Crazy for Critters

Pet Pix Wanted

DENVER, June 14, 2009 – Time is running out to enter photos in American Humane’s 2009 Pets & Pals Photo Contest™ to compete for two $1,000 grand prizes and four $500 category prizes. This popular annual competition encourages photographers of all skill levels to send in shots of companion animals and farm animals, as well as photos portraying the bond between people and animals. There is no limit on the number of photos each participant may submit, but entries must be postmarked no later than July 31, 2009.

 2009 Pets & Pals Photo Contest Categories:

 1. Pets -- Whether they’re dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds or lizards, they’re your pets and you love them!

This category is open to pictures of one or more pets or companion animals of any species.

 2. People & Pets -- What are we without our pets, and what are our pets without us? Honor a special human-animal bond.

This category is open to pictures of one or more companion animals with one or more people.

 3. Down on the Farm -- Take your pick of the many animals found on a farm and capture a unique shot.

This category is open to pictures of one or more farm or ranch animals.

 4. Shelter Life -- At an animal shelter, amazing, devoted people take care of homeless animals waiting to be adopted. Snap a shot honoring both the animals and the professionals.

This category is open to pictures of shelter staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and animal control professionals and/or animals, in shelter settings.

 Entries, including Official Application and Release Form, should be sent to American Humane at 63 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colorado, 80112. All entries must be postmarked no later than July 31, 2009, and received no later than Aug. 7, 2009. Visit americanhumane.org for submission guidelines, the required form, and rules.

 

Controversy over a Boston zoo, threatened by budget cuts

Patrick accuses zoo officials of scare tactics

Rules out killing of animals

Four-year-old Mark Griffin (right) looked through the glass yesterday at Kitombe, a gorilla at Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester. (Maisie Crow for The Boston Globe)

By Matt Collette Globe Correspondent / July 13, 2009

Governor Deval Patrick yesterday accused Zoo New England officials of creating a false and inflammatory scare with their warning that state budget cuts may force them to close two Greater Boston zoos and euthanize some animals.

“As a supporter of the zoo and a parent who has visited often, the governor is disappointed to learn that Zoo New England has responded to this difficult but unavoidable budget cut by spreading inaccurate and incendiary information,’’ Kyle Sullivan, a spokesman for the governor, said in a statement.

And a second Patrick aide emphatically ruled out the killing of any animals.

“There will be no consideration given to euthanizing any animals under the state’s watch,’’ said Joe Landolfi, Patrick’s director of communications. If the zoos were to close, Landolfi said, the state would work to find new homes for the animals.

State officials told the Globe that they are trying to find ways to salvage the zoo operations, but that Zoo New England’s handling of the budget crisis hasn’t been helpful.

“In the midst of an economic crisis like this one, when families and businesses alike are making sacrifices, we would all do well to remain level-headed and focus on solutions,’’ Sullivan said.

Zoo officials declined to comment on Patrick’s remarks yesterday. They also canceled a public event to welcome two French Poitou donkeys to the Franklin Park facility in honor of Bastille Day tomorrow. John Linehan, Zoo New England chief executive, was scheduled to attend the event.

The current problems of Zoo New England, which runs Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, stem from Patrick’s decision June 29 to veto $4 million in funding from the nonprofit’s annual budget. That reduces the state appropriation by 61 percent, to $2.5 million.

On Friday zoo officials released a statement saying the funding reduction might require them to shutter both zoos. Then on Saturday, they issued a statement that said state bureaucrats - and not animal-care professionals - would be responsible for deciding whether some animals would have to be killed if the zoos closed.

Among the options under consideration is shuttering the smaller Stone Zoo and moving its animals and exhibits to Boston, officials said. That would reduce Zoo New England’s overall operating costs and make the flagship Boston facility more prominent. Some state lawmakers have said they would try to override the governor’s veto of zoo funding, which would require a two-thirds’ vote of both chambers of the state Legislature.

Zoo officials have used the prospect of euthanizing animals in prior fights against state budget cuts. Faced with similar funding reductions in the early 1990s that forced the closure of the Stone Zoo, officials initially said many of those animals would have to be euthanized. But none were. Instead, most were moved to the Franklin Park Zoo until 1994, when the Stone Zoo was reopened.

