Crazy for Critters

APB on a Police K-9

Police Search For Missing Homestead Police Dog

Caine Went Missing Between 2 - 8 a.m. Sunday

Homestead Police Department: (305) 247-1535 or (786) 298-0119

HOMESTEAD (CBS4) ― Homestead police are on the hunt for a missing police officer of the four legged variety.

On Sunday, June 15th, between 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., a Homestead Police K-9 named 'Caine' was discovered missing from the area of SW 282nd Street and 162nd Avenue.

Caine is a 3-year-old male German Shepard, sable in color (dark black and brown markings), brown eyes, weighing 79 pounds and has dark distinctive markings in each ear similar to birth marks.

Caine has been on the police force for several years and works on the drug enforcement squad.

Homestead Police Captain Ed Bowe told CBS4's Sharrie Williams that he doesn't recall a police dog ever being stolen or running away in the past.

Caine's picture is plastered all over the neighborhood. The dog is described as very friendly.

"He is friendly, we're hoping somebody may have found him out and about and took him in thinking that they found a perfect pet at this point in time but they need to realize that this is a trained police K9," said Capt. Bowe.

Caine lives at home with his handler and disappeared from the yard. His handler believes the dog got loose on his own and he wasn't wearing a collar at the time of his disappearance.

An extensive search of the area has and is being conducted but police are asking for the public's help. If you see the dog or know somebody who has the dog, please call the Homestead Police Department at 305-247-1535 or 786-298-0119.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Horrible Hoarding Case; Dozens of Critters Doomed

Every once in awhile these things come to light: some crazed person who thinks he/she is doing them a favor collects a houseful of cats and dogs, gives them no care, watches the multiply, and pretends it's humane. Police found one of the worst cases in memory Monday in Lauderhill: a house drenched in filth, animals dead, dying, diseased. A sad-case woman oblivious to the stench that drove one neighbor to sell his house. Sadly, most of the animals can't be saved. Click here for CBS-4 video.

More Evidence that the Foreclosure Crisis is Victimizing Helpless Animals

Click here to see a Ch. 4 news report that will tear your heart out. Anyone who isn't already maxed out on critters -- please think about taking in one more.

A Fun Thing to do With Kids

Fannie's Story Hour will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at Spellbound Books, 107 N. Krome Ave. in Homestead. Children of all ages and adults are welcome.

    Fannie is a 5-month-old kitten whose leg was severely fractured when she became entangled in a fan while hiding under the hood of a vehicle. She was found by Dennise Sleeper of Spellbound Books and turned over to local rescuer Pam Sansbury, who took her to English Plaza Animal Hospital in Homestead for surgery and rehabilitated her. Spellbound customers donated $225 toward the cost of Fannie's surgery.

    Sansbury, an editor and writer for The Miami Herald, will read stories at Fannie's Story Hour and take adoption applications for Fannie and other cats. Fannie herself -- now fully healed, spayed and all ready for a permanent home -- will preside over the festivities.

    Refreshments will be served, including cookies and cupcakes made by professional pastry chef Lisa Pindara of From the Heart in Homestead.

    For information, please contact Spellbound Books at 305-247-5097 or Pam Sansbury at 786-738-9256.

Where They Will Happily Do What-- Starve to Death? What a Jerk

City releases shelter dogs into national forest in east Arkansas

04:09 PM CDT on Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK – Mayor James Valley of Helena-West Helena says he has no problem with dogs or other animals. He just believes that strays in his east Arkansas town are better off in nearby national forest than the local animal shelter.

The city's animal shelter was so run down a regional humane society worker cut the locks last winter and released all the dogs, the mayor said. The city then moved the operation to a temporary fenced-in area outdoors at the city sanitation department.

Still, people complained that the animals were not properly cared for at the temporary quarters, so the mayor decided the dogs would be better off fending for themselves in the St. Francis National Forest.

Valley said the city street director released about 10 dogs into the forest Wednesday after the animals were fed and watered. About three dogs were kept to be put down by a veterinarian, he said.

"They are better off free," the mayor said Thursday in a telephone interview.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service said the agency was not contacted by the city before releasing the dogs, and does not condone releasing animals into the forest.

"In the code, it is illegal to release animals, livestock or abandoned personal property on national forest land," Tracy Farley said, adding that only occasionally does the agency find stray dogs in the forest that someone may have abandoned.

