Choosing Your K9 Pet

"Yeahhhhhh! We're getting a puppy!" These are the sounds echoing through your home when you decide to make an addition to your family. Unless of course, your addition would be another kind of pet, a brother or sister. "Yeah, we're getting a snake," just doesn't sound right. So, we'll stick to "dogs". You probably already know a lot of the following suggestions. But, maybe, you'll run across a couple of new ideas to ponder on.

There are a multitude of responsibilities to consider when becoming a pet owner. It's a decision not to be taken lightly or made on the spur of the moment. First, can you afford it? A happy pet is a healthy pet. So, you must think about a dog bed, crate, monthly parasite tablets, immunization and yearly vet checkups, with booster shots. Not to mention, animal's gets injured and sick, too. There are also the dog collars, leads, food and dog toys.

Adult dog or puppy is usually the next decision. There are benefits and draw backs to both. An adult dog is usually already somewhat trained or housebroken, and out of the stage that he chews the legs off of your furniture. You will also need to adjust to his quirks and personality. As well as, he has to adjust to you. You also know how big he is going to be. A puppy offers a lot of fun times, playing and watching him grow and by the time he is grown, you will know every facet of his personality. Puppies require the three P's - patience, patience and patience! They chew you, your shoes, your kid's toys, and they pee on you, your shoes and your kid's toys. Please, never hit your pet. Your hands should offer food and love, not pain.

If you have children, consider their ages and compatibility with an animal. Very small children can hurt a pet unintentionally. They don't realize that pulling hair, tugging ears and poking eyes are painful. It's not the child's fault. They are just little.

Do you want a mutt or a pedigree? Some people like getting a pedigree because they already know what the dog will look like, the size, amount of shedding, and the basic temperament. Of course, they can be pricey. Others prefer a mutt or a Heinz 57. They are just as adorable and there are so many that need homes. You may want to consider a rescue dog. They have adults and puppies and sometimes even pedigrees. Check with your local Humane Society, Animal Shelter or SPCA. Be sure and get the history of your adopted pet. If it has been abused, it may need some special handling and care for a while. Most of the time, it only takes a short while for an animal to adjust and works out great. If you choose to buy a pedigree, please purchase the puppy from a reputable breeder. The dogs sold in pet stores are usually from a puppy mill. Puppy mills do not produce healthy animals. It is a cruel and inhumane practice. Please do not support them. I guess here would be a good place to add: Please have your pet spayed or neutered. It is a lot cheaper in the long run and afterwards, they are usually healthier and calmer. Too many animals suffer needlessly in bad homes or no homes

The size of your new family member is also important. Do you live in a house with a yard that the dog can exercise in? Or, do you live in apartment and his exercise depends on you taking him for walks? Are you strong enough to handle a large dog? Do you want a lap dog or lay by my feet dog? Do you like a "play all of the time" dog or "I'll play with you when you want to" sort of dog? In others words, don't just run out and get the first cute, furry fellow that wags his tail and licks your hand. This is the hard part, using self-control and waiting to find the perfect pet for you.

How much time do you have to invest with your pet? Training is crucial for your pet's safety and your comfort. The basics, come, sit, stay, and lie down are usually the most important. The other tricks are just plain fun for you and your pet.

Do you mind pet hair? A dog that sheds should probably be brushed or combed daily to minimize the hair in your home. A dog that does not shed can be brushed or combed weekly but need to have their hair cut once every six to eight weeks. If you cannot do it, you will need to have it professionally done and that will be another expense to consider.

Crate training is very popular. It offers your pet his own quarters and safety. If you are not familiar with the method, there are several articles and books on the subject.

As a matter of fact, there are several books and articles on every subject. So, do your homework, search your wants and needs and have a very happy and successful life with your new best friend.

QR Codes and Pet ID Tags - A Replacement for Animal Microchipping?

QR Codes, or "Quick Response" bar codes, are quickly growing in popularity in the United States, showing up on anything from ketchup bottles, restaurant menus, packages of chewing gum, magazine ads, electronic store product pricing cards, and now dog and cat identification tags and collars.

What is a QR Code?

A Quick Response code is a 2-dimensional bar code created by Japanese car manufacturer Toyota back in the late 1990s for tracking automotive parts. Because they are in the public domain, they've been growing in popularity over time in Japan and Europe. Google even provided QR codes to retailers on stickers to place on their store windows showing their online directory listings and ratings. Microsoft also announced its own version of the bar code in the summer of 2010, adding the element of color to add a 3rd dimension thereby allowing a greater amount of data to be encoded and stored within an image.

This brings us to the present day where QR codes are entering the pet industry. The idea is to provide yet another way for people to help get animals home faster and safer than ever before. This is done through the use of the QR code and a would-be rescuer's Smartphone (i.e. an Apple iPhone, Google Android, Microsoft Windows Mobile device, Blackberry, or other camera-equipped, Internet-enabled device). The Good Samaritan scans the tag with their phone and is either presented with static data encoded within that image, or, more commonly, a web address that causes the Smartphone's web browser to launch and navigate to a page showing that pet's profile. The use of a QR code to protect a pet begs the question of how it impacts the use of microchips.

Use of Microchipping

The microchipping industry has been around for decades using a very simple RFID (radio frequency identification) chip that is slightly larger than a grain of rice. These inert, self-contained circuits are embedded beneath the skin of an animal, typically in the loose skin between the shoulder blades or in the neck. An external, hand-held device can scan for that chip and, when detected, read the manufacturer's phone number and unique identifier for that chip. If the owner of the animal has registered the microchip with the chip's manufacturer or a third party microchip tracking database, the person using the scanner can place a phone call to find the owner's contact information.

However, there are challenges faced by this animal protection solution, including:

The animal must be taken somewhere that has a scanner - most veterinarians and animal shelters have hand held scanners and these organizations themselves routinely implant chips into animals to help ensure their safe return either to the shelter or the adoptive "pet parent." But not everyone is willing to take a strange animal, load them into their car, and drive them to find a scanner. Thankfully, some people are willing to do this, but they are the rare heroes and not the norm

No one type of scanner- horror stories abound about how an animal was microchipped only to have the chip go undetected because the veterinarian or shelter had the wrong type of scanner (of which there are four types). Fortunately, newer scanners can seek out the 4 types of microchips to minimize the risk of this happening, but because of their expense not every shelter and vet are equipped

Not all pets are microchipped- the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that only 3-5% of all dogs and cats in the U.S. are microchipped. Reasons for why they aren't chipped include the expense for the implantation procedure, cost of the chip, and annual fees, as well as owner objection to implanting a foreign object into one's companion animal

Information is outdated- a report published by the HSUS also finds that of the 3-5% of animals that are chipped, 58% of the data referenced by those chips is outdated. Phone numbers, addresses, and even owners may have changed, and the records were never updated. In those cases, the animal may as well not have a microchip

Even with these strikes against the microchip, however, the fact remains: microchips work, they won't fall off like a collar could, and they have been proven safe for the majority of pets.

QR Code Pet ID Tags

The power of the QR code is that it's fast, easy, and recognizable. The QR code, etched onto a dog's or cat's identification tag, is currently offered in two forms:

Pet ID Tag- these tags are like any typical tag you'd find that hangs on an animal's existing collar. They can be anodized aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, or even laminated paper. These solutions are currently offered by BarkCode.com, DogIDs.com, PetQRtags.com, and theBetterPetTag.com

Collar Embedded- one company, DogIDs.com, has patented their ScruffTag collar that has the tag incorporated into the collar itself both avoiding the dangling tag and improving safe access to the animal's data by eliminating the need to reach down by an animal's mouth to scan the tag

The biggest selling points of the QR code, when compared to the microchipping solution, include:

Anyone can scan the pet- Over 50% of people with mobile devices in the United States have a phone capable of scanning a QR code. Many Android phones and Microsoft Windows Mobile devices now come with the scanning software already installed. For iPhone users, the scanning software is widely available from 3rd party software publishers (in most cases free of charge)

Common format- any QR code reader can scan the pet ID tags (unlike the microchip that has 4 different formats and therefore 4 types of scanners, except in the case of the more expensive scanners that will scan for all types of microchips)

Affordable and Simple- most of these QR code tags and collars can be purchased for anywhere from $9.95 to $29.95 and come with a free basic service for storing and editing that animal's data. A number of these manufacturers also warrantee their products for the lifetime of your pet and will replace any damaged tags free of charge

Information is Updatable - the profile for an animal is stored on a website and pointed to by a QR code tag or collar. This means that the profile can be changed as often as you want and from anywhere in the world. Did you just leave for vacation but forget to update the collar to include your pet sitter's phone number? Jump on a computer or your own Smartphone and make that adjustment to the pet's profile

With the growth of the use of QR codes compounded by the adoption of Smartphones within North America, combining a collar etched with a phone number and scannable code provides an enormous amount of protection for your pet. But, this only works if an owner takes action to protect their animal.

It Comes Down to Us

At the end of the day it comes down to the guardian of the animal. Taking the approach of microchipping and tagging an animal with a QR code and phone number is a complete solution. If the animal is found with the collar, the person has a rich amount of data at their fingertips to help the animal. If the collar has fallen off, the microchip with updated information will get the animal home if taken and scanned at a shelter or veterinarian's office.

