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2010-03-10 11:39:04 – U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2010-2011: Tapping into Post-Recession Pet Parent Spending – a new market research report on companiesandmarkets.com

www.companiesandmarkets.com/Summary-Market-Report/u.s.-pet-marke ..

as the U.S. economy moves out of recession and into recovery, the purse strings of many pet parents will loosen-but shoppers will continue to demand greater value in the pet products and services they purchase as well as from the channels they shop.
U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2010-2011 provides essential insights into the U.S. pet market overall as well

as each of its four core categories-veterinary services, pet food, non-food pet supplies, and other pet services (grooming, boarding, training, etc.)-while predicting sales to rise from $53 billion in 2009 to over $70 billion in 2014, with strong demand for products and services that both enhance pet health and pamper lifting many boats.

Continuing the market tracking and forecasting of the previous edition of our annual report (see U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2009-2010: Surviving and Thriving in Challenging Economic ), the 2010-2011 edition projects sales, market growth drivers, and competitive opportunities. In a new focus discussion, it details retail channel trends including the increasingly aggressive competitive differentiation between pet specialty and mass-market suppliers and retailers, cross-channel shopping, shopper loyalty, and the growing role of non-traditional channels including Internet.

Additional chapters include an overview of factors underpinning the market´s ongoing strong prospects, including a human/animal bond that is possibly stronger than ever as a result of the recession; analysis of the competitive situation including opportunities for cross-pollination across product and service segments; and consumer demographic and mindset trends representing changes, challenges and calls to action in meeting the needs of today´s more demanding pet parent population. other trends examined include “bang for the buck” value appeals balancing price, function and indulgence; “ethical” (organic/natural, sustainable, humane, etc.) appeals and cause marketing; key marketing trends, such as the shift toward non-traditional media including social networking; and recent and possible acquisitions and spin-offs.

Sales in US pet market predicted to rise from $53 billion in 2009 to over

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My husband and I said “goodbye” to our 14-year-old dog, Spokes, last October. our beloved girl was gorgeous: ice-blue eyes, long, soft fur in a kaleidoscope of colors, pricked ears and a flowing tail. Spokes was likely from Australian shepherd stock, but beyond that, her heritage was a mystery. whatever she was, it was the perfect combination.

“The perfect combination” is also the idea behind the recent “designer dog” craze. a designer, or hybrid, dog is a first-generation cross between two breeds of purebred dogs. Goldendoodles (golden retriever + poodle), schneagles (schnauzer + beagle) and bullmations (bulldog + Dalmatian) are examples of designer dogs. while the names are fun, crossbreeding is serious business and is done for a variety of reasons.

Crossbreeding can be an attempt to reduce the incidence of genetic diseases found in so many purebred dogs. Regrettably, it can also result in a dog with problems common to both breeds. a responsible breeder ensures that purebred dogs used for mating are tested for, and free from, genetic diseases. if a hybrid puppy’s lineage is unknown or questionable, as is often the case at pet stores, that dog is more likely to have significant health problems.

Some designer dogs are touted as “hypoallergenic” pets (usually poodle + another desired breed). But keep in mind that allergies originate from dander, not fur. such dogs may shed less, but there is no guarantee they will be tolerated by allergy sufferers.

Designer dogs are also often viewed as fashionable status symbols, or novelty products. often these dogs cost significantly more than their purebred counterparts. like most fads, as the popularity of designer dogs rises, they will inevitably become commonplace.

Breeders will find they can no longer charge exorbitant prices and the hybrids will fall out of favor with trend-seekers.

If you have your heart set on buying a designer dog, the Humane Society of the United States encourages you to consider the following:

Do not purchase a hybrid — or any dog — from a pet store where the majority of dogs are from puppy mills and are therefore more likely to become ill.

Find a reputable breeder who insists on meeting you and encourages you to see first-hand where the dog and its mother come from.

A good breeder will provide paperwork detailing the genetic testing done to screen for health problems to which the breeds are predisposed.

Research the needs of both breeds. this dog will be in your life for 15 years; you want to be sure he or she fits your lifestyle.

