Parrot lovers dedicate memorial garden for pets

Long-lived, yet often endangered, the birds have won a following among humans as fine, feathered friends who deserve dignity after they last lift their wings.
By Vimal Patel Denver Post Staff Writer

Bear, a Moluccan cockatoo parrot from Indonesia, rested on Arvada resident John Krenetsky's shoulders Sunday afternoon as a scorching sun beat down.
It's been Bear's favorite place since he perched himself on the 68-year-old's left shoulder five years ago, pressed his orange-streaked head against him and said: "I love you."
"It was then that I knew this was my bird," said Krenetsky, who was at a parrot memorial garden dedication Sunday at the Aviary and Adoption Center in Elizabeth.
The memorial garden for deceased parrots helps show that the birds are complex creatures that have special needs, organizers said.
"Living with a parrot isn't like living with a dog or cat," said Julie Murad, founder of The Gabriel Foundation, a nonprofit that cares for parrots and administers the center. "We want to love on them like we do a dog or cat, but we can't. They're still wild."
The foundation has cared for about 1,000 parrots since its creation in 1996 and has found permanent homes for about 600.
It was named after Murad's parrot, Gabriel, a Hyacinth macaw who died before he turned 2 years old.
"Parrots are the most endangered species of birds," she said.
A lot of people abandon their parrots because of behavioral problems and their loud noise.
On Sunday, shrill parrot calls floated in the air throughout the center.
There was Rio, a blue yellow-naped Amazon, one of only about 40 in the world.
There was Baby, a nearly 27-year-old green-winged macaw who gently flapped around in his cage, playing with various toys, branches and rope.
Parrots generally don't bite, but just because the creatures don't use the raw power of their beaks - Baby's has 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch - doesn't mean they can't.
"If they wanted to, they could snap a broomstick in half with their beak," said Karen VanderHyde, avian specialist for the foundation.
They can have life spans up to a hundred years and are social animals. And they deserve dignity in death, she said.
VanderHyde petted Norman, a nearly 50-year-old African grey Congo parrot, and showered him with kisses, to which the nearly blind bird responded with an approving whistle.
For Krenetsky, a parrot is the best pet anyone could have.
"He's your friend, and he doesn't care who you are," he said. "You could be the worst person in the world, but as long as you treat him as your friend, he'll be your friend."

source : http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6788073

Pet care takes bigger bite of consumer spending

Organized animal fighting rings such as that involving Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick aside, pet owners today are more likely to spend big to ensure their pet's health and comfort.
Veterinarians and entrepreneurs are there for them with technology formerly reserved for humans, special diets and care products.
Americans will spend about $41 billion this year on their pets, according to consumer research company Packaged Facts. And in the next two years, that number is expected to hit $52 billion.
"Why are we spending more on pets? It's because pets are now part of the family," said Pat LeBlanc, director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Michigan State University.
Over the years the way families treat their pets has changed, he added.
"I go back three generations in my family to my great-grandparents," LeBlanc explained, "and they had a farm and a dog and it never left the farmhouse. And when (the dog) got sick, they killed it."
Today pet owners are more interested in helping their pet through sickness, often at a steep cost spurred by the same factors that human health care is more expensive. "I think part of it is our technology is catching up more," LeBlanc said. "People are willing to go into debt to pay for their animal's care."
VTH recently acquired a radiation therapy unit from Massachusetts General Hospital for VTH's cancer care wing, LeBlanc added.
Two years ago, VTH treated about 24,00 pets. And last year it treated about 27,000. Numbers from this year suggest the hospital is on pace to exceed last year's figures, he said.
"Dissolving a kidney stone through a laser without any kind of incision - we have the equipment to do these kinds of procedures now," he said. "In the past people have not wanted their animals to undergo surgery - now we are serving the needs of these types of clients."
In contrast, veterinary schools today report increasing difficulty in attracting large-animal vet students, who typically work on farm animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association said it is helping sponsor a Kansas State University study to gauge the scope of the problem.
Consumers' increased interest in making sure their companion animal is well looked after, at least, has created a larger market for pet pampering.
That includes Shaggy Chic in Birmingham, which sells decorative collars, pet apparel and pet-themed home decor. Though open for less than a year, owner Lisa Pullman says she has experienced positive growth and consistent clientele.
"Many people are enjoying their pets," she said. "They're an extension of the family and they're really willing to make their comfort paramount."
Achieving that level of comfort for your pet comes at a price, but that hasn't deterred pet owners, as the pet supply industry has become a major force in a short period of time.
There are about 58,000 licensed dogs in Oakland County, which accounts for about 75 percent of dogs in the area, according to the Oakland County Animal Care Center."In conversations I've had with pet store retailers and sellers, what I've come to find - and I suspect the data would demonstrate this - is that pets have become recession-proof," said Michael Bernacchi, professor of marketing at University of Detroit-Mercy.Desperate times call for desperate measures, just not when it involves pets.
"It's actually kind of surprising considering the economy is so horrible," said Catherine Saunders, manager of Premiere Pet Supply in Beverly Hills. "You'd think people would cut back, but I haven't seen any difference."
Consumer buying habits have evolved in such as way that pets have become part of a family's fiscal equation, Bernacchi added.
It's the same method retail has used for years to encourage shoppers to buy things they want, in addition to things they need.
"I can't tell you exactly over what period of time, but certainly it's been the case over the last 10 years that we've become better educated on the expenditure with relevance to pets," Bernacchi said.
That new attitude has helped Premiere Pet Supply record consistent growth, Saunders said.
Adding to that growth was the recent scare over contaminated pet food from China, which caused pet owners to consider spending more money on specialized pet foods.
"We had people wanting to switch to something more natural and that's impacted our business," Saunders said. "A lot of eyes were opened ... and people were willing to pay more to avoid problems like that."
About 8,500 pets died as a result of eating contaminated food, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates.
"I know someone who spent over $12,000 to bring their dog back after kidney failure from the recalled food," Saunders said.
For many, a pet is more than a pet - it's a companion and friend. We buy for our pets like we would for a best friend, spouse or child.
"Pets, as it turns out, are surrogate people," Bernacchi said. "As Americans, we are defined by our expenditures - isn't it true that pets should take part in this?"