If you are a pet owner, it's a very personal and important decision to make whichever solution you choose. Make the commitment to choose at least one so that your four-legged family member will find its way back home to you again quickly and safely.

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PetHub?, Inc., pioneered the QR code & pet ID tag technology in 2010 when Microsoft employee Tom Arnold left the Redmond, Washington, software giant to focus full time on using leading-edge technology to protect companion animals by leveraging his 22 years in the software development industry. PetHub subsequently won Dog Fancy Magazine's 2011 "Editors' Choice" award for best top-10 new products of the year. http://www.PetHub.com has continued to add new features and services to its website for both its free and premium subscriptions. They can be followed at Facebook.com/PetHub.
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Copyright c 2011, PetHub, Inc. All rights reserved.

Adopting Unwanted And Homeless Dogs

There are lots of ways that people choose a new family dog. Some may search the newspaper for advertisements from breeders who are selling new puppies; others find breeders via listings on the internet, while still more may simply purchase a puppy from a local pet store. Perhaps the best method, however, in terms of being helpful to society in general is to adopt a dog from a local animal shelter.

Adopting a dog brings a new friend into your life. It also helps to reduce the number of unwanted and homeless dogs in your area. Unless the shelter is a "no kill" facility (and these are sadly few and far between), it will also save a dog's life. Animal lovers everywhere champion the adoption of dogs from shelters as opposed to any other method of bringing home a new pet for this reason alone, but there are other reasons to choose the adoption option.

• Adopted pets have had their shots

• Shelters often have information about a dog's temperament

• Adopting a pet frees space in the shelter for more dogs

When you adopt a dog you can be sure that the staff at the shelter has had the dog examined by a vet for diseases and parasites and that the dog has had its shots. This is not always true of dogs acquired by other means such as kids giving away "free puppies" from a box in front of the local grocery store or Pets Mart.

The dogs at a shelter are not just strays and often are turned in to the shelter by former owners for various reasons. When this happens, the shelter collects as much information about the dog as possible, including whether its good with children, how much it barks, how playful or obedient it is, whether its house broken, and other important details. While it's true that this information is only as good as the honesty of the former owner, most of the time it is fairly accurate.

Animal shelters provide a valuable service to the community that they serve by keeping the streets as free of stray animals as possible. Because many of them do this with little or no public funding or governmental support, they are very limited in the number of dogs they can have in the shelter at any given time. The only way that they can bring in more stray animals is if they remove the ones they currently have. This is done through adoption or euthanasia. Obviously they would prefer to have the dogs adopted rather than killed. Adopting a dog could very well save its life and allows the shelter to bring in another dog in its place.

Our 7 reports will give you the edge you need to control your beloved dog quickly and easily. This training will give you the peace of handling your precious pooch so you can enjoy them once again. You can get instant access plus a special no cost bonus by going right now to http://www.digitalmarketingbiz.com/dog.php

Stressed Pets in the Recession

The recession has taken its' toll on our pets at an alarming rate. As some pet owners are finding it increasingly difficult to feed and care for their animals and are giving them to rescue and adoption centres which are already struggling to cope with the increasing arrival of abandoned and unwanted animals. However, some are not so fortunate and many of them are being simply abandoned or dumped to face their own fate.

Like us, animals respond to stressful and traumatic experiences in much the same way as we do and they cannot verbalise emotional pain in a way we understand. Animals with post-traumatic stress, anxiety and emotional pain can result from neglect, abuse, abandonment, grief and separation from their animal companions and owners, often seen as behavioural changes. Even changes in the daily routine, home environment or family unit, can cause a degree of distress and anxiety or when left alone or confined for long periods of time. Long term, the emotional trauma, stress and anxiety of an animal can lead to a weakened immune system and illness.

Animals experiencing stress, anxiety or trauma is often seen as behavioural changes such as depression, timidity, biting, aggression or other destructive behaviours. Behavioural changes in traumatised and stressed animals can make it difficult for rehabilitating and re-homing them later. Some pet owners have difficulty coping with these behavioural changes on a daily basis and sometimes the reason for giving them up for adoption.

Pets assistand support our emotional needs and help us feel loved, relaxed and more peaceful, but what can we do to help support their emotional state and overcoming the experiences of trauma, stress?

Animals have an in-built innate knowledge of how to heal themselves, they just need a little more help from us besides love and veterinary care. Healing therapies such as Zoopharmacognosy and Energy healing using Reiki and Spiritual healing are just some of the ways we can offer them the emotional support they may be in need of, to process any emotional trauma and anxiety, move on and trust again.

Zoopharmacognosy

Zoopharmacognosy healing therapy utilizes the physiological and emotional innate responses of animals to improve both their physical and emotional welfare. The wild relatives of our companion animals have evolved with a powerful, innate healing sense and highly developed senses, in particular sense of smell, which allows them to utilize plants and other features of the natural world to maintaintheir own health physical and psychological health.

Our animal companions still retain this ability and enabling them to exercise this innate skill away from the wild is a crucial step in improving their emotional welfare, allowing them to self- select scentsand natural wild remedies they are familiar with. This approach helps them to connect with positive, healthy feelings, give them back a measure of the confidence they may have lost, reduces anxiety, offers them emotional support and assists with emotional release and helps correct any trauma related behaviour and responses. It also offers a bonding and more trusting experience between animals and new and existing owners and stimulates the immune system, important in combating the onset of illness.

Therapy that utilizes sensory smell on people has been widely researched by the perfumery industry, as most of us are aware that different scents can influence one's emotional response and behaviour. Olfaction to treat post traumatic stress is well demonstrated by scientists in USA by recreating the smell of Ground Zero as a desensitization therapy for the affected survivors.

One such case study was that of a six year old male Bull Terrier dog with a fear phobia of noises.

He was rescued by his current owner at the age of about 18 months old with a history of having fireworks thrown at him one evening which left him with a severe case of noise phobia that was so extreme that he would panic at the slightest noises such as rain on a window and developed a fear of the dark. This phobia almost threatened his own life when on one occasion during a thunderstorm when he walked through a glass cabinet in an attempt to escape the noise.

Using zoo pharmacognosy self-healing therapy the dog self-selected remedies of Sandalwood, Vetiver, Neroli and Lavender for five days indicated for anxiety, obsessive worry, nurturing and comforting and offered a sense of peace and calm. On day 5 the smoke alarm accidentally went off in the house and the owner concerned about reactions from the dog, immediately, the owner walked into the room where she had left him and was amazed to find him lying on his bed, fully awake and did not even raise his head to acknowledge her presence. The owner had never seen him react so calmly.

Energy Healing

Animals are very responsive to natural energy therapy such as "Reiki" or "Spiritual healing", is a non-invasive ancient therapy that has stood the test of time and offers another method of assisting animals in promoting self-healing on all levels, bringing more balance to the animal, giving a sense of well-being, calm and acceptance. It can increase positive outcomes for animals with a range of conditions on all levels, physical, emotional and behavioural issues, helping them to release any anxieties, worry or stress.

It utilizes invisible energy systems that exist around and through the body and includes the auras, chakras and meridians all of which can affect the emotional, physical and spiritual energy systems of the body.

Rescue animals can benefit enormously from these natural therapies which not only serve as a natural tool for post-traumatic stress, anxiety issues and related behaviours. My work and experience of working with rescued animals has been consistently effective and because this approach to natural animal care addresses the emotional support the animal may be in need of and proven to help animals overcome their emotional pain and experiences and learning to trust and bond with people again.

Please note that these natural therapies are by no means a replacement for the professional opinion of your veterinary surgeon.

For more information on these animal self-healing therapies please visit http://www.innate-scents.co.uk
Email: info@innate-scents.co.uk

Adopt a Virtual Pet Online From Adoption Websites - Choose Name, Color

Looking for a virtual pet? Now thanks to the virtual pet adoption (VPA) sites, you can easily get one. But it is very essential for you to stick to the instructions listed on the sites properly. The VPA centers let you adopt a virtual pet and put it up on your website without any charge.

There is a wide range of animals available for adoption at the centers. Some of the animals available at the centers are: the spider, bunny, pig, hedgehog, duck, llama, fish, hamster, tiger, puppy, kitten or penguin.

To adopt a virtual pet from a center, select the animal you would like to adopt. Next step is to give the pet a name as well as color. After that you just have to copy and paste the code given on the website into the code of the website where you intend to place the animal.

The virtual pet adopted from the VPA center will function as per the instructions given via the mouse. E.g. the bunny, pig, hedgehog and duck will jump if you click on them. When you adopt a fish from the center, it will come along with an aquarium and you can feed it as well. The tiger will roar and will wave back at you when you so desire. The penguin comes perched on an iceberg and flaps its wings and move around when you click on it. At times, it might also lose its balance and trip over.

It is not mandatory to own a website of your own in order to adopt a virtual pet from virtual pet adoption center. You will get a page on which the center will provide the code that you have to copy and paste on your website. If you bookmark the page on the VPA center, you can repeatedly visit it.

But there are few essential points to remember before adopting a virtual pet from the virtual pet adoption center. First is to decide prior to adopting if you want an actual animal like a cat or a dog or an imaginary character like a dragon, or unicorn or an animal that is specifically designed by the VPA center. This is because most of the centers have unique creatures that you can adopt as a pet.

