There are so many animals that are in desperate need of a loving home so if you have decided to get a cat, why not choose one from your local cat rescue home or animal shelter?

By adopting from a shelter instead of buying from a pet shop, you help those animals that are most in need to find a home and help fund the rescue work so that other cats can be saved. Many of these felines have had difficult lives so far – they may have been abandoned, abused or neglected by their owners. So, responsible rescue centres will take special care to match owner and pet and find them a good home. They will give you as much information as possible about their charges’ personalities and histories to help you choose wisely.

At the animal shelter,use your power of observation.

Take some time to just watch the cats and kittens without trying to interact with them. Observe how active they are and what type of attitude they have. A cat that stays huddled in a corner or appears lethargic may be sick, which could mean expensive vets bills in the future. Or the poor cat may nave been abused and so is terrified of everyone and everything. If you have the time and patience, please don’t automatically dismiss an abused feline. They can repay your care many times over.

Give the cat a thorough examination, starting with the eyes. Bright and clear eyes with no discharge or weepiness are a good sign.

The nose should be clean and slightly moist.Again,there should be no discharge.

Ears should also be clean. Those that are extremely dirty are potentially contaminated with ear mites which can be very difficult to eliminate and can easily spread to other cats at home.

Finally, the cat’s fur should be clean, shiny, and free of fleas. Fleas can be particularly bothersome to both the cat and to the owner. Eliminating fleas once they infest the home can be very difficult.

Listen to the cat. A cat that coughs, sneezes, or sounds congested can be quite ill and should be avoided. Also, listen for sounds of contentment. A cat who is purring is probably happy and healthy.A meow can indicate either trouble or contentment – a long, pleading meow could show that the cat is ill. On the other hand, a playful meow could mean the she is already developing a bond with its potential new owner!

Watch how the cat plays. Some pet owners are looking for playful cats that will scamper about the house and chase and play with toys. Others would prefer a more docile cat who will spend hours cuddled up in the owner’s lap.

See how they play with each other first to get a feeling for their disposition. This is particularly important for pet owners who already have a pet cat at home. Then play with the kitties yourself.

Take out a string, ball of wool or car keys and dangle them in front of each cat. The one that seems most alert and active is likely the better choice. Of course, you could always take home more than one if the decision is just too hard to make

It is so rewarding to adopt a cat from a cat rescue shelter and know that you have saved its life and given it a comfortable home but do be aware of potential problems. Any cat or kitten that comes from a shelter will be stressed to some level. This stress has put them at a higher risk of attracting a respiratory infection. They may also be more prone to bite or scratch you before you have bonded. Most cat rescue shelters offer a spayed or neutered cat, with full shots and de-worming but You must also get your cat tested immediately for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

finally,listen to the advice of the shelter workers and don’t rush into any decisions.

About the Author: For chats about cats and for more information on cats, cat care and cat care products, visit Tricia’s website All About Cat Care at http://www.all-about-cat-care.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=123087&ca=Pets

See the original post here: Why You Should Think About Adopting A Rescue Cat From An Animal Shelter

Now think of safari…of Serengeti…of wildlife sanctuaries…what images dominate your thoughts? Yes, animals.

Wildlife aside, safari would only be composed of a number of plant species, of terrain and of strange creatures like insects, bugs and the likes. Without the animals, African safaris would be reduced into a haven of sedentary and rarely moving species. Without the animal of the safaris, ecosystems would not exist. In a sense, animals add to the beauty that life in Africa may present. They give meaning. They add excitement. And they encourage tourism.

It is thought that African safaris started to become famous when the hunt for animals boomed sometime in the nineteenth century. This is because men then were perceived bold enough if they can kill wild animals right in their habitats and in action. This activity provides them a bag full of hunting trophies that adorned the walls of their libraries.

These days, a great thanks to movements for wildlife, hunting is restricted to many areas of African safaris. Nonetheless, there are still areas where slaughtering of wild animals are allowed. Because of the banning, travelers are now limited to only watch the animals hunt each other, predators to prey, and experience the exchange of life and death among them. Some of us still see hunting as a sport though.

