In this Issue:

• What is the quality of life for a handicapped dog?
• The Safer Way to Carry an Injured Pet
• Help and Advice on Living with a Special Needs Pet
• Providing Wheelchairs to Pets in Need
• How can your pet be incontinent and in style?

Featuring all of the products, services and support for special needs pets including the patented, veterinarian approved Walkin' Wheels™ dog wheelchair.

What is the quality of life for a handicapped dog?

This is a frequently asked question among our customers at HandicappedPets.com and on the discussion forum at our website. We receive countless stories and photos about how the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair has improved the quality of life for so many dogs that are injured or are suffering from a debilitating illness. We love receiving photos and videos of dogs in their Walkin' Wheels and share them on our website.

In the true spirit of storytelling, we wanted to share our own story with you, and that is why we are currently working on the final edits of a new movie about the development and success of the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair. We are offering a sneak peek of the movie online.

We welcome your feedback and hope that you will share the video with anyone whose dog may be struggling to walk. Provide owners of handicapped dogs hope by showing them how their companions can live happy, healthy lives!

A Pet Stretcher - the safer way to transport an injured pet

Many of the dogs that use the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair have been injured in automobile accidents and needed assistance being carried away from the side of the road.

We have had people tell us stories of being thankful that they had an old blanket or towel in their car and others who have resorted to using their own jackets or shirts as a makeshift stretcher.

None of these items were ideal solutions and all of them contained some level of risk that their construction was not sturdy enough to prevent the animal from falling and suffering further injury.

As providers of products for handicapped pets, this led us to the conclusion that we needed to offer a safer way to transport a pet that is injured or ill and in need of veterinary assistance.

The result is our new Pet Stretcher which is available for an introductory price of just $59.95!

Contructed of sturdy, lightweight packcloth with comfortable neoprene grips and a safety strap to securely position the animal in place, the pet stretcher is the ideal product for pet owners, veterinarians and rescue groups.

Help and advice on living with a special needs pet

Any time of the day or night, your online source for help and advice on living with a special needs pet is the HandicappedPets.com discussion forum. Caretakers of elderly, disabled or injured pets frequently compliment about how our topic areas are so well organized and moderated by such knowledgeable volunteers who have hands on experience taking care of special needs pets.

Often, a simple post for assistance leads to a long-term relationship where members of the discussion forum follow a pet's progess over the course of several months or in some cases for more than a year. Such was the case with "Rookiemum" who is the proud owner of Bailey, an 80-pound dalmation mix, and mother of an active toddler. "Rookiemum" sought advice at the forum back in March 2008, and our dedicated members have been following Bailey's recuperation and offering their support for the past 18 months!

If you have advice to share or questions to ask, please join in on the discussion where thousands of pet owners gather to exchange information!

Providing Wheelchairs to Pets in Need

The formation of the Handicapped Pets Foundation was inspired by the efforts of Kathy Barton and her fourth grade students in Velma, Oklahoma. Each year, Kathy and her students devote a portion of their class time to learning compassion by gaining an understanding of handicapped pets and their needs.

Part of their efforts includes a fundraising drive to purchase wheelchairs for handicapped pets in need. Fandango, pictured at right, was a recent recipient of a dog wheelchair thanks to the children's efforts.

The Handicapped Pets Foundation provides assistance to pets whose owners are facing financial difficulties while also increasing awareness of handicapped animals and educational opportunities such as that of Kathy Barton and her students. The foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)(3) charity that receives and reviews applications for assistance through its website. Applicants that are approved through the program have their pet's story and photo posted online and shared with supporters who are interested in making contributions to the fundraising effort.

To see the success stories of recent efforts and to make a contribution to a pet that is currently in need of support, please visit the online listing of pets in need.

We are excited to announce that an anonymous donor to the Handicapped Pets Foundation has issued a challenge in which she will match dollar for dollar the first $200 contributed to each of the pets in need currently listed on the foundation website.  Please consider making a contribution to Miles, Tiki, Miracle or Loki soon so that your donation can be doubled, and these pets can get back on their feet!

The number of applications received far exceeds our current ability to provide assistance, so all contributions are greatly appreciated and will directly benefit a pet in need of a wheelchair. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

While incontinence can certainly be inconvenient at times; it can always be stylish.

HandicappedPets.com offers pet owners a variety of products to help their incontinent pets feel good and look good!

If your dog or cat is experiencing temporary or permanent incontinence, be sure to check out our entire line of products featuring stay dry beds, pet diapers, male wraps and more!