Talkin Pets

New technology provides a way for Pet Owners to keep their pets safe! Protector® was designed specifically to help pet owners deter dog attacks.

Now there is an effective, humane way to keep you and your pet safe!

It happens every 75 seconds and it can take less than 10 seconds for tragedy to happen. Over 1,000 (pets, pet owners or both) suffer from dog bites each day.

According to the JAMA, dog attack victims now suffer up to $2 billion dollars annually and dog bites make up a third of all home owners’ liability claims. It’s extremely unfortunate but true; a nice walk in the park can turn into one hundred stitches, a week of intensive care and thousands of dollars in hospital bills.

Man’s best friend is considered by most pet owners to be a member of their family and most will do whatever it takes to protect theirs. Unfortunately, many give little thought to protecting their lovable friend until it is too late. These dangerous attacks leave panicked owners searching for any means possible to separate and deter the attacking dog. 2x4’s, sticks, purses, their own hands and sometimes even weapons have been used to stop attacks. Unfortunately, these situations often result in serious injuries to the attacking dog, the pet and the owner.

Now an environmentally friendly, safe and effective option allows pet owners to keep their best friend safe by deterring attacking dogs at a safe distance. Recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, Protector Dog Spray provides an all-natural food grade pepper spray formulation which stops the attack safely. With a range of up to 15 feet, Protector® temporarily stings and closes the eyes of the attacking dog. All effects reverse in just a few minutes leaving no injuries to the attacking dog and the necessary time for you and your pet to escape to safety.

Protect yourself and your pet. Walk confidently with Protector® dog spray.

Family owned and operated since 1975, Security Equipment Corporation (SEC) is the manufacturer of Protector Dog Attack spray, Frontiersman Bear Attack Deterrent and SABRE and SABRE RED personal & professional safety sprays. A dedication to innovation coupled with a commitment to producing very safe products and formulations has made SEC the industry leader in sprays designed to keep individuals and now their pets safe.

For More Information, Please Contact: Security Equipment Corporation – 800-325-9568 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – www.sabrered.com – 747 Sun Park Drive, Fenton, MO 63026

Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Green Hat Films present an R rated, 100 minute, comedy, directed by Todd Phillips, written by Phillips and Craig Mazin with a theater release date of May 23, 2013.

Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Productions present an animated, 102 minute, 3D, PG, family adventure, directed by Chris Wedge, written by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember with a theater release date of May 24, 2013.

ASPCA urges support for the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to ban horse slaughter

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced in a new poll conducted by Lake Research Partners that 70 percent of Missouri voters are opposed to the slaughter of U.S. horses for human consumption and that 75 percent do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community. The statewide survey reveals that Missourians overwhelmingly oppose horse slaughter regardless of their political affiliation, gender, geographic location or whether they live in an urban or rural area.

In 2011, Congress chose to remove language from an appropriations bill that banned federal inspectors at horse slaughter plants in the U.S., opening the door for a return of horse slaughter on American soil, despite broad opposition to the practice. Several applications have been filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by companies – including one in Gallatin, Mo. – that want to slaughter horses on American soil. If the application is approved, it would be the first facility in the U.S. to slaughter horses for human consumption since 2007, when the few remaining plants closed and Congress chose to suspend funding for any further horse meat inspections.

“There is broad consensus in Missouri, as there is throughout the nation, that our horses deserve more than to be shuttled off to a gruesome death and served abroad as a toxic delicacy,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “With 70 percent of all registered voters in the state opposed to the slaughtering of American horses, opening a horse slaughterhouse in Missouri clearly flies in the face of public opinion, and using our precious tax dollars to enable horse slaughter on U.S. soil is even more tone deaf. Enacting a ban on horse slaughter has never been more urgent.”

According to the new research, 7 in 10 Missouri registered voters are opposed to allowing American horses to be slaughtered for human consumption, with 57 percent in strong opposition to the practice. In addition, 3 in 4 Missouri voters do not want a horse slaughter plant in their community, with just 13 percent of voters supporting such a facility. Furthermore, opposition to a horse slaughtering facility extends across race, age, political affiliation, and geographic divides, with 73 percent of rural voters and 72 percent of urban voters disapproving of such a facility.