source : http://blog.mlive.com/oak_business_review/2007/08/pet_care_takes_bigger_bite_of.html

Pet Insurance : Avoiding Snarls In Pet Insurance

A pacemaker and cancer radiation treatments for your dog? An MRI and kidney transplant for your cat? These are the types of medical procedures available for our furry friends.As medical technology advances for pets, so do costs. They can run into the thousands of dollars. As a result, the topic of pet health insurance regularly crops up.With pet insurance you pay a monthly premium, and the insurer will reimburse you for eligible medical expenses related to accident or illness.Americans will spend nearly $41 billion on their pets this year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. Of that, about $10 billion is for veterinary care.Generally, consumer advocates aren't fond of pet health insurance, 84 percent of which is for dogs. Consumer Reports published a quick take in its July issue. In an article titled "Why Pet Insurance is Usually a Dog," the magazine cited the deductibles - the portion you pay before insurance kicks in - and the list of procedures that many pet insurance policies exclude. As a result, you could pay far more money for pet health insurance than it will save you.Still many pet owners spend thousands of dollars to try to save their four-legged friends. Is pet health insurance worthwhile? The answer in large part comes down to one very indelicate question sure to give devoted pet owners angst: How much am I willing to spend to lengthen my ailing pet's life?The question is important because you are likely to incur the largest vet costs while attempting to extend the pet's life.Owners who consider the animal part of the family might consider it crass to come up with a maximum dollar figure. But that number is fundamental to the decision on whether to buy insurance. If you can afford that amount, you don't need insurance.Pet insurers often point to multi-thousand-dollar pet surgeries. Pet owners pay an average surgical vet visit per year of $453 for a dog and $363 for a cat, according to estimates by the pet products manufacturers association. But that's a yearly average of all pet owners, some of whom paid for no surgeries and others who paid thousands. If you are the type of pet owner who will extend the life of Fido or Fluffy at any cost - and would rack up debt to do it - pet insurance becomes more worthwhile.During the early 1980s a typical pet owner would put an animal to sleep if treatment cost more than $250, said Jack Stephens, a pioneer in the pet-insurance industry. For 24 years he was chief executive officer for the largest pet insurer, Veterinary Pet Insurance.Today the dollar figure is closer to $1,500, said Stephens, who now leads an insurer called Pets Best Insurance. He says the escalation has less to do with rising prices and more to do with pet owners developing a deeper bond with the animals.Some considerations:Math. With a fixed monthly insurance premium of $30 and a 12-year lifespan for a dog, for example, you would pay $4,320 in insurance premiums from birth to death. And if you don't pay extra for a fixed rate your premiums could increase each year as your pet ages. That's a lot of money if you have a healthy pet and receive very little in reimbursements. But you will make out well with insurance if you are reimbursed for a big-ticket vet bill before you have paid much in premiums.Many people who buy pet insurance aren't upset if they don't file large claims to make the math work, said Loran Hickton, a spokesman for Pets Best Insurance. It's similar to not being upset about not using a child's health insurance. "The value is what-if. The value is not what you use," he said.Self-insuring. If you instead set aside that $30 a month in an earmarked "Fido-gets-sick" account earning 5 percent interest you would accumulate almost $6,000 before he died, assuming you didn't need to tap the fund.Stephens said self-insuring is an option, but he contends that most people won't do it. "It sounds good, but most of us aren't disciplined enough to maintain it," he said. And self-insuring doesn't work well if you have a large veterinary expense before you have saved much in Fido's fund.Deductibles, co-pays and maximums. A number of factors reduce the amount the insurer will reimburse you. Most plans feature $50 or $100 deductibles per ailment. Some pay 80 percent of the vet bill, while you pay 20 percent, after the deductible. Most have lifetime maximum payouts and per-ailment maximums.Benefit schedules. Most insurers have benefit schedules that dictate the maximum amount they will reimburse for each diagnostic test or treatment, regardless of what your vet charged you.For example, imagine your dog was attacked by another dog and needed treatment for bite marks. VPI, the nation's largest insurer, would pay at most $275, $131 and $95 for various portions of the diagnosis and treatment of multiple bite wounds, for a total of $501, according to its "Superior Plan" benefit schedule. It wouldn't matter if you had to pay the vet more, you would not be reimbursed for any more than those limits.Exclusions. Insurers typically exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. So to have an ailment's cost covered you have to buy pet insurance before a problem develops. That means buying coverage early in the pet's life. And basic pet insurance does not pay for general wellness exams and routine care, such as vaccinations and neutering.Pet insurance can be expensive and, like most insurance, complicated. A disciplined consumer might be best off self-insuring. But if you think pet insurance might be for you, ask your veterinarian which insurers other clients have had good experience with. And become familiar with the details of policies you are considering.Gregory Karp is a personal finance writer for The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa. E-mail him at yourmoney@tribune.com.

