NYPETS

RE SPRING/SUMMER 2013 | $4.95

IE
M E
E U

magazine
PR S
IS

WINNING PRODUCTS
Six items that can
enhance your pet’s life

DOGGY CATWALK
Fashion can raise your
dog’s self-esteem

Sandra Lee
At home with her beloved
cockatoo Phoenix
PURRFECT PRESENT The things that cats love
NEW PET Bringing home baby—fur, feathered, pawed or scaled
GOOD DOGS ARE GOOD MEDICINE Therapy uses the love of animals
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NYpets table of Contents

magazine
NY PETS VolumE 1, NumbEr 1 (SPriNg/SummEr) 2013

Publisher
Alan Luff
29
AssociAte Publisher
Doreen Luff

contributing Writers
Dominick Botte III
Robyn Bright
John Carlin
Jennifer Dickman
Dr. Suzanne L. Fox
Michelle Harding
Sarah Hodgson 8
Amy Hopkins
Rachel McPherson
Laura “Peach” Reid
Doug Staley
Lucas Stock
Dr. Andrew Thayer

stAff Writer
Lisa Acton

PhotogrAPhy
John Carlin
The Good Dog Foundation
Roy Timm

37
Advertising sAles
Alan Luff

distribution coordinAtor
Kimberly McCowen

Production
Features Departments
The Magazine Shoppe 4 WINNING PET PRODUCTS
8 Six items that can enhance the life of your pet
editor
Steve McNeill
GOOD DOGS ARE 11 PET CARE
Bringing home your new pet
GOOD MEDICINE
creAtive director Why animals make ideal 15 CATS
Eric Pezik therapy partners The purrfect presents for cats

Art director 20 CRITTER CHATTER

Answers to your pet questions
Amber Routten-Mitchell 26
21 FISH
director of develoPment CORAL RESTORATION How to spruce up your aquarium
& neW PublicAtions
Sarah Freeman
Replenishing the oceans with life
24 VET
Plant toxicity and your pets
Production coordinAtor/
trends editor
29 33 HORSES
What you need to know before you buy
Katya Sniderman ENCHANTING PHOENIX
A visit with Emmy-winner 42 SNAKES
Sandra Lee and her cockatoo Why reptiles are becoming more popular
Published by
NY Pets is published four times 50 SMALL ANIMALS
The essential components of a small
a year by AKUSA Publishing Inc.
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
37 herbivore’s diet
THE GOOD, THE BAD 56 DIRECTORY LISTINGS
Phone: 845-721-5765 AND THE LOVEY Where you can find copies of NY Pets
Fax: 845-268-7844
Email: doreen@nypetsmagazine.com
Tough challenge for
60 LEGISLATION
Advertising: alan@nypetsmagazine.com volunteer rehabbers New regulations that affect you and your pets

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 1

 ORBIT PET PRODUCTS

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 Welcome
pet Lovers
SPRING, a time of new beginnings and new life. There could not be a
better time for the launch of NY Pets Magazine. WELCOME!
We, at NY Pets, wanted to make this a fun and informative maga-
zine for pet lovers of all kinds; sort of a “go-to” publication for your
pet queries and for fun stories. We hope to have you laugh with us,
learn with us, and maybe even at times, shed a tear with us.
If you are interested in dogs, there will be some great articles by
leading authorities, if you love small furry critters, we will have infor-
mation on them; if you love horses, NY Pets will be a good read. So,
as you can see, we will have it all. We will even keep you updated on
important legislation and items trending in the pet world.
By picking up this magazine, you are supporting our partners
distributing this publication. They are located throughout the New
York area and are all interested in making sure you are giving your
pet the healthiest and most entertaining options available. We
hope you continue to support them, as well as others, as you travel
through the State. Check out the directory for the best veterinarians,
groomers, trainers and stores located in our vast area. And, don’t
forget the wonderful manufacturers and businesses making this
magazine possible.
Whether you are interested in purchasing a snake, cleaning your
aquarium, learning about therapy dogs or investing in a piece of cat
furniture, check out this first edition. And, if you don’t already own a
pet, you may be tempted.
Please enjoy this magazine, enjoy the spring and we will see you
in a few months time with a brand new edition of NY Pets.

Happy SPRING,

Doreen
TOP PHOTO: ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock.com

Doreen Luff

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY peTS magazine 3

 PET
ProducTS

Winning Pet Products

Six items that can enhance the life of your pet
Doug Staley

As someone who caters to the needs of many pets, my own

as well as those of my clients, I am constantly asked to make
product suggestions. I try to make useful suggestions that
will not only enhance a pet’s life, but products that would
also make a great gift idea for anyone who owns a pet. My
belief is that more people will be inclined to purchase an item if they truly
see the benefit it can provide. This article will discuss a few of these items
and how they can enhance the life of your pets.

Snuggle PuPPieS and Snuggle KittenS

For the new puppy, kitten or adult pet. This product eases separa-
tion anxiety, comforts and soothes you pet. It is a cozy dog or cat
shaped toy that has a heartbeat and a warmer. Think of it as
a snug cozy friend that will keep your pet happy and content.
I have used them extensively with puppies and
orphaned kitties. My macaw even wants to preen it
when he gets the chance. If you need a pet gift;
this is a great item that is useful for a pet’s
well-being throughout the year. Also a
great choice for that cold winter night.

4 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

Nupro SupplemeNt
Nupro is made using quality health food ingredients and contains a full range of vitamins, miner-
als, enzymes, amino acids and essential omega fatty acids; all in their natural raw form. By supple-
menting your pet’s diet with Nupro, you are assured of giving your pet all the goodness needed for
optimal health. Your pet will shed less because of the fatty acids which help produce healthy hair.
Nupro does not contain wheat, corn, grains, byproducts, glutens, sugar, fillers or preservatives.
Nupro also makes a joint support formula which uses Glucosamine, MSM and Ester-C. I have
used it with amazing results on many arthritic pets. You simply sprinkle Nupro over your pet’s food,
or add a touch of water to make gravy. A guaranteed winner and dogs love the taste. You may also
use it on cats. I have even used it on my birds to enhance the colors of their plumage. This product
is great for your pet’s health. You may also consider it as a “well-meaning gift” for any pet lover
when you need a special present. u

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY peTS magazine 5

 stella & Chewy’s
A line of freeze dried and frozen foods for cats
and dogs. Stella & Chewy’s commitment to
quality starts with their ingredients.
Take, for example, the Chewy’s Chicken
Dinner which contains raw, farm-raised chicken
as well as organic cranberries, carrots, apples,
spinach, broccoli, beets, squash and pumpkin
seed. This company does not use grains, fillers,
artificial preservatives, colorings, etc. – just
“goodness” in a bag. You can use this food as
a topper to your pet’s normal food, feed it as a
daily food or offer it as a treat. This is a product
for dogs and cats but I have given it to my own
birds. Yes, birds enjoy it also. Try some on your
own pet. Everyone will thank you for it.

Pet Fairy Noshers

This product is a satisfying treat to smear in your dog’s hollow toy or in a steril-
ized bone. This is a great way to keep them entertained and out of trouble. Pet
Fairy Noshers is made from a simple blend of seven human-grade ingredients
packed with antioxidants. It is gentle for tummies and the calming soothing
properties of lemon balm will also help your pet to relax. This product also stays
away from preservatives and chemicals found in some lesser-quality products.
Your dinner parties need not be a disaster if you offer your pet a favorite
bone or toy stuffed with a smear of Pet Fairy Noshers. This is also a great prod-
uct for a dog that needs amusement while being crated. Sometimes I even add
a few pieces of Stella & Chewys to the mix to keep it interesting, or you can add
some pieces of your favorite kibble. This product just keeps them licking away.
Remember, a happy entertained dog is a well-behaved dog.

Gourmet Cookies
When it comes time to give your dog a nice treat, you want something that your best
friend will enjoy. But, you also want it to be healthy. Preppy Puppy and Tail-Bangers
treats are all natural dog treats that are both healthy and flavorful. They are home
made with all natural ingredients. They have great holiday-themed treats as well as all
occasion. Cannoli, crullers and whoopee-pies are big hits with my pack of dogs. I have
even tried them and they are delicious; the peanut butter bon-bons are to die for!
Both companies offer a wide selection and some even have some great packaging at
different holiday times. This is also a great idea for a pet’s birthday.

6 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

JW Pet toys
Every toy is designed with intelligent ideas built right
in; from their Hol-ee Roller which is based on the geo-
desic dome, to their invincible rings seamlessly mold-
ed without glue. JW squeaker toys are even molded
so that the squeakers don’t fall out. All of their ideas
are 100 percent “home grown.” They design their own
toys because they know what pets want in a toy. They
currently hold over 125 patents for their pet-focused
ideas. Some of their newest additions, and ones which
I highly recommend, are the Crackle Heads, Stretchin
Fetchin, and treat toys and balls for dogs.
JW Cataction cat toys are a home run as well as
the Activitoy for birds and Petville habitats for small
animals. I also love their line of grooming tools.
This company is a smart company when it comes
to pet products and any pet lover would appreciate
a gift made by JW. (As of this writing, JW Pet was just
acquired by Petmate; I hope and trust that this high
quality continues.) NYP
Doug Staley aka “dPetguy” is a Groomer, Breeder, Pet
Sitter, Pet Retailer and a multiple pet owner. A gradu-
ate of the Nash Academy of Animal Arts, his passion for
animals has spanned almost four decades. Doug may be
contacted at dpetguy@mac.com

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY peTS magazine 7

Good doGs
are Good Medicine
Therapy uses the unconditional
love of animals
Rachel McPherson | Photos Courtesy of Good Dog Foundation

At a supportive housing program for previously homeless

individuals, the residents endure an emotionally difficult
transition period. Some choose never to leave their rooms.
Enter Cubby, a West Highland white terrier with an adorably
scruffy and charming demeanor that no one can resist. Cubby
is a certified therapy dog with The Good Dog Foundation and he, along with
his owner and handler, Erika Searl, visit people in need of unwavering support
and love provided by dogs performing animal-assisted therapy. u

8 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013

O n countless visits,
Cubby draws the
residents from their
rooms to relieve some of their
pain and suffering; allowing them
each consist of a family dog with
a love for people, and it’s handler.
The organization then coordi-
nates visits to hundreds of thou-
sands of people in need of the
to temporarily escape the stresses healing power of animal-assisted
of their current situations. therapy at over 300 partner facili-
Most people would be hard- ties in four states and disaster sites
pressed to find anything that across the country. The teams visit
matches the unique joy one feels cancer patients, children on the
from receiving the love of a dog. autism spectrum, first responders,
Whether it is a sloppy kiss on the disaster victims, wounded vet-
face, a warm head in your lap af- erans, PTSD sufferers, and many
ter a rough day or a wagging tail others whose quality of life is
when you come home; the love greatly enhanced by the uncondi-
that is provided by man’s best tional love only therapy dogs can
friend is truly unique. Researchers provide—all free of charge.
have confirmed that the human- Good Dog is also committed
animal bond has medical and psy- to promoting awareness of and
chological benefits beyond the advancing research in the field
scope that we previously knew. of animal-assisted therapy. The
Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field, and certified therapy dogs organization is currently partnered with Pfizer Animal Health and Con-
offer a number of health benefits that improve quality of life. tinuum Cancer Centers of New York at Beth Israel Medical Center on
The Good Dog Foundation, which has provided therapy dog ser- a research study to assess the benefits of therapy dog visits to cancer
vices for nearly 15 years, is the largest certifying animal-assisted thera- patients undergoing treatment. The study will be released in the next
py organization on the East coast. Based out of Manhattan, Good Dog few months and the early results show marked positive quality-of-life
professionally trains and certifies all-volunteer therapy dog teams that benefits in participating patients. u

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 9

 Animal-assisted therapy is an im-
portant field that utilizes the natural
relationship between humans and ani-
mals to provide a simple and effective
form of therapy for many individuals.
Just ask Cubby, who constantly turns
frowns into smiles and brightens some
of the darkest days. The love of a Good
Dog is the perfect medicine.
If you are a dog owner, you already
know that the human-animal bond
provides a special kind of security and
happiness that should be shared. To be-
come a volunteer with your dog through
The Good Dog Foundation, the process
begins by filling out a simple question-
naire on the organization’s website. Af-
ter an initial meeting with one of Good
Dog’s professional trainers, approved
teams undergo up to 11 weeks of train-
ing. Upon graduating, each dog be-
comes a certified therapy dog, and each
team works with the Good Dog staff to
visit Good Dog’s partner facilities.
There are no breed restrictions, and
the program allows dogs as young as four months to enter classes.
Good Dog currently has over 1,000 active volunteer teams and is al-
Available at most fine pet retailers...ask for it today!
10 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013
“Dogs Helping Humans Heal”
• Donate to the Good Dog Foundation:
A Gift of Love; donate in your name or the name
of someone else.
www.thegooddogfoundation.org/donate.html
• Promise to get involved this year and seek out
information to become a volunteer
• The largest therapy dog services on the east
coast for over 15 years
• Coordinates visits to hundreds of thousands of
people in need of the healing power of animal-
assisted therapy.
• Exceptional training to volunteer teams
www.thegooddogfoundation.org
the United States and in Europe.
ways in need of more teams looking to
change lives.
To learn more about The Good Dog
Foundation and how to become a ther-
apy dog team visit www.thegooddog-
foundation.org. NYP
Rachel McPherson, a native Mississip-
pian, is the Founder and Executive Director
of The Good Dog Foundation (Good Dog).
She brings her experience as an entrepre-
neur and community activist to Good Dog.
Prior to founding Good Dog, she was a
producer for film and television. Her com-
pany, Southern Voices, produced dramatic
adaptations of southern literature, includ-
ing The Wide Net, an adaptation of a Eu-
dora Welty short story, in 1985. In 1984,
her film Signals through the Flames, a
feature-length documentary on the history
of Julian Beck and Judith Malina’s Living
Theatre Company, received an Academy
Award nomination for documentary film
of the year. It was featured in film festivals,
was broadcast on Canadian and European
television, and enjoyed theatrical release in
NewPetBringing home baby –
fur, feathered, pawed or scaled
Sarah Hodgson

