Crazy for Critters

Dogs of War

Interesting story and cool Washington Post video on military dogs and their close bonds with their soldier handlers. Enjoy.

Watch Nightline Tonight: Puppy Mills

It's on ABC at 11:30. Check out the teaser here.

Broward Walk a Big Success

Ft. Lauderdale - On March 7^th more than 5,000 animal lovers and dogs took part in the Humane Society of Broward County’s “19^th Annual Walk for the Animals.

The 1.25 mile walk began at 10:00 AM. There were 56 Packs or teams that raised a total of $262,211, individual walkers raised $186,068 and thanks to our corporate sponsors the final tally is a net grand total of $481,000!  That’s $1,000 more than goal and money still keeps coming in, thanks to corporate matching funds. 

The top three Packs were:  HSBC Animal Assisted Therapy who raised $31,243; PAWS – Pets Are Worth Saving who raised $27,946 and Team National Tail Waggers who raised $26,064. The top three individual fundraisers were:  Angela Chrysler who raised $22,583, Nancy Vaniman who raised $8,180 and Neil Bradie who raised $5,870.

The Humane Society of Broward County is a private, non-profit organization that relies on donations from people and companies who want to make a difference for homeless animals. 

People, Pets & Vets Award Nominations Sought

MIAMI – March 10, 2009 – On Sunday, May 17 2009, The South Florida Veterinary Foundation (SFVF), a non-profit organization which promotes humane education, awareness and understanding of the human-animal bond and veterinary medicine in the South Florida community, will hold its annual recognition luncheon “People, Pets & Vets Awards” at Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club, located at 6842 Main Street, Miami Lakes.

  

The luncheon will feature Officer Kathy Labrada, Animal Services Investigator Supervisor and star of Animal Planet's Miami Animal Police.

 

The SFVF is currently seeking nominations for nine award categories. A description of each award category and nomination forms can be obtained on the SFVF’s website, www.sfvet.org or by contacting Denisa Hoult, Executive Director of the SFVF at (305) 397-8160 or by e-mail at dhoult@sfvet.org.

 

The suggested donation to attend the luncheon is $40. All proceeds directly benefit the SFVF. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

 

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About The South Florida Veterinary Foundation

The South Florida Veterinary Foundation (SFVF) is a non – profit organization that was established in 1976, its mission has been to promote humane education and increase awareness and understanding of the human-animal bond and veterinary medicine in the South Florida community. Funding for the foundation is primarily obtained through a small surcharge added by foundation member practioners to the Miami-Dade County Rabies Tag fee, as well as, donations from non-practice owners and vendors. The SFVF’s main goal has been to support veterinary related charitable activities. In the past, the foundation has provided donations of equipment and financial assistance for the Miami-Dade College Veterinary Technicians Program, provided a

complete trailer with training equipment for Miami-Dade County Search and Rescue dogs, and donated time and professional expertise at a Wellness/Vaccine Clinic held at Camillus House for the pets of homeless people. More recently the foundation established a scholarship at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine that would provide assistance to a South Florida student training to be a veterinarian at this college. One of the foundation’s ongoing projects is the “Spay and Neuter” program that provides free or reduced spay and neuter for pets of low income and indigent people.

Eat, Drink, Benefit the Dog Beach

Thursday, March 26, 2009
Third annual wine tasting event
Dog Beach of Hollywood invites you to our 3rd annual wine tasting event. Unwind, socialize, savor & taste an array of seasonal appetizers provided by Vino & Fulvio's restaurant.

You will have the opportunity to meet our special guest Tucker, a 6 year old Border Collie, who was the winner of our talent competition in December; Tucker will  perform & show his magnificent ability to say his prayers, play dead, do circles, bow, wave & most impressively stack rings & do puzzles.

Date: Thursday, March 26 - 6:30 P.M
Location: Vino Hollywood
1910 Harrison Street, Hollywood, FL (free parking in the back)
(954) 929 - 8686

The cost of this event is $25.00 PP & it includes 2 glasses of wine & appetizers.

VIP tickets are $50.00 PP & they include the above, plus a gift bag with a choice of a DBOH T-shirt or cap,  doggie treats, a raffle ticket to win a fabulous bottle of wine and priority outdoor seating for VIP dogs.

To purchase or reserve tickets, you may call 954 928 5455 or email Helena at rossoss@aol.com.  (limited seating outdoors for well behaved dogs)

One, Two, Three Woofs You're Out at the Old Ball Game

BARK at the PARK With the FLORIDA MARLINS!

