Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Need Clarity of What A Puppy MIll Is......

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council has defined Puppy Mills as:
Breeders who do one or more of the following:
a) Fail to follow acceptable standards of breeding
b) Fail to provide vet care and husbandry
c) Fail to provide socialization
d) Fail to provide safe housing
e) Fail to maintain sanitary facilities
f) Fail to transport in humane and safe manner, or
g) Knowingly breed adult dogs with hereditary or genetic defects

Getting A Pet For Someone Else

People are advertising pets as "the perfect gift". Please remember that more than half of those gifted pets will end up abandoned in shelters or on the streets a few
months after they are given. Don't believe me? Visit your local shelter in January and February, or just take the time to ask someone who works there about it. It's disheartening to start the New Year with a flood of new arrivals when you know most of them won’t leave that building again alive. Spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, and various relatives: PLEASE be sure that the person you're giving a pet to is sure they want it and are ready for the responsibility, time, and money it takes to care for an animal, especially a puppy or kitten. If anything, consider giving an older, trained animal another chance with a new family. PARENTS!!! When you buy your child who is under 18 and still completely dependent on you a pet, you are buying yourself a pet! Legally you are responsible for that animal, so
be ready to pick up the slack if your kids "get bored" with their new pet or
find out that cleaning up poop is gross. Ask yourself if YOU want a pet and if
YOU are able to spare the time a pet will need. Remember: The difference between
a toy animal and a real one is the ability to experience pleasure and suffering.
That cute little puppy or kitten with the bow on his head is a life, and
10-15 year commitment, if you, or your recipient is not prepared, do NOT get
one, as a pup they have some chance of finding a home. If you bring them home, or gift them, and the new "parent" is not ready, you will sign the dog/cat’s death warrant, they will keep them till they are out of the cute stage, then, off to the
shelter.
A pet is a great joy and giving
an animal a home is a deed that can benefit all parties, but only if everyone’s
ready for it. PLEASE don't add to the 6 million plus animals euthanized in
shelters annually by not thinking things through.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011


"I AM A FOREVER DOG, NOT AN 'UNTIL DOG.'

I'm not an "until you get bored with me" dog.
I'm not an "until you find a girlfriend" dog.
I'm not an "until you have a baby" dog.
I'm not an "until you have to move" dog.
I'm not an "until you have no time" dog.
I'm not an "until I get old" dog.
I'm a FOREVER DOG.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

This is To All The Fabulous Rescuers Out There That Work So TIrelessly Helping Animals In Need....

It is said that when animals die they don’t go to heaven, they go to the Rainbow Bridge where they wait for their owners. The area around the Rainbow Bridge is sunny, warm but not too warm, flowers, grass and all the animals have been restored to a youthful healthy state.
On one particular day it was unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge , this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.
But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn’t long before an elderly dog came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again! As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.
But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge .
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly. They weren’t playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn’t understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.
“You see, that poor animal was abandoned by his owners. He was turned into a shelter just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of the shelter and passed on. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge. ”
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, “So what will happen now?”
As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted.
Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
“Watch, and see” said the second animal.
A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge.
They all crossed The Bridge together.
“What happened?”
“That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn’t place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge. ”
“I think I like rescuers,” said the first animal.
“So does GOD,” was the reply.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Aflatoxin recall Iams dog food | The Daily Tail | Dog & Cat Stories

Aflatoxin recall Iams dog food The Daily Tail Dog & Cat Stories
Aflatoxin recall Iams dog food
by Daniela Caride,
Publisher
on December 6,2011
A couple of weeks ago, we published a chart with the codes of Iams pet food
that, rumor said, was being recalled because of high levels of aflatoxin. Iams
denied the recall, which later was identified as a “product pull” that one of
the distributors mistakenly leaked to the outside world. (A product pull is, as
I understand, what a company does when it pulls the product from shelves before
it’s sold to the public.)
But now it’s official — The incident has become a recall. Procter &
Gamble announced today it is retrieving a lot of dry dog food due to aflatoxin
levels detected above the acceptable limit. According to the company, the Iams
ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food has already been retrieved from store
shelves, and no illnesses have been reported in association with this production
lot to date. But you can have one of those bags at home. The affected product
lot was distributed to retailers in the eastern United States (AL, CT, DE, FL,
GA, LA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, VA). So, please check the codes on
your bags if you buy Iams dog food.
Here are the details about the product affected by this
announcement:

Product Name
Version
Code Date
UPC Code
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog foodwith Use By or Expiration
Dates of February 5 or February 6, 2013
7.0 lb bag
12784177I6
1901402305
8.0 lb bag
12794177D2
12794177D3
1901410208
17.5 lb bag
12794177K1
12794177K2
1901401848
If you purchased the Iams Smart Puppy listed above, stop using the product
and discard it immediately. For more information or refund, contact P&G
toll-free at 866-908-1569 (Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST)
or
http://www.iams.com/.
Aflatoxin occurs from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be
harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. Some of the symptoms your
pet can show from aflatoxin poisoning are…
sluggishness
lethargy
reluctance to eat
vomiting
yellowish tint to the eyes or gums
diarrhea
If your dog has any of those symptoms and is eating this food,
please take him to the vet immediately. Aflatoxin poisoning can be
deadly.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

NBC COCKER INTERVIEW WITH THERESA.AVI

If You Are Concerned About A Breeder or Pet Store ....