Adopting a new pet ranks with life’s most memorable

moments, although it often presents a different
rainbow of emotions depending on your life stage.
For kids, pets are often lobbied for and absolutely
transformative. They fill the home with a feeling of
unconditional acceptance and camaraderie. u

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 11

In our household, the kids
start campaigning as we near
each holiday season. Two of
our four pack, Hootenanny
and Bamboozle, were brought
in as fosters over the Christ-
mas season. We failed them
as foster parents, in the best
way possible. Then Rocket, the
Bearded Dragon, arrived who
was purchased in celebration
of my four-year-old’s birthday.
And, we can’t forget our big
lop-ear bunny, Butterscotch,
who arrived in an Easter bas-
ket. While I don’t recommend
pets be gifted, the addition
of a pet makes any day all the
more special. Suddenly there
is a new and dependent family member who
will recognize and adore all the people who
nurture it.
Are you considering bringing a baby
home? The first impression of your home
and family will go a long way in making
your new addition feel safe and welcome, no
matter what the species. As a dog and cat
trainer, I relish my pre-pet sessions as I help
arrange supplies and coach families on mak-
ing a smooth transition. As an equally pet-
obsessed mom of a multi-species household,
I’ve found the same rules apply no matter the
species. Prepare. Organize. Arrange. And, do
it all ahead of time.
Take some time to learn
and study your new pet’s
habits, as well as its daily rou-
tine and passions. Activity will
keep your new pet mentally
challenged, emotionally stim-
ulated and alert. A happy pet
delights a household.
Your pet will have five
basics to attend to each day,
which are to eat, drink, play,
sleep and eliminate. Even a
herp (reptile, amphibian and
snake) has personal desires;
enjoying a heated surface, a
branch or stone to navigate.
If you have any questions, ask
them ahead of time. Pet stores
are run by pet-care profession-
als, who will be more than eager to guide you
through the process of bringing your baby
(or older pet) home.
Next, create a list to help you organize
and manage for your pet’s daily care. My
list consists of four columns: Diet, Housing,
Cleaning, Activity and Play.

NY Pets Columnist and Best-Selling Author

Grain-Free,
Nutritionally Sarah Hodgson
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12 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013

Diet
Nutritional requirements vary depending on
your pet’s species, age and size. Pet stores
now stock special formulated foods. You
should not feed a chinchilla cat food, nor
raise a goldfish on a tropical-fish fare. If your
pet does not get his nutritional requirements
he will get listless, ill and could potentially
die. While you can often embellish your pet
diet with people food, learn what is digest-
ible and manage the portions.
Housing
Many pets are considered prey animals in
their natural environments and will startle
easily to unpredictable noises and events.
Though you know they’ll be safe from preda-
tors, centuries of genetic encoding will de-
mand they be on alert. Rodents will need to
burrow, cats will need to climb, and herps
will need a branch, box or structure to creep,
slide or slither on. Consider your pet’s history
and purchase your enclosure ahead of time.
Next designate a quiet room or a spot to the
periphery of foot traffic.
Each pet will have its own ideal in terms
of cage type and footing. Herps do well in a
well-lit terrarium, as do small rodents. Large
pets need a bigger, ventilated wire cage to
thrive. If you choose a wire pen, ensure the
slats are narrow so heads cannot fit through.
Many tropical pets demand constant tem-
perature regulation to survive and can be-
come ill or die if too cold. Lights, heaters and
humidifiers can be purchased, as well as a
thermostat to gage fluctuations.
Next, consider the flooring and be pre-
Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine
pared for options. There are many substrates
available—from wood chips to sand to car-
peting. Small burrowing animals will need
soft material and a nesting box. A knowl-
edgeable pet-store professional will guide
you as to what is best for your lifestyle and
pet.
Finally, if you’re buying a young animal,
determine its adult size and think ahead.
Certain pets can triple their size in a few
months—a baby ball python will grow from
inches to feet in five months and a large
breed dog like a Newfoundland will quadru-
ple in size during the first year. Many enclo-
sures offer dividers to tailor the floor plan to
the size of your new pet.
Cleaning
Everyone poops. The golden similarity be-
tween all babies. A build up of fecal matter
can lead to illness, as you can well imagine,
so devise a system to clean your pet on an
as needed basis. Most pets eliminate daily
and some may carry salmonella (herps and
rodents), which is transmittable to people.
Since your pet can’t flush his own toilet, pur-
chase a pet-friendly disinfectant spray and/
13
or a species-specific poop scoo-
per. If your pet is permanently
housed in an enclosure, get
a second enclosure, perhaps
smaller, to relocate him when
you tidy up. And don’t forget
your pet’s footpads. Since they
are sensitive to chemical clean-
ers like bleach, thoroughly dry
all surfaces before returning
your pet to his home.
InteractIon/Play
Look to your pet’s natural habi-
tat and habits to determine
what additions will spruce
up your pet’s living quarters.
All creatures have a desire to
move and explore and many
will look to you for companionship and play.
For herps, a heated surface with plants, rocks
and/or branched cavern will satisfy, while ro-
dents, with their continual growing teeth and
curious minds, will need activity props like a
running wheel and teething sticks to satisfy
their impulses. Other mammals like rabbits,
ferrets, cats and dogs have a human’s oral set-
up, loosing a set of teeth as their permanent
teeth grow in. They need a steady supply
of bones and toys to engage their teething
desires. These pets as well as birds need en-
gagement and play to stimulate their bond-
ing affections and will turn to you again and
again for activity and adventure. The fun
never ends.
Last but not least, find a veterinarian to
guide and watch over your
pet. Search for a doctor who
specializes in your species and
speak to them ahead of time
to determine preventative care
and signs of potential illness.
When the big day comes,
keep the family calm. Young
pets are impressionable. A
change of address, no matter
how positive, is jarring. As most
pets are considered prey ani-
mals in the wild, handle them
gently, asking your pet-care
professional how to pick them
up. Your new pet has a long
happy life ahead, with you as
their number one fan and ad-
vocate. And, nothing could be
better…happy pet, happy people! NYP
Sarah Hodgson is an expert in group and
private dog training and does phone and email
consultations. Her website is WhenDogsTalk.
com, The Lifestyle Coach for Dog Lovers. Sarah
is an author, NY Pets Columnist and has a Blog
in The Huffington Post. She can be reached at
sarah@whendogstalk.com or 914-241-1111.

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14 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

purrfect
The
PresenT
The things that cats love

Robyn Bright

Cats, like money, may not

grow on trees, but there
are cat trees available.
Anyone who owns a cat
or two should know the
intrinsic value that these
carpeted play stands can
offer. We often think about
what we can give our furry
feline friends and should
consider items that not only
entertain, but also keep the
kitties out of trouble. u

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 15

W henever we think of cat toys,
the first that come to mind
are the ever-popular catnip
mice. Of course, it is not the mouse shape
itself that is of interest to the cat; it is the in-
toxicating catnip smell. Not all cats will be at-
tracted to this herb, but most are; although
kittens may not show an interest until they
are six months or older. Catnip is available
not only in cat toys, but it can be purchased
loose, in a spray or even be freshly grown.
Another popular toy for cats is the long
wands or flexible poles made with feathers
or strings attached to one end. On the other
end is a handle. It is the perfect toy for own- with eyes wide open. be in hot pursuit. Some toys have batteries
ers to use with their cats so they won’t get Technology has permeated our world in so they just need to be turned on to make
hurt by claws. Cats love these toys so much many places and cat toys are no exception. them go, while others will move only when
that some will jump to amazing heights just While others may be building a better mouse- touched by a paw. There are even cat toys
to get to the feathers or strings. These toys trap, pet manufacturers have been making that squeak, twitter or chirp when touched
can also be used on the ground to let the cat better and more sophisticated mouse toys to keep your cat thoroughly amused.
chase. It can be whipped back and forth on for cats. Pull a tail string or rev up a mouse The old ball of yarn has given way to
the floor in front of the cat who will watch on wheels and watch it take off….a kitty will toys that have strings attached to battery-

16 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

 operated tracks so an owner never has to
run around the house again pulling a piece
of string with a cat hot on their heels (unless
food ... they want to). These tracks can be attached
to a door or can be used on the floor (usu-
ally inside is a donut shaped toy thatAThas
NUTRITION
cut outs). Cat toys with this shape may also
wholesome ingredients
have balls placed inside that the cat can bat
et food incorporates
: around and around, reaching into the cut
outs to get to the ball.
Fruits Grains
Laser pointers can be absolutely fascinat-
ing to many felines. Some will follow the red
life stage – puppy,
dotkitten, adult and
so closely that they will literally run into a
cat, look no further. Our Innova
couch or wall to PRIME
get to it. Some manufactur-
ova, minus the grain. Both contain:
ers have taken this a step further by having
lasers on a pedestal or stand with a rotating
disc on top. The laser dot goes round and
round and stops suddenly. Then it goes back
the need to scratch. A cat’s claws are like our
nails; they are constantly growing. To keep
the claws short, a cat must scratch. Cats also
scratch to mark their territory since they have
scent glands in their paws. For a domestic
ITS BEST, NATURALLY. cat, their house is their territory.
Cat items that help keep a cat from
scratching furniture and walls should be con-
sidered a necessity. Years ago, only cat posts
were offered and they were usually covered
with carpet, but times have changed. Now,
there is everything from the simple, inex-
pensive yet destructible cardboard blocks to
the more expensive but fairly indestructible
large cat trees with caves, hammocks and
platforms which can expand from the floor
to ceiling. Each has their advantages and
disadvantages, but for most cat owners they

100%
in the other direction and keeps changing
when SATISFACTION
it stops and goes. It is fun to watch a
should own at least one cat-scratching piece
per kitty (unless they get one very large item
GUARANTEE
cat try so very hard to catch the lighted dot. It Cats also scratch to mark such as the “tree”).
is also great fun and exercise for them. Cardboard flats are the least expensive
Cat toys allow your friends to chase,
their territory since they
www.innova.com © 2012 P&G but also the most easily destroyed. For many
pounce and play which is important in have scent glands in their years, a simple rectangle filled with natural
keeping a cat both physically and mentally colored cardboard was available. This has
healthy and stimulated. One other impor-
paws. For a domestic cat, changed with more cardboard flats being
tant cat behavior that should be addressed is their house is their territory. made with designs and colors that are fun
ailer name and logo in space provided

The original
holistic pet food ... NUTRITION AT ITS BEST, NATURALLY.

Complete and balanced nutrition for every stage

of your pet’s life; Innova dog and cat foods incorporate
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· The Best Human Grade Ingredients
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. Beef
. Chicken
Try INNOVA today! . Turkey
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. Lamb
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Available at your
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MiracleCorp · 800-635-2044 · www.stewartpet.com

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 17

 but still practical. This type of scratching unit is inexpensive enough to
keep a few around the home.
The “deluxe model” of cat scratchers is cat “furniture” with the “man-
sions” being cat trees. These are usually made up of poles, cylinders,
boxes with holes and platforms that the cats can climb, hide, sleep
and scratch until their hearts are content. Some cat furniture is short,
Collars, usually around two to three feet high and may be simplistic. Larger

Leads and pieces that go from the floor to ceiling are called trees and usually are
very stable. These trees are a cat’s dream in terms of being able to do
Harnesses so much on them. You can tell they know this furniture is for them.
Recently, innovative manufacturers have been making units that have
for separate pieces bolted to the wall so a cat can literally go and “climb
all sizes the walls” if it wants. This also keeps the cat furniture off of your floor.
No matter what type of scratching device and furniture you give
of dogs your cat, they always seem to know it is for them. Of course, most
manufacturers will put the catnip smell into the materials to attract
and cats. a cat. If you find that your cat scratches your furniture, be sure they
have some “furniture” of their own made of different material. Also,
use some repellent on your own furniture to help drive cats to their
own stuff. This should teach them quickly what is okay and not okay
to scratch.
So, if your cat has a birthday coming, or if you just want to keep
it happy, it is important to treat pets to some presents – we all love
presents. Once your cat gets its claws into a new toy or piece of cat
furniture, you will swear your feline is smiling like a Cheshire cat. Or,
maybe a child who just got exactly that they always wanted. NYP
Robyn Bright has worked in the pet industry for over 35 years in retail,
wholesale, writing and photography. She has a Master’s degree in animal
GUARANTEED (Even if Chewed)® behavior and has written and produced photos for magazines, products and
websites. You can contact Robyn at rbrightsun@yahoo.com.

18 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

 QueSTionS
& anSwerS

Critter Chatter
our human friends ask the following questions

Q Trisha from Mahopac asked:

“Should I micro-chip my dog?”

a Absolutely! Every respon-

sible pet owner should
have a dog, cat or bird
micro-chipped. This does not hurt the pet or
cause lasting discomfort. Micro-chipping is
the best way to have your pet identified. It in-
volves an RF (radio frequency) chip about the
size of a grain of rice that is implanted usually
between the shoulder blades or wings. This
is a relatively inexpensive procedure which
your local veterinarian can perform using a
special needle. A unique number, similar to a
social security number, is stored on the chip
and is activated when a special scanner is
used to read it. In the event that your pet is
lost or stolen, the local police, veterinarians
or animal shelter personnel can use the scan-
ner to identify your pet.
Now this is very important—they can
identify your pet only if you register the chip.
The registration is what returns the owner’s
information to the person scanning the chip.
The sad truth is, many owners do not take the
time to get their chips registered. Without
the registration process, the number stored
on the chip is useless. Your owner’s informa-
tion can be registered with your local police,
area veterinarians, dog pound, owners of ani-
mal shelters or online.
Micro-chipping is far superior to any
other method of pet identification. A tag can is a dispute about ownership. If your pet is For your own peace of mind, please make
be removed or lost. A band around the leg micro-chipped, you simply have it scanned an appointment with your local veterinarian
of a bird can also be removed. Trying to rely and, if properly registered, the owner’s infor- to have your pet micro-chipped—and be
on photographs is never sufficient if there mation will be proof-positive. sure to register the chip. u

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY peTS magazine 19

Q Kaci from Brewster asked:

“Can I litter train my bunny?”

