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Happy Howllloween from austindogandcat.com

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Today's Grown-up Puppy

Central Texas SPCA 21st Anniversary Gala Nov. 19

CTSPCA's 21st Anniversary will honor its 2009 Animal Advocate of the Year, Nicole Mlakar-Livingston, include a delicious dinner, live jazz from Kris Kimura, and a silent auction, all benefiting the organization's adoption programs. Tickets are on sale now and sponsorship opportunties are available. For more information on sponsorship levels, please contact President@CentralTexasSPCA.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DINNER MENU

Entrée Selections

Vegetarian Lasagna

Hearty Layers of Pasta & Zesty Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Marinara

Sterling Style Chicken Breast

Caramelized Onions, Apple Smoked Bacon, Porcini Mushrooms, Provolone Cheese, with a Champagne Cream Sauce

Tender Medallion of Beef

Choice-Cut Tenderloin of Beef with Demi Glace Sauce

Vegetables

Sterling House Salad

Spinach, Boston, Romaine Lettuces with Toasted Pecans, Sweet Red Bell Peppers, Red Onions, Feta Cheese Traditional Ranch or Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressings

Chef’s Seasonal Grilled Vegetables

Starches

Au Gratin Potatoes

Selection of Petit Desserts

Silent auction donations:

• Dallas Cowboys/Philadelphia Eagles Jan 3, 2010 - 2 Tickets
• Paggi House - Dinner Gift Certificate
• San Jose Hotel - Dinner Gift Certificate
• Nicole-Mlakar Livingston - Photography Sitting Gift Certificate
• Marion Bermondy - Painting
• Four Seasons Hotel - Gift certificate for 1-night stay
• Renaissance Hotel - Gift certificate for 2-night stay
• All About Diamonds - Gift Certificate
• Austin Java - Gift Certificate
• Sweet Leaf Tea - Gift Basket
• Dee Dee Yelverton - Jewelry and Fine Art Print
• Stubbs BBQ - Gift Basket
• Austin Dirty Dog - One year of free dog washes
• The Knitting Nest - Hand-knitted sweater w/matching dog sweater
• Rio Grande Austin - Gift package and gift certificate
• South Austin Tattoo - Gift Certificate
• Bath Junkie - Gift Basket
• Dirty Dog - Gift Basket
• Robin Senor - Painting
• Vicki Lieberman - Electric Guitar

What's in Dogue on the Catwalk Will Be Unveiled at Rags2Wags Gala Nov. 14 at Hyatt Regency Austin

Cocker spaniels in couture, tabby cats in tiaras, and pets of all shapes and sizes strut their stuff down the runway—along with celebrity pet lovers. This year’s Rags3Wags will also feature unique live and silent auction items, a delicious dinner reception, and an evening of live entertainment—all to support the homeless animals of the Austin Humane Society.

Sponsorships start at $250. Individual tickets are $75.
How does that money help Austin animals?
Check out this video of cat and dog BFFs Reddy Boy & Mousey.

In 2008, the Austin Humane Society found permanent homes for almost 2,900 dogs and cats, spayed and neutered more than 5,000 cats in the second year at its Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic and found foster homes for almost 1,100 dogs and cats.

KVUE reports animal clinic burglarized and target of malacious harassment

KVUE reports:

A non-profit Austin animal clinic says it's the target of malicious harassment -- and is offering a reward to anyone who helps them find the person who has repeatedly broken into the clinic over the last month..

"Somebody out there is after us," says Missy McCullough, executive director of the Animal Trustees of Austin. "We're not sure what's going on."

The clinic has been broken in six times over the last 29 days, costing the Animal Trustees more than $6,000 to replace stolen equipment, repair broken property and upgrade security.

"It's just outrageous," McCullough says.

An on-site portable office has been hit four times, including after it was moved behind a locked fence.

"Even when we put burglar bars on it, they brought bolt cutters and cut through the burglar bars and broke the window," McCullough says.

