TailsInc.com

October is Adopt-a-Dog Month and Sam’s Club is lending their support by pledging $20,000. The donation comes in the form of Simply Right pet food, supplies, and Sam’s Club gift cards which will go to four shelters who were hit hard by natural disasters.

Sam’s Club hopes to help the shelters in their efforts to reunite pets with their owners following these tragic events. The donated supplies will help keep these displaced animals stay safe, fed, and healthy while they are housed in shelters until their owners can be found.

The following shelters received donations:

• Austin Pets Alive! (Austin, TX)
• Austin Humane Society (Austin, TX)
• Liberty Humane Society (Jersey City, NJ)
• SPCA of Luzerne County (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

Click here to read the full story that appeared in the Muncie Press.

 

As many pet-owners know, proper pet-care can be an expensive pursuit. For example, I recently took my cat to the vet to treat a urinary tract infection and managed to rack-up a bill to the tune of almost $200.

Currently, pet care costs are non-tax deductible— but under the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act, individuals could deduct up to $3500 a year for “qualified pet care expenses.”

“HAPPY,” or more specifically, “H.R. 3501,” was introduced by Michigan Representative Thaddeus McCotter, and would cover expenses related to pet care as well as veterinary care, but not the cost of adopting or buying an animal, given that your pet is a “legally owned, domesticated, live animal,” according to The Examiner.

Utilizing the tax code properly not only encourages responsible pet ownership by making it more affordable for pet owners to provide adequate veterinary and other necessary pet care, but also reduces the abandonment and unessesary euthanization of pets by people struggling financially as a result of the economic recession.

You can let your representatives know that you appreciate their efforts to support responsible pet ownership by asking them to consider H.R. 3501 favorably.

This bill is currently being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee.

Best Vet

Winner:
Austin Highway Animal Hospital
(210) 826-6383
AustinHighway.vetsuite.com

Runner Up:
Acres North Animal Hospital
(210) 494-3436
AcresNorth.net

Other favorites:
Chris Kohnen (Bulverde Creek Animal Hospital)
Traveling Tails Veterinary Clinic

Best Dog-Friendly Parks

Winner:
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa Park
(210) 495-3647
LucysDoggyDaycare.com

Runner-up:
McAllister Dog Park
SanAntonio.gov/sapar/dogpark.asp

Other favorites:
Boxcar Feed Dog Park
Pearsall Park Dog Park

Best Trainer

Winner:
Haley Cyr (Animal Defense League)
(210) 655-1481 x121
ADLTexas.org

Runner-up:
Gary Oswalt (Rob Cary Pet Resort)
(210) 494-7787
RobCary.com

Other favorites:
Catherine Laria (K9 Country Club)
Jasmine Skala (Family Dog Obedience)
Linda Weniger (Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa)

Best Overnight Boarding/Day Care

Winner:
Pet Paradise Day Care
(210) 320-6403
PetParadiseDayCare.com

Runner-up:
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa
(210) 495-3647
LucysDoggyDaycare.com

Other favorites:
Camp Bow Wow
Family Dog Obedience (Jasmine Skala)
K9 Country Club

Best Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

Winner:
Pet Paradise Day Care
(210) 320-6403
PetParadiseDayCare.com

Runner Up:
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa
(210) 495-3647
LucysDoggyDaycare.com

Other favorites:
Andi Ramsey (Happy at Home Pet Sitters)
Cathy’s Critter Care
Pawderosa Ranch

Best Pet Bakery

Winner:
Fifi & Fidos Pet Boutique
(210) 822-2525
FifiAndFidos.com

Runner Up:
Just Dogs Gourmet
(210) 366-9559
JustDogsGourmet.com

Other favorite:
Karhi’s Creations at K9 Country Club

Best Pet-Friendly Bar/Restaurant

Winner:
The Flying Saucer
(210) 696-5080
BeerKnurd.com

Runner Up:
Le Peep Café
(210) 499-0694
LePeepSA.com

Other favorites:
Augie’s Barbed Wire Smokehouse
The Cove

Best Groomer

Winner:
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa
(210) 495-3647
LucysDoggyDaycare.com