A Yes! Many rabbit owners have litter-box

trained their pets. It allows for easier clean-
up and a more sanitary cage. Here are some
helpful tips for training your furry friend.

1. Make sure you have a cage that is sufficient in size to ac-

commodate a litter box and one that will fit your adult-
sized rabbit.

2. If you have just purchased your bunny, for the first two
days or so, try to leave it inside the cage. You will see that
there is a “special” spot it will use to relieve itself. This
would be the perfect place to position your litter box. (If
it is not a “new” pet, you are probably already aware of
this “special” spot.)

3. Put the cage bottom-bedding that you are already using

inside the litter box. Your rabbit should be attracted to
it. Leave the rest of the cage bare bottom, or put in a soft
towel or blanket to keep your friend cozy.

4. You may also put a few of your bunny’s pellet shaped

droppings into the litter pan for further encouragement.

5. Once your friend has started using the litter-box, make

sure you clean it on a regular basis. You may also find that
you might be able to set up another litter box outside of
the cage for your rabbit to use when it is out at play.

Please continue to submit your questions to doreen@nypetsmagazine.com.

We will try to answer them in our next edition.

20 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

 Clean-up
for your Tank
A few easy steps will keep
your fish happy and healthy
Laura “Peach” Reid

Soon all our attention will be focused outdoors and indoor activities
will become a thing of the past due to the attractive weather outside.
Even a hobby like fish will get a little ignored. It might likely get
replaced by ball games, swimming, taking the dog for walks, etc. So,
let’s get our aquarium in tip-top shape for the upcoming season. This
deeper cleaning and sprucing up will keep it attractive and healthy
for the upcoming months and your fish will thank you for it. u

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 21

A deep cleaning need only be
done just a couple times a year
if all is running well. It means
siphoning and a large water change. One
must be prepared with enough aged water
to replace about half of that in the aquarium.
A good siphon hose along with a five-to-ten-
gallon bucket is also needed. Having an old
towel handy to wipe up any drips or small
spills is a good idea too.
“Aged water” means water
that’s been sitting in a clean, safe
and preferably never used contain-
er (such as a decent-sized plastic
waste pail). This water should reach
room temperature and be sitting
long enough to de-chlorinated (re-
quiring aeration). Optimally, you
should have a product to adjust
this water to the approximate pH
of your tank water, which is hope-
fully in the acceptable range of 6.5
to 7.5. If you have an extra heater,
you can bring the temperature of this wa-
ter up more quickly, and ideally, bring it up
to the water temperature in the aquarium.
Also, instead of aerating the water you’re ag-
ing, you can use a special product obtained
22 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013
from your local pet store which immediately
removes chlorine and/or chloramine, which
regional water authorities use to curb bac-
teria growth in municipal drinking water, es-
pecially during warmer months. If possible,
position this “aging” water right next to your
aquarium, to make it easier to fill your aquar-
ium after cleaning.
The next step is removing debris, also
called detritus (organic matter from fish
Do not use soap or
cleaning products on
anything going into your
aquarium – for ornaments
and rocks, just use water
and a little scrubbing with
a new scrub pad or brush.
waste, uneaten food, decomposing plants,
etc.), which is both on top of and inside your
gravel bed. Removal is done using the siphon
hose and the empty bucket. Before you be-
gin, it is best to first remove any ornaments
and rocks in the aquarium. These items may
also be cleaned at this time (important note:
do not use soap or cleaning products on any-
thing going into your aquarium – for orna-
ments and rocks, just use water and a little
scrubbing with a new scrub pad or brush).
You may also want to remove live plants, if
you have any, just set them aside in some wa-
ter to keep moist until the aquarium is filled
again.
Secure one end of the si-
phon hose in the empty bucket
with a clip, a hand or a helper.
Once you start the siphon, you
will want to very slowly and
carefully siphon the water to
about one inch over the gravel
bed. Holding the other end of
the siphon hose in the tank with
one hand, use your fingertips to
disturb and stir the gravel bed
while at the same time siphon-
ing as much of the debris as you
can get. Avoid stirring the debris up so much
that it spreads into the rest of the aquarium
water, though some undoubtedly will dis-
burse. You will also want to avoid siphoning
the gravel and fish (though if a fish does ac-
cidentally go up the hose
and into the bucket, you can
simply net the fish, which will
probably be fine). If you’ve
secured the other end of the
hose with a clip, or you have
a helper, your other hand can
also be in the tank to gently
wave the fish away, as well
as assist in the spot stirring
of the gravel bed while you
siphon. Depending on your
aquarium size, you may have
to empty your bucket several
times.
Once you’ve removed about half the wa-
ter and as much debris as you can, this is a
good time to also gently scrape any algae or
other material off the sides of the tank, wiping
it off with a paper towel. This method ensures
the material being scraped is pretty much re-
moved from the aquarium altogether.
It’s important NOT to clean the filter or
change the filter media while you’re do-
ing such a big water change and cleaning.
The good nitrifying bacteria (convert toxic
ammonia from fish waste, extra food, and
plant decomposition, to nitrite and then ni-
trate) live in the filter, filter media, as well as
in the gravel bed, and even on the sides of
the tank. Wait a good two to three weeks be-
fore changing the filter, which will give your
aquarium enough time to grow some more
good bacteria.
Once you’ve cleaned the tank and made
sure that the water you’ll be adding is the
ideal temperature and pH level and is de-
chlorinated, it’s time to put back the rocks
and ornaments. Because we’re entering the
spring/summer season, you may want to
change your background, or consider adding
a layer of (cleaned) brighter gravel, and/or
other appropriate ornaments.
After your ornamenta-
tion has been placed, it’s Fresh Water,
time to put the aged water Salt Water & Ponds
into your aquarium. The pur-
pose of aging and condition-
ing this water is to minimize
stress on your fish. If they are
Tri State
used to a low pH of 6.0, for Aquariums
example, they will be a little
stressed if there is a signifi-
cant change, so it’s advised
to raise it slowly to the ac-
ceptable range. Too big of a
swing in water temperature
can also cause problems,
most notably an outbreak of “ick” or “ich”,
small white parasites. Chlorine or chloramine
Full Service
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Depending on how well stocked your
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adding some fish that are compatible with
the fish you already have. For a community
tank, you may be able to add some Platies,
Swordtails, Fancy Guppies, Tetras or Barbs
- again, all depending on what you already
keep. There are so many fish options: Silver
Mollies, Angels and Tetras look great against
a blue background or on blue gravel. Be cre-
ative and have fun with your decorating and
your hobby. NYP
Laura “Peach” Reid is owner and President
of Fish Mart Inc., the Northeast’s largest whole-
sale distributor of aquatics and small compan-
ion animals, reptiles and birds to retail pet stores
in the region. She is also on the PIJAC Board of
Directors.

11. If you are thinking of giving a fish as a gift to someone (birth-

day, Mother’s/Father’s Day, graduation), get a gift certificate
instead. A sudden surprise of a living creature is not usually ap-
propriate, especially for the well-being of the animal. 100 Independent Way,
Brewster, NY 10509
22. If you’re planning to go away for more than a couple of days,
prior to your leaving, do about a 20 percent water change and
info@depotwine.com
get an automatic feeder for your fish (make sure you try out the www.depotwine.com
feeder before you leave). (845) 279-0112
33. Be prepared! Power outages have become more commonplace
and an outage means the life support system of your fish is not
working. Purchase a battery operated pump to have on hand
in case of emergency. SuN: 12 pm - 5 pm
moN - Sat: 10 am - 8 pm

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 23

plant
Making your home safe for your pets
Dr. Andrew Thayer
Our beautiful Spring season is
here, and with it potential dangers
for your pets. One of the more
common reasons a dog or cat
is brought to a veterinarian during the warmer
months is for ingestion of a plant or flower. Dogs
and cats are extremely curious creatures and
indiscriminant eaters. This combination can wind
up causing some problems. There are many plants
that are safe to have around your pets but there
are also many that can be extremely dangerous.
24 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013
S ending a floral bouquet or a plant
to someone is a common way to
show you care. With pets in the
household selecting the right bouquet or
plant can be tricky. It is always best to send
a “pet friendly bouquet”. A pet friendly bou-
quet is a bouquet consisting of plants and
flowers that are not considered to be toxic
to pets.
While most plants that are ingested
cause nothing more than mild digestive
upset manifesting as nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea, some can cause severe health is-
sues. If a cat ingests members of the Lilium
genus, including Easter and stargazer lilies,
this can cause serious kidney problems. For
households with cats, non-toxic Alstroeme-
ria (Peruvian lily, but not a “true” lily) can be
substituted for Lilium (true lilies). For bou-
quets, request ferns (most ferns are non-
toxic) as greenery in place of baby’s breath. It
is always a good idea to let your florist know
While most plants that are
ingested cause nothing
more than mild digestive
upset manifesting as
nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea, some can cause
severe health issues.

what plants you are trying to avoid and why

in case substitutions need to be made.
To find out if a particular plant or flower
is toxic the internet is a good resource. The
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website
has a list of both toxic and non-toxic plants. It
is very helpful to know the scientific name of
the flower or plant as common names can be
shared among many plants. Other resources
would be university websites or books.
If you think your pet has ingested a plant
or flower, the safest course of action is to
bring them to your veterinarian. While some
plants and flowers only cause mild gastro-
intestinal upset your pet may benefit from
supportive care. With other plants and flow-
ers, time may be of the essence in terms of
treatment. A “wait and see” approach is never
advised.
Besides causing gastrointestinal (GI) up-
set the plant bulb itself can act as a foreign
body and cause an obstruction, especially
if ingested whole. The various parts of the
plants – bulb, leaves and flowers – can cause
varying toxic effects. In addition to GI signs,
several plants can cause a contact dermatitis. blood. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting,
Examples are Hyacinthus (Hyacinth), Narcis- depression and hyper salivation may also be
Here is a brief list of “pet
sus (daffodil, jonquil, narcissus and tulipa). present. These initial signs may not develop friendly” flowers and plants:
Clinical signs of contact dermatitis generally for 12-24 hours after ingestion. Next, signs Common Name | Scientific Name
resolve by eliminating exposure. Bathing in a of weakness, ataxia, paresis or collapse may
African daisy ....................... Arctotis stoechadifolia
mild shampoo is beneficial. be seen. Multiple organ failure may also take African violet....................... Saintpaulia spp.
Plants that can cause moderate to severe place. Death may occur up to several days af- Alyssum .............................. Allysum spp.
GI signs include Cyclamen spp. (cyclamen-GI ter ingestion. Bachelors buttons................ Centaureaa cyanus
and Cardiac signs, Gladiolus spp. (gladiola)- The effects of your pet ingesting flow- Begonia .............................. Begonia spp.
Celosia ................................ Celosia spp.
GI signs, Iris spp. (iris)-GI/death, Narcissus spp ers or plants range from mild to potentially Common Snapdragon........... Antirrhinum majus
and Arisaema triphyllum (jack-in-the-pulpit)- life-threatening. Effective treatment is based Eater Daisy .......................... Townsendia sevicea
GI/death. Ingestion of any of these plants is on knowing the plant species involved. With Orchids................................ Barbrodia, Sophronitis, etc.
likely to cause GI signs but the severity of the most plants the prognosis is good with Peruvian lily, Brazilian lily .... Alstroemeria spp.
Rose.................................... Roas spp.
signs depends on the amount and part of the symptomatic treatment. NYP
plant consumed.
Examples of plants that can cause severe
multisystemic signs are Colchicum autum- Dr. Andrew Thayer received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Louisiana
nale (autumn crocus, meadow saffron) and State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He has worked at the ASPCA’s Bergh
Gloriosa superba (glory lily). All parts of both Memorial hospital as a staff veterinarian, animal hospitals in Westchester County and Fair-
plants are toxic. Clinical signs change over field, CT as well as at emergency veterinary facilities. Dr. Thayer established the Hartsdale
time. Initially there is diarrhea often with Veterinary Hospital in 2002 and has been the head of medicine for the last 10 years.

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 25

 Ocean
Lifesaver
How the Coral Restoration
Foundation is re-populating reefs
Written and photographed by John Carlin

What started as a way for reef aquarium

keepers to share their favorite corals
with one another has grown into a
program to re-populate the coral reefs
off the coast of Florida and beyond. u

26 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

 Boyd Enterprises owner
and CRF board member
Jeff Turner holds a piece of
live rock collected for a CRF
demonstration aquarium.

