The real Pink Panther:
The kittens whose fur
changed colour after
being bathed in cement
By Daily Mail Reporter
This adorable sight is one that could have easily been a tale of tragedy. Four kittens were found abandoned in a concrete factory in Redruth, Cornwall, weak and malnourished. But they are now being nursed back to health and are very much in the pink - in more ways than one.
The kittens whose fur
changed colour after
being bathed in cement
By Daily Mail Reporter
This adorable sight is one that could have easily been a tale of tragedy. Four kittens were found abandoned in a concrete factory in Redruth, Cornwall, weak and malnourished. But they are now being nursed back to health and are very much in the pink - in more ways than one.
Staff at the Cats Protection charity were given quite a shock when they tried to wash the four-week-old cats and they couldn't remove the reddish hue from one, earning it the nickname 'Pink Panther'.
She was rescued by workers along with her two sisters and a tom cat, called Clouseau, Dusty and Cerise. It is thought that they came into contact with red pigment used in concrete manufacturing which had caused their unusual appearance.
The dying is less obvious in 3 of the cats but Pink Panther has a creamy fur so she appears bright pink. As we shampooed her, the pink has slowly started to fade, although it may be that the fur has to grow out. Attempts have been made to wash the dye out because different variations of red are seen as 'danger colours' to animals but they failed.
Instead, Cats Protection manager Claire Rowe says they will have to wait until the pink fur has grown out.
She said:'They are absolutely adorable, but Pink Panther is probably the pick of the bunch. It's amazing. Until we washed her we had no idea what her natural colour was.
Before we see her full colour, it could take months.
It appears as though she's actually a creamy beige, and she has been dyed by the red pigment used in the concrete.
'We think the kittens were abandoned by their mum but we're hopeful they will fully recover and be able to enjoy a bright, but preferably not pink, future.'
The kittens were rescued from Ladds Concrete Factory in Redruth after staff heard their faint meows. They were spotted cowering between a set of pallets and have been temporarily fostered until they are strong enough to be rehomed.
The dying is less obvious in 3 of the cats but Pink Panther has a creamy fur so she appears bright pink. As we shampooed her, the pink has slowly started to fade, although it may be that the fur has to grow out. Attempts have been made to wash the dye out because different variations of red are seen as 'danger colours' to animals but they failed.
Instead, Cats Protection manager Claire Rowe says they will have to wait until the pink fur has grown out.
She said:'They are absolutely adorable, but Pink Panther is probably the pick of the bunch. It's amazing. Until we washed her we had no idea what her natural colour was.
Before we see her full colour, it could take months.
It appears as though she's actually a creamy beige, and she has been dyed by the red pigment used in the concrete.
'We think the kittens were abandoned by their mum but we're hopeful they will fully recover and be able to enjoy a bright, but preferably not pink, future.'
The kittens were rescued from Ladds Concrete Factory in Redruth after staff heard their faint meows. They were spotted cowering between a set of pallets and have been temporarily fostered until they are strong enough to be rehomed.
Good News For Carsick Dogs
If your dog gets carsick, there is help. Cerenia® helps prevent vomiting and prevents motion sickness. The tablet is given an hour before the car ride and lasts for a full 24 hours. So far, no side effects have been noted, and the medication is well tolerated.
Dental Top 10:
The Top 10 purebred dogs at highest risk for periodontal disease:
• Toy Poodle
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Maltese
• Pomeranian
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Papillon
• Dachshund
• Standard Poodle
• Havanese
If your dog gets carsick, there is help. Cerenia® helps prevent vomiting and prevents motion sickness. The tablet is given an hour before the car ride and lasts for a full 24 hours. So far, no side effects have been noted, and the medication is well tolerated.
Dental Top 10:
The Top 10 purebred dogs at highest risk for periodontal disease:
• Toy Poodle
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Maltese
• Pomeranian
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Papillon
• Dachshund
• Standard Poodle
• Havanese
Pit bulls’ surprising past: Nanny dogs
But not so long ago, pit bulls were brought in as "nanny dogs," the trusted caretaker pups to watch over kids.
Vintage photographs recently posted on a personal blog show off the breed as babysitter.
It's striking--and quite sad--to see such documentation of how beloved the now-maligned dog once was. The very same American pit bull is now more often associated with Michael Vick's dogfights, and stories of household pets gone bad, sometimes tragically involving kids.
In the case of Vick, who was convicted of running a dogfighting ring, 47 of the pit bulls from his kennel were taken to animal sanctuaries or adopted. One rehabilitated dog named Mel, who moved to Dallas with a new owner, even received an edible key to the city.
But back to the breed's history as a family dog: Helen Keller had a pit bull. Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote "Little House on the Prairie," owned one, too. And Petey, the mascot pup with the black eye patch in "The Little Rascals?" Pit bull.
Over time, the breed, which was also bred to battle bulls and fight other dogs, picked up a reputation for a nasty nature. Cesar Millan, the "dog whisperer" who is around the breed every day, says it's people who should be blamed, not the breed. He writes on his website, "Pit bulls get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners."
