Speggtacular Events!
May/2009
Spay & Neuter Kansas City Seeking Spring Volunteers
Greetings!
Spring is FINALLY here and so is our new location!! We are moving the 1st weekend of May to 1116 E. 59th, KCMO, 64110, and we could NOT be more excited and proud! If you are not able to volunteer in May, please watch for an email about our Open House! We hope to see you there! AND, DON'T FORGET TO VISIT US THIS WEEKEND AT THE PET EXPO at the American Royal!
Volunteers Needed for Rabies Clinics WHEN:May 9th, 9-Noon, still need 5 volunteers 16th, 9-Noon, still need 7 volunteers 30th, 9-Noon, still need 8 volunteersPlease note the new start time for the clinics is 9AM!! Volunteers will arrive at 8:30.WHERE: 1116 E. 59th, KCMO 64110 (NE Corner of 59th & Troost)ALSO: May 9th- Pete and Mac's Chip & Dip, Lenexa, three volunteers from 10-1. Still need one volunteer to help people fill out forms for Microchipping. May 16th- Camp Bow Wow, Olathe, 2 volunteers to help distribute information and answer questions. This is a pet adoption event with many area agencies represented. FILLED-THANK YOU!!Pet OutreachWHEN:May 17th, Noon-3:00WHERE:1116 E. 59th, KCMOInterested volunteers MUST attend the Orientation and Pet Outreach Training before May 17th.
PLEASE EMAIL TAMARA@SNKC.NET ASAP INDICATING WHICH EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN.
Volunteer Re/Orientation Please schedule a time to join us for a volunteer orientation. Whether it's your first time or 50th time volunteering, we have an orientation just for you. Think you couldn't learn anymore about SNKC? Let us SURPRISE you! Current volunteers: May 9th and 16th, Tour of our new facility and be "Re-Oriented" before the rabies clinic. We will start at 8AM with coffee, juice and donuts provided. OR, join us after work on May 20th from 6:00-7:00PM. Sodas and cookies will be provided. New Volunteers: May 13th, 2:00-4:00PM OR May 20th 6:00-8:00PM. Lite snacks available at both dates. Please RSVP via email with the time and date of the session you plan to attend to tamara@snkc.net.
From the Open House to Pet Outreach, from the Rabies clinic to the Orientation...I look forward to seeing you in MAY! Have a fabulous Spring everyone!
Sincerely,
Tamara Scharfenkamp
Spay & Neuter Kansas City
Friday, April 24, 2009
Doomed Dogs Get Help....
Doomed dogs get on the rescue wagon to other shelters
By Sharon L. Peters, Special for USA TODAY
Thousands of death-row dogs are getting reprieves every week, plucked from crowded, high-kill shelters and transported — often hundreds of miles — to places where there are open cages in shelters and open hearts in the community.
Shelter-animal relocations, known as "transfers," have been quietly going on for years on a fairly small scale. But the numbers are escalating as growing legions of devoted rescuers organize ever-larger convoys; high-kill shelters initiate partnerships with faraway shelters that have space to accept out-of-luck animals; and large pet-advocacy groups develop strategies to increase the number of pets that are moved and saved every month.
PET TALK: Don't dump your pets when times are tough
VIDEO AND MORE: See pilots fly dogs to better lives
"It's a growing and increasingly important area in the animal protection field," says Cory Smith of the Humane Society of the United States, which has developed guidelines to help transporters.
Road to a second chance
PetSmart Charities' Rescue Waggin' is the volume leader in moving pets from shelters where there's no chance they'll be adopted to shelters where they're almost certain to get new homes quickly.
Its four transport trucks carry dogs and puppies from shelters mostly in the Midwest and South (92,000 animals are euthanized annually in Louisiana shelters alone, Smith says) to shelters primarily in the North and Northeast, where pet owners have long sterilized their pets and overpopulation has largely been brought under control.
In four years, Rescue Waggin' has transported more than 25,000 dogs for placement in new homes; officials expect to cover 400,000 miles this year and move 8,000 to 10,000 dogs and puppies. "They're generally adopted within three days of reaching the receiving shelter," says Kimberly Noetzel of PetSmart Charities.
In Los Angeles, Pup My Ride has, in less than two years, saved more than 1,000 small dogs that were "red-tagged," or scheduled to be put down. Animal lovers looked across state lines and took advantage of a supply-and-demand reality.
"There is a big surplus of small dogs in L.A.," says Elizabeth Oreck of Best Friends Animal Society, which runs the volunteer transport program. "They're killing them by the thousands. But not very far away, there are communities where shelters have waiting lists for small dogs of every age, color, breed and mix."
So every 10 to 14 days, 20 to 40 lucky dogs that weigh 30 pounds or less are driven to shelters in Arizona or Utah that have a demand for small dogs. "They are adopted in a matter of days," Oreck says.
On the opposite coast, Mitchell County Animal Rescue in North Carolina and the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, R.I., formed a partnership in 2004 similar to many that are now cropping up.
The Rhode Island shelter, which often has a waiting list of up to 75 for puppies and small dogs, has received 502 dogs and puppies from the overcrowded shelter nearly 900 miles away. Because of the program, says Potter League's Christie Smith, the community can "get great puppies here" rather than "fueling puppy mills" by buying them at pet stores.
Still, though transfers are saving some of the estimated 4 million animals euthanized in shelters every year, they're not without controversy. Some people worry that high-kill communities have less motivation to consider spay/neuter programs if pets are exported and the specter of an 85% kill rate no longer hovers. They also worry that the receiving shelters, in their zeal to help, may lessen adoption chances for pets from their own communities.
Strict parameters necessary
"Transfers aren't a be-all-end-all," Smith acknowledges. They're a reasonable adjunct to other programs such as sterilization, she says, adding that many experts believe such initiatives aren't undermined by exporting unwanted pets if the "messaging to the community" is done properly. Also, she says, officials at both ends must establish strict parameters.
Transfer proponents say it's unfair to make animals suffer simply because some areas haven't fully addressed overpopulation. "If someone is drowning, you don't just stand there and criticize their inability to swim," says JoAnne Yohannan of North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, N.Y., a pet-transfer pioneer that began receiving animals in the 1990s through partnerships with high-kill groups, most of them in the South. "There are animals that are dying, and there are families here who want them."
North Shore will receive about 7,500 dogs and puppies this year from other states.
Find this article at: http://ssomail.charter.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.usatoday.com%252Fnews%252Fnation%252F2009-04-22-pet-transport_N.htm
The North Shore Animal League America van sits at the Indianapolis Animal Care & Control during a Tour For Life (TFL) adoption event.North Shore, the no-kill shelter in Port Washington, N.Y., helps hundreds of pets get new homes every spring with its one-month TFL.Two mobile units have visited 23 cities from Redding, Calif., to Parma, Ohio, in the past four weeks during a 25-stop, long-haul tour that wraps up Saturday.No animals are transported from one state to another. Instead, huge, festive local pet adoption events are organized around the arrival of the hard-to-miss units that "carry the message of adoption," says North Shore's Joanne Yohannan.The TFL program was launched in 2001 with four shelters and 50 adoptions. It has evolved to two vehicles that ply two different routes during March and April, attracting thousands at some stops.In San Antonio this month, 21 rescue groups converged for TFL day and 70 pets were adopted, most of them with special needs, Yohannan says. In Nashville, six groups found homes for 145 animals, and organizers there so cherish TFL's annual visits that they presented the unit driver a guitar autographed by country star George Strait.When the two $200,000 units that allow pets to be showcased in a walk-though environment return to New York, they will have covered more than 11,000 miles and incurred more than $16,000 in expenses (covered by sponsor Purina). About 800 shelter pets will have gone to new homes." src="http://ssomail.charter.net/do/mail/message/document.jpg;jsessionid=abcD0StLA2_P59DA-5yds?msgId=INBOXDELIM37322&part=3" width=245 border=0>
VAN'S MESSAGE: ADOPT LOCALLY
By AJ Mast, for USA TODAY
The North Shore Animal League America van sits at the Indianapolis Animal Care & Control during a Tour For Life (TFL) adoption event.North Shore, the no-kill shelter in Port Washington, N.Y., helps hundreds of pets get new homes every spring with its one-month TFL.Two mobile units have visited 23 cities from Redding, Calif., to Parma, Ohio, in the past four weeks during a 25-stop, long-haul tour that wraps up Saturday.No animals are transported from one state to another. Instead, huge, festive local pet adoption events are organized around the arrival of the hard-to-miss units that "carry the message of adoption," says North Shore's Joanne Yohannan.The TFL program was launched in 2001 with four shelters and 50 adoptions. It has evolved to two vehicles that ply two different routes during March and April, attracting thousands at some stops.In San Antonio this month, 21 rescue groups converged for TFL day and 70 pets were adopted, most of them with special needs, Yohannan says. In Nashville, six groups found homes for 145 animals, and organizers there so cherish TFL's annual visits that they presented the unit driver a guitar autographed by country star George Strait.When the two $200,000 units that allow pets to be showcased in a walk-though environment return to New York, they will have covered more than 11,000 miles and incurred more than $16,000 in expenses (covered by sponsor Purina). About 800 shelter pets will have gone to new homes.
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours,
faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it
to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Anonymous
Contact: Sybille Wilson
Email: codesenforcement@cityofodessamo.com
Phone: 816 230-5577
CASE: We have a male lab mix at the Odessa Animal Clinic that has just
been surrendered to the OAC after a lenghthy court case. He has been locked
in a kennel for over two months.He was starved by his owner, put up in a
kennel for over two months and now that he is finally free, the Vet at the
OAC wants to put him down. THis is a nice dog that really got a bad deal
from people, yet sill wags (although more slowly now) his tail and licks a
hand. If you can help, please let me know. I work for the City of Odessa MO
(816) 230-5577, and the Odessa Animal Clinic is also our city shelter. The City will pay all the adoption fees for any dog taken by a licensed rescue
group. The group just needs to fill out a couple of pages of paperwork.
Thank you for your time and any help you can give. If you have any questions
about the dog, you can call OAC (816) 230-8484 and ask any of the ladies who
work there about this dogs temperment. He is a sweet dog. Thanks again
You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours,
faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it
to him to be worthy of such devotion.
