Kansas.com: Pets

How to pick the perfect pooch

William Hageman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:35 CST

In the market for a dog? It pays to sniff around. We know someone who recently made a spur-of-the-moment stop at an animal shelter and walked out a few minutes later with a new dog. A dog that wasn't housebroken. That nipped. That needed a crate (which had to be hastily purchased).

Our friend had the best of intentions — everyone wants animals out of shelters and in homes — but this was not the best way to adopt a dog.

The process takes planning and work. Here's a game plan for someone seeking to bring a dog home.

Wet weather delays opening of city dog park

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Wet weather is to blame for a delay in the opening of Wichita's first off-leash dog park.

The city had hoped to open part of Chapin Park, at Hydraulic and MacArthur, to dogs and their owners in October, said Larry Hoetmer, landscape architect for the park department.

But the fencing, which is key to the dog park, has not yet been installed because it's too muddy for trucks to get in without damaging the site, Hoetmer said.

Bunny TNT to meet Sunday at Humane Society

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Bunny TNT, a club for people who own and love pet rabbits, will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Kansas Humane Society at 3313 N. Hillside. The meeting will be an opportunity to see the new facility.

For more information, call Joyce Gedraitis at 316-683-1122 or e-mail grandmabunnyep@yahoo.com.

SitStay Dog Training adds Quickie Classes

Kitten kindergarten

LINDA LOMBARDI — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:44 CST

People have low expectations of cats. Sam Connelly tells of the time that she and her cat Storm observed a Canine Good Citizen test while they were waiting for their feline agility class to start.

"I'm watching the dogs and I commented to the evaluator, 'My cat can do all that,' " said Connelly. "At the end she said, 'Want to take a shot?' like it was a big joke."

To the evaluator's surprise, Storm passed the test, successfully performing commands such as sit, stay, come, down and walking on a leash.

Veterinarian warns of plant deadly to pets

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:06 CST

A Wichita veterinarian wants pet owners to know that a popular houseplant can be fatal to dogs and cats.

Chuck Olson, who practices at Village Animal Hospital, recently lost a patient that had eaten part of a sago palm.

Simon, a 7-month-old chocolate Labrador, came to Olson's office after a bout of vomiting. His owners did not know what he had gotten into, but upon investigation found that he had shredded the pulp in the bulb of a sago palm that was in a large pot in the backyard.

Adopt a pet

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:44 CST

Stella , a petite 7-month-old Staffordshire terrier, has a very loving personality and just wants to please people. She knows "sit" and adores belly rubs. She is a Lonely Hearts Club Member at the Kansas Humane Society , which means she has a discounted adoption fee.

Also available:

* Chloe, a 3-year-old domestic shorthair cat, is a little shy at first but will warm up to you when she's established in her new home. Adoption fees are temporarily waived for cats 9 months and older.

Senior pets have lots of love to give

DIANE McCARTNEY — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:38 CST

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, when the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Petfinder.com remind us that older dogs and cats still have a lot of life and love to give.

When choosing a pet, it's hard to resist a cute, bouncy puppy or kitten, said Jennifer Campbell of the Kansas Humane Society.

But there are many advantages to adopting a mature pet, she said: They are less likely to be destructive or require training, may require less exercise and offer fewer surprises.

Spay-neuter meeting draws 100 pet owners

DIANE McCARTNEY — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:03 CDT

An informational meeting Oct. 24 at Atwater Neighborhood City Hall drew more than 100 people interested in free spay or neuter surgery for their pets.

After listening to a session on pet care and city laws pertaining to pets, many walked away with a surgery appointment and others took home vouchers for the surgery that can be used within 90 days.

The Kansas Humane Society and Spay-Neuter Kansas, which are partnering with the city of Wichita in the program, scheduled a total of about 60 surgeries, and a second meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7 at Colvin Neighborhood City Hall.

Halloween Open House today at Skaer clinic

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:03 CDT

Skaer Veterinary Clinic will hold a Halloween Open House from noon to 2 p.m. today at 404 S. Edgemoor (one block north of Kellogg).

Pets are encouraged to come in costume to have pictures taken and be judged by KSN's Leon Smitherman.

Food and goodies for pets and owners will be available, as well as opportunities for education in subjects such as pet obesity, home dental care, surgeries and common parasites.

Adopt-a-pet

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:42 CDT

Lottie Doe and Teapot , miniature pinschers, two senior dogs who are best buds, are available for adoption from the Kansas Humane Society . Teapot, 8 years old, is on the right, and Lottie Doe, 10, is on the right. Both are very sweet and would love to stay together. They have a special adoption fee of $75 for both.

Also available:

* Latte, a 5-month-old domestic shorthair, is a perky young kitty who is full of personality. She loves to play, snuggle and find mischief. She will be right there by your pillow every morning meowing for food and some love.

Rescuing Lucy was the right decision

DEB GRUVER — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:30 CDT

When I first saw Lucy, she was cowering in a corner of her kennel at the Heart of Jackson Humane Society in Holton, Kan.

