Earthquake prediction - A Sixth Sense for our friends with feathers, scales or fur?

Earthquake prediction - A Sixth Sense for our friends with feathers, scales or fur?

Did Bo Obama feel the 5.8 magnitude earthquake shaking the east coast today? Or maybe we should check in with the critters at the national zoo?  Reports of animals acting wacky before the quake have again started conversation about a special sense.  The USGS gives a scientific theory here:

“We can easily explain the cause of unusual animal behavior seconds before humans feel an earthquake.  Very few humans notice the smaller P wave that travels the fastest from the earthquake source and arrives before the larger S wave. But many animals with more keen senses are able to feel the P wave seconds before the S wave arrives.  As for sensing an impending earthquake days or weeks before it occurs, that's a different story.”

What do you think about animals sensing earthquakes? Have your pets ever acted strangely before the ground shook? 

Not even a pool of water can put out these fire ants. Scientists in Georgia have video showing how South American fire ants link together to form living-life rafts and avoid mass drownings in their natural rain forest habitat.

Wolves To Lose Endangered Status Within 60 days

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Federal wildlife officials say they will take more than 1,300 gray wolves in the Northern Rockies off the endangered species list within 60 days.
An attachment to the budget bill signed into law Friday by President Barack Obama strips protections from wolves in five Western states.
It marks the first time Congress has taken a species off the endangered list.
Idaho and Montana plan public wolf hunts this fall. Hunts last year were canceled after a judge ruled the predators remained at risk.
Protections remain in place for wolves in Wyoming because of its shoot-on-sight law for the predators.
There are no immediate plans to hunt the small wolf populations in Oregon and Washington. No packs have been established in Utah.

Happy Mother's Day!

We would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day weekend to all the pet mommies of fur babies and other pets! We hope you have good memories on Sunday, May 8th and that you do something special with or for your pet that day. Have a great Mother's Day everyone!

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week!

In this annual tradition, we commemorate the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others to do the same. While Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated only once a year, we should strive to always be kind to animals every day. What is the kindest thing you've done for your pet today?

Click here for more information! 

Today is National Specially-abled Pets Day!

Celebrated nationally and internationally on May 3rd annually, National Specially-abled Pets Day encourages adoption and for people who would like to bring a new furry family member home, to consider a specially-abled pet. 

 

To learn more, click here!

Do you have a jealous dog?

Are you unable to hug or show affection to others around your pet?

 Click here for ideas on how to help your jealous pooch!

 

Barking dogs get people thrown out of apartments and can cause neighbors to take measures to eliminate the noise. But people should realize all dogs make some kind of noise, whether it’s a howl or a grumble. But there are some dog breeds that are less noisy than others. They have been called ‘bark-less’ or ‘quiet’ dog breeds. Can you guess what they are?

 

Did you know that the common name FIDO comes from the Latin ‘faithful’ or ‘fidelity’? Who is your favorite TV Fido?

 

April is Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks, is becoming a major threat to dogs, during the warmer months. It’s very important to vaccinate dogs for Lyme disease. It’s easier to prevent Lyme disease than to treat it. Have you gotten your pets vaccinated for Lyme disease?

This is National Pet I.D. Week!

The weather is getting warmer and our pets are enjoying the outdoors longer as the urge to explore new territories grab their attention. As they wander further and further away from home they may be unable to find their way back. The microchip contains all your pets’ information and is a great way to easily identify pets and get them home safe.

 

April is the American Red Cross's National Pet First Aid Awareness Month!

April is the American Red Cross's National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! Do you know proper pet first aid techniques? 

Prevention is the key to keeping your pet heartworm free! The American Heartworm Society recommends yearly screenings and year-round heartworm prevention with a once-monthly medication for dogs and cats. 

Click here for more information on how to better protect your pet against parasites this spring season.

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and we are encouraging people to Go Orange for Animals! The color that symbolizes prevention of animal cruelty is orange, so Dr. Amber encourages you to show your support and Go Orange in April. 

Click here to learn more about how you can show your support against animal cruelty this month!