Tongues are wagging – some great summer reading has just hit the news stands! Our ground transportation for pets division, The Pet Bus, is excited and honored to be featured in this Summer’s 2010 issue of Modern Dog Magazine.
Pet Bus Highlighted in Modern Dog Magazine
May 24th, 2010Helping USA Together and Our Troops
May 20th, 2010The Pet Bus was delighted to be of assistance when contacted by USA Together to help relocate an injured veteran’s dog with his parents in California.
Having sustained serious injuries during combat the soldier found himsel unable to care for his dog while undergoing rehabilitative treatments at the Walter Reed Army Hospital. The Pet Bus leant its pet ground transportation service to help relocate his German Shepherd from Tennessee to California.
USA Together of Los Altos, California is the proud recipient of the Newman’s Own Award for Innovation of Helping Others. USA Together was rewarded in a Pentagon ceremony for its innovative efforts to improve the lives of military members and their communities. The mission of USA Together is to help the men and women of the US military who have suffered life-altering injuries in service to their country. This organization connects injured service members and their families with those who are willing and able to assist them.
Pet Bus Featured on Daily Kibble
February 23rd, 2010The Pet Bus: five star movers for four paws.
When the pampered pet is moving or relocating anywhere in the USA, The Pet Bus is the favored alternative to air travel, paws down. For that pampered pet’s worried parents, The Pet Bus comes to the rescue by ensuring Fluffy and Fido travel in the upscale, luxe style to which they’ve become accustomed at home.
They offer the most comprehensive door-to-door ground transportation services available for pets. Pack leaders are experts at creating the ultimate tailgating experience for pawsengers, including pet themed movie nights, pawjama parties, and soothing pet music.
The Pet Bus is the first to offer parents a live Tailgating cam, with live shots and photos taken enroute to capture the pet’s special travel moments. Each pet writes home daily via the online Travel Tails journal so pet parents receive trip updates.
Quite simply, it’s ground transportation for pets, made fun, safe and healthy. All across the USA. Whenever you’re ready.
The Pet Bus: five star movers for four paws.
Comparing Pets to Peanuts
February 22nd, 2010I just came across an interesting article regarding in-cabin air travel for pets. Air Canada has come under fire in the February issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal for allowing pets to travel during a flight in the cabin. Currently, like many other airlines, Air Canada allows small pets to travel in the aircraft cabin and under the seat.
An article in the well-respected Canadian Medical Journal suggests that airlines should ban pets from flying with passengers in the cabin. Medical experts consider pets to be an “allergic hazard” exposing people that have pet allergies to unnecessary risk. Some equate this “hazard” as being similar to people that suffer from peanut allergies. As a result some airlines have stopped serving peanuts. Now, there is a push to ban in-cabin pets!
Certain doctors feel that new legislation needs to be introduced to the Canadian Transport Agency to safeguard these passengers suffering from pet allergies. Experts claim that research suggests one in ten people suffer from animal allergies. Previous studies have indicated that pet allergen is present on the seats of both domestic and international flights sparking more concern.
Some feel that airlines need to put the well being of all human passengers above those of pets and if not, be forced to comply. As cited in the Canadian article, ” Pets can be accommodated comfortably and safely in airplane cargo holds, which is where they belong,” said the authors.
Four Legged Vancouver Olympians
February 13th, 2010With the excitement generated by last night’s opening Winter Olympic Ceremonies we find it interesting to discover the role of the four-legged Olympians. Dogs have been in training to take on their Olympian tasks since 2005. Police dogs will be an integral part of the team helping to maintain security at the 2010 Winter Games.
Dogs from existing squads are being trained for the job as well as some specifically reared for the 2010 team. In addition to Canada’s security dogs, the United States’ Squaw Valley Ski Patrol and Avalanche Rescue Dogs will travel to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to assist with security. Squaw Valley is no stranger to Olympic operations having hosted its own Olympic Winter Games in 1960. (www.squaw.com)
The dogs will patrol all the Olympic venues around the clock throughout the 2010 Games, and many have already been familiarized with the locations during venue construction. Because of their keen sense of smell, said to be 1,000 times more sensitive than a human’s, the dogs are being specifically trained to recognize materials associated with explosives.
“If we do receive a threat during the Games, dogs will be a part of the investigating team,” said Cpl. Gursharn Bernier of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. They will also be mobilized if there’s a specific threat made against the Olympics.
Dogs will be sporting their own Olympic wear. All security dogs at the Games will be wearing versions of the K9 Storm Vest (www.k9storm.com), protective and functional gear for service dogs made in Canada by retired Winnipeg Police Service canine unit member Jim Slater.
So what makes for the ideal security or rescue dog? According to Squaw Valley trainers, the handlers look for a puppy that unafraid of loud noises, high energy, and playful. As the dogs matures, the handler will start doing simple training exercises where he runs and hides behind a tree. This process is also referred as “runaways”. Dogs progress to “open coffin” runaways, being covered in snow, and eventually, live burials. We learned that Squaw Valley tests all of its dogs against the CARDA standards, which means any dog on the team is capable of finding a scented piece of clothing buried under 70 centimeters of snow over night in an area 100 meters square.
How to Find New Playmates for Your Pet’s Play Dates After Moving
February 11th, 2010Since today’s topic is about moving and ways to meet new furry friends, I thought I would lend my expert advice. I’m Ellie, a Golden Retriever, and do I have a lot of energy and love to play! I have moved around quite a bit with my family as we all greatly enjoy sniffing out new cities in which to call home.
