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Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category

Adopt a Virtual Pet Online

May 2nd, 2009
virtual games
Robert asked:


Adopt a virtual pet online through VPS or a virtual pet site is the website where you enjoy the freedom to take care and receive any items like gifts, virtual pets etc. You can even play games, find out about various places and get a chance to earn virtual money. Some of them also provide battlefields, trading and auction. Most of them offer mailing systems, clubs and forums. The sites also let you make friends. But what distinguishes this site is the chance to adopt a virtual pet for free.

Are you interested in finding out more details about adopt a virtual pet? Looking to adopt a virtual pet? Then remember few virtual pet sites let you adopt a virtual pet for free, with the limit being 15. While others let you look after only 4 pets in total. These sites let you adopt a virtual pet anything of your choice. Besides the traditional pets, the list also comprises of aliens, unicorns and dragons. Some creatures are entirely new and distinct.

Actually, there is a big range to select from. These sites will let you adopt a virtual pet of different kinds for free. You can also select an animal produced by breeding 2 or more original species. The best aspect of these sites is that every site lists all the important details and information about the health and wellbeing of the animals. These information tidbits are called as Petpedia. The habit of producing few of the pets in themes is not strange.

The virtual pet sites provide their own currencies also after you adopt a virtual pet. These currencies are necessary for paying the fees and buying manuals for caring the pets after you adopt a virtual pet, You can also use them for purchasing food and toys. The currencies can be obtained by winning the games available on the site. The currency versions differ to a great extent.

Besides offering you a chance to adopt a virtual pet for free, these sites also have features like community groups, chat rooms and forums. These are supplementary offers given by the sites to their users. The games on the sites are flexible enough to be programmed in Shockwave, Flash and PHP. You can also find out about other interesting regions of your choice with the help of browser-based map.



Pets , ,

Teach your Cat to Retrieve Like a Dog

April 27th, 2009
ping pong
Russell Clark asked:


You can train your cat to retrieve its toys just like a dog. Many cats love to retrieve a crumpled piece of paper, a rolled up sock , or even a pom pom ball. After they learn, they will wear you out demanding that you throw this toy for them again and again. You can train your cat to fetch a toy in a half - hour or so, with a little patience and persistence. Start by getting your cats attention and throwing the toy so your cat chases it. Keep throwing the toy and keep repeating “ bring it here.” When your cat plays with the toy rather than bringing it to you, go get it and throw it again. Before long, he will get the idea. Once your cat picks up this habit you have to keep doing it every day or they will soon lose interest and forget how to fetch for you. This trick is easy to learn and most cats will quickly learn how to do it for you.

The best toys for cats and kittens. . . Now you have taught your cat how to fetch and he is constantly amazing you with his great talent, you need to spice up your cats life with a new toy.

You can purchase any number of fun toys for your cat from the store. Ping Pong balls make an ideal toy. They are light to bat around, and they are cheap to buy. You get six or twelve balls in a package for under three bucks.

Small rubber balls are also a favorite for some cats. Be careful that the ball is not so small that the cat can swallow and chock on it. Another consideration is whether the toy is made from something that your cat can tare up and swallow this includes rubber bands.

Plastic cat toys are fine but be leery of thin plastic toys that will become brittle when affected by sunlight and bells that your cat can swallow. My cats love to play with balls of crumpled up foil.

Cats love to play in bags. I always cut the handles on plastic bags if I let my cats play with them. I prefer paper bags and so do my cats. A few sheets of newspaper will entertain your cat for hours.

Cat houses and towers are great for letting your cat climb indoors. Most towers have toys attached to them and a scratching post. These days you can find them cheap on the net.

Catnip is a favorite for a lot of cats, but there are some cats that don’t like it. If your lucky your cats love catnip and you can enjoy the pleasure of watching them go ballistic after eating some. My cats race around the house chasing each other after getting nipped up.

In conclusion, its really a simple task to teach your cat to fetch lice a dog. Keep working at it and before long both you and your cat will be having so much fun it will drive you nuts.



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Cat Health: Exercise, Toys, and Playtime

March 20th, 2009
ping pong
Carol Osborne asked:


How Much Playtime Do Cats Need? Cats needs at least 10-15 minutes of exercise three to four times a day. The exact amount varies with age, breed, health and physical condition.

