Posted Oct. 1, 2003 On Aug. 19, Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed into law a bill that toughens the penalties on owners of dangerous dogs, boosts dog and cat registration requirements, and gives counties the authority to require microchips for all dogs and cats. The law is a revision to the Illinois animal control act and became effective immediately. It permits county boards to pass ordinances to require that pet dogs and cats be microchipped to help identify animals that injure or kill someone and to increase the chances that lost pets can be returned to their owners. It also requires counties to impose registration fees on individual cats and dogs and on litters. It also states that dogs found to be dangerous must be muzzled and le ...

Posted Oct. 1, 2003 One of every four dogs and cats in the Western world is now obese. A new report from the National Academies' National Research Council recommends revised nutrient guidelines to keep dogs and cats healthy. These guidelines update the dietary recommendations made by the NRC in the mid-1980s. The National Academy of Sciences released the report Sept. 8 during a symposium and public hearing at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington, D.C. Webcast around the world, the symposium featured presentations by the international team of experts who developed the report. The Webcast will be archived at www.nationalacademies.org for future listening. The 450-page report is the most comprehensive assessment available of the d ...