Before buying a dog, visit your local animal shelter. one in four shelter dogs is purebred, and the rest are hybrids in their own right — mixes of two or more breeds. there you will save hundreds to thousands of dollars and the life of a homeless pet.

I know I’ll never have another dog like Spokes, but that makes her all the more special. To me, she was the most beautiful designer dog in the world.

Holland serves on the Lynchburg Humane Society’s Board of Directors and is a volunteer for various animal welfare causes.

Central Virginia's Pets: Ins and outs of designer dog craze

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Cat care and the way you treat your pets can say a lot about your personality. Many of us have heard the superstition that over time pets and owners begin to look like each other, but it turns out that your pet can reflect a lot more about you than just your appearance. Cat care and your attitude towards it can provide a lot of insight into your attitudes and your temperament. if you want your cat to reflect the best in your personality, consider learning a bit more about how to offer the very best cat care to your feline friend.

When people come to your home and encounter a healthy, affectionate cat who is friendly and sociable, and lives in a clean, well tended environment, they are much more likely to have a positive opinion of you than if your cat is scruffy, overweight or underweight, and lives in an area that smells and looks dirty. at best, substandard cat care tells your pet and the world that you are not conscientious. at worst, failing to take good care of your cat can make you look cruel and irresponsible as your cat suffers and whines in the background of your daily life. because your cat care habits say so much about you, it is well worth the time and effort to educate yourself about great cat care.

The good news is that great cat care is not difficult to practice. Once you learn how to care for your pet, providing top shelf cat care is a snap and take just a few minutes per day. by making cat care a part of your daily routine, you can make sure that you get to tasks like cleaning the litter box and grooming your pet before they become difficult or arduous. Cat care can be a snap as long as you are willing to take a little bit of time and effort in order to learn what your cat needs and how you can provide it.

Your cat care habits may say a lot, but they are also very easy to alter in as little as five or ten minutes of attention every day. if you aren’t taking the best possible care of your feline companion, there is no reason not to make a change for the better. Once you master how to provide great cat care, you will see your cat’s blossoming health and warm affection for you as a reflection of your best qualities. a happy cat in the pink of vigor tells the world that you are a caring and sympathetic person with a great capacity for being responsible and trustworthy. Improving your cat care skills can help you make a wonderful impression on anyone who is lucky enough to encounter your pleasant, healthy pet.

Find out more about how to care for your cat. Click here now!

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What Cat Care Reveals about You et Shop

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The Boston MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center is open Tuesday through Sunday; from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 1 to 5 p.m. all other days. Adoption rates vary, but you can find all adoption information and policies here. not able to adopt? The MSPCA always needs volunteers, foster families and donations!

Time to take a break from the cats (especially since the last two featured — Soot and Elliot, still need homes!). This week’s pet is puppy Rusty! (A225526)

Rusty is a Dachshund-mix, and just look at that face — is there a Golden Retriever in his family line? He came to the MSPCA when his owners couldn’t care for him anymore. at only 10-months old, Rusty is still a puppy who loves to play, cuddle and chew on things (as puppies are want to do XD).

Do you have another dog, older children and plenty of time to devote to a new dog? Then Rusty would be a great fit! In his previous home, he had a similarly-small dog companion, and lived with children. He can be scared by loud noises, so a calmer household (where the kiddos are past the screaming phase) would be ideal.

MSPCA Pet of the Week: Rusty

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This is a quick makeup for missing last Friday while I was doing interviews at Arizona.

Andrew from Syracuse writes: Regarding your Oregon strong and weak article, I agree that the defensive line is the obvious weakness of team but I noticed that you didn’t mention incoming freshman Ricky Heimuli. I was wondering what kind of impact you think he’ll have next year. I know that it’s tough for true freshman to make the transition to D1 football but with the state of the D line it seems that he has the size and strength to contribute right away. at least I’m hoping he does because the line (minus Rowe) was awful against Ohio State and needs big bodies.

Ted Miller: I mostly don’t include freshmen who arrive in the fall when assessing the strength of a position for spring practices — unless the frosh is a spectacular talent at a skill position, where it’s easier to contribute early. Line positions are much different animals. when you see true freshmen starting on either line, more often than not it’s about a gaping talent void rather than a player beating out veterans.

