A Step In The Right Direction

Dog warden office stops enforcing city 'pit bull' rule
Don't target animals, deputies told

By JC REINDL
BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Lucas County Dog Warden's office has stopped enforcing the city of Toledo's controversial vicious-dogs law and "pit bull" restrictions following a judge's ruling last week that parts of the law are unconstitutional.

County and city officials asked late last week that Acting Dog Warden Bonnie Mitchell stop her deputies from targeting "pit bulls" and "pit bull" mixes, as they were doing to carry out the law, County Administrator Mike Beazley said yesterday.

"We've directed them to not enforce Toledo's law," he said.

The law limits city residents to owning just one "pit bull" or "pit bull" mix dog and requires that owners keep their animal leashed and muzzled when it's away from home. A violation is a misdemeanor offense.

Dog warden deputies have previously ventured onto Toledoans' properties to seize dogs that look like "pit bulls," and have taken those dogs that appear to be in violation.

Such enforcement action has now stopped, Mr. Beazley said.

Toledo Municipal Judge Michael Goulding in a Jan. 20 opinion found the city's ownership restrictions in conflict with home-rule doctrine, as the requirements go above and beyond state law.

While Ohio law singles out "pit bulls" as inherently vicious, it doesn't set muzzling or ownership number restrictions, or lump certain mixed dog breeds with "pit bulls."

Still, the dog warden's office will continue its long-standing policies against adopting out "pit bulls" or "pit bull" mixed dogs despite the court ruling, Mr. Beazley said. The county euthanizes all "pit bulls" and "pit bull" mixes unless the dogs' owners retrieve them.

Adam Loukx, acting law director for the city, did not return messages yesterday on whether the city plans to appeal last week's court decision.

"Pit bull" is a generic descriptive term for a dog trained to fight and can refer to multiple breeds, including the American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, and American pit bull terrier.

Toledo may soon have a citizen-led committee to rewrite the now-contested law. Two options are being discussed: setting up an entirely new committee or forming a subcommittee of the county's existing Dog Warden Advisory Committee.

City council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the former option, the establishment of a Toledo Dog Policy Advisory Task Force.

Jean Keating, co-founder of the Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates, strongly urged officials to go the new task force route, noting how several animal experts, including Ledy VanKavage, have volunteered to join such a group and help rewrite Toledo's dog laws.

Ms. VanKavage is senior legislative analyst for Best Friends Animal Society, the group that rescued, rehabilitated, and adopted out the approximately 50 "pit bulls" of National Football League player Michael Vick. According to Ms. Keating, Ms. VanKavage has indicated her willingness to fly to Toledo for the meetings at no cost to the city.

"There are people who are very knowledgeable about these issues who would like to serve on this task force," said Ms. Keating, who counts herself among the eager. "We need to create a task force and we absolutely need to look at that ordinance and revamp it."

Judge Goulding's ruling involved the case of a Toledo man, Hugh Smith, who was charged last fall with 13 violations of the city's dog laws. The judge dismissed all but three charges related to the owner's failure to immunize for rabies.

The city of Toledo has a contract with the county dog warden to enforce its local laws. Last year the contract was for up to $146,882. The contract calls for the city to pay the dog warden's office $100 for every citation issued against a "pit bull" or "pit bull" mix dog.

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xoxo (It would be nice if they stopped outright euthanizing pit bulls for no reason).

Money Available to Foster Pets

This will be filed under "Hero"

http://www.hamptons.com/news/neighborhood/9785/rsvp-inc.-offers-stipend-for-pet-foster-care.html

RSVP Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue organization, run entirely by volunteers. In a desperate attempt to help select dogs who have waited extended periods to be adopted, they are offering a $200/month stipend for a suitable foster home. The dogs are good dogs, but are in dire need of a better life beyond the lonely existence in a kennel. If you would like to consider this temporary, foster care arrangement and be a true hero to these innocent animals who long for love and companionship, contact RSVP at 631-728-3524 or visit http://www.rsvpinc.org/


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Thanks to Law Enforcement and Squeaky-Wheel Citizens

Despite how disheartening the increases in animal cruelty have been, one good thing is that there are more laws protecting them now and more law enforcement being given latitude to get the bad guys (and girls). Never underestimate how important it is to tell your local legislators that you expect animal cruelty to be met with stiff penalties and jail.

Enjoy; I hope this balances the post on animal cruelty last week. It made me have a better day.

Federal grand jury indicts 2 in dragging death of Buddy the dog
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100126010

Ex-fire official convicted of dog beating in SoCal
http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_14272017

UPDATE: Embattled Greyhound Trainer Speaks Out
http://www.winknews.com/news/top/82551237.html?skipthumb=Y

New Ordinance Curbs 24-Hour Dog Chaining; Allows Ticketing Of Barking Dog Owners
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_167583.asp

China to jail people for up to 15 days who eat dog
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-01/26/content_9379689.htm

And here is a good organization that I just found online:
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/


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Funny Dog Pics

To lighten the load after yesterday's post; enjoy:

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Dog Abuse Must Stop

I'm really seeing an untick in abuse of dogs, or else it's an uptick in the reporting. Either way, it's time we all start making noise about it to our local legislators and demand and expect that punishments start getting a lot stiffer. I would love to see citizens start picketing the homes of folks that do stuff like this.

Pit Bull Found Chained By Weights On Locked Patio
http://www.wpbf.com/mostpopular/22305085/detail.html#


Another case, this one in the Twin cities:

A Hudson man accused of putting a soup ladle in a dog's rear end, leading to the dog's death, faces the possibility of prison after he was charged this week with a felony. Ladle pierced colon, leading to euthanasia...
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_14243708


And yet another case:

Man faces charges in dog's brutal death
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/1439057.html
...the accused: William R. Jones Jr., 55, in Oakland Park, Florida.