The thief, or thieves, has broken windows, stolen a laptop and lab equipment and vandalized offices. During one break-in, the burglar left the clinic's refrigerator open, which contaminated more than $2,500 in vaccines and medical tests that had to be destroyed.

"This person is kind of escalating," she says. "They keep getting bolder and bolder. Almost every week, at least once a week, we've been broken into...It's become a very costly thing for us."

The clinic provides low-cost veterinary care.

McCullough says the $6,000 the break-ins have cost in repairs and upgraded security could have been used to spay and neuter more than 120 animals.

"We've got to find this person and find out why they're doing this to us and hopefully stop this, so we can get on with our work here," McCullough says.

Clinic workers say they think the same person is responsible for all the break-ins, but say they have no way of knowing for sure.

The clinic is offering a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

McCullough is asking that anyone with information call police or call the clinic at 512-371-1968.

Most Recent Comments: 1

LanaC 5 hours ago wrote:

It looks like this person on Craigs list is furious with ATA.

In the future, ATA, if you want information from the public it might be more helpful to publish an email address. My limited experience with telephoning in tips nets someone who has no clue what you are referring to when you call, and no idea how to prioritize information that is useful.

Anyway, my guess is whoever posted this post on Craigs List would be able to give you information about the vandalism.

http://austin.craigslist.org/pet/1403979678.html

'I vant to suck yur blooooddd ruff ruff' or how to assure your dog doesn't feel like a fool all dressed up for Halloween

• Schedule a dress rehearsal and try on all costumes well before the big night. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). If your pet seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or in a simple, festive bandana.
• Does your pet have sensitive skin? Even those with hearty coats can have allergic reactions to the synthetic materials found in many costumes. While you ride a sugar high, your pet might be uncomfortably scratching the night away.
• If you do dress up your pet, be sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and make absolutely sure it doesn’t limit your pet’s movement, hearing, vision or ability to breathe or bark. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, which can lead to injury.
• It’s best to avoid costumes with lots of sequins or other dangling parts that your pet could eat or choke on.

source: ASPCA website

Nora's Not Playing 'Melancholy Baby': The Piano-Playing Tabby Wins ASPCA Cat of the Year Award

When Betsy Alexander and Burnell Yow of Philadelphia, PA, visited an animal shelter in Cherry Hill, NJ, they never imagined they would adopt a feline prodigy.

Nora, a grey Tabby named after the surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, appeared to be your average mischievous young kitten.

But this seemingly ordinary shelter cat is receiving an extraordinary honor next week, when she will be officially named Cat of the Year at the annual ASPCA Humane Awards in New York City.

For a complete list of this year’s award winners, including a guide dog for a disabled Iraq War veteran and two undercover agents who assisted in the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history, check out the ASPCA website.

Dog runs free with wind in his hair on a beautiful Austin day, courtesy Statesman photoblogger

A dog’s life. How tough can it be. First, if you’re homeless you have to survive the streets. If you end up in a shelter, you pray for the right person to come along to provide the loving home you wished for all your life. You have to behave, sit, stay, shake hands, stop scratching, stop sniffing, eat your food when served, don’t make a mess, don’t tip over the water dish, stop barking, stop chasing the cat, play nice with other dogs, love all kids, absolutely no chewing or biting, and always, always greet the pack leader with affection and praise. Then you can expect the perks that come with good behavior, like going to the dog park, running free with the wind in your hair, splashing in the cold water of the creek, meeting new friends, chasing a tennis ball, only if you like that sort of thing, and reminding your owner to clean up after yourself when the time comes. This is probably the most important part of being a dog, having a responsible owner.

Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

National Pit Bull Awareness Weekend event at Zilker this weekend features dunk Michael Vick dunk tank for charity

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s dog handler John Garcia , known for rehabilitating 22 of the 49 dogs (now affectionately referred to as the “Vicktory Dogs”) seized from the bust of the Michael Vick/Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting ring, will be in town this weekend to participate in the two-day, family-friendly, Love-A-Bull event.

