Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Primer 2000-2012 Helps Collect Valuable Data

In 2000 a large group of diversified animal welfare advocates gathered together to listen to expert comments, review reports and discuss the growing Puppy Mill problem in Missouri and the United States, and the lack of action on the part of USDA and Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA).

As an immediate follow-up, historical and current data was compiled and presented in the first Primer (March 2000) Since then, a yearly update was prepared, even though the format of the data from USDA/APHIS and MDA/ACFA changed and required help from a computer technician.

Many sources of information were collected and summarized every year as the commercial breeding industry continued to grow. In 2008 the dog breeding industry openly recognized change coming due to pressure from animal welfare groups and animal lovers. In 2011, no Primer was published for several reasons including a change in computerizing data and attention on Missouri Prop B. 

Generally speaking, the Prop B compromise worked out between animal welfare and MDA in a significant move forward based on the Rules written. More can be done later with improving the Rules if pushed for ( and should be pushed for in Hudson's mind and will be).

Meanwhile, the USDA/APHIS have stepped up their inspections as well as MDA/ACFA. Initially the breeders without a license were targeted and hundreds were put out of business within a year. Information obtained from Dog Auctions reveals an ongoing scenario of commercial breeders getting out of the industry by selling out of their kennels.

The Primer is a fabulous tracker on the dog breeding industry and thanks to the awesome work done by some highly intelligent, persistent and passionate animal welfare individuals an amazing amount of data is collected every year. This data is reviewed carefully and used to monitor and track this industry that has run amuck for years without any self regulations or conscience. The breeding industry realizes their time is numbered and the days of society blindly buying dogs from pet stores, flea markets, parking lots and every other source they can come up with is coming to an end. The average consumer today is walking into rescues and shelters to adopt their next pet rather than to compulsively buy a puppy from a pet store. The realization is hitting consumers that they aren't saving the puppy but rather condemning the breeding dogs to a life of sheer hell. Hudson wants to APPLAUD all the men and women who have worked so tirelessly to open the publics eyes to PUPPY MILLS and the horrid conditions the parent dogs must endure their entire lives.
ACFA Licenses20132012         DiffCommercial Breeder859956-97Animal Shelter53503Blue Ribbon Breeders752Boarding Kennel1951905Commercial Kennel372710Contract Kennel16151Dealer Broker807713Exhibitor46-2Hobby/Show License23221Hobby/Show Registered14012317Intermediate Handler1314-1Listing Service12-1Pet Shop14613016Pet Sitter911-2Pound/Dog Pounds2412410Rescue18617412TOTAL20102043
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Joy Thomas Has Pet Store in Lake Of The Ozarks .....


Ms. Thomas Opened A Pet Store At Lake Of THe Ozarks....here is a few of her inspection reports:

Name: :- Thomas, Joy
DBA: Thomas Kennel
Address: 671 Hwy C
City: Ulman
County: Miller
State: MO
Zip: 65083
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USDA Inspections:

Description:
Date: 7/23/2004
Inspection File: None Available
Notes: SITE # 2

This inspection was conducted by Barb Richardson, assistant and Jennifer Schmitz, ACI.
No non-compliances identified this inspection.
Note: Regulated activities may be conducted at new facility.
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Description:
Date: 6/17/2004
Inspection File: None Available
Notes: SITE # 1

