Pet treats help kids who love animals
Check out this project 4-H is doing:
Animal lovers looking for a tasty treat for a favorite pet need look to no further than their local 4-H youth. Across the country, 4-H members are now offering pet owners a variety of dog, horse and a cat treats to reward their pets, and help support their local 4-H.
Selling pet treats is unique to 4-H. Many of the 4-H’s clubs and counties have successfully raised funds with 4-H branded pet treats over the past two years, and the concept has been gaining momentum. With support from National 4-H Council, several states are planning statewide sales for the fall with more to follow. “The goal is to develop an annual pet treat fundraising campaign for the benefit of the entire 4-H community,” said Craven Rand, director of operations for the National 4-H Council.
According to Rand, 4-H works to integrate fundraising with 4-H curriculum to achieve both educational and financial goals for youth and for the organization. “As a youth development organization, we work hard to incorporate important life skill lessons such as goal setting and financial literacy into youth activities,” Rand said.
The treats are supplied by Best In Show Pet Treats. The Louisville, Kentucky-based company has worked closely with hundreds of 4-H groups testing and refining the program. The treats will sell for $4 per package and are 100 percent made in the USA.
As part of the annual fundraising campaign, 4-H members will also offer customers the opportunity to donate a package of pet treats to a wide variety of animal rescue organizations across the country. “4-H members have donated countless packages of pet treats to animal shelters, humane societies, horse and dog rescue groups, animal therapy organizations, police K-9 units, police mounted patrols, and even military working dogs serving in Iraq,” said Jeanne Hilt, president of Best In Show Pet Treats.
With early roots in the agricultural community, 4-H is recognized for great animal care and education. In addition to those programs, however, 4-H youth also participate in national Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) initiatives, including robotics, rocketry, GPS and National Youth Science Day. These programs are part of the organization’s “One Million New Scientists, One Million New Ideas” TM program that seeks to engage one million new youth to the fields of science, engineering and technology by the year 2013.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – El Reno girl does good
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Gray wolves back on list. (Michigan)
- Children get a kick out of sporty seals. (Massachusetts)
- Rules target puppy mills. (Missouri)
And, check out this story -
- Girl fulfills quest to protect police dogs. (El Reno) The story is about Vicky Galindo, who appeared on our Dec. 31, 2008, show. You can listen to her here! This picture below is of Vicky and Hero, one of the K9 officers in El Reno.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Quit squirreling around
Police in Warren, Ohio, recently released surveillance video of a woman questioned by police while she kept a squirrel in her shirt.
The woman was brought to the station to be questioned about a crime and seemed unfazed by the squirrel tucked neatly into her cleavage. Detectives were apparently more surprised by the situation but let the woman and the squirrel go after she answered their questions.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pets in the paper – dogs hog the spotlight
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Dogs vie to give judges pause. (Oklahoma City, video below and check out a slideshow here)
- Top dogs shine during show. (Oklahoma City)
- JBS Swift beef makes recalls. (Colorado)
- Boston closes mounted unit. (Massachusetts)
- Bear steals chocolates. (California)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Edmond Pet of the Week
Suede is a neutered male, brown and black Mix. He is about 4 months old and is current on his vaccinations. He has been at the shelter since May 12.
Gilligan is a neutered male, brown and black Chihuahua. smooth coated and chow chow. He is about 7 months old and is current on his vaccinations. He has been at the shelter since May 11.
Adoption fees are $70 for cats and dogs at Edmond Animal Welfare Shelter, 2424 Old Timbers Drive in Cross Timbers Municipal Complex on Covell Road east of Interstate 35. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Saturdays are only for adoptions and pickups.
For more information, call 216-7615.
Dinosaurs are disappearing … again
So in case you haven’t seen it yet, the dinosaur exhibit at the Oklahoma City Zoo is only hanging around for a few more days.
“Dinosaurs Unearthed,” a special traveling exhibit of animatronic dinosaurs, runs through Tuesday, June 30. The life-size dinosaurs move and make sounds, zoo spokeswoman Tara Henson said. The exhibit includes other features, such as dinosaur skeletons and fossils.
Aside from teaching, the exhibit also sends a message about conservation, Henson said. Officials hope visitors realize how fragile ecosystems are. ” Dinosaurs are extinct,” Henson said, “and if we as humans are not careful, many endangered animals could be extinct, too.”
And speaking of endangered species, the Dinosaurs Unearthed merchandise won’t be around much longer either. It’s half price right now.
