If you live in California, you know all about the state's massive budget problems. State workers' salaries are being cut, social services are being pared back and various programs are feeling the pinch of a $24.3-billion deficit.
But now it looks like animal shelters - and the animals who are kept there in hopes of finding new owners - will also feel the brunt of California's fiscal woes.
Among the cuts proposed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is one that would end a state mandate to hold animal shelter strays for six days. Kiska Icard, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco SPCA, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the change - which is expected to save the state $24.6 million - would result in euthanizing more animals.
"Obviously, monies need to come from somewhere," she said, "but to do it on the backs of these animals is just really sad."
I've heard that shelters may euthanize animals after just three days. If that happens, it would be a major tragedy for thousands of dogs, cats and other lost or abandoned pets.
If you live in California and are thinking about adopting an animal from a shelter, now is the time. You could literally save the life of a cat or dog.
Pet Products Review -Finny Pet Products Leash Light
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. And thats what I think of Finy Pet Products Leash Light. Today, I heard sunset is going to be at 8:12pm. What that means is that there is even more time to get outdoors with you best mate and take cherished walks longer and later than before. But, don't get caught too far away, and then be in the dark. Remember, not only are people and pets walking later, so are cyclists, motorists and rollerbladers. With all of this warm weather congestion, you need a Finny Pet Products Leash Light.
Finny Pet Products Leash Light is an attachable flashlight that adheres to any Flexi brand extendable leash with super strong velcro. Light, portable and adds saftey. I think its a good product and at only $7.99 affordable. Buy yours on their site at:
If you've got a product that you think will pass the Secret Shopper Test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com
I love stories about how dogs can be trained to do just about anything - sniff out drugs, assist the disabled, even help rescuers find people trapped in rubble after a natural disaster.
Now, they're being trained to detect cell phones in prisons. Brilliant.
In Arizona, corrections officials report they have four dogs that are either working or being trained to work in state prisons to uncover cell phones being hidden by inmates. Such items, of course, are illegal.
According to the Associated Press, officials hope to have dogs in each of the state's 10 prisons by the end of next year.
Besides allowing inmates to conduct criminal activity outside prison walls, cell phones can also be used to aid an attempted escape. So far, dogs have found 50 illegal phones.
And now that phones are getting smaller, they're more easily hidden.
"When they started getting smaller and easier to conceal, that became a problem," said Angelo Daniels, commander of the Correctional Officer Training Academy in Tucson. "The smaller they get, the more concerned we get."
FYI: Dogs are trained to detect unique odors associated with cell phones and their components.
Pet Product Review - American Greetings Traditional Pet Sympathy Cards
As you all know, I lost my dearest friend Champ a week ago. I've been so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends and neighbors offer support and sympathy. I went to clear my head over the long weekend and when I returned on Tuesday, there were several sympathy cards left at my doorstep from neighbors. This meant so much. I noticed that many were from American Greetings. With that I applaud American Greetings for recognizing the strong bond between pet and owner and the importance of giving them respect when they pass.
Lucky for us American Greetings also knows that most of us are very busy and don't have time to go to the store to buy a proper card. Their website has beautiful downloadable and printable cards:
You will need to join their community to have access to the cards, but there is a 1-week free trial offer. I recommend if you're at a loss to say when a friend's pet passes, these American Greetings printable sympathy cards will be much appreciated.
If you've got a product that you think will pass the Secret Shopper Test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com
Pet Products Review - Awesome Dog Toys and More - 10% of proceeds fight canine cancer
As you may know, I recently lost my dog Champ to cancer. It was a horrific experience and profound lost. So, when I stumble across a company that helps to find a cause for canine cancer, I applaud them and recommend them fully.
www.awesomedogtoysandmore.com has a wide variety of dog toys, from plush to tough. All are at excellent prices of less than $10. Best of all, your purchase will help support research to find a cure for Canine Cancer. www.awesomedogtoysandmore.com donates 10% of their proceeds to the Magic Bullet Fund www.magicbulletfund.org.
If you need some dog toys for the summer, buy them and support the Magic Bullet Fund at the same time.
