gothamunleashed

Fed up with pricey dog food

See this measley bag of 4-pound dog food here? I bought it tonight at the local grocery store for 6 bucks. Normally I head to Trader Joe's and get the big bag for a couple bucks more (which is much healthier not to mention lasts a heck of a lot longer, yea TJs!) but I have been traveling and haven't had time to get over there. My question is how do these grocery stores and even worse Bodegas get away with selling sub-quality food at astronomical prices? I know it's more convenient than heading to Trader Joe's on Woodhaven Boulevard and cabbing it home or getting a ride from a friend, but really. How does everyone else avoid price gouging? Do you have food delivered or pick it up? Do you go to the grocery store or pet food shop? 

America's first pet airline

Yup, you read that right. NYC will soon be serviced by the first pet airline in the U.S. (and possibly the world, if I'm wrong, comment below) starting in July. The rates seem pretty decent (NYC to LA is $149 each way), considering the dogs, cats, whatever get cost supervision before, after, and during the flight and fly in the cabin. The staff will also administer medications and take your animal to be boarded if you can't pick them up, (if you're own flight is delayed for example). You can't fly with your furry, feathery, or scaly friend, but you can schedule your flight to arrive the same day as theirs. You can also drop off 72 hours before flight time. I could see this being especially popular with people moving cross-country (pet owners know moves are hard on non-humans) and also with owners buying dogs from breeders in other states.  

New New York City Housing Authority rules for pets

So this is a bit late, but starting May 1, New York City Housing Authority has banned pit bulls, rottweilers, and dobermans, as well as all dogs over 25 pounds (the old limit was 40 pounds). Gotham Unleashed is completely against all breed-specific bands as well as bans based on weight.After all as numerous chihuhuas have shown, little dogs can pack a big bite. Irresponsible pet owners should be addressed individually. It's unfair to target large-dog owners. Granted, people who already have dogs that are now banned are grandfathered in, but I have to think these types of ordinances also don't help our overcrowded animal shelters. It's especially sad because the people who live in NYCHA housing usually can't afford to live anywhere else. 

Birder vs. dog owners smack down

The Daily News has a cover story today about a vigilante birder who posts photos and videos of dog owners who let their dogs go off leash in parks outside of desginated spots and times. Granted, the guy seems a little crazy, and I know this will seem odd for a girl who runs a dog blog, but I have to say I agree with this guy. I hate those smug, selfish, obnoxious New Yorkers who think it is their god-given right to let their dogs, who of course never do any wrong, do whatever they want. My dogs are Terriers, so they aren't fond of other dogs. Just the other day, I ran into a guy who had not one but two dogs off leash in the middle of the day on the sidewalk of a very busy street. Of course the dogs ran up to me and my dogs and a fight almost broke out. I had to pull my dogs back and pray nothing happened until he finally caught up to him. He was about 20 feet away. Then he had the audacity to yell at me, the person with her dogs on a leash! Dog owners, we may love our pooches, but we have to follow the laws. If you want your dog to get exercise, visit a dog run or go to a park before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m. and use the proper areas. The law is there for a reason.

Bovine escapee caught in Queens

Police caught a cow that presumably broke free from a slaughterhouse in Jamaica today. The fact a cow escaped and was caught is semi-interesting but the real news here is there is a slaughterhouse in New York City! Apparently at 158th Street and Beaver Street. I've seen those weird buy a live chicken and cut the head off yourself places by Flushing Meadows Park, but really, who knew we had livestock in the five boroughs? Luckily the cow has not been claimed and will probably go to a vegan farm in the Finger Lakes. Holy cow. 

Bobbi and the Strays ok until 2011

You may remember my previous post about the plight of this very deserving rescue group located at the JFK airport. Well the good news is the economic downturn has put plans on hold that would have otherwise forced the poor pups to relocate. Now they are set until at least 2011 while the Port Authority figures out what to do with the Vetport, its current digs. At least there's some good news out there. 

The Bronx Zoo Fires Hundreds of Animals

A $15 million dollar budget shortfall at the city's zoos means hundreds of animals are getting the pink slip. (Don't worry; they are being shipped to other zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, not left to roam the streets.) The Bronx Zoo alone is shutting entire exhibits, including World of Darkness (which these cute fruit bats are part of), Rare Animal Range, and exhibits of the Arabian oryx and blesbok. If you can, please donate to the zoo, if not, go visit while you still can. I don't think they've released a date when the exhibits will close, but better to go sooner rather than later, especially for World of Darkness, which is creepy but good. I hope these animals at least have good 401(hay) plans. Sorry couldn't resist one bad pun for an otherwise sad post.

Canines Parade in Couture

This is a big couple of weeks for doggie couture. FIT is having its first ever fashion show, which will feature the work of 20 students in the school's Pet Product Design and Marketing Professional Development certificate program, on Wednesday April 22 from 5-6:30. Gotham Unleashed would love to go, but she has to work and we all know how rare j-o-b's are these days.

In other news, Pet Fashion Week just wrapped up at the JPPMA show in Japan. Below some dog couture goodness.

The PFW Swarovski exhibition featuring the “Fairytale Jacket” (by Manfred of Sweden).

Shelter chic

I like underdogs, especially pound puppies, so when an email came into my inbox from Found My Animal, I was psyched. The company's collars and leashes not only celebrate animal adoption, but also walk the walk as it were by giving 25% of all profits to the Louis Animal Foundation. I saw Found My Animal's products at Pet Fashion Week, and I can say the quality was phenomenal. The leashes are custom-made by New England rope makers (they can be used as a regular leash or tied around your body as shown), and each tag on the collars has a unique stamp. Cool stuff especially considering that they only cost $40, not really that much more than the cheapo retractable leashes I have to buy at the pet store every few months because they constantly break! Plus, I doubt these will amputate your finger, a huge plus. I plan to buy one and will keep you posted. 

Dogs on parade

So my friend and I ended up going to the Macy's Petacular on Sunday. It was gorgeous out and hanging out with the dogs was of course fun. I just wish I could bring my little ones, but they don't play well with others.

No Macy's pet parade would be complete without a giant pooch-shaped balloon.

Regular people dressed their dogs in their spring's finest and then the fabulous parade began.

Flowers were a popular theme....

But at the end of day, this Mad Hatter float won out, though just what type of tea this strung-out pup was drinking remains unclear. 

Why does a dog with a hat with a cup on top make me laugh?