Rules for pet owners vary by municipality

Depending on where you live, the magic number changes.

In Wilkes-Barre, it's four. In Hanover Township, it's three. In Rice Township, it's five, as resident Miller Stella found out in the last few weeks.Municipalities in Luzerne County vary on how many pets homeowners or renters can keep on their properties, but those interviewed agreed it all boils down to maintaining safety and health for the animals and residential areas."Our biggest problem is just the amount of dogs or cats they have in their house and we have to get them down. It's too much for the people to deal with," Wilkes-Barre Animal Enforcement Officer Rick Macko said. "A lot of times (the homeowner) is glad to sign them over to us."The question of how many pets homeowners can keep on their property sprang up in the last few weeks when Stella, who was keeping 15 beagles on his property, was told he was violating township zoning rules. He has since agreed to give up 10 dogs to comply with zoning rules. Although no one questioned the care Stella gave to his beagles, he was still in violation."Our solicitor is reviewing it, but it looks pretty clear," Rice Township Supervisor Bob Pipech said Friday.Stella's case is an exception, Macko said.Most of the time pet owners get in over their heads, continuing to collect animals. And costs rise. Dog food can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 annually; shots, checkups and other trips to the vet can cost a total of $50 to $200 and other expenses can add up to $1,000 or more per pet, according to estimates on the Web site of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County."It doesn't matter if you're broke," Macko said. "Not having enough money to be able to take your pet to the vet is not an excuse. It's a lot of upkeep, a lot of expenses."Stella said he didn't think a clear-cut rule addressed the problem most people had with dogs in a neighborhood, from barking to sanitary issues."How do you decide too many is too many?" he said. "Doesn't it matter the care someone gives their dog? That seems to be the bigger issues."But municipalities need a clear-cut rule, Macko said. "I usually try to work with people," Macko said. "I might be able to help them get rid of a few and then I'll give them a week. They are their pets. These people do love their animals. Like I said, it just gets out of hand for some people."cjones@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2110