To locate a virtual pet adoption center, you can either use a traditional search engine like Google or Yahoo or talk to your friends. Visit plenty of sites till you have finalized the place from where you want to adopt your pet. Read thoroughly the responsibilities you will have to shoulder for virtual pet adoption along with the games and activities in which you and your pet can participate on the site. It is crucial that you feed your pet properly in order to ensure its growth. Taking active part in other activities will provide lot of happiness to your pet.

Thomas T is the owner of Virtual-Pet-Adoption.NET

Get great virtual pet adoption material and loads of adopt a virtual pet info. Have fun.

Love, Blessings, Protection and Holy Water For Pets

We all have or have had pets in our lives, and the memories of those times bring happiness to many of us. I am not 'officially' a house pet owner today; although, I had pets throughout my life. I remember a German Shepard that I once had when I lived in Bolivia, whose beauty lay in his spirit. Later on while residing in Argentina, we got a female yellow Labrador Retriever for the kids, and in time, we brought to our household a small white poodle.

Pets have been around me and my kids for many years, and just as we bless people that surround us, the same should apply to the pets that we love--even if they happen to be 'wild' or abandoned. Blessing an animal by sprinkling holy water over them, is a way to provide them with protection.

I have also discussed in the past that holy water is used for blessing ceremonies, in addition to its healing power, and that includes in my case: personal injuries, family members, cars owned, my apartment, and just recently a large cargo ship.

Today, between my university daughter and me, we feed daily a couple of animals: one was abandoned by its previous owner, and the other is natural to Florida. A few years ago when I moved into my apartment, I noticed an abandoned calico cat being fed by my neighbors. When they moved out, the cat lost her 'adoptive owners.' My daughter decided one morning to feed her outside the front door, and a few weeks later 'her cat' was named Isabel. Isabel continues to live outdoors, but now she looks healthier and happier than ever.

Every morning you can find Isabel right outside our door meowing for her food. She visits us periodically throughout the day. Being a 'smart cat,' she has developed an "uncanny ability" to know when my daughter Marli leaves and comes home from work, the gym, or university. That's a whole day affair, from seven in the morning until ten at night.

Me, I 'adopted' a muscovy female duck that hangs around the back of my apartment. Muscovy ducks abound all over the States, and a new brood could be as many as nineteen and more per mother duck. The elements take care of wiping out many of them very early in their lives. Mating season is in early spring. At an average, I have seen at most twenty percent of the newborn live their lives. The male duck parents don't protect their young. The mothers will keep the baby ducks for a month to two at most; then they leave them totally unprotected to survive on their own.

My adopted duck has been hand fed by me for seven straight years. I don't know how long they live, but Beatrice is getting on with age. I named her after Dante's beloved "Beatrice" in his book "The Divine Comedy." Beatrice, the duck, her single and most outstanding feature has been her devotion to me--besides having a small hole on her left foot that I used to identify her when I first met her.

After all these years, she still visits me; and early in the morning, you'll find her either sitting on the guardrail in my back patio, or lying on the grass waiting for me to feed her. In the past, she used to fly away and I wouldn't see her for a month or so. Some years, she would bring her newborn for me to meet them and feed them. For the last two years, she hasn't bred at all.

What makes Beatrice special is her ability to be very patient. When I first got divorced in late 2003, there were moments of despair in my life. I felt the pain of seeing thirty years of marriage go down the drain. I would sit in the patio planning my new life, or reading a book. Even after I fed her plenty of multi-grain bread, she would remain by me very quietly--almost like she was trying to say to me, "Okay, get over it and let's get going!"

Since then, the years have reached Beatrice quite fast, and her feathers are no longer shining black, but they are rather a dull brownish color. Her energy level is also fading. She still continues to come by most every day. Sometimes, I don't see her for a few days and then she reappears again. However, she has difficulty walking now, so she sits on the grass patiently waiting for me to give her bread.

The other day, my new next-door neighbor let his dogs loose, and they chased the ducks in the yard of the complex until one of the dogs was able to catch a female duck. The one that he caught, he killed her instantly. She was a new duck born this spring, and a good-size too! I had just walked out to the patio to feed Beatrice, when I saw the dog with the duck in his mouth.

I immediately jumped the guardrail and looked for Beatrice, but she was nowhere to be found. Had she been sitting around quietly resting and waiting for me, most likely she wouldn't have been able to take flight and get away from the dogs.

When I went chasing the dogs away from the other ducks, they took-off. The "killer dog" weighs around sixty pounds, and it's a mix of chow and husky. A true and mean mutt! I have seen dogs loose before chase after ducks, but they normally don't maul them. I suppose that's not the case with this particular one!

Had Beatrice been caught by the dogs, I would have been helpless to come to her rescue. So you leave it for God to take care of our loved ones, including our favorite pets, even if they are 'wild' or abandoned, and let Him watch over them.

A few minutes later, I spotted the two large dogs and their owner in the parking lot, frolicking and enjoying the moment. I told him about the incident with the duck. Just as I was watching his dogs walking with him by his side and without a leash, the killer dog spotted my daughter's cat Isabel sitting quietly by the bushes. Right there and then, the dog took chase. I immediately blocked his path, and I screamed at him so loud to stop that it must have scared him. The dog stopped 'dead-on-his-tracks,' and the owner then took him away. I advised him that they don't allow dogs to run loose in the complex--it didn't seem that it made any difference to him at all!

I guess it was one very lucky day for both Isabel and Beatrice! Since I told my daughter of the close call on our adopted pets, she has since sprinkled Isabel with holy water. Beatrice and all her duck friends were also given a sprinkling of holy water, just for good measure.

At the present time, we might not be 'official' pet owners, but nevertheless, both Isabel and Beatrice have been faithful and loyal to my daughter and me, and for that reason they deserve to be loved, blessed, protected, and fed every day.

For now, we will continue taking care of Isabel, and my old and wonderful friend, Beatrice.

After the incident of the other day with the dogs, I came to the realization that even the abandoned and the helpless are protected. For instance, Beatrice, the female duck, was coincidentally absent in the middle of the melee, and she's normally around and sits close to my neighbor's patio. That's where the 'mean dog' and his other companion dog stay all day long. Isabel, the calico cat, had me at exactly the right place, and at the perfect moment to keep the same dog that had just killed the duck a few minutes before away from her. I would call that very good timing all around!

Tony McCleary
http://www.prayer-be-strong.blogspot.com

Virtual Pet Adoption Can Keep Your Kids Entertained

Virtual pet adoption (VPA) is a type of activity to keep your kids busy on the rainy days. Today one of the trendiest online activities for children is the virtual pet, and there are various types of virtual pets available at various virtual pet adoption sites, so you can easily get one that will be appreciated by your kids. Primarily there are 3 kinds of VPA methods, namely, the downloadable one that can be saved onto your computer. Next is the online, where you have to login to a website to play and look after the virtual pet. Lastly there is a plush animal, along with the alternative of going on the Net to play with the virtual copy of the pet.

The downloadable kind is fun and the benefit is that there is no need to be online for your kid to play with it, but the disadvantage is that until you get the virtual pet game from a well-known source, you are faced with the danger of downloading a virus.

The second kind of cyber pet adoption is the online virtual pet, which necessitates you to enlist with a website so that you can own the pet. After logging into the VPA site, you can play and look after the pet.

The plush animal alternative is also an excellent method of making your kids work. In this option, you purchase a plush animal with which your children can play anytime, just like a regular toy, but the difference being the plush animal has a code with which the child can visit the virtual pet adoption website to play. In this kind of cyber pet adoption, your child looks after its virtual pet online, while designing a home for it and plays many other games too. Virtual pet adoption is an effective method of teaching your kids about looking after pets, while enjoying themselves. If you want an outlet to keep your kids busy, think about VPA, since playing with a pet online will keep your child busy for a long time and you won't have to clean up the mess created by a live pet.

A great way to teach your children about caring and best of all, they will have fun doing it.

Thomas T is the owner of Virtual-Pet-Adoption.NET. Have tons of virtual pet adoption material and lot of adopt a virtual pet information. Enjoy.

Adopt a Pet

In order to add love and affection to their lives, many people look into where they can adopt a pet. A number of neglected and deserted animals end up in shelters that house them until someone is looking to adopt a pet or the shelter can no longer care for them. Adopting a pet of any kind from a shelter or animal rescue service is a great way to get a pet with medical treatment as well as the spaying or neutering of the animal. When you adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue that provides these kinds of services, you often save money on the care that the pet received while in the shelter or rescue's care than you would have if you had taken the animal to the vet on your own.

When you adopt a pet from an animal shelter or rescue, you aren't limited to just cats and dogs. Not everyone looking to adopt a pet has the room or desire to commit to caring for and raising a cat or a dog. A number of smaller pets that require minimal care and are just as rewarding as other animals for the right person are often available for adoption at animal shelters or rescues. If a person is interested in adding an animal to his or her family, they might want to adopt a pet that is often considered to be a traditional pet.

Along with domestic dogs and cats, many animal shelters have guinea pigs, bunny rabbits, gerbils, rats, hamsters and a number of other rodents that can offer a pet owner the kind of love and caring that they are looking for when they adopt a pet. Other options for someone who would like to adopt a pet can include a variety of birds and even ferrets.