The most famous of the animals in safari are known to be the big five which includes rhinoceros, lion, buffalo, leopard and the elephant. Why they became to be, no body is sure. Why other equally wonderful animals are not included in the list remains to be a mystery. It’s safe to presume that that’s simply the way hunters prefer it.

Adding to the big five are plain animals and mammals that coexist with each other. Some being the prey. Some being the predators. Nonetheless, they all take their parts in the circle of life. They give life.

Though not really considered animals, it is still worth saying that there are thousands of insect species, bugs, butterflies, and other moving creatures found in the African safaris. However large or big they can get won’t really matter. They still balance wildlife and they aid in continuing the existence of ecosystems in African safaris.

Some people say, once human intervene with this natural process, even only for once, he may intervene with the succeeding years and life of the species that live in the safaris. And this seem to be true. Sudden and gradual fluctuations of population in the safaris are very much affected by the minute actions of the animals and other living things that exist in it.

Thus it is important that travelers and explorers let things be in the wildlife. Just allow them to exist and do as they were destined to do.

About the Author: This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on safari & other useful information, please visit http://safari.articlekeep.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=106344&ca=Travel

See the original post here: Animal Safari- Let Nature Balance Itself

Are you interested in funny pet videos? If so, you will need to know where to find them before you can watch. The good thing is that since this area of the internet has begun to progress, the number of funny pet videos is also on the rise. As long as you know where to look, you will be able to find funny pet videos in no time at all. And when you find the sites that offer these videos you will be well on your way to laughing it up for hours on end.

So how exactly do you find funny pet videos? The answer to this question is actually quite simple. With the recent online video craze, the number of funny pet videos being submitted to sites is at an all time high. The best way to find the sites that have funny pet videos on display is to search for them. You can do this easily by heading for your favorite search engine. When you get there, all you have to do is type “funny pet videos” into the search box. This will turn up plenty of sites that have funny pet videos for you to view.

In addition to this idea, there are also many video sites that are well known all over the world. When you rely on these sites you will get to see a large number of funny pet videos.

Instead of trying to find funny pet videos on a general site, you should instead search for one that is devoted to this niche. After all, if a video site is general in nature you will have to search for the ones on funny pets. But if you use a site that focuses on the pet niche you will be able to rest assured that every video you see will leave you rolling on the floor laughing.

Finding funny pet videos is not as hard as you may think. There are many sites devoted to videos, and a few good ones that concentrate on pets. When you find the right site you will be viewing funny pet videos for hours on end.

About the Author: Companions is a Pet site offering a large database of funny pet and animal clips categorised into funny cat videos, dogs, birds, commercials and much more

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=105945&ca=Pets

The rest is here: Finding Funny Animal Videos

Diets do not work. Among the people who do them, 99% of the people gain the weight back. Also the stress of not eating as much as you want makes your system more acid. This is bad for health and causes you to crave more sugar, salt and fat. Then eating these things you crave, causes you to hate yourself and become more stressed out. But many of the foods you like are acquired tastes.

Here is how it works. No one teaches the animal what to eat and what not to eat. The animal knows instinctively what is good to eat and what is bad to eat. Humans also have the same instinct. The way it works is just eat whatever tastes good and that will be healthy for you and non-fattening. That is why a baby tastes everything. So again whatever tastes good, is good for you. This is why you will spit out spoiled milk.

I love eating Cabbage Crunch from the salad bar at Whole Foods. They are the largest natural foods supermarket chain in the country. Cabbage Crunch contains red and green cabbage, sliced almonds, poppy seeds, scallions (green onions), apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Cabbage is one of the healthiest foods for colon health and preventing cancer.

One time I got some. As soon as I put it in my mouth, I spit it out. It was spoiled. But I got my money back and they had someone go there to remove it. Please note that salt can dull your sense of taste.

