Category: Turtles

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150 Yr. Old Pet Tortoise Butch Missing

Update: Butch is home!

Butch the desert tortoise is missing and it’s feared he was stolen. He has been cared for by two generations of the Carle family of Cupertino, CA and before that he belonged to a third person.  This desert tortoise is a beloved member of the family who hibernates in a toolbox in the couple’s closet and has an independent streak.  The family thinks Butch was taken while Penny Carle was in the hospital.

I grew up with rescued box turtles and I have to agree that they can have personalities.  My parents still have one named Big Momma who is very sweet and is at least 30 yrs. old.

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DIY: Make A Filtering Pet Fountain

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Want a filtered pet fountain, but want to cut costs? Here are great instructions complete with photos on how to make your own filtering pet fountain. It doesn’t look fancy, but I doubt you can beat the price. And it looks a lot easier to clean than store bought fountains.

So, why a filtering water bowl? Cats are instinctively drawn to running water. That’s why so many cats like to drink from the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth. Don’t want your cats licking the faucet where you get your water? A pet fountain will do the job. Kidney failure is pretty common in older cats and moving water is usually a good way to increase their water consumption. Most cats will benefit from increased water consumption.

I think dogs also prefer running water, which is why so many will drink from the toilet if given the chance. A pet fountain will help stop that. Plus, dogs are a lot messier than cats and the filter helps keep a dog’s bowl cleaner. Just like humans are supposed to drink a certain amount of water a day, dogs also benefit from a healthy level of water consumption.

I know a lot of reptiles are also drawn to running water and need a clean water source to maintain good health. When I was a kid, the rescued box turtles we had in our backyard would come running when they sensed the sprinkler was on. So don’t forget your other pets.

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Costco Has Great Price For Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health

merkmanual.jpgWe picked up a copy of The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health for $13.99 at Costco last night. I don’t know if all Costcos have it, but it’s worth checking out. The regular price is $22.95 and Amazon charges $21.95 with shipping.

The book is a very comprehensive guide written by the people who wrote The Merk Veterinary Manual which is the most used vet manual. The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health covers dogs, cats, horses, and, to a lesser degree, birds. There are also sections on exotic pets including:

  • amphibians,
  • chinchillas
  • ferrets
  • fish
  • gerbils
  • guinea pigs
  • hamsters
  • mice
  • prairie dogs
  • potbellied pigs
  • rabbits
  • rats
  • reptiles
  • sugar gliders.

According to the New York Times review, owners of exotic pets also need a book dedicated to the species they own. The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health would give you a good idea of what it takes to keep those exotic animals though.

This is a smart purchase. The book also includes sections on diagnostic tests–what they are and what they’re for, drugs and vaccines, pain management, and has the longest list of zoonoses I’ve ever seen.

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Foreclosure Pets

foreclosurehouse.jpgThe number of animals being surrendered to animal shelters is soaring as the US foreclosure crisis grows—some shelters have 35% more animals now than this time last year. As more and more people lose their homes, 100’s of animals are being surrendered. Even worse are the animals just abandoned without out food or water—sometimes left locked inside homes. It’s often the real estate agents and property inspectors who are finding the abandoned animals in horrible conditions and sometimes already dead.

Another outcome from the surge in foreclosures, is fewer new homeowners. Fewer homeowners means there are fewer pet adoptions taking place across the country. There aren’t enough people to adopt the influx of pets.

Sadly, many people facing foreclosure are waiting until the last minute to make plans and many families are having a hard time finding rentals that allow pets, especially medium and large dogs. It is illegal in most states to abandon your animals not to mention barbaric.

The Philadelphia SCPA is waiving fees for surrendering pets due to foreclosures. And the Salem Animal Rescue League in New Hampshire is looking at providing temporary shelter for pets until their families get back on their feet after a foreclosure.(via therealestatebloggers)

The crisis is widespread enough that the Humane Society of the US and the ASPCA have issued statements urging people facing foreclosure to plan for their pets. The HSUS has good tips on how to protect your pets:

  • Give yourself enough time. If possible, check ads and contact real estate agents and rental agencies at least six weeks before you plan to move or when you first learn that foreclosure and/or eviction may be in your future.
  • Gather proof that you’re responsible. The more documentation you can provide attesting to your conscientiousness as a pet owner, the more convincing your appeal will be to your future landlord. This can include statements from current property managers and neighbors that you maintain your pet responsibly, as well as copies of veterinary records showing ongoing pet care.
  • Get it in writing. Once you have permission from a landlord, manager or condominium committee to have a pet, be sure to get it in writing. Comprehensive agreements protect people, property and the pets themselves.

The HSUS also has tips on lowering the costs of keeping your pets:

  • While buying expensive toys and accessories has become a popular way to demonstrate your attachment to your pet, your pet can be just as happy with less expensive toys or homemade toys. They need your love and attention more than a pricey product. The HSUS has tips for inexpensive toys for both cats and dogs.
  • Keep your pets safe inside or on a leash while walking outside. Animals allowed to roam freely are more prone to accidents and resulting veterinary bills.
  • Let your veterinarian know that finances are tight and ask that he or she prescribe only the most vital vaccinations to keep your pet healthy.
  • Consider pet health insurance to minimize the shock of an expensive bill from the veterinarian in case of an unexpected illness or injury.


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