5 Easter Pet Dangers You Should Be Aware Of

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Saturday, Dec. 15, the 350th day of 2012.
There are 16 days left in the year.

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(Dec. 7, 2012)—For singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat, celebrating the holidays means being surrounded by the ones you love—including your pets. As a spokesperson for The Humane Society of the United States, Caillat shares some simple tips for keeping pets safe from holiday hazards, and for bringing a new pet into your household during this busy season.

Adopt your next pet: If you’re thinking about adding a pet to your family, now or any time of year, choose adoption from your local animal shelter or rescue group. “There are so many great dogs, cats and other pets just waiting in shelters for a second chance and you can save a life,” Caillat says. Her own two dogs, a golden retriever named Plum and a mixed breed named Mate, are adopted.

Caillat, who has been a spokesperson for The HSUS’ Stop Puppy Mills campaign, adds that people should not yield to impulse purchases during the holidays and under no circumstances should they buy pets from pet stores or online animal dealers. Most of their dogs come from puppy mills, where animals are generally kept in poor conditions.

Think twice before giving an animal as a gift: Because the recipient may not be ready for the commitment involved with the lifetime care of a pet, Caillat and The HSUS recommend people to instead give the gift of adoption. Many shelters offer adoption gift certificates, and this lets the adopter choose the perfect lifetime companion for them, when they have time to bond. If gift certificates aren’t available, consider buying the person a gift membership to their local shelter and/or The HSUS or making a donation in their name.

Make the holidays safe for your pets: As much joy as pets bring to the holidays, The HSUS and Caillat warn that the holidays can bring hazards for pets. But with a little preparation and caution, pets and people alike can enjoy the festivities.

• A number of seasonal plants are poisonous to pets if nibbled or eaten, including ivy, holly, mistletoe and others. For more information, click here.
• Keep holiday decorations away from pets. Tinsel, bows, ribbons and wrapping paper can be tempting chew toys for pets, but can damage their digestive systems. Remember to keep tree ornaments high enough that they’re out of your pet’s reach.
• Don’t leave candles unattended. Pets may accidentally knock them over and spill wax or start a fire.
• Keep a close eye on your pet, especially if he is dressed in a festive collar or outfit for the holiday. Ensure there are no chewable parts or pieces that could break off and choke your pet. Do not leave them unattended in costume.
• Provide your pet with a quiet, out-of-the-way room during holiday parties. Though some pets may enjoy socializing opportunities, others will be overwhelmed by the excitement of a party.
• As you enjoy candy and other treats during the holidays, please don’t share with your pets. Chocolate can be hazardous, but also watch out for xylitol, a common sweetener. And individually-wrapped candies are double trouble as some pets might eat both the candy and the wrapper.
• Avoid the urge to give your pets table scraps, especially bones. Bones easily splinter and can cause serious health problems, even death.
• If you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holidays, be sure to contact them in advance to find out if your pet is welcome. Because of the excitement during the holidays, it might be best to board your pet or hire a reputable pet sitter instead.
• Both guests and hosts enjoy a well-behaved pet. Practice good behaviors with your pet, like sit and stay, in advance of the holidays so they can be part of the fun with you.
• Remember that pet birds are especially sensitive to airborne particles and shouldn’t be near burning candles, potpourri, or any cookware with a non-stick surface.

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without gifts, of course. Our online store Humane Domain carries a wide array of pet products and toys, as well as gifts for animal lovers, including apparel, jewelry, sleepwear, decorative accessories, and holiday cards and decorations. Ten to 20 percent of every purchase made at Humane Domain benefits HSUS programs and campaigns. Check out our other great gift ideas for adults, children, pets and the avid reader by visiting humanesociety.org/shop.

And if you’re looking for a soundtrack for the season, check out Colbie Caillat’s first holiday album, “Christmas in the Sand,” with original and classic holiday songs and guest appearances from Brad Paisley, Gavin DeGraw and more. Caillat and her two rescued dogs are also featured in a new book, “A Letter to My Dog: Notes to Our Best Friends” published by Chronicle Books and available wherever books are sold.

For more information about pet adoption, finding a responsible breeder, and how to avoid buying from a puppy mill, visit humanesociety.org/puppy. Find out more about Colbie Caillat and her holiday album at www.colbiecaillat.com.