The two zoos have 1,300 animals of 260 species, including gorillas, tigers, capybaras, and peacocks. It employs 165 full-time employees, 65 teen employees, and 25 interns.

Sullivan, the governor’s spokesman, also said yesterday that Zoo New England is responsible for finding a way to keep its gates open. The zoos received about 40 percent of their total funding last year from admissions, memberships, donations, and other private sources.

At least one visitor to the Franklin Park Zoo yesterday suggested the operator solve the budget crisis on its own.

“I wonder why the Franklin Park Zoo doesn’t raise their prices so they can support themselves,’’ said Emanuel Achidiev, 28. “They shouldn’t have to rely on the state.’’

Achidiev and his wife, Tatiana, Brighton residents, brought their 18-month-old son, Ariel, to the zoo yesterday. “He’s just beginning to understand what the zoo is all about,’’ Tatiana Achidiev said. She said she feared her son would not get to take advantage of the local zoo as he grew up.

Natashia Tidwell, 39, of Cambridge took her 16-month-old son, Ellis Barnes, on his first trip to the zoo yesterday. Ellis’s first word was “cat’’ and Tidwell was excited to show her son some of the big cats: the lions and tigers.

“This is his very first trip and maybe his last,’’ she said.

Shimmer Needs a Home

Another beautiful black Lab from Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida.

Hi, Shimmer is my name. I was given that name because I have such a beautiful, shiny coat that “shimmers” when the sun hits it! I have a little extra weight on, as I weigh 89 pounds, so I do need to lose a few pounds.So if you want a walking buddy I am your girl!  With a little exercise and  someone to help me play with my toys I will slim down easily.. I am an extremely well behaved dog. I am house trained, crate trained, good with children, know all my basic commands such as sit, down, and off. I will also sit to have my leash put on, walk great on my leash, and I LOVE to go for walks! I don’t jump on anyone and if you want to give me a treat, I am so gentle it is like I am giving you a butterfly kiss! I am very friendly with all people, but I am a little timid around other dogs. I am very silly with my squeaky toys, I like to flip them in the air, bang myself in the head with them and plunk them in your lap! I also am a great catcher as I even use my paws to help me! I like to fetch and will bring the toy right back to you so we can play again. I don’t know what to think about a pool and swimming yet, but I love to drink water from a hose and play with the water when you squirt me! I know not to beg, and I will lie down if you ask me to when you are busy. I will follow you everywhere, as I just love to spend time with my humans. My ears are soft and I think it is the best thing in the whole world when they are scratched! I just know that since I am so extremely well behaved that I would make you a great companion and best friend. I think I would prefer to be the only dog, as I would rather not share my humans’ attention with anyone. I also have a nice throaty bark so that when someone is in the driveway or comes into the yard, I will be sure to let you know. Oh yeah, one thing that you should know, I don’t really like cats too much, they are just too fun to chase! (Um, well, maybe that means I like them TOO much?)

 

If you are interested in adopting SHIMMER or any of our other Labs contact Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida by visiting our website labradorrescue.net   or call 1-866-464-LABS. LRROF has all our Labs microchipped, spayed or neutered, up to date on shots and each adoption comes with a 30 day pre-paid pet health insurance plan.

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Huge Cruelty Raid

Federal and state agents, along with personnel from the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA, pulled off the largest raid of its kind, making arrests in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Mississippi. Click here for news of the raid, which rescued some 400 dogs, mostly pit bull terriers.

German Shepherd needs a home

He's 10 months old. Owner lost his job and home. Very friendly puppy, up to date shots, and potty trained looking for a new forever home!
Contact tswilde@aol.com if interested.

Dog Flu Vaccine Approved

Great news, given that canine influenza is rampant.

APHIS ISSUES CONDITIONAL LICENSE FOR CANINE INFLUENZA VIRUS VACCINE

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2009--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced that it has issued a conditional license to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health for a canine influenza virus (CIV) vaccine.

The vaccine, made from killed virus, is intended to aid in the control of disease associated with canine influenza virus infection, type A, subtype H3N8.  Canine influenza was first identified as a disease in U.S. dogs in 2004, after an outbreak of respiratory disease in racing greyhounds in Florida.  Since then, it has continued to spread and has now been detected in dogs in 30 states and the District of Columbia.

