Federal Bills Seek to Protect Military Dogs and Racehorses

May 18, 2012

Our pets play very special roles in our lives, and their importance to us is reflected in our nation’s anti-cruelty laws and other measures enacted for the good of companion animals. But because their roles are so different, working animals (like service dogs) and animals used in entertainment (like racehorses) often are not afforded the same protections as pets. At the ASPCA, we are always working to close this gap.
You can help by urging your Congress members to cosponsor and pass the following federal bills that would extend critical protections to military dogs and racehorses:

Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act

Purpose: To classify military working dogs as "canine members of the armed forces" instead of "equipment," establish adoption policies for retired dogs, create a non-profit entity to raise funds for retired dogs' veterinary care, and to establish a formal means to honor dogs killed in action or who show exceptional courage in the line of duty.

Why Now? Saturday, May 19 is Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day is fast approaching—what better time to recognize all those who selflessly serve our country?

Take Action! aspca.org/militarydogs

Interstate Horseracing Improvement Act

Purpose: To prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing. These drugs enable horses to perform beyond their physical limitations, which has resulted in catastrophic injuries and horrific deaths.

Why Now? We are in the middle of Triple Crown season—at no other time of year is horse racing a hotter topic. Recent media exposés have shed light on how severe the problem of “doping” is in horse racing. Even the trainers of recent Derby-winning horses have histories of drug violations. Both trainers also have horses running in the Preakness on Saturday, May 19. Enough is enough!

Take Action! aspca.org/racehorses

Military working dogs and racehorses deserve to be treated with kindness and respect, both during and after their periods of service. It is up to us to be the voices for the voiceless! Please take action on the pending bills listed above, share the links with friends, and join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to be sure you always receive the latest news on ASPCA-supported, pro-animal legislation.

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China to Approve Non-Animal Cosmetics Test 

per PETA

From New Orleans to New Jersey, 43 Dogs Get New Start

May 11, 2012

In late April, the ASPCA loaded up a vehicle and took a very special road trip. Our cargo was 43 homeless dogs; our mission was to give the pups a chance to find homes in a place where they’d be in high demand.
If you read our blog, you already know that these dogs came from the Louisiana SPCA and landed at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, in Madison, New Jersey, and its rescue partners the Humane Society of Atlantic County, Jersey Shore Animal Center and Monmouth County SPCA. Two weeks later, we’re happy to report that this life-saving transport has more than paid off—many of these sweet Southern doggies have already joined families!
According to St. Hubert’s Shelter Operations Director Colleen Harrington, 13 of the 15 dogs who remained at her shelter have already been adopted; the remaining two need treatment before going home. And Harrington says her rescue partners are also starting to report adoptions. In fact, they’re already excited for the next transport.
Fortunately, a second trip is already in the works—April’s transport is one of a series to come in the next few months.
“The ASPCA Relocation Initiative works collaboratively to assist animals at risk, moving them to where they have the greatest opportunity to find a home,” says ASPCA Senior Director of Community Outreach Sandy Monterose.
This cutting-edge program helps reduce euthanasia by treating animal homelessness as a national problem, not a regional one, and bringing dogs to where the adopters are. While New Orleans and many other areas of the South are overwhelmed with more dogs than loving homes, adopters in New Jersey are anxious to adopt dogs like Leo, a 118-pound Great Dane puppy, and the other 42 pups from LA/SPCA.
Adds Monterose: “The most viable solution is to transport animals to areas of the country where they are most likely to be adopted. St. Hubert’s and its partners are providing a second chance for these dogs.”
For her part, Harrington says, “St. Hubert’s is proud of the best practices—pre-transport vetting and vaccination, and of course spay/neuter. The collaborative effort with the ASPCA and our New Jersey partners makes this life-saving program possible without displacing any of the local pets in our care.”