But wait! Man has the technology to create rat poison. It tastes like healthy food (good taste) but kills the rat. So man has done that to you. Note– any food unaltered by man (uncooked) that tastes good, is good for you. So if you are stranded in the woods, that is how you know what to eat. Just taste everything raw and you will spit out the toxic plants since they will taste horrible.

There are poisonous mushrooms called toadstool mushrooms. If you put some raw ones in your mouth, you will spit them out since they taste horrible. But cook them and add salt and you can eat enough of them to kill you. Carnivorous animals love the taste of blood and raw meat since that is what they are supposed to eat.

So man has created fake fruit. It tastes like fruit that exists in nature, but it is addictive, fattening and terrible for health. It is called sweets. So it is natural to like real sweets called fruit, like a baby does. But they have fooled your sense of taste, just like the rat was fooled. But they do not want to kill you. They want you to become obese so you will buy more of their foods. This is called good business.

You can re-acquire your taste in food and re-learn how to eat. Then you can eat all the great tasting foods you want and be thin, healthy and fit for life. See my website below for more on this and info on good carbs and bad carbs. www.phifoundation.org

Copyright 2006 by Chuck Bluestein

About the Author: Chuck Bluestein is a nutritonist, herbalist and an expert on fasting and weight loss. His website has info on losing weight (including water weight), weight loss strategies, healthy diet, fasting, natural healing, colds and flus, and how to be happier. http://www.phifoundation.org

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=96201&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Read more: Lose Weight By Using Your Animal Instinct

You are already familiar with some tracks and traces of animals and you know that if you want to observe animals or photograph them you first have to track down their crossings, runs, and drinking and feeding places. Here are some more examples of the traces left by animals.

These are droppings of a buck. The balls are drawn out at one end, pushed in on the other. These are droppings of a doe smaller and drawn out at both ends. Everywhere in the fields and woods, in stone piles, near holes in the ground, and around buildings there are tracks of the predatory weasel. The southern American weasel remains brown all year round, but there are other species whose fur in summer is reddish-brown on top, yellowish-white underneath and changes in the winter to completely white except for the end of the tail, which remains jet-black. The body of this animal is about 16 inches long, the tail about 4 inches. You can easily recognize the paw print of the otter by the webbed toes. Otters, found throughout the United States and Canada, live in burrows that have underwater entrances. Their droppings are full of fish scales.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is a hobby that many people find absorbing. You too can spend fascinating hours tiptoeing through the woods hoping to glimpse the flash of a wing, or observing quietly from a window as birds cluster round a feeding station. You can probably recognize a few of the many different types of birds. There are many more you can look for and learn about. Do you know the difference between swifts and swallows? Swifts are frequently confused with swallows, because the way of life hunting from the air and the appearance of the two species are similar, but swifts are more closely related to hummingbirds and goatsuckers. Swifts are good flyers but their feet are weak and serve only for clinging to walls. Swifts cannot take off from the ground, so if you find an uninjured swift that has been “grounded,” simply throw it into the air.

Here are a few types of swifts:

The chimney swift nests in walls, unused chimneys, around towns. Has a shrill cry, “Sril-Sril.” Smokey black, light throat, tail feathers ending in bare spines, larger than any swallow. The white-bellied swift larger than the chimney swift, nests in cliffs and caves. Cries a piercing “Skree-Skree” or a trilling “Gree-Gree-Gree”. Brown on top, white underside with a brown band across the breast. The goatsucker (whippoorwill, chuck-will’s-widow, or nighthawk) this is also not a swallow soft, mottled plumage. About as big as a thrush. Nests hidden on the ground, stays on the ground or on a branch during the day. Lives on bugs and night moths. Cries “Dag” when flying, “Errrr-Oerrr” when resting.

And now a few swallows:

The bank or sand swallows nests in holes along steep river banks and in sandpits. Is gregarious (birds of a feather flock together) and generally lives in flocks near water. The cliff swallow nests in sunny spots on stony places or cliffs.