A scuba diver drifts to the bottom

in the crystal clear blue water
just a few miles off Key Largo,
Florida. As the bubbles rise to the surface,
an unusual, underwater landscape emerges.
What was once a featureless, sandy bottom is
now home to 30 thousand pieces of coral –
pieces that may represent the future of coral
reefs that are so critical to all ocean life.
The scene however, is unlike any actual
coral reef. Instead of outcroppings of rock
covered by gorgonians gently waving in
the current, there are what could be to the
casual observer, submerged Christmas trees
with hand-sized corals for ornaments. It’s the
work of Ken Nedimyer and the Coral Restora-
tion Foundation, and the unusual scene may
be the key to the future of coral reefs across
the Caribbean.
“We looked at how aquarium keepers
were growing corals in their tanks so they
could share them with other hobbyists and
thought we could do it in a much bigger
way,” says Ken, sitting in a white, center con-
sole boat with a single outboard motor and
cluttered with scuba equipment.
In 2001, Ken began taking fragments or
corals or “frags” and managing them in open
water. The idea was to grow a small coral into
a big one that could be transplanted onto
nearby reefs where environmental pressures
have caused a serious decline in corals with
hard, calcium based skeletons – the so called
“stony” corals that created the reefs in the
first place. Ken. “So we evolved a new system where the other stony coral indigenous to the Carib-
The idea worked. Ken and his organi- corals could be suspended.” bean, the elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata),
zation, the Coral Restoration Foundation, That’s where those “Christmas trees” a stubby cousin to the staghorn and consid-
backed by a $732,000 grant from the Ameri- come from. Divers figured out that they ered more difficult to propagate.
can Recovery and Reinvestment Program, could anchor an underwater buoy and create Using techniques pioneered with the
began systematically fragging and growing a “tree trunk” using PVC pipe. They attached staghorn nursery, Ken and his team cultivat-
various genotypes of staghorn corals (Acro- more pipe to form the “branches” of the tree ed 900 elkhorn frags until June of 2012 when
pora cervicornis) and then out-planting them and dangled coral frags from the branches. they were ready to see if they could begin to
to nearby reefs where they prospered after The frags prospered as never before. duplicate the results they had enjoyed with
being attached with simple epoxy, not unlike “We can grow a finger-sized frag into the staghorns.
the type used by aquarium keepers. something larger than your hand in about With the help of volunteer divers from
Over time the CRF improved the grow- nine months, says CRF Science and Educa- two aquarium-based companies, Ecotech
out process. “We were always facing setbacks tion Director Stephanie Roach. “After that, it’s Marine, manufacturers of advanced power
from storms, which would stir up the sand, ready to be out planted on the reef.” head pumps and LED lighting systems, and
covering the corals on the bottom,” explains In 2009, the CRF began working with the Boyd Enterprises, makers of a line of filtra-

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 27


tion products and aquarium supple-
ments, Ken and crew were ready to
first harvest and then plant some of
the elkhorn stock.
“These are my babies,” Ken
beamed aboard his boat after about
20 of the frags had been brought to
the surface. “I’ve been waiting three
years for this day.”
The corals would be epoxied to
selected spots on Molasses Reef, a
popular tourist diving and snorkel-
ing location. Ecotech and Boyd both
sponsor sections of Molasses in or-
der to help pay for the project. “We
in the aquarium trade need to give
back. We need to take care of the oceans,”
said Tim Marks, one of Ecotech’s founders.
That thought was echoed by Boyd’s Jeff
Turner who recently joined the CRF’s board
of directors. “This is important stuff out here,”
said Jeff, still clad in his wet suit. “The CRF is
saving the reefs while conducting valuable
research as well. The aquarium industry has
an obligation to help.”
With the corals collected, Ken’s boat fol-
lowed by Jeff’s, made the 15-minute trip to
Molasses reef where an army of divers includ-
ing Jeff, Tim, and Tim’s Ecotech co-founders
Justin Lawyer and Patrick Clasen, went to
work attaching the frags to the reef.
By late summer, Ken’s team concluded
28 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013
“We have seen extensive coral growth
already. One hundred percent of
the Elkhorn frags have survived and
most have grown significantly.”
Ken nedimyer
that the experiment was working. “We have
seen extensive coral growth already. One
hundred percent of the Elkhorn frags have
survived and most have grown significantly,”
he said.
While the procedures are working, less
certain is funding for the program. The board
is applying for a second government grant,
and taking the CRF story to the public. Ken
himself was profiled in 2012 as one of CNN’s
“Heroes,” and more recently on the CBS Eve-
ning News. But Jeff and the board are looking
for additional long-term funding opportuni-
ties. “We’ve created a foundation to sustain
the reefs, now we need to ensure the sustain-
ability of the foundation,” said Jeff.
The corals
after harvest and
before being
transplanted
onto the reef.
Ken agrees. “We’ve proven
that this is a system that works.
Other people have adopted our
techniques and reefs in other
parts of the world are the ben-
eficiaries. But it’s not enough to
prove it works, we have to go out
and actually do it. That takes man-
power and effort, and all of that
requires funding,” he said.
Ken praised Boyd and Ecotech
as aquarium based businesses
that recognize the value of what
he does. He’s hoping additional
aquarium-based companies and
those from sectors such as tour-
ism, industry, the scuba trade and others will
see it as well.
To associate your company or business
with the Coral Restoration Foundation, visit:
www.coralrestoration.org/CRF/
The CRF is also building grass roots sup-
port from individuals, who can donate on
line to Adopt-a-coral program.
If you would like more information about
the work that the Coral Restoration Founda-
tion is doing, visit their website at www.cor-
alrestoration.org NYP
John Carlin is Peabody and four-time Emmy
Award winning journalist who just happens to
own an aquarium maintenance business. He is
based in Roanoke, Virginia.
Enchanting
Phoenix
A visit with
Emmy-winner
Sandra Lee and
her beloved
cockatoo
Sandra Lee is best known
as a multi-Emmy and
Gracie award winner,
best-selling author
and an internationally-
acclaimed expert on
all things home, food
and style. It has been
a journey fraught
with struggles and
daunting challenges that
Sandra has overcome
through dedication and
perseverance. u

sPRiNg/suMMeR 2013 | NY Pets MagaziNe 29

30 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPRiNg/suMMeR 2013
 LEFT PAGE:
Sandra Lee and
Phoenix spending
quality time at home.
Butternut
SquaSh MaSh
1 Banana
Butternut Squash
(½ usually works well)
two tablespoons of almond Milk
Cut up squash and remove seeds,
boil until soft. Mash the squash with
the almond milk then blend with ½
banana in a blender. Let cool but can
serve at a slightly warm temperature.
You can freeze extra and
serve at another time.
S andra’s remarkable story began
with a difficult childhood and an
entrepreneurial spirit that helped
her turn a fledgling business into a vast enter-
prise , catapulting her into the spotlight where
she caught the eye of producers from the
Food Network. It was on television that her
celebrity status rose rapidly; her Semi- Home-
made Cooking with Sandra Lee was one of the
highest-rated shows in Food Network history
when it launched in 2003.
But when NY Pets sat down with Sandra in
her beautiful home in upper New York, it wasn’t
to talk about her well-documented challenges
and successes as a businesswoman, television
celebrity and author of 27 books, including
her memoir, Made From Scratch. We were here
to get a personal glimpse into the relationship
she has with her pet cockatoo Phoenix.
Cockatoos are very lively and affectionate
birds. They are quite “cuddly” and bond very
closely with their owners. They are intelligent,
playful, mischievous, sociable and need affec-
tion, which means they demand a great deal
of time from their owners.
Phoenix is all of that. Especially the bond
he has with Sandra. It was quite apparent as
he followed Sandra’s every cue and move-
ment around the room as the photographer
was snapping their pictures. His eyes widened
and he got excited whenever Sandra was near.
And he was just as comfortable with the cam-
eras and strangers as Sandra.
Once out of one of his “homey” cages,
he pranced around to meet everyone, had a
snack of his favorite butternut squash mixture,
and then it was time to settle down with San-
dra for the interview and a few more photos.
In the wild, cockatoos can be quite gre-
garious, and so in captivity they need to be
surrounded by activity – to feel part of the ac-
tion in the home. They love companionship.
Cockatoos do best when their cages and play-
stands are in the busiest areas of the house
– even if that requires more than one cage or
playstand. In fact, if they are kept too far from
sPRiNg/suMMeR 2013 | NY Pets MagaziNe
the action, they can feel left out and become
desperate for attention.
“You could say cockatoos are high mainte-
nance, but it is all worth it.” Sandra had owned
pets in the past – a parakeet as a child and
later a dog named Aspen, an American Es-
kimo. Sandra spent 16 wonderful years with
Aspen and still misses her every day. So, de-
ciding to bring home a cockatoo seems to be
something right out of the blue. Cockatoos
are known to be noisy, can be destructive and
certainly have a mind of their own. Anyone
considering a cockatoo should do some re-
search and talk to responsible bird owners to
fully understand their characteristics and the
level of care that is required.
Sandra, however, was convinced during a
trip to a tropical location with Andrew Cuomo
and his daughters where she came upon a
cockatoo at a large aviary they visited. The
cockatoo took a liking to Sandra and followed
her persistently around the exhibit. They were
quite taken with this intelligent little fellow,
so much so Sandra and Andrew even thought
about trying to adopt him. But because of
the intense quarantine laws and the stress it
would cause the cockatoo, the idea was quick-
ly abandoned.
One Christmas, Andrew and his daughters
purchased a little fluff ball of a bird for Sandra
from celebrity pet keeper Marc Morrone. “I
had no idea. I did not ask or plan for a bird, but
now I could not ever imagine living without
him” Sandra says today.
Phoenix’s arrival earned him a special bas-
sinet with its own heating pad and Sandra
kept a close eye on him throughout those first
few nights.
Now at the age of two and a half, Phoenix
insists on affection and attention and he gets
plenty of it. He will run up and down Sandra
while she relaxes on the sofa and is always
looking for her hand to scratch his head or
bows down to be cuddled. Sandra believes
this is Phoenix’s way of saying he loves her.
On the other side of the coin is his naugh-
31

TOP: (Left) Phoenix as a baby;
(Middle) In his bassinet;
(Right) Phoenix had a hand -or
a wing - getting that Emmy.
BOTTOM: Halloween segment
on the Food Network that
garnered an Emmy.
32 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPRiNg/suMMeR 2013
ty habit. Phoenix loves to run around on the
floor like a dog. “He is so curious and wants
to know everything that’s going on,” San-
dra laughs. She recalled one day when she
turned her back on him for only a moment
while he was on the kitchen floor and then
he was gone. She frantically searched the
house until she heard the pitter patter of
little feet on the upper level. He had found
the stairs and up he went. Now this climb has
become his daily exercise routine.
What is Phoenix’s favorite food?
Sandra’s “little man” loves a warm butternut
squash recipe. (You can find it listed on the
side of the previous page.)
We asked Sandra if Phoenix is moody.
“Some days he is quiet, some days he is loud,
and some days he likes what he likes and
wants what he wants.” Anyone considering a
cockatoo should keep in mind that they are
emotional, excitable, sensitive creatures that
often react to situations much differently than
you might expect. You have to understand
and accept a cockatoo’s natural behaviors.
Then an Emmy arrived…
Sandra won an Emmy in the beauty and
makeup category for her over-the-top Hal-
loween special on the food network. As her
costume, Sandra chose “Queen Anne Re-
venge” – the eight-times-removed grand-
mother of Blackbeard. Coincidentally, she
also owned a cockatoo. The story is told that
when Queen Anne passed, her cockatoo
passed away at the same time. So, now she
and the cockatoo return to haunt the castle
every Halloween – and, while there, they
make ghost cupcakes.
Sandra was in costume with Phoenix
who helped bake the goodies. It was a highly
entertaining segment and garnered Sandra
an Emmy. (We have included a link to this
episode.)
What has Phoenix taught Sandra?
Sandra believes “it is easy to understand dog
and cat people, but bird owners are a dif-
ferent breed. Originally, I did not have the
greatest love or understanding of birds but
Phoenix has taught me that all animals are
thoughtful, loving and emotional and that
people need to stop being so dismissive of
animals, of the Earth, and of one another. An-
imals are very emotional and if people would
just take the a few minutes to watch, listen,
and learn from them, the world would be a
better place for everyone.”
On the subject of bird ownership, San-
dra confides that Phoenix takes up much of
her time, and she wants people to know that
they should “be prepared.” Anyone intent on
purchasing a bird should “make sure they
read up, discuss ownership with responsible
bird owners, and ask as many questions as
possible.” She feels owning a bird is a differ-
ent type of pet ownership, but she could not
imagine Phoenix not being in her life.
“Birds are enchanting. They give you a
ton of joy and are truly mesmerizing. Yes, that
is the only way to describe it. They are a com-
mitment for sure; the good news is you get
what you give – with cockatoos that equals
pure love.” NYP
 Horse sense
Ask yourself some tough
questions before you buy
Suzanne L. Fox