Pet Health :Cases of animal cruelty abound

By BENITA Y. WILLIAMS

The Kansas City Star
Two dogs in northeast Kansas City found with a hind leg severed.
A man in Lawrence accused of putting his pet rabbit in a plastic bag and trying to break its neck.
A cat with a slit throat in Overland Park and a dead dog stuffed in the basement ceiling of a Shawnee home.
A rash of animal-cruelty cases has horrified area residents this summer, but officials say it’s premature to say such abuse is on the rise. More likely, they say, the attention is due to a growing awareness that animal abuse matters.
“People are starting to say this is a crime and it needs to be reported,” said Alison Gianotto, director and founder of Pet-Abuse.com, a national animal protection advocacy group. “Before, they would say it’s not my business.”
Lesly Forsberg, manager of the Kansas City Animal Health and Public Safety Department, said the violence inflicted on animals was a reflection, and sometimes an indicator, of violence in other parts of society.
“Most people who go on to commit crimes on people start by committing crimes against animals,” she said.
Then there is dogfighting, which is often motivated by profit or ego.
A couple in Atchison, Kan., has been charged with that crime, and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick recently pleaded guilty in a dogfighting case.
On Thursday, the Johnson County district attorney discussed the details of a case accusing an Olathe man of breeding dogs for fighting.
Authorities said they found many of the same dogfighting implements federal authorities found in the Vick case: canine treadmills, jaw-strengthening rope devices, and “rape stands” used to restrain aggressive female dogs for mating.
“It’s not exactly the same thing (as animal cruelty) but it certainly falls under the category of the terrible things we do to our pets,” said Dale Bartlett deputy manager of animal-cruelty issues for the Humane Society of the United States.
• • •
Most cases uncovered by animal protection workers involve neglect or someone hording dogs or cats they cannot care for.
Sometimes, Forsberg said, a person obtains a pet without knowing how much care it needs and then abuses the animal out of frustration.
However, power motivates those rare offenders who intentionally harm a living creature for pleasure or sport.
According to literature from the Humane Society and others, animal torturers often feel powerless, and they cope by dominating a defenseless animal. Some do it to intimidate or seek revenge on someone.
Others are rejecting societal rules. Children who abuse animals often do poorly in school and have low self-esteem and few friends.
“The mind-set of those who torture, mutilate or intentionally harm an animal and derives pleasure doing so is a frightening mind-set,” said Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline.
However, Kline said, when it comes to dogfighting, there is another motivation: money.
“Breeding animals to fight doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” he said. “There must be those who purchase the animals … and those who wager.”
About 40,000 people are involved in organized, money-making, dogfighting, estimates John Goodwin, manager of animal-fighting issues for the Humane Society. An additional 100,000 participate at an amateur level, where owners fight their dogs for “street cred” or bragging rights.
Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and is a felony in all but two. Federal laws make it illegal to transport animals across state lines for fighting or to profit from animal-fighting videos.

But despite the prohibitions, the popularity of animal fighting appears to be growing.
Goodwin said that about a dozen underground magazines were dedicated to dogfighting, and there are DVDs showing hours of canine carnage set to gangster rap music.
“There’s always something new,” Goodwin said. “But I think momentum is on our side. … I think it can be eradicated, but we have to keep plowing ahead.”
• • •
No federal law requires animal cruelty to be tracked.
Those crimes are not reported nationally to the FBI, like violent crimes against humans, and few states mandate that veterinarians report suspected abuse cases.
Pet-Abuse, however, tracks cases through the media or submissions by the public. It has an online database of more than 11,000 cases from six countries dating from 2000.
“We’re probably the best out there, but we know we’re not getting everything,” Gianotto said.
Pet-Abuse has logged 1,183 animal abuse cases in the United States so far this year, compared with 2,284 in all of 2006 and 1,962 in 2005.
Bartlett said that research over the past three decades had made the public recognize the link between animal cruelty and other violent crime.
For example, the American Humane Association reports that 71 percent of pet-owning women entering shelters said their abuser had harmed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or control. A study by the Chicago Police Department found that 86 percent of the people they arrested for animal cruelty and dogfighting had previous arrests; 65 percent had arrests for battery.
Meanwhile, stricter laws against animal brutality have been slow to evolve. Before 1986, four states had laws making animal cruelty a felony, compared with 43 states today.
Animal cruelty is a felony in both Missouri and Kansas. But neither is among a growing number of states that provide restraining orders in animal abuse cases or that ban abusers from again owning animals and mandate that they receive counseling.
Kansas Sen. David Haley said that it often took horrific animal abuse or the crimes it could lead to for lawmakers to act.
For eight years, Haley tried to pass “Scruffy’s law,” a bill to elevate Kansas’ animal cruelty law to a felony. The measure was named for a Yorkshire terrier that was burned to death on camera in 1997.
Still, the law wasn’t approved until 2006, after it became known that Wichita BTK killer Dennis Rader bound dogs and cats with wire and suffocated them in a barn long before he began slaying people.
“I think that really was where it became crystal clear how animal cruelty is a gateway to greater violence,” Haley said.

source : http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/258488.html