Category Archives: news
Puppy Mill Petition Awaits White House Response
ASPCA and HSUS Push ‘Puppy Mill’ Petition
An anti-puppy mill petition submitted to the White House from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (New York), The Humane Society of the United States (Washington) and the Humane Society Legislative Fund (Washington) had gathered more than 32,000 signatures at press time.
The groups submitted the petition in September using a new feature on the White House website called “We the People.” The White House promises a response to any petition that gathers at least 5,000 signatures within 30 days. The petition met the requirement in less than one week, according to the ASPCA. No response was posted on the website at press time.
The White House petition calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act that regulates large-scale commercial dog breeders who sell puppies wholesale to brokers or pet stores, but provides no oversight or standards for those who sell directly to the public through newspaper ads or the Internet.
The USDA recently issued a proposed rule to prohibit the import of puppies younger than 6 months of age for commercial resale in the United States, implementing a law passed by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill (see “Legislation” in the November 2011 PET AGE).
“For too long the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not regulated or inspected commercial breeders selling puppies over the Internet to unsuspecting consumers,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “The Obama Administration has taken the first step to shutting down the foreign imports of underage puppies. Now it’s time to properly oversee all large-scale puppy mills in the United States.” [January 2012 PET AGE]
Shooting Dogs to Help the Budget
Here in New England many shelters are welcoming homeless animals that are from around the united states. From as far away as California and Florida they are transported here and find “forever homes” often before they have even arrived. So WHY might I ask would a community (because their shelters are short on funds) decide that shooting strays would be a solution?
On a positive note they did come to a halt regarding this foolish plan but the fact that they originally took the step to incorporate this into the police officers job irritates me beyond words.
PA is not that far from New England. Why didn’t they consider the many volunteer transfer groups that would provide this service? What are your thoughts?
http://news.yahoo.com/harrisburg-may-rethink-having-cops-kill-stray-dogs-025621798.html
Insurance fraud causing pets harms
My previous blog was a bit on the lite side regarding a funny insurance story. Probably not funny for the owner at the time but a lesson learned for the readers. This story below (click on link)from the UK I find disturbing and sad.
Owners killing their pets to get insurance payouts
Pet insurance fraud has almost quadrupled in the space of a year, with some owners even killing their animals to get payouts.
Another scam involves staging the disappearance of an animal, because some policies pay out if a pet is lost or stolen
Therapy Dogs Ease Stress for Law Students
Therapy dogs serve so many roles, helping people of all ages from elementary aged children to the oldest seniors. Therapy dogs can serve in schools, libraries, nursing homes, hospitals, and hospices. They work at rehabilitation facilities and homes for battered children. Some therapy dogs even spend time in therapists’ and doctors’ offices.
Check out this story about how therapy dog visits to law students help ease stress during exam time.
Here’s what the students say,
“There’s just something so cool,” she said, “about seeing a dog at school.”
—
One of the great things about therapy dogs — and believe me, there are SO many great things, I could write (and have written) a book! — is there are so many venues, you’re bound to find something that suits both your personality and the personality of your therapy dog pooch. Find out more about this amazing work in The Power of Wagging Tails and get started on your amazing therapy dog adventure.
Chihuahua survives house fire hiding in cupboard for 15 hrs
Lily the Chihuahua survives house fire for 15 hours in the kitchen cupboard
When Jackie and Iam Heys of the UK went out for dinner, a fire broke out in their home around 7pm. The roof and most of the house was destroyed, but they managed to save a box of mementoes of their only daughter who had died of a rare cancer when she was eight-years-old.
They were able to save two of their Chihuahuas, but they were sure that Lily had died in the fire.
However Lily had scrambled into a kitchen cupboard and hid for 15 hours under a blanket as the fire raged through the bungalow.
The next morning they asked a fireman to retrieve her body.
Mrs. Heys said,
…he walked towards us with her in his arms and she moved. He’d found her in the kitchen cupboard. She was as black as coal. I held her and cuddled her, then she went up to the fireman and started jumping up at him, almost as if to say thank you.
Out of all this tragedy, she is the miracle. She’s risen from the ashes. We’re going to call her Lily Phoenix now. The story
Play These Games and Help Animals
Play for the cause! Choose from over 20 free, fun, classic games that donate to help animals.
Games That GiveTM
Games That Give for the Animal Rescue Site is moving to Facebook!
More than 20 of the most popular “casual” games, all absolutely free, are now available at The Animal Rescue Site’s Facebook page. The more you play, the more you can help shelter animals – plus, on Facebook, you can invite your friends to play, save your high scores, and more!
How does it work?
Games that GiveTM are a simple, free, and fun way to help animals in need by playing some some of the most popular “casual games” of all time. The games contain sponsor advertising, and a portion of that advertising is donated to help shelter animals.
Everybody wins!
The Animal Rescue Site’s charity partners get funding to help animals in need, sponsors get good advertising, and you get to play fantastic classics like Solitaire, Gems Swap, Snakes Classic, and more!
Spanish Beagles See Sun for First Time
Seventy-two beagles between the ages of 4 and 7 were recently released from a testing laboratory in Spain. Forty of the beagles arrived in Los Angeles last week hoping to be adopted. All of the dogs have been caged their entire lives and none had ever seen sunlight until now. The laboratory where they were rescued specializes in testing household, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products for other corporations. Many testing labs use beagles because their docile natures make them compliant test subjects and their small size helps keep feeding and housing costs down.
The dogs were released to The Beagle Freedom Project, begun by the Animalrescue Media Education (ARME) organization in December 2010. The group specializes in re-homing laboratory animals through rescue and public education. Thirty-two of the beagles rescued in Spain have already been adopted in Europe and the rest are looking for new homes in Los Angeles. Click here if you are interested in fostering or adopting a rescue beagle or donating to ARME.
from cesarsway.com
2nd story this week of dogs helping one another
Blind dog and blind dog’s seeing eye dog find their forever home
“Maddison is Lily’s guide dog. If they are out and about, for the majority of the time Maddison will lead and Lily will walk nearly touching her so she knows where to go. It’s lovely to watch. Maddison is always looking out for her.
London, England – The Daily Mail reports another happy ending for a special needs blind Great Dane and the canine partner who has become her “seeing eye” companion. Lily and Maddison have been adopted by the Williams family and will live the charmed lives they so deserve.
Lily, six-years-old suffers from an eye disease that caused her eyelashes to grow into her eyeballs causing extensive corneal damage leaving her blind. Maddison, seven-years-old bonded with Lily, and together the dogs go everywhere. This past summer their owner gave them up because they were too much work. They have been living at the Dogs Trust in Shrewsbury, and the shelter was having a hard time finding new homes for the dogs.
When the Trust decided to advertise for a home for the dogs, the heartwarming story of the two dogs went viral. The Daily Mail reported 2000 responses to their article from people inquiring about adopting the dogs. The Trust reported hundreds of inquiries.
Beau Buddy Rescue
Welcome Beau Buddy Rescue from Maine to learn more about this rescue and Julie it’s incredible founder go to beaubuddyrescue.com or follow her here on FBhttp://www.facebook.com/BeauBuddyRescue?sk=app_4949752878
