Attention dog walkers and pet sitters! A recent news story pointed out that canine DNA is now being used to trace unscooped dog waste back to its source.

While scooping has always been a matter of courtesy to the neighbors, the PooPrints DNA test offered by the BioPet Vet Lab takes tracking down habitual offenders to a new level.

Some apartment complexes are now requiring resident dogs to submit a mouth swab (processing fee $29.99) to provide DNA that can be tested against future unscooped waste. A sample of unscooped waste can be tested at BioPet Vet Lab for a $10 vial fee plus a $50 analysis fee.

While this testing service is in its infancy, it has potential to grow in the future. In the meantime, just scoop!

Are you interested in becoming a farrier? This is a great career in the equine industry that has a high earning potential and a very flexible schedule.

Farriers are equine foot care professionals who trim and shoe horses when their feet grow out every six to eight weeks. Farriers use their knowledge of equine anatomy, physiology, confirmation, behavior, and horse handling skills to perform their work.

Many farriers attend a formal shoeing school or apprentice with a master farrier to gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this career. To learn more about this career option be sure to read our newest article, an in depth look at a career as a farrier.

It is certainly ironic that one day you might not be able to buy a pet of any kind in the city named after the patron saint of animals.

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors is currently entertaining a proposal that would ban the sale of all pets in the city. Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, mice, snakes, turtles, and even goldfish would no longer appear in pet shops under this plan. The only exemption? Animals intended for human consumption. So you can buy a fish, provided you plan to eat it. No more koi for the backyard pond!

The motivation for this proposal comes from a seemingly good place; animal activists want to encourage adoption of pets from shelters and rescue groups. The reality is that a ban would have little effect on the issue of overcrowding at shelters.

While many pet stores no longer sell puppies and kittens, banning all live animals would certainly have a major impact and could force many small shops to close their doors. Most shops in the city carry birds, fish, and reptiles (not the dogs and cats that overcrowd shelters).

Ultimately, this ban is not at all likely to go into effect. A similar measure, which banned most pet sales, failed to pass in 2010.

Don't forget to take your dog with you to work tomorrow! Friday, June 24, 2011 is Take Your Dog to Work Day. Many animal professionals already have the opportunity to take their pets with them on a regular basis, especially those working in areas such as veterinary medicine, pet sitting, dog walking, or dog grooming.

For those who do not usually take a dog with you to work, consider giving your boss a call in the morning or ask if you can pick Fido up after lunch. It is officially Take Your Dog to Work Day, after all!