Contact the Puppy Mill Tip Hotline: 877- MILL TIP Dog Fighting Tip Hot Line: 877-TIP HSUS
Contact the Missouri Dept of Ag: Patti will answer the phone but Matt Rolled is the Lead Investigator 573-751-3076 matt.rold@mdz.mo.gov
(there is a form that you fill out and you will need the exact address where this place is)
Contact Tim Ricky with the A.S.P.C.A. - Tim has been great here in Missouri 646-599-2742 timr@aspca.org
It is so important you report sick puppies you have purchased or questionable breeders as Missouri is the # Puppy Mill State !!!

Take A Moment to Watch This Video....so important !!!

iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/h5mEGU70LEI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Monday, December 5, 2011

Operation Spot

Operation SPOT has donated straw bedding to be distributed to St. Louis area pet shelters for dogs that must remain outdoors during the winter. The shelters will give the straw at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Among the shelters are St. Louis City Animal Control at 1520 Market St. in downtown St. Louis, and the St. Louis County Animal Shelter at 10521 Baur Blvd. in Olivette. Call the city shelter at 314-657-1500 or the county shelter at 314-615-0650.

A limited number of dog houses also will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. SPOT is seeking dog houses; to donate one, call Operation SPOT at 314-995-8678 or call one of the shelters.

SPOT is an acronym for Stop Pet Overpopulation Today.


Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/life/free-straw-bedding-available-for-dogs/article_e3ffe5ce-6b4b-5a22-a387-b0cca1074b89.html#ixzz1ffl8Pfx6

Sunday, December 4, 2011

HSUS Update.....

As we approach the finish line for 2011, a year which has seen its share of highs and lows for Missouri animal welfare advocates, our December issue highlights two stories which run the gamut from deceit and greed to compassion and service. We start with a tale from the dark side...about an East Coast connection to Missouri puppy mills. Then, on a more uplifting note, you'll learn about recognition for all the hard work done by The HSUS team on behalf of animals nationwide.


NYC Area Pet Stores Dupe Puppy Buyers, Support MO Puppy Mills

Missouri puppy mills are in the news yet again, exposed recently on NBC for exporting their misery to upscale pet stores in the New York City area. An HSUS investigation found that more than 100 pet stores around NYC metro bought over 3,000 puppies from Missouri puppy mills over a four-month period. Knowing that many prospective puppy buyers these days are aware of abuses in puppy mills, these retailers told consumers that the dogs were from small "private breeders." On the list of suppliers to these stores are several breeders from HSUS' Dirty Dozen, the "worst of the worst" of Missouri breeders.

This story exposes the nationwide reach and impact of Missouri's puppy mill industry, which is now exporting its cruelty, heartache, and economic pain (due to often enormous vet bills) to pet-loving families coast to coast. An HSUS investigator, along with businessman Lorenzo Borghese from ABC's "The Bachelor," went undercover as "shoppers" and caught sales staff at 11 NYC-area pet stores making misleading claims about the origin of their puppies. Learn more about this investigation here, including the disturbing video, and please share it with your friends on Twitter and Facebook. This story further highlights the need to be an educated puppy buyer, and to always first consider adopting your new best friend from a known local shelter or rescue group.

HSUS Ranked #1 for Animal Protection by Philanthropedia

On a much-welcomed positive note, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was recently recognized by Philanthropedia, which ranks nonprofits in a variety of areas, as the Top Nonprofit for National Animal Welfare, Rights, and Protection for 2011. The ASPCA came in 2nd place, while the PetSmart Charities finished 3rd, and the Best Friends Animal Society came in 4th place. Read the full Philanthropedia report here.

There is a quote attributed to Mohandas Gandhi which goes: "The greatness of a nation, and its moral progress, can be judged by the way it treats its animals". It is heartening to know that countless staff and volunteers in numerous animal welfare organizations, such as those mentioned in this report, are working hard to keep the United States a great nation...at least as defined by the Mahatma.

We wish you and your family, both two-legged and four-legged, a very Happy Holidays!
Humane Society of the United States - Missouri PO Box 300176 St. Louis MO 63130