Indoor cats need to play 3 to 4 times as much as outdoor cats to satisfy their needs for exercise. One hour of playful exercise increases your cat’s lifespan by 4 hours.

TIP: If your cat is neutered he is twice as likely to get chubby, so decrease his calories by one third and play more. Be creative think up games that stimulate your cat’s natural instincts.

Exercise Is Fun With Felines!

Exercise is integral to life. Not only is it essential for optimal health, it also improves circulation, stimulates vital organs, facilitates digestion and helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body. Exercise provides aerobic activity that stimulates your cat mentally and physically. Playful exercise is fun too. The more you play with your cat the more trusting and alert he’ll become. It is a great way to bond, and it is as good for you as it is for your cat. Most owners end up looking forward to this “special time” as much as their cats do.

Cats have different types of personalities, just like people. Figure out what kind of cat you have-shy, curious, sedate or wild. Adapt the type of play you choose to the personality of your cat.

Cat nip is a perfectly safe herb that many cats enjoy. Once a week, sprinkle the fresh herb on the floor or on a couple favorite toys. Cats generally play, roll and frolic. Your cat will have fun and so will you.

Exercise Goals

Exercise promotes confidence, self-esteem and well being. If you make the commitment to eat right and playfully exercise at least 10 minutes four times a day, you and your cat will look good and feel great! Exercise enhances your health, your looks and your life.

If you and your cat can’t exercise, feline massage is an alternative. It’s therapeutic and stimulates vital tissues. It’s also fun and feels great.

Cats love a ritual-especially before a good meal. Set play sessions for the same time each day and soon your cat will be there eagerly waiting for you.

The love you bestow on your cat and the relationship you share will become a source of continued happiness in your life.

TOYS

Toys provide a positive outlet for cats of all ages. Many are educational, some are interactive, and others are just plain fun. In additional to physical benefits,

they stimulate cats mentally; help prevent boredom, destruction and anxiety. Some toys are also a form of exercise like laser mice and many can be stuffed or rubbed with treats like catnip. Get a variety of toys and rotate them every few days.

GREAT SAFE CAT TOYS:

* Crumpled Paper Balls

* Peacock Feathers

* Empty Paper Bags

* Card Board Boxes

* Pieces of real fur (2 cm X 5 cm)

* Pinecones

* Ping Pong Balls

* A pile of shredded paper

* Empty 35MM film containers (or filled 1/3 with raw lentils)

* The occasional full toilet paper roll (for shredding)

Anything dangling from a fishing line makes a good toy:

Frozen green beans, Walnut shells, Sea-shells,

Plastic lids from bottled water, Leaves at the top of a Celery Stalk, Pipe Cleaners twisted up like Butterflies

TOYS

Cats judge toys based on their size, texture, sound and smell. Small, light weight items like crocheted mice, fish and birds especially with unpredictable, erratic movements are favorites for many felines.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

CREATE INTERACTIVE GAMES FOR YOUR CAT:

Kitty Hockey: throw a couple plastic rings from a milk jug on a smooth floor — your feline will fly for the puck

Create snakelike toys: then sneak & slither them over chairs and up & down stairs

Make a kitty racquetball court: put a ping pong ball in a small box and cut a small paw sized hole in one end

Create a feline obstacle course: place several boxes upside down or paper bags on their side and cut holes in each to enter & exit

Improve balance & coordination with a multi-leveled cat tree: entice your cat to jump from 1 perch to the next during interactive play sessions

Encourage scratching and stretching with a few sturdy scratching posts covered with hemp or the rough backing of a piece of carpet

INTERACTIVE GAMES

Wiggle a fishing line with feathers on one end over

perches, playgrounds and obstacle courses to get your cat to stretch and keep his muscles toned

FACT: Play is soothing to the soul-yours and your cats.



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Virtual Pet Games – What is Online for Kids?

March 9th, 2009
virtual games
Robert asked:


Generally, there are 3 kinds of virtual pets: downloadable (download the software and play games on your computer), straight online virtual pets and “dual pets”, which are actually plush animals, which can also be looked after online by keying in a unique code that accompanies the toy at virtual pet adoption sites.

