This is the latest animal information, investigations, news, cool stuff and events happening in your community and around the USA. See what great things folks are doing to help and what things have been done to better the world of domestic animals. (For older news see the archive section)


Texas Suspends Wild Burro Killing Policy

  Texas Suspends Wild Burro Killing Policy

The 300 feral burros living in Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas are considered to be a destructive nuisance. Since 2007 park rangers have been authorized to shoot and kill the animals. On Tuesday Texas suspended that policy, thanks to an offer from the Humane Society of the United States to develop a humane plan to remove the animals.

Texas park rangers have killed 130 burros that roam the 316,000-acre state-owned park near the Rio Grande. The state claims they do not have the funds to capture and relocate the wild burros who are accused of using too much of the natural resources and threatening the lives of other animals like bighorn sheep.

Ironically Big Bend National Park, which sits next to the state park and is federally run, sees the burros in a totally different light. They view the feral donkeys as the “living symbols and pioneer spirit of the West” and observe a 40-year-old federal ban on killing the animals. This paradox didn’t go unnoticed by HSUS who sent Nicole Paquette, their Texas director, to review the situation and negotiate a plan. She helped convince Texas wildlife officials to suspend the killing policy.

“We are happy to work with the department and are pleased that they have halted lethal control of the burros while discussions are under way,” said Paquette.

The first part of the plan will be to determine the exact numbers of burros living in Big Bend Ranch State Park and where they are located. Texas Parks and Wildlife has agreed to contribute up to $10,000 to obtain an aerial survey of the wild burros. After the survey, Humane Society officials will sit down and “assess the viable non-lethal alternatives.”

HSUS is also researching facilities where the burros could possibly be relocated. The organization recently airlifted 119 burros from Hawaii to a ranch in California, and it has a 1,300-acre rescue ranch in northeast Texas that is home to about 1,200 animals.


 

Native American Tribe Gets Rare Permit to Kill Bald Eagles

Native American Tribe Gets Rare Permit to Kill Bald Eagles

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the unusual step of issuing a permit allowing an American Indian tribe to kill two bald eagles for religious purposes.

The agency’s decision comes after the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming filed a federal lawsuit last year contending the refusal to issue such permits violates tribal members’ religious freedom. Although thousands of American Indians apply for eagle feathers and carcasses from a federal repository, permits allowing the killing of bald eagles are exceedingly rare, according to both tribal and legal experts on the matter.

Federal law prohibits the killing of bald eagles, the national bird, in almost all cases. The government keeps eagle feathers and body parts in a federal repository and tribal members can apply for them for use in religious ceremonies. The bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened species in 2007, following its reclassification in 1995 from endangered to threatened. However, the species has remained protected under the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

The Fish and Wildlife Service in 2009 stated in a report that it had never issued a permit for the killing of bald eagles to that time. The report states the government had issued permits for the Hopi Tribe in Arizona to take golden eagles since the mid-1980s. Diane Katzenberger, spokeswoman for the Fish and Wildlife Service in Denver, said no one in the agency was available who could say immediately whether a permit allowing the killing of a live bald eagle had been issued since 2009.

Federal lawyers filed a status report in the lawsuit on Tuesday saying that the Eastern Shoshone Tribe had opposed the killing of eagles on the Wind River Indian Reservation, which the two tribes share in central Wyoming. The report states that the federal permit will allow the Northern Arapaho to kill up to two bald eagles off the reservation.

An attempt to reach Jim Shakespeare, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and chairman of the Northern Arapaho Business Council, for comment on Tuesday was unsuccessful. It was unclear whether issuing the permit will prompt the tribe to drop its lawsuit. A federal judge has scheduled a conference in the lawsuit for mid-April. Flied late last year, the lawsuit is essentially the continuation of a bitter legal fight that followed after tribal member Winslow Friday killed a bald eagle without a permit in 2005 for use in his tribe’s Sun Dance. Friday shot the eagle on the Wind River Indian Reservation. William Downes, then a federal judge in Wyoming, dismissed the charge against Friday in 2006 saying it would have been pointless for him to apply for a permit. Downes said the federal government generally refuses to grant permits to tribal members to kill eagles even though federal regulations say such permits should be available

Senior members of the Northern Arapaho Tribe appeared at an appeals court hearing court in Denver in late 2007 in support of Friday. Nelson P. White Sr., then a member of the Northern Arapaho Business Council, said after the hearing that the birds American Indians receive from a federal depository were rotten, or otherwise unfit for use in religious ceremonies. “That’s unacceptable,” White said after the court hearing. “How would a non-Indian feel if they had to get their Bible from a repository?”

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/native-american-tribe-gets-rare-permit-to-kill-bald-eagles.html#ixzz1qToJEFP6


 

Atlantic City Rodeo Comes Back to New Jersey

The Atlantic City rodeo is coming back on March 30-April 1, 2012. SHARK was included in an article published in the Atlantic City Press yesterday, where we discussed the video we took last year:

"Here's why you cannot have a humane rodeo, and it's the basic part of it: These animals do not want to get hurt. ... To force them to perform, they have to cause them pain," Chaifetz said.

 

Chaifetz has video from last year's Boardwalk Rodeo that shows several animals having their tails pulled, their ribs jabbed with poles and their backs stepped on with boots.

 

You can read the entire story HERE. And here is a video from last year.

Atlantic City Rodeo Cruelty
Atlantic City Rodeo Cruelty

Panama Bans Bullfights

Good news from our friends from the International Movement Against Bullfights; the Congress of Panama recently approved a law that bans bullfights and dogfights!

Congratulations to those who worked to make this law!

 

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April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! By wearing orange in April, you take a stand against animal cruelty. And by purchasing your orange at the ASPCA Online Store, you support the work we do for animals every month of the year.
GO ORANGE
IMPACT LIVES!
This month, show you stand with us by wearing orange, and help us stop puppy mills, dog fighting and other abuse by shopping at the Online Store—all proceeds go to our life-saving work. Throughout April, take 25-50% off all Go Orange products. Orders of $25 or more come with a free ASPCA bumper sticker , and orders of $40 or more come with a free paw-print bandana.
To get yours: http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com/categories/15801-go-orange?utm_source=storenewsletter_032112&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=storenewsletter_032112


*A New Home for the Yellowstone 65* Help --> Donate Now


I have some exciting news.

Soon, 65 wild Yellowstone bison will thunder across tribal lands in Montana for the first time in more than 100 years.

Thanks to the support of people like you, Defenders helped secure the relocation of these iconic animals from a 5-year captivity to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Now, these bison need your help to make their epic journey.

Will you help the Yellowstone 65 travel their historic 500-mile journey -- and help restore wild bison to the Great Plains?

Theirs is a tragic tale: Once numbering in the tens of millions, America's bison were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 19th Century. Of the few that survived the slaughter, only 23 truly wild bison remained in the remote valleys of Yellowstone.

Today, there are only a few thousand genetically pure, wild bison left in America. But for those living in Yellowstone, their hardships continue into modern times.

Each winter, when they descend to lower elevations outside Yellowstone National Park in search of food, these magnificent animals are hazed back into the park where food is scarce, rounded up in holding pens or even shipped to slaughter, all out of exaggerated fears that they could spread disease to cattle.

Five years ago, several dozen bison were spared from slaughter and placed in a small long-term quarantine pen. Now, after years in captivity, the last of these bison -- the "Yellowstone 65" -- will soon have a new home -- an important first step in ensuring America's wild bison have a lasting future on the Great Plains.

Help us reach our goal of raising $40,000 by next Friday, March 23rd to relocate the Yellowstone 65, continue our work to restore wild bison to the Great Plains and support other efforts to protect America's wildlife and wild places.

We did it! Yesterday, I had the honor of witnessing the herd of wild Yellowstone bison as they took their first steps onto the tribal lands of Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeastern Montana.

It was an amazing journey for these bison -- some of North America's most important biological and cultural animals. Many thanks to the tireless efforts of Governor Brian Schweitzer, the tribal communities of Fort Peck Indian Reservation, our conservation partners -- and especially the thousands of Defenders supporters like you who made this possible.

We'll have more coverage of this historic event in the coming days. In the meantime, please read my most recent blog post on the relocation of these iconic animals.

-- Jamie

*A New Home for the Yellowstone 65* Help --> Donate Now
Dear Johni,

I have some exciting news.

Soon, 65 wild Yellowstone bison will thunder across tribal lands in Montana for the first time in more than 100 years.

Thanks to the support of people like you, Defenders helped secure the relocation of these iconic animals from a 5-year captivity to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Now, these bison need your help to make their epic journey.

Will you help the Yellowstone 65 travel their historic 500-mile journey -- and help restore wild bison to the Great Plains?

Theirs is a tragic tale: Once numbering in the tens of millions, America's bison were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 19th Century. Of the few that survived the slaughter, only 23 truly wild bison remained in the remote valleys of Yellowstone.

Today, there are only a few thousand genetically pure, wild bison left in America. But for those living in Yellowstone, their hardships continue into modern times.

Each winter, when they descend to lower elevations outside Yellowstone National Park in search of food, these magnificent animals are hazed back into the park where food is scarce, rounded up in holding pens or even shipped to slaughter, all out of exaggerated fears that they could spread disease to cattle.

Five years ago, several dozen bison were spared from slaughter and placed in a small long-term quarantine pen. Now, after years in captivity, the last of these bison -- the "Yellowstone 65" -- will soon have a new home -- an important first step in ensuring America's wild bison have a lasting future on the Great Plains.

Help us reach our goal of raising $40,000 by next Friday, March 23rd to relocate the Yellowstone 65, continue our work to restore wild bison to the Great Plains and support other efforts to protect America's wildlife and wild places.


 Big Cat RescuersBig-Cat-Rescue-Cougar-Banner.jpg

Two Blind Bobcats Rescued

Not one, but two, blind bobcats have made their way to Big Cat Rescue this Spring.

On December 5th, Rufus, a 2 month old male bobcat kitten, was found on the side of a South Carolina road after he had been hit by a car.  His jaw was broken and he was comatose. He was taken to Carolina Wildlife Care in Columbia South Carolina where he was treated for his injuries.  His jaw was set and wired in place and he was tube fed once he awoke from the coma.  After several weeks of recuperating, it became apparent to his care givers that something else was wrong with the five pound kitten.

His eyes seemed fine, but he would run into things and could not even find his food when it was right in front of him.  Rufus was seen by eye specialists who determined the bobcat kitten had permanent brain damage as a result of the impact on his head.  Although his eyes did work properly, his pupils dilate and contract, his brain does not receive the information his eyes receive and therefore he is essentially blind. This was not good news.

A blind bobcat would not be able to survive in the wild and so Carolina Wildlife Care sought a permanent home for Rufus. Big Cat Rescue answered the call and took in the now 5 month old bobcat.  Rufus has been living in the onsite Cat Hospital since his arrival where he is closely monitored by staff and the veterinarian.  His jaw has healed and he eats well on his own, with a little help finding his dinner plate.  Because Rufus is blind it has been quite challenging for his keepers to care for him.  His sense of smell is not that great, so his keepers have to put his face right next to his plate so he can find his food.

Precautions also have to be taken to make sure that nothing in his room is against the wall. Not only is he is blind he is also a bit slow to process situations, if he were to get stuck between two things that are against the wall he has no idea how to turn around and will just sit there with his nose against the wall until someone turns him around. It has been a few weeks now since Rufus' arrival and he is getting around much better.  All of the items on the floor in his room are kept in the same place so he can memorize their locations and avoid running into them.  His next challenge is exploring the great out doors.  His keepers take him to an outdoor enclosure for supervised playtime each day.  Eventually he will remain outside full-time, but first he must learn the new area.  While he does this Rescuers are nearby to assist him should he need it.

Tune in on Ustream to watch Rufus in the Cat Hospital. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bigcathospital

Just a few weeks after the arrival of Rufus, Rescuers received a call from a mine located an hour north of the sanctuary.  Cemex Manager Tommie Deaner had spotted a young bobcat on the grounds that appeared emaciated as well as blind.  He was able to approach the kitten within just a foot or two and the bobcat did not seem to be able to see him.  He would toss fish on the ground next to the cat who quickly gobbled up the treats.  He knew that something needed to be done for this little bobcat and so he started to make some calls.

Big Cat Rescuers hit the road with humane traps, nets, blankets, and a carrier.  Planning on setting traps near where the bobcat was last spotted Rescuers were surprised when they arrived to find that Tommie had captured the bobcat.  Just after calling Big Cat Rescue he spotted the cat wandering near the main office.  He took some food over to her and while the kitten chowed down on the free meal he slipped a large cardboard box over her and then weighed it down with some pipes.

To read the rest of this heart warming story: http://bigcatrescue.org/
Alley Cat Allies ALLEY CAT ALLIES eNEWS
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March Edition

Thanks to the support of loyal donors like you, we've been very busy this month protecting cats around the country. Here are just a few of our current projects and successes:
Sign Our Petition to Stop the Killing
Tuxedo Cat in Shelter

Seven out of 10 cats that go into animal pounds and shelters in the U.S. are killed there. In fact, that’s the number one documented cause of death for cats in this country. Alley Cat Allies is calling for an end to the killing, but to make a difference and save cats’ lives, we need as many people as possible to take a stand. Add your name today to join the movement and help stop the killing. We can save lives, but only with your help.
Sign our petition.
Taking Action on Legislation Across the Nation
Hayden Poster

The beginning of the year is always busy for state and local legislative sessions: In Wake County, North Carolina, where we recently teamed up with Operation Catnip to get a pair of cats freed from a shelter, we’re working with local residents and county commissioners to support policies that encourage and aid TNR. Further down the East coast, we are disappointed to report that the Florida Animal Rescue Act, which we’ve been actively supporting, was stalled by objections in the Senate and won’t be moving forward this year. In good news, the California State Assembly Budget Committee stood up to protect animals this week by rejecting Governor Brown’s proposed repeal of the Hayden Law. The repeals are now being reviewed by another committee in the Assembly as the Senate begins its own consideration of the bill; we’ll continue to work to protect California’s animals and defend the Hayden Law.
Officer Convicted of Beating Cat Gets the Bare Minimum in Punishment
Striped Cat in Leaves

In January, we told you the tragic story of an injured cat who was violently beat to death by a Harrisonburg, Virginia, police officer. Last week, following an investigation by the State Police, the officer was found guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Despite being convicted of such a brutal act, the officer received only a $50 fine and remains on the force. While we applaud the judge for recognizing his crime as animal cruelty, we are disappointed in the sentence and continue to press the Harrisonburg police force to dismiss this officer.
Read the press release.
Adoptable Cats: Lotus and Big Daddy
Adoptable Cats: Lotus and Big Daddy

These two classy black-and-white cats like to wear their “tails,” not chase them. When he’s not enjoying his evening with Lotus, Big Daddy loves having his sleek tuxedo brushed and enjoys a dignified sit in the window. Playful Lotus wears a more ladylike necklace—a tiny white patch on the chest of her little black coat. Although these two are neutered, they’re carrying on a black tie affair. Do you have a home for these A-list aristocats?
Read more about our adoptable cats.

Apply for a PetSmart Spay/Neuter Grant
Grey Cat in the Grass

Could your organization use a $10,000 to $100,000 boost to spay and neuter cats? Applications are now open for PetSmart Charities annual spay/neuter grants! Registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofits, as well as government, law-enforcement, and educational institutions with an animal control budget can apply for either the Free-Roaming Cat Spay/Neuter Program or the Targeted Spay/Neuter Program. Applications are due March 31 and the field is competitive, so check out the links below to get started.
Watch a webinar to learn what PetSmart Charities is looking for.
Get tips for navigating the online grant application.


Here For the love of dogs has another great contribution. 

Who Should Pay for Abused Animals’ Care?

By Deanna, on March 14th, 2012 

There’s a bill filed in Maryland, Senate Bill 203, that would make convicted animal abusers pay for the care; housing, food, medical bills, rehab, etc., of the animals they abuse.  These costs can easily run into the thousands and more for shelters, rescues, rehab facilities and owners, especially with the time between the incident and when the actual court case takes place.

To me, this is just common sense.  If someone commits a crime that causes injury, whether personal or property, they should be responsible for any and all costs involved.

Judges often have this option at their disposal but I know that it’s not always part of the sentence.  Not only in MD but in every state, this should be letter of law.

Budgets are being cut everywhere and government run shelters, already on a shoestring budget most of the time, too often see  the first round of cuts.  The thousands that are spent to care for abused animals being held is seldom recouped and that money could be going to save the lives of so many other shelter animals in need.

“We’ve had an animal here since December and the court case is not scheduled until May, so we have to provide daily care for that animal, medical expenses and food,” said David Fitzgerald, executive director of the Wicomico County Humane Society, which has a contract with the county to act as animal control. “At times we encounter and accrue large fees from vets or animal hospitals … we are just trying to give the judges some directions to get reimbursed.”

While he isn’t sure how many times a year animals have to be removed in Wicomico County or how much money the county can incur in removing and taking care of those animals, Fitzgerald said, the law could help ease the amount of tax-payer money being used to rehabilitate abused or neglected animals.

“We just don’t think it’s fair that the taxpayers are absorbing those costs nor do we think it’s fair to ask for donations from the public that go to the criminal side, the animal control division,” said Fitzgerald. (Delmarvanow)

This is yet another law that is overdue.  Animal abuse should be a felony in every state and we’re almost there… almost.  Abusers should have to answer for their crimes, both with time and financial penalties.  Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill any more than they already do for criminals.  We already house and care for them in many cases, shouldn’t they at least be forced to bear the burden of actually paying for their crimes?!

Too often I see cases where people are forced to relinquish their beloved pets because they cannot afford the case after some cretin has brutalized them.  Of course this is only going to help after the fact, after conviction, and by then it is often too late and the pet is gone from the owner.  The victims are victimized over and over again.

But as I often say, it’s a step in the right direction.  Pretty damn tired of all these baby steps to be honest but sometimes you have to take what you can get and be happy for it and keep on fighting to get more, especially with the animals, they have no voice, we are all they have!

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/who-should-pay-for-abused-animals-care


This come from the Website: For the love of dogs blog. I believe we really need to help this petition along. it's what this website is inspired by. 

Expose Animal Abusers – Petition

By Deanna, on March 13th, 2012 

As far back as 2007, shortly after I started FTLTD, I was advocating for an animal abuse registry. There’s a registry for sexual offenders so why not for animal abusers? Especially when you consider the fact that most serious violent criminals start off abusing animals and that it has been proven again and again that individuals who abuse animals, often also abuse others.

This is important, all abusers should be registered. Recidivism rates are unbelievable and animal abuse is often just the first horrible step in an abuser’s life! Read “Animal Abuse Linked to Killings” if you have any doubt or questions!

Sign to ask your State Representatives to consider a bill to register animal abusers in your state. Please Share and Sign the Expose Animal Abusers Petition Now!

Expose Animal Abusers

Does an animal abuser live in your neighborhood?  Communities have good reason to be concerned about the whereabouts of animal abusers. In story after heartbreaking story, abusers repeat their violent crimes against helpless animals, and often go on to victimize people as well. Keep your animals and your families safe. Sign on to demand that your state require animal abusers to register in their communities.

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/animal-advocacy/expose-animal-abusers-petition/comment-page-1#comment-471277


 

Help Melissa stop Yahoo! from selling slaughtered dolphins and whales.
Sign the Petition

Change.org

Yahoo! is selling whale hearts and other products made from slaughtered whales and dolphins in Japan.

If you can stomach it, imagine fishermen who use boats to drive groups of dolphins and whales into a shallow cove. They block access back to the ocean using boats and nets, and then they get into the water and slaughter the animals, one by one, until the water turns red with their blood.

Melissa Sehgal is in Japan working to stop these cruel hunts. Recently, her petition on Change.org helped convince Amazon.com to ban all whale and dolphin meat on its site -- now she needs your help to stop Yahoo! executives from making a single penny more from the suffering of whales and dolphins.

Join Melissa to demand Yahoo! immediately pull all whale and dolphin from its sites and put an international ban in place.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

- Pulin and the Change.org Team


A Dog’s Prayer – VIDEO

By Deanna, on March 12th, 2012 

A touchingly done video and plea, just a tidbit from the lyrics, posted in completion below the video.

A Dog’s Prayer

It’s been too long I cannot wait, wait
Can’t hold me back gonna make it on my own some day
I will go into my dreams and fly away
I will go into my dreams and fly away

Dear God please send me somebody who’ll care
I’m tired of running, I’m sick with despair
My body is aching, it’s so racked with pain
And dear God I pray as I run in the rain
That someone will love me and give me a home
A warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone
My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water and God that was hard!
So I chewed my leash God and I ran away
To rummage in garbage and to live as a stray.
But now God I’m tired and hungry and cold
And I’m so afraid that I’ll never grow old
They’ve chased me with sticks and hit me with stones
While I run the streets just looking for bones!
I’m not really bad God, please help if you can
For I have become just a “victim of man!”

It’s been too long I cannot wait, wait
Can’t hold me back gonna make it on my own some day
I will go into my dreams and fly away
I will go into my dreams and fly away.

I’m wormy dear God and I’m ridden with fleas
and all that I want is an owner to please!
If you find one for me God, I’ll try to be good
I won’t chew their shoes, and I’ll do as I should
I will love them, protect them and try to obey
When they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay
I don’t think I’ll make it too long on my own
Cause I’m getting so weak and I’m Oh so alone
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry
Cause I’m so afraid God, that I’m gonna die
I’ve got so much love and devotion to give
That I should be given a new chance to live
So dear God please, please answer my prayer
and send me somebody who will really care
It’s all I’m really asking on this very day
Cause it’s been too long and I just can’t wait

It’s been too long I cannot wait,
can’t hold me back gonna make it on my own some day,
I will go into my dreams and fly away,
I will go into my dreams and fly away


Together, Forever

By Andrea, on March 15th, 2012 

 

 Every once in a while, you close a life chapter for good.   Sometimes, things come cycling back, usually abusers reoffending, abusers breaking their probation conditions, or God knows what. But in this case, this chapter gets closed only because…these two never need to worry about where life takes them next.   No more sorrow, no more uncertainty, no more battles, no more egotistical Human Society officials.

Miles Thomas, the man who fought the Humane Society of Harrisburg for seven months over custody of his dog – all the way to Federal Court – died on February 12, 2012.  He was 75.  His bestest friend in life, Baron the collie, preceded him in death late 2011. Following the death of Baron, Thomas’ health went into a swift decline which forced him from his apartment into a nursing home.   

In July 2009, Miles and Baron were thrust into the news when the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area seized Baron from Thomas’ ventilated car, which turned into a cruelty investigation.  Miles Thomas, who was homeless at the time, was never charged. He was also turned away from the Humane Society’s shelter the very next day when he tried to recover Baron. This led to a contentious battle that was settled in Federal Court.  Baron was returned to Miles in February 2010.  Deanna and I defended Miles Thomas’ right to be reunited with his dog.   We felt like we were defending one of our own family.   

Godspeed to Paradise Miles and Baron.  You are together, forever. Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes.  A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.  And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.  ~Richard Bach

Fight Abuse on Factory Farms -- PETA



The suffering and abuse of animals raised and slaughtered for food is nothing short of heartbreaking:

  • Cows—like those seen in the shocking PETA undercover investigation of a dairy farm released just yesterday—have their horns burned off their heads without any pain relief whatsoever.

  • After being torn away from their mothers at only weeks old, piglets are condemned to spend their entire lives in crowded pens on tiny slabs of filthy concrete.

  • Chickens are drugged to grow so large that they often become crippled under their own weight.
It is difficult to imagine the pain endured by these and other animals on factory farms. Yet all these shocking practices are commonplace and affect the billions of individual animal victims of the modern meat industry.

Factory farms are perhaps the greatest source of animal suffering on the planet. But thanks to your support and PETA's unrelenting efforts, the cruel factory-farming industry is finally beginning to change. Our undercover work has brought about reforms that are ending some of the worst factory-farm practices and have resulted in convictions of factory-farm workers on charges of cruelty to animals. Through diligent negotiations and shareholder activism, we've helped to reduce the mistreatment of animals by many of the world's largest fast-food restaurants and supermarket suppliers. PETA's colorful demonstrations and widely distributed materials, such as our vegetarian/vegan starter kit, have inspired people around the world to adopt a healthy vegan diet—the quickest way that anyone can start saving the lives of farmed animals.

PETA's programs expose the truth of factory farms, raise public awareness, and most importantly, save animal lives. But for every animal we've helped, there are countless others who are miserable and at this moment suffering from abuse and neglect on factory farms like the one our dedicated investigator helped to expose just yesterday.

PETA needs your help to strengthen our lifesaving efforts for these and all animals. Won't you make a gift to PETA today to help us fight for animals who so desperately need a champion?

I hope I can count on you to support this campaign. With your help today, we can stand up for all the abused, mistreated, and neglected animals on factory farms.

Very truly yours,
Ingrid Newkirk
Ingrid E. Newkirk
President

P.S. PETA's programs work to stop animal abuse wherever it occurs—from crowded factory farms to secretive laboratories to cold backyards. Your donation right now will be put to work immediately to save animals' lives.



ASPCA National News Alert
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March 16, 2012
Keep Her Safe
Ten Most Common Pet Poisons
This Sunday marks the start of the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week! What better time to time to take stock of potential pet poisons in your home? Check out our list of the 10 most common poisons for the latest scoop on what’s hurting our furry friends. Read more...

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The Rescued Cat
ASPCA Happy Tails: Love on Wheels
Draper’s mom adopted him in the middle of a workday when she met him on the ASPCA Mobile Adoption unit, which brings shelter pets to potential adopters around NYC’s five boroughs.

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Spring Cleaning
Spring Clean Your Nest with WebThriftStore
Make room in your heart for animals by making room in your home. Start your spring cleaning by donating goods that you no longer need or want to the ASPCA’s WebThriftStore.

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Adopt this Dog!
ASPCA Pet of the Week: Go with the Flo
Looking for a highly trainable little sidekick who enjoys learning new stuff as much as snuggling on your lap? Flo’s your gal. Adopt her today in NYC!
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 *A New Home for the Yellowstone 65* Help --> Donate Now



I have some exciting news.

Soon, 65 wild Yellowstone bison will thunder across tribal lands in Montana for the first time in more than 100 years.

Thanks to the support of people like you, Defenders helped secure the relocation of these iconic animals from a 5-year captivity to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Now, these bison need your help to make their epic journey.

Will you help the Yellowstone 65 travel their historic 500-mile journey -- and help restore wild bison to the Great Plains?

Theirs is a tragic tale: Once numbering in the tens of millions, America's bison were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 19th Century. Of the few that survived the slaughter, only 23 truly wild bison remained in the remote valleys of Yellowstone.

Today, there are only a few thousand genetically pure, wild bison left in America. But for those living in Yellowstone, their hardships continue into modern times.

Each winter, when they descend to lower elevations outside Yellowstone National Park in search of food, these magnificent animals are hazed back into the park where food is scarce, rounded up in holding pens or even shipped to slaughter, all out of exaggerated fears that they could spread disease to cattle.

Five years ago, several dozen bison were spared from slaughter and placed in a small long-term quarantine pen. Now, after years in captivity, the last of these bison -- the "Yellowstone 65" -- will soon have a new home -- an important first step in ensuring America's wild bison have a lasting future on the Great Plains.

Help us reach our goal of raising $40,000 by next Friday, March 23rd to relocate the Yellowstone 65, continue our work to restore wild bison to the Great Plains and support other efforts to protect America's wildlife and wild places.

Over the past several years, Defenders supporters have sent more than 225,000 messages to state and federal officials urging them to do more to protect Yellowstone bison -- and find more places for these magnificent creatures to roam.

And soon, 65 bison -- one of the most important biological and cultural species in North America -- will have a new home on the tribal lands of the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes, with plenty of room to expand.

We need your help to cover costs associated with transporting these iconic animals to their new homes. Will you help make this journey possible for the Yellowstone 65?

After years of negotiation and preparation, the Yellowstone 65 will finally have more room to roam -- and become the start of an important new tribal bison herd.

Together, we can help restore America's wild bison -- and protect the wildlife and wild places you and I cherish.

Jamie Rappaport Clark

With Gratitude,

Jamie Rappaport Clark
President
Defenders of Wildlife


Best Friends Animal Society
Dear Members and Friends,

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Don’t ask Oscar. His puppy mill days are so far behind him, he can hardly remember those sad times. Now, after a lift on Best Friends’ Pup My Ride, he’s snuggling into the good life in the arms of a loving No More Homeless Pets Network partner called Yorkie911. In fact, he’s found a forever home. His bright future is a testament to what happens when we all work together.

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NASCAR legend Ryan Newman came to visit the animals. In fact, he’s been helping animals all across the country.
 
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Protect Your Best Friend
Help animals and earn great rewards
Take Action
Join our Guardian ANgels
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Some horse enthusiasts may say, “Ummm … no.” But we think Chuck’s quirky looks are just precious. He came to Best Friends as a stray, if you can believe that.
 
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Ashe has arrived at Best Friends with about the scariest heart murmur you can have — a grade 6 out of 6. But now she’s in the hands of the best medical team available to homeless pets. Keep her in your thoughts and hearts.
 
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Click Here! Adorable Adoptbles
Ziplock is looking for a soft heart that can give him a cozy home. He survived a terrible hoarding situation, and it left some scars. Ziplock is deaf, walks with a slight limp, and does not accept other cats or dogs in his space. While he has initial trust issues, it won't take long for him to become your best friend. His favorite pastimes are being brushed and held, and his purr is never-ending. Do you have room in your heart and home for this survivor?
Learn more about Ziplock.
  
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Thank you for being a member, and for making all these good things possible.
Gregory Castle
Sincerely,
Gregory Castle
Best Friends Animal Society

 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

PETA's Action Team AlertJoin PETA's Action TeamLivingTVShopDonate NowShare on Facebook

Smoke rises from the seared flesh of a calf whose horn buds were burned off—with no pain relief whatsoever—so as to stop her horns from growing.

PETA just completed an undercover investigation of Adirondack Farms, LLC, a dairy factory farm in Clinton County, New York, that takes 180,000 pounds of milk from about 1,800 cows every day. While at Adirondack Farms—which sends that milk to the self-proclaimed "largest supplier of farm fresh milk in New England" and the producer of Cabot cheese—PETA's investigator found that workers routinely used poles and canes to hit cows in the face, udder, and torso, as well as on their hindquarters and limbs.

One farm manager was caught on video by PETA's investigator as he electro-shocked a cow in the face repeatedly. The same manager jabbed a downed cow in the ribs with a screwdriver and used a skid steer to drag her approximately 25 feet. Some cows with bloody vaginal prolapses that became covered with pus and manure were left to suffer, untreated, for almost three months.

PETA's investigative video also captured some of the dairy industry's standard, painful practices, including the dehorning of a calf—just one of the millions subjected to this procedure each year in the U.S.—in which her horn buds were burned off her head without any pain relief whatsoever.

Please join us now to help ensure that the most egregious abuses of cows are stopped at Adirondack Farms and the rest of the Agri-Mark member farms!

Send an e-mail to Agri-Mark CEO Dr. Richard Stammer and politely urge him to implement policies immediately to help end cruelty to cows on cooperative members' farms and improve the animals' welfare.

After you send your e-mail to Agri-Mark's CEO, please help end the suffering of calves and cows for dairy products by going vegan if you haven't done so already.

For all animals,



Daphna Nachminovitch
Vice President
Cruelty Investigations Department
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals














Tell The U.S. Coast Guard to Shut Down the
Philadelphia Gun Club Pigeon Shoots

DEAR FRIENDS,

It seems the corrupting ability of NRA-supported pigeon shoots has claimed the legitimacy and dignity of yet another tax-funded agency; The U.S. Coast Guard. We've seen how state agencies have folded before the pigeon shooters, but this is the first time a federal agency has folded.

Here's what happened. In late 2009, after SHARK began documenting cruelty at the Philadelphia Gun Club (PGC), the PGC applied for three "Marine Event" permits from the Coast Guard (the PGC borders the Delaware River and they shoot toward and into the water).

If you remember, SHARK had legally put a boat in the Delaware River and the applications submitted by the PGC were their way of trying to stop us, as the permit would have sectioned off the water from public traffic.

Boat Fired On - Bensalem, PA Police Do Nothing!
SHARK Boat Fired On at Philadelphia Gun Club - Bensalem, PA Police Do Nothing!


The three applications submitted by the PGC are damning in that it is a direct admittance by them that their shoots pose a danger to public navigation. You can see all three documents on THIS page. From the PGC applications:

"The club has been holding target shoots over the over [sic] the Delaware for 132 years. We require a safety exclusion area offshore of our property to exclude small craft during the event for safety reason."

"Small craft traffic has brought to our attention the danger of personal injury to occupants from falling shot offshore out to 100 yards. We are interested in preventing personal injuries."

Recently, SHARK discovered that the Coast Guard had responded to the PGC. It was a stunning letter in that the Coast Guard not only denied the PGC applications, but they wrote the following:

"After a review of your intended activities, specifically land-based target shooting with potential falling shot/debris offshore into the Delaware river, our office has determined that your planned events require a safety zone. The proposed events require the establishment of a safety zone because they have the potential to affect the safety of life and the environment on the navigable waters of the United States."

The Coast Guard went on to say that "Prior to establishing a safety zone, an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) must be conducted."

The letter was signed by the M.S. Antonellis, Commander and Chief of the Prevention Department for the U.S. Coast Guard.

To help get the word out: http://www.pashame.com/coastguarddocs.html


  
    Smoke & Mirrors
A powerful opinion piece by New York Times best-selling author Kathy Freston draws intriguing parallels between the tobacco and meat industries. Freston compares the tobacco industry’s attempts to downplay the dangers of smoking to today’s factory farms hiding the risks associated with meat consumption and production. Read more.		  
 
    Harm to Harmony
Nearly 50,000 hens were found abandoned and left to starve to death in tiny cages on an egg factory farm in Turlock, California, leading to the largest animal rescue in the state’s history. Thanks to the compassionate efforts of animal advocates, thousands of hens are now living free. Learn more.		  
 
    EPA: Cut Meat
The Environmental Protection Agency recently confirmed that trace amounts of dioxins ― found in meat, dairy, and eggs ― can wreak havoc on the skin, immune system, and other aspects of the body. Experts suggest cutting meat to curb intake of the dangerous chemicals. Protect your health.


  War on “Ag-Gag”
“Ag-gag” bills hit some major roadblocks last week, dying in both Illinois and Indiana. Sadly, Utah state legislators and Iowa Governor Branstad buckled to the pressure of corporate factory farming interests by passing shameful anti-whistleblower legislation. What are pro-factory farm interests trying to hide? See for yourself.		  
 
    Shop and Support
From now until the end of March, 10% of the proceeds from every purchase made through TheVegetarianSite.com will go to support MFA's lifesaving work on behalf of farmed animals. This all-in-one site has everything from books to groceries to vegan footwear. Get shopping!

  
 


 

To view this email as a web page.
Victim of Animal Hoarding
It's more common than you think. In fact, nearly a quarter-million animals fall victim to animal hoarding each year. Kept in cramped, filthy conditions, hoarded animals struggle just to survive.
We've seen it firsthand—and it's devastating.
In some of the most extreme cases of hoarding, the ASPCA discovered pets lying in their own urine and feces. Many were sick and emaciated and in desperate need of medical attention. For other animals, our help came too late. It doesn't have to be this way.

Animal hoarding is tragic. For 60 cents a day, you can help rescue more animals from this pain and neglect. Please consider becoming an ASPCA Guardian today, and provide a monthly gift to the animals that depend on us.
We understand that monthly giving may not be possible for everyone. However, even a small one-time gift will empower us to go where we're needed most.


Lets Have a Sing-a-Long, Canine Style – VIDEO

By Deanna, on March 7th, 2012 

Now this is just too cute but beware, if you have furbabies that like to “sing”, you may just have a sing-a-long of your own.  How do I know this?  Usually my babies don’t pay too much attention to dog sounds, barking and stuff, that is “canned” but this video got my boy Bruti going! So feel free to invite your own singer and see if you can have a sing-a-long too :)

To see this cutie sing and the video: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/just-for-fun/lets-have-a-sing-a-long-canine-style-video


This just makes me mad!! Dog Torture = Slap on the Wrist

By Admin, on March 6th, 2012 | 

Braden Paul VoigtYes, sadly this is yet another story of a lack of justice in the “justice system” especially when it comes to animal abuse.  The abuser; 23 y.o., 6’2″ Braden Paul Voigt.  The abused; his girlfriend’s tiny 15-pound rat terrier named Lacy. On April 1, 2011 Clackamus County deputies responded to a 911 call and when they finally made it into the Lake Crest apartment, found the dog cowering in the bathtub covered in urine and feces.

Standing at the door to Voigt’s apartment, Dep. Bryon O’Neil said he heard yelling and thumping consistent with the sound of someone hitting a body and a high-pitched guttural screaming. O’Neil said he wasn’t certain what he was hearing.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever heard … more animal than human,” testified O’Neil, who briefly considered kicking the door in when no one responded to his knocking or statements. O’Neil checked the door and found it unlocked. He walked in and found Voigt on a living room couch. (OregonLive)

They found hemorrhaging in the dog’s eyes and injuries consistent with strangling or use of excessive force in the dog’s upper body.  Of course the coward denied hitting the dog, said he had shouted loudly and both he and his supportive girlfriend (that’s right, the dog’s owner) blamed the girlfriend’s ex for the poor dog’s injuries.

Voigt said the dog chewed on some tanning goggles and attacked him. Yeah, big tough guy got a little scratch from a tiny little 15-pound so he brutally beats and tortured the dog.

And what kind of justice is meted out by our (in)justice system?  This bully, Braden Paul Voigt, was found guilty of second-degree animal abuse but not guilty of neglect and also not guilty of aggravated animal abuse, ie. torturing an animal.  So he get 15 days in jail (which will probably be already served or suspended, something easy), 2 years probation and 3 years prohibited from owning and animal.

And we wonder what’s wrong with our kids and young adults today! God help and children this “man” has or will have in the future.  Will he go “overboard” with them as he said he did with this tiny, defenseless dog? 

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/dog-torture-slap-on-the-wrist


TV Time… For Dogs?

By Admin, on March 5th, 2012 | 

TV Watching Dog Dogs watching TV isn’t anything new, many dog owners say their dogs watch and react to TV, to the sounds, to the picture, to the action. Does your dog(s) watch TV?  Do you know there’s a channel coming just for dogs; Dog TV?

Now to be honest, mine don’t really get into TV too much, I think the cats are more entertained than the dogs. Scientifically dogs don’t actually “watch” TV, they can follow the action but they don’t really “see” what is on the screen the same as we do.  Their ability to see colors is quite limited compared to ours.  No, contrary to popular myth, they are not color-blind, they just have fewer cones to sense colors but they do have many more rods which sense light and motion.

So when a dog is “watching” TV, they see the motion, shapes and action rather than the specifics of what is actually going on and of course they can hear and even detect the difference between real and “canned” sounds, although many will react to TV sounds quite enthusiastically.  :) Many vet associations advise leaving a TV or radio on for your pets when you’re not home, this is especially true in the case of dogs with separation anxiety.  It’s “company” for them.  I know I do this all the time.

Dog remoteThe company behind Dog TV, the Jasmine Group, plans to expand across the US by year’s end.  A premium channel, the cost is estimated to be $4.99 a month which they compare as much less than a doggie daycare.  I wouldn’t necessarily compare the two but I can see some positives here.

You can’t always anticipate exactly what will be on the TV screen when you aren’t around and some dogs are very sensitive to specifically, certain sounds.  Loud sounds can easily scare or intimidate a dog so rather than the TV being company or soothing, it can instead become a torture devise.  I know one of my babies really, really does not like loud abrupt noises so on the occasions that the TV is on, the sound is rather low so not to startle.

The makers of Dog TV say that it will be specially calibrated to suit dogs’ vision, the colors will seem muted to us and the segments will be designed to alternately stimulate and soothe.

“We’re constantly doing … you can call them focus groups for groups for dogs,” said Neumann. “We’ve noticed, for example, that dogs are not thrilled about barking on the channel, so we’ve removed almost all barking.” It’s an interesting idea…

So, what do you think?  Do you leave the TV or radio on for your pets?  Would you consider getting Dog TV when it gets to your area?

