Abstract: A pet fountain having a housing of snap together construction formed of a base and cover. The base includes a basin in which an integrally formed filter-holding divider is disposed that separates the basin into a return sump and pumping chamber. The cover includes a water holding bowl, an inlet and a drain overlying the return sump that encloses a pump that provides fluid to the bowl via inlet when attached to the base. The cover includes a downwardly extending tube that fluidly registers with a discharge of the pump when attached to the base. In a preferred embodiment, the cover has upper and lower bowls connected by a spillway that conveys overflow from the upper bowl to the lower bowl where it is return via drain to the return sump. The cover can be configured to mate with the housing to enclose the entire basin, pump, and filter.

Abstract: A pet feeding system that includes a dish assembly configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish assembly includes a housing and a cooperating food-dispensing receptacle that dispenses food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one feeder port that only permits a paw of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food, while preventing direct access to the food by the head or muzzle of the pet. A lip can be provided adjacent the feeder port that provides an obstacle to free withdrawal of the food out of the feeder port.

Abstract: A pet feeding system is disclosed that includes a dish configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish has a housing in cooperation with a food-dispensing receptacle that dispense food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one food access port that only permits part of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food. The food-dispensing receptacle can be a bowl that can be integrally formed as part of the housing and can also be a food-holding container that seats in the bowl. A cap is provided that can cover food in the bowl or container preventing a pet from accessing the food.

Abstract: A moisture release valve for an outdoor light including a valve body having a stem received in a valve guide and having a head seating with a valve seat integrally formed of part of a sidewall of a light casing of the light fixture. Valve body is gravity displaced between a closed position and an open position depending upon light fixture orientation and can include a counterweight carried by its stem interiorly disposed within the fixture helping to cause displacement of the valve body toward the desired open or closed position in response to a change in light fixture orientation. Valve body can be a rivet, such as a split rivet, and the counterweight can be a washer, such as an annular washer, having an opening generally in registry with the valve guide permitting fluid within the fixture to drain from the fixture when the valve is open.

Abstract: A pet toy having a track with an attractant or lure that preferably is a ball that rolls around the track when a rocker arm is rotated by a rotary drive. An animal proximity sensor that includes a switch energizes, de-energizes and/or reverses direction of the drive when actuated by a pet. The arm carries a counterweight and is supported by bearing that rides on a base of the toy spacing the arm so it clears an onboard power supply. A preferred toy has a fulcrum resting on a support surface about which the track rocks during arm rotation and can include a rib that provides rotating point or line contact with the surface during rotation. An acoustic resonator recess, e.g. channel, formed in the track amplifies the sound of a ball rolling in the track producing a distinctive sound that attracts pets, e.g., cats, and is pleasing to humans.

Abstract: An animal water toy that includes one or more playthings carried by flowing water that entices an animal, such as a cat, into interaction therewith. Playthings can be received in a container having water drinkable by the animal that is propelled by a pump into flowing and carrying the playthings. A portion can be upraised above the water providing an animal perch and/or flow director imparting flow deviations causing unpredictable plaything movement helping enhance animal interaction. A conveyance device can be provided conveying playthings relative to the flow. A pet watering device, e.g., fountain, can include an animal toy constructed in accordance with the present invention and a conveyance device lifting playthings from one level of the watering device to another. In one embodiment, playthings are animal attractant objects that can be buoyant and configured to attract an animal, such as by its color, graphics, indicia, and/or shape.

Abstract: A pet feeding system that includes a dish assembly configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish assembly includes a housing and a cooperating food-dispensing receptacle that dispenses food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one feeder port that only permits a paw of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food, while preventing direct access to the food by the head or muzzle of the pet. A lip can be provided adjacent the feeder port that provides an obstacle to free withdrawal of the food out of the feeder port.

Abstract: A pet feeding system that includes a dish assembly configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish assembly includes a housing and a cooperating food-dispensing receptacle that dispenses food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one feeder port that only permits a paw of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food, while preventing direct access to the food by the head or muzzle of the pet. A lip can be provided adjacent the feeder port that provides an obstacle to free withdrawal of the food out of the feeder port.

Abstract: A pet feeding system that includes a dish configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish has a housing in cooperation with a food-dispensing receptacle that dispense food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one food access port that only permits part of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food. The food-dispensing receptacle can be a bowl that can be integrally formed as part of the housing and can also be a food-holding container that seats in the bowl. A cap is provided that can cover food in the bowl or container preventing a pet from accessing the food.