The surprising move toward a resumption of domestic horse slaughter comes in the wake of the recent scandal in the European Union, where consumers were alarmed by the discovery of horse meat mislabeled as beef in prepared food products ranging from lasagna to meatballs. Horses are routinely given medications and other substances that are toxic to humans and are expressly forbidden by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in animals intended for human consumption. In March, U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Reps. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., introduced the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 541/H.R. 1094) to prevent the introduction of horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat.

Horse slaughter is inherently cruel and often erroneously compared to humane euthanasia. The methods used to slaughter horses rarely result in quick, painless deaths, as horses are difficult to stun and often remain conscious during their butchering and dismemberment. Whether slaughter occurs in the U.S. or abroad, these equines suffer incredible abuse even before they arrive at the slaughterhouse, often transported for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, and in dangerously overcrowded trailers where the animals are often seriously injured or even killed in transit. The majority of horses killed for human consumption are young, healthy animals who could go on to lead productive lives with loving owners. Last year, more than 160,000 American horses were sent to a cruel death by a grisly foreign industry that produces unsafe food for consumers.

To learn more about the ASPCA’s efforts to ban horse slaughter or support the SAFE Act, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA^®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Washington, D.C. (May 21, 2013) – Jeffrey Flocken, North American Regional Director, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), issued the following statement regarding the serving of lion meat at restaurants across the country:

“It is extremely worrisome to see restaurants across the country promoting the sale and consumption of lion meat. The African lion population already faces many obstacles for survival: a restaurant’s choice to serve up lion meat is simply irresponsible.

As we witnessed at eateries Taco Fusion (Tampa, Florida) and Mokutanya Yakitori (Burlingame, California) in the last couple of weeks, and many other establishments over the last few years, customers respond negatively to publicity ploys like novelty meats. Modern history shows that almost every restaurant serving lion meat has pulled it from their menu as a direct result of public backlash. A recent Synovate poll found that 63 percent of Americans would stop frequenting an establishment if it started serving lion meat.

The African lion population has declined by more than 50 percent over the last three decades, and as few as 32,000 remain in the wild. In March 2011 IFAW, along with a coalition of animal welfare organizations, petitioned the U.S. government to list the African lion as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. If listed, serving African lion meat in the U.S. would be illegal.

Restaurants serving lion meat send a message that they promote exploiting endangered animals. It not only alienates their customers, but it undermines conservation of this iconic species which is already fighting to survive. For any restaurants considering serving the meat of this imperiled species, we urge you to reconsider: African lions must be conserved, not consumed.”

About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org/bigcatadvocates. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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(May 20, 2013)—As we prepare to kick off summer this Memorial Day weekend, The Humane Society of the United States reminds everyone to keep pets safe during the warm months ahead.

“Summer is the perfect time to enjoy being with your pets,” said KC Theisen, director of pet care issues at The Humane Society of the United States. “But it’s important to keep your pets’ ID tags current in case they get lost, and beware of dangers associated with the warm weather, like hot pavement, hot cars and garden chemicals. With just a few extra precautions, you and your four-legged family members can have a happy and safe sun-filled season.”

The HSUS offers a few tips to keep your pets safe and healthy during summer:

Safer summer outings

• While Fido may leap at the opportunity for a joy ride, leaving any pet—dog, cat, rabbit, etc.— alone in a parked car during warm weather can be deadly. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85 degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows cracked open, can reach 102 degrees within just 10 minutes, and after 30 minutes the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Even when the temperature outside is a balmy 72 degrees, the temperature inside your car can rocket to a fatal 116 degrees in less than an hour.
• Your four-legged friend needs exercise too. However, exercising in the summer heat can be just as uncomfortable for your pet as it is for you. Take your walks in the early mornings or late evening, not in the heat of midday, and remember that hot pavement can burn the pads of your pet’s paws.
• Keep your pet inside moving cars whenever you travel. A carrier is the safest place for your cat. Letting your dog travel with his or her head outside the open car window is dangerous—flying particles and debris can cause eye damage, and some pets have actually fallen out of moving vehicles. And dogs should never ride unsecured in the back of pickup trucks, regardless of how slow you are moving.

