Introducing the PetVibe Travel Portal! TRAVEL. SAVE MONEY. MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The PetVibe Foundation has taken a significant step in bringing together world-class pet rescue and animal welfare organizations to create a one-of-a-kind charitable program that supports animals in need while making a difference in the lives of the members. If you love helping animals and traveling, then this may be the program for you!

Everything from metropolitan humane societies to worldwide charitable foundations to help for the fallen military service members through service dogs has been combined into an ambitious and impressive roster of beneficiaries, and the best part is members need only book their next vacation through the PetVibe Travel program to make the magic happen! 

Here's how it works:

When a member books travel through the PetVibe Travel program, not only do they get below-market rates on flights, hotels (pet-friendly filter available) and car rentals, but a contribution is also generated to support one of the organization's partner pet charities. Members can choose to support their favorite organization or select the PetVibe Foundation itself and have their contributions evenly distributed to all the participating organizations. Thousands of hotel chains, airlines and car rental companies are already a part of this awesome program!

PetVibe Travel Members can save as much as 60%

 at hotels like the Westin or Marriott across North America 

while raising funds for animal welfare!

One needs to spend only a few minutes browsing social media, and especially the various video sites to see changing the lives of pets and the people who adopt them is an increasingly high priority throughout society. An encouraging development in the past five to ten years has been a renewed focus on the plight of shelter pets, rescue organizations and various not-for-profit initiatives established to care for animals in difficult circumstances. funds for animal welfare!

There can be no reasonable doubt that nearly everyone would do more to help if there were an easy and effective way to do so. Despite the fact most of our charitable initiatives have been streamlined to one degree or another, the pressures of everyday tasks and family commitments sometimes make it difficult to devote the necessary time to what all agree is a worthy cause. The power of PetVibe Travel is that members can raise funds for animal-welfare organizations without making any changes to their usual routines, it's as simple as booking your regular travel and the rest is taken care of. It takes only 1,000 people to book travel through PetVibe to generate as much as $70,000/year for their organization of choice!  PetVibe Travel is a real way to create long-term impact for the organizations that are working to help animals in need!

The organizations that can benefit from this new campaign are as varied as they are worthy. What better way to make a difference in the lives of pets and their future owners than to get yourself some time off and save money while contributing to a great cause? One hundred percent of all contributions go directly to help PetVibe's nonprofit partner organizations, and you'll be happy to know these organizations are among the world's best at helping where help is needed most.

Join us today, take a trip, enjoy the scenery and be secure in the knowledge you've changed a deserving animal's life.

To learn more, please visit www.petvibefoundation.com
This program is free to participate in and includes 24/7 travel support. One hundred percent of the funds generated through this program go to the selected organization, PetVibe takes no fees.

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Get started free:

1.      Download the free PetVibe App from the App Store or Google Play 

2.      Click on the "Foundation" icon from the main App Menu

3.      Select the organization that you would like to support (Love them all? Select the PetVibe Foundation and we will distribute 100% of the generated funds equally)

4.      Start booking and saving!

FTC DISCLOSURE: we received no compensation for sharing this information. We thought it was interesting when we were contacted and will always share things of interest with our readers.

Catio Spaces "Life is GOOD in a Catio!!"

Disclosure:We were compensated to share info about Catio Spaces with our readers, as you know, we ONLY share information about products that we currently use, have used, that we would LOVE to use, and that would be of interest and value to YOU, our valued readers.

There is nothing I would love more for Cody than for him to have his own catio. I lust after catios that I see on various blogs that I read and on websites such as Catio Spaces. Sadly, I live in a condo that is a part of an apartment/condo complex and we have "association rules" that prevent us from changing the outside of the building. So, for now, unless our life situation changes, I will have to lust over the catios by Catio Spaces that you can also lust over (and, if you are luckier than I am, you just might be able to have one built or build one yourself! Read on!!)

Cats, whether living mostly indoors or outside, enjoy the stimulation of being outdoors, but responsible owners know danger lurks. Seattle cat-lover Cynthia Chomos has built a business to help cat guardians balance their pet’s natural curiosity and craving for outdoor stimulation with concerns for animal safety.