My guess is Oregon would prefer to redshirt Heimuli but odds are fairly good he’ll play because of depth issues and his obvious talent and advanced physical development. Further complicating things, however, is his stated desire to go on a LDS mission after his freshman year (see UCLA offensive tackle Xavier Su’a-Filo, who started at left tackle as a true freshman last fall but opted to go on a mission).

As for the D-line in the Rose Bowl: I disagree.

Ohio State got a career-best performance from quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the Rose Bowl, while Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli reverted to his Boise State passing form — 9-of-20 for 81 yards with a pick. Quarterback play was the difference in the game, particularly on third down.

Ohio State didn’t run the ball well against Oregon, other than Pryor’s scrambles. Buckeye backs combined for 87 yards on 28 carries (3.1 yards per carry) with a long run of 11 yards.

The Ducks didn’t dominate up front, but they certainly weren’t pushed around.

Kevin from Scottsdale writes: I’m a fan of Keaton Kristick’s (Oregon State) and I can’t figure out why his performance at the combine isn’t getting any attention? he finished in the top 10 in 5 out of 6 “field” categories against 36 of the best college LB’s in the country? Yet, most of what has been written about him says he’s not athletic, too small (since when was 6′3″ 234lbs too small?), and CBS Sports went so far as to say his best chance may be the CFL? Here’s what what I saw on the NFL combine website shortly after Monday’s session. he tied for 4th among LB’s in the 40 (4.64), finished 3rd in the BJ (10′), 6th in the 20S (4.21), 3rd in the 60S (11.33) and 9th in the 3 cone (6.96). Find another player at any position that can say that? I’m guessing not very many.

Ted Miller: I was surprised how well Kristicks’s measurables came out — even his size. I’d have pegged him at about 6-foot-2, 225 when I chatted with him at Pac-10 media day last July.

What stood out to me about Kristick is he tested well in the drills that measure quickness and change of direction. help me out here: are those good skills for a LB to have?

I have read the same things you have. little has been written that indicates Kristick will get drafted anywhere before the late rounds.

One thing to keep in mind is much of what is written around draft time is just blather. There’s so much misdirection and overanalysis it’s hard to measure what’s accurate.

My guess — and it’s only a guess — is that Kristicks’s performances, combined with lots of impressive game tape, as well as a good Beavers legacy at the position, will get him drafted.

I expect him to stick on a team. he may not become star or even a starter, but guys like Kristick seem to find their way to solid NFL careers.

Andrew from Seattle writes: is there any actual truth to the discussion of kicking WSU out of the Pac 10 or are the local sports talk stations trying to fill a really slow period in local sports? It seems to me that while there are negatives WSU brings to the table there are some positives and reasonable recent success Rose bowl 03 Sweet 16 in 06. all the Internet folks are bringing up comments from Sterk from last April. that too seems a bit far fetched for me.

Ted Miller: at the risk of sounding wishy-washy: no.

There’s no chance of kicking Washington State out of the Pac-10.

Jeremy from Tempe writes: Why all the Arizona stories? who cares? Isn’t this the Pac-10 blog, not the Arizona blog?

Ted Miller: three reasons for the glut of Arizona stories.

1. Arizona started spring practices last Friday.

2. I was in Tucson that day.

3. only Arizona and Stanford are practicing right now.

JT from new York City writes: Ted, I got two weird questions for you. how tall are you and how much do you weigh? It helps give perspective on the dudes you interview.

Ted Miller: I’m 6-foot-10, 280 pounds.

No, I’m 5-11, 210. OK, 215. but I’m shooting to drop to two bills by the preseason.

Andrew from Berkeley, Calif., writes: I’m headed to Eugene for a non-football related sporting event, I was wondering if you had any suggestions for good food? I noticed you liked Le Cheval in Oakland so I can trust your taste.

Ted Miller: Mmmm. Le Cheval. made the mistake of pulling up the menu. When’s lunch?

