Would you be surprised to learn that 50% of the dogs and cats in America are overweight? Worse, these percentages, not to mention waist-sizes, are only going up.

My Dear Friends,

This month’s featured grant recipient is Companion Animal Rescue & Medical Assistance Inc. (CARMA), a non-profit organization doing its utmost to alter the destiny of dogs and cats abandoned in New Mexico.

Along with the majority of our customers and Field Reps, I consider companion animals as family members. I believe that their diets should be as healthy and delicious as our own, which is why I have dedicated my life to researching the best foods and products for our pet kids. Although there are significant differences in nutritional requirements and taste preferences between dogs and humans, new compelling research published this year suggests that canine diets, and subsequent genetic profiles, evolved in order to cohabitate with humans.

Some people just have a knack for attracting the affections of cats. Others, not so much. If you’re in the latter category, you should definitely watch this short episode of Pet Talk, where Dr. Sarah reveals the secrets to ‘cat whispering’. Joined by Alvis, her feline guest-host, our staff veterinarian presents an excellent tutorial for those interested in learning the proper way to pet a cat. Great for children or anyone with limited experience with felines.

Even though the U.S. has seen a dramatic reduction in the annual number of dogs and cats euthanized – rates are one-quarter to one-fifth of those in decades past – an estimated 2.7 million still fail to be adopted every year. Given that 25-40% of rescue dogs are purebred, the need for specific-breed advocacy is vital. Championing the merits of a particular breed not only helps the breed in question, it also boosts the perception of all breeds. This month’s featured grant recipient has made significant inroads towards fighting canine homelessness through their tireless advocacy on behalf of Golden Retrievers.

For those of you who enjoy taking your pup to parks or on trails where no leashes are required, off-leash training is an absolute must.

Moving to a new residence can be a nerve-wracking event for everyone involved. With the average American moving 11-14 times, that’s a lot of trips to ‘Stressville’. Between sorting through your possessions, packing up boxes, traveling to the new location, switching utilities and all of the other steps that go into a move, it’s easy to become frazzled at the mere prospect of all that work. Coordinating all of these elements can prove challenging even for folks with a knack for organization.

Nearly 600 pets have died and more than 3,600 have been sickened in an outbreak of illnesses tied to contaminated jerky treats made in China, federal animal health officials said in an October 22nd statement. The epidemic is so severe that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is turning to vets and pet parents across the nation for help.