Popular Posts


Low-cost Spay/Neuter Programs in Madison

Friday, July 31, 2009 Comments


There's no doubt that spaying or neutering your pet has positive effects on both the pet and owner. The simple act of getting pets "fixed" can prevent unwanted behavioral issues such as spraying/marking and aggression, and may decrease the incidence of some cancers, tumors and infections.

Unfortunately, many owners are forced to put off the decision to spay/neuter due to the cost involved. Thanks to the generous efforts of local veterinarians and rescue organizations, these owners can take advantage of low-cost spay/neuter programs available to the Madison area.
Here are just a few of the options available:


The Dane County Humane Society also provides a list of private veterinary clinics participating in low cost spay/neuter programs on their website.
For more information on the benefits of spaying and neutering: Humane Society of the United States, Spay USA, Veterinary Partner

G-Force and Kids: Guinea Pigs as Pets

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“Mom, can we PLEASE get a guinea pig?” If your child has seen the new animated film G-Force (or even caught a glimpse of the trailer), this is a question you have likely encountered. It seems that whenever a new movie or television show comes out starring an animal, that animal becomes the new “must have” pet. It’s natural for children to want a “real life” version of the fuzzy, cute, and funny stars of their favorite movies, but is it really a good idea?


When the new version of 101 Dalmations came out a few years back, the rush to purchase dalmation puppies was at an all-time high. Parents stampeded to scoop up a puppy for their children, only to realize that their new puppy didn’t constantly entertain them with adorable antics and wasn’t even a very child-friendly breed. Unfortunately, many dalmations ended up in animal shelters for reasons that could have been prevented with a little research.

Before you give in to your child’s new dream of guinea pig ownership, it’s important to be realistic. We all know that guinea pigs (commonly called cavies) don’t spout jokes or carry heavy artillery like the stars of G-Force, but what might not be widely known is that guinea pigs are naturally skittish and wary of humans. Despite your child’s insistence that “the girl down the street owns a guinea pig and it’s the nicest pet ever”, it is a rare guinea pig that immediately warms up to its human owner. It takes time and a lot of patience to form a bond between owner and cavy; is your child ready for that time commitment?

Beyond the time required to form a loving bond, there is also the time requirement of basic care. Many kids will swear up and down that they will be the sole caretaker of their new pet, but parents should always understand that they will likely be the ones attending to the pet in the long-run. If your child loses interest, are you willing to care for a guinea pig for the eight years it could potentially live? Sadly, many cavies end up in shelters or passed from home to home for this reason.

Expense is another factor that potential owners should not take lightly. So you see a guinea pig at your local pet shop for $25; that doesn’t seem so bad, right? Wrong. A good cage can run you around $100. There is the recurring expense of food, bedding and vitamins. If you purchase a piggy of the long-haired variety, your pet may require regular trips to the groomer. The most forgotten expense, however, is also the largest: vet bills. Upper respiratory infection, vitamin deficiency, ear infection and other health issues are serious threats to cavies and can result in death if not treated swiftly.

If you’ve decided that a guinea pig may not be a great option for your family, you’ll still likely have to deal with the stomping and crying when you tell your child “no.” Believe it or not, it IS possible to turn this into a positive experience for both you and your child. Many animal shelters will allow kids to volunteer if they are accompanied by a guardian. Not only will this give your child the chance to interact with the animals they so desperately desire without actually bringing them home, it will also teach an important lesson about pet ownership. The sight of once-loved, now homeless animals is enough to convince even the most headstrong child of the consequences of rushing into pet ownership.

Happy Dogz Daycare

Thursday, July 30, 2009 Comments



With locations in both Fitchburg and Middleton, Happy Dogz Daycare is an established business serving the greater Madison area with doggy daycare, recreation and care services for nine years and counting. Owner Joel Hinsey was happy to discuss Happy Dogz with Mad About Pets:

What animal(s) does your business cater to, and what kinds of products/services do you offer?

We cater to canines. We offer daycare and light grooming (baths, ears, nails, teeth) and Dog's Best Friend offers training classes at each of our locations.

What made you decide to start up your business (how did your business come about?)
My wife and I are dog lovers and saw the need for dog daycare on the West Side of Madison. We did a lot of research, consulted with some trainers and other existing dog daycares and opened our 1st location in May of 2000.

Please describe your facility or accommodations, and any special training or accolades you/your staff possess.
Our locations have 5000 square feet of indoor play space that is heated and air conditioned. We have a variety of toys and activities including bubble machines, kongs, agility equipment, play equipment and swimming pools for the dogs to enjoy! Our staff is trained in dog play behavior and pet first aid.