And another case:

Rescued abused dog might recover
http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=11859112

Animal control officials said the dog was malnourished and 15 pounds underweight. According to the warrant filed against Erby, the dog had a skin infection which went untreated and developed into demodectic mange. She was too weak to raise her head or walk, the warrant stated. In addition, officials said motor oil had been poured all over the dog's coat.

"They said they were treating her mange with motor oil which is an old wives tail," said Gina Pratt, one of the rescuers from the Animal Adoption League in Rock Hill.
They washed Hope three times to remove the motor oil from her coat.

The accused: 42-year-old Karen Erby, of Rock Hill, South Carolina.
 
 
And another case:
 
Owner Of Dog Sled Operation Accused Of Abusing Dog
Krabloonik Owner Denies He Punched Dog
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21975179/detail.html
 
The accused: Dan MacEachen of Snowmass Village of Colorado, who, it seems has has been mentioned in three previous articles having to do with dog abuse.
 
They are here:
 
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/4352799/detail.html
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/4349741/detail.html
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/4343474/detail.html
 
 
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NYC - NJ - Long Island - Adoption Events - Remainder of January '10

via the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals:

For Animals, Inc.: Adoption Van at NYCPet.com

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Noon–6:00 p.m.

NYCPet.com, 218 5th Avenue (between President and Union Streets)

Park Slope, Brooklyn

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside NYCPet.com.

For more information, contact Theresa Bachu at (917) 257-6759 or spotty_11420@yahoo.com, or visit the For Animals, Inc., web site.

In Our Hands Rescue: Adoption Van at Beastly Bite

Sunday, January 24 , 2010

Noon–6:00 p.m.

Beastly Bite, 140 Court Street (near Atlantic Avenue)

Brooklyn

Cats, kittens, and a few dogs will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Beastly Bite. Discounts in store for adopters!

For more information, contact Jennifer Lamb at (718) 836-4023 or jennifer@inourhandsrescue.org, or visit the In Our Hands Rescue web site.

Tavi & Friends: Adoption Van at PETCO

Sunday, January 24, 2010

11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

PETCO, 2965 Hempstead Turnpike

Levittown, Long Island

Cats, kittens, and some dogs will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside PETCO.

For more information, contact Mary Bruce at (646) 872-1533 or Tavi2@earthlink.net, or visit the Tavi & Friends web site.

Posh Pets Rescue: Adoption Van

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Noon–5:00 p.m.

Broadway and 73rd Street

Manhattan

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van.

For more information, contact Linda Vetrano at (917) 319-4304 or mslondonspets@aol.com, or visit the Posh Pets Rescue web site.

Sean Casey Animal Rescue: Adoption Van at Willie's Dawgs

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Noon–5:00 p.m.

Willie's Dawgs, 351 5th Avenue (between 5th and 6th Streets)

Park Slope, Brooklyn

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Willie's Dawgs.

For more information, contact Charles Henderson at (718) 436-5163 or charles.seancaseyanimalrescue@gmail.com, or visit the Sean Casey Animal Rescue web site.

P.L.U.T.O Rescue of Richmond County:
Adoption Van at Merry Mutts

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Noon–3:00 p.m.

Merry Mutts, 90 Wakefield Avenue

Staten Island

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van.

For more information, contact JoJo at (646) 210-9099 or jojo92318@aol.com, or visit the P.L.U.T.O. Rescue of Richmond County web site.

Empty Cages Collective: Adoption Van at NYCPet.com

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Noon–5:00 p.m.

NYCPet.com, 218 5th Avenue (between President and Union Streets)

Park Slope, Brooklyn

Come and meet our adoptable cats and kittens available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside NYCPet.com. All adoptions require a completed application and minimum $75 donation per cat.

For more information, contact Empty Cages Collective at (800) 880-2684 or emptycagescollective@gmail.com, or visit the Empty Cages Collective web site.

In Our Hands Rescue: Adoption Van at UA Stadium 12

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Noon–6:00 p.m.

UA Stadium 12,

106 Court Street

Brooklyn

Cats, kittens, and a few dogs will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside the UA Stadium 12 cinema.

For more information, contact Jennifer Lamb at (718) 836-4023 or jennifer@inourhandsrescue.org, or visit the In Our Hands Rescue web site.

The Husky House: Adoption Van at Well Bred

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Noon–4:00 p.m.

Well Bred, 25 Main Street

Chester, NJ

Adult and puppy Siberian Huskies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Well Bred.

For more information, contact Lorraine Healy at (908) 672-7998 or adoptions@huskyhouse.org, or visit The Husky House web site.

Herding Dog Rescue: Adoption Van at PETCO

Saturday, January 30, 2010

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

PETCO, 806 Sunrise Highway

Baldwin, Long Island

Dogs will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside PETCO.

For more information, contact Deb Miller at (631) 924-3838 or debsdogs@optonline.net, or visit the Herding Dog Rescue web site.

Linda's Feral Cat Assistance: Adoption Van

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Noon–6:00 p.m.

186 First Avenue (between 10th and 11th Streets)

Manhattan

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van.

For more information, contact Linda Bryant at (718) 205-1792 or teabag_1@earthlink.net, or visit the Linda's Feral Cat Assistance web site.

Anjellicle Cats Rescue: Adoption Van at Chelsea Market

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Noon–6:00 p.m.

Chelsea Market, 9th Avenue (between 15th and 16th Streets)

Manhattan

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Chelsea Market.

