“Katherine Heigl and Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Board Donate $1 Million to Pet ... - The Celebrity Cafe.com” plus 2 more |
- Katherine Heigl and Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Board Donate $1 Million to Pet ... - The Celebrity Cafe.com
- Inspired by Zhu Zhu Pets, Toymakers Pushing Cuteness - The Ledger
- 7 Ways to Save Money on Your Pet - US News and World Report
| Posted: 23 Sep 2010 11:52 PM PDT Katherine Heigl supports The Compassion Resolution Gina DiFalco USA Today reports that a newly blonde Katherine Heigl attended a press conference on Thursday in Los Angeles to kick off The Compassion Resolution. Accompanied by her mother, Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan and Millan's Chihuahua, Coco, Heigl attended the conference under the mission to help raise awareness to initiate programs that will address the pet overpopulation crisis. The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Board kicked off the Compassion Resolution's mission by donating $1 million for programs that support spay/neuter as well as similar programs in the county of Los Angeles and neighboring communities. "What's happening is not only inhumane and morally reprehensible, it's economically irresponsible," the former Grey's Anatomy actress says. "Killing is not a solution." This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Inspired by Zhu Zhu Pets, Toymakers Pushing Cuteness - The Ledger Posted: 21 Sep 2010 02:50 PM PDT Published: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 5:44 p.m. NEW YORK | It's getting crowded in the race to succeed Zhu Zhu Pets as the next hot holiday toy. From plush dolls that harmonize to tiny people and animals stored in bubbles in toy vending machines, collectibility and cuteness are off the charts for this year's toys. But with so many toys vying to win "Most Adorable," it remains to be seen if any will duplicate the runaway success of the Zhu Zhu Pets, toy hamsters that squeak, zoom around on wheels and sell for just $10. For toy sellers, making the right picks early is crucial so they have the right mixture of toys at the right prices to lure gift givers to buy. The right bet can mean the difference between being in stock or out of the year's must-have playthings in a season that can account for the bulk of a toy retailer's annual profit. Toys R Us, which came out with its "hot toy" list Tuesday, is betting on a few contenders for the cute crown. Those include Blip Toys' Squinkies, tiny figures that fit inside a toy dispensing machine and come in 16 packs for $10; Mattel Inc.'s $12.99 Sing-a-ma-jigs, colorful plush dolls that harmonize; and $19.99 Pillow Pets, stuffed animals that convert into pillows. The holiday season is crucial for toy makers, which can make up to half of their annual revenue during the fourth quarter. While toys are relatively recession-proof, because parents cut back on themselves before their children, they are still affected by a down economy. The NPD Group, which does market research, said toy revenue was flat because of discounts during last year's holiday quarter, but the industry sold 4 percent more toys. For the year, revenue edged down 1 percent to $21.47 billion. BMO Capital Markets analyst Gerrick Johnson expects that to reverse this year with a 2 percent gain for the year. For the most part, toy prices will remain low, Needham & Co. analyst Sean McGowan said, because toys new this season were likely developed during the recession. Rather than being made more expensively and then discounted, "they've just been engineered and sold at lower prices without sacrificing margins," he said. But there are some signs that the total focus on low prices, ever-present in the past two years, is easing. Toys R Us plans to open 10 temporary stores for its higher-priced FAO Schwarz brand. And for the first time Hasbro is offering an "Ultimate Gifts" line, including a $299 Furreal Friends Butterscotch pony and a $119.99 Scrabble premier wood edition, online only. Still, the majority of toys this year will be under $25, particularly collectibles. Cepia LLC introduced new lines of Zhu Zhu pets this year, including hamster babies and a Kung Zhu set of hamsters that battle in an arena for boys. Still, most said they do not think the lines be the stellar sellers they were last year. "Supply had definitely caught up with demand on Zhu Zhu pets," Johnson said. Hasbro is pushing Furry Frenzies, animals that skitter around, that retail for $8 each. Another cute collectible: Zoobles. The line includes brightly patterned creatures that fold up into a ball but pop open when placed on top of a magnetized stand. They sell for $5.99 for one and $9.99 for a two-pack. They're made by Spinmaster, known for its Baukugan Battle Brawlers game that uses similar balls that pop open magnetically. