One of the wonderful things about living in the western world is the abundance of "things" that we have the good fortune of having. While we all like getting presents at Christmas time, it's probably safe to say that most of us have more "stuff" than we really need.
Some years ago, the team at VetShopAustralia decided that rather than sending presents (more "stuff") to customers and suppliers, we would instead make a gift to a poor or underprivilaged community in the name of our staff, customers and suppliers.
We chose the "Smiles" program operated by World Vision (worldvision.com.au), as it is focused on helping the poorest of the poor, with items that are sustainable, and help break the brutal cycle of poverty. As animal lovers, we choose gifts of farm animals, which help the communities by providing not just food, but also wool, milk & eggs to sell and donkeys and cattle to help till the earth and cart goods.
World Vision also provides the communities with animal husbandry training and support, so that we know that these animals will not just be appreciated, but well cared for as well.
Although the economic conditions have been tough this year, we are proud to say that we have been able to maintain our tradition of giving "just a little bit more" each year. This year, our selected gift was a Stable full of animals (click here to view). This gift will go to a community in Australia's close neighbour, East Timor and comprises of two donkeys, two cows, two goats, four ducks, and six chickens with chicken feed.
We hope our contribution will go some way to helping the families in this community. Click here to read more about the work of World Vision in East Timor.
On behalf of everyone here at VetShopAustralia, we wish you, your family, friends, and of course pets, a safe and merry Christmas!
Some years ago, the team at VetShopAustralia decided that rather than sending presents (more "stuff") to customers and suppliers, we would instead make a gift to a poor or underprivilaged community in the name of our staff, customers and suppliers.
We chose the "Smiles" program operated by World Vision (worldvision.com.au), as it is focused on helping the poorest of the poor, with items that are sustainable, and help break the brutal cycle of poverty. As animal lovers, we choose gifts of farm animals, which help the communities by providing not just food, but also wool, milk & eggs to sell and donkeys and cattle to help till the earth and cart goods.
World Vision also provides the communities with animal husbandry training and support, so that we know that these animals will not just be appreciated, but well cared for as well.
Although the economic conditions have been tough this year, we are proud to say that we have been able to maintain our tradition of giving "just a little bit more" each year. This year, our selected gift was a Stable full of animals (click here to view). This gift will go to a community in Australia's close neighbour, East Timor and comprises of two donkeys, two cows, two goats, four ducks, and six chickens with chicken feed.
We hope our contribution will go some way to helping the families in this community. Click here to read more about the work of World Vision in East Timor.
On behalf of everyone here at VetShopAustralia, we wish you, your family, friends, and of course pets, a safe and merry Christmas!
Sleep? Eat? Play?
Pet food company Purina set out recently to determine exactly what cats do all day when their owners are not home. They fitted tiny cameras to the collars of fifty indoor cats. The digital cameras snapped off a still photo every 15 minutes. By examining the thousands of photos, animal behavior scientist Dr. Jill Villarreal was able to determine just what our kitty friends get up to during the day.
While cats have been known to sleep between 8 and 16 hours a day, when they are awake they are extremely active, seeking out sensory stimulation. Contrary to the belief that cats are solitary animals, cats spent a lot of time seeking out and interacting with other animals in the household. Not just other cats, but also dogs and other pets such as rabbits. The cats in the survey spent 12% of their time in the company of other animals, 6% of the time sleeping and 5% of the time playing with their toys. However the one activity that took up most of their day, in fact 21% of the time, was surprisingly staring out the window! Cats just seemed to love observing what was going on outside! Curious by nature, cats were able to lie in the sun and watch the world go by for hours.
Following on from her research, Dr Villarreal suggests that we make our home stimulating for our feline friends, by providing different toys, such as furry mice, treat-dispensing balls and catnip filled stuffed toys. She suggests hiding small treats around the house, leaving the blinds or curtains open and even leaving the television on during the day.
