Visit the Panda's at the Toronto Zoo~!!

Join the Pandas at the Toronto Zoo via their family weekend programs throughout the summer before and after Zoo hours.

Each session includes up to 25 people for an exclusive and special viewing of our giant pandas!

Sunrise with the Pandas (Morning Program)
$10.00 per person (includes HST)
Sunday June 9, 2013, Sunday June 23, 2013
Sunday July 28, 2013, Sunday July 14, 2013
Sunday August 11, 2013, Sunday August 25, 2013
8:00 am - 9:30 am

Their specially designed morning program includes fun family games held as you are guided through our Giant Panda Interpretive Centre.  Then enjoy a special early viewing of Er Shun and Da Mao complete with refreshments including Chinese inspired snacks, coffee, tea and juice.

Please note: If you plan to stay at the Zoo following the program, general Zoo admission fees apply.

Panda Lantern Parade (Evening Program)
$12.00 per person (includes HST)
Saturday June 8, 2013, Saturday June 22, 2013
Saturday July 13, 2013, Saturday July 27, 2013
Saturday August 10, 2013, Saturday August 24, 2013
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Or you could investigate the evening program, which includes a guided tour of the Giant Panda Interpretive Centre and an exclusive after-hours viewing of Er Shun and Da Mao.  Plus, light up the evening with your very own handmade lantern to wish our giant pandas good night!  Program also serves evening refreshments including coffee, tea and juice.

Please note: If you plan to stay at the Zoo before the program, general Zoo admission fees apply.

For more information, visit the Toronto Zoo website

Find us on Facebook!

CURRENT ZOO HOURS
Open daily 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Last admission one hour before closing

Admission Fees
General Admission (13-64): $28
Seniors (65+): $23
Children (3-12): $18
Children (2 and under): FREE
Prices include tax as applicable
Parking is $10 year round

Toronto Zoo is accredited by CAZA (Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums).

Look for this logo whenever you visit a Canadian zoo as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.

For more information, visit www.caza.ca.

Facts About Scorpions That You Should Know

Scorpions are one of the most common pests found in dry areas like the desert. These pests can easily invade a home in search of food, water, and shelter. If you do nothing to get rid of them, they can become a huge problem. This is especially true if your home was invaded by the venomous type.

Differences between Venomous and Non-Venomous Scorpions
Technically speaking though, all scorpions have venoms. What makes them "venomous" and "non-venomous" to humans is the amount of venom in their sting and the damage that it can do to humans.

In a nutshell, "venomous" scorpions have thick tails. They also have thin pincers. On the other hand, "non-venomous" scorpions have thin tails, and they also have pincers that are not only thick and broad, but very well-developed as well. Aside from this, the stinger of a "venomous" scorpion is also much bigger and thicker than the "non-venomous" type which is smaller and thinner. What this basically means though is that "venomous" scorpions rely more on their stingers and venom to catch and overpower their prey, while "non-venomous" scorpions rely on their pincers to catch their prey and overpower them.

The importance of knowing these differences is that you can exercise more care and caution when you spot a scorpion. When you see that its pincers are smaller in relation to its body, then you'll know to avoid it or get rid of it carefully because its venom is more potent.

Common Scorpion Facts
Scorpions live in arid, dry places like the dessert. However, their bodies are very sensitive to water loss that they immediately search for water when their bodies begin to lose moisture. If your home has scorpions, you will notice that you'll commonly see them under the sink where there are water puddles. This is because they need water to keep their bodies hydrated. If you want to keep them away, see to it that there are no water puddles under your sink or leaky faucets where they can get their water from.

During the day, scorpions tend to hide from the sun and burrow in tight, snug places like under a rock. If they've invaded your home, they're going to look for similar places to burrow under, so it's not surprising to see them inside shoes. Because of their tendency to look for tight, snug places, it is important that you always shake out your shoes before you put them on. You most definitely don't want to get stung by a scorpion.