(i) The request for a variance must consist of a written statement describing why APHIS Form 7005/VS Form 18-5 and APHIS Form 7006/VS Form 18-6 are unsuitable for the dealer or exhibitor to make, keep, and maintain the information required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and a description of the computerized recordkeeping system the person would use in lieu of APHIS Form 7005/VS Form 18-5 and APHIS Form 7006/VS Form 18-6 to make, keep, and maintain the information required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section. APHIS will advise the person as to the disposition of his or her request for a variance from the requirement to use APHIS Form 7005/VS Form 18-5 and APHIS Form 7006/VS Form 18-6.
The records available of dogs on hand does not have all the required information on a 7005 form the records need to be brought up to date and have all the required information available for inspection. to be corrected by july 18 2004
(a) Structure; construction. Housing facilities for dogs and cats must be designed and constructed so that they are structurally sound. They must be kept in good repair, and they must protect the animals from injury, contain the animals securely, and restrict other animals from entering.
There is a pen divider between bearded collies and a weimeranier that has a gap between the house and the divider that allowed a collie to enter into the weimeranier this needs to be corrected to contain the dogs this needs to be corrected by june 20 2004
(e) Storage. Supplies of food and bedding must be stored in a manner that protects the supplies from spoilage, contamination, and vermin infestation. The supplies must be stored off the floor and away from the walls, to allow cleaning underneath and around the supplies. Foods requiring refrigeration must be stored accordingly, and all food must be stored in a manner that prevents contamination and deterioration of its nutritive value. All open supplies of food and bedding must be kept in leakproof containers with tightly fitting lids to prevent contamination and spoilage. Only food and bedding that is currently being used may be kept in the animal areas. Substances that are toxic to the dogs or cats but are required for normal husbandry practices must not be stored in food storage and preparation areas, but may be stored in cabinets in the animal areas.
The feed in the storage building is not up on pallets this needs to be put up off the ground and kept away from the wall to protect the feed from vermin and to not allow mice etc a place to hide to be corrected by june 27 2004
-Surfaces.
(1) The following areas in sheltered housing facilities must be impervious to moisture:
(i) Indoor floor areas in contact with the animals;
(ii) Outdoor floor areas in contact with the animals, when the floor areas are not exposed to the direct sun, or are made of a hard material such as wire, wood, metal, or concrete; and (iii) All walls, boxes, houses, dens, and other surfaces in contact with the animals.
There is a wooden replacement in the small kennel building on the front of the cages this needs to be impervious to moisture this needs to be corrected to allow the cleaning and sanitizing of this area affects 2 dogs
(xii) Primary enclosures constructed on or after February 20, 1998 and floors replaced on or after that date, must comply with the requirements in this paragraph (a)(2). On or after January 21, 2000, all primary enclosures must be in compliance with the requirements in this paragraph (a)(2). If the suspended floor of a primary enclosure is constructed of metal strands, the strands must either be greater than \1/8\ of an inch in diameter (9 gauge) or coated with a material such as plastic or fiberglass. The suspended floor of any primary enclosure must be strong enough so that the floor does not sag or bend between the structural supports.
There are 2 weimerianer dogs that have a dog house that they cannot stand up in. This needs to be corrected to allow the dogs the required room to stand in the house to be corrected by july 15 2004
(xii) Primary enclosures constructed on or after February 20, 1998 and floors replaced on or after that date, must comply with the requirements in this paragraph (a)(2). On or after January 21, 2000, all primary enclosures must be in compliance with the requirements in this paragraph (a)(2). If the suspended floor of a primary enclosure is constructed of metal strands, the strands must either be greater than \1/8\ of an inch in diameter (9 gauge) or coated with a material such as plastic or fiberglass. The suspended floor of any primary enclosure must be strong enough so that the floor does not sag or bend between the structural supports.
There are several long pens in the whelping building that the floors need more support to keep the floors from sagging and bouncing this needs to be corrected to keep the dogs on solid flooring to be corrected by july 15 2004
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Description:
Date: 3/17/2004
Inspection File: None Available
Notes: SITE # 1

This inspection conducted by Joy Thomas Owner and Jerry West ACI
Review applicable required written plans. Explain identification requirements explain record keeping. Credit card form attached amount 760.00
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Description:
Date: 10/9/2001
Inspection File: 43-B-0407_OCT-09-2001.pdf
Notes: Each dealer, other than operators of auction sales and brokers to whom animals are consigned, and each exhibitor shall make,
keep, and maintain records or forms which fully and correctly disclose the following information concerning each dog or cat
purchased or otherwise acquired, owned, held, or otherwise in his or her possession or under his or her control, or which is
transported, euthanized, sold, or otherwise disposed of by that dealer or exhibitor

**There are app. 11 dogs that are not listed on the Record of Dogs on Hand. These dogs need to be added so that all dogs are
listed. This item affects app. 11 dogs. TO BE CORRECTED BY: 16 Oct 01

Structure; construction. Housing facilities for dogs and cats must be designed and constructed so that they are structurally
sound. They must be kept in good repair, and they must protect the animals from injury, contain the animals securely, and
restrict other animals from entering.

**There are app. 2 enclosures that have wire that is beginning to break and is starting to protrude into the enclosure, that could
potentially injure the dogs. One enclosrure is the fifth enclosure from the East, housing three min pins and the other is the first
pen from the West, housing two Westies. This item affects app. 5 dogs. TO BE CORRECTED BY: 23 Oct 01

Inventory:
Adults: 251
Puppies: 77
Total: 328

This inspection was conducted by Joy Thomas, owner and Jennifer Schmitz, ACI. Last inspection was conducted on 6-5-00.
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Inventory:

Date: 3/30/1999
Species: Puppy
Count: 36
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Date: 3/30/1999
Species: Adult Dog
Count: 119
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Date: 9/9/1999
Species: Puppy
Count: 80
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Date: 9/9/1999
Species: Adult Dog
Count: 156
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Date: 3/15/2000
Species: Puppy
Count: 86
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Date: 3/15/2000
Species: Adult Dog
Count: 182
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Date: 6/5/2000
Species: Puppy
Count: 93
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Date: 6/5/2000
Species: Adult Dog
Count: 204
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AKC Suspensions:
I have no suspension information for this breeder.
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Miscellaneous:
This breeder has many website she uses to sell puppies, including many puppy finder type sites. Her own two website are www.thomasterriers.com/ and www.thomaskennel.com and www.bichonfrise.us and www.weimarhaus.com and www.minischnauzer.us and www.iloveshihtzu.com-
She uses many email addresses, including joy@thomasterriers.com joy@thomaskennel.com joy@bichonfrise.us joy@weimarhaus.com joy@minischnauzer.us joy@iloveshihtzu.com She also works with another breeder named Kae Sherrell who uses the email aokae@usmo.com-
Joy's phone number is (573) 369-2983 and Kae's number is 573-346-2893.

