FOR YOUR INFORMATION

FINALLY UTAH PASSED A FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY LAW!

Identifying Animal Cruelty is the precursor to preventing Human Abuse!

We have good news and bad news about what’s going on in the Utah State Legislature. The bad news is that SB 117, the animal cruelty bill that would actually weaken cruelty laws, has passed the Senate, while the bill supported by the ASPCA, SB 102, failed to make it out of committee and is dead.

Now for the good news—a new bill, HB 470, has been introduced in place of SB 102. HB 470 includes a first offense felony penalty for abusing companion animals and a penalty for abusing an animal in front of a child or in a domestic violence situation.

We want Utah’s House to vote no on SB 117 and to get moving on HB 470, a good bill that will finally give Utah, a state that currently has no felony-level penalty for animal cruelty, first offense felony cruelty provisions.

What You Can Do
Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to send an email to your state representative asking him or her to support HB 470 and oppose SB 117.

(801) 538-1035.

Learn more about these bills and see our helpful talking points at the ASPCA Advocacy Center.

REad for your info, but know that I have had over 1,000 rescued dogs and cats microchipped by my very experienced Vet for over 10 yrs and none of those pets have had any tumors due to the chips. The chips have kept some of them from being put to sleep in shelters when owners did not have tags on them. You can find stories of complications by shots, surgeries, products with pets too.

Posted: March 24, 2010
8:22 pm Eastern

By Chelsea Schilling

WorldNetDaily

Seamus (Copyright Howard Gillis 2010. All rights reserved.)

Do implanted microchips cause cancer in dogs and cats?

That's the question owners are asking after highly aggressive tumors developed around the microchip implants of two dogs, killing one and leaving the other terminally ill.

The owners – and pathology and autopsy reports – suggest a link between the chips and formation of fast-growing cancers.

'I could see it taking his life'

A 5-year-old bullmastiff named Seamus died last month after developing a hemangio-sarcoma – a malignant form of cancer that can kill even humans in three to six months, explains privacy expert, syndicated radio host and best-selling author Dr. Katherine Albrecht.

Albrecht, an outspoken opponent of implantable microchips, has been contacted by pet owners after their animals experienced what they believe to be side effects from the procedure.

According to a pathology report, Seamus' tumor appeared between his shoulder blades last year, and by September a "large mass" had grown with the potential to spread to his lungs, liver and spleen.

Seamus underwent emergency surgery, and doctors extracted a 4-pound, 3-ounce tumor from the dog. They used four drains to remove fluid from the area in which the tumor had developed. The veterinarian informed the dog's owner, Howard Gillis, that there had been two microchips embedded in Seamus – one presumably inserted by the dog's breeder when Seamus was only 9 months old. The chips were both located in and around the tumor.

In just three months, the cancer returned. Seamus, a once energetic dog, struggled to walk.

Seamus "was 150 pounds of heart," Howard Gillis, the dog's owner, said in a recent interview. "He wanted to live."

Read the whole story: Get "Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government plan to Track your every Move"

Gillis explained that he "got the microchip because I didn't want him stolen. I thought I was doing right. There were never any warnings about what a microchip could do, but I saw it first-hand. That cancer was something I could see growing every day, and I could see it taking his life … It just ate him up." To end the suffering, Seamus was put to sleep in February. Microchip embedded inside tumor

Scotty (Copyright Linda Hawkins 2010. All rights reserved.))

Albrecht told the story of another dog, a 5-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Scotty that was diagnosed with cancer in Memphis, Tenn. Scotty developed a tumor between his shoulder blades, in the same location where the microchip had been implanted. The tumor the size of a small balloon – described as malignant lymphoma – was removed. Scotty's microchip was embedded inside the tumor.

Scotty was given only a year to live. His owner, Linda Hawkins, said the veterinarian was skeptical that a chip implant could cause cancer.

In Scotty's December pathology report, the doctor wrote: "I was previously suspicious of a prior unrelated injection site reaction" beneath the tumor. "However, it is possible that this inflammation is associated with other foreign debris, possibly from the microchip."

The doctor said the chip was coated with a translucent material to keep the microchips from moving around the body. "This coating could be the material inciting the inflammatory response," he wrote.

A national pet recovery and identification network, asked a vet to review the pathology report, according to Hawkins. The company reported that the chip was not the cause of the tumor. However, Hawkins said the company sent her a $300 check to pay for medical expenses.

"I find it hard to believe that a company will just give away $300 to somebody who calls in, unless there is something bad going on," Hawkins said.

Hawkins reported spending $4,000 on medical treatment for Scotty since December.

Scotty's scar following surgery to remove tumor (Copyright Linda Hawkins 2010. All rights reserved.)

"Scotty is just a baby," she said. "He won't live the 15 years he's supposed to … I did something I thought a responsible pet owner should – microchip your pet – and to think that it killed him … It just breaks your heart."

Albrecht cited other reports of animals who suffered adverse reactions following implantation of microchips. Two other dogs experienced malignant tumors.

A French bulldog named Léon developed a lump at the microchip site only eight months after implantation. A biopsy indicated that Léon had a fibrosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer.

As WND reported just last year, a Chihuahua named Charlie Brown experienced another outcome from the chipping procedure. He bled to death.

"I wasn't in favor of getting Charlie chipped, but it was the law," said Lori Ginsberg, the Chihuahua's owner, citing an ordinance that requires all dogs over the age of four months in unincorporated Los Angeles County be microchipped. Dog owners who refuse to comply face a $250 fine for the first offense and up to six months in jail and $1,000 fine for continued non-compliance.

"This technology is supposedly so great until it's your animal that dies," she said. "I can't believe Charlie is gone."

(Story continues below)

Malignant tumors in lab mice, rats

Likewise, in 2007, the Associated Press reported, "A series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, stated that chip implants had 'induced' malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats." They developed subcutaneous "sarcomas" – most of them encasing the implants.

Keith Johnson, a retired toxicologic pathologist, led a 1996 study at the Dow Chemical Co. in Midland, Mich.

"The transponders were the cause of the tumors," he told the AP.

Dr. Katherine Albrecht

Albrecht has authored a 52-page peer-reviewed article, titled "Microchip-Induced Tumors in Laboratory Rodents and Dogs: A Review of the Literature," in which she discusses literature published in oncology and toxicology journals between 1990 and 2006 that address the effects of implanted radio-frequency microchips on laboratory rodents and dogs.

Albrecht has been invited to present her findings at a June conference for the Institute for Electronic and Electrical Engineers, the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology.

She said it is important that the public be made aware of the potential hazards of microchipping because some governments are seeking to make dog chipping mandatory. For example, the British government recently announced its proposal to impose penalties on pet owners who do not comply with chipping requirements. Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Italy and Portugal and even some places in the United States require mandatory microchipping. Likewise, USA Today reported Colorado requires implanting microchips in dogs that injure someone. Minnesota enacted a similar law in 2001, and in Virginia, dangerous dogs are required to have either a microchip or an identifying tattoo on the inner thigh.

Asked how prevalent the problem of pets developing cancerous growths following chip implantation really is, Albrecht told WND, "That's what we don't know, and that's why we are hoping the veterinary community will at least start to acknowledge these problems and start to report on these cases as they turn up. It seems there's a widespread lack of awareness in the veterinary community about this problem."

FDA: No studies linking chip implantation to cancer

In 2004, after investigating microchipping, the Food and Drug Administration found the process to be safe enough for use in humans and animals. In 2007, the New York Times reported federal regulators said animal data had been considered in the review of chip implantation in humans and that there were no controlled scientific studies linking chip implantation to cancer in dogs and cats. Lab rodents were said to be more prone than other animals to develop tumors from all types of injections.

"If there are any cancers from the chips, they are so rare that losing pets is far more serious," Dr. Lawrence D. McGill, a veterinary pathologist at Animal Reference Pathology, a veterinary laboratory in Salt Lake City, told the Times.

Likewise, the American Veterinary Medical Association website states, "Tumors associated with microchips in two dogs were reported, but in at least one of these dogs the tumor could not be directly linked to the microchip itself (and may have been caused by something else). … the risk that your animal will develop cancer due to its microchip is very, very low, and is far outweighed by the improved likelihood that you will get your animal back if it becomes lost."

However, Albrecht noted that side effects resulting from FDA-approved devices for human use are required to be reported, while those resulting from use of animal devices are not.

"If it's for animal use, there's no requirement," she said. "We suspect this is happening quite frequently, and it's simply not being reported."

Microchip inserted into pet (photo: Atascadero Pet Hospital and Emergency Center)

'Pet owners should be clearly advised'

Neither Albrecht nor the American Veterinary Medical Association recommend having microchips removed from pets that exhibit no reactions after the chips have been implanted because doing so would require invasive surgery. However, in her research paper, Albrecht recommends that policymakers "reverse all policies that mandate the microchipping of animals under their jurisdiction or control," including reversal of state and local ordinances and chipping policies at animal shelters.

She advocates a voluntary system of microchipping at the discretion of pet owners and asks that veterinarians familiarize themselves with research findings regarding adverse reactions before recommending implants for animals.

Albrecht also states, "Pet owners should be clearly advised of the research linking the microchip to cancer in rodents and dogs when seeking advice about the chipping procedure or choosing to have it done to their pets."

According to the paper, pet owners should routinely inspect the microchip site on their animals for unusual lumps or swelling and immediately report abnormalities.

Albrecht argues that it is far more efficient to fit dogs and cats with tags that contain owner contact information rather than chipping an animal and expecting the person who finds him to take him to a clinic or shelter to read the microchip. "Then, if your neighbor finds your dog, rather than having to turn your dog in to the animal shelter where it might be put to sleep, your neighbor can call you and tell you they have him," she said. As for pet owners who have not sought the procedure for their animals and are unsure of whether they should, Albrecht noted, "If a pet's not currently microchipped, it may be best to keep them that way." Editor's note: Dr. Albrecht encourages pet owners who have similar experiences with implantable microchips to contact her and share their stories.

We have been rescuing Senior Dogs from LA for 2 yrs and need your help getting Delta Airlines to donate Skymiles so more can be rescued from #1 Kill Shelters with most strays in US: LA, CA

With 100,000 animals euthanized in the Los Angles metropolitan-area, LA is NUMBER ONE when it comes to killing.
Rescuers work double-overtime, shelters are on 'survival mode', with poor conditions, overcrowding, and never-ending supplies of strays, and owner turn ins. There's no catching up, it's so bad.

Our shelters killed over 100K animals in 2005.
70% of the cats that enter the shelter system die.
50% of the dogs that enter the shelter system die.

I know I'm "preaching to the choir" but I thought I'd pass this video along, to add a little "hope" to your day, for what can seem to be a very hopeless situation.

I've never been a huge fan of PetSmart but they seem to be on to something here...
Not that it's rocket science, but at-least they are stepping up to the plate, creating a charity hospital in LA, that focuses on one of the biggest sources of the problem, SPAY AND NEUTER, or lack thereof.

At-least there's hope... or at-least a plan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSNb4Vy0S84&sdig=1

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value=" http://www.youtube.com/v/LSNb4Vy0S84&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src=" http://www.youtube.com/v/LSNb4Vy0S84&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

- No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

- Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in costume unless you know he or she loves it (yup, some pets are real hams!). For companion animals who prefer wearing their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.

- If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not restrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe or bark. Keep a lookout for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on.

- Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are consumed.

For our complete list of Halloween safety tips, visit ASPCA.org. And please remember, if you suspect that your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance—around Halloween or any time of year—please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Hazards of Winter

January 17, 2008

A snow-cleared path can be paved with problems for your pet.

Salt-based snow and ice melters may be effective, but they can also be dangerous to your four-legged friend. Playing in treated snow can allow salt crystals to lodge between the pads of your dog's paws, causing skin irritation. If the snow is eaten, your pet may experience gastrointestinal upsets that lead to diarrhea or vomiting.

To keep your walkways clear and your dog safe during daily romps in the snow, use a nontoxic, salt-free melting product.

Following news of his guilty plea, I contacted Michael Vick suggesting that he hear—for the first time in his life, he confirmed—about animal protection issues, learn how animals feel joy and pain and deserve respect, and receive specific instruction on what to say to young people whom he has influenced in the worst possible ways.

In mid-September, Michael Vick visited PETA's headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, to meet with me privately. I told him that PETA advocates an end to all exploitation and needless violence based on prejudice, including the prejudice against other species, and that we believe that he should equip himself with information and materials in order to be able to live up to his responsibility to counsel children not to engage in cruelty to animals. He expressed his willingness to learn and his belief that everything in life happens for a reason, and he offered an apology to PETA and to "everyone" for "what I have done to dogs." I also explained that even if he took our basic empathy course, our position that he should serve jail time and have a lifetime ban on contact with animals would nevertheless remain unchanged, and he accepted that.

Two weeks ago, Michael Vick returned to PETA to take the "Developing Empathy for Animals" course, an all-day seminar on "who animals are," alternatives to cruelty, animal protection philosophy, and humane education, which PETA has now excerpted online. We believe that this course should be adopted by the NFL for all players to take in order to give them a chance to learn empathy, compassion, and nonviolence. Two days after the seminar, Vick came back to PETA's office to take the course exam.

PETA's course teaches the Golden Rule—treat others as you wish to be treated. Only time will tell whether Michael Vick has benefited from what he has learned, but he has pledged to use this knowledge to urge kids not to follow in his footsteps and to be kind to animals. Meanwhile, we are urging the NFL to take the important step of requiring that every player do what Michael Vick has done and take the course in order to help prevent future acts of violence against animals and to equip players with information about respecting animals that they can share with their young fans.

Although the Vick story served as the first glimpse for many people into the gory details of dogfighting, the abuses detailed in Vick's indictment are as widespread as they are horrific. In the last year alone, PETA has responded to more than 14,000 calls and e-mail messages regarding other dogfighting and individual cruelty-to-animals cases. The crucial step now is to urge policymakers and law enforcement officers to treat all cases of dogfighting and cruelty to animals the same way that they handled Vick's high-profile case. To that end, please join PETA and ask the NFL to require that all its players, some of whom have been involved in a series of cruelty-to-animals cases, attend PETA's "Developing Empathy for Animals" course.

Thank you for helping us do all that we can to make the world a better place for animals.

AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Choosing the right dog for your lifestyle is the first and most important step to becoming a responsible dog owner. Once you have your new pet, it’s crucial to recognize that there is a lot of work that goes into dog ownership – a happy, healthy and well-trained canine is not created overnight!

That’s why we host AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day each September – to keep the focus on Fido! The month-long celebration involves hundreds of organizations uniting across the country to hold free events with fun and engaging activities both new and experienced dog owners can enjoy. To find out where and when AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day is being celebrated in your community, visit our online database of events listed by state.

Read more. We got a box of pamphlets and posters from AKC we can give you. We will also give our shelters some of it.

08/01/07

During the "dog days" of summer, heatstroke can come on quickly and result in brain damage or death.

Watch to make sure that a dog's pads don't burn on the hot pavement! Surface temperatures of sidewalks and surfaces like black asphalt far exceed the ambient temperature. For dogs, walking on such surfaces on a hot day can be like dancing on hot coal!

Never leave a dog in a parked car. Even if you are running a quick errand, someone or something can distract or delay you. On a mild 73ºF day, the temperature inside a car can reach 120ºF in 30 minutes. On a 90ºF day, the interior of a vehicle can reach 160ºF in several minutes.

If you see a dog who is panting excessively, drooling, or teetering inside a car, take down the car's color, model, make, and license plate number; have the owner paged inside the store or call local humane authorities or police. If the situation is an emergency, do whatever you can to get the dog out of the car—his or her life may depend on it.

Trim heavy-coated dogs' fur, but leave an inch for protection against insects and sunburn.

Watch for symptoms such as restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, or lack of coordination. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, get him or her into the shade immediately and call your veterinarian. Lower the animal's body temperature gradually by providing water to drink; applying a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck, and chest; or immersing the dog in lukewarm (not cold) water.

