Crazy for Critters

Vick Associate Rolls Over; Should Produce Interesting Testimony

Altlanta Falcon Michael Vick has been losing endorsement deals left and right since being indicted on dogfighting charges. Now one of his pals has flipped and will testify against him. Click here for the story. (And will someone please explain to me why football players who make millions need to bet a few thousand to watch live animals destroy each other? It's just sick).

Nothing Like a Puking Dog to Make that Summer Road Trip Exciting!

Yes, our furry friends get carsick too, but there's a new medication that could help. Here's part of the press release from Pfizer:

In Time for the August Travel Rush, CereniaTM (maropitant citrate) Helps Dogs Come Along for the Ride

NEW YORK, July 30 – Pfizer Animal Health (NYSE: PFE) announced today that Cerenia(tm) (maropitant citrate), the first and only FDA-approved medication for the prevention and treatment of canine
vomiting from a wide range of causes, including motion sickness, is now available by prescription in the United States.

Vomiting is one of the most common reasons owners take their dogs to the veterinarian.  According to Pfizer Animal Health market research, veterinarians see between 16-28 cases of acute vomiting per month, with an estimated 3 million dogs experiencing vomiting each year in the U.S.  In addition, another 7 million dogs suffer from vomiting caused by motion sickness.   

“Vomiting is extremely distressing to dogs and owners, whatever the cause may be, including motion sickness,” said George Fennell, vice president, U.S. Companion Animal Division, Pfizer Animal Health.  “For many people, dogs are members of the family, and it’s difficult to leave them behind during vacations or even while running errands because of motion sickness...

 

Vomiting may be a sign of a serious underlying problem. Before Cerenia, there was no product developed and approved specifically to treat and prevent vomiting in dogs. There also were no medications approved specifically for dogs that reliably control vomiting from motion sickness without causing sedation.  In fact, owners tend to leave their dog behind at home for day trips or put their dog in a kennel while they go on vacation because of motion sickness.  Pfizer Animal Health market research shows that one in six dogs suffers from motion sickness. 

“Every single time my dog Reba rides in the car she vomits.  That means that she is miserable, and I have to clean up a crate filled with vomit every time we go anywhere –- and then again when we go back home,” said Leah Cohn, DVM, DACVIM, University of Missouri.  “I was really looking forward to hiking with Reba but I’ve tried lots of treatments to no avail.  I finally had to give up on that idea and just keep her home.”

Dogs are the most common pet to take on a trip (78 percent), according to the Travel Information Association of America. Additionally:

* Nearly 30 million dog owners –- 14 percent of all U.S. adults –- have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more in the past three years.

* Auto or truck is primary mode of transportation (76 percent), followed by RV (10 percent) and airline (6 percent).

New Homes for Horses Discussed

WASHINGTON (July 31, 2007) – National and state-based equine-protection, placement and rescue organizations gathered for the first time Friday to discuss the re-homing of at-risk horses in America. The Homes for Horses Conference was jointly sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI).

Conference attendees took preparatory steps to both understand the causes of horse abandonment and neglect, and to counter false claims that America will face an unmanageable oversupply of horses once the slaughter of these animals for human consumption abroad is brought to an end. The newly formed coalition will communicate constantly and meet annually to enhance equine protection in the United States.

“Horse welfare organizations need to come together to figure out how we can help each other,” said Keith Dane, HSUS director of equine protection. “The personal relationships, new initiatives and goals established at this event will have a direct impact on the lives of numerous horses. I look forward to continuing the dialogue we began here this week and continuing to work in coalition with our sister organizations for many years to come.”

“This conference brought together the very individuals and organizations directly involved in protecting and improving the lives of horses on a daily basis.  For far too long, associations designed to promote business over welfare have attempted to portray themselves as guardians of equine protection, but that has changed,” said Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director of AWI.  “Homes for Horses is a tremendous step forward.”

The new team approach to horse welfare focused on the placement and re-homing of horses, as needed. Additionally, conferees joined ranks in acknowledging the many challenges facing horse rescue groups and discussed the realities and problems associated with implementing a national licensing and accreditation program. 

Are These Guys a Hoot?!

Now, I can't even begin to imagine the acrobatics that went on in the act of puppy love that created these extremely amusing critters. German sheherd/bassett hound? Corgi/ridgeback? Who knows. But they're at Animal Services and they need homes.

Luna (mom in center) is raising the kids (Pedro & Pablo) to be very playful, affectionate and friendly. Luna’s attributes – besides beauty - are sociability and willingness to please.

They are all dressed up and ready to enjoy life at the beach, the park, your house, and the entire Sunshine State.

They are a great loving family excited about meeting your family. Arrival Story:  Their guardians surrendered them because they didn’t have time for them.  They are looking for a new home that will appreciate their qualities and friendliness and give them the love and attention they deserve. Call 305-805-1778.

The Sunshine Family

Luna ID# A0878388      1 year old

Pedro ID# A0982629          3 months old

Pablo ID# A0982630          3 months old

Rent-a-Dog?

I dunno...I guess if it saves dogs from being euthanized, it's a good idea, but I can't help thinking it's awfully confusing for the dog. Click here to read the story in Business Week.

Vick Gear Verboten

Reebok is pulling Michael Vick's jerseys, now that he's been indicted for running a dog-fighting operation. It should only be the start of bad things to come for this creep. Click here for the story.