How are you different from other animal boarding/sitting services in the Madison area?

What sets us apart is our staff and our focus. Many of my staff have worked for us longer than most of the other dog daycares have been in business. We have over 120 satisfied customers bringing their beloved dogs to Happy Dogz (between both locations) daily and many of my staff have been serving those people for years and years. Anyone who brings their dogs to us know that our staff loves and cares personally for every dog that comes through the doors.

The other thing that makes us different is the fact that we focus on daycare. We are not a kennel or a training company. We do not offer hair cuts or vet services. We do daycare and we do it well. All the dogs at Happy Dogz are there for the day. They are not stressed from being away from their owners for an extended period of time or because they just got their shots at the vet clinic. They know when they come to Happy Dogz they are there for one reason: to come in for the day and play with other dogs in a safe and fun environment!


How can customers contact you for more information or with questions?
If customers want to contact us they can check out our website, email me personally at joel@happyz.com or call our locations: Fitchburg at 608-278-8563 or Middleton at 608-831-1283.

DCHS Baby-Ready Pets Class

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Comments


Are you expecting a baby? Are you worried how your "fur-children" might react to your "human-children"? Has your mother-in-law been nagging you that "cats and babies just don't mix?" Dane Couny Humane Society has just the opportunity to explore these topics and more at their Baby-Ready Pets Class.

Held at the Dane County Humane Society Westside Adoption Center on July 30 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, participants in the Baby-Ready Pets Class will learn about issues faced when blending children and pets in the same household such as behavioral changes, introducing pets to a new baby, and pet-related diseases.

To register, contact the DCHS Shelter Educator at esteinwehe@giveshelter.org or call (608) 838-0413 ext. 115. A September class is also available for those unable to attend the July date (more info available at the DCHS website.)

Mad About Pets!

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Welcome to my new blog Mad About Pets. Coming to you from Madison, WI (well, Sun Prairie to be more accurate) I intend to be a fun and educational source regarding animals and pets in the greater Madison area.

From upcoming events to tips on pet ownership, please continue to check in or subscribe to my feed to stay up to date on all that's new!

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Local Sitters & Trainers

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

PETSITTERS AND BOARDING

Aunt B's Pet Resort
6990 Hickory Ln
DeForest WI
Ph: (608)
846-4115

Camp K-9
4934 Felland Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
249-3939

Catnip Hill
3312 County Rd W
Deerfield WI
Ph: (608)
764-5406

Gotta Go Out
P.O. Box 6281
Monona WI
Ph: (608)
316-2021

Happy Dogz
3148 Deming Way
Middleton WI
Ph: (608)
831-1283

--and--

6060 Mckee Rd.
Fitchburg WI
Ph: (608)
278-8563

Hound Huddle
1145 Park St
Oregon WI
Ph: (608) 835-6622

MadTown Critter Care, Inc.
PO Box 8732
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 225-3369

The Dog Den
2821 Index Road
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
278-7529

The Pet Squad
1201 Meadow Sweet Dr.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
669-7387

Windogs Pet Lodge
2332 Pinehurst Dr.
Middleton WI
Ph: (608)
831-8000

TRAINING

Blue Dog Training

1830 Helena Street
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 213-5304‎

Dog's Best Friend Training

2409 Muir Field Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 277-1339

If you would like to add a sitter or trainer to this list, please contact me.

Recommended Sites

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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Abbey's Clips 'n Snips
Mobile Pet Spa
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
241-2547

All Breed Grooming
202 S Gammon Rd
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
827-6368

Barkfest At Tiffany's
5771 Devoro Rd
Fitchburg WI
Ph: (608)
695-7592

Central Bark
2530 Advance Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
663-8300

Dog Lovers of Madison
901 Watson Ave # 116
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
271-9340

Lori's Pet Agree
2313 Parmenter St
Middleton WI
Ph: (608)
827-9681

Rover Makeovers
150 W Main St
Cambridge WI
Ph: (608) 445-0755

Rufus Dumonde
600 Williamson St.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
257-8387

Sittin' Pretty
214 S Baldwin Street
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
270-2222

Spawoof
2250 Pennsylvania Ave.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
663-9663


Tabby & Jacks
2990 Cahill Rd
Fitchburg WI
Ph: (608) 277-5900


--and--


14 W Mifflin St
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 271-7888

U Dirty Dog Mobile Salon
9829 Sandhill Rd.
Middleton WI
Ph: (608)
209-3694

If you know of a groomer that should be added to this list, please contact me.

