After the arrest earlier this month of doggy day care manager Matthew Soto, I imagine that a lot of pet parents are starting to have second thoughts about placing their furry family member in doggy daycare. To my mind, doggy daycare provides numerous benefits. It gives playful and social animals a chance to interact with humans and dogs alike. It offers novel stimulation and chances for exercise and play. It means that your beloved dog will be in good hands and have company throughout the day. Here are three suggestions for finding a qualified, reputable doggy daycare facility:

1) Use the Internet

When it comes to researching places like doggy daycare centers, the Internet is definitely your friend. Start by looking at review sites like Yelp. Using a site like Yelp, you can either research a specific organization or look for local organizations in your area and read reviews written by consumers. For example, I typed in doggy daycare and San Francisco, CA and found that 13 out of 13 reviewers gave the The Grateful Dog a rating of 5 stars, while Fog City Doggie Day Care had extremely mixed reviews. These types of review sites are a great way to narrow down the list of places you personally want to contact.

2) Ask for recommendations

Talk to your groomer, your veterinarian, your pet-sitter, your pet friends, your trainer. Odds are that at least one of these people will know of someplace wonderful that would be just right for your pet.

3) Visit the place in person

Not only should you visit the place you are planning to leave your pet, but plan on visiting several different days at several different times of day. Drop off and pick up are usually fairly chaotic, so don’t be too put off if the staff does not have a lot of time to talk during those times. Coming by to see the place on Monday at 10am and Thursday at 3, is going to tell you a lot about how these places are actually run. While the place may be sparkling clean on Monday morning, by Thursday afternoon it could be covered in destroyed toys, mud, and even excrement. Also the number of animals and staff present may vary greatly during days of the week and times of day. A center that only allows you to visit at specific times may easily have something to hide.

4) Ask questions, questions, and more questions. The Colorado Association of Dog Daycares offers a wonderful list of questions they recommend a prospective doggy daycare customer ask. Here are some of my favorites:

Is the environment calm and controlled? Do the dogs seem stressed or happy? Are the staff members interacting with the dogs? If not they can’t know them well enough to detect or avoid trouble. Is the daycare sufficiently staffed? Does the daycare have a screening process? If they don’t demand proof of vaccinations from you they aren’t requiring it of anybody else. Does the daycare have a relationship with a vet that is close by? Are there specific strategies in place for handling problems as they arise? How much time to the dogs spend indoors/outdoors? How often are they taken outside to potty?

Ask questions specific to your situation. Do you have a small dog? Large dog? Do you want the sizes kept separate? How do they handle pets with food allergies? Do they give treats? How are meal times handled? Do the dogs have individual spaces as well as communal areas? What happens if your dog becomes sick or injured?

Taking time to find exactly the right place will help ensure that both you and your pet have an enjoyable experience.

On Wednesday, August 25th, the n August 25, the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested Matthew Soto, co-owner and daily manager of Bark & Play, a dog-boarding and day-care facility in Brooklyn, NY. Soto has been charged with five counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty for severely neglecting several dogs boarded at the kennel.

In June, ASPCA agents began an investigation of this facility. At that time, it was discovered that animals were being left in poorly ventilated and extremely dirty areas (the areas where the animals were kept were covered in urine and feces). feces. Two underweight Pit Bull mixes, boarders at Bark & Play, were actually treated for severe urine burns.

According to an article published by the ASPCA, the rescued animals had been housed at the facility by local rescue groups. These groups paid a boarding fee to keep the animals at Bark & Play until such time as permanent homes could be found. If convicted, Soto faces up to two years imprisonment. Needless to say, Bark & Play has closed its doors.

In my next post, I’ll provide tips for choosing a quality daycare and/or boarding facility.

There are usually three of us at the dinner table each night: me, my husband, and on the floor between us our dog Jade who lies down and looks pathetic (he has the “I haven’t eaten in days and there isn’t a Kong full of food only two rooms away” look down pat). Jade does beg - especially if the meal is ribs - but for some reason he never begs from me. He’ll practically claw his way up my husband’s leg if he’s eating ribs or we’re clogging our arteries with the occasional treat of Kentucky Fried Chicken; when we have dinner at my parents’ house he will bark at my dad until my dad gives in and flings wide the doors of the cupboards containing the treats; and at work he basically lives in my co-worker’s cubicle and has been known to “lead” visitors straight to the drawer in my co-worker’s cubicle where a bag of dog treats always resides. All that being said, and despite the fact that I do call Jade my “baby,” Jade is not an invited guest when it comes to the dinner table. He is welcome to lie next to anyone of us, curl up under the table (where he sometimes is accidentally mistaken for a foot rest) or of course go and eat his own dinner.

Apparently however, not all pet parents share my desire to have meals separate from their furry babies. For all those pet parents who want their pets to dine with them at the table, Hammacher Schlemmer has introduced the pet high chair. Made to hold pets up to 10lbs., the innovative catalog company states that, “[b]y providing an alternative to sitting on your lap, running disruptively underfoot, or outright banishment, the chair assuages a pet (and its owner’s) frustration, and promotes more refined behavior.”

