We've got a newsletter heading out tomorrow and I apologise that it's a little bigger and fatter than previous newsletters - I guess this comes with not having sent one for a month! It's a very exciting time for us though, and a little daunting too. We're still learning new tricks when it comes to Google's tools - for example our Pet Events calendar is now updated via our Google calendar account. Our aim with this is to include as many pet and animal related events throughout New Zealand as possible, to give everyone a chance to see what's happening.
And recently I found that our website developers were only too happy to help us provide online shopping to our visitors, which is a huge achievement! We are very excited to have had orders come through already.
As much as we'd like to live on fresh air and sunshine, we also need to be able to sustain the website financially, so we are making plans to begin monetising the website. You will eventually notice some more advertisements throughout the site as we bring advertisers on board, and changes as we develop how we sell advertising spaces on the site.
Much of the changes coming up for us in the future are, as mentioned, exciting and daunting at the same time - and we're still learning a lot of skills to improve the site. We hope you continue to visit and give us feedback on what you do and don't like.
Rochelle
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
It's been a while ...
Hi folks,
Profuse apologies about the lack of posts in recent months. Our 'to-do' lists have become longer than a piece of string and unfortunately the blogs - both this and Four Legs Good - have taken a bit of a back seat.
Please bear with us as we get some priorities sorted - of course our first priority is to continue to create an awesome website for people to visit, and we will continue this as best we can. But another top priority is to make it profitable as well, and this is part of what we're working on behind the scenes.
We'll keep updating readers through short blog postings, Facebook and Twitter updates as well as through our newsletter - which we've decided to produce on a monthly basis due to time constraints.
We really appreciate your support to date and hope that we can continue to create an awesome website that visitors really enjoy visiting. Don't be shy to contact us with any feedback you have as well, it's invaluable to us. And remember to keep sending in your pet photos and stories!
Purrs and woofs
Rochelle and Francesca
Profuse apologies about the lack of posts in recent months. Our 'to-do' lists have become longer than a piece of string and unfortunately the blogs - both this and Four Legs Good - have taken a bit of a back seat.
Please bear with us as we get some priorities sorted - of course our first priority is to continue to create an awesome website for people to visit, and we will continue this as best we can. But another top priority is to make it profitable as well, and this is part of what we're working on behind the scenes.
We'll keep updating readers through short blog postings, Facebook and Twitter updates as well as through our newsletter - which we've decided to produce on a monthly basis due to time constraints.
We really appreciate your support to date and hope that we can continue to create an awesome website that visitors really enjoy visiting. Don't be shy to contact us with any feedback you have as well, it's invaluable to us. And remember to keep sending in your pet photos and stories!
Purrs and woofs
Rochelle and Francesca
Monday, October 26, 2009
The smallest, whitest most dangerous dog
So the Maltese breed has been added to New South Wales' Government's list of dangerous dog breeds recently.
According to their Dog Attack Register, there were 12 attacks by Maltese dogs between June and September this year, eclipsing the result of the most popular breed of dog in the world, the Labrador Retriever.
Also featuring on the list are the Australian Cattle Dog and the German Shepherd, but by far the dog most identified on the list is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It makes me wonder how the majority of these dog attacks happen, and why they are happening more frequently. In the many years that I have been surrounded by dogs and have worked with dogs, I have never been subject to an attack, and can only recall once incident involving a dog that happened to a workmate while at a veterinary clinic.
This incident occurred because the dog in question (an intact male pig dog) had been recuperating at the clinic for approximately 3 months and come to enjoy the attentions of all the female staff who were responsible for caring for him. When a male locum vet was employed by the practice, the dog felt threatened due to his presence (and probably wanted to protect 'his girls') and bit the vet on the leg one day.
In a clinic situation, these incidents are almost to be expected as it is an inherent risk when you work with animals. However, all practicable steps are taken to ensure the severity of these incidents are minimal and uncommon.
In my opinion, what we need to do to avoid dog attacks is learn about dog behaviour and body language. For me it's pretty easy to tell many of the emotions at any given time for both cats and dogs, but for someone who isn't used to being around animals or isn't aware of their various indicators, this can spell disaster when in a confronting situation.
It seems sad to me that entire breeds are being labelled as 'dangerous' or 'menacing' when it may simply be due to a misunderstanding of the language differences between people and a particular dog, or even worse, the misidentification of some breeds because this is what the victim perceives the dog to be.
As has been described, and will always be stated by animal professionals, especially those dog behaviourists, all dogs have the potential to be dangerous. It is a matter of knowing how to read the signs to avoid a dangerous situation.
We will endeavour to describe and source information on dog behaviour and body language on The Pet Hub to give you the information you need to read, interpret and understand dog language.
