Wild cats from the Ogasawara Islands, a remote Japanese archipelago, are being captured and tamed as domestic pets to help protect the region's unique eco-system. A growing number of feral cats had led to attacks on the birds and other creatures in the islands.

Veterinary experts have joined forces with locals to round up the cats, before deporting them to Japan's main Honshu Island. The cats subsequently undergo training to become domestic pets for periods of up to three months before starting their new lives.

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 Pets, like human beings, need to be prepared for natural disasters. Dogs, for one, are usually afraid of thunder -- the sharp and loud sound made by lightning. If they are left behind during a storm, dogs may leave their home, destroy furniture, or soil their dens out of panic.Here are some tips shared by animal behavior consultant Ilana Reisner on how to help dogs deal with this fear, as featured here:

Establish a comfortable "safe haven" on the first-floor interior of the house, where storm noise is less intense and where he has spent calm time in the past. - Don't lock him in a crate or in a tiny room, which can increase panic. - Turn up a radio to help camouflage storm noise.

- If you are present, it helps if you sing, dance or give him a great chew treat, anything you can think of to make it clear that you're not worried or tense. Ready for the storm As much as possible, pets should not be left at home in times of natural disasters such as typhoons, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

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The temperatures in the high desert are predicted to be in the mid-90 degrees Fahrenheit. This rapid change from spring to summer temperatures may catch people unprepared.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon would like to offer tips on keeping your pets safe in the heat. The best spot for your dog during warm weather is inside a safe, cool house.

If your pet is outside during the day, remember to provide protection from the sun and plenty of fresh water.

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Losing a pet can be scary especially during the holiday weekend.  The loud noise from fireworks often scares pets.  Some animals hide but others run away. Usually you would call Animal Control or Humane Society, but they are closed on July 5th.  Now what are your options?

You can call dispatch.  Dispatch will call the Animal Control emergency number. The number to dispatch is (509) 628-0333. Four calls were made to Animal Control over the weekend.  With the help of Animal Control emergency they were able to get the lost pets to a safe place until the owners can pick them up.

Pet owners should keep their animals inside during the fireworks displays because the loud explosions can really spook pets.

Animal welfare officials said pets that are left outside and unattended often run away over the Fourth of July holiday. Animal welfare's Capt.

Albert Marquez said the division gets more stray animal calls and barking dog complaints on July 4 than almost any other night of the year.

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Pet product retailer Pets at Home has reported a 36% rise in its annual pre-tax profits as the UK cements its reputation as a nation of animal lovers.The company, which is owned by a private equity firm, has seen an 8.8% increase in sales from its existing shops.

Its figures are helped by the opening of 24 new stores, which led to total sales rising by 16%. Pets at Home was bought by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) in January for approximately £955m. The firm's 256 stores provide pet owners with a huge array of choice on pet supplies, pet food, accessories and toys.

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Keep your pets safe this Fourth of July by preparing them and your home for what can be a scary and anxiety-provoking experience.”For most of us, Independence Day celebrations are fun and exciting, an opportunity to gather with friends or go into town.

And watch spectacular fireworks displays -- flashing lights in a rainbow of colors punctuated with the 'boom, boom, boom' that signify the gunshots of victory and the birth of our nation,” said Cynthia Ryan, executive director of the Sequoia Humane Society.

But for animals, she added, bright lights and loud noises can be frightening, causing panic and hysteria. ”Cats and dogs possess hearing that is much more sensitive than human hearing. The bang of a firecracker strikes many pets on a survival level and spells certain doom, a sensation that instills a visceral, primitive fear and can cause them to overreact, becoming destructive or bolting in panic,” Ryan said.

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A manager of The Pet Company at Hamilton Place mall threw a hamster in a trash compactor because of the animal's history of fighting with other hamsters. The hamster was still alive, a former employee testified Monday during the second day of a Chattanooga City Court trial in which city officials are fighting to put the store out of business.

The detail about the hamster's life made Linda Eddlemon with the East Tennessee Animal Alliance squirm in her seat and silently gasp in horror. She said after the proceeding ended for the day that such actions of store employees prove that the business had little regard for the well-being of the animals it was trying to sell.

Similar fears by city officials led officers with the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center to raid The Pet Company on June 15, seizing 82 pets and slapping it with 90 City Code violations, including many tied to animal cruelty.

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Shakespeare famously asked, "What's in a name?" It turns out the answer is "lots of laughs," at least if you're talking about pet names. The people at VPI Pet Insurance.

A company that offers health insurance for dogs and cats, have come up with a list of the most unusual names for pets. They should know: They chose from the 485,000 names of animals that they insure.

Dog names

1. Pickle Von Corndog

2. Lord Chubby Pruneface

3. Badonkadonk

What can you do with your pets if you must evacuate amid the threat of a hurricane? Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is reminding Floridians to create an emergency response plan for your pets during hurricane season.

Leaving pets behind during an evacuation is not recommended because the animals can easily be injured, lost or killed. Owners should find out now if any local boarding facilities or veterinary offices can shelter their animals in an emergency. Pet owners should also contact hotels outside their immediate area to determine which allow pets and whether there are any size restrictions.

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