Anonymous
Contact: Sybille Wilson
Email: codesenforcement@cityofodessamo.com
Phone: 816 230-5577
CASE: We have a male lab mix at the Odessa Animal Clinic that has just
been surrendered to the OAC after a lenghthy court case. He has been locked
in a kennel for over two months.He was starved by his owner, put up in a
kennel for over two months and now that he is finally free, the Vet at the
OAC wants to put him down. THis is a nice dog that really got a bad deal
from people, yet sill wags (although more slowly now) his tail and licks a
hand. If you can help, please let me know. I work for the City of Odessa MO
(816) 230-5577, and the Odessa Animal Clinic is also our city shelter. The City will pay all the adoption fees for any dog taken by a licensed rescue
group. The group just needs to fill out a couple of pages of paperwork.
Thank you for your time and any help you can give. If you have any questions
about the dog, you can call OAC (816) 230-8484 and ask any of the ladies who
work there about this dogs temperment. He is a sweet dog. Thanks again
Monday, April 20, 2009
Dogs Can Teach Us So Much
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy..
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
Learn To Enjoy The SImple Things We Take For Granted
"Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God."
We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and Duct tape. God did it with nails.
Fabulous Website To Check Out
Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 7,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free. Adopt-a-Pet.com displays photos and descriptions of adoptable pets to over 1.5 million people seeking to adopt a dog or adopt a cat each month, and is funded by the passionate pet lovers at Purina and North Shore Animal League APet Adoption is the loving option!
So, you want to adopt a pet, huh? Great idea! Here are a few reasons why pet adoption is the loving option:
This is one of the articles written on there site:
So, you want to adopt a pet, huh? Great idea! Here are a few reasons why pet adoption is the loving option:
This is one of the articles written on there site:
Saving Lives: Whether you adopt a pet from a local animal shelter or a rescue organization, humane society or SPCA, you're saving lives. That's right: lives, as in more than one. I know, I know…you only want to adopt one dog or cat, right? Adoption saves more than just the life of the pet you adopt. If you adopt from an animal shelter, you're making room for another dog or cat, or you're allowing other dogs or cats at the shelter to be kept for a longer period of time, giving them a better shot at being adopted. If you adopt from a humane society, an SPCA or a rescue organization, you're allowing that organization to rescue another dog or cat for adoption at a public shelter, which, of course, saves the life of that little guy plus the lives of others at that shelter by creating space so new pets can be kept longer. As you can see, adoption is truly a continuous cycle of saving lives and it's the right thing to do!
You know what you're getting (especially if you adopt an adult): There are a lot of things to consider when you're deciding what kind of personality your new family member should have. When you adopt an adult dog or cat from a pet rescue, humane society or animal shelter instead of buying a puppy or kitten at a dog breeder or a pet store, what you see is what you get. Their personality is already developed, and you'll be able to spot the characteristics you're looking for much more easily than with a puppy or kitten. Pet rescue organizations, as well as many animal shelter SPCAs and humane societies provide adoption counseling, and are able to assess the personality of each dog or cat for adoption and carefully match you up with the right one for your lifestyle. With a puppy or kitten, there is a lot more guesswork involved. Sure, you can train your puppy or kitten on certain behaviors, but other traits (like activity level) seem to be inherent in each individual. Want to adopt a dog or cat who will instantly fit in with your family? That's easy when you adopt an adult from a humane society or SPCA, or from a rescue organization or animal shelter!
Pet adoption = an instant friend for life: Ask anybody who has adopted a pet, and they'll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and your home to a pet who needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their life! Dogs or cats who have been uprooted from their homes, or have had difficult beginnings are likely to bond completely and deeply with their new human caretakers, whom they regard as heroes. Pups and kitties who find themselves in the shelter or at a rescue because of a death or other tragedy in their former human family usually go through a mourning period. Once they are adopted, however, they usually want nothing more than to please their new hero---YOU! No matter what circumstances brought them to the rescue, most cats and dogs for adoption are exceptionally affectionate and attentive, and make extremely loyal companions.
Training and Socialization: Many rescue organizations use foster homes, where puppies and kittens for adoption are socialized with children and other dogs and cats, and given basic obedience training before they go to their new homes. Many dogs and cats in animal shelters and humane societies are already housebroken, trained and ready to go! As an added bonus, many organizations offer post-adoption workshops and training classes. When you adopt from these animal shelters, you'll have their continued support to help you through any rough spots you face during your dog or and cat's transition.
A smarter option than buying a puppy or kitten from a backyard dog breeder or pet store: No matter how "reputable" you think your local pet store is, they are almost surely getting their puppies and kittens from one of two sources: 1) a "backyard" cat or dog breeder, or 2) a puppy mill. The majority of purebred dogs and cats are the product of irresponsible "backyard" kitten and puppy breeders. These are people who make some easy cash by breeding their purebred dogs and cats and they often also sell puppies and kittens through the newspaper classified ads. Remember if you buy a dog or buy a cat that most of these backyard dog breeders and cat breeders don't know about breeding for favorable health and temperament qualities, and they don't know how to raise a properly socialized litter. Many of these little dogs and cats are weaned from their mothers way too soon. Sometimes, a backyard dog breeder turns into small-time puppy mill to increase their supply so you can buy a dog from a pet store and they can make a higher profit. What are puppy mills? A puppy mill is basically a purebred puppy factory farm where the puppies are just churned out as fast as they can and then sold to pet stores. The dogs are kept in small cages and forced to breed at unhealthy rates… it's all about the money. Female dogs in puppy mills are made to have several litters per year, which is extremely dangerous and cruel. Each purebred puppy mill produces several different breeds for pet stores, and pays little attention to the specific health and genetic diseases due to inbreeding. Genetic health testing is almost unheard of and mass-producing pets for profit is the bottom line. In the worst puppy mills, horrifying conditions are the norm. How can you stop puppy mills? There is only one way. Take away their profits. Remember before you buy a dog or cat that adoption is the most humane option!merica.
You know what you're getting (especially if you adopt an adult): There are a lot of things to consider when you're deciding what kind of personality your new family member should have. When you adopt an adult dog or cat from a pet rescue, humane society or animal shelter instead of buying a puppy or kitten at a dog breeder or a pet store, what you see is what you get. Their personality is already developed, and you'll be able to spot the characteristics you're looking for much more easily than with a puppy or kitten. Pet rescue organizations, as well as many animal shelter SPCAs and humane societies provide adoption counseling, and are able to assess the personality of each dog or cat for adoption and carefully match you up with the right one for your lifestyle. With a puppy or kitten, there is a lot more guesswork involved. Sure, you can train your puppy or kitten on certain behaviors, but other traits (like activity level) seem to be inherent in each individual. Want to adopt a dog or cat who will instantly fit in with your family? That's easy when you adopt an adult from a humane society or SPCA, or from a rescue organization or animal shelter!
Pet adoption = an instant friend for life: Ask anybody who has adopted a pet, and they'll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and your home to a pet who needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their life! Dogs or cats who have been uprooted from their homes, or have had difficult beginnings are likely to bond completely and deeply with their new human caretakers, whom they regard as heroes. Pups and kitties who find themselves in the shelter or at a rescue because of a death or other tragedy in their former human family usually go through a mourning period. Once they are adopted, however, they usually want nothing more than to please their new hero---YOU! No matter what circumstances brought them to the rescue, most cats and dogs for adoption are exceptionally affectionate and attentive, and make extremely loyal companions.
Training and Socialization: Many rescue organizations use foster homes, where puppies and kittens for adoption are socialized with children and other dogs and cats, and given basic obedience training before they go to their new homes. Many dogs and cats in animal shelters and humane societies are already housebroken, trained and ready to go! As an added bonus, many organizations offer post-adoption workshops and training classes. When you adopt from these animal shelters, you'll have their continued support to help you through any rough spots you face during your dog or and cat's transition.
A smarter option than buying a puppy or kitten from a backyard dog breeder or pet store: No matter how "reputable" you think your local pet store is, they are almost surely getting their puppies and kittens from one of two sources: 1) a "backyard" cat or dog breeder, or 2) a puppy mill. The majority of purebred dogs and cats are the product of irresponsible "backyard" kitten and puppy breeders. These are people who make some easy cash by breeding their purebred dogs and cats and they often also sell puppies and kittens through the newspaper classified ads. Remember if you buy a dog or buy a cat that most of these backyard dog breeders and cat breeders don't know about breeding for favorable health and temperament qualities, and they don't know how to raise a properly socialized litter. Many of these little dogs and cats are weaned from their mothers way too soon. Sometimes, a backyard dog breeder turns into small-time puppy mill to increase their supply so you can buy a dog from a pet store and they can make a higher profit. What are puppy mills? A puppy mill is basically a purebred puppy factory farm where the puppies are just churned out as fast as they can and then sold to pet stores. The dogs are kept in small cages and forced to breed at unhealthy rates… it's all about the money. Female dogs in puppy mills are made to have several litters per year, which is extremely dangerous and cruel. Each purebred puppy mill produces several different breeds for pet stores, and pays little attention to the specific health and genetic diseases due to inbreeding. Genetic health testing is almost unheard of and mass-producing pets for profit is the bottom line. In the worst puppy mills, horrifying conditions are the norm. How can you stop puppy mills? There is only one way. Take away their profits. Remember before you buy a dog or cat that adoption is the most humane option!merica.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
"Our mission is to promote and advocate for the humane treatment of our
canine companions by educating and raising awareness of illegal and
inhumane practices towards canines and mobilizing the community to take
action to stop these practices."
Pet Store & Puppy Mill Protest
Olathe Landing Shopping Center
SATURDAY- April 18, 2009
1 pm- 3 pm
Please come and support these efforts to bring awareness to the public about the horrors of puppy mills and the suffering of millions of companion animals.
Signs will be provided and/or
Bring your own if you have them.
Meet at 12:30 pm in the parking lot of Santa Fe Square– kitty-corner to Landings Shopping Center.
Look for Office Depot, tanworld, and Garozzo’s Ristorante.
