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
Pets in the paper – pack your (antler) bags
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Vet gives fawn a new chance at seeing. (Oklahoma City)
- Zoo has name contest for 12 Nigerian goats. (Oklahoma City)
- GPS helping keep track: Wildlife researchers using technology to follow birds, animals. (statewide)
- Radio equipment helps track state wildlife. (statewide)
- United Airlines rescinds recent no antlers baggage rule. (Outdoors blog)
- Pony Express riders deliver Christmas mail in style. (Missouri)
- Two dogs find home after police say they fed on owner. (Nebraska)
- Fishers want locks closed. (Michigan)
- Government to jail tiger’s killer. (China)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Best cars to park your dog in
As we all know, getting your pet from the house to any other location can be a hassle.
For cat owners, the trouble is getting the cat from the house to the cat carrier. After that, it’s the hassle of listening to your cat scream about what an awful owner you are all the way to the vet.
For large dog owners, the trouble is making sure your dog doesn’t try to hang his head out the driver’s side window while you’re on the interstate. Or at least that’s the problem in my car with my dogs, even when my window is closed.
Well apparently some cars are safer for pups than others. Bark Buckle Up and Edmunds released their list of Top 10 Safest Cars. Here they are, listed alphabetically:
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Flex
- GMC Acadia
- Hyundai Tucson
- Jeep Liberty
- Kia Borrego
- Mazda 5 Grand Touring Minivan
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Subaru Tribeca
- Volvo XC70
The safest vehicle of all: the one carrying a well trained dog that stays in her seat.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – cow sees double
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Cow gives birth to sixth twin set. (Lost City)
- Boot camp class gains 750 pounds – of dog food. (Oklahoma City)
- Furry fliers find relief at airports. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – baby zebra makes his entrance
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Baby zebra shows of his stripes. (Oklahoma City)
- Pretty boy strikes glamour pose. (Edmond)
- Horse rescue must find new home. (Ada, video below)
- Officials hit roadblock in poultry suit. (Tulsa)
- Airline just for pets takes flight. (New York)
- Chihuahua of ads for Taco Bell dies. (California, read our tribute blog here)
- Eclipse ushers in rare birth. (China, page 7a)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – puppy mill bill could change
Check out these stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Pet bill may face changes. (state capitol)
- Despite ransom, no dog. (Oklahoma City)
- Agencies strive to increase shelters’ live release rates. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Guinea pig has own wardrobe. (Choctaw) In case you couldn’t tell, that’s Daniel the guinea pig there on the right.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Injured dog needs home in Burns Flat
This pup is lucky, a word not normally associated with a dog in the pound.
But this dog had a lucky turn of events when some kind-hearted people stopped to help her on the side of the highway, said Terri Lynn Fisher, who’s helping to find the dog a home. A driver had hit the dog and left her.
Volunteers are working to help her recover, but she’s in a need of a home fast. Apparently she knows several commands and is a pleasant dog. She likes to ride in the car.
You can check out adoptable dogs in Burns Flat here. Or call Terri at 580-330-1459.
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
Tough times for Oklahoma City pets
High temperatures have lead the deaths of at least four dogs, according to Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. Read the story here.
Listen to one of our podcasts about heat and heat stroke. Our show vet, Dr. Zac Coldiron of Stoneridge Animal Hospital in Edmond, gives great advice about prevention and detection.
Furry friends – just like people – don’t handle extreme heat very well. Even good pet owners could find their animals in danger if we’re not careful. Read on our blog about how to keep your animals safe here and here. You can also read hot weather care tips from the ASPCA here.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Police dog dies in hot car
A police dog in Florida died Monday after he was left in a police car with the air conditioning running for more than three hours. The air conditioner failed and started blowing hot air. By the time his handler returned, it was too late.
Leaving police dogs in running vehicles is normal, though officials in this small Florida town say three hours is an unusually long amount of time. Of course no one suspects this was done maliciously, but it’s a reminder how deligent all of us must be to protect our animals from the heat.
- Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