Why Not Pets? (In Miami, Dead People Vote)

George and Sugar are the mascots for www.mypoliticalpets.com.  They are from Belton,TX, and are giving pet owners and their pet(s) the opportunity to vote for the next President of United States.  In addition to having fun with the pets and the 2008 election, there’s a mission that we are trying to achieve.  A portion of the proceeds from the website, marketplace, etc, will be donated to the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Central Texas. The facilities they are currently operating in are very small and falling apart.  A new building disparately needs to be developed.  The reason George and Sugar picked Second Chance is that majority of the animal adoptions are by the men and women stationed at Ft Hood Army base.  It’s the only No Kill Shelter in Central Texas. By developing a new shelter, those in the service that have pet’s, but no where to leave them, will have a place to go.  Our belief is “Second Chance can take care of their pet, while they are taking care of us”.

Clean Your Car; Feed a Shelter Pet

Get Your Hummer and Husky Squeaky Clean for FREE on July 28 as Part of Seminole Auto Salon Grand Opening to Benefit the Humane Society of Broward County. Free Exterior Car Wash, Dog Wash from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 2^nd Level, SW Corner, Seminole Way Parking Garage

 

HOLLYWOOD, FLA  - Auto enthusiasts with canine comrades are in for a treat on July 28 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. when the Seminole Auto Salon (SAS) will celebrate its grand opening with a FREE car and dog wash to benefit the Humane Society of Broward County* Bring your make and model – whether it be a Porsche and Poodle, Mercedes and Maltese, or Hummer and Husky to the soaps and suds celebration located on the second level, SW corner of the Seminole Way Parking Garage. Donations are welcome. 

For more information, please call the Seminole Auto Salon at 954-581-7188 or visit http://www.seminoleautosalon.com/

Seminole Auto Salon, an environmentally friendly, hand car wash and auto detail service located on property, is providing the car washes. Brett Serpe, SAS president, is pleased to partner with the Humane Society on its grand opening. “Seminole Auto Salon prides itself on providing its customers with a first-class experience and hopes to parlay this attention to detail into a beneficial community fundraising event for the Humane Society,” he said.

An educational representative will be on-site to answer any questions and a dog obedience training demonstration is expected. Also, attendees can review photos of current dogs for adoption. Gerlinde Photography will be photographing pets and Hard Rock Café is providing pulled-pork sandwiches and other items for donations. Pets are required to be on a leash and under an owner’s supervision at all times.

Trained Humane Society of Broward County volunteers will conduct the dog wash in the same vicinity as the car wash. Owners can shop at the mobile pet boutique for some canine treats and goodies while they wait.

Calling All Cat People

Alley Cat Allies Announces National Cat Advocacy Seminar in Washington, D.C. and Chance to Win Free Registration and Hotel

BETHESDA, Md., July 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Alley Cat Allies (ACA)today announced the 2007 National Cat Advocacy Seminar to be held in Washington, D.C. on October 12 and 13, 2007. Join Alley Cat Allies, the nationally recognized experts on improving the lives of outdoor cats, to learn how you can unite and mobilize to make nonlethal policies and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) the norm.

TNR has been used in the United States for two decades. Millions of cats have been helped by private citizens. Yet, the largest documented cause of cat deaths in the United States is by our animal shelters and facilities where more than 7 out of 10 cats -- owned, stray, and feral are intentionally killed.

This seminar will cover topics from the best methods of feral cat care to learning how the law supports our goals to reform animal control policy. Topics will include:

* Unraveling complex and conflicting animal ordinances

* Conflict resolution and mediation to protect cats

* Changing the government's perception of caregivers

* New and successful TNR programs carried out by animal control

* Humane education is essential to TNR

* Learn how you and your vet can increase the number of cats you help

* Veterinary protocol: what do feral cats need?

The seminar will focus on how to understand ordinances, effectively communicate your message to animal control agencies and elected officials, and develop a TNR program that serves both the cats and the people.

ACA's Cat Advocacy Seminar is designed for feral cat advocates, shelter employees and volunteers, rescuers, and all others who want to change our country's animal control system and improve the lives of domestic cats. Through grassroots efforts, the feral cat movement has grown into a powerful force that elected officials recognize. But the truth is, our efforts can never fully succeed without bringing government into the process.

For more information, visit allycat.org.

Pithy

I posted this some time last year, but someone sent it again and it's worth posting a second time:

HELP NEEDED ASAP: Please help!!!! After two long years of being on a waiting
list for a dog, we have been notified by breed rescue that, at long last,
our number has come up and ... WE ARE HAVING A PUPPY!!! We must get rid of
our children IMMEDIATELY because we just know how time consuming our new
little puppy is going to be and it just wouldn't be fair to the children.
Since our little puppy will be arriving on Monday we MUST place the children
up for adoption this weekend! They are described as: One male - His name is
Tommy, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), light blonde hair, blue eyes. Four
years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn't bite. Temperament tested. Does
have problems with peeing directly in the toilet. Has had chicken Pox and is
current on all shots. Tonsils have already been removed. Tommy eats
everything, is very clean, house trained & gets Along well with others. Does
not run with scissors and with a little training he should be able to read
soon. One female - Her name is Lexie, Caucasian (English/Irish mix),
Strawberry blonde hair, green eyes quite freckled. Two years old. Can be
surly at times. Non-biter, thumb sucker. Has been temperament tested but
needs a little attitude adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots,
tonsils out, and is very healthy & can be affectionate. Gets along well with
other little girls & little boys but does not like to share her toys and
therefore would do best in a one child household. She is a very quick
learner and is currently working on her house training-shouldn' t take long
at all. We really do LOVE our children so much and want to do what's right
for them; that is why we contacted a rescue group. But we simply can no
longer keep them. Also, we are afraid that they may hurt our new puppy. I
hope you understand that ours is a UNIQUE situation and we have a real
emergency here!!! They MUST be placed into your rescue by Sunday night at
the latest or we will be forced to drop them off at the orphanage or along
some dark, country road. Our priority now has to be our new puppy.