Responsible owners include Jon Stewart, Alicia Silverstone, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, and Jessica Alba.
But not so long ago, pit bulls were brought in as "nanny dogs," the trusted caretaker pups to watch over kids.
Vintage photographs recently posted on a personal blog show off the breed as babysitter.
It's striking--and quite sad--to see such documentation of how beloved the now-maligned dog once was. The very same American pit bull is now more often associated with Michael Vick's dogfights, and stories of household pets gone bad, sometimes tragically involving kids.
In the case of Vick, who was convicted of running a dogfighting ring, 47 of the pit bulls from his kennel were taken to animal sanctuaries or adopted. One rehabilitated dog named Mel, who moved to Dallas with a new owner, even received an edible key to the city.
But back to the breed's history as a family dog: Helen Keller had a pit bull. Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote "Little House on the Prairie," owned one, too. And Petey, the mascot pup with the black eye patch in "The Little Rascals?" Pit bull.
Over time, the breed, which was also bred to battle bulls and fight other dogs, picked up a reputation for a nasty nature. Cesar Millan, the "dog whisperer" who is around the breed every day, says it's people who should be blamed, not the breed. He writes on his website, "Pit bulls get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners."
Responsible owners include Jon Stewart, Alicia Silverstone, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, and Jessica Alba.
Try to quickly summon an image of good-with-small-children dog, and chances are you'll picture something adorably Benji-shaggy. Or maybe a sweetie-pie golden retriever, or a loveball of a lab. It's not likely, at least not in today's perception of the breed, that an American pit bull terrier leaps to mind.
Patrick the celebrity pit bull to stay in Tinton Falls Published: Friday, June 03, 2011, 7:30 AM
NEWARK — In March, he was an abused dog rescued from a Newark apartment garbage chute. Today, he's viewed as a money maker whose ability to rake in donations for sympathetic causes has three groups fighting over him.
The story of Patrick the Pit Bull has turned into a bizarre tale involving the humane society, the Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls and the city of Newark.
The custody battle landed in a courtroom yesterday, where attorneys representing Associated Humane Societies and Newark dug into each other in a heated debate.
Harry Levin, representing Associated Humane Societies, argued Patrick is the property of the humane society, which initially took in the dog. Patrick's fame has raised an estimated $100,000, he said.
"What happens to Patrick is an important issue. Patrick has become a celebrity," Levin said in his testimony before Superior Court Judge Joseph Cassini III in Newark.
William Strazza, representing the city, argued Patrick technically still belongs to his alleged abuser, Kisha Curtis, who faces animal cruelty charges.
"Patrick didn't wake up one day and decide to become a celebrity. He was turned into one" by the Associated Humane Societies, Strazza said.
Meanwhile, Patricia Smillie-Scavelli, hospital administrator at Garden State Veterinary Specialists, said she hopes to one day adopt Patrick.
Cassini denied the humane society’s request to move Patrick from the animial hospital to the society's zoo. He said Patrick is being "adequately cared for" by the veterinary specialists and will remain there through Curtis' trial.
"Patrick is both the victim and evidence in this case," Cassini said.
"It's really a stretch to say Patrick is like a pound of cocaine that needs to stay in an evidence locker," Levin retorted.
Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerKisha Curtis, who is charged with the neglect and starvation of Patrick the now-famous pit bull, enters the courtroom for her first live appearance before a judge at the Essex County Courthouse on May 6.
Patrick, a starving 1-year-old pit bull, was found March 16 in a trash chute at the Garden Spires high-rise apartment building in Newark. He weighed just 19 pounds and was discovered by a maintenance worker, who became startled when a trash bag suddenly moved.
Patrick's publicity has launched national anti-cruelty movements, protests, prayer vigils, T-shirt sales and hundreds of Facebook fan groups worldwide.
Last month, Patrick fans from as far away as Rhode Island and Massachusetts rallied in Newark as Curtis made her first court appearance. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has been flooded with 3,000 letters from Patrick supporters.
The animal hospital obtained a court order April 26 that Patrick be kept there during Curtis' trial.
Smillie-Scavelli says it's not about the money.
"I don't think it's a question of what we want — it's what we've been asked to do," she said.
Levin accused the city of Newark, which contracts with the humane society and has had a rocky history, of "teaming up" with the animal hospital to exploit Patrick’s fame. Mayor Cory Booker has raised more than $35,000 for a new animal shelter he wants to build in honor of Patrick.
"The city of Newark doesn’t have the money itself, so it’s going to capitalize on this animal," said Levin, who argued the city is in collusion with Smillie-Scavelli, who wants to adopt the dog.
"Nobody has vetted Ms. Scavelli," Levin said. "I’m not saying she’s a bad lady, I just don’t know her."
Smillie-Scavelli, who said she spends eight hours a day with Patrick, said she simply wants to give the dog a home away from the limelight.
"This is about Patrick and about him having a good life going forward," she said.