For more information, contact Angelica Lema at (908) 577-4816 or info@anjelliclecats.com, or visit the Anjellicle Cats Rescue web site.

Liberty Humane Society: Adoption Van

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Noon–4:00 p.m.

Washington Street (at 2nd Street)

Hoboken, NJ

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van.

For more information, contact Janet Russell at (201) 577-4385 or janet@libertyhumane.org, or visit the Liberty Humane Society web site.


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Children improve reading skills with canine listeners at Hoboken Public Library

via Mark Maurer for The Jersey Journal :

(Mark Maurer/Hoboken Now)

Sheffield is one of two therapy dogs that children can read to at the Hoboken Public Library once a month.

A group of 12 kindergartners and second-graders individually read aloud today to trained therapy dogs at the Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park Ave.

Each child was allotted 10 minutes to improve their reading skills by selecting a book and reading to either Sheffield, a Western mix breed, or Sofie, a West Highland terrier.

Lois Gross, event founder, organizes this monthly event for 12 children, first-come first-served.

Due to Black History Month, the dog reading program will be postponed next month until March.

This afternoon, Josephine Conlon, 6, read Dr. Seuss’ “Clam-I-Am!” to the frisky Sheffield.

“I love him,” Josephine said of Sheffield. “I know him. The owner is my babysitter.”

Josephine’s mom, Jaz Conlon, said this is their first time attending this event, but they’ll absolutely be returning in March because her daughter had fun and was getting educational value from it.

“Now she feels like she’s the big girl, reading to something smaller,” Conlon said.

After Annabelle Slifirski, 6, finished reading "Night of the New Magicians" to Sofie, her mother asked if she thinks Sofie heard her reading.

“Dogs don’t listen,” Slifirski said.

How do you know?

“Because I know,” she said.


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Give Milk-Bones and Give Back

...

For 12 years and counting, every time you buy Milk-Bone® dog snacks, a portion of the proceeds goes to help Canine Assistants®.

Canine Assistants is a non-profit organization, founded in 1991, that trains and provides service dogs for children and adults with special needs, free of charge.

Canine Assistants dogs open doors, pick up items, pull wheelchairs, go for help, turn on lights and perform over 90 other commands. The dogs also help in removing many of the social barriers faced by people who have disabilities.

Check out their website for more info:

http://www.canineassistants.org/


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Former Shelter Dog Rescues Three Girls From Rubble

via Mary Bushnell for the St. Louis Pets Examiner:

Search Dog Foundation

A rescue dog and his firefighter handler found three girls alive buried under four feet of concrete five days after the massive earthquake devastated Haiti. Hunter, a border collie, alerted to the girls buried deep in the rubble. They would not have been found otherwise.

Hunter is part of a wonderful group I heard about called the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. What I love about this group, is that they take shelter dogs to train. Some of these dogs are pulled from shelters right before being euthanized. Being killed for lack of a home, these dogs not only get a second chance but prove time and time again that shelter dogs are not only great pets, but that they can also be heroes.

Bill Monahan and Hunter

Photo: Eliot Crowley

Hunter and his handler Bill, continue to search as do all seven of the task forces from the Foundation presently in Haiti. You can keep up with them by going to http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/


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Moscow Strays Ride The Metro

via Susanne Sternthal  for the Financial Times: (an excellent article, worth the time to read)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/628a8500-ff1c-11de-a677-00144feab49a.html

There are some 500 strays that live in the metro stations, especially during the colder months, but only about 20 have learned how to ride the trains. This happened gradually, first as a way to broaden their territory. Later, it became a way of life. “Why should they go by foot if they can move around by public transport?” he asks.

I've been known to raid the breakfast buffet for food for stray dogs whenever I travel internationally (Sicily and Chile most recently), to the sometime-annoyance of someone I'm traveling with, and at least a little chagrin on my part. The words "Loco Americano" come to mind whenever I think of my taking five portions of lunch meat and stuffing it in my already prepped ziplock in my oversized bag. Hey, a five pound bag of kibble is ten American dollars in Chile!  Someone has to feed them. I didn't even see any dog food in Italy; I think they cook for them. In Chile the dogs are in all the public squares like this very good article (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/628a8500-ff1c-11de-a677-00144feab49a.html) discusses about Russian dogs (Ruskies?), and in Italy the dogs preferred to lounge in the sun near the most historic sites. Go figure.

And I love this:
http://www.metrodog.ru/

In case you don't speak Russian, passengers on the metro system in Moscow take photos of dogs they see via cell phone and post them to this website.

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Michael Vick Given An Award For Courage By The Eagles - (not parody)

In the You-can't-make-this-up category...

via The American Reporter -Vol. 16, No. 3,855, January 15, 2010:

Brasch Words

THE 'COURAGE' OF MICHAEL VICK
by Walter Brasch and Rosemary Brasch
American Reporter Senior Correspondents
Bloomsburg, Pa.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Dec. 30, 2009 -- The Philadelphia Eagles honored reserve quarterback and admitted dog-killer Michael Vick with an award for courage. Yes, you read that right. "Michael Vick" and "courage" are in the same sentence, now etched in brass.

Each of the 32 NFL teams annually honors one of its own with an Ed Block award, named for the Baltimore Colts head trainer who was an advocate for improving the lives of neglected and abused children; the Foundation says it celebrates "players of inspiration in the NFL." Unfortunately, there is no stipulation that football players who abuse animals are ineligible receivers.

Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb told the Philadelphia Inquirer the award was "well deserved." Vick, his team, and what appears to be a loyal foundation of fans who believe Vick will help lead the Eagles into a SuperBowl, all believe the man who ran Bad Newz Kennels has "seen the light," has reformed, and is now a model citizen.

