A pair of pet care videos aimed at new owners, these programs are very similar (and even share some identical segments). Apparently meant to be sold to veterinarians (both videos open with title cards stating that the video was "provided to you by your veterinarian"), each program emphasizes the importance of having your pet immunized against various diseases, encourages pet owners to have their pets spayed or neutered, offers tips on proper dental care, and provides guidelines for handling emergencies such as poisoning. Kitten Healthcare is the better of the duo, counseling viewers on housebreaking, shedding, the pluses and minuses of declawing, and administering medication to cats. But, while the information is pretty good, the presentation is middlin' at best. Comprised of short segments, which appear to be thrown together, the program lacks continuity and focus. Puppy Healthcare is even worse. The tape contains sections on housebreaking, discipline, separation anxiety, boarding, and training. Unfortunately, many of these topics are covered twice in different segments, and the program comes to a grinding halt during the "Puppy House Training" segment--an ancient slide-show with voice-over narration. Again, the information is solid, but the awkward presentation and the fact that these programs were originally meant to be handed out by veterinarians to their clientele make them very optional choices for libraries. The CBS/Fox Guide to Complete Dog Care and Media West Home Video's Kittens to Cats are better choices here. (R. Pitman)
Kitten Healthcare; Puppy Healthcare
(1993) 24 min. $29.95. A.V. Learning Systems (dist. by Instructional Video). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 1