Welcome abroad! Mr. Kevin Washiongton has joined Celltei as the Director of Operations.

Kevin is a native Brooklynite who from a very young age surrounded himself with animals. Dogs, cats, fish, frogs, turtles, snakes,and even a tarantula named Lou; all graced the Washington home at some point. Mr. Washington loves the outdoors and getting back to nature. He is both a sportsman and conservationist. His career has spanned several decades to include management in wholesale, retail, and non-profit organizations including several years as the Business Relations Manager for the Business Bureau of Greater New York.

A bipartisan bill has just been introduced in the House of Representatives to help avoid the problems associated with evacuations and recovery of pets that occurred during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This measure comes in the wake of Katrina in which many residents refusal to evacuate afflicted areas because they had no place to take their pets. Moreover, even after the storm hit, and conditions were deteriorating, many would not leave without their pets.

To remedy this situation, Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Barney Franks (D-MA) recently sponsored the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act), (H.Res. 3858), which will require that state and local disaster preparedness plans required for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding include provisions for household pets and service animals.

Representatives Shays and Lantos who are co-chairs of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus wrote a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff on September 14th, asking whether FEMA had a plan to save “thousands of animals threatened by natural disasters.” “We realize our top priority is to save citizens from the hellish conditions in the flooded areas. However, leaving a pet behind can unnecessarily complicate the rescue process. To be sure, we are greatly concerned about the treatment of animals in this disaster recovery. If indeed there is a plan to protect pets, it appears to have been an abject failure.” This article is brought to you by the APPMA Government Affairs group. To access informational resources to help your business, that include news, guidance and quick references, access the "Products & the Law" section of www.appma.org.

We believe we have kept the unauthorized sale at bay but there is something we must inform you about knock-offs. Besides lower quality, many knock-offs use unacceptable materials to achieve the price the unethical importer demands. One obvious item is the use of wooden broad for the base support. Not only unhygenic (absorbent of urine or water) and unsafe (if your pet chews on it), it could lead to environmental issue for this country. We do not believe the wooden material is properly declared and had the required fumigation process to kill any insects that may reside in the wood. The natural force of market will allow products priced at the right level over time. Please do not encourage knock-offs and unsafe products.

We believe the Pak-o-Pet line and the original Backpak-o-Pet are being copied and the knock-offs are being distributed vastly. A vendor or two may disagree with us. We will not sell to vendors that carry knock-offs of our products. All Celltei carriers have the registered Celltei trademark on them. If you are uncertain about the product you are buying is a Celltei or not, please feel free to call us at toll free 866-235-5834.

It has been brought to our attention that some people have been attempting to sell defective pet carriers bearing the Cellte® trademark. These particular carriers were manufactured by an unethical overseas factory that we ceased doing business with two years ago and we reserve the right to pursue further legal action.

To the best of our knowledge, the most hazardous area of defect is the mesh. Its poor quality renders it so weak that it cannot provide a pet the needed security for safe transportation. When these people visited our office on 11/05/2003 (without fully disclosing their identities and intentions), we informed them of our experience with the unscrupulous manufacturer and we stated our legal rights under trademark protection, all to no avail. They are not authorized to sell our products nor do they appear to care about the dangers that the flaws create.

We need your help to make sure no pets are harmed as a result.
PLEASE do not buy this defective merchandise.

Celltei® is not responsible for any defect associated with merchandise sold directly or indirectly by any unauthorized person, company or entity.

The compulsory EU pet passport scheme has become effective as of October 1st. Cats, dogs and ferrets are now required to have the pet passport when traveling between EU countries. Under the pet passport, the sole requirement for pets traveling in the EU is proof that the pets have been vaccinated against rabies. The passport will be required to be stamped by a veterinarian as proof of vaccination. This will apply to all EU countries except the UK, Ireland, Malta and Sweden where stricter rules apply. In those countries an electronic micro-chip is required. The requirement of micro-chipping will be introduced in the rest of the EU over the next eight years. Animals entering those four countries will also have to undergo an antibody titration to see if the rabies vaccination is effective.

There something about Hong Kong, not to mention its dogs. Angie experienced serious challenges when she returned to Hong Kong this past August to set up Celltei production team (see next story). As you may already know, Unzhizhi (Celltei®'s co-designer/supermodel Yorkie) was rescued by Angie who saw her limping along one cold, rainy July evening in HK back in 1997. Well, Angie is either the patron saint or pied piper of lost canines because something guided a hungry, forlorn Basset Hound to roam right outside of Celltei® factory.

Angie surmises the SARS scare may have caused his owner to abandon him. A veterinarian diagnosed him with distemper and it was touch and go for a little while. With antibiotics and TLC from Angie, though, he has made a full recovery and is a boisterous, affectionate companion. He is a sweet, if stubborn Basset Hound with, as she puts it, "a very big head, bigger than his entire body" which is three feet long. He tends to have puddles of drool hanging from his mouth and, much to her mother's chagrin, greets people by wrapping his massive paws around one's leg in a loving bear hug.