Protest Contacts:
Ricky Setticase– 913.406.4423
Stephanie Henshaw– 913.221.3662
shenshaw@everestkc.net
13155 S Mur-Len Road
Olathe, KS 66062
( This is the address of the parking lot we will meet in before the protest)
Friday, April 17, 2009
Operation Bark Alert
For more information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture's 'Operation Bark Alert' or to report an unlicensed breeder, please visit http://mda.mo.gov/animals/AFCA/barkalert .
People Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend
My family is going to help out another dog by fostering it for 2 weeks while she recovers from her cancer surgery. This poor baby was left outside this shelter on a rainy night tied to their fence. She was shivering and soaking wet when they found her. They had a vet check her out and everything was fine but they did find cancer. After the surgery they will know if it was completely sucessful or if the cancer is uncurable. She is a collie mix and my family is so excited to help her out while she recovers. She is chubby so when she is up to it "mom" is going to walk her everyday and nurse her back to good health. "Mom" has a hard time saying she can't help this gal at the shelter out as she knows how hard she works and how many dogs they get. They are the only "NO KILL" shelter in our area, obviously this doesn't include rescues.Spay & Neuter
Speggtacular Events!
May/2009
VOLUNTEER in MAY with Spay & Neuter Kansas City
Greetings!
Spring is FINALLY here and so is our new location!! We are moving the 1st weekend of May to 1116 E. 59th, KCMO, 64110, and we could NOT be more excited and proud! If you are not able to volunteer in May, please watch for an email about our Open House! We hope to see you there! AND, DON'T FORGET TO VISIT US THIS WEEKEND AT THE PET EXPO at the American Royal!
Volunteers Needed for Rabies Clinics WHEN:May 9th, 9-Noon 16th, 9-Noon 30th, 9-NoonPlease note the new start time for the clinics is 9AM!!WHERE: 1116 E. 59th, KCMO 64110 (NE Corner of 59th & Troost)ALSO: May 9th- Pete and Mac's Chip & Dip, Lenexa, three volunteers from 10-1. Need one volunteer to help the vet and 2 to help people fill out forms for Microchipping. May 16th- Camp Bow Wow, Olathe, 2 volunteers to help distribute information and answer questions. This is a pet adoption event with many area agencies represented.Pet OutreachWHEN:May 17th, Noon-3:00WHERE:1116 E. 59th, KCMOInterested volunteers MUST attend the Orientation and Pet Outreach Training before May 17th.
PLEASE EMAIL TAMARA@SNKC.NET ASAP INDICATING WHICH EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN.
Volunteer Re/Orientation Please schedule a time to join us for a volunteer orientation. Whether it's your first time or 50th time volunteering, we have an orientation just for you. Think you couldn't learn anymore about SNKC? Let us SURPRISE you! Current volunteers: May 9th and 16th, Tour of our new facility and be "Re-Oriented" before the rabies clinic. We will start at 8AM with coffee, juice and donuts provided. OR, join us after work on May 20th from 6:00-7:00PM. Sodas and cookies will be provided. New Volunteers: May 13th, 2:00-4:00PM OR May 20th 6:00-8:00PM. Lite snacks available at both dates. Please RSVP via email with the time and date of the session you plan to attend to tamara@snkc.net.
From the Open House to Pet Outreach, from the Rabies clinic to the Orientation...I look forward to seeing you in MAY! Have a fabulous Spring everyone!
Sincerely,
Tamara S
Spay & Neuter Kansas City
May/2009
VOLUNTEER in MAY with Spay & Neuter Kansas City
Greetings!
Spring is FINALLY here and so is our new location!! We are moving the 1st weekend of May to 1116 E. 59th, KCMO, 64110, and we could NOT be more excited and proud! If you are not able to volunteer in May, please watch for an email about our Open House! We hope to see you there! AND, DON'T FORGET TO VISIT US THIS WEEKEND AT THE PET EXPO at the American Royal!
Volunteers Needed for Rabies Clinics WHEN:May 9th, 9-Noon 16th, 9-Noon 30th, 9-NoonPlease note the new start time for the clinics is 9AM!!WHERE: 1116 E. 59th, KCMO 64110 (NE Corner of 59th & Troost)ALSO: May 9th- Pete and Mac's Chip & Dip, Lenexa, three volunteers from 10-1. Need one volunteer to help the vet and 2 to help people fill out forms for Microchipping. May 16th- Camp Bow Wow, Olathe, 2 volunteers to help distribute information and answer questions. This is a pet adoption event with many area agencies represented.Pet OutreachWHEN:May 17th, Noon-3:00WHERE:1116 E. 59th, KCMOInterested volunteers MUST attend the Orientation and Pet Outreach Training before May 17th.
PLEASE EMAIL TAMARA@SNKC.NET ASAP INDICATING WHICH EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN.
Volunteer Re/Orientation Please schedule a time to join us for a volunteer orientation. Whether it's your first time or 50th time volunteering, we have an orientation just for you. Think you couldn't learn anymore about SNKC? Let us SURPRISE you! Current volunteers: May 9th and 16th, Tour of our new facility and be "Re-Oriented" before the rabies clinic. We will start at 8AM with coffee, juice and donuts provided. OR, join us after work on May 20th from 6:00-7:00PM. Sodas and cookies will be provided. New Volunteers: May 13th, 2:00-4:00PM OR May 20th 6:00-8:00PM. Lite snacks available at both dates. Please RSVP via email with the time and date of the session you plan to attend to tamara@snkc.net.
From the Open House to Pet Outreach, from the Rabies clinic to the Orientation...I look forward to seeing you in MAY! Have a fabulous Spring everyone!
Sincerely,
Tamara S
Spay & Neuter Kansas City
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tips To Choose The RIght Dog For Your Lifestyle
What dog is right for me?by Mark Siebel
Buying a dog can be one of the best experiences of your life. Companionship, unconditional love, and lowered stress levels are a few of the many rewards purchasing a dog can offer. Knowing WHAT breed/group of dog will play a large factor in getting the right canine for your family. ALL dogs naturally have a high-energy level and will require a great deal of attention in their first 3 years. To ensure you bring home ‘Lassie’ and not ‘Marley and Me’, follow the below simple tips:1. Use your gut. I tell customers that there are NO guarantees of finding a ‘calm dog’ when picking out a puppy. ALL dogs will have high energy and prey drive instincts, so the acclimation and calmness of your dog will ultimately come from the training and routine that you instill upon them. I recommend close observation of the behavior of the dog by itself, with other humans, AND with other dogs. If the dog appears to NOT have an ‘off’ switch, this is a strong indication of extreme high-energy. If you drop a doggie treat and the dog instantly pounces on the food, it may indicate the possibility of food possessiveness. If the dog appears timid, withdrawn, or displays any other predisposition to aggression, there may be a ‘dog-dog’ social issue. This is NOT to say any of these symptoms can't be overcome, it will just take some extra attention.
2. Pair your lifestyle with your breed. I always say, ‘Don't get a herding dog if you're a couch potato.’Everyone assumes that the calmest dog is a Bassett Hound or a Saint Bernard. This is NOT true! Even Bassett's require regular exercise and routine command work to stay calm and submissive.I believe that dogs become calmer as they age, but the majority of ALL dogs will have high-energy behavior for the first 5+ years of their lives. Do a personal assessment of your lifestyle. Do you work a lot? Do you exercise/hike often? Are you an outdoors type of person?You will want your lifestyle and energy levels to pair appropriately with your new dog's energy.In my experience, I have found the following dogs to be the most receptive to training: Aussie Shepherd, Bouvier Des Flandres, Great Swiss Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dog, Golden Retriever. Dogs are NOT disposable! With the proper breed research, you will have a better chance of having a successful match in finding a dog that is right for you. Take a few trips to your local rescue center, talk to your friends with dogs and check out a dog park. Be ready for the discipline and responsibility it takes to own a dog. If you're still in the mindset of jetting off to Vegas for the weekend, or pulling "all nighters" with your buds, you may strongly consider getting a cat.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Touching True Story
Angel Dog Messenger Special Easter Edition: Puppies Rescued from the Tomb Easter Week Need partner rescue
Puppies Rescued from the Tomb
Puppies Rescued from the Tomb
About a week ago, I noticed a mama dog in the same spot on the side of the road every day. I knew she had either just had puppies, or was about ready to have them. I started bringing her food and water. She kept her distance because she was afraid of me. But on Wednesday, April 8th, I found her sitting beside an outcropping of rocks in a church yard, waiting for me. She allowed me to pet her for the first time. That was when I heard the puppy sounds coming from the tomb-like cave under the rocks. We named her MARY. (There was even a ring of barbed wire hanging from one of the rocks.)I called my husband, Johnny, and asked him to come and help me get the puppies out. He started pulling them out, one by one, until all 8 of them were freed.
We saw animal bones and a dead chipmunk that Mary apparently killed to survive and feed her babies. Garbage was scattered everywhere. There was a large Ziploc bag with lettuce in it lying on the ground beside the tomb. She apparently was going to eat the lettuce, but she couldn’t get into the bag. 
Mary has been such a devoted mother. She took very good care of her puppies. They were fat and healthy, while she was thin. She suffered so that her puppies wouldn’t have to. What a wonderful reminder of the way Jesus suffered, bled, and died, so that we could live.
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” John 3:17.
Dear Friends of Angel Dog,
Mary and her puppies were admitted into Angel Dog Rescue immediately, as were several other litters in the last two weeks thanks to generous donars who helped us work our huge vet bill down.
If you would like to offer a contribution for the "Tomb Puppies" and Mary and the other babies we have recently rescued, please see the donation options below. With your continuing help Angel Dog Rescue can stay open and avoid having to freeze intakes again. Your donations are literally their only means of getting medical treatment.
We are seeking a partner rescue to place Mary and her babies with. The eight Tomb puppies are 4-week-old lab mix, fat and healthy! Mary is a Lab mix and we think Dad is a Golden/Lab mix. Interested rescues please contact: Candice Owens at http://ssomail.charter.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=RescueFromAngelDog-owner%40yahoogroups.com.
Susan H
Director, Angel Dog Rescue, Inc.