Scorpions have excellent sense of smell. They can easily locate a prey using their sense of smell, and they can also easily and quickly hide from any sign of danger. Scorpions are also known to recognize light and dark, so for example you're going to make certain your home has been invaded by scorpions, then do it at night or with the lights closed. With a UV light, shine it along the walls. Scorpions will glow green when the UV light hits them because of the fluorescent in their bodies.

Getting rid of scorpions is quite easy. Get rid of their food and water source, and they're out of your home in no time. If you've having difficulties getting rid of these pests, then a call to your local pest control company might be of good help.

Citations:

• http://sxc.hu/

Jennifer Dallman, a freelance article provider, regularly contributes to pest control blogs, one of which is Preventive Pest. She writes mostly about homemade tips to get rid of pests as well as homemade strategies to keep them away from your home.

How to Survive a Bear Encounter

If you are out in the woods there are times when you may come in contact with a bear. Often times people will be enough to frighten a bear away. If they are noisy enough they will not even know that they were ever close to a bear. However this is not always the case, sometimes bears approach people, so here are some general guidelines if you encounter a bear.

First you should determine what kind of bear you are dealing with. Black bears and grizzly bears respond differently to different stimuli. If you can determine which type of bear you are dealing with it will help you to make the best decisions for how to proceed.

cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo shared by Tambako the Jaguar

Black Bears
If you are dealing with a black bear and you have some space between you and him, and get a little loud. Say things like, “Get out of here. Go away bear.” You can also hit a couple of rocks or sticks together, or whatever else you find. If the bear starts to approach you further, use your bear spray, which you should carry with you when in bear country. If the bear comes even closer you might try throwing some of those rocks and sticks at him. If that does not work and the worst happens stand your ground. In the worst case scenario, if the bear attacks fight it back. You should punch the bear in the face and nose and claw and dig at the eyes. Kick, hit and fight for your life.


cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography

Grizzly Bears
However this is not how you handle an encounter with a grizzly. Grizzlies are more aggressive and should be handled differently. If you encounter a grizzly you want to determine the distance between you and the bear first. If he is far enough away just talk in a calm voice and announce that you know he is there. If possible back slowly out of the area and make sure not to run or turn your back to the bear. If the bear comes within 25 feet of you, now is the time to use the bear spray. Bears do not like the smell and it should encourage them to leave. If that does not work then stand your ground. Stand up straight and look as big as you can, not challenging the bear, just big. If the bear comes toward you in a curious way stand your ground and the bear spray. If that does not work and you are attacked, then you should cover your neck and lay flat on your stomach or in the fetal position, as you want to protect your stomach and neck from the bear.

If you encounter either of these bears, remain calm, stand your ground, and handle the situation as it plays out.

Written by JustRopes.com, where climbing experts shop.

Camels & Their Secrets

Image by xikita 

I have a bit of a love affair with camels. I have even slept with some – no, not like that, we were in a desert, I had to huddle up to one to keep warm – oh, never mind. They are just such brilliant characters. 

Anyone who has been on a camel that doesn’t want to go anywhere knows that they have lost the fight. Once a camel refuses to budge, that’s your lot.

If they don’t like you or you’ve annoyed them, they can dredge up this horrid green bile from their stomachs and spray it all over you – this is a brilliant fact, as long as this is happening to one of your friends, and not you, of course.

It’s not just their lovely long legs
Camels come in two flavours; the common dromedary (one hump) or the Bactrian (two hump) variety, and the word camel translates from the Arabic ǧml which means “beauty” in English, and anyone who has seen the relationship between a Bedouin or any desert dweller and his camels couldn’t fail to see how both are enamoured with each other.

These beasts are absolutely unique as mammals as they can go for extremely long periods without water. They have oval blood cells that can still flow when they are dehydrated, unlike any other mammal – they, in fact are the only mammal to have oval cells.

They can drink up to 40 gallons of water in one go, but do not store it in the hump – the hump stores fat, so that there is less heat-trapping insulation going on around the rest of its body. This means that it can tolerate the extreme temperature changes in the desert, ranging from 0 degrees, to over 45 degrees – but camels don’t even break a sweat until they get to 41 degrees.

