We love it because Baby loves it! It has kept her occupied for hours, we just keep putting the balls back into the cube, and she just keeps on pulling them out. Treats are also a good choice to go into the cube too! And at $12.99, it’s a good value toy as well.

Thanks ThinkGeek for sending Baby such an awesome toy to try out!

IQube Dog Puzzle originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 30, 2010.

Brooklyn, NY -  July 29, 2010: Kelly Clarke, a volunteer at The Pixie Project–an animal rescue and adoption service based in Portland, OR–would love for you to look around your home and think about what you can spare. “Some people don’t have cash to donate but they have hundreds of other items in their homes that are needed,” says Kelly.

The Pixie Project, along with 250 other animal shelters and nonprofits across the country, have posted their needs on TheGivingEffect.com, a new website that connects donors with local causes that need stuff.

According to TheGivingEffect.com the top five things most local animal shelters need are:

1. Office supplies (computers, printers, fax machines, phones, paper, pens)
2. Cleaning supplies (bleach, laundry detergent, Fantastik, Windex)
3. Blankets, sheets, and towels
4. Miscellaneous items that can be sold to raise money
5. Building supplies (to construct fences, crates, dog runs)

Maybe you’ve thought about dropping some of these things off at the Salvation Army or Goodwill. But here’s an alternative: find a local shelter on The Giving Effect and donate there. Most shelters are 501c3 nonprofits, so you’ll get the same tax write-off that you would elsewhere.

Shelters on TheGivingEffect will also send you a public “thank you” which you can easily post to Facebook and Twitter or email to friends: by spreading the word about your gift you can inspire other animal lovers to support causes you care about.

Visit www.thegivingeffect.com to find animal shelters in your area.

About The Giving Effect

The Giving Effect is the first website to connect donors of in-kind donations (clothes, shoes, food, etc.) directly with the organizations that need their items. The goals of the free website are to dramatically increase public awareness and in-kind donations, to change millions of lives by getting things to people in need, and to do so in the easiest and most fulfilling way for all parties. The Giving Effect is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY.

For more information about The Giving Effect, please visit www.thegivingeffect.com

5 Surprising Things Your Local Animal Shelter Needs Right Now originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 29, 2010.

Fun Time Dog Shop is a brand new online shop for modern pets (and people)! It’s stocked full of high quality dog treats, interactive toys & accessories and artistic dog themed products. But the truly special part is all profits from the shop are donated to non-profit dog rescue groups!

As soon as I found out about the shop I went right over and found so many cute items. If I hadn’t been on a budget, I would have bought so many more things! I got the cutest little Maltese Palm Puppy and an awesome bracelet. Knowing that not only was I going to have some fun new items in my life, but also that all my money was going to a great cause, made me very happy to shop there.

Sarah, the owner, has created a really stellar shop with an even greater mission that is very close to her heart. She has offered one of our lucky readers their own Palm Puppy!

Palm Puppies are individually handmade, plush puppies that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Approximately 4″ to the top of the head, each puppy is hand sewn of wool blend felt and/or man made fur, polyfil, safety eyes, ribbon, & wire.

The talented artist, Nhi, who created Palm Puppies, carefully constructs each puppy individually and says “I spend a lot of time on the design of each breed to make sure I’ve captured the essence of each of them”. She really has – they are ADORABLE!! Palm Puppies make a delightful collectible or a wonderful gift! Each puppy comes with a collar and in a gift box.

Here is how to enter:

• Visit Fun Time Dog Shop and have a look around. Then, leave a comment on this post letting us know your favorite thing.
• Comment before August 4, 2010 at midnight.
• This giveaway is open to those in the USA.
• The winner will get their choice of Palm Puppy from the available breeds (you will be sent a list when you are notified of winning). The winner will be chosen at random and will then have 3 days to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
• For an additional entry become a friend of Fun Time Dog Shop on Facebook. Then leave a comment letting us know you did.

Fun Time Dog Shop (and giveaway) originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 27, 2010.

Congrats to Paula who won the camera, and thanks again to Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul for sponsoring the giveaway.

Summer BBQ Winner originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 27, 2010.

