It appears to be increasingly difficult to front up with enough cash to pay for our pets these days.
This may be pretty obvious to most people, and wording like "current economic situation", "recession", "affordability" and "cost of living" certainly isn't helping. However, it is both sad but also encouraging to see ads such as this and this on TradeMe.
Let me elaborate on what I mean by that.
The sad thing about these ads is the lack of affordability for the owner for their pet's treatment, but let's face it, the cost of veterinary treatment is not cheap. And of course recessions and increased living costs have made an impact too.
The encouraging thing about these ads is the fact that these owners are prepared to do whatever it takes to get their loved pets the treatment that they need. Even more encouraging is the comments from people at the end of the auctions who are so selflessly willing to help.
I have read a number of stories from people in a crisis situation, whether it be financial or due to a change in circumstance, where the threat of their pet or pets not being with them anymore fills them with despair. As a result, the messages of support, help, encouragement and even financial contributions in some cases have proven that most people are inherently kind-hearted and willing to share what they have with someone in a less fortunate position.
This is a lesson we should all remember - both when it comes to our pets and as we live life in general. I firmly believe that what goes around comes around, and that if you are willing and able to help, no matter how small you feel you can, it makes a significant difference to the person you are helping.
I also encourage you to think about opening a separate bank account specifically for your pets, or look into taking out pet insurance. It could mean the difference between a second chance at life or no chance at all.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Dominion Post, 12 Aug 2009. Page 17
Heidy Kikillus uses TradeMe to help research turtle populations in New Zealand
Great story and photo - well done Heidy!
The Dominion Post
12 Aug 2009
Great story and photo - well done Heidy!
The Dominion Post
12 Aug 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
A timely reminder that pet First Aid is vital
August is Pet First Aid month at The Pet Hub, with the launch of our very own Pet First Aid Kits and Pocket First Aid Guides at Pet Expo on the 1st and 2nd of August. We are also going to be expanding on the information contained within our Cat and Dog Emergencies sections and hope to bring you much more on First Aid for smaller pets such as rabbits, rats, mice, guinea pigs, and our turtle and reptile friends.
In the meantime, the following video, recently posted on the LA Times website, shows an everyday situation (childrens' birthday party) during which a Chihuahua needed CPR. Yet another reason why pet First Aid training is so important:
If you own or care for a pet, you should know what to do in a pet emergency situation. If you are interested in learning more, or taking part in a Pet First Aid course, contact us and let us know.
In the meantime, the following video, recently posted on the LA Times website, shows an everyday situation (childrens' birthday party) during which a Chihuahua needed CPR. Yet another reason why pet First Aid training is so important:
If you own or care for a pet, you should know what to do in a pet emergency situation. If you are interested in learning more, or taking part in a Pet First Aid course, contact us and let us know.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Not too long left for WCC's draft dog policy
Submissions for the new Draft Dog Policy for residents of Wellington City Council's suburbs close on the 7th August (next Friday).
For those residents who want to have a say regarding this proposed new policy, please see the Council's website here.
In summary, the Council proposes the following changes:
It is important to note that there is no mention in the Dog Policy Proposal document of making dog exercise areas safer or more accessible to dog owners and walkers by installing lighting or watering stations, increasing the number of rubbish bins or improving access to the areas. These are the key things I think are of most importance to dog owners in Wellington City.
To make a submission to Council (and oral submissions are encouraged as they "will carry weight with councillors" according to Councillor Iona Pannett), see the details on the Council's website.
Councillor Pannett also welcomes discussions with interested residents - her contact details are listed below.
Associate Social Portfolio leader and Wellington City Councillor (Lambton Ward)
Address: 27 Caroline Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6011
Telephone: 384-3382 (work)/021-227-8509 (mobile)
E-mail: iona.pannett@wcc.govt.nz
For those residents who want to have a say regarding this proposed new policy, please see the Council's website here.
In summary, the Council proposes the following changes:
- five new off-leash dog exercise areas
- improved access for dogs and their owners to the waterfront through the central business district
- a proposal for a destination dog park
- new provisions for Responsible Dog Owner status
- criteria to determine the need to neuter menacing dogs
- new policy objectives that recognise the positive community health benefits of owning a dog.
It is important to note that there is no mention in the Dog Policy Proposal document of making dog exercise areas safer or more accessible to dog owners and walkers by installing lighting or watering stations, increasing the number of rubbish bins or improving access to the areas. These are the key things I think are of most importance to dog owners in Wellington City.
To make a submission to Council (and oral submissions are encouraged as they "will carry weight with councillors" according to Councillor Iona Pannett), see the details on the Council's website.
Councillor Pannett also welcomes discussions with interested residents - her contact details are listed below.
Associate Social Portfolio leader and Wellington City Councillor (Lambton Ward)
Address: 27 Caroline Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6011
Telephone: 384-3382 (work)/021-227-8509 (mobile)
E-mail: iona.pannett@wcc.govt.nz
What do you want to see done with Wellington City Council's dog exercise areas?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
An update from The Pet Hub
Wow time certainly goes quickly when you have a big event coming up. For those of you in the Pet Club, you will have received our email newsletter a few days ago letting you know that we are going to have a stand at the upcoming Pet Expo being held at the Addington Raceway (1st & 2nd of August). We have been super-busy preparing for Pet Expo and we're keenly looking forward to it. Drop by our stand (we will be on the ground floor in the dog area near the stage) if you come along - don't be afraid to say hi! We will have some great items to give away, exciting demonstrations that we hope you will be able to check out, and many other fantastic reasons for visiting. We very much hope to see you there.