Joy Thomas is no longer licensed by the USDA--

In 1995 Joy was charged by USDA for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act

Press Releases

Cynthia A. Eck (301) 734-5931
ULMAN, MO., ANIMAL DEALERS FACE USDA ANIMAL WELFARE CHARGES

RIVERDALE, Md., May 11, 1995--The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently charged animal dealers Joy and Lowell Thomas, of Ulman, Mo., with willful violations of the Animal Welfare Act. The USDA complaint was issued Feb. 17.

Dale F. Schwindaman, deputy administrator for regulatory enforcement and animal care in USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said that APHIS inspectors found that the Thomases allegedly violated the regulations and standards of the Act from August 1991 through November 1993.

APHIS inspectors found the Thomases failed to:

--maintain programs of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and adequate veterinary care under the supervision of a veterinarian;

--develop, document and follow an appropriate plan to provide dogs with the opportunity for exercise;

--individually identify dogs;

--provide veterinary care to animals in need of care;

--provide dogs in outdoor housing facilities protection from the elements;

--construct and maintain primary dog enclosures with floors that protect the animals' feet and legs from injury;

--maintain primary dog enclosures that are structurally sound and in good repair;

--remove excreta from primary enclosures to prevent soiling of the dogs and to reduce disease hazards, insects, pests and odors;

--wait until a dog was at least 8 weeks old before delivering it to a purchaser;

--detain a puppy for five days before selling it to a purchaser;

--deliver the proper records to the purchaser of a dog; and

--deliver a health certificate to the purchaser of a dog.

Under the AWA, animal dealers like the Thomases must be licensed with APHIS. APHIS inspectors conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the Act. Any violations that inspectors find can lead to license suspensions and/or civil penalties. The AWA requires that regulated individuals and businesses provide animals with care and treatment according to standards established by APHIS. The standards include requirements for recordkeeping, adequate housing, sanitation, food, water, transportation, exercise for dogs, veterinary care and shelter. The law regulates the care of animals that are sold as pets at the wholesale level, transported in commerce, used for biomedical research and used for exhibition purposes.
In 1997, she settled out of court.
Press Releases

Jim Rogers (301) 734-8563 jrogers@aphis.usda.gov
Robin Porter (301) 734-3265 rporter@aphis.usda.gov
ULMAN, MO., ANIMAL DEALERS SETTLE WITH USDA FOR $8,000

RIVERDALE, Md., Feb. 11, 1997--The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Joy and Lowell Thomas have agreed to a consent decision and order regarding violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

While the Thomases neither admitted nor denied any violations of the AWA, they agreed to a civil penalty of $8,000 with $2,000 suspended, and a two-year disqualification from applying for a license.

"We are in the business of protecting animals," said W. Ron DeHaven, acting deputy administrator for animal care with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area. "If we see animals not receiving the care and attention they deserve, we will act."

The AWA requires that regulated individuals and businesses provide animals with care and treatment according to the standards established by APHIS. Animals protected by the law must be provided with adequate housing, handling, sanitation, food, water, transportation, veterinary care, and shelter.

The law covers animals that are sold as pets at the wholesale level, transported in commerce, used for biomedical research, or used for exhibition purposes.-
During her two year suspension, she continued to deal in animals but immediately after her suspension, she obtained a license and had a very large dog auction. She stated at the time she was getting out of the dog business. Her violations of the Animal Welfare Act began almost immediately after she obtained a new license, and she most certainly did not get out of the dog business. In June of 2000, USDA reports she had over 200 adult breeding dogs and 93 puppies.-
She again had another auction in October 2002 stating that she was getting out of the wholesale business and not going to have a USDA license any longer. She stated that she was only going to act as a pet shop (which is not regulated by USDA). Then in March, 2004 she had yet another auction.
Sellers Statement: Joy and I have worked very hard to find the best quality puppies and young adults either by Keeping back from our own stock, Importing, or carefully choosing from those available from all over in order to offer the best to you. We hope you agree. Kae Sherrell ( her partner ) This is why folks you never buy a dog from a pet store !!!