However, Vick's own words show the humility and humbleness that he should have are still missing from his egocentric world of sweating multimillionaires.

"It means a great deal to me," Vick told the media, gloating that he "was voted unanimously by my teammates. They know what I've been through. I've been through a lot. It's been great to come back and have an opportunity to play and be with a great group of guys. I'm just ecstatic about that, and I enjoy every day." He further justified the honor by explaining, "I've overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear."

Elaborating, Vick declared that "You ask certain people to walk through my shoes, they probably couldn't do. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world because nobody had to endure what I've been through, situations I've been put in, situations I put myself in and decisions I have made, whether they have been good or bad."

"There's always consequences behind certain things and repercussions behind them, too," he said. "And then you have to wake up every day and face the world, whether they perceive you in the right perspective, it's a totally different outlook on you. You have to be strong, believe in yourself, be optimistic. That's what I've been able to do. That's what I display."

Not once in his statements to the media did Michael Vick apologize for what he did, or for the deals he cut in order to be restored to the status of a millionaire athlete. Everything he said was focused upon his own "courage," with "I" being the prevalent word.

Perhaps Michael Vick isn't aware that courage is not being so vacuous as to believe it was acceptable to breed and arrange for dogs to fight to the death, to allow equally malevolent "fans" to bet on the matches, and by the cruelest means possible to kill dogs who didn't perform as well as he thought they should. Going to prison for 18 months, losing two seasons of multimillion dollar income, having to work out to get into fighting condition, and then earning about $1.6 in his first year back into the NFL, with a second year option for about $5 million, isn't courage.

In case Michael Vick doesn't know what courage is, here are just a few examples. There are thousands of others.

Courage is the soldier who is on 100 percent disability from combat wounds who is now working almost every hour of every day with physical therapists, social workers, and other medical personnel to try to regain even the most remote possibility of being able to walk again.


Courage is the firefighters who risk their lives to rescue people and their pets from burning buildings.

Courage is law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line to serve and protect the people.

Courage is the "whistle blower" who risks a job and family stability to point out greed and corruption within a business, educational institution, or governmental agency.

Courage is the lone dissenter who fights for social and economic justice in a society that is determined to continue the "Me Generation."

Courage is the recent graduate who delays entry into the job market, the mid-career executive who gives up the fast track, or the senior citizen who decides there is more to life than retirement, and volunteers for AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, or any of hundreds of non-profit organizations that have taken on the burden of helping those who society has made invisible.

Courage is the parents who work two low-income service jobs, support their families, and still donate time and money to charities that help those less fortunate than they.
 Courage is the family who last year had a home and job, and this year has neither but survives day to day.

Courage is the animal rights advocates who risk their lives to fight against governments that allow the killing of whales, bears, seals, wolves, and hundreds of other animals; and to humane society staff and innumerable volunteers who rescue abandoned and abused animals, and who work with them to try to give them a better life.

But most important, courage is all the people who know no matter what obstacles they overcome today, tomorrow will present the same challenges, and that they will never have any hope to be a millionaire or to receive an award for surviving against tremendous odds.

In his comments after being notified of the award, Michael Vick proved himself to be an unworthy spokesman for anything or anyone other than himself.

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xoxo (I had decided to not post anymore about Vick, unless it was extraordinary, and this was. An award?!  The Eagles are pieces of shit. Vick deserves every bad thing people say about him. I'm glad this piece includes a real definition of courage.)

Low Cost Microchipping in NYC

via the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals:

http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/services/microchipping.htm

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xoxo (Please pass this along)

The Unexpected Pit Bull

I missed this in the holiday gift links.  But here's a nice looking calendar with some great pics that I found trolling around the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals - an impressive collaboration of organizations who do good work.

http://www.theunexpectedpitbull.com/calendars/view/3

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Rescued, A Pit Bull Who Is Now Safe. Thank You Mutts N Stuff.

via Facebook, a picture of Gale from Mutts N'Stuff, with Stella, one grateful sweetie rescued out of a dog-fighting situation:

In this photo is Gale Frey with Mutts N Stuff holding our beautiful Stella who came from the very large dog fighting raid last summer.The photo was taken at the location where the dogs were held after being rescued. By the look on Stella's face you can see she probably had gone through some tough times throughout her entire life. Poor girl. You can also see how much Gale loves this girl. Beautiful.


Stella is a happy confident camper in our house with our dogs, us, etc. Stella also loves to meet people she doesn't know and wants to get snuggles from everyone. She's a very happy girl over all. However, one horrible thing about neglect is just that - neglect. Coming from these situations we see dogs that may get little to no exposure to new surroundings, TV sets, furniture in a home, car alarms, clickers, tea pots, microwaves, cars, cars even just sitting parked on the street. Stella even got worried when she squeaked a squeaky toy accidentally. She walked away from it very slowly as though she hurt it. Initially when I would walk her on the street she would literally panic. It was like landing on another planet for her.

But there's been much progress. She walked out of the house on her leash today with her tail wagging knowing she was going on a walk. She continued to wag her tail. There were only a few spots of "oh, what's that?" for her. This tells me that recovery is possible for her and that's what we're looking for, recovery. Just walking everyday and positive exposures does wonders. These dogs are quite amazing. Of course every dog progresses at his own rate.

Dog fighters do NOT want anyone to find their dogs. The dogs are very often hidden from normal environments like being able to live inside of a home, seeing cars on the street, playing with toys etc. This is most likely why it can be hard for them to adjust initially to a new environment. To me this is just another part of the horrible abuse that goes on in these situations.

