(LIFE WITH PETS) Animal-loving entrepreneurs in San Diego have launched a new 24-hour channel for dogs, appropriately called DOGTV. Daily programs include dog’s-eye-perspectives from within a moving car, dogs playing with balls, and nap time. All programming is run with the hope of helping dogs, often lonely at home, from boredom, or developing stress and separation issues problems. Read on for this new channel catered to canines. — Global Animal
(PET FOOD) Thanks to their health-conscious guardians, dogs are following in the wake of the current raw and organic food trend. Many of the dogs seem to enjoy the switch, feasting on more gourmet foods rather than heavily processed, factory-made concoctions. Dogs also see improvements in overall health, coats, reduced allergies, and weight loss. Read more for raw dog food ingredients, and what raw-food skeptics are saying. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL ADVERTISING) The big news at this week’s 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was Best in Show winner, Malachy, a Pekingese. But the post-show press seemed to revolve around the kennel club and broadcasting partner, USA, for severing the show’s 24-year-long relationship with advertiser, Pedigree. The dog show and cable network’s reasoning behind the parting of ways was placed upon Pedigree’s shelter dog advertisements. Citing that the commercials leave viewers upset and often cause them to change the channel, the dog show opted to drop Pedigree for new sponsor, Purina. Read more on the advertising controversy and the dog show below. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL ACTORS) Monday night marked the first annual Golden Collar Awards in Los Angeles, recognizing the year’s best work in film and television featuring dogs. Double-nominee, Uggie, the Jack Russel terrier from the films The Artist and Water For Elephants, walked away with the night’s top honor, even after Martin Scorsese’s endless lobbying for Hugo‘s antihero, a Doberman named Blackie. Read on for the canine nominees Uggie beat out, plus the night’s other winners. — Global Animal
(PET SAFETY) Firefighters rescuing a cat from a tree is an old cliche, but rescuing pets from burning buildings is a much more serious and more common issue. While veterinarians have used pet-friendly oxygen masks for decades, their use by first responders such as firefighters, paramedics and animal rescue groups has slowly been building. Although expensive, animal groups, pet lovers and vets have donated masks to first responders, but many departments still lack this emergency pet care equipment. Read why many are hoping these oxygen masks become more available to their furry family members. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL TV) HBO’s Luck, a behind-the-scenes look at the dark underworld of professional horse racing, has recently caught flack from PETA and other animal advocacy groups. During the production of the show’s first season, two horses were injured and euthanized. Reports cited that “both incidents occurred during a short race sequence, where the horse sustained a severe fracture.” This led the on-site veterinarians to conclude euthanasia to be the most humane option. With Luck already picked up for a second season, read on for whether HBO plans to make major changes to the show’s production, or continue to put horses at risk solely for entertainment. — Global Animal
(FISH DISCOVERY) Behavioral ecologists found that within a North American family of fish, males attract pregnant females with a striking yellow band at the end of their tailfin, according to a new study. The female fish, uninterested in mating, mistake the yellow band for food and end up losing out on real feeding opportunities. Read more on this male tactic, and how females have begun to catch on and change their behavior. — Global Animal
(PET ADOPTION) When looking for a new pet, love often occurs at first sight. But sometimes just because your dog was the cutest, doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for you. Hence why Emily Weiss, vice president of shelter research and development for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, chose to design Meet Your Match, a four-year-old SPCA program that aids in pairing shelter’s pets with the perfect adopters, and vice versa. Read below for more on the evaluation process and the program’s success rate. — Global Animal
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