Fins, Feathers, Paws & Claws will hold their Second Annual Pond Tour from 10am – 4pm on Sunday, July 17, 2005 to benefit the AKCA-Project KHV. Harleysville, Pa.(PRWEB) July 14, 2005 --

Fins, Feathers, Paws & Claws will hold their Second Annual Pond Tour from 10am – 4pm on Sunday, July 17, 2005 to benefit the AKCA-Project KHV. Following the tour, from 5pm – 9pm, there will be a social at the store complete with BBQ Dinner, door prizes, and special offers. Fifteen ponds have been selected within an 11-mile radius of the store for people to explore various size ponds, filtration systems, waterfalls, plants, fish and other aquatic life.

Pond tour guides may be purchased in advance at Fins, Feathers, Paws & Claws located at 436 Main Street in Harleysville, PA for a $10.00 donation. Ponds and water gardens hold a special attraction to people of all ages. The excitement of a waterfall, the sound of splashing water and the tranquil setting to view floating water lilies and colorful fish all add to the appeal.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the captivating creations of outstanding water gardeners in this area. Enjoy the beauty; get ideas for constructing or maintaining your own water garden; and share experiences with other pond owners.

This pond tour is a benefit for the AKCA-Project KHV. KHV (Koi Herpes Virus) is currently classified as herpes type virus although some researchers question that classification. KHV disease has been diagnosed in koi and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) beginning in 1998. It has quickly spread around the entire world and has been reported in the U.S. since about 2000. Other cyprinids such as the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) seem to be unaffected by KHV. As with other herpes viral infections, KHV is believed to remain in the infected fish for life, thus exposed or recovered fish should be considered as very dangerous potential carriers of the virus.

Reports of new naïve koi being added to a pond containing KHV survivor koi have resulted in new outbreaks of the disease. KHV disease may cause 80–100% mortality in affected populations, and fish seem most susceptible at water temperatures of 72–81°F KHV and effects koi & carp of all ages.

Some studies have shown greater susceptibility to the virus with younger fish. It is believed KHV is transmitted by contact with affected fish and/or pond water. It is unknown what other methods of disease transmission may also infect koi. The AKCA-Project KHV aims to solicit donations that will be used to fund targeted KHV research, development of technology, and education directly related to establishing short term control and longer term eradication of koi herpes virus.

Additional information about this project can be found by visiting www.akca.org and click on Project KHV link. To learn more about the pond tour visit their website at www.finsfeatherspawsclaws.com or call the store at 215-256-1455.