Mad About Pets!

The humane officer stated that she located in a separate area on the property a portable wood and carpet fighting pit that was disassembled near a fence. Near the alleged ring there were several lawn chairs, empty beer bottles, and additional cages containing fighting cocks, game hens and some chicks.

Gone are the days of tacky, circus-colored cat trees and floral beds. No longer do owners have to hide the cat's kitty-condo in the hall closet when guests come over for a dinner party. Designers have recently come out with cat furniture, beds and scratchers to match even the most modern, minimalist decor (and please the most refined feline tastes.) Almost resembling modern art, these items are designed to please the eye and conceal their primary purpose: making cats comfortable. Enjoy these selections representing some of the best in kitty urban chic:


The Atmosphere Bed- This spherical bamboo bed "ergonomically contours the natural curled sleeping position of the cat." The fluffy, overfilled cushions feature a golden ribbon look which nicely compliments the dark stain.


Price: $89.99

According to the criminal complaint, officers responded on the evening of June 21, 2009 to a 911 call in reference to the stabbing of a dog. Upon arrival at the scene on Trailsway in the City of Madison, a Madison Police Officer reported a large amount of blood in the kitchen and the living room, as well as scattered items such as cloth and paper towels apparently used to wipe up the blood. He also observed a young puppy bleeding from the neck area and in need of immediate medical attention.

The subject who initiated the 911 call was identified as 47-year-old Susanne Burgaz of Madison. The officer observed what looked like blood on her hands and clothing. Burgaz stated that the man she lived with, later identified as Richard J. Maier, had stabbed the 3-month-old German Shepherd puppy named Shep approximately 3 or 4 hours ago. She said Maier stabbed the puppy because it wouldn’t be quiet.

“(The dog) kept yelping and barking. Rick (Richard Maier) yelled at the dog to shut up, but the dog kept barking,” Burgaz stated. “He opened the door and took a knife.”

When asked to further describe the stabbing, Burgaz could not explain to the officer any more beyond stating that Maier had done it. She claimed that she had tried to help the dog by pouring iodine on the wound and gluing it with super glue. She also noted that she had tried to stop the bleeding by applying as much pressure as she could “short of strangling the dog.”

The officer contacted Richard Maier, 60, who stated that the puppy kept barking which angered Susanne Burgaz. He further stated that Burgaz yelled out “I’ve had enough!” and removed a red-handled kitchen knife from her purse. According to Maier, Burgaz ran over to the cage where the dog was located, pulled the dog out with one hand, and “stuck it once with the knife.” The dog was stabbed in the neck area.

Maier stated that Burgaz dragged the dog into the living room by a leash attached to the dog’s collar. Though the dog was bleeding heavily from the neck, Maier said that he believed Burgaz felt she could fix the wound.

“She thought she could fix it. She put iodine on it and super glue too,” he said. “I think the efforts to save the dog lasted until you got here. But before you got here, before you were called, she ran upstairs, called you guys, and said I did it.”

Maier further stated that 45 minutes to an hour went by before Burgaz called the police, and he believed the dog was going to die. He said that he felt the police should have been called earlier, because “the dog didn’t deserve that at all.”

The officer again questioned Susanne Burgaz regarding the incident. Burgaz stated that Maier had told her to “get the (expletive) dog to stop barking!” She further stated that Maier demanded that she kill the puppy and that she “had no choice” as “he’s bigger than me.” She claimed that Maier held a knife to her neck and made her stab the dog. When pressed for further details, Burgaz would only state to the officer “I can’t explain it. It was horrible.” She also could not explain how the knife got into her hand. The officer reported no noticeable marks on Burgaz’s neck.

A second officer transported the puppy to an emergency animal clinic where the knife wound was treated. The veterinarian described the laceration as being approximately two and a half centimeters wide.

A jury trial is scheduled for Susanne Burgaz on November 17, 2009. She is being charged with Intentional Mistreatment of Animals and Obstructing an Officer. Richard Maier is also charged with Intentional Mistreatment of Animals and scheduled for a settlement conference on August 21, 2009 in the Dane County Circuit Court.