A Family Fun Day
October 24, 5 PM – 9 PM at Zilker Hillside Theater

Free to the public! Dogs on leash are welcome. Chairs are not permitted, but blankets or towels are encouraged.

• A public screening of National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Town,” including footage of John Garcia working with the Vicktory Dogs at Best Friends (begins at 7:30 PM).
• Autographs with John Garcia
• Games and crafts, including: henna tattoos, face painting, balloon animals, bandanna painting
• Under Pressure t-shirt silk screening
• Pumpkin patch photo booth
• Dunk tank (dunk “Michael Vick” for charity!)
• Raffle
• Refreshments: Amy’s Ice Cream, Aloha Sno-Cones and Waffles, Zuzu’s tacos, Solar Natural Foods, Sweet Leaf tea
• Pick the Pit Bull game, trivia, and prize giveaways
• Information and adoptable pets from Emancipet, Happy Endings, Town Lake Animal Center, Best Friends, and Reunion Rescue
• Booths featuring our trainer, Jessica Wilson and Haute Dog Magazine

A Downtown Pet Parade and Costume Contest, led by John Garcia
October 25, 2 PM at Austin City Hall
Free to the public! Bring your leashed loved ones and the whole family for this walk through downtown. Austin Java and Lofty Dog will provide rest stops, and there will be prizes for best human and dog costumes! DJ Yoshi will be spinning tunes for your enjoyment. Free Parking in the City Hall Garage (entrance on Lavaca).

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Mac the dog lost in Austin featured on Facebook , Twitter, Austin craigslist and KVUE

His name is Mac. At 3 feet tall and 130 pounds, he shouldn't be difficult to see. But he’s been difficult to see and find, ever since he ran away from home in Central Austin on September 26.

Since the Great Dane’s great escape, owner Chuck Smith has enlisted an army of volunteers and posted Mac’s description on Facebook, Twitter, and Craigslist in hopes of finding his beloved companion.

"He’s just a sweet dog a very sweet dog, and -- at this point -- a very scared dog," Smith told KVUE Monday. "He’s like a kid to me."

USA Today's Paw Print Post says Austin's Uno stood out among the many dogs and cats at Meet the Breeds event last weekend in New York

Breeders were encouraged to dress and create booths that reflected their pet's heritage at the Meet the Breeds event in New York City last weekend, where more than 160 dog breeds and 40 cats were on display to educate the public about how to pick a species and breed. Above, Jane Ramey of Port Washington, N.Y., dressed in a period Russian costume with her Russian Blue cat Czar Nicholas.

USA Today's Paw Print Post columnist highlights Uno's appearance at the event, a joint venture of the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association. "One that will stick with me: the crowds of kids and parents who rushed to meet Uno, one of the most popular dogs in America."

Uno is featured in this video that shows many of the sights and -- ruff ruff, meow -- sounds from the weekend.

You Are Getting Very Very Sleepy.... Now Step Slowly Away from the Tuna Fish and No One Gets Hurt

George the Cat, a clever orange and white tabby in the U.K., has figured out that the best way to get all the tuna juice and Tempations he wants is through hypnosis, and thanks to his owner, he’s accredited as a hypnotherapist.

George’s owner, Chris Jackson, registered George with the British Board of Neuro Linguistic Programming (BBNLP), the United Fellowship of Hypnotherapists (UFH) and the Professional Hypnotherapy Practitioner Association (PHPA). Each accepted a certificate from the non-existent Society of Certified Advanced Mind Therapists as proof of George’s credentials.

The UFH later admitted the mistake, which it said has since been corrected.

A PHPA spokesman said the organization makes great effort to ensure every applicant is a fully-qualified hypnotherapist.

The BBNLP said it exists only to provide benefits to its members, not to check or certify credentials.