APHIS, through its Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB), granted the conditional license following the acceptance of data supporting product purity, safety and a reasonable expectation of efficacy.  The safety data included the results of studies that evaluated the product under normal conditions, including field safety trials of the size and scope required for full licensure.
 
Studies indicate that the vaccine can reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the duration of coughing and viral shedding.  The product is administered by injection, and is recommended for use in healthy dogs at six weeks of age or older as an aid in the control of disease associated with canine influenza virus infection.

Under the conditional license, the product may be distributed as authorized in each state, and used by, or under the supervision of, veterinarians.  During the one-year conditional license period, the CVB will continue to monitor the product’s performance and will evaluate the company’s progress toward full licensure.

APHIS issues conditional licenses in the event of an emergency situation, limited market or other special circumstance.  In this case, the special circumstance was the emergence of a new virus for which there were no existing licensed veterinary vaccines.

The latest from Animal Services

June Stats

 - 4,167 dogs/cats were received at Miami-Dade Animal Services.

- Since Feb, 2009, 902 free cat spays/neuters were done at ASD, thanks to Maddie’s Fund.

- 753 pets were adopted.

- 56 rescue groups saved 380 shelter pets.

- 1,325 pets were saved (“saved” means: reunited with owner, rescued, adopted or transferred to Humane Society.)

- At our last signature event, 112 pets were adopted! 

Top 10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Pet

10 - EVERYDAY, 100 - 150 stray or owner-surrendered dogs and cats are received at Miami-Dade Animal Services.
You can save a life by adopting a cat or dog from your local shelter.

9 - Many dogs and cats awaiting adoption at the shelter are already housebroken! With most family members gone during the work week for 8 hours or more, house training is certainly an important consideration.

8 - When you adopt an older dog or cat from the shelter, you already know how big the animal is, what his temperament is, how active he is and if he has been trained.

7 - Adoption staff and volunteers work with you to make that perfect match. They will try and make sure that you are choosing the pet that will make both family and animal happy with each other.

6 - Instant companion! When you adopt from a shelter, you immediately have a devoted friend for life.

5 - You will be an example to others, and they may become inspired to visit a shelter.

4 -There are puppies and kittens at the shelter as well as older animals. Whatever age you are looking for, you can find him or her at the shelter.

3 - Purebreds can be found at the shelter.

2 - Miami-Dade Animal Services provide all necessary shots and spaying/neutering before the animal goes home with you. Spaying/neutering helps to end the tremendous pet overpopulation problem, is healthier for your animal and saves you time and money.

1 - Unconditional Love! Your new pet will love you regardless of all other outside factors. Where else can you find that kind of devotion?

The Dog Ate My Homework-- Next Generation!

Jon Meier of Eau Claire, Wis. displays June 26, 2009 the passport his golden retriever Sunshine, left, chewed 20 minutes before he left on a trip to Peru earlier in June with fellow Eau Claire North High School Spanish students. Officials would not let him board the international flight at Miami because of what they described as a "mutilated" passport. (AP Photo/Eau Claire Leader-Telegram/Dan Reiland)

Dogs' Least Favorite Day

That would be today, July 4, when, to a dog, it sounds like the end of the world after sundown. Actually, in my BF's Dania Beach neighborhood, it started last night and went on 'til midnight: loud booms, ear-splitting whistles, popping like gunfire.

So tonight, PLEASE don't leave your dogs outside during fireworks displays. If you have to leave them alone, keep them inside in a safe place. Every year, panic-stricken dogs break out of their yards and end up getting hit or picked up by Animal Services. And some of them aren't wearing collars and tags and aren't microchipped, which is the express route to that sad little room at Animal Services.  

Do NOT take a dog to a fireworks display. The noise and crowds are overwhelming and scary to them. 

Have a SAFE and sane 4th.  

Three Golden Mixes in Desperate Need of Help

Three Golden Retriever mix dogs (7-8 years old) need to be adopted. Their owner passed away, and they ended up with Animal Control. They cannot keep them there and will destroy them in two days.
Does anyone feel they could take one or more, or anyone knows someone who might want one? They are gentle, sweet dogs that love everyone, house broken of course, with no medical problems. They are sterilized and up to date on all their shots.

If you can help, please contact the Tri-State Humane Society on Boca Rio: 482-8110.