Monday, April 29, 2013

Puppy Lemon Law


A proposed Puppy Lemon Law has moved out of the Illinois Senate executive committee and is a step closer to consideration. The proposed legislation passed committee yesterday and has been placed on a hearing calendar for a public reading for Tuesday, April 30.
The puppy lemon law will help give consumers more recourse if they purchase sick dogs from pet stores that may have come from puppy mills.
The puppy lemon law will help give consumers more recourse if they purchase sick dogs from pet stores that may have come from puppy mills.
The Puppy Lemon Law would allow consumers to seek a refund, replacement and/or reimbursement of necessary veterinary costs if they purchased an animal with an undisclosed disease or illness while allowing sellers to contest the remedy. The puppy lemon law would also require pet shops to notify customers and the state veterinarian of any significant outbreak of contagious diseases.
The Puppy Lemon Law will help give consumers more recourse if they purchase sick dogs from pet stores that may have come from puppy mills. You can show your support and help move the bill forward by calling your senator and asking for his or her support for the bill. You may also sign up to stay updated on the status of the Animal Welfare - Puppy Lemon Law by registering your email and password under "Follow this Bill" at this link.
Health issues and defects from parent dogs are not disclosed currently.
Health issues and defects from parent dogs are not disclosed currently.
There are currently 17 states that have pet lemon laws. This new law would add Illinois to the list. About 99 percent of the dogs sold in pet stores come from large-scale commercial breeding operations known as puppy mills. Some of the documented problems include overbreeding, inbreeding, minimum veterinary care and the lack of monitoring of other health issues.
“Because of these poor breeding situations, pets sold in pet stores are often sick and have other long-term health issues,” according to The Puppy Mill Project, an advocacy group that educates consumer about puppy mills and their connection to dogs sold in pet stores and online. Consumers often don’t find out about serious problems until after they’re facing large veterinary bills to correct the problem or worse.
Just last year, an outbreak of canine distemper was traced directly to the Chicago-area pet chain Happiness is Pets. The stores continued to sell puppies to the public during the outbreak without warning buyers that their puppies may have been exposed to the disease.
Dakota is the sole puppy that survived the distemper outbreak. Her owner ended up with substantial veterinary bills.
Dakota is the sole puppy that survived the distemper outbreak. Her owner ended up with substantial veterinary bills.
Over a two month period, around 12 confirmed cases of canine distemper were discovered in puppies purchased from the Happiness is Pets chain of stores. All but one of the dogseither died or were euthanized.
While distemper is not contagious to humans, it is highly contagious among dogs. Prior to this outbreak, canine distemper had nearly been eradicated in most parts of Illinois. Happiness is Pets is currently the subject of consumer fraud lawsuit connected to the distemper outbreak.lemon lemon

A Negative Turns Into A Positive......


John Marvin and his wife traveled from Midland to adopt the bulldog on the left from the Elk Country Animal Shelter. The bulldog on the right was already a member of the Marvin family.
John Marvin and his wife traveled from Midland to adopt the bulldog on the left from the Elk Country Animal Shelter. The bulldog on the right was already a member of the Marvin family. (Courtesy photo / April 16, 2013)


ATLANTA — A negative has turned into a positive thanks to the efforts of the Elk Country Animal Shelter.

In late January, the Montmorency County Sheriff’s Department investigated a complaint about abused animals at the home of Jennifer Tucker-Richard.

At the home near Atlanta, police found and removed 37 dogs and six miniature horses, all neglected and abused, most needing medical care. Tucker-Richard, 35, was subsequently charged with two counts of abandonment and cruelty to 10 or more animals and one count of killing and torturing animals.

Tucker-Richard pleaded guilty at a hearing on Feb. 15. All three counts carry the possibility of four-year felonies. She will be sentenced on Monday, April 22.

Atlanta’s Elk Country Animal Shelter, 11484 Youngs Road, has stepped in to coordinate care for the abused animals. The shelter took in the 37 dogs, while the horses were sent to Second Chance Horse Rescue in Boyne City.

“The woman was running a puppy mill, selling dachshunds and bulldogs,” said Rosemary Nuhfer, animal shelter president. “We have a very small shelter with a capacity for 16 dogs and we already had 15. Other shelters helped us by taking in the healthy dogs we had. The Humane Society of Michigan took all of our cats and arranged adoptions for them downstate.”

Shelter staff and volunteers created temporary kennels in a building adjoining the shelter. In the ensuing months, they fed and cared for the dogs, arranged medical care and ensured the dogs were adopted into good homes.

The shelter is holding its annual Italian Dinner and Chair-ity Auction at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Lewiston’s St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4086 Salling Ave. The shelter hopes area animal lovers will support the event and help replenish the resources the shelter used in the care and feeding of the abused animals.

The conditions and medical problems facing the found animals were difficult and required treatment from local veterinarians, said Pauline Hancock, shelter director.

“Most of the animals were found outside, exposed to extreme cold,” Hancock said. “One puppy almost died from hypothermia. The dogs inside were kept in a bathtub or Rubbermaid totes and were living in their own waste. None of the animals had water. Quite a lot of the dogs had skin issues and had to be put on antibiotics.”

Two of the bulldogs had cherry eye, a painful condition that can cause blindness. They had to have surgery. A Siberian husky also needed surgery for multiple bladder stones. The veterinarians examined all of the dogs and treated the ones needing medical care. All of them received vaccinations.