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Your Stories: We Are Family

May 4, 2012

Rescue story by Rebecca W.
Asheville, NC
In 2002, my best friend, Kevin, asked me for help finding him a dog for his birthday. I walked into the Humane Society in Columbia, South Carolina, to browse. In the last cage on the left, a single puppy shoved his nose under the gate when he noticed me. He was the only remaining dog of his litter. The shelter employees informed me he was the runt.
But he was perfect! He was blond and reminded me of a Cocker Spaniel. I filled out the paperwork and adopted him on the spot, agreeing to take the puppy myself if he wasn’t a good fit with my friend.
Kevin loved him immensely. However, his roommate didn't. I planned to find a new home for him, but on a trip to the vet for his vaccinations, he started whining and crying from the shot, then fell asleep in my arms.
"Oh crap," I thought. "This is it, done, over, fin." Jeffrey became my newest family member.
Since then, Jeffrey has been diagnosed with a potentially fatal auto-immune disease, had his cataracts removed and lenses implanted in both eyes, been diagnosed with allergies and gone on allergy shots, had an ear infection that lasted six months, had a urinary tract infection for six months, had pancreatitis, and more.
He is now 10 years old, diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and is the happiest pup I know. He has been on some form of medication most of his life. And he thrives! He can't hear well anymore, but is great at tracking squirrels and turkeys on our rural property in western North Carolina. He loves riding in the car, greeting me when I come home, and being submissive to our cat.
Jeffrey is the perfect dog. He is family.

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Adoptable Dogs

Name:

Otis

Breed:

Pit Bull Terrier

Color:

White/Brown

Gender:

Male

Age:

9 years

 

MYM Canine-ality:
Goofball

I’m a fun-loving, happy-all-the-time, glass-is-half-full kind of dog looking for someone who loves to laugh and play around. Must have a great sense of humor and some time to spend with me. I’m a dog on a mission to please you. (Socially motivated)  

Learn more about Meet Your Match Canine-alities

Big fan of: You! A stranger is just a BFF Otis hasn’t met yet. Extra-social Otis loves attention from people and can’t get enough snuggles. He also enjoys retrieving tennis balls and taking long walks.
Not a fan of: The sound of skateboards or other rolling objects—Otis thinks they’re scary—and enduring rough play at the hands of kids. (Otis should live with teens and adults only.)
Special features: Otis knows Sit, Down, Shake and more, and he would love to spend time with you learning more cool stuff in exchange for a tasty treat. A perennial staff favorite, Otis has been described as “everything a person could want in a dog.” Though he’ll need a refresher in his new home, Otis is housebroken. He also has an irresistibly goofy and sweet face that will melt your heart each time he looks at you!
Other reasons he’s special: Otis was rescued by our Humane Law Enforcement Agents in 2002 as a puppy. He found his way into a loving home soon after, but eight years later his heartbroken family was forced to give him up. He sees his role in life as being a beloved family member, and he can’t wait to be someone’s loyal best friend again.
Dream home: A teens-and-up family with lots of love for a gentleman of a certain age would suit Otis just fine. Otis has lived with cats and is interested in other dogs. If you’re interested: Please call our Animal Placement department in New York City at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4900.

 

 

Do you have a smarty-pants canine? Does your favorite pup need a little extra stimulation or a boost in confidence? Or maybe you’re just interested in finding something fun you can do to deepen your bond with your canine buddy?
Welcome to dog sports, a great way to have tons of fun with your friendly dog while giving him the enrichment every companion animal needs! Agility and other sports can be enjoyed competitively or noncompetitively and will help your dog build confidence and form an uncommonly deep bond with you.
If you're like most pet parents, when you hear "dog sports," you probably think of Fetch and Tug-of-War. But the world of dog sports goes well beyond those activities. If you've ever seen a video of a dog jumping over hurdles, barreling through a tunnel or dancing in sync with a human, chances are you were watching dog sports in action. If you think dog sports might be for you and your dog, here's a quick guide to some of your options.

Agility

What is it? Racing against the clock, your dog completes a challenging obstacle course with you as his guide. Agility can be done competitively or just for fun! Check out the ASPCA's own Beverly Pietrucha's account of what Agility is really like.
Who's it for? Any breed or mixed-breed dog can be an agility champion! Your dog should have lots of energy and focus, and you should be ready to spend lots of quality time working with your pup.
For more info: Visit the North American Dog Agility Council, Canine Performance Events, or the U.S. Dog Agility Association.

Rally Obedience (Rally-O)

What is it? Kind of like a driver's test for you and your dog—except a whole lot more enjoyable for everyone involved. With your dog in a heel position, you navigate a course, stopping at signs that ask you to perform various commands.
Who's it for? Open to dogs of all breeds and mixes, Rally-O is great for dogs and pet parents who are new to dog sports, and for those looking for a way to have more fun with obedience training.
For more info: Visit the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Disc Dog

What is it? Some next-level Frisbee fun. As the "thrower" of your team, you work together with your dog to compete in distance catching (what it sounds like) and freestyle catching (throwing with a few "tricks" tossed in).
Who's it for? Dogs of any breed with a flair for catching a Frisbee, and pet parents looking for a sport that requires minimal equipment—you just need a disc, a level area and, of course, man's best friend.
For more info: Visit the International Disc Dog Handlers Association.

