The recent pet food recall exposed a secret of the pet food industry: some of the more expensive (and supposedly healthier) brands of pet food actually come from the same place as the generic brands. So, what exactly are we paying for? And why?

Good question. If dozens of dog foods are made in the same plant, does it mean they're all the same? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the answer is no. Each pet food company has its own recipes and specifications, and some are definitely better for your hound than others.

In fact, Whole Dog Journal, in their excellent 2007 dog food review (written before the recall), notes huge differences, even among foods that claim to offer "complete and balanced" nutrition. They recommend studying labels and choosing those with high levels of animal proteins, no meat by-products, and no artificial ingredients, among other common-sense criteria.

If you feel it's time for a change, urbanhound can help. In Hound Health, our resident vet explores the pros and cons of a raw food diet. Another great place for advice is the Health & Nutrition forum on our Hound Talk discussion boards. Finally, for help on where to find high-quality foods and guidance, visit our "Best Hound Shops" guide, or search our general directory of pet supply stores.

Coffee Bark
Saturday, April 7, 7 AM to 9 AM
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Held in rain or in shine, in the park's Long Meadow, behind the Picnic House (enter at Prospect Park West and 4th Street, then go left around the Picnic House), the monthly Coffee Bark includes muffins for humans and dog biscuits for hounds. The long standing social is sponsored by Brooklyn's FIDO, officially known as the Fellowship In the Interest of Dogs and Their Owners.

ASPCA Day Festival
Tuesday, April 10, 4 PM to 8 PM
Union Square Park, Manhattan
A free fair in the park to celebrate the ASPCA. Among other attractions, there will be a pet photo booth, animal behaviorist, stars of Animal Precinct and, of course, dogs and cats for adoption.

Humane Society of New York's Second Benefit Photography Auction
Monday, April 16, 7 PM to 10 PM
Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 West 37th St. btwn. Ninth and Tenth Aves., Manhattan
Photographs by Elliott Erwitt, Annie Leibovitz, and William Wegman among many others will be auctioned at this event to benefit the Humane Society of New York. You can view all of the photos and bid online. More information at 212-752-4842 or from sandra.hsny@verizon.net.

Animal Precinct
Monday, April 16 through Friday April 20, 10 PM
Five new installments of the Animal Planet series that follows ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents protecting the non-human citizens of New York City.

Fairy Tales: Shaken, Stirred & With a Twist
Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 PM
Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Ave. at 25th St., Manhattan
An evening of readings of short plays to benefit Animal Haven. A $10 donation is requested. For reservations, call 718-768-4213 or email gracomal@pipeline.com.

The Dachshund Spring Fiesta
Saturday, April 21, noon
Washington Square Park, Manhattan
Calling all Doxies! This event is one of our favorites. Each year, hundreds of long hounds and their humans gather under the arch in Washington Square, march around the fountain, and sing the famous Dachs Song, which begins simply, "There's no other dog like a Dachshund" (complete lyrics at the Dachs Song site). In case of rain, the Fiesta will take place on Sunday, April 22.

National Dog Conference 2007
Saturday, April 28, 8 AM to 5 PM
Morris County Cultural Center, 300 Mendham Road, Morristown, NJ
Fostering dog-friendly communities and establishing a national association of off-leash areas are two of the goals of this conference. Speakers include Claudia Kawczynska of The Bark and Sue Sternberg of Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, plus NYCDOG's Bob Marino and First Run's Garrett Rosso. You can register online. More information at 973-290-9338 or info@mardog.org.

Dogswalk Against Cancer at Flushing Meadows Park
Saturday, April 28, 11 AM (registration: 10 AM)
Flushing Meadows Park, Queens
The Queens debut of this event that takes place each year in Riverside Park (see below) came about thanks to the efforts of the Juniper Valley Park Dog Association. The non-competitive dog walk-a-thon raises money for the American Cancer Society. To join the walk, register online for $20 or on-site on the day of the event for $30.

Mayor's Alliance/Maddie's Pet Adoption Festival—Queens
Sunday, April 29, noon to 5 PM
Juniper Park, Queens
Dogs and cats from local shelters and rescue groups will be available for adoption at this event. Microchipping will be offered for $25 to any pet (not just those adopted at the event), and a vet, groomer, and trainer will be available to answer questions. More information is available from the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals or at 212-252-2350.

Coffee Bark
Saturday, May 5, 7 AM to 9 AM
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
The May installment of FIDO's monthly gathering in Prospect Park (see above).

Dogswalk Against Cancer at Riverside Park
Sunday, May 6, 10 AM (registration: 9 AM)
Riverside Park, 89th St. and Riverside Dr., Manhattan
Last year, more than 5,000 dogs and their humans participated in this non-competitive dog walk-a-thon to raise money for the American Cancer Society. To join the walk this year, register online for $25 or on-site on the day of the event for $35. Ten percent of net proceeds go to benefit the Donaldson-Atwood Cancer Clinic of the Animal Medical Center.

Mayor's Alliance/Maddie's Pet Adoption Festival--Bronx
Sunday, May 6, noon to 5 PM
Van Cortlandt Park, Memorial Grove, Bronx
Dogs and cats from local shelters and rescue groups will be available for adoption at this event. Microchipping will be offered for $25 to any pet (not just those adopted at the event), and a vet, groomer, and trainer will be available to answer questions. More information is available from the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals or at 212-252-2350.

If there's an event you'd like us to mention in the next NewsHound, please email us.

So you think your mutt is a Rottie/Shepherd mix with a sprinkle of Chow? Now you can know for sure. The Canine Heritage Breed Test can determine the exact breeds in your dog's ancestry using a DNA sample you gather by swabbing the inside of her mouth. Send the DNA off to the lab and in four to six weeks you'll get a certificate suitable for framing that spells out her parentage. The test costs $65.

Do you have a Pittie? Nicole Rivera, author of Max the Shelter Dog, is spearheading the Kids for Pits campaign to fight breed-specific legislaton. She's collecting photos of kids and their pits to send to congress.

A new series of training classes at the ASPCA starts this weekend. There's basic and advanced obedience (six weeks, $255), plus therapy dog training (six weeks, $290). More information and registration here.

Border Collies to the rescue in Central Park! The Parks Department and Central Park Conservancy are bringing in two teams of the herding dogs and their handlers to encourage the hundreds of Canada geese in the Park to move along, reports the Daily News. The geese have been damaging foliage and leaving lots and lots of nasty droppings. The hounds are employed by New Jersey based Geese Police.

It's National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. Appropriately enough, the Red Cross is holding classes in pet first aid at its locations around the city.

The Pet Safety and Protection Act would restrict the sale of cats and dogs to research labs. The ASPCA has more info on the bill and on how to contact your senators and representative to voice your support.

It's April, and that means warm weather rules are in effect for offleash play in Prospect Park. Dogs are allowed offleash in the Long Meadow and Peninsula from 9 PM to 9 AM, and in the Nethermead weekdays from 5 PM to 9 AM and weekends from 9 PM to 9 AM. Dogs are prohibited on the ballfields when they're in use, and can never be offleash in the woods. FIDO thanks you for your cooperation!