Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Leaving Your Dog In Your Car Running Errands Is Never A Good Idea.....
Summer is here and so is the heat - You don't leave a toddler wrapped in a fur coat in the car while you run errands, so why do you think it's ok for a dog?
Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car—even for "just a minute"—while they run an errand. Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.
If you see a dog left alone in a hot car, take down the car's color, model, make, and license plate number. Have the owner paged in the nearest buildings, or call local humane authorities or police. Have someone keep an eye on the dog. Don't leave the scene until the situation has been resolved.
Think Twice Before Cutting Your Dogs Coat To Keep Them Cool This Summer !!!
Contrary to popular belief, shaving your long-haired dog (or cat) will not keep him/her cooler during the hot, summer months.
Unlike humans, the skin of dogs and cats does not contain the vast network of blood vessels and sweat glands designed to dissipate body heat during hot weather conditions. True, dogs do possess sweat glands in their footpads, but these glands play a minimal role in overall thermoregulation. Despite being sweat-gland deficient, dogs and cats have an uncanny ability to vaporize large amounts of water from their lungs and airways, water that carries heat from the body when they pant.
Shaving pets for the summer can actually predispose them to sun burn and to heat exhaustion/heat stroke. Long hair and thick undercoats act as insulation against the sun's rays and their effects. Coats that are kept well-brushed and mat-free allow for good air circulation through the hair, which in itself can actually have a cooling effect. On the contrary, matted, unkempt hair coats stifle air circulation and do little to help cool the body. In other words, daily brushing is a must during the hot, summer months.
Here's a prime example: My 2 year old Boxer, Titan (who has a short hair coat) and my 8 year old mix, Gobi ( who has long hair with a thick undercoat) love to go jogging with me. Both dogs are extremely fit, yet after 40 minutes in the Texas heat, Titan's tongue is scraping the pavement, forcing regular water stops, whereas Gobi continues to just trot along like a canine version of Forrest Gump, seemingly oblivious to the heat. Keep pets cool and comfortable during the summer by keeping them well-groomed and by always providing a source of fresh water and shade. But don't shave them. If you do, you're only defeating the purpose and you may end up with a very expensive veterinary bill on your hands.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Hope Rescue Is A Fabulous Rescue ......
Please click the thumbnail image to the left to view more and vote for your favorite finalist.Hope Animal Rescues (www.hoperescues.com) is committed to engaging and serving local communities of people and animals. We are a state-licensed, nonprofit, all-volunteer, no-kill animal rescue that saves dogs on their last day of life from animal control facilities. Our goals are to promote spay/neuter, stop the use of gas chambers to kill our homeless pets, and to educate people on how to treat all animals with respect and dignity. To date we have saved 1,920 dogs and re-homed 1,785 dogs through our adoption program. At present we have 135 dogs that are waiting for their second chance. We take the old and the young, all breeds and mixes, the sick and the well, the meek and the bold, and all of the dogs that are desperately looking for a forever home. It is our passionate responsibility to provide a safe haven for animals that have overcome abuse, neglect, and the simple fact that they were unwanted.
What winning this prize means for our organization:
Our high population numbers, area drought and limited maintenance funds are inhibiting our ability to have a healthy outdoor environment in which our dogs can play and exercise. In our current state dogs track mud or dirt, depending on the weather, through the kennels and walkways. Community volunteers, our greatest resource, spend a great deal of time trying to keep the dogs’ living spaces clean when they would rather focus on the positive human interaction that makes animal rehabilitation possible. Providing a grassy area to play and exercise, the installation of synthetic turf at Hope Animal Rescues will make an immense and positive impact on our ability to save resources and to help us provide a more sanitary outdoor environment for our animals. With resources saved through this prize, we will also be better able to enhance the outreach and educational programs that saves dogs’ lives.
Video submitted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKuBXXicopI
Friday, May 17, 2013
Columbia, Missouri's No Kill Spay and Neutering Program......
COLUMBIA - Animal advocacy group No Kill Columbiahopes a new project will help save thousands of animals over the next few years. Established in January, No Kill Columbia's Spay Neuter Project aims to reduce animal overpopulation by creating a low-cost spay neuter clinic to serve the mid-Missouri area.
In the past four years, the Central Missouri Humane Society euthanized roughly 43 percent of all animals it took in, or 9,105 cats and dogs. No Kill Columbia hopes to reduce the kill rate to ten percent or less.