We feel it's important to give these dogs a chance so back to Gale in the photo. She helped us get our beautiful Stella and has helped many dogs in tough situations. Thank you Gale! Gale is also building Phoenix House which is a house for dogs that come from abuse cases like where Stella came from. At Phoenix House the dogs will have a place to get exposure to normal life in a positive controlled fashion. This way many, many more dogs can be helped. For more info on Phoenix House and how you can help or donate go to http://www.muttsnstuff.com/

Photo by Lynn Terry. See her work at http://www.lynnterry.com/
 

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xoxo (Thank you Gale, and for all people who help to change perceptions about these misunderstood dogs. It's their love of humans and their wanting to please us that has allowed bad people to manipulate them into fighting. It's all unnecessary and we are going to change this!)

Adoption Events in NYC Jan 16th & 17th, 2010

via Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals:

Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals: Adoption Van at Community Bookstore

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Noon–4:00 p.m.

Community Book Store, 143 7th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Community Bookstore.
For more information, contact Siobhan at (917) 449-2448 or siobhan@AnimalAllianceNYC.org

Linda's Feral Cat Assistance: Adoption Van

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Noon–6:00 p.m.

186 First Avenue (between 10th and 11th Streets), Manhattan

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van.

For more information, contact Linda Bryant at (718) 205-1792 or teabag_1@earthlink.net or visit the Linda's Feral Cat Assistance web site.

SaveKitty Foundation: Adoption Van at Fairway Market
Sunday, January 17, 2010
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Fairway Market, 2127 Broadway (between 74th and 75th Streets), Manhattan
Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Fairway Market.

For more information, contact Rosary Immordino at (718) 507-6843 or adoptions@savekitty.org or visit the SaveKitty Foundation web site.


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xoxo (If you know someone who might want to adopt, please pass this info around).

Hawk Bites Dog

via CTpost.com:

DANBURY -- Hey... How about some Mexican food for lunch?

That's the thought that may have crossed a red-tailed hawk's mind Sunday when it swooped down into the yard of Tony and Janette Buonaiuto and tried to take their 3.5 pound chihuahua, Kokonutz, out for a meal -- literally.

It's unclear what most chihuahuas -- accustomed to laps and rides in ladies' pocketbooks -- might do when faced with talon and beak coming out of nowhere, hellbent for a nosh. But Kokonutz -- and Janette -- fought back.

The hawk grabbed little Kokonutz on the neck, but between the barking dog and the shouting human, the big bird took off, empty-stomached.

"I scared it, the dog was yelping, and it didn't get a good grip,'' said Janette said of the hawk. "But it was huge.''

Kokonutz has the talon marks on his neck to prove it.

The Buonaiutos live on the far southern end of Candlewood Lake and are used to seeing red-tailed hawks and bald eagles in the trees that border the water. For that reason, Janette said, she always warns her family to be on the lookout when they take Kokonutz -- who is a little over 2 years old -- outside.

"It's always in the back of our minds,'' she said.

But Sunday was cold. Rather than take Kokonutz out for a stroll, Janette said she simply let her pet out the back door to do its doggy duty.

A bit later she looked out the window, saw the hawk swoop in, and ran out to help.

Luckily, hawk gone, Kokonutz seems not to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder -- no trembling, no anxious looks skyward, no aversion to PBS nature documentaries.

"She's fine,'' Janette said.

Ordinarily, even big red-tailed hawks -- which at about 3 pounds, weigh a little less than the average chihuahua -- do not try to take domestic pets. They aim for smaller game.

But Laura Simon, field director of urban wildlife for the Humane Society of the United States, said Connecticut has been cold and has had a lot of snow cover on the ground. A red-tails' usual fare -- squirrels, chipmunks, mice -- might hunker down on such days.

"It's fairly unusual,'' Simon said of the dog-hawk confrontation. "But hawks and owls are extra hungry right now. This might have been a very hungry bird.''

"It could have been a young bird,'' she said. "Hawks don't usually try to take things that big.''

But Simon said people have to realize there's wildlife in the suburbs that really is wild. The same people who love seeing chickadees and finches flock to their bird feeders are appalled when a sharp-shinned hawk makes a raid, trying to snatch one of those songbirds.

"But for a hawk, that's a bird buffet,'' she said.

The same holds for owners of small pets in winter, when game gets scarce for raptors.

"People think dogs are off limits to hawks, but squirrels are OK,'' she said. "A hawk doesn't know the difference. This time of year, when you let your animals outside, supervise them.''


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Operation Chihuahua

via ASPCA:

On January 6, the ASPCA Adoption Center welcomed 15 Chihuahuas who flew from California to the Big Apple in search of new forever homes. The dogs originated from the City of San Francisco Animal Care & Control, and their in-cabin transportation was donated by Virgin Airlines. After some post-travel rest and relaxation, the tiny pups will be made available for adoption next week at the ASPCA in Manhattan.

Over the past year, California shelters have seen a dramatic increase in Chihuahua intakes—this toy breed now makes up more than 30% of the state’s shelter dog population. While demand for Chihuahuas has declined in much of the Golden State, their popularity in New York City is as high as ever.

"They're portable, and people like portability in the city," said Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President for the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. Aside from easily fitting in a carrier for a subway ride, their small size is ideal for living in compact apartments.

Gail adds: “We are glad to be given this opportunity to help New Yorkers get the small dogs they want, and at the same time, help find loving homes for San Francisco’s homeless animals.”



The dogs will be available for viewing at the ASPCA Adoption Center on Wednesday, January 13, between the hours of noon and 7:00 P.M. Adoption fees will range from $75 to $200, and include all medical and behavioral treatments, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and a microchip.

