Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Editors’ Choice Awards. Our BowTie magazine editorial members reviewed and tested all the products that were submitted for consideration. We chose 40 out of the hundreds that were submitted. Decisions like this are never easy. It came down to originality, visual appearance and effectiveness.

 A&E Cage Co. LLC

The Bentley Cage caught our eye at a trade show. It’s truly a beautiful birdcage. Featuring all-steel interior, a mahogany wood exterior and elegant moldings and trim, it’s not your run-of-the-mill cage but a handsome piece of furniture. Other features include 1-inch bar spacing, a lift-out grate that sits above the clean-out pan, dust guards on all sides and bird-proof locks. It comes with two feed cups, two rock-hard, natural perches and bars on top of the cage for hanging toys and for birds that like to be on top of their world. Inside dimensions measure 25 inches wide, 25 inches deep and 35 inches high; outside dimensions measure 32 inches wide, 30 inches deep and 64 inches high. Just gorgeous.

800-631-PETS
www.aecageco.com

The Emergency Pet Alert Bracelet is designed to alert people in an emergency situation, such as injury, death or incarceration, that the bracelet wearer has pets that require care. Here’s how it works: AL-APet operators are available 24/7 to access a membership database and help identify the wearer of the bracelet by the bracelet’s personal ID code. The company calls the member-provided emergency contacts until someone on the list is notified. Operators then forward critical information, such as medication schedules, feeding times or veterinary information. “It’s like having a living will on your person everywhere you go,” says our tester, who has nine indoor-outdoor cats. “All the needed information is just a phone call away. It’s really a wise investment.” We couldn’t agree more. Purchasing the bracelet automatically enrolls the owner as a member of the emergency response system.

www.alapet.com

The HduO Water Dispensing System, which utilizes a traditional 5-gallon water jug, is nothing short of revolutionary. Though similar to a traditional water cooler, it features a motion-activated method to dispense clean, cool water to an integrated pet bowl. Our tester, who has a dog and two cats, was brimming with praise. “It was easy to set up and looked good in our kitchen,” she says. “It’s easy to work. And it’s wonderful not to have to refill three water dishes every day.” With the HduO, pet owners no longer have to feel guilty about coming home to an empty or dirty water bowl. And here’s another thought: Retailers who keep this in their stores can score extra points with dehydrated customers, both human and furry. How’s that for customer service?

www.hduo.com

A licensee for America’s Legacy, the company pays tribute to all canines that serve the United States military with a line of dog leashes and collars. The America’s Legacy line features dog tag charms and military seals and color schemes that coincide with the United States Armed Forces: green camouflage for the Army, blue camouflage for the Navy, tan camouflage for the Marine Corps and gray camouflage for the Air Force. They are constructed of nylon with plastic hardware and are available in four sizes. A portion of all proceeds from the line benefits the United States War Dog Assn. Inc., according to the company. Though we’re proud to salute the efforts behind this line, we can’t ignore that these collars and leashes are actually quite striking, too.

www.aspenpet.com

Water Colors Professional Background Kits are designed to eliminate all common problems associated with traditional aquarium backgrounds. What’s really cool about the backgrounds in these kits is that they are adhesive, much like an automobile window tint. “Water cannot drip between the background and the glass so it remains uniform over time,” says our tester, a professional aquarist. “There is also no need for taping around the edges so it has a much more professional appearance.” The backgrounds add visual depth and improve lighting efficiency. Four sizes are available.

www.bluelifeusa.com

Cork? On a collar? New to us! The company’s line of eco-friendly collars and leashes feature organically dyed natural hemp and sustainable bamboo fabrics accented with an array of earth cork overlays. “They look incredible,” says our tester, who pointed out that the names are just as wonderful as the collars and leashes themselves. Wisdom, Compassionate, Delightful, Awakening – what fitting names for such an inspiring line. The collars and leashes are available in three sizes. Kits are also available.

800-456-5778
www.bmbpet.com

Mouse in the House is a cat toy designed to turn itself on, call cats and then play with them when their owners aren’t home. You have to see it to believe it! A computer chip contains a programmable timer that turns the toy on at intervals, stimulating a cat’s hunting response and encouraging playful exercise. “I get such a kick out of watching my cat play with this,” says our tester, who was pleased to provide her home-alone cat with some entertainment. “I think she thinks she can outsmart the mouse because she’ll act completely disinterested and then, smack, the mouse gets a paw to the face.” We’re told that some cats can even learn how to turn the unit on themselves. Wow!

www.catdancer.com

The Climber is one of those products that we predict cat owners, especially those with limited space in their homes, are going to be clamoring for. Designed to hang on any standard door, it doesn’t skimp on style. It’s sophisticated yet fully functional. Our tester, who recently adopted a kitten, says her kitten loves this product. “And it was easy to put together,” she says. “It looks modern and can be adjusted around doorknobs.” The Climber has our stamp of approval for looks, utility and its space-saving function. Pet owners can try moving it around from door to door for a variety of scratching, lounging, playing fun.

www.catlivin.com

The Extra-Large Pak-o-Bird is designed for the safe and comfortable travel of large macaws. For it’s impressive size, it’s very lightweight and may be used as a backpack or stroller. Though we’re keen on the looks alone, the carrier is functional too. The bird has full movement inside and access to food, water and toys. The carrier also provides 360-degree viewing and helps protect birds from mosquito bites. This is a great item for large-bird owners that want their pets to see the world through their eyes.

718-388-8882
www.celltei.com

The Pet Portal is designed to be customizable for any door. It’s available in the Stainless Steel Magnum with deadbolt lock or the Sherbet Alley Deluxe, which combines the design of the original in strong plastic with a painted steel security door offered in a variety of mix-and-match colors. The weather-tight flap features magnetic edges. “The Pet Portal is well-constructed, worked as promised and formed a good seal,” says our tester, who has an indoor-outdoor cat. “And the decorative lock is very cool.” Interchangeable decorative Pet Portal frames and frame sets are also available.

www.classycustom.com

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