Downloadable virtual pets are a great source of entertainment, and you need not be online at cyber pet adoption sites - once the software is downloaded. The problem with this option is that unless a reputed site provides the software, you are facing the danger of downloading a virus along with the game - which can be quite bad! (If you visit one of the free download sites, there can even be a warning note at the top or bottom of the webpage regarding it.)

Virtual pets at VPA sites are played straight online, without having to download the software for playing. Generally this means taking a registered membership with the cyber pet adoption site so as to own the pet. This is a good option, but if the virtual pet adoption site is not secured you again run the risk of running into a virus that can actually spoil your computer.

So for both the above alternatives, ensure you have installed latest version of a good virus protection for your computer!

The last kind of online pet (”dual pets”) is the best solution. They’re quite cheap (about $10 - $15 for each new pet) and actually worth the price paid. These pets are real, meaning they are luxurious stuffed animals with which children can play like other kinds of toys, but they come with a code printed on a card provided along with them that gives access to virtual pet adoption websites letting the child feed, clothe, provide medication and design homes for their pets. In this VPA online game, the cyber pet adoption sites are very secure (thus eliminating the risk of unknowingly adopting a virus as well as the pet). Besides there are various other activities that are available on the virtual pet adoption sites like educational games, chat rooms (safe) and other entertainment for young ones.

Irrespective of the kind of virtual pet adopted at virtual pet adoption centers, caring for it is quite a fun and educative activity.



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Different Toys for Different Cats

January 1st, 2009
ping pong
Jay Schindler asked:


When the mouse is away, cats play. And cats have the tendency to both play hard and play soft. Toys are to cats the same as toys are to dogs. It helps fight the boredom experienced by these pets as well as gives our feline friends the opportunity to practice and use their natural inclination to chase and hunt for prey. It also gives the cat owner that great chance to play with their pets, an experience that will aid in bonding their relationship.

But what toys are best for cats? The following are tips and helpful advice to get that perfect toy for the cat owners perfect pets.

Play safe

The good thing about cats is that they can play ball inside the house and the owners will never know it. Still, there may be things inside the house that cats could find attractive yet might actually endanger their health and safety. Houses must be cat-friendly. As much as possible, take away any string, yarn, needles, rubber bands or other objects that could easily be swallowed by cats. These things could be lethal to cats. Do not let them play with these articles no matter how cute they may appear to be.

Play soft

Choose soft toys that can easily be machine-washed. It is best that the toys chosen to be played with by cats are also the toys marked as safe to be played with by children below three years old. Toys such as these usually contain fillings that are not hazardous. Also, avoid giving cats toys that are hard and rigid, these types do not appeal to them that much. 

Know your cat, know their toy

It is best that one also familiarize themselves with your cat. Doing so helps in ones selection of the kind of plaything that best serves the size of ones cat - the kind of activity the cat likes and its unique preferences. Know the environment in which the cat likes to spend its time the most. 

Choose active toys

Toys that are great to play with for cats are usually the round plastic ones (such as rings from shower curtains, plastic balls, golf balls, balls used in ping-pong) as these give cats the opportunity to chase and paw around. They could also carry these in their mouths, make sure though that these are big enough they cannot be swallowed but not so large that they cannot carry them in their mouths. 

Choose active play

Balls can be placed inside bath tubs filled with water. Watch as cats frolic and play on and around the toy. It is just as enjoyable to the cat as it is fun for the cat owner. Another added feature that could be placed on balls are bells. One not only sees how cats play, one could also listen and take pleasure in the playful sound . Another simple yet effective plaything for cats is a paper bag.  Use paper bags that do not have handles. These bags are good for pouncing around. Cats hide in them too. As much as possible, avoid the plastic ones as cats have the tendency to chew these and they may eat the plastic. This is not good. 

Toys with tails

Cats like playing with soft toy animals - specially the ones that have tails. They either bite them, paw them or chase these little stuffed toys around.  It is best if these toys are as big or as small as the cats playing them. 