If you decide to get a cat this summer, never buy from a pet store or breeder; adopt from an animal shelter instead.

If this is the first time you will be sharing your home with a cat, read about the basics of feeding and care.

Summer poses extra dangers for cats from heat and humidity. The only foolproof protection for them is true year-round: Cats should never be allowed outside unaccompanied. Even indoor conditions can be taxing for cats, so be sure to offer plenty of fresh water and a cool spot in a shady room for relief from the heat.

Learn how to keep up with cats' shedding.

Another companion animal emergency—no matter what the season—is overpopulation, which leads to animals' deaths. If you haven't already done so, please read why you should sterilize your companion animal without delay, and find out how your dog or cat could be hurt if you don't.

March 27, 2007

To Our Loyal Pet Parents,

As you may already know, Wellness brand pet food was NOT involved in the recent Menu Foods "cuts and gravy" product recall.

Consistent with our mission of providing uncompromising nutrition for dogs and cats, Wellness is committed to healthy, high-quality and natural pet food ingredients and recipes. Our products, for example, do not contain wheat, corn or soy or any artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.

Our pets are part of our families. While Wellness brand pet food was not affected, we express our sympathies to the animals, and their pet parents, who have suffered as a result of this unfortunate event.

As always, if you have any questions, we are happy to help and would love to hear from you. You can reach us at 1-800-225-0904.

CEO of Wellness Pet Foods.

I just received a call back from a representative of the FDA, in response to a message I left had with them this past Friday afternoon. I spoke with a very nice woman there, who informed me that if we have any complaints of our animals becoming ill, or dying from ANY kind of dog or cat foods, that we need to log on to: http://www.fda.gov/default.htm ,

and then click on Consumer Complaints Coordinator: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html ,

and then find your State.

Then find the correlating phone number for your State, and call to report your pets illness or death to that number for your own State. She told me that this really is the only way that the FDA will really know exactly how many animals are being affected by the tainted foods, and if other foods (like some dry foods) might also actually be affected.

She also told me, that if you suspect you are having a problem with any of the dry cat or dog foods making your animals ill, that this is the only way an investigation will be opened on those particular foods.

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

Recalled Cat Product Information

Recall Information 1-866-895-2708

Variety or Multi-Packs:

If you are in possession of a variety or multi-pack, please be sure to check the individual can or pouch rather than relying solely on the date coding on the side of the carton. (Wet Foods)

Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Best Choice
Companion
Compliments
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Fine Feline Cat
Food Lion
Foodtown
Giant Companion
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Li'l Red
Loving Meals
Meijer's Main Choice
Nutriplan
Nutro Max Gourmet Classics
Nutro Natural Choice
Paws
Pet Pride
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority US
Save-A-Lot Special Blend
Schnucks
Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans
Sophistacat
Special Kitty Canada
Special Kitty US
Springfield Prize
Sprout
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Wegmans
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Dog Recal Products

Some Safe Foods that don't use Gluten Wheat:

Addiction Foods: Solely manufactured in Australia and New Zealand

Blue Buffalo: Not made by Menu Foods. Canned foods made by American Nutrition in Utah. Dry foods made at CJ Foods in Kansas.

Breeder's Choice: Wet products made by Menu Foods, but not involved in the recall.

Canidae: No products made by Menu Foods.

Canine Caviar: Not made by Menu Foods. Canned food made by American Nutrition in Utah.

Castor & Pollux: Organix and Natural Ultramix made by Menu Foods but not involved in the recall.

Drs. Foster & Smith: Canned foods made by Menu Foods but not involved in the recall. Refused to say where dry is made.

Eagle Pack: Some products made by Menu Foods but not involved in the recall.

Evangers: No foods made by Menu Foods. They have their own cannery.

Fromm Four Star: Not made at Menu Foods.

Go! Natural (Petcurean) Canned made at Menu Foods, Canada.

Dry made at various Candadian mills

Halo, Purely For Pets (Spot's Stew) Not made at Menu Foods. Foods are made at a USDA kitchen where human foods are made. Nothing less than USDA grade foods can even be brought into the kitchen.

Merrick: No products made by Menu Foods. All Merrick foods, dry, canned and treats are made by their own facility.

Natura (Healthwise, California Naturals, Innova): Has their own plant for dry foods. Canned food is made at the South Dakota Menu Foods plant, which is not one of the plants involved in the recall. They also say they provide all the ingredients themselves.

Natural Balance: Not made by Menu Foods. Dry food is made at their own plant then shipped to the Diamond plant where it is bagged. They have their own people on site all of the time. Canned food is made at their own plant, then shipped to American Nutrition in Utah where it is canned. Natural Balance has their own line at American Nutrtion and no other canned foods are run through NB's equipment.

Nature's Variety: Canned food made by Menu Foods but not involved in the recall.

Newman's Own Organics: Didn't specify which, but said "We contract with an organic- certified manufacturer to make our foods, although we develop the formulations and source the ingredients". Petfoodexpress.com says it's made by Menu Foods but not included in the recall.

Nutro: Dry foods are made at their own plants in California and Tennessee. Wet foods are made at Menu Foods and wet foods have been recalled.

Pet Promise: Not made by Menu Foods. Canned foods are made at their own plant in Wisconsin. Dry Foods are made at their own plant in Denver.

Precise: Refuses to say whether or not their foods are made by Menu Foods, but they are not involved in the recall.

Solid Gold: No products made by Menu Foods. Dry food made by Diamond.

Timberwolf Organics: When contacted, they refused to say whether or not their food is made by Menu Foods. Said they can't give out that information.

Wellness/Old Mother Hubbard: Some products made by Menu Foods but not involved in the recall.

Wysong: Most foods are made at their own facility. Their Au Jus line, the Chicken Stew and Gravy, and Beef Stew and Gravy foods are made at Menu Foods but not involved in the recall.

Also, Trader Joe's is not involved in the recall, but is voluntarily removing all canned foods made by Menu Foods, only as a precaution.

Nutra Nuggets Dry LAmb and Rice at Costco, no articial colors, preservatives or chemichals, and no gluten Wheat. No corn either. Dogs are highly allergic to corn and wheat. I spoke to their Vet.

PETA Calls for Emergency Expansion of Recall to Include Dry-Food Products

Now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reporting that consumers suspect that dry pet food may have sickened or killed their companion animals, PETA is calling on the agency to immediately expand the pet-food recall.
Click here to read the latest updates from PETA.

March 30, 2007, 12 noon: FDA Confirms Tainted Wheat Gluten Shipped to Dry-Food Manufacturer
In a news conference today, federal officials confirmed that at least one shipment of the same poisoned wheat gluten that has been responsible for dog and cat deaths across the country was shipped to a dry-food manufacturer. Despite this knowledge, the FDA and pet-food manufacturers have failed to issue a precautionary recall of dry pet food and won’t disclose which dry-food manufacturer received the tainted shipment. PETA is urging all companion-animal guardians who suspect that their animals may have been sickened by tainted food to immediately report this to the FDA. Click here for more information on what you should do if you suspect that your animal companion is ill.

Please also be sure to tell Iams and Menu Foods that you won’t buy while animals die.

Iams: A Recipe for Cruelty
A nine-month investigation into the pet food giant reveals dogs and cats fed a steady diet of loneliness, suffering, and neglect in their laboratory cages.

Iams Undercover Investigation UPDATE!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released an official complaint stating that the contract laboratory investigated by PETA in 2002 and 2003, which was employed by pet-food manufacturer Iams, “has shown a lack of good faith.” The government complaint alleges that the following violations, among others, were documented by government inspectors at the contract laboratory from 2002 to 2005:

Failure to provide pain relief to sheep used in experiments that caused pain or distress
Failure to ensure that personnel were trained to perform experiments on animals
Failure to provide veterinary care and to observe animals daily
Failure to properly ventilate housing facilities for dogs and cats
Failure to house cats with a sufficient number of litterboxes and resting surfaces
Failure to keep animal-housing facilities clean and in good repair, resulting in injuries
Failure to maintain comfortable temperatures in animal-housing facilities
Failure to provide animals with sufficient space

Click here to learn how you can help convince Iams to stop funding animal experiments.

Iams and P&G Cause Animals to Suffer Needlessly

For nearly 10 months in 2002 and early 2003, a PETA investigator went undercover at an Iams contract testing laboratory, where a dark, sordid secret was discovered beneath the dog- and cat-food manufacturer’s wholesome image. Our investigator found dogs who had gone crazy from intense confinement in barren steel cages and cement cells, dogs who had been left on a filthy paint-chipped floor after chunks of muscle had been hacked from their thighs, dogs who had been surgically debarked, and horribly sick dogs and cats who were languishing in their cages, neglected and left to suffer without veterinary care.
Read more »

U.S. Government Testing Programs

Tax dollars pay for countless animals experiments funded by the government

If you're like most people, you were probably horrified to see news footage of dogs locked in metal chambers, convulsing and dying, as al-Qaeda terrorists pumped toxic gases into the chambers. You'd probably be even more horrified to know that your tax dollars fund the same experiments by the federal government right here in the U.S.--and not just at the Defense Department.

As unbelievable as it may seem, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires by law that pesticides be tested on dogs, who are shoved into "inhalation chambers" where they try in vain to escape the deadly poisons that are pumped in. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires companies marketing fluoride products to swab the teeth of 200 rats with the test substance for two weeks, at which time the animals are killed and their heads baked in an oven for an hour. While both the EPA and the FDA require massive amounts of animal testing for the marketing of industrial chemicals, vaccines, and drugs, other U.S. agencies that require and/or conduct animal testing include the Department of Agriculture, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Department of Transportation.

A lethal poisoning test invented around the time of World War I--in which animals are force-fed increasing doses of a chemical until they die--is still the single most common animal test in use today. Government regulations still require chemical manufacturers to squirt burning chemicals into rabbits' eyes and onto their shaved skin. Some government-mandated tests kill more than 2,000 animals every time they are conducted. And not a single one of these animal tests has ever been formally proved to be relevant to or able to accurately predict human health effects.

This site will give you the facts and the information that you need to help the millions of animals suffering in chemical toxicity tests required by the U.S. government.

Iams' Own Exec Criticizes Company's Cruel Caging Policy

“The lesson learned here is that kennel studies are not an appropriate way to test feeding guidelines because most kennels represent a high-stress ... environment.”
—Diane Hirakawa, senior vice president of Iams Research and Development, Petfood Industry Electronic Newsletter

Support Companies That Don't Test on Animals

Caring consumers might never guess that lonely animals are confined to tiny barren cages in laboratories for years on end to test dog and cat food. PETA has contacted hundreds of companion-animal food companies to find out whether they conduct laboratory tests on animals. Numerous companies responded to let us know that they do not.
Learn more »

Talk to Your Local Shelter About Iams

If you volunteer at, donate to, or live near an animal shelter, please urge the shelter to stop buying and/or promoting Iams products until the company ends its cruel laboratory tests on animals. Click here for Iams literature to give to the shelter.

Animal shelters across North America are joining the Iams boycott. Let us know if your local shelter is one of them.

Wow this is so great, I walked around Laguna Beach with the little girls I tutored to get people to write and donate to this effort 10 yrs ago. Thank you so much for such great news. Sincerely, Denise De Vynck Save A Dog & Kids fdevynck@comcast.net http://www.saveadogandkids.org

I'm thrilled to report a big leap forward in our ambitious campaign to save the world's last unspoiled gray whale nursery at San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico.

The Mexican government has just announced that 109,000 acres of federal lands surrounding this spectacular whale habitat will be donated for conservation. This fantastic decision may well be the nail in the coffin of a decade-old Mitsubishi plan to build the world's largest industrial saltworks on the shores of the whale sanctuary. Mitsubishi withdrew the saltworks scheme in 2000, in the face of worldwide opposition spearheaded by NRDC. But its Mexican partner (ESSA) has always left open the frightening possibility of reviving the scheme. Any such revival has now been thwarted by Mexico's decision to protect the acreage that was critical to the saltworks plan.But there's even more good news.The government made its dramatic announcement in the midst of a full-day telethon on TV Azteca, one of Mexico's biggest TV networks. The telethon conveyed our cause to 30 million viewers and raised $350,000 -- money that will help our conservation alliance buy up even more development rights around the whale's lagoon. That's important, because our fight to save the whale's nursery is far from over.San Ignacio Lagoon is still vulnerable to plans for oil and gas drilling . . . to proposed massive high-rise hotels . . . and to schemes for resort marinas and ocean-bound ships.That's why it's absolutely critical that we press ahead with our visionary plan to permanently protect all ONE MILLION ACRES of land that surround the lagoon.Thanks to the generosity of Members like you, our alliance has already acquired the development rights for 140,000 acres of communal and private lands -- and put them off-limits to industry and developers forever.When you add in the government's 109,000 acres, we've now secured permanent protection for 249,000 acres around one of the greatest whale breeding grounds on earth. Two years ago, such protection was just a beautiful dream. It is fast becoming reality.What does it mean for the whales?When hundreds of pregnant gray whales arrived at the lagoon this winter -- after swimming 4,000 miles from the frigid Arctic -- they did not find a lagoon transformed by Mitsubishi into a wasteland of round-the-clock industrial activity, toxic pollution and ocean-going tanker traffic.Instead, they found what generations of whales before them have always found: the one place on earth where their newborns can enter the world as mother nature intended: wild and free.With your help, we intend to keep it that way.Sincerely,

Frances Beinecke President Natural Resources Defense Council P.S. You can learn more about the gray whale nursery and make a special donation that will help protect it forever by going to:http://www.savebiogems.org/baja/

It’s You, Wild!

“I made my wildlife morph… you can, too!” Roger S.

Click here to see what YOU look like as a wolf!

Wildlife supporters like you have done so much to help protect our wildlife. Now here’s a fun way to learn more about wolves, tigers, sea otters and other imperiled wildlife:

Visit YouWild.org and transform yourself -- or a friend, family member, or pet -- into a wolf pup, panda, sea otter, or one of our other adorable, majestic, or scary-looking critters!

Just create your personal animal morph page, and then share it with friends, family, co-workers and others to help us raise awareness about the plight of our imperiled wildlife.

YouWild.org is simple to use -- you start by choosing one of twenty one different imperiled animals. Then, upload a photo of your own or choose a sample photo from our gallery of people and animals.

Finally, watch as the face you chose gradually transforms into your chosen animal. And if you like the results, you can save your morph and send it to your friends and family (and even post it on your website, blog or MySpace page)!

Try it out for yourself -- create your own morph right now with YouWild.org!

These morphs are a lot of fun, but we’ve also created YouWild.org for a serious reason to raise awareness about the plight of dolphins, polar bears, panthers, wolves, and other imperiled wildlife. Each personal morph includes a fun fact about your chosen critter and an easy online action to help save them.

So please be sure to share your morph with friends and family -- It’s fun, and you’ll be helping to protect these special animals!

Dear PCRM supporter,

We need your help today! The House of Representatives is set to vote on H.R. 4239 (the Senate has already passed S. 3880), the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, later today. We need help urging Congress and the Judiciary Committee to oppose this bill. Learn more about the AETA.

Here’s how you can help:

Call Rep. Robert Scott (VA), a top-ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, at 202-225-8351 to urge him to help get this controversial bill taken off the suspension calendar.
Contact the following top-ranking Democrats in your district for help opposing this bill:
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (CA): 202-225-0100
- Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD): 202-225-4131
- Rep. John Conyers (MI): 202-225-5126
If you haven't already done so, call your representative and send a follow-up e-mail.
Forward this e-mail to your family and friends.

Please note the following talking points:

It is my understanding that H.R. 4239, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, will be voted on later today by the House under suspension of the rules.
I am strongly opposed to this bill, which would significantly compromise legitimate free speech activities.
I urge you (your representative) to take immediate action to have this controversial bill taken off the suspension calendar.