George could not be reached for comment.

[LINK: BBC News]

Five kittens left in a video store overnight drop box in Lakeway now recovering at Austin Humane Society

Last week, when a video store employee went to check the video night drop box, there was a big surprise, or, should we say five little surprises?

Now safe, fed and warm at the Austin Humane Society they are affectionately known as the ‘Disney Kittens’: Tarzan, Puss in Boots, Lion King, Bambi and Nemo.

Austin DogToBerFest 2009 at the Domain Saturday October 24

October 24th, from 10am-7pm at The Domain! Proceeds benefit Austin area dog rescue groups.

Schedule

10 am - 7pm

• All rescue groups & local vendors, set up throughout The Domain
• Pet photos taken at Neiman Marcus photo booth for $5 donation
  
• Demonstrations on the hour: Austin APD K-9, Triple Crown Dog Academy & more.
• Grooming Demonstrations by Groomingdales of Austin
• Photographer Nicole Mlakar-Livingston will be taking photo's throughout the day
• Individual mini-training sessions for $20 offered by Taurus Dog Training throughout the day

5 pm

• Dog Costume Contest
• Emcee: KVUE's Tyler Sieswarda
• Categories include: Scariest - Funniest - Best Group (2 or more dogs) & Movie Character
• Trophies for 4 category winners as well as "Best in Show"

6 pm

• Live Auction begins
• Silent Auction ends

6:30 pm

• Dog Costume Contest winners announced
• Pick up Silent Auction winnings

more info

10 Reasons Dogs Hate Halloween

10. It’s no fun sharing the position of “Top Banana” with three other dogs.

For the other nine, check out dogster.com

HOWL'OWEEN Pet Costume Contest noon to 6 p.m. October 25 at Hill Country Galleria.

Art by animals for animals for sale at Georgetown benefit 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday October 18

No one knows why she decided to become an artist. She was a runaway with no formal training. She wasn't interested in the portraits that the woman who adopted her painted. Her only talent was chasing after anything that moved.

But something changed for Velcro when the Georgetown Animal Shelter needed help.

Read the rest of the story by Claire Osborn for the Austin American-Statesman.

Velcro's work will be for sale at the Art for Animals fundraising event that will feature silent and live auctions of art and other treasures, including a variety of chocolate desserts.

Last year’s event was a huge success for Georgetown Animal Shelter, raising almost $15,000. Community members and local artists donated dozens of pieces, and shelter cats and dogs also created some eye-catching art.

For more information click here.

Helping Dogs Make New Friends at Brentwood Park 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday October 17

Activites For You and Your Pet

• Dog Bob
• Frisbee Catching
• Ask-a-Vet
• Ask-a-Trainer

Contests for you & your dog. Fun prizes!

• “I Look Like My Dog Contest” - 2:30pm
• “So Ugly It’s Cute” - 3:00pm
• “Fastest Dog” - 3:30pm
• “Trickiest Dog” - 4:00pm

Special thanks to our generous community sponsors:

Austin Dog Alliance
Austin Humane Society
Allandale Vet Clinic
Bark 'N Bubbles
Blue Dog Rescue
Buddy’s Chance
Castle Greyhound Rescue & Adoption
Dog Almighty Hot Dog
Doody FREE Pet Services
Diana Smith, Certified Dog Trainer
Hang Town Grill
Heart of Texas Lab Rescue
PetSmart
Tomlinson’s Pet Supplies





Hosted by North Village Church

Bark-tober Book Release: Bad to the Bone: Memoir of a Rebel Doggie Blogger

I type 60 words a minute.

My name is Bo, and this is my story.

From shelter dog reject to beloved pet and popular doggie blogger, Bo Hoefinger’s life has been anything but ordinary. No he doesn't live in Austin. He lives in Atlanta. But his story translates. He's just like any dog. In any town. In America.

