Dangers of “Free to Good Home” ads

You see them everywhere you turn, in the newspapers, on grocery store bulletin boards, and in a cardboard box at stores. Animals that are “Free to a good home”. Often these animals are puppies and kittens from irresponsible owners, cats and dogs that are no longer wanted, and of course the occasional good samaritan that found a lost dog or cat that they are unable to keep.

Placing a “free to good home” ad is down right dangerous. Often people known as “bouchers” (French for butchers) search the newspapers, the Internet, and bulletin boards for free animals, only to turn around and sell them to research laboratories, to illegally train fighting, hunting, and guard dogs, to sacrifice in cult rituals, and other cruel purposes. Yes this is indeed true, and it doesn’t just happen in the big cities. I am extremely offended by anyone who would want to get rid of their own animal, and even more offended by anyone who would allow their own animal to become pregnant. Remember pets are for life, and you permitted your animal to have puppies and kittens by not spaying, and by not keeping them indoors/supervised. However, if you are going to do this, I feel it needs to be done correctly.

Neutering dogs and cats – Pet tip 111

When it comes to neutering cats and dogs, many veterinarians will tell you that their male customers are often reluctant to have their male pets neutered. When the veterinarian asks why, the answer is focused on them putting themselves in …

Dogs Cats and Anesthesia – Pet tip 239

Most cats and dogs undergo some type of surgery that requires anesthesia during their lifetimes even if it is only the surgery done for spaying and neutering. Other common procedures that require anesthesia include dental cleaning or dental surgery as well as repairing broken bones. Whenever surgery is done on a pet the topic of anesthesia arises. For the purposes of this article we will be talking about general anesthesia where pets are completely unconscious. We’ve all heard about the potential risks and possible complications regarding anesthesia in our own lives, and so it makes good sense to wonder about anesthetic complications when it comes to our pets as well.

Luckily, veterinary medicine has made huge strides in reducing anesthetic complications. So long as the pet is properly monitored during the actual surgery and the pet has been carefully prescreened for possible problems, anesthesia on pets is quite safe and problems are few.

Veterinary Appointments

You always have the best intentions when you take your pet to the vet. Whether you are proactively bringing in your dog for his annual exam and vaccines, or bringing in your cat after a bout of vomiting and diarrhea; …

Tip 75 – Pumpkin for cats – pumpkin for dogs – Pumpkin for diarrhea or constipation

If your dog or cat is having the occasional case of constipation or diarrhea, one of the things that might help is canned pumpkin. Yes canned pumpkin in its pureed form (NOT pumpkin pie filling) is a fantastic stool softener …

Tip 71 – Cat purring – Why do cats purr?

Purring is the rhythmic vibrating sound that all cats can produce when they are in a content state. It is an instinctual response in domestic cats that can be seen at the onset of life when the newborn kitten purrs …

Addison’s Disease in dogs

The inconspicuous adrenal glands are small but important organs which serve many functions in maintaining hormone levels. Diseases that affect the adrenal glands may have deleterious effects on the body. Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is a disease of …

Exercise for cats – Pet tip 130

Your cat is waking you up in the middle of the night, swiping everything off your dresser and onto the floor. You awake from your slumber to a needy cat meowing in your ear. Destroying your favourite sofa has become …

Dog Owners that Look Like their Dogs – Pet tip 202

Have you ever walked down the street with your dog and upon passing another dog owner and their pooch, been stopped dead in your tracks because of an uncanny resemblance between the two? It’s true, even scary sometimes, how some …

March 2012

Dear Petlover,

Hi there it’s Marko, one of the owners/administrators on Pets.ca and this is our first newsletter of 2012. We intend to only put out occasional newsletters, so rest assured you will not get bombarded with mailings. If you …