Puppy Buyers Be Aware! Puppy scams thrive on-line

As more and more people turn to the Web to find the pet of their dreams, scams have skyrocketed as criminals seek to take advantage of unsuspecting pet parents. According to the US-based Internet Crime Complaint Center, hundreds of complaints are filed each year by victims who were conned when attempting to buy a dog online.

One potential pet parent, Diane, was hoping to add a Yorkshire Terrier puppy to her family when she spotted a classified ad in her local paper. “It was over my morning coffee that I saw the perfect ad for a Yorkie named Nancy,” says Diane, who lives near Cleveland, Ohio. She sent an email to the address listed, and immediately received a response—Diane could have the puppy if she promised her a loving home and sent $500 to cover the shipping fees.

“I corresponded for an entire week with this man who claimed to be a missionary,” Diane explains. Diane sent the requested payment via Western Union, but once she sent the code for the money transfer, she never heard from the “pastor” again.

Like many trusting animal lovers, Diane fell victim to one of many “free to good home” scams currently circulating the Internet and classified sections of newspapers. So how do you avoid persuasive cons and still get the dog of your dreams? The ASPCA recommends never buying a dog you haven’t met in person and always check references. Please help others avoid being cheated by emailing your puppy scam story to dogstory@aspca.org.

Canadian puppy buyers are urged to find a reputable breeder through Canada's most reputable source: the Canadian Kennel Club.

Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor

10 Most Common Pet Poisons of 2009

Many common household goods that we take for granted as harmless can poison our pets.

In 2009, the American SPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic household substances, including insecticides, cleaning supplies and prescription medications.

To help you keep your pet safe in 2010, ASPCA has created a list of the 10 common poisons that most affected our furry friends last year. Here’s a sneak peek at their advice:

• Top dishonors—once again—go to human medications, which accounted for the most calls to the ASPCA’s 24-hour poison control hotline in 2009. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up meds accidentally dropped on the floor. Remember to keep all medications, including pain remedies, antidepressants and decongestants, in a cabinet far away from prying paws.

• Cats and dogs are often the unwitting victims of our efforts to battle flea infestations. The misapplication of spot-on flea and tick products can be especially problematic for our feline friends. Talk to your vet about choosing the right, species-specific flea treatment for your pet and never use products made for dogs on cats, and vice versa.

• Some of the most delicious people food—including citrus, avocado and raisins—can be poisonous to pets. Chocolate ingestion accounted for nearly half of all people food-related cases in 2009, so be sure to keep cocoa hidden from your resourceful cat or dog.

• Household plants may keep your house green and your air clean, but some can cause serious gastrointestinal problems for companion animals who nibble on them. Check out the ASPCA's toxic plant list before your next visit to the nursery.

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your vet or the ASPCA’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Cat Survives Two Mile Ride in Car Engine

A recent "good news" story captured the hearts of cat loving Americans.

TV viewers were mesmerized by the story of a cat from the Bronx, NY, who survived a two-mile drive through his northern NYC borough, while stuck inside the engine of an SUV. The stray was so severely wedged inside that the battery and other engine parts had to be removed in order to free him. Though the story has a happy ending, the incident points to a winter phenomenon that many felines do not survive.

During the winter, American SPCA experts explain, it’s common for outdoor cats to sleep under the hoods of cars for warmth and protection. Once the motor is started, however, the cat can be injured or killed by moving parts. One solution is for drivers to bang loudly on the vehicle hood before starting their car engines. This gives a sleeping cat the chance to escape or announce his presence by meowing or moving around.

Pet parents, be aware: there are many other dangers that our animal companions face during winter. Click the link for a list of essential cold weather tips to keep companion animals safe from winter threats.

Fire Safety and Your Pet

Here's fuel for thought!

Did you know that an estimated 500,000 pets in the U.S.A. are affected by devastating home fires each year? While similar statistics for Canada are not available, this is still an alarming fact.

In order to address the issue of pet fire safety, the American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services partnered to create “National Pet Fire Safety Day.” (July 15, 2009.) The purpose of this nationwide campaign was to educate pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home alone, as well as provide proven prevention measures to ensure the pet safety.

According to a recent AKC study, 88 percent of pet owners consider their pets to be valued family members so it makes sense to include them in fire prevention plans and rescue alerts should a house fire strike.

“One of the hallmarks of responsible dog ownership is keeping pets safe and planning for unexpected emergencies, including house fires,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Pet proofing the home, developing pet-friendly escape routes and alerting rescuers of your pets presence with ‘window clings’ is the best way to keep your four-legged family member from harm.”

That’s something Lia Wentworth of Maryland knows well. One Sunday morning she and her family left their Labrador Retriever “Justice” home alone. They didn't realize they left a pot of boiling water with plastic baby bottles on the stove. When the water evaporated, the bottles began to emit a toxic smoke. No one knew Justice was in trouble because there was no flame. Luckily, the Wentworth’s had a monitored smoke detector and the firefighters were alerted. Their prompt response saved Justice's life!

Tips to Keep Pets Safe from House Fires:

Use Monitored Smoke Detectors – Monitored detectors are connected to a monitoring center, providing an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.

Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling or Sticker – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Contact your location humane society or animal services centre... many distribute window clings or stickers free of charge or for a small donation.

Keep Your Information Updated - Firefighters are familiar with pet alert window clings so keep the number of pets listed on them updated. Knowing the accurate number of pets in the house aids rescuers in finding all of your pets.

Get a free "Pet in Home" window cling -- and other free stuff -- from the American SPCA by clicking on the "Fire Safety" heading above. (Yes, they will ship to Canada!) Or check with your local humane society or animal services centre. Many have window clings available free or for a small donation.