Thank you for your support. Feel free to e-mail me at kash@pcrm.org if you have any questions.

Best regards,

Kyle Ash

Kyle Ash
Legislative Coordinator
kash@pcrm.org




Kyle Ash Legislative Coordinator kash@pcrm.org


Click here for the text of H.R. 4239 Subscribe to future PCRM e-mail communications

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17352099/?GT1=9033

Man says dog saved him from black bear

Dude the hound sacrifices life by intervening when animal rushes owner

Updated: 7:26 p.m. ET Feb 26, 2007

CATARACT, Wis. - Jason Schindler says he wouldn't be alive if it were not for his dog, Dude. The 27-year-old rural Cataract man said the 8-year-old mixed-breed hound jumped between him and an attacking black bear Thursday night, saving his life but giving up his own. The animal sustained at least 28 puncture wounds to his chest and neck, he said.

"I'd hate for someone else's dog to go through what mine did," he said.

Schindler and his wife, Kimberly, buried the dog with a blanket and pillow the next day, using a rented jackhammer to dig the grave in the frozen soil.

He said he heard the dog yelping loudly Thursday after dark and went out to see what was happening.

Suddenly, "all I saw was this dark thing lunging at me," Schindler said.

But his dog jumped between the two and was quickly snatched up in the bear's jaw, he said.

"If not for the dog, I wouldn't be standing here," Schindler said.

The bear, estimated at between 400 and 500 pounds, dragged the dog to his nearby den under a thicket of downed trees.

Schindler said he returned to his house, grabbed a .30-30 rifle, returned to the scene and fired, possibly hitting his target before the bear fled into the woods. He rescued his dog, gushing blood but breathing, and rushed him to the Sparta Veterinary Clinic.

‘Miracle dog’
He said Dude was the last of a litter of puppies available at the Monroe County Animal Shelter when Schindler adopted him.

Another week in the shelter and he would have been euthanized, Schindler said.

"I saw him lying there alone in his cage and I felt so bad for him," he said. "In a way he was a miracle dog."

ATTENTION UTAH COUNTY: Tell your Animal Shelter Board Thank YOu for Hiring Mike Morgan!!

Watch Oct/Nov. 2006 for the TV Documentary "Fifteen Legs" named after Bailey and another rescued dog: "Denise,

"Bailey appears at the end of Fifteen Legs (the production) and the companion book is dedicated to Bailey and the little Aussie-mix who takes the fifteen leg journey home. The book has been edited, is with a designer now, and will soon go to print. Our plan is to release the production and the book around the same time in late Oct./November. Will let you know...

We still receive your emails. You do a tremendous job promoting the needs of animals. It is truly remarkable how much ground you cover!

LInk to the pics of the Fifteen Drivers for Bailey from OH to CO

Emergency Pet Preparedness President Bush signs Pet Emergency Evacuation Act

Click here for instructions

YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO PEACEFUL PROTEST ARE AT STAKE. PLEASE
CROSS POST NOW!!!

The American Enterprise Terrorism Act is a bill that is quickly and
quietly being passed through the Senate and House, with barely a
recess before going to the White House. It has passed unanimously
in the Senate! Contact your representatives and tell them to oppose
HR 4238!

Contact your House Reps now at 202-224-3121.

This is a bill so cleverly worded, making us think that this only
targets radical violent animal groups. Actually, if you read it
carefully, any disagreement could follow under the "intent to
conspire".

People, do you get this?!!! This bill is purposely vague, so a
peaceful protest could fall under this bill. This means our first
amendment rights, for the first time in history, can be taken away,
in order to allow big business to profit, that unfairly and cruelly
use animals, without any interference. To confuse people, it is done
in the name of "terrorism". This is what happened to the SHAC7! They
were five guys and a girl, along with the SHAC7 organization that
were quietly convicted 9/12/06, for mere words on a website, because
they targeted "big business" using animals inhumanely. The seven
terrorists Bush talks about in his State of the Union are these
exact animal activists, and AETA will secure this action,
guaranteeing all businesses to never lose a profit that is caused by
an animal activist. This means that when Oprah was sued by the beef
industry she would have lost and been sited a fine or even jailed
through this law. She would have been deemed a terrorist!

Here is the bigger and more disturbing question. Where is HSUS in
this?? They are the richest, largest international animal
organization with the biggest mailing list, in addition to a ton of
affiliates. HSUS gets their millions by playing "moderate" with s afe
issues. Their self-promotion which gives them their millions they
define as "lobbying through awareness". Though they also take credit
for bills they didn't create.

When HSUS wants a bill passed, they get it passed. So where are they
with AETA? HSUS only has a very safe opinion about AETA on their
website, much like a disclaimer. Could this be because Wayne
Percelle, the CEO, is looking to the future to become a politician
and therefore distancing himself with this bill? HSUS is actually
busy getting FEMA to make them lead agency to all future disasters,
though they failed Katrina. HSUS wants this bill with FEMA, because
they made so many easy millions during Katrina. The State Attorney
General investigated those millions.

HSUS is also trying, for the first time, to get shelters to join
under their HSUS umbrella. This may be another avenue to secure more
votes when Wayne, the CEO of HSUS, runs for President of U. S.
People, HSUS uses "killing" for all their solutions, "kill all pit
bulls, kill all ferals". HSUS goes as far as forcing D.A.'s, for
example, in North Carolina, to jail people who feed or fix ferals.
They also send out letters contradicting the Health Dept., stating
feral cats spread bird flu. I thought they get donations from little
ol' ladies to protect kitties, not people. While the U.S. spends 4
billion dollars on animal organizations, 2 billion for private, 2
for government, we are killing 10 times more than any other country.
Why? Because killing only allows these animal organizations to
continually profit off the problems. HSUS makes much more money than
their 9/90 says, because they are international. However, HSUS
nationally makes $150 million. That is enough to stop what they
call "pet over-population". For every dollar spent on spay/neuter,
you save $10 dollars on housing, killing and disposing of an animal.
This is the only real way to lower births while saving money.

Call up your politicians and vote against AETA, (202-224-3121). Most
of all support only those organizations that actively and loudly
campaign against this bill (AETA) as that shows they are the real
deal! I called and asked my Senator Orin Hatch to vote against this treacherous Act that would take away our Constitutional Right!

SHANE & SIA BARBI - The New Faces of Terror (just kidding) But
various serious about this issue!

To read more on HR 4239 and S. 3880 AETA Animal Enterprise
Terrorism Act:

HR 4239: http://thomasloc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?
c109:5:./temp/~c109mc6UEH::

Award winning Producer/Director Jill Dolon and President and Founder of the Unconditional Love Foundation is currently shooting the first in a series of Documentaries on several animal welfare issues. Their Voice is a realistic look into the frequently controversial subject of animal sheltering and pet overpopulation.

Dolon uses the medium of photography and motion pictures to not only express her beliefs but also to elicit emotions, educate and inspire the audience. Dolon's straightforward style will undoubtedly make Their Voice a powerful and provocative film.

Only with your financial support of Their Voice will the nation be able to see the realities of the struggles that orphaned animals and the professionals who care for them face everyday. For more information contact Jill at stopdogfighting@aol.com or 765-287-9043. To make a tax deductible contribution toward Their Voice send a check to the Unconditional Love Foundation 4319 W. Clara Lane #285 Muncie, IN 47304 or donate through paypal to UnconditionalLoveFoundation@yahoo.com. Anyone who makes a donation will be thanked in the credits. Names can be listed under special thanks or if making a donation in a loved ones or pets memory under in memory. Please specify which when making a donation.

League of Humane Voters-California Chapter

Governor Alert

(May distribute widely)

SB 1578 (Lowenthall)

The Anti- Dog Chaining Bill

Freedom for thousands... forever! Only a signature away!

Governor Schwarzenegger signs this bill by September 29th or it is DEAD!

1) Animal activists donated money and walked precints to elect Alan Lowenthall

2) Senator Lowenthall has endured public ridicule to stand up for this importance piece of legislation

3) Thousands of hours of political activists time, a payed lobbyist, impassioned letters from animal lovers to get this bill through the legislature.

If the Governor is not moved to sign this bill... it was all for nothing!

5 DAYS. The opportunity may never come again.

1 Man...1 Letter...1 Phone call...1 E-mail

What if we fail and you did nothing? Would it have taken just one more letter-just one more fax-just one more call? It is not about the animal abusers any longer. It is about us.

Actions in order of effectiveness

The Governors Address:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

(Letters need to be in the mail by Monday at 10:00pm)

The Governors Phone Number:

(916)-445-2841
Press 1 for English
Press 2 to voice your opinion on legislation
Press 4 for senate bill 1578
Press 1 to support

The Governors Fax Number:

(916) 445-4633 fax
(can be tough getting through this week)

The Governors E-mail Address:

governor@governor.ca.gov

(easiest to do, least effective in influencing him)

DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE BREEDING, SELLING AND BUYING DESIGNER DOGS: LABS AND LAB MIXES ARE HIGH ENERGY, NOW THEY ARE ENDING UP IN SHELTERS: LIKE THIS POPULAR LABRADOODLE

She only has until Friday early AM.

Look at this lovely girl. People pay a fortune for these "designer" dogs and here is a young girl just waiting for you at this high kill pound. PLease hurry!!!!! There are many more wonderful dogs there too!

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6990608

# 7 URGENT!
Dog

E-mail
this pet

Printer
Friendly

Carroll County Dog Pound
Carrollton 44615, OH
330-627-4244
Alliance4Animals@aol.com

Labrador Retriever,Poodle Mix

Size: Large
Age: Baby
Gender: Female
ID:

Notes: owner surrender..spayed, nice dog, good with kids, needs energetic family...Available for a limited time from the Carroll County Dog Pound, 2185 Kensington Rd. NE, Route 9, Carrollton, Ohio 44615. Located southeast of the Akron/Canton area. Please call the dog warden at 330-627-4244 for further details

Tell your Senators to oppose oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge!

Watch the Video

Congressional leaders are exploiting higher gas prices to launch yet another attack on the Arctic Refuge. This gift to Big Oil would worsen America’s addiction to oil and save consumers only one penny per gallon at the pump 20 years from now! Please tell your Senators to oppose any bill that would sacrifice the Arctic Refuge. Tell them to move America beyond oil by supporting The Fuel Choices for American Security Act.

Note: this action is for residents of U.S. states only; please do not attempt to send the message without using a valid U.S. state address.

September 04, 2006

Your U.S. senators
Email
Fax

Dear Senator,

I urge you to oppose any bill that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling under the pretext of dealing with rising gas prices.

Turning the Arctic Refuge into an industrial wasteland won't bring down today's gas prices. According to the Department of Energy, drilling in the Refuge would lower prices at the pump by just one penny a gallon twenty years from now. Congress should not be sacrificing our greatest sanctuary for Arctic wildlife for the sake of one cent — especially when we could save eleven times as much oil through an increase in fuel economy standards.

Our nation will never drill our way to lower gas prices and energy independence. But we can secure our energy future by reducing our out-of-control appetite for oil.

I call on you to make a national commitment to save at least 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2015 and set us on a path toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. You can do that by supporting the bipartisan “Fuel Choices for American Security Act.”

Please solve this energy crisis by saving, not destroying, our natural heritage.

Sincerely,

Your signature will be added from the information you provide below.


	Taken action before? Just enter your email address and send your message. Has your address information changed? Before you take action, please update your info so your message is sent to the correct recipient.
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Katrina one year later

A dog rescued in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is brought to safety.

This week marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As I look back on both the tragic event itself and the weeks that followed the disaster on the Gulf Coast of the United States, I am filled with both pride and resolve.

Pride. Approximately 15,000 animals were rescued by IFAW and other humane organizations under extremely challenging conditions. Despite its many tragedies, Katrina served as an example to all how far people will go to risk their lives for their animals. This was a wake-up call to government that pets cannot be treated like property.

And just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Senate passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, which requires local and state disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency. This bill will now go back to the House for consideration and you can urge Congress to show its support here.

Resolve. Despite these incredible successes, an estimated 250,000 pets were left on their own to fend for themselves in an abandoned city after Katrina hit. The hurricane exposed the gap between owners’ devotion to their pets and the inability of shelters and rescue officials to provide for them.

People must have a plan for evacuating a major disaster with their pets . Leaving them behind should not be an option.

Here are a few of the things IFAW is currently working on now to help make sure pets are not forgotten when the next disaster strikes:

Organizing and training NGOs in better animal search and rescue techniques as well as how to provide more efficient and safer emergency shelters.
IFAW, along with several other major humane organizations, initiated collaborative spay and neuter efforts in the US gulf coast states of Louisiana and Mississippi. We are also conducting a survey of pet owners in the area to determine where animal welfare education is most needed.

The two year collaborative project includes voucher programs that use local vets, fixed high volume clinics servicing a 90 miles radius in each state and a mobile spay and neuter clinic servicing areas not provided for by the fixed clinics. It is estimated that over 50,000 surgeries can be conducted in the first two years, resulting in fewer animals euthanized by local humane shelters and animal control groups. So far the voucher program has sterilized over 800 animals and distributed 1,586 vouchers in Mississippi as well as many in some of the hardest-hit parishes of New Orleans.

IFAW has offered to be on standby for search and rescue efforts and emergency sheltering in Louisiana should disaster strike here again.
Purchased a new trailer with state-of-the-art communications equipment that will enable us to work more efficiently with local, state and federal agencies and other NGO's to get information out to the public quicker.

I am continuously humbled by our encounters with the survivors of natural disasters who risk everything to protect and reunite with their pets. From tales of incredible determination and courage, to stories of hope and perseverance, our animal rescue workers have been extremely privileged to be a part of so many extraordinary examples of the bond between humans and animals that clearly illustrate the compassion people have for their pets during the most difficult of times.

I thank you for being a part of this incredible recovery effort which continues today.

Sincerely,

Fred O’Regan
President and CEO, IFAW

P.S.You can read more about IFAW’s emergency relief efforts around the world, including the latest news about Katrina pets, on our new Animal Rescue Blog.

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT PETS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
During last year’s devastating hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, one lesson was made abundantly clear: many families did not have evacuation plans. To help get the word out about the importance of disaster planning—and how crucial it is to include pets in those plans—the ASPCA Humane Education department has prepared a special issue on emergency preparedness for the ASPCA AnimaLessons teacher newsletter.

Creating a disaster preparedness plan should be a family affair, but planning can readily be incorporated into daily classroom curriculum. Our ASPCA Humane Education experts suggest some easy ways for teachers to get started:

- A great first step for a child is knowing his or her own address and phone number, and also the address and phone number of a close relative or friend outside of the immediate area.

- Another important way your students can plan is to carry a recent picture of themselves with their pet in a wallet or purse, with the pet’s name, address and phone number written on the back.

- Students can create Evac-Packs for their pets. Some important items to include in the pet’s pack are extra leashes, dry or canned food, bottled water, a clean bowl, blanket, chew toys, identification, medical history, and a recent photo of the pet.

For additional ideas on how to incorporate emergency planning in the curriculum—including an activity on creating pet identification cards, a letter-writing activity encouraging students to write to government officials, and a math quiz—please check out the current issue of ASPCA AnimaLessons

California Residents

ANTI-TETHERING LEGISLATION NEEDS YOUR HELP!

California, U.S. August 22, 2006: URGENT ALERT FOR ALL CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS RESIDENTS

We Need Your Help: Anti-Chaining Bill Under Attack! Urge California Assembly Members to Vote for SB 1578

SB 1578, the California Animal Association-sponsored bill to ban dog chaining as the primary means of confinement, is set for a vote on the Assembly floor probably within the next week to 10 days.

