Green Acres Kennel Shop

Rex and Sparky have been Green Acres Kennel Shop's radio spokesdogs since the late nineties and now through the magic of animation they have come to life here on our blog, on our web site (www.greenacreskennel.com) and on our ads on WVII ABC 7, WFVX FOX 22, WABI CBS 5, Animal Planet and Lifetime. You can see Rex and Sparky's first ad and a bonus "pilot episode" ad by visiting our YouTube Channel at:

http://www.youtube.com/GreenAcresKennelShop

The Drawing for the $50 Gift Certificate

To enter the drawing for the $50 gift certificate described in Rex and Sparky's first video: 1.      Go to the bottom of this article until you see the word "Comments" and click. 2.      Go to "Leave A Reply" and enter your full and legal name and email address in the appropriate fields. 3.      Lastly, go to the comment box and tell us why you like Green Acres Kennel Shop and where you first saw our new Rex and Sparky commercial (WVII, WFVX, WABI, Animal Planet, Lifetime, Green Acres blog or the Green Acres web site). 4.      Press the "Submit Comment" button and you will be entered in our drawing for a $50 gift certificate. We will make a random drawing from all of the complete entries on August 30th. The winner will be notified via the email address they provided. Entries are limited to one per household and must be complete. The gift certificate must be picked up at Green Acres Kennel Shop, 1653 Union Street, Bangor, ME during our regular business hours and used no later than October 31, 2009. We hope you will subscribe to the Green Acres blog. For instructions on how to do so, please click here. Rex and Sparky were brought to life by Brett Slater of Slater's Garage Ads & Audio (www.slatersgarage.com)

Hurricane Katrina was a tragedy of epic proportions. Tom McPhee's An America Opera: The Greatest Pet Rescue Ever is the multi-award winning documentary chronicling what happened during Hurricane Katrina when pet guardians were forced to evacuate without their pets. The film follows the pets, vets, guardians, officials, rescuers, and adopters of animals as they try to remedy the situation, revealing that not everyone had the same goal of saving animals. Trailers are available at www.anamericanopera.com. The Rescue Party Tour will be in Belfast at the Colonial Theater on August 2nd 2009. Doors open at 6:15 PM. A $25 VIP ticket comes with a signed poster, meet and greet with the filmmaker, and $10 will go back to local animal charities. A Q&A with the filmmaker Tom McPhee will follow the screening of An American Opera: The Greatest Pet Rescue Ever! " This film is both heartbreaking and inspiring... Perhaps the biggest legacy this film will leave is the need to make a difference it imparts to those who view it." FilmGuru.net More information and tickets are available at www.rescuepartytour.com

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) is a highly contagious disease, in some ways similar to the common cold or flu in humans. Common signs of URI are: clear or colored nasal discharge, sneezing, red/inflamed conjunctiva, ulcers/sores on the nose, lips, tongue or gums and fever/lethargy/loss of appetite. The latter may also be a sign of other illnesses. Most cats are at small risk for developing URI. The highest risk is for cats that spend time outdoors and cats that are housed in close contact with other cats such as at an animal shelter or cattery. URI may be caused by any of the following pathogens; Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1 - probably the most common), Feline Calicivirus (FCV - perhaps not as common as herpes, but potentially more severe), Chlamydophila felis, Mycoplasma spp. and Bordetella bronchiseptica. The web site for the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine program states that URI is the most frustrating illness facing animal shelters. This is because URI is extremely contagious and because many of the cats that end up at a shelter are already compromised due to poor nutrition, parasites, stress and a suppressed immune system. When this is combined with the possibility of overcrowding, sub-standard air quality and sanitation, and the addition of the stress of being in a shelter, URI thrives. Air quality can be a major factor in preventing URI. For several years Green Acres Kennel Shop has been using air cleaning systems made by EcoQuest in our kennel areas, cattery, retail store and home. These systems remove particulate matter from the air, reduce odors, and kill germs much like the natural processes found in sunlight and thunder storms. Together with Breathing Easy, a local EcoQuest distributor, we are starting a fundraising campaign to raise $1500 to install one of these units in each of the Bangor Humane Society's cat areas. By cleaning the air and killing germs these cleaners will be reducing two of the factors that contribute to the spread of URI at the Bangor Humane Society. So far we have raised $800 but need to raise an additional $700. If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile cause you may send your contribution to: BHS Air Cleaner Fund ATTN: Suzan Bell 693 Mount Hope Avenue Bangor, ME 04401

References

http://www.sheltermedicine.com/portal/is_feline_upper_res.shtml http://www.ecoquestintl.com/jano/

Tune into The Woof Meow Show on Sunday July 26th when I'll be talking with Suzan Bell, Executive Director of the Bangor Humane Society and Dr. Mark Hanks from Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic. We will be discussing upper respiratory disease in cats, its impact on animal shelters, and how you can help us help the Bangor Humane Society fight this disease. The Woof Meow Show is on every Sunday at 8:30PM on WVOM 103.9 and WVQM 101.3FM.