Flyball

What is it? A relay race for pups—and lots of fun for both of you! As part of a team of four other dogs, your dog must race over a series of jumps on a 51-foot course, trigger the release of a ball, retrieve the ball and then race back to the start/finish line so the next dog can do the same.
Who's it for? Any energetic dog can compete! Handlers (that's you) who seek a sport that's as social as it is challenging should look no further than the fun-loving Flyball community.
For more info: Visit the North American Flyball Association.

Freestyle

What is it? Dancing with your dog! Sounds goofy, but it's lots of fun…and hard work.
Who's it for? Creative folks, and dogs of any breed.
For more info: Visit the Canine Freestyle Federation or the World Canine Freestyle Organization. 
There are still many more dog sports to be enjoyed! Here are just a few more dog sports groups to check out:

• For Tracking, visit the American Kennel Club.
• For Herding, visit the American Herding Breed Association.
• For go-to-ground Earthdog trials for Dachshunds and small terriers, visit the American Kennel Club.
• For Weight Pulling, visit the International Weight Pulling Association.
• For Lure Coursing, visit the American Sighthound Field Association.

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Rescued by ASPCA and Undercover ATF Agents, Ex-Fighting Dog Finds Loving Family
During a year-long investigation into a guns and narcotics network in Virginia, agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) discovered that their targets were also involved in dog fighting.
To gain access to the criminals, the agents went undercover as fellow dog fighters, visiting the Halifax County property of the suspects on the pretense of purchasing a dog. The agents were offered Dragon, whom they feared would be killed that night, either in a fight or at the hands of his owners. They bought him…and then they fell in love with him.
The agents called the ASPCA for help. Our top experts arrived as soon as they could, and in April 2011 we assisted the ATF with a large-scale drugs, weapons and dog fighting raid where 41 dogs were seized.
It’s been two years since that bust, which resulted in two prison terms for the convicted dog fighters, including 15 years for Jonathan Kennard Williams.
But that wasn’t the only happy ending to this story.
Like most fighting dogs, Dragon was as sweet as could be with humans. “He rolled over and showed me his belly, even when I was ‘being mean to him’ as part of his behavioral assessment,” says the ASPCA’s Dr. Randall Lockwood. But Dr. Lockwood and ASPCA behaviorist Dr. Pamela Reid found that he was also aggressive toward other male canines.
Still, the ASPCA didn’t give up on Dragon. And Dr. Reid had an idea: entering Dragon into a special rehabilitative program at the Longmont Humane Society in Colorado—approximately 1,700 miles from Halifax.
Says ASPCA Blood Sports Director Terry Mills, “We had a chance to save his life through a nontraditional approach, and we took it.”
So ASPCA Transport and Equipment Assistant Richard Danner drove Dragon from Virginia to Joplin, Missouri, where the Field Investigations and Response Team was responding to the tornado that devastated that town in May. From there, Dr. Reid and Mills drove Dragon to the Longmont Humane Society.
“We stayed for five days and worked with him every day, twice a day, and we were all quite impressed,” says Dr. Reid. “By Day 3, Dragon was making some dog friends and by Day 4, he was playing with other dogs!”
Soon, Dragon was ready for the adoptions floor. And finally, this year, he got the happy ending he so deserved: A wonderful family decided to take him home. Dragon is now living the good life with software developer Eric Reeves and his two kids! Read more about Dragon’s new life in the Denver Post!

Days after Jack White claimed his third No. 1 album in the U.K., he's now climbed atop the Billboard 200 chart for the first U.S. No. 1 album of his career.
White's debut solo album, Blunderbuss (buy on iTunes), moved 138,000 copies in its first week on sale, more than enough to surpass Adele's 84,000 copies sold. The album also debuted in the No. 1 slots in Canada and Switzerland.
Prior to Blunderbuss, which came close to a No. 1 with 2007's Icky Thump, which debuted with 223,000 first-week sales, enough to place it at No. 2 behind Bon Jovi's Lost Highway.
In other recent Jack White news, producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed in a recent interview that White had signed on to write, produce and perform the soundtrack to Disney's upcoming adaptation of The Lone Ranger.
"Jack's an amazing songwriter with a unique style," Bruckheimer recently told Variety. "We're thrilled to hear his fresh take on the 'William Tell Overture.'"

 

Jack White Scores First U.S. Number One

Posted 05/02/2012 at 11:28am | by Josh Hart