MOUNT PLEASANT — Skamper Industries LLC, manufacturer of the Skamper-Ramp, recently received the American Pet Association's Seal of Approval. Skamper-Ramp is a patented water-escape ramp that prevents animals from drowning by allowing them to exit the water on their own.

Founded in 1991, the APA is an independent national humane organization dedicated to effectively promoting responsible pet ownership. The organization offers programs and services to help pets coexist with their owners safely and in a humane environment.

The APA reviews pet products, testing them for reliability, ease of use, structural design integrity, durability and actual benefits to pets and/or their owners. The review is unbiased, allowing consumers to buy those products with the APA Seal of Approval with confidence.

According to the APA, "Skamper-Ramp gives pet owners and animal lovers a means of safeguarding against unnecessary pet-panic in the water or death due to drowning. It gives them with peace-of-mind since the ramp allows animals to safely exit the water on their own, without any assistance."

Skamper-Ramp is patented and available is two sizes, "regular" for animals under 45 pounds and the Skamper-Ramp Big Dog is for pets over 45 pounds.

Jay Waddell, managing partner of Skamper Industries, points out that the ramps are constructed entirely of box-corrugated, heavy duty plastic (polypropylene), giving them a high strength-to-weight ratio. Polypropylene is highly durable, robust and chemical- and UV-resistant as well as cost-effective. The ramp works in part because it is white — the one color all living things can see and angles down into the water, placing it at their eye level.