A frequent contributor to local fence post 12, Bo continues his nonprofit work with the Beneath the Fence Society. In his spare time he dabbles in knocking over garbage pails, barking uncontrollably, and generally being a helpful force around the house.

The critics say:

“Witty commentary and hilarious observations.”—Dog Living

“A real treat. Bo is so distinctively adorable and funny, that no other dog will be able to follow in his pawsteps”- Tracie Hotchner

Hello my name is Ruff Ruff and I'm a barkoholic: The truth about canine rehab

woofreport.com reports that rehab options for dogs (and even cats) is one of the fastest growing segment in veterinary medicine, with over 300 certified veterinary practitioners in business across the country.

Using skilled techniques for joint mobilization and therapeutic stretches and exercises, canine rehab helps dogs manage pain and increase mobility. Diagnostic services, such as ultrasound, as well as laser and electric stimulation treatment options are generally available as are specialized tools to help increase dogs’ strength and coordination and maximize muscle flexibility. Typical canine rehab tools include Cavaletti poles, rocker/wobble boards, physioballs, therapeutic pools and hydrotherapy.

Who Needs Canine Rehab?
With so many medical advances available to pet patients today and increasing public awareness about canine rehabilitation, the demand has skyrocketed. This coupled with the increase in canine agility participation and the benefits of therapy for service dogs helped spur growth. But canine rehabilitation isn’t only for doggie athletes and working dogs. Pet dogs recovering from surgery or injuries and those managing long-term mobility issues also benefit greatly from rehab services.

Who Can Practice Canine Rehab?
Today 17 veterinary colleges offer specialization programs in canine rehabilitation. But one doesn’t need to be a licensed vet to practice it. Though this proves to be a heated topic between the AVMA and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), at the present time both groups certify canine rehabilitation practitioners – the AVMA certifying only licensed veterinarians, the AMPA allowing human physical therapists to receive canine rehabilitation certifications.

Who Pays for Canine Rehabilitation?
Many pet insurance companies now cover physical rehabilitation when it’s prescribed by a veterinarian and takes place in a veterinary clinical setting. Since canine rehabilitation can often successfully manage conditions previously only rectified by surgery, it can actually help decrease veterinary costs.

U.S. News & World Report List of 10 Best Places to Live with Pets Doesn't Include Austin

Oh, how outrageous.
Oh, what does U.S. News & Whatever Report know? Take a look at the competition. Maybe next year... Elllicott, City, Md. made the list.

Ready Teddy for their Close-UP: Your BFF's BFF in the animal world

You are No. 1 in your dog or cat's eyes. But in their four-legged world they must have at least one BFF, and they outta be in pictures. Why deprive the world any longer of their adoring and adorable gazes?

This October, for the ASPCA Adopt-A-Shelter Dog photo contest, your challenge is to catch your pooch in the act of interspecies affection. The top five winners—selected by ASPCA staff—will receive an ASPCA Prize Pack and be featured on our website. So get clicking—the deadline for entries is October 31!

Austin Humane Society rescue animals from substandard care with local rescue group

The Humane Society said volunteers, community members, and even the acting director expressed concern over Paw Match's ability to care for the animals.

PawMatch.org was unavailable for comment Thursday, but the Austin Humane Society said Paw Match did meet the state's minimum requirements for animal shelters, but voluntarily closed. The rescue organization's website includes a photo gallery of "success stories."

A Humane Society spokeswoman said this case shows state standards need to be raised.

"It was critical that the folks that were concerned about this situation went through the motions that they did go through, otherwise the animals might not have received the care that we believe they deserved," Austin Humane Society Director Frances Jonon said.

The Humane Society said nearly all of the rescued animals had tick infestations, and a number had parasites.

Vets said the prognosis for all the dogs is favorable, and some will be up for adoption this weekend.

Since it is "Adopt a Shelter Dog" month at the Humane Society, adoption fees have been reduced to $35. For more information, visit AustinHumaneSociety.org.

Primary reporting courtesy: News 8