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| 7 Ways to Save Money on Your Pet - US News and World Report Posted: 16 Sep 2010 08:22 AM PDT Is the cost of your doghouse keeping you in the poor house? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says the annual cost of owning a medium-sized dog is around $1,580 while a cat can cost you $1,035 each year. If these feline fees and puppy prices leave you scratching for funds at the end of the month, try these seven ways to cut your pet costs and put more purr in your purse. [In Pictures: Top 10 Cities with the Most Debt] 1. Make a pet budget. You can't bark about your dog digging you into debt if you don't track your monthly pet expenses. Put your nose to the ground and download this free Budget Spreadsheet to tally the costs of pet food, veterinarian bills, litter, collars and leashes, pet carriers, toys, and cages. Be sure to also account for special costs like grooming, training, and even household damage to floors and furniture. Knowing what you can afford on a monthly basis can help you choose the right pet for your household budget without howling about the unknown costs. No bones about it. 2. Adopt a pet. Skip the expensive pet stores and breeder boutiques by adopting a pet from your local animal shelter or the ASPCA. Purebred puppies and kittens can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars to buy, while adoption fees at shelters are generally under $200 for dogs and $100 for cats. Also, adopting an adult animal over a newborn helps you identify any behavioral quirks and health problems, and lets you better prepare for known medical costs before bringing your new pet home. 3. Shop around for a veterinarian. Not all veterinarians charge the same price for similar services, nor do they all provide the same level of care for your pet. Before bringing Spot or Fluffy to the closest vet in town, try to meet with at least three in your area and ask for regular checkup prices and emergency service fees. Don't be afraid to ask neighbors and friends which vets they use, what they think of the vet and what the vet charges. Doing your research before your pet needs medical attention is the best way to prevent surprises later when you get the bill. 4. Avoid doggie dress-up or feline fashion. Your pet doesn't need to have the hottest fashion accessories, wear a fancy Halloween costume, or play with hundreds of toys to be loved by you. Sure, protective wear may be a necessity for those living in colder or damper climates, but there is no sense in spending hundreds of dollars for silly outfits when just the basics will do. [Also see U.S. News's list of The 100 Best Mutual Funds for the Long Term, and use our Mutual Fund Score to find the best investments for you.] 5. Get your pet spayed or neutered. Litters of puppies or kittens may be cute, but they sure are expensive when you factor in veterinarian bills and the cost of finding homes for them. Spend a little now by spaying or neutering your pet to save down the road. And with many unwanted animals put down by shelters each year, simply being responsible by getting your pet fixed will save the lives of many animals. 6. Smile and brush those teeth. Help take a bite out of doggie dental decay by cleaning your pet's teeth regularly. Ignoring the dental health of your cat or dog could cost you hundreds, even thousands in tooth-related problems such as infections and tartar buildup. Spending as little as $5 on a doggie or kitty toothbrush and using the appropriate paste could help your pet live a longer life with more reasons to smile. [Visit the U.S. News My Money blog for the best money advice from around the web.] 7. Skip pet insurance? Insuring your pet against accidents or illness is becoming popular. There's no doubt an ill pet can cost thousands while also causing emotional grief to your family. Depending on your pet (cat or dog), plans can range from $10 per month for limited accident coverage to $50 per month covering illnesses and accidents. But before spending money on pet insurance, run the numbers to see if your pet's insurance premium would be better off invested in a high interest savings account. And always read the fine print to understand what is covered and the size of the deductible. Sure, having a pet hang around your household isn't the cheapest way to live, but it can bring a lot to your life. Even though my own adopted mutt can be expensive, I value the priceless moments we've shared. For fun, see 10 Financial Lessons I Learned from my Dog. Kerry K. Taylor writes at Squawkfox.com, a blog where personal finance and frugal living are sexy, delicious, and fun. Kerry is the author of 397 Ways To Save Money: Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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