They say that every dog has its day, but it seems that now, every pet of every type has his or her day. Check out this list of pet "days" I just found online:
JANUARY
National Bird Day--January 5
National Dress Up Your Pet Day - January 14
Answer Your Cats Questions Day - January 22
FEBRUARY
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
National Bird Feeding Month
Pet Dental Health Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
Petsitters Week - February 1 - 7
National Aminal Poison Prevention Week - February 15 - 21
Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week - February 7-14
Groundhog Day - February 2
Sled Dog Day - February 2
Pet Theft Awareness Day - February 14
National Dog Biscuit Day - February 23
International Polar Bear Day - February 27
MARCH
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
National Pig Day--March 1
National Puppy Day- March 23
APRIL
International Pet First Aid Month
National Pet Month
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
International Pooper Scooper Week April 1 - 7
National Pet ID Week - April 18-24
National Wildlife Week - April 18 - 26
National Pet Day - April 10
Hairball Awareness Day - April 24
Bulldogs are beautiful Day - April 25
National Kids & Pets Day - April 26
MAY
Go Fetch - Food Drive for Animals month
National Pet Week - 1st week of May
Be Kind to Animals Week - 1st week of May
National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 13-19
Save the Rhino Day--May 1
National Disabled Pets Day - May 3
Respect for chickens Day - May 4
National See Monkey Day - May 16
Frog Jumping Jubilee Day-- May 19
World Turtle Day - May 23
Hug your cat day - May 30
JUNE
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
Turkey Lovers Month
Take Your Dog To Work Day - June 26
JULY
Rabbit week - July 15 - 21
Cow Appreciation Day - July 25
AUGUST
Assistance Dog Week - August 9 - 15
National Homeless Animals Day - August 15
National Dog Day - August 26th
SEPTEMBER
World Animal Remembrance Month
National Dog Week - Last week of September
Responsible Dog Ownership Day - September 19
Elephant Appreciation Day - September 22
Fish Tank Floorshow night - September 28
OCTOBER
Adopt-a- Shelter Dog Month
National Animal Safety & Prevention Month
Fire Pup Day - October 1
Mule Day - October 26
National Cat Day October 29
NOVEMBER
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Senior Pet Month
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week - November 5-11
Cat Days - November 20 - 22
DECEMBER
Operation Santa Paws - December 1 - 19
National Mutt Day - December 2
Day of the Horse - December 12
JANUARY
National Bird Day--January 5
National Dress Up Your Pet Day - January 14
Answer Your Cats Questions Day - January 22
FEBRUARY
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
National Bird Feeding Month
Pet Dental Health Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
Petsitters Week - February 1 - 7
National Aminal Poison Prevention Week - February 15 - 21
Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week - February 7-14
Groundhog Day - February 2
Sled Dog Day - February 2
Pet Theft Awareness Day - February 14
National Dog Biscuit Day - February 23
International Polar Bear Day - February 27
MARCH
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
National Pig Day--March 1
National Puppy Day- March 23
APRIL
International Pet First Aid Month
National Pet Month
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
International Pooper Scooper Week April 1 - 7
National Pet ID Week - April 18-24
National Wildlife Week - April 18 - 26
National Pet Day - April 10
Hairball Awareness Day - April 24
Bulldogs are beautiful Day - April 25
National Kids & Pets Day - April 26
MAY
Go Fetch - Food Drive for Animals month
National Pet Week - 1st week of May
Be Kind to Animals Week - 1st week of May
National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 13-19
Save the Rhino Day--May 1
National Disabled Pets Day - May 3
Respect for chickens Day - May 4
National See Monkey Day - May 16
Frog Jumping Jubilee Day-- May 19
World Turtle Day - May 23
Hug your cat day - May 30
JUNE
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
Turkey Lovers Month
Take Your Dog To Work Day - June 26
JULY
Rabbit week - July 15 - 21
Cow Appreciation Day - July 25
AUGUST
Assistance Dog Week - August 9 - 15
National Homeless Animals Day - August 15
National Dog Day - August 26th
SEPTEMBER
World Animal Remembrance Month
National Dog Week - Last week of September
Responsible Dog Ownership Day - September 19
Elephant Appreciation Day - September 22
Fish Tank Floorshow night - September 28
OCTOBER
Adopt-a- Shelter Dog Month
National Animal Safety & Prevention Month
Fire Pup Day - October 1
Mule Day - October 26
National Cat Day October 29
NOVEMBER
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Senior Pet Month
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week - November 5-11
Cat Days - November 20 - 22
DECEMBER
Operation Santa Paws - December 1 - 19
National Mutt Day - December 2
Day of the Horse - December 12
It's our 10th birthday. 10 years since VetShopAustralia.com.au was created, and to celebrate we are giving our customers a little something back to show our appreciation for their support over the years.
"Spend over $100 in the month of December and get $10 off your next order!"
When you spend over $100 we will send you a coupon code with your package that will entitle you to a $10 discount off your next order. Then when you go to make your next order with VetShopAustralia.com.au, simply enter in the coupon code on the checkout page and $10 will be deducted from your order.
"Spend over $100 in the month of December and get $10 off your next order!"
When you spend over $100 we will send you a coupon code with your package that will entitle you to a $10 discount off your next order. Then when you go to make your next order with VetShopAustralia.com.au, simply enter in the coupon code on the checkout page and $10 will be deducted from your order.