21 High Street
Georgetown, GA39854
1. Paypalor
Mail check to:
Angel Dog Rescue, Inc.,
21 High St.
Georgetown, GA 39854
This is the newsletter/mailing list for Angel Dog Rescue in Georgetown, Georgia. Please join if you would like to stay informed about our rescue efforts and receive updates on our dogs, pleas for assistance, notification of volunteer opportunities, happy endings stories, etc. Donors, you can confirm our 501(c)3 non-profit status by searching for Angel Dog Rescue on the http://ssomail.charter.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.guidestar.org database.ANGEL DOG RESCUE'S WEBSITE:http://ssomail.charter.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.petfinder.com%252Fshelters%252FGA449.html
Sunday, April 12, 2009
93 year old women lost her collie....
This happened in New York yesterday--a 93 year old woman's 13-year old collie was lost yesterday morning. She arrived at NY Animal Care and Control in the afternoon and
was put to sleep 4 hours later. Animals are legally supposed to be held for 72 hours. No one on the ACC staff even bothered to check the lost reports,
make a match and call the owner, who had filed a lost dog report! It's business as usual at NY ACC.
Brain-damaged monkeys can do a far better job than New York's Animal Care and Control. The animal and rescue community is furious and heart-broken over this poor woman's loss and pain
and the death of her dog. And all the other pain and misery going on for animals at NY ACC. Angel lived 13 years with her owner, just to die alone and in terror for no reason-- but for ACC's stupidity,
shameless ineptitude and lack of compassion for the animals in their care .
Every animal lover and rescue group needs to know what 's going on in New York--supposedly the world's greatest city--and how the animals are suffering because of the horrific job ACC is doing.
It's just business as usual--kill, kill, kill--and the faster the better to meet a downsized budget. Especially if you're a senior, a pit bull (and we have lots), might eat too much kibble or need minor medical care.
ACC and Charlene Pedrolie need to be inundated with emails and calls about what she and her staff did to this poor woman and her dog Angel and the other poor cats and dogs in her care.
Angel's family is grief-stricken and ACC needs to answer for what happened, along with all their other malpractices such as :
Medical-- dogs/cats wallow in unsanitary cages, not being treated for medical issues.
Pain Med - do not administer pain med, before these pour souls GET THE INJECTION.
Employees - cut back on employees in areas that are critical to the care and protection of animals.
Please take a brief moment. Contact Charlene Pedrolie by email at : http://ssomail.charter.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fus.mc357.mail.yahoo.com%252Fmc%252Fcompose%253Fto%253DCpedrolie%2540nycacc.org. Voice your anger and disapproval at what happened to Angel and help us try to stop the ACC
mismanagement madness. Many of you have asked for our help in the past. Now we need yours. There's strength in numbers-- the more emails Charlene Pedrolie gets the better our case .
Please cross-post for Angel, her grieving family and for New York rescuers who need to get the message about Angel's demise, and those of other animals, at the hands of NY ACC.
:
Collie,Lost-then found & euthanized in 4 hours (NY ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL BROOKLYN SHLTR)
I am so sick over Angel. Her owner had to be taken to the hospital. She is inconsolable. We are trying to get media coverage and tage a demonstration. ACC is a god-awful place, a house of horror for the animals. Below is a letter that a friend just wrote to the head of this Animal Care and Control facility.
Ms. Pedrolie:
I am outraged and saddened to hear about the 93-year-old woman's 13-year-old-collie, Angel, who was lost yesterday and euthanized at your facility 4 hours later. Why was this dog not held the mandatory 72 hours? Why was no efffort made to see if the Angel had been reported lost? How sad for this woman to lose her dog of 13 years because of incompetence on the part of New York's Animal Care and Control facility employees. How sad that Angel had to die alone and frightened for no reason. And is it true Angel and all the animals killed there do not receive pain medication before being "euthanized"?
Additionally, the reports of the general care of animals in your facility is troubling to say the least. These animals deserve medical care and sanitary conditions. If you and your staff are unable to provide humane care you should find other employment and let people who truly care about the animals take control.
Hopefully Angel's death will not be in vain and necessary changes will be made immediately.
Sincerely,
Leanne F
"To the world you are just one person; to a rescued pet you are the WORLD"
was put to sleep 4 hours later. Animals are legally supposed to be held for 72 hours. No one on the ACC staff even bothered to check the lost reports,
make a match and call the owner, who had filed a lost dog report! It's business as usual at NY ACC.
Brain-damaged monkeys can do a far better job than New York's Animal Care and Control. The animal and rescue community is furious and heart-broken over this poor woman's loss and pain
and the death of her dog. And all the other pain and misery going on for animals at NY ACC. Angel lived 13 years with her owner, just to die alone and in terror for no reason-- but for ACC's stupidity,
shameless ineptitude and lack of compassion for the animals in their care .
Every animal lover and rescue group needs to know what 's going on in New York--supposedly the world's greatest city--and how the animals are suffering because of the horrific job ACC is doing.
It's just business as usual--kill, kill, kill--and the faster the better to meet a downsized budget. Especially if you're a senior, a pit bull (and we have lots), might eat too much kibble or need minor medical care.
ACC and Charlene Pedrolie need to be inundated with emails and calls about what she and her staff did to this poor woman and her dog Angel and the other poor cats and dogs in her care.
Angel's family is grief-stricken and ACC needs to answer for what happened, along with all their other malpractices such as :
Medical-- dogs/cats wallow in unsanitary cages, not being treated for medical issues.
Pain Med - do not administer pain med, before these pour souls GET THE INJECTION.
Employees - cut back on employees in areas that are critical to the care and protection of animals.
Please take a brief moment. Contact Charlene Pedrolie by email at : http://ssomail.charter.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fus.mc357.mail.yahoo.com%252Fmc%252Fcompose%253Fto%253DCpedrolie%2540nycacc.org. Voice your anger and disapproval at what happened to Angel and help us try to stop the ACC
mismanagement madness. Many of you have asked for our help in the past. Now we need yours. There's strength in numbers-- the more emails Charlene Pedrolie gets the better our case .
Please cross-post for Angel, her grieving family and for New York rescuers who need to get the message about Angel's demise, and those of other animals, at the hands of NY ACC.
:
Collie,Lost-then found & euthanized in 4 hours (NY ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL BROOKLYN SHLTR)
I am so sick over Angel. Her owner had to be taken to the hospital. She is inconsolable. We are trying to get media coverage and tage a demonstration. ACC is a god-awful place, a house of horror for the animals. Below is a letter that a friend just wrote to the head of this Animal Care and Control facility.
Ms. Pedrolie:
I am outraged and saddened to hear about the 93-year-old woman's 13-year-old-collie, Angel, who was lost yesterday and euthanized at your facility 4 hours later. Why was this dog not held the mandatory 72 hours? Why was no efffort made to see if the Angel had been reported lost? How sad for this woman to lose her dog of 13 years because of incompetence on the part of New York's Animal Care and Control facility employees. How sad that Angel had to die alone and frightened for no reason. And is it true Angel and all the animals killed there do not receive pain medication before being "euthanized"?
Additionally, the reports of the general care of animals in your facility is troubling to say the least. These animals deserve medical care and sanitary conditions. If you and your staff are unable to provide humane care you should find other employment and let people who truly care about the animals take control.
Hopefully Angel's death will not be in vain and necessary changes will be made immediately.
Sincerely,
Leanne F
"To the world you are just one person; to a rescued pet you are the WORLD"
Saturday, April 11, 2009
PLEASE take the time to read Kendra's story about this dog. It is really unbelievable on a number of levels but I think what gets me the most is that this is happening in our back yards! PLEASE if you can help this baby, contact Kendra at 816-304-4504
I am working on a very urgent situation here in KCMO and need to see if I could get you to crosspost this for me. I have been helping the Kansas City Police dept. with some dogs they run across while working. Well about a month ago I was contacted after a home was raided and 3 of 4 dogs were shot and killed. The sole survivor spent 10 days in animal control and the day before he was scheduled to be euthanised it was discovered he had a microchip. Well I located the family and the woman told me the dog belonged to her daughter who was visiting the home where the raid occoured. They took the dog to their home and then last Thur. their house was raided after the daughter moved back in with them. They had 3 dogs inside and another was shot and killed. Once again the one who survived the first raid also survived this one. No doubt it is due to his temperment. I have spoke with the owners and they are willing to surrender the remaining 2 dogs to me. I have rescue arranged for the Rottweiller but am desperately needing a place for the Pitbull. His name is Chaos and he is right at 3 years old. He is neutered, up to date on vaccs and microchipped. He is also fully house trained. He loves adults and older children as well as dogs except toy or very small breeds. He does not do well with cats. He also knows some basic commands. I met this boy when he was at animal control and he broke my heart! He has no doubt been traumatized by what he has witnessed but is still a sweetie. His name is Chaos which is no doubt an accurate name for this poor dog who has lived in nothing but his entire life. I can be contacted at 816-304-4504 cell
Thanks,
Kendra Albert
Subject: KCMO URGENT! Sweet dog survives 2 drug raids
From: "Kendra Albert"
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 06:07:58 -0500
To:
To:
Here is the only decent pic I have of Chaos. This was when he was in animal
control. The other is from the morning of the raid and it is very blurry. If
you have any ideas please let me know. I am so worried about this boy.
Thanks,
Kendra
Lillian N
I am working on a very urgent situation here in KCMO and need to see if I could get you to crosspost this for me. I have been helping the Kansas City Police dept. with some dogs they run across while working. Well about a month ago I was contacted after a home was raided and 3 of 4 dogs were shot and killed. The sole survivor spent 10 days in animal control and the day before he was scheduled to be euthanised it was discovered he had a microchip. Well I located the family and the woman told me the dog belonged to her daughter who was visiting the home where the raid occoured. They took the dog to their home and then last Thur. their house was raided after the daughter moved back in with them. They had 3 dogs inside and another was shot and killed. Once again the one who survived the first raid also survived this one. No doubt it is due to his temperment. I have spoke with the owners and they are willing to surrender the remaining 2 dogs to me. I have rescue arranged for the Rottweiller but am desperately needing a place for the Pitbull. His name is Chaos and he is right at 3 years old. He is neutered, up to date on vaccs and microchipped. He is also fully house trained. He loves adults and older children as well as dogs except toy or very small breeds. He does not do well with cats. He also knows some basic commands. I met this boy when he was at animal control and he broke my heart! He has no doubt been traumatized by what he has witnessed but is still a sweetie. His name is Chaos which is no doubt an accurate name for this poor dog who has lived in nothing but his entire life. I can be contacted at 816-304-4504 cell
Thanks,
Kendra Albert
Subject: KCMO URGENT! Sweet dog survives 2 drug raids
From: "Kendra Albert"
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 06:07:58 -0500
To:
To:
Here is the only decent pic I have of Chaos. This was when he was in animal
control. The other is from the morning of the raid and it is very blurry. If
you have any ideas please let me know. I am so worried about this boy.