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/article/tv-time-for-dogs


ASPCA National News Alert
Facebook Twitter Forward to a Friend Donate Visit ASPCA.org

March 2, 2012
Abused Cat
700 Cats Pulled from Florida "Sanctuary" This Week
ASPCA responders are on the ground in northern Florida managing the rescue and medical treatment of nearly 700 (and counting) cats removed from the Caboodle Ranch sanctuary. Volunteers from all over the U.S. are in Jacksonville helping care for the sick animals. Read more...
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Rachael Ray
ASPCA and Rachael Ray Team Up for $100K Challenge
We are thrilled to announce that we are teaming up with television personality and bestselling author Rachael Ray for this year’s $100K Challenge. With more than $500,000 up for grabs, find out how you can join the fun and help homeless cats and dogs.
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The Rescued Cat
ASPCA Happy Tails: One More Try
Peter S. of Manhattan made a connection with a cat named Mickey in an unlikely location—in front of his apartment building! Now the pair is attached at the furry hip.
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Affordable Care
How to Find Affordable Vet Care
Providing good care for our animal friends is non-negotiable. But as veterinary costs rise, how do we do what’s best for our pet? Our pet care experts offer some helpful hints.
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Adopt this Dog!
ASPCA Pet of the Week: Meet Godzuke
Godzuke has had quite the life so far. Rescued from a hoarding situation, he’s waited longer than any other dog in our care to find his forever home. Adopt him today in NYC!
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Momentary Paws
 black long hair cat and mixed breed dog
E-news from Willamette Humane SocietyMarch 2012








Volunteer works with shelter dogNominate Your Hero for this Year's Humaneitarian Award

Know someone who goes all out to help the animals? Nominate him or her for this year's Humaneitarian Award. The Humaneitarian Award recognizes a person or group that exemplifies Willamette Humane's mission to promote the welfare of animals through leadership, education, and action. The deadline to receive nominations for this year's award is Friday, April 27. Nominees will be honored at a special dessert reception held on Wednesday, May 23, at the Broadway Commons in downtown Salem. Download an application form from our website, or call (503) 585-5900, x324 to have a nomination form mailed to you.




kitten at the beachBeach Stay Benefits Homeless Pets

Enjoy a relaxing getaway in a beautiful ocean front condo and raise money for the animals at the same time. WHS Supporters Craig and Cherie Cline invite you to stay at their luxurious two-bedroom, two-bath condo located at Pacific Winds Condominiums in Lincoln City. For every night you stay, the Clines will donate $50 to WHS. Simply designate the shelter as your charity of choice in the condo's guestbook. You'll also enjoy a bottle of wine, compliments of the Clines. Check out the condo or book your reservation now>




Performance for Pets Talent Contest
Enter the "Performance for our Pets" Talent Contest!
Calling all actors, dancers, musicians, storytellers, and other performing artists! Enter the "Performance for our Pets" talent contest. Show off your most creative work that reflects people connecting with animals to their mutual benefit - or - that depicts animals, especially pets, in a positive light.

 Cash prizes will be awarded in four categories: Junior Artist (ages 8-13), Young Artist (ages 14-17), Adult Artist (age 18+) and Best in Show. Winners will also be invited to perform at the Keizer Iris Festival on May 19. Deadline to receive entries is May 5. Find contest rules and entry forms at: www.perform4pets.org. 



Lickety Stick: one of the great new products we now carryDavenport's Den Offers New Products

Have you visited Davenport's Den, our onsite pet supply store lately? We carry quality supplies, and our knowledgeable staff are always on the lookout for useful new products to stock in the store. Here are a few of their new favorites: 

 * The Lickety Stik, developed by PetSafe, is a flavored, 100% natural, liquid pet treat that dogs lick from a rollerball. Lickety Stik is a great training aid and can help keep your dog engaged or distracted during activities like bathing, nail trimming, or even when guests come to visit.

*  ChuckIt! Pocket Ball Launcher- Playing fetch just got a little easier. Canine Hardware has come out with a smaller version of its popular ChuckIt! ball launcher. The Pocket Ball Launcher is 12" long (versus the original model's 18" handle) - making it easier to fit into a tote bag or backpack.  

 

* Tropiclean Oral Care Water Additive - Maintaining your pet's oral health can help him live a happier, healthier life. TropiClean's natural water additive promotes healthy gums and eliminates bad breath for up to 12 hours. 

Stop by Davenport's Den soon to check out these and other products (and be sure to use the coupon below). We offer competitive prices and all proceeds benefit the animals at the shelter. 


Hug a Soldier Day – Don’t Forget Our Canine Soldier Heroes Too! VIDEO

By Admin, on March 4th, 2012 |

Today is Hug a Soldier Day, those everyday heroes that put their lives on the line. They are our fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters, spouses, friends and loved ones; they deserve our respect.  But let us not forget that many of those soldiers that put their lives on the line are not people but are canine, four paws and fur.  They are often overlooked and undervalued except by those who count on them and depend on them everyday. 

Some Heroes Have Four Paws and Fur

 And here’s a beautiful Salute to Military Working dogs…

So as we Hug a Soldier, give your furbaby a hug as a surrogate for a furry soldier who is also a hero too!

To read more and see the video clip:http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/companion-service-dogs/hug-a-soldier-day-dont-forget-our-canine-soldier-heroes-too


From the Furies, Furry Survivors

By Admin, on March 3rd, 2012 |

Death and destruction, horrors and nightmares, loss and tears; the tornadoes have ripped through the South and Midwest.  Over numerous states, death tolls rising to almost 40 as last note.  But out of the death, devastation, destruction and loss, there is some small measure of hope and miracles, happy reunions of man (or woman) and man’s best friend.

Ron Vines helped his neighbor, Donna Sebastian search through the wreckage of her home for two 6-week old puppies. Here we see a tiny survivor, a little dog is pulled from the utter wreckage in Boone County, Kentucky.

Not all is lost…

Jeanie Lewellyn - Bell Bell - Pekin IN

Here Jeanie Lewellyn holds her furbaby, Bell Bell amidst the destruction of her home in Pekin, IN

Another miracle…

Cook - Coco

Greg Cook thought he'd lost everything after his East Limestone, AL home was destroyed. Not quite everything, tears of joy as he's reunited with Coco who was miraculously pulled from the debris.

And another reunion…

Reunion Marysville IN

A man is reunited with his dogs in Marysville, IN

With the resiliency of people the world over, those hit by Mother Nature’s fury will cry and grieve for their losses, the communities will come together to support and rebuild. It will be painful, it will take time, but it will happen. And for those who think that finding a dog is no big deal, tell that to those lucky enough to be able to wrap their arms around those warm furry bodies. Sometimes they are all a person has and they truly are “man’s best friend”!

My thoughts and prayers to all those who are hurting and suffering…

NOTE: If you know of verified rescues that are working with animals in these devastated areas please feel free to leave information in the comments.  

If you are donating, be sure to vet the rescue, sadly there are so many people out there ready to take advantage of a bad situation to profit.



Animal Shelter Tips Blog Find funds, grants and volunteers. Involve kids and families to help homeless pets.
Thank you for subscribing to the Animal Shelter Tips updates at our website or blog. If you wish to unsubscribe, click on the link at the bottom of the page.


Ideas for Producing Videos that Find Homes for Homeless Pets

Are your online videos as effective as they could be? YouTube videos have become a standard on many websites, blogs and Facebook pages. Many could be much more effective in spreading awareness, generating funds, and attracting volunteers. Here are some ideas for making the most of your videos to help homeless pets at your shelter or rescue.
 
 
  
 facebook Follow Us on Facebook. You'll see examples of what other shelters and rescues are doing to raise money, involve the community and much more. Did you know that rescue dog Luke is the first courthouse dog in Louisiana? You would if you followed us on Facebook!
 
 
  
   
    
 
   Pepper relaxes


 American Humane Association American Humane Association - Second Chance Sunday. Please donate!




Dolce first came to the attention of his would-be rescuers when his photo was posted on the L.A. Animal Services Facebook page. This little Chihuahua and Pomeranian mix had a fractured jaw that had to be taped shut to keep it from hanging down. The photo of this helpless dog generated a lot of attention on Facebook and moved someone to notify the La Dolce Vita Animal Rescue Foundation.

The foundation took Dolce in and had him immediately seen by a vet. He had been physically and emotionally neglected and had severe dental issues and a matted coat. His jaw was broken in two places and required surgery and pins to stabilize it while he healed.

Dolce was extremely withdrawn and lacked any kind of emotion when he was first brought in. He wouldn't make eye contact with anyone, but astonishingly, despite his abusive past he was neither fearful nor aggressive.

It took some time and a lot of love and care, but eventually Dolce started to come out of his shell. The first time he wagged his tail, the rescuers were almost brought to tears. Today, Dolce is full of joy and he loves to play with other dogs and to cuddle with people. He has a huge heart despite his small size.

American Humane Association's Second Chance® Fund contributed to Dolce's care and future by donating much needed funds.

After all he's been through, doesn't Dolce deserve a second chance for "a sweet life"?

Please donate today, so we can continue to give second chances to other victims of cruelty, like Dolce.

Donate Now!



Thank you so much for your continued support!

Sincerely,
Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D.
Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D.
President and CEO
American Humane Association

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Dolce before and after photos. Please donate today, so we can continue to give second chances to other victims of cruelty, like Dolce.


 OMG !! We sure love our kids.

Americans Spent $50 Billion On Pets Last Year


Americans Spent $50 Billion On Pets Last Year


$695 Annually For A Medium Dog, $670 For A Cat

How does this break down for each individual pet? According to the ASPCA, the first-year cost for a medium dog is $1580, while a cat will set you back $1035. That first year is expensive. After that, it costs around $695 per year for a medium dog, and $670 for a cat. The chart on their website explains exactly where the dollars go.

That sounded like a huge amount to me, until I started to figure out how much I spend on my cat, Sergeant Pepper: around $1000 including food, vet bills and pet sitting expenses. She’s not big on toys. Of course, then there are the expenses of time consumed cleaning the house, since her fur gets everywhere, even into the rooms she’s not allowed to enter.

But take heart! According to thisismoney.co, the average annual cost of owning a dog in the UK is currently £1,183 ($1873), while the average annual cost of owning a cat is slightly lower at £1,028 ($1627).

And besides, we can’t do without our pets.

Growth Of ‘Pet Services‘

Food and veterinary costs accounted for about 65% of the figure, but the category of “pet services” grew faster than any other, totaling $3.79bn in 2011. These include grooming, boarding, pet hotels and pet-sitting.

About 63 percent of U.S. households, or 71 million homes, now own at least one pet — up from 64 million just five years ago.



 

This is pretty exciting news !!! Iowa Makes It A Crime To Video Animal Abuse

  Iowa Makes It A Crime To Video Animal Abuse

Despite a fierce campaign to stop the measure, Iowa became the first state Friday to officially make it a crime to enter a farming operation with the intent to secretly videotape animal abuse. Undercover footage filmed by animal rights groups during the past several years have been instrumental in exposing cases of cruelty to farm animals. Governor Terry Branstad signed the law in a private ceremony. Iowa is the country’s leading producer of pork and eggs and the governor is known to have “strong ties to the state’s agricultural industry.”

Those in the industry see the new law as a way to fight back against animal activists who “aim to damage” food production operations. Rep. Annette Sweeney, R-Alden and the House Agriculture Committee chairperson said, “This is a very, very positive step for agriculture. For right now, I think it’s a start to realize that we are serious about protecting the agriculture that we have in our state.” Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, who tried to defeat the bill called it a “hollow victory” because his supporters were able to water-down the original version of the law. The original legislation would have made it illegal to record video or audio tape an agriculture operation without permission from the farmer or business owner. The new version only objects obtaining access to the facility in a fraudulent manner.

The Iowa law makes it a misdemeanor to lie on a job application to get access to a farm facility. The crime would be punishable with up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,500. Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport and a veterinarian who sponsored the bill, said the compromise discourages animal activists from sneaking onto farms, but does not stop a legitimate employee from reporting animal abuse.

Currently seven other states are considering similar laws: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York and Utah.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/iowa-makes-it-a-crime-to-video-animal-abuse.html#ixzz1oJrOWdRU


 

Truck With 113 Puppies Crashes On Autobahn

Truck With 113 Puppies Crashes On Autobahn

Motorists on Germany’s autobahn got an unexpected look at how young puppies are transported from puppy farms to big cities when 113 of them spilled onto the highway after a crash. Police say a truck carrying the puppies crashed in western Germany before dawn on March 1. All but one of the dogs survived the accident.

According to reports the truck slid off an exit ramp on Thursday due to rainy conditions, going through a guard rail and then tipping over. Sadly one puppy died of its injuries and seven others were “lightly” injured. The 40 year-old driver and his passenger were not hurt. The puppies of various breeds were being transported from Slovakia to Germany and Belgium where they were to be sold.

No charges have been filed against the driver. There is no further news about the condition of the puppies or where they were taken.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/truck-with-113-puppies-crashes-on-autobahn.html#ixzz1oJpHc0dw

Update: Rescued Hens Get Some TLC

Update: Rescued Hens Get Some TLC

Last month, nearly 50,000 hens were discovered after having been abandoned and left for dead at a farm in Stanislaus County, CA, rented by A&L Poultry. Officials estimated that they were left without food or water for more than two weeks. About a third of the hens had already died of starvation when the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency arrived and more had to be euthanized because they were in such bad shape.

More than 5,100 people signed the petition on Care2 to allow rescuers, who were initially blocked by officials, to take the surviving hens and more continue to sign the petition asking for justice for these innocent birds. In a fortunate turn of events, rescuers from Animal Place, Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary and Farm Sanctuary were able to save more than 4,400 hens.

“The scale of this week’s effort is truly ground-breaking. A coalition of committed animal protection groups joined forces with Animal Place and Harvest Home to complete the largest ever farmed animal rescue in the United Sates,” said Christine Morrissey, Harvest Home Sanctuary Manager. “In light of the immense animal suffering within the walls of this egg facility, we were grateful to make the best out of a horrible situation. We applaud local and state authorities for allowing rescuers the opportunity to provide life-saving relief for thousands of animals on the brink of death.”

If you can adopt a hen, volunteer or make a donation to help defray the costs of a large-scale emergency rescue, please visit Animal Place, Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary and Farm Sanctuary.

“The Turlock battery hens rescued from the A & L Poultry manure pits deserve nothing less than to be treated like queens,” said Morrissey. At Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, volunteer vet techs Kelle Kacmarcik and Nat Smith gave the new girls deluxe spa treatments. Check out the slideshow:

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/update-rescued-hens-get-some-tlc.html#ixzz1oJoR2ohz

 


 

We've been watching Sisquoc and Shatash as they prepare for the hatching of their egg, which was laid in mid-January. The time is drawing near, and there's an air of anticipation at the condor breeding facility at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Do you have a hunch when we'll finally see the chick? Enter your best guess by March 5 in our hatch-date contest, and if you are the closest you will be the lucky winner of a condor adoption package!

San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy Team

P.S. Show your support for our wildlife conservation efforts by becoming a Wildlife Hero today.

 

      

Dear MFA Supporters,

Your assistance is urgently needed!

Iowa’s “ag-gag” bill has passed Iowa’s House and Senate and is awaiting signature by Governor Terry Branstad.

Take Action Now! Call Governor Branstad today at (515) 281-5211 and politely urge him to veto the ag-gag bill.

Please stand by Mercy For Animals as we work to expose and end abuse and neglect of animals suffering on factory farms. Powerful factory farming interests are trying to shield animal abusers from public scrutiny by passing ag-gag bills in eight US states – seeking to make it a crime for undercover investigators to document animal abuse.

Outrageous, isn't it?

These efforts would turn factory farms into safe havens not only for animal abuse, but also for environmental and food safety violations, dangerous working conditions, and other illegal behavior.

Clearly factory farmers have a lot to hide if they are willing to go to such despicable lengths to conceal their cruel and abusive practices from the American people.

Watch and share our powerful new video that shows exactly what factory farms, like those in Iowa, are trying to hide.


 Victoria Stilwell Positively Newsletter - March 1, 2012

We're Going Viral on YouTube!
 
If only I had more time.
 
These days, that's something that we all hear from our coworkers, friends and family far too often.  But it's true: it never seems like there are enough hours in the day to finish everything that I want to get done.  I'm always looking for more effective and innovative ways to connect with other dog lovers, and that's why I'm so excited about my new partnership with the awesome team at eHow.
 
Beginning exactly one month from today, we'll be launching what promises to be the definitive pet-related YouTube channel: eHow Pets.  Featuring exclusive training videos, Ask Victoria segments, fascinating feature stories, funny clips and much more, this dynamic new channel will be available globally on April 1st, although you can already subscribe on the channel's homepage right now.
 
We're hard at work filming fantastic new content right now, so stay tuned and read on for more info!
Victoria Signature
Victoria on ABC's 20/20
Victoria will be featured on a special pet-related episode of ABC's 20/20 program on Friday, March 9th at 10pm ET.
Be sure to tune in as she demonstrates how to use positive reinforcement training techniques to help labrador Maji and his owner overcome issues with destructive behavior.
 


 March / April 2012

PetsMatter

When It Comes to Stopping Animal Cruelty, It's Good to Be Nosy

Hitting defenseless animals, keeping them chained without exercise or leaving them exposed in severe weather all count as abuse. Mistreating animals can (and often does) escalate into domestic assault. Dial 911 if you suspect abuse. Police will respond. You can choose to remain anonymous, or by identifying yourself, you can help in future prosecution.

Before This Little Piggy Comes Home

4 things to know about owning guinea pigs

Can Cats and Houseplants Just Get Along?

If your houseplants are looking a little ragged or your cat shows symptoms of illness, interaction between them could be the cause. Houseplants may be good for the health of a home but can be dangerous for our feline friends. It is possible, however, to create a level of détente between them.

What Makes These Humane Societies Extra Special?

Humane societies and animal shelters play an important role in our communities. AAHA believes that all pets deserve the best care, and so do many humane societies and animal shelters throughout the United States. In fact, 12 veterinary hospitals associated with humane societies and animal shelters in the United States are now AAHA-accredited.

Feline Urine Marking

Feline urine marking is a behavior in which cats mark a location with urine to notify other cats of their territory. Learn the signs of urine marking, how it's diagnosed and how it's treated.
Healthy Pet
HealthyPet Hospital Locator


 

 

Animal Law Coalition Logo  
Advocating for animals to live and live free of cruelty and neglect 
 
 
 
 
Join Our Mailing List
Horse
 

WFLF Study Reveals Disturbing Number of U.S. Thoroughbreds Slaughtered Each Year 

 

Wild for Life Foundation releases a  Case Study conducted on the number of Thoroughbreds that die at slaughter each year.

 

The case study is based on data published by the U.S. government and the Jockey Club. According to the study, an amount equal to 70% of the annual Thoroughbred foal crop, on average, die at slaughter each year.

 

 "The polls have shown that the vast majority of those in racing want an end to the transport of their horses to any slaughterhouse," said Jo Anne Normile, founder of Saving Baby Equine Charity and CANTER, the first organization to take Thoroughbreds right from the track to safe havens. "But for every Secretariat, for every Seabiscuit, there are tens of thousands of racehorses whose experiences on the back lots of the country's tracks tell a different story."

 

"Without federal protection, aftercare programs cannot safeguard our horses from the harm of horse slaughter," adds Katia Louise, President, Wild for Life Foundation. "It's evident that more must be done by the industry, including a united stance supporting a federal ban on slaughter of horses for human consumption."

 

Read more here including about Wild for Life 

Foundation's Saving America's Horses Initiative which includes production of the hard hitting film, Saving America's Horses.

 

This study showing the astonishing numbers of Thoroughbreds slaughtered each year should be a wake up call to racing and the horse industry.

 

Animal Law Coalition joins Wild for Life Foundation and Americans Against Horse Slaughter, in calling for an auditable and industry funded after care program for rehabilitation, retraining and adoption for horses whose racing careers are over. We also join in recommending that the leaders of the equine industry resolve to support vigorously the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and put an end to the travesty and tragedy of horse slaughter for human consumption.

 

 
 
Please call on Pres. Obama and also urge your U.S. representative and senators to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act!  

 

  
    Criminal Cruelty
Seven people have now been arrested and face criminal charges based on MFA's undercover investigation exposing routine cruelty to animals at a Butterball turkey factory farm in North Carolina. Law enforcement says more charges could be filed as the case against Butterball continues. See the mug shots.		  
 
    Heart Attack Grill
A Las Vegas restaurant that flaunts its unhealthy fare made headlines when a man suffered a heart attack while dining on a "Triple Bypass Burger." Although heart disease kills nearly one in two people, it can be prevented through healthy vegetarian eating. Read more.		  
 
    More Rotten Eggs
Egg-eaters beware. Minnesota-based Michael Foods is recalling more than a million eggs nationwide due to deadly bacteria contamination. Luckily, many Americans seem tired of the rotten egg industry, which, according to the USDA, has been steadily losing business for the last 6 years. Find out why.		  
 
    Animal Accents
Science continues to prove that farmed animals are intelligent, social and emotional beings much like our dogs and cats at home. Now researchers have discovered that goats can develop accents and that they adjust their calls to sound more like their peers. Learn more.		  
 
    Scary Superbugs
A new study has confirmed that factory farms are breeding grounds for deadly, antibiotic-resistant pathogens known as “superbugs” that threaten human health and are nearly impossible to treat. Shockingly, superbugs already infect more than half the meat sold in grocery stores. Protect your health.		  
 
    Fighting Ag-Gag
As pro-factory farm legislators in nine states try to make criminals out of those who dare to expose cruelty to animals, a wide coalition, consisting of 27 national organizations representing people who care about freedom of speech, public health, the environment and animal welfare, is speaking out. Join us.		  

 
  
Spanish Pig Farm Brutality Exposed
Chicago Students Shocked by Cruelties of Factory Farming
Inspiring Compassion with New MFA Pro-Veg Billboards in Denver
Dairy Out, Alternatives In
 
 
    MFA Hoodie  
    Ask Me Why T  


Thursday, February 23, 2012 2:44 PM
PETA Weekly E-NewsJoin PETA's Action TeamSend to a FriendDonate

Animals Like Tiger Need You

Tiger, a healthy cat from a local animal shelter, was bought by a University of Michigan lab and killed five days later. Help us stop the use of animals in lab experiments! Get involved.



Cute Baby Elephants: Born to Be Wild

Cute baby-elephant pictures—need I say more? These animals shouldn't be cooped up doing tricks! They're born to be wild! Warning: cuteness ahead!

Hoarder Keeps Cats, Avoids Charges

A year or so after PETA's undercover investigation of Sacred Vision Animal Sanctuary concluded, officials have yet to file state cruelty-to-animals charges. Act now!


Good News for Animals -- February 2012PETA - Good News for Animals - February 2012



Sometime in the weeks ahead, thousands of young seals will be beaten and stabbed with sharp hooks and then skinned—sometimes in full view of their bellowing mothers—all so that someone can put on a coat, a collar, or cuffs made with real baby-seal fur.

I want to share with you a recent PETA Prime blog post on the upcoming massacre and how—with your help—we may be closer than ever to stopping it for good. I believe it helps to explain how we got here. Please read this blog post:


Since the European Union banned the import of seal products in 2010, Canada has fought with it, the World Trade Organization, and anyone else it could think of to have the ban overturned—so far without any luck. Canada also tried to go a different route, selling seal meat to China, also without any luck.

After a public outcry from PETA and activists around the world over the beating and skinning of baby seals drove the price of seal pelts down so far that sealers could hardly cover their operating expenses, very few sealers took part in the 2011 slaughter and less than 10 percent of the quota of 400,000 seals were killed.

Then, in December, the seal slaughter suffered one of its most crushing blows yet ...
Click here to read the rest of this post.

A Little Relief—Finally!—for Hormel Pigs

When PETA went public with the findings of an undercover investigation at a pig-breeding farm that supplies Hormel in Iowa, we called on the company to ban gestation crates—pens so small that the pregnant sows who are confined to them can't turn around or even lie down comfortably—and then introduced a shareholder resolution to that effect. Less than two years later, the meat giant has announced that it will phase out gestation crates, which cause so much suffering, by 2017. You can read more about this terrific news for pigs on PETA's blog.

Help Animals From Your Phone!

There's now an easy way that you can help animals even while you're shopping, walking the dog, or sitting in a waiting room. Sign up for PETA text alerts today, and we'll send a message directly to your cell phone when animals urgently need your help. You can then send a quick e-mail right from your phone and make a difference for animals wherever you are. Visit PETA.org to sign up right now!
Blue Rescued Calendar 2012 logo

 


Try not to buy Down Pillows and comforters.

Chilling Cruelty in the Down Industry

Sign the Pledge to Be Down-Free

    The cruelty behind every down industry product is chilling. In order to produce down clothing, pillows, and comforters, birds are often pinned down or lifted by their necks or a delicate wing and have their feathers painfully ripped out while they are alive and able to feel pain. Live-plucking causes birds considerable pain and distress.

Many birds are plucked so hard that they are left with gaping wounds, which workers sew back together using a needle and thread, without any painkillers. Some birds are left paralyzed by pain and fear, and some even die as a result of this violent process.

Buying down can also support the notoriously cruel foie gras industry because feathers from birds killed for their liver or meat are often sold as down.

You can help birds suffering in the down industry by refusing to buy down products and looking for clothing and bedding made from cruelty-free materials. By signing the pledge below—and encouraging your friends and family to do so as well—you'll be sending a powerful message to the cruel down industry.

See the very sad and heart breaking video below


Bunnies Drowned at Ohio Petland by a flippen stupid wench.... Posted it on Facebook too Duhhhh

Written by PETA

Update: The Petland store has closed, and the employee has been charged with cruelty to animals. Click here for details. Warning: disturbing image.

Drowned rabbits

 

This photo was taken in the back room of a Petland store in Akron, Ohio, and posted on Facebook by Elizabeth Carlisle, who can be seen grinning as she holds two dead, soaking-wet rabbits by the scruff of the neck—rabbits she just drowned while on Petland's time clock. On Carlisle's Facebook page, she confirmed a friend's guess that she had drowned these two rabbits and wrote, "[T]he manager took the pic for me. [S]he reminded me that there were people outside as [I] was swearing at them to just hurry up and die but then she was so kind as to take this picture."

These horrific deaths followed what was apparently an equally horrifying life for these rabbits. Other comments Carlisle posted made it clear that the rabbits were drowned after sustaining agonizing injuries when they were allowed to "attack and eat each other." The rabbits suffered from "deep wounds all over," "an eye missing," what Petland staff "suspected was a broken jaw," and paralysis from the waist down—injuries that would not have occurred had these animals been provided with proper care and supervision.

Undercover investigations have revealed time and time again that companies that breed and sell animals are concerned about profits, not animals' well-being. We are urging Petland to think long and hard about what this incident makes clear: The company has no business selling any animals.

To prevent future incidents like this one, please, never buy from pet stores and urge Petland at the very least to stop selling rabbits.

Click here to take action against Petland.  http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2009/08/04/Bunnies-Drowned-at-Ohio-Petland.aspx

Read so more: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?page=UserActionInactive&id=2385

 

Overheard: Celebrity Gossip Justin Theroux 

(Feb. 24, 2012)

Before you head out to see Justin Theroux's new film, Wanderlust, check out his PETA anti-chaining public service announcement. In the ad, Theroux appears alongside his beloved best friend, Pooma (who has since passed away), to urge people to allow their dogs to live indoors: Elsewhere in Hollywood, Russell Brand is reportedly in puppy love. The Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity alum was spotted cuddling and petting rescued dogs at an adoption event in Beverly Hills.

Fellow adoption advocate Amanda Seyfried gushed about her rescued one-eyed cat, Fran, on Chelsea Lately, while Michael Clarke Duncan filled Jay Leno in on the delish vegetarian dishes that his girlfriend, Omarosa, has been cooking up for him.

What do vampires think about fur? That it sucks, of course. Before you "wha-wha" me, read this: Tweeting about his foundation's anti-fur petition, Ian Somerhalder wrote: "Fur sucks…Really. … Furs: Animals being killed so you can wear your new fox coat …." Is it just me, or does Ian Somerhalder smolder hotter every day?

See the video below



Lets see if we can help by not eating from a plate of despair. Foie Gras: Delicacy of Despair


To produce "foie gras" (which literally means "fatty liver"), workers ram pipes down male ducks' or geese's throats two or three times daily and pump as much as 4 pounds of grain and fat into the animals' stomachs, causing their livers to bloat to up to 10 times their normal size. Many birds have difficulty standing because of their engorged livers, and they may tear out their own feathers and cannibalize each other out of stress.

The birds are kept in tiny wire cages or packed into sheds. On some farms, a single worker may be expected to force-feed 500 birds three times each day. Because of this rush, animals are often treated roughly and left injured and suffering.

A PETA investigation at Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York (then called "Commonwealth Enterprises") found that so many ducks died when their organs ruptured from overfeeding that workers who killed fewer than 50 birds per month were given a bonus. Many ducks develop foot infections, kidney necrosis, spleen damage, bruised and broken bills, and tumor-like lumps in their throats. One duck had a maggot-infested neck wound so severe that water spilled out of it when he drank.


 You decide ?

Katherine Heigl Joins Fight Against 'Ag Gag'

Written by Michelle Sherrow   4 hours ago  2-28-12

Katherine Heigl loves Utah so much that she chose the state as the site of her 2007 wedding and later purchased a home there. But when Utah lawmakers proposed an "ag gag" bill that would make it a crime to shoot video on factory farms, Heigl wanted to let lawmakers know that kind citizens like her would not support it.

She penned a letter on PETA's behalf to Utah's state senators urging them to squelch House Bill (H.B.) 187 and allow people to continue to obtain video evidence of animal abuse so that authorities can prosecute the offenders.

As animals cannot defend themselves, the public must maintain its right to document illegal cruel practices in order to alert law enforcement to [their] existence. In 2008, my friends at PETA went undercover at a major pig farm in Iowa that supplies Hormel and found that workers were beating pigs with metal rods and jabbing clothespins into their eyes; one employee was even caught sexually abusing a pig with a cane. Because of this investigation, six workers were charged with a total of 22 counts of livestock neglect and abuse, and all of them admitted guilt. PETA worked hand in hand with local law enforcement to achieve these convictions, for which the undercover footage made the sheriff's job much easier. Please don't impede law enforcement by passing this terrible bill.

Cloris Leachman has already asked Utah lawmakers to dump the bill, which is on very shaky constitutional ground. Last year, when similar "ag gag" bills cropped up in Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, and New York, animal advocates defeated them, thanks in part to the work of kind folks like Cloris and Mary Matalin.

Help us defeat H.B. 187 in Utah too.

http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2012/02/28/photo-get-a-feel-for-foie-gras.aspx


Inside a Hoarding Case: ASPCA Assists Woman with 18 Dogs

February  2012

Inside a Hoarding Case: Brooklyn Pit Bulls

On January 26, an ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic was parked outside a single-family home in southern Brooklyn, assisting a woman with 18 blue-nosed Pit Bulls. M., a Tobago native, brought home the first dog with wonderful intentions—but things quickly spiraled out of control.

It started when M. couldn’t turn away from a grey-and-white Pit Bull living on the streets of her neighborhood. She took in the bedraggled dog, whose ears had been almost entirely snipped off, and named him JoJo. Later, M. bought another needy Pit Bull, this one female, from a neighborhood kid trying to raise money for schoolbooks.

At the time, M. couldn’t bear to spay and neuter her dogs—she feared putting them through surgery—so it wasn’t long before her dogs began to multiply. M. soon found herself living with 13 full-grown dogs and five puppies, most looking just like JoJo. The dogs preferred to stay outside, so she built them dog houses in her backyard. They were visible from the street, and a concerned acquaintance called the ASPCA.

But Humane Law Enforcement Agents found no evidence of cruelty or violation of the law. At M.’s carefully maintained home, they found well-cared for and well-loved dogs, though perhaps too many for M. to handle. The Agents referred M.’s case to our Cruelty Intervention Advocacy (CIA) program, which works with hoarders and overwhelmed rescuers in New York City.

When CIA Manager Jennifer Sarasky first reached out, M. was hesitant. Would the ASPCA seize her dogs? Sarasky assured her that we wouldn’t. So, like all CIA clients, M. welcomed our help; the last litter of puppies, she said, had left her feeling overwhelmed.

Soon, Sarasky and M. were making plans. Once they’re old enough, the five puppies will go to a suburban shelter and be made available for adoption. And the adult dogs, now spayed and neutered, will stay with M., who refers to them as “my kids.”

CIA will continue to monitor the case and help M. keep her dogs healthy through professional advice, support for veterinary care, spay/neuter, animal placement and supply donations. To learn more about hoarding intervention, visit CIA’s page. Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for updates on the program and M.’s dogs.

To read more: http://www.aspca.org/news/Inside-a-hoarding-case-aspca-assists-woman-with-18-dogs

See the video below:


ASPCA National News Alert
Facebook Twitter Forward to a Friend Donate Visit ASPCA.org

February 17, 2012
Lucky Pup
Video Exclusive: ASPCA Helps 30 Dogs Find Homes
When a string of cruelty interventions in Henderson County, Kentucky, left a local shelter overwhelmed with dogs, the ASPCA and our shelter partners answered the call for help. We transported 30 of those dogs to shelters with space and resources to help find them loving homes. Watch the video! Read more...
Facebook Tweet This
The Rescued Cat
ASPCA Happy Tails: Love at First Climb
NYC resident Kathleen McCann fretted that her apartment would be too small for an active kitty. Then she visited the ASPCA Adoption Center and met Sushi, a cat who needs a lot more vertical space than horizontal.
Facebook Tweet This
Humane Education
HEART Receives $50K Grant for Humane Education
The ASPCA awarded $50,000 to HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers) to expand its educational programming for kids in New York, Chicago and Indianapolis.
Facebook Tweet This
Adopt this Dog!
ASPCA Pet of the Week: Luck Be a Lady
Who says lap dogs have to be of teacup proportions? Not Lady, a medium-sized goofball who thinks she fits in every lap. Adopt this silly girl today in NYC!
Facebook Tweet This

To read and see more: http://view.aspcaemail.org/?j=febc1d74766c0c7e&m=fe941570706502787c&ls=fe1c1177726c057a7d1478&l=fefd1577756200&s=fe8817797660017473&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe931c777d65007d75&r=0

 

Superbowl Win for Rescue Dogs


Superbowl Win for Rescue Dog

The early votes are in, and one of the unlikely winners for this year’s Superbowl television advertising is Weego, a rescue dog featured in an ad for Bud Light. Weego beat out several “A list” celebrities, including David Beckham, Matthew Broderick, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and Elton John.

According to the Facebook page set up for him,  “Weego’s shelter and owner played a critical role in his  story. In celebration of his humble beginnings, Bud Light is joining forces with Weego to make a donation to help these animals in need and those that make animal rescue possible.”

The Animal Rescue Foundation is receiving some support from Budweiser’s parent, and tapping into the campaign to raise awareness about their work. This is certainly a nice change from the misguided smushed baby and Tibet ads from last year.

Dogs were featured heavily in this year’s advertisements, which is no surprise since they are more popular with the public than celebrities according to USA today, and probably much easier to work with.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/superbowl-win-for-rescue-dog.html#ixzz1m37t2T1v

 

Supermodels Tell Kardashians: Stop Selling Fur!

Supermodels Tell Kardashians: Stop Selling Fur!

Supermodel and Dancing With the Stars star Joanna Krupa has been featured on PETA’s “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaign. She and supermodel Katie Cleary — who helped to pass a ban on the sale of fur in West Hollywood which is to take effect in early 2012 — are calling on the Kardashian family to remove all fur from “DASH,” their high-end clothing store, and also from their clothing line, the Kardashian Kollection.

A Care2 petition started by Krupa and Cleary has already gathered over 5,000 signatures as of the writing of this post. Speaking to Fox News, Krupa explained that she and Cleary have targeted the three Kardashian sisters instead of a bigger fur retailer because of the sisters’ status as fashion icons. Says Krupa: “… I am fed up with them always wearing fur while being fully aware that many girls view them as a fashion inspiration, and even role models. Being a star comes with not just fame and fortune, but with awareness and responsibility.”

As Khloe Kardashian has actually participated in an anti-fur PETA campaign, her wearing fur and including it in the Kardashian Kollection seem something more than hypocritical. Krupa continues: “It actually saddens me that one now has to question the genuine motivation behind Khloe’s PETA campaign.”

Krupa also notes that she has personally sought to contact the Kardashians on the issue of fur but “they just seem to not care about the poor animals and the tragedy they go through while being skinned alive and bleeding to death.” So far, the Kardashians have not responded to Krupa’s tweets about the petition. Asked what she would do if she saw one of the Kardashian sisters wearing fur, Krupa gave this response: “I would rather not see it, as I would not be able to keep myself from starting an argument with them.”

It’s notable that Krupa singles out the importance of acting with “awareness and responsibility” for celebrities. While it is easy to criticize actors and singers and others for championing various good causes, Krupa’s statement suggests that she is more than attuned to the responsibilities that come with “fame and fortune” and to how she can use these to make the world a better place.

Please sign the petition to ask the Kardashians to stop selling fur!  Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/supermodels-tell-kardashians-stop-selling-fur.html#ixzz1m377v0MT



 

I am soooo proud that a dog from Oregon is on the front cover. 

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Petbook
Now it's easy to take your pets on vacation with you! The AAA PetBook contains listings for more than 12,000 pet-friendly, AAA-RATED® lodgings throughout North America. Learn important details on how to travel with a pet, including such useful features as a packing checklist, guidelines for selecting an airline carrier, hints for keeping pets safe in a car or on a plane, and contact information for major airlines and pet-friendly organizations. Listings of pet-friendly national public lands, attractions, and dog parks in the United States and Canada help travelers include their pets in the fun.

To see the rest : http://www.aaa.com/petbook/petbook.html


 




Bear Hunter Protest a Success!


On Thursday February 2, SHARK and our partners, the Animal Protection League of New Jersey and the Bear Education and Resource Group held a protest in front of the law firm of Morgan, Melhuish and Abrutyn in Livingston, NJ.

Nearly twenty people attended, which was a great turn out for a weekday protest.

Thank you to everyone who attended!
http://www.sharkonline.org/


 


Victoria Stilwell Positively Newsletter - Feb 4, 2012

Make It Stop!
 
Got a barker?
 
The modern dog tends to lead a relatively unstimulating life in the domestic home, with nothing more to do than eat two meals, sleep on the couch and go for the occasional walk.  Dogs that were specifically bred to work can find domestic life boring, and in most cases barking relieves that boredom.  Even though dogs bark for many reasons including excitement, anxiety, for attention or to sound an alarm, the best prescription for any barking issue whatever the cause is increased exercise and mental stimulation, which helps to refocus a dog’s mind and tire them out.
 
First of all, it is important to find out why your dog is barking. As with all training, you cannot successfully address the issue until you understand why the behavior is happening.
 
Victoria Signature
Victoria Joins ITV's Daybreak Programme
Beginning this Monday, Victoria will be featured each morning on ITV's popular Daybreak programme in the UK, where she will be working with some of Britain's toughest cases (both dog and owner) live on the air.




Rescued dog bites NBC anchor in the face during feel-good segment gone wrong

Dyer moments before Max bit her. (KUSA)

It was supposed to be one of those feel-good segments on a local television newscast: A rescued dog. A grateful owner. The hero firefighter who pulled the dog from the ice. But that's not how it turned out.

The dog, an Argentine mastiff named Gladiator Maximus, attacked Kyle Dyer, anchorwoman at NBC's KUSA Denver affiliate, during a live, in-studio segment on Wednesday that was meant to celebrate the dog's rescue from an icy lake the day before.

Dyer was shown petting the mastiff during the segment, then kneeling on the floor to get closer, when the 85-pound pooch bit her in the face. Paramedics and animal control were called to the studio. Dyer was rushed to a Denver hospital where she had reconstructive surgery overnight. The 3-year-old dog was taken to a Denver animal shelter where it is being "quarantined."

"The dog was trying to tell her, 'I am going to bite you,'" Colleen Safford, a prominent New York-based dog trainer, told Yahoo News. "Dogs 'talk' to us with their body with each and every interaction. This dog was repeatedly 'telling' the anchor that she was making him uncomfortable and if she didn't stop, he would bite."

"Basically, she did everything wrong," Ron Berman, a canine behavior specialist, told NBC. "She went up to a dog she didn't know--who didn't know her--and she either tried to kiss him or hug him or put her face too close to his face. He felt threatened and bit her."

Max is expected to be released to Robinson after a 10-day evaluation. Robinson is due in court April 4.

To read the rest and see the video: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/rescued-dog-bites-nbc-anchor-face-during-feel-141755422.html



PETA's Action Team Alert
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I am coming to Portland and would love to meet you at PETA's upcoming "Fur: Out! Love: In!" protest against fur as well as at an activist meeting the next day.

Here are the fur protest details:

What: Fur protest in Portland
When: Friday, February 10, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Intersection of S.W. Broadway and S.W. Yamhill Street, Portland (Please meet on the public sidewalk; see this map.)