What pet parents might not realize is that moving to a new home may be stressful not only for them but for us too. We tend to get very attached and territorial of our familiar surroundings and routines. My pet parents always make sure to pack our favorite toys, blankets, and beds and set up our bedroom first. It is important to leave these items accessible because this makes us feel much more at ease in our new environment and feel less stressed.
It is important to make pets feel at ease and as comfortable as possible during the transition to the new location. The acclimation process can take awhile. It is important to get back to a normal routine as quickly as possible. For me, that is getting to go running everyday with my Mom & Dad. Running is my most favorite activity. We never let a day go by without running even right after we move – I always have my leash ready to go!
Unfortunately if I do become stressed due to a new location I cannot just talk to my furry friends back home. Instead, I have to find new ones. Finding new playmates for play dates provides a great way to experience and explore the new area and for my pet parents to meet other parents as well. No matter where we have lived I have made some great furry friends. When we lived in Austin, Texas, my best friend Sophie even had a pool! Going to her house for pool party play dates was the best!
Ellie’s Top Tips for Sniffing Out New Friends:
1. Make sure to check out all the local dog parks – make it a special family day outing with your Mom or Dad.
2. Go online and see if there are any local Doggie Meet-up groups in the area. Some meet-ups are breed and size specific. Denver has a Yappy Hour Meet-up where pets and parents socialize and even have cocktails!
3. Start a dog walking group in your new neighborhood – great way to meet people, dogs, sniff out the neighborhood and exercise.
4. Have a pet parent volunteer at a rescue group – they often have doggie social events where you can go along as well. I got to go on my Mom’s annual picnic for the Golden Retriever Rescue group and we played games, had swimming time, and met tons of other cool Goldens like me.
5. Remember your play date “petiquette” and doggie manners when playing with others or going to the park.
Four Legged Foreclosure and Real Estate Agents Lend a Helping Paw
February 10th, 2010Moving is often an exciting process but that is not the case for people forced to move from their homes. Being in the pet relocation business during this economy, we cannot help but be concerned about the growing problem of homeowners with pets facing foreclosure. The impact of the current economic crisis and the rise in home foreclosures has led to an increase in abandoned pets left on the streets and doorsteps of shelters across the country. Currently the exact number of foreclosure pets is unknown.
This new wave of “foreclosure pets,” is most likely to impact cats, who are often viewed as more disposable than dogs according to sources. In some extreme cases pets are found in the home, long after the owners have left, left to survive in extreme conditions. Cats are often just left behind to fend for themselves to find food and shelter.
I recently came across two great organizations committed to making a difference for pets left behind and to help assist pet parents in crisis situations. Pets are more than animals; they are family members. When financial hardships force a family into foreclosure, pets are affected by the situation too. The first organization is Realtors for Pets.com (www.realtorsforpets.com) founded by Gina Carr.
As Gina remarks,
“Right now, our furry friends need us more than ever as they are increasingly being left behind in the foreclosure wave that is sweeping across America. People are losing their homes. Landlords aren’t allowing pets. The shelters are over-run. The end result is that wonderful, adoptable dogs and cats, puppies and kittens are being destroyed simply because there are not enough homes.”
Real estate professionals are often the first to know that a pet is at risk of being abandoned or turned into a shelter. Their web site links to a feature with Kristen Butler, Executive Director of RealtorsForPets.com, and Jack, the sweetest little puppy in the world that was rescued by RealtorsForPets.com after being abandoned and left in a trap with no food or water for FOUR DAYS!”
As a pet-centric company ourselves, we were touched by the efforts of those trying to help the less fortunate animals and are pleased to have joined forces with Realtors for Pets in volunteering our pet relocation resources for the Western region of the United States. “Thanks for joining us. I’m really glad to have you,” replied Gina Carr upon learning of Life Unleashed’s service donation for households with pets facing foreclosure.
“We usually work on the happy side of pet moving and with families that can afford to move or relocate their pet without financial hardship. It is important to realize that not all pets are afforded that luxury so it is a great way for us to be able to give back,” said Life Unleashed’s President, KM Gallagher.
Another such organization is the program started by the Chicago Association of Realtors – REALTORS® to the RESCUE which is a not-for-profit who are joining forces to bring to bear the power of the strong network of Chicago Association of Realtors® members in the city of Chicago to impact the issue of homeless animals.
Suzy Thomas, founding chairperson focuses on utilizing the large association membership and is dedicated to saving the lives of homeless animals by, promoting the adoption of homeless animals, providing and recruiting volunteer support for shelters and providing numerous existing homeless animal shelters across the city support and cooperation to enhance their organizations’ outreach, missions, goals and objectives.
“If you must move into a situation where you will not be able to take your pet, please do the best thing for your devoted animal and make arrangements for him/her. Never abandon your companion animal or turn it loose; there are always other options, ” advises Realtors to the Rescue. (http://www.realtorstotherescue.com)
Congratulations to them for receiving the 2009 Community Service Award granted by the Chicago Association of REALTORS®.
New Staff Repawters
February 9th, 2010Check back this week so you can meet our new “staff repawters”. They will be contributing their thoughts, advice, and provide daily news reporting coverage live from the Bus Stop!