Environmental Hazards

• Heartworms, ticks and fleas are more of a problem in warmer months and can cause serious health problems. Contact your veterinarian about products that will keep your pet healthy and parasite free.
• Avoid using cocoa mulch, pesticides, fertilizers and other gardening products that can pose hazards to pets, and encourage your neighbors to do the same.
• Summertime can also bring major weather events like hurricanes and tornados. Remember, never leave your pets behind – if conditions aren’t safe for you, they are not safe for your pets. Visit humanesociety.org/disaster for tips on disaster preparedness.
• Sunburn is a hazard for pets who spend time outdoors. Use a pet-safe sunscreen to protect your pet from the sun’s harming rays, which can cause skin cancer especially of the ears and nose.
• For pet owners in the East Coast, while cicadas may be a tempting treat for dogs, eating too many can cause digestive upset.

Avoid losing your pets:

• Check that your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are current, and that their collar is secure. Tags and microchips are life preservers in the event you lose a pet, and will allow whoever finds your pet to notify you quickly.
• Keep your feline friends safe and content indoors by providing them with cat grass and window perches that bring the great outdoors inside. Or consider screening in a porch or outdoor patio where you can allow your kitty some safe outdoor time. Also, cats can be trained to “walk” on a harness (never just use a collar and leash or tie your cat out), allowing you both to enjoy a little more leisure time in the yard.
• Common summer noises like fireworks and thunder may startle pets. For many animal shelters, the day after a town fireworks display is one of the busiest days of the year, as family pets become lost fleeing the sounds. Before a storm or fireworks display, bring your pet indoors or put him/her on a leash or secure tether.

For more pet health and safety tips visit humanesociety.org/pets.

Oakland, CA, May 25, 2013…Oakland Zoo presents a day to celebrate and honor elephants. Oakland Zoo is home to four African elephants named Donna, Lisa, M’Dunda, and Osh. Celebrating Elephants is a day the Zoo strives to spread awareness about elephants in captivity and in the wild. This annual event will take place from 10:00am to 3:00pm and will feature hands on activities, a research camp, learning stations, and elephant barn tours. It is an opportunity for guests to learn fascinating facts about these enormous animals and find out what elephants in the wild are facing right now with poaching and the ivory trade.

Elephant barn tours, which are $5 per person, will take guests behind-the-scenes to see an elephant up-close and witness how these massive-sized animals are cared for by zookeepers. The tour will also include an inside look at Osh’s barn (male elephant); it was specially designed to accommodate his growing build. The posh pad is complete with heating, high ceilings, and bedding to support his 12,000+ pound body.

Family friendly activities include a mock research camp which will give guests the opportunity to use binoculars and participate in observing elephant behaviors. They can also learn how to tell Oakland Zoo’s four elephants apart. In the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo, visitors are invited to watch Circus Finelli, an animal free circus performance with comedy, acrobatics, juggling, dance, and live music. Families will also find engaging elephant stations, such as, touching gigantic pachyderm bones, holding an eleven-pound tooth, and stepping into an elephant-sized footprint.

“Celebrating Elephants Day is fun-filled day designed for guests to enjoy and learn about elephants, while helping to save elephants in the wild. For the last nineteen years, Oakland Zoo has been a proud supporter and advocator for protecting elephants in Africa,” said Colleen Kinzley, Director of Animal Care, Conservation, and Research at Oakland Zoo. “Our goal is for guests to be awed by these majestic animals and aware of what is happening to them in the ivory trade.”

For more information about Celebrating Elephants, please call 510-632-9525 or visit the zoo website at www.oaklandzoo.org. All proceeds from the elephant barn tours at Celebrating Elephants will be donated to the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, which helps ensure the long-term conservation and welfare of Africa’s elephants through scientific research, training, community outreach, public awareness and advocacy. World renowned Dr. Cynthia Moss started the now famous Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya more than thirty years ago. For more details, please go to http://www.oaklandzoo.org/Amboseli_Trust.php.