All materials will be provided. Please dress conservatively to avoid distracting from our message and note that reserved parking will not be available. Please bring your friends and family too!

Then on Saturday, I'd love to meet with you and other activists to talk about our "Never Be Silent" campaign and how PETA can help you get more active for animals in Portland and be the most effective advocate for animals that you can be!

Here are the details for the activist meeting:

What: Activist meeting in Portland
When: Saturday, February 11, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Meeting space behind Food Fight Vegan Grocery, 1217 S.E. Stark St., Portland (Please go down the driveway to the east of Food Fight Grocery; see this map.)

Contact: Eric at EricD@peta.org or 323-351-0188

Please note that reserved parking will not be available. We hope to see you at the events!

Sincerely,





 

Cat Undergoes Revolutionary New Full Knee Replacement

Cat Undergoes Revolutionary New Full Knee Replacement

A cat whose leg was rendered unusable by cancer last year has just received one of the first total knee replacements for felines, the Huffington Post reports. Due to his weight, the damaged leg could not be amputated. But though commonplace for dogs, bone replacement in cats is in its infancy. The challenge is in the felines’ smaller size, including their more delicate bone structure. The surgery was performed at the veterinary college of North Caroline State University, in Raleigh. Engineer and professor Ola Harrysson described the operation as “[part of a] pure research project, in a way,” since a joint of this kind for a cat has never been done before.

The surgeon, Denis Marcellin-Little, practiced the operation four times on models before the real thing. Although knee replacement surgery was performed on a cat in Britain in 2009, the complex joint used in the NCSU operation is much more complex, and more closely matches the types used in humans, both in its functionality, materials used and precise matching with the living bone. The joint was fabricated out of plastic and a cobalt chromium alloy, using a laser to harden the metal powder, a process which allows for more exact shaping than standard machining. The size and shape of the implant is supposed to match up perfectly with the actual bones with which it is fused.

The cat, whose name is Cyrano, survived the operation well. Since the surgery pioneered new, experimental techniques, and is considered research, providing an exact accounting of the cost was difficult for the university. Much of the cost was also defrayed by donated materials. But the owners are expected to pay about $20, 000. Sandra Lermer, one of Cyrano’s owners, said “He’s my child. And if it were your child, would you begrudge the money? I have a personal philosophy that people are, at best, equal with the other inhabitants of the planet. And I’m very, very grateful that I have the money and (am) able to do it.”

Lermer happens to be one of the founders of the large electronics company, Cisco Systems. She is indeed fortunate that money didn’t need to factor in the family’s decision. Many pet owners, even with insurance, don’t always have the option of dealing with major health problems. Indeed, in the United States, many poor, uninsured people have in the past been unable to afford their own medical care.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/cat-undergoes-revolutionary-new-full-knee-replacement.html#ixzz1ljdQzE1H



Actor Commits Suicide After Being Pressured To Euthanize Dog

Actor Commits Suicide After Being Pressured To Euthanize Dog Soap opera actor Nick Santino and his beloved Pit-bull, Rocco can be counted as two more victims of bullying and harassment in our society. The grief stricken actor tragically committed suicide last week after pressure mounted from tenants at his New York condo to euthanize his dog. Last Tuesday was Nick Santino’s 47th birthday, but the soap opera actor who appeared in “All My Children and “Guiding Light” was too heartbroken to notice. Earlier that day, he had taken his 5 year-old dog to the veterinarian to be “put to sleep.”

“Today I betrayed my best friend and put down my best friend,” Santino wrote in a suicide note, said close friend Stuart Sarnoff. “Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn’t deserve this.”Santino put the blame on strict dog regulations that went into effect in 2010 in the One Lincoln Plaza apartment building where he and Rocco lived. Those regulations included a ban on Pit-bulls. Rocco and other large dogs that already lived in the building were allowed to stay, but it became apparent they were not wanted by fellow tenants or the management. Tenants say the dog owners were subjected to “relentless pressure” to get rid of their pets. And as the owner of the only Pit-bull in the building, Santino and Rocco got the brunt of the harassment.

“People were complaining about his dog,” said neighbor Kevan Cleary. “It was open season on him.” Rocco wasn’t allowed to ride in the main elevators and false claims of excessive barking were filed against him. Management threatened Santino with heavy fines and restricted the number of hours he could leave the dog alone in his apartment. Cleary said. “He felt like he was in this battle he was the only guy in the building with a pit-bull mix.” After Santino put Rocco down, he gave some of his dog treats to the doorman of the building. The doorman said his eyes were overflowing with tears. Later he left Rocco’s dog bed and two rawhide bones at the doors of other neighbors.

That night Santino made a final call to his former girlfriend and at 2a.m. on Wednesday, police found his body in his bedroom. He passed away after an apparent overdose on pills.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/actor-commits-suicide-after-being-pressured-to-euthanize-dog.html#ixzz1ljcVQ2xs



7-Up Employee Fired for Feeding Hungry Cats


Ariel Wulff February 6, 2012

The new year didn’t start out very well for Larry Ottoviani. After seven years of working at the 7Up Bottling Company in Sacramento, California Ottoviani was fired on January 4th for feeding feral cats. Ottoviani said that he couldn’t stand to see the cats hungry and wanted to do something about it. It might have been the only thing that Larry felt capable of fixing, because there were too many other things going on in his life that he had absolutely no control over.

“When I’m feeding the cats I can forget everything else for awhile.” Ottoviania said. Ottoviani still believes he did the right thing. “I acted according to my conscience”, he said. Meanwhile, 7Up simply wants the cats to go away. They have placed several traps on their property trying to catch the cats themselves. 7Up Spokesperson, Jason Genthner, said “We plan to take them to a wildlife refuge and set them free,” a statement that will have conservationists gnashing their teeth.

A petition has been started at thepetitionsite.com asking that 7Up give Ottoviani his job back. People are also leaving comments on 7Up’s Facebook page in support of Ottoviani.

 To read more: http://news.petpardons.com/7-up-employee-fired-for-feeding-hungry-cats/


 Oh Darn !!!

From: The Santa Cruz Sentential Newspaper


Santa Cruz County Fair board trims spending as reserves evaporate: Cash set aside for fairgrounds master plan will be used for operations

Posted: 01/24/2012 06:11:45 PM PST

WATSONVILLE - Santa Cruz County Fair leaders will rely on volunteers for everything from answering office phones to managing operations as they attempt to bring spending under control in 2012. During the past two years, the fair spent $820,000 more than it brought in, according to a report presented to the board of directors Tuesday by Dave Kegebein, who is spearheading a volunteer management team. The spending ate up reserves and, except for $85,000 set aside for developing a master plan for the 110-acre fairgrounds, left the fair with $7,000 in the bank to start the new year.

"These are pretty staggering numbers, a pretty staggering situation," Kegebein said. The board approved Kegebein's request to release the $85,000 for day-to-day operations and to provide seed money for the annual fair in September.

"There's no way to operate without that money," said Kegebein, adding the strategic plan could be done with volunteers rather than paid professional consultants.

The board also approved a budget of $1.1 million for the year, a reduction of about $100,000 from the 2011 spending plan. Savings primarily come from relying on Kegebein's unpaid team instead of replacing former fair manager Michael Bethke. Bethke resigned in early December as the financial shortfall came to light. The new team, which includes Nic Keiderling, a retired corporate controller, has been analyzing the finances since it came on board in early January. Kegebein linked the money trouble to "overly optimistic" revenue projections, inadequate controls on construction projects, and unexpected legal expenses.

The fair has run up a bill of nearly $150,000 with the state Department of Justice for its legal defense in litigation sparked by the board's approval of a rodeo last year, Kegebein said. The fairgrounds also has capital needs that can't be met with current income, including an upgrade to its 70-year-old septic system. Kegebein estimated the work would run $500,000. He said the board would have to rely on its nonprofit partner, the Heritage Foundation, to raise money to cover capital expenses.

"We still have a great, very dedicated volunteer community," Kegebein said. "Everyone is pulling together to rescue the fair and get it back on the train tracks and get it to move forward. We appreciate all that community support."

To read more: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_19811633


PetsMatter

January / February 2012

Your Pet and Human Drugs

Thinking about giving your pet an aspirin to ease its pain? Think again! Human painkillers including ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen can be dangerous and even deadly to animals. Though acetaminophen can ease a human tension headache, one tablet of 500 mg extra strength acetaminophen can kill a 7-pound cat. Human medications are not designed for the animal body, and can have deadly effects when given to pets. Veterinarians can help prescribe the right dose and type of medication for your pet when it is in pain. Visit HealthyPet.com to find an accredited veterinarian near you.

When Your Cat Vomits

It’s the moment a cat owner dreads: being jolted awake in the middle of the night by that awful sound of retching. And while you fumble for the light switch, your favorite feline deposits a hairball on your pillow.

As much as we love them, cats vomit, even hairless breeds. Hairballs are a common culprit. But vomiting can also be a sign of a potentially serious medical problem. So when should you be concerned?

AAHA-Accredited Practices Keeping Up to Date

If you watch television, you know how many ads there are for new medications, treatment options and research being conducted to help people and pets stay healthy. How do veterinarians and their staffs keep up with all this information?

Veterinary professionals are usually required to accumulate continuing education credits every 1–2 years. Many veterinary hospitals employ Certified Veterinary Practice Managers (CVPMs), who are also required to get CE credits to maintain their credentialed status. The AAHA Standards of Accreditation recommend more CE hours than many state veterinary medical boards require.

Periodontal Disease in Dogs

More than 85% of dogs over 4 years of age have evidence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a progressive inflammation of the supporting structures surrounding the teeth and is the main cause of early tooth loss.

Toy breeds are at higher risk for periodontal disease because of tooth crowding in the mouth.

How to Exercise Your Dog in Winter

My chow chow, Nani, is covered in long, orange fur. I’m not. Children often stop Nani and me on the street to remark on how fluffy she is. No one has ever commented on my fur.

Now, abundant body hair on a human is normally a bad thing, but on below-zero days, I find myself staring enviously at Nani. A quick glance at her thick coat is also a reminder that my canine companion is ready and willing to brave the elements, even if I’m not.

So, on cold winter days, how do I give Nani the exercise she needs without making myself miserable?


Healthy Pet
HealthyPet

 

 

Michigan Launches Full-Scale Campaign Against Animal Fighting | Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Link to Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Michigan Launches Full-Scale Campaign Against Animal Fighting

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 09:46 AM PST

A trio of bills before the Michigan Legislature takes full-scale aim at dogfighting and cockfighting in creative and meaningful ways that could serve as a model for other states. These bills have passed the Michigan Senate as well as the House Judiciary Committee and now await a House floor vote before going to Governor Rick Snyder for his consideration.

First, S.B. 356 would allow for the seizure of property and other assets purchased with profits gained from animal fighting. Second, S.B. 357 would define any property used to house an animal fighting operation as a public nuisance. And finally, S.B. 358 would include animal fighting in the state’s racketeering laws, reflecting a growing recognition that dogfighting and cockfighting rings are organized crime. While mafia-owned illegal casinos use slot machines as gambling devices, illegal cockfighters and dogfighters use live animals who are often fought to their bloody deaths.

Animal fightingIncluding animal fighting under a state’s organized crime law is a reasonable policy approach when you consider the extensive, multi-state underground networks involved in these cruel trades. The elaborate security measures employed to avoid detection by law enforcement, the massive amounts of money gambled, breeding operations, underground magazines and transport services used to move dogs between kennels are all part of the animal fighting underworld.

Like any underground crime, dogfighting and cockfighting only thrive because people spend money on it. These individuals don’t walk into a bar on Main Street and accidentally stumble across a dogfight. They knowingly seek out the criminal activity at clandestine locations, and they often whisper secret passwords to enter. They pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in admission fees and gambling bets, generating the bulk of the revenue for this illegal enterprise. And they provide cover for dogfighters and cockfighters, who blend into crowds at the first sign of a police raid to evade prosecution. For enforcement actions to be complete, we need to crack down on the entire cast of characters involved in the enterprise.

What’s more, the link between animal fighting and other dangerous crimes is well-established. A study by the Chicago Police Department in 2004 revealed “a startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims.” The study also concluded: 70 percent of those arrested for animal cruelty, including dogfighting, over a four-year period in Chicago had also been arrested for other felonies; 65 percent had past arrests for battery and 70 percent had been arrested for illegal narcotics.

Our friends at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Animal Protection Unit and the Michigan Humane Society initiated and support these bills, and a handful of other states have attempted similar concepts. Creative thinking, fresh ideas and dogged pursuit of sound and effective policies will get us one step closer to eradicating the cruel enterprise of animal fighting once and for all—a day that cannot come soon enough.


 

Fresh Step


Kellie Pickler holding kitten and playing with shelter cat


February Is Cat Appreciation Month!

For over a decade, we’ve been creating great programs together with Fresh Step® litter to help raise awareness of homeless cats. This year’s promotion is going to take a different twist to let cat lovers strut their stuff!

We all love cats, but it’s so much easier to spot a dog lover. They can publicly parade their pooch with pride, while cat affection is locked away behind closed doors (and we encourage people to keep cats inside and out of harm’s way). But now, cat lovers finally get their chance! Join us to celebrate “cat pride” with Fresh Step litter and country music super star Kellie Pickler—and help raise funds for the ASPCA at the same time!

In honor of Cat Appreciation Month this February, Fresh Step litter is asking cat owners to show their cat pride by wearing their favorite cat-centric clothing or accessory.

Cat lover Kellie Pickler teamed up with fashion designer Geren Ford and Fresh Step litter to help design a limited edition “Kitty Crooner” sweater. You can purchase the sweater for $35, while supplies last, and 100 percent of the purchase price benefits the ASPCA.

Kellie Pickler even unveiled and wore the sweater at our shelter on January 24, to kick off the campaign. You can win the actual sweater Kellie Pickler wore at our event. It is being autographed and auctioned off in a package that includes two tickets to one of her upcoming concerts, a meet-and-greet at the concert, and an autographed copy of her new album,
100 Proof! The auction runs through February 14, and 80 percent of the auction price will benefit the ASPCA.

Fresh Step litter will also donate $1 (up to $100,000) to the ASPCA for every feline fan who posts a photo at its Facebook page through March 15, 2012. If you don’t have any cat clothing, check out the cool app that Fresh Step litter created. It lets people place digital sweaters on their photos!

It’s no time to hide your cat pride! Please join us in celebration of our feline friends and don’t forget to tell every cat lover you know!



2011: The Legislative Year in Review

2011: The Legislative Year in Review

A Look Back

Last year, countless ASPCA supporters like you stood up for animals by taking action on legislative and regulatory issues in your home states and before Congress. Whether you wrote letters to your legislators to express concern about a pending bill, signed up for text messages to keep abreast of important legislative alerts, or simply spread the word about our efforts to friends and family, we appreciate your dedication to making our world a better place for all living beings. Please scroll down to see a sampling of the legislative victories the ASPCA and our awe-inspiring Advocacy Brigade won for both companion and farm animals in 2011.

In the year 2011…

  • ASPCA Advocacy Brigade membership cracked 2 million! You read that right—the number of advocates we’ve got speaking up for animals is roughly equal to the population of Houston, Texas.
  • We sent those Brigade members nearly 90 targeted city, state and federal Advocacy Alerts on a wide range of animal issues, including (but not limited to) puppy mills, equine issues, humane livestock farming, and government funding for the enforcement of animal protection laws.
  • Those Advocacy Alerts resulted in hundreds of thousands of personalized emails and countless phone calls to legislators and other decision-makers on behalf of animals. That’s what we call using your voice!

What’s Ahead

In addition to fighting for the passage of animal-friendly bills, we often must mobilize in opposition to bills that are bad for animals. Some of these bills are downright dangerous for people, too. For example, in 2011, four state legislatures considered bills that sought to protect factory farms (and, by logical extension, puppy mills) by criminalizing certain commonly used investigative and evidence-gathering techniques, such as taking a picture of a farm without the farm owner’s written permission. These anti-whistleblower bills are purely the products of the powerful agribusiness industry, which is desperate to keep its more disturbing (and sometimes, illegal) practices out of public view. While Florida, Iowa, New York and Minnesota all failed to pass their “ag-gag” bills last year, these bills continue to be a threat in 2012—and legislatures in other states are now jumping on this trend. Rather than prevent animal cruelty, ag-gag laws would simply ensure that the public never learns about it. The ASPCA remains vigilant in our opposition to these bills, and we hope we can count on you to join us.

The future also brings new challenges related to horse slaughter. In November 2011, Congress lifted a five-year-old ban on using federal money to fund horsemeat inspections. This decision means it is once again possible for horse slaughterhouses to operate in the U.S. We must continue to call on Congress to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 2966/S. 1176), pending federal legislation that would prohibit all activities related to the slaughter of horses for human consumption, including the transport of American horses to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. Animal advocates, please stay alert and help us prevent the scourge of horse slaughter for human consumption from returning to our nation—and raise your voices to demand that the export of American horses for that purpose be brought to an end as well.

Want to get in on the action? Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, an email group of more than 2 million “political animals” who help us get the job done!

Read on to learn about some of the best new laws for animals.


 

newsletter banner/header new version
        Urgent Death Row Dogs
Upcoming Schedule of Events
2012 is getting off to a busy start! Please mark your calendars for the upcoming events. Join us and help the animals at the NYC AC&C!
Where We Will Be:



Feb 7                PROTEST AGAINST  QUINN
                     5:30 - 7:00 p.m
                     55 W. 13th (btwn 5th and 6th)
                     New York, NY

                    Christine Quinn is a special guest
                    at a City Council-sponsored event.
                    This event serves as a great
                    opportunity to reach many NYC
                    voters with our messages about
                    why Quinn should be voted out of
                    public office for good.        

Feb 10 - 12     Super Pet Expo
                     NJ Convention & Exposition Center
                     Edison, NJ
                     Fri: 4-9pm
                     Sat: 10am-7pm
                     Sun: 10am-5pm 

                     The Urgent Crew will be at the
                     expo all 3 days to educate and
                     advocate for the homeless pets in
                     NYC. Come visit our booth and
                     say hello! Buy tickets online and
                     receive a discount by using
                     coupon code UDRD










Contact us          SHARK NEWSLETTER   January 27,  2012   


Remember Mark T. Hall, the New Jersey bear hunter who took this picture of himself and his daughter (picture below) after they had slaughtered a mother and her cub during New Jersey's recent bear hunt?


Hall, a lawyer, wrote the following about Doris Lin, the lawyer for the Bear Education and Resource Group (BEAR), who had filed a lawsuit to stop the hunt:

"I Promise to Shoot one of the following bears in Your Honor Doris Lin Be sure to check back for pics of the bruin in the back of my truck! Thanks for the Hunt Babe-and by the way you need a new wingman-the girls your hangining, man they just don't ...... well you know"  

Hall may have thought he was being funny when he followed that up by anonymously posting some nasty comments on our Facebook page, but all that did was give us some incentive to find out who he was, which we did.

We sent Hall and his bosses at the law firm of Morgan, Melhuish and Abrutyn a letter calling for Hall to publicly apologize for what he said about a fellow lawyer and for his sexist comments. Suddenly Hall wasn't so brave anymore. When we heard nothing from any of them, we resent our request. This time we got a response.

Elliot Abrutyn, Partner, replied to everyone on the email, including us, stating "Mark, Here we go again!" We don't know if this was an accident or if he was sending a message to Hall, but it was a fitting thing to say, as here we go again indeed!

On Thursday, February 2, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. SHARK will be holding a joint protest with the BEAR Group and the Animal Protection League of New Jersey at the law offices of Morgan, Melhuish and Abruty in Livingston, NJ.

We will publicly call on Hall to apologize for what he has done, and use this as an opportunity to expose the NJ bear hunt and bear hunters for being the brutal and disgusting people they are.

Address: 
Morgan, Melhuish and Abruty 
651 West Mt. Pleasant Ave., Suite 200
Livingston, NJ 07039 
 
Contact media@sharkonline.org if you can make it.


Proposed legislation Would Ban Transport of Horses in Double Deck Trailers  


Before his stroke, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk introduced Legislation (SB 1950) prohibiting the transporting of horses in double deck trailers. Predictably, the rodeo industry is opposing this Legislation.

Cindy Schonholtz, PR hack for the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association (PRCA) wrote the following (in italics) about pending federal legislation to ban double deck trailers.

The welfare of the livestock we are transporting is our top priority and we must communicate this fact and not allow special interest groups to destroy our industries."

SHARK's response is in black: Does anyone really believe they care about the "livestock?" Bear in mind the PRCA has sat back while hundreds of animals have been brutalized, battered and even killed during their own sanctioned rodeos.

Does it look like Coca-Cola sponsors rodeos?
This is how rodeo cares about their horses?
 

Again from Schonholtz:          
  

"While transporting horses and all livestock, the main goal should always be the safety of the trailer (i.e. headroom, road worthiness, etc.). As with any form of transportation, accidents may happen and the focus of any potential Legislation should be on safe transport, rather than the banning one specialized form of transportation."

  

The safety of the trailer? What a telling statement. The main goal should always be the safety of the animals.



PETA Weekly E-NewsJoin PETA's Action TeamSend to a FriendDonate

Orcas Make Legal History

PETA's landmark lawsuit against SeaWorld on behalf of wild-caught orcas is the most groundbreaking legal case for animals ever to reach the courts. Find out why.

Renew Your Commitment to Animals

The power behind every PETA victory is the committed support of generous members like you. Please renew your membership for 2012 online right now! Learn more.

An End to the Seal Slaughter?

A member of the Canadian Parliament has acknowledged that the tremendous outcry against beating baby seals has him questioning the future of the bloody massacre. Read more.

Two-Week Vegan Meal Plan

Want to get healthy in 2012? Going vegan is a great way to do it, and with this sample vegan menu from PETA's chefs, the transition will be a breeze! Get started!

Monkey Strangled to Death

A whistleblower from pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb approached PETA with disturbing allegations that animals suffered painful and gruesome deaths. Take action!

Hot Deal: $0.99 for PETA Circus Game

Now you can get PETA's iPhone game, Circus Slam!, for 50 percent off in the iTunes app store. Play now and help stop circus cruelty. Sale, sale!

Top 10 Reasons Not to Wear Fur

Did you know that the fur industry breaks up families and leaves animals orphaned? If you believe that fashion isn't worth such heartache, pledge to go fur-free! Check out these adorable photos


San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy
Go with the Flow
 January 25, 2012  
 

Go with the Flow

An aerial survey led by Mike Chase, Ph.D., reveals an amazing rejuvenation in Botswana's Savuti Channel. (Photo by Kelly Landen)

African elephants are supremely adapted to trek across parched landscapes in search of food and water. Following ancient "mental maps," mighty matriarchs lead their herd to the rich, sweet smell of fresh water welling up from the floor of the Kalahari Desert. For Mike Chase, Ph.D., Henderson Endowed Postdoctoral Fellow for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research and the director of Elephants Without Borders, observing, tracking, and gathering data on elephants is his life's work in Botswana. The rhythm of the bush—including a 28-year dry spell! —makes for fascinating findings.

READ FULL ARTICLE


  
    Science vs. Meat
Joining a chorus of scientific consensus while reaching a large audience, Scientific American recently outlined the terrible impact that raising animals for food has on human health and the environment and encouraged readers to eliminate or limit their consumption of meat, dairy and eggs. Get the facts.		  
 
    Turkey Tattler
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture is feeling the heat from law enforcement after warning Butterball about a criminal animal cruelty investigation and impending police raid stemming from MFA's undercover video revealing horrific animal abuse at a Butterball turkey factory farm. Read on.		  
 
    Meat-free Muscle
The New York Times recently profiled a number of beefless beefcakes who are bulking up and shredding stereotypes about the power of vegan living. With hearts as big as their biceps, these plant-strong bodybuilders are proving that athletes can thrive on a vegan diet. Check it out.		  
 
    Lives Worth Living
In a recent article, world-renowned animal behaviorist Jonathan Balcombe explains how pleasurable experiences are central to the lives of animals. Feelings of love and companionship give their lives meaning and purpose, while being deprived of freedom or joyful experiences causes immeasurable suffering. Learn more.

To read more: http://www.mfablog.org/2012/01/scientific-american-eating-meat-hurts-the-planet.html


New Bill for Hens Provides New Pathway Forward | Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Link to Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

New Bill for Hens Provides New Pathway Forward

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 01:47 PM PST

A year ago at the president’s State of the Union address, Democrats and Republicans sat together, in a show of solidarity for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., severely injured at a mass shooting in her district. Tonight’s address is likely to be very different in tone, and in fact, the unity and cohesion briefly exhibited last year on Capitol Hill has largely waned. It’s rare to see lawmakers of different parties and different viewpoints talking to each other, let alone sitting together.

It’s this backdrop of ideological gridlock and deepening partisan divides that makes yesterday’s introduction of H.R. 3798, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, especially stand out as politically unique. The main supporters of the legislation are the United Egg Producers, which represents 88% of the nation’s egg industry, and The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal welfare organization. The bill was introduced by a bipartisan group led by Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., the only veterinarian in Congress, with Reps. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., Sam Farr, D-Calif., and Jeff Denham, R-Calif.

H.R. 3798, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012
Take action to support H.R. 3798.

The bill will codify an agreement between The HSUS and UEP to phase out barren battery cages and replace them with new, enriched colony housing systems that provide each egg-laying hen with nearly double the amount of current space; require environmental enrichments, such as perches, nesting boxes, and scratching areas, allowing hens to express natural behaviors; mandate labeling on egg cartons to inform consumers of the method used to produce the eggs, such as “eggs from caged hens” or “eggs from cage-free hens”; and provide other improvements such as banning forced starvation molting and prohibiting excessive ammonia levels in henhouses.

The HSUS and UEP have been long-time adversaries, but have come together and identified a solution for housing 280 million laying hens that balances animal welfare and the economic realities of the industry. As Rep. Schrader noted, “I take my hat off to both organizations for putting aside their historical differences and working together to reach a deal that provides certainty for our farmers while providing improved conditions for the hens.”

While all the credible animal protection groups strongly support this bill—including HSLF, the ASPCA, Farm Sanctuary, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Mercy for Animals, and several others—there are a few fringe critics who sit on the sidelines and carp about how it doesn’t go far enough. They have no pathway of reform to suggest, only obstructionism and piety. They don’t understand the political dynamics that exist, and that this bill can bring real relief to these animals who are suffering in the here and now and need our help.

The nation needs this kind of problem solving, and the Congress should enthusiastically embrace an agreement between all the major stakeholders. Please contact your members of Congress today and urge them to support H.R. 3798, which will not only improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of hens, but will also send a message that our country can find bipartisan solutions even to the most difficult and divisive problems.

To read more: http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2012/01/new-bill-for-hens-provides-new-pathway-forward.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hslf%2Fmichaelmarkarian+%28Michael+Markarian%3A+Animals+%26+Politics%29


 

boundangelsEM
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"you can't save all the animals in the world...   but you can save one!"

Hello friends,

As we kick off 2012 we can opt to look at the glass as 1/2 empty or 1/2 full.  It's always been my nature to be a bit of a cynic, but within that cynicism lies my true goal and that is to right the wrongs of others.  Many of you know that once I get my mind set on something, I just can't let go, and saving dogs is certainly something that I've set my mind to.  

Over the past few years the work that Bound Angels has done, because of the support of friends like you, has had an immense effect on more dogs than I can even fathom.  Our programs are reaching nationwide and are kicking some serious a$$, and because of this I can see the glass as 1/2 full as I reach across the table to fill the glass all the way to the top!

Among our programs that are having a great impact is the spread of our Shelter Angel Video Program.  I've been posting some of the Shelter Angel Videos from other shelters nationwide including Burlington County New Jersey and Prescott Arizona.  

Our book, Selling Used Dogs, has been downloaded and purchased by hundreds of people working directly with shelter dogs every day, and that means we can extrapolate thousands of dogs being affected by this book alone.  

Also, our new adoption handout, Bringing Home Your New Dog, has already reached a circulation of over 2000 new adopters.  Each flier goes directly into the adoption packets of shelters across the US - and recently we've translated it into Spanish and this will reach thousands as well.  We make this handout available for free because of donations and grants.  The information contained in the guide is so valuable, I can't imagine anyone adopting a dog not having it.

All in all, we are growing and reaching more and more people ...  and this helps the revolution gain and maintain the energy we need to save lives.

 

Top Ten Worst Zoos For Elephants

Top Ten Worst Zoos For Elephants

In Defense of Animals released its 8th annual list of the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants. Their advocacy for elephants in zoos has called attention to the suffering many of these magnificent creatures endure.

Zoos were rated in three categories: lack of space for elephants to roam, unsuitably cold climates and unnatural living conditions. “IDA’s Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants list illustrates the many serious problems that condemn elephants to lives of misery in zoos,” said IDA Elephant Campaign Director Catherine Doyle. “These include abnormal repetitive behaviors, hyper-aggression, social isolation, and deadly conditions such as foot and joint disease caused by lack of space and movement.”

“Scientific research has shown us what elephants need: the space to walk miles every day, large families with whom to spend their lives, and rich natural environments,” said Doyle. “Caging elephants in zoo displays is not humane and it is not conservation.” As a result of IDA’s advocacy the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have established new policies for the treatment of elephants and the closing of elephant displays at Central Florida Zoo and Southwick’s Zoo in Massachusetts.

IDA’s 2011 Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants List:

1. Edmonton Valley Zoo (Alberta, Canada)

Lucy, the Asian elephant who has been at the center of protests to set her free and a lawsuit that may end up in front of the Supreme Court in Canada lives alone in a small habitat in one of the most “inhospitable climates imaginable for an elephant.” This is the second year Edmonton Valley Zoo has appeared on the list.

2. Reid Park Zoo (Tucson, Arizona)

Connie and Shaba are two elephants at the zoo that have a 30 year bond, but Reid Park Zoo will soon separate the two because Connie, who is an Asian elephant doesn’t fit into their new African-themed attraction.

3. Button Park Zoo (Massachusetts)

This zoo called off a multi-million dollar expansion to their elephant display, but Emily and Ruth continue to “languish in their small, outdated exhibit.” They spend at least 15 hours indoors each night and show abnormal behaviors that include rocking and swaying. Last year Emily bit off six inches of Ruth’s tail.

4. Topeka Zoo (Kansas)

Topeka Zoo is facing charges by the USDA for violations to the Animal Welfare Act. The zoo director has made some improvements, but he cannot change the cold climate in Kansas that is not suitable for the elephants. Tembo and Sunda stand on cold concrete floors all winter in a concrete barn. They suffer from foot disease and neurotic behavior.

5. Niabi Zoo (Coal Valley, Illinois)

Elephants Babe and Sophie have a history of chronic foot infections and one of them tested positive for tuberculosis. The zoo is trying to raise $4 million for a new exhibit, but the elephants would still be based in a climate that has freezing winters.

6. St. Louis Zoo (Missouri)

Since appearing on the list last year, two calves born at the zoo were infected with a deadly elephant virus and an adult suffered a miscarriage. St. Louis Zoo has a history of chronic foot disease and due to cold winters the elephants are forced to spend long periods of time indoors stalls.

7. Little Rock Zoo (Arkansas)

When an elephant died last year, IDA urged the zoo to close its exhibit instead of getting a new buddy for remaining Ellen. Little Rock did not listen to professionals and purchased two elephants that were retiring from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The elephants were not compatible and Ellen died less than a month after the new elephants’ arrival.

8. Columbus Zoo (Ohio)

Columbus Zoo made a critical error last year when they shipped a seven-year-old male named Bodhi to the Denver Zoo instead of letting him stay with his mother. Elephants live with their mother until they are teens. The move was unnatural and stressful for Bodhi.

9. Wildlife Safari (Winston, Oregon)

This zoo made the list for turning its elephants, Alice and George into an “elephant car wash.” Visitors to the park were able to pay to have the elephants spray water onto their vehicles and wipe down the cars with sponges. The elephants were controlled with steel bullhooks throughout the performances.

10. Honolulu Zoo (Hawaii)

Honolulu recently finished a $12 million elephant exhibit that is “so small it’s already out of date.” Two female elephants have less than an acre of space to roam. The zoo also plans to acquire a bull elephant and introduce an artificial insemination breeding program even though one of the elephants is beyond the natural age for conceiving. The zoo director disputed Honolulu’s number 10 spot. Director Manuel Mollinedo said, “Elephants Mari and Vaigai are happy in their new home and that their muscle tone has improved.”


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/top-ten-worst-zoos-for-elephants.html#ixzz1kFUAwKVR


 

ASPCA National News Alert
Facebook Twitter Forward to a Friend Donate Visit ASPCA.org

January 20, 2012

Help Animals
ASPCA, Justice Department Team Up to Help Cops Catch Dog Fighters
ASPCA experts and the U.S. Department of Justice have released the Dog Fighting Toolkit for Law Enforcement, aiming to help local law enforcement recognize dog fighting, collect evidence, handle animal victims, team up with prosecutors, and build animal task forces in their communities. Read more...
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The Rescued Cat
ASPCA Happy Tails: Friendly Feral
ASPCA spay/neuter professionals noticed that Orson, a feral cat, was very friendly. They socialized him and gave him a chance at adoption, a choice that yielded a happy ending for this handsome guy.
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Disaster Response
After Wildfires, ASPCA Pledges $15,000 to Feed Montana Livestock
Our grants program recently announced a $15,000 award to the Montana Horse Sanctuary to purchase hay and feed for livestock affected by devastating wildfires at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
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Time for a Trim
Nail Trimming 101
Does your cat need a manicure? Learn how to trim your kitty’s nails without the drama. Our expert tips will help your cat relax while you trim, turning nail-clipping sessions into enjoyable together time.
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Adopt this Dog!
ASPCA Pet of the Week: Spruce Up Your Life
Spruce was rescued from the streets of the Bronx by a Good Samaritan. Now, this charming young pooch is looking for some active, loving people to open their home to him. Adopt him today!
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A Little Bird Told Us…Hollywood Gossip

Written by Michelle Sherrow

While out for a run, teen bride Courtney Stodden proves there's no wrong way to show off your vegetarian pride.

NASCAR driver Andy Lally keeps his motor running with healthy vegan foods.

When Denise Richards tweeted to PETA asking for vegan cookbook recommendations, we not only told her about some but also sent 'em to her, and she tweeted her thanks.

Liam Hemsworth might be in puppy love—he got a rescued dog from girlfriend Miley Cyrus for his birthday. She asked her Twitter followers always to adopt, never buy, joining the roster of celebrity sweet tweeters:

Maybe James Franco was inspired by Rise of the Planet of the Apes to join Kevin Nealon and a host of other celebrities in support of the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, which aims to get great apes out of laboratories.

One of the great apes' staunchest supporters, Dr. Jane Goodall, is featured on Beliefnet.com's picks for the Top 10 Animal Rights Activists. Click here to see the full list, which includes heavy hitters such as Bob Barker, Ric O'Barry, and Russell Simmons.

Another heavy hitter, PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk is making headlines for not mincing words. Asked what she thought about Real Housewives of New York star Cindy Barshop's real-fur merkins, she responded, "It's outright sleazy, and it's downright cruel to kill an animal to decorate your privates." We'll leave you with that.

http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2012/01/20/A-Little-Bird-Told-Us_2620_Hollywood-Gossip-1-20.aspx


Army to Investigate Sheep-beating Video

Update: After much public outcry, Army investigators are looking into the video that depict soldiers beating a sheep with a baseball bat. “We are aware of a Live Leak video depicting the killing of a sheep,” an Army spokesman said. “The actions of those involved are not condoned or supported in any way. We are currently assessing the situation to determine more information.”

The following was originally posted January 13, 2012:

Last year, a scandalous video emerged of a U.S. marine throwing a puppy off a cliff. Now there is this video of a soldier repeatedly beating a sheep with a baseball bat to the whoops and laughter of other soldiers who are looking on. I would say "beating to death" because that is probably what happened, but we do not know the upshot. We only know, from watching the video and seeing the mood of the soldiers -- and what appears to be a local lad who arrived with the animal -- that the sheep could only have come to a very nasty end. He or she tries to rise several times but the soldier continues to thwack away amid the laughter.

 

PETA did what it always does when someone blows the whistle on these incidents of gratuitous cruelty: We wrote to Secretary of the Army John McHugh and then, when no answer was forthcoming, to other high-ranking officers, including Chief of Public Affairs General Stephen Lanza and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command David E. Quantock. No one -- not PETA and not the thousands of people who have seen this video and are rightly disturbed by it -- has received any acknowledgment, not even a single comforting word, that an investigation has been started.

Click here to read the full article at Huffington Post


 



Oregon is so awesome...Oregon's rare white buffalo herd grows with three new calves



whitebuffalo1.JPGCourtesy of Cynthia Hart-Button.
Cynthia Hart-Button figures the birth of so many white buffalo "means there are earth changes coming." This is among three white buffalo calves born over the Mother's Day weekend at Hart-Button's sanctuary near Bend. What may be the world's biggest herd of white buffalo has just gotten bigger.

Three white bison calves were born on a 288-acre sanctuary near Bend over the Mother's Day weekend, bringing the number of white bison to 14.  "Everybody is shocked that more white buffalo are being born," said Cynthia Hart-Button,  who operates the sanctuary with her husband, Charles Button.  "I thought we were done having white ones," she said. "We had brown ones last year."  As far as anyone knows, these are the first white bison born in Oregon, she said. Two of the newborns are female and one is a male, and the Buttons named them Opal Sunrise Spirit, JR Spirit and Silver Spirit.  Getting close enough to weigh the calves has been impossible, Hart-Button said. When someone approaches too near, one of the mothers "charges the fence," she said.

whitebuffalo2.JPGView full sizeCynthia Hart-Button
White bison traditionally are so rare that some Native American tribes consider them sacred. White buffaloes are produced when recessive genes trigger the unusual trait, in a similar way that Oregon's black bears occasionally produce cinnamon and blond bruins. They are not albinos.  Some bison ranching experts estimate the number of white buffalo at fewer than 50 in the United States.

The herd was transplanted to Bend five years ago from Flagstaff, Ariz., where the first of the white bison was born into a small herd of black bison in 1997. Hart-Button brought them to Oregon, where she and her husband keep the sanctuary's location under wraps, fearing the unusual animals might be stolen.
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/05/oregons_rare_white_buffalo_herd_grows_with_three_new_calves.html


Wow, I just found this...Shame is a funny thing...

Posted by Thomas the Terrible on May 20, 2009

Michael Vick snuck out of prison this morning to avoid the onslaught of media that was awaiting for him. However YMSWWC’s super photographer did manage to snap this shot.

FreeVick

Posted in Crime & Punishment, dog fighting, Douche Bag, Michael Vick, ookie | Tagged: , ,


hslf humane scorecard email masthead 2011

Where do the GOP Candidates Stand on Animal Issues? 

Friday, January 13, 2012

Hot Off the Press: 112th Congress Midterm Humane Scorecard

Last month I provided a look at our 2011 congressional year in review for animals, and noted many of the achievements and setbacks during the first half of the 112th Congress. We made progress for animal protection on a number of fronts, especially increased funding to crack down on puppy mills and horse soring despite a very tough budget climate, and laid the groundwork for important policies to be considered in 2012.

2011 Humane ScorecardI’m pleased to announce today that the Humane Society Legislative Fund has posted the final version of the 2011 Humane Scorecard, where you can track the performance of your federal lawmakers on key animal protection issues during last year. We rated legislators based on their voting behavior on measures such as agribusiness subsidies, lethal predator control, and the Endangered Species Act; their cosponsorship of priority bills on puppy mills, horse slaughter, animal fighting, and chimps in research; their support for funding the enforcement of animal welfare laws; and their leadership on animal protection. All of the priority bills whose cosponsorships we’re counting enjoy strong bipartisan support; in the House, each of the four now has more than 150 cosponsors.

The Humane Scorecard is not a perfect measuring tool, but creating some reasonable yardstick and allowing citizens to hold lawmakers accountable is central to our work. The HSUS historically and in recent years HSLF have been publishing the Humane Scorecard since the 103rd Congress (which covered 1993-1994), so this annual congressional snapshot has been available for nearly two decades. Additionally, The HSUS has just published its report card on the Obama administration, measuring the performance of the federal regulatory agencies on animal welfare issues, and giving the administration a subpar grade of C-minus for 2011.

When the Humane Scorecard comes out each year, it helps clarify how the animal protection movement is doing geographically, by party affiliation, and in other categories. It helps us chart our course for animals by seeing where we have been effective, and where we need to improve. And much more needs to be done, as we have just begun 2012 and are pushing animal protection policy issues forward in the second half of the 112th Congress.

