Pets

The Burbank City Council's decision to draft an ordinance to ban the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores made me proud to be a resident here. However, it is appalling that the council wants to write in an exemption for one store. The communities abutting Burbank's city limits have already become humane. Glendale and Los Angeles both have banned the sale of mill animals. By allowing this grandfathering, Burbank will remain a centralized pocket of inhumanity - all because one business has claimed that they, unlike every other pet store in the surrounding cities, simply cannot keep their business alive by adopting this new policy.

Puppies and kittens are lifetime commitments, not gifts or toys to be played with for a short period of time and then tossed aside, disregarded or replaced by the next latest and greatest “thing.” This is what happens when these adorable little balls of fur and fluff are purchased as presents and it is easier than ever to buy a pet in a store or online. With just one click, a life can be purchased. Internet sales tragically have become a major forum for puppy mills to sell directly to the public without any regulations.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- Pet photographs are being accepted now from owners of pets adopted at the Burbank Animal Shelter for the city's Pets of Burbank 2002 calendar. Pets and owners must live in Burbank, and pets must have been adopted from the Burbank Animal Shelter. Some of the entries will be included in the calendar. To enter, send in by Nov. 5 your name, the pet's name, the date the pet was adopted, a description of the animal, name of persons in photo with pet, address and phone number to Burbank Public Information Office, Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91502.

Budah and Bunny are a bouncy, bonded pair that must be adopted together. Budah is a spunky all-black mini satin rabbit who is medium in size. His girlfriend is a large, beautiful brown bunny with charming white spots. They are learning how to use the litter box. Budah may seem a bit shy, but happily interacts with humans when Bunny is around. Bunny is very outgoing, loves attention and is quite curious. Budah and Bunny would be happy to be your only pets, but can be placed in a home with children and other pets.

If you like perky ears, a great coat and an oh-so handsome face, King might be the dog for you. He is a 2 1/2-year-old, gold-and-white Chihuahua/Welsh Corgi mix with loads of energy and lots to talk about. This little guy is a big fan of people and gets along great with other small dogs, too. Playtime and daily exercise will bond you forever to this fun, sprightly pup and will make training and naptime a whole lot more enjoyable. Inside scoop alert: King came into the shelter with his great aunt, Sissy, A054525.

Well, it has happened again - a family pet was taken by a wild animal in the middle of the night. This week it was on Hamline , three weeks ago it was on Lanark and there are lots of sightings of the predators. Many more are not reported but it's the same result, over and over. Every time I read one of these stories, I feel so sad for the poor pet, every night they are left outside to fend for themselves with no protection. They know what lurks in the hills, they know when something is nearby, they know their life is on the line, every single night.

In homage to the 2000 feature film “Best In Show,” Actors and Others for Animals presented a parody of the hit movie at its annual “Celebration of Caring” fundraiser luncheon held at the Universal Hilton Hotel and Towers this past Saturday. Stars of the film, Fred Willard and Jim Piddock, reprised their roles, serving as commentators as the animal welfare organization staged its own best-in-show competition that pitted the pets of numerous celebrities against one another with their owners making comedic pitches and showing video presentations on their behalf.

Denise Fleck - a longtime volunteer at the Burbank Animal Shelter who owns a business teaching people how to perform CPR on dogs and cats - is a finalist for "Woman of the Year" honors by a national pet industry organization. The Oregon-based Women in Pet Industry Network received more than 60 nominations across the country to recognize women working in the pet industry as groomers, dog sitters, veterinarians and pet advocates. "Regardless of who wins, I hope we'll leave a combined legacy of improving the lives of animals and the lives of the people who love them," Fleck said.