http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/feed/? Latest topics Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:08:13 GMT 10 http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr269/canvas_of_flesh/RPWbanner.jpg http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/feed/? http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/research-research-research-f4/a-new-family-member-t17.htm Admin Research is the first and foremost gift you can give your new pet, and you'll want to do it before you bring her home. There could be special things your little friend needs that you didn't consider; they could need a more substantial amount of space than you perhaps realized; they could be prone to diseases or need particular immunizations... There are many reasons to look into your pet before buying it-- No matter how popular the pet is, like a hamster, cat, or even something as simple as ... Research, Research, Research! Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:08:13 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/research-research-research-f4/a-new-family-member-t17.htm#17 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/research-research-research-f4/a-new-family-member-t17.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/shelters-rescue-organizations-t16.htm Admin Shelters and Rescues are places where pets go when they've been given up, taken away, found stray, etc. Most pets in these places are previously owned, and oftentimes the experience wasn't pleasant. Every state has at least one pet shelter or Humane Society for homeless pets. If you've ever got the opportunity and the extra TLC to provide, definately consider giving a forever home to the misfortuned. These are basically pet orphanages. There are pros and cons to adopted a pet from a shelter. ... Petshops & Breeders Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:33:00 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/shelters-rescue-organizations-t16.htm#16 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/shelters-rescue-organizations-t16.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/breeders-t15.htm Admin A breeder is most often someone who specializes in one particular species or breed of animal. Most common are dog breeders. A breeder is a great source to find a happy, healthy pet, and an even better source for frank, non-sugar-coated information. They'll tell you why their litter is awesome, and why they decided to breed them. They'll also tell you about their drawbacks, common breed disorders, and whether or not they believe this pet is a good fit for you and your family. Be cautious, ... Petshops & Breeders Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:32:15 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/breeders-t15.htm#15 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/breeders-t15.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/petshops-t14.htm Admin Petshops are the tossup of the pet adoption world. Some are really great! Others could be put out of business without a second glance from would-be customers. The key is to determine which is which. A great petshop doesn't have to be organized, or have a huge variety of different animals and supplies. A great petshop, however, should be very clean, the staff should be very knowledgable, and all available pets should be healthy and happy-looking. All petshops get a sick animal once in awhile, ... Petshops & Breeders Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:31:50 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/petshops-t14.htm#14 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/petshops-breeders-f5/petshops-t14.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/chinchillas-t13.htm Admin Chinchilla Chinchilla lanigera Scientific names means "long-tailed chinchilla", versus the critically endangered sister genus, Chinchilla brevicaudata, with a shorter tail and generally more robust appearance. The name "chinchilla" means literally "little chincha", for the Chincha peoples of the Andes region in South America, where this species is native. Also may be called: Velligera ch., La ch. bastarda, Hybrid ch., Lesser ch., Coastal ch., La ch. costina, ... Rodents Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:26:47 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/chinchillas-t13.htm#13 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/chinchillas-t13.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/rabbits-bunnies-t12.htm Admin Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus All pet rabbits were domesticated from the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, but there are many similar species and genus not listed here, as they are not generally kept as pets. Rabbits also come in a ridiculously vast array of breeds, ranging in size and weight, coloration, fur type and length, ear length, etc. and so forth. For a list of breeds, complete with colorations and average weights, see the Exotic Pets site below. http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/rabbits/a/rabbitbreeds.htm ... Rodents Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:26:22 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/rabbits-bunnies-t12.htm#12 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/rabbits-bunnies-t12.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/guinea-pigs-cavies-t11.htm Admin Guinea Pig Cavia porcellus Although the latin word porcellus means "little pig", the Guinea pig is not actually a pig at all. Guineas don't resemble, sound like, or act like pigs in any sense that is more than coincidence. In fact, the name is rather mysterious, and the true intention is unclear, though there are many thoughts and opinions as to where it originated. Guinea pigs are also not native to New Guinea or Guinea, or any of the surrounding countries-- The native country ... Rodents Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:23:36 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/guinea-pigs-cavies-t11.htm#11 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/guinea-pigs-cavies-t11.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/gerbils-t10.htm Admin Gerbil Meriones unguiculatus Meriones, aka "jirds" means roughly "large desert rodent", descriping the Mongolian landscape where the majority of pet gerbils (note the similar sounding "ger" and "jir") originate. Unguiculatus, meaning "clawed", desribes this little mammel as a "clawed large desert rodent".1 Also called: Mongolian g., Clawed Jird ---------- 1 http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/small_pets/gerbils.html para. ... Rodents Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:21:36 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/gerbils-t10.htm#10 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/gerbils-t10.