Here are a few of the most important statistics from 2011:

  • A bipartisan group of 30 Senators and 97 Representatives covering 38 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia led as prime sponsors of pro-animal legislation and/or scored a perfect 100—nearly one-third of the Senate and one-quarter of the House.
  • The average Senate score was a 41, with Senate Democrats averaging 58, Senate Republicans averaging 22, and Senate Independents averaging 100.
  • The average House score was a 42, with House Democrats averaging 70, and House Republicans averaging 19.
  • Fifteen Senators scored 100 or 100+.
  • Eleven Senators scored zero.
  • Sixty-five Representatives scored 100 or 100+.
  • One hundred ten Representatives scored zero.
  • The New England region led the pack with an average Senate score of 83 and an average House score of 69, followed closely by the Mid-Atlantic region with a Senate score of 62 and a House score of 67, and the West with a Senate score of 60 and a House score of 55.
  • The Rocky Mountains and the Southeast were at the bottom with average Senate scores of 28 and 26, respectively, and average House scores of 22 and 26.
  • California, Connecticut, and Vermont were the only states with an average Senate score of 100.
  • Georgia and Kansas were the only states in which both Senators scored zero.
  • Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont were the only states with an average House score above 80, and of them, only Rhode Island had an average House score of 100.
  • Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming were the only states with an average House score below 10.

About Mike

  • Michael Markarian is the president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that lobbies for animal welfare legislation and works to elect humane-minded candidates to public office. In almost 15 years in the animal protection movement, Markarian has worked for the passage of countless state laws and federal statutes to protect animals, in addition to helping defeat some of the strongest anti-animal welfare politicians in the United States. ...More


Contact


PETA's 2011 Annual Review

PETA's 2011 Annual Review

Read a message from Ingrid E. Newkirk, examples of how PETA makes the most of your contributions, and exciting details about our victories for animals in 2011.


Check it out.

http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/pdf/USAnnualReview2011-72webonly.pdf


HOW TO: Help a Chained Dog This Month



All too often, "man's best friend" is sentenced to a miserable life of solitary confinement, trapped at the end of a chain. In order to raise awareness of these "forgotten" dogs, PETA has declared January "Unchain a Dog" Month, and we have just what you need to help a lonely, neglected dog in your neighborhood.

How You Can Help

There are two basic ways to improve the life of a "backyard dog":

  • Work with guardians to help backyard dogs in non-emergency situations. Begin by talking to guardians about what their dogs need. Check out some key points to discuss with the dogs' guardians here.
  • Call authorities if a dog's life is in immediate danger or if chaining is illegal in your area. You can check to see if your local ordinance is being violated. See PETA's list of such places or look up your local law at the library or on Municode.com.

If You Want to Get More Involved

  • Educate your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers about the suffering that chained dogs endure.
  • Find out if your community has a chaining ordinance. If so, think about ways it could be made better. For example, a ban on chaining is preferable to a time limit on chaining. Similarly, longer tethers are preferable to shorter ones. See our booklet discussing the need for chaining laws.
  • Make an appointment to meet with your local county commissioner or city councilmember to discuss dog chaining in your community. Don't know where to start? Give us a call (757-622-7382) for help!
  • Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to call, write, and meet with their local representatives to ask for a dog-chaining ordinance.

Many neglected dogs' lives have been forever changed because someone cared enough to offer to take them for a walk or give them toys and treats and some much-needed love. You can be that someone and make a world of difference for dogs like Ringo and Julie. Remember: The best way to help chained dogs is to work with city or county legislators to ban chaining, and PETA has the resources to help you get started.

Want to continue to help animals in need? Join our Action Team and speak up for companion animals. Be sure to share this information with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. 


Hot Off the Press: 112th Congress Midterm Humane Scorecard | Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Link to Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Hot Off the Press: 112th Congress Midterm Humane Scorecard

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 09:37 AM PST

Last month I provided a look at our 2011 congressional year in review for animals, and noted many of the achievements and setbacks during the first half of the 112th Congress. We made progress for animal protection on a number of fronts, especially increased funding to crack down on puppy mills and horse soring despite a very tough budget climate, and laid the groundwork for important policies to be considered in 2012.

2011 Humane ScorecardI’m pleased to announce today that the Humane Society Legislative Fund has posted the final version of the 2011 Humane Scorecard, where you can track the performance of your federal lawmakers on key animal protection issues during last year. We rated legislators based on their voting behavior on measures such as agribusiness subsidies, lethal predator control, and the Endangered Species Act; their cosponsorship of priority bills on puppy mills, horse slaughter, animal fighting, and chimps in research; their support for funding the enforcement of animal welfare laws; and their leadership on animal protection. All of the priority bills whose cosponsorships we’re counting enjoy strong bipartisan support; in the House, each of the four now has more than 150 cosponsors.

The Humane Scorecard is not a perfect measuring tool, but creating some reasonable yardstick and allowing citizens to hold lawmakers accountable is central to our work. The HSUS historically and in recent years HSLF have been publishing the Humane Scorecard since the 103rd Congress (which covered 1993-1994), so this annual congressional snapshot has been available for nearly two decades. Additionally, The HSUS has just published its report card on the Obama administration, measuring the performance of the federal regulatory agencies on animal welfare issues, and giving the administration a subpar grade of C-minus for 2011.

When the Humane Scorecard comes out each year, it helps clarify how the animal protection movement is doing geographically, by party affiliation, and in other categories. It helps us chart our course for animals by seeing where we have been effective, and where we need to improve. And much more needs to be done, as we have just begun 2012 and are pushing animal protection policy issues forward in the second half of the 112th Congress.

Here are a few of the most important statistics from 2011:

  • A bipartisan group of 30 Senators and 97 Representatives covering 38 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia led as prime sponsors of pro-animal legislation and/or scored a perfect 100—nearly one-third of the Senate and one-quarter of the House.
  • The average Senate score was a 41, with Senate Democrats averaging 58, Senate Republicans averaging 22, and Senate Independents averaging 100.
  • The average House score was a 42, with House Democrats averaging 70, and House Republicans averaging 19.
  • Fifteen Senators scored 100 or 100+.
  • Eleven Senators scored zero.
  • Sixty-five Representatives scored 100 or 100+.
  • One hundred ten Representatives scored zero.
  • The New England region led the pack with an average Senate score of 83 and an average House score of 69, followed closely by the Mid-Atlantic region with a Senate score of 62 and a House score of 67, and the West with a Senate score of 60 and a House score of 55.
  • The Rocky Mountains and the Southeast were at the bottom with average Senate scores of 28 and 26, respectively, and average House scores of 22 and 26.
  • California, Connecticut, and Vermont were the only states with an average Senate score of 100.
  • Georgia and Kansas were the only states in which both Senators scored zero.
  • Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont were the only states with an average House score above 80, and of them, only Rhode Island had an average House score of 100.
  • Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming were the only states with an average House score below 10.
  • To read more: http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/

What Do You Mean by 'Animal Rights'?

Animal rights means that animals deserve consideration of what is in their best interests, whether or not they are "cute," useful to humans, or an endangered species—and regardless of whether any human cares about them at all. It means recognizing that animals are not ours to use—for food, clothing, experimentation, or entertainment.

And it's not just a philosophy-it is a social movement.

We don't want bigger cages. We want empty cages.

We're challenging society's traditional view that nonhuman animals exist solely for human use, and we need your voice to continue to make progress. In today's world of virtually unlimited choices, we have the power to put an end to cruelty to animals by making compassionate choices about the food we eat, the things we buy, and the activities we support—and then using our voices to tell others.

Take every opportunity to speak up for animals.

When you hear a neighbor talking about attending the circus or when a close friend asks you out to dinner, use the conversation as a starting point to further the rights of animals. Remember: Only prejudice allows us to deny others the rights that we expect to have for ourselves. Whether it's based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or species, prejudice is morally unacceptable.



 

Hawk Rescued from Attacking Dogs and Rosebush

Hawk Rescued from Attacking Dogs and Rosebush

Written by Rita Castillo of Oregon

I don’t have a photo because this happened fast, I was alone, and I needed both hands for this rescue. I was an 11-year-old girl growing up in a low-income house in Azusa, CA.  Very short and thin for my age.  One day our two elderly miniature poodles set up a terrible ruckus in a bushy corner of our backyard.

They were threatening to murder a red-tailed hawk.  The hawk was on her back, wings spread, tangled up in a rose bush, about two feet from the ground.  The rose bush had her trapped in the corner against the redwood fence.  She was breaking feathers on tail and wings as she flailed, terrified, crying out, trying to get a grip on something so she could right herself. Getting the crazed dogs into the house would cost too much time. Speaking calmingly, I reached for one of her legs– and got deeply slashed by her beak.  Tried again and got slashed again. (Raptors’ necks are waaaaay longer than you think they are!)

Our eyes met for real, then, and suddenly she stopped flailing.  I put my forearm at an angle so she could grab it.  There was a moment of peace between us, and her toes slowly and gently took hold of my forearm.  I peeled rosebush away with my left hand and slowly brought my right arm up.  She weighed four or five pounds — she seemed heavy to me. When she realized she was untangled, she shifted position so she was upright, checking the poodles’ position and realizing they were unable to jump high enough to reach her.  She just sat for a moment, gathering herself.  She shook herself, dropping a few more feathers, then took flight. Bleeding from rose thorn and beak wounds (one is still visible on my 62-year-old right hand), concerned that her feather loss would affect her flight, I watched her fly about 100 feet diagonally.  I said “good luck” to her. And then she turned around, dived and made a small circle about 15 feet over my head.  I knew she was saying “thank you” to me.

Brought to you by: The Great Animal Rescue Chase and the Harmony Fund international rescue squads. Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/hawk-rescued-from-attacking-dogs-and-rosebush.html#ixzz1jaaOU0md

 

Poodle Shot Dead By Airport Security

Poodle Shot Dead By Airport Security

How would you answer this question?  Is it O.K. for airport security to shoot and kill a dog that escaped from its kennel after a flight, rather than delay another plane scheduled to land? Unfortunately airports are being forced to address this question as more pets travel by air. For now the only answer appears to be, “It depends where the airport is located.” On December 17, dozens of flights were delayed in Manchester England when a traveling dog got loose from its cage and ran free on the tarmac. Ultimately airport staff caught the dog without any harm.

Last week a small white poodle named Ge Ge managed to escape from her kennel as it was being lifted from the “baggage carousel” at Meilan International Airport after traveling from Beijing to Haikou with her family. Staff at the airport tried to stop Ge Ge, but failed. She ran to an access road outside the airport that was about 330ft away from the runway. That’s when security decided to implement “emergency plans for an animal invasion at the airport” and shot the little dog dead. They shot her so a plane scheduled for arrival could land. Ge Ge’s owner, Ni Bin and her daughter, Zhou were met by airport staff with the dog’s body in their arms.

“We chased the dog for 10 minutes but failed to catch it. It’s 4:35 pm when the dog ran into the taxiway and flight CZ3120 of China Southern Airlines was scheduled to land a minute later,” said Yang Xiaobin, the airport’s vice-president. “To ensure air safety, we had no choice but to shoot the dog.”

Ms. Ni asked to see the surveillance video immediately following the tragedy, but was denied. Instead, two days later she and her daughter were shown a 15-second clip of the dog rushing out of its cage. Ms. Ni said “…she found it hard to believe that her small dog could break out of its cage and suspected someone had tried to steal Ge Ge.” She is suing the airport for dog’s death and for withholding information. Zhou posted details and pictures on China’s microblog. After demands from outraged animal lovers, the airport issued this statement. “If the dog was sucked into the engine of an airplane, it may have caused damage to the aircraft and could have resulted in a fatal crash,” the statement said. “Every day, we have five to six pets on flights, but accidents are quite rare.”

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/poodle-shot-dead-by-airport-security.html#ixzz1jaaEV4xa


San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy
Brilliant Breakthrough Benefits Birds
 January 11, 2011  
 

Brilliant Breakthrough Benefits Birds




 


  http://www.oregonlive.com

Pet Talk: Oregon's animal-abuse laws lose their bite under state sentencing guidelines

The laws Oregon has to protect animals from abuse look great. They look good enough, in fact, to ensure the state perennial bragging rights for being among the toughest in the nation on animal abusers.  Problem is, looks aren't everything.  Prosecutors say that in court, where it counts, they are hampered by Oregon's sentencing guidelines, which make animal-abuse laws all but useless. Budget concerns shut down attempts to correct the situation in last year's legislative session.

The problem lies with trying to convict people of felony animal-abuse charges. Prosecutors say that lower-level offenses -- letting animals live in squalid conditions, for example -- carry adequate sanctions for the most part. But they say the punishment does not fit the crime when it comes to those who have killed or tortured animals.  That's because of sentencing guidelines.

On paper, someone who bludgeons puppies with a crowbar or throws a kitten in a fire -- real Oregon cases -- could, if convicted, go to state prison for five years. At least that's according to Oregon's statute on aggravated animal abuse (ORS 167.322)  But in reality, any judge sentencing a felon has to obey Oregon's sentencing guidelines. And in the case of animal abuse, the guidelines defang the law. Oregon's sentencing guidelines are structured as a grid that weighs the severity of a crime and the criminal history of the offender.

Imagine a checkerboard with crime categories on one side and criminal history scores on the other. Through this grid runs a jagged line. Everything north of that line means prison time. Anything below results in probation.  A judge can point to the category of the crime in question, run a finger across the grid to the column under the offender's score and read the range of sentences that can be meted out.

Under Oregon's guidelines, aggravated animal abuse -- which the law defines as "maliciously killing or intentionally torturing an animal" -- is a Level 3 crime. At that level, even someone with a record of multiple violent crimes lands in the probation zone. There'll be no prison no matter how heinous the offense.  Judges have some discretion. A process called departure allows judges to add time in county jail -- as long as 12 months for the worst offenses -- to a probation sentence. And offenders who repeatedly violate the terms of their probation can ultimately end up doing the full time.

But neither scenario is very likely. And that's infuriating to prosecutors.  "We have what sounds like a tough law," says Josh Marquis, district attorney in Clatsop County. "But there is literally no way to get prison time, no matter how horrible the (animal-related) crime."

Heidi Moawad, deputy district attorney in Multnomah County, says, "Level 3 doesn't appropriately reflect the seriousness of these crimes."  Jean Kunkle, deputy district attorney in Marion County, says, "The fact that it's ranked 3 is frustrating."  All three have faced the sentencing limitations in cases in which offenders got off on probation or received a few months in county jail for, say, beheading or stomping to death an animal.

Anyone who thinks it's a waste to spend tax dollars on putting away a cat killer should read about the link between animal abuse and other violence.  "There's an absolutely undeniable link between person and animal cruelty," Marquis says. "All of the serious sexual psychopaths have animal cruelty in their backgrounds."  Moawad says animal abuse has played into domestic violence cases that she has seen: Spouse and child abusers kill or maim family pets to exert pressure on their victims.

Just to be clear: This isn't about hunting or telling people how to take care of their animals. This is about the few cases of malicious, intentional, torturous killing -- the cases that the vast majority of society agrees are ghastly.

If laws reflect a society's values and if Oregonians value their animals, then why, when it comes to punishing animal abuse, does Oregon lag other states? Scott Heiser, director of the criminal-justice program at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, says that sentencing guidelines in Texas and Virginia, for example, indicate that a conviction of aggravated animal abuse in those states would most likely land you in prison.

And he cites a case in Wisconsin: Randy Lee Whitney was convicted of killing a woman's kitten by stomping on its head in 2005. His sentence was four years in prison. In Oregon, says Heiser, who used to be the Benton County district attorney, Whitney would most likely have gotten "a whopping 60 days (in) jail as a condition of a 24-month term of probation." Animal abuse's ranking in Oregon's sentencing guidelines almost changed during the last legislative session.  The Criminal Justice Commission prepares recommendations for each crime's ranking, which the Legislature then must pass.

Marquis, the Clatsop County D.A., served on the commission until April. Moawad, his Portland colleague, testified before the commission. They made their case.  The commission recommended that the Legislature raise the ranking for aggravated animal abuse to Level 8 and the ranking for first-degree felony animal abuse -- cruelly killing an animal in front of a child, for example -- to Level 6.

Marquis thought he'd ended his commission term on a high note. "This was something I thought we'd accomplished," he says.  There was just one problem: money. The Legislature's committee on ways and means -- the budget folks -- struck down the recommendation.

"There was a serious shortfall in the Department of Corrections budget," says Craig Prins, the commission's executive director. "We were reducing time served for guys who already have hurt people."  He says legislators favored the recommendations in principle but couldn't afford to add to the prison population.  But it's not as if the higher rankings would have flooded Oregon's prisons.

"I don't think the Legislature is in a position to say this is too expensive," Marquis says. "We can afford to send three or four really bad animal offenders to prison."  The prosecutors haven't given up on changing the guidelines. "Maybe in better fiscal times," Kunkle says.

The door is not closed on the issue. Prins says either the Legislature or the commission could take it up again. But, he cautions, budget forecasts make that unlikely.  Unless the public demands such a change.

"My hope is that we could encourage legislators to give it another try," Moawad says.

Related topics: animal abuse laws, jacques von lunen, pet talk


Hot Topic: Web Exclusive: Battling to Be Buried with Pets

Monday, January 09, 2012 10:20AM

"Anderson" guest Rhona's wish is to one day have her remains buried with the four pets whose final resting places are in a 115-year-old pet cemetery. Unfortunately for Rhona, the New York State Cemetery Board recently ruled that all human remains must be buried in a nonprofit cemetery, meaning Rhona would be buried away from her beloved pets.

"It's as if you have a family plot and you know you're going to be with your family," Rhona says. "Now they've taken that away from me, so it makes me very sad."

Rather than accept the New York ruling, Rhona chose to wage a legal battle with the help of attorney Taylor York. Prior to today's show, Rhona and Taylor had never met, but Anderson surprised Rhona by introducing her to Taylor, the woman who helped her achieve her goal.

Hear about Rhona and Taylor's legal battle and see their surprise meeting in the video below…
 
Filed Under: As Seen On The Show
Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Tumblr Share by Email    Read more: http://www.andersoncooper.com/2012/01/09/web-exclusive-battling-to-be-buried-with-pets/#ixzz1j1sIA9Pj


Woman Pays $50,000 to Clone Dog

Monday, January 09, 2012 5:00AM

Would you clone your pet? On Monday's show, Anderson meets Danielle from the TLC special, "I Cloned My Pet," who paid $50,000 to clone her beloved dog, Trouble -- so she could have "Double Trouble." "It is not for everyone," says Danielle about her extreme measures to recreate her pet. "It was something that I wanted to do so it worked for me." A "Trouble" wall mural? A "Trouble" bedspread? Check out this preview to see images from inside Danielle’s home -- a practical shrine, showing off her love of "Trouble." Also, learn where Danielle went to create "Double Trouble"...

double-trouble-gallery-primary

Filed Under: As Seen On The Show, Previews
Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Tumblr Share by Email Read more: http://www.andersoncooper.com/2012/01/06/woman-pays-50-000-to-clone-dog/#ixzz1j1rdcHjN



Animal Studies Cross Campus to Lecture Hall

Getty Images
By
Published: January 2, 2012

Once, animals at the university were the province of science. Rats ran through mazes in the psychology lab, cows mooed in the veterinary barns, the monkeys of neuroscience chattered in their cages. And on the dissecting tables of undergraduates, preserved frogs kept a deathly silence.

On the other side of campus, in the seminar rooms and lecture halls of the liberal arts and social sciences, where monkey chow is never served and all the mazes are made of words, the attention of scholars was firmly fixed on humans.

No longer. This spring, freshmen at Harvard can take “Human, Animals and Cyborgs.” Last year Dartmouth offered “Animals and Women in Western Literature: Nags, Bitches and Shrews.” New York University offers “Animals, People and Those in Between.”

The courses are part of the growing, but still undefined, field of animal studies. So far, according to Marc Bekoff, an emeritus professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, the field includes “anything that has to do with the way humans and animals interact.” Art, literature, sociology, anthropology, film, theater, philosophy, religion — there are animals in all of them.

The field builds partly on a long history of scientific research that has blurred the once-sharp distinction between humans and other animals. Other species have been shown to have aspects of language, tool use, even the roots of morality. It also grows out of a field called cultural studies, in which the academy has turned its attention over the years to ignored and marginalized humans.

To read the rest of this story: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/science/animal-studies-move-from-the-lab-to-the-lecture-hall.html?_r=2&ref=science&pagewanted=all


AFA News/Events/Actions

News/Actions.

elephantparadeBanning Elephant Acts in Dane County

At the September Dane Co. Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Al Matano, District 11, introduced an ordinance prohibiting the exhibition of elephants for amusement or entertainment.

The ordinance was discussed at the December Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting, but no action was taken. A decision was postponed because of questions about the County’s contract with the Zor Shrine.

If you live in Wisconsin, and particularly if you live in Dane County, please take the time to contact the Public Works and Transportation Committee members listed below to let them know that you support a ban on elephants in Dane County.

In the subject line, say something like: “I support the elephant ban.”

If they get very many emails, they may not read them all, but they should at least be able to tell your opinion from the subject line.

Matt Veldran, Chair Cell (608) 235-8369 veldran@countyofdane.com
Chuck Erickson, Vice chair (608) 212-8753 erickson.chuck@countyofdane.com
Dave Ripp, Secretary (608) 849-7643 ripp.david@countyofdane.com
Bob Salov, Member (608) 423-4358 salov@countyofdane.com
Robin Schmidt, Member (608) 221-0514 schmidt.robin@countyofdane.com

Please contact Dane County Executive Joe Parisi as well.

Joe Parisi (608) 266-4114 parisi@countyofdane.com

______________________________________

Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act

HR3359 Traveling Exotic Animal Protection act was introduced November 3 by Virginia Rep. James Moran. This act would amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and non-domesticated animals in traveling circuses and exhibitions.

For more information about HR3359 visit the GovTrack website.

Please contact your US Representative and let him/her know that you support the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act and that you wish him/her to sign on as a co-sponsor. To find your Rep. visit www.house.gov.

Upcoming Events

Public Presentation - Banning Elephants in Dane County: What the public needs to know

Monday, January 9, 2012
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Pinney Branch Madison Public Library
204 Cottage Grove Road, Madison

AFA's Elephants Living Free campaign coordinator, Julie Grosso, will share photos and stories about the elephants she met during her recent volunteer experience at the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand. Don't miss this important presentation. Learn more about elephants. Learn what you can do to help pass the Dane County ordinance banning the exhibition of elephants.


  Change.org

NBC: DON’T air Skechers’ Super Bowl ad promoting abuse of greyhounds
Sign the Petition

NBC plans to air a Super Bowl commercial that uses greyhound racing to show how fast Skechers' new sneakers are. But an undercover investigation has revealed that the Arizona track that serves as a backdrop for the commercial is notorious for extreme animal cruelty.

And with over 100 million viewers expected for Super Bowl XLVI, though, animal advocates fear the ad will effectively whitewash an industry so dependent on animal cruelty that it's outlawed in 38 states.

GREY2K USA recently published findings of an undercover investigation that exposed the Tuscon Greyhound Park’s shocking cruelty. Now, the group has started a petition on Change.org asking NBC not to air Skechers' commercial during the biggest American sporting event of the year. Will you sign GREY2K USA's petition telling NBC to take a stand against animal cruelty by refusing to air Skechers' new commercial, shot at the Tuscon Greyhound Park, during the Super Bowl?

When it learned Skechers was filming an ad at the Tuscon Greyhound Park, GREY2K USA wanted to draw attention to that specific track's terrible record of mistreating greyhounds. Through its undercover investigation, the group had already found that the track was:

  • muzzling greyhounds while they're warehoused in dark, cramped kennels;
  • providing inadequate exercise out of doors;
  • feeding dogs raw meat from diseased animals and animals dead before slaughter;
  • running dogs in dangerous conditions; and
  • ignoring a disturbing frequency (every 3-4 days) of serious injuries like fractured skulls, broken bones, dislocations and muscle tears.

Then, when GREY2K USA found out the ad was planned to air during the Super Bowl and had some of the biggest names in sports behind it, it became clear this issue was much bigger than just one track in Tuscon. Thousands of dogs each year suffer broken legs, cardiac arrest, spinal cord paralysis and broken necks in the dog racing industry. When the dogs are no longer profitable, they're killed.

Super Bowl ads are the most sought after slots on the air all year, NBC wouldn’t have any trouble replacing Skechers' ad with another. All that's needed is enough of a public outcry to get the broadcaster to drop Skechers’ ad promoting dog cruelty.

Please sign GREY2K USA's petition telling NBC not to air the dog-abuse-promoting Super Bowl ad from Skechers next month.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

- Stephanie and the Change.org team

P.S. Thousands of people are starting petitions on Change.org every week. Here are some that need your support now:

 

Did Niagara SPCA Let A Puppy Suffer And Others Die Needlessly?

  Did Niagara SPCA Let A Puppy Suffer And Others Die Needlessly?

The Director of the Niagara County SPCA in New York is under fire for allegations of neglect that include; letting a sick Chihuahua puppy die alone in its cage and unjustly euthanizing nearly 600 lost or homeless animals in the past three months. Board member Kathy Paradowski and SPCA employee Lisa Liddle accused the organization’s Executive Director, John Faso of “over euthanizing” healthy stray animals and not providing adequate veterinary care for sick and injured cats and dogs. They want him removed from his job.

Late in 2011 the Niagara Falls Police Department discovered a sick Chihuahua puppy that appeared to be suffering from Parvo. The dog was vomiting and bleeding from its mouth.

They called the SPCA to pick up the dog, believing it would be transferred to the Grand Island Veterinary Clinic for emergency care. However, when they called the hospital to check on the puppy’s condition, they were told the dog was never brought there. Instead the puppy was taken to the SPCA shelter and put into a cage. The police dispatcher tried to contact Faso to request the Chihuahua be taken to the emergency clinic, but he never responded. A SPCA employee found the puppy the next morning, “laying in a pool of blood and dying. The puppy tested positive for Parvo, but could not be saved and was euthanized.” During the past few months SPCA staff and volunteers have taken pictures of other animals that have gone untreated.

“I like to think that I live in a more humane society than the county I’m living in right now. Breaks my heart to say that I live in a county where if your dog gets out – your dog is probably dead,” Lisa Liddle said.

Faso became the Executive Director for the SPCA in April 2010 after serving as the director of the Conference Center of Niagara Falls and a director of event services. He had limited experience working with animals and several staff members questioned his qualifications when he was hired. There was speculation that the real purpose of his job was to do fundraising rather than oversee the shelter.

A complete investigation into the practices of the Niagara County SPCA will be conducted by an animal welfare group in the next county. Director Barbara Carr, of the Erie County SPCA will oversee the investigation. Carr is an experienced evaluator of animal agencies and has worked as a consultant for the Humane Society of the United States.

Related Stories:

Mystery Donor Give $1.5 Million For Shelter In Memory Of Ace

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/did-niagara-spca-let-a-puppy-suffer-and-others-die-needlessly.html#ixzz1ivW6yk00


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/did-niagara-spca-let-a-puppy-suffer-and-others-die-needlessly.html#ixzz1ivVqgJuo

 

The Invisible And The Innocent 10,153,000,000 Victims Of The U.S. Food Industry

  The Invisible And The Innocent 10,153,000,000 Victims Of The U.S. Food Industry

This story was shared by Robert Grillo, the founder of Free From Harm. Grillo started the nonprofit group to make people aware that their choice of food matters. “Food choice is the most powerful tool we have for creating a healthier and more humane world for people, animals and the environment, says Grillo.” The activist strongly believes in social justice for animals, especially farm animals that are seen as “commodities” rather than living beings. The vast number of animals slaughtered in the U.S. each year for food is mindboggling, but the millions that are allowed to linger until they die is beyond any sense of humanity.

FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) has released its report on animals killed for food in the US in 2010 based largely on the USDA’s own data. Of all the findings, perhaps the most mind numbing statistic is this: Of the 10,153,000,000 land animals systematically killed across the country, 875,000,000 of these animals died lingering deaths from disease, injury, starvation, suffocation, maceration, or other atrocities of animal farming and transport. Assuming that all of these practices were perfectly legal, we have an industry that exploits and abuses animals with impunity and a flagrant disregard for their most basic needs as sentient beings.

There is perhaps no greater example of speciesism in practice than this. A look at how the legal system in the US handles cases of criminal animal abuse proves that this speciesism against farm animals is not only accepted as the norm, but a legally protected principle over its actual victims. If these animals were cats, dogs or horses, their perpetrators could be criminally prosecuted on felony charges, but farmers and corporations are not held accountable for their abuses against farm animals, animals that are essentially equal in their level of sentience. And yet 91% of the 10,153,000,000 farm animals killed in 2010 are chickens with absolutely no legal protections whatsoever. This is, in no way, a rational or consistent application of animal protection law.

There is no moral or rational justification for causing suffering to 875,000,000 animals or even one of them. We do so not because we need to, not because animal products are essential to our health. We do so for no other reason than because we derive pleasure from eating them. If we follow this faulty logic, it would also be justifiable to maim a dog because we were angry at that dog. Following this logic opens the floodgates to legally sanction all forms of violence against humans and non-human animals that we are witnessing today.

The answer is not more welfare reform that will regulate the exploitation of animals while continuing to falsely objectify them as commodities (rather than acknowledge them for what they really are). The answer is not more “humane” ways of killing more animals through gassing, electrocution, poisons and other horrendous methods. The answer is not to seek false refuge in “higher welfare” products that (even if they were deemed acceptable) could never be mass produced to support the US population. Let’s stop deluding ourselves. We need to redirect our energies and focus on building a movement that educates people on why this kind of exploitation is wrong, fundamentally and rationally, because we are not dealing with widgets here. We are dealing with sentient beings who have interests of their own and who have at least one right, the right NOT to be exploited by an industry that has no legitimate moral claim for exploiting them in the first place-no more than an individual who abuses a dog or cat.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/the-invisible-and-the-innocent-10153000000-victims-of-the-u-s-food-industry.html#ixzz1ivVJkcjU
January 2012

 

toph
Let's Make 2012 A Year Of Compassion 

 

Through the heroic efforts of hundreds of devoted volunteers and animal lovers, and with the generous support of even more, German Shepherd Rescue of OC is proud to have saved more than 407 lives over the past year! While the majority of these rescues were German Shepherds that had been cast off or forgotten, we managed to sneak a parakeet and a stray kitty into our rescue raft to start these friends off on bright new lives as well. While we take comfort and pride in this achievement, our volunteers had no time to rest because there are hundreds more dogs that need the lifeline that we provide.  

 

Spenser 


In With The New, and In With The Old, Too  
As 2011 was drawing to a close, we were able to mobilize our team to rescue several urgent cases. First, we learned of tiny Spencer, a six-week-old shepherd pup who had been found alone in a field with a serious wound to his head.   At just five pounds, Spencer was much too small and too young to be on his own, yet he had already landed in a frightening animal shelter where he cried for his mother.   We have no idea how such a helpless creature ended up in such a dire situation, but we whisked Spencer off to our vet; there we learned that he had been bitten on the head by a large animal and that his eyesight could be compromised. He is currently under veterinary care as we work to restore his health and build his strength. Spencer is looking for some guardian angels to help him with his ongoing medical costs while he continues to look for a special home. Can you help him with his needs?  

 

Brandy and Shadow
In the last week of December, we learned of two sweet seniors that had been dropped off at a shelter when their owner lost her home to foreclosure. Brandy, age 10, and Shadow, age 7, had little chance of being adopted, and even less chance of remaining together due to their advanced years and shy demeanors.   We couldn't bear the thought that these two devoted companions would lose their lives after serving their family so loyally. Despite our dwindling resources, we took another leap of faith and rushed in to save this bonded pair. Brandy and Shadow are safe, however they require xrays, blood tests, dental cleanings, spaying, joint supplements and a special diet for seniors. With your help, we can provide all this and more-these girls truly deserve to be cherished, and you can make this possible.  


Your Support Saves Lives

The only way that we can continue to rescue and rehabilitate dogs like Spencer, Brandy, Shadow and so many others is through your desire to make a difference. Your tax-deductible donation in any amount allows us to provide safe haven and comfort for dogs that have suffered abuse, neglect, injury and abandonment. Please take a moment to renew your commitment to compassion by pledging a gift to give a needy dog a fresh new beginning. They are counting on us---can we count on YOU?

 

Visit more of our dogs at www.gsroc.org 

 


ASPCA National News Alert
Facebook Twitter Forward to a Friend Donate Visit ASPCA.org

January 6, 2012

Transported Dog
Dozens of Dogs Transported from SC to Midwest Find Homes
Last fall, the ASPCA Animal Relocation Initiative transported 41 dogs who had spent months or years in an animal shelter in South Carolina. Shelters in Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota took these pups in, and within weeks, most of the dogs had already been adopted! Read more...
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On The Road
White House Puppy Mill Petition Answered!
The USDA has issued a promising response to a petition requesting action on puppy mills. Read about the agency’s plans to improve oversight of commercial dog breeders.
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The Rescued Cat
ASPCA Happy Tails: Cat’s Best Friend
A woman adopted Danny from the ASPCA in August 2011, and her whole family fell in love with him—perhaps especially the household’s resident cat, Gus.
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Winter Tips
Cold Weather Pet Care Tips
Old Man Winter has settled in to stay. Learn how to keep your pet safe and snug during these short, frigid days.
Facebook Tweet This
Adopt this Dog!
ASPCA Pet of the Week: Country Girl
Live in the suburbs or country? Chrissy may be the dog for you. Shy at first, this sweet Hound mix adores snuggling and playing with people she knows.
Facebook Tweet This


 

  
    Veg Res
Make a New Year’s resolution to try vegetarianism and start receiving helpful tips, encouragement and delicious recipes via text message and chances to win cool prizes each month in 2012. Already veg? Share this fun and interactive campaign with your friends and family. Make the pledge.		  
 
    Butterball Abuse
Following MFA's undercover investigation exposing shocking animal abuse and neglect at Butterball, the largest turkey producer in the country, North Carolina law enforcement officials raided the facility on grounds of cruelty to animals. MFA is now calling for criminal prosecutions. Take action.		  
 
    They're Hatin' It
Ryan Gosling, Zooey Deschanel, Alicia Silverstone and other Hollywood celebrities are calling on McDonald’s to quit “clowning around” and to implement meaningful animal welfare policies after MFA exposed rampant cruelty to animals at one of the fast-food chain's primary Egg McMuffin suppliers. Read letter.		  
 
    Meat's Downfall
Numerous reports indicate that US meat consumption has been declining in recent years. Now a new CME Group Daily Livestock Report predicts this trend to continue in 2012. Although the biggest drop is expected for beef, poultry and pork consumption are also expected to decline dramatically. See report.


 hslf 2011 year in review email masthead

January 4, 2012
See How Animals Fared in the First Session of Congress
hslf inset small animal protectionAs the first year of the 112th Congress draws to a close, the Humane Society Legislative Fund takes stock of how animal protection fared in 2011. Despite congressional gridlock, budget standoffs, and deepening partisan divides, we were able to win some important victories for animals, set the stage for further progress in 2012, and demonstrate again that animal welfare is a core American value. We will soon publish our final 2011 Humane Scorecard, which rates members of Congress on their individual performance, but today I will provide a round-up of the year’s achievements, setbacks, and work that lies ahead.  
Achievements: It was undoubtedly a very tough budget climate to seek funding increases, with many lawmakers focused on deficit reduction this year. Nevertheless, thanks to a concerted lobbying push by The HSUS and HSLF and our supporters, Congress approved some record-level boosts for key animal welfare programs in fiscal year 2012. Continue reading this blog post>>
If you haven't subscribed to my blog, Animals & Politics, it's the best way to get the newest and fast-breaking developments on animal protection issues in Congress and beyond. If you want to subscribe to receive the blog via email (an email comes only when I post something new), just click here and enter your email address in the box on the left-hand side of the blog.
Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

mike_sig_blue.gif

Mike Markarian
President
Humane Society Legislative Fund


 PCRM Online

 January 2012 Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine  

News and Campaign Updates

Airport Food ReviewAirport Food Review: Detroit Healthiest, Atlanta Falls to Bottom
Roasted beet and pear salad, a quinoa bowl, and other heart-healthy foods are now available in many U.S. airports. According to PCRM’s latest Airport Food Review, 83 percent of restaurants in 15 of the nation’s busiest airports offer at least one low-fat, cholesterol-free meal. But cheeseburgers and chicken wings still clog the terminals at a few airports. Airport Rankings >

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Need for Great Ape Protection ActIOM Report Highlights Need to Pass Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act
The National Institutes of Health confirmed last month that chimpanzees residing at a nonresearch facility in Alamogordo, N.M., will stay put for now. The announcement came hours after the Institute of Medicine released its landmark report finding that chimpanzees are not needed to develop treatments for a wide range of human illnesses. The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act would permanently end chimpanzee experiments. Your Help Needed >

Take Action

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Jamie Oliver Worst CookbookJamie Oliver, Paula Deen Make PCRM’s Worst Cookbooks of 2011 List
Jamie Oliver wants to revolutionize school nutrition. But one serving of the Meatball Sandwich in his new cookbook contains more fat than a Big Mac. Paula Deen’s new cookbook also makes PCRM’s Five Worst Cookbooks of 2011. Nutritional Shockers > 

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Shelter Dogs Die at Wayne StateShelter Dogs Die in Wayne State University Experiments
Charlie was forced to run treadmill exercises with a high fever and while vomiting almost daily—until she died. She and other former companion dogs obtained from animal shelters undergo painful heart experiments at Wayne State University in violation of Michigan’s animal cruelty law, says a PCRM legal complaint. Cruel Procedures >

Take Action

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Steve-O Joins 21-Day Vegan KickstartDaredevil Comedian Steve-O Joins 21-Day Vegan Kickstart
Steve-O may be a professional risk-taker, but he doesn’t take chances when it comes to his diet. The newest 21-Day Vegan Kickstart coach has nutrition tips, inspiration, and low-fat plant-based recipes to help you Kickstart your health in 2012. Risk-Free Recipe >

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Rabbits Are Used in Cosmetics TestingNew PCRM Survey Shows Demand for Cruelty-Free Personal-Care Products
Seventy-two percent of Americans believe that testing cosmetics on animals is unethical, according to a new independent survey commissioned by PCRM. The survey is summarized in PCRM’s new More Than a Makeup Trend report. Key Findings >

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Worst Hospital FoodWorst Hospital Foods Environments: High-Fat Cafeteria Meals and Fast Food
Country-fried steaks, pork chops, and meatball sandwiches. The hospitals named in PCRM’s Five Worst Hospital Food Environments report serve unhealthful foods like these on cafeteria and patient menus and host fast-food restaurants. Hospitals >

>

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Worst Hospital FoodBring Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking Classes to Your Community
Teach PCRM’s Food for Life curricula in your town. Health care professionals, chefs, and nutrition instructors can now apply for a training session in Washington, D.C., from May 9 to 11. Application Deadline Feb. 10 >


 




DEAR FRIENDS,

Last week we showed you how the large, ugly wall built by the Philadelphia Gun Club to hide their cruel pigeon shooting had degraded and a large section of it had collapsed. SHARK filed a complaint with Bensalem Township code enforcement and sent a letter to the Mayor and Council.
You can read the letter       HERE.

This is how bad the wall was on December 27, 2011.

Just a few days later, December 31, 2011, the wall had collapsed even more!

Predictably, the Mayor and Council have not responded to our letter - it's now time to amp up the pressure on Bensalem Township!

Please politely call and email the Mayor and Council and ask that they take action immediately to have the wall condemned and the PGC sanctioned.


To contact the Council, send an email to this address for the clerk, and ask her to forward your message to the members of the Council.
nstrange@bensalem-township.org

You can mention Bensalem Township Article II, Property Maintenance Code: "All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair."

Close up of what remained of the wall on December 31, 2011.



