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Second Annual Halloween Costume Contest and Raffle But wait!!! There’s more!!! We are raffling off two huge baskets full of wonderful pet products, each worth hundreds of dollars!!! They will be on display in our lobby beginning mid-September. Tickets can be purchased for $1.00 each or six tickets for $5.00. You may purchase tickets for the raffles from September 15th up until the day of the Halloween Costume Party when the drawings will be held. You do not need to be present to win. Proceeds from the raffles will be donated to the Capital Area Humane Society. Snuppy World's First Cloned Dog
Researchers in Korea have succeeded in cloning a dog. World-renowned researcher Woo Suk Hwang from Seoul National University and his team announced their achievement in the jounal Nature on July 27, 2005. Skin cells were taken from the ear of a three year-old male Afghan Hound and the researchers extracted the DNA from those cells. They then placed the DNA in eggs that were surgically removed from dogs in the research facility. The nucleus is removed from these eggs to allow the new DNA to be implanted. The re-engineered ovum is implanted into a surrogate mother. In this study, researchers swapped out the DNA in 1,095 egg cells and implanted them into 123 surrogate mothers. This resulted in only three pregnancies. One failed to reach full-term, but two puppies were born. One puppy died at three weeks of age of pneumonia. The survivor, born by caesarean section from his Labrador Retriever surrogate mother, is now over three months-old and healthy. The research team named the puppy Snuppy, short for “Seoul National University puppy”. Their tests have shown Snuppy to be genetically identical to the DNA donor. One researcher said the Afghan Hound breed was chosen because their genetic profile is relatively pure and easy to distinguish. So far, researchers have cloned cats, goats, cows, mice, pigs, rabbits, horses, deer, mules, and gaur (a Southeast Asian ox) and, of course, sheep. Researchers hope that the technology being developed today will someday be medically useful. It is believed that the ability to clone dog embryos will advance stem-cell science and medicine. Abysinnians The Abysinnian has a distinctive ticked coat with bands of color on each hair shaft. They come in ruddy, red, blue, and fawn, and in some countries, a fifth color, silver, has been accepted. Their eyes are large, almond-shaped, and very expressive. Abysinnians are a very intelligent and inquisitive cat and are very good at keeping themselves entertained. They are most happy when they are involved in the everyday activities of their human family. Abysinnians are most commonly not a lap cat, at least not for very long (they have better things to do). These natural athletes have earned the reputation of being the clowns of the cat kingdom. Pet Parasites Can Be a Human Health Concern How do roundworms harm people? The microscopic roundworm eggs can be accidentally ingested by humans (most commonly children) when contaminated soil, sand, or plants are put in the mouth. Once roundworm eggs are ingested they hatch into larvae. These larvae travel through the liver, lungs, and other organs. They can cause damage to these vital internal organs. Occasionally they lodge in the eye which can cause permanent damage, even blindness. In the United States alone there are an estimated 10,000 cases of human roundworm infections each year.
How can I protect my family?
Exposure can come from animals other than cats and dogs too. Raccoons are quite common even within the city limits. Approximately 80% of raccoons living in North America are infected with a roundworm that has the potential to cause infection in humans and the larvae of this parasite frequently lodges in the brain or spinal cord. Again, good hygiene is the best way to prevent infection. Minimize raccoon access. Do not allow kids to play in areas where raccoons have defecated. Clean up raccoon latrine areas. Treat feces-soiled decks, patios, and sidewalks with boiling water. Fun Facts
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Does your dog have a little devil in him? Is your cat really an angel in disguise? You may even have a hedgehog that is longing to be a ladybug. If this sounds like any of your furry friends, come join us for a howling good time at our second Annual Halloween Costume Contest. Use your imagination; dress up your pets and come join the party on October 30th from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes and we’ll play games and award prizes for the game winners. We will also be awarding door prizes. 
As we’ve seen with some of the other breeds we’ve highlighted, the history of the Abysinnian isn’t totally clear. Ancient Egyptian art depicts cats which are very similar to today’s Abysinnian with the fine-boned yet muscular build, the large ears, and almond-shaped eyes. They even resemble the wild African cats believed to be the ancestor of all domestic cats. Perhaps the first Abysinnian in Europe was brought back from Abysinnia (now Ethiopia) at the end of the Abysinnian War in 1868. This cat, Zula, may not have been native to the area however. In fact, recent DNA studies show that today’s Abysinnian is related to species of wild cats found in Southeast Asia and along the Indian Ocean coast. This breed was first introduced to America in the early 1900s. Today the Abysinnian breed is second only to the Siamese in popularity among the shorthaired breeds.
Puppies, kittens, pregnant and nursing dogs and cats are at highest risk of intestinal parasites but dogs and cats of all ages can be infected. There are four primary types of worms commonly seen in dogs and cats. Of these four, roundworms and hookworms are a concern for human health. Animals infected with these worms contaminate their surroundings by passing eggs in their feces (bowel movements).
How do hookworms harm people? Hookworm eggs hatch into larvae after being passed in the feces. Humans may become infected by the larvae when walking barefoot on infected soil. Hookworm larvae will penetrate the skin. They will move around within the skin causing inflammation and lesion-like markings to the infected area. Occasionally they will penetrate into deeper tissues and damage vital internal organs. They can cause painful bloating, cramping and blockages in the digestive system. It is estimated that 20% of the world’s human population are infected with hookworms. 
Have puppies and kittens dewormed by your veterinarian at an early age. It is recommended that puppies receive their first worming at two weeks of age and kittens at three weeks of age. This procedure is repeated every two weeks for a total of four treatments. Have a semi-annual fecal check done on pets of all ages. Start or keep your pets on a preventive program such as Heartgard Plus®, Revolution®, Interceptor®, or Sentinel®. (Speak to your veterinarian about which product is right for your pet.) Keep play areas, lawns, and gardens around your home free of animal waste. Bag and dispose of animal feces. Keep sandboxes covered when not in use. Sandboxes are a favorite latrine area for neighborhood cats. Practice good hygiene habits. Instruct your kids in the dangers of handling potentially infected soil and sand.