My personal opinion? Both the owner and the pet would be much happier if the pet had a bone or puzzle toy to keep him happily occupied during mealtimes.

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling all lots of its 10 oz “Beef Filet Squares” for dogs and “Texas Hold’ems” pet treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Children seem to particularly at risk for contracting Salmonella.  Young children are prone to handling contaminated food, or interacting with a pet who has consumed the recalled product (yet exhibits no signs of being infected with Salmonella) and then putting their hands in their mouths before washing them. To help keep children safe, it is critical that they not handle the contaminated product for any reason; and if their pet has consumed the recalled product, ensure that children thoroughly wash their hands after any interaction with the pet.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The “Beef Filet Squares” & “Texas Hold’ems” were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” & “Texas Hold’ems” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.

Having only one pet makes perfect sense to me. I’m an only child, so it seems logical that I would also have an “only” dog. I also have plenty of friends who disagree. I know plenty of people who have multiple pets; they have 2 cats and a dog, or 3 dogs, or a dog and a bird, or fish, a cat, and a dog, or some random combination thereof. For the most part, people don’t bat an eye at the person at the park walking his two dogs; no one thinks to call Animal Control when they visit a friend and are greeted by two slobbering Labradors and catch a site of kitty whisking out of site.

On the flip side, we have all seen the news stories about the “crazy cat ladies.” This has become a sort of catch-all phrase for animal hoarders; people who are not always women and who do not always hoard cats. So what differentiates someone who simply loves pets and happens to have a lot of them from someone who is genuinely in need of professional help?

First and foremost it is important to realize that a true hoarder is someone who is in need of professional help. According to the ASPCA’s article, Uncovering the Truth About Animal Hoarding, a true hoarder typically suffers from some from of attachment disorder, combined with paranoid, depression, or another type of mental illness.

A true hoarder will typically live in squalid conditions. The animals kept by the hoarder are usually in poor physical health. Human clutter and dirt and debris (including animal feces and urine) will usually cover the floors in an animal hoarders house. And a true hoarder will usually have dozens of animals. A hoarder frequently “collects” animals to fill a deep sense of need or loss. And contrary to what would seem to be the case, a hoarder does not deliberately mistreat his or her pets. It is just that hoarders are incapable of caring for themselves, let alone their animals.

Because hoarders are mentally ill, simply removing the animals from their care will not solve the problem.  A hoarder needs counseling, access to inexpensive health care (such as mobile shot clinics and the spay/neuter services offered by local shelters), and frequently a good cleaning service. With the right help and support, hoarders can change their lives. If you believe you know someone who is a hoarder, start by contacting your local animal control center and ask if they can help - or at least tell you who talk to. By reaching out, you will help the lives of both the hoarder and her pets.

A new government report suggests that contaminated pet food may be more dangerous to the health of humans than originally thought. Between 2006-2008, a salmonella outbreak sickened 79 people and sent 11 to the hospital. Over half of those infected were age 2 or younger. What is unique about this outbreak is that it is the first time a salmonella outbreak in humans has been specifically linked to contaminated pet food.

While we all know that young children love to put everything they encounter into their mouths, there is no evidence that the children who became infected with Salmonella actually ate the contaminated pet food. What is more likely is that they touched dirty pet food dishes or a contaminated pet (stool samples tested positive for salmonella in pets that showed no symptoms even though they had eaten the tainted pet food) and then put their hands in their mouths.

According to the Associated Press, the outbreak was blamed on salmonella bacteria found in several brands of dry dog and cat food produced at a Mars Petcare US plant in Everson, Pa., including Pedigree and Special Kitty. The plant that manufactured the food was officially closed in 2008 after the source of the contamination could not be identified.

Since the cooking process typically kills salmonella germs, it is thought that contamination occured after the cooking process when the foods are sprayed with flavor enhancers. In my opinion, this could help explain why high quality pet food rarely if ever are found to be contaminated with salmonella. High quality foods depend on quality ingredients to give their foods taste and do not use flavor enhancers.

A study published in the medical journal Pediatrics makes the following suggestions to help reduce infection risks in young children:

_washing hands after contact with pets, pet food and pet bowls.

_routinely cleaning pet food bowls and feeding areas.

_keeping children younger than age 5 away from pet food and feeding areas.

_cleaning pets’ food and water dishes in a separate sink or tub, not in the kitchen or bathtub.

_avoiding bathing infants in the kitchen sink.

In late July, Procter and Gamble announced a voluntary recall of its Veterinary Formula Feline Renal Cat Food because of possible salmonella contamination. On July 30th, Procter and Gamble issued a press release announcing that they are expanding the recall. The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada. The newly recalled products are:

• Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas, all dry sizes and varieties with “Best-By” dates of 01Jul10 - 01Dec11
• Eukanuba Naturally Wild, all dry sizes and varieties with “Best-By” dates of 01Jul10 - 01Dec11
• Eukanuba Pure, all dry sizes and varieties with “Best-By” dates of 01Jul10 - 01Dec11
• Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin, all dry sizes and varieties with “Best-By” dates of 01Jul10 - 01Dec11

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them immediately.  People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.  If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.  Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

For further information and/or to receive a product refund call Procter & Gamble toll-free at 877-340-8823 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

As a general rule, I do not like to make disparaging comments about competitors products - I worry that it can look like sour grapes. However I just saw a commercial for Fancy Feast’s (they make cat food) new “appetizers” and I got so annoyed that I felt a need to share my annoyance with the general public.

