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Just in time for the busiest gift-giving season of the year, new ASPCA research finds pets given as gifts are just as likely to be loved and treasured

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today released findings from its latest research study, which busts a major myth about giving pets as gifts, potentially saving more homeless animals' lives in the process.

It has been a long-held belief by many in the animal world that shelters should not allow adoptions by those looking to give the pet as a gift during the holidays or otherwise. The overwhelming concern was that the pet would be at a higher risk of being returned to the shelter. But in its latest research study, the ASPCA found that 96 percent of people who received pets as gifts thought it either increased or had no impact on their love or attachment to that pet. Additionally, 86 percent of the pets referred to in the study are still in the home.

Furthermore, the survey revealed no difference in the recipient's attachment to that pet based on whether the gift was a surprise or known in advance. This new data adds to previous research studies conducted in the 1990s and 2000 (Patronek, 1996; Scarlett, 1999; New, 1999; New 2000), which found that pets acquired as gifts are less likely to be relinquished than pets acquired by an individual adopter.

"This has been a very controversial topic for the public and the sheltering world alike, but we're hoping to put an end to this misconception before the holiday season," said Dr. Emily Weiss, Vice President of Shelter Research & Development for the ASPCA. "Keeping all their normal application protocols and processes in place, shelters should feel confident enough in the supporting data to give it a try in their facilities. These are exciting findings that can help open new adoption options for shelters, allowing more animals to be placed in loving homes."
Americans have a long tradition of giving pets – usually puppies or kittens – as gifts for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays or graduation, but debate over how this practice could impact the animal's welfare has drummed up considerable controversy. While some shelters have been allowing the adoption of pets as gifts for years, the stigma remains in the public consciousness, driving some customers away from shelters and unfortunately toward inhumane sources including pet stores, online or backyard breeders.

If you're thinking about bringing a pet into a friend or loved one's home – or your own – this holiday season, please make pet adoption your first option.  You can find adoptable pets in your area by visiting www.aspca.org/adopt and searching for the shelter or rescue group nearest you.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two 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. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, andPinterest.

Pussy & Pooch Pethouse and Pawbar® (www.pussyandpooch.com), the ultimate pet lifestyle destination for pets and their people, today announced the opening of its fourth retail location with expansion into Beverly Hills. With the new 11,000 sq. ft. flagship experience location, the award-winning pet lifestyle retailer takes its dedication to pet health and wellness a step further by offering modern pets and their guardians a full state-of-the-art Pet Lifestyle Center featuring a holistic Wellness Spa, canine Training Lab and Social Club – in addition to its signature one-of-a-kind Pawbar in-store pet café, Pethouse Boutique, Bathhouse full-service pet grooming and Meat Market grocery.

    “As we’ve grown our retail footprint, our vision has been to create a true multi-dimensional concept store, taking what we’re already known for in pet health and wellness, and enhancing it even further to provide a complete end-to-end design-forward retail and services experience for pets and their guardians”

“As we’ve grown our retail footprint, our vision has been to create a true multi-dimensional concept store, taking what we’re already known for in pet health and wellness, and enhancing it even further to provide a complete end-to-end design-forward retail and services experience for pets and their guardians,” said Janene Zakrajsek, founder and petrepreneur, Pussy & Pooch. “We’re thrilled to bring that vision to Beverly Hills.”

Set in a colorful and interactive social environment, Pussy & Pooch offers distinctive yet moderately priced high-quality products, services and everyday essentials with a focus on healthy nutrition and green living for pets. Some of the special Pet Lifestyle Center features include:

- The Wellness Spa, offering a comprehensive menu of holistic pet healthcare and wellness services for dogs and cats, with services exclusively provided by Dr. Audra MacCorkle

- The Training Lab, under the guidance of renowned celebrity animal trainer and pet behaviorist Kirstin McMillan, focusing on lifestyle enrichment, learning, socialization and more for canine clients

- The Social Club canine fitness center, also under McMillan’s guidance, with supervised playtime and socialization in a modern environment with original artwork by contemporary artist Max Neutra

- Exclusive “store within store” branded pop-up shops showcasing Jax & Bones, LuxeMutt, EzyDog, Sleepypod, Diamonds in the Ruff Ruff, and The Honest Kitchen

Located at 9388 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210, Pussy & Pooch is the exclusive home to the one-of-a-kind Pawbar® in-store pet café where furry friends can feast on made-to-order meaty pet meals; the Meat Market featuring natural, complete and balanced nutritional options for pets with ultra-premium traditional, raw, alternative, organic and specialty pet food diets, fresh pre-packaged meals and treats from the bakery; the Pethouse Boutique filled with a curated selection of pet lifestyle products geared toward the modern dog and cat including eco-friendly toys, natural in-home grooming and spa products, stylish fashion and accessories, and everyday pet essentials; and the Bathhouse full-service pet grooming salon.

