president at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

SPCA vets said labs keep playing no matter what, Pomeranians can get collapsed windpipes from heavy panting and short-snouted dogs like French bulldogs and pugs are extremely susceptible to heat exhaustion.

And of course, we know how stupid it is to leave animals in cars on hot days. San Francisco's Animal Care and Control spokeswoman Deb Campbell said owners who leave an animal in a car in 80-degree-plus weather can be charged with a felony.

To which I say, "Good."

Even as summer winds down, or so it seems here in upstate New York, here are some good tips on summer safety for pets from the San Francisco SPCA.

Earl is headed our direction

From the Halifax, Nova Scotia, News comes a good primer on taking precautions to prepare for Hurricane Earl.

Read the article here.

The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says, while Earl has been downgraded from a category 4 hurricane to a 3, it is still important to get pets inside and keep them calm.

Precautions include the following:

1. Ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date and that records are handy.

2. Keeping a collar with license and identification on your pet.

3. Preparing a special kit for your pet that includes a leash, carrying case, food, water, bowls, toys, medications and any special instructions for the care of your pet.

4. Put a sign on your door that indicates how many pets live at your residence in the event that you must leave your home.

Good advice. Everyone stay safe.