Runner Up:
Barbara’s Canine Clips ‘n Bows
(210) 826-5742

Other favorites:
Roger Wiseman (Canine Comforts)
Ted’s Dog Grooming
Wash Shake Wag (Dirty Dog Self Serve Dog Wash and Grooming)

Best Agility Instructor

Winner:
Jasmine Skala (Family Dog Obedience)
(210) 491-3404
FamilyDogObedience.com

Runner Up:
Catherine Laria (K9 Country Club)
(830) 980-8476
K9CountryClub.net

Other favorite:
Donna Heavner (Rob Cary Pet Resort)

Best Pet Boutique

Winner:
The Palms Boutique at The Palms Pet Resort and Spa
(210) 695-1166
ThePalmsPetResort.com

Runner Up:
Fifi & Fidos Pet Boutique
(210) 822-2525
FifiAndFidos.com

Other favorites:
Dogologie
Pet Works

Best Pet Photographer

Winner:
JKV Photography
(210) 884-4621
JKV.photoreflect.com

Runner Up:
Renee Spade Photography
(210) 254-4255
ReneeSpadePhotography.com

Other favorite:
Kelly Walls (A Paw to Remember)

Best Dog Food

Winner:
Hill’s Science Diet
(800) 445-5777
HillsPet.com

Runner-up:
Wellness
(800) 225-0904
WellnessPetFood.com

Other favorites:
Iams
Innova
Orijen

Best Cat Food

Winner:
Hills/Science Diet
(800) 445-5777
HillsPet.com

Runner-up:
Wellness
(800) 225-0904
WellnessPetFood.com

Other favorites:
EVO
Iams
Orijen
Purina

Best Dog Treat

Winner:
Zukes
(866) 985-3364
Zukes.com

Runner-up:
Milk-Bone
MilkBone.com

Other favorites:
Greenies
Old Mother Hubbard
Wellness

Best Cat Treat

Winner:
Feline Greenies
(866) GREENIES
Greenies.com

Runner-up:
Whiskas Temptations
(800) 525-5273
Whiskas.com

Other favorites:
Friskies
Pounce
Wellness
Zukes

Best Dog Toy

Winner:
Kong
(303) 216-2626
KongCompany.com

Runner-up:
Nylabone
(800) 631-2188
Nylabone.com

Other favorites:
Chuck It
Kong Wubba
Tuffie Toys

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Tails Readers’ Choice Awards entries and winners were reviewed and approved by the accounting firm of Chamlin and Associates.

Best Overall

Riley Mei Foofoo
Raquel Valdivia, Boerne

Best Dressed Cat

Cassidy
Michelle A. Stelter, San Antonio

Best Dressed Dog

Memphis
Mike Keegin & Sunny Smith, San Antonio

Most Adorable Puppy

Riley Mei Foofoo
Raquel Valdivia, Boerne

Most Adorable Kitten

Hiro
Corey Mayo, San Antonio

Cutest Sleeping Dog

San Ariat
Cyndee Strelec, San Antonio

Cutest Sleeping Cat

Cooper
Mike Keegin & Sunny Smith, San Antonio

Goofiest Dog

Onyx
Ashley Suhre, Marion

Goofiest Cat

Hiro
Corey Mayo, San Antonio

Cutest Senior Dog

Memphis
Mike Keegin & Sunny Smith, San Antonio

Cutest Senior Cat

Mr. Bogart
Michelle A. Stelter, San Antonio

Most Photogenic Cat

Periwinkle
Gayle Weinraub, San Antonio

Best Vet

Winner:
Dr. Tracey Tomack/Traveling Tails
(210) 495-8245 • TravelingTails.com

Runners-up (tie):
Banfield
(800) 838-6738 • Banfield.net

Dr. Dan Kirby/Alamo Heights Pet Clinic
(210) 821-5544 • AlamoHeightsPetClinic.com

Other favorites:
Acres North Animal Hospital
Dr. Loretta Ehrlund/Heritage Animal Hospital
Stone Oak Veterinary Clinic

Best Dog Park

Winner:
McAllister Dog Park
(210) 207-3121 • SanAntonio.gov

Runner-up:
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa Park
(210) 495-3647 • LucysDoggyDayCare.com

Other favorite:
Pearsall Dog Park

Best Trainer

Winner:
Haley Cyr/Animal Defense League
(210) 655-1481 x121 • hcyr@adltexas.org

Runner-up:
Gary Oswalt/Rob Cary Pet Resort
(210) 494-7787 • RobCary.com/train.html

Other favorites:
Jasmine Skala
Linda Weniger/K-9 Control

Best Overnight Boarding/Day Care

Winner:
Pawderosa Ranch
(210) 404-9941 • PawderosaRanch.com

Runner-up:
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa
(210) 495-3647 • LucysDoggyDayCare.com

Other favorites:
Camp Bow Wow
K9 Country Club
Pet Paradise Day Care Inc.