Many people have a hobby of Birdwatching. They love to listen bird’s chirping, watching them while making a nest or anything related to birds. For them camping is the best way to fulfill their desire.

About the Author: Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for http://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/ , http://www.campfuntips.info/ , http://www.goodbudgetholiday.info/

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=83069&ca=Entertainment

Follow this link: Identifying Animal Tracks And Traces

If you are bitten by any animal, be it a pet or a wild one, you need to take necessary precautions to prevent any form of infection or disease.

- Home Remedial Measures

Thoroughly wash the wound with cold water, once you get the bleeding under control, remove the saliva from the bitten animal by washing the wound with soap and water. Do this for five minutes.

Once the wounds are cleaned, apply a bandage over the infection with a sterile gauze pad.

To prevent swelling apply ice pack over the wound. For pain relief take pain killers. Do not give these to children, as it may lead to further complications.

For any animal bite, apply a mixture of castor oil and lime juice. Simultaneously you can have one glass of warm water mixed with honey and lime juice to alleviate pain.

Take vitamin C in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits. Juices of these vegetables and fruits are easily digested and they have the capability to fight infection, an important property while tackling animal bites.

Intake of vitamin B supplements produces antibodies that fight infection.

Use herbs like Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis ), Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis ), Calendula (Calendula officinalis ) and Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous ) in tincture form for a five day treatment. Recommended dosage is 1 drop per pound body weight of each, either orally using a syringe or directly on to your tongue.

The puncture wounds of cats tend to heal from outside which can lead to abscesses. To avoid such problems take extra care to keep the wound open. You can wash the wound with saline solution, later add half or one drop of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) to the solution for the same purpose till it is completely healed. For internal problems have one drop of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) per 10 pound bodyweight for the external healing process.

Goldenseal tea works great as an antibiotic. It can also be applied directly on the bitten area for the benefits of its natural antibiotic properties. Avoid using it during pregnancy or if there is a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or glaucoma. Seeking proper guidance prior to use is advised.

You can also apply antibiotic ointment to the bitten area twice daily, till it’ s completely healed.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

About the Author: Sharon Hopkins is the webmaster of sites like Home Remedies which provides home based remedial measures for all times. Home Remedies for Animal Bites. Can be easily treated with simple home care remedies.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=67410&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

Go here to see the original: Home Remedies For Animal Bite

Throughout time animal research has taken on many roles and has undergone many changes. As late as the 80s many internationally known cosmetic giants were still using animals to test their products on before being released for human use.

Once this practice was made public, it happened at a time when animals had gained a new respect with the general public. Non-profits popped up all over, with a single purpose on their agenda: stop needless animal testing which usually included unnecessary pain and mutilation and ultimately death. These organizations were quick to find photos taken in these labs depicting tortured bunnies and puppies, and these photos soon showed up in local newspapers, shocking animal lovers all over.

Even well into the 70s, a practice known as vivisection was widely used under the auspices of medical research. Vivisection showed a total disregard for the care and comfort of these animals used in research, and operations and all sorts of tests were performed without anesthesia. For animals who even managed to survive, they ended up back in their tiny cases and waited for their next procedure.

Although organizations and legislation have made many successful advances in controlling what amounted to needless torture, animal research does exist, but research facilities have been forced to move to areas where they can’t be monitored on a daily basis. There is still a belief that some research does require the occasional sacrifice of a few animals as further advances are made.

However, groups like PETA make it their business to keep track of who is doing what, to the point that some actually believe that PETA does more harm than good and has turned from animal protection to pure activism. Many people don’t see the difference and back all actions by these groups in the advance of animal protection laws.

Facilities and full fledged labs have all but disappeared from their usual places of businesses, and have been forced to move far away from civilization to take refuge in secure out of the way buildings, away from prying eyes and social activists.

Medical science has finally reached the point where animal deaths are not necessarily routinely necessary as part of their success. Many vaccines, serums and prescription drugs have been invented without the need to perform any type of testing or procedure that could be considered inhumane, although some organizations still feel that simply keeping these animals in cages for the sole purpose of testing is inhumane in and of itself.