If you are considering buying a horse, there are some

extremely important factors to consider. On the surface, it is
an exciting prospect. It could be the best decision you ever
made, or the one you’re going to regret for years to come.
Today, many horses wind up in unfavorable situations because
people did not realize the level of responsibility it takes to be a horse owner.
Hopefully, this article will help you decide if you are ready for a horse and how
to start on your journey towards horse ownership. Giddy-up, here we go. u
Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 33
TOP 10
1 Riding ExpERiEncE
It is common for people to buy horses
before they have ample experience. Some-
times, they are so excited about riding and
love being around horses so much, that they
decide to purchase a horse right away. Of-
ten, these are the people who regret buying
a horse because they didn’t realize the level
of commitment required. Also, some instruc-
tors interested only in profit will push riders
to purchase a horse before they are ready. It
is not necessary to buy a horse if you’ve only
been riding for a short period of time. Take
at least one year of lessons, at a minimum of
one time per week, before you make the de-
cision to buy. There are always other options
such as half or full leasing, which will intro-
duce you to the horse ownership experience,
without the full commitment and financial
risk.
34 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013
Things to consider
Before Buying a Horse
2 FinancEs
Horseback riding is the sport of
kings. In other words, if you’re looking for a
cheap sport, you’re in the wrong barn. Most
people in the horse world say that buying the
horse is the inexpensive part of horse owner-
ship. Can your budget comfortably allow for
all of the extra expenses that your new horse
will bring? At the very least, you’re going to
need to pay for board monthly, the farrier
every four to six weeks, the vet at least twice
a year, the dentist once a year, and your les-
sons. Can you “hack” it?
3 TimE
Everyone has a schedule that they
live by in one way, shape, or form. If no one
has told you yet, horses are addictive. The
more time you’re with them, the more time
you want to spend with them. These loveable
animals are very time consuming. In order to
keep your horse healthy and fit, exercise is a
necessity. Also, if you want to improve your
riding skills, or at least maintain your riding
skills, plan on taking at least four trips to the
stable each week. Will a horse fit into your
schedule?
4 pRoFEssional insTRucTion
Horseback riding is considered a
higher risk sport when it comes to extent and
frequency of injuries. Consequently, riding
with a professional instructor is critical. A well
trained instructor can be trusted to tell you
when you are experienced enough to own a
horse, what type of horse would be suitable
for you, and can help you in the purchasing
process. Quality instruction will dictate your
future experiences with your horse.
 5 Achieving Your riding goAls
Everyone who rides horses has a
picture in their mind of how they would like
to ride. If you are going to buy a horse, it is
important to understand how far this horse
can take you on your path towards achiev-
ing those goals. One very important scenario
to steer clear of is buying a “green” or inex-
perienced horse, for an inexperienced rider.
This combination usually results in injury and
frustration. Does the horse have experience
doing whatever it is that you want to do?
This is a simple, yet essential question to ask
yourself. Is he or she going to be a true part-
ner for you? For example, how long do you
want to own this horse? Is this going to be a
horse that you want to hold onto forever or
for a couple of years until you need a more
advanced horse?
6 Finding Your horse
Who is going to find this perfect
horse for you? Where do you go to get a
horse? How you find a horse is really going
to depend upon your experience level. The
more experience you have, the more options
you have for finding a suitable mount on
your own. If this is your first horse, it is essen-
tial for you to follow the advice of a trusted,
reputable instructor. There are a lot of horse
dealers out there that are just looking to
make money and will be unethical during ev-
ery step of the transaction. Please make sure
that you have done your homework before
trusting someone with this major transac-
tion. Most instructors will charge commis-
sion for finding a horse. Today, the internet
is obviously a fantastic resource for looking
at many different horses. Please consider
rescuing a horse, as there are many excellent
horses looking for good homes.
7 home sweet home
What location will your horse call
home? Finding a safe, clean, and well man-
aged facility is critical if you plan on boarding
your horse at a stable. You want to be able
to sleep at night knowing that your horse
is in good hands. The following are critical
questions to ask before choosing boarding
facility: How often do the stalls get cleaned
and how often do they add new bedding?
Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine
How long will my horse go outside each day?
Will my horse get turned-out alone or with
other horses? Do they charge extra for tak-
ing on and off your horse’s equipment (ex.
blankets & boots)? How often do the horses
get hayed and grained? Do they charge ex-
tra for adding vitamins or supplements to
your horse’s feed? How often do the water
buckets get cleaned? Another consideration
should be the quality of instruction available
at the stable. Also, don’t underestimate the
importance of the stable atmosphere. The
stable usually becomes a home away from
home for most “horse people.” Is this an en-
joyable environment where you would want
to spend your time? Keeping your horse at
home is always a very nice option if you have
appropriate stable management consulting.
However, this is not recommended if this is
your first horse and you are a beginner rider.
8 the test ride
NEVER BUY A HORSE WITHOUT A
TEST RIDE! There are a few options when try-
ing a horse before you buy him or her. You
can go to the farm where the horse is kept
35
and try the horse at that location.
The current owner or instructor can
trailer the horse to the farm where
you ride, or you could try the horse
at a neutral location, such as a horse
show. It is very common, and advis-
able to try a horse more than once
and at more than one of the above
locations. Additionally, some owners
and instructors will allow you to take
the horse to your farm for a couple of
days for a longer trial. Don’t skip this
step because it is essential that you
feel as comfortable as possible with
the horse you choose.
9 The Pre-Purchase exam
NEVER, EVER BUY A HORSE WITHOUT
A PRE-PURCHASE EXAM! This is a thorough
exam performed by a veterinarian in order to
determine if the horse has any pre-existing
conditions or health issues. This is essential
because you could wind up with a horse that
is unable to meet your needs and/or is unable
to be sold to someone else. It is often a good
idea to use a third party veterinarian who is
not associated with anyone involved in the
transaction.
36 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013
10 The Final Decision
You and your instructor decided that
you were ready for a horse of your own that
will help you pursue your riding dreams. The
boarding facility has been chosen and you
have been looking at horses with your in-
structor. Finally, one horse really stands out
and you decide to have a pre-purchase exam
performed. At the end of the day, you’re left
with a lot of information and a HUGE deci-
sion. With the information gained, try to de-
termine if there are going to be other costs
associated with the maintenance
of this horse. For example, is ex-
tra training required for the horse
by a professional rider, vitamins
or supplements, or other minor
issues that add extra expenses?
Then ask yourself if you can afford
those extras. Lastly, follow your
heart. If the information you re-
ceived from all of the above steps
was positive, and you’re feeling
strongly that you should buy the
horse, or that you shouldn’t buy
the horse, follow your heart. It
usually will always lead you down
the path that’s right for you! NYP
As an avid equine lover, Dr. Suzanne L.
Fox has enjoyed the company of horses and
the privilege of riding them, for over 25 years.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in
Equine Science and then continued on to receive
her Doctor of Chiropractic degree, as well as her
Diplomate in Nutrition. Dr. Fox currently prac-
tices with her husband, Ryan, in their Chapel
Hill, NC office. They have a two-year old son,
Evan, who also shares her love of horses.
The Good, The Bad
and The
Lovey
Tough challenge for volunteer rehabbers
Lisa Acton

Well, where do I begin? Lovey was the first swan I ever

rehabilitated. The experience was amazing, physically
challenging, emotional, educational and expensive. But,
years later, when I think of him I still cannot help but feel
so much emotion. Let me start at the beginning. u
Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 37
M y friend Lia called me early one day to tell me about
an injured swan on Seven Lakes in Kent, NY. She asked
me if I could go check it out. Since I was never re-
ally close to a swan, I grabbed a large crate and headed over to the
lake. I was greeted by two lovely women who led me to the water’s
edge. They explained that Lovey and Beauty have been returning to
this lake for years and that the community loves them. But, they were
very concerned about Lovey. The two women kept the swan named
Beauty and her three cygnets busy with food while I tried to get closer
to Lovey, the injured male.
38 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013
One of the first things I realized was WOW – he is HUGE! I needed a
larger crate and some time to organize; this was going to be a serious
production. I could see that half of his foot was missing and I could not
get very close. As I approached, he swam off, but, hey, I love a chal-
lenge.
I left to acquire a much larger crate, one that was made for an adult
great dane. I ended up strapping it to the back of my pick-up truck. I
managed to recruit my daughter, Emily, along with the local fire de-
partment cold water rescue team. I have been a member of the fire de-
partment for some time, and I guess membership has its’ advantages.

Joe and Lisa Acton
carefully release
Lovey back to the wild
after his recovery.
Five firefighters, my daughter and I were now at the edge of the lake
trying to come up with a game plan. Two neighbors appeared with
boats and asked if they could help which I, of course, graciously ac-
cepted because I still had no clue how we were going to catch him.
Long story short; five hours, six boats and a team of firefighters later,
we finally caught the swan. Even though Lovey was injured, he still
knew all the hiding spots and could still swim very fast. I brought him
home and we were both exhausted. It was after six at night and the
veterinarian was no longer in. I resigned to take him first thing in the
morning, but, before I was able to rest, I needed to feed this fellow. So,
I began making what I now call Swan Stew: a variety of greens, veggies
and live fish. I made the stew and put it in front of him. He would not
eat and had his head tucked back into a sleep position. He was now
ignoring me. Seriously? Being new to this rehab game, I did what came
naturally; I sat down next to him and started talking in a hushed tone.
I told him he needed to eat and that all would be okay. Well, what did
I know? I thought it would calm him down and make him feel safe.
Now, after many years of doing rehab, I
learned that talking to wildlife increases
stress levels. I was just making him more
scared. Another “no no” is petting wild-
life, which is exactly what I did next. But
it gets worse, while I was chatting with
this HUGE beautiful animal, my husband
walked in to find me and the swan on our
kitchen floor. He, with his big heart, sat
down next to us. We splashed our hands
in the stew mix and continued petting
him. And, I am now sure it was nerves,
but, alas, he started eating. So, we kept
on petting.
The next morning Lovey looked ter-
rible. His normally bright orange beak
was pale and he was very weak. I was
freaking out and on the verge of tears. I
called Lia and she told me to “calm down, we can only do so much.” She
then called a Dr. Randell to see if he could see Lovey right away. Thank
goodness for her calmness because I was in a state of panic. Lia called
me right back to tell me that Dr. Martin Randell would see the swan im-
mediately. Lia informed me that she would meet me at the vet’s office
to help out. Dr. Randell is a wonderful, caring veterinarian who spends
a lot of his time assisting wildlife rehabbers. He has been so much help
to me and I am eternally grateful. He and his awesome staff met me
and helped me get Lovey inside. He told me he must clean the wounds
and the necrotic tissue and that MAYBE we can help this swan. They
would also sedate him, take X-rays and told me to call in a few hours.
Lia and I sadly made our way home.
As I learned over the years, another big “no no” for rehabbers is
getting emotionally attached to wild animals, which is really hard not
to do. I was already attached to Lovey at this point and so was my hus-
band. Yikes!! I could barely focus while I waited. At 4 p.m. I got a call
from Dr. Randell; he told me it was iffy, but I could pick the swan up.
Excited and optimistic, I called the two women from the lake area to
update them. Then, I headed to the vet’s office to get Lovey. I was de-
termined to fix and release the swan.
The long road to recovery started and over the next few weeks
Lovey was doing quite well. He was happily eating, swimming in his
pool, standing and walking with a limp. One Saturday I headed off to
work and left my husband on “swan duty.” My husband, who rarely
uses texting, sent me some photos of him and Lovey hanging out with
a message of “just chillin.” How cool!
Over the next month Joe (my husband) and I breathed and slept
swan. Between laundry, swan stew, medications and vet trips we were
getting nothing else done. The phone was constantly ringing with
swan questions from locals wanting to know how Lovey was doing. He
became an instant star and was featured in many of the local newspa-
pers. When they say “it takes a community to raise a child,” it apparently
Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 39
 also takes one to rehab a swan. Release day finally came.
Joe and I packed up Lovey and headed to the lake. Wow, there
were so many people. Local families, reporters, the firehouse crew
and many many more lined the lake. We asked everyone to be quiet
so as not to scare the swan. Beauty and her cygnets were there too!
We brought the crate to the water’s edge and opened it. Lovey was
excited and called to his family. He then walked out of the crate and
went straight to his family. It was breathtaking and I was crying like a
baby as reporters were trying to interview me. We were all so happy.
Over the next month, Joe and I went to visit Lovey and his family
at least once a week. It was literally like “empty nest syndrome” the
way we were missing him. The following month we made the trip a
little less often.
About eight weeks later we received a phone call from the ladies
at the lake asking us to come quick because something was wrong
with Lovey. He was lying at the shore and would not get up. Without
a crate, and in a frantic rush, Joe and I ran to the lake and found him
ill again. This, however, was very different. His family was not near
him (which is a very bad sign). When a swan is ill or injured to the
point of endangering the flock, the rest stay away. They cannot allow
themselves to become prey to other animals.
We took Lovey to our home and once again he was on our kitch-
en floor. We stayed up all night coaxing him to eat and to stay alive
until morning when the vet could seem him. Dr. Randell was off the
next morning, so I had to call another vet; Dr. Laurie Hess. (Dr. Hess
has also been a great help to me as a rehabber and has helped out
more times than I can count.)
Laurie agreed to see him so we travelled to her office. She did a
full exam and determined kidney failure. My heart started to break
and I will never forget the love and concern that Laurie had for Lovey
and me. We all sat on the floor and I cried my goodbyes. My heart
was broken and so was Joe’s. Laurie and her staff made Lovey as
comfortable as possible and he passed away. She sat with me the
entire time. I left the office, barely able to drive, and was convinced
that I would never rehab again.
That evening Laurie called to check on me and to assure me that
we had done the right thing. Lovey was at peace now.
The following spring I went to the lake to find that Beauty had
returned with a new male in her life. And, of course, there were three
cygnets. I, of course, went on to rehab other animals, but every time
I see a swan, I think of Lovey! NYP
Lisa Acton is a happily married mother of three, in addition to be-
ing VP of marketing and special projects for a technology company. She
somehow finds the extra hours to pursue her passion as a rehabber. She
obtained her state license and later her federal license and has rehabbed
at least 700 birds since 2008.

40 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

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Life with a
Why reptiles are
becoming more
popular as pets
Dominick Botte III

I have been fascinated

with snakes and have been
keeping and raising them
for almost 26 years. I still
can remember finding a
garter snake in the woods of Pennsylvania
when I was 12 years old and being captivated
by its movement, its beautiful colors and the
way the light reflected on its skin. I am now 38
and still as fascinated and captivated by snakes as
I was back then. The question is: Do snakes make
good pets? And, is a snake a good pet for you? u
42 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013