Melissa Kron, chair of The Spay Neuter Project, said she hopes the need for such a clinic declines over the next few years.
"We would love to see a day where we don't even have enough animals to fix. To where we get to the point where... so many animals are spayed and neutered that we don't have to worry about pet overpopulation," Kron said.
One mid-Missouri rescue shelter has seen this overpopulation firsthand. Megan Burnam, a board member of Second Chance, said the overcrowding of shelters is a constant issue.
"Overcrowding happens this time of year, it happens almost everyday. We get calls from up to five area shelters that we have worked with in the past, asking us to save animals that are going to die simply because they don't have a spot for them," Burnam said.
In addition to saving animals' lives, spaying and neutering also increases the health of both cats and dogs. Not only can it reduce aggression in male cats and dogs, but it can also decrease the risk of uterine and mammary cancer in females.
Kron contended spaying and neutering also benefits taxpayers.
"Stray animals are required to be held for seven days, so if animal control picks up an animal and has to feed, care for it and then put it to sleep, that's a complete waste of taxpayer money that could be spent on other things," Kron said.
In order to adhere to its mission of reducing pet populations, the group hopes to make spaying and neutering accessible for all mid-Missouri pet owners. The clinic said it will charge no more than $60 per dog and $40 per cat. The group also plans to provide a free shuttle service to surrounding mid-Missouri counties.
No Kill Columbia needs to raise roughly $105,000 to pay for start-up costs and renovations of its future facility in Columbia. Kron said PetSmart Charities will donate $85,000 in medical equipment. Once operating at full capacity, the clinic will be able to do between 33 and 35 surgeries per day, or about 8,000 per year.
Over the next few months, No Kill Columbia is hosting several fundraising events in hopes of reaching its goal of opening by the end of the year.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Dear Mayor Gary Brown of Salem, Missouri....
On June 22, 2012, a Golden Lab named Phineas was seized from his home and family in Salem MO following a report that he had bitten an eight year old neighbor who had entered his yard. A photo of the bite indicates that it was hardly a nip and did not even break the skin.
The family of Phineas retained an attorney and brought action against the City of Salem to have Phineas returned to them. From the time of his seizure and for nine months, Phineas was confined in doggie jail. Written testimony from the boarding facility caring for him and submitted to the City states that he was anything but vicious.
On March 22, 2013, Phineas was removed by Animal Control to an undisclosed location following issuance of an order by Judge Scott Bernstein of the Dent County Circuit Court. In that order, he stated:
"The Court finds that Phineas, the Labrador Retriever owned by the Plaintiffs is in fact a vicious dog as defined by Defendant's City Code under Section 5-15 in that Phineas without provocation on June 22nd, 2012 bit (minor child - name withheld.) The dog shall be humanely euthanized."
The family of Phineas retained an attorney and brought action against the City of Salem to have Phineas returned to them. From the time of his seizure and for nine months, Phineas was confined in doggie jail. Written testimony from the boarding facility caring for him and submitted to the City states that he was anything but vicious.
On March 22, 2013, Phineas was removed by Animal Control to an undisclosed location following issuance of an order by Judge Scott Bernstein of the Dent County Circuit Court. In that order, he stated:
"The Court finds that Phineas, the Labrador Retriever owned by the Plaintiffs is in fact a vicious dog as defined by Defendant's City Code under Section 5-15 in that Phineas without provocation on June 22nd, 2012 bit (minor child - name withheld.) The dog shall be humanely euthanized."
When the Judgment was brought to the attention of Missouri animal welfare representatives on April 15, 2013, investigative work began and it became evident to them that Phineas had been wrongly condemned and convicted. Legal assistance was retained to overturn that judgment.
The Save Phineas Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Phineas/193108237503420?ref=tn_tnmn
The Save Phineas Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Phineas/193108237503420?ref=tn_tnmn
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Fabulous Classes For Your Canine
Here is the website that mentions our classes:
My partner is Linda Scroggins CPDT-KA. She & I are offering the classes at K9 Kabana - we contracted with Helping Hounds Training to offer these classes. Erin Wigginton is the owner of HHT. She already had a relationship with K9 Kabana, but was not offering classes for dogs who are fearful. Linda and I had a lot of experience with these type of classes, so we approached her & she was all for it. So -- they are our classes, but we teach them under the Helping Hounds business. We offer 2 classes - Cautious Canine Level 1 & Level 2. Both Linda and I have a special interest in and a lot of experience with shy dogs. We both have our own businesses and work privately with clients, but we formed these group classes to help these special dogs overcome their fears. Both classes are described in more detail below. We are taking registration now for our June classes.