For additional information, please visit ASPCA.org or call our special “Operation Chihuahua” hotline at (212) 876-7700, ext. 3210.


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A Good Thing

I came across this wonderful person and wanted you to know about her work.

http://www.aplacetobark.com/



They do some fundraising and have art auctions to benefit the new shelter.



They started with one person, so keep that in mind when you read the following stats:

This year in a nutshell, has been our most AMAZING ever...




I'm still wondering how we did, what we've done.



The sleepless nite, the non stop round the clock, care, cleaning, etc..



All pays off & we have saved 611 dogs this year & 42 cats.

If you have time, maybe you can go see what she's about. Pass it along.

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A Movie About Katrina Pets: Mine, by Geralyn Pezanoski

I have not seen this film and I don't know if I will. I get my full dose of dogs in bad situations from volunteering at a shelter (and one that allows us to dote over them). But I want to pass this along. After Hurricane Katrina, and the terrible situation that ensued (and before, when people ought to have been evacuated), thousands of pets were left to fend for themselves. I can tell you with complete seriousness, there is no way I could have left my dog, and it's likely a people rescue person would have had to chase me around getting me to leave.  But that's neither here nor there, and I wasn't in those people's shoes. My heart ached then, and now, when I think of it.

An interesting thing has taken place. With the online sites like Petfinder, where you can find thousands of dogs or cats that you can choose from to adopt, people began searching for their own pets after they made it to safety. In numerous cases, it seems, people who rescued them or those who adopted them, and who have held onto them for many months or even a year or two, aren't so willing to give them up again.  So here we have more people speaking up for various pets than there are pets. I would not have imagined such a problem. I feel terrible for all involved. This film speaks to the whole issue.

http://mine-the-movie.blogspot.com/2009/11/stills.html


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You Sure That Fur Is Fake?

I one time called a company to ask them a question about a product.  It was a fur lined item and I asked what kind of fur it was. The young lady said "Mongolian fur."  I said what kind of animal does that come from?  She said "it's Mongolian fur." I explained that a Mongolian was not an animal, and I mentioned that they might want to be prepared for other people asking them whether the fur was real or fake.

That converstion didn't do much but befuddle a young sales rep, but it does make me sit up and take notice of the kind of stats that are listed below.

via the Animal Rescue Site:

An HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) investigation found domestic dog, wolf, or raccoon dog fur on 96 percent of a nationwide sample of fur-trimmed jackets purchased from well-known retailers and designers. The labels read "faux fur" or "raccoon" — if they bothered identifying the fur at all! Half of fur-containing garments come from China, where raccoon dogs as well as domestic dogs and cats are routinely killed for their fur.

Is it real fur or faux? Consider these facts:

• What's it Worth? Clothing made with less than $150 worth of fur doesn't have to be labeled in any way, even with basic information such as "real fur" vs. "faux fur." Real fur could come from any kind of animal and the consumer would never know.

• Skin or Fabric? Part the hairs down to the base and take a close look at what you see there. Synthetic fur has woven fabric at its base. Real animal fur has leather or skin.

• Burn or Melt? In general, natural fibers burn and synthetic fibers melt. If you already have an item you're unsure of, cut or pluck a few hairs off of the garment. Using a lighter or a match, try to burn the ends of the hairs. If the tip of the hair burns, crumbles away when you touch it and smells like human hair burning, it is real fur. If the tip of the hair melts, curls up into a hard ball and smells like an unnatural chemical, the fur is synthetic. The burn test should only be conducted by adults.


A loophole in the Fur Products Labeling Act means that a vast quantity of clothing made with less than $150 worth of real fur goes unlabeled in the U.S. This is bad news for consumers and animals alike — without proper labeling, it is nearly impossible for a person to tell the difference between a product containing real fur or faux fur.

Take action today! Urge your representative to close this loophole by passing

 the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2009.

Help give consumers the right to make informed choices about whether or not to wear fur.


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Sad News

In scanning my usual dog related sites, I came across this very sad news from Pet Connection.

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2010/01/08/artist-stephen-huneck-takes-his-own-life/

Though I didn't know his name, I instantly knew the artist's work from the picture below. My dog's vet has this great painting of Stephen Huneck hanging in the lobby and I always admire it when we are there.

Here it is:

I will keep his wife and family and all his Vermont friends and all those who admired his work in my prayers. It's a very great loss.  I'm so glad we have his work to admire.

Google him, and bask in the pictures of events on Dog Mountain. I wish I could have been there.
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Dear Yonkers Animal Shelter

A fellow volunteer at Yonkers Animal Shelter told us about this.

This fell out of a student's backpack, she was sending it to the shelter along with a $1 bill without my knowing. What a lovely little girl.

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I'm a Yorkshire Terrier (at work, anyway)

Yorkshire Terrier

"The mover-and-shaker


While your individuality shines through—you’re not afraid to be the first to suggest or try something, like a new take on the practice uniform—you’re still a team player. You’re always looking for a more efficient or effective way to do things, but you’re not going to spend every second thinking about work. And while your energy and enthusiasm for change may ruffle some feathers now and then, co-workers always save a seat for you at lunch to hear about what’s new in the industry and in life. "

Go here and find out which you are:

"What breed would you be at work?"
http://veterinaryteam.dvm360.com/firstline/Veterinary+team/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/639693


In another quiz I came up something I've never heard of, twice. That's the which-dog-are-you-game, which I've posted before. I'll dig it up...

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Mutts n' Stuff

I have come to really like this rescue out in Missouri. They took in Fay, the pitbull who had been in a very abusive situation (and was actually rescued in the large Missouri fighting bust over the summer) and, though she had love for a few months time, ultimately succumbed to her body's injuries. I'm posting about her another day, in her own post.