Tucker-Richard lived with her adopted children in the home from which the animals were removed, according to Hancock. A report was filed with Protective Services concerning the children’s living conditions.

The shelter has had absolutely no problem finding good home sfor the rescued dogs.

“We were flooded with over 200 phone calls, applications and e-mails from people who wanted to adopt the dogs,” Hancock said. “All have been adopted except two adult dachshunds and five puppies that were born in our shelter.”

Besides replenishing the resources lost in the recent crisis, shelter members are hoping to raise funds to make changes to their small shelter, including building at least eight more permanent kennels. The temporary kennels set up for the crisis were only appropriate for short-term use.

Tickets for the dinner are $9 per person and may be purchased at the door. The event will include auctions of hand-painted chairs and other items, a bucket raffle, 50-50 drawings and door prizes. Those bringing pet food or treats will be entered in a special drawing.

Anyone wanting to donate to the shelter may send their donation to Elk Country Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 434, Atlanta, MI 49709.
Tips for helping control puppy mills
GAYLORD — To assist the Elk Country Animal Shelter in providing care for 37 dogs rescued from a Montmorency County puppy mill, both the Otsego County Animal Shelter and the Little Traverse Bay Human Society took in abused dogs.

Melissa FitzGerald, director of the Otsego County shelter, which took in eight of the dogs, has suggestions for the people who’d like to help stop puppy mills from thriving. She also has a recommendation for those wanting to stop convicted animal abusers from adopting pets.

According to the Michigan Humane Society, not everyone is aware that some pet shops purchase the dogs they sell from puppy mills. The pet buyer is not only helping keep puppy mills in business, but often find the puppy they’ve purchased has serious health and behavior problems because of the conditions under which it was bred.

“If you go into a pet shop or answer an ad on Craig’s List, you don’t know the conditions the pets came from unless you go out of your way to track down the information,” FitzGerald said. “They could have come from horrible conditions. I think it’s better to get pets from shelters. The animals have been checked out by vets, spayed and neutered and observed by shelter staff. You kind of know what you’re getting into with a shelter pet.”

About a dozen people who purchased a dog from the Montmorency County puppy mill contacted Elk Country Animal Shelter staff to talk about health problems their pets had. They said the owner, Jennifer Tucker-Richard, never permitted them to observe the dogs in her home. She always met with them at a neutral location.

“If you ever go into a home where you want to take all the animals to get them out of a bad situation, call us,” FitzGerald said. “It can be anonymous. We can’t go into every house in the county. We need tips.”

Another thing Elk Country shelter staff discovered was that Tucker-Richard moved a lot. It’s typical behavior of puppy mill owners to move to a new community when problems with authorities occur in their current one.

“There is legislation in Michigan to have a registry for animal abusers just like we have for sexual abusers,” FitzGerald said. “If someone came into the shelter to adopt, we could pull up the registry. It would help us enormously.”



A pair of bills proposing the legislation have been sponsored by state Reps. Paul Muxlow, R-Brown City, and Harvey Santana, D-Detroit. If passed, the law, known as “Logan’s Law,” would require shelters to check for convicted animal abusers before permitting an adoption. It would also permit individuals to check on abusers in their neighborhood and check on people to whom they intend to sell or give a pet.

FitzGerald has one concern about the proposed legislation.

“They want to charge every offender $250 every year to get on the registry and stay on the registry,” FitzGerald said. “I think that’s a deterrent for going on the registry. They should just sign abusers up. They don’t charge sex offenders. I think $250 is steep because a lot of these guys don’t make much income. They just won’t sign up. How are they going to implement it? How are they going to police it?”

Other than that concern, FitzGerald thinks the registry is “a great idea” and encourages everyone to contact their state representative and let them know they support it.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Thanks Chris Hayes For Continuing To Do Stories On Animals In Need.....

The Humane Society of MO Blames Others For Its Record.......