hen you think about a pet, usually the first thought
that comes to mind is a dog, cat, tropical fish or even a
parrot or parakeet. Snakes and reptiles, in general, are
usually not the first thing that pops into a person’s head when thinking
about a pet. Today, this is changing by leaps and bounds.
For over the past 20 years, snakes have become more popular as
pets. According to an American Pet Products Manufacturers Associa-
tion survey of pet owners, reptiles are among the most popular pets
being kept in the American household today.
Even though snakes are not warm, fuzzy and cuddly like a kitten;
nor do they come running to you for affection like a puppy or dog,
they can still make very rewarding and interesting pets. They can ac-
tually have more advantages than owning a dog or cat. For example,
snakes are hypoallergenic – they do not have hair or produce dander
that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. And, if there is
anyone in your family who is sensitive to fur, a snake can make an ex-
cellent pet.
Snakes are very easy to keep in cap-
tivity and are very low maintenance. They
only need to be fed and cleaned about
once every week on average. The water
should be changed on a daily basis. So, if
you are planning a trip or vacation, there
will not be much that has to be done
while you are away.
Another advantage is that keep-
ing a snake in your home takes up very
little space. Some people who really love
snakes have a small room dedicated to
keeping a snake collection. But, if you are
keeping only one snake, it can be placed
basically anywhere in your home. Some
families even keep their snakes displayed
in an attractive terrarium in their living
room which will make for interesting con-
versation when entertaining guests.
As far as your snake enclosure is con-
cerned, a snake requires very little space
and actually does prefer smaller quarters
as it provides them with a sense of safety. I
have found from experience that keeping
a snake in too large of an enclosure may
lead to stress and keep the snake from
thriving and doing well. When decorating
your snake enclosure, you can keep it very
simplistic, providing the bare essentials
a snake requires. Some of you may pre-
fer to provide a very naturalistic looking
environment; mimicking what the snake
would like in its natural outdoor habitat. Depending on the species,
the habitat will change. A nice selection of enclosures, supplies and
husbandry equipment can be found at your local pet store.
Snakes will do very well in captivity and there is a wide variety to
choose from. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. With selective
captive breeding for different colors and patterns, you can basically
choose almost any color of the rainbow and beyond for the snake spe-
cies you would like to keep.
Also from experience, I can tell you that there are certain species
that make great “first” pets. The corn snakes and king snakes from the
Colubridae family are fantastic firsts. These snakes range from three
to four feet at adult length making them a perfect small-to-medium
sized snake. The housing, temperature and feeding requirements are
very simple and their temperaments are great which makes them very
easy to handle. Your hardest decision would be to decide which color
to choose from as there is a mind-boggling variety of different color
Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 43
and pattern morphs. These snakes amazing escape artists. They are
are great for children and adults considered the “Harry Houdinis” of
alike and there are many websites, the animal world which is why you
books, magazines and hobbyists should always provide an escape-
from which you can get an abun- proof environment. Snakes are able
dance of information on their care. to squeeze through the smallest
Although keeping snakes is a Snakes are able to squeeze through hole and opening. Any weakness
low maintenance and relatively in your cage system that provides
simple hobby, it does require a cer-
the smallest hole and opening. a means of escape will be utilized
tain level of dedication and com- any weakness in your cage system by your pet. As well as being great
mitment. This will ensure that your escape artists, they are also known
snake remains happy and healthy.
that provides a means of escape to be able to hide very well in small
Most snakes can be expected to will be utilized by your pet. spaces. This is a natural instinct for
live 15 to 20 years and so their lon- snakes in the wild. It is their essential
gevity should be taken into consideration before choosing one as a means of survival against predators. In simple terms, try to remember
pet. that if your snake does escape, it will be tough to find. Keeping your
Snakes are cold-blooded animals; which means they cannot con- snake in an enclosure with locking doors, latches or clamps, will help
trol their body temperature. The body temperature of a snake is deter- to ensure that your friend remains safe and secure.
mined by the outside environment. For instance, a snake will bask in Feeding requirements for your snake are also important. Although
the sun to raise its temperature and will then retreat to the shade to snakes can be fed very infrequently, every one to two weeks, and don’t
cool its body down. In captivity, it is up to us to replicate this environ- require a large amount of food, they require whole animal foods. All
ment for our snake pets. Fortunately, you can find products such as snakes are carnivorous. This means they will eat lizards, other snakes,
specific heating pads, heat lamps and light fixtures available at many small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, snails or insects.
pet stores. In captivity, most snakes will readily feed on rodents. Having
Housing requirements are also very important since snakes are a favorite pet store that can provide mice and rats of different sizes

44 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

depending on the size of your snake is
very important. For example, baby corn
snakes will eat “pinkie” or newborn mice
and adult corn snakes will eat a full-grown
adult mouse. Most snakes are constrictors,
which means they will grab their prey with
a lightning-fast strike, hold on to it, wrap
around it and squeeze it. Even though
you can feed your snake live rodents, it is
potentially harmful to your snake, as the
rodent can bite and injure your snake. For
this reason, live food should never be left
for a long period in your snake’s enclosure.
Feeding live food to your snake should al-
ways be supervised.
Most snake keepers, including myself,
prefer to feed defrosted frozen mice or rats.
Many snakes readily eat defrosted rodents
and will keep your snakes from being in-
jured by live food. Pet stores that special-
ize in reptiles will be able to provide frozen
rodents in bulk and all you have to do is
find the proper size to feed your snake. The rodent should be no wider
than the widest part of your snake’s body. Your frozen rodent can be
defrosted either by leaving it out overnight or by defrosting in warm
water. It is not recommended to use a microwave for defrosting.
Giving water to your snake is very simple. Keep the water clean
and fresh. It should be changed on a daily
basis to stop bacteria from growing. If you
must go away for a day or two, it should be
fine. If your snake uses the water bowl as a
toilet, please ensure to wash and scrub the
bowl. Also make sure to wash your hands
well after handling the bowl. It is also a
healthy practice to wash your hands before
and after handling any reptile.
By following these simple guidelines,
and by doing some research before pur-
chasing a snake, it can make an extraordi-
nary pet for your entire family – one that I
think you will enjoy for many years to come.
A day does not go by where I don’t find
myself staring at my snakes in their enclo-
sures with the same interest, excitement
and passion that I have had since finding
that first garter snake in the woods when I
was 12 years old. NYP
Dominick Botte III lives in Carmel, NY,
and has been keeping and raising different
species of snakes for 26 years and breeding snakes for the last four years.
His captive breeding program includes ball pythons, boa constrictors, corn
snakes and western hognose snakes. His business is called Big Wheel Rep-
tiles and can be found on Facebook. You can contact Dominick with any
questions or info by email Botz72@aol.com
Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 45
Bird O n the home page, first you pick
the species of your bird. This is
important since different spe-

Food
cies have different nutritional requirements.
While the list of birds is far from comprehen-
sive, it does include most of the common
species or species groups, such as cockatoos,
macaws, Amazons, African greys, cockatiels,
budgies, and others.
After selecting a species, you select a

Facts
food category. The first menu has fruit, meat/
eggs/protein, miscellaneous, nuts/beans/
seed, packaged bird food, and vegetables.
You add the category, and then a submenu
appears. There are 30 types of fruit, 15 types
of meat/eggs/protein, 64 types of miscel-
laneous items, 38 types of nuts/beans/seed,
and 27 types of vegetables listed currently.

A new resource helps The list of packaged bird foods is enormous,

with products from 17 major bird food

you choose the right companies. I presume these lists are being
expanded over time. If you feed your bird

balance of feed something not on the list, pick something

close. For example, I feed my birds Swiss
chard, which is not listed, so I chose kale as
Amy Hopkins a close approximation. There’s a link to click
on if you want them to add a food not al-

Have you ever wanted to know more about what
you feed your bird? And what would happen if
you adjusted the diet? ZuPreem has come up with
a great new site called BirdFoodFacts.com that
ready listed. I’ve shown screenshots here of
a sample diet for my cockatiels. (Note - after
writing this article, I asked them to add Swiss
Chard, and they did.)
After you pick a food item, it asks you to
enter the percentage of the diet this item
represents. Once you’ve entered one item,

calculates the content of your bird’s diet for you. go up to the main menu and pick the next
item to add. Repeat this until you’ve entered

46 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

the bird’s total diet. Your birds may not get
the exact same diet each day, so try to pick
a sample diet. Not all treat items are listed
(though you can always request that they
be), but these should not represent a signifi-
cant portion of the diet or they wouldn’t be
treats. There are many things on the miscella-
neous list, in particular, that shouldn’t be part
of any bird’s diet, such as cheese puffs (salt),
donuts (sugar), and iced tea (caffeine), but
are included so that you can honestly evalu-
ate your bird’s diet.
Once you have a list that adds up to 100
percent, click on the Analyze Nutrition but-
ton. The screen gives you comparative diet
results and implications. There are four sets
of bar graphs analyzing your bird/s diet for
protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. These are
compared against the ideal diet range for
that species. Below that is a description of
the role these four factors play in a bird’s
diet. If you click on “learn more”, even more
information comes up, with
tips on how to increase or
decrease that dietary ele-
there are four sets of bar
ment, as needed. Also in- graphs analyzing your
cluded under Frequently
Asked Questions are a vari- bird/s diet for protein, fat,
ety of diet topics, including fiber, and moisture. these
common medical problems
caused by feeding, advice are compared against the
on food diets, seed versus
pellets, foods to avoid, in-
ideal diet range for that
formation on vitamin and species. Below that is a
mineral supplements, and
how to deal with picky
description of the role
birds. Additional informa- these four factors play in
tion available includes tips
and directions on convert- a bird’s diet.
ing your bird’s diet, find a
pet food store/breeder/club/retailer near coming down the line. I strongly encourage with 10 percent French fries and 10 percent
you, and learn more about avian health and everyone to try analyzing your bird’s diet so grapes, the diet is still within range, but the
nutrition. A disclaimer advises you that this you can see what you’re really feeding your fat went up from 4.1 percent to 5.23 percent,
information is only for adult, non-breeding bird. Keep in mind that the percentages you and the protein dropped from 11.56 percent
birds. There is an “edit diet” button so you can enter are what the bird is actually eating, to 10.45 percent, indicating a diet going in
make adjustments to see how revising your not necessarily what you provide. Also, with the wrong direction. But if I had just entered
bird’s diet can affect these numbers. seed mixes, your bird may be picking out this as the only diet, I might believe that this
While this site is sponsored by ZuPreem, certain seed items selectively, so the analysis is a healthy diet, which is not true. So the lack
that is not obvious, and only one little com- may not be totally accurate. And while that of information on overall health of the diet,
ment on the side mentions that they are the almond or grape may not look like much, it particularly with regard to salt, vitamins, and
“No. 1 selling pelleted bird food brand in the could be a bigger part of your bird’s diet by minerals, can be misleading.
U.S.” The site is surprisingly free of commer- percentage than you think it is, so try to be Still and all, this is a great new resource
cial bias, with most major bird food brands honest about what you enter. provided by the people at ZuPreem which
represented. One of the best uses of this site is to will help all of us be more knowledgeable
It would be nice to see vitamin and min- compare diets so you can see what effect a about what we are feeding our birds. I en-
eral analysis also in addition to the four cat- change has, rather than just looking to see courage everyone to give it a try. NYP
egories provided, but the information on if the diet falls within range. For example, Amy Hopkins, www.theparrotclub.org, The
this site is quite useful. Perhaps this will be if I edit the diet above to be 80% Avi-Cakes Parrot Club.

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 47

The herbivore dieT
The essential components for
a healthy small animal
Lucas Stock

As any pet owner of a small herbivore will tell you, animals such as rabbits,
guinea pigs and chinchillas make exceptional companions with personalities
full of warmth and constant surprises. Once considered “throw away” pets, a
concerted, collective effort by leading manufacturers and top veterinarians
to educate consumers has led to exponential increases in the lifespan of
these animals. When properly cared for, animals such as rabbits can live many
years, bringing endless joy into the lives of those who care for them.

50 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

t here are some basic, yet im-
portant nutritional guide-
lines to follow in order to
ensure the long-term health and
wellbeing of your herbivore. Oxbow
Animal Health (Murdock, NE) recom-
mends the following nutritional per-
centages for a healthy daily diet:
• High fiber hay – 75%
• Complete, fortified food – 20%
• Treats/Greens – 5%
• Water available at all times

Hay—all day, every day

Due to their unique digestive sys-
tems, small herbivores require the
constant motion of high fiber food
through their gastrointestinal tracts
for optimum health. High fiber grass
hays help animals such as rabbits,
guinea pigs, and chinchillas main-
tain intestinal balance, helping to
prevent digestive problems com-
mon among small herbivores. Addi-
tional benefits of hay include proper
dental wear on your pet’s teeth,
which continuously grow and can
easily become problematic during
the adult years.
For these reasons, small herbi-
vores should have unlimited access
to quality grass hay. Hay should
be fed “free choice” (available at all
times) and should make up at least
75 percent of a small herbivore’s
daily diet. As a general recommen-
dation, rabbits should eat a pile of
hay approximately the size of their
body every day. Guinea pigs, mean-
while, should consume a pile of hay
approximately twice the size of their
body. In reality, a pet owner cannot offer too much hay to their pet her- pellet, animals of all ages can benefit from the inclusion of grass hay in
bivore. Hay that is not immediately eaten will be used for foraging, bur- their daily diet. Offering grass hay to young pets encourages variety
rowing and general enrichment. and makes the eventual alfalfa to grass hay transition easier when the
time comes.
aLfaLfa VS. GraSS Hay Purchasing hay through a trusted manufacturer is the first step to-
Young pets (one year or under) require more energy than their adult ward assuring a pet is receiving “the best of the best.” Because hay is a
counterparts. This energy should come primarily in the form of alfalfa; product of Mother Nature, a certain level of variability is inevitable from
a legume hay with the same long-strand fiber found in grass hays, but one crop to the next. For this reason, it’s important to understand your
with more protein, energy and calcium. Pregnant or nursing pets will hay supplier’s quality assurance measures. While purchasing bulk hay
also benefit from the inclusion of alfalfa in their diets. When animals in bale form can provide a good value up front, assuring the quality
reach adulthood, they should be transitioned to grass hays with lower of such hay is not entirely possible. A branded, packaged hay is more
protein and calcium. Popular grass hay options for adult herbivores in- likely to have been inspected to meet high quality standards.
clude Western Timothy, Oat Hay, Orchard Grass, USDA Organic Meadow
Hay (hay blended with fragrant herbs, and others). Variety – the Spice of Life
While young animals and animals that are pregnant or nursing re- Much like their human caretakers, small herbivores can benefit from
quire the added energy offered through alfalfa hay and an alfalfa-based a certain amount of variety in their daily diet. Every animal is unique,