Toys with catnip

Catnip is sometimes used as stuffing for toys that are soft. Putting catnip in such playthings make the toys more enjoyable to carry, kick and throw around. More importantly, it is safe for cats to chew on, roll around in, or eat. It is okay for owners to place catnip on carpeted floors, or (to make clean-up easy) on towels. There are now catnip oils that can be placed on carpets, and they usually stay there. Cats detect these too. Although small cats, specifically kittens who are younger than six months have shown a certain kind of immunity to catnip.

All in all, it is best that cat owners define what kind of toy should be played by their cats. It is advisable that different kinds of toys be given on certain days, and that displaying all toys simultaneously may not be a good idea. Cats can easily tire of seeing the same fluffy toy animal again and again. Variety always works best. However if cats show a certain liking to a specific toy, let them play with it, or sleep with it - whichever they like.



Pets , ,

Getting the Right Cat Bed

November 29th, 2008
ping pong
Doris Canova asked:


Outside cats lead a vary fast paced complicated lives. They have a vary large territories that often contain a variety of things to see and do, including woods, and gardens. They hunt for pry, and they love to explore they hunt, and they may even interact with other cats. Our inside cats can only explore the house and basically have little to do. Without a there mother to teach they about what to do, and how to do it   boredom may set in, especially with indoors only cats. Here are some ideas to help keep your active and lead a healthy life.

Make sure that your cat has a variety of toys to keep them pacified. Some cats love toys that they can throw around themselves ping pong balls are great. Other cats want toys that require owner participation, such as kitty teasers. Stimulating play for a cat involves opportunities to “hunt” so you have to move the toy in such a way that it looks like something moving like a rodent or bird. Every now and again you will have to bring in a new toy to keep the cat interested in playing.

Have objects for your cat to explore, such as a cardboard box, a paper shopping bag, or toys that looks like and sound like a  giant cave with holes in it, the cat will investigate with her paws. An aquarium with fish, really think about this one for sure. Rotating the toys and play items often so the cat does not become bored.

 Some cats like to watch the commercially available cat videos the most popular ones contain close-ups of various types of birds feeding, flying, and singing. Some cats will watch the same videotape for hours each day, tracking the birds’ movements, chirruping and swatting at the screen. Some cats will even watch  lamps, that have moving parts, with these be vary careful that the lamp does not get to hot and can burn the cat. I know that sometime we think “that’s high” she can’t get that, but the cat’s reach, is a lot higher then we think.

 Cats love to watch birds, squirrels and other small animals. Position a  bird,  and even a squirrel feeders outside windows where your cat can observe the goings  on. Make really sure the cat can not get out. If you live in an apartment, they have what is called a pet veranda this attaches to the window ,but the cat will be outside in a screened compartment, a bird feeder can be affixed directly to the outside of a window.

 Provide several small meals per day rather than one or two large meals. If you can’t be there to do this, then you can purchase a automatic  pet feeder, designed to open according to a preset schedule. Your Cats health and well being should be your major concerned at all times.

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Pets , ,

How Many Toys for Your Cat ?

October 3rd, 2008
ping pong
Lasse Kohau asked:


The article discusses, how many toys your cat should have.

 

Warren Eckstein says in his fantastic book; “How to get your Cat to do what your want”, that you should have no less than two dozen toys for your cat. As cats are one of the most intelligent creatures in the world – they need a special kind of stimulation from their owners or should be able to di stimulation by themselves. The thing is, that all 24 toys of course should not be ale to the Cat at all times, but they should rotate with some being retired for a while or thrown away. Later on, when the toys are brought into the living room again, they will seem new and exciting.

(You could have the same kind of experience, if you are a parent - to kids toys.)

 

Luckily, it is not necessary to spend many dollars at the pet store to please your cat(s) playful living.

Some of the most popular toys are home-made. Do try some of these suggestions;

 

A) Lightweight items for the catch and kill game

B) A couple of ping-pong balls in a bathtub

C) Plastic-rings to slide the kitchen floor

D) The center of toilet paper

E) Cotton socks to throw or bite

F) A stick with a cottonline

 

Do remember, cats do love hide-outs (just as children). From time to time, make a hide-out for the cat. Do never let your cat play in a plastic bag due to the danger of suffocation.

 

Remember to play with your children and your cat(s). They will love you for it.