For further info: Madison Police Dept Incident Report

Located at 4934 Felland Road, Camp K9 Pet Care Center has offered devoted service to Madison area dogs for over two decades. Just what makes Camp K9 so special, and how have they enjoyed such longevity? Owner Lori Campbell discussed these questions and more in an exclusive interview with Mad About Pets:

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

Camp K9 is a full service pet care facility. We offer boarding for dogs and cats, Daycamp (Mon-Fri for social dogs), Grooming, Training and some retail.

What made you decide to start up your business (how did your business come about?)

A lifelong passion for animals combined with a dream of starting a premier pet facility since the age of 16. Camp K9 started with the purchase of a home with a small kennel attached and turned a dream into a reality for myself and my husband Duncan. That was 24 years ago. The once small kennel has grown into the Madison area’s premier pet pamperer.

Please describe your facility or accommodations, and any special training or accolades you or your staff possesses.

Camp K9 is nestled in a serene wooded valley on Madison's east side. We offer accommodations to suit every taste and budget. From our classic rooms to our lavish Bed and Biscuit suites, all of which were recently remodeled, customers can have a choice of accommodations for their pet's visit. House -buddies, our newest overnight option, allows your pet a true "just like home" experience.

We are proud of our many acres of grass play yards for our guests to enjoy during their visit. Our customers always express that is one of their favorite parts of bringing their dogs here - because their pet's come home tired, refreshed and happy from these extra playtimes we offer and that we have such huge areas for their pet's to play in.

We offer multi-level custom designed Kitty condos with indoor/outdoor access and believe they are the largest kitty room accommodations available in the area. We are currently working on remodeling our activity and training center which rounds out our facility.

Many of our staff members have pet CPR certification. Our staff has more than 2 centuries of combined pet care experience; this may make us the most experienced facility around.


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

We really are Madison's premier pet spa. Camp K9 has been in the same location and under the same ownership for more than 24 years now. With this kind of experience and a commitment to Madison's pets and their people we are unparalleled. We also feel we stand out because of our country setting with lots of room to run and play for our guests. We have several acres of fenced in play yards, plus more acres of nature trails for pets to use. These big yards and fresh air make for a great vacation for any pet.

For more info: Visit Camp K9's website or call at (608) 249-3939

Many cat owners believe that their cat is too stubborn to learn to walk on a leash. While this may be true of many cats, some may actually take to it easier than you would expect. Inquisitive breeds like the Siamese (who often enjoy dog-like games of fetch or follow their owners like puppies) have been known to walk on a leash nearly as well as a well-trained dog! However unteachable your cat may seem, there are some hints that could make leash training a reality.

The most important item to consider is the harness. A proper cat harness should fit snuggly around your cat. Too tight of a harness could be painful for your cat, but having the harness too loose risks the cat wriggling free. A rule of thumb is if you can slip two fingers between the cat and harness, it is probably secure. You should never use a regular cat collar when walking a cat, as most cats can easily wriggle out of it or cause injury to themselves in the attempt.

When you first place the harness on your cat, you are likely to encounter some resistance. Offer the cat a treat and speak with a calm, reassuring voice to let her know she is safe. At first your cat may act strangely while wearing the harness. She may stiffen up or even fall over. Don’t worry—this is normal behavior. Leave the harness on your cat for five or ten minutes, then take it off. While the harness is on, you may wish to hold your cat and walk to a window or onto the porch. This will create an association for the cat between the outdoors and the harness. Repeat this exercise several times per day for a week to ten days.

After your cat has become acclimated to the feel of her harness, it is time to attach the lead. Do not attempt to walk your cat right away; instead, allow her to drag the lead around behind her for a few moments at a time. This will get her used to the feeling of being attached to something. Repeat this several times a day for a few days until your cat becomes accepting of the lead. At this point, you can hold the lead while remaining stationary. Your cat will realize she is restrained to a certain area and learn to adjust her actions accordingly. During both of these exercises, continue to speak to your cat in a reassuring voice and offer her treats. A positive association with the harness and lead is the most important key to successfully leash training a cat.

