2008 great gifts for pet lovers

It’s not the Juicy Couture dog hoodie or the kitty toilet-seat trainer your pet-loving family and friends really want. Here are a few of the gifts that are best of show this holiday season.

Pretty paws & play. Forget the sugarplum fairy. Owners of multiple pets have visions of beautifully groomed cats and well-socialized and exercised dogs dancing in their heads. The Petz Plaza (218-1500), Petropolitan (926-8282), Stay (302-5926), Petsmart and Petco also offer gift cards for grooming, training, doggy daycare, boarding and other in-store services and merchandise.

Hasta la vista, pet hair. Admittedly, a deshedding tool does not sound like a fabulous gift. But this one is. The FURminator reduces shedding up to 90% by removing the loose, dead undercoat and its airborne allergens without damaging the topcoat. The device is deceptively simple, easy to use and requires no batteries. (One of the best energy sources comes from your children because they can brush the dog or cat by themselves and immediately see results). Furthermore, while FURminator makes a separate product for cats, one large size rake can take on the entire multi-pet household. Available in different sizes and prices $34.99 to $64.99 from PetSmart, Petco and other retailers. Visit FURminator.com.

Phat cat toy. It may look like a yawn of a toy—a plastic disk with a toy fishing pole with a furry spider at the end. Yet, the Panic Mouse 360 is an electronic, robotic interactive cat powerhouse whose digital time can be set to entertain multiple cats for two hours. The unit creates random mouse-like movements, changing directions in unpredictable jerking motions. Available at healthypets.com, PetSmart and other retailers for $24.99. Visit panicmouseinc.com for details.

Urban tree for the city kitty. This sleek floor-to-ceiling perch offers 10 climbing platforms and a great vantage point for stalking, climbing, pouncing and clawing. The birchwood support adjusts to fit 92-inch to 101-inch ceilings and tucks easily into a corner. Available from solutions.com (800-342-9988) for $249. Visit catvantage.net for details.

Birdhouse bark control. This is both a gift for dog lovers or their neighbors who are annoyed by non-stop barking. The PetSafe Outdoor Bark Control Birdhouse can be hung in a tree or mounted on a tree, wall or fence post. When placed within 50 feet of a constantly barking dog, an internal microphone detects the barking and emits an ultrasonic sound, inaudible to humans. When dogs are startled by the high-pitched sound, they stop barking and come to associate barking with the unit’s unpleasant noise. The device has four settings, which includes three sensitivity levels and a test mode. Available at dog-power.com for $49.95 or at Invisible Fence at 928-9588.

Bye-bye, blue dog. Bury that old, tattered George Rodrigue blue dog poster with a new funkadelic painting of your favorite furballs. Tara High School photography instructor and animal rescuer Simon Baxter uses photographs to capture the right expression for his high-energy, acrylic-on-canvas originals of cats, dogs, tigers, kangaroos and monkeys, among others. A commissioned 16×20-inch portrait begins at $355. Call or visit Petropolitan 926-8282 or Rue Cou Cou at 343-9722.

A gift of lifetime. Families can perform their own Christmas miracle or Hanukkah mitzvah by saving an animal’s life and adopting a rescued pet. Mixed breed and purebred pets are available from local rescue groups with an approved household application and lifetime commitment to provide for the animal’s welfare. East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control, Cat Haven, Ascension Animal Advocates and other rescue groups encourage adoption application in advance of the holidays and provide gift certificates and guidance to help children (or adults) select their perfect pet. For information on breed-specific rescues (such as duck, sugar-glider, ferret, rabbit, collie, poodle and others), go to petfinder.com and click local shelters. Adoption fees begin around $30 (for rabbits and smaller critters) and extend from $70 to $300 for kittens, puppies, cats and dogs.

Becoming a rescued pet’s best buddy. If it’s not practical for the pet lovers on your list to add another animal to their households, they can still befriend a new dog or cat. With the CAAWS Best Buddy program, pet lovers go online to view animals in need of foster homes, select one or more rescued pets and a level of sponsorship. Buddies can also purchase treats and toys for their sponsored pet. CAAWS keeps Best Buddies updated on the animals’ status. Sponsorships begin at $10 a month. For details visit caaws.org.