Tag: United States

Animals are part of our existence. They contribute to the beauty around us. Some animals are just so adorable to look at. Don’t you know that regular exposure to animals can be beneficial? Studies show that animals can help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels. Aside from its health benefits, animals can ease our stress and enhance relaxation. They also help combat feelings of loneliness. Some examples of these animals include dogs, cats, birds, aquarium fishes, reptiles and many others. Other animals cannot be considered as pet in the house for they are untamed and unsafe to people. Examples of these dangerous animals are tigers, snakes, bears and many others. They should only be kept in zoo parks for they can be of great danger to human beings.On the contrary, some animals are just calm and gentle.They love human contact or affection. Examples are dogs, cats and many others and they can be kept as pets in our homes.

Almost every household in United States has their own choice of animals or pets in their homes which they consider as home companions. Animals can be a man’s best buddy as well. Dogs, for example, can accompany us in our exercise like walking and jogging.

Animals play beneficial contribution to our physical, social, and psychological health. They serve essential roles in our human existence. With this, they should be treated well and animal brutality should be abhorred.

Visiting to zoo parks are also exciting. You get the chance to see different species of animals and you’ll be able to appreciate their uniqueness.One of the best zoo parks in Tampa Florida is Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo which your family can enjoy of.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has approximately 50 acres of land which has a number of 2,000 animals being taken cared of. It’s a wonderful zoo and was credited in the child magazine as the country’s top family friendly zoo tourist destinations in United States. Families will really enjoy visiting this place.You will be amazed and enthralled of their distinctiveness.

Tampa Florida is just perfect for people who want to discover different species of animals. Animal lovers will truly like this place and they can visit the zoo park anytime they want. If you want to reside in this place, Tampa real estate can guide you in your search.You can also choose properties from Tampa homes for sale.

Joseph Millerski is a writer who writes about real estate articles and various topics. For more details about Tampa homes for sale and Tampa real estate visit our website.Check Tampa mls for more homes available online.

One cant help but wonder if Paris Hilton knew prior to having a kinkajou that the little rainforest mammal could potentially live up to 25 years. Did she know that they can often be noisy, with shrills, shrieks, yelps, and even whistles breaking the nighttime silence? Did she know that they need lots of exercise and a tall cage with branches and ledges for climbing? Did she know that some are said to be allergic to strawberries and that citrus fruits and dairy should be off limits in their diet?

Maybe she did know. Maybe she didnt. Either way, last year her Kinkajou, Baby Luv, had enough and bit the heiress on her arm, sending Hilton to the hospital where doctors treated the wound and administered a tetanus shot.

Hilton, who eventually got rid of Baby Luv, was also spotted sporting the kinkajou on her shoulder at red carpet events and while shopping at trendy boutiques. A proper enclosure may not be the rainforest but the red carpet is even farther from it. Furthermore, the thought of a kinkajou on the streets of Beverly Hills somehow eclipses the fact that they’re not even legal in the state of California.

In todays internet age its surprisingly easy to have a dwarf caiman or lesser anteater jump from the images on the Discovery Channel to your home. Sitting in front of your computer you can purchase a Japanese squirrel for $175, a white Siberian chipmunk for $350 or a water monitor lizard for an even $100. Armed with nothing but a credit card, one of these animals could arrive at your doorstep in a matter of weeks.

Owning an exotic animal is not only a labor of love but a test in skill, patience and know-how. In an American Pet Products Manufacturers Association National Pet Owners Survey, 18.2 million Americans undertook that labor in 2005-2006. Another survey by the same association pointed toward a 1.4 million exotic pet ownership jump in the three years between 2002 and 2005. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the business of exotic and wild animals as pets in the United States alone is estimated to be worth $15 billion annually.

Never Be Impulsive

Impulse buys can cost an avid shopper thousands of dollars every year. Shoes and purses though are inanimate objects that can be returned, disposed of or re-gifted. A living breathing animal is anything but.

