islandburner | January 18 2009 at 04:49 PM | http://www.sfgate.com

The San Francisco SPCA 2008 Holiday Windows placed an astounding 307 kittens and cats, puppies and dogs in new homes around the Bay Area and raised more than $55,000 in donations to aid the SF/SPCA in its future outreach efforts. Despite the tough economic times, the event, which ran from November 21, 2008 through January 1, 2009 at Macy's in Union Square, well surpassed 2007's record of 277 animals adopted and $35,000 in donations.

MINNESOTA (CBS) ― From the looks of things, a dog's life is a good life. Between exercise, fresh air and playing with friends, they expend a lot of energy. So how does a pet owner fuel that passion?

Dr. Julie Churchill, a professor and Veterinarian at the University of Minnesota says told CBS station WCCO-TV, "There are over 5,000 different dog and cat food products on the market in this country alone. So it's a jungle out there."

The Pet Food Institute estimates that we spent more than $8 billion to feed our 67 million canine companions in 2007. That's a lot of mouths to feed.

last updated at 1/4/2009 - 1:37 pm | http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/ | By Joseph Robertia

With the ongoing stretch of temperatures dipping to minus 20 to minus 30 at night, and not much higher during the day, pet owners need to take special considerations to protect their furry friends from cold weather injuries and ailments.

"Most animals can do fine in this kind of cold weather if their owners do a little extra work," said Brett Reid, an animal control officer at the Kenai Animal Shelter.

news.bbc.co.uk | ast updated at 12:16 GMT, Sunday, 4 January 2009

Staff at an animal rescue centre near Bristol say they are struggling to house pets abandoned by owners who can no longer afford to keep them.

Holly Hedge Sanctuary in Barrow Gurney is taking on more unwanted animals, while fewer people are offering to adopt because of the economic downturn.

Rachael Mills, from the centre, said large dogs were a particular problem.

"People are very worried about taking on the extra financial burden in these difficult times," she said.

Reported by: Angelique Gonzalez | Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 @07:16am EST | http://your4state.com/

FREDERICK, MD - A fire at a duplex in Frederick that killed two pets is under investigation.

None of the occupants were home at the time, but it caused almost a quarter million dollars in damage.

The fire also left all of the occupants homeless.

Firefighters were first dispatched to the home on North Maxwell Avenue around noon on Monday.

A cat and dog died in the fire but another cat was rescued.

Investigators have not determined what started the blaze.

By Raj Salwan
The Argus
Last Updated: 12/08/2008 | http://www.insidebayarea.com/

Millions of dogs suffer the aches and discomfort of arthritis. Millions more may be hurting without any obvious signs.

Now, a new science, using cells derived from the pet's own fat, may bring relief to many painful pooches.

When your pet has arthritis, you can almost feel the pain he is suffering. You watch as he struggles to rise from his bed, cringe as he slowly ascends the stairs, and can even hear the creaks and groans as he stretches out before his morning walk.

Abigail Ramirez | Issue date: 12/9/08 | http://media.www.dailylobo.com/
In light of the economic crisis, many pet owners are giving up their furry friends because they can no longer afford to take care of them.

The number of pets being surrendered has increased by 45 percent compared to last year, said Peggy Wiggle, executive director of Animal Humane Association of New Mexico.

And the association is seeing a decrease in the number of adoptions, Wiggle said.

Last Updated: Nov 20, 2008 09:50 AM |

by ABC-7 Reporter/Meteorologist Andrew Chung

EL PASO, Texas -- Flames nearly destroyed a house in Northeast El Paso Thursday morning. However, this tragedy had a silver lining.

Edwin Collazo, a Fort Bliss soldier, is the home's tenant.

"Basically I was at work but my wife called me and she said the house was on fire," Collazo said.

Fire officials said an extension cord used for a portable heater started the blaze.

http://www.dailypilot.com/

Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials met with regional public service agencies and animal control specialists throughout Southern California Thursday to discuss pet travel safety, a growing concern in Orange County.

According to the animal safety advocacy group Bark Buckle UP, first-responders to car accidents have seen a three-fold increase in incidents where an animal is involved.

http://www.sonomanews.com/

A pair of black cats sits in a cage at Pets Lifeline, surrendered by an owner who could no longer afford to care for them. The cats purr loudly, rubbing their whiskers against the bars and stretching their paws out through the slots in a desperate reach for the human contact they obviously miss.