“Indoor-only cats like fresh air and the stimulation of nature, just like their outdoor counterparts,” Chomos said citing early rising, sun worshipping, and nocturnal scampering around the house as some of the telltale signs of this desire. “Once outside, cats pursue squirrels, birds or a mate and there are many hazards outdoor cats can encounter, including vehicles, predators, parasites and poisons,” she explained. In a quest to protect Serena, her own beloved tabby, she built a catio (cat patio).

Courtesy of Catio Spaces

Soon thereafter, Chomos realized she could combine her passion and skills as a designer, feng shui professional and general contractor to launch Catio Spaces. Her company designs spaces for safe, healthy and happy cats, offering both custom catios and several downloadable “DIY” plans for those who want to build their own catio (or hire a carpenter to build the plan).  

“I understand the importance of creating environments for well-being, so it seemed like a natural extension of my design services to create visually appealing catio havens for both feline and human enjoyment,” she said, adding, “It’s a joy to be involved every day with cat safety and enrichment while also protecting birds and wildlife.” (She donates a portion of each catio plan purchase to support animal and wildlife organizations.) 

Chomos cites many benefits of catios and it turns out some of the biggest fans of them are bird-watchers who want to keep their feathered friends safe from their natural predators. (Housecats that venture outdoors and feral cats are blamed for killing between 1.3 billion and 4 billion birds annually, according to a recent analysis by Peter Marra of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.)

Initially focused on designing and building custom catios in the Seattle metro area, Catio Spaces® also offers Do It Yourself (DIY) catio plans in a variety of designs and sizes for patios, decks, gardens or yards. 

Courtesy of Catio Spaces

 

Current DIY plans include the compact Window Box™ or Haven™ and two larger options, the Sanctuary™ and Oasis™ that Chomos describes as “purrfect choices” for guardians who want space for human seating and enjoyment.


Prices for the DIY catio plans range from $39.95 to $69.95; gift certificates are also available. 

Cat Enclosure Interior Black
Photo Courtesy of Catio Spaces

Along with easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations to eliminate guesswork, each set of DIY plans is designed for ease of assembly (or removal if relocating) and to complement a home’s design and aesthetics. 

Bonus information includes guidelines for acclimating a cat to a cat door and the new space, plus tips for cat-safe plants, décor, and accessories to promote cavorting, exercise and enrichment.

Straightforward assembly was an early goal of Chomos’ DIY concepts. “You don’t need to be an expert carpenter,” she emphasized. “Even novices will find the plans easy to follow and rewarding to build.”

Since launching Catio Spaces, Chomos has built and installed numerous custom catios around Western Washington, including ones with clever themes and décor, and even catwalks and tunnels! 

  Projects have included:

• a Seahawks-themed catio for a fan of Seattle’s NFL team and his game day lap cats;
• a haven for an highly active and “determined door dasher;”
• a window box veranda for a sun-loving “wildlife window watcher;”
• a spacious patio makeover for a pair of felines who love scaling fences to watch wildlife.

10 BENEFITS OF CATIOS:

• Protection from vehicles, predators, poisons, diseases or getting lost or stuck in a tree
• Reduce vet bills from cat fights or injuries.
• Protect birds and wildlife
• Help reduce the roaming cat populations in local communities.
• Provide a healthy outdoor lifestyle with fresh air, exercise, bird watching and sunbathing.
• Reduce indoor multi-cat issues by adding more territory.
• Enjoy feline and human interaction surrounded by nature and fresh air.
• Help reduce indoor odors with an additional outdoor litter box.
• Good neighbor relations (keep your cat out of their gardens and yards).
• Peace of mind knowing your cat is in a safe and protected place.

Cat Enclosure Exterior Black
Photo Courtesy of Catio Spaces

"CATIMONIALS" FROM SATISFIED KITTIES AND THEIR HUMANS!

DIY CATIO PLANS:  

“Your DIY Catio Plans were a perfect solution for us and the directions are great! Every detail was considered and the plans were easy to follow. The catio is so beautifully professional and secure. I feel safe giving my cats permanent access, even at night. People just can’t believe we built it ourselves!”

-Emily S., OR

“I’m a 55 year old nurse, and if I can do it, anyone can! I priced out several pre-built options from other companies, and just couldn’t afford it. I investigated your website and with my home improvement skills I realized I could do this. I had my husband help with holding panels for the joining panels step, but I essentially built it myself. I think it’s a fantastic option for people who really love their cat companions!”