Dr. Don J. Harris, veterinarian and director at the Miami-based Avian & Exotic Animal Medical Center, urges clarity of mind when you spot that extravagant bird or small furry friend.

“I think they should stop and they should do their homework,” said Harris. “I think they should walk out and go home and research via the internet, via the library, via local professionals. They should research the appropriateness of whatever pet it is they are considering.”

Its through that extensive research that the realities of owning that particular animal become clear. If you cherish your sleep, nocturnal animals may not be a good choice. If you keep your home warm, an animal that fairs better in cooler temperatures may not be for you.

“If youre looking for a bird thats a great talker you dont buy a sun conure because the sun conure is beautiful but all they do is scream. They rarely actually talk,” Harris said. “On the other hand if you want a bird thats playful and highly social and thats the priority, you wouldnt get an African gray because theyre very anti-social.”

Homework may be the first step to getting an exotic pet but understanding what you want is also crucial. “Every species has its unique characteristics that make them right or wrong for each individual,” Harris continued.

Understanding the Husbandry

Harris explains the husbandry as nutritional and habitat requirements such as lighting and temperature. Your pre-purchase research should extensively include these things. Harris explains what people should know before they take the plunge.

“They should know, not just guess, what the appropriate habitat requirements are. They should know what their nutrient requirements are,” said Harris. “The biggest problem we see here is malnutrition. Probably 70 or 80 percent of problems we see are directly or indirectly the result of malnutrition.”

Harris adds that poor habitat is also rampant in the exotic pet care world. Habitat problems range from not enough lighting, to not enough space and incorrect bedding material. Properly prepare the habitat well before the pets arrival. Understanding the husbandry also means knowing how to maintain the environment, how often to maintain it and the animals precise dietary needs.

Comprehension of the animals requirements can prevent problems that stem from poor diet or unsuitable habitat. Harris recounted a recent patient whose only problem was poor nutrition.

“An animal came in with horrible infections and abscesses in a variety of places,” Harris said. “The patient had been seen by another vet that knew little about exotics and the infection was treated directly and the underlying cause, which was malnutrition, was never identified.”

It wasnt until after Harris saw the patient that it made a full recovery. “This patient was managed and completely recovered using nothing but nutrient therapy,” said Harris.

Know the Expenses

Maleesa Losnedahl of Lansing, Ill., owner of a small grey chinchilla named Simon, purchased the furry rodent nearly four years ago for around a hundred dollars. The cage, specifically made for animals like Simon, cost another hundred dollars. Several times a month Simons cage is cleaned and new bedding is put in. The bedding can cost anywhere from $5 to $10 per bag. The chinchillas food, not even the most costly expense, adds around $20 per month. Dust bath, a unique necessity for the animal, amounts to about another $20 per month.

Chew toys, treats, cage accessories, and veterinary visits are all other expenses one can incur to simply own an animal that weighs about a pound. After at least a hundred dollars per month, Losnedahl has a happy and healthy chinchilla.

The bottom line: know your expenses beyond the preliminary purchase of the animal. Expenses shouldn’t catch you off guard.

Proper Veterinary Care

Finding proper veterinary care for your exotic is quite simple, as long as you know what to do. The “Dr. Harris Method” goes something like this.

First you get out the yellow pages. You identify all the clinics that claim to do exotics and you cross them off. You then call the clinics that dont claim to do exotics and you ask them if they do exotics. If they say yes you say thank you and hang up.

Next, you call all those clinics that dont claim to do exotics and you ask them if they do exotics. If they say no you then ask them who they recommend.

“You will discover a pattern,” Harris said. “You will discover that all the veterinarians in a given locale will know whos competent.”

Harris adds not to be fooled by large fancy ads. “If you have a full page ad in the yellow pages and it says we do exotics better than anybody else on the planet and nobody recommends them they are probably all BS.”

