Pets in the paper – taking the reins
Check out these stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Youths take the reins at Quarter Horse event. (Oklahoma City)
- Catching hope: Burned children get a chance at fun at firefighters’ camp. (Pryor)
- Tips offered to avoid insect stings. (nationwide, page 2c, Monday)
- Lost dog found after nine years. (Australia, page 13a, Sunday)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a dog that tucks children in bed
Holy moly! I was out of town, so there’s lots of catching up to do. Here are the animal stories in The Oklahoma today, yesterday, Saturday and Friday -
- For kids in therapy, a new best friend. (Oklahoma City, video below)
- Funding issues hamper animal rescue’s efforts. (Harrah)
- Two men hurt in attack by pit bulls. (Midwest City)
- Car show benefits pets. (Oklahoma City)
- Horse show to draw top trainers. (Ardmore)
- Rescue calls charges in cruelty case “sad.” (Sayre)
- More arrests expected in illegal horse racing. (Guymon)
- Report: Goodell decides on Vick. (New Jersey)
- Owens says NFL unfair in handling Vick’s status. (New York)
- Film may put critters in false light. (California)
- Meat packer suspended. (Kansas)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
A little more summer fun
In case your kiddos are looking for another summer camp involving the cute and cuddly, here’s some info from the Little River Zoo:
Week 10 of the Junior ZooKeeper Summer Camp is July 27 – 31, from 10am-4pm. Children, ages 5-14, will experience an incredible opportunity assisting real Zookeepers in a natural “hands-on” environment. Campers will hike along the trails of the Zoo’s Cross-Timber woodlands and discover amazing lifestyle facts of the more than 400 animals residing at the Zoo. Campers enjoy a new theme each week, and end the week-long adventure by celebrating with their family at the ZooKeeper Graduation celebration. ZooKeeper Camp cost is $99/child.
There are only three weeks left of Junior ZooKeeper summer camps: Week 10 is July 27 – 31, Week 11 is August 3 – 7, and Week 12 is August 10 –14. To register for the ZooKeeper Camps, call (405) 366-7229.
The Little River Zoo is located in Norman south of Hwy. 9 on 120th Ave. SE, and is open daily from 10am-5pm. For more information about Zoo programs and special events, visit www.littleriverzoo.com.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – the bulls strike back
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Drug results may influence sentence term / Woman’s infant son died after hungry puppy mauled him. (Tulsa)
- Noodlers bring home the catfish. (Pauls Valley)
- Death doesn’t halt bulls’ running. (Spain)
- Attract feathered friends by using proper incentives.
- Racing pigeons program took flight in Oklahoma City. (blog)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Name that monkey
OK, let me just preface this by saying I have no clue what this baby capuchin monkey is doing in this picture from the Little River Zoo. That aside, here’s the news …
This female capuchin monkey was born May 3 at Little River Zoo, and officials there are looking for a good name. The naming contest is open to children ages 5-15. The entry deadline is Aug. 1. Entries can be made at the zoo or online. The winner receives a membership and gets to have his or her picture taken with the monkey.
Here’s some more info from Little River Zoo about capuchins:
Capuchins are the smartest of all the monkeys. Their life span is around 40 years. Unfortunately, they are often purchased for pets when they are very young, and then many good-intentioned owners come to realize how these monkeys do not make good pets. “Many of the monkeys brought to the Little River Zoo came from previous private ownership,” said Janet Sadler, Director/Co-founder of the Little River Zoo. “The zoo then introduces these monkeys back into family groups so they can live as normal a life as possible.” All the primates at the zoo were born in captivity, as the zoo does not take animals from the wild. Capuchin monkeys share and practice deception which are both signs of intelligence, and recent research indicates they also understand the concepts of justice and fairness.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Three cheers for the Altrusa Club of Norman
Check out this good news from Norman:
The Altrusa Club of Norman recently donated two Camp Scholarships to the Little River Zoo Junior ZooKeeper Summer Camp. The scholarships will benefit two children, ages 8 and 10, from the East Main Place homeless facility to enjoy a fun week of incredible experience hiking along the trails and interacting with a variety of animals. The East Main Place facility is a transitional homeless shelter where individuals can live up to one year. During their stay, they learn to resolve issues that caused their situation and eventually move into their own home and new lives.
Martha Aughe, Vice President and Past President of the Altrusa Int’l Inc of Norman said, “the scholarships were selected because the Little River Zoo offers such great activities in humane education to the children of our community. We feel it is important for all children to visit the Zoo and enjoy a fun week, most especially those children who would not otherwise be able to attend.”
The Altrusa Club of Norman is an international association of professional women who volunteer their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community values and improvement. They are active community volunteers and raise money for many local non-profits and charitable organizations.
“We are grateful to the Altrusa group for their extraordinary act of kindness which will certainly impact these children lives,” stated Zoo Director, Janet Sadler. “Our summer camps are packed with exciting activities. We look forward to being a part of changing these kids’ lives and watching them have a great time during their week at Zoo camp.”
The Little River Zoo is a non-profit 501c3 organization that focuses on education through the lives of a number of animal residents. To support the children’s programs, contact the Zoo at (405) 366-7229, or visit www.littleriverzoo.com. The Zoo is located south of Hwy. 9 on 120th Ave SE, and is open daily from 10am-5pm.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – deadly python attack
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Python blamed in girl’s death. (Florida)
- Beef recalled in outbreak. (nationwide)
- A muddy good time with slime, scales. (Norman)
- Pet project raises awareness for animals’ needs. (Enid / nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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.
