Africa’s endangered wild dogs are very clever: no traditional fence can keep them out. A doctoral researcher at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Craig R. Jackson, has explored ways to save the species.
Photo by Craig R. Jackson
African wild dogs are a distinct species that cannot inter-breed with other dogs. The populations of these dogs were in good shape until a few decades ago. In the middle of the last century, there were 500,000 of them in 39 countries. But the species is in decline across nearly its entire range south of the Sahara. Today there are somewhere between 3000 and 5500 left, in fewer than 25 countries. That’s roughly one per cent remaining – and that’s the best case scenario.
Wild dog packs are loath to intrude into the territories of other packs. These territories are defined by urine scent trails. So the researchers and their colleagues collected sand that had been sprayed with urine by wild dogs and moved it near to other packs to keep them inside a certain area – with success.
The use of the scent markings helps to keep wild dogs out of areas where they think there are other dog packs. But, collection of the urine needed for the scent trails is a problem. So the next step is re-creating the urine artificially.
The conclusion of the thesis: urine may be the best bet for saving the African wild dog population; that urine may have to be artificially produced.
Source: NTNU media release
PetSmart Charities, Inc. a nonprofit animal welfare organization teamed up with Match.com, the online dating agency, to survey single people about pets and dating. The results are revealing. Here’s the synopsis:
Posted in dog ownership
Tagged dating, Inc, Match, online dating agency, pets, Petsmart Charities
Veterinary researchers at Oregon State University have identified a unique group of proteins that indicate the presence of transitional cell carcinoma – the most common cause of bladder cancer – and may lead to a new assay which could better diagnose this disease in both dogs and humans.
Photo by Shay Bracha, Oregon State University
Sheepdogs, collies, and terriers seem particularly susceptible to this type of cancer. By the time the cancer is diagnosed, it is usually too late to save the dog’s life.
An improved assay to detect this serious disease much earlier in both animals and humans should be possible, scientists said, and may even become affordable enough that it could be used as an over-the-counter product to test urine, much like a human pregnancy test. Some of the work may also contribute to new therapies, they said.
“Research of this type should first help us develop a reliable assay for this cancer in dogs, and improve the chance the disease can be caught early enough that treatments are effective,” said Shay Bracha, an assistant professor in the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Source: Oregon State University media statement
Posted in research
Tagged bladder cancer, Border Collie, Border Collies, cancer in dogs, Corvallis, Oregon, oregon state university
In this truly horrifying piece, learn about the trade of dogs brutally slaughtered for the dog meat trade. Their skins, particularly testicles, are used to make leather gloves for golf!
Many of the dogs are pets because these animals are easier to ‘capture’ than feral dogs.
Pets stolen in Thailand for golf gloves made from dog testicles | Mail Online.
Smugglers kidnap pet dogs as they are easier to catch than strays, and sell the skin to leather manufacturers in China and Vietnam
Copyright EPA
Posted in animal welfare
Tagged dog meat trade, gloves, golf gloves, leather gloves, testicles, Thailand
Followers will have to forgive me for taking so long to see this film.
In my defense, I have tried to view it since the film came out in 2010. I made contact with the filmmakers at the time and there we no screenings in New Zealand that had been planned. Our local independent cinema chain never responded to my enquiries (by phone and email) to show the film and then we had our big earthquakes of 2011 which not only destroyed our arthouse cinemas, but also took my attention away for a considerable time.
I have finally managed to watch the DVD while visiting relatives who rented it on Netflix. I’m so glad we did. It was everything I hoped it would be.
This award-winning documentary follows the story of pet owners who were separated from their animals during the haphazard and uncoordinated evacuation of New Orleans in 2005 before Hurricane Katrina hit with full force. The animal rescue efforts were undertaken by many volunteers, but without infrastructure for central coordination.
This film tells the stories of Bandit, JJ, Precious, Max and other dogs and their owners and their fight to be re-united.
Be prepared with tissues – some of the footage and stories are heart-breaking; others joyous.
Hurricane Katrina taught us a lot about animal disaster planning and I hope we never face a catastrophe on this scale again. My friends at Best Friends Animal Society continue to care for some Katrina survivors today. Their numbers are, of course, dwindling with time.
If you have a Hurricane Katrina story to share, please reply to this blog post.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in animal welfare, Dogs
Tagged animal rescue, Best Friends Animal Society, Hurricane Katrina, Mine: The Movie, Netflix
There are 15 finalists for this year’s Bark for your Park contest, sponsored by PetSafe.
PetSafe evaluated the availability of land, civic leader support, population size, and the total number of votes in the first round of the contest to come up with the finalists.
The contest supports dog parks because they provide a venue and opportunity for dogs to get vital exercise and socialization they need, which are two major factors in reducing behavior issues. People tend to meet other dog owners, trainers and pet professionals at dog parks and are able to exchange information and resources that can further encourage responsible dog ownership.
You have until July 31 to vote. Popular vote will determine the winner, who will receive $100,000. Additionally, the runner-up city in each small, medium and large category will win $25,000. The Bark from Your Heart award winner, which will be the city with the highest vote to opportunity to vote, will win $25,000.
Winners will be announced on August 7.
The finalists are:
Posted in dog care, dog ownership, Dogs
Tagged Bark for your Park, behaviour, canine behavior, canine behaviour, PetSafe, vote
I’m not really a “gym” person, but if I could work out at home without interruption, I would love to do so. My sister has been doing her workouts at home, and her dedication and hard work are really starting to show. My fear is that my workouts would end up looking something like the ones featured in this week’s video selection.
You’ve got to admire a woman who can maintain some semblance of zen while a dog is licking her face incessantly or crawling under her and putting his butt up in her face, wagging tail and all.
I might not have the same issues with my dogs as she has with Otis, but I have no doubt that there would be something dropped in front of me, over and over again.
Jasper really does think I was put on this earth to throw his ball for him.
I…
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I’ve just finished reading Dog On It by Spencer Quinn and happily recommend it for all my followers.
This book was a New York Times bestseller and is the first in the “Chet and Bernie” series of mysteries. The narrator of the story is Chet, canine partner of Bernie Little of the Little Detective Agency.
Chet rides shotgun in Bernie’s old, but loved, Porsche. He is an intelligent dog, with interesting observations about human traits and habits. He’s also got a sense of humor.
In this story, Bernie is hired to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl. Along the way, Chet is kidnapped and narrowly escapes death; he’s critical to solving the case.
This book was both an entertaining and relaxing read. Highly recommended.
I’ve just purchased Thereby Hangs a Tail, the next in the Chet and Bernie series. Can’t wait…
Posted in dog books
Tagged Bernie Little, Chet, Dog On It, Little Detective Agency, new york times bestseller, Spencer Quinn
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