Know some discerning pets? Send them our way
Here at Unleashed, we get stuff -- dog treats, cat toys, pet breath mints, books. Some become fabulous prizes for Animal House Friday, but others just sit unused in the office. That got us thinking: Wouldn't it be fun to have an Unleashed Testing Panel?
We're looking for folks with dogs and/or cats (or easy access to pets) willing to review products for us that come in the mail. Think of it as our highly unscientific Consumer Reports about pets.
Some of the questions we might ask you to tackle: Will a cat eat these $10 treats? Does a dog perform a squeakerotomy on this toy five minutes after playing with it? Could this book be a great gift for a pet-loving friend?
To be part of the panel, you just need to be willing to test a product, take a picture of your pet with it (if relevant) and then write a short review that we can post on the site. Here's the kicker: You get to keep whatever you test.
UTP isn't the most enticing abbreviation for the group. (In fact, it sounds more like something you get an antibiotic for.) Maybe someone out there can think of a better name for the panel.
Comment below if you're interested and let us know whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, etc., and if your pet has any special interests/qualifications to be a reviewer. (Please include your e-mail. It will remain private, but we need it to contact you when we get the panel up and running.)
Photo courtesy of hondenbier.nl/
Comments
Was interested in having my dachshund be a tester. He's a great one!
Loren, Wonderful! Thanks, MC
Posted by: LOREN | April 28, 2009 11:30 AM
We have a Greyhound ( Otto), a Pomeranian ( Simon), and a cat ( Ludlow, otherwise known as the golden haired green eyed menace). I'm sure that they would love to test products.
Ooh, this group sounds great. We could even compare what Otto thought of something vs. Simon. Love it. Thanks, MC
Posted by: RayRay | April 28, 2009 11:31 AM
The toy hasn't been invented that can withstand our pit Lucy's squeakerotomy skills! If you receive any products meant to withstand "tough chewers" like her, we'd love to try them.
Our first tough chewer! Perfect. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Shannon | April 28, 2009 11:35 AM
Sign us up! We have a one year-old rottie mix.
That is great. Another pet is in! Thanks, MC
Posted by: Leigh | April 28, 2009 11:44 AM
Stella is a willing volunteer as well. She is the toughest chewer I've ever met- so far only one toy has lasted!
And she's a sucker for treats.
Only one toy?! Wow. That will be good for us in our testing. MC
Posted by: Baltimoregal | April 28, 2009 12:10 PM
I am new to your blog, but would to join in! I have a year(ish) newly rescued picky cat and a grouchy 14-year-old border collie mix. Thanks!
Tara, Welcome! I'm so glad you are here. It's also good to have some more cats in the mix for testing products. Thanks, MC
Posted by: tara | April 28, 2009 12:38 PM
Hi- We're a 2 cat and 1 dog (soon to rescue a 2nd dog-both poodles) household who'd like be product testers. The cats are lovable, photogenic & hard to please, the dog loves to rip the squeeker out of plush toys, and the humans have lots of experience selecting toys, treats and other gewgaws. We'd love to write about our experiences to more than just our friends.
Experience and a household filled with pets! Sounds like you and your family are very qualified. MC
Posted by: Marcel & family | April 28, 2009 12:46 PM
Marcel & family,
I loved your pics! Made me lol. :-)
Posted by: RayRay | April 28, 2009 12:55 PM
I would love to have my two dogs -one very particular terrier/shepard mix (who does not like that much) and one pit mix who loves everything, everyone and like some of the other posters, can't keep toys longer than 20 min without destroying them!
We would love to have them on the panel. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Jennifer | April 28, 2009 1:21 PM
Hi. My dog and I are new to the Baltimore area and are happy to find a space for the local pet community. Lola is a 6 year old 1/2 english-1/2 french bulldog whose personal mantra is "to chew and destroy." She's also known by friends and family to be a most finicky pup. She'd be a perfect addition to your testing group.
Lola and Emily, Welcome to Baltimore and to the Unleashed group! MC
Posted by: Emily | April 28, 2009 1:31 PM
Hi,
My chihuahua mix, Chi-Chi Rodriguez, would LOVE to test products. Particularly edible products. He is not very discerning though. The boy eats everything...except lettuce.
Thanks,
Lori
What Chi-Chi loves, Chi-Chi gets! Thanks, MC
Posted by: Lori | April 28, 2009 1:33 PM
Have a dog willing to be a tester!
MS, Cool! Thanks from MC
Posted by: MS | April 28, 2009 2:29 PM
My 3 year old english bulldog Izzy would love to help with your testing. She'll eat almost anything so if she doesn't like it/won't eat it, you know it's not good. Also she's tough on toys so would be good to test their durability. Plus she's just so darn cute! :)
Izzy sounds like an A+ tester. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Reada | April 28, 2009 2:32 PM
Would love to have my 15-month-old Goldendoodle, Lexie, participate. She LOVES toys and would me a great reviewer. Hope we can join in on the fun!
We would love to have you. I'm eager to see her picture! Thanks, MC
Posted by: Natalie Sobolewski | April 28, 2009 3:12 PM
We have a 3-year-old basset-beagle mix (check out a pic at Leslie Basset Beagle on Facebook). She loves stuffed animals and eventually de-squeaks them, but she's willing to test any kind of food as well.
She sounds like a fun tester to have with us. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Holly | April 28, 2009 3:39 PM
Hope its not too late to get involved. We have a 2 1/2 year old collie/lab mix, Buddy. He has a TON of energy and loves to play tug-of-war. We also have a 8mo german sheppard mix, Nala. She LOVES to give kisses and will eat anything/everything in sight.
Both pups would be excellent testers. Hope we can join in!