Most folks in Eugene would start with Beppe & Gianni’s. You’ll probably run into Ducks defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti there. Beppe is a great guy and he’s particularly skilled at hiring hostesses.

I’ve had a handful of good meals at Adam’s Place, home of the Eugene Martini Association, but some folks accused me of being hoity-toity when I touted the place two years ago.

Fact is, I’ve always thought there were plenty of good meals to be had in Eugene.

And this inquiry is a good time for a heads up: I’m going to put together a list of Pac-10 restaurants for you road trippers this year and, obviously, we need our loyal readers to participate.

So feel free to send in suggestions.

Opening the mailbag: Worries about Oregon's D-line

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A group of researchers has shown that different types of growling dogs have a different meaning. Article scientists published in the journal Animal Behaviour. brief paper wrote new Scientist.

The study set out to test whether dogs to distinguish what information is growl. Experts recorded sounds, which 20 animals were issued in three different situations: during a game with the owner, during which the dog protected him from any object in competition with another dog for the bone and the approach of a stranger.

At the next stage of the experiment, researchers put 36 entries received by other dogs who were in the room where lay the bone. when the animals heard the second record (the competition for the bone), they departed from the bone and remained on the sidelines. On the first record (the game with the owner) so reacted only four of 12 dogs, and the third (the approach of a stranger) – 2 out of 12. However after a while all but one of the dogs returned to the bone.

In other experiments, whose results are still nowhere to be published, the researchers showed that the sound of growling dogs are able to determine the size of the “companion”. The authors suggest that one or another type of growl sends a definite message, and select dog varieties Rykov intentionally. Moreover, according to researchers, growling bears much more sense than the barking. an indirect proof of this point of view is the fact that wolves almost never bark, but actively use growl.

Recently, another team of researchers has clarified another aspect of the lives of dogs. Scientists have found the arrangement of olfactory organs in dogs and by what these animals are able to perfectly distinguish between the odors

Scientists have learned a dog “language”

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Your pet may be an important member of your family and you may wish to take your pet with you when you travel. if you intend to travel to a foreign country, you must take steps to know about various requirements of the destination country for travelers traveling with their pets. You won’t be allowed to travel with your pet, if you don’t adhere to the provided guidelines. Dog health certificate from a licensed veterinarian is a mandatory requirement to take your pet with you when you travel in a train or flight and cross country borders. this certificate will ensure that your dog does not have any infectious disease and that it can handle traveling stress.

You should approach your vet to get a certificate for your dog ensuring that your pet does not suffer from any serious illness. For interstate and international trips, make sure that your vet gives you an appropriate certificate. Different states and different countries have different pet health certificate requirements and you should be aware of the local laws. Otherwise, your pet will be isolated from you for complete inspection or quarantine.

Normally, dogs must get health certificate at least 10 days prior to traveling. Older health certificates will not be valid even though different states have different requirements. the health certificate will contain information about vaccination shots given for the dog along with the health conditions of the dog. however, health certificate will not ensure that your pet has good general health. Most of the states in the United States require dogs to be given rabies vaccination shot 30 days prior to travel. this does not apply for puppies less than 6 months old since they don’t have rabies threat according to US public health service.

Some airlines don’t allow your dog to be shipped as baggage, however, you can have the dog shipped as cargo. Along with the certificate, name and address of the shipper must be mentioned. Age and pregnancy status of the pet should also be specified in the health certificate. the pet owner must also state that the pet is acclimated to lower temperatures not lower than 20 degree F if the pet is carried in winter. To ensure that your pet doesn’t suffer during traveling, call the destination embassy well ahead of travel to know the current laws about dog health certificate requirements.

Author: Raja Selvam
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Pressure Cooker

Dog Health Certificate to Travel with Your Pet | Pet Amours

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BY Amy Sacks
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Saturday, March 6th 2010, 4:00 AM

But four years ago, when the Q104.3 deejay announced on-air that her loyal companion of 16 years had died in her sleep, the outpouring of listener support still caught the Queen of Rock by surprise.

“The stories blew me away and made it so much easier to deal with my grief,” said the native New Yorker, who still remembers reading hundreds of e-mails from fans, many of whom shared their own experience of losing a pet.

