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If you want information, advice, or socialization with pet owners like yourself where can you find it? The internet has a treasure trove of sites to supply your every pet-specific question or need.

For questions about your pet's health, turn to the information contained on this government website. The site is jointly produced by the United States National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. It includes articles on treatments, prevention and screening, nutrition, and specific conditions. It also has links to articles put out by the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and others. Many sites cover dogs and cats but this one also gives links for exotic species.

A website which contains over two hundred pages of information about pet health is found at petcenter. The site is owned by PetFoodDirect.com and the vet in charge is Dr. T. J. Dunn, Jr., DVM. On the home page is a search box for information about specific conditions or pet health-related items. You can also type a pet health question in a text box and receive a vet or expert's answer within a short time. Unlike some other sites, you do not have to register to get information. The parts of the website include the Waiting Room, Exam Room, Surgery Room, X-Ray Room, General Topics, Important Topics, and Lab and Pharmacy. In the various "rooms" you can see photos of actual animal surgeries and x-rays of pets. There is also a photo gallery composed of photos proud website users have sent in of their pets. The site has a link to the National Pet Pharmacy for prescription filling.

If you have just gotten a puppy or kitten or are at your wit's end with a pet's behavior problem, Perfect Paws may be the site to consult. It contains a number of free articles about kitten, cat, puppy, and dog training and behavior problems. The site offers a number of books for sale about the subject of training.

Contemplating a trip with your pets? Petswelcome.com offers informative tips and lodging recommendations made by fellow pet owners. It includes a forum (you must register an account before using) for pet owners and travelers to exchange information. This site is easy to navigate with its break down of pet-friendly lodging in the United States and Canada. The listings include pet-friendly hotel chains, bed and breakfasts, cabins and cottages, pet sitters, kennels, attractions like beaches and amusement parks, and even has a lodging database for cats who travel with their owners. These are all broken down by states or provinces and then by city.

Another easy-to-navigate site is at travelpets.com. It lists hotel names, contact information, and special pet rules and fees for United States, Canada, and international hotels where pets are welcome to stay.

The information prepared by the American Red Cross helps pet owners know what to do in the event they and their pets must evacuate their home. The advice includes a "Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit" you can assemble before an emergency and specific transport information for other types of pets like hamsters, birds, and reptiles.

The Humane Society of the United States maintains this site which gives up to date information about pet food recalls and government warnings about pet food and snacks.

If you need reminders of things like when to clean the litter box or when to bring your pet in for a checkup, register to use the Vet Log and Reminder on the Scoopaway.com site. The Vet Log stores phone numbers and addresses and records of expenses, vaccinations, medicine, and what was done during vet visits. The map of all vets in your area is free to use without registering and includes the phone numbers and addresses. Just enter your zip code to see a listing and map of all vets in your area. The site does not give vet recommendations and is primarily for cat owners but could be useful for dog owners, too.

To determine the qualities a good vet should have, read the excellent guidelines on bestfriends.org.

How do you begin to find a good breeder? The breeders.net site includes information on how to determine what dog breed is best for you, what to look for in a dog breeder, descriptions of the top purebred dog breeds, and the fifty most popular breeds. Supply your zip code in the search box, find the dog breed you are interested in, and a list of breeders will come up in order of the kennel's closeness in miles to your location. The individual breeders may include photos of their breeding dogs and litters, along with personal website links and maps to their kennels. The website warns you to investigate the breeder before buying. In a side bar there is a learning center guide covering dog health issues.

For links to breeders and sellers of not only dogs and cats but also horses, reptiles, birds, aquarium fish, and exotic animals, visit pets-for-sale.

This list gives clickable links to 25 top insurance sites with a brief explanation of what each covers. The list includes sites for equine and livestock insurance and one site for pet owners in the UK.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has their logo attached to this website. On this site are five different plans underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company. The plans cover dogs and cats, with discounts if you are insuring more than one pet. The plans carry a $100 deductible per year.

Go to handicappedpets.biz if your pet has lost mobility in its hind quarters, is incontinent or older and in need of tender, loving care. This site offers a wide range of products

Cheappetstore.com has a large selection of products for not only dogs and cats but also smaller pets and farm livestock. To find the product you need, type the keyword or product name in the search box. From the menu box you may further refine your search within a price range or for a particular animal species. This site has a pet library with hundreds of downloadable free e-books about several animal topics, many having to do with specific breeds.

The UK pet owner community site found here has separate forums for owners of dogs, cats, small animals, horses, reptiles, fish, and poultry. Each of the forums has a place where you may post photos of your pet. Posts are not monitored on this site which has almost 12,500 members.

The different clubs you can belong to on petster.com have names like Tabby Cats!, The Rabbit Hutch, Pug Parade, and Guinea Pig Pen, each with their own message board. You can have your own blog and include photos of your pet. Petster.com claims over 11,000 members.

These seventeen sites are a small sampling of the variety of websites devoted to pets and their owners.

Learn more about this author, Sandra Petersen.
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