After several days, your cat should feel comfortable with the feeling of a lead attached to her harness. You may now make the great transition to the outdoors! For your first walks, be sure to choose a time when there will be little noise such as the evening. It is unlikely your cat will go very far, as she will be too busy sniffing the grass and taking in all the sights. Your cat might pull against the leash or bounce around trying to get free; if this happens, simply stand still and let her realize for herself that she’s not going to get anywhere by struggling. Do not tug on the leash or attempt to force the cat in any direction; if she does not want to come, she is not going to. Go at your cat’s pace. After all, this is supposed to be fun for both of you! It will take several days or even several weeks for your cat to become accustomed to going for walks; however, if you take your time and are patient, your cat will form a positive association with walking on a leash.

Several tips to remember:

1. Be patient! Cats are creatures of habit, and it takes a while to teach them a new behavior.

2. Listen to your cat! If she is struggling against her harness or clearly in distress, do not attempt to walk her. It will not be fun for either of you, and you are likely to damage your training efforts.

3. Pay attention! Whether you’re in the training process or actually going for walks, always keep an eye on your cat. It only takes a second for a cat to become entangled in a lead or to be attacked by a neighborhood dog.

4. Be realistic! Not all cats will enjoy walking on a leash. If despite your best efforts the training just isn’t working, it’s okay to admit defeat. There are plenty of other activities you can enjoy with your cat like wand toys or laser pens that will be enjoyable for you both.

For more info: The Daily Cat, Pet Wellbeing, CatsPlay

Filmed at Arnold's Wildlife Rescue, this video captures an unlikely relationship between a deer and a tabby cat. Adorable!

Anyone who has ever experienced behavior problems in cats knows that it can be a very frustrating experience. Seemingly simple changes like introducing a new cat into the home or moving to a new apartment can trigger unwanted and unpleasant changes in a cat's behavior. From urine marking to inappropriate scratching, these behaviors are a nuisance to owners and are also signs that a cat may be under considerable stress. Fortunately for cats and their owners, modern science has given us an ingenious product: Feliway Comfort Zone.

You may have noticed when your cat is happy, he or she will rub a cheek on furniture, your leg, or anything else in the vicinity. Besides being incredibly cute, this behavior is actually a cat's way of marking with a pheromone produced by glands in their cheeks. This pheromone is a "feel-good" pheromone for cats, producing a happy and calming effect. Feliway Comfort Zone is a scientifically engineered synthetic version of this pheromone. It's calming effects can be used to calm cats in stressful situations, as well as positively modify feline behavior. Best of all, it is undetectable to the human nose.

Feliway Comfort Zone is available in several different forms. For targeted application, the product is available in a spray or as wipes. These products can be applied directly to problem areas such as the litterbox. For cats needing modification of their litter box habits, the spray can be applied to the litter box making it a comfortable place for cats. It can also be applied to the scratching post to encourage use. Trips to the veterinarian can be an incredibly stressful experience for a cat; by applying Comfort Zone to their pet carrier, some of the trauma of the experience can be alleviated (the spray should never, however, be applied directly to a cat's body.)

Another version of Feliway Comfort Zone is the plug-in diffuser. Much like scented plug-ins purchased to give a room an inviting scent for humans, the Comfort Zone diffuser uses an electrical outlet to diffuse the feel-good pheromone throughout the home. This can be useful for situations where the home environment itself may have become stressful to a cat. Introducing a new cat, moving to a new home, bringing home a new baby, or even getting new furniture can all cause upset to a cat's routine. Diffusing the pheromone throughout the home can make these transitional situations easier for a cat to cope with and may prevent unwanted behaviors from developing.




There is also a Comfort Zone product available for dogs.

For more information on this product for cats and dogs: Comfort Zone