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/mice-t9.htm Admin Mouse Mus musculus Though there are many species of mice in the world, Fancy Mice are the most domesticated and most versatilely colored. The name "Fancy" simply implies that it was bred for companionship. For this reason, many states, such as California, only allow Fancy mice as pets. Also for this reason, you may want to avoid non-Fancy and/or "lab"/feeder mice for pets. Often these are inbred and not mentally/physically sound. If you like the albino or white mice, ... Rodents Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:21:01 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/mice-t9.htm#9 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/mice-t9.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/rats-t8.htm Admin Rat Rattus norvegicus Like mice, rats sold in the pet industry are often referred to as "Fancy" rats, to indicate that they were bred for socialization, rather than "lab"/feeder rats, which are often inbred and not mentally/physically sound. The norvegicus genus of rats indicate that domestic rats are descendant from Norway rats which arrived in America arround 17751, and unfortunately began it's bad reputation with the spreading of such diseases as plague, typhus, salmonellosis, ... Rodents Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:20:15 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/rats-t8.htm#8 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/rats-t8.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/dwarf-hamsters-t7.htm Admin Dwarf Hamster Dwarf hamsters are so named because they are so much smaller than typical, or Syrian, hamsters. There is much debate on which dwarves are actually considered to be dwaves, which are Syrian, and which, for example, are Russian. However for the sake of not confusing our lovely guests, all large hamsters are Syrian, and all small are Dwarf. The biggest difference between Syrians and Dwarves is that Syrian hamsters are all one species, with different breeds, while Dwarf hamsters ... Rodents Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:19:41 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/dwarf-hamsters-t7.htm#7 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/dwarf-hamsters-t7.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/impulse-buys-f3/buying-on-the-spot-t6.htm Admin This is the quickest note I can leave about why you should never buy a pet spur-of-the-moment. Imagine this scenario. You walk into a petshop (if you have kids, go ahead and envision them with you), and you're just making a happy zoo-day out of it. Seeing so many different animals in one place is a great learning adventure, for you and your kids. Look at the array of different fish! So many little birds! But what's this? Free hamsters! Oh my, look how cute they are, scurrying around in their ... Impulse Buys Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:49:56 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/impulse-buys-f3/buying-on-the-spot-t6.htm#6 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/impulse-buys-f3/buying-on-the-spot-t6.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/bring-them-along-t5.htm Admin So you and the family know what to look for in a new pet. Consider bringing them along to scope out the possibilities. Take a moment before you enter the premises to remind the younger ones that you're not in a petting zoo, and sometimes it isn't a good idea to touch. Remind them to always ask a grown-up in charge before they approach any pet. And above all, remind them that whining and crying will not be tolerated. Do not be swayed by teary eyes and pouty lips. A pet is a commitment. You wouldn't ... Got Kids? Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:15 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/bring-them-along-t5.htm#5 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/bring-them-along-t5.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/seperate-the-responsibilities-t4.htm Admin Whether you're still contemplating a pet or preparing to purchase one, I'm sure the word "responsibilities" has popped up on more than one occasion. A pet is a great responsibility, and oftentimes a gateway to teach children about the bigger picture; Life, death, companionship, and caring for something that cannot care for itself. Not the mention the wonders of a clean environment No matter how many family members there are, even if you're a solo pet parent, there's always a way ... Got Kids? Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:59:11 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/seperate-the-responsibilities-t4.htm#4 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/seperate-the-responsibilities-t4.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/making-a-game-out-of-research-t3.htm Admin Make a trip to the local library. Not only is this a great way to get your kids to read, it's also an opportunity to find out everything about your pet. Even the children who can't read can find a children's book with animals and see what's around the pet ("Look! That dog is wearing a collar with his name on it! This kitty likes to sleep up high during the day! The hamster is running on a wheel!") Send everyone forth to find a book about your pet. Encyclopedias are great, but you ... Got Kids? Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:58:00 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/making-a-game-out-of-research-t3.htm#3 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/got-kids-f2/making-a-game-out-of-research-t3.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/your-budget-f6/things-to-consider-before-buying-t2.htm Admin Before you run out and purchase your new pet, or even talk to your younger family members about the possibility, it's best to take an inventory of your funds. The most helpful way to do this, I've found, is to make a list. Sorry, kids, this usually doesn't work out in your favor. Parents, step up to the plate! Make a list of all your monthly costs: Rent/mortgage All insurance (health, life, home, auto, etc.) All utilities (electric, phone, internet, garbage, sewer, water, etc.) Transportation ... Your Budget Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:54:35 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/your-budget-f6/things-to-consider-before-buying-t2.htm#2 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/your-budget-f6/things-to-consider-before-buying-t2.htm http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/hamsters-t1.htm Admin Hamster Mesocricetus auratus Syrian, or normal-sized hamsters originate in the Europe/Asia Minor area known as Syria. Hamsters come in many fur lengths and colors, but are all the same species, and often different "breeds" of hamster can be birthed in one litter. Same species or not, some colorations are harder to breed than others, so expect to pay up to $20 more for a black and white spotted "Dalmatian" hamster than a standard "Short-haired" hamster. For ... Rodents Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:12:14 GMT http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/hamsters-t1.htm#1 http://rainbowpetworld.forumotion.net/rodents-f12/hamsters-t1.htm