Here’s are some photos taken by Oklahoman photographer John Clanton. Also, read this blog by Copy Editor Erica Smith about her son’s visit to the exhibit.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
OK, OK. That last picture isn’t really from the dinosaur exhibit. But it’s hilarious, isn’t it? I love it.
The perfect gift … if you want to waste money
So here at Pet Show we hear about all kinds of new products – everything from fancy dog food to fabulous dog wash sprayers. But every now and then we hear about something that is, well, stupid.
Enter Fetchstix.
What is it? Sticks. Sticks you buy. Sticks that cost $12.95 for two.
This is the perfect product for … people who who have no access to sticks? I have no idea. The only scenario where I would think you’d have to buy sticks if if you lived on the space station or you were in solitary confinement in a prison. In either of those scenarios, I doubt you’d be worried about playing fetch.
I have several more thoughts:
1. The makers of Fetchstix market them as the “funny eco-gifts for dog lovers.” I don’t think chopping down a forest (as shown on the Fetchstix homepage) and shipping sticks across the country from Vermont is exactly eco-conscious. The only thing they have right is that the idea is funny.
2. The sticks come with an owner’s manual. Use the owner’s manual to hit yourself over the head for spending $12.95 on two sticks.
3. There’s a technical support line. Yes, really. Call the support line when you need to ask questions like, “How do I play fetch with my dog? What do I do? Why did I spend $12.95 on sticks?”
I don’t wish anyone ill will in these tough economic times, but I have to say, this might be the worst business plan ever. And to anyone who has paid $12.95 for two Fetchstix: maybe you should build a fire with those sticks and throw your money in there.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – ask your boss BEFORE you bring that pup to work
Listen to Pet Show! Carrie and Dawn talked about all the fun ways to enjoy National Take Your Dog to Work Day. Step 1: Make sure you can actually BRING your dog to work. This isn’t an act-first-ask-questions-later situation, people! We also talked about the Oklahoma City Summer Classic Dog Show. And speaking of the show, here are some photos from the event by Oklahoman photographer Ashley McKee! (And yes, I included the one we were talking about – the poodle with no pants!)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Keep your pets safe in the summer
The Humane Society gives these Top 10 tips for keeping your pet safe this summer:
- Never leave your pet unattended in the car on a warm or sunny day. Cars quickly heat up to a dangerous temperature, even with the window slightly open.
- Be sure to keep your pets up-to-date on their vaccinations and preventative medications. Fleas and ticks stay busy in warm weather and summer is also the prime time for heartworms. Check with your veterinarian about the best way to keep your pets healthy.
- Keep your cats indoors to keep them safe. Cars, other pets, and wild animals can all pose risks to your cats’ safety. By providing playtime, cat trees, and other enrichment, your cat will be happy and content to stay indoors with you.
- Beware of cocoa mulch and other gardening products. Cocoa mulch can be deadly if ingested and has an appetizing scent to some animals. Pesticides, fertilizers and other harsh chemicals can also be quickly fatal if ingested.
- When taking your dog for a walk on a hot day, plan for shorter walks mid-day, when temperatures peak, and longer walks in the morning and evening when it’s cooler. Hot sidewalks can burn the pads on your dog’s paws, so walk on the grass when possible.
- If you have pet rabbits, be sure to keep them indoors because they don’t tolerate heat well. Keeping a rabbit indoors will also provide protection from predators who might try to attack a rabbit in an outdoor hutch.
- Never leave your dog outdoors unattended on a chain or tether. Long-term chaining during the hot summer months can result in countless insect bites, dehydration, and heat stroke. Even short-term unattended tethering can pose risks such as theft or attacks by people or animals.
- When driving with pets, be sure to keep them properly restrained and inside the vehicle. Special seatbelts and secured carriers can protect pets during accidents and prevent them from distracting the driver. The back of a pick-up truck is never a safe place for a pet to ride.
- Be mindful of your pets around your wild neighbors. When going for walks or playing in a fenced yard, don’t allow pets to harass birds, rabbits, squirrels, and other wild animals.
- The summer months are the peak season for dog bites because so many kids and dogs are playing outside. You can reduce the risk of your dog biting through training, socialization, and getting your dog spayed or neutered. Kids can learn to stay safe through good manners around pets and humane education.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – horse teeth and prison time
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Rodeo star pleads in veterinary case. (Geary)
- Beef company issues recall. (Colorado)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