According to their Dog Attack Register, there were 12 attacks by Maltese dogs between June and September this year, eclipsing the result of the most popular breed of dog in the world, the Labrador Retriever.
Also featuring on the list are the Australian Cattle Dog and the German Shepherd, but by far the dog most identified on the list is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It makes me wonder how the majority of these dog attacks happen, and why they are happening more frequently. In the many years that I have been surrounded by dogs and have worked with dogs, I have never been subject to an attack, and can only recall once incident involving a dog that happened to a workmate while at a veterinary clinic.
This incident occurred because the dog in question (an intact male pig dog) had been recuperating at the clinic for approximately 3 months and come to enjoy the attentions of all the female staff who were responsible for caring for him. When a male locum vet was employed by the practice, the dog felt threatened due to his presence (and probably wanted to protect 'his girls') and bit the vet on the leg one day.
In a clinic situation, these incidents are almost to be expected as it is an inherent risk when you work with animals. However, all practicable steps are taken to ensure the severity of these incidents are minimal and uncommon.
In my opinion, what we need to do to avoid dog attacks is learn about dog behaviour and body language. For me it's pretty easy to tell many of the emotions at any given time for both cats and dogs, but for someone who isn't used to being around animals or isn't aware of their various indicators, this can spell disaster when in a confronting situation.
It seems sad to me that entire breeds are being labelled as 'dangerous' or 'menacing' when it may simply be due to a misunderstanding of the language differences between people and a particular dog, or even worse, the misidentification of some breeds because this is what the victim perceives the dog to be.
As has been described, and will always be stated by animal professionals, especially those dog behaviourists, all dogs have the potential to be dangerous. It is a matter of knowing how to read the signs to avoid a dangerous situation.
We will endeavour to describe and source information on dog behaviour and body language on The Pet Hub to give you the information you need to read, interpret and understand dog language.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Spring news
Spring is finally here and despite the thick layer of frost I saw on the houses and streets around me this morning, it has turned into a bright, warm and sunny day.
It is also the time of year that traditionally heralds the beginning of breeding season, so if you haven't had your pets desexed and are not planning on breeding from them, please do this important act. It will benefit both your pet as well as you. If you know of someone who hasn't desexed their pet, please encourage them to do so. If breeding is something that you are wanting to do with your pet, there is one golden rule to follow - do your research!
The beginning of spring also means a new round of pet magazines are available! We don't have many pet-related magazines in New Zealand but the ones we do have are pretty good quality and I encourage you to take a look at them. There's Paws for Thought, Pet Magazine, and Two Cats One Dog (only available through your vet clinic).
This season, the magazines feature stories on Police Dogs, Arthritis, Lumps, and Caring for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs (2C1D); Pet Genetics, Pet Health Maintenance, RNZAF Working Dogs, Liver and Kidney Diseases, Sharing Custody when a relationship sours, and oxygen therapy (Paws for Thought); and Understanding Cat Speak, Training Dogs, Enjoying a Good Relationship with your Vet, an Interview with Mike King and a new Animal Sanctuary is profiled in Pet Magazine.
Take advantage of the longer days of spring with your pet - but beware of those critters that might dart across the road at night right in front of your car - this is also the time of year that cats are more active, and hedgehogs begin to come out of hibernation. If you do hit an animal, please stop to see how badly it is hurt (this is a legal requirement!), and if it didn't survive, please move it to the side of the road so no one else can run it over.
It is also the time of year that traditionally heralds the beginning of breeding season, so if you haven't had your pets desexed and are not planning on breeding from them, please do this important act. It will benefit both your pet as well as you. If you know of someone who hasn't desexed their pet, please encourage them to do so. If breeding is something that you are wanting to do with your pet, there is one golden rule to follow - do your research!
The beginning of spring also means a new round of pet magazines are available! We don't have many pet-related magazines in New Zealand but the ones we do have are pretty good quality and I encourage you to take a look at them. There's Paws for Thought, Pet Magazine, and Two Cats One Dog (only available through your vet clinic).
This season, the magazines feature stories on Police Dogs, Arthritis, Lumps, and Caring for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs (2C1D); Pet Genetics, Pet Health Maintenance, RNZAF Working Dogs, Liver and Kidney Diseases, Sharing Custody when a relationship sours, and oxygen therapy (Paws for Thought); and Understanding Cat Speak, Training Dogs, Enjoying a Good Relationship with your Vet, an Interview with Mike King and a new Animal Sanctuary is profiled in Pet Magazine.
Take advantage of the longer days of spring with your pet - but beware of those critters that might dart across the road at night right in front of your car - this is also the time of year that cats are more active, and hedgehogs begin to come out of hibernation. If you do hit an animal, please stop to see how badly it is hurt (this is a legal requirement!), and if it didn't survive, please move it to the side of the road so no one else can run it over.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Plight of Pet Ownership
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)