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Contact:     Don Hanson Green Acres Kennel Shop 945-6841 [Bangor]- On July 16^th, Green Acres Kennel Shop will proudly add the NutriSource family of pet foods to the wholesome and healthy foods offered at their Bangor store. NutriSource, based in Perham, MN, has been manufacturing pet foods for 40 years and super premium foods since 2003. Located in the heart of America's "breadbasket," NutriSource is able to purchase the freshest raw ingredients from local growers, ensuring the quality necessary for optimum nutrition. Today the family-owned business produces three super premium food lines; NutriSource, Pure Vita and Natural Planet Organics. All of the NutriSource products meet Green Acres stringent criteria for a holistic pet food. A superior source of animal protein is the first ingredient, and all grains and vegetables are whole and unprocessed. The foods are supplemented with digestive enzymes and pre and probiotics and preserved naturally with no unnecessary content from artificial colors and sweeteners. The NutriSource brand has made the Whole Dog Journals list of "Approved Dry Foods" every year since 2006. There are a total of ten dog formulas and one cat formula in the line. Depending on the formula chosen, the daily feeding cost for a 50lb dog ranges from $0.62 to $0.84 Launched in 2007, Natural Planet Organics has been on the Whole Dog Journals list of "Approved Dry Foods" every year since 2008. Offered in two formulas; one for dogs and one for cats, this food is certified organic by Oregon Tilth. Its first ingredient is organic chicken and the daily feeding cost for a 50lb dog is only $1.24 Pure Vita is NutriSource's newest product line. It is offered in three formulas; Duck, Salmon, and Chicken, as a single source protein food which is ideal for dogs with allergies and food intolerance issues. Introduced in the summer of 2008, it first appeared on Whole Dog Journals list of "Approved Dry Foods" in February of this year.  Acai Berries and Pomegranate are added to Pure Vita as natural sources of antioxidants. The daily feeding cost for a 50lb dog ranges from $1.31 to $1.44. Green Acres' co-owner Don Hanson indicated that Green Acres will be offering a frequent buyer program on all of the NutriSource products that entitles customers to a free bag once they have purchased twelve bags in any combination. Hanson stated that one of the things that really impressed him about NutriSource as a company was their openness about providing date on their food such as the food density and kilocalories per cup. This information is necessary to calculate actual feeding costs and is available in NutriSource's brochures and on their web site. Low quality foods tend to refuse to release this information and even many of the super premium brands make it difficult to obtain. In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union Street is a Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) accredited facility offering boarding, daycare and grooming for dogs and cats, as well as pet behavior consultations and training classes. The Green Acres retail store offers a wide variety of wholesome pet foods, treats and quality supplies. For more information, please call 945-6841 or visit www.greenacreskennel.com.

Today I updated our list of the dry and frozen raw foods that we recommend for adult dogs. This chart lists the foods in alphabetical order and indicates bag size, price per bag, the amount of food required by a 50lbs dog on a daily basis, the cost to feed that dog every day, and the first five ingredients in the food. The list can be accessed at our website via either of the following two links: http://www.greenacreskennel.com/pages/Pet_Food/A_Comparison_of_Dry_Dog_Foods_Costs.html http://tiny.cc/ODjtk

For Immediate Release

Thursday, July 09, 2009 Contact:     Don Hanson Green Acres Kennel Shop 945-6841 [Bangor]- Kate Dutra, Don Hanson, Joel Mahaffey and Becky Ruggiero, Certified Professional Dog Trainers at Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, attended the "Dog to Dog Reactivity and Aggression" seminar presented by Dr. Patricia McConnell, in Portland. The seminar focused on understanding why dogs become reactive, how to handle them safely and humanely and how to teach their guardians how to help their dog overcome aggression. Hanson is also a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Bach Flower Registered Practitioner animal specialist. He and Dutra provide behavior consultation services for guardians with dogs with a wide variety of behavioral issues including aggression, separation anxiety and other issues. In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union Street is a Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) accredited facility offering boarding, daycare and grooming for dogs and cats, as well as pet behavior consultations and training classes. The Green Acres retail store offers a wide variety of wholesome pet foods, treats and quality supplies. For more information, please call 945-6841 or visit www.greenacreskennel.com

Tune into The Woof Meow Show on Sunday July 12th when Dr. David Cloutier from the Veazie Veterinary Clinic and I will be discussing flea and tick preventives for dogs and cats. Dr. Cloutier will discuss when these types of products are needed and how to use them safely. The Woof Meow Show is on every Sunday at 8:30PM on WVOM 103.9 and WVQM 101.3FM.

Tune into The Woof Meow Show on Sunday July 5th when Kate, Suzan Bell and I will be talking about the advantages and disdvanatges of having an indoor only cat versus a cat that is allowed both indoors and outdoors. The Woof Meow Show is on every Sunday at 8:30PM on WVOM 103.9 and WVQM 101.3FM.