“Big beefy guys would tell me how they cried like a baby when their dog died, and some people wanted to talk about their cat that died 30 years ago,” she said.

That common bond, she said, helped reassure her that she wasn’t alone, and that it was okay to burst out crying while getting a manicure or walking solo on the street.

Dr. Susan Cohen, director of counseling services at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, said the death of a pet can affect some of us even more than the death of a relative or friend.

“You are losing someone who thinks you’re wonderful exactly the way you are and has seen you through all life experiences,” said Cohen, who runs a free weekly pet-loss support group at the upper East side hospital.

Grief can take on many forms, she said, and the intensity can vary depending on whether an animal dies suddenly or after a long illness.

Megan Demarest and her husband, Matt, who have been married for 18 years and have no kids, said losing their 14-year-old cat Talmot last summer after a two-year illness felt like losing a child.

“The grief we felt while we watched him getting sicker and sicker and the grief we now feel over his death is more profound than I could ever have imagined,” said the NYU administrator.

Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, senior director of counseling services at the ASPCA, said most responsible owners feel both a sense of guilt and relief at the end of their pet’s life, and those feelings are entirely appropriate.

Milito says she can relate, and admits to relishing her freedom after Clarice died. But it didn’t last long.

“You get to a point where you want to have a reason to go home,” she said. “That’s when I knew it was time to get a new dog.”

Today, she shares her apartment with Carmine, a strong 86-pound mutt she adopted in 2008 from the NYC Animal Care & Control shelter, and keeps Clarice’s ashes in an urn on her dresser.

From time to time, listeners still have to assure her that it’s okay to love Carmine as much as she loved Clarice.

In return for their kindness, Milito reaches out to anyone who feels like they will be sad forever after losing a beloved animal.

“You’ll always have that hole in your heart,” she says. “It just gets smaller.”

The Internet offers myriad pet loss resources. Check out Peternity.com, a one-stop shop for caskets, urns, keepsakes, online memorials, poems and grief support. it also carries Kidoodlyrocks, memorial markers engraved with a child’s drawing of your pet, and offers aerial ash scattering.

amy.sacks1@gmail.com

How to survive when you lose a pet: Maria Milito, Q104.3 deejay, got grief counseling from listeners

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Dogs love any kind of attention you lavish on them. Clothes shopping for dogs is a lot like clothes shopping for babies. Choices in dog clothes range from winter sweaters to football jerseys and summer tees. There’s even an entire line of Harley clothes for dogs, complete with leather cap and studded collar.

Dog costumes made for parties and holidays are just too cute for words.
Dogs love any kind of attention you lavish on them. Clothes shopping for dogs is a lot like clothes shopping for babies. There’s really only a couple of rules you’ll need to keep in mind when shopping for dog clothes:

One is that if the dog in question is an avid chewer, you should avoid buying him anything tempting. the other rule is that any dog, no matter how tolerant, will be more comfortable wearing clothes that fit.

Oh, and one more thing–if you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own dog clothes creations. now, if you’re shopping for your own dog, you’re all set. But if you’re buying clothes for someone else’s dog, I’ve got a few more tips for you.

Surveys conducted on the subject of gift preferences of men and women have shown that men prefer gifts that are more playful or practical. so, if the dog’s owner is male this might translate into a doggie Harley jacket, a funny costume, or a reflective hunting vest (more on practical clothing in another article!).
Women, on the other hand, prefer gifts that are beautiful, memorable, and personal. Exception: if the woman is someone you don’t know well.

Dog Clothes-Choosing with Perfection

When purchasing small dog clothes moms and dads need to pay attention that the proportions of the piece of small dog clothing is correct. It’s an obvious fact that small dogs are shaped differently than large dogs, and the detail in the small dog clothing should reflect that.

Well groomed small dogs such as Terriers should wear small dog clothes that show off their legs, and fantastic grooming. When picking small dog clothes, it’s also great to remember what is necessary for your small dog’s breed. When picking out small dog clothes, remember to have fun!

Get a Complimentary Copy of – How to Housetrain Dogs. this also teaches you about house training an older dog or potty training your puppy.