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 51

 Healthy Pets Want Healthy Owners
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52 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013
and many will develop favorites when it comes to different varieties
of hay. Because all grass hays are nutritionally similar (alfalfa hay is ex-
cluded here, as it has a different nutritional make up), it’s safe to mix
and match amongst grass hay varieties. Pet owners are encouraged to
experiment to find out which combinations of hay their companion
enjoys best. By keeping a pet’s mealtime interesting, owners can help
ensure the necessary intake of hay, thereby helping prevent potential
health problems (such as gastric stasis and dental disease) which may
arise as a result of decreased consumption.
When offering hay to your small herbivore, you may notice a ten-
dency by your pet to eat the most tender parts of the plant first, leav-
ing behind the stems. Avoid the temptation to remove the stems from
your pet’s cage. Instead, mix the stems in with new hay to encourage
your pet to eat them and thereby consume the valuable fiber con-
tained within.
FortiFied Foods
Valuable vitamins and minerals in pellet form
While unlimited hay provides the fiber necessary to keep a small
herbivore’s digestive system moving properly, vitamins and minerals
are supplied in the form of a complete fortified food. Approximately
20 percent of a small herbivore’s diet should come from a measured
amount of a high quality fortified food.
As with hay, it’s important to keep in mind a pet’s physiology
when choosing a fortified food. Many conventional feeds contain fats,
sugars, starches in the form of nuts, corn, seeds, and fruit. Pet owners
should avoid these items, as small herbivores such as rabbits, guinea
pigs and chinchillas are not designed to digest them. Instead, choose
an all natural food which contains an ideal amount of fiber, carbohy-
drates and proteins. A uniform feed will help avoid selective eating
habits associated with mixes. An alfalfa-based pellet is appropriate for
young, pregnant and nursing pets, while a timothy hay-based pellet is
best for adults.
TreaTs and Veggies
Tasty enrichment in moderation
Offering your pet treats is a great way to bond with your companion.
The most important thing to remember when shopping for treats is
that they should never make up a significant part of a pet’s diet—less
than 5 percent. Offering too many treats can lead to your pet refusing
basic foods.
When choosing treats, look for all-natural options that don’t in-
clude any added sugar. Instead, opt for healthy treats made with high
fiber hay, herbs and freeze-dried fruits and veggies rather than fat,
added sugars, or starches. Making a healthy choice in the treat aisle
ensures that you can always offer your pet a healthy option you can
feel good about.
Many pet owners enjoy offering their companions fresh veggies
as a part of their daily diet. Appropriate veggies are a great addition
to a pet’s diet, but should be given in only a specific amount each
day. Good options include greens such as romaine, bib and red leaf
lettuces. Iceberg lettuce should be avoided, as it might cause diges-
tive upset. For an extensive list of healthy, appropriate greens, visit the
House Rabbit Society’s website (www.rabbit.org).

supplemenTs
Supplements are designed to do just as their name implies – to sup-
plement a pet’s diet with beneficial nutritional components. While
some supplements (such as stabilized Vitamin C for guinea pigs) are
essential to a pet’s daily health, others are designed to support well-
ness in pets. Pet owners should always consult with their veterinarian
prior to introducing a supplement into their pet’s diet. When feeding a
supplement, it is important to always follow feeding instructions.
For more information about appropriate nutrition for small herbi-
vores, visit www.oxbowanimalhealth.com. NYP
Lucas Stock, Oxbow Animal Health; 29012 Mill Road, Murdock, NE
68407 USA; info@oxbowanimalhealth.com

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 53

 FaSHioN
Doggy Catwalk
How fashion can help raise your dog’s self-esteem
By Michelle Harding
Did you know that dressing your dog in some fashion-
able outfits can actually raise their self-esteem as well
as yours? It is no surprise that the average American
adores our four-legged furry friends so much that they
may sometimes go to extreme lengths to show affec-
tion by purchasing extravagant outfits. More and more,
we are seeing dogs in movies, on reality shows, shop-
ping with their companions, driving in car seats, and
even walking the Red Carpet. It is no surprise that we
are living in a society where dogs are being viewed as
fashion icons.
Do you know that dogs actually enjoy wearing
clothes? They might not tell you outright, but surely
you would understand by the way they jump around
and walk proudly, especially when you’re outdoors in
public view. People use clothes to show off their per-
sonality daily, why shouldn’t your pet?
Dressing your dog comfortably for different weath-
er patterns can actually reduce anxieties and make
your pet feel snug and secure. It also allows them to
maintain body temperature, especially in the cooler
months. In doing so, we, as natural caretakers, have our
maternal needs met as well. When we care for another,
it’s no surprise that our natural maternal well-being
gets a boost.
54 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013
Spending time with a pet can lower anxiety and
stress levels. Why do you think there are therapy dogs
that are now being used to treat certain psychological
disorders? The love and devotion you receive from a
dog is the best “woof medicine.”
For an animal to bring such unconditional support,
it’s no wonder we strive to treat them as equals. They
are our endlessly devoted and faithful friends to the
end. Our dogs just want to spend time and do what we
humans do. So when you
are picking out an outfit Dressing your dog
and feeling good about
yourself, make sure you
comfortably for different
take time to pick out one weather patterns can actually
for your pooch as well. The
unconditional love creates
reduce anxieties and make
a bond that will be trea- your pet feel snug and secure.
sured for a lifetime.
Social connection in society is equally important
to raising self esteem. Dressing your dog could actu-
ally promote a better, happier lifestyle for both you and
your pooch.
It’s a well-known reality that dogs draw extra atten-
tion when in public view. Dressing your pooch is a sure
sign that you will grab the publics’ attention. Now what
 pet does not like to be the center of attention? They like
to be petted, hugged, praised, and cuddled. They thrive
on being shown affection. The proper outfit will make
your dog feel like a million bucks and raise self-esteem.
When our dogs feel good and display behavior such as
jumping, licking, and wagging of the tail, naturally our
esteem raises.
Allow your pooch to show their cuddly kind nature
by dressing them and taking them out in the public’s
eye. Did you know that having a pet breaks social barri-
ers and feelings of isola-
Did you know that having tion for people who are
shy or having trouble
a pet breaks social barriers making friends?
and feelings of isolation for Much like children,
dogs thrive on routine
people who are shy or having and structure. However,
trouble making friends? sometimes we all get
stuck in a “ruff-spot” with
our lives. The majority of days in a pet’s life are quite
predictable; i.e., eating, napping, going for walks and
potty breaks. Let your pup show off their personal-
ity by choosing clothes that show off their inner diva.
Whether your pup is tough, flirtatious, or sassy, have
them dress the part.
Staying active and pursuing positive physical
health is critical for good self esteem. When you get
ready in the morning, your dog wants to also. Everyone
yearns for someone to be envious of them and it might
as well be a dog. Believe it or not a dog wants to do
many activities that you take part in. Think about eat-
ing dinner, wouldn’t your K-9 companion enjoy joining
you at the table eating your delicious food? When you
go for a walk, does your favorite pooch wag with ex-
citement at the pure thought that you might be reach-
ing for a leash?
A tired happy dog is more content and less emo-
tional. The more time you spend outside, the more en-
ergy we, as humans, burn. In addition, it is less likely
your dog will misplace its energy on mischievous acts.
So, try doing it in a trendy way with matching jogging
outfits.
All in all, dressing your pampered pooch in some
stylish clothing is a win win for both of you. Life is
meant to be enjoyable and what better way to enjoy
life than by spending time with your lovable compan-
ions and pampering them. It will boost your psycho-
logical well-being and aid in bonding time. You will stay
socially connected with others while keeping you and
your “fashionista” active.
Whatever outfits you choose for your K-9 compan-
ion, enjoy the benefits of raising their self-esteem as
well as yours in an upscale, fashionable way. NYP
Michelle Harding is owner of Celebipaws.

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Spring/Summer 2013 | nY peTS magazine 55

distribution
directory

We invite you to support our neighbors distributing this magazine

Aardvark Pet Supplies, Inc. Big Apple Car DeCicco Family Markets
58 Washington Ave. Brooklyn, NY 50 Independent Way
Pleasantville, NY 10570 718-236-7788 Brewster, NY 10509
(914) 747-4848 www.bigapplecar.com (845) 278-8036
www.deciccos.com
Accord Plaza Feeds Brewster Veterinary Hospital
4739 US Highway 209 3455 Danbury Road Depot Wines and Liquors
Accord, NY 12404 Brewster, NY 10509 100 Independent Way
(845) 626-7675 (845) 279-5053 Brewster, NY 10509
Accordplazafeeds.webs.com www.brewstervet.com (845) 279-0112
www.depotwine.com
Animal Kingdom USA Brook Farm Veterinary Center
100 A Independent Way 2371 Route 22 D’s Bagels & Brunch
Brewster, NY 10509 Patterson, NY 12563 49 Lake Road
(845) 278-6400 (845) 746-9333 Congers, NY 10920
www.animalkingdomusa.com www.brookfarmveterinarycenter.com (845) 589-0777

Animal Rescue Ark Brusarah Pet Grooming Earth Angels Veterinary Hospital
PO Box 345 904 South Lake Blvd. 8 Nancy Court
Patterson, NY 12563 Mahopac, NY 10541 Wappingers, Falls, NY 12590
(845) 319-7701 (845) 621-2405 (845) 227-7297
www.animalrescueark.org www.brusarahpetgrooming.com www.earthangelsvet.com

Baldwin Place Animal Hospital Carmel Animal Hospital Emmanuel’s Pet-Agree

21 Miller Road 235 Route 52 Stone Ridge Plaza
Mahopac, NY 10541 Carmel, NY 10512 3853 Main Street
(845) 628-0191 (845) 225-4200 Stone Ridge, NY 12484
www.bpajvet.com (845) 687-2500
Cat Care Clinic
Benson’s Pet Center 127 South Broadway Feeds Plus, Inc.
12 Fire Road South Nyack, NY 10960 4286 Albany Post Road
Clifton Park, NY 12065 (845) 353-5343 Hyde Park, NY 12538
(518) 373-1007 (845) 229-0648
Bensonspet.com Cefola’s Clarkstown Auto Lube www.feedsplusny.web.com
143 Route 303
Benson’s Pet Center Valley Cottage, NY 10989 Feeds Plus, Inc.
197 Wolf Road (845) 268-3138 19 Vassar Road
Colonie, NY 12205 Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
(518) 435-1738 Chip Awee Pets (845) 214-0777
Bensonspet.com 3043 Buhre Ave www.feedsplusny.web.com
Bronx, NY 10461
Benson’s Pet Center (718) 684-2800 Ferals In Peril
3083 Route 50 www.feralsinperil.org
Wilton, NY 12866 Chris’ Automotive Center
(518) 584-7777 349 New York 52 Fred’s Pet Center
Bensonspet.com Carmel, NY 10512 11 Spring Valley Market Place
(845) 225-3054 Spring Valley, NY 10977
Benson’s Pet Center www.chrisautomotive.com (845) 425-4848
118 Quaker Road
Queensbury, NY 12804 Codys Cozy Pals Furry Fiends
(518) 793-6655 328 Old Niskauna Road 630 West 207th Street
Bensonspet.com Latham, NY 2210 New York, NY 10034
Codyscozypals.com (212) 942-0222
(518) 786- 7257

56 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

Furry Rascals Leichter Chiropractic New England Equine Practice
3915 Broadway 155 South Liberty Drive 2933 New York 22
New York, NY 10032 Stony Point, NY 10980 Patterson, NY 12563
(212) 923-0000 (845) 942-4355 (845) 878-7500
Mark2222@drmarkl.com
GE Masten Feed Store, Inc. NickBee’s Eco Store
Route 44 & West Road Liberty Agway Home & Garden Center 56B South Center Street
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 11 Bon Jovi Lane Millerton, NY
(845) 635-2553 Liberty, NY 12754 (518) 592-1177
www.mastenfeed.com (845) 292-7220 www.nickbees.com
www.libertyagway.com
Goldens Bridge Veterinary Care Center Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital
15 Anderson Lane Lucas Pet Supply 44 Mill Plain Road
Goldens Bridge, NY 10526 30 Joys Lane Danbury, CT 06811
(914) 232-8800 Kingston, NY 12401 (203) 743-9999
www.goldensbridgevet.com (845) 331-2469 www.noahsarkanimalhosp.com
www.lucaspets.com
Guchi Dog Grooming PatterPaws Animal Hospital
114 Gleneida Avenue (Rte. 52) Mac’s Farm & Garden World 76 Route 22
Carmel, NY 10512 145 Route 32 North Pawling, NY 12564
(845) 225-5999 New Paltz, NY 12561 (845) 319-9331
www.guchidoggrooming.com (845) 255-0050 Patterpawsvet.com
www.newpaltzagway.com
Happy Days Kennels Inc. Pawling Animal Clinic
AKC Registered #0216 Mac’s Farm & Garden World 550 Route 22
1395 Route 6 68 Firehouse Lane Pawling, NY 12564
Carmel, NY 10512 Red Hook, NY 12571 (845) 350-0043
(845) 225-2463 (845) 876-1559 www.pawlinganimalclinic.com
www.Happydayspetresort.com www.newpaltzagway.com
Pet Nutrition Center
Happy Paws Pet Resort Midway Wine & Liquors 115 E. Route 59
316 Lafayette Street 973 Central Park Avenue Nanuet, NY 10954
New York, NY 10012 Scarsdale, NY 10583 (845) 623-3214
(212) 431-6898 (914) 874-5444
happypawsinc.com Pet Palace of New City
Mike’s Feed Farm 174 So. Main Street
Hartsdale Veterinary Hospital 90 Hamburg Turnpike New City, N.Y. 10956
193 East Hartsdale Avenue Riverdale, NJ 07457 (845) 638-1378
Hartsdale, NY 10530 (973) 839-7747 www.petpalaceonline.com
(914) 723-4006 Mikesfeedfarm.com
www.hartsdalevet.com Pets Place II
Millerton Veterinary Practice 120 East Route 59
Heritage Feed & Supply 199 Route 44 Nanuet, NY 10954
2812 Route 17K Millerton, NY 12546 (845) 623-5565
Bullville, NY 10915 (518) 789-3440 www.petsplaceII.com u
(845) 361-4081
www.heritagefeedsupply.com Mt. Kisco Veterinary Clinic
474 Lexington Avenue
Hudson Highlands Veterinary Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Medical Group (914) 241-3337
222 Lime Kiln Road www.mtkiscovetclinic.com
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
(845) 335-4180
www.hudsonhighlandsvet.com