ABOUT OAKLAND ZOO:

The Bay Area’s award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. The Zoo offers many educational programs and kid’s activities perfect for science field trips, family day trips and exciting birthday parties. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 500-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks. For more information please visit our website at www.oaklandzoo.org.###

TPR News
May 18, the 138th day of 2013.
There are 227 days left in the year

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This material is being sent at the request of both Ms. Tippi Hedren and The Honorable Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA 25) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA 46) regarding yesterday announcement about The Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act. The passing of this bill will finally mean that captive big cats-tigers, lions, cougars and other species - will not threaten public safety, diminish global conservation efforts, or end up living in deplorable conditions. Congressman McKeon's office contact can be found below. For more information regarding Ms. Hedren's efforts with The Shambala Preserve and The ROAR Foundation, please visit Shambala.org.

McKeon and Sanchez Introduce Big Cats & Public Safety Protection Act Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA 25) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA 46) introduced H.R. 1998, the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act. The Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act would prohibit private possession of big cats, such as lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs, except at highly-qualified facilities, like accredited zoos, where they can be properly cared for and restrained. Additionally, since no agency, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), state agencies, or local first responders, currently knows exactly how many dangerous big cats are being kept in private hands, under what conditions, and in what locations, the bill would require any persons who currently possess big cats to register those animals with USDA in order to keep the cats they currently own. The bill would also outlaw the breeding of any big cat except at accredited zoos and research and educational institutions. Violators of the law could have their animals confiscated along with any vehicles or equipment used to aid in their illegal activity, and could face stiff penalties including fines as much as $20,000, and up to five years in jail. The need for federal legislation regulating the sale and captivity of big cats has become dire. An alarming number of wild cats have been bred and sold as domestic pets in the U.S. This trend threatens public safety and often results in the severe mistreatment of these animals. Most recently, the fatal mauling of young intern at a private wildlife park in Dunlap, California, and the tragic events in Zanesville, Ohio in October, 2011, where 49 wild animals were killed after they were let loose on an unlicensed wild animal preserve, showcase the dangerous implications of this rising trend. Currently, only nine states have laws enforcing “no wild animals permitted,” and the remaining states have weak or no laws in existence. This bi-partisan bill will deter the dangerous private breeding, selling and keeping of lions, tigers and other dangerous big cats, and will help keep the public safe. This bill will also help global big cat conservation efforts and will work to ensure that big cats do not end up living in horrible conditions where they can be subject to mistreatment and cruelty. “No matter how many times people try to do it, wildcats such as lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs are impossible to domesticate for personal possession,” said Congressman McKeon. “These wild animals require much higher living standards compared to a domestic house cat and demand care that most black-market owners are not able to provide for. When accidents happen or when individuals learn they can't take care of these animals, and these wild cats are released into our neighborhoods, it causes panic, puts a strain on our local public safety responders and is extremely dangerous. This bill is a step forward in protecting the public, ensuring that wildcats are not exploited and making sure those that are held in captivity are taken care of humanely in proper living conditions.” “State laws addressing the private ownership and breeding of big cats vary greatly, with some states banning the practice outright while others impose few and partial restrictions,” said Congresswoman Sanchez. “This patchwork of regulations is confusing and it jeopardizes the safety of the public and the welfare of our animals. The Big Cats bill is a federal solution that will clarify these regulations and will lessen the interstate traffic of various species.” This legislation is supported by the Roar Foundation, Shambala Preserve, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Born Free USA, Humane Society of United States, Big Cat Rescue, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Ian Somerhalder Foundation. Sincerely, Congressman Buck McKeon OFFICE INFORMATION WASHINGTON DC OFFICE 2184 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 phone: 202-225-1956 SANTA CLARITA OFFICE 26650 The Old Road Suite 203 Santa Clarita, CA 91381 phone: 661-254-2111 PALMDALE OFFICE 1008 W. Ave M-14 Suite E Palmdale, CA 93551 phone: 661-274-9688 Safety Act Talking Points o There are as many as 10,000 big cats kept in private hands, but no one knows exactly how many and where. o The exact number is a mystery because few records are kept. What we do know is that these animals should never be kept as pets. o Just weeks ago, a young woman in Dunlap, CA was attacked by an adult lion while she was cleaning his enclosure. Tragically, the young woman died, and the lion had to be killed by authorities. The incident took place at a facility that breeds and frequently transports its big cats for public display. o In the last two decades in the U.S., dangerous incidents involving big cats have resulted in 22 people being killed (including five children) and nearly 200 being mauled or otherwise injured. The numbers are likely higher as these are only the incidents widely reported by the media. o It costs at least $10,000 a year on average just to feed a big cat, and they need huge spaces to roam. Many big cat owners, even those with good intentions, quickly realize they are in over their heads. o Local law enforcement and other first responders are neither trained nor financially equipped to deal with animals the likes of a 300-pound tiger, and taxpayers must pay the cost when animals escape or otherwise jeopardize the community. o Furthermore, the USDA does not have the resources to adequately inspect big cat licensees and enforce Animal Welfare Act compliance. o Co-sponsor the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act today. Passing this bill would mean an amendment to the Captive Wildlife Safety Act to generally restrict breeding and keeping big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and cougars) as pets. Current owners of any of these big cats would just need to register them with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill would provide exemptions for the following: zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), wildlife sanctuaries (that do not breed or allow public handling of their animals), wildlife rehabilitators, some research and education institutions, and some traveling circuses. o Unfortunately, reform came too late to Zanesville, Ohio. That's where a backyard exotic animal owner released 38 big cats and 18 other dangerous animals and then took his own life. To protect the surrounding community, law enforcement had no choice but to kill most of the animals. We can't stand on the sideline waiting for the next incident. Don't let your neighborhood be next. You, your family, and these animals all deserve protection. o Passing this bill will finally mean that captive big cats-tigers, lions, cougars and other species-do not threaten public safety, diminish global conservation efforts, or end up living in deplorable conditions