They can eat the thorny bush plants found in the desert due to their unique split lip, and being able to eat green plants gives them extra moisture, and the shape of their nostrils lets them retain water vapour, which is returned to the body as fluid. See, they are very, very intelligent creatures!

Bring on the camel cavalry!
They have been used many times during history in wars, and the camel cavalry have been instrumental in transportation of troops and equipment in areas where there are no roads, and where no horse would fear to tread.

Where they have been pitched in battle against those on horseback, they invariably win, and one of the folklores surrounding this is that the smell of the camels disorientates the horses. Roman Emperor Claudius used this tactic when he used the camel cavalry to invade Britain in AD 43. And we all know, all roads lead to Rome.

Where have all the camels gone?
The dromedary camel has the highest concentration around the Horn of Africa, encompassing Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan, where they are largely domesticated and provide transport, milk, meat and clothing for the nomadic people.

The estimated 1.4 million Bactrian camels are largely found in the Gobi desert and Mongolia, so they stretch out quite far.

The largest feral camel population in the world is actually in Australia. They were introduced to Oz in the late 19th century as a method of transportation, and if you visit any Victorian town you will see that the roads are super wide, and that’s so that people could manoeuvre their camel trains. 

Now their descendants roam in the enormous deserts there, growing each year by 8%. Sadly, the Australian government has had to make the decision to cull some of these, as the sheep farmers outback have very limited resources in terms of grazing and water.

In the second half of the 20th century, a small population of introduced camels lived in the South West USA. Originally from Turkey, they were part of the experimental U.S. Camel Corps but escaped after the project terminated.

If you need further reason why these amazing creatures deserve to be on your fav animal list, how about this: they have been the only animal to replace the wheel in North Africa, after the wheel had been invented! Yes, your tyres could only get you so far across a sandy desert with no road – these guys can take you anywhere!

Share your camel tales here.

Sarah O’Neill is an animal lover and also loves history. She writes blogs for Petmeds, an online shop selling dog harness, leads, supplements, medication, and everything you need to ensure optimum dog health. 

How to Become a Backyard Zookeeper

Are your dogs and cats and other household pets not providing enough excitement in your life? Have they become too mundane and predictable lately? If so, you might want to consider getting rid of them and becoming a backyard zookeeper instead. Your pet cat probably does little besides sun itself on a windowsill when not eating. Imagine how much more fun it would be to have a tiger or a lion instead. A tiger may not be able to fit on your windowsill, but it will provide you with hours of conversational material at work and at social events.

Your dog probably does little but bark, eat and sleep and generally bore you to death. Replacing that dog with a hippopotamus could be just the answer that you need. Negative people make try to deter you from keeping a zoo in your back yard, but that's only because they have no imagination.




From: How Do I Become A

Hellhounds: The Evil Side of Canine History

Pardon me, dear reader. I love dogs and animals in general but after writing countless posts singing their praises, raising awareness for more unfortunate animals and generally providing positive opinion, I thought it was high time that I tackled the eerier side of our canine friends.

The black Shuck, image via Wikipedia – public domain

Today, dogs are viewed as Man’s best friend. We keep them as pets, love them as members of the family and even take out costly insurance premiums to protect them. This has only been the case in very recent years.

Dogs were not always seen as the treasured well loved protectors popular culture has shaped them to be today. Oh no. Dogs were in fact often associated with evil and wrongdoing as well as being symbolic for sinners.

Straight from the fiery pits of hell
In the bible, dogs are mentioned on several occasions and not in the most appreciative of tones; eg: Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh (Phillipians 3:2).

Islam regards dogs as impure and unclean; they are unwelcome in the Muslim home unless they are guard dogs, protecting the house. In the Sunni tradition, black dogs are regarded as evil and demonic.

 These dark & demonic dogs are called hellhounds, a name under which a number of blood chilling mythological dogs fall under. Hellhounds are present throughout mythology, folklore and fiction, terrifying generation after generation of chill-seekers.

The most notable may well be the terrifying Cerberus, the three-headed hound who guards the gates of Hades, according to Greek and Roman mythology.