Jacki H., WI

Catio Ledge
Photo Courtesy of Catio Spaces

“I just finished building the window box catio and within 10 minutes my cat Dagny was out there enjoying some fresh air! I used the wire mesh roof option and added a plant and a small covered shelter inside for her. Thanks so much for the great do-it-yourself plans!”

Chris D., AZ

“Thank you for creating your detailed DIY Catio Plans and offering them at an affordable price! My cat Sissy wants to enjoy the sun and watch birds so I’ve built the catio with her happiness in my mind. Cats everywhere are thanking you!”

Zoey C., CA

“Cynthia and her carpentry crew took a dream I had for my cat and brought it into reality. Not only does the enclosure enhance my home, my cat Monty has a whole new world to explore and I have peace of mind which is priceless. Cynthia knows her craft, understands cats and I can’t praise her enough!”

Scarlett - Custom Catio

Catio Haven Exterior white
Photo Courtesy of Catio Spaces

Cynthia Chomos
Photo Courtesy of Catio Spaces

Chomos has also become a go-to “CATalyst” and resource for feline owners. (Website visitors can request her free tips for considering and planning a catio.) “On a daily basis, I work with cat guardians, locally and globally on a variety of issues,” she stated. Recent calls and email queries have ranged from questions on protecting cats who were attacked by coyotes to creating a retreat for cats that were living in an upstairs bedroom fearful of a newly adopted dog.  Additionally, bird organizations and wildlife rehabilitators seek her advice on educating their communities on the benefits of catios. 

Click to read more "Catamonials!!"

Be sure to give them a LIKE on FACEBOOK too!

#WorldAnimalDay

MISSION OF WORLD ANIMAL DAY 

To raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. Building the celebration of World Animal Day unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals.  It's celebrated in different ways in every country, irrespective of nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.  Through increased awareness and education we can create a world where animals are always recognised as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.

TO READ ABOUT HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED CLICK HERE

GREAT LAKES ANIMAL WELFARE CONFERENCE COMING TO BATTLE CREEK OCTOBER 19-20

Registration is now open for the region’s largest animal welfare conference

The 2015 Great Lakes Animal Welfare Conference (GLAWC) will be the region’s premier educational and networking event for animal sheltering and veterinary professionals, animal control agencies, rescue groups, and individuals interested in saving more animal lives. The Michigan Partnership for Animal Welfare (MPAW) has joined with the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers (MAACO) to offer this two-day event. The 2015 Great Lakes Animal Welfare Conference will be held October 19-20 at FireKeepers Hotel and Casino in Battle Creek. The conference is presented by the Petco Foundation, Merck Animal Health, the ASPCA, and Nestle Purina and Petfinder with generous support from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Photo Courtesy of Michigan Paw.Org

“This conference is the perfect opportunity for those working in, or interested in, animal welfare to gain and share knowledge on how to better care for, serve and save animal lives,” said Ann Griffin, MHS Special Projects Manager. “Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and discuss new trends and best practices in a relaxing and fun setting.”

This year’s conference features more than 40 sessions and a certificate course. A wide variety of sessions will include information on animal behavior, animal handling, fundraising and much more.

“It’s great to be able to bring this specialized training to animal control officers statewide,” said Andy Seltz, Vice President of MAACO. “It’s a perfect opportunity to come together and share ideas that will ultimately raise our collective abilities to better serve the animals and people in our communities.”

For the list of sessions, registration fees and hotel information for the 2015 MPAW-MAACO GLAWC Conference, and to register online, visit www.mpaw.org or call (248) 283-5635.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel is located at 11177 E Michigan Ave in Battle Creek.

The Michigan Partnership for Animal Welfare (MPAW), founded by the Michigan Humane Society in 2004, is a collaboration of animal welfare organizations from around the state with a goal of working together for the good of the animals in Michigan.

MAACO is a not for-profit organization registered with the State of Michigan dedicated to the enhancement of the profession of Animal Control Officers in the State of Michigan by establishing professional standards, training and practices, for the control and care of animals and the protection of the public health.

The Michigan Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization in the state. MHS works to end companion animal homelessness, provide the highest quality service and compassion to the animals entrusted to our care, and to be a leader in promoting humane values. For more information, visit www.michiganhumane.org.