Thursday, May 27, 2010

Animal Planet Investigates Petland....

Time Remind Me Series Title & Description

Jun 06, 1:00 pm

(60 minutes)
Remind Me Animal Planet Investigates: Petland

TV-14, CC

A comprehensive investigation of large-scale commercial dog breeders, known as puppy mills. Its primary target and defendant in an HSUS lawsuit: the largest puppy-selling retailer in the country, Petland.
Email Updates
Dear P.A.W.S. Team,

Summer is upon us and things are heating up fast...especially with the city's recent door-to-door licensing campaign. Please make sure your pets, your families pets, your neighbor's pets...ALL pets are licensed! $12 if s/n, $35 if not.

Also, we are currently seeking help with the following special needs/projects:
Volunteer(s) to spearhead coordinating an SNKC garage sale.
Volunteer(s) that can help with keeping our lawn mowed.
Volunteer(s) interested in taking leadership at our mobile rabies clinic. Our goal is to have the mobile clinics be volunteer run with the exception of the vet. staff.

OR...
Have your lunch break here once a week and help us with laundry and cleaning?

Work for a company that encourages giving back to the community? Ask them to sponsor a donation barrel that help's pets through our Outreach Program! This is free for them and provides free advertising!

Sign up to learn more about Trap-Neuter-Release opportunities.

I am confident that there is something for everyone here at SNKC. Email me for more information about any of these projects.


Tamara Scharfenkamp, Director of Operations
Spay & Neuter Kansas City

New Volunteer Orientations:
Tuesday, 8th, 5:30pm-7pm
Saturday, 12th,10am-12pm
Friday, 18th, 1p-3p


Email tamara@snkc.net to reserve your spot today.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

USDA fails to crack down on puppy mills
By MARY CLARE JALONICK (AP)

WASHINGTON — An internal government report says dogs are dying and living in horrific conditions due to lax government enforcement of large kennels known as puppy mills.

Investigators say the Department of Agriculture agency in charge of enforcing the Animal Welfare Act often ignores repeat violations, waives penalties and doesn't adequately document inhumane treatment of dogs. In one case cited by the department's inspector general, 27 dogs died at an Oklahoma breeding facility after inspectors had visited the facility several times and cited it for violations.

The review, conducted between 2006 and 2008, found that more than half of those who had already been cited for violations flouted the law again. It details grisly conditions at several facilities and includes photos of dogs with gaping wounds, covered in ticks and living among pools of feces.

The report recommends that the animal care unit at the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service immediately confiscate animals that are dying or seriously suffering, and better train its inspectors to document, report and penalize wrongdoing.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday that the department takes the report seriously and will force immediate action to improve enforcement, penalties and inspector training. He noted the investigation was conducted before his time in office and called it troubling.

"USDA will reinforce its efforts under its animal welfare responsibilities, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders and greater consistent action to strongly enforce the law," he said.

The investigators visited 68 dog breeders and dog brokers in eight states that had been cited for at least one violation in the previous three years. On those visits, they found that first-time violators were rarely penalized, even for more serious violations, and repeat offenders were often let off the hook as well. The agency also gave some breeders a second chance to correct their actions even when they found animals dying or suffering, delaying confiscation of the animals.

"(Animal care) generally took little or no enforcement actions against these facilities during the period," the investigators wrote, adding that the agency placed too much emphasis on educating the violators instead of penalizing them.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

This Is Absolutely Beautiful From A Rescuer.....

The following quote is my own. I am the author and it's based on my own rescues. Thanks, Kathie Sullivan-Parkes, Ryegate, VT

Until you have held a tiny puppy in your arms as it kissed your face with slobbery puppy breath and felt the love,
Until you have held an injured or severely ill dog in your arms and felt their pain
Until you have looked into the eyes of a tired aging senior dog and felt their wisdom,
And until you have seen and understood the look in your dogs eyes that tell you their time on earth with you is over .... and you humanely let them go,

You will never understand the life of a rescuer.

We find beauty in the most incomprehensible places and the otherwise homely faces.
It is our gift to see beyond the dirt, terror, sadness and defeat and find the true soul that lies within.
We are Rescue.
www.myspace.com/imaginesolace4allanimals

Monday, May 24, 2010

Let's All Do What We Can.......

"You can educate yourself by using www.hsus.org, www.aspca.org. You can commit to never buying an animal at a petstore ever again and encouraging everyone you know to do the same. And I recommend having your pets spayed or neutered to help prevent pet overpopulation."

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Must Read......

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box..
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap..
Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.
He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky, he still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure..