Know the Law

In Florida it is not necessary to obtain a permit to keep hedgehogs, chinchillas, honey possums, prairie dogs or even sugar gliders. You do need a permit to keep skunks, raccoons, and opossums though. In Maryland on the other hand, skunks and raccoons are prohibited. Ferrets can be owned in Florida with a license but in California they are flat out illegal.

At the risk of losing your pet, do the research on your states exotic pet laws. Some exotic pets require no license at all while others are completly illegal. Although government sites are a good resource to acquire your information, they have the tendency to be out of date. When in doubt, make phone calls or visit the corresponding office. Most of the time, its the fish and wildlife commission in your state that oversees these laws and permits.

“The biggest obstacle is not knowing the medicine, because almost all medicine is improvisation, but knowing the husbandry, the nutritional requirements, the habitat requirements, the lighting requirement, the temperature and all those things,” said Harris. “Thats the difficult part because the fact of the matter is I dont think we know what all the requirements are for all the animals.”

An exotic pet can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The important thing is to provide the exact same experience for the pet.

If there was ever an award for the most adorable plush dog, it would undoubtedly go to the Bichon Frise stuffed animal. With its soft, white, plush fur and happy-go-lucky face, this plush pup is a winner on all fronts. The Bichon Frise stuffed animal found online is 14 inches tall and 7 inches wide that’s a whole lot of plush pooch for any child to love and hug.

The Bichon Fris is known as a very lively little dog that is much more sturdy and playful than many of the other toy breeds. Its regarded as a French breed but its true origins are not completely known. Based on speculation, it likely descended from an early water spaniel, but some think that sailors brought it back to the Mediterranean from the Canary Islands sometime in the 14th century. Given the Bischon Friss similarity to the Maltese, it seems plausible that the two breeds shared some of their forebears. For centuries, Bichon Friss were companion dogs in the European courts, where they enjoyed a pampered existence. In the 19th century, however, the breed fell from grace, and like the Poodle was ‘drafted’ into circus troupes. The modern Bichon Friss legacy of a robust, cheerful nature is perhaps due to its hard work as an entertainer. In the 20th century, the breed found popularity as a pet in the United States in addition to becoming quite fashionable in Britain.

The Bichon Fris is really a very appealing dog (as is the Bichon Frise stuffed animal); with its charming and gentle disposition, it is an excellent breed to have around children. It does, however, require a good deal of care where its coat is concerned. With its loosely curled double coated fur, it should be groomed quite frequently. Its coat by no means requires the same kind of attention it gets when the breed is being shown in a professional capacity grooming for a dog show has the breed looking like an elegant powder puff but, at the very least it should be given professional grooming frequently.

While the Bichon Frise stuffed animal online does not require professional grooming (or really any grooming at all), if a child chooses to ‘brush’ out its fur, there would be no harm done. Since this plush pup is not the real thing, there is no need to worry about its hair getting too long and/or tangled due to it curls. It will, however, need as much love and care as can be provided and it certainly won’t mind a hug or two from its owner.

When our pets get sick, we want to provide the best health care possible. But how do we do that if hospitalization, treatment and medication would cost about $3000? Pet insurance enables pet owners to have options on how they could provide better for their pets, after all our pets are not just animals around the house. They are our companions.

In the United States, only 3% of Americans got their pet friends insurance. This is lower compared to other countries like Canada which has 19 % of pets insured and with Sweden with an outstanding 49%.

There are undecided pet owners on whether getting pet insurance would be able to benefit them and their animal companions. Let’s understand the advantages and disadvantages of getting pet insurance, to be able to guide us in making the best decisions.

Advantages

The gist of having a pet insurance policy is to make sure that in terms of medical emergencies and accidents, your pets are well provided for. When unforeseen circumstances happen, it would be difficult for the pet owner to come up with a big amount immediately. How many pet owners were forced to touch their personal funds for the sake of their pets.