 

Momentary Paws
 black long hair cat and mixed breed dog
E-news from Willamette Humane SocietyJanuary 2011








woman holding catTell Us How Your Adopted Pet Changed Your Life and Win!
From the moment we bring them home, our pets change our lives. They make us laugh, help us relax, inspire us to enjoy the outdoors and teach us other valuable life lessons. Don't miss your chance to share your story on Facebook about how the pet you adopted from WHS changed your life! We'll choose two winners:  one cat and one dog. If you win, you'll receive a $20 gift card to Davenport's Den (our onsite pet supply store) and have your pet's photo and story featured on our official notecards. Learn more>



dog wearing new year's hatMake 2012 the Year of the Dog...or the Cat, the Rabbit, the Hamster

OK, 2012 is not really the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese Zodiac, but you can make it your pet's year by following a few of our simple New Year's resolutions for pets. Even if you're not into making resolutions for yourself, you can always make some small changes that will improve the life of your four-legged, furry or feathered best friend this year. Learn more>




Dr. Holt completes 10,000th sterilization surgerySpay/Neuter Clinic Completes 10,000th Surgery

Hooray for spay! On Tuesday, December 20, staff completed the 10,000th sterilization surgery in our low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter clinic. The 10,000th surgery is significant because it means  preventing the birth of thousands of offspring that might otherwise end up as strays or brought to area shelters like ours. Read the full article>




two lab puppiesSign the Pledge to End Puppy Mills 
Take a stand against puppy mills. The website Pet Connections, Inc. recently launched their "One in a Million" campaign, asking the public to sign a pledge stating that they will not purchase or support the purchase of puppies, dogs, cats or kittens that come from mills or indiscriminate breeders. Instead, those who sign the pledge promise to patronize local shelters, humane societies, or "humane" pet stores that offer only shelter or rescue animals. Pet Connections' goal is to collect one million names and present them to members of Congress in an effort to put an an end to the puppy mill industry in the United States. Sign the pledge>
Never Be Silent It only takes a moment to change the life of an animal facing abuse and exploitation. Find your voice


I'm happy to tell you about an exciting new campaign from PETA—one that embodies our mission to end animal abuse worldwide, focuses on animals whose cries go unanswered, and gives you the power to make a difference in the lives of animals. The best part of this new initiative is that you can get involved right away!

In 2012, we're asking all of our supporters to join the "Never Be Silent" movement. Wherever and whenever you see an animal suffering, we urge you to speak up.

Far too often, animals' cries go unheard or unanswered. But with your help, we can respond here and now. Whether you see a neighbor yanking on a dog's leash or your great aunt insists on wearing a mink coat, you have the power to stand up and take action simply by using your voice.

This year, we invite you to step out of your comfort zone and speak up for animals in ways you've never done before. Animals languish in cages and suffer at the hands of cruel humans in a multitude of ways. They cannot ask for the pain to stop, but with your help, they may finally find peace.

Be sure to spread the word on Facebook and Twitter and encourage everyone to pledge to never be silent.

Sincerely,

Andrew Kirschner
Action Team Manager
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals


 Take Action Today! On Facebook....

 

Celebrate Our Dedicated Animal Shelters!

Sponsored by: The Animal Rescue Site

Show your support for animal shelters during National Shelter Appreciation Week!

 

BCBG: Bunnies Can't Be Garments

Sponsored by: The Animal Rescue Site

Tell BCBG to get with the times and stop selling animal fur.

 

Horses: Slaughtered For Their Meat?

Sponsored by: The Animal Rescue Site

Don't allow the slaughter of horses for meat to resume in the United States!

 

Help Save Coyotes In Southern California

Sponsored by: The Animal Rescue Site

Stop Laguna Woods' misinformed coyote killing plan.

To see all the causes you can help take action on: http://apps.facebook.com/takeactioncenter/ars

 

Notable Dogs of 2011

By Andrea, on December 31st, 2011

Get ready to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012.  What will 2012 hold for us?  It’s going to be quite a year if a fraction of the speculation comes true.  The great Polar Shift.  Planet Nibiru Collission with Earth.  Comet Elenin crashing to Earth (oh wait…it already crashed into the Sun).  And, of course, the cataclysmic or transformative events that will occur on December 21, 2012 according to the Mayan calendar. But before the aliens drop in on us and either usher us into the Age of Aquarius, or freeze us for their next big banquet, lets take a look at some remarkable and notable dogs for 2011.  Again, it was hard to choose from the all the best that is out there.

Heroes

Scooby

If you’re going to chase after teenage girls with less than honorable intentions, don’t do it in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago.  Lest you want to find yourself cornered and shaking in fear after the local 160 pound Great Dane catches up to you and stares you down.  That’s what happened earlier this year to some creep who tried to sexually assault a 14-year-old girl. The girl had gotten off the bus and while she was walking home she noticed a man following her. When she got to the gate in front of her home, the man grabbed her, threw her to the ground and tried assaulting her.  Her screams caught the attention of Scooby and his owner.  They chased the guy down into an alley where he came face to face with Scooby, and his only option was to – surrender.  Scooby held him there until the police showed up.  The perp was promptly arrested, and the damsel in distress was fortunately unharmed. Scooby is normally a gentle giant, but if you mess around in his neighborhood, you’ll be glad when the police arrive to arrest you.   I bet he got a pat on the head and a Scooby Snack.  Heck, I bet he got lots of fat, juicy steaks to snack on.

GOOD BOY!!!

Hercules

In six hours, this Saint Bernard went from being a Death Row Dog to a crime-fighting hero. Found by hikers on Halloween, this dog was taken to the local shelter in a sad state.  Malnourished, dehydrated, and carrying injuries consistent with being attacked by other dogs or coyotes.   Hercules recovered at the shelter but being deemed unadoptable due to his size, and the cost of caring for him, he was put on the Euth List.  Just before walking the Green Mile, a Hillsboro, Ohio family pulled him from the shelter. While being introduced to the home, Hercules became agitated and discovered an intruder in the basement.  The potential home-invader had already cut the telephone and cable lines and was preparing to rob the family.   Scary!  This was not your usual smash and grab break-in. Hercules pulled from his new owner’s grip on his collar and chased the burglar down, biting his ankle and dragging him to the ground as he attempted to escape over a six-foot fence.  The burglar got away, but not without a bite marks to cement the ordeal. Hercules was not going to a permanent home that day.  He was only pulled to save him from being euthanized, with the intention being fostered until a forever home was found.  After that bit of heroism, Hercules’ foster home turned into his forever home.

GOOD BOY!!!

Reagan

Not only are dogs man’s best friend, they can be cats best friends too.  Especially with a dog named Reagan. Two cats are alive today only because this caring dog heard their cries from inside a bag that was dumped in the middle of a road in Madison, Iowa.   A litter of kittens were cruelly thrown in an old Meow Mix bag, tossed onto a road, and run over by a car.  Reagan arrived just in time to rescue two kittens that were still alive in the bag before another car came along.  He dragged the bag home whined until his owner opened the bag.   It was quite a gruesome find when his owner looked into the bag.  But Tipper and Skipper, the remaining kittens, were alive and traumatized. They were taken care of, bottle fed, and after recovering, put up for adoption. Reagan thought of nothing but getting the kitties to safety.  Reagan proves that in this world of warped people, animals shine through.

GOOD BOY!!!

Diamond

Appropriately named, Diamond is a gem of a dog.  A gem every family should have. This past May Diamond received the Hero Dog Award by The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles presented at their 29th Annual National Hero Dog award. Last October, Diamond woke his family from a sound sleep when their apartment caught fire.  Diamond’s owner, Darryl Steen, grabbed his 9-year-old daughter and dropped her to safety out of a second story window, but he couldn’t find his 16-year-old daughter who was hiding under a mattress in her father’s room.  Smoke and fire kept Dad from reaching his daughter.  But Diamond found her. Firefighters spotted Diamond on the mattress shielding the girl from the smoke and fire.

Dad and daughter were hospitalized for weeks with burns, and had to have skin grafts. Diamond spent six weeks at a pet hospital, being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

GOOD BOY!!!

But this heroism was clouded by breed discrimination.  Homeless, the family had a tough time finding temporary housing because Diamond is a pit bull.   Landlords have refused them housing, even the ones that claim to be pet friendly.  All because Diamond is a pit bull.   The Steen family refuses to give him up.  They are staying with family and Diamond is staying with friends.  Hopefully by now, the family has been reunited in a new place – Dad, daughters, and Diamond. When is the world going to get a clue.

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/article/just-a-dog-story/notable-dogs-of-2011


Top 15 Care2 Causes Posts of 2011

  Top 15 Care2 Causes Posts of 2011

From ferocious to heroic, appalling to inspiring, Care2′s readers dug their teeth into a variety of different important issues this year. You read, you commented, and you shared.  But which stories resonated the most with our readers? This article counts down the top 15 Care2 causes posts of 2011. Did you miss any of them? It’s all animals for the top three stories of the year. A turtle, a dog and caterpillars.

3. A Year After Boats Shatter His Shell, Turtle Swims Free Cathryn Wellner tells the story of Andre, the 177 pound green sea turtle who overcame all odds and swam off to sea.

2. 15-Year-Old Dog Stumbles Onto Hero’s Lawn & Both Get Swept Away This heartwarming story shows how sometimes humans rescue dogs and sometimes dogs rescue humans.

1. Zombie Virus Drives Caterpillars to an Explosive Death Finally, the top story of the year. If you thought zombies were fictional, you were wrong. It turns out they do exist, in caterpillar form.

Thank you for all you've done in 2011!

Camp Cocker has a record breaking year thanks to YOU, the heroes who make it possible for us to continue doing rescue!

 

This year has attracted more volunteers, more foster homes, more monthly donors and more enthusiastic supporters than ever before.  As a result, we were able to rescue more dogs than ever before.  December was an all time high of sixteen new intakes, we've never taken that many before in one month, not ever in the history of Camp Cocker.  We could not be doing any of this without each and every one of you.  There are no words for the gratitude we feel and all we can simply say is thank you.  Thank you very wiggle butt much!

 

Happy endings

 

Archie finally was able to get his cataract surgery in December and his left eye is gorgeous, clear, brown and he can see again!  Truly amazing!

 

 

Archie also finally found his forever home with Katie and he has a new doggie brother, Orion!  Check out the short video clip of Archie on adoption day.  This was a particularly emotional adoption to witness as Archie had been through major medical when we first rescued him (he had to have a blood transfusion the first night out of the shelter to save his life and he suffered with foxtails migrating out of his skin for months after)

 

Dogs like Archie are the very reason why we do animal rescue!

I can see again!

 

Stevie just had her cataract surgery in December through the fundraising efforts of her foster mom extraordinaire, Janet! 

 

A special thank you to Ellen Nott the owner of The Jeweltrain in Fremont, CA for bringing us into the end zone in Stevie's fundraising!  If you are ever in Fremont, please stop by and tell Ellen how much we appreciate her!



 

Secret Santa changes lives!

Well, we got ourselves into a bit of trouble by rescuing more dogs in December than we could afford.  Luckily for us (and for the dogs) we had two Secret Santas step forward to pledge matching donations for up to $5,000! 

Check out our latest rescue video features the  sixteen cockers of Christmas and we dare you to not have a smile on your face by the time you are done watching it!  

Latest BREAKING NEWS from our Secret Santas, they said if we don't bring in all of the matching donations before midnight on New Year's Eve, they will give us one more week to do it!  (they really want our dogs to get their donations!)

uh oh!  another unwed mommy!

Jessica and her babies found themselves being turned in to a high kill shelter just days before Christmas!  We are looking for a foster home to take the four puppies to socialize them for another month before they go up for adoption.

good-bye and hello

We had to say good-bye to several of our doggie friends this past year.  Most notably was the passing away of senior Sam, whom had taught Cathy so much about animal rescue and was the inspiration for what would one day become Camp Cocker Rescue.

 

Sam's Tribute Video is a MUST WATCH for anyone whom would like to be inspired by how Camp Cocker was started and what we strive to do now.  The last eight minutes are unforgettable as you get to see the many many shelter dogs that we've saved through the years. 

 

We will always love you Sam!

 

Camp Cocker alumni, Lucy, also passed away in December from heart disease and her adopter, Rod, was just devasted.  We pulled out all the stops and immediately went out to the shelters to rescue a dog specifically for Rod to adopt.

 

This short video clip of Rod meeting his new dog, Abigial, for the very first time is priceless.  

 

 

It also reminds us that these dogs we think we are rescuing - well, maybe they are the ones who are rescuing us.

FOSTER HOMES NEEDED!

Two new foster homes in December (for Ivy and for Cassie) helped us to be able to take in new dogs.  Our goal is to find a dozen new foster homes in EACH of the three regions of California we represent.  (San Francisco bay area, San Luis Obispo area and the Los Angeles area)  Can you imagine what a difference that would make for the future shelter dogs we might be able to save? 

Exciting news for 2012:  we are currently in negotiations to sub-lease space in a boarding facility in the San Luis Obispo area.  The only way we can swing this is if we have enough monthly donors to rely on in order to pay for the leased space.   For as little as .35 cents a day (just ten dollars a month), you can make a difference!  C'mon!  Be a part of Team Camp Cocker and be a part of something really special.   It takes a village to save just one dog and we need all of you together, to help us reach our goals to save more wiggle butts in 2012!

 

Check out the great news story about Camp Cocker and animal rescue by Vicki Chen, one of our volunteers! 

 

Year in Review: Group helps dogs to live chain-free.. Fences for Fido here in Salem, Oregon


Michelle Blake, the Salem leader of Fences for Fido, makes an outreach visit to a home outside of West Salem Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. The local group builds fences for dogs that live on chains.

Michelle Blake, the Salem leader of Fences for Fido, makes an outreach visit to a home outside of West Salem Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. The local group builds fences for dogs that live on chains. / Kobbi R. Blair / Statesman Journal Written by Martha L. Allen
Statesman Journal

Bandit and his friends

The dogs were chained on four separate corners of the property, isolated from their owners as well as from each other. After a referral from Marion County Dog Control, the family contacted Fences For Fido and applied for a fence. "This was a perfect example of every service we can offer, that family needed," Blake said. The dogs were not spayed or neutered. Their houses were not adequate to protect them from the elements. Family members said Bandit, a young border collie, was too hyper to have close to the house so he was kept on a far corner of the property. "I said, 'This is why he is hyper,'" Blake said. She educated the family about dogs' need for social interaction. "'He sees you for two minutes a day when you bring his food. He goes crazy when he sees you because he's alone all the time.' "Once we explained, the people were perfectly happy to have all four dogs fenced next to the house. So not only did they get off chains, they got company. "That was a great one to watch. Those dogs have their own little dog park in their yard," Blake said.

Why bother?

Dogs kept on chains often become aggressive, studies show. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that biting dogs were more likely to be male, unneutered and chained. If multiple dogs are chained too close, their tethers can tangle. Chained apart, they are lonely. Dragging chains often knock over the water source. Chains also can wrap around trees or other objects, leaving the dogs unable to reach their shelter. In an Oregon winter, the constant pacing of paws turns their area to churned mud, which can lead to health problems for the dogs. And when their owners do come out to visit, leaping dogs desperate for contact leave muddy paw prints on clothes. So visits become fewer. Once the dogs have a fenced area to get some exercise, they are calmer. And owners are more likely to interact with them, perhaps tossing a ball in the enclosure. "The payoff to me is when we get to see the dog let go inside the fence you built," said volunteer Mike Newman. "They're so happy. So free. Who wouldn't want to see that on their weekend?"

It starts with an email. Someone — a neighbor, a passerby — concerned about the dogs. Or a referral from Marion County Dog Control. Perhaps an owner, overwhelmed by their situation. In the Mid-Valley, 55 dogs have been freed from chains since October 2009, and Michelle Blake has been involved with every one. Blake, a massage therapist who lives in southeast Salem, calls the volunteer work her "second full-time job." She is the Salem coordinator of Fences For Fido, a nonprofit group that builds fences and provides doghouses, spay and neuter surgery and other needs to liberate dogs that live on chains. The all-volunteer organization started in Portland in May 2009 and since then has built fences for 250 dogs in Oregon and southwest Washington. Blake, a longtime member of the Willamette Humane Society board of directors, knew the founders from previous work on animal cases. As the fledgling organization drew media attention — Fences for Fido won KGW's "Newsmaker of the Year" award in 2009 — people began contacting them. "I always have at least 10 dogs on my contact list," Blake said, adding that more volunteers are needed to help with outreach.

To read more from Statesmen Journal: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20111231/NEWS/112310309/1001


millieCompassionate, dedicated, and concerned about all animals.

Those words describe you.

They also describe Alliance for Animals.

Think back to the presence AFA has had in Wisconsin, from speaking out against the use of animals in research to educating the public about the cruelty involved in circuses, in puppy mills, trapping, and in roadside zoos to focusing on the positive effects of a vegan diet. Since 1984 Alliance for Animals has been Wisconsin's voice for animals.

The support you give to Alliance for Animals stays in the state, working for local issues. We are a truly grass roots organization. Your contributions will be used for local issues.

Please help us in our work today. Write your check or donate through our online PayPal account below. Or visit our Support page for more options.

http://www.allanimals.org/index.html



Oh Darn !! I am sorry but this is real good news !! NIH Suspends Funding for Chimpanzee Experiments

Written by Michelle Sherrow

   Just hours after the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine (IOM) announced the findings of its long-awaited report on the scientific validity of experiments on chimpanzees, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which commissioned the report, announced that it was suspending funding for any new experiments on chimpanzees. All currently funded experiments on chimpanzees will be re-evaluated, and funding for many may end.

You may remember that we testified at the IOM committee's hearing on the issue last summer. The committee listened to us and to the scientists who testified and concluded that "most current biomedical research use of chimpanzees is not necessary."

NIH had originally commissioned the study in response to the outcry from PETA and other animal protection groups when the agency tried to pull more than 200 chimpanzees out of retirement at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico and send them back to laboratories. PETA, politicians, and other animal advocates stopped the move, and now, none of the chimpanzees at Alamorgordo, or any other NIH-owned chimpanzees not currently enrolled in experiments, can be used pending a further review by NIH.

This may well be the beginning of the end of chimpanzee experimentation. However, until these experiments are permanently banned, hundreds of chimpanzees are still in peril, which is why it remains vital that Congress pass the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, which would phase out the use of all chimpanzees in invasive experiments and permanently retire more than 600 federally owned chimpanzees to sanctuaries, where they could live in peace at last. You can help by clicking here to urge your congressional representatives to pass this groundbreaking law and end the use of all great apes in experiments.

http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2011/12/15/a-historic-day-for-chimpanzees.aspx?utm_campaign=1211%20IOM%20Chimpanzee%20Blog&utm_source=PETA%20E-Mail&utm_medium=E-News

 

Meet CircusesHurtAnimals.com!

"Hello. My name is CircusesHurtAnimals.com."

Could you ever forget that name? Formerly known as Dan Carron, PETA Foundation staffer CircusesHurtAnimals.com is using that simple introduction to draw awareness to the circus's routine animal abuse. Now that his driver's license is officially changed, CircusesHurtAnimals.com only has to say his name to educate everyone he meets about animals forced to perform silly circus tricks.

CircusesHurtAnimals.com first boycotted the circus because of the unnatural and cramped conditions in which animals were kept. Circuses constantly travel cross-country for shows—some for 11 months of the year—and confine elephants, big cats, bears, and primates to filthy boxcars or trucks, without access to basic necessities, in all weather extremes.

But it wasn't until CircusesHurtAnimals.com attended a circus elephant walk—during which circus staff parade ailing, arthritic elephants on hard asphalt city streets—that he learned the extent to which animals suffer for "entertainment." He observed "how comfortable the trainers were using bullhooks"—steel-hooked tools used to punish and control elephants—"even with people watching." Photos provided by a former elephant trainer and video footage provided by PETA's undercover investigations show that when people aren't watching, trainers use ropes, electric prods, and whips to force baby and elderly elephants to perform unnatural tricks. Watch the video below to see for yourself.

Join CircusesHurtAnimals.com and help stop circus abuse. Not ready to change your name? No problem! Check out these other suggestions:

Link to Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Where do the GOP Candidates Stand on Animal Issues? | Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Where do the GOP Candidates Stand on Animal Issues?

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 11:38 AM PST

Dog by capitol building - iStockphoto

The Humane Society Legislative Fund has not yet made any recommendation in the 2012 presidential race, but over the coming months we will be evaluating President Obama’s animal welfare record during his first term and looking at where the major Republican candidates stand on animal issues. Three of the major candidates remaining are current or ex-governors, one is a former U.S. Senator and House member, two serve in the U.S. House, and one served in the House and was Speaker of the House.

In short, each one has a record on animal welfare issues, and it’s an especially good time to examine the issues with the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday evening, and primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina later in January. Animal advocates should factor animal issues when they evaluate the candidates and make a final decision.

Michelle Bachmann: Bachmann has generally gotten low marks on animal issues in Congress, earning an 8 percent (out of 100) on the Humane Scorecard for the 110th Congress, a 13 percent for the 111th Congress, and she’s on track to get 13 percent again for 2011. She has supported only a handful of animal protection bills during her congressional career, voting for measures to make animal fighting a federal felony, to ban commerce in animal crush videos, and to pair veterans with service dogs for therapy. She also supported an amendment in the House this year to limit agriculture subsidy payments to factory farms. She has, however, opposed most animal welfare measures, including modest reforms to ban the trade in dangerous primates as pets, to stop the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses from public lands, to prohibit the import of sport-hunted polar bear trophies from Canada, and to assist conservation programs that protect rare cats and dogs, cranes, marine turtles, and sea otters. She also voted to use tax dollars to kill wildlife as a subsidy to private livestock ranchers, and to block the Environmental Protection Agency from collecting data on greenhouse gases from factory farms.

Newt Gingrich: Gingrich earned a 21 percent on the Humane Scorecard for the 103rd Congress, but did not have scores for subsequent sessions since the Speaker of the House typically does not vote. He did vote to allow sport hunting in the Mojave National Preserve, and to allow foreign aid dollars to be used to promote trophy hunting of elephants and other species. On the positive side, he cosponsored legislation to strengthen the Endangered Species Act, and when he was Speaker helped to prevent the weakening of endangered species protections. Gingrich is, so far, the only presidential candidate who has actively talked about the importance of the human-animal bond while on the campaign trail. He launched a web site called “Pets with Newt,” and he is widely known to be a fan of zoos. Gingrich wrote the foreword to the guidebook “America’s Best Zoos,” and often stops by to visit the local zoo when he’s in a new city.

Jon Huntsman: During his time as governor of Utah from 2005 to 2009, Huntsman signed a number of animal protection bills into law, including measures to create a dog and cat spay and neuter fund, to allow out-of-state veterinarians to assist during emergencies, and to ban the remote-controlled shooting of live animals over the Internet. He did more than sign bills, and actively used his leadership position to move an important policy toward enactment: At a time when Utah was one of a handful of states that did not have felony-level penalties for animal cruelty, Huntsman called a special session of the legislature in 2007 to address, among other issues, a felony animal cruelty bill known as Henry’s Law, named after a tortured dog. His spokeswoman said the governor supported the bill and that “Gov. Huntsman believes this legislation is very important and a progressive step in the right direction in how we can all better treat animals.” When he signed a bill in 2008 creating a first-offense felony penalty for abusing dogs or cats, he praised the animal advocates for their persistence in advocating for the new law, and stated, “As we treat our animals, so do we treat our fellow human beings. There is a connection there that I think is undeniable.”

Ron Paul: Like Bachmann, Ron Paul has consistently received low marks on animal issues in Congress: He earned a 10 percent on the Humane Scorecard for the 108th Congress, a 14 percent in the 109th Congress, a zero in the 110th Congress, a 7 percent in the 111th Congress, and he’s on track to get a 25 percent for 2011. He has voted to allow the slaughter of American horses for food exports, the killing of Yellowstone National Park bison, the trophy shooting of bears over piles of bait on federal lands, the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses from public lands, the import of sport-hunted polar bear trophies, and the slaughter of downer livestock too sick or injured to walk on their own. He voted to block EPA from collecting data on factory farm emissions and voted against conservation legislation to protect rare cats and dogs, cranes, marine turtles, and sea otters. He was one of only a handful of lawmakers who opposed legislation to ban commerce in animal crush videos, to provide for pets in disaster planning, to ban the trade in dangerous primates as pets, to make dogfighting and cockfighting a felony, and to fund the enforcement of the federal animal fighting law. He has supported a handful of animal protection measures, to bar the trade in big cats as pets, to pair veterans with service dogs, and to cut funding for several government programs that harm animals, such as agriculture subsidies, lethal predator control, trapping on national wildlife refuges, and trophy hunting programs in foreign countries. 

Rick Perry: During his time as governor of Texas over the last decade, Perry has amassed a very strong record on animal protection, signing a number of animal protection bills into law, including measures to strengthen the animal cruelty and animal fighting laws multiple times, to regulate the private ownership of dangerous captive wildlife, to require the inclusion of animals in disaster plans, to protect bats, to allow the establishment of pet trusts, and to restrict the tethering of dogs, among others. The most recent legislative session was a banner year for animal protection lawmaking in Texas, and Perry signed bills in 2011 to regulate large-scale commercial dog and cat breeders, to ban attendance at cockfights and possession of cockfighting weapons, to require people convicted of cruelty to reimburse shelters for the costs of holding animals, and to allow pets and companion animals to be included in protective orders. The cockfighting industry and large-scale dog breeders urged him to veto these bills, and he tossed aside their concerns. He did veto a bill that would have allowed counties with populations greater than 450,000 to adopt ordinances regulating the roadside sale of animals. Perry famously paused while on a morning jog last year to shoot a coyote, and the state recently authorized the shooting of feral hogs from helicopters as well as the shooting of feral burros in Big Bend State Park. His staff members, however, are working with HSUS staff on the burro issue, and they have indicated that they are open to non-lethal approaches.

Mitt Romney: Romney attracted the ire of animal advocates when they learned that during a 1983 vacation, he put the family’s Irish setter, Seamus, in a carrier and strapped him to the roof rack of the station wagon. When the terrified dog urinated and defecated during the 12-hour drive, Romney pulled over, hosed down the dog, and continued the voyage from Boston to Ontario. As chief executive of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Romney also came under fire from animal protection groups for allowing a rodeo exhibition that included calf roping. His term as Massachusetts governor from 2003 to 2007 was mixed, and Romney did not distinguish himself on animal issues. He appointed a raft of animal-unfriendly people to the state Fisheries and Wildlife Board, even though Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure calling for more balanced wildlife policy. He vetoed a bill that would have given students the right to choose alternatives to animal dissection in the classroom. He did, however, sign a number of animal protection bills into law, including measures to strengthen the animal cruelty and animal fighting laws and prevent a convicted animal abuser from getting the animal back. 

Rick Santorum: Of all the candidates who have served in Congress, Santorum was arguably the most active on animal protection issues. He earned a 60 percent on the Humane Scorecard for the 108th Congress, and an 80 percent for the 109th Congress. But more importantly, he was the lead sponsor of the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) to crack down on large-scale commercial puppy mills, and held a hearing on the bill when he was the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition and General Legislation. He was also a leader in the Senate urging adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, the federal animal fighting law, and other animal welfare programs. He cosponsored legislation to establish federal felony penalties for dogfighting and cockfighting, cosponsored legislation to require the addition of a bittering agent to antifreeze and engine coolant to prevent the poisoning of pets, and voted to stop the slaughter of American horses for food exports.

It’s clear that Santorum, Perry, and Huntsman have the strongest animal protection records. They showed leadership and active support for our issues, and HSLF commends them for their past performance. Bachmann and Paul have demonstrated a consistent hostility or indifference to these concerns. Romney has largely been indifferent and has not been an active supporter. Gingrich has been a bit enigmatic, but he understands the power of the human-animal bond and has taken action to protect some of the most charismatic species.

 

      

A breaking Mercy For Animals investigation is blowing the lid off of Butterball! Right now, law enforcement authorities are raiding a Butterball turkey factory farm in North Carolina after MFA’s latest undercover investigation documented a pattern of shocking animal abuse and neglect.

Hidden-camera footage taken during MFA’s undercover investigation at Butterball reveals:

  • Workers violently kicking and stomping on birds, dragging them by their fragile wings and necks, and maliciously throwing turkeys onto the ground or into transport trucks in full view of company management;
  • Employees bashing in the heads of live birds with metal bars, leaving many to slowly suffer and die from their injuries;
  • Turkeys covered in flies, living in their own waste, with some unable to access food or water and suffering from severe feather loss;
  • Birds suffering from serious untreated illnesses and injuries, including open sores, infections, rotting eyes, and broken bones; and
  • Severely injured turkeys, unable to stand up or walk, left to die without any veterinary care, because treating sick or injured birds was too costly and time consuming, as the farm manager explained to MFA's investigator.

After viewing the undercover video, Dr. Debra Teachout, a practicing veterinarian with experience in farmed-animal welfare, said, “A culture of blatant and severe animal mistreatment has been allowed to flourish unchecked [at Butterball], and for that reason, this facility should be shut down immediately.”

Unfortunately, the lives of turkeys in Butterball's factory farms are short, brutal and filled with fear, violence and prolonged suffering. While wild turkeys are sleek, agile and able to fly, Butterball's turkeys have been selectively bred to grow so large, so quickly, that many of them suffer from painful bone defects, hip joint lesions, crippling foot and leg deformities, and fatal heart attacks.

This genetic manipulation creates birds that are so large they cannot even reproduce naturally, meaning that artificial semen collection and insemination have become the sole means of turkey reproduction at Butterball facilities.

While MFA works to expose and end animal abuse at Butterball and other giants of the meat, dairy and egg industries, you can help by contacting Butterball. Click here to sign MFA’s petition urging Butterball to implement meaningful animal welfare policies to prevent some of the worst abuses at its factory farms.


 

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This year posed tough challenges for animals across the nation—but with your support, we were able to take immediate action.
• From North Dakota to Alabama, we responded to 14 natural disasters, including floods and tornadoes.

• We also pulled countless animals from hoarders, puppy mills and dog fighting rings, working closely with local law enforcement on nearly 80 other cases.

• We also granted roughly $11 million to more than 500 shelters, rescues and animal related programs throughout the country—helping pets in every single state.
We truly can't thank you enough for making 2011 such a wonderful year for animals. Please continue to support our life-saving work by becoming an ASPCA Guardian today. For 60 cents a day, together, we can make 2012 even better.
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The 2011 Congressional Year in Review for Animals | Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Link to Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

The 2011 Congressional Year in Review for Animals

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 11:43 AM PST

As the first year of the 112th Congress draws to a close, the Humane Society Legislative Fund takes stock of how animal protection fared in 2011. Despite congressional gridlock, budget standoffs, and deepening partisan divides, we were able to win some important victories for animals, set the stage for further progress in 2012, and demonstrate again that animal welfare is a core American value. We will soon publish our final 2011 Humane Scorecard, which rates members of Congress on their individual performance, but today I will provide a round-up of the year’s achievements, setbacks, and work that lies ahead.

Achievements

270x224_king_charles_tn_puppy_mill_kmilaniIt was undoubtedly a very tough budget climate to seek funding increases, with many lawmakers focused on deficit reduction this year. Nevertheless, thanks to a concerted lobbying push by The HSUS and HSLF and our supporters, Congress approved some record-level boosts for key animal welfare programs in fiscal year 2012:

  • Almost a 20 percent jump (more than $5 million increase) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual budget to strengthen inspections and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act at about 12,000 sites, including puppy mills, laboratories, zoos, circuses, and other facilities. This is on top of $4 million in reprogrammed FY 2011 funds approved in October by Agriculture Appropriations leaders—Reps. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., and Sam Farr, D-Calif., and Sens. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo.—specifically to improve oversight at puppy mills. A bipartisan group of 125 representatives and 34 senators—led by Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and David Vitter, R-La.—joined in seeking the FY 2012 boost for the Animal Welfare Act, along with funding for other key animal welfare programs. 
  • A nearly 40 percent jump ($196,000 increase) for USDA’s enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, which had been stuck at the woefully inadequate ceiling of $500,000 since 1976. These funds will help USDA crack down on the cruel and illegal practice of “soring” show horses, the intentional use of caustic chemicals and sharp objects on horses’ hooves and legs to make it painful for them to step down and give them an artificial, high-stepping gait in show competitions—in other words, deliberate infliction of severe pain in order to cheat and win prizes. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Reps. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., and Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., championed this funding request.
  • A 17 percent jump ($2.32 million increase) for USDA’s Investigative and Enforcement Services, which does follow-up work on a range of cases including those under the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act. All of the FY 2012 increase is dedicated for animal welfare activities.
  • Maintaining $4.8 million (same as last year) for the veterinary student loan forgiveness program that helps ease the shortage of veterinarians practicing in rural areas and in government positions (such as those overseeing humane slaughter and Animal Welfare Act rules), by forgiving student debt for those who choose to practice in one of those underserved areas.
  • At least $20 million to help ensure implementation of labor and environmental provisions—including for wildlife protection programs—under free trade agreements with countries of Central America, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. 
  • Thanks to the work of the Center for Biological Diversity and others, $4 million to study and combat white-nose syndrome, a lethal disease that has had a devastating impact on millions of bats in North America.
  • In addition to funding animal welfare programs, the appropriations committees also included helpful report language directing the federal agencies and expressing concern about a number of important issues: 
    • Humane Slaughter—directing USDA to ensure that funds intended to strengthen oversight of humane handling rules are being used that way.
    • Animal Fighting—expressing strong concern and urging USDA to work with relevant agencies to investigate and enforce laws against dogfighting and cockfighting.
    • Antibiotics in Animal Agriculture—urging the Food and Drug Administration to take several specific actions to move forward on addressing the overuse of antibiotics in livestock for non-therapeutic purposes, a common practice on factory farms. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., led efforts on this. 
    • Pet Theft for Research—directing the National Institutes of Health to expedite its phase-out of Class B dealer-acquired dogs and cats in research (such dealers obtain animals through random sources, which can include theft of family pets and fraudulent response to “free to good home” ads). Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, played the key role on this.
    • Alternatives Development—requiring the NIH to prioritize funding for transition to computational, molecular and other non-animal tests for chemical risk assessment and drug testing, and report to Congress on progress; also requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to move to computational toxicology and other non-animal testing for the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., and Sen. Harkin championed these efforts.

And there were other bright spots for animal protection in 2011:

  • 270x224 white hen istockAs part of the final funding bill for USDA, Congress agreed to prohibit agribusiness subsidy direct payments to millionaires (individuals or legal entities with an average Adjusted Gross Income in excess of $1 million). Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., offered an amendment that was approved by an overwhelming 84-15 vote and then incorporated into the House-Senate conference package. Earlier in the year, similar amendments were offered in the House by Reps. Blumenauer and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.—those were defeated, but helped build momentum for this effort. Massive factory farms, which thrive on taxpayer giveaways that keep animal feed artificially cheap, jeopardize public health, the environment and animal welfare, while also driving smaller and more humane, sustainable family farms out of business. We hope Congress will enact further reforms to end wasteful handouts that support factory farms.
  • An anti-wildlife rider in the committee bill funding the Interior Department was removed, thanks to an amendment offered on the floor by Reps. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, which was approved by a vote of 224-202 in July. The “extinction rider” would have prevented the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from implementing some of the most crucial sections of the Endangered Species Act, such as protecting any new species and designating critical habitat for currently listed species.
  • The final funding bill for the Interior Department contained a good provision barring the Bureau of Land Management from killing healthy, unadopted wild horses and burros or selling them for slaughter, as in past years.
  • The Senate’s Defense Department authorization bill would have inadvertently eliminated a prohibition in the Uniform Code of Military Justice against acts of bestiality by service members, as the Senate dealt with the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. After we contacted the key members of the House-Senate conference committee, the conferees restored the ban on bestiality.
  • The Army agreed to halt testing on monkeys of nerve agents meant to simulate a nerve gas attack, as urged by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.


  Causes

Bulletin from the cause: Stop Puppy Mills! (Official HSUS)

Go to Cause
Posted By: Humane Society of The United States
To: Members in 2232 Causes

You're our hero.

Animal lovers like you were heroes for the dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, wildlife, and so many more who desperately needed help.  That’s why when you watch this year’s video about 2011’s most amazing victories for  animals, you won’t just be watching another inspiring video – you’ll be watching an inspiring story about you.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbICz_FF7zk

You were a hero for animals in 2011 -- and with the big plans we have for taking on the individuals and industries that profit from animal suffering in the new year, we’re hoping you’ll be a hero again today by making a special tax-deductible gift today. Together we’ll protect animals from cruelty everywhere – from the people who club baby seals to death, to those who confine animals in factory farms, to those who abuse dogs in puppy mills.

On behalf of the staff and volunteers of The Humane Society of the United States and animals everywhere, thank you for making this year one of the biggest in our history

Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States



American Humane Association

Sometimes a hero just does the right thing at the right time to help those in need. Ricochet is a great example of how a dog can be a hero by providing encouragement and inspiration to many people. Slated to be a service dog, Ricochet's natural instinct to chase birds didn't allow for that. Instead, she can be found on the front or back of a surfboard, giving special needs kids and people with disabilities the ride of their life. She helps them focus on what they can do and turns negatives into positives.
Click to watch Hero Dog Ricochet on video.
You can watch the amazing stories of the other furry heroes here: http://www.herodogawards.org/2011-finalists/. And be sure to nominate your own incredible canine for the 2012 awards!

But even heroes need support and someone to protect them sometimes. Sadly, as the New Year approaches and we count down the final seconds of 2011 with hopeful anticipation, many animals will not live to see 2012. And for others, who fall victim to abusive treatment, unthinkable neglect, and devastating natural disasters, 2012 will only bring more days of silent suffering — unless we take action! It's time to support heroic dogs like Ricochet and thousands of other animals who need us to be their heroes.

The generosity of people like you makes a remarkable difference in our vital work to improve and save the lives of animals and to advance society's appreciation of the human-animal bond. In addition to supporting Hero Dogs, our most recent accomplishments include:

Red Star™ Animal Emergency Services
    –  Saved 5,000 injured, abused, and abandoned
        animals.
    –  Rescued, treated, sheltered and/or reunited 64,000
        disaster-stricken animals.
    –  Rescue Rig drove 50,000 highway miles
        (that equates to driving around the world — twice!)

•  Animal Welfare Research Institute - this cutting-edge institute was launched to explore and achieve advances to save animals' lives and improve their quality of life.
Your gift to American Humane Association will help us continue our important work — every day of the year — to support the work of Hero Dogs everywhere — and protect animals from cruelty, abuse, and neglect.
 In these final days of 2011, please renew your commitment to helping animals. Be a hero to vulnerable, hurting animals and make a tax-deductible gift today.

Happy Holidays! Thank you for caring!


Petwire Stay, Read, Share 12/27/2011

Do You Have Time to Care
for a Dog?

Dr. Marty Becker explains the health benefits of owning a dog — as long as you have time to exercise her.

See which canine best fits your lifestyle ›

4 Ways to Ward Off
Holiday Pounds

Get a jump-start on New Year's resolutions for your pet by cutting back on the holiday treats you slip Fido.

Why party cleanup shouldn't wait until morning and other tips ›

Why Veterinarians Love Lists

It’s aggravating to get home from a vet appointment only to realize you forgot to ask a slew of important questions. Dr. Patty Khuly offers a list of why veterinarians love, well, lists.

How to win your vet's respect ›

Checking In With Daniel the Miracle Dog

The lucky Beagle mix who cheated death in an Alabama gas chamber has a new family and a mission to help ban the use of gas chambers.

Here's what Daniel is doing with his gift
of life ›



willyouvictoriesmasthead.jpg
year end 2011 inset victories
 
December 27, 2011
 Humane Action share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Send an Email

When you told just one friend about an animal welfare issue... When you made a contribution... When you took any other action to save animals this year...

... You made a difference for animals. You were a hero for the dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, wildlife, and so many more who desperately needed help.

That’s why, when you watch this year’s video about our most amazing victories for animals, you won’t just be watching another inspiring video -- you’ll be watching an inspiring story about you.

You were a hero for animals in 2011 -- and with the big plans we have for taking on the individuals and industries that profit from animal suffering in the new year, we’re hoping you’ll be a hero again today.

Our goal is to raise one million dollars online by December 31 to give more animals the heroes they need to rescue them from cruelty and neglect. Will you help by making a special tax-deductible gift of $20.12 today?

Together with your help, we’ll protect animals from cruelty everywhere -- from the people who club baby seals to death, to those who confine animals in factory farms, to those who abuse dogs in puppy mills.

On behalf of the staff and volunteers of The Humane Society of the United States and animals everywhere, thank you for making this year one of the biggest in our history. You're our hero!

Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States


Happy Holidays from Willamette Humane Society

Maggie

Maggie 

An Amazing Dog 

One of those amazing dogs is Maggie, a 10-year-old Karelian Bear Dog.  She was just adopted after waiting more than 8 weeks for a home.

 

Your gift ensures:

  • no time limits for the animals in our adoption pool waiting for a new home,  
  • the specific physical and mental needs of each animal can be met,  and
  • happy, healthy animals in our care are ready for a home today. 

Won't you give one last gift this year and help us transform the lives of homeless and neglected animals in our community?  

 

Most sincerely,

 Joan Towers




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boundangelsEM
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"peace on earth and goodwill toward ALL"

I always find this time of year holds mixed emotions for so many people including myself.  Oftentimes this season reminds us of the happy times we shared with those we've lost and that memory creates some sadness.  This year, more than ever in my life, I understand this feeling.  It's not something that I'm going to talk about here, but my heart goes out to all of you who share a loss.