Remember......live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

Live simply.. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Ending Substandard Puppy Mills


Missouri has the absolute shame of leading the nation in the number of substandard puppy mills in our state. The atrocities your Humane Society of Missouri has witnessed in substandard facilities are so egregious that even those of us who have seen every type of abuse and neglect imaginable are horrified that mankind can inflict such cruelty on another living creature. These substandard facilities fail to provide adequate shelter, food, water and veterinary care for their breeding stock subjecting the animals to an utterly miserable existence in a two-by-two cage for their entire lives. These animals have never experienced the kindness of a human touch, never had their paws touch the grass, never been socialized and never been groomed. Moreover, the lack of veterinary care and basic nutrition severely compromises their health. Advanced dental disease, severe skin afflictions, eye and ear infections and parasites are all too common in these animals. Written by Kathryn Wright Warnick

Study after study has found according to Prevention Magazine that "Patients visited by pets after surgery had a 50% reduction in pain medication."

Consider The Cost Before You Purchase A Dog


According to Readers Digest the average cost of raising a medium size dog to the age of eleven is $16,400.00.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Must See T.V.

Animal Planet's special program exposing the grim connection between puppy mills and pet stores is at 10 p.m. EST/PST on Monday, May 17. "Animal Planet Investigates: Petland" features never-before-seen footage from some of The HSUS's puppy mill investigations. Don't miss it!

http://animal.discovery.com/tv-schedules/special.html?paid=15.15976.129051.0.0

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

A Must See Video....

Missourians For The Protection Of Dogs

Can you take a minute to make a call to protect dogs? You may have gotten my email recently regarding some very dangerous pro-puppy mill legislation under consideration by our state legislature. This update is to let you know politicians continue to feverishly debate the fate of our ballot measure and whether your voting rights should be restricted. Your voice is needed now before it is too late.

This is an urgent call to action - perhaps the most urgent request I've made so far. I hope you will come through one more time for the dogs. Scott Rupp's number is (573) 751-1282 and Tom Dempsey's number is (573) 751-1141.

Politicians in Jefferson City want to undermine our puppy mill initiative and take away our voting rights. Many don't think you should have the right to decide any animal cruelty issues on the ballot. They want to keep all the power for themselves and use it to protect puppy mills and other animal abusers from regulation. But the right to petition our government is guaranteed by the Missouri state constitution, and tens of thousands of citizens have petitioned to stop this cruel and inhumane treatment of dogs.
I am asking you to please make a brief, polite phone call RIGHT AWAY to your Missouri state senator and your state representative and urge OPPOSITION to H.J.R. 86 and any other legislation that restricts your voting rights. This legislation interferes with Missouri citizens' right to protect animals and to petition our government. Click here to look up your senator and representative's name and phone number. When you call, remember to leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent.

After you make your call, you can fill in and submit the form here to automatically send a follow-up email to your state senator and state representative. Your legislators receive a lot of email, so it is important to personalize the subject line and the text below so that your message will stand out and have a greater impact.
We just need to fight this legislation right on through 6 pm on May 14th, when the session ends for the year. Please don't let your hard work on the ballot measure be jeopardized by this legislative power grab. Just take a few moments to politely speak out, and make sure Missouri citizens have the right to vote on animal cruelty issues. Make sure other Missourians you know call, too!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL WORK and for taking action for the dogs once again.

Barbara Schmitz

Campaign manager

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

We've Got To Fight For The Poor Dogs In Puppy Mills inMissouri....

Have you heard us on the radio? Last week, Missourians for the Protection of Dogs launched a statewide radio advertising campaign urging state lawmakers not to undermine the citizen-backed initiative to help dogs across Missouri. You can listen to the radio ads.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that more than 190,000 Missouri voters signed the petition to place the measure on the statewide ballot, legislators in Jefferson City are considering several bills that could prevent voters from having their say on the issue. After all of our progress and hard work, after the countless hours campaign volunteers have spent gathering signatures across our state, we cannot let them take away our right to vote on this issue. Can you help with an emergency donation to keep our ads on the air?

We're pulling together our resources to let Missourians know the truth, and we need your help to make sure our ads are heard across the state. Please help us get this critical message out to Missouri voters by donating today. Every contribution, large or small, will help us continue the advertisements to make sure every voter gets the opportunity to change the lives of Missouri's dogs. Will you help make sure voters get the message? Donate today to the Humane Society.

As always, thanks ....for taking action for the dogs.

Barbara Schmitz
Campaign Manager

Animal Planet Investigates Petland.........

Animal Planet airs a special program on Monday, May 17, at 10 p.m. EST/PST exposing the grim connection between puppy mills and pet stores.

"Animal Planet Investigates: Petland" features unseen footage from some of The HSUS's puppy mill investigations and interviews with our puppy mill experts.

