Knowles Animal Clinics is announcing the first annual “Cutest Dog and Cat of the Year Award” in an effort to raise money for Diabetes research.

Dr. Wise’s two sons, Andy and Scott, both have diabetes and he asks that all clients of Knowles Animal Clinics participate in this fun event, with 100% of the proceeds going to a worthy cause:

There is a tremendous amount of research being done on diabetes and great strides are being made in the treatment and cure for the disease.  But like everything else, it takes money to fund the projects.  That is why we at Knowles Animal Clinics are launching the first annual cutest cat and dog award contest.  Every penny donated will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF).  There will be one dog and one cat winner and they will reign for one year in that role.  It should be fun and will raise money for a worthy cause at the same time.

With all of your help, my sons and millions of diabetic patients all over the world will be given the gift of health and a return of many of the freedoms that they lost to diabetes once a cure is found.

You can read the rest of Dr. Wise’s letter to support this campaign here.

Rules of the Contest

Tax Letter - Your contributions are tax deductible.

Andy Wise’s Story - Letter written by Andy Wise about the impact of diabetes on his life and his passion for supporting diabetes research.

It might be understandable for a dog to run away from a veterinary clinic where he had just been neutered. But a vet in Joplin said the reverse happened at his clinic last week.Dr. Steve Walstad said a black mixed-breed dog named Radar was waiting outside his clinic on Nov. 11, three days after the dog’s owner picked up his pet after surgery and several weeks of boarding.

Full story

Michael Vick has turned himself in to authorities so he can start serving time for dog fighting.

With a 20% death rate, you want to do everything in your control to prevent your puppy from catching Parvovirus, often referred to as just “Parvo”.

• Get the recommended shots*
• Seek immediate medical attention if your dog or puppy shows signs of parvo infection
• Bleach destroys parvo, but it’s difficult to bleach everything a puppy comes in contact with

*Keep in mind that parvo vaccines must be given in a series of three to four shots at intervals of three weeks.

Here’s the full article

It’s reported in the BBC website that a 37 year old Iowa man was shot in the leg by his dog while hunting.

The dog stepped on the rifle and discharged the weapon, wounding the owner.

Here’s the full article.

Animal rights groups confronted the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to try to prevent the removal of feral cats from Kennedy International Airport.

The activists prefer a trap, neuter, and release policy and fear that the cats will be turned over to animal control.

Here’s the full article

According to a Reuters news story, the latest Disney/Pixar animated film “Ratatouille” has caused a spike in London ownership of…

Rats as pets.

“Contrary to popular opinion, rats are actually one of the cleanest and least smelly pets you can own. They are incredibly responsive to learning and can be taught to do amazing tricks, much in the way that dogs and cats can,” said company spokesman Steve Fairburn said on the www.ukpets.co.uk Web site.

Strange.

Here’s the full article

An Arkansas city is moving towards a ban on open air pet sales towards a more structured process for helping strays find new homes or reunite with owners.

According to the new article, this would provide more accountability and safety.

Here’s the full article

Here’s an article that discusses some basic safety issues when you travel with your pets:

• Belt restraints
• Carriers
• Barriers - to keep your pets in the back seat

Here’s the full article

West Hollywood officials are banning the declawing of cats. Some say this ban will only force cat owners to seek out veterinarians outside the city limits.

Read more about it here