When looking to adopt a pet, a benefit from adopting from a shelter would be that the animals have been socialized and a personality is often observed by the staff in order to help in the proper placement of each pet. Some shelters even microchip ID their animals so that if someone were to adopt a pet and the pet should end up back in a shelter, the animal can be identified.

Kevin Lynch is the owner of Dog Training and Pet Blog [http://www.multipetblog.com] website, which has tons of resources with a variety of information, news and more.

How To Pick The Right Pet Bunny Rabbit For You!

Aside from appearance, there are a number of considerations that you will have to make when it comes time to pick out your fuzzy friend at a pet store or other venue. This is important both to ensure that you select a healthy pet, and to make sure that you and he are compatible!

Now I'll explain what you'll need to think about prior to heading out to buy your pet rabbit, and what to look for when you're actually selecting an animal from a breeder, adoption center or pet store.

Remember, while size, breed, fur type and color are mostly a matter of personal preference (as I've explained in the previous chapter), the considerations here are essential to bringing home and raising a healthy pet.

There are a few general points to think about when deciding whether a rabbit is the right type of pet for you and for the rest of your family, too.

Allergies

Many people in this country have pet allergies, often to dogs or cats. It is worth remembering that if you are allergic to cats, chances are you might well be allergic to rabbits. Of course, this is not always the case, and you may wish get an allergy test from your doctor before deciding to bring home a new pet. If you don't want to go to a doctor for a test, you may want to visit a pet store or breeder and see how you feel after handling the animals.

Also keep in mind that it is not just the pet itself that you may be allergic to. Rabbits often consume hay, which could be problematic in households where a family member has hay allergies.

Children in the House

Do you have young children? If so, a rabbit may not be an ideal pet. For the most part, this has nothing to do with rabbits being a danger to the child. On the contrary, since young rabbits are delicate and relatively tiny, a child may very well do unintentional damage to the pet! For this reason, older children, who have a better sense of their own strength and understand how to treat animals nicely, may be better suited to a pet rabbit.

In any event, if you do choose to bring a pet rabbit into a home with young kids, always try to supervise interactions between your child and your pet to ensure that both remain safe and healthy. Children must be taught how to handle rabbits, and only if they are mature and responsible enough to be trusted with the fuzzy creature.

Money

Even if you adopt a rabbit for free rather than buying one, you should prepare for certain expenses.

A good-sized cage will cost you at least $30 USD or $40 USD, and this is an absolute essential. You can also expect to pay for other accessories, such as toys.

Feeding is another considerable expense. At minimum you will need to buy food pellets, hay and vegetables for your rabbit to consume. You may also need to supplement with vitamins. Then there is also the matter of the litter box and fresh litter, which can add up over time.

Moreover, you will need to take care of medical issues such as spaying (starting at $35) or neutering (a bit cheaper, starting at $25), as well as medical bills for checkups and any illnesses that arise. Of course, it is also possible in some cases to purchase or adopt pet rabbits that have already been spayed or neutered, but even then it is going to be essential to pay for various medical expenditures over the course of your pet's lifetime.

Before bringing home a rabbit, make sure that you can commit to giving him the quality of lifestyle he deserves throughout his lifetime (5-15 years, depending on the rabbit's breed and age and health at the time of purchase).

by Andrea Austin,

http://www.rabbits-n-bunnies.com

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like more information on pet rabbit care, click on this link to get your FREE Rabbit Care Guide: Bunny Rabbits

Information About Virtual Pet Adoption

The online virtual pet adoption (VPA) works by you having to locate a cyber pet adoption site of your choice, where you register. After the registration, you have to choose from a list of pets. On some VPA sites, you are allowed to select multiple virtual pets, but the number permitted will vary amongst the cyber pet adoption websites selected.

After you have finished the virtual pet adoption you are free to do anything you wish with your pet. One factor that separates this from other online games is that accountability for the pet is stressed in virtual pets. Once you get one you must look after it by feeding it, playing with it, going for walks with it and looking for it during its illness. These pets can really fall ill, so you must take it to a virtual hospital for treatment. Failure to do this may lead to the death of your pet.

This hobby provides your children with the pet they have been asking for along with fun activities. Most of the latest children's games are geared toward a virtual reality, which is also applicable for virtual pets. They exist in their virtual world, i.e., the virtual pet adoption website, where you must go to play with them, and look after them.

When finding a pet through VPA you will find that there are various kinds of pets to select from. There are the conventional dogs and cats of various breeds, but there are the virtual pet aliens or monsters as well which you can adopt at cyber pet adoptions sites. It is one of the best things about virtual pets, your pets are entirely yours, and are similar to real pets.

If your kids are interested in a pet to love and look after, you can consider virtual pet adoption. This latest online game not only entertains, it really teaches your children the accountability of pet ownership.

Thomas Te is the owner of Virtual-Pet-Adoption.

Find great virtual pet adoption articles and awesome adopt a virtual pet info.

Check it out now.

A Virtual Pet Adoption Can Keep Your Kids Entertained

Virtual pet adoption (VPA) can become an enjoyable activity for your kids if they are unable to go outside due to bad weather. Virtual pet has become one of the most favorite past times for the kids today, thus causing a spurt in the craze for this hobby. Also it lets you choose from a wide variety of pets they have put on their site. So you can rest assured that virtual pet adoption center will have one pet that your kids are bound to love.

Primarily, virtual pet adoption is of three kinds: first is the downloadable kind. Here you can go to the virtual adoption center and download the pet straight on your computer. Next is the online kind. In this kind of virtual pet you must have access to VPA website in order to spend time with the virtual pet. Finally, the third kind is a plush animal but is also provided with the choice of visiting the online virtual pt adoption center in order to spend time with the virtual model of the pet.

The downloadable kind of VPA is an enjoyable activity, with the benefit of not having to be connected to the Internet in order to let your kid play with it. However the disadvantage of this kind of method is that unless you get the virtual pet game from a trusted site, you face a grave threat of downloading virus infection.

The second kind of VPA is the online virtual pet. Choosing this kind of pet necessitates you to get registered with a website so that you can acquire a pet. After you have logged on to the site, you can spend time playing with the pet and fulfilling its various needs.

The plush animal kind of VPA is another excellent method of ensuring your kids are busy. In this method, you just have to purchase a plush animal, so that our kids can play with it whenever they want. However this method of virtual pet adoption also allows you to access the virtual pet adoption website so that your kid can enjoy with the online version too. This can be done by using the code that comes along with the animal, which contains the access to the site.

In this kind of virtual pet adoption, your child has to look after its virtual pet online, build home for it to live and play other kinds of games as well. Virtual pet adoption is an excellent method of teaching our child how to look after a pet, while enjoying themselves. They will learn to be responsible for the welfare of the pet.

If you are wondering how to keep your kids engaged, you can think about virtual pet adoption, as your kids can spend a long time playing with the pet, and you will be spared the trouble of cleaning of the mess created by a live pet.

Thomas T is the owner of Virtual-Pet-Adoption.NET

Get lots of virtual pet adoption material and lots of adopt a virtual pet info. Enjoy.

Adopting a Shelter Dog - How to Introduce Your Shelter Dog to His New Home

I ask people all the time, why spend money to buy a dog when you can adopt a needy, loving dog from your local animal shelter and it will cost virtually nothing. Purebred puppies are often plagued with health issues, caused by over breeding - problems that are often completely removed from dogs of mixed breeds.

But if your heart is set on a purebred, this can still be achieved at your local shelter. When I visited mine recently there were two spaniels, two black Labradors, one golden retriever and a Boston terrier that were without question, purebreds. As far as I could see they were all great dogs and were only dumped at the shelter because their owners had no idea how to train them properly - or had little time to devote to them.

Another way to find a great purebred dog in need of a caring home is to search on the breed name + rescue on the Internet. Many breed specific organizations maintain connections with pounds and shelters and move quickly to pick up dogs, then hold them for adoption into permanent homes.

The majority of shelter dogs need little more than a ton of love, attention and some time spent in obedience training to become trusting, affectionate companions. It's my experience that shelter dogs are inevitably more devoted and loving than dogs that have never experienced abandonment and hardship.

Some pound and shelter dogs may have had to endure assorted unhappy circumstances before arriving there. Possibly they were mistreated, abandoned by their previous owners, or wandered the streets alone for some time. Initially they will be confused and won't understand why they are being taken to yet another new location - they will have no way of knowing that this time you are taking them to their new forever home.

The method I recommend to teach your rescue dog to settle in and adapt quickly, is to immediately set up a regular schedule and stick to it for several weeks. Set feeding times, exercise, walks and play times will all help your new friend fit in as quickly as possible. Dogs can be especially quick to adapt to the schedules of their owners and many seem to have well defined internal clocks. I had one dog who without fail went to sit next to the door from our garage into the house at five o'clock every day, waiting for me to arrive home.

A perceptive owner may discover that his or her dog wants to set his own schedule. Your dog may prefer to play early in the morning and again in the late afternoon. To indicate this he could start bringing you his toys and trying to gain your attention at those times in the day. Never be inflexible, you should be able to adjust your schedule to whatever best fits your dog.