Depending on the kind of insurance plan, coverage could also include vaccinations, spray, neuter and even flea medications. Veterinary costs are increasing fast. There are already sophisticated medications that could deal with your pet’s sickness. Having a pet insurance could actually save your beloved animal from euthanasia.

Aside from medical reasons, there are also insurances that could cover rewards, posters, advertising and financial assistance for pet owners whose pets have been stolen. In these cases, insurance companies could even provide assistance in acquiring a new pet.

Another kind of insurance will be for kennels and boarding, which will answer to the question when something bad happens to the owner and nobody could take the pets in. A pet insurance policy could help with the cost of kennels and boarding.

Disadvantages

Some pet insurance tend to be overly expensive. However, there are pet insurance companies offering lower plans. You just have to know what kind of coverage you would like to be in your plan so you can choose an appropriate insurance for your pet. The prices also tend to be different based on the animal and its breed. There are some animal breeds that would require expensive medical treatments. For example, when a big dog like a German Shepherd injured his hip, the procedure tends to be expensive.

Pet insurances are also very particular with pre-existing conditions. If you dog is sick and old, then definitely you would have problems getting them and insurance plan. Most insurance companies does not pay the bill upfront. What happens is that the pet owner would have to pay for it and then will have to reimburse if after.

There are times when the pet owner does not have the money yet, there are vet clinic who would allow the pet owner to pay part of the bill and the insurance company will be fixing the balance directly. Before a pet owner could take advantage or use the insurance, it would need a two-week or a few days of wait before the coverage would start.

Thinking about it, getting a pet insurance policy definitely would have its pros and cons. It would definitely be your call as a pet owner if you would like to get one for you pet, but it is important to always keep in mind our responsibility as pet owners and our pets’ welfare.

Shark stuffed animals might seem a little intimidating at first, especially those that have gaping mouths full of ‘sharp’ teeth. The truth is, shark stuffed animals are as cuddly as the next soft toy and much friendlier than they seem.

The lesser known angel shark (scientific name Squatina califronica) gets its name from its large pectoral fins which are shaped like wings. Their bodies are flat and they can grow up to five feet in length. Angel sharks are black, grey, or brown in color which helps aids them in blending perfectly with the sandy bottom of the ocean wear they hide so they can pounce on their prey mollusks, fish, and crustaceans. Like many sharks, the angel species are ovovivparous which means they produce eggs which hatch within the females body but don’t get any nourishment from it. Angel sharks can have as many as 13 pups in a litter.

In 2007, the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, California, announced the birth of the first ever Pacific angel shark pup born in captivity. It weighed in at 4.4 ounces and 9.6 inches in length. The only aquarium in the United States that consistently has angel sharks in display is the Aquarium of the Bay. While there are only two adults in their collection, they also have sevengill sharks, smoothhound sharks, spiny dogfish, soupfin sharks, swell sharks, and leopard sharks. The Aquarium’s Executive Director, John Frawley says with so much attention focused on great white sharks, many people are unaware of the lesser known sharks that live in the San Francisco Bay and surrounding waters. Given their is so little known about angel sharks, the Aquarium is putting its focus on various field projects and research to gain a better understanding of what their life cycles are like as well as the way in which the species distributes itself. They have begun a shark tagging program which they hope will enable them to also understand how the Bay’s ecosystem and sharks fit together, in addition to finding out what they need in order for the species to blossom.

You could say that like the angel shark, very little is known about shark stuffed animals. After all, they’re not usually the first choice of soft toy taken off the shelf, like say, the teddy bear. If they’re never chosen, how can anyone learn anything about them? Unfortunately, unlike the teddy bear, shark stuffed animals don’t come across as very non-threatening, which is their first problem. With all those teeth and menacing eyes, it’s not exactly an endorsement for a best looking soft toy award. On the other hand, if it’s realism in your plush toys that you prefer, look no further than a shark stuffed animal.