The mayor said the city would need about $50,000 to $60,000 to open a new animal shelter, and would work toward that end with county officials. Helena-West Helena also needs to aggressively enforce its animal control laws, he said.

June is Adopt-a-Cat Month

So the fine folks at petfinder.com have offer theseTop 10 Reasons to Become Feline-Friendly and Adopt a Cat:

1.       House breaking? Long walks around the block? Nope. All you need is a litter box and a lot of love.

2.       If you like to cuddle, no creature will appreciate it more - you’ll hear it in all the purrrrrrring.

3.       Petting a cat can reduce stress and stabilize blood pressure - who couldn’t use less stress? 

4.       Feeling patriotic in this presidential election year? Abraham Lincoln loved cats. He had four of them while he lived in the White House.

5.       If you have mice, you would rather have a cat. Reduce vermin in you home by having natural predator. 

6.       With so many reruns of the sitcom FRIENDS on TV, it’s time for an update to Phoebe’s song “Smelly Cat.” This could be your shot to write a new version.

7.       One word…..Catnip….

8.       Ok….we’ll just say it - by becoming more feline-friendly you too can submit your own purrrrfect pictures of your iddy biddy kitteh.

9.       Forget puppy-dog eyes. How could you say no to this face? (Sorry- couldn't download the photo, but you can imagine).

10.   There are 101,084 homeless cats posted on Petfinder right now. By adopting, you’ll be helping to solve a nation-wide crisis and be loved by cats everywhere.

Petfinder.com is the largest online database of adoptable pets and the No. 1 pet-related site in the country.

Why Does My Cat Do that?

Ever wonder why your feline stalks you?  Thinking about getting another cat and not sure how to introduce the new kitty to your other pets?  The Humane Society of Broward County will be offering “Meow-Meow Basics” a free seminar that will be held on Saturday, July 5 at 11 a.m. at the shelter.   Here you will learn everything you need to know to raise a happy, healthy, well-behaved feline.  Our staff will discuss behavior modification tips for issues like:  litter training, scratching, stalking, climbing, hiding, biting, cat fights, fearful cats, and chewing.  Other topics include:  kittenhood, multi-cat households, cats and your pregnancy and introducing a new pet. 

Reservations are required so please call Heather at 954-266-6875.

The Humane Society of Broward County is located at

2070 Griffin Road

, just west of I-95 on the south side of the street.  For information about other upcoming events or to see who is looking for a home visit http://humanebroward.com/. 

Puppy Rescued!

Firefighters yesterday rescued a poor little puppy that had fallen into a drain. Now this adorable baby and the mama dog need homes. They're at the county shelter. Click here for the story and here for the shelter.

Beautiful Lab Needs a Home

Is he handsome, or what? Here's the info I got

MEET BEAR- FOSTER HOME NEEDED ASAP Bear was rescued from a neglectful situation that could have killed him had he not been rescued by a local Vet. Over the past 4 months, his rescuer has gone through some pretty major hoops to make this dog healthy and available for adoption. Bear is an active and happy 4 1/2 year old neutered male Yellow Lab who is sweet beyond words, As a result of untreated diabetes, ended up having cataract surgery and now has full sight. He's healthy now and with affordable daily meds, his diabetes is under control. He has been through so much and deserves another chance. For lack of a foster home, he has lived the past 4 months in a kennel at an animal hospital in Weston, and it is our wish to get him placed in a forever home who will love and take care of him. A home with no cats would be best, as he seems to be too curious about them. For an application to adopt, email: jmilbyer@bellsouth.net or speak clearly as you leave your email address on 954-462-8840, His rescuer, Christi the Vet is not always available by telephone, so the best way to contact her is via email: skichristi@aol.com. Be sure to leave your name and contact info.

Yikes! (But this is what runaway development brings...)

Southwest Fla. woman bitten by coyote that attacked her dog

   ESTERO, Fla. … (AP) … A woman has been bitten by a coyote in
the latest of an increasing number of encounters with the wild
animals in southwest Florida.

   The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says
Deborah Berry was treated for a bite on her right calf Sunday
night. She's getting rabies shots as a precaution.

   Berry says she was walking her Dachshund on a leash when the
coyote appeared, grabbed the dog and tried to run away. She
struggled with the animal to get the dog away. The Dachshund,
named Ellie (!!!!), survived and is recovering.

   Authorities say it was the latest in a handful of attacks on
small dogs by coyotes, which may be roaming to find food for
their young.

   Dog owners are now being encouraged to carry sticks or clubs
on their walks.