We only have 10 to give though, and the first 10 people who comment will get a pet cling for their home. And don’t forget, there is still time to enter ADT’s Pet Fire Safety “Your Pet: Busted!” Photo Contest on their Facebook page.

ADT Pet Clings originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 27, 2010.

Beethoven says “Hey, mom! It’s raining outside!”. We think Beethoven is an adorable weather rat.

Cute of the Day: Beethoven originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 26, 2010.

You have until August 1st to enter, so be sure to send in your photo soon! Two lucky winners will receive a Grand Prize basket of fabulous pet-perfect goodies customized for dog or cat (or other feathered or furry friends), including:

• Premium Emergency Kit
• Organic Toys and Treats
• Bath & Spa Products
• Pet Record Keeper & Scrapbook Kit
• Pet Safety Items and much, much more!

ADT Fire Saftey Contest originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 25, 2010.

Tips to Reduce Separation Anxiety

1. When on business or personal travel, leaving your pet behind can be difficult. Consider in-home pet care versus boarding or kenneling. In-home pet sitters can help maintain normal activities and allow your pet to be nurtured in familiar, safe surroundings.
2. All pet sitters are not created equal. Diligently check all of the company’s references – at least three should be voluntarily provided. It’s important to ensure that the pet sitting company is fully bonded and insured.
3. Prior to leaving, make sure your pet has plenty to play with. A new bone or toy will distract your pet from your absence and take their mind off your departure.
4. Leave your pet with an item of your clothing that has your scent to they can remember you and be comforted while you are away.
5. Make sure that you assemble a list of emergency contacts with your veterinarian’s phone number. If your pet has any health issues, inform the sitter of this properly prior to your departure.

Tips to reduce seperation anxiety. originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 22, 2010.

Life with the Internet has made searching for pet accessories very simple as most can be ordered and delivered straight to your door. Always check that companies are well established as this usually reflects in the quality of the accessories. Many websites will have discounted offers on pet accessories too so this is a bonus if finances are tight.

Some great pet accessories are available – things that people sometimes do not think about, that will result in great rewards for you as an owner. For those owners that travel with their pet a range of travel pods are available. The pod is a pop up style and is fantastic for use when travelling in the car and is suitable for cats and dogs or other pets. For both cats and dogs remember id tags are an easy and simple way to ensure your pet does not get lost. If you are a dog owner consider some of the retrieval toys for dogs that are available to make your walks more fun. Some come equipped with long throwing ropes attached and are even manufactured to perform well in all weathers. There is also an abundance of collars, even designer collars available together with calming collars that can reduce unwanted behaviours from your cat or dog by safely releasing a calming substance, ideal for stressful situations too – like visits to the vet. Some of the pet accessory products are however only available from specialist pet stores, so a search of the Internet can be useful.

Another excellent way of selecting pet accessories for your pet is to look for recommendations from people that know including vets, trainers and other specialists that work in the fields of pet health and behaviour training. Some pet accessories come with recommendations for performance and durability – you do not want to waste money. An important thing to remember is that pet accessories help create an interesting lifestyle for your pet and thus help to keep them happy and healthy. Have fun searching for pet accessories that are interesting and functional for your pet and watch for the wonderful rewards you will receive in return.

Written by Lisa Curren owner of pet food stores across the Uk.

Pet Accessories: A Must for Your Pets Happiness originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 21, 2010.

Purina, Kroger, and animal lover Trista Sutter, from ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” have teamed up to launch the third-annual “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” campaign, celebrating the unique bond between people and their pets, while donating funds to animal welfare organizations nationwide.

You can participate by sending in your pet tale, voting on which animal organizations will get funds, and even voting on other pet tales. Your pet story could end up on the special TV show too! The website also has a lot of fun activities for kids of all ages, and of course, they all involve your pets too!

Together Purina and the Kroger family of stores will donate $150,000 to animal welfare organizations in 2010 as part of the “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” campaign and will recognize the outstanding efforts of animal welfare organizations nationwide. The campaign will conclude with a television special showcasing the unique people-pet relationship.

Have a fun pet tale to tell? Be sure to send it in! You can also join them on Facebook.

Purina’s Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on July 20, 2010.