What I would like to say in this mail is that this is a time of year for introspection and decisions of what we can do to make this world a better place for others.  In the spirit of that thought, I'm ready to continue my commitment to Bound Angels for 2012 and move forward to help more animals that are neglected and abandoned.  In 2011 we've helped so many animals that it is not possible to list them here.  Our programs are reaching thousands of dogs throughout our nation and beyond.  Thanks to the internet, our programs, volunteers at shelters and rescues and shelter staff, we are helping those most in need...  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CARES.
 

holiday-bound_angels
 

We have a couple of brand new programs that will be finished and implemented by February.  I will announce more information on these programs when they are closer to completion and I hope you will help support them.

Today, I wish you the happiest of days with your family and loved ones.  And please remember, there are thousands who don't have what we have.  Even if we can't help them, we can think of them and send some positive thoughts their way and think of a way we can help.  

"Compassion is contagious" and it is through compassion that we reach deep into our souls and inspire change.

Merry Christmas - Happy Hannukka - and a season filled with Joy and Happiness.

 


Robert Cabral
 

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Wolf Dog Found in Brooklyn; Alligators in New Jersey

A female wolf dog with a collar and chain around her neck was found wandering the streets of East New York, Brooklyn, on Tuesday night. The New York Daily News says that police found the three-year-old; New York Animal Care and Control spokesman Richard Gentles said that she “appeared to have been kept as an exotic pet.”

Mating a grey wolf with a wolf-like dog (a Siberian Huskie or Alaskan Malamute) produces a wolf dog hybrid which is considered a wild animal and therefore illegal in New York. No one has yet claimed her and officials say they will most likely send the 53-pound brown wolf dog to a sanctuary for unwanted wolf dogs.  

UPDATE, 11:30 am, December 25: The wolf dog was transported to a wolfdog rescue called Howling Woods Farm in New Jersey yesterday morning.  She is not “dangerous” as described in news reports but a “real sweetheart.”

The East New York wolf dog is not the only exotic animal recently found in urban quarters on the east coast. NJ.com says that, this past Thursday, the Mercer County Sheriff’s officers attempted to serve a restraining order to a home in the Wilbur section of Trenton. Officers found six small alligators, two turtles, a hamster and four sick and injured dogs living in what were called “dirty and cluttered conditions.” The alligators, which were up to two feet long, were in a plastic bin that was filled with stagnant water; a seventh, six-inch long alligator was found dead in a plastic container. The dogs were skinny, with injuries on their snouts. Karen Craddock, the mother of the animals’ owner, was present at the house and said that her son sometimes fed them and sometimes did not. The animals’ owner, Terrance Pierce, was not at the house when the officers investigated.

Describing one dog who wore a collar studded with screws pointing out, NJ.com says that “the dog wagged his tail and appeared happy to see people.”

The discovery of the wolf dog, alligators and other exotic animals, as well as the tragedy earlier this year in Zanesville — in which Terry Thompson let out 50 exotic animals and shot himself, and 49 of the animals were shot dead except for one monkey that was most likely eaten by one of the cats — all highlight the need for states to review laws regarding exotic animals ownership. As Care2′s Megan Drake asked earlier this year,

Should it be legal for individuals to own and house exotic animals?

According to BornFreeUSA, 20 states (including New Jersey) have a ban on private ownership of exotic animals; nine states have a partial ban; nine states (including Ohio) have no license or permit requirements. Having such laws will not completely prevent people from illegally buying and keeping animals. But they are an important deterrent to protect exotic animals from cruel and inhumane treatment.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/wolf-dog-found-in-brooklyn-alligators-in-new-jersey.html#ixzz1hsMpOi4N
care2 petitionsite actionAlert

We've had some marvelous successes in December so far! You really helped make things happen.

Seattle Votes to Ban Plastic Bags
Success Nearly 7,000 Care2 members signed a petition urging the city of Seattle to ban the use of plastic shopping bags. Seattle will also be charging 5 cents for customers who ask for recyclable paper bags. Plastic trash clogs our environment forever, so this is a great positive move! Read more.

Fraternity in Vermont Shut Down After Joking About Raping Women
Success Recently, the University of Vermont chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity passed out a survey asking members to divulge whom they wanted to rape. Care2 members helped send the message that this was not acceptable, and the fraternity has been shut down. Read more.

Russia Bans Harp Seal Imports
Success Harp seals frolic in the waters of Canada and are brutally slaughtered en masse to be shipped overseas. Fortunately, global markets for harp seal products are closing fast! Last week, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan joined the leagues of nations that have banned the import of harp seal products. Read more.

103-Year-Old Atlanta Woman Avoids Eviction
Success! Elvina Hall is a 103-year-old Atlanta woman facing foreclosure by JP Morgan Chase due to a grandson taking a loan on her house without her consent. Thanks to 33,000 Care2 members just like you, the bank had a change of heart, and she has been allowed to stay in her home of 53 years. Read more

State of New York Creates Benefit Corportions
Success! This month, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law that creates a new legal category of company - a benefit corporation. A benefit coporation must prove that it is making positive social and environmental impacts in addition to pursuing a financial bottom line. Thank you, Care2 members! Read more.

Thank you for for being a part of the Care2 community! You can share your own success stories with us by emailing successstories@earth.care2.com.



Happy Holidays!

Ellyn S.
Care2 Campaigns Team
ThePetitionSite.com

 


Looking for an Animal Shelter Grant? Check These Five Charities

December 23rd, 2011
feature photo

Have you started researching grant possibilities for the new year? Following are five foundations and charities you should check out. If you qualify for any of these, assign someone at your shelter or rescue the task of applying within the specified timeframes and guidelines.

VCA Animal Hospitals operates VCA Charities to support animal in need. Go to the VCA Charities page to read about the many programs they support and click the “grant application link” from this page.

Banfield Pet Hospital helps financially challenged pet owners and their pets with veterinary services and pet food so pets can stay with their owners. Read more at the Banfield Charitable Trust FAQ page and link to grant information from this page.

The Millan Foundation provides financial support to assist non-profit animal shelters and organizations engaged in the rescuing, rehabilitation, and re-homing of abused and abandoned dogs. Funding programs for spaying and neutering to help reduce or eliminate dog overpopulation are a priority for the foundation. A preference is given in consideration for funding to organizations that do not euthanize healthy, adoptable animals.

PetSmart Charities® partners with and supports thousands of animal-welfare agencies across North America. According to their website, we support programs that help fight homeless pet overpopulation and improve the quality of life of pets through adoptions, spay/neuter and emergency relief. Also see the Grants page for PetSmart charities to link to different grants your rescue or shelter may qualify for.

American Animal Hospital Association offers a Helping Pets Fund. The website explains the mission of the fund:
The AAHA Helping Pets Fund provides financial assistance through AAHA-accredited veterinary practices for emergency and non-elective veterinary care. We can help in three types of cases:
• When a pet owner is receiving certain forms of government assistance for low-income individuals
• When a pet owner experiences a temporary financial hardship
• When a veterinary practice acts as a Good Samaritan and no pet owner exists
From this page link to the guidelines for grant seekers.

To read more: http://animalsheltertips.com/blog/finding-grants/looking-for-an-animal-shelter-grant-check-these-five-charities/


 

North Shore Animal League Homepage
MyLeague Magazine December 2011 Issue
Thank you for being a MyLeague Member!
As a benefit of your membership, here is
your free December issue of MyLeague
Magazine, which contains rescue stories,
pet tips, lifestyle articles and more.

This issue includes:
•  "Reflecting on 2011" Video
•  Holiday Pet Tips
•  Beautiful Adoptable Animals

Enjoy this issue!

Read the Magazine
MyLeague Magazine Reflections Cover

 

Happy Holidays from the ASPCA
     
Happy Holidays
     
This holiday season, as you gather together with family, friends and your beloved animal companions, please accept our sincere thanks for your commitment to our nation's animals. Because of you, we were able to provide hands-on help for animals—wherever they needed us most.

SHARK Shuts Down Planned Tower Shoot


DEAR FRIENDS,


Facing a SHARK camera squad, shotgun wielding cowards from New York, New Jersey and other states wisely chose to run away from the Wing Pointe canned hunt club.

Last Sunday was supposed to be another Wing Pointe tower shoot, a blood spilling event that involves groups of pigeons being released while they are literally surrounded and shot at.

A SHARK investigator filmed a similar travesty alone at Wing Pointe a few weeks earlier. Watch that video HERE. The documentation was so disturbing we decided to go to Wing Pointe in full force, and to live stream the cruelty to the world.

We had our cameras set up for when the would-be killers started arriving.  A Wing Pointe employee came out in a tractor to prepare the slaughter area.  He saw the bank of cameras waiting for him, made a phone call and then left. Shortly thereafter, carloads of cowards starting heading home.

What we got was more than we could have hoped for - a shutdown of the event!

 SHARK's Flotilla Goes After the Philadelphia Gun Club 


Erected just a few months ago, the wall has now become a slum. The one percenters of the PGC don't seem to mind, so long as they can satiate their bloodlust.
The cowards of the Philadelphia Gun Club (PGC) got a rude surprise last Saturday when they held another pigeon shoot hidden behind their new wall of what we call "The Underwear." The Underwear was an eyesore when it was first constructed a few months ago. Now it has already become a tattered, flapping embarrassment symbolizing the cruelty, cowardice and corruption of the entire state of Pennsylvania.

SHARK's greeting to the club came by way of not one, but two boats.  SHARK Investigator Stu Chaifetz and SHARK president Steve Hindi spent the day off the club's shore, video documenting shot being fired into the Delaware River. On numerous occasions they and their boats were hit by the shot.

The Delaware River is obviously a public waterway. No one has the right to dump into the river, nor do they have the right to endanger the public, but PGC members have wantonly done just that for many, many decades. The club's dumping includes not only shot, but also the bodies of their victims.
If the PGC boat operator (left boat) thought he could intimidate the smaller SHARK boats, he received a rude awakening last Saturday.

D-Day, SHARK Style! Investigator Stu Chaifetz takes the beach of the Philadelphia Gun Club


SHARK's exposure of the PGC misbehavior has forced them to put a boat off their shore during shoots. The purpose of this boat is to try to pressure boaters into giving up their right to traverse the area around the club. We have video documentation of this effort, and will be posting a YouTube about it very soon.

SHARK is filing complaints with as many PA law and environmental enforcement agencies as we think may apply. 

We already know that the Bensalem Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler are in the service of the pigeon shooters, but we hope that the US Coast Guard might do their duty, and put an end to the outrageous conduct of the Philadelphia Gun Club.


 care2 petitionsite actionAlert



Just yesterday, the Obama administration announced strong limits on mercury emissions from coal plants. This is a huge step for the health of all Americans and the priorities of health over profits.

Thank President Obama for this incredible safeguard to our health! »

The EPA estimates that these rules can prevent 11,000 premature deaths every year. That's HUGE! They also estimate that by 2016, these rules could avert 4,700 heart attacks and prevent 130,000 cases of childhood asthma every year.

This is an awesome holiday gift from the administration. This gift will create jobs, spur innovation, save lives, and secure a healthier future for our country. That's a big deal, and deserves our praise!

Please join me in thanking President Obama for pushing through these tough standards and standing up to Big Coal. »

Thank you for taking action!

Emily L.
Care2 Campaign Team

 

The american anti-vivisection society
Season's greetings
Extending our gratitude for all you do to help the animals

 

Happy Holidays Fron PETA



As many of us look forward to time with friends and family this holiday season, I want to thank you for being such a friend to PETA and to all the animals we've helped over the last year as a dedicated member.

Without the understanding and generous support of special donors like you, we would simply not be able to help animals like Sheena (pictured above), and I can't imagine anything worse than that. Slated for horrific experiments at the University of Utah, PETA saved Sheena at the last minute, and now she will spend the holidays in a loving home with her new family. Isn't that wonderful?

Sheena is only one of so many animals PETA has saved from suffering and abuse through the help of our members and supporters. Your caring heart makes possible all of PETA's work to stop cruelty to animals during the holidays and all year long.

Thank you again for your dedication to PETA's work in behalf of animals. I wish you and everyone you care about—two-legged, three-legged like the rescued cat named Marshall who lives in our office, four-legged, winged, and finned—peace and joy this holiday and in the new year.

Kind regards,


Ingrid E. Newkirk
President


Florida’s Ag Gag Bill Reintroduced

  Florida’s Ag Gag Bill Reintroduced

Earlier this year a bill was introduced in Florida by Senator Jim Norman that would have made it a felony to take photos or video of a farm or agriculture operation.

The “Ag Gag” bill was openly supported by Big Ag and directed at both whistle-blowers who go undercover to document the cruelty that animals on farms suffer, as well as anyone who wants to just snap a shot while standing on the side of the road. Those documenting what they saw would have been left facing criminal charges, while abusers would be left unaccountable. Fortunately, the bill never came to a vote and similar measures failed in Minnesota, Iowa and New York.

Sen. Norman has reintroduced this legislation by sneaking similar language into a larger agricultural bill (SB 1184), which will make it a first-degree misdemeanor to take photos, audio recordings or video of a farm or farm operation without previous written consent.

All of this was done with urging from Wilton Simpson of Simpson Farms, which “produces 21 million eggs annually for Florida’s second-largest egg seller, Tampa Farm Service,” according to the Florida Independent. Simpson reportedly fears activists will gather dirt on factory farms for campaigns that could lead to a ballot initiative similar to California’s Prop 2. Simpson’s also currently running for senate.

Undercover videos from organizations such as Mercy for Animals and the HSUS have played an important role in exposing not only egregious abuse and unsanitary living conditions that farm animals are forced to endure, but have also drawn attention to standard industry practices that don’t seem to fit into the mainstream idea of humane treatment of animals and in some cases have resulted in criminal charges and new laws.

The materials provided by such investigations have opened the doors to otherwise closed facilities and prompt thought, debate and reform regarding the treatment and use of animals in agriculture would have been swept under the rug.

Please sign the petition asking Florida’s senators not to pass this bill in any form.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/floridas-ag-gag-bill-reintroduced.html#ixzz1hnFxBBDo






American Humane Association


As 2011 comes to a close, American Humane Association would like to thank you for your support which has made a great impact on the world. We invite you to watch the video below that we've compiled to highlight the lifesaving work you helped make possible this year.
American Humane Thank You Video
Your contribution in 2011 had a tremendous impact through our many programs, including:
•  Second Chance® Fund and Meacham Grants which helped 4,491 abused, injured, and abandoned animals

•   Red Star™ Animal Emergency Services teams were on the scene helping animals and communities following the floods in Memphis and North Dakota, the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, and Hurricane Irene. Over the past five years, our teams saved, rescued and sheltered 64,100 animals caught in natural disasters.

•   Animal-Assisted Therapy programs gave hope, healing and comfort to 125,000 disabled people, children with cancer, and veterans and their families

•   Providing protection and ensuring humane treatment of more than 135 million farm animals nationwide

•   Providing protection and improving the lives of millions of children through our abuse-prevention and family-building programs in all 50 states

With the help of caring people like you, we can continue to help abused and neglected animals and children.

 


 

Free-Range Hens Less Carbon Friendly


Free-Range Hens Less Carbon Friendly

A headline out of Australia announces free-range hens produce more greenhouse gas than birds kept in cages. According to The Age, hens allowed to wander freely require more feed to produce a kilogram of eggs than their confined cousins. The result is a 20% increase in carbon footprint.

The Australian Egg Corporation partnered with government to produce the “Environmental Assessment of an Egg Production Supply Chain using Life Cycle Assessment.” The report looks at the whole “production supply chain” in order to tally the carbon footprint of eggs that find their way to Australian tables.

After all the inputs (feed, water, energy, housing) were examined in terms of cost and environmental impact, Australian eggs emerged as “a highly efficient form of protein production with respect to the environmental impacts and resource use issues addressed in this study.” When compared with other protein foods (i.e., meat), eggs came out ahead.

The results prompted the Australian Egg Corporation’s managing director, James Kelloway, to say,

The egg industry would be very happy to consider adding the environmental footprint or greenhouse gas emission status on egg labels.

However, it would be meaningless without other food products having to do it, or providing a reference point so consumers can compare food types or food categories.

The report is coolly abstract, but the patina of objectivity and the rosy comparison with other countries’ egg/carbon numbers avoids some of the more serious issues in egg production. Take, for instance, the impact on watersheds and the dead zones downstream of Big Chicken operations. Consider the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in supermarket meats. Think of the implications of eating eggs from hens subjected to horrendous cruelty. Contemplate the fate of male chicks.

While all of these issues reported in Care2 are from the U.S. and Canada, Australia’s hands are also stained in terms of its animal welfare record. In all fairness, Australia has made strides in the treatment of its egg layers, and 26% of its eggs come from free-range hens;  its environmental standards for waste from poultry farms are tougher. However, no matter how high the environmental standards or how humane the handling, battery hens are still confined in conditions to which no animal should be subjected.

It is not enough to consider the carbon footprint of our choices. Our eggnog, poached eggs, and quiches are the end product of a system that treats chickens as if their suffering does not count in comparison with our convenience. Consumers who learn that free-range hens are harder on the environment than caged birds may accept that as an excuse to continue confining them. Chickens deserve better than this.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/free-range-hens-less-carbon-friendly.html#ixzz1hgHTSJs0

 

  
    Top 11 of 2011
2011 was another landmark year for MFA! From groundbreaking undercover investigations and criminal prosecutions to innovative grassroots activism and eye-catching advertising, we are opening hearts and changing minds about animals raised for food. Here are MFA’s Top 11 Successes of 2011. See video.		  
 
    Festive Fest
With the holiday season upon us, there's no better time to start planning your healthy, humane and hearty winter feast. Easy to make and even easier to eat, these lip-smacking, homemade vegan holiday recipes are sure to amaze and delight your friends and family. Get recipes.		  
 
    MFA on CNN
MFA's three-state investigation into a former McDonald's Egg McMuffin supplier continues to capture headlines. Last week, CNN's Jane Velez-Mitchell interviewed MFA's Executive Director Nathan Runkle, saying the types of abuses documented are difficult to watch but Americans need to know about them. Watch interview.		  
 
    Vegan Momentum
Cruelty-free cuisine continues to gain momentum, as people ditch meat, milk and eggs in favor of vegan alternatives. According to a recent poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, there are 7.5 million vegans in the U.S. and vegetarianism seems to be on the rise. Read more.		  
 
    Celebrate Compassion
With the winter holidays just around the corner, what better way to show the vegans in your life how much you appreciate them than with this limited edition, sterling silver "VEGAN" necklace by Michelle Rubin? Proceeds go to support MFA's lifesaving work on behalf of animals. Order today.		  
 
    Power of Your Plate
According to a new study, women who eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains dramatically decrease their risk of stroke, even if they have a history of cardiovascular disease. Once again, science is showing the power of our plates to improve our health and help animals. See study.

Care2.comCare2.com		 December 15, 2011
take action causes &ampl news healthy living community ecards rewards

Check out the causes you care about most -- with stories from Care2's network of bloggers and non-profit partners.

from Environment & Wildlife
Bewitching Duckling Rescue Will Give You Goose Bumps

by: Laura Simpson   add a comment
from Human Rights
When Humans Were Zoo Exhibits (Video)

by: Paul Canning  

 
Alley Cat Allies ALLEY CAT ALLIES eNEWS
Home Action CenterTell a Friend

December Edition

Thanks to the support of loyal donors like you, we've been very busy this month protecting cats around the country. Here are just a few of our current projects and successes:
Smithsonian Bird Researcher Convicted of Attempted Animal Cruelty
Smithsonian researcher convicted

An important victory took place for cats this winter, when a judge found Smithsonian bird researcher Nico Dauphine guilty of attempted animal cruelty for trying to poison cats in her Washington, DC, neighborhood. Dauphine’s inflammatory articles and biased studies have long perpetuated the false “cat vs. bird” debate and threatened cats’ lives. Alley Cat Allies applauds her dismissal from the Smithsonian and has called on the scientific community to discontinue and disregard her flawed research.
Read Becky Robinson’s article about the impact of this important verdict.
Learn more about the real threat to species—humans.
Adoptable Cat: Take Home Tippy
Adoptable Cat: Tippy

Tippy never tips the scales one way or the other; this black-and-white, indoor/outdoor cat likes everything both ways, preferring to go outside while the sun is up (and you’re at work) and then come indoors to curl up at night. She’s between two and three years old and never tires of tearing after leaves and acorns. Although she mostly plays nice, she’s also a little naughty of course, so playful feline friends and older kids are her best companions. The world is her playground—can you keep up with Tippy?
Read more about our adoptable cats.

Police Officer Remains on the Force after Beating a Cat to Death
Harrisonburg VA Police Remains on Duty

In late November, a Harrisonburg, Virginia, resident reported that a cat had been hit by a car near his home. When a city police officer responded to the call, instead of seeking medical help, he decided to “euthanize” the cat by violently beating the cat to death with his police baton, striking the injured animal 15 to 20 times on the porch of the citizen's home. Despite an internal investigation, this officer remains on the job. While the Virginia State Police now take on the matter, we have contacted the mayor and are urging the state to press cruelty charges.
Read the press release.
Trap-Neuter-Return for Conan's "Cats"
TNR for Conan's Cats

National Feral Cat Day made the late night spotlight this year, when comedian Andy Richter performed a skit about TNR on Conan. Although Andy may have the particulars of TNR a little mixed up—he returned his “cats” inside the studio—we were thrilled to see National Feral Cat Day and the humane approach for cats explained and recognized in front of such a wide audience. We sent Andy and Conan some “I ♥ Feral Cats” shirts to show our appreciation—as well as a couple of tips on how to improve their TNR efforts next time.
Watch the video clip from Conan.

Winter is Here—Donate Today
Winter tabby cat

This winter, our phones are ringing off the hook with calls from people trying to help cats in their communities. But we can’t keep our National Cat Help Desk running without you. Winter is emergency time for us, and we have set a fundraising goal of $50,000 by our end-of-year deadline. Please make an Emergency Winter Donation today and contribute as much as you can to help us inform the public, promote and teach Trap-Neuter-Return, and save the lives of thousands of cats.
Donate today.

New Resources

Alley Cat Action – Find out more about what we’ve been up to in the Fall issue of our newsletter.
Cats & Environment Resource Center – For more than 10,000 years, cats have been a natural part of the landscape.


 

In This Issue

  • Give the Gift of Protecting Animals this Holiday Season
  • Take Action: Support a Better Future for Farm Animals
  • Red Card on Cruelty: Ending Cruel Dog Kills in the Ukraine
  • True Blood Star Kristin Bauer Supports "Collars Not Cruelty"
  • Get the Digital Version of Animals International

Give the Gift of Protecting Animals this Holiday Season

RWG holiday dogStill scrambling to find the perfect holiday gift for a friend or family member? Check out WSPA's Really Wild Gifts - eco-friendly gifts that help save animals from cruelty and abuse! Simply select an animal and donation amount, and we'll send your gift recipient an e-card describing how the gift will help animals around the world - such as delivering aid to animals after disasters, building sanctuaries and funding mobile veterinary clinics. Image © istockphoto.com/Charles Mann
Share: Facebook LinkedInTwitter
Take Action: Support a Better Future for Farm Animals

rio action Billions of farm animals suffer every day, confined in inhumane, industrial conditions - but today, YOU can do something to help them! Right now, the United Nations is preparing for the 2012 Conference on Sustainable Development - one of the most significant events of our time, discussing the future of the planet. Please sign WSPA's petition to ensure that farm animals are on the agenda at the 2012 event.
Share: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter
Red Card on Cruelty: Ending Cruel Dog Kills in the Ukraine

Ukraine Earlier this year, there were reports that thousands of dogs were being cruelly killed in Ukraine , in an attempt to "clean up" the streets ahead of the Euro 2012 soccer championship. Although the Ukrainian Minister of Environment and Natural Resources has since ordered an end to the cruel practice, WSPA is writing to the President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), as well as members of the National Executive Committee of the body, asking them to ensure that similar culls do not take place anywhere else in the future.
Share: FacebookLinkedIn Twitter


Make Horse-Drawn Carriages History in New York City

  Make Horse-Drawn Carriages History in New York City

New York City’s carriage horse industry makes about $15 million a year. 216 horses driven by 282 drivers in 68 carriages provide 20-minute rides in Central Park for $50. Drivers can earn from $40,000 to $100,000 a year. The City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, a Democrat, has offered support for the carriage industry, while calling for more oversight in the treatment of the horses whose stables are in Quinn’s district, on 37th and 38th Streets, prime real estate in Hudson Yards, a commercial and residential development. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is an even greater supporter, trumpeting that the carriage horses have “traditionally been a part of New York City,” that they’ve been used since “time immemorial..to pull things” and that they are “well treated.”

But the lot of the horses themselves is not exactly rosy. They work nine-hour shifts no matter what the weather, pulling people through Manhattan traffic and with no place to pasture. As Edita Birnkrant, the New York director of an advocacy group, Friends of Animals, says,

“Horses frighten very easily. The noises of New York City, the chaos — it is all just an inherently dangerous environment, and they don’t belong here.”

Animal rights advocates have campaigned for years to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city. Celebrities including designer Calvin Klein and actress Pamela Anderson have endorsed a ban, as have Manhattan borough president Scott M. Stringer and former city comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., both likely Democratic candidates for mayor in two years. Just this year, there have been seven incidents involving carriage horses, one involving a taxi.

A Plan to Replace Hansom Cabs With Antique Car Replicas

The present of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Ed Sayres, has teamed with a development executive from Edison Properties, Stephen Nislick, to propose that electric-powered replicas of antique cars be used to replace the horses and carriages. The two have created NY-Class, a nonprofit which has gathered more than 55,000 signatures to support city legislation to carry out their plan.

But questions have been raised about how whether Nislick’s real intent is to gain control of the land where the stables stand. His company owns Manhattan Mini Storage and carriage owners have attended NY-Class meetings without revealing their identity and recorded him discussing how to gain city politicians’ support by campaign contributions. Dr. Pamela Corey, the chief equine veterinarian for the ASPCA, also says that her supervisors pushed her to distort her findings about the death of a carriage horse, Charlie, in October. Dr. Corey was at first quoted as saying that Charlie “was not a healthy horse and was likely suffering from pain” but then retracted her statement. After the ASPCA suspended her, Dr. Corey appealed to the state attorney general’s office, saying that “on several occasions she had been pressured to slant her professional opinion to help achieve a ban.”

What Will Happen to the Horses?

Politicking aside, a real concern that needs to be addressed is what will happen to the horses, if a ban on the carriage industry is passed:

If the stables were sold and then closed, the carriage horses could end up homeless, and their owners could go out of business. Relocating uptown, and closer to Central Park, may not be an option with real estate scarce.

NY-Class and animal welfare groups say that they will find “safe pastures” for the horses, but veterinarians describe horse sanctuaries that are filled. Veterinarian Nena Winand says simply that “If we banned the carriage horse industry tomorrow, they would go straight to slaughter.”

New York doesn’t need horse-drawn carriages — but, assuming that one day these are banned, the horses will need somewhere to go.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/make-horse-drawn-carriages-history-in-new-york-city.html#ixzz1gIdUHixw



 

North Shore Animal League Homepage Donate
Reflecting on 2011...See the Impact of Your Support

Dear Friends,

In 2011, your support helped the Animal League rescue, rehabilitate and
re-home over 18,500 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
2011 Reflections Video
Please join us in reflecting on what we’ve achieved together,
and help us save even more pets’ lives in 2012.



 PCRM Online

 December 2011 Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine  

News and Campaign Updates

Cats used at University of VirginiaCats Endure Bleeding and Bruising in University of Virginia Training Program
Live cats are used in a cruel pediatrics residency training program at the University of Virginia. PCRM’s recent federal complaint says this is unlawful and that the university already owns a simulator that better mimics newborn anatomy. Watch Simulator Video >

Take Action

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Bacon-Rectal Cancer BillboardBacon-Rectal Cancer Billboard Posted Near Bacon Festival
A huge PCRM billboard near the annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, last month warned that eating bacon can increase colorectal cancer risk. Shocking Bacon Festival Stats >

dotline

Food Stamp ReformTaxpayer IOUs Highlight Food Stamp Reform Plan
American taxpayers could save $176.90 per year if Congress enacted PCRM’s plan to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to focus on healthful options. PCRM called attention to the possible savings by mailing select taxpayers IOUs and one check for this amount. See Plan >

dotline

Humane Seal New CharitiesHumane Seal: New Charities, New Successes, New Council Member
The Humane Seal website recently added nearly two dozen humane health charities. The site’s expanding directory helps people find charities that fund only human-based research or patient services, without the use of animals. It also recently helped one PCRM member urge a local business to redirect its donation to a humane charity. New International Council Member >

dotline

rabbitNovo Nordisk Ends Live-Animal Use in Quality Testing
Novo Nordisk will no longer use living animals to quality-test batches of medicine coming off production lines, the pharmaceutical giant announced last month. More than 13,000 animals a year were used for these tests in the 1990s. Watch Video >



 

How Can I Tell If My Cats Are Just Playing or Actually Fighting?

Expert Arden Moore shares a few clues
that point to a friendly tussle rather than
a feline feud.

Her #1 tip: listen ›

5 Priceless Benefits to a Snoring Dog

You may not get a quiet night`s sleep, but Mikkel Becker explains why she still embraces having a Pug who snores.

Becker`s top 5 reasons ›

Tales of Good, Bad and Just Plain Curious Feline Legends

Animal Behaviorist Amy Shojai has gathered tales of some of history`s finest feline lore — and spine-tingling superstitions.

See cats throughout history ›

11 Quirky Holiday Gifts for Animal Lovers

Design blogger Erin Loechner highlights her favorite holiday picks for pet lovers and where you can buy them.

Check out her canine and feline finds ›


Starving Horses Abandoned by Owners


 Starving Horses Abandoned by Owners

Ribs stand out on the sides of the horses, donkeys and mules falling victim to unrelenting drought in Texas. Once grassy fields are bare earth. When hay can be found, the price is double or triple last year’s tally, when feeding a horse cost $150 to $200 a month.

In 2007, before the economy hit the skids, Texas reported 438,827 horses. Some were owned by cattle ranchers, others by recreational riders. No one knows what the tally is now. With no interested buyers and no money to pay for their feed, many of the state’s iconic horses are being abandoned.

While most horse owners continue to care for their animals, a growing number are just trucking them to other counties and dropping them off. Abandoning horses is a crime, so owners hope for the anonymity of distance. Safe Haven Equine Rescue in Gilmer, Texas gets 20 to 40 calls a week about horses wandering the roadside. That’s up from 3 or 4 calls a week last year.

Donkeys and mules are being abandoned too. Animal rescue groups, such as California-based Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, have never seen so many animals left to fend for themselves as cash-strapped owners turn them loose. From March to September 2011, the rescue center took in 500 donkeys, 100 more than in all of 2010.

With most of the winter still ahead and no assurance next year will bring rain, ranchers are having to ship hay from as far away as Oregon and Idaho. The temporary boon for farmers in those states is no assurance the supply will last as long as the need.

News of the plight of Texas horses comes as Congress has lifted the ban on equine slaughterhouses. The last one in the U.S. closed in 2007 in Illinois. Animal welfare activists promise a massive campaign if any new ones open.

Currently, ranchers ship horses that are old or unfit for work, or maybe just unwanted, to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. Last year 138,000 were shipped, but even carnivores in the U.S. are reluctant to see equines slaughtered for pet food or human consumption, at least if it happens on home ground.

As their owners struggle with mounting debt and disappearing income, horses and donkeys become an impossible expense. The fate of these equines is more than an economic issue. It is also a moral issue and not one with easy answers.

Related Care2 Stories

Droughts Hit Nation, World

Texas Approves Aerial Hunting of Pigs and Coyotes

Wild Mustangs Fighting Crime


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/starving-horses-abandoned-by-owners.html#ixzz1gGwK5wIh


Dog Rides Away in Santa’s Truck: A Feel-Good Christmas Rescue


Dog Rides Away in Santa’s Truck: A Feel-Good Christmas Rescue

Written by Linda Kass of New York

I was on my way to work and saw a big beautiful teddy bearish looking dog. I got out of my car to see if he was lost and friendly.  Turns out he was both, so I put him in my car and took him to work with me. Before arriving to work, I stopped to buy him a leash so that if I had to take him out of the car, he wouldn’t run away on me.

I left him in my car and went inside to my office and  started to make phone calls.  I took the number off his collar and called the ASPCA.  They were able to give me his home number and I made the call.  I left a voicemail since the frantic owners were probably running all over the neighborhood to look for their wonderful furry friend. Later, I called again and heard a frantic voice on the phone gasping for air and asking if I found their loving pet. I told the man to relax, that I had the dog in the backseat of my car and I worked only a few miles from his house. It was Christmas time and the air was filled with the holiday spirit. The owner told me he would be right there.

Something About This Man Looked Familiar

When the dog’s owner arrived, he was driving a big red truck and when he got out, I saw his white hair and long beard.  I thought he looked exactly like Santa Claus. When he saw his beloved over-sized pup sitting in the back seat of my car, the rather large man smiled from ear to ear.  I opened my car and the owner and his large furry friend were in each other’s arms instantly and I swear I saw a tear drop from the man’s eye.

I think that day I saw Santa and his ‘reindeer’ find each other again. It was a wonderful Christmastime rescue that brought joy to my holiday season.

Seeking More Holiday Cheer?

If you’d like to enjoy more incredible dog rescue photos, please enjoy this sweet slideshow.

And if you have a holiday rescue story to share, please log on to The Great Animal Rescue Chase website.  Each day we blog here on Care2.com and share stories directly from the everyday heroes  who walk among us. 

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/dog-rides-away-in-santas-truck-a-feel-good-christmas-rescue.html#ixzz1gGteUSuE



Vital Holiday Safety Tips For Your Pets (VIDEO)

  Vital Holiday Safety Tips For Your Pets (VIDEO)


Of course we all know chocolate is hazardous to your pet, especially around holidays when it is commonly exchanged as a gift or stuffed in a stocking. But what about sugar-free candy, tinsel, glass ornaments and mistletoe? These are just a few of the lesser-known, but very real dangers around your house that ASPCA Veterinarian Dr. Emily Pointer shares in this video by All For Animals.

With visuals and chock-full of easily digestible facts, this will quickly become your go-to guide for adorning your home this holiday to keep your furry friends safe. So take a look and decorate with care as you gather your family (whiskered ones and all!) to celebrate this joyous time of year!

Related Stories:

Two Stories of Loyal Friends and Proof Nobody Loves You Like a Dog

One Simple Step to Protect Your Dog From Deadly Parvo

Holistic Options for Man’s Best Friend at the Big Bad Woof

Read more: , , , , , ,

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/vital-holiday-safety-tips-for-your-pets-video.html#ixzz1fS6PkCO0


Wild Mustangs Fighting Crime


  Wild Mustangs Fighting Crime

Trafficking illegal drugs from Mexico into the U.S. recently got a little tougher for smugglers and drug cartels. U.S. Border Patrol Agents have added wild mustangs as their new weapon to tighten the border. ATVs and trucks had a hard time moving through the thick brush in the 316-mile stretch along the Rio Grande. The area gave easy access for marijuana and other illegal drugs to be smuggled into the country. So Border Patrol Agents decided to go back in time to the roots of the program and enlist the help of horses. Wild mustangs were chosen because it was the land where they were born and they know the rugged terrain. The horses trust each other and make good teams, patrolling the area in pairs. Since arriving in July, the horses are credited with seizing a record 930,000 pounds of marijuana and arresting 355 suspects.

“This is a real old-school patrol,” said Supervisory Agent Daniel Milian. “It’s a great resource to have.” In 1924 when the U.S. Border Patrol began, agents were required to bring their own horse on patrol. The mounted officers looked mostly for whiskey bootleggers and illegal Chinese immigrants. In 1935 horses were phased out in favor of motorized vehicles.

The 11 horses in the program are part of the controversial Bureau of Land Management roundups that capture wild mustangs and feral horses. Most of the animals end up confined in prison-like corrals or sent to slaughterhouses in Mexico or Canada. The horses enlisted by the U.S. Border Patrol were sent to the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Kansas where they were broken and trained by qualified inmates. The horses were taught to tolerate loud noises such as gunshots and people. The inmates trained the mustangs for 90 to 120 days. On a recent patrol a 3-year-old gelding named Cash and his Border Patrol partner Clyde came across smugglers moving drugs from a raft into a car. They chased the vehicle along the bush and narrow roads until it flipped over. That seizure involved 700 pounds of marijuana.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/wild-mustangs-fighting-crime.html#ixzz1fS50Wa6j



Dog on Foreclosed Porch: Hero’s Nightfall Rescue Mission

Dog on Foreclosed Porch: Hero’s Nightfall Rescue Mission

Written by Ed Kostro of Illinois

I had received yet another sad telephone call concerning an extremely loyal dog that had been very cruelly abandoned and left behind at a boarded-up foreclosed house. “She’s been there for quite awhile now, sleeping on its front porch, and she refuses to leave,” I was told.  ”Her family abandoned her there to fend for herself, yet she’s still diligently guarding their home. I know she thinks they’ll be coming back, but they won’t and now she’s starving. She also won’t let anyone come near her or this old house. Do you think you might want to trap her?” How could I refuse? How could I not attempt to help an extremely faithful, left-behind canine like this one? How could mankind be so damned cruel to man’s best friend, even in this abysmal economy?

As I Shined My Flashlight Toward the Front Porch…

When I arrived at the address given to me it was already dark, and at first, I didn’t see her there. But as I shined my flashlight toward the front porch, I spotted a matted hunk of dirty tan and black fur and she quickly raised her head toward the light. I could now tell that she was a small Shepherd mix. As I approached the house, she stood bolt upright and she immediately began growling at me. She was weak from hunger but this extremely loyal left-behind canine was still willing to defend her long gone family’s home with her last breath. This wasn’t going to be easy, I sadly thought to myself as I pulled my trusty old dog trap from my truck. As I set it up on the grass in front of the house, this extremely diligent Defender never took her eyes off me and I could still hear her warning growls. After my trap was baited with food and water, I tossed a chunk of meat onto the house’s front steps. Defender immediately sniffed the air and she soon began salivating. It was sadly evident that she hadn’t had a decent meal in a long time. As she eyed the prize on the steps, I now dropped several pieces of meat near the dog trap, and I then quickly retreated into my truck. She very warily watched me sitting in it for awhile, but her great hunger eventually trumped her great distrust, and she soon gobbled down the piece of meat on the steps.

The Plan Was Working…For a While

Before very long, she followed the heavenly trail of food morsels to the trap’s entrance, ravenously gobbling them up as she came forward. But at the very entrance to the trap, she abruptly stopped dead in her track and she very warily stared up at me sitting motionless in my truck. We were caught in a time warp that seemed to last forever. I prayed that she would enter the trap; she very cautiously stood there staring up at me, not moving a muscle, attempting to decide. After what seemed like an eternity, she slowly walked into the trap and its door snapped shut behind her. I thanked God that she had decided to let me help her.

To read the rest of this story:
http://www.care2.com/causes/dog-on-foreclosed-porch-heros-nightfall-rescue-mission.html


But Wait …. Here’s Your Chance to Do Something Heroic Too!

In the city of Houston, Texas, there’s a major problem of abandonment and neglect that regularly tests the skill and the fortitude of the volunteer rescuers who are desperately trying to save as many as they can. Veteran rescuer Kelle Mann Davis has begun a vigorous campaign for The Forgotten Dogs of the 5th Ward. On Thanksgiving Day, when many of us were enjoying time with family, Kelle drove around for several hours feeding the dogs. (seen here)


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/dog-on-foreclosed-porch-heros-nightfall-rescue-mission.html#ixzz1fS2PCkHU

 


 PETA - A Great Gift For A Cold, Lonely Dog

   
The barrel that Chloe had for shelter did nothing to protect her from winter's bitter cold. It merely collected water, which became her frozen bed. You can help dogs like her by sponsoring a PETA doghouse today. Sponsor a doghouse!

Before PETA found her, Chloe—a sweet-as-pie Labrador mix—had spent countless lonely days outdoors, confined to a barren patch of dirt in a small backyard pen. Her only protection on even the most frigid days was a plastic barrel that did nothing to shield her from bone-chilling winter wind and driving cold rain that would pour into her flimsy shelter and flood her pen, trapping her in a filthy swamp of mud and her own waste.

But PETA fieldworkers knew what to do! They got Chloe out of that pen, pronto, and provided her with a sturdy wooden doghouse packed with straw for her to curl up in, which they placed on a patch of dry ground. They outfitted Chloe with a proper collar and a lightweight tie-out that stays tangle-free. PETA fieldworkers will make regular follow-up visits to Chloe to make sure the situation does not deteriorate. Chloe is now also spayed, thanks to PETA's unique, low-cost to no-cost door-to-door transport and sterilization program. And—cross your fingers—PETA is working with Chloe's guardian to try to persuade him to allow Chloe some time indoors!