The Humane Society of MO Blames Others For Its Record.
ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – Thousands of animals are euthanized every year, sometimes by the shelters you may least expect.  You may find some of their answers, more surprising.  Investigative reporter Chris Hayes explains how the discussion has begun a mini firestorm about whether some animals deserve saving.
Our investigation is based on numbers compiled every year by Operation Spot, a group that’s trying to compel people to spay and neuter their pets, by revealing how many animals we put down.
In 2011, shelters put down nearly 20,000 dogs and cats, just in the St. Louis area.  According to the numbers, some shelters euthanized more than half of the animals brought in.
Kim Brown runs the no kill 5 Acres Shelter and says people need to know the truth.  She said, “Even if everyone went out today and adopted an animal, we still wouldn`t have homes for all of them.”
The City of St. Louis has cut way down on euthanasia after partnering with Stray Rescue.  Before making changes, City Health Director Pamela Rice Walker said she discovered her animal control people justified the euthanasia, by calling the animals ‘unadoptable.’  Walker said, “I had noticed that a dog would be missing that I had walked earlier that week and I would go to that manager and say what happened to that dog?  It wasn`t aggressive.  And she said, well it turned a year old.  I said what do you mean it turned a year old?  Well we had an unwritten policy that when a pit bull turned a year old it turned unadoptable.”
Walker believes people will adopt a one year old pit bull.  So Walker says she changed the definition of unadoptable as “Really sick or injured or aggressive or a risk to the public and everything else is adoptable.”
St. Louis City went from euthanizing 2400 dogs and cats in 2009, to 219 last year, a drop in the euthanasia rate from 58% to 9%.
St. Louis City says the new practice places more responsibility on dog owners.  Many other shelters say it`s burdening them.
Enter the Humane Society of Missouri.  Department of Agriculture statistics show it took in 16,747 dogs and cats in 2011 and that it put down 7,084 (42%).
No one from the Humane Society of Missouri would talk on camera about the euthanasia numbers. We received a statement but we’re unable to question some of the points made in it.  For example, the Humane Society of MO says it does not euthanize any adoptable animals, which seems to send the message they feel euthanasia is not a problem.
Our requests to interview President Kathy Warnick have been ignored.  She sent a written response, which says her spay neuter programs have “prevented millions of unnecessary euthanasias.”
She said they never euthanize for for time and space – only “seriously ill and aggressive animals.”
Then in bold letters and underlined, the Humane Society of Missouri criticized St. Louis City for ignoring a “legal obligation… to take in unwanted and stray animals (and shifting) the burden of the stray animal problem.”
But the numbers show the Humane Society of Missouri taking in fewer dogs and cats in recent years — 7,345.  That’s fewer last year compared to before St. Louis City’s changes in 2009.
St. Louis County is also dropping and it has a new animal care and control center that euthanized 4,127 dogs and cats last year.  That’s 54.8% of what it brought in.  I asked Health Director Dr. Dolores Gunn, who was very candid.  “(Chris Hayes asked) A lot of people might think when you closed the North County Shelter and moved into your state of the art facility — that your euthanasia rates would drop drastically. (Dr. Gunn responded) and our euthanasia rates have decreased and they`ve decreased significantly, but are they down to zero?  No.  It`s because we are an open shelter.”
She said people need to realize that euthanasia numbers will be higher with open shelters, because they will never turn an animal away.
Dr. Gunn explained, “If we have an animal, a stray animal, that gets hit by a car and a concerned citizen brings it into the shelter at end of life, and wants it humanely euthanized, we will provide that service at no cost.”
The City of St. Louis disputes accusations it’s turning away animals to keep euthanasia numbers low.  You can look at the statistics yourself on our Web site.  You`ll find every shelter in the St. Louis area, including the number of dogs and cats they took in and how many they euthanized.  Again, it was compiled by the group Operation Spot.  The point of it wasn’t to criticize individual shelters, rather to get people talking about spaying and neutering.
E-mail mailto:Chris.Hayes@TvStl.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChrisHayesTV
Join Chris on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChrisHayesTV
Statistical Data:
HSMO Chart
HSMO Chart
Screenshot_5
2011 Dog & Cat Admission And Euthanasia Statistics
The St. Louis County Department of Health released this data.  They say that when there is a decrease in the amount of animals coming into the shelter better solutions can be found for the animals.  More can be returned to owners, transferred and put up for adoption.
In this table the numbers in black represent live animals taken in, the numbers in red represent euthanized animals, and numbers in blue represent animals that were returned to owners, adopted, or transferred to rescue.
The department of health says that the large percentage of cats being euthanized caused our overall percentage of animals euthanized to reach almost 55%.
Screenshot_4
Screenshot_3
Do you want to adopt a pet?  Here are a few organizations that can help.
Metro East Humane Society
8495 State Route 143
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 656-4405
Fax: (618) 659-1613
E-mail: info@mehs.org
Website:  mehs.org
Missouri APA
1705 South Hanley Road
314-645-4610
Website: apamo.org

Chris Hayes Rocks......

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Some Great Pet Cleaning Tips........


Spring is in the air, and for many of us, that means getting a fresh start with some serious housecleaning. Don't forget about your pets when you're spiffing things up for spring! We’ve rounded up our best tips for adding pet care to your cleaning checklist, and we talked with experts about how to keep your spring cleanse pet-safe. And of course, since every pet is different, speak with your veterinarian about any pet-specific or health-related questions.

Deep Cleaning

Start your spring cleanse by taking charge of the dirt.
1. Clean crates and carriers. Spring is the perfect time to get crates and carriers sparkling. Dr. René Carlson, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s immediate past president, recommends cleaning crates and carriers once a week using “warm soapy water (dishwashing detergent) or a mild disinfectant."
But be cautious with the disinfectant. “Most disinfectant solutions contain some ingredient that can either be toxic or leave fumes that are very irritating to animals’ sensitive respiratory membranes. So I usually stick to warm soapy water and dry the crate thoroughly,” she says. “If a disinfectant is needed, it can be used as long as it is rinsed off thoroughly and aired out, so any remaining fumes in that limited area are dissipated.”
If you want to use bleach, Dr. Carlson says to use a mix of no more than “1 ounce [of bleach] to a quart of water.” Rinse and air the crate thoroughly to get rid of any fumes.
Once your pet's carrier is clean, commit to a weekly wipe down. And if you have questions about choosing the right cleaning products or are worried about accidental poisoning, consult your veterinarian.