Thanks,
Kendra
Lillian N
FounderPit Bull Kitty Bunch Refuge
14392 C R 6790
Moody, MO 65777
417-284-0098
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Great DOG Advice !!!
If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
I
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout . Run right back and make friends. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
I
Recycle On Earth Day A Dog
In light of the fact that Earth Day is coming up on April 22, the ultimate recycling would be to ADOPT A PET THROUGH A SHELTER OR RESCUE. 60% of the dogs at shelters are under a year of age. Therefore it is so important to first consider the older dogs or cats for adoption. They are normally house trained, loving and well behaved. They have just been a victim of the family moving sometimes and the new apartment wouldn't allow dogs or their owners dying or numberous other situations. There is a high rate of surrender of puppies to shelters therefore it is so important to consider adopting an older dog. 99% of the time the reason puppies misbehave it is due to understimulation (mentally or physically). So please consider doing your part for Earth Day and recycle a fabulous pet waiting for a loving home in a shelter near you !!!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Please Help SPCA
URGENT: Please post widely: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/seals-dog-killed-give-criminals-maximum-sentence
Title: SEAL’s Dog Killed: Give Criminals Maximum Sentence!
Target: Texas Courts and Prosecutors
From: SPCA International
Help SPCA International (www.SPCA.com) demand that Texas courts prosecute the four animal abuse criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Sign now!
Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s therapy dog was brutally killed by four young men last week. According to Luttrell, the criminals were cruising his county in Texas shooting dogs for fun when he heard a shot in his front yard and found his dog, Dasy, murdered. Luttrell chased the criminals through four counties and brought them to justice with the help of the local sheriff’s department. Luttrell witnessed these criminals laughing and joking about their killing rampage, even after they had been apprehended by authorities.
Luttrell’s dog, Dasy, was no ordinary pet. Luttrell is called the “Lone Survivor” because he was the only survivor from a 2005 battle that caused the largest loss of life in SEAL history. Each letter in Dasy’s name represents his fallen SEAL team members. Luttrell was given Dasy during his recovery period after sustaining horrific wounds. Luttrell said, “I consider that dog just like a daughter to me.”
Please sign this petition and help SPCA International tell the Texas courts to prosecute these cruel criminals to the fullest extent of the law. “You need to be held accountable for what you do,” pleaded Luttrell on Glenn Beck’s Fox News show. See Luttrell’s full interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLO_JI9Pns
Humanely,
Terri Crisp
SPCA International
Operation Baghdad Pups Program
P.O. Box 1230
Washington, DC 20013
Website: www.SPCA.com
Email: Terri.Crisp@SPCA.com
Skype: terricrisp
Direct Line: 310-975-9172
Title: SEAL’s Dog Killed: Give Criminals Maximum Sentence!
Target: Texas Courts and Prosecutors
From: SPCA International
Help SPCA International (www.SPCA.com) demand that Texas courts prosecute the four animal abuse criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Sign now!
Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s therapy dog was brutally killed by four young men last week. According to Luttrell, the criminals were cruising his county in Texas shooting dogs for fun when he heard a shot in his front yard and found his dog, Dasy, murdered. Luttrell chased the criminals through four counties and brought them to justice with the help of the local sheriff’s department. Luttrell witnessed these criminals laughing and joking about their killing rampage, even after they had been apprehended by authorities.
Luttrell’s dog, Dasy, was no ordinary pet. Luttrell is called the “Lone Survivor” because he was the only survivor from a 2005 battle that caused the largest loss of life in SEAL history. Each letter in Dasy’s name represents his fallen SEAL team members. Luttrell was given Dasy during his recovery period after sustaining horrific wounds. Luttrell said, “I consider that dog just like a daughter to me.”
Please sign this petition and help SPCA International tell the Texas courts to prosecute these cruel criminals to the fullest extent of the law. “You need to be held accountable for what you do,” pleaded Luttrell on Glenn Beck’s Fox News show. See Luttrell’s full interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLO_JI9Pns
Humanely,
Terri Crisp
SPCA International
Operation Baghdad Pups Program
P.O. Box 1230
Washington, DC 20013
Website: www.SPCA.com
Email: Terri.Crisp@SPCA.com
Skype: terricrisp
Direct Line: 310-975-9172
Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~
Please see below an important announcement regarding in response to the recent lawsuit brought by the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council (PDBAC).
As many of you are aware, on March 17, 2009, members of The Humane Society of the United States and other consumers filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Petland, Inc. and the Hunte Corporation are conspiring to sell unhealthy puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers in numerous states.
In response to findings revealed during the HSUS investigation, Bark Til Dark Dog Park will be hosting a "Hope. Change. Making a Difference for Ohio Puppy Mill Dogs" party on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PMat Bark Til Dark Dog Park in Delaware, Ohio (see attached press release). Guests will have an opportunity to meet Dean Vickers, HSUS State Director for Ohio, and learn more about the new Ohio Puppy Mill Bill soon to be introduced by Representatives Cheryl Grossman and Carlton Weddington. Food has been graciously donated by Massey's Pizza of Powell, and all guests will have a chance to win a $50 American Express Gift Certificate, courtesy of Columbus Top Dogs.
For more information regarding this educational and fun-filled event, please contact Missi Hamilton at 740-369-9170.
Thanks for all your dedication to serving as a strong voice for the dogs!!
Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Cell: 614-271-8248
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals - http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
P.S. You or someone you know has requested you be added to the Columbus Top Dogs email list. If you do not want to receive emails from columbustopdogs.com, please reply and put "remove from list" in subject. Thank you!
Animal Protection Coalition Asks Court to Uphold New Pennsylvania Puppy Mill Law
HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 3, 2009) -Today, a coalition of humane organizations filed a "friend of the court" brief in a lawsuit brought by the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council ("PDBAC") challenging Pennsylvania's Act 119 of 2008.
The groups include The Humane Society of the United States, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane League of Lancaster County, Main Line Animal Rescue, Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network, The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse.
Act 119 amended Pennsylvania's Dog Law to require that puppy mills comply with basic humane requirements in the care of the dogs kept in their facilities.
Gov. Ed Rendell signed the legislation in October after a long campaign that generated national media attention. It was enacted to address the deplorable conditions present in Pennsylvania's numerous commercial dog-breeding operations, including filthy stacked wire cages where breeding dogs may spend their entire lives, total lack of exercise for the dogs, and inadequate or no veterinary care.
The Act addresses these problems by, among other things, creating new standards for cage size, eliminating wire flooring which damages dogs' feet, mandating exercise opportunities for the dogs, and requiring regular veterinary care. Raids of puppy mills last year - including one in late September that was reputedly the largest in state history - had shown the critical need for stronger regulation of less-than-reputable kennels.. Pennsylvania has been tarnished with the reputation of being one of the worst puppy mill states in the nation.
The PDBAC claims that Act 119 infringes on its members' constitutional rights, and that commercial breeders should be immune from inspection of their facilities. In their brief to the court, the groups explain that the Constitution unquestionably permits the State to regulate this industry for the benefit of the dogs, and to inspect the facilities to ensure that the facilities are in compliance with the minimal requirements in the law.
Statements from the organizations filing the brief:
"Puppy mills have been a hidden industry in Pennsylvania for too long," said Kathleen Summers, director of the puppy mills campaign for The Humane Society of the United States. "Truly reputable breeders know that puppy mills give their fancy a black eye; they should stand up for Act 119 and the protections it provides for dogs."
"Pennsylvania's citizens and the state legislature spoke loudly and clearly last October," said Cori A. Menkin, senior director of legislative initiatives for the ASPCA. "We believe that there is no merit to the claims made by the PDBAC, and it is just a last ditch attempt at derailing these much-needed and long-overdue changes to Pennsylvania's Dog Law."
"This lawsuit brought by the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council to avoid complying with the new Dog Law is not a Constitutional argument, but a pathetic attempt to keep the status quo in commercial kennels," said Mary Jo McClain of the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network.
"We are pleased to be part of this coalition supporting the enforcement of Act 119, a long overdue step towards eliminating cruel and inhumane breeding practices in Pennsylvania," said Joan E. Brown, president of Humane League of Lancaster County.
"MLAR is committed to upholding Act 119 against any and all actions by the commercial dog breeders in their attempts to weaken our new laws and allow the dogs in Pennsylvania's commercial breeding kennels to continue to suffer," said Bill Smith of Main Line Animal Rescue.
"Since its inception in 2002, NJCAPSA has tracked Pennsylvania's breeders due to almost half of New Jersey's pet shops purchase their puppy inventory from Pennsylvania," explains Libby Williams of New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse. "Sick puppies bred in Pennsylvania puppy mills adversely affect consumers in the tri-state area and beyond."
"The PSPCA investigates and prosecutes animal cruelty across the Commonwealth," says Beth Anne Smith-White, PSPCA's acting CEO. "We have, and will continue to, stand behind Act 119 as a reasonable and effective means of preventing animal cruelty in the large-scale breeding operations that flourish in our state."
Copies of the brief, as well as of PDBAC's Complaint, are available upon request.
Media Contacts:
Martin Montorfano/HSUS: 301-258-3152, mmontorfano@humanesociety.org
The Humane Society of the United Stateswww.humanesociety.org
ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) www.aspca.org.
Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network www.plan4animals.comThe Humane League of Lancaster County www.humaneleague.co
Main Line Animal Rescue www.mainlinerescue.com
New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse www.njcapsa.org
PSPCA (Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) www.pspca.org
Please see below an important announcement regarding in response to the recent lawsuit brought by the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council (PDBAC).
As many of you are aware, on March 17, 2009, members of The Humane Society of the United States and other consumers filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Petland, Inc. and the Hunte Corporation are conspiring to sell unhealthy puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers in numerous states.
In response to findings revealed during the HSUS investigation, Bark Til Dark Dog Park will be hosting a "Hope. Change. Making a Difference for Ohio Puppy Mill Dogs" party on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PMat Bark Til Dark Dog Park in Delaware, Ohio (see attached press release). Guests will have an opportunity to meet Dean Vickers, HSUS State Director for Ohio, and learn more about the new Ohio Puppy Mill Bill soon to be introduced by Representatives Cheryl Grossman and Carlton Weddington. Food has been graciously donated by Massey's Pizza of Powell, and all guests will have a chance to win a $50 American Express Gift Certificate, courtesy of Columbus Top Dogs.
For more information regarding this educational and fun-filled event, please contact Missi Hamilton at 740-369-9170.
Thanks for all your dedication to serving as a strong voice for the dogs!!
Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Cell: 614-271-8248
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals - http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
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Animal Protection Coalition Asks Court to Uphold New Pennsylvania Puppy Mill Law
HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 3, 2009) -Today, a coalition of humane organizations filed a "friend of the court" brief in a lawsuit brought by the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council ("PDBAC") challenging Pennsylvania's Act 119 of 2008.
The groups include The Humane Society of the United States, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane League of Lancaster County, Main Line Animal Rescue, Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network, The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse.
Act 119 amended Pennsylvania's Dog Law to require that puppy mills comply with basic humane requirements in the care of the dogs kept in their facilities.
Gov. Ed Rendell signed the legislation in October after a long campaign that generated national media attention. It was enacted to address the deplorable conditions present in Pennsylvania's numerous commercial dog-breeding operations, including filthy stacked wire cages where breeding dogs may spend their entire lives, total lack of exercise for the dogs, and inadequate or no veterinary care.
The Act addresses these problems by, among other things, creating new standards for cage size, eliminating wire flooring which damages dogs' feet, mandating exercise opportunities for the dogs, and requiring regular veterinary care. Raids of puppy mills last year - including one in late September that was reputedly the largest in state history - had shown the critical need for stronger regulation of less-than-reputable kennels.. Pennsylvania has been tarnished with the reputation of being one of the worst puppy mill states in the nation.
The PDBAC claims that Act 119 infringes on its members' constitutional rights, and that commercial breeders should be immune from inspection of their facilities. In their brief to the court, the groups explain that the Constitution unquestionably permits the State to regulate this industry for the benefit of the dogs, and to inspect the facilities to ensure that the facilities are in compliance with the minimal requirements in the law.
Statements from the organizations filing the brief:
"Puppy mills have been a hidden industry in Pennsylvania for too long," said Kathleen Summers, director of the puppy mills campaign for The Humane Society of the United States. "Truly reputable breeders know that puppy mills give their fancy a black eye; they should stand up for Act 119 and the protections it provides for dogs."
"Pennsylvania's citizens and the state legislature spoke loudly and clearly last October," said Cori A. Menkin, senior director of legislative initiatives for the ASPCA. "We believe that there is no merit to the claims made by the PDBAC, and it is just a last ditch attempt at derailing these much-needed and long-overdue changes to Pennsylvania's Dog Law."
"This lawsuit brought by the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council to avoid complying with the new Dog Law is not a Constitutional argument, but a pathetic attempt to keep the status quo in commercial kennels," said Mary Jo McClain of the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network.
"We are pleased to be part of this coalition supporting the enforcement of Act 119, a long overdue step towards eliminating cruel and inhumane breeding practices in Pennsylvania," said Joan E. Brown, president of Humane League of Lancaster County.
"MLAR is committed to upholding Act 119 against any and all actions by the commercial dog breeders in their attempts to weaken our new laws and allow the dogs in Pennsylvania's commercial breeding kennels to continue to suffer," said Bill Smith of Main Line Animal Rescue.
"Since its inception in 2002, NJCAPSA has tracked Pennsylvania's breeders due to almost half of New Jersey's pet shops purchase their puppy inventory from Pennsylvania," explains Libby Williams of New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse. "Sick puppies bred in Pennsylvania puppy mills adversely affect consumers in the tri-state area and beyond."
"The PSPCA investigates and prosecutes animal cruelty across the Commonwealth," says Beth Anne Smith-White, PSPCA's acting CEO. "We have, and will continue to, stand behind Act 119 as a reasonable and effective means of preventing animal cruelty in the large-scale breeding operations that flourish in our state."
Copies of the brief, as well as of PDBAC's Complaint, are available upon request.
Media Contacts:
Martin Montorfano/HSUS: 301-258-3152, mmontorfano@humanesociety.org
The Humane Society of the United Stateswww.humanesociety.org
ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) www.aspca.org.
Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network www.plan4animals.comThe Humane League of Lancaster County www.humaneleague.co
Main Line Animal Rescue www.mainlinerescue.com
New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse www.njcapsa.org
PSPCA (Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) www.pspca.org
NAVY SEAL ' s Dog Killed - Sign the PetitionImportance: High
URGENT: Please post widely: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/seals-dog-killed-give-criminals-maximum-sentence
Title: SEAL’s Dog Killed: Give Criminals Maximum Sentence!
Target: Texas Courts and Prosecutors
From: SPCA International
Help SPCA International (www.SPCA.com) demand that Texas courts prosecute the four animal abuse criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Sign now!
Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s therapy dog was brutally killed by four young men last week. According to Luttrell, the criminals were cruising his county in Texas shooting dogs for fun when he heard a shot in his front yard and found his dog, Dasy, murdered. Luttrell chased the criminals through four counties and brought them to justice with the help of the local sheriff’s department. Luttrell witnessed these criminals laughing and joking about their killing rampage, even after they had been apprehended by authorities.
Luttrell’s dog, Dasy, was no ordinary pet. Luttrell is called the “Lone Survivor” because he was the only survivor from a 2005 battle that caused the largest loss of life in SEAL history. Each letter in Dasy’s name represents his fallen SEAL team members. Luttrell was given Dasy during his recovery period after sustaining horrific wounds. Luttrell said, “I consider that dog just like a daughter to me.”
Please sign this petition and help SPCA International tell the Texas courts to prosecute these cruel criminals to the fullest extent of the law. “You need to be held accountable for what you do,” pleaded Luttrell on Glenn Beck’s Fox News show. See Luttrell’s full interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLO_JI9Pns
Humanely,
Terri Crisp
SPCA International
Operation Baghdad Pups Program
P.O. Box 1230
Washington, DC 20013
Website: www.SPCA.com
Email: Terri.Crisp@SPCA.com
Skype: terricrisp
URGENT: Please post widely: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/seals-dog-killed-give-criminals-maximum-sentence
Title: SEAL’s Dog Killed: Give Criminals Maximum Sentence!
Target: Texas Courts and Prosecutors
From: SPCA International
Help SPCA International (www.SPCA.com) demand that Texas courts prosecute the four animal abuse criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Sign now!
Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s therapy dog was brutally killed by four young men last week. According to Luttrell, the criminals were cruising his county in Texas shooting dogs for fun when he heard a shot in his front yard and found his dog, Dasy, murdered. Luttrell chased the criminals through four counties and brought them to justice with the help of the local sheriff’s department. Luttrell witnessed these criminals laughing and joking about their killing rampage, even after they had been apprehended by authorities.
Luttrell’s dog, Dasy, was no ordinary pet. Luttrell is called the “Lone Survivor” because he was the only survivor from a 2005 battle that caused the largest loss of life in SEAL history. Each letter in Dasy’s name represents his fallen SEAL team members. Luttrell was given Dasy during his recovery period after sustaining horrific wounds. Luttrell said, “I consider that dog just like a daughter to me.”
Please sign this petition and help SPCA International tell the Texas courts to prosecute these cruel criminals to the fullest extent of the law. “You need to be held accountable for what you do,” pleaded Luttrell on Glenn Beck’s Fox News show. See Luttrell’s full interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLO_JI9Pns
Humanely,
Terri Crisp
SPCA International
Operation Baghdad Pups Program
P.O. Box 1230
Washington, DC 20013
Website: www.SPCA.com
Email: Terri.Crisp@SPCA.com
Skype: terricrisp
Monday, April 6, 2009
Letters To The Editor at Newsweek !!!
Letters to the Editor: http://ssomail.charter.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fus.mc357.mail.yahoo.com%252Fmc%252Fcompose%253Fto%253DLetters%2540newsweek.com
The White County sheriff's department noticed the stench from a mile up the road. By the time rescuers entered the series of sheds in Sparta , Tenn. , some were forced to wear respirators. Inside each shed were scores of dogs in tiny cages, many covered in feces. The sheds reeked of urine and were so frigid the officers had to set up portable heaters to work inside. Authorities, who raided the farm in February after receiving tips from angry customers who'd purchased sick puppies, discovered 300 dogs on the three-acre property—many of them malnourished, mangy and infected by parasites. Some were housed a half dozen to a cage in near total darkness. Many of the pups were "designer dogs"—trendy new breeds like puggles (which result when a pug is bred with a beagle), Maltepoos (a Maltese-poodle mix) and Chipins (a Chihuahua-pinscher cross). "It's market driven," says Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian who assisted with the Tennessee raid. "People just see a designer breed and say, 'I've never heard of that dog but it sounds cute'." And for puppy mills like this one, designer dogs—many of which sell for more than $1,000 apiece—have become a huge business.
More than two dozen states are passing new laws to make commercial breeders treat their living products better. Among animal-welfare advocates, much of the concern focuses on reports of inhumane practices by Amish and Mennonite dog breeders in Pennsylvania , Ohio and Wisconsin . And as NEWSWEEK found during visits to Amish and Mennonite dog farms, those concerns appear warranted.