Inception Media Group Proudly Presents

Christmas With Danny Kaye

Featuring Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Mary Tyler Moore & Wayne Newton in a Classic Holiday Spectacular!

Digitally Restored Footage, Unseen Since Original ’60s Broadcast

On DVD Nov. 6^th to Make Your Holiday Season Bright

LOS ANGELES — Nov. 1, 2012 — For Immediate Release — Two classic, episodic television variety hours – holiday extravaganzas featuring legendary, all-star casts – come together in Christmas With Danny Kaye, available for the first time on DVD Nov. 6 from Inception Media Group.

As one of the stars of the enduring holiday classic White Christmas, Danny Kaye became synonymous with the holiday season. From 1963 to 1967, Kaye hosted the Emmy Award-winning, top-rated television variety series on CBS, The Danny Kaye Show.

This holiday DVD collection brings together two memorable Christmas episodes in their entirety, unseen since their original ’60s network TV broadcast: the first (aired Christmas day, 1963) features the legendary Nat King Cole and Mary Tyler-Moore; and the second (Dec. 21, 1966) features Peggy Lee and Wayne Newton.

Musical highlights include Nat King Cole’s iconic performance of “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”), as well as a pair of swinging duets of “Jingle Bells,” featuring Kaye with Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee. Also featured are solos by Cole of the

My Fair Lady classic “Get Me to the Church on Time” and Lee performing “Here’s That

Rainy Day” and “So What’s New?”

Christmas With Danny Kaye is presented in full screen with the original TV aspect ratio

of 4 x 3 (1.33:1) and digital mono sound.  Special features include a bonus clip from the

Dec. 22, 1965 episode of The Danny Kaye Show, featuring Danny reading from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

About Inception Media Group
Inception Media Group, LLC is based in Santa Monica, Calif., and is a diversified media company specializing in the production, acquisition and distribution of motion pictures and other filmed entertainment across all media platforms and channels of distribution. Inception Media Group's management team has extensive relationships with exhibitors, retailers, distributors and technology companies, enabling the company to maximize the services performed on behalf of its content partners. Inception Digital Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inception Media Group, provides a wide range of digital encoding, electronic packaging and high-speed delivery services and possesses certified delivery access to all major online, broadcast media and VOD platforms. More information is available at www.inceptionmediagroup.com

Christmas With Danny Kaye

Inception Media Group

Genre: Holiday/Variety/Music

Not Rated

Format: DVD Only

Running Time: Approx. 90 Minutes

TALKIN PETS SHOW NEWS
Saturday, Dec. 17, the 351st day of 2011.
There are 14 days left in the year.

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Oh tannenbaum, oh tannenbaum, how lovely is thy tax situation.

Less than 24 hours after the Department of Agriculture announced they were slapping a 15-cents per tree tax on Christmas tree growers, the Obama administration backed off on the plan. The idea, hatched by the tree growers themselves was to fund a promotional push similar to the successful "Got Milk?" campaign from dairy producers.

Naturally, consumers would get stuck paying any such tax, bloating tree prices even further. Maybe it's time to try that Festivus aluminum pole from "Seinfeld," instead of a tree? Or maybe it's time to consider these guidelines for buying thata Christmas fir.

1. Ask Where It Came From
Some Christmas tree lots buy trucked-in trees before Thanksgiving, meaning they'll drop needles faster than airlines can raise their baggage fees. Weeks may have passed since those trees were originally cut, so always ask the vendor where and when they buy their trees.

2. Check for Freshness
Is the tree green and healthy with a fragrant scent and moist, flexible needles? Does it have damaged bark or broken branches? When you bounce it lightly on the ground, does it shower you with needles?

3. Weigh It
A heavy tree -- proportionate to its size -- means it contains a higher water content, and is therefore fresh.

4. Buy Locally Grown
Is there an area farm that sells freshly cut trees? You'll still want to give them the bounce test, but just the fact they were cut on-site means the trees are fresher. Enter your zip code under "Find My Tree Now" on the National Christmas Tree Association's website to find your nearest provider.

5. Cut Your Own
It takes some effort and a good axe or saw, but there's a great deal of satisfaction in harvesting your own tree, from an approved location, of course. Finding just the right tree and tackling the job as part of a team also makes for a fun outing.

