| Is Man's Best Friend Really a Hedgehog?
Exotic pets now represent a $15 billion industry. Plenty of entrepreneurs have found a way to make money peddling kinkajous, hedgehogs, and other rare beasts. When Paris Hilton takes to the red carpet with a new look or a new man in tow, people buzz. So it's no surprise that little girls everywhere began begging their parents for kinkajous last spring, after the hotel heiress started surfacing at parties with an adorable kinkajou perched on her shoulder. Even after Baby Luv garnered tabloid headlines by biting Hilton, the nocturnal mammals remain objects of desire. As it turns out, kinkajous -- not to mention hedgehogs, sugar gliders, llamas, and other exotic animals -- have become increasingly common as household pets. That growing demand has helped transform exotics into a $15 billion industry, with plenty of entrepreneurs finding ways to earn part or all of their livelihoods from related businesses.
Camps galore across the area
Looking for a summer camp? Here are many of the day and overnight programs offered in the Akron area. In some cases, times and dates are set. In others, plans are still being made. Financial help and scholarships are available for some of the camps. Some offer extended day care. Call for details. GENERAL RECREATION SUMMIT COUNTY Akron General LifeStyles-- Health and Wellness Center, 4125 Medina Road, Montrose area of Bath Township. Summer camps for ages 3-18, June 11-Aug. 17. Participants may register for multiple sessions, including preschool, cheerleading, scuba, dance camp and a six-week SEALS swim camp based on age and swimming ability. Dates, times and costs vary. Discounts for registering before May 1. Call 330-665-8109 for camp information.
BENEFITS HOOK UP WITH ‘DOG’
In conjunction with the run of "A Dog's Life" several animal rights organizations are planning fundraisers and awareness events. Tonight's performance is a benefit for Wayside Waifs, a Kansas City animal shelter. Tickets are available for $15. The organization will also have five or six adoptable dogs in the lobby, and those interested in adopting can begin the paperwork tonight. Reservations can be made through the Heartland box office at (816) 842-9999. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Another benefit is scheduled for Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter at the 4 p.m. performance April 21. Tickets cost $27.50 and include light appetizers and a drink. To reserve a ticket call (816) 587-0918. Bayer Animal Health — which has bought out the April 18 and April 21 performances for its employees — is sponsoring the entire run of "A Dog's Life" with KC Animal Health Corridor.
Unwanted pets being dumped in the desert
Unwanted pets being dumped in the open desert is a growing problem up in the Hi Desert. The animals are left to fend for themselves, often with deadly results "Sissy" is a 7-month-old kitten. She's lovable and quite a climber. She was also abandoned "This kitten right here was dumped in a box at my fence at two days old. Her eyes were not open yet," said Kathy Klomhaus with the Morongo Basin Animal Shelter. "Sissy" was lucky enough to make it to a shelter and now has a chance to be adopted by a loving family. But many other unwanted pets have not been so fortunate. Klomhaus runs the Morongo Basin Animal Shelter in Joshua Tree. "We'll come in in the mornings and there will be boxes of puppies and kittens that don't even have their eyes open.
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