“We’ve designed every square inch of our new Lifestyle Center to provide a premier experience that is reimagining the world of pet retail and celebrates our animal friends with style, edge and fun,” added Zakrajsek.

To kick off the opening celebrations, Pussy & Pooch will host a variety of festivities at its new flagship store in Beverly Hills with in-store daily deals, instant spin-of-the-wheel discounts, daily raffles*, and pet-friendly delights. On Thursday, December 12, there will be a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Vice Mayor of Beverly Hills, Lili Bosse, followed by a Twinkle Holiday Mutt Mingle dog social and Open House featuring refreshments for pet and human guests including Pussy & Pooch’s signature green candy treat bar, meaty “mutt-ini” treat bar and more. Festivities will take place 5:00pm-9:00pm.

Founded by husband and wife petrepreneurs, Rob Gaudio and Janene Zakrajsek, Pussy & Pooch is dedicated to pet health and wellness, and its local pet communities. The pet lifestyle retailer opened its first location in downtown Los Angeles in 2007, a second in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach in 2009, and its third in downtown Long Beach in April 2013. 

SFO and San Francisco SPCA Introduce the Wag Brigade

Partnership brings stress-relief therapy dogs to SFO

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., December 3, 2013 – The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced the launch of a new program, titled “Wag Brigade,” to bring trained dogs into the Airport terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable. The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) will bring specially trained dogs to walk the terminals with their handlers to take the stress out of air travel. The dogs can be identified by vests that read “Pet Me!” and are planned to be at SFO on a daily basis.

“We are committed to creating the most enjoyable airport experience possible,” said Deputy Director Kandace Bender. “The Wag Brigade adds a new element to what travelers can look forward to at SFO.”

All participating dogs are graduates of the SF SPCA’s Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) training program and are required to visit SFO prior to formal acceptance into the Wag Brigade program. Dogs are evaluated for temperament and comfort with large crowds, security requirements, and the Airport environment.

"Interacting with therapy dogs has been proven to offer both physical and mental health benefits," said Dr. Jennifer Emmert, Animal Assisted Therapy Manager at the SF SPCA. "We're hoping our therapy dogs will help provide stress relief to SFO passengers during the busy holiday season and beyond."

The handlers are the dogs’ owners. All handlers have passed a 10 year background check and accompany the dogs at all times. Handlers wear identifying vests, and each attends classroom and in-terminal training to become familiar with the Airport and assist customers with general inquiries.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ Vetco, a veterinary clinic in Albuquerque, NM, is the first vet clinic in the United States to start actively accepting bitcoin for veterinary services. It is the only vet clinic in Albuquerque accepting the virtual currency and is one of a small handful of businesses in all of Albuquerque to accept the crypto-currency. The clinic, which provides quality pet care at affordable prices, began accepting the virtual currency this week. Cindy Houghton, the owner of Vetco, said, "Albuquerque is a tech savvy city and techies have pets too! We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get their pets vaccinated, spayed and neutered. Accepting bitcoin makes getting veterinary care even easier and shows support for the Albuquerque bitcoin community. 

"It is easy for our customers to pay with bitcoin. The customer simply tells us they want to pay in bitcoin then they scan the QR code and that's it!"
Vetco is using Bitpay mobile checkout. "I like that the processing fees are lower than credit card fees. That is a nice benefit," says Cindy. Currently Vetco is only accepting bitcoin at their Albuquerque clinic. However, if there are requests for it at the Los Lunas clinic, Cindy says she will gladly accept the virtual currency at both locations.

Vetco prides itself on offering affordable and accessible vet services to the Albuquerque animal community. Accepting bitcoin is another step in making pet care even more accessible.

About Vetco
Vetco has been serving the New Mexico animal community for over 27 years when they opened their first clinic in Albuquerque in 1987. An active member of the animal community, Vetco is the primary vet of the Best Friends Animal Society: Community Cat Program, PACA, A.C.A.T, and many others. By providing high quality, low cost veterinary services, we maintain our commitment to the New Mexico animal community and continue to work towards helping New Mexico's pets receive fast and affordable veterinary services.

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