Sometimes being the Crazy Cat Lady (and dog!) has its perks. One of them was my recent trip to New York City to attend the Purina Better With Pets Summit. Our day consisted of learning some of the newest innovations, medical treatments and scientific research with pets, along with some fun surprises and inspiring, but tear filled, stories. I want to share some of my favorites with you.
Pet rescue is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, but I had never thought of how many domestic abuse victims wouldn’t leave their abusers because they feared for their pet’s safety. While they could escape to a shelter, they couldn’t bring their beloved pet. Rita Garza, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Development at the Urban Resource Institute in New York City, is working to change this. Teaming up with Purina, the ASPCA, and the Mayor’s Alliance, the URI has launched URIPALS, providing pet friendly apartments to women and children seeking shelter from domestic abuse. We saw the profound impact this had made on one of the abuse survivors, Pamela King, who was worried and unable to heal because of the separation from her three cats. URI helped bring them back together. Today, Ms. King has been able to move on with her life, reunited with her beloved pets. To date, the URI has helped 26 cats, 13 dogs and 3 turtles. The need for shelters of this nature around the country is great. If you would like to learn more about this program, click here.
High on my list of personal favorites was meeting Will Braden, the “thieving filmmaker” and creator of the Henri, Le Chat Noir videos. If you have never heard of Henri, he is the internet sensation and feature star of the brooding, black and white cat videos sharing Henri’s sense of ennui with the world. As Henri says on his Facebook page, “Do you feel the crushing grip of life’s arbitrary cruelty? Well, come watch some cat videos, it can’t hurt.”
If you think pets aren’t resilient and able to face life’s challenges, you have never met TurboRoo, the four month old chihuahua born without front legs. When Mark Deadrick, an aerospace engineer, saw a picture of TurboRoo, he jumped into action and used a 3d printer to create a prosthetic device with wheels, enabling TubroRoo to speed around the stage and lead a normal life. TruboRoo’s owners are now looking at the possibility of helping other animals without limbs.
Finally we discovered some of the latest innovations in pet care, including the research studies done by Janet Jackson and other members of the Purina team on the latest findings in canine cognitive health. I stopped by to chat with her on the possibilities for feline cognitive health after the presentation in hopes of helping my twelve year old cat, Sassie. Being able to chat with some of the prominent veterinarians who have done groundbreaking research in pet health care was a not to be forgotten treat. I left with new knowledge and a new passion to help pets in need.
We also learned from Joshua Leeds and Lisa Spector the effects of bioacoustically designed classical music for calming pets. I was anxious to try their Through A Cat’s Ear for Calming Cats. I was given a CD and tried it on my cats as soon as possible. Not only did I feel more relaxed when listening to the Cd, my most high strung cat quit growling at two of the other cats when it was playing. I have this music on standby in my computer when ever it is needed!
What questions do you have about the latest in pet health care?
We have a guinea pig named Rhubarb! Both my children take excellent care of him (supervised by myself of course). It’s so important children recognise that pets are part of the family, and do everything (healthcare wise) to help them xVx
It is important that we see the value in pets and care for them well. Even disabled pets.
We have two pets and they are such a great part of the family!
My dog loves Purina. I love all of these stories and it definitely makes me want to add this to my advocacy list.
What a great event! All of the stories sound amazing, but Rita Garza is really pulling at my heartstrings. I think I would’ve emptied my wallet right then & there to help.
What a great event. I don’t think much people really pay attention to their animals because they’re animals. They don’t realize that they do have feelings as well.
I love this. So often we hear of people stressing on the importance of helping other humans…they forget that animals need help too. I love that there are people willing and able to go the extra mile for our furbabies.
Pets are definitely resilient. My only concern is the cost. It seems like I spend more on my pest sometimes than on my own children. The cost of care is high with some things.
Even though I own two cats I am never aware of all the pet options out there. This would be a great learning experience for me.
Now that we no longer have a pet I am behind on all the pet options. This does sound like a really informative gathering though!
I love TurboRoo! I followed the story. So heartbreaking and yet happy all at the same time. When my ex and I divorced there was no question that I would take the animals. I didn’t even ask. I just told him. He wasn’t happy but I didn’t trust him to take care of them. It’s sad that we have to think about things like that in any situation. I have had pets my whole life and I feel that rental housing should be much more open to all animals and breeds and not just because someone has to flee the relationship. I have volunteered with animal shelters and SPCA. So many sad stories out there.
It is amazing the things they can do not to help animals. I love that we are can really try and help our pets when something goes wrong.x
We do not have any animals except for two feral cats but I always find animal information fascinating especially when it comes to prosthetic legs made with a 3d printer! Quite unbelievable and awesome.