Chloe's life has been forever changed by this program, supported by "Angels for Animals" doghouse sponsors—caring PETA supporters like you. Won't you consider sponsoring shelter for a vulnerable dog today? And get other caring people to join you!

"Angels for Animals" sponsors help dogs survive cold winters (and hot summers) by providing them with a sturdy, weatherproof PETA doghouse. These doghouses give "backyard dogs" badly needed relief from snow, wind, and rain—often for the first time in their lives.

As we enter the holiday season—and for many of us, the coldest days of the year—I hope that you'll consider giving a gift that will make a vital difference in the life of an "outdoor dog."


One Simple Step to Protect Your Dog from Deadly Parvo

One Simple Step to Protect Your Dog from Deadly Parvo

Written by Katie McDougall of Virginia (USA)

I was found on a cold, wet day in March in an alley of Richmond, Virginia.  I was huddled in a corner, drenched and shaking.  The people who found me could tell I was a puppy, “four months old maybe” they said, and they tried to tempt me with treats but I didn’t move at all.  The lady noticed I had a leaf in my mouth and brushed it away. I was too tired to do it myself. She put a spoon full of peanut butter under my nose.  I tried to look at the food, but all I could do was blow a bubble from my mouth. The man with her wrapped me in a towel and picked me up and carried me into their home.  They put me in a dry, warm kennel, covered me with blankets and put a heater nearby.  The daughter came over and talked very gently to me while the man examined me and said I had no visible injuries.  He warmed my paws and body by massaging me.

It Felt So Good, I Was So Thirsty

I started to feel better and when the man’s big dog came into the room and drank from her water bowl. I went over and took a drink too.  It felt so good, I was so thirsty.  That’s when the people noticed how thin I was.  When I couldn’t keep down the water I drank, the lady said I was probably severely dehydrated and she fed me droplets of Pedialyte.  She gave me 4 ccs every 20 minutes and she was very happy when I kept that down for an hour.  Then everything came up again and the people looked concerned.  They wrapped me in a blanket and drove me to a doggie hospital.

   The people at the hospital were very nice to us, but the lady started crying really hard.    The vet told the lady I have a disease called parvo that is a highly contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease  is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies like me that are not protected by a simple, inexpensive vaccination.  Without treatment, 91% of unvaccinated puppies that contract parvo die.  The staff explained that animal control will not accept animals with parvo and that they would put me to sleep.

Would the humane thing be to put me to sleep?

The vet said parvo has two distinct presentations, either a cardiac or intestinal form and that I had the intestinal form.  When she tried to take my temperature rectally, the thermometer came out bloody.  She said survival in puppies usually depends on how quickly parvo is diagnosed, the age of the animal and how aggressive the treatment is. Treatments for severe cases that are not caught early involve extensive hospitalization, due to the severe dehydration and damage to the intestines and bone marrow. The common signs of the intestinal form are severe vomiting and severe hemorrhagic (bloody) diarrhea. The cardiac form causes respiratory or cardiovascular failure in young puppies.

They told the lady she had done the humane thing and they would put me to sleep so I wouldn’t suffer anymore.  But as the doctor was leaving the room, the lady cried out, “I want to give him a chance to live!”  Then lots of people rushed in, wrapped me in more blankets and I was admitted to the hospital.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/veterinary-staff-swarm-in-with-blankets-grateful-pup-speaks.html#ixzz1el10Bjx9


      

A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation, which just broke on Good Morning America, and will be featured this evening on ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer and then profiled on 20/20, gives a never before seen look inside a McDonald's egg supplier - exposing the fast-food giant's secret ingredient: shocking cruelty to animals.

Hidden-camera footage, taken at Sparboe Egg Farm facilities in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado, reveals:

  • Hens crammed into filthy wire cages with less space for each bird than a standard-sized sheet of paper to live her entire miserable life, unable to fully stretch her wings or engage in most other natural behaviors
  • Workers burning off the beaks of young chicks without any painkillers and callously throwing them into cages, some missing the cage doors and hitting the floor
  • Rotted hens, decomposed beyond recognition as birds, left in cages with hens still laying eggs for human consumption
  • A worker tormenting a bird by swinging her around in the air while her legs were caught in a grabbing device - violence described as "torture" by another worker
  • Chicks trapped and mangled in cage wire - others suffering from open wounds and torn beaks
  • Live chicks thrown into plastic bags to be suffocated

Veterinarians and animal welfare experts confirm what common sense already tells us: Egg-laying hens, like all animals, should be given the freedom to walk, stretch their limbs, turn around and engage in natural behaviors. Yet, this McDonald's supplier deprives hens of even these most basic freedoms.

Barren battery cages are so cruel that the entire European Union and the states of California and Michigan have banned their use. Additionally, leading food retailers, such as Whole Foods, Hellmann's, Wolfgang Puck and Subway, and hundreds of colleges and universities refuse to use or sell eggs from hens subjected to the inherent abuses of battery cages.

MFA is calling on McDonald's Corporation to end its use of eggs from hens confined in battery cages in the United States, as it has already in the European Union.


Meet the ASPCA's 2011 Humane Heroes



Ricochet, Dog of the YearSeven outstanding animals and people—including a badly burned cat who refused to abandon her kittens and a six-year-old boy who raised more than $28,000 for his local animal shelter—were honored at this year’s ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon. The annual awards ceremony recognizes heroic animals and individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of animals during the past year. This year’s event was held on Thursday, November 17, at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.

A San Diego, California-based Golden Retriever named Ricochet was selected as Dog of the Year for her work as a “surfice” dog for disabled surfers. She rides the waves with adults and kids alike and has helped raise $125,000 for more than 150 human and animal causes.

Cat of the Year honors went to Mittens, who was trapped in a milk crate and set on fire by two Baltimore teenagers in 2009. Mittens managed to escape the crate, extinguish the fire and return to nurse her newborn kittens. Her plight eventually helped inspire the pursuit of stricter animal cruelty laws in the state of Maryland.

Among the human attendees at this year’s Humane Awards was Donna Foley, a longtime ASPCA supporter and cat-mom from St. Louis, Missouri. Donna is the winner of our Facebook-based sweepstakes, We “Like” You, Too! She was randomly selected to win our grand prize and received a trip to New York City, tickets to the Luncheon and a $10,000 grant to award to the animal shelter of her choice.

Visit www.aspca.org/hal to read about all seven outstanding Humane Award winners. Congratulations to all!

Mittens, Cat of the Year

http://www.aspca.org/news/meet-the-aspcas-2011-humane-heroes

 


Awhhhhhhhh.. So Cute

Bronx Zoo Introduces Baby Okapi



Okapi Bronx Zoo Introduces Baby Okapi
M’baru, the Bronx Zoo’s five-month old okapi calf timidly poses for spectators. Photo credit: NYTimes.com

(BABY ANIMALS) NEW YORK — Last week, M’bura, the Bronx Zoo’s five-month-old okapi calf was introduced to the public. For those unfamiliar with the distant relative of the giraffe, prepare to fall in love. The okapi’s zebra-stripe legs tend to draw the animal steady ‘oohs’ and ‘awes’ from zoo attendees. But the incredibly timid species native to the Congo are difficult to breed. Read on for more on the Bronx Zoo’s, as well as other American wildlife conservationists’ attempts to recultivate the near threatened okapi. — Global Animal

M’bura, an okapi calf revealed to the public at the Bronx Zoo last week after more than 18 months of delicate husbandry work, was stretching out her stubby zebra-striped legs before a crowd of young admirers on Thursday. “It’s a zebra horse!” said Dagney Donaldson, 7, of Summit, N.J. Not exactly. Okapis are the only known relative of the giraffe, but with the silhouette of an antelope. They are notoriously skittish, so adept at avoiding other animals in the wild — including other okapis — that Western researchers didn’t even document their existence until 1901. To breed such an antisocial animal in captivity requires a mix of patience, genetic know-how and romantic savoir-faire. Potential mates are slowly and strategically introduced over weeks, and newborn calves — which do not defecate for the first month of their lives to avoid detection in the wild — are left untouched by humans to preserve the fragile mother-child bond. So as M’bura, now a healthy 5-month-old, gallops around her shady habitat in the Bronx, zoo officials are taking a victory lap of their own.

“There’s a lot of science in it, so you collect the data and use the data as a guide,” said Jim Breheny, the director of the Bronx Zoo. “But the other half is the art of it all. You need somebody there who is really competent who can read the situation, read the animals. It’s like cooking.” There are 90 okapis in American zoos — 44 males and 46 females — and anywhere from 10,000 to 35,000 in the Ituri rain forest in Congo. They are listed as “near threatened” but are probably more endangered than zoologists realize, said Ashley Vosper, the inventory and monitoring unit coordinator in Congo for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which oversees the Bronx Zoo.

“If we knew everything about where okapis exist, it probably would be endangered,” said Mr. Vosper. “It’s more a case of we don’t really know.” Much like breeding okapis, counting them is frustrated by their tendencies to flee when other animals approach. “You hardly ever see an okapi in the wild,” Mr. Vosper said. “You have to look for signs, dung piles, things like that.” Political strife in Congo also hinders efforts to get an accurate count. But deforestation and hunting have diminished their numbers, Mr. Vosper said. Meanwhile, zoos have broken down barriers between them to facilitate breeding.

Okapi1 Bronx Zoo Introduces Baby Okapi
M’bura and mom, Kweli, kiss for the crowd. Photo credit: ZooBorns.com



The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome


13dogfighting t CA1 articleLarge 500x312 The Animal Cruelty Syndrome

(ANIMAL ABUSE) Pet abuse is the canary in the coal mine for virtually all violent pathologies. Psychologists, lawmakers and law-enforcement officers are increasingly making this connection and using a more active approach to identify pet abuse indicators. — Global Animal  New York Times, Charles Seibert

On a late May afternoon last year in southwest Baltimore, a 2-year-old female pit bull terrier was doused in gasoline and set alight. A young city policewoman on her regular patrol of the neighborhood of boarded-up row houses and redbrick housing developments turned her squad car onto the 1600 block of Presbury Street and saw a cloud of black smoke rising from the burning dog. She hopped out, ran past idle onlookers and managed to put out the flames with her sweater. The dog, subsequently named Phoenix, survived for four days with burns over 95 percent of her body, but soon began to succumb to kidney failure and had to be euthanized.

It was only a matter of hours before the story, made vivid by harrowing video footage of the wounded dog, was disseminated nationwide in newspapers, TV and radio newscasts and countless Web sites. An initial $1,000 reward for the capture of the culprits would soon climb to $26,000 as people around the country followed Phoenix’s struggle for life. A gathering of people in Venice Beach, Calif., held a candlelight vigil for her. A month later, the mayor of Baltimore, Sheila Dixon, announced the creation of the Anti-Animal-Abuse Task Force to work in concert with city officials, local law enforcement and animal rights and animal-control groups to find ways to better prevent, investigate and prosecute such crimes.

The scale, speed and intensity of the response were striking. The subject of animal abuse, especially the abuse of pit bulls in dog-fighting activities, has achieved a higher profile after the 2007 arrest of the N.F.L. star Michael Vick for operating an illegal interstate dog-fighting operation in Surry County, Va. But the beleaguered pit bull is merely the most publicized victim of a phenomenon that a growing number of professionals — including police officers, prosecutors, psychologists, social workers, animal-control officers, veterinarians and dogcatchers — are now addressing with a newfound vigor: wanton cruelty toward animals. Before 1990, only six states had felony provisions in their animal- cruelty laws; now 46 do. Two years ago, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals formed the nation’s first Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit, a rolling veterinary hospital and forensic lab that travels around the country helping traditional law-enforcement agencies follow the evidentiary trails of wounded or dead animals back to their abusers.

In addition to a growing sensitivity to the rights of animals, another significant reason for the increased attention to animal cruelty is a mounting body of evidence about the link between such acts and serious crimes of more narrowly human concern, including illegal firearms possession, drug trafficking, gambling, spousal and child abuse, rape and homicide. In the world of law enforcement — and in the larger world that our laws were designed to shape — animal-cruelty issues were long considered a peripheral concern and the province of local A.S.P.C.A. and Humane Society organizations; offenses as removed and distinct from the work of enforcing the human penal code as we humans have deemed ourselves to be from animals. But that illusory distinction is rapidly fading.

To read the rest of this story: http://www.globalanimal.org/2010/08/23/the-animal-cruelty-syndrome/4174/




Police, Facebook fans and I are looking for these lil SOB's

PLEASE keep this picture circulating, the more people see it the more chance of this disgusting pair being recognised. thanks everyone.


 Please call your local PD or e-mail me on facebook or home.



Chicken Bashing at Hawthorne High School in Florida
UPC Petitions Florida Department of Education
 
“You can see more of that at Hawthorne High.” –High school student Patrick Dougan

Robert Gordon bashing a chicken, while Patrick Dougan says “Rip him apart” and “This is animal cruelty.” They laugh as the chicken flops to death on the ground. Dougan and Gordon were arrested and charged with animal cruelty, and UPC president Karen Davis was set to testify at their trial, but the charges were reluctantly dropped by the State Attorney’s Office on technicalities. The video that sparked the law enforcement investigation can be seen at www.upc-online.org/hawthorne/.

Fueled by this episode, UPC president Karen Davis and executive director of Humane Educators Reaching Out (HERO), Susan Hargreaves, filed a Petition for Agency Action with the Florida Department of Education on March 9, 2011. The Petition, prepared by animal law attorney Adam P. Karp, seeks “promulgation of new or clarified rules for humane treatment of animals and banning animal slaughter in K-12 classrooms pursuant to the statutory mandates of Florida education law.” In a press release, Karp explains that while “Florida’s progressive educational system seeks to safeguard the humane treatment of animals,” the abuse of chickens at Hawthorne High School shows “systemic failure by educational leadership” to implement the law, and justifies the petitioners’ demand for discipline of former Hawthorne High School Principal Robert Craig and FFA teacher Allen Shaw.

“Bullying and violence are rampant in Florida schools,” says HERO director Susan Hargreaves, who conducts humane education programs in Florida classrooms. “The Hawthorne High School killings are a direct and dangerous contradiction to the work of all humane educators,” she says, noting that pigs, chickens and other animals are used in Florida schools in ways that create an attitude of cruelty and disrespect.  http://www.upc-online.org/pp/spring-summer2011/fl_petition.html


• Online Petition to Stop the Harming and Killing of Animals in Florida Classrooms 30 March 2011

• Doug Clifford Radio Show Airs Chicken Slaughter Issue in Florida Schools 26 March 2011

• News Release: Animal Advocates Challenge Animal Slaughter in Florida Classrooms 24 March 2011

• Adam Karp Press Release: Petition to End Classroom Animal Slaughter in Florida [pdf] 20 March 2011

• Petition for Agency Action Regarding Animal Slaughter in Florida Classrooms [pdf] 14 March 2011

• Orlando Rally & Protest to Stop Animal Slaughter in Florida Schools 10 March 2011


ASPCA Raids AR Puppy Mill, Rescues 175 Small Dogs



Puppy Rescued from Hot Springs, Arkansas Puppy MillRoughly 175 Westies, Boston Terriers, Pomeranians and other small dogs are receiving care and attention at a temporary shelter—and their owner is facing cruelty charges—after the ASPCA helped law enforcement raid a Hot Springs, Arkansas, puppy mill on November 7.

The breeding dogs, some with tiny, unweaned puppies, had been living in sheds outside a mobile home. Responders found them suffering from various eye diseases, dental disease, skin diseases, fleas, mites and heartworm.

The raid stemmed from a two-year investigation led by Corporal Angela Graybeal, a Garland County sheriff’s investigator who received numerous complaints about the living conditions and mistreatment of the puppy mill dogs.

The investigation culminated Monday morning with the arrest of mill owner Pam Thomas on three felony counts of animal cruelty.

Soon after the arrest, our veterinary forensics team and volunteers from the International Fund for Animal Welfare began combing the property to collect evidence, including several deceased dogs. At the same time, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Team began removing dogs from the puppy mill. The team transported the dogs to a temporary shelter using the ASPCA’s custom animal transport trailer.

Once the dogs arrived at the temporary shelter, a veterinary team led by FIR Medical Director Dr. Rhonda Windham began assessing and treating the dogs’ medical conditions. The dogs are also receiving toys, affection and healthy food from a sheltering team of roughly 30 people who are using supplies donated by PetSmart Charities, Inc.

The dogs will not be immediately available for adoption because they are part of a criminal investigation.

As for the mill owner: “Any additional charges against Ms. Thomas will be determined based on the medical conditions reported by the ASPCA,” says Lieutenant James Martin of the Garland County Sheriff’s Office. “We appreciate the outpour of support from the community, and hope these animals can move on to a better place soon.”

Watch News Alert for more updates about these resilient little dogs in the coming weeks.
Freckles was saved by the ASPCA
Who Are You Thankful For?
Every single day there are countless animals depending on the ASPCA. Whether it is a puppy mill with hundreds of dogs in need of rescue or a local animal shelter seeking grant support, we are there when we are needed most.
Animals across the country are thankful for the ASPCA this holiday season, and we in turn are thankful for supporters like you. It is only with the help of our ASPCA members that we can be there for the animals who need us.
We can't thank you enough for helping us save lives.
     
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Always remember to Make Pet Adoption Your First Option®!


Lea Michele Asks Bloomberg to Save Carriage Driven Horses

Written by PETA

Lea Michele Asks NYC to Save Horses


UPDATE: When Lea Michele found out about the death of yet another horse used for carriage rides in New York City, she immediately sent a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg asking him to support the bill that would replace the cruel carriages with eco-friendly retro cars and allow the remaining horses to go to sanctuaries.    

The following was originally posted on October 24, 2011:

Yet another horse used to pull carriages in New York City has dropped dead in the street, adding one more body to a count that continues to grow. Glee's Lea Michele recently hosted a PETA video detailing the miserable lives of these horses, who are forced to haul heavy loads in all weather extremes in one of the busiest cities in the world.

Wherever you live, if you see a horse (or any animal) in distress, contact local humane authorities immediately. If you live in New York and see a horse in trouble, contact the ASPCA at 212-876-7700, extension 4450, and PETA at CIDInfo@peta.org right away. Never take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and please let New York officials know that you support Intro. Bill 86, which would replace horse-drawn carriages with eco-friendly classic cars.

See the video below


Animal Rights Activists Are Terrorists?



       Animal Rights Activists Are Terrorists?

Animal rights activists are labeled as “terrorists” on a website run by the Canadian Federal Government.

The website is part of a training program for FINTRAC, a government agency responsible for monitoring financial transactions to ensure they aren’t being used for illegal activities such as terrorism or money-laundering. The training program was created to train employees of foreign agencies similar to FINTRAC.

The training program consists of workshops followed by an online test that includes the question: “Under which terrorist group do animal rights activists and environmental extremists fall?” The answer according to the website is single-issue terrorists.

It is true that the online test may not hold the same weight as say, a law defining nearly all animal rights activism as terrorism, such as we have in the US. And while the agency could make the point that they were simply trying to find an appropriate example that would clearly represent a very specific single-issue campaign, it remains utterly unforgivable to flippantly use terms like “terrorist” to describe any group with unpopular or fringe beliefs.

In a post 9/11 culture, the word “terrorist” is used all over the world to create the same kind of jingoistic, fear-driven climate that America experienced in the 1940s and 1950s when Joseph McCarthy was hunting for communists. Back then anyone that didn’t like the status quo was labelled as a communist to invalidate their ideas and establish them as an enemy. Nowadays the establishment is quick to call a person or a group “terrorists” even if those people are working for peace within the bounds of their constitutional rights.

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act was passed in 2006 and was used in 2009 to bring charges against four activists in California for leafletting, writing chalk on the streets, protesting and publishing information that was publicly available on the internet. The charges against those activists were eventually thrown out by a judge who had the common sense to see that all of their activities were constitutionally protected free speech. The four activists were guilty of nothing more than trying to make social change and were labeled as terrorists.

When governments and conservative groups use words like terrorist, they are trying to capitalize on a stigma and invalidate an idea without ever having to disprove it. If they can successfully brand animal rights activists as terrorists, then invalidating their actual beliefs becomes unnecessary, because who wants to sympathize or be associated with terrorists?

We cannot continue to throw around words like terrorist around carelessly to describe anyone who has beliefs we dislike. It is not only inaccurate, it is irresponsible. And it is especially egregious, especially irresponsible, and especially inaccurate when those who are being accused of terrorism are activists who engage in legal protests for the sole purpose of ending violence against animals.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-rights-activists-are-terrorists.html#ixzz1csRpuS6J



Will Terry Thompson’s Widow Get Surviving Exotic Animals Back? I hope for the sake of the animals she doesn't.



        Will Terry Thompson’s Widow Get Surviving Exotic Animals Back?

Last week, Terry Thompson made national news when he committed suicide shortly after releasing his personal menagerie of exotic animals in Zanesville, Ohio. Police killed most of the animals and several others ate each other or were hit by cars. Now Thompson’s widow wants the six remaining live animals returned to her.

The animals — three leopards, two monkeys and a bear — are currently under quarantine at the Columbus Zoo by order of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Currently, Marian Thompson is unable to take the animals but she has the option to appeal and have a hearing in 30 days at which point she could be eligible to take the animals.

The animals are always stuck between a rock and a hard place in these situations. Would it be better for them to languish in a cage in a zoo to be mistreated and gawked at by zoo patrons for the rest of their lives? Or should they be sent back to languish in a cage on a private farm without the gawking but also without any professionally trained staff to make sure the animals are cared for in the event that someone, say, opens their cages and commits suicide?

Ohio has long been under fire from animal advocates for their lax exotic pet laws, and that criticism usually strengthens when a story about a human injured by an exotic pet makes national news. There were similar cries to ban or at least curtail exotic pets last year after one caretaker was killed by a bear and a woman was blinded by a chimpanzee.

This time at least people are also concerned about the animals themselves rather than just the safety of nearby humans. But it’s abundantly clear every time that a story like this makes the national news: exotic pets are bad for humans and bad for animals.

Ohio has enacted new laws in response to earlier outrages but none of those laws has ever gone so far as to outright ban the keeping of exotic animals as pets and that is the only way that this problem will ever be solved.

We will see tragedies like this as long as humans see value in animals insofar as they are amusing to look at, fun to play with, or confer some kind of luxury or wealth status on their caretakers. We have to break away from our paradigm of perceiving nature as only having value equal to the amount of use we can get out of it.

Whether these remaining animals are kept in a private zoo on Thompson’s farm or whether they will remain in a public zoo will likely make very little practical difference. The only responsible and ethical thing to do with these animals would be to release them either into the wild if that’s possible or at the very least to find a suitable sanctuary where they can be cared for in peace far away from any zoo cages, public or private.

Take Action! Tell Ohio Governor John Kasich not to return the surviving animals back to Marian Thompson!


Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/will-terry-thompsons-widow-get-surviving-exotic-animals-back.html#ixzz1csQo7c4E


This is a very important Petition and we can help from the USA. My very first help with a rescue dog. Noel.. See her story in "About your host". It was the whole reason I created this website. All things are possable and so is this!! 

Brutality & Neglect at the Hyderabad Dog Pounds In India



Why this is Important

Dogs, pigs and monkeys at GHMC Pounds(Hyderabad) survive in skanky & miserable conditions everyday. These conditions are unacceptabllly brutal, cruel & inhumane, we need to put stop to this cruelty. 

These pounds house dogs, pigs & monkeys with inadequate and unhygienic food and water for example  dogs kept in thick wired cages that are painful for them to stand on. There have also  been reports that monkeys which should be released back in the forest for rehabilitation are kept crammed in cages for days. Most of these monkeys are starved, fall ill or are dead before they can be released. There are many instances where, dogs with infectious diseases are kept in the same cages as healthy ones, exposing them to the infection as well. Sterilizations are carried out with unsterile medical equipment and surgical incisions are stitched back improperly, since most of the vets aren’t fully trained to neuter the dogs.


The law states that these dogs should be neutered under ABC (Animal Birth Control) Program, vaccinated and released at the same place where they are caught. No dog can be killed, dislocated or removed from its original habitat.Dogs should not be confined in the facilities for more than a few days.Large cages and clean facilities should be used, with sufficient food and water should be provided to each dog. Puppies, lactating mothers, and neutered dogs cannot be picked up. Dogs should be captured humanely under the prescribed norms. GHMC pounds are not following these laws and are responsible for many stray atrocities and deaths , this needs to be stopped.Please sign this petition and push the concerned officials and organisations to restructure these pounds.

The city has become infamous for the most blatant corruption, cruelty and the he neglect of stray animals in the city.There are 05 dog pounds which are poorly managed by GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation,) in Hyderabad city located in Amberpet, Autonagar, Jeedimatla, Patancheruvu and Zumerath Bazaar. Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Dr. P.Venkateswara Reddy is responsible for functioning of these. Recent photographic evidence proves that despite several petitions and campaigns by animal welfare groups in the country as well as around the world, as well as a written notice by the AWBI, the issue still seems to be to be overlooked by the City officials and organisations.

 GHMC Pounds (Hyderabad) need restructuring!

To sign the Petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/brutality-neglect-at-the-hyderabad-dog-pounds

All updates and photographs on the Hyderabad situation can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/ButcherofHyderabad?sk=wall

 


ASPCA Applauds Jack's Pets for No Longer Selling Puppies

Puppy

Supporters across the nation have taken a stand against puppy mills, and pet stores are taking notice. Recently, Jack’s Pets, one of the largest pet store chains in the Midwest, has decided to no longer sell puppies in any of its stores. Instead, Jack’s will work with the ASPCA to expand its work with local animal shelters and rescue groups to offer in-store pet adoptions.

“The ASPCA is thrilled to see a pet store chain like Jack’s transition to a no puppy sales model,” says ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “We hope that this decision will convince other pet stores to stop selling puppies and support local animal adoption programs, which would improve the lives of countless dogs.”

Over the last six months, Jack’s Pets has changed its name, expanded its pet food selections to more than 30 brands, and tested a successful new store format that does not include the sale of puppies.

“We have over one million customers coming through our doors every year,” says Scott Brenner, president of Jack’s Pets. “We recognize that we can have a very positive impact on our local pet community by working with various adoption agencies surrounding our stores.” He adds, “We want to continue to provide our customers with lovable companions while helping to save dogs’ lives, and we hope other stores will follow suit.”

In July 2011, the ASPCA unveiled a national campaign to raise awareness about the connection between pet store puppies and puppy mills. Our goal is to reduce the demand for puppy mill puppies by urging consumers not to buy any items—including food, supplies or toys—if the store or website sells puppies.

Please sign our pledge today!

To learn more about the ASPCA's puppy mill campaign, please visit www.NoPetStorePuppies.com.



New Zealand Penguins in Need of Sweaters from all of us...

rex penguin sweaters ll 111020 wblog New Zealand Penguins in Need of Sweaters

(Photo credit: Toby Zerna/Newspix/Rex USA)

A yarn store in New Zealand is making an unusual request that is pulling at the heart-strings of the world—they are asking people to sew knit sweaters for penguins affected by the country’s oil spill. The “penguin jumpers” are intended to keep the birds warm until they are well enough to be scrubbed down and to prevent them from consuming oil on their feathers while preening. The yarn store is called Skeinz and is located in Napier, New Zealand. They posted the request along with instructions and patterns on their website and have already received a “deluge” of jumpers.

“It’s really precious and overwhelming,” the store posted on its blog along with photos of piles of penguin sweaters. On Oct. 5, a cargo ship ran aground in New Zealand, pouring 350 tons of oil into the ocean. The accident has been regarded as the country’s worst environmental disaster in decades. More than 1,000 sea birds have already died as a result of the spill, including birds from the country’s native blue penguin population.

Oil can be extremely harmful to penguins, whose feathers are very different from other birds. They have very dense and tiny feathers of different lengths that stick onto them like Velcro, creating a waterproof pseudo-wetsuit. “Basically, when you get even a drop of oil on these birds, it opens up a channel so water can penetrate,” Kevin McGowan of the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology told ABCNews.com. “It’s like a hole in their wetsuit.” McGowan said the sweaters could be the equivalent of the plastic cones sometimes put on dogs to prevent them from scratching stitches after surgery or poking at head injuries. “When they’re wet, the cold can penetrate, especially in water,” McGowan said. “You don’t want anything to penetrate through that wetsuit armor and oil is a pretty bad thing.” To read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/10/new-zealand-penguins-in-need-of-sweaters/

Specifications and instructions for the penguin PJ’s can be found on the Skeinz website as well as the address where penguin-loving knitters can send them.

Penguin Power
Pengy_1_1.PNG
 
Penguin Jumper in 8ply  - Must be 100% Wool Yarn
1 pair 3.25mm , 1 pair of 3.75mm needles , 1 set of 3.25mm dpn’s or circular
Cast on 36 stitches using 3.25 needles.K1, P1 to end of row. Repeat this row 7 times.  Change to 3.75mm needles and K2, P2 rib. Work 4 rows increasing at each end of every row. (44 sts)
Continue until work measures 15 cms.
Decrease 1 st at each end of every row until 28 sts remain.
Decrease 1 st. in middle of next row (27 sts.)
Leave on needle.
Make second side the same.
Transfer the 54 sts from both pieces to 3 of the set of 4 3.25mm needles.(18 sts on each.) and work a round neck in K1 P1 rib for 10 rows.
Cast off.
Stitch up sides to decreasing to 27sts (opening for flipper). Add elastic to the top and bottom to prevent the penguins getting out of them. Top: 15cm of elastic; bottom 17 cm (knots allowed). Flat elastic OK.

skeinz.com & Skeinz - The Natural Yarn Store
  
M  PO Box 3123, Onekawa, Napier, New Zealand
D  5 Husheer Place, Onekawa, Napier,
P  06  843 3174       F  06  843 3090   M 021 899 396
E  nzyc@designspun.co.nz  or info@skeinz.com



This is good news for all advocates who help stop this cruelty with campaignes..

CHINA: Dog meat festival is canceled

Chinese dog meat festival is canceled
REPORTING FROM BEIJING -- A 6-century-old tradition of dog eating collided this week with modern concepts about animal rights, and this time, modernity won. Local authorities canceled a three-day festival that had been planned for Oct. 18 in Jinhua City, Zhejiang province, after tens of thousands of people who organized over the Internet complained. The festival was part of a local tradition dating back to 1389, when legend has it that a Ming dynasty military hero who was trying to capture Jinhua decided to kill all the dogs so they wouldn't bark at night and disrupt his invasion.

"True, it was part of our cultural history, but not all culture should be inherited," said Chen Manhong, director of the Small Animal Protection Society Rescue in nearby Hangzhou. "Women used to have their feet bound but we don't do that anymore." Activists said 5,000 to 10,000 dogs would be butchered for the festival without regard to their suffering. Photographs and graphic accounts of the slaughter have circulated for the last few weeks over the Internet, with tens of thousands of people expressing outrage.

"Dogs would be stabbed, strangled and even beaten into comas and thrown into boiling water. Some dogs woke up in the extremely hot water and they struggled, but the vendors kept pushing them, plucking their fur," wrote one activist, Wang Lingyi, in a micro-blog posting. Bowing to public pressure, the municipal government decided Monday night to cancel the festival. An official who gave his name as Zhang was quoted by the official Xinhua news agency saying,"Some villagers argued that they had emotional attachments to the festival, as it had been passed from generation to generation, while some said it should be listed as the city's cultural heritage."

Wang, the activist, said the decision showed not only changing attitudes in China toward animals but the power of the Internet. "I think the government canceled the festival mainly because they are under so much pressure of the netizens," he said.

To read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2011/09/china-dog-meat-festival-is-canceled.html


This is the second case I've heard in the last two weeks.. The First was right here in Oregon when a women was denied to bring her assit dog into a clothing store. Oregon does have laws that state a Guild or Assist dog can go into public places.

Church Group Excludes Guide Dog From Retreat Facility


Church Group Excludes Guide Dog From Retreat Facility


Nancy Stevens, who has traveled around the world as a member of the paralympic ski team and is a world champion blind woman triathlete, sued the religious group Optimum Health Institute (OHI) when she was told that she could not bring her guide dog to a spiritual retreat held by OHI in Lemon Grove, near San Diego. In 2010, Stevens sued OHI on the grounds that “she did not need anyone’s assistance, that she was independent and able to care for herself”; that she has “lived independently for over 20 years”; that she “travels independently wherever she goes, utilizing public transportation and her excellent mobility skills.” Regarding the guide dog, OHI said:

“The grounds of OHI are sacred. In order to maintain a pure environment for healing and worship, OHI cannot—and does not—welcome animals…. [I]n the eyes of the Church, based upon the teachings of the Old Testament, OHI’s grounds are sacred but animals are not…. Allowing animals into the grounds is antithetical to the promotion of a safe, healing environment at the Institute, particularly for people who have animal phobias or allergies….”

Stevens sought $75,000 in monetary damages from OHI, and called “for an order enjoining Defendants from preventing or causing the prevention of a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog from carrying out its functions in assisting a disabled person who attends OHI’s detoxification program or who visits OHI’s health center in Lemon Grove, California.” The case has not yet been resolved.  As John Ensminger writes on the Dog Law Reporter [author's note: I have put some particularly important points in boldface]:

OHI, in its FAQs, states that pets “including service animals are not permitted in any area of OHI. During the detoxification process, guests become very sensitive to aromas, contaminates and pet allergens.” It is to be noted that service animals are not pets, something the court did not remark upon. In any case, the court may be signaling that it is possible OHI can make a “fundamental alteration” argument. In revising the ADA regulations in 2010, the Department of Justice allowed that a service animal could be removed from a public accommodation if “the presence of the animal constitutes a fundamental alteration to the nature of the goods, services, facilities, and activities of the place of public accommodation.” 75 Fed. Reg. 56267 The Department of Justice “maintains that the appropriateness of an exclusion can be assessed by reviewing how a public accommodation addresses comparable situations that do not involve a service animal.” 75 Fed. Reg. 56271. Thus, the court might look to whether OHI also precludes flowers from being in vases around the facility, or air fresheners from being in rooms, since pollens and chemicals are common triggers of allergic reactions. It is also to be noted that appropriate grooming of the dog might reduce allergic reactions. by   October 12, 2011.   

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/church-group-excludes-guide-dog-from-retreat-facility.html#ixzz1b03f3GFq



This is very cool and you can read it like a magazine.. Love it !!!
North Shore Animal League Homepage  
MyLeague Magazine October 2011 Issue MyLeague Magazine Kathryn Erbe Cover
Thank you for being a MyLeague Member!

This issue includes:
•  Animal League Featured Rescues
•  Fall Fashion Trends
•  Advice from our Experts: Hip Dysplasia

Enjoy this issue!
MyLeague Magazine Kathryn Erbe Cover
North Shore Animal League Homepage


Take the Plunge and help stop Nestea's cruelTEA



Take a stand against Nestea's cruel tests on animals! Fill out the form below to help put an end to the deadly tea tests by vowing to drink only cruelty-free tea. Before taking your next sip of iced tea, check the label on the bottle because you may be drinking a cupful of cruelty to animals. Nestlé, which makes Nestea, conducts—and pays others to conduct—painful and deadly tea tests on animals. Animals have been poisoned, electrically shocked, surgically mutilated, and decapitated—and you can help stop this from happening again! Join the thousands of people who are outraged that mice and rats have suffered and died for Nestea. Send a message to Nestea now!

To read more: http://nesteacrueltea.com/?c=weekly_enews


Unfortunately:  You may see this all over the inter net but this is not true. Check it out on snopes: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/daisy.asp

Meet Daisy- Not all hero's are people...

  James Crane worked on the 101st floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center .. He is blind so he has a golden retriever named Daisy.

After the plane hit 20 stories below, James knew that he was doomed, so he let Daisy go, out of an act of love. She darted away into the darkened hallway. Choking on the fumes of the jet fuel and the smoke James was just waiting to die. About 30 minutes later, Daisy comes back along with James' boss, who Daisy just happened to pick up on floor 112. On her first run of the building, she leads James, James' boss, and about 300 more people out of the doomed building. But she wasn't through yet, she knew there were others who were trapped. So, highly against James' wishes she ran back in the building.  On her second run, she saved 392 lives. Again she went back in. During this run, the building collapses. James hears about this and falls on his knees into tears. Against all known odds, Daisy makes it out alive, but this time she is carried by a firefighter. "She led us right to the people, before she got injured" the fireman explained.  Her final run saved another 273 lives. She suffered acute smoke inhalation, severe burns on all four paws, and a broken leg, but she saved 967 lives. Daisy is the first civilian Canine to win the Medal of Honor of New York City.


This is why it is important to remember the cases that are forgotten about abusers. He is rich now because his case was forgotten along with his victim. It reminds me of the case of an artist who starved dogs in the name of art. A case I am personally close to. Read about her in the section called " About your host".

Noel

                                                       

This is about an Artist that starved a dog to death and called it Art. She was my inspiration. I named this dog that it was too late to save "Noel". She lost her life to starvation in December of 2006 at the hands of a monster. It was Noel that inspired me to fight even harder to stop this monster from the next one.

(Newser) – An artist who shot dead a dog for an "art film" has been commissioned to create new sculptures that could end up at a Manhattan public library branch—and New Yorkers are rabid about it. Brooklyn sculptor Tom Otterness adopted a small black-and-white dog from a Brooklyn shelter in 1977, chained it to a fence and shot it while it was being filmed. The pup's slow death was shown repeatedly as part of Otterness's subsequent "Shot Dog Film" exhibit.

The artist, known for his bulbous-headed animal and people sculptures, has been paid $750,000 for lion sculptures by an anonymous donor who now wants to donate them to the Battery Park City branch of the New York Public Library.

Though the local community board has approved the plan, furious dog lovers are collecting signatures on a petition to block the work, calling it "unconscionable," notes Art Info. If the work does proceed, the sculptures should be "dedicated to the dog he murdered," and all money should be used caring for homeless animals, the petition states. Otterness apologized three years ago for his dog snuff film. "When I was 25 years old, I made a film in which I shot a dog. It was an indefensible act that I am deeply sorry for," he said at the time. "I hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

 To read more: http://www.newser.com/story/117793/dog-killer-artist-sparks-ny-storm.html


This was e-mailed to me from my good friend Rick. Thanks Rick

Their eyes say everything you need to know about them.  Just amazing creatures!

THESE OLD WONDERFUL FACES SAY IT ALL.........
These are the dogs that worked the Trade Center that are still alive but retired, they are heroes too!!! 

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Moxie, 13, from Winthrop, Massachusetts, arrived with her handler, Mark Aliberti, at the World Trade Center on the evening of September 11 and searched the site for eight days.

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Tara, 16, from Ipswich, Massachusetts, arrived at the World Trade Center on the night of the 11th. The dog and her handler Lee Prentiss were there for eight days.

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Kaiser, 12, pictured at home in Indianapolis, Indiana, was deployed to the World Trade Center on September 11 and searched tirelessly for people in the rubble.

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Bretagne and his owner Denise Corliss from Cypress, Texas, arrived at the site in New York on September 17, remaining there for ten days!

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Guinness, 15, from Highland, California, started work at the site with Sheila McKee on the morning of September 13 and was deployed at the site for 11 days.

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Merlyn and his handler Matt Claussen were deployed to Ground Zero on September 24, working the night shift for five days.

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Red, 11, from Annapolis, Maryland, went with Heather Roche to the Pentagon from September 16 until the 27 as part of the Bay Area Recovery Canines.

article-2033628-0DB49D7200000578-434_306x423.jpg
article-2033628-0DB49D9600000578-524_306x423.jpg    
Abigail, above, was deployed on the evening of September 17, searching for 10 days while Tuff arrived in New York at 11:00 pm on the day of attack to start working early the next day.

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Handler Julie Noyes and Hoke were deployed to the World Trade Center from their home in Denver on September 24 and searched for five days.

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Scout and another unknown dog lie among the rubble at Ground Zero, just two of nearly 100 search and rescue animals who helped to search for survivors. During the chaos of the 9/11 attacks, where almost 3,000 people died, nearly 100 loyal search and rescue dogs and their brave owners scoured Ground Zero for survivors.  Now, ten years on, just 12 of these heroic canines survive, and they have been commemorated in a touching series of portraits entitled 'Retrieved'.  The dogs worked tirelessly to search for anyone trapped alive in the rubble, along with countless emergency service workers and members of the public.
Traveling across nine states in the U.S. from Texas to Maryland, Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas, 34, captured the remaining dogs in their twilight years in their homes where they still live with their handlers, a full decade on from 9/11. Their stories have now been compiled in a book, called Retrieved, which is published on Friday, the tenth anniversary of the attacks.
Noted for her touching portraits of animals, especially dogs, Charlotte wanted 'Retrieved' to mark not only the anniversary of the September 2001 attacks, but also as recognition for some of the first responders and their dogs.
'I felt this was a turning point, especially for the dogs, who although are not forgotten, are not as prominent as the human stories involved,' explained Charlotte, who splits her time between New York and Amsterdam. 'They speak to us as a different species and animals are greatly important for our sense of empathy and to put things into perspective.'


