Katrina Dolphins Give Birth

Two of the dolphins rescued from a Mississippi marine park that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina have given birth at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. Some of the dolphins had been swept out to the Gulf of Mexico following the storm. The dolphins were moved to the Bahamas resort early last year.
Teri Corbett, vice president of marine mammal operations at the resort, said the dolphins were doing well after giving birth April 4 and April 6. "They are plumping up really nicely and both mothers and calves seem to be adjusting really well," Corbett said. With the new calves, Atlantis has 22 dolphins in seven interconnected pools comprising an 11-acre lagoon.

Turtle Tracking and Warnings

According to the Associated Press, 11 female leatherback turtles fitted with satellite tracking devices will start the "Great Turtle Race" to raise awareness of a species threatened with extinction. The race will track the turtles on their annual 1,200 mile journey from Costa Rica's Pacific coast to the Galapagos Islands. 90 percent of leatherbacks have vanished and the species may disappear due to poaching, pollution and development near their nesting grounds.
Internet users can log on to http://www.greatturtlerace.com, read about the turtles and track them over the next two weeks as they migrate to the islands off the Ecuadorean coast. Most of the competing turtles are expected to be in the water by today after laying their eggs in Costa Rica.

WARNING #1: Sea turtles are laying eggs along the Florida coasts too, especially the Space Coast, so it's time to follow the rules to protect them. Don't disturb nesting turtles, hatchlings or turtle nests. Leave them alone for their own good and because it's illegal. Turn off beachside lights that can disorient them, especially the hatchlings who head to the water based on the moon's position.

WARNING #2: Since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie, "TMNT" (Raising Shell in 2007), hit theatres last month, pet turtle sales have soared. The Food and Drug Administration is warning parents with young children in the house not to buy turtles. According to the FDA, a four-week-old baby in Central Florida died last month from a salmonella bacteria infection. Details on the case were not released, but apparently bacterial samples from the family's pet turtle matched those found on the infant.
The FDA says that salmonella builds up on turtle shells and sickens about 75,000 people a year. Hand washing is the best way to prevent spreading the bacteria and you are advised to wear gloves when handling turtles.

Dogs on TV in April

Judith S. Gillies of The Washington Post wrote an article, saying that "TV programming is going to the dogs this month." It's not the way it sounds. The article lists a number of dog (and wolf) shows airing in April that might be worth howling about.

We've added to the list and provided links to the shows and their networks. If you know of other shows of this ilk, leave a comment.

The line-up of upcoming dog shows on TV:

• Divine Canine: With the Monks of New Skete, 8:00 p.m. Mondays on Animal Planet
Series on the Monks' dog training skills - repeats at various times/days
• It's Me or the Dog, 8:30 p.m. Mondays on Animal Planet
British series - Super Nanny for dogs - repeats at various times/days
• Dog Whisperer, 8:00 p.m. Fridays on National Geographic Channel
Series - Horse Whisperer for dogs - repeats at various times/days
• America's Cutest Puppies, 9:00 p.m. Saturdays on WE
Series - American Idol for puppies - repeats at various times/days
• Adventures in Doggie Daycare, 9:30 p.m. Saturdays on WE
Series about high-priced doggie daycare for pampered pooches
repeats at various times/days
• A Man Among Wolves, 10:00 p.m. April 20 on National Geographic Channel
Special on man living with wolf pups - repeats at various times/days
• Dogs That Changed the World, 8:00 p.m. April 22 on most PBS Networks
In South Florida, 8:00 p.m. on WXEL-42, 9:00 p.m. on WPBT-2
Special about the dog-human relationship - Part Two on April 29
• After Thomas, 8:00 p.m. April 22 on BBC America
Drama based on true story. Golden Retreiver in a home with an autistic child
• Search for the First Dog, 3:00 a.m. April 28 on National Geographic Channel
Special - Scientists search for living relics of the first dogs
• Natural World: Caribou and Wolves, 9:00 p.m. April 29 on Animal Planet
Caribou deal with wolves during their migration - repeats at various times/days

Buy Online - Help Us Out

Do you buy online? Maybe you buy books from Amazon.com or flea medication from 1-800-PetMeds? Have we got a deal for you!
If you could buy the things you want online, just as you normally would and at their regular price, but every time you did so the company made a donation to the shelter, would you do it? That's what we are working out.
At the bottom of the right hand column of the blog, and on the Donations Page of the website, is a list of companies with whom we have partnered. All you have to do is click the link here (or on our website) for the company you want to buy from. The link will take you to the online store of your choice, but will also let them know that they should make a donation to the shelter, a percentage of anything you buy through their site.
You buy the things you want at the regular price from the regular online store you would normally buy from and the shelter gets a donation. That's a win-win situation for everyone, especially the animals.
Remember, come here first and see if the company you want to buy from is listed as one of our partners. If it is, just click the link to their online site so they know who to whom they should give a donation. Simple. By the way, the more people who do this, the more donations are given to the shelter, so tell all your friends.

It's BRICK Time

Buy a Pet Rescue Brick to help pave the entryway to the shelter. The bricks can be engraved to memorialize or commemorate a pet, friend, family member, business or date of your choice. At only $50.00 a brick, you should buy two! Want more information? Of course you do! Check the Donations Page at our website.
Ready to order a brick? You can get an application form here, and remember that your donation is fully tax deductible.

Therapy Dogs Make A Difference

If you've ever wondered if therapy animals really do make a difference, this is the article you need to read. It is "Therapy dogs have remarkable effect on patients," by Alexandra Lundahl, for the Villages Daily Sun.
If you are in the South Florida area and would like to get involved in therapy dog work, visit the TherapyDogs_Florida mailing list site, or the Therapy Dogs, Inc. website.

Manatee Federal Status Change?

Despite a rash of recent manatee deaths in Lee County, the Associated Press is reporting that the marine mammal's federal status as an "endangered" species may change. It is a situation that may anger those, like myself, with our "Save The Manatee" Florida license plates displayed on the backs of our cars, however, there is no real reason to worry. The change would move the manatee to the status of "threatened," which, in reality, has no significance, since the same state and federal protections would remain in effect.
Regardless, it has been a bad year so far, and 2006 was the worst on record. In March, 26 manatees died in Lee County, the suspected result of toxins from a bloom of red tide. 72 sea cows have died in Florida as of March 23rd. Last year, 417 manatee deaths were reported.

You can read the whole story here.

Best Pet Products For 2007

Best Products Media Guide lists items that they think are The Best. Their list of the best pet products in available online. You might want to have a look to see if you agree with them, could use any of the items they think are so good, or possibly find that purrrfect gift for the pet in your life.

The 2007 Best Pet Products List is here.

Homemade Pet Food Problems

The Sun-Sentinel is reporting that "interest in homemade pet food has skyrocketed since last month, when the Food and Drug Administration first flagged foods thought to contain wheat gluten tainted with the industrial chemical melamine." According to reporter Diane C. Lade, the problem is that homemade pet food may not have the necessary nutritional balance needed to maintain a pet completely.

Read the whole story at the Sun-Sentinel here.

Pet Rescue Message Forum

Lost and Found, Shelter Pets Available for Adoption
and General Messages
Online communications have expanded quite a bit. Message boards, or Forums, are one of the options available and Pet Rescue now has such a forum.
The Pet Rescue Forum is now available. We have set up several categories, including the Lost and Found section, as well as a section on our Rescues, pets that are currently at our shelter and are available for adoption. We also have a General message board for general conversations, as well as for a place to get general feedback on our website, blog and, yes, even the message board.

Have a look at the message board, here http://petrescuemiami.proboards81.com/index.cgi