Crazy for Critters

Michael Vick "Apologizes;'' Finds Jesus

How convenient! I'm sure the sentencing judge was moved to tears that not only is Vick sorry for his ''immature acts,'' but that he's found redemption. So how about "redeeming'' the lives of however many dogs he and his cohorts brutalized for their depraved pleasure? I hope they paper his cell with closeups of dogs torn to shreds in fights, and that's all he gets to look at day and night (and maybe pipe in recordings of dogs howling in agony in the process). Click here for his whole sorry "apology.''

What to do if You See Animal Abuse

Good advice from PETA.

The horrifying allegations of animal abuse at Michael Vick's property in Virginia have shocked everyone, but just as heartbreaking are the many similar stories that don't make the news. PETA receives thousands of calls and e-mails every year from people who have witnessed animal abuse or neglect. They are desperate to help but don't know what to do. Here are some steps you can take if you observe cruelty to animals:

Find out which agency is responsible for investigating and enforcing anti-cruelty laws in your state, county, or town. This may be a local humane society or a taxpayer-funded animal shelter. In areas without such organizations, citizens should call the police or sheriff's department.

If an animal is in a life-threatening situation, call authorities immediately. Follow up with them in a timely manner to determine their findings and their planned course of action. If they do not respond right away, call PETA at 757-622-7382.

After you contact authorities, prepare a short written statement detailing the key points of what you observed. Give dates, approximate times, and locations. Timely fact-gathering is crucial—the more time that passes, the greater the risk that evidence will disappear, injuries will heal, or you'll forget specific details. Written statements from other witnesses will help back up your observations, and if possible, take pictures and date them—photos or videos will strengthen your case.

Always keep a dated record of everyone you've contacted, along with the content and outcome of your discussions. Never forward a letter, photograph, or other documentation to anyone without first making a copy for your own files. Make it clear to authorities that you wish to pursue the case and that you are willing to lend your assistance if necessary. Be sure to follow up! If you stay involved, authorities are more likely to do the same.

If the first contact doesn't produce results, go straight to a supervisor. If that doesn't work, appeal to local government officials, such as the mayor, the district attorney, or city council members. A call to the media in your area (television and print) can move mountains. Above all, don't give up—you may be an animal's only hope!

Helping abused or neglected animals can be difficult and heart-wrenching, but they are depending on you to take action. Please contact PETA if officials fail to respond quickly to your complaint or if you need guidance or support. Together, we can save even more lives.

Only in America....

Where else would someone give Michael Vick trading cards to her dog as chew toys then sell them on eBay? The lot of 22 is already going for nearly $500. Love that capitalist ingenuity! Click here for the story.

Pet-Friendly Real Estate Services-- not a bad idea

From the press release: The launch of The Pet Realty Network’s national Resource
Directory makes moving with pets a whole lot easier.

   Naples, Florida -- With 10.7 million people moving with
their pets every year in the Untied States alone, it’s not
surprising that the idea of creating an all inclusive Resource
for pet owners moving with their pets is a good one.

   “Moving is traumatic enough, whether your move is across
the street, across the city, or across the country. Our goal
is to include all different types of services in all areas so
that when a pet owner is searching for the best real estate
professional, veterinarian, and any other business required to
make their new home pet friendly they can go to our Resource
Directory," explains Rhona Sutter of The Pet Realty Network™.
   The Directory includes pet friendly categories such as
boarding, grooming, training, pet sitting, veterinarians, pet
supplies, equestrian services, pet friendly hotels, pet
relocation services, apartments, and assisted living for
seniors.

   Moving and real estate categories include home inspections,
appraisers, mortgages, insurance, home staging, title and
escrow services, moving companies and rental trucks, self
storage, interior decorating, outdoor home improvement, home
security, cleaning services and handymen.

   An example of businesses that have joined the Directory
leading up to today’s official launch, include Invisible Fence
of Southwest Florida, City Pet Care a pet sitting service in
New York, Candy Jane Designs home staging services in
Pennsylvania, PetBedMart.com pet supplies, Waggin’ Wheels Pet
Courier based in Jacksonville, Florida, The Apartment People
featuring pet friendly apartments in Chicago, and North Woods
Animal Hospital in North Carolina.

   Launched January 2007, The Pet Realty Network™ connects Pet
friendly People and Pet Friendly Real Estate Professionals.
The new national Pet Resource Directory, launched today,
completes the pet friendly moving experience. For more
information, please visit http://petrealtynetwork.com/ or
telephone 239-403-4100.

Vick Dogs Facing Death

Some 53 pit bulls on Michael Vick's property probably will be euthanized today unless someone claims them. Sad, but at least it will be a kinder death that being torn apart in the ring or being tortured to death as Vick and his charming friends liked to do.

But wait! Before they're killed, why not let them have a go at Vick and his friends, sort of like the gladiators and the lions? I'd love to see how tough these guys are when faced with 53 sets of jaws like bear traps.

Click here for the story.

Idiot of the Day

How is it possible for someone to be this stupid?

NEW YORK (AP) - New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury defended Michael Vick, calling dogfighting a sport and comparing it to hunting. Marbury spoke Monday about the federal dogfighting conspiracy charges against Vick while promoting his basketball shoe in Albany, N.Y.

"I think it's tough,'' Marbury said, according to Albany TV station Capital News 9. "I think, you know, we don't say anything about people who shoot deer or shoot other animals. You know, from what I hear, dogfighting is a sport. It's just behind closed doors.''

On Monday, Vick said through a lawyer that he will plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. He also faces possible prosecution in Virginia.

"I think it's tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down,'' Marbury said. "I think he's one of the superb athletes, and he's a good human being. I just think that he fell into a bad situation.''

K9s In Iraq: Getting Hurt, Needing Help

First, click here for a story about how the dogs of war are faring. It's as hard on them as on their human partners.

Then check this out: a group that's sending doggie care packages over there. What a GREAT idea! Click here for more info.

Pet Project Fundraiser

PETALS PANACHE's one-year anniversary celebration will benefit the Poverello Food Bank and The Pet Project, a great operation that helps people who are seriously ill care for their pets.    Click here for the group's site.

The event is Aug. 31, 8-10 pm, Island City Park Preserve, 823 NE 28th St., Wilton Manors.

VICKtory for the Dogs

Click here for a story about how the decision of Altanta Falcon Michael Vick to plead guilty to dogfighting charges is a positive development beyond his specific case. NOW maybe people will wake up and smell the carnage and realize that blood sports involving animals is NOT OK; it's loathesome and barbaric. That being a given, it really frosts my posterior that these guys have more money that any 10 people need to live for a lifetime, and because a losing dog costs them a few hundred bucks in bets, they feel entitled to torture it to death. It's sadistic, and I'm not at all surprised that it involves players of a game that's built around perpetrating violence on an opponent (and that NFL players off the field are involved in some many violent crimes).

I hope Vick has to do a lot of community service on behalf of animal welfare organizations, and is never, EVER allowed to own another animal. 

Click here for some intersting e-mail responses.

If You Have Nothing to Do On Thursday....

...drop by and watch democracy in action:

    The Miami-Dade County Independent Review Panel (IRP) will review a complaint in which the complainant was arrested because his dog was barking. It's a public hearing.