SB 1578 faced little opposition until it arrived in the Assembly, at which point hunters and lobbyists for the agricultural community emerged to fight against any restriction on tethering their dogs. CAA has already taken amendments that provide exemptions for hunting and agricultural situations where the safety of the dog is an issue. However, the hunters and agricultural community want blanket exemptions, including the ability to tether their dogs continuously at their place of residence. These two interest groups are now on the attack and contacting assembly offices to urge opposition to the bill.

What you can do to help: • It is important to only contact your own assembly member, as mail or calls received from non-constituents will not be considered by the legislator.

• Faxes or mail (if there's time) are preferred since email communications carry less weight.

• Be sure to include your name and address in all communications to ensure they know you are a constituent.

• If you don't have time for a letter, a phone call will also help.

Go to http://www.assembly.ca.gov to identify your legislator and find contact information.

The following are legislative districts where we particularly need help in convincing the legislator to vote for SB 1578. If you are a resident of any of these districts, please act as soon as possible and also forward this alert to other animal advocates in your area.

Assembly Member Juan Arambula
Representing District 31 which includes the Fresno County cities of Caruthers, Firebaugh, Fowler, Kerman, Mendota, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, San Joaquin, Selma, Tranquillity, and portions of Fresno, and the Tulare County cities of Cutler-Orosi and Dinuba. Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0031
Tel: (916) 319 - 2031
Fax: (916) 319 - 2131
Email via website at:
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a31/

Assembly Member Joe Baca
Representing District 62 which includes the cities of San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto, and Colton. Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0062
Tel: (916) 319-2062
Fax: (916) 319-2162
Email: Assemblymember.Baca@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Joe Canciamilla
Representing District 11 which includes the cities of Antioch, Concord, Martinez, and Pittsburg and other parts of Contra Costa County.
Contact info:
State Capitol,
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0011
Tel: (916) 319-2011
Fax: (916) 319-2111
Email via website at
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a11/

Assembly Member Jerome Horton
Representing District 51 which includes: the city of Inglewood and surrounding area.
Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0051
Tel: (916) 319-2051
Fax: (916) 319-2151
Email: Assemblymember.Jerome.Horton@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Johan Klehs
Representing District 18 which includes: San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, most of Castro Valley and Pleasanton, and a portion of Oakland, as well as the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo.
Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Tel: (916) 319-2018
Fax: (916) 319-2118
Email via website at:
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a18/district.htm

Assembly Member Barbara Matthews
Representing District 17 which includes: the cities of Stockton, Tracy, Merced and surrounding areas.
Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0017
Tel: (916) 319-2017
Fax: (916) 319-2117
Email: Assemblymember.matthews@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Nicole Parra
Representing District 30 which includes: portions of Fresno County, Tulare County, Kern County and all of Kings County.
Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0030
Tel: (916) 319 - 2030
Fax: (916) 319 - 2130
Email: Assemblymember.Parra@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Alberto Torrico
Representing District 20 which includes Fremont, Newark, Union City, Milpitas and parts of San Jose, Hayward, Castro Valley and Pleasanton.
Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0020
Tel: (916) 319-2020
Email: (916) 319-2120 fax

Assembly Member Tom Umberg
Representing District 69: Including the City of Santa Ana and portions of Anaheim and Garden Grove, which are located in the heart of Central Orange County.
Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0069
Tel: (916) 319-2069
Fax: (916) 319-2169
Email: via website at
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a69/

Assembly Member Lois Wolk
Representing District 8 which includes Yolo and Solano counties.
Contact info:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0008
(916) 319-2008
(916) 319-2108 fax
Email: Assemblymember.Wolk@assembly.ca.gov

SAMPLE SUPPORT LETTER

SUPPORT FOR SB 1578, A BILL TO BAN DOG CHAINING IN CALIFORNIA

Dear Assembly Member,

I am writing to ask for your support for SB 1578, a bill that would ban the practice of chaining or tethering a dog to a stationary object as the primary means of confinement. There are compelling public safety and animal protection reasons to enact such legislation in California.

Experts agree that chained dogs can become aggressive due to intense confinement, lack of socialization, and the inability to escape from perceived threats. According to media reports, in the period between February 2000 and January 2006 at least 107 people were attacked or killed by chained dogs in the United States. About two thirds of those incidents (75) involved children. In a time when many Californians are concerned about dog bites and aggressive dog situations, SB 1578 can help animal control representatives provide additional protection of dogs and prevention of dog bites in our communities.

Chaining dogs is also inhumane and unsafe for these social animals. Chained dogs typically lack adequate veterinary care, food, water, or shelter. They rarely are exercised or interact with their families – an unhappy existence for such social animals. Sadly, continually chained dogs can suffer injuries when their collars become embedded in their necks or even strangle to death when their chains become entangled with other objects.

California animal control representatives are already spending time and resources responding to reports of chained, neglected, and abused dogs. SB 1578 will give animal control an additional tool to protect our canine companions from long-term neglect during their normal enforcement duties without creating any additional fiscal responsibilities. Amendments have also been taken to address situations where dogs need to be tethered for their own safety, such as during agricultural operations or licensed hunting activities.

We ask for your support of this important public safety and animal protection measure.

Sincerely,

Pam Runquist
Director of Companion Animal Issues
Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
PO Box 208
Davis, CA 95617-0208
Tel: (530) 759-8106
pam@avar.org
Sincerely,

Tamar Sherman
Dogs Deserve Better Area Rep
San Jose, CA 95127
408-937-4952
tamaronyx@cs.com

In the latest war in the Middle East, animals have been among the most forgotten victims.

But not for you. In fact, you’ve been the main lifeline to save hundreds of dogs and cats from the chaos and carnage in Lebanon. Since my last e-mail, you’ve donated more than $25,000 to the Best Friends Rescue Fund for the folks at BETA (Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) to care for the dogs and cats they’ve moved from shelters that were damaged in the bombing raids.

Last week, they were also featured on ABC World News Tonight, and more than 100 people called BETA offering to adopt the dogs. (We’ve heard that Nightline is planning to cover the story, too, this week.)

More news about this rescue effort is at http://network.bestfriends.org/middleeast

NEXT STEPS: Working with BETA, we’ve looked into lots of possible options for these dogs. But there’s so much damage to the country that taking care of them there, finding them new homes in the region, or moving them one at a time to new situations is pretty much impossible.

So we’ve agreed to have Best Friends be the staging area for adoptions in the United States. We can provide all the health and behavior assessments and home checks, and then the dogs will be able to go directly to GOOD NEW ADOPTIVE HOMES.

(Some people may ask why we’re helping animals abroad when the needs are still great in our own country. But this important rescue effort won't affect the regular work of Best Friends, and we see it as a major opportunity to show the value of kindness and caring in a region that’s so dominated by hatred and violence.)

Placing the dogs in new homes will, in many ways, be the easy part. Bringing them out of Lebanon to safety is a greater challenge. So:

THE PLAN is to fly all 150 dogs to the United States as soon as possible. Most likely we’ll need to drive them from Lebanon to Jordan and fly them from there. And once they’re at Best Friends, we’ll give them further health and behavior checkups, and move them to their new homes as quickly as possible.

(After Hurricane Katrina, incidentally, we were able to get help chartering planes that could carry large numbers of dogs to safety, so we’re going to try the same thing again. It’s a longer distance this time, and will be more expensive. But, between us all, we can do it.)

DETAILS: We’ll keep you up to date on how these plans are transpiring on the Best Friends Network website at http://network.bestfriends.org/middleeast

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

* YOUR DONATION, large or small, for this rescue effort is invaluable. To add your support to the Best Friends Rescue Fund, please go to:

https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/NRF.cfm

* DO YOU HAVE CONTACTS IN THE AIR TRAVEL WORLD? We need to evacuate the dogs in just one or a very few large loads. If you can help organize and/or secure the donation of such a flight, this will be a huge help. Please e-mail rebecca@bestfriends.org.

* ADOPTIONS: We already have a lot of adoption applications, and we’ll be taking more. But right now we need to focus on the evacuation. So we'll let you know more about adoptions later.

* CATS: Yes, cat lovers, there are cats, too! But they don’t yet have health certificates, and there are some other issues to be sorted out before we can start working on that. Meanwhile, we have plenty on our hands getting the dogs taken care of. So we’ll have more on the cats after that.

Again, you can get up-to-date news every day at:

http://network.bestfriends.org/middleeast

Thanks so much. And please keep this major rescue effort in your thoughts and prayers, too. Together, we can all play a part in salvaging some truly innocent creatures from the carnage of war.

Michael Mountain

Best Friends Animal Society

www.bestfriends.org

http://network.bestfriends.org/middleeast

For Immediate Release

MAN HAULING HORSES TO SLAUGHTER CHARGED
WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY
Badly beaten, abused horses stopped in Arkansas
Congress to act on bill to stop horse slaughter in September

                                               Dixie Wilson/ARTEX

One of the horses with severe facial and head injuries.

(August 10, 2006) - Just days after a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives tried to kill legislation aimed at curtailing commercial horse slaughter in the United States, a Mississippi man hauling 19 horses to a Texas slaughterhouse has been charged with animal cruelty involving horses in Arkansas.

Bryan Morgan of Belmont, MS was charged with five counts of animal cruelty under Arkansas state law in Texarkana this week after eyewitness testimony, photographs and video showed 19 horses being transported in a single trailer to the BelTex slaughterhouse in Fort Worth were badly injured and abused.

"This only further demonstrates the immediate need for my legislation to be passed and signed into law,” said Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY), who with Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) and Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) is leading the fight to outlaw horse slaughter. “This is a perfect example of why I am so committed to seeing an end to this brutal practice as quickly as possible."

Although it is what one congressional witness, Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens, called “America’s dirty little secret,” some 90,000 horses are hauled to three U.S. slaughterhouses in Texas and Illinois each year and butchered for human consumption, with the meat exported to Europe and Asia and sold as a delicacy in high end restaurants.

“If there were any doubt that the horse slaughter industry leads to cruelty and abuse of horses, this erases it with graphic reality,” said Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL), based in Washington, D.C. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) is scheduled to be voted on by the House of Representatives in early September.

In the Arkansas case, Morgan picked up the horses in Mississippi and was driving to Fort Worth when the trailer he was pulling blew two tires and forced him to stop in Texarkana for repairs. Employees at the shop called local police after noticing several horses had abrasions and marks across their faces and bodies, including one with facial gashes and swollen eyes.

“It looked like someone took a baseball bat and beat the hell out of the horse,” said Greg Fett, manager of GCR Tires in Texarkana.

Twenty citations for animal cruelty were initially written by local police, after which Morgan was allowed to drive the horses on to the slaughterhouse. This incident illustrates how woefully inadequate the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are in ensuring the humane treatment of horses being transported to slaughter facilities.

“The local police in Texarkana were particularly diligent in this situation,” said SAPL legal counsel Tracy Silverman. “Often we just never hear about these cases and thankfully responsible citizens alerted authorities to the severely injured animals.”

At a hearing before the House Agriculture Committee on July 28, Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) condemned the legislation that would stop commercial horse slaughter as an unwarranted intrusion on the rights of horse owners. The committee allowed the bill to go to the House floor for a vote, but only after deriding it as unnecessary and unfair to horse owners.

SAPL will assist in the prosecution of Morgan and is filing a formal complaint with the USDA against Robbie Solomon of Belmont, MS, the owner and shipper of the horses, for violating several federal regulations regarding the commercial transportation of horses to slaughter.

///

For More Information or Photos Contact:
Alex Howe, Fenton Communications                  (202) 822-5200
Chris Heyde, SAPL Deputy Legislative Director    (703) 836-4300

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=HORSE
Light a candle to end horse slaughter for human consumption. Let's put an end to the barbaric treatment of our beloved friends. HR 503 is up for a vote in September in the House of Representatives. There are 2 versions. We must make sure our Reps vote for the unamended version since Bob Goodlatte and his band of evil committee men gutted the original in the Agriculture Committee and both will be on the floor for the vote. The gutted amendment is worse than no bill.

Please, this is critical and urgent to save thousands of horses from the horrors of the slaughterhouse. This is no way to treat a friend.

Please come read more truth and see pics of how cruel this is.

I just got horrible news and I need your help: the U.S. Forest Service has proposed making it easier to kill more wolves, bears, and other carnivores in places meant to be wild and free. Worse, we only have until August 7 to stop them.

They want to use an array of poisons, traps and shooting -- including aerial gunning -- to wipe out wolves and other carnivores in federally designated wilderness areas. Please make sure this terrible plan doesn't become a reality!

Take action now. Tell the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this ill-advised proposal. Submit your personalized comments before the August 7th deadline!

Under the proposal, federal agents could chase down and kill bears or other carnivores using planes, helicopters, and all-terrain vehicles -- invading areas once safe for these creatures with loud, intrusive machines.

The proposal also allows for the use of the controversial pesticide sodium cyanide. Baited devices could be used to shoot this highly toxic gas into a wolf's mouth, causing a horrible death.

Wildlife Services, the agency that would be put in charge, has a grim track record. In 2004 alone, Wildlife Services agents killed more than 37,000 animals -- coyotes, wolves, foxes, and bobcats -- from the air.

Wolves, bears, coyotes, cougars and other carnivores play an important role in the ecological balance of our wilderness areas. They are essential species that keep other wildlife populations in check by preventing overpopulation and habitat damage.

Help stop this harmful proposal from becoming a reality! Submit your comments today.

Wilderness areas were meant to be wild and free. According to the 1964 Wilderness Act, these special places should be preserved in their natural conditions with little or no human influence. But the Forest Service's plan could fundamentally alter these largely untouched areas, allowing low-flying airplanes, trucks and all-terrain vehicles to hunt down populations of wolves, bears and other carnivores.

****************************

C ONGRATULATIONS: LETS ALL SHOW THEM OUR SUPPORT TO PROTECT OUR BELOVED ANIMAL COMPANIONS IN TIMES OF DISASTER!!! Let's also make sure our states are prepared and aware of this Law!

H.R.3858
Title: To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.
Sponsor: Rep Lantos, Tom [CA-12] (introduced 9/22/2005) Cosponsors (110)
Related Bills: S.2548
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2006 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 24 (Roll no. 178).

AUGUST 19, 2006 NATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMAL DAY COME READ MORE

Fenced In August 10, 2006

Dog-proof your yard to prevent loss or injury.

Remove any toxic materials that your dog could eat and surround your yard with a strong fence -- wood, chain, or electronic. Make sure it's the right height. If your dog can look over the fence while standing on his hind legs, there is a chance the collar will get caught, which may choke him. A breakaway collar, designed to break open when pressure is applied, will help prevent such accidents in an unsupervised yard.

Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed so often in cats that it has practically become an epidemic. It is rarely seen in dogs. It is more common in older cats, but may be seen in younger cats as well. Hyperthyroidism seems to be more common among cats that have been fed sub-standard nutrition and food containing artificial preservatives. Some holistic veterinarians feel they have seen an increase in hyperthyroidism that corresponds to the increased vaccination rate for feline leukemia. Viral and bacterial infections can also play a roll, as well as environmental toxins.

Prevention of hypothyroidism is the best approach through proper diet and daily supplements, avoiding unnecessary vaccines, and minimizing exposure to chemical or environmental hazards including cleaning products, X rays, antibiotics and food preservatives.

From Animal in Print 7/21/06:

Click here: keyetv.com - Buddy: The Surfing Dog

Jul 24, 2006 9:57 pm US/Central

Buddy: The Surfing Dog

(CBS) Summer in Southern California means surfs up for everyone--even the dog.

“Buddy is a very playful dog and he's a family dog its all about love,” owner Bruce Hooker said. “He loves to play with the kids and us and whatever we're doing he wants to do with us.”

Buddy is an 8-year-old Jack Russell terrier, with lots of energy. He's been surfing the Ventura coast since he was two, astonishing everyone who sees him.

Hooker says he didn’t start out actually trying to teach Buddy to surf.

“I don't think you can do that with a dog,” Hooker said. “Once he got on the board then he got the surf stoke. He decided it was something he absolutely loved.”