Not too late at all. We have signed you up. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Erica | April 28, 2009 4:40 PM
We have a Dalmatian and a Belgian Malinois that would make excellent testers! And if that wasn't enough, we've got four kitties totals on the cat products!! I'd also be happy to blog about the results on my personal blog an on Doggie Mayhem - http://www.doggiemayhem.com
Sounds perfect. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Whitney | April 29, 2009 8:15 AM
We have a Dalmatian and a Belgian Malinois that would make EXCELLENT product testers! An we've got a whole kitty crew for any cat products that might come along. I'd also be happy to blog about the results on my own personal blog as well as on Doggie Mayhem - http://www.doggiemayhem.com - for any additional exposure!
Sign us up if it's not too late!!
It's not too late! We are delighted to have you. Can't wait to check out Doggie Mayhem. Great name! MC
Posted by: Whitney | April 29, 2009 8:18 AM
Buddy's a 9 year old Bull Mastiff/German Shepard mix and Lily's a 14 month old Cocker Spaniel. They would both love to be testers of all things dog!
Great, thanks!
Posted by: Dani | April 29, 2009 8:51 AM
Hi Again Mary! Ashley here (owner of Zoe and Winston), i.e. the dachshund vs. the tortoise :) We also have a cat named Simon at home. Let us know if we can help out! We are always trying new things to keep "the zoo" happy!
We're all for a happy zoo. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Ashley | April 29, 2009 9:31 AM
I have a 150 lb. Swiss Mountain Dog named Tiamo. She would love to be part of your test panel. Count us in.
Fun! I think Tiamo might be our biggest tester. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Deanna | April 29, 2009 9:53 AM
Our 7 year old yellow Lab, Murphy, would LOVE to be a product tester. He simply adores treats, snacks and toys - fuzzy, squeaky, bouncy, he's not picky and !! He also has a special skill in performing squeakerotomies, AND he promises to give you an honest, heartfelt review of the products.
Murphy sounds like a dream. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Sheila | April 29, 2009 10:12 AM
How about a large, mellow Akita? She would love to test things, but only if they don't interfere too much with naps..
We are pro-nap here at Unleashed, so naps first, testing second. Thanks, MC
Posted by: km | April 29, 2009 12:57 PM
Charlie would be happy to test out any doggy items and post a review! And his kitty sibs would willingly pitch in on cat items, too.
I'm glad. We are getting a robust group here. MC
Posted by: Anne | April 29, 2009 1:53 PM
We (Bubbs the picky, spoiled Chihuahua, and Linkin the wild and crazy DSH Tabby) would love to have our mom review some of your products and samples! Check out www.alldogblog.com!
Thanks! Great blog. MC
Posted by: Erin | April 29, 2009 2:07 PM
Minerva Jones and Blackened Voodoo (my two cats) would love to help.
Love those names! Thanks, MC
Posted by: EL | April 29, 2009 2:52 PM
If you could use a senior kitty,(16) I volunteer my Bella!
We love senior cats! Thanks, MC
Posted by: stephanie allori-hillis | April 29, 2009 8:43 PM
Sadie (Pembroke Welsh Corgi) would love to be a tester! So would her kitty sisters M & Bully. How about PUPI (puppy) Products Unleashed Panel Investigators?
Thanks,
Julie
Julie, PUPI is genius! I love that. And we are delighted that Sadie can join us. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Julie Chavez | April 30, 2009 12:47 PM
My recently rescued 14 yo Jack Russell Terrier, Casey, would love to help test toys and treats for you!
Thanks. We are fans of Jack Russells. MC
Posted by: Bonnie Iler | April 30, 2009 1:57 PM
Lilly would love to help out! Shes the most adorable beagle/shepard mix, and of course, I'm not bias!
Terrific news. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Beth | April 30, 2009 2:22 PM
Our 2 yr old Lab, Daisy, would be a great tester! She is obsessed with treats (but what dog isn't?) and is a total wigglebutt! She is known around our household for destroying all of her "indestructible " toys.
She sounds like an ideal tester! MC
Posted by: Jess | April 30, 2009 2:45 PM
I recommend my dog Abby as a tester not because she would be appropriately discerning in her love of doggie products (she'll eat and/or play with just about anything), but because she'd look so darn cute in the photos with said products. However, if you still need a cat product tester, Cassidy is the perfectly finicky cat ... she'll ignore something for the first three hours it's in front of her, then decide whether she likes it.
They sound like a perfect twosome to add to the group. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Michelle | April 30, 2009 4:13 PM
Sign us up. We've got two mutts -- one rather finicky adult and one eat-anything puppy. We'll be able to tell you whether something is high-value enough to protect from a sibling.
Posted by: Erin | May 1, 2009 1:26 PM
Our rescue kittens, Max & Missy, would like to join the Cat Testing Corps.
Dahlink, That's wonderful news. We need more cats! Thanks, MC
Posted by: Dahlink | May 2, 2009 11:56 AM
I have 4 cats- two occasionally playful senior gents, a shy 1-yr-old girl, & a super-energetic 1-yr-old boy named Danger Mouse. Mousey loves to play so I searched online to find a cat toy testing panel that he might be able to join.I hope we can be a good match for your team!
Posted by: Cheryl Bradley-Popovich | May 31, 2009 1:01 PM
Hello,this is Neimah Ray Moyer.
I have a 2 1/2 year old Belgian
Shepard named SAMANTHA RM. I think she would be a great project for you,wonderful caring animal. She loves dogs and people,very well-loved on the street and loves being around dogs of all breeds.You would see what real unconditional validation is with her. Thanks! NRM
Posted by: NEIMAH RAY MOYER | August 30, 2009 9:50 PM