Pet Awareness event planned in Midwest City
The Animals Best Friends Foundation is once again organizing their Pet Awareness Day. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Regional Park in Midwest City. Lots of activities are planned, including nail clipping, free flea and tick dips, kids activities and adoptions. Vets and animal welfare officers will be on hand to answer questions. The K-9 unit of the Midwest City Police Department will be at 11 a.m., and the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department pups will perform at 1 p.m. For more information, call Wayne Adair at 248-7028.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – Safe in Wichita
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Refuge wins support in state. (Lawton)
- Berry will have to sit out Derby. (Oklahoma City / Kentucky)
- Transition period is suggested for familiarizing cats to babies. (nationwide)
- This dog is family’s friend, fur-ever. (Kingston)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pass the pork, please
Despite all the swine flu hubbub, you can still be friends with pigs. That is, if you liked pigs to begin with.
The American Veterinary Medical Association, the nation’s largest vet organization, says being around pigs is OK.
“This disease is transmitted from human to human and, as far as we know right now, it does not involve pigs, livestock or pets,” said Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. “That said, the association advises people to follow proper cooking guidelines for all meat products including pork to avoid food borne illnesses such as salmonella.”
The new virus isn’t even found in pigs, according to the AVMA. It’s being spread among humans. But pig farmers and owners are keeping an eye out for it, according to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pink slips for the porcupines
These are tough times for everyone, including animals.
Officials at the Bronx Zoo are running short on cash, so they’ve begun layoffs – animal layoffs. Four major exhibits will be shuttered to make up for the $15 million budget shortfall. The soon-to-be-homeless animals will be spread out among other zoos and aquariums throughout the country. Affected animals include bats, porcupines, lemurs and antelopes, among others. Altogether, hundreds of animals will be shipped off permanently.
Word has it that won’t be the case here in Oklahoma City.
“This is not the situation at our zoo,” said Tara Henson, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City Zoo. “Fortunately and thankfully, we are not faced with this challenge.”
So, African-crested porcupine family, you guys can stay.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Best man, I mean bear
Don’t try this at home, folks.
Naturist Casey Anderson has drawn some attention because of his best friend, an 800-pound grizzly bear named Brutus. Anderson raised Brutus from a cub after he was born at an overpopulated wildlife park.
Brutus even served as Anderson’s best man when he recently got married.
The pictures are undeniably amazing, and the story of this relationship is wonderful, but I can’t help but worry. Grizzlies may not be blood-thristy manhunters as they are often portrayed, but they are wild animals capable of turning on their keepers at any moment. Anderson is taking his life into his hands with this relationship. Maybe he sees his relationship with Brutus as worth the risk, but he needs to be especially careful about bringing Brutus near others.
As awful as it would be if Brutus turned on Anderson, he would probably never get over it if his best friend hurt or killed someone else.
For now, enjoy the photos.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pets in the Paper – Pumpkin is back
Check out theses animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Overdose listed in horse deaths. (Florida)
- Dognapped Pumpkin is reunited with his family. (Edmond)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show! Keep your dogs calm during storms
Listen to Pet ShowAs we all know, spring is a pretty volatile season in Oklahoma, and this season is the prime time of year for thunderstorms. For many pets, this can be scary.
Dr. Debra Horwitz, of Veterinary Behavior Consultations in St. Louis, talked to us about all the great ways you can keep your pup calm during the storm.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Pets in the paper – and this little piggy went to the doctor
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- State pork producers are on alert. (statewide)
- An exhibit of animal paintings opening. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper –
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today, Sunday and Saturday -
- Company recalls feed. (statewide)
- Myriad Gardens to release bugs. (Oklahoma City)
- Some plants keep bugs away. (nationwide)
- Bee study creating a buzz. (nationwide)
- More to come!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Mouth-to-beak resuscitation
My mom sent me this video this morning, and it’s great. I’ve seen it before, but it made me laugh again. This woman is from my home state – Arkansas – and this is how we roll.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
