pet buzz

• Yawning is contagious among people, and now researchers from Birkbeck's School of Psychology at the University of London have shown for the first time what pet lovers have known all along — that dogs can also catch our yawns. Researchers said the presence of contagious yawning in dogs suggests that dogs possess the capacity for a rudimentary form of empathy.

• The American Veterinary Medical Association has found that veterinarian salaries increased from 2005- 2007, although most surveyed said they don't expect the income growth will continue from 2007-2009. The survey also showed that male veterinarians are still paid more than female ones.

• The state with the highestranking for the occurrence of

animal abuse is Kentucky, followed by Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi and North Dakota, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund. The top five states for protecting animals are Illinois, Maine, California, Michigan and Oregon.

• Japan's pet population has exploded, but pet owners are now facing a pricey tax on their furry friends. The proposed tax on the purchase of animals will be put toward microchipping, ID tags, funding for animal shelters and an awareness campaign of animal welfare. The number of pet dogs has doubled in the last decade, reaching 13 million and surpassing the number of children under 12 in Japan.

— Dr. Marty Becker & Mikkel Becker Shannon