This multi headed creature is depicted as the guardian of the Underworld, allowing the spirits of the dead to enter but not to leave. He is also said to be the offspring of Echidna, half woman, half serpent and happily named the ‘Mother of All Monsters’. 


Image by cstreet360

Typically, a hellhound will always be black in colour, with glowing eyes, often red in colour. This of course enhances its terrifying nature, due to the fact that they can’t be clearly made out in the dark, but their fearsome eyes will shine out through the darkness, fixing intently on their prey and causing terror throughout the land. I’m actually scared writing this, why lie?

The Ghostly Black Dog
These fictional dogs will be found in lonely places, such as desolate moors, dark forests, abandoned manor houses and deathly swamps.

Seeing one of these creatures traditionally is considered to be a very bad omen indeed, often bringing ominous tidings. There are many stories that have emerged that involve the sighting of a monstrously large black dog before an accident or death has occurred.


The ghostly black dog of British folklore. (Wikipedia)

In British folklore, ghostly black dogs are very prominent, with many reported sightings across the British Isles throughout history.

Newgate Prison is notorious for its stories of a large black dog that would appear before executions for more than 400 years, reinforcing the ghostly dog’s association with imminent death.

One of Sherlock Holmes most famous tales was inspired by a true story surrounding a ghostly black dog that tormented those who lived in the Dartmoor area.

 The Hound of the Baskervilles  is said to be inspired by the story of a huntsman in the 17th century who sold his soul to the devil and after his death, would ride the land with fearsome black hounds.

In truth, most areas of England, Scotland, Wales and the British Isles have their own black dog stories. All have certain factors in common: the dog is large and black and can be seen at night. They mostly all have fiery red eyes, or certainly eyes that are prominently visible in the dark. They are often associated with the Devil and hell and imminent death.

All in all, not the most relaxing animals to have around. I attempt to console myself with the hopeful notion that these stories are of course merely based on unfounded fears of the dark and are mostly made up tales to deter children from venturing out past their bedtime.

I do believe though that whilst writing this post I have made a mental list of places I would not walk around in after dark. *Shudder*

Please share any ghostly tales that you may have below.

Susannah Plomer is an animal lover and blogger who momentarily defected from the positive dog stories and ventured over to the dark side of canine history. She blogs for Supapet , who provide the best accessories for the nice dogs who do not prowl the night causing terror and fear.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Sharp Shirter ~ The Puginator

At Sharp Shirter they are dedicated to creating products that merge the relationship between animals and humans.  They find it intriguing that humans categorize animals into certain classifications.  Some animals we eat, some we stand up and protect, some we own and yes, some we fear.  Animals also share this range of emotions and intentions when they have to deal with animals.  Some animals are wild and will attack feeling humans as a threat, others are fearful of us while some would die to protect us. 

Sharp Shirters doesn't attempt to have any answers to these relationship conundrums but are rather pleased with the questions they create.

Since 2005, Sharp Shirter has grown their collection to include men's, women's and children's clothing as well as accessories for computers and phones.  They are proud to use "sweat~shop" free American Apparel that is professionally printed in the U.S. and made to last.

Prices starting at $24.00

Mens ~ Puginator (Brown or Charcoal)

This design was created because of "Sophie the Pug" who became the new bestest friend of the designer.  As the two bonded, nicknames became the norm and Sophie~Tron was born and it was only natural that the Puginator makes a great dedication for the love of a pet~!

My son just loves this tee shirt~!!  He said the fit is perfect, the material feels groovy on his skin and he LOVES the design.  He said the picture online did not do this tee shirt any justice.  He wore it for days before I managed to convince him to return it to me so that we could put it through the wash test.

He was very worried that it was going to shrink or fade, we've had that happen before, but to his great relief, it survived the ordeal and has several times since.  It still wears like its brand new with no signs of showing wear and tear.