Without question there a number of good cat foods on the market - Fancy Feast just does not (in my opinion) happen to be one of them. My very general rule of thumb is that one should never buy grocery pet food (as with every rule - there are a few exceptions as I happen to believe that both Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods supply decent quality pet food). Fancy Feast uses low-quality ingredients such as animal by-products (e.g. chicken by-product meal which consists of the dry, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines).

Now I have to give the company a teeny tiny bit of credit because the are actually using quality proteins in their “appetizers.” However that is the first and last quality ingredient (for quality wet cat foods I highly recommend Innova, Wellness, and Natural Balance). The commercial however solely focuses on the fact that they are using “whole proteins” and “no by-products” in these new “appetizers.” If they are so proud of  this fact and believe it is such a positive thing (which it is) why on earth aren’t they discontinuing the use of by-products in their regular dry and wet foods?

My second complaint is that in this day and age of overweight pets and with diabetes on the rise in dogs and cats alike, why on earth would a pet company that claims to care about pets bring to market a product that actually encourages cats to eat more?! An appetizer by it’s very nature is something that is eaten before the meal - so now Fancy Feast buyers are encouraged to feed their cat more than ever. From this action it has become clearer than ever to me that Fancy Feast (and Purina - makers of Fancy Feast) absolutely do not have your pet’s interest at heart.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Last weekend it was hot. Okay not as hot as on the East Coast, but hot for the Bay Area - and I decided Jade was desperate for a walk. The front of my house has two driveways divided by about 30 feet of lawn (a friend of mine claimed that the second driveway was for speedboat storage); I put Jade on a leash and we walked down the “boat” driveway, parallel to the front lawn, and back up the driveway in which we actually park - and right back to the front door. And nothing, not even treats, convinced Jade that we should go for a longer walk. I opened the front door, he dashed inside, flopped down on the tile inside the front door, and began snoring. Which leads me directly to suggestion number one for helping your pets beat the summer heat.

Tip #1: Provide Your Pet With a “Cool” Room

Designate one room in your house to be a “cool” room. Last year the Bay Area experienced record breaking highs, and I began reading stories in the newspaper about animals who had died from heat exhaustion in their homes. You don’t need to air condition your entire house to keep your pet safe. Instead, pick one room and make it as cool as possible. Put up blackout curtains to block out the heat of the sun; install a window air-conditioning unit and leave it running on hot days (keep the door partly closed so that all the cool air does not simply escape); if you have a pet who is extremely prone to overheating, consider purchasing a cool bed for your pet to sleep on (my favorites are those made by K&H manufacturing).

Tip #2: Exercise At Dawn and Dusk

Dusk and dawn are the coolest times of day and your pet is least likely to overheat at these times. Personally, I don’t believe “dawn” is a time that any normal human being should actually be awake, so I take advantage of the long daylight hours and head out for a walk around 6:30 or 7pm when I get home from work. And try to avoid blacktop and pavement and stick to grass and dirt trails - paved trials, even in the evening, can be so hot they can actually burn your pets’ paws. A good rule of thumb: if it’s too hot for you it’s too hot for your pet.

Tip #3: Ensure Your Pet Has Access to Water Fresh Water At All Times

Ensuring your pet has access to fresh water is never so important as during hot times. Pets are especially prone to dehydration in hot weather. Dehydration can lead to permanent organ damage and even death. The simplest way to prevent dehydration is to ensure your pet always has access to fresh water. In addition to fresh water, you can give your dog the occasional frozen treat. Fill a Kong with water or diluted chicken broth and place it in the freezer. Once the liquid is frozen, give it to your pet (outside is best) for a doggy version of a Popsicle!

How do you help your pet beat the heat?

IAMS seems to be having some problems with its cat food. In June, IAMS was forced to recall some types of its canned cat and kitten food because of a vitamin deficiency. Over the weekend, IAMS parent company Proctor and Gamble announced that it was voluntarily recalling two lots of its Veterinary Formula Renal (Multi-Stage Renal) because of possible salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is a catch-all phrase for over 2,500 types of bacteria, and is the most common cause of food poisoning. In humans, symptoms can include abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, salmonella can ultimately lead to death if left untreated. Pets with salmonella may exhibit decreased appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet has consumed the recalled food and is exhibiting any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The recalled products are the 5.5lb bags of IAMS Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal and have lot codes of 01384174B4 and 01384174B2. Lot codes can be found in the lower right hand corner on the back of the bag. These particular formulas are sold through veterinary clinics throughout the United States.

If you have purchased the recalled food, please do not feed it to your animal. Please dispose of the product and call P&G toll-free at 877-894-4458 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST) for a product refund.