Yesterday, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 707 which bans “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. The new law becomes effective […]

As stated in a previous alert, The Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 707 which bans “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or […]

Dog owners will be able to travel to Hawaii with their pets more easily now that the state's quarantine rules have been eased. Previously, animals were quarantined for at least one month upon arrival. Effective June 30, pets entering Hawaii may be released in five days or less if their owners meet several pre-arrival requirements. […]

New proposed rules from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that seek to clarify Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations regarding the transportation of service animals by air and that are intended the ensure that America’s air transportation system is safe for the travelling public and accessible to individuals with disabilities, are expected to be published in the Federal […]

The Missouri Legislature is back in session, and the Missouri House is likely to soon be voting on a bill that, among many other provisions, would provide important and necessary protections for Missouri dog owners. As approved by a House committee, Senate Bill 600 has become a large omnibus bill that includes a number of […]

Yesterday, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (ACNR) Committee voted to approve legislation to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or […]

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 This Thursday, May 16, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs will consider SB 2158, an Act Relative to Protecting Service Dogs.  To ensure that individuals and businesses will be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this bill makes the misrepresentation of a pet dog as a service dog […]

The Virginia Senate could soon vote on a bill to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. Senate Bill 707 banning […]

Please share this information with animal owners in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville City Council is scheduled to hold a second vote to enact overreaching changes to the city animal ordinance, which includes provisions that would criminalize the actions of many responsible dog owners. Concerned dog owners are urged to immediately contact city council members and […]

Money Penny,  a Cocker Spaniel puppy, really liked the taste of her bed – plus the hassock for a snack, but who could get mad at that cute face, says her owner Jackie Curr of Spring, TX. It is natural for dogs to chew, and puppies chew a lot when they are teething. Teething typically […]

In recent years, colleges have begun inviting therapy dogs to campuses during final exams as a way to help relieve students of stress. Now a recent study has found another way specially trained dogs can be helpful at universities—as a way to reduce homesickness. Researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada, studied 44 first-year […]

What is the Purpose of a Dog's Anal Sac? There are a few theories as to why dogs have anal sacs and what purpose they serve. Some say the excretion from the anal gland act as a territorial scent marker. Others argue the excretion acts as a lubricant that helps a dog pass a hard […]

Thousands of dogs from across the United States will relieve their cabin fever and celebrate the start of 2019 by traveling to the Kennel Club of Palm Springs All-Breed Dog Shows at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California on January 5 and 6. The Kennel Club of Palm Springs conducts two of the largest all-breed dog […]

The answer? Why not! If you live in a city or another area that doesn’t have easy access to the outdoors, paper-training is an easy and effective way to housebreak your puppy. Here's how: To start, you’ll need newspapers and an old vinyl shower curtain, or puppy training pads. Choose a room with a floor that is easily wiped clean, […]

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among women, but could pets be part of the solution? A recent study by the American Heart Association finds that dog ownership is associated with a 33% lower risk of death for heart attack survivors and a 27 percent reduced risk of death for stroke survivors. To […]

If your dog is in pain, you'll likely be looking for ways to help relieve it. Drug-free, at-home pain relief methods are a great way to help ease pain.

When a bitch goes through a false pregnancy (also called pseudopregnancy or pseudocyesis), she thinks she has puppies. In one study, more than 60 percent of bitches had signs of false pregnancy after coming out of heat, whether they were bred or not. Mammary enlargement, with or without milk production, is a common sign of false […]

Some dogs eagerly await car rides, but for other dogs, traveling by car or airplane can be stressful and nausea-inducing. Can you give them Dramamine?

Although dogs don't get hemorrhoids, they can have problems with their anus and rectum, just like people can. Learn what signs to watch for.

Many people use the terms “therapy dog” and “service dog” interchangeably, but there are major differences between the two jobs. A service dog helps individuals perform tasks they cannot do for themselves because of a disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act governs the use of service dogs in public places. A service dog will often […]