What To Do When Your Dog Is Choking

Choking In your pet is a serious situation. Here are some tips on how to handle such an emergency.

IMPORTANT Do not pull thread or string from the dog's throat. A needle or hook may be attached. Get to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Symptoms Violent pawing at the face. Gasping and gulping. Great agitation and anxiety.

1. Restrain the dog. Open its mouth wide and pull out its tongue with your fingers or a cloth. Holding the tongue, look deeply into the dog's throat with a bright light.

2A. If you can see the obstruction, grasp it firmly and gently remove it.

2B. If you cannot see the obstruction, lay the dog on its side, place your palms just behind the last rib and give 4 quick thrusts. Recheck the throat. Repeat thrusts if necessary. Tired of scooping up dog piles all over your yard? A pen for potty training may be the right solution for your pooch.

Build a basic pen in your backyard and set up a schedule of mealtimes, playtimes, and naps for your pet. Allow time for potty breaks after each activity. Escort her out to the pen and give her a potty command, such as "Go now." Pick a short phrase, and use it every time you want her to go. Nothing happening within a few minutes? Walk away with her and try again 10 or 15 minutes later, or earlier if she starts sniffing around for a place to go. Be patient, and if she does have an accident, quickly take her out to the pen and praise her so she links going potty with that location.

THE HEAT IS ON: SUMMER SAFETY TIPS FOR PET OWNERS

It’s summertime, and the living isn’t always easy for our animal companions. Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do—overheating, dehydration and even sunburn—when the mercury rises. By taking these simple precautions, you can keep your animal companions happy and healthy in the hot weather:

* Exercise your dog in the cool of the early morning or evening--never when it's extremely hot or humid. Take care not to let your dog stand on hot asphalt, as his sensitive paw pads can easily burn.

* Provide plenty of shade and cool, clean water for animals kept outdoors. And please bring your cat or dog inside during the hottest part of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.

* Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle. Overheating can be fatal. Even with the doors open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun constantly shifts during the day.

* Some animals will need extra care in hot weather, especially those who are elderly, overweight or have heart or lung disease. Certain breeds of dogs, including pugs, bulldogs, Lhasa apsos, Pekingese, Boston terriers and shih tzus, also need extra attention on hot days. If your pet is showing signs of heatstroke or exhaustion, take him to your veterinarian immediately.

For more on how to keep your companions cool, please visit ASPCA online, where you can also watch a short video on hot weather tips featuring our very own Dr. Z. And P.S., if you’re going to be traveling with your pets this summer, please read our guidelines for safe air travel.

Landlord/Tenant/Guardianships/Trusts/Wills for Companion Pets

Saturday, AUGUST 12th

KAREN COPELAND, ESQ. NYC nycompanionbirdclub@yahoo.com
"KEEP THAT ANIMAL"

Knowledge of the law can help tenants with birds keep their apartments even with a "no pet" clause.There are two types of defenses to keeping an animal in NYC rental, cooperative, or condominium housing. One is the New York City Pet Law, which says if you have a pet or pet and the landlord fails to commence an action within three months of gaining knowledge of the pet, any " no pet clause" in the lease is deemed waived. Another type of defense is provided by the Fair Housing Act, which gives a tenant with any mental or physical impairment the right to a reasonable accommodation which can include non-enforcement of a rule such as a "no pet" clause. NYC renters may also be subject to complaints of nuisance if they can be proven to be a "substantial interference with the comfort and safety of other tenants.

FRANCES CARLISLE, ESQ.
"ESTATE PLANNING FOR THE CARE OF COMPANION ANIMALS "

Frances Carlisle is a trusts and estates attorney practicing in New York City. Her estate planning work for clients includes the preparation of wills and trusts, including trusts for animals. Ms. Carlisle has a B. A. from Barnard College, an M. S. from Columbia University and a J. D. from the University of California at Davis. She is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey, Florida and California. She is member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York’s Committee on Legal Issues pertaining to Animals, and the American Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee. She on the boards of several charities which help animals including Legal Action for Animals and The Toby Fund. She has written articles and is a frequent lecturer on the topic of estate planning. She has appeared on various television shows to discuss the importance of estate planning to provide for the continuing care of companion animals.

I've always been fond of dolphins. They can glide through the water and can burst above the surface like aquatic acrobats. Their highly developed and sensitive sonar has often been likened to language.

But plans to drill off our shores pose a grave threat to these magnificent creatures. And Big Oil is closer than ever to making their plans a reality. Closer to bringing more rigs that spew toxins that can poison and kill dolphins. Closer to bringing more seismic blasting that interferes with their sonar and can confuse and drown these marine mammals. Closer to bringing more risk of their homes slicked with crude oil.

But Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is coming out swinging for our dolphins and other coastal wildlife that stand to lose if Big Oil wins.

You can help Beat Back Big Oil -- and keep our dolphins safe for future generations. Please make a donation of $35, $50, $100 or more.

This week Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund began airing hard-hitting ads aimed at securing our coasts against harmful offshore drilling. And our advocates continue their intense meetings on Capitol Hill.

Unfortunately, the Senate is dangerously close to finalizing a deal that would allow drilling off Florida’s shores -- and a vote could come as early as next week. If the deal holds up, it could pave the way for lifting the 25-year-old drilling ban off America’s entire coast -- risking not just dolphins, but California’s sea otters, Virginia’s sea turtles and all wildlife that depend on clean, healthy shores.

We’re facing an uphill battle. But we’re fighting back -- and you can help.

Save Dolphins From Big Oil

Time is running out to save our dolphins and our beaches. Our ads are now running in Florida, our grassroots are mobilizing. Will you help us reach our goal of $60,000 by next Monday?

I want to Beat Back Big Oil’s Assault on Our Wildlife and keep our beaches and the wildlife that depend on them safe from Big Oil’s rigs.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARENTS THAT RAISED THESE COMPASSIONATE BOYS:

Three Boys Rescue Starving Pit Bull Pup
April 12, 2006 05:24 PM

Abandoned Dog Looking For Good Home

By Eric Flack

(LOUISVILLE) -- Three young children are being honored by the Louisville Kennel Club, after they saved the life of a dog left for dead. Unfazed by the horrid conditions, or that the animal abandoned was a pit bull, these three "canine heroes" learned there's more to a dog, than meets the eye. WAVE 3 Investigator Eric Flack has their story.

Ten-year-old Nick Peak, 11-year-old Wyatt Medley, and his 6-year-old brother, Tristen, like to watch out for their neighbors.

"They're always rescuing something whether it be a salamander or a bug," says Wyatt and Tristen's mom, Robin.

So they boys weren't bothered when the animal that needed saving was a pit bull named "Bush."

"It would take a kid to do it honestly," said Lindsay Simmons, a Vet Tech at Stonefield Veterinary Associates in Louisville, which is now caring for Bush. "Because they don't know the hype, they don't know all the misconceptions."

The boys heard the call for help a couple weeks ago, while clearing brush behind their southwest Jefferson County homes.

"It sounded like a screeching kind of bark," Nick remembered.

They followed the howls to a chain link pen four doors down.

"The dog seemed kind of friendly," Wyatt said. "So we went in and there was poop everywhere."

Bush was starving. For food, water -- and attention.

"He was excited," Nick said. "He was jumping all the way up and touching the roof," Wyatt added, touching his hand to the tin roof of the 5-foot pen.

Bush had been abandoned for weeks. His owners moved out and just left him behind.

Knowing the breed, and its reputation, the boys decided their options were limited.

"If the pound would get it, they would kill it because they don't accept those dogs," Nick realized.

So Nick, Wyatt and Tristen decided they would take care of Bush. The water came from a nearby creek. The boys snuck food from homes.

For two weeks, the boys cared for bush behind their parents' back. But the dog was still losing weight -- from worms as it turned out. So the boys finally came clean, with just one request: don't let them put Bush to sleep.

"I mean if I didn't already have two dogs and two cats myself we would probably have the dog," Robin Medley said.

Instead, she called her councilman, who called the Louisville Kennel Club, who called Stonefield last Friday.

"We've all fallen in love with him," Simmons said as she held Bush in her lap.

For sure, Bush, about as calm and docile a pit bull as they come, has a fan club.

"He's really awesome. He loves everybody," Simmons said. "He's a happy boy."

Dr. Curt Oliver and his staff nursed Bush back to health. All he needs now, is a good home.

"And after what he's been through," Dr. Oliver said, "he deserves it."

You don't have to be a doctor to figure that out.

"We hope it gets a good home and nobody treats it like it used to be treated," Wyatt said.

If you are interested in adopting Bush, call Royalton Kennels at 502-239-7317.

For their efforts, all three boys were given memberships to the Louisville Zoo for kindness to an animal in distress.

Online Reporter: Eric Flack

Online Producer: Michael Dever

As we mark the 36th anniversary of Earth Day, our nation’s wolves are under assault. That is why Defenders of Wildlife is asking you to join with us this Earth Day by adopting a wolf.

We urgently need your help. Here are just a few of the threats facing wolves today.

In Alaska, nearly 500 wolves have been slaughtered under that state’s barbaric aerial gunning program that allows marksmen to gun down wolves from the air, or chase them to exhaustion and then land and shoot them. Hundreds more are slated to die. To help us end this horrific practice, adopt a wolf today!

The Federal Government has turned over wolf management to the state of Idaho which has vowed to rid the state of wolves “by any means necessary.” Now the state has plans to eliminate 75% of the wolves in the Clearwater National Forest. Help us stop them by adopting a wolf today!

Your tax-deductible wolf adoption gift will help fund media, public outreach and grassroots efforts to protect wolves. When you adopt a wolf we’ll send you or someone you choose a plush wolf toy and certificate of adoption suitable for framing.

Animals In Translation
Grandin, Dr. Temple

Bestseller!

Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior Temple Grandin's Animals in Translation speaks in the clear voice of a woman who emerged from the other side of autism, bringing with her an extraordinary message about how animals think and feel. Temple's professional training as an animal scientist and her history as a person with autism have given her a perspective like that of no other expert in the field. Standing at the intersection of autism and animals, she offers unparalleled observations and groundbreaking ideas about both.

Autistic people can often think the way animals think -- in fact, Grandin and co-author Catherine Johnson see autism as a kind of way station on the road from animals to humans -- putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate "animal talk." Temple is a faithful guide into their world, exploring animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, learning, and, yes, even animal genius. Not only are animals much smarter than anyone ever imagined, in some cases animals are out-and-out brilliant.

The sweep of Animals in Translation is immense, merging an animal scientist's thirty years of study with her keen perceptions as a person with autism -- Temple sees what others cannot.

$25.00
Order Now!

DEALING DOGSGhandi said that "you can tell the moral decay of a nation by the way it treats its animals" AMERICAN'S MORALS ARE DECAYING SO RAPIDLY AND THE ANIMAL AND HUMAN CRUELTY IS THE EVIDENCE!! WHEN WILL EACH PERSON PUT THEIR FOOT DOWN AND DEMAND THIS STOPS? PLEASE DEMAND STRICTER LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN YOUR STATE, YOU COULD BE PREVENTING A CHILD FROM BEING ABUSED OR KILLED.

Dealing Dogs Home | Synopsis | Resources | Schedule

Dealing Dogs

Each year, 42,000 dogs are sold to veterinary schools and research labs by Class B dealers, who are required by federal law to buy the animals from pounds, shelters and small breeders and to treat them humanely. However, many Class B dealers violate the law. DEALING DOGS exposes the abuses that took place at one of America's most notorious Class B dealers - Martin Creek Kennel in Arkansas. Premieres Tuesday, February 21 at 10pm (ET/PT).

Class B dealers operate under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and are required by law to treat animals humanely. They are also required to purchase animals only when sellers have all appropriate documentation. Apparently, some dealers ignore these requirements while also purchasing animals that may be strays or may have been stolen directly from owners' yards.

Four years in the making, DEALING DOGS follows the undercover investigation of Martin Creek Kennel by the animal rights group Last Chance for Animals. A young man who goes by the name of "Pete" in the film wore a hidden camera while he worked a low- level job hosing kennels at the dog dealer. Over the course of six months, Pete secretly filmed activities at Martin Creek Kennel, including the beating and shooting of dogs, and recorded footage of animals that were left to languish in their kennels and suffered from malnourishment, life-threatening disease and injury, among other abuses. Dog corpses are shown piled up on the property and in trenches after being butchered for their organs.

C.C. Baird and his family owned and operated Martin Creek Kennel, one of the largest Class B dealers in the United States, until Last Chance provided the results of their undercover investigation to federal authorities, who closed the facility in 2005. Baird's sentencing is expected to take place this winter.

Filmmakers Tom Simon and Sarah Teale met Pete at the beginning of his extended odyssey on behalf of Last Chance for Animals, during which he recorded information and Last Chance presented incriminating video and photographs to the USDA and federal courts in Little Rock. Meanwhile, many more Class B dealers continue to operate without adequate oversight.

Tom Simon is a seven-time Emmy® winner; DEALING DOGS is his first film for HBO. Sarah Teale's previous America Undercover credits for HBO include "Bellevue: Inside Out" and "Mumia Abu Jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt?," which received a CableACE Award.

DEALING DOGS is an HBO Documentary Films Presentation; a Working Dog/Teale-Edwards Production; produced by Tom Simon and Sarah Teale; edited by Geof Bartz, A.C.E.; music composed by Jamie Lawrence; sound and photography, Tom Simon. For HBO: supervising producer, John Hoffman; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.

Come read Washington Post and LA Times Articles on this Documentary

		See a Preview of this shocking new movie from HBO Documentary Films. Watch Video

		Synopsis Read more about this new movie from HBO Documentary Films.


	Learn About Animal Protection Find out more about Last Chance for Animals and the Humane Society of the United States, two of the nation's largest and most powerful animal protection organizations. Read more...

Get the Newsletter!
Be the first to find out about premieres, news and more! Sign up for the HBO/Cinemax Documentary Films newsletter.

PLEASE DEMAND STRICTER LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN YOUR STATE, YOU COULD BE PREVENTING A CHILD FROM BEING ABUSED OR KILLED.

Red Star logo

Building empathy in kids through humane education: Become a member and help teach kids compassion.
Since 1915, American Humane has promoted humane education through the spirit of Be Kind to Animals Week®. Thanks to a federal appropriations award, American Humane will be able to take this message to Colorado schoolchildren using the resources of Red Star Emergency Services. Read more... Who Wants to Work With Us To Bring This To Utah School Children? littledogangel2@animail.net

Earn Your Humane Education Specialist Certification in 2006

NAHEE and Humane Society University (HSU) offer an online professional development program for animal care and control practitioners and volunteers committed to humane education.

The Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program features a selection of courses that guide participants in:

	conducting effective teacher in-services
	exploring storytelling as a tool for teaching humane values
	developing humane education programs for preschoolers
	incorporating humane education into school service-learning programs
	aligning humane education with schools? character-building programs

Two new courses on effective classroom presentations and teaching dog bite prevention to children will be offered later this year.

Course content is based on extensive research and includes engaging activities and a wealth of practical tips and field-tested strategies for working with children, teens, school faculty, and youth leaders.

Participants earn a certificate from HSU for each course they successfully complete. Upon completion of four courses, students will receive Certified Humane Education Specialist credentials from NAHEE. Previous teaching experience is not required. All courses in the program are self-paced and can be completed in as little as 2-4 weeks. (Courses can be taken concurrently.)

The cost is $45 per course. Visit http://www.humanesocietyu.org/degrees_and_certificates/ to register.

FORMER FISH & WILDLIFE HEAD WARNS SENATE AGAINST WEAKENING SPECIES PROTECTION: STOP Administration's HB 1299 Would Allow Importation of Endanegered Animals and their Parts Like Elephant Tusks, and more again. PLEASE TELL THE US PUBLIC SINCE 86% OF THEM ARE AGAINST THIS ATROCITY!!