While revealing the heartbreaking deception behind puppy mill puppies, the program showcases our efforts to crack down on puppy mills and expose the hidden nature of the industry.

Thank you for signing our pledge to stop puppy mills! Please urge your friends to join you in signing the pledge and watching the show!

Thanks for all you do for animals.
Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO

Tony LaRussa Joins Fight To Stop Puppy Mills In Missouri

KSDK -- Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa has joined the fight to stop puppy mills in Missouri.

Missourians for the Protection of Dogs announced that LaRussa will be part of its Puppy Mill Reform Committee, which includes other prominent people from across the state.

The committee is charged with promoting a statewide ballot measure to address the problem of puppy mills in Missouri.

LaRussa is the co-founder of the Animal Rescue Foundation, which saves dogs and cats from public shelters and connects them with loving owners.

"Tens of thousands of dogs suffer in these facilities from inadequate shelter, lack of veterinary care, and harsh breeding conditions. As a member of the Puppy Mill Reform Committee, I support Missourians for the Protection of Dogs' efforts to improve the lives of dogs in Missouri's commercial breeding operations," LaRussa said.

Statistics show Missouri is home to an estimated 3,000 puppy mills, breeding hundreds of thousands of puppies, far more than any other state in the country.

Dogs in the mills are sometimes found in poor, cramped conditions and get little exercise or human interaction.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

Backers submit thousands of signatures for Mo. ballot measure restricting dog-breeding
By Associated Press
12:09 PM CDT, May 2, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missourians seeking new restrictions for dog breeders have submitted a proposed ballot measure.

It would bar people from having more than 50 breeding dogs, establish care requirements to care for the animals and make violations a misdemeanor. The ballot measure is called the "Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act."

Supporters estimate they delivered about 190,000 signatures in more than two dozen boxes. That would be enough to qualify for the ballot if the signatures are validated. The dog-breeding petition was submitted about six hours before Sunday's deadline.

Another petition dealing with earnings taxes already has been filed. Several more ballot measure could be turned in Sunday. Election officials have until Aug. 3 to determine whether petitions qualify for the ballot.

Spay and Neuter in Kansas City, Missouri......


Saturday Clinics Need Volunteers


Come Bowl with SNKC at Strike and Spare!
Thurdays, 7 pm,
May 13th-Aug. 26,
13001 E. 40 Hwy, Independence, MO.

Seeking gutter ball queens and turkey kings to make up 2 teams plus alternates. No SKILL required, this is for fun and family friendly!
Cost is $12 per week and $2 from each bowler/each week goes to support the life saving work at SNKC!
email tamara@snkc.net to sign up today!

Who knew smelling good could raise so much $$$?

If you weren't able to make it to our candle party on Monday, May 3rd, stop by the clinic and pick up a catalog, smell some samples and say hello! Stopping by the clinic doesn't work for you? Order online at mygc.com/bburns. Simply add "SNKC" after your last name on the order form.

As a reformed Yankee Candle addict, these Gold Canyon label candles (and reed diffusers, car scents, citronella candles, soy, etc...) smell better, stronger and are priced better! (Perfect for the room with the litter box!)

And the best part, 40% of purchases from the Heritage Collection will benefit SNKC!! All other items receive a 25% donation.

Graduations, baby showers, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries..the candle giving occasssions never end...stock up today and help a pet in need!

Orders due by May 17th. Email tamara@snkc.net or bburns@sunflower.com for more information.

Spay & Neuter Kansas City, 1116 E. 59th, Kansas City, MO 64110 816-353-0940




Monday, May 3, 2010

Be Careful Of Cocoa Mulch......

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and
they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that
eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on
each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."

Snopes.com site gives the following information:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot,
Foreman's Garden Supply and other garden supply stores contains a lethal
ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like
chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die.
Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark
or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain
potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in
effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of
garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died
17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean
shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Man's Best Friend Helps Heal War Wounds
Published: May 01, 2010

by Gloria Hillard

Unwanted and abandoned dogs fill shelters nationwide, and not many will get a second chance. But, in California there's a new organization that is saving one dog at a time and, in the process, helping those who have served.

One of those people is Leif Meisinger, a combat veteran who still wears a military-style buzz cut. His arms are tapestries of colored ink, including a few tattoos he got in Iraq.

The 40-year-old former Army gunner says he has a mild traumatic brain injury after a roadside bomb blast and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"It was like I was back in Iraq again," he says. "I was up at night, and I would sleep during the day."

A few months ago, something in his life changed. Meisinger received a dog from Pets for Vets -- a Los Angeles-based organization that matches shelter dogs with veterans like Meisinger who are having a hard time re-entering civilian life.

We Believe Two Pups Trying To Escape A Puppy Mill