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Animart
4303 East Towne Way
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 242-2140

--and--

900 Green Valley Rd
Beaver Dam WI
Ph: (920) 885-2800

Bad Dog Frida
2094 Atwood Ave
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 442-6868


Happy Pets
6416 Bridge Rd
Monona WI
Ph: (608) 221- 3293

Mad Cat Supplies
1012 Williamson Street
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 255-4450

--and--

7820 Mineral Point Road
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 833-5800

--and--

2623 Monroe Street #120
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 204-7447

Mounds Pet Food Warehouse
2110 S. Stoughton Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 221-0210

--and--

8311 University Ave.
Middleton WI
Ph: (608) 831-1000

--and--

5350 King James Way
Fitchburg WI
Ph: (608) 271-1800

--and--

1725 Lodge Dr.
Janesville WI
Ph: (608) 758-9998

--and--

2422 Montana Ave.
Sun Prairie WI
Ph: (608) 825-9800

Nature's Origins
2780 CR-T
Sun Prairie WI
Ph: (608) 225-0594

Noah's Ark Pet Center
603 N Sherman Ave.
Sun Prairie WI
Ph: (608)
249-8646

Nutzy Mutz and Crazy Catz
330 W Lakeside St
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 256-3647

--and--

555 S Midvale Rd
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 223-2287

Pet Supermarket
6730 Odana Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
829-0050

Pet World Warehouse
2148 W Beltline Hwy.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
278-7999

PetSmart
8210 Plaza Dr.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
833-6446

--and--

2216 E Springs Dr.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
246-0813

Reptile Rapture
6416 Bridge Rd
Monona WI
Ph: (608) 221-0094

Tabby and Jack's
2990 Cahill Main
Fitchburg WI
Ph: (608) 277-5900

Tasha's Love Treats
Stoughton WI
Ph: (608) 442-5294 ext. 401


Please contact me if you know a store that should be added to this list.

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Angel's Wish
161 Horizon Dr # 106
Verona WI
Ph: (608)
848-4174

Australian Shepherd Rescue & Helpline
Email (WI Reps):
Jeff Burrer jburrer@wi.rr.com
Sheri Stack aussiemom@centurytel.net

Country Animal Haven
1755 Williams Dr.
Stoughton WI
Ph: (608)
212-8729

Dane County Humane Society
5132 Voges Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
838-0413

Doberman Pinscher Assistance of Wisconsin, Inc.
Statewide

The Ferret Nook
PO Box 3
Cambridge WI
Ph: (608)
423-3315

Fine Feathered Friends Sanctuary
1570 County Highway A
Edgerton WI
Ph: (608)
541-0090

Fisher Valley Felines, Inc.
Fitchburg WI
Ph: (608) 516-3034

Friends of Ferals
627 Post Rd
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
274-4940

Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin
(888) 655-4753

Greyhound Pets of America
PO Box 2115
Madison WI
Ph: (414) 299-9473

Happy Cat Club of Madison
609 Diana Drive
Verona WI
Ph: (608) 845-8202

Heartland Farm Sanctuary
6314 Odana Rd
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 230-5352

Madison Mutts
4444 Robertson Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
244-5117

Oolong Dachsund Rescue
PO Box 44681
Madison WI

Shelter from the Storm
1602 Blossom Ln.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
284-7447

Small Scale Reptile Rescue
Milwaukee WI
Ph: (414) 708-8698

Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue
Email: kkranz1@wi.rr.com

Trails Home Labrador Rescue
PO Box 44243
Madison WI
Ph: (608) 444-3233

Wisconsin Bichon Frise Rescue
Madison WI

WI Big Cat Rescue
305 Pine St
Rock Springs WI
Ph: (608)
524-5466

WI Rottweiler Rescue
3617 S Dutch Mill Rd.
Madison WI
Ph: (608)
224-0272

Wisconsin Dog Rescue
Email: wdrmod@yahoo.com

Wisconsin Horse Rescue
Janesville WI
Phone: (608) 322-4068

Comprehensive List of All Wisconsin Shelters and Rescues

Another very comprehensive list

Please contact me if you would like to add a rescue to this list.

Click an event on the calendar for detailed info:

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Contact Mad About Pets:


foxyform.com


or

Mad About Pets
PO Box 865
Sun Prairie WI 53590

I love hearing from readers, and am always looking for new local businesses and products to write about. Please don't hesitate to contact me with suggestions!

I will also review any pet products sent to me as a sample at the above address (or I can be contacted to provide a physical address for larger samples.)

Thanks for reading!

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This policy is valid from 18 September 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact pets@mad-about-pets.com.

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This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

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