For now, check out this cool stuff. These guys are a good rescue, they do work from the heart, and I am in love with this particular design of their's.

http://www.cafepress.com/mutts_n_stuff/2443803

Here's a bit about Mutts n' Stuff:
http://www.muttsandstuff.com/

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Don't Be Duped

via East Lothian News: (in the UK)

Puppies pictured in an oversized egg box to highlight puppy farming, which the Dogs Trust has dubbed 'battery farming' of dogs

Animal lovers are being duped into buying "farmed" dogs, a charity has warned.

As many as 900,000 people may have bought a dog from a puppy farm without knowing it, Dogs Trust claims.

In a recent survey of almost 900 pet owners carried out by the dog welfare charity, 95% said they would not buy a dog from a puppy farm.

But when asked where they had got their dog from, 15.1% said they had got it from a newspaper advert, the internet, a pet shop or a pet superstore - all of which are often supplied by puppy farms, the charity said.

It branded the trade "battery farming of dogs" and called for a review of dog breeding licensing legislation.

The charity said breeding bitches at battery farms are kept in small pens without natural daylight or contact with other dogs.


The dogs have little contact with people and no space to exercise or opportunity to play. They are bred continuously in these conditions until they are too old, and then discarded, the charity added.


Clarissa Baldwin, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said: "Battery farming of dogs is an appalling practice, abhorrent to all decent members of society.

"While most people would never consider buying a dog from such a place, it seems that a large number are inadvertently doing so."

Anyone thinking of buying a puppy should always find out about its background first, said the charity.

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Upcoming Animal Adoption Events in NYC

Anjellicle Cats Rescue: Adoption Van at Chelsea Market
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Noon–6:00 p.m.

Chelsea Market, 9th Avenue (between 15th and 16th Streets), Manhattan

 Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Chelsea Market
For more information, contact Angelica Lema at (908) 577-4816 or info@anjelliclecats.com, or visit the Anjellicle Cats Rescue web site.

Social Tees Animal Rescue Foundation: Adoption Van at The Bean Coffee & Tea

Sunday, January 10, 2010

1:00–7:00 p.m.

The Bean Coffee & Tea, 49½ First Avenue

(at East 3rd Street), Manhattan

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside The Bean Coffee & Tea.

For more information, contact Robert Shapiro at (212) 614-9653 or robert@socialtees.com, or visit the Social Tees Animal Rescue web site.

Animal Center of Queens: Adoption Van at NYCPet.com

Sunday, January 10, 2010

11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

NYCPet.com, 218 5th Avenue

 (between President and Union Streets), Park Slope, Brooklyn

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside NYCPet.com.

For more information, contact Laurie Carpio at (347) 400-4641 or angeleyes121473@aol.com, or visit the Animal Center of Queens web site.

Sean Casey Animal Rescue: Adoption Van

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Details TBA

For more information, contact Charles Henderson at (718) 436-5163 or charles.seancaseyanimalrescue@gmail.com, or visit the Sean Casey Animal Rescue web site.

Food Pantry for Hudson Valley Pets

via Paws 'n' Claws at LoHudBlogs:

The Hudson Valley Humane Society has established a Pet Food Pantry for pet owners needing temporary assistance during these challenging economic times. The pantry is funded entirely with donated food. Those eligible will be required to meet certain criteria (unemployed, Social Security, Section H, family shelter, etc.). Photo I.D. will be required to redeem a two-week’s supply of pet food. Currently the pantry is stocked with canine and feline food products. The pantry is accessible every Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

“The HVHS receives heartbreaking calls from owners looking to surrender their pet simply due to the economy – they struggle to feed them,” commented Ray Mundy, president HVHS. He continued, “We thought a pantry may be able to keep the family whole and prevent the surrender of a beloved pet and at the same time give the owners time to get back on their feet.”

Donations of unopened dry and canned food suitable for canines and felines can be made to the HVHS at 200 Quaker Road in Pomona, seven days a week; alternatively, those interested in donating may do so every Saturday and Sunday at Petco on Route 59 in Nanuet at the onsite HVHS Adoption Center.

For more information call 845-354-3124 or visit www.hvhsny@optonline.net.


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Dog Has Face Lift To Keep It From Going Blind

via the Daily Telegraph:

Rather than the vanity that motivates hounded Hollywood stars into seeking plastic surgery, Roland the abandoned shar pei has had a face lift so he won't go blind.

As a shar pei, Roland is highly prized for his wrinkly skin, but the breed suffers from entropion, a painful condition in which his wrinkles cause his eyelashes to turn inward and rub against his eyeballs.

If left untreated the condition could have caused Roland to go blind and was preventing him from being rehomed. The solution: A double eye lift and full face lift.

RSPCA (http://www.rspcansw.org.au/nested_content/footer/about_us2) chief vet Magdoline Awad said the 90-minute surgery was not about vanity. "What we have done is made him adoptable," she said. "It is not uncommon in this breed, it is a congenital problem."

Roland's eye-lift surgery and excess face wrinkle removal cost almost $1000.

Roland now had a better chance at finding a good home as a family could adopt him without having to pay for the surgery, Dr Awad said.

Roland is one of growing number of shar peis turning up at animal shelters. The breed, once the world's rarest, is often dumped after owners realise the costs of correcting the breed's congenital health problems.

Click title for full story.


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You. Have. Got. To. See. This. Video.

I found this on You Tube, now that I'm You-Tube-crazy. This is the funniest thing I've seen since the grey pitbull and the chickens (who all lived happily ever after) that I posted about some months ago. Someone ought to dress this guy like Harpo Marx. Or dress him like Lucille Ball, dressed like Harpo Marx.