BTW...I do believe this design is being phased out so you'd better get there quick but even if you do not...they are some REALLY wonderful tee shirts to check out...plus, they have hoodies, beater style shirts,  dresses, iPhone cases and some pretty sweet prints...I love the Marilyn Monroe Bear Head print...nice~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

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Show your puppy love! Get Purina's FREE eBook today! 

Tips For Renting an Apartment as A Pet Owner

Tips For Renting an Apartment as A Pet Owner

Pet owners often find renting an apartment difficult. Most property owners restrict pets by not allowing them at all or to certain size requirements. Finding an apartment that will allow your pet will take time and research. Utilizing a few key tips will make an apartment search easier.

Allow Time:
Start looking for a pet friendly apartment as soon as possible. The longer a prospective tenant has to look for an apartment, the more likely they are to find pet friendly apartments. Small complexes or single family owned rentals may be more willing to allow a pet. Utilizing a pet friendly apartment guide will help narrow down prospects.

Allow For Extra Charges:
Tenants who are willing to pay a pet deposit or extra monthly rent will encounter less resistance to their pet. Many property owners have been subjected to damage caused by pets living on the property. Offer to pay an additional pet deposit for any possible damage by your pet. Paying additional monthly fees for allowing a pet may sway a property owner into allowing you to rent their apartment.

Show Responsibility:
Many property owners dislike pets due to barking and training issues. Show a prospective landlord that your pet has completed training for good manners. Offer your current landlord's number so that your prospective landlord may contact them for a reference. Assure the property owner that you will clean up any waste left by your pet. Give the landlord proof of vaccinations and proof of a spay or neuter.

Add It To The Lease:
If the apartment has a written no pet policy but is making an exception for you, make sure to get it in writing. Have the no pet policy marked out of the lease and initialed by the property owner or management. If a pet deposit is required, have the amount and terms of the deposit added to the lease. Obtaining everything in writing will protect you, your pet and the property owner.

Consider The Breed:
If you do not already own a pet and are planning to obtain one, check to see if there are breed restrictions. Many cities have breed bans and many landlords only accept certain breeds of dogs. Small dogs under 30 pounds are the most widely accepted breeds for apartments. Choosing to acquire a big dog or misunderstood breed may make apartment hunting difficult if not impossible. Carefully consider the best breed for you and anticipate potential problems with renting an apartment.

Following these few simple steps will offer the tenant a surefire way of finding a pet friendly apartment. Being a responsible tenant and pet owner will help you find the best apartment for you and your pet.

Citations:

• Non-promotional link that provides a resource for finding pet-friendly apts.

Jon Clark writes for CaliforniaApartmentsBlog.com and recommends Lyon Communities for apartment seekers looking for California apartment rentals or apartments in San Diego.

Top Five Most Baffling Dog Costumes

I’m never quite sure how to feel about people dressing up their dogs. On the one hand (paw?), seeing a dog dressed as Darth Vader is pretty funny. On the other, the look of complete and utter canine humiliation in their eyes makes me feel kind of bad for smirking. However, in the world of doggy fancy dress there are some costumes that really make you stop and think (usually something along the lines of: “What? WHY?!”). Here follows a list of five of these; be prepared to do more head tilting than a Labrador at a dog whistle testing facility.

• Bride

You may laugh, but dog weddings actually happen more frequently than you might think. Some owners even go so far as to spend thousands of pounds on the ceremony, kitting out their pooches in designer gear and even providing lavish spreads for the ceremonies’ human and canine guests. This little number is actually rather well done and is a fraction of the price of some designer doggy gowns. However, there’s something about those little arms clutching the bouquet that I find kind of creepy...

• Scooby Doo

The weirdness of this outfit largely comes from it being a dog dressed as a dog. While you could argue that people often dress as other people, the way this costume is effectively makes it a dog wearing another dog’s skin (which, if you think about it for a little bit, is pretty weird).

• Mac Daddy

Complete with lurid purple and tiger striped fake fur as well as the obligatory bit of gold bling, this outfit is pretty pimpin’. But do you really want a Mac daddy dog wrangling around? Although the number of jokes you could make at the expense of any fine lady dogs alone would arguably arguably make this purchase worth it, you have to wonder just who exactly thought up the idea of making and selling this costume in the first place.