Should it ever be necessary to discipline your shelter dog, you should always start with the minimum amount of correction, just relying upon your tone of voice to indicate your disapproval. Usually that is all that is needed as a disciplinary tool. Remember that some dogs may have been mishandled, mistreated and even abused. Any sudden or threatening movement on your part will confuse and frighten your dog and he may cringe or growl. Should this happen it will tell you immediately there are some issues to overcome. Kindness and patience will resolve the problems and heal the mental wounds, but It will take time to gain the total, unquestioning trust of the animal.

Beginning the day you arrive home with your adopted pet, handle him and communicate with him frequently. Examine his ears and his paws; inspect the skin underneath his coat closely. Why? What are you looking for? Nothing really. What you are doing is conveying the message to your dog that from now on, you will constantly be touching him and looking at him closely. It's quite common for a dog to become very anxious with this attention but it is crucial to establish your "right" to do this. In fact, grooming, bathing and trips to your veterinarian will depend upon you and others being able to handle the dog easily.

You should also begin behavior training immediately you arrive home for the first time. Lavish him with treats and dog biscuits, but gently insist that he sits before receiving each reward. Take him for walks - but establish that you are his "leader" by always going through the doorway first. Through your voice and its tone, make sure the dog knows exactly what is expected of him and when he has done wrong. Never rebuke your shelter dog for anything unless you actually catch him in the act. Follow this advice and your dog will understand what is expected of him and he will quickly settle in and learn to trust you as his new owner.

Adopting a shelter dog can be an amazingly rewarding experience. Shelters all around the country are bursting at the seams with dogs that have been cast aside for no better reason than their owner didn't have time for them any more, or the child they had originally been bought for had moved on to another fad. Many dogs are abandoned at shelters because their owners never made the effort to train them properly. The cute little puppy grew into a boisterous youngster with no manners. Dogs love to please but they were never given the opportunity to learn how to do so. For much more help and information about Training Dogs of all breeds and ages, visit http://4petsonline.com/new-dog-training-e-book-dog-training-4-life-offered/.

Teaching the 3 R's - A Pet Project

Today a lot of us are trying to teach our families how to be good environmental stewards and how to "go green" as much as we can. We show our kids how to reduce waste by changing our light bulbs to longer-lasting, more energy-efficient CFL's. We convince them to reuse plastic containers rather than using disposable plastic bags. We encourage them to recycle old newspapers, glass and cans.

When it comes to a adding a new pet to the family, you have another opportunity to teach your children how to apply the 3 R's in one more way. It starts with:

Rescue. If you're worried that a rescue won't bond to you, you shouldn't. After all, this is an animal that has been in some way disappointed by another human. Given the chance this pet will do everything in its power not to disappoint you and make sure you don't disappear like the previous owner.

When we rescued our Airedale Terrier, Max, he immediately interjected himself into everything we did. We have pictures from birthdays, holidays and other family events where he is ever present even if it is only a head, tail or paw. Rescues are profoundly loyal and loving.

Reduce. Whether poor shelter management or irresponsible owners coupled with a lack of qualified homes for homeless pets is the primary cause of pet euthanasia in this country is a matter of some debate in the animal community. Regardless of the position you take, pet euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets is a real problem in this country. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between six to eight million dogs and cats are turned into shelters each year and that over half of that population is euthanized annually. When you make a commitment to rescue and neuter your pet, you make a real impact on reducing pet overpopulation.

When we were in the process of adopting Max, we had to go through the kennels at the local animal control center. It broke my heart to see not only so many healthy, happy dogs begging for a forever family, but especially to see a homeless mother nursing a litter of 8 tiny pups. The intake officer told us that a family had dropped the litter off earlier after their children had been "able to witness the miracle of birth." The officer had been polite enough not to ask if they now wanted to witness phenomenon of death. What were those kids learning about their responsibility as pet owners?

Renew. When you rescue an animal, you have renewed a life and I think the pet knows it. With Max, we were always impressed that no matter what life handed him, he was always happy. It's like he knew he had gotten a second chance at life and he was going to make the most of every minute.

Contrary to popular belief, dogs and cats who come into rescue are not all wild, sick or abused. For example, currently more animals are being turned into shelters because of the economic downturn and rising foreclosures. Usually a little older, these pets are often calmer, more focused when it comes to obedience training and many are already housetrained.

So when adding a new pet to your household, encourage your family to go green with the 3 R's-rescue, reduce, renew. No doubt there's a pet out there looking for greener pastures and just imagine what you could teach your children.

When Robin Reynolds had to have the family dog put down, she wanted to do something to celebrate his life. The end result is Life to the Max - Maxims for a Great Life by a Dog Named Max -- a whole life journey told from the perspective of the family dog. To learn more about Max's maxims, visit http://www.lifetomax.com

Virtual Pet Games - What is Online For Kids?

Generally, there are 3 kinds of virtual pets: downloadable (download the software and play games on your computer), straight online virtual pets and "dual pets", which are actually plush animals, which can also be looked after online by keying in a unique code that accompanies the toy at virtual pet adoption sites.

Downloadable virtual pets are a great source of entertainment, and you need not be online at cyber pet adoption sites - once the software is downloaded. The problem with this option is that unless a reputed site provides the software, you are facing the danger of downloading a virus along with the game - which can be quite bad! (If you visit one of the free download sites, there can even be a warning note at the top or bottom of the webpage regarding it.)

Virtual pets at VPA sites are played straight online, without having to download the software for playing. Generally this means taking a registered membership with the cyber pet adoption site so as to own the pet. This is a good option, but if the virtual pet adoption site is not secured you again run the risk of running into a virus that can actually spoil your computer.

So for both the above alternatives, ensure you have installed latest version of a good virus protection for your computer!

The last kind of online pet ("dual pets") is the best solution. They're quite cheap (about $10 - $15 for each new pet) and actually worth the price paid. These pets are real, meaning they are luxurious stuffed animals with which children can play like other kinds of toys, but they come with a code printed on a card provided along with them that gives access to virtual pet adoption websites letting the child feed, clothe, provide medication and design homes for their pets. In this VPA online game, the cyber pet adoption sites are very secure (thus eliminating the risk of unknowingly adopting a virus as well as the pet). Besides there are various other activities that are available on the virtual pet adoption sites like educational games, chat rooms (safe) and other entertainment for young ones.

Thomas T is the owner of Virtual-Pet-Adoption.NET. Find great virtual pet adoption material and awesome adopt a virtual pet info. Enjoy.

5 Questions to Ask Before Bringing Home an Exotic Pet

Are you considering purchasing an exotic pet? If so, you aren't alone. A growing number of people are deciding to adopt exotic pets for a wide variety of reasons. But, are you really prepared to bring home an adopted pet? Before you go out and make a purchase, be sure to provide yourself honest answers to a few important questions.

Why Do I Want an Exotic Pet?

The first question you should ask yourself is why you want to purchase an exotic pet in the first place. Is it an impulse purchase because you fell in love with the little critter while stopping in at the pet shop? Do you want the pet because you think it seems cool to own one? Are you trying to be part of the latest fad? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you should really reconsider making the purchase. Remember, taking home a pet requires making a long-term commitment and, once the novelty wears off, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the time and effort required to keep many exotic pets healthy and happy.

Am I Able to Care for the Exotic Pet?

In addition to requiring a time commitment, many exotic pets also require making a substantial monetary commitment as well. In fact, you will likely need to purchase special housing and supplies for your pet. Depending on the availability of specialists you may need to travel an extended distance or pay a premium price for veterinary care.

Is it Legal?

Many exotic pets are illegal to own in certain areas or, even if a pet is legal to own, certain jurisdictions may restrict the ownership of certain pets. Even if a pet store is selling the pet, don't automatically assume it is legal for you to own one. In some cases, you may have to complete certain paperwork in order to be legally permitted to own a pet. So, make certain you are aware of the proper procedures and that you follow them. Otherwise, you may find yourself in legal trouble and you may lose a pet that you have become attached to.

Does the Pet Suit My Household?

When deciding whether or not a pet is right for you, you should also consider your current household situation. Do you already have pets at home? If so, how well will your current pet or pets get along with your new pet? Are the types of pets compatible?

If you have children, you should also consider whether or not the pet is a good fit with your children. Consider the safety and welfare of both your children and your pet before bringing it home.

Do I Know How to Properly Care for the Pet?

Many exotic pet owners make the mistake of bringing home a pet before they really learn how to care for it. Make certain you are aware of the feeding and housing requirements for your pet before you bring it home. You also need to know how long your pet is likely to live and how large it can become. That way, you are prepared to accommodate your pet as it grows larger and its needs change.

Owning an exotic pet can be very exciting and fun. At the same time, exotic pets can be time consuming and expensive to care for. Therefore, you should be certain to do your research and to make sure you are prepared for the commitment before you bring one home.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's resource for pets for sale.

Research pet information with detailed profiles of over 430 pet breeds.

A Guide to the Pet Expo 2008 in Ireland

Being Ireland's only dedicated consumer Pet Exhibition, the Pet expo 2008 which is scheduled to take place on the 17th of October 2008 to the 19th of October, is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors in this three day event at Simmonscourt Hall, RDS, Dublin.

