Pet Show – keeping safe during the storm
Listen to Pet Show! Our guest is Dr. Louise Murray, medical director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Impressed? We are, too. Dr. Murray talked to us about how to keep your pets safe during the impending ice storm, otherwise known as Ice Storm of Doom 2010.
In other news, police in Mexico City saved 150 ferrets, and the Brits have taught crocodiles to recognize their own names. Maybe that’s not as important right now as winter weather safety, but it’s still interesting. Kind of.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
How to help animals in Haiti
As aid pours into Haiti from around the world, animal advocates have joined together to help pets in the country devastated by a major earthquake and its aftershocks. Several organizations are partnering to create the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, according to a press release issued this afternoon. You can donate to the three largest groups here:
- The American Humane Association
- The World Society for the Protection of Animals
- The International Fund for Animal Welfare
These are all reputable groups, but I would be sure to include a note in any online donations that the money is specifically for relief in Haiti.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
It’s raining lizards
In addition to record cold temperatures, Florida residents are dealing with another strange phenomenon — iguanas falling from the trees.

An iguana lies frozen, or possibly just in suspended animation, on the ground at a Florida Keys park following a cold snap - Tim Chapman, Miami Herald
The iguanas, which are not native to Florida, don’t do well in the cold. With record low temperatures in the state, the reptiles are falling frozen out of the trees in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne.
The iguanas aren’t actually frozen. They are in suspended animation, coming back to life once they warm up. However, extended cold temperatures could kill them.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Aquarium hosts day camps for kids out of school