• Slave Princess Leia

I can understand dressing your pet as Darth Vader or even Yoda, but sticking them in a fake gold bikini complete with buns (which she isn’t even wearing in that outfit) is just mean. The outfit was meant to be humiliating for Leia in the movie, so surely this stands true for your dog being made to wear it for your amusement at a family Christmas party (though going so far as to say you are the Jabba to your dog’s Leia would be more than a little creepy).

• Sylvester the Cat

This is pure perversity. Not only are you dressing your dog as a cat, but you’re also dressing them like a crazed, psychopathic bird murderer. Okay, that’s probably being a little harsh; Sylvester is only trying to do what comes naturally. In fact, if you think about it, Tweety Bird is probably the more scary of the pair; behind that cutesy exterior clearly lurks the brain of a serial killer (come to think of it, the pair were clearly made for each other).

Eli McColl is currently writing for Ace Fancy Dress, a great place to go should you need Christmas fancy dress ideas for either you or your dog.

The History Of Falconry

Falconry or hacking is an age old art which can be dated back to 2000 BC and is believed to have been evolved by falconers in Egypt and China, or the ancient Mesopotamia to be precise. Falconry originally began with the idea of survival and continuation, wherein falcons were trained to hunt and catch hold of game for subsistence. It spread gradually to the European continent via the expeditions of the Huns and the rulers from the Middle East in AD 400, wherein the technique of hacking or training procedure for making the raptors expert hunters was perfected and carried on a larger scale, for falconry had evolved into a great sport from being a source of subsistence.

Photo Credit

Falconry In History
Early literature passages, poetic references, paintings and porcelain structures depict falconry in China as an important part of the Chinese culture, wherein it was practiced avidly by the imperial patronage, aristocrats as well as the common public. From early or middle 600 BC onwards, falconry or hawking was considered as a symbol of luxury and royal lineage in India as well, wherein royal parties were organized for hunting game with the aid of specially trained raptors.

China, India And Beyond
However, the hawking practices in China, India and Middle East had subsequently become feeble in the period from the end of the 18th century to the mid 19th century owing to reasons like colonization, partition, change or ruling races, invasion by foreign rulers, as well as due to ethnic clashes. Introduction of westernized elements and modernized way of thinking was another significant reason for its decline in these regions.

Photo Credit

Training
The art of training the raptors to catch their prey is extremely difficult to master, and experts agree that Fredrick II was the person who made a significant contribution towards this cause by authoring comprehensive literature regarding falconry and ornithology. Falconry soon transcended boundaries and became a popular sport amidst the royal families and noble classes in Europe, since this sport required significant investment in terms of time, money and other resources. Falconry soon began to be considered as a higher status symbol, and in 1500 AD, England had even brought out strict rules regarding the classification of raptor training according to one’s class and profession.

The popularity of falconry reached its peak in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe, so much so that the Dutch city of Valkenswaard was dependant entirely upon the sport for running its economy. Falconry made its appearance in the United States in early 1900s, wherein it became a popular sport. The North American Falconer’s Association was formed in the year 1961, which boasts of more than 3000 members today. The population of Peregrine species of raptors was found to be affected by excessive usage of DDT, and successful efforts were directed towards saving them from being wiped out.

David Hamer is SEO for Predator Experience in the UK, who offer one of the most amazing activities in Cumbria.  If you are considering Falconry as a pass-time, consider Predator Experience.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Pet Owner

Chances are you have a pet owner on your gift list this year. Here are some gift ideas sure to make any pet owner merry this holiday season.

1. The Peticure
Pets need their nails clipped just like humans do. However, it’s a lot harder to tell how far down to cut a pet’s nail than it is on humans, meaning it can be really easy to injure your pet in the process. Traditional nail clippers have the potential to cut too far down and cause a lot of pain. There’s a nifty little gadget called the Peticure, which trims down the nails of any pet, large or small (even turtles!), in a much safer, more natural way. It works by using a battery powered rotary system that buffs nails into a nicely rounded shape, leaving pets happy and hardwood floors unscathed. You can find it on UBuyEz online for $14.95.