This is Eddie Munster, rescued in Missouri's largest dog-fighting raid. Thank God he can do this. Too. Funny.



Here's the human version:




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Ador-A-Bull Videos Of Our Pack, Inc.'s Lovelies

Our Pack, Inc. in San Francisco has been mentioned here numerous times. They have done wonders for rehabilitating the image of the pit bull, first by rescuing them (a la the recent largest-ever dog-fighting bust in Missouri), and then by loving their dogs, insisting on good behavior, and providing a safe and fun home.  Then they share the goods. Enjoy!



These two videos feature at least one Missouri dog fighting raid dog that was rescued. Amazing.
This one below is really something. My dachshund-chihuahua pound puppy isn't this nice. Neither is Mom's yorkie, George. Definately not!



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Angel Saves Boy From Cougar

via the Telegraph Journal:

That's the golden retriever who protected young Austin from a charging cougar during a bloody, against-all-odds confrontation Saturday in the tiny British Columbia community of Boston Bar, about 200 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.

"The cougar came (from) about five feet away and made a big jump (at Austin)," Forman said Sunday in an interview. "The dog (named Angel) jumped in between and took on the cougar."

...Click the title for full story.
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The day a dog ate my lunch (and other highlights from 2009)

via Nicole Ryan at "Queen Anne":

As any pet store owner will tell you, loads of hijinks go on in any given day. Here are just a few of my more memorable moments from 2009:

1.) There was the time that I had to throw myself at an off leash dog to stop him from chasing my shop cat into oblivion...which doesn't sound very funny. But in retrospect, the best part was when I tripped, hit the floor, and the back of my dress flew up. I guess I know some customers better than others now.

2.) Wiping the dog 'nose' prints off of the glass every morning. They cannot understand why I am not open 24/7, and the wet nose smudges they leave behind always make me smile.

3.) One day I had a taste for a fancy, melted, cheesy sandwich from the new Whole Foods, which I stored in my purse and then forgot to take out. Later on, I told a customer she could let her dogs run around the store, and they promptly made a beeline for the back room. It took all of 5 seconds for the two of them to snarf that sandwich down, paper and all. I don't even think they chewed it.

4.) Carl the Pug hurling himself at my door every time they walk by. His enthusiasm is immeasurable, and he is always beyond thrilled to see me.

5.) While showing dog collars to a customer, I leaned my eight months pregnant body against the display (LIGHTLY, I will have you know), and the whole thing ripped right out of the wall. Plaster dust and collars hit the floor, and I was mortified. As I apologized, the customers went back to looking at collars, picking from the selection on the floor. And that is how Nancy the dog got a new pink polka dot collar.

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Happy New Year at Yonkers Animal Shelter

via Paws and Claws of LoHudBlogs, a note from Leslie, Volunteer Extraordinaire at Yonkers Animal Shelter:

Was just thinking about the different Yonkers dogs who were fortunate enough to find good homes this year, and I must say that there were quite a few.  In fact, I think you could say “a lot.”

However, of all the dogs who were lucky, this little guy says it best!!!

This is Rocky. He is about 6 months old and was at the shelter since he was a tiny puppy. We worried that he would grow into an adult before he was adopted, as adoptions were a little slow this summer and fall.  He is the sweetest, friendliest fellow, and would make a great addition to any family. Little did we know that, just around the holidays, a wonderful young couple would travel all the way from Massachusetts to adopt this little guy.

We always hope the dogs will be happy. Some people keep in touch, some send nice pictures, BUT this picture left nothing to the imagination. Take a look at this boy in mid air saying THANK YOU Jenna and Brian for becoming my folks and thank you Yonkers Animal Shelter for taking such good care of me until my forever family found me!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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xoxo (We were blessed at Yonkers Animal Shelter to have a lot of people give pit bulls (and other dogs) a chance. Many dogs were adopted. Happy New Year!)

$20,000 for Rolling Dog Ranch in Beautiful Montana

Yep, they won!  Thanks to all who voted! This money is super-important. Remember, this is a couple who gave up nice cushy jobs to take care of disabled animals on a ranch in Montana. I know that last part is a hardship. But they help a lot of animals that would otherwise be put down.

Here are some words from Steve and Alayna:

Woohoo! $20,000 For The Animals!


Yes, it's official -- the ranch won the Shelter Challenge Grand Prize and will get $20,000 for the animals! This is truly one of the most humbling things that has ever happened to us. Wow -- what a phenomenal Christmas present! For a small sanctuary in a remote part of Montana to win out over thousands of other shelters and rescue groups around the United States is just incredible. It blows us away. Thank you!

It is a testament to all of you who faithfully voted daily for months on end to make this happen. Alayne and I were just astonished at the sheer number of people who told us they were voting for the ranch every day and had enlisted their family, their friends and their colleagues at work to vote, too. And many of these were folks we had never heard from before -- but they were voting for the ranch and doing as much as they could to get others to vote for us, too. Not only here in the United States, but in Canada, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa and in other countries around the world. Just knowing that so many people were not only thinking about us but were doing something every single day to help us win that Grand Prize -- well, that is the humbling part.

It is also a reflection of how much our disabled animals can inspire -- with their zest for life, their strength in overcoming adversity, and their playful, silly antics that keep us laughing. When we started the sanctuary nearly 10 years ago, we never realized just how much these animals and their stories would resonate with people. We had no idea. But these remarkable animals are, of course, why so many of you were voting in this contest -- so they could benefit. They touched you in some way, and you have touched them.

We are more grateful to you -- to every single one of you -- than you can possibly imagine. Thank you ... thank you ... thank you!!!

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