 

 



Pets , ,

Design Your Own Virtual Pet in Your School

June 11th, 2008
virtual games
Robert asked:


While originally, all virtual pets were banned from schools, many different educators are coming up with programs online to assist children in making and designing their own virtual pet via virtual pet adoption websites for educational purposes.

This alone is an absolute break through considering just a few short years ago, when the very first virtual pet came out in the form of a keychain it was banned by all schools. Many school boards are now considering that virtual pets are a very valuable educational tool for all children to learn responsibility. These schools are even taking it one step further and are allowing the children to design every aspect of their virtual pet.

While it may be easy to sign up for a virtual pet via a virtual pet adoption website, the virtual pet adoption websites that the schools are using are more descriptive and allow the children to create every aspect of the virtual pet and its background. It can be anything from a horse all the way to a virtual plant.

This of course is not the end, there are many different things that children can add onto their own personal virtual pet adoption website – for instance, if the child wants their pet to become lonely unless it is played with, they can add that feature on. They can add illnesses, food types and all different kinds of things onto their personal virtual pet adoption website that may be new and unique to their specific wants.

Also, with this software, the child can draw their own virtual pet onto their own virtual pet adoption website. No other virtual pet adoption website will allow you to do that, for most of the images are pre drawn and you are expected to use those. The children can also add boxes onto their virtual pet adoption website, boxes like ‘message’, ‘food’ and ‘happiness’ so it is all customizable.

With this software you can also create a virtual game for your pet and as in many virtual pet adoption websites; this will make your virtual pet very happy. Another great thing about virtual pet adoption websites is the fact that you can socialize your pet with other virtual pets, with this software it is no different.

Virtual pet adoption websites are a great tool for any parent and/or teacher that is looking to teach children about responsibility, this is exactly what this article has outlined.



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Tips of How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy

April 23rd, 2008
ping pong
Connie Limon asked:


Scratching posts should be a staple item for every household with pet cats and cat catteries as well.  The scratching post should be sturdy so it does not fall over when the cat uses it.  It should be tall enough so the cat can stretch upward to scratch and made of material the cat likes.

 

Location of scratching posts:

 

They should be placed next to an area where the cat already scratches Put scratching posts near sleeping areas, entrances to rooms and long routes to food and litter box (I might add a little note here about the three silver Persians I have now.  They must be pure angels or I am just accommodating them very well.  They are all three very well behaved.  I am having no behavior problems from them.  They seem at peace and full of contentment.)

 

Another important aspect of making your cat feel at home, welcome or happy during the day is providing adequate resting areas.  Resting areas must be:

 

Safe Secure Private Away from people and other animals

 

Cats especially need opportunities for privacy and quiet time.  They sometimes are willing to use a cat tent and other special made items for them, however, many cats enjoy just a cardboard box with a nice soft blanket placed in a quiet spot for them.  Cats also find their own very secluded places for private time that includes:

 

Under your bed In a spare room In a closet

 

And what about perching needs for the cat?  Cats love to perch in areas way up high, on a window sill looking outside to the rest of the world while they are quiet, secluded and safe inside.  Cats are curious and vigilant by nature.  Sitting in high places allows them to observe their environment.  They like to see, hear and smell what is going on from a safe distance.

Cats make good use of their vertical space and value this as much or more than floor space.  They may even find their own high perching spots on top of a bookcase, kitchen cupboards or a refrigerator.  Spots near a window are especially desirable.  Try to provide places for birds to gather near the cat’s window perch.  They love to watch the birds fly around.  There are many types of cat furniture that accommodates the cat’s need to climb and perch.  Cat towers, trees or condos are dearly loved.  Place them near a window if possible.

 

The need for play is unique to each cat.  Some cats like to play more than others.  Play activities are closely related to hunting activities.  Watch the types of games your cat likes to play.  Recently I bought a little bird toy for my cats.  Each time the bird is rolled around it makes a bird-like noise.  I thought how cute this would be for them.  They will just love this toy.  It is the only toy so far they all stay away from.  They seem to be startled by the sound, so they do not go near that toy bird.  Other cats, by contrast, may love it.  All of them are amazed at jumping feathers and love to run after them (the hunt), then catch them with their hands and try to “eat” the prey of feathers.  I play this game often with them using the fishing poles with feathers attached on the end.  Cats have a need to stalk and pounce.  They stalk the feather and pounce on it.  There are many other types of cat toys that dangle and move.  I am staying away from toys that make noise as my cats are startled by the noise makers. 