Best Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

Winner:
Andi Ramsey/Happy at Home Pet Sitters
(210) 378-2559 • HappyAtHome-SA.com

Runner-up:
Lucy Ramey/The PawSpa
(210) 680-1620 • The-PawSpa.com

Other favorites:
Cathy’s Critter Care
Cindy Johnson/Bed & Biscuit Pet Care
Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa

Best Pet Bakery

Winner:
K9 Cookies/K9 Country Club & Training Academy
(830) 438-3666 • K9CountryClub.net

Runner-up:
Just Dogs Gourmet
(210) 366-9559 • JustDogsGourmet.com

Other favorites:
Fifi & Fido’s Pet Boutique
Glory Ranch
Woof’s Dog Bakery

Best Pet-Friendly Outdoor Bar/Café

Winner:
Le Peep Café
(210) 832-0090 • LePeep.com

Runner-up:
Canyon Café
(210) 821-3738 • CanyonCafe.com

Other favorites:
Flying Saucer
The Cove

Best Groomer

Winner:
Christine Lawton/Lucy’s Doggy Day Care
(210) 495-3647 • LucysDoggyDayCare.com

Runner-up:
Lucy Ramey/The PawSpa
(210) 680-1620 • The-PawSpa.com

Other favorites:
Barbara’s Canine Clips N Bows
Doggie Dooz Pet Salon
Pretty Pooch

Best Agility Instructor

Winner:
Jasmine Skala
(210) 491-3404 • FamilyDogObedience.com

Runner-up:
Catherine Laria/K9 Country Club & Training Academy
(830) 438-3666 • K9CountryClub.net

Other favorites:
Courtney Moore
Donna Greer
K9 Country Club & Training Academy

Best Pet Boutique

Winner:
Fifi & Fido’s Pet Boutique
(210) 822-2525 • FifiAndFidos.com

Runner-up:
Dogologie
(830) 997-5855 • Dogologie.com

Other favorites:
Just Dogs Gourmet
The Palms Pet Resort & Spa
Pet Works

Best Pet Photographer

Winner:
Renee Spade
(210) 254-4255 • ReneeSpadePhotography.com

Runner-up:
Lucy Ramey/The PawSpa
(210) 680-1620 • The-PawSpa.com

Other favorites:
JVS Photography
Kelly Walls

Best Dog Food

Winner:
Innova/EVO
(800) 532-7261 • NaturaPet.com

Runner-up:
Iams
(800) 675-3849 • Iams.com

Other favorites:
Hill’s/Science Diet
Nutro
Wellness

Best Cat Food

Winner:
Hills/Science Diet
(800) 445-5777 • HillsPet.com

Runner-up:
Wellness
(800) 225-0904 • WellnessPetFood.com

Other favorites:
Iams
Innova/EVO
Purina

Best Dog Treat

Winner:
Zukes
(866) 985-3364 • Zukes.com

Runner-up:
Milk-Bone
MilkBone.com

Other favorites:
Buddy Biscuits/Cloud Star
Greenies
Old Mother Hubbard/Wellness

Best Cat Treat

Winner:
Feline Greenies
(866) GREENIES • Greenies.com

Runner-up:
Pounce
(415) 247-3000 • PounceTreats.com

Other favorites:
Kitty Kaviar
Whiskas
Zukes

Best Dog Toy

Winner:
Kong
(303) 216-2626 • KongCompany.com

Runner-up:
CUZ
(800) 407-7826 • JWPet.com

Other favorites:
Chuckit/Canine Hardware
GoughNut chew toy/GoughNuts
Orbee-Tuff/Planet Dog

Tails Readers’ Choice Awards entries and winners were reviewed and approved by the accounting firm of Chamlin and Associates.