2. Launder bedding and covers. Bedding should also be cleaned once a week, according to the American Cleaning Institute. “Choose a pet bed with washable, removable cushions to make cleaning easier,” says Brian Sansoni, ACI vice president of communications. “Have multiple covers so that one is available while the other is in the wash.”
Dr. Carlson says pet bedding can go in the washer and dryer with “only a small amount of regular unscented laundry detergent normally used for one’s own laundry.” If you use bleach and there is residual fragrance, air the bedding.
Not sure how long it's been since your pet's bedding had a wash? Consider buying a replacement. Robert Concister, owner of Le Pet Spa in New York City, says that if bedding smells or looks dirty no matter how much you clean it, it’s time to start fresh — and get on a schedule of weekly laundering.
3. Wash dishes and toys. When's the last time you washed the dog's bowl? Dr. Carlson advises cleaning dishes and toys weekly, using regular dishwashing soap and hot water. “If a dishwasher is available, washing once a week in the dishwasher helps more thoroughly clean and disinfect dishes, as long as the rinse cycle works properly,” she says. “Toys can be laundered or washed in the dishwasher, depending on the degree of soiling and if they are considered more in the laundry category or dishwasher-safe material.”
Sansoni agrees that most dishes can go in the dishwasher, with the possible exception of stainless steel, and says bleach can also be used.
“First, clean it with soap and water, then prepare a bleach solution, adding a tablespoon of bleach to a gallon of water. Then pour it into the dish and clean it with the bleach solution,” Sansoni recommends. “You can leave the bleach solution in the dish for about two minutes — make sure it’s out of reach of children and pets! — and then rinse it out and let it air-dry. This should work on any bowl, except aluminum bowls.”

4. Clean your pets’ winter clothes. Before packing away your pets’ clothes for the summer, see how the manufacturer recommends cleaning them. “I would not normally dry-clean any pet clothing products due to known toxic chemicals," Dr. Carlson says, "but if absolutely necessary, be sure to thoroughly air them out afterward, much as we would treat our own clothing."
Most clothes should be washable, either by hand or in a washer. Dr. Carlson uses “only a small amount of laundry detergent, preferably unscented.”
To store clothes during the warmer months, she recommends using a “clean storage container in a dry area (not humid basements, for instance), and no moth balls due to the residual odors. Always store items after being properly cleaned and dried.”

Getting Organized

Once you've conquered the cleaning, take advantage of the order and cross these tasks off your list.
5. Prepare for tick and flea season. If you live in the South, you’re probably thinking about parasite prevention all year long. But if you live in the north, it’s time to start planning for flea and tick season.
Fleas and ticks carry a number of parasites that can harm your pet, according to Dr. Carlson. Plan early and check with your veterinarian about what prevention options are best for your pets.

6. Make sure all pets have identification. The most important way to protect your pet against theft or ensure recovery if your pet gets lost is to make sure he has identification. Whether you’ve moved recently or just never got around to it, this is the perfect time to check this important item off your list. Dr. Carlson says pets should have an ID tag with the owner’s name and phone number as well as a microchip. This is also a good time to check with your microchip company to make sure they have your most current contact information on file.

7. Take your pet for a checkup. Use spring cleaning as a reminder to take your pet to the vet. Spring is a good time to check that you’re doing the best for your pet’s health and that vaccines are all up-to-date. “Wellness should be your number-one spring-cleaning resolution,” Dr. Carlson says.

8. Pamper your pet with a trip to a groomer. “One way to rejuvenate your pet for spring is to get the works done,” says Concister. During the winter months many owners let their pet’s hair grow long because of the cold weather. Concister says that this means a lot of pets are badly in need of a grooming when spring rolls around.

“If you don’t have a longhaired dog, maybe they just haven’t been washed enough, so get them a wash. If your dog has long hair, bring them in for a cut to get ready for the warmer months,” he says. Either way, pamper your pet.
And after all that spring cleaning, it might be time for a trip to the spa for a bit of rejuvenation for you as well!

Cutest video ever ......or at least that I've Seen Today !!!

Eight Dogs Rescued From Nebraska Puppy Mill......