Where to find Dog Clothes | Ann Arbor Dog Blog

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Wildlife officials have tried everything to keep sea lions from eating endangered salmon, dropping bombs that explode under water and firing rubber bullets and bean bags from shotguns and boats. now they are resorting to issuing death sentences to the most chronic offenders.

A California sea lion last week became the first salmon predator to be euthanized this year under a program that has been denounced by those who say there are far greater dangers to salmon — including the series of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia.

This is the second year of the program, which is administered by wildlife officials in Oregon and Washington and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Last year, 11 sea lions were euthanized. another four were transferred to zoos or aquariums.

The sea lions represent a massive headache each year as chinook salmon begin arriving at the Bonneville Dam east of Portland, congregating in large numbers as they return from the ocean. Sea lions have become keenly aware that the dam is a great spot to feast on salmon, easy pickings as they wait to go up the dam’s fish ladders.

“They learn. they come up here and know it’s a good place to eat, and sooner or later the salmon are going to arrive,” said Robert Stansell, a fisheries biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Officials are tracking 63 additional sea lions listed as repeat offenders. they are identified

by scars or by numbers that were branded on them by researchers.

“To get on that list, we have to have observed them as distinct individuals,” said Jessica Sall, spokeswoman for the Oregon office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “They are not responding to hazing, and they’re eating chinook salmon.”

Sea lions have gobbled salmon forever. But their numbers have soared in recent years, as has the number of those cruising upriver to dine on salmon at Bonneville Dam. Frustrations peaked, especially among fishermen who have watched sea lions snatch salmon right out of their gill nets.

The Bonneville crowd of hefty mammals — they can reach more than 600 pounds and eight feet in length — have become the enemy of commercial and sport fisherman, who are allowed to catch and keep hatchery-raised fish, and a concern for conservationists trying to restore migratory runs, since sea lions don’t distinguish between hatchery and wild fish.

At least three of the upper Columbia River spring salmon runs that pass through the dam are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, most significantly the spring chinook salmon run.

The sea lions’ growing numbers forced state, federal and tribal agencies to intensify efforts to protect the region’s multibillion-dollar salmon recovery program.

The sea lions are protected by a 1972 federal law, but an amendment leaves open the possibility that some can be captured or killed if the states request it. Oregon and Washington did in 2006 with the support of Indian tribes and sport and commercial fishing groups.

Two years ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service authorized Oregon and Washington officials to first attempt to catch the sea lions that arrive at the base of Bonneville Dam and hold them 48 hours to see whether an aquarium, zoo or similar facility will take them.

Otherwise, they could be euthanized, along with those that avoid trapping. only California sea lions can be destroyed. Stellar sea lions cannot be killed because they are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Supporters say the program works. the numbers of sea lions at the dam have dropped, although the 4,489 salmon they ate last year was the highest since tracking began in 2002.

Critics, led by the Humane Society of the United States, say that a far greater danger to salmon are hydroelectric dams on the Columbia, which are an obstacle to salmon both as they head out to sea and when they return from the ocean to spawn.

The Humane Society also says fishermen catch three times as many salmon as sea lions eat.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission this year has begun tracking the sea lions’ movements with acoustic transmitters and cameras placed along the river. Instead of just reacting to the sea lions, the data might help authorities plan a more successful campaign, a fisheries scientist says.

“All of the counts that you hear, all of the impact on salmon, is based on what they can see from the dam,” said Doug Hatch, of the inter-tribal commission. “That doesn’t account for the whole 150 river miles below the dam.”

The frustration comes as experts predict the largest spring chinook run since 1938. Thanks to good ocean conditions for young salmon, an expected 470,000 fish will head up the Columbia River, compared to 169,300 in 2009.

The primary weapon against the sea lions still remains hazing, but even that has limitations.

“The problem is, as soon as the boats go around the corner, they’re right back,” Stansell said. “Some of the animals that have been there a long time don’t even move when they get hit in the back with a rubber bullet. they just keep eating their fish.”

Sea lions killed in Oregon for eating too many salmon

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