Erin Wigginton (Helping Hounds Training) also offers some really good classes, including classes for dogs who are "spring-loaded" and have difficulty in a regular type of class. She has a lot of experience with Pit Bulls and is the trainer who works with the Mutts N Stuff dogs. She trained the Pit Bull who came to St. Louis from California after having his tongue cut out. His name was Ricoh at the time, but he has been adopted & his new parents changed his name. She, like Linda & myself, uses a clicker and positive reinforcement for training.
My personal business is KD Canine Training, 618-789-4739, kd4critters@yahoo.com. Linda's is All Dogs! Dog Training, 314-716-3659, alldogstraining@gmail.com. Linda is also very good at working with dogs who have separation issues. We both service the St. Louis city, St. Louis County & St. Charles city areas.
Cautious Canine Level 1 – Orientation + 7 weeks of class
This class is specifically designed for the dog that is too shy or fearful to do well in a traditional group class. If your dog startles easily, has trouble meeting new people (or dogs) at or away from home, avoids strangers or has difficulty concentrating on you when in a new environment then this class may be for you.
The Cautious Canine Class has a small student-to-trainer ratio (no more than 3 dogs per trainer) to assure individualized attention. Class will focus on teaching techniques to identify what triggers your dog’s fear and how to develop a plan to reduce your dog’s stress and bolster her confidence. This class will not be able to accommodate dogs with a history of biting or trying to bite people who stay at a reasonable distance. Dogs must be at least 4 months old to participate.
Cautious Canine Level 2 - Orientation + 6 weeks of class
We are very excited to introduce our new Cautious Canine Class LEVEL 2! This class is specifically designed for the dog that would be more successful in a small, carefully controlled class due to fear or shyness but has passed all of the required skills in the Cautious Canine Level 1 class (or a comparable class elsewhere). Cautious Canine LEVEL 2 (CC2) will introduce more basic obedience and some dog sports such as agility and nose work, which promises to be fun for both the dogs and their people. The trainers will continue to assist you in helping your dog feel more comfortable in new situations and around new people and dogs. The CC2 dog should be able to pay attention to and take treats from their owner with other dogs and people at a comfortable distance. Admission to CC2 is by trainer approval.
Please contact Kate Dolnick or Linda Scroggins at cautiouscanine@helpinghoundstraining.com if you are not sure if Cautious Canine is right for you and your dog or if you have additional questions concerning the class.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Proposed Ordinance Would Ban Sale of Dogs, Cats, Rabbits Bred From "Puppy Mills" or Factory Farms.....
Proposed ordinance would ban sale of dogs, cats, rabbits bred from 'puppy mills' or factory farms
City committee to consider ban on Wednesday
Posted: 05/01/2013
Last Updated: 3 days ago
Last Updated: 3 days ago
SAN DIEGO - Local animal rights activists are trying to put some pet stores out of business. They want retail shops purchasing cats, dogs and rabbits from factory farms or 'puppy mills' to be shut down.
Companion Animal Protection Society, or CAPS, is a group aimed to educate pet owners about puppy mills and pet stores who buy from them.
Along Mission Gorge Road in Grantville, the group has even went as far as paying for a billboard that warns people about buying from pet shops linked to puppy mills. The billboard sits right next to San Diego Puppy, a Grantville pet store.
"It's a strategic location," explains Sydney Cicourel, a coordinator for the organization. "We've had six complaints from [San Diego Puppy] alone. Some of the puppies have died."
That is why Cicourel is working with other animal rights groups to push a citywide ordinance that would ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits bred from puppy mills or factory farms.
A city of San Diego committee is poised to consider the ban Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the city's administration building. The public hearing will allow both sides of the debate to weigh in on the issue.
David Salinas, who owns San Diego Puppy, calls the efforts a smear campaign against pet shops like his that he says do not support puppy mills.
"I know the opposition has certain tactics that they try to use to defame me, whether it's character assassination, posting my name and saying that I'm an animal abuser… that's ridiculous," Salinas said. "It's nothing but a competition and that's the way we see it. If you ban pet stores, you take away another source, another place people can buy healthy puppies."
Salinas said his puppies have the proper paperwork that traces the pedigree of the dog, and its history. He insists he purchases from brokers who are American Kennel Club certified and are overseen by the USDA.