Brandi Moss, an aquarist at the Oklahoma Aquarium, touches one of the aquarium's loggerhead turtles. All six species of sea turtles are either endangered or threatened, meaning they are on the verge of extinction.
Looking for somewhere to take your kiddos in the Tulsa area because school is out? The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks has you covered:
It’s warm and dry inside the Oklahoma Aquarium and starting at noon Thursday, January 7th, it’s also a quick solution for working parents whose kids are out of school due to the severe cold. A special Cold Weather SeaCamp will be held from noon to 5:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 to 5:00 on Friday. The cost of the camp is $20 on Thursday and $30 on Friday. Late pick-up is available till 5:30 for an additional $5 both days. Early drop-off is available Friday at 8:30 for $5. This fee is discounted from the Aquarium’s regularly scheduled SeaCamps as a community service during this dangerously cold weather. This means parents can make it to work and have a safe, fun, educational place for their children for $4 or less per hour. Children are asked to bring a sack lunch and wear warm layers as temperatures vary in different parts of the Aquarium. Call ahead registration is recommended as attendance is limited to the first 100 children each day. Call (918) 296-FISH. Details are on our website, www.okaquarium.org.
Maybe your kids will have a chance to see awesome turtles like the one shown here. They probably won’t get to touch them, though.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – food and yoga
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Zoo’s new elephant habitat to house expectant mother. (Oklahoma City)
- Instructor offers way to help animals. (Oklahoma City)
- City’s six-day horse show keeps eyes on ranking prize. (Oklahoma City)
- Safari park adds new tiger, center. (Tuttle)
- Nature loves flock to state’s salt plaines. (Great Salt Plaines)
- Pony Express to celebrate anniversary in re-enactment. (Missouri)
- Tortoises highlight disputes in energy. (California)
- Slithery pets are rescued. (Utah)
- “Best Job” winner stung by dangerous jellyfish. (Australia)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – coats for pets with coats
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman -
- Pets need to find warmth when weather turns cold. (statewide)
- Nature center plans activities. (Norman)
- Nonprofit groups adopt former police horses. (Tulsa)
- Animal case gets new twist. (Texas)
- Parties vote back U.S. beef important ban. (Taiwan)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – getchya a gator!
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Alligator sighting reported at park. (Oklahoma City)
- Shelter gets funds for pet tag study. (Oklahoma City)
- Horse, owner get super win at show. (Oklahoma City)
- Shelter seeks pet gifts. (Oklahoma City)
- Giraffe suffers from neck injury during move. (Tulsa)
- Delays continue in state’s poultry waste pollution trial. (Tulsa)
- Swooping in: Oklahoma hosting national event for handlers of eagles, hawks and falcons. (Woodward)
- Rare birds seen in state. (Woodward)
- Horse country tour. (Texas)
- 5,600 species found during ocean census. (Louisiana)
- Cruelty brings no contest plea. (New Mexico)
- Ducks in trouble, Ducks Unlimited says. (northwestern United States)
- New books for birders. (nationwide)
- Jaguar blamed in miner’s death. (Guyana)
- Bulls escape from movie set. (Spain)
- White tiger gets new home. (Serbia)
- “Fantastic Mr. Fox” full of fun. (movie review)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Dogs are funniest … not on purpose
So just in case you were wondering, dogs outshine cats when it comes to wins for America’s Funniest Home Videos. I’m not sure that’s a good thing, though. Most of the time winners on America’s Funniest Home Videos have either done something ridiculously stupid or just been hit in the groin.
The show marks its 20th anniversary at 6 p.m. Sunday on ABC. (Read more about TV on the NewsOK Television Blog!)
And in honor of their anniversary, show officials calculated all the animal winners during the past 20 years. Dogs finished first with cats close behind. But there are all kinds of other animals that have won. (Who knew whales could be funny? And who knew that a praying mantis would win not once but twice?)
- 1 ANT
- 3 BEARS
- 22 BIRDS
- 1 BULL
- 1 CAMEL
- 34 CATS
- 1 CHIMP
- 1 DEER
- 136 DOGS
- 1 ELK
- 1 FERRET
- 1 FISH
- 1 FLY
- 1 FROG
- 4 GIRAFFES
- 4 GOATS
- 1 GORILLA
- 1 GUINEA PIG
- 3 HAMSTERS
- 4 HORSES
- 1 KANGAROO
- 1 LIZARD
- 2 LLAMAS
- 5 MONKEYS
- 2 MICE
- 1 ORANGUTAN
- 1 OSTRICH
- 2 PRAYING MANTIS
- 5 RACOONS
- 1 RAM
- 1 RAT
- 1 RHINO
- 1 SEA LION
- 1 SPIDER
- 1 SNAKES
- 9 SQUIRRELS
- 1 TARANTULA
- 1 TOAD
- 2 WHALES
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Books, beer and man’s best friend
When I was in college, I kept one pet. That poor fish. He didn’t make it to graduation. But there are plenty of college students out there who are more responsible than I was. For them, Petside.com has ranked the Top 10 college for pet owners. Here’s the list:
1. Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., has four pet-friendly dorm “clusters” that allow cats and dogs that weigh less than 40 pounds. Snakes and fish are welcome, too.
2. Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., has a “pet dorm” where dogs, cats, hamsters and guinea pigs are allowed.
3. Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Penn., has a “Pet House” dorm, which allows cats, dogs, small birds, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, turtles and fish. Have something more exotic? The college evaluates them on individually.
4. Principa College in Elsah, Ill., has seven dorms and university apartments that allow pets. Students may bring dogs, cats, rabbits, caged animals and aquatic life.
5. California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., lets students have cats in all dorms. Small cage animals and aquatic life can come to school, too.
6. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign allows students in the Ashton Woods housing to keep dogs, cats, fish and rabbits.
7. The University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, makes room for cats and birds in the school’s apartment-style housing buildings. Fish are allowed in all dorms.
8. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., requires written consent from roommates before a cat is introduced. And the dorms even have a “Pet Chairman.”
9. The State University of New York at Canton is known for Mohawk Hall, which accomodates up to 48 pets. Those animals are allowed to wander freely if their owner is around. Sadly, dogs and snakes aren’t allowed.
10. Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., allows one dog or cat in each fraternity and sorority house on campus.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Truckin’ for Turtles

In case you haven’t thrown your cowboy hat in the ring, there’s still time. Here’s some info from the Oklahoma Aquarium:
Time is running out to have a big impact with a small donation to the Oklahoma Aquarium. The Truckin’ For Turtles Contest is entering its final 10 days with the drawing for prizes set for Labor Day, September 7th at 11:00. Truckin’ For Turtles Tickets are being sold online and at the Oklahoma Aquarium ticket office for $20 each or 6 for $100. All money raised will help build a public exhibit, for two giant sea turtles, currently behind the scenes at the Aquarium. Ticket holders go in the drawing for a new Ford Ranger SuperCab donated by Bill Knight Ford. Other prizes include a private sleepover in the Aquarium, a private tour to see the sea turtles up close at feeding time and tickets to the Aquarium.
The Oklahoma Aquarium has received a $500,000 challenge grant to build the $1.5 million sea turtle exhibit. The two, 200-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtles have been living behind-the-scenes, and waiting for a public exhibit since 2004. All sea turtles are either endangered or threatened, so it is the mission of the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation, staff and volunteers to share these beautiful animals with visitors to foster greater appreciation and protection.
For more Truckin’ For Turtles details, including a special video of the sea turtles, please visit www.okaquarium.org.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
P.S. Here’s a look at the Oklahoma Aquarium exhibit:



