U.S. Government Reports on Our Pet Expenditures

On the subject of how much money we spend on our pets, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently published "'Tails' from the Consumer Expenditure Survey" on its website and the Hartford Courant breaks down the information: The average amount each household spent on pets in 2011 was $502. Households tended to spend 1 percent … Continue reading U.S. Government Reports on Our Pet Expenditures

CAA Sends Owner of Lost Pet to ATM, Oops-Killing Dog While Owner is Gone

The long troubled Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge, LA has killed owned pets before under suspicious circumstances.  But even for this disturbing group, the killing of an owned pet named Bow Wow represents a new low. Eighteen year old Bow Wow escaped his yard on May 11, 2013.  His owners, Patrick and Kimberly Morris, … Continue reading CAA Sends Owner of Lost Pet to ATM, Oops-Killing Dog While Owner is Gone

Discussion: Should Corporate Shelter Donations Come with Strings Attached?

The Santa Clara Co Animal Care and Control facility in CA took in roughly 2500 dogs and cats last year.  Since 2008, the shelter has gotten its pet food for free from Hill's (makers of Science Diet) in exchange for pushing the products on its website and to adopters.  The contract is up for renewal … Continue reading Discussion: Should Corporate Shelter Donations Come with Strings Attached?

Science Says Dogs’ Digestive Systems Evolved with Humans

I know the "Dogs do not have the enzymes needed to digest grains!!!!!!!!!111!!!11" camp had to be hatin' this study which found that dogs' digestive systems evolved over time to better allow them to digest starchy food.  Now there's more bad news:  another study has found the same thing: The team then compared corresponding genes … Continue reading Science Says Dogs’ Digestive Systems Evolved with Humans

“Staggering Statistics” Actually Just Felt a Bit Woozy for a Moment, Now Right as Rain

American Humane Association brings the drama: The numbers are sobering: Every year, some 7-8 million animals end up in our nation’s shelters, which struggle valiantly to provide life-saving services to them. Nearly 4 million are euthanized. Now, new research published by American Humane Association indicates that hundreds of thousands of animals who manage to get … Continue reading “Staggering Statistics” Actually Just Felt a Bit Woozy for a Moment, Now Right as Rain