Promoted by Innovative events, the expo will focus on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. The event will be open to the public showcasing various pet products, pet service providers, entertainers, clubs and other organisations that cater to pets.

Animal lovers are sure to enjoy the pet show which showcases various pets ranging from the ever popular pedigree dogs, cats, birds and fishes to more uncommon pets like horses, ponies, reptiles and various small caged exotic animals as well. Since the expo aims to cover all the aspects related to the ownership of a family pet, it will feature many seminars and interactive workshops for entertaining and educating families that want to adopt pets.

With Ireland's premier venue RDS chosen for the Pet Expo, accessibility to the event is not something to worry about as it is at close proximity to Ireland's capital city. Located 16 kilometres from the Dublin International Airport, it takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the venue by car, bus or taxi. While a taxi ride would cost around EUR30 to EUR40, an Aircoach outside the airport runs every 15 minutes and costs around EUR12.

Local Trains also offer good accessibility to the venue through Dublin DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) which operates from the City Centre to Ballsbridge. Though RDS has parking facilities for 2,000 vehicles they prefer that visitors call and check parking availability prior to visiting the venue. Convenient and reasonably priced accommodation is available in Dublin with its 100 plus hotels which can be booked easily through the internet. Even for those who do not have the time to make reservations, there will still be hotel options available.

The Pet Expo has left no stone unturned in their efforts to provide visitors with a completely entertaining and enjoyable experience. All three days of the expo will feature a glamorous Pet Fashion Show using both animal and fashion models, proving to be more than just entertainment for animal lovers, by attracting high media attention.

The Wildlife Café will be a themed section which will grab the attention of youngsters with its children's activities and entertainment section. Parents with toddlers will find visiting the show a relaxing experience as the expo provides a supervised 'kids soft play area' with well known inflatable animal characters.

The Cat Show and Kitten /Cat Adoption Area will play its part in finding good homes for cats and kittens from various animal rescue shelters. Here, cat breeders and associations will also showcase a variety of breeds and compete for the best.

Another attraction of the expo is the Irish Professional Dog Groomer Association which will host a Grooming Champions event at the show. Also visible will be the car display which will market the newest Family SUV with integrated Pet safety. Apart from these, the Seminar Theatre, 'Ask the Vet' Clinic, Pet's Corner and Equestrian area are the other must visit events of the expo.

Catherine writes about UK Exhibition Stands & Display Kits.

Adopting an Older Ferret - Life Span and Why They Would Make Amazing Pets

Having a pet is a really, really amazing experience. It really makes your life happier and somehow, more rewarding.

Now, normally, people adopt puppies, kittens and any other "baby" animal. But then again, the joy is still the same no matter what the age of your adopted pet.

Now, when you welcome and adult ferret into your home, the love and energy you will receive from them is just the same as to adopting a kit (baby ferret).

Adult ferrets are actually easier to find but sadly because of the fact that they are all mostly confined in shelter throughout the country.

But if you have decided to finally get one, here are some of the factors that would determine whether or not it's a good or feasible option:

1. You have small children who can play with it.

2. There are members of the family that can and wants to cuddle with it.

3. You have the money or resources to buy food for the ferret and pay for it's vaccinations.

A Ferret's Life Span

A part of owning a pet is knowing that they do, unfortunately, have shorter life spans than humans. Now, if you have a ferret, you would know how much of sad fact that truly is.

But now, you see, there are many factors that affect how long or how short they can live.

Now, the life span of an average ferret is eight years. But of course, there are many more things you have to know.

But the most important thing you should be careful about is their diet. Ferrets have extremely sensitive metabolisms and can cause them to have insulinoma, adrenal disease, gastroenteritis and many more. You should also remember that they cannot eat starch, sugars, fruits and vegetables.

Mitchell Zoglmann has been taking care of ferrets since he was a kid. He is also the creator of a new website that's all about Ferret Care [http://www.ferrets-care-secrets.com]. He has also published a new book entitled "Ferrets: Amazing Pets, All You Need to Know About them. For more information about this new cutting edge book and for a free newsletter, visit his website [http://www.ferrets-care-secrets.com/fcs.html] today!

Why is Virtual Pet Adoption So Popular?

Virtual pet adoption has gain tremendously in popularity all around the world. A virtual pet is basically a digital pet that you can have for your own, and as it has grown so popular, it is obvious that you do not really have to have a real pet, to actually enjoy owning a pet.

You really do not need a real pet to enjoy the same emotional connection; you can feel the same about a pet you gain through virtual pet adoption as is evident by their immense popularity. Both young and old, as well as people from all walks of life, love virtual pets, which has led to an increase in virtual pet adoption.

The virtual pet now has deep roots in societies around the world, proving that it is not simply a passing fad. Everyday people are looking at virtual pet adoption, especially those who live in big cities where it can be very difficult to keep a real pet.

What makes virtual pet adoption so popular with these people is that they can love and take care of a virtual pet, where they may never have had the opportunity to do this with a real pet. Virtual pets require attention and care just as real pets do. It is necessary to feed them, walk them and ensure that they have water, or they could actually die.

If you are interested in virtual pet adoption, it is possible to find a variety of virtual pets and you'll be sure to find one that you love.

When you adopt a virtual pet you are actually getting a digital pet in which a computer or other digital device is used to interact with your virtual pet. The pet often will be in an interactive world that exists in the virtual device or on the Internet. In order to take care of your pet, you may have to play games to earn points in which you will be buying food and other care items. This all will be necessary after a virtual pet adoption.

Just like with real pets, you can breed your pet with other pet owners and your pet will have babies in these digital worlds.

The different types of pets available for virtual pet adoption include, an online virtual pet, a virtual pet for your desktop, the palm pilot pet, MP3 digital pets, and even small plush real world pets.

If you have always wanted a pet, but have been unable to care for one in the real world, why not let your imagination take over and opt for digital pet adoption? You'll find that you can get a lot of enjoyment by playing with and caring for a virtual pet.

Thomas T is the owner of http://www.Virtual-Pet-Adoption.NET

Enjoy great Virtual Pet Adoption and Cyber Pet Adoption information.

Have fun.

Free Pet Adoption Agencies

If there are thousands of pet lovers worldwide, then it follows that there are several free pet adoption agencies that offer their services to make a difference. Dogs and cats are like human beings who deserve a life better than what's envisioned. You might not know it but there are actually quite a lot of homeless pets roaming around the streets with no particular shelters to dwell on especially when bad weather strikes the scene. The world can be potentially cruel out there, and it doesn't only apply to people but also animals that don't seem to know where they're heading to.

Adoptapet dot com is a convergence of many free pet adoption agencies that provide shelter for homeless puppies, kittens, dogs and cats. Pet rescue groups and other humane communities promote homeless pets online to potential adopters without charging any penny. Besides Internet strategy, Adopt a Pet Charity also takes advantage of radio and television advertising to call upon adopters who've got shelters to offer for pity pets. Volunteering individuals who are mostly pet lovers put forth their efforts to help out pets to enjoy a wonderful life in a secured home. These pet agencies are usually on the lookout of the general welfare of pets.

Free pet adoption agencies that do their jobs for the love of charity particularly create good standards in aspects of pet adoption, quality practice and great essence of volunteerism. Hollywood stars are even involved in greater causes just to save pets from getting endangered. Online assistance respondents are always willing to answer queries that relate to issues like dog rearing, adoption, training, etc. Institutions like Purina are dedicated to provide pet owners some healthy pet products, gears and services to improve their way of raising pets. It establishes partnerships with rescue groups and adoption agencies to create programs that benefit the pets and increase pet caretaking awareness.

Dedicated and prepared to train, rear and breed homeless pets, free pet adoption agencies across the world exist. They have several pets waiting the perfect home and appropriate caretaker to adopt them. Usually, just before you could get the privilege of adopting, you will have to go through certain background checking while your pet-to-be needs to undertake vaccinations and good training. There are agencies who charge bucks for you to avail of any pets but free adoption sites are also there to actually surrender a pet for a better life with you as a potential owner. Adopting is somehow referred to as the non-guilt approach of finding a pet a new home to live. If you want your pet to be adopted by another owner, you can do so as well. You must inform the adoption agency, however, about your pet's history and behavioral troubles, if any.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about pet adoption [http://www.myhumanesocieties.info/66], please visit My Humane Societies [http://www.myhumanesocieties.info] for current articles and discussions.

Virtual Pet Adoption Websites - What to Do

There are various types of digital pets which you can adopt at a virtual pet adoption website. Some of the different kinds that are available at cyber pet adoption websites are:

Digital Pets: They are the most famous. With a computer or digital device you interact with the virtual pet at virtual pet adoption websites. Generally the pet you interact with in a virtual pet adoption center lives in the computer or on the Internet. You can play games or puzzles to earn money for buying food and care things for their pet. The pet can be mated with other people's pets and can produce children. The only limitation is your investment. Virtual pets are available in different kinds and at various virtual pet adoption sites.

Few of these are:

o The online Internet Virtual Pet. You can adopt a virtual pet online at a cyber pet adoption site.

o The desktop digital pet; needs software installed on your computer.

o The digital appliance Virtual Pet like the Palm pilot pet.

o Physical Virtual Pet: they are available in many varieties. They are robot dogs, fish aquariums, little plastic pets and therapeutic pets for the old and ill.

o MP3 Digital Pets: these are also of different kinds.