It's also a good time of year to remind you to book your pets Christmas holiday accommodation. I know, July? But trust me, all the best accommodation providers will be near capacity already so get in now to avoid disappointment and pre-Christmas stress for you and your pets.
During July, we hope to also bring you new information about caring for your pet turtle, and how you can keep these cool pets happy and healthy.
We are also in negotiations to have an ongoing presence on another prominent web site which is very exciting. We'll update you as soon as we know whether this is confirmed.
Please bear with us over the next few weeks in the lead-up to Pet Expo. We will continue to work on the site as well during this time. And don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries whatsoever.
Purrs and woofs!
Rochelle and Francesca
It's also a good time of year to remind you to book your pets Christmas holiday accommodation. I know, July? But trust me, all the best accommodation providers will be near capacity already so get in now to avoid disappointment and pre-Christmas stress for you and your pets.
During July, we hope to also bring you new information about caring for your pet turtle, and how you can keep these cool pets happy and healthy.
We are also in negotiations to have an ongoing presence on another prominent web site which is very exciting. We'll update you as soon as we know whether this is confirmed.
Please bear with us over the next few weeks in the lead-up to Pet Expo. We will continue to work on the site as well during this time. And don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries whatsoever.
Purrs and woofs!
Rochelle and Francesca
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Be aware of misinformation - it could harm your pet
Today I discovered a new pet blog available on a prominent website. It only began in recent days and the introductory post discusses the site's intentions to have experts as well as pet owners blogging on pet topics and issues.
While the posts themselves (the small amount that have been posted to date) have been fairly generic about a topic that affects most pet owners, my concern is in the comments that have been numerous and, quite frankly, incorrect in most cases. So this blog is just a short warning to you to be very careful where you get pet health information from.
It is my hope that the site owners do find genuine experts to blog - as yet, I don't know how they are picking their sources however I'm sure they have a system for doing it. So if you do come across information on a website posted by "some random person" whose credentials you cannot identify or who have no credentials at all, be very careful if you decide to take this information on board. Do your research - visit veterinary health-based, factual websites, or contact your veterinary clinic if you want to clarify any information you have seen or heard of. The last thing any veterinary health professional wants is for your pets to become unwell because of unsolicited advice.
Have you heard any advice that you weren't so sure about? Tell us about it in the comments. Don't forget that we also have our Ask a Vet column - if you have any questions you would like clarification on, just ask!
While the posts themselves (the small amount that have been posted to date) have been fairly generic about a topic that affects most pet owners, my concern is in the comments that have been numerous and, quite frankly, incorrect in most cases. So this blog is just a short warning to you to be very careful where you get pet health information from.
It is my hope that the site owners do find genuine experts to blog - as yet, I don't know how they are picking their sources however I'm sure they have a system for doing it. So if you do come across information on a website posted by "some random person" whose credentials you cannot identify or who have no credentials at all, be very careful if you decide to take this information on board. Do your research - visit veterinary health-based, factual websites, or contact your veterinary clinic if you want to clarify any information you have seen or heard of. The last thing any veterinary health professional wants is for your pets to become unwell because of unsolicited advice.
Have you heard any advice that you weren't so sure about? Tell us about it in the comments. Don't forget that we also have our Ask a Vet column - if you have any questions you would like clarification on, just ask!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Free Kibble!
As part of my daily routine I read up on all the animal related news items from around the world, and the occasional blog now and then. I also religiously go to one of the cutest and easiest sites on the internet where all animal lovers can make a difference with one single click of their mouse. This site is http://www.freekibble.com/
I love the trivia - it's normally pretty easy but if you can't bear to be wrong, just open up a new tab, go to Google and type in the question. The answer should pop back pretty quickly.
Free Kibble is the brainchild of a young American girl who (with help from her parents) created the website to help feed animals in US shelters. Her idea has really taken off and they regularly receive daily visitors to the site. Going by the kibble tally at the bottom of the question section and dividing the number by 10 (which is how many pieces of kibble are donated each time an answer is guessed - whether correctly or incorrectly), it appears as though freekibble and freekibblekat users have played 12,113,880 times. That's 12 MILLION, 113 thousand, 880 times (as at 9 June 09)!
Recently added to the site is a tally of which countries Free Kibble is being played in. I found it very interesting that New Zealand is ranked in 15th place out of a total of 135 countries. That puts us in the top 12% of countries playing. That's pretty awesome for a country with such a tiny population! What this tells us is that New Zealanders are big animal lovers and we're generous enough to want to help another country give food to their animal shelters, which is very noble.
Good on Mimi Ausland for her inspiration to create the site and good on you, New Zealand, for helping to support unwanted animals in another country.
I love the trivia - it's normally pretty easy but if you can't bear to be wrong, just open up a new tab, go to Google and type in the question. The answer should pop back pretty quickly.
Free Kibble is the brainchild of a young American girl who (with help from her parents) created the website to help feed animals in US shelters. Her idea has really taken off and they regularly receive daily visitors to the site. Going by the kibble tally at the bottom of the question section and dividing the number by 10 (which is how many pieces of kibble are donated each time an answer is guessed - whether correctly or incorrectly), it appears as though freekibble and freekibblekat users have played 12,113,880 times. That's 12 MILLION, 113 thousand, 880 times (as at 9 June 09)!
Recently added to the site is a tally of which countries Free Kibble is being played in. I found it very interesting that New Zealand is ranked in 15th place out of a total of 135 countries. That puts us in the top 12% of countries playing. That's pretty awesome for a country with such a tiny population! What this tells us is that New Zealanders are big animal lovers and we're generous enough to want to help another country give food to their animal shelters, which is very noble.
Good on Mimi Ausland for her inspiration to create the site and good on you, New Zealand, for helping to support unwanted animals in another country.
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