Thursday, August 21, 2008

Pet Adoption Websites

As the overpopulation of companion animals becomes an ever increasing problem for the nation, we are seeing a growth in the number of pet adoption websites.

It is not so much that websites are appearing without having a shelter behind them, it is more that the pet adoption websites are there to help publicize the shelter, their aims, beliefs and pets that they have available for adoption. The world wide web has become a great help for charitable organizations such as shelters for unwanted animals as it helps to broaden their scope for finding suitable homes. If a family is looking for a certain breed of dog or cat, they no longer have to visit the shelters to have a look around.

The pet adoption websites that are the window for established pet shelters are also able to give a large amount of information regarding the organization itself. They will be able to give details about how and when the shelter was established, the mission statement and their codes of practice. Also, they will obviously be able to show pictures of the pets that they are currently trying to re-home.

The world wide web, however, does create the possibility for some people to advertise and publicize organizations that are not all that they seem to be. There are some pet adoption websites available which do not seem to be a shop window for a registered shelter, but more an agency that charges to find you a suitable pet to adopt. They will then scour the various pet shelters until they find an animal that will suit you and put you in contact with the shelter for a fee. It is important that you check the details regarding the website to ensure that you are dealing with a bona fide shelter and not just a middle man.

Having said that, there are some pet adoption websites that are not animal shelters, but are a portal for a number of different shelters that are genuine and are merely a way of introducing you to all the establishments in the area. This is not a fee charging service and the website is purely a directory. They will direct you, via links, to shelters which they believe to be well run and have a good code of conduct. Many of these websites will also give information about what to do if you should find a homeless animal and information about many other aspects of pet care and re-homing.

If you are considering adopting a pet, be it a cat, dog, rabbit or a more unusual animal, make sure that you are using a genuine organization. Do some research and visit the shelter. Do not just stay at home and rely on the pet adoption website to bring the perfect pet to you or you may never get to know where you new pet has come from.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about pet adoption, please visit New Pet Adoption for current articles and discussions.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Feline Worms - Three Common Types of Feline Worms

There are three common feline worms that affects cats. They include hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms. These worms multiply as they live inside your cat. If there get to be too many, it can be life-threatening for your cat. Let's take a look at these feline worms.

Roundworms

Roundworms live in the same intestine and can reach up to five inches in length. Most cats become infected by coming into contact with feces or food. Queens can also pass them to their kittens through their milk.

These worms are relatively large, so they can easily cause an intestinal blockage as they multiply. An infestation can quickly become serious for kittens. Your veterinarian can determine if your cat has these feline worms by examining his stool. An infestation is easily treated through use of a deworming medication.

Hookworms

Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms, as they only measure half an inch. Your cat can swallow them in his food and become infected. Sometimes, the worms are able to penetrate the cat's skin. Like roundworms, hookworms infect the intestines also, but only after passing through the lungs.

An infestation of hookworms can also be life-threatening. They cause blood loss when they attach themselves to your cat's intestines. If they get to be too numerous, your cat can develop anemia. Fortunately, hookworms can be detected through a stool sample and treated with deworming medications.

Tapeworms

Unlike the two previous species, tapeworms rarely cause serious damage to your cat. These feline worms infect cats when they ingest contaminated rodents or fleas. The adults mature in the small intestine. They also shed segments that pass from the cat's body through his stool. You can easily spot the segments by looking at your cat's feces closely. Tapeworms are also easy to treat through use of deworming medications. However, you need to adopt a flea control program if you want to prevent your cat from getting infected again.

Some types of worms can be very dangerous to your cat. To learn about a range of other cat illnesses such as feline ringworm, stop by cat-illnesses.com. Your cat will thank you for it.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Poisonous plants to dogs

Listed below is a list of plants which are considered poisonous for our pets. You will even be amazed that some of these plants are very common garden and household plants which you may have in your yard. This may not be a complete list of all poisonous plants but at least you will have enough idea which plants are dangerous for your pet's health. Your pet may have an allergy or sensitive to the plants listed or not listed below. These plants can be toxic to your furry little friends. Dont forget to contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet have ingested one of the plants listed below. If you don't find the information you're seeking listed below you can check out ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for our more information about poisonous plants, effects and plant photos from the various veterinary/horticultural schools.

Aloe
Amaryllis
Aloe
American Bittersweet
Andromeda Japonica
Asian Lily
Asparagus Fern
Australian Nut
Autumn Crocus
Avocado
Azalea
Bird of Paradise
Branching Ivy
Buckeye
Buddist Pine
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Charming
Chinaberry Tree
Chinese Evergreen
Christmas Rose
Clematis
Cordatum
Corn Plant
Cornstalk Plant
Cutleaf Philodendron
Cycads
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Day Lily
Deadly Nightshade
Devils Ivy
Diffenbachia
Dumb Cane
Easter Lily
Elephant Ears
Emerald Feather
Emerald Fern
English Ivy
European Bittersweet
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
Flamingo Plant
Florida Beauty
Foxglove
Fruit Salad Plant
Glacier Ivy
Gladiolas
Glory Lily
Gold Dieffenbachia
Gold Dust Dracaena
Golden Pothos
Green Gold Nephthysis
Hahns self branching English Ivy
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heavenly Bamboo
Holly
Horsehead Philodendron
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Japanese Show Lily
Japanese Yew
Jerusalem Cherry
Kalanchoe
Lace Fern
Lacy Tree
Lily of the Valley
Macadamia Nut
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Marble Queen
Marijuana
Mauna Loa Peace Lily
Mexican Breadfruit
Mistletoe American
Morning Glory
Narcissus
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephthytis
Nightshade
Oleander
Onion
Orange Day Lily
Panda
Peace Lily
Philodendron Pertusum
Plumosa Fern
Precatory Bean
Queensland Nut
Red Emerald
Red Lily
Red Princess
Red-Margined Dracaena
Rhododendron
Ribbon Plant
Rubrum Lily
Saddle Leaf Philodendron
Sago Palm
Satin Pothos
Schefflera
Spotted Dumb Cane
Stargazer Lily
Striped Dracaena
Sweetheart Ivy
Swiss Cheese Plant
Taro Vine
Tiger Lily
Tomato Plant
Tree Philodendron
Tropic Snow Dumbcane
Tulip
Variable Dieffenbachia
Variegated Philodendron
Warneckei Dracaena
Wood Lily
Yew
Yucca