One of the latest and most successful advances in medical and animal research is a form of genetic engineering. A type of cloning now allows an animal host to grow tissue, such as new ears or even skin, and have it successful transplanted onto its intended human recipient. Results are well received by patients and the mainstream medical profession; however, once the artifact is harvested from the host, the host (usually a mouse) must be euthanized. Once again, there are some patients who refuse this opportunity because of the necessary death of the host animal.

About the Author: Canada’s top science authority offers vast knowledge on a wide variety of Canadian research topics, including animal research and social science research. Expand your horizons and challenge your notions with space research. Knowledge is power!

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=518214&ca=Education

Visit link: Animal Research Through the Years

Our pets need the best care we can give. Their lives depend on us. Here are some pet care tips you can use with your animal friends.

Since dogs are the most common house pet, let us start with them. When it comes to dog pet care you should consider comfort and amusement. Dogs love to play and they love to run. So before you even decide to buy a dog you should take into consideration the place where you and your dog can play. They are a very social animal that’s why if possible you should provide a place for them to have fun with you and your family. Dogs also like comfort, so as the owner you should provide a comfortable space for them to sleep and relax. When it comes to feeding your dog you have two options. One, is you can buy dog foods available in the market. Most dog foods already include all the daily vitamins that the dog will need. Second option is to feed him real food from your home. Dogs as we all know love to chew on chicken bones, but that shouldn’t be the only thing you give them. You can also add chicken meat, vegetables and boiled rice. You should also ask your veterinarian regarding the vitamins or supplements that your dog needs. Just like humans they also have daily requirements of calcium, and other vitamins. Lastly, for dogs and all other animals vaccination is needed. This is to prevent them to be able to protect them from disease. Better to do this while they are still young. Just like humans they can also get sick. Some of the most common sickness among dogs are the following: Vomiting and diarrhea, blood in urine and itching and scratching due to skin infection. These can all be prevented if they are properly given vaccines.

Another common house pet are fishes. Pet care for fishes is very meticulous. Before you even bring home your fish you should be able to prepare the aquarium that the fish will be living in. The water inside the aquarium should be treated. You should put water inside the tank and allow it to settle for a few days then add rocks and you can now run the filter and the air pump. Now that the aquarium is ready you can now put your fish there. Feeding them is another part of pet care. Fish food that can be purchased commercially should be approved by the vet. And you should also carefully read the back label first before you feed it to your fish. Fish shouldn’t be fed just about anything that you think you like. They have a special need that’s why it’s best to consult the vet first.

All in all pet care is a big responsibility because another life is in our hands. But you are not alone. You have your veterinarians that can help you and can give the best answers to your questions.

About the Author: Pet Care

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=300202&ca=Pets

Read the original here: The Best Pet Care For Your Animal Friends!

10th place:

Small Toothed Whale. This warm blooded small whale is known for its mysterious journeys across the ocean. It is still unknown how it can find others in the group several hundred miles away.

9th place:

Squid and octopus. They are considered to be some of the smartest sea creatures. An octopus can build its shelter from the ocean debris and is equal to none in camouflage. It can change its color and pattern in less than a second, sending the brain signal to its entire body.

8th place:

Sheep. British scientists believe that we underestimate sheep on its intuition and intelligence. During several years of research they have concluded that sheep possess exceptional memory and could identify the faces of people or animals without a mistake. They even claim that sheep’s intellectual ability is closer to humans than we thought. The main downside of their study is that the animals tend to scare easy!

7th place:

Cacadu Parrot. In Great Britain a local parrot has become recognized as the country’s smartest animal. A cacadu named Badjo can sew holding a needle and thread with his beak! Badjo’s owner, a professional tailor, confirms that the bird’s skills are 90% accurate.

6th place:

Crows. Officially, most scientists consider crows as the smartest birds in the world, especially the ones living in big cities. Tokyo, Japan, is known for the largest number of crows in the world.

