Jon wants the readers of Consumerist to know about the excellent experience he has had with Automated Pet Care Products, makers of the super-cool Litter Robot, which looks like a space station but actually eliminates the need for cat owners to scoop litter.
Keep Track Of Which Diploma Mills Will Work Out Best For Your Pet
By November 10, 2009
In this job market, anything you can do to give your cat or dog an edge is worth pursuing. That’s why you shouldn’t enroll your pet in just any diploma mill—you want one that’s a proven scam. Boingboing points out that there’s a Wikipedia page to keep track of animals with fraudulent diplomas to make it easier to comparison shop for that next fake certificate.
Iowa Feline Catches Swine Flu
By November 6, 2009
When you’re home sick, snuggling with a pet can have tremendous healing powers. “Plus,” you might say to yourself, “at least Fluffy can’t catch this awful swine flu I have.” Well….not so fast. It’s not common, but a cat in Iowa has been diagnosed with, and recovered from, swine flu.
Tiny Turtles Spread Joy, Salmonella
By October 19, 2009
Turtles remain a popular pet with kids. In 1975 the U.S. banned the sale of ones smaller than 4 inches, but the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates almost 2 million were being kept as pets as of 2006. They’re also responsible for one of the slowest outbreaks of salmonella we’ve seen in recent years.
Now Available For Halloween: "Sexy" Costumes For Dogs
By October 9, 2009
Last year, we highlighted sexy Halloween costumes for inappropriately young girls, but costume makers have decided to take it farther. To sexy costumes for dogs.
Homes With Cats 8 Times More Likely To Contain MRSA
By September 23, 2009
You may have thought you could only get MRSA at hospitals and the beach, but apparently researchers have discovered that it can be transmitted via pets and lead to repeat infections, reports the New York Times. One recent case involved a baby elephant and 20 human caretakers at the San Diego Zoo last year, but at the domestic level it looks like cats (and dogs, but not to the same degree) somehow contribute to cycle of infection at home.
Atheists Sell Pet Care Service To Christians Anticipating The Rapture
By September 2, 2009
An atheist in New Hampshire is hiring out pet care services to Christians who believe that there will be a rapture and they will leave behind their pets. He won’t tell Mainstreet whether the business is very successful—he says his clients number “more than one and less than 175,” but it’s certainly an interesting way to bring two traditionally opposing groups together under a common (profit-making) cause.
Never Curb Your Dog Again, But Embarrass Him Forever
By August 26, 2009
Your dog thinks he’s so fancy, walking around and ejecting poop wherever he wants like a furry softserve machine. You know what would put him in his place? A harness that lets you attach a poop bag to his butt. For the curious, there’s a video below that includes action shots.
Personalized Jerseys Available For Michael Vick's Canine Fans, If He Has Any
By August 20, 2009
In what we wish were an oversight by NFLSHOP.com, you can purchase a Philadelphia Eagles jersey for your dog…customized with Michael Vick‘s name and number. The New York Daily News ordered one yesterday, and the NFL has no intention to block customers from buying canine jerseys with VIck’s name. Should they?
Certified Pre-Owned Cats: Inspected, Detailed, Better Than New!
By August 19, 2009
The problem: thousands of sweet, cuddly, adoptable adult cats languishing in shelters. People gravitate toward tiny kittens, which are plentiful in the summer months, leaving adult shelter cats without humans to own. A possible clever solution: Clever marketing ploys. Which is the origin of the Michigan Humane Society‘s Certified Pre-Owned Cats campaign.
New Jersey Man Sues Allerca For Non-Delivery Of Amazing Hypoallergenic Cat
By August 16, 2009
Allerca’s elusive hypoallergenic kittens remain elusive. A few months ago, we posted about Allerca and their amazing genetically engineered allergy-safe felines. “Lifestyle Pets” charged thousands of dollars for the kittens, but failed to actually deliver any. We featured one scammed reader’s story, and now another kittenless customer is suing the company.
American Express Doesn't Care About Your Sick Dog
By August 7, 2009
It’s not the responsibility of a credit card company to take care of you in an emergency, it’s true. But amid the many reports of canceled cards and slashed credit lines we’ve been receiving was the story of Elizabeth, her dog, a veterinary emergency, and a most inauspiciously timed credit line cut.
Petland Employees Drowned Rabbits, Posted Photos on Facebook
By August 5, 2009
We’ve written about pet store chain Petland before, due to their documented use of puppy mills and snarky response to groups that protested said use of puppy mills. Now PETA claims to have found photos on a Petland employee’s Facebook page that show her grinning while holding up the wet, lifeless bodies of two rabbits she had just drowned.
If Your Dog Is Lonely, Buy Him A Sex Doll
By August 5, 2009
It’s not enough to drape your best friend in his own custom-made Snuggie. After all, a robe alone doesn’t keep away the haven’t-had-sex-in-years blues—you need ice cream for that, and dogs shouldn’t eat ice cream. Instead, you can pamper him with his very own fake dog sex toy.
Snuggie For Dogs Strains Human-Canine Relations Nationwide
By July 31, 2009
When you wrap yourself in a Snuggie on a cold evening, does your dog stare up at you with sad, wistful eyes? Even when you’re not holding a bowl of popcorn? It’s time for you to acknowledge that your dog is jealous of your Snuggie.
Help, There Are Bugs In My Kitty Litter!
By July 27, 2009
Dawn is freaked out because when she got up this morning, she found bugs in her cat’s litter box. She called the company that makes the litter to ask them what to do, and they offered coupons but no real explanation. “Maybe some of your readers have had the same experience and could help me figure out what to do,” she writes. “Thanks!”
Should PetSmart Provide In-Home Services?
By July 24, 2009
Would you hire your next dog-walker from PetSmart? RetailWire says the pet store chain is considering offering in-home services such as “dog walking, backyard clean-up and aquarium set-up,” to help differentiate it from retailers like Walmart (who offer steeply discounted fish).
American Airlines: Behold The Doggy Restroom
By July 16, 2009
Canine companions now have a place to do their business before boarding American Airlines flights at JFK. We think the fire hydrant was a nice touch, don’t you?