These are only few of the various types of Virtual Pets available for your entertainment today at virtual pet adoption centers.

If you are tired of your digital pet you can design your own alter ego in a digital form at a virtual pet adoption site. Virtual people are present today. You can now design a digital avatar that closely resembles you, and exists in a "Virtual World". Your digital clone will have a digital family and a virtual pet. You can exist and communicate in digital cities and worlds. You can lose yourself in this fantasyland for a long time. It is awesome and nice fun.

Thomas T is the owner of http://www.Virtual-Pet-Adoption.net Get free virtual pet adoption infoand interesting adopt a virtual pet material. Check it out now.

Pet Insurance Options

A good starting point is to ask the experts in your area for the names of reputable insurance companies. A veterinarian, pet trainer, breeder or even a local pet store owner are all good resources for this information. Once you have a list of potential insurers, seek additional information about these companies on the internet. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is one good resource for information including an overall rating and an industry comparison. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) is the oldest pet insurer and has about 71% of the U.S. pet insurance market. Other notable companies include American Kennel Club (AKC) pet insurance and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) pet insurance.

Insurance companies either pay a percentage of your veterinary bill or they pay a fixed amount based on a benefit schedule. The benefit schedule is uniform across the U.S. so it does not take into consideration the cost of living in different areas. An owner in California is probably going to be charged more than someone in Kansas for the same service.

The optimal insurance package covers the conditions or injuries most likely to affect your pet. Your veterinarian will know the types of ailments that pets in your area are most susceptible as well as those common in that breed. Other considerations include the stage in your pet's life (young pets have different health concerns than older pets), whether your pet lives indoors or outdoors (outdoor pets are more susceptible to accidents), and how well you know your pet's history (the previous living circumstances of an adopted pet may be unknown).

Deciding whether to buy insurance can be a challenge. Get off on the right foot and make make choosing pet insurance [http://www.choosepetinsurance.com] an easier decision.

Pet Parrots - Read This Before You Buy Your Birds

Read this before you buy your Pet Parrots. Sadly many people purchase their parrots without giving it much thought before-hand.Bird lovers must be very careful not to choose these pets based on any impulsive decisions or due to the birds' beautiful coloring or clever antics.

Taking the time to carefully study and gain the knowledge of how to take care of your pet parrots is the necessary first step to ensure that you will both have a long and healthy life together.

Rushing your parrot purchase may lead to some long-standing problems and disappointment. There are many things to consider before you purchase a pet parrot for yourself or your child. Parrots live for many, many years and are well-known to even out-live their owners. Parrots are also notorious for being very loud. They will get even louder if they are feeling lonely or frustrated. The birds' shrill shrieking can easily lead to disenchantment with your new feathered friend very quickly. Great patience is also necessary in the case of any behavioral problems which may arise once the pet parrots are purchased and taken home to live with you and your family.

Pet Parrots each come with their own personality. Some are louder than others, but be sure to note that they all are very noisy, generally when the sun comes up and goes down. This is a part of their universal make-up. All birds have the ritual of greeting the morning and saying their goodbyes to the end of the day and usually get very raucous during these times. Some people find this to grate on their nerves.

Buying or adopting pet parrots is not like buying your child a kitten. Pet Parrots need a lot more time and attention than many other household pets so please remember to step back and rethink your choices before making any rash decisions.

This article is bought to you by Sharron Myers
To Learn More About Pet Parrots Please Visit Our Pet Parrots Blog
Pet Parrots and You

Tips On How To Adopt Your New Cat

There are a selection of various pets that people are able to get for themselves or for their children. While dogs are likely to be the more popular choice a few of us prefer to have a pet that is definitely fairly self sufficient and won't require our full attention every minute of the day. The perfect pet to own for someone like this is a cat.

The great thing about cats is that they are small plus they have the ability to keep themselves unsoiled and are easily toilet trained. You also don't need to feel terrible about leaving them alone while you are at work. In many cases they are going to sleep all the time and won't tear the entire place up in boredom.

There are two ways in which you may buy a cat. The 1st is to go to a nearby pet store and buy one that you feel is the best fitted to you. While this is a valuable option expect to pay for a good deal of money. Pet stores can charge you approximately $200 or more for one pet.

Another choice should be to adopt it. There should be at least one adoption pet store within your area. The good thing about doing it in this way is that you will ordinarily not have to pay a lot more than $100. Not only will you get a cat that needs some serious loving - but you can also have one which has had all of the up to date shots. This will likely save you money during the long run.

When you are dealing with the method of adopting a cat you want to make sure that you fill out all of the paperwork. You'll need to be approved before you are allowed to adopt one you have chosen. Also remember to buy them the mandatory supplies.

Cat Health is a great site that will provide you with information on how to care for cats. Learn the best way to Adopt A Cat.

Pets and Their Benefits

A pet is an animal adopted by humans for the sake of companionship and enjoyment. Another term for a pet is "household animal". Usually, pets are kept for their loyalty, playful characteristics, desirable appearance, or just simply because of the joy they give to their respective owners. May it be a dog, a cat, or rodents playing on their hamster cages, owning them will give you benefits. It's been observed and proven, pets can give health benefits and happiness for their owners.

Anyone who has experienced to love a pet may prove to the world how much joy and inner satisfaction it can bring. For the past years, researches conducted all over the globe laid down scientific evidences to prove that adopting pets can dramatically improve one's life, physically and emotionally. Pets are beneficial in relieving stress, preventing heart disease, and relieving loneliness and depression.

Here are just some of the studies conducted:

* According to a researcher at the State University of New York at Buffalo named Dr. Karen Allen, people suffering hypertension who adopted or cared for a pet had lower blood pressure readings compared to those who did not own a pet. * The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, a study published in 1999 states that people of old age who own a pet tend to have better physical health in contrast to people who own none. * People who enjoy the company of their pets make fewer doctor visits especially for non-serious medical conditions according to The National Institute of Health. * In a survey conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) in the year 2002, 92 respondents said that they acquired significant health improvements from their pets. * Heart patients who owned pets had a good chance for long-time survival than patients who didn't own pets according to the study conducted by Dr. James Lynch of Life Care Foundation. * Eastern Kentucky University assistant professor Dr. Meredith Wells surveyed businesses that permit pets in the workplace and found that employees highly believe that animals reduce one's level of stress and boosted their health.

Of course, these benefits can be applied to the general public. Pets can help anyone of any age or status to establish a deep connection with other people and cultures. If you are a person that have a very serious personality and a hard-driven persona, playing with your dog or cat can help you escape from the daily stress that you are struggling with. Caring for a pet may highly establish a child's personality, giving them a sense of empathy and responsibility.

Having a pet can fight depression and over-loneliness since the bond linking between the two creatures creates a certain purpose in life. Walking your dog gets you into the real world and also encourages exercise. Pets can be a great comfort in times of grief, since their affection is highly unconditional. They are attentive, and nonjudgmental listeners.

Even in the four corners of the prison cells, pets serve a therapeutic role. One good example is the Ohio Corrections System, wherein inmates are matched with a dog and go through a 10-week course with them. They should teach the dog with basic commands and house training. The dogs cared by them are then adopted out by the local humane society. The inmates form tight bonds and a loving relationship with their dogs, and saying good-bye is very hard, but the experience of caring for another creature is invaluable for men like them who have often had harsh lives.

Own a pet now. Walk your dog. Cuddle your cat. Watch your hamster cages with those cute little hamster. You'll surely enjoy every bit of it.

David D. Warren enjoys writing for The Rabbit Hutch Shop which sells hamster cages and large rabbit hutches as well as a host of additional products.

Eight Things to Consider When Adopting a Shelter Dog

Adopting a fully grown shelter dog is usually not considered when a family decides to get a new pet. It may actually be the best choice for your family.

A fully grown shelter dog may already be house trained, trained in basic obedience and be past the teething stage. That means no messes in the house, no damaged furniture and a dog that listens to it's owner. That sounds like a dream dog to me. You'll also know what you're getting in your new dog regarding it's size, color, temperament and personality. There are fewer surprises and you'll have the advantage of knowing what you're getting before you get it.

If you're looking for a loving family pet a shelter dog just may be the answer. If your looking for a show dog it's probably not. I say probably because I've seen pure bred animals, with papers, in the shelter I worked in. It was rare but it did happen. Sometimes the dog out-grew it's family and sometimes it was disobedient or chewed up something in the house. Occasionally the owner just wasn't responsible enough to own a pet and it was just too much work. There were many reasons why they were brought to the shelter by their owners.

When shopping at the local grocery store, most people are picky about what they choose. There are many things they take into consideration before making decisions. They check the dates on perishables, squeeze the grapefruit and look for bruising. They make decisions based on color, quantity, packaging, size, fat content, calories and price. That works well for shoppers who want what's best for their families but for some strange reason some of the same people don't make the same kind of careful decisions when it comes to choosing a new family pet. A pet that may be around for ten or fifteen years. This is where the "cute" factor can really work against a pet and the family as well. The cutest dog in the bunch gets adopted and that usually means a puppy.

