Animal Ark Archive

Apes gibber, beetles drone, calves bleat, deer bell, elephants trumpet, falcons chant, giraffes grunt and, at Animal Ark, humans talk about how cool animals are! From the PETA activist working to protect an endangered species to the pheasant hunter training his black Labrador hunting dog, we all love animals and can’t help but develop a special bond with them.

PetSmart Backup

Stacey, I'll have to take your side on the whole PetSmart argument. When I read the comment a reader posted about the store not caring properly for animals, I was a little upset. The PetSmart by me is exceptionally clean, the animals appear to be healthy (as well as exhibiting healthy behavior), and the staff is quite knowledgeable about the pets they sell and the pets that are up for adoption. I frequently visit pet stores for the needs of my "babies" and as a lover of animals, as well as a student of veterinary medicine, I am constantly on the lookout for cruelty or neglect. Just because a particular chain store is not run as well as the others doesn't mean you have to give the whole chain a bad name. In addition, many employees seem to be teenagers, and while I'm not trying to offend this age group, many (not all!!!) of them have not had the education or life experience to properly care for an animal, and some just don't care and are there for only a pay check. Bec, 24 from New York, USA

Stacey's comment: Thank you for backing up my statement. I have been to one or two PetSmarts in other states that aren't the best run establishments, but the one close to my home is known to be the number one place to go, everyone seems so happy to be there working, especially the guy the helps me take care of my three little fishes. :-)

How Can I Get A Ferret?

I really want a ferret, what is a good way to convince my parents to let me get a ferret? amanda, 12 from United States

Stacey's comment: I think the best thing for you to do is just sit down with your parents and give them all the research you've done on ferrets, like how active they are, what type of an environment they need, food they eat and things like that. Explain to them how you plan to take care of it, and rather or not your willing to help pay for the animal and its care (because ferrets are pretty expensive).
You should never go behind your parents backs to get a ferret though, I know at your age I had friends telling me that if I came home with it my parents would have to let me keep it, and trust me, it's not true, most parents don't mind returning a pet, and besides most pet stores require a parent present when a minor buys a pet.
Anyway other then talking to them there's not much more that you can do.

Pet Skunk?

Is it possible to get a pet skunk? I think that would be such a cool, fun pet to have. Do they ever sell them in pet stores, deodorized, of course? Are they friendly? Jessi, 15 from New York, USA

Stacey's comment: I had to jump on the Google search engine but it is actually possible for someone to own a pet Skunk. It is however very hard to do. You have to go to your local wildlife commission or animal-control authority and obtain a exotic pet license which you may never receive and then prove that you have the habitat to take care of the animal. then you have to find a skunk breeder in your area that raises scent free skunks, who gives them a lot of attention (they can be very mean towards people if they haven't been handled properly since birth). Then you have to find a vet in your area who is actually willing to take your skunk as a 'patient' .
It also says that you should watch the skunk very carefully when you take it out of it's cage because they can be very destructive.
Last, but not least they also suggest that you be sensitive to your neighbors and let them know about the pet you are planning on getting.
I personally got this information from: E-How
I hope that help!

Smelly Puppies

I have two puppies and they love baths, but every time I wash them they stink. It isn't a very offensive smell, it's only a little one - a very dirty smell. I even took them to a pooch parlor to get pampered and it was still there, but my boyfriend got me a different shampoo and now they smell gorgeous! sez, 14 from New York, USA

stacey's comment: I'm glad that you (and your boyfriend) were able to find something that worked for your two puppies

Hey fellow PJers! I will post anything animal related. I want to be able to help you guys in anyway I can as long as it has something to do with animals. So send me your questions, or themes and I'll do the best I can to answer your question, or get your theme up on this page!!!