Pet Adoptions Assisted by Technology

October 26, 2010 by · 2 Comments

I met with a friend this past Friday night for dinner. During our conversation she mentioned that our local shelter, Marblehead Animal Shelter is over run with kitties. Her daughter volunteers there cleaning the cages and petting the kitties. This seems to be an issue with most if not all animal shelters across the country.  Having said that there might be a technological solution that assists kittens, cats, dogs, and puppies in finding forever homes.

Photo: Idaho Humane Society

iPet Companion, a new technology created by Apriori Control in Boise, ID enables people to interact via the internet with kittens at Humane Shelters via robotic control. The first site was launched live at the Idaho Humane Society and most recently at the Oregon Humane Society.  People from as far away as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, England, New Zealand and Switzerland have interacted with kittens at these shelters.

The primary goal of iPet Companion is to entice people living near a local shelter to visit and adopt a kitten after having played with the kittens online. The Idaho and Oregon Humane Societies have realized increased traffic to their websites, as well as increased sponsorships, donations and adoptions. Real time interaction from users in the immediate community and worldwide have developed an emotional connection; including those who are allergic to animals. Apriori has received requests from Humane Societies in PA, WA, AZ, IL, OR, Canada and the City of Long Beach to name a few.

To play with kitties, click your way over to the Idaho Humane Society iPet Companion page or the Oregon Humane Society iPet Companion page and click the “Let’s Play” paw button. The page will prompt you for a download, and then you will be placed in a queue. Each person gets two minutes of kitty playtime. You can control various toys by clicking the “control” buttons or by hitting the corresponding number keys. You can also move the camera around.

My friend’s daughter wanted her to adopt another kitten, but they already have three. And my friend would not fancy being known as the “cat lady” of Marblehead. I am hoping the shelter might be able to install the iPet Companion. Perhaps your local shelter could benefit from it as well.

Contact: Scott Harris sharris@aprioricontrol.com

Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animal Shelter, Cats, Dogs, Kittens · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Payback by Sylvester the Cat

August 27, 2010 by · 2 Comments

By now most if not all animal lovers know about the infamous Mary Bale, dubbed the “Cat Woman”.  She tossed a sweet tabby cat named Lola into a trash bin. Apparently she has now lost her job at a bank where she has worked for many years. The video below has gone viral on the internet over the incident. Leave it up to the Brits to inject some humor. There even is a fake Twitter account, @CatBinLady which has been created. And yes there is a Facebook page as well, Cat Lady should do time in a bin.

The most important message in all of this is that animal cruelty of any form is wrong and inappropriate behavior. So please be vigilant in observing such acts and immediately report it to your local rescue or shelter. PLEASE NOTE that the @CatBinLady Twitter account’s web address is the RSPCA. They along with the SPCA do incredible work to support and protect animals…..MANY THANKS!

Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animal Safety, Cats, Dogs, Pet News, Petfinder, Rescue Groups · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Snoopy Promotes Pet Microchipping

August 25, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Snoopy as
Image via Wikipedia

There is a new iPhone app in town and Snoopy the well known character from Peanuts is the leader of the pack. Snoopy has teamed up with HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service to help bring pet parents back together with their missing pets. The new free app on the Apple® iPhone and other devices like the iPad is a nationwide “HomeAgain PetRescuer” network.

According to Gary MacPhee, director and general manager of HomeAgain “if anyone sees a dog or cat on the loose in the streets and is concerned the HomeAgain PetRescuers app will make it easy for pet lovers to play an active role in helping lost pets get home quickly.”

The HomeAgain PetRescuers app is available at Apple’s App Store for use on the iPod touch, the iPad and the iPhone.

  • 1 in 3 pets go missing in their lifetime and 90% never find their original homes.

Identifying Lost Pets With Microchips

Filed Under: Animal Safety, Animals, Cats, Dogs, pets · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Purging & Packing

August 23, 2010 by · 2 Comments

My life is in such disarray now as I am preparing to move. “Purging and packing” is my motto. And it is a great feeling to great rid of “stuff” that has been collecting in places I had forgotten. I feel like Simon in this video with his cat. Fortunately my “Princess”, Miss Mia is staying at a friend’s house so she won’t wreak havoc on any boxes I need for packing.

Filed Under: Cats, Video · Tagged With: , , ,

The Princess & The Vet

August 18, 2010 by · 3 Comments



No this is not a budding romance. It is quite the opposite for my Princess, Miss Mia and her trips to the vet. Every year during her annual visit I have to trudge out her crate a few days in advance. She will circle around it through the course of that time, peaking in for a moment then scurrying away. She is very much aware when it is time for that visit….sigh. Out comes the towel for my protection while some very exorcist like sounds start emitting from that adorable mouth.

When we do arrive at the vet the examining room is in lock down mode, while the vet and her assistant prepare to remove Mia from her crate.  I sometimes think she would much prefer a bath rather than a vet visit.

Being that this is “Take your cat to the vet week” there are some important tips that Romeo the Cat shared with me to help spread the word.

Tips for Cat Carrier Battle:

  • Bring out cat carrier several days before the before the appointment.
  • Place treats or catnip in the carrier to make it more enticing.
  • Don’t force or push your cat into the carrier if you can help it.
  • Stand carrier on its end and gently ease the cat in, hind legs first.
  • For very stressed cats, a house call practitioner may be the best option.

Benefits of regular cat visits:

  • preventative
  • cats age faster
  • cats 10 years and older should visit vet every 6 months
  • regular dental care is critical to overall well being of your cat
  • cost effective

So please remember to take your cat to the vet for the overall health and well being of your cat. And for your peace of mind as well.

Win a 6 Month Supply of Feline Pine

Filed Under: Animals, Cats, Pet Health, Pet News · Tagged With: , , , , ,
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