His name is Sor Chai which is Chinese for "Silly Boy." Don't let the name fool you: Sor Chai has figured out how to unlock the factory door with his paw and doesn't hesitate to go gallivanting on unsupervised excursions to other floors. He remains in HK for the time being, but he may soon become a Brooklynite as well as Unzhizhi's archrival. We shall see.

Celltei® has been burning the candles at both ends to replenish our inventory faster. A major factor in the restocking delay was our previous practice of relying on an independent contractor in China to manufacture our carriers. We had to conform to their schedule so we ultimately decided to expand our existing operations in Hong Kong (where our Quality Assurance operation is) and created our very own manufacturing team. We have hired 26 seasoned professionals so far and having the production right in our own backyard, so to speak, enables us to detect any flaws and correct them immediately. seasoned professionals so far and having the production right in our own backyard, so to speak, enables us to detect any flaws and correct them immediately.

All orders are on a made-to-order basis. Therefore, orders placed with us now through the month of December will be delivered to you in four weeks from the date you order. Carriers are shipped directly from Hong Kong to your address, but the shipping charge is what is quoted on our chart under “Shipping and Returns?on Celltei.com. No extra shipping charges will be incurred. We should be back to full speed after the holiday season.

We are proud to have made the pages of three diverse publications. Family Circle’s November 4TH issue features a small snapshot of our Red Orange Active Pak-o-Pet in a cozy trinity with Burberry and Wagwear under the title “Pet Set Cool Carriers.? This comes on the heels of a mention in Newsweek's Tip Sheet section last month. And a few of our 2004 designs are to grace Aiken Champ, a magazine distributed in Japan, next year. As Cher said in her Oscar acceptance speech, “I don's think this means I’ve made it, but I guess I’m on my way."

The prototype of the Pak-o-Bird we unveiled at the Backer Show got a lot of attention from bird owners and non-bird owners alike. Some bird owners slipped the backpack straps on for size and gave it thumbs up its light weight and comfort. A couple at the show kindly volunteered to take it home with them and give it a trial run so we are awaiting their verdict. We are trying high tech fabric right now and stainless steel mesh is under consideration as well.

Besides adjustable backpack straps, the Pak-o-Bird will have a climate control compartment, a wooden perch, and a slide-out tray. Optional features include a water cup, feeding dish holder, storage pocket, and bird toys. It will come in three sizes and it may fit more than one bird depending on their size.

The estimated price of the Pak-o-Bird is projected at $150 to $250,

Queries about carriers for large dogs have been inundating Celltei® in recent months. There's even been a request for one that would fit a 34 lb. dog. It sounds as if man's best friend may be hitting the baby boomer stage en masse and needs a helping hand getting around. Or, perhaps, some dogs with a little extra girth just like to be pampered. Whatever the case may be, we have good news for you big fellas out there! An XL size is in development right now in Hong Kong and it should be ready to hit the market early next year.

The weight range for the XL size starts at a minimum of 20 lbs. up to a maximum of 35 lbs. The dimensions of the second prototype we tested are 23"L x 12.5"W x 16"H, though the definitive dimensions will be determined after the last phase of testing. This particular size is recommended for pets with long legs who don't weigh an inordinate amount compared to their frame. It is ideal for a pet with the general physique of a beagle or a poodle.

The maiden color/fabric will be black microfiber (as it is in the Classic Black), but we can custom design it for you in another color and material if you like. The features are the same as those found in the Large Pak-o-Pet (e.g. compartment for ice pack or heat pad; inside security leash; water feeder insertion hole; wheels) except that there are six wheels instead of five. The additional wheel enhances the expanded width and length's stability and ensures smoother mobility. The original concept was to pull the carrier along like a golf bag, but that idea has been jettisoned. More research & development is being put in to find more feasible and convenient methods. The estimated price will be around $150 to $200.

Collars and leashes are now available to match your Celltei® carrier! Each leash and collar is made of the same fabric as the carrier and it has a brown leather trim in the middle. The leashes and collars come in three sizes; the largest fit a pet approximately 12 to 15 lbs (roughly equivalent to the appropriate poundage for a medium size carrier.)

And we have something nice for our human friends, too. First, there are Celltei® Walking Pouches for you to store your money, keys, credit cards and pet treats. The Walking Pouch has two wide straps that you secure around your waist and two zipper openings in the front. It is a modified V-shape so it will move with you as you stroll along. These designs are also identical to our carriers so you can buy one that looks like your bag or you can mix it up a little and buy another color and style.

Also, visitors to our booth at the Backer Show cooed over Celltei® s All Kinds Of Dogs carriers and its irresistible design featuring pictures of different doggies' faces in a row on the front and back. The styles for pets is shaped in signature Celltei® style: rounded shoulders, structured roof, and firm floor. The All Kinds of Dogs Shopping Bag design is exclusively for people; it has a top zipper, small interior pocket, and detachable coin pouch for trips to the market or laundry. It’s roomy enough for placing many personal items in, even a rolled-up sweater. It comes in PVC, black microfiber, leopard print, and two other choices will be included as well.