6. Buy Online
You can buy anything online these days. Companies like Christmas Trees Galore offer free shipping and you won't have to cart the tree home on top of your car. Check FreeShipping.org for delivery deals and while you're there, find free shipping offers on ornaments and other decorations.

7. Treat It Tenderly
Keep the tree outside in a shaded, cool place for a couple days, preferably standing in water. Before bringing it indoors, cut half an inch or so off the butt end to open up its pores, much as you would with cut roses. Once inside, remember to keep the tree stand topped up with water each day. For more information about caring for your live tree, check out The Ohio University's Extension Fact Sheet.

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Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. and has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC's Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more.

Many Holiday Traditions Can Pose Dangers to Four-Legged Family Members

NEW YORK—The holiday season is a time for family, friends and feasts, but the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) wants to remind pet owners that this time of year can also pose dangers for the four-legged members of the household.

“While we are busy celebrating, we need to be aware of the popular holiday traditions that could be dangerous for our pets,” said Dr. Camille DeClementi, senior toxicologist at the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center. “Many of the foods we eat and the decorations we put up – while perfect to help us get into the holiday spirit – are not always safe for our pets.”

The ASPCA has the following three reminders for keeping pets safe during the holidays:

FOOD FOR THOUGHT – On Thanksgiving, feeding your pet a bit of turkey is okay, as long as it has been fully cooked and is bone-free. Undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria and bones could splinter and get lodged in your pet’s digestive tract. Dr. DeClementi also urges pet owners to be extremely careful with any alcoholic beverages. “Pets that ingest alcohol can become very sick and may fall into a coma, leading to an untimely death,” she says. If baking is a yearly tradition, chocolate should be kept far away from pets, as it can cause a variety of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rate and occasionally seizures.

DANGEROUS DECORATIONS – One of the joys of the holidays is decorating the home. However, it is important to protect pets against seemingly innocuous decorations. Candles are popular, but it is important to keep them out of reach of curious cats (and dogs) that might swat at flames, burn themselves or even knock the candle over. “It’s important to keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach,” adds Dr. DeClementi. “A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock, and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus. Shards of breakable ornaments are very sharp and could also be dangerous.” Tinsel is extra appealing to cats who love sparkly, light-catching "toys" that are easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible emergency surgery.

BOUGHS OF HOLLY – Certain festive plants can cause some serious damage if pets ingest them. “Lillies are popular holiday flowers which can cause kidney failure in cats,” notes Dr. DeClementi. “And festive plants like holly and mistletoe also can be dangerous and cause gastrointestinal upset or, in rare cases with mistletoe, cardiovascular problems. It’s best to use non-toxic decorations such as wood, fabric or even pinecones.” And what about the popular poinsettia? It is a persistent holiday myth that the poinsettia plant is highly toxic to pets, when in reality, poinsettias cause only mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation. Keeping it out of pets’ reach is still a good idea, but there’s no need to banish it altogether. Christmas trees are not particularly toxic, but precautions should be taken to ensure the tree is securely anchored so it doesn't tip or fall. Tree water—which may contain fertilizers and bacteria that can cause stomach upset, nausea or diarrhea if ingested—also should be covered to protect pets from drinking it.

If your dog or cat accidentally ingests a potentially toxic substance this holiday season, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for immediate assistance. 

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/aspca.

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• Provide your pet with a quiet, out-of-the-way room during holiday parties. Though some pets may enjoy socializing opportunities, the excitement of a party may overwhelm others.
• Avoid the urge to give your pets table scraps, especially bones. Bones easily splinter and can cause serious health problems, even death.

• If you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holidays, be sure to contact them in advance to find out if your pet is welcome. Because of the excitement during the holidays, it might be best to board your pet or hire a reputable pet sitter instead.
• When traveling with your pet, attach tags with contact information for your mobile phone, as well as a phone number for where you are staying.

• If you are leaving your pet at home with a pet sitter, be sure to ask for references, plus written proof that he or she is bonded and has commercial liability insurance.
• If you are leaving your pet at a boarding kennel, visit the kennel ahead of time to make sure that it’s clean, comfortable, and safe for your pet.