2. Personalized Mug
Who wouldn’t want to wake up in the morning and drink some hot steaming liquid out of a mug bearing their pet’s loving visage? Well, maybe not everyone, but most pet owners would at the very least be amused by this prospect, and some might even be genuinely excited. Luckily, Facebook allows us access to thousands of our friends’ personal photos, so finding a nice pet picture on the sly shouldn’t be too difficult. All you need to do is upload that photo to one of the many websites offering personalized mugs, hit the “order” button, and breathe easy knowing you have a happy pet owner checked off your list.

3. Adopt-a-Species
If the pet owner on your list has a soft spot for our non-domesticated animal friends, consider the Adopt-a-Species program from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. You pick which species to adopt, and they’ll send your recipient a thank you package including an info sheet about the species, a plush toy, a letter of appreciation, and a photo. They also have special holiday packages available. The funds from your purchase will go toward animal care both within the zoo and outside of it, including healthcare and species rehabilitation. Check it out at nationalzoo.si.edu.

4. Homemade Treats
For an inexpensive yet thoughtful gift, try your hand at making some pet treats at home. Thanks to the Internet, recipes for almost every conceivable type of pet are available, and most seem pretty simple. Some of them look like they’d even be tasty for humans too, but I’ll leave that up to your discretion. For an extra festive presentation, put the treats in a mason jar with some red and green ribbon.

5. Coffee Table Book
Coffee table books are the grown-up, classy version of the picture books we loved as kids. You can find coffee table book son a myriad of subjects, including pets. The book Dogs by Lewis Blackwell and Tim Flach has gotten excellent reviews on Amazon and features artful shots of different kinds of dogs. The same authors produced a highly regarded book on horses as well, in case your gift recipient is of the equine persuasion.

Madeline Marshall is a freelance writer and also a non-discriminatory lover of all varieties of pet.

Fun Attractions That You Shouldn’t Miss In Bronx Zoo

I want you to experience the best things in Bronx Zoo. It’s not enough that you see their animals. That’s usual for zoos. Hence, you have to know the best attractions in this unbelievable Zoo. That way, you can make the most out of your stay. Please use the guide below if you plan to visit here. I have written some of the most sought about attractions from this famous landmark.

Let’s categorize the attractions into 2 parts. We have the indoor attractions and the outdoor attractions. Let’s begin with the indoor ones.

Be a birdwatcher and learn their behavior. Visit World of Birds and you’ll have the chance to meet birds from different regions. If you are lucky, you’ll see male birds courting the female ones. I’m sure that you want to listen to their beautiful songs. You can experience that in this attraction.

Crawl like a hamster in the Mouse House. In this attraction, you will appreciate these so called “pests”. What adds creepiness in this room is that it’s dark. That way, you will be able to see what they really do. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to go to the World of Reptiles after this. That’s because you’ll see rodents being eaten by snakes!

Enjoy this great and colorful attraction, the Butterfly Garden. This can be very relaxing for those who are stressed out. Aside from the multicolored butterflies, you will be serenaded with classical music. You are also allowed to smell the fresh flowers. Who says that you can’t become a butterfly for a day?

If you have a lot of Zoo coupons, you might want to try their outdoor activities.

Experience Africa’s safari in Congo Gorilla Forest. You will not only see different animals like monkeys, snakes and zebras. You’ll have the chance to be in their shoes. If you want to know what snakes see, you will be allowed to use an infrared camera. And if you want to be a hero, you can be a Gorilla’s guardian.

Rest for a while and take the Zoo Shuttle. If you are tired of walking and running, you can just take a shuttle. This lets you check out the attractions without the need to move your legs. This is advisable if you are quite old, or if you have weak lungs.

Do these activities and I’m sure that you will have a hard time forgetting your Bronx Zoo trip. And please, always bring your camera with you. Charge your batteries and empty your card’s memory.   