 

I notice my Persians have their eyes half closed a lot.  They look a bit lazy and sleepy eyed.  Their environment is extremely quiet.  I put on the Van Morrison music one day to see their reaction.  Their eyes popped open very wide as if to say:  “What is that?”  “I never heard such as this.”  Taz ran in behind something to hide.  Diamond was the perkiest.  I concluded Diamond really liked Van Morrison’s song of “Brown-eyed Girl.”

 

When you purchase cat toys, be sure most of them provide opportunity for the cat to play by itself.  Cats are easily bored (sounds like me), so keep a selection of toys you can rotate occasionally.  When I clean their area, I put all their toys in a basket.  After cleaning, I get them out and they act as if they have found “new” toys.  In a few hours, the toys just lay on the floor untouched.  The cats returned to sleepy-eyed look!

 

Diamond and Fairy like the low-tech items like ping-pong balls and different shapes of little balls.  They roll them over their floor using their paws.  I have also noticed these two girls as if playing “roll the ball over the floor to each other.”  This is real cute to watch and I never have my video camera out in time to catch these little games.

 

Taz is still not old enough to mate, but he spends a fair amount of his time following around after Fairy during her season times.  When he is not doing this, he desires to sit next to me or in my lap.  He is more of a lap cat than Fairy and Diamond.  They all learn very quickly and as I said before, I am so very pleased with this threesome.  I have heard that Persians were very hard to groom.  This is not true of my three.  Their coats are silky texture.  The most trouble I have had is at bath time and keeping their faces clean.  I won’t give away all my secrets in these articles.  I have found a miracle routine for cleaning their faces.  All who purchase kittens from me will receive the “miracle routine” grooming instructions I have learned and established with my particular lines.  Follow the link in this article to learn more about us, to sign up for a free newsletter and add your name to our waiting list for some very exquisite silver Persian kittens.  If you like silver Persians, you will not be disappointed in the kittens we produce for you.  We will be having only a few litters per year, so you will need to express your interest early and fill out our contact form to be added to our list.

 

Disclaimer:  The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat.  You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems.

Source:  The Winn Feline Foundation Online

 



 



Pets , ,

Information About Virtual Pet Adoption

March 9th, 2008
virtual games
Robert asked:


Virtual pet adoption is the latest popular trend in children’s activities on the Net. There are virtual pet adoption websites, which contain virtual pets, which your kids can dress up, send to school or get an employment in the virtual city where the pet resides.

The online virtual pet adoption works by you having to locate a cyber pet adoption site of your choice, where you register. After the registration, you have to choose from a list of pets. On some virtual pet adoption sites, you are allowed to select multiple virtual pets, but the number permitted will vary amongst the cyber pet adoption websites selected.

After you have finished the virtual pet adoption you are free to do anything you wish with your pet. One factor that separates virtual pet adoption from other online games is that accountability for the pet is stressed in virtual pets. Once you get a virtual pet you must look after it by feeding it, playing with it, going for walks with it and looking for it during its illness. These pets can really fall ill, so you must take it to a virtual hospital for treatment. Failure to do this may lead to the death of your pet.

Virtual pet adoption provides your children with the pet they have been asking for along with fun activities. Most of the latest children’s games are geared toward a virtual reality, which is also applicable for virtual pets. They exist in their virtual world, i.e., the virtual pet adoption website, where you must go to play with them, and look after them.

When finding a pet through virtual pet adoption you will find that there are various kinds of pets to select from. There are the conventional dogs and cats of various breeds, but there are the virtual pet aliens or monsters as well which you can adopt at cyber pet adoptions sites. It is one of the best things about virtual pets, your pets are entirely yours, and are similar to real pets.

If your kids are interested in a virtual pet to love and look after, you can consider virtual pet adoption. This latest online game not only entertains, it really teaches your children the accountability of pet ownership.



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