NAPPS Provides Holiday Safety Advice for Pet Parents

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.— The leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and the holidays are just around the corner. Soon it will be time to hang decorations and kickoff the holiday baking season. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, encourages pet parents to protect the lives of their pets during the holiday season.

“Candles, wires, and chocolate can be fatal for a pet if left too accessible,” said John D’Ariano. “We urge pet parents to keep decorations that can be a danger to their pet’s health out of reach.”

Baking and trimming the tree are often holiday traditions in many pet parents’ homes.  As the excitement of the season approaches, we must remember to keep our pets away from dangerous treats and decorations. With so much extra décor and treats in the house, pet parents must keep a close watch on their pets, especially during the holidays. NAPPS encourages pet parents to decorate with their pets in mind, keeping any dangerous materials out of Fido’s reach.

Before including pets in the holiday festivities, NAPPS advises pet parents to take the necessary precautions and the following tips into consideration to ensure a safe and happy holiday for the whole family.

Holiday Safety Tips to Remember as you Celebrate the Season:

Reduce Stress
Strangers and large groups in the home can create excitement—and stress—for pets.

Consider these methods for reducing pet stress during gatherings:

-Reduce holiday stress for pets by maintaining regular exercise and feeding routines during the holiday.

-Exercise dogs shortly before a party to reduce stress.

-Provide a private room or area where pets can retreat to avoid the stress.

-During a busy party or day, a pet placed outdoors (including by a well-meaning guest), can be forgotten and freeze. Make sure someone is assigned to each pet to check on them during regular intervals.

-Dogs should be trained on how to greet guests—when greeting guests at the door, consider placing dogs on a leash. 

General Tips
-Holiday plants with berries can be toxic, cause vomiting or worse, especially holly, mistletoe and poinsettias.

-Candles, incense and menorahs can all be dangerous to pets. Keep them out of reach of pets or have them supervised when lit.

-Potpourri and tobacco products left out can be toxic to pets.

-Be careful how you attach costumes to pets. Pets can choke on rubber bands, string, ropes and ribbons. These items can also cause discomfort if put on too tight or left on too long.

-Chocolates can be toxic and fatal to pets; forego nice displays of chocolates if they will be unattended and easily accessible to pets.

-Provide healthy treats for guests to give pets.

-Guests should be prepared by letting them know you have a pet or pets, and providing a few simple tips on invitations:

     "Please don't feed Whiskers, or leave food or beverages where she can reach them."

     "Please stay with children when greeting and playing with Dusty."

     "Please do not let or take Sparky out of the house without checking in with me or Bob, so we can give you the lay of the land." (Unannounced walks will not let you warn the walker about neighborhood dangers).

     "Please let us know if you're bringing a pet."

Thanksgiving
-Keep bones (especially splinter-prone poultry bones) away from pets.

-Keep lids on garbage cans and keep them secure when no one is in the kitchen. Animals can smell treats from the next room!

-Don't leave alcoholic beverages unattended.

Christmas
-Secure trees to both the floor and ceiling, if possible, to prevent them from falling.

-Pine needles can choke and puncture intestines. If you have a live tree, consider how you deal with this common problem.

-Consider what ornaments you will place on more reachable low-hanging branches. Place ornaments with string hangers vs. metal hooks down low.

-Food on Christmas trees can tempt your pets. Consider whether or not hanging candy canes, ginger bread, popcorn or cranberries is a good idea.

-Make sure pets cannot get at the water in the tree base. Tree water can contain fertilizers and bacteria.

-Tinsel is attractive to pets and can block intestines or choke; consider an alternative decoration for your tree.

-The holidays bring increased use of electrical cords, which can be chewed through and cause electrocution. Tape them over, put them under rugs, or spray them with a non-toxic, bad-tasting ingredient, such as Bitter Apple.

-Many children's toys have small parts, which can be seen by pets as enticing play toys.  Children should know the harm that can come to the family pet if they don't pick up and put away all of the pieces of their games and toys.

About NAPPS: NAPPS is the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of professional pet sitters. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as "the most respected authority in professional pet sitting." It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet parents can benefit from NAPPS' free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, and a nationwide referral service,. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS' nationwide "Pet Sitter Locator" at www.petsitters.org. For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.

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