Come read how SF rescued whale thanked her rescuers

In addition to The Humane Society of the United States and numerous animal experts, the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a statement in the July 2, 1996, Federal Register against tethering:

"Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether significantly restricts a dog's movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog's shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog's movement and potentially causing injury."

Class Dissection Of Live Dog Outrages Parents, Students

Student: 'It Just Makes Me Sick...' CLICK HERE FOR ALL UPDATES AND STORY

BOOK: One at a Time, A Week in an American Animal Shelter by Geyer and Leigh; (bulk prices available for nonprofit groups; www.novoiceunheard.org )

The book tells the dispositions of the 363 animals that passed through the shelter in one week. In words and photos that are amazingly simple and yet right on target, force us to stare into the souls of animals that were lost, found, returned to their owners, adopted into new homes -- and killed. Geyer and Leigh know that we hold the power to stop millions of deaths. Their book is a step in the right direction, offering the answer: education.

To help get the book's word out, the pair offer discounts to shelters that buy copies in bulk, and they've created the "Every Nine Seconds" campaign (every nine seconds being their estimate of how often an animal dies in a shelter in this country). www.everynineseconds.org

Is your dog aggressive towards other dogs around you? It is your energy you put out watch:

A Howling Hound
She's been a part of the family for 10 years but Sophie still whines when Oprah and Stedman leave the house! Watch Cesar Millan help this 'unbalanced' pooch.

The Attacker
Every single time Sophie meets another dog, she attacks! Watch as Cesar brings along five furry friends to teach Sophie how to socialize.

Come read more about Dog Whisperer

Idaho, one of 8 states that don't have felony Animal Cruelty laws, meeting with HSUS about the Animal/Human Abuse Connection.

Stray Dog Saves Abandoned Human Baby by bringing him back to her litter

Come read about Denver, CO Banning Pit Bulls

Connecticut: Stop the Sale of Puppies at Pet Stores

Connecticut legislators are now considering H.B. 5010, introduced by Rep. Ruth C. Fahrbach (R, 61). This legislation will prohibit the sale of dogs under the age of one year by pet shops. Pet stores often receive their puppies from high-volume breeding operations commonly referred to as "puppy mills." Puppy mills are designed to maximize profit, often at the expense of the dogs' welfare. Because of the horrible conditions at these facilities, many dogs end up suffering from severe health and behavioral problems. If passed, H.B. 5010 will ensure that Connecticut residents are not purchasing pet store puppies with the behavioral and health problems commonly associated with puppy mills. In addition, it will encourage the adoption of animals from shelters and rescue groups, and consequently help to lower euthanasia rates for the state.

H.B. 5010 will have a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Environment on March 4th. Your action is needed now!

Come read about 14,000 Wild Mustangs ordered to be "slaughtered Dec. 4, 2004 by Montana Senator and SEnate.

Shelter Investigations and Reports

Come read about Puppy Mills

Come read about Animal Abuse

Come read the latest Animal Cruelty Cases on the rise

Come see by state and city how many pets are killed each year for a total of 4.2 million. Dogs killed in 2002 by state.

Come read about Animal Shelter Reform

Are Pets Property or Family Members? Courts need to rule

State Spay/Neuter Campaigns that have worked

Companion Animal Legislation

Inmates Help Homeless Animals

Woman saved by SErvice Dog dialing 911

FELINE HEALTH ALERT: LILIES CAN BE LETHAL

"OUR SEROTONIN NIGHTMARE: Are Antidepressant/Serotonine enhancing drugs causing our youth to become suicidal or murderers?

Stop HOrse Slaughters

A happy ending for the family of a missing Indiana two year old girl when rescuers followed the tracks of the family dog, Thunder, and located both the girl and the dog. Thunder was the family's Black Labrador who according to the girls' mother "she didn't even like the dog and I was going to give it away" It seems like Thunder has earned his rightful place in the family household - at least he showed the common sense to keep an eye on the little toddler.

Missing girl found OK, protected by dog Thunder

Bethlehem, Indiana-AP -- A two-year-old girl who wandered away from her Ohio River home yesterday was found this morning, protected by her family's Labrador retriever.She was checked out by paramedics and returned to her parents. Daisy Smith was reported missing from her home in Bethlehem, Indiana, last evening. The family dog, named Thunder, was also missing.

Searchers followed the dog's tracks and eventually found the dog and the girl about 15 feet from the Ohio River. At first, Thunder didn't permit rescuers to approach Daisy. About 90 people and an Indiana State Police helicopter took part in the overnight search.

Find Answers to all Your Questions About Pets Here

Hey Kids come read all about how to care for your dog or cat at Animaland!

As well as this nationally recognized site:

Find out about Safety for your children and your new pet:

COME SEE THE "SUPERDOGS" PERFORMING VIDEOS HERE: http://www.superdogs.com/thedogs/inaction.cfm

Congratulations and admiration goes out to Dawn Buhlman of HEART for making West Valley Animal Shelter a responsible, caring and no kill shelter working with rescues for over 10 years, and now working with Tooele Animal Shelter to help those thousands of wonderful and helpless dogs and cats. Go adopt one from the Tooele Walmart where you have a better selection since there are so many! Click here to find out more. Find out about "Best Friend Forgotten," a documentary about pet overpopulation with the actor from Xfiles, coming to SLC.

A Very Big Congratulations to Julie Williams who started her own 4-H Kids Dog Training, started training the hard to place dogs from Sanpete Animal Shelter and then started her own amazing rescue in Gunnison Utah called Wag_n-Train that rescued and placed over 140 dogs through using the internet last year. The dogs are socialized and trained, and Julie offers continued training for the owners. Way to go girl! We are so proud of you! Julie was one of our first foster homes 6 years ago that rescued Prince the Irish Wolfhound mix, that is spoiled by George Anne that cooks all his meals.

Friends In Need under the wonderful direction of Karen Odonnell has won their legal right to build their animal shelter for 30 homeless dogs. congratulations! thank you for the nice note, and thank you channel 4 for such a great coverage!

Denise,

"Yeah! Where did this come from? It's wonderful!!

I don't think a lot of this would have been possible without your help Denise.
All of us here thank you from deep in our hearts and will be grateful for many many years..

Sincerely,
Karen
FIN!"

Dear Shelters, Organizations, Volunteers and Friends of Animals The USPS is no longer selling the spay & neuter stamps and has decided not to reproduce them. PLEASE write to the USPS and tell them that you encourage them to produce more of these important stamps!!!! They have received a lot of feedback from people who want to continue to buy them....if enough people get on board there might be a chance that they will put them back on the shelves. Please write to: USPS Stamp Development 475 L'enfant Plaza SW Room 5670 Washington DC 20260-2437 Please spread the word as we need to save these stamps from being stopped by the USPS.

Dear Animal Lovers and Friends of Animals

I signed this petition to help be a voice for the animals and thought you might want to do the same and visit PAW website to also sign their Spay / Neuter No-Kill petition and

also be a voice for the animals. Their petition is located at: www.petsandanimals.org

Please take a look and consider signing this important petition yourself and forwarding it to other animal-lovers and friends that can help Every year six million companion animals die in kill shelters all across America, over 16,000 puppies, kitten's dogs and cats per day, with no voice fighting for them.

PAW is trying to get friends, family, animal organizations, animal lovers, volunteers involved in every state in America to participate and represent to be a voice for the animals who cannot speak to help collect signatures.

We are looking for team leaders in every state to help keep this petition drive going so that our signatures and voices can be heard and passed on to all public county and state officials of each state to help introduce, pass and make available FREE Spay / Neuter programs . You can read more on our petition on our website, how one public county animal shelter in Florida has already implemented a Free Spay / Neuter program that is offered to all thier county residents that is making a difference.

We value your support for being a Voice for the many animals in your State that cannot speak. Please take the time to support this ongoing Spay/ Neuter Petition Drive in your State. Through your help we can make a difference to help save more homeless animals from being born, that would end up to be killed in a society that does not care. PAW thanks you in advance for any time and help you may give to this National petition campaign.

PAW and all the animals who cannot speak thank you in advance for any time and help you may give to this National petition campaign. Help Us Help Them! Please Pass it on...................

www.petsandanimals.org

NBC News

"Puppy love -- it's better than you think
Pets trigger our 'feel good' hormones, research suggests:
It's well known that pets, especially dogs, offer their owners many health benefits. Now scientists say dogs may help us even more than once thought.

Those big brown eyes gazing at you with complete adoration. The cool, wet nose nudging bare feet in the early morning. That tireless wagging tail that symbolizes pure joy in your presence.

We know that dogs are dedicated companions that offer unquestioning attachment and acceptance. In the past several years, mounting scientific evidence suggests that they benefit us even beyond eager devotion. Numerous studies have shown that dogs -- one of the earliest domesticated animals -- can help lower blood pressure, ease the loneliness of the elderly in nursing homes, and help children overcome allergies."

This latest bullet was aimed at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is still under attack by Big Oil and its allies in Washington ... starting with George Bush. The president and the leadership in the House of Representatives continue to promote drilling in this greatest of American wildlife sanctuaries, despite these very real facts: the refuge represents the only 5% of the Arctic coast not already open to drilling ... there is very little oil and it wouldn't flow for TEN years ... drilling cannot have ANY effect on world oil prices which are set by OPEC ...and a large majority of Americans oppose drilling because of the harm it would cause to wildlife and habitat. Did you know that Saudi Arabia is so in debt that even after all the world's oil supply is used up in 50 years, they will never be out of debt. So if the world will have no more oil for products, energy and cars in 50 years, why isn't the US finding alternative forms of fuel?

Refusing to take "no" for an answer, the House leadership tried again to pass Arctic drilling legislation last week. But those of you who contacted your elected Representative helped defeat them ... and so the good guys won again.

In this case, one of the good guys was our new cartoon character, Defender Bear. If you haven't met him yet, let me introduce you: http://www.care2.com/go/z/bear. We created Defender Bear and his friends to help emphasize that wildlife, if they could, would fight against this horribly anti-conservation president and his policies.

I confess that I can't draw at all! So I give my ideas for the "toons" to veteran cartoonist - and conservationist - Sam Rawls ("Scrawls"), and he illustrates them for me.

In the current cartoon, I wanted to emphasize not only that the Arctic Refuge is in danger, but that Bush's policies are also endangering our public lands in places like the Rockies. The migratory bird helped tie the two places together. And the caricature saying, "Drill here" ... well, you know who that is.

We hope supporters like you will pass these cartoons along to others and thus help Defender Bear to elect politicians who recognize they're responsible for all living things, and for the leaving a healthy earth for our children and grandchildren. Invite your friends to join you on Care2 Connect, and introduce them to Defender Bear, too: http://www.care2.com/go/z/invite

I welcome your comments and any ideas for "toons" that you have. Send them to me at
rodger@defendersactionfund.org

Sincerely,

Rodger Schlickeisen
President, Defenders of Wildlife

P.S. Help give wildlife like Defender Bear a real voice on November 2nd! If you haven't already taken the pledge to vote against George Bush on November 2nd, I encourage you to do so. Click here and you can vote on behalf of your favorite animal: http://www.care2.com/go/z/pledge2

NEXT WEDNESDAY: FIGHT ANIMAL CRUELTY WITH ASPCA SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR ANNEMARIE LUCAS

Photo Credit: Animal Planet

Whether it takes the form of intentional abuse or neglect, animal cruelty is an issue that permeates our society. And no one understands this more than the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement team, our resident animal cops who fight these crimes every day on the streets of New York City. If you watch Animal Planet’s Animal Precinct, you’ve seen them in action. And next Wednesday, June 9, you’re invited to join Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas at the Washington Post online in a moderated discussion about animal cruelty—and what you can do about it.

PROTECT SEALS:
DESIGN AGAINST FUR

This poster earned Anastasia Cohen of the Miami International University of Art & Design the 2006 Design Against Fur Regional Award (U.S.). To see other international design students' takes on the barbaric Canadian seal hunt, click here for the slideshow.

The Humante Society of the
United States

Every year, the Fur Free Alliance, an international coalition of animal protection groups, offers college and university students a chance to "Design Against Fur" in a poster/advertisement contest.

This year's challenge? Create a design that will expose the brutal Canadian seal hunt and the fashion industry that supports the slaughter by creating demand for seal pup fur. I thought you'd like to see some of the 2006 Design Against Fur contest winners. Click here.

In 2006 alone, Canadian fishermen killed 330,000 baby seals for their fur, a shocking number of whom were still alive and able to feel pain. But informed consumers can fight the hunt by calling on designers to stop using seal fur and by demonstrating their disapproval by boycotting Canadian seafood.

The Design Against Fur contest is just one more way we're continuing to pressure the Canadian government to end the hunt.

Thank you for helping raise awareness about this brutal hunt, and for all you do for animals.

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

Guides & Advice : Traveler Advice : Tips & Advice Home : Planning By Interest

Animals, Animals, Anywhere!
by Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large

March 2006

Though it may sound like a Doctor Seuss book it's not--I'm reporting on pet friendly hotels and destinations. Why? Because 25% of Travelocity's travelers say they take their pets away with them. That's the same number as travelers who go to a family reunion each year, and about 20% more than those who plan to travel to go to a college reunion, charitable cause, or attend a religious conference, gathering, or event. In a nutshell, traveling with pets boils down to a multi-billion industry generating upwards of 30 billion dollars annually, so it's no wonder travel is catering to the pet set. But where should you take your pet? I've got the details and I'm calling it the bow-wow pow wow.

Nationwide hotel chains are cashing in by catering (quite literally) to our four-legged friends. Kimpton, Fairmont, and W come to mind immediately, but they're not the only ones. Monaco hotels have a list of pet paw-licies, while others have individual programs. I've selected a group of hotels and destinations across North America that is particularly pet friendly. From special menus to a kitty or pup concierge, many visitors expect the red-carpet treatment for their best pals.

In the meantime, here's to woofing it up around North America:

San Diego tops the list as a year-round pet lover's paradise and animal experience extravaganza. There are a number of pet friendly hotels, from the new and trendy boutique Hotel Solamar, which caters to pets as part of the Kimpton hotels pet-friendly program, to the W San Diego, which is part of the chain's PAW (pets always welcome) practices and has special events like occasional doggie happy hours and a 4-legger menu. But it's not just the hotels that embrace animals--Sea World, with the legendary Shamu shows, swimming with Dolphins, shark encounters and even programs where visitors can "be a trainer for a day", tops the list for animal interaction. Also special to San Diego is the famous Zoo's animal park, which in the summer months has a Roar N' Snore overnight program where you get to sleep in the park and get extra access to the animals. Plus, San Diego sports numerous pet-friendly beaches, great dog-runs, pet salons, and restaurants–and the city's baseball park is sponsored by PETCO. You get the picture: this is one town where our furry friends are welcome to roam.