K-9 Caterers
82-02 Cooper Avenue
Glendale, NY 11385
(718) 894-2416

Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center

546 N. Bedford Road
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
(914) 241-7700

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 57

Pine Bush Agway & Home Sand Creek Animal Hospital The Dog Obedience Girl (D.O.G.)
105 Depot Street 130 Wolf Road (914) 419-8958
Pine Bush, NY 12566 Albany, NY 12205 www.thedogobediencegirl.com
(845) 744-2011 (518) 446-9171
www.pinebushagway.com www.sandcreekanimalhospital.com The Natural Pet Center
609 Route 208
Pine Grove Dude Ranch Sarah Hodgson Gardiner, NY 12525
30 Cherrytown Road Katonah, NY 10536 (845) 255-7387
Kerhonkson, NY 12446 (914) 241-1111
(845) 626-7345 www.Whendogstalk.com The Pet Pub
www.pinegroveranch.com 717 Bedford Road
Somers Animal Hospital Bedford Hills, NY 10570
Pleasantville Animal Hospital 352 Route 202 (914) 241-3059
479 Marble Avenue Somers, NY 10589 www.thepetpub.net
Pleasantville, NY 10507 (914) 277-3686
(914) 769-3700 www.somersanimalhospital.com Tri-State Aquarium
www.pleasantvillevet.com 191-8 Route 59
SPCA of Westchester Suffern, NY 10901
Pooch Paradise, Dog Grooming Salon 590 North State Road (845) 918-1707
18 Mill Plain Road Briarcliff, NY 10510
Danbury, CT 06811 (914) 762-8312 Veterinary Center for Birds and Exotics
(203) 748-6668 shelter@spca914.org 709 Bedford Rd
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
Puppy Love Spoiled Brats (914) 864-1414
37 Lake Avenue Ext. 4 Bennett Avenue www.avianexoticsvet.com
Danbury, CT 06811 New York, NY 10033
(203) 743-5400 (212) 543-2202 Walden Animal Deli
www.loveapuppy.com Spoiledbratsnyc.net 145 Hepper Street
Walden, NY 12586
Putnam Humane Society Spoiled Brats (845) 778-5252
68 Old Rt. 6 340 West 49th Street #1 www.loveallyourpets.com
Carmel, NY 10512 New York, NY 10033
(845) 225-7777 (212) 459-1615 Westchester Champion Dog Training
www.puthumane.org Spoiledbratsnyc.net 914-224-6110
www.westchesterchampiondogtraining.com
River & Reef Aquarium Spring Valley Animal Hospital
973 Main Street 151 Route 59 West End Veterinary Office
Fishkill, NY 12524 Monsey, NY 10952 41 Fullerton Avenue
(845) 896-7555 (845) 356-8616 Newburgh, NY 12550
www.riverandreefaquarium.com (845) 565-0804
Stephanie’s Pet Services www.westendvetoffice.com
Rockland Holistic Veterinary Care (914) 270-3175
626 Route 303 Stephspetsitting64@gmail.com Wings Over Water
Blauvelt, NY 10913 Serving Putnam County 1511 New York 22
(845) 348-SPAY Brewster, NY 10509
Email: RHVC@optonline.net Sue’s Zoo (845) 279-9525
18 New Paltz Plaza www.wingsoverwater.com
Roosevelt Veterinary Center New Paltz, NY 12561
393 Main Street (845) 255-5797 Yorktown Animal Hospital
Beacon, NY 12508 271 Veterans Road
(845) 202-7129 The Barn Yard Feed & Pet Supply Yorktown Heights, NY
www.rooseveltvet.com 462 Route 28 (914) 962-3111
Kingston, NY 12401 www.vetsnyc.com
Roosevelt Veterinary Center (845) 339-2287
1515 New York 22 #3D
Brewster, NY 10509 The Complete Aquarium
(845) 207-5153 736 N. Bedford Road
www.rooseveltvet.com Bedford Hills, NY 10570
(714) 244-9174
Rye Harrison Veterinary Hospital
170 North Street
Rye, NY 10580
(914) 921-2000
www.rhvh.com

58 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013

 Talking to Animals
Communication and Reiki: perfect together

Jennifer Dickman

As a professional animal communicator, I’m often asked

the question: “Just what is animal communication?” Quite
simply, animal communication is intentional telepathic
communication between a person and an animal.

I say “intentional” because all of us who

have companion animals communicate
with them telepathically at a subcon-
scious level without even realizing it. A great
example of this is when you “suddenly” realize
it’s time to give your cat her food. Nine out of
10 times it’s not that you “realized” it, but that
your cat thrust that idea into your head.
Cambridge biologist Dr. Rupert Shel-
drake has done a great deal of scientific re-
search proving that animals communicate
telepathically with their families, which you
can explore on his website at http://www.
sheldrake.org/Research/telepathy/.
Professional animal communicators have
developed this telepathic ability to the ex-
tent that they are able to communicate back
and forth with animals at will. It’s much like
having a conversation with another person,
except animals communicate more in im-
ages and feelings than in words. This is why
it takes training and experience for an animal
communicator to be able to give and receive
clear and accurate messages. But, it’s also a
great help, in that language is not a barrier.
I recently did a session with a dog from a
Spanish-speaking home, but had no trouble
communicating with the dog and relaying
the information to his “Mom” in English. I also
once did a session with a dog in Saudi Ara-
bia who had originally only been spoken to
in Arabic.
There are many reasons one might want
to consult an animal communicator. I’m often
called in to mediate between animals that
aren’t getting along, to get to the bottom of
inexplicable or “problem” behaviors and to
find out about past histories of adopted ani-
mals. While I’m not a veterinarian and never

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 59

allow myself to be used as a substitute for of hands. During a Distance Reiki session, the Reiki provides the same benefits for ani-
veterinary care, I’m able to get an animal’s Reiki practitioner uses specific techniques mals as it does for people. Additionally, Reiki
perspective as to whether or not he or she is learned in Reiki training to transmit the Reiki treatments can help animals adjust to new
ready to cross over, and can also help explain treatment to the subject. environments, assist in overcoming behav-
symptoms and behaviors from the animal’s Reiki has become increasingly well- ioral problems, and help animals to over-
point of view. A large part of my practice con- accepted by the medical mainstream in re- come traumas such as abuse, neglect and
sists of communicating with animals on the cent years, and is currently offered in many the loss of an owner or animal buddy. Reiki
“other side” which provides a great deal of respected hospitals, including The Memorial can also be sent to the relationship between
comfort and closure for both the animals and Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Na- a pet and a person, or the relationship be-
their families. tional Institutes of Health Warren Grant Mag- tween two pets. Reiki can ease an animal’s
While every animal communicator works nuson Clinical Center. transition to the next life, both physically and
slightly differently, I’ve chosen to employ my While not a direct cure for illness, Reiki emotionally.
own technique, combining animal commu- can profoundly assist the body’s natural While both Reiki and animal communi-
nication and the energy healing cation are valuable and effec-
technique Reiki, which I’ve aptly tive on their own, I’ve found the
(and not so creatively) named
Reiki treatments can help animals adjust combination of the two to be
“Animal Communication Reiki”. to new environments, assist in overcoming unparalleled in its benefits. The
I’ve found that employing Reiki next time you are facing a diffi-
during my animal communica- behavioral problems, and help animals to cult situation with your animal
tion sessions both enhances overcome traumas such as abuse, neglect companions, or would just like
the level of communication and to obtain information or assis-
increases the benefits of the ses- and the loss of an owner or animal buddy. tance, I hope you’ll contact an
sions for the animals. I also offer animal communicator and/or
distance Reiki sessions on their own for both healing process, as well as support emo- animal Reiki practitioner. Most practitioners
animals and people. While many people are tional and spiritual healing. Reiki promotes offer distance services, so even if you live in
already familiar with Reiki and its benefits, relaxation and stress reduction. Many people a remote area, finding someone to help you
perhaps an explanation is in order. who receive Reiki treatments report reduc- should not be a problem. NYP
Reiki is an ancient and widely-practiced tion in pain, reduction in the severity of their Jennifer Dickman is an Animal Communica-
form of energy healing. During a Reiki treat- symptoms, faster recovery from injuries and tor, Reiki Master-Teacher specializing in Animal
ment, a trained Reiki practitioner transmits surgery and increased energy and feelings Reiki, and Intuitive Counselor. She is available for
Reiki energy (life-force energy, e.g. chi) to of well-being. In addition to achieving all of phone sessions worldwide and can be reached at
the person, animal, or situation receiving the the above, Distance Reiki can be sent to past 215.817.0833 or Jennifer_Dickman@ymail.com.
treatment. During an in-person session, this events and traumas and to future events, More information is available on Jennifer’s web
energy is transmitted through the laying on such as job interviews. site: www.JenniferDickman.com.

60 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPRiNg/SuMMER 2013

 peT
LegiSLaTiOn

Pet LegisLation
new regulations affecting you and your pets

T he 2011-2012 session was very busy for the

State of New York with respect to compan-
ion animals. The Empire State saw more than
230 pieces of pet-related legislation introduced at the
state and local level.
The most notable statute enacted affecting pets
and pet owners in the state are the amendments to
New York’s Pet Dealer Act. The Act—supported by the
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), the Ameri-
can Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(ASPCA), and others—was amended to strengthen
standards of care requirements for pet dealers and
requires the implementation of an appropriate plan
for the exercise of animals in their possession. Doing
so protects animal welfare and ensures consumers are
able to buy happy, healthy pets.
The 2013-2014 legislative session is shaping up to
be just as busy with regard to pets. Dog owners in New
York may soon be required to successfully complete
obedience training in order to obtain a dog license
(Senate Bill 694), adding an
additional expense to be-
ing a pet owner. Senate Bill
342 would require pet own-
ers to have a microchip im-
planted in their dog by the
age of four months for iden-
tification purposes. The pro-
posed legislation also calls
for the establishment of a Dog owners in new York may
state registry to maintain soon be required to successfully
records for each dog micro-
chipped. While providing complete obedience training
an appropriate means of in order to obtain a dog license
identifying a pet dog is part
of being a responsible pet (Senate Bill 694).
owner, consumers should
be concerned since micro-chipping would be the only created “New York animal shelter and wildlife rehabili-
acceptable means of identification to satisfy this man- tator account” to subsidize animal shelters and wildlife
date should the bill pass. rehabilitation. Consumers should be aware that, while Contact:
www.PIJAC.org
Senate Bill 334 would institute a 5% surcharge on funding shelters and wildlife rehabilitation is an impor- info@PIJAC.org
any animal sale from pet dealers, while Senate Bill 1028 tant and worthwhile cause, such a mandate places an 202-452-1525
seeks a 12% surcharge. Both bills dictate that funds col- unfair burden on the consumer in the form of higher
lected from the surcharge would then establish a newly prices on pet products they purchase. nYP

Spring/Summer 2013 | nY peTS magazine 61

 Pet trends
Our roving reporter found these new and upcoming products at a recent industry-
wide pet show. These products might make caring for your pet a little easier.
Katya Sniderman

dogpaCer - dogpaCer
Let’s face it, not everyone loves the rain and snow. Many of us
try to avoid it as much as possible. But one thing you should not
avoid is providing your dog with exercise, especially as obesity
is becoming a serious problem in the canine world.
dogPACER is a pet lifestyle and wellness brand,
which has launched two sizes of treadmills
for your dog: the MiniPacer for dogs un-
der 55 lbs. and the LF 3.1 for dogs under
179 lbs.
dogPACER has recently launched
a new line of treadmills, the Elite Dog
Treadmill, which aids veterans and
military dogs by donating $50 of ev-
ery treadmill sold as well as matching
that donation for a total of $100.
www.dogpacer.com

Green -The Company of animals

Green is a new, fun way to feed your dog. Not only is it entertaining
for you, it is mentally stimulating and challenging for your dog. You
pour in the desired amount of dog food and off they go. The design
also slows down how quickly your dog eats. This reduces gagging,
gas, and the risk of ‘bloating’, which can be fatal in some cases. The
Green is dishwasher safe and can be used for multiple sizes of dog.
www.companyofanimals.us

62 NY Pets MagaziNe | sPriNg/suMMer 2013

 Dart Duo- Frolicat
Move over old school cat toys, it’s time for an upgrade. The Dart Duo is
a sleek, modern looking rotating light with two lasers to keep your cat
(or dog) active and entertained. There are 16 different speed and timer
combinations to keep your kitty on the prowl. www.frolicat.com u

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Spring/Summer 2013 | nY petS magazine 63

sElf-clEanIng BEtta aquarIum -
no clEan aquarIums
This self-cleaning Betta aquarium is perfect for the home,
office, or an introduction to aquariums. There are no cords,
filters, or spills. Simply pour clean water into the tank and the
“hydrostatic equilibrium self-cleaning system” (and physics)
forces the dirty water up the tube and out of the tank. That
whole process also takes only 60 seconds. Another benefit
of this tank is the fish never have to be removed from their
environment, which can be stressful on your finned friend.
www.nocleanaquariums.com
64 NY PETS MagaziNE | SPriNg/SuMMEr 2013
tracErz- InnovEt
One to two percent of pets worldwide will lose their vision, so
Innovet came up with a clever solution to help guide blind cats
and dogs around your home. Small, scent-based location mark-
ers can be placed throughout the home to help your blind pet
“smell” their way around. Each marker is made up of safe, pleas-
ant, distinctive scents that are not noticeable to humans unless
held up close, but are very distinctive to your cat or dog.
www.innovetpet.com
Earth ratEd PooPBags - Earth ratEd
We love our dogs, but there is one thing no one is a fan
of – cleaning up after them. It’s something you have to do,
so why not make it a little more amusing and help the en-
vironment out while you’re at it.
Earth Rated PoopBags are biodegradable, lavender
scented (or unscented), and affordable. The bags are
extra-strong, which is great for those of you with larger
pooches or for those days when your dog does not have
a happy tummy. They also come in recyclable packaging.
www.earthrated.com NYP
 DOG FOOD IN
TRIUMPH FORMULAS in cans
TRIUMPH FORMULAS have the taste dogs
and cats naturally love. Each flavor may be
fed as a sole diet or mixed with dry food.
www.triumphpet.com
CANS
• Premium Natural Products
• Wholesome Proteins
• Natural Fats and Carbohydrates
• Vitamins and Minerals added
• Complete and Balanced Diet
• No Meat By-products
• No Artificial Flavors or Colors
BUY 4 CANS get
2 FREE