Opening a kennel is a huge undertaking, even for those who have worked in kennels before or think they know all there is to know about caring for dogs. The following tips and guidelines will help you plan for your business and will, perhaps, bring to mind things you hadn’t considered before.

1. Consider the cost of opening up a new business and make sure that you have the financial backing to support the venture. You should have enough funding set aside just in case it takes a few months or more for your business to really take off.

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These days, unfortunately, pet food safety has become a very hot topic. As seen in the latest recall, customers want control and many dog owners turned either to holistic dog food or started making their own dog food. Still, according to a survey held by Pet Food Institute inquiring US pet owners, 70% of consumers were NOT changing brands.

For tomorrow July 12th, Petfood Industry has scheduled a web seminar sponsored by PetFood Forum ASIA about this number one topic. Pet food safety experts Julie Lenzer Kirk (traceability expert at Interstates Companies) and Matt Frederking ( Director of Regulatory Affairs at Poet Nutrition), will present this forum and discuss preventative measures (the why’s and how’s of automated traceability systems) and present practical ideas on what to do when a contamination crisis occurs.

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Electronic fences are a control device. That said, electronic fences can be a blessing or a curse - not only for the dog but for the human as well. An ‘electronic fence’ is a set of devices, usually underground wire and transmitters, that deliver a noise, shock or unpleasant spray via a collar to a dog approaching the boundary. The wire is buried a foot or so under the ground along a perimeter of 500-1000 feet and as the dog approaches it a signal is sent to the collar, activating the deterrent.

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Last night was a late night. My humans ended up working all night so I tried to stay up and keep them company. This from a dog that is conked out by 10pm. There needs to be an espresso machine for dogs (note to self: invent dog espresso machine, stay up late nights and surprise possums). I stayed up as long as I could keep my eyes open but then the studio bed was calling me….”Spencer…come sleep on me, I’m comfy….Spencer…..you are sleepy, come lay down.” So I did and I fell asleep but it was late, very late. So this morning I can’t stop yawning. I think it’s a good day for a nap.

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People aren’t the only ones who suffer when they lose their homes, pets often lose their homes too. This article made me really sad.

The wreckage of the subprime mortgage crisis has caused human pain far and wide, but its victims also include a band of seven gentle, woolly-coated huskies.
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Their owner was a recent widow facing eviction from her foreclosed home. She had brought the dogs to the Animal Rescue League of Boston where she reluctantly signed paperwork surrendering them for adoption.

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