New York City Rolls Out the Red Carpet For Dog Film Festival

by Lori Ennis

Published: October 14th, 2016

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new york city rolls out the red carpet for dog film festival

Move over Cannes, there’s a new dog (film festival) in town! The second annual Dog Film Festival will be making its return to New York City on October 15, and you won’t want to miss some amazing films about furry friends.

This Saturday, October 15, the Dog Film Festival will feature four different movies that will focus on canine themes that include adventure and sport, dog adoption, and ‘tales’ of redemption. Some movies are animated, others documentary or live-action shorts, but all highlight the bond between humans and people as something pretty incredible.

The Dog Film Festival was founded in 2015, by Tracie Hotchner, who is best known for being the host of NPR’s Dog Talk, as well as being an accomplished author and podcast host, and premiers in New York City annually before it travels around the country. As it moves from place to place, the Festival partners with local welfare organizations to help adopt dogs out and raise funds for each organization.

Hotchner felt led by her love for dogs and her desire to give back to organizations that helped pets in need and decided that the Dog Film Festival would allow films to show pet and human relationships in different lights than may often be typical. When she chooses films to highlight, she looks for ones that make her feel intense emotions.

She is quick to point out, though, that even though the films may be emotional, all are very uplifting and okay for any age group. Hotchner feels that crying for joy or because one is moved in a positive manner is important and that the four highlighted films share the opportunity for one to laugh and cry in a world that is often void of emotion.

One of the movies featured at last year’s debut was the comedic “Game of Bones,” and this year will also share hilarity in “Sniff” but will also touch your heart with “A Man and His Dog,” a short film about Bowie (the man) and Bowlo (his dog) and their unbelievable bond and life outlook.

The festival is nationally sponsored by The Petco Foundation, and half of the proceeds for the New York premier will go to the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals to help shelters save homeless animals. Tickets are $10 for children and $15 for adults (per screening), and though dogs are not allowed a the viewings (the nerve!), attendees who would like to share part of the experience with their pets can let their dogs hang out at the festival’s Doggie Daycare, Camp Canine, which is located right up the street.

If you’re in the NYC area this weekend, check them out. A full listing of films can be found here, and we guarantee you’ll love dogs even more than you already did. (If that’s possible!)

Lori Ennis

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Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

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Cat Chattering: What Is It and What Does It Mean?

Cats communicate with each other and their humans in a variety of ways through vocalizations and body language. While you may be able to figure out what your cat is saying when they meow or hiss, you might be at a loss for an explanation when you see them chatter for the first time, especially if you’ve never seen cats do this before.What does it mean when cats chatter? Check out the information below to learn all about it so you’ll be able to figure out what your kitty is thinking and feeling the next time you see them exhibit this odd behavior.What Is Chattering in Cats?Chattering usually happens when a kitty sees something that they want to get their paws on. Many times, they’ll be looking out the window when a prey animal, like a chipmunk or bird, comes into view. Or, if your kitty spends time in a catio or outdoor enclosure, they might start chattering when they see small wildlife. As soon as your cat sees their intended prey, they may be ready to go on the hunt, and might express this feeling by chattering.This behavior doesn’t only happen when your kitty sees wildlife, though. It can also happen when you’re using a toy to play with them. The movement of the toy can get them excited and ready to pounce on their “prey,” and they might chatter as a result.Once you know what cat chattering looks like, you’ll be able to recognize it right away. But if you’ve never seen it before, it can be described simply as your cat making quick movements with their jaw, showing their teeth while staring intently at their target. Sometimes, no sounds will come out, but other times, they’ll make chirping sounds or even little meows. Some people even describe chattering as “ekekek”.To see what it looks like, here’s a compilation of cats chattering:

FDA Approves New Treatment for Anxiety and Fear in Cats

It’s no secret that most cats get really stressed out when they have to leave the house, especially for a trip to the veterinarian. And the anxiety and fear that your pet experiences can certainly affect you as a pet parent as well, making you feel awful about having to put your cat through such a scary experience.The good news is there are things you can try to help reduce the stress your kitty feels, and one of the latest solutions is a new treatment recently approved by the FDA.Bonqat for CatsIn November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pregabalin, also known as Bonqat, for cats.The oral solution is not a sedative; instead, it affects the neurotransmitters that are involved in acute anxiety and fear. Therefore, it can be used to reduce the stress experienced by cats who are being transported for any reason, and it can be helpful for those who get frightened when they go to the vet.To determine if this medicine would be effective, cats were given either a placebo or Bonqat before being transported by car and examined by a veterinarian (the cats had a history of being fearful and/or anxious under those circumstances). The results? While roughly one-third of the kitties who got the placebo had a positive response, just over half of those given the medicine did better while being transported and examined. Also, over the course of two examinations, 77% of the kitties who took Bonqat had less fear and anxiety, while 46% of those given the placebo exhibited an improvement in their fear and anxiety levels.Discuss Bonqat with Your VeterinarianYou can only get Bonqat with a prescription from your veterinarian, so discuss its pros and cons to determine if this medicine would be right for your cat based on factors like age and medical conditions. And bear in mind that side effects, such as ataxia, vomiting, and lethargy, might occur with Bonqat.To reap the benefits of Bonqat, you simply give it to your cat about 1.5 hours prior to transporting them or taking them to the vet. This medicine is a liquid, and it can be given to your pet with a bit of food.Also, there are some precautions that need to be taken while administering this medicine to your cat. For example, it shouldn’t make contact with your eyes, mucous membranes, or skin. So, in addition to talking to your vet about how to use it correctly to ensure your cat gets the best results, you also want to be well-informed about how to handle this medicine safely.For more information about Bonqat and how it works, click here.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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