Every inch of her velvety brown fur shook. Her tail was tucked between her hind legs. She wouldn't even look directly at me.

I knew right then: This was the dog for me. I've always been a sucker for hard-luck cases.

Pet costume contest Sunday at Atwoods

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:09 CDT

Atwoods in Park City will hold its 14th annual pet costume contest starting at 2 p.m. Sunday. The store is at 6235 N. Broadway.

Any pet is eligible to enter, but all must be leashed or otherwise contained. Pets will be judged on their costumes in three weight categories; there will also be a Grand Champion and Manager's Choice. Sponsors have donated more than $9,500 in pet supplies for prizes.

For more information, call 316-744-8888.

Adopt a pet

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:13 CDT

Bonnie , a 1-year-old Labrador retriever, is a happy girl who is always ready for a good time. She is a wonderful dog who is patiently waiting for that special someone to go home with. She's a member of the Lonely Hearts Club, which means she has a discounted adoption fee.

Delilah, a 1-year-old pointer, is a sweet, beautiful girl with a winning smile and personality to match. She is special, so if you're interested be sure to ask the Kansas Humane Society staff about her. She is also a member of the Lonely Hearts Club.

Moo, a 6-month-old domestic shorthair, is a perky young kitty who is full of personality. She loves to play, snuggle and find mischief.

Grant lets city offer aid to pet owners

COURTNEY LOONEY — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:42 CDT

With the help of a government grant, the city of Wichita will provide free spaying and neutering for pets owned by low-income residents.

The project is funded through the American Recovery and Investment Act, and the city is working with Spay-Neuter Kansas and the Kansas Humane Society.

Janet Johnson of Neighborhood Services said that after the grant of $55,000 was received, the city had to decide what this demographic of people needed.

Adopt a pet

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:47 CDT

Grace , a 1-year-old Labrador retriever, is a very happy girl who is always ready for a good time. She would love a family with school-age children. She's a member of the Lonely Hearts Club, which means she has a discounted adoption fee.

Cody, a 1 1/2-year-old Labrador retriever, is a smart and sweet boy who has been at the Kansas Humane Society a while now. He knows several commands and is eager to learn more. He's good with children and other pets. He's also a member of the Lonely Hearts Club.

Halloween bash to aid Big Dogs rescue group

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

Get your pet into the Halloween spirit on Sunday as Spirit Halloween Store, 3665 N. Rock Road, hosts a Halloween Hubbub to benefit Big Dogs Huge Paws Rescue.

The event starts at 1:30 p.m. and will include contests, Halloween photos and dogs looking for homes.

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to help giant-breed dogs in the program. For more information, call 316-210-9507.

Animals find refuge at Nona's A.R.R.K.

DIANE McCARTNEY — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

Ever since she was a little girl, Winona Duncan has been rescuing animals.

Wherever her family lived, stray dogs and cats seemed to find their way to her, and "I can't remember a time when this child did not have something under her arm, bringing it home," said her mother, Maureen Barnard.

Her daughter was in elementary school when she decided to be a vegetarian, Barnard said, and the one hunting trip she took with her dad ended with her sitting in the truck.

Feral cats have long history

Steve Dale — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:07 CDT

Domestic cats have been living with people for about 10,000 years, according to recently uncovered archaeological evidence. Sometimes the cats provide great benefit. Credit cats for killing rats who spread the Great Plague. Today, we know living with housecats is beneficial for our health.

However, for as long as the species we call the domestic cat (Felis catus) has existed, there have been feral cats living in fields and cities around the world. Likely at least two cats accompanied Columbus to America. Scientists estimate there may be as many or even more unowned cats in America than the 82 million owned cats.

At first, the only means for eliminating these unwanted cats were attempts to poison them. But attempts to poison never worked to control their numbers anyway. Cats are pretty smart, and hard to fool (try sneaking a pill into your cat's food).

Adopt a pet

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:37 CDT

Cody , a 1 1/2-year-old Labrador retriever, is a smart and sweet boy who has been at the Kansas Humane Society a while now. He knows several commands and is eager to learn more. He's also good with children and other pets.

Tony, a 1-year-and-5-month-old Chow Chow, is one happy and playful boy who is ready to learn more. He already knows "sit" and "stay." On top of that, he has the sweetest face and an adorable personality.

Bones, a very loving 5-month-old domestic shorthair cat, is a very relaxed and patient young feline.

Woofstock is today at Sedgwick County Park

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:06 CDT

Woofstock, the Kansas Humane Society's annual fundraising "Celebration of Peace, Love and Pets," is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Sedgwick County Park, 6300 W. 13th St.

Events start at 9:30 with the "Woof, Walk & Wag," and continue all day, with contests, races, music, food, photos by a Wichita Eagle photographer, vendors, a pet psychic, agility demonstrations, a silent auction and more.

Admission is a suggested donation of $5, but registration with a donation of $25 gets you a T-shirt and goodie bag.