As you're driving through bucolic Lancaster County , it's impossible not to be struck by the number of worn, wooden rabbit hutches stacked beside barns. There are often no rabbits, however; inside many of the hutches are puppies, a NEWSWEEK investigation found. Often, the animals are left outside during the frigid winters. Their feet slip painfully through the cages' wire floors—and sometimes, so does their excrement, which rains on top of the dogs below when breeders stack cages to save space. Some of the dogs are nearly as big as their cages, leaving them little room to move. In front of the farms handwritten signs advertise the different breeds available. On these farms, hybrids like Labradoodles and puggles are plentiful.
Animal-welfare advocates refer to many of these operations as "puppy mills"—a catch-all term that's loosely defined as a facility that produces large numbers of puppies in less-than-ideal conditions for sale to pet stores or to consumers over the Internet. According to Bob Baker, who investigates puppy mills for the ASPCA, these dogs typically receive little if any vet care, are kept in tiny cages 24 hours a day and rarely interact with humans. "The differences all come down to raising a dog as a loving pet versus a cash crop," says Baker, who estimates there are between 5,000 and 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, with as many as 2,000 in the Amish and Mennonite countryside.
Animal-rights advocates say that culturally, the farmers who breed dogs don't see a meaningful distinction between pets and farm animals raised for slaughter. Sometimes they behave accordingly: last summer Elmer Zimmerman, a dairy farmer in Kutztown , Penn. , shot and killed 70 sick dogs on his farm, avoiding big vet bills after a health warden ordered him to take the dogs in for treatment. There's no law against such behavior in many states—and in fact, because many of these farms now sell directly to consumers over the Internet, they're not even covered by the minimal U.S. Department of Agriculture standards that apply to breeders who sell to pet stores. "It's a massive loophole," says USDA spokesperson Jessica Milteer.
News of the shootings led to protests and prayer vigils outside the Zimmerman farm. Gov. Ed Rendell, a pet lover, marshaled that public outrage to push through a tough new law aimed at improving conditions at puppy mills. Under the Pennsylvania law, which goes into effect in October, wire flooring and stacked cages will be outlawed; dogs must be let outside for exercise; minimum cage sizes will be increased; and owners will be required to have every dog examined by a vet twice a year. (The regs also outlaw shooting dogs.) Legislatures in North Carolina , Washington , Oklahoma and about two dozen other states are considering or have recently passed bills to improve conditions in puppy mills, too.
The legislative crackdown isn't very popular among the Amish farmers, nor are they convinced their practices need reform. When NEWSWEEK visited the Zimmerman farm last month, Elmer hid inside, but his father defended the shootings. "It was instant—if you take them to the vet [to be put down], how would you feel lying there unable to get air for 15 minutes?" he says. Elmer's father, who declined to be named, says the uproar has led his family to abandon their breeding business, which he regrets. "It was very profitable," he says, bemoaning how new regulations will make it prohibitively expensive to raise puppies. "It's one more business that is out of our hands. Japan , Mexico —all these countries are taking our jobs," he says.
Not every Amish or Mennonite breeder treats his dogs harshly: some let their dogs out of their cages to exercise and are scrupulous about vaccinations. And there are plenty of unethical breeders who aren't Amish or Mennonite—including the owners of the Tennessee farm that authorities raided in February, who have not yet been charged but could face jail sentences. Some Lancaster breeders visited by NEWSWEEK defended their practices, saying the dogs are happy in their cages. As Elmer Zimmerman's father puts it, "it's the only way to keep a lot of dogs—to keep them penned up."
The Zimmermans did particularly well selling designer dogs—Elmer favored cockapoos, a cocker spaniel–poodle mix. "They don't shed and then people's houses don't get dirty," Elmer's father says. Amish and Mennonite dog breeders on some of the eight other farms NEWSWEEK visited cited other reasons for favoring hybrids. "It's less paperwork for me—you don't have to register them," says one Lancaster County breeder, who declined to be named—but who, according to rescue officials, has kept as many as 500 dogs on his farm. No matter which breed farmers choose, the costs of these businesses are astonishingly low, critics say. "Once they set up their cages all they have to pay for is staff and vaccines," says Kathleen Summers, director of the Humane Society's Stop Puppy Mills campaign. By some accounts, there are Amish breeders earning hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
It's a business that creates strange bedfellows. Last year animal activist Bill Smith, who runs Main Line Animal Rescue in Chester Springs , Penn. , noticed that some of the farms alleged to mistreat puppies were also producing organic dairy products, the kind bought by affluent consumers who'd be horrified their milk and yogurt are being produced alongside dogs in tiny, filthy cages. Indeed, NEWSWEEK visited one farm where a sign identified it as producing Horizon Organics dairy products, which are sold by upscale retailers like Whole Foods Market and in big-box stores like Wal-Mart. That farm, B&R Puppies in Parkesburg, Penn., was recently licensed to hold up to 250 dogs a year; inspection reports from 2007 and 2008 cited conditions as "unsatisfactory" because of squalid cages, sick dogs, pests and failure to vaccinate for rabies. When NEWSWEEK informed Horizon of B&R's puppy business, the company sent a representative to investigate. Upon finding breeding dogs at the farm, Horizon suspended its dealings with the farm. In a statement, Horizon said the farmer promised to "[close] that operation and [find] appropriate and humane homes for all of the dogs." Indeed, late last week farm owner John Stoltzfus told NEWSWEEK he'd already found new homes for the dogs "so we can still send milk to Horizon."
Most of the farms NEWSWEEK visited sold hybrid dogs. According to experts, about 20 percent of the dogs raised in puppy mills are designer breeds, with puggles, Labradoodles and Yorkiepoos (Yorkshire terrier–poodle mixes) among the most popular. Breeders are often able to sell a designer dog for far more than the cost of the two breeds they mate to produce it. For instance, if a puppy mill breeds a $50 beagle with an $800 pug, the litter of puggles can sell for nearly $1,000 apiece. A farmer might keep one male pug and four female beagles. Since beagles average six puppies a litter and two litters a year, a five-dog operation like this could yield 48 puggles annually. "Where else do you get something where two ingredients that cost almost nothing give you a combination that is worth a lot?" says Caroline Coile, a canine expert who's written a book on designer dogs.
Mostly, though, breeders engage in this mix-and-match mating because consumers have been led to believe that hybrid dogs combine the best features of two breeds into one. Consider the Labradoodle, first bred in Australia in the early 1980s as guide dogs for blind people with allergies. They came to the United States in 1998, and consumers gravitated to them. (Tiger Woods got one in 2006.) "Designer dogs are made to appeal to people who want the perfect dog—perfectly trained, never sheds, no accidents and intrinsically healthy," says Frances Smith, a veterinarian who sits on the board of the Labrador Retriever Club. "Of course, that animal doesn't exist."
Back in Amish country, there's less anticipation over the first canine, and more agitation over the regulatory threats. "All this will be gone," says Edwin, a 34-year-old Mennonite farmer in Lancaster County (who declined to give his last name). He's pointing to a row of elevated wire cages and a chain-link pen, where he breeds mini-pinschers, Labs and a half-dozen other breeds. "I built a business since being a little boy and they're going to take it away," says Edwin, who sells his dogs for $350 apiece. For people who truly consider the four-legged creatures sitting in his cages to be man's best friend, the advent of a kinder, gentler way of breeding puppies can't arrive soon enough.Thank you to Suzanne Smalley and Newsweek for bringing attention to the cruel commercial dog industry. These breeders and the pet stores who sell their "products" dupe unsuspecting buyers with assurances they use "private breeders" licensed by the USDA. Unfortunately, these buyers are unaware how minimal the standards are to obtain a USDA license; for example, the cage where a dog lives her entire life must be only six inches taller, wider and longer than the dog inside. There is no requirement that the animal ever be let out of the cage. According to www.petshoppuppies.org, "This is a multi-billion dollar industry that hides its cruelty behind the cute puppy in the pet shop window." If people knew where these puppies come from and the fate of their parents, sales would fall dramatically. Since there is no legal definition of "puppy mill," breeders and pet shops can claim they aren't puppy mills and/or do not get their puppies from puppy mills. In my view, "commercial breeder" equals "puppy mill." It does not matter how clean the facility is, anyone mass producing puppies for profit is a puppy mill. Unlike farmers who raise pigs, chickens and cattle, these dog farmers treat dogs as livestock and hypocritically sell their offspring via pet shops or the internet as family "pets."
While most of the recent attention given to the puppy mill issue has focused on Pennsylvania, Missouri, where I live, is known as the "Puppy Mill Capital of the Nation," with over 1500 licensed commercial breeders, almost three times as many as any other state. Missouri is also the home of the Hunte Corporation, the largest puppy mill broker in the nation, which according to a 2007 Tulsa World article, ships between 1500 and 2000 puppies to pet stores across the country in an average week. Additionally, Missouri leads the nation in the number of dog auctions, where breeders buy breeding stock.
Whether people are animal lovers or not, surely they would agree dogs spending their entire lives in cages with wire floors, being bred every heat cycle and then disposed of when they are no longer of use to the breeder is a life no dog should have to live.
I hope Newsweek will continue to cover the puppy mill issue as educating the public is key in shutting down these misery factories.
Sincerely,
Leanne F
The White County sheriff's department noticed the stench from a mile up the road. By the time rescuers entered the series of sheds in Sparta , Tenn. , some were forced to wear respirators. Inside each shed were scores of dogs in tiny cages, many covered in feces. The sheds reeked of urine and were so frigid the officers had to set up portable heaters to work inside. Authorities, who raided the farm in February after receiving tips from angry customers who'd purchased sick puppies, discovered 300 dogs on the three-acre property—many of them malnourished, mangy and infected by parasites. Some were housed a half dozen to a cage in near total darkness. Many of the pups were "designer dogs"—trendy new breeds like puggles (which result when a pug is bred with a beagle), Maltepoos (a Maltese-poodle mix) and Chipins (a Chihuahua-pinscher cross). "It's market driven," says Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian who assisted with the Tennessee raid. "People just see a designer breed and say, 'I've never heard of that dog but it sounds cute'." And for puppy mills like this one, designer dogs—many of which sell for more than $1,000 apiece—have become a huge business.
