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
Pets in the paper
Check out these animal stories from The Oklahoman today, yesterday and Saturday:
- Make your pet a video star in NewsOK.com contest.
- Bug Fest has creepy-crawlie stars. (Norman)
- Mailed jailed in doe shooting. (Vermont)
- Equine dentist law has teeth. (statewide)
- State park just made horse sense. (Wagoner)
- Zoo welcomes baby elephant. (California)
- Condor suffers from gunshot. (California)
- Oil soaks pelican, Australian beach. (Saturday, page 7a)
- Don’t make impulse bunny buy. (statewide)
- Oklahoma City Zoo exhibit revives dinosaurs.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
ASPCA predicts 1 million animals will be homeless
As the economy continues to sink, people aren’t the only ones feeling the effects. More families are losing their homes, and many people aren’t sure what to do with their pets.
That problem could leave up to 1 million homeless pets homeless. The ASPCA makes the prediction based on foreclosure and pet ownership rates.
To help ease the blow, the ASPCA recommends pet owners who lose their living space to take one of these steps:
- Ask a loved one to look after your pet until you get back on your feet.
- Choose a rental property that allows pets.
- Seek out a shelter that will accept your pet before you move.
Volunteers who want to help out can do a lot to improve the situation, the ASPCA suggests. There are some steps many of us can take to help shelters and rescues deal with the possible influx of animals:
- Adopt a pet.
- Foster a homeless pet.
- Donate towels, blankets and toys to rescues and shelters.
- Support community services that help home owners who are teetering on the brink of foreclosure.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Free coupon for $20 off vet bill
These are tough economic times for everyone, including our pets. To help make sure our animals get the preventative care they need, Advantage and Bayer Health Care are kicking off the “Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet” campaign.
The companies are handing out $20 vouchers for pet owners beginning today and running through Feb. 28.
“In these challenging economic times, many pet owners are facing difficult choices about how to pay for and prioritize their pets’ care and wellness. And unfortunately, veterinary visits and preventive veterinary care are often cut due to financial struggles and concerns,” according to the campaign Web site.
They’re limiting the giveaway to about 83 vouchers every hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST so that everybody has a shot at getting some help. After all is said and done, about $260,000 in free vet care will be handed out.
The way it works is simple. You print out the voucher, take your pet to the vet, have your vet fill out the form and you mail it in. The result: you get a $20 check in the mail.
The vouchers are open to any adult in the United States, with a few restrictions. For example, the voucher must be used on preventative care.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Give a lolcat – not a pet – for Valetine’s Day
Even though we here at Pet Show say NO to giving pets as gifts, we say YES to anything lolcat.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet advice after the tornados
The tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma were a reminder to pet owners how important identification is.
Severe weather can rip down fences, pull down walls and leave pets confused and scared. At least one veterinarian is helping reunite lost dogs with their owners. The best way to ensure a pet is returned is by microchipping, he said. Collars and tags can sometimes be caught and torn by debris. Microchips stay under the skin and can be tracked by any vet or shelter official.
Here is some more information from the ASPCA about disaster readiness:
- The Pet Evacuation Transportation Safety (PETS) Act, passed after Hurricane Katrina, allows owners to take their companion animals with them to shelters. Contact the shelter before you show up to make sure it’s OK. Some shelters are designed for animal owners.
- Practice getting your animal out of the house so it isn’t scary or difficult. This is especially important for cat carriers.
- Owners with pets that require special temperature settings, such as reptiles, need to have duplicates of everything, such as heaters. Fish owners should have a small, transportable tank ready.
- Socialize your pet as much as possible in case they come in contact with rescuers or other people at the shelter.
- Keep an emergency kit of your pets needs, such as any medicines and some food, that you can take with you. Be sure to keep a photo of you with your pet if you get separated and have to claim him.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Your pet picture could win you a special travel prize!
The holiday season looms like your cat’s next trip to the vet – you know it’s coming and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. And holidays mean holiday travel to visit loved ones near and far. So, Pet Show wants to celebrate! Send us your favorite pictures of your pet on vacation or on the road, and you’ll be entered in our Holiday Travel Contest! The prize: some super-snazzy car travel gear!
The fabulous folks at CoverKing have given us this awesome Pet Protector Seat Cover. How does it work? You hang it over your back seat and not only does it keep your pet from falling into the floorboard every time you tap the breaks, but it also keeps pet hair off your upholstery! Well, in my car, that would be pet hair, pet smell, pet sneezes and other pet yuckies. Retail value: $50! Your entry: free! Here are the rules:
* Email pictures of your pets to ccoppernoll@opubco.com. The pictures can be anything related to travel – in the car, on vacation, on a hike, visiting a friend’s house, whatever! We need the pet’s name, your name, your address, your phone number and the kind of animal your loveable friend is. (And we’d also like a description of what your pet is doing, if that’s possible. )
* Every person who enters at least one photo will be put in the drawing for the rockin’ CoverKing Pet Protector Seat Cover! (Thanks to CoverKing for providing the prize!)
* Only one entry per person, but you can submit any many pictures as you want!
* The deadline for entry is noon Nov. 21.
* The Pet Show crew will draw the name of the winner at random after noon Nov. 21, just in time to get you your CoverKing before you head out for Thanksgiving vacation!
* The odds of winning depend on the number of entries. The odds of fun while traveling with your pet: 100 percent.
* What happens if you don’t win? Don’t worry! We’ll take all the photos submitted and make a slide show of everyone’s fantastic travel pics. We’ll post it right after we draw the winner.
* Good luck!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper
Check out these stories in today’s Oklahoman -
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Ferrets making a comeback north of Oklahoma
Kansas, our fabulous neighbors to the north, have some good news to share. Black-footed ferrets there are making a comeback.
Last summer, 24 ferrets were released onto the plains, and apparently they’re doing really well. Most survived and a few even reproduced – great news for the endangered animals.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Oklahoma pet owners can be prepared for flooding
Emergency workers are evacuating parts of Canadian County this morning because of dangerous flooding. No doubt many of the homeowners are pet owners, too. When disaster strikes, being prepared is key.
The ASPCA offers these tips if you have to evacuate your home:
- - Make sure your pets have identification and collars, even if you have to improvise. ID tags should have the animal’s name, your phone number and any pertinent medical info.
- - Keep your animals indoors (or in the car with you) as much as possible. Disaster situations are scary for animals and people, and you want to reduce the chance your pet will take off.
- - Stay at a pet-friendly place. Don’t leave your animals in the car if they can’t stay in a shelter or hotel. (TripsWithPets.com offers a list of pet-friendly hotels in Oklahoma.)
- - Bird owners: make sure your bird’s leg has an ID band and have photos of your bird available. Cover your bird’s cage to reduce stress. Use a timed feeder in case you have to leave your pet unattended.
- - Reptile owners: traveling temporarily with your snake in a pillowcase is OK, but try to find a more secure situation as soon as possible. Keep track of your reptile’s body temperature.
- - Small animal owners: like birds, try to keep your animals as calm as possible by finding a secure, quiet location.
If you can prepare ahead of time, do so. Disasters like the Canadian County flooding remind all of us to be ready. The Humane Society of the United States offers this list of necessary items to have on hand in case of emergency:
- - Food and water for at least five days and a manual can opener if necessary.
- - Medicine, medical records and the name and number of your vet.
- - Cat litter and litter box.
- - A sturdy leash, harness or carrier.
- - Current photos of your pet.
- - Pet beds and toys.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