"Puppy mills don't keep track of who the moms and dads are," Salinas added. "Everything here is completely traceable and authentic
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
AKC Not Doing A Good Job......Jeff Rossen reports
New accusations that one of the country's largest organizations dedicated to dogs, the American Kennel Club, isn't doing enough to protect animals. TODAY National Investigative Correspondent Jeff Rossen reports.
When you go to buy a puppy, you want it to be happy, healthy and well-treated. A lot of people count on the American Kennel Club to find a breeder. When you see that AKC seal, you think to yourself: "I'm getting a good dog." But we've discovered disgusting conditions and sick dogs at AKC-registered operations.
The Westminster Dog Show is the epitome of canine perfection, and the American Kennel Club is proud to oversee it, calling itself "the dog's champion," registering puppies with official papers and inspecting breeders "to ensure proper care and conditions." Many dog owners count on it, looking for that seal before purchasing a puppy.
But critics say there's an ugly reality you don't see: Some AKC breeders raising diseased dogs, malnourished, living in their own filth. It's so disturbing that now two of the country's largest animal welfare groups, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society, are condemning the AKC.
Know a scam? Been ripped off? To email Rossen Reports, click here.
We asked Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States: "If I'm looking to buy a dog and I see it has been AKC-inspected, AKC-registered, does that mean I'm getting a good dog?"
"Absolutely not. It really is just a piece of paper without any value for dog welfare," Pacelle told us.
Lillian Devera thought she was buying a dog from reputable breeder, impressed by an ad saying they were "AKC-inspected." "I assumed automatically I was getting a very healthy dog that was coming from a quality kennel," she told us.
"What did you end up getting?" we asked.
"A very sick puppy." Sick, she said, with intestinal parasites, an upper respiratory infection and a congenital eye defect. But records show the AKC had just inspected that kennel weeks earlier, and found them "in compliance."
"What do you make of that?" we asked Lillian.
"Well, I would make that their standards must be low."
It turns out it wasn't just her dog suffering. Law enforcement went into the kennel just two months later, and rescued dozens of dogs. The breeders say they did nothing wrong. But according to a civil court judge, many of the dogs were in poor condition "for a substantial period of time." Remember, the AKC had been there and signed off on the place.
"Time and time again, we're going and raiding places and then finding these dogs in miserable conditions," Pacelle said.
He says that while most AKC-registered breeders are probably fine, they're seeing too many bad apples, from Montana to North Carolina. In some cases, those breeders are even convicted of animal cruelty.
So we went straight to the AKC. "If you had to grade your inspection program, what grade would you give yourself?" we asked Lisa Peterson, director of communications.
"I'd give us an A," Peterson told us. "In fact, our inspection program is more than 98 percent in compliance."
Critics say that's just smoke and mirrors: Breeders pay the AKC registration fees for every dog, yet the AKC has no idea what goes on at many of those kennels.
"Nationwide, how many breeders are there that have AKC-registered dogs?" we asked Peterson.
"That's a great question," she said. "We don't know."
"You don't know?"
"I don't know. No, I'm sorry."
"What percentage of breeders that do have AKC-registered dogs end up getting inspected?"
"We do thousands of inspections annually," Peterson said. "We've done 55,000 inspections since the year 2000."
"But what percentage of breeders actually get inspected?"
"The percentage changes because it's a balancing act," Peterson said. "It's--"
"Ballpark," we interrupted.
"I don't have that figure," Peterson said. "I'm sorry."
"How many inspectors do you have?"
"We have nine inspectors," Peterson said.
"That cover the entire country?"
"That's correct."
"Do you think that's an adequate number?" we asked.
"That's the number that we have," Peterson said.
And there's more. Animal rights groups say the AKC is actually protecting bad breeders, fighting laws that would regulate breeders based on the number of dogs they have, and require new standards or inspections.
"You have opposed laws in several states that would crack down on breeders. Why?" we asked AKC's Peterson.
"We oppose breeder limit laws, because it's not the number of dogs that you own, it's the care and conditions in which they're kept," she answered.
Pacelle says that AKC should be working with animal welfare groups to protect dogs. “They should be helping the Humane Society in its efforts to crack down on these awful breeders,” Pacelle said. “But they're protecting them.”
If you're looking to buy a puppy, experts say, you should always visit the breeder and check out the conditions for yourself, even if the don't want you to come -- that's a major warning sign. Better yet, you can buy a rescued dog; there are groups that even specialize in purebreds.
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