Boston: Beantown is friendly to pets, as it has a reputation for making way for our furry and feathered friends with the book Make Way for Duckings, which takes place there. You can even take a walk by the statue and visit Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings who are captured in bronze in the Public Gardens. There' are the swan boat tours and the Boston Duck Tours which guarantee riders a view of some of the area's more active feathery friends. Beyond the gardens and the commons, Boston has pet friendly hotels such as the Fairmont Copley plaza with a canine companion named Catie, who was originally trained as a guide dog. You can even take a tour of the city with her! Or, take your own dog and rollerblade along the Charles esplanade. For more animal sightings visit the Franklin Park Zoo with gorillas, warthogs, Cotswald sheep, Pilgrim geese, and more. Zoo details: http://www.zoonewengland.com/

Chicago: Is home to the famous Shedd Aquarium, which is the world's largest indoor aquarium. It opened in 1930 and added the Oceanarium in 1991, which nearly doubled its size. It's home to amazing fish like Beluga Whales, Black Piranha, and Leafy Dragons. If you're big into fish, why not stay at the Hotel Monaco and enjoy the chain's Guppy Love program, which makes a Goldfish will be your companion for the duration of your stay. The best part is that the staff will do all the care and feeding for you. But if you are taking your dog with you, consider a Canine cruise just for dogs and their people, which operate on Sunday mornings June to September through Mercury skyline cruises at www.mercuryskylinecruiseline.com. Or go for a walk along Chicago's magnificent mile, Lakefront Trail, or through the Riverwalk Gateway where you can learn the city's history. Now who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Denver & The Mountains: Though the mile high city and surrounding mountains are welcoming to visitors of all kinds, remember it's important to keep your pet hydrated when you're at altitude too. In Denver the Hotel Teatro and the Monaco are particularly pet friendly. The Monaco hotels have a line of pet paw-licies that detail their special pet services from gourmet canine cuisine and doggy-dog tags for travel to massage and pet-sitting. The Teatro will serve your pet food in a personally monogrammed dish and walk them as needed. Up in the mountains you can have a great animal experience by hiking. Try spotting elk, moose, deer, coyotes, cougars, black bear, hawks and more. At Keystone, you can take your dog in a chairlift (pups ride free) and let them roam at your side. If you can't take your own pet with you, stay at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch where you can borrow their mascot and take him out for a hike.

Miami / Ft. Lauderdale: Miami's SoBe catwalk is full of pooch pride. Where else do you feel more out of place when you don't have a pup in-tow? Dine at the News Café with your furry friend or window shop. The Ritz-Carlton, Royal Palm and the Aqua all welcomes pets but don't stop there. Broward county, the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, boasts over 70 pet-friendly hotels and numerous parks and recreation areas, even restaurants that cater to your furry friends. Should your pet need some R&R you may want to check them into the Camp Canine Country Club & Spa in Ft. Lauderdale or the Tail End Pet resort & Spa in Davie. They can dine on gourmet fare from Bone Appetit in Ft. Lauderdale or Three Dog Bakery in Plantation. There is canine couture found at Tea Cups in Hollywood because every dog deserves to look his best.

New York City: Home to the most notorious of Dog Shows, the city is over-run with dog lovers and their owners each winter for Westminster. But the big apple welcomes pets every day of the year. From Central Park to Battery Park, Hudson River Park to Washington Square Park dog runs are as common as play grounds in Manhattan. Visit www.urbanhound.com for the low-down on playing with your pet in the city. From spas to day care there pets are big business in the Big Apple. Plus there's the famous Central Park zoo featured in Madagascar and the bigger Bronx Zoo as well. Hotels like 70 Park, the Muse, the Affinia 50 (and all other 8 Affinia properties in Manhattan) as well as the five W hotels all welcome pets. The Affinia hotels run a Jet Set Pet program with a special welcome and extensive list of services and providers where as the W's offer signature programs including robes (for you and your pet), pet-treats, plus a where-to-Woof guide of dog parks, groomers and pet boutiques.

San Francisco: It's a city filled with dogs and cats, but if you want to make the most out of your pet's visit get them ready to scale the hills. Take your pet to one of these great spots: the Golden Gate Park Dog Run, Mountain Lake Park or the Presidio. Even enjoy a jog on the beach at Baker Beach, Fort Funston or Ocean Beach – just be aware of the various leash laws which are strictly enforced. Hop on and off the public transport with your pet while seeing the sites. San Francisco is pet friendly as are numerous hotels such as the W San Francisco and all the Kimpton hotels. Perhaps the most notable treatment is at the Fairmont where you can sign up for the Doggy translator which enhances communicating with your pet.

ATTENTION UTAH COUNTY:

A new dog training building is open on January 7th in Orem! It is a large heated indoor center with a small store stocked with high quality supplies for show and training. You no longer have to wait for a show to find the dog stuff you love. Our classes are staffed by highly qualified professional handlers and dog trainers. The instructor to student ratio is low.

We're trying something new for intermediate and advanced trainers. Every Thursday night from 7:00 -8:00 pm the building is open for drop-in practice for $5.00 person. There are no instructors so the price is cheap. This hour is limited to ten people. Call to reserved a spot. All dogs need to be healthy and current on vaccinations. Other drop in times will added as requested and interest can support.

Other classes are now forming too. Call if interested in junior showmanship, show, kids after-school program, basic & puppy classes or private help with behavior problems. More advanced classes are planned for February.

Unleashed Talent & Training
523 South State Street

Orem, UT
Business Hours:
Wed. & Thurs 10:00 am to 7:00pm Drop in with your dog Class 7pm,
Friday             10:00 am to 5:00pm
Saturday         10:00 am to 12:30pm.
Other times by appointment.

(801) 423-7000
(801) 318-3611
Email: Judithbaker@email.c

______________________________________________

ATTENTION ALL PET OWNERS: UTAH PETS THAT LEAVE THEIR HOME WITHOUT IDENTIFICATION AND ARE PICKED UP BY ANIMAL CONTROL IN UTAH STAND TO BE IN GRAVE DANGER OF IMMEDIATELY BEING EUTHANIZED THE FIRST DAY THEY ENTER THE SHELTERS: PLEASE READ THIS LEGISLATIVE BILL BEING DECIDED ON BY UTAH RIGHT NOW: HB 128

CALL THIS HOUSE OF REPS AT 801-538-1029 AND LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL, THERE ARE BETTER OPTIONS TO KILLING EVERYONE'S PETS BEFORE THEY GET A CHANCE TO COME HOME, LETS MAKE PET OWNERS MORE RESPONSIBLE BY MANDATING MICROCHIPPING OF ALL DOGS AND CATS. (Then animal control could scan each pet running loose, take them home and fine the owners to make them responsible, and not over crowd the shelters and have taxpayers foot the bill.)

Looking For Love

30 Dogs confiscated from Breeder in such malnuorished, dirty and sick conditions: Come see Yorkies, Poodle, Boston Terrier, Chihuahuas, and Terriers. Thank you Deputy Lynn Lyons for saving them and contacting HUA.

in All the Right Faces

URGENT WORSE CASE OF NEGLECT:

Granni Poodle Update Scroll down for before photos. Shelter Rescue Approx age 10 Spayed Female Requires eye meds 2 x/day for dry eye. She doesn't like that. But she was much more sensitive with all the staples on her body that have now been removed. She had several non cancerous cysts removed and the staples are now out. She also had ear drops but when they are done they are done - it is not ongoing treatment. Granni has some sight problems but can see. She will look at your face and follow your hands. She responds to an excited, high pitch tone of voice by taking the play position with her front paws down and her backside up. She is hard of hearing but can hear. She is full of love and spunk. She will bark to tell you when she wants something and is will not soil a crate. Granni needs a good foster home and of course a permanent home ASAP. localrescue@aol.com	Her surgery was almost $400 and we are seeking donations to off set the costs. If you would like donation information please go to www.localrescue.org/securedonations.htm You may also snail mail to North Star Pet Assistance PO Box 1292 Apple Valley, CA 92307. We are a 501(c)(3) charity, Est. 2001 www.localrescue.org



BEFORE AT IMPOUND SHELTER
	North Star Pet Assistance PO Box 1292 Apple Valley, CA 92307. We are a 501(c)(3) charity, Est. 2001 www.localrescue.org

2004 Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week

April 18 - 24

"Of all the creatures, man is the most detestable. Of the entire brood, he is the only one that possesses malice. He is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to the other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot."--Mark Twain

FGH January/February 2005 Newsletter

PLEASE FORWARD This grassroots film about grassroots animal rescuers needs some grassroots publicity!
Please forward this newsletter to just ONE person who might not be already receiving it.
In This Issue: -FGH Writer/Director, Judy Crozier guests on MidWest Radio Show March 10th
-Movie Screening April 9th at Raleigh Studios
-Best Friends and Nuts for Mutts Events
-Ongoing Fundraising FGH Tshirts, Jezebelle's and MORE!
-The details on how you and your friends pets can be on our poster are on our website!
Pictured above:
Katherine Norland as Tala Loreto

If you cannot see the images here please go to http://www.freetoagoodhomemovie.com to open the Newsletter as a WebPage.

NOW PLAYING:

Best Friend Forgotten is an inspiring, 47-minute documentary, which explores the crisis of pet overpopulation by following a dog named Clover and a cat named Oreo. They are the stars, along with host/narrator David Duchovny (from TV’s “The X-Files”), of an inspiring film that explores the lives of the abandoned pets. Through Oreo and Clover’s experiences, the audience gets a first-hand look at the realities of pet-overpopulation and the magnitude of man’s role in the drama. The on-camera host, David Duchovny narrates this journey with compassion, humor, and hope. Identifying the issues and promoting solutions are integral parts of this heart-felt examination of what happens when there are too many pets and not enough homes. Viewers walk away entertained, educated, and inspired to help solve the problem in their own communities.

We have reserved Saturday, May 15^th at the Tooele High School auditorium for our version of a red-carpet premiere. The only admission that will be charged is $1 per person, $5 per family, or a bag of dog food, cat food, or cat litter that can be donated to our local Animal Shelter and help us defray the cost to pay for this event. As you can see by the admission charge -- we are not using this as a fundraiser, but rather as a service to help bring the word of this crisis to our community. Please contact Dawn with HEART to donate and help make this event a success. http://heartministries.com

No job is as demanding as a shelter worker's. How can staff members cure the disease of pet overpopulation with limited funding, crowded facilities and the growing controversy over euthanasia? These ethical dilemmas are explored in Shelter Dogs, an award-winning documentary by Cynthia Wade. The film opens at the following theaters this Friday and will run through December 18:

Roxie Cinema, 3117 16th St., San Francisco, CA; Q & A with the filmmakers, Friday, December 12, 6:15 & 8 P.M. shows
Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael, CA; Q & A with the filmmakers, Saturday, December 13, 7 P.M. show

For more information on the film and the venues listed above, please visit Shelter Dogs online SHELTER DOGS will be available for fundraising and home video use after its HBO premiere Tuesday January 27, 2004 at 7pm.

Red Hen Productions, Inc.

SHELTER DOGS, a documentary film by Cynthia Wade

What's the film about? Howard Rosenberg, in the Los Angeles Times, says "The Witness is one man's truth that cries out for mass exposure...may be the most important and persuasive film about animals ever made. It tells a deeply soulful story of redemption that is quite remarkable, one whose unlikely center is a 44-year-old former tough guy whose personal odyssey, from disdain of animals to being their champion, merits a TV movie or feature film. He's Eddie Lama." Get to know Eddie. He will change your life, soften your heart, and move you to tears.

By ordering your copy today, you will directly help a chained dog.

TRIBE OF HEART.ORG is a team of filmakers that have won awards for these moving documentaries that should be shown in all schools and public theatres.

"PEACEABLE KINGDOM is a masterpiece. I hope it inspires growing numbers of people to support this desperately important cause."
Jane Goodall, Ph.D, D.B.E,
U.N. Messenger of Peace

Come listen to the farmers that can no longer put up with the cruel treatment of farm animals by Factory Farms and Meat Slaughter Houses and are now Champions for Farm Animals. Thank you Jenny and James for inviting me to see this great film at the Freedom Cinema Festival in Park City and giving me a copy of both your movies. I hope our 6 minute short made by SLC Community College Media Students about the Human/Animal Cruelty Connection and our research will help your 3rd movie you will be working on.

"Denise - could you tell me more about where to see it, whether I can get my hands on a copy to show for my animal rights class in the summer?
Thanks for the heads up about this."

Karen Mizell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Philosophy and Humanities
Utah Valley State College"

The Witness video "THE WITNESS is one man's truth that cries out for mass exposure... may be the most important and persuasive film about animals ever made"
Howard Rosenberg
LOS ANGELES TIMES

http://www.roxievideo.com/html/borntodie_video.htm

We have been given copies of these movies and would love to come to your school assemblies and show them.

Small Paws Rescue will be featured again on Animal Planet on Wednesday April 14, 2004 @ 11:00 AM Eastern Time, and Thursday April 22, 2004 @ 11:00 AM Eastern Time.

Keep a lookout for "Benji on the Leash"

August 20th! That is the day when Benji puts a face on adoption, with the nationwide opening of the new movie, "Benji Off The Leash".

The movie introduces the hardships many homeless animals face, all the while making us laugh. That isn't an easy feat, but Benji pulls it off. We know his new movie will help raise adoption levels across the country come the end of the summer. But a short-lived spike in awareness isn't the goal. The goal is a shift in habit. The habit of "buying" or breeding pets, when so many are behind caged doors in shelters, awaiting their forever home.

All shapes, all sizes, all temperaments ... any type of dog or cat you are looking for IS available through adoption. So please help bring even more attention to this particular message by making sure Benji's new movie is the talk of the town, the office, your school, your church, your veterinary office, or your next party...We could go on and on, but you get the picture.

Please remember the date: August 20th - and make sure that on that weekend this is the movie you're going to see, encouraging your clients to see, and recommending to your customers ... and in the end, the pets win.

The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) Date and Location: June 10 - 12, 2004, Omaha, NE additional info: www.sawanetwork.org

Conference on Homeless Animal Management and Policy (CHAMP) Date and Location: August 19 - 22, 2004, Orlando, FL additional info: www.champconference.org.

American Humane's Conference 2004
Date and Location: September 27 - 28, 2004, Philadelphia, PA additional info: debby@americanhumane.org.

The National Feral Cat Summit
Date and Location: October 16, 2004, New York, NY additional info: headcat@neighborhoodcats.org

Iowa Annual Animal Sheltering Conference Date and Location: October 28 – 29, Ames, IA additional info: animalsinames@city.ames.ia.us.

Spay/USA's Southern Regional Leadership Conference Date and Location: November 11 - 14, 2004, New Orleans, LA additional info: www.spayusa.org

Tell a Friend to Listen for us on the Radio in the MidWest

March 10th 9AM - 10AM Central Time
Writer, Director Judy Crozier will be a guest on The Pet Talk Program
on KOKX-AM 1310 Radio in Keokuk, Iowa.

The broadcast can be heard in:
Southeast Iowa
Northeast Missouri
and
West Central Illinois.

If you know someone in these areas please forward this newsletter and tell them to tune in!

Click here to listen to past Radio Shows

Come learn all about the PAWSITIVE PRAISE CLICKER TRAINING BY CLICKING HERE!

ClickerExpo - RETURNS!

"Taking It to the Next Level"
Now Open for Registration!
November 5-7th, 2004, Orlando
Early Bird Registration expires July 31st 2004

Come see how Coaches are using Clicker Training with kids.

UINTAH County agrees to sell euthanasia GAS chamber to utah county shelter click here to read the sad story! Attention Law Makers: Please speak with Jacque at the Utah county animal shelter to discuss how much additional personnel is needed to humanely inject the pets if you decide to get rid of the gas chamber. The Salt Lake County Animal Shelter has a rotating team of 14 people to euthanize their animals. It is too difficult for only one or two people to have to do this traumatic job. GAS CHAMBERS ACCROSS RURAL AMERICA

American Humane's Policy Statement on Acceptable Method of Euthanasia of Dogs and Cats in Animal Shelters American Humane considers euthanasia by injection of sodium pentobarbital (EBI) to be the only acceptable method for euthanasia of dogs and cats in animal shelters. Empowering Action Since 1877

How You Can Help With the Petition to Make Extreme Forms of Animal Cruelty a Felony Offense in Utah. HELP GET SIGNATURES AND HELP AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY: Forty-one states and the District of Columbia have laws that provide felony penalties for extreme acts of cruelty to animals. A strong anti-cruelty law is one of the most important components of cruelty prevention, and Utah's current laws are, unfortunately, very weak. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THAT! Please learn more about the proven links between animal abuse and violence against other humans, and also to see exactly what kinds of changes this petition is calling for.
For More Info on How You Can Help Gather the 76,180 Signatures Needed Click Here!

Woman convicted of animal cruelty in California, come read about how she neglected 230 Chihuahuas at her Puppy Mill.