   Fort Lauderdale, FL … Looking for something fun and exciting to do with your dog? If so, join the Humane Society of Broward County AND The Humane Society of Greater Miami/ Adopt-a-Pet, Friday, April 24th at Bark at the Park with the Florida Marlins.

   You and your well-mannered canine friend can show your support of the Florida Marlins as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies at Dolphin Stadium.

   Game time is 7:10 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under … and $6 for dogs. All proceeds from the dog ticket sales that are purchased at the shelter or online will benefit the Humane Society shelters.

   All dogs must have current vaccinations and display their current valid rabies tags. Stop by the shelter, 2070 Griffin Road, to buy tickets, or visit humanebroward.com. For more information in Broward, call 954-266-6816.

In Miami: humanesocietymiami.org. The shelter is at 16101 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach. Call 305-696-0800.

 

Celeb Chef Donates to Miami Rescue Group

    Friday, March 27, Sabbath Memorial Rescue, a never-kill shelter in Miami, will be receiving 20 pallets of Nutrish treats from Rachael Ray. She'll also be sending food.

  The attention from such a high-profile figure is as welcome as the food, says Robbie Coy, who runs Sabbath Memorial.

   "We will one day build a real facility. We're really thankful to Rachel Ray and our dogs really like their stuff.''

   His group cares for 150 dogs, all of which can live out their lives at his shelter, in Southwest Miami-Dade. Coy pays for much of their care from his own pocket, and desperately needs donations.

   Ray's îîpeople'' say the following about the 10,000 pounds of food she's donating to shelters, along with the treats:

   "The economic downtown that started on Wall Street is beginning to take a serious toll on the backyard doghouse. Many apartment complex owners are no longer allowing dogs due to fear of increased "wear and tear" and in general many families no longer have the ability to provide for food, toys and costly medical bills. The result: an escalated amount of pet owners relinquishing their dogs to local shelters. Heartbroken by the thought of millions of animals taken in by these shelters, celebrity chef Rachael Ray will be donating dog food and treats from her new premium pet food line Rachael Ray Nutrish. This is on top of Rachael's Rescue, through which all of Rachael's proceeds from the dog food line sold in stores goes directly to no-kill animal shelters.''

  A depressing statistic: More than 32,000 dogs and cats end up in the Miami-Dade County animal shelter each year. Two-thirds die there because they can't find homes. Good people like Robbie, and other local rescuers, do what they can, but it's an uphill battle.

Critter Stuff This Weekend

 Pet Festival 2009, Markham Park, 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise. Pet adoptions and K9 sports, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Kids under 5: free. Entry fee: $1.50.

   Also: animal rescue organizations and resources, a Frisbee tournament, vendors, speakers, entertainment and trainers who can respond to pet-behavior questions. Leashes and county licenses
are required for all pets on site. No exotic animals will be allowed.

Casting call: Bayfront Park, Miami, on Sunday for Disney is auditioning pooches for an upcoming film. Starts at noon.

 

Free feline spay/neutering in Miami-Dade on Sunday

(MIAMI, March 20^th, 2009) - In an effort to help control the cat overpopulation problem in Miami-Dade County, the Animal Services Department, Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt-A-Pet, The Cat Network, Inc., South Florida Veterinary Medical Association and South Florida Veterinary Foundation will join forces and offer free spay/neuter services on March 22^nd, 2009 at the clinic located at 10700 SW 211 Street, Miami, FL 33189.  Local veterinarians will be donating their time to perform the spays and neuters.

 

Participating organizations encourage pet owners to spay or neuter their pets, as it helps reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats and protects them from health issues that may develop later in life.

 

What:    Free spay and neuter for cats only.  All appointments booked.

                                                                                                                                                           

Who:     Miami-Dade Animal Services Department

               Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt a Pet

               The Cat Network, Inc.

               South Florida Veterinary Medical Association

               South Florida Veterinary Foundation.

 

When:   Sunday, March 22^nd, 2009. 

 

Where:   10700 SW 211 Street, Miami.

                                                                                                                                                                     

Requirements: Service for Miami-Dade County Residents only. Proof of current rabies vaccination for cats over 4 months of age.  A rabies vaccine can be obtained the day of surgery at no additional cost. Veterinarian may decline surgery due to health reasons.  Feral cats and those who go outdoors will be ear tipped to identify them as sterilized.

 

The pet overpopulation crisis needs the entire community to work together in order to reduce the number of animals abandoned and ultimately euthanized at Animal Services.  In this partnership, our goal is to sterilize approximately 300 cats.

Extreme Sheep

You won't believe this video from the UK. Bunch of guys and herding dogs get hundreds of sheep to pull off some amazing maneuvers. Enjoy!