5th place:

Monkeys. Macacas are not only the famous inhabitants of local safari parks or Indian temples. These smart animals above everything else can recognize themselves in the mirror while other animals, including cats, cannot.

4th place:

Rats. You will be surprised to learn that old experienced rats can get away with any mouse trap: they shake it until the spring is off and also shied less younger rats from the poisonous meals.

3rd place:

Dolphins. It’s a known fact that British Special Forces used dolphins as informants during the war to carry messages to and from various ships. Many scientists confirm that dolphins possess amazing intellectual abilities. Also, dolphins never sleep with their systems totally shut down – their brain is taking turns on keeping one half in a sleep mode while the other stays alert.

2nd place:

Elephants. Elephants are extremely skillful with their trunks and are even known to paint with it! They also have an exceptional memory important to distinguish friends from enemies. If you ever hurt an elephant, he will remember it his entire life and if your paths ever cross, beware!

1st place:

Primates: Until now gorillas and chimpanzees were considered the smartest animals on the planet. However, the scientists are spending a lot of time researching orangutans and think that their abilities could be even more astonishing. So for their closest proximity to human nature of improvising and using tools to get food, primates remain as number one in our countdown.

About the Author: Deborah Stanley writes for http://www.PetsReady.com – Disaster, Emergency Preparedness Portal full of Pet Care Articles, Disaster Preparedness Tips, Latest Food Recalls, Preparedness Newsletter and much more!. PetsReady specifically focuses on emergency preparedness kits for Cats and Dogs for any disaster situation.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=256337&ca=Pets

Visit link: Top 10 Smartest Animal Countdown

Sooner or later many parents have to face their child’s wish for its own pet. Whether dog or cat, hamster or pony, the choice for the right pet has to be a conscious one. The contact with and proper keeping of animals in a flat requires knowledge of the diet and character of the animal. To keep a pet means to be ready to carry responsibility.

It is important to daily play with the animal, to feed it and to understand when it does not feel so well. Many children confuse the wish for a pet with the substitute for a toy and are then easily overwhelmed with the keeping of and care for the pet. This work then becomes the parent’s task, which was not meant to be the purpose. Before parents agree to the wish, it is important to explain to the child what daily responsibility, necessary care and limited free time mean.

Only when the child is fully aware of what it really means to keep an own animal, one should give its OK. If you are not sure right from the start which breed to choose, it is always advisable to have a look into adequate literature on the topic. In addition you can receive good advise from qualified personnel in a pet shop or in an animal shelter. It is important that no hastily decisions are taken, but that it develops into a relaxed and joyful undertaking.

Working animal

We will probably never know for sure, what the very first coming together of pet and man was like. Pets originally derive from wild animals. Man’s agenda with breeding animals was to easily gain sustainable access to products and raw materials for food development. Man easily understood the different possibilities in which animals could be of use and he utilized the drought power of many animals.

Horses for example were used as working animals in forest- or field works.

We know that dogs are the best snoopers and track seekers. The most important is their nose, because their scenting ability is a lot better than that of man. Dogs are not only used to track down drugs or explosives, but also to find people who have been buried by an avalanche and are lying meters in the snow.

In science animals are mainly used to have the tolerance of new medicines tested. Only since the last century they have been used for animal experiments for tests in medicine but also cosmetics.

The Pet and animal guide is not aiming at experts but is rather a source of information for the average animals friend. The site is meant to provide you with information on the variety of species that can be kept as pets. This portal is for the amateur but also for the passionate animal lover and contains many pictures, articles and portraits of the different breeds.

Hardly any other topic offers you this great possibility to share your experiences with other people and to support each other with tips and ideas.

Animal forum

In a animal forum you can communicate with other people about a lot of topics concerning “animals”.

About the Author: Heiko breeds and trains large breed dogs through the use of healthy and humane techniques. He is a life-long pet advocate and animal friend. Get free pet training tips by visiting: Haustiere and Tierforum.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=190591&ca=Pets

See the original post: Pets And Animal Guide