Puppy rescued from train tracks
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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
Furry weatherman to try texting
In this Feb. 2, 2009 file photo, John Griffiths, a handler of the weather-predicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, holds Phil in the air after removing him from his stump at Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog Day, in Punxsutawney, Pa. The state's tourism department says Phil will text his weather prediction to those who sign up to have texts sent to their mobile phones. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The world’s most famous animal weatherman, Punxsutawney Phil, will try some new technology this Groundhog Day.
Phil will text his weather prediction to those who text “groundhog” to 247375.
Mickey Rowley, Pennsylvania’s deputy tourism secretary, said he realizes that not everyone can come to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, so this is a good way to get the word out.
On Feb. 2, Phil will come out of his home in the morning to make his annual prediction. If he can’t see a shadow, it means we are in for an early spring. If he sees his shadow, prepare for six more weeks of winter.
Each year, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania to find out whether Phil sees his shadow. Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club pull the marmot from its hiding spot and, they say, listen for his prediction in a language they call “groundhog-ese.”
Thankfully, the text will be translated into English.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Zoo hosts day camp, too
A little earlier today we told you about the Oklahoma Aquarium hosting day camps for kids put out by the weather. For those of you who don’t live in the Tulsa area, here’s a kid-friendly, animal-friendly day for you:
It’s warm and toasty inside the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Conservation Education Center and starting at 8:00 am Friday, January 8th, it’s also a quick solution for working parents whose kids are out of school due to the severe cold. A special Cold Weather Safari Camp will be held for a cost of only $20 per child. Pick-up is available till 5:30 pm and early drop-off begins at 7:30 am. This fee is discounted over 50% from our regularly scheduled day camps as a community service during this after-holiday, unexpected cold weather snap. This means parents can make it to work in a timely manner and have a safe, fun, educational place for their children for $3 or less per hour. Age appropriate activities may include live animal encounters, crafts, stories, songs, discovery stations and much more! Children are asked to bring a sack lunch. A morning and afternoon snack will be provided. Call ahead registration is recommended, but not required. Attendance is limited to the first 100 children between the ages of 4 and 15. Call (405) 425-0218 for registration or information.
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
Chilly tails everywhere
The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals sends us this helpful reminder in light of this terrible weather:
Severe weather conditions are expected to last through the weekend. Pets that are left outdoors without sufficient shelter can be in mortal danger quickly. Oklahoma law calls for animals to have adequate food, water and shelter. In current weather conditions, animals should be brought indoors or must have access to shelter in which they can remain warm, dry and completely out of wind. Short haired dogs, elderly animals or ones which are underweight or otherwise in poor health can be in the greatest danger. Do not leave senior pets or short-haired dogs outdoors unattended. Water bowls left outside will freeze. Pets should be offered water indoors or in areas in which a bowl cannot freeze. If pets are indoors in a carrier, do not leave the carrier too close to a heat source or fireplace. Make sure that bedding is safe and also is not near a heat source.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – putting the “free” in freezing
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Zoo promotion puts the “free” in freezing. (Oklahoma City Zoo)
- Protecting your pets from cold. (statewide)
- Peta ad adds first lady. (Washington, D.C.)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
OKC back open after digging out
Don’t worry, you have one more chance to visit the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2009 – today!
After closing for nearly a week because of the snowstorm, the zoo will be open today. Staff (including Executive Director Dwight Scott) have been digging out and clearing the ice and snow to allow visitors back in. Here’s the zoo’s Facebook status:
Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden The Zoo will be open Thursday, Dec. 31. Please be careful as there may be some slick areas on grounds. We will be closed on New Year’s Day! Thank you to everyone for your patience while our team worked to dig the zoo out from under all of that snow.
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
Dognappers run amok!
Apparently dog thefts are on the rise. Through last month, the American Kennel Club has tracked more than 115 stolen pet stories this year. The group only heard of 71 thefts all of last year. Here’s some more info from AKC:
The FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which tracks stolen property nationwide, currently lists 200 stolen dogs, according to Steve Fischer, FBI Spokesperson. According to Fischer, “Dogs listed in our database must have permanent owner-applied serial numbers, such as those from embedded microchips. Unfortunately not all dogs have permanent ID, so we know this is only a fraction of the number of missing dogs.”
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in Texas which would have made it a state felony to steal a pet, including the family dog, with a possible two years in prison if convicted. California and Delaware have tried to regulate roadside pet sales as a way to combat the trafficking of stolen pets to unsuspecting consumers.
Keep your pet safe:
- Keep your dog leashed.
- Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard, in your car or tied up outside a store.
- Have your pet microchipped.
What to do in a worst-case scenario:
- Call the police.
- Search the neighborhood.
- Post fliers. (This is why it’s important to have a current photo of your pet!)
How can you curb pet theft:
- Don’t buy dogs from the Internet, flea markets or roadside vendors. (Better yet – ADOPT!)
- Use reputable breeders and adoption agencies.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
