Tech Beat

By Rene Agredano

Now that most people treat Fido and FiFi like part of the family, it’s only fitting that they have their own Internet identities too. Whether they are embracing puppyhood in all its destructive glory, coping with a chronic disease or just looking for play dates, today’s pets are being seen and heard on the web. The explosion in pet-specific online communities is giving pet “pawrents” the ability to introduce their amazing animals to the world.

In 2006, when my partner and I started our website for three legged dogs, Tripawds.com, we had no idea that it would flourish into an active online community of over 1,000 members. Who knew that so many people out there had “tripod” dogs with inspirational stories just waiting to be told? Three years later, members from all corners of the globe gather on our site to chat, blog and offer advice in our discussion forums. We connect in other social media hubs too, like Facebook and Twitter. Some have even met in person and organized Tripawd dog parties.

Tripawds is just one example of the “social petworking” revolution. If you have a companion animal, chances are there is an online community that can help you make the most of your relationship.

Many pet-centric websites are now participating in the social petworking revolution. They interact with social media sites like Twitter, they host discussion forums, provide email capabilities among members and give users a chance to journal. They provide hosting space to allow members to upload photos into a gallery, and many host live chat rooms for immediate conversation, among other activities.

Some of these websites are general interest communities, like Facedog.com, Dogster.com and Catster.com, where humans write from their pet’s point of view, describing their friend’s life in detail. The social networking site Facebook has a “Dogbook” application that connects like minded furry friends and humans. And bragging rights aren’t limited to dogs; on Facebook, you’ll even find “Ferretbook” and “Rodentbook” there too.

Every kind of companion animal is included in social petworking. Equine owners talk with each other through sites like horsechitchat.com, horseadvice.com and barnmice.com. Even reptile owners can network at sites like thereptilefile.com. To find a community, just do an Internet search using words like “(insert animal type here), advice, discussion” to locate the busiest sites.

Within most online communities, you will usually find help for coping with domestic pet diseases. This is invaluable when your animal is sick. The most beneficial aspect of looking for answers online is that you’ll have the insight of members who have gone through that illness with their pet. The downside is those members may not have the most current or highly regarded information available. It’s up to you to use caution in following any health tips you read online. Always discuss your findings with your vet if you think they might be right for your pet. And remember, vets are overwhelmed at the number of their clients who self-diagnose their pets, so use caution in how you approach the topic. Dr. Nancy Kay, author of Speaking for Spot, has great recommendations for being taken seriously by your vet, and presenting what you know (see: http://speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=665).

There are endless Internet opportunities for becoming a better pet pawrent, and you can spend hours learning how. But just remember to break away from the computer occasionally by looking into your pet’s eyes, and remind yourself why adopted him in the first place: unconditional love, companionship, and fun.

For more insight about social networking and how it can help you at home or on the job, look no further than Humboldt County’s own Redwood Technology Consortium members. Get to know them at http://www.redwoodtech.org.

Rene Agredano is co-founder of Tripawds.com, the world’s largest community for amputee dogs and their humans. She has been a Redwood Technology Consortium member since 1998.