Kim Bookman is an avid shopper and mother of two young boys, who love going to the Zoo. She helped create Zoo Coupons online, so other mothers and fathers can save money while visiting their favorite hometown Zoo. Checkout the coupons available such as the one at San Diego Zoo Coupons to start saving today!

Best Facebook Pages Promoting Charity

Facebook has become the ultimate platform for marketing. In a world where everything is going digital, it provides a fast moving place to pass along information, and has changed the definition of "word of mouth promotion". All of this while increasing the likelihood of finding potential customers is a market over-saturated with competition.

What makes this truly unique is the fact that non-profit organizations and causes are taking the lead on this type of promotion. With Facebook offering a special means of communicating one on one with donors and volunteers, there has been a surge since 2009 in dedicated charitable Facebook pages.

There are plenty of examples of pages that do this right. But these six are perhaps the best.

1. Chase Community Giving

As a bank, Chase is one of those companies that could start suffering under the mistrust and all-consuming hatred of the modern consumer. Since the bailouts and subsequent bonuses paid out with taxpayer funds, along with the financial crisis that was caused by financial institutions and an inflated housing market, you would expect to see their popularity plummeting. But they managed to pull themselves out of the sinkhole thanks to a charitable campaign known as Chase Community Giving. They have given millions to projects meant to improve the conditions for those living in local communities all over the US. This has drawn millions to their Facebook page, where they give daily updates, as well as a chance for participation from users.

2. Kohl's Cares

Kohl's started their Kohl's Cares program a couple of years ago with two goals in mind: to use the company to help people and the environment. This broad message has been positive, as they put their money into a wide range of causes. On their Facebook page, there is a tab that shows you what has gone into which charitable cause. So far, they have given hundreds of millions to advancing environmental solutions, children's health and education, women's health and breast cancer, and encouraging employees to volunteer their time to community projects, equaling more than 1.2 million hours and $35 million.

3. Target

Target has faced a couple of controversies with their political spending recently, which could factor into their overall numbers when it comes to what they have given. But despite this, and whether or not you agree with their political policies, you can't deny the good they have done. They give an average of $150 million per year to charities around the world, and they are considered one of the most philanthropic businesses around. Their Facebook page occasionally opens up a new tab for sweepstakes and community giving projects, where you can become a part of the whole process. They have made it very simple to use, which has attracted plenty of Likes.

4. Make-A-Wish Foundation

Everyone has heard of Make-A-Wish, the international non-profit that gives children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses the chance to live out a dream. Their Facebook page gives great updates on company involvement, as well as the brave children who have taken part in their program. You can also find various chances for you to participate, donating time or money to the cause. They sometimes post some interesting facts about the organization, such as the fact that the first ever donation came from a grocery store manager who gave $15 to the beginning non-profit.

5. ASPCA

This non-profit dedicated to stopping animal cruelty and finding homes for homeless pets has been around for quite some time. Their creation of a Facebook page has led to more than a million likes, with as much as 17,000 people talking about it on the social media site at any given time. They took advantage of the sharing potential of stories about abused or homeless pets by updating regularly with both tragic and feel good tales, and providing plenty of adoption pictures with contact info for those interested in taking the dogs and cats home.

6. Susan G. Komen For The Cure

Nancy G. Brinke was faced with a tragedy: her sister, Susan G. Komen, was dying of terminal breast cancer. But from that came an incredible journey that led to one of the largest breast cancer cure charities in the world. Nancy promised Susan she would do all in her power to end breast cancer, and in 1982 she established the Susan G Komen Foundation For The Cure. The Facebook page gives regular updates on the fight against the disease, as well as tips for self-checks and opportunities to be a part of the battle.

Conclusion

Non-profits have spent the last few years enjoying the benefits of social media for promotion. The six mentioned here have gone above and beyond, really utilizing the platform for gathering donations, finding supporters and getting the message out.

What are some of your favorite Facebook charity pages? Leave us a comment with a link!

Jessy is a social media enthusiast and blogger for Dobovo, the free money-saving resource for those planning a trip to Europe and seeking Kiev apartments.