When you adopt a puppy, especially a mixed breed, you may be in for an unwanted surprise or two. When the dog becomes mature it may be too large or not look the way you thought it would. It's really a crap shoot. You can guess how big the dog will get but it's still just a guess unless you know the mix. Now mind you, I'm not speaking out against adopting puppies, it's a fine idea, what I'm saying is that there are benefits to adopting an older dog too. Besides the reasons mentioned above, you're also giving an older dog a second chance at a happy life. He probably deserves that chance.

A pet has to become part of your family, a part of your pack. He or she has to fit in well and be of the proper temperament and size for your family. Not taking those factors into account can have disastrous repercussions for both the pet and the family. I've seen it happen in failed adoptions and when families turned their pet over to the shelter. A family gets a puppy, the puppy is small, cute and manageable and then it quickly grows to maturity and is larger or more energetic than expected.

It wasn't long after becoming an Animal Control Officer that I began to believe that it wasn't a pet problem at all, it was a pet owner problem. After all, you can't blame it on the dog. The dog just wanted a home, a family to be a part of, in essence, a new pack. Choosing a pet carefully is very important for your family and the pet. Here are a few tips on what to do if you're interested in adopting a shelter dog.

(1) - Speak with your family and make sure they know the dog will be everyone's responsibility. Feeding, walking, training and loving your new pet should be shared between family members. If everyone is in agreement it's time to search for your new family member. Bring the entire family. You'll want to know how well everyone will get along. It's important that everyone in your family sees, pets and interacts with the dog if it's possible.

(2) - If you have other pets, bring them with you to the shelter and have them meet the dog you may adopt if you're seriously considering a specific dog. It would be a good idea to call the shelter first so that they're prepared. They'll usually be happy to work with you and help you find a dog that will be a great match for your family. You don't need to arrive at home with your new pet and find out there's a big problem. Do that at the shelter. It's best done outside the shelter with shelter staff present. In busy shelters this may be a problem which is why you should always speak with them in advance. All of the pets should be on leashes so they can be controlled easily if there's a problem.

(3) - Speak to anyone that has had contact with the dog. You can learn a lot from the staff members that feed and interact with the dog on a daily basis. After all, they're the people that probably know the dog best.

A good shelter will appreciate someone that makes a careful decision before adopting. The shelter staff wants the dog to find a new home. They certainly don't want to see a dog returned. It's depressing for the shelter staff to see a dog return after being adopted.

(4) - When you first visit your local shelter get as much information as you can on a dog you may be interested in adopting. Don't rush, take your time. Take a few days if you have to. It's an important decision and shouldn't be taken lightly. Use your best judgement when making your decision, not just your emotions.

(5) - Ask about the dog's history, medical records and temperament. The more you know about the dog the more informed your final decision will be. Find out as much as you can about the dog's shelter history. Ask if he or she has been neutered or spayed. You'll also want to know what shots and flea and tick treatments the dog was given. Ask if the dog has been adopted and then returned to the shelter. If the dog has been returned find out why. The staff will almost always know why a dog was returned.

(6) - Ask about the dog's appetite and either check or ask if the dog's stool looks normal. This can be valuable information especially if the dog has no medical records. There's a lot you can do to make a good, informed decision when adopting from a rescue shelter.

(7) - If the dog is a mixed breed ask the shelter staff what mix the dog is. This will give you a reasonably good idea how large the dog will get if it's not already fully grown. The shelter staff may know from the previous owners or they may at least have an idea just by looking at the dog. Either way you'll get some facts or at the very least, an educated guess.

(8) - Ask the shelter staff to allow you to meet the dog out of it's run or cage and get to know the dog a bit. It's very important and you can learn a lot in a short amount of time. If you feel comfortable with the dog it's also a very good idea to take it for a walk if the shelter will allow it. Just remember, any dog can be trained. If the dog isn't perfect, that's ok. You'll work together to improve.

Those 8 steps are good to keep in mind when adopting a dog from a shelter. Just remember, even an older dog can be trained with a little patience, love and understanding.

I'm sure you've heard the old saying "You can't teach old dogs new tricks". I've heard that saying many times and I couldn't disagree more. As an animal control officer I was often in charge of adoptions and taking care of the dogs and cats when I wasn't on patrol or on an abuse investigation. I spent a lot of that time training some of the older dogs in the basics to give them a better chance at being adopted. They learned quickly and some dogs already knew the basic commands. Dogs want to please, it's in their nature and with some patience you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Shelter dogs don't get a lot of one-on-one attention from people. They get some from the staff but it's limited. The staff is usually pretty busy and there are usually quite a few dogs to take care of so finding the time for one-on-one attention is difficult. So try to remember that a dog may be very excited when he first meets you. Spend some time with the dog so you can find out what he or she is really like. Spend that time with the dog and you may find that the dog is a lot different than your first impression would have lead you to believe.

If you do adopt a shelter dog be sure to visit a local vet as soon as possible. A healthy pet is a happy pet. If the dog has no known medical history then you have to start developing one. If there is a medical history then it's still important that the dog is current on all vaccinations and treatments. Let the vet tell you what the dog needs.

Good luck if you're considering adopting a dog from a shelter. I'm sure you'll be very glad you did. It's a great feeling to know you may have saved your new, best friend's life.

Roger Matthews was an animal control officer and abuse investigator in NJ. He is now the webmaster at http://www.animalrescuegroup.com and a volunteer for Ben's Place, a dog rescue group in Bonifay Florida. Publication of this article is permitted as long as the resource information remains intact and the links work. Donate To Ben's Place

Is it Safe to Have Pet Rats and a Cat in the Same House?

A question I get asked a lot is whether it is possible for those who already own a cat to adopt pet rats. There are a number of factors to consider before making this decision. Whilst there are those few people who say that their cat poses no threat to their rodent pals and happily post pics of their cat and rat getting along well this is a very rare case and should not be treated as the norm.

I should point out at this stage that I live with my 2 pets rats, Pea and Mingles, my dog, Charlie, a Maltese x Shitzu and my cat, Dylan, a Ragdoll x Persian. All of my animals are rescues and they are all wonderful in different ways. However despite his Ragdoll bloodline, Dylan most definitely has the hunting instinct and I would never let the rats run around out of the rat cage whilst he is in the room. It is important to remember that even if you choose a gentle breed like a pure Ragdoll cat and have them from a kitten, they should still never be left out with your pet rats.

It is possible to keep pet rats if you have a cat, although you should weigh out the pros and cons before adopting your new pets. Here are some things to consider:

1. Separation - You will need to be able to easily separate your cat and rats when you want to let your rats out. This could mean using a spare room as a ratty room. This is what I do. The spare room is free from rat dangers like wires, sharp objects and small things they could choke on. It is also fully sealed. There are no little holes in the wall that the rats could escape from. I try to spend an hour a day in there with my rats. We can play together and I can do some training with them safely away from naughty cat claws and teeth. I also have a lot of fun tubes, boxes and even a rat swimming pool for them to explore. Cats are usually fine with this time out and as long as they have plenty of room to roam and their food, water and litter tray (and in our case a doggy companion) they will be fine.

2. Security - You will need to be 100% sure that your rat cage is secure. Of course you would need to do this anyway, because you wouldn't want your rats to escape and get into danger. When we first adopted our two rats Pea and Mingles the old owners gave us their cage and it had a hole in. It was a small hole and I blocked it with plastic boxes and duct tape, but I had the scare of my life when I found Pea running around the floor with Dylan the cat about to pounce. Luckily I picked Pea up in time and the rats have since moved to a 100% safe (and huge!) cage, but please don't let your pets get into this situation. Rats are notorious escape artists. You may think that the space is too small for them to squeeze out of, but they will surprise you. Make sure the rat cage is sturdy (cannot be knocked over) and that there are plenty of areas for the rats to hide from prying eyes.

3. Common Sense - You know your cat better than anyone, but even if you have the gentlest cat in the world who appears to want to be friends with your rats, please be very careful and never ever leave them unsupervised together. I can have my rats sit on my shoulder whilst Dylan is sitting next to me on the sofa, but if he is sitting on top of the sofa I am very careful. The rats' tails are irresistible to most cats.

If you have a cat and you are willing to put in some extra effort to ensure the safety of your rats then there is no reason you shouldn't have rodent pets. However, make sure that you have more than one rat. This is always best as the rats can keep each other company when they are in their rat cage. Even if you can spend a lot of time with your rat, when you are away, or asleep the rats can snuggle and play together and groom each other. It will make all the difference to their lives.

Rats may seem fearless at times, but if you have more than one cat, perhaps you should think about whether a rat is really a good pet for you and your family. Imagine how the rats will feel as all the cats investigate the cage and try to figure out ways to get in.

If you have decided to adopt some rats, be sure to take responsibility for their welfare. If you have a child who has begged you for rats they may learn some responsibility, but ultimately it is the adult who should ensure the animals' welfare and make sure the cats do not pose a problem. It is also essential to ensure your cats are getting just as much attention as they used to, before the new additions.

I hope this article has helped you work out whether keeping rats and cats together could work for your family.

Good Luck!

If you would like to learn more about introducing your pet rat to other animals and find out how to keep your rat cage secure and cat safe check out: http://www.RatsRatsRats.com where you can find out everything you ever wanted to know about pet rats.