ASPCA TIPS FOR FLYING YOUR PETS ON COMMERCIAL AIRLINES IN CABIN AND IN CARGO

NEW STRAIN OF KENNEL COUGH THAT bORDETELLA SHOT DOESN'T PROTECT.

We have 15 momma kitties with babies and 3 momma dogs with Babies, and one momma ready to pop! I really need some help here guys...this is scary, JUST STARTING kitten season!!!!!!!!!!! The Momma kitties all came in over the past 2-3 days!

I will have to post the kitties later, but here's some info on the Momma dogs. Please feel free to call for more info! 213-485-0117 LA Animal Shelter. PLEASE GO ADOPT ONE FROM THERE TODAY!

US GOVT DECIDES TO LIFT BAN ON WHALE HUNTING AROUND THE WORLD, WRITE THEM THAT IT MUST CONTINUE FOREVER. WHALES NEED OUR PROTECTION, THEY ARE THE MOST WISE MAMMALS IN THE OCEAN.

PREMARIN HORSES NEED YOUR HELP
Recent information about the health risks associated with long-term use of hormone replacement drugs has affected sales of Premarin ® and Premprotm, which contain estrogens from pregnant mares' urine. The drop in sales has led to drastic cuts in the number of horses used to produce the raw material--and while this is good news in the long term, thousands of horses will need homes. You can help these equines by supporting the efforts of rescue groups such as the United Pegasus Foundation, which is trying to place as many horses as possible before they are sold to slaughter. For more information and how to donate, please visit UPF online or call (626) 279-1306. The group has adoption centers in Virginia, Pennsylvania and California.

"We must continue to fight in the Land of Lincoln to save the horses," urges the ASPCA's Ledy VanKavage, Esq., senior director, Legislative Services. "Horses belong in the stable, not on the table!"

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE MEATRIX?

Do you know what your are eating?
If not, you can catch this animated Flash movie online at BanCruelFarms.org. Created by Free Range Graphics for the New York- and California-based Farm Sanctuary, the two-minute film follows Leo the pig and Moopheus the cow as they unravel "the lie we tell ourselves about where our food comes from" and show viewers how to help stop the horrors of factory farming. Ready to escape the Meatrix? Check it out today! Come meet Alec Baldwin:

To see for yourself why so many people are going vegetarian, click here to "Meet Your Meat." (RealPlayer)

Splenda Is Not Splendid! James Bowen, M.D. - "In a simple word you would just as soon have DDT in your food as Splenda, because sucralose is a chlorocarbon. The chlorocarbons have long been famous for causing organ, genetic, and reproductive damage. It should be no surprise, therefore, that the testing of sucralose, even at less than the level demanded by FDA rules, reveals that it has been shown to cause up to 40%shrinkage of the thymus: A gland that is the very foundation of our immune system. It also causes swelling of the liver and kidneys, and calcification of the kidney." more
The artificial sweetener Splenda is used in hundreds of foods and beverages in the United States and is touted as being safe and healthier than sugar. But if Splenda is safe, why haven’t any studies been done to prove it, and why are so many people getting sick from eating Splenda? Find out some of the more common reaction symptoms now. The Bitter Truth About NutraSweet (Aspartame) and Sucralose (Splenda™)

Alternatives to artificial sweeteners and white sugar: raw, unrefined palm sugar (available in Asian stores and delicious), honey, maple syrup or date sugar. These natural sugars contain important minerals and vitamins. more info about sugar

The FDA's Wildest Dream-And Our Worst Nightmare-Is About To Come True You've taken supplements for years. You're out of vitamins C and E. You go to your natural food store, but you can't find the kind you want on the shelf. You ask a clerk to find them for you. She says you can't get your vitamin E as mixed tocopherols (the best natural form) anymore, and asks if you like your vitamin C in the 100 or 200 milligram size. The 1,000 milligram size, you say. "Where have you been?" she asks. "Asleep since 2004? It's 2007 now! The types and sizes of vitamins you just asked for have been declared illegal by the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization!" more

Politics in Healing: The Suppression & Manipulation of American Medicine by Daniel Haley An ex-congressman from N.Y., Haley has written an historical account of immense importance. Here are detailed the true stories of ten physicians and their non-toxic cancer and other medical cures that were smashed by a pharmaceutical -AMA - federal machine which continues today. For anyone interested in the truth behind who controls the FDA and other federal agencies this is a must read. All health care professionals need to have a look at the reality existing today in the manipulation of the health care system as shown in these stories.

Worldwide pharmaceutical interests to limit access to information on health choices & restrict the right to obtain dietary supplements.
Dangers of Modern Medicine: Iatrogenic Diseases

The New York Times SLams the AVMA for betraying Farm Animals raised in cruel ways. COME READ

Over ten million animals are abused, neglected or abandoned yearly. You can help each day with a free click!

Visit The Animal Rescue Site at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com daily and click the purple button. That simple action gives food to an abandoned or abused animal.

ANIMAL SHELTER REFORM

Let North Carolina State Legislature know they need to regulate all County Animal Shelters and stop the cruel inadequate gas chambers that leave dogs half alive suffering! Come read facts!

Sacramento Chronicle: Law Suit to Fire SAC Animal Shelter Director for Illegal Killings of Dogs/cats and only CA animal shelter to sell to research, and prohibiting animal rescues from her shelter which has 90% kill rate, is overcrowded, filthy, and cruel. Help by signing the petition: Go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/26622/petition.html

WORLD ANIMAL REFORM

CANADA'S BIGGEST BABY SEAL HUNT IN 50 YRS. BEGAN MONDAY! This began yesterday with 10,000 baby seals being clubbed an hour. Over 1 million seals will be killed in three years. Haven't we come further than this? With all the advances in science, we still kill like barbarians! The Canadian annual massacre of over 350,000 seals is the largest and cruelest slaughter of marine mammals in the world. Come read how you can help stop the most atrocious, barbaric and ignorant practice that we all thought was dead here. Scientists in the US are using birth control contraceptive shots? Why won't CANADA?

SPECIAL NEEDS CORNER

Fire Destroys Animal Shelter
Many Dogs And Cats Perish In The Blaze

OLYMPIC EFFORT TO SAVE TWO PARALYZED DOGS FROM GREECE

NEWS STORIES AND ISSUES TO TAKE ACTION ON

Utah Broker busted!!!

(KSL News) -- Weber County Sheriff's Deputies caught a woman who was housing nearly 100 dogs in a kennel. They received complaints about too many dogs at Canine Connection, in Marriott-Slaterville. The owner has a kennel license and conditional use permit to house up to 30 dogs. But, when deputies searched the grounds today they found at least 90 animals, mostly puppies.
Capt. Clint Anderson, Weber County Sheriff's Office: "When you have that many dogs in a house in such close proximity, there is a risk of infectious diseases being spread." Veteranians were suprised to find most of the animals are in fairly good health.
The puppies are at the Weber County Animal Shelter now. The woman has not been charged.

READ ABOUT JUDGES, RESIDENTS AND THE MEDIA HERALDING THIS RESCUER OF OVER 20 YEARS A HERO, BUT COUNTY SUPERVISORS & ANIMAL CONTROL STILL FIGHT HIM, click on pic above. THIS GOES ON ALL OVER RURAL AMERICA, WHY CAN'T THEY USE ALL THE RESEARCH AND ANIMAL KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AT A BETTER SOLUTION FOR THE PET THROW AWAY PROBLEM?

In October 1996, he was cited again by Riverside County and was recognized by Commissioner Loree, presiding, who said, "Oh, you’re the Dalmatian man. You’re doing a good thing here." He said that he and his wife had been following his trials in the papers over the years and felt he should be made a hero, not a criminal and would then refuse to even hear the current case against him - dismissing the charges.Loree is now the second judge/commissioner to call the county on the carpet over all this

.In 1995, Judge Romos of Orange County said, when he called Warner’s case, "This is not justice and it will not take place in my courtroom!" Then also dismissed the case before him. Warner also reminds us that recently, Riverside County Board of Supervisors reduced the county's animal control budget from only 3% to a mere 1% - the same week they voted themselves a 35% pay raise

Bill in NYS to force every dog owner to purchase insurance. Shot Down Yeah!!!

PREVENT ANIMAL CRUELTY MONTH

Top Ten Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty, specially compiled for ASPCA.org to usher in Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month, which starts today. You'll also find all the tools you need to join the fight on our site--including fact sheets on what constitutes cruelty; a state-by-state compendium of animal cruelty laws; where to report cruelty in your town, and tips from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on how to protect your pets from intentional cruelty.

COMING UP: YOUTH PET CONFERENCE, JUNE 19-20
Pet Therapy Associates, Inc. (PTA) will host its annual educational conference at Tallahassee Community College’s Economic and Workforce Development Center on June 19 & 20. Featured speakers include child development psychology professor Dr. Gail Melson, whose program will cover children with pets versus children without pets, and the ASPCA’s own Dr. Bill Samuels, director of Humane Education, who will discuss the benefits of pet ownership. Early registration is encouraged, and tickets are $10 for adults; under 12 free. For more information, please visit PTA online or e-mail PTA president Colm McAindriu at colm3@earthlink.net.

ASPCA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE FOR TEACHERS

No more pencils, no more books-the ASPCA teacher newsletter has gone electronic! ASPCA AnimaLessons, our quarterly publication for educators, shelters and parents, is now available online --along with past issues and printable, classroom-- ready handouts for grades K-8. "And by fall of this year, ASPCA AnimaLessons will be switching over to an e-mail-only subscription service," says the ASPCA's Miriam Ramos, Manager, Education Special Projects. "This change will not only save money, which we can then devote to other educational projects that save animals, but it will also allow us to reach subscribers in a more timely fashion."

The website also features a variety of resources for educators, from an extensive bibliography of kid- and critter-friendly books to the pros and cons of animals in the classroom. Please tell all the teachers and parents in your life about ASPCA AnimaLessons and help us pass on the compassion!

Thanks to the American Humane Organization:
Animals in these states need your help:
Alaska: Aerial wolf hunting (all US residents)
Kentucky: Update! HB 336 -- a bill to end the use of gunshot as a means of euthanasia in Kentucky -- passed the House Agriculture and Small Business Committee. But, the fight is not over. Act now to ensure this bill makes it to the House floor. (KY residents only)House OKs ban on shooting shelter animals in Kentucky
Maryland: Steel-jaw Leghold Traps (MD residents only)
Maryland: Bank Traps (MD residents only)
Maryland: New! Prevent the needless slaughter of black bears. Keep the pressure on the Governor to stop the bear hunt. Learn more.(MD residents only)
Ohio: Gunshot animal control (OH residents only)
Tennessee: Safe transport of dogs (TN residents only)

Santa Cruz POMMERANIAN PUPPY BEATER to be sentenced on the 29th. Please sign the petition urging the judge to impose the maximum penalty: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/21904/petition.html

If you can spare a moment, Please be a voice for those who cannot speak and sign the National Spay / Neuter No-Kill petition located at: http://www.petsandanimals.org

Proctor & Gamble kills approximately 50,000 animals every year in product testing, despite consumer pressure and the availability of replacement tests. While NJARA actively opposes animal testing by any company, we would like to take part in Global Boycott P&G Day on Saturday, May 22, 2004.

Come see the biggest fine for Puppy Mill busted in Canada story 03/22/04

The ASPCA, the Fund for Animals and the Animal Welfare Institute have brought a lawsuit against Ringling under the Endangered Species Act for its mistreatment of the elephants. Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected Ringling's arguments that the case should be thrown out, and the case is now going forward in federal district court in Washington, D.C. For highlights from a special report documenting the systematic abuse of Asian elephants in Ringling's care, visit ASPCA.org. COME READ MORE HERE.

Come read Companion Animal Legislation Around the Country.

Inmates donate $4,000 for new animal shelter

VAfelonycatcharges

Go to http://www.care2.com/go/z/12559 to sign the online petition asking Wal-Mart to sever its ties with the Japanese whaling industry

LA County Hiring General Manager of Animal Services

Sign Petition to make Turkey Neuter all their Street Animals.

PUPPIES ARE NOT BORN VICIOUS

PUPPY MAX LIVES

PUPPY MAX LIVES!!!< Today the Pyon's are relieved! Their beloved family member Max will live! Attorney General Richard Blumenthal facilitated a settlement prior to the hearing today and Max should be ready to go home with his family within the next few days. The agreement is not final but the state and the Pyon's, with the aid of Attorney General Blumenthal, are expected to sign an agreement. The agreement will have rules such as; Max will have to have obedience training, a microchip inserted under his skin for tracking purposes and he will be prescribed medication. Also, the State Senate finally passed the revision of the statute that held Max in custody for so long. This statute will be known as "Max's Law" and will go into effect immediately! From here on out, the state has only 60 days to go forward on a disposal hearing rather than an indefinite amount of time. By the time Max is released from death row, he will have spent seven and a half months behind bars away from his family. What You Can Do: Please write letters to Attorney General Blumenthal, thanking him for stepping up to the plate and once and for all, reuniting Max with his loving family.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal P.O. Box 120 Hartford, CT 06141-0120 Telephone: 860- 808- 5318 Fax: 860- 808- 5387 E-mail: attorney.general@po.state.ct.us

We ask you to help us in pursuing a critical goal: to stop the killing of our nation's adoptable pets. To that end, we've drafted a detailed Action Plan outlining several key steps that we have been implementing this year and with your support, continue in 2003.
Here's the problem:

Every year, six million dogs and cats are needlessly euthanized in shelters across America - simply because there is no one to adopt them. They are the innocent victims of abandonment . . . abuse . . . over-breeding. Whatever the circumstances that have brought them into our lives, we must make sure that others do not suffer their fate. Click here to learn more about how The ASPCA's Action Plan has been helping to stop the killing of adoptable pets.

By taking one simple step, making the most generous gift possible, you can help us make progress towards this goal. Your gift will help us continue to do things like:

Place thousands of unwanted animals in permanent, loving homes.

Subsidize low-cost spaying and neutering.

Expand our medical and behavior telephone help-lines so that we can foster healthy and harmonious relationships between people and their pets.

Act today! Your generous gift will help The ASPCA implement its 2003 Action Plan and help put an end to the needless deaths of millions of animals. Click here to learn how you can help.

Thank you for your continued support,
The ASPCA

Have you seen President Bush's new plan to save endangered species? Hunting Stance

The Preservator 3000 is the world's first device that actually protects animals by killing them.

What a great idea!

Watch the Preservator 3000 in action

Please forward this email to friends concerned about protecting the Endangered Species Act.

Law Suit to Fire SAC Animal Shelter Director for Illegal Killings of Dogs/cats and only CA animal shelter to sell to research, and prohibiting animal rescues from her shelter which has 90% kill rate. See SF Chronicle article below under FOR YOUR INFORMATION.

FROM KIDS

This was written by a 9 year old little boy. His name is CJ Hedges. CJ sent this to a Dal rescue list and LOTS of people asked if they could share it. I'm sure you will soon see it floating around the Internet. If you decide to share it with your friends, please be sure to give CJ credit.IF I WERE A DOG

My mom told me when I was 3 I did lots of things that just shouldn't be. I pottied in my pants, on the floor and lots more never thinking to open the bathroom door. My mom told me when I was 5 I did things that just didn't jive. I would eat food that wasn't even mine or take someones toys and leave them destroyed. My mom told me when I was 8 I did lots of things not so great. I would beat up my brothers and not listen to the rules. My mom says that I still don't always listen to the rules, fight with my brothers, destroy others toys and eat food that is not mine. However, I am lucky and have the potty training down. I wonder what would have happened to me if I were a dog. Would my mom have kept me or took me to the pound? So, many people think that it is the dogs fault but how can that be true? When a bunch of boys can be found doing these things too. When you have a dog remember they are children too. They need love, training and time to learn. Please be patient and do just what you would do, if your dog was a little boy just like me. CJ