Abstract: A pet fountain having a housing of snap together construction formed of a base and cover. The base includes a basin in which an integrally formed filter-holding divider is disposed that separates the basin into a return sump and pumping chamber. The cover includes a water holding bowl, an inlet and a drain overlying the return sump that encloses a pump that provides fluid to the bowl via inlet when attached to the base. The cover includes a downwardly extending tube that fluidly registers with a discharge of the pump when attached to the base. In a preferred embodiment, the cover has upper and lower bowls connected by a spillway that conveys overflow from the upper bowl to the lower bowl where it is return via drain to the return sump. The cover can be configured to mate with the housing to enclose the entire basin, pump, and filter.

Abstract: An animal water toy that includes one or more playthings carried by flowing water that entices an animal, such as a cat, into interaction therewith. Playthings can be received in a container having water drinkable by the animal that is propelled by a pump into flowing and carrying the playthings. A portion can be upraised above the water providing an animal perch and/or flow director imparting flow deviations causing unpredictable plaything movement helping enhance animal interaction. A conveyance device can be provided conveying playthings relative to the flow. A pet watering device, e.g., fountain, can include an animal toy constructed in accordance with the present invention and a conveyance device lifting playthings from one level of the watering device to another. In one embodiment, playthings are animal attractant objects that can be buoyant and configured to attract an animal, such as by its color, graphics, indicia, and/or shape.

Abstract: A pet feeding system that includes a dish assembly configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish assembly includes a housing and a cooperating food-dispensing receptacle that dispenses food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one feeder port that only permits a paw of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food, while preventing direct access to the food by the head or muzzle of the pet. A lip can be provided adjacent the feeder port that provides an obstacle to free withdrawal of the food out of the feeder port.

Abstract: An animal water toy that includes one or more playthings carried by flowing water that entices an animal, such as a cat, into interaction therewith. Playthings can be received in a container having water drinkable by the animal that is propelled by a pump into flowing and carrying the playthings. A portion can be upraised above the water providing an animal perch and/or flow director imparting flow deviations causing unpredictable plaything movement helping enhance animal interaction. A conveyance device can be provided conveying playthings relative to the flow. A pet watering device, e.g., fountain, can include an animal toy constructed in accordance with the present invention and a conveyance device lifting playthings from one level of the watering device to another. In one embodiment, playthings are animal attractant objects that can be buoyant and configured to attract an animal, such as by its color, graphics, indicia, and/or shape.

Abstract: A disposable litter pan that is made of a flexible material, preferably biodegradable non-plastic material, such as thermally pressed cardboard or other paper fiber material treated with an aqueous coating that inhibits degradation of the pan in the presence of fluids. The pan is a generally self-supporting pan structure having two end walls, two sidewalls, and a floor; wherein the floor having several perforations, openings, or orifices sized to allow unused cat litter to be sifted into a retaining pan underneath that can be of the same or imperforate construction. The litter pan folds, allowing the sidewalls to engage in a manner that does not allow litter or excrement to escape. The pan can be retained in the folded condition by an integral latching arrangement that also can serve as a handle.

Abstract: A fecal matter scooper having a manipulable handle attached to an elongate handle extension from which a pair of opposable scoop jaws extend that define a fecal matter holding scoop bucket when disposed in a closed position and which define a pedestal or base upon which the scooper can be stored in an uprightly standing position when the jaws are disposed in an open pedestal position. When stored uprightly, the handle can be grasped to pick up and maneuver the scooper without the user having to bend over. A biasing arrangement is disposed in operable cooperation with at least one jaw for urging at least one of the jaws toward such an open pedestal position. In a method of operation, at least one of the jaws is perforate enabling sifting unspoiled litter back into a litter box when removing clumped fecal matter or urine from the litter box.

Abstract: A pet food holder and pet food containing module releasably carried by the holder that includes seeds or sprouts in a plug or pellet of food containing material in a cup of the module that germinate and grow into a plant that is edible by an animal. The holder includes a mounting arrangement used to releasably mount the holder to an object and a cradle that releasably receives the module. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting plate to which at least one mount is attached that can be a suction cup or hanger. The module includes a cover that is removed to enable germination of the seeds or sprouts. After germination, growth and being eaten by an animal, the module can be removed and replaced with a refill module.

Abstract: A moisture release valve for an outdoor light including a valve body having a stem received in a valve guide and having a head seating with a valve seat integrally formed of part of a sidewall of a light casing of the light fixture. Valve body is gravity displaced between a closed position and an open position depending upon light fixture orientation and can include a counterweight carried by its stem interiorly disposed within the fixture helping to cause displacement of the valve body toward the desired open or closed position in response to a change in light fixture orientation. Valve body can be a rivet, such as a split rivet, and the counterweight can be a washer, such as an annular washer, having an opening generally in registry with the valve guide permitting fluid within the fixture to drain from the fixture when the valve is open.