Non-Profit Goes RVing to Promote Pet and Human Health

BEL AIR, Md., July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- What is zoonotic disease? Is year-round parasite protection for dogs and cats a good idea? After a 13-city educational tour this summer, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting pets and people from parasites and the diseases they carry hopes that more people can answer these questions.

Parasitologists and veterinarians with the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC, http://www.petsandparasites.org) will travel more than 5,000 miles across the country, to educate pet owners and families about zoonotic diseases -- also known as parasitic diseases that are transmitted from pets to people -- and how to prevent them.

Parasites live where you do

"Parasites can be found in all 50 states, every day of the year, regardless of the weather", said Michael Paul, DVM, executive director of the CAPC.

"The CAPC recommends that pet owners use easy-to-administer preventive medicines year-round to control internal and external parasites -- such as roundworms, heartworms, fleas and ticks for the life of their dog or cat, no matter where they live," said Paul. "If you prevent parasitic infections in companion animals, you greatly reduce the chances of zoonotic transmission to people."

The CAPC is taking a 33-foot long RV wrapped in vivid images of children with dogs and cats across the country to drive home the point that pet owners should administer year-round parasite preventives, because parasites pose potential risk in every geographic region of the country. The vehicle will make stops in 13 cities, with events open to the public in seven of those cities, including:

--Oklahoma City at Bass Pro Shops on Thursday, July 24, from noon to 6 p.m. when people and their pets are welcome at frisbee dog performances by dog experts and "Ask-a-Pet-Expert" event.

--Kansas City, Mo., at the historic Union Station on Friday, July 25, where expert veterinarians will be available to answer questions and "The Dogs' Spot Dog Stars" will perform agility demonstrations and family-fun tricks. Pets and humans are invited to attend between 3 and 6 p.m.

-- InChicago, animal behaviorist and radio host Steve Dale will make a special appearance with the CAPC at Wiggly Field Dog Park from 3 to 6 p.m., and CAPC pet experts will also be on hand to answer the public's questions at Wrigley Field earlier in the day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Chicago Cubs take on the Florida Marlins that day at 1:20 p.m.

-- InMystic, Conn., at Olde Mistick Village, the CAPC will host unique and entertaining dancing and frisbee dog demonstrations by dog training guru Carrie Neri, and CAPC experts will be on hand to answer questions from 1 to 5 p.m.

--Brooklyn, NY, where the CAPC will join the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals and F.I.D.O., an off-leash organization, will be in Prospect Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Discounted pet microchipping, adoptable animals, "Ask-a-Pet-Expert" booths and music will keep pets and people entertained and informed.

--Baltimore at Fell's Point Broadway Square, where CAPC experts will host an "Ask-a-Pet-Expert" event on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 3 to 6 p.m.

-- InCharleston, SC, the CAPC will host another "Ask-a-Pet-Expert" event and impressive dog agility demonstrations on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at James Island Park from 3 to 6 p.m.

The CAPC will distribute information about parasites, parasite control and how to prevent zoonotic disease at all of the events. The complete Companion Animal Parasite Council Parasite Education Road Show summer 2008 schedule and more information can be found at http://www.petsandparasites.org.

About the CAPC

The nonprofit CAPC (http://www.petsandparasites.org) is an independent council of veterinarians and other animal health care professionals established to create guidelines for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. It brings together broad expertise in parasitology, internal medicine, public health, veterinary law, private practice and association leadership.

For more information, contact:

Robyn Caulfield at (913) 663-4200 or

Robyn@bcsthinktank.com

SOURCE CAPC

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Tags: ,HEA,MTC,HOU,REA,PET,NPT,PSF,MD-Companion-Animal

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