100 Animals Die At Petco Johnson City, NY, In Flood, Company Blames City

By Ben Popken on September 12, 2011 

(SaraRachaelHope)

Nearly 100 animals died last week at a Johnson City, NY, Petco after flooding filled the store with several feet of water. Outrage over the incident was fanned when the company posted an apology notice on its blog that at first blamed the city for incident for not adequately warning the store about the flood risk. "We want to stress that this was not carelessness on our associates' behalf, but a communications lapse from the city to the store in evacuations orders," said the post, which was written by Petco's VP of Animal Care and Education. "We are investigating why we did not receive those evacuation orders from the city if this area was known to flood in the past," it continued. "Had we been aware of potential flooding, we would have removed all of the animals from the store as we do in all other locations."While 100 animals died in the flood, at least 100 were able to be rescued by store employees, pressconnects reports.

People flooded the blog post and company Facebook page with angry comments, calling the apology an "insult." Users called for a Petco boycott, circulated online petitions, and began emailing PETA.

Now that text is no longer on that blog post link. It's been replaced by new text written by Petco's CEO. " Our store in Johnson City is relatively new, we were not operating the last time flooding threatened the community and we misjudged the risk to this location," he wrote. "We feel terrible that we did not do more to avoid this tragedy, are truly saddened by what has occurred, and accept full responsibility."

 To read more: http://consumerist.com/2011/09/100-animals-die-at-petco-in-flood-company-blames-city.html


What a treat to honor the 4 legged friends that also helped rescue and save people on that tragic day of 9-11. Here are a few tributes....  

1) Hero dog of 9-11  

2)Dog lovers-Celine Dion (because you loved me)  

3)911Hero's                                                                                                                                                                4) 911 Hero's Honored

See them all below...


This just makes me ill to see such a horrific tragedy turned even worse... Plus it's not this dogs fault.. I'm sure tho, he did get a lot of attention he probably needed and didn't get from his owner that was too busy defrauding people.

Bear. A Dog used for 9-11 Fraud and Deception

By Andrea, on September 7th, 2011 

Captain Scott Shields and his eleven-year-old golden retriever, Bear, traveled to Ground Zero from Connecticut to help in the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. Bear was the first canine inside to search the rubble. He worked eighteen-hour days, and he is credited with finding the most victims, including FDNY Chief Peter Ganci and FDNY Commissioner Thomas Feehan. Because of Bear’s heroism, Scott Shields established the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation that deployed 27 teams to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.  They were credited with 847 live rescues and the evacuation of over 4,000 people by boat. Bear also responded to the Oklahoma bombing site searching for victims.

And it was all lies.

According to court records, Scott and Patricia Shields applied for mortgage and rental assistance from FEMA after Sept. 11, 2001, claiming they lived in Manhattan at the time. However, government records show they were living and working in Greenwich, Connecticut – not New York – and not eligible for FEMA assistance.  The aid was only meant for people who lived near the World Trade Center, those who had been injured by the events, and businesses that were damaged.  Not for those who moved to Manhattan after the fact.  Shields received money earmarked for those living near Ground Zero: $38,906 from FEMA and $10,553 from the Red Cross after he gave false information to the agencies.

Shields was sentenced to eight months in federal prison after his conviction.  After his release from prison, Shields entered into three years of supervised release. He was ordered pay back $49,439 to the government.  His sister, Patricia Shields, received an identical sentence.

And then there is the matter of the Foundation, The Bear Search and Rescue Foundation.  According to the Foundation’s IRS submitted form 990, in 2003, there was over $37,000 in donations but only $2,000 of it was given out as grants.  Except for a few expense deductions by Scott Shields, the bulk of it was never accounted for. In February 2011, Scott Shields was back in court to answer for probation violations.  It seems once Shields was out of prison, he continued his con at other events and rescues.  Further probation restrictions were applied:

  • Filing all delinquent or amended tax returns.
  • Shutting down the Foundation website.
  • Not to possess any law enforcement i.d. (Police, Fire, Military, Rescue, etc.)
  • Not to engage in any fundraiser or public speaking.
  • Not to sell the book “Bear: Heart of a Hero”

And just this past July, Scott’s sister, Patricia Shields, was led from a Stamford, Connecticut courtroom to serve a two-year prison sentence for violating her probation.   In 1999, Shields was handed a five-year suspended sentence and five years probation for first-degree larceny. She was ordered to make full restitution of $41,624 as part of her probation, but had failed to do so.

To read more: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/bear-a-dog-used-for-9-11-fraud-and-deception


I am posting this in this section and out of country because these dogs sure could use some help and it only takes a minute to help them from your computer.

1,001 Horrors in Hyderabad India

By Andrea, on September 1st, 2011 |

I really believed those 1,001 Nights were filled with enchantment.  And I’ve been dying to experience them ever since.  India has been on my list of “must visit” before I depart. Not anymore.

Talking about the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Dog Pounds.  GHMC has five dog pounds in Hyderabad at Amberpet, Autonagar, Jeedimetla, Patancheru, and Zumerath Bazar. Dogs are crammed in tiny cages and are beaten to death, starved to death, left in their cages eviscerated, and poisoned.  Puppies are eaten by the other dogs.  And when the pound is too full, the dogs are buried alive near the garbage dump.

The corruption among the officials and employees runs rampant.   The funds allocated to operating the facility are lining official’s pockets.  The medicines and food allocated for the animals are sold to other veterinary hospitals. The volunteers who have been dedicating their time to helping these animals are harassed, threatened, and assaulted.

A full account of this Hell on Earth can be found here at this website.  In addition, videos of this place can be found at this YouTube channel.  But I warn you, view at your own risk. A campaign has been launched by Let’s Adopt Global and local animal advocates in the Hyderabad area.  This facebook campaign asks all animal advocates in the world to announce our outrage.

Karthika Reddy, Mayor of Hyderabad

Send an SMS to the Official Mobile of Karthika Reddy, Mayor of Hyderabad: +91 9652936333.  And/or send her an email at mayor@ghmc.gov.in Sign the petition Stop the Dog Massacre in Hyderabad Read and watch the video at Let’s Adopt Global. If you are a facebook user, please like the page Save the dogs from the GHMC pound from Hell, and give them your support. Please write to the Indian Ambassador in your country exposing these monsters and voicing your outrage (diplomatically, of course). Already advocates from all over the world have been peppering Mayor Karthika Reddy and reporting the shelter conditions to authorities.  Today, a directive was issued to the Mayor from the Animal Welfare Board of India. The letter can be read here at this website. The letter is firm and to the point.  

This is from a great care and concern website: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/furbabies-in-need-of-help/1001-horrors-in-hyderabad



USDA: Closing Our Borders to Puppy Mills

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 12:09 PM PDT

Today the Obama Administration, admirably, issued two notices from two different federal agencies on new proposals to advance animal welfare. The first item, which you can read about on Wayne Pacelle’s blog, is a positive finding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a petition filed by The HSUS and other groups to begin a review of whether all chimpanzees should be listed as an endangered species, addressing the current lack of protection for captive chimps in entertainment, as pets, and in labs. And the second item, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a long-awaited proposed rule designed to prevent the import of puppies from foreign puppy mills for resale in the United States. 
 
As the U.S. confronts its own puppy mill problem by passing new and improved state laws every year, for too long pet dealers looking to make a quick buck have been circumventing U.S. regulations by importing puppies from overseas and across our borders. These puppies come from questionable sources, often raised in filthy and overcrowded conditions. Many are taken from their mothers before they are even weaned and before their immune systems have had a chance to develop. They are then subjected to harsh, long-distance transport in cramped containers, often exposed to extreme temperatures of heat or cold and infectious diseases along the way, solely to satisfy consumers’ demands for the tiniest purebred or “designer” puppies. Not surprisingly, many of these puppies die in cargo holds or shortly after arrival.
 
The proposed rule requires that dogs imported for resale be in good health, have received all necessary vaccinations, and be at least six months of age, which addresses the most acute problems with un-weaned pets in long-distance travel from other countries, and gives law enforcement a mechanism for determining the age of puppies being transported. The law will not prevent individuals from transporting their own pets, the importation of dogs for non-commercial purposes or veterinary treatment, or the transport of dogs for research.
 
Finally the law we helped pass in 2008 will have teeth, and enforcement can begin in earnest. This move strikes a blow to the overseas puppy mill industry and to the U.S. importers who profit from it. It will stem the tide of unweaned puppies, many sick or dying, flooding the gates of our airports, and will help to stop the spread of large-scale puppy mills in China, Eastern Europe, Mexico, and other nations that are taking advantage of American pet lovers.
 
The USDA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule for 60 days. Please write to let the USDA know you support the proposed rule, and encourage swift passage and enforcement to crack down on puppy mill imports.


With the Olympics coming please help: Katya, Russia’s Olympic Bear, Lives in a Rusty Cage on a bus.


With the Olympics due to be held next summer in London, perhaps it’s time to start lobbying them and, at the very least, demand that, if any animals perform in future Olympics, they will be ensured appropriate and humane care and treatment for the duration of their lives. Perhaps all that we can do is to keep telling Katya’s story and make sure other animals do not suffer as she now is.

The Born Free Foundation said that

“Sadly, the conditions for captive wild animals in Russia are often very poor and with little in the way of welfare legislation it can be very difficult to call for improvements. However, we are seeing what more we can find out about poor Katya and the other ex-circus animals living in these seemingly horrendous conditions. You can help us by raising your concerns with the Russian Ambassador at the Embassy in London. For more info and contact details, please visit our website here.”

You can to influence on the Russian government by the creating appropriate public opinion outside Russia. You can send information to a newspaper or TV. You can write note in your blog. And you can write a letter to the Russian government, to the Russian president Medvedev or to the Premier Putin.

Write a letter to Russian President or to Russian Presidential Executive
Office: http://eng.letters.kremlin.ru/send

Write a letter to Premier Putin:
http://premier.gov.ru/mail/step2.html?
Choose in drop-box list “11.Природные ресурсы и охрана окружающей
среды” in next drop-box list “11-5.Охрана и использование животного
мира”. Write your letter in next field (5000 character limit). Fill
other fields: Last Name; First Name; Middle Name; Sex(male/female);
citizenship(гражданин другого государства); your e-mail; region
(Зарубежные страны) next choose one of the following: Austria, Great
Britain, Germany, Other Countries, Netherlands, USA, France; postal
code; home address; social state(choose ‘Другие’); ignore next field;
choose radio button (it is your first letter, second letter or
  frequented letter); verification code.

You may help Animal Shelter ‘BIM’:
http://www.moscowbim.ru/about/english/

You may help Animal Rights Center ‘Vita’:
http://www.vita.org.ru/english/english.htm

Other groups to contact about bears specifically are: Four Paws, International Animal Rescue and IFAW.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/katya-russias-olympic-bear-lives-in-a-rusty-cage.html#ixzz1X0iGfA1B

 


Investigation Exposes Cruelty at Ferret Mill

Triple F Farms, Inc. (Triple F), is a Bradford County, Pa.-based ferret-breeding factory farm whose animals are sold to laboratories around the world and pet stores across the U.S., including Petland. Triple F boasts that it is "one of the largest and [most] esteemed ferret producers in the world" and that "[o]ur babies are very special to us." But PETA's undercover investigation exposed a massive breeding mill keeping thousands of ferrets confined in crowded, filthy, stiflingly hot barns, where animals suffered chronic neglect and died on a daily basis.

Based on evidence that PETA presented to federal and state law-enforcement officials before releasing the case publicly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspected Triple F and the Bradford County District Attorney's Office has opened an investigation of Triple F. The horrific suffering of ferrets documented by PETA's investigator is detailed below. After you read about the plight of these animals, please take action to help them here.

PETA's investigation found that ferrets were kept grouped in small cages with dangerous metal wire floors, deprived of any opportunity to engage in natural behavior such as burrowing or hiding, and often deprived of food and water. Newborn, young, and adult animals were systematically denied basic and veterinary care for even painful, life-threatening injuries and conditions.

Bloody rectal prolapses, gaping wounds, herniated organs, ruptured and bleeding eyes, infected feet, and inflamed, swollen mammary glands are just some of the ailments that PETA's investigator saw ferrets suffering and sometimes dying from during her employment at Triple F. Help these ferrets now by taking action. PETA's investigator routinely brought to the attention of Triple F ownership, management, and supervisors the suffering of individual ferrets at the facility but to no avail. The investigator's repeated requests for care and speedy euthanasia to relieve suffering were met with blank stares, shoulder shrugs, and general indifference, as the investigator was instructed to "just leave" ferrets as they were.  

To read more: http://www.peta.org/features/investigation-exposes-cruelty-at-ferret-mill.aspx


Well what do ya know.......

If you thought Michael Vick’s makeover was purely for image, it seems you’re being proven wrong. The former dog fighting felon is going out of his way to throw his name and support behind the Humane Society’s movement to shutdown the Android application known as “Dog Wars.”

The Dog Wars game encourages dog fighting and instructs people on the process of how to train dogs to fight. I haven’t played the game but a news report says you can train the dogs how to fight by having them pull tires, wear shock collars, and by administering them steroids. It sure seems like you have to be pretty disturbed to play this game.

Vick, who had the game brought to his attention by the Humane Society, says “This app just sends the wrong message.” He made the comment after putting down his T-Mobile phone with whom he has an endorsement deal. OK, he really doesn’t, but that would be pretty convenient, right?

Anyway, not to get all crotchety angry old man on you, but I agree with the Humane Society here. Video games have taken a turn for the unhealthy lately with the rise of Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, and all the other games encouraging negative and illegal behavior. I’m not even joking when I tell you I wasn’t allowed to play certain games because they were too violent, and you know what? I think that’s the right message to send. I’m glad Vick is support this effort. How disturbed do you have to be to play and enjoy a game like this? What’s wrong with something simple like Farmville?

By Larry Brown April 26, 2011 http://larrybrownsports.com/football/michael-vick-wants-android-to-drop-dog-wars-app/65148


VICTORY These 2 are responsible for many Crush videos. THEY ARE finally are caught!!!!!!

The two notorious suspects in producing a series of films showing animals being tortured and crushed to death has been arrested in La Union province. Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsPETA) shared some details about the manhunt operation for the couple Victor and Dorma Ridon. (
"Dorma (“Chita”) and Vicente Ridon, the couple charged with crimes related to the production of a series of "crush" videos in which scantily clad young girls engage in the torture killing of animals, were arrested by the police early on Tuesday morning in Burgos. The arrests came as the result of a year-long investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The Ridons, who have posted bail, have been charged with violations of child abuse (RA 7610) and animal welfare (RA 8485) laws, and expected to face further charges involving human trafficking (RA 9208), and wildlife protection (RA 9147) laws. They are expected to face trial within the year."
"PETA's hotline received more than 200 reports in the week following the group's appeal for help. "
"The vicious disregard for the animal suffering shown in these sadistic videos must be severely punished," says PETA Asia's campaigns manager, Rochelle Regodon. "This is a warning to anyone who would commit cruelty-to-animals crimes: The public takes it seriously and will do all it can to see justice served."
"The "crush" videos depict extreme cruelty to animals, including a rabbit as he or she was skinned alive, rabbits as they flailed and screamed while their ears were cut off and as they were set on fire, a dog as he or she was burned with a clothes iron, a monkey and several dogs as they were repeatedly hit in the eye with the sharp end of a stiletto heel, and puppies as they were crushed until they vomited their own internal organs."

 


This was pretty eye opening when you buy leather goods MADE IN Thailand and China..

PETA - Are you wearing dog leather?

Where does the leather for purses, shoes, and belts come from?

Many of us may think that we know the answer but don't know what animal the skin was taken from or how that animal suffered. The truth is quite disturbing. Undercover investigators have provided PETA with horrifying photographs of dogs in Thailand as they were being slaughtered so that their skins could be tanned for leather. The photographs show terrified dogs sitting in crowded cages, awaiting their own violent death as other dogs are killed right in front of them. The skins ripped off their bodies will join those of other animals at leather auctions or go to private dealers to be sold by wholesalers throughout Asia who feed the global leather trade. Will they end up as a leather belt or a furry cat toy in a store near you? 

Many believe that leather comes from cattle and calves in the U.S., a "coproduct" of the hideous and well-documented abuses in the meat industry. But the skins used in some leather products come from animals some would never suspect could have been slaughtered to manufacture a belt, a pair of gloves, or a leather trinket. From zebras and kangaroos to snakes and even dogs, the majority of the skin sold to the U.S. comes from developing countries throughout Asia. PETA is leading the fight to save animals' skins—from old Indian bullocks whose skin is worth far more than their meager flesh to dogs strung up in the jungles of Thailand. 

There's no justification for sentencing an animal to even a moment's suffering for a pair of shoes or a wallet. And with your help, we will work to ensure that everyone connected to the bloody skins trade from the wholesalers who peddle the skins of abused animals to the designers who are still buying and promoting fashion products made from skins — is aware of the terrible harm inflicted on animals for leather goods. We have an immense task on our hands, but together, we can reduce the cruelty and abuse of animals.

Help Peta continue to help stop this tragic cruelty to dogs and other animals: https://secure.peta.org/site/Donation2?df_id=6321&6321.donation=form1&set.custom.Campaign_Code=H11HEBXXXXG&autologin=true


Gone the Sun

By Andrea, on August 22nd, 2011 


A dog mourns and says goodbye to his owner, a soldier killed in action.

The remains of Petty Officer Jon Tumilson lie in state in his hometown of Rockford, Iowa.  His dog, Hawkeye, was led to his casket to say goodbye. Thirty-five year old Tumilson died on August 6th when a rocket-propelled grenade downed a helicopter, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans.

The picture speaks for itself......... If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever – Winnie the Pooh    http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/article/dog-writing-poetry/gone-the-sun#more-8097


Is medical marijuana going to the dogs? You decide?

dog marijuana necklace 350x216 Is medical marijuana going to the dogs?

Pot Patch for Pups

In February 2011, a company called Medical Marijuana Delivery Systems, LLC (MMDS) acquired the rights to a patent for a transcutaneous (through the skin) delivery of medical marijuana to humans and animals. The MMDS goal is for public availability of this patch by year end.  Given the trade name Tetracan, this skin patch delivery system could be called a pot patch for pups, canine cannabis or even medical marijuana for mutts.

Animals suffer from many of the same debilitating illnesses that humans do, like arthritis and cancer.  With many U.S. states legalizing the use of medical marijuana for humans, it doesn’t seem like such a stretch to apply this concept to animals.

To read more: http://www.jayselthofner.com/wordpress/2011/08/is-medical-marijuana-going-to-the-dogs/

 



Making a killing

Making A Killing

Exposed: The first ever in-depth exposé of the suffering involved in the breeding of beagles for the research industry.

Background

Harlan-Hillcrest breeds and supplies animals such as beagles, monkeys, rabbits and guinea-pigs for the research industry. It also supplies animal organs and blood products. In 1999, following a gruelling 10 month undercover investigation, the BUAV exposed the suffering involved in the breeding of beagles for the research industry. Up to 1,000 beagle dogs were held inside Harlan at any one time; 200 females who spent their pitiful lives producing litter after litter; 20 or so male 'stud' dogs; 100-200 suckling pups and 500-600 'stock' dogs awaiting shipment to experimental laboratories around the world.

View the photo gallery

Major findings

  • Breaches in government guidelines including dogs kept in barren surroundings, with no bedding or nesting material. Even females nursing their young were kept this way.
  • Bored and frustrated dogs, kept in overcrowded conditions, often resorted to fighting, resulting in injuries and even death
  • The mass killing of healthy puppies and dogs, some only a few months old, considered "surplus to requirements." This included unpopular strains of beagles that weren't selling, larger and older dogs and ex-breeding animals
  • Dogs with physical imperfections, classed as 'non-conforming products', were routinely killed. Once dead, the dogs were put into rubbish sacks and dumped in a skip
  • Animals killed to provide organs and blood products to the research industry.
  • Dogs mated as young as eight months and as old as nine years. On the puppy production-line, some dogs had up to 10 litters
  • To read more or see what you can do to help: http://www.buav.org/undercover-investigations/making-a-killing/

 


The Dog That Cornered Osama Bin Laden ... not your standard K9

When U.S. President Barack Obama went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, last week for a highly publicized, but very private meeting with the commando team that killed Osama bin Laden, only one of the 81 members of the super-secret SEAL DevGru unit was identified by name: Cairo, the war dog.
Cairo, like most canine members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, is a Belgian Malinois. The Malinois breed is similar to German shepherds but smaller and more compact, with an adult male weighing in the 30-kilo range.


German shepherds are still used as war dogs by the American military but the lighter, stubbier Malinois is considered better for the tandem parachute jumping and rappelling operations often undertaken by SEAL teams. Labrador retrievers are also favored by various military organizations around the world .

Like their human counterparts, the dog SEALs are highly trained, highly skilled, highly motivated special ops experts, able to perform extraordinary military missions by sea, Air and Land (thus the acronym). The dogs carry out a wide range of specialized duties for the military teams to which they are attached: With a sense of smell 40 times greater than a humans, the dogs are trained to detect and identify both explosive material and hostile or hiding humans. The dogs are twice as fast as a fit human, so anyone trying to escape is not likely to outrun Cairo or his buddies.

The dogs, equipped with video cameras, also enter certain danger zones first, allowing their handlers to see whats ahead before humans follow. As I mentioned before, SEAL dogs are even trained parachutists, jumping either in tandem with their handlers or solo, if the jump is into water. Last year canine parachute instructor Mike Forsythe and his dog Cara set the world record for highest man-dog parachute deployment, jumping from more than 30,100 feet up the altitude transoceanic passenger jets fly at. Both Forsythe and Cara were wearing oxygen masks and skin protectors for the jump.

As well, the dogs are faithful, fearless and ferocious incredibly frightening and efficient attackers. When the SEAL DevGru team (usually known by its old designation, Team 6) hit bin Ladens Pakistan compound on May 2, Cairos feet would have been four of the first on the ground. And like the human SEALs, Cairo was wearing super-strong, flexible body Armour and outfitted with high-tech equipment that included doggles  specially designed and fitted dog goggles with night-vision and infrared capability that would even allow Cairo to see human heat forms through concrete walls.


 


Might be something to think about for the USA shelter vets and beyond

Hero! How To Create A Pet Blood Bank

Zeus Communications in Singapore shares the story of their nations first doggie blood bank.

Every once in a while, an animal touches our lives and shows us what they are really made of – true courage, strength, love, compassion and determination. It has been said many times that animals enter our lives for a reason. We may not see the reason at that particular moment but some time down life's journey, when we sit and reflect, we often realize why they came into our lives. Nothing in life is coincidental, everything happens for a reason. Often, a very valid reason, that makes us better humans.

Receiving Blookvenus

An An receiving blood.

We visited Venus the following day and what we saw absolutely amazed us – she was glowing with pride. Yes, she knew she had done a good deed, she knew she had saved a life and she was extremely proud of herself for doing that! A HERO in every sense of the word.

We are still hoping that someone would write in to offer to adopt Venus. Like we often say, even if it means living in the patio or garden for the rest of her life, it is still paradise compared to where she came from. Venus has been to hell and back. She never gave up, neither will we. Everyday we continue to hope and pray that someone will want to take her to their home and give her a life that this black beauty truly deserves. We would like to thank Lynette for faithfully bringing food to Venus everyday, rain or shine, for the past two months of Venus’ stay at the Redhill Suite and Dr Ang for the use of her photographs. Do stay tuned for Venus’ next update, as she goes for her very first swim. Venus will be discharged this Sunday.

A note from Mr Vernon Cornelius.

In certain emergencies Pet Animals DO need Blood Donations! After my dog, An An, was diagnosed with 'Tick Fever' by Veterinarian Dr Ang Yilin, he was found to have a drop in blood count, and platelet count. A very dangerous situation, and he urgently needed emergency 'Blood Transfusion'! So the panic was on to find a suitable match and donor!

Feeling down

"An An" feeling down.

It was to our blessed good fortune that a big, once badly injured dog named Venus, recovered by Ms Lynda Goh, was being treated at Mount Pleasant Animal Medical Center (Redhill). Venus' blood was a perfect match, and so began the process of her blood extraction to help An An survive! St Venus' Blood Donation saved An An's life! It is with deepest gratitude and many thanks to the very generous heart of Ms Lynda Goh, but it was St Venus' 'gift of life' that saved An An!

Mr Vernon Cornelius with An An

Mr. Vernon Cornelius with An An.

I must shamefully admit I never really gave much thought to Blood Donations for Animals, but having experienced this life or death encounter for my beloved pet, it made me realize the seriousness for such a need, and the urgent necessity for an Animal Blood Bank!

Click here to visit the Zeus Communications website. Thank you.


Humane Action
humane action
 
 
August 16, 2011
 Humane Action share Humane Action Facebook ha share twitter Humane Action Forward

One Car Makes a Difference

Dear J,

Donate your vehicle to The HSUS through the One Car One Difference™ program, and you’ll help support our community-based programs to steer at-risk youth away from dogfighting. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles -- you name it, you can donate it. From classic cars to those totaled by flood or fire -- every vehicle has value! The proceeds pump much-needed dollars into The Humane Society of the United States’ End Dogfighting programs.

The donation process is easy. Enter the vehicle’s information online, or call 877-836-6674, and schedule a time to have it towed at no cost to you. The vehicle is sold at auction, and you’ll receive a donation receipt for tax purposes.

Thank you for all you do for animals,
Wayne Pacelle
Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO

 
Justice Is Served with Dogfighting Conviction
Justice has been served, thanks to your support!
On July 22, five more defendants were convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to time behind bars in connection with a massive dog fighting raid that the ASPCA helped carry out in July 2009. The operation spanned eight states—Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska and Mississippi—and resulted in the rescue of more than 500 Pit Bulls.
"Even two years after the bust, we are still working hard to see that the guilty are convicted," says ASPCA Animal Fighting Specialist Terry Mills. In total, 103 arrests have been made in conjunction with the raid—40 on federal charges and 63 on state charges.

 


  
    Justice Served?
As a result of MFA’s undercover investigation, the owner of E6 Cattle Company in Texas has been placed on one-year probation and ordered to pay a $4,000 fine for allowing workers to use pickaxes and hammers to bash in the skulls of calves. Read On.		  
 
    Pee-ew
The Pew Charitable Trusts has released yet another report condemning industrial agriculture for destroying the environment, threatening human health and hurting animals. The newest report, Big Chicken, explains how manure from chicken factory farms is choking the life out of the oceans. View Report.		  
 
    Got Ethics?
MFA takes on the dairy industry’s sexist PMS marketing campaign with a clever parody exposing the dark side of milk production: egregious animal abuse. With endorsements from leading feminists, including Carol J. Adams, the ad will appear in the next issue of Ms. Magazine. See Ads.		  
 
    MFA Is Hiring
If you have ever wanted to work for Mercy For Animals (and really, who hasn’t?), now is your chance. MFA is looking for upbeat, hardworking and experienced animal advocates to lead its efforts on behalf of farmed animals in California and Ohio. Apply Now!		  
 
    Hot Topic
The Environmental Working Group has released the Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change and Health, a comprehensive study warning Americans that the extreme amount of meat and cheese we eat takes a huge toll on the environment, animal welfare and human health. Learn More.		  
 
    Fun in the Sun
Summer barbecue season got you down? With so many convenient and tasty vegetarian foods available nowadays, anyone can turn a backyard summer barbecue or picnic with friends into a "to die for" event that nobody had to actually die for. Get Grilling.

 


News Story


Tassie Devil helps unlock childhood cancer secrets



Cancer researchers have generated a genetic blueprint of the Tasmanian Devil genome, revealing cancer-associated genes that may answer important questions about adult and childhood cancer.Dr Vanessa Hayes
In a world-first breakthrough, Dr Vanessa Hayes (Conjoint Professor, School of Medical Sciences), who began her research on this project as Leader of the Cancer Genetics Group, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA), at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre UNSW, together with collaborators from Penn State University and her new colleagues at the J. Craig Venter Institute, have used cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology to successfully sequence and assemble the genomes of two Tasmanian Devils: Cedric and Spirit, who have a rare facial tumour.

The Tasmanian Devil is on the brink of extinction because of the this rare infectious cancer, called Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The cancer was first reported in 1996 and has swept across the island of Tasmania, resulting in a population decline of around 80%. As well as providing important clues to understanding cancer biology, this research could provide the essential tools to facilitate continued survival of a native Australian species from extinction.

Comparing the Tasmanian Devil’s own genetic material (genome) with genetic sequences from the tumour (generated by Australian biotech company GeneWorks), Dr Hayes and her collaborators have identified 139 target genes that are potentially associated with cancer in the Tasmanian Devil and may also be relevant in humans cancers. “Devil Facial Tumour Disease is one of only two cancers found in nature that is infectious. These highly aggressive tumours, which erode the face, make it impossible to feed, and the animals die within six months. Initially it was thought this disease was caused by a virus, but now we know that it’s the cancer cells themselves that are transferred from animal to animal,” says Dr Hayes.

Although infectious cancers have not been reported in humans yet, Dr Hayes says we need to better understand this type of cancer. The next step is to use the Tasmanian Devil genome to better understand this unique and highly aggressive cancer, and to identify breeding strategies that will protect this Australian icon from its predicted extinction by 2030. Dr Hayes hopes that unlocking the secrets of this unique cancer affecting the Tasmanian Devil will provide new understanding of adult and childhood cancer.

The results of the Tasmanian Devil Sequencing Project have been published as a peer-reviewed paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It can be viewed here:
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/06/23/1102838108.abstract

To read more: http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/medweb.nsf/page/shownewsstory?OpenDocument&LinkID=BF0007A210


After a historic agreement today between The HSUS and the United Egg Producers, we’ve agreed to suspend the ballot measure efforts in Oregon. Read more about this exciting news and what it means for hundreds of millions of animals.

     
July 7, 2011
 Humane Action share Humane Action Facebook ha share twitter Humane Action Forward
humane action
  
Dear J,

I am excited to announce a historic agreement that The Humane Society of the United States reached this morning with the United Egg Producers, which could result in a complete makeover of the U.S. egg industry and improve the treatment of the 280 million laying hens used each year in U.S. egg production. Thanks to your support over the years, through our state ballot initiatives and legislative and corporate campaigns, we now have a new pathway forward to ban barren battery cages and phase in more humane standards nationwide.

The HSUS and UEP have agreed to work together to advocate for federal legislation that would:

  • Require a moratorium at the end of 2011 on new construction of unenrichable battery cages -- small, cramped, cages that nearly immobilize more than 90 percent of laying hens today -- and the nationwide elimination of barren battery cages through a phase-out period;
  • Require phased in construction of new hen housing systems that provide hens nearly double the amount of space they’re currently provided;
  • Require environmental enrichments so birds can engage in important natural behaviors currently denied to them in barren cages, such as perches, nesting boxes, and scratching areas;
  • Mandate labeling on all egg cartons nationwide to inform consumers of the method used to produce the eggs, such as "eggs from caged hens" or "eggs from cage-free hens";
  • Prohibit forced molting through starvation -- an inhumane practice that is inflicted on tens of millions of hens each year and which involves withholding all food from birds for up to two weeks in order to manipulate the laying cycle;
  • Prohibit excessive ammonia levels in henhouses -- a common problem in the industry that is harmful to both hens and egg industry workers;
  • Require standards for euthanasia of hens; and
  • Prohibit the sale of eggs and egg products nationwide that don’t meet these above requirements.

If enacted, this would be the first federal law relating to chickens used for food, as well as the first federal law relating to the on-farm treatment of any species of farm animal.

To read more: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5123

 


Activate Your Pet Portal Today!

Willamette Valley Animal Hospital • 4975 River Road North, Keizer, OR 97303 • (503) 393-7462

Dear J,

Welcome to Pet Portals — secure, private pet health websites that give you direct access to manage your pet's health 24/7. This important service is complimentary to you as a courtesy of our practice.

Simply visit our website at http://www.wvah.net

Pet Portals are private, secure websites where you can:
  • Check your pet's health records
  • Request an appointment
  • Search our extensive pet health library
  • View your pet's medication schedules
  • View vaccination history
  • Upload photos of your pet
  • Update your account information
  • Check your pet's vaccination/medical service status
  • Send yourself medication reminders by email
Discover the benefits of managing your pet's health online today! Simply visit our website at http://www.wvah.net and click on, "Pet Portal Log In," to get started. See you online!

Sincerely,

The Doctors and Staff of Willamette Valley Animal Hospital
(503) 393-7462
wvah@comcast.net
http://www.wvah.net/


Fungus turns Amazonian ants into zombies

By Darren Osborne for ABC Science Online Posted Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:57pm AEDT

A dead zombie ant infected with a species of parasitic fungus

The fungus grows out of the head of the dead ant, releasing spores into the air (David Hughes ) Researchers combing the rainforests of Brazil have uncovered four new species of fungi that turn ants into zombies. Although it is not the first time the fungi has been seen affecting ants, the discovery of four distinct species in close proximity highlights the level of biodiversity in the Amazon. Their study appears online in the journal PLoS One.

The research, led by Assistant Professor David Hughes of the University of Pennsylvannia, identified and described the parasitic fungus Ophiocordyceps unliateralis living on four species of carpenter ant (Camponotini sp.) in the Zona da Mata region of Brazil. Ants become infected when they come into contact with spores released by the fungus. Within a week the ant enters a zombie-like state. This so-called zombie or brain-manipulating fungus alters the behaviours of the ant host, causing it to die in an exposed position, typically clinging onto and biting the adaxial surface of shrub leaves," the study authors write. The fungus then grows out of the head of the ant, releasing spores into the air, which rain down onto unsuspecting ants and the forest floor.

To read more on this story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/03/3154387.htm?section=world

Amazing Gliding Ants (See clip below)
The tree-nesting tropical ant Cephalotes atratus can glide forwards and backwards in a directed flight. The ants steer themselves by changing the position of their hind legs, mid legs and gaster (the bulbous posterior segment of their bodies).  Other ants who exhibit this falling behavior live in Africa, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica and the United States. The Smithsonian blog gives a fuller account not only of how the ants perform this unusual behavior and also how scientists manage even to study the tiny insects falling in the forests, using ropes, canopy walkways, construction towers, video cameras and even wind tunnels.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/amazing-gliding-ants.html#ixzz1RcqslIZW


ASPCA Condemns New Dog Fighting Mobile App

dog

April 25, 2011

A BIG thumbs down to Kage Games for its recent launch of a mobile dog fighting game called Dog Wars. The free smartphone app has caused outrage among animal lovers—and for good reason. Players actually feed, train and fight virtual dogs. They can even inject their dogs with steroids, bet virtual money and use a gun to fight the cops during a bust.

Dr. Randall Lockwood, Senior Vice President of ASPCA Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects notes, “Anything that in any way appears to promote or condone the serious, violent crime of dog fighting is cause for concern. This ‘game’ comes at a time when public outrage and law enforcement concern about dog fighting is at an all-time high, and the public should make this outrage known to those who promote it."

Dog fighting is not a game—and it is certainly no fun for the animals involved. Fighting dogs are often forced to spend their entire lives tethered to short, heavy chains. They receive inadequate care, little socialization and often go for days without access to quality food or clean water. During fights, many die of blood loss, shock and exhaustion. Others, those who are no longer deemed valuable, are simply killed.

Take Action!
Dog fighting is a felony across all 50 states. Please visit our Blood Sports section to learn more about the cruelties associated with this barbaric “sport.” And ask your friends to boycott mobile apps like Dog Wars!

 To read more: http://www.aspca.org/blog/Categories/animal-cruelty.aspx


Glucose Monitors To Treat Diabetes In Animals


Animals are most likely to be diagnosed with diabetes just like humans. In fact, the trend is increasing, which is why veterinarians are developing tools used by diabetic humans to treat our feline and canine companions.

Now vets are using human tool such as the glucose monitor to develop treatments for Fido and Mittens. This monitor is surgically implanted under the animal's skin and tracks the concentration of glucose in the blood. So, just like in humans, pets with high blood glucose levels experience extreme thirst, frequent urination and fatigue. Thus, if not treated, high blood sugar can cause blindness and kidney failure.

Since diabetes is on the rise in animals, vet Amy DeClue of the University of Missouri-Columbia wrote in the journal 'Clinics in Laboratory Medicine' that just like humans, animals have difficulty regulating their blood sugar on their own because their bodies do no produce enough insulin that can lower blood glucose.

These glucose monitors can give continuous tracking of blood glucose and the insulin level response to drugs, meals and exercise, both for animals and humans. Earlier, vets had to keep track of the insulin and glucose levels by keeping the animal at the clinic, which caused the animal stress. Stress, in turn affected the over all reading and gave in accurate tracking results. Thus, these monitors are much more useful, accurate and give the reading in a natural environment without causing trouble or stress to the animal.

I guess these glucose monitors are wonderful form of treatment and most animal lovers will find them very useful. I wish we would have these in our part of the world where medical facilities and treatment for animals are minimal.

To read more: http://bethevoiceofangels.blogspot.com/

 


Wonderful news !!! New Law called Susie's Law has been signed

About Susie’s Law:

Outraged citizens embarked on a statewide campaign to get the sentences toughened.  It was fast-tracked through the North Carolina State Senate and the House of Representatives and reclassifies the “malicious abuse, torture or killing” of an animal as a Class H felony.  In addition, Susie’s Law also makes it a higher-level felony for intentional starvation of an animal.

On June 24, 2010, with Susie looking on, North Carolina’s Governor Bev Perdue signed Susie’s Law which went into effect December 1, 2010.  Now with Susie’s Law, there are serious penalties ahead for animal abusers.  The new law will make malicious abuse or torture of animals punishable by up to 10 years behind bars.  Even for first time offenders. To read more: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/susie%E2%80%99s-law-tested#more-7644

This is the abuser who set susie then a puppy set on fire, left to die Greensboro, NC (US)  ( see the story in 2010 page of shame) 3/1/10

Defendant/Suspect: LaShawn Demaro Whitehead/ Disposition: Convicted. A shocking case of animal cruelty was finally solved in North Carolina and a man was arrested for burning a dog and leaving it to die. That man's mother though said that he didn't mean to do it. LaShawn Whitehead, 20, confessed Monday to burning the 3-month-old shepherd pit bill mix and leaving it to die in Greenfield Park in Greensboro, N.C. in late August 2009. Now the puppy, who's been named Susie, is recovering at a foster family's house from her injuries, which include burns covering more than 60 percent of its body, missing ears, teeth, and a broken jaw. Mr. Whitehead received six to eight months in prison




Horses Carts and Carriage Horses


In addition to the skinny horses, there is all the horses that have been killed by traffic accidents.                                                                            
                                         
As Lea from the hit show GLEE explains these horses are out pulling carriages even if it's sweltering hot or freezing cold. They breath exhaust fumes all day, and at night are taken to midtown buildings never meant to house horses. The horses perform backbreaking labor all day only to climb steep stairs to an often feces-filled "stall." where they're regularly tied to their trough and can't lie down comfortably to get the rest they need.

What Lea doesn't mention is the desperate attempt of the carriage drivers to keep the reality of their industry under wraps. On a more recent trip to New York, my friends and I were walking past the carriages and, after a driver called to us in attempts to take us for a ride, my friend shouted back to him that we wouldn't because the the horses [in the New York City horse-drawn carriage industry] were treated cruelly. That charming driver turned into a snarling, cursing maniac faster than you could say "two-faced." I'm not saying that every carriage driver is a jerk, but this driver's reaction to my friend's words tells me the horse carriage industry has something to hide, and they'll try desperately to keep the public -- potential customers -- from getting wind of the abuse the cute horsies face.

NYCLASS wants to get 30,000 New Yorkers supporting the end of New York City carriage horse abuse by St. Patrick's Day. Together, we can make a difference and end this cruelty!

Join the movement: sign this petition telling the New York City Council to replace the horse carriages with eco-friendly classic cars and spread the word about the cruelty behind the carriage horse industry. Join us in the fight to end the abuse of New York City carriage horses.


Momentum is growing behind a movement to end to these outdated, inhumane carriage rides and stop the abuse of New York City horses. Lea Michele, from the TV series Glee, joined this effort and stars in a short video about the reality of the horse carriage industry.

Source: http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/are-new-york-city-carriages-taking-you-for-a-ride/

See Lea's video below

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