More than two dozen states are passing new laws to make commercial breeders treat their living products better. Among animal-welfare advocates, much of the concern focuses on reports of inhumane practices by Amish and Mennonite dog breeders in Pennsylvania , Ohio and Wisconsin . And as NEWSWEEK found during visits to Amish and Mennonite dog farms, those concerns appear warranted.
As you're driving through bucolic Lancaster County , it's impossible not to be struck by the number of worn, wooden rabbit hutches stacked beside barns. There are often no rabbits, however; inside many of the hutches are puppies, a NEWSWEEK investigation found. Often, the animals are left outside during the frigid winters. Their feet slip painfully through the cages' wire floors—and sometimes, so does their excrement, which rains on top of the dogs below when breeders stack cages to save space. Some of the dogs are nearly as big as their cages, leaving them little room to move. In front of the farms handwritten signs advertise the different breeds available. On these farms, hybrids like Labradoodles and puggles are plentiful.
Animal-welfare advocates refer to many of these operations as "puppy mills"—a catch-all term that's loosely defined as a facility that produces large numbers of puppies in less-than-ideal conditions for sale to pet stores or to consumers over the Internet. According to Bob Baker, who investigates puppy mills for the ASPCA, these dogs typically receive little if any vet care, are kept in tiny cages 24 hours a day and rarely interact with humans. "The differences all come down to raising a dog as a loving pet versus a cash crop," says Baker, who estimates there are between 5,000 and 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, with as many as 2,000 in the Amish and Mennonite countryside.
Animal-rights advocates say that culturally, the farmers who breed dogs don't see a meaningful distinction between pets and farm animals raised for slaughter. Sometimes they behave accordingly: last summer Elmer Zimmerman, a dairy farmer in Kutztown , Penn. , shot and killed 70 sick dogs on his farm, avoiding big vet bills after a health warden ordered him to take the dogs in for treatment. There's no law against such behavior in many states—and in fact, because many of these farms now sell directly to consumers over the Internet, they're not even covered by the minimal U.S. Department of Agriculture standards that apply to breeders who sell to pet stores. "It's a massive loophole," says USDA spokesperson Jessica Milteer.
News of the shootings led to protests and prayer vigils outside the Zimmerman farm. Gov. Ed Rendell, a pet lover, marshaled that public outrage to push through a tough new law aimed at improving conditions at puppy mills. Under the Pennsylvania law, which goes into effect in October, wire flooring and stacked cages will be outlawed; dogs must be let outside for exercise; minimum cage sizes will be increased; and owners will be required to have every dog examined by a vet twice a year. (The regs also outlaw shooting dogs.) Legislatures in North Carolina , Washington , Oklahoma and about two dozen other states are considering or have recently passed bills to improve conditions in puppy mills, too.
The legislative crackdown isn't very popular among the Amish farmers, nor are they convinced their practices need reform. When NEWSWEEK visited the Zimmerman farm last month, Elmer hid inside, but his father defended the shootings. "It was instant—if you take them to the vet [to be put down], how would you feel lying there unable to get air for 15 minutes?" he says. Elmer's father, who declined to be named, says the uproar has led his family to abandon their breeding business, which he regrets. "It was very profitable," he says, bemoaning how new regulations will make it prohibitively expensive to raise puppies. "It's one more business that is out of our hands. Japan , Mexico —all these countries are taking our jobs," he says.
Not every Amish or Mennonite breeder treats his dogs harshly: some let their dogs out of their cages to exercise and are scrupulous about vaccinations. And there are plenty of unethical breeders who aren't Amish or Mennonite—including the owners of the Tennessee farm that authorities raided in February, who have not yet been charged but could face jail sentences. Some Lancaster breeders visited by NEWSWEEK defended their practices, saying the dogs are happy in their cages. As Elmer Zimmerman's father puts it, "it's the only way to keep a lot of dogs—to keep them penned up."
The Zimmermans did particularly well selling designer dogs—Elmer favored cockapoos, a cocker spaniel–poodle mix. "They don't shed and then people's houses don't get dirty," Elmer's father says. Amish and Mennonite dog breeders on some of the eight other farms NEWSWEEK visited cited other reasons for favoring hybrids. "It's less paperwork for me—you don't have to register them," says one Lancaster County breeder, who declined to be named—but who, according to rescue officials, has kept as many as 500 dogs on his farm. No matter which breed farmers choose, the costs of these businesses are astonishingly low, critics say. "Once they set up their cages all they have to pay for is staff and vaccines," says Kathleen Summers, director of the Humane Society's Stop Puppy Mills campaign. By some accounts, there are Amish breeders earning hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
It's a business that creates strange bedfellows. Last year animal activist Bill Smith, who runs Main Line Animal Rescue in Chester Springs , Penn. , noticed that some of the farms alleged to mistreat puppies were also producing organic dairy products, the kind bought by affluent consumers who'd be horrified their milk and yogurt are being produced alongside dogs in tiny, filthy cages. Indeed, NEWSWEEK visited one farm where a sign identified it as producing Horizon Organics dairy products, which are sold by upscale retailers like Whole Foods Market and in big-box stores like Wal-Mart. That farm, B&R Puppies in Parkesburg, Penn., was recently licensed to hold up to 250 dogs a year; inspection reports from 2007 and 2008 cited conditions as "unsatisfactory" because of squalid cages, sick dogs, pests and failure to vaccinate for rabies. When NEWSWEEK informed Horizon of B&R's puppy business, the company sent a representative to investigate. Upon finding breeding dogs at the farm, Horizon suspended its dealings with the farm. In a statement, Horizon said the farmer promised to "[close] that operation and [find] appropriate and humane homes for all of the dogs." Indeed, late last week farm owner John Stoltzfus told NEWSWEEK he'd already found new homes for the dogs "so we can still send milk to Horizon."
Most of the farms NEWSWEEK visited sold hybrid dogs. According to experts, about 20 percent of the dogs raised in puppy mills are designer breeds, with puggles, Labradoodles and Yorkiepoos (Yorkshire terrier–poodle mixes) among the most popular. Breeders are often able to sell a designer dog for far more than the cost of the two breeds they mate to produce it. For instance, if a puppy mill breeds a $50 beagle with an $800 pug, the litter of puggles can sell for nearly $1,000 apiece. A farmer might keep one male pug and four female beagles. Since beagles average six puppies a litter and two litters a year, a five-dog operation like this could yield 48 puggles annually. "Where else do you get something where two ingredients that cost almost nothing give you a combination that is worth a lot?" says Caroline Coile, a canine expert who's written a book on designer dogs.
Mostly, though, breeders engage in this mix-and-match mating because consumers have been led to believe that hybrid dogs combine the best features of two breeds into one. Consider the Labradoodle, first bred in Australia in the early 1980s as guide dogs for blind people with allergies. They came to the United States in 1998, and consumers gravitated to them. (Tiger Woods got one in 2006.) "Designer dogs are made to appeal to people who want the perfect dog—perfectly trained, never sheds, no accidents and intrinsically healthy," says Frances Smith, a veterinarian who sits on the board of the Labrador Retriever Club. "Of course, that animal doesn't exist."
Back in Amish country, there's less anticipation over the first canine, and more agitation over the regulatory threats. "All this will be gone," says Edwin, a 34-year-old Mennonite farmer in Lancaster County (who declined to give his last name). He's pointing to a row of elevated wire cages and a chain-link pen, where he breeds mini-pinschers, Labs and a half-dozen other breeds. "I built a business since being a little boy and they're going to take it away," says Edwin, who sells his dogs for $350 apiece. For people who truly consider the four-legged creatures sitting in his cages to be man's best friend, the advent of a kinder, gentler way of breeding puppies can't arrive soon enough.Thank you to Suzanne Smalley and Newsweek for bringing attention to the cruel commercial dog industry. These breeders and the pet stores who sell their "products" dupe unsuspecting buyers with assurances they use "private breeders" licensed by the USDA. Unfortunately, these buyers are unaware how minimal the standards are to obtain a USDA license; for example, the cage where a dog lives her entire life must be only six inches taller, wider and longer than the dog inside. There is no requirement that the animal ever be let out of the cage. According to www.petshoppuppies.org, "This is a multi-billion dollar industry that hides its cruelty behind the cute puppy in the pet shop window." If people knew where these puppies come from and the fate of their parents, sales would fall dramatically. Since there is no legal definition of "puppy mill," breeders and pet shops can claim they aren't puppy mills and/or do not get their puppies from puppy mills. In my view, "commercial breeder" equals "puppy mill." It does not matter how clean the facility is, anyone mass producing puppies for profit is a puppy mill. Unlike farmers who raise pigs, chickens and cattle, these dog farmers treat dogs as livestock and hypocritically sell their offspring via pet shops or the internet as family "pets."
While most of the recent attention given to the puppy mill issue has focused on Pennsylvania, Missouri, where I live, is known as the "Puppy Mill Capital of the Nation," with over 1500 licensed commercial breeders, almost three times as many as any other state. Missouri is also the home of the Hunte Corporation, the largest puppy mill broker in the nation, which according to a 2007 Tulsa World article, ships between 1500 and 2000 puppies to pet stores across the country in an average week. Additionally, Missouri leads the nation in the number of dog auctions, where breeders buy breeding stock.
Whether people are animal lovers or not, surely they would agree dogs spending their entire lives in cages with wire floors, being bred every heat cycle and then disposed of when they are no longer of use to the breeder is a life no dog should have to live.
I hope Newsweek will continue to cover the puppy mill issue as educating the public is key in shutting down these misery factories.
Sincerely,
Leanne F
Thursday, April 2, 2009
How Do You Spell Unlimited Fun & Joy...DOG
A dog can bring you unlimited joy if you open your home to one today. Consider buying your next pet at a local shelter or rescue group.Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Amazing Rescue Dog Story
JasmineIn 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog.. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for Animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need. www.warwickshirewildlifesanctury.co.uk/index.htm
Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.
But Jasmine had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all Animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting Animal, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.
Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.""But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.
"She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.
And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted. 
"They are inseparable," says Geoff "Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary.
It's a real treat to see them."
Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next Orphan or victim of abuse.
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