Meet Kylie.  She is one of over 10,000 dogs that Hearts United for Animals has rescued from puppy mills.  The puppy mill that Kylie was rescued from was located right here in Nebraska, not far from Omaha.  She did not have a name.  She was only a number.  She did not ever have a bath or a haircut.  The mats on her face were so bad that by the time she was rescued she could not even see through all of the snarled fur.  She lived her entire life in a cage, her feet never touching grass, receiving no love, never getting to experience the simplest pleasures of being a dog.  Her only purpose was to churn out puppies to be sold to pet stores.  She has scars from c-sections and had horrible ear and mouth infections.
Kylie was rescued the day after Valentine’s Day.  When she arrived she cowered in a corner, afraid to be touched by humans.  After her first bath and grooming she became a new dog.  She danced with delight at how wonderful she felt.  She couldn’t believe the big new world in front of her that she could actually see for the first time in years!  She clung to her rescuers, showing her gratitude and adoring every moment of being loved and comforted.
Her friends the Elkhound puppies who were rescued with her are terribly afraid of humans.  At only 5 months old they don’t expect that people will be nice to them.  Mason pup can barely walk.  He hobbles along in pain as both of his back legs are very deformed.  His brother Lamar is a little better, but along with Mason will need expensive orthopedic surgery in order to lead a normal pain free life.  They will be given that chance because of Hearts United for Animals and our wonderful supporters.
Please remember Kylie and her friends when you see those cute puppies in the pet store.  Buying those cute little puppies keeps puppy mills in business and ensures that the parents of those pet store puppies will continue to suffer for years and years.  You have the power to stop puppy mills.  Please do not support stores that sell puppies.  Use your wallet to send them the message that no matter how cute those puppies are, the lack of care that their parents endure in the mass breeding facilities is not acceptable.
Please visit www.hua.org to learn more about puppy mills and to visit Kylie and her 400 friends at Hearts United for Animals who are available for adoption.  You can also make a donation to help Hearts United for Animals mission to shut down puppy mills and rescue and rehabilitate dogs like Kylie, Mason, Lamar and their friends.

Puppy Mill Information .....

Educate Three People Today About Puppy Mills......



Liked · 14 hours ago 

This dog was rescued yesterday from a Nebraska puppy mill by Hearts United for Animals. At ten years old, he has no teeth and no lower jaw. For the first ten years of his life, he was used as a breeding machine where he was bred over and over again. The goal was to maximize profit.

Today, he is safe with Hearts United for Animals. However, he wants YOU to help get the word out.

Take the Challenge! Educate at least three people who do not know about puppy mills on the subject. Talk to them about pet stores and the puppy mill connection. Educate them on the living conditions of the parents of the puppies who are sold in pet stores, on the internet, and in newspapers.

Education is key to shutting down puppy mills. As long as there is a demand, there will be a supply - so we must spread the word! It's as easy as "sharing" this picture, updating your Facebook status, tweeting on the subject, writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or perhaps just talking to co-workers, friends, or family. Please help get the word out and we'd love to have you report back if you take the challenge!

Some resources:
www.hua.org
www.prisonersofgreed.org

Adopt - Don't Shop!


Monday, April 15, 2013

Puppy Mill Bill In North Carolina......


RALEIGH, N.C -
A bill has now been introduced in the North Carolina house to regulate large scale dog breeders. 
House Bill 930 would put new regulations on breeders to prevent so-called "puppy mills," where dogs are often packed in tight quarters without adequate vet care for the purpose of reproducing.
The bill would mandate breeders with 10 or more dogs make sure those dogs get access to food and water, access to veterinary care and humane euthanasia if necessary. The bill would also require breeders to keep their dogs safe from extreme weather and provide clean bedding.
Violators could face fines ranging from $25 to $1,000 and repeat offenders could face misdemeanors and some jail time.
This is not the first time lawmakers have tried to put some controls on those breeders, but this time advocates are hopeful they get the measure passed.
Animal advocates say it's time for action because so many neighboring states have imposed regulations.
"We have no regulations for people who sell dogs to the general public, so North Carolina has become a haven for people that don't want to follow rules; for unscrupulous breeders who run what we call puppy mills," claims Kim Alboum, State Director of the Humane Society of the United States.
The Humane Society believes there's as many as 300 puppy mills in the state.
For the last four years, advocates have been trying to get laws passed to regulate them, but the bills go down to defeat.
"Special interest groups such as the Farm Bureau and the Pork Council are against having standards in place for companion animals," said Alboum.
In 2012, WNCN investigated why puppy mill bills failed to make it into law.
WNCN asked Senate President Phil Berger why he voted against the puppy mill legislation.
"Does it have some unintended consequence on our pork industry or an unintended consequence on other industries that are very important to the economy of North Carolina?" said Berger.
Now, advocates are trying again to regulate breeders and this time they think they've got the winning formula.
"Our sponsors have been working with all the interested parties and we hope this bill is a compromise for everyone that will not only protect animas but make all parties happy," said Alboum.
Rep. Jason Saine, a Republican from the 97th District said, "The bill is bipartisan in nature and seeks to alleviate some of the fear mongering that has traditionally followed such legislation."

Rescue is a Lifestyle !!!