One Rewards

o One Rewards dog treats are all-natural pieces of 100% meat. Unlike the majority of dog treats created for pets, One Rewards do not contain additives, grains or fillers.

o These simple, savory treats come in:

§ Chicken Breast

§ Duck Breast

§ Chicken Liver

§ Ocean Whitefish

o Benefits of One Rewards pet treats:

§ Tasty flavor that dogs love

§ Easy to chew

§ Highly digestible

§ Low fat

§ High in protein

o The Process: One Rewards are freeze-dried to remove roughly 97% of moisture while locking in essential natural vitamins and nutrients of the meats. The treats come in a re-sealable bag to maintain their freshness for a minimum of 12 months from the production date. Proper feeding guidelines, developed by a leading independent pet nutritionist, are listed on each One Rewards package.

o Availability: One Rewards are currently available at Target stores across Canada with expected distribution to the US market in 2013. They can also be purchased online at OneRewardsTreats.com

One Rewards website: http://onerewardstreats.com/

Hillside Farms

o Hillside Farms start with natural, lean meat. All ingredients used are premium grad, fit for human consumption. Our jerky starts with cage-free, natural chicken. The only other ingredients are vegetable glycerin derived from natural plant sources and salt. These delicious treats contain no fillers, soy, grains, sugar, animal by-products or artificial colors and flavors. In this very simple process, lean meat is mixed with vegetable glycerin and a bit of salt. The meat is sliced, cooked, dried and then packaged - that's it!

o These wholesome, savory treats come in:

• • • Chicken Jerky
    • Duck Jerky
    • Jerky Twists
    • Jerky Wraps

o Availability: Hillside Farms are currently available at CVS locations, Winn-Dixie stores and various other retailers nationwide. They can also be purchased online at Hillside-farms.com.

Hillside Farms website: http://hillside-farms.com/