Volunteer Opportunities in Zoos, Aquariums, Museums and Nature Centers
Jul 27th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I consider myself extremely fortunate in having been able to spend a lifetime working in zoos with animals from all over the world. However, zoo work is not for everyone – even those who are passionate about wildlife may become frustrated by the lack of opportunities (not to mention the exceedingly low salaries!). There is, however, a very pleasant alternative for those who wish to be around exotic creatures on a regular basis– volunteering. Many zoos, aquariums, nature centers and museums accept volunteers, and most provide extensive training. More >
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...Common Small Animal Myths – Debunking Bad Publicity – Part 1
Jul 22nd
Having worked at That Fish Place’s Small Animal Room for nearly 6 years, I’ve heard many a misconception from customers. Most of this I attribute to the grape vine effect. One person has a bad experience with a pet, tells someone else about it, and then that story gets embellished or added upon over time, until it becomes a completely fictional story. Today, I’d like to debunk some of the more commonly heard myths I’ve heard over the years. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Pet Fire Safety Check – How Does Your Home Compare?
Jul 20th
Last Thursday was National Pet Fire Safety Day. A house fire has always been one of my greatest fears so when the AKC put out their tips on avoiding this potential tragedy I was shocked to learn that almost 1,000 house fires last year were actually started by the family pets themselves. Some of the pet fire safety tips the AKC gave were obvious to me, but others were more subtle. Planning for the unexpected tragedy is an integral part of responsible pet ownership.
How to prevent your pet from starting fires
Extinguish open flames – Curious by nature, pets will often investigate candles or stovetops. Never leave an open flame, such as a candle or gas stove, unattended and be sure to double check that all flames have been put out before leaving your home. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Cool Treats for Hot Dogs – Tasty and Creative Frozen Snacks to Beat Summer Heat
Jul 15th
It’s the middle of July, and as we brace ourselves for the next heat wave, I’m thinking of ways to keep my pup cool, too. The evening news features footage of zookeepers serving frozen treats to captive animals – from frozen bananas and fruit juice to whole frozen fish and bloodcicles (awesome if you’re a tiger, I suppose) none of the animals deny a frozen treat for a few minutes of relief from these oppressive temperatures. So, what can we offer our pets at home? There are plenty of options. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Exotic Pet Possibilities, Part 2 – Sugar Gliders, Degus, Hedgehogs and Spiny Mice
Jul 13th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Pygmy Mice, Ground Squirrels, Civets – all sorts of interesting small mammals have found their way into the pet trade and are regularly being bred. Please see Part I of this article for a look at my favorite, the Flying Squirrel. Today I’d like to introduce several others that I’ve enjoyed keeping and learning about.
Note:Please see Part I of this article for health-related and legal considerations. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Bird Toys – Not Just for the Birds!
Jul 8th
I’ve owned my female gray cockatiel, Charlie, for 13 years, and still I haven’t developed the knack for figuring out what toys she will love and hate. She is a very picky girl and can take weeks to even glance at any new toy I give her, let alone play with it. Needless to say, this has resulted in a lot of perfectly good bird toys being stowed away in the cabinet never to be enjoyed. I thought I was wasting a lot of money on things that Charlie didn’t even like, and decided to experiment. More >
(-1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Product Recall – UPG Voluntarily Recalls Pet Nutritional Supplements Due to Salmonella Risk
Jul 6th
United Pet Group has expanded their voluntary recall of several popular vitamins and nutritional supplements this week due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination. Several Pro-pet and Excel line tablets are included in the recall. For a complete listing of products and lots affected by the recall click here. Though there have been no confirmed cases of illness, the company is recalling the products as a precaution. If you currently administer a vitamin supplement to your pet, please take a moment to read over the recalled product listing/press release to be sure the products you may have are safe to handle and administer.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Exotic Pet Possibilities – Part 1 – Flying Squirrels
Jul 6th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. An amazing array of unusual small mammals have long been bred in captivity and sold within a rather small circle of exotic pet enthusiasts. Some, such as Fennec Foxes and Bennett’s Wallabies, are suitable only for well-experienced keepers with ample room and resources while others, including Servals and Coatimundis, can be downright dangerous and are best enjoyed in zoos or the wild. Today I’d like to introduce an animal that, while not suitable as a “first-time pet”, is a great choice for experienced hobbyists looking to expand their pet-keeping horizons. I’ll cover captive care in greater detail in future articles and move on to Sugar Gliders, Degus, Hedgehogs and Spiny Mice in Part 2.
Note: Be sure to check your state’s laws regarding exotic pets…please write in if you need help in locating this information.
It is imperative that you locate an experienced exotic mammal veterinarian before deciding to keep any of the animals mentioned below. You should also consult with your family doctor regarding any potential health hazards. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...July 4th Fun & Fireworks – Pet Anxiety & Safety Tips
Jul 1st
The July 4th Holiday is upon us, and unfortunately it is one of the busiest times for animal shelters due to the overwhelming amount of dogs lost during the fireworks & festivities. The fireworks may be fun for us, for some of our canine friends it can be downright terrifying.
During fireworks displays, or even while setting off fireworks in your backyard and neighborhood, your usually calm family pet may become extremely stressed. The stress overload can cause some pets to try to escape the house or yard. By following a few simple tips for this holiday weekend you can avoid coming home to an empty house and the anxiety of a missing beloved family pet.
Follow these simple steps to enjoy a worry free Independence Day. The knowledge that your family pets are safe and sound will make your holiday all the more fun. Have a great holiday weekend!
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Feral Ferrets – Domestic Ferrets Gone Wild!
Jun 29th
The domestic ferret did not originally exist as a distinct species, but rather was produced via selective breeding of its wild relative, the European polecat (Mustela putorius). Please see our article Ferret Facts for more information on the ferret’s surprising history.
Despite centuries of domestication, ferrets retain many of their wild ancestors’ instincts. In the following article, we’ll take a look at the “wild side” of ferret life.
Domestic Ferrets in the Wild
Both ferrets and polecats have been released in New Zealand (1879-1886) as a rabbit control measure. Today a huge population of ferret-polecat hybrids occupies the island. Along with